[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Spiritmon]

Honedge still doesn't consider Heart a fully worthy wielder, but it's reserving judgment until something interesting happens. It accepts the Leftovers.

Super Fang isn't affected by the Scarf but Slam is. And so are many of the other moves he can learn.

Oh. Well, my choices of Pokemon gonna be Honedge and D-ONIX regardless of my opponent choices.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The twins don't like battles where fainting is not allowed, but they say you can forfeit a Pokemon at any time.

Ahh, then we will battle with fainting. Simple as that, Shiva does not want to be a killjoy!

Shiva gets a weird feeling from spotting a Continental Pattern Viviillon, an ominous one as if the sight foretells something happening. She's very unsure whether something good or bad is about to happen though.

These hostels are probably normal ones, since I've been assuming these with themes like romance, crafting etc. are exclusive for Cress City? Shiva will certainly prefer to sleep over in a hostel than within the Center as usual.

Cool! Means, she will likely cut a few teazel husks at some point. ^^

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

"Four badges! Very nice! I heard even Gym Leaders come here to train against the toughest Safari Zone Pokemon in Area Six. Check it out, if you have four badges." 

"There's two people coming back for the Safari Cup this week. One is a gent who participates in every one of them; he lives here in Teazel Valley. Name of Burt. He likes Bug types but he'll catch whatever he thinks helps him win. Then there's a guy named Anaster. He prioritizes Pokemon who can Mega Evolve, uses them in the tourney to gain their trust, and Mega Evolves them a few weeks later apparently. That's very fast. He also always catches a small number of strong Pokemon instead of the opposite."

"Area Six, huh?  Alright, I'll make sure to go give it a look.  Outta curiosity, though, have you seen any weird Parasect that look kinda blue while you've been here?"

"...Burt...okay, uh huh...wait, did you say Anaster?  As in the guy with silver hair and a Dragonair that knows Surf?  He can Mega Evolve pokemon too?  Does he also have a Key Stone?  Is he on good terms with the League or something?"

Ooh boy...if Anaster is in this tourney, this is probably gonna be tough...

[Iron]

Spoiler

"Four badges! Very nice! I heard even Gym Leaders come here to train against the toughest Safari Zone Pokemon in Area Six. Check it out, if you have four badges." 

"There's two people coming back for the Safari Cup this week. One is a gent who participates in every one of them; he lives here in Teazel Valley. Name of Burt. He likes Bug types but he'll catch whatever he thinks helps him win. Then there's a guy named Anaster. He prioritizes Pokemon who can Mega Evolve, uses them in the tourney to gain their trust, and Mega Evolves them a few weeks later apparently. That's very fast. He also always catches a small number of strong Pokemon instead of the opposite."

"Area Six, huh?  Alright, I'll make sure to go give it a look.  Outta curiosity, though, have you seen any weird Parasect that look kinda blue while you've been here?"

"...Burt...okay, uh huh...wait, did you say Anaster?  As in the guy with silver hair and a Dragonair that knows Surf?  He can Mega Evolve pokemon too?  Does he also have a Key Stone?  Is he on good terms with the League or something?"

Ooh boy...if Anaster is in this tourney, this is probably gonna be tough...

"Yes, he said he got the Key Stone from the League, and he apparently has quite a collection of Mega Stones. He looked super tough with that silver hair flowing in the Safari breeze..."

"Belle!"

"Um, no, I don't think I've seen a blue Parasect."

[Iron]

"Hello. My name is Brazen. I'm on sabbatical from the League in order to train as hard as I can! I'm focusing my skills, so let's just use 2 Pokemon each. How much do you want to wager?"

You can send out your first when you've answered.

[Iron]

Spoiler

Heart nod his head. "Yeah. We ready to go. Eggs safe, and now we can continue to our epic journey though Teazel Village." Heart release Natu, who once was in the top of Heart semi-crimson/black hair. He makes himself confortable around his messy air like a nest. "Hmph. I always thought someday my head would use to be the home of a Pokemon. But not like this."

