2024-04-10: Shot In The Dark
- Log: A Shot In The Dark
- Cast: Sable Aomori, Chartreuse Spinosa, Rena Lanford, Josephine Lovelace
- Where: Mt. Moon (From Pewter City), Energy Nede
- Date: April 11, 2024
- Summary: Sable and Chartreuse decide to go into Mt. Moon in search of their own goals. When they meet Josie and Rena along the way, they decide to travel together. It turns into a real adventure... starting with figuring out how to light the way!
DG: A party led by Sable Aomori is now entering Mt. Moon. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
=================<* CHALLENGE - Apparitions Stalk the Night *>==================
| Type: Entry | Dungeon Ability: Wits | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
The cavernous path through Mt. Moon features less of a hike, but poses a
different kind of challenge: namely, it's pitch black in here. Regular
darkness wouldn't be much of an issue, but something within the walls of
this mountain seem to absorb light, and you need something extra-powerful to
have a safe time of navigating this place, like a Pokemon with the Move
Flash, or...
Well. You've come this far. You're a resourceful lot.
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Stupify:_Wits_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Sable Aomori has posed.
Sable Aomori is a serious girl with serious business to do. She hikes along the path towards Mt. Moon with her new friend and others, stopping only occasionally for battles along the way. There were Trainers! It's polite.
But now, she's about to get VERY conspicuous as she and Chartreuse step into Mt. Moon's caverns proper. She looks around the darkness thoughtfully. "It's dark..." She taps her flashlight. "And the flashlight isn't enough..."
She pulls a Pokeball and lets out her Vulpix, Xirua. "Just a moment, Xirua," she says, and the Vulpix steps closer to Sable as she prepares. She pulls a few things from her bag and--
"If I can make a diamond," she says, "We can store the light of her Dazzling Gleam in it for a way to see..."
It's daytime outside; it is a good day for adventure, sunny and all. The cavern is quiet... for the moment.
DG: Sable Aomori has used her Tool Lezard's Flask toward her party's challenge, Apparitions Stalk the Night. Stalwart! Party shielded from some Exhaustion this round!
<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.
Chartreuse is always up for cave exploration, and Mt. Moon in particular had held her interest of late. And since Sable had her own reasons for going, they decided to go together! And so, Chartreuse has followed along casually as they make their way up the trial... and now, they stand in front of the entrance to the caverns. It is, in fact, quite dark.
Fortunately, this is no obstacle for Chartreuse.
"Mareep, lend us a hand, if you would." Chartreuse requests, drawing out a Pokeball. Mareep materializes and, with an affirmative 'baa', the bulb on her tail begins to glow! It's rather bright - it should help light the way.
Chartreuse looks toward Sable with interest, then, as she makes some preparations.
"Oh, clever." She notes, watching intently.
DG: Chartreuse Spinosa has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Apparitions Stalk the Night.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Two voices are heard coming around the corner of the path up Mount Moon.
"Okay Gabby - your directions are getting a little vague."
"NY-PSY."
"They're absolutely not perfection."
"NY-PSY-NY!"
What waddles out is a bio-mechanical little Pokemon with squat features around the corner, its eyes closed with a fin and exhaust pipe - that is - if anyone can see it.
"I realize this is your first time out and you want to do it yourself but I'm bringing out Shorty. I can't see at all."
"NY-PSY!"
The little Pokemon protests with a squawl of discontent, before there's the sound of another Pokemon emerging, and a sudden glow, as a small Ashound rounds the corner soon after, belching out a fiery glow.
"Ash-Ash!"
Does the tiny Psynymph look upset? Jealous? Yes.
Shortly after, a Nedian girl rounds the corner herself, before stepping up to Shorty and finding herself bathed in that fiery glow.
She's wearing a blue dress that overlays a white long sleeved blouse with split sleeves, a red capelet with gold trim, and leg warmers. Her hair is accessorized with a crescent moon pin,
There is nothing Nedian looking about her other than her ears, perhaps.
"Ah! Hello. I think we're a little lost. I don't mean to be a burden - but would you mind terribly if we joined you?"
"NY-PSY!" The tiny Psynymph grumps at her, then unceremoniously begins to chew on one of her leg warmers.
"Gabby - Gabby... I get you're upset but - you're not really understanding my side here." Gabby keeps tugging, hard.
