[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spira looks around at the strange surroundings and says "Wow... It looks pretty desolate. What time have we come to now?"

Nathan looks around to get his bearings, somewhat worried due to Calam and Gallades' reactions...as well as the reactions of Shiva's pokemon.

"...well shoot.  Wonder if I should have delayed that lurch for a little longer...judging by those Mamoswine bones, the surrounding terrain, how cold it is (*shiver*), and the lack of visible human civilization...we're in an Ice Age.  Towards the end of it, even.  Maybe 10,000 years in the past, give or take 1000?  We're not going to see any humans unless we know where to look for them..."

Nathan looks at the large pack of Absol again and shivers once more.

"...the last time I saw that many Absol running down from one of the mountains, Creshire as I know it was at risk of being destroyed...and they ran towards where the danger was originating from, too..."

Gallade's looking up at the sky with Lilith, a hand on Calam still.  When Nathan notices, he looks up too.

There's always a lot of debate among historians about what killed the dinosaurs, what ended the Ice Age...ancient history that nobody can really prove one way or the other because it was so long ago.  Generally, why such large numbers of creatures died off simultaneously is a mystery.  But generally, everyone can agree that something DID happen that decreased their incredibly massive numbers to almost nothing.

And as Nathan looks up with Gallade and puts the puzzle pieces together...

"...oh no...don't tell me a meteor is going to strike soon..."

Nathan takes a deep breath.  "...okay, stay calm, stay calm...find something else to focus on, Nathan...we'll get through this..."

Nathan looks around again...where's the Rapidash he tried to pull from Sarimanok's time?  He needs to calm that horse down before it runs off if it's panicking...and for that matter try and keep everyone else and himself calm, too...they're not going to be able to get through this mess if they panic, after all...

[Iron]

Spira looks around at the strange surroundings and says "Wow... It looks pretty desolate. What time have we come to now?"

Nathan looks around to get his bearings, somewhat worried due to Calam and Gallades' reactions...as well as the reactions of Shiva's pokemon.

"...well shoot.  Wonder if I should have delayed that lurch for a little longer...judging by those Mamoswine bones, the surrounding terrain, how cold it is (*shiver*), and the lack of visible human civilization...we're in an Ice Age.  Towards the end of it, even.  Maybe 10,000 years in the past, give or take 1000?  We're not going to see any humans unless we know where to look for them..."

Nathan looks at the large pack of Absol again and shivers once more.

"...the last time I saw that many Absol running down from one of the mountains, Creshire as I know it was at risk of being destroyed...and they ran towards where the danger was originating from, too..."

Gallade's looking up at the sky with Lilith, a hand on Calam still.  When Nathan notices, he looks up too.

There's always a lot of debate among historians about what killed the dinosaurs, what ended the Ice Age...ancient history that nobody can really prove one way or the other because it was so long ago.  Generally, why such large numbers of creatures died off simultaneously is a mystery.  But generally, everyone can agree that something DID happen that decreased their incredibly massive numbers to almost nothing.

And as Nathan looks up with Gallade and puts the puzzle pieces together...

"...oh no...don't tell me a meteor is going to strike soon..."

Nathan takes a deep breath.  "...okay, stay calm, stay calm...find something else to focus on, Nathan...we'll get through this..."

Nathan looks around again...where's the Rapidash he tried to pull from Sarimanok's time?  He needs to calm that horse down before it runs off if it's panicking...and for that matter try and keep everyone else and himself calm, too...they're not going to be able to get through this mess if they panic, after all...

One point of clarity I can mention - there was indeed a mass extinction in Creshire which reduced the numbers of the very large Pokemon, but allowed for an increase in diversity and more small Pokemon. And more appearances of the elemental types. Between Nathan's historical knowledge and his visit to the Museum, he'd know that.


Farfetch'd is right there with Terra, shivering but otherwise calm. Stolen Rapidash is plenty warm, and looking longingly at the grass growing on the slopes of the volcano. He is trained to stay stoic in just about any circumstance, so he's just fidgeting a little and that's the only sign of disquiet.

[Dragonstrike]

One point of clarity I can mention - there was indeed a mass extinction in Creshire which reduced the numbers of the very large Pokemon, but allowed for an increase in diversity and more small Pokemon. And more appearances of the elemental types. Between Nathan's historical knowledge and his visit to the Museum, he'd know that.


