[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

You mean the following tag, do you, Windos?

" ____ 's Nat__e Art. Opening May, ___7"
"___the Rat__"
"____ Pokemon ____"



The word 'art' caught Shiva's attention, same with what strongly looked like 'nature'. Nature's Art? A quick glance on cell revealed the current date to Shiva - 22th of April. More than a week left 'til May...

"'Opening' seems to hint to a shop or museum, does it, Ven? I'd enjoy to see any opening of something having to do with art and nature, with you of course. But I doubt we'll stay long enough to see it, sadly..."

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan doesn't really find the bauble interesting.  "Than you for the time, Tandal."

In fact, he's packed up his journal and is now headed over to his pokemon to gather them back together for the night.  Swiftfire and Masq had been working hard all day, and Yule no doubt had desires to evolve as well, now...

There's very little energy in his actions, but there is a small, sad smile on his face when he goes over to Swiftfire.  She'd be a fine Rapidash.  She'd been working hard on helping Masq clear the grasses and wet patches around the campsite.  Both of them get a jar of honey from Nathan as thanks.

There was still going to be a lot more to do tomorrow, though...

[Iron]

"Yes, there are many in Arrowroot who have the knowledge to repair that instrument. It is called a Shamisen. For some, that may be the way to summon the South Wind with the true Skirl."

"Mister Nathan, I do have one more idea that may help you." He brings forth yet another clay tablet from his breast. It shows Creshire, superimposed over a hairy, tusked Pokemon. "The tusk...in our symbology, the Tusk is the Great Divide itself. Perhaps what you seek is at the other end of the Great Divide. The other end of the earth, if it is not found here in the Hog Potato Swamp. To narrow it down, you will need other information. The mirror of the sky, the ends of the earth, the songs of the stars - we Mamo have a lot of legends. Too many to pick through on a single journey."

"The forests have been thinned...this bespeaks of men and machinery who overuse the gifts offered by nature. Someday, Coatlith will avenge herself on them, perhaps, if the legends are true. Until then, the South Wind gives us some fraction of her gift, some small and lesser method of escape. A watered down legend."

"This ball you have, Mister Ventus, is a Soothe Rattle. It is a percussion instrument, as the shamisen is a stringed instrument, and the flute woodwind. It is used in the bonding ritual, along with Apricorn dust, to help calm a Pokemon that it might befriend a trainer...should their bond prove strong enough. I believe this is a product of Soor's Nature Art. He's a trader from Corsage Port. The Mamo, however, are the only ones who know how to make these, so he trades with us."

[Dragonstrike]

"Mister Nathan, I do have one more idea that may help you." He brings forth yet another clay tablet from his breast. It shows Creshire, superimposed over a hairy, tusked Pokemon. "The tusk...in our symbology, the Tusk is the Great Divide itself. Perhaps what you seek is at the other end of the Great Divide. The other end of the earth, if it is not found here in the Hog Potato Swamp. To narrow it down, you will need other information. The mirror of the sky, the ends of the earth, the songs of the stars - we Mamo have a lot of legends. Too many to pick through on a single journey."

Well, that does get Nathan's attention.  He quickly pulls out his journal again, makes some notes, snaps a picture of the map with his pokedex (hmmm...better watch how much he uses this thing while he's out here...nowhere to charge it, and he doesn't have any electric types on hand...good thing he only uses it sparingly...), then puts it all away again.

"I'll keep that in mind.  Again, thank you for your time.  And just Nathan's fine."

Well, I think Nathan's ready for the remainder of the trip to Arrowroot tomorrow.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Yes, there are many in Arrowroot who have the knowledge to repair that instrument. It is called a Shamisen. For some, that may be the way to summon the South Wind with the true Skirl."

Another reason to keep that instrument!~ "Again, thank you, Tandal."

