[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

Original Post

Espeon's hairs are all standing on end. He doesn't sense any living things, but there's a lot of energy in the air near the crate, and a quick Future Sight makes him feel nervous.

That doesn't give you any indication as to how to disable the trap or disaster that awaits you if you mess with the crate.

Oh, so there IS a trap, those Scavengers know their business rather well. Alright - that 'lot of energy' Primal Espeon feels, can Shiva herself feel it as well, can she indicate where exactly it is coming from? Most importantly, does she THINK that this is energy the Shield would protect her from?

You can feel it a little bit, though not as well as Espeon. The Shield can indeed protect you from damaging energy if you predict the source.

That's good to know, and once more Shiva's feeling very glad that she's been so bold to become the wielder of this Artifact in particular: It seems to suit her so well, and it encourages her to step a little more out of her comfort zone under safe conditions. How fortunate, awwww!~ Once again she wonder what will happen with this Artifact once Deoxy is (hopefully and at best) defeated and dealt with, she realizes that she'd enjoy to keep it. It boned with her quite much already, didn't it? Humm. Well, she'll wait and see, there's no real point to worry about that now.

Especially since there are other things to focus on! Like finding the source of this malicious energy. "How about it, dear one", she adresses Primal Espeon, "Can you roughly point it out to me? Azu, aid him in that task if you may (cue Helping Hand). It feels blurry to me, like something...does not want me to know of it beforehand."

Assuming the psychic Eeveelution can do that, Shiva sees if there is a way to 'dismantle the source' or prevent it from triggering, so to say. If there isn't or she can't do so, she opts to point the Shield into the direction of the believed source, motions to Primal Espeon to get behind her, and let Lilith cast a Telekinesis on the crate up there just to see what happens.

When Lilith unhinges the net from its hooks, the hooks swivel and point at her. A second net comes billowing out, covering Lilith and Shiva but not reaching Espeon. Electricity courses through the steel fibers, but the Shield protects you two from all the damage. However, Lilith and Shiva are Paralyzed, since the Shield does not protect against secondary effects. And you're definitely entangled.

Lilith guides the crate down anyway. The loose lid comes off, revealing Scavenged items from several generations. There's a Gem of each element (including a glowing green Nuclear gem!), an ancient sealed barrel of Honey (Still good!), and most valuable of all, a Protein that will give a +1 offense surprise to a Pokemon!

There's also a lot of gear, including a compass similar to Eternally Gold that can be held by a Pokemon. It prevents Confusion.
There's a lot of boat-gear and exploration gear that doesn't seem useful for Pokemon battles, too.

[Iron]

Lunapup nibbles the Adamant Orb and almost breaks a tooth. That's a new texture for him, and he likes hearing about Orthros. He might be persuaded.

Empathy: (6)(6)(4)(5)(4)(5) (2)(6) v (5)(5)(3)(1)(3)(5) (1)(3)

Lunapup agrees to tag after Marco, who receives very intrigued sniffs. Lunapup begins bringing things out of the minaret for you to haul along with him, including his canvas he uses as a blanket, several chew toys, and the Mega Stones.

If you're going to register him to Marco later, I'll just control him myself.

[Dragonstrike]

Lunapup nibbles the Adamant Orb and almost breaks a tooth. That's a new texture for him, and he likes hearing about Orthros. He might be persuaded.

Empathy: (6)(6)(4)(5)(4)(5) (2)(6) v (5)(5)(3)(1)(3)(5) (1)(3)

Lunapup agrees to tag after Marco, who receives very intrigued sniffs. Lunapup begins bringing things out of the minaret for you to haul along with him, including his canvas he uses as a blanket, several chew toys, and the Mega Stones.

If you're going to register him to Marco later, I'll just control him myself.

Perfect.  Up to Lunapup if they ultimately would rather stick with Nathan or Marco later, I suppose (and I guess up to Marco if he'd be willing to take Lunapup in the first place).  For now, though, Nathan would definitely prefer for Lunapup to assist Luxray and company with keeping Marco safe. Having a full team of 6 is quite important in situations such as this!

Now that that's all sorted out, Nathan will definitely trade some stuff for the Mega Stones.  Would Lunapup also be interested in one of the Big Roots that Nathan has?  No qualms with swapping one of those and a Twisted Spoon for the Mega Stones.