Eventually Rena puts a hand to her hip and says, "You don't want me to tell your Mom you're misbehaving on your first Pokemon journey out of her sight, right?" Gabby immediately stops the chewing, to step back, apparently sulking more.
"Ny."
"Okay. Now let's put our best face forward in front of these nice people."
Gabby immediately turns towards Sable and Chartreuse and straightens up making her small back fin rigid, and-
Opens her mouth wide, and utters.
"Ny-Psy."
Maybe she's making an attempt?
DG: Rena Lanford has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Apparitions Stalk the Night.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
There is a light in the darkness, not far ahead. It's a pure intense glow, if mitigated by the fact that it's coming from a sphere about four inches long and about as many in the other two of three dimensions it occupies. The fact that it's got a small partner in the gloom -- a pale orange glow to its strong white light -- might go unremarked upon until one dares draw closer.
It's then that the source of the light becomes plain.
It's a old lady (sorry, Josie) smoking a cigarette while a glowing light hovers overhead. There's a strange-looking bird on her shoulder, sort of like a Pidove but also very much unlike a Pidove. Pidoves don't usually have that much silent malice.
"Sorry, kiddos, only us pigeons 'n all here!" Josie quips, followed by a somewhat more straightlaced, "...because it's a dead end. But check this out!"
It's a spray bottle. An Awakening, to be precise! Josie just found it: sometimes a dead end has its blessings.
"So, heading into the mountain proper, like? ...Good! 'Cause we're lost."
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Pack of Cigarettes toward her party's challenge, Apparitions Stalk the Night. Cleanse! All negative effects will be cleared at the end of the round! Shortsighted! The party will suffer a penalty next round... but not this round!
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
=================<* CHALLENGE - Apparitions Stalk the Night *>==================
| Type: Entry | Dungeon Ability: Wits | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
The cavernous path through Mt. Moon features less of a hike, but poses a
different kind of challenge: namely, it's pitch black in here. Regular
darkness wouldn't be much of an issue, but something within the walls of
this mountain seem to absorb light, and you need something extra-powerful to
have a safe time of navigating this place, like a Pokemon with the Move
Flash, or...
Well. You've come this far. You're a resourceful lot.
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Cleanse:_All_Effects_Removed!, Shortsighted:_All_Stats_Down!, and |
| Stupify:_Wits_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
========================< Results - Mt. Moon - Round 1 >========================
==================< CHALLENGE - Apparitions Stalk the Night >===================
Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sable Aomori 0 --(7)--> 7 Bad
Lezard's Flask Min Wits Effects: Stalwart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chartreuse Spinosa 0 --(0)--> 0 Best
Investigate Bsc Wits Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rena Lanford 0 --(12)--> 12 Bad
Investigate Bsc Wits Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace 0 --(12)--> 12 Bad
Pack of Cigarettes Min Wits Effects: Cleanse and
Shortsighted
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leader: Sable Aomori 0 --(20)--> 20 Pass
Conditions: Stupify(2)
Effects: Cleanse and Shortsighted(1)
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
DG: The party led by Sable Aomori has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Sable Aomori has posed.
"Mareep's glow is nice..."
Sable tends to trail off a little when she speaks. This is a normal habit. She also tends to tower over the average person when she's standing, which is neither good nor bad but neutral. "Thank you," she says of her 'clever' idea. "I'm good at alchemy."
Then she hears the two voices coming. She turns once she finishes her work with the diamond--
There's a noise and a 'ding!'--
and once Rena and her Pokemon come into view, Xirua the Vulpix scoots behind Mareep for a moment. She seesm to trust the Mareep.
"...You're really good at talking to your Pokemon," Sable reflects of Rena. She looks over her outfit, and then holds up a finger. "One moment, please."
"Xirua," she says, "You can come out. Use Dazzling Gleam."
"Pix...!" In short order, the diamond glows with brilliant pearlescent light.
"There." She then looks up at Rena again. "You're dressed like a Visitor, and we're supposed to be welcoming to Visitors..."
"But I think we'd let you join us either way. You can come."
Then she notices--Ah. "Magic light..."
"You're a Visitor, but you're a Symbologist," she says to Josie. "That's cool."
She isn't phased by the cigarettes because telling people what to do with their bodies isn't very punk. She does however stare at the 'Pidove' for a few moments, tilting her head. But she apparently disovers what she means to, so, "Oh, an Awakening."
