[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spira thinks for a moment then says "Do you have any advice for dealing with the Marowak I picked up? Never handled one like this before, much less a normal one."

Nathan sets his journal down for a moment.  "...honestly, not really.  Other than don't let them bully you around, but still try to appeal to some of the things they want to do.  Earning the trust of a pokemon that's willing to attack you...it's hard.  Particularly if they're attacking you because you caught them.  Alolan Marowak are much more in-tune with spirits of the dead than a normal Marowak is from what I've read of them, and they're more aggressive from having to fight off tougher predators.  The spirit of their departed mothers are said to empower them, too.  No matter what way you slice it, earning that Alolan Marowak's trust is going to be a hard sell."

Nathan takes a deep breath, then lets it out.

"...personally, I have only a few pokemon that are potentially comparable in how disobedient they are.  And they're all different, so I've had/have to earn their trust in different ways, depending on their personalities and preferences."

He sighs.

"...I know it's probably not the best advice.  It's super general, but...well, I'm what you might call an amateur historian, I guess, not a researcher who specializes in handling highly disobedient species.  You have any questions about the times, though, I can probably answer them.  Like the PC storage system, for example.  With it, we're able to store large numbers of pokemon that trainers for your time couldn't have imagined doing.  I have around maybe...35 or so pokemon in my personal collection, I think?  And that number's still growing.  If it weren't for the PC system, I wouldn't be able to manage owning so many pokemon, and it'd be difficult to change my team around as necessary since I'd probably have to pick them up from a Day Care or some other location specialized in caring for large numbers of pokemon every day.  Nowadays, such businesses are rare because Bill's PC storage system made the need for them almost obsolete.  It's a more recent improvement on the invention, but I honestly don't know how we'd live without it these days.  It's really convenient.  It also auto-moderates the standard '6 pokemon per trainer' rule the League set."

Nathan points to his flashing pokeballs.

"...if it weren't for the threads allowing us to prevent it, any pokemon we obtain beyond the 6 pokemon party limit would get automatically sent to the storage system after an hour or so.  I could also press the button on the pokeballs to manually trigger the process so long as the lights are flashing.  It's a quick way to send any pokemon back to the Pokemon Center ASAP, provided you're willing to catch wild pokemon to trigger the auto-moderation."

He pauses...sighs again, then mumbles something to himself, as he realized something just after he finished speaking.

"...I suppose you weren't really asking though, were you?  There I go again..."

Nathan goes quiet while waiting to see how Spira reacts to the impromptu lecture.  Helpful information to have?  Probably.  But Nathan's a tad nervous that he might have been a bit too...forward with his intent to help and inform in this case.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Nathan sighs a little.  "...ya know, you sound like my mom sometimes..."


Nathan coughs slightly, feeling a little awkward.  "...not that you should treat me any differently or anything...the noble houses don't have much of a place in today's society..."  He mostly said that for Terra's benefit, but it could also be taken as a general statement. 

(...)

Nathan starts fiddling with the straps attached to the plate the gemstone is set on.  "...trust me, if something I don't really like starts happening, this thing is coming off pronto, one way or another."

So, does anything happen when Nathan straps the gemstone on?

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

Spoiler

It's dusk and you haven't slept for 3 Encounters, so I expect you can take a calm moment as you make camp. If you guys aren't making camp, let me know. There are modern campsites available with electricity and water.


There's no change in the Rainbow Relic when Nathan puts it on. It's not even flashing any quicker compared to him holding it. Still purple.



Dizzy and Calam approach Medicham. Medicham gives them the narrowed eyes too, but cannot read the Dark types at all. They smirk in unison and turn away. The secrets of the Absol will remain in their own heads.

*Flashback!*

The sagely monk appeared surprised for a moment at the boy's somewhat begrudging statement, before it transformed into pure joy as he widely smile and bowed to the in gratitude.

"I am glad. Great honor to be compared to your mother, so thank you for.....kind words. Will do my best to.....keep living up to.....expectation and her goodness.'

Oh dear, now THAT is a one heck of an contrary reaction! And probably one not to Nathan's liking, given who he is and the context surrounding his statement....

(...)

