[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Phew. Only now, when the battle was over and these Marowak are safely defeated and contained, Shiva also visible instead only inner relieved and allowed herself to relax a bit. When another Bonemarang was about to hit her gothloli Psychic Type, she barely managed to watch it and half covered her eyes with her hands out of instinct, and fully openend them up again when she felt the psychic presence Lilith emitts being a little closer than before to see that she clearly had enough of that battle. If Shiva's sense were correct, she wasn't angry or such, but instead tired, somewhat pained and simply doesn't desire to get into the range of another flying bone once more.

It didn't need Shiva many words to express to Lilith how she's thankful for attending this battle and delighted over her performance, "we'll work on things. Together. Have a little trust in me, and we'll manage to defeat much more foes - for now, please return into your Premier Ball, as promised I'll make sure that you're healed up as soon as possible." After an appreciating smile is gifted, Gothitelle is withdrawn. Litwick is asked to return to his place on the back of her hand to provide some eerie light to the scenery, as soon as he expressed having absorbed enough life force from these Marowak.

The Pokeball that now contained her exemplar of these bone-enthusiasts is eventually picked up from the ground as well, and after looking at it in silent thoughts for some seconds, it's send to Bill's PC for the time being. She and Ven can still find a person that can spare the time and care these two Marowak need to get their adamant nature under one's control, something told her that Stair City would be a decent place to search as someone would surely appreciate a useful Ground Type coming with the matching Thick Club in order to stand a chance against the local Steelwonder.

Leaning against a nearby stump/tree/boulder/as a last option a sturdy looking gravestone, Shiva took a few deep breaths of the chill nocturnal air now that it feels cleaned from the heat of a battle against some wild Pokemon, all while looking up to the stars again; they seemed to endless in number and every single one disreetly smiled down on her in silent. She greatly enjoyed their sight for a little... Before she carefully drew cell to see what time it actually was meanwhile. In the process,  she got the notification of another new message today, who the heck was writting her at that time?!

Hey guys.  Need to talk to you about the Mt. Sentry trip before we all turn in for the night.  Got some reeeaaallly important information from Tanuki earlier.  I'll meet you in the Eastern Center's Lobby.

.....Oh. Well, K then... Packing cell away for now, she sighed impercibly before she perked up a bit and got a hold of Ventus, more specifically one of his arms to look up to him in a expression of having no desire to reside any longer at this graveyard, it was pretty late on top of that. Actually, she'd desire nothing more to being Lilith to the healing waves of a Center's Healing Machine and then slip under the covers of the bed of their shared dorm to get a good night's rest in order to be vital the next morning, but seems like that'll have to be forfeited for a little. The tone she spoke to Ventus was a soft one, yet there tinged a good amount of seriousness and a bit of physical tiredness in between. "Ven, listen.... Nathan just wrote me. It seems like we all are supposed to meet up in the Lobby before heading to our respective beds, as he has some information from Tanuki, Cress' cute Gym Leader that deserves to be shared, it seems. F....Fine to me, as I contacted Dagny today and she...told me something that feels helpful for our search of you-know-what. Let us head back then, my.....love?, speak what needs to be spoken about and turn in for the night to get enough sleep that's needed for us to be refreshed and reenergized tomorrow morning, okay? I'd need you to wake me up when you do as well, please - preparations need to be done before departure."

[Dragonstrike]

Well, as he said in the text, Nathan's waiting in the lobby of the eastern Center.  Once Heart, Valder, Shiva, and Ventus have all arrived, Nathan suggests the conversation be taken to either a back room.

"Alright, now that everyone's found a seat..."  Rhea has curled around Nathan's bag, and Ralts is in Nathan's lap.

"...I've written up a list of things we probably need to be considering before we head into Mt. Sentry, courtesy of Tanuki's recommendations.  Spending some time tomorrow morning gathering this supplies is probably a good idea.  We don't know how long we're going to be down there for, so we need to be prepared."

