2023/2024 Stage 2 Slytherin vs Gryffindor: Match 1

The mod post has now been edited for Astrea's protego, though the results have not changed, as the ricocheted spell missed its target

Alan looked around himself and quickly realized that both his duelling partners had decided to take a nap, or at the very least had been forced to take a nap by the other team. Which left him as their prime focus and target. Well that would quite possibly suck. But at the very least there were multiple ways to still get away unscathed, even in situations like this one. He did feel quite bad for his duelling partners though. He hoped they would rejoin him quick. Perhaps offense was the best defense?

Banner by the lovely Hanako Tone

Cocky - Shea Coulee (Explicit)

Roleplaying as Dmitri Kazimir Jones
Perfectionist II | Spell Spread | Terrible Presence | Evasive Maneuvers II | Blindvision
Sta 19, Str 2, Eva 11, Wis 18, Arc 11, Acc 15

All of Dmitri's opponents in the three-plus years he has been dueling have been nothing if not predictable.

Just this year already, both Ravenclaw's and Gryffindor's teams have opened by lashing his arms to his sides, rendering him unable to cast. And just like the duel before this, he'd still come out on top. What can he say? Spellcasting was just the tip of the iceberg that was Dmtiri, the undefeated. And just the same, he was able to leave a little... impact.

Flawlessly cast, his Petrificus not only hit both opponents but completely bypassed the sub-optimal Protego one of them attempted to put up in defense.

"Honestly, I've won duels wounded, frozen, petrified, blindfolded... I truly do not know how this could be any different."

———

Doing as strategized.

Credit to Hanako Tone

It was a pretty average start to a duel, really. Nothing incredibly bright or loud, just attempts from both sides to make their opponent's lives harder. Bridget attempted to disarm Alan and missed, but in exchange, Astrea's shield denied Galton's blindfold, well enough even to send it back his way. If they were a more vocal team, she might have complimented the cast.

The success came from the oldest competitors, Dmitri and Alan. Alan bound Dmitri with a Fulgari--again, pretty standard--but not before Dmitri could split a Petrificus that sliced through Meenauh's Protego neatly and left two of three opponents temporarily on the floor. That meant, for the time being, it was just her and Astrea to see what they could make of this numbers advantage.

Action: Doing as strategized

Conjuring up a swift shield, Astrea maintained herself as their defensive reserve member, well-protected from the standard act of bold acclimation so frequent at the start of a new duel. Often delegated towards a healing and generally supporting (or, in the case of particularly foolish situations, the silent voice of judgement) role, she could not make the mistake of forgetting her comparative vulnerability.

Praise be to their expectation of danger, for the success of Astrea’s rapid ricochet had not followed Gryffindor’s best. Even the gleam of cords, wound tightly around one of their own as two of their three opponents toppled stiffly to the floor with little struggle, could do little for their early advances towards long-term advantage.

No longer was it simply a game, but a thrice-yearly test of competence in an environment that actively sought to harm them by any unconventional means necessary. Or perhaps that was the inherent dramatics of Slytherin corrupting the good spirit of sportsmanship seemingly acknowledged by every other house. Astrea, a known stranger to nearly all aspects of Hogwarts’ social culture not touched by obligation, would not know the difference otherwise. Regardless of one’s perspective on the nature of such violent mock-combat, it was clear that even the temporary incapacitation of combatants could not halve the stubborn determination of long-term experience.

Action: Doing as strategised.

For many years Galton had prided himself on his quick-feet. This year, however, was really putting a damper on that pride. While his feeble attempt at a dodge hadn't been as bad as many in his previous duel, it still landed him on the cold piste floor immobile and wondering. Had he grown so complacent with his agility that this was the best he could do? Merlin - his own spell had even flown back at him!

At least he had sometime to reflect and plot. Or maybe daydream a bit about lunch?

Action: Getting hungry

ROUND 2

Dmitri Jones

Reducio

Dmitri Jones struggles to resist Fulgari

Strength DC: 16
Strength Check: [d20: 10] + 2 = 12
12 < 16 → No Breakout

Damage: 60 (50 damage per round + 10 for each round the spell is in effect)
Effects: Dmitri remains bound, but the DC has fallen by 2.

