2022, Stage 2 Gryffindor vs Slytherin: Match 6 fin

@Dmitri Jones @Pericles Dralt @Youssuf Baid @Lizzy Solace

Duelling, second stage. After the first stage had been won entirely by all the viper teams, she did enter this one with more confidence, but she couldn't say that she had a good feeling.
On the contrary, Opeila truly felt bad when she entered the stage, on which they would be expected to blow up a pair of literal kids in a few moments. The young Slytherin loved duelling and she would not ever have given it up, even for her new position as broom racing captain, but this really felt bad. Even if they won again, which they undoubtedly would, there would be nothing admirable about it.

Those were two first years, with knowledge of spells they could count on two hands at best, against a third and a fifth year, who were not only used to duelling already, but also had some real life fighting experience. At least Opeila did, so no wonder that duelling had felt less and less like a challenge to her. Well, and maybe Dmitri had a part in that too.
When taking her place, Opeila's gaze would wonder to the little Gryffindor girl, who she had offered to train with barely two months ago. And now they were supposed to fight until one of them was knocked out. If Lizzy looked at her, Opeila would send her an apologizing smile. However bad this felt, she wouldn't back down. This duel would be one for Slytherin.

That her cousin Pericles was watching them didn't make it any better. His comments were curt and she didn't need to know him well to be able to see that he didn't approve of this duel.
Of course there was a certain comfort in the certainty that they wouldn't get knocked off their feet today, but this just felt all wrong.

Doing as Strategized.

Cocky - Shea Coulee (Explicit)

Roleplaying as Dmitri Kazimir Jones
Perfectionist | Perfectionist II | Spell Spread | Terrible Presence | Evasive Maneuvers
Sta 12, Str 2, Eva 6, Wis 14, Arc 11, Acc 15

The silence was palpable as Slytherin's first team composed of Opeila Winters and Dmitri Jones entered the dueling stage. Even through the discomfort his presence surely had a partial hand in causing, the fifth year's face held no hint of what he truly felt as his eyes landed on the two young duelists across from him.

Except maybe for a subtle raising of his left eyebrow.

At this point, Dmitri would be more surprised if he was paired up against students who could actually put up a fight—though, in his opinion, you would be hard-pressed to find such individuals.

It was simply difficult to challenge the Slytherin dueling captain.

He did not find it in him to complain, however. This little "mishap" on the Gryffindors' part exposed the core weakness of the system governing the matchups. Overall, the lions dug their own graves the moment they put two of their rookies together when they could have had easily paired them with a more experienced partner.

It wasn't Dmitri's fault the other houses made poor choices.

His only job now was to end this duel as soon as possible. And well... try not to get too mad when the first years eventually surrendered (as this could land him in detention a second time).

"I guess this is the point where a normal person would say 'good luck and have fun'. Alas, I don't think—even if I was normal and cared enough to say the words—that it would help you an awful lot, now would it?"

———

Doing as strategized

Fight Back - Neffex (Explicit)

@Lizzy Solace @Opeila Winters @Dmitri Jones @Pericles Dralt

Youssuf walked onto the stage nervously, his wand held tightly in his sweaty right hand. He cracked his neck and then popped his finger joints quickly. An involuntary response to stressful situations, his mother had termed it once. He'd resigned himself to his fate the moment he heard who he was going to be matched against - Opeila Winters and Dmitri Jones, the strongest pair in the Slytherin lineup. They were being sacrificed so that other teams could (hopefully) triumph. Youssuf had no illusions about their chances; his repertoire of spells wasn't even enough to be counted on both hands. He looked down at his hand; one fingernail had grown at least twice its normal length, no doubt due to his nervousness. He concentrated for a second, thinking soothing thoughts about puppies and mangoes. The fingernail slowly receded to its natural length and size. The disadvantages of being a Metamorphmagus.
Winters looked fairly sympathetic to their plight, though he had no doubt that she would be more than willing to crush them. Jones, on the other hand...he looked cocky and confident, as if there were actually any honour in defeating a couple of rookies like the pair of them. He didn't even bother replying to Dmitri's taunt. Youssuf just gave him the finger.