- Lots of Food and Water (store extra in pokeballs to carry more)
- Light sources (Flashlights, headlamps...)
- Climbing Gear (pitons are particularly useful.  Can be used in combination with metal nets the local pokemart sells to hold back rock slides)
- A couple balls of kite string
- Digging tools
- Pokemon that can summon or find food and water
- Pokemon that can burrow and/or Dig
- Pokemon that can act as a light source (Illuminate, Fire types...)
- Pokemon that can heal others (Heal Pulse, Milk Drink, Softboiled, Wish...)
- Pokemon that can help in additional ways

"I've also written down some of the pokemon I've befriended that I think might be useful to have on hand."

- Calam the Absol (danger sense and Future Sight)
- Starmie (Illuminate and a Water type)
- Solomon the Slowking (there's a lot of Old Unown writing down there, apparently)
- Yule the Skiddo (Vine Whip)
- Swiftfire the Rapidash (dim light source and can generate money over a long period of time with Pay Day)
- Zippy and Princess the Combee (can help gather food and water)
- Grid the Galvantula (Can spin webbing and generate electricity if needed)
- Ditto (self explanatory)

"I'd like to ask for everyone else's input on these two things, too.  If we can figure out what pokemon we're bringing and what preparations we need to make tonight, we'll be able to save some time tomorrow morning."

Nathan passes some pens and papers around.  

@PhantomUnderYourDesk @Lord Windos @Spiritmon @Nylon

So, any items you guys want to add to the first list?  What pokemon do you have that you think will be useful in an extended underground trip and why?  I think it'd be helpful if we had a comprehensive list so we can figure out who brings what.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

He'll also say to Shiva along the way something along the lines "Shiva, remember when you helped tutor my sweet child Raphael Nasty Plot? Well, I've grown more and more interested in acquiring the ability to Tutor my own Pokemon, as I wish to expand what they are capable and increase my own Knowledge base with such a useful utility. That, and I don't wish to unnecessarily consume your own time teaching my family member moves, when I am perfectly able and willing to do such a task myself. So if it wouldn't trouble you, could you give me some general background and some pointers on Move Tutoring, my love?"

(To you, the same personal rule is set like for Nathan: Not more than 2 points in Move Tutoring Speciallity unless you can give me a good reason. I don't know your plans, but I want 5 points in it for Shiva 'cuz she's serious about a side-career and I simply like describing how Shiva handles her Pokemon when it comes to learning a new move.)


Hmm...? Shiva perked up at some point along the way back to the Eastern Pokemon Center as Ven gave the impression of wanting to ask her something, giving him a subtle glance from the side to express that she'll listen.

She still blushed a bit upon being called 'his love' and it still gave her an increasement of warm feelings that felt rather pleasant here in the darkness and chilly air of the night, especially when the near only light they had was the bluish one coming from not-warm flame from the Litwick now resting and looking content on the back of her hand. The request for some advice on Move came as a mild suprise for her and she blinked in wondering at Ven once he finished while her mind progressed things and she pondered what to reply.

Eventually, after a minute or two of silence, she coughed. "Sure I remember how I helped dear Raphael to learn vicious Nasty Plot. How's he doing, fine? Can he handle that dark move? ....Oh, he...hasn't even used it so far......" *slight sadness over this opening* "Well, ehm, I hope that he hasn't forgotten what I taught him back then. It feels to me that once the Pokemon has successfully learned the move and uses it for the first time during the tutoring, the work's not done yet - to fully master the move, the Pokemon has to use it a few times practically. For example, I got the feeling when I taught my Kadabra Toxic or Azu Ice Beam, they needed one or two turns of using the move until I got the feeling that they got it. These two were moves taught by a TM, but I think it's, well, similar to tutoring via a Tutor."

She paused a little until she continued. "Hmm... I feel like tutoring a move to a Pokemon is something like an advanced training. It's rather different from training a Pokemon to fight, where it's practicing skills or moves it already knows and sometimes acquires a new skill or learns to channel its energies differently. In tutoring, the owner or the Tutor is directly involved and acts as a guide. ....I experienced that a close bond to the particular Pokemon helps quite much, as it likes and trusts you, knowledge about the mechanics of the move you'd like to teach is important as well as you'll have to explain to the Pokemon in question what you'd like it to do, actually. A Pokemon partner that already knows the particular move turned out quite helpful!~ The experienced Move Tutor specialized in Steel Type moves on Route 4 also gave me the advice that if I'd like to move on to the tutoring of Pokemon that I'm not familiar with - like, a customer comes by and will pay for having this or that move tutored on their Pokemon -, a general good and respectful manner like a doctor's bedside manner is the key. Like, my Fairy Types were wary of him and would have problems learning under his guide, it's important to notice such things and not pressure it."

