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

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

(Note: Be sure to include your own Battle Preparation/Rising Tension Music, if you like!)

Eventually, even with a few....complications, everyone gets ready for the Titanic Fight.

Before the .... Oddness concerning Zoeti happened, you briefly meet the hollow gaze of Kusanagi, as you both took in the Message together.

There is no Hesitation as she nod.

"Samurrott."

Let's finish what we started, or die trying.

Iron Leaves....she's not too thrilled with the DANGER you're putting yourself in. While the fate of the Region and the World at large rests on What You Do....such relatively minor Conflicts like this Dameon (*Shudders*) with Disproportionate Risk to Reward should be avoided. Because, as just mentioned, a LOT rides on you two Succeeding in your Missions.

But....she is ever your Loyal and Understand Stead and Verdant Blade. Though she protests your decision, she ultimately will still follow through with it and Help. Though if the going gets TOO Tough....expect her to get 'creative' in how that Help comes about.

Velunza is a bit nervous about facing off against a Ghost, but if you tell him about Soak his usual Slasher Grin is back in place, eager to turn the tables on what would be an Impossible Match-Up.

Rabsca simply bobs in place and begins thinking up MANY different preliminary strats based on what little data is avaliable, and as always is ready to Save Lives.

Goodra gives you a firm look, crossing their arms with an authoritative *Trill* . You're taking them into this Battle THIS time, no ifs ands or buts! Yeah, they're still miffed and upset about being left behind...especially seeing as you got brutalized within an inch of your life.

And last but certainly not least, Ceruledge.

You First Blade.

Your sister is all but blood.

She meets your own gaze...and softly rests a ghostly flame blade on your shoulder. One that does not Burn - a feat of supreme effort and control. 

"Ceruledge."

I'm with you.

So, you team assembled and prepared, you ready to go....

---

Then, before you know it, all of you were Ready.

Ready.....to MARCH

Scene Music: Bleach TYBW - Wandenreich Declaration of War Theme | EPIC VERSION

Redstone leading the party, sending out Ecclessia and GLOOMTAIL as the vanguard.

Seddi with his Blades of Malice and Glory, side by side, always at had.

Bernhard with his immense Magical Might and the Grace of his Partner baring down on all.

And.....Zoeti , a Most Odd but Grand Witch that saunters with supreme confidence, Arcane Power, and her beloved Coven of sisters leading the rear.

Together you marched from the Center towards the Southern Beach, where the Main Conflict was about to be kicked into high gear. Said place just so happens to be the Primary Staging Area  Vernax prepared - perhaps you were drawn there by the Connection you had with the Wandering Soul.

As you marched the crowds parted before you all, like a rod from heaven splitting the very earth in twain. Tourists, Settlers, Natives, Officers, Rangers, and all sorts of people and Pokemon watched you go to your Destined Battle, mumming with worry yet awe....

....But soon, it was not just only your group marching together.

An stern and decorated officer made their way to Akamu's side, cutting through the and flanking you. He gives you a quiet, firm nod.

"Dragon Master. My officers are already on there way. Allow me to assist you directly."

Then, so silently yet smoothly, another person joins their side: a familiar white haired Kimino Girl, alongside what appeared to be.....a kimono-suited man wearing a large bamboo hat that obscures their face. Together they both Wielded Katanas, very much like the one you still had.

The woman simply nodded to you, as if this was simply the proper course of action.

With Seddi a tall, lanky, almost comically skeletal man waltzed over the crowd. He was wearing a maroon pinstrip suit that to your discrening glance seemed incredibly armored, and he had some sort of colossal claymore-heavy assault rifle casually resting on one shoulder. The man, wearing a pair of circular shades, tipped his maroon fedora and gave a tombstone grin.

"Law-man, mind if me and my boy lend a helping hand? No cost! Consider it a Favor, on behalf of the City!"

*Soft Clack*

You feel someone land beside you gently, and when you turn to look you find a most distinguished woman shadowing you.

"Oooh? Your Master let you off the leash, Lopzu? He....I guess this shin-dig will have all the stars of Bayhama by the end of the night."

"...."

The swordswoman does not reply to the suited man, simply falling into your shadow, ready to support. Said man simply shrugs, before looking at you and saying "Women, am I right?" and focusing on the road ahead.

With Bernhard, a familiar Magi flowed to their side, a cool mist and droplots of Water saturating the air around them. They said nothing, for their was nothing that needed to be said between Scimitars with the same cause.

In your two shadows, you could barely make out the presence of...some shadowy creature. Not harming, but helping, though the chittering laughs were still hair-raising....

