[Game Thread] Lord Windos’ PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

Well, he wasn't planning on leaving any time soon, so that's not an immediate issue. Definitely concerning long term, though...

Anyways, what he's been keepin' close to his chest? Well, if he had to break it down quickly for Nemona, and only because he knows she's got his back...

"Things have already been pretty spicy 'round these parts. Professor and I have been worried that a full report would give La Primera a bit too much cause to pull us out despite any protests we might have on the matter. We've had several reports of Malefic Monstrum in and around the city already, and it hasn't even been a week in the safest part of the region yet. Morgana's continued presence has been unexpected and rather intrusive at times, and is not likely to go away due to her relation to one of my party's members. And all this on top of the biggest issue: those Pokemon Center disappearances, and their probable connection to the sabotage that cut off the region from the rest of the world. I would put money on sayin' that was not a coincidence, and I have reason to believe there's some religious zealotry involved. And we all know how dangerous zealots can be. It's almost a miracle that things have gone as smoothly as they have, to be frank."

That, and...

"There was also somethin' the Professor seemingly didn't notice: a temporal anomaly. Nothin' to be majorly concerned about yet as far as I know, but it felt targeted. Purposeful. Certain events aren't matchin' up with Leaves's knowledge of them already. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing yet since she won't tell me anythin' more right now unless she deems it inconsequential."

He shrugs.

"Despite all that, I still feel like we're not in dire straits yet. Goodra's been helpful, but I've mostly only needed him for posturing to avoid unnecessary fights than actual battle. Things are still calm, relatively speakin'. Sounds insane to say, but Bayahama doesn't seem to be in any immediate trouble right now. Likely gonna need to get out to the wilds and start lookin' for clues if we're gonna find out more about what the coming disasters supposedly are. To say nothin' of doin' my actual research job."

Spoiler

Nemona can only give a rueful sigh and shake her head with a wane smirk as you gave her most of the real deets on things - though knowing her you doubt she'd freak out all that much if you did ever feel like sharing the truth. The battle maniac may not be your primary Mentor, but her ever present drive to make you stronger and willingness to enable you in all but the most suicidal of stunts (and even in those cases she'd mull it over first before vetoes were made) made her one of your strongest supporters. Considering how zealous she is, though, it's 50/50 whether your grateful for that or want a break from the mad woman.

"Yeah, that tracks with all the muttering I heard from them between meetings and stuff....and snooping through their minutes. *Winks* Not that you heard that from me, of course. *Frowns* ...The fact there are so many of their most ornery Mons drawn to the City....well, trouble attracts trouble when it comes to the biggest things in life. Perhaps you should poke around where these MMs have been sighted...with all the back-up and prep you can afford, of course. Dangerous as tussling with the beasts down the Crateor, but you might hit pay-dirt and crack the Bad Egg."

Talking about Morgana makes the Draconic Fighter visibly wince, a grimace stretching wide and her shuddering equally visible.

"Yeesh. I don't envy ya, slick. Not too sure how you can get her to Big Buzz off, but maybe you can get her...contact to make her lay off? I mean, if that buddy of yours has enough influence with that living pink nightmare you could arrange things for that 'Lady' to always be Locked-On to them. *Shrugs* Shitty move, but I got to look out for one of my besties first. Plus if they were able to make 'friends' with that crazy bitch in the first place....well, I say they should be used feeling like a chew toy by now."

Considering your own connection with Morgana that idea is dead in the water. Still, points for trying to help!

The rest of what you had to say only caused her to grow more and more stern, to the point she was outright scowling - a most unsettling visage for the normally maniacally happy trainer.

"Ah fuck, we got another Team Flare on our hands. Or worse, Galactic. You'd think that kind of idiocy would've died out after Enigma's atrocities, but I guess when Time Travel, Time Anomalies, and whatever the is up with your deal with your group's connection to it all even the stupidest and most improbable things are back on the table. *Sighs* Qué mierda..."

A brief stint of silence followed as Nemona rubbed her forehead, before she took off her shades and gave you a plain smile.

"Well, at least Sutalor hasn't go to hell quite yet, and they have one of the finest Trainers in Paldea to smite whatever demons or religous crazies that crawl out of the woodworks. Best be prepared for anything, Seddi, 'cause with how fast has thing been falling apart for Bayhama....a shit is going to hit the fan fast and hard. That's what experience tells me, and what my Gut is screaming about all....this."

