[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

Back at the Shelter, Ventus is faced with the enjoyable task of overseeing a group of Forretress digging holes in the back field. They work pretty hard, but they keep getting stuck in their own circular holes and he has to go in there and pull them out.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan doesn't like what he's reading at all, but he somehow keeps his composure so as not to alarm anyone nearby.

They...they completely disrespect the pokemon in question, twist what makes them unique into...making them tools...and the differences are particularly apparent with Ralts, Kirlia, and Gardevoir.  Sensitive?  Dutiful?  Iron Grasp?!  Nathan's particularly offended by those species description differences with the international pokedex.  They completely distort the image of what the Ralts line represents.  They're just...entirely insensitive.

- All they seem to be concerned about with Ralts and its evolutions is making them bodyguards, regardless of whether the pokemon actually cares about who they're guarding...not just anyone can earn the respect and trust of the evolution line, and this...unnatural bonding is...Nathan can't think of any words strong enough to describe it.

- Houndour and company?  Again, tools, exploiting their pack instincts...

- The Unown entry worries him...he hadn't been looking for it specifically, but it sounds like Almanac is at the Ruins to study the odd species...and exploit them...

- He can't really disagree with the Bidoof entry, but the idea of artificially enhancing that ability to tolerate pain...*shudder*...

- And artificial mega stones that trade offense for defense and vice versa...no.  Just no.  That's way too far.  That's disgusting.  It's an affront to everything Mega Evolution represents, no matter how useful.  Though it's a fairly moot point for most at the end of the day because of how rare Key Stones are...

- He also can't help but wonder what Almanac isn't saying about their artificial evolution stones...they sound too good to be true.  There must be a drawback of some kind.

Nathan puts the Almanac back on its shelf.  Carefully.  He leaves, careful to not show any of his current distaste and anger so as not to cause a scene.

Whatever they did to Kirlia to obtain that information on his evolution line...Almanac was going to pay.  Not today...but eventually...

Nathan needs to let out a little stress now.  But first...he sends a text (or maybe several texts?) to Ventus once he's composed himself a little better.  He needed to say it now, before he forgets all about it and it's to late...

Spoiler

Ventus, remember when we talked about everyone meeting Orthros?  You recommended I hold off on revealing him for a few days while Shiva recovered from...whatever little she might remember.  Well...it's been two weeks.  That's how long it took for me to earn Orthros's trust.  For him to listen to me without a fuss.  

In my battle with Sheldon, I gave Orthros a test run.  He was a good little doggie, didn't have any qualms or disagreements with the orders I gave him.  Sheldon was actually very interested in him.  Crowd wasn't, but that's their own fault.

It's time to tell Shiva about Orthros, Ventus.  And I'm going to do so this evening.  I can't hide that I have him forever, and we both know this.  However...I'd like to ask you to let me show her without you around.  Orthros is, quite frankly, terrified of you.  He can't be on his best behavior if he's cowering in fear.  You did also agree to tolerate him if I could get a handle on him, so please, please don't raise a fuss over this.  And there's no need to be worried about her safety.  I'll have Calam and Starmie both out as a safety precaution.

If you don't believe he's obeying me, I'll be more than happy to show you myself.  There's plenty of opportunity in the future to do that.  Like in the Little Cup event currently ongoing.

And...please don't treat him badly because of what I've done recently.  He's behaved himself very well in the past two weeks, not causing any trouble for anyone since he decided to join my team, never forcing his way out of his pokeball.  The topic of Orthros hasn't come up at all in that time, either.  There's been no need until now.  I pray that there aren't any issues in the future, either...

Text sent (he really hoped Ventus didn't take out his frustration with Nathan on the poor dog...), it was time to move on to something else and vent some of his frustrations.  Maybe someone around here would be up for a 4v4 battle for $500...it'd be a good opportunity to get Swiftfire and Yule warmed up, and for some of his other pokemon to get back into the action.

One $500 4v4 with Yule and Swiftfire as the leads!  Let's see who's next on the list of challengers!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Okay, seeing such a buff person carrying around a Pokmon that weights 110 kg was intimidating and therefor Shiva barely noticably flinches as being spoken to by that guy. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea anymore to battle a Dragon... Hehe... Though seemingly he assumes that she will be a 'fierce foe', for whatever reason. 'Use all his strength and guile'... That sounded half scary, and only a tad bit interesting. No chance to back up anymore, is it?

Cottonee rather quickly and sucessfully restored some of her Master's shattered self-confidence. Such sweetness and eager to battle... Of course she received a thankful cuddle. "You're trusting in your Type-Advantage over this foe, do you? I should too, I guess... In that case, we'll go for it!~" ... "Yes, no fainting. I only faint and let faint when it's inevitable or to my advantage in some way. While we speak about it... No inflicting of lethal wounds please, in case your Shelgon remembers how to crunch people and Pokemon from its time as a Bagon. Okay? I'll, ehm, try to be that fierce foe in return..."

