[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Anything else before moving on?

Yes from my side: Once having gathered with everyone at a safe spot, Shiva soft-collapses in the means that she does not fall unconscious or similar but more like she immediately has to lay down in the grass with outstreched limbs and catch her breath. She may not have spend a Will Point technically, but this whole fierce duel against Hyksos and her Spheal under the rush of adrenaline was exhausting like barely anything she has experienced so far. With exception of outright overstressing herself in Corsage Port that one time of course.

Raphael in the meantime has darted high into the air again, loud and victorious cries of him echo over the area. He accelerates every now and then, enjoys to fly freely over the scenery, a few times he went rather low and softly brushed an arm of Shiva with his wing - this was likely his way to express his faith and liking towards this natural fae enthusiast.

As beams of the early morning sun peak over the hilltops, Raphael started to play catch with them high in the air, he began to glow faintly in order to soak them up once caught to heal some of his suffered wounds. The blade of the Western Plain soldier he didn't met, but the chill of the Ice Type moves was still within him:


Accuracy Roll Morning Sun in an attempt to heal himself: 4 Dext + 3 Survival + 4 Nature - 2 Pain = 9d6
Effect: It's Basic Heal, Raphael suffers 4 damage points in total.
Secondary Effect: I like the thought and image of the archangel using Morning Sun in the beams of the morning sun.

One more thing Iron, are the heroic XP mentioned at the end here already included here? I'd just like to know to be sure or whether that has been accidently forgotten please! Every single XP matters to me.

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LURCH

Nathan, Shiva, and Heart find themselves lurching further back in time. It's a hanging lurch, where you shift out of normal space and into a timeless void where you can scarcely even think. (...)

This additional lurch caught Shiva not that off-guard like the last time, she may have even expected that in some way - getting back to her timeline, to sweet 2017 was what her heart desired, she'll likely be rather confused, scared to a good degree and a tad bit even dissappointed once realizing that this will not be the case.

She's just hovering like in stasis in this timeless void, as if there was zero gravity, so did Raphael close by her side. They both had their eyes firmly closed and were breathing all calmly as if in a deep peaceful sleep, only her mild frown was not matching the serenity Shiva displayed.

[Iron]

Yes, your XP already included heroism. That's why it's more than half your Pokemon's XP.

Healing: (6)(6)(1)(2) He heals 2HP

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

LURCH

Nathan, Shiva, and Heart find themselves lurching further back in time. It's a hanging lurch, where you shift out of normal space and into a timeless void where you can scarcely even think.

However... Nathan's PTC is glowing with that adamant light. Little threads flow out of it, and Nathan can see exactly where they lead.

One leads to Sarimanok's time. A jerk on that thread will pull Nathan back to avoid the lurch. Since threads tie Shiva and Heart firmly to Nathan, they'll be drawn back too.

More threads lead to people you have bonds with - a strong one to Terra, a decent one to Spira. Tiny little fragile threads to Shiva's Rapidash, to Hyksos, to Terra's artist.

Nathan realizes he has a lot of control over this lurch - not the destination, but all the details. The party of PC's will be brought along, and he can gank anyone you've bonded with as a party. He can also put off the Lurch for a time.

When Heart talk with Terra, he sudenly feel the lurch once again. "Ih no. Not aga-" Heart couldnt have enough time to say. Next thing he was on some Timeless void. He was thinking he was falling but then he feel the place have some sort of zero gravity. "What the hell is this place?! This place looks like so empty....we must get out here, right now!"

[Iron]

Spoiler

LURCH

Nathan, Shiva, and Heart find themselves lurching further back in time. It's a hanging lurch, where you shift out of normal space and into a timeless void where you can scarcely even think.

However... Nathan's PTC is glowing with that adamant light. Little threads flow out of it, and Nathan can see exactly where they lead.

One leads to Sarimanok's time. A jerk on that thread will pull Nathan back to avoid the lurch. Since threads tie Shiva and Heart firmly to Nathan, they'll be drawn back too.

More threads lead to people you have bonds with - a strong one to Terra, a decent one to Spira. Tiny little fragile threads to Shiva's Rapidash, to Hyksos, to Terra's artist.

Nathan realizes he has a lot of control over this lurch - not the destination, but all the details. The party of PC's will be brought along, and he can gank anyone you've bonded with as a party. He can also put off the Lurch for a time.

When Heart talk with Terra, he sudenly feel the lurch once again. "Ih no. Not aga-" Heart couldnt have enough time to say. Next thing he was on some Timeless void. He was thinking he was falling but then he feel the place have some sort of zero gravity. "What the hell is this place?! This place looks like so empty....we must get out here, right now!"

