M+0X's page

Noticing Much do more damage to the statue, Maddox drops his rapier and pulls out a hammer from beneath his cloak. He quickly calculates the best approach to move forward and deal the most damage to their enemy, keeping one eye on Much who looks pretty injured.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 15

He thinks he should probably go for it and takes a swing at the crumbling clay figure with the hammer.

Strike #1: 23 = 23

damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (6) = 13

He (hopes he) feels shrapnel hit his face as the bludgeoning weapon hits its mark. He feels like putting on sunglasses and delivering a clay pun like "Consider yourself fired," but feels like the situation might be too serious for that and stays quiet.

◆: Pick up a weapon
◆: DaS
◆: Strike

Maddox springs into life at the first sign of movement from the statue, but Laesah is quicker than he is. Seeing the statue retaliate against her, he breathes a sigh of relief that she wasn’t hit, sizes up the situation for himself, and launches into an attack.

Devise a Strategum: 1d20 ⇒ 18

He thinks his hit might land if he goes for the statue’s kidney…area.

Strike #1: 18 + 9 = 272d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 1) + (5) = 10

He feels like he was probably right about the kidney zone.

◆: Stride
◆: DaS
◆: Strike

"What do you say, guys? Should we head over?" Maddox asks, eager to get to work. His skins glows a bit with the excitement of being back with his crew, exploring a new mystery and he bounces on his blade-legs.

The team heads over to the Hababe Building and takes a look around. Maddox searches with the team, his mechanical ears pricked for any signs of unrest as he looks around carefully.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Maddox will set the new Anadi students as his lead and would like to know if anything sparks his That's Odd ability.

"Yes, they looked like they had a purpose here. They are animals after all, so they must have had a reason to be here." Maddox shivers, remembering the bloody fight they had.

He looks over at Laesah. "Maybe you would be the right person to approach the Anadi. Professor, are we able to come back to you with the answers you seek?"

As Maddox listens to his companions answer the question asked by their new acquaintance, he studies Janatimo and thinks about how he might answer. He deeply believes this is a man that can be trusted, based on Professor Ot's confidence in him. He vows to answer as truthfully as he can, even if his answer doesn’t follow the trend set by his friends. He’s humbled by his companions bond and insistence that family, people, and the pack is what the most important thing is and he feels stronger and more connected to them. He takes a deep breath and chooses his words carefully.

”Though I do not discount how important our bond is and how powerful we are together, I cannot help but feel that there is power even greater than our love for each other at this school, or greater than any bond formed here.”

He pauses and looks a little guiltily around at his compatriots without meeting their eyes.

”I think knowledge is the most important thing. Without learning from our successes and failures, we are nothing and we cannot move forward. The knowledge we have gained while here has brought us past where we ever expected to go and I am sure, will continue to do so. Above all, I want to learn.”

He pauses and adds, ”But I also really do value my inclusion in this group. You don’t know us yet, sir, but my teammates are the best people and the best friends a person could have. ”

After taking the note from the spell skein and confiding its contents to his friends, Maddox decides to ask Professor Ot what he knows.

Society: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Later on, he meets back up with the crew as they spar around the dojo and asks, "I agree with Much...sooner rather than later. How about tomorrow morning?"

Maddox and Laesah talk long into the night, before being interrupted by a gentle knock on Laesah’s door, revealing a sheepish Okoro. With a wink at Laesah, Maddox takes his leave and returns to his dorm room, his skin glowing slightly as his mind races with new information.

Following the griffons and his return to the school, Maddox tries his best to re-integrate. He helps Professor Ot heal and helps him get home. He spends the first few days before lessons start for him cooking and chatting to Ot and his wife, glad to be back among friends. He eventually moves back into the dorm and is thrilled to be amongst his old team again. Conscious of being away awhile, he takes long walks with Laesah during breaks while she catches him up on the comings and goings. He spends much of his free time in the Old Stump, helping out Haunt. He spars with Much when she’s available. He also touches base with some of his other acquaintances around the dorm. Though quite shy and introverted, he pushes himself out of his comfort zone trying to get around to everyone to let them know he’s back. And though everyone asks, he remains vague about where he’s been.

