[Game Thread] Pokerole Mystery Dungeon: Primal Shadows

[Mikaruge108]

...He then stands up and makes his way to the rest of the group. He nods respectfully at Rhyperior and Roserade, waves at Kee and hesitates when he looks at Kogeki before turning around and addressing Karen, Rolycoly, Snom and Rowlet. "Right, you lot. I think... We need to start developing unique skills of our own. We've been a little unorganised in that regard but there are probably things that some of us can do better than others can. Take my little recruitment attempt. Stupid bug didn't want anything to do with me. Maybe one of us should train a little so that they can be the designated "Recruiter". And Rowlet, mate. You can fly! You might have had more luck if you tried to grab those items instead of me. What do you think? When we get back, we can start training those particular skills a bit, right?"

Karen speaks up in response:
"Um, I can try my hand at recruiting for a while, see how that goes."

[Spiritmon]

Kogeki take the opportunity to change a few items. He looks at his adventure bag, analyze and then decided to grab the Geo Pebble and send via statue. And in its place decided to get the Gravel Rock. Could be useful to throw at a safe distance. 

Action: Gonna send Geo Pebble with the statue, and in its place I will take 1 Gravel Rock @Dragonstrike!

[Dragonstrike]

(Gonna respond to the things that look like they need some input from me, then I'm gonna push the narrative forwards a little more.)

A bit more later, she moves alongside young Braixen, giving her a respectful smile as she bowed to them.

"Very good to see you're well, Lady Braixen. Your mother and I was quite worried about your disappearance, so it heartens me to see it hasn't done you any harm and, if I am not mistaken, earnt you the friendship of Dax. *Nods, Smiling Brightly* Quite good - you can never have enough friends, as my own mother often said."

The shiny bird gives them a considering Look then, tilting her head at the heir of the Guild curiously.

"....Forgive my impertinence for asking, but how did you go missing from the Guild in the first place? Did someone kidnap you, or otherwise force your departure? Or...was it for some other reason, perhaps? *Bows* Whatever it is, I'll keep it in strictest confidence if you are reluctant to share. I'm quite good with secrets, despite how much I tend to stand out, as it were. *Chuckles, a bit...sadly* Or perhaps because of it, in all honesty."

Braixen pouts a little, turns slightly away from Platina, and crosses her arms.  "...a girl can just leave of her own accord, you know.  And who are you, anyways, and why do you care so much?  I recognize the other members of Team Omega Seekers, but you're new."

It's pretty clear that she doesn't have a particular reason to trust Platina specifically yet.

He then stands up and makes his way to the rest of the group. He nods respectfully at Rhyperior and Roserade, waves at Kee and hesitates when he looks at Kogeki before turning around and addressing Karen, Rolycoly, Snom and Rowlet. "Right, you lot. I think... We need to start developing unique skills of our own. We've been a little unorganised in that regard but there are probably things that some of us can do better than others can. Take my little recruitment attempt. Stupid bug didn't want anything to do with me. Maybe one of us should train a little so that they can be the designated "Recruiter". And Rowlet, mate. You can fly! You might have had more luck if you tried to grab those items instead of me. What do you think? When we get back, we can start training those particular skills a bit, right?"

Rowlet tilts his head slightly, thinking it over.  "I'm not entirely sure flying would allow me to avoid those traps, but I am more than happy to attempt to grab items if you need me to in the future."

Snom is glancing at her surroundings repeatedly, despite being in a safe area.  The monster house has brought her skittish side to the forefront.

---------------------------------------------

During all of this conversation, Roserade and Rhyperior have been discussing what to do next with the rest of the pokemon present, getting updates from everyone on the events leading up to the strangers' appearance on the island and where they currently stand in regards to finding Gallade and getting off this island.

"...I see.  So that's what's on this island..."

"Pokemon with power over wind and lightning, eh?  Might very well have been the source of those storms lately."

"Most likely.  But if they went out of control because of a third party driving them to do that...I don't like the sound of this."

"...yeah, I don't either.  Odds are Gallade's gotten caught in this mess all on his own."

"I'm afraid you may be right, Rhyperior.  We need to move.  Quickly."

The two Master Rank Explorers gather everyone together soon afterwards.

