[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(Spirit, no, please don't stop Ventus from leaving! Windos said it's better to not do this, for good reasons.)

[Spiritmon]

(*Sigh* Alright then...)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

For the very first time since she has known him, Shiva felt barely to no eager to follow Ventus. Yes, watching him leave felt like an eternity and caused a sharp pain stemming from her heart to strike her being, but at the same time it didn't need any senses to understand that Ven was not amused that someone who he took for a mage tried to reason and elighten(??!) him. Why this was so, Shiva understood well. What she did not understand was the meaning of the eremit's words to him... Who are 'the others of his order' and have they already contacted Ven if they cannot longer? Qestions over questions. He shall...have some alone time now.

Well, back to dealing with the issue of the Vines though. That's what they were here mostly... Weren't they?

[Iron]

Spoiler

"Eh, eh, eh, if you haven't guessed my name, I shan't reveal it to you! I say to you, Ventus Zachariah, that this encounter may be your last chance to understand your fate plainly! So cease your trembling, whether it be anger or fear no man can tell! The others of my order can no longer communicate with you. So either turn aside from your path, or, if all is as you would desire it, use well this chance to learn more about the nature of the Earth! I am no mage, Ventus, but perhaps that is not your only reason for distrust."

Ventus grew even more tense, stressed, and wrathful at the archmage-or whatever the Kyurem damn hell this old man was - so soundly rebuked him and dared to dictate to him what his final destiny, to lecture him on topic most foul! "Very well then, sir. Forgive me, however, if I choose to ignore you 'advice' and remain as I am, for no one decides my fate but myself, and certainly not a nebulous stranger. I'd rather be dashed on the rock of the Great Divide than follow whatever path you or your 'order' envision for me, or learn from you about topics mankind is better off remaining ingnorant of. Now if you would excuse me, I will take my leave of your presence, as I no longer desire your company, nor do I want to interfere with my companions efforts to entreat your aid," the researcher tersely replied, his voice filled with barely contained anger, before he turned away from the old man and walked towards the entrance of the cave. Fighting with them was a futile effort, and he didn't want to possibly lose his temper and do something he couldn't take back (And prevent getting their aid in eradicating the Vines), so he choose instead to leave now. He would refuse their advice and reject their offer to 'enlighten' him , as the researcher believed they had less than nothing of value to say when it pertains to himself....

Order: If its possible, Ven's going to leave the eremit's company, take a Metagross and exit the cave while waiting on everyone else to finish their business with him. He wants nothing to do with the old man now, but he doesn't want to cause problems for the group, so he's just going to take his leave. If he can't leave the cave for some reason, he'll get as far away from the eremit and stopper his ears with his ear plugs and completely block his mind to outside influences.

The old man makes no move to stop Ventus, but he calls out to you as you leave. "The path I speak of is not some prophetic foregone destiny, but something far simpler. Nor is it anything we dictate for you. But as I said, it is your choice, and your one chance, and only you can make it. I will not seek to affect your choice. It is really no business of mine."

From the cave mouth, Ventus can still hear what is said to the group, but the old man drops the subject of destiny now unless Ventus responds.

Oh right... "Then, crafty eremit, can you tell us where you know OUR names from? And yes, it seems like someone - or something - has awoken within the Ruins, now commanding Tangrowth over Tangrowth to cover all that's alive and not-alive in nasty Vines. Say, a Claydol, known to be made entirerly of clay and older than the stones... Have you ever seen or even created one? The one we saw wore a stony crown..."

"Eh, eh, eh, I know everything that goes on in these parts. I may be old, but my hearing is still wonderful! I've had allies watching you since you left Arrowroot Village. Two of them lie fainted in the snow right now! And others besides, who shall remain unnamed."

"I do not create Pokemon, though I befriend them at times. This Claydol, though clearly strong in Earthpower, is nothing of my creation. I expect it has allied itself with a power within the Skull Ruins. Many powers reside there, but there is only one for which the Unown would send you to me. An ancient power of stone, the builder of Stair City's foundation. A golem, sometimes dormant, sometimes stirring. It is with that power I allied myself long ago, for unrelated reasons. I must say, whoever disturbed it is in the wrong here, not this power. Humans should know that some powers are better left undisturbed, and if I know these, eh, Almanac, they knew the risks they took. Foolish. But not your fault, nor Stair City's fault, so I may be inclined to offer you what help I may. Best to leave Unown alone whenever you can."