Society: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

While playing a board game with Laesah three weeks later, he summons the courage to ask her more about how she’s feeling following the emotional events that transpired.

”You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but how are you doing after…everything?” He asks tentatively.

In his downtime, Maddox is trying to hone his social skills and poking around about the comings and goings of what happened while he was gone.

Maddox, again, stops to consider the situation at hand before acting. He knows the red Griffon is nearing its demise.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 19

He thinks he's probably got a good shot at taking it down, so drops his shortbow, pulls our his rapier and slashes at the griffon in front of him.

Strike with DaS: 19 + 9 = 281d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (1) = 4

He knows that it wasn't the best strike, but he hopes it did the trick.

Fear grips Maddox's mechanical heart as he sees the blood drip out of Ot's robes. He takes his time to think about what he should do.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Maddox judges the situation to not be in his favor to shoot and decides to help his team instead. Quick as a flash, he reaches out to the bleeding Professor Ot and puts his hand on his arm. His skin glows as Maddox concentrates on where the professor is injured, magically stitching up the torn flesh.

Battle Medicine: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 232d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 5) + 10 = 23

He thinks the Ot's eyes look brighter as he takes his hand away. He moves across Ot and closer to Much, in case Much needs a boost as well.

◆: DaS
◆: Battle Medicine
◆: Move

Maddox (flavor) dives out of the way of the swooping griffon, its claws missing his robed shoulder by millimeters. He again thinks about his actions before lifting his shortbow for another few shots at the Blue Griffon.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 11

He lines up and fires.

Strike #1 with Shortbow: 11 + 9 = 202d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 4) + (2) = 8

And again.

Strike #2 with Shortbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 122d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

He grits his teeth and readies himself for another attack by the griffons.

The robed humanoid shouts a warning as he looks up into the air at the griffons, hood still masking his face. However, as he lifts a crossbow to point at the closest griffon, the robe slips away from his forearm where a familiar tattoo can be seen that says "M+0X" in brilliant neon green.

Before he fires, Maddox considers the situation carefully.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 14

He carefully aims and fires at the blue griffon in front of him.

Strike #1: 14 + 9 = 232d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + (3) = 9

And again, for good measure, he lines up his shot and fires.

Strike #2 with Shortbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 52d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Maddox misses wildly but feels good about his first strike.

◆: Devise a Stratagem
◆: Strike
◆: Strike

Maddox stands next to Haunt and watches the explanation of the game, holding his glass of potionwine without drinking it. He side-eyes Haunt, worried, after watching him drink and decides to set his glass down on the table. He turns his attention back to the game with interest.

Society to understand: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 = 16

Society to play: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Maddox excitedly looks at Okoro, "What do you think? Did I do it?" he asks.

Maddox has been a little distant lately but hopes he and his colleagues get through their first exams successfully.

Crafting with nanites: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20

Maddox looks up at the waning sun in the sky and then around at his friends after having spent some time mending Haunt to full health. "I would like to swing by the gardens, if no one has any objection. We should check in with Thema," he says. Hoo, on his shoulder, says hoo encouragingly.

Maddox gladly hands over his Healer's Tools to Laesah and watches as she does a slightly-better job than he did looking after Haunt. He puts a hand on her shoulder after she's done and says, "That was a good try. I can learn from you, I think."

He then turns to Haunt, who still looks rather green, and asks, "How are you feeling? Is there anything we can do?"

Hearing the banging, Maddox walks over to the talking cast iron pot and asks, "Hello?"

Maddox pulls out his healer's tools and rushes over to help Haunt, who looks quite unwell. In his spare time, Maddox has been reading more about medicine so when he bends down to Haunt, he looks him over with a more trained eye than before.

Treat Poison: 16 = 16

Maddox has Assurance Medicine and will take the 16 he gets from that, hopefully giving Haunt a +2 to his saving throw

He moves over to Much, who has sustained damage and attempts to patch her up.

Battle Medicine: 16 = 162d8 + 1 ⇒ (8, 2) + 1 = 11

After stabbing once and only doing a small amount of damage, Maddox assesses the situation. He also stops to think if he might know anything about this particular enemy.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Feeling good about his odds, he sets up to strike.

