[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

F....Final Battle? Shiva couldn't help but to wonder about that, she feels like things aren't over yet. Not completely at last, she's awaiting what her Fairies will be able to do against the rest of the foes. The antics of that small Axew were rather amusing for her to see, she couldn't help but to chuckle behind the pages remembers how he bite his owner's nose the first time they've actually met, right from the start on Cottonee was enjoying to outplay her prankful fae nature against that small dragon. That Infernape though gave her reason to be silently concerned, as both Pokemon she packed in to counter that flaming monkey were defeated already. If she'd bring Lilith into this battle, things would and could have looked different againt Rose, but despite Shiva was mulling over and over using Gothy or not, she didn't felt like this was the right time for Lilith to take a step onto the battlefield yet. Soon it may be, as Lilith herself expressed being willing to battle when the situation was right.

"No, no hard feelings. Though it's not only Cottonee, as it's two Fairies your dragon have to face, take a look again~" Shiva did as well, she spotted Spritzee there being nestled into the fluffball. Was she too small to be seen for Heart?

Heart smile a bit. "Yeah. That gonna be difficult. No one, but two fairies. But I think Koa can survive a few fairy moves. He is a little more tough than most young dragons. Its time like this I would like Koa to have Mold Breaker...but we can deal with that."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ah...... Shiva would have not expected that there's so much behind these small pink petals she plucked from these Nuzleaf, but now she felt even more grateful that Furret led her to them and their Dragon-Leader, at the same time she couldn't help being visibly stunned by the opening from the Herbologist that these are...Gracidea Petals. Real Gracidea Petals, belonging to the flower blooming on a sweet and mythic Shaymin ! Shiva's mind had to progress this for a few moments before she actually replied to that Herbologist, not only because she highly wondered HOW these Nuzleaf got these petals.

"I....know about Gracideas... But I would have never thought to stumble over petals of it. Not growing on a Nuzleaf, that....is.... Hehe. Ehm....I do love their scent as well. Give it to me, I want to try again...." Now, smelling on these petals with the knowledge that these are Gracideas, Shiva was able to pick up the very faint hint to the sweet scent they typically had, it smelled different from what she knew about the scent from books. This was the real thing.

Looking at the two petals, she eventually and very carefully packed them away, and gave a faint nod of appreciation and understanding to that Herbologist once he told her more about where she could possibly find more petals. Felt like a Side Quest she'd do, one more reason to visit Earthstar Forest - so much has Shiva heard about that particular forest so far, more and more she anticipitated actually VISITING it by herself. "You have my greatest thanks, fellow interested party in herbology. I'll take good care of these petals, keep them safe and well and will search for more as my travels continue. Do you... I mean, are you fine with exchanging numbers to stay in contact concerning this? So far, I desire for a full flower in the first place, what to do with it is yet written high in the stars." Maybe Lilith already knows.


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That book was suprisingly cheep, which kinda delighted Shiva as she pages through it (if it's not welded, that is) in coy eagerness. Huh... But the more she did so, the more she realized that it didn't really explain what she wanted to do, which was enhancing the scent her small Spritzee was already emitting right after she has hatched. That sweet one, smelling like lilacs and freshly cut grass! If the book does explain how that is done as well, she'll probably buy it, otherwise she might rather not and enhance the scent of her Fairy without instructions of a book and only with the own ideas she had concerning that. Mostly providing a proper diet and helpful environment.


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Faint embarrassment awoke in Shiva over the sensation that Mr. Finder has already...known that she'll come back. Though this time she's not alone, invisibly under the table they all took a seat at she nudges Nathan as a sign that he can introduce himself if he wants, while she carefully coughed behind teh pages before opening up with the sentiment of WHY she has returned. "Uhm, yes, eventually I came back.... I've spoken with the others of the traveling group I'm member of about whether or not hire you to find us a path through Mount Sentry to find the Secret Library. One was clearly willing to hire you, one other  asked to see and hear you himself. So, here we are... Thing is, the more I think about it, the more you seem like our so far only reliable chance to find that place. We're going into detail before actually making a deal, so I wanted to ask you some things in the name of the whole group:"

- "How 'sure' are you that you can find the Secret Library for us? We lack anything with it's scent, only have assumptions and theoretical thoughts about it. What if you can't find it against all odds?"