"A Claydol with a crown....hmm, hmm, hmm." He goes silent for a bit, fiddling with his clay, making many sound effects.
"Yes. The crown may imply it has something to do with old Sarimanok. He knew all the secrets of the earth, that sly knave. Delved too deep, yes, but he had the understanding that is simply lacking today. Psychics and Ancient Powers, they were his allies whenever he could swing it. Lordly Pokemon, if he could command their respect. And setting events into play, even should his plans not bear fruit for centuries. Tsk, tsk. The dead should stay beneath the ground where they belong, or in their ancient crypts. Present company excluded, Phantump." He bows to the little Pokemon.

"The same questions as her, and another one: Why did you send your pokemon to "test" us. Why you interest in testing us? Strengh or something? And how you know our names?"

"Eh, eh, eh, I already answered these questions, young trainer. I don't blame you for being cross though. Respect for your elders is no longer taught, they tell me. Give me unique questions instead, angry or not!"

"Now, these vines. They draw an unusual amount of sustenance from the earth. If that vitality were removed, the Tangrowth would cease to breed so rapidly, cease shepherding a neverending herd of vines. It wouldn't directly help with this Claydol, but it should put a damper on his plans. The valiant defenders of Stair City should have an easy victory after that. Removing that vitality is something I can help with, if I decide to. I haven't yet made up my mind. It seems not all of you are in agreement that my intervention is warranted. I don't want to meddle in human affairs without their say so. Please, let me know why I should help, if indeed you believe I should! Eh, eh, eh!"

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"I do not create Pokemon, though I befriend them at times. This Claydol, though clearly strong in Earthpower, is nothing of my creation. I expect it has allied itself with a power within the Skull Ruins. Many powers reside there, but there is only one for which the Unown would send you to me. An ancient power of stone, the builder of Stair City's foundation. A golem, sometimes dormant, sometimes stirring. It is with that power I allied myself long ago, for unrelated reasons. I must say, whoever disturbed it is in the wrong here, not this power. Humans should know that some powers are better left undisturbed, and if I know these, eh, Almanac, they knew the risks they took. Foolish. But not your fault, nor Stair City's fault, so I may be inclined to offer you what help I may. Best to leave Unown alone whenever you can."

"A Claydol with a crown....hmm, hmm, hmm." He goes silent for a bit, fiddling with his clay, making many sound effects.
"Yes. The crown may imply it has something to do with old Sarimanok. He knew all the secrets of the earth, that sly knave. Delved too deep, yes, but he had the understanding that is simply lacking today. Psychics and Ancient Powers, they were his allies whenever he could swing it. Lordly Pokemon, if he could command their respect. And setting events into play, even should his plans not bear fruit for centuries. Tsk, tsk. The dead should stay beneath the ground where they belong, or in their ancient crypts. Present company excluded, Phantump." He bows to the little Pokemon.


"Now, these vines. They draw an unusual amount of sustenance from the earth. If that vitality were removed, the Tangrowth would cease to breed so rapidly, cease shepherding a neverending herd of vines. It wouldn't directly help with this Claydol, but it should put a damper on his plans. The valiant defenders of Stair City should have an easy victory after that. Removing that vitality is something I can help with, if I decide to. I haven't yet made up my mind. It seems not all of you are in agreement that my intervention is warranted. I don't want to meddle in human affairs without their say so. Please, let me know why I should help, if indeed you believe I should! Eh, eh, eh!"

"...so this golem that's been disturbed...that's probably the Disaster of Stone Mesprit's message speaks of..."

Nathan shakes his head to refocus.  He could FEEL Kirlia's intense displeasure/anger at hearing this old man's opinion that Almanac is the one to blame here...it was almost...stifling.  Kirlia quickly reigns it in for Nathan's benefit, but it takes a large effort on his part to do so...

"...the Unown didn't send us here.  It was but a mere three that I spoke to, not enough to spell even a single word.  What little I had to go on was from various puzzle pieces of information from many sources of information and people...and it eventually lead us here..."

