[Game Thread] Pokerole: Mount Coronet Mystery

[Dragonstrike]

Oh, what Kee also does is reviving Stella - back to 3/6HP and into his open and loving arms she goes, he's honestly sorry for having let her faint. "I'll make...up for this in some way, promised. Okay, dear one? Stay with me, some proper rest will restore your remainin' vigor." More warm and apologizing cuddles are given to smol firely kitsune.

Stella is feeling very cuddly, wanting to only feel safe and protected right now.  Reviving her and apologizing goes a long way towards helping with that.  +1 Happiness for Stella.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Awww a happy Stella is a good Stella, she can have all the protectiveness and security Kee can offer - He'd give his life to protect those he cares for, which includes this smol Vulpix.

"...that's weird...why are there papers in this bag?  Looks like...a map of some kind?  And are those...footprints?  Some kind of writing, maybe?  Hmmm...oh, can I please see that orb, Kee?  I have a feeling Scizor is gonna be wondering where it is if it isn't in his bag when he wakes up."

?????? THIS makes things 150%ly more weird, and Kee dares to take a look at this 'writing' himself now. All he can is frown and be watch at at this paper without understanding a single letter. Least of a single word. An elongated "Hummmmmm....." is all that's heard of him for a while before he nudges Lucas, "It DOES remind on actual writing, you see how some footprints repeat themselves? Wherever this Scizor comes from, they apear to KNOW their stuff."

That Orb... Kee and even more so Octavia are hesitant to hand it over, but they eventually comply. "Yeah, here you go... If ya and Kogeki are takin' care of this Scizor, please do me the favour and ask 'em what this is 'n what it's for, 'kay? It's mere curiosity, nothin' more."

Karen speaks up again as Kee wonders what to do about Scizor.  "...well, Lucas and Kogeki are gonna be keeping an eye on them, and Randolph is going to search for that Froslass, so...how about we go check the deeper parts of the cave to see if we can set up camp there?"

Ohhhh that's a suggestion that earns Karen one round of affectionate ruffling through her hair. "Good idea, letsa do just that!~" Kee seems delighted that she trusts him enough to propose that. "You've got some light source with ya? Got at least two capable Pokemon to defend yarself in case SOMETHIN' jumps at us?" Kee has a flashlight on his smartphone - there's no cell-reception needed for it to work - and is covered on Pokemon ready to fight if needed, so down this cave they go in search for a proper place to rest. He hopse that they WON'T run into who or what has already made their home in here....

For safety measures, Kee also asks both Kogeki and Lucas to come and search for them shall they not be back within 30 minutes.

[Spiritmon]

Before the training session (and while everyone is dealing with the Scizor) Kogeki begin to deal in make a safe camp, using Susano'o and Nami help. Moving with telekinesis. Taking chunks of large woods with Susano'o. Thinks like that to make a good and safe camp.

And speed things for my training session.

He also request Lucas and Karen help.

[Dragonstrike]

Lucas also pulls out the map that was in Scizor's bag to take a look at it, mumbling to himself all the while.  Kee's able to get a look at the map too now that Lucas has pulled it out of the bag.  "Well, wherever this is, I'd venture a guess that it's where Scizor's from...can't say I recognize anything on this map, though...can't even read any of the labels since they're all apparently written with footprints...lots of dots that seem to mark major locations...I wonder if they're particularly well traveled...but it's odd that they're apparently traveling alone...gonna have to ask him some questions later when he wakes up..."

Spoiler

Lucas puts Scizor's stuff (including the strange blue orb) back in the bug's bag, then goes back to checking on Scizor.  "If Scizor wakes up before we regroup, yeah, I'll ask him about the orb.  Just holler if ya run into trouble, alright?  Kogeki and I will be right here."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Randolph and Amethyst are investigating the area outside the cave for any sign of Froslass.  However, Amethyst's danger sense doesn't seem to be going off unless they get closer to the entrance to Mt. Coronet, and the Absol doesn't seem to be particularly worried about anything right now otherwise.  There are no tracks to follow, as Froslass is a Ghost pokemon that floats slightly above the ground, which doesn't help matters either.

