[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Spiritmon]

This Gengar is huge and covered in such massive poison spikes that it's hard to imagine it ever was human (Or Clefable?). It simply moves in for the kill! Already, you feel it connect to your overlapping shadows and begin to drain life from you and Gendry. Lights on the Golurk statue, shaped like the symbol on Golett's chest, blink on and off to ensure there are always enough shadows for Gengar.

"Guess we have to go forward to the battle. Gendry! Do your thing with your spells! Use against the statue of Golurk! If we destroy it, Gengar might be without shadows! Use the most strong Pokemon you have!"

Heart ignite his hands. "Me and Golett we take care of that oversidd gas ball. Can I trust you with that?"

"Golett! Fire Punch 4x against Gengar! We must put that beast down!"

Fire Punch dice: 8D6/7D6/6D6/5D6
Damage: Power(3)+STR(4)+Jirachi Bless(1)=8D6
EFFECT: D1 to burn. And D1 to flinch due to Houndoom Fang. If he get disabled, change to Thunder Punch.

Heart flames: Insight (3)+Knowledge(3)+Earthpower (4) = 10D6.
Notes: Gonna raise my Earthpower connection right away. Earthpower increase from 3 to 4 now using 18 XP. 3x6=18. Heart will spam the flames as much times possible.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Future Sight
(5)(2)(6)(6)(5)(6) (4)(3)(3)(2) It'll be a critical one. Calam looks ready to fight once he uses Future Sight.

Lore: (6)(1)(4)(4)(4)(5) (6)(3)(5)(1)(4)(4) (1) Even better this time. You slot those last pieces into place while Kelda and Calam hold the rest where you'd put them already. There is a click and a surge of Earthpower and, much like the Mew mural, the puzzle comes to life! Charizard swells and leaps forth from the brown puzzle, and you see his flames are more black than blue. 

Behind him, a passage is revealed among the boulders and debris, as he leaps to the air and prepares to breathe black fiery doom on you both.

Nathan reacts immediately, tossing a pokeball into the air! "There's only one Charizard here, and it's not you, ya piece of art!" He's clocked that entrance opening as well, but they'll have to fight off this mural first before they can investigate it!

As the pokeball bursts open, Charizard roars alongside Nathan's battle cry as he flaps his wings, hanging in the air above the fake M-Charizard-X (as a Fire/Dragon type would likely be closer to the ground than a Fire/Flying type)! Charizard's always up for a challenge! Calam steps forward as well, ready for combat, as Gallade steps back with Nathan to give him some space. Emolga can only stare wide eyed as the giant, evil looking dragon looms over them.

This opportunity is too good to pass up on!  Charizard and Calam versus the mural M-Charizard-X! Let's do this!

"We KO this thing, and it should turn back into a mural, Kelda! It'll be as real as an actual Mega Charizard until we do, though!"

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"The power of the Gauntlets lets us tap into magical energies representing any type or species of Pokemon that exists or has ever existed. The strongest of our order can borrow abilities at will from any Pokemon in the multiverse. As for me, I simply adore the power of earth and steel, and cast many spells enhancing my stolidity and bulk."

"The Earth Scimitars don't believe we have any duty to control Creshire at a political level. What power we have, is just the power in the Gauntlets. The Water Scimitars want to use magic to summon the powers of Sarimanok in addition to the powers of the Artifacts. They think bringing up those dark, forbidden powers will give them control over the League and the residents here. To that end, they carry lots of Psychic types and weather-controlling Water types."



Cosh, with a spark from his gauntlet, helps by flinging a few larger rocks than Terra could lift into the trapped area. Some more traps go off, sending up gouts of flame, ancient spears, or spikes of animated earth. Others don't go off when Terra throws pebbles, but do go off upon receiving giant boulders (weighing as much as a human or large Pokemon).

"......Any Pokemon? Even the Legendaries? ......Have your bosses......already drawn on that sort of Strength?""

Terra was visibly surprised and troubled by this reveal, his curiosity evaporating at the sheer versitile and unmitigated power that Scimitars could potentially wield. Regardless of the current reality, it was a quite sobering possibility, and made him all the more aprehensive of dueling with the techno arcanists in the future....

Still, the steely brawler didn't remained unnerved for long, his face smoothing back out into its usual stoicism as he coughed into a fist.

