2024/25 Slytherin v Ravenclaw: Match 7

Her flames had dissipated just as quickly as they arose, a nod of gratitude thrown to her savior before attempting another blow. Key word, attempt. Watching as the boy dodged her second cast, he was surprisingly agile for someone still licked by fire. It was only what came next that caused the Ravenclaw's breath to hitch, a lightning strike nearing far too close for comfort. Confident or not, crows didn't fair well in a storm.

ACTION: Doing as strategized.

Round 3

The tactic of the hour seemed to be to focus down one player on each side. Slythern decided that Tracey was their best option, while Ravenclaw attempted to do the same to Matthew. Tracey's own Flipendo would have no joy, and unfortunately for her that was the opening that the snakes needed.

A collection of three Flipendos, of on average above average accuracies, would collide with the hapless girl--Matthew's beginning the volley to be quickly followed up by Ernest's and then Archer's. Three blasts at once were simply too much, and Tracey would find herself literally knocked head over heels and off of the piste entirely--knocked out cold.

"Flipendo Trio!" He called out as the girl was whiplashed by all three in short order. "Slytherin smelled blood and went for the first kill! The tides have temporarily turned in favor of the Ophidian house! Miss Bailey goes out with a bang!"

Rushing over to the place where Tracey had landed, Piérre didn't even stop the continued dueling--watching out of the corner of his eye while he snapped his fingers to get the attention of the waiting healers that would assist the girl's most immediate injuries.

While Yolanda conjured another spew of small flames that would lick up the clothes and available skin of Matthew--this time failing to set anything aflame--Iris... seemed to find herself unable to conjure the spell she had been thinking of. Was it because she had forgotten the incantation... or was it perhaps because she couldn't remember the wand motion...? Regardless, nothing would be cast nor be flung. While too much of a Perfectionist to let any backfire happen, a brief memory lapse would appear to conquer even the most careful of casters.

Resuming his place and sitting crisscrossed on the floor, Piérre continued to spout commentary as new developments unfolded. Ernest's flames finally went out and Matthew regained control of his body as the salsa finally came to an end. "Iris hesitates and Yolanda covers for it! Are we sure that this firstie has never held a wand in duelling before?! She's making quite a debut!"

With one man down already, Ravenclaw was at the obvious immediate disadvantage... but Slytherin was not without its hard knocks on two of the three of their own players. The right play could just as easily tie up the match again...

Information

1. You have 96 hours from this post's timestamp to owl your moves to me (Piérre Marchonné) and to make your 50+ word post.
2. Do not hint at your move in your post, as this can give an advantage to the other team.
3. Remember to send your move and make your post before the deadline. If either of these are not completed in time, your move will be void.
4. I will try to moderate early if all actions and posts are in before the deadline. If you do not wish for me to do this, please owl me.
5. Your stats, abilities, and spells are considered locked for this duel. If any are added to your trunk since 20 October 2024, they may not be used.
6. If you have any questions or feedback regarding this match, please feel free to owl or DM me.
7. Handy links: Duelling Rules, Duelling Spells, and the most recent patch.
8. Good luck and happy duelling!

The spectator thread for this duel can be found here.
Come cheer for your House and friends!

A proud smile flashed across Archer’s face as three synchronised flipendos shot across the piste towards the colourful-haired Ravenclaw. Despite having both been burned, his teammates proved to be just as adept with no regard to their predicaments. Dusting off his shirt as he finished the spell with a flick of the wrist, somehow Archer was still the only duellist left unscathed. He allowed himself a moment of vanity, glad to have Nike in their favour.

Action: As Strategised

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Calming presence is in affect for the Slytherin team

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Date: 27th October 2024

With steadied breaths Matthew began to regain his composure. The voice in his head died down and he found focus in the silence. Raising his wand alongside his housemates he watched as they all found their source and together let forth a unified attack. As their spells all took impact the girl fell and victory for the first time seemed possible.

Where once his head buzzed with insecurity and his confidence lacked he now stood proud knowing that no matter what the final outcome was he had achieved something. Despite the flames that burned through him he managed to batter them away not catching aflame like the others had and kept his stance ready for the next move.

Whatever happened next he was happy with the impact he had made and hoped his team would continue to thrive. Yet Fortuna's whims were fickle and although his confidence had grown she may yet still turn the tables on them.

Silence. Most of their entire duel was done in silence, not a single word said among them besides a few mudders and mumbles. Though the looks that they passed to each other held more words than they needed to say. Ernest glanced at his partners before his own wand went up, three curses aimed at one person.

It was probably either a cowardly way out or just plain rude to put so much on one person; but he was already set on fire he really didn't need to take two. He didn't expect the girl to go flying back, a sympathetic grimace on his own face at the impact.

He just hoped no one else was sent flying.

