2023/24, Stage 1 Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw: Match 2

Six names were recited. Somewhere in the crowded duelling hall, Pericles Dralt rose from a bench, straightening his robe's collar with a tug and drawing an aspen wand from his sleeve. The ghostly eagle was trying to hide a grimace beneath a solemn frown. This lineup was intense: Galton had proven himself a formidable opponent in each of their matches, while fiery Evelyn embodied the lions with her competitive nature. Then there was Alan, whose extraordinary kindness was no reason to underestimate his combative prowess. Pericles dreaded going up against him especially- not just because the Ravenclaw was endeared to him, but because he was an entire two years above them. They made for menacing competition.

The fifth-year moved like a man en route to the firing squad: stiff shoulders, a faint furrow of the forehead, raised chin and lidded eyes. Dread and dignity in equal measure. Yet as he was joined by his teammates, glancing left then right to meet them, the shroud of doubt began to lift. He had shared the stage with them before, too. Callie was a sharp-tongued firecracker, as scathing with her spells as she was with her taunts. And Dee- unwavering, driven Dee- she'd been with him since the renewal of Duel Club itself. Each witch was a force to be reckoned with. More than that, Dealla and Callie inspired confidence and joy. Peri looked between them with an expression that radiated fondness, and for a moment, it may have seemed like he was going to say something inspiring. Instead, quirking an eyebrow, Peri proposed: "First to go unconscious buys a butterbeer round at the Three Broomsticks."

As they took their place upon the piste, Pericles met their referee's nervous expression with a grateful smile and encouraging nod. In his usual formal fashion, he raised his wand, bowed to their opponents, then arched the aspen back braced to sling his first spell. On the average he was mild, mellow, carrying on in a drifting way. On the stage he was sharp, attentive, and fully focused in the moment.

Action: As Strategized

Alan was stepping on the piste that day, the first time ever as a duellist, rather than a captain. He hadn't expected that this would make it feel different, but there was definitely a new feeling to this. He felt freer, almost as if he weighted as much as a feather all of a sudden, while also just filled by this new sense of excitement. There was a thrill of the unexpected in the air, for once he had to wait like all the other duellists to keep himself occupied and check the blackboard for when matches got posted rather than knowing ahead of time, he no longer had to worry about the burden of maintaining more things and could just worry about his own duel for once. He had loved being a captain, that had never been the issue but he had neever been good at making plans and sticking to them. He just went with the flow of things and now he found himself embracing the flow of things even more.

He was immediately excited when he had learned about this duel, both about this trio and about their opponents. He liked all of them quite well! It would be interesting to see how they all worked with and against each other, depending on ally or foe and Alan would finally got that opportunity to duel against Dee. It would certainly be interesting and his heart beat picked up as it thrummed with excitement and joy. Julian would be their moderator and Alan took quite a liking to the Hufflepuff, even though they didn't know each other that well. With a confident glance towards Galton and Eve, Alan positioned himself on the piste, quite confident in their abilities to win this.

Movement next to her pulled Evelynn to the present. Even as Vanes rose and moved towards the dueling stage, it took a moment for the mental fog to clear and realization to dawn. They must have been called to get into position for their match. She hadn't heard her name called, but rather than jump to her feet like a student caught unawares, her rise could only be described as languid. Lethargic, even. Known for her competitiveness, her opponents might find her unusually muted. Neither did her eyes glint with ferocity, nor did her countenance portray any air of confidence. Instead, it showed... nothing really at all.

Eyes that reflected the gray of an overcast and damp Sunday--the sort of day where one might wish simply to remain in bed--panned over ally and opponent alike. Most could have been considered friendly acquaintances. Some perhaps even friends. There was Dralt: former paper peer, intellectual equal, animagus club leader, fellow investigator into school affairs, among so many other routes of familiarity. Alongside him appeared Prince: wickedly sharp, a capable duellist, popular, prefect, a total package one might say. Jensen made up the last of the trio, although Evelynn knew little to nothing about her, but her very presence seemed to leave the air charged, like one should expect to be kept on their toes. A formidable team to go up against by all accounts. And yet, the former Gryffindor seeker was either coolly collected, or entirely apathetic. None of them were afforded so much as a nod of acknowledgement, let alone a smile or warm greeting.

