John 'Snake-Eyes' Maverick's page

I think you should bring in new, more active blood. I'm starting house renovations and as I see it now, I won't be able to bring in more than one post per week.

Maverick was extremely unimpressed by any attempts the captives made. He did listen and talk to them, though. He had the feeling, they do know more...
"Mama Nightrush, hein? Who is she? Tell us more"

Did I wound her? If she is bleeding, I would like to provide aid

Simultaneuasly, Wes and Maverick move from the raft and release a shot at the bandit leader. John's revolver is of a smaller caliber, but he does have some godly guidance on his side.

Guidance, Point-blank vs touch: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15
+1 attack, if she is at least N oder C, +1 attack And damage, if she is exactly TN or CN. And the corresponding cards would glow.

[b]"Hey-Ya! Maverick realease a weird shout and assumes a close combat fighting position, wherein the fingers of his left hand are tight together and this hand seems to protect his body from any incoming attacks. Swift action, Snake Style

Let's see, what we've got. From the cover of his horse, Maverick looks at the pre-drawn cards.

Draw from Harrow Deck: 1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (1) + (6) = 7 The Vision
Draw from Harrow Deck: 1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (4) + (5) = 9 The Peackock

Now, what should that tell me? Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
To anyone observing Maverick, he clearly looked puzzled. Anything special about them that we didn't see at first?

"As I said, we're not here to harm anyone, but you don't look like you're complying!" Maverick shouts very loud in a demanding voice.
Casting Guidance on myself, activating Destruction on the blue-hat

"Free of bandits?" Maverick repeated what the bandit said. He had to suppress a sarcastic laughter.
"What kind?" He was obviously stalling, while the raft was going back to pick up the remaining crew member and two horses. He hadn't spotted Nempura yet, but he was sure she was in position somewhere.

I was hoping that Nat 20 on a bluff check would be worth a little bit ;)

"Come on guys. Give our horses some space. They don't want to wait in the mud."

"We don't want no trouble. We'll pay up, once our party is complete. And then we'll be on our way. Maybe you could give us and our horses some space and move back a few feet, how about that?
Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 using this one, lol
Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

After his deceitful response, Maverick casually moves behind his horse appearing to reattach something. He's out of sight for now.

"I'm only stalling." Maverick whispers back.

Maverick doesn't blink or change his posture. He is seemingly unimpressed by the four guns.
"I presume they won't recognize our badges out here.", he says quietly to Higgins.

With a loud sigh and a clearly annoyed voice he answers. "If you say so. But please let us disembark first and we also need to wait for our Treasurer who is still on the other side. Once she is with us, we can certainly pay you any toll required."

While shouting, he secretly draws from his Harrow deck, but doesn't yet look at the cards keeping the result from himself.

also activating Bit of Luck as a standard action on himself

"I'll go first then, I guess." Maverick declares. He didn't see the problem and hesitance that the others did and went straight onto the raft.
He felt a little bit uncomfortable for not being a gentleman. Therefore he tried to make up for this by helping Myrandya onboard.

"Well, Wes, why not? Hehe. I work for the National Gambling Association, routing out crooked tables and so. Some card knowledge and skill helps me blend in, ya know?"
In a laughing, but whispering tone he adds "and make some extra coin on the side..."

Maverick, who had only arrived a few days ago, remembered the old lady, of course.
"No worries about the raft. I came into town by this river crossing. Everything was fine."

So here we are. It can't hurt to stay a few more days, I guess

During your conversations you noticed that John was struggling with the thought of becoming a permanent resident of the Cove. As you al know, he's a traveler by profession and by passion.

"I do like that tin star, though. Goes well with my other one. Here look - I guess I can take this thing out now. No need to go all covert any longer." From under his cloak he pulls out a marshal's badge that identifies him as part of the Marshal Service.

"I'll stick around a while and help you. Bur I can't make this a longterm thing, you know..."

John and Eunice, did we lose you two?

no. Well, sorta :) I'll try to come back! I haven't forgotten, just couldn't make it lately.

Maverick was surprisingly quite on the ride back and when the meet with sheriff started. They hadn't known him for long, but this didn't fit him.
He was weighing his options here. Pursuing further into the matter would certainly derail him from his obligations and he hadn't done so very often since his ordination. What are you thinking, Nivi? What are your plans for me here?

I am somewhat of a lawman, but I don't do murder. So I have no advice for you here, sheriff, but I, too am interested in how you're going to handle this.

