Spring Races Broom Race Ravenclaw v Gryffindor

Credit to Winnie Harper

Somewhere, in the mind of whoever created broom racing, there was a universally acknowledged but never spoken of rule: you must not play in pleasant flying weather. The last game had snow blurring their vision, freezing their hands to the handles of their broomsticks only enough to be uncomfortable rather than prevent an untimely fall. Today, heavy rain, ice cold on whoever dared expose skin to the sky’s tears. The weather weighed him down, it took effort to stand straight beneath the burdensome drops. Whenever his spine bent, his posture suffering, he let the sting of rainwater in his eyes remind him to pull his shoulders back.

There’d been a change since the last race, so slight yet something Levi cared enough to note. Della, the cute first-year with an undeniable attachment to the air, had become the co-captain in place of the imposing part-giant. She was easier on the eyes, for sure. And less likely to crush him between thumb and forefinger for a very innocent but overzealous pick-up line. Mop remained captain, and the brunet avoided his gaze with purpose, but occasionally flickered toward the stands in search of his fangirl. His visually better half, if you will.

Della gave him a nod, which Levi returned with a slight, near imperceptible smile. He had full intentions of approaching her at a point away from the rush of a race, but with the variety of endeavors he was already failing to control, adding another heart to win was a bit much. Still, he glanced between both the platinum-blonde girl and the feline-like one that lingered beneath an invisible umbrella. Something about crowds of cheering fans brought out jealousy, and with it came ambition.

Still, he was wordless. He had trouble mustering the enthusiasm his teammates seemed to share. Fortunately this was a chronic condition, and his stress was not weighing him so that a kick-off was unlikely to lead anywhere. He pulled his leg over his broom, staring straight ahead with a typical lack of expression, easily misinterpreted as the serious visage of a man with intentions to win.

Stats: Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 (9) | Str: 4 (5) | Wis: 6 (7) | Arc Power: 5 | Acc: 6 (8) Race/Abilities: Metamorphmagus | Charmer Broom: Nimbus 1700 | +2 acc, +1 eva, +1 wis, +1 str | Top Speed: 6 Action: As strategized

Credit to Xailah Alptram

RAVENCLAW v GRYFFINDOR

ROUND ONE

Ravenclaw versus Gryffindor. Eagles versus Lions. Philadelphia versus Detroit. Brain versus Brawn. Whatever you wanted to call this match, it certainly would be one for the ages. There were rising stars from both houses, and both teams were ready to prove their worth to the school. Despite the pouring rain, the teams were lined up and ready to rock and roll, and their persistence despite the less-than-ideal weather was certainly admirable and commendable. The race commenced with the firing of a green sparks charm, and the racers took off.

UNIT ONE

UNIT TWO

UNIT THREE

For the first stretch of the race, the course was relatively calm. It was a straight-away that would allow the racers to build up speed and momentum as they approached the dark trees looming on the horizon, with enough distance to instill a sense of apprehension in the more tenured racers. Why hadn’t anything happened yet? Was a dragon about to sweep them off their brooms from out of nowhere? Luckily for them, there would be no dragon, and the racers would reach the woods without any issue.

UNIT FOUR

DELLA TREES [DC = 6] [d20: 10, 4, 14] + 8 - 4 = 14, 8, 18 VINES [DC = 5] [d20: 16] + 8 - 4 = 20 DMG = 0	XAILAH TREES [DC = 6] [d20: 3, 6, 14] + 13 - 4 = 12, 15, 23 VINES [DC = 5] [d20: 1] + 13 - 4 = 10 DM = 0
NICHOLAS TREES [DC = 6] [d20: 19, 20, 6] + 9 - 4 = 24, 25, 11 VINES [DC = 5] [d20: 8] + 9 - 4 = 13 DMG = 0	HUGH TREES [DC = 6] [d20: 13,10, 13] + 10 - 4 = 19, 16, 19 VINES [DC = 5] [d20: 6] + 10 - 4 = 12 DMG = 0
LEVI TREES [DC = 6] AF [d10: 9, 2, 5] | [d20: 10, 20, 16] + 8 - 5 = 13, 23, 19 VINES [DC = 5] AF [d10: 7] | [d20: 9] + 8 - 5 = 12 DMG = 0	ARI TREES [DC = 6] [d20: 5, 7, 7] + 9 - 4 -1 = 9, 11, 11 VINES [DC = 5] [d20: 17] + 9 - 4 - 1 = 21 DMG = 0
CLAIR TREES [DC = 6] [d20: 12, 18, 8] + 9 - 4 - 1 = 16, 22, 12 VINES [DC = 5] [d20: 4] + 9 - 4 - 1 = 8 DMG = 0	JUDITH TREES [DC = 6] [d20: 15, 3, 10] + 9 - 4 - 1 = 19, 7, 14 VINES [DC = 5] [d20: 11] + 9 - 4 - 1 = 15 DMG = 0
LIN TREES [DC = 6] [d20: 11, 18, 12] + 11 - 4 - 1 = 17, 24, 18 VINES [DC = 5] [d20: 14] + 11 - 4 - 1 = 20 DMG = 0	BLOOM TREES [DC = 6] AF [d10: 1, 6, 9] | [d20: 20, 3, 10] + 13 - 5 - 1 = 27, 10, 17 VINES [DC = 5] AF [d10: 1] | [d20: 14] + 13 - 5 - 1 = 21 VINES [STR DC = 5] [d20: 9] + 8 = 17 DMG = 30