"Apologies for interrupting any reunions that you were in the midst of.  Rhyperior and I were just updated on the situation.  I understand that there's a Legendary Pokemon running wild, and that the humans and Legendaries in this group are the only ones capable of fighting it effectively."

She looks at Zeraora, Keldeo, Hoopa, Daxter, Kee, Kogeki, and Karen.  Her gaze briefly lingers on Braixen, but moves on to the rest of the party just as quickly.

"There's a good chance that Gallade has run into trouble deeper in this dungeon.  I pray that he hasn't run into this Landorus, but if he has, we are going to need your help to subdue the Legendary Pokemon."

"Gallade moved on ahead to scout for useful items and dangerous wild pokemon.  He's a resourceful and crafty individual, so we don't think he'll have been KOed or captured very easily.  He can't battle a Legendary on his own though.  He's tough, but he's not that tough."

"We have reason to believe that this Landorus might have been at least partially responsible for the recent episodes of strong storms causing havoc as well, and it sounds like knocking some sense into him might be our best way to escape from this island, so there's a good chance that we're going to have to fight him anyways.  If we do not subdue him, it seems likely that the storms will continue to make the seas rough and destroy towns and villages across the world if left unchecked.  They've been very localized up until now, but they could potentially become a lot more powerful."

"So, you all in?  Don't think we have much of a choice in the matter, but there's enough of us around that I don't think we're all needed if some of ya want to hang back.  Probably should at least bring all the humans and Legendaries along though.  Would make fighting Landorus easier."

We're in This Together!: All for One, One for All! - PMD: Explorers of T/D/S

"You can count on the Expedition Society.  We're in uncharted territory, and this is where our expertise shines."

"Paradise is at your service!  If Landorus has taken Gallade prisoner, we won't let that stand!"

"I'm just here because I need to find Lord Raikou.  If I need to beat up Landorus to get my answers, I will."

"I do not know what Master Kyurem saw of my future, but I do know this: if I am here, I am here for a reason.  We all are.  You will have my assistance in the coming battle."

"Another Legendary to fight is exactly what I've been hoping for!  I can hardly wait!  Hehehe~"

Rhyperior nods approvingly.  "And how about our resident humans and their teams?  Like the Ninetales said, we're all here for a reason."

Roserade seems to agree.  "I'm looking forward to seeing you all in action.  You have some big shadows cast over you by your predecessors, but I am sure you are more than up to the task of matching their feats.  Maybe even surpassing them."

(When you're all ready, it'll be time to move on to the next half of this dungeon!)

[Mikaruge108]

"You can count on me!"

With that, Karen is ready to move on!
(Ooc: If needed, any further interactions with her in the halfway point can be addressed in flashbacks)

[Spiritmon]

Kogeki heard all the information be given to the group, and after a few seconds, he said: "I always up for a challenge. We already defeat one legendary. Beat another one is interesting. However, I can't talk in the name of everyone of my group so its up for them. Not to mentioned who have the final say in the path we can take is currently leader of our expedition, Platina. And after seeing her in battle, not to mentioned leadership, prove to be powerful. Both in charisma and physical strengh. So I trust in her judment."

[Lord Windos]

Braixen's reticence does earn them a frown, but not an angry or frustrated one. No, it's more.... understanding one. She inclines her head. "Fair. More than fair, really. For who I am, my name is....Platina, newest member of Team OS. To sum up matters, The Adventurer's Guild helped save me after some unfortunate events, and I've joined with the Team so we can help each other out. In particular they're helping me find a friend, named Ray, after we got separated. As for why I care...."

The shiny bird lets out a somewhat...sad chuckle.

"Well...just as you have your reasons for leaving home, so do I. Ones my own parents are rather..... vehemently against. So, whatever the case may be....you shall find no fault from me. *Shakes head* Ah, apologizes. I've overstepped my bounds. I'll leave you be. Hopefully we can become friends in time, Braixen."

Platina is also ready to move on once all is said and done, to be brief. No Items are going to be swapped, as her Inventory right now is perfectly suited for the upcoming deep dive. I'll also note that she still has the X-Eye Glasses, and would use them upon entering the next stage of the MD (she'll also share them with the others on request). She also notices the focusRoserade had on Braixen, but does her best to pretend to ignore it - there's no time to investigate that curiosity, especially when they are not well trusted yet. That, and no need to bother them anymore than they already have...

