[Game Thread] Pokerole: Mount Coronet Mystery

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Hah! His guess was correct, these vivid snowy pine trees were somewhat more agressive than normal exemplars. But whether it was because of Kee & Co. have entered their territory without asking first or whether it's been due to these strange happening, he doesn't know - and, if he's being honest, he couldn't care less as he just wants to not meet them again. Or, not without being armed with fire.

Towards Rowan's apology, he makes a hand gesture of 'It's no big deal'. "It's fine, it's not your fault that I'm here. But thanks for your compassion eitherway~" 'It won't bring me back though either' he half-bitterly adds only in his mind. "Uh, my name...." He adjusts his glasses. "...Kee." The Prof. too gets that trademark-glare from him that obviously says 'I dare you to ask the obvious'. "I come from Konikoni City in Alola actually. But that's not where I was....'abducted' from by the Unkown Force, that was in Virbank City, in particular the Gym." He takes a deep sip from his drink before continuing in a half-annoyed, half- agonized tone. "......Soundboard rooms normally DON'T lead you to the inner of a frost cave located several flying hours away. Ya know, good professor, I could wait and just take a ship or plane back, but that does not make sure that this misery finds and messes with me once more just because it likes my reaction, but if I CAN do something that WON'T make it find me again or - at best, and - find out what in the island's deity happened, I'll be your man."

Then he srugs indifferently. "Unless you don't want me to join in this business for given reasons, that's up to ya in the end."

Then he orders another drink! Kee, you dumbass, stop drinking.

[Dragonstrike]

Professor Rowan might be rather gruff and Intimidating at times, but he's sensitive enough to know when a topic is a sore one.  "Kee?  Well, while the circumstances could be better, the assistance will be much appreciated if you're offering it.  I take it you work in the Virbank City Gym?  Let me pull a few strings, see if I can figure out if they've noticed you're missing yet, and inform them of what happened if they haven't."

Rowan then addresses everyone.  "Well, I suppose you all have some questions for me, given I organized this whole thing.  Ask away, and I shall answer.  Kogeki and I both briefly ventured into Mt. Coronet before this all started, and Roark and I have been doing some research on that Primal Rampardos that was captured.  I have a few questions for everyone myself, but I'll refrain from asking them for now and let you all go first since you've been waiting all day for me."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Good for the good professor. Because being one wouldn't have saved him from being snarled at for asking whether his parents had a particular liking for these berries or similar unfunny things, especially with that alcohol in his blood.

He gives Rowan another 'No big deal'-gesture, then offers him his hand to take for sake of making the deal. "Good choice, professor. And yeah, I'm the technician for all the PA systems in the Gym. Aka the local technics nerd, as Roxie 'affectionately' calls me. Ahhh...." He leans back onto his chair as much as he can before he would be to fall backwards and slumbs into it, facing the super-intersting ceiling with the drink still in his hand. Octavia, having rested on his shoulder until now, leaps off from that spot and into his lap where she curls up into a sparkling blue furball, and soon she begins to breathe slowly and steadily all while purring softly. Kee absent-mindedly begins to stroke his beloved faeeveelution's back."What day is it again? I think I was assigned to do some soundchecks tonight... She's probably running riot at the moment wondering where the hell I am. She's a good person when you know her better, she really is, but she's sooo short-tempered if you get on her wrong side.....!"

Ah. In that case, Kee does have one question for the good professor: "What preparations d'ya recommed for... let's call it 'dealing with that issue'? I mean, anything special to bring along or such that'd be useful or similar. How many healing supplies to bring along and such. I hardly ever take longer trips myself, so I'm.... fairly lost on that front." He scratched the back of his and barely even faces the professor, carefully hinting that this is a weakpoint of his.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Good for the good professor. Because being one wouldn't have saved him from being snarled at for asking whether his parents had a particular liking for these berries or similar unfunny things, especially with that alcohol in his blood.