With Zoeti, a gruff man with slicked back black hair barged his way through the crowd, a gang of goons trailing behind him. All of them sporting a familiar ' BB ' logo on their apparel.

' John '  , fine yet unbuttoned black suit and dress shirt and black dress jeans in all, you recognized, simply walked with you, not glancing your way once. From what Akamu was able to share, they no longer held a Grudge to you. Heck, they may not even recognize you after...this. But something tells you through his intense silence....he and his own crew were not here to cause trouble.

A....priestess simply.....manifested by you side, giving you an enigmatic smile and respectful bow and walked. her bare feet hardly disturbing the ground. As if, despite existing here and now, she was not truly a part of this world.

A War Band had formed up around you, whether it be due to being drawn in by the force on display, the Connections you've made with the City's denizens, or....simply a natural convergence of Power and Destiny.

The crowds around you fell silent, beholding all of you....

.... Before, one and all, they start cheering you on, as you went on to face .... !

THE HATEFUL SANDLOSSUGEIST!

Go go go!

You can do it!

You WILL prevail !!!

===

Eventually, the entire band of heroes(?) arrive at the Primary Staging Area. Already their was a swarm of Elites and Rangers swarming about the place, carting supplies, messages, wounded people and Mons alike.....and even some corpse.

Nobody gets in your way as you head towards a nearby Entrenched Sand Bunker, from which great billowing streams of smoke was coming forth. There you would find Vernax, who was currently running a Supply Depot alongside a Old Sailor Lady, who was clad in white and providing security with her Chatot and Punk Rat.

As state Vernax offers his supplies....as well as what little he can spare to your War Party, as was dictated by the Military Officers that helped made use of the place he dug out:

- A Total of 10 Hyper Potions
- 5 Max Potions
- 10 Full Heals
- 5 Revives
- 1 Max Revive

Divide these however you like among you guys; though anything you DON'T take will be used by your Allies, so if you want to give them a leg up then be sparring with what you take.

The old lady has some news about the Current Situation: Casualties have spike to 57, and the Daemon has only grown larger and more viscous. Those that died to it had spawned into Twisted Palossands thrawled under Its HATEFUL Will, and a couple of Masked Wolves and Land Whales that seemed to have Joined Forces with it, leading the thralls and Catching and delivering anyone they Defeat/Find to The Hateful Sandlossugeist to....convert .

Right now, there are Four Groups that are Guarding/Covering the War Zone between the Primary Staging Area and where the Boss is currently at, though that stretch of ground is shrinking as it gets ever closer, its BOOMING and hidious HATEFUL L A U G H T E R and the screams of the damned and the Din of Battle a constant backdrop...

- Group 1 is compose of 1 Sand Whale and Masked Wolf, with 5 Palossands between them

- Group 2 is composed of 1 Sand Whale with 10 Palossand

- Group 3 is composed of 1 Masked Wolf and 10 Palossand

- Group 4 is composed of 10 Palossand, and two of the Twisted Palossand have Merged into a Sand-goth .

It has been reported that the Palossand are weaker than usual (8 HP, 2 VIT and INS), but have NASTY Curses and Status baked into their attacks. It also seems like taking down Their Leader causes them to go Dormant - as was the case with one group and their now dead Alpha Cofrigigas.

You have (as of now - if you have any ideas feel free to state them!) Three Approaches:

1) Take on some of the Hateful Legions to Clear a Path. Min Two Group have to be taken out before the War Party can safely and quickly get to The Boss. You could also take them ALL out, if you can afford the risk to make way for the ENTIRE coalition to join in on the Boss Raid.

2) Direct Strike. Skip the Groups using your various means of Mobility/Force to go straight to the Boss. This WILL leave the current defenders at risk of getting overwhelmed, and their is always a chance one or more Groups of the Legion will double back to Aid their Boss.

3) Wait. Let the coalition of other Elites, Rangers, and Military bleed themselves first on the Groups, and only wade in once its 'safe' to do so. HIGH Casualties, but low risk to the War Party. Is that what Heroes would REALLY do, though...?

What will your choice be?

The People of Bayahama: Ark Mall (Exploration) - Astral Chain

Seddi shakes his head, disagreeing with Leaves.  This mission isn't just about saving the world for him.  It's about saving people.  Now's not the time for them to argue about it though.  She's helping him (and Bayahama) anyways, and that's enough for now.  They can talk about the nuances of the situation and why this is necessary later.

Seddi will offer Goodra a fist bump.  "Wouldn't dream of leavin' ya behind this time, Goodra.  This may not be what Nemona was thinkin' of, but she was right all the same.  Let's finally prove we have what it takes to make a difference here."