"......Cool. Me......Don't have favorite Type, but do have.......strong connection to Steels. Have.....ability to Evolve Pokemon that need Metal Coat too, and......strengthen Steel Moves. *Beat* Can you tell me about some of the.....Spells you use? Like your buffs, or boulder lifting? Are the buffs......usable on people other than yourself?"

As for the info on the contrasting goals of the two Scimitar factions, the mountain of a man mulls it over, before raising a few more question/concerns.

"Do you think the Water Scimitars will.....pay us and the Skull Ruins a visit, or interfere with our plans? Cause us, Earth Scimitars, and Cheshire......more problems if their plans succeed or fail badly?"

----

Seeing that the entire Shallow Ground was chock full of traps, tricks, and treachery, Terra decides upon the simplest solution to it all: returning Oinari to her ball, and summoning Angie into the airspace above him and Cosh. Initially, the supreme seraphic serpent takes one good look at the person beside her papa and lets out a startled/angry *SSSzzzzZ!* and looked ready to start breathing Dragon fire on them, but he was quick to intervene and explain the situation before things went literally up in flames. She calm down soon afterwards, but she saw fit to give the wily wizard the stink eyes and a warning rumble, pretty planing conveying that if he did ANYTHING bad to her and her papa, he'd regret his decision rather quickly!

Once that was settled, Terra told Angie to lower her tail on the ground, and then turned to his partner, motioning to his other bigger partner.

"Climb on. Angie can fly over traps, and shield us from most of them. Can check out more of area from above too."

Order: More 'casual' conversation between the most robust men of either of the groups, and just fly over the traps and investigate the Shallow Ground/Beyond further from there! Simple (Or not - time will tell)!

[Iron]

Golett: (6)
Gengar: (4)
Gendry: (3) + 8 = 11
Golurk: Going last

Heart's flames aren't strong enough to be an effective attack, but they are keeping away shadows. This is important, for it appears that Gengar can steal lifeforce from as many shadows as overlap in one place.

Earthpower
(4)(1)(4)(6)(5)(1) (5)(5)(5)(4)
Oh, easily! You banish most of the shadows, and toppling Golurk will do even more.


Sucker Punch 1
(5)(3)(6)(2)(4)(2) (2)(3)(6)
(2)(4)(4)(1)(6) Golett takes 4 dmg 4/8hp -2 pain

Fire Punch 1
(3)(2)(3)(1)(3)(3) Whiff! The little automaton is badly damaged already.

Gendry: "I don't take orders from you! But that's...not a bad idea, actually. Typical, though, that you would think any Pokemon is stronger than this Gauntlet! Observe!"

The gauntlet begins sparking and Gendry sets it under one ginormous foot of the Golurk. He gently raises it, and the whole statue begins to topple!

Strength 1
(5)(1)(1)(1)(6)(5) (3)(4)(4)
*CRASH!* The mighty statue topples. Most of the lights go out, but the soles of the feet do light up.

"Argh, I'll just have to rip those boots off, too!"

Sucker Punch 2
(4)(6)(1)(3)(6)(1) (6)(3)
(6)(5)(3)(3)(3) Golett takes 3 dmg 1/8hp -3 pain

Fire Punch 2
(4)(3)(1)(3)
(1)(5)(5)(5) Gengar takes 3 dmg 8/11hp -1 pain
CD: (1), (4)

Strength 2
(5)(3)(4)(4)(1)(6) (3)(4)
Gendry rips both feet off the statue and throws them almost at Gengar, then changes his mind. Instead he throws them at an old archway in an attempt to convert to Rock-type damage.
He has to make a Lore check at -2.
(5)(6) It works.
(5)(5)(1)(4) Gengar takes 3 dmg 5/11hp -2 pain

Fire Punch 3
(4)(6)(4)
(5)(1)(5)(3) Gengar takes 2 dmg 3/11hp -2 pain
CD: (4), (4)

Crunch 3 Gengar stretches and grows for the finishing blow, taking Golett's tiny head into his mouth.
(3)(3)(6)(3)(6)
(4)(1)(2)(3)(6) Golett takes 2 lethal* damage and faints. There are sinister teeth marks all around Golett's neck, and the Pokemon won't move!

