2023/24, Stage 3 Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw: Match 2

The Ravenclaws’ first round was definitely not going according to plan. Not only did various attacks go awry, but suddenly all of the Ravenclaws except Aida were blindfolded.

“Oh come on, you could have chosen me!” snorted Aida grumpily. “He’s already missing one eye, why bother covering his other one too?”

Stats: Stamina✵ 10 / Evasion✵ 13 / Strength✵ 1 / Wisdom✵ 15 [17] / Arcane Power✵ 10 / Accuracy✵ 13
Abilities: Blindvision - Sixth Sense - Beast Master - Wandmaker - Comprehend Languages (Mermish)

Wand: Chestnut, Phoenix Feather, 26,6 cm, Whippy; "Ancient, ideal for magizoology, has a will of its own, showy, prone to giving away tells"– details

Reducio

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	As the eventual inheritor of Lansdale's Lollipops, Galton could be trusted as an authority on what was and wasn't fun. It seemed reasonable to assume that a candy company's heir would know a thing or two about having a good time. At his proposal, Peri smiled and arched an eyebrow, taking the bait for a sweeter wager. "Alright. What did you have in mind?" Pre-duel banter balmed his pre-duel jitters. Typically, the apprehension and adrenaline rendered Pericles silent before a match, but the fifth-year seemed particularly conversational today. He may have been inspired by the knowledge that this would likely be a last school duel for at least three of those present, and sought to make a memory of his final stand upon the stage. As they assumed their place on the piste, the Ravenclaws managed a brief back-and-forth. It came as a pleasant shock when Aida revealed the glossy blue kerchief from their second- no, first year. Peri's eye went wide with wonder at the sight, head canting in a birdlike manner. "You've kept it all this time?" he wondered aloud, more a mutter to himself, though that smirk sprang back as he asked more audibly: "Has it brought you any luck?" Only, Aida had a question for him in return: what had happened to his eye? The grin faltered and fell. Peri momentarily glanced away, a gesture that proved to be as avoidant as his answer. "I went to a Hogwarts ball." The bitter humor was laced with dry snark. As he took his position, he'd tried to convince himself it was a small blessing he hadn't lost the eye on his dominant side. The eagle was determined to prove to his partners that he could still cast just as well, or perhaps, he wanted to convince himself that nothing had changed. That would prove easier said than done when the impeccably voguish Phaedra brought up pirate fashion. Realizing that this would surely be the last time they dueled together, Pericles endured a twinge of regret for how little they had interacted, despite sharing circles as Ravenclaw prefects, duelists, and Headliner devotees. He had spent most of their interactions clammed up out of boyish admiration, too starstruck to speak (or perhaps, perpetually reliving an embarrassing childhood introduction). While he'd eventually outgrown it, if one watched closely, they would still see him hesitate as he processed the fact an icon had pitched banter his way. When it finally clicked, his expression eased into a lopsided grin. "Good thing I know a shipwright." As the soon-to-be alumni added to stay in touch, the faintest trace of demure pink colored the tips of his ears. "Likewise. Alright, Aida: let's give the seventh-years a sendoff." As Pericles' stance broadened, wand arced back and chin ducked, he heard his name over the moderator's spiel. The sound of @Aly Salinger's voice lured his attention towards the crowd, where he caught a glimpse of a familiar head of pretty curls, an unmistakable glimpse of gold and red (@Evelynn Decipio), and even a pair of vibrant emerald eyes (@Mahlioz Evethisawe) looking back at him. Somehow, he felt a simultaneous boost in both nerves and confidence. Where Peri's expressions were typically mild and muted, there was no mistaking the gratitude in the smile he flashed for his friends in the crowd, soon replaced by an intense expression of focus once the spells started flying. Ventus was one of Pericles' favorite spells for good reason. The gale produced from his wand divided, and while one wind tunnel was avoided, the other ricocheted off of Meenauh's Protego and struck his intended target in an incredibly ironic, roundabout success. Yet the surge of success he felt was short lived. When the blindfold snapped around his face, what would have usually been an annoyed scowl was instead an anxious grimace. It stood to reason that Peri was protective of his remaining eye. Overhearing his teammate's comment on the matter, however, stoked his desire not to be othered in some way. Everything was normal. He could still duel. It was only flying he'd been told to avoid, for awhile. "I'm fine," the eagle insisted breathlessly, steeling his nerves, recovering aside from the intrusive thought that he was going to be crucified by upperclassmen in front of his motley flock. Pericles strained to listen, utilizing other cues to tell what was going on without sight. If that localized explosion nearby was any indicator, things were off to a wild start.
┗		┛

Dodging spells tended to get exponentially harder as the number needing to be dodged increased. One was fine, perfectly doable. Two got a bit trickier. Three was where things got… challenging. Four? Pushing the limit. And if four spells wasn’t hard enough, splashing one of them in as a surprise redirect became icing on the challenge cake.