Pause.
"You can come with us too."
As it turns out, Sable's idea is creative but not very practical; she has to hold the diamond for it to be a useful light source, which can be tiring. Rena's Ashound only lights up so much; Josie's light source meanwhile is small but useful... but she's already wandered into a dead end once, so that's that.
Mareep's glowing tail wins the day!
"Do you mind them coming along, Chartreuse? I think it's nice."
DG: Chartreuse Spinosa has drawn a new Challenge.
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
====================<* CHALLENGE - I Find It Kinda Funny *>=====================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You swiftly become aware of a presence just around the corner, and spot
three humanoid figures dressed in white and black. These must be the goons
of Team Rocket, who've been lurking around this area to try to steal fossils
and other such forms of mischief--
Wait, that long, conical hat... the scimitars they're wielding...
That's no Team Rocket grunt! They're Filgaian Funnythieves (one word), a
truly bizarre species of Scumbag that vaguely resemble human bandits and are
naturally drawn to mischief, attempting to masquerade themselves as local
criminal elements!! Those Scumbags!! Get 'em!!
OOC: Pokemon Trainers, you can catch a Funnythief if you want to. It's fine.
Mr. Mime exists. The question is.... Do you /really/ want one?
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, Shortsighted:_All_Stats_Down!, and |
| Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.
It's not hard to hear the voices from around the corner. Chartreuse turns in their direction, sending Sable a questioning glance. Mareep, meanwhile, tilts her head curiously. And then... there's a tiny Pokemon, accompanied by a girl.
Chartreuse can't help but chuckle just a bit, before smiling and offering them both a wave - and a second wave for the Ashound following soon after.
...And, they aren't the only ones - soon enough, an older woman with her own Pokemon(?) arrives, too.
"I don't mind at all. The more the merrier, right?" Chartreuse replies with a smile. "I'm Chartreuse Spinosa - it's a pleasure to meet you both. Were you looking for anything in particular, or just traveling?"
And so, they set out. It's not easy - but Chartreuse knows this mountain well, so she can easily guide everyone past certain danger spots. And as they're making their way through the dark caves...
...Mareep stops in her tracks, pawing the ground. She looks alert - and, catching this, Chartreuse raises a hand to gesture everyone to stop - then, carefully pokes her head around the corner.
Three humanoid figures dressed in white and black squabble amongst themselves. Chartreuse sizes them up, then looks back.
"These Scumbags cause all kinds of trouble on this mountain - attacking travelers and bothering the local Pokemon... we'd be doing everyone a favor if we sent them packing." Chartreuse says. And then, points. "Mareep, get 'em!"
Mareep jumps out from cover, and attacks, unleashing a jolt of electricity from her fleece into the group of bandits! They fall over in comical poses - and then, pick themselves up, drawing their swords and whirling on the party!
Just when it might seem that Chartreuse just attacked a group of people unprovoked, she remembers something.
"Oh, and by the way - they're Pokemon, too!" She explains. "Mareep, use Reflect!"
With an affirmative 'baa', the bulb on Mareep's tail briefly glows brighter - the clay amulet around her neck glows along with it. A wall of light appears in front of everyone as the first of the Funnythieves swings their sword.
Time to fight!
DG: Chartreuse Spinosa has used her Tool Light Clay toward her party's challenge, I Find It Kinda Funny. Embolden! Party Combat boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Josephine smoking marks her as from Filgaia pretty much immediately, even before she gets a better look at her, chuckling at the quip. "Nice to meet you. I'm Rena Lanford." She says with a nod at Josie and the Pidove both in turn. "If you don't mind taking a moment for introductions?" She asks towards the other two, before nodding her head again at Chartreuse, "Chartreuse. That's a lovely name, it's very nice to meet you."
Whereas Shorty borks, "Ash- Ash!" Spilling fire as if it were simply slobber and drool.
Sable's comment though, "Oh! It's more about getting my thoughts across but - I feel like using words makes them understand my thoughts better?"
Or maybe it's just her own inexperience at that kind of communication that she needs words to organize her thoughts.
"Yes, I'm from Filgaia. From a little town near Krosse, specifically." It does occur to her that they probably won't understand that one all that much, but- "Well, I appreciate your kindness and hospitality."