Bridget Collins vs Gryffindors

Reducio

Bridget Collins casts Metelojinx at the Gryffindor team

Wisdom DC: 12 (Bridget's Impartial)
Wisdom Check: [d20: 16] + 15 = 31
31 > 12 → Success

Effects: A rain cloud is created above the Gryffindor team. No initial damage is taken, but for each member of the affected team, there is a 10% chance every round lightning will strike the target for 50 + (10 × 15) = 200 damage.

Astrea Neptune vs Alan Vanes

Reducio

Astrea Soleil Neptune casts Expelliarmus at Alan Vanes.

Wisdom DC: 10 + 2 (Alan's Lovely Creature) = 12
Wisdom Check: [d20: 4] + 13 = 17
17 > 12 → Success

Protego: Critical Success, spell is rebounded back towards the caster, unavoidable

Duration: [d3: 3] → 2 Rounds
Effects: Astrea is disarmed, making her unable to cast spells. She must search for her wand (requires action) to decrease the duration

Alan Vanes

Reducio

Alan Vanes casts Protego

Wisdom DC: 12 + 2 (Astrea's Lovely Creature) = 14
Wisdom Check: [d20: 20] + 7 = 27 → Critical Success

Effects: Alan creates an invisible shield that blocks Targeted spells and can reflect them. Critical success means all spells will be automatically reflected back at the caster, unavoidable.

Galton Lansdale

Reducio

Galton Lansdale attempts to Break Free from the Body-Bind Curse.

Strength DC: 12
Strength Check: [d20: 15] + 3 = 18
18 > 12 → Success

Effects: Galton is no longer petrified, and can cast again, but has -3 Evasion for the duration of the original spell.

Meenauh Silmataurea

Reducio

Meenauh Silmataurea attempts to Break Free from the Body-Bind Curse.

Strength DC: 12
Strength Check: [d20: 14] + 2 = 16
16 > 12 → Success

Effects: Meenauh is no longer petrified, and can cast again, but has -3 Evasion for the duration of the original spell.

Metelojinx:

Reducio

vs. Meenauh: [d20: 11] → No Lightning
vs. Galton [d20: 19] → Lightning!
vs. Alan [d20: 15] → No Lightning

Jake was NOT biased when he watched over duels. Definitely not. But he couldn't help but be worried for his friend Alan, left standing alone against three snakes. Three pretty scary snakes, for that matter. Dmitri had a reputation far and wide. Unfortunately for the Slytherin team, Dmitri, confident as ever, was unable to cast, struggling against the cords that were tightening around his wrists and arms. He would feel them digging just a little deeper, and though he would strain with all his might to get back in the fight, they would still resist. Perhaps if he just tried for a little longer....

Bridget took advantage of the lull in the duel to cast ominous storm clouds above the Gryffindor team. Astrea however, wanted to incapacitate the ENTIRE Gryffindor team. It might have worked too, were it not for Alan's flawless shield charm, which would ricochet Astrea's spell right back at her and rip her wand out from her own hand, evening the odds, putting a second Slytherin out of action as well.

Galton and Meenauh meanwhile were struggling against Dmitri's perfect split-cast body-bind curse, managing slowly but surely up to their feet. Their triumphant return to the fight would be cut short by a thundering crash, as Galton would be rewarded for his perserverence with a singing jolt of electricity through his body. Jake winced. That one always hurt....

I N F O R M A T I O N

• You have 96 hours from the timestamp of this post to owl me, Jake Morris, your actions. If you do not send your actions or post within the allotted time, your action is void. There are no extensions.
• Word count minimum is 50 words, but feel free to write as many as you like. Do not hint at your actions in your post, as it'll let the other team strategize against you.
• Your stats, abilities, and spells have been locked as of the posting of this thread. Any new spells that are added after today cannot be used.
• For any questions, comments, or concerns I ask that you only contact me through my owls.
• Check the latest patch, especially the parts about the KO limit, ARC Power, and the round limit!
• And most importantly, have fun!

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Banner by the lovely Hanako Tone

Cocky - Shea Coulee (Explicit)

Roleplaying as Dmitri Kazimir Jones
Perfectionist II | Spell Spread | Terrible Presence | Evasive Maneuvers II | Blindvision
Sta 19, Str 2, Eva 11, Wis 18, Arc 11, Acc 15

Round two, and not a thing was different from Dmitri's previous duels.

Predictably, he still could not quite get the hang of escaping from magical bindings. But just like the previous duel, it was pretty much engraved in stone that he eventually would, and an unbound Dmitri is pretty much going to end each of these duelists' careers... again.

Just a little bit more...

———

Doing as strategized.