[Meta Thread] Lord Windos' PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[Lord Windos]

3) For the Super Boss itself....I'm going to be honest and say that the whole thing has gone on long enough, even disregarding the 'break' I am on due to internet troubles (I'm posting this from my car right now from a place with decent free public wifi, just letting you guys know) . While I can certainly continue it, I feel like it would be for the best if things ended up the relative 'high note' they did rather than let the whole thing drag on longer and for more PROBLEMS to arise for each individual PC. However, I respect your guys wishes if you want to continue and seek more challenges and a fitting resolution to things. So....I'll put up a Poll in a subsequent post about What To Do with the Super Boss, as I think it deserve space on its own to respond to rather than in this massive text dump. Let me know what you guys think, please!

Alright, as promised, here is the 'Poll' I have regarding the Super Boss, in order of my preferences and thoughts on the matter:

Options #1: A Fairy Slight Retcon...

Essentially, I'm thinking of redoing things a tad bit differently with Fayette so that They actually Solve the Encounter without greatly Indebting your PCs...but still having its own Impact. Deus Ex Machina is summoned and impressed by the Party's valor and power and wraps things up in a way that won't come with the Costs I previously mentioned, but a different sort of Price is paid that is not immediately apparent and Greater Consequences for said outcome. This includes Mass Reviving those that Died or wear Altered by the Super Boss, with some exceptions, as well as other benefits and costs....

Rewards and XP will be given as if the group have personally dealt with the Super Boss and altered in some ways, though in turn those Greater Consequences will rear their head, chomping at the bit to get at the PCs responsible for Invoking such a.... spectacular outcome. Public perception of your PCs contributions will be in line with 'just' taking down the sub-bosses, but for those In the Know and The Powers That Be....they'll be rather keenly interested in HOW and why things went the way they did. 

Option #2: Stay the Course

What it says on the tin: everyone that wants to will go out to directly Fight the weakened Super Boss. I'll get to everyone's latest posts then put forth the prompt for everyone to Ready Up to Confront IT. In order to Ready Up, everyone MUST resolve previous events pertaining their character in some manner and have their Inventories and Character Sheets Fully Updated within 3 IRL Days. Anyone that fails to do so will be Excluded from the Super Boss; difficulty of said Fight will NOT be adjusted in this event. I'll also be trying to do the Super Boss 'Fast' , which may or may not gel with you guys expectations or desires for a Challenging Fight, so fair warning here.

Rewards & XP: See Option #1, but without having near as much stigma/'Allure' from Their potential involvement. Public perception of your PCs accomplishments (if you SURVIVE and don't make a bigger mess of things) will be VERY large - expect your PCs to become celeberty-heroes to the average citizen by and large, the local government trying to capitalize on this as much as possible without pissing anyone Important off, and the Larger Governments and particular Powers That Be to Take Note of you guys. In other words expect a LOT of publicity for your PCs, even if you guys try to play things down as much as possible.

Option #3: Here Comes the Calvary!

With this option, I'll have other Powers That Be FINALLY be able to get involved in Dealing with the Super Boss, having them arrive JUST after the PCs have cleared the way and helped stabilize things in the Staging Zone. Your PCs effectively get benched/told to 'take it easy' for their own good while said Calvary heads out to finish the job with Extreme Prejudice, sparring you guys a lot of publicity as they shuck it up and Guaranteeing that said Super Boss is Dealt With. How that will turn out for said Calvary I'll decide in the background, but by and large they'll come out of it well.....enough, and the Party as the whole will be spared of the Dangers of doing the job themselves.

Your Rewards, XP, and other goodies/clout you can get will take a big hit if you go with this option, but in exchange your PCs can continue to remain 'mostly' under the radar of the wider public, with only the Military, Rangers, your cohorts and the Trainers that answered the rally, and the local government Taking Note of your accomplishments. If you don't want to make any waves and keep under the radar this is the option for your PCs, for better or worse. Do note that Bayhama as a whole will not benefit as much and things will be somewhat worse for wear, however, as the Calvary won't do as fine of a job of getting things to bounce back as the Starry Heroes or THEIR I n t e r v e n t i o n .

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Discuss which one sounds best and try to come to a consensus, as I want you guys all on the same page here without anyone feeling like they're being 'dragged along' by a choice they don't support. And, as always, any feedback or questions about this are greatly appreciated! I'll leave you guys to it then, and hopefully I'll have my internet back to resume the adventure at long last once a decision is made!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

There there, my dear Windos... *hugs and headpats* You are doing great as a GM, yes you indeed do, I do much enjoy your wild ideas ('wild' in both a positive and at times negative sense). Perhaps you just got to brace yourself at times to not let the creative and 'crazy but fun' idea/thought of what happens get the better of yourself, as you realized and stated yourself already (which is much appreciated, aka it's great that you realized it yourself and are down for improvement; and further encourage and take into account player feedback!) For an example that just springs into mind, if a random table brings up an overly erratic event or one that will almost definitely come down to bite the player sooner or later (what immediately springs into mind is that [Die for me]-cast of Bern or Vernon summoning a Belliadon via Metronome), give it a thought first whether it's REALLY a good idea to go for it and whether it wouldn't be better to instead roll the dice again discreetly - Not to say that I don't like these event though, no! I love them, to be honest! I can also see that they might be 'too much', however, depending on preferences or player's taste.