Terra quietly listened as the scholarly trainer hypothesizes the reason behind the R.R.'s reactions towards him and reveals his distant blood ties to the great Sammy , looking mildly intrigued throughout it all. When they request he not idolize him for his lineage, he tilted his head curiously at them, then closed his eyes in thought for a few seconds.......before looking back at the boy, and nodded.

"Hm.....okay. *Shrugs at this point* Would not treat you strangely anyway. You are a good, kind, and smart person. You are.....moral and just. You are friends to many......and you are my friend. Those are what matters about you. Not your nobility. That is all, really."

Aww.......now ain't that sweet!

(...)

As for the conversation surrounding the Sealed Pokemon, the rugged wanderer tenses himself and looks more serious when the possibility of it containing a dangerous Ghost type, but he doesn't say anything and only listens on, since he believes this isn't that concerns him. His personal sentiments were just to dig a deep enough hole a bury the Seal Pokeball in it to permanently curtail any threat from it, but he knew that nobody would support such a callously pragmatic plan, so he kept that to himself. Beyond that, he also believed that Spira could amply handle the threat posed by the seal Ghost with her own possie of spirits, and that Nathan + Heart could defend themselves perfectly fine without his intervention, and so did not interfere. Everyone had already proven themselves to be both competent and strong, so their was no need for him to treat them like fine china at this point/situation......right?

Oh, and he also returns Shiva's smile, and gives her a friendly pat on the shoulder in thanks for their help. After all, its thanks in part to her that Medicham became his partner so easily.....if not without a moderate amount stress or confusion. Oh well, he's suffered through worse in the wilds, and has experience with handling/bonding with much more ornery/willful Pokemon, so he'll adapt just fine.....he hopes.

*Flashback Ends!*

Terra would be all for setting up camp for the day, as all of the events thus far - From Deoxys to Medicham - were beginning to weigh heavily on him like his Bastiodon. Even a man of his immense fortitude and vigor needed some good old R&R, especially when dangerous, crazy, extreme, and/or weird stuff seemingly materializes every good stretch traveled to give him and the group a hard/odd time!

Before the Steely brawler could turn in for the night (Which would involved him sleeping outside with Angie + Melly and protecting the campsite like he did so in 1925) , though, he still had some business to settle with his newest partner Medicham. For that reason, he went to somewhere secluded/away from the campsite to release them for a private conversation.......though it didn't stop the pair of dark prophets to make their own taunting introductions, which prompted him to look at them, shake of his head, and let out heavy *Sigh*. 

'Why can't things be nice and simple with Medicham, and not......uneasy.....'

Once he got those malingering feelings/thoughts processed + out of his system, he turned to regard the mighty meditator with a half smile as he motioned to where the Absol were.

"Sorry about them. Calam and Dizzy can be.......difficult with others, sometimes. Don't let them bother you, and be.....patient with them. Okay?"

He pauses to see their reaction, before pressing on to the next topic, now looking both serious and pensive.

"Medicham, I give all my partners names. To show them and the world that they are special. Unique. Worthy of attention from all. .....And to show them how much they mean to me. *Faces scrunches up in concern* Not sure if I should give you one, though. *Shakes head* Not because you do not deserve one, but.....you.....seem to have......own identity? Strong sense of Self? *Shrugs* Not sure. Only know you......very willful and.....determined. Don't want to......disrespect or.....offend you by giving you a name that.....clashes with your......youness. That is why I am not sure. Do you understand?"

*Beat*

"......I will leave the choice to you. If you want a name, I will give you one. If not......I understand, and accept that."

With that, he falls silent, and awaits Medicham's response(s). Given that they are a highly intelligent Psychic type, it shouldn't be too hard for them to convey his thoughts/opinions to the somewhat dense man, or at the very least answer him yes or no.

[Spiritmon]

It's dusk and you haven't slept for 3 Encounters, so I expect you can take a calm moment as you make camp. If you guys aren't making camp, let me know. There are modern campsites available with electricity and water.


There's no change in the Rainbow Relic when Nathan puts it on. It's not even flashing any quicker compared to him holding it. Still purple.



Dizzy and Calam approach Medicham. Medicham gives them the narrowed eyes too, but cannot read the Dark types at all. They smirk in unison and turn away. The secrets of the Absol will remain in their own heads.