That succulently put, Nemona moves onto a different topic, a certain friendly drago that has also be a participant in the conversation the entire time: Goodra. The Champion-Class Trainer gave them a bright smile and wave, earning a delighted trill and a attempt to hug them through the screen which result in some laughter on both sides.

"Ha! Good to see ya, Goodra! Seddi treated you like royalty. Pfft, what I am saying, he probably put your snout to the grind and got you doing all sorts of zanniness, but I bet you enjoyed every single minute, right?"

A firm, satisfied nod was given, followed by the slimy drake roping you into a side-arm hug in solidarity.

"*Smirks* Right on! *Sighs* ....But do you think he can still do the tango near as well without ya? Even with the cast of characters straight out of Dungeons and Dragonites at his back?"

That gets a worried frown from them, as they looked back and forth from Seddi, Oz, and Nemona, before they simply....shrugged.

"...Heh, yeah, that's what I figured. You're always a worrier, goober, but with the way things are going...."

The woman mulled things over, before she looked over at you and pinned you with a Stare that rooted you in place. She was already pretty serious, but now....you were paying every ounce of attention to what she had to say.

"Seddi, I got a question for you. And be honest, pragmatic, and realistic as you can be. You think you'll still need Goodra's help, knowing what the stakes are ? What could happen if you didn't have them on hand if things go bad as I think they will, compared to other options?"

Spoiler

Spoiler

Good gives a sad but understanding trill, shuddering as they thought of all that icky, nasty, no good Magic that was no-fun to deal with at ALL.

Nemona, on the other hand, seemed to grow more intense as she Stared you down...
...
...
"*Sighs* Geez, can't even give me a straight answer if your life could depend on it. *Chuckles, shaking head* Then again you wouldn't you without being squirrely a Pachy and more flexible than an Arbok about your plans."

*Shrugs*

"Alright, Goodra can stay with ya for a couple more day. After that you can check back with me and give me a proper answer, yeah? *Frowns* Like I said, shit is about to pour down where you're at. Be prepared and try not to get yourself maimed too badly, okay? Okay!"

The mood grows a bit lighter as you interject and share your own experiences with the city, getting some winces, a few dark looks, and ultimately a smile that beamed support and Good Vibes as she gave you a thumbs up.

"Yeesh, and here I thought Seddi tended to step into dung piles. Not much I can do about local issues - not without pissing of the Prez and giving Sutalor a stroke, - but between our good cowboy friend and your own talents I think you can handle the worst the region has to offer. Heck, you already have by my count! So have a bit more confidence in yourself, 'k? If ol earthy here thinks highly enough to want to rely on you and you're as half as capable as I think you are then nothing should stop your rise to the top! *Winks* 'Especially the great friends you've made along the way."

Nemona turns back to Seddi and lets out a bit of a forelorn sign, rubbing the back of her head.

"Right, we got to end this call eventually, before Prez starts getting curious where I've been 'hustling' around. Rather not have to wrestling with her Aces, get nagged to death, and have us both get sectioned for *Air Quotes* 'being reckless heroes' . Ugh. Got any last things to say before we Wrap things up for today?"

If not, that's that! With that Oz's only Encounter for the Day is Done, though she can still tag around with another PC to be involved in RP and give them minor bonuses to their Rolls - though I urge the primary PCs to not hinge their decisions on input from them so that things can progress swiftly enough. Oz gains +2 Will and 7 XP (after Mod) from sharing Her Story and hearing the somber tale of Seddi's own Past, while the rest of you Mons (sans Dite) make some progress in Happiness and Loyalty as well as gaining 7 XP (each)

Seddi gains + 2 Will and 8 XP (after mods) for much the same reasons, as well as handling Kusinagi's and Ceruledge's spat rather bold but effectively. Kusanagi also stole a couple of bottle of Good Scotch for herself and foisted them on you: they lower Insight (except for heavy drinkers) by 1, but its a good pain killer and disinfectant (+Medical Rolls) as well as having special interactions with types weak to Poison/prone to drunkeness. Your Mons only gain 4 XP; the old otter being rather...disengaged from things by the end of it and your Blade of Malice being distracted threeways by you, Kusi, and Oz making it hard to pay attention

I believe Seddi has 1 Mod and 2 Minor Encounters remaining - do with them as you Will.