[Game Thread] Pokerole Mystery Dungeon: Primal Shadows

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(Oh my goodness, an Insight roll to see if characters are trying to be deceiving!  A rare sight!  I'm going to do two rolls here to highlight a rather notable difference in methods here since a particular method was not specified.  In the future though, I'd like you to specify which kind of method you're using so I know which specialty I need to roll)

Karen's Alert:
Insight + Survival + Alert
(6)(5)(6)(2) 3 Successes

Watching Roserade's current posture and paying attention to her mannerisms, Karen doesn't see any visual cues that might indicate Roserade is at all worried.

Karen's Empathy:
Insight + Contest + Empathy + 1 Ralts line
(6)(4)(1)(3)(5)(5)(6)(6*) 6 Successes(!!!)

As a Ralts, Karen is constantly exposed to the emotions of other pokemon.  And unlike her visual skills, this particular ability is highly honed.  Karen doesn't just pick up Roserade's emotions, but also the emotions of other pokemon in the group.

Roserade and Rhyperior are absolutely radiating confidence.  They seem to have complete faith in their own abilities when Karen asked Roserade that question.

The other pokemon tagging along vary a lot. 

Keldeo has an aura of defiance around him as he stares at the dark clouds overhead.  It's very clear that he will do everything in his power to fight this disaster.

Dedenne and Zeraora are feeling uncertain as they ponder how to approach facing a gargantuan Ground type pokemon.  Emolga as well to a degree, but less so.

Bunnelby's actually a little hard to get a read on, but Karen picks up some surprisingly calm and contemplative emotions from him.  Madame Twintales is feeling very similarly as well, but with a stronger air of confidence.

Hoopa is impossible to get a read on.  There seems to be a mental block in place that's preventing Karen from using her psychic abilities on them specifically.

"Yes, I'm positive we'll be fine.  We'll have some very strong pokemon accompanying us to supplement our strategies, so there's no need to worry about us."

The mood briefly turns uncertain and somewhat nervous among those who heard Kogeki's suggestion following Roserade's vote of confidence, only to become feelings of relief and approval when that situation is promptly resolved.

Karen's questioning is interrupted by the sensation of another very strong feeling though.  Just under the surface of Platina's polite demeanor, Karen can tell that the bird is actually very miffed at Rhyperior.

And the large rock pokemon seems to be both curious and partially annoyed at the suggestion.  "You do realize what you're asking me to do, right?  This isn't going to be pretty for you."

"Rhyperior, this isn't the time for..."

"No no, let the kid try and fight me.  I guarantee she's going to learn something from this."

Platina gets ready to try and strike Rhyperior, but the large rock type is much faster than she'd been expecting, and he easily gets the jump on her.  The sound of a snake hissing menacingly echoes through the dungeon, and unbeknownst to those present, dark shadows creep into the area to inflict some kind of effect...

Rhyperior's Strike
3 Dex + 5 Fight + 5 Brawl + 2 Single Action = 15d6
(4)(4)(3)(3)(2)(6)(5)(5)(2)(3)(4)(1)(6)(4)(3) Critical hit!
1 Pow + 7 Str - 2 Def + 2 Crit = 6d6 + 2d6
(4)(3)(3)(5)(6)(5) | (6)(2) Platina takes 5 damage and is instantly KOed!

It doesn't take long for Platina to realize that challenging a Master Rank Explorer to 1 on 1 combat was probably a mistake.  He didn't even need to use his full power to completely flatten her.

Roserade frowns.  "...that was rather unnecessary, Rhyperior."

The hulking rock pokemon shrugs.  "You and I both know that I was going to win regardless in a straight fight."

Barely conscious, Platina can hear parts of what they're saying.  And she knows there's a Tiny Reviver Seed in her bag.  But why...isn't...it...?

Her vision starts to go black as she begins to lose consciousness fully.  Roserade notices something is off as soon as the bird pokemon collapses.

"And instead you could have...hold on.  Everyone should have healing items after we go through that Monster House.  Why isn't she being revived?"

"...huh?  Oh yeah, what's up with that?  Hmmmm..."

Just as suddenly, the shadowy storm above intensifies further, the black lightning crackling as it streaks overhead!  Platina herself starts crackling with black, shadowy energy as well...

...and her eyes suddenly snap open as her Primal instincts briefly flare!  And if there's one thing that her instincts are telling her right now, it's that she's in over her head.  But there's also something missing...all that anger she'd felt before...it somehow feels...less intense now.  It's not gone, but she's finding it slightly more difficult to be that angry.

Platina is revived with full HP, but her Primal score goes up by 1.  Because her Primal score is now 1, Platina learns Shadow Blitz!  And on the condition that Platina learns a valuable lesson from this (and also learns something about this Shadow energy since this is her first real exposure to it), she also gains 3 exp.

Roserade opens her own bag and pulls out a Reviver Seed, only to find that same black, shadowy energy is now crackling across the shell of the seed.  "...well, this is going to make things harder if it's doing what I think it is."

Rhyperior is more focused on Platina, kneeling down so he's closer to eye level with her, a very serious and concerned look on his face.  "Hey, you okay kid?  You feel funny or anything?  Something weird just happened to ya when you lost consciousness."

Hoopa's thoughtfully looking up at the storm, then deeper into the dungeon.  "That Sandaconda roared just before that fight.  If I had to guess, it temporarily stopped the usage of your items when it did."

