[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(...)

Still somewhere in that hug, she shoots Apsis a friendly and respectful look, silently trying to tell her that she doesn't desire to 'compete for his (Ven's) affection with her, as she feels that he has enough within his heart for both of them.

Soon, she carefully loosened the hug, ending it with a thankful smile for Ven while keeping eye contact, she seems to desire speaking something out but she struggles to find proper words. All she managed to say was a soft "Thanks.... Ven, I guess I simply was a bit...overwhelmed by waking in this cavern, I'm already missing the daylight a little. I'll come to you when I'm not...feeling too well, as you asked me to long ago." She averted her gaze again, looked down a little embarrased over her random-hugging him. "I'm sorry for interrupting you during breakfast, dear...."

The poisonous python only response to Shiva's olive branch was a dismissive roll of her eyes and an unhappy huff, before she studiously ignored her from then on out. She was NOT going to be friendly with her main source of competition by being given such paltry offerings, so cease your friendliness, *Hiiiisss!*

Ventus, on the other hand, was all to receptive towards his most blessed girlfriend's plight, sharing with her a delicate smile while he brushed a few strands of stray hair back into place. "No need to thank me, dear, just doing what I felt was right. Yes.....the claustrophobic, damp, and lightless environment of these tunnels were easily on the nerves and mind, so keeping oneself stable can be a challenge if they are not experienced or have immense resolve. I have faith you'll acclimate to this environ before too long, though, so worry not Shiva. If things become too overwhelming, then its like you said: I'm always willing to help..."

He let out a slight chuckle out how bashful she had become over her impromptu hug, reaching over to mussle her hair fondly to show that he didn't mind such a thing at all now. "Well, it would be nice not to be surprised mid bite, but otherwise I don't mind what you did dear. Maybe I'll interrupt a meal of yours in the future to get even with you, though....." he said, the researcher's voice becoming teasing towards the end as his eyes twinkled mischeviously at her.  Oh boy, that'll be fun, hehehe....

[Dragonstrike]

With an odd mixture of fascination and mystification she mustered that drawing, it didn't took her that long to get what it was probably depicting, especially after she has heard what has been shared yesterday night. "This? Oh, to me it looks fine. Like something that could be a Tropius before it made a genetic drift and grew wings to reach its favorite fruit better than before. So you...indeed assume the fossil originates from this Pokemon?" She pauses for a little, mulling over things. "It's likely. I'd wait until it has been revived into a Pokemon, however, simply to be sure."

"I don't have any better guesses, and the fossil does look a lot like a Tropius's toenail now that Ventus pointed it out.  This is only a rough sketch, to be honest...I don't really want to finish it until the fossil's been revived..."

It looks a little too good to be a 'rough sketch.'  There is definitely a distinct lack of exact detail in the picture, though...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh. Well, if THAT's the case, then Shiva will adapt to it and join into ignoring each other to one's heart's content after giving Apsis another glance that was neatly returning and reflecting that huff. Fine, if the snake wants to dislike her, then by all means she can do so, hmpf! Why attempt to be friendly to her when a possible desire to get along or at least not compete everytime for Ven's attention was solely one-sided? However, still in the hug of the dear oddball of researcher Shiva quietly wonder what could possibly be done from her side to at least ATTEMPT to reach a neutral state with Apsis, a state where she doesn't have to fear for bad reactions from the snake or where none puts the other on edge. The fear of poison and toxins is manifested deeply within Shiva, but would it be worthy to step a outside of her comfort zone and be bold just once, for the sake of herself and to some degree Ventus himself?

Naturally, Shiva let him stroke her hair and put a few strands back into place as he already did that several times, but she enjoys his soft touch every single time. <3 She...wanted to reply something about how he thinks that she'll manage to cope with the cavey surrounding, but failed to do so as his words flattered her and she failed to not blush faintly over this faith he has in her. Shiva herself was way less confident about her resilience and capability to cope, sadly - but she'll try to get along and keep herself going as best as possible.

Ventus' last comment earned him a fond expression that still beared hints of the blush before she chuckled to herself, that was the Ventus she was familiar with and eventually fell for!~ Ehm... Now she believed that they've shared enough affections for the morning, as otherwise the others could cotton on on their relationship.

[Iron]

Spoiler

My computer is struggling to open PDFs right now for some reason.

But Durant decides to join you, not just for the food (though you'll have to keep that coming), but more for protection! Whenever it's out of its Pokeball, it follows you or another Pokemon around until a task needs done.

