Quidditch Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023

It was brutal, now worse than a regular Hogwarts Quidditch match. She watched teammate after teammate falling off their broomsticks from each blatch the other team throw to them. It made her forget for a moment that she was now in play as Quinn, Clark, Howard, and Alma were all knock out. She was shaken by the results from just the first few minutes. The other team were lightning fast taking out so many from her team. She heard somebody screamed her name and realized she was now going up to the battlefield. She wasn't the only second string going high in the sky. Somebody please prayed for us, she thought to herself as she flew up on her broomstick. She wasn't going to lie: she was scared yet she squared herself up for the fight of her life. Good news was that four of the other team's members were on a penalty laps. She needed to make as many points as possible, hoping no bludgers come her way and that the seeker gets the snitch.

date: 07.29.2023 action : Doing as Strategized mentions : teammates interactions : teammates WORD COUNTER: 50+/50

•••TRANSLATIONS•••

Reducio

Speaking | Thinking | English - 0d134f
| Korean - af28d1

•••QUIDDITCH DETAILS•••

Reducio

STATS:: STA - 8 | EVA - 5 | STR - 3 | WIS - 7 | ARCP - 7 | ACC - 5

STATS/BROOM:: STA - 9 | EVA - 6| STR - 3 | WIS - 7| ARCP - 7 | ACC - 7

Broom: Comet 180 (+4 to all stats: +2 accuracy, +1 evasion, +1 stamina)

Alaric listened intently as Romeo spoke to them, his words filling Alaric up with confidence and adrenaline. He was even shouting some of the words! He was speaking in Russian and Alaric had to really pay attention to understand it and not miss out any words. He mentioned chalking the hands and Alaric panicked a little; he had forgotten to do this and knew that he needed to before they got into the air. Alaric couldn't hold back a snigger at the mention of falling off of brooms, whenever it was always mentioned he thought of his older cousin.

Alaric felt a little jolt of anxiety as Romeo turned to him and started to talk to him directly. "Да, Romeo?" yes Alaric responded, getting ready to hear what the older beater had to say. Alaric had never spoken to this boy before but he was happy to be on the team with him; Romeo was excited to finally be playing side-by-side him. Romeo started to talk and Alaric was confused, worried he had translated it wrong. "Urm, you want me to kiss my broom?" the young German boy questioned with a cute frown, his young face scrunching up. His whole person seemed to change then and he spoke with a nicer voice. Although his words weren't very comforting.

Alaric nodded along with what the older boy was saying, swallowing as he thought about being hit in the head. He knew what he was supposed to do. Protect their golden player, Valentin. He needed to follow him like a baby chick to its mama. "I will hit them as hard as I can, Romeo! I will follow your lead!" Alaric said, a smile spreading as he thought about doing something right. His next words hit like a tonne of bricks; they would be leaving soon. Off to their own lives and Alaric would be stuck here. "Спасибо, Ромео. Я не подведу тебя," Thank you, Romeo. I will not let you down Alaric said as truthfully as he could.

Romeo addressed the group again and that is when Alaric took the opportunity to chalk his hands, half an ear listening to his co-captain speak-- where is Valentin? Oh. Alaric saw him and heard him as soon a Romeo stopped talking.

Alaric lowered his head in respect as their teammate was mentioned -- Amina Petrovic. He closed his eyes as he went into detail, highlighting how stressful our job was and how competitive it is. Despite the sombre atmosphere, Alaric cracked a grin at Val as he did a little showboating. Alaric looked around at those gathered, he hasn't been here long and already he felt... safe with them. He wouldn't trust them with big things just yet... but they aren't half bad.

Everyone walked off and got ready to get into the air.

Alaric behind his back and ran his hands across the number 29 plastered across his back. It was real now. Sure, it is only for the summer but he is playing an actual game and those were the thoughts as he lifted into the air and got ready for the game to commence. He clutched the bat in his hand and tested the weight of it, giving it a few test swing before getting into position. "COME ON DURMSTRANG!!" he shouted in Russian, "LETS KICK THEIR ASSES!" he added in English, his accent reaching far in the rainy sky.

