[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

Kingdra pumps you for more information about the Scimitars. There's apparently a lot it doesn't know about what goes on on land, though it does know about recent legendary events and that they're after Genesect.

"Then it is clear they mean harm to Pokemon and to my domain. With a pledge to stop the Earth and Water Scimitars, for both threaten my domain, I will give you DIVE."

"ArcHeart, a word in your ear?"

Kingdra bends down and puts his snoot right next to your ear. It speaks softly, so softly you can't believe the sound is coming from such a large Pokemon.

"You bear a similar power to the Scimitars. I would like to know what your goals are when it comes to the Scimitar organization. Tell me now, before you Pledge."


Alright, you know the drill! At least one Trainer needs to take the Water Pledge to stop the two Scimitar organizations and DIVE is yours. And the moves Water Pledge and Hydro Cannon can also be learned at this time.

Primal Kingdra can also serve as a Master Water tutor. He'll teach moves in exchange for money spent on conservation efforts.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan does indeed know the drill, and he turns to his own Kingdra, the only Water type he has on his person currently.  "You've come with me this far, and I cannot thank you enough for keeping your word.  Will you pledge to stop the Scimitars with me, and join me for the remainder of that journey?   This quest means a lot to me personally, if you couldn't tell already, and it would be an honor to have a reliable Dragon such as you by my side for it."

Has the winged Kingdra been paying attention to Nathan's conversation with Primal Kingdra?  I'd imagine so since he's basically been right next to Nathan during the whole conversation, but I obviously can't say how that might have affected his overall view of Nathan.  But if there's one thing that should hopefully be clear to the dragon seahorse, it's that Nathan is not fighting the Scims or wielding the Sword for personal gain.

Are there any other Water moves that Primal Kingdra can teach for free like the other Primal Guardians, btw? And I guess this is also a relevant question now that we're in diceless mode: can the free moves taught by the Primal Guardians still be learned for free on repeat visits to their locations (provided you've made a Pledge with them already)?

[Iron]

This guardian is easily repeatable. I think since we're in diceless I'll allow the free moves from the other guardians too, just for ease.

Let's make Scald and Water Pulse free, no need to pay gold for those two moves. Movelist restrictions still apply.

[Lord Windos]

To the unknown (or not) relief of Nathan and Heart, Primal Kingdra was successfully parlied to give up DIVE in exchange for service binding oaths on their parts, cauisng the most sagely monk to relax ever so minutely , moving his hand away from Gemini's Ball and softening his stare into something less openly challenging and into 'I'm keeping an eye for any BS, bub' sort of look. He's not exactly pleased that his friends have to undertake even more supernatural responsibility in this instance, as he feels they've already have enough of that and have more than earned the HM by subduing those nasty Lumineon (on top of saving the entirety of Cheshire from Deoxys and its clones), but if that's what it takes for the group to get their hands on it, so be it. Saves him the trouble settling the issue The Old Fashioned Way ® (IE: With Violence) (No matter how much he desired to), and possibly attracting the ire/invoking a sense of dire responsibility in the resident young historian and rare collecter. He very much doesn't want to strain his relationships with either or radically shift them in undesired ways, given recent events doing a fine job of that all by themselves - not yet, anyway.

Lapis lets out a breath they were holding as things wind down, obviously aware of his partner's frustrations and unsubtle inclinations and glad nothing disasterous was going to occur (one way or another), while Sari.....she doesn't really care all the much about Primal Kingdra or his priorities - so long as they don't do anything to challenge HER own authority or bring shame, disgrace, or ill acts upon her and her vassal, she give them a least the minimum respect and tolerance one ruler gives to another of a foriegn/alien state.

When all is said and done with the Giga Dragon of Garliburg, Terra's ready to just leave and get back to dry land (Garliburg Island). Both to put an end to this awful trip, and to finally get the time and peace necessary to process and recover from everything that's happened/could have happened to him and his own without threatening to collaspe or loose what little restraint he has left and start taking out his sour feelings on those, strictly speaking, undeserving of them. He's frankly been through a fairly traumatic event, so he kinda needs the timeout to sort all it out or just lose it all in a good ol' meltdown.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Kingdra pumps you for more information about the Scimitars. There's apparently a lot it doesn't know about what goes on on land, though it does know about recent legendary events and that they're after Genesect.

