[Game Thread] Pokerole Mystery Dungeon: Primal Shadows

[Spiritmon]

Kogeki look to each of his new companions. He can't help but smile at the first time. Maybe Kee or Pyra might be surprised in see the lone ghost wolf capable of smiling too. 

"Thank you. Everyone. Like you all said yourself: We are together in this! From the beginning to the end!"

Then Kogeki show another determination look. "C'mon. We need to talk with Markus our decision." Kogeki then walk in the direction of Cubone, with everyone going with him. "Markus, we be discussing your offer...and we accept. We accept your offer about stay with you and doing your favors."

So, what we should do now Dragonstrike?

[Dragonstrike]

Marcus claps his hands together and (presumably) smiles when Kogeki says they've decided to take him up on his offer.


  Smiling Cubone.JPG (Size: 8.96 KB / Downloads: 107)

"Great!  I just need some help with packing up the tent, and then we can be on our way!  We'll talk more about what you can do to help me out in return later."

He looks at everyone when he says the next part.


  Neutral Cubone.JPG (Size: 8.77 KB / Downloads: 110)

"For now, a little advice if you want to hide from someone that you're human.  Try not to sound so nervous or backpedal on something you've said previously if you can help it.  If you need to solve a problem, try to do so using one of your moves or a part of your body instead of some kind of tool.  And definitely don't ever just blurt out that you're human as if it's no big deal.  Those are all fairly easy ways to say to someone that you're not actually a pokemon if they're paying attention.  Avoid them, and you should probably be okay when talking with most pokemon."

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

With a little help, it doesn't take Marcus very long to pack up the tent, and the group sets off!  The tall, stick-like trees seem to become denser and denser, eventually surrounding the group on all sides, creating several distinct paths.  Marcus holds up his bone club to bring everyone to a stop.

"Right, there's one thing I forgot to mention...in order to get back to the town, we first have to go through a Mystery Dungeon.  Welcome to Dry Forest, everyone."

Dry Forest 1F

Music: Friend Area ~ Caves - Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

   

Karen asks the obvious question.  "What's a Mystery Dungeon?"

"It's a place that, for unexplainable reasons, has turned into a maze of sorts, and they're surprisingly easy to stumble into if you're not paying attention.  They tend to be inhabited by wild pokemon that aren't typically very happy to see outsiders.  For safety, it's usually recommended to travel in groups of at least three if venturing into them.  Teams of pokemon will explore them for all sorts of reasons, but our main goal right now is to reach the end of this maze.  Problem is, we're gonna have to look around to find the exit, because it could be anywhere."

Marcus turns to look at the rest of the group.  "Right then, anyone want to take the lead and pick a path to explore?  Explorations go faster if we aren't voting on every direction we go in.  You want to become an explorer of some kind, right Kee?  This should be some good practice whether you take the lead or follow someone else."

To make this go faster, it's recommended to assign a designated Leader who picks which direction we head in next when exploring Mystery Dungeons and other tile based areas.  The Leader will typically be at the front of the party when entering new tiles for the first time, and will generally be the first to see what's ahead and set the pace that everyone's progressing through the dungeon at (walking, running, sneaking, etc.).

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Kee makes sure to take Marcus' advice about how to not raise suspicion straight to his heart, and nods in a serious manner. "Understood." Then he throws a short glance over to Pyra, his gaze seemingly a tad bit...worried? Well, but after Kogeki's rebuke as well as these words from the craftsmon Marcus is, he's just going to trust that she's not going to outright tell a stranger again that they were once human.


And onwards they go in direction this town, Kee's massively excited about that and feels energized and fired up to get going! He even stays like this when Marcus explains that they have to traverse a MYSTERY DUNGEON to get to said town. Sounds exciting! ( ÒωÓ)و☆

Marcus turns to look at the rest of the group.  "Right then, anyone want to take the lead and pick a path to explore?  Explorations go faster if we aren't voting on every direction we go in.  You want to become an explorer of some kind, right Kee?  This should be some good practice whether you take the lead or follow someone else."

About that point he almost immediately goes 'Pick me, please pick me, I volunteer!'


"Yesyes, I kinda do wish t'b'come an Explorer, a good one at best, so please please lemme take tha responsibility of leadin' tha wae this time, people!" *excited Zigzagoon noises* "We can assign a different one of us t'take that role d'pending on what sorta terrain we're passin', everyone of us shall 'ave tha chance t'lead the wae, 'n the leader's nothing with a loyal group t'follow, but I kinda wish to prove mahself in this case!"


The path Kee will choose if everyone agrees on this is...
   

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Kee makes sure to take Marcus' advice about how to not raise suspicion straight to his heart, and nods in a serious manner. "Understood." Then he throws a short glance over to Pyra, his gaze seemingly a tad bit...worried? Well, but after Kogeki's rebuke as well as these words from the craftsmon Marcus is, he's just going to trust that she's not going to outright tell a stranger again that they were once human.


