[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan was surprised that Shiva had given Cottonee's Oran Berry to Ralts.  This battle has surprised him in so many ways...and what seemed like what might almost be a hopeless situation before could be turned to their advantage.  Despite being somewhat tense still, he can finally focus on the battle before him.  And because of that, he was thinking about how they could possibly win this veeeeeerrryyyy carefully....

'Hmmmm....Ralts and I aren't strong enough to actually do any significant damage right now...I don't want him to just stand there and growl all day though...and if Cottonee's doing most of the damage....wait a second, I have an idea...'

"Ralts, get as close to that Tangela's face as you can and obscure its vision of Cottonee!  Make it harder for Tangela to attack that ball of fluff!"

'It's a risky move, but if it works, it just might give us the advantage it needs.  Just in case though...'

Nathan tenses up just a little bit more, still ready if the worst should happen.

Sensing Nathan's desire to fight back, Ralts also decides on his own to Strike should he get in range.

Nathan
Action: Still tensed up and ready to rush in should Ralts faint, but calmer and more focused than before now.

Ralts
Action: Get as close to the slow, paralyzed ball of vines as possible to obscure its line of sight on Cottonee and act as semi-cover.  Strike if in range.
Accuracy: 3 dex + 0 fight + 0 brawl = 3 dice
Damage: 0 strength + 1 = 1 die

[Iron]

That does seem pretty silly, let me look in the rules and see if there's an exception.

edit:
pg 53: "shield moves are the only kind of moves capable of reducing a damage pool to zero"
pg 43: Damage pools cannot be reduced below one dice, as any attack may deal at least some damage"

[Dragonstrike]

That does seem pretty silly, let me look in the rules and see if there's an exception.

edit:
pg 53: "shield moves are the only kind of moves capable of reducing a damage pool to zero"
pg 43: Damage pools cannot be reduced below one dice, as any attack may deal at least some damage"

Alright, so I CAN do some damage potentially.  Good to know.

EDIT: made the appropriate changes to my post to reflect the exception.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

„Well done, that's what I wanted to see from you!“ How pleasant. It indeed obeys her words, although just met. Maybe this decision wasn't that bad, after all.

She realised Nathan was openly suprised about this whole thing, especially about her generosity, and feared for his companion's well-beign... well, even if there were inside a Pokemon Center anyway, with Joy standing in front of them (literally), seeing Ralts faint during this battle-thing would nevertheless be painful. A lot. Not only to him. Thank Arceus dear Cottonee didn't suffer much damage so far.

Turning to him, she spoke in the usual calm tone, yet a little worn out between the lines - there's not time to show any weakness just now, though! - , but clearly refusing to give up on this thing. Hopeless? Bah. This thing's over when it's over, and not before she at least got rid of that Pikachu. „Suprised? Well, what did you expect? That I just stand there watching lil' Ralts faint and you probably freak out if that happens?“ … „Though, I'd appreciate if you didn't let me do the whole job, doesn't lil' Ralts know any moves that can do some damage...?“

After waiting for a response for a few moments, she focused on the battlefield again, just in time to see her companion slap Tangela's vine away from itself. Appearantly, it did not enjoy being petted by the opponent.

„More Fairy Dust, please! Pikachu's weak, you can do that... wait for it to come into reach, and then go for it!“


Initiative: 4 dice
Orders for this round: Fairy Wind against Pika again.
Effect: Hopefully hitting and inflicting damage.
Secondary Effect: None
Pain Penalization: 0 so far, because of only 1 damage
Accuracy Roll: 2 Dexterity + 0 Fight -1 because of Tangela's Flash = 1 dice,
Damage Roll: 1 Strength + 2 Power +1 because of STAB -1 because of Pika's Growl + 0 Pain = 3 dice
Additional notes: None


(IRON, of course this battle in particular will take a little longer, since it's only me who can inflict some active damage on the opponent, plus all those debuffs in Accuracy and Damage Rolls. I'm fine if you let the battle end after we at least defeated Pikachu; that is, if DRAGONSTRIKE agrees on that as well.)

[Dies Irae]

Mechanics:
If we haven't already scared away all wildlife in the vicinity, if the wild Paras from Encounter 3 is still on the table, I'll take a crack at it.


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Vincent ponders his options for a moment, then turns to Ventus.

"Think you and Raphael can get the kid back on your own, Doc? Today's proved it doesn't hurt to have a little insurance. We've already seen how a freak hit can really mess you up, today, and it can't hurt to have more Pokemon on hand. 'Sides, that was my original plan before we had to pull the kid's pants out of the fire and it just doesn't feel right to me to call it a day empty handed."

He glances down at Winston, who lets out little determined bark. "Winston's looking pretty feisty at the moment, and I was thinking about doing a bit of hunting before sundown first."