- "Payment. 5000$ you said, correct? Plus expenses. How high are these expenses in this particular case? This might determine whether we all have to gather some more cash first to actually pay you. When will payment be done, after or before you sniffed a way for us?"

- "You'll be traveling with us into Mount Sentry then shall we decide to hire you. It's safe to say that we have an interest to keep you all safe,so I'd like to ask you to stick close to us down there. No solo-runs, every alienating from us shall be explained to and agreed by us or one of us. We'll take good care of you, but how can we be sure that you wouldn't try to rebel against us? It's be 1 vs. 5, not the smartest call. May I, well, carefully ask whether you have Pokemon on your own, Mr. Finder?"


The whole time while she spoke, Shiva had an uncommon serious tone in her voice, it's audible that she wants to be sure about this before signing or agreeing on anything. On the outside however, she looked rather calm, not concerned, worried or anything.

[Dragonstrike]

Nope, no introductions from Nathan yet.  He's just quietly observing the conversation with Ralts's assistance for now. Grid's been recalled, but Emolga's stiil sitting on his shoulder. And Furret's nearby too...but probably distracted by one thing or another in this tent.

[Iron]

Spoiler

Creshire Museum Part 3

The Tomb of the King exhibit shows the mastaba that is thought to be the King's Tomb, where he is buried in some secret location. It looks a bit like a pyramid missing the upper half and then paved over with more bricks.

There are thirty sarcophagi in a line, replicas of course, lined with gold and painted with designs. Each casket has a face mask on it, showing some attribute to represent the king's life. For example, Sarimanok's has two differently designed hands, one beringed hand of healing and one withered hand of death.

By Sarimanok's time, they didn't really believe in a literal afterworld anymore, but they still followed some of the traditions of those who did, and Sarimanok's body was swept away from the League and given proper burial. They didn't wrap bodies up and mummify them or embalm them, so a real sarcophagus would eventually contain naught but a skeleton and some jewelry and ceremonial weapons.

"...healing hands, deadly hands...it's almost funny how well suited that is for representing Sarimanok and what he accomplished..."

...

Even though this is just a replica, just being in this room is...as much somewhat unsettling as it is interesting.  The quietness of it is eerily disturbing...

...Nathan checks the time.  Oh wow, he's been in the museum THAT long already?!  Whew...if he wanted to get something else done today, he needed to get going...he'd have to come back again at a later point to check out the rest of these exhibits.  There's so much here that he still wants to explore!

Well then, time to get to work on the last thing he wanted to do today: some training!  Specifically for Ralts, Forthright, and Charmeleon.  Ralts is actually starting to practice some maneuvers a Gallade is more likely to use.  The thought that he'll be able to finally evolve into the Blade pokemon once he becomes a Kirlia again is exciting, and he wants to be ready for it!  Forthright gets some coaching on attempting to summon a Weather Ball.  She's close to learning it, but not quite there yet...she's just starting to make mini-clouds in attempts to use the move, but is having trouble forming them into a ball.  Charmeleon gets some much needed practice with hitting a training dummy with physical blows.  It's been awhile since he's had a solid foe to hit.  Of course, it's still not the same as facing an actual opponent...

1 XP to all!

[Iron]

Herbologist: "I actually don't have a phone, but simply come by this tent whenever you want to chat! My name is Tam."

With that Spritzee book, you could treat it as a Training Aid. The more XP your Spritzee acquires the stronger the scent will be. It'd give you that +1 dice to training rolls. Shiva already knows a few things about enhancing scent though.