Ohhh! Cottonee suddenly awakes from the slumber she has been enjoying while being all cuddled up in her sweet Master's lap and therefor not openly visibly, it was almost like a non-verbal cue has made her jolt awake. Giving an amused ^o^♡-face to Natu the vivid fluffball floats up and takes a comfortable seat right there on Shiva's head, burying herself cozily in her hair. Shiva herself doesn't mind at all though, even enjoys this quirk of her Starter.

Now they're pals!

Cute!!

You Teleport or glide to the campsite. There are several Berry bushes growing there in 2017, so each of you can have 1 Sitrus Berry.

It sure is easier going in 2017! The Route is well-kept, and there don't seem to be any looming threats from wild Pokemon, Scimitars, or ancient traps. Maybe word hasn't spread quite yet...


A few hours later, you reach Teazel Valley! The eponymous teazel plants are everywhere near the town - big spiky plants that are currently flush with purple blooms. The most common Pokemon here is Beautifly - they flit from flower to flower along with other pollinators. A rare Vivillon is considered to be a lucky sight in Teazel Valley, and some people read fortunes in the patterns on their wings (something Shiva discovers from the Guide). 

Combee will collect double Honey here. 

The Valley is actually several shallow bowls grown together. 

One contains all the town's buildings: fresh grocers, outfitters, a cluster of battle arenas, and hostels. 

One mini-valley has been allowed to grow a little wild, and that's what you're walking through right now: small forests and lots of campsites. You even see an RV with a familiar bovine Pokemon on top...

The final shallow bowl is the biggest. Two great horns of land cradle a broad expanse of Tall Grass, native grasses, sparse trees, and many bodies of water surrounded by gentle hills. A log gate and gatehouse fills the entire gap in the horns, sealing off what must surely be the Safari Zone. 

Mist rises from the pools and gathers under the dense forests, but the rest of this region is warm sunlight! There are plenty of boulders rising up above the greensward, where reptile Pokemon soak up the heat or mammalian Pokemon nap. Nidoran, Buneary, and occasionally Azumarill dig warrens in the lee of the boulders. There are rumors of forgotten barrows and tunnels beneath the ancient valleys, so sometimes people will glimpse very strange Pokemon.

This is also the town where all sorts of high ranking League officials come to train. 
Lots of lesser trainers work to earn enough money to buy better Safari equipment.

Teazel Valley Encounters

1. Name: Camper Rudd
Cap: 1
Challenge: moderate
Bid start: 1
Prize money: Up to $3000
Notes: 3v3 battle

2. Name: Shieldmaiden Brazen
Cap: 1
Challenge: Tough
Bid start: 2
Prize Money: Up to $10,000
Notes: 2v2 battle

3. Name: Woad
Cap: 1
Challenge: Upper moderate
Bid start: 3
Prize Money: Up to $2000, gives double XP and an item
Notes: A very wild-looking man with tattoos. 6v6.


4. Name: Frappe and Ginseng
Cap: 2
Challenge: Moderate
Bid start: 1
Prize money: Up to $4000 total
Notes: Can be a double battle at your option. 
Notes: Hyperactive twins

5. Name: Mellow Mel
Cap: 1
Challenge: Easy
Bid start: 1
Prize Money: Up to $500
Notes: No fainting, no items, no condition-afflicting moves.


6. Name: Scatterbug
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: No XP
Bid start: 1

7. Name: vast Weedle and Sunkern swarm
Cap: None
Challenge: Depends on how many people and what you do with them


8. Name: Sudowoodo
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: Mild
Bid start: 1

9. Name: Chespin*
Cap: 1 (none)
Challenge: Moderate, but it doesn't want to battle.
Bid start: 2
Notes: Sits in a buckeye grove, meditating.


