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

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(...)Of course, this is all moot if you don't trust the agent enough to help you out in this area or don't want to give away your newest acquisition. The question is now thus: are you willing to Accept their Help with your Gauntlet?

...The more we're learning about this mysterious...person, the more Bernhard feels inclined to accept their help; if him ever so slightly perking up from reading through the contract, getting a good view on the special (Champion Class!!!) Toxicroak, and even offering help to fix up + re-attach (and slightly upgrade!!!) his Gauntlet was of any indication. They're receiving a loooong LOOK™ and no words from the defeated stoic Magus as he seems to carefully ponder over things for an informed decision...

Zephy's words of "Bern....be careful. These two.....something isn't right with them. I don't think they mean harm, but...I can't get anything other than 'Business' from them." are noted and appreciated, she's receiving a long - yet honest and grateful - LOOK™ as well. And a telepathic response: "Thank you for your insight, Zephy dear... I am pretty sure they have REASONS for not wanting anyone to get a read on them. REASONS for wanting utmost secrecy and discretion... More so if their name and agency they're working for a redacted in this contract indeed..."

"Honestly I am not feeling TOO well about agreeing and accepting their help via signing their contract as well having them re-attach my gauntlet, but this appears to be a unique chance we might not ever run into again, wouldn't you agree? With a mighty Toxicroak like that one fighting alongside the others in my name against that Hateful Being, we might just...raise chances of success and lessen the number of further fatalities in a SIGNIFICANT way, and prove that we can STILL be of aid despite not fighting ourselves..."

*deep sigh* "I KNOW Steelene will not like this outcome. Not in the slightest probably. Hate me even, perhaps. But... This is the necessary evil, I fear. I regardless hope they and their boss will not use her for any shady business, this poor thing would not deserve it after her Trainer fell in such a traumatic way..." 

Furthermore: "Zephy, my dear... If I DO let...them perform the surgery, can I count on you and your crafty nature to make it go as smoothly as only possible? To assist and aid in your known mastery way? Do not worry about me - I will have a local doctor look over it and handle the aftercare while the others and Nox face that Hateful Being, and I am aware that pain and a toll on my body are inevitable, I fear - but, I'm LONGING for rest and taking it easy to fully recover one way or the other. *looking defeated* There is only SO MUCH I am able to take without it affecting me badly, you know..."


#######


General Outcome and course of action: Bernhard makes clear that he is interested in both signing the contract of their aid for a favor as well as have them (+Zephy) re-attach, fine-tune and slightly upgrade his gauntlet indeed. However, he wishes to have a bit more information first and go over the some details via asking the following questions:

Question#1

Will said favor involve anything outright illegal or that has a significant risk of death (of any PC and PC's Pokemon)? Since it can be anyone other that Bernhard to carry out the favor, I'm feeling a desire to inform the party about that deal AFTER the fight against that Hateful Sandlossugeist, just so that they are forewarned. If there will be any hard feeling from a party member about that, Bernhard will point out the advantages of this business.

Question#2

Why do they want this particular Mawile to re-coup the costs? Is it related to how Lunn perished? Can we count on this person to treat her...at least well enough? ( no details what they'll do with it needed, that's their business)

Question#3

Are they okay with having Zephy help in the operation? Can I trust that they will keep Zephy as a 'Mon and her being Bern's partner a secret?

Question#4

Where will said surgery take place? Can we have the person's word that they will perform it as clean and sterile as possible within the warzone, without a risk of sepsis afterwards (aka them knowing what they're doing)? Bernhard will find a doctor to look over it afterwards one way or the other, but he doesn't wish for any nasty suprises. This is also important because if Zephy will use 3 Willpoints (currently she is at max Will 5/5) to aid in this crafty surgery, 'Notice Me' will automatically proq on her end.

Question#5

Does that 'slight upgrade' of the gauntlet come with any drawbacks or hidden strings to be aware of? This is Magi-tech Bernhard uses on a daily basis after all, and what he uses to defend himself.