[Game Thread] Lord Windos’ PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[Lord Windos]

What exactly is a Pokeathlon?


I forgot one thing: Vernon uses Ask Sylvie on the mystic. "You're a psychic type. Are these guys the real deal? Do the futures they see really come true? Where do they get their powers? What's their history like?"

Think the Sports/Athletics version of Pokemon Contests and Showcases. The Main Categories are Strength, Speed, Hardiness, Wit, Flexibility (Physical and Choice), Spectacle (Think showy kind of Sports, like Wrestling or doing Feats), and Power (Trying to use Moves/Abilities/Pokemon's inherent qualities to make a BIG display). Depending on where you land in the bracket you could end up capping out at 'Bronze' Level or have a chance to compete for the Gold.

Sylvia Says! : "Hmm....it depends. Without being there to verify or assess I can't say for certain *what* style of Fortune Telling or Divination they're using, but generally any Human that has the gift of Channeling, Special Power, or some sort of connection to the extraordinary can at least Primeape at it. Better ones have Tools and/or specially trainer Pokemon to help them, or have something obvious or Special about them.

"In any case, any readings from a Fortune Teller should be taken with a grain of salt unless they're of some renown or Power - the future is hardly stable, and any attempts to divine it only makes such determinations inherently unreliable. Their are always exceptions, though, so use your own judgement. Historically Fortune Tellers and alike are a reclusive and eccentric groups - widely shunned or fear by their societies, and generally only coming out to the public during big events, ongoing or soon to come. In other words, they're an odd bunch that tend to make things odder."

[Lord Windos]

Moreso out of primal reflex then logical thinking about his chances he'd lob the Net ball at it immediately, he had to catch a karp that large. Contest or not he had to have it, that fish is bound to become either tons of money or a valuable team member.

Net Ball (Seal Strength *8)
(6)(5)(2)(4) (1)(4)(3)(5) Well
GIGA Karp's Will (8 + *1 Disobedience)
(1)(6)(4)(4) (1)(6)(4)(5)(5) Derp.
Does the Ball Break? (1)(6) Yup

The Net Ball Breaks as it tries and Fails to contain the BIG Fish! That means you're OUT of the Competition, but you can still make a go at Catching it with the other Balls on hand!

The GIGA Karp manages to break free from the Rod at last, but instead of escaping it leaps up an tries to Tackle YOU!

Tackle
DEX (4) + Fight (4) + Bralw (4) + Single Action (2) = 14D6
(5)(4)(4)(1)(2) (6)(2)(2)(1)(4) (5)(5)(6)(2) F I S H  S L A P ! Critical Hit!
STR (3) + 2 - 3 VIT = 2D6 + 2D6 Damage!
(1)(4) + (1)(6) You take 2 Damage!

You're nearly knocked off your trusty aquatic predator as the GIGA Karp burbled most CHALLENGINGLY at you. Seems like this is one fiesty fishie!

Battle, or make another Catch Attempt?

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

FLASHBACK TO THE PREVIOUS DAY

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What he also definitely remembers is his mind drifting off and beginning to wander; perhaps from the sensory deprivation, perhaps because he was left all along with his thoughts and vivid mind, perhaps from being adamant on blocking out anything that's been happening around him. Was that some sort of out-of-body-experience, an astral journey, another aftermath from that joyful curse? The doing of whatever or whoever also caused that timeskip from before? WERE these events even connected? So many questions, so many wild and arcane things happening lately... Maybe he was indeed going crazy now, maybe he was just overworked, maybe he was just exhausted to his very soul. Or both. Yesyes, definitely both, he desperately needs rest, a long rest...

Smol Spritzee on his shoulder, dozzing off right there, receives a tiny nuzzle. That didn't help finding any answers though, but at least it provided some reassurance.

Oh right, and how Bernhard's trusted Mythic and that Lox were still going at it (NO, he did NOT take a look to check, or else he'd need a few gallons of eyebleach) - he actually didn't mind, we'll give them as muuuuuch time as they want or need! After all, Bern himself likes it lengthy~ and tenderly~ and utterly~romantical~~ and.... I should shut up now, shouldn't I.



