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

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Original Post

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?"

NOTE: Due to my FUCKING COMPETER glitching out, I have lost most of the post I was working on. Therefore, I will be abbreviating it for the sake of time and out of anger. Sorry dear, but this has pissed me off something FIERCE...

- The Result of Your more focused Search has Paid Off: It has lead you to a Business known as The Lapis Lagoon, a small courier and shipping business that also does tours and various other small jobs and activities. It was fairly out of the way, and judging by its rough-ish exterior and their pontoon boat being festooned with all sorts of serious looking (and occasionally less than legal looking) gear fit for braving the seas and other stuff, it was a PERFECT start to really digging into the BM...

- ....However, you were suddenly yanked off into a side ally by what appeared to be no other than another Scimitar! One that, judging by their dark blue robes, seastone and blue metal Gauntlet, face obscuring hood and 'fluid' demeanor, was of the Water Faction! They had this to say: "What. Are you thinking? Are you even thinking? Do you have any IDEA of what you're doing?" Their voice is staticy and reverberating, but distinctly irritated, bordering on pissed off - magic hiding it, no doubt.

- You got a good INS + Contest + Etiquette Roll to figure out why this figure is so upset with you; you're bold and brazen search for the criminal/grey elements on the Docks has been making a LOT of people nervous and stirring shit up, both in the normal and magical sphere. This was not helped at all with having Myra out and about doing her thing: turns out she has been using Drought to engage in a literal weather war to keep you and her from getting damp (Ugh!) and being all to obvious about her helping you search for dubious venues and vendors. Couple that with the fact it is a Water Scimitar you're dealing with and the location you're in....you may have inadvertidly been causing trouble and headaches in Faction territory. Whoops.

- Myra isn't terribly pleased with you getting rough up a bit by your fellow Scimitar, and looks poised to intervene with just about as much care as you were given (IE: None).[/i]

(.........)

(Current mood over having messed up)


IMMEDIATE and OVERLOADED Fight-Response triggered upon being yanked off into a side alley!!1!1 Bernhard's mind literally short-circuited, he's ready to defend himself right away with everything we've got.

.....He calms down a tad bit however upon recognizing his 'attacker' as a fellow Scimitar. Correction: As Scimitar from the Water Faction. And no, them being angry and pissed at us doesn't impress Bern, he remains quite stoic and neutral. We're giving them a MASSIVE side-eye though. (￢_￢)

Not too happy with Myra either, Bern gestures her with the gauntleted hand to stay still and let things be. "*firm voice* ...E N O U G H. Restrain yourself, don't you dare to intervene UNLESS I do tell you so, Myra. I will handle this. *pauses, in calmer voice* You and your unique skills have served me well, very well so, you have my genuine gratitude indeed. Good girl. However, do tone your Drought down please, it draws way too much unwanted attention onto us." He casts a spell to have her fur repel water and dampness from the rain via Invocation over her (and himself) to help her keep dry. "There you go. Quiet now, please."

Back to our fellow Mage who receives a second round of side-eyes, feeling mildly insulted by their words. "To answer your question, I am INDEED thinking. ...Overthinking things perhaps. ...AGAIN. It happened again..." *facepalming and letting out a sigh* "...Forgive me. It's been...a rough morning on my end among other things, and I'm tired. Multiple things are happening all at once, at multiple places, and perhaps I'm plain overworked. Or solely exhausted. ...Or both."

There's a long break until Bernhard speaks up again. Towards a fellow Magic-User and appearantly having messed up, he feels he is allowed to be honest and somewhat (emphasis on 'somewhat'  and 'slightly') open up. "For business, that's what I'm here for. You see... Can you accuse a man of my position and rank of wanting to further hone their skills, to go for more, to strive to become even better at what you're great and masterful at already? My newest alchemistic masterpiece... Perhaps, no, quite likely so I am venturing into territory I shouldn't venture in. Reputation and all. However... Hmm... Harvested parts of specific Pokemon are hard to come by if you want to avoid the dirty work of hunting the living specimen down. Yet their alchemistic value is beyond and superb. However... *thinks* ...Doesn't it make things have more emotional value if it has been you yourself that gathered the ingredients instead of opting for shady business? Perhaps so, me thinks. I do admit that I, well, miiiight have wanted to avoid to get my own hands dirty just this time. And let me tell you, Alchemy can get VERY dirty if want to become good at it."

*extends the gaunteted hand* "Though I do bet we can find a common ground? Causing trouble and headaches, among Magi and Non-Magi, has not been my intention. I do admit I have lost sight of what's the MORE important aspect. Say, if I do drop things here and now and let people be, indulge in their blackest of black business with me turning a blind eye on it, will that leave you satisfied? What IS it that does leave you satisfied? You have my apology, and thanks for likely having brought me back onto the RIGHTFUL path."


----------------------
Course of Action:
Okay, my plans and priorities have slightly changed. Abandon my plan to find the Black Market for now. Can I instead spend this Moderate Encounter to speak with and get to know a fellow Scimitar, for connections? Unless they want me to make haste and leave the docks and never look back, in that case I have a Plan B for this Encounter.