[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

With Zamboni

Ventus just stay silent as Nathan and Zamboni discussed the oddities in of the hive. While it was not particularly enlightening (at least the area of knowledge he was concerned with), it was nice to get all the facts straight for once. 'I'll just Nathan lead the questions for now. If Zamboni asks me anything, I'll speak up, but for now I'll keep my peace,' he thought, before remembering the Delibird. Tapping Nathan's shoulder her told him : "I didn't mention this earlier, but the Delibird from earlier is handing out presents. If want to take your chance, go over there and ask for one!"

At the Trading Post:

Pinching his brow in frustration, he just flicked his other wrist down, and out popped a Pokeball from...somewhere. Handing it to Nathan, he just looked exasperated with the sudden reluctance of the local collecters. "I guess there is no avoiding it, for now. However, I don't think that me and the Princess will make the best couple, so I want you to take care of her. With her in your caring hands, I know nothing will go amiss. Now," Ventus said, before turning away from the trading post, and began walking towards the Trainer Challenge Board. While today didn't exactly go to plan, there was always a good battle to take his mind of his current...discontent (as Nathan put it).

"I'm off to find another trainer I can spare against, and get some more practice in with my Pokémon. You can join me and watch, if you wish." Just before he took another step, though, an thought struck him, and he turned around to speak with the young trainer once more. "Hmm, I have an idea. You said you were going to challenge Zamboni, correct? Well, how about you practice against me before hand? It would be good experience for both of us, and it would be a good way to tell if you are ready to face Zamboni. It would be a 3 v 3, if we don't count the Combee. What do you say?"

Order: Go to the Trainer Challenge board and pick another cheap battle ($200 or less), or spar with Nathan for a bit. We haven't had our Rival battle yet, after all!

[Dragonstrike]

Zamboni
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind Ventus."  He turns back to Zamboni.  "Of course, why didn't I think of that earlier?  Then that would mean...oh, those poor combee...they were all but in a stasis for the most part, apart from the ones in the walls near the queen...I guess Vespiqueen's deal involved that in exchange for organizing the hive into that structure.  I wonder how many combee there are, and if they're actually all from that hive originally..."

Nathan shakes his head, not really wanting to think about the topic further.  "Well, not much we can do about it without having to fight off the entire hive, unless new information somehow crops up about Drowzee.  Plus, I'm not sure what else there is to say on the matter.  Well, if that's everything..."  Nathan pulls out and flashes his CarnyCoin.  "...I'll be seeing you later in the festival to get that gym badge.  Looking forward to battling you, sir."  Nathan pockets the coin, and is ready to leave if nobody has anything else to add.

Ventus
Nathan accepts the pokeball, relieved.  Combee and the princess would get to stay.  At least for a little while.  "Thank you, Ventus.  Don't worry, I'll take good care of her.  I have a feeling she's not entirely like her mother, as well, so maybe it'll be a bit more...tolerable if she evolves while we have her."

Ventus's battle challenge catches him a little off guard, but then he smirks.  "If you're up for it, then by all means, let's fight.  I hope you're ready though, because I've been feeling like my techniques are getting better lately."  (Nathan's Fight increases by 1, technically during the training done yesterday!) His expression turns grim for just a moment though.  "Two conditions though.  One: No Items.  Not gonna know who's really stronger if we use those.  Two: Don't poison Ralts.  Why should be obvious."  His expression changes back to cheerful almost as fast as his expression had turned grim.  "As long as that's agreeable, then let's get going."  This is the PERFECT opportunity for Nathan.  He'd actually been thinking about how he could improve his chances of victory against Zamboni, and he thinks he has an idea...

Between Checking the Trading Board
Some time had to pass before checking the board again, so let's fill it in!  Nathan redeems his Sawsbuck Token for 2 rounds of Shuckleball (with Staryu using Water Gun both times), and purchases some supplies.  Ventus doesn't have to watch the shuckleball rounds, obviously.  He also stops by Delibird as per Ventus's recommendation.

Purchases:
3 Potions (20% discount)
3 Antidotes (20% discount)
3 Flash Balls
Total: $1,320

Shuckleball Mechanics
Berries:
-2 Persim
-2 Pecha
Move: Staryu's Water Gun
Effectiveness:  2 Fight + 3 Dexterity + 1 Canalize + 1 (if SE) = 6 D6 +1 (if SE)

[Lord Windos]

After hearing Nathan stipulate further conditions for their battle, he just chuckled good naturely. "My my, I didn't to be put at such a disadvantage, but I guess that just will our spar ever more thrilling! Very well, I accept your terms! If you have any business to complete, I just wait here. Might as well use the time to plan my battle strategy," Ventus said, looking delighted that Nathan agreed to spar. No item usage were going to make the battles rather hectic, but he would say that he's used to by now. 'After enduring an exploding gas bad, an vile earth mage, and that parasitic wasp, battling without items is rather trival affair,' he thought to himself, flicking his wrist to conjure Apsis pokeball from his person.