Durant was caught.
2 Happiness 2 Loyalty 2 Disobedience
Hustle
Metal Sound, Vice Grip, Sand Attack, Fury Cutter, Metal Claw, Dig

Will you be registering that with Ventus' OT, or Valder's?

(It will be in Ven's OT for now, as I want to discuss something with Nylon before I hand it off! Also, since its Overgrown, how much more Base HP does it have?)

I put the Base HP (+3) in an immediate edit, but you must have opened it right away! So it has 7 Base HP +5 = 12HP; it's tougher than Tropius!

Turiel will be female. She takes a particular like to her name, though she's a little humbled by it.

[Iron]

You scale the stairlike cliffs. It takes a bit of work, but you are well equipped for it - rope and pitons, Tropius, Durant, Rose. And Lunatone is able to just float alongside you lighting the way.

The cavern narrows to a nice round tunnel, clearly dug by an Onix, but very very long ago, aged until the walls have become smooth with wear. Any protruding rock is also polished to a sheen; you can even vaguely see your reflection in the black stone.

Just a few minutes along this passage, and you encounter a round boulder on a little track. When Heart moves to inspect it, he sees it has recently been shoved up inside its track and braced with more stone. It looks safe to pass now.

Beyond, the tunnel contains increasingly more of the smooth stones. Most are black, but some are dark red, orange, or aquamarine. None seem to be gemstones, sadly, at least none more valuable than the occasional white quartz crystal.

Then you strike a vein of coal. There are many fossils/imprints of thick ferns, and occasional imprints of ancient rodent Pokemon (no DNA though). The coal, too, has been worn shiny. Your light sources are reflected forward and backward and all around, but the way the darkness eventually consumes the light reminds you just how deep underground you have come.

Mt. Sentry Coal Biome Part 1

1. Name: Torkoal
Bid start: 1
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: Pretty easy
Notes: It's just scratching at the wall for coal.

2. Name: Larvesta*
Bid start: 2
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: ???
Notes: Larvesta is burrowed away into the stone just above the coal. It is asleep, dormant. Little burning, sticky threads surround it.

3. Name: ???
Bid start: 1
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: Moderate
Notes: Whoever is leading the party will get this encounter, whether for good or ill! Two can walk abreast if they are don't mind standing close. Mandatory encounter.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

You scale the stairlike cliffs. It takes a bit of work, but you are well equipped for it - rope and pitons, Tropius, Durant, Rose. And Lunatone is able to just float alongside you lighting the way.

The cavern narrows to a nice round tunnel, clearly dug by an Onix, but very very long ago, aged until the walls have become smooth with wear. Any protruding rock is also polished to a sheen; you can even vaguely see your reflection in the black stone.

Just a few minutes along this passage, and you encounter a round boulder on a little track. When Heart moves to inspect it, he sees it has recently been shoved up inside its track and braced with more stone. It looks safe to pass now.

Beyond, the tunnel contains increasingly more of the smooth stones. Most are black, but some are dark red, orange, or aquamarine. None seem to be gemstones, sadly, at least none more valuable than the occasional white quartz crystal.

Then you strike a vein of coal. There are many fossils/imprints of thick ferns, and occasional imprints of ancient rodent Pokemon (no DNA though). The coal, too, has been worn shiny. Your light sources are reflected forward and backward and all around, but the way the darkness eventually consumes the light reminds you just how deep underground you have come.

Mt. Sentry Coal Biome Part 1

3. Name: ???
Bid start: 1
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: Moderate
Notes: Whoever is leading the party will get this encounter, whether for good or ill! Two can walk abreast if they are don't mind standing close. Mandatory encounter.

New area name?  Okay then!  New music time!

Mt. Sentry Coal Biome: Deep Dark Crater - Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky

"Well, guess we have Machoke to thank for making getting past this rock easy.  Glad he was kind enough to leave the door open for us.  Well then, let's see what's further ahead..."

Wow, there's a lot of coal.  And a lot of black, shiny stones.  And other colors of those shiny rocks.  Well, at least their immediate area is lit fairly well because of all the shiny rocks...it's making Swiftfire's firelight all the more effective.  Joining her at the front and leading the way is perfect.  Shame none of the stuff he can see immediately seems to be a fossil that can be revived...

However, being at the front also means you're the first one to run into whatever's ahead...and whether that's a good thing or not is highly situational...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

That was the first time of climbing on that trip, and Shiva still loathed the thought of it while KNOWING that sooner or later, it HAS to be done. Thankfully her Tropius was fine with helping Shiva out to reach the top of the stairy cliffs, knowing that Rose being an agile monkey (hopefully) not hesitating to catch one up if loosing grip was present as well somewhat eased Shiva's worry and discomfort, as they all reached the top she couldn't help but to throw a glance over her shoulder that clearly showed how relieved she is to have tackled this obstacle without problems.

