[Game Thread] Pokerole Mystery Dungeon: Primal Shadows

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Thank you for the excellent service sir. People? Are ready to go? We have a few battles ahead of us."

That comment from the deltadoggo causes Kee to suddenly stop laughing and chuckling to himself, instead he GASPS. "Ya're right, ya're right, better get goin'!!1!" ( ÒωÓ)و☆

A thankful bow and wave of 'Til next time!~' to Kecleon and Kee continues to lead the way.
   

[Dragonstrike]

Kecleon waves back and smiles as the group exits the shop.  "Thank you for stopping by the Kecleon Shop!  We hope to see you again soon!"

Continuing to follow the tracks through the dark tunnels, Team OS eventually reaches a junction.  The tracks continue down the corridor straight ahead of them, eventually sloping downwards sharply.  "I think that's the path to the next floor!  I have a feeling we're getting close to our goal, everyone.  Stay on guard."

To the side is another tunnel with more rails leading from it.  However, the rails look broken and unused, and the path seems to have been blocked by a small cave-in.  "Hey, wasn't there a tunnel on the other side of that cliff?  Do you guys think that this might be the other side of it?"

   

Before the Team can properly assess their surroundings, though, they hear a voice with a very thick Transylvanian accent.  

"Who dares disturb my search for the Darkest of Shadows?"

A dark shadow of a pokemon drops down from the ceiling.  Their hide almost as dark as the shadows in the room, the dim torchlight barely illuminating their silhouette.   As they stand straighter and look at the party, dark wings that look like a cloak lined with red velvet drape around their body, and a pair of glowing yellow eyes seem to peer straight into the party's very souls.  Two large ears twitch constantly, as if scanning their surroundings for every little noise.

(It seems the image inserting with links isn't working properly at the moment, so I had to improvise with this next picture and upload it instead of linking the exact one I had in mind.  It's not one to one with the exact image, but I think you'll recognize what it's supposed to be.)

   

Every time they speak, it sends a chill down everyone's spines.

"Young fools.  Hmph.  This is no place for children such as yourselves.  Begone, before you meet a fate most terrible."

"Hey, who you calling a child, huh?!  Do you have any idea who you're speaking to?"

Hoopa floats forwards, arms crossed as they glare at the bat pokemon.

"Hmph.  I do not, nor do I care.  Begone.  Leave me to my search."

"Why you...!"

Karen and Marcus seem to both be taken aback by this pokemon's appearance, not sure what to say.  Karen looks nervously at the rest of the party while Hoopa shakes a fist at the strange pokemon in anger.

[Spiritmon]

Kogeki see the party, Hoopa and then the vampire in front of him. For now he must maintain a calm head and try to not make the Pokemon before him. He take a step ahead, and then kneel in respect towards the vampire. "Forgive my friend sir. He was trapped inside a bottle for so long he forgot how to talk to others. And forgive our transgression in cross paths with yours. We are doing our own search too for someone. From a Life Drinker to other, we also want to continue our path to reach our goal."

"We just going to follow our way and cause no more annoyance to you oh might ruler of dark." Kogeki try be as much polite as possible, and avoid unnecessary conflict. He kinda tired of the group going to fight unnecessary so let's try a different approach.

[Dragonstrike]

Vilucard sneers as the insolent Riolu steps forward, though he seems to be taken slightly aback by Kogeki's behavior and words, not being at all what he was expecting.

I'll give this a little bonus, 'cuz this pokemon seems to like that demeanor, and Kogeki's words are very intriguing.

Kogeki's Etiquette: 1 Insight + 0 Contest + 0 Etiquette + 2 Bonus
(3) + 2 = 2 successes

Vilucard's Intimidate: (1)(2)(6)(5)(1)(3)(4)(3)(1) 2 Successes

The dark pokemon does not stand aside, but he doesn't become immediately hostile either.  He stands straight as his piercing yellow eyes stare straight through the unflinching tiny creature standing before him, his response slightly more polite.

"You risk meddling with powers you cannot possibly fathom.  If the one you are searching for is here, then they are likely too far gone to listen to reason.  For your own sake, I suggest you turn back.  You will find nothing here but Darkness and despair."

[Spiritmon]

As much see Kogeki diplomacy might not have work, he decided to ask one last thing. "Forgive us, but we can't. The one we are searching for is a Machamp, doing bad things, and it is our mission to beat him. If he indeed ahead, then we have no choice but to go follow our path."