Before we'll finally(!) return to our room at the Magi Embassi, we'll turn towards the tuckered out Umbrelong-Fox-Lizard creature again - about time we register 'em to a Pokeball, yay!~ Yes a Pokeball indeed, going to save the UlltraBalls for less willing catches. "Welcome abroad, dear...whatever you are. *stares*You do remind me of two specific Pokemon, so I'm just going to call you an Umbrelong for now. You also deserve a name... ...........   . . . . . . . . . . 'Equinox'. Or 'Nox', for short. Sounds good? Yes? That's great indeed~" (Feeling like an edgelord now, with having two Pokemon whose nickname ends with an x. With Umbrelong's gender being 'yes' and 'leaning into feminine', I'll follow your lead and address 'em with 'she' and 'they' until it bites Bernhard for doing so)

Brief flashback!

Seddi is not amused by Ralice's shenanigans, and gives Myra a thankful tip of his hat for her intervention.  He could have summoned Ceruledge, of course, but perhaps it was better that the Ninetales did the threatening this time.

The cowboy's still got some time (didn't use every encounter available), so Bernhard would find Seddi waiting at the Magi Embassy to deliver the beloved Ninetales back to their partner personally.  "Twas a pleasure to meet ya, Myra.  Bernhard, we need to talk 'bout what just happened.  Probably not now though.  Gettin' late, and I imagine you need some time after...whatever that was."

Post link here

Bernhard almost jumps back and casts a maximally defensive spell upon meeting Seddi there at his room. He needs to catch his breath for a bit and collecting himself first and foremost! "Hmm, well... Whatever it WAS , it felt utterly real and most vivid. My sincere gratutude though for escorting my trusted Ninetails back to me, I'll rememeber that favour of yours." Myra receives a gentle headpat from her beloved Master.~

From what little you know about Curses and Sympathetic Links, perhaps you being so Zoned Out and Joyfully Cursed allowed this....Ralice to pull you out into that Meeting, so to speak. You're fairly confidant that it won't happen again, though, now that you're Aware and soon to be UnCursed....or at least you hope so.

The fact Spritze was active with you during that 'Meeting' was interesting in of itself, though, since none of your other Partners on you joined it...

...Your Partner and the Umbrelong are going to be at it for a looong time, so to skip ahead: once the volpizard rouses from their blissful activity they easily acquiesce to being Caught in a Poke Ball! They/she doesn't seem to care what you call it/her, though they look curiously at your slight hesitance.

Later, when you reunited with your fluffy vixen you'll almost bowled over as she leaps up like a cat and hugs you (front legs over your shoulders as she dangles off you, nuzzling your face), letting out relieved and worried yips. Master, you're OKAY! I'm so so sorry for all the trouble and not being THERE for you! Please forgive meeeee!

Not the most dignified scene, but considering what you all went through...maybe you could let it go and pretend to ignore it for the sake of Face?

(Will get to your Next Post ASAP!)

[Redstone]

The Net Ball Breaks as it tries and Fails to contain the BIG Fish! That means you're OUT of the Competition, but you can still make a go at Catching it with the other Balls on hand!

The GIGA Karp manages to break free from the Rod at last, but instead of escaping it leaps up an tries to Tackle YOU!

Tackle
You take 2 Damage!

You're nearly knocked off your trusty aquatic predator as the GIGA Karp burbled most CHALLENGINGLY at you. Seems like this is one fiesty fishie!

Battle, or make another Catch Attempt?

Oh it's ON now. One more Net Ball is flung at the fish.

''If it breaks out again use Dragon Breath'' (3+4+4+2=13d6)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The fact Spritze was active with you during that 'Meeting' was interesting in of itself, though, since none of your other Partners on you joined it...

...?! Okay, now putting that much emphasis on this detail got me quite curious, consider me and Bern fascinated by that aspect. How very interesting indeed. It's noted, and it shall be kept in mind.

Bernhard's not TOO happy about Myra being so cuddly, but... given the situation and what has happened today (and the past few days).... he'll allow her being overly touchy, just this time, just for short until he frees himself from her, giving her caring headpats and a genuine - yet utterly tired - look of gratitude. "Now now, all is well between us, between you and me indeed. I am sorry for having caused a scene there at Main Street that you had to witness, you are sorry for not having been by my side. We're even, and I am... *relieved sigh*...simply GLAD to have you back at my side, where you rightfully belong. Now, please, I desperately need rest..." Myra is allowed stay out of her Dusk Ball for the night, if she desires so (no more cuddles though)

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

DAY 7: THE DAY OF THE FESTIVAL!!!