"That's......actually all I can tell you about Tutoring, Ven.... I hope it'll help you." She turns silent then, 'recovering' from the many words she spoke and the matter of speaking about her experiences and thoughts. It's obvious that she'll try to answer questions when they come up or try to help when needed during an actual Tutoring as far as it's possible for Shiva, she seems delighted and even a tad bit proud that Ventus asked.

[Iron]

The nets Tanuki mentioned are $300 for a 5x5 or $600 for a 10x10. They also have a massive 20x20 for $1500.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Eeeek, not a back room! D: Shiva somewhat doesn't feel well there, to many memories over not so pleasant conversations. However, after sighing imprecibly over this shifting of the aforementioned meeting and handing precious Lilith over to Nurse Joy with the kind request to heal her up overnights, she comes back to Ventus' side and will stay there until the meeting is over, dear Cottonee can enjoy some time out of her Pokeball close in the lap of her beloved Master.

Partly, Shiva is silently impressed over this detailed list and reads through it carefully as soon as the papers are coming to her, she has her own pens to write, every single one looking fancy. Holding it above the paper before she'll add some things in an almost elegantly curved handwritting, she looks over to Nathan. "That's...a good list you made, Nathan. In fact, I've, well...already thought about which Pokemon I'd like to bring with me on the trip down the mountain."

It is the following.

Gothitelle - Because she knows many important things according to the Shelter and is a Pokemon whose presence Shiva enjoys, also Future Sight.
Tropius - Produces fruit and can fly the group over gaps they otherwise couldn't pass, also STAB-Razor Leaf.
Braixen - Another Pokemon Shiva is close to, can enlighten campfires/provide a source of light when incinerating the tip of his basswood stick, will also keep others warm. Also, Lucky Chant.
Furret - He may know Mount Sentry like nonelse due to being the leader of a hunting pack before he joined Shiva, also 11hp + 4 Vitality + Keen Eye feel like a hard nut to crack for a foe. Also, Me First feels like a useful move when facing strong opponents.
Azumarill - Belongs to Shiva's strongest and most dear Pokemon, can share happiness/cheer others up when being down or dishearted. Also Helping Hand and Huge Power to help/clear the path when it's blocked.
Poochyena - Keen sense of smell, tenacious, biolumiescent = provides a bit of light, Shiva's first choice when Ghost Types are lingering on the path.

Of course Shiva will incredibly miss her dearest fluffball and the fluffball will incredibly miss her regardless of how long the trip will take, but the inside of a mountain is simply no place for a Cottonee. >///< She hopes that Cottonee will understand, though. She'll talk to her about it in the morning.
Apart from that, Shiva trusts in her senses, Pokemon and Ventus' desire to keep her safe.

"I fear I'm....horrible at climbing. Food I have enough and we can prepare durable things in the morning to take it with us. Additionally, she writes up...

three more things onto the other list.

- Repels?
- Clothes that keep us warm.
- Pokeballs! Many many Pokeballs.

"Nathan, you said Tanuki gave some useful information? Dagny told me something new, as well. After you."

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Eeeek, not a back room! D: Shiva somewhat doesn't feel well there, to many memories over not so pleasant conversations. However, after sighing imprecibly over this shifting of the aforementioned meeting and handing precious Lilith over to Nurse Joy with the kind request to heal her up overnights, she comes back to Ventus' side and will stay there until the meeting is over, dear Cottonee can enjoy some time out of her Pokeball close in the lap of her beloved Master.

Partly, Shiva is silently impressed over this detailed list and reads through it carefully as soon as the papers are coming to her, she has her own pens to write, every single one looking fancy. Holding it above the paper before she'll add some things in an almost elegantly curved handwritting, she looks over to Nathan. "That's...a good list you made, Nathan. In fact, I've, well...already thought about which Pokemon I'd like to bring with me on the trip down the mountain."

