2020, Stage 1 Group B: Hufflepuff vs Slytherin

Illowy had come to the conclusion that there was nothing quite like the thrill of nerves right before a duel. Nerves caused, not so much by anxiety or fear, but pure anticipation and eagerness to step up onto the dueling platform. She recalled the last time she'd been in this position the year previous, going against a girl, Bridget, who was now her best, if not only, friend; now also on her team. Now if only she'd gotten to be her partner; instead Illowy got Erik Tharaldson. Only she would have such terrible luck to have possibly the most unpredictable snake in the pit. Not to mention the most annoying.

Good luck, Magnard. I know you'll need it.

Illowy rolled her eyes, making a motion as though to tuck some hair out of her face, though she currently had it pinned up out of the way. It was the first time she'd had it pinned up, as a matter of fact. Sensibility had to take lead over insecurity in this case, "The only thing I need, Tharaldson, is for you to stay on your bloody feet." she retorted back quietly. This time around, she wasn't going to let some brainless, big mouthed boy distract her from the task at hand. Not like last time.

Pale eyes then flicked to their opponents; two Hufflepuff underclassmen she didn't recognize. Now this would be fun. After all, it was much easier going against people you didn't know. Then as she heard their moderator call her name, she lifted her chin slightly in acknowledgment; offering a sense of pride, but also decorum. After all, she wouldn't be caught dead showboating about like her partner.

Autumn sighed, for possibly the hundredth time that day. She had also stress-drank about 6 cups of tea. She'd tried Earl Grey, her favourite. It had not help calm her down. Neither had lavender tea, chamomile tea, valerian tea or passionflower tea, which were all teas with confirmed calming effects.

Autumn could feel her muscles tense as she walked onto the platform. She could feel her heat beat getting faster. She could feel her breathing growing more rapid. She could feel her head and stomach beginning to ache. She could feel her body growing more tired by the second, as if the smallest movement could drain all of her energy at once. She felt like an intruder, an imposter, on the platform, as she sneaked a glance to her duelling partner, the one she would inevitably disappoint. She felt pathetic and weak as she looked at her opponents, both older and more experienced as a result of it.

And then Dealla Prince, a Ravenclaw and the moderator of the duel, spoke. First she introduced the contestants, with their names and houses. Then, she briefly explained the rules. Finally, she told them to begin.

And, suddenly, all of her worries vanished. Her muscles loosened and her heartbeat stabilised. Her breathing slowed down and became deeper and more balanced. Her head cleared, leaving her to think which was what she had to do at the moment. Her body got a burst of adrenaline and energy which she believed she had not experienced anything similar to in years. She felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be. As if nothing could stop her.

It was wonderful.

She bowed respectfully, sharply raised her wand, assessed her opponents, chose her spell, concentrated on where she wished to cast and muttered the incantation carefully under her breath.

Despite having several unsavory reactions to stress in the past year, Maria felt the stress was the good kind today. This would mark the first day of the Dueling Championship, and she was chosen to represent her house. It was something she was proud of, as she’d come a long way from barely knowing anything about magic. All the energy and excitement seemed to radiate off of her and crackle at her fingertips. She missed this feeling. Back home, this was the feeling she got before every swimming competition – heart pounding, energy pulsating in her veins, a good kind of stress that told her she was ready to take on anything.

Her short but pentasyllabic name rang through her ears when Dealla called her. With a slight tremble she stood up and made her way to the dueling platform, attempting to make eye contact with her partners Autumn. She would wish the other Huffle good luck before facing their opponents. They were Slytherin who looked a little older. Another case of badgers in a snake pit. Maria stood her ground and let out a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

ROUND 1

Maria Dee vs Illowy Magnard

Reducio

Maria cast Softening Charm at Illowy.
Wisdom DC: 11 + 2 Illowy's Lovely Creature = 13
Wisdom Check: [d20: 10] + 8 = 18, success
Accuracy Check: [d20: 5] + 8 = 13
Evasion Check: [d20:16] + 8 = 24
13 < 24 → Miss
Effects: -

Autumn Ivy vs Illowy Magnard

Reducio

Autumn cast Green Sparks Charm at Illowy.
Wisdom DC: 6 + 2 Illowy's Lovely Creature = 8
Wisdom Check: [d20: 9] + 7 = 16, success
Accuracy Check: [d20: 9] + 8 = 17
Evasion Check: [d20:15] + 8 = 23
17 < 23 → Miss
Effects: -

