[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

The Scimitars come back with armfuls of items. They dump a bunch of treasure at your feet, enough for each of you to have an additional $7,500. "This is for you if you don't ask what we found. We won't be taking questions at this time."

"But good news! We're extremely close to the Helm's presumed location!"

...uh, okay.  It doesn't stop Nathan from thinking the question, though...that's a lot of money...not nearly as much as what the group found being guarded by that Dark Shellder, but...

What kind of emotion is Gallade able to sense from Kelda specifically at this point in time, out of curiosity?

Definitely a bit of shame whenever she ought to be making eye contact with Nathan. But lots of stubborn righteousness, too.

[Mikaruge108]

After Spira packs up the cash; "Y'know, this feels a lot like hush money or something like that..." he shrugs, "Not that I'm one to turn down free money." He coolly addresses Cosh, "Just how close? Don't know how much more of these damned ruins I can take."

[Iron]

After Spira packs up the cash; "Y'know, this feels a lot like hush money or something like that..." he shrugs, "Not that I'm one to turn down free money." He coolly addresses Cosh, "Just how close? Don't know how much more of these damned ruins I can take."

"If we make a run for it, we shouldn't even have to battle any more Pokemon. You'll notice the Pokemon crawling on that fortress in the distance. Many of them have moved off to investigate the commotions we've caused, especially what we just did. If the Helm is in there, as I suspect, that's it! We can leave. If not, maybe there'll be a clue in there, but I couldn't possibly predict how close."

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"...I said I'll be fine, Angie.  Gallade's not worried, okay?  Don't stress yourself over this."

Indeed, Gallade's simply standing off to the side, coolly observing their surroundings with his empathy, keeping an eye out for danger.

Contrary to Nathan's wishes, his repeated reassurances does little to assunge the supreme seraphic serpent's worries, and in fact causes her to grow more dispondent over her friend and her seeming inability to help him. Why are trying to hide their problems from her, and keep pushing herself away? All she wants to do is cheer him up and be there for the boy, but he's just not going to let that happen? Why? Why?

Her expression drops like Snorlax off a cliff and her whiskers droop, before she morosely retreats from Drake Nate, returning once more to the 'sky' but now looking remarkably dour for the normally Serene or cheerful dragoness.

Quote Iron: ' The Scimitars come back with armfuls of items. They dump a bunch of treasure at your feet, enough for each of you to have an additional $7,500. "This is for you if you don't ask what we found. We won't be taking questions at this time." 

"But good news! We're extremely close to the Helm's presumed location!" ' 

Unlike the rest of the group, Terra greets the magitech wizards with a smile and open arms, accepting the loot they provided without qualm. "Thank you. Glad to see you are okay."

The news they offered also gets them a smile, before his expression firms up and turns serious as he nods again. "Good. Let us go and collect it, then. Will be right behind you."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Hahaha!!!~ The sound of the Steel Ball confirming a successful catch is like the sweetest melody for Shiva. This not only adds another fairy to her small collection of Pokemon but also another Prankster-mon, hooray. (It's the only Ability for a Klefki that's not a hidden one, so I'll just assume it sports that one)

As soon as her victorious laughter petters out a little, she picks up the Steel Ball to take a closer look at her newest catch: She's somewhat disappointed that all the keys ot was holding on disappeared, heaven knows what doors they could lock or unlock. But that also means they can start a new collection together, yay!~ That moveset is something to be seen as well; not bad, not bad at all. Lacks a Steel move though. Admiring them for a little, Shiva sends smol, cute and clever Klefki to her PC for now.

Just to know for sure, @Iron, this IS indeed a shiny exemplar, isn't it?

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Fighting Horde Round 2

Wide Guard 1 from Hitmontop
(1)(4)(1)(5)(6)(3) (1)(2)

Wide Guard 1 from Doublade
(1)(2)(5)(5)(5)(3) (2)(5)(5)(3)(3)

Gustav is awesome because his attacks can get through Wide Guard.

Muddy Water 1
(6)(2)(3)(6)(4)(2) (5)(6)(1)(3) Critical
(4)(6)(5)(3) All foes take 3 dmg Conkeldurr 2/10hp. Everyone else has accrued 6 dmg (they have 8 or 9 hp).
CD: (2)(5)(4)

These fighters have had experience with Ghost types before, so they're focusing on Gustav.

Close Combat 1
(3)(3)(1)(4)(2)(2)
(3)(1)(4) Gustav takes 1 dmg, mostly protected via Wide Guard.