What is a good sign is that the weaker wild pokemon finally seem to be coming out of their hiding places now that Froslass has disappeared and the unnatural blizzard has come to an end.  Life appears to be returning to normal on Routes 216 and 217 at long last.  Mostly.  Whatever's happening at Mt. Coronet will need to be resolved before the status quo is completely restored.  Most of the wild pokemon try to give the entrance to the mountain a wide berth.

Consequently, that means none of them want to approach the cave where the group is currently holed up, either.  No signs of Froslass, but no signs of immediate danger either, so yay?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Yup, I've got a light source!"  Karen summons her shiny Rapidash, and the horse's grey flames give off a dim light that helps illuminate the surrounding area slightly.  "...well, it's not as bright as I thought it would be, but it's better than nothing, I guess?"

Fortunately, it's enough light to see, so Kee and Karen are able to proceed deeper into Froslass's cave without tripping over rocks or slipping on icy patches of ground.

Deeper in the cave, Karen and Kee find a single room with just the one entrance.  The floor is dry, thankfully, and it certainly looks large enough to pitch a tent and set up camp and a warm fire.  In one corner of the room, there's also a pile of various items.  Maybe Froslass was collecting them?

- A TM for Rain Dance
- A TM for Sludge Bomb
- An Assault Vest
- A TM for Shadow Ball
- A TM for Dark Pulse
- A TM for Dazzling Gleam
- A TM for Energy Ball
- A TM for Sludge Wave

(With the exception of the Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb TMs, these are all wishlist items!  Two per player, please.)

Evolutionary Stones also line the walls of the chamber (at least one of every type!), sparkling along with the icicles hanging from the ceiling in the dim firelight cast by Karen's Rapidash.  It looks like there's also a section of wall that could be made out of Light Clay.  Getting these items out of the wall looks like it might require a little elbow grease, some time, and possibly some tools, though. There probably wouldn't be enough time to mine all of them, but some could be excavated before the day is over if someone has the proper equipment to do so.

It's a surprisingly beautiful room.

Karen goes over to the pile of loot and picks out the Rain Dance and Sludge Bomb TMs.  "Oh wow!  TMs!  I didn't think we'd find any here!  And look at all these pretty evolution stones...I wonder if there are any Moon and Shiny Stones in here..."

Fortunately, it doesn't seem like there are any wild pokemon here.  It should be safe to camp here for the night, provided no wild pokemon wander in from outside.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Mercury's doing as asked and glides back to perch onto Kee's shoulder after the act of defrosting has succeeded. "Took exactly 197 seconds with that fiery turtle's help, squawk!~" He receives a gentle pat on the head and a tasty cracker as a reward, which the musical parrot thankfully starts to nibble on

Brigid smiles a bit at the time keeping birb’s remark, happy that she was able to free the Scizors so quickly! Though she rarely shows it, she takes pride like any other Fire type in their flames power, and it’s always gratifying to hear others appreciate it too!

Spoiler

+++ Concerning Ran and Lucas getting at each other over the latter's Lucario: +++


This fight is not missed by Octavia, she decides she's having enough of that and sharply hisses at BOTH Ran and Lucas. In addition she also waves her ribbons around in an attempt to calm the situation down and takes a protective stance in front of Karen. Soon enough Kee's attention is caught too, all he does however is throwing a calm "CUT IT OUT, ya two, NOW. Lucas, please take care that yar Pokemon aren't actin' rude to people. Ran, please don't start fights whenever there's 'n opportunity to do so, we've got more important issues." That's all, he averts his attention again.

Seeing the fae fox rush in and start menacingly hiss at him like some sort of fuzzy, mythical snake beast causes Ran to abruptly stop his arguing/fussing to leap a little away from them with a startled and slightly fearful “GAH!” The super-hot tortoise, still pretty keyed up about her master getting pelted and frosted over by the chilly specters, does not like when that happens. At all. She stomps forward to meet this furry fairy, her long neck craned up to loom over them, a most displeased expression adorning her normally tranquil face. Do not mess with Ran, Octavia, or you will incite MY wrath instead.