She says as she places a hand over her chest, "Thank you for taking me into your care. I know I'm from Nede myself, but I don't much about life here yet."
When the funnythieves appear, Rena takes one look at them, remembering her journeys throughout Krosse and Marze, and says gravely-
"Even if they are... I would like to apologize... for Filgaia."
Her Pokedex takes on another entry, in that moment, as it starts droning them out, Rena makes the snap decision of the fact that.
The Pokedex is enough, she does not in fact need to catch 'em all.
"Gabby use Confusion."
The Pokemon eagerly waddles forward and says, "Psy-Ny!" As purple rings glow off of them and- one Funnythief unceremoniously gets swirly eyes and tries to stab another Funnythief, and then - himself.
"Good work!" She says to the sudden carnage of one of the Funnythieves just - swinging wildly, holding a Super Potion at the ready to spray any wounded Mons.
DG: Rena Lanford has used her Tool Super Potion toward her party's challenge, I Find It Kinda Funny. Rally!
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"An 'Awakening', eh," Josie remarks, gazing at the spray bottle in her hand. She's got a good idea of what this is for. "Not a bad get, I figure. And-- just call me Josie, yeah?" she says, skirting the very subject of her being a Symbologist altogether. It's not a surprise that a Nedian'd clock that as Symbology, of course, but they'd also probably clock the fact that it's a very... baseline spell.
Or perhaps notice that in spite of her own 'magical lantern', Josie's gotten lost already in the twisting darkness.
Fortunately, Mareep has a good sense of direction... or can find their way around the maze of the mountain without too much issue.
"Just traveling, here!" Josie says, waving her left hand overhead absently. "I heard all this 'n that about Mt. Moon so I figured I'd give it a good look-see myself. Somethin' 'bout rare stones or what, here?"
She pauses to gaze over at Rena when she mentions that not only is she Filgaian -- Josie would have sworn she was Nedian at a glance -- but that she's pretty local, as it were. "Huh," Josie muses thoughtfully. "Seems like we're near-neighbors then. I know you ain't from Marze," she starts, only to pause and squint at the 'trouble' ahead.
"...Well, I'll be a monkey's auntie. Funnythieves! I ain't seen any in ages. What're them lot doin' here, though?" Josie muses, fishing through her pockets for something before finally turning up--
"Ariadne! Show 'em what for!"
An arc of lightning -- Thunder Shock! -- rolls across the cavern as Ariadne the Wattrel sings her battle cry. "Ttrel!!"
DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, I Find It Kinda Funny.
<Pose Tracker> Sable Aomori has posed.
"Oh." A moment for introductions. "I forgot." Pause. "I'm Sable Aomori," she introduces herself. "It's nice to meet you."
She nods to Josie. "Just 'Josie' then," she says. She does clock that it's basic Symbology, too--but that doesn't strike her as very relevant in the moment. Having Symbology of any sort is just normal for her.
"Oh," Sable says to Rena. "So you're psychic," she says. "That's cool. I'm not. I have to guess at what my Pokemon think from their actions. But they're pretty straightforward mostly, so that's OK."
"There are often rare stones here," Sable agrees. "Chartreuse said so. And I've seen fossils here too..." She pauses, then. "I've been here before," she explains.
Then it seems that the others are near-neighbors. "Then you're not a Visitor, but you're not not a Visitor. ...I'll be welcoming to you, too."
But the apologies... Hmmm. Sable considers the Scumbags. "...I don't think I need one of these for my team," she reflects. "Xirua, use Icy Wind."
As Xirua the Vulpix does that, and wind gathers at the backs of their pokemon to assault their enemies, she turns to Rena. "I also have some medicine, if anyone's Pokemon are hurt. It's a secret recipe but as long as you don't ask what's in it it's OK to share."
DG: Sable Aomori has used her Tool Occult Medicine toward her party's challenge, I Find It Kinda Funny.
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
====================<* CHALLENGE - I Find It Kinda Funny *>=====================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You swiftly become aware of a presence just around the corner, and spot
three humanoid figures dressed in white and black. These must be the goons
of Team Rocket, who've been lurking around this area to try to steal fossils
and other such forms of mischief--
Wait, that long, conical hat... the scimitars they're wielding...
That's no Team Rocket grunt! They're Filgaian Funnythieves (one word), a
truly bizarre species of Scumbag that vaguely resemble human bandits and are
naturally drawn to mischief, attempting to masquerade themselves as local
criminal elements!! Those Scumbags!! Get 'em!!
