[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Spiritmon]

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

Heart bring Viktor and decided to fight against that Lombre. "Okay, lets begin with Feint attack a few three times. Do your best Viktor!"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

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.

...These cottonwood tree looked just as comfortable as their namesake Professor has said, and for the n-th time of this day Shiva felt thankful that she managed to see one. Too bad Noctowl probably didn't see how she waved it a 'See you soon', not a 'goodbye'. The owl will come back one day, after all...

Shiva was still fearing that it might rain later, and that assumption only grew stronger as the minutes passed while following Noctowl. Does the weather play any role when summoning 'her'? Or would the state as an Incarnate of the Southern Wind mean it doesn't matter at all? Would 'she' be able to win over the rain? What if 'she' doesn't appear, then w- NO, bad thoughts, very bad! If she'd start to doubt now, she'll diminish her chances. Or so she feared. 'Actually', she thought while carefully approaching the tree until she was right in front of it, 'I can be lucky that there wasn't a heavy downpour already'.

She moved her hand backwards to at first touch, then faintly stroke over the stem of stree while being leaned with back very coyly against the stem....before looking up to its top, giving it an appreciating nod and then slowly further leaning backwards into the tree until she has found a comfortable sitting position . Just a few minutes of...just being here and observing her surrounding in calm - none was there to annoy or rush her... the Village wasn't even audible.

Some would certainly call this place 'lonely' and avoid it. Shiva would call this 'peaceful' and seek it out.

She wasn't even staying here alone, not for long. Kyuu, Nightshade and Chikorita has been summoned beside her. The psychic cat was yawning and rubbing one of her lilac eye while the other looked at Master. The Grass Types looked eager and expectantly up to their Master. Said Master was not returning the gaze though, and was instead searching for something in bagpack... There it was! That new thumb harp. ^^ Turning it around in her hands, she eventually spoke to her Pokemon while motioning them to come closer. Kyuu and Nighshade got themselves cozy leaning into Master's lap, while Chikorita kept her place on her Master's shoulder as long as she wishes (or evolves). "We...wll stay here for a little, dear ones. Just we four... Can you hear how distinct any sounds from the village is? Instead, we only hear nature... This tree we are sitting under is a special tree. It looks like it's in bloom currently.. Nighshade, how about you try to get yourself a bit of this tree's energy to take home? Only a bit though, not that it'll end like the cherry tree I found you in! Use Leech Seed for that purpose.
You two others...just stay with me. There's none around... It's nature. See Mother Nature cry... Stay with me and cocentrte on something you choose. It can me and my mind, the barks of the tree or plain nothing..."

Shiva wasn't very good at it, but eventually she made it to coax some sort of slower melody... If it'll rain, it'll rain somewhere else. It was a calming scene and Shiva was plainly and openly enjoying this as none of the others where around, neither any natives... None came either. Time was ticking, but she more Shiva remained here, the more she felt well here... Her mind and inner were thankful for this. Eventually, she was in a lying position under the tree, still amateourishly playing that thumb harp while her Pokemon listened curiously! Eventually, the tune came in slower, until it finally has faded. Upcoming rain, upcoming winds, almost tangible calmness. Since Shiva woke up relatively early in the mornings, it felt naturally that eventually she slept in.

Right here, under the cottonwood tree with her three Pokemon beginning to cuddle up to their Master. Kyuu began to purr, but Shiva didn't hear that. It touuched her inside nevertheelss.


-----------------
Mechanics:
Training Session for Kyuu, nightshade and Chikorita. Hope this somewhat cleares Shiva's mind a little from negativity that might hinder her tonight in-game. As soon as she awoke from that nap, she'll be heading to the bonfire. Has dusk fallen by then?

[Iron]

+1 XP to Shiva's Pokemon and to Shiva.

Kyuu purrs against you, but when you 'awaken' or refocus on the world, he gives a startled cry and a hint of psychic energy pours out into the world. Shiva feels his startlement quite directly. It is not comfortable, after the relaxation she just experienced, but she manages to slip right back into the calming aura of the solid cottonwood tree. Through Nightshade, she can almost feel it growing.

[Iron]

Viktor: (5)
Lombre: (1)

Lombre Round 1

Don't forget to give me dice pools when you can.

