[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Oh yeah, before I forget, Nathan will have bought some Kite String as well since Tanuki recommended having some of that. Don't want to forget it if we happen to need it.

Should be the last little bit of prep from my end that I needed to mention before we continue.

[Spiritmon]

(There also the flashback with Lord Windos who not finish it)

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

The moment Shiva releases Dizzy, Calam bursts out of his Ultra Ball!  He gives the young Absol a rather drawn out, interested stare.  It's difficult to tell what he's thinking and feeling, other than he's definitely got a vested interest in Dizzy.

And he's going to be sticking close to the young one.  Ralts is really happy to see the young Absol again, too.

Nathan raises an eyebrow.  Hey, isn't that...?

"...well, when did he get to join the party?  I thought the Day Care was only looking at raising a rare pokemon, not giving him to you.  And who is he replacing?"

Spoiler

More very careful and respectful pets for 'her' young Absol. If Calam allows, he gets a few as well. Somehow Shiva is intrigued by how different their both's fur feels, Dizzy's is clearly more soft in touch.

"Hmm? Oh, ehm... Well, I wrote the Daycare this morning - told ya I've got stuff to do b'fore departing! - due to the Vaporeon I've left there to obtain an Egg containing an Eevee, and Golda sent both to me alongside this lil' one. He belongs to a secret League Autority but got entrusted to me for this trip for reasons I cannot tell - that means that he doesn't replace any of my Team members AND that I have to ask all of you to keep silent about him. He has his task that he got trained to fulfill - Please, if the word gets spread about him, I don't know what may happen, but I rather not unecessarily decrease his chances of succeeding. League said you all may know about him, however, so I'll keep him outside as long as we're down here, it's safe for him and he doesn't show a desire to be withdrawn."

(...)

Since Shiva asked the Infiltrator to stick close to her and Calam sticks close to him, she'll now have two Absol nearby, means that she and Ventus (who mentioned sticking very close to her) will likely be the first to realize when the Absol sense danger coming?

As stated previously, Ven was pleasantly surprised by addition of the young Absol in Shiva's party, and while he never saw it himself like Nathan he could easily deduce that this was the very same Infiltration Pokemon that the Daycare had bred/trained. Of course this left him a bit confused as to why the young disaster foreseer was with the group instead of on assignment, but his fae fancy indirectly (a directly a short while later) answered his question by all but stating they were here to assist into their expedition into Mt. Sentry due to the likely incursion of Scimitars and....other matters. This nearly caused the empath to scowl in distaste and irritation (similar to his blessed friend's cold animosity), as dealing with both those blighted archmages and the League Authority closely monitoring their actions was NOT what he called 'ideal', but he managed to suppress it beneath a neutral smile.

'Given those wicked wizards and the League's shared interest in finding Anthenum for their own purposes, its not unexpected they send an agent to better 'ensure' the odds of our success. I wish the formor to all die in a fire and the later to keep their noses out of our business, but alas that will not likely to happen for quite some time, bar any....drastic changes....'

With that sour thought in mind, Ven refocused on the upcomming expedition into Mt. Sentry, releasing Lucifer with a flick of his wrist and greeting them with a friendly/brotherly smile, before quietly ordering them to scout ahead with both Calam and Dizzy. The treasure seeker let out a small delighted screech at the chance to stretch their wings AND socialize with his old buddy and a smaller version of them (twice the friends now, *Scree!*), before the launched themselves off the ground to first go over to interact with the Absol (Reactions, Iron?) and starting on his given task!

Spoiler

(...)

"I...I mean, from my side we can get going!" To express that, she silently takes Ven's hand in a silent request to stick close to her. Only he will probably notice that deep inside her, she's scared but does a very fine job to hide it. As for the rope, Mr. Finder can have that one Shiva keeps, it's 5meter long - I hope that'll be enough.

(...)

Noticing how nervous Shiva was about their upcomming trip and the dangers associated with it, Ven gave her a tendering, caring smile and brought her close in a half hug, before letting go and grasping one of her hands and giving it a comforting squeeze. He'll be there for her, as promised so long ago,,,,,

Spoiler

Mr. Finder hobbles over to the proper entrance to Mt. Sentry. "Let us begin!" He tosses a Pokeball, and a Slurpuff appears. Tongue hanging out, it goes waddling along the path at high speed. Mr. Finder stays hot on its heels, sometimes sniffing the air himself.

