[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

I think we'll make this a Creshire League ruling at the least, since it's a Creshire League rule that you only get 4 unique moves in a single fight. 

Bottle Round 4

It's time to swap out any Pokemon again! Bottle says "I only have one more of my trademark oversized Pokemon, collected from all over Creshire! Oh, I get them from all kinds of different sources."

(I figured as much when Bottle said that Disable would be the last of Golduck new moves, but nice to have direct confirmation!)

With the blue mallard bruised and battered into unconsciousness by the joint efforts of Raphael & Hanael, so too was an end put to its harrying moves, causing Ventus to smile slightly as he recalled Raphael back into the ball and summoned Lilith right back onto the battlefield , as he wasn't going to leave his precious child out after nearly being blasted into smitherins by that Thunderbolt!. The mean green bird, upon getting a good look at the competition, poofed up her chest and glared daggers at the overly large Raichu in particular. An Overgrow Electric type, and a rodent at that? She'll teach them exactly were on the food chain they reside, hmpt!

"Thank you for indulging in my curiousity, my friend! All the effort you put into finding and training your boisterous Pokémon clearly shines through, and I find it to be nice change of pace from fighting more spritely opponents. However, it will avail no more advantage than you already possess against me, so send out your last Overgrown Pokémon Bottle, and let me view it granduar!

[Iron]

It's a Victreebel, large enough to fit Ventus right inside its mouth!

(2)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(Lol, I don't even want to imagine how much ruccus it'd cause if Gothy would have 'burrowed' that bow, but it'd certainly be hilarious to outplay!)


It was as she somewhat expected, this place was not all mellow and harmless, as they even had decaying claws on sell and such! Couldn't help but to pick up a vile containing blood and take a curious look at it... If the shop owner allows, that is. Blood Magic exists, it's performed for good and evil by more experienced 'witches', but never would Shiva herself dabble in this. Blood is life, blood is power, but the power was amost too strong. Shiva was not afraid or put on edge at all by all that though, she very well knew that her topic of interest has these dark elements. Nope, she's enjoying being here, and soaks up every scent she passes by, and stops to investigate things closer almost as often as Gothy does.

These telescopes catch Shiva's interest naturally, and once again sge mentally sighs that she opted to leave hers at home. But maybe it's better this way, carrying it around all the time could easily damage it - not worth the risk, also leaves more room for Pokemon Eggs in her stuff. While she's averting her gaze from this precious object, she looks up just right to meet gaze with Lilith - Shiva's gaze was silently saying 'Mischievous one. I'll buy things for you if you like, but please don't steal anything!" Not angry at her elusive Psychic Type, just somewhat...'I dare you doing that', that fits the most.

Cottonee Eggs OF COURSE catch her interest as well, and Shiva was postively suprised they also sell Eggs! Yikes, maybe she could find something that'd catch her interest? She was busy enough with the raising of her current adult Pokemon and the hoped Eevee she bred, but it never hurts to investigate what other Pokemon Eggs they had on sell. The thought of another fluffball for her...aww, sweeter than ever, but she had to gently decline her own beloved Cottonee. "Maybe another day, dearest one... But on the other side, you are getting all my cuddles and tender attention, would you be surely okay with sharing my love with a smaller fluffball?"

Shiva's leader-Furret is a male exemplar though, seeing how he intimated Lilith and soft-failed caused Shiva to chuckle to herself everytime it happened, followed by either a 'Thank you' or an appreciating nob+smile for the shop owner. If it rejoices Furret, he can also keep these goodies he collected, as if he'd hand them to Shiva, she'd sell it all back. Being distracted by reading in a book containing the use of dragon parts and blood in spells and rituals, she didn't even notice how Furret has been saved from possibly dying from eating wolfsbane. Phew...


'Things found'... Huh, it didn't specify what things were found, but curiosity strikes and caused Shiva to take a closer look at that.  The figurine inside reminded her somewhat on a Probopass, but without the magnetic aspect. She perked up upon hearing him name..."Y-yes, I met the Fortune Hunter some days ago. I dare to say we're friends, even! Drank tea, she gifted me that shard of duskglass, and otherwise has helped me out. Why though...? Do you know her?"

[Lord Windos]

It's a Victreebel, large enough to fit Ventus right inside its mouth!

