[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

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Spira walks up to Cosh (well, as close as Cosh will allow without hostility), and doesn't mince words this time; "Listen, we really need to gain access to that chamber; so you can do what ever the f*** you want, just don't. get. in. our. way."
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Spoiler

"We sealed it away, as a vital necessity to our plans, three years ago. I'm quite interested in what happened to it in the intervening time - do you know?"


"The incident with the vines was regrettable, but a necessary part in obtaining the information we now have, which I think I shall not reveal as it is a potential bargaining chip. Suffice it to say, we Scimitars are far more informed on how to plumb the depths of the Ruins than you are. We've been there - have you?"

No feeling of lying.

"We're very confident. We've been researching this a long time."
Definitely true, but he is nervous about confronting a Legendary.

A spark from Cosh's gauntlet makes him wince mildly. He casually sets his boulder down and leans on it, looking pretty cool.

Spoiler

"Besides, I don't trust in anything you say. I bet you Scimitars plan to put a dagger in our backs in the first opportunity. You guys don't really care about saving the region." Heart then look around the Scimitars. "I see your kind of person before Cosh. Your eyes deceive you. They are filled with greed. The only reason you want use those artefacts is taking control of the region after this "Calamity" is dealt. What if YOU not going to take control of that entity. You and your Scimitars."

"You Scimitars in a point of time might have fight for Noble causes. But look to you now." Then Heart point a hand to the chained Drudigon. "You long have corrupted your ideals. Killing people. Killing Pokemon. Brainwashed Pokemon, making them slaves."

Then Heart point a finger towards Cosh. "Your true enemy it's not us Cosh. Your true enemy is yourself Cosh. Your fear. And your self absorbed Greedy."

And that's is that. Heart say his words. "My family long gone Cosh. We were knights. Defenders of Justice and Freedom. Like you Scimitars might once have. But because of greedy, we destroy ourselves. In our self absorbed greed, we doomed ourselves. And the only Legacy we left to this world was a legacy of hatred, corruption and dishonesty. This is the path you Scimitars are walking."

"The world will only remember the evil you all caused. The means don't justify the end Cosh. And if you think it is, then you are only a poor solitude old man. And I pity you."

Spoiler

"If you worry about being betrayed, that's the kind of thing negotiations are for, my man. We could arrange for you to hold the Shield, for example, protecting you from harm. We could leave half our force up here, so you aren't outnumbered. We'll certainly allow you to keep your Pokemon with you for your protection."

"Scimitars are not motivated by greed. If we were, we'd simply let Almanac do their work and skim off the profits. We act only from altruism and a desire to learn. I know you know this."

"These Druddigon are not brainwashed or enslaved. They are on chains so they don't rip you to shreds - but notice they make no attempt to attack their handlers? How is that different from a Pokeball?"

"The legacy of the Scimitars will only be that we saved the world, as only those who are more than human can. After that, we simply do not care. We will probably retreat back to the solitude we loved so much, to train and hone our mystic arts."

Spoiler

"Now we're talking! We're finding common ground. This is good. This is the kind of thing we can negotiate."

"The being is nowhere near where the Artifacts are, so that's no problem. Even the thing we disturbed shouldn't be too close to them...maybe the fourth Artifact, if any."

"Like I said, we could bring an equal number of us down there. There are five of you - I could choose four men and women to accompany me, while the rest stay aboveground in a supporting role. It's not an easy thing to steal an Artifact once wielded. They bond with their wielders over time, quite rapidly. And they possess an intelligence of their own, a specific counter to the Psychic threat descending on us from above."

Spoiler

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"Why should you stay out of our way, or why should you allow us access to that chamber? Either way, the answer is the same; this life-or-death matter requires it."

A spark from Cosh's gauntlet makes him wince mildly. He casually sets his boulder down and leans on it, looking pretty cool.

Not sure if Spira notices the spark or not, but he definitely would notice Cosh dropping the boulder. "What's wrong? Your so-called more-than-human powers giving out on you?" Spira says this with the same chilling smirk as before and a taunting tone. Then backs away, or so it would seem, he's starting to implement his plan, wait.

There are five of you - I could choose four men and women to accompany me, while the rest stay aboveground in a supporting role.

When Spira hears this, he gives a counter agreement; "How about you let us choose the four other people to accompany you, if you do, we might consider the team-up. Take it or leave it." While Spira is reluctant about the team-up, and the bravado in him is practically screaming that he can take them on, he knows that there are some fights not worth having. Now, he ain't completely backing down from the fight, he's still going to be keeping a very close eye on the Scimitars, fully prepared to do something if they try something funny.
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Spoiler

ヽ(°〇°)ﾉ Shiva supports this suggestion 100%ly, and to express that she gives Spira an approving pat (not a punch) on the shoulder.

Then, she gives Cosh another icy and disdainful glare. "Wait. WAIT. Who has said that you must come with us in the first place Cosh, what's preventing you from staying here? You were the one giving the order to kidnap me, so if you believe I will let you come closer to me than one meter without awaking the wrath of me and my Pokemon, then you're nothing but a fool."

"Spira, Heart, Nathan, enough."

Terra sharply rebukes those two of his friends, who's expression is one of mild annoyance and frustration. He doesn't call out  Shiva, though, as despite their attitude she had mostly restrained her temper admirably and had help advance negotiations without being a total Cacnea about it.

"No need to.....antagonize Cosh and other Scimitars. *Beat* ......Needlessly. They have done bad things to us and many people, but.....we have bigger threats to face in future. Deal with Scimitars later, yes, but not now if we can...avoid it. Coming to an agreement is hard, but.....spite and conflict make it harder. Save energy and violence for.....real true threats, not........possible ones. Understood?"

His tone and countenance brooked no arguments on the matter, which Intimidation factor was only enhanced when Pixie turned her gaze over on two, curious about what was going on. Even at its least potency, the mischievous fairy's raw Intimidation factor is something that could take a person's breath away. He didn't want to chatise his friend. especially when they all had great reasons to be mad and want to fight against the wizards, but.....that just what was not what was best for the group. If peace and cooperation could be achieved with the Scimitars, no matter how briefly, if would do a world of difference in helping them succeed in their dungeon dive and keeping them safe and alive, the later of which was his primary concern above all else. It wouldn't earn him any favors, but......sometimes you had to do some things for the greater good.

With that (hopefully) settled, the sagely monk turned back to the arcane master and spoke to them once more, more enlightened as to how/what to negotiate with the man, as well as being interested in the Knowledge they were hinting out and just ever so slightly optimistic that there would be peace between their factions after all.

"How about this arrangement: Our group has access to explore Kadabra Chambers. You only bring along a number of your friend equal to my own - you choose two, and we choose two. Each member of our group.....will make a one to one pair with yours, to keep watch over each other and....reduce likelihood of trouble. I want to be your partner in that event, Cosh. If we have to camp in Ruins, our groups will have them separate but close. You share your Knowledge that you have been......allowed to share, and we do the same. Help each out in need, like treating injuries and fighting against common threats. Split the Treasure between us, if people from each of our group can wield and use them. Post pone any conflicts between us until after Cheshire has been saved from......them."

Terra stops speaking at this point, before extending another hand towards the Cosh, palm wide open.

"Is all of that acceptable? Do we have an accord?"