"Ah, where would we be without Pokemon?" he says. "If there's anything with a nose to rival my own, it's Slurpuff! Slurpuff says we'll have to continue down the main route for a bit, then drop into some sort of tunnel."

Indeed, you walk for about two hours without meeting any Pokemon at all, other than shy Zubat, having cleared this path just a few days ago. You're still feeling fresh when you come to a little side tunnel, half-blocked by a scree of slate. It looks like it slopes downward into darkness, though even Slurpuff doesn't quite fit inside at the moment.

Geodude floats forward, ready to dig. Any other preparations? Last chance for any important flashbacks!

Not wanting to feel left out of clearing the way forward (or have the others think he wasn't willing to contribute), Ventus summons Michael and orders them to start chipping away at the rocky blockade with Mach Punches! "Michael, an obsticle stands before all of us and impedes our journey, so we must remove it to continue onwards. Help loosen and chip away at the rock with Mach Punch to help the diggers in their efforts, and smash through it if and when you are able! Show them your martial strength, my brother!"

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(...)

While they are buying Heart decided to have a little conversation. "So here we go again in another mission. Trying to save the Region against some sort of cult of maniacs. Is this type of thing normal for you Ventus? Because if is I must confess: Join with you was the best decision ever made because of the chance to find such wonders and dangers of the world. Call me a fool, but I always have this sense of...adventure you could call. Wish I have join with you guys more sooner."

Heart then begin to make a more worry face. "Hey, do you mind if I ask you something? How you guys...is able to deal with Nathan. Because, urgh, almost everytime when we debate about something he is like...trying to force his opinion to others, you know? Remember past night when I refuse to put Grid in my party and he punch in the table? Cant him deal with the decision to others?"

e excuse I would call the League of he not learn to not use us as dummies and he to learn to control the strengh of the attacks of his pokemons if we offer ourselves for testing. I could see he barely hold himself with that Confusion attack, and thats what make me feel anger and decided to retaliate in the same coin using Rose Mach Punch. I can see now the stupidity, stuborn and foolishness of such action, but I could barely think rational in my anger. Thats is the darker side about be honest with emotions Ventus: You sometimes is carried away by them, bliding your vision about right and wrong and making you do terrible mistakes like it almost happen past night."

Heart then rage boiled a little. "But even that...urgh Nathan really drive in my nerves sometimes. Stuborn, self-pitied almost everytimes, boss around other people around him, dont trust his team members and he dont think twice to restraint attack even when we offer ourselves to test something! Urgh, he drive to madness and go beyond my level of patience. We are problably together in the same team for weeks by now (more or less) and half of that time we argue and fight other for many reasons each other, arguing and almost fisic like it almost happen today."

"Thats why I couldnt any other way to let him learn if not threat him with that thing about League stuff. I think with myself: "If he not learn by good ways, he will learn by bad ways." That was my think in that moment." Then Heart bow in respect. "Sorry to stress you with that conversation Ventus, and be looks like a trickster past night. The League perhaps was not the right thing to do, but it was the only thing I could think in that moment of loosing patience and stress."

*Flashback!*

Ventus couldn't help but let out an amused chuckle at Heart's enthusiasm about how much interesting all their lives had become, as well as their question concerning whether this was the norm for him or not. "Most would find perilous and high stakes journeys across a region to be a less than ideal way to spends one's life, but I see you have ample zest for adventure along with a passion for collecting rare Pokemon. Well, my life was never as this.....exciting , but my research took me on several trips throughout the Unova region, exploring the wilds studying all sorts of Pokemon. One time I saw an band of Heatmors attempting to devour an entire colony of Durants in rather flashy confrontation, and I've nearly been eaten by an Krookodile as I as exploring the desert! My line of research can often be beyond perilous, but I love what I do and will endevour to stay my course for however long I can safely do so....."

(...)

