[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

Oh yes, I meant to post something about your Pokemon's reactions.

Swiftfire is very nervous and skittish. Despite being a Fire type in a world of grass and ice.

Ralts is overwhelmed with wonder - you get to feel a touch of that too. There's a LOT going on emotionally in this cavern, and he isn't old enough to sort it all out.

Calam seems unhurried.

SNIVY is EXCITED! Hopping up and down, pointing at the fern, running around on roots, looking extra snide. The Weavile take no notice of him at all.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

With Heart

Nathan puts a hand on Heart's shoulder.

"...if you're to blame for your family's death, then Forthright the Rapidash died because of me too.  And if Arceus, Aotius, and Mutios have forsaken us...well, I don't think pokemon would still be around if they did."

...

"...I think the best thing you could do to try and move on from this...is make them proud.  Don't focus on the past, move forward to the future.  Don't let the clan die with you.  And once you're strong enough and have enough allies...maybe find out why that fire started in the first place."

He looks into the inky black darkness again...

"...there's more than one kind of strength.  Sometimes, all it is in reality is having the will to persevere, to just keep going...it'll all be okay in the end, so long as you don't give up.  That's what I hope and believe, anyways.  Just take one step at a time, alright?"

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Back to the present!

A Cold Reception: Frosty Grotto - Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red/Blue Rescue Team

Nathan can't help but marvel at the sheer...weirdness and beauty of the scene.  Snow?  Underground?  And that plant is huuuuge...but the Old Unown are what REALLY catch his attention right off the bat.  Not only are they rare, but they're spelling something, too...

Nathan looks at those Old Unown carefully for a minute or two, speaking out loud as he does so.  He's been trying to memorize some of his notes...

"Let's see...those first two are THE, the next is...S...E...N...T...R...um...wait, that looks like...hmmm...and then the next four are...F...E...R...N...hmmmm..."

He thinks for another minute.

"Those Unown are spelling THE CENTRAL FERN.  I'm almost certain of that.  The E and AL in CENTRAL are a weird combination of symbols, though...if it weren't for context clues, I don't think I would have figured that out..."

When those Weavile show up, Nathan's eyes immediately dart to the dots that are part of their facepaint (he's also immediately on guard and ready to send out some pokemon should the Weavile attack).

"Seven dots...does that mean..."

He can think of four pokemon that sport patterns like that from what he's read about them.  Except none of them have that particular pattern...

How do Calam, Ralts, Swiftfire, and Snivy react to the scene when the Weavile appear, @Iron?

Heart did not flinch when Nathan put the hand. He give Nathan a weak smile then talk again. "....Thank you. Even if you not consider me as a friend, I gladly I could at least could have let out this burder." Heart than talk again. "I...already do terrible things Nathan. Things I have think was right. Trying to find the responsible for my pain and suffer." Heart close his eyes. "As much I want have justice...people already suffer enough...I....cant tell you." Heart then look in the side again. "Maybe one day, I will find strengh to say my friend....but not today. I not ready. No yet at least. All I can say is: I have sins crawling in my back. Sins that will follow me."

Then Heart look to the dark cave. "Perhaps in the of our journey, I may find redemption. One day."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

With Ventus in addition to Yena and Dizzy by her side, Shiva felt a little more safe - or frankly, subtly 'better', although they were not sharing a word and he pulled away his hand when she casually stroked it. How long a mildly positive feeling does linger within her while being down this dark inner of Mount Sentry, only the stars far far above do know.


The mentioning of fresh air down and more plants down the tunnel however... This was something that did a fine job to avert Shiva'a attention from any issues in getting along with the lack of daylight, time and fresh food - since THAT was something she would imagine everywhere, but not here. The inner of Mount Sentry surely was full of wonders, that was clear to her by now, but... Either it's true, or she has gone completely mad already and her mind was playing massive tricks on her - probably the latter though, as when she too breathes in all fresh air she was able to get, Shiva felt her vigor returning, as if it was circulating from somewhere very deep with her.