OOC: Pokemon Trainers, you can catch a Funnythief if you want to. It's fine.
Mr. Mime exists. The question is.... Do you /really/ want one?
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, and |
| Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>================================= ========================< Results - Mt. Moon - Round 2 >======================== =====================< CHALLENGE - I Find It Kinda Funny >====================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sable Aomori 7 --(5)--> 12 Best Occult Medicine Maj Combat Effects: Efficient -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chartreuse Spinosa 0 --(5)--> 5 Good Light Clay Min Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rena Lanford 12 --(5)--> 17 Best Super Potion Maj Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 12 --(5)--> 17 Good Fight Bsc Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leader: Sable Aomori 20 --(20)--> 40 Pass Conditions: Fright(2) and Wound(2) Effects: Embolden(1) = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
DG: The party led by Sable Aomori has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.
"Thank you." Chartreuse replies brightly, as Rena compliments her name. Josie, meanwhile, says she's just traveling. Chartreuse looks to Sable and nods for confirmation.
"Yes, that's right. You've come to the right place! Some of the stones here are pretty rare, and pretty valuable - since I'm with you, I can point out some of the ones really worth noting."
And it's true that she wouldn't know where 'Krosse' is - but she appreciates Rena taking the time to bring it up, all the same. Josephine, meanwhile, seems to be from 'Marze'.
"Oh yeah? I'm from Pewter City, myself - you probably passed through it on your way here. I'm a student in Princebridge University's Archaeology program." Chartreuse explains. ...Come to think of it, she remembers seeing Rena there before, when Team Rocket attacked the cloning facility. There hadn't been much time for introductions afterward, though.
...But, Rena says she's from Nede, but doesn't know much about life here... That says a lot. But, Chartreuse smiles.
"It's no problem. Just take it one day at a time. That's how we do it." She assures.
But for now - battle!
Conveniently, it looks like Josie and Rena are already familiar with the enemy. Good, that saves an awkward conversation. Between the four of them and their Pokemon, though, the Funnythieves don't prove much of a threat. They scatter, fleeing to safety...
...And Chartreuse eyes one, holding an empty Pokeball contemplatively - and reluctantly, from the look on her face.
...In the end good taste wins out and - for her part, at least - she allows them to flee uncaptured.
"Shall we continue?" She asks.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has drawn a new Challenge.
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Onixay on the Pathway *>=====================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Brute | Challenge Rating: 3 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
The earth moves... hurry! Something extremely dangerous is coming!
THOOOOOOOM
You barely escape an enormous stone serpent Pokemon erupting from the
ground. This is Onix, a creature of colossal proportion, frequently known to
burrow in search of food. It doesn't seem to have noticed you, but in doing
so seems... to have decided that this is also a nice place to rest for the
night, which is extremely problematic for you. Maybe you can... coax it to
find someplace else to rest.
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:0095Onix.png
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Embolden:_Combat_Up!, |
| Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, Tire:_Exhaustion_Up!, and |
| Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
As it happens, Josie was also present for that same battle at the cloning facility, though not particularly close at hand to Chartreuse or Rena's battles (Dias might remember Josie, though). Talk about some near misses!
She nods at Charteuse's remark. "Not bad. Valuable helps, of course," says Josie, the woman with the nigh-perpetually-empty wallet, "but I ain't opposed to interesting or pretty or none, neither, now. So you're a student?"
So the conversation turns before they are happened upon (or rather happen upon) by some Funnythieves and the rest is, well, history.
In that the Funnythieves scarper. That sort of history.
"Sure enough," Josie says, gesturing to the tunnels ahead. "Lead on!"
They don't get terribly far along before there's a powerful tremble. An earthquake--
THOOOOOM
Onix are large in general but this one seems particularly large. And it's also emerged just in time to settle down for a light nap. It's blocking just about the entire tunnel!
Josie pokes at it with a booted foot. Then she draws from her kit a particularly well-used mattock and... doesn't hit Onix with it because she likes her limbs where they are, thank you. Instead, with just a little more force, she uses the flat top of its head to prod at the Onix tenatively.
"Don't suppose Awakening works on normal sleep, yeah?" she asks of the Nedian girls behind her.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Well-Used Mattock toward her party's challenge, Onixay on the Pathway. Strengthen! Party Brute boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.