Safari Zone Shenanigans
-
You aren't allowed to faint Safari Zone Pokemon. You'll automatically withhold if even a crit would take them down (unless you explicitly choose to break the law)
You can only use Safari Balls to perform captures, of course.

Any Safari Zone expedition will give you trainer XP in addition to any battles.

Safari Cup
A Safari Cup occurs every Monday (tomorrow, Day 71). 
In this challenge, trainers head into the Safari Zone for 24 hours, then have a tournament using 2 mons per match. 
The entry fee is $5000, which includes permit, rental camping equipment, food, and 20 rented Safari Balls. You keep whatever you catch.
First prize is $25,000 and a rare Delta Pokemon from the Safari Zone. Second prize is $15,000 and an uncommon mon of your choice like Pinsir, Scyther, etc. Third prize is $5000 and you get to keep your rental equipment/Balls.
All participants get a Poke Doll of a random Safari Zone mon, win or lose!
If you get injured, the Rangers come save you and you're disqualified.

Ranger Camp
Speaking of Rangers, you can volunteer as a Volunteer Ranger during the Safari Cup or during any expedition. This is only $500/day to cover your supplies, and you learn valuable Survival skills. You only get 5 Safari Balls per day and you are exposed to less variety of Pokemon, because you have to perform chores or assist others.

Chansey's Outfitter Station
Three day Safari Zone trip where you get 21 Safari Balls, you're fully outfitted, and you're assigned a guide who can help you get the Pokemon you want. Also $5000, but keep in mind it's 3x as long as the Safari Cup challenge.

Items
The Safari Zone is valued for its crafting supplies, such as Stantler sheds or rare plants. All the above options come with a Gathering Permit. You can also purchase just the Gathering Permit for $250/Encounter Slot, and you have to prove you understand how not to take too much of any one plant.

Levels
There are six areas within the Safari Zone with increasingly strong wild Pokemon, but rarer stuff. You can switch Areas after any Encounter Slot, beginning your new Slot in a new area.
The Safari Zone is special in that you encounter multiple Pokemon per Encounter Slot.

Trading Post
Short on cash? You can pawn items here for half their value, then repurchase them for that same (halved) value if you catch something valuable in the Zone to build your cash reserves again.

Also it's still Encounter Slot #1 unless you are Heart, who did a Training Session.

(Before heading to the Encounter 3, lets do some RP)

Bond with Pokemon

Heart enjoy that thing about Teleportation. He now can understand why Gallade and Nathan like so much. In only a few minutes they now back in the path. He breath the air, exciting to finally continue the adventure! Before he continue however, Heart release the six pokemon currently with him: Honedge, Koa, Typhon, D-Onix and Patrat. Natu was in Heart head and Typhon wrap himself around his neck who is now his place of rest with his master. Heart pat his scale head and talk to each of his pokemons. "Welcome everyone! Finally, after such adventure though time and space, we finally have vacations after such dangerous adventures. Everyone, please greet the new member of our team Honedge! I rescue him a time ago and he is now a official member of us. Honedge, welcome to the year of 2017. You are now thousands and thousands of years after your time. In this time, pokemon and humans live together as partneers and friends, so be welcome."

Heart then finally speak once again. "Our goal didnt change my friends. We still going to train, fight against strong trainers and Gym leaders, until we are able to get stronger enough to challenge the Elite Four. They are very powerfull, so I must count with you all to get there alright? So, to better preparation for our next battle or battles, you all will be equipped with certain items." 

To Patrat Heart search his bag and find the Silk Scarf. He put around Patrat neck and make him more badass. "That Silk Scarf will increase the power of your Normal-moves. That way, Super Fang will be a lot stronger. I not give up in my mission to increase your strengh my friend." Heart then go in the direction of D-Onix and show him the Everlink Armor. "This is the Everlink Armor. A powerfull item who share the effect of the Metal Coat. Since you armor its more aerodinamic this item will be help to increase your defencive abilities." Heart give Honedege the Letlovers. "This Leftlovers gonna help you heal even during the battle. Pretty neat to pokemon who is tough like you."

