[Meta thread] Iron's PokeRole Adventure: The Skull Ruins

[Lord Windos]

There's not exactly a whole lot of time to do something like that without the Scims being around unless I wait until the end of the day.  This encounter also seems to at least be tame enough that there's some time to explain what happened to Calam if necessary.

The main reason Calam acted so hostile and threatening towards Juni was because she nearly killed him.  And he's shown restraint against other Scims in the past without complaint.  I'm not so worried that I don't feel comfortable with trying, but Nathan and Gallade are prepared to hold Calam back if necessary.

Hmm........good points! Now I'm myself not so worried anymore about the dark prophet having him some fresh magical long pork! Thanks for the clarifications and reassurances, mate!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Mika, do you indeed believe one of these ultra-scary and smile-stealing creatures lurkes there at the Stone Circle?  Σ(°△°|||) Now that you've said it, I'm worried what will occur if it really does so.

[Spiritmon]

People, I have a question for you all: Do you think this gonna be the last time we gonna visit the Skull Ruins? Like, the "final boss" of this campaigh I mean? Except of course the Elite Four and possible the Scims in the future, since I doubt they gonna giving up of the action maybe.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Humm, I'm not quite sure, depends on one's personal view. What I'm sure about though, is that I'm seeing the trip into these ominous Ruins as THE Main Quest, the one where all threads eventually come together, that it and the foreshadow'd battle against Deoxys mark the plot peak. Comparing it with when facing the Legendary Cover Pokemon in the official games, I guess, when the region's peace and safety clearly is at stake.

Like Kyogre and Groundon awakening? Then it was wise of us bring our best Pokemon against Psychic.

Sorta.

[Spiritmon]

Humm, I'm not quite sure, depends on one's personal view. What I'm sure about though, is that I'm seeing the trip into these ominous Ruins as THE Main Quest, the one where all threads eventually come together, that it and the foreshadow'd battle against Deoxys mark the plot peak. Comparing it with when facing the Legendary Cover Pokemon in the official games, I guess, when the region's peace and safety clearly is at stake.

Like Kyogre and Groundon awakening? Then it was wise of us bring our best Pokemon against Psychic.

[Spiritmon]

Also, I do have a feeling that statue its not statue but a dormant Golurk. If I make a friendly approach, maybe I will not engage in some sort of battle. Maybe.

[Dragonstrike]

People, I have a question for you all: Do you think this gonna be the last time we gonna visit the Skull Ruins? Like, the "final boss" of this campaigh I mean? Except of course the Elite Four and possible the Scims in the future, since I doubt they gonna giving up of the action maybe.

Like Kyogre and Groundon awakening? Then it was wise of us bring our best Pokemon against Psychic.

Let's put this into perspective a little.

At the moment, we're on the tail end of the Rising Action, the buildup to the Climax.  And after the Climax, there's the Falling Action, the period where the characters deal with the aftermath of the Climax.

Pokemon Games usually have two Climaxes: the fight with the Evil Team's Boss and the Cover Legendary (the Rising Action typically being buildup to the Cover Legendary's appearance), and the Champion Battle (the Rising Action being the final Gym Badges and the Elite 4).

And here's where the Evil Team/Legendary Climaxes of the following Pokemon Games occur:
- Kanto Games: Silph Company, after Gym 5 (and technically again at Gym 8.  No Cover Legendaries, but Legendaries start to appear on the way to Gym 7 if we're going by Gym Badge order in the Badge Case)
- Johto Games: Goldenrod Radio Tower, after Gym 7 (followed by Ho-oh/Lugia, which are loosely connected to the plot at best)
- Hoenn Games: Cave of Origin/Sky Pillar (depending on if you're playing Emerald), after Gym 7
- Sinnoh Games: Spear Pillar/Distortion World, after Gym 7
- Unova Games (BW): N's Castle, after Elite 4 (replaces the standard Champion Battle)
- Unova Games (BW2): Giant Chasm, after Gym 8
- Kalos Games: Team Flare Secret HQ, after Gym 7
- Alola Games (SM): Altar of the Sunne/Moone, after the final Island Trial and the final Grand Trial
- Alola Games (USUM): Ultra Megalopolis, before the final Island Trial and the final Grand Trial

And Uranium follows the trend of BW, sticking the Climax at the very end of the main story, replacing the Championship Battle entirely during the first completion if the League Tournament.

See a pattern?

Evil Team/Legendary Climaxes most commonly happen after the second to last major progression marker (Gym Battle/Island Trial).  Kanto's first Climax is a bit of an outlier since it's the only one that occurs so early on (and because the game's story is focused more on the journey as a whole instead of the Evil Team's plans, the Champion Battle Climax is arguably a higher peak than the Evil Team one).

To compare, you only need 6 Gym Badges to enter Borealis Road in Creshire and challenge the Elite Four at Forb City.  Nathan's taken every opportunity to get a Gym Badge when he can, so he has 6 now.  Everyone else has 4-5 at the moment, but could also have had as many as 6 at this point.

We're approaching the first major Climax, and fast.  We've already encountered the Evil Team portion of the Rising Action that was potentially building up to the big fight with some Scimitar Leaders.

If we investigate the Ruins quickly enough, we might have some time to prepare before Deoxys lands.  At the moment, we're simply in the Rising Action stage of plot progression.  The Climax could happen at any time after the Skull Ruins, though, including immediately after it.

[Spiritmon]

So, we basically close to the climax...to be honest I was not prepared to be...so soon. I know every store has to have a end, but I never imagined it could be so close.

Good thing Heart still needs challenge a few Gyms before Elite Four. He need to beat 4 other Gyms to complete. Zamboni, Dagny, Tanuki and Howl already beat.

Don't forget you still have our rematch to settle Dragonstrike. My Infernape is more than ready to increase the heat against Gallade.

[Spiritmon]

Also @Iron, any reaction towards the Golurk statue? I have choose the Encounter 6 for quite a while by now

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

*gaaasps* These Mismagius seem to be even more witchy than normal exemplars of the species are!! @Mikaruge108, if you would be to catch one for me and Shiva after defeating the group, I'd be very thankful, as she's pretty interested in anything that has to do with magic and witchcraft. Pleaseeee! Doesn't have to be a gift if you don't want give it for free (though, naturally Shiva would rejoice a lot over a kind present from senpai, and Spira already has a loyal Mismagius) , we can negotiate a trade later.