[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Mr. Morgusi bids you a fond goodbye, though you aren't sure why he should be so fond of you already.

Route 12 and 13 travel together for a time, just after the Route Gate.. It's still drizzling, though the rain has backed off enough that an umbrella or hat can protect you. At this eastern end, the route's bricks are often replaced with little murals or pieces of mural, or sometimes even just pretty glass bricks. Much like Cress City.

Quite a few of the bricks are missing, and Grass types sometimes grow up through them.

The Pokemon on this route are fairly tame. Tanuki's influence still shows in a preoponderance of Normal types, but the ones out here are usually derived from escapees several generations ago.

Oh yeah, Geodude is here again. He seems happy that his "friends" are traveling a Route once more!

You know Bill's house is just a few miles NW of here. Nathan knows that Route 12 goes up to Liverwort in that direction, passing over a low spur of the Great Divide. It is steep, but there are maintained campsites along the way, and a few famous tarns and streams with excellent fishing.

Route 13 to Teazel Valley is SW of this junction. That road passes under/through the Great Divide's spur, dropping elevation constantly to reach the lows of the valley.

West of the junction is a big cliff face with many huge iron cubes set into it. It wasn't there several years ago when Nathan last passed this way. It is apparently a private Almanac research station, very tightly secured. Barbed wire, alarms, fences, and the famous Almanac Braviary and Decidueye flying distantly overhead. (Both are etched on the back of Shiva's copy.) It's way outside of city limits.

It looks foreboding. But worst of all is Gallade's reaction. He stiffens and his emotions turn drastically inward. Pain flows through the empathic link between him to Nathan. Gallade leaps up on a boulder, narrows his eyes, and points a dramatic challenge at the research facility.



Route 12+13 East Encounters

1. Name: Sandshrew*
Notes: It's a skittish little guy. Looks ready to flee. Looks visibly different from a distance but you aren't sure what exactly is up with him.
Challenge: Very easy.
Cap: 1
Bid start: 3

2. Name: Miltank
Challenge: Moderate
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Notes: A wild Miltank atop a grassy hill. It's practicing its mooves up there.

3. Name: Tall Grass
Challenge: ???
Cap: 1 per patch, but there's plenty of patches.
Notes: You never know what you'll find!

4. Name: Invisible Pokemon*
Challenge: ??
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Notes: Whoever takes this encounter hears subtle crunching sounds coming from a nearby clump of boulders and trees.

5. Name: Pansage
Challenge: Very easy (no XP)
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Notes: Just his/her hair growing up through the gap where a brick should go. Smells very nice near that brick, recognizably sagey.

Unlimited Zigzagoon, Pidgey, Rattata, Raticate, Bellsprout, Oddish, Sunkern.

Terra's Egg is very very close to hatching!

(Don't forget Heart is also carrying a egg!)

Heart was walking with his beldum egg in his arms. Larvesta was too helping in hatch the egg with her heat. Then he listen some sounds in some nearby rocks and trees. Heart decided then in find what kind of sound is that.

Action: Take the invisible pokemon encounter.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Route 12 and 13 travel together for a time, just after the Route Gate.. It's still drizzling, though the rain has backed off enough that an umbrella or hat can protect you. At this eastern end, the route's bricks are often replaced with little murals or pieces of mural, or sometimes even just pretty glass bricks. Much like Cress City. 

Quite a few of the bricks are missing, and Grass types sometimes grow up through them.

The Pokemon on this route are fairly tame. Tanuki's influence still shows in a preoponderance of Normal types, but the ones out here are usually derived from escapees several generations ago.

Oh yeah, Geodude is here again. He seems happy that his "friends" are traveling a Route once more!

You know Bill's house is just a few miles NW of here. Nathan knows that Route 12 goes up to Liverwort in that direction, passing over a low spur of the Great Divide. It is steep, but there are maintained campsites along the way, and a few famous tarns and streams with excellent fishing.

Route 13 to Teazel Valley is SW of this junction. That road passes under/through the Great Divide's spur, dropping elevation constantly to reach the lows of the valley.

