[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Mikaruge108]

Spoiler

Linkite Round 2

Rock Slide 1
(5)(3)(2)(4)(4)(6) (6) Critical hit!
(5)(2)(1)(4) Linkite takes 2 dmg 5/7hp -1 pain

Rock Slide 2
(6)(5)(6)(5)(4)(1) Another critical hit! guess it's easy when the target is asleep!
(4)(2)(5)(6) Linkite takes 3 dmg 2/7hp -2 pain

Pokeball: (4)(1) vs (3)(2)

Gotcha! Linkite was caught!

0/0/3. When it evolves, it will have 5 disobedience.
3 base HP. When it evolves, it will have 6 base HP. (I'm not counting the chain as body length).
Cursed Body.
Curse, Night Shade, Mean Look, Pursuit, Shadow Claw
The longer Linkite dwells on his past, the more evil moves he will learn.

Spira lets the Linkite out of its ball long enough to use a Potion and Full Heal on it (in that order) then recalls it before it can cause anymore mischief here. (Kind of messed up the formatting of my sheet moving A-Marowak around) and with that he (and I) is ready to move on.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Does anyone else have any questions for the invading party of trainers? Gotta resolve that before I can get to the training sessions, 'cause it could make a difference.

(Yes, I think I have. It's much appreciated that it's waited until everyone has had a change to give their input, thank you!☆ I'm only wondering why two of us are up for Training Sessions though, I thought after we'll depart from the campsite there'll be new happenings or a fresh Encounter List?)


The first question is for the good detective: "You mentioned this gentleman was searching the Barrows of the Ruins, detective? May I ask whether it's known WHY he has done so in the first place...? Forgive me, but I, well, thought that this place is dangerous and definitely not a location one should - or even is allowed to at all - head to without a good reason, there are tombs and it's guarded by both ghosts and Ghosts." Shiva doesn't think this gentleman would have gone there without permission or a reason.

The second question is towards the whole group the detective brought along: "Has anyone of you already heard from the 'Almanac'? I think I've heard someone talking about such a group or company or something yesterday at the diner. If you have, what do they do and sell...?" Shiva mostly wishes to find whether they are indeed already a thing in 2014, given Dizzy's earlier high alert.

[Iron]

Does anyone else have any questions for the invading party of trainers? Gotta resolve that before I can get to the training sessions, 'cause it could make a difference.

(Yes, I think I have. It's much appreciated that it's waited until everyone has had a change to give their input, thank you!☆ I'm only wondering why two of us are up for Training Sessions though, I thought after we'll depart from the campsite there'll be new happenings or a fresh Encounter List?)


The first question is for the good detective: "You mentioned this gentleman was searching the Barrows of the Ruins, detective? May I ask whether it's known WHY he has done so in the first place...? Forgive me, but I, well, thought that this place is dangerous and definitely not a location one should - or even is allowed to at all - head to without a good reason, there are tombs and it's guarded by both ghosts and Ghosts." Shiva doesn't think this gentleman would have gone there without permission or a reason.

The second question is towards the whole group the detective brought along: "Has anyone of you already heard from the 'Almanac'? I think I've heard someone talking about such a group or company or something yesterday at the diner. If you have, what do they do and sell...?" Shiva mostly wishes to find whether they are indeed already a thing in 2014, given Dizzy's earlier high alert.

"That's a good question. Our only real lead is that the man looked like he was there on purpose, originally. He seemed to be searching for something, methodically. Elminster said the Skull Ruins are very dangerous places unless you are prepared with Cleanse Tags and Dark Types. And Ghost types of your own for scouting. They get more dangerous the deeper you go, and no one has ever really explored the deepest parts since Sarimanok was first ousted. Probably only the original League has been down there. For the top layer, the Barrows, it's safest to go during the day. Same for the highest ruins, the second layer. You need a permit to enter the second layer, and the victim of this crime did NOT have a permit. I've already checked with everyone listed as having one."

Freddi raises her hand. "There's a group called Almanac in Stair City. I don't know why they're called that, because they mostly sell specially bred Pokemon and a couple chemicals. Oh, and they have two synthetic evolutionary stones. They just have a tiny shop on Step Street."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Hummm... With that information Shiva thinks she's able to see things more clearly, or in other words things begin to make sense for her now. The tiny mosaic pieces begin to form a picture - a vague one and one based almost completely on her guesses, but a picture anyway. How curious.