Even though Galton love cake, it had been awhile since he had needed to put his footwork to the test so early in a duel. The confringo was loud and dangerous. By instinct his body knew he had to get out of the way (of what it could). The second, an Incendio duo was not as automatic, but he managed to make it out of the way. Now for the challenging part. Pericles’ ventus rushed pass the Lion with impressive speed. A grin broke out on Galton’s face. A moment too early. The ventus - in true ventus fashion - had split and ricocheted off Meenauh’s protego. Four spells would push past Galton’s limit, as the second Ventus crashed and consumed the young lad. Too much cake.

If he wasn’t reeling from the sheer force of wind and wooden splinters he’d been peppered with he would have been laughing. Twists like this were what made him duel. What a move! As the adrenaline began kicking into effect he couldn’t help but let the grin reappear. Reinforced by Alan’s newest proposal he would rejoin the piste’s banter.

“Mmm, Alan that’s what I was looking for. That may even be too fun a bet, to be honest.” He’d turn his head slightly as he finished his statement to show Alan his grin. Collecting himself for a moment he would reply to Aida as well. “We Gryffindors don’t discriminate based on eye count!

Action: Counting eye balls

Just over 11 hours to get your post in!

@Phaedra Stavrou

Phaedra should have known Gryffindor would open in this exact manner. Blindfolds and fog were their go-tos, all the time, and the pattern was now starting to feel personal. As the fabric tightly knotted itself at her nape, rendering her useless until they came undone, she could not help but listen to the budding conversation about wagers. Their segue from losers cleaning typewriters to an excessive gorge on candy left her with whiplash; that and Alan's timely Confringo shaking the ground beneath her. “...Excuse me. You do not intend to uphold all of us to this wager? I, for one, am on a strict diet.”

Doing as strategized (x)

Round 2

Phaedra

Reducio

Phaedra casts Protego.
Wisdom DC: 12
Wisdom Check: [d20: 6] + 18 = 24 → Success

Effects: The caster creates an invisible shield that blocks Targeted spells and can reflect them.

Aida

Reducio

Aida removes the blindfold of Phaedra.

Pericles

Reducio

Pericles removes his blindfold.

Alan vs Phaedra

Reducio

Alan casts Aqua Eructo at Phaedra.
Wisdom DC: 13 - 5 Metamorphmagus = 8
Wisdom Check: [d20: 18] + 7 = 25 → Success

Protego Roll: [d10: 3] → The spell dissipates.

Meenauh vs Phaedra Aida

Reducio

Meenauh casts Confringo at Phaedra.
Wisdom DC: 17
Wisdom Check: [d20: 2] + 20 = 22 → Success

Protego Roll: [d10: 8] → The spell ricochets off to a random target (including allies, avoidable). → Tatsu chose Aida.
Auto-Hit: [d10: 5] → No Auto-Hit Alan's CP
Accuracy Check: [d20: 6] + 12 = 18
Evasion Check: [d20: 12] + 13 = 25
18 < 25 → Miss

Damage: 10 + 12 (AP) × 8 = 106 HP (Chip damage)

Galton vs Phaedra Galton Pericles

Reducio

Galton casts Confringo at Phaedra.
Wisdom DC: 17
Wisdom Check: [d20: 12] + 16 = 28 → Success

Protego Roll: [d10: 7] → The spell ricochets off to a random target (including allies, avoidable). → Tatsu chose Galton.
Accuracy Check: [d20: 1] + 0 Blindfolded = 1 → Critical Miss

New Target: Tatsu chose Pericles.
Accuracy Check: [d20: 1] = 1
Evasion Check: [d20: 12] + 0 Blindfolded = 12
1 < 12 → Miss

Damage: 10 + 5 (AP) × 8 = 50 HP (Chip damage)

Complaints from the audience were also not what Lea had anticipated when she agreed to moderate this duel, suddenly feeling rather out of her depth. They were all older than her and instant feedback was strangely not what the Hufflepuff was used to during matches yet- the Blindfolding Spell was one she knew and had no additional rules as far as she was aware. So play continued.