(...)Going forward, I won't be doing a Super Boss Encounter like THIS for a loooong time. If their is going to be grueling content like this, I'll do it more in a 'progressive-linear' form that includes most everyone involved rather than the divided and complex method I did with this.(...)

This. This is MUCH appreciated, yes it indeed is. I enjoy dangerous and serious Encounters and even more so Major Encounters, but perhaps not so much/they come with a bitter aftertaste if they happen early in the campaign OR (or rather, OR/AND) they happen to on top have a big chance of death of player and Pokemon before the journey has properly begun in the first place. I do would like to see more of such things and I still want to tradeup for a Major Encounter for Bern and Zephy at some point, but I would like for it to happen with a proper warning and preparation from both sides.

(...)I've scared off Phantom from continuing due to the brutality of the Masked Wolf(...)

That's not directly your fault. This is more like....PARTLY or INDIRECTLY your doing, to put it blatantly (sorry for stating it like that). I don't really feel like you 'scared me off', more so that you rendered me/Bern unable to continue the Encounter. Which can be seen in a positive and negative light, I'm not that sure which side weights more - one things for sure though, I don't really mind that I dropped out of the Encounter, perhaps it's for the better even to give my PC the chance to recover after so many eventful things on their part and for me to wind down after the event gave me severe anxiety of loosing Bernhard as an PC before the journey through Sutalör has even begun.

(...)I plan on the Party leaving Bayhama shortly after their rest, since I image everyone is probably raring to get at the wider (and Wilder) region after such a prolonged tutorial. What way will depend on various factors, but regardless it'll be clear which ways are going to be heavily suggested In-Game. I heavily prefer the Party stay as one regardless of which way you leave the city,(...)

I'm very down for that, yes please and yes indeed! And double and bold 'yes' for staying together as a group, aka NOT splitting up (for now). Just two thing I want to happen/open ends on my side before we leave:

1. Collecting my reward from the Gleam's family for saving Saph and having a chat with the whole family
2. Contacting the laboratory Umbrelong escaped from to learn more about her/them

If these can be outplayed between us in the GameThread before we leave Bayhama please, it'd be much appreciated. Preferably not in a flashback if possible, but I'd be fine ifhandling these via PM, as I feel that handling both these two events AND continuing the story very quickly gets chaotic and overwhelming on my (and perhaps your?) end.



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As for which option I prefer in terms of your poll...


I'm honestly on the fence about 'A Fairy Slight Retcon' and 'Stay on the Course'. With a small lean into the slight recton. For reasons that I do want to see an epic fight of the party (without Bernhard, but with Equinox), I am very exited to see that Mysterious Peron and their Toxicroak in action, and I want to receive huge rewards for having dealt with that Sandlossugeist. I don't like a lot of publicity on my end/for my PC however, so an other 'Being' dealing with that Sandlossugeist at the cost of Consequences sounds like a decent middleground.

But honestly, regardless which outcome will be chosen, can I still have that Mysterious Person perform that sugery for re-attaching my Gauntlet pretty please? (EDIT: At the cost of giving away Steelene the Mawile) That's like...what's on my mind the most right now, I'm absolutely not ready to leave Bayhama/continue the story and campaign with Bern rendered defenseless (^v^; )

Edit: Also, if we do go for Option #1, will Lunn in particular be revived or can we preferably agree that she did not, due to how traumatic her death was? I'm not too keen of an hiiiighly awkward situation where Lunn comes to Bern to get back Steelene, and he's like 'I gave your Pokemon away to a shady person, sorry'

[Spiritmon]

First of all: I extremely happy in see you back my friend. Truly.

Secondly: Don't beat yourself mate. You did your best and what was available to you at the time. I...agree that the fusion with Zoetti could be better, but it already pass the situation. You did what you though would be the best decision. And I agree with the fact I could have react on a better way to handle the situation and not let things scalate as I did. But all I can do is learn from the mistake, control my temper, and avoid this from happen again.