Kee’s brisk and firm call for deceasing of this hot conversion manages to focus the bristly blacksmith on them, snapping him out of his surprise and fixing them with one of his trademark Angry Glares ® . He was not exactly pleased with the dandy man interfering with this matter; who would have guessed?

Then after a moment he almost snarls out “Fine,” turning away from the rest of the group was prepared to march off away from them (and later do a sweep of the area), particularly the champ, in purest frustration….

Spoiler

Concerning the argument:

Lucas was originally trying to drop the topic, and gives Octavia a thankful nod and a pat on the head. "You're right, Kee. We have other things to worry about besides how well I'm doing my job. As I said, I'm working on it. I'll talk to Sally a little later about her behavior...again. No need for anyone else to concern themselves with it unless it directly affects them." Lucas gives Randolph one last unamused look before turning his attention to the cave that Froslass had been guarding.

Oof. Shots fired. And hopefully the end of the argument right then and there.

Karen's quietly standing on the sidelines, trying to stay out of the argument as best as she can.

….until they opened their damn mouth and said that. Quick as a Hitmontop, he spin around to level them one nasty glare that do Zorn’s own justice.

“One bad egg can spoil the whole damn carton, ‘cause its stink will reach ever single one of them. Sooner or later. As an experience [u]Pokemon Champion[/i], I thought you knew this already. *Snorts* Maybe you’re more of a fool that I thought. You’re giving me plenty of evidence that ain’t suggesting otherwise.”

Randolph looked like he was about to continue his impassioned tirade, until he suddenly stopped , and with a deep breath and heavy *Sigh* slowly shook his head in frustration, his entire expression twisted by that very feeling.

“Bah...I’m not going to waste my breath on you anymore right now. ‘Cause there’s no point trying to get you, a Swagger filled, know it all Trainer with too much blind faith in himself and his Pokemon, to open his ears and listen. “

Saying that, he got a odd look as something crossed his mind, before abruptly let out a mean sounding chuckle, shaking his head in amuse before giving Lucas a wry grin.

“You know what? That might be the problem with that mutt of yours, boy. *Chuckles* After all…she had to get her attitude from somewhere, and I sure as hell know it was not from her actual daddy.”

Shots fired back. Yeouch.

Then, in a deliberate gesture of blatant disrespect, smartly turn his back on the boy hero and walked away, seeking his own consul for the time being until he could stand to be civil around them again and work together with the purely professionally. Brigid and Amethyst soon followed after, but not before the former of which gave a concerned look at her master back and then an apologetic one to Lucas. Amethyst…well, I’m not too sure what she would think of this spat, if she even cared enough about it to begin with.

[Dragonstrike]

Then, in a deliberate gesture of blatant disrespect, smartly turn his back on the boy hero and walked away, seeking his own consul for the time being until he could stand to be civil around them again and work together with the purely professionally. Brigid and Amethyst soon followed after, but not before the former of which gave a concerned look at her master back and then an apologetic one to Lucas. Amethyst…well, I’m not too sure what she would think of this spat, if she even cared enough about it to begin with.

Amethyst, much like Karen, is trying to stay far, far away from the argument, as she firmly believes it'll bring nothing but trouble, and that she can't do anything to stop it right now.

She actually gives Brigid a questioning look, seemingly asking the turtle a question.  To which Brigid sadly nods in response.  Then Amethyst is giving Randolph a concerned look as well as she follows after the shorter man.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Lucas also pulls out the map that was in Scizor's bag to take a look at it, mumbling to himself all the while.  Kee's able to get a look at the map too now that Lucas has pulled it out of the bag.  "Well, wherever this is, I'd venture a guess that it's where Scizor's from...can't say I recognize anything on this map, though...can't even read any of the labels since they're all apparently written with footprints...lots of dots that seem to mark major locations...I wonder if they're particularly well traveled...but it's odd that they're apparently traveling alone...gonna have to ask him some questions later when he wakes up..."

Spoiler

Lucas puts Scizor's stuff (including the strange blue orb) back in the bug's bag, then goes back to checking on Scizor.  "If Scizor wakes up before we regroup, yeah, I'll ask him about the orb.  Just holler if ya run into trouble, alright?  Kogeki and I will be right here."