For the rest of the team, Koa keep his Razor Claw to flinch even the mightiest foes, Typhon the Luck Egg to give him more experience in battles and Natu he decided to give the future sight pokemon the Amulet Coin. Just in case they get some extra money. (Reaction to this bond moment with their pokemon @Iron)

After such moment of bond, Heart meet the guy with strange tattoos. "Huh, that guy have good taste. Well, mine was literally mark with flames." Heart look to his own red tattoos in both of his arms. He aproach the guy. "Heya. Good day! You look pretty strong myself. How about a little battle? My pokemon and I is burning up for a battle. Also, nice tattoos. Its good to see another lover for tattoos along with myself."

Action: Taking Trainer Woad encounter as my choice! And perhaps a little reaction of Heart and Pokemon moment of bond maybe?

"These dark tattoos are sigils of the land. They represent my Mamo heritage, and the land of my people - everything visible from the Guardhouse Tower! Tattooed across my entire body is the history of my journey as a Pokemon Trainer. Well, I don't care about money as much as the battle, but how much are we going to wager? All contributions to my numerous victories go into preserving Mamo culture."

[Iron]

To Nathan:

I need money to go on Safari again. I've got the bug. Got it baad. Can we wager $3000? C'mon, let's battle! Please!"

[Iron]

Mellow Mel is a hippie, complete with tie-dye and long beard/hair.

"Wow. You seem like a strong trainer. I like the way you talk though, so I'll battle you. $500 alright? Or less is fine too. Heck, we don't have to wager anything if you don't want to."

Ready for first Pokemon.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Heart nod his head. "Yeah. We ready to go. Eggs safe, and now we can continue to our epic journey though Teazel Village." Heart release Natu, who once was in the top of Heart semi-crimson/black hair. He makes himself confortable around his messy air like a nest. "Hmph. I always thought someday my head would use to be the home of a Pokemon. But not like this."

Ohhh! Cottonee suddenly awakes from the slumber she has been enjoying while being all cuddled up in her sweet Master's lap and therefor not openly visibly, it was almost like a non-verbal cue has made her jolt awake. Giving an amused ^o^♡-face to Natu the vivid fluffball floats up and takes a comfortable seat right there on Shiva's head, burying herself cozily in her hair. Shiva herself doesn't mind at all though, even enjoys this quirk of her Starter.

Now they're pals!

Cute!!

You Teleport or glide to the campsite. There are several Berry bushes growing there in 2017, so each of you can have 1 Sitrus Berry.

It sure is easier going in 2017! The Route is well-kept, and there don't seem to be any looming threats from wild Pokemon, Scimitars, or ancient traps. Maybe word hasn't spread quite yet...


A few hours later, you reach Teazel Valley! The eponymous teazel plants are everywhere near the town - big spiky plants that are currently flush with purple blooms. The most common Pokemon here is Beautifly - they flit from flower to flower along with other pollinators. A rare Vivillon is considered to be a lucky sight in Teazel Valley, and some people read fortunes in the patterns on their wings (something Shiva discovers from the Guide). 

Combee will collect double Honey here. 

The Valley is actually several shallow bowls grown together. 

One contains all the town's buildings: fresh grocers, outfitters, a cluster of battle arenas, and hostels. 

One mini-valley has been allowed to grow a little wild, and that's what you're walking through right now: small forests and lots of campsites. You even see an RV with a familiar bovine Pokemon on top...

The final shallow bowl is the biggest. Two great horns of land cradle a broad expanse of Tall Grass, native grasses, sparse trees, and many bodies of water surrounded by gentle hills. A log gate and gatehouse fills the entire gap in the horns, sealing off what must surely be the Safari Zone. 