He gives Rowan another 'No big deal'-gesture, then offers him his hand to take for sake of making the deal. "Good choice, professor. And yeah, I'm the technician for all the PA systems in the Gym. Aka the local technique nerd, as Roxie 'affectionately' calls me. Ahhh...." He leans back onto his chair as much as he can before he'd fall backwards and slumbs into it, facing the super-intersting ceiling with the drink still in his hand. Octavia, having rested on his shoulder until now, leaps off from that spot and into his lap where she curls up into a sparkling blue feline, and soon she begins to breath slowly and steadily all while purring softly. He absent-mindedly begins to stroke his beloved faeeveelution's back."What day is it again? I think I was assigned to do some soundchecks tonight... She's probably running riot at the moment wondering where the hell I am. She's a good person when you know her better, she really is, but she's sooo short-tempered if you get on her wrong side.....!"

Ah. In that case, Kee does have one question for the good professor: "What preparations d'ya recommed for... let's call it 'dealing with that issue'? I mean, anything special to bring along or such that'd be useful or similar. How many healing supplies to bring along and such. I hardly ever take longer trips myself, so I'm.... fairly lost on that front." He scratched the back of his and barely even faces the professor, carefully hinting that this is a weakpoint of his.

"Today is the 6th of June.  Hard to believe with how frigid it is outside, I know, but that's just how it is this far north in Sinnoh."

Rowan shakes Kee's hand, then answers his main question in detail (sort of).  "Part of the negotiations I was doing earlier involved getting funds for supplementary supplies.  I got enough for 4 trainers, seeing as I originally recruited that many.  Seeing as the 4th person I just recruited is more than capable of obtaining their own supplies, though, I don't think he'll mind if I give his share to you, Kee.  It is only supplementary, however.  Be prepared to spend about two days on the Routes that lead to Mt. Coronet.  Scaling the mountain via the interior typically takes several days as well, as it is the largest landmark in the Sinnoh region.  Having many Potions and status healing items, particularly for Poison and Confusion, is generally recommended for long visits to cave interiors.  Having items that can defrost pokemon would also be advisable, given the large number of Ice types that live on and around the mountain.  That is just based on my own experiences climbing the mountain when it isn't out of whack, though, so be prepared for anything.  I don't know what exactly you all are going to find in there.  As such, though, having plenty of strong pokeballs would also be recommended.  If a foe is particularly tough but you've managed to weaken them, a well thrown pokeball can easily end the battle right then and there, as well as possibly reward you with a rare or powerful pokemon species."

[Lord Windos]

Rowan then addresses everyone.  "Well, I suppose you all have some questions for me, given I organized this whole thing.  Ask away, and I shall answer.  Kogeki and I both briefly ventured into Mt. Coronet before this all started, and Roark and I have been doing some research on that Primal Rampardos that was captured.  I have a few questions for everyone myself, but I'll refrain from asking them for now and let you all go first since you've been waiting all day for me."

Oh boy howdy, did Ran ever have questions for Old Fashion. Lots of pointed, heated, and extremely blunt question, to be more precise, after what he's gather from his co-workers and being forced to wait an whole sodding day for them to get up here and start FULLY explaining EVERYTHING about this blasted nightmare of a job he lured him in blind to! By Heatran's molten mastery, does he have words for them.....

But not now. Not out in front of everyone else. Those questions needed to be answered in private. Partly so as not to cause a scene this late at night, and partly because he frankly wanted to keep his new 'buddies' out of the loop here for good (in his opinion) reasons.

So with a great and valiant effort on his part, the bristly blacksmith swallow all his seething irritation that suddenly arose like a hot geyser, took a deep breath, sighed heavily, and only asked the scholarly old gentleman a few questions in a even, slight demanding tone.

"Dead on the Poke with ya guess there, Rowan. First of all, what in Heatran's name took ya so bloody fucking long to get here, and why didn't ya give us more details via our Private PCs? Is operational security so damn tight you can't squeeze a Razor Leaf through, or did ya not think to give us more of a warning that ya did? Second, define the 'little help' ya got by canoodling with the League for ages, and what was that damn meeting about in the first place. I believe we deserve to know, since it was so damn important it you had to delay us by an entire day bending everything in it your way. Third, how much is everyone getting paid? Serious, how much. Considering the sheer danger of this mystery your thrusting us all into and all the grief you caused us, we better have a paycheck big enough to give our bank tellers Whip lash. Fourth and last for now, why in whatever god you believe in's name isn't the League ain't taking care of this job of yours themselves?! With what's been happening seemingly everywhere and 'IMPENDING GLOBAL CATASTROPHE' written all over it, I'd figured our fine League would be sending out their one man and women armies scrambling to fix that shit, and not you hiring a bunch of random nobodies compared to them?! That part is what got me real confused and steamed, Rowan, so could you please enlighten me."