It started quick, but all that Alaric told himself was to not lose sight of Val; if he did then it could be game over if they got a lucky hit in! The young beater swooped to lows and heights with the older seeker, his eyes trained on him and a concentrated look across his face. It didn't feel like long before Alaric saw and even heard the crack of the bludger against bat. He turned and saw the offending ball hurtling toward us from one of the unknown Dandelion (wait, aren't these Hufflepuff?) hit it behind them. Alaric's eyes widened, he didn't have time to try and hit it back! Think boy, think!

He raced to get into position, his body defending Valentin as he tried to gauge where the bludger would hit. The Dandelion player had good aim, Alaric would hand him that, but before he knew it SMASH and pain broke out his little body as the bludger made contact. He grimaced, checking to see if the bludger had completely missed Val. Thankfully, it had. Thanks, Alaric," the captain said, Alaric nodded, currently in too much hock to speak or even really react to be honest.

So he gave Val a thumbs up and took some breaths.

It was then Alaric had the sad time of knowing that they were currently loosing 50-to-nil. Alaric got a downcast expression as he thought about the score but a loud voice hollowed. "GOOD ON YOU, ALEC! ATTA KID!" and so the young beater turned and saw it was Rome cheering him on. A cheeky grin replaced the disappointed pout as he let out a simple 'WOOO' back, tapping Romeo's back as the older lad came zooming gliding by on his room, the encouraging slap on the back making Alaric sit that tiny bit straighter and a self-satisfied expression came on his face.

"You drop like flies!" Alaric called to whoever was the closest Hufflepuff player, hoping more heard. Alaric carried on his previous job and was pulled away when he heard the unforgettable voice of Romeo. He was hounding the ref and flying really close. "ROMEO! Calm down!!" Alaric called with a laugh, "We don't want you to cause a nervous breakdown! Scream at him after the match. We can show some Durmstrang love!" he added in Russian.

Alaric heard a call from the bench, a Badger girl. She was complimenting some 'Avery'. Must be the one who hit me Alaric thought. "She has to try better than that!" Alaric called to her [Tesla Stone] knowing she can't really see him.

Astrid was sitting cross-legged on the ground, back against the bench. Her head was toward the sky as she observed everything. Her eyes were mostly on Valentin, since he was her captain, and the other seeker of the team. But she also watched the rest of the game. And for now, it looked well for Durmstrang.
The three Hogwarts' chasers where on the ground, as well as their seeker. Astrid knew that being hit by a bludger hurt. She knew that the four Hogwarts students were probably hurt. But that meant more chances for a Durmstrang win. And that was what mattered. That's why she was smiling when the players fell.
And then she saw Romeo calling for Val. Just a few instants before, she was cheering at the co-captain's speech. Because of Romeo's tone when he called out Val and because of both their facial expressions, Astrid's smile dropped. She wasn't capable of hearing what has happening, but she knew it was something.
— Come on co-captain. You'll be okay and we'll win.

Stats: sta ● 8 (11)| eva ● 8 (11)| str ● 5 (8)| wis ● 10 (13)| arc ● 7 (10)| acc ● 8 (11)
Abilities: Fearless - Obnoxiously Strong - Keen Eye
Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 to every stat)
Action: As strategized

Quinn, Romeo, Johannes

To the notorious chaser, cheating was an art form. What was Foulplay if not another branch of strategy? Blatching wouldn't warrant removal from the team: when the only real risk was a penalty lap, it seemed well worth the reward. In those tense moments before the quaffle was put into play, spent smirking and scanning their opponents, Quinn caught his eye. How could he not? An eleven-foot-tall beardo stuck out like a sore thumb from the flock of teenage flyers. Madhup was mindful not to stare, hiding his intent. Leave it to the little guy to pick the biggest, brawniest opponent as his primary target. Short of stature though the Bumblebee was, he had long since learned to throw his weight around, where to hit, how to angle his broom for a blatch that would send even the mightiest toppling from their saddles. The same wiliness which saved him on the streets now preserved him in the skies. Maybe that was what kept him coming back to Quidditch: he was a rubbish caster, but the boy could play.