Farfetch'd is right there with Terra, shivering but otherwise calm. Stolen Rapidash is plenty warm, and looking longingly at the grass growing on the slopes of the volcano. He is trained to stay stoic in just about any circumstance, so he's just fidgeting a little and that's the only sign of disquiet.

Good to know.

In any case, Nathan's trying his best to stay calm himself so as to not start unnecessary panic.  Particularly important in the case of not riling up nearby wild pokemon and any pokemon the party has with them that aren't technically theirs.  Like Farfetch'd and Rapidash.

In order to help himself stay calm, he busies himself with checking over and studying that Rapidash from Sarimanok's time, curious to see how he compares to the Rapidash on his mom's ranch from the present day.  Nathan will still answer any further questions from the rest of the group, though.

[Iron]

One point of clarity I can mention - there was indeed a mass extinction in Creshire which reduced the numbers of the very large Pokemon, but allowed for an increase in diversity and more small Pokemon. And more appearances of the elemental types. Between Nathan's historical knowledge and his visit to the Museum, he'd know that.


Farfetch'd is right there with Terra, shivering but otherwise calm. Stolen Rapidash is plenty warm, and looking longingly at the grass growing on the slopes of the volcano. He is trained to stay stoic in just about any circumstance, so he's just fidgeting a little and that's the only sign of disquiet.

Good to know.

In any case, Nathan's trying his best to stay calm himself so as to not start unnecessary panic.  Particularly important in the case of not riling up nearby wild pokemon and any pokemon the party has with them that aren't technically theirs.  Like Farfetch'd and Rapidash.

In order to help himself stay calm, he busies himself with checking over and studying that Rapidash from Sarimanok's time, curious to see how he compares to the Rapidash on his mom's ranch from the present day.  Nathan will still answer any further questions from the rest of the group, though.

Sarimanok's Rapidash is bigger and meatier, almost built like a Mudsdale. The coat is a lot shaggier. It's less graceful but more powerful.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Let me state something about that Rapidash before I begin to type up a response and reaction to the happening please: That Rapidash has a good sentimental value towards Shiva, she'll probably be a little protective over it, seek its closure here in the cold and such. The fact that it's stolen from the Eastern Plains and perhaps has gotten away with that adds some weird excitement.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(Reminds me a lot on the calm Ice Theme from the describtion. Alright, getting to respond to things then.)

[Lord Windos]

One instance, Terra was making his way out of the warzone with Shiva and Heart, eyes darting around to ascertain where Nathan and Spira were so that he could join up and escape with them.

The next, he's standing with the group in what appears to be a tundra, volcanic, and desert environ, like someone made an amalgamation of Mt. Chimney, his home's desert, an the depth of Shoal Cave and stuck it right down here. He blinked a couple of times as he adjusted to the sights around him, looking thoughtful and slightly nostalgic saw the great swathes of Mightyena on the artic planes munching on the remains of Mamoswine, and frowned carefully at seeing a pack of early Absol departing from the slopes of the mountain and towards the direction Tezeal Valley would be. Though not superstitious or speciest against the dark harbingers, the simple monk was fully aware of their prophetic ability to foretell disaster, and couldn't help his gaze linger on them as they vanished, before it shifted to Calam and Dizzy, their own reactions only causing his frown to deepen.

'Absol moving towards where Tezeal Valley will be......something bad is going to happened there. Hm.....maybe that is why we were......brought here? Hm........don't know, but do know I have to keep my friends safe. No matter what.'

The scholarly boy's comments on the situation drew him out of his own things and caused him to look at him curiously, confirming his own suspicious and informing him that the group where in a 'Ice Age' period. When he started showing signs of panicking over the impending disaster, though, the rugged wanderer wasted no time in walking over to them and laying a hand on their shoulder, staring at them a calm, reassuring .

"Be calm, Nathan. We are all alright. Will be alright, so long as we work together. Remember, we are with you. I am with you. Okay?"

After saying his piece, he let the clever trainer go off to inspect the Rapidash. He knew the boy handled the fiery horses for a living before he adopted his current Trainer/adventurer lifestyle, and knew the activity of inspecting/caring for one would do much to ease his own anxiety and unwind. Like him and training with his Pokemon, only warmer, fluffier, and less strenuous! Additionally, he could tell the boy was alright from his own trails in the warzone from the looks of it, and so did not bother him about it (same with Spira).