Third: I been enjoying quite a lot actually. The battles has been challeging in my opinion. Despite the deadly danger ahead of us, I enjoying surpassing such perils. And I do agree these kind of mega bosses be only use from time to time. I like a challenge just like the next cool guy, but deadly situation all the time can be very tiresome so having moments of peace is good. It is something I comment with Dragonstrike in one of our Voice Calls: Having pivoting moment after pivoting moment of campaighs can be overwhelming, so having moments of peace to gather our thoughs, and buff our characters (both in a mental sense as individuals and stronger in the sense of train our Pokemons and get powerfull) will be as much important in future battles ahead. Specially with Oz situation since there still issues with her Coven to deal it. Which will be towards Fortuna, Hecate, Dite and now Zoete if I ever get the chance to speak with her. So yeah, there still problems to deal it. Less deadly but still not easy.

Fourth: As for the imediatly threat of the super boss himself, I don't need to dwell much in that question: I say we Stay on Course. I will make Oz words my own: I want to see what future have in store for me, and I want to fight alongside all. Yes, I aware the Super Boss will focus on me due to Oz nuke its strongerst servant, but thats something I counting. After all the job of a Healer is to handle the pain of others. Specially in this situation since Oz is the one with the best chance of tank the Super Boss powers (despite its double weakness to Ghost types due to Mega Hecate Ability). Time to Oz show her power and show the world why the Sky Scimitar are awesome!

[Redstone]

Spoiler

*Claps Hands*

So! I have managed to get a bit of time to actually post (and a stable enough connection to do so...), so allow me to follow up on my previous post: my future plans for the campaign!

Immediate Concern: The Super Boss Fight

Honestly, by and large I think I did a relatively good job of executing what I think could've been a 'standard' going forward for BIG Boss Fights with this 'trail run' of sorts with the Hateful Sandlossugeist. While their were problems in execution on my part - I could've done the Fusion better with Spirit, and generally found more things to do with Iron's and Mika's PCs - I believe for the most part reception to everything about what a truly dangerous and risky Encounter has been stellar in both enjoyment and what you guys potentially take away from it. 

You guys got thrilling battles and saw your plans turn out relatively well, and you got the see and experience the consequences of tangooing with some of the WORST things you can in Sutalor. (Hopefully) After this is all said and done you guys will fully appreciate just how..... bracing my campaign will be once the difficulty spikes , Fortune Favors you good and bad, or you do something.....bold that warrants an equally bold response.

However....its not all great, and having all this....off time to think about things have made me recognize several things that I need to address...

1) I jumped the horse on this whole thing, more or less. From the very Encounter itself to several moments (You know the ones), this whole thing more or less became bigger than it probably should've been. At most this should've been a simple Obstacle -> Super Boss rather than the gauntlet and WAR I set up, and at least the drama should've been just contained to a new roaming Threat ala Ralice (status pending on if we should put ' ' around Threat or not with her....) or some consequences of just leaving a Cursed sandy hellmaw like that on that part of Bayhama and the city as a whole.

Moreover, getting Fayette involved THIS early was....unanticipated, but I let my muse take my hand and thought it would be a good way of both highlighting just how stupid powerful Oz could be in the right circumstance and as a mechanism to A) Gage interest in the Encounter B) Lay some threads for everyone to pick at, and C) an opportunity for some character exploration. I don't regret adding it per say, but I also acknowledge that had I not let myself get swept up in the whole MOOD of things I probably would've done things differently. Alas, what Done is Done.

Going forward, I won't be doing a Super Boss Encounter like THIS for a loooong time. If their is going to be grueling content like this, I'll do it more in a 'progressive-linear' form that includes most everyone involved rather than the divided and complex method I did with this. Pacing is ever a problem with these sorts of games, especially with our wildly differing schedules and responsibilities, so I'll refrain from stuff getting this bogged down again until waaaaay later or you guys end up causing a situation that requires a more dynamic response. Moreover, I'll be 100% sure in getting everyone onboard with the Encounter or try to establish consistent 'alt lines' of progression for non-participants of 'Highlighted' events so that no one is left hanging for longer than maybe a day or two at most.

2) Speaking of Player participation....I'm worried I've ended up screwing that up. I botched the Fusion Event with Oz/Hecate that lead to some....heated problems with Spirit and his PC, I've scared off Phantom from continuing due to the brutality of the Masked Wolf, and....I feel like I've done something wrong with Seddi, as Dragonstrike has been.......quiet for the longest time in the game thread despite my efforts to give him opportunities for his PC to do stuff. Only Akamu has been spared any clumsiness on my part, and that may be due to how relatively out of focus they've been.

