((IF you can point it out to me, I'll eat crow, in any event, I'm still of two minds on spells like Pila, which has been explained by the Line Editor that the effect is created At the intended recipient of the spell. That leads to all kinds of problems. And Similar spell bonus only applies as a bonus in the lab, and again, even if it did exist in 5th edition, which it doesn't, it would still require a round of contemplation, which is plainly not available in a fast cast defense situation.))
Carmine fails to determine the effect that Roberto is throwing. ((4+2+2 vs 15-4, awareness determination fails, and then I went for an off chance of determining that Roberto would do Pilum of Fire based on an OoH Lore roll, and she failed that probably went too high on the EF, but I'll roll with that, for now.))
Roberto advances to the sweet 16.
In the match before Roberto's sweet 16 match, Valerian and Praxiteles face off against each other at the same level. Praxiteles is deftly knocking Valerian's Terram based spells aside, without any problem whatsoever. This goes on for about 6 rounds, with a tit for tat, of the pair just knocking each other's spells aside, almost effortlessly, it seems like a . On the 7th round, Valerian's attack changes, and several large boulders are conjured and swarm around Praxiteles, who deftly knocks 3 away, but the other five connect with a sickening crunch, and then one hitting at the end flinging him into the stands. His is quite dead. The spell ends, and Valerian cries out, "My magic got away from me, I couldn't contain it!"
He makes to rush up to Praxiteles, but a voice familiar to many calls out, "Hold, Valerian. This magus is plainly dead, we must investigate."
The judges who were using magic, Guernicus Qauesitores all backup Valerian's story of a botch. Alips while shreiking runs to her dead husband's body and looks at Valerian with venom and cries out hysterically, "He loved you. He loved you more than he loved me. And because you couldn't lift your pathetic crowbar, you killed him!"
Bilera makes her presence in the crowd known, "Due to the death, the rest of the matches are cancelled for the day, and the Quaesitores will begin a full investigation to determine the exact nature of the events. No one heretofore has seen a spell like what Valerian has thrown before, so a botch is entirely reasonable, but we will investigate to be sure."
Marcus comes to the scene, and Maris give shim a look, and he gives a curt shake of the head. Afterwards he says, "I have some skill with investigative magics, and am willing to lend a hand."
Bilera counters, "I believe we can handle this, I will call in favors from some of the Outer Council of Magvillus to come and investigate. This should meet the standard of all sense of propriety and, of course, we have fully trained Quaesitores conducting the investigation, which I'm sure we all desire."
Maris looks like she's ready to open her mouth, but Marcus shakes his head, this time it's noticeable to Bilera, who just smiles sweetly at everyone present. Two Guernicus magi come running and take Valerian into custody, pending the results of the investigation.
The next day, events carry on, the length of the Tribunal and Tournament is extended an additional day to complete the delayed Tournament events. Valerian is exonerated, his version of events is confirmed by 5 Quaesitors in good standing, one Bjornaer and one Verditius and three from House Guernicus. Due to the rules of the Dimicatio in the Normandy Tribunal, though, he is disqualified from further competition at any and all Tribunal events in perpetuity.
Roberto needs to make rolls for his competitor, initiative and first attack for the round of Sweet Sixteen. If he winds that round, he will get a bye in the round of 8, and proceed directly to the final four.
))