The Ravenclaw Team, for the predicament they were currently in, had a plan in place for this exactly. They had determined Phaedra as the main target of the lions and although blindfolded, she could still cast protective spells. It would be Aida that helped remove the binding around the older Ravenclaw's head as Pericles was left to fend for himself against the cloth. Phaedra, now without the concern of being blind for another round, brought her wand before her to create the transparent shield much like Meenauh had just the turn before. This was relying on the idea that Pericles or Aida wouldn't be targetted, but the eagles had foreseen their opponents' next moves as three wands pointed themselves towards the domed protection before Phaedra.

Alan would be the first to find the shield, the buckets of water pouring out of his wand from the Aqua Eructo unable to reach the hidden eyes of Phaedra as they dissipated into the air before her. Only a few tame droplets would escape and splash harmlessly against the floor. Meenauh and Galton would opt for more explosive spells, testing how much Protego could truly handle as the spells hurtled towards the shield. Rather than absorb the power as before, these spell sharply reflected against the barrier to shoot in another direction. One ricocheted towards Aida, a strange reward for her helpfulness, as she quickly jumped out of the way enough to keep the explosion point away from her feet. The pieces of pelted rubble would still leave a sting, but certainly not as bad as a full blast. The other spell, Galton's from the trajectory of the spell, almost returned back to its caster before suddenly arcing off towards Pericles. Thankfully the sudden change in target would throw off any accuracy of the spell as Pericles could continue working against the cloth covering his eyes. He too would feel the splintered pieces of floor rush past uncomfortably close, some pieces pelting against him as he could finally see once more.

Blindfolds no more and wind dissipated, it seemed almost as though the two had returned back to the start but with more damage and a little more exhaustion. The lions would keep their upper hand for the time being, but the difference was slight as Lea wondered how long it would last.

Information

1. You have 96 hours (4 days) from the time of this post to post at least 50 words and send in your actions to Lea Hirsch.
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, send me an owl!
5. Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked for this duel.
6. When possible, I will be moderating early. If you would prefer I wait the full 96 hours, owl me and I will adjust it.
7. Some helpful links include 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!

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	Peri crinkled his nose at the end of Alan's banter, admitting "I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Galton. I'm not nearly fun enough to eat that many sweets." Which was to say, he didn't consider that a good time, but was too polite to disagree outright. In mere moments talk of candy and key cleaning was far from his mind. While the Ravenclaw was sure he heard Aly's voice somewhere beyond the piste, he couldn't make out her words. He succeeded in ripping off his blindfold in time to see a crackling Confringo hurtling his way. Pericles leapt from its path, throwing up an arm as he was pelted by stinging shards. The Lions focused the worst of their efforts on Phaedra, but blessedly, her Protego held up as Aida assisted with her blindfold. Relieved he and his teammates had held up through that precarious moment, the fifth-year experienced a glimmer of hope.
┗		┛

The Ravenclaws had lost some early momentum, but the match was only just beginning. Dancing to the side to avoid a stray confrigo, Aida still took on some shrapnel.

“You guys are so predictable,” laughed the white wix. “Come on, Phaedra, Pericles. Let’s show them what we’re made of.” Aida's sand-colored owl hooted from a far corner, cheering on its fellow birds.

Stats: Stamina✵ 10 / Evasion✵ 13 / Strength✵ 1 / Wisdom✵ 15 [17] / Arcane Power✵ 10 / Accuracy✵ 13
Abilities: Blindvision - Sixth Sense - Beast Master - Wandmaker - Comprehend Languages (Mermish)

Wand: Chestnut, Phoenix Feather, 26,6 cm, Whippy; "Ancient, ideal for magizoology, has a will of its own, showy, prone to giving away tells"– details

Doing as strategized.

Reducio

"I feel you are the predictable ones, because hiding behind shields is all you seem to be doing in your duels," Alan shot back bemused and a grin on his face. "And regardless, you still took some chips to your face so I consider that success enough!" Then Alan turned to Pericles and shook his head "That is why it is your punishment for losing and not a reward," Alan argued. Though most of the treats at Honeydukes were a delight, some of them seemed questionable at best. Whoever decided to sell licorice there?