Gendry gestures with his fingers outstretched like fangs of his own, and squints, aligning his perspective so it looks like he's chewing on Gengar with his fingers.

Eyebite 3
(6)(5)(1)(3)(5)(3)
(4)(5)(1) Gengar takes 3 dmg and faints. He pools into a shadow on the ground and begins slowly seeping in, killing all nearby plants. His facial features wink out. The Golurk statue seems to be just a statue, now, without the shadow Pokemon inside.

Golett is in bad shape.

[Iron]

Calam: (6) + one million = 1,000,006
Charizard: (5) + 11 = 16
D-M-Charizard-X-PhD: (3) + 6 Dex + 5 Survival = 14
Kelda: (5) + 9 = 14

[Iron]

Cosh: "Yes. That is how we rose to such power in such a short time. Magic is there for the taking if you just reach out and grasp it. I can use a buffing spell on you if you like - if you trust me enough, that is. The ability to lift boulders is a new enhancement spell we've just learned, and we're still practicing it. It makes us tremendously strong and able to lift practically anything, even cars, buses, small houses..."

"The Water Scimitars already have the Croconawmicon from the depths of Mt. Sentry. That was their Holy Grail. I'm not sure if they will bother us or not... they might have all they need, or they might need ritual ingredients only available in the Skull Ruins."


Angie flies over about 75% of the traps safely. A few have the range to attack her.

Iron Bolts
(5)(3)(6)(6)(4)(3)(1)(4)(5) Critical
(1)(1)(1)(4) She shrugs it off.

Energy Spears
(2)(1)(2)(5)(4)(4)(5)(3)(2)(2)
(1)(2) Ok then, no damage for the flying serpent. Cosh looks like he might want to acquire this kind of Pokemon.

You reach the end of the Shallow Ground, having spotted mostly old tarnished armor, a few stones with runes (some of which were traps), and lots of bloodstains. Now you have a choice between a tunnel diving underground, which Angie will fit through if she's very careful, or flying over two broad, sunken barrows which emanate a nasty smell.

[Dragonstrike]

Calam: (6) + one million = 1,000,006
Charizard: (5) + 11 = 16
D-M-Charizard-X-PhD: (3) + 6 Dex + 5 Survival = 14
Kelda: (5) + 9 = 14

Lol.  Calam doin' his thing again, I see.

"Debuff 'em and rip 'em to shreds you two!  Watch out if it decides to try to use Inferno or something similarly Lethal!"

Calam's horn begins to glow very brightly, and then there's a sudden flash as his moonlight wings make a very brief, incredibly brilliant appearance!

FLASH 1 (this thing's as real as any other pokemon, so this should in theory work so long as Charizard doesn't have an Ability or effect that negates it, right?  I mean, it worked on Tyrantrum and company, after all)
Acc: 15* base - 5 = 10 D6
Eff: -3 Accuracy and blinds the target until they spend an action to clear it!

And then Calam leaps in to do some damage!

Night Slash 2-5 (non-Lethal)
Acc: 7* + 5 + 4 - 6/7/8/9 = 10/9/8/6
Dmg: 3 + 5 + STAB + BG = 10 D6 base
Eff: High crit, so 3 successes crits!

If Night Slash isn't super effective nor neutral, Calam's further actions will be ROCK SMASH (same accuracy as Night Slash, 9 D6 damage base)!



Charizard is going to start by showing his superiority to this faker!

Scary Face 1 (learned for 21 exp!)
Acc: 6 + 5 + 1 Intimidate - 5 = 7 D6
Eff: -2 Dex!  That's basically equivalent to Paralysis!
Note: stacks with FLASH's Accuracy debuff! Also shunts M-Charizard to the end of the initiative order.
Conditional Order: If it becomes apparent that M-Charizard is immune to stat debuffs, then use an Air Slash instead (15 base acc, 9 base damage, 3 Chance Dice Flinch Chance)

And then he'll follow up with Shadow Claw if Night Slash proves to be effective, and ROCK SMASH if it wasn't!  Or if Night Slash was neutral, he'll use Dragon Claw! Those claws aren't just for show! They can rip and tear just like Calam's can!