Madhup knew this routine well. He lurched into action alongside the others, grin twisting into a grimace, Silver Arrow swerving like a snake, darting and diving for a fatal sting. He clipped Quinn's broom with a snort, recovering in time to twist around and admire his handiwork. Shame, then, that another Wart Hog bothered to catch the behemoth. Mad's eyes narrowed. If he could meet the half-giant's gaze, he would goad him with a curling finger and sly sneer, inviting a chase. Zero attempt was made to hide his part in the onslaught. It came as no surprise when the ref called him out, though he heaved a theatrical sigh, feigning guilt with the back of a hand to his brow as he coasted away. Romeo's howling from that same direction was far more worrisome. Concern crossed his face, but was rapidly replaced by well-meaning nonchalance. "Relax, Co-Cappy," he called through a cupped hand. "Let the nice coach do his job, or he will make you join us. Hey, Johannes! You want to race?" The sooner they lapped, the sooner they'd get back in the fight.

Penalty Lap

Silver Arrow broom (+3 to all stats)
STA: 9 12 | EVA: 13 16 | STR: 12 15 | WIS: 3 6 | ARC: 3 6 | ACC: 15 18
Foulplay, Interception, Fearless, Calming Presence
Calming Presence Allies: Team Durmstrang!

all dialogue in russian unless specified otherwise
interactions @Madhup Hexum
mentions @Alaric Havertz, @Valentin Schnell, @Romeo Marchonné

In a stroke of early-game deviance that belied his severe desire for Slava not to follow in his footsteps, Johannes joined the crowd of chasers to reluctantly abandon his hoops and bump some crumb of a kid off of their broom. He’d thought Alaric was a child, yet it appeared that Hogwarts apparently had no trouble sending their youngest lambs out to slaughter. Sárkány, in its early start to strategical destruction, could only take advantage of this sacrifice as Team Dandelion desperately pulled at a rallied morale.

Sacrifices aside, Johannes’ momentary neglect of his position had only spelt a point-based jackpot for Hufflepuff without Durmstrang's cheating Keeper to defend. He could not begrudge them of their taken opportunities, but he, increasingly affected by the extent of Hogwarts' unintentional disrespect, had to severely reorganise his quaffle hit-list priorities. If he had any attention to spare, he would be shaking his fist at them all and wishing only tied-together shoelaces. Skunks, the lot of them... His main target, promptly thrown from his broom by a crafty and entirely disproportionate blatch from their little Valkyrie, seemed vaguely familiar in only the way atrociously awkward situations could be engrained in the memory. As for the rest? Struck down with total abandon, netted either by his fellow cheaters or the tell-tale crack of Romeo's maplewood bat. Whether a sign of good strategical fortune or poor enemy attempts (perhaps a combination of both), Durmstrang would suffer little of the beautiful carnage they wrought.

Flashing an inward peace sign at their unknown announcer, Johannes' typical belligerence was only somewhat cowed by unfamiliarity. From broom racing to Quidditch, Plott had followed them throughout the international games like an annoyingly present leech — as such, he had only expected this year's match to be similarly commentated upon, even if they were on Hogwarts' home base. He wouldn't mourn the flamboyant flatter's lack of attention when it came down to it, however, not while the presence of an impartial judge would likely win them greater favour in the long run.

Yet even without the announcer on their side, it was clear that the Durmstrang Keeper, knowingly and unashamedly taking his penalty without further complaint, lacked any remorse for his legal foul. Holding little true ill-will towards his unlucky blatch victim past the customary anti-chaser mentality, he was practically dripping with sneering pride under Hogwarts' biased crowd opinion. Look what they had done already. Their self-congratulations were only a taste of what was to come. Under the comfortable weight of Durmstrang's reputation and the aggressive defence of their Kapitäne, no British criticism could touch them in a way that truly mattered. They had learned to perform under whatever means necessary against an advantaged opponent and Johannes was nothing but well-trained.

