[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

You step through the tree and find yourself, with Angela and Wigglytuff and a comatose Spinarak she's holding, in a boggy portion of the Nature Preserve. A bunch of Gloom waddle up, sniffing around for any traces of Sunstone dust. Angela throws the Spinarak at them. "Hey, if you buggers are going to evolve you're going to become Vileplume, alright? We don't want this place turning into sugary sweet Elanor 2."

Behind you is a similar Dragon Fig with a dull rune on it. Angela sees you looking. "A Mamo elder once told me the two trees are part of the same tree. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but it is true that figs can have a great many trunks that are not seedlings of the tree, nor even clones of it, but part of the same contiguous whole."

"I saw a whole bunch of trees on the way to Elanor that were all actually just one giant organism.  I can believe two trees across the region are part of the same tree."

Nathan looks around.  "...so...we're smack dab in the middle of the Nature Preserve now, huh?  Hmmm...I wonder how close we are...not really any time to search today, though..."

Any notable features around besides the tree?  Can Gallade and/or Calam feel any hints of the general direction the FLY HM might be in now that we're here?  Probably not going to look for it now since there's so much to do in Elanor, but any clues are good clues when you have so little information to go off of.

[Iron]

Calam senses something dangerous to the northeast, but there's no way to tell if it's anything relevant. It's out of Gallade's range.

[Dragonstrike]

Calam senses something dangerous to the northeast, but there's no way to tell if it's anything relevant. It's out of Gallade's range.

Alright then...well, Gallade's turn to see if he can open the tree shortcut, then!  Can he do it with a Lucky Chant?

[Iron]

Calam senses something dangerous to the northeast, but there's no way to tell if it's anything relevant. It's out of Gallade's range.

Alright then...well, Gallade's turn to see if he can open the tree shortcut, then!  Can he do it with a Lucky Chant?

Yeah, it works when Gallade does it at least!

[Dragonstrike]

Yeah, it works when Gallade does it at least!

Perfect!  Back to Elanor we go, then!  "Thanks for the tip, Angela!"

Alright, so, next thing on the list of things to do: Nathan's seen the message from Shiva by now concerning Juni's pokemon being up for adoption now, and he knows there's some Move Tutors in the area, so he's going to (discreetly) ask Dagny about getting some Almanac sourced funds.

Any chance I could get some cash from our benefactor, Dagny?  Finding myself a little short on funds for doing the things I need to at the moment.

Nathan has no problem with Dagny sourcing as much funding as she thinks she can safely get away with ;P.

[Iron]

Yeah, it works when Gallade does it at least!

Perfect!  Back to Elanor we go, then!  "Thanks for the tip, Angela!"

Alright, so, next thing on the list of things to do: Nathan's seen the message from Shiva by now concerning Juni's pokemon being up for adoption now, and he knows there's some Move Tutors in the area, so he's going to (discreetly) ask Dagny about getting some Almanac sourced funds.

Any chance I could get some cash from our benefactor, Dagny?  Finding myself a little short on funds for doing the things I need to at the moment.

Nathan has no problem with Dagny sourcing as much funding as she thinks she can safely get away with ;P.

She doesn't ask any questions but just wires you $6000.

[Lord Windos]

++ Small Flashback to the Glorious Grove, mostly because you asked for it, @Lord Windos. Enjoy~ ++

Spoiler

As Terra steps forward and asks the noble Primal Lurantis for a FIGHT of all things, Shiva almost fell off Tropius' back (almost) in suprise. Instantly her head snaps towards the mountain of a man as she gives him a long STAAAAARE full of startle, suprise, and , well, even shock, it's a miracle how her neck didn't break from such a sudden movement and how her look doesn't turn Terra into stone.

Her face seems frozen in a frightened expression, and she seems half-willing to jump in and ask him whether he REALLY wishes to do that, as it's obvious that the chance to win are near zero. Yes, she doesn't - she doesn't intervene due to Terra's words of how he desires to 'see if he can perform his duty to his friends in the future'. These words thaw her and all faintly make her smile, it's very neat to hear how serious he is about his given task, SO serious that he's even willing to challenge this noble gaurdian of the grove.