The researcher face went neutral as the pun lover raised his rather.....topical question about Nathan, a frown threatening to tug at his lips as he heard them out, before letting out a heavy *Sigh* and giving a weary shake of his head. "Nathan is.....complicated, Heart. He's stubborn, set in his views, certain he's more right than wrong, often insensitive to the plights of his fellow man, and its almost impossible to address him of failings or topics he disdain without serious, concerted efforts. At the same time, though, he's almost painfully socially maladjusted from growing up half his formative years without human friends and being heavily sheltered, and he handles stressful situations...... more poorly than most. He's also young adolescent going through puberty, and unlike everyone else in the group hasn't  incurred enough life experience to properly handle the turbulent pace that our lives have going at. "

"Altogether, despite how confidant and mature he seems most of the time when he's not being difficult, he's at heart rather careworn and fragile individual. He genuinely wants to be helpful, supporting us and trying his best to get along while also offering guidance......but often its constrained and filtered through his own faults, which often causes ruinous results. It doesn't help that part of the reason he's so stubborn about things is that he believe his ideas are the most 'right' for everyone in the end, and is only looking out for our best interests in his views/idea, so every time we object or criticize him it appears that we are being unreasonable or illogical and serves to frustrate him even more. Its why I have to be so harsh on him, or otherwise he would just ignore my advice or not fully understand my or our points......"

"*Sighs* .....My best advice is patience and understanding with him while remaining calm as possible, followed by getting him to meet, speak, or deal with you on your terms when that fails, and then simply ignoring him entirely and walking away should he prove too troublesome. Its okay to care for him as a friend, but if you treat him more as a loose acquaintance to which you have to put up with in order to get work done, then his attitude becomes far more tolerable, if more wearisome to compensate. .....Truthfully I don't consider Nathan to be a friend in all but the most vitriolic definition of the word, but I don't despise or hate him for all his faults and failings despite this. He's a good man honestly, but very difficult to get along unless you are on the same wavelength as him. I just learned to give kindness and care to him so far as he gives me reason, and simply deal with him as necessary otherwise. Not ideal way to work with a companion, but its the one that has work best for us thus far, so I see no reason to 'fix what isn't broken,' as it were. I would advise you NOT to wield the law like a weapon against him in the future, though. Nothing will ruin a friendship or similar like forcing them to run afowl with the Cheshire League Authority, so please don't do such things unless he does so first...."

(...)

e excuse I would call the League of he not learn to not use us as dummies and he to learn to control the strengh of the attacks of his pokemons if we offer ourselves for testing. I could see he barely hold himself with that Confusion attack, and thats what make me feel anger and decided to retaliate in the same coin using Rose Mach Punch. I can see now the stupidity, stuborn and foolishness of such action, but I could barely think rational in my anger. Thats is the darker side about be honest with emotions Ventus: You sometimes is carried away by them, bliding your vision about right and wrong and making you do terrible mistakes like it almost happen past night." 

Ven does not comment at all at this part of the , but judging by the dark and troubled expression that clouded his face during this point, Heart could reasonably assume that he perfectly understood them but did not wish to speak further on this. How could he not, with his recent.....conflict with Chandelure, and his former life as the right hand man to Ghetsis himself. '......What a fool I've been,' he sadly thought to himself.....

(...)

*Flashback End!*

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Spoiler

(...)

While they are buying Heart decided to have a little conversation. "So here we go again in another mission. Trying to save the Region against some sort of cult of maniacs. Is this type of thing normal for you Ventus? Because if is I must confess: Join with you was the best decision ever made because of the chance to find such wonders and dangers of the world. Call me a fool, but I always have this sense of...adventure you could call. Wish I have join with you guys more sooner."

Heart then begin to make a more worry face. "Hey, do you mind if I ask you something? How you guys...is able to deal with Nathan. Because, urgh, almost everytime when we debate about something he is like...trying to force his opinion to others, you know? Remember past night when I refuse to put Grid in my party and he punch in the table? Cant him deal with the decision to others?"

e excuse I would call the League of he not learn to not use us as dummies and he to learn to control the strengh of the attacks of his pokemons if we offer ourselves for testing. I could see he barely hold himself with that Confusion attack, and thats what make me feel anger and decided to retaliate in the same coin using Rose Mach Punch. I can see now the stupidity, stuborn and foolishness of such action, but I could barely think rational in my anger. Thats is the darker side about be honest with emotions Ventus: You sometimes is carried away by them, bliding your vision about right and wrong and making you do terrible mistakes like it almost happen past night."

