[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

As Shiva enters the dead grove, she feels all the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Espeon's sensitive hairs are likewise active. The very ground beneath your feet feels blighted and a little too crunchy even for dead vegetation.

The moment you enter, the trees all move to surround you, hemming you in so you have only a square as big as your body to move around in. Some of the trees light up with glowing eyes and gaping maws, while others seem to be blighted, rotting trees dripping with black juices. You're facing a dozen Trevenant of all sizes and eight normal trees, plus more Trevenant and trees in the grove below. They tread freely on the sacred path as though it isn't there. Strangely, some of the Trevenant seem to have small woodland Pokemon living in their hollows, such as Paras and Pachirisu. You can sense that all Pokemon present are angry, minus the Treecko on your shoulder, who is quickly plucked from your shoulder with a wail and held high above the ground by a 20' tall Trevenant. The smallest Trevenant, little more than a stump on legs, begins stomping its "feet" and chanting as the Trevenant blast you with simultaneous debuff attacks, charms, and weird abilities that don't even seem to be normal Pokemon moves.

You don't sense any outside influences - you would certainly recognize the Eye if you were looking for it - but there might be a gliiiimmer of familiarity to some of the spell-like moves some of the Trevenant in the circle are using.

As you prepare to defend yourself, your own Pokemon crowded beneath your feet, a green fog creeps over the ground.

[Dragonstrike]

Sure, let's assume you have all gathered in the office. Laurelin gives you a quick salute, Nathan, since she's worked with you before.

Nathan gives the researcher a casual salute back, then proceeds with the initial greetings and disclosures.  "Thanks for coming on such short notice, Professor Laurelin.  It's really appreciated.  So, before we begin, I just want to reiterate that what we're discussing here is on a need-to-know basis.  What's said in this room should ideally stay in this room.  I know that you can keep a secret already, and Gallade has no obvious trust issues with you, so I don't really have any qualms with trusting you myself, but some of my associates here would like some...extra reassurance that you'll keep quiet about what we'll be revealing should you cooperate with us on this matter.  As such, I'll have Gallade monitoring the proceedings as a precaution, and there may be some papers to sign as well to ensure discretion.  Last chance to back out if you'd rather not be caught up in confidential matters, but I can also assure you that the topic would likely be of great interest to you. Is that all clear?"

This is a very serious matter, after all, so Nathan definitely wants to make sure that he communicates that to Laurelin before divulging information.

[Iron]

"Hey, you know it. I'll keep a secret but I won't let any of you put the region in danger, OK? We just need to have backup plans and contingency plans when it comes to reviving what I assume is a dangerous fossil of some kind. I'll be happy to sign a paper, but they probably won't be legally enforceable if it comes to endangering the region. They would be enforceable when it comes to any patents that arise, or disclosing to rivals, or anything like that."

Dagny can confirm.

Gallade believes that Laurelin is telling the truth.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan nods.  "Well, with that out of the way, let's get to the meat of this.  First of all, yes, you are correct in assuming this is to do with a possibly dangerous fossil.  It's less the pokemon we're worried about, though, and more the people who are after it.  I was a little worried that leaving it where it was hidden would only lead to it being discovered by the wrong people, so I wanted to try and get to it before they did.  Thank you for lending me those tools and learning materials, by the way.  They were a great help for making sure that I could excavate the fossil without damaging it.  Here, you can have them back now."

Nathan hands the borrowed items back to Laurelin before continuing.

"So, to get more to the point and keep it brief...the fossil in question is that of a Genesect that has no evidence of unnatural modification.  I don't think I have to elaborate on how significant a find that is by itself.  Unfortunately, we weren't the only ones looking for it, and I don't think the Scimitars are going to give up on looking for it any time soon either, seeing as they want to modify a Genesect for their own purposes.  Given that this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to possibly learn more about the species, I'd really rather not destroy the fossil.  I'd honestly feel better about reviving it so it could defend itself if necessary, ideally as an ally of ours.  And to that end, I'm willing to take the responsibility for making sure it stays in line."

Nathan probably had Laurelin's attention before, but that'll probably really grab hold of it.