Even the moderator, Pericles Dralt, looked very unenthusiastic about this. Ah well. He was paired with one of his best friends, Lizzy Solace, and at least this would give them some duelling experience. He remembered Roosevelt's famous quote - "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear."
Youssuf straightened. No matter what happened, the pair of them would go out with heads held high. This was more important than his fear.

Doing as Strategized

ROUND 1

Lizzy Solace VS Dmitri Jones

Reducio

Lizzy cast Incendio at Dmitri
Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 15] + 9 = 24, success
Auto Miss: [d10:7] Fail (Dmitri's Terrible Presence)
Accuracy Check: [d20: 1] = Critical Miss
New Accuracy: [d20: 4] + 5 = 9
Evasion: [d20: 18] + 4 = 22
9 < 22 → Miss

Youssuf Baid VS Dmitri Jones

Reducio

Youssuf cast Verdimillious at Dmitri
Wisdom DC: 6
Wisdom Check: [d20: 5] + 8 = 13, success
Auto Miss: [d10:8] Fail (Dmitri's Terrible Presence)
Accuracy Check: [d20: 19] + 3 = 22
Evasion: [d20: 9] + 6 = 15
22 > 15 → Hit
Effect: The target suffers –5 Accuracy and additional –1 Accuracy for every 5 points in Arcane Power.

Opeila Winters VS Youssuf Baid

Reducio

Opeila cast Ventus at Youssuf
Wisdom DC: 11
Wisdom Check: [d20: 20] + 8 = 28, Critical success
Crit Success: If two targets present: Auto-split & +70 Damage upon hit
Auto Hit: (Seer) canceled out (Dmitri's Terrible Presence)
Accuracy: [d20: 6] + 9 = 15
Youssuf Evasion: [d20: 2] + 4 = 6
15 > 6 → Hit
Accuracy (Split): [d20: 16] + 9 = 25
Lizzy Evasion: [d20: 8] + 6 = 14
25 > 14 → Hit
Damage: 50 + 6 × 10 = 110 - 10% (Dmitri's Terrible Presence) = 99 + 70 (Crit) = 169
Duration: [1d3:2] 1 round
Effect: –4 Evasion for the duration of the spell

Dmitri Jones VS Lizzy Solace and Youssuf Baid

Reducio

Dmitri spell-spread Ventus at Lizzy and Youssuf
Wisdom DC: 11 + 2 (Spell-Spread) = 13
Wisdom Check: [d20: 20] + 14 = 34, Critical success
Crit Success: If two targets present: Auto-split & +70 Damage upon hit
Accuracy: [d20: 12] + 15 = 27 -2 (Spell-Spread) = 25
Youssuf Evasion: [d20: 3] + 4 = 7
25 > 7 → Hit
Split Accuracy: [d20: 13] + 15 = 28 -2 (Spell-Spread) = 26
Youssuf Evasion: [d20: 7] + 4 = 11
26 > 11 → Hit
---Split---
Accuracy: [d20: 17] + 15 = 32 -2 (Spell-Spread) = 30
Lizzy Evasion: [d20: 18] + 6 = 24
30 > 24 → Hit
Split Accuracy: [d20: 19] + 15 = 34 -2 (Spell-Spread) = 32
Lizzy Evasion: [d20: 15] + 6 = 21
32 > 21 → Hit
Damage: 50 + 11 × 10 = 160 + 70 (crit success) = 230
x2 (Spell Spread) = 460 damage to each opponent
Duration: 1 round
Effect: –4 Evasion for the duration of the spell

The moderator watched with folded arms on the sidelines. His expression was a portent of how this duel would unfold: grim, certain, with little need for patience considering how quickly he anticipated a conclusion. Still, the Gryffindor girl expressed that she wasn't afraid, a line which inspired the tiniest glimpse of a smile. Good. Win or lose, the first step to improving one's performance on the duel stage, was to know you'd get hit and to carry on anyways. Regrettably, in this particular instance, she would not have the opportunity. Lizzy's first spell was an Incendio aimed at Dmitri. Although it missed, her partner followed up with a bright Verdimillious, striking the Slytherin and sending his vision dancing with green sparks. The Slytherin team retaliated Ventus, both of which were pristine (nat 20) casts, splitting the spell. Dmitri had already utilized his knowledge of spell-spreading the cast, effectively quadrupling it. Wind split into six howling gales, each slamming into the duo with hurricane force. Lizzy was wiped clean off of the stage, striking something hard along the way, rendering her unconscious. Youssuf would find it difficult to breathe at all, driven off balance, buffeted mercilessly. Somehow over the din, the moderator was heard barking the order to "Ceasefire!" He'd hurried alongside attendants, quick to check whether or not the Gryffindor witch could get back on her feet, frowning deeply when he could not wake her. A nod to the assistants and Lizzy was loaded onto a stretcher and carried from the room. Forcibly inexpressive, Pericles took up his post at the stage's side once again, intoning flatly: "Resume."