Heart then rage boiled a little. "But even that...urgh Nathan really drive in my nerves sometimes. Stuborn, self-pitied almost everytimes, boss around other people around him, dont trust his team members and he dont think twice to restraint attack even when we offer ourselves to test something! Urgh, he drive to madness and go beyond my level of patience. We are problably together in the same team for weeks by now (more or less) and half of that time we argue and fight other for many reasons each other, arguing and almost fisic like it almost happen today."

"Thats why I couldnt any other way to let him learn if not threat him with that thing about League stuff. I think with myself: "If he not learn by good ways, he will learn by bad ways." That was my think in that moment." Then Heart bow in respect. "Sorry to stress you with that conversation Ventus, and be looks like a trickster past night. The League perhaps was not the right thing to do, but it was the only thing I could think in that moment of loosing patience and stress."

*Flashback!*

Ventus couldn't help but let out an amused chuckle at Heart's enthusiasm about how much interesting all their lives had become, as well as their question concerning whether this was the norm for him or not. "Most would find perilous and high stakes journeys across a region to be a less than ideal way to spends one's life, but I see you have ample zest for adventure along with a passion for collecting rare Pokemon. Well, my life was never as this.....exciting , but my research took me on several trips throughout the Unova region, exploring the wilds studying all sorts of Pokemon. One time I saw an band of Heatmors attempting to devour an entire colony of Durants in rather flashy confrontation, and I've nearly been eaten by an Krookodile as I as exploring the desert! My line of research can often be beyond perilous, but I love what I do and will endevour to stay my course for however long I can safely do so....."

(...)

The researcher face went neutral as the pun lover raised his rather.....topical question about Nathan, a frown threatening to tug at his lips as he heard them out, before letting out a heavy *Sigh* and giving a weary shake of his head. "Nathan is.....complicated, Heart. He's stubborn, set in his views, certain he's more right than wrong, often insensitive to the plights of his fellow man, and its almost impossible to address him of failings or topics he disdain without serious, concerted efforts. At the same time, though, he's almost painfully socially maladjusted from growing up half his formative years without human friends and being heavily sheltered, and he handles stressful situations...... more poorly than most. He's also young adolescent going through puberty, and unlike everyone else in the group hasn't  incurred enough life experience to properly handle the turbulent pace that our lives have going at. "

"Altogether, despite how confidant and mature he seems most of the time when he's not being difficult, he's at heart rather careworn and fragile individual. He genuinely wants to be helpful, supporting us and trying his best to get along while also offering guidance......but often its constrained and filtered through his own faults, which often causes ruinous results. It doesn't help that part of the reason he's so stubborn about things is that he believe his ideas are the most 'right' for everyone in the end, and is only looking out for our best interests in his views/idea, so every time we object or criticize him it appears that we are being unreasonable or illogical and serves to frustrate him even more. Its why I have to be so harsh on him, or otherwise he would just ignore my advice or not fully understand my or our points......"

"*Sighs* .....My best advice is patience and understanding with him while remaining calm as possible, followed by getting him to meet, speak, or deal with you on your terms when that fails, and then simply ignoring him entirely and walking away should he prove too troublesome. Its okay to care for him as a friend, but if you treat him more as a loose acquaintance to which you have to put up with in order to get work done, then his attitude becomes far more tolerable, if more wearisome to compensate. .....Truthfully I don't consider Nathan to be a friend in all but the most vitriolic definition of the word, but I don't despise or hate him for all his faults and failings despite this. He's a good man honestly, but very difficult to get along unless you are on the same wavelength as him. I just learned to give kindness and care to him so far as he gives me reason, and simply deal with him as necessary otherwise. Not ideal way to work with a companion, but its the one that has work best for us thus far, so I see no reason to 'fix what isn't broken,' as it were. I would advise you NOT to wield the law like a weapon against him in the future, though. Nothing will ruin a friendship or similar like forcing them to run afowl with the Cheshire League Authority, so please don't do such things unless he does so first...."

