2022, Stage 2 Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw: Match 6

Lucia's extended incapacitation would prove to be a costly blunder for Team Hufflepuff. Anyone with a pair of working eyes could forsee the tipping scales as Lindsey was forced into a corner of purely defensive action. It was an admirable effort, but too little, too late. Phaedra unleashed a swift and merciless Flipendo that darted towards her chest, sending her flying backwards.

Lindsey collapsed. Not one for early celebrations, Phaedra stalled, anticipating a bodily stir that never came. The same could not be said for her young teammate, who turned for a high-five almost immediately. A pointed glance went Lucia's way—it was safe to indulge for now. Her wand lowered to Bridget's wave for medics and replaced with a bare hand. “...Yes, fine. High-five.”

It was more awkward than it had any right being. The high-five was less that and more a limp strike against Samantha's palm, featuring a painfully unnatural smile as she attempted to match the girl's energy. Perhaps it was because her experience surpassed her junior's, but it felt rather odd to make such a big deal over what was essentially business as usual. Nonetheless, Phaedra felt compelled to politeness, lest she upset the girl increasingly reminding her of a puppy.

Phaedra rolled her shoulders and neck, clearing her throat after Samantha questioned her. “Perhaps. That would be ideal, but the score's based on hits now. We just have to withstand her.” At this, she scanned her teammate, pleased that the girl was unhurt and seemingly invigorated. There was no doubt in her mind that Samantha would see the duel's end.

She wasn't so sure about herself though, sensations of lightheadedness settling in. “You haven't suffered a scratch. Keep it that way.” With that, Phaedra called it quits with the chatter and lifted her wand at Bridget's word to resume. Halftime already and one opponent left to go. They were at a good point status wise, but they couldn't grow complacent. Lucia was powerful too.

Doing as strategized (x)

Round 7

Lucia Fox vs Phaedra Stavrou

Reducio

Lucia casts Wind Jinx at Phaedra.
Wisdom DC: 11
Wisdom Check: [d20: 2] + 9 = 11, success
Split Chance: [d10: 10], splits
Accuracy Check vs Phaedra: [d20: 9] + 7 = 16
Evasion Check (Phaedra): [d20: 6] + 10 = 16
16 = 16 → Impaired Hit
Damage: 50 + (6 x 10) = 110 / 2 impaired hit = 55

Accuracy Check vs Samantha: [d20: 14] + 7 = 21
Evasion Check (Samantha): [d20: 13] + 7 = 20
21 > 20 → Hit
Damage: 50 + (6 x 10) = 110

Duration: 1 round (If it targets two players: 1 round)
Effects:
- Phaedra will suffer -2 evasion impaired hit and Samantha -4 evasion for 1 round.

Phaedra Stavrou

Reducio

Phaedra casts Healing Spell at herself.
Wisdom DC: 11
Wisdom Check: [d20: 16] + 15 = 31, success
Healing: 50 + (10 x 5) = 100

Samantha Salwis vs Lucia Fox

Reducio

Samantha casts Wind Jinx at Lucia.
Wisdom DC: 11
Wisdom Check: [d20: 14] + 8 = 22, success
Split Chance: [d10: 5], no split
Redirect Chance: Lucia's Alluring [d10: 4], no redirect
Accuracy Check: [d20: 18] + 7 = 25
Evasion Check: [d20: 19] + 8 = 27
25 < 27 → Miss

It was now a two on one, and rarely did numbers not indicate which team was in the lead. Lucia was fighting from behind. Hufflepuff had been fighting from behind from the start, arguably, up against an experienced older player like Phaedra. She was going to need to be at the top of her game to make up ground, so hopefully being unable to cast for the last stretch of time and watching her teammate go down hadn't thrown her off. As she mustered a Wind Jinx, it looked like she was doing just fine, better even; the wind split and, though just barely, hit both Ravenclaws. The impressive feat looked like an early version of the skill possessed by duellists like Phaedra, helped along by Ventus' propensity to fork.

Samantha tried to return the favor with a Wind Jinx of her own. She'd tried it earlier, and hadn't managed it then, but this time the advanced spell went off without a hitch. Her aim was pretty good, too--she should be proud of herself for executing so well in a duelling situation--but Lucia was doing really, really well and took a speedy step away from the blast.

As for Phaedra, she took the moment to regroup. Lindsey had landed a few good hits on her, and it would be unwise to allow herself to run out of steam. The worst thing Ravenclaw could do was lose their numbers advantage. With ease, she restored some of her strength with a Reparifors, and while another Ventus caught her about halfway in its vortex, she would still find herself feeling a bit better.