Feint Attack 1
3 Dex + 2 Fight + 3 Brawl -3 actions = 5d6
(6)(2)(4)(5)(5) A solid approach! Phantump appears behind the half-submerged Lombre and knocks him out of the muddy water.
3 Str + 2 power -4 vit = 1d6 dmg
(4) Lombre takes 1 dmg 7/8hp

Lombre surprises Phantump with a reverse kick.
Astonish
3 Dex + 3 Fight + 3 -3 = 6d6
(5)(2)(2)(2)(2)(2)
3 Str + 1 power -3 vit = 1d6+1
(3) Viktor takes 1 dmg
Flinch: (5)(5)(1)

Feint Attack 2
(5)(5)(1)(3)
(6) Lombre takes 1 dmg 6/8hp -1 pain

Lombre regains his composure. He meditates briefly, connecting with the grass and water around him. The marsh water is first to respond.

Nature Power 2
(6)(2)(3)(3)
3 Str + 3 power -3 vit = 3d6-1 for being water type
(3)(1)(2) The water passes harmlessly over Phantump...at first. Then he finds himself being dragged down into it!
Chance: (6)(5)(2)
-1 to Viktor's strength

Feint Attack 3
(5)(4)(3)
(2) Lombre chuckles, huehuehue, as Phantump struggles to deliver a real blow against all that water. He springs out of the puddle himself.

Insight: (5)(4)

He seems a little puzzled by the Ghost, who makes a lot of his moves useless.
There's only one thing for it. He lowers his head, as if gearing up for a Headbutt. Phantump laughs, expecting him to pass right through.

Zen Headbutt 3
(1)(1)(1)

Which he does.

[Iron]

Lombre Round 2

Feint Attack 1
(6)(4)(5)(5)(4) Critical hit. But with Phantump half-submerged in water, his strength lowered, he won't get to do too much.
(4)(6) Lombre takes 2 dmg 4/8hp -2 pain

Zen Headbutt 1
(1)(2)(3)(2) I'm noticing a pattern here. Lombre goes sailing through again. Phantump laughs at the futility of trying to Headbutt an ethereal Pokemon such as himself.

Feint Attack 2
(2)(5)(3)(3)
(6) Lombre takes 1 dmg 3/8hp -2 pain

Zen Headbutt 2
(2)(5)(4) Aha! Lombre's headbutt somehow pierces Phantump's defenses! The little stump is surprised and flinches.
3 Str + 3 power -3 vit = 3d6
(5)(1)(5) Phantump takes 2 dmg 3/6hp -2 pain
Flinch: (3)(6)(3) Phantump flinches

Zen Headbutt 3
(3)(4)
(5)(4)(3) Phantump takes 2 dmg 1/6hp
Flinch: (5)(3)(5)

Lombre Round 3

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Such a startlement of her psychic kitten gave Shiva a cold shiver that she just couldn't help as she eventually opened one eye after the other and found herself practically cuddled up her Espurr, that thumb harp still in one hand. For one moment, she felt lost and disorientated, but as her gaze fell upward, she remembered... Cottonwood. A Noctowl. Nature and peace... With hrt other hand, she carefully ruffled her Espurr's fur on cheek and head a bit, all while gifting him a calm smile. "I'm deeply sorry that I must have scared you by awakening... I must have gotten lost in the sounds of my dream. But, I'm fine... Let me just gather my spirits, then we have to leave..."

Raising up to a sittining postion, she rubbed her eye a bit, before leaning against the cottonwood tree again. Such a solid being... She was enjoying how through Nightshade she felt somewhat closer to this tree than before.

+++++

When Shiva eventually arrived at the bonfire, she 1. kept Kyuu on her right shoulder and probably will do so during the whole ritual and 2. she was nervous. Incredibly nervous, behind that calmness. Kyuu's purring and closure were able to diminish that nervosity though before it might hinder her. She also has wrapped that Ninetales-Scarf around her neck, leaving one end longer than the other to follow every great movement of hers.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan arrives shortly afterwards, carrying the Castform egg, Orthros and Kirlia both by his side.

He seems...moderately less depressed.  He doesn't start any conversation himself, though.  Just sits on the opposite side of the bonfire from Shiva.

Kirlia's kinda nervous as well...this has to work...it HAS to...otherwise, Nathan might....no, he didn't want to think about it.  He was going to put everything he could into this Lucky Chant to make sure that potential outcome doesn't come to pass.

