[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

everyone away from him, human and pokemon alike...

Partially wrong, as there is one person that'll stand by Ventus Zachariah no matter what and no matter how deep into the
"Oh. In that case, noble Slaking... How about we set that one about a certain rythm as #6, please? The answer would be the move Metronome, a move that - to my knowledge - barely anyone seriously uses as it's completely random. Way way earlier there even WAS a TM of that move - but it has vanished from the open market rather quickly and stopped being produced after the amount of people who were interested in was scarce."

She turns a bit meek upon speaking further. "This....is also a good opportunity for me to....well, ask you another thing, Slaking... Outside sweet Celebi mentioned that an Egg of hers is located somewhere here in Atheneum. Oh, eh.... no, I'm not interested in taking it with me! No, I... I would just like to see it. Clean it of any rubble and dirt and turn it for a century-long rest in a different position as Celebi asked me to upon bringing this sentiment to her. But... a quick search didn't brought to me encountering that Egg. If I'd....ask you where it is, as she also mentioned that you probably know, would that count as the One Question to you? H-hopefully not, as by now I know what I'd rather ask you."

Also a mental note to - just to see what will happen - expose Tricwe to that bit of hive gunk that Shiva got from that Seikamater-Encounter.

"That is a good riddle. I'd be happy to set those right away if you think they are the best choices. The sooner, the better!"

It's kind of weird to hear the giant sloth advise hurry.

"It won't count, because I don't know its exact location. But I can tell you it is somewhere in the northwest of the Library, near the Healing Machine and the Delta Slowking. I seem to recall Celebi hiding it somewhere it would be comfortable..."

When Tricwe is exposed to the hive gunk, she twitches all her legs at random and becomes very hyperactive. You eventually become worried she might herself banging into the marble doors of the Atheneum.

[Dragonstrike]

Slowking takes Solosis and puts it on a dais in the gigantic Time Capsule. He then grabs one of Nathan's hairs and turns his back to you, fiddling with it and the machine. Then he pushes a button, and Solosis is awash with light before vanishing.

Slowking aligns the Time Capsule with Nathan's modern day PC. It lists Solosis as a pending transaction! Looks like that transaction will not occur until Nathan returns to the surface and time can behave normally again.

"Oh?  That's...not quite what I was expecting, actually.  But...thank you very much for your help, Slowking.  I'll make sure to take good care of her...if she's okay with it, that is.  Now then, moving on, I do have to grab another pokemon while I'm here..."

That pokemon being Princess!

Atheneum is a place with enough knowledge to start a kingdom, yes?  Well, what better place for her to learn more about how and how not to rule, right?  What made good and bad rulers and such, help her figure out how she wants to rule.  Nathan makes sure to go find Valder so Zippy can hang out with the two of them during this, too.  Nathan also takes a little time to tell Princess about the group's encounter with Seikamater (and I'm sure Zippy is very happy to see Princess again after that harrowing encounter).

On a related note, how many of those busts of former rulers of Creshire would Nathan recognize?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Then Heart look to his friends. "Nathan, is really necessary to go to the Skull Ruins? I dont want to risk any of your lives because of my mission. Ark give me that mission in find that sword, I dont want to risk any of your lives." Heart then look in the ground. "I already lost to much." He close his eyes with to much force. "It is to much selfish in ask this to you people! I...simple cant." Heart drop his arms.

"How about seeing that trip down the Skulls Ruins a bit differently, Heart? Like.... as an act of courage, or an adventurous search for valuable treasures." She totally doesn't just quote what her inner was telling her. But it worked to cheer her up, so why actually not?~ "You said being so excited about traveling down Mount Sentry - that, and we're all there to look out for one another, making sure that nothing happens. We're also having our Pokemon. But, ehm.... Unless it becomes super urgent, we should not head down there until we feel strong enough..." ( = after having cleared as many Gyms as possible)

[Iron]

Princess LOVES the Atheneum. It feels very right to her, and no wonder given its reputation. Unlike the rest of you, she has no problem finding certain pre-historic tablets that seem to be useful to her and Zippy. Most of them just look like hexagons to you. One is just a weird-smelling lump of stone.

Zippy would like to get a little more personal time with her instead of this serious 'research' she seems to be doing, but he understands how important this could be.

She also listens intently to all talk of Seikamater, her bitterest rival she hopes she never meets.