It's also a pleasant sight for her how Primal Lurantis doesn't give Themselves opposed of the idea even!~ Shiva shyly coughs and makes haste to approach Terra and the orchid mantis. "Ehm, is it alright for you two if I watch your fight? Please? I, well would like to witness your strength oh noble Mantis, and see how you handle it, Terra. Maybe I can learn something even!" Assuming they agree, Shiva and all her Grass Types will serve as audience, there's lots of 'ooooohhh'ing and 'awwww'ing from her at the display of the Plot Deviced Moves.

Once the friendly fight concludes, she claps for both challengers. For Primal Lurantis, Shiva gives a deep full-body bow. "Allow me to express how amazed I am over your power, you are surely something very special. I'm happy that this grove has you as its caretaker and leader." For Terra, Shiva has a good pat onto his shoulder. "That was a very brave action of yours, you did so well! I'm sorry that you lost... But, you can be proud of yourself for even trying in the first place."


++ With that the flashback ends, next post is in the making already. ++

Dragonstrike*Flashback!*

Nathan just quietly sighs when Terra challenges Lurantis.  He doesn't have much to say about the challenge, just watches it from the sidelines.

He does make sure to treat that Lethal damage before leaving the grove, because they don't need any questions from Nurse Joy about why the heck two-thirds of Terra's team are suffering from mortal wounds.

"...do you better understand what we're up against now, Terra?  Legends aren't pokemon that you can just challenge and expect to beat.  They don't all have the same weaknesses, and defeating them 1 on 1 is incredibly difficult, if not outright impossible, and they can easily KO and kill most pokemon in only a few hits.  You can't protect anyone if you're dead.  That goes for you and your brave and loyal pokemon.  Please don't put yourselves in unnecessary danger, alright?  Your lives are just as valuable as anyone else's is." (@Lord Windos)

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

*Flashback!*

The steely brawler was not paying too much attention to his friends as he challenged Primal Lurantis (As he was utterly focused on her) but Shiranui was, and he nearly rushed over to Shiva's side when she floundered and nearly hurt herself from his blood brother's declaration. Back and neck injuries were a right nuicense and Pain to deal with, and he didn't want the miss to suffer it because of a little shock! That would be horrible! Her subsequent eagerness to witness their titanic Fight brought a big grin to his face, and he gave her a his version of a thumbs up! Now THAT was something he could get behind!!

Nathan's *Sigh* didn't go unmissed by the sumo wrestler either, earning the boy a raised eyebrow and half frown from him, before shrugging it off and joining his brother. Their lack of enthusiasm and support was one part disconcerting, another part discouraging, and the slightest bit disheartening, but he didn't let it get him down or hold it against them. He had a good enough grasp on why they didn't have much in the way of positivity for the upcoming Fight, and he was eagerly looking forward to it despite the high likely hood of him getting utterly pasted (maybe in part because of it, in part), so their reaction was something he could easily accept. Still.....could have been a tad bit more discrete about it, but since Terra didn't hear them it didn't matter as much.

Terra's own reaction to Shiva's request was one of slight surprise , before he quickly and easily nodded back to her. He didn't mind an audience, and if his confrontation with the Pink 'n Powerful Plant could be a good lesson for his friends, he was more than willing to share it! Plus, he didn't mind putting on a show at all!

Post battle, his mood improved when Nathan came over to help patch up his partners and offered him a smile + nod of thanks.....before both were erased by what they had to say. Immediately his expression became stony as he frowned and mulled over the young intellectual's advise.....before slowly shaking his head.

".....Yes. But I will not stop trying. Must become strong enough to protect you and everyone else. From Anything, with everything. Even the Legends.....even with my life. *Shakes head* Won't.....throw it away, or.....risk it without good reason. If have to......lay it down for my friends, though......I will. It is my duty.....and what I want to do. My life is important.....but you and my friends are worth more."

Well, that's not the answer the boy wanted out of Terra, in all likelihood. But it was the honest one.

Shiva's own congratulations (its up to you if she heard his response to Nathan, Phantom) managed to break his solumnity an bring a small smile back to his face, and he reached up and gave her a gentle head pat in gratitude.
"Thank you, Shiva. Will get better, and become stronger. Strong enough to beat the Legends. Not there yet.....but happy I can be a challenge to them."

And that should wrap up things up nicely, so....

