[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Fletchling pips cheerfully. Looks old enough to be out on its own. It goes over to Minun to see if Minun has any cookies, too.


Minun still has a little of the cookie Master gave her shortly! The rodent is relucant at first to share it with that bird, but a glimpse on Shiva spoke more than words, it was clear what she was expecting from Minun here. So, without objecting, she let the bird consume the cookie Master actually gave to her.

Shiva spends a while at this spot, feeding another cookie to both Fletchling and Minun. Still keeping that Pokeball out of sight. Looks like this Fletchling was indeed realitive young...but not too young, from what she caught up. At least old enough to to take care on its own, but still realitively curious and fearless.

"Hehe, feeling confident, are we? Listen... Would you be up for adventure, now that you're old enough? I'm practically travelling though this region, and I'd love to have such an adorable avian Pokemon like you by my side. You'd see way more than this route here." ... "There are also a little more cookies, or Poffins if you'd prefer those!"

She would indeed battle that Fletchling if necessary... But at the same time she would feel sorry if she'd have to hurt it. Maybe it could be convinced before that occurs.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan stays under the tree, observing. He's also keeping an eye on those birds...were they...attacking? There was a lot of them up there...what were they hitting, though? He couldn't quite tell right now...

And then he sees a streak of red fly off from the group. Fletchinder. It had been getting mobbed again. 'Bullies, the lot of those birds. I have half a mind to try beating them up myself. There's no good reason for them to pick on Fletchinder like that...'

[Lord Windos]

Arbok hisses and avoids your gaze. This is still a tall order for her at the moment. She does like when you talk to her and promise her more power, though, so progress is being made.

" LOOK. AT. ME." Ventus deeply intoned, immedianlty drawing her gaze back to him. Apsis has heard her master get mad before, but this...this was different. The researcher continuance was grace, and his gaze was akin to thunderclouds : Ruinous and serious. "Do. not. try. to. ignore. me. If you can not stomach the though of restraining your appitite, let me give you pause for concern. What I said before was absolutely true, but I didn't go into specifics, because I thought you would understand. Unfortunately you don't, so let further enlighten you. If you eat another trainer's Pokémon, they won't just take you away and release you far from civilization. No, instead they will kill you." The researcher paused for a moment, letting that sink into her skull, before continuing.

"The league does not take chances with ferocious Pokémon with a taste for flesh, so they will dispose of you. I've seen it happen before : A Skunktank attacked me, and the league send one of their best trainers to brutally subdue it. They need me to help identify and locate it, and when I did.... First, one trainer had his Excadrill dig a great big hole. Then another used his Haxorous to chase after the beast to drive it in. Finally, he had the mole collapse the hole, burying the skunk alive. I was horrified, obviously, and I asked why they had to do it this way. 'Standard Procedure,' he said. Apparently the Unova League devised this method as the safest and most efficient way to kill problematic Pokémon. Dig a hole, trap the target in it, then seal it up. Threat is neutralized, and there is no messy clean up as well. Needless to say, I was very unsatisfied with that answer, but what could I do? It was me against the entire Pokémon authority of my region, and I knew who would win that fight."

Walking forward towards his snake, he placed a hand on her scaled body, gently petting it. He looked straight up at her, and he looked so sad. "I don't know what they do to dangerous Pokémon in this region, but I doubt they just let them go free if they make a mess. The only way I can keep you safe, to grow your strength and power until it is totally without peer, is if the League does not think you are a threat. I can make you strong, Apsis. Haven't I already proved that? So please, just listen to my order, and don't kill another's trainer's Pokémon. If you do this for me, I can still provide for you as I always have, you have my word on that."

(Took me awhile to think of something to respond with, but here it is! Maybe this will work...)

[Iron]

Your insight roll and your cookie skill were great enough that Fletchling agrees to come along with you, as long as you treat it well! (You can decide the gender of the Pokemon).

It enjoys riding on your shoulder as you go, but it will still need a Pokeball for times when you are near water (which it already dislikes) and so on.

[Iron]

Your awesome story seems to get through to Arbok. She is chilled for sure. She certainly hasn't decided she'll never eat another trainer's Pokemon, if she gets the chance and they look yummy, but you are pretty sure she understands the consequences now and will abide by the rule unless she is certain she can get away with it.

That's a pretty great start, right?

+1 XP to Arbok and to Ventus.

[Iron]

Butterfree

Larry sends out Magikarp against Butterfree, thinking to use the stream to his advantage and protect his Pokemon. Magikarp's orders are to take cover underwater and just occasionally Splash the Butterfree to keep its attention, and gain some experience trying to stay alive against a hostile Pokemon.

After a bit of this, Larry switches the Pokemon out for Oshawott.