Mr. Finder: "The best thing to do would be to find something with its scent. I've never failed when that's the case. If I fail to find it, I'll only charge you expenses. You can hire me for half now, and half upon completion. If I fail, I'll give your 2500$ back. Expenses are things like food, any special equipment I need for the caverns like rope. They're lower if the case doesn't take long! I have three Pokemon of my own, but they're all first stage Pokemon so you don't have to fear me! You'll get to see them once you hire me."

Ralts can tell that this gent is not malicious, but does have a small hint of dishonesty about him. The same is true of almost everyone in this tent.

[Dragonstrike]

Training done, it was about time to wrap up his plans for the day, get some rest at the Center, talk with Furret a little probably...

He stops to ponder something at one of the tables in the lobby of the Center, though.

Namely, if he's going to use that Icy Wind TM, and if it will be for Starmie or Solomon...he could very easily do so right now if he wished...

Furret's looking curiously at the icy blue disc Nathan's holding.  Emolga's obviously chittering away and asking what that weird circle is.  He's never seen anything like it before!

"It's a TM, Emolga.  A Technical Machine.  Can teach a move to a pokemon if they're compatible with it.  Trying to figure out if I should use it now or not..."

(Whenever you're ready, @Lord Windos)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Oh. Well, in that case I'd be happy to return to this tent shall I have found more petals , Tam~" What a nice and simple name. "I have no idea when I'll do.... But with the star's aid and guiding and my own Pokemon close, I'm carefully positive that we'll see one another again. Until then, stay safe and well, thank you and cheerio!~" Off Shiva is, with the two pink petals safely contained and treated as a treasure she was lucky to find.


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Paging through the book even more, Shiva began to ponder more and more with every page she turned and more the longer she was staring at the cover of the book. That Spritzee printed on it seemed to give her super-effective Baby-Doll Eyes she struggled hard to resist... Hell, why was she even pondering? Why was she scared that she'd waste 200$ if she already spent the same sum with an additional zero at the end for a SINGLE Berry yesterday? Her family was wealthy, she herself still had more cash than she could ask for and doesn't need to restock on Pokeballs nor Medicine at the moment, and with Tropius and Azu she would have regained that SMALL sum in two damn days, so WHY ?!

Clenching her hands around that book, Shiva eventually turned to the vendor of this stall, her eyes and expression somewhat silently screaming 'DO WANT! TAKE MY MONEY!" "I'll take that book, please. I want my Spritzee to smell like coffee, the air when it's raining out in nature and whatever aftershav... Eh, okay, maybe not that. Can I pay 75$ with all that small stuff my Furret has collected?"


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Something with the scent... THAT was it what was silently giving Shiva headaches, even now and she couldn't help but to raise her hands and hold her head in it while looking like her mind was practically smoldering like a chimney, undisclosed over what was the best desicion here.

Something with the scent....
Scimitars....
The scent....
Scimitars.............

Something must have fallen into place within Shiiva, as instantly she grew calmer as if something has came to her. She took her hands from her head, placed them in a peaceful manner on her lap and looked over to Mr. Finder. Her voice has also regained some of its natural softness. "That feels like a fine idea, Mr. Finder, thank you for the information. Though food we have and can provide, ropes and a Pokemon with Vine Whip we too have, so please try to keep the expenses at a minimum, alright? More and more, I grew to agree to hirering you and your services... Though concerning the payment, do we have to agree to a particular date where we'll ask for your your services, how filled is your shedule? I'd need to speak with the others first before giving a definite day."

Then, she turned pretty calm and slowly to Nathan. She'd find it polite and respectful if he'd 1. introduce himself to Mr. Finder and 2. withdraw that chattering Emolga, but she guessed that was just not happening. "Nathan... Who's having that gauntlet actually, you or Ventus? 'The Gauntelet' is said to be in that Library... You think it'd be helpful in this case, or do you have any other idea of something with the scent?"

"Do you have anything more to add or ask, or shall we leave it at that for today?"

