2022, Stage 3 Ravenclaw vs Slytherin: Match 3

Pericles climbed the piste. He had done so several times before, in training and in duels proper, yet the feeling hadn't lost its charm. The thrum of anticipation as the wooden stairs creaked beneath his boots, the rush of excitement as the crowd cried out. His eyes flicked to the side, towards Tom, then bounced ahead again to take in their opponents. The sight of San inspired an immediate smile. Fellow duellist, prefect, choirmate, and all around excellent person, never mind her fierce reputation as an intimidating opponent. "It's about time we shared a match," Peri called across the way, cupping his mouth, passing a smile along to Illowy in the process. Though he didn't know her particularly well, Ruby's fondness for the fourth-year made for a shining reference... but then, this was a spar, not a luncheon. Not the time for pleasantries. As the Ravenclaw drew his white wand, he rolled it between his fingers once or twice, feeling in his element with its weight at hand. He nodded once to Willow, thanked her quietly yet cordially, and executed a formal bow in the direction of their opponents. "You might want to watch that silver tongue of yours, Tom," the boy warned at a murmur, another sidelong glance to his partner. "I don't think we want to see either of them angry."

Action: As Strategized

As Santario walked into the duelling room, she looked like her old self. Pristine, healthy, and well taken care of. Though it would not escape her that Willow was pointedly keeping their interaction short, and while most of her interactions with Willow were a haze, she needed to apologize for it.

Right before Willow was ready to start her speech, Santario ambushed her in the politest way possible. “After the duel… I want to speak with you. The last two times we met… I was… Ill. Infected. I hope you will understand.” With that cryptic message, Santario left the Hufflepuff Captain and went back to her place, awaiting the opening of the duel.

When she was called to take her place on the piste, Santario flashed a grin at Pericles. “Duelling you will be an honor; Pear and Thomas has already faced my prowess two years ago in chess. I look forward to seeing how both of you have grown in combat.” She had caught some of Pearicles’s first duels being his own moderator, but nothing within the current year. This was a match she was excited about.

Action| As strategized

He recognized the two duellists before him, the older of the two from a match he had overseen just a stage ago. Thomas had a spring in his step, excited as always to show off what he was capable of. This duel would be hard-won by whoever emerged as the victors, and as much as he hated losing some small part of him knew it would be a satisfying end regardless. Though... He really didn't want to have his winning streak thwarted by Slytherins again. That part might've miffed him a little.

"Oh, alright," Tom conceded for now, though he sounded mildly disappointed in his answer to his partner. Across the piste, Tom refrained from his usual tactic of being an annoyance. It was a strange departure from his norm, to be so direct in his words to an opponent. Typically, his opening lines were some kind of boast or saccharine and disingenuous well-wishes, but he was sincere in his decree, "Good luck."

Of course, inwardly, he wasn't hoping they'd have too much of it. Thomas still wanted to win, after all. He bounced from foot to foot, eagerly awaiting his chance to spring into action.

Action: As strategized!
Abilities: Evasive Maneuvers, Statistically Relevant (+2 Wisdom), Evasive Maneuvers II
Stats: Sta 7 || Eva 12 || Str 1 || Wis 11 || Arc P 10 || Acc 10

Stepping onto the piste was never anything less that electrifying. The way it made her whole being buzz, eager to begin. By this point, years of practice kept her outward appearance serious and focused, her wand twirling through her fingers as she cast a short glance between her new partner and their opponents. That was the only thing that felt off today; stepping up without Kennedy beside her. For nearly a year, the younger had been her partner and standing beside her co-captain felt... strange.

She'd hardly call Martin her friend; honestly the only significant interaction she recalled outside of practice was nothing less then tense, to say the least. Now wasn't the time to reflect on that though. At the very least, she knew she had someone strong and competent on her time and that was enough for her. Though it did seem once again she found herself in a duel of friends; a bit of friendly words passing between her partner and the pale haired lad. Did she know him? Or either of them? If she did, it was escaping her in this moment.

For the love of all things decent she hoped it wouldn't be like the last time she found herself in this position. Definitely not a projection of wishing she had as many friends as her teammate seemed to have.

The older witch's wand ceased it's twirling as Willow spoke, giving a polite bow of her head to her opponents before raising her wand, waiting for the starting queue. Friendly or not, they were all there with the same goal in mind and it was time for her to get her head into the game.

Actions: Doing as Strategized

Round 1

Pericles Dralt vs Santario Martin

Reducio

Pericles cast Disarming Charm at Santario
Wisdom DC: 10 + 2 Illowy's LC = 12
Wisdom Check: [d20: 5] + 9 = 14 > 12 → Success
Accuracy Check: [d20: 19] + 11 = 30
Evasion Check: [d20: 20] + 7 = 27
30 > 27 → Hit
Duration: [d3: 2] → 1 round
Effects:
- Santario is disarmed for 1 round and must search for her wand to retrieve it.

Thomas Baines vs Santario Martin

Reducio

Thomas cast Wind Jinx at Santario
Wisdom DC: 11 + 2 Illowy's LC = 13
Wisdom Check: [d20: 12] + 11 = 23 > 13 → Success
Split Chance: [d20: 11] → No Split
Accuracy Check: [d20: 17] + 10 = 27
Evasion Check: [d20: 9] + 7 = 16
27 > 16 → Hit
Damage: 50 + 10 ARC × 10 = 150
Duration: [d3: 2] → 1 round
Effects:
- Santario loses -150 HP.
- -4 Evasion for 1 round.

