[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

Kirlia puts himself between the two. He may understand what Ventus is doing, but he isn't going to let him knock his best friend around. He's totally focused on Nathan's sovereignty in a way that would surprise those who knew him as a Ralts.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Shiva certainly appreciated the words and felt ...maybe just a tiny little bit flattered by them if being very honest, but she was wondering how Heart could be so sure about that if he actually hasn't seen all that that much of her just yet. She didn't felt like there was a hidden 'n sleeping Pyroar inside her, but maybe some concealed toughness that only dares to shine through for mere moments in the most dire situations...? She already proved that she wouldn't let go that easily once she tasted blood in some way, so... Hmm.

Nevertheless, she didn't enjoy when someone she's not too familiar yet comes that close, so she backed off just a little bit to regain her personal space.

Nathan is stunned by the news.  They grew that FAST?!  If they kept growing at that rate, they'd engulf Stair City...

He doesn't respond to Heart's speech at all, too busy trying to figure out how he can answer Ventus's questions...

He doesn't want to reveal Mesprit if he can avoid it, particularly since Heart, a collector, is around...

Things were starting to get out of control though...he has to say SOMETHING....

"We...we can't stop it.  Nobody can currently..."

He can't seem to figure out what else he's willing to say...

"We...we can't stop it.  Nobody can currently..."

He can't seem to figure out what else he's willing to say...

Faster than Kirlia could even react, Ventus stepped forward and gripped his shoulders tightly, leaning down to stare deeply within his eyes. The empath's gaze was not kind, understanding, or even patience at this point, their own irises had darkened of to the shade of the abyss, and they were just as warm and forgiving.

"Nathan Warren, get in control of yourself. You are not allowed to faulter now, or ALL is lost. Kirla, your mother, Shiva, myself, and everyone else you care about will suffer tremendously if those Vines are not handled in some manner soon, and we are the only ones that are vaguely aware of the magnitude of horrors these things can inflict upon Cheshire. Either we try to raze them to the ground now, or we flee to Stair City and rally the people their to exterminate in tandum, because doing nothing ISN'T AN OPTION. If you can't make choice or offer any advice on how to halt the Vines, then I WILL take the initiative and do what I can to stop them. Do you understand, Nathan?"

His tone is hushed, quiet even, but its suffuse with so much raw seriousness that a lesser man would wilt at being subjected to it. The question now is, is Nathan one such person? Or can snap himself out of this state of nilism and do something?

Sight. Nathan is really out of the world by now. "I think we consider that a no? Okay then." Then Heart apologize Shiva for the quick approach. "Sorry for that Shiva, it wasn't my intention to scare you Just trying to raise the spirits here. I think I fired from that job I think." Then he notices the dubious in Shiva eyes. "I think you thinking how I know that? Well let's just say...my soul told that." Then he points to his own chest. "No pun this time."

Then he see Nathan fear stamped in his face. "Nathan, I can't believe you would say that. I know you are a anti-social, but someone who give up before fight?" Heart balance his head. "Ventus is right Nathan and you know that. In this moment we are the only ones who can do that. But if you can't find strength to fight, then go to the city yourself and warn the people. Even I who don't have even half of any of your strength will stay here and fight. I may fall, but I prefer to fall fighting. This is who I am." Then Heart pass Nathan and couldn't resist and look to him with a little disappointed. Then he looks to the cliff with that vines. With Rose beside him he was prepared to jump and fight but he must wait for the others. No way they do this alone. He hopes Nathan find his own strength. Then he prepared to jump, but not now.

[Lord Windos]

Kirlia puts himself between the two. He may understand what Ventus is doing, but he isn't going to let him knock his best friend around. He's totally focused on Nathan's sovereignty in a way that would surprise those who knew him as a Ralts.