The racers approached the trees with apprehension lacing their boots tight against their ankles. Just the sight of those haggardly branches dripping with the precipitation was enough to instill the same fear conjured by a haunted house. Luckily for the racers, as they crossed the tree line, dozens of glow bugs began to make their appearance known, making the dark trees far less foreboding. Although the first stretch of trees were entangled in vines, with the aid of the glowbugs, most of the racers made it through the first stretch unscathed. However, Bloom’s broom would begin to shake slightly from the speed she was flying at, and the shaking caused her to scrape against a tree. However, the injury was a nuisance at best, and the Ravenclaw fifth year pressed onward. The vines also threatened to ensnare Bloom’s ankles, but she managed to pull herself free and forge on.

UNIT FIVE

DELLA TREES [DC = 11] [d20: 15, 20, 2] + 8 - 4 = 19, 24, 6 DMG = 25	XAILAH TREES [DC = 11] [d20: 15, 1, 14] + 13 - 4 = 24, 10, 23 DM = 25
NICHOLAS TREES [DC = 11] [d20: 14, 17, 4] + 9 - 4 = 19, 22, 9 DMG = 25	HUGH TREES [DC = 11] [d20: 17, 11, 5] + 10 - 4 = 23, 17, 11 DMG = 0
LEVI TREES [DC = 11] AF [d10: 1, 4, 3] | [d20: 5, 8, 8] + 8 - 5 = 8, 11, 11 DMG = 30	ARI TREES [DC = 11] [d20: 20, 20, 5] + 9 - 4 -1 = 24, 24, 9 DMG = 25
CLAIR TREES [DC = 11] [d20: 17, 1, 6] + 9 - 4 - 1 = 21, 5, 10 DMG = 50	JUDITH TREES [DC = 11] [d20: 15, 9, 10] + 9 - 4 - 1 = 19, 13, 14 DMG = 0
LIN TREES [DC = 11] [d20: 14, 19, 7] + 11 - 4 - 1 = 20, 25, 13 DMG = 0	BLOOM TREES [DC = 11] AF [d10: 5, 9, 8] | [d20: 2, 6, 2] + 13 - 5 - 1 = 9, 13, 9 DMG = 60

The wily vines eventually gave way to a thicker growth of trees that would prove more difficult for the racers to traverse, although the glow bugs certainly helped light the way for them. While most of them made it through unscathed, some weren’t quite as lucky. Della would accidentally hit her head on a low-hanging branch that she didn’t see in time, and although it certainly stung a little, it certainly wasn’t enough to count her out of the race. Xailah would make it through the patch with a few bumps and scrapes from the rough bark, and Nicholas got whapped in the face with a few unruly branches. Levi’s unruly broom would buck, sending him smashing his shoulder into a tree, but he would bounce back from that mistake easily enough. From team Ravenclaw, the birds got their feathers slightly tangled as Ari nearly careened straight into a tree (although he managed to escape with only a few shallow scrapes). Clair wouldn’t be quite as lucky as the tail of her broom snagged on a branch and sent her scraping along some branches, while Bloom would also get smacked aggressively by a few rowdy branches.

