[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Ventus goes to the gray courthouse to pay his fine. It's mostly sailors inside, obtaining permits or being fined for improper brawling.

Here, the sociologist has a good chance to observe how the town is reacting to the epidemic of sleeplessness.
1. No one is seriously discussing the epidemic.
2. About 20% of the people here look like they've had a recent sleepless night.
3. Occasionally someone will mention that they had a weird dream that kept them awake. They don't usually use the word "Nightmare" - rather, they act like it was just obnoxious.
4. One clerk apparently hasn't reported to work in three days.
5. Ventus' empathic abilities are still stuttering in the gloom.

A bored clerk under a sign saying "League Fines" scans Ventus' trainer card and hands him a formal bill, then holds out his hand for the money.

Assuming Ventus pays (I see you have cash enough):

Spoiler

He stamps a receipt for Ventus upon receiving the money, and scans his trainer card one more time.

"There, now it will show paid in full. Next!"

*This happens after Ventus' encounter with the Martial Artest, whether or not he battle them*

When Ventus entered the Court House, the conversation about Corsage's nightmare epidemic was still on his mind, so he decided to employ some of his education as a Sociologist to discretely observe. From what he gathered, no one seemed to care much for the problem that was plaguing their lives, and it seemed that while the 'curse' was keeping some people up, not all of them were experiencing terrible dreams like he did.

In fact, it seemed that these abnormal dreams ranged from outright bizaare and non-senical (One person said they drempt of being trapped in a never ending cosplay party), to just a plain nuisance in some cases (Like he overheard from one sailor said he woke up because a clown slammed a custard pie in their face). Considering what he knew of Darkrai and his Bad Dreams ability, it seemed increasingly unlikely that the dark elemental was responsible for this port town's problems. 'Either its some other force that is giving everyone a unequal measure of sleeplessness, or this Darkai is a troll on top of being malicious for some odd reason. More investigation is required, but for now I just want to settle my debts and be done with this place.'

Going up to the very bored clerk, he received the paper for the fine (Which he quickly read over before putting it away) and handed over the amount due. As the money left his hands, he felt a great sense of relief was over him, which was hardly dampered by the borded clerks brusque attitude.

'Finally, the Honedge of Damocles has been lifted from my neck. Now I can finally move on from my life and actually make sound investments. If I ever find that bastard Scimitar who caused me this trouble, I am going to thoroughly expressed my annoyance with them. Nathan does not wish them dead, but their are plenty of things I can do to a man while that would make them beg for that sweet release,' Ventus though, still extremely incised over that Pinsir trainer who got him in that mess to begin with. For now on, if he ever runs into one of those vile mages again, he's just going to 'deal' with them before they have a chance to escape and make a mess of his friend's life!

Quickly as he could, the researcher left the Court House, and made his way to the aquarium. He prayed to Reshirim he never had to set foot in such a place again (at least, not without a army of Lawyers)!

Order: Time to transition to the Aquariem for night duty! Ventus doesn't particularly care about the missing clerk (There could be any number of reason why they are missing), and the stakeout will take his mind off murderous thoughts! Lets do this!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Just as Shiva was about to leave the beach, she ran into that woman introducing herself as 'The Fortune Hunter'! ... Now this sounds interesting. And by the looks of her, she surely was. There was something around her that caught Shiva's attention... 'I'll pay you' was also music to her ears.

"Oh... Eh...Sure! I'll do what I can... So, we're searching for pieces of glass withing this grass, right? Maybe my fluffball might be the best choice here... None has a better connection to grass than the fluffball of my team!~"

Once Cottonee has been called out of her Pokeball - some free time again! Luckily not withing the gloomy part of town -, she gets introduced to the problem and task. "I wish you to sweep the grass with Fairy Wind, dear. Chances are particles of Fairy Dust will remain of the pieces of glass, making them more visible to us and therefor easier to collect. Alright?... Yes? Fine, then go for it, please."


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Mechanics:
Once I (hopefully successfully) completed the job, Shiva's be overjoied to spend a little more time with that Lady. Don't know... Maybe for tea? This can happen during Ven/Ven and Nathan have their battle against the Sensei.

[Iron]

"Oi! That's a good idea, lass!"

And it works! Cottonee is good at both getting into the long grass and at highlighting the particles of duskglass.

The Fortune Hunter agrees to serve you some tea while she puts her decorative globe back together.

"And here's $300 worth of gold for your efforts!" She hands you a tiny tiny Nugget.

When she can't get one piece to fit into her globe, she also hands you a shard of duskglass. It is a dark purple, and seems to hold hidden depths.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

It indeed worked, yay! The Fairy dust made the pieces of glass sparkle and shine, realitively easy to be collected then. "Thank you, my favvorite fluffball! Your effort is appreciated. Now, you can stay a little longer outside your Pokeball alongside me. While I wouldn't want you to exerience that...gloomyness dwelling inside the city, we're in a moderate and pleasant atmosphere here."


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That tea served had an interesting aroma, much different from that one the Healer served in Fireweed Forest. Shiva could taste lots of lavender in it. Love Magic?