When the Vampire said things about despair darkness and then despair, something flinch inside Kogeki soul and mind. A flash of pain. Of suffering. Both physical and emotional. By reflex he grab his arm. He doesnt remember his past...but the pain and suffer he body and soul suffer might remember. He look at Vilucard and tell him. "I might not remember much of my life...nor much of the people I looose...But...I feel I fight against despair and suffering once...and also had fight darkness inside of me...And I know my friends feel the same."

He now look at Vilucard, still kneeling but with strong will in his eyes. "I a Delta Riolu. I absorb the life energy of many of my enemies...Such as you I also drain in the Life Energy of my preys...In other words, my blood might be "unique". In exchange in letting us continue our path to that darkness path you mentioned I offer as a trade tokken some of my own blood. If you at least leave enough blood for me to stay alive and not go Primal, you could let us continue our path without attacking us oh powerfull lord of dark?"

Kogeki was serious in his question. He knows it is crazy and suicidal. But such as is Pyra duty to protect everyone, it is also Kogeki duty to protect everyone too. He is a ninja and a warrior. Despite have a more grey moral than the others, he have honor. He might not remember of his former life, but he knows the feeling of risk your life for your friends and companions. 

So if someone life might need to put into risk, then Kogeki will the one to first before everyone. Such is the duty and code of a Nami Ninja. Be Human or Pokemon not matter. What matter is the form of your soul.

[Dragonstrike]

Vilucard gives the riolu a very curious look when the small pokemon says he doesn't remember much about his past.

And an even more curious look when Kogeki both offers blood so that they may pass to fight Machamp and talks about fighting the darkness within.  The bat raises a wing to cover the lower half of his face as he prepares to make a move...

"I do not think you understand exactly what is at stake here, small one.  Nor do I think our goals are aligned."

Suddenly, faster than anyone can react, Vilucard has spread his wings and retreated away from the party, almost floating backwards towards the path to the next floor.  He raises a clawed paw up.  "As much as I would love to sample how you all taste, I do not have any more time to spare to play with you, so I'll introduce you to my new friend instead."

He snaps, and something comes barreling out of the shadows towards Kogeki at the signal!

Stealth: (6)(4)(5)(2) 3 successes
Alert: (3)(2)(1) 0 successes

Kogeki feels a rough tongue graze him without warning, causing him to involuntarily shudder.

Lick Ambush
(4)(1)(3)(2)(5)(4)(4)(3)
(6)(4)(1) Kogeki takes 3 damage 2/5 HP -2 Pain
(4)(4)(3)

The small pokemon that attacked then retreats slightly, sitting obediently between the large bat-like pokemon and the party, tensed and ready to lunge at a moment's notice.  They only stand at half a meter tall, but small; unblinking red eyes stare at the party from within a shadowed hood of fur adorned with small horns, creating a very unsettling image for an otherwise innocent looking creature.



As Kogeki stares at the pokemon, it almost seems to look...familiar somehow.  He can't quite put a finger on why, though, and Vilucard doesn't give him much time to contemplate that feeling further.

"Nohface, stall them.  I have an appointment with the Dark powers ahead that I must attend to, and I do not desire unnecessary distractions.  And to you, children, this is my last warning.  Turn back now, or face the wrath of things that you cannot possibly understand.  Farewell for now."

Vilucard turns, his cape-like wings billowing behind him as he enters the tunnel and vanishes into the darkness that leads to the next floor of the dungeon while the Nohface readies for battle.

Marcus readies up once the shock has worn off.  "Well, that's certainly ominous sounding.  I guess we're going to have to force our way through and chase after him!"

Hoopa just continues to shake his fist at the fleeing vampire.  "I knew that he was gonna be up to no good!  Let's tear through this minion of his and pursue!"

The Faceless Shadow: Dragon Road (Night) - Sonic Unleashed

VS Nohface Initiatives
Hoopa: (6) + 4 = 10
Kee: (6) + 4 = 10
Nohface: (5) + 4 = 9
Daxter: (5) + 4 = 9
Marcus: (6) + 3 = 9
Pyra: (4) + 2 = 6
Karen: (3) + 2 = 5
Kogeki: (1) + 3 = 4

(GM's Note: Nohface is one of Smogon's CAP creations, and the credit for creating this wonderful pokemon goes to their CAP community. You can find this pokemon and many more over on their forums, which can be found at this link!)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ziggy Kee's IMMEDIATELY ON EDGE once that dark shadowy 'Mon drops down from the ceiling, his fur bristling and his jagged jaw bared. No amount of chills down his spine or yellow eyes staring into his soul from that creature can make him back up and potentially fail to protect those around him!! He's bravely still standing, listening to every ever-so-quiet noise around and keeping his own deep-red eyes fixated on that vampire bat in front of him. The fear(?)/respect(?) within him is real, he's giving the bat and their intimidating appearance that much, but Kee's incredibly adamant on not showing a single bit of that to give them a chance or advantage.