He double checks on both Heart and Shiva to see how they're handling the leap through the ages (AKA: Reactions can take place still!), before finally looking down and directing his full and undivided towards the Farfetch'd still in his grip, now able to do so since the group was no longer in an [i]immediately dangerous scenario.

"Farfetch'd? My name is Terra. Are you alright? Feeling hurt, or sick?"

Later on, he'd also ask Nathan more about the 'Ice Age' the group found themselves in, but that could come later when he was finished checking the horse/he himself was done talking with the brown duckie.

[Iron]

One instance, Terra was making his way out of the warzone with Shiva and Heart, eyes darting around to ascertain where Nathan and Spira were so that he could join up and escape with them.

The next, he's standing with the group in what appears to be a tundra, volcanic, and desert environ, like someone made an amalgamation of Mt. Chimney, his home's desert, an the depth of Shoal Cave and stuck it right down here. He blinked a couple of times as he adjusted to the sights around him, looking thoughtful and slightly nostalgic saw the great swathes of Mightyena on the artic planes munching on the remains of Mamoswine, and frowned carefully at seeing a pack of early Absol departing from the slopes of the mountain and towards the direction Tezeal Valley would be. Though not superstitious or speciest against the dark harbingers, the simple monk was fully aware of their prophetic ability to foretell disaster, and couldn't help his gaze linger on them as they vanished, before it shifted to Calam and Dizzy, their own reactions only causing his frown to deepen.

'Absol moving towards where Tezeal Valley will be......something bad is going to happened there. Hm.....maybe that is why we were......brought here? Hm........don't know, but do know I have to keep my friends safe. No matter what.'

The scholarly boy's comments on the situation drew him out of his own things and caused him to look at him curiously, confirming his own suspicious and informing him that the group where in a 'Ice Age' period. When he started showing signs of panicking over the impending disaster, though, the rugged wanderer wasted no time in walking over to them and laying a hand on their shoulder, staring at them a calm, reassuring .

"Be calm, Nathan. We are all alright. Will be alright, so long as we work together. Remember, we are with you. I am with you. Okay?"

After saying his piece, he let the clever trainer go off to inspect the Rapidash. He knew the boy handled the fiery horses for a living before he adopted his current Trainer/adventurer lifestyle, and knew the activity of inspecting/caring for one would do much to ease his own anxiety and unwind. Like him and training with his Pokemon, only warmer, fluffier, and less strenuous! Additionally, he could tell the boy was alright from his own trails in the warzone from the looks of it, and so did not bother him about it (same with Spira).

He double checks on both Heart and Shiva to see how they're handling the leap through the ages (AKA: Reactions can take place still!), before finally looking down and directing his full and undivided towards the Farfetch'd still in his grip, now able to do so since the group was no longer in an [i]immediately dangerous scenario.

"Farfetch'd? My name is Terra. Are you alright? Feeling hurt, or sick?"

Later on, he'd also ask Nathan more about the 'Ice Age' the group found themselves in, but that could come later when he was finished checking the horse/he himself was done talking with the brown duckie.
[/i]

Farfetch'd shakes its head. It looks a little bewildered to be talked to as friend rather than food. It does look very cold, though, even though it's about 40 degrees F (5 degrees C). Jacket weather, but not exactly winter either. Just cold enough for snow to stay on the ground.

[Lord Windos]

Farfetch'd shakes its head. It looks a little bewildered to be talked to as friend rather than food. It does look very cold, though, even though it's about 40 degrees F (5 degrees C). Jacket weather, but not exactly winter either. Just cold enough for snow to stay on the ground.

Terra nods back to them, giving them a perhaps a surprisingly gentle smile for a man of his stature.

"Good. Happy that you are alright. No one will harm you here with us now. Promise."

He frowns when he notices the brown ducky began to shiver from the cold climes of the area, before he promptly stuck a hand into of his pant's many pockets (his other still Grappling Farfetch'd), rummaged around a bit, and pulled out what appeared to be a.......large green tweed sweater? Afterwards, he carefully put it on them if they let him, giving another nod of satisfaction as he finished.

"There. Got this sweater from......a friend. Will keep you warm here. Feel better now, Farfetch'd?"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Original Post

LURCH

The timeskip completes and everything stabilizes. You find yourself on a sandy scrubland, standing directly on the turf (no road). Your first thought might be that you have traveled in space now - but then you recognize the horizon line of the ancient Great Divide. Your second thought might be that you've arrived in nighttime again, but then you'd realize the sky is simply blotted out by ashes from the great volcanoes now spotting the Great Divide. They're grumbling and spitting fitfully.