The feeling inside the shack was pleasant as well. She felt alright here...soothed... There's positive energy dwelling here. Who thought that such a place exists in an all-gloomy city like Corsage... Ah, she's gonna stay a little longer here. The other party members likely won't miss her since they haven't done so for the whole day. Hmpf. They can do what they want.

"So... You're called 'Fortune Hunter', you said... It's a wonderful title. Why are being called by that name?"

She also thankfully accepted the dark purple shard of duskglass. It shimmered rather nicely, and there was something deeper hidden within... Surely a precious artefact. Wonder if it can be crafted into a charm to wear...

[Iron]

"Why am I called the Fortune Hunter? Because I seek treasure everywhere I go! All these gadgets and artifacts were collected by me! From the Hog Peanut Swamp, from the Skull Ruins, from the Garlicburg!"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ohhh, the joy and delight this Lady felt while speaking of her treasures and title was clearly noticeable to Shiva. There was no need for empathic skills.

'Hog Peanut Swamp' ...Professor Mallorn mentioned that location back there in his lab in Trillium. If she wasn't mistaken, Ventus has received a permission to visit that swamp. If there are such treasures to find there, she'll glady pay it a visit! Whether the party would be up for that though, after that trouble with a swamp on Route 1... She shivered a little at the mentioning of the Skull Ruins. Brings back what she read about Chreshire's King, his Legendaries and throne of Charizard Skulls.

"I see. What a pleasure this must be! Like that... duskglass here..." She turned the shard the Lady has gifted her in her hand to observe it from all sides. As Cottonee moved closer out of curiosity, she let the fluffball have a view on the shard as well.

"Now... Thanks again for this shard. I'll surely appreciate and take good care of it." She looks up then to face the Fortune Hunter in an honestly interested expression. "I do...know some things about Natural Magic, indeed. Glass, especially such duskglass, has its powers... Which one does this shard and your globe have? Whatever it is, it'll affect me if I keep a hold on that shard... Wearing it as a charm/talisman might even increase the effect."

[Dragonstrike]

"Oh? A battle? Well then, you up for a little practice teamwork then, Ven? And how about you, Kirlia? Feel up for one?"

All this talk about Cresselia and Lunar Wings had actually helped Nathan and Kirlia perk up a little, it seems. The gloomy atmosphere and other recent events didn't seem to weigh as heavily on them, now. Kirlia nods, eager to get some good battle practice in!

"Unlike my companion here, I have a bit of cash on hand if you wish to add a wager, sir. Well then, whenever you two are ready, let's get started."

Going to join Ven in a double battle! Kirlia's first!

[Iron]

"The duskglass is not magic, but it is natural! And chock full of natural energy, oi! It forms under the earth and sometimes gets washed up on our beaches. Ghost Pokemon love duskglass! It's a bit like a Dusk Stone, but doesn't have nearly as much energy, so Pokemon can't evolve with it. But sometimes it can help them learn new abilities faster."

[Lord Windos]

"Oh? A battle? Well then, you up for a little practice teamwork then, Ven? And how about you, Kirlia? Feel up for one?"

All this talk about Cresselia and Lunar Wings had actually helped Nathan and Kirlia perk up a little, it seems.  The gloomy atmosphere and other recent events didn't seem to weigh as heavily on them, now.  Kirlia nods, eager to get some good battle practice in!

"Unlike my companion here, I have a bit of cash on hand if you wish to add a wager, sir.  Well then, whenever you two are ready, let's get started."

Going to join Ven in a double battle! Kirlia's first!

Ventus raises an eyebrow at Nathan's choice of Pokémon, giving him a subtle look that more or less said 'Is Kirlia going to have issues working with Lucifer?' He's not going to air their slight spat in front of company, but that doesn't mean the young trainer isn't going to be (subtly) questioned over it. If its confirmed that the young psychic will not be a hazard for his drake's health, he'll agree to Nathan's request. As for Lucifer, they wilted a bit upon seeing Kirlia, letting out a somewhat wabbling croon. Oh no, is scary Psychic fairy going to punish them for their curiosity again?!

(Sorry mate, but Ven's not going to send Niobat out unless he's sure that Kirlia not going to settle grudges in the match. Its nothing against Nathan, he's just THAT concerned over the Psychic's recent behavior towards his little devil).

[Iron]

Kirlia seems interested in getting to know Lucifer better, unless he picks up on a different intention from his master.

"Let's just wager $100 - just enough to keep it interesting." The Sensei unsheathes a pointy Eastern weapon, and stabs it toward the sky!

"Go! Sawk! Go! Honedge!"

The Pokemon appear. Honedge immediately beings dancing about in the air, clearly untroubled by the gloom. Sawk remains staunch as well.

"I've trained this Honedge since I was a young boy, under the tutelage of my master! Our fighting spirit is strong! I hope one day to be worthy enough for it to evolve to Doublade!"



Lucifer: (5) + 5 = 10
Honedge: (5) +3 Dex = 8
Kirlia: (2) + 4 = 6
Sawk: (2) + 3 Dex = 5

Sensei Round 1