It is the following.

Gothitelle - Because she knows many important things according to the Shelter and is a Pokemon whose presence Shiva enjoys, also Future Sight.
Tropius - Produces fruit and can fly the group over gaps they otherwise couldn't pass, also STAB-Razor Leaf.
Braixen - Another Pokemon Shiva is close to, can enlighten campfires/provide a source of light when incinerating the tip of his basswood stick, will also keep others warm. Also, Lucky Chant.
Furret - He may know Mount Sentry like nonelse due to being the leader of a hunting pack before he joined Shiva, also 11hp + 4 Vitality + Keen Eye feel like a hard nut to crack for a foe. Also, Me First feels like a useful move when facing strong opponents.
Azumarill - Belongs to Shiva's strongest and most dear Pokemon, can share happiness/cheer others up when being down or dishearted. Also Helping Hand and Huge Power to help/clear the path when it's blocked.
Poochyena - Keen sense of smell, tenacious, biolumiescent = provides a bit of light, Shiva's first choice when Ghost Types are lingering on the path.

Of course Shiva will incredibly miss her dearest fluffball and the fluffball will incredibly miss her regardless of how long the trip will take, but the inside of a mountain is simply no place for a Cottonee. >///< She hopes that Cottonee will understand, though.
Apart from that, Shiva trusts in her senses, Pokemon and Ventus's desire to keep her safe.

"I fear I'm....horrible at climbing. Food I have enough and we can prepare durable things in the morning to take it with us. Additionally, she writes up...

three more things onto the other list.

- Repels?
- Clothes that keep us warm.
- Pokeballs! Many many Pokeballs.

"Nathan, you said Tanuki gave some useful information? Dagny told me something new, as well. After you."

(No reaction from Shiva at Nathan's mention of Ditto on the list?  Valder's still the only one who's seen it IC so far, after all)

Nathan looks what Shiva wrote over.  Adds it to his lists.  "Any other pokemon you think might be useful to bring?  Less disobedient ones we could loan to each other if we feel they'd be more helpful than other pokemon we could bring.  That's why I didn't limit my own list to 6."

"The climbing gear would mostly be for the pitons hopefully.  I hope we wouldn't need to climb any rock walls, but maybe we will have to...anyways, the pitons can not only help with climbing, but also marking paths we've already traveled."

At Shiva's question afterwards, Nathan raises an eyebrow in interest at the mention of Dagny, then nods.  "Most of what Tanuki told me was general advice on how to make exploring the lower levels of Mt. Sentry safer and easier.  She also said a good trick for getting out of dead ends was to follow the left wall, assuming you're not stuck in a nested loop.  In addition, if we're down there for too long, she'll come and try to find us herself the next time she's training in the mountain.  How long we'd have to be down there for, I don't know, but it's good to know she has our backs if we get stuck for some reason.  I also asked her if she'd seen anything particularly strange or out of place down there.  She's not seen anyone she could label as a Scimitar recently, but there's plenty of pictures and Old Unown writing on the walls down there.  She couldn't tell if any of it was related to a library of any kind, though."

"...but there was one strange thing among all of that.  Near an old, probably FTS drawn picture of a forest, somewhere in the western caverns and tunnels, there were a lot of Slakoth and Slowpoke...and one of her Zigzagoon picked something up that looked rather out of place."

Nathan puts the Black Stone Shard on the table.

"...it doesn't seem to have any kind of power in it or symbols on it.  It's the same color as known Relic Stones, though, and there's a little bit of a curve to it as well.  Looking for the bigger rock this got chipped off of might be a good place to start.  Something like this would look really odd if you could spot it."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(Oh.... Well, now that you mention it: )
As her glance scolled over a DITTO on the list of Pokemon Nathan thinks would be useful, Shiva at first thinks like she accidently misread something - but rereading the list doesn't change anything, there's still an elusive Ditto on the last spot of the list after she read over it a third time after she adjusted her glasses just in case they were playing tricks on her. Once she's sure that everything's right and before she adds her own Pokemon, she gives a subtle glance of wondering and curious frowning over to Nathan, but it's rather brief yet telling if he picks it up. However, now is by far not the point where asking questions about where he got a Ditto from seem wise, plus her curiosity isn't much more than what it was: Wondering curiosity. At home, they avoid breeding with a Ditto whenever possible, in case they lack a matching partner for a Pokemon, Shiva's father has contacts to other Professional Breeder that loan Pokemon between themselves when asked, he also specialized in gendered breeding = offers no genderess Pokemon where a Ditto is much more valueable.


