[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

"I do not understand. What has the Spirit of the Southern Wind to do with distant western cities? I will, however, allow you to see our wonderful flute!"

He brings it out. The smooth, dark wooden tube has tiny wings at either side on one end, like a cross. It looks like they may be made of real feathers in a clear resin.

"It is many centuries old, and there are only a few like it in all the earth."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The flute deserved ever single letter in 'wonderful', and Shiva acould only watch such a precious flute in awe as she eventually rose from the bow. She was almost feeling blessed simply by the sight already. These feathers are indeed what catch her interest...do they origin from...? "I thank thee for showing me the flute. It's absolutely precious! I don't feel worthy enough to even hold it in my own hands. But still, I do rely on particularly this flute for the ritual... Such an irony. The music's pretty much nothing without it, even if I'd practice my part for months on end. We do have some other instruments, though. Namely a Shamisen one of us found in the swamp alongside our way to reach this village... As I once got a chance to look at it a little closer (maybe at some point after Tandal has left yesterday and before Shiva made her way to the Center), I noticed some carvings on it... It's just as ironic that the same person who found this Shamisen has met and is bonding with the soaring serpent. I'm counting on her blessing, but yet her blessing can't replace the tune of the flute to go with my Skirl."

"As for...what the precious Incarnate is having to do with a distant city... Well, I could tell you, but it's easier to read on one's own. We, that is me and some others forming a traveling group to experience the region in every sensation, have been met by a prophecy. It most likely speaks about one of our group, as well as..."

At that point, Shiva showed the one who can speak Common (assuming that he can read Common too?) the page of her star-patterned journal where she noted the words of the prophecy Nathan told them:

The ancient power has been disturbed
It shall cover all in vines
Like the ruin from which it springs

Only a sharer of unselfish love
Can stop the mannikin false kings
And end the disaster of stone

A journey to the ends of the earth
And the beginning of the land
The only other way.

The Pokemon of Sentiments have paths to follow
The spirit cannot free itself to flee, to breach the wall of its power
Unless it be convinced by unselfish love.

Two paths appear before the child
Future or present, thither or now
Earth or sky.

Color means Shiva has marked that part in the particular color. "You see? Notice the green parts. A journey to the ends of the earth and beginnning of the lands... Earth and Sky... An Earth and Sky Chapel in this village. 'Hangoari Whennua', or 'the ends of the earth' or 'Hog Poatao/Peanut Swamp... Arrowroot Village. A journey the Incarnate can take us on, to destination, as the ends of the earth host her... The distant city will surrender to the threat of vines and Tangrowth sourcing from the Skull Ruins very soon if our group does not do anything against that. It'll eventually cost lifes, human's and Pokemon's, who deserve to breath like we all do. It'll eventually spread all over the region if not being stopped. I saw it, and please believe me that the situation is dire, despite the city's fighting for their city. We came here to help, to do something that will help, and what is missing to put that help into action is the tune of a magical flute to my summoning tonight..."

[Iron]

He points to the word "Or".

"What does this word mean, in the Common tongue?"

"It is true that the Spirit of the Southern Wind is influenced by this flute, but I must warn you before we even discuss this further that the Southern Wind does not respond to every summons, and the summons should not be undertaken lightly. None will dare stop you, however. None will dare."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"The small word 'or' means that there is more than one way to follow. More than one choice, You can take the one path, but you can also decide to take the other path. I've been choosing the one to follow the sky. Yet the god of the earth is greater, yet the sky predicts the earth... In the end, both ways are somewhat connected."

A warning that the summoning is nothing to be taken lightly was plausible to come, yet it somewhat hit Shiva. One reason was the was already aware of that but hearing it from an Elder was something different, the other reason was that she got the feeling that she's getting closer to the aim. "I am well aware that the summoning is NOTHING that shall be done half-hearted. I've been owning the lyrics of the Skirl for a while now, reading and rereading them because I liked them, which allowed me to find my pace in chanting that I feel fine with. I've been taking efforts to prepare myself for tonight, I've been told by Tandal Escartress that I have a chance in succeeding as I run a trial yesterday night, I'll keep on preparing myself until tonight. "

[Iron]

"Tandal is a good judge of character. Our village is lightened whenever he comes by. If you are certain that this small word 'or' does not disrupt your plans, then I will try my best to play the flute for you tonight. However, you must do something for me in return. I will not delay you now. But you must allow my Noctowl to acquire your...scent, I think is the word? The scent of your head. Noctowl will come find you one day requesting a favor."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"...I am feeling enlighted that I met and even made friends with him. Your agreement shows great generosity, I thank thee." He received another deep bow before she'd reply to the request-in-return. "Your Noctowl is welcome to come to me asking for a favor, and I'll do my best to to grant this favor."

Internally, Shiva felt very happy to have sucessfully gathered the remaining and among the most important piece of puzzle. Nothing was standing in the way anymore that's hinder an attempt to summon 'her'... True, she didn't manage to pay these Breeders of the village a visit, but that'll have to wait. What was left to do now was prepare mentally for a summoning.


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Mechanics:
Glad that this worked! Next up is Shiva searching for a cottonwood tree to spend a few hours just dwelling there, clearing her mind from anything it hordes but doesn't need while having some of her Pokemon around. I think I'll post how they train in the upcoming Training Session, then leave for the night.

[Spiritmon]

Heart, those three Pokemon gain 1XP.

They're not eligible for a training roll yet, but whenever they might be, you should describe how you train them. You can feel free to get creative with this.

After the training Heart decided to take a look around the village to find a trainer to battle or a Pokemon to battle. He need get stronger to fight any future enemies. (3x3 single battle Iron with 600 Pokedollar in the bill. If not possible any Pokemon to fight to gain some XP)

[Lord Windos]

Heart, those three Pokemon gain 1XP.

They're not eligible for a training roll yet, but whenever they might be, you should describe how you train them. You can feel free to get creative with this.

After the training Heart decided to take a look around the village to find a trainer to battle or a Pokemon to battle. He need get stronger to fight any future enemies. (3x3 single battle Iron with 600 Pokedollar in the bill. If not possible any Pokemon to fight to gain some XP)

(No more trainer battle in village, Spirit, so if you want to fight someone it either has to be pro bono (Without pay), or you are going wild Pokémon hunting. Sorry....)

[Iron]

Noctowl leads you to a Cottonwood tree, perches on your knee for a moment, then leaves you to it.

The Cottonwood you have found is a half hour's journey from the village. You can barely hear anything civilized, and only if you concentrate on it. The pale green leaves are thirty meters above your head, just barely finishing their flush as April becomes May.

The rain is barely holding. It's like the calm before the storm. As you lean your back against the giant tree, with its thick plates of bark, you feel those branches above you will do their best to keep your relaxation dry.

[Iron]

Heart, as you search for a battle, you find no trainers willing. But you do see a few Pokemon who might serve as a challenge:

-the intertwining furrows of a couple Nincada
-the floating top of a Lombre
-a hungry Swanna