Mates, I'm sorry if the ride I'm taking you on has gotten bumpy and shaky at times. I'm trying my best to give you guys as good of an experience as possible, but....I can made mistakes at times. I'm glad to have gotten your feedback on things since it has been very helpful for me to study up on and recognize my failings, and I ask that you keep me 'on the ball' as it were so I don't drift too far off. If I do something outlandish, or if it feels like I'm doing something WRONG with your PCs, do let me know as quickly and respectfully as possible. I want to improve as a GM, and more importantly I just want to make a story that we can all enjoy

3) For the Super Boss itself....I'm going to be honest and say that the whole thing has gone on long enough, even disregarding the 'break' I am on due to internet troubles (I'm posting this from my car right now from a place with decent free public wifi, just letting you guys know) . While I can certainly continue it, I feel like it would be for the best if things ended up the relative 'high note' they did rather than let the whole thing drag on longer and for more PROBLEMS to arise for each individual PC. However, I respect your guys wishes if you want to continue and seek more challenges and a fitting resolution to things. So....I'll put up a Poll in a subsequent post about What To Do with the Super Boss, as I think it deserve space on its own to respond to rather than in this massive text dump. Let me know what you guys think, please!

Non-Immediate Concerns: What Happens After The Super Boss

Here is the general 'outcome' of things afterwards, without going into to many details in fear of Spoilers and ruining surprises:

- Their will be a Time Skip for a few days to give the party to rest up and recover from the Super Boss. How that time will be spend and what happens is still in flux (you haven't won or given up yet, after all), but what you are guaranteed to get out of it is essentially a 'Refresh' on your Pokemon. Everyone's Will shall be topped to Max, pesky problems will have resolved with individual Pokemon, PCs will have a chance to Bond with their more problematic Mons, and I'll try to get everyone's Inventories and missing Data fully updated. This is more or less to get everyone on equal footing and provide a quick way of getting everyone's own Sheets in order if they have been lagging behind updating things!

- I plan on the Party leaving Bayhama shortly after their rest, since I image everyone is probably raring to get at the wider (and Wilder) region after such a prolonged tutorial. What way will depend on various factors, but regardless it'll be clear which ways are going to be heavily suggested In-Game. I heavily prefer the Party stay as one regardless of which way you leave the city, but I'm willing to allow for a split party if given good enough reasons for it. Regardless, expect any lingering plotthreads for any PC to either get tied up real quickly or for them to rear their head at the last moment.

- Due to you guys unintentionally antics you have greatly shifted and altered my Plans for things Bayhama and the Plot going forward as a whole (humerously and endearingly frustratingly enough), which will soon be clear HOW once I get around to revealing it in proper. From which and thereof a few of the 'Primary Plotlines' I got planned out will kick into motion, so get ready to either 'buy into it' them or ignore it in favor of pursuing your own goals/other Plot Lines.

- I have ideas to involve more Super Mariomon Content, as well as including some additions from other fangames outside of the planned lineup of Pokemon and stuff I have outlined for Sutalor. They won't be HUGE things (or at least that's not my intent...), but what is on offer should be plenty nice enough...I hope!

- Regardless of everything else The Astral Companions have Been Noticed Greatly by the various Powers To Be due to the Super Boss and they prior shenanigans they got up to. Effects of this? Who knows.....

- I do have a 'Fun and Wild' Day Long Event in the works, but I won't be springing that on you for awhile since I think you guys need a break after the Super Boss is said and done. I also have been working on the 'Winter Reckoning' I promised to do but couldn't get to due to my life (and myself) being a mess at the time, but  don't expect that to happen until roughly around December or so....if life doesn't get me in a chock hold once more.

- If you guys have any questions on the campaign in general (as in what direction(s) its going in, mechanics, curiosities, concerns, etc.) please let me know!

Alright, that should be it for now....though I bet I'm missing something that'll I have to address later. If that happens *Shrugs* I'll get to it while giving myself a facepalm if what I forgot was too obvious. No ETA yet on when I'll get things resumed, but my provider has been making noises my way that they THINK they found what is wrong with my internet so fingers crossed they get it fixed ASAP!

First of all I'm happy to see you're back! I missed the funny shenanigans in my pc and will kick your connection in the shins.

As for the post I agree with not repeating this type of boss for a while. I also don't mind Akamu having stayed low in the happenings so far, after all part of the strategy was starting to hit real hard now when it concidered the others bigger threats.

The plans for the future look solid, as for the boss outcome im split on Retcon and Slay. Both options do make sense to me and im having some trouble choosing.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

One more thought that came to my mind: 

If you do want to continue fighting - Spritimon, how updated is your Inventory on your charasheet: did you add all the Healing Items I gave you in Bernhard's name, or do you want/need me to list them up once more for you to add? I still have the exact numbers noted down for reference on my end.

