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

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Out of everyone in the group, Nathan has the most at stake when it comes to the threat of Deoxys (and the threat of Almanac/Scims). It'd be fitting for him to lead the charge, imho.

I'd agree with that, mostly because I feel it shouldn't be determined who gets that Artifact by looking at the mechanical/competitive aspect, but more from an in-chara and roleplaying-aspect: Kinda like I wanted that Shield for Shiva to greatly raise the chance that she makes it outta the Ruins alive in order to return to Ventus and pursue her Breeder's career (can't do that if the region's a mess ruled by an alienmon).

In the end, I can actually see ALL of our charas bar mine as a worthy wielder of this Sword, for different reasons each, some weight slightly more or less than others. If I'd HAVE to pick, I'd choose Nathan, only narrowly, but that's just my opinion and you have to make that out between yourselves.

[Lord Windos]

I agree with you that The Sword is potent symbol, but it's main function in game will be as a weapon. That, and just because you are given a responsibility doesn't mean you have to take it, or aren't allow to share it with others you trust. Terra could just as easily wield The Sword and have Nathan + his friends help with carrying it well. He'd support for them in this and any other case, and I'd hope the reverse was true.

He's already done so by helping gathering the Artifacts and rescuing him. Their's no actual need for him to wield The Sword to finish things, only that it and the other Artifacts are used to successfully stop Deoxys.

Terra pretty much holds the same stakes as Nathan does (Cheshire may not be his home region, nor does he have family in it, but he sure as hell don't want it to go bye bye!) and then some (His job IS to be the group bodyguard guardian, so he's ultimately responsible for EVERYONE's life), and that's not counting that my chara's and his partners own life and future hang in the balance, the possible world wide ramifications of a successful Deoxys invasion, or the fact that the super space virus personaly fucked with Terra's head and did who knows what to him. Honestly, ANY of our charas. have an equal stake when it comes to Deoxys, so anyone of them could lead the charge. Heck, given how the Artifacts work thus far, whomever holds the Sword might not even need to do so, or at the very least have the other Artifact holders with them in front/back.

[Dragonstrike]

I'd agree with that, mostly because I feel it shouldn't be determined who gets that Artifact by looking at the mechanical/competitive aspect, but more from an in-chara and roleplaying-aspect: Kinda like I wanted that Shield for Shiva to greatly raise the chance that she makes it outta the Ruins alive in order to return to Ventus and pursue her Breeder's career (can't do that if the region's a mess ruled by an alienmon).

I 100% agree that this shouldn't be determined based on mechanical benefits (particularly when we don't even know what exactly they're going to be). This is a Plot Device, not a simple trainer item. It's kinda in the name of the mechanic.

I agree with you that The Sword is potent symbol, but it's main function in game will be as a weapon. That, and just because you are given a responsibility doesn't mean you have to take it, or aren't allow to share it with others you trust. Terra could just as easily wield The Sword and have Nathan + his friends help with carrying it well. He'd support for them in this and any other case, and I'd hope the reverse was true.

He's already done so by helping gathering the Artifacts and rescuing him. Their's no actual need for him to wield The Sword to finish things, only that it and the other Artifacts are used to successfully stop Deoxys.

Terra pretty much holds the same stakes as Nathan does (Cheshire may not be his home region, nor does he have family in it, but he sure as hell don't want it to go bye bye!) and then some (His job IS to be the group bodyguard guardian, so he's ultimately responsible for EVERYONE's life), and that's not counting that my chara's and his partners own life and future hang in the balance, the possible world wide ramifications of a successful Deoxys invasion, or the fact that the super space virus personaly fucked with Terra's head and did who knows what to him. Honestly, ANY of our charas. have an equal stake when it comes to Deoxys, so anyone of them could lead the charge. Heck, given how the Artifacts work thus far, whomever holds the Sword might not even need to do so, or at the very least have the other Artifact holders with them in front/back.

Its function for the foreseeable future may be as a weapon, but I'm honestly looking beyond fighting Deoxys as well.

The point that Deoxys did who knows what to Terra is what I would also consider a point against Terra getting the Sword. Sure, he might have a personal reason to fight Deoxys...but what if Deoxys is able to use that connection against us, and turn Terra into an enemy instead of an ally? Just a thought.