(2)

".........That is a quite large Victreebel you have, Bottle. I can't imagine how much you have to feed it to keep them so vibrant and healthy, let alone the rest. Seeing your fine, Overgrown partners like yours..... reminds me of how much varied and unique Pokémon can be, even within the same species. Its simply fascinating, really......" Ventus almost abscent mindly stated upon seeing the HUGE pitcherplant and imagining what sort of carnivorous antics it could get up to if it had half a mind and was hungry, before clenching his fists to dispel such thoughts and got his head back into the fight, issuing orders with controlled calmness.

"Hanael, its time for you to let lose your tremendous power over the earth and assault both Bottle's Pokémon with Magnitude! Once Raichu is grounded for the fight, raze Victreebel with your scorching Embers! My magnificent Lilith, give both opponents a moment's pause with Leer, and then assault Victreebel with a flurry of peck, and hide behind your sister if the pitcherplant tries to spray you with Poison! Do your best, my sister, but be safe as well!"

Order: Hanael will use Magnitude 4 times per round in order to hit both Victreebel and Raichu for maximum effectiveness (That Poison typing is going to bit the plant in this case!), switching to Ember on Victreebel if/when the sparking mouse goes down, while Lilith Leers at both to make them feeble before tagteaming the plant with 2 Pecks. If Raichu gets a Fake Out on Lilith due to reasons, she'll substitute her neck Peck with Leer to make sure that both get debuff, and she'll hide behind her sister to try and avoid anything that Victreebel throws at her. She'll then uses Peck 3 times per round on Victreebell, and switch to using Razor Leaf once it goes down. No Potions will be used for Ventus for now, as he wants to save on Poke cost unless absolutely necessary! Hopefully all goes well this round!

Moves:

Magnitude
Accuracy: 10D6 Base Dice - 1 Pain - 4/5/6/7 Actions = 5/4/3/2 Dice
Damage: 4D6 + Random
Effect: Spread Move!

Ember (When/if Raichu is KOed)
Accuracy: Same as Mag.
Damage: Same as Peck
Effect: *Burn 1*

Leer
Accuracy: 7D6 Base Dice - 3/4 Actions (Depends if Leer Procs) = 4/3 Dice
Effect: Known

Peck
Accuracy: 9D6 Dice - 4/5 Actions (This Round) ; 3/4/5 Actions (Following Rounds) = 5/4D6 Dice and 6/5/4 Dice
Damage: STR + 2 + STAB + SE - Vitality (*3) = 3D6 + 1 Damage
Effect: None

Razor Leaf (When Victreebell is downed in following Rounds/Maybe this one)
Accuracy: 9D6 Dice - 1 Accuracy - 3/4/5 Actions = 5/4/3 Dice
Damage: Same as Peck, but without the SE Auto Damage
Effect: High Crit

[Iron]

'Things found'... Huh, it didn't specify what things were found, but curiosity strikes and caused Shiva to take a closer look at that.  The figurine inside reminded her somewhat on a Probopass, but without the magnetic aspect. She perked up upon hearing him name..."Y-yes, I met the Fortune Hunter some days ago. I dare to say we're friends, even! Drank tea, she gifted me that shard of duskglass, and otherwise has helped me out. Why though...? Do you know her?"

"Yes, yes, she's the real deal! She employs me all the time! You should do the same. Do you need anything found?"

Another thing you notice as you go through the massive Violet Tent: Nothing legitimately "magical" seems to exist unless it be something connected to Pokemon. All the believable supernatural items utilize Pokemon in some way, while all the magic purporting to be caused by humans is really just beautiful chicanery.

[Dragonstrike]

I don't know if Heart is still there or not, but the description is about the same. Candles are still unlit - oh, this is what has attracted the Combee! Both of them go flitting around the white candles, sampling the wax. Each of them finds a favorite and takes a mouthful back with them. 

Morning is the most popular time for worship of any kind. Most of Nathan's family and friends from Trillium would probably hold stock in the simple spirituality that holds various Pokemon as various avatar's of nature's strength, or its caretakers. Arceus and company are the most powerful avatars, the more literal avatars, but very few people in the country have anything like a religious symbol for them, nor do they pray to 'em or swear by 'em. 