(...)

e excuse I would call the League of he not learn to not use us as dummies and he to learn to control the strengh of the attacks of his pokemons if we offer ourselves for testing. I could see he barely hold himself with that Confusion attack, and thats what make me feel anger and decided to retaliate in the same coin using Rose Mach Punch. I can see now the stupidity, stuborn and foolishness of such action, but I could barely think rational in my anger. Thats is the darker side about be honest with emotions Ventus: You sometimes is carried away by them, bliding your vision about right and wrong and making you do terrible mistakes like it almost happen past night." 

Ven does not comment at all at this part of the , but judging by the dark and troubled expression that clouded his face during this point, Heart could reasonably assume that he perfectly understood them but did not wish to speak further on this. How could he not, with his recent.....conflict with Chandelure, and his former life as the right hand man to Ghetsis himself. '......What a fool I've been,' he sadly thought to himself.....

(...)

*Flashback End!*

Heart digest everything what was say by Ventus and nod his head. "I think you right. Nathan try to do with his best intentions in his point of view, but he terrible fail to show them and try to make others swolen them my the thouth. I will try to be a little more patience with him Ven, but things go more and more difficult. *Sight* And here I am thinking he and I was beggining to get along well..."

Heart did notices the face Ventus have when talking about emotions. He try to do something to make him better. He give a weak punch in Ventus shoulder to bring him back to reality. "Hey man, thanks for the conversation. You are a nice person, and you helped me a lot when I join in the group about how to deal with dragons and poison pokemon. Thanks to you I was able to increase my bond with Koa and Caesar, so you thank you a lot for the tips and help Ven. Thank you." Heart give Ventus a bow of respect. "But you better be ready Ventus because after this journey in Mt. Sentry ends, I would like to have a chance to battle against you when have the chance. And believe, I not taking easy with ya."

[Iron]

There's also a noticeable difference in how the two Absol move and carry themselves.  While Dizzy tends to stick closer to darker corners, Calam stands confidently in the open, looking every bit like the experienced, swift, battle hardened survivalist that he is.  Calam still tries to stay relatively close to Dizzy, though.

----------------------------------------------------------

Aye, but Calam never looks down on Dizzy at all for this difference. Calam is always 100% accepting of Dizzy - actually a bit unusual for a normally solitary Pokemon. Perhaps it stems from Calam's experience in The Running.

[Lord Windos]

(...)

Heart did notices the face Ventus have when talking about emotions. He try to do something to make him better. He give a weak punch in Ventus shoulder to bring him back to reality. "Hey man, thanks for the conversation. You are a nice person, and you helped me a lot when I join in the group about how to deal with dragons and poison pokemon. Thanks to you I was able to increase my bond with Koa and Caesar, so you thank you a lot for the tips and help Ven. Thank you." Heart give Ventus a bow of respect. "But you better be ready Ventus because after this journey in Mt. Sentry ends, I would like to have a chance to battle against you when have the chance. And believe, I not taking easy with ya."

*Flashback End!*

The sociologist seemed to brighten up as the rare collector fondly gave him a roughing to snap him out his funk, letting out a small breathy chuckle as they gave them a smile. " I should be thanking you for allow me to voice my own greviance about Nathan, so we can call ourselves even Heart. As a Pokémon Researcher its my job to help educate anyone willing to learn more about the wonderful creatures they are bonded to, so if you ever wish to learn more from me about something, you need only ask of it my friend. I don't require thanks for doing such things, but I appreciate them greatly none the less."

Ventus then lasped into silence, in a better mood now thanks to punster. Nice one, mate!

*Flashback End!*

[Iron]

Oh yes. Overgrown Furret has been down this tunnel before. He's sniffing it, a bit disappointed to see it caved in.

But it's not long before Michael, Geodude, Sableye, and Azu have it all cleared away. It's a pretty good combination: Michael loosens the shale, Geodude and Sableye are all that can fit inside there so they dig up the loose shale, and Azu hauls it off with Huge Power.

Below, you find a forking of three unmarred tunnels. One is freshly dug - still has Excadrill claw marks. Probably excavated sometime after the shale slide, actually - the mole Pokemon are able to swim through loose rock.