However.... only at the sighting of that MYSTIC ICY CAVERN - no other words would Shiva use to describe this place - was enough to trigger her fascination to a level she might not have expected. Awe filled her, increasing respect for nature, thankfulness to being alive to spot such a wonder unfolding before her very eyes - this somewhat reminded her on the legendary Tree of Life, though from a different context. This had nothing to with graceful Xerneas, nor cute Shaymin. This here, was fern - 'The Central Fern' as Nathan translated. What a matching naming. This was a place of plants and Pokemon, are humans even allowed, she wondered? And more, would she be able to touch the fern at least once? Was she worthy to feel it's wonders with her own hand to make sure that this was not a lucid dream? Not even speaking of...obtaining a single leaf of this tree to add to her glass jar.... Something's very weird about this tree, and that fascinated her, allured her towards it, caught her as if it was calling her name. It 'knows' things. It watches her, stares through her. Even if she wanted, she felt like she could not hide from the mental eye of this tree. How.....scary, but wonderous.

It was cold. Very cold, but luckily Shiva had her Ranger's cloak to keep her warm. Looking around further, she promptly received the answer of humans being allowed here or not, as these WEAVILE arrived and demanded their attention. Guardians! Clearly Guardians, though something was different about them. Immediately, Yena growled deeply back at then, baring his teeth and flattening his body while SPREADING his Masquerain-like wings.

Shiva did nothing to stop him. For now. Weird Weavile, it was probably that pattern in their face that made them special.

In a low, quiet and awed voice, she spoke up to them - will they understand her? "Be greeted from the surface, elusive Weavile. We're coming from afar where the sky is blue and filled with clouds and a flame ball that we're calling the sun - we're not here to cause a ruccus. We mean no harm to this miraculous place you're living. We're passsing... And our way does lead us further down, beyond and deeper into Mount Sentry. If you...do not let us pass, we have to make you do so with our own Pokemon though."

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Swiftfire is very nervous and skittish. Despite being a Fire type in a world of grass and ice.

Ralts is overwhelmed with wonder - you get to feel a touch of that too. There's a LOT going on emotionally in this cavern, and he isn't old enough to sort it all out.

Calam seems unhurried.

SNIVY is EXCITED! Hopping up and down, pointing at the fern, running around on roots, looking extra snide. The Weavile take no notice of him at all.

So no immediate worry from the pokemon, apparently...weird to see Swiftfire so nervous in this environment, though.  Maybe it's partially due to being underground for so long?  He'd have to spend some quality time with her later when they get back to the surface...

Nathan stares back at the Weavile.  Without taking his eyes off of them, he asks a question: "Snivy, are these Weavile guarding the fern too?  Or are they here for a different reason?"

[Dragonstrike]

Heart did not flinch when Nathan put the hand. He give Nathan a weak smile then talk again. "....Thank you. Even if you not consider me as a friend, I gladly I could at least could have let out this burder." Heart than talk again. "I...already do terrible things Nathan. Things I have think was right. Trying to find the responsible for my pain and suffer." Heart close his eyes. "As much I want have justice...people already suffer enough...I....cant tell you." Heart then look in the side again. "Maybe one day, I will find strengh to say my friend....but not today. I not ready. No yet at least. All I can say is: I have sins crawling in my back. Sins that will follow me."

Then Heart look to the dark cave. "Perhaps in the of our journey, I may find redemption. One day."

"...I can definitely say you're not an enemy.  Or frenemy.  Friend...hmmm...debatable.  You're gettin' there, though.  Just keep workin' at it. Nobody's irredeemable if they really try to improve themselves, after all."

A playful punch on Heart's shoulder follows.  It's hard to tell if Nathan's serious or if he's trying to make a joke to lighten the mood...

"...anyways, you said you had some problems with some Nuzleaf, yeah?  Not hard to tell ya had a rough time.  Ya look rather roughed up yourself.  Well, let's fix that, shall we?"

Out comes Dit...

