[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Noting that Ventus said ''either of us' instead of 'we,' Nathan comments. "I can promise you I won't let my opinions get in the way of teamwork in battle."

He then turns to Shiva and Larry. "Your thoughts on the matter? I'd like to get to Ginger Town sooner rather than later, myself."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Damn. As Ventus left the RV shortly after Nathan did, Shiva tried to hold him back for good. Knowing somehow that he saw this as an opportunity to reach and speak to him. But he didn't pay any attention to her words... It's nice to see that Ven's so eager to clear the matters up and get along well with him again, but that's no excuse nor reason to stress on it. He might overrun Nathan, or mess with his trust in him even more if gets the brilliant idea to pursuit him secretly...

Shiva stayed inside, awaiting the other's return. Again. Larry was napping in the opposite corner, there wasn't much to be expected from his side right now. Felt a little like being left behind... But, at least she was safe here. And once she got used to it, travelling with the extravagant RV and its owners wasn't that bad as she might have feared. In fact, did she begin to enjoy it...? Maybe. Meanwhile, Vincent was out there in the woods, somewhere, according to the text message she received. Yeah, always up for something. She was sure though that he knew how to take care of himself and that he's smart enough to recognise a dangerous situation when he sees one. Ex-Cop, right? Hopefully he didn't accidently run head first into trouble...

Making good use of the current situation seemed like a good idea... From bagpack, she drew a medium-sized ceramic plate with a decent pattern of white orchids and placed it in her lap, before emptying not one but two packages of Dry Food on it. She then called out her three companion-Pokemon from their balls and slid the plate next to her towards them. She was fine for today, but her Pokemon probably weren't... Those were her own, and they rely on her for food! "Dinner, my dear ones. There's much more if desired, so enjoy!"

She then watched her very first own fosterlings thankfully helping out themselves, being left alone with only her mind for now. From what she caught up so far, Cottonee was a female exemplar and most likely originates from a breeder. It - no, she - was used to be around humans and took food from her owner's hand without problems. She's unwillingly been thinking about a nickname for her fluffball for a while now, one that would match even after it evolved into a Whimsicott - But hasn't found one yet she was pleased with. Plusle and Minun were wild Pokemon, but they nevertheless jumped right into her as she was doing nothing else than picking berries. Maybe before they decided that Shiva was an awesome playmate, they were used to approach picnickers from time to time for food, playing or just messing with them. Well, if they happen not to like the Dry Food, she still had the Razz and Bluk berries. Maybe she can make Poffins out of those, if she gets her hand on a mix for those... Do they sell those in Ginger Town? Maybe she can also get Ventus to help her making them - He mentioned he can bake, right? Shiva surely knew how to make them by herself,  just was a bit shy about running around in a kitchen she wasn't familiar with... Or an open fireplace... Oh, home...

Cottonee nudging her and asking for more food prevented Shiva from mulling over an advice on Pokemon feeding her mother gave her while she was packing stuff for the journey. After that's been fixed, she stood up and turned to Belle.

"Ehm... You, hm, you'll be selling beaded Pokemon keychains on Ginger's Festival...? Really? Selfmade?! " While she asked this, there was a curious and fascinated sparkle in her eyes behind the glasses.  She had a faible for such crafts, and a selfmade one from Belle would be a great souvenir of the couple and their special vehicle!

(Jumping now to where Nathan asked for her's and Larry's opinion)

"Well, eh... Not quite sure actually. I wish to arrive in Ginger Town soon... But it's gonna be dark soon and swamps aren't to be taken easy. Especially not near and in forests. And definitely not at night. I'm concerned about this mist as well (she could see it from the windows)... It cannot be ruled out that it might come from one or two of the not-so-harmless Fairy-Types. Most likely, Shiinotic. ...Ventus, you should know this species. Nathan, do you do as well?" 

After a little break, she added in lower voice to Ventus "Don't worry. If we indeed stumble over these, I'll make sure that they don't come near you."

Facing Nathan again, she continued. "Exeggcute and its Evolution, you say... Psychic Energy... definitely something to think twice before tackling it. But... if we stick with one another and work somewhat together, I think we could indeed handle this... If we're careful enough. You have a Ponyta to burn them down. Ven, you have a" - she shivered a little at the next words - "poisonous snake on your side. (She doesn't know yet that you have a Shroomish) Larry has one, too. Cottonee would definitely dislike fighting in a moist and darker area, but with Plusle and Minun I have Paralysis, a move that always hits and speed on my side. And with Mime here to help Tramp and Co. leading the RV safely over the path and us taking care of any wild Pokemon that cross the path, we might indeed have a chance to get through this relatively unharmed." ... "But, we should really stick with one another and stay as close to the RV as possible. No alone trips this time. They would be more than dangerous now, if not outright suicidal."

