[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

But eh, her inner reminds her that there might be better uses for 2000$ than this outfit, for example items for the current journey. Or fees or necessary payment, so unfortunately Shiva has to deny on the question whether she'd like to have it. She lights up rather quickly though: "Ah, but nevermind! I'll cherish that picture and and mark today as a day where I had lots of fun in Cress City's Violet Tent, and you deserve praise for making such a cool outfit! Eh..... Do you by chance have any protective gears as well? At best something against harsh weather, hail or so - while I'm having an umbrella and such, my Pokemon are at its mercy."

All the shopkeepers get along well with Shiva. The most perceptive among the vendors can sense Shiva even with their eyes closed...something about her presence is extraordinary to the artful.

Dressmaker: "Oh, I just love stormy days! Who wouldn't want to be out in them?"
Indeed, it has just begun to rain again, a pleasant sound on the thick canvas above. 
"Why don't we go outside and I'll show you something? Hold still while I fasten this jewelry around your neck...it works on both humans and Pokemon."

You feel cold, slick metal against your throat and around your neck. Feels like fine chain links, with something heavier at the base. The dressmaker won't let you pick it up to look at it, not yet. "Oh, let it be a surprise!"
You troop outside into the rain. 

You can feel the difference immediately. The rain gives only a slight tingle on your skin, no impact or sharp cold is felt. What's more, you feel the strange sensation of something sprouting from your head! Touching it, you find it is a pair of small & supple antennae, about as long as a finger and with a slight curl in them.

Smiling and laughing, the Dressmaker hands you a mirror. You see two little lavender horns sticking up between your hair, and you find you can wiggle them like antennae or even retract them. You're more able to sense the mild wind currents with these, and they absorb rainwater very quickly. 

You finally see what you're wearing around your neck, too: a mauve scale, smaller than a fingernail and trimmed in gold. Unlike your old Dragon Scale, it's supple and slightly rubbery to the touch.

"It's a Goodra Scale! Specially treated and filigreed, it has a chance (50%) to absorb hail or flying sand (damaging weather), causing these horns to sprout up, hehe! A Pokemon with the horns becomes a little stronger, just like Goodra's Sap Sipper! Do you like it? It's worth $7500 to me."

When the holder of this item is subject to rain, hail, or sandstorm weather at the end of the round, I roll a dice. If it's a success, the Pokemon gains +1 Attack for the duration of the weather, and doesn't take damage that round. Each subsequent round it rolls again to avoid the weather damage, but it keeps the Attack boost. The boost is treated as a held item rather than an Ability so it doesn't stack with moves. 
The horns are mostly cosmetic.

[Iron]

Nathan vs Terra Introductory Battle Round 12

Leaf Blade 1
(4)(4)(1)(6)(4)(1) (6)(3) Critical
(6)(6)(5)(6)(5) Milotic takes 6 dmg 19/25 hp -1 pain.

Coil 1
(4)(6)
+1 Str, +1 Def, + 1 Accuracy!

Leaf Blade 2
(6)(5)(1)(4)(6)(6) (3) Another critical as Gallade strikes deep into the heart of the coil!
(2)(3)(4)(1)(3) Milotic takes 2 dmg 17/25

From this coiled position, Milotic is able to strike pretty well, despite the lack of water. But it would be much easier to Evade him, since he cannot move rapidly on land.

Wrap 2
(5)(2)(4)
(4)(4)(1) Gallade takes 2 dmg 6/8hp -1 pain.
Gallade was wrapped!

Leaf Blade 3
(2)(3)(2)(2)(2) Gallade is so swathed in coils he can't get a good swing in!

Milotic uncurls rapidly, spinning Gallade like a top from a launcher! He catches the bladesman at the end of his tail. If Milotic is lucky, this will disorient Gallade!
Twister 3
(5)(2)(4)
(2)(1)(6)(6) Gallade takes 2 dmg 4/8hp -2 pain
Flinch: (3)(6) Gallade flinches 4!

Twister 4
(5)(2)
(4)(5)(6)(2) Gallade takes 3 dmg 1/8hp -3 pain.
Flinch: (5)(2)

Wrap: (4)(4) Gallade faints.
Poison: Nathan needs to use an item this turn or Gallade will roll to suffer lethal poison damage.

[Dragonstrike]

Wrap: (4)(4) Gallade faints.
Poison: Nathan needs to use an item this turn or Gallade will roll to suffer lethal poison damage.

Wouldn't even be a roll (unless it was a Luck Die).  He'd just take 1 damage because it's Toxic. :/  So yup, Nathan immediately uses an Antidote on Gallade to treat cure that poison since they're so far away from the Center at the moment.

"...well, guess it's not totally surprising it went like that since Gallade is still getting used to his new form...if you have any spare antidotes, Terra, it'd be very much appreciated if you were to hand one over since we're so far from a Pokemon Center."

Nathan then produces his last pokeball and recalls Gallade into the Dull Premier Ball.

An Ultra Ball.  Between it and the Dull Premier Ball, Terra can probably reasonably infer that Gallade and whatever's coming next are very special pokemon for Nathan...

