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

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

...That shadowy giggling creature aka the Curse Daemon aka Ralice not reponding was to be expected. Bernhard doesn't loose too much thought about that, and just hopes and prays(!) that the creature will be able to support him sufficiently in their own way. (Same with Equinox. Her sneezing and shaking it off sounds super-cute [to me, not to Bern]. Let's just, uhm hope and pray double so that their/her idea of what is 'Smart Tactics' aligns with our own vision. Oh dear... Bernhard really DOES like that particular unique magical companion of his, but there's lot of room still to work on them/her being a loyal partner and actually listen to him.)

Oh, and speaking about it - yeah, Bernhard himself feels very much like he's debasing himself by letting her/them fight like a Trainer's Mon. He actually hates it with every fiber of his fine robe and body! Still there was no way around it, not in this particular situation and case. Perhaps in the future he'll find or make ways to shield his Gauntlet from radiation or similar - but not so now. Dire situations require dire means, or so. Or, as Citrine VERY WELL well put it, 'one must tread dark paths to achieve their own mastery and goals'. With a just as heavy and big sigh Bernhard cannot help but to agree to that. "How right you are indeed. How very very right you are..."

...Rumors about his partners eccentrics rubbing off on him though? Uh... That also goes into the 'Worry about it later if I am still alive' bin.

Good good, if the Rain Akumu sets up WON'T spill over to our Group, then I think I've got a decent draft of what I'm planning to do attackwise. Many thanks for the clarification! It's gratefully noted down.



Now, onwards to the Scouting Action:

Group #1 - Drone is BADLY Damage, and is no longer able to be used for Scouting for the remainder of the Encounter. The Group is now on High Alert, and will be much harder to sneak up upon without some VERY good Skills or tricks. On the other hand you learnt they had Ranged Options at their disposal, can 100% confirm that the lands the Group are in are completel Free of Hazards or other nonsense, and that they were (before the Drone was discovered) in the middle of a HUGE Brawl judging by the clouds of sand and what scant amoung of in-Fighting the drone could record.

No clear pictures of what you were dealing with, however: between the damage sustained by the drone, the dust, and duress said video taking was done getting anything but indistinct blobs of Mons was impossible. However, one of them was somewhat clear enough to tell two things - it was BIG, and it was Bloodied.

...Even if it did not work out as intended, Bernhard does still feel like he learned a good chunk of information. At the cost of alerting these creatures though, hmm.

In either way, apologies towards Lunn are in order! With a deep bow of Bernhard and everything, and naturally he'll make up for the damage of the drone in some way (her choice in what way)

One of the creatures being BLOODIED however - THAT catches my interest and eye. If it turns out to indeed be one of the two leaders of the Group (aka the Land Whale OR the Masked Wolf), that can be used as a advantage if they're already damaged and weakened. Aka take out that creature fast and swiftly, then focus on the other.

(...)Seddi will shift his gaze to Mr. Pinstripe and the two mages.

"Whatcha think?  Able to make a big enough ruckus that Loozu and I could slip in unnoticed?  I could have Goodra summon some rain to maybe obscure our approach that little bit more and power up any Water type techniques y'all got."

Bernhard, just like Lopzu, would be against setting up rain. "As much of a smart idea it is to potentially power up our side, dear me feels it would and could potentially cause more harm than good. Same with setting up Hail by Muse or triggering Drought by my Ninetails - no, if possible I'd like to save manipulations of the weather and terrain for the Big Boss once we have reached them. Instead, I do wish to focus on taking the targets out as FAST and SWIFTLY as only possible for us."




Seddi's words of slipping in unnoticed get an approving nod from Bern, he does like that idea. "Wise thinking. You mean, you do wish to cause a distraction so that you and Lopzo can take out one of the Group's leaders quickly, do I understand that correctly? Please correct me if I am wrong."

There's a looong break before Bernhard speaks up again, as he gives the idea a good thought. "...There are INDEED ways for me to cause such a distraction. Allow me to elaborate:"


1. The most obvious, guaranteed to work but also VERY risky way would be making use of Zephy's NoticeMe!-plotdevice. If Zephy herself agrees to put herself to that risk in the first place, that is (@Lord Windos, needs your input). The plan would be the following: Prepare Zephy with a Safeguard and a cast Protect, then have her use NoticeMe! as an actual move/attack (not via Evokation) in the opposite direction you and Lopzu enter. That will draw in ALL THE ATTENTION, ( aka this move/plotdeivce functions as a 1-round-long AoE Follow Me-Effect, at the cost of granting foes +2 Accuracy and +1 Damage against Zephy.) Bernhard will stay close to Zephy, to recall her into her Premier Ball immediately when that effect triggers, leaving the foes befuddled of what happened.