Shadow Claw/ROCK SMASH/Dragon Claw 2-5
Acc: 15 base - 6/7/8/9 = 9/8/7/6
Dmg: 3/4 + 5 = 8 D6 for Claws, 9 D6 for ROCK SMASH
SC Eff: High crit, 4 successes needed
RS Eff: -1 Def (5)



Conditional Evades:
Conditional Evade 1: If a Lethal move is used, attempt to Evade it.
Conditional Evade 2: If M-Charizard uses Heat Wave, Nathan will attempt to Evade it if he's also being targeted(let's say Nathan's got 4 actions prepped for Evasion).
Conditional Evade 3: If M-Charizard is successfully debuffed by both FLASH and Scary Face and attempts to use Heat Wave, everyone targeted except Charizard will attempt to Evade it to avoid unnecessary damage.
Evasion Dice Pool: 14 D6 base

Lucky Chant is still in effect! No crits for M-Charizard and no double (1) results for Nathan and Kelda!

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Cosh: "Yes. That is how we rose to such power in such a short time. Magic is there for the taking if you just reach out and grasp it. I can use a buffing spell on you if you like - if you trust me enough, that is. The ability to lift boulders is a new enhancement spell we've just learned, and we're still practicing it. It makes us tremendously strong and able to lift practically anything, even cars, buses, small houses..."


"The Water Scimitars already have the Croconawmicon from the depths of Mt. Sentry. That was their Holy Grail. I'm not sure if they will bother us or not... they might have all they need, or they might need ritual ingredients only available in the Skull Ruins."


Angie flies over about 75% of the traps safely. A few have the range to attack her.

Iron Bolts
(5)(3)(6)(6)(4)(3)(1)(4)(5) Critical
(1)(1)(1)(4) She shrugs it off.

Energy Spears
(2)(1)(2)(5)(4)(4)(5)(3)(2)(2)
(1)(2) Ok then, no damage for the flying serpent. Cosh looks like he might want to acquire this kind of Pokemon.

You reach the end of the Shallow Ground, having spotted mostly old tarnished armor, a few stones with runes (some of which were traps), and lots of bloodstains. Now you have a choice between a tunnel diving underground, which Angie will fit through if she's very careful, or flying over two broad, sunken barrows which emanate a nasty smell.

"........'Just because something is here or there, doesn't mean you have to pursue, or should. Especially if it's....dangerous.' That is what my boss said, about......stuff. Are you not.....worried that your......magic will......cause you big problems later?"

Concerning Cosh's offer of 'magically' buffing himself, Terra expression scrunched up as mistrust, and deep reservations welled up in his gaze, looking like he would automatically reject it out of principle/conditioning.......before he hesitated. 

Ven had firmly made it clear that ANY and ALL things that could be even remotely considered arcane was pure evil and should either be destroyed and/or avoided with a vengeance, but.....he's since learned (directly and not) that the Scimitar's 'magic' was really just them channeling both Earthpower and their Pokemon's capabilities for their own use and empowerment. While that hardly made it better - it could be heavily argued it made it worse, ethically speaking - it was not strictly speaking magic, now was it? 

Having the master mage cast/direct their power his way would tremendously improve his ability to both endure the ordeals of the Ruins and do his given duty of safeguarding his friend, which at the end of the day were the most important and primary priorities of his that he had to carry out above all else. He'd brokered peace between his group and the Scimitars precisely for those reasons, and if he could manage to do that despite his own feelings/reservations (And going against Ven's 'instructions + advice' ), then getting juiced up with magical mojo should be equally acceptable. Right......?

Of course, there was also the matter of trusting the Admin Archmage to buff him without any making any modifications to his 'Spells' that could royally doom him/his friends (Like Mind Control, *Shivers*), but he doubted they would betray him like that. For one thing, it would be extremely unwise for him to pull a fast one on him now in The Skull Ruins , what with them now being in constant danger that would only grow the deeper they delved that could and probably would take advantage of any discord/distraction to prey on everyone they can. For another, he just explained that the more 'dark' and mental magic was the realm of the Water Scimitars, and that his 'Spell' line-up favored Ground and Steel 'magics' to empower himself/others. He could be lying about that and the other stuff he was discussing with them, but since they didn't have anything to gain from doing at this point other than engendering mistrust, it was not likely. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the very fact they were and his subordinates were partners of his group spoke volumes about their willingness to cooperate, whether it be for the good of all or just avoid unnecessary and disastrous conflict when it was most unneeded. Plus, if he couldn't at least tolerate his partner's way of doing things (to an extent), then how could he hope to work with them long term

So in the end, the whole matter boiled down to thus: He could accept Cosh's offer, and gain the benefits of doing so (Increased Power/Defense and 'bonding' ), or not and not.