[Lord Windos]

I disagree with both you @Dragonstrike and Phantom on the topic of mechanical benefits, for fairly obvious reasons: Plot Device or no, The Sword will be granting whomever wield it a significant in-game advantage that no one else will have, no matter what the effect is. You can't disreguard its mechanical benefits in determination of who gets it for this and many other reasons, mates.

True, but what possible symbolic purpose would The Sword have in Modern Cheshire that only Nathan could see fulfilled, and not the rest of the party?

As for possibly getting mind controlled, I've been making plans to max out Terra's Insight specifically to counter that, and The Shield should be able to block such a Plot Device effect if they try to exploit it. That, and it's not just Terra that has to worried about getting mind whammied , as any of the charas. can get hit by it if they look to closely at it (Or if it forces their attention on it/does a direct mental attack) . Plus, after Dark Keensglave, he's more or less learned his lesson about letting a Pokemon brainwash him, and will have taken measures to prevent being a liability to the team.

No matter what, Deoxys is going to be a major threat to those with or without Artifacts, so I consider that whole counter point null. Wielding the Sword or not, if Deoxys can brainwash Terra, he's going to be a big problem for the group that can easily be fixed short of Fainting/Killing him or Deoxys.

[Dragonstrike]

Let me propose another argument, then: Nathan's the only 'more than human' character so far who hasn't really seen any benefits at all from his 'more than human' status yet. He hasn't had more than 10 Will at any point (heck, I don't think he's ever reached 10, either), he hasn't naturally increased a stat above 5, he doesn't have any cool limit breaking abilities beyond what his gym badges are giving him...OOC, I'd like to see SOME mechanical benefit to that MtH status we worked so hard to get from Atheneum. Wielding one of these Artifacts would 100% be more than enough to fulfill that. Selfish, I know. But honestly, I don't feel bad about saying it.

On the matter of what Deoxys did to Terra...I distinctly remember it being a point that what Deoxys did wouldn't have any consequences then, but might in the future. That suggests to me that this second encounter won't be the same, that it takes time for that...thing to show what it's really for. I don't think the other characters are at as much risk in that specific way. And if we have to faint the wielder of the Sword, we likely lose the use of it as well, which would significantly harm our chances of beating Deoxys.

Edit: Oh, and that reminds me. Spira's not more than human (as far as the rest of us know, anyways), so he (probably) isn't qualified to wield the sword in the first place.

[Lord Windos]

Alright, you have a couple of good points I can't really argue with in good faith. I can't fault you for WANTING your MtH status to mean something other than flavor, and whatever Deoxys did to Terra is likely to cause shenanigans regardless of how it's countered.

However.....I just don't want to concede The Sword straight over to you, as I'd like it totally fulfill the whole Warrior/Monk of Terra and give him that definitive offensive edge that'll put him in line with the other charas. in firepower. Even if it's selfish and foolish for Terra to wield The Sword, I want it for him anyway. Simple as that.

So.....we're at an impasse now. How's the decision for The Sword going to resolve at this point?

[Dragonstrike]

Suggestion: We put it to vote, assuming Heart/Spirit doesn't also want to try and lay claim to the sword, as democracy is usually a fair way to determine these kinds of things.

Phantom has already said that she'd pick Nathan over other considerations (even if only by a small margin).

That just leaves Spiritmon and Mikas' opinions.

[Iron]

If the vote fails, we'll do XP bidding.

Assuming you haven't changed your mind by the time/if you actually obtain the Sword.

Or you could trade it to the Scims for the Fourth Artifact.

[Dragonstrike]

Or you could trade it to the Scims for the Fourth Artifact.

Heck. No.

[Lord Windos]

Both options sound fair, mates. Hopefully it won't come to XP bidding, but if so it'll likely be the biggest event that required it.

I don't think I'll be changing my mind in this case, Iron, as I want The Sword for myself too much, simply put.

Naaaaah. Definately not the THIRD option. Neither Nathan or Terra would want The Sword to fall into Scimitar hands, as it's a fairly powerful and monumental Artifact that can't just be foisted off to them like the Chest Piece.