Nathan recognizes about 80% of the statues, including his least-distant ancestor. He also gets a weird feeling about the bust immediately AFTER Sarimanok, which seems to be half-formed and crude.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Heart was in awe when he heard about the Trio tale. He takes out his own Gem half and ponder for a minutes. "So...that stone indeed have such power. Capable of summon even a might legendary pokemon. Thats will indeed save us in the future. And we must learn how to make a Red Chain. Is there any chance of enter in contact with Cynthian?"

Heart thinks too about the helmet and the blade. "So thats what my ancestor was talking about. Do you think my ancestor is that girl in the story? Is very much problable. After all, even her was not always a might knight woman. All I can say guys, is that woman, Ark, was my ancestor, and the creator of my clan, the ArcHearts. In my vision I dont recall Ark talk something about a helmet."

Then Heart look to his friends. "Nathan, is really necessary to go to the Skull Ruins? I dont want to risk any of your lives because of my mission. Ark give me that mission in find that sword, I dont want to risk any of your lives." Heart then look in the ground. "I already lost to much." He close his eyes with to much force. "It is to much selfish in ask this to you people! I...simple cant." Heart drop his arms.

"All we have to do to form a Red Chain is bring the three stones together and will it to be formed according to what the Uxie facsimile said.  Easy enough.  No need to bother Cynthia about that."

Nathan shakes his head.  "No, they're almost certainly unrelated.  This book was written after Sarimanok's fall.  Your ancestor is far older than that, right?"

"...Heart, this isn't just your mission.  This involves all of us.  Besides, this region is my home.  If I can do something to save it...well, why wouldn't I?"

Then Heart look to his friends. "Nathan, is really necessary to go to the Skull Ruins? I dont want to risk any of your lives because of my mission. Ark give me that mission in find that sword, I dont want to risk any of your lives." Heart then look in the ground. "I already lost to much." He close his eyes with to much force. "It is to much selfish in ask this to you people! I...simple cant." Heart drop his arms.

"How about seeing that trip down the Skulls Ruins a bit differently, Heart? Like.... as an act of courage, or an adventurous search for valuable treasures." She totally doesn't just quote what her inner was telling her. But it worked to cheer her up, so why actually not?~ "You said being so excited about traveling down Mount Sentry - that, and we're all there to look out for one another, making sure that nothing happens. We're also having our Pokemon. But, ehm.... Unless it becomes super urgent, we should not head down there until we feel strong enough..." ( = after having cleared as many Gyms as possible)

"Yes, my ancestor lived in the time during or after the great war of Kalos, around three thousand years ago. When everything is more and we have more time, is there some information I will fetch you Shiva and Ventus."

Heart look to both Shiva and Nathan in defeat. "*Sigh* I think its not time to think very much in that. That was a long day with many revelations. My brain cant process so much mind blow. A little rest would be good."

[Dragonstrike]

Princess LOVES the Atheneum. It feels very right to her, and no wonder given its reputation. Unlike the rest of you, she has no problem finding certain pre-historic tablets that seem to be useful to her and Zippy. Most of them just look like hexagons to you. One is just a weird-smelling lump of stone.

Zippy would like to get a little more personal time with her instead of this serious 'research' she seems to be doing, but he understands how important this could be.

She also listens intently to all talk of Seikamater, her bitterest rival she hopes she never meets.

Nathan recognizes about 80% of the statues, including his least-distant ancestor. He also gets a weird feeling about the bust immediately AFTER Sarimanok, which seems to be half-formed and crude.

*shrug*  Well, so long as she knows what she's doing and is learning from the experience.  Nathan definitely hopes that she'll be growing from all of this.

Zippy gets some reassuring pats from Kirlia.  There'll be plenty of time to relax yet.  He can really empathize with Zippy wanting to have a little more quality time with Princess.  Nathan sometimes does this to Kirlia, too.  Nathan always finds some time for Kirlia later, though.  Kirlia's sure that Princess will find some time for Zippy later, too.

"...yeah, I hope we don't meet her again, either.  Quite frankly, she was one of the most selfish 'rulers' I've ever seen from what I could glean from her hive.  Her control over the bugs in the nearby area was...overwhelming, and she manipulated them all for the sole purpose of serving her, overwriting even their normal behavioral patterns...that's not the kind of ruler that people and pokemon will want to follow willingly...one that doesn't care for their subjects' well being hardly at all...it's rulers like those that tend to have to deal with rebellions of some kind since their subjects are unsatisfied with their ruler..."  He shudders.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hm?  Nathan has to stop for a moment when he looks at those busts.