Taking a look at that map only makes Kee even more confused. "What a nicely drawn map though...Unfortunately, it's not even CLOSE to any location I ever heard of or seen before. Uh, take that with a grain of salt though, Geography Class in high school was never one of mah strengths."

He's having a vague and bold idea about this Scizor and nudges Lucas to listen to him. "Hey, guess what...." His expression darkens, "D'you think it could be possible that.... Ya know, that this Scizor has been 'transported' here by that ominous force as well, similar like it did with me? That whatever's wrong up at Mount Coronet's responsible for 'em havin' ended up here? It seems... I mean, it WOULD make some sense since there's this nice Drampa~ I met who let me know that he's been caught up by that too, so Pokemon aren't completely safe either."

+++++++

"Yup, I've got a light source!"  Karen summons her shiny Rapidash, and the horse's grey flames give off a dim light that helps illuminate the surrounding area slightly.  "...well, it's not as bright as I thought it would be, but it's better than nothing, I guess?"
Fortunately, it's enough light to see, so Kee and Karen are able to proceed deeper into Froslass's cave without tripping over rocks or slipping on icy patches of ground.
Deeper in the cave, Karen and Kee find a single room with just the one entrance.  The floor is dry, thankfully, and it certainly looks large enough to pitch a tent and set up camp and a warm fire.  In one corner of the room, there's also a pile of various items.  Maybe Froslass was collecting them?

Ahahaha, together with the flashlight on Kee's smartphone Karen's shiny Rapidash is perfect, the firely horse is also so nicely warm. Kee does not dare to touch them so he keeps a respectful distance, but what he does dare is giving Karen an appreciating pat on the shoulder. "It's fine, it's good enough, really! Somethin' super-obvious like a Flash would draw too much attention, don't wish to rudely disturb what MAY or MAY NOT live down here."

And so they venture down the cave together, until they reach that 'room' at the end of it. This room... Everything within is so perfect, nice and full of beauty that he finds it HARD to believe and has to make a quick reality-check to make sure this is NOT a dream NOR the afterlife. And hooray, he's neither dreaming nor has he died along the way!~~

He and Stella carefully observe things before doing or touching anything for now. "Look at that, Karen... What an idea place for us all to rest b'fore matchin' on!~~ Guess this was some sort of personal room or space of this Froslass, where it rested 'n gathered anythin' pretty from those unfortunate people that she froze solid.... Ugh, since she's vanished though, guess it's fine if we make ourselves guests for a while?" *insecure chuckling* "Eh, it WILL be fine. C'mon, letsa get the other's."

+++++++

Once everything's been explained, told, a fireplace and tent are set up and it's been agreed on how to share those TMs, Kee ends up stuffing the discs containing Energy Ball and Sludge Wave into his stuff. He grins widely as he does so, even faintly sinister. "Hehehehehe... It's THE attack that washes your enemies 'way in a toxic broth, that's so bad and mean it's PERFECT." He then gazes at Stella in her blanket and within his arms with a smile that made a complete U-turn within a second - it's a warm, dear and protective one. "How does a skill that uses nature's power and strength to you, good enough?~ THIS will strike fear within those that see ya as 'n easy target for their powers that channel water, the ground or stones."

Next, those Evolutionary Stones. "Oh and look at that, there's even a FIRE STONE in there!~~ With this one you can one day grow just as fine golden ' silky fur like your dear mother.... If we can get it outta there, that is. D'ya think ya can get it outta this wall with your Secret Power? Please DONTCHA touch it directly yet, please. Mercury, please do help her by pecking this wall 's hard as ya can, feel aaaall free to shatter small parts of the wall 's well with a well-placed Hyper Voice. No d'stroying of further Stones though, naturalleh...."


(Means, will try to get 1 Fire Stone outta the wall with at first solely with my Pokemon's help, in particular Stella's Secret Power and Mercury's Peck + Hyper Voice. If that needs Rolls, those are 6d6 on Secret Power [she's still at -2 Pain, but a spent Will Point shall compensate this], 8d6 on Peck and 10d6 on Hyper Voice.)