*Whisltes* Even when he's pulling his punches, Randolph still a course and blunt as ever. Maybe more so, even, which is an achievement in of itself!

[Dragonstrike]

Rowan gives Randolph a stern, no-nonsense look as he calmly answers those pointed remarks, not impressed at all with the blacksmith's choice of language.  "To start with, the League is trying to keep this as discreet as possible, which yes, means controlling the flow of information quite strictly.  While I don't think this is going to stay quiet for much longer, given how quickly the rumors seem to be spreading and how many areas this mural seems to be appearing in, the aim is to attempt to fix the issue before it gets any worse.  Unfortunately, League officials often tend to both draw a lot of attention and have rather busy schedules that prevent them from simply vanishing for long periods of time.  Neither is exactly a good trait if you're trying to investigate something quietly.  However, given some of the details that Kogeki uncovered during his own investigations into the issue, I decided that I needed to try to get at least one competent League official involved.  It took most of the day to convince the League that it was a good idea, but the individual in question is very much suited for the task.  And he was probably going to head to the mountain anyways to investigate on his own terms once he found an opportunity if I did not create one.  However, he is still but one trainer, and I would worry if he went off to Mt. Coronet to try and solve this issue alone.  The remainder of the meeting was mostly negotiating many of the terms and the funds for additional supplies."

"As for the matter of payment, it will likely be substantial.  Until we know the exact nature of the issue, I cannot say exactly how much you will be compensated, but know that it will certainly be scaled in accordance with the danger of the mission.  The League itself is funding that payment, whatever it may end up being."

Rowan narrows his eyes at Randolph as he rounds off the response with an even toned question of his own, well knowing that this probably isn't the end of this if Randolph gets his way.  "Do you have any other questions, Mr. Schmidt?"

[Spiritmon]

"And that's probably why we need all the need in can. Even in Tsukinami Village in Tandor feel something sinister is lurking in Mt. Coronet. Believe or not. Lord Kaito and Lady Hinata have powers and abilities only few trainers could imagine. And I have see myself. I even try to request some ninja fellow to help, but unfortunately they can't."

Kogeki then look to professor Rowan. "I suppose Shorty will come with us correct? Her Clefable could be very much useful for healing. Last time we had problems with a group of Geodude self destruct themselves."

[Dragonstrike]

Kogeki then look to professor Rowan. "I suppose Shorty will come with us correct? Her Clefable could be very much useful for healing. Last time we had problems with a group of Geodude self destruct themselves."

Rowan shakes his head.  "Unfortunately, I need Dawn to remain stationed outside the mountain, in Hearthome City.  If she sees or hears the strange occurrences are starting to spread to that side of the region more quickly, she is to inform the League immediately.  The League official I got to sign on has pokemon that are equally as capable when it comes to healing though, if not better."

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Rowan gives Randolph a stern, no-nonsense look as he calmly answers those pointed remarks, not impressed at all with the blacksmith's choice of language.  "To start with, the League is trying to keep this as discreet as possible, which yes, means controlling the flow of information quite strictly.  While I don't think this is going to stay quiet for much longer, given how quickly the rumors seem to be spreading and how many areas this mural seems to be appearing in, the aim is to attempt to fix the issue before it gets any worse.  Unfortunately, League officials often tend to both draw a lot of attention and have rather busy schedules that prevent them from simply vanishing for long periods of time.  Neither is exactly a good trait if you're trying to investigate something quietly.  However, given some of the details that Kogeki uncovered during his own investigations into the issue, I decided that I needed to try to get at least one competent League official involved.  It took most of the day to convince the League that it was a good idea, but the individual in question is very much suited for the task.  And he was probably going to head to the mountain anyways to investigate on his own terms once he found an opportunity if I did not create one.  However, he is still but one trainer, and I would worry if he went off to Mt. Coronet to try and solve this issue alone.  The remainder of the meeting was mostly negotiating many of the terms and the funds for additional supplies."