UNIT SIX

LEVI TREES [DC = 6] AF [d10: 4, 5, 4] | [d20: 9, 18, 2] + 8 - 5 = 12, 21, 5 THORNS [DC = 8] AF [d10: 1] | [d20: 6] + 8 - 5 = 9 DMG = 90, bleeding

BLOOM TREES [DC = 6] AF [d10: 1, 3, 6] | [d20: 17, 19, 20] + 13 - 5 - 1 = 25, 27, 28 THORNS [DC = 8] AF [d10: 6] | [d20: 5] + 13 - 5 - 1 = 12 DMG = 30

While a majority of their team stayed behind, Levi and Bloom forged ahead. Levi’s broom, which was just as unruly as Bloom’s had been earlier on, would dip wildly and drag him along a patch of thorns, before then suddenly jerking upward and bashing his head into a branch. Bloom, also having quite the temperamental broom, would also be flung into the rough bark of the trees, earning her a few new battle scratches and bruises. However, both racers would manage to cling to their brooms, and could proudly say that they had survived the woods.

SUMMARY

@Della Barfield HP: 775/800 UNIT 5	@Xailah Alptraum HP: 1475/1500 UNIT 5	@Nicholas McCowan HP: 1475/1500 UNIT 5	@Hugh Lowe HP: 1800/1800 UNIT 5	@Levi Drakos HP: 580/700, bleeding UNIT 6
@Ari Gwild HP: 975/1000 UNIT 5	@Clair Fernandez HP: 550/600 UNIT 5	@Judith Cohen HP: 1000/1000 UNIT 5	@Lin Evanvleck HP: 800/800 UNIT 5	@Bloom Silverton HP: 780/900 UNIT 6

Posts & strats are due 120 hours from now. Questions? Ask me or Starlee!

Action; staying alive *sings the sing*
Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 to stats)
Stats: Stamina:3 (6)| Evasion:6 (9)| Strength:8(11)
Wisdom: 5(8) | Arcane power:7(10) | Accuracy:6(9)
Abilities: Fearless

Outfit : [x] #830c4f

Lin Evanvleck ✯ First Year 9th April 2021

We can say that Lin was lucky on this one. She had easily avoided the trees and vines in her path and was one of the only participants who didn't get anything from that first pass.
And that made Lin feel confident. More than in January. She knew she had a chance to win. But everything could be turned around again and Ravenclaw could lose at the last moment, again.

Action: As strategized
Stats: STA: 8 ✯ EVA: 8 ✯ STR: 7 ✯ WIS: 9 ✯ ARC: 8 ✯ ACC: 8
Broom: Silver Arrow
Talent: Metamorphmagus

As she took off she tried to make sure to go on speed. Flying around, next to her co-players made her feel confident and proud of making it to the team, and being able to help them to victory. As Judith looked in front of her, ripping herself out of her thoughts, she saw a bunch of trees, with a quick sweep she was able to fly through them without harming herself. An amazing move, ready to take on the next dangers on her patch.

Action: As stragetised
Broom: Silver Arrow
Stats: |Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 4 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 8 | Arcane Power: 2 | Accuracy: 8 |
Rase: Goblin

Credit to Winnie Harper

It was laughter that erupted from Nicholas's mouth at Hugh's comment, the quip serving to evaporate some of the tension that had begun to take root in the captain's shoulders. A wink and banter, Lowe was still good-natured, even if he was no longer co-captain. The long haired second year felt no ill will toward the part-giant for a perceived abandonment of his post, after all, he still flew in the team, and he had still be a core part of their previous victory. His abandonment of leadership was secondary to the needs of the team. That wasn't to say that Nicholas hadn't worried somewhat at the announcement, a worriment that had carried its way into the race, but it was to say that such worries decreased with the words of encouragement to his replacement.

"Aye, s'called a roar, mate, s'what lions do," He retorted, a toothy grin hiding the remnants of his nerves.

Goggles found their way tightly around his eyes, the orbs now obscured from view as he cast his head around at his team, and then at the opposition. They were set, ready to be off, and the cheesy grin that had only broadened with the additions of Barfield and Alptraum's commentary tightened into a grimace and finally a snarl.

That snarl didn't fade as the race began, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor racers alike packing in closely as they passed through the forest. It made keeping his line of sight clear difficult, near impossible, and a partially obscured tree branch made him pay for that lack of vision. Leaves and sticks scraped across his face. Fortunately, his googles served to render his eyes safe, although more than a few scratches adorned his bony cheeks.