"So, in theory... If we make it to summon the South Wind Incarnate, either by this Shamisen or magical flutes of the Mamo - I have indeed 'Skirl of the South Wind' in notes and lyrics - 'she' might be able to fly us to the ends of the earth, as this place hosts her - there, we might find answers. Or anything we are looking for. It's a journey without return though, 'as she cannot carry us home again'... What do you think about this, Nathan? Not the most convenient way, but I feel it may be worth trying this path."

[Lord Windos]

"Yes, there are many in Arrowroot who have the knowledge to repair that instrument. It is called a Shamisen. For some, that may be the way to summon the South Wind with the true Skirl."

(...)

"This ball you have, Mister Ventus, is a Soothe Rattle. It is a percussion instrument, as the shamisen is a stringed instrument, and the flute woodwind. It is used in the bonding ritual, along with Apricorn dust, to help calm a Pokemon that it might befriend a trainer...should their bond prove strong enough. I believe this is a product of Soor's Nature Art. He's a trader from Corsage Port. The Mamo, however, are the only ones who know how to make these, so he trades with us."

Ventus looks at the now termed Shamisen with a newfound appreciation with his eyes, before a look of confusion took. "Excuse me, forgive any rudeness and ignorance on this part, but what is a 'true Skirl? My knowledge of Mano culture and terminology is rather lacking, so some clarification would be most appreciated!" he said to the man, letting Nathan and Shiva answer their own respective questions/topic of interests while he fulfilled his own curiousity/information mining.

His next instrument designation and intricate function being revealed to him also greatly intrigued the researcher, prompting him to say: "Bonding Ritual that requires Apricot dust as an component? Interesting.....do you think you could teach me it, or direct me to someone in the area that could? Does it matter what kind of dust you use, or its quality and finer composition?"

[Dragonstrike]

"So, in theory... If we make it to summon the South Wind Incarnate, either by this Shamisen or magical flutes of the Mamo - I have indeed 'Skirl of the South Wind' in notes and lyrics - 'she' might be able to fly us to the ends of the earth, as this place hosts her - there, we might find answers. Or anything we are looking for. It's a journey without return though, 'as she cannot carry us home again'... What do you think about this, Nathan? Not the most convenient way, but I feel it may be worth trying this path."

"As long as we get there and back in time, Shiva..."

[Iron]

"The True Skirl is a version of the song capable of summoning the South Wind. One that unlocks a deep place in the heart of the musician. Not all renditions will do this, as you can see from what we have just sung."

"Apricorn dust, not Apricot."
(if this was an autocorrect, please ignore this).
"At its best, the ceremony uses a variety of Apricorn that is linked to the Pokemon to be bonded. For example, a fast Pokemon will prefer the dust of a White Apricorn. The only requirement is that the dust be ground by hand, and ground very finely, and ground without impurity from other substances. Anyone can perform it - a Pokemon that loves a trainer stands before them, while the trainer sprinkles the dust and reaffirms all the qualities of their bond. He whispers of moments of friendship, memories where trust was built, and a poetic recitation of their most glorious battle together! Then the trainer presents the Apricorn where the Pokemon can live, if desired. That is all, but the effects of the ritual may live on for decades! The Pokemon is likely to better understand its trainer and obey reasonable orders with certainty. An adept can also trace this bond upon request, proving which Pokemon a trainer has traveled with."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"I'm certainly interested in this path, Nathan, and I'm keeping it open. Means, I'll look into it."

What a coincidence that Shiva owned a White Apricorn! Couldn't help but chuckle about this in a faintly amused tone. "I own a White Apricorn, Tandal... I feel my Braixen you already saw might enjoy participating in such a ritual with me. He's a special Pokemon to me anyway... I feel he's a fast enough Pokemon. Just need to gather the gadgets to ground the Apricorn, I fear."

[Spiritmon]

Heart nod his head with all the answears the man was give to everyone. One question come to his head and he ask. "Tandal, you know anything about a Claydol and a group of Tangrowth around here? Or something about the Skull Ruins?"