And onwards they go in direction this town, Kee's massively excited about that and feels energized and fired up to get going! He even stays like this when Marcus explains that they have to traverse a MYSTERY DUNGEON to get to said town. Sounds exciting! ( ÒωÓ)و☆

Marcus turns to look at the rest of the group.  "Right then, anyone want to take the lead and pick a path to explore?  Explorations go faster if we aren't voting on every direction we go in.  You want to become an explorer of some kind, right Kee?  This should be some good practice whether you take the lead or follow someone else."

About that point he almost immediately goes 'Pick me, please pick me, I volunteer!'


"Yesyes, I kinda do wish t'b'come an Explorer, a good one at best, so please please lemme take tha responsibility of leadin' tha wae this time, people!" *excited Zigzagoon noises* "We can assign a different one of us t'take that role d'pending on what sorta terrain we're passin', everyone of us shall 'ave tha chance t'lead the wae, 'n the leader's nothing with a loyal group t'follow, but I kinda wish to prove mahself in this case!"


The path Kee will choose if everyone agrees on this is...

Pyra recieves Marcus' advice with a happy "Okay!" , as it sounded easy and reasonable enough for her to follow. Now that they and Kogeki warned her about that, she'll be EXTRA careful not to let slip what she once was for now on, um! Kee's concerned inquisitivene look is meet with a small but sweet smile and a nod, followed by reaching over to pat them on the head. She well understands the dangers of revealing their former humanity now, so worry not Ziggy Kee the Wee, my pal. 

The concept of 'Mystery Dungeons' is one most perplexing and peculiar one to her, but the thought of traversing through one was a strangely exciting prospect for the brimstone imp, her little tail wagging with interest and energy as she got worked up over it. Going into a randomized unknown to brave it,  discovering and obtaining goodies, secrets, and bountiful conflict for the whole? How spectacular ! Before she just wanted to get to civilization so that she could resume chatting with the armored critter over this and that, but now this Dry Woods 'Mystery Dungeon' stands in their way, this trip has become an adventure! One that'll be fast, fun, and fulfilling, no matter the trouble or adversity (or perhaps in part because of it) !

Ziggy Kee the Wee's volunteering to be the Leader for this expedition is meet with a jolly outcry of support from her! "That's completely and entirely acceptable to me, yes yes! Lead us, Kee, beyond this forest and to sanctuary!"

As such, any direction they want to take in the Dungeon has automatic approval with Pyra (and me OOC). No point in making them the Leader if we're going to question where and how they lead us mid-dungeon, no?

[Spiritmon]

Kogeki nod his head in agreement to Marcus words. He will make sure to not commit the same mistakes again.

In the choose of leader, Kogeki accept the decision. "Just for the sake of security, Karen could follow behind Kee. She can detect danger ahead. Daxter will go in front of me while me and Pyra go behind you guys. It might be necessary have someone with aura sensibility in case we detect any danger behind us."

In case everyone accept Kogeki team formation, they walk the path without big problems. Kogeki follow along with Pyra the path. "So...I wanted to apologize for rude action about...human topic. I not exatcly the most...sociable person in the world. I guess I was like that based in what I was before be a Riolu I suppose."

Kogeki crossing his arms, and looking at the ground. He not exactly very good in apologizing departament. 

But he finally look again in front of him. "Also...there is something I must tell you. About something what happened after we beat those Spinarak and those Zubats."

[no one]

"I'm good with that. Leading quite honestly seems like a nightmare so you're welcome to it Kee. I'll be the vanguard." Dax says indifferently before taking out a Lum Berry and contemplating on eating it, before deciding to save it for later. Mystery Dungeons seemed dangerous and he'd very likely need the berry later.

[Dragonstrike]

"Traveling in pairs that can cover some of our weaknesses sounds like a good plan.  I guess that means you're with me, Dax!"

"Alright, let's go!  Lead the way, Kee!"

As Kogeki and Pyra chat at/close to the back (where exactly is unimportant), the group files into a corridor lined with countless trees.  It's a straight path with no gaps on either side.  There's barely enough room for two pokemon to stand side by side like everyone is doing currently.

   

And speaking of two pokemon standing side by side, there's two doing so at the other end of the tree lined corridor!  Kee and Karen spot them first since they're at the front, obviously.

The first is a quadrupedal red pokemon with a tail that looks like a green snake and two small, purple wings that definitely don't look large enough for flying.  The second is a small, greenish sphere that's clearly a Solosis.

*rolls*

It looks like the two of them are talking, but neither Karen nor Kee can make out what the two pokemon are saying.  Both Solosis and the red pokemon quickly notice the strange pokemon approaching as well, and they halt mid conversation as they turn to look at who's approaching them.

Karen looks to Kee, the current leader, and whispers, "What do you think we should do?  I can't tell if they're wild pokemon or not..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Awwww Kee looks very pleased to have the other's approval, everything from his nose over his content expression to his violet tailtip is clearly conveying a message of 'Gonna do mah best to indeed lead us into sanctuary, yesss! ( ÒωÓ)و☆' And he's also silently joyous and delighted to be at the front with Karen, not only because she can possibly detect dangers before they'll run into them, then slaps himself in his mind to prevent himself from reading too much into that. Still, he can't help but to enjoy her presence.