Seismic Toss 1A-B
(4)(2)(2)(6)(2)(2)
(4)(2)(6)(3)(4)(1)

(5)(5)(5)(5)(5) Beautiful
(3)(4)(3)(1)(1) This Machamp sucks though. Gustav takes 5 dmg as the Machamp tag team him and fling him to the floor over and over again, once with each strong arm. whumpwhumpwhumpwhump whump. Heart heals the worst of the damage with a Potion, so Gustav is only down 2hp right now.

Hammer Arm 1
Conkeldurr has taken one of the Machamp's nunchucks and is swinging at Clawitzer, though he gets a bit tangled up in the process.
(6)(1)(2)(2)
(1)(1)(2)(4) It does no damage, but it does cause -1 Dex for Conkeldurr.

Two Wide Guards, I'll roll these later if it makes a difference.

Muddy Water 2
(1)(2)(5)(5)(4)(4) (3)(5) Critical
(4)(2)(5)(5) That's enough damage to faint the last of the foes as Gustav's immense summoned wave. Conkeldurr's concrete mutations slowwwwly retreat back to their original shapes, as if they're made of rubber putty. The ground is littered with the massive unconscious bodies of Fighting types descended from Sarimanok's shock troops.

That fight was worth 20XP, and amidst their possessions you find an Iron capable of granting a +1 defense surprise. They also have $12,000 worth of gold which they use as weight in their training.

[Iron]

Hahaha!!!~ The sound of the Steel Ball confirming a successful catch is like the sweetest melody for Shiva. This not only adds another fairy to her small collection of Pokemon but also another Prankster-mon, hooray. (It's the only Ability for a Klefki that's not a hidden one, so I'll just assume it sports that one)

As soon as her victorious laughter petters out a little, she picks up the Steel Ball to take a closer look at her newest catch: She's somewhat disappointed that all the keys ot was holding on disappeared, heaven knows what doors they could lock or unlock. But that also means they can start a new collection together, yay!~ That moveset is something to be seen as well; not bad, not bad at all. Lacks a Steel move though. Admiring them for a little, Shiva sends smol, cute and clever Klefki to her PC for now.

Just to know for sure, @Iron, this IS indeed a shiny exemplar, isn't it?

Oh yeah, forgot to say that. It is Shiny.

[Iron]

Spoiler

Fighting Horde Round 2

Wide Guard 1 from Hitmontop
(1)(4)(1)(5)(6)(3) (1)(2)

Wide Guard 1 from Doublade
(1)(2)(5)(5)(5)(3) (2)(5)(5)(3)(3)

Gustav is awesome because his attacks can get through Wide Guard.

Muddy Water 1
(6)(2)(3)(6)(4)(2) (5)(6)(1)(3) Critical
(4)(6)(5)(3) All foes take 3 dmg Conkeldurr 2/10hp. Everyone else has accrued 6 dmg (they have 8 or 9 hp).
CD: (2)(5)(4)

These fighters have had experience with Ghost types before, so they're focusing on Gustav.

Close Combat 1
(3)(3)(1)(4)(2)(2)
(3)(1)(4) Gustav takes 1 dmg, mostly protected via Wide Guard.

Seismic Toss 1A-B
(4)(2)(2)(6)(2)(2)
(4)(2)(6)(3)(4)(1)

(5)(5)(5)(5)(5) Beautiful
(3)(4)(3)(1)(1) This Machamp sucks though. Gustav takes 5 dmg as the Machamp tag team him and fling him to the floor over and over again, once with each strong arm. whumpwhumpwhumpwhump whump. Heart heals the worst of the damage with a Potion, so Gustav is only down 2hp right now.

Hammer Arm 1
Conkeldurr has taken one of the Machamp's nunchucks and is swinging at Clawitzer, though he gets a bit tangled up in the process.
(6)(1)(2)(2)
(1)(1)(2)(4) It does no damage, but it does cause -1 Dex for Conkeldurr.

Two Wide Guards, I'll roll these later if it makes a difference.

Muddy Water 2
(1)(2)(5)(5)(4)(4) (3)(5) Critical
(4)(2)(5)(5) That's enough damage to faint the last of the foes as Gustav's immense summoned wave. Conkeldurr's concrete mutations slowwwwly retreat back to their original shapes, as if they're made of rubber putty. The ground is littered with the massive unconscious bodies of Fighting types descended from Sarimanok's shock troops.