Unhurried, Evelynn made her way to position and with an air of automation, drew her wand. A lidded gaze set itself upon their opponents, only peripherally noting the look of confidence Vanes shot towards herself and Lansdale. Tucking her mandrake leaf more comfortably into her buccal space, she listened for the call to start.

Action: As strategized

The minute that the line up was announced Callie could feel a distinct sense of dread creep in. Sure, she had beaten Galton once before alongside Thomas but things were different now. People were stronger and Callie herself was extremely different. For a year or two now duelling had taken up the vast majority of her free time and slowly but surely the club was starting to lose its sheen. The people were what kept Callie fighting, the excitement of the duel. But that excitement was starting to wear off. Out of herself, Elias and Thomas she was the only one still left on one of the sports teams. Perhaps this was a sign?

No matter her own thoughts on the matter, Pericles' talk of butterbeer pulled Callie back to reality. "Sounds good to me!" She chimed with a wide grin, as had become typical for Callie. Despite all her qualms about her position on the duelling team she did genuinely care for the people on it. People like Peri, people like Dealla. People who she had fought alongside since day one. Even if some people still argued she still enjoyed their company. "Come on! Let's do this thing already! I have a hot date with a concerning among of sweets!"

This duel was going to be... well, interesting, Dee supposed. Certainly not the easiest she'd ever been in, nor the most balanced, considering the three fifth years on the Ravenclaw side were matched against a team that was on average a year older than they were. But then, comparing it with two years ago when it hadn't been uncommon for fifth years to duel first years, one could say this was basically even. If you closed one eye and squinted a bit.

Still, Dee had every confidence that they could come out on top if they played it right. Not that their opponents weren't capable, of course. Galton was an impressive duellist; Dee had a decent amount of respect for the candy-loving sixth year that was still settled into her bones from duels she'd witnessed several years ago. Alan's casting skills... she was slightly less impressed with. He was a sweetheart, but from what she remembered, neither his spells nor his aim were all that impressive, although he was incredibly quick on his feet. And finally, Evelynn she hadn't faced herself, but she knew the former Gryffindor Quidditch player had beaten Phaedra last year, although she had lost to Aida and Thomas before that. Either way, there was a certain amount of respect Dee harboured for Evelynn that had nothing to do with duelling.

But then, Dee wouldn't be Dee without an (un)healthy amount of self-confidence and the determination that if she couldn't out-cast their opponents, she could still out-wit them. Her team mates contributed the remaining drops of faith in their ability to win. Callie and Dee, has they had proven before, made for a truly terrifying pair on the duelling stage, and Peri... well, Peri had been her very first duelling partner, and although their first year on the team hadn't left them with all that impressive a track record, she was well and ready to redeem herself in that regard.

Plus, both of them were just a lot of fun.

Giving the Gryffindors a cheerful wave, Dee responded to Peri's proposition with a snort and a grin as she got into position. "But who pays if we all stay on our feet? The Gryffindors?"

GLORY WAS BACK. A large smile spread across Galton the Glorious' face as he entered the dueling club. There was nothing like the sweet, sweet feeling of the first match of the year. And certainly nothing like the first, last candy before said match. Galton chomped down on the last bit of what was a sherbet lemon as he made his way to the piste.

Today would mark a first of many occasions. It was Galton's first time in a 3v3 duel. While the presence of six people on the piste was not a new concept to him, the idea of having two teammates was. It was the first time he had teamed up with Evelynn the Exceptional (she would get her own stage name, of course). And it was Galton's first duel as full on team captain. And while it was not a position based on magical ability, or dueling talent, he felt that it made him want to set an even better example for his team. One could only hope that good example would be a win.