"Well, I think it's about time I finally used a pokemon you probably will recognize.  Come on out, Calam!"

No fanfare is needed for his arrival.  His presence says it all.  The rest in the Center has definitely done him some good since the trip through Mt. Sentry.  A few scratches still here and there, but it's definitely harder to see them now, and his coat of fur is otherwise pristine.

Minus the really nasty looking scarred left eye.

The Absol looks at his opponent, his expression unreadable at first.  Then he looks back at Nathan with a questioning gaze.

Really?  They're facing a rather healthy looking Milotic?

"I know, Calam, I know.  But let's see how close we can get, alright?  This is supposed to be a test of both our ability and our opponent's."

Calam turns to face their opponent.  He doesn't usually entertain 'fair' battles against the toughest pokemon you could possibly be facing, usually just opting to avoid them entirely instead, but he can make an exception this time if it's a simple test

If Terra thought Gallade was fast after Steadfast was triggered, he's got another surprise coming.  If Calam rolls a (3) or higher on Initiative, Lovely can't possibly outspeed Calam.

Calam is very still, very quiet.  But when he does move, it's with the unmatched speed, grace, and skill of an incredibly seasoned battler.

[Iron]

Init:
Calam: (3) + 10
Milotic: (1) + 7 = 8

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Wouldn't even be a roll (unless it was a Luck Die).  He'd just take 1 damage because it's Toxic. :/  So yup, Nathan immediately uses an Antidote on Gallade to treat cure that poison since they're so far away from the Center at the moment.



"...well, guess it's not totally surprising it went like that since Gallade is still getting used to his new form...if you have any spare antidotes, Terra, it'd be very much appreciated if you were to hand one over since we're so far from a Pokemon Center."



Nathan then produces his last pokeball and recalls Gallade into the Dull Premier Ball.

An Ultra Ball.  Between it and the Dull Premier Ball, Terra can probably reasonably infer that Gallade and whatever's coming next are very special pokemon for Nathan...

"Well, I think it's about time I finally used a pokemon you probably will recognize.  Come on out, Calam!"


No fanfare is needed for his arrival.  His presence says it all.  The rest in the Center has definitely done him some good since the trip through Mt. Sentry.  A few scratches still here and there, but it's definitely harder to see them now, and his coat of fur is otherwise pristine.

Minus the really nasty looking scarred left eye.

The Absol looks at his opponent, his expression unreadable at first.  Then he looks back at Nathan with a questioning gaze.

Really?  They're facing a rather healthy looking Milotic?

"I know, Calam, I know.  But let's see how close we can get, alright?  This is supposed to be a test of both our ability and our opponent's."

Calam turns to face their opponent.  He doesn't usually entertain 'fair' battles against the toughest pokemon you could possibly be facing, usually just opting to avoid them entirely instead, but he can make an exception this time if it's a simple test

If Terra thought Gallade was fast after Steadfast was triggered, he's got another surprise coming.  If Calam rolls a (3) or higher on Initiative, Lovely can't possibly outspeed Calam.

Calam is very still, very quiet.  But when he does move, it's with the unmatched speed, grace, and skill of an incredibly seasoned battler.

Terra has absolutely no objection with Nathan's proposal, only nodding his head before reaching into one of his pants many pockets, pulling out then then tossing over an Antidote to them. He and his Pokémon had bee Poisoned several times throughout their journeys through Hoen, and it quite [i]sucked[/i] enduring the nauseous damage it inflicted, to put it succulently. It may cost him an Antidote for being so generous/accommodating, but the rugged man considered it a fair and right price to pay for Genie's Toxic shenanigans...

When Calam was released onto the battlefield, his eyes actually widened in both recognition and surprise at seeing the boy own an Absol, and a seasoned veteran on of that!

"So Ven was right about you owning a Dark Prophet. Strong, old and scarred one, too.  Hmm....You hold no fear for it, only great love and respect, and he fully returns it. Very rare....*Nods his head and smiles* but very good to see. Dark Prophets thought of as.....doombringers by many, but they only warn of what is to come. They do their part to prepare us for disaster, and help us if they can or allowed. It is a noble Pokémon at heart, and I am glad you could see that and bond with them."

The wandering monk's expression then firmed up again, as he motioned for Lovely to get ready for some grueling combat, to which they respond with a graceful nod of their head as they unwound themselves and slithered towards the mountain cat. He knows the great Strength and fortune Absols possess, so he must be ready to squeeze the consciousness out of them before they slash him to fishy bits! For his master and himself, he must win this!!!

"Let me and Lovely see now how strong the Dark Prophet Calam has grown under you, Nathan."

Saying that, Terra goes silent, and watches the battle unfold from here on out. It could go either way at this point in his mind.....and he couldn't help but keep smiling at that thought. How long has it been since he's been this challenged, or meet someone that could be his equal?

He didn't know, but it didn't matter all that much either.

What mattered to him, really, was the thrill and passion of a good fight, and Nathan was sure giving him one of those!