Mist rises from the pools and gathers under the dense forests, but the rest of this region is warm sunlight! There are plenty of boulders rising up above the greensward, where reptile Pokemon soak up the heat or mammalian Pokemon nap. Nidoran, Buneary, and occasionally Azumarill dig warrens in the lee of the boulders. There are rumors of forgotten barrows and tunnels beneath the ancient valleys, so sometimes people will glimpse very strange Pokemon.

This is also the town where all sorts of high ranking League officials come to train. 
Lots of lesser trainers work to earn enough money to buy better Safari equipment.

Teazel Valley Encounters

1. Name: Camper Rudd
Cap: 1
Challenge: moderate
Bid start: 1
Prize money: Up to $3000
Notes: 3v3 battle

2. Name: Shieldmaiden Brazen
Cap: 1
Challenge: Tough
Bid start: 2
Prize Money: Up to $10,000
Notes: 2v2 battle

3. Name: Woad
Cap: 1
Challenge: Upper moderate
Bid start: 3
Prize Money: Up to $2000, gives double XP and an item
Notes: A very wild-looking man with tattoos. 6v6.


4. Name: Frappe and Ginseng
Cap: 2
Challenge: Moderate
Bid start: 1
Prize money: Up to $4000 total
Notes: Can be a double battle at your option. 
Notes: Hyperactive twins

5. Name: Mellow Mel
Cap: 1
Challenge: Easy
Bid start: 1
Prize Money: Up to $500
Notes: No fainting, no items, no condition-afflicting moves.


6. Name: Scatterbug
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: No XP
Bid start: 1

7. Name: vast Weedle and Sunkern swarm
Cap: None
Challenge: Depends on how many people and what you do with them


8. Name: Sudowoodo
Cap: 1 (2)
Challenge: Mild
Bid start: 1

9. Name: Chespin*
Cap: 1 (none)
Challenge: Moderate, but it doesn't want to battle.
Bid start: 2
Notes: Sits in a buckeye grove, meditating.


Safari Zone Shenanigans
-
You aren't allowed to faint Safari Zone Pokemon. You'll automatically withhold if even a crit would take them down (unless you explicitly choose to break the law)
You can only use Safari Balls to perform captures, of course.

Any Safari Zone expedition will give you trainer XP in addition to any battles.

Safari Cup
A Safari Cup occurs every Monday (tomorrow, Day 71). 
In this challenge, trainers head into the Safari Zone for 24 hours, then have a tournament using 2 mons per match. 
The entry fee is $5000, which includes permit, rental camping equipment, food, and 20 rented Safari Balls. You keep whatever you catch.
First prize is $25,000 and a rare Delta Pokemon from the Safari Zone. Second prize is $15,000 and an uncommon mon of your choice like Pinsir, Scyther, etc. Third prize is $5000 and you get to keep your rental equipment/Balls.
All participants get a Poke Doll of a random Safari Zone mon, win or lose!
If you get injured, the Rangers come save you and you're disqualified.

Ranger Camp
Speaking of Rangers, you can volunteer as a Volunteer Ranger during the Safari Cup or during any expedition. This is only $500/day to cover your supplies, and you learn valuable Survival skills. You only get 5 Safari Balls per day and you are exposed to less variety of Pokemon, because you have to perform chores or assist others.

Chansey's Outfitter Station
Three day Safari Zone trip where you get 21 Safari Balls, you're fully outfitted, and you're assigned a guide who can help you get the Pokemon you want. Also $5000, but keep in mind it's 3x as long as the Safari Cup challenge.

Items
The Safari Zone is valued for its crafting supplies, such as Stantler sheds or rare plants. All the above options come with a Gathering Permit. You can also purchase just the Gathering Permit for $250/Encounter Slot, and you have to prove you understand how not to take too much of any one plant.

Levels
There are six areas within the Safari Zone with increasingly strong wild Pokemon, but rarer stuff. You can switch Areas after any Encounter Slot, beginning your new Slot in a new area.
The Safari Zone is special in that you encounter multiple Pokemon per Encounter Slot.