"Hmm? Oh, ehm.... Nope, I'm actually happy with this particular team of six Pokemon. Each has a task and is useful in a specific way, and they're all companions I like and know."

Remembering the climbing to reach that cave up at the Tusk's tip, Shiva ends up holding her head in her arms and doesn't reply to Nathan's words as she becomes absent-minded and even fearful over the thought of having to climb up a stone wall. She loooooaaaaathes to repeat the sensation of climbing and even battling in that position and would rather quietly hike a few miles than climb up a mountain, Cottonee in her lap gives a worried expression and then a comforting chirp+intended hug to her, showing that she's there.

Eventually, she returns to the current planet at the mentioning the the words 'Tanuki' and 'advice', at some point she withdraws her hands from her head and wrapps them around the cozy fluff of her vivid fluffball, listening to what Nathan had to share in attention. She paused a little before she replied to mull over the words, that... Black Stone he put onto the table earned a rather stunned and fascinated expression. "Nathan.... Please please PLEASE show that stone to Mr. Finder. At best today, but I fear it's too late already.  I need to see him anyway tomorrow before departure, then bring back the book I brought to him to the Department Store's bookstore - it won't take longer than 10 minutes. He told me that if he could have something from the library or assoziated with it, he can work more efficient and faster, too. If he'd to pick up the scent of this stone... " Somewhere deep within this Fae-Enthusiast, a light incinerated itself to give out a warm and pleasant gleam despite how small it was - it was the flame of hope.

"May I... take a closer look at that stone, please?" If Nathan allows, Shiva does take the stone into her hand to turn it a bit in it in order to carefully examinate it from all sides. She probably won't get any sensation as it's mentioned that the stone bears no powers, @Iron - but does this Black Stone match with the description of the concealed Relic Stone that Dr. Hypericac described to her?


(after he replied and everyonelse has given their thoughts, Shiva will share what Dagny has told her.)
"Now that you mentioned Relic Stones, Nathan - Dagny has managed to find out something more with the help of her Porygon. When I called her today, she informed me about a 'barrier' that is mentioned in relation with the Secret Library or Atheneum, as well as a reference to a table or stone that was once marked and will likely be marked again. Above the mentioned 'barrier' - which I, ehm.... DO believe is the origin of this Black Stone - tablets are wipped clean, but below they are normal." ...."Weird... but with that and the knowledge to look out for Slopoke and Slakoths, I guess we'll notice when we're getting closer to what we're searching for." *small and inner, but hopefull and carefully positive smile*

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

(Oh.... Well, now that you mention it: )
As her glance scolled over a DITTO on the list of Pokemon Nathan thinks would be useful, Shiva at first thinks like she accidently misread something - but rereading the list doesn't change anything, there's still an elusive Ditto on the last spot of the list after she read over it a third time after she adjusted her glasses just in case they were playing tricks on her. Once she's sure that everything's right and before she adds her own Pokemon, she gives a subtle glance of wondering and curious frowning over to Nathan, but it's rather brief yet telling if he picks it up. However, now is by far not the point where asking questions about where he got a Ditto from seem wise, plus her curiosity isn't much more than what it was: Wondering curiosity. At home, they avoid breeding with a Ditto whenever possible, in case they lack a matching partner for a Pokemon, Shiva's father has contacts to other Professional Breeder that loan Pokemon between themselves when asked, he also specialized in gendered breeding = offers no genderess Pokemon where a Ditto is much more valueable.


"Hmm? Oh, ehm.... Nope, I'm actually happy with this particular team of six Pokemon. Each has a task and is useful in a specific way, and they're all companions I like and know."