2. Also very possible [and the option I'd prefer], is making use of that Flash Powder as a magical crafting ingredient Zephy brought along from her Night's Out at Afterlife (I haven't gotten to make these into actual Flash Bombs just yet, too busy Bernhard was!). It will generate a Flash-like effect for the duration of the Encounter, invisible Zephy would very well trigger that effect at the opposite direction Seddi and Lopzu will go in. Alternatively, and much muccchhh more risky, Bernhard would likewise cast a Safeguard and Protect over himself could trigger that effect himself.

3. Maybe possible, yet unsure whether it would work in the first place, make use of Equinox's Wonderous and Alluring nature: 
-- Allure*: +2 (6)(6) on all Allure-based rolls, added after dice are substracted. +3 (6)(6) is said roll involved seduction or mating. --
Have her go into the scene with the intention of seduction and mating indeed, IF she/they is fine and willing to give that a try. Both those Group's leaders are Monsters just like this chimeraeevee is - so, perhaps that can be used of advantage here? Likewise Bernhard will stay close, to intercept and recall her/them into their Ball should things become dangerous for Equinox (he would this time not intercept like he did at the actual Foxy Event however, go wild and go nsfw if these other creatures are willing)

Prayers will do you little good if this....Ralice is of similar 'standing' to the likes of the HATEFUL Sandlossugeist, but considering....she(?) hasn't yet started anything then whatever lurking in you and Citrine's shadows was being patient. Your lox, on the other hand, was a much more predictable creature - though judging by their past attitude that doesn't mean it'll be easy either.

You can feel the mental eyeroll and 'Ugh' you were getting from Zephy at how prissy you were about resuming some old habits of yours. After all you weren't always a Scimitar - though how exactly you used what Pokemon you had outside of Zephy (and before you meet her) is....something you perhaps have good reason to not think about. Leaving that part of your life behind you was one of big reasons you accepted becoming a Scimitar...

---

Lunn seems somewhat surprised about your offer, but with a bit more persuasion you were able to get her to tentatively accept $2000 Poke for future repairs of the Drone.

More and more you were proving that at least you were not like the treacherous 'dark wizards' Cheshire and its stanchest allies made your community out to be.

---

*{Later on, with just the War Band}*

One thing to note: upon fully joining in the discussion 'James' gives you a deep bow, to the point he almost went entirely horizontal!

"Master Bernhard! My deepest respects and gratitude for joining us! We're honored by a man of your immense Standing deigning to support us lessers , and from the bottom of my heart I thank you for your supreme character and benevolence in helping not only us but the entire city. While my Boss said to lend a Helping Hand to the Law-man I think he'd be entirely understanding if you wish to acquire my services for your own grand purposes here, Master Bernhard. *Shrugs at Seddi* No hard feelings if that happens, right? Tis only right and correct to follow the greatest superior, I'm sure we can agree at least a little."

In terms of actual Authority Seddi actually has MORE 'hard power' and permissions in regards to being a certified 'Elite agent' of multiple government with the explicit and implicit ability to basically be Cop, Judge, Jury, and Executioner when it comes to The Law for Settlers and represent Paldea's Interests. Hell, the cowboy could actually arrest and process you, if he wanted to horrify the Settlers, anger the Mageocracy, and make enemies out of them both if he didn't have a DAMN good reason.

However, Bernhard (you) being a Head of State for Sutalor's closest ally , their Master Scimitar Status, and VERY close relations with the Settlers as a whole and the top dogs of the Mageocracy itself basically gives you so much 'soft power' , privileges, and just good reputation that you could practically get away with murder and taking the law into your own hands if you spin things the right way. Couple that with the recent publicity stunt you did and you have become a celebrity and champion of the people in the eyes of most citizens here that can do little wrong!

All that is to say, the Family Friends Rank Bernhard higher than Seddi in their own scheme of things, and ergo 'James' will prioritize your commands over Seddi's and not DARE to object to any decisions you make. So that's 3 votes against Weather being used against Group #1 , and therefore the beach will remain as dry as it can be when you begin your assault on those fiends !

Moving on to your suggestions...