Any other particularly noteworthy goodies that Lunapup has in their treasure horde since they're cleaning it out for Nathan to carry?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Huh. I do feel Marco taking Lunapup into his care is something Shiva would get behind if she'd find out.

Anyway, moving on.


Shiva anticipated that trap and prepared herself, so that second web coming at her didn't cause any startled reaction. She's glad that the Shield prevented her from being fried by the electricity running through the fibres, but she can still feel the ions reaching deep and cramping her muscles, it's an highly unpleasant feeling.

Thankfully Primal Espeon didin't end up entangled, so Shiva calls out for him now. "Was it this what made you nervous, dear one? It's safe now, I'm f....fine.... Just a little crippled in movements, but nothing too big. Could you try biting through these fibres to free me and Lilith please?" If the psychic Eeveelution's Bite isn't strong enough, she'll ask him to retrive the occupied Pokeballs from her pocket and tap on that one containing a black winged canine to summon him, steely fibres should be no obstacle for Yena's StrongJaw-Crunch. (I guess Primal Espeon is smart enough to pull off such an action? If he fails, Shiva will concentrate and call for Yena for so long until he responds by summoning himself.)

Once they are fred, Espeon/Yena receive some thankful pets, that mean Paralyzis of her and Lilith is quickly healed with a Paralyze Heal, it feels so relieving being able to move freely again! You used your last Paralyze Heal.

With that handled, Shiva and her Psychic Types take a moment to look for anything that's been alarmed by the activated trap/If something is around that would defend the treasure chest. Appearantly there isn't (?), so they move their attention to the content of it.... And what they find makes the fae-enthusiast's heart skip a beat ouf of joy!!! Those gemstones are SO PRETTY, and Shiva can feel the earthpower pulsating within them as she takes a couple into her hand. Awwwww all hers now!~ She feels like Chi (Luxi) will rejoice to see them all, hehe!~♡ That...glowing green gem catches her curiosity, Shiva investigates it a little further before packing it away too: In particular, she tries to determine whether it 'radiates' energy and how strongly it does so. This Nuclear Gem will be put in a seperate pouch.

She lets Yena and Primal Espeon sniff on the ancient Honey, intrigued that it is STILL edible. Is it different from normal Honey in any way?

Yaaaayyy for another Protein, this means more power for another Pokemon of hers. Which one, she'll think about.

How about calling that compass that prevents Confusion 'Mind Compass'? It sounds to me like it would strengthen the holder's focus to the degree of Inner Focus Ability, just with Confusion instead of Flinching. It prevents the confusion steming from the exhaustion after performing a Rampage Move as well, doesn't it?

Shiva also takes some time to go through the exploration gear in more detail, looking for anything that appears helpful to take along.

[Iron]

Lunapup nibbles the Adamant Orb and almost breaks a tooth. That's a new texture for him, and he likes hearing about Orthros. He might be persuaded.

Empathy: (6)(6)(4)(5)(4)(5) (2)(6) v (5)(5)(3)(1)(3)(5) (1)(3)

Lunapup agrees to tag after Marco, who receives very intrigued sniffs. Lunapup begins bringing things out of the minaret for you to haul along with him, including his canvas he uses as a blanket, several chew toys, and the Mega Stones.

If you're going to register him to Marco later, I'll just control him myself.

Perfect.  Up to Lunapup if they ultimately would rather stick with Nathan or Marco later, I suppose (and I guess up to Marco if he'd be willing to take Lunapup in the first place).  For now, though, Nathan would definitely prefer for Lunapup to assist Luxray and company with keeping Marco safe.  Having a full team of 6 is quite important in situations such as this!

Now that that's all sorted out, Nathan will definitely trade some stuff for the Mega Stones.  Would Lunapup also be interested in one of the Big Roots that Nathan has?  No qualms with swapping one of those and a Twisted Spoon for the Mega Stones.

Any other particularly noteworthy goodies that Lunapup has in their treasure horde since they're cleaning it out for Nathan to carry?

I think a Big Root is a perfect trade, since it's eminently chewable but also useful. Twisted Spoon is OK since Lunapup likes different textures and he currently mostly has gold to chew on.