The simple thought of heading deep into these dangerous Ruins somewhat being the root of all evil STILL gives her shivers, but it's not like she's taken personal precautions and preparations in the longshot shall the group head down there sometime - somewhat she's SURE they will eventually. "He searched for something definite down there? That sounds like... Well, like these hooded figures wanted to make sure that he'll be unable to bring this 'something' to the daylight and the public shall he manage to find it. Or they have an interest that this gentleman is silenced and...you know, dealt with. It also sounds like it's likely that these have attacked the pack of Baby Pokemon, I found them in a horrible state... Very brave lil' ones, it's nice to know that they're at least with him inside these Ruins..." Her voice begins to protest and Shiva's unable to properly express in words how happy she actually is that he's not trapped without the Baby Pokemon or all alone(?) down there.

Specially bred Pokemon sold by the Almanac sounds incredibly interesting also. Doubtful and shady, but interesting anyway. To keep up her masquerade, she plays along. "Thanks for the hint! Sounds good, I'll make sure to check this group and their product out on the soonest occasion. Silently though, Shiva's actually impressed how they made it from a tiny shop to being such a bg thing within 3 years despite their goods and so on were clearly controversial - but Shiva's pretty the much the wrong one to wonder about that given she bought and may buy again from them. (Does Dizzy react in some way to these news from Freddi? Just curious/wondering.)

That'll be all from her side then, both towards the Detective and the group of volunteers he brought along. She'll farewell them kindly, shares a coffee and words with Spira as already happened and is very up to pack up the tent and leave the camp to travel onwards. Somehow she's feeling like they'll get lurched back to 2017 pretty soon, which fueled her vigor - she'll make sure to use the opportunity to put Cliff's Clefatastic Repel into good use while still being in 2014. As well as to look out for a good place to plant the Apricorn Seedlings she traded for in Violet Tent.

[Dragonstrike]

Personally, Nathan's reasonably certain that the victim has some fairly strong pokemon if he was willing to risk searching the Skull Ruins.  If he didn't get a permit, though...what was he looking for that was that important?

"...yeah, I agree that those hooded figures probably attacked him for a reason.  Or rather, they might have been trying to purposely force him deeper into the Ruins, let the Ghosts do their dirty work for them so that they could get away with it scott free."  Nathan's not entirely sure how the baby pokemon fit into the larger picture, so he doesn't speculate much about why they might have been injured. But he is fairly certain that if Scimitars can get away with making a crime look like an accident, they'll probably do so. They have a reputation as 'not a criminal organization' to uphold, after all...



Gallade casts a sideways glance at Freddi and Shiva when they start talking about Almanac.  Then quietly sighs and goes back to his own business (i.e. making sure there isn't going to be any trouble he'll need to help deal with).  Whatever Almanac is doing in 2014, he highly doubts it's anything less than shady.




In any case, Nathan doesn't really have much more to add to this discussion while the detective and his improvised posse are still hanging around.  He's very much ready to get a move on with things and proceed with his day, hopefully check off a task or two that need completing.

[Mikaruge108]

Spoiler

Does anyone else have any questions for the invading party of trainers? Gotta resolve that before I can get to the training sessions, 'cause it could make a difference.

(Yes, I think I have. It's much appreciated that it's waited until everyone has had a change to give their input, thank you!☆ I'm only wondering why two of us are up for Training Sessions though, I thought after we'll depart from the campsite there'll be new happenings or a fresh Encounter List?)


The first question is for the good detective: "You mentioned this gentleman was searching the Barrows of the Ruins, detective? May I ask whether it's known WHY he has done so in the first place...? Forgive me, but I, well, thought that this place is dangerous and definitely not a location one should - or even is allowed to at all - head to without a good reason, there are tombs and it's guarded by both ghosts and Ghosts." Shiva doesn't think this gentleman would have gone there without permission or a reason.

The second question is towards the whole group the detective brought along: "Has anyone of you already heard from the 'Almanac'? I think I've heard someone talking about such a group or company or something yesterday at the diner. If you have, what do they do and sell...?" Shiva mostly wishes to find whether they are indeed already a thing in 2014, given Dizzy's earlier high alert.

"That's a good question. Our only real lead is that the man looked like he was there on purpose, originally. He seemed to be searching for something, methodically. Elminster said the Skull Ruins are very dangerous places unless you are prepared with Cleanse Tags and Dark Types. And Ghost types of your own for scouting. They get more dangerous the deeper you go, and no one has ever really explored the deepest parts since Sarimanok was first ousted. Probably only the original League has been down there. For the top layer, the Barrows, it's safest to go during the day. Same for the highest ruins, the second layer. You need a permit to enter the second layer, and the victim of this crime did NOT have a permit. I've already checked with everyone listed as having one."

Freddi raises her hand. "There's a group called Almanac in Stair City. I don't know why they're called that, because they mostly sell specially bred Pokemon and a couple chemicals. Oh, and they have two synthetic evolutionary stones. They just have a tiny shop on Step Street."