Addressing Alaric (apparently their ill-timed blabbermouth) would have to wait until after the game when they could have a talk about not bringing further attention to a vulnerable moment in a public area where people can understand even a snippet of English. Either the boy temporarily lacked common sense or he was simply comment-dense... Sure, their #4's reaction to the justifiable call-out was overdramatic and probably the result of a couple of switched strings strung too taut, but the practical safety hazard of the match's whole everything was fraying on even Johannes' nerves. He could only imagine the claustrophobic mounting dread that had seized their twitchy, ever-neurotic Hercules, whose call for aid only increased the chilling odds.

His distraction from the rapidly devolving mood would be answered by a challenging Madhup, whose offer forced Johannes' attention from their distressed #4 and squarely seated behind the metaphorical mask of well-worn mischief. Caught by the announcer, none of them had any more luck to be thrown back onto the field as an emotional backup. "Hell yeah, let's race. Whoever the announcer yells at first?" Their only viable option was to get their penalty over with as quickly as possible. A former member of the racing team (though he was never any good considering the collection of hurdles thrown at them) and a regular broom diver, Johannes was confident enough in his skills not to embarrass himself enough on a foreign stage.

Valentin could handle Romeo and the rest of them could deal with the crowd. That was doable. Until everyone could get back into play, things would have to right themselves or else blatching wouldn't be the only red flag that Sárkány engaged in under their captains' indirect commands.

Action: As strategised.

Roleplaying as Durmstrang iNPC Arjan Oberoi

Interacting with no one because he's too angry, hating on everyone

As though he were a small child, Lysander’s words placated the benched beater for a few moments. His only friend on the team - that’s right, Slava, not a friend! - was right. Arjan was the secret weapon who would destroy them all, if he got to play. He only calmed for a short while though. As soon as the game kicked off, everything started to go south for the Durmstrang team. Sure, they were landing their hits and seemingly doing well since their opponents were dropping like flies. But how were they fifty points down already? And of all people, they let that pale half-breed score five times in a matter of moments! His only joy was seeing him fall.

He snarled a little at the cheating too. He was not opposed to it. If it helped them win, he did not really care. But why were they getting caught? Arjan himself never really cheated, in reality. Why would he need to when he was so good at the game without it? He legitimately could destroy his opponents within the rules of the game - which is why he loved it so much. It looked like the replacement beater was struggling though - understandably, he was no Arjan after all.

ACTION: Benched

For Moderation --

Reducio

Arjan Oberoi - Second-String Beater

STATS:

Stamina: 15
Evasion: 10
Strength: 17 + 15% [2.55]* + 4 = 23.55 (24 Rounded up)
Wisdom: 5
Arcane Power: 8
Accuracy: 12 + 4 = 16

* From Obnoxiously Strong

BROOM:

Oakshaft 79
Stats: +4 to two stats (Strength and Accuracy)
Abilities:

In the role of Beater, if you hit an opponent with a bludger the bludger will then ricochet off that user and target a second opponent of choice (must be declared, if not declared the target will be random and can be an ally but not yourself).

In the role of Beater, if an ALLY dodges a bludger during the round, there is a 20% chance that you catch that bludger with your bat and you send it at a RANDOM enemy target.

Note: For the rules lawyers out there: you are not considered your own ally.

In the role of Beater, if you critically hit with a bludger, instead of doing double-damage you do 2.5x damage. If you critically fail with your bludger attempt to hit, rather than having your bludger randomly target another user (including yourself or an ally) the bludger cannot target you on a critical fail (but it can still target your allies). On a re-target, there is a random roll for target and then a fresh accuracy roll.