West of the junction is a big cliff face with many huge iron cubes set into it. It wasn't there several years ago when Nathan last passed this way. It is apparently a private Almanac research station, very tightly secured. Barbed wire, alarms, fences, and the famous Almanac Braviary and Decidueye flying distantly overhead. (Both are etched on the back of Shiva's copy.) It's way outside of city limits.

It looks foreboding. But worst of all is Gallade's reaction. He stiffens and his emotions turn drastically inward. Pain flows through the empathic link between him to Nathan. Gallade leaps up on a boulder, narrows his eyes, and points a dramatic challenge at the research facility.



Route 12+13 East Encounters

(…)

3. Name: Tall Grass
Challenge: ???
Cap: 1 per patch, but there's plenty of patches.
Notes: You never know what you'll find!

(…)

Being the rugged wanderer that he is, Terra is completely unphased about getting soaked by the rain as he journeyed onwards with the group, taking in the blend of rustic and wild scenery with a wide smile of appreciation while he also kept watch for any sort of danger (His vigilance shall never wain!). To him, it felt like untold ages since he had truly traveled and explored the (to him) unknown frontier that was Cheshire - bar the brief incursions into the Skull Ruins/Great Divide/Ancestor Cave - so he was satisfied and pleased to stretch his legs with a good long treck through the Routes! Add in the lingering joy off Keni Morgusi of crafting one of his masterwork cards for him, and of Latios no less , and the simple monk was almost radiate in his positivity. Given how normally stoic he was, it was made all the more novel and fascinating.

Geodue was given a friendly wave by him when spotted, both returning their eagerness and inviting them over to him + the group. More good company is the merrier, obviously!

The research facility and its impressive fortification garnered the mountain of a man's curiosity for moment, before he shrugged it off and choose to ignore it, and instead focused on looking for interesting/tough Wild Pokémon to challenge. Unlike the rest of the group, he was relatively unaware of Almanac's existence outside what he's been told by Ven, so he wouldn't recognize the place as being there's without being clued in.

However, before he could move on, Gallade's reaction to the foreboding place easily catches his attention, causing him to stop in his track's and stare at them with a mix of surprise and concern. Just as was about to approach them and ask what's the matter, Nathan..... (And I'll return to this scene after Dragonstrike continues it himself!)

After that's resolved, Terra decides to sweep the Tall Grass for a bit. He felt that he could take some time to do a little Pokémon hunting without feeling he was jeopardizing the group's safety, so off into the bush he goes!

Order: Terra's going to interact with Gallade/Nathan after they both give their own full reactions to the Almanac Research Facility, and then go hunt in a big enough patch of Tall Grass for the chance of finding a rare enough critter to catch/fight since Spiritmon is interested in investigating the *Sandshrew himself! He's also keeping a close eye on his Egg, as he senses something going to happen with it soon....

At long last, its time for regular Encounters to take center stage once more, and I'm all for it!

Also, shouldn't everyone get a Berry Roll as they leave Cress/explore the Route? Just checking!

[Iron]

Also, shouldn't everyone get a Berry Roll as they leave Cress/explore the Route? Just checking!

Good point!

Terra: (3)(3)(1)(5)(5), (1)(5), (1)(2) = Oran and Sitrus Berry
Shiva: (4)(2)(2), (4)(2) = Oran Berry
Heart: (5)(6)(3), (3)(3), (3)(6) = Oran Berry and Pecha Berry
Nathan: (1)(3)(6), (1)(3) = Chesto Berry

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Mr. Morgusi bids you a fond goodbye, though you aren't sure why he should be so fond of you already.

Route 12 and 13 travel together for a time, just after the Route Gate.. It's still drizzling, though the rain has backed off enough that an umbrella or hat can protect you. At this eastern end, the route's bricks are often replaced with little murals or pieces of mural, or sometimes even just pretty glass bricks. Much like Cress City.

Quite a few of the bricks are missing, and Grass types sometimes grow up through them.

The Pokemon on this route are fairly tame. Tanuki's influence still shows in a preoponderance of Normal types, but the ones out here are usually derived from escapees several generations ago.

