[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Cosh: "Yes. That is how we rose to such power in such a short time. Magic is there for the taking if you just reach out and grasp it. I can use a buffing spell on you if you like - if you trust me enough, that is. The ability to lift boulders is a new enhancement spell we've just learned, and we're still practicing it. It makes us tremendously strong and able to lift practically anything, even cars, buses, small houses..."


"The Water Scimitars already have the Croconawmicon from the depths of Mt. Sentry. That was their Holy Grail. I'm not sure if they will bother us or not... they might have all they need, or they might need ritual ingredients only available in the Skull Ruins."


Angie flies over about 75% of the traps safely. A few have the range to attack her.

Iron Bolts
(5)(3)(6)(6)(4)(3)(1)(4)(5) Critical
(1)(1)(1)(4) She shrugs it off.

Energy Spears
(2)(1)(2)(5)(4)(4)(5)(3)(2)(2)
(1)(2) Ok then, no damage for the flying serpent. Cosh looks like he might want to acquire this kind of Pokemon.

You reach the end of the Shallow Ground, having spotted mostly old tarnished armor, a few stones with runes (some of which were traps), and lots of bloodstains. Now you have a choice between a tunnel diving underground, which Angie will fit through if she's very careful, or flying over two broad, sunken barrows which emanate a nasty smell.

"........'Just because something is here or there, doesn't mean you have to pursue, or should. Especially if it's....dangerous.' That is what my boss said, about......stuff. Are you not.....worried that your......magic will......cause you big problems later?"

Concerning Cosh's offer of 'magically' buffing himself, Terra expression scrunched up as mistrust, and deep reservations welled up in his gaze, looking like he would automatically reject it out of principle/conditioning.......before he hesitated. 

Ven had firmly made it clear that ANY and ALL things that could be even remotely considered arcane was pure evil and should either be destroyed and/or avoided with a vengeance, but.....he's since learned (directly and not) that the Scimitar's 'magic' was really just them channeling both Earthpower and their Pokemon's capabilities for their own use and empowerment. While that hardly made it better - it could be heavily argued it made it worse, ethically speaking - it was not strictly speaking magic, now was it? 

Having the master mage cast/direct their power his way would tremendously improve his ability to both endure the ordeals of the Ruins and do his given duty of safeguarding his friend, which at the end of the day were the most important and primary priorities of his that he had to carry out above all else. He'd brokered peace between his group and the Scimitars precisely for those reasons, and if he could manage to do that despite his own feelings/reservations (And going against Ven's 'instructions + advice' ), then getting juiced up with magical mojo should be equally acceptable. Right......?

Of course, there was also the matter of trusting the Admin Archmage to buff him without any making any modifications to his 'Spells' that could royally doom him/his friends (Like Mind Control, *Shivers*), but he doubted they would betray him like that. For one thing, it would be extremely unwise for him to pull a fast one on him now in The Skull Ruins , what with them now being in constant danger that would only grow the deeper they delved that could and probably would take advantage of any discord/distraction to prey on everyone they can. For another, he just explained that the more 'dark' and mental magic was the realm of the Water Scimitars, and that his 'Spell' line-up favored Ground and Steel 'magics' to empower himself/others. He could be lying about that and the other stuff he was discussing with them, but since they didn't have anything to gain from doing at this point other than engendering mistrust, it was not likely. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the very fact they were and his subordinates were partners of his group spoke volumes about their willingness to cooperate, whether it be for the good of all or just avoid unnecessary and disastrous conflict when it was most unneeded. Plus, if he couldn't at least tolerate his partner's way of doing things (to an extent), then how could he hope to work with them long term

So in the end, the whole matter boiled down to thus: He could accept Cosh's offer, and gain the benefits of doing so (Increased Power/Defense and 'bonding' ), or not and not.

Terra spent several minutes thinking it over........before he gave his partner a single nod.

".....Yes. You can cast a buffing spell on me. Trust you that much. Would not be in own interest to......betray me now. Or ever. Do it."

As for the Water Scimitars line of discussion, Terra stiffens when he hears the wily wizard bring up the Croconawmicon, his eyes going wide before hide his shock as he remembered that particular arcane tome from the Portfolio's reports on Antheneum. One that potentially held the most dire and blackest magic  (As Ven pretty much knew nothing about the book beyond what he could see/feel of/from it , and he was too distracted at the time to do his own research on it to give more certain details about it), and who exactly was had it last in their possession. Even a relatively simple minded individual such as himself could connect the dots and figure out what could have happened, and that realization made his gut sink like it got caught in an Area Trap.

"......I see. Thank you, Cosh."

He then goes silent, dropping that line of conversation like a angry Cacnea. Nope, he did NOT want to talk about that anymore with Cosh. Not without first consulting with the group first and Ventus first (if possible), as he really didn't want to reveal any sensitive details about them, that, and anything else he might miss without consultation from them first....

-----

Terra notices his partner's interest in Angie, but pays it no real mind. If they desired and made an offer for her, they'd get a flat refusal from him, but other than so long as their interest caused him/her no problem, he didn't care.

Surveying the routes ahead, the sagely monk thought over which way forward was best, before an idea came to him. He pulled out one of his Salac Berries, and turned to Cosh, a questioning look in his eyes.

"Have an idea to explore area quickly and more. Angie knows and can use Agility, and can feed her this Salac Berry to make her go faster. We can then fly over stinky pits fast, and avoid any danger from them.....I hope. If you have any Spells to make her go faster, you can use them too if you want. *Beat* What do you think? Good idea, or not?"

Order: Accept Cosh's offer to buff Terra, as he wants the additional power and protection to survive and do his duties better, and propose his idea of getting across the barrows extremely quickly with a double combo of Agility + Salac Berry to just zoom on by them and any cursed critters/contraptions laying in them. If he agrees, then full speed ahead on the Dragon Flight Express!