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(...)

Meanwhile, Randolph and Amethyst are investigating the area outside the cave for any sign of Froslass.  However, Amethyst's danger sense doesn't seem to be going off unless they get closer to the entrance to Mt. Coronet, and the Absol doesn't seem to be particularly worried about anything right now otherwise.  There are no tracks to follow, as Froslass is a Ghost pokemon that floats slightly above the ground, which doesn't help matters either.

What is a good sign is that the weaker wild pokemon finally seem to be coming out of their hiding places now that Froslass has disappeared and the unnatural blizzard has come to an end.  Life appears to be returning to normal on Routes 216 and 217 at long last.  Mostly.  Whatever's happening at Mt. Coronet will need to be resolved before the status quo is completely restored.  Most of the wild pokemon try to give the entrance to the mountain a wide berth.

Consequently, that means none of them want to approach the cave where the group is currently holed up, either.  No signs of Froslass, but no signs of immediate danger either, so yay?


----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Yup, I've got a light source!"  Karen summons her shiny Rapidash, and the horse's grey flames give off a dim light that helps illuminate the surrounding area slightly.  "...well, it's not as bright as I thought it would be, but it's better than nothing, I guess?"

Fortunately, it's enough light to see, so Kee and Karen are able to proceed deeper into Froslass's cave without tripping over rocks or slipping on icy patches of ground.

Deeper in the cave, Karen and Kee find a single room with just the one entrance.  The floor is dry, thankfully, and it certainly looks large enough to pitch a tent and set up camp and a warm fire.  In one corner of the room, there's also a pile of various items.  Maybe Froslass was collecting them?

- A TM for Rain Dance
- A TM for Sludge Bomb
- An Assault Vest
- A TM for Shadow Ball
- A TM for Dark Pulse
- A TM for Dazzling Gleam
- A TM for Energy Ball
- A TM for Sludge Wave

(With the exception of the Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb TMs, these are all wishlist items!  Two per player, please.)

Evolutionary Stones also line the walls of the chamber (at least one of every type!), sparkling along with the icicles hanging from the ceiling in the dim firelight cast by Karen's Rapidash.  It looks like there's also a section of wall that could be made out of Light Clay.  Getting these items out of the wall looks like it might require a little elbow grease, some time, and possibly some tools, though.  There probably wouldn't be enough time to mine all of them, but some could be excavated before the day is over if someone has the proper equipment to do so.

It's a surprisingly beautiful room.

Karen goes over to the pile of loot and picks out the Rain Dance and Sludge Bomb TMs.  "Oh wow!  TMs!  I didn't think we'd find any here!  And look at all these pretty evolution stones...I wonder if there are any Moon and Shiny Stones in here..."

Fortunately, it doesn't seem like there are any wild pokemon here.  It should be safe to camp here for the night, provided no wild pokemon wander in from outside.

Since Frosslass was indeed missing as Ran somewhat predicted they'd be, he'd be rather concerned and irate about that, shouting "DAMN IT ALL, I KNEW IT!" , followed by some general cursing and grumblings. Brigid herself would share her master's sentiments, stomping around in the snow and angrily letting off large puffs of smoke, steamed that the wretch Ghost that wounded her master had managed to somehow get away. One thing was for certain between the bristly blacksmith and coal muncher: if that Yuki-Onni dared show her face around the group again to pester or harm them, they'd be dealt with harshly.

As for the overall improved conditions of the Routes, that at least mellows him out a little, as he's happy the group is doing something about the mysterious disasters that are plaguing Sinnoh, even if they are only quick fixes at best. Step by step, they were getting closer to solving these unnatural events.....but it was quickly becoming apparent to him, that the amount of danger they face seemed to be growing large as they did so, which caused his mood to spoil again as he realized this. Splendid, just splendid.

Well, on the bright side, at least he and the group have an indicator to use in order to determine and help track down these weird events, right?