[Lord Windos]

"I don't believe Shiintonic live in this region, but you are perhaps right about Fairy types being responsive for the mist. It still wouldn't explain the widespread Psychic presence there, though, since the only Psychic-Fairy Types I know are the Mr. Mime and Gardivour line. And I know for myself that both lines of Pokémon are not troublesome species inherently," Ventus commented, looking calm and in control despite the talk of fairies. When Shiva said she would protect him from them, he just smiled and rubbed her head.

'No need to tell her she's too late for that. Its beyond her time, so lets no worry her about the details...for now,' he cryptically though, happy that someone cares enough to defend him from the magical fiends that plagued his life. When she continued with her assessment of the situation, Ventus raised an eyebrow when she brought up Apsis. 'These feeling of fear and repulsion...does she hate my Ekans? No...its more than that. Based on her words and reaction, she loathes all poison types. What brought that phobia on to her?' Ventus curiously thought, before resolving to ask her later about it. No need to air out someone's personal secrets in front of everyone, lest they turn against you hurt and furious at your betrayal.

Patiently waiting for her to finish, he sighed slightly when she affirmed the opinion that going through the fog was better than a longer delay. Honestly, a couple days delay was better than the chances of getting lost in the swampy lands, but it seems his younger companion have not quite internalized the old saying: 'Haste makes waste'. 'Patience is a virtue, but what can I do to argue for it? I suppose they'll learn it with time, but for now, I must follow after them and keep them safe,' he thought, not happy about his comrades decision to brave the swampy, foggy stretch of road.

Ventus felt resigned to it in the end, though, so he said, "Well, I know when my opinion isn't the popular one. Alright, we'll go into the swamp, but we'll do as Nathan said and stick together. Just follow my and the RV's lead, and hopefully we'll make it out unscathed," he said. Looks like he's about to hike through potential, yet highly probable, danger zone with young trainer. Horay.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"I hope you're right about this, Ven. I really hope so." Indeed, Shiinotic were awesome Pokemon - if one can handle them. And getting one of them to like and obey a person is an achievment on its own.

When he decided to touch and stroke her hand, she gave him an expression that clearly said 'What the hell are you doing there?!', but didn't objected.

[Iron]

You agree to stick together, and Tramp agrees to take you as far as possible through the swamp the next morning. Mr. Mime clambers up to the top of the RV with Miltank so he can bridge any sticky terrain. Everyone gain 1XP for day's passing.

This system works well for a few miles, but the mist and darkness grows. You see a few Exeggcute as promised, but they stay mostly hidden in the shadows and do not bother you. They keep well back of the bright light of Ponyta and the glaring eyes of Ekans, who actually really likes the swamp. +1 happiness to both Ekanses. The other Pokemon don't like it though.

Darker and darker it grows, and swampier. Tall shadows of marsh plants arise, nearly as tall as the RV. Black, hazy clouds block the sun that was so strong just hours before. The swamp water is shallow, only a few inches of water and a few inches of mud. In the darkness, a few individual seeds of an Exeggcute get separated, and you can hear them keening for each other, until their psychic link reunites them despite their increasing blindness.

As you're crossing one particularly sticky patch of grass, there is a loud BANG! The Barrier Pokemon loses his concentration, and the RV sinks into the mud. Tramp swears. All four tires are almost completely submerged. No one is entirely sure which way is the most direct route out. And it seems that BANG came from a Weezing, belching fumes from every pore at once.

Encounters Eastern Route 01

1. Name: Weezing
Cap: none
Bid start: 1 (to capture)
Challenge: tough
Notes: Mandatory

2. Name: Exeggcute
Cap: multiple possible encounters
Challenge: easy

3. Name: Murkrow*
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Challenge: easy

4. Name: Carnivine
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Challenge: moderate

Other responsibilities: get the RV out of the mud, figure out which direction to go.
Berry hunting would require being out of sight of the RV. These other encounters are all within yelling distance.
Healing is still available.

[Iron]

Berry hunting

Larry:
(1)

Shiva:
(2)

Ventus:
(3)(3)(5)
Ventus finds a Persim Berry that happens to be where he was going anyway.

Nathan:
(1)

Makes sense that you wouldn't find too many in the darkness.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ugh. Such environments... they can be very pretty and hold more wonders than one could count... But not to Shiva. In fact, this area was sorta uneasy to her, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to go that way...? But... there's no return now! Calm yourself, stay openminded and close to the others, and everthing will hopefully roll out nice and smoothly!