Veluza does get that reminder about Soak.  Seddi doesn't think Soaking the Malefic Wannabe won't come without some caveats though, so he'll need to talk it over with the other defenders.

Nothing more needs to be said with Kusanagi, Ceruledge, and Rabsca.  They know what their roles are.

The time to act is now.

--------------------

Seddi chuckles at the pinstripe's lawman comment.  The irony will never not be funny to him.

Well, that, and the whole thing about 'women' is also somewhat amusing to him, given who he works for and who's by his side right now.  Ceruledge finds it a little less amusing, practically staring daggers at the man in the maroon suit.

"You've got some strong women to thank for sendin' one of Paldea's finest out this way.  That's the real favor here.  And you can bet I'm gonna make sure I'm paid well for this.  Takin' down critters like this one is expensive work."

Seddi, ever the opportunist.

"Even sayin' that, guns; swords; pokemon...doesn't matter what ya use, who ya are, or your reasons for bein' here.  We fight for the same cause today."

-------------

Before they set out, Seddi will do a little info gathering from the people gathered.  It's important to know what you're up against, and there's some Pokemon names he hasn't heard previously:
- Land Whale
- Masked Wolf

He can guess that at least one of those is likely a Ground type, similar to the Ground/Ghost Palossand and the Hateful Sandlossugeist.  Guessing isn't good enough in this job though.  He wants some more certainty about the types and capabilities of these pokemon if the people of Bayahama are familiar with them already.  He thinks Bernhard's got the right idea of scouting out the potential battleground.  As the saying goes: knowledge is power.

As for the medical supplies offered, Seddi takes none of it.  He's got a fair few strong healing items for emergencies already, and others might need that healing more than he will.

Spoiler

'Family Friend' Capo 'James'
"Hoo? What to know about lil' ol me? Fine by me! Friends don't keep important deets to themselves, savvy?"
This mafia looking and near ghoulish man professes he's from a group know as the 'Family Friends' , an organization dating back to around the founding of Bayhama that only wishes to 'defend the Rights and Traditions of our people, and Enforce Proper Respect and Order.'  They are a 'Switch-Hitter' type of combatant - the typically favor pinpoint Ranged Attacks with them and their Octillary and Decidueye, but does not hesistant to leap in with brutal, overwhelming Physical Attacks when needed with his trusty 'Blaster Claymore' .

Lapzu, the Shadowy Sentinal
"......I am at your command and always have your back, my lord."
Another swordsman, only this one is a bit more....bestial and FAR fleeter of feet and illusive. They can serve in one of two Roles - that of the faithful Bodyguard Sentinal, protect an individual and/or their Mons by redirecting or intercepting Attack to parry and reposte, or that of the Hunter Sentinal, using their insane speed and frightening ability to find weakpoints to tear enemies apart before they even realize she's there. She has a Pokemon with Healing Wish to revive her Master or herself in a pinch, a Mon that can aid in Stealth, and a Swords Mon of her own as a final, last resort.

As his part of the strategizing, he'd consult with the swordswoman and pinstriped man about the feasibility of a targeted assassination on one of the leaders, and backup plans to accompany the action.  "We've got some big guns here, literally and figuratively.  My team's well suited for a direct confrontation, but doesn't really handle large groups well.  We may need some crowd control in the event we go for it and miss the mark.  Maybe we team up with those mages.  Bet they've got some real nasty spells they can conjure to wipe out groups." 

Spoiler

After hearing their sister's answer including Meza (or not in case you decide to ignore this part) Oz walks towards her other companions: Seddi, Bernard and Akumo (in case they didn’t react to her taking control of her body once again). “Hey. I…Sorry, for what Zoeti did. It is a long story but…basically me and Hecate fused by accident. We do not have time for explanations, but I promise I will explain everything later. Right now what you guys must know is: I am in control now of this body, and in control of this power. For how long I don’t know, but this came out on a good time.”

She looks at John and his BBs, and for a second her hair shakes with anger, since she does remember what he did to Juniper and what he would do towards her. He might not hold a grudge against her anymore but Oz sure does. She controls herself however. This is not the time to let emotions take control, especially against that storm of enemies. Any help is welcome at this point.

“All I can say now is I can help with some powers now. I have access to all of Mega Hatterene powers, and I can access my Pokemon moves too. My partner Bethy can Copy a move so she might use it, and by extension, me. So if you have any moves that could be useful for her to copy, now is the time to do it.”

Seddi will give Oz a brief, affirmative nod.  "So that's what happened.  Well, we can try and fix ya up later.  Right now, I think this gives us a rather interestin' advantage.  Play this smart, and we could end this more quickly than we might have otherwise.  Just don't go gettin' yourself killed if you engage in direct combat."