Trading Post
Short on cash? You can pawn items here for half their value, then repurchase them for that same (halved) value if you catch something valuable in the Zone to build your cash reserves again.

Also it's still Encounter Slot #1 unless you are Heart, who did a Training Session.

(Before heading to the Encounter 3, lets do some RP)

Bond with Pokemon

Heart enjoy that thing about Teleportation. He now can understand why Gallade and Nathan like so much. In only a few minutes they now back in the path. He breath the air, exciting to finally continue the adventure! Before he continue however, Heart release the six pokemon currently with him: Honedge, Koa, Typhon, D-Onix and Patrat. Natu was in Heart head and Typhon wrap himself around his neck who is now his place of rest with his master. Heart pat his scale head and talk to each of his pokemons. "Welcome everyone! Finally, after such adventure though time and space, we finally have vacations after such dangerous adventures. Everyone, please greet the new member of our team Honedge! I rescue him a time ago and he is now a official member of us. Honedge, welcome to the year of 2017. You are now thousands and thousands of years after your time. In this time, pokemon and humans live together as partneers and friends, so be welcome."

Heart then finally speak once again. "Our goal didnt change my friends. We still going to train, fight against strong trainers and Gym leaders, until we are able to get stronger enough to challenge the Elite Four. They are very powerfull, so I must count with you all to get there alright? So, to better preparation for our next battle or battles, you all will be equipped with certain items." 

To Patrat Heart search his bag and find the Silk Scarf. He put around Patrat neck and make him more badass. "That Silk Scarf will increase the power of your Normal-moves. That way, Super Fang will be a lot stronger. I not give up in my mission to increase your strengh my friend." Heart then go in the direction of D-Onix and show him the Everlink Armor. "This is the Everlink Armor. A powerfull item who share the effect of the Metal Coat. Since you armor its more aerodinamic this item will be help to increase your defencive abilities." Heart give Honedege the Letlovers. "This Leftlovers gonna help you heal even during the battle. Pretty neat to pokemon who is tough like you."

For the rest of the team, Koa keep his Razor Claw to flinch even the mightiest foes, Typhon the Luck Egg to give him more experience in battles and Natu he decided to give the future sight pokemon the Amulet Coin. Just in case they get some extra money. (Reaction to this bond moment with their pokemon @Iron)

After such moment of bond, Heart meet the guy with strange tattoos. "Huh, that guy have good taste. Well, mine was literally mark with flames." Heart look to his own red tattoos in both of his arms. He aproach the guy. "Heya. Good day! You look pretty strong myself. How about a little battle? My pokemon and I is burning up for a battle. Also, nice tattoos. Its good to see another lover for tattoos along with myself."

Action: Taking Trainer Woad encounter as my choice! And perhaps a little reaction of Heart and Pokemon moment of bond maybe?

"These dark tattoos are sigils of the land. They represent my Mamo heritage, and the land of my people - everything visible from the Guardhouse Tower! Tattooed across my entire body is the history of my journey as a Pokemon Trainer. Well, I don't care about money as much as the battle, but how much are we going to wager? All contributions to my numerous victories go into preserving Mamo culture."

"2200 seems like a fair mount to me how you think of? I just going to alert you two things: One of my Pokemon gonna be a rare Honedge I captured a little time ago. And the other...well, let's just say it's a pokemon unlike anything you might have see before."

[Iron]

"Hey Frappe, this lady has a Cottonee!"

"Bet she's on her way to Elanor, Ginny!"

"Well, we can't let her pass this way without a battle, can we?"

"Nope! C'mon, lady, let's find a nice indoor battle arena. I know a great one." She drags you away before you can have a proper conversation.

"Double battle? Cool! Twice as fast. Twice the energy. Love it. We'll play until someone has fainted 4 Pokemon. How much you wanna wager? How much you got, Frappe?"

"I have three grand."

"Well, I have one G myself, so we can take up to $4000."