"Those are great, too." Chartreuse replies, and then nods. "That's right! I've been taking the opportunity to get some fieldwork credit in on my journey."
As they continue, the caves soon begin to tremble. Chartreuse looks alert, and then - a particularly large Onix erupts from the ground! Chartreuse braces herself... then looks over the new obstacle before glancing Sable's way.
"Looks like you're in luck, Sable. How do you want to go about this?" Chartreuse asks, fishing in her coat for a Pokeball.
"Farfetch'd!" Chartreuse announces, sending out the leek-wielding duck. He looks at the Onix before looking back at her for instruction - and Chartreuse, in turns looks toward Sable.
Whether they fight or Sable tries to catch it outright, Farfetch'd's mighty leek will prove useful - either as an instrument of combat, or in clearing away the debris left in Onix's wake. As for Josie's question...
"Well... It can work, but you'd get just as much use out of spraying water, at that point." Chartreuse considers.
Then again, this is an Onix, who famously dislike water.
DG: Chartreuse Spinosa has used her Tool Leek toward her party's challenge, Onixay on the Pathway. Fanfare!
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
"Nice to meet you, Miss." At the designation of 'Psychic' she almost goes cross eyed, "I'm not sure? I'm not psychic with people. Just - Pokemon, and maybe animals, kind of."
She does give them a curious look at 'Rare Stones', she's heard a little but, not much. As Josie muses on Marze though-
"Near neighbors feels pretty right. I'd never been to Marze until a few years back though, we helped the town with this bandit problem. And well - this Symbologist who travels with us from time to time - you might know her."
The age gap isn't SO big that she thinks the two never have met, so she just asks, "Celine Jules?"
At the very least she might know her parents, they were among the town's bigshots, it felt like.
Before she nods at Chartreuse, "I did briefly - unfortunately things got cut a little short by one of the Ten Wise Men attacking - but that's wonderful! I'm curious what Nedian education is like, as well - I never really went to school myself."
An Onix appears at High Speed, causing a gasp as she quickly backpeddles from the shower of debris, "Guard!" a barrier forming around her and her Pokemon, and her Pokedex chimes in.
71:163:255Onix. This Rock and Ground Pokemon burrows at high speed in search of food. Ordinarily it consumes boulders as part of its diet. The tunnels left behind are used by Diglett as their burrows.normal
"Oh. Thank you." She tells her Pokedex, before looking at Josie and the Stone Serpent just relaxing. "Hmmm. In luck? Oh you're here to. Well-"
Considering it, she throws another Pokeball down. "Come out - Nacho!" "PSY-NY!" Gabby protests, perhaps thinking she can handle it.
"That one is pretty big, Gabby." Rena asides, as she bends down in front of the Dunsparce that appeared, "Anyhow, stay still for just a second."
Rena takes out an object, and begins to tie it, until, below it's tail... the Dunsparce now sports a pink bow on it's tail, right below it's drill like appendage.
"Dunnnnnnsssppaaaaaa..." The Dunsparce wiggles its tail happily.
"There you go, all fired up - adorable - and now that much stronger!" Dunsparce confirms with another, "Dunnnnnsssppaaaaaaaa!"
"Go Nacho! Drill run!" The Pokemon waddles forward, then begins to rotate, and hits the ground near the Onix, churning up rock as it enters the space underneath it.
There's a sound like rumbling and then...
... well let's just say that it's sleep might be interrupted when about a meter of ground just stops existing, thus allowing Sable to battle the Onix - or perhaps even give her a small advantage depending on if it gets wedged in.
Nacho pops out of the ground on the other side, it's pink ribbon dirty, as she raises her tail.
"DUN-SPAAAAAAAA!"
Does that sound a lot like Claude's VICTORY after using his Sword of Life!? Rena pumps her hand in the air, "Great work!"
DG: Rena Lanford has used her Tool Pink Bow toward her party's challenge, Onixay on the Pathway. Strengthen! Party Brute boosted! [OOC] Rena Lanford says, "*blu-ray remove the ansi"
<Pose Tracker> Sable Aomori has posed.
Rare and valuable! "I like stones," Sable says. That's all she says about it. But realy, isn't that enough?
"Pewter City is nice. I like the hot springs in the area. But my brother's dad lives there."
The Funnythieves go. That's enough of them.