He adjusts the clip of Pokeballs at his belt.

[Lord Windos]

Mechanics:
If we haven't already scared away all wildlife in the vicinity, if the wild Paras from Encounter 3 is still on the table, I'll take a crack at it.


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

Vincent ponders his options for a moment, then turns to Ventus.

"Think you and Raphael can get the kid back on your own, Doc? Today's proved it doesn't hurt to have a little insurance. We've already seen how a freak hit can really mess you up, today, and it can't hurt to have more Pokemon on hand. 'Sides, that was my original plan before we had to pull the kid's pants out of the fire and it just doesn't feel right to me to call it a day empty handed."

He glances down at Winston, who lets out little determined bark. "Winston's looking pretty feisty at the moment, and I was thinking about doing a bit of hunting before sundown first."

He adjusts the clip of Pokeballs at his belt.

"I certainly do that, Vince. Whether or not Larry will even listen to me, though," Ventus glanced to his side at the young trainer, "Is another matter entirely. I did just give him a blistering lounge lasing, after all." One that he didn't want to do at all, but tough love is a necessity at times, least your friends do something similarly stupid again in the future.

Ventus shrugged at Vince, not entirely sure what to do. "If I can get him to follow me back to the center, it certainly would be a big load of our back, but if he's too stubborn to head common sense.... well, I guess we will both have to drag him back into town. If it comes to that, I'll go with you on the next hunt and help you secure a good capture"

[Dragonstrike]

Turning to him, she spoke in the usual calm tone, yet a little worn out between the lines - there's not time to show any weakness just now, though! - , but clearly refusing to give up on this thing. Hopeless? Bah. This thing's over when it's over, and not before she at least got rid of that Pikachu. „Suprised? Well, what did you expect? That I just stand there watching lil' Ralts faint and you probably freak out if that happens?“ … „Though, I'd appreciate if you didn't let me do the whole job, doesn't lil' Ralts know any moves that can do some damage...?“

Hearing the question, Nathan takes a very brief moment to answer it, rhetorical or not, without turning to face away from the battlefield.

Somewhat bitterly, Nathan replies, "No, he doesn't.  That's why he's been growling so much, and why I'm having him try and help Cottonee indirectly right now.  And also partially why he doesn't have one in the first place...we'll talk about this later though.  Focus on the battle for now.  I do NOT want to lose this battle."

[Iron]

Round 4 Nurse Joy

Pikachu

Pikachu's move: Thundershock on Cottonee
Accuracy: 2dex +2 fight + 1 canalize
Effect: 2str +2 power -2 defense -1growl -1 type resist = 1 dice, chance to paralyze 1

Tangela

Tangela's move: vine whip on Cottonee

Accuracy: 2dex + 2 fight + 0 brawl
damage 2str +2 + 1STAB -1 type resist = 4 dice, -2 for Defense = 2 dice

Cottonee
Orders for this round: Fairy Wind against Pika again.
Accuracy Roll: 2 Dexterity + 0 Fight -1 because of Tangela's Flash = 1 dice, 
Damage Roll: 1 Strength + 2 Power +1 because of STAB -1 because of Pika's Growl + 0 Pain = 3 dice

Ralts

Action: Get as close to the slow, paralyzed ball of vines as possible to obscure its line of sight on Cottonee and act as semi-cover.  Strike if in range.

Accuracy: 3 dex + 0 fight + 0 brawl = 3 dice
Damage: 2 strength -1 growl + 1 power = 2 dice (remember it uses your stats, not Ralts')


"Pikachu, try to paralyze Cottonee. Tangela, Vine Whip on Cottonee again; try to herd it into a corner where it can't maneuver."

Thundershock
(2)(2)(2)(1)(2) - seriously?

Ralts closes in on the Tangela,  which is pretty easy because it is slowed. As Tangela's vines flow upward, Ralts raises its tiny arms to block it. Of course, Tangela simply grows the vines a little higher, but it slows him down when he's already slow. Then POW, Ralts slaps Tangela.
(3)(3)(6) - 1 success, hit!
(6)(1) - 1 success, Tangela takes one damage. 3HP remain.

Fairy Wind
(5) - 1 success, hit
(4)(2)(3) - 1 success, 1 damage. Pikachu takes 1 damage and has 1 hp remaining

"Good job Pikachu. That's quite enough, come on back!" Pikachu trots out of bounds and sits peacefully by Joy's side, chewing on a giant seed she gives it.

"Most Pokemon love to battle, but they aren't happy to faint all the time. If there's nothing on the line, it's smart to withdraw them just before they faint. You can withdraw them right up until the time the finishing blow takes to the air."