"No, Snubbull, you stay here with me. As for you, Azurill... I know you can't use a Fairy-move yet, but I'm sure one day you will! Until then, help out your battle partner where you can, alright? At first, with a Tail Whip, please. You, Cottonee, raise up your power... And look out for any dangerous moves."


Orders for this Round: Buffing on our side with Growth, debuffing the foe's side with Tail Whip. Evading any moves as second action. Wonder if Helping Hand could in theory be used on a Non-damaging move as well to raise its Accuracy? Dunno if the move fails in the official games if done so. EDIT: Bulbapedia doesn't help. I tried it out by myself and Helping Hand didn't fail if the ally used Thunder Wave.


Accuracy Growth: 3 Dext + 2 Survival + 2 Nature - 2 Actions = 5 d6
Effect: +1 Strength.
Secondary effect: More fluff.

Accuracy Tail Whip: 3 Dext +2 Fight +1 Perform - 2 Actions = 4 d6
Effect: -1 Vitality for this NPC.

Accuracy Evading:

[Iron]

Text sent (he really hoped Ventus didn't take out his frustration with Nathan on the poor dog...), it was time to move on to something else and vent some of his frustrations.  Maybe someone around here would be up for a 4v4 battle for $500...it'd be a good opportunity to get Swiftfire and Yule warmed up, and for some of his other pokemon to get back into the action.

One $500 4v4 with Yule and Swiftfire as the leads!  Let's see who's next on the list of challengers!

A youth about Nathan's age is rollerblading through the Department Store at top speed. His control is exquisite, which is a good thing because he's not wearing a helmet. 

"Hey man, you look glum! Bet a battle would cheer you up! If you agree, meet me in the abandoned lot behind the Department Store in two minutes!!"

He zooms off! As he leaves, Nathan feels that familiar thrill - the thrill of being challenged to a battle, a bond that transcends age and class!

[Iron]

I don't see why HH couldn't be used on a support move. You'd just be forfeiting the bonus damage dice.

No chance to back up anymore, is it?

Yep, Shiva feels an urge in the back of her mind to see this through! To show her strength, whether she's confident in that strength or not!

Hatcher Round 1

Azurill bravely runs up as Shelgon is deposited on the battlefield. She does a spinning, jumping Tail Whip to reduce the foe's defenses!

Tail Whip
(4)(2)(1)(3)
-1 Def for Shelgon!

Cottonee uses Growth before even slipping down from Shiva's shoulder, the extra cotton tickling her neck. A few white threads are left in Shiva's hair.

Growth
(6)(5)(2)(1)(1)
+1 Str for Cottonee

"Shelgon, I believe your best bet is an all out offensive! Start with Ember on Cottonee!" A blast of fire immediately comes from within the shell. "Make sure that Azurill is also pained, with a Headbutt!"

Ember 1
4 Dex + 3 Fight + 2 Canalize -3 actions = 6dice
(6)(5)(2)(5)(4)(1) Four successes.
Evasion: 3 Dex +2 Fight -3 actions, cannot succeed
3 Str + 2 power -3 vit = 2d6+1
(5)(2) Cottonee takes 2 dmg 4/6hp -1 pain.
Burn: (1)

Headbutt 2
4 dex 3 fight 1 brawl -4 actions = 4d6
(4)(5)(5)(6)
Evasion: Cannot succeed on its own merits
(1)(2)(2) No damage - Azurill manages to take the entire brunt of the attack on her bouncy tail.
Flinch: (4)(5)(1) She yelps, but keeps moving.

Headbutt 3
(5)(5)(1)
(4)(4)(3) Azurill takes 2 dmg 4/6hp -1 pain.
Flinch: (5)(1)(4)

Hatcher Round 2

[Dragonstrike]

A youth about Nathan's age is rollerblading through the Department Store at top speed. His control is exquisite, which is a good thing because he's not wearing a helmet. 

"Hey man, you look glum! Bet a battle would cheer you up! If you agree, meet me in the abandoned lot behind the Department Store in two minutes!!"

He zooms off! As he leaves, Nathan feels that familiar thrill - the thrill of being challenged to a battle, a bond that transcends age and class!

How old was he?  15, 16, 17?  He looked pretty dang happy and free...heh...Nathan wished he could feel the same...he had too much to do right now.  Between Kirlia, Orthros, Mesprit and the vines, Pinsir, Ventus and Genesect...it was all just...so, so much.

Maybe a battle would help him feel a little better.