*Flashback End!*

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Your journey concludes while watching the legendary sunsets of Elanor Town, the last part of Creshire to see the sinking sun. Their legends say it retires each night to the mines, where it leaves some of its light underground for us to find.

It's pretty late when you reach Elanor after that Encounter. Though the sky is dark, you can see lots of stars... and one bright comet, bright as the moon.

The residents of Elanor have each taken tiny shards of Petalglass and other elemental glasses and secured them over their doorways, so the town glitters even at night. The Pokemon Center is decorated with a mosaic of Fireglass, and the little PokeMart is decorated with seaglass. The center of the PokeMart Pokeball symbol, though, is a radiant Sunstone.


It is now Day 77

Elanor is a quaint little town, with its own distinct architectural style. There are lots of gables and turrets and terraces, windows that open wide and rooftops lined with gardens. The little yellow flowers grow in each rich green yard, and all motor vehicles are required to detour north of Elanor (where the mines are).

Sunstones are available for purchase here!!! They cost $3000.
Sunny Day TM is available for $2000, and Solar Beam is $3500.
There are also Move Tutors available!

You can also tour the mines, which are always hiring. There's also a tiny Pokeball factory, served by all the MSC around here. Both are hidden behind a screen of dense trees and bushes, blocking the noise and visuals.

Battles aren't super common here, and most trainers are very practical. They don't go in for the sport much, but the mines and the wilderness require a certain amount of protection.


Dagny texts to say the permit will be ready tomorrow. She'll send it to Nathan's PC.

Just as everyone enters the Pokemon Center and books rooms for the night, Terra walks over to Shiva and clasps them on the shoulder with a firm and serious expression.

"Time for us to talk, Shiva. In your room, mine, or some place private."

Haven't forgotten about that conversation that's supposed to happen, nope! It'll be conducted via PM from here on, though, so no worries about it clogging up the Game Thread and wasting time!

*On the Morn of Day 77*

After getting up bright and early and doing his morning workout routine, followed with a shower, the mountain of a man set about to getting his day started!:

- First, he puts his Dragalge for sale for $12000 Poke, as you said its value would be outside of Tezeal Valley! Link: https://pokemonuranium.co/forum/showthre...e#pid57993
- Puts his three remaining Vileplume up for sale, preferably for Poke! Since they're flowers, they should be somewhat popular in Elanor, even if they smell!
- Purchase a Super Potion and Max Potion for $3100 Poke! Got to keep my medical supplies topped off!
- Explore Elanor a little bit, and see if he can learn anything about town itself, as well as the Gym. See if he can find a collector of rare Pokedolls too, since he's still hanging onto the Monkey ones he got!

Once that is done....

Spoiler

(...)

Fire Breather Bel can teach these moves to any Pokemon with a proper mouth and jaw:
-Dragonbreath, $1500
-Ember, free
-Frost Breath, $1750

Howl's Apprentice can tutor these moves to eligible Pokemon if it's on their ? or level up movelists, including if it's on the movelist of pre-evolutions.
-Foul Play, $1500
-Barrier, $1750
-Role Play, free

And Sid is here, skating around town! He can teach these moves to eligible Pokemon:
-Aqua Jet, free
-Bullet Punch, free
-Extreme Speed, free
-Ice Shard, free
-Vacuum Wave, free
-Can change a Flying Type's ability to Gale Wings if you beat him in a 1v1 battle

Remember these use the Core Book and not Bulbapedia.

.....He heads off to the Move Tutors he's heard about, as the opportunity to teach his partners techniques they normally couldn't learn was too good to pass up!

First things first, he goes to Sid and gets Shiranui and Anubi taught Bullet Punch and Vacuum Wave, respectively. Now they both have STAB Priority Moves now (Well, pseudo, in the sumo wrestler's case)! Could Anubi also learn Extreme Speed from him, since its a Move on his Level Up list in the Corebook, or is that a Move he has to put XP into to learn?

Concerning Firebreather Bel, could Lapis Lazuli, Melly the Manetric, Angie, Genie, Pixie the Mawile, Edmundi the Bastiodon, Posei the Politoad, and Seismitoad learn Frost Breath? Not saying I would teach them all the Move right now - Mainly, I want Lapis, Melly, Pixie, and Edmundi to learn it now, if possible - but it would be nice to know for future reference!

