[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Alright, so Windos' characters are heading toward the Genesect fossil, and Shiva is scouting for islands. Anyone else can join whichever adventure they like.


DIVE
You DIVE below the waves and head toward the coastline. It's pocked with caves and tunnels, but you have pretty good info about where to go. You pop up inside one cave and find that it's occupied! It's full of Poliwrath, hard at work moving driftwood, barrels, chests, food, and GOLD around inside the cave.

To the rear of their sea cave is another rocky dive spot, with two Poliwrath guards posted. They seem to be mostly involved in knocking the Anorith who climb out of it back into the water.

(...)

Well, as I stated, Terra and Ventus were essentially going to do some scouting of the DIVE site and sit tight, but now that they've discovered that the place is inhabited/guarded by what seems to be pirate-like gang of Poliwrath their objective suddenly become a lot more complicated. Do they retreat and hide out nearby, waiting for their friends to join up with them later? Do they approach the muscular frogs, gather information, and potentially head off any issues with their (the group's) search for the Genesect Fossil? Or do they just go 'Heck with it! , forgo diplomacy and peace entirely, and just stage an assault against the frogs to neutralize their threat and seize all their loot for themselves?

Several minutes of hushed conversation passed between the eccentric researcher and sagely monk as they deliberated on that, until they settled on a semi-cautious approach: Terra would remain hidden/stay where he was at the undersea cave's entrance (if the Poliwarth know they're there, which should be easy for Ven to pick up on) as emergency back-up, while Ventus would approach what looked like the most leader-like Poliwrath riding/beside his Kingdra Ao Guang along with Lapis Lazuli and Sari to chat, size up, and possibly negotiate with them and the gang as whole. The rugged wanderer, though improving in that area and growing more confidant in it, was still all that well suited or inclined 'speaking softly'  unless he it was absolutely necessary or the matter concerned business, and on the other end the orange hared charmer was not confidant in his own abilities to tackle a whole cave of tough and burly looking Pokemon just himself and Terra (and he had a feeling doing so would piss off their friends if they didn't try the friendly approached....), so they compromised and decided to play to their own strengths.

 Having three strong Water Pokemon back up Ventus served both as added protection and supporting him in negotiations, as the Poliwarth were a lot more likely to take him seriously and try anything rash with them around. That, and perhaps their own individual and uniquely 'regal' natures and demeanor would help in smoozing up to the gang of frogs - it worked with Lovely for the Staryus, Sari's whole nature REVOLVED around being a royal authority figure (Heck, she even has a minor Plot Device to summon up a random Water Pokemon to appear before her!), and Ao Guang was a Kingdra, whose's rule over the deep seas were only contested by overly LARGE Water Pokemon and the great Kyorge itself. Combined together it made for a pretty formidable force in the physical and philosophical sense, so it SHOULD help Ven out.....hopefully.

Plan decided upon, the paranoid rationalist proceeded to enact it, going forth to the 'Leader' / who looked the most in charge and haled them with a friendly and curtious smile, with each of his regal entourage giving their own polite/formal introductions.

"Greetings, Poliwarth! I come here in peace, and only wish to speak with you and perhaps engage in some trade or cooperation of sorts, if you are amenable to it. What do you say?"