With a gentle tap of the button, Apsis was summoned right in front of her master, looking slightly sedated. Sluggishly moving its head back at forth and flicking her tounge out, she couldn't detect any danger or prey (that her master would let her eat) nearby, so she just turned to stare at her master inquisitively. He usually didn't call upon her unless they were in danger or they were about to go hunting. Crouching down to pet his snake, he calmly began to brief her about the upcoming battle. "Apsis, I know you are a bit confused at your peaceful surroundings, but the reason I summoned you right now is that we have an upcoming battle. Our opponent is Nathan, my friend, so its both both your first trainer battle and my first spar against him," the researcher said to his Ekans, catching its attension and finally rousing it from her weariness. Smiling at how eager she looked now, he continued with his pre-battle lecture.

"Now, I wanted to lay some ground rule before combat started, just in case things go amuck. First, you are not allowed to Poison his Ralts, so either restrict the venom in your Poison Sting, or don't use it at all. Second, while I said this before several time, you are not allowed to eat other trainers Pokémon, especially my friend. If you even try to, you won't be feed for a week. Are we clear, Apsis?" Ventus said, his voice both stern and authoritative. He wanted to make it clear that she won't be doing any lasting damage to Ralts, or there would be dire consequences for her appetite. Looking a bit put off by her master's seriousness, she quickly nodded her assent. While holding back was not what see usually did, she didn't want to go without food for that long! Besides, her master has been great to her despite her wildness, so she wouldn't want to disappoint him!
 
Feeling Apsis' agreement, Ventus smiled once again, and patted her on the head. "Glad we are in agreement, my sister. Now, let us prepare: since Ralts is a Psychic type, you should expect...."

Order: Wait around the Challenge arena until Nathan comes back, and coached Apsis about Ralts. Can't wait for the fight!

[Iron]

Delibird
(5)
It's a Great Ball.

Shuckleball 1

Tails bug, Heads rock (1). Shuckle becomes the Bug type.

(5)(1)(6)(4)(3)(2)+ a mystery dice (2)

Shuckle goes bouncing around, toward the back, and falls into a pit marked 3B. Apparently the prize for this pit is 4 Oran Berries in a little basket, as well as some Boxo Poffin Mix.
Shuckle's custom Berry Juice from this round, which you also win, acts as a confusion cure when held.


Shuckleball 2

(3) Shuckle is still Bug type when he returns to the playing field, exhilarated by his previous ride.

(1)(5)(5)(6)(5)(5) is the original roll
(1)(4)(6)(6)(4)(4) is the mystery roll

Shuckle goes wayy to the back, where lots of weird obstacles live. Shuckle almost falls into a deep shaft leading to the crappy pit, as the crowd gasps. But Shuckle sticks out his legs at just the right moment and rolls over it! Mr. Pin looks worried!
Shuckle drifts into an accelerator and flies up a curved ramp, deposited near a mechanical Lapras that whacks him with a flipper and another water gun! He's in the rear row of smaller pits now, almost to the ones you are supposed to aim at. There's a narrow course to go through at this point, which Nathan planned his whoooole route around. Shuckle almost gets through without scraping, but is forced into the less desirable course!

Shuckle spins to a stop in a pit marked 6D! Looking at the prize chart, this is an incredible prize - a PORYGON! Those Pecha berries sure created some wealth for young Nathan! And let's see what Shuckle brewed...looks like a Berry Juice to cure poison!

Mr. Pin is muttering to himself as he hands over the Porygon. You catch a glimpse of him manipulating the blueprints of the Shuckleball field, apparently planning to redesign the course at some later time.

Ralts is unexpectedly delighted and surprised about having a Porygon on Nathan's team! He can't believe his luck.

Porygon
Ability: Download. In my game, this ability always increases Strength unless Porygon thinks of some other way to take advantage of whatever it scans (my discretion).
Moves: Conversion, Conversion2, Sharpen (rarely useful given Download), Tackle.
Happiness and Loyalty: 2

[Dragonstrike]

Trading Intermission
Nathan is overjoyed at the results of the Shuckleball rounds! "Thanks for the game, Mr. Pin. You've really put together something spectacular, you know. I wish you all the best in refining it so it becomes something even better. Staryu, you did a spectacular job too! I'll make sure to treat you to something nice later!