[Dragonstrike]

Then, she turned pretty calm and slowly to Nathan. She'd find it polite and respectful if he'd 1. introduce himself to Mr. Finder and 2. withdraw that chattering Emolga, but she guessed that was just not happening. "Nathan... Who's having that gauntlet actually, you or Ventus? 'The Gauntelet' is said to be in that Library... You think it'd be helpful in this case, or do you have any other idea of something with the scent?"

"Do you have anything more to add or ask, or shall we leave it at that for today?"

Nathan still doesn't feel there's a need to introduce himself.

He shrugs at Shiva's first question.  "Ventus still has it as far as I know.  Don't ask me if that might help, though.  All I can say is that where we found it isn't where we want to go unless they happen to be in the area too."

"Dusty old books might be another thing to try, maybe?  Probably a lot more of those than things we know very little about. I doubt we have anything specifically from that location."

As far as other questions...Nathan does have one...

"Are you able to determine where an item was found just from its smell? Without going to said location, I mean."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh. Well, the opening that THEY happen to be there too, maybe that wasn't the best idea as it be somewhat equal with running into the foe's open arms. Shiva kept her gaze locked on Nathan in a non-intimidating and calm manner for a little longer in mulling over what he said, before she averted her gaze to look at the floor with a tilted head for a few secounds, before she perked up again and let her fist clash with her open arm, displaying a confrontation of two partys. "Sooner or later we'll likely stumble over them one way or the other, and THEN they'll regret having messed with all of us." Her expression darkened for short while as she stared into the distance beside Mr. Finder, as if she KNEW they were out there, somewhere.

"Old dusty books is a good idea, Nathan. The oldest I own is probably still too new however - but there's a bookstore in the Department Store in Stair City, I've been there and practically bathed in the scent of old pages there. (Another scent for Spritzee? The post containing the second-hand bookstore in Department Store: Link) I can easily teleport there together with my Kadabra, though the question would be whether you'd be fine to come with me to pick up the scent of old books there shortly before we'll venture down Mount Sentry, Mr. Finder? Nathan, would you lend him Ralts for the sake of teleporting there? It's fine if you'd rather not for your own reasons, I'd just ask Ven in that case."

Though she'd still expect him to give his part on sharing the costs for hirering Mr. Finder. Actually, Shiva expects everyone of the group to give at least some some money for the sake of fairness as it's something that effects the whole group!

[Iron]

Heart vs Shiva Round 5

Koa is determined to go for Cottonee, the Fairy he's known all this time. Heart agrees!

Slash 1 on Cottonee, Rivalry reducing it
(3)(1)(3)(5)(2)
(6) Cottonee takes 1 dmg

Fairy Wind 1 on Rose
(2)(5)(6)(6)(2)(6) - 4 successes
Evasion 1: 9 dice, -2 pain, -3 actions (6)(2)(6)(4) So close.
(3)(3)(4) Rose takes 1 dmg 2/8hp -2 pain

Fairy Wind 1 on Rose, from Cottonee this time! The two fey attack in synchronicity, though Cottonee holds back a bit.
(2)(3)(5)(2)(6)(1) - 2 successes
Evasion 2 (4)(3)(3)
(5)(4)(5) Rose has just 1hp so the red queen is out of this battle!

[b]Slash 2
(1)(1)(6)(6)
(4) Cottonee takes 1 dmg 5/7hp -1 pain

Fairy Wind 2a
(4)(4)(1)(4) - 3 successes
Evasion 3: 9 dice -0 pain -6th action = 3d6 = (4)(6)(2) Another close call, but that fey energy burns into Koa!
(4)(6)(3) Koa takes 3 dmg 3/6hp -2 pain

Fairy Wind 2b Shiva doesn't order a hold back.
(5)(4)(5)(3) - 3 successes.
Evade 4 - no dice!
(6)(6)(4) Koa faints. As he goes to sleep, Shiva can see in his eyes that his rivalry with this fae trainer has been intensified!

[/b]