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

[Lord Windos]

(12 xp will be used to raise both Darren's Contest and Intimidate to 1. No xp usage on Crustle yet)

Darren uses the better part of his self control to resist giving a rude gesture to the dude that didn't give him his winnings. Darren then makes his way through any onlookers or rubberneckers to see what the commotion is about.

As you calmed, you notice something you didn't before - that Dude Bro dropped what appeared to be Super Potion in his hasty rage! Or maybe his girlfriend left it for you in remorse? Either way, score!

You swiftly head into the bar, and quickly see that everyone's attention is plastered to the big screen television hanging from the ceiling. Expression were shocked, grim, and fearful. As for what the news was....

"Breaking New: Five Pokemon Centers Vandalized - And Its Resident's Gone ..." 

Your phone starts ringing after the emergency broadcast is over - looking at the Caller ID, it's Aaron. Answer it?

Seddi frowns.  "...they couldn't choose something less grating than a Screech for their alarm system?"

*sigh*

"Well, count me in.  With any luck, it'll count for my 'community service' for the day and free up my evening a little.  Doubt they'll be doing any tours of the survival center on schedule if everyone's hunkerin' down.  How about you, Oz?"

Oz nod her head. "Count me in too. I a healer for gods sake. So I think my healing might be useful."

"It's that way to get just about anyone's attention, regardless of who they are or what they're doing at the time. 'Course their is a way to silence or change the tone if ya need to, but I didn't figure to do so today on one of my break days."

He swiftly nods at both your acquiescence , and motions for you two to follow him. Soon enough you're both inside his Quick Silva Speedster, cruising at a moderately bracing rate towards somewhere. Oz is sitting in the passenger seat, while Seddi is standing behind them, gripping her seat for support. If you have any Pokemon out they're either right beside you/on you or further in the back of the spacious cruiser. Dodger punches a few buttons, and a Holographic Pop Up appears on the windscreen 'Auto Pilot Engaged - Destinations: Sector 2's Pokemon Center' . The not so dandy man then looks over to you two, and heaves a great big *Sigh*

"Welp, this date has gone completely to Inferno in a Belliadon's talons, but that's Sutalor for ya: always making a mess of your plans. *Scowls* Only this time it ain't the land itself doing the trouble, but someones else. A unknown group robbed a bunch of Pokemon Centers, and clean them out of everything. Equipment, supplies, records, Pokemon....and the people in them too. We're heading to one of them now to assist in the investigations and help keep order in the area until the suits and police finish things up. Should count towards that 'community service of yours and then some. 'least if I have anything to say about it. Oz, help the paramedics on scene and see about healing anyone that was rushing to that Center 'fore they made the discovery. If you got anything you want to do quick to prepare, I should be able to accommodate ya - just don't dilly dally."

Seddi also gets an alert on his phone: The Tour has, in fact, been postponed until Tomorrow Morning, with the Management deeply apologizing to all affected by it, but they have no choice as their staff and associates have to be deployed elsewhere to handle the ongoing crisis. They're offering a one-time 10% Discount on any Big Purchases as compensation, however, so there is THAT at least.

(Iron's PC also gets this information too, as well as everyone else via him or the other PCs, for simplicity's sake)

''Of course I'd want to know seeing that my morning plans have been cancelled by this commotion.'' he sighs, a bit grumpy knowing that buttering up his drake has been for naught.

''Gotta be something major by the way everyone is acting, please do enlighten me.''

The Swim Team Official rubs the back of his head Mareepishly at your dour tone, looking just as chagrined as you are.

"Yeah, yeah, I know it sucks, but what happened blows harder that a Wailord's Water Spout. We'll be trying to resume activities at another date, but after that....I don't think anyone will be in the mood for sports..."

You are lead to a gathering outside the swim building and right in front of a crowd. Instead of leaving you with them, however, you are instead ushered off towards a group of officials , Trainers, and some Police Officers - here you see Penelope, who was looking quite panicked at how things have gone so wrong. If you wish you can stand with her - otherwise he'll lead you to the other Trainers.

Once everyone has been gathered one of the Police Officers steps forward and addressed the growing crowd, their expression as grim as a dreaded Dusknoir as they coughed politely, getting all to settled down. Then, with a completely even tone, they had this to say:

"As of right now, Bayhama is undergoing a Total Lockdown of all non-essential businesses and operations. The reason for this is simple and bad: Five Pokemon Centers have been ransacked, and everyone in them at the time has vanished. We do not have all the details yet, but we believe this a coordinated effort by some Unknown Group. We advise civillians to return home or their current residence and undergo Lockdown Procedures, and Alert authorities or Trainers of any further trouble or any tips you receive about this ongoing investigation."

The officer then looks over to the group of Trainers, his expression Steely yet imploring.

"For Trainers, however, we have a request: help us with this Investigation. This crisis necessitates all available personal, and between it, preparations of for the Festival - which has not been canceled yet - and regular policing and defense of the city we will be stretched thin. Anyone willing to directly worked with the police will be compensated accordingly - though you will have to follow proper procedures and obey any officers assigned to this case, groups, or you individually. Even if you choose not to directly assist I ask you help anyway you can in this crisis, either as a Independent working towards resolving this situation or going above and beyond in Safeguarding and upholding the laws and wellbeing of Bayhama."

They turn to face everyone, and bows.

"That is all. Thank you for your time, and stay safe. May the Savior's Grace Protect us all this day and the ones to come."

With that said they rejoin the rest of the Police Officers and other important looking officials, readying to receive any Trainers that come to work with them or offers of help. The crowd has gone dead silent at this - they were no longer on the verge of panic, but this...this was truly horrendous indeed. Already, most of them were making a hasty retreat from the gathering, but some of them were sticking around, talking with each other with worried looks. Some Trainers and civillians have begun to approach the police, grim determination, heroic resolve, fretful duty, and myraid other emotions on display as they committed themselve to beyond their civic duties. Penelope was looking so lost and distraught - clearly these events have crushed her spirts.

Ecclesia is notably solemn - they don't know much about human society, but they're aware that what just happened was nasty enough that even they couldn't be so dismissive of it. 

For Seddi, Darron, and Oz, you also get a similar explanation of the above from Dodger as he drive you to one of the scenes of the crime.

===

@Iron

Vernon's PC recieves a similar enough speech to the one that was given to Akamu, though this one was a bit more unprofessional yet motivated due to being given by a particularly charismatic Coast Guard. You're given a direct offer by the Coast Guard to help with proceedings (as well as the promise of Pay, Hazard Pay, and further compensation), but if you refuse they are completely fine and understanding about it; they know this isn't the sort of thing for anyone to deal with.

@PhantomUnderYourDesk : Since your PC is specifically not paying attention to things/being aloof, you'll only catch that something big has happened that put the city under Lockdown, concerning one Pokemon Center or another. As a Magi - one of significant political standing at that - you can more or less ignore said Lockdown and act with virtually impunity, so long as you remain Lawful and polite about things. Expect the local government, police force, and any particularly harried citizen to badger you to help out anyway, though: Scimitar Magi are view as heroic figures in Sutalorian Settler society, and as a big wig wizard yourself a lot of people will be wanting you to play Terra and Acrowls and use your Magic to save and Protect them all. Whether you do so or not, however....well, that's up to you. Not the first time a Magi remained aloof, even in the face of a crisis...though not usually without some political maneuvering or doing their own part to help out, anyway.