[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Case in point, Nathan continued abrasiveness/the history between them hardly dented his newfound giddiness, causing him to regard them next with a uncharacteristically (at least, when direct at him) cheerful grin as they explain why they sought him out in the first place. "Well, you see, part of the reason I was able to convince her to join me was because I offered her some Honey, and told them that you would be able to supply her more of the sweet treat too as we journeyed through Cheshire! Because of this, may I humbly ask for a portion of your Honey supply from time to time, in order to keep her sastiated and content while we are traveling? I can compensate you for your trouble if you wish, so what do you say, Nathan?"

Nathan stares at the pokemon for a moment...this 'Quetzoral'...gives Ventus a narrow eyed look.

Much as he was concerned for his and Kirlias' safety right now (he shouldn't have to be, though...he hasn't the foggiest idea why Ventus is so mad...), he isn't looking to pick a fight with Ventus.  He's resolved everything on his side of things, and the request seems earnest enough...

"And that was your idea, not the pokemon's?  I find that hard to believe, considering how you've been acting lately.  But fine.  Not for free, though.  Zippy and Princess put a lot of work into gathering that honey, and it's not for constant handouts for pokemon that aren't mine.  $50 a jar, and that's only if I have enough to spare.  Take it or leave it."

Nathan wants to hear about this species too, but his practical, no-nonsense side also wants to get this resolved quickly. He doesn't want to be a part of this conflict when he hasn't done anything wrong to his knowledge...

[Lord Windos]

"And that was your idea, not the pokemon's?  I find that hard to believe, considering how you've been acting lately.  But fine.  Not for free, though.  Zippy and Princess put a lot of work into gathering that honey, and it's not for constant handouts for pokemon that aren't mine.  $50 a jar, and that's only if I have enough to spare.  Take it or leave it."

Nathan wants to hear about this species too, but his practical, no-nonsense side also wants to get this resolved quickly.  He doesn't want to be a part of this conflict when he hasn't done anything wrong to his knowledge...

"Frankly, I don't care or disregard most of your opinions in all honestly at this point, Nathan, so believe whatever you choose to in regards to my story!" Ventus responded, still possessing cheerful smile and tone of voice despite the blunt put down of the boy's remarks. Just because he's in a good mood doesn't mean he's forgotten his grudges towards them, oh no! "As for your terms and condition for Honey exchange, I accept them, and wish to have a couple lots of it right now, if at all possible," he continued, reaching into his pocket and pulling out $100 Poke and happily offering it to them. Apsis, meanwhile (forgetton about them, haven't you?), has successfully slunk/sneaked behind Nathan, and just patiently waited for them to turn around so that she could startled them, or at the very least pull of a decent Intimidation attempt. Even with all that Willpower they have, staring down an peeved snake was far from a pleasant experience.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"Frankly, I don't care or disregard most of your opinions in all honestly at this point, Nathan, so believe whatever you choose to in regards to my story!" Ventus responded, still possessing cheerful smile and tone of voice despite the blunt put down of the boy's remarks. Just because he's in a good mood doesn't mean he's forgotten his grudges towards them, oh no! "As for your terms and condition for Honey exchange, I accept them, and wish to have a couple lots of it right now, if at all possible," he continued, reaching into his pocket and pulling out $100 Poke and happily offering it to them. Apsis, meanwhile (forgetton about them, haven't you?), has successfully slunk/sneaked behind Nathan, and just patiently waited for them to turn around so that she could startled them, or at the very least pull of a decent Intimidation attempt. Even with all that Willpower they have, staring down an peeved snake was far from a pleasant experience.

Kirlia won't have any of that.  Nope.  He alerts Nathan immediately as soon as Aspis starts sneaking.

Nathan just calmly turns around after handing over 2 jars of honey in exchange for the money.

...and then he throws a bag of meat a couple feet away, staring right back at her.  It's not Aspis he's concerned about right now.