Strike #1: 11 + 7 = 181d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (1) = 9

Maddox feels like he did some damage that time and tries again.

Strike #2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 131d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

◆: DaS
◆: Strike
◆: Strike

Maddox stands and helps Laesah to her feet after trying unsuccessfully to bandage her up. He sees his friend running towards them and casting a spell, after which he immediately feels better.

"What has happened here?" He asks under his breath, voice filled with concern. "More dead gremlins on the school grounds... Why won't this end?" He looks up at you all, voice serious, but not accusatory. His characteristic smile gone. "Why is this gremlin dead?"

Maddox rushes to reply. "We don't know, Teacher Ot. We arrived on time and were ambushed. There were two of them, one different from this one, but that one got away. This one knocked Laesah out, so we had no choice - we had to stop it." He feels regret and sadness about what happened but knows there was no other option.

Maddox spends some time with Laesah to try to help her feel better. At a pivotal point in aiding her, Maddox’s nanites surge and he starts to faintly glow.

Medicine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 122d8 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 1 = 9

Maddox can only do this once an hour and I’m just going to assume we can take our time here and help Laesah get back on her feet - if that is not the case, I can retcon

Maddox hits and hits hard on his second shot at Kushkin. He hits so hard he gets an extra deadly d10 in damage.

Deadly D10 crit damage: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Maddox watches the events unfold in front of him and sees Laesah on the ground. In a panic, he considers his options.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 7

He figures he’ll go for it and fires at Kushkin.

Strike #1 with Shortbow: 7 + 7 = 142d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9

Strike #2 with Shortbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 211d6 ⇒ 6

Strike #3 with Shortbow: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (9) - 4 = 51d6 ⇒ 4

Maddox assesses the situation and considers his options from where he is.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Knowing he might not hit, he pulls his shortbow out and fires at Kushkin twice from his position across the stage.

Strike #1 with Shortbow: 5 + 7 = 121d6 ⇒ 4

Strike #2 with Shortbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 161d6 ⇒ 5

Maddox, staggered from the massive hit he took, immediately goes to treat himself.

Medicine: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 212d8 + 1 ⇒ (7, 2) + 1 = 10

Feeling significantly better, Maddox considers the situation before swinging at the gremlin in front of him with the katana.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 10

He figures he'll take his changes and swings at the gremlin.

Strike #1: 10 + 7 = 171d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

He swings one more time, just in case.

Strike #2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

◆: Battle Medicine on self
◆: Strike
◆: Strike

I should have declared this in the previous post, but the gremlins are Maddox's lead

Maddox evaluates the situation carefully as it unfolds in front of him.

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Seeing the arrows whizz by his friend's face, Maddox thinks he might be at a disadvantage where he is and moves up towards the gremlins, first jumping up onto the stage and then moving closer.

Still feeling like he needs to know more before attacking, Maddox feels his nanites surge as he struggles to reconcile what kind of gremlins these are to gain a strategic advantage.

Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

◆: Jump on stage
◆: Stride
◆: Knowledge check with Nanite Surge, Pursue a Lead

Looking around, despite the fact that he can't make heads or tails of what's going on, Maddox does see some strange stuff going on.

The failed perception check doesn't impact Maddox's 'That's Odd' feat.

He thinks something about the stage seems wrong. He thinks, We should be the first ones here, but there's evidence that's not the case. He also notices there should be more dew on this grass. It's wet, but the droplets on the top are missing in too many areas.

Out loud he says "We are not alone here." And officially draws his katana.

Maddox, hearing Haunt say there are Gremlins around, moves closer to the group with his hand on his katana and readies himself for what's to come.

Maddox is also perceiving.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Maddox's nanites surge as his keen eyes search the painting to understand what's happening with the small device behind the mask.

Crafting: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23

He turns to Haunt when they discover the tunnel. "Oh wow, Haunt, do you think this tunnel leads to the same one we found before? It's so close to your room." Hoo hoots on Maddox's shoulder, looking worried.

Maddox, who took a backseat while his classmates did such a fantastic job of delivering the letter to Gozreh and meeting these new acquaintances, congratulates Much and Haunt on their convert of Okoro to the Self Defense Club.