Oh yeah, Geodude is here again. He seems happy that his "friends" are traveling a Route once more!

You know Bill's house is just a few miles NW of here. Nathan knows that Route 12 goes up to Liverwort in that direction, passing over a low spur of the Great Divide. It is steep, but there are maintained campsites along the way, and a few famous tarns and streams with excellent fishing.

Route 13 to Teazel Valley is SW of this junction. That road passes under/through the Great Divide's spur, dropping elevation constantly to reach the lows of the valley.

West of the junction is a big cliff face with many huge iron cubes set into it. It wasn't there several years ago when Nathan last passed this way. It is apparently a private Almanac research station, very tightly secured. Barbed wire, alarms, fences, and the famous Almanac Braviary and Decidueye flying distantly overhead. (Both are etched on the back of Shiva's copy.) It's way outside of city limits.

It looks foreboding. But worst of all is Gallade's reaction. He stiffens and his emotions turn drastically inward. Pain flows through the empathic link between him to Nathan. Gallade leaps up on a boulder, narrows his eyes, and points a dramatic challenge at the research facility.

Nathan makes sure to bid his uncle farewell for now as well.  No doubt they'll see each other again.  Though the goodbyes are likely just as awkward as the hellos were.

Nathan waves to Geodude.  He likes the Rock pokemon's company quite a lot.

Routes 12 and 13: Route 15 - Pokemon X and Y
Sign Text: Where Roads, Art, and Stories Intertwine


Everything starts as they normally do as the group starts heading in the direction of Bill's place.  "Okay, so Bill's going to be a short ways away from here, just off of Route 12.  12 heads to Liverwort, though, so we'll need to double back and go down 13 to reach..."

...and that's when Gallade sees the Almanac Research Facility.

The Pain that Nathan feels from Gallade takes effect immediately.  It's quite possibly the worst pain he's ever experienced in his entire life so far.  He stops talking immediately, grits his teeth, and tries his absolute best to not scream or cry out in response.  Or retch, since it's enough pain to make him start feeling a little sick again.  And that's likely only a part of what Gallade must have experienced when he was presumably being 'studied'.

As Gallade points and issues his silent challenge to Almanac, Nathan walks up to that boulder as well to stand next to his best friend despite feeling a little overwhelmed and/or woozy by the sudden surge of emotion that only he can really feel the true extent of (Shiva might feel a part of it, but I'm inclined to say it won't hit her nearly as hard because it's not as personal for her as it is for Nathan).  Gallade hops down moments later to steady Nathan and make sure he's okay.  Whoops, he might have accidentally overdone that a little and let his emotions get the better of him...

"...it's okay, Gallade.  You did the same for me, so I can bear this for ya.  We'll set 'em straight one day."

Gallade hesitates for a moment, then nods and goes back to staring at the Research Facility with narrowed eyes.

When Terra asks what's going on, Nathan explains.  "...you remember how I said I found Ralts nearly dead a year ago?  Almanac was the group that apparently did that to him.  All presumably as a part of their 'research' on the Ralts line."

Nathan joins Gallade in staring at the facility.  The initial spike in pain and anger was a little overwhelming at first, but it's settled down slightly, particularly since Nathan now knows to expect it in this area.  It's obvious from how Nathan is talking though that it's still far from comfortable.

"...and their methods in general are very...cold.  They have no regard for pokemon as individuals.  They're just tools to Almanac.  Never friends.  And it's especially apparent when you read their entries on the Ralts line.  If they can't get a Ralts or one of its evolutions to behave and serve a particular individual, they effectively drug the pokemon to 'persuade' it to.  Despicable..."

He falls silent at that point.  Those are the people that seemingly hurt and nearly killed his best friend.  All in the name of science for science's sake...

Blegh.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(…)

As Gallade points and issues his silent challenge to Almanac, Nathan walks up to that boulder as well to stand next to his best friend despite feeling a little overwhelmed and/or woozy by the sudden surge of emotion that only he can really feel the true extent of (Shiva might feel a part of it, but I'm inclined to say it won't hit her nearly as hard because it's not as personal for her as it is for Nathan).  Gallade hops down moments later to steady Nathan and make sure he's okay.  Whoops, he might have accidentally overdone that a little and let his emotions get the better of him...