"Alright, Porygon, come here. Let me introduce ya to the gang." Nathan lets everyone out of their pokeballs to introduce them. "Say hello to Swiftfire the Ponyta, Combee, Staryu, and my loyal starter pokemon, Ralts. Everyone here is a good friend of mine...mostly. I hope you'll be much the same, Porygon."

The porygon is...rather unreadable for the most part. It is, however, happy to finally be out of that prize booth! Staying in one place for so long is kinda boring, ya know...so while Ralts and Nathan are unable to really get a read on how Porygon is feeling, it's pretty clear from outward appearances that the digiduck is pretty happy. 'Huh. Guess I should have expected that. Guess artificial pokemon don't have feelings quite as potent as what natural living creatures have. At least it seems to be happy.'

"Alright then, everyone, let's head on back to the trading board, and see if that trade went through." He recalls everyone except Ralts to their pokeballs. He needs to find some time to get Swiftfire some quality time running around, so maybe he could stop by the battle board after this...

On the way back, Nathan encounters Delibird, who hands him a present! A great ball! "Thanks, Delibird. Oh, say hi to Zamboni for me, will ya? I'm looking forward to facing you guys in battle soon!"

Battle with Ventus

Nathan had taken his time to prepare. He'd considered what 3 pokemon he wanted to use from the 5 on hand. Ventus didn't know he has a Porygon now, so he could use that to his advantage...he defintiely wanted to use that one, and that one could use some training, but Ralts was a good choice too...Combee would be a surprise, albeit a risky one...it was a hard decision, but he finally picked out two along with Ralts. Combee and the other one could get some experience later. It was time.

Nathan enters the battlefield. Ventus is standing on the other side, waiting for him. Nathan's jacket is flapping in the light breeze blowing through the arena, Ralts standing by his side. Not as much as a proper trench coat would, but it's the same idea. Nathan has a pokeball in hand, and is ready to send out his first pokemon. "Alright, you ready, Ven? On three."

One.

Two.

THREE! Go get 'em, (insert pokemon name here)!

(I've been waiting for this moment. It's finally time to unveil my choice for Nathan's battle theme! We all know and [probably] love his music! Please welcome to the stage, Emdasche [aka Electric Mudkip], composer of several of Uranium's unique tracks!)
Nathan's Serious Battle Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEHWFLYo49o

[Lord Windos]

After thorough but simple pre-battle plan, he recalled Apsis to her pokeball. While he could have given instructions to his other Pokémon, he had enough confidence in their judgement to plan out their actions. He stood patiently at the other side of the arena, admiring the festive scenery before the spar sent it out of focus. "Ah...the calm before the war. It is rather bracing, but ever so slightly exhilarating! A nice change of pace, if I do say so myself!" Ventus says to himselfm his mind focused on the conflict ahead.

Finally, Nathan arrived at the battle arena after running his errand, with a notable aura of swagger in his step. The researcher could also detect that he was extremely elated, judging from the confidence and general positivity he extruded. 'Hmm? Oh there Nathan now! This boy has a brilliant streak of flair in him, strutting like that onto the arena! He's seems to be in an especially good mood to boot. How ominous....' Ventus thought, before putting on the most polite smile he had. Contemplation time was over; the battle starts now.

With a flick of his wrist, out popped a Pokeball from existence. Hearing Nathan's battle cry, he simply said "Indeed. Time to step up your game, Nathan." With that said, he throws out his pokeball, summoning his first Pokémon!

Time to Boogy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgXUIFU-hZc

[Iron]

I have a few PM'd actions here, so I'll try to take the battle as far as possible before bed!

Ventus vs Nathan Round 1!

Red is the most exciting color! And it's also the color of Nathan's first Pokemon, Swiftfire the Ponyta!

Initiative: (1) + 3 Dex + 1 Survival = 5
The horse stumbles just a bit coming into the rink.

Ventus chooses Apsis, the Ekans!

Initiative: (1) + 1 Dex + 3 Survival = 5

It's a tie right off the bat, folks. Dex is prioritized over Survival, however, and thus Swiftfire is the fastest.

Nathan orders Ponyta to learn a new move they've been practicing in secret, that he thinks she's ready to pull off! Ponyta becomes cloaked in flames as she chases down the sluggish snake.