You still okay to lend out my Umbrelong, and have her fight on her own without orders from you? You don't need to add her to your sheet (unless you wish too? A note that you've taken her under your wings should suffice though, I guess?) as I'll keep track of her Stats and all, but it will be your job to keep dear Nox safe and heal her up and revive her if needed.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

There there, my dear Windos... *hugs and headpats* You are doing great as a GM, yes you indeed do, I do much enjoy your wild ideas ('wild' in both a positive and at times negative sense). Perhaps you just got to brace yourself at times to not let the creative and 'crazy but fun' idea/thought of what happens get the better of yourself, as you realized and stated yourself already (which is much appreciated, aka it's great that you realized it yourself and are down for improvement; and further encourage and take into account player feedback!) For an example that just springs into mind, if a random table brings up an overly erratic event or one that will almost definitely come down to bite the player sooner or later (what immediately springs into mind is that [Die for me]-cast of Bern or Vernon summoning a Belliadon via Metronome), give it a thought first whether it's REALLY a good idea to go for it and whether it wouldn't be better to instead roll the dice again discreetly - Not to say that I don't like these event though, no! I love them, to be honest! I can also see that they might be 'too much', however, depending on preferences or player's taste.

(...)Going forward, I won't be doing a Super Boss Encounter like THIS for a loooong time. If their is going to be grueling content like this, I'll do it more in a 'progressive-linear' form that includes most everyone involved rather than the divided and complex method I did with this.(...)

This. This is MUCH appreciated, yes it indeed is. I enjoy dangerous and serious Encounters and even more so Major Encounters, but perhaps not so much/they come with a bitter aftertaste if they happen early in the campaign OR (or rather, OR/AND) they happen to on top have a big chance of death of player and Pokemon before the journey has properly begun in the first place. I do would like to see more of such things and I still want to tradeup for a Major Encounter for Bern and Zephy at some point, but I would like for it to happen with a proper warning and preparation from both sides.

(...)I've scared off Phantom from continuing due to the brutality of the Masked Wolf(...)

That's not directly your fault. This is more like....PARTLY or INDIRECTLY your doing, to put it blatantly (sorry for stating it like that). I don't really feel like you 'scared me off', more so that you rendered me/Bern unable to continue the Encounter. Which can be seen in a positive and negative light, I'm not that sure which side weights more - one things for sure though, I don't really mind that I dropped out of the Encounter, perhaps it's for the better even to give my PC the chance to recover after so many eventful things on their part and for me to wind down after the event gave me severe anxiety of loosing Bernhard as an PC before the journey through Sutalör has even begun.

(...)I plan on the Party leaving Bayhama shortly after their rest, since I image everyone is probably raring to get at the wider (and Wilder) region after such a prolonged tutorial. What way will depend on various factors, but regardless it'll be clear which ways are going to be heavily suggested In-Game. I heavily prefer the Party stay as one regardless of which way you leave the city,(...)

I'm very down for that, yes please and yes indeed! And double and bold 'yes' for staying together as a group, aka NOT splitting up (for now). Just two thing I want to happen/open ends on my side before we leave:

1. Collecting my reward from the Gleam's family for saving Saph and having a chat with the whole family
2. Contacting the laboratory Umbrelong escaped from to learn more about her/them

If these can be outplayed between us in the GameThread before we leave Bayhama please, it'd be much appreciated. Preferably not in a flashback if possible, but I'd be fine ifhandling these via PM, as I feel that handling both these two events AND continuing the story very quickly gets chaotic and overwhelming on my (and perhaps your?) end.



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As for which option I prefer in terms of your poll...


I'm honestly on the fence about 'A Fairy Slight Retcon' and 'Stay on the Course'. With a small lean into the slight recton. For reasons that I do want to see an epic fight of the party (without Bernhard, but with Equinox), I am very exited to see that Mysterious Peron and their Toxicroak in action, and I want to receive huge rewards for having dealt with that Sandlossugeist. I don't like a lot of publicity on my end/for my PC however, so an other 'Being' dealing with that Sandlossugeist at the cost of Consequences sounds like a decent middleground.

But honestly, regardless which outcome will be chosen, can I still have that Mysterious Person perform that sugery for re-attaching my Gauntlet pretty please? (EDIT: At the cost of giving away Steelene the Mawile) That's like...what's on my mind the most right now, I'm absolutely not ready to leave Bayhama/continue the story and campaign with Bern rendered defenseless (^v^; )

Edit: Also, if we do go for Option #1, will Lunn in particular be revived or can we preferably agree that she did not, due to how traumatic her death was? I'm not too keen of an hiiiighly awkward situation where Lunn comes to Bern to get back Steelene, and he's like 'I gave your Pokemon away to a shady person, sorry'

*Humbly accepts your affections* You're too good for this world, Phantom....

Yeah, the Die For Me and Vernax situations got out of hand too. It's a bit too far along to neatly retcon them, but I do promise to prevent RNG from choosing anymore.....explosive options on my tables for a good long while. You guys need a break, or as much of a one as you can get in a high octane adventure like Wild Lands provides by default.

Player Death and DANGER will significantly increase as the game goes on and whenever the group is exploring outside of Sutalor's major cities and settlements, so even if I keep things relatively mundane you best be watchful and careful lest your PCs get inconvenienced.