"You really gave it to that tree, Much," he says as they walk back to the dormitory. "And Laesah, I've never seen anyone climb like that. I should have said it yesterday. You are all such impressive people."

Maddox walks beside Haunt towards their rooms and turns back to say goodnight to Laesah and Much. He then turns to Haunt before he enters his quarters and says, "There is something I have been meaning to check out. Would you assist, Haunt?"

He walks over to one of the pictures hanging in the hallway and puts his hand up to it. He feels a slight draft coming from the picture and looks back at Haunt. "Can you feel this? I think there might be something behind this picture." He then holds his ear up to the picture in case he can hear something behind it.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Maddox steps up, fires off his nanites, and tries the ritual himself.

Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

He looks up hopefully, hoping he's done enough.

Maddox steps up, hoping to prove himself after his fairly disastrous luck of late. Again, he concentrates hard on the bones, begins to faintly glow, and feels the nanites surge.

Crafting with nanites and magic cow bonus: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Satisfied that he might have done a good job, he returns the oil to Mariama to move to the next step.

Maddox helps Much shepherd their inebriated colleagues away from the disastrous situation with the evil purple mushroom and towards the caterpillars to the South. After Much tries to patch up Haunt, he pitches in and tries to help as well. Thinking this is something he wants to do well at, he concentrates and feels the nanites surge through his body as he takes a look at Haunt's injuries.

Medicine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 61d8 ⇒ 3

As Maddox pokes and prods at Haunt with his healer's tools, his hand slips and he takes another chunk out of Haunt. He then apologizes profusely to Haunt for a good half hour, assuring him that we'd find a better healer back at the school. On that note, he suggests to the rest of the group that perhaps we should head back to the school and get help with the resources they gathered.

Meeting Much’s appreciative gaze, Maddox feels like she’ll probably live to see another day. He turns his attention back to the situation at hand and again, considers the best path forward.

Free DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Again, he thinks he's probably not in the best position to attack right away but decides it's at least worth it to try to end this fight.

Strike with Shortbow: 4 + 1 = 51d6 ⇒ 1

The arrow soars by, way off its target. Maddox lines up his shot and tries again.

Strike #2 with Shortbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 131d6 ⇒ 2

And one more time.

Strike #3 with Shortbow: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (1) - 4 = -31d6 ⇒ 4

◆: Strike
◆: Strike
◆: Strike

Maddox takes another glance at the situation at hand and fires again at the thing in the tree.

Free DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Deciding that firing from where he's standing probably won't be beneficial to the group, Maddox turns his attention towards Much, who has just jumped out of the tree and looks to be in pretty bad shape. Maddox reaches a hand out to try to provide aid.

Medicine: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 112d8 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 1 = 8

He doesn't think he helped Much, but he also doesn't think he did any damage either. However, he knows how he can still be helpful, plunges his free hand into his bag, grabs a lesser healing potion and feeds it to Much as she stumbles towards him.

Lesser Healing Potion: 1d8 ⇒ 7

◆: Battle Medicine
◆: Grab potion
◆: Feed potion to Much

Maddox aims and fires off his second shot with the Shortbow, hoping to strike again.

Strike #2 with Shortbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 61d6 ⇒ 1

The second arrow sails by, missing its target.

Maddox recovers from trying to climb the tree and assesses the situation he sees unfolding in front of him with the purple mushroom.

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 19

From down below, Maddox assesses that the best plan of action will be to fire at the mushroom with his shortbow. He draws it out, loads it and fires.

Shortbow with SS: 19 + 6 = 25

Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

◇: Devise a Stratagem with the Mushroom Man as a lead
◆: Draw Shortbow
◆: Load arrow
◆: Fire Shortbow using DaS roll + Strategic Strike for extra 1D6 (Note: I can't use his int modifier because the shortbow isn't a finesse or agile weapon but I'm pretty sure he probably still hit)

Maddox tries his hand at climbing up after Much and Laesah. Hoo flies away to perch on Haunt's shoulder instead of following anyone up into the tree.

Athletics untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

He falls to the ground and lands next to Haunt.