Sable stops, then. "...How did you get off of Nede if you're from here?" she wonders. "My mom said that we'd cut off from the rest of the galaxy for a long time..."
Well, Onix happens, and this is exactly what Sable was hoping for--rare for the girl, it's obvious the way her eyes light up in interest. The Onix seems particularly big, which is even perfect. Then she considers. She looks to the Onix that settles down for a nap, and then looks to the mattock. "...It would work," Sable says. "The Awakening, I mean. The mattock might not be very nice..." Pause. "But I guess it's not nice to do what I'm going to do either. It's how you catch a Pokemon, though."
"Xirua," Sable says. "Return." She extends her hand with the Pokeball, and the timid Vulpix returns to it. Instead, she calls out, "Ulpi!"
A little blue penguin emerges into the dim. Ulpi--for that is his name--is a dapper fellow. And he stands with pride, even with his difficulties on solid ground. "Pip!"
Rena wakes up the Onix. And Sable is ready.BGM Change: Battle 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LpkwWJt_Rw
"Yes," she says to Chartreuse. "...I'll give it a battle, to get to know it. Thank you, everyone!"
"Piplup, go! Use Water Gun!"
Piplup lets out a big blast of water from his mouth, and then charges forward, deftly darting around the Onix's attacks with more blasts of water until it looks weak, if that happens.
Sable has a Pokeball at the ready...!!!
DG: Sable Aomori has contributed a risky Brute Action toward her party's challenge, Onixay on the Pathway.
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Onixay on the Pathway *>=====================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Brute | Challenge Rating: 3 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
The earth moves... hurry! Something extremely dangerous is coming!
THOOOOOOOM
You barely escape an enormous stone serpent Pokemon erupting from the
ground. This is Onix, a creature of colossal proportion, frequently known to
burrow in search of food. It doesn't seem to have noticed you, but in doing
so seems... to have decided that this is also a nice place to rest for the
night, which is extremely problematic for you. Maybe you can... coax it to
find someplace else to rest.
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:0095Onix.png
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, |
| Strengthen:_Brute_Up!, Tire:_Exhaustion_Up!, and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>================================= ========================< Results - Mt. Moon - Round 3 >======================== =====================< CHALLENGE - Onixay on the Pathway >====================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sable Aomori 12 --(8)--> 20 Good Force Bsc Brute Effects: Risky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chartreuse Spinosa 5 --(8)--> 13 Best Leek Maj Brute Effects: Fanfare -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rena Lanford 17 --(8)--> 25 Best Pink Bow Min Brute Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 17 --(8)--> 25 Best Well-Used Mattock Min Brute Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leader: Sable Aomori 40 --(20)--> 60 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(2), Fright(1), Tire(2), and Wound(1) Effects: Strengthen(1) = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
DG: The party led by Sable Aomori has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Then fair's fair all around, eh?" she says to Chartreuse.
Rena drops out a familiar-enough name, at which Josie's eyes light up. "Celie! It's been ages since we crossed paths! So she's taken up with your lot, eh? We go way on back, though we're not friends exactly, like. More like," she gestures vaguely with her left hand, "in a village that small, and with her and my sister gettin' on... that, and she studied some under..." Josie trails off and makes a face. "Mm. Well, never you mind," she appends, waving that hand dismissively instead.
Maybe it's a good idea to not mention her old man around someone who either could have met the old bastard or at least has definitely heard what said 'old bastard' got up to in his final years.
It may well be a discussion best left alone, and perhaps easily done when an Onix makes its appearance.
Onix shifts a little in its slumber, but doesn't move enough for it to count. "Noted," Josie asides to Chartreuse, taking a step back as it seems that the others have designs on this particular brute. "You gonna catch this one, eh? Well, the world's your oyster, kiddo! ...Or somethin' like that, anyhow," Josie says, gesturing stiffly towards the Onix with her right hand.
But first, the stage must be set: a pink ribbon is produced, and through its power, Nacho is INSPIRED to, well, remove almost all of the ground under Onix. "Well, that's inspiration for you," Josie remarks, apparently also impressed by Nacho's wherewithal.
>Onix woke up!
But Sable and her Piplup Ulpi are ready for it, blasting it with water until the Onix is worn down and then throws a Pokeball!
*click* Onix was caught!