Nathan goes quiet when the old man asks for reasons that might convince him to help.

"I have what I consider family in Stair, sir...both my mom's personal Rapidash and the entirety of Stable Z...I...I don't want to lose any of them...even now, there are people and pokemon that could be dying from those damn vines's assault on the city, people that could have concerns as great as my own, maybe even greater...if Stable Z is still fighting, a fighting chance is all they need to save as many lives as possible while I attempt to wake Mesprit.  The Being of Emotion might not care for the consequences of how long achieving its goals take...but I do...any time you can buy us...it'd be greatly appreciated.  I don't know what Mesprit plans to do upon being awakened, but whatever it is, I want as much time as possible for it to be done, so as to minimize the casualties and spare as many as possible from the grief I'm far too familiar with..."

...and then Nathan goes quieter...

"...I'm...worried about Mesprit, sir...when it spoke to me, it felt...spiritless.  Empty of emotion.  Tired.  The opposite of what the embodiment of emotion should be...maybe it's partially our fault for exploiting its aid hundreds of years ago...but I want to help it as well, if the aid is both needed and I can..."

(As a reminder, Nathan mentioned Mesprit, the barrier it slept behind, how tired it looked, how it had grown tired of humanity's selfishness...this is the first time he's mentioning the 'spiritless' part while the rest of the group is present, though.)

[Lord Windos]

The old man makes no move to stop Ventus, but he calls out to you as you leave. "The path I speak of is not some prophetic foregone destiny, but something far simpler. Nor is it anything we dictate for you. But as I said, it is your choice, and your one chance, and only you can make it. I will not seek to affect your choice. It is really no business of mine."

From the cave mouth, Ventus can still hear what is said to the group, but the old man drops the subject of destiny now unless Ventus responds.

The researcher grits his teeth at old man's parting statements, his pateince with their egnimatic lecturing stretch taunt and thin, but ultimately he does not dean to respond as he exited the cave atop his Metagross mount, intent to putting as much distance between himself and whatever that blasted thing was. Curious as he was about what they were prattling on about, he resolutely put it out of his mind, as whatever they would speak off would be tainted, vile, and wicked, no matter the reward their Insight would offer.....

(And with that, Ventus is officially out of the conversation! Sorry Iron, but even if whatever the eremit is hinting at is really awesome for my character, Ven does not like or trust him at all by this point, so that is that, I suppose *Shrugs*)

[Spiritmon]

Heart join together with Nathan. "And there is too the lifes of all inocent pokemon who is suffering. I know humans fail sometimes, but the pokemon dont deserve to suffer from the same fate. Please sir, if you can do something for them, please do. We are begging you." Heart bow his head, begging to the old man help with this time of need. "I...dont have anything left. No family is waiting for me, only my pokemon is the only family I have left. I simple traveler, with no destiny or direction to go. But they." Heart points to Shiva, Nathan, Ventus and Valder. "They have family, and people who is waiting for them. Both human and Pokemon."

Heart then bow to the man. "I know I someone who dont deserve to be spare." Then Heart say something. "I begin you, oh magician, helps us to deal with the vines."

[Iron]

"Ah, yes, poor Mesprit. It can sleep a while longer, though. It would like nothing less than to be "awakened" when its aid is not needed. You'll find I'm far more easygoing, eh, eh, eh! Eh? It's noble of you to care about so many other people and Pokemon, Nathan, but eh, I'd also like to know what might be in it for me and my goals? I don't think it would be so terrible should vines cover the soil. Growing things give back to the soil, you know, not like human mining and drilling."

[Iron]

"That's true, Heart, there are Pokemon who belong to no human who may be affected too. Pokemon who do good things for the earth. I am no magician, really, not the way you use the word."

[Dragonstrike]

"Eh? It's noble of you to care about so many other people and Pokemon, Nathan, but eh, I'd also like to know what might be in it for me and my goals? I don't think it would be so terrible should vines cover the soil. Growing things give back to the soil, you know, not like human mining and drilling."

"...maybe they do, but what would want to live in a world covered entirely by vines that are intent on crushing everything beneath them, no matter what it is?  Plants give back to the soil they grow from, but who would be around to appreciate it? I can't imagine it'd be a very healthy environment for the Ground and other types that dislike grass type damage, either."