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

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Searching: INS + Survival + Alert + Tip - Scimitar (5) - Bold Approach (2) +/- Rep (?)
(2)(5) 1 Success...

....You are, by and large, unsuccessful as you try and boldly sleuth around for a way to Dive into the seedy underground. People by and large are baffled by your inquiries, as if they couldn't believe a man of your standing would stoop so low to indulge in such shady business, or are very Skittish and panicking as they (think) you are trying to strong arm them into confessing things to get them arrested, in trouble, or on the hook for SOMETHING.

While Scimitars in Sutalor generally have a FANTASTIC relationship to Settlers, they're also by and large seen as HEORIC and Law Abidding (well, honorable in their own way) People. This means that the Criminal Elements of the society, while still holding a good deal of admiration and respect for you, also are extremely wary and reasonably nervous about getting your attention - well, at least until they find out they can Trust you. Considering you're fairly Anti-Social even by Scimitar/Magi standards, the fact that this slipped your mind (and may still do so, if you want to RP Bern being oblivious) is not surprising - Zephy has always been the social Butterfree between the two of you, for better and worse.

So far, so bust with the Search: you can either leave it for now and let this be a Minor Encounter (+ Information, ???), or come up with a more nuanced plan to trying and find the Black Market. Think back to when it was first mentioned to your character in-game if that helps come up with anything, and considering WHICH part of the City you want to search (City Map, looking for 'poor' or seedy areas). Lastly, you could try the Afterlife to get more info, which will continue the Moderate Encounter but abandon your current search for the Market for the time being.

Definitely an Icy Rock then please. We'll leave it in her paws, same with that begnin and enigmatic Card - it's not infused with Magic, contrary to what Bern believed? Alright then. That actually makes him even more curious about what the heck happened and where dear Zephy got it from + what's wrong with her: Every now and then he'll check on her, only to find her still in that unconscious and unrestful sleep (unsuprising).

...Maybe that's why he didn't have any luck finding that Black Market; too lost in thoughts he was over concern and worry for Zephy, Fortune's latest ploy he never asked to be part of, and no we'll not think or daydream about Morgana now, nu uh. Probably wasn't the smartest idea to look around for the Blacl Market without any clue either. Damn, Bernhard, get your head out of the clouds and FOCUS, for Arceus's sake.

I'm aware that...looking for the shady sort of business somewhat goes against what the Settlers see Scimitars as - But we're not loosing too much thought about that or make a fuss out of it. Bernhard's used to do what HE thinks is right and follow his OWN path and goals, and in his book looking into the more unethical side of business in order to get what he wants/needs for his next alchemistic masterpiece - that's fair game. After all the ends justify the means. (Sure, we COULD go without it - but the better the creation turns out to be, the more useful it will hopefully turn out to be in terms of the journey ahead.)


Alright. Let's try to think again, and go a different approach.
(Found the post where we obtained knowledge of the Black Market: https://pokemonuranium.co/forum/showthre...4#pid81064. Crazy to think it's a little more than a year old already, time is weird)


Let's go for the docks then, more specifically one of the Sea Trade Shops. Preferably one that feels or looks.....less frequented, or empty of customers at best. One that gives off an impression of 'not too opposed to indulge into less honorrable things/business, life at the sea is hard enough'. For even better results, have Myra help pick one: Via summoning the former, and observe her reaction to various shops if 'scanning' them with her sixth sense - because I feel a shop that's not opposed to do shady or 'shady' business would trigger a different reaction from her than a shop that goes 100% by the laws.

In there, Bernhard would try to strike up a conversation with whoever's currently at the counter. "Sincere greetings on that rainy day. I'm just passing through, and... *more quietly, whispering*...I do hope you are able to help me with sort of a 'problem' on my side. I know it's perhaps not the most honorable issue, though I assure you that your hospitality would be appreciated and remembered."

He would then, behind closed doors and after looking around once more, present one of the Houndoom Fangs Darren has given to us the day prior. "Have you heard the news of a rabid Houndoom running loose in Bayhama lately? Well, as you see, that problem got..., well, solved, if you wish. It wasn't me, and please do not ask how this fang found its way to me. ...Connections, you see. A gift to me, if you wish. I have more of these, and more parts of that poor dog that would be too precious to... hmm, let go to waste, if you know what I mean. Perhaps you do know a way to make good use of these goods?~ Perhaps someone of the rougher or less lawful type of person could make more use of these than dear me can?"



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READ: Trying to find my way to the Black Market at the docks, and striking up a conversation with one of the Sea Trade Shop's owners. Make it look like I have business indeed, and want to get rid of the parts of a rabid Houndoom asap. Make it look like it bothers me that they're in my posession.

(FYI Mika, I'm NOT trying to sell the rabid Houndoom parts. The offer of creating a battle-item out of all the parts for you with you present is still valid. I'm just using them now to hopefully find my way into the Black Market to look for something there for my own next alchemistic creation, if all works out.)