[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"I do not create Pokemon, though I befriend them at times. This Claydol, though clearly strong in Earthpower, is nothing of my creation. I expect it has allied itself with a power within the Skull Ruins. Many powers reside there, but there is only one for which the Unown would send you to me. An ancient power of stone, the builder of Stair City's foundation. A golem, sometimes dormant, sometimes stirring. It is with that power I allied myself long ago, for unrelated reasons. I must say, whoever disturbed it is in the wrong here, not this power. Humans should know that some powers are better left undisturbed, and if I know these, eh, Almanac, they knew the risks they took. Foolish. But not your fault, nor Stair City's fault, so I may be inclined to offer you what help I may. Best to leave Unown alone whenever you can."

"A Claydol with a crown....hmm, hmm, hmm." He goes silent for a bit, fiddling with his clay, making many sound effects.
"Yes. The crown may imply it has something to do with old Sarimanok. He knew all the secrets of the earth, that sly knave. Delved too deep, yes, but he had the understanding that is simply lacking today. Psychics and Ancient Powers, they were his allies whenever he could swing it. Lordly Pokemon, if he could command their respect. And setting events into play, even should his plans not bear fruit for centuries. Tsk, tsk. The dead should stay beneath the ground where they belong, or in their ancient crypts. Present company excluded, Phantump." He bows to the little Pokemon.


"Now, these vines. They draw an unusual amount of sustenance from the earth. If that vitality were removed, the Tangrowth would cease to breed so rapidly, cease shepherding a neverending herd of vines. It wouldn't directly help with this Claydol, but it should put a damper on his plans. The valiant defenders of Stair City should have an easy victory after that. Removing that vitality is something I can help with, if I decide to. I haven't yet made up my mind. It seems not all of you are in agreement that my intervention is warranted. I don't want to meddle in human affairs without their say so. Please, let me know why I should help, if indeed you believe I should! Eh, eh, eh!"

"...so this golem that's been disturbed...that's probably the Disaster of Stone Mesprit's message speaks of..."

Nathan shakes his head to refocus.  He could FEEL Kirlia's intense displeasure/anger at hearing this old man's opinion that Almanac is the one to blame here...it was almost...stifling.  Kirlia quickly reigns it in for Nathan's benefit, but it takes a large effort on his part to do so...

"...the Unown didn't send us here.  It was but a mere three that I spoke to, not enough to spell even a single word.  What little I had to go on was from various puzzle pieces of information from many sources of information and people...and it eventually lead us here..."

Nathan goes quiet when the old man asks for reasons that might convince him to help.

"I have what I consider family in Stair, sir...both my mom's personal Rapidash and the entirety of Stable Z...I...I don't want to lose any of them...even now, there are people and pokemon that could be dying from those damn vines's assault on the city, people that could have concerns as great as my own, maybe even greater...if Stable Z is still fighting, a fighting chance is all they need to save as many lives as possible while I attempt to wake Mesprit.  The Being of Emotion might not care for the consequences of how long achieving its goals take...but I do...any time you can buy us...it'd be greatly appreciated.  I don't know what Mesprit plans to do upon being awakened, but whatever it is, I want as much time as possible for it to be done, so as to minimize the casualties and spare as many as possible from the grief I'm far too familiar with..."

...and then Nathan goes quieter...

"...I'm...worried about Mesprit, sir...when it spoke to me, it felt...spiritless.  Empty of emotion.  Tired.  The opposite of what the embodiment of emotion should be...maybe it's partially our fault for exploiting its aid hundreds of years ago...but I want to help it as well, if the aid is both needed and I can..."

(As a reminder, Nathan mentioned Mesprit, the barrier it slept behind, how tired it looked, how it had grown tired of humanity's selfishness...this is the first time he's mentioning the 'spiritless' part while the rest of the group is present, though.)