[Lord Windos]

Kirlia won't have any of that.  Nope.  He alerts Nathan immediately as soon as Aspis starts sneaking.

Nathan just calmly turns around after handing over 2 jars of honey in exchange for the money.

...and then he throws a bag of meat a couple feet away, staring right back at her.  It's not Aspis he's concerned about right now.

Apsis doesn't even glance at the free flying meat being thrown her way, as her appetite had more then sated from her earlier hunt with her master, and match his stare with her own oppressive gaze with an almost inaudible *Hiiiisssssss* accompanying it. If he thinks that a small morsel as that will appease her wrathful igdignation at him wronging her beloved master so, then he would learn that he's very, very wrong....

*Stares at him intensely  for a couple of minutes*

"My sister, that is quite enough of that. Like it or not, we have to work with him to solve the crisis at hand, and conflicting with him is a pointless endevour entirely, so I ask you not to overly bother him.  Besides, Intimidation doesn't work on him so long as Kirlia around to support him, so let us leave Nathan to his own devices for now," Ventus calmly requested his giant snake, abscent mindly petting the feathers of his Quetzoral as he stowed their Honey away for when she needed it, before turning away from the young trainer and stalking towards the (relatively) dry area the group found earlier to set up camp for the night. Apsis gave one last smoldering Look at the boy to give him a last good dose of her contempt, before slithering after her master. One day, she'll have her revenge, but that day is not this one, *Hiiiissss.....*

With the Quetzoral, the grass serpent pouted a bit at seeing her favorite treat be put away, but she quickly got over it and focused on studying her Trainer instead, a concept that sounded rather foreign to the in charge fledging. He seemed to be a nice and generous enough guy, but given the utter control/respect he commanded from his Arbok, he must be a pretty strong and capable too. Doesn't get along too well with her supply of Honey, though, so that could be a point of contention between them in the future. Hmm....well, regardless of the quality of his character, he promised to provide for her and keep her safe, so for now that is all that matters in her book!

While walking towards the designated campsite (Still chipper as ever!), a sudden though occurred to the empath, causing them to regard his serpent bird with a look of fainted contempalation. "You know, I almost forgot to give you a name, my sister, as all member of my family receive one upon becoming a part of it. Hmm.....how does 'Lilith' sound to you? The first wife of Adam is known for her boldness and defiance, and she's commonly associated with snakes of all sorts, so I think a rather fitting name, all things considered. What do you think?"

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan doesn't say a word.  If Aspis wasn't going to even acknowledge that Nathan's not seeking conflict, then she wasn't going to get any treats in the future.  Stupid snake...whatever happened to Raphael, huh?  As far as Nathan can tell, Ventus likes that snake more than the pokemon he received from the acting Champion of Sinnoh...

Truth be told, he was really scared that Ventus wasn't going to stop Aspis from doing...something.  

For some reason, Nathan just can't shake this feeling that something is just...wrong.

And that scares him more than anything ever has before.

Gotta stay strong...gotta keep going...gotta...gotta...stand tall.  Everyone needed him right now...especially Kirlia and his mom...

How long could he hold this together for, though?  Between the current problem for Creshire, his problems, and now Kirlia's...it's all just...

He doesn't want to finish that thought, so it's back to camp to get some much needed rest...

Well, at least the Toxicroak had been friendly...and now Nathan has what appears to be a crude depiction of Mutios...not something he expected to get in the middle of a swamp, that's for sure...Nathan lays down in his hammock to carefully look at it for a little while...

...and offer a silent prayer to the powers that be, wishing with all his heart for things to turn out okay in the end...

If anyone cares to interact with Nathan, he's not goin' to sleep quite yet.  Just relaxing in his hammock, looking at that clay and mulling things over...