Yet, with the branches out of the way, he could see the shape of the race, and in particular, Drakos and Silverton pulling ahead. The Nimbus was a fine broom, less sturdy than the more typical Silver Arrow, but its speed certainly was nothing to baulk at. Slytherin had raced without one, but it seemed that with the addition of the fifth year to their roster, Ravenclaw could match their fastest racer. The race was on.

Vaguely, Nicholas wondered if Aurora would be mad at him if he broke any of her team's brooms. Surely it wasn't the best way to start their shiny new relationship. But of course, winning was a great way to start anything, wasn't it?

Stats: STA: 15 (12) | EVA: 9 (6) | STR: 12 (9) | WIS: 9 (6) | ARC: 7 (4) | ACC: 9 (6) Abilities: Foulplay | Statistically Relevant Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 All Stats, Top Speed 5) Action: Strategised

Credit to Xailah Alptraum

Grasping the broom in her hands, Bloom's heart was racing with what was about to happen. She knew what she had to do. She needed to be the fastest one out of her team. She needed to get to the furtherest point than her teammates. How she was going to do that, Bloom had no idea. She was beyond worried about what to expect. The worst was to be knocked off from her broom high in the air and that did not sound like a pleasant result.

Holding tight, it was time. Bloom raced alongside her opponents and teammates and passed units one, two and three with a breeze. Her heart pounding, she kept going. Adrenaline was pulsing through her veins. She had to get to unit 6, that was their team's strategy. I've got to go faster, she thought to herself. Unfortunately, her broom said otherwise. It began to shake uncontrollably. Bloom had then felt something grab her ankles. She did not dare to look down. She looked straight ahead and with the shakiness of the broom, pulled forward. It seemed the speed she was going had prevented the vine from holding her. Bloom was relieved. She had passed unit four.

Now was the next unit. The vines had gotten thicker, but Bloom was primarily focused on speed. She kept going, her broom not as shaky as it was prior. As she flew, however, she had gotten beaten by some of the branches of the unit. "OW!" she screamed, but again, her adrenaline kept her focused. She needed to get past this unit. Luckily, she did. But her legs would burn from the beatings she had to endure.

Now it was between her and the Gryffindor opponent, Levi, in unit six. At first Levi was flung into a patch of thorns and Bloom felt relieved. Perhaps she would make it out alive from this unit. Unfortunately, it was not the case. Bloom's broom began to shake once again and instead of keeping her steady, passing the unit, she would be following Levi into the patch of thorns. If she thought the branches hurt, she was wildly mistaken. The amount of pain that was gained from this unit made Bloom's eyes water ever so slightly. She tried hard not to look down, knowing that she would have wounds and bruises on her legs. Luckily, however, Bloom had made it out.

Her focus now was to keep going. That's all she could do for Ravenclaw and her team.

⬩Cat's Grace |☆| Blindvision⬩

Xailah never took Hugh for one who enjoyed storms. There was something about his large, tree-like stature which made her inclined to think that he was not happiest when the sky was dark, and the wind wild. But he had agreed with her, when she expressed fondness for the rain. Brows slightly quirked from the unexpected response, she turned to him. There were times where she was perfectly content with having her thoughts proven wrong. This was one of those times. Hearing his wish for thunder; her small smile split a smidge wider. "Yes, that would be quite nice. I like the way you think." She nodded. A warm hum slipped from her throat as she considered his words. "You want thunder Mr. Lowe? We will give you thunder," bringing a free hand to her head, she slipped the goggles resting atop over her bangs, and to her eyes, "and a bit of lightning too."

With a knowing glint in her eye; her lidded gaze slid away from the giantling, and returned to watching the rain puddling beyond the track. Xailah would listen to the muted muttering between her teammates, while waiting for the signal for the race to begin. She liked to listen to them more than she liked to actually be involved in their conversations. There was something about hearing them happy, and buzzing; that warmed her frosty core. Or maybe she had indigestion. Either way, she found enjoyment in just... listening. Soon the signal went up. She would in turn show she was ready by whipping her wand; effectively doing away with her umbrella; and allowing the rain to bedizen her frame. Then she, and the others were off.