One is old and dank, and goes upward.

The third is another tunnel familiar to Overgrown Furret, and Mr. Finder/Slurpuff do not hesitate in ducking down this tunnel. I'm going to assume you follow his judgment until you tell me otherwise. "Just follow my nose!!"


We will now begin counting Encounter Slots as usual when you are traveling. However, due to the increased danger and population underground, there's now a new rule available to you:
If you've used up your three Encounter Slots, you may accept a -1 Pain Penalization to all rolls for each additional Encounter you use up. These are cumulative with Pain from HP loss or from earlier over-exertion.
I'm adding this because there will be a lot more mandatory encounters than usual.

At times you will also meet small mini-Encounters that don't take up a slot, but instead manage to afflict a Pokemon of your choice with some kind of discomfort before they are immediately destroyed by your superior firepower (you are welcome to describe how they are defeated, no rolls necessary on your part!)
That will allow us to move much quicker. If you wish to play out a particular encounter, just say so.





Following this tunnel a bit (and ignoring some irrelevant branches), crouching to avoid the smelly moss and low ceiling, Mr. Finder soon comes to another triple fork. He confers with Slurpuff. He holds up some of the little 'tarot' cards to get specifics from Slurpuff!

"Ah, it will take me a second to work out which way to go...these tunnels run in parallel, almost touching, but do not seem to connect. Very confusing to Slurpuff's nose. I would like one of you to go down this tunnel - " he points to a tunnel that is perched atop the other two - "and clear out the Shinx living inside it. It has been marking its territory. Bring a water Pokemon to wash the way."

"Someone else needs to go down this tunnel here, to the left, where something of stone is blocking the way. It smells like shifting, manmade stone. I've heard of stone puzzles down here. Perhaps it's that."

"Another will have to do some digging, I'm afraid, as this final tunnel is blocked by a cave in. But there's good news for this brave soul - I smell gems inside. And there's a 33% chance it's still the way to go - I can smell open air beyond it."

"Finally, I am pleased to report that an Overgrown Crustle has been sneaking up on us for the duration of this conversation. Someone watch my back while I decide, while I wait for reports back. On this, I must insist, as per the terms of our contract!"

Mt. Sentry Labyrinth Encounters Part 1

1. Name: Shinx
Challenge: pretty easy
Cap: 1
Bid start: 1
Notes: Must have water Pokemon in party. 33% mandatory.

2. Name: Stone puzzle
Cap: 1
Bid start: 1
Notes: Only one person can fit in the tunnel at a time and still be able to see. Needs a good light source. Solving a puzzle uses Insight + Intelligence, requiring more successes for more difficult puzzles. 33% mandatory.

3. Name: Diggin'
Cap: 2
Bid start: 1
Notes: Requires pickaxe or digging Pokemon or both. 33% mandatory.

4. Name: Crustle
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Difficulty: moderate
Notes: Mandatory Encounter. At least one of you must choose this encounter. It's taking up most of the tunnel!

Since you're hemmed in on all sides, I cannot offer you any unlimited Pokemon species at this time.

If no one picks an encounter that turns out to be mandatory, you're gonna have to blow a second Encounter!

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Oh yes. Overgrown Furret has been down this tunnel before. She's sniffing it, a bit disappointed to see it caved in.

But it's not long before Michael, Geodude, Sableye, and Azu have it all cleared away. It's a pretty good combination: Michael loosens the shale, Geodude and Sableye are all that can fit inside there so they dig up the loose shale, and Azu hauls it off with Huge Power.

Below, you find a forking of three unmarred tunnels. One is freshly dug - still has Excadrill claw marks. Probably excavated sometime after the shale slide, actually - the mole Pokemon are able to swim through loose rock.

One is old and dank, and goes upward.

The third is another tunnel familiar to Overgrown Furret, and Mr. Finder/Slurpuff do not hesitate in ducking down this tunnel. I'm going to assume you follow his judgment until you tell me otherwise. "Just follow my nose!!"


