Masked Ox
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Name:Masked Ox Attributes Abilities Backgrounds Charms |
Masked Ox acts as bodyguard and personal enforcer of the Tri-Kahn of Chiaroscuro. He is also a twilight caste solar, which the Tri-Kahn and a few members of his court know. While physically imposing, he tends to seek amicable solutions to disagreements and it very sociable and friendly.
Appearance
Ox's dark complexion tends to conceal his place of origin, and he tends to be thought of as a native no matter where he goes. True to his namesake, Ox is huge, burly and bulging with muscle. He usually wears an infectious grin, though only when not trying to look menacing as part of his body-guarding duties.
Ox is unconcerned if people know he is a solar, but keeps his anima hidden when possible, in deference to the wishes of the Tri-Kahn. When fully flared, his anima erupts into a gorgeous two-headed cobra in the purples, orange, bright and dark red of the sunset, with bright gold eyes, fangs and tongue.
Tactics
As master of snake martial arts, Ox fights with the versatility the style provides, as well as a battery of soak charms.
Preparation
If given time to fully prepare for combat, Flax will cast the following charms in order:
| Charm | Charm Cost | Cumulative Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Form | 5 motes | 5m | Increases soak to 11B/6L, adds 5 to initiative. Attackers subtract 3 dice. |
| Spirit Strengthens the Skin | 2 motes, 1 willpower | 7m 1w | Soak lethal damage with bashing soak. Essentially makes soak 11B/11L. |
| Durability of Oak (optional) | 4 motes | 11m 1w | Increases soak to 19B/19L |
| Increasing Strength Exercise (optional) | 9 motes | 20m 1w | Increases strength to 5 |
Ox has a hearthstone that ignites his bodily fluids when they leave his body. He usually keeps this stone removed from it's mount in his amulet to avoid this effect, but if prepared for combat will have it mounted.
When defending
Until his soak is fully buffed, Ox will use most of his actions to dodge; however, once his soak is pumped, he will tend to avoid defensive actions, using reflexive soak charms (Iron Skin Concentration usually, but might use Adamant Skin Technique against a particularly lethal attack) if needed.
Any time he his hit, he will use Essence-Gathering Temper if he is able. If he takes damage and is low on willpower, he will use Willpower-Enhancing Spirit instead. (His combo, The Hydra Watches, would allow both of these in the same turn.)
When attacking
Ox almost always attacks with his combo, The Hydra Watches. It allows multiple actions, which are generally used to attack with hook swords. The main benefit of the combo is to allow a number of reflexive effects to be activated (typically, each time he is attacked, he will counterattack with Snake Strikes the Heel and regenerate essence and willpower).
Ox will use something other than the combo in the following circumstances:
- Facing an extremely heavily armored foe, Ox might use Armor-Penetrating Fang Strike.
- Against a foe that can regenerate or is otherwise hard to hurt, Ox might use Crippling Pressure Point Strike.
- If needing a brutal demonstration, he will use Essence Venom Strike.
- Wanting to avoid flashy essence displays
If Ox's hearthstone is mounted (see above), every three levels of damage inflicted upon him do one die of damage to the attacker.
The hearthstone bracers Ox wears add two to the damage of any attacks (wether or not the hearthstone itself is mounted).