[Spiritmon]

After all the intimidation atmosphere about Ventus Arbok and the Quetzoral in his shoulder, Heart take a time to finally able to say something. Before Nathan could go to sleep Heart take his shoulder a minute. "Lets just talk a while okay? I think you will find the story I about to tell quite interesting." Then Heart go in the direction of Ventus and waiting for Nathan to join hear the tell.

"Well, to know the species I would like to tell a history I heard some time ago when I meet a Tandorian. Many, many years ago, in the mysteryous land of Tandor there was a great war. Tandor was dividided in two parts: West Tandor and East Tandor. Each part have his own Pokemon and his own Legends. Battles for territory happens many times. There was two protectors, each one devoted and cherhised almost like Legendaries: Yatagaryu, the Stormbringer, the sworn protector of the skies and thunders. And Coatlith the Forest Lord, protector of the forests and his pokemon. Yatagaryu is a Pseudo-Legendary, like Dragonite and Metagross, but have such great powers the Ancient people think he was indeed a Legendary! And Coatlith is the main guardian of Baykal Forest, the biggest forest in Tandor, and he was so much devoted to his people, he was jumbled as a Legendary, but he is not." Heart the points to Quetzoral in Ventus shoulder. "That Pokemon in your shoulder Ventus, its the pre-evolution of Coatlit the Forest Lord Pokemon. They are a rare Pokemon. Even in Tandor (1% to find one!). In the old times, they say a Coatlith when meet a Yatagaryu rival in power against the almight lighting dragon. I heard this tale with a Tandorian who lives in Baykal forest, and I read books about that to make sure."

After finishing the tale Heart continue talk a bit. "That Pokemon is a great discover my dear friend. You have a big luck he decides to join with you my friend. From what I know he have the rare typing as a Grass/Flying Pokemon. And when he evolves to his final form, Coatlith, he became Grass/Dragon, another rare typing. The only Pokemon I can recall is Grass/Dragon is Alola Exxeggutor. Such incredible discover..."

[Iron]

Nathan's reading confirms what Heart says, except there is apparently a lot of arguing over what constitutes a Legendary in Tandor. They haven't confirmed that there are more than one Yatagaryu, but it's clear the Pokemon can evolve, so there's that. Heart read that Yatagaryu won't breed with Ditto or Ekans or Pidgey for sure. There's no real data on whether Quetzoral can breed or not, because they don't like captivity and no one wants to venture into the dangerous Baykal.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

After all the intimidation atmosphere about Ventus Arbok and the Quetzoral in his shoulder, Heart take a time to finally able to say something. Before Nathan could go to sleep Heart take his shoulder a minute. "Lets just talk a while okay? I think you will find the story I about to tell quite interesting." Then Heart go in the direction of Ventus and waiting for Nathan to join hear the tell.

"Well, to know the species I would like to tell a history I heard some time ago when I meet a Tandorian. Many, many years ago, in the mysteryous land of Tandor there was a great war. Tandor was dividided in two parts: West Tandor and East Tandor. Each part have his own Pokemon and his own Legends. Battles for territory happens many times. There was two protectors, each one devoted and cherhised almost like Legendaries: Yatagaryu, the Stormbringer, the sworn protector of the skies and thunders. And Coatlith the Forest Lord, protector of the forests and his pokemon. Yatagaryu is a Pseudo-Legendary, like Dragonite and Metagross, but have such great powers the Ancient people think he was indeed a Legendary! And Coatlith is the main guardian of Baykal Forest, the biggest forest in Tandor, and he was so much devoted to his people, he was jumbled as a Legendary, but he is not." Heart the points to Quetzoral in Ventus shoulder. "That Pokemon in your shoulder Ventus, its the pre-evolution of Coatlit the Forest Lord Pokemon. They are a rare Pokemon. Even in Tandor (1% to find one!). In the old times, they say a Coatlith when meet a Yatagaryu rival in power against the almight lighting dragon. I heard this tale with a Tandorian who lives in Baykal forest, and I read books about that to make sure."