As the cultural capital, Cress City is bound to support every style of worship practiced in the region.

The Cathedral: 
 - Indoline Praetorium (Day) - Xenoblade Chronicles 2 
 - Indoline Praetorium (Night) - Xenoblade Chronicles 2
(The extended versions that I found weren't looped super well, sadly.  Day version is primarily female vocals, Night is male.  Take your pick!)

Lyrics if you are curious

Our eternal land is keeping us in warm embrace
Some must carry our cause we know

And some must face the dark
It's in Father's wishes we live
Let us come together
We must never give up

Let those people see
Guide the ones who cannot hear
Voices guide us through
Words from above, we are the chosen ones

We are softly
Hear us weeping
Safely at our hearts we
Sleep in silence
We're not fearing
I won't feel sad, while I just mind
Guardian angels they too will keep us safe.

The path we chose is cold and the dark has no place to dream
Must we go on?
Will we ever prevail and smile in peace?

(Well, @Spiritmon?  Think Nathan and Heart would run into each other here by pure coincidence?  He might be interested in hearing some of what Nathan has to say while he's here, ya know...up to you, though)

Nathan chuckles at that.  Well, so long as they aren't causing any trouble, it should be fine.  Speaking of which..."Well, here we are, Furret.  Let's take some time to relax and reflect and let Forthright regain a little energy.  We'll head to the Castle when we're done here.  Just make sure to take extra care that we don't disturb anyone who might be here, alright?  That goes for you too, Forthright."

Yeah, Nathan's a bit weird for a Creshirean, as usual.  While he shares that faith for the most part, he has his own twists on them, though they're still mostly in line with everyone else's in his family.

Nathan takes some time to meditate with Ralts, quietly reflect on things.  Orthros quietly sits nearby as well.  The bees and Forthright are free to relax however so long as they're not causing any trouble.  Furret should hopefully be keeping an eye on Forthright and keeping the both of them relaxed/out of trouble.

Heart's free to notice Nathan and approach if he wishes.  He'll get to listen in on the next thing I have planned for Nathan and company while they're here if he does.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Hmm, does Shiva need anything found?


...Actually, yes, many things even.

If the Fortune Hunter is acquainted with this guy, he can't be that bad, and Shiva instantly feels more fine be around him. "I'm aaalways searching for things. Humanity is always searching for stuff; water, oil, power, whatever, I'm actually fine with searching for treasures, other loot as well as experience and resilience. Right now, I'm also looking for the Medium said to be here... Is she or he really here? Can they be visited, not now, but tomorrow? Should I...ask to visit her, like an appointment? A Pokemon Spirit to complete something I'm working on is what I am seeking out the most, and I'd be happy to get their help... And any interesting Pokemon Egg containing a hard to get species. And more Destiny Knots."

"As well as......." Shiva takes a meaningful look around inside the tent, making sure it's only her, her Pokemon and that funny guy, before moving a little closer and lowering her voice. "....the elusive Secret Library. Or big black pillarshaped stones, often carved with strange symbol that I strongly believe are runes, can be dozens of meter tall. Rumored to be somewhere under Mount Sentry... Part of the reason why I came here to Cress City is to get more information about this...'place'."

[Iron]

Bottle Round 4

Haneal shakes the field while Lilith soars high above.

Magnitude 1
(6)(3)(2)(4)(1)
(2)
3 + 2 +1 -4 vit this action = 2d6+1 for Vic
(3)(4) Raichu takes 2 dmg 8/11hp -1 pain
Victreebel takes 2 dmg 10/12hp -1 pain

Leer 1
(5)(5)(6)(3) -1 Def for all foes

"What type is that leering gliding behemoth? Flying? Try Thunderbolt."

Thunderbolt 1
(4)(4)(5)(6)(4) Critical hit! A beautiful burnt patch flows down Lilith's serpentine body.
4 Str + 3 power + 1 STAB + 2 crit -5 vit = 5d6, neutral dmg
(6)(5)(4)(6)(1) Lilith takes 4 dmg!
Prlz: (1)

Knock Off 1 on Haneal
(1)(5)(1)(6)(2)
(6)(1) Haneal takes 1 dmg
Haneal loses the Wide Lens! Ventus scoops it up.