Making camp is fine with Nathan.  He's certainly ready to turn in for the day.

"...hmmm...must be some kind of trigger or something that we're missing or something...mind if I hold on to this item, Heart?" (@Spiritmon)


Nathan's not quite sure if the Absol poking a little fun at Medicham for not being able to read them is necessarily a good thing or not, but it is still good to see at least some of them still have some privacy for their thoughts.

"Well, you the guy who know more about Saminarok things, so yeah, you can keep it. But you will owe me a Pokemon and a training session Warren. I kinda curious to test my new found fire power." Heart snap his fingers and summon a little flame from the point of his finger who quick disappear. Shiva might now have see now. "Huh. I can get to use it."

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

The sagely monk appeared surprised for a moment at the boy's somewhat begrudging statement, before it transformed into pure joy as he widely smile and bowed to the in gratitude.

"I am glad. Great honor to be compared to your mother, so thank you for.....kind words. Will do my best to.....keep living up to.....expectation and her goodness.'

Oh dear, now THAT is a one heck of an contrary reaction! And probably one not to Nathan's liking, given who he is and the context surrounding his statement....

(...)

Terra quietly listened as the scholarly trainer hypothesizes the reason behind the R.R.'s reactions towards him and reveals his distant blood ties to the great Sammy , looking mildly intrigued throughout it all. When they request he not idolize him for his lineage, he tilted his head curiously at them, then closed his eyes in thought for a few seconds.......before looking back at the boy, and nodded.

"Hm.....okay. *Shrugs at this point* Would not treat you strangely anyway. You are a good, kind, and smart person. You are.....moral and just. You are friends to many......and you are my friend. Those are what matters about you. Not your nobility. That is all, really."

Aww.......now ain't that sweet!

(...)

As for the conversation surrounding the Sealed Pokemon, the rugged wanderer tenses himself and looks more serious when the possibility of it containing a dangerous Ghost type, but he doesn't say anything and only listens on, since he believes this isn't that concerns him. His personal sentiments were just to dig a deep enough hole a bury the Seal Pokeball in it to permanently curtail any threat from it, but he knew that nobody would support such a callously pragmatic plan, so he kept that to himself. Beyond that, he also believed that Spira could amply handle the threat posed by the seal Ghost with her own possie of spirits, and that Nathan + Heart could defend themselves perfectly fine without his intervention, and so did not interfere. Everyone had already proven themselves to be both competent and strong, so their was no need for him to treat them like fine china at this point/situation......right?

...yeah, Nathan has to resist the urge to facepalm.  That definitely wasn't a compliment.  Gallade quietly sighs and gives Nathan a pat on the shoulder.

Nathan can't really be mad, but...it's definitely at least slightly frustrating for him.

-------

No verbal response from Nathan on that, but it does help bring a small smile back to Nathan's face.

-------

Ironically enough, that's exactly what was originally done with the sealed pokeball, given the context of the situation...

"Well, you the guy who know more about Saminarok things, so yeah, you can keep it. But you will owe me a Pokemon and a training session Warren. I kinda curious to test my new found fire power." Heart snap his fingers and summon a little flame from the point of his finger who quick disappear. Shiva might now have see now. "Huh. I can get to use it."

Nathan puts the gemstone in his bag, in that case!

"...and I'm still looking forward to that battle.  You just tell me when you're ready once we're in an area where we won't have trouble healing our pokemon."

[Iron]

"Yeah, the wreck happened in 2012, and the people killed are now resting in Botanville. There was 3 names on the memorial, Freddy, Eliza, and Rebecca, last name of Mayberry."

Nathan's probably also sent another message to Bill by this point.

Freddy, Eliza, and Rebecca Mayberry.  Spira found a memorial with those names on it.  Family apparently died in a car crash in 2012.  Any further information on them and that crash that you might be able to dig up?

"Yes, found their obituary. They are interred in Cress City, but the memorial is made of their actual car. The parents worked together making video games and other software. All three died instantly and painlessly. All three were trainers, specializing in Normal, Electric, and Steel respectively. I can see here they had a Porygon, a Pikachu, and a Magnemite. No living relatives in Creshire."

