[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

"Gothitelle came to us on her own. Powerful exemplars of the Psychic type occasionally seek out someone who, somehow, serves their goals, even if it be years down the road. I figure someday someone will see a vision that can really change the world, or maybe Gothitelle just is waiting to meet a particular friend, but in the meantime she keeps rudely showing visions to others. This line is a boundary she drew herself. Other Pokemon don't like to cross it, and she stays within it."

"Delkitty is a different story. Her trainer battled her too hard. He was on an early Almanac training regimen, which apparently had scientifically determined the max amount of fighting a Pokemon can do and still be healthy. Guess he went over that line. Very quickly, he said, she became bitter and aggressive. She LOVES to fight, too much so. Most Pokemon enjoy battling, but Delkitty is just vicious. I wouldn't take her into the Play Room unless you bring a strong defender Pokemon and maybe another trainer."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Eeeeehhhhh... Okay, ehm, I'll pass on that Delcatty then. Thanks... Oh dear Reshiram." ..."However, what about you, Gothitelle? *gently looking into its direction* I enjoyed your vision greatly, especially Ursaring Major and how the constallation went on after these vines withered. (Not mentioning that the aftermath of it was a slightly muddled feeling like staying close to an Aromatisee for long) Oh, I already own a few Psychic Types too... As well as evolved an Abra to a Kadabra under my care. Would you be interested in seeing how we two would get along?"

For now, Shiva respectfully stays outside the boundary.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

The Circumnavigator Round 9

Spinda retreats and picks up a piece of metal and starts banging it on the rock. As its eyes spin, Rose feels the sonic force focus itself in her direction!

Uproar
(4)(4)(5)(6)
2 Str + 3 power + 1 STAB -3 vit  = 3 dice
(5)(4)(3) Monferno takes 2 dmg 3/7hp -2 pain.

Monferno steps forward through the staggering noise and hits Spinda over the head.

Close Combat 1
5 dice, -2 pain, -2 actions = 1 dice
(4)
3 Str + 1 blackbelt +1 STAB + 5 power -2 vit = 8 dice+1
(2)(2)(1)(1)(4)(4)(5)(4) Spinda takes 4 dmg and faints!. 0/6hp -3 pain. 

Monferno rubs her wrist. Looks like it's hurting again. -1 defense to Monferno.

Monferno is still confused as well. That speedy Close Combat almost unbalanced her. 

Heart has 11Xp to split up among his 3 Pokemon. He gains 6!

"Awesome job Rose! Thats my girl." After taking the 300 pokedollars he say to the guy. "That battle was awesome man. It was a awesome experience to increase the bound between me and Koa. Thank you buddy." Then go in the PokeCenter and heal his pokemons. Koa was in his as always, proud of himself after the last battle. "I think you deserve to be proud. That battle with the Diglett was awesome! Proud of you Koa. Hmm, perhaps this deserves a comemoration after all of this. Since we join with Ventus and the others, perhaps I should do something for they. A awesome meal perhaps might help! They problably will return tired after today, a awesome lunch would be good. Not much fancy since I dont have much money. And perhaps something for you guys eat too, since you do a awesome today in the job and the battle. But before that, lets go to the gym. I was curious to see there

[b]Action: Hang out with Koa to increase the bond a little, and go around the gym to see something.

[Lord Windos]

Ventus, even though he had decided to let the matter of the Cloud Nine Capsule settled for another date/round of investigations , he was still somewhat irritated by its mere existence as a means to brainwash Pokemon, no matter how safely or pleasently they do so. Exploring the other rooms and hearing their purpose in the Shelter with Shiva and the receptionist did help ease the tension within him to more comforting levles, so by the time they arrived in the Inmate room, the researcher was more or less back to his original good mood. That was, until a Gothitelle assaulted his mind with a vision of stars and Vines without warning or provacation, causing the empath to clutch his in one hand and grit his teeth as positively exquisite pain blossomed in the form of a pulsing headache. Given his natural empathy and the way his mind operated at any given time, Psychic influences and Fairy/Dark/Ghost manipulations either put him in a foul, FOUL mood, or, in this case, pain like you wouldn't believe it! Yeouch!