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Terra has absolutely no objection with Nathan's proposal, only nodding his head before reaching into one of his pants many pockets, pulling out then then tossing over an Antidote to them. He and his Pokémon had bee Poisoned several times throughout their journeys through Hoen, and it quite [i]sucked[/i] enduring the nauseous damage it inflicted, to put it succulently. It may cost him an Antidote for being so generous/accommodating, but the rugged man considered it a fair and right price to pay for Genie's Toxic shenanigans...

When Calam was released onto the battlefield, his eyes actually widened in both recognition and surprise at seeing the boy own an Absol, and a seasoned veteran on of that!

"So Ven was right about you owning a Dark Prophet. Strong, old and scarred one, too.  Hmm....You hold no fear for it, only great love and respect, and he fully returns it. Very rare....*Nods his head and smiles* but very good to see. Dark Prophets thought of as.....doombringers by many, but they only warn of what is to come. They do their part to prepare us for disaster, and help us if they can or allowed. It is a noble Pokémon at heart, and I am glad you could see that and bond with them."

The wandering monk's expression then firmed up again, as he motioned for Lovely to get ready for some grueling combat, to which they respond with a graceful nod of their head as they unwound themselves and slithered towards the mountain cat. He knows the great Strength and fortune Absols possess, so he must be ready to squeeze the consciousness out of them before they slash him to fishy bits! For his master and himself, he must win this!!!

"Let me and Lovely see now how strong the Dark Prophet Calam has grown under you, Nathan."

Saying that, Terra goes silent, and watches the battle unfold from here on out. It could go either way at this point in his mind.....and he couldn't help but keep smiling at that thought. How long has it been since he's been this challenged, or meet someone that could be his equal?

He didn't know, but it didn't matter all that much either.

What mattered to him, really, was the thrill and passion of a good fight, and Nathan was sure giving him one of those!

Nathan smiles at Terra's comments concerning Calam.  "He's shown us things we never thought we'd see and helped save lives at the risk of his own.  It's a great honor to be friends with him."

And then without much warning at all, Calam's leaped forwards to start his assault against this almost insurmountable challenge...

[Iron]

Nathan vs Terra Introductory Battle Round 13

Calam goes leaping forward, knowing he'll need to strike true if he's to have a chance.

Night Slash 1
(2)(2)(2)(4)(1)(6) (4)(1) That's all it takes for a critical hit!
(1)(2)(1)(4)(2) including Coil. Milotic takes 1 dmg 16/25.

Wrap 1
(5)(5)(1)
(6)(5)(3)(5) Calam takes 3 dmg 4/7hp -1 pain

Night Slash 2
(4)(2)(1)(3)(3)(3)
(6)(6)(1) Milotic takes 2 dmg 14/25hp -1 pain

Water Gun 2
(6)(4)(4)(5)
(6)(3)(5)(6)(3)(1) Calam takes 3 dmg 1/8hp -3 pain

One last desperate attempt to prove his strength...
Night Slash 3
(4)(6)(5) It's a critical hit, but even max damage won't end this.
(5)(2)(4)(4)(2) Milotic takes 3 dmg 11/25hp -2 pain.

Water Gun 3
(1)(5)
(1)(6)(4)(5)(3)(5) Calam faints.

Wrap:

[Iron]

Terra gets 20Xp for his Pokemon and 10 for himself. Nathan is 18 and 9.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan recalls Calam and sighs.

"...nope, still not enough.  Got a long ways to go yet if I hope to beat Hayes eventually...well played, Terra. Well played."

[Lord Windos]

Nathan recalls Calam and sighs.

"...nope, still not enough.  Got a long ways to go yet if I hope to beat Hayes eventually...well played, Terra.  Well played."

The ruggeder wanderer has a small but humble smile  as his 'Lovely' Lapis Lazuli manage to endure the Dark Prophet's fierce assault and prevailed, while Basteele couldn't help but let out a hum of excitement and approval at her long time companion's success! 


He then walked forward and gently rested a hand on the smooth, luscious skin of their's and looked up at them, while they simultaneously turned to crane their neck down to meet his calmly and happily meet their stare, openly display their feeling the warm sastifaction of accomplishment and victory to their caretaker and partner.

"....Excellent job. You've come far, and I know you will only grow stronger and more beautiful as we train together and grow stronger. Now take a long rest, Lovely," he said with great pride and quiet joy, before returning them to their ball along with Basteele. They both deserved some respite along with the rest of his partners, and in aquatic serpent's case it was more necessary, since surviving on land for any length of time was difficult for them.


…..But not before Lovely had the chance to share nuzzle them for his kind words. He wasn't about to let them get away without a sign of affection for them, no matter how drained, parched, or tired he was fighting those tough opponents!

Terra then walked forward to Nathan, and stuck out a hand to them.

"You did well yourself. Not much I can say to help you improve, so that is good too. Thank you for the great battle, my.....friend?" 

The last part was said with a certain amount of hopeful trepidation, with a faint underlying fear he'd be rejected for making such an offer after just beating them. 


Still, he had to try, for what better way to bond with some than over a good, tough, and fair fight?

"......Who is Hayes, though?"

He couldn't help but bring that question up, as it was someone he obviously didn't know anything about due to his status as a simple foreigner.


His gut feeling told him it was....someone special, though, especially if such a capable trainer like Nathan was aiming to defeat or overcome them....