"It's two against one now, and Tangela is paralyzed, so I will cede that battle to you as well. Maybe this is the most important thing you can take away from this battle - you don't always have to fight to the end! The wise trainer knows when to give up. Tangela, stop using Constrict on yourself."

Tangela suddenly grows 6 inches taller, his vines now unleashed. They wave madly despite the lack of breeze in the room.

"Into the Healing Machine, all of you." All the Pokemon (including yours, if desired) hop into Pokeballs and the Nurse puts them in the Healing Machine, a broad and squat device like a tanning bed with six little hollows for balls. A design like four squares of everchanging colors decorates the front. Bright blue energy of some kind flows through pipes in the back, constantly cycled.

"Since none of our Pokemon were seriously hurt, they will all be right as rain within the hour. A fainted Pokemon, or one that takes Lethal damage even if it doesn't faint, might take a lot longer to heal."

When the hour is up, she returns your Pokemon and lets hers out to socialize.

"The way you two looked out for each other in a double battle is refreshing to see. So many trainers have purely selfish motives when they first start out on a journey. Some never learn. It's so important to communicate with each other: feelings, plans, even weaknesses if you can learn to trust each other and your Pokemon. I hope this battle showed you how different moves, different types, and different strategies affect a battle's safety. Most trainers agree to an amount of prize money to change hands, but unfortunately I am prohibited from battling for money by the League."

Ralts and Cottonee earn 4 XP each - trainers are worth more base XP than wild Pokemon, and Nurse Joy is a tough customer even when she holds back.
Nathan and Shiva earn 2 XP each

[Iron]

Great job in our first combat encounter, everyone! I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am. The rules from Pokerole and from our little adaptation seem to be working as intended. And I think you all got better at applying them by the time your first encounter ended.

Housekeeping stuff: Make sure you write down the XP you and your Pokemon earned! Larry and Vincent, I noticed you still hadn't done that from Ekans.

Whenever you find money, you should probably split it up among the people who were in the encounter. It looks like Vince may have already written down his 18$ from the Ekans encounter.

Nurse Joy is happy to heal your Pokemon for free, of course, and we can assume she does so. You don't even get a tongue-lashing because no one battled too dangerously. The Ekans will need to stay overnight to be healed though.

I'm going to post a revised Encounter table, but you are not under any obligation to always clear all the Encounters - there will be more wherever you decide to go. Also, if some people want to do noncombat things in town, or want to do both, that's fine! Think outside the box. Let me know when the party wants to move on toward Ginger Town.

Encounters!
Kricketot fled. A Venonat encounter becomes available.

1. Name: Biker Springle
Cap: 2
Bid start: 1
Challenge: Slightly difficult
Notes: Springle likes to race down Breakneck Ridge on his bike with his Pokemon keeping up.
He's interested in a singles 1v1 battle or a doubles 2v2.
Prize money: $200. Normally you need to be able to put up the money, but he's willing to take an IOU since he travels a lot.

3. Name: wild Paras
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Challenge: easy
Filled by: Vincent

4. Name: Wild Venonat
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Challenge: easy

[Dragonstrike]

Pokemon Center theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smf5JY6pWYw (for the atmospheric lightheartedness and healing these locations are known for)
(@Dies Irae, that victory music is spectacular for this situation. Thank you.)

Nathan lets out a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding. He'd thought he'd seen everything Ralts could do, but he had been surprised yet again. The little guy had just walked up to the Tangela as ordered and then SLAPPED it of his own accord. He found it funny, actually....so funny, in fact, that he actually began laughing.

"Hehe...hahahahaha!!! You REALLY wanted to do something other than growl, didn't you, Ralts? Hahahahaha...hehe...ha...oh man, I didn't think you had the strength in you to do that. Come here little guy, let's get you some well earned rest. We need to get you to learn confusion later though. Can't go around slapping plants forever, right?"

Ralts walks up to Nathan, very pleased that he's managed to get him to crack a smile. The whole time that Ralts has known Nathan, the only time he's ever been noticeably happy was for the first few days they were together after Ralts had decided to stay with him after the unfortunate circumstances in which they had met. His generally neutral attitude could easily take a turn for the worse, but his joy was practically intoxicating for the little Ralts whenever it happened. The psychic pokemon looked up at Nathan and beamed a smile right back at him.

The happiness may be short lived, but it was moments like this that Ralts enjoyed the most. This was one of the reasons why it had stuck with him all this time.

"Okay, you'll be fine in your pokeball for about an hour while you heal, right? I know I've never put you in it since we registered it to you, but..." Ralts looks at him for a moment, but then nods in understanding. Nathan pulls out a dull white pokeball with a red strip in the middle and recalls Ralts to it, then hands it to Nurse Joy for healing.

"Thank you for the battle Nurse Joy. We've learned a lot from this battle, and we'll continue to grow stronger because of it."