"I think maybe we should stay down here. Maybe caterpillar milking won't be so bad," he says to Haunt.

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

As Haunt and Much work on the cow, Maddox is completely entranced, watching his every move. Hoo turns her large eyes away. After they safely have the bones in their bag, Maddox hands them both a damp towel. "Good idea, let's get moving."

On second thought, Maddox remembers maybe he *can* actually help find the dead cow. He sums up what he knows about the area and what they've been told about the situation and comes up with a possible solution.

Society by way of Streetwise: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 = 23

Maddox, stomach rumbling, steps up immediately, "Good morning Madame Yao. I would love a taste." On his shoulder, Hoo gives a soft hoo and Maddox says, "And I would be grateful for any meat scraps you have for Hoo."

Maddox takes the proffered supplies and packs them away safely in his backpack for safekeeping, thanking Yao over and over, unsure how many 'thank you's are enough. He then turns to the group and says, "I am no good at talking to people, but I bet any of you could ask around and we could find that dead magic cow. What do you say?"

Maddox makes the dead magic cow his lead.

"Great idea, Much - let's go there first." With that the teams heads over to the kitchens, explains the task, and asks what Mistress Chef Yao suggests they bring on their journey.

Maddox asks, "Would you suggest any particular gear we might want to bring with us? What do you have something to collect the specimens in or should we find jars?"

"Wow, a hyena!" Maddox exclaims, taking the proffered velum. "That's a story I'd love to hear."

He looks down at the paper and waits for inspiration to come. In desperation for success here, he starts to glow as the nanites in his body start to move as he strains to think of what their posters should look like.

Craft: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17

After so much excitement today, Maddox thinks Much's idea of a chill but productive evening of making posters and having dinner is probably a good one. He and Hoo follow her to her room to help carry the supplies, and they walk to the mess hall together.

While they make small talk as they walk to get dinner, they pass the bush Maddox hid in when he saw the two Strix students and remembers he has an open invitation to visit one of them at her dorm room. He thinks tonight might be a good night to sneak out the window again. Putting that aside, he focuses on Much and says, "That was quite impressive what you did today. I wish we could have kept some of those little gremlins around to train them and teach them some manners. Maybe that way they'll stay away. What do you think?"

Maddox, who has been standing in the back sneaking and watching this encounter, ready to jump in if needed, speaks up, "I agree with the devil cat - we should secure this passageway."

"I bet Ignaci would be able to get us what we need. Isn't he supposed to be the guy who can get us anything?" Maddox asks the group. "The three of us can chase them with the bells towards Much, who can lure them into a bag of holding. You can still be a Kholo Goddess, the great savior of the Gremlins, defeater of the bells. What do you say, Much?"

Maddox turns to look at Much and with all seriousness says, ”You are a genius. If we can find some sheet metal, I can make the bells.” From his shoulder, Hoo narrows her eyes and turns her head to one side like a dog, like she’s not sure about this plan.

Maddox's nanites surge in anticipation of new knowledge as he takes in what Esi has said and thinking about what he knows about Pugwampis gremlins.

Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

He turns to the team and says, "Does anyone mind if we go by the library on the way to the storeroom?"

Maddox and Hoo listen intently to Esi and the team as they discuss the new task at hand. He is excited to continue helping.

”Before we leave, Esi, would you mind if I asked a few more questions about the gremlins? Do you know if they have any particular likes or dislikes? Have they been here before and been removed? I wouldn’t want to, say, spray them with water and have the situation turn nasty if that happened to be something they didn’t like.”

High five Gremlins joke!

Maddox watches Laesah leave. He looks at the bird on his shoulder, who blinks at him. He blinks back. Silently and mutually, they decide to stay and try to recruit fighters.

"I am also willing to try to help, though I am not the best fighter or the best at communicating with my peers. But I understand the plight of this man and would like to give my aid in any way possible."

He pauses and turns to look at Haunt and Much, "Asking Esi would be a good start, although she strikes me as a lone wolf. Perhaps we can find athletics or dueling clubs on campus? Or any sort of strategy-based fraternities? We can appeal to similarly aligned and established groups."