Fortunately for him, the vision ended soon enough the he didn't end up bowling over or start weeping, with only a lingering headache mildly tormenting him left in the way of his former agony. 'By Reshirim, Zekrom, and Kyuren, what did we do to provoke the wise maiden in inflicting those prophetic sights upon us? I didn't expect the Pokemon here to be amicable to strangers in the slightest, but to believe that I would have another dubious run in with the species line during my time here in Cheshire... Agggh....I think I'll let Shiva handle talking with the lady while I regain my focus and fortitude...' the scientist thought to himself, quitely standing to the side as the mystical lass asked question about the Delkitty (Which gave him nasty vibes by the way it was sizing him up...) , the Gothitele, and eventually going over to greet them, saving him the trouble of doing so himself, much to his disguised gratefulness. A minute or two later, and Ven was in fine again, but his previous cheer had dimished somewhat as a consequence, though again no normal person could tell as such from his practiced smile and carefully crafted body language!

"At the very least, the Fortune teller establishes boundaries and keeps to them most of the time, though I wished you had warned us about her improtu 'vision sharing' before we entered the room, but what done is done. In any case, the sight of all these Disobedient Pokemon more or less coexist peacefully in such a small enclosure more than makes up for such a inconvenience , especially given how unruly some of them normally are! If it isn't a bother, could you offer more insight into that Pyroar's, Ariados/Krokorok pair, Rotom, the Kingdra background? Depending on what I hear, I might be able to assist in reducing their tempers if they have one, or at least put them more at ease with potential trainers!"

Order: Let Shiva handle the Gothitele, while Ven asks about the rest of the notable Pokemon visible in the room! The Kingdra, Rotom, and Araidos catch my eye the most, and since Nathan is swinging around here later, he can ask about the Unknown and the rest of the Pokemon if he wishes!

[Iron]

Spoiler

The Circumnavigator Round 9

Spinda retreats and picks up a piece of metal and starts banging it on the rock. As its eyes spin, Rose feels the sonic force focus itself in her direction!

Uproar
(4)(4)(5)(6)
2 Str + 3 power + 1 STAB -3 vit  = 3 dice
(5)(4)(3) Monferno takes 2 dmg 3/7hp -2 pain.

Monferno steps forward through the staggering noise and hits Spinda over the head.

Close Combat 1
5 dice, -2 pain, -2 actions = 1 dice
(4)
3 Str + 1 blackbelt +1 STAB + 5 power -2 vit = 8 dice+1
(2)(2)(1)(1)(4)(4)(5)(4) Spinda takes 4 dmg and faints!. 0/6hp -3 pain. 

Monferno rubs her wrist. Looks like it's hurting again. -1 defense to Monferno.

Monferno is still confused as well. That speedy Close Combat almost unbalanced her. 

Heart has 11Xp to split up among his 3 Pokemon. He gains 6!

"Awesome job Rose! Thats my girl." After taking the 300 pokedollars he say to the guy. "That battle was awesome man. It was a awesome experience to increase the bound between me and Koa. Thank you buddy." Then go in the PokeCenter and heal his pokemons. Koa was in his as always, proud of himself after the last battle. "I think you deserve to be proud. That battle with the Diglett was awesome! Proud of you Koa. Hmm, perhaps this deserves a comemoration after all of this. Since we join with Ventus and the others, perhaps I should do something for they. A awesome meal perhaps might help! They problably will return tired after today, a awesome lunch would be good. Not much fancy since I dont have much money. And perhaps something for you guys eat too, since you do a awesome today in the job and the battle. But before that, lets go to the gym. I was curious to see there

[b]Action: Hang out with Koa to increase the bond a little, and go around the gym to see something.

Heart arrives at the gym while Nathan is cloistered away with Dagny. He blends in with the crowd and gets to see Sheldon's demonstration, which is mostly martial in nature. Nathan returns and asks a few questions, which Heart witnesses but does not really understand.

So I think that timeline is caught up.

[Iron]

"Eeeeehhhhh... Okay, ehm, I'll pass on that Delcatty then. Thanks... Oh dear Reshiram." ..."However, what about you, Gothitelle? *gently looking into its direction* I enjoyed your vision greatly, especially Ursaring Major and how the constallation went on after these vines withered. (Not mentioning that the aftermath of it was a slightly muddled feeling like staying close to an Aromatisee for long)  Oh, I already own a few Psychic Types too... As well as evolved an Abra to a Kadabra under my care. Would you be interested in seeing how we two would get along?"

For now, Shiva respectfully stays outside the boundary.

"The cost of taking care of Gothitelle is about $5500 - that's what we ask for. It's a bargain for a fully evolved rare Pokemon who already knows moves. And of course no one can put a price on friendship, if Gothitelle decides you'd be a good trainer."