Action: doing as strategized

Round 4

A series of curious events would unfold in short order, beginning with an opening duo of flipendos courtesy of Archer and Ernest. There would be an almost-fumble from the latter, whether it be an errant twitch of the wand in tracing the arcane sigil or a flubbing of the incantation saved only by a quick correction of the curl of the word, but while the subsequent knockback jinx would rescue the Baird boy from failure, his spell's accuracy would be duly almost-evaded by target Yolanda. It would only succeed in clipping her shoulder, but the slight alteration of her orientation would result in taking a full blow from Archer. Though a bit roughed up, she was still standing and spun yet another fire-making spell towards Ernest with divine accuracy. While unfortunately unable to obtain a burn with the little embers that sizzled on skin, the flamestrike would result in seeming as if only Ernest's sheer will to stay standing with nothing more but sheer strength of constitution was preventing him from collapsing right then and there. A light breeze could likely knock him over at that point, it seemed.

"A duo of flipendos, and both make good with varying degrees of success! Yolanda is four for four on her casts and hits! Baird goes do-- NO WAIT, HE'S STANDING! ERNEST IS STILL UP!" Came the jeering of the commentating boy as he twisted a necklace around his index and middle fingers. His brows were highly arced in amazement and amusement. "One good round left in him still, it seems!"

Matthew's spell was one that didn't really get as much love as it should in Piérre's opinion. Spongify was a useful utility, especially when trying to go for a moderately good debuff of any kind as a whole. While Iris seemed too busy to act due to--what Piérre could only guess to be--sulking of some sort (had she been frustrated by her inability to recall what it was she was trying to cast from the previous round...?), Matthew took the opportunity to fling the softening spell for her. Unfortunately, Iris quickly sidestepped the spell. Perhaps she had been focused solely on doing that instead...?

"That's the softening spell, kids!" Piérre evoked to the audience. "Would have been nasty if Miss Iris had been hit with it. Leg? You're gonna be crippled for a bit with a saggy extremity. Arm? You'll get jelly bones, so good luck holding a wand. Wand? While funny, good luck trying to cast with a droopy flaccid stick. And chest? Oof... it'll hurt when your ribcage gets all wobbly." He clicked his tongue in consideration. "Not a bad tactic, and a good try!"

The silence from the competitors was indeed a bit off-putting... but that was why Piérre was here. He was the vocal cords for everyone else involved. He didn't mind messing with anyone regardless of how much or how little they spoke. "We're nearing half-time! Slytherin looks to be in the lead, but Ravenclaw is called the house of wit for a reason! I've seen crazier turnabouts!"

And that was 100% true. Besides--everyone liked to root for the underdog even if they didn't like the idea of admitting it.

The rumbling thunder of the Metelojinx continued to growl, but seemed content enough to flash sulkily to itself for the time being...

Information

1. You have 96 hours from this post's timestamp to owl your moves to me (Piérre Marchonné) and to make your 50+ word post.
2. Do not hint at your move in your post, as this can give an advantage to the other team.
3. Remember to send your move and make your post before the deadline. If either of these are not completed in time, your move will be void.
4. I will try to moderate early if all actions and posts are in before the deadline. If you do not wish for me to do this, please owl me.
5. Your stats, abilities, and spells are considered locked for this duel. If any are added to your trunk since 20 October 2024, they may not be used.
6. If you have any questions or feedback regarding this match, please feel free to owl or DM me.
7. Handy links: Duelling Rules, Duelling Spells, and the most recent patch.
8. Good luck and happy duelling!

The spectator thread for this duel can be found here.
Come cheer for your House and friends!

Archer reminded himself not to get his hopes up. Celebration could and should wait until the end of the duel and he would not let his pride distract him or jeopardise his spellsmanship. Trying to quiet the flutters in his heart as two more flipendos found their target. While the one of the shorter boy’s only barely hit Yolanda, Archer flicked his wrist and delivered the full blow. Yet the girl was quick to return, casting another incendio at Ernest that almost sent him out of the round.

Turning to his barely standing teammate, he encouraged, “You did well, Ernest, go out in style, shall we?’

Action: As Strategised

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Calming presence is in affect for the Slytherin team

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Date: 27th October 2024

As quickly as Fortuna would bless him that haste took such blessings away. Iris, as she had for pretty much every round of the duel, proved to be an overwhelmingly elusive target that dodged with such skill that was masterful albeit extremely annoying. At least his strategy has been praised by the senior student which filled his heart with at least some accomplishment.

Determination, however, was vivid in the Slytherin team as next to him stood the battered shell of Ernest refusing to back down despite all the damage he had taken. The act inspired him to keep fighting until the very end not backing down for a moment. Smiling at Archer's encouragement he flashed a look towards the boy of genuine friendship. Whatever they were outside of the piste mattered little but he was sure the respect Archer had gained would follow them into the future.