Terra spent several minutes thinking it over........before he gave his partner a single nod.

".....Yes. You can cast a buffing spell on me. Trust you that much. Would not be in own interest to......betray me now. Or ever. Do it."

As for the Water Scimitars line of discussion, Terra stiffens when he hears the wily wizard bring up the Croconawmicon, his eyes going wide before hide his shock as he remembered that particular arcane tome from the Portfolio's reports on Antheneum. One that potentially held the most dire and blackest magic  (As Ven pretty much knew nothing about the book beyond what he could see/feel of/from it , and he was too distracted at the time to do his own research on it to give more certain details about it), and who exactly was had it last in their possession. Even a relatively simple minded individual such as himself could connect the dots and figure out what could have happened, and that realization made his gut sink like it got caught in an Area Trap.

"......I see. Thank you, Cosh."

He then goes silent, dropping that line of conversation like a angry Cacnea. Nope, he did NOT want to talk about that anymore with Cosh. Not without first consulting with the group first and Ventus first (if possible), as he really didn't want to reveal any sensitive details about them, that, and anything else he might miss without consultation from them first....

-----

Terra notices his partner's interest in Angie, but pays it no real mind. If they desired and made an offer for her, they'd get a flat refusal from him, but other than so long as their interest caused him/her no problem, he didn't care.

Surveying the routes ahead, the sagely monk thought over which way forward was best, before an idea came to him. He pulled out one of his Salac Berries, and turned to Cosh, a questioning look in his eyes.

"Have an idea to explore area quickly and more. Angie knows and can use Agility, and can feed her this Salac Berry to make her go faster. We can then fly over stinky pits fast, and avoid any danger from them.....I hope. If you have any Spells to make her go faster, you can use them too if you want. *Beat* What do you think? Good idea, or not?"

Order: Accept Cosh's offer to buff Terra, as he wants the additional power and protection to survive and do his duties better, and propose his idea of getting across the barrows extremely quickly with a double combo of Agility + Salac Berry to just zoom on by them and any cursed critters/contraptions laying in them. If he agrees, then full speed ahead on the Dragon Flight Express!

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Golett: (6)
Gengar: (4)
Gendry: (3) + 8 = 11
Golurk: Going last

Heart's flames aren't strong enough to be an effective attack, but they are keeping away shadows. This is important, for it appears that Gengar can steal lifeforce from as many shadows as overlap in one place.

Earthpower
(4)(1)(4)(6)(5)(1) (5)(5)(5)(4)
Oh, easily! You banish most of the shadows, and toppling Golurk will do even more.


Sucker Punch 1
(5)(3)(6)(2)(4)(2) (2)(3)(6)
(2)(4)(4)(1)(6) Golett takes 4 dmg 4/8hp -2 pain

Fire Punch 1
(3)(2)(3)(1)(3)(3) Whiff! The little automaton is badly damaged already.

Gendry: "I don't take orders from you! But that's...not a bad idea, actually. Typical, though, that you would think any Pokemon is stronger than this Gauntlet! Observe!"

The gauntlet begins sparking and Gendry sets it under one ginormous foot of the Golurk. He gently raises it, and the whole statue begins to topple!

Strength 1
(5)(1)(1)(1)(6)(5) (3)(4)(4)
*CRASH!* The mighty statue topples. Most of the lights go out, but the soles of the feet do light up.

"Argh, I'll just have to rip those boots off, too!"

