[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Mannawhehi Round 4

Powder Snow
(4)
Evasion: (5)(2)(4)(5) The stump avoids the haphazard slush quite nimbly.

Feint Attack
(3)(2)(4)(2)
(2)

Mannawhehi Round 5

Powder Snow
(4)
Evasion: (4)(5)(3)(2)

Feint Attack
(5)(5)(6)(3)
(5) Mamoswine faints with a solid THUMP. The Mamo tribesman raises his eyebrows and touches an Apricorn to his Pokemon, recalling it.

Will Heart change Pokemon? Mannawhehi has a new Apricorn in hand.

"Time to turn the lights." Heart grab his Pokeball ready to bring his last pokemon. "Time to turn the lights! Tynamo!" Then Heart bring Tynamo. "Lets try what Ventus say about energy in battle. Tynamo, like I promise its time to fight and begin your path to become Eelektross!"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

„Fine, now I have your attention. Also... please don't cry now, alright? If it does help you, cry as much as you want though once you're alone again. It helps clearing the air sometimes. Your psychic dancer's with you in hardship to endure it togethe, I feel.  I can see that you're worried, horribly worried probably for good reasons, but it's not like it's helping any of us if we stress ourselves to defunctioning by worriying too much. Worry is a healthy thing, as it shows not being cold towards the one(s) one is thinking of; but too much of it, and it quickly gets unhealthy and spirals down into the black parts of our subliminal mind where it enjoys nothing more than to poison us day by day until neither body and mind can't take it much longer. Just...remember this and listen now, alright? If we have little time, this is more important than ever.“ With the last two sentences, her straightforwardness faintly audibly in her voice ended, making room her usual softer tone.

*cough* „Well, I don't know how much you have picked up about what I've been asking Tandal when I brought him to our group, as you were busy and concentrated on noting things in your journal. The thing is, he assured me on what I've already been thinking about - how the Southern Wind Incarnate can be summoned. Now, what does this have to do with our quest? Actually, more than the eye would meet. In a report a post-grad of Telperion University I read - he dabbled in archaeology and Pokemon Myths + what's related to it - he described the ritual he witnessed, performed by the chiefs at the campfire. He especially mentioned how to their belief and legend, the ends of the earth host the Southern Wind, mighty legends, swamp and mountain. 'She' is a servant of the god of the sky, being described much more friendly and generous than the latter. She can fly a person to where they need to go, above the haze and riding the musice of the flutes that charmed her to appear. I'm in possession of the lyrics for this musical peace, Ventus has that native instrument he found - what was is called again by Tandal, Ven? A Shamisen, right?"

"The whole ritual feels like a spiritual ceremony to me. Just yesterday, as I dwelled and had my joy ending the day at the Eternal Bonfire alongside Braixen and Marill, I got the feeling that music and their folklore is an important thing for the natives here. It has tradition. The oldest Mamo, living up in the Nature Preserve away from anything, likely are even closer to it than the villagers here, and what's more important - they have the flutes my ritual lyrics is originally written for."

"The thing is, while it seems very true that the Incarnte can fly us everywhere once she is present, she only can do so NORTHWARD. There is no way to return, according to Tandal in earlier days there was. Today, once having left, the people are  afraid of not returning home as soon AS they left. Something must have happened she doesn't enjoy - "the forests have been thinned... This is why before we'd go to the Nature Preserve, and oher business in this village should be wrapped up to content. We might not come back here for a looooong time, if ever."

Making a short break to catch up on breath and think about what to say how, she continued. "This includes me preparing to some degree to conduct the ritual. Professor and Reverend Cottonwool told me about how this is done efficiently, but he didn't gave any on the amount of time that'd be necessary. It'll very likely differs from person to person, just like the South Wind Incarnate has a different depending on who tries to summon her with which instruments. It involves connecting to earth and its life, Grass Types are helpful on this. Also Psychic Types to aid clearing the mind, free to soak up the music."

Another short break here nefore shiva continued with saying only one sentence: Besides... The more I think about it, the more I feel that the journey of preparing oneself for a successful ritual is the destination, not the arriving at the ends of the day might be it."


