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

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

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."

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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.

'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." 

You can feel Leaves discontent with your own interpretation of The Goal and Mission. Individuals matter little - it's the whole [SYSTEMS] that do, Right or Not. Like you, though, She leaves it well enough alone. Such a difference of opinion, while at times troublesome, was within Acceptable Parameters so long as the Risk accrued from it did not exceed a certain threshold. So long as you both did your best to Succeed She would not object to your methods. Besides, you were her Wielder and Partner. She trusts that you're doing a Right Thing, disagreeable and flawed as it was, and would do Her best to follow through with the trust you have given her.

If you want Goodra can also give you a ride by place you on their surprisingly not Sticky shoulders - such a thing would be laughably easy for them, and riding a Pseudo Dragon would add some serious style points to go with that roguish cowboy look of yours.

---

The skeletal man 'Hehs!' along with you, not yet getting your humor but easily falling into your 'vibe' , his massive gun easily carried along with his mirth. When your wrathful blade mistress level her baleful gaze upon the man, however, he stopped and took note of her.....before a look of shock and contrition appeared.

"Ah! My deepest apologizes for the unwarranted disrespect, Miss Ceruledge. Such crudeness was not meant for one of your Standing."

He then bows his head and.....offers his arm to your Blade?

"Still, an unintended insult is just that - an insult. One that needs correction, to a fine Family Friend like myself  from a Lady of your caliber. Please, take your Retribution and Anger out on me in recompense. I insist."

Ceruledge looks Astonished at the implicit offer too....mutilate him for such a minor slight. And yet, after the stress of the last few days building up without proper release and having to put up with that most despicable old curr.... 

Loyalty: (5)(3)(5)(3)(3)
Disobedience: (1)(5)(5)*(4)(2) Welp.

*Slice !*

Her flaming sword passed through his arm, the portion between his elbow and wrist. Surprisingly it does not damage the suit itself, but from the smell of cooked flesh the blade still found its mark. She leveled a even look at the pinstripped man....before offering a single nod, feeling....satisfied and more at peace than before. The man simply gave them a most respectful smile and nod back and lowered their arm back down, seemingly disregarding the injury and considering the matter Fair and Done.

He then turned back to you and started chatting, as if what just happened was no big deal.

"Heh, you're right. Don't know what motivated the Zero Dragoness to send one of her best and brightest stars, but know that at least the Family Friend here 'ppreciate it most gratefully. *Grins* Respect the Hustle you got there too - I like a man that knows his Worth and is willing to get every bit of Poke he's Due. And you, I say, are worth millions. Not only 'cause of your Standing, but the company ya keep too. Heh...Lopzu is proof alone of that - her Master doesn't just give her leash to anyone. Wonder what you did to earn such a Favor...."

The silent swordswoman has nothing to say still to anything so far - she just keeps even pace with you, lurking just a few steps behind and in your shadow, almost to the point of fading away.

---

You're doing some snooping around about these Native critters? Let's see how ya do then!

Investigation Roll: Land Whale
INS (3) + Knowledge (2) + Lore (2) - 1 Success (Malus) + 1 (Upcoming Researcher)
(2)(4)(3) (3)(2)(1) (2)(2) 1 Success...

Investigation Roll: Masked Wolf
(5)(3)(2) (6)(6)(4) (5)(3) 5 Successes!

You git almost zilch about the Land Whale, as it seems like every is either too on edge to openly speak about one of THEM or are just too dang busy trying to prevent one of them from succeeding in Ambushing a part of this area. About the only thing you managed to find out was their Typing: Ground / Dark , and that the ones observed like to Dig dig dig.

Asking about the Masked Wolf, however, proves far more fruitful: you find a Native shrouded in dusty, black robes wearing a white porcilin mask willing to tell you all about them....for a price.

"$3000 Poke, or Your Word in Helping With the Mirage Wolf (Group 3). *Bows head* I can not Freely Offer such Zir'Nof about Teo'Rbo - it is against my Sacred Vows made with Them. To Make Teo'Rbo Known to Others is not done lightly...."

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*Later On, During Assault/Infiltration/Scouting Prep*

"Going hitman on the Bosses? *Whistles* Ballsy. *Grins* I like it, but it ain't going to be easy - elevated beasts like them are seldom easy to take Unaware like that. 'Specially if they're Intent on causing as much suffering as possible - probably got a good bead on Detecting any Human activity in their Territory and responding lightning quick....

"Heh....unless you got a good enough distraction or bait to lure them in and get their guard down nice and easy. I could lead a direct assault on that group with my fellows with or without the Magi, while you or Lopzu can use the chaos to get a better STAB in with those hidden blades of yours. *Shrugs* Or that Air Scim could try some air raids with my Deicidueye and any other fliers we have - hell, if they or us can keep out of Range that'd be a fine way of dealing with these demons even without any saturation style attacks. Not as stealthy, but not as risky too if we can pull it off right and easy to fall back on if things go to complete shit."

Lopzu is mostly silent, though she does grudgingly nod along to the points and ideas 'James' is spitballing. Her own words are brief but clear: "I am specialized in such matters - Stealth or Bold Kills. *Looks at You* ....With my help, concealment and presence denial would be most doable for you, my Lord, if you wish to join me in quietly dealing with the Leaders."

You get the sense this swordswoman is used to working alone or with her own 'resources' , and would rather have 'her Lord' out of such a danger prone gambit. She has discerned your own talents and Skill in sneaking into places you shouldn't be, though, and seems.....accepting of you joining in Stealth with her aid.