After finishing the tale Heart continue talk a bit. "That Pokemon is a great discover my dear friend. You have a big luck he decides to join with you my friend. From what I know he have the rare typing as a Grass/Flying Pokemon. And when he evolves to his final form, Coatlith, he became Grass/Dragon, another rare typing. The only Pokemon I can recall is Grass/Dragon is Alola Exxeggutor. Such incredible discover..."

Very quick flashback

Well, most of this isn't news to Nathan.  He already knows all about the war between the Tsuki and Nami clans.

But Quetzoral evolves into...Coatlith?

That's news to him, even if the confusion over Coatlith's status as a 'legendary' isn't.

Though he's still not entirely sure what a Coatlith looks like exactly...big serpent dragon, yes, but that picture definitely wasn't high quality...

Nathan doesn't comment on any of this, unusually. Just heads to the tent, takes some notes, and then starts staring at that crude effigy of Mutios...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

click to read

3 Dex + 4 Survival + 2 stealth
(4)(1)(2)(4)(1)(1)(6)(5)(1) - 2 successes

4 Insight + 2 survival
(3)(3)(1)(3)(3)(1) Shiva is staring right where Azurill pointed. She can't see anything though. Then Azurill looks confused - did the threat move?

Then Azurill goes flying as a mermaid's tail emerges from a different puddle and smacks the little mouse across the swamp!

Water Pulse
3 Dex +3 Fight + 2 Canalize
(2)(2)(1)(5)(6)(3)(3)(5)
3 Str + 3 power + 1 stab -3 vit = 4d6
(3)(5)(4)(3) Azurill takes 2 dmg 4/6hp -1 pain
Confuse: (4)(1)(1)

It took a moment for Shiva to even realize what has actually happened, but after the moment has gone, she manages to draw Azurill's Pokeball in a way too dramatic and swift movement to recall her blue mouse into safety before she'd fly off too far.

Next, something must have fallen into place somewhere in her mind. NONE treats her Pokemon like this and gets off scoldfree, in whatever way that scolding may be. Actually, she'd go icy-cold now and stop being compassionate.
...Not now though, as something did not slip her mind the short moment the 'threat' showed itself - there was definitely a light blue mermaid's tale, and Shiva does not believe that mermaids would reside in this swamp full of whispering hummocks and sturby trees. (As awesome as it'd be, honestly) Nope, that must have been a Pokemon... Smells like a future breeding partner for Spectral.

She just continued to stare at the puddle she saw that tail, considering and waiting, before she finally raised her voice. "Well, you're quite a clever little creature, are you? Playful, prefering to stay where you have home advantage, quite a graceful one if I'm guessing your species right and mischievous as it seems. You know what, I LIKE THAT cuz it reminds me on me! Well, you want to play, huh? WE CAN PLAY, IF YOU WANT!" Next, she drew that Iron Ball from bagpack that she's been carrying around all the time since the first visit of Ginger Town... How she got used to it's weight over time, she wasn't sure about. But she was sure about what she was doing when she winded up and threw that item directly into the puddle the Pokemon was seemingly residing in making this a way too dramatic thing. "FETCH, IF YOU CAN!"


----------------
Mechanics:
We'll try somethingelse than food here to lure this Pokemon to me! Current aim is getting Vapreon to show itself and at best being curious and wondering about this human paying a visit. If sinking an Iron Ball into the puddle doesn't impress Vaporeon, we'll move on to sink the bottle of purified water from the mountain tarn as well, as I'd almost bet money that a Vaporeon, being known to becoming one with water, would be curious about such pure water and where I got it from.

[Iron]

This'll be a tough sell, but I really like your ideas!

Empathy: (5)(3)(1)(4)(6) 3 successes
Willpower: (3)(6)(5)(5)(5)(4)(6) 6 successes

Vaporeon doesn't rise to the playful challenge. You can hear her splashing around under there, and you're not sure what she's up to, but she's definitely not fetching.