"...wait a second...that can't be right...can it?"

Nathan counts the busts...takes a careful look at which ones represent whom...

Yup, all present and accounted for.  And in the proper order.

Except this last one.  Something's not quite right here...

"...Slaking, when did they start making this last bust?  The one after Sarimanok.  I thought he was the Last King..."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

When Tricwe is exposed to the hive gunk, she twitches all her legs at random and becomes very hyperactive. You eventually become worried she might herself banging into the marble doors of the Atheneum.

This was scary, hilarious and weird to watch all at the same time. σ(￣、￣〃) Now, a mental note is made that says that it's not much of a good idea to expose that small striped bug to that hive gunk, Shiva connects this with the remains of pheromones of this Seikamater that probably are still present within this goo. She does keep it however - maybe she could try getting Tricwe used to that gunk by constant exposure similar like a Spritzee learning to produce a new scent by constant exposure. Eh.... Bad idea, unless Shiva would want to drive Tricwe nuts. Maybe the pheromones loose their effect or at least become weaker over time for a less hyperactive reaction from the bug...

One way or the other, Tricwe is recalled into her ball before she might slam herself into the doors. In return, Luxi comes to Shiva's party again via the Time Capsule! Because now there also was time and muse and no mean Scimitars threathening to jump from the shadows of Mount Sentry's tunnels, the small Pokemon gets summoned at the spot. If it makes its appearance in the state of the jade statue, Shiva mildly touches the statue to awake the dragonfairy in order to simply spend a little time with her.

For example, Luxi gets to bath a little in the pools where all the Slowking are busy with gathering knowledge and writings, or can have the waterfall at one side of the pool clean off any dirt on her fine skin (only if the Slowking allow however). She also gets to be served only the most sweetest fruit from all the baskets lying around. In short: Luxi gets a bit of attention. Does she take food from Shiva's hand at 3/2/3 for Happiness/Loyalty/Disobediance?

"You know....", she eventually adresses that dragonfairy and tickles its green nose, "...I said that I'll come up with a nickname for you, did I? I don't name all of my Pokemon, only some when I see fit. From now on, you shall be known as Chihiro! It's a fine name that gives me a feeling of being spirited away, and one of the meaning is 'a thousand gains'. Matches how I'd like for us two to hunt for loot together, I'll probably end up abbreviating your name simply to 'Chi'. How does that sound to you, dear one?"

"It won't count, because I don't know its exact location. But I can tell you it is somewhere in the northwest of the Library, near the Healing Machine and the Delta Slowking. I seem to recall Celebi hiding it somewhere it would be comfortable...

Shiva just overhears the 'Delta' on Delta Slowking, it's probably better this way. Instantly she also glances into the direction Slaking mentiones, already reading herself to search there.... But before she goes off, she turns to noble and wise Slaking once again. "Ah. Well, thank a lot for the hint! If I happen to find it, I'll let you know unless you say that's not necessary or shouldn't be as its location should remain secret." Once more Shiva turns a bit more insecure in expression and posture, before she strengthens herself again and looks up to Slaking with an eager gleam in her eyes behind glasses. "Well, now before I head off to search it, I....wanted to bring up that One Question to you, now that we're talking anway and before you may get busy again... You mentioned upon meeting that some books may be, hmm, 'impatient'." Shiva seems to have taken this serious. "So...

Spoiler

...How do I notice that a book here in Atheneum has been waiting for me in particular, please?"

Once that has been answered by Slaking and the thanked and bowed to them in respect, she indeed heads off to the nortwest sector of the Library, and let her gaze wander over the area. Formerly she has searched EVERYWHERE, no wonder she didn't find it.... That Slowking Slaking meant was probably the one with a Steel-Type Shellder as a crown, operating the Time Capsule. ...Haha, it'd somehow make sense that the Egg would be anywhere near that, as it grants closure to other Pokemon in the methaporical way - so Shiva searches there at first before she turns every stone, book and writing between that and the Healing Machine. Azumarill can lend her a Helping Hand on the task.