Flame Charge
Accuracy: 2 Fight + 3 Dexterity + 0 Brawl
(2)(5)(4)(6)(2) An easy hit, as Ponyta is fresh.
Dmg: 2 Power + 2 Strength + 1 STAB - 2 Vitality = 3 dice
(5)(5)(2) Ekans takes 2 damage. Now at -1pain, but the big snake has many hp (6 remaining).
Swiftfire's speed increases! Her Dexterity is now 4.

Ekans has been prepped for this eventuality, and he's going to use Glare!

Glare
Accuracy: 1 Dex +2 fight + 0 Intimidatespecialty -1 pain -1 accuracy move = just 1 dice
(4)
Ponyta is Paralyzed, that's -2 dex. She shifts in the initiative order.

Ventus vs Nathan Round 2!

Leer
Acc: 1 Dex + 2 Fight -1 pain = 2 dice
(5)(6)
Ponyta's defense drops by 1!

Despite being paralyzed, Ponyta is moving faster and faster with every step!

Ember
Accuracy: 5 dice, +1 flame charge, -2 paralyzed, -2 multiple actions = 2 dice
(3)(5) That's a hit.
Dmg: 5 dice, -2, same as Flame Charge.
(2)(3)(6) Ekans takes 1 hp damage.
Burn: (3)

Ember 2
Accuracy: 1 less than above
(3) No good! She's paralyzed and cannot attack.

Ventus vs Nathan Round 3!

"Apsis, Poison Sting!"

Poison Sting
Accuracy: 1 Dex +2 Fight -1 pain
(6)(4)
Dmg: 2 Str + 2 power +1 Stab -1 vitality thanks to leer = 4 dice and a poison chance
(3)(1)(1)(1) Horrible, truly horrible. But there's still the poison chance.
Poison: (4)(2)(6) Uh oh, Ponyta is poisoned.

Ember
(6)(1) hit
(4)(3)(5) Ekans takes 2 damage. That puts him at -2 pain!
Burn: (1)

Ember 2
(4)
(2)(1)(3) No damage : (
Burn: (6) Tit for tat! Ekans is burned!

Neither Pokemon has the Vitality to resist those status conditions.
Ponyta takes 1 damage from poison.
Ekans takes 1 damage from Burn.

Summary:
Ekans has lost 6hp. 2 remain. Ekans is burned.
Ponyta has lost 1 hp. 4 remain. Ponyta is poisoned. She has net -1 to her Dex, and -1 Vit.

Ventus vs Nathan Round 4
Need input! That was awesome though.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

When Shiva brings out the egg, Nathan experiences a load of emotions all at once.  Relief, worry, happiness, confusion...he's not entirely sure what he should be feeling right now.  This means that Vincent must be okay to some degree, though.  It means he made it to a Center, at the very least.  There must have been a good reason for sending them the egg, though...

"Here, let me see if I can read what he wrote..."  Nathan gives it a good stare.  "...hatch...Quickbeam...Telperion Uni...the writing's all smudged.  That's all I can make out.  Didn't Mallorn ask Vincent to show someone what hatches from the egg, though? The daycare people might have been able to read that before it got smudged."  (yes, they did. I checked that). Nathan looks at the egg for a little longer.  "So, are you planning on carrying that around?  It'll take longer to hatch if you do.  It'd be a little faster if I held on to it, since I have Swiftfire."  The question is phrased logically.  There's also a hint of personal want, but it's mostly logical.

Ralts has stopped playing with plusle and minun now, and is also looking towards the egg, mirroring many of the emotions Nathan has been feeling.

"Oh, true, they told me to please show it to Professor Quickbeam there at the University as soon as somethin' hatches from it. . I checked, and the place it not that far away from a place called 'Teavel Valley'... Appearantly they breed Tauros there." Didn't Professor Mallorn himself asked for a Tauros...?

She couldn't help but to notice that Nathan showes quite an interest in the weird egg... May it be out of curiosity, out of the fact that it's a vital sign from Vincent or ... because he wants to snatch it for some reason?

"It'd be a little faster if I held on to it, since I have Swiftfire."

... He shouldn't have said that.... He shouldn't have said that.... He shouldn't have said that.

Her stare was ice-cold and her voice absolutely matched that. Her mood as black as her cloathing for a moment. It looked so wrong in the calmness of her room... 

"No.Way. I'll keep hold on this egg. For more than one reason."
 
... ... ... 

She needed a moment to catch herself again. He only asked out of the logic, she knew he had the only Fire Type... But parting from a precious unique egg just because of that? ... No.