None of the newcomers have any objections to Option 1, but Option 2 gets a shake of the head from that wild looking woman lurking in Seddi's shadows, their expression (what little you can see of it) stoic and curt.

"No. The lingering light and brightness from any Flash will drive out the darkness and shadows, ruining my primary means of acting covertly and seriously hinder my ability to conceal myself and my Lord regardless if we attempt Stealth or not."

Maroon guy doesn't look too happy about the lady's objections, but the fact they don't have anything to counter it speaks volumes. Citrine also expresses that Flashing the environment would make any Dark or Cursed based magicks on his part more difficult to do, but also posits it may serve to weaken said forces for the foes as well and prove even More Effective on the one strongly Curse Aligned.

Your suggestion to try pimp out your Umbrelong and have them/her go FULL BARD on the Leaders gets a plain stunned EVERYTHING from the Water Scimitar (you can practically SEE their jaw dropping), chocked laughter from 'James' as he desperately tries to hold it in with one hand, while Lopzu looks taken aback (the most emotion anyone has gotten out of her so far!). 

....It would be at that point Nox would make themselves/herself known, halting their curious exploration of the Bunker and padding up to and in front of her Trainer. Alternatively she's forcefully Summon herself/themselves from their Ball shortly after explaining Operation Love is War. She/they let out a inquisitive *Trrrrmmmzzz?* as they looked up at you, a bit perplexed but intrigued by the Idea, before she smoothly panned her/their head over to look at everyone else here.

 She/they cocked their/her head, before she rose up and smiled, letting out a rumbling *MMmmvvvvvvv* that could be felt by everyone and their natural glow and scent ever so slightly changing to something more.....intimate.

Equinox's Bewitching Charm
VIT (*4) + Contest (*2) + **Allure [ + 2 (6)(6) ]
(5)(1)(4)(6)(5)(6) + (*6)(*6) (*6)(*6) Hubba hubba ~ 

Will Resistances: 

Seddi: (4)(4)(1) (5)(5)(6) (2)(4)(4) + 2 (Iron Leave's Support) = 9 Successes!
'James' : (1)(2)(4)(5)(5) (6)(3)(6)(2)(4) 6 Successes!
Citrine: (5)(4)(1)(2)(4) (1)(6)(1)(6)(1) 4 Successes
Lopzu: (*6)(*5)(2)(3)(3) (2)(1)(6)(3)(1) - 2 (Bestial Nature) Hippity hoppity!

Seddi (@Dragonstrike) , with just a bit of help from his Verdant Blade, is able to rebuff the primal seductive thrill that emanated from the vulpizard completely. 'James' also seems to fair well against it, though judging by them tugging at their collar and the beads of sweat he was just a little bothered by it.

Citrine, on the other hand, began to rapidly stutter, figit, and twitch in place, transfixed by Nox's display as they exerted every ounce of Water Scimitar discipline to NOT do anything.....rash or embarrass themselves.

Lopzu, though?

She took a full step back, her eyes widened in complete shock.....before they lit up with feral zeal  .

Then -

*POUNCE !*

She embraced Nox in a blur of motion , jerked her mask down and - !

Music: 10. Pushing Buddies (DELTARUNE Chapter 3+4 Soundtrack) - Toby Fox

*S M O O C H ! *

Began to furiously and passionately make out with Equinox, who, while initially startled by this, was all too eager to reciprocate , jamming down their long sticky tongue down the woman's throat and making it bulge -

Yeah I'm gonna to cut descriptions off here. I think you get the idea.

The twitchy Magi stiffened at the sudden show....before they fell backwards onto the ground with a *THWUMP* , struck witless by the, uh, display of affection. Mr. Pinstripes let out a long, low, wolf-whistle and slowly shook his head in awe, his attention not once slipping from the sudden pair.

Iron Leaves was just perplexed and baffled by this all, judging from what Seddi could feel from their Bond with the mechanical wonder horse. Zephy is howling with laughter through her Bond with you. The shadows lurking around Bern/Citrine seemed to pause, a feeling of FASCINATION and then 'Oh MY!/Ew !' pulsing out briefly but sharply.

Serious conversation: Derailed by the Radioactive Bardic Chimera Charisma.

Damn it Bern and Nox !

Curious thing to note about, uh, THAT - the CURSED and oppressive feeling that was blanketing your part of the Bunker (which is out of sight/sound of everyone else, thank god) was BLASTED away the moment Lopzu and Nox had their, ah, own moment. The Power of Amorousness seems to be a Counter to the Curse Energy? Hooray???