Almost as if to prove Hoopa's point, the shadowy energy dancing across everyone's bags and the items inside them disperses just as quickly as it arrived.

"So we're going to be fighting a foe that can briefly negate our ability to use items.  That's going to be cumbersome."

"Nothing we can't handle, Roserade.  If Landorus has a trick like that, though, I'm not sure they'd be able to handle it."

"And you're basing that on...what?  I have full confidence that they can handle Landorus on their own if need be."

"You and I both know something's wrong on this island.  I don't think sending a bunch of kids to possibly face a Legendary pokemon on their own is a good idea, especially in an environment as hostile as this one."

"And you think they stand a better chance of surviving a battle with a pokemon ten times your size?  Honestly, Rhyperior, you need to think a little more..."

Zeraora suddenly inserts himself between them.  "Hey, cut it out!  Do you two always bicker this much?!"

Roserade appears to be a bit embarrassed about being called out.  "...well, no.  Okay yes.  Gallade's usually the mediator in the group.  Him not being here is...disruptive to how we typically operate."

Rhyperior is a bit downcast.  "...yeah, already missing him.  Just not the same without him, ya know?  He's a downright mean fighter, too.  Always seems to have an answer for anything.  Don't think he can fight a Legendary solo though."

"Definitely not.  Which is why we need to find him.  He's not dumb.  He'll try to stay out of sight, but if Landorus finds him and thinks he's trespassing...I shudder to think what might happen to him.  I can't fail him as a Leader.  Not now.  We are nothing if we're not a team."

"Definitely want to get back to the good ol' routine of treasure hunting with him.  Team Raiders leaves nobody behind."

In light of this new information that has been revealed about the upcoming fight, I am going to ask one more time: are you facing the Gigantamax Shadow Sandaconda, or letting Team Raiders and company handle it while you forge on ahead?

Darkness.

Deep Darkness.

The sort of Darkness that touches the soul.

For a moment Platina was stuck in that Darkness. That horrible, horrible Darkness. Briefly, sees herself in that Darkness. Starring menacingly.

Her mirror image twitched, a cold and dominating look overtaking her, and it appeared like it would do something….

...before she rose, sparing her from its plans.

Despite being fully restored the shiny raptor couldn’t help but feel a bit groggy and numb, and it takes her a moment to fully ‘wake’ herself up. She sluggishly got on her talons and just gazed at herself with a unfathomable uncertainty. What….what in the Dragon Gods names happened to her?

The Master Class Monster’s sudden concern and intrusion draws her attention away from herself, giving him the same look. Briefly, she considered putting on a polite and professional front and claim she was fine. His continued condescension was still unwelcome, and she was raised to always put on a proper face for others (to admittly various degrees of success).
However….she just….no longer couldn’t be bother to hold onto her resentment or appearances so tightly. Not in the face of genuine concern or whatever happened to her. In light of everything….such thinking or posturing was beyond appropriate anymore.

So, Platina answers Rhyperior honestly as she could.

“….No. I don’t think I am. Healthy as I appear now, something is…wrong. Something….dark. Right now it is only making me feel….numb and disconnected from my emotions, but….I don’t yet know the full extent of what has happened to me.”

In a scant moment Platina looked scared and vulnerable, like a Pokemon her apparent age would be after Encountering something frightening or unnerving. Then it was gone as she took in a shuddering breath and heaved a big *SIGH* and look back to Rhyperior, appearing composed and resolute once more. In fact, she looked more imposing than ever, radiating a newfound sense of Dominance and Acuity.

“…Despite that, I am still able to continue and Fight. I just have to exercise more….caution and proper judgement for now on and not lose control of myself. *Sighs* ….I have been truly foolish, but at least my folly has given you some Insight into what that giant serpent is capable of, so it was not a total waste in the end. Apologies, Rhyperior.”

Platina learnt some valuable lessons today. Namely, that Pride ever goeth before the fall, learn when discretion is the better part of valor, and that she really, really shouldn’t go looking for trouble she isn’t remotely prepared to take on. That, and whatever this newfound Darkness was within her was messing with her emotions, at the very least…..

With all that said and done, at long last I am spending 50 XP to have Platina gain her 4th Point in Instinct. She can now use Moves with a XP Cost of 45 or less without paying for them, and possesses a similar sphere of authority to a Alpha – she could start her own Guild, if she wished, and Pokemon are more inclined to follow her than ever before. Whether is was worth getting it like she did though remains to be seen…

The ironclad lady didn’t react to Roserade’s and Rhyperior’s bickering – she still hasn’t gotten used to her new feelings yet (and lack thereof) to properly have a opinion on that just yet, and she already caused enough trouble for them with how she acted. Their own resolve does manage to cheer her up a bit more, as she gave both a nod.

“Agreed. Whatever my group decides to do about that serpent, we’ll be on the lookout for your partner Gallade. I know well myself the feeling of being anxious and worried missing one you hold dear….”

I already stated my opinion in the Meta Thread, but to reiterate here I am in favor of Fighting G-Max Sandaconda. Platina doesn’t feel like abandoning Team Raiders to face this menace is the right call, no matter how nervous she feels about fighting something that can just block Item usage. If the majority of the group decide to abandon fighting the snake, though, she’ll easily go along with that, having learnt what she has about not courting danger unnecessarily.