[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

"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?"

"...*ahem*...before this comes to blows, could I suggest that Snivy accompany us?  If we do anything to harm the plant life here, I don't doubt he'd immediately rally everyone in the surroundings.  With a local escort accompanying us, would us taking a look around while we're passing through be as much of a problem, Weavile?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Being searched by a special Weavile was certainly a weird feeling, personal space seemed to mean nothing for these icy Dark Types. Well, as long as it doesn't leave her covered in scratches, she lets it happen without visibly expressing any of the discomfort she subtly felt.

No allowance to pass without a having to free the way with force? How intriguing. How mildly annoying. This tree was CALLING for Shiva, every fibre of her body seemed to scream 'Let me go to it! Please!!' "You want a proof rather than words? I'm having a proof. Two proofs, to be honest... Yena, please be quiet." With a simple hand gesture, Mightyena turned silent, allowing Shiva to speak further - now with summoned Cottonee all dearly and carefully resting on her shoulder. "I studied the Grass Type. Well, personally. Why should I do that if I wouldn't care for plants, nature, herbology? Nature is a generous mother, but an intimidating one as it may destroy us in so many ways... What does nature mean, life? Probably. What does this Central Fern mean to you? Life, correct? Protection? Protection is what allows growth. Growth is what Grass Types desire. Cottonee, my loved one... you grew due to my care, didn't you? Weavile...ask her any questions and you will know that my words are no empty words."

"You want more? Here you have 'more'." *placing of the glass jar with her own glowing fern in it* "See? What does this assortment remind you on? A shirne? Probably. Maybe that's intention, and assorted deliberately - I'll treasure this fern leaf like the....well, TREASUE it is. It's a gift from nature, a unique one - would someone who does not care for nature and plants do such a thing and feel such a thing? Under my care, this fern will LIVE."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

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?"

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.

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...

Heart feel better after the healing session and Nathan weak punch in his shoulder. "Heh, thanks man. I better now. Both physical and emotional." Heart finally returns to his self-person. Not 100% but at least good enough. "My thanks to you too Ralts. You are awesome man. I hope you become a powerfull and noble Gallade. Or to a Gardevoir if you want. I dont have any problem with any." Heart then look again to Nathan. "Thank you again. I feel very much better than last time. I just need a time to recover."

Flashback end!

Heart was amazing about everything around them. Or at was until that Weavile appear. He release Patrat too to help to explain the situation. "I can prove we can be trust. That Patrat live here in Mt. Sentry, and is member of the clan of Patrats who follow the leadership from a might Watchog. You can ask him everything you want to confirm we are trustful people."

[Dragonstrike]

Heart feel better after the healing session and Nathan weak punch in his shoulder. "Heh, thanks man. I better now. Both physical and emotional." Heart finally returns to his self-person. Not 100% but at least good enough. "My thanks to you too Ralts. You are awesome man. I hope you become a powerfull and noble Gallade. Or to a Gardevoir if you want. I dont have any problem with any." Heart then look again to Nathan. "Thank you again. I feel very much better than last time. I just need a time to recover. 

Ralts chuckles, takes a playful swing at Heart with his elbow.  Nathan smiles.

"Shiva's got a Dawn Stone she's holding on to for us.  Ralts has always liked the idea of evolving into Gallade, and it'll happen soon enough...he just has to evolve into a Kirlia again, first...he wouldn't mind being a Gardevoir, either, but...I think Gallade suits him better for a few reasons."

Nathan nods.  "Well, it's dangerous down here, so I'm gonna be stickin' with ya until we both return to everyone else.  Let's not take too long, though.  We need to keep moving while we still have some energy."

He looks at Raphael.  "Thanks for being here.  You're just as calm and soothing as always, and I'm really thankful for that."

*Flashback End*

[Iron]

"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?"

The Weavile just laugh at your threat. They're certainly not intimidated by humans. 
However, since you profess to explore in peace, they don't attack. They just wait for more proof. 

The Weavile look swayed by the inclusion of Snivy. They're also impressed with Shiva's lack of a reaction. Very stoic. 
The little fern in a jar is something they could take or leave. It does remind them a little of Torterra.

They also chitter with Patrat - they seem to have a language in common. 

Well, that's a lot of excellent arguments! Rerolling all ones and using the group's highest Empathy score, no penalties. 

Empathy: (5)(5)(5)(3)(4)(5)(2)
Will: (3)(4)(1)(1)(5)(6)(4)(1)

The Weavile decide to trust you. For a bit, one of them follows you around while the other two disappear into the shadows. Ventus' empathy senses that this is a sort of 'probation' and it will soon leave. 

The Encounters are the Pokemon and elements listed in the description of the cavern. If you just talk or investigate a little, it won't count as an Encounter. Observing behavior in great detail will. You're not sure if you're allowed to fight or capture these Pokemon, but attempting either of those will certainly count as an Encounter. I won't count the Weavile diplomacy as an Encounter slot.

Do one thing at a time to give respect to other players. In other words, do your favorite thing first, forming teams as you wish, make sure to give everyone a chance to participate.

Mr. Finder indicates a series of four tunnels at the far end, saying they all come together in a main tunnel he'd like to follow eventually. He doesn't smell much of a wide area for a long time, and says it only gets chillier from here. You're probably looking at another Encounter/3 hour walk before you can camp.