That fight was worth 20XP, and amidst their possessions you find an Iron capable of granting a +1 defense surprise. They also have $12,000 worth of gold which they use as weight in their training.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

++ At some point Shiva takes the time to listen Heart out, it doesn't necessarily have to occur before he runs into the Fighting Horde and she goes to follow a believed Klefki. Anytime is fine, flashback/flashforward!~ ++


She patiently lets him vent, feeling a little flattered that he came to her to unburden his for heavy heart, yes she has been feeling that something's weighting the PUNisher down rather distinctively, and connected this and that thunderstorm of negative emotions he's radiating with the Ancient Sword. Said thunderstorm makes her keep a little distance to Heart because it's so strong, it's almost suffocating for someone as empathic as her.

(...) Heart then took a breath a begin to tell the whole thing. "Its...about Nathan. But I think its more serious this time. About this...Sword thing. Why he was the one to grab the sword? He never pass though the same ordeals that I have. Or see anyone he ever know die before his own very eyes like I was. Why he was the one to have the right in wield such sword? I deserve way more than him in wield it. He is not worth, and I deserve way more than him. I cant...simple accept him as Leader. He doesnt have what it takes to be Leader, or the weight of responsability like me had with the rebuild of my clan."

For some reason, Shiva's not suprised that it's about issues he's having with the young historian. She holds back a small sigh as at the moment she's actually not so up to talk about him, but woe her to refuse someone of the group wishing to speak with her about tricky stuff and personal issues. She discreetly makes sure that Nathan himself doesn't pick up on what Heart tells as that'd be plain mean AND she'd immediately stop Heart if he were to call Nathan names as that's REALLY not appreciated nor tolerated by her. He thankfully didn't, yay!

When she replies, she has a frowning expression and feels like having to ground Heart a little. "Heart, don't you think you, well.... are giving that Sword a little too much significance than needed? Like, none said that it will make you a leader. It may be assumed that it can do so, it may be an old and frequently-used symbol of leadership, it may be our key to actually harm Deoxys, but BY NO MEANS is becoming the wielder of this precious Artifact is equal or directly tied with becoming a leader. Someone wanting or striving to become one needs some characteristic traits and build up some authority towards others, just owning a very special ancient sword won't automatically crown you into the new leader. Do you understand...?" She pauses a little to let Heart progress this. "That's just...my view though... But you see, in the nearly three months we're adventuring now, did we ever need someone to lead us? ...No, we didn't. I actually prefer to think we're all equally important, none of us weighs more than the other. We all have done great things! And, look, did Nathan ASK you or us to see him as the Leader, does he act like he's thinking he's one now? ...No, he hasn't and he isn't, you're just assuming this it seems and are drawing the wrong conclusions."

She saying all of this to Heart may appear somewhat insensitive at first, but she feels she has to drop things directly to make him see what's wrong in his thinking.

"And... PLEASE don't start with who deserves one of these Artifacts more and who does less, that's leading into a bad direction that will encourage nothing but jealousy. Jealousy can be so toxic in a group.." For the next bit her voice fills with disappointment and slight anger even. "It's not the nicest thing of you to say that Nathan is not worth of the Swor, you know... Well, sure, he hasn't made the same experiences you made and the other way round, but wouldn't you agree that he's having some good reason to wield this Sword in particular as well? They differ from yours and yours differ from his, and that's okay. Heart, look, this region is his HOME. His whole family's here. Unlike we others he has no means to escape to someone close in another region nor has a safe haven where he can go if Chresire's turned into a wasteland by the threat from the Comet (at least not that Shiva knows or would guess of), so of course he wishes to do everything that's needed to protect his home and family that's in his might, and you should let him. You know, I imagine it rather heartbreaking, frustrating and stressful to know that doom's coming at your home and you can't do anything to prevent or fight it, and maybe his desire to give SO MUCH for a way to fight off that doom stems from those feelings. It feels...wrong to me to begrudge him for that."

That's a lot of defending-Nathan that Shiva is doing her, guess it means she hasn't given up on him at all.

"And despite everything that I done to him to the point of even sacrifice many items of mine, including my Everlink Armor and Miracle Rood, he refuses to help me find East Wind Sid. All of this, only make hate Nathan. And everytime I see Nathan wielding that sword around it, make my blood boiled with hatred, jealous and indignation. I was even willing to not help anymore his father in regain his humanity and leave him in his currently state.