Spira overhears what Freddi said and needless to say, his curiosity is piqued, so he asks him "What do you mean 'synthetic'?"

[Dragonstrike]

Spira overhears what Freddi said and needless to say, his curiosity is piqued, so he asks him "What do you mean 'synthetic'?"

Nathan can answer that one, and does.

"...it means they make artificial evolution stones.  They're produced with scientific techniques instead of dug up from the ground.  Personally, I much prefer sticking with the all natural, standard stuff."

Given the importance of the subject matter, Nathan might tell Spira a bit more about Almanac after this group of 2014 trainers have left...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Spira overhears what Freddi said and needless to say, his curiosity is piqued, so he asks him "What do you mean 'synthetic'?"

Nathan can answer that one, and does.

"...it means they make artificial evolution stones.  They're produced with scientific techniques instead of dug up from the ground.  Personally, I much prefer sticking with the all natural, standard stuff."

Given the importance of the subject matter, Nathan might tell Spira a bit more about Almanac after this group of 2014 trainers have left...

Mentally, Shiva can't help but to give Nathan a deadpan look from the side for that comment. Physically, nothing of that is shown or expressed apart from her gaze turning towards him as he raised his voice to give his opinion. Ahh, she should have known, she easily picks up both Spira's curiosity and Nathan's strength of belief. She abstains from saying anything given she's really not up for any unpleasant situations now.

A bit later though, probably at some point while sharing that morning coffee with the spectral Breeder, Shiva comes back to that. She lowers her voice a bit to make sure that her words only reach Spira. "...You remember these 'synthetic evolution stones' Freddi mentioned, those an organisation called 'Almanac' produces? Well, what Nathan said was right, the word 'synthetic' actually already says a lot. Isn't it...uh, a bit interesting that they're able to reproduce natural evolution stones with science? In three years, they'll have more than two, and many other products. They're controversial, shady indeed and might have some negative side effects - but they're all but illegal to buy, use or own. You should, maybe...check them and their things out yourself to get an impression and form your own opinion if there's time and an opportunity." *small smile* "More coffee?"

Shiva means this as a small advice, she finds it important to emphasize that Almanacs products are okay to own despite Nathan's personal disapproval and boycott towards them. It's everyone's free decision and will what to do and not to do after all.

[Dragonstrike]

Mentally, Shiva can't help but to give Nathan a deadpan look from the side for that comment. Physically, nothing of that is shown or expressed apart from her gaze turning towards him as he raised his voice to give his opinion. Ahh, she should have known, she easily picks up both Spira's curiosity and Nathan's strength of belief. She abstains from saying anything given she's really not up for any unpleasant situations now.

Gallade gives Shiva another brief, sideways glance.  Physically and noticeably.  For a few reasons, but the big one is...


Nathan interprets that look from Shiva in an...interesting way.  "What?  Why are you looking at me like that? Say something if you want.  I'm not going to stop you."

Hmmm...seems Nathan was slightly offended by that glance at him anyways, but is keeping his cool for now...he might not be nearly as Insightful, but he's not dumb.  And he's been around Shiva long enough to pick up on her tendencies...he'd rather not get into a big argument either, but frankly...what's so wrong about him speaking his mind when he feels he has something to contribute?

(OOC: Yes, I'm slightly annoyed by this too.  Honestly, I don't see any reason to jab at Nathan for this, however subtly.  At least, that's how it's coming across to me, and that's how I'm interpretting it.)

[Lord Windos]

Meanwhile as this three way exchange between Spira, Shiva, and Nathan was happening, Terra was just passively observing it without input. Not because he didn't have anything to say about it, but that he didn't want to, since he didn't feel the need or desire to share his opinions on the SCIENCE! corporation incarnate, mostly out the worry of sparking conflict over them.

Personally, though, his stance on Almanac was the same as Nathan: they are never to be trusted, and to avoid purchasing any/all things they make, market, and/or endorse/contribute/sell unless their is a need to that is justified. From what he'd learned of Almanac from his boss and his friends, anything less than boycotting their brands and holding them with a healthy amount of disdain and suspicious/distrust was just not a good idea. Simple as that.

Unfortunately for the sagely monk, it appeared that contention over the shady megacorp was happening anyway when the maiden of fairies expressed her more moderate opinion on them subtly/un-subtly and the boy took offense to it, causing him to close his eyes briefly and let out a heavy *Sigh.....*, before he stepped forward, clasped both Nathan and Shiva shoulders, and gave them both a stern Look.

"No. No Fighting. Not over Almanac."

His tone is calm, firm and reprehending, as if he's only lighting scolding them for a lapse in common sense. He doesn't let go of both his friend after saying this either, only continuing to Look at them expectingly.