Phew, so much talking and displyaing of her thoughts caused Shiv to fall into silence now, awaiting the other people's thoughts on this.

[Lord Windos]

For the time being, the researcher decided to keep his peace on his opinion of Nathan distress over the situation, as given the boy's personality and ideals his rationalization would go over as well as a Apsis and Kirlia getting along (for now, anyway), and let Shiva do the talking/explaining/comforting. Still, when she finished outlining her theory on how to reach the ends of the earth quickly, Ventus gave her a great big smile and a nod of his head in support of her idea. "Even if it seems to be a longshot and uncertain effort, this lead is the most promising we have to expediently find the solution to ending the Entangling Vines, and not pursuing it could cost us just as much as making a hasty decisions or discarding it entirely. Legends are remembered and retold for many a reason, so whose is to say that that the Southern Wind Incarnate can't take us to the Ends of the Earth?"

[Iron]

Out comes Croagunk.

Croagunk: (5)
Tynamo: (3)

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan raises an eyebrow at Ventus's support of this.

"So you're telling me that our best hope here is relying on magic that most would simply dismiss as mere myth and legend?"

He's looking RIGHT at Ventus with a very deadpan, serious, questioning look now.

Then he looks back at Shiva, still looking rather serious and deadpan (it'd look more serious without the tear stains, though).

"You're putting a lot of stock in something that might not work, you know.  Any proof that it can be done?"

[Lord Windos]

Nathan raises an eyebrow at Ventus's support of this.

"So you're telling me that our best hope here is relying on magic that most would simply dismiss as mere myth and legend?"

He's looking RIGHT at Ventus with a very deadpan, serious, questioning look now.

Then he looks back at Shiva, still looking rather serious and deadpan (it'd look more serious without the tear stains, though).

"You're putting a lot of stock in something that might not work, you know.  Any proof that it can be done?"

For a moment, Ventus honestly looks confused about Nathan's statement, as he didn't quite understand what they were getting at with it, until they put two and two together and could see why they drew that conclusion.

"What are you-oh. Hmm, well, I don't think of aid from the Southern Wind as magic, but rather the result of divine intervention of some sort, though such heavenly aid is often misconstruded as those fields of terrible, horrific spellcraft. If it is magic, however.....sometimes, one must employs evil means in order to accomplish righteous goals. Its a better alternative, then, say, outright dismissing and demeaning the only possible 'fast' method that could minimize or outright eliminate loss of life due to the vines," he said, the last part in a polite and conversational tone that still somehow came across as a dry rebuttal for them being so quick to start putting down Shiva's theory. "Sometime, hope and dreams are all we have to rely on, Nathan. Given you reveration of the legends of distant times and connection with Kirlia, I would have thought you would be more willing to give credence to our friend's idea, but it appears that I was mistaken, so forgive me for my presumptuousness," the researcher continued, his tone of voice still unwavering. His words, however, had a bite to them that would not be so easily ignored by the grumpy/despondent young trainer....

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva is keeping her eyes practically glued on Nathan, in a casual and non-threatening way. It was almost curious. That was, before he aired his thoughts on what she just told in a way that was everything else than friendly, but at the same time...

You could have expected such a reaction from him.
Now that I think about it... I could and should.
Nevermind, my dear - at least now he has the info, what he does with it is his call.
I did nothing wrong, did I...?
No, you haven't.



...She was aware of how stubborn he could be or already has proven himself to be. Ven told her his patience and tolerance tpwards this was even thinner, she got the feeling that now she understands a bit better why this is so. She was also aware of his (Nathan's) unopen mind towards anything that cannot really explained by science, the logical thinker prefering to keep oneself grounded to the earth. Magic and elusive things had no room in such a mind.

Speaking of Ven, when Nathan gave that look to him and directly and openly spoke out what he though, that look Shiva gave Nathan evolved into a silent cooled glare that Apsis would stop in wonder to admire in awe. It only lasted for a second though, so when Nathan looked back at her, it was already toned down to a lesser degree, which was a pretty unimpressed expression that might speak enough for now. She let Ventus speak before she replied to Nathan, but before that could happen, she finally moved her gaze away from that stubborn young Trainer and his psychic dancer to look at a familiar oddball of sociologist instead. The look she gave him was a silent appeciating one for he isn't loosing hope, while everything of her was silently yet directly telling him:

'No, don't ask for forgiveness. This feels not correct.'