...I mean, out comes an Oddish.  Oddish Ditto.  At this point, Nathan's not really surprised by the random Transformation.

No problem, though.  Ditto can just Transform in to a Heal Pulser.  Namely, Gustav.  "Ditto, wouldja mind Transforming into Gustav the Clawitzer again, please?  We need another Heal Pulse."

I'm going to make this brief, though: it doesn't work.  Nathan asks again.  Still doesn't work.  He asks Ditto to Transform into Ralts instead.

Nothin.  

Gargryph from memory: nope.

And everything else Ditto tries to Transform into?  Zero, zilch, zip, nada.

Nothing works.

Ditto is stuck being Transformed into an Oddish until further notice. (ie, we're down a Heal Pulser for the time being)

"...well, uh...that's...awkward...I guess Ralts can just use one Heal Pulse on you instead, then?  Guess we're gonna have to save Gustav's Heal Pulses for when we REALLY need them until Ditto can sort out this apparent issue with its Transform...are you SURE you feel okay, Ditto?"

[Iron]

Snivy nods. He's looking a little condescending.

A Weavile jumps onto a root near Shiva's head! He starts examining her all over.

(4)(1)(1)(3)(6)(3)(3)

He returns to his trio, crosses his arms, and shakes his head. Seems he needs more than just your word.

[Iron]

Ditto/Oddish starts running around in circles around Heart's/Nathan's feet. It seems really amped up and just full of energy! It refuses to go back in the Pokeball. It's also shedding a lot of seeds. It will roam and roam and roam for the rest of the night!

Heal Pulse on Heart: (2)(4)(5)(5) - +3 HP.

[Dragonstrike]

Ditto/Oddish starts running around in circles around Heart's/Nathan's feet. It seems really amped up and just full of energy! It refuses to go back in the Pokeball. It's also shedding a lot of seeds. It will roam and roam and roam for the rest of the night!

Heal Pulse on Heart: (2)(4)(5)(5) - +3 HP.

Ayyyy, that's a really good Heal Pulse roll for Ralts.  Perfect

I guess this also begs the question of how Ditto reacts to the giant fern and the Weavile, then...

[Iron]

Ditto won't go near those Weavile. But he basks in the pale glow of any of the ferns, reacting to them as if they were moonlight. They make him hyper, they make him grow like a weed, they make his spores more productive.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Mr. Finder smells something unusual up ahead. Lots of plant life, and several Pokemon he doesn't recognize. "More Chingling up ahead, though." He breathes deeply. "Feel that air! Feels incredible for something so far underground." Slurpuff is incredibly invigorated by all the scents, and is running around excitedly like a puppy.



The tunnel descends, widening as it goes. The ceiling starts out within reach, then slowly ascends in contrast to the floor, until soon it is high above your heads and you are all able to walk abreast.

On the level below you, where your ramp is headed, you behold a wondrous cavern! Almost all of it is covered in the hairy roots, and the roots are frosted with ice. A light snow is falling in the cavern, and beautiful argent/aquamarine light shines off it. The source of that light is a thousand tiny phosphorescent ferns poking up through the accumulated rime.







Central to the cavern, bigger than any oak, is an enormous treelike fern. The outermost leaves brush the frost from the ceiling, creating the snow. Roots spread wide to split protruding rocks, to dive into rusty clay, and shepherd the snow into drifts. Lower leaves are hung with Chingling and Chimecho, all silent - but not asleep. In fact, there being not the slightest breeze in the cavern, no part of the great fern moves. It's completely stationary.

Behind it, Elder Unown sleep - living ones.




Though the scene is Christmassy, you don't get that warm and jolly feeling. No, you feel...watched. Warded. Protection, protection. Raphael actually looks a little bigger than normal, soaking in that protective aura. You find yourself glancing about to discover just who is watching you, from what dark corner.

Shadows wreathe the leaves and palmlike trunk of the fern tree, though all its tips glow with phosphorescent light. There is much hidden to your eyes here, though you sense little is hidden to the great tree. What that means, you cannot say.

