(05-17-2025, 12:01 AM)Dragonstrike Wrote: Leaves's discomfort doesn't escape Seddi's notice.  This is exactly why he got that Pericot Berry.  Only reason he was holding off on showing it to her was those side effects that were mentioned.  Not ideal if they could interfere with an extremely delicate recovery process!

He'll pull it out and offer it to her now though.  "Can't very well just leave ya like that without offerin' a solution, Leaves.  Ya want a quick fix, I got one right here for ya.  Probably will have some kinda side effect though even if it does help, so be warned.  Maybe hold off on snackin' until we're sure your unique talents aren't necessary."  Sure, he could wait until tomorrow in hopes that the headache will go away on its own, but he's nothing if not considerate, so he'll present the option to Leaves.  Besides, they're partners, and partners look out for each other!

As for the fire fox, Seddi has a proposition.  "Well, dunno what ya want to do, but I can drop ya off at the Magi Embassy if ya like.  I was gonna be headed that way to meet with Bernhard a lil' later.  If ya got other ideas though, that's fine too.  Regardless, I've got the impression that Bernhard would appreciate knowin' where ya are when I meet with him."

(05-16-2025, 08:27 PM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

The knife slides in without resistance, without a sound, without any pain....or regret.

You feel the Immense Surprise, Shock, and....Awe that this Shrine....

The Argent Flame of Prosperity...

....has for your Offering.

Your Noble Gift.

Your Grand Sacrifice.

Your Heartfelt Wish.

Your Sincere Amends.

Your D e a t h .

You don't feel much of anything, anymore. You slip away,
                                                  away,
                                                  away.....

~~~

Music: ***

Lani cups her own face in sheer horrified surprise, eyes shrinking to pinpoints.

Kayla, still standing guard, senses something gravely amiss and rushes over to the shrine.

Your sister burst from their Balls, swarming all over your form with deepest shock, dread, and tearful defiance. Fortuna wrenches a Max Revive from your Inventory and tries to use it, but it just does not work. Hecate looks so confused and devestated, opening bawling as she just didn't understand WHY her Mother-Master would KILL HERSELF like this...!!!

Persaphone and Bethy....they didn't react nearly as harshly. Instead, they watched Oz's body with rigid, rapt attention, their Ghostly auras flaring to life with an intensity rivaling that of the Argent Flame.

Mezna was just....surprised. Not distraught, but in disbelief at what their new Trainer pulled. She did not wail or get mad, though. The Faffur simply....nodded to the body. Understanding. Accepting.

Dite was just so confused, so distressed, she flat out Fainted from the stress of it all.

In an instant you Know, deep within your Bones, your very S O U L , that something has happened to Oz the Healer. Your Astral Stones burn furiously, radiating a celestial glow at this....

Grave and irrepairable loss.

~~~

Music: Beyond the Door

@Pokekitty2

Or is it ?

While on the way to the Saloon with Myra - who herself suddenly goes rigid at what happened - you get the exact same feeling as everyone else in the merry little band you joined.

Unlike them, though, you Knew something Different.

Something Special

A Grave, Tremendous Sacrifice has Taken Place

Oz as the Wooloo.

They are d e a d .

Gave their L i f e.

To bring one back

That gave theirs
               For them.

But You

Y o u

Y O U

Y O U  C A N  G I V E  W H A T  H A S  B E E N  G I V E N

All it takes....

Is
   a
     simple

"Wish."

You and Myra vanish -

~~~

- and reappear right in the Shrine.

Myra, off to the side, her tails fanned wide as she Looked at the Argent Flame...

You (Sylvia) hovering over the body of Oz, eyes aglow with Great and Wise P O W E R .

A Max Revive is Removed from your Inventory, and through your P O W E R -

Through the super-charged Baton Pass you used to get here -

And the Solemn, Defiant Wish you have:

Music: Agnus Dei"

"Rise. Live again."

- the Max Revive is Empowered. FAR beyond its limits. It transforms into a sphere of pure energy

Pure L I F E

....and shoots straight into Oz.

~~~

...
...
...
".....oz.....
"....oz....
"...Oz...!
"..Oz..!!
".Oz.!!!"
"OZ!!!!!"

Music: Stops

......Until something grabs your hand.