ABILITIES:

1. Obnoxiously Strong: Extra 15% Strength
2. The Martial Artist: N/A
3. Spell Spread: N/A
4. Charmer: -1 accuracy to all opponents (Team classed as allies, everyone else is an opponent)

==

Writing as approved Durmstrang iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky Speech in italics means Slava is speaking in Russian

Predictably, Arjan ignored Slava’s attempt to interact. No matter, there were more interesting things to keep him occupied for now. The captains’ speeches before the start of the game were drumming up excitement, and Slava grinned as everyone got hyped and the first-string took to the sky. “LET’S GO, TEAM SÁRKÁNY!” he bellowed, clapping as he watched the chaos unfold. The Hogwarts team—Hufflepuffs, like they had faced in his first international match back in 2020—scored 50 points right off the bat, clearly focused on the Quaffle game and easily succeeding in Johannes’s absence from the hoops. The Hogwarts kids were probably celebrating the fact that they were in the lead, but then the other foot dropped. Players started falling from the sky like meteors, the Durmstrang students prevailing as they unleashed a barrage of blows upon the “dandelions”, destruction following the Sárkány players as they went.

Despite their team’s success, there seemed to be something upsetting Romeo, as he started yelling at the referee and then called for Valentin. The seeker instantly diverted from his pursuit of the snitch to hug his co-captain, some words seemingly being exchanged. After all, some things were more important than sports. Still, Slava did hope that the pair would be able to refocus on the game soon and finish what they had started. Both were very valuable players even aside from their role as captains, and while the team was built so that it would remain strong regardless of which people were playing, their presence was still very much useful and wanted.

Meanwhile, those who had blatched were taking their penalty laps, and Johannes and Madhup seemed to be racing. Slava smiled. While cheating wasn’t his favorite thing to do personally, he recognized that it could bring great benefits—a notion that was clearly supported by this match, given that most of Hufflepuff’s starting players were now out of the sky. The arguably brutal tactics didn’t bother him—he didn’t view moves in Quidditch games as “real violence”. In his opinion, when someone joined a Quidditch team, they were accepting everything that came with it—being hit by a Bludger, being hit by other players, and anything else that was a possibility. Injury or “violence” was almost expected. Additionally, healers would be ready to patch everyone up immediately, meaning that there was little real threat of serious harm being caused. Or maybe that was just his way of justifying all this to himself.

Hex: #465c67 | English | Russian

There was something about the aggressiveness of the play style the Durmstrang team was using, that managed to even excite Nichlas as his gaze flitted across the field to capture all moments that were worth capturing with his gaze. He took note of oh so many things throughout this. A very clear bond between Valentin and his co-captain called Romeo, who stuck out and was quite hard to miss. A young lad and as Nichlas had noticed was around his very own height, give or take an inch. Nichlas gaze narrowed as he saw what appeared to be conversation, though from the distance it was impossible to know anything about it, but he did see the nonverbal cues and some movement of lips as Durmstrang prevailed. There had been no odds against them, so Nichlas had never been worried about this moment. There was however the innate desire to know what was going on and while he had studied Quidditch strategy within the last days and knew the odd thing or two from his sister and Greta too, he wouldn't know the exact words that Valentin spoke. From earlier judgement about the boy's personality, Nichlas had little doubt that it was something sappy or encouraging for the team. A captain and leader such as he was that inspired awe and drove a team forward if they were willing to follow a lead. Nichlas was none of such, he was neither a team if he had something to say about it, nor a follower willing to let someone guide him into battle. He had always looked out for himself since he first stepped foot into the Institute and he simply wasn't built to follow. He was however inclined to agree to take a step back if the situation so suited him and this team of Durmstrang had intrigued him enough to allow himself to take a step back and oversee. He wouldn't let himself be ordered around, mind you, he very much had a mind of his own thank you very much, but it appeared despite seeming somewhat calm there was this familiar ruthlessness about Valentin that the Swede knew very well from himself. He found himself agreeing with the Valentin lad, which of course was not to be confused with him turning into one of those sheep that tended to follow the kid around. Nichlas knew he was treading dangerous territory and was glad he was far from falling into one of those well laid out traps that made him believe Valentin or any of the members of the team truly cared beyond their own gain from what this partnership would bring them.

Realizing early on the scorn in his thoughts, Nichlas felt himself tighten his grip on the metaphorical reigns which he must have loosened while watching his mind wander as he watched the game and in need of distraction gave the lad next to him a charming smile. "Do you presume they will be willing to give us a time to shine? Right now they seem to want all the glory for themselves, what with them ruling the sky with us warming these benches one could hardly call comfortable," he spoke to the head of curly hair, the boy whom he now knew as Slava and whom he had first truly encountered a few days prior when Alaric had been full of nervous butterflies about the game. Nichlas had to judge that the boy was holding himself up quite well, a valiant maneuver had been made by him to defend the captain he so admired at the beginning of the game.