Magnitude 2
(3)(5)(2)
(6) The entire plateau shakes!
10 dice -3* vit = 7d6+1
(5)(2)(4)(4)(5)(6)(2) Raichu takes 6 dmg 2/11hp -2 pain. A Potion brings this to 6/11hp -1 pain.
Victreebel takes 6 dmg 4/12 hp -2 pain.

Peck 2
(6)(4)(5)(4)
(4)(5)(4) Victreebel faints

"Ah, I chose the wrong Pokemon to heal!! Grah! We hardly knew ye, Victreebel."

"Grass and Flying. That's really cool. Great combo. They have one like that in Cress City, y'know."

Thunderbolt 2
(3)(5)(3)(4)
(6)(2)(6) Lilith takes 2 dmg 2 hp left
Prlz: (3)

Magnitude 3
(4)(3)
(2)
(2)(5)(5) Raichu takes 3 dmg 3/11hp -2 pain

Razor Leaf 3
(3) (3) Miss

"Raichu has no more tricks up his sleeve. 2 v 1 is...is...not really fair....zzzz"

The guy passes out right there. You can see his wallet sticking out of his shirt pocket, at least. Looks like a hip flask as well.

[Iron]

No one is rude enough to bombard Furret with questions here, though someone does happen by and draw a curtain around Orthros. He can still feel and smell his friends, so he doesn't even react.

That music is very much what might be played there.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Heart finds a docent in the library who is there to answer questions. Along the way, he sees some sizable dents in the ceiling. He's not entirely sure what could have caused that.

The docent explains. "Those are Pahar! They were imported from the Tandor region at great cost, financed entirely by donations! Their purpose? To light all the candles and lanterns of the Cathedral! These are the second generation of Pahar. We actually have a book about the Cathedral's history with them in it."

He shows you a book with pictures of a big crate labeled "Creshire Cathedral" and stamped with a pic of the Cathedral. Some beaks are poking out, and the crate is smoldering.

"Should know it. They are quite pretty. Also, aside from the Pahar, I meet a person in Star City who own a Gargryph. He say he have caugh around here in the Cathedral. There a chance it exist some type of pokemon here in this place?"

Heart was quite curious about the book. "Could I take a look in this book? To read a bit?" Depending in the respost Heart going to read that book or not.

"Gargryph? I don't know what that is. Is it a Pokemon? We mostly just get Starly and the occasional Murkrow here. Yes, all books in this library are available to read, but they may not leave the building. There are comfortable chairs in the next room. Some consider reading to be a form of worship."

This Cathedral predates Sarimanok by about two hundred years, making it 900 years old. When the League arrived, they had to force out a bunch of Ancient Unown and some ghost Pokemon haunting the place. There are crypts underneath the cathedral, not accessible to the public, where many holy men and women are buried. Once a decade, they choose someone new to inter in the crypts, a great honor. 

If you have more questions, the book will answer them!

"Yes they are. Gargryphs is some kind of gargoyle pokemon. They offten make home in cathedals like this one. They are Tandorian pokemon too. They may be mistaken as simple statues. Because of that they are pretty rare."

When reading that book Heart was quite curious. "Another part about Saminarok story....that guy was quite great. Hmmm..." Then Heart look again to windows where there the vitralls with the images of might legendaries. "Acordding to what Nathan say, Saminarok have some kind of pact with Trio Lake Pokemon and a few other legendaries. What other kind of Legendary...wait a minute..." Heart then begin to search in the books. "May have Saminarok make somehow contact with Legendary pokemon from Tandor? Or even more..." Then Heart look again. "If Saminarok was able to befriend the Lake Trio, the pokemon who is old as Arceus, may Saminarok make pact with Palkia or Dialga? Or even with Reshiram or Zekrom? I need to see a little more about Saminarok past. This may help me to understand what we might find."

This book makes little mention of Sarimanok, but Arceus, Palkia, Dialga, and Reshiram are all on the stained glass windows. 

You find a book that explains a little more about the religion of Sarimanok. It does briefly mention that Sarimanok sent envoys to Tsukinami Village to learn more about two supposed legendary Pokemon called Aotius and Mutios, yin and yang deities. 