Training his own pseudo Death Stare at the psychic dancer, Ventus plainly told them : "Standing up for your trainer is admirable, but not when he's giving up on himself and everyone else here and beyond, including you by extension. Being loyal and faithful is one thing, Kirlia, but being blindly or stubbornly so is ill advised for both yourself and your master in almost all cases. Learn this, or you'll only see yourself failing Nathan in the future at some point, when you decide to do what you believe is correct, instead of what is right." Still, the grave scientist did move away from the boy, as getting into a fight with the Psychic type was entirely counterproductive in solving the current problem of the vines. If Nate persisted in being hopeless, then they would just have to go down their and solve the problem with Heart (Given the determination he feels from them), even if they die trying to....

[Dragonstrike]

Calam is practically a blur as he gets in front of Heart and pushes him AWAY from the ledge.  Nobody was going to those ruins until they were sufficiently prepared.  Not on his watch. (He's the fastest one here, after all. Nobody's going to be able to get past him by simply walking)

Kirlia just gives Ventus a 'hmph.'  He knows why Nathan is acting like he is, and the last thing he needs is MORE pressure.

Nathan...he does sort of snap out of it.  He's only really half holding himself together, though

"I said...nobody can stop it...currently. We are NOT prepared to go in there and stop those vines.  I need to do some reading when we reach Stair City.  I am NOT 'giving up.'  The League likely already knows about those vines.  If they don't, they will soon.  All we can do right now is get to Stair City and try to figure out how we can fight this later. Nobody here is a hero yet, so don't run off and try to be one."

There's a slight edge of anger in his tone.  And a HUGE determination.  If the vines were moving this quickly, fine.  He'd have to move faster too.

[Lord Windos]

Ventus regards the duo with what seems to be calm, purposeful detatchment with those almost pitch black eyes of his....before he give a sharp, firm nod to Nathan, intertwining his hands together as he his aura of seriousness diminished at his friend's decision.

"If that is your assessment of the situation and the course of action you propose, then I can abide by that resolution. We don't know whether or not eradicating these vines is even feasible now, if their accelerated growth factor or other arcane protections  safeguard them from convention/lasting harm, and I rather not charge blinding and sacrifice myself without knowing more about the to what extent they pose as a threat. More research is required, and evolving that Slowpoke into a Slowking would be the most prudent course of action in that case, along with reviewing what we already know about this situation together in Stair City. Since you appear to be more knowledgable about this than anyone else in the group, I do hope you will enlighten us when we arrive in the city, my friend," the researcher said in a much more pleasant (yet still grave) tone of voice, as he gestured to both the vine covered Barrows and to Stair City itself in the distance.

"Now then, shall we make haste to the city, and alert them to the encroaching vines if they are not already aware of them at this point? The sooner we leave the area, the less likely we'll get caught in their snaring grasp, which I imagine would be.....unpleasant."

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan doesn't comment on Ventus's request for more information.

"Skiddo, would you do me a favor and help Shiva, the girl who was riding Swiftfire, with navigating this terrain?  Swiftfire was doing that before, but she's a little too tired and annoyed right now to continue.  Once we're off the mountain, I'd also like to get you registered to a pokeball so you can travel with me and Swiftfire properly.  Okay?"

Once we're off the mountain, if Skiddo agrees to being registered to a pokeball, Nathan will send Grid to the PC. (He probably needs the rest after spinning all that spider silk)

[Iron]

Skiddo is agreeable to this plan! And is even more surefooted than Swiftfire.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Well, neat, Ven was actually right in his words that they, some mixed up group of Trainers with occassional inner-group difficulties, were probably the only ones in the capacity to do something about this growing threat these vines seem to be. 

... ... ...immediately, Shiva enjoyed this! As dangerous and deep this whole thing was, it gave her a feeling that they - she included - could do something useful, something to look back upon later and be somewhat proud of the achievement. If one really wanted to use these words, be some sort of hero. However, she wasn't sure what she herself would be able to contribute to all this, but if there is one thing that was as sure/characteristic as the glowing rings on an Umbreon's black fur, then it was that Shiva will NOT give up on this and fight if there happens to be need to so so. This felt like a new, slightly weird feeling... But maybe everything she achieved so far in Chreshire - befriended a whole lot of wild Pokemon without even a battle, prevented Ven and Nathan getting at each others throats by bringing peace into the group, created a bond for life with her Starter in a little less then three weeks, managed to succeed in Ginger Town's Gym on first try which not even Ventus was able to do - encouraged this and added fuel to this deep lying will.

