[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

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..."

Snivy just sucks on a root and gives you the Snivy eyes.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

"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.

Heart and Patrat decided to take a look in those Bulbasaur and the snore. It was quite a fascinating view. Then Heart notices the Patrats hiding in the snores. He smile. "Howdy. How are you?" Heart look to his own Patrat and say. "So Patrat, why not talk to them? It always a good thing talk with other pokemon of your species."

[Dragonstrike]

Snivy just sucks on a root and gives you the Snivy eyes.

Brrrr....

"...well, whatever the case...it's certainly been a pleasure meeting you, Snivy.  Honestly, I know n-next to nothing about cultivating plants.  The gist of what I know is: if the plant lacks good soil, water, and sunlight, it's probably gonna die.  So yeah, I'm honestly quite im-impressed with this."

...

"...Snivy, I have to ask...have you ever heard the name 'Sarimanok' before?  Or any words containing 'Regi'?"

[Iron]

No to the first question....yes to the second.

[Dragonstrike]

No to the first question....yes to the second.

"...so you've heard 'Regi'...do you know for sure if the Weaviles' face paint is related?  I know that all of the ones we know of on the surface have seven dots for faces arranged in patterns like those the Weavile were sp-sporting..."

[Iron]

Snivy nods and points to the Fern!

[Dragonstrike]

Snivy nods and points to the Fern!

"...hmmm...so you're saying that's related to the Regi, huh?  Definitely not one made of Rock, Ice, or Steel, then...I wonder if Regigigas has any sway with this one..."

He stares at the Central Fern for a few minutes...

"...well, thank you for answering my questions, Snivy.  So...is there anything I could do to h-help ya out in return?  I don't really have much experience with pl-plants, unfortunately, but I'll try my best if you think I can help out with somethin'."

[Iron]

Snivy doesn't have anything at the moment.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Stoic? Maybe. To some degree, yes. Why Shiva was not afraid at all of these three special Weavile that seemed like they WOULD attack anyone they see as unwanted guest she didn't know for sure herself, put the fact that she really wanted to get to this Central Fern without forcing her way there and was experiencing a degree of numbness that might or might not foreshadow a spiral down into a depressive state while staying high functioning during this quest, surely played an important role.

Shiva just waited, waited how things developed and how these three icy Dark types decide - how they could easily take her enjoyed fern in a glass jar, she was aware, but she took that risk if it added to gaining the allowance to enter the cavern. if she'd have lost the fern now - well, she'd be more than a little sad, Pokemon took a second enjoyed item from her. Never would she seek revenge to hunt them to claim her stuff back.
Nothing of that happened though, and eventually they freed the path - that was everything Shiva has waited for. She kept that 'peacefully waiting' posture with her arms behind her back, a neutral and friendly expression and a general open manner, but now the Weavile earned a soft smile from her. "Accept my honest thanks for your allowance to have us as your guests. Your kindness won't be in vain and never misused, I do wish you good luck in further keeping this wonderous place safe and free of pests." She opened her posture, and allowed Cottonee to retreat to her side. The fluffball was still pained - but as long as she won't battle, she'll be fine.

Battling? NEVER would Shiva battle here. Too much stress, too much excitement, this is no place to battle! Nope, as soon as the way free, Shiva gave one soft smile to the others of the group and kept her gaze on them for a little longer than usual, gifted them a oily and suggestive "We'll see one another again when we continue our way. Until then, I wish you a safe stay, it's calling for me and I shouldn't make it wait."

Then, the young fae-and-grass-enthusiast leaped off, further down the path, directly into the heart of it and towards the snow, the Pokemon, the Fern Tree, all in swift movements that reminded on flying. How she kept her arms widespread to keep her balance underlined this nicely, Cottonee didn't leave her beloves Master's side and joined in this 'flight' with joy, all humming a tune to herself.

I, I want to go, I want to run, Run to the places where I can be
I wanna know, what is the sound, Somebody something reminding me
I want to go
I got to run, run to the moment that set me free
You tell me why, I hear the sound, Sound of my dream
(Source: Crazyravers, 'Wonderland' [Remix])
This practically express things in a nutshell.


It's too late already: Shiva has entered a new state, some sort of unwanted trance, possibly caused by the massive ongoing of various emotions in this place alongside it's center drawing her to it. In this, she's very relaxed, very calm, and way more focused and intuitive. Her respectfully restraining herself is way less likely to happen, but she's still conscious and will respond to things normally, yet more suggestive and open. All her senses are highly alerted and her mind is way more open for any input from outside, she may not think twice of taking a risk or not.
She herself may not have noticed her slidding down this slope, her conscious mind is delayed and the subconscious mind took greater control. It's a wonderful feeling, she's more connected to herself and her vivid pool of emotions, and her mepathic sense has probably flared to life to new level. Being in such a state has no negative effects on her itself - though it also means that she's even MORE prone to overreact to things (postively and negatively) and her mood may change even MORE rapidly if there are triggers, and whatever is causing these curious dual emotional responses has gained a louder voice. When leaving the area, it'll quickly return to normal, but Shiva will surely need an outside trigger from her Pokemon, the surrounding, or the others in the group to 'awake'.


Onward she ran/flew, what was happening above at the surface didn't matter. That they all were in constant danger, that Shiva didn't care for now as well. All that matters was that she would reach the Central Fern - 'Stop calling! I'm already coming, wait for me, don't go, what's wrong, what do you want from me?"

She'll come as close to the stationary Central Fern as possible until this happens and she's threathened to be completely overwhelmed by things. At this point, she'll simply stare up to the ceiling and the Fern, thankful that she was alive to 'meet' such a being, wonder what it's purpose was. She's not cold, she has her Ranger's Cloak to stay warm. Snow is something she barely knows, Castelia City isn't white in winter often or much. This adds to her fascination. From her current spot, she'll investigate peacefully - what's with this Central Fern, what's it purpose, are there any details she can only see now? And what about that protective feeling, has it increased? Is this Fern 'emitting' it directly? How are the Pokemon around reacting to a human coming near in peaceful and interested manner?  If one of the Weavile is still/following/watching, she doesn't mind at all - in contrary, she apreciates it as this way they can see that she does not mean harm.

Shiva is also on the lookout - for anything of this place that she can take with her for free, something that'll remind her of this wonderous place and it's wonderful emotions. She'll add it to her fern in a glass jar, so it can gladly be something that lives, just like the fern leaf inside. (This will upgrade the jar from a portable and nice-looking light source to some sort of mini-terrarium. I like this idea, and it feels very in-character for Shiva to own and care for such a thing. It'll also become a literal luck charm then.)

With a loving smile on her, she summoned Furret - he is free to do what he likes in this place, Shiva does keep a watch at him, did he give signs of knowing this place due to being a Pokemon of Mount Sentry? He can also help in the search for a souvenir - to do so properly, he learns Helping Hand for 17xp.
Also turned to Cottonee by her side. "Dear one... How do you feel about this place?"

[Dragonstrike]

Snivy doesn't have anything at the moment.

"Alright.  Well, if you do think of something, let me know, alright?"

Nathan ponders something for a moment...and comes to a decision.

"...just out of c-curiosity...are you familiar with who Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf are?"