The first few obstacles present on the track were easy enough to navigate- just a small gathering of trees, nothing too complex to maneuver around... so one would think. Anyone who figured as much was very wrong. Very, very wrong. There was some trouble getting through the woods, for both teams. Most would find that the trees were not feeling merciful today. For others, something else would distract from the foliage and oncoming obstacles. They were not seen upon first entering, but eventually Xailah would become aware of a few small objects that would occasionally drift by her vision. She only caught glances when she peeked through her peripheral; but eventually she was engulfed in a cloud of the things. They were small, no bigger than the top of a ball-pin, or droplet of rain. The hazy greenish-yellow glow they emitted was enchanting. The young metamorph could feel her pupils begin to dilate into large rounds, as she watched the small fairy lights dance across her vision.

Xailah immediately knew what they were. Glowbugs! They were the most dangerous thing on this course by far- for those with wandering thoughts and waning attention spans. It was a little known fact, that the Alptraum heiress was an avid observer of bugs; and fireflies just so happened to be her favorite. Her adoration for the particular insect was troublesome. So much so, she often abandoned things just to chase them. No really, it was actually a problem. There had been many a time when she was but a wee kit, where she had disappeared from her mothers side; simply because she had seen a glowbeetle glide by. Oh if only she knew of the worry she caused.

Not long after she acknowledged the swarms existence; a small, vapid voice of primitive desire began to chant: chase da bugs, chase da bugs. Dear lord, sometimes the ability to think freely was more of a curse than it was a blessing. It took every fiber in Xailah's being to not break her refined composure; all to wander from the path and 'chase da bugs'. Her grip on DeSoto turned into a chokehold. Her knuckles, while unseen, grew white beneath the gloves that covered them. You'll be out of the woods- but not soon enough. She pummeled past the little orbs of floating light. Limbs thrashed her; twigs grabbed at whatever their spindly fingers could get a hold around. She would endure a few scrapes at the cost of staying focused, and loyal to her team. Not a huge price to pay. But she would have to go back once the race was over to see if any of the bugs were still there- it was a bit odd for them to be present in such stormy weather. Soon Xailah breached the treeline, with her other racers alongside. All except for two. Levi and a fellow fifth year were just barely ahead of the rest. Not a bad start.

DeSoto

Model: Moontrimmer Effects: +3 to two stats of choice. 10% chance to auto-doge an attack. Speed: 5 ────────────────────────────────────────── Stam- 12 Eva- 14 Str- 2 Wis- 13 Arc- 4 Acc- 13

Credit to Winnie Harper

Hugh's eyebrow arched upwards towards his captain. He believed his own roar to be better, but would offer Captain Mop his moment of joy. You never knew how the race would end. And given Hugh's history with disappointed captains, he had yet to see how this one faced defeat. Still, they were a good bunch all together. The way they pushed through together last time, they could do it again. Xailah's comment on lightning did not go unnoticed either. Hugh would actually smile and nod his giant head. "Just make sure you hit the trees, rather than the giant, then." Winking as he mounted his broom.

Goggles and helmet strapped on his soaked head, Hugh's figure rocketed forward towards the woods. The race was on, and a dozen or so blurs blew past him. With the trees coming at them rapidly, the part-giant braced for impact. Twigs and branches always got to you in these things. Yet when he reached the treeline, his eyes locked onto one gap in the wall of leaves ahead. Banking left, Hugh found himself a path that cut him clear through the woods. He knew he was to stay Lowe if he wanted to remain unscathed.

It was easy to get distracted as they traversed the darkened woods. Hugh's mind almost felt at ease as he flew past the many little lightbulbs. Did glow bugs just invent world peace? But the various different shapes of racers reminded him to stay in the race. One of them got snagged by vines but shook themselves loose really quick. Besides that, he could hear the multitude of snaps and cracks from various branches meeting their doom, luckily, elsewhere.

Hugh tried to make out his teammates in the chaos. He thought he picked them out, but Levi was already getting ahead. That boy's broom was a bundle of fireworks blazing forward. Good thing the kid compensated his possession of the item with skill. The giant's own broom was ridiculously small in comparison to its rider. Hugh felt he was due a new one. Though this one had been a loyal old thing, admittedly.

Stats: STA: 18 (15) | EVA: 6 (3) | STR: 13 (10) | WIS: 9 (6) | ARC: 4 (1) | ACC: 10 (7) Abilities: Part-Giant Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 All Stats, Top Speed 5) Action: As strategized

Credit to Xailah Alptraum

Credit to Xailah Alptraum

Action: as strategized Stats: stamina: 5 8 | evasion: 7 10 | strength: 3 6 | wisdom: 6 9 | arcane power: 5 8 | accuracy: 5 8 Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 all stats) Top Speed: 5