Spoiler

(...)

But before that Shiva goes and finds Terra, wherever the mountain of a man currently dwells. She has Gloom, Cottonee and also Flabebe and Minicorn by her side, visible for everyone actually, and a hot coffee-to-go in her hand, and she seems uncommonly over-excited. "Terrrraaaaa, good morning! I, ehm, hope you've slept well. Look, the Eggs given to me by Noble Arcanine have hatched!!! And this town is so beautiful ♡, what is your first impression? All the flowers, the sunset, the.... oh." She instantly blushes a bit and looks away at the super-interesting floor. "I'm sorry, I, ehm, ...got distracted. Hehe... Ah, what I wanted to say or rather ask, could you, would you...maybe accompany me to the Sunstone Mines, please? Like, now, in a few minutes? I've been told this place provides some threaths you better take seriously, and rare and strong Pokemon dwell there. I just feel better if you as a strong fighter and natural surviver comes along, you see...?


--------------------
(I am ready to get started on that together, @Lord Windos [another tagg, sorry for that]. Unless under those circumstances you rather would like to not come along? That'd be okay if you'd explain to me why, as we actually already agreed on that and I looked forward to do that with you. Oh, and it's perfectly fine to me if you'd like to trade/sell some of your caught Pokemon first, I'm in no hurry. Take your time to start your chara's day properly.)

(I'll edit my Quickpage to the party Shiva will bring along to the mines after Windos' input.)

Once he's worked his way through town, he return to the Pokemon Center to grab himself some breakfast for himself and his Pokemon. Shiva would find him with Shiranui and Anubi at a table in the Lobby, all of them eating a bowl of oatmeal with various fruits and spice mixed in it. The sumo wrestler is the first one to notice her approach, what with his Fighting instincts and finely honed senses picking up the cadre of Fairies clinging to her side (Though he appears wholely unbothered by that), and nudges his partner to get their attention and point at her. This prompts the mountain of a man to faintly smile and nod to her as she approached, appearing rather chipper for a man stoic as he typically is. Guess whatever he discussed with Shiva last night didn't sour things between him and her....or at least on his end!

"Good morning, Shiva. Slept good. Elanor is a nice. Nature and......civilization in.......balance here. Unique, and special. Both come together well here. Flowers are very pretty too. *At the mention of Arcanine's Egg's Hatching* Hm? These are the hatchlings? Hm......*Smiles* look cute, and very happy to be with you. Know you will take good care of them, *Nods*"

He then pulls out some marshmallows and offers them to all of the Fairy lady's Pokemon, as that was the friendly thing to be done! However, given that Terra now is in part Steel due to Jirachi's blessing (and Anubi is out by his side, looking at his former Evo's Type Bane with faint speculation) and he looks about as cuddly and approachable as a drunk and angry Sharpedo (All that raw Intimidation can be a double edge sword, don't-cha know!), would the fae creatures and noxious Gloom even want to get near him, let alone accepts his treats?

When the mystical lass ask for his aid in spelunking the local Sun Stone Mines, in an instant the sagely monk straightens up and give a decisive nod of his head, his expression just plain serious.

"Understood. Will be there for you, and keep you safe. Promised to do that.....and because I want to help you, so I will. That is that. Need to change party first, though."

Saying that, Terra walks over to the PC and changes his party up to the following line up: Yogi the Medicham, Lapis Lazuil, Genie, Shiny Diggersby, Posei, and Melly. He wants to let most of the partner he pitted against Primal Lurantis to take it easy for now, as fighting a Legend is a rather grueling experience as it turns out! Not having Angie to help dig with....well, Dig was regrettable, but between his lucky lagomorph, mischievous dragoness (Who'd he have to keep extra careful watch on, with Shiva around....), his Psychic Fighter, and all his ROCK SMASHERS (for emergencies or when he and Shiva are in private), excavating the cave would be no trouble. Besides, its not likely his gargantuan Dragon and everyone else could squeeze into the mines without her keeping below ground, anyway. Having Lapis in operate in there comfortably alone would be worrisome enough too, so no need to compound that any!