No one else can hear you or really react to you. But the two of you can see the glowing light of Nathan's PTC - it's just that there is no time to actually do anything.

[Mikaruge108]

Spira tries to say "What's going on", but is surprised when he can't hear his own voice

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

LURCH

Nathan, Shiva, and Heart find themselves lurching further back in time. It's a hanging lurch, where you shift out of normal space and into a timeless void where you can scarcely even think.

However... Nathan's PTC is glowing with that adamant light. Little threads flow out of it, and Nathan can see exactly where they lead.

One leads to Sarimanok's time. A jerk on that thread will pull Nathan back to avoid the lurch. Since threads tie Shiva and Heart firmly to Nathan, they'll be drawn back too.

More threads lead to people you have bonds with - a strong one to Terra, a decent one to Spira. Tiny little fragile threads to Shiva's Rapidash, to Hyksos, to Terra's artist.

Nathan realizes he has a lot of control over this lurch - not the destination, but all the details. The party of PC's will be brought along, and he can gank anyone you've bonded with as a party. He can also put off the Lurch for a time.

This is a very, very weird experience for sure.  Nathan just kinda stares at his PTC for a moment while he processes this, looks around at all the people and pokemon connected to them (and wondering how some of those connections were formed, for that matter...why is Shiva connected to a warrior from the plains and a Rapidash?!)...but it definitely looks like it's only to people and pokemon in Sarimanok's era...

He doesn't dwell on it for too long, however.  He has a feeling that he needs to act fast before they end up lurched elsewhere.  It feels like he simultaneously has all the time in the world and no time at all, though...in this timeless void, it's just about impossible to tell which is actually the case...

This is quite a lot of responsibility that's just landed in his lap, and all because of the simple fact he sent that Adamant Sphere through the PTC...

He experimentally tugs on one of the connections.  'Hmmm...seems...surprisingly firm...as far as something that seems to be made of pure energy goes, anyways...those weaker connections look like they'll snap if they're tugged on suddenly while they're at that length, though...'

Looking at the options of what everyone's connected to, there's...what's obviously a Rapidash from Sarimanok's forces...a young Farfetch'd that Terra's holding...a Hitmonlee that looks rather beat up and rather well decorated with war paint...some of the soldiers from that camp...

That battle wasn't over when the lurch happened...he could yank them all back, see if they could get a chance to get a breather before the lurch hits them again...but they'd have to get out of that battle first, and that wouldn't be super easy if they're exhausted from traveling for so many hours...by contrast, all he knows about their next destination is they're going even further back in time...is there going to be a chance to rest if they land in an even more ancient era?  He doesn't know...can't know...

...and in this moment, he's the sole one who's deciding where they try to get some rest before continuing onwards.  Nobody else seems to be fully aware of exactly what's happening as far as he can tell...it's a weighty, somewhat humbling feeling...

In that moment that seems to last forever, Nathan makes a decision.  He doesn't know if it's a good decision, he's just acting on instinct right now.

They need to get away from that battlefield.

- Terra's not Dexterous enough to be able to reliably escape from it without exerting considerable effort, particularly if he's exhausted.

- Nathan and Spira are still the only ones not in the middle of that battle.

- The longer they stay there, the higher the odds are that they'll attract attention they don't need.

- And there's also the fact that he personally doesn't want to be in that time period any longer than necessary.

So Nathan will not yank on the thread that will take them back to Sarimanok's time and delay the lurch.  However, there are some threads he is yanking...

- The thread connected to Farfetch'd.  Rather self explanatory, given what the pokedex entries on the species say.  A young Farfetch'd like that is liable to just become dinner.  He doesn't know why Terra's holding it, but he can ask that question soon enough...

- The thread connected to 'Shiva's' Rapidash.  Honestly, this is partially to satisfy some of his own curiosity and desires.  He wants to get a closer look at that horse if he has a chance to, and he also doesn't want to leave that pokemon there to whatever fate would have awaited it on that battlefield (and nobody will question a simple horse pokemon being missing after a battle.  Can't exactly do that as easily with people, though it's certainly possible).  And he has some questions to ask Shiva concerning what the heck she was doing with that horse and a plains warrior...he's not sure he'll like what he might hear, though...he might have to try and calm that horse down (or KO it if necessary) before he gets to that, though...dealing with a panicked horse pokemon over a long period of time would not be fun...

Everything else, Nathan leaves alone.  That Hitmonlee is probably fleeing the battle and not in any major danger, and all the other notable connections are people that might be missed if they're yanked through time...