Sarimanok was known to befriend the Lake Trio, indeed, and he often researched Jirachi and the Legendary Golems. He was also allied with a group of Legendary Pokemon called the Royal Trio, representing Royalty, Kingdom, and Knighthood. This trio had a trio master which Sarimanok had an extremely close friendship with, to the point where he could summon her (it was usually described as female in aspect). However, he kept the exact species of his Legendaries a closely guarded secret, considering their worship as a trio his own private religion. 

The only one this book can identify is the Pokemon of Kingdom, Landorus, because they eventually had a falling out and Landorus broke away from the trio into exile. Landorus planned to use his power to start a new alliance of Pokemon who would revere nature properly, as it was meant to be. Sarimanok sought to replace this natural force with a Legendary Bird, fire/ice/lightning, but may not have succeeded.

Arceus, Palkia, and Reshiram have all received adulation in Creshire, but most inhabitants are somewhat areligious or think of deities as being part of nature.

The book also surmises that Pokemon may have been more powerful in the old days. It makes mention of records on certain particular Pokemon which may refer to the way Pokemon used to be, rather than how they are today. Of course, science was less precise back then, too.

Sarimanok's fleet of religious scholars worked hard at this problem, and came to the conclusion that Pokemon's blood was now weaker, and that Sarimanok's own royal blood would weaken over generations.

I don't know if Heart is still there or not, but the description is about the same. Candles are still unlit - oh, this is what has attracted the Combee! Both of them go flitting around the white candles, sampling the wax. Each of them finds a favorite and takes a mouthful back with them. 

Morning is the most popular time for worship of any kind. Most of Nathan's family and friends from Trillium would probably hold stock in the simple spirituality that holds various Pokemon as various avatar's of nature's strength, or its caretakers. Arceus and company are the most powerful avatars, the more literal avatars, but very few people in the country have anything like a religious symbol for them, nor do they pray to 'em or swear by 'em. 

As the cultural capital, Cress City is bound to support every style of worship practiced in the region.

The Cathedral: 
 - Indoline Praetorium (Day) - Xenoblade Chronicles 2 
 - Indoline Praetorium (Night) - Xenoblade Chronicles 2
(The extended versions that I found weren't looped super well, sadly.  Day version is primarily female vocals, Night is male.  Take your pick!)

Lyrics if you are curious

Our eternal land is keeping us in warm embrace
Some must carry our cause we know

And some must face the dark
It's in Father's wishes we live
Let us come together
We must never give up

Let those people see
Guide the ones who cannot hear
Voices guide us through
Words from above, we are the chosen ones

We are softly
Hear us weeping
Safely at our hearts we
Sleep in silence
We're not fearing
I won't feel sad, while I just mind
Guardian angels they too will keep us safe.

The path we chose is cold and the dark has no place to dream
Must we go on?
Will we ever prevail and smile in peace?

(Well, @Spiritmon?  Think Nathan and Heart would run into each other here by pure coincidence?  He might be interested in hearing some of what Nathan has to say while he's here, ya know...up to you, though)

Nathan chuckles at that.  Well, so long as they aren't causing any trouble, it should be fine.  Speaking of which..."Well, here we are, Furret.  Let's take some time to relax and reflect and let Forthright regain a little energy.  We'll head to the Castle when we're done here.  Just make sure to take extra care that we don't disturb anyone who might be here, alright?  That goes for you too, Forthright."

Yeah, Nathan's a bit weird for a Creshirean, as usual.  While he shares that faith for the most part, he has his own twists on them, though they're still mostly in line with everyone else's in his family.

Nathan takes some time to meditate with Ralts, quietly reflect on things.  Orthros quietly sits nearby as well.  The bees and Forthright are free to relax however so long as they're not causing any trouble.  Furret should hopefully be keeping an eye on Forthright and keeping the both of them relaxed/out of trouble.

Heart's free to notice Nathan and approach if he wishes.  He'll get to listen in on the next thing I have planned for Nathan and company while they're here if he does.

(I think there is no problem @Dragonstrike. There might some information Heart want share with Nathan what he discover about Sarimanok.)

Heart take a few notes about Sarimanok. This information is quite good. When he was going to exit, he notices a presence. Koa, Patrat and Viktor was enjoying be out of the pokeball. He careful aproach to not startle Nathan, since things is getting a little better. Conflict is something Heart dont want. "Uh, heya Nathan. Sorry to bother you."