[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

At the hour the festival is to begin (you were just in time), Gym Leader Zamboni walks over from the ice rink he has set up. He's a big guy with a Delibird on his shoulder, handing out safe presents to the youngsters he passes. Secure in his masculinity, he is decked out in flowers. Nature has also given him a large amount of body hair.

He walks to a platform overlooking the Great River for the ringing of the renowned spring Festival Bell, and to give his speech.

"People of Creshire, and any visitors from surrounding regions! Be welcome in Ginger Town for the 350th - that's right, THREE! HUNDRED! FIFTY! years we've been doing this - the 350th Spring Festival!"

Cheers.

"Each year, people from all Creshire - indeed, all over the world, come to attend our amazing little festival. So eat, drink, and be merry! Have a game, or a match, do some bartering! It only happens once a year, folks, and nothing else compares."

"We have Nurse Joy Safety Stations at each corner of the festival. Stay safe! We don't want a repeat of last year."

Chuckles.

"Speaking of battling, as the gym leader here it is my duty to train and test any trainer who so desires. But you must prove yourself first! This year's challenge is very easy. Simply present to me at least one CarnyCoin, and I'll battle you! Those are a festival-wide currency that you get as a bonus prize for any event here at the Fest!"

"Are you from out of town? Then you're in luck, because you haven't got your Sawsbuck Token yet! Just stop by the Sawsbuck shed and pick one up. It's good for an unbelievable $600 in festival cash! And be sure to make the main event tomorrow, when our resident Sawsbuck, Creshire Chrome, changes from his winter attire to his spring fancy!"

"That's all from me, I'm going to let you get to it! Let the festival begin!"

*BONG* *BONG* *BONG* *BONG*

[Lord Windos]

"Finally, out of the swamp, and into the spectacle... There is certainly a lot to see," Ventus said, taking in all the sights and sounds of the ongoing festivities. After Plusle had been rushed into intensive care, and everyone had gotten rooms at the Center, Ventus decided to explore the town on his own for awhile. Since the start of his journey, he hardly had any alone time for himself, so he decided to enjoy some of the events going on...and to prepare himself for the future. 'I need some time to distress from today's events, and to ready myself for my inevitable confrontation with Nathan. Some merriment and mirth is just what is in order' he thought to himself, looking around and trying to see which stall he wanted to visit first.

As he was deliberating to himself, a random trainer walked up and offered him a subscription to Pokémon's Running. "Well, this is certainly interesting! As long as the update can be sent electronically, I am certainly fine with being added to this mailing list!" A few moments and some information exchange later, and Ventus was alone again, contempulating what to do first. "Well, I can't exactly participate in any event without some revenue, so let's see how much I can get for the Stardust I found..." Ventus said to himself, rubbing his chin in contemplation. Where would he find a buyer, though? Shrugging his shoulder, he journeyed into the stalls, looking for someone interested in buying his loot.

Just as he was about to head into the crowd, though, what looks to be the Gym Leader Zamboni (Judging from the files he read about the Leaders of the region) came out and gave the opening speech to the events. Clapping as the bara man finished his epic speech, he decided to first go over and get his Sawbuck token at the specified location, before heading out to sell his Stardust. 'I should also keep a look out for those Carney Coins. While I don't think I'm quite ready to face a Gym Leader yet, it would certainly be an entertaining challenge no of the less,' Ventus though, smiling at the though of testing his mettle against someone so strong. If he's going to protect his friends, he has to build his strength, after all!

[Iron]

"Oh no, sir, the Running of the Pokemon is not a magazine. It's an event, once a year, when the Pokemon in the mountains feel some unknown drive, and come pouring through Ginger Town's long main street and out the Route Gate! Trainers like to run with them sometimes, and try to catch some of the rare quadruped Pokemon that come through! And of course the message can be sent electronically!"

For your Stardust, you find a jeweler who will give you $1650 for it.

[Lord Windos]

With a bit of browsing the stalls for a prospective merchant, he found a jeweler willing to pay him a little above market value for his Stardust. Putting on his most disenchanted frown, Ventus tried to persuade him to raise the price. "Oh goodness sir, while I very well appreciate your offer, you clearly see the quality of the stones, and the luster they give of in the light! It must be worth at least $1800. That is not to much extra, is it good sir?"

(Let's see where haggling get me! Maybe Ventus can put in some of his charm to get a better price! I'll roll for this, if I have too~)

[Dragonstrike]

Ginger Town Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLK9YVOU8eo
Sign Text: A New Trainer's First Stop

After digging the RV out, Nathan had thanked the Geodude for its help, and asked him if he was sure he didn't want to come with them on their journey. (I mean, it followed us all that way, right? Nathan would be glad to have that Geodude as a companion if he wanted to come with them).

(Regardless of what happens with Geodude) Nathan is relieved to be out of that swamp, and has calmed down considerably, if not entirely. That last stretch had been tense for more than one reason. His first priority right now is to make sure Plusle is okay. He is interested in facing the gym leader, of course, but that can wait until they've gotten Plusle to the Pokemon Center. "Shiva and I will meet you at the PC then, Ventus. I want to make sure Plusle is okay first." Nathan kindly turns down the offer to be notified of when the Running begins. He knows all about that event and how reckless it is. He's never been interested in participating himself.

[Iron]

The offer you got is after haggling already. If anyone in Creshire is more interested, they're not in this town!

[Lord Windos]

The offer you got is after haggling already. If anyone in Creshire is more interested, they're not in this town!

"Alright good sir, you are the better salesman than I. We have a deal," Ventus replied, handing over his Stardust in exchange for $1650 PokeDollars. He mentally earmarked $900 for Shiva; he still had yet to pay her back for her contribution to the tent purchase, so that lump sum should do! 'Well, now that I have some cash on hand, what is it that draws my attension the most around these stalls? Hmm, that Magikarp Contest seems interesting....let's check that out. If nothing else, I'm getting my Apsis anothing meal to feast on.,' the researcher thought, making his way over to that stall.

On his way, he also spotted the jelly bean counting contest, and decided to swing back around to try his luck there as well. ' I certainly have a fair chance better than most, given my well rounded education. I didn't take many math courses, but how hard is it to guess a number of jelly beans?' Ventus thought to himself, as he wandered over  to the Magikarp Fishing Contest.

[Iron]

The Magikarp vendor informs you that you can either play against a stranger, or against a friend (who must also pay 500$ of course).
Both players get the same prize as the other.

The jelly bean counting contest is one entry per fairgoer, but entry is free! The same is true for the other skill contests. Every success on your roll is another $151 won.
(4)(1)(5)(2) - Ventus wins $302 by getting within 25 jelly beans of the correct answer.

[Lord Windos]

"I'll play against a stranger, good sir. I came here to almost literally buy some time for myself, so pair me up with whoever you please!" Ventus says to the vendor, handing over the Sawsbuck Token he got earlier to the person. Looking at the Magikarp on display there, he tried to spot the finest specimen there for his Ekans. 'Apsis will appreciate a finer fish than just a dingy old carp. Now, which one...' he though, deciding which one to angle out of the pool.

(I assume you'll roll for both me and the random person, right? Let the game of chance began!)

[Iron]

Ventus 1d6: (4)
Stranger 1d6: (3)

Ventus' Karp has a 4 on it, though he picked a lovely one. The stranger's Karp says "3".

You get a little squeezable Magikarp chewtoy as a consolation prize, and of course you get to keep the Magikarp.