He'd gruffly inform everyone of the gist of his findings once they all, looking mildly displeased and giving Kee the stink eye the whole time that indicated he considered it was his fault for letting the gelid Ghost get or be spirited away, before he would break away from them (as much as he could) to be by himself for awhile. The man was tired of dealing with the others for various reasons, and just wanted to be left alone until he could muster the energy and goodwill to work together with everyone again. Contrary to what most would think, he didn't like fighting and arguing with others even when he felt the need to, and that's what he'd end up doing if he or anyone try to strike up a conversation with the mood he's in now, so it would be in the best interests of anyone to leave him to his own company for the time being.

***

Once Kee and Karen lead everyone to the Loot Room (and presumably tell everyone about it and its contents), Ran would waste little time in acquiring the Assault Vest and Dark Pulse, looking at them critically before putting them away with a nod.

" 'Bout time I get something nice for me partners, after all the Tauros shit I've been through. Doesn't make up for it at all, but it's better than finding more hell like we have been lately."

Then he'd turn his attention towards the Evo-Stone encrusted/embedded walls with a speculative, prospecting gleam in his eyes, before with a firm nod the midget man drops his big backpack on the ground, bent down to open and rummages around in it, before pulling out what appeared to be various pieces of Mining Equipment (a few pick-axes of varying sizes, a hammer and a few different types of chisel, netting to help catch debris/hold a wall together, a few medium sized boxes with wire grating of varying fineness, etc.) , looking at them at and then at the walls again, and nodding once more.

"Yeap, these should be the right tools for the job. *Rubs* Brigid, Puck, and Stymph could also help too, I think. Wall doesn't look too delicate, precular or hazardous, so Stymph could help speed things along with her Tailwind, Puck can Baton Pass me some buffs, and him and Brigid can help me dig and move the rumble. *Nods* Yeah....that would work."

At this point he'd remember the rest of the group's existence and look up at them, gauging their own expressions and interest in the treasures buried in the cave surrounding them with thin-lipped professional neutrality.

"....Alright, any of you want a Evolution Stone in particular, some Light Clay, or whatever I can manage to unearth from these walls? 'Cause as you can see, I'm well equipped and prepared to do some excavating, if need be. If you do want something, I'll get it for you, but you'll owe me later. Ain't doing charity work for any of ya, 'cause if I'm going to spend part the night carefully mining these walls and split my haul,  it has to be worth my while. If that doesn't suit your fancy, I got one other set of Digging Gear I bought just in case that I can lend out to one of you. Well?"

Lastly, as for the decision to camp out in the Loot Room, Ran's fine with it, setting up his own sleeping area near the entrance, getting Stymph to scatter Spikes all over the outside of the entrance once everyone was inside and settled down for the day/night, and then get her to act as a guard/sentry for him and the group as they rested. He'd then eat his last meal for the day and sleep, warding off any conversion or company prior to him getting the first line of defenses for the camp up. As stated earlier, the dwarven blacksmith was not in the mood for socialization with the rest of the group, so if anyone wants to speak with him it can wait another time unless it's urgent.

[Spiritmon]

When everyone regroup around the fire he was in high against any dangers. When Kee and Karen bring out the TMs, he grab Shadow Ball and Dazzling Gleam. "These moves will serve well to Nagi. Dark-type will not be a big problem now."

With the offering of miner stones Kogeki said. "For me, Moon will be serve pretty well. My Cleffa will be able to become Clefable when she become Clefairy. It gonna be useful. How much it would cost my friend?"

[Lord Windos]

When everyone regroup around the fire he was in high against any dangers. When Kee and Karen bring out the TMs, he grab Shadow Ball and Dazzling Gleam. "These moves will serve well to Nagi. Dark-type will not be a big problem now."

With the offering of miner stones Kogeki said. "For me, Moon will be serve pretty well. My Cleffa will be able to become Clefable when she become Clefairy. It gonna be useful. How much it would cost my friend?"

"Moon Stone? Those are pretty damn hard to find normally, and a pain in the arse to mine as they shatter real easy. Since this cave seems to be lousy with Evolution Stones, though, getting one for you shouldn't be too frustrating. *Rubs Beard* Hmm....so I say it'll cost ya either a Dusk or Ultra Ball and a Super Potion, a spare Pokemon of yours of mediumish value, or dibs on the next semi-valuable Item you find. How's those deals sound?"