To the east, you can see Mt. Sentry. It's entirely encased in ice and snow, and it seems like the lands east of Mt. Molten are lightly dusted with it. You can see a vast plume of smoke where Mt. Molten is active in the distance. Even here near the volcanoes there is a certain chill to the air.

To the south, there's a mild valley with a bit of snow between occasional blades of grass. Inhabiting it, a boundless pack of wolf Pokemon waits, sitting and sniffing the cold air. There are THOUSANDS of Mightyena, occupying several acres of taiga, and their little cubs gambol about between their legs. Despite their numbers, they look well-fed and healthy, with sleek coats and lots of variation between them. You can see several are chewing on massive bones that can only belong to Mamoswine. Even the nearest Mightyena is still about a half mile away. It's an awe-inspiring sight to see them stretched over so much territory.

A smaller, lighter pack occupies one of the volcanoes above you that has already gone dormant and received a coating of snow and wiry grass.

Calam lets himself out of his Pokeball. He and Dizzy are on extremely high alert, the most worried you've ever seen him. They're growling, and Calam even goes so far as to paw at Nathan. But they aren't looking at the wolf pack; they're gazing more southwest in the direction of Teazel Valley. Calam gives Dizzy a worried nudge.

Suddenly, the whitest wolves break away from the northern pack, and come streaming down the mountain. With white coats and black faces, you realize they are not Mightyena at all, but early Absol leaving a Mightyena pack. Seeing such a number of the Disaster Pokemon makes you shiver, and it has nothing to do with the cold. They reach the foothills in a few bounds, shake the ashes from their coats, and disappear in the direction Dizzy is gazing.

The sensitive Pokemon in your parties have all appeared as well. Delphox struggles to decipher the strange Earthpower of this time. Gallade has a worried hand on Calam. And Gothitelle has appeared - hugging Shiva tightly, a vision begins for her. The ash-filled sky parts to reveal space, stars in the unfamiliar positions of long, long ago. It's a brief vision, but Shiva experiences it along with Gothitelle and can feel the main message: something is coming from space into this time.

Gallade nods with determination. This matches visions he's had as a Kirlia, somehow.


Nathan and Shiva, you both have knowledge that can help you pin down what time period you've found yourself in. This is clearly before human settlement, so it's at least a few thousand years. Depending on when, exactly, it may be that the Mamo have landed on eastern Creshire and colonized what will one day become the swamp.

Judging by the Pokemon, geology, and climatology, this is nearing the end of an Ice Age. That puts it about 10,000 years ago - the Mamoswine will go entirely extinct as a natural evolution in 6000 more years, a long and painful decline for them. For now, they are plentiful, and the predator Pokemon can feast and thrive. Early modern humans will find they can do the same, and come to consider the Mamoswine a sacred animal who saved them from starvation.

Non-modern humans may be hidden away in the secret places of the earth. There's some debate about this among historians, but it's possible the First Technical Society is colonizing the depths of Mt. Sentry while the mammoth and wolves rule the outside.

Over the next few thousand years, the volcanoes will go dormant and solidify, starting the long process of Teazel Valley becoming a plains instead of a desert.

As quickly as that by now almost familiar feeling of a turn of the stomach lasting for a second came here on the ancient battlefield, as quickly it occured once again and mercilessly awoke Shiva from her semi-peaceful slumber in the timeless stasis void. She sharply gasped and needed a few moments to find her balance again and gather her thoughts, a lingering headache from all this travling caused her to rub her temples.

Though when she realized that her breath manifested in visible small white clouds, she became horribly frightened in an instant - 'Oh Celebi, dear and noble one', she bittersweetly thought to herself, 'Is there a way to ever know why you are putting us through all of this? Just what...are you up to, why are you sending us around like that, what is your intention and will? We saved lifes who'd be lost due to that Ryhorn, what else may you have in store for us...? Mythical in every way you look a it... Though will we ever return to 2017? Don't let this hope of mine die...'

