[Game Thread] Lord Windos’ PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

(Right, lemme also get back on the following, for Bernhard can respond to that after the fruitless search for Zephy and before he heads to the TM Store)

Original message from Seddii

Regardless, Seddi will fire off a text to all of the other player characters (minus Ianai, who's already present), to be read at their earliest convenience.

Heads up folks.  Looks like Sutalör isn't hesitating to throw its best at us.  A powerful Wandering Hurricane is expected to be hitting Bayahama in a month's time.  Sutalöran officials are willing to offer substantial compensation for those who attempt to take it down.  Would need backup if I were to make an attempt, and it would have to be within the next week ideally.  Can give more details in person when convenient if interested, but be warned this is likely to be a Lethal mission without proper preparation.

If this Wandering Hurricane isn't dealt with, we'll probably want to be out of the city before it decides to hit it.  Or at the very least, be prepared to weather the mother of all hurricanes until the government can take it down or drive it off.

The Professor would also like to speak with y'all about our research projects and mission when you get the time.  A measure of discretion is advisable, so it needs to be in person. 

Let me know when y'all are available and we can find somewhere we can talk in more detail about both topics.

Bernhard's first and initiate reaction to THAT message is to facepalm and mutter some muffled curses. No, he is obviously NOT happy nor impressed over what the chatterbox of a cowboy is writing there - do they not know how much of a WALKING DEATH FLAG a Wanderig Hurricane is? Do they not feel like they're biting off too much they can chew, Iron Leaves as a partner or not? Oh boi, Bernhard continues to fail making head nor tail of that young guy...

A suffering sigh later, he responds as following:

Seddi, are you even listening to yourself right there? No, that wasn't a question, for me feels you do not. Do you feel like you 'owe' Sutalör anything to engage in a fight against it, or are you simply up for a 'meaningful' challenge? Because a Wandering Hurricane is a Malefic Monstrum, in case you did not know that already. ...Let me respeat that for you: A MALEFIC MONSTRUM, known to have caused vast destructions and a great number of deaths of people and Pokemon alike. Give me a GOOD, VERY GOOD reason why I should join you in an 'attempt' to fight it, for otherwise I won't. I do not have a death wish, nor do my trusted partner-Pokemon.

I'll be awaiting your answer, and shall be available to speak in person tomorrow night at earliest, for I am busy. But to soothe you, yes your message does count as a 'serious matter', and I do genuinely appreciate your hint on my artistic partner.

Do take care.

(Read: Bernhard will be available at the end of Day 2 [after the 3rd or 4th Encounter] , if needed. Hint: Telling more about the 'substantial compensation', the more details the better, are likely to change his mind eventually and join; after lots of preparation for the fight of course. Bonus points for added flattery to further butter him up, as well as telling of getting as many capable people involved in the fight as possible.)

It's not long before Bernhard gets a response from Seddi.

I'm well aware how dangerous the Malefic Monstrum are.  A few of them can be found in Paldea.  I don't have a death wish either, but I'm also backed into a bit of a political corner if I want to get my research mission started sooner rather than later.  I can assure you I gave this careful consideration.

Compensation being offered to me if I make an attempt is absolutely bonkers.  Hard to look at a choice between a Recycle EX TM, a Miracle Berry, or a Star Unity Ball and not consider if the challenge is worth the risk.  And yes, everyone who helps will get similar compensation from the government.  There's some other options I could choose from, but those are what jumped out at me as both a researcher and someone who's always lookin' for ways to strengthen my partners.  The government really doesn't want this thing to hit Bayahama directly.

A competent local man going by Dodger has offered to help a few times I hear, so I'm going to give him a call tomorrow.  Ianai has sworn thrice over to defeat it, regardless of whether she gets any assistance. 

You look to me like a mage with a lot of experience and powerful magics, especially with a partner like Muse on your side.  I think that's exactly the kind of power we need in times like this, particularly if your arsenal of spells will afford you an advantage against something that flies.  Something my pokemon have a distinct lack of to be honest, but I have a few hidden aces up my sleeve that should be able to leave an impact and give us an edge.

I hope you'll consider givin' us a hand.

From one text message to another!

Spoiler

To Seddi:

"Oh, you can count me right out. The name alone is enough to warn me off. But I'll let you know if I find any equipment or Pokemon that could help."
(For example, maybe he'll learn something useful in the Survival Center.)
"What's the timeline on when we need to evacuate?" Vernon will probably take this excuse to wander. "I'm happy to join up with anyone else who wants to exploring while we wait for this calamity to blow over."

Vernon gets a quick reply as well.

Any help is appreciated, even indirect help.  Keep me posted.

Re: Evacuation Window

If we were to do nothing, before it gets here in around a month.  If we fight it and lose?  Could be as soon as immediately after we aren't keeping it's attention.  This Malefic Monstrum is apparently on record as being incredibly vengeful and aggressive, and there's a high chance it would take its anger out on Bayahama if a couple of folks from the city attack it.

Of course, I don't plan on losing.  But be prepared to weather a storm.  Even if we win, there might be collateral damage from ripple effects of the battle.

Bold words from a bold cowboy, if also a little grim.