As soon as they all reached that round tunnel with the smooth and shiny walls however, Shiva was INTRIGUED. Much! How....incredibly beautiful this tunnel was, with all colorful smooth stones... She couldn't help but to run her hands over the walls from time to time, how such a smoothness was reached naturally was amazing for her... Are there any crystals laying around? (Will it take an Encounter if I'd like Shiva to pick up a white quartz crystal?)

In case me and Nathan take on that Mandatory Encounter

Shiva was just investigating an imprint of these thick firns - she held the flashlight of her cell very close to it to get a good look, this...increasing darkness worried her - as Furret was letting out a loud chirp that was clearly aimed to catch his friend and Master's attention. Immediately, Shiva turned away from the imprint, kept her cell with the flashlight in her hand and RAN up to the top of the group, where Nathan and Mr. Finder where, asking Dizzy to please stick to her if he wasn't doing so already.

It seems like Furret was out of sight in the half-darkness, he was still chirping and calling for Shiva, but she couldn't make out whether he did so out of fear or fascination. Along the way, she naturally met Nathan, and not thinking twice, she took him by the hand in the means to please follow her to whatever was waiting ahead....


Solved, Shiva and Nathan are now close to one another physically and will run into this Mandatory Encounter together. I'll edit this if it's necessary, and I'll let Nathan catch what we encounter, if needed she'll loan you a Ball from her stock.

[Spiritmon]

2. Name: Larvesta*
Bid start: 2
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: ???
Notes: Larvesta is burrowed away into the stone just above the coal. It is asleep, dormant. Little burning, sticky threads surround it.

Heart with the help of Rose, was able to climb the place with no great problems. He look around that beautiful cave. When he was walking, he could see a big sticky threads slowing burning. It was above the coal. "Interesting. Lets see what we can find here..."

Mechanic: Roll Insight+Knowledge+Alert to see any other possible danger in be close of Larversta sticky threads. Like make him nervous, etc.

[Dragonstrike]

Shiva was just investigating an imprint of these thick firns - she held the flashlight of her cell very close to it to get a good look, this...increasing darkness worried her - as Furret was letting out a loud chirp that was clearly aimed to catch his friend and Master's attention. Immediately, Shiva turned away from the imprint, kept her cell with the flashlight in her and and RAN up to the top of the group, where Nathan and Mr, Finder where, asking Dizzy to please stick to her if he wasn't doing so already.

It seems like Furret was out of sight in the half-darkness, he was still chirping and calling for Shiva, but she couldn't make it whether he did so out of fear or fascination. Along the way, she naturall met Nathan, and not thinking twice, she took him by the hand in the means to please follow her to whatever was waiting ahead....

Solved, Shiva and Nathan are now close to one another physically and will run into this Mandatory Encounter together. I'll edit this if it's necessary, and I'll let Nathan catch what we encounter, if needed she'll loan you a Ball from her stock.

Nathan's quite startled when Furret suddenly runs past him and Swiftfire.

...and then further startled when Shiva grabs his hand to get him to follow her.

He quickly motions to Swiftfire to follow (Ralts is perched on her back), since he doesn't want to be wandering around in the dark down here...

...he can't help but feel...slightly nervous about forging on ahead like this.  He's not quite sure why he feels that way, though...sooo many things could be the cause of that right now...

[Iron]

Mr. Finder is right behind you guys, with Slurpuff and Raticate.

Shiva plucks a small white quartz crystal - if she wants a bigger one she'll have to go mining for it. But as she and Nathan advance, she spots a brief gleam of crystal reflection overhead.

Was she in time? You'll each get 1 extra dice on your Alert rolls thanks to having sensitive Pokemon out.

Shiva: (5)(5)(3)(4)(6)(4)(3)(4)
Nathan: (3)(6)(6)(5)(6)(4)(2)(2) Really good rolls
Ambush: (6)(6)(5)(3)(2)(2)(4)(3)

Ralts and Nathan feel that foreboding feeling surge. Shiva spots that glint. Together, they all leap back just as the glint drops down like a heavy, spikey trap, nearly impaling Shiva. Heavy thuds announce the airborne arrival of more heavy Pokemon. Faint red glows trace cracks in the bodies of three Geodude, each ready to explode. Flanked by them is the spiky stone object: a very very rare Carbink! Affixed to its head is a Hard Stone, making it even heavier. Shiva feels very lucky Carbink missed and the Geodude were spotted before they could explode.