Pokemon move about in the cavern. You see Torterra, modeled after the cavern, with tiny ferns at the foot of healthy hardwood saplings on their backs. They care for the mighty fern - pruning roots with their beaks, bringing in new soil, and exhaling frosty clouds of carbon dioxide. Members of the Bulbasaur line climb everywhere - these seem to have sticky feet that even allows them to hang upside down, until they reach Venusaur size and become too big. The Bulbasauri are planting spores. A ring of Snover stand around the room like little sentry trees, partially explaining the snow. Patrat hide in their branches.

*rolls*
Heart spots two Sudowoodo among the ferny plant life. They stand stock still. What their purpose is, you're not sure.

One more step forward - in a blur of darkness, three Weavile appear before you, claws unsheathed. Each has dark brown eye shadow and facepaint in an unusual pattern:

, with additional stripes running horizontally.

They block your path, blades crossed. All three are growling low.

To Mr. Finder: "Yes.....the very atmosphere seems to a.......aetherial power to it. Only a matter of time before we find out what's the source of it.....'

*Later On...*


Upon first stepping foot into the positively picturesque cavern, Ventus couldn't help the letting out a gasp of shock as he gazed at the snow dusted plant life and the massive, mystical feeling fern that seemingly dominated the area in both design and presence. "Kyurem's frosty domain come to life.......I expect Mt. Sentry's depths to contain any number of oddities besides Antheneum, but a self contained winter wonderland like biome? Does this mountain's wonders ever cease......?" the researcher said aloud, more to himself than anyone else with an expression that was a mix of awe inspired, flabbergasted......and deeply intimidated. He could feel the forboding and protective power this location holds, and the fern tree in particular......he knew without a shadow of a doubt it was both guarded and the guardian of this place, overseeing all within its root network.

'Is this....is that gargantuan fern the physical manifestation of a genius loci? How long must this....this plant must have lived and been tended to develop into a protective and all seeing being, and how did it came about to thrive in such a hostile environ to its kind......? Whatever is the case, it and this is a sacred place and sanctuary to all that live here, so we must not invoke its wrath, lest we be set upon it or the Pokémon that live here......"

As that train of though chugged along in his head he became ever so slightly more Alert as an air of guardedness/carefulness suffused him, beconning Malphena and Raphael to stay close to his side to both act as added protection and to keep them from running afowl of this place and its inhabitants. The screeming banshee was captivated by her surrounding even though this feeling of this place made her a bit uncomfortable, dancing around in the air and letting out cheerful *Scree!* noises in the snow, while the archangel seemed perfectly in their element despite how Icey it was, as the aura of this place bolstered their power and re-affirmed it sense of purpose. No doubt both his family members would enjoy their stay in here, though they still had to be wary of the dangers it holds!

Reading the Elder Unown after spoting them: "The Sentlieu Fern.....? *Hears Nathan's response on this? The Central Fern? So that this genius loci's name.....strange, but not unexpected for it to have one....."


Before the researcher could have the chance to observe and ponder about the many Pokémon and their unique roles in this place, he was interrupted when three Weavile's clad in warpaint stalked out of the shadows to confront the group in a menacing manner. In an instant Ventus's undivided focus was upon the three artic felines as he becomes tense, with Raphael and Malphena quickly glide in front of him and glaring at them, both of them primed and ready to take them on despite their disadvantages!

While Nathan was conferring with his newest ally and after the black cats responded to Shiva's polite but firm entrey in the negative, he stepped forward and cooly regarded them with an unflappable look of seriousness.

"She speaks the truth, Weavile, whether or not you choose to believe it. As it stands, though, we all will explore this sacred place and then continue our journey past this cavern, and will not tolerant you barring our path. If you wish to continue standing guard over The Central Fern in perfect health, then I suggest you leave us be, as we will in turn leave it be and conduct ourselves respectfully while we are here. Otherwise, we will fight, and you all will fall. What outcome happens is entirely in your hands, so what will it be, guardians?"