Post link here

I've been SOOO looking forward to that day and festival WOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOOO~~*sound of utter excitement* ☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆ I shall and will THE MOST of this day and enjoy it at max capacity, thank you for the serotonin, Windos! <3


Gauntlet Stress has been reduced to 6 due to nighttime rest - or is it 12? I'm not too sure anymore, I should really keep better track of this - still not optimal, but good enough to cast a few spells if needed. And if it makes Bernhard's life easier. The joy of being a Scimitar!

What about Myra, Nirix and Spritzee being at 0/5 Will from the events of the previous day? Do they remain like this on the current day or are they feeling better in these terms too? (Asking to know how much I can do with them)





For the oh-so-calm and kuudere Magus, the day of the festival day starts... awkwardly and with max embarassment plus a mild surge of panic, given the situation/position he found himself in. (///_///; ) He would much rather be cuddling and spooning with Morgana now, wouldn't you know!!!!!
Zephy being cuddly is fine, Bernhard's used to that (and if being completely honest to himself, he enjoys it too) - but it's an entirerly different can of worms if it's a big chimera of a Pokemon that may or maybe not should exist in the first place. We're giving Umbrelong - 'Nox' - a look of disapproval that quite literaly conveys 'What the heck are you doing in my bed, huh?? (≖､≖╬) ', before... Uhm... Well, at second glance...? "Weeeellll.... I gueeessssss a tiny little bit of cuddling in the morning is fine after all~~" Bernhard does enjoy the touch of these furry scales, how warm she/they are, and what sort of vibe she's giving off. Special emphasis on 'tiny little bit' and 'only cuddles' - the very moment Umbrelong tries to go for more, Bernhard will cast a Protect via Evocation over himself and flee into the bathroom.


Onwards to the current day!~ After how vexxing the past few days were, we're set on enjoying ourselves today. Or TRY to do so, at least, may heaven have mercy with Bernhard if Miss Fortune and Lady Luck throw more 'suprises' at him.


Morgana's message - it does wonders to his mood. He's meekly smiling to himself, feeling like a jolly teenager once more, hehe~~ She receives a simple '♡⌒ヽ(*'､^*)' as a response, while the invitation to come to the City Hall to kick the festival off - Bernhard couldn't help but to chuckle about that. "Clever move there indeed, very clever~" He's feeling utterly honoured about the invitation actually, his 'you flatter me so~'- senses are going off, why humour them for latching onto this opportunity!~ The Bayhama government receives a simple 'With great pleasure I shall come to the City Hall indeed, give me a bit of time to properly get ready please~' as a response. Double so if they reward him for granting them some of his time, but Bernhard's way to humble to ask for that directly. (Out of curiosity - will any of the party members actually come to see that speech? No hard feelings if not - just curious!~)


Now, Bonus Slot time for the current day!~

Making sure our Pokemon partners are in good condition, making sure they're fine and everything. WITHOUT the love and care that a Trainer would provide and display, because that is not what Bernhard is.

Time to gather magical crafting materials for alchemistic shenanigans from them too - 3 units of Toxic (Kitsune-)Sludge, and 3d6 of Veil Color from Nirix. Benhard's quite curious about Equinox too... Her/their saliva appears to be quite potent, would she/they let him collect some of it?

During collecting, now at least Nirix shall learn Sketch for 50XP - and promptly sketch Zephy's Blizzard. More icy powers, yes please.



USUALLY I would prefer to do something related to magic for this second Bonus Slot, like training some spells or tinker with my Gauntlet - but not so today. Nope, Bernhard needs and wants to do somethingelse - utterly and completely spruce himself up for giving a small speech at the City Hall and meeting with Morgana later!~ Like, the entire programme please: Shower, shave, perfume oneself, practice his speech and manners, pick his best Scimitar robe, et cetera.

Dear Zephy receives a small request too: She is asked to let her artistic skills shine and draft up a small speech for Bernhard to recite (just a few bullet points, he will fill the blanks). She shall spend a Willpoint on this, which will trigger her NoticeMe!-plotdevice and automatically grant 2 Successes if the drafting up of a speech will be rolled. We're all alone with our 'Mons, so no need to worry about drawing in all sort of attention now.


EDIT: After that, he will make his way to the City Hall! I'll let you intoduce the scene first, @Lord Windos

(You're quite welcome dear~!)

If it was at 25 by the end of yesterday, then it's halved again for 12. Try to keep track of it, or otherwise Fights might get a bit more dicey than we traditionally like!