In summary: Taking Rapidash and Farfetch'd with us on this trip even further into the past.

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One moment, all 5 of them, their pokemon, Farfetch'd, and Rapidash are in and around that battlefield.

The next, they're just inexplicably gone.  Simultaneously vanishing without a trace.  It all happened in a split second.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Raphael was the first one to get to the mountainous man to greet him with a delighted coo while Shiva practically FELL into Terra's side as she still had quite the pace on her from all her battling, she needed a few moments to catch her breath and gather her thoughts. She's clearly exhausted but is doing fine in general, no wounds or anything are inflicted on her. Maybe only a few bruises from engaging so directly in fighting.

"Haahhh... Hello, T... Terra.... No, bad things has not found me, I'm doing fine. Just.... haaah, it's tirering, adrenaline, energy, this whole field is a melting pot... Been there to do what I felt I NEEDED to do, looted some weapony along the way even...!" She rearanges the abandoned short bow and quiver she has brought along a little, with much joy she'll realize that ten neat arrows were within that quiver when investigating the loot later. "Let us... Get away from here then, please.... It's enough."

Though behind the pages, she's incredibly proud of herself - she dueled an enemy's soldier, a noble and fierce one who may not have thought twice about killing when there's the opportunity, and even WON! Knowing that Terra may not take it too well that she went to engage in battling on the front on free will when Ventus would feed him to Apsis at the first given opportunity in case something happens to his angelic woman while he's in duty for protection, she may be better off to keep that for herself. Her inner voice though, that one was ensuring to Shiva that she believed in her making it.

*Flashback!*

Summary of Terra's Interactions with Shiva

-  Both Terra and Melly return Raphael's greetings in their own way (A small smile from him, and a happy *Yip!* from her), before Shiva impacting into him distracts him. He's somewhat surprised by this, but notices her exhaustion and slightly harried mood, and simply lets her lean on him for a time, holding onto her shoulder to show/give support.

- He's obviously a bit skeptical at her claims nothing 'happened' , given the state she's in and her comments 'I felt I NEEDED to do' and 'looted some weaponry' , but he shrugs it off as jitters/reactions from surviving a war battle and taking the opportunity to procure supplies that were easily avaliable.

- He then says this after she declares she wishes to get out of danger: "Hm......*Nods* okay. Let us go. War battle has......tired out, so escape should be easier now. *Beat* If you too tired, I can carry you. No problem for me to do so."

That should be all for now, until/unless Shiva responds!

Spoiler

Heart despite still be sad in letting the Hitmonlee go to the battlefield and problably die, was indeed relief in see both of his friends okay. "Shiva! Terra! I very gladly to see both of you okay!" When Terra ask they are okay, Heart make a sad face and hide behind the hood of his cloak. "Well...nothing bad happen bad to me...but I cant say to a new friend I have meet. I meet and befriend a strong Hitmonlee. We engage in battle with Viktor and my Golett Atlas. I have won but...but he was injuried after the battle. I offer him to go with me and to be send to our time...but he decide to stay and fight." Heart look to the battlefield, wondering how is Hitmonlee is hanging in his battle...or he is at least alive. "...we should go now. We must find some place safe from this place."

Then Heart notice the bird pokemon Terra hold in his arms. "Its that...a Farfetch? It is hurt or something?" Then Heart look around. "I think we should first find a safe place. Then I can ask Gustav to send a few Heal Pulses on him if hurt."

Summary of Terra's Interactions With Heart

- Heart's initial declaration is meet with a relieved smile and nod from Terra, along with him replying with: "Can say same thing, my friend. Big relief to see you not harmed in war zone."

- As for their response to his own inquiry, he immediately knows the Hitmonlee he's talking about since he saw it/what's its doing earlier, and is suitably impressed, looking at them with no small amount of respect and pride, and promptly asks for the full details of the battle (Which would include the prizes they got, so that can be battered for at a later date). That conversation would happen automatically, so no time need be spent actually describing the battle or Items. Terra grows a little saddened to hear the ultimate outcome of their Fight/meeting with them, though. He then clasps them on the shoulder, saying nothing but wordlessly conveying he understands their worry, and trying to assuage it the best way he can: being there for them.

- Finally, he simply nods in agreement at their suggestions to get the hecky out of the warzone, but throws them a curious glance as they comment on Farfetch'd, before saying "Uh.....is it? Don't know what Pokemon it is. Only knew that it was in trouble, so I saved it. Don't think its too hurt, but we can check in safer place later."

And that's all for Heart!