"...it's okay, Gallade.  You did the same for me, so I can bear this for ya.  We'll set 'em straight one day."

Gallade hesitates for a moment, then nods and goes back to staring at the Research Facility with narrowed eyes.

When Terra asks what's going on, Nathan explains.  "...you remember how I said I found Ralts nearly dead a year ago?  Almanac was the group that apparently did that to him.  All presumably as a part of their 'research' on the Ralts line."

Nathan joins Gallade in staring at the facility.  The initial spike in pain and anger was a little overwhelming at first, but it's settled down slightly, particularly since Nathan now knows to expect it in this area.  It's obvious from how Nathan is talking though that it's still far from comfortable.

"...and their methods in general are very...cold.  They have no regard for pokemon as individuals.  They're just tools to Almanac.  Never friends.  And it's especially apparent when you read their entries on the Ralts line.  If they can't get a Ralts or one of its evolutions to behave and serve a particular individual, they effectively drug the pokemon to 'persuade' it to.  Despicable..."

He falls silent at that point.  Those are the people that seemingly hurt and nearly killed his best friend.  All in the name of science for science's sake...

Blegh.

*Flashback!*

Terra slowly nods as the boy posed that question, as he could scarsely forget the grim yet heartwarming tale of how the knight and them had first meet. 

He then goes still when they revealed howand why the then Ralts ended up that way. 

Instantly, his jolly mood regressed into his usual stoicism, and then further still into an expression hard and impenetrable as a Cloyster's shell as he continued listened to and watch Nathan extol the amoral and wicked deed Almanac has done for the shake of 'science.' 

By the time they had finished, the simple monk was convinced of three thing about Almanac: That they were not good, that they must be stopped from doing what they did to Gallade to other Pokémon or worse, and that he do whatever he could to support Nathan in their struggle against them.

Several moments passed in silence between the two, until the mountain walked forward and firmly gripped the boy's shoulder.

"I am with you."

That is all he said, but when Nathan turned to look at him, they'd see the immense and unwavering resolve and solidarity in his eyes - nay, entire being, and would completely understand. For this point onward, they were together in their quest to bring Almanac to justice, no matter WHAT. 

That was that.

[Iron]

Dizzy, who was trotting along near Shiva, looks awed by the conviction in the big man. He's also impressed by the security of the veritable fortress. Or multiple fortresses; you aren't really sure.

[Dragonstrike]

1. Name: Sandshrew*
Notes: It's a skittish little guy. Looks ready to flee. Looks visibly different from a distance but you aren't sure what exactly is up with him.
Challenge: Very easy.
Cap: 1  s
Bid start: 3

While Gallade's staring at the Research Facility, Nathan spots what he thinks is a Sandshrew.  Something about it looks...off, though.

It's not a normal Sandshrew by a long shot.

And it's obviously skittish and ready to flee from how much it's glancing around.

Partially because the pokemon has piqued Nathan's curiosity, partially because it's a good way to distract himself from the feelings that were threatening to overwhelm him just mere moments before, Nathan slips into a quiet stance to try and get closer to Sandshrew without it noticing...

Stealth Check!
6* Dex + 3 Survival + 2 Stealth vs Sandshrew's Insight + Survival + Alert

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Just ask kind, honestly thankful and at the same time very very skittish goodbyes are given to the good old card artist from Shiva's side, her coy blush hasn't really decreased until then - and from the look of it, it won't either until they'll all be a little away from his mansion! She still can't believe how dear and hospitably he actually was to them, pondering about it for long minutes as they made their way to the Route Gate only served to confuse her more. She has a good feeling that he is having particular reasons yet unknow or only very theoretical, hopefully they'll be clearer when time is ripe... For now, Shiva's just incredibly happy over both her very first card being signed AND a handpainted Sylveon Card to be picked up much later!~ Sure she won't be able to play with it as Creshire Crash has not released any card of Kalos Pokemon yet, but as if she'd PLAY with a Keni Morgusi Original in the first place!~

The drizzling of the rain feels very refreshing for the resident fae enthusiast and she takes some deep breaths to soak in the fresh air. Traveling Routes again - when was the last time they've all done that? A bit too long probably given how she feels some carefuly excitement boiling up within her as they passed the gate. Soon though, she pulls out a black and fine looking umbrella against the rain, Kyuu is resting on her shoulder to enjoy its protection as well. There's room for Dizzy and the infamous Geodude joining them too, Raphael took some casual glides over the cloudy sky before he asked Shiva to be recalled into his Ball for an opportunity to rest and clean his neat feathercoat.