Orthros is happy to see Kyuu again.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Suprisingly(?), Shiva only notices the arrival of Nathan only from the corner of the eye, as she keeps up a focus on her breath and the shining flames of the bonfire. No greeting aside from a quick glance that was silently saying 'Thank you that you've come.'

Something she nevertheless picks up was a feeling of strong determination coming from Kirlia, it was almost desperated. Forceful. Before such a sensation overflew her mind and only increased her nervosity to a level where a psychic cat's purring doesn't help Shiva calming down anymore, she shrugged it off. She won't burden herself with an urge to succeed, she'll do her part and do them GOOD - she has practiced this. She was keeping her mind peacefully streaming down like a small river in a forest, only to let there be waves when the music comes in.

Neither does she care about that Deltadog beside him, although she wished he wasn't there. He showed himself peaceful and friendly this morning, true... But she prefers to keep her friendly distance, and will do so until the end of her days. She has been hurt once too often to dare opening up in that issue. Mentally, she also informed Kyuu about her sentiment, hoping that he'd understand. 'No, dear one, you stay with me now. No playing with that dog now, as I need you by my cheek. You are my anchor of security and peace here. Alright?'

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan doesn't even catch that silent greeting from Shiva, worried as he is.

Orthros also looks a litle sadder now, but he stays by Nathan when he receives a similar request.

Nathan doesn't want to be alone while everyone else is doing something he can't...he's just kinda...there.  Looking kinda down still for various reasons.

Kirlia's silently reviewing the chant he came up with, quieting his thoughts.  He neded to focus now.

[Lord Windos]

+++++

When Shiva eventually arrived at the bonfire, she 1. kept Kyuu on her right shoulder and probably will do so during the whole ritual and 2. she was nervous. Incredibly nervous, behind that calmness. Kyuu's purring and closure were able to diminish that nervosity though before it might hinder her. She also has wrapped that Ninetales-Scarf around her neck, leaving one end longer than the other to follow every great movement of hers.

Nathan arrives shortly afterwards, carrying the Castform egg, Orthros and Kirlia both by his side.

He seems...moderately less depressed.  He doesn't start any conversation himself, though.  Just sits on the opposite side of the bonfire from Shiva.

Kirlia's kinda nervous as well...this has to work...it HAS to...otherwise, Nathan might....no, he didn't want to think about it.  He was going to put everything he could into this Lucky Chant to make sure that potential outcome doesn't come to pass.

Orthros is happy to see Kyuu again.

Hard labor and sweltering temperature of shoveling peat into the furnance made Ventus greatly appreciative of the occupation, and equally greatful that as a traveling Pokémon Researcher he had much less intense means to make money. Still, the work was not terrible or overwhelming for a man of his gargantuate Vitality, so the sociologist dutifully conduct his given task without complaint, got paid for his efforts in supplies ('I would prefer Poke for my job, but when you live in tribal lands....'), and swiftly departed towards the Bonfire with Shamisen soon in hand and Lilith even sooner on his shoulder. Upon arrival, his vision scanned the gathering and rapidly picked out Shiva and her trusted Pokémon partners preparing for the Ritual, causing a smile to slowly grow on his face as he made his way towards her......until he spotted Nathan and his Pokémon.

Kirlia he expected, as they were practically inseperable, but then he saw Orthros sitting beside the boy with nary a care in a world.

Instantly whatever positive vibes the researcher had vanished, and his face twisted into a thunderous, severe look of utter contempt and disgust as he gazed upon the abominable animal with a Look that plainly stated to the psychic beast: 'Keep away from me and Shiva, or suffer my wrath, unfettered and bloody.' For added emphasis he unsubtly tightened-untightened his in front of it as he stared it down, reminding it just what those hands of his were capable of doing to it should it ever step out of line. After sufficiently cowing/intimidating the vile hellhound, Ventus abruptly turned away from it and continued his march towards Shiva, his expression shifting to one of serene joy and comfort at seeing his dearest friend once more.

"Greetings, Shiva! I trust you've had a productive day like I have, and made significant progress towards summoning the Southern Wind Incarnate? I'm ready whenever you wish to begin conducting the Ritual, with me and Lilith doing our utmost to enhance your efforts and better entreat it to answer our plea!"

Order: Ready to begin the Ritual whenever you are guys! Also, Ventus obviously has Apsis Pokémon on hand and ready to send it out should Orthros try to approach them, as an angry hissing snake is a great way to deter unwanted company. She not going to attack him unless he does first, though.