--------------------
Mechanics:
Grant Luxi a bit of attention and free time, ask that One Question to Slaking and continue searching for that Egg of Celebi, now in a less wide area and with Azumarill's help. If that doesn't turn out fruitful, I'll have to stop and think again, but Shiva won't let loose until she has found that Egg.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Heart look to both Shiva and Nathan in defeat. "*Sigh* I think its not time to think very much in that. That was a long day with many revelations. My brain cant process so much mind blow. A little rest would be good."

A slight nod and more leaning into Delphox's warm and soft fur expresses that Shiva agrees to that 'it is not the time to think of that now too much'. "You can share things a different time, certainly. Make no haste. For rest, well...." *waving gesture over the whole area* "There is enough room to do so, these beds and hammocks look like the are just inviting one to lounge in 'em. I, well... I'll get to research and search for a few things more then, have a a good rest then."

[Iron]

Princess LOVES the Atheneum. It feels very right to her, and no wonder given its reputation. Unlike the rest of you, she has no problem finding certain pre-historic tablets that seem to be useful to her and Zippy. Most of them just look like hexagons to you. One is just a weird-smelling lump of stone.

Zippy would like to get a little more personal time with her instead of this serious 'research' she seems to be doing, but he understands how important this could be.

She also listens intently to all talk of Seikamater, her bitterest rival she hopes she never meets.

Nathan recognizes about 80% of the statues, including his least-distant ancestor. He also gets a weird feeling about the bust immediately AFTER Sarimanok, which seems to be half-formed and crude.

*shrug*  Well, so long as she knows what she's doing and is learning from the experience.  Nathan definitely hopes that she'll be growing from all of this.

Zippy gets some reassuring pats from Kirlia.  There'll be plenty of time to relax yet.  He can really empathize with Zippy wanting to have a little more quality time with Princess.  Nathan sometimes does this to Kirlia, too.  Nathan always finds some time for Kirlia later, though.  Kirlia's sure that Princess will find some time for Zippy later, too.

"...yeah, I hope we don't meet her again, either.  Quite frankly, she was one of the most selfish 'rulers' I've ever seen from what I could glean from her hive.  Her control over the bugs in the nearby area was...overwhelming, and she manipulated them all for the sole purpose of serving her, overwriting even their normal behavioral patterns...that's not the kind of ruler that people and pokemon will want to follow willingly...one that doesn't care for their subjects' well being hardly at all...it's rulers like those that tend to have to deal with rebellions of some kind since their subjects are unsatisfied with their ruler..."  He shudders.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hm?  Nathan has to stop for a moment when he looks at those busts.

"...wait a second...that can't be right...can it?"

Nathan counts the busts...takes a careful look at which ones represent whom...

Yup, all present and accounted for.  And in the proper order.

Except this last one.  Something's not quite right here...

"...Slaking, when did they start making this last bust?  The one after Sarimanok.  I thought he was the Last King..."

Kirlia agrees about Seikamater with a shudder. Dizzy growls - the two of them have been commiserating a lot in the time since Kirlia had that vision about the Skull Ruins disaster. 

"Like many of the things in Atheneum, we don't make those busts. They make themselves, when the Library decides it is appropriate. That one started forming around 2011. I don't know what year it is now...I'd have to check with the Time Capsule. Anyway, we won't know anything about him until the Slowking summon a book describing his Kingship, if that is what is to be."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Heart look to both Shiva and Nathan in defeat. "*Sigh* I think its not time to think very much in that. That was a long day with many revelations. My brain cant process so much mind blow. A little rest would be good."

A slight nod and more leaning into Delphox's warm and soft fur expresses that Shiva agrees to that 'it is not the time to think of that now too much'. "You can share things a different time, certainly. Make no haste. For rest, well...." *waving gesture over the whole area* "There is enough room to do so, these beds and hammocks look like the are just inviting one to lounge in 'em. I, well... I'll get to research and search for a few things more then, have a a good rest then."

Flashback!
Heart give Shiva a tired smile. "Thank you Shi. I just going to access the Time Capsule. I must see my other pokemons who was stuff in the PC for so long time. I miss them quite a lot. Also I hope you dont mind the nickname I give you: Shi. Its kind of short name for Shiva. I think it is cute but if you dont like I cant stop." Heart feel a bit of his old PUNisher self: A goof Pokemon Rare Collector and lover of bad jokes. Shiva words work well to take care of his mood.