Insight + Empathy:
(3)(2)(1)(4)

Gothitelle still refuses to cross the boundary, but beckons Shiva closer until she is right up against it. Then Gothitelle cocks her head, inviting a response. 



A clarification for Ventus: Gothitelle was very specifically projecting an image onto reality rather than into Ventus' brain. This would be very noticeable for the empath. It's believable that his associations would bring on mental pain though. 


"Pyroar is relatively gentle with humans, refusing to hurt them. If provoked, he is capable of amazing gentleness, such as taking their hand harmlessly in his mouth! Even children. But Pokemon, he will first Roar at, then attack, if they do the slightest thing to anger them. Fortunately for us, he never starts fights. He was left on our doorstep in an Ultra Ball, and didn't seem interested in our standard Luxury Balls. "

"Ariados is really interesting. The Bug doesn't enjoy battling and won't obey commands issued in battle. But here in our Shelter she is calm and somewhat obedient. She seems to give the other Pokemon advice and love. Gentle with humans, too, but perhaps we don't really register with her. She's also partially blind. Krookodile came from a trainer who used to have a (different) Spinarak, which explains their bond. Sandile evolved against the trainer's will. They didn't have a Pokedex or Everstone to cancel evolution."

"Rotom we didn't even INVITE into our Shelter, but it's against the feeling in our hearts to kick him out. He's worse than a virus'd Porygon. Strong though."

"Kingdra's story makes me most angry. It was evolved by a researcher delving into the Skull Ruins lore. Apparently some of the lower levels are waterlogged. He theorized that royal Pokemon had some sort of relation to Sarimanok. Bunch of Watchogwash if you ask me. When the experiment failed to yield results and his Seadra became disobedient, Kingdra was sent to us. 'Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons!' they say, and it applied here. "

[Iron]

Finally, he asks, "That's enough fun stuff for now... I want to know everyone's thoughts on the vines coming from the Ruins. Seems supernatural. What do you folks think about the cause? What are people saying?"

Nathan just stays quiet up until that last question.

"Nothing natural about it, Sheldon.  I just got back from talking with Dagny about that exact topic.  Scary stuff."

That would probably catch his attention.

Definitely.

"Oh yeah? Is the Steel Wonder of Stair City going to solve the problem all by herself, as usual? You didn't hear me say that..."

"Well, I've done a little investigation on my own, and I came to the same conclusion as you...young man."

Sheldon looks about at the crowd. They seem very unsure. Two people much more informed and involved than them - this moment doesn't belong to the crowd, it belongs to Nathan and Sheldon. "Well? Speak up. What's the cause of the vines?"

A man with a tiny Ferrothorn on his shoulder speaks up. "Natural? What is natural? Are Pokemon natural? It's obviously caused by these Tangrowth. Shelter's full of them. They've been running double ad campaigns just trying to get rid of the things."

"I disagree, and I believe this young man would disagree as well. Are Tangrowth involved? Yes. How do you get a Tangrowth? Well, like one of the Pokemon I train, and like many Pokemon who learn Ancient Power, Tangela evolves by involvement with primal forces of some kind. We have them all over the world, but SOMETHING is different about Creshire's primal forces, I'd swear it. My own field research, in just one day, suggests that Sarimanok changed something about the nature of reality. Perhaps something that affected the entire world, but there's no doubt in my mind that it's stronger here on your strange mini continent. What do you say about THAT?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Gothitelle still refuses to cross the boundary, but beckons Shiva closer until she is right up against it. Then Gothitelle cocks her head, inviting a response.

Fivethousandfivehu... That's a price Shiva is definitelly cannot affort. Not now, probably not ever even if she'd work the days away in Stair. She strongly refused to ask for money on loan either, regardless whether it'd be from someone in the party or from home, period. This must be one of the weird situations where something is very close but at the same time far away and outta reach. However, it wasn't like that Gothitelle was uninterested either as it seemingly awaited something from Shiva. Being right up against that Pokemon felt both weird and interesting...

Carefuly, my dear... Don't bond with it too much.
I know.

Shiva actually remained silent towards that Pokemon at first. Though, because it's an empathic species according to Corebook, it might still pick up her emotions? "You know, dear Gothitelle... I do like you. And I see you seem at least not put off by me. Is that so? Well, why not? I told you I own and trained/am training a few Psychic Types, though sadly I have none of them with me at the moment to show you. They get along with me well. I'm trying to provide a care for them that allows their psychic powers to grow and flourish and in return they seem to enjoy my presence. Or the fact that I'm a highly emotional person that allures Fairy Types or elusive Pokemon to me."