[Dragonstrike]

The Weavile decide to trust you. For a bit, one of them follows you around while the other two disappear into the shadows. Ventus' empathy senses that this is a sort of 'probation' and it will soon leave. 

The Encounters are the Pokemon and elements listed in the description of the cavern. If you just talk or investigate a little, it won't count as an Encounter. Observing behavior in great detail will. You're not sure if you're allowed to fight or capture these Pokemon, but attempting either of those will certainly count as an Encounter. I won't count the Weavile diplomacy as an Encounter slot.

Do one thing at a time to give respect to other players. In other words, do your favorite thing first, forming teams as you wish, make sure to give everyone a chance to participate.

Mr. Finder indicates a series of four tunnels at the far end, saying they all come together in a main tunnel he'd like to follow eventually. He doesn't smell much of a wide area for a long time, and says it only gets chillier from here. You're probably looking at another Encounter/3 hour walk before you can camp.

Phew.  Considering Ditto is currently stuck as an Oddish, the less fights they get in, the better.

First thing Nathan is going to do is talk with Snivy a little, obviously.  Though now he also has to try and pay attention to what Oddish Ditto is doing since it's so...hyperactive.  He has Calam keep an eye on Solosis, and Ralts keep an eye on Oddish Ditto.  If Ditto gets up to any shenanigans, Ralts should tell him immediately.  Nathan is sticking veeerrryyyy close to Swiftfire.  Snow is a rare sight for him.  And so is this...cold.  Brrrrrrrr...even with a sweater, a jacket, and a fire horse, he's still kinda chilly.  And it only gets colder from here on?  Oh my...

"So, y-you're helping with making sure The Central Fern stays healthy and lively, I take it?  It's certainly impressive, I'll give it that m-much..."

[Iron]

Nathan is currently responsible for six Pokemon...it's more than he can realistically handle. He has to trust in his compadres to stick close and be responsible. Luckily there's no human authority down here.

Snivy's snide look increases when Nathan says "The Central Fern."

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

The Weavile decide to trust you. For a bit, one of them follows you around while the other two disappear into the shadows. Ventus' empathy senses that this is a sort of 'probation' and it will soon leave. 

The Encounters are the Pokemon and elements listed in the description of the cavern. If you just talk or investigate a little, it won't count as an Encounter. Observing behavior in great detail will. You're not sure if you're allowed to fight or capture these Pokemon, but attempting either of those will certainly count as an Encounter. I won't count the Weavile diplomacy as an Encounter slot.

Do one thing at a time to give respect to other players. In other words, do your favorite thing first, forming teams as you wish, make sure to give everyone a chance to participate.

Mr. Finder indicates a series of four tunnels at the far end, saying they all come together in a main tunnel he'd like to follow eventually. He doesn't smell much of a wide area for a long time, and says it only gets chillier from here. You're probably looking at another Encounter/3 hour walk before you can camp.

Ventus shows no visible signs of it (so as not to show weakness to the Weavile), but he is greatly relieved they everyone was able to convince the to give them reprieve for the time being, as he didn't know whether or not assaulting the Fern's guardian's would warrant further reprisal on its/its other protector's part. As for the lingering artic feline, he gives them a nod to acknowledge their continued presence/purpose, choosing to mostly ignore them for now on. If they or its cohorts tried anything, though, they'd be rather abruptly interrupted by a volley of Aura Spheres and Hexes, coutrsy of Raphael and Malphena!

The first thing the researcher does upon the Weavile leaving them in peace is begin exploring the area with Malphean and Raphael for that Shedinja that traveled on ahead of them. While he was quite interested in the other species of Pokémon that inhabited the area, his first and foremost priority was finding that spectral insect!

Order: Try to find Shedinja, and failing that just not choose to take an encounter if trying to finding/confronting the insectspector doesn't take up an Encounter in the first place. Ven is interested in this place, but he's also thoroughly unnerved and put off balance by it too, so he'd rather not linger here any longer than necessary....

[Dragonstrike]

Snivy's snide look increases when Nathan says "The Central Fern."

"...heh.  You guys have really done quite something, nurturing this pl-plant life until it's dominant over the area.  Guess you're already familiar with the whole 'teamwork' concept, aren't ya?"

Nathan shivers.  "Gah, it's c-cold down here...props to you for withstanding it your whole l-life.  I can't imagine many Snivy...or most reptilian pokemon for that matter...are able to withstand these temperatures for long periods of time..."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Nathan quietly listens.  He doesn't have anything in particular to say currently.  He just lets Heart talk.  Ralts stays next to Heart to try and comfort him if needed.  Maybe Raphael helps Ralts out with that?


Heart's Story: Chapter 18: That Town Three Years Later (Girl) - Kid Icarus Uprising

The archangel in question indeed does in helping soothing the emotionally wounded collecter, gliding over to his side and letting out its becalming aura while making gentle cooing noises. There there, we are here to help you out Heart, so don't fret......

Quick Flashback!

Heart thanks the little archangel. "Thanks a lot to you too Raphael. Without your help and Ralts, that coudnt be done. Remember me to make a awesome food just for ya too." Heart smile.

Flashback End!