Information

1. You have 96 hours from now to write your entrance posts (50 words min).
2. In the same time period, send me (Pericles Dralt) your team's actions per owl. Do not hint at your actions in your post.
3. If you don't post in the allotted time frame, your action is void.
4. Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked to what they are now for the duration of this duel.
5. If you haven't yet, please familiarise yourself with the changes made to the system in our latest patch. The general Duelling rules can be found here.
6. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to owl or DM me.
7. Good luck, and have fun!

The link to the spectator thread for this duel will be added as soon as it's available.

@Dmitri Jones @Lizzy Solace @Youssuf Baid @Pericles Dralt

When the duel started, it seemed like it would end in not even a minute. Perhaps it was the wish to end it as quickly as possible that caused two instead of one and four instead of two beams of light to erupt from Opeila's and Dmitri's wands, causing a real wall of spells to hit the two Gryffindors. When they hit their mark, Opeila froze for a moment, tense in a way she had never been before in a duel.

Then Lizzy fell, the noise when she hit the ground made Opeila wince. She didn't know that seeing an opponent fall could be so unpleasant but in these circumstances, winning didn't even seem so nice. For a second Opeila glanced at Pericles, almost ashamed, while Lizzy was carried off the stage.
Very reluctantly, Opeila raised her wand again, ready to put an end to this. The other kid looked like they were barely holding up at this point anyway.

Doing as strategized.

@Pericles Dralt @Lizzy Solace @Opeila Winters @Dmitri Jones

Youssuf scowled. Hell! Lizzy's Incendio had missed Dmitri! But, on the bright side, his own Verdimillious had struck well and good.
Then the Slytherins retaliated. Huge gusts buffeted Youssuf, pushing him off his feet and keeping him constantly disoriented. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lizzy thrown across the room like a paper doll, helpless against the cyclonic blasts of air. How ironic it was, he thought dizzily, that people thought air was empty and harmless. Then the wind stopped blowing, thank god. He hadn't been able to breathe, he realized as he filled his lungs with oxygen. Youssuf would never think of wind the same way again. Then his mind snapped into reality. He was worried about Lizzy, she'd looked unconscious when they'd carried her from the room.
Somehow, miraculously, his concern for Lizzy motivated him to stagger to his feet, coughing and spitting out some dust. He raised his wand, although he couldn't see any point. Perhaps he'd be able to cast one more spell before they lost.

Doing as strategized.

Cocky - Shea Coulee (Explicit)

Roleplaying as Dmitri Kazimir Jones
Perfectionist | Perfectionist II | Spell Spread | Terrible Presence | Evasive Maneuvers
Sta 12, Str 2, Eva 6, Wis 14, Arc 11, Acc 15

Dmitri only shook his head at the Gryffindor girl's response.

The outcome of the duel has been predetermined since the moment the Slytherins stepped onto the stage, as with many other duels that have come before this one.

It is over and has been for the last minute.

Dmitri could admire their grit. For a kid faced with a futile battle, they could still talk a big game, and that's the kind of gall and audacity that even the infamous Jones could acknowledge.

With a synchronized flick of both their wands, the two Vipers let loose a powerful barrage of wind at the two clueless children.

It didn't even matter that the older Slytherin had been stunned by a well-placed Verdimillios—his own spell was stunning in and of itself, he still would have made himself lose accuracy. In fact, even he himself did not expect the outcome of his incantation. A small flicker of surprise would show itself on his face before morphing into a wide, cocky grin.

Poor, poor Gryffindors.

If he were anyone other than Dmitri Kazimir Jones, he would have felt bad.

But alas.

It was simply just a small lesson they had to learn now that they have entered the dueling arena: there's no such thing as overkill.

———

Doing as strategized