That done, he's ready to head over to the mines and getting a prospecting! Let our charas strike it rich, or at least not bury themselves alive!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Yes! Follow me, Azumarill!"

Sid tosses Azumarill a pair of rollerblades. They resize themselves to fit on the Pokemon in a flash of data. The two go skating off at higher and higher speed and just when you stop being able to see them, Azumarill starts leaving a wet trail.

They return to you. "Ok, Azumarill! Use Aquajet, on me!" Azumarill giggles and complies, attacking very quickly as Sid slides out of the way.

"Good job. You're ready! That was fun!"

Yaaay. Shiva watches with joy and excitement, soon everything within her head threathens to spin around from the sheer speed her blue fae rabbit and young skater display. She isn't super-acquainted with Sid, but that doesn't prevent her from being impressed by his skills.

Once they've mastered the move, Shiva will envelop Azu in a fond hug. "That was fun to watch, too, thanks! I will use this move well. Ah, and how's that Beartic I've traded to you doing, fine? ^_^ "

(Oh, I've spotted one more possibility: ) Before Sid leaves again, Shiva's quick to hold him back...somehow. "Ah, please wait a moment, I've got one more thing to ask you!" In an instant, a big and ancient-looking Pokemon with fine white fur that features some spots of brown Eevee-fur here and there appears: It's Primal Glaceon. He takes a proud stance upon being summoned. "This is a very special and unique Pokemon, it's not found anymore in the wild unfortunately. He already knows how to use Icy Wind, but could you possibly help him learning how to flash-freeze some ice to hurl it at an opponent before they know what's happening? Please!"

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(...) He then pulls out some marshmallows and offers them to all of the Fairy lady's Pokemon, as that was the friendly thing to be done! However, given that Terra now is in part Steel due to Jirachi's blessing (and Anubi is out by his side, looking at his former Evo's Type Bane with faint speculation) and he looks about as cuddly and approachable as a drunk and angry Sharpedo (All that raw Intimidation can be a double edge sword, don't-cha know!), would the fae creatures and noxious Gloom even want to get near him, let alone accepts his treats? (...)

I don't know, do Minicorn and Flabebe accept the treats from Terra, @Iron? Fairy Types love sweets but Steel Type is scary, the gentle unicorn can defend herself with Flamethrower though, and how Shiva herself isn't afraid of the intimidating mountain of a man likely rubs off to her Pokemon to a degree. I'll leave their reaction to you.


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


Terra's definite agreement to come along to the Sunstone Mines brought a joyous expression of complete purity to Shiva's face. "Thank you, thank you! Oh, ehm, yes, of course you can change your party before we head off! You go first, and afterwards I will do that as well in order to be prepared for everything."

Shiva's party will be the following:

Spoiler

- Cottonee
- Delphox
- Gloom
- Primal Glaceon
- Minicorn aka Ophelia
- Flabebe aka Fuchsia
+ Cherubi Egg and Tiny Finneon that don't take a Slot

Shiva can't bring it over herself to box the new hatchlings, and surviving a dangerous situation together feels like a fine way to bond to them. Primal Glaceon comes to the mines full of Sunstones + their dust and shards because of his very adaptable nature, an Espeon evolves by Happiness and sunlight. The natural fae enthusiast feels/I hope that bringing him along will add to him developing the precognitive powers this Psychic Eeveelution is known for. He is currently at 4 Happiness.

Yay for Genie being with Terra and him bringing along enough Pokemon knowing Rock Smash just in case.


With that, the two head off to find Foremaster Fortescue, Shiva attempts to give herself as confident and big as she can do as she speaks up to him with a clear voice. "Hello and good morning! Shiva is my name, and this here is Terra *waves to him*. I aim to explore the Sunstone Mines, and I have been told that one can be hired as a bodyguard by you as the best way to do so. Please accept us to come along to your mining for a bit!"

Shiva is wearing her warm and tough Ranger's cloak and her messy hair is tied back for expediency's sake. Cottonee thrones on her head and is suuuuper-excited~, Gloom in Shiva's arms wiggles with joy. Primal Glaceon is by Shiva side and will stay out of his Ball the whole time.


---------------------------
Mechanics:
Ready to start with the Sunstone Mine Excursion as first Encounter of the Day!~ I've been looking forward to do that for so long.