I heard you came to this Shelter on your own... Have you ever met someone here who doesn't react negatively to that visions of yours? While it came very unexpected, your skill is surely markable."

Another longer break in speaking, simply letting that Pokemon processing what this person here is telling her. Her, a fully-evolved beautifuly Psychic Type! Not going to let anyone come so close to her. "I might not be able to adopt you and even if, I cannot estimate how much time I could invest into your care... I don't even know whether you'd obey me," Shiva continued, this time in a more quiet tone. "But IF you'd be mine, I'd know how I'd nickname you - 'Lilith', after the lunar apogee when the Moon is furthest from the Earth."

[Iron]

Gothitelle makes eye contact with Ventus and makes a motion of plugging her ears. Ventus realizes another vision is coming and has time to evacuate the room if he wishes.

Gothitelle gestures at the wall, and tiny little visions appear. These are apparently visions from the past. If Shiva had to guess, she'd say most of them concern smaller things than the vine vision. In fact, they all concern celestial bodies that do not change much.

"Gothitelle reads very subtle shifts in the stars when telling fortunes," says the receptionist. "Most people don't react too negatively, but it can definitely be a little shaking to see a prophecy, however minor, appear before you. Of course, no one really understands Gothitelle's visions, and she cannot speak or write, and it's exhausting to play Twenty Questions, so we normally don't know what she's even predicting. Only a trainer who has bonded with a Gothitelle gets an inkling, a shared vision." (once they reach max loyalty and happiness).

[Dragonstrike]

Definitely.

"Oh yeah? Is the Steel Wonder of Stair City going to solve the problem all by herself, as usual? You didn't hear me say that..."

"Well, I've done a little investigation on my own, and I came to the same conclusion as you...young man."

Sheldon looks about at the crowd. They seem very unsure. Two people much more informed and involved than them - this moment doesn't belong to the crowd, it belongs to Nathan and Sheldon. "Well? Speak up. What's the cause of the vines?"

A man with a tiny Ferrothorn on his shoulder speaks up. "Natural? What is natural? Are Pokemon natural? It's obviously caused by these Tangrowth. Shelter's full of them. They've been running double ad campaigns just trying to get rid of the things."

"I disagree, and I believe this young man would disagree as well. Are Tangrowth involved? Yes. How do you get a Tangrowth? Well, like one of the Pokemon I train, and like many Pokemon who learn Ancient Power, Tangela evolves by involvement with primal forces of some kind. We have them all over the world, but SOMETHING is different about Creshire's primal forces, I'd swear it. My own field research, in just one day, suggests that Sarimanok changed something about the nature of reality. Perhaps something that affected the entire world, but there's no doubt in my mind that it's stronger here on your strange mini continent. What do you say about THAT?"

"Maybe a similar conclusion, Sheldon, but you're missing a piece of the puzzle here: something's commanding these Tangrowth, these vines.  Something residing in the Skull Ruins, and I agree that it's likely related to Sarimanok.  For multiple reasons.  When my group and I approached the city, we were attacked by four Tangrowth...and a Claydol wearing a crown.  That Claydol commanded the four Tangrowth effortlessly, directed them well enough to attempt to steal my Kirlia's item.  4 Pokemon, working flawlessly under one individual's orders...there's nothing natural about that by our standards.  And that was just one unit of Tangrowth.  I can bet you that there's more pokemon like that crown wearing Claydol in those Ruins, and maybe even something commanding them too.  And they're all hiding in those Ruins while they send out countless Tangrowth to try and completely cover the surrounding area in vines.

"Now, when my group beat those Tangrowth that attacked us, that Claydol Teleported away.  What do you think might have happened if we'd beaten and captured what I'm calling a 'mannikin king' on top of the Tangrowth it was commanding?  I think it could slow those vines down far more than if just the Tangrowth were beaten."

"There's also no doubt Sarimanok did much more than any single man should be able to do.  Having many Legendaries at his side obviously aided in that.  But what if some of them knew there was something...wrong about him?  That maybe Sarimanok himself wasn't the cause of his downfall?  It's something I've been considering lately.  Something's at work in the background here.  I don't know what, but I have good reason to believe it bears no good will towards Crehire, whatever it is."