Something that feels familiar.

Someone.

"OZ, YOU.....YOU......YOOOOOOU.......!"

You are yanked from the Abyss

and back into the Light.

***

The moment the Orb of L I F E entered Oz...

...ALL the Blood she split

The L i f e and D e a t h she gave so freely and selflessly

It floats into the air, goes straight into the silver bowl -

- and then bowl into the Argent Flames.

The Shrine room erupts with its Prosperous Power, the flames leaping out of the braizer and engulfing Oz.

Sylvia presided over all, like a [Grand Hierophant].

Myra, Persaphone, and Bethy eyes suddenly glowed, and the very flames took on a Ghostly sheen as they focused their own Intent and Aid onto It and her

Oz

Oz and....!

**S H A T T E R**

The Argent Flames exploded.

The shockwave, the aftermath, the sheer w e i g h t driving everyone back or onto their knees.

Sylvia collaspes from the air, slumping over onto the ground and feeling the weight of her own Sacrifice to make her Wish come true.

Oz's Sisters, one and all, Flinch away from the blast, but when they turned and opened their eyes they all let out strangled gasps.

For crouched...

Unmarred.

Unbloodied.

Was their Master and Sister Oz.

Alive.

Music: * * *

Alive....and cradled by someone else.

Someone who was crying furiously as they were hugged fiercely, trembling and shaking as she held Oz.

Her Master, Sister, and most very Cherished One.

"....YOU IDIOT!!!"

Glinda the Goodwhich said to Oz, who was now barely conscious, staring down at them with fury...

Fury born of worry and fright.

"YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS. YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS! I GAVE MY LIFE FOR YOURS! YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO...TO....!"

Glinda sagged, holding you ever closer.

"...To give back what I free gave....."

The woman, the Pokemon, bowed her head.

"Oz....thank you. Thank you....you idiot."

The Shrine fell silent.

The Argent Flame retreated, dimmer and subdued, yet.....proud of what it helped Fulfil.

For this....

This...

This was Truly a most Miraculous of Wishes.

Oz is Alive - She suffers no Penalties to her Stats, but Loses her Remaining Encounters for the Day, 1 Moderate Encounter for the next Day, and all her Minor Encounters for Tomorrow as well. She only has 2 Minor Encounter Remaining. + 1 Fortune to Oz.

Glinda the Goodwitch's Fate has been Changed - She is Alive, and now Reunited with her Sister. 5/5 Loyalty and Happiness, but very irate at her idiotic Sister's decisions thus far. The ramifications of this will be discussed via PM. + 1 Fortune to Glinda (2)

Sylvia loses her Max Revive, 10 Will, and is Beyond Exhausted: - 5 to All Rolls for the Rest of Today, - 2 for Tomorrow. However, she feels that a certain Someone Knows what they did and are Pleased and Proud of it...

All of Oz's Pokemon BUT Bethy, Persaphone, and Meza lose 2 Loyalty and Happiness, and are deeply upset by what their Sister did. Bethy, Persaphone, and Meza, on the other hand, GAIN 1 Happiness and Loyalty - if this goes over the Cap, ignore said Cap.

Lani, Myra, and Kayla gain 10 XP from this experience.

Akamu gains 1 Point in Earth Power, and their Patron now has an interest in Oz.

Every PC knows Oz is now fine and Alive - + 5 XP and + 1 Will.

***
***

Spoiler

Quote:Ha! You left it up to Lady Luck? She Approves: - 1 Fortune Cost to F-Smore! Current Cost: 0, Bonus Will Be Carrierd Over....

The Transaction is DONE. Make sure to update your sheet, mate!

Your elder in Bug Mastery takes everything you have to offer with a satisfied nod, before handing you the Net Ball and Royal Jelly.

"Our Deal is Made and Done. If that is all, then I bid you farewell. May Fortune Favor You, young grasshooper."

Before you do go, though, the old man has one last thing to say:

"Word of advice, young man: I recommend you Bond with your new monarch to be before Evolving. Or bribe her with the right Berries to earn her Favor fast. Her kind....Dominance is their Crown and Sceptor, and they Willfully, Freely lady it over others. Their Colony, the unwary arthropod.and those whose own Will are untested and Weak. Take care, and once more: May Fortune Favor You."