It also wasn't that unexpected to see how Kirlia reacted as Ven tried to slam some hope and will into Nathan, but it was still weird to see when Shiva recalls how he was still caring for others = people aside from Nathan when he was still a Ralts. Probably triggered by Ven's words about how 'unhealthy' blind and stubborn faithfulness could be, she got the feeling that her own Pokemon, mostly those she frequently uses and bonded with most, would not react the way as this psychic-dancer would regardless of not having the same meeting-circumstances as Nathan and Ralts have, but instead know what would be benefitial for their Master and act upon. If this acting upon was not protecting her when receiving harsh but helpful words, then so be it.

The fact that Shiva didn't care about history and will probably approach the Ruins without keeping their backstory in mind... Whether this was a benefit or a disadvantage wasn't very clear, but it enables dealing with the Ruins without any prejudice, probably unlike her party members? Respect and a waryness was all she feels for this place, she wouldn't shy away just because something is ancient and historically significant.

For now though, she was glad and thankful for both not running to handle these vines without a plan - mental note to take care to not be forgotten when discussing this will be it - as well as Skiddo's help on managing the further path. His grassy fur was surely more enjoyable then Swiftfire's hot mane.

[Iron]

Heart points the way forward, and you all follow. Grid is getting tired - he'll need some juice soon. Luckily he'll be able to find plenty in Stair City!

And even before you reach the city limits, back on Route 04, you start seeing signs of increased technology. There are street lights (off), each with a video screen on it showing an event in Stair City! You see a battle between Totodile and Chikorita, kids splashing in a fountain, and a blooper reel of someone falling down an up escalator. There's even one of those new All Weather PCs, so you can swap out Pokemon before you enter the city if you wish.

But first, there's the matter of these creeping vines. They tear at the borders of Route 04, but the ancient stone seems to repel them, or at least slow them down. They cannot get a grip on the superior masonry of the past. The vines are aided in their assault by waddling shepherds - four large Tangrowth block the path, gesturing to the vines, leaping out of the writhing green mass to ambush your party!
Ambush
Dexterity + Survival + Stealth vs Insight + Survival + Alert.
2 + 3 + 3, -1 for the amount of them, +1 for blending in
(4)(4)(1)(5)(4)(2)(6)(5) = 6 success for the Tangrowth
(5)(4)(6)(3)(2)(3)(5) = 4 success for Ventus, as the party representative

Just one of the wild Tangrowth, in conjunction with the vines, is enough to Block the party's retreat in a direction, so two of them use their action to Block off all of Route 04.
The other two use Ingrain, joining with the vines just off the road.

On a cliff high above Route 04, another figure looms - the round body of a Claydol, silhouetted against the sky, its many eyes glowing. It bears a stony crown.

(possibly) Before you're aware of it, it sends a wave of psychic energy at Skiddo.

Ambush
2 Dex + 2 Survival + 0 Stealth +1 blending in with the cliff
(4)(2)(3)(5)(3) = 2 successes
2 Survival + 3 Insight + 0 Alert
(4)(5)(4)(6)(5)

No way is Shiva going to let it get away with that. She is the first to spot the Claydol, and squeezes a warning to Skiddo. He bears them both aside as the Confusion attack washes over mere stones.

You can hear indistinct shouting from Stair City, the suburbs of which are on the edge of sight.

The vanguard of vines writhe and slap against the road, occasionally cresting over to snatch at the path.

Hit point loss from the Running is still in effect. Please apply this to your char sheets or in your orders.



Tangrowth Encounter Round 1

[Spiritmon]

"What the heck is this?!" Heart bring Rose to the battle. "Rose use Close Combat in that Tangrownt! We must pass though that block. Then use Fire Spin!"