"Oh, and while we are sitting here so uselessly, would you care to inform me about each member of our team. I fear with how little time I had to get to know them, I don't quite understand each person's role on this team - beyond their positions of course. Who they are and what has lead them to this," he made conversation with Slava. A glint in his eye and the wish for information genuine. He wanted to know what made each member of this team tick, wanted to know their role, their strengths and who they were. And truly who could fault the young man to be curious about such things? He thought to himself with the familiar tension in his mind, though he smiled with what seemed to be but an innocent smile if it wasn't for the aura of being a threat that followed him with his every step. But better to be a threat you had on your side than a threat you had angered and pushed away. If anyone were to do any pushing, it was to be done by Nichlas. Or of course all the Durmstrang kids in the sky who had made it a game to push even the most capable of Hogwarts students off their broom. The almost gloating grin that found its way on his face at that thought seemed pretty genuine at least.

OOC Information
Position | Broom
Benched - Silver Arrow

Stats
Sta 8 | Eva 10 | Str 2 | Wis 16 | Arc 12 | Acc 25

Abilities
Evasive Maneuvers | Perfectionist II | Spell Spread | Terrible Presence | Fearless | Wandmaker

As the match began, the chaos of the game quickly dominated the skies. While her team began to rally up a number of points, Atlas watched in horror as the other team immediately took an aggressive approach to the game. Quidditch always had a bit of excessive violence but this time it felt more oppressive as she watched the hits begin to stack up. As there was no interest in her posts, Atlas waited for an opportunity to save any of her fallen teammates.

She wouldn't have to wait long as her fellow Hufflepuffs were ripped from their brooms. Without thinking, Atlas darted forward as she watched Quinn get knocked from his broom. Saving any of her teammates required quick decisions and precision but Atlas believed that task was amplified in catching Quinn. He was too important to let plummet but there wasn't all that much room on her broom.

Out of the corner of her eye, Atlas watched as Ethen was eradicated from his broom by a vicious bludger and had to refrain from flying after him to make sure he was okay. Instead, Atlas swooped in and caught the falling Quinn. Immediately she needed to regain control of her broom at the sudden landing of the large boy. Straining to maintain control, Atlas quickly reoriented her broom and let out a breath she had been holding.

"Welcome to the Atlas Express, Quinn...glad you are flying with us today," she joked with a quick grin as she tried to keep panic from her mind. Despite their points, it had been a brutal opening for their team and Atlas knew that they needed to act quickly if they were going to have any chance of saving the game.

Action: Doing as Strategized

Reducio

Name: Atlas Reid
Position: First String Keeper

Stats:
Stamina: 10
Evasion: 13
Strength: 4
Wisdom: 9
Arc. Power: 7
Accuracy: 14

Stats With Broom:
Stamina: 10+3= 13
Evasion: 13+3= 16
Strength: 4+3= 7
Wisdom: 9+3= 12
Arc. Power: 7+3= 10
Accuracy: 14+3= 17

Abilities:
Fearless
Fear effects such as a dhampir's aura, the ability terrible presence, a lycanothrope's intimidation or certain charms, potions and jinxes that would normally cause a fear effect do not work on you as you are immune to them.

Keepers Catch
10% chance to automatically block an attempt to score a goal as long as the Keeper is in the goal area. If an attempt to score has been blocked through this effect, the Keeper may as a free action hurl the quaffle at the opponent team in an attempt to injure a player of their choice (it would be recovered with a quaffle grab action) and treated like a bludger or pass the quaffle to a team mate. This must be declared by the Keeper if either of these free actions are to be utilized.

Evasive Maneuvers
Harder to hit on average, 10% on auto-dodge chance that anything that targets this wizard automatically misses. This is rolled separately from the attack roll.

Broom: Silver Arrow (+3 to all stats)