"Then it is clear they mean harm to Pokemon and to my domain. With a pledge to stop the Earth and Water Scimitars, for both threaten my domain, I will give you DIVE."

"ArcHeart, a word in your ear?"

Kingdra bends down and puts his snoot right next to your ear. It speaks softly, so softly you can't believe the sound is coming from such a large Pokemon.

"You bear a similar power to the Scimitars. I would like to know what your goals are when it comes to the Scimitar organization. Tell me now, before you Pledge."


Alright, you know the drill! At least one Trainer needs to take the Water Pledge to stop the two Scimitar organizations and DIVE is yours. And the moves Water Pledge and Hydro Cannon can also be learned at this time.

Primal Kingdra can also serve as a Master Water tutor. He'll teach moves in exchange for money spent on conservation efforts.

Heart take a second to think about what to say...and then he tell Primal Kingdra. "I want to defeat the Scimitars and free all the Pokemon they slave, the Pokemon they experiment. Avenge the people and Pokemon they hurt or kill...But I also want to guide them to a new path. A better one..."

He look the ground. "My family Ancestor and creator, Ark was a servant and knight of the Creator of All, Arceus. That's why our name is ArcHearts. Because we were humans once choose by the Creator to help defend the innocent...but...We corrupt ourselves. We let our gift blind us with pride and greed, using our position to satisfy our lust for power...We forgot our duty...and we pay the ultimate price."

"My mother...my father...the Master of our clan, Blazer ArcHeart my grandfather...even my little brother Angelo...everyone I ever knew, killed and burned alive...the memory of the carnage still flesh in my memory even after so many years."

"And the Scimitars are walking are a similar path. They try to justify their actions and destruction by the fact they wanted to destroy Deoxys the Invader...and they're help was necessary in the final battle...but...No matter how much noble a cause might was, no destruction or evil can justify such grief or suffering upon others...The end doesn't justify the means."

Heart look to his hands. "They say they want to become more than human...But even with the power I have, I still feel human. And I don't want to be more than that. I not a god. I am just a human. Imperfect and with many flaws. And I okay with that. But there is room to improve. I could only rebuild good portions of Cheshire thanks to Shiva and Gloom nature affinity. I restore forests thanks of all Pokemon who came from all places of the region to restore forests."

"Heh, and even because of my new son, Moltres Angelo. Even if my brother is dead, his name, his memory, will always be remembered in Moltres. I don't want to be a hero. I just a simple man, who try to do the right thing. I don't care if the world forgot me. As long the people I love and cherish is happy, that's more than enough to me."

Heart then kneel once more. "That's why I beg you, please, remove the aging process of Terra. He is angry and frustrated because of everything we went through to reach DIVE and save this region. If you need someone to carry the age curse, put on me. He may not be a blood brother, but he consider me his brother. He risk his life to save us. So I need to do the same. That's my duty."

"I also pledge. I pledge to protect the seas, as I once pledge to protect Earth and nature. I swear to all Creation. And to restore the water damage caused by Deoxys destruction. If I ever broke this oath may Giratina drag my soul to the darkest pits of hell."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

To make thing short and not loose much words, Yes of course Shiva will accept the pledge from noble Primal Kingdra! She herself is very respectful towards this huge and royal dragon-seahorse, but not afraid. The oath to stop the Scimitars in return to another precious HM and a unique move that awoken the secret power of the water... This has a bit of a bitter taste for the young fae-enthusiast given how fascinated and interested she's been at the Scim's skills and powers at first, but by now she has started to feel ...somewhat guilty about this.

However, it also strengtens her determination to take this oath and pledge, and so she gives a deep bow towards the primal Master and Guardian of the sea and the HM. Vaporeon and Azu follow. "Noble Primal Kingdra and guardian of the HM, you do have my word and promise then that I shall do what I can to stop those going by the name 'Scimitar' from threatening your domain full of life and wonders. This is what is assured to thee by me, the one who has bonded with the Ancient Shield to protect what needs to be protected."

Witnessing this pledge will be playful Vaporeon, cute Azu and - suprise! - benevolent Raphael. All three of them are eager and excited in their own way; with the blurr of a waterly Eeveelution circling Shiva and clearly enjoying being underwater = totally in her element, cute and magical Azu staying as close to her dear Master as possible not out of fear but out of pride, and the faelike archangel calmly and gracefully gliding by his father's love's side.