It would not be an easy feat however. He was working against a team of seasoned duelists with ruthless efficiency and strategy. Callie had been the first ever duelist he faced... she also utterly steamrolled him. Dealla had also beat him, while he would call it a much more even fight, he had not preformed near the level he needed to keep up with her. He hoped for some redemption now. Finally there was Pericles, the only duelist he had not lost to. His last win against the lad had been more of a game of hide-and-seek than anything else though, and he was not sure he'd be able to swing that again.

No matter the terrifying opponents though! He had a super star team. Galton the Glorious, Alan the Astounding and Evelynn the Exceptional. With names like that how could they not succeed? Dueling with Alan was a like standing next to a very fast-moving, warm hug. Things just came a little more naturally around him. And that was on top of his magical abilities. Evelynn, the Quiddich star turned duelist, would be a much needed breath of fresh air when it came to their strategy. Not to mention her quick-feet and sharp casts.

Galton pat off his robes as he climbed up onto the stage and took him place. Wand out and nerves rearing to go - he was ready. Nods would be given to his teammates along with a quick "Ready then?" He knew they were, but it was always nice to have confirmation. Before he could say anything more though he heard discussion of a rather salivating Ravenclaw wager.

"DEAL! But same goes for us then." He would shout in reply to what had most likely not been a question for him. Galton loved a good post-match bonding session - no way he would miss out.

Action: Dreaming of butterbeer

Round 1

Alan vs. Callie

Reducio

Alan casts Aqua Eructo at Callie

Wisdom DC: 13- 5 (Skilled Transfigurer) = 8
Wisdom: [d20:15] + 7 = 22 > 8 → Success!

Accuracy: [d20:4] + 12 -1 (Dealla's Charmer) = 15
Evasion: [d20:16] + 10 = 26
15 < 26 → Miss

Evelynn vs. Dealla and Pericles

Reducio

Evelynn casts Nebulus at Dealla and Pericles

Wisdom DC: 12
Wisdom: [d20:19] + 15 = 34 > 12 → Success!

Duration: [d5:4] → 3 rounds
Effect: Dealla and Pericles will suffer -5 accuracy and -5 evasion for 3 rounds. Anyone targetting them for those three rounds will suffer -4 accuracy.

Galton vs. Dealla and Pericles

Reducio

Galton casts Avis using Spell Spread at Dealla and Pericles

Wisdom DC: 16 + 2 (Spell Spread) = 18
Wisdom: [d20:10] + 16 = 26 > 18 → Success!

Effect: Dealla and Pericles suffer -5 accuracy this turn.

Callie vs. Alan and Galton

Reducio

Callis casts Aguamenti using Spell Spread at Alan and Galton

Auto-Fail (5% from Evelynn's Wandmaker): [d20:19] → No auto-fail
Wisdom DC: 11 + 2 (Alan's Lovely Creature) + 2 (Spell Spread) = 15
Wisdom: [d20:9] + 12 = 21 > 15 → Success!

Effects: Alan and Galton are wet until nullified.

Dealla vs. Galton and Evelynn

Reducio

Dealla casts Aqua Eructo using Spell Spread at Galton and Evelynn

Auto-Fail (5% from Evelynn's Wandmaker): [d20:6] → No auto-fail
Wisdom DC: 13 + 2 (Alan's Lovely Creature) + 2 (Spell Spread) = 17
Wisdom: [d20:12] + 14 = 26 > 17 → Success!

vs Evelynn
Auto-Hit (10% from Callie's Calming Presence): [d20:3] → No Auto-Hit
Accuracy: [d20:6] + 16 - 5 (Avis) - 2 (Spell Spread) = 15
Evasion: [d20:15] + 16 = 31
15 < 31 → Miss

vs Galton
Auto-Dodge (10% from Galton's Evasive Maneuvers [20% - 10% auto-hit]): [d20:3] → No Auto-Dodge
Accuracy: [d20:8] + 16 - 5 (Avis) - 2 (Spell Spread) = 17
Evasion: [d20:2] + 16 = 18
17 < 18 → Miss

Pericles

Reducio

Pericles casts Metelojinx at the Gryffindor team.