Maverick seemed slightly absent and his mind was trying to put the pieces together, but naturally someone else was faster. He didn't mind. He was thankful for that. "Quite the story. a Thassilonian sword in a vault in a forest stone house. I'm sure the sheriff will like this. And the girls and guys in the tavern, too.", he said with a smile.

After a few minutes of ride, he thinks out loud. "Are we now working for the late Sir Roderick? Are we some ghost's henchmen?"

"Can't be very skilled craftsmanship if the blade got loose and separated. Just saying..."

"Hmpf. Catching a ghost would be difficult, I presume. But I didn't think getting him to talk would be." Maverick resigned. Then he looked down the hall where the others ran and slowly walks towards the building entrance that 4hey came through.
"Hey big guy, you sure, you're up for the job?" He shouts jokingly after Wes with a smile. But he quickly recovers and tries to sound not too much like a jerk.

will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Maverick was again leading the group into the next room, which from location and size could and should be the family room. "Now let's see in - WHOA!" He jumpes back startled, after kicking the door open and seeing a ghostly family, playing. His hand still shaking a little he steppes forward and observes the scene.
Is this the old man, we're looking for?

"I'm sorry for intruding..., Sir. But may we have a moment with, aehm, you? " Maverick makes room for others to also enter, but not intrude.

"Arw you kiddin me? Giant insects, giant fungi." Maverick shouts while aiming his drawn revolver and shooting at the strange creature.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Maverick pushed on, leading the group into the next room. "Let's try our luck in the next room, before we go upstairs." Clearly, occult theories was not his favorite topic.

Maverick makes some impolite noises with his tongue and lips as he tastes the remains of the water. Then he turns to Myrandya. "Am I crazy, or does this water taste salty? I don't remember seeing an ocean put there."
With big eyes he looks around hoping someone got a good explanation.

"Holy s&~~, that's a gamble I lost. Well played, Nivi, well played." Maverick straightens back up and examines his clothes.

"I don't suppose anyone of you got that nifty clothes - dry spell?" He asks the group, looking at Nempura.

Ref: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
non lethal damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9

Being the first one upfront there was no way Maverick could dodge the massive wave of water that someone had secured behind this door. It totally washed over him knocking him to the ground.

Maverick is astonished at the graceful elf's help in opening the door. So it was actually him as sting her with what pitiful muscles he had. He should really get some workout from time to time.
Strength: 1d20 ⇒ 17

He makes it clear that he will go in first and face whatever should be waiting. "Everybody stay back, I'll have a look." Revolver drawn and in front of him, he slowly opens the door.

Since the boy explained he had never seen the ghost they are looking for, Maverick's motivation decreased noticingly. "Well, let's go on."
At the boarded over door he halts. "Someone doesn't want us inside here. I wonder why. I should have brought a crowbar..."

Maverick reacted the fastest and confirmed Nempura's words. He did so in a very unempathic way. He wasn't used to talk to kids. "Yes. Big spiders. Don't go in there."
He then looks upstairs with a questioning expression. "Say, young man, you don't happen to have seen Roderick's ghost upstairs, do you?"

sounds like the boy fell asleep and had a bad dream that night, Maverick thought.
His doubts were visible in his facial expression.
"aha"

it's fine

John tried to stay in the back to not overwhelm the frightened boy.
"Hi, my name is John. Nice to meet you. Did you catch any? Fish, I mean."

I wonder what he saw that night in the circle

"Nempura, you're OK? Sounds like you found company. So did we, but we try to avoid this spider nest for now. You seem less agitated than us. We'll be right there" Maverick shouts towards the elf and waits until everyone has cleared the infested room, his spell always ready to shoot.

Then he will go look for the boy.

Maverick lowers the hand holding the revolver and raises the left hand. "I could splash them with some acid, if they come at us, but it won't stop them dead."

ready action Acid Splash, if the spiders attack someone

"I guess, we go room-by-room then?" Maverick answers and opens the door leading to adjacent room in the east.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Nempura also has decent evocation spells. So we're not half bad against swarms.

"Well, we're not here to track kids, but a ghost. Where would the old man's ghost linger, I wonder?"
He looks through the lit areas with a thoughful mimic, his revolver still in his hand.

"Probably a place dear to him, before his demise. Any suggestions?"

"It does seem like a good place for a dare..." Maverick agrees with Eunice and places his boot next to a print in the dust comparing the size.

"Dis somebody think of bringing a torch?"

"Thanks. Got lucky. I know your spell, too, by the way. But I don't think I've ever killed something with it."

I already posted door actions earlier

"Never seen these. Plus the fishes, this old building seems like an infested zoo."