So little room in the corridor lines with countless trees efficiently prevents Ziggy-Kee from zigzaging from tree to tree, but he immediately stops as those two other Pokemon at the end of the corridor come into view. His einner G-Zigzagoon wants to straight-up run into them to free the way, but he just CAN'T and SHAN'T for the sake of the others, way too dangerous and too risky! BUT he takes a protective (though not necessarily aggressive) stance as those two strangers ahead notice them as well.

"Hey, ya two, Solosis 'n red feline!", Kee greets then in a tone of voice that sounds as neutral as possible, "We're on tha wae to town 'n would greatly appreciate if you'd let us pass please, 'kay? Don't necessarily want to go offensive 'n make room ourselves, but just in case we have to, know that it'd be a battle of us six vs ya two."

If those two were Explorers, they'd almost surely wear a badge and a bag at least - which they don't seem to do(?)

[Dragonstrike]

The two pokemon make their way over to Kee and Karen, not seeming to be intimidated by the threat of being outnumbered.  As they get closer, Kee can indeed see that one of them is wearing a badge.  He's not sure why, but he instinctively knows that means these two are not wild pokemon.



"Weeeeeellll, who do we have here?  Another wild Zigzagoon?"

"No, I don't think so, Chimical.  They're too intelligent.  They would have just mindlessly attacked us on sight if they were wild."

"Hmmmm, I sssssuppossssse you're right.  No Ralts around here, either."

"...um...who are you guys...?"

Suddenly, Karen and Kee are shoved aside as Marcus pushes his way to the front, his bone club raised in a show of anger.


  Angry Cubone.JPG (Size: 8.81 KB / Downloads: 67)

"What the heck are you two doing here?!"

Chimical gets all up in Marcus's grill by giving him some one on one, up close and personal, face to face interaction while Solosis backs up the strange hybrid pokemon.

"Oh, usssssss?  We're jussssst looking for a little ssssssomething.  Why?  Afraid we'll sssssssnatch it from under your nosssssse again, Marcusssssss?"

"I don't know what on earth it is you're looking for, but whatever it is, it isn't here!  You know as well as I do that this place is almost entirely devoid of usable materials and rare items!"

"Yes, it's a shame.  But that's why we're looking.  There has to be something here.  You wouldn't be here either if you truly believed there wasn't anything to find, right?"

Karen interrupts the heated conversation with her previous question.

"...uh, heeeeellllooooo...who are these guys, again?"

"Team Artificers.  They're liars and thieves!"

Team Artificers: Competition Mode - Sonic Mania

Chimical and Solosis roll their eyes at Marcus's remarks.  "We got to the loot firrrrrrssssst lassssssst time, fair and ssssquare.  You ssssshould be grrrrrateful that you didn't get hurt by the thing that was guarding it."

"Yes, you were quite fortunate.  It was a terrible matchup for you."

"Now, if you'll excuuuussssse usssss, we need to be on our way.  Those materials aren't going to find themsssssselvesssss."

Chimical and Solosis turn to leave, and Marcus just stares silently and angrily at the two of them.  Karen looks uncomfortable with speaking up right now as well.  Does Kee say anything before Team Artificers takes their leave?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ohhh, 'Chimical'? If Kee were human still, he'd exactly know about this species of Pokemon. As a Pokemon himself, he doesn't though.

As that red feline and their Solosis-companion not only don't make room but also walk up to them all, Kee's stance changes from protective to protective-aggressive. He growls at them all, yet his gaze is captured by that badge one of them is wearing...! He doesn't really understand why, but seeing this badge excites him and makes his heart race all of a sudden. Huh????? WHAT he knows however, is that he has to bristle all of his fine fur at them to show that he's not scared. Not at all. AND that he'll counter-attack should they start anything,

They don't though, and instead Marcus rushes forward to face those two not-wild 'Mon. Such bravery! Contrary to Karen though Kee prefers to only listen what's been said, yet he continues being protective-aggressive and ready to pounce. "Team... Artificers...?", he mumbles more to himself than to anyone.


Eventually, he lets them leave but he unflinchingly gazes after them as they go. Then he can't keep quiet anymore. "Well, GOOD FOR YA if ya got 'that loot' first last time, but things won't be so good shall WE meet 'gain, 'n I'm SURE we will one day or th' other! I won't 'attack ya mindless' but I'll still attack, WE will attack, just ya remember a black 'n white Zigzagoon with a yellow ear tellin' ya that!1!!1!!" Then he huffs. They may laugh as much as they want now, but we'll see who will laugh last.

Finally he turns towards Marcus and carefully pats his shoulder with a black paw. "C'mon, we should get goin' likewise, shouldn't we? Dontcha waste too much of yar precious energy on bein' mad with those two. ....They don't really seem like the nicest people, but whether they REALLY are thieves 'n liars as ya're sayin', I rather find out mahself, 'Kay? B'sides..." Kee smiles a sly and excited smile, "Same with whether this forest is REALLY 'devoid of any loot and usable materials."


There's only one path to follow at the current tile, so onwards they go - unless the others want to chip in and say something, either now or in a flashback.