OOC Info

1. You have 96 hours from my timestamp to write your entrance posts (50 words min).
2. In the same time period, owl me (Bridget Collins) your team's actions. Do not hint at your next actions in your post.
3. If you don't post in the allotted time frame, your action is void. There are no extensions.
4. Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked in as of posting this thread. You can still update your trunks but they will not count for this duel.
5. Please familiarize yourself with the latest patch and the full rules if you haven't already.
6. If at any point you have questions and concerns, my owls and DMs (Bridget Collins#5102) are open.
7. Good luck and have fun!

Edit Note: Phaedra’s healing was calculated incorrectly as 150 instead of the correct 100.

@Lindsey Springhall | @Lucia Fox | @Phaedra Stavrou | @Samantha Salwis

Spectator Thread

After an awkward high-five, Phaedra commented that Samantha hadn't suffered a scratch and told the girl to keep it that way. A little smile appeared on the young girl's face and a confident "Of course I will," left her lips, before she raised her wand again. There was no way Lucia would hit her.

Since there was only one badger left her target was already picked for her. Earlier in the duel, she had failed to cast the wind jinx but she still gave the spell a second try. She wanted everybody to know that she, as a second-year, knew a third-year spell. She had aimed well, but Lucia was just too fast. Extremely annoyed, Samantha watched her spell miss the Hufflepuff.

However, that wasn't the only annoying thing that happened that round. Last round Lucia had gotten her wand in her possession again and now used it. The split from Lucia's spell took Samantha by surprise. She tried to dodge the spell, but she still got hit. If only she had been a little faster, she would have been able to dodge that stupid spell. "I liked it better when she was disarmed." This was the first time she was hit this duel and she couldn't be more annoyed.

Momentarily distracted with her healing spell, Phaedra found herself caught in Lucia's vortex. The hem of her robes danced around her ankles, feet anchoring in a way that she could keep leverage against the forceful winds. It was important that the team kept their wits while they were ahead. One split Ventus was nothing they couldn't bounce back from. When Samantha's voice carried over beside her, Phaedra merely tucked her hair behind her ear. She doubted the Hufflepuff would be so careless again but it was a nice vision. “Armed or not, we'll manage.”

Doing as strategized (x)

Round 8

Lucia Fox vs Samantha Salwis

Reducio

Lucia casts Knockback Jinx at Samantha.
Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 6] + 9 = 15, success
Accuracy Check: [d20: 16] + 7 = 23
Evasion Check: [d20: 20] + 7 - 4 Ventus = 23
23 = 23 → Impaired Hit
Damage: 100 + (6 x 10) = 160 / 2 impaired hit = 80

Phaedra Stavrou vs Lucia Fox Samantha Salwis

Reducio

Phaedra casts Blindfolding Spell at Lucia.
Wisdom DC: 10
Wisdom Check: [d20: 13] + 15 = 28, success
Accuracy Check: [d20: 1] → crit miss
New Target: Samantha
New Accuracy Check: [d20: 8] = 8
Evasion Check: [d20: 10] + 7 - 4 Wind Jinx = 13
8 < 13 → Miss

Samantha Salwis vs Lucia Fox

Reducio

Samantha casts Fire-Making Spell II at Lucia.
Wisdom DC: 12
Wisdom Check: [d20: 5] + 8 = 13, success
Redirect Chance: Lucia's Alluring [d10: 9], no redirect
Accuracy Check: [d20: 10] + 7 = 17
Evasion Check: [d20: 20] + 8 = 28
17 < 28 → Miss

All three duellists would have their wands aimed across the stage this time. It was not, however, all-out damaging spells. Ravenclaw had their sights set on taking away Lucia's, Phaedra conjuring a blindfold. But perhaps the lingering vortex had pushed her arm in an unwanted direction, because the fabric ended up flying toward Samantha. A flawed execution, to say the least.

Samantha tried to set Lucia alight, but not for the first time this duel, would have friendly fire to contend with. Besides, one had to credit the Hufflepuff; she was focused, centered, reacting quickly to the burst of flames with noted grace. Bridget was quite impressed so far. Though she was still a long way off gaining the upper hand, she was putting up an admirable performance.

Her own attack, a Flipendo sent for the wind-slowed Samantha, was maybe not quite what she would have hoped. Despite being blown off balance, the second year reacted with just as much speed. Even then, it wasn't enough to fully avoid Lucia's well-placed cast, but would lessen the pain of the blow.