At this point Shiva indeed can't hold back a frustrated sigh for Heart. ".... Hate is a strong emotion, Heart, a very strong one that can't be wipped away completely or easily. You SHOULDN'T hate him over THIS issue, that's just...not a right nor justified thing I think. Neither should you outright spite him by refusing to further help his father with your talent, that'd only to serve to hurt him massively and loose trust in you as he's forced to find other ways to cure his dad when he's SO close to being a human again. Would you really want that? No, please don't answer that."

"All of this make me say horrible things to him. About he not be worth of wield the sword that I deserved more in wield that Artefact. About the father thing. And even said to him that I hope loosing a friend was worth enough for him to wield a sword...and I feel bad to have said that things to him...but I cant simple...ignore everything that happened. He is my friend, and help me a lot in the past...but I cant help it but felt betrayed and used by him. He knows how much important get the sword was to me. And I even try to ignore this by helping him to get the sword, and I was expecting some sort of compensantion from him...But that sword was sharp enough to cut the strings of friendship we have between us."

"I know what I did was wrong...but I not in mood to beg Nathan to apologize me, because as much betrayed and hurt he feels, I also feels hurt and betrayed by him. Because he didnt say or did anything to prove that our friendship ever meant something to us. I feel ashamed, but I will not apologize me. If he is that worth of the Sword and thinks he is the Leader, he needs to prove to me that our friendship meant something. That our friendship is more important than a sword."

Towards these points, Shiva actually has the least to say, but she tries anyway to put some significance into her words. "Well, I can't change that you feel betrayed and used by what he did, nor can you, You acknowledge these feelings, that's a good first step into dealing with them accordingly: Please don't let these emotions overtake you, Heart. Well, not more than they already did, that is..." She sighs a little more, all this talk is stressing her a little appearantly.

"NONE forces you into apologizing if you don't want to, and it'd be wrong to say that you're sorry if you don't mean it. Maybe at a later point you'll feel a desire to do so... And NO sword on the entire planet, entire universe if you want, should be more important than friendship! Is it worth it loosing him as a friend of yours over it, Heart? Only you can decide that, but me feels it is not. If Nathan himself hasn't done anything to show how much your friendship means to him, maybe you should approach him with this concern of yours, and ask to talk about it, ask for his opinion and insight about it and that you'd like to know where you're standing in his view. That's much more efficient than leaving yourself in the dark, you just have to make that step by your own initiative."

"I was even willing to challenge him to a battle, for the right in wield the sword. Screw this bonding Artefact thing. He is not my Leader, and I not accept the fact that he is more worth in wield that sword than me."

Shiva still doesn't like that people tend to solve personal problems with a Pokemon Battle, as she's finding it wrong to get them involved when they're actually not; but that's just her and she opts to not speak that out here. "Well, challenging someone to a fight PER SE isn't something wrong, but what were you hoping to achieve with this fight? What would happen if you win, if he wins, if neither of you wins - did you think about that? And how Nathan respond anything to your challenge, if at all?"

At his last words of 'more worth', she points and taps the Shield she herself is carrying. " ...Come on, Heart, don't be riduculous, are you REALLY thinking that wielding one of the Artifacts raises your worthiness? Look, am I more worth than you just because of this pretty and ancient Shield? ...No. No I'm not, please don't tell me I am, I don't feel like I am even if it has fully bonded to me now. You shouldn't let some Artifacts dictate your selfworth and self-esteem."

[Spiritmon]

When I list Encounter XP without specifying, that ALWAYS means 20 total to be divided. 

Iron is actually a Vitamin supplement - it is consumed rather than held, and permanently grants the Surprise. 

Steel Ball: (2)(4) v (5)(1)(3); (6)(3) v (5)(3)(4); (3)(5) v (6)(3)(4); (4)(5) v (2)(3)(4)
Steel Ball: (1)(2) v (5)(1)(5); (4)(4) v (3)(4)(3)
Gotcha! Hitmontop was caught! x2
The Hitmontop are identical except one has Technician and the other has Intimidate.
0/0/1
0XP moves, Triple Kick, Quick Attack, Counter, Wide Guard, Close Combat, Endeavor, High Jump Kick

Great Ball: (4)(1)(1)(4) v (6)(5)(6)(5) Broken
(3)(6)(4)(1) v (6)(5)(6)(6) Broken


Ultra Ball: (4)(2)(3)(4)(4)(3) v (6)(3)(6)(6)(4) Broken

2 Conditional Pokeball on Machamp and 2 Steel Balls on Condelkurr.