Auto-Fail (5% from Evelynn's Wandmaker): [d20:9] → No auto-fail
Wisdom DC: 12 + 2 (Alan's Lovely Creature) = 14
Wisdom: [d20:16] + 11 = 27 > 14 → Success!

Effect: Each member of the Gryffindor team has a 10% chance to get hit by lightning each round.

Lightning

Reducio

vs. Alan: [d20: 4] → Miss
vs. Evelynn: [d20: 2] → Miss
vs. Galton: [d20: 2] → Miss

This was a refreshing change. As Julian marked the start of the duel, the banter--which so often turned hostile in the duels he had to officiate--remained amicable, with nothing at stake but a few butterbeers. Julian grinned, as some of the tension in his shoulders seeped away.

Spells flashed and his eyes widened as he attempted to keep up with the action as each team fired their opening salvo. It was a fascinating choice of spells. Dealla and Alan had both picked the same spell, loosing a torrent of pressurised water in the direction of Callie, and Evelynn and Galton respectively. Neither hit their target. Callie managed to evade the water, even as she drenched Alan and Galton with her own spell, an Aguamenti that proved much easier to aim, even if it lacked the same amount of power. Menawhile, Dealla's aim proved tragically off, no doubt thrown by the small flock of birds that Alan had conjured to pester both her and Pericles.

Pericles seemingly made the decision not to aim altogether, and simply conjured a dark cloud over the Gryffindors. The kind of dark cloud that immediately started producing little bolts of lightning that scorch the piste around the red team. Julian grimaced. No doubt the move had been meant to capitalise on the fact that two thirds of the lions were covered in water, which he found more than a little worrisome. Thankfully, no one had been hit by lightning yet.

Galton, meanwhile, had adopted a similar strategy to Alan's, conjuring a cloud of thick fog that settled over Dealla and Pericles and doubtless would further hinder their aim.

Information

1. You have 96 hours (4 days) from the time of this post to post at least 50 words and owl me (Julian Pritchard) your moves.

2. Please don't hint at your move inside of your RP, as it gives the other team an advantage.

3. If you don't post before the deadline, your move will be void.

4. If you have any questions, or notice anything wrong in the mod post, please don't hesitate to send me an owl!

5. Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked for this duel. Any new abilities added to your trunk after this duel started cannot be used.

6. For your convenience, here are the duelling rules, the duelling spells, and the latest patch.

Good luck!

The spectator thread for this duel can be found here.

Come cheer for your House and friends!

Dee and Callie chiming in on his challenge was enough to make Pericles smile, but hearing Galton taking them up on the wager inspired a sudden smirk. With a good-natured nod across the stage, Pericles declared: "You're on."

There was something eerie about the ghostly fifth year as he summoned a storm: his expression was gentle more often than not, but now it was intensely focused. There was a sharpness to him, even a dark gleam of satisfaction as he churned the cloud with a twirling wand, spreading it over the lions like a shroud. While lightning had yet to strike, the others were lashing out across the stage. Callie was quick on her feet, dodging Alan's water blast while soaking him and Galton. Evelynn buried himself and Dee in fog, while Galton sent a swarm of birds at them both. Peri swatted aimlessly into the air, trying to ward off the flock and squint through the fog, both in vain.

Action: Taking Gryffindor's bet
As strategized.

The Ravenclaw strategy had been clear: Turn the Gryffindor side of the stage into a waterpark, leaving them doused and the ground slippery, then summon a storm overhead and let it take care of the rest.

Dee had been meant to blast Galton and Evelynn with some water. The spell came out alright, and she'd put most of her focus on hitting Galton... who summoned a flock of birds that swarmed her, making it impossible to properly aim. "What in Merlin's name!" The curse came out muffled as she tried to shield her face and shoo away the tiny fluttering cloud of animals at the same time. She just saw her spell barely miss Galton before her vision got drowned out by thick, soupy fog, and she grumbled to herself. Apparently the Gryffindors were bringing strategies both new and very old.

Well, it wasn't like they hadn't expected it. "Can anyone see if we got them?" she called to her partners. "Or do we need to spray them again?"