As she spoke again, none of the coldness was audible anymore. "If you have any more concerns right now, do bring them up, we might not get a chance like this again. If not, feel free to return to your room then."

It'll probably be the latter... Since Shiva could imagine he must've been nervous the whole time. Whatever reason he might have for this.

[Dragonstrike]

Quite a long flashback, no? Back in Shiva's room on the evening of Day 5.

Nathan hadn't expected that kind of an answer from Shiva. And the last thing he wanted to do was provoke her...he'd already had spats with Ventus, and he didn't want to anger Shiva too. "Ahem...well...if you change your mind about that, let me know. I want to see what hatches from that egg almost as much as you do, I'm sure. Well, maybe not almost..." He's clearly off kilter. This has thrown him off his groove, and his nervousness from earlier wasn't helping. "If that's everything, I'll, uh...just be going now." Nathan rather hastily leaves the room, but not before picking up a cookie. He'd seen them in his peripheral vision, and Ralts had seemed to be enjoying them...and it would be rude if he didn't try one since Shiva had gone to all that trouble to set this up...but he was way to nervous right now to stay in the room for much longer, and thus didn't have time to comment on what he thought of it.

After his hasty exit, he goes back to his room. Quickly and quietly. He does his best to put the end result of that last question out of his mind, but his sleep, while full length, is restless. Shiva's very angry response at his suggestion was disturbing for him. It was almost like she felt like Vincent had sent the egg to her specifically or something...Nathan wakes a few times in the middle of the night, sighing. He didn't see what was wrong with his suggestion, but he couldn't think of any other good reasons for him to hold the egg until it at least hatched. If she'd turned him down more...politely, he might have elaborated on what he intended to do, but that response...Nathan didn't want to risk it. At all. One potentially volatile relationship in the group was more than enough for him as it was. He'd just have to...do what? Avoid talking to Shiva at length for awhile? Try again later? He didn't know what he should be doing...he'd never been particularly good at this stuff when it came to other humans...that cookie was still sitting on the nightstand though...

Nathan gives it a taste. It's actually pretty good. Shame he'd run out before he had a chance to thank Shiva for providing them. He goes back to sleep, his mind a little more at ease with the distraction. He'd relax a bit tomorrow, relieve some stress. Maybe the next day would hold better fortune for him in person to person interactions...he'd see what everyone was doing tomorrow...morning...zzzz....

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

- This happens at the evening of Day 5.-

Oh well... Now he's off.

You shouldn't have overreacted like this, dear one.
... I just wanted to keep the egg. And take care of it all by myself.
He'll think you're angry with him.
... I'm not. Really not.

At this point, her Electric rodents looked rather worried, and came over to her. 'What's wrong? Can we meet that Ralts once again?'

"Oh my, there's no point to worry too much. We'll be fine. Moving on, shall we?" Closing the window, cleaning up the food she layed out there for her Pokemon - Haha, Nathan must have accepted one of these cookies - and darkening the room, it was about time to get to bed for now. Her Pokemon stay outside their balls for the night.


- Next morning, Day 6. -

As expected, Shiva met up with the others in the Lobby, fairly normal. Nothing's wrong. She was so inclinged to tell Ventus and larry about what she got at the Daycare, since they probably will be rejoiced over a vital sign coming from Vincent as well, but doing this right away might not be the best idea. Think about the possible consequences before you actually take an action. Especially Ventus might be relieved like nothing, seeing that those two were having their problems before they parted... Plus, she also wanted to ask him what has spooked him that much yesterday. Going to wait for a more quiet moment together to bring both matters up.

After coordinating actions and plans for this day with the others, Shiva left the Pokemon Center. Going to meet up with the others soon enough, and, as usual, they're all free to message her if something important happens. In case of an emergency, they also know where to find her.

First thing: Returning the Miltank! She missed out to do so yesterday, since the sight of a terryfied Sociologist storming into a Pokemon Center distracted her a little too much... She quickly found the RV at the Festival yard, there wasn't much business ongoing in the mornings. Well, there was... Just not as much as later during the day. Vendors were busy cleaning and buidling up their stall.

On the way, she also stumbled over a Delibird. She carefully approached it, and extended one hand to pet it. 
"My, you sure are cute! What are you doing here, and where's your Master?"

*at the RV* "Well, good morning there. As arranged, I came to bring back your dear Miltank." At this point, she handed the Pokeball containing the cow to Belle. "She's all healed up. Also... Thanks again for the care, I bet we would have great problems without the heal."

Barely noticable, but she almost shivered over the anticpation of receiving the Talonflame-Charm.