[Lord Windos]

(I'll pretend this happened before Nathan decided to go ahead, since I didn't get the chance for Ventus or Terra to react)

By the time that Ven had reconvened with the boy hero and sagely monk, he was.....somewhat calmed down. Still very much irritated and worried about the slew of troubles that have decided to pile onto his friends at a so perfectly inconvenient time and their lacking reactions to them, but he was far more composed and in a better mood to resume talks about Fossil Genesect's fate. He reeked of lavender too from his incenses , to the point their is a purplish haze that seemed to cling to him and around him. Suffice to say, the researcher is fine 'enough'.

Dr. Laurelin's due nationalistic worry and 'threat' of being a whistleblower about the mysterious (to her) subject caused him to minutely frown at the woman for a moment, before he let out a small, reserved *Sigh* and inclined his head towards them.

"....Understandable, and acceptable. The concerns of a region and its people are not something I hold all too closely, but given the [i]topic we're going to broach to you all due prudence and pragmatism should be given to it. So long as you do your best to kept to the letter and spirit of our agreements (read: NDAs and informal promises), work closely with us, and let us take first crack at resolve any....wanting developments before you exercise your own due diligence, I believe we can work together satisfactory on....it. That is, if you ultimately agree to assist us. If not.....well, I suppose we could come to another arrangement regarding keeping the utmost secrecy of what we plan. Hopefully you'll understand the necessity of such caution after hearing the details, and why I'm so hesitant to share them."

Terra, on the other hand, was far less cagey about their declaration, and just nods and says this after the eccentric researcher that was his Boss said his piece: "We work together on this, if you agree to help. In study, planning, execution, and resolutions. That is all I ask for. This matter....it is that important. To us, and to...me and my own."

That should be all from the two, for now!

[Iron]

"The DREAM! I've only glimpsed on Genesect in my life, and it was so deformed it might as well have been a Kabuto. We will need to set up several life support chambers in case it needs certain chemical compositions, maybe a high carbon atmosphere, maybe some aquatic combinations at different acidities... do you know if it is Cretaceous or Paleogene? Has it been exposed to radioactivity? Did you take any measurements of..." She goes on for a while until she runs out of steam.

"Give me an hour to get my lab all set up, and I'll be ready for you. OK? Then let's talk about any modifications you want to make. Would it be possible to resurrect it without any?"


We can assume you get the fossil safely to her lab. Dagny joins you all there on a secure video call. "Now what?"

[Dragonstrike]

"The DREAM! I've only glimpsed on Genesect in my life, and it was so deformed it might as well have been a Kabuto. We will need to set up several life support chambers in case it needs certain chemical compositions, maybe a high carbon atmosphere, maybe some aquatic combinations at different acidities... do you know if it is Cretaceous or Paleogene? Has it been exposed to radioactivity? Did you take any measurements of..." She goes on for a while until she runs out of steam.

"Give me an hour to get my lab all set up, and I'll be ready for you. OK? Then let's talk about any modifications you want to make. Would it be possible to resurrect it without any?"


We can assume you get the fossil safely to her lab. Dagny joins you all there on a secure video call. "Now what?"

"Slow down there, Professor.  I'm not the expert on this, you are.  I just wanted to make sure the Scimitars didn't get ahold of it so that they can't abuse its potential power.  This particular specimen does look like it was likely a Bug/Flying type before it was fossilized, though, if that helps any with the preparations you need to make.  Oh, and it's also about as big as a Mudsdale, so you might need to make some extra space.  *ahem*...anyways...yeah, we'll meet you at your lab with the fossil in tow.  There's definitely a lot to talk about concerning researching the fossil and modifying it.  Just make sure that this can all happen discreetly."

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

No matter how many times Nathan sees that Genesect fossil, he's still amazed at how BIG it is.  It's almost twice as tall as the measurements Ventus took of Silverfish, and definitely bigger than both Arete and that Bug/Rock Genesect hiding in the Skull Ruins are!  Even though it's just a fossil right now, it's still incredibly imposing, particularly because of those gleaming red eyes...

"So, I'd prefer to revive this Genesect without any unnatural modifications, or at least as few as possible.  I've seen two Genesect in person, not counting this one, and both of their adaptations were significantly influenced by outside forces, much like every other Genesect I have heard of or read about.  This is a rare chance to study what a Genesect might have been like before they were merely test subjects, provided we can revive the Genesect in a completely or mostly unaltered form."