As she stepped out from the RV, she immediately realised how cold it was in contrary to yesterday... good thing she still had that tartan scarf and pitchblack hoodie. Even matches the surrounding. 

Cottonee shall not endure this... Definitely not... It's better for her to stay inside the Pokeball for now. Instead, she clinged to her Electric rodents... They were curious about the surroundings, but were - apperantly - absolutely fine with staying in their owner's and playmate's arms for now. Just as she was about to join the others in investigating what happened this time with the RV - of course taking care not to stain her clothing, if possible - Minun drew her attention... It nudged her, then pointed to a nearby tree. What was wrong...? Shiva didn't saw anything there... Plusle seemed to be as confused as she was.


---------------------------------------
Mechanics:
Bring up that special Murkrow. Will electrify it. After that, joining in group effort concerning the Weezing. Even if I'm not sure how Shiva could help out...

[Lord Windos]

"Drat, the van is firmly lodged into the mud. I have an simple solution to that...if it works," Ventus mubbled to himself, looking at the dismayed state of the van, before turning towards the young trainer. "Nathan, do you think you could get your Ponyta to dry the mud around the tires, and help pull out the Vehicle? These people might have some rope you could tie to Swiftfire, so you could toe the Vehicle out of its predicament," he said to the boy, before turning around and scanning the perimeter.

Spotting an Exegcutte buddle a little too close for comfort, he hollers to the group, "I've spotted a brave one approaching the van! I'm going to take care of it, before moving on to the noxous Weezing. I'll shout when I'm about to engage it" With that said, Ventus headed off to face the Exegcuttes, fending them off from approaching the rest of the group !

Mechanics: Going after the Exeggcuttes, then face off against the big old Weezing when everyone one else is done with their first encounter. That thing needs a group effort to down it!

[Dragonstrike]

"Well, at least the exeggcute are leaving us alone..." Nathan is rather unnerved by this swamp. They don't just appear out of nowhere. And there were more exeggcute than he'd expected. If they were the cause of this, it wasn't a problem they'd be able to get rid of in any reasonable amount of time. His call home last night before they'd set out was brief. It had been a long day, and he'd told his mom he would tell her all about the trip to Ginger Town when they actually got there. She had been a little worried, but she kept a smile for his sake.

When that Weezing showed up and stopped the RV, that's when he knew they were in trouble. And if they were going to get out of this, it was going to take a lot of effort and teamwork. When he hears Ventus's suggestion, Nathan gives it some thought..."Yeah, we can try that. But we have to get rid of that Weezing first. Together. If we don't tackle it as a group, we're not gonna get out of here safely. And there's other wild pokemon around too..." Seeing Ventus and Shiva have already begun wandering off to deal with various wild pokemon, Nathan looks around a little himself. Wait a second...that plant's getting closer to the RV...and it has a giant mouth and eyes! "Come on, Swiftfire! We've got a Carnivine we need to take care of first!"

While Swiftfire isn't enjoying the muck all that much, she's ready for some action. Ralts is feeling really nervous in this swamp, and that Weezing is definitely intimidating. Staryu is still in its pokeball, the light not shining outwards since Swiftfire is still providing plenty of light for the time being.

[Super_trainer_Larry]

Larry after searching though the dark for berries gives up "I should have taught one of you flash shouldn't I?" Larry asked his pokemon. Larry then heard a happy voice from a pokemon he hasn't heard in his life "nicada was that you?" Larry asked as he looked around, "first thing im gonna do when we get back to the RV is put a light mod on my dex." Larry said as he walked back to the RV, Larry then saw Nathan and Vetus. Larry walked up as they went there ways and went in to the RV. "AAAHH!" Larry screamed as he turns to see a weezing out the window "oh its just a weezing." Larry said in relief. Larry walked up to tramp and asked him "excuse me, but do you got a spare flashlight some screws and a screwdriver I could use to modify my pokedex?"

(after asking for the materials)
Larry sat down and thought of how to get rid of the weezing "hmm, well we could ask it to go away or, we can make noises of the pokemon they fear the most or we can fight it in a 4 v 1 or we could wait for everyone else to come back and fight it in a 12 v 1!" Larry then began modifying his dex to have a flashlight mode on it

(or)
Larry sat down and thought of how to get rid of the weezing "hmm, well we could ask it to go away or, we can make noises of the pokemon they fear the most or we can fight it in a 4 v 1 or we could wait for everyone else to come back and fight it in a 12 v 1!" Larry then asked tramp if they got any shovels and if he can use it to dig around the tires to help get the RV out of the mud