Sucker Punch 2
(4)(6)(1)(3)(6)(1) (6)(3)
(6)(5)(3)(3)(3) Golett takes 3 dmg 1/8hp -3 pain

Fire Punch 2
(4)(3)(1)(3)
(1)(5)(5)(5) Gengar takes 3 dmg 8/11hp -1 pain
CD: (1), (4)

Strength 2
(5)(3)(4)(4)(1)(6) (3)(4)
Gendry rips both feet off the statue and throws them almost at Gengar, then changes his mind. Instead he throws them at an old archway in an attempt to convert to Rock-type damage.
He has to make a Lore check at -2.
(5)(6) It works.
(5)(5)(1)(4) Gengar takes 3 dmg 5/11hp -2 pain

Fire Punch 3
(4)(6)(4)
(5)(1)(5)(3) Gengar takes 2 dmg 3/11hp -2 pain
CD: (4), (4)

Crunch 3 Gengar stretches and grows for the finishing blow, taking Golett's tiny head into his mouth.
(3)(3)(6)(3)(6)
(4)(1)(2)(3)(6) Golett takes 2 lethal* damage and faints. There are sinister teeth marks all around Golett's neck, and the Pokemon won't move!

Gendry gestures with his fingers outstretched like fangs of his own, and squints, aligning his perspective so it looks like he's chewing on Gengar with his fingers.

Eyebite 3
(6)(5)(1)(3)(5)(3)
(4)(5)(1) Gengar takes 3 dmg and faints. He pools into a shadow on the ground and begins slowly seeping in, killing all nearby plants. His facial features wink out. The Golurk statue seems to be just a statue, now, without the shadow Pokemon inside.

Golett is in bad shape.

"Atlas!" Heart rush towards his little automaton, to check it's wounds. He didn't think two times, and search his bag, until he finds the his last Hurtloam. He then use it on Golett and use a Super Potion to heal it's wounds.

Insight+Knowledge+Medicine to heal all other damage against him. Gustav was out of the Pokeball and is careful observing the Scimitar.

Also, 2 Great Balls to try that giant Gengar. Not going to let that Scimitars have such strong Pokemon on their side.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Arachnautilus: "Me? Afraid of DARKNESS and blackness and gothicness? Not on your silly life." She plunges in at your side.

Using Flash just bounces right off the darkness, but it does create a brighter area out here.


Once through the archway, you and Yena and Arachnautilus immediately feel pain at your ankles! Each of you take 1 damage and begin to bleed. A Flash from Whimsicott only illuminates the area for a single Action, revealing a bunch of rodent Pokemon darting forward to attack your feet! You see Raticate, Alolan Raticate, and some evil-eyed Watchog and Linoone. There are also Pokemon you don't recognize, including a jet-black rodent with a jagged tail, and a somewhat lazier, bulky rodent with a paintbrush for a tail. Arachnautilus picks up a Flash where Whimsicott left off, with a spark from her gauntlet. It, too, is subsumed in darkness.

Playfully taunting Arachna to join was a success, hehe. The theme changes to this ominous one.


"Freaking rats...!!" Shiva made a movement as if wanting to give them all a good kick, but eventually abstains from it and brings her attention to the wounds they've caused. (I'll take 'begin to bleed' as 'you suffered lethal damage'. If that's not the case, Iron, please correct me) "Arachna, do you by chance know any spells that will treat these injuries of us? If you do, could you, would you, please...? Whimsi, please keep up your Flash, provide us at least some light." ... "Yena, if all these rodents DARE to bite us again, chase 'em away with a hearty howl, show 'em that YOU'RE the boss."

If Arachna doesn't, then Shiva will take some moments to treat the wounds of them all, starting with Yena, then her Scim Partner, then herself. The traditional way this time because that's not the time to try anything fancy: 4 Dext + 4 Knowledge + for now 0 Medicine - 3 Inaccuracy = 5d6. If the wounds aren't lethal, they're left alone for now.

Pokemon that the fae enthusiast does not recognize are almost guaranteed to origin from... Eh, what was it called again? .... Oh yes, from Tandor! That naturally makes her very interested in these particular rodents, now she can guess what possibly drew her into this darkness. BUT, she's still innocent what's causing this extraordinarily immense blackness. ( >_<)

With Yena making sure that the pesky rats don't bite them again, Shiva will draw her Almanac  in an attempt to find out more about both that bulky paintbrush-tail'd rat and the jet-black one with a jagged tail - she's not at all afraid to do so in Arachnautilus' company. She's also willing to fight that bunch of rats, especially if it'll lead to a chance to catch these two special rodents or maybe one of the darkness-adapted Raticate ; with Arachna and Whimsicott + Raphael as her choice of Pokemon. (Yena will be recalled once a battle begins)