Illowy Magnard vs Autumn Ivy

Reducio

Illowy cast Knockback Jinx at Autumn.
Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 16] + 9 = 25, success
Accuracy Check: [d20: 20] + 9 = 29
Evasion Check: [d20: 15] + 5 = 20
29 > 20 → Hit
Effects: Damage for 100 + 7 x 10 = 170

Erik Tharaldson vs Maria Dee

Reducio

Erik cast Tongue-Tying Spell at Maria.
Wisdom DC: 9
Wisdom Check: [d20: 15] + 6 = 21, success
Accuracy Check: [d20: 9] + 6 = 15
Evasion Check: [d20: 5] + 6 = 11
15 > 11 → Hit
Duration: [d3: 3] → 2 rounds
Effects: Maria is muted and unable to cast spells for 2 rounds.

Only seconds after Dee had given the command to start the duel, coloured light flashed through the arena. She spotted the tell-tale blue light of a Knockback Jinx from @Illowy Magnard's wand, and a shower of brilliant green sparks from @Autumn Ivy's side. All four contestants had succeeded in casting their spell.

It seemed that both @Maria Dee and Autumn had decided to cast on Illowy first - had they decided she was the weak link, or the bigger threat? - but luck was not on their side, or maybe their aim was just off, the nerves of their first duel getting to them, and Illowy managed to nimbly dodge both spells directed at her.

On the other side, the aim of both Slytherins proved true: Illowy's Knockback Jinx hit Autumn square in the chest, aimed with the precision of a surgeon, as Muggles might say, and the Hufflepuff would find herself pushed half a step back, the air punched out of her lungs. @Erik Tharaldson's spell, although somewhat less accurate, also managed to find its target, and Maria would suddenly feel her tongue roll up in her mouth, unresponsive to any commands she tried to give it. It almost felt like it was tied into a knot!

Dee winced in sympathy as she watched the duel unfold. This first exchange of spells had not treated her classmates kindly, and she barely managed to keep herself from calling out encouragement to them. But it was only the first round, and the tables might turn at any time.

Information

1. You have 72 hours from now to write your posts (50 words min), in which you describe what happened in the first round.
2. In the same time period, send me (Dealla Prince) your team's actions per owl. Do not hint at your next actions in your post.
3. If you don't post in the allotted time frame, your action is void. Extensions up to 24 hours can be requested before the deadline.
4. If you have questions or notice something odd about the mod post, don't hesitate to owl or DM me!
5. Have fun!

Maria’s eyebrows furrowed when the spell missed its target. Somehow she was relieved that it didn’t just blow up in her face, but it would have been better if she could land a hit. However, that was as far as her luck would go for that round, as one of her opponents cast targeted her and her timing wasn’t as good as Illowy’s. She made an attempt to curse, but her tongue felt like it couldn’t move. Her expression turned into something between livid and worried as her eyes fixated on the opponent that got her. Virtually, she was useless offensively without the ability to recite spells, and she saw her partner had been hit. A familiar feeling of bile rising up in her throat made itself known, but she caught it and tamped it down. Now was not the time for that.

Autumn stood in shock. Well, at least, she tried to. Right now, she was having some trouble simply standing up. Being knocked back by that spell was not a welcome experience on her list, nor one which she wished to experience multiple times.

However, she was more confused than hurt. She and Maria had both aimed for Illowy, yet she had dodged both attempts, almost carelessly. That was bad. Autumn felt that both Slytherins had many more tricks up their sleaves. Not because they were Slytherins- Autumn was very much against the overgeneralisation of houses, herself being a not-so-stereotypical Hufflepuff- but because they were third years, with a wider knowledge of spells, skills and experiences.

And looking at Maria, it was pretty obvious that the girl would be of no help anytime soon. What had that Tharaldson boy hit her with? Whatever it was, Maria did not look very happy about it at all.

Still, as much as Autumn would have liked to, she had to deal with the fact that she was duelling two older and more experienced students pretty much alone because Maria would be no help for a few rounds. It wasn't Maria's fault, obviously, it was their opponents, but Autumn could not help but feel immature anger against her teammate. It was childish, and against Autumn's general ethical beliefs, but here she was.

Still, she had to deal with it, and do her best to win. No, scratch that, she had to do the best and win.

She raised her wand again, not making a mistake of underestimating her opponents again. One was so beautiful it was distracting, and good at spell-casting too, judging by how damaging her blow to Autumn had been. The other was unpredictable, as neither Maria nor Autumn had attempted hurting him. Autumn had no idea what the boy would do next.

In the end, it didn't matter. She was Autumn Artemia Ivy; failure was not an option.