Shiva didn't want to raise her head and gaze around where they've landed, too afraid she was over what she'll spot or what may jump at her if she does. The air was weirdly chill, unnaturally chill, and was filled with particles that made it a little hard to take deep breaths - she has never ever experienced such a thing before. From the corner of the eyes though she managed to spot that the others were there as well, they ALL were - Terra was, Heart was, Nathan was, even Spira was - Raphael must have recalled himself without her noticing, probably felt that chill and instantly went 'Nope, not with me! Back into the comfy and warm Ball!', she was able to find him in his Ball indeed when she checked (The archangel smiled as their gaze met). Somethingelse was there, causing Shiva to DO look up now: She immediately recognized this Rapidash here as the one she boldly mounted when engaging in that duel with Hyksos! What it was doing here she had NO IDEA, she'd guess and threorize that it must have to do with these weird threads of light she faintly saw before her inner eye - why it's there though comes second, as first comes Shiva's great delight and appreciating of it being there in the first place. By walking up to that firehorse with a light smile and all calmly stroke its forehead (it allowed) she expressed that she is familiar with this particular Rapidash. "Oh you... What a curious suprise this is, not to see you again I would have expected. Appreciate is what I do though now that this was a wrong belief - you're so warm..." Indeed, without Shiva realizing she has leaned a little closer to warm herself on 'her' Rapidash, she stays all calm when Nathan expresses interest towards this special horse.

No, HER attention is more on the scenery, eventually she dared to look around. Whether this was a good or bad idea she wasn't sure - part of her enjoyed what she saw, part wanted to mute everything and curl up into ball to avoid everything around. All that snow was beautiful, everything felt so natural, so calm, so UNTOUCHED : Pure nature. She had a bit of a hard time to really recognize Mount Sentry and Mount Molten, they looked so different than what she knew about these mountains. All these Mightyena though are observed with interest, liking and a positive feeling in general. The land's clearly in THEIR clawed paws, the very same that viciously tear prey.

Even with her barely ever having paid attention in history class of school she'd be able to guess that they were in the Ice Age, but how many years ago that is she wouldn't be able to tell.

There was barely any time to admire this scenery though, as while she couldn't pick up any tension, the behavious of Calam, Dizzy, Lilith spoke volumes to her. This anxiety, this worry, this state of high alertness - something is wrong, something IS there, something was just not right despite this whole area seemed so right. Something.... Something WHAT ? Shiva's joy over seeing Rapidash again quickly finds an end as immense worry adds to her startle. She's seeking the horse's and Delphox's closure when the Absol began to run down the mountain, though it didn't ease the chill in the slightest. Tightly returning her gothloli fortune teller's hug didn't really help either unfortunately, her reaction and vision only made things WORSE: Now Shiva was crouching there on the ground while not breaking the hug to Lilith, sheer panic threathening to overtake her mind once more after barely having recovered from the battle of Eastern Suns vs Western Plains.  Her voice is shuddering when she spoke up. "Lilith my dear... Dizzy my loyal infiltrator.... Delphox my magical fox... Rapidash my randomized mount... Something... SOMETHING is coming, yes... Something dramatical, drastic, destructive... Matches the describtion of a meteor? YES. Oh why... WHY... Celebi, W-H-Y? There's no way to prevent an impact, even if we'd want to do that... Lilith, this can't be the meteor you've displayed in the visions, can it? No... That one happens MUCH later, after King Sarimanok's defeat. This one here - It might bring the Comite, elemental Pokemon or their origin at last, start the growth of Deyo flowers on this planet? I'd guess so... It'll hit the place I'd mark with 'Teazel Valley' on a map of Chresire? Yes... Why..."

Shiva's NOT calming down, every fibre of her body is worrying at full volume. She's shivering, breathing hitched, gazing around in mild paranoia as she faces the others of the group. "People... PEOPLE...! No more. Meteor, coming, will hit, Teazel Valley... Likely the place these Mightyena dwell? YES. Will we witness it? I'd guess so...?! A hint, something's with this place in our time. We NEED to get there fast once being back in our time, please... But, need to stay safe in the first place." Swiftly, she turns to her magical fox, then to Lilith, then Dizzy (in that order). "Delphox, my dear... Chant for me, chant for us, bring blessings of luck towards this area. Lilith, my dearest... Do you dare taking a gaze into the future? Will we indeed be here to witness this impact, maybe THAT'S what Celebi wishes to show us...! Though are away from the impact enough to remain relatively unharmed or are we better up to seek shelter? And you Dizzy, my companion... Can you see something by a Future Sight as well? Please, if you two can, tell me what you witness..."

In short, a Lucky Chant from Delphox and an asked Future Sight from Lilith and Dizzy. Mostly like to know whether we're in immediate danger from the expected impact or not.