[Game Thread] Pokerole Mystery Dungeon: Primal Shadows

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"I'm fine, Pyra.  Nothing a little time won't fix.  I didn't get Poisoned, thankfully...you don't have to glare at Wurmple and tell off Lumia for not KOing them, though!  We're all fine, so let's not get angry, please?"

Pyra calling Karen the most important member of the group causes Karen to blush.  "Oh, uh...I don't know about that, Pyra...everyone's pretty important...even Lumia is!  Right, Lumia?"

Lumia's still somewhat Timid and quiet after being scolded by Pyra though, and quietly tries to keep Karen between herself and Pyra, to which Karen sighs.  "...well, thank you for the Reviver Seed, Pyra.  Let's keep going.  I think we're almost done here."

Bug Maze Final Room

The walls of the last room of the Bug Maze are covered almost entirely in cobwebs, and just looking at it is sending shivers up Karen's spine.  The chittering gets louder as the three challengers walk into the middle of the room, and it gets just a little darker as the door shuts behind them.

And in that darkness, several pairs of eyes can be seen glowing as they stare at the party, getting closer and closer...

There's still enough light to see by, though, with or without Pyra's flames, and when the Bugs finally scuttle into the light, they're revealed to be an Ariados and two Spinarak!  Ariados clacks their mandibles as they signal to the other spider pokemon to get ready to attack.
Bug Maze Final Room Initiatives
Ariados: (6) + 3 = 9
Spinarak B: (6) + 2 = 8
Lumia: (5) + 3 = 8
Karen: (5) + 2 = 7
Pyra: (1) + 2 = 3
Spinarak A: (1) + 2 = 3

Pyra lets out a relieved sigh and smiles gratefully at her sparkling Fairy friend's reassurances, though it lessens when they chastise her about Wurmple and the Litwick.

"....Suffer not the malice or incompetence of others, foe or friends, bad or well meaning, I do, Dear Karen. That worm needed learn the consequence of its Poisonous action, and Litwick has yet learned how to work as a part of our group. I do not think-believe I was.....overly harsh with either too, no, so what-why qualms do you have for me?"

Their cute reaction to her honest praise does get the lil' fiendess to lighten up a bit, prompting a chuckle and a fond pat on their head.

"I speak only the truth with you, my dear friend. Nothing less-more so, yet far much more I wish I could convey to you. You are special, important Dear Karen. Never forget that, ever and forever more."

Notably she completely ignores the candlewick spirit and the smol fae's attempts of inclusion with them. There is not much cameradence gained between the two, but at least none seemed lost at first glance.

Pyra is again annoyed by the Timidness of the Litwick, but between what happened and Karen taking a semi-active role of standing up for them she just lets out a begrudging *Sigh* at their behavior and gives a nod back to them (Karen).

"No thanks need for doing what must be/is right, but you are welcome still, yes. Onwards we go, forward we march further into this den of insects."

(...)

Pyra, unlike with all her other opponent thus far in the Bug Training Maze, was entirely serious moment Ariados and its archnid minions crawled out from the shadows to confront her group. Her expression went flat as a mesa, and she was tense as a Coiled Arbok, ready to lash out at the barest instance. The brimstone imp's raced a mile a minute, eyes shrunk to pinpricks as she stared at the noxious bugs, planning planning for the best way to crush and burn them all with as little trouble as possible.

".....Lumia, guard Karen with your entire being. Do not let these foul spiders harm her without dire consequence for their impudence. Karen, focus on using your healing waters, for we shall have great need of them. I....."

Her eyes sharpened.

"Will prepare myself, then will strike with all my might."

She turned her full attention towards the great red tarantula and its cohorts and gravely whispered thus, the bleak atmosphere darkening even further from it:

"C o m e."

Intimidate Activated. - 1 STR for All Foes.

Orders: Lumia is going to use her Action to Guard and/or Clash against any attack sent Karen's way (Ember for the Clash Move), while Karen does a Single Action Life Dew (preferably Willed, but that decision will be left to her), while Pyra will spend 12 XP to raise her Contest and Intimidate by 1 each, use a Willed Bulk Up (+ 1 Success), and then follow up with a Willed Bite at Ariados (+ 1 Success). Let's get this battle started, shall we?

Small Note: Pyra's attack actions would be far more cold and curt right now, as she wants to spend as little time and effort on meaningless things as possible and just eliminate the threats before her. Just a touch more flavor to work with, mate!

Moves

Bulk Up
Accuracy: Tough (2) + Contest (*1) + Intimidate (*1) + 1 Will - 2 Actions = 2D6 + 1 Base Dice
Effect: + 1 STR and DEF

Bite
Accuracy: DEX (2) + Fight (3) + Brawl (1) + 1 Will - 4 Actions = 2D6 + 1 Base Dice
Damage: *3 + 2 + 1 = 6D6 + 1 Base Damage
Effect: *Flinch 3*