She even 'concidently' brushed his hand before slowly turning her gaze away and back to Nathan. She looked back at him before actually speaking up, when she did so, her voice was lower and neutral. The soft tone was hidden between the lines, she was still ignoring any stains of tears. "I would not call this 'magic', Nathan. More like...folklore. The people of this village value their myths and tales, so for them it is real enough. Your thoughts don't have to rhyme and you can dissmiss it as unreal, but please don't speak for others. My own belief in the mysterious and magic and in this ritual being real as I read and heard enough about it are proof enough for me to believe in it being done as well as me being able to do it if preparations are fruitful. There's also a Professor and Reverend in this village, you'll certain find him if asking around for a little. He breeds Starter Pokemon for new Trainers, and he told me that he succeeded and completed the ritual, experiencing the finest moment of his life as they flew together is what he said."

"We don't have to do this. However, why should we throw away this source, especially if I already looked into things, have the lyrics for the ritual, Ven agreed to keep and already repaired his Shamisen just for this, and I have the feeling that it has a high chance to be the right path?" Her voice only got more serious the more words she spoke, until discontent got mixed to it. "You want to go to the Great Divide, ignoring everything I've found out and continue doing things your way and keep on burdening yourself with the whole task of saving the city from these vines? Fine, you can do so, but you'll do so alone. I'll start preparing myself for the ritual meanwhile and eventually me and Ven will pay the Mamo in the Nature Preserve a visit. You can gladly tagg along as well, but please don't burden us with your pure disagreement if doing so."

Next, Shiva slowly looked away, leaving the words dwell and responses income. Her expression was still neutral, but inside she was clearly disappointed and hurt by Nathan's thoughts on the plan and her theory. Had he that litte faith in her?

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan lets out a HEAVY sigh, looks down at his journal and shakes his head.  He's not impressed by those responses...

"Did I say I think this is a bunch of phooey?  I'm well aware there's some magic in this world.  And as I recall, the word 'magic' has been used to describe several aspects of this ritual.  Who's making the assumptions here?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Neat. Now, after his open and persistent disagreement and continuing stubbornness, Shiva felt even more overshadowed. It was painful. Sad. Dishearting... If she'd knew things would have developed into SUCH a direction, she wouldn't have joined Ventus in visiting and checking him, but instead just go and follow her own business. This isn't really what a friend does, but at the same time Nathan isn't behaving like a friend of hers either just now. Not at all. Heavily burdened or not, it does not justify how he behaves here.

She continued to look away, arms now loosely crossed, trying to prevent any wrath from upcoming.


I'm not getting this. He's completely ignoring what I think.
You haven't done anything wrong, my dear. Really not.


If things go this way, she'll likely remain collapsed at the opened door to the path of regaining full trust in him for a looong time. Again it took a little until Shiva responded... Subliminally, she has moved a little closer to Ventus. Her voice was still neutral. "Fine. If you're thinking THAT way, by all means do so and happily refuse to see beyond your own nose. ...I thought you'd have faith in me. But if you're feeling oh-so smart with your journal, what do YOU think we should do, huh?"

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Out comes Croagunk.

Croagunk: (5)
Tynamo: (3)

"Lets begin the show." Then Hears brings his orders. "Tynamo! Use Thunder to Paralyze him! Then use Spark two times!"

Thunder Wave Acuracy: Dex (3) + Fight (2) + Canalize (2) - Actions (3) = 3d6 (I will spend one will point to make sure it will hit)
Spark 1 Acuracy: Dex (3) + Fight (2) + Brawl (3) - Actions (4) = 4d6
Spark 2 Acuracy: Dex (3) + Fight (2) + Brawl (3) - Actions (5) = 3d6

Damage: STR (3) + Power (2) + STAB (1) = 6d6

Notes: Thunder Wave Paralyze the foe, and Spark have a chance to Roll d3 Dice to paralyze the foe.