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Skills & Demons - Crunchy
Book 2, Chapter 47

Book 2, Chapter 47

Name: Reggie Race: Human

Ht: 5’10, Wt: 130, Sex: Male,

Archetype: Cleric

HP: 10 / 10 Mana: 39 / 39

Stats:

Physical : 2, Moxie : 2, Spiritual : 3, Luck : 3,

Agility : 2, Magic : 2, Mental : 3, Energy : 3.

Relevant Skills: Relevant Skills: Archetype - Sanctify, Fortify Mind , Gather Mana, Physical - Awareness,

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Reggie turned and ran back away from his friends, not stopping until he turned a corner, where he stopped and leaned against a wall. Then, slowly counting, he went to fifty before he stopped.

Failure! Physical Roll 5d10; 5, 7, 5, 3, 2; Zero Success; Skill Physical - Awareness failed.

He didn't spot anyone around, but the streets were pretty dark. He pushed thoughts of meta gaming out of his mind as he quickly pulled up his combat log and verified what he rolled. The failure was quickly evident. He glanced around, looking for a place to hide and, if anyone were watching, hoping the change of scope would allow a second roll.

Success! Physical Roll 5d10; 7, 2, 10, 7, 8; Two Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness gained 2 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 9,892.

The darkness seemed to lighten a little, and Reggie saw a small space where two buildings met up but were made separately, leaving a little gap used to store a barrel for rainwater. Reggie moved over there and wedged himself behind the barrel. Hoping his hiding spot was good enough, he pulled out an hourglass from his backpack. After noting the amount of sand already fallen, he closed his eyes and quickly looked for a spell to break the charm. Going through the index, he promptly found something he hoped would help. Fortify Mind.

Dropping out of the trance, Reggie looked around to ensure no one had snuck up on him.

Success! Physical Roll 5d10; 8, 5, 9, 2, 1; Two Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness gained 2 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 9,890.

It didn't seem like much time had passed. Maybe five minutes, the hourglass didn't look like much time had passed. He didn't see anyone coming, but bad rolls happen, as any good gamer knows. Reggie quickly pulled up his combat log again to verify the awareness roll.

Skill points to the next level, 9,890.

Success! Physical Roll 5d10; 8, 5, 9, 2, 1; Two Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness gained 2 Experience.

Quickly pulling himself out of his combat log, Reggie dove back into the handbook to get some info on the spell he'd found.

Fortify Mind

Range: 30 ft.

Success Level: 2*

Duration: 1 Hour

Cost: 25 Mana,

Constructs barriers in a target's mind to help resist compulsion and mental attacks. Spell gives bonus of 1 dice to resist mental for every 2 successes. 2 Success = +1, 4 Success = +2, 6 Success = +3, to a max of +5 bonus dice. Repeated castings do not extend the length or renew duration once this spell is cast on a target.

Pulling himself back out of the book, he glanced at the hourglass. About another ten minutes passed. Then, putting the hourglass back, he stretched and looked around before stepping out of his hiding spot.

Success! Physical Roll 5d10; 8, 3, 3, 5, 4; One Success; Skill Physical - Awareness gained 1 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 9,889.

The streets looked empty, only the sound of a slight breeze and maybe a tree branch against a roof. Before taking a step, Reggie glanced at his combat log and reviewed the roll. Then, smiling at himself, he stared down the road toward the shop his friends had gone to, cupping a hand to his ear to help pick up any sounds.

Success! Physical Roll 5d10; 7, 8, 3, 10, 8; Three Success; Skill Physical - Awareness gained 3 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 9,886.

He started noticing several more details, this time spotting a shape across one of the roofs, but couldn't see if it was looking at him. Faintly in the distance, he could hear footsteps along the cobblestone road, and the sound of something brushing against a roof was not a tree branch as there was a definite pattern.

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Not seeing any immediate threats, he first gathered mana;

Failure! Energy Roll 6d10; 5, 6, 5, 3, 4, 1. Zero Successes; Skill Gather Mana failed.

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 2, 9, 3, 3, 7, 2. Two Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 2 Experience.

20 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,201

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 5, 10, 3, 4, 1, 10. Two Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 2 Experience.

20 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,199

After the third gather mana, he quickly pulled up his character sheet and noted he was at max mana. Assured he was topped off, he started walking toward the sounds of people on the road. As he walked, he continued to gather mana to ensure that he would be ready when he found someone.

A few minutes passed before Reggie encountered a group of four people walking in the street. Two looked a little unsteady as they moved; the other two looked a lot soberer of the group. Reggie held up a hand and waved at them.

"Praise Tempus and blessings," Reggie said to get their attention. The group paused; most of them looked at Reggie; one person's gaze went to the roofs nearby and the other side of the street. Reggie held out both hands and focused on projecting the power of his god.

Success! Spiritual Roll 5d10; 5, 6, 5, 9, , 9. Two Successes; Skill Archetype - Sanctify gained 2 Experience.

Skill Points to the next level, 75.

With the divine aura projecting out, Reggie was comforted that none of the four ran or decided to attack. Of course, the aura was not as helpful as his friends, but he had been using it, hoping it would deter evil intent when in the city.

"Blessings upon you, I am seeking my friends. I apologize for interrupting your revelry." Reggie said.

