[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

"Oh no, no kind of trouble. Some kind of scientific expedition. I don't see why they need to be so spread out, though."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"'Scientific expedition'... That actually sounds rather exciting! But, eh..." *carefully coming closer and STILL whispering, although there's likely no need to do so* "do you people know whether it has anything to do with The Almanac? I know they're present there, and we're currently heading there, so... "

[Iron]

"Um, yeah actually, one of their trucks had an Almanac sigil on the side: a book in the shape of an A."

[Lord Windos]

Day 29 dawns (+1 XP as always).

It's overcast yet again, looking a bit more like rain than yesterday.

A couple tired trainers approach as you're packing up camp. "You leaving soon? They're turning people away near Stair City. We'd love to take over this spot if you're on your way out."

The morning started off as it usually did for the eccentric researcher (Bright eyed and cheerful), and after a quick breakfast with his Pokémon and some light stretching, before he exited the tent to take in the glorious new day! Unfortunately the group, it looked like mother nature didn't agree with the early bird scientist's sentiments, as the dreary overcast sky that threatened to drench them at any moment was rather both ominous and a mood dampener. What was worse, though, was the news received from two exhausted trainers detailing that Stair City was 'closed', causing his ever present smile to dim somewhat.

Since he was still busy packing up/dismantling camp, however, Ventus couldn't go over an interrogate them for further details, and so he decided to let Shiva handle the matter, as she was already digging for the all the pertinant thus far. Still, he kept an sharp ear trained on the conversation between them, so when the sociologist was finished, he was completely filled in on the all the details , so when he walked over to the two weary travelers he already knew what other questions he desired to pose them.

"Greetings, my friends! I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with my companion, and I find myself curious about the detail of Almanac's scientific research. First, are they being sponsored/endorsed by the Cheshire League to conduct this research, or are they operating on their own initiative? Did they say what their area, topic, and scope of researcher was when they turned you away, and what area have they 'blocked off' thus far? The mountain trails here are imposing, from what I've heard, but if my group knows where Almanac is stationed at we can avoid them with some good old fashion hiking!"

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan (perhaps unexpectedly) is sleeping in for once.  He's rather comfortably snoozing the morning away so far...

[Iron]

"They seem to be over by the Skull Ruins - the eastern flank is here north of Mt. Sentry. You don't need a permit to get into the old Barrow Downs, which is where they are, apparently. They were just turning people away from Route 04 near Stair City. Unfortunately there's no way around unless you can scale the mountains of the Great Divide. Or you could go the long way around through Cress City."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"They seem to be over by the Skull Ruins - the eastern flank is here north of Mt. Sentry. You don't need a permit to get into the old Barrow Downs, which is where they are, apparently. They were just turning people away from Route 04 near Stair City. Unfortunately there's no way around unless you can scale the mountains of the Great Divide. Or you could go the long way around through Cress City."

At hearing THAT, Shiva stopped mid-movement in adjusting her glasses and just stared at these unfamiliar Trainers in a neutral (unthreathening) expression. No, not these elusive Skull Ruins... Sure, they are build on a minor Power Spot making them interesting for her, but...

Scaling the mountains is no option. Hiking is fine, but climbing not really, and she doubted any of her party members would be down for this option. So it wasn't that hard to guess where they'll end up heading to, eh..... The long way around via Cress City still sounded most appealing and most safe to her.

[Iron]

"I don't know how long they'll be turning people away for, or anything like that. The checkpoint is about half a day's journey from here. Maybe less since you are fresh."

[Lord Windos]

Nathan (perhaps unexpectedly) is sleeping in for once.  He's rather comfortably snoozing the morning away so far...

*Very minor Flashback!*

Just as he was finished smothering the last of the embers in the firepit and packing away the general camp provisions, Ventus almost began to take down the tent, when he realized that Nathan hadn't rose with the morning sun like the rest of the group! Since he couldn't very well finished packing up the campsite while the boy was still slumbering in the tent, and the boy couldn't get his day started properly if he slept the morning away, the empath 'kindly' decided to go get them up. He entered the tent, trod over to Nathan's section and carefully opened the zip up entrance, before walking in and find the young trainer, snoozing away without a care in the world.

The boy looked so peaceful and at ease that for a second Ven dreaded the thought of disturbing such a state for someone so serious and reserved, but with a small sigh he crouch over them and gently shook their shoulder, saying : "Nate, nate. Its time to rise, and greet the new day with a smile..."

*Now back into the present!*

The researcher barely  managed repress the scowl that almost broke out across their face at that shady coporation's site of operations, the dreaded and arcance Skull Ruin, though he was pleased to hear that Almanac was conducting their research by themselves. 'Whatever they are furitively searching for in those Reshirim forshaken ruins, at least the League is not overtly involved in such activities for the time being. If that were the case, I would sooner flee the region and take Shiva and Nathan with me than stay within it for much longer, as a government conspiracy of that nature is what prompted me to leave Unova in the first place....' Ventus thought to himself, before he raised a couple more questions to the pair of travelers.

"Ah, thank you for enlightening on the subject! Tell me, when they turned you away from the entrance area around Stair City, did they have they request you do so, or did they have the surrounding area completely barricaded with guards forcibly turning away travelers like ourselves? As for the alternate route towards Stair City, mind if you share the details as to how to access the detour, just in case myself and my companion have to utlizie it?"

[Dragonstrike]

The boy looked so peaceful and at ease that for a second Ven dreaded the thought of disturbing such a state for someone so serious and reserved, but with a small sigh he crouch over them and gently shook their shoulder, saying : "Nate, nate. Its time to rise, and greet the new day with a smile..."

Nathan doesn't wake up.

Kirlia does, though.  And he looks just a little bit grumpy.  Heart's snoring hadn't lasted long, but good grief, was it loud...to the point where it was echoing in his memory and dreams even now...being woken up so early wasn't helping either...