Water Gun
Acc: 2 Dex + 1 Fight
(2)(5)(3) Hit
Dmg: 5 dice -2 = 3 dice
(6)(3)(6) Butterfree takes 2 damage. 5/7 -1 pain

Confusion
(4)(4)(6)(2)(6)(5) Hit
(5)(5) Oshawott takes 2 damage.
(1)

Water Gun
Acc: 2 Dex + 1 Fight
(5)(1) Hit
Dmg: 5 dice -2 = 3 dice
(4)(3)(6) Butterfree takes 2 damage. 3/7 -2 pain

Confusion
(5)(1)(6)(6)
(6)(3) Oshawott takes 1 damage and is recalled. Nincada replaces it, as Larry prays Butterfree does not know Gust.
(1)

Scratch
Acc: 2 Dex + 1 Fight
(6)(5)(5) Hit
Dmg: 5 dice -2 = 3 dice
(2)(3)(5) Butterfree takes 1 damage. 2/7 -2 pain

Confusion
(2)(2)(4)(6)
(5)(3)(3) Nincada takes 1 dmg
(4)

"Hold back, I may want to catch it!" says Larry, undecided. He figures the Butterfree will at least flee to heal its wounds.
Scratch
(6)(1)(6)
(4)(6) Butterfree takes 1 damage and has 1 hp remaining. It begins to flee as predicted. Larry can try to catch it when he comes online but we won't wait on that decision; it can be a flashback.

[Lord Windos]

Your awesome story seems to get through to Arbok. She is chilled for sure. She certainly hasn't decided she'll never eat another trainer's Pokemon, if she gets the chance and they look yummy, but you are pretty sure she understands the consequences now and will abide by the rule unless she is certain she can get away with it.

That's a pretty great start, right?

+1 XP to Arbok and to Ventus.

(Its a good start, at least! Now I have a little more breathing room for error to happen...)


Feeling Apsis' fright over the Skunktank's gruesome death, and the way she bobbed her head up and down rapidly at his entreaty, Ventus let out a sigh of relief. While he still felt some desire to snack on other people's Pokémon, his snake now knew quite clearly what would happen if she was caught red headed. 'I don't appreciate that my warning haven't entirely gotten through to her, but it will do for now. If I keep nagging her about it without a reason, she'll start to ignore me. Or worse, grow to resent me. Nobody, least of all me, wants to be in the vicinity of a grouchy Arbok, so patience is key here,' the researcher thought, giving a small smile at Apsis.

"We'll continue this conversation at a later date, but I do believe we've made some progress today, so how about we wind down with some fishing? If I catch anything I don't want, you have my permission to gobble them up. You have to be well feed in order for your strength to increase, after all. Afterwards, we'll see what else we can do together. What do you say?" Ventus asked, offering a little reward for his Arbok's understanding and willingness to learn. At the mention of fishing, Apsis immedianlty perked up, hissing happily at the though of devouring some fish. They don't why, but they have developed a fondness for river food ever since there master first let them eat that Poliwag, and they didn't want to pass up on that offer.

Detecting that his snake was on board with his plan, [b]Ventus set out to a relatively secluded spot by the river to begin fishing!/b]. Apsis follow close behind, happy to be around her generous master!

Order: Start fishing with the Good Rod I received from Delibird, and spend some more bonding with Apsis. Sharing is caring! Also, you didn't have us search for berries when we first came on the route, so you might want to correct that!)

Note: If Encounter lists updates with something interesting, I'll make a new post dictating my new course of action, instead of editing this one.

[Iron]

Berries

Larry: (4)
Larry finds a Chesto berry

Shiva: (6)
Shiva finds an Oran berry

Ventus: (2)(6)(4)
Ventus finds two Persim Berries

Nathan: (4)
Nathan finds a Chesto berry

Valder: (5)(2)(6)
Valder finds two Sitrus berries


What a successful hike!

[Iron]

Encounter list:

Mantine runs away
Horsea runs away, to be replaced by a Slowpoke.
Trainers remain.


Ventus, I guess I called it a "Fishing Rod" originally, but Good Rod is what I meant.

Fishing
Survival:
(6)(3)(2)

You encounter a small Goldeen. If you're just going to feed it to the snake I won't make you roll for it. It's not worth any XP in battle.

[Lord Windos]

Encounter list:

Mantine runs away
Horsea runs away, to be replaced by a Slowpoke.
Trainers remain.


Ventus, I guess I called it a "Fishing Rod" originally, but Good Rod is what I meant.

Fishing
Survival:
(6)(3)(2)

You encounter a small Goldeen. If you're just going to feed it to the snake I won't make you roll for it. It's not worth any XP in battle.

Fishing up a poultry Goldeen, he reels it onto land and stares at it with a frown on his face. "Well, this is not what I was hoping to find, if anything, so you can have it Apsis. Catch!" Ventus said, before carefully grabbing the goldfish by the tail fin and throwing above her. In a flash, the hungry Arbok leaps into the air and deftly snatches it mid flight, before starting to chaw it down. Ah....that was delicious, but so small.... Looking mournfully at her master, as if asking for more, the researcher could only sigh.

"No need for you to give me Baby Doll Eyes, Apsis. I'll see if I can't rangle any more fish for you to consume, or something that's actually worth your time. Honestly, who know a Arbok could look so pitful?" Ventus said to her, mumbling the last part under his breath. With those magical words, Apsis cheered right back up, slithering close by his side. Patting the ground next to him, the snake began to curl around him, until he was loosely within the coils of her body. Some might have been afraid of being in such a dangerous position, but he knew she meant no harm to him, and that he could get out with but a word.

Before he casted his line back into the water, however, a thought occurred to him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled one of the Persim Berries he found earlier out, and baited the hook of his rod with it, before throwing it out into the water.

Order: Keep fishing with Apsis until I catch something substantial, someone comes to get me, or you decide to move on the plot. Baited the hook with a Persim Berry, with hopes of catching something much better than Goldeen or Magikarp!