His eyes twitch towards Kogeki as he boldy stepping forward to talk to the catbat of a vampire, appreciating and valuing the deltadoggo's bravery of doing so. That's giving Kee himself the chance to listen carefully and try to process anything the bat's telling and sharing, how convenient! ( ÒωÓ)و☆ Something about their words is giving him a BAD and OMINOUS feeling, like this is the first but by far not the LAST time they'll encounter them.


Kee doesn't relax as they turn around and proceeed on their search for 'the Darkest of Shadows' as they're calling it; his tension flaring up to new highs as somethingelse darts out of the shadows and goes for Kogeki directly. He finds himself hissing sharply over that successful ambush of that something as deep-red eyes are meeting deep-red eyes now, his concentration on the creature that they belonged to.

Marcus' as well as Hoopa's words are met with a quick nod and creepy, gruelling, 'come-at-me!'-type of grin, his furry paws ITCHING to give that something - 'Nohface', as how the vampire's adressing it - a taste of how he's not one to be underestimated or not taken for full. Taking a deeeep breath, Kee leaps ahead in sync with Hoopa and head-first into fighting, stalling or not stalling the catbat by engaging in that fight is secondary to him now!

Orders for this Round:
Screaming and shouting at full volume!

Accuracy Roll Snarl Attack: 2 Special + 2 Fight + 1 Channel -1 Inaccuracy + 2 Single Action Bonus = 6d6
Damage Roll: 2 Special + 2 Power + STAB = 5d6 +1 autodamage due SE on Nohface
Additional notes: Autolower's Nohface's Special by 1. Soundbased.

Conditional Orders:
Shall Nohface target Kogeki with a priority move aiming to KO him however and Kogeki either does not or fails to evade/flee, Kee will instead clash that attack in order to protect his companion from potential fainting.

Accuracy Roll Snarl Clash: 2 Special + 2 Fight + 2* Clash + 2 Single Action Bonus = 8d6

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Vilucard gives the riolu a very curious look when the small pokemon says he doesn't remember much about his past.

And an even more curious look when Kogeki both offers blood so that they may pass to fight Machamp and talks about fighting the darkness within.  The bat raises a wing to cover the lower half of his face as he prepares to make a move...

"I do not think you understand exactly what is at stake here, small one.  Nor do I think our goals are aligned."

Suddenly, faster than anyone can react, Vilucard has spread his wings and retreated away from the party, almost floating backwards towards the path to the next floor.  He raises a clawed paw up.  "As much as I would love to sample how you all taste, I do not have any more time to spare to play with you, so I'll introduce you to my new friend instead."

He snaps, and something comes barreling out of the shadows towards Kogeki at the signal!


Stealth: (6)(4)(5)(2) 3 successes
Alert: (3)(2)(1) 0 successes

Kogeki feels a rough tongue graze him without warning, causing him to involuntarily shudder.

Lick Ambush
(4)(1)(3)(2)(5)(4)(4)(3)
(6)(4)(1) Kogeki takes 3 damage 2/5 HP -2 Pain
(4)(4)(3)

The small pokemon that attacked then retreats slightly, sitting obediently between the large bat-like pokemon and the party, tensed and ready to lunge at a moment's notice.  They only stand at half a meter tall, but small; unblinking red eyes stare at the party from within a shadowed hood of fur adorned with small horns, creating a very unsettling image for an otherwise innocent looking creature.



As Kogeki stares at the pokemon, it almost seems to look...familiar somehow.  He can't quite put a finger on why, though, and Vilucard doesn't give him much time to contemplate that feeling further.

"Nohface, stall them.  I have an appointment with the Dark powers ahead that I must attend to, and I do not desire unnecessary distractions.  And to you, children, this is my last warning.  Turn back now, or face the wrath of things that you cannot possibly understand.  Farewell for now."

Vilucard turns, his cape-like wings billowing behind him as he enters the tunnel and vanishes into the darkness that leads to the next floor of the dungeon while the Nohface readies for battle.

Marcus readies up once the shock has worn off.  "Well, that's certainly ominous sounding.  I guess we're going to have to force our way through and chase after him!"

Hoopa just continues to shake his fist at the fleeing vampire.  "I knew that he was gonna be up to no good!  Let's tear through this minion of his and pursue!"