We will now begin counting Encounter Slots as usual when you are traveling. However, due to the increased danger and population underground, there's now a new rule available to you:
If you've used up your three Encounter Slots, you may accept a -1 Pain Penalization to all rolls for each additional Encounter you use up. These are cumulative with Pain from HP loss or from earlier over-exertion.
I'm adding this because there will be a lot more mandatory encounters than usual.

At times you will also meet small mini-Encounters that don't take up a slot, but instead manage to afflict a Pokemon of your choice with some kind of discomfort before they are immediately destroyed by your superior firepower (you are welcome to describe how they are defeated, no rolls necessary on your part!)
That will allow us to move much quicker. If you wish to play out a particular encounter, just say so.





Following this tunnel a bit (and ignoring some irrelevant branches), crouching to avoid the smelly moss and low ceiling, Mr. Finder soon comes to another triple fork. He confers with Slurpuff. He holds up some of the little 'tarot' cards to get specifics from Slurpuff!

"Ah, it will take me a second to work out which way to go...these tunnels run in parallel, almost touching, but do not seem to connect. Very confusing to Slurpuff's nose. I would like one of you to go down this tunnel - " he points to a tunnel that is perched atop the other two - "and clear out the Shinx living inside it. It has been marking its territory. Bring a water Pokemon to wash the way."

"Someone else needs to go down this tunnel here, to the left, where something of stone is blocking the way. It smells like shifting, manmade stone. I've heard of stone puzzles down here. Perhaps it's that."

"Another will have to do some digging, I'm afraid, as this final tunnel is blocked by a cave in. But there's good news for this brave soul - I smell gems inside. And there's a 33% chance it's still the way to go - I can smell open air beyond it."

"Finally, I am pleased to report that an Overgrown Crustle has been sneaking up on us for the duration of this conversation. Someone watch my back while I decide, while I wait for reports back. On this, I must insist, as per the terms of our contract!"

Mt. Sentry Labyrinth Encounters Part 1

1. Name: Shinx
Challenge: pretty easy
Cap: 1
Bid start: 1
Notes: Must have water Pokemon in party. 33% mandatory.

2. Name: Stone puzzle
Cap: 1
Bid start: 1
Notes: Only one person can fit in the tunnel at a time and still be able to see. Needs a good light source. Solving a puzzle uses Insight + Intelligence, requiring more successes for more difficult puzzles. 33% mandatory.

3. Name: Diggin'
Cap: 2
Bid start: 1
Notes: Requires pickaxe or digging Pokemon or both. 33% mandatory.

4. Name: Crustle
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Difficulty: moderate
Notes: Mandatory Encounter. At least one of you must choose this encounter. It's taking up most of the tunnel!

Since you're hemmed in on all sides, I cannot offer you any unlimited Pokemon species at this time.

If no one picks an encounter that turns out to be mandatory, you're gonna have to blow a second Encounter!

Heart after the information nod his head. "Understood. Guys, I take care of that Crustle, its time to put work my training in this place. Dont need to be worry about me. You guys take care of Shinx the didding, or the puzzle thing. Battling against pokemon is what I can best do." Then I give a positive hand. "Lets get them!" Then Heart go in the direction of Crustle.

[Dragonstrike]

Wait, a Shinx?!

Didn't his dad find his Luxray in Mt. Sentry originally?  It's a story his dad only told him once or twice, the story about he and his first pokemon met...something to do with getting lost in the tunnels and a Shinx leading him out, if he remembered correctly...

...makes sense that it might be an old habit, though, considering Luxray would always be keeping an eye on Marco so he knew when to bail his friend and trainer out of trouble...

...

...this is...interesting.

"Alright, I'll go handle Shinx since Heart's handling Crustle.  However...gems you say?"

Nathan looks at Ditto.

Ditto stares back.

"...well, you're a Sableye right now.  Sableye like gems, and you did a pretty good job digging back there.  Maybe that Keen Eye of yours will come in handy, and keep Geodude from leaving behind any gems while he digs."

Because Geodude is totally gonna go do some more digging for sure.

"...but who's going to go do the digging, though? Hmmm...someone has to do the puzzle as well, and they'll probably need Starmie for that since that path looks particularly dark..."

Nathan's thinking out loud for the most part, not really addressing anyone in particular right now.