"Ventus also has some moral concerns with both altering a Genesect against its will and locking it away in a laboratory somewhere for study.  I'm inclined to agree with him on both counts as well, which is why I am willing to volunteer to take charge of it once it's revived.  Plus, if it gets out of control, I'm probably one of the only trainers in the region that could actually face it one on one and stand a good chance of coming out on top should it become super duper powerful.  And under my training regimen, it could likely be a potent ally in the fight against the Scimitars, too, provided I can keep it under control.  I have a handle on Sentry now, though, so I think I can probably manage this Genesect if it's not more Disobedient than she was."

"Should this Genesect fall under my care, I plan to take extensive notes on how it reacts and adapts to its environment, documenting any changes it undergoes.  I think that could be valuable research, given the circumstances surrounding the species as a whole.  Given your involvement in this project, I'd definitely be inclined to tell you about my findings as well.  And if there's any measurements and notes that you think should be taken before we revive the fossil, now would be a good time to do so, and I'd like to see any you do take so I can add them to my own notes on the species."

"So, what do you think, Professor?  Does that all sound plausible and reasonable to you?"

Gallade's off to the side, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed as he listens to the discussion carefully.  Despite that casual appearance, he's watching for trouble.  If something goes wrong, he wants to be ready for it.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva: https://pokemonuranium.co/forum/showthre...2#pid73982
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(...)The smallest Trevenant, little more than a stump on legs, begins stomping its "feet" and chanting as the Trevenant blast you with simultaneous debuff attacks, charms, and weird abilities that don't even seem to be normal Pokemon moves.(...)

Is that something the Ancient Shield's protection against additional effects (not damage) prevents? Or do these debuffs and charms just go through it?


The moment the natural fae enthusiast is surrounded and hemmed-in by these Trevenant, normal trees and dead black-juicy-trees, there's only ONE emotion rushing through her:

Fear, raw and unaltered FEAR, her instincts flare up and basically screeeeeeeaaaaaam at her to get away.

She can't get away though. She DOES NOT WANT TO either!....



...It takes dear and sensitive Shiva ALL of her guts, determination and inner strength to eventually - as in, in a matter of some seconds - to get a hold of herself again, and face these Trevenant with courage and a refusal to give up just because they want to make her do so.

They and all these smol woodlandmon living in their hollows - how adooooorable!♡ - are angry, and Shiva can understand why - but does that mean they're evil ? ...Not necessarily, or so she thinks. And so she coughs and decides to try her luck by speaking up towards the largest of these Trevenant, that one that plucked dear Treecko from her shoulder; it takes her quite the concentration to NOT stutter out of fear and instead keep her voice loud and clear.

"Be greeted, pack of Trevenant...! My apologies for having definitely infuriated you all. I mean no harm, none at all, and I will NOT lean up against you with the dear Pokemon under my care." (Partly because she also feels that this green fog creeping over the ground will affect them negatively) "I came here with the help of the cute Treecko you got a hold of, asking it and its ilk about some 'Sacred Grove' I read about and seek to visit just to have seen it with my own eyes... Please, bear with me and answer, is there a way you will let me pass? Is there some sort of 'test' you want to put me through, what do you want me to do to let me go and move onwards?"

[Iron]

Laurelin is definitely up for that. She does seem torn because she (and Dagny) have a lot of ideas for modifications, but the scientifically-valuable thing to do is to revive it as-is.

[Iron]

All the debuffs splashed against the Shield, yeah.

The Trevenant are not interested in talking, however. They groan like the creaking of timber and tighten their circle with one step forward, and begin launching attacks! Some of them, and most of the trees, raise their branches to create an interwoven ceiling above you.

When you describe this battle, remember that the Shield can only offer protection against effects OR damage, and the Trevenant know both.
They will use a lot of typical Moves, but they also use what you might call "Spells," combining their power and using Moves in ways that a normal Pokemon could not. They seem to be targeting Shiva a lot more than her Pokemon; it's humankind they seem to be raging against.

That green fog can manifest into the shapes of ghostly Trevenant which deliver status effects and transform the ground into swampland.