OOC Info

1. You have 96 hours from my timestamp to write your entrance posts (50 words min).
2. In the same time period, owl me (Bridget Collins) your team's actions. Do not hint at your next actions in your post.
3. If you don't post in the allotted time frame, your action is void. There are no extensions.
4. Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked in as of posting this thread. You can still update your trunks but they will not count for this duel.
5. Please familiarize yourself with the latest patch and the full rules if you haven't already.
6. If at any point you have questions and concerns, my owls and DMs (Bridget Collins#5102) are open.
7. Good luck and have fun!

@Lindsey Springhall | @Lucia Fox | @Phaedra Stavrou | @Samantha Salwis

Spectator Thread

A little fire should do the trick, that was what Samantha thought, as she cast incendio duo. Sadly, her aim was nothing compared to the speed Lucia used to dodge her spell. It was like the Hufflepuff had been hit by lighting and became the flash.

From having not a single wand aimed at her, all of a sudden there were two. The brunette was able to dodge the spell from Phaedra, but that wasn't the case for Lucia's spell. Samantha did her best to dodge, but her best wasn't good enough. The wind, which Lucia had conjured earlier, made it hard for the second year to move and caused her to be hit by the well-aimed flipendo.

For the third time this match, Phaedra's spell went haywire. Only with great effort was she able to restrain an obscenity from spilling over her tongue, grimace easing when Samantha's reflexes kept her out harm's way. Although she cast the final hit on Lindsey, her performance so far had left much to be desired. What was with her today? “Sorry.” The immense disappointment in herself was palpable. After this duel, aim training was on the cards. Definitely.

Doing as strategized (x)

Round 9

Lucia Fox vs Samantha Salwis

Reducio

Lucia casts Knockback Jinx at Samantha.
Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 15] + 9 = 24, success
Accuracy Check: [d20: 3] + 7 = 10
Evasion Check: [d20: 10] + 7 = 17
10 < 17 → Miss

Phaedra Stavrou at herself and Samantha Salwis

Reducio

Phaedra spell spreads Healing Spell at herself and Samantha.
Wisdom DC: 11 + 2 Spell Spread = 13
Wisdom Check: [d20: 19] + 15 = 34, crit success Advanced Casting
Healing: 50 + (10 x 5) = 100 + 20 crit success = 120

Samantha Salwis vs Lucia Fox

Reducio

Samantha casts Blindfolding Spell at Lucia.
Wisdom DC: 10
Wisdom Check: [d20: 13] + 8 = 21, success
Redirect Chance: Lucia's Alluring [d10: 5], no redirect
Accuracy Check: [d20: 20] + 7 = 27
Evasion Check: [d20: 16] + 8 = 24
27 > 24 → Hit
Effects:
- Lucia is blindfolded with 0 accuracy and evasion until removed.

Lucia, save for pulling some creative approach out of her pockets, had just one option: continue to chip away at the eagles. So that was what she went with, sending another Flipendo at Samantha. But again, the younger girl was too fast for her, and with the lingering effects of the Wind Jinx now gone, Lucia was dealing with a full-speed target. This spell would find no purchase.

Samantha was out to see Ravenclaw's strategy through, incanting the same spell Phaedra had just fumbled in her direction. This attempt saw much more success, the aim nothing short of perfect as the fabric wrapped neatly around the Hufflepuff's eyes. Not for the first time this match, Lucia would find the use of her vision taken away.

As for Phaedra, perhaps starting to doubt herself with several spells now having gone awry, or perhaps simply wanting to play it safe--if you had the lead, why do anything risky?--she turned her wand to the Ravenclaw side. With considerable power, evident in the cast's bright glow that encased both herself and her partner, Ravenclaw would find their aches eased. It seemed Lucia's work to chip away at her opponents' stamina had been undone.

OOC Info

1. You have 96 hours from my timestamp to write your entrance posts (50 words min).
2. In the same time period, owl me (Bridget Collins) your team's actions. Do not hint at your next actions in your post.
3. If you don't post in the allotted time frame, your action is void. There are no extensions.
4. Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked in as of posting this thread. You can still update your trunks but they will not count for this duel.
5. Please familiarize yourself with the latest patch and the full rules if you haven't already.
6. If at any point you have questions and concerns, my owls and DMs (Bridget Collins#5102) are open.
7. Good luck and have fun!

@Lindsey Springhall | @Lucia Fox | @Phaedra Stavrou | @Samantha Salwis

Spectator Thread