"No bother, we were just looking for an open bar." One of the more sober people said.

Reggie nodded as he gathered mana and decided to try the Fortify Mind spell on the person talking.

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 6, 7, 3, 6, 5, 9. Two Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 2 Experience.

20 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,197

Success! Mental Roll 3d10; 8, 6, 9. Two Successes; Skill Fortify Mind gained 2 experience.

Two of Two Successes needed.

Skill Fortify Mind has reached Rank 1! Skill points to next level, 9.

The man didn't seem to notice anything, so Reggie started walking past them, giving them a wide berth so he didn't seem threatening.

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 5, 8, 2, 7, 2, 9. Three Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 3 Experience.

30 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,194

Failed! Mental Roll 4d10; 1, 7, 4, 3. One Success; Skill Fortify Mind gained 1 experience.

One of Two Successes needed.

Skill points to next level, 8.

He repeated the process without double-checking his combat log, hoping he'd get enough successes to help level the skill. Saving the inebriated people for last.

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 2, 10, 10, 3, 9, 9. Four Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 4 Experience.

40 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,190

Failed! Mental Roll 4d10; 3, 7, 7, 8. Three Successes; Skill Fortify Mind gained 3 experience.

Three of Two Successes needed.

Skill points to next level, 5.

One of the people using the wall to help stay upright stood a little taller. He looked at the other group members and said, "If we don't find someplace soon, I'll go home sober."

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 2, 1, 5, 8, 4, 8. Two Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 2 Experience.

20 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,188

Failed! Mental Roll 4d10; 2, 7, 5, 1. One Success; Skill Fortify Mind gained 1 experience.

One of Two Successes needed.

Skill points to next level, 4.

Once Reggie was passed, he picked up his pace to quickly get far enough away so he could review his combat log in private. A minute later, he found a secluded spot and peeked at the log, sighing at still needing four experience to get to the next rank; Reggie continued walking in the direction of his friends, listening carefully to find another group of people that he could bless with some mental clarity.

It wasn't long before Reggie saw another group of late-night drinkers down the street heading in his direction. He located a nearby streetlight and staggered over to it.

Failure! Moxie Roll 3d10; 6, 4, 3. Zero Successes; Skill Moxie - Deceive failed.

Leaning against it as if using it to maintain his upright position, he tried to look uninterested in the group as they got closer. Then, when one was what he hoped close enough to test the resistance spell, he gathered mana and cast it.

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 3, 2, 7, 2, 5, 9. Two Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 2 Experience.

20 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,186

Failure! Not enough Mana. Skill Fortify Mind failed.

Still unable to get a good look, Reggie quickly repeated the process.

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 7, 3, 6, 6, 7, 4. Two Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 2 Experience.

20 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,186

Success! Mental Roll 4d10; 10, 5, 2, 8. Two Successes; Skill Fortify Mind gained 2 experience.

Two of Two Successes needed.

Skill points to next level, 2.

Still trying to act as if he was struggling to stand, Reggie almost fell when one of them spoke.

"Shit, it's Reggie," Charisse's voice said. "Did someone attack you?"

Reggie looked up and choked back a laugh. Then, standing straight, he took a step forward with arms out to embrace his friend. Charisse missed a step and stopped a dozen feet in front of him.

"We've retrieved the Lady's item," She said.

Success! Physical Roll 5d10; 9, 9, 10, 7, 3; Three Success; Skill Physical - Awareness gained 3 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 9,883.

Her eyes darted in the direction of Samson and Henderson. "We must hurry back so Samson can present the items to her." She finished.

"Ah, let me place a spell upon us to help protect us." Reggie said, his mind working quickly on how not to lie. He first pointed at Charisse;

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 10, 7, 8, 1, 6, 1. Three Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 3 Experience.

30 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,183

Failure! Mental Roll 4d10; 1, 9, 6, 2. One Success; Skill Fortify Mind gained 1 experience.

One of Two Successes needed.

Skill points to next level, 1.

Then pointed at Samson;

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 10, 7, 8, 1, 6, 1. Three Successes; Skill Gather Mana gained 3 Experience.

30 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,183

Success! Mental Roll 4d10; 5, 8, 5, 9 Two Successes; Skill Fortify Mind gained 2 experience.

Two of Two Successes needed.

Skill Fortify Mind has reached Rank 2! Skill points to next level, 99.

With as much haste, he cast it on Henderson,

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 4, 6, 10, 4, 6, 4. One Success; Skill Gather Mana gained 1 Experience.

10 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,182

Success! Mental Roll 5d10; 6, 3, 9, 5, 9 Two Successes; Skill Fortify Mind gained 2 experience.

Two of Two Successes needed.

Skill points to next level, 97.

then himself;

Success! Energy Roll 6d10; 9, 6, 5, 4, 3, 8. Two Success; Skill Gather Mana gained 2 Experience.

20 Mana Gathered, Max Mana is 39. Excess is lost.

Skill Points to the next level, 1,180

Success! Mental Roll 5d10; 1, 4, 7, 2, 10 Two Successes; Skill Fortify Mind gained 2 experience.

Two of Two Successes needed.

Skill points to next level, 95.

With no time to verify the combat log, he turned and started jogging to where they were to return the item.