Moderate Encounter Concluded: 1 Mod and 2 Minor Remaining. List has not yet been updated for Main Street; right now you see the Street Performance, going after the Wild Item Stash, or visit the Berry Stand (though you ARE broke, so....maybe not the last one). Or you can venture away and try to find other stuff to do - the city is primed for opportunity now more than ever.

(05-17-2025, 02:10 AM)Redstone Wrote:

Spoiler

He wasn't suspecting anything when she picked up the Knife at first, for a sacrifice of body wasn't too unusual.

but then..

The Sacrifice

He wanted to help,,,, to get the others,,, to do anything,,,, yet something inside him refused... to let it happen, t he cer emon y wa s tobe co mple ted.

There he stood, fascinated, almost studying, someone who sacrificed it all for a cause much greater.

Sylvia's sudden appearance would snap him out of his trance, however he was too slow to do anything but watch in amazement again.

A bond so deep not even death would stop them, a thing most precious reunited once again. He would stay silent, let them relish this moment without his interruption, for there was plenty time to talk later.

Seddi and Vernons sudden appearances don't even phase him now. Of course the 'chosen' would be drawn to each other in 'death'.

Just keep watching, and hope that *she* doesn't take notes about sacrifice from this, or maybe she should, for there was nothing indicating more faith in a cause then giving one's life.....

Seeing it all unfold there was one thing on his mind.


''You have my deepest admiration Oz, for you have made the most selfless Ultimate Sacrifice and proven that bonds are our ultimate strength.''

(05-17-2025, 08:55 AM)Mikaruge108 Wrote: (Stat block for Smore, pls)

second mod encounter, Darren checks out the street performance

(05-17-2025, 10:59 AM)Dragonstrike Wrote: Seddi smiles and shakes his head, then waves Akam.u over.  "Shouldn't have to off yourself to prove that, in my opinion.  Ah well.  What's done is done.  Get over here and help me move these ladies, Akamu.  We've got a long ways to walk if we're going to get them some proper beds."

(05-17-2025, 11:06 AM)Lord Windos Wrote:

(05-17-2025, 10:59 AM)Dragonstrike Wrote: Seddi smiles and shakes his head, then waves Akam.u over.  "Shouldn't have to off yourself to prove that, in my opinion.  Ah well.  What's done is done.  Get over here and help me move these ladies, Akamu.  We've got a long ways to walk if we're going to get them some proper beds."

At this Glinda, who was just starting to pull herself together and be the Second in Command of her Sister's Coven once more, let out a the Psychic equivalent of a cough, catching everyone's attention.

"That will not be necessary, Warded Soul. Now that I have Recovered and adjusted to Life once more...."

She holds up a hand, and her eyes take on a pink-purple-white shimmer.

"I have the capacity to Teleport any and all who want to leave this Sacred Shrine. Simply give your permission, and I will take you to the Pokemon Center my Sister last rested at for you to make your own Path from."

Huh. Convenient! What says you to that?

(05-17-2025, 11:06 AM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

At this Glinda, who was just starting to pull herself together and be the Second in Command of her Sister's Coven once more, let out a the Psychic equivalent of a cough, catching everyone's attention.

"That will not be necessary, Warded Soul. Now that I have Recovered and adjusted to Life once more...."

She holds up a hand, and her eyes take on a pink-purple-white shimmer.

"I have the capacity to Teleport any and all who want to leave this Sacred Shrine. Simply give your permission, and I will take you to the Pokemon Center my Sister last rested at for you to make your own Path from."

Huh. Convenient! What says you to that?

(05-17-2025, 11:06 AM)Lord Windos Wrote: At this Glinda, who was just starting to pull herself together and be the Second in Command of her Sister's Coven once more, let out a the Psychic equivalent of a cough, catching everyone's attention.

"That will not be necessary, Warded Soul. Now that I have Recovered and adjusted to Life once more...."

She holds up a hand, and her eyes take on a pink-purple-white shimmer.

"I have the capacity to Teleport any and all who want to leave this Sacred Shrine. Simply give your permission, and I will take you to the Pokemon Center my Sister last rested at for you to make your own Path from."

Huh. Convenient! What says you to that?