Shiva was occupied with thinking about nothing in particular and just watches the surroundings with a lightly dreamy gaze, when some sterlie coldness washes over her senses... This was an especially weird sensation and she found herself searching for the source with her eyes, before a mild rush of pain made her involutarily shiver and Gallade demonstratively presented himself as the source of it as he made his intentions towards Almanac crystalclear: 'You'll pay for what you've done. And are probably doing.'

She stops midway, but doesn't dare to come closer to Nathan, Gallade nor eventually Terra as she tries to catch a good look on that seemingly private Almanac Research Station, now THAT was where she got these weird feels from..... A heavy sigh escapes her, which none notices from how concentrated they are. True, it wasn't very hard for her to guess what they're doing, and immediately her conscience began to bite her for owning their 'Pokedexlike device' and some Upgrades, even shows interest in their Foster Programm to evolve a Nucleon. Averting her gaze after several minutes lost in thought and now even reacting when Kyuu gave her wondering glance however, she chooses to remain on her viewpoint that there's nothing wrong if she's owning their product due to personal interest. All for science!

What she does not know though, is how the others would take that, she's prefering to keep things for herself and to share a meaningful and determined gaze with Dizzy before they all went on, now with Shiva having lost a part of her glee as now dread and even a bit shame flows through her mind. She's not seeking eye contact with anyone at the moment, prefers to observe the surroundings again in the hope that some wild Pokemon would distract her.

2. Name: Miltank
Challenge: Moderate
Cap: 1 (2)
Bid start: 1
Notes: A wild Miltank atop a grassy hill. It's practicing its mooves up there.

In fact something does tickle her interest, spotting some unmistakably cow-like antics from atop of a hill, a wild Miltank was up there, from the look of it busy with practicing! Or training. Or mooing. Or all of that. Regardless what it was, Shiva's face lights up both because this cow reminds her on Belle and Tramp, the Talonflame Keychain on her bagpack will always do; and because she's certain some friendly battling a decent wild Pokemon will serve to bring different thoughts to her mind!

Letting the others know that she'll be going to check it out, she swiftly makes her way up to the hill but slows her steps as soon as she was getting into Miltank's eyesight - only Kyuu was on her shoulder now, but there was also a second occupied Ball in Shiva's hand as she carefully approached the cow.

How does it react to a Trainer appearing, not saying something at first?

[Iron]

Tall Grass roll!

Rarity: (4)(5) = 9. Something a little uncommon, but not surprising to see.
Typing: (6)(1) = 7. A very common type.
Challenge: (4)(3) = 7. Typical strength foe, which means not much of a challenge for someone like Terra.

Terra burrows around in the grass until something pops out! It's a Lickitung! Lickitung are more common where different terrain types meet. A Miltank is a little rarer. Lickitung aren't too valuable for their rarity because they have a reputation for being a weird Pokemon with poor moves. If anyone would buy one, it would be a collector.

The slobbery Pokemon immediately extends its tongue and checks out Terra's sandals with it.

[Iron]

Alert roll for Heart:
(4)(4)(3)(6)(5)(3) (4)(3)(6) A good result for sure. The first thing Heart sees is a small Venomoth, a little under a meter in size. It flutters near the cluster and SNAP! A long red line like a Lickitung's tongue appears out of nowhere and whips it away! The crunching noise resumes and little bits of insect Pokemon go everywhere - legs, wings, scales.

With that same Alert roll, Heart sees the telltale zigzag line of a Kecleon, just as he guessed. It looks like a big one! Or at least it has a big belly!