Kirlia's quick to force his way out of his premier ball again now that they're outside.  Blegh.  Steel.  He HATED those steel buildings and constructions of Almanac's.  He wanted nothing to do with them if he could avoid it.  He's quick to get over his own problems to help support Nathan, though.

The two of them head to that back lot, both looking just a tad less glum.  This was definitely a welcome distraction.

"Well, I'm not one to turn down a challenge.  What's your name?  And what kind of rules would ya like to use?  I'd personally like to use 4 pokemon in a double battle."

Once again, Swiftfire and Yule are up first!

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Milkman Doris Round 3

Forgot to do Hail dmg, but it wouldn't have made much difference. Nidorino and Aron both take 1 dmg from it at the end of Round 2.

Nidorino: 0 vs (4)(5)
Any move he wants? Well, when it's time for that, it better be as great as possible!

Leer (it's a 0XP move)
3 Dex +2 Fight + 0 Intimidate -2 actions
(4)(1)(5)
-1 Def for Snover

Iron Head
(5)(2)(2)(6)(2)(4)
3d6+1 against Leered Snover, since I just read that Hail weather adds +2 defense to Ice types!
(5)(3)(1)(6) Snover takes 3 dmg 3/6hp -2 pain.

Razor Leaf
(4)(1)(1)(5)
(4)(2) Aron takes 1 dmg 3/6hp -2 pain

Peck
(3)(1)(1)(2)(1) Nidorino's heart isn't really in it. He's thinking of that next attack, where he was told to use whichever one he wanted!

Iron Head
(4)(2)(2)
(3)(6)(2) Snover takes 2 dmg 1/6hp.

Hail: Nidorino and Aron take 1 dmg, 5/7hp and 2/6hp respectively.

Milkman Doris Round 4

Horn Attack
(5)(3)(4)(4)(4)(6)(4)
(5)(5)

Focusing all its power into one excited attack, Nidorino rams into Snover and sends him into next week! Snover faints.

Heart gets $200 and 3 XP. Each of his new Pokemon also get 3XP.

Heart facepalm himself. "You two really need training to learn hear orders. Anyway, thanks for the Pokemon battle mr. milkman. I really enjoy it." Then Heart decides to go around the city again. "Hmm, now where I should go? Caugh a new Pokemon? Check. Find Delta? Check. Pokemon battle? Check." Then Heart check his bag. "Hmm, I need some medicine items, so perhaps a quick stop would be interesting. Time to buy some items!"

Action: Heart going to the departament store to look some good items.

[Iron]

Nathan reaches the back lot in about 5 or 6 minutes, because he's not on rollerblades, but the youth is still there.

"I'm Sid. Some call me the East Wind!"

He agrees to 4v4 doubles, fainting, items.

From off in the distance you hear a buzzing and a thumping. In a cloud of dust and with the sound of skidding feet, a Beedrill and a Lopunny (in helmet and pads) suddenly arrive. Screeech!

"Ready or not, let's go!"

Beedrill: (6) + 6* Dex +2 Survival = 14
Yule: (6) +7 = 13
Lopunny: (4) + 8 = 12
Swellow: (3) + 8 = 11
Kirlia: (4) +7 = 11
PorygonZ: (3) = 10
Ambipom: (2) + 8 = 10
Swiftfire: (2) + 7 = 9

The combatants square off in the abandoned lot, with its scraggly grass, abandoned refrigerator, and Patrat holes!

Sid Round 1

[Iron]

Heart facepalm himself. "You two really need training to learn hear orders. Anyway, thanks for the Pokemon battle mr. milkman. I really enjoy it." Then Heart decides to go around the city again. "Hmm, now where I should go? Caugh a new Pokemon? Check. Find Delta? Check. Pokemon battle? Check." Then Heart check his bag. "Hmm, I need some medicine items, so perhaps a quick stop would be interesting. Time to buy some items!"

Action: Heart going to the departament store to look some good items.

An incomplete list of the floors:

Pokemon toys
Training aids
Pokemon and human costumes
Evolution aids
Vitamins and medicine
Electronics (for humans)
Pokemon farmer's market
Crafting ingredients
Held items.
Breeding items
Almanac items
Non-Pokemon related items

If you want something else, just ask.

[Dragonstrike]

A Big City Battle with Sid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wckFsik_vU8

"East Wind, eh?  Interesting.  Don't have any fancy titles like that myself.  Name's Nathan.  I assume you're from around here, yes?"

Yule's really excited when he sees Swiftfire!  He gets to battle alonside her?  Yay!

Swiftfire just gives Yule an unamused glance and turns her attention to the battle.

Kirlia chuckles.

"Alright you two, time for some teamwork.  Start with that Beedrill!"

"Swiftfire, Flame Charge, Fire Spin, two Embers!"

"Yule, three Tackles!  Try to avoid getting hit by damaging Poison or Bug moves, though!"