Said love can feel that Raphael is paying extra-attention and being extra-curious about what is happening here, given that such a 'pledge with a Primal' is something he never experienced with Ventus but only now with Shiva for the first time. Such a strange yet interesting act of promising something so meaningful to such an awe-inspiring Pokemon... Raphael soaks up the feelings and tangible meaningfullness like Vaporeon currently does with water-molecules, he chirps eagerly as he notices that doing so seems to awake some hidden strength within him that he wasn't aware is slumbering deep down his mind and heart...! And before he knows or fully understands what is happening, said hidden strength makes him glow in a soft bluish light and itself manifest in a pulsating ripple all around him - it is what is commonly known as a move going by the name 'Water Pulse'.

Proof

---

Primal Kingdra can also serve as a Master Water tutor. He'll teach moves in exchange for money spent on conservation efforts.

Once pledges are given and oaths are exchanged, Shiva does speak up towards Primal Kingdra once more: Or rather, it is Vaporeon who dares to come as close to the primal seahorse as they allow her to do, causing Shiva to intercept and voice a thought to bring Vaporeon's eager and playfulness into a better use than causing mischief. "Noble Kingdra", she says, "There is something about your domain and cave that strikes my eye, and it is how murky this cave is despite the water here is full of life and nutrions - I would have expected it do be ther other way round. However -" she strengthens her pose and Vaporeon perks up, "Please, let us use this high turbidity to our advantage and teach my dear and playful Vaporeon how to absorb and channel it into a blast to ward off dangerous threats and unaware opponents. I shall offer you gold and coins in return, something we up at the surface call 'money'."

"Now come on Vaporeon, please pay attention! Wouldn't you enjoy catching mean foes off-guard by spitting muddy water into their eyes?~ It also doesn't happen every day to be tutored by the VERY Master and Guardian of the sea, dear one!"

Proof

Costs

It's 75$P for every level, it will be 75 x 37 = 2.775$P. Shiva will hand Primal Kingdra exactly this amount in the shiniest coins she finds in her funds. Azu also chips in and magic's up a 50$P-coin just for Primal Kingdra.

[Iron]

Great speech, Heart. Take 4XP for your char. Good point about Deoxys also affecting the purity of the oceanwater.

"I accccept your Pledge and your intentions. There is little left outside the purrrview of your oaths."

"Wiiith my help and the Haaauberk you bear, we can transfer the premature aging to a wooorthier subject, be it you, some Pokemon with time to spare, or my own nigh-immortal self. You choose, together."

[Iron]

Kingdra accepts Azu's coin, but begs you to spend the rest on restoration efforts, as he has no use for money. Then he tutors your waterly mons by tossing a variety of attacks at them from his different appendages, and having them clash against ink spheres, bursts of boiling water, draconic energy, or mud balls.

[Lord Windos]

Though Terra can't hear Heart's ferverant speech (Unless they said it loud enough for everyone else to hear - never did specify that the conversation was private, mates), he couldn't help but feel.....mixed about seeing his friend humble and explain himself in front of the ancient force of nature. He doesn't think the titanic being deserves such reverential treatment or rationalizations - its status as a Primal Being reigning of their domain and advocate of their sphere be damned - but....its hard not to feel a little proud and please to see that his friend hasn't let their accomplishments nor newfound might change who they were - or if they did, it was only for the better. It's...a odd experience, to say the least.

If Terra can hear the speech, though....well he'd feel much the same, but also more mixed up on top of that.

Well, if Primal Kingdra is offering a solution to the aging its former minions inflicted upon him, that would go a long way towards the worn and rugged wanderer 'letting things go' between him and it. His choose of who gets aged, though, would be PK itself - if they said they have time in their life to spare, then he'd be rather content with shaving a bit of it off to make things 'more even' between them and the group.

[Iron]

Alright. Heart adjusts the Hauberk and reaches out to create a link between Terra and PK. Terra's features relax their wrinkles, and he feels a bit more energy flow into him. Not even Shiva would be able to spot any change in the apparent age of PK.

"One laaast fact I will leave you with. Faact, or waarning. Garlicburg Isle is not what it appears."