The Faceless Shadow: Dragon Road (Night) - Sonic Unleashed

VS Nohface Initiatives
Hoopa: (6) + 4 = 10
Kee: (6) + 4 = 10
Nohface: (5) + 4 = 9
Daxter: (5) + 4 = 9
Marcus: (6) + 3 = 9
Pyra: (4) + 2 = 6
Karen: (3) + 2 = 5
Kogeki: (1) + 3 = 4

(GM's Note: Nohface is one of Smogon's CAP creations, and the credit for creating this wonderful pokemon goes to their CAP community.  You can find this pokemon and many more over on their forums, which can be found at this link!)

During the course of Kogeki's one-on-one with that vile looking bat, Pyra contented herself to only watch, staring at the exchange with a hint wariness and weariness. She was not all to pleased that yet another Pokemon was trying to gainsay the group's progress (and so sketchy of a one at that), but her friend was trying to broker a deal for safe passage and cooperation with them and so let them be. Deals were a sacred, most honorable thing, so she shan't do anything to disrupt one in progress unless it literally life-threatening (And perhaps not even then, depending on the circumstances).

Then the Count sent out his hidden minion, this Nohface, to Ambush her spiritual ninja, and all semblance of peace and tolerance shattered. The fiery demoness' eyes narrowed as her smile took on a familiar dangerous tinge - though this time it was pervaded by a air of 'I'm so done with this shit' - as she regarded both the faceless minion and it's master with an intensity that scarcely could be believed to come from a smol imp!

"Oh, you dare be presumptuous and judgmental, craven bat? To you, then, a warning I shall give in turn: u n d e r e s t i m a t e  u s  a t  y o u r  o w n  p e r i l ."

Intimidate Triggered! - 1 STR for all Enemies!

Presumably Vilcard doesn't stick around any longer to banter, and so Pyra turns her complete attention to the Nohface, her expression displeased but surprisingly not as hostile as usual. The reason for that was simple: though they attacked one of her precious friends (a near unforgivable sin!), the faceless shadow beast only did so under orders from that craven bat. Disdain and dislike the creature before her for that, she could muster no hatred or rage for one that was simply following orders from their Master so faithfully.

Won't stop her from thoroughly punishing the whelp, though, as she starts focusing herself for combat and prepares to lunge right at it! And to her friend's (and Marcus) banter, she simply smiles and says "Yes, let's."

Orders: They're in the Meta Thread, but to reinterate here: 2 Actions - 1st either Bulk Up OR Cover Kogeki if Kee fails to Clash against any attack sent their way, and the Bite on Nohface. Let's see how they fair against multiple Dark types, the little minx!

Moves

Bulk Up
Accuracy: 2 + 2 +1 - 2 = 3D6 Base Dice
Effect: + 1 STR and DEF!

Bite
Accuracy: 3 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 2D6 Base Dice
Damage: 5D6 + 1 Base Damage
Effect: *Flinch 3*

[Spiritmon]

Kogeki feel the attack hit him hard. Although it was just a Lick, the super effective move combine with his enemy power was enough to almost faint from the attack.

He return the gaze to NohFace. He only had enough time to tell the others. "Be careful people! That NohFace looks powerful. I leave this one to you people. And be careful!"

Kogeki then use his speed...But not to fight NohFace. He must recover, and he is in no shape to fight that enemy. Although this pain his pride, he must retreat.

Action: Use Quick Attack to increase my speed to run away from the battle to Kecleon shop and hide there. Dont know if its gonna work but this is the only thing Kogeki can do with 2 HP.

[no one]

Daxter has little to add to the Kecleon, so he just shrugs and stands back. He's more than happy with letting Kogeki talk to the weird bat Pokemon, however. Daxter was all for the dark and damp, but that guy was just plain scary. He's not even that surprised when the weird bat sends his lapdog to attack them, and darts forward to deliver a swift attack on... Nohface, was it? Weird name. Instead of using Bubble like always however, Daxter is surprised to find his teeth elongate into icy blue fangs as he charges at the weird Pokemon. He goes along with it, however. Pokemon instinct seems to serve the little critters well enough, so why not him? After using the newly learnt Ice Fang, he tries his very best to hit the Nohface with another round of Bubble.

Ice Fang
Accuracy: 2d6 Dex + 2d6 Fight + 1d6 Brawl - 0d6 Pain - d6 Accuracy - 2d6 Multi-Action Penalty = 2d6
Damage: 2d6 Strength + 2d6 Power - Nohface's Vit = 4d6 - Nohface's Vit

Bubble
Use 1 point of will to add one success to the accuracy
Accuracy: 2d6 Dex + 2d6 Fight + 1d6 Channel - 0d6 Pain - 4d6 Multi-Action Penalty + 1 Will = d6 + 1
Damage: 3d6 Special + 2d6 Power + d6 STAB+ 0d6 Torrent - Nohface's Ins= 6d6 - Nohface's Ins