He quickly draws his revolver while moving a step closer and then giving away a shot.
revolver vs. Flat-footed Touch AC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

crit confirm vs. Flat-footed Touch AC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

After taking a tour around and trying to peek through any unshut or broken windows (Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13) Maverick follows the group onto the stairs and to the front door.
"I guess we're not knocking, are we?" he says looking at the door.

"No, I don't. But I'm a lucky guy." He answers to Nempura and tries to push the door open. First with his palm, then with his shoulder. strength: 1d20 ⇒ 9

If nothing moves, he'll give the group a questioning look.

Maverick was just startled at the suggestion. Looking around, he wasn't the only one. Then he looked Nempura in the face and realized what she was and meant.
"uhm, of course. Be my guest. But don't expect me to jump after you. I'm more of a prairie person."

"I don't know. Old houses give me the creep. How 'bout we walk around it first and check the perimeter. Maybe glance through a window, ya know?"
Maverick was clearly checking the revolver in his holster. Maybe the cards warned him of trouble?

Upon seeing the harrow deck, she gets very interested, and despite the conversation going on, she gives "eyes" to John, as if communicating to draw for her.

John notices his companion's interest and continues the non-verbal communication, while listening to the main discussion. His facial expression makes it clear to Nempura that the draw he's going to make for her is not to be taken lightly. He draws the top card such that it faces away from him but towards her.

Later:
"A borrowed horse sounds good. Let's meet at say 9ish at the stables and ride from there?"

Later than that:
"Now who fancies a game of cards before we turn in?"

Some good coin. I can afford to stay here a good while longer if needed with this... "That's very generous. I'll accept. Though, I wouldn't be sad if we did not run into the ghost." he said with a grin.

To Myranda he answered "How about we sleep over this fine meal and meet up tomorrow morning. The last thing anybody needs is a visit to a haunted house at night."

"Sheriff, is there anything we should know about the house? Known or unknown occupants and visitors? Is it a maintained or a run-down hazard?"

Maverick raised an eyebrow. "Visiting a haunted house? Sounds like a carnival attraction to me. Except, it's not. The spirit world is not to be taken lightly." He pauses and draws a card from his harrow deck...
Draw from Harrow Deck: 1d6 + 1d9 ⇒ (2) + (8) = 10 The Betrayal
... and flinches. Something is up..

"Should we now anything more about that house, before you EMPLOY us to give it a visit?" he asked slowly for everyone to understand every single word. He also made it clear that he would like to be compensated for his time.

Myrandya, while I appreciate your devotion, I'd like to mention that as a non-native speaker I have a hard time reading this. If there is anything Maverick needs to understand, you need to write more clearly, I'm afraid.

Maverick smiled and sat down next to the sheriff, gratefully enjoying the offered cigar and the company. He put a small lounge table next to his chair and took out an unpacked deck of cards and also his Harrow Deck.
While the elf spoke, he didn't actually offer to play a little game, but his gestures made it clear that everyone was invited.

"I appreciate the history lesson. It's always nice to get to know the places you pass through. Why do you think, the tragic death is not the reason for his ghost still being around? I know, you're kind of an expert on the topic, but to a layman like me, this sounds like the perfect reason for a haunting. Do you want to ... explicate on the matter, or is that maybe too personal?"

"I would never refuse a drink. Let's see where it leads us". He did take a very careful sip, just to taste for any strange effects, before pouring it down. Maverick was hoping Myrandya's flask contained a good punch, but was surprised by the magical effect. Weird stuff, but then again, look at her...

--------
"Howdy, John Maverick. My pleasure." He adresses the room, while carefully examining the architecture. Out of habit, he also looks for any mirrors.

"That's really good" he complements with a half-full mouth. Manners have never been an issue in his circles...
"I'm with the sheriff. Pleasure before business."

Maverick watches the slowly regrowing crowd for a while. He also carefully checked out the blue-skinned lady that was obviously more than a simple Creekside girl.

As noon passed, he got bored and decided to take a large nap. There was usually not much else to do for him during the day.

He woke up a few hours later and got ready for the evening. Which wasn't different from any other evening preparation, that is. At last he holsters the trusty revolver, to which he apologized once again for throwing it away, and two sets of fresh playing cards.

"That is an intriguing offer, to have dinner with you. It was not the evening activity I had planned, but I am flexible and will be here for a few days."
Meeting the sheriff could make a profitable connection.

Maverick hadn't yet met the sheriff and watched him work for a while, while slowly strolling back to the Circle and picking up his revolver. Like everyone else apparently. He smiled as he noticed the accumulation of derelict firearms.

Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Rounds: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Like everyone else, Maverick drops his revolver and retreats in fear.