Your Mons will be at 2/5 - both due to Day Start Will Gain AND the excitement of the Festival revitalizing even Bern's stoic and serious Mons! Myra in particularly seems especially antsy - yesterday got to her, and she simply wants a day to spend WITH YOU that doesn't go horribly awry!

---

(And now everyone Meta Knows this as well, he he he!)

Smart move - intial attempts to pry the beast off only got you treated like stuffed Teddiursa. You ARE eventually able to get free with your Patented Magic Pillow Swap Trick, though - if it worked on the Fairy Queen it'd work on your new Partner for sure!

*Rolls* ...You have not managed to Tempt the Fates. Perhaps they're giving you a break after yesterday's show and dance.

You get an enthused message from the local gov that can be summarized as 'GREAT! Come as soon as you can, Master Bernard!' Blatent ego stroking, but if you don't want to complain why not enjoy it~ ?

Now to the BSs...

#1: You get your Partners in good order and condition, though Myra proves a bit harder to wrangle than usual to do the aforementioned STRESS she's been under. *Rolls* You get 7 Units of Veil Color and 3 Units of Toxic K-Sludge! You also get 1 Unit of Cyan Saliva....after having to magically reinforce a container after the last one melted trying to contain the fluorescent spit. REAL potent and caustic stuff - even unprocessed it likely could do some serious damage to most things, and give anything living the same Paralytic treatment YOU 'suffered' . Who KNOWs what it'd do once you put it through the alchemic ringer...hopefully nothing too explosive or messy! Equi accepts your ministrations with surprising nonchalance - maybe they're used to be treated like this?

NOW Nirix Learns Zephy's Blizzard. Zephy expresses some amount of shock about THAT result, giving you and the unicorn a Look before rolling her eyes and mock huffing with crossed arms.

"Oh fine, steal some of my signature work why don't ya? Be careful though - any frost storms I can conjure by regular Mons are going to have a bit more kick too them."

#2: This is streeeetching what a Bonus Slot allows, but I suppose Bern would be practiced enough looking good and READY for his beau , and Zephy can rather easily create a VERY Well Made (It sparkles with QUALITY) Opening Speech for you to use or modify with or without her PDs (though with it you get THAT). She prefers more physical expression of the Arts, but she indeed is still quite Skilled with the Art of the Written Word too! Doesn't hurt she has a thoroughly satisfied and kinda dopy expression still from last night's escapades - WOO boy, she REALLY like and NEEDED that after such a long dry spell, eh he he!


Onto the City Hall Scene !

To put it bluntly, the area outside the central nerve center of Bayhama was swamped with a crowd numbering well into the THOUSANDS, all of them shifting and swaying as they eagerly awaited the Grand Opening of the Festival to truly begin the fun! Fortunately for you, though, getting to the Stage was easy as glide - you literally could Fly up and over everyone to land right on it in a stunning display that gets a BIG cheer of surprise and excitement from EVERYONE!

A stuffy looking official bustles up to you and offers to shake your hand - being aware that physical contact was not always preferred among Scimitars - before motioning to the podium overlooking EVERYONE, complete with a few cameras and a set of microphones. 

Speaking of which - their was a BIG Blimp that was hovering over City Hall, broadcasting the Grand Opening to everyone in Bayhama so they don't miss out on it if they couldn't make it in person! Doesn't beat the experience of being their LIVE (and the goodies thereof), but this way everyone could be included in the spectacle!

"Master Bernhard, we are so very glad you could make it! We promise you'll be well honored and approprietely compensate for this - we understand you might be quite busy with your own matters, and are grateful you made time for us anyway. Now please, help us Begin the Festival!"

Right now the beating heart of the City was right in your hands, thrum and beating with Anticipation at what YOU had to say....!

Ball's in your Court - how do you want to go about it? I could literally give you a Speech made by Zephy, Bullet Points like you asked, or you can come up with something whole cloth and I'll apply a bunch of Bonuses too it due to the Speech!

[Lord Windos]

Oh it's ON now. One more Net Ball is flung at the fish.

''If it breaks out again use Dragon Breath'' (3+4+4+2=13d6)

*Rolls* Hmm...

(1)(3)(2)(5) (5)(2)(2)(6) 3 Successes!
(4)(1)(3)(2) (2)(4)(2)(4)(1) 2 Successes!

With *just* a bit more FORCE spurned by getting slapped by a fish, you manage to Catch the GIGA Magikarp! Ecclessia looks almost disappointed by this - the big catch could've been an interesting Fight to toy around with...