Major Encounters are not always Deadly and Dangerous by default, but they are assuredly B I G and bombastic that are all but guaranteed to carry long term consequences for those involved. Be aware that Timing, Location, and Intent matters a lot in what creates Major Encounters and  whether a location can handle a shake up a BIG EVENT can cause, or otherwise you could OOC cause a cavalcade of OH NOES for everyone caught up in its wake.

Noted about what you want resolved, dear! We can do them just fine in the GameThread Post-Timeskip, but if PMs are your preference we can do such things there and I can latter post the whole 'Mini Plotline' here for others to enjoy once its resolved. Well, unless you want any in the PMs to remain Private, which I will accommodate, but generally I do want everyone's impact on the game to be visible for all so use such privileges judiciously please....

If Fairy Slight Option is taken then Mx. Mysterious will just....tag around until a sufficiently BIG Fight (or Fights) happen to repay their debts to your PC. They'll remain mostly out of sight from everyone else unless requested to be out in the open and therefore will not interfere with things unless your want your PC to badger them for some reason.

The Surgery will regardless take place due to acceptance of the Trade in and out of the game, yes.

Lunn would be revived by Fayette, since she was a direct casualty of the Super Boss' machinations. Don't worry about them, though, since any issues her survival will be resolved one way or another. Also, if she does come knocking around you could just have Bern say that Events and Fayette's intervention prompted Steelene to be 'sacrificed' for the greater good, which is technically true if you squint at it long enough....

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

First of all: I extremely happy in see you back my friend. Truly.

Secondly: Don't beat yourself mate. You did your best and what was available to you at the time. I...agree that the fusion with Zoetti could be better, but it already pass the situation. You did what you though would be the best decision. And I agree with the fact I could have react on a better way to handle the situation and not let things scalate as I did. But all I can do is learn from the mistake, control my temper, and avoid this from happen again.

Third: I been enjoying quite a lot actually. The battles has been challeging in my opinion. Despite the deadly danger ahead of us, I enjoying surpassing such perils. And I do agree these kind of mega bosses be only use from time to time. I like a challenge just like the next cool guy, but deadly situation all the time can be very tiresome so having moments of peace is good. It is something I comment with Dragonstrike in one of our Voice Calls: Having pivoting moment after pivoting moment of campaighs can be overwhelming, so having moments of peace to gather our thoughs, and buff our characters (both in a mental sense as individuals and stronger in the sense of train our Pokemons and get powerfull) will be as much important in future battles ahead. Specially with Oz situation since there still issues with her Coven to deal it. Which will be towards Fortuna, Hecate, Dite and now Zoete if I ever get the chance to speak with her. So yeah, there still problems to deal it. Less deadly but still not easy.


Fourth: As for the immediately threat of the super boss himself, I don't need to dwell much in that question: I say we Stay on Course. I will make Oz words my own: I want to see what future have in store for me, and I want to fight alongside all. Yes, I aware the Super Boss will focus on me due to Oz nuke its strongest servant, but thats something I counting. After all the job of a Healer is to handle the pain of others. Specially in this situation since Oz is the one with the best chance of tank the Super Boss powers (despite its double weakness to Ghost types due to Mega Hecate Ability). Time to Oz show her power and show the world why the Sky Scimitar are awesome!

*Bows* Thank you, buddy of mine. I'm grateful you continue to be on board my Wild ride, and once more I promise to give you a good time as possible without driving into as many potholes along the way!

Very well. I'm hard on myself because I don't want to make such mistakes again, but I'll lay off on it if you think enough is enough.

All things noted, and I can assure you that I plan to keep things 'quiet' for a bit after the Super Boss is resolved. I'll do my best with Oz and his Coven's interdynamic relationships, but how that'll turn out in the long run depends on how well you execute things there too.

Do note that if you go the 'Stay the Course' Route that I'm liable to not Use Dice at all outside of some select instances, since that mechanical aspect is what takes a huge amount of time and introduces the most volatility in the game. You and everyone elses contributions would likely amount to telling me what your PCs do, how they react to specific Things that I'll outline, and overall individual factors of them and their Mons. From there I'd try my best to weave a satisfying Fight and Narrative with just enough Randomness to keep things interesting for everyone.

In this style Oz is likely to be the Barrier Maiden and HUGE Aggro sink for the Super Boss, so if you do choose to Fight the Super Boss you're going to be pressed up against a sandy wall BIG TIME.