Remembering the climbing to reach that cave up at the Tusk's tip, Shiva ends up holding her head in her arms and doesn't reply to Nathan's words as she becomes absent-minded and even fearful over the thought of having to climb up a stone wall. She loooooaaaaathes to repeat the sensation of climbing and even battling in that position and would rather quietly hike a few miles than climb up a mountain, Cottonee in her lap gives a worried expression and then a comforting chirp+intended hug to her, showing that she's there.

Eventually, she returns to the current planet at the mentioning the the words 'Tanuki' and 'advice', at some point she withdraws her hands from her head and wrapps them around the cozy fluff of her vivid fluffball, listening to what Nathan had to share in attention. She paused a little before she replied to mull over the words, that... Black Stone he put onto the table earned a rather stunned and fascinated expression. "Nathan.... Please please PLEASE show that stone to Mr. Finder. At best today, but I fear it's too late already.  I need to see him anyway tomorrow before departure, then bring back the book I brought to him to the Department Store's bookstore - it won't take longer than 10 minutes. He told me that if he could have something from the library or assoziated with it, he can work more efficient and faster, too. If he'd to pick up the scent of this stone... " Somewhere deep within this Fae-Enthusiast, a light incinerated itself to give out a warm and pleasant gleam despite how small it was - it was the flame of hope.

"May I... take a closer look at that stone, please?" If Nathan allows, Shiva does take the stone into her hand to turn it a bit in it in order to carefully examinate it from all sides. She probably won't get any sensation as it's mentioned that the stone bears no powers, @Iron - but does this Black Stone match with the description of the concealed Relic Stone that Dr. Hypericac described to her?


(after he replied and everyonelse has given their thoughts, Shiva will share what Dagny has told her.)
"Now that you mentioned Relic Stones, Nathan - Dagny has managed to find out something more with the help of her Porygon. When I called her today, she informed me about a 'barrier' that is mentioned in relation with the Secret Library or Atheneum, as well as a reference to a table or stone that was once marked and will likely be marked again. Above the mentioned 'barrier' - which I, ehm.... DO believe is the origin of this Black Stone - tablets are wipped clean, but below they are normal." ...."Weird... but with that and the knowledge to look out for Slopoke and Slakoths, I guess we'll notice when we're getting closer to what we're searching for." *small and inner, but hopefull and carefully positive smile*

Nathan doesn't comment on Shiva's curious frowning. If he noticed it, it's not immediately obvious.

No need to wait for Iron to answer if it fits the description of a Relic Stone, because Nathan already did.  Nathan couldn't tell if the stone had any kind of power, and there's no runes on the pebble, but it's the same black color as known Relic Stones and it has a slight curve on one edge.

"...he can check it while we're down there.  Tanuki loaned it to us for this trip specifically because I mentioned him.  She wants it back afterwards since her Zigzagoon likes holding it, but we're free to use it however we need to until then.  He'll have plenty of time to smell the rock as much as he likes.  I'm going to be keeping a careful eye on it, though."

Nathan thinks for a moment about what Dagny found.

"...if that's the case...maybe that's a result of a Relic Stone's power...this library is old...thinking about it, paper books probably wouldn't last for an unspecified, long period of time...stone tablets might be better to keep records...and if they're wiped clean above a certain elevation, then that would keep information from leaking out of the library...but then that leaves the question of who took the effort to seal that information away in the first place...hmmm...which Legendary pokemon could do something like that, I wonder..."

[Iron]

It matches the very vague description you received, yes.

Valder @Nylon has something to say about all this too: "Hm, I received a hint about this. I think so, anyway. One of my sources told me about a stone that would need runes marked onto it."
He doesn't relate who the source is or why they were talking about it.

[Dragonstrike]

Valder @Nylon has something to say about all this too: "Hm, I received a hint about this. I think so, anyway. One of my sources told me about a stone that would need runes marked onto it."
He doesn't relate who the source is or why they were talking about it.

"...so do you think that might mean the original rock this came from has no runes on it at all?  This is only a small piece of the original, but if it IS a piece of a Relic Stone...but then THAT leaves the question of what runes to draw on it...and how...and what purpose they'd then serve...hmmm...."