Gotcha, GIGA Magikarp!
Total HP: 3 + *5 + 4  + 3 INS (Yours?) = 15 HP
Happiness and Loyalty: 2/2/*1
Stats that Matter: 2 SPE, 4 VIT (Better Defensive STAT), 4 Brawl, 1 Channel, 2 Clash and Evade, 2 Alert, Nature, and Stealth, Predator Knowledge 2, Perform 1 and Intimidate 3
Moves: Splash, Tackle, Hidden Power FLY (STR + 2, Deal Damage to Weaker Defense, Priority)
Surprises! : MASSIVELY Overgrown (+5 HP) , + 1 STR , ???
Malus: Aggressive (+ 1 Disobedience), Hungry (QUITE the appetite!)

When you make it back to report to the Fishman Leading the Competition you make a surprising discovery - apparently the watchers missed your First Catch due to some shenanigans that happened with others, and since you used a Net Ball they didn't notice your Failure. You're still in the Competition if you Wish!

If you are then the Fisherman is downright STUNNED by the HUGE Karp you catched, taking off his glasses and rubbing them before putting them back on.

"Well don't that beat all. Hmm...guess we'll see, yeah?"

(Let me know if you still Want In or if you want Akamu to be honest and just call it quits)

[Redstone]

When you make it back to report to the Fishman Leading the Competition you make a surprising discovery - apparently the watchers missed your First Catch due to some shenanigans that happened with others, and since you used a Net Ball they didn't notice your Failure. You're still in the Competition if you Wish!

If you are then the Fisherman is downright STUNNED by the HUGE Karp you catched, taking off his glasses and rubbing them before putting them back on.

"Well don't that beat all. Hmm...guess we'll see, yeah?"

He figured he could afford to be dishonest this time since there's still much fun to be had. It might also be appreciated by Ecclesia.

He'd look at her, grinning. ''I do have a history with fishing up large critters, looks like you'll be getting your fight after all.''

''A real beauty of a karp isnt it? I'd be stumped if this doesn't get me far in here, though we are ready to brawl either way.''

[Lord Windos]

He figured he could afford to be dishonest this time since there's still much fun to be had. It might also be appreciated by Ecclesia.

He'd look at her, grinning. ''I do have a history with fishing up large critters, looks like you'll be getting your fight after all.''

''A real beauty of a karp isnt it? I'd be stumped if this doesn't get me far in here, though we are ready to brawl either way.''

Your Deep Serpent looked a little caught off guard by the grin, but she quickly grinned right back and *stomped* a foot in agreement. Oh yes, it would be sublime to take a BITE out of the competition.

Since you're in it to Win It the Fisherman temporarily takes hold of your GIGA Karp to compare to the rest of the catches. It takes some time - both for the deliberation and waiting for the others to finish - but when the results came in.....

*Many MANY Rolls...*

....You end up placing 3rd in the Fishing Competition, right behind someone that caught a Big Shiny Shelldar (Now Cloyster due to some quick haggling on the Beauty's part) and what looks like a...mermaid lady of sorts that was radiating an Intense, almost bewitching Power as she smiled waved at the quickly adoring crowd (with their young male Trainer looking really out of his depth and quite bashful...) .

Prize for 3rd - 3 Net Balls and a Passo Poffin (Water types LOVE these!) ! Don't get too attached to them, though, for you can still lose them or upgrade to the Grand Prize (Secret!) in the upcoming Fishing Tourney!

*Rolling Seeds...*

You end up facing off against a burly sailor woman that looked like she had one too many protein shakes when growing up, and she ends up Summoning her Catch - a Grapploct that flexes their muscles MENACINGLY at your Catch GIGA Karp! Per the Rules of the Tourney all Contests MUST Lead with their Catch - if it's KOed you're Out! After the first Round is done you're Free to Switch them out for later/safety, though !

"THIS is what I lost too? What a joke! Grit, wring this fool and his Magikarp OUT!"

Initiatives:

*Rolls*

GIGA Karp goes first, then Grappleoct!

FT: Big Brawl Round 1!

[Redstone]

"THIS is what I lost too? What a joke! Grit, wring this fool and his Magikarp OUT!"

Initiatives:
GIGA Karp goes first, then Grappleoct!

FT: Big Brawl Round 1!

Not too shabby indeed. Time to prove that he and his karp had what it takes.

''Hidden Power, Tackle then Knock it Down.''

(3+3+4-2=8, 3+3+4-2=6, 3+3+4-6=4)