Illowy Magnard vs Pericles Dralt

Reducio

Illowy cast Wind Jinx at Pericles
Wisdom DC: 11
Wisdom Check: [d20: 9] + 11 = 16 > 11 → Success
Split Chance: [d20: 2] → No Split
Accuracy Check: [d20: 12] + 10 = 22
Evasion Check: [d20: 11] + 9 = 20
22 > 20 → Hit
Damage: 50 + 9 ARC × 10 = 140
Duration: [d2: 2] → 1 round
Effects:
- Pericles loses 140 HP.
- -4 evasion for 1 round.

Santario Martin vs Pericles Dralt & Thomas Baines

Reducio

Santario cast Fog Charm at Pericles and Thomas
Wisdom DC: 12
Wisdom Check: [d20: 5] + 9 = 14 > 12 → Success
Duration: [d5: 4] → 3 rounds
Effects:
- Pericles and Thomas have -5 Acc + Eva for 3 rounds -3 base + -2 for 10 ArcP
- -4 Attacker Accuracy for 3 rounds.

It took only mere seconds after Willow had dropped her hand for spells to be slung around the duelling piste, and all of them successful in their own ways which almost never happened. Both teams had very clear targets for who they wanted at a disadvantage at the gate. It was also at this moment that Willow realized she had no cats to snuggle during this duel. Her last two she had been gifted cats to take care of, and she missed them dearly.

ANYWAY! Back to the action. Pericles and Thomas were gunning for Santario who was a threat on and off the piste, well maybe not anymore? Santario's comments to Willow before the duel had her mind swirling in confusion. Was puberty really that bad? Like a possession of a person? She had a lot of googling to do next break. Pericles was successful in sending Santario's wand careening out of her hand, luckily for her not too far away. Almost simultaneously she was caught in a jolt of wind sent by Thomas. Not a fun start for her.

Pericles was the intended threat for Slytherin with similar, but different attacks. Illowy used the ever popular Wind Jinx to have him off kilter for a round. Santario was doing a disappearing trick, encasing them in a fog that would make it hard for Pericles and Thomas to cast and dodge. But it was a risky spell since it also made it harder for Santario and Illowy to see their opponents within the thick air.

This was certainly going to be an interesting duel.

I N F O R M A T I O N

1. You have 96 hours from now to write your posts [50 words min].
2. In the same time period, send me Willow Anderson your team's actions in an 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. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to owl or DM me!
5. As always, happy casting and have fun!

Duelling Spells

Duelling System

Newest Patch

The spectator thread for this duel can be found here.
Come cheer for your House and friends!

Politeness and pleasantries were dropped once the duel kicked off. Pericles traded the tranquil smile for a stern stare, forehead furrowed in concentration as he incanted "Expelliarmus!" The shot was a success, as was Tom's, but then: so were their opponent's spells. The return Ventus hit him head-on, robe and hair whipping wildly in its wind. His eyes stung and watered while he squinted against it, knuckles white on his wand, breathing difficult as the gale seemed to steal the air around him. Fog flooded the stage, but the boys were just getting started.

Action: As Strategized

Whether it was Obscuro or unfortunate weather spawned by the opposing team, Thomas felt as if he must have spent half of his time in duels blinded in some way. It was one of those things a boy could grow mildly resentful of, impatient if nothing else.

"Ventus!" Tom cast, fond of the spell and happy that he could add it to his arsenal now. His trash talk remained to be seen, apparently too focused to think up insults at the moment. It was a far cry from his usual disposition, a sign that his focus was sharp. Still, despite it all, he couldn’t help but complain a little, "Can’t see…"

Action: As strategized!
Abilities: Evasive Maneuvers, Statistically Relevant (+2 Wisdom), Evasive Maneuvers II
Stats: Sta 7 || Eva 12 || Str 1 || Wis 11 || Arc P 10 || Acc 10

They were given the clear to go, and Illowy sent her raging winds across the stage, enveloping Pericles. “Nebulus.” Santario spoke as she conjured a thick fog around the boys right as her wand was ripped from her hand. Her eyes followed it to its space on the ground, which might have been why she looked back just in time to brace for Thomas’s furious whirlwind, causing her braid to flop wildly on her shoulders and her robes to whip around her ankles.

It had appeared that they had studied and predicted their opponents well, but that didn’t mean that they should be underestimated for even a moment. That was how you got killed, or in this scenario, how you lost. She knew just how formidable Pericles could be. “I am good.” She attempted to reassure Illowy while spitting out some of her loose hair that decided to find their way into her mouth.

Action| As strategized

Illowy had never been known to have the warmest disposition in any scenario, however on the piste, any shadow of warm in her was smothered away. Cold, calculating eyes watching the other pair as she all but blew one lad away just before the cloud of dark fog engulfed them both. Though not before they managed to blast her partner with their own Ventus and knock away her wand.

Certainly, the lads were staying true to form; the duel had kicked off quite beautifully.

Illowy gave a nod of acknowledgment when San assured her she was fine before honing attention back again to the fog, pale eyes flickering through the curls of darkness. This would be fun. This duel promised to gift her a proper fight.