[Iron]

Pokemon can't use a Pokeball to summon another Pokemon. But fortunately, that Bite does eventually get through the net to free Shiva.

The ancient Honey isn't any different. The properties of Honey make it last an incredibly long time if it's properly sealed.

Good point about the Rampaging move - yes, it would allow you to rampage endlessly without becoming confused.

There's rope, canvas cloth, old fashioned rain gear, crude tools, etc. Everything is in a mix of styles.

[Dragonstrike]

I think a Big Root is a perfect trade, since it's eminently chewable but also useful. Twisted Spoon is OK since Lunapup likes different textures and he currently mostly has gold to chew on.

Okay, I guess that's a no go on there being other super noteworthy goodies in that treasure horde.  Ah well.  One Twisted Spoon and one Big Root traded for the unknown Mega Stone (Dramsamaite) and the Delta Houndoominite.  Hooray!

Guess that encounter's a wrap since Spirit didn't have much to say about it.  Probably won't be long before everyone notices the sixth pokemon hanging around Marco for the time being, as Lunapup is not in a pokeball yet.

[Dragonstrike]

*Slight Flashforward*
When the group gets back together, Spira pulls Nathan aside (out of hearing range of the other characters), "Uhm, sorry about running off earlier, its just that I prefer people not seeing that mark; the stigma of Darkrai."

Nathan keeps his response brief for now.

"Darkrai?  Oookay...is that mark a tatoo or something?  I only saw part of it, but it looked...complex."

[Iron]

The minarets follow the slope of an ancient underground hillside. As you come level with the King's Keep, you feel the power of the Eye burning within your own gaze. Were you to meet a strange Trainer down here, you'd be completely unable to resist the battle. As it stands, you definitely feel the urge to battle each other or wild Pokemon, to win any competition, to be the very best at anything you attempt.

Your goal is a glowing outpost on the edge of the Castle walls. Light of every color streams from its barred windows, but there are wild Pokemon all around it, covering it like lizards on a warm sunny rock.

Often, the final leg of an epic journey involves dragging yourself forward, every step an act of will. This close to the Eye, your journey is quite the opposite. You and the Scimitars find yourself racing forward energetically, each in an effort to be the first to claim the final artifact and show his or her superiority. You wish to leap from one enemy to the next, decimating them as quickly as possible and cheering as they fall. Some of you might have the strength to channel this impulse into an urge to collect the nicest Pokemon possible or something similar.

Your Will scores are filled to their maximum.

You must either take one Encounter or have a 3v3 PVP battle. The Scimitars will refuse all calls for a match, because they are eager to move forward and claim the Helm as promised. All caps are 1 and challenges are at least upper Moderate.

1. Name: Fighting Type Horde
Bid start: 1

2. Name: "Alolan" Exeggutor*
Bid start: 3

3. Name: Klefki*
Bid start: 2

4. Name: Charizard? ** and Aerodactyl
Bid start: 4

5. Name: Haxorus
Bid start: 2

6. Name: Scizor family*
Bid start: 2


Unlimited:
Batlike Sigilyph, hanging from the highest minarets.
A pack of mixed Elektrike, Houndour, and Growlithe, each with an eyelike patch on their faces.
Marowak
Xatu, signaling to each other across the towers

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The ancient Honey isn't any different. The properties of Honeyagpack make it last an incredibly long time if it's properly sealed.

Whoah cool, I wasn't aware of that! Shiva's just as intrigued by that, tastes it herself and upon noticing that it's fresh and fine, lets Primal Espeon enjoy the whole jar for his aid in this Encounter. He may not be partial Fairy Type, but he can still enjoy sugary treats!~

Since it nicely prevents the confusion from rampaging until exhaustion, she knows for certain which of her Pokemon are able to put this Mind Compass into good use. Hehehe!~

About the exploration tools - Shiva mindfully examinates them all, then chooses to put the rope back into the treasure chest and everythingelse into her bagpack to take along as it may become useful at some point. Then, she closes the treasure chest carefully, slides it against one wall (if needed, with Azu's help) and returns to the others, delightes over having snatches a nice batch of gemstones. This is the kind of loot she was looking for!~