Also, do keep THIS in mind: Going with Fayette is literally the only way you can truly undo the horrors and DEATH that the Super Boss caused, and that accepting Option #1 doesn't directly cost your or any PC anything . If you are particularly intent on Oz/Zoeti being a Heroic Healer then the most IC and heroic thing you can do is let a 'god' take care of things, even if it costs you desired glory, adversity, and the immediate chance to prove yourself in a grand way. Yeah, it won't be as satisfying, but think of it like this: without Oz/Zoeti's SUPREME showing THEY wouldn't have been Summoned and Invoked at all, and therefore if they decide to save the day then you and your PC will be directly responsible for this and be treated well accordingly by Those in The Know who'll figure this out. Its a different sort of validation that'll come with its own hang ups, but hey, its still valid and yours!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(...)Lunn would be revived by Fayette, since she was a direct casualty of the Super Boss' machinations. Don't worry about them, though, since any issues her survival will be resolved one way or another. Also, if she does come knocking around you could just have Bern say that Events and Fayette's intervention prompted Steelene to be 'sacrificed' for the greater good, which is technically true if you squint at it long enough....

This sounds good, I can work with that, thanks!~ Still not great per se, but definitely less awkward than being completely honest towards Lunn. 'It was for the greater good and there was no way around it, I will try to make amends to repay you in some way' sounds a lot like Bern actually.

Oh, I'm VERY interested if that mysterious person sticks around with me, if the rectoning option wins! Probably will outright fail to get more information about them, but I like the thought of a shady(?) NPC stagging along and being out of reach but still there - Whether Zephy likes this however... Humm.

Noted about what you want resolved, dear! We can do them just fine in the GameThread Post-Timeskip, but if PMs are your preference we can do such things there and I can latter post the whole 'Mini Plotline' here for others to enjoy once its resolved. Well, unless you want any in the PMs to remain Private, which I will accommodate, but generally I do want everyone's impact on the game to be visible for all so use such privileges judiciously please....

Openly in the GameThread is it then please, one way or the other!

---

(...) and that accepting Option #1 doesn't directly cost your or any PC anything (...)

Alright, then I'm definitely for Option #1, the Fairy Slight Recton. Bernhard doesn't care for the deaths of unknown people/citizens, and to some degree I don't either, but since that option doesn't directly cost us anything AND it comes with the reward for dealing with that Sandlossugeist will not be cut down - yeah, consequences and an interest of Those in the Know still sounds like a decent middleground.

On the plus side, let's not forget about this - absolutely no chance to loose any Pokemon or PC during this Encounter via death. Max Revives are a thing, but it's not like they don't come with strings attached if reviving a 'Mon or PC that was killed if I remember it correctly.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(...)Lunn would be revived by Fayette, since she was a direct casualty of the Super Boss' machinations. Don't worry about them, though, since any issues her survival will be resolved one way or another. Also, if she does come knocking around you could just have Bern say that Events and Fayette's intervention prompted Steelene to be 'sacrificed' for the greater good, which is technically true if you squint at it long enough....

This sounds good, I can work with that, thanks!~ Still not great per se, but definitely less awkward than being completely honest towards Lunn. 'It was for the greater good and there was no way around it, I will try to make amends to repay you in some way' sounds a lot like Bern actually.

Oh, I'm VERY interested if that mysterious person sticks around with me, if the rectoning option wins! Probably will outright fail to get more information about them, but I like the thought of a shady(?) NPC stagging along and being out of reach but still there - Whether Zephy likes this however... Humm.

Noted about what you want resolved, dear! We can do them just fine in the GameThread Post-Timeskip, but if PMs are your preference we can do such things there and I can latter post the whole 'Mini Plotline' here for others to enjoy once its resolved. Well, unless you want any in the PMs to remain Private, which I will accommodate, but generally I do want everyone's impact on the game to be visible for all so use such privileges judiciously please....

Openly in the GameThread is it then please, one way or the other!

---

(...) and that accepting Option #1 doesn't directly cost your or any PC anything (...)

Alright, then I'm definitely for Option #1, the Fairy Slight Recton. Bernhard doesn't care for the deaths of unknown people/citizens, and to some degree I don't either, but since that option doesn't directly cost us anything AND it comes with the reward for dealing with that Sandlossugeist will not be cut down - yeah, consequences and an interest of Those in the Know still sounds like a decent middleground.

On the plus side, let's not forget about this - absolutely no chance to loose any Pokemon or PC during this Encounter via death. Max Revives are a thing, but it's not like they don't come with strings attached if reviving a 'Mon or PC that was killed if I remember it correctly.

*Shrugs* Divine intervention is rarely 100% positive for everyone involved in it, but at least you can claim that she owes her life to you BECAUSE of your own contributions to Fayette's decision if she wants to be snippy about Steelene . Good luck getting info out of Mx. Mysterious, as they're a nut so hard to crack that not even Zephy could manage it with her super charisma and charming nature.