(OOC: Sorry about the radio silence, but I've been....busy and rushed this past week. School has restarted at long last, so my time has been very limited lately and I've been under a lot of stress. Hopefully I'll get in the grove soon enough. Also, @PhantomUnderYourDesk I'll get to responding Kee ASAP, just give me a bit more time!)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(Ready and up to progress to the next half of that dungeon, yay! Sorry for the belated and straightforward response, kinda occupied at the moment and will remain so until Saturday, oof)

[no one]

Daxter winces when they mention the "humans" part but he joins everyone else regardless. "We can get moving whenever we're ready. At least this place isn't swarming with electric types..."

[Dragonstrike]

All the preparation done, the large group of pokemon follow Roserade and Rhyperior deeper into the dungeon...

Woodland of Storms 1F

Much like Platina, Roserade dons a pair of X-Ray Specs, looking around carefully for items and wild pokemon as the trees close in, forming the typical walls, rooms, and passages of a Mystery Dungeon.

And both of them are the first to spot trouble brewing.  Roserade has to take off her X-Ray specs briefly and clean them with a scarf she's wearing, then put them back on to make sure she's not seeing things.

"Oh dear.  That's not good.  Not good at all."

Through the walls formed of trees, both Platina and Roserade can see a gigantic snake pokemon coiled in the center of a room.  Dark, shadowy clouds tinged with red energy swirl over its head, and a low, menacing hisssssssss can be heard echoing through the passageways.  There are no items nor other wild pokemon on this floor. No sign of Gallade yet either.

   

Roserade takes an orb out of her bag and smashes it.  It doesn't appear to have much of an effect at first, but Roserade focuses for a moment, as if looking for something.  Platina's not sure what Roserade's looking for or why she used that orb initially, but it doesn't take long for Roserade to find whatever it is the X-Ray Specs weren't showing her.

"...I was afraid of that."  Rhyperior gives Roserade a questioning glance as the flower pokemon turns to address everyone.

"Well, what'd that Stairs Orb show you?  Where's our exit?"

"It's being blocked by a giant Sandaconda.  Unusual to see a rare pokemon like that here, if I'm being honest.  It's far too large though.  Maybe ten times your height, Rhyperior.  And it's surrounded by clouds of that dark energy we encountered earlier."

"...and we're going to need to fight our way past it while Gallade's dealing with who knows what.  Fun."

Roserade pauses for a moment, crossing her arms as she ponders what to do.

...and then she has an idea.

"Well technically, we don't all need to fight it..."
 
She looks at both team Omega Seekers and Team Night Wardens, then at all of the other assembled pokemon.

"I think it's going to take almost all of us to take down that giant snake in a timely manner.  It looks incredibly durable, and it's large enough that it could easily stop a large group of pokemon from getting past it.  Smaller groups might be able to sneak past while it's preoccupied though."

"Hold up, are you suggesting that we send these kids deeper into the dungeon to potentially face Landorus alone?  They've not even evolved, Roserade!"

"And yet, they managed to take down Tornadus and Thundurus because there are humans among their number.  I think they could manage to defeat Landorus as well with their combined strength, especially if they find Gallade and enlist his aid.  Or at the very least, hold the Legendary pokemon off until we can get there."

Rhyperior shakes his head, still skeptical.  "Listen, I know humans have pulled off some pretty crazy feats before as unevolved pokemon, but isn't this a bit much?"

Roserade turns to Teams OS and NW.  "Well, how about we hear their thoughts on this?  This next foe looks like it'll be incredibly powerful.  Maybe a bit too much for your current forms.  But if you wish to fight together with us instead of splitting up, I would not fault you for that.  I would feel better though if you continued on and looked for Gallade while the rest of us distract the snake.  We must find him as soon as possible.  And while I'm confidant that you could fight Landorus on somewhat equal terms if you encounter him, this giant Sandaconda might be a bit...rough to fight, if I'm being honest.  It will likely be a long, drawn out battle, and something of that size will probably be incredibly powerful as well as resilient."

"Alright, I'll bite, even though I'm worried about these kids' safety.  What do you all want to do, huh?  Fight the giant snake with all of us, or sneak on ahead and keep looking for Gallade on your own until we catch up?"

[Mikaruge108]

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Karen asks Team Raiders.

Mechanical: insight roll for Karen to determine if Team Raiders' response is just to keep the PCs from worrying.