[Iron]

Linkite
The Shackled Pokemon.
A Linkite is created only when a Pokemon dies inside its Pokeball, making it a true spirit Pokemon. Unlike a Gastly, for example, which can breed and hatch from Eggs, Linkite cannot breed. Experiments show that a Linkite is not always created when a Pokemon dies inside its Pokeball. Perhaps some specific emotional state is required. It might be a useful way to transform a weak Pokemon into a strong one, for Linkite possesses significant offensive and defensive capabilities. Over time it gains new ghostly powers, even without training. It can be easily evolved through trading or one of Almanac's synthetic alternatives.

The only downside is the difficulty in training such a creature. Linkite is sullen and resentful, while the evolution Chainite is malicious, vengeful, and overall very dangerous. It is recommended that Chainite trainers purchase an Almanac Seal for a Chainite's Pokeball to keep its violent nature under control.

[Iron]

Spira is able to rotate the seal 90 degrees on the Pokeball. A length of chain flows out in a dim flash of light, stuttering into existence. At the end of the chain is a Substitute doll, crying and wailing fit to wake the dead. It sends a chill down the spines of the trainers less experienced with ghosts. It refuses to make eye contact with Spira or his Pokemon, nor will it obey any commands.

The Pokeball follows the Substitute, apparently a part of its body in a way. Spira is left with no way to recall the Linkite, which goes wandering slowly around the campsite. It walks right through the fire, scattering the burning brands and threatening to cause damage to the camp.

[Iron]

Medicham doesn't seem to care about such trivial things as names. He'll leave it up to you, and answer to any name that isn't insulting.

[Iron]

You get a good 8 hours sleep. It is now Day 69E.

The party is woken up by Melly's barking and Angie suddenly burrowing underground. A contingent of people and Pokemon are approaching the campsite. They're led by two older youths, probably 17 or 18, a girl and boy dressed as Campers in uniform. There's also a gentleman dressed as a Private Investigator, a Ruin Maniac, and three hard-looking girls on motorbikes. The Campers have Sandslash, the PI has an Arcanine, the Maniac has a belt of six Pokeballs, and the girls have a Nidoqueen, a Vigoroth, and a Fearow overhead.

As you guys stick your heads out of the tent, an eighth character appears on the scene. She comes barreling into the camp, scattering the others and rushing right up to Terra. A Purugly follows her, waddling almost as fast as the large woman runs.

"This must be them! This is that group, I'd stake my life on it! The ones who chased that guy into the Ruins!" She starts kicking Terra, which of course has no effect on the steely monk. Melly growls and advances, and the large woman backs off.

"Peace, Flora," says the PI. "We are enough to subdue them in battle if necessary, but let us not presume their guilt without more evidence than your, er, somewhat volatile perceptions. Would the party occupying this campsite kindly get dressed and come out for a conversation around the fire?" Arcanine stokes the campfire into a comfortable blaze. "I am Detective Thrawn, of Thrawn's Detective Agency. We're looking for a group of strange men who attempted to trap a gentleman inside the Skull Ruins."

[Mikaruge108]

Spira is able to rotate the seal 90 degrees on the Pokeball. A length of chain flows out in a dim flash of light, stuttering into existence. At the end of the chain is a Substitute doll, crying and wailing fit to wake the dead. It sends a chill down the spines of the trainers less experienced with ghosts. It refuses to make eye contact with Spira or his Pokemon, nor will it obey any commands.

The Pokeball follows the Substitute, apparently a part of its body in a way. Spira is left with no way to recall the Linkite, which goes wandering slowly around the campsite. It walks right through the fire, scattering the burning brands and threatening to cause damage to the camp.

"Oh no, this is bad! Hida go! Use yawn on it!"
Yawn:
accuracy: 11D6(-2Actions if Sleep fails, making it 9D6)
notes: sleepy-time for Linkite.
mechanics: once the ghostie is asleep, Spira will attempt to catch it in a pokeball of his own.
*If Sleep fails*
"Hida, use Smog, but hold back!"
Smog:
accuracy: 11D6-2actions= 8D6
damage: 3d6
effect 4cd poison, held back
mechanics: catching it is a priority, if it's poisoned Spira will toss a pokeball at it.