Alright, that's 1 Vote for Fairy, and 1 Vote for Staying! Also, good on you for spotting another Big Pro of Option #1 : Nobody else in the Party or the NPCs/City at Large will suffer or risk DEATH due THEIR 'Divine' I n t e r v e n t i o n . Not that such things won't have consequences for those revived or the knock-on after effects of said I n t e r v e n t i o n , but at least the intended outcome is meant to be ultimately a positive and good thing for all involved.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

One more thought that came to my mind: 

If you do want to continue fighting - Spritimon, how updated is your Inventory on your charasheet: did you add all the Healing Items I gave you in Bernhard's name, or do you want/need me to list them up once more for you to add? I still have the exact numbers noted down for reference on my end.

You still okay to lend out my Umbrelong, and have her fight on her own without orders from you? You don't need to add her to your sheet (unless you wish too? A note that you've taken her under your wings should suffice though, I guess?) as I'll keep track of her Stats and all, but it will be your job to keep dear Nox safe and heal her up and revive her if needed.

Do not worry about it Phantom. I already updated my char sheet with the items Bernard gave to Oz. I kept a note on each of the items you mentioned with something like (Bernard property) so I do not get confused with Oz own items. I sometimes organized guy, specially with things borrowed from friends.

And I okay in lend out Umbrelong and let her fight even without my orders. I will make sure to keep her life along with Nox. It's already my plan in make sure the Super Boss Aggro on Oz. It is dangerous (no joke, it is dangerous due to Oz double weakness to Ghost) but with Oz enourmous defense and Mega Boosts, I think she can survive a few strikes. I even have a idea in how make the boss more focus on Oz (although I let it happen in-game).

Spoiler

*Bows* Thank you, buddy of mine. I'm grateful you continue to be on board my Wild ride, and once more I promise to give you a good time as possible without driving into as many potholes along the way!

Very well. I'm hard on myself because I don't want to make such mistakes again, but I'll lay off on it if you think enough is enough.

All things noted, and I can assure you that I plan to keep things 'quiet' for a bit after the Super Boss is resolved. I'll do my best with Oz and his Coven's interdynamic relationships, but how that'll turn out in the long run depends on how well you execute things there too.

Do note that if you go the 'Stay the Course' Route that I'm liable to not Use Dice at all outside of some select instances, since that mechanical aspect is what takes a huge amount of time and introduces the most volatility in the game. You and everyone elses contributions would likely amount to telling me what your PCs do, how they react to specific Things that I'll outline, and overall individual factors of them and their Mons. From there I'd try my best to weave a satisfying Fight and Narrative with just enough Randomness to keep things interesting for everyone.

In this style Oz is likely to be the Barrier Maiden and HUGE Aggro sink for the Super Boss, so if you do choose to Fight the Super Boss you're going to be pressed up against a sandy wall BIG TIME.

Also, do keep THIS in mind: Going with Fayette is literally the only way you can truly undo the horrors and DEATH that the Super Boss caused, and that accepting Option #1 doesn't directly cost your or any PC anything . If you are particularly intent on Oz/Zoeti being a Heroic Healer then the most IC and heroic thing you can do is let a 'god' take care of things, even if it costs you desired glory, adversity, and the immediate chance to prove yourself in a grand way. Yeah, it won't be as satisfying, but think of it like this: without Oz/Zoeti's SUPREME showing THEY wouldn't have been Summoned and Invoked at all, and therefore if they decide to save the day then you and your PC will be directly responsible for this and be treated well accordingly by Those in The Know who'll figure this out. Its a different sort of validation that'll come with its own hang ups, but hey, its still valid and yours!

Count me in about it. I will try my best to let Oz restore situation with its Coven when things get better and calm.

Thats fine to me. I okay with some diceless situations to make things more quick to you, if its okay. I do have a few ideas in the events ahead of us.

That's fine to me. Among us all, Oz is problably the one with the best chance of tank the attacks of the enemy. And there the other members of the team with the ability of heal. Not to mentioned I stuffed with lots of healing items. Witch (heh, "witch") will bring out the things I want to do before the big battle ahead of us:

1 - Try to bring Skrims help to our side. Skarmory is a awesome ally to have around due to Flying type which nullify the enemy ground moves (unless the enemy have the ability of negate Typing immunities, which I do not discard the possibility). Tailwind will be a nice set to us, leaving Fortuna to use another useful move against the enemy such as Squash, unless the enemy is immune. Not to mentioned Icy Wind, making able to both hit multiple targets (which the Super Boss is weak to) and be a ice type move (which the Super Boss is also weak) so having in our side will be important.

2 - If possible, buying 2 Full Restore. Things will be deadly from now on, so it will be best if we have a few Full Restores on hand to handle the worse effects of the enemy specially on damage. We will have barely time to heal, so it will be best if we handle the situation as best as we can. Specially since we only have days to shout out what we want to do.

In a way I am still tempted to get Fayette help...But still...its not much of Oz style to let things be handle via Miracles. She wants to do her damn best to fight against the Super Boss, and help save everyone, so I sticking with my choice of press on.