*Flashback End!*

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(...) He then says this after she declares she wishes to get out of danger: "Hm......*Nods* okay. Let us go. War battle has......tired out, so escape should be easier now. *Beat* If you too tired, I can carry you. No problem for me to do so." (...)

Staring at the mountainous man for a few second with a mild blush slowly awakening, she instantly shakes her head with clear determination, messing up her hair in the process even more than anyway. "N... No, that, eh... That's not necessary! >o<; I'm not hurt, am not bleeding or otherwise suffering wounds that would prevent me from walking, but, well - thank you!~" A small smile is given to him as she kinda likes that offer. "I would l...likely only steal room for that Farfetch'd. ^^;" *waves to the sky* "Come my noble and benelovent archangel! Escape is our choice no-"

Further she didn't come as that LURCH happened and threw her into that timeless stasis void. She can't directly 'see' the light and the threads due to her slumber, but she can sense them or realize them before her inner eye.

[Iron]

LURCH

The timeskip completes and everything stabilizes. You find yourself on a sandy scrubland, standing directly on the turf (no road). Your first thought might be that you have traveled in space now - but then you recognize the horizon line of the ancient Great Divide. Your second thought might be that you've arrived in nighttime again, but then you'd realize the sky is simply blotted out by ashes from the great volcanoes now spotting the Great Divide. They're grumbling and spitting fitfully.

To the east, you can see Mt. Sentry. It's entirely encased in ice and snow, and it seems like the lands east of Mt. Molten are lightly dusted with it. You can see a vast plume of smoke where Mt. Molten is active in the distance. Even here near the volcanoes there is a certain chill to the air.

To the south, there's a mild valley with a bit of snow between occasional blades of grass. Inhabiting it, a boundless pack of wolf Pokemon waits, sitting and sniffing the cold air. There are THOUSANDS of Mightyena, occupying several acres of taiga, and their little cubs gambol about between their legs. Despite their numbers, they look well-fed and healthy, with sleek coats and lots of variation between them. You can see several are chewing on massive bones that can only belong to Mamoswine. Even the nearest Mightyena is still about a half mile away. It's an awe-inspiring sight to see them stretched over so much territory.

A smaller, lighter pack occupies one of the volcanoes above you that has already gone dormant and received a coating of snow and wiry grass.

Calam lets himself out of his Pokeball. He and Dizzy are on extremely high alert, the most worried you've ever seen him. They're growling, and Calam even goes so far as to paw at Nathan. But they aren't looking at the wolf pack; they're gazing more southwest in the direction of Teazel Valley. Calam gives Dizzy a worried nudge.

Suddenly, the whitest wolves break away from the northern pack, and come streaming down the mountain. With white coats and black faces, you realize they are not Mightyena at all, but early Absol leaving a Mightyena pack. Seeing such a number of the Disaster Pokemon makes you shiver, and it has nothing to do with the cold. They reach the foothills in a few bounds, shake the ashes from their coats, and disappear in the direction Dizzy is gazing.

The sensitive Pokemon in your parties have all appeared as well. Delphox struggles to decipher the strange Earthpower of this time. Gallade has a worried hand on Calam. And Gothitelle has appeared - hugging Shiva tightly, a vision begins for her. The ash-filled sky parts to reveal space, stars in the unfamiliar positions of long, long ago. It's a brief vision, but Shiva experiences it along with Gothitelle and can feel the main message: something is coming from space into this time.

Gallade nods with determination. This matches visions he's had as a Kirlia, somehow.


Nathan and Shiva, you both have knowledge that can help you pin down what time period you've found yourself in. This is clearly before human settlement, so it's at least a few thousand years. Depending on when, exactly, it may be that the Mamo have landed on eastern Creshire and colonized what will one day become the swamp.

Judging by the Pokemon, geology, and climatology, this is nearing the end of an Ice Age. That puts it about 10,000 years ago - the Mamoswine will go entirely extinct as a natural evolution in 6000 more years, a long and painful decline for them. For now, they are plentiful, and the predator Pokemon can feast and thrive. Early modern humans will find they can do the same, and come to consider the Mamoswine a sacred animal who saved them from starvation.

Non-modern humans may be hidden away in the secret places of the earth. There's some debate about this among historians, but it's possible the First Technical Society is colonizing the depths of Mt. Sentry while the mammoth and wolves rule the outside.

Over the next few thousand years, the volcanoes will go dormant and solidify, starting the long process of Teazel Valley becoming a plains instead of a desert.

[Mikaruge108]

Spira looks around at the strange surroundings and says "Wow... It looks pretty desolate. What time have we come to now?"