"As for the matter of payment, it will likely be substantial.  Until we know the exact nature of the issue, I cannot say exactly how much you will be compensated, but know that it will certainly be scaled in accordance with the danger of the mission.  The League itself is funding that payment, whatever it may end up being."

Rowan narrows his eyes at Randolph as he rounds off the response with an even toned question of his own, well knowing that this probably isn't the end of this if Randolph gets his way.  "Do you have any other questions, Mr. Schmidt?"

Ran, being the right bastard he is, was in no way, shape, or form phased by the good old professor own serious demeanor and sternly phrased question, returning their narrow stare with his own sharp and beady version as he turn over in his head what they said at every conceivable to get at aaalllll the Knowledge out of it he could. A few seconds later, he gruffly and cooly replied back to them, his irritation plan to see by the frown on his face.

"Details, Old Fashion. De-tails. What info about this spooky (in the spy/fed sense of the word), supernatural and suicidal job you reeled most of us into have you've been holding out on us so far. If its so damn important to keep a lid of it, they're tons of nice private rooms in the Center where you can spill your guts all you want, and not a bit will come out of them. Heck, write it down and show us with the lights dimmed and blinders all around it, as you can't get more discrete than that, Rowan. Can even burn the 'evidence' afterwards too, so it would be a problem after we've finished updating ourselves. From what I've gathered, we're putting our necks on the line to solve this huge mess of a problem 'cause League ain't capable of doing Tarous shit, due to being swathed in red tape and wringing their hands at the panic they'd cause if they went loud on their investigation, so we damn well deserve to know EVERYTHING about the hell we're going to march straight into. So out with it already, and quit it with the Evasions and nice speak."

"Oh, and while you're at it, how about educating us as to just who else ya managed to rope in to this 'undercover operation' of yours, and what exactly sort of aid you've scrounged up by spin docking the League like no-one's business. That be nice too. Please."

Oh boy.....this is starting to get ugly.

[Dragonstrike]

Rowan isn't exactly the type to let people off easy either.  "I am not a man to be trifled with, Mr. Schmidt.  Cool that burner of yours, or you will get no more answers from me.  If I knew more exactly about what was going on, then there wouldn't be any need for this cloak and dagger in the first place.  All that is known right now is what Kogeki has informed you about already, and whatever else you may have discovered in the meantime.  In addition, one of the terms that was settled on before the fourth member of this party was approved by the League was that their identity remain anonymous until they are able to properly join us, for the reasons I have already stated concerning public appearances.  My sincere apologies if that isn't enough information for you, Mr. Schmidt, but it is what it is.  If you have any constructive input of your own that might help shed some light on these matters at hand, I am all ears.  Otherwise, if you are going to continue to imply that I am not doing my job properly, then I will have to kindly ask you to keep any further questions and statements to yourself for the time being."

Rowan is not the type of person who stoops to using more vulgar terms to get his points across, and when he's actually trying to be, he can be downright Intimidating.  He doesn't need anything but that 'nice speak' most of the time.

Rowan's Intimidate: 12 D6
(6)(5)(5)(3)(3)(6)(6)(5)(6)(5)(3)(2) 8 successes!!!

That's more successes than Randolph's current Will Score, by the way.  Randolph may be a scary dude just because of his personality, but Rowan has decades more experience and finesse in this Specialty than Randolph does.  With the simplest of statements, Rowan can convey exactly how disappointed he is in an individual's choice of wording or action.  Even the Snowpoint Nurse Joy's Intimidation pales in comparison.

Randolph thinks it'd probably be a good idea to not test Rowan further.  How he responds to that thought is up to the player, of course...(but I reeeeaaalllly wouldn't recommend provoking Professor Rowan, for a variety of reasons)