The obstacle is out of the way, but there's still a lot of debris and a torn-up cave floor. Time for Josephine and Farfetch'd to get to work. "Never thought a leek'd be that handy," Josie observes as they work on tidying up (read: building an ersatz set of stone steps).
DG: Rena Lanford has drawn a new Challenge.
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
===================<* CHALLENGE - A Truly Remarkable Find *>====================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Wits | Challenge Rating: 3 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
A glimmer catches your attention in the rocky wall. This is...
A Fossil! No doubt about it -- and an intact one, too. This is undoubtedly a
great find, and the Princebridge University in Pewter City would marvel at
this discovery. With some luck, they may even be able to resuscitate it and
discover a creature from Nede's ancient history. You may yet be famous!
One problem.
It's impossibly embedded and stuck in the rock wall, and digging it out
without damaging it is easier said than done.
OOC: If you pass this challenge, you obtain a Fossil! Consult with staff and
you may be able to resuscitate it into a Pokemon in a later Act.
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Strengthen:_Brute_Up!, Tire:_Exhaustion_Up!, and |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
As she mentions 'Celie!' Rena lights up, "You do know her! I thought you might."
Honestly Josie had her understanding fully at small village.
"I get it. In a small village you're just kind of involved in everyone's business."
It was the same way in Arlia, but- "I don't think she's on Nede right now at least but - se cross paths all the time."
Rena decides to leave the romance goss out of it because she barely knows Josie and she's not gonna rat Celine out.
"If I see her first, I'll let her know."
Honestly given her experiences with Marze it probably wouldn't shock her about Josie's Old Man... but- she wouldn't even think to ask.
Sable does ask an important question, and Rena looks at her for a moment then says quietly, "I don't know. I was found... near a small town in the Krosse Kingdom when I was very young."
She's avoiding saying Arlia again, Team Rocket has already been to Salva, that's far too close for her liking. "Too young to remember what happened before that. ... Noone here has been able to tell me either - just, they've assured me I'm Nedian. Because... well-"
She lifts a hand, and says audibly, "Cure Light." As symbological power gathers around her, it swells and then dissipates, apparently just a demonstration. "On Filgaia - there's no healing symbology, and I don't have any tattoos, which I'm told all symbologists require there."
Perhaps she even looks to Josie to confirm since well - Josie grew up around a town famous or infamous for it's Symbology traditions.
There is the Quadratic Key too as proof - but she's... avoiding mentioning that. She's not certain all Nedians will be supportive of her when she accidentally hastened the return of the greatest threat they've ever known just by existing on Filgaia.
(If they're correct that is, they could just be jerks.)
Anyhow - after the Onix is conquered, Rena properly goes over, raising a hand and... Nacho suddenly flips up on its thorax near the head, just long enough to tail five Rena's hand before going into his pokeball.
"Ny-Psy."
Gabby complains as if to say 'I could have taken it.' Whereas Rena notes to Josie, "It's definitely handy in some of my soup recipes..." She eyes the Farfetch'd in wonder.
(No she's not thinking of cooking it. Just the leek.)
As they enter the next chamber though, "Oh!" Rena just points towards the wall which has a VERY well defined skeleton in it and looks at Chartreuse, "I'm definitely not an archaeologist but that looks like - something you might be interested in..."
She does gesture at the wall, part of it reminds her of the Sacred Grounds of Linga just more... embedded.
MUCH MORE EMBEDDED!!
"... how would one - get it out though?"
...
...
...
"Psy-Ny." Gabby utters, and Rena looks at her and-
"No."
What was the Psynymph's rejected plan anyway!?
DG: Rena Lanford has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Truly Remarkable Find.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Got it in one. Ain't no hiding nothing from no one, for better'r for worse," Josie drawls. And, regarding Celine's ~business~, fair's fair, Josie has her own matters she'd rather not have someone spill about to some semi-rando, anyway. "Hey, good to know she's still out and about, yeah? 'Course, Celie ain't the type to give up easily or none!" There are certain hazards with this sort of living, after all... but she'd expect the world to end before Celine bit it.
Some girls are just like that.
Meaning to or not, she still overhears the conversation between Sable and Rena. And after her own fashion -- even if Rena prompts her in turn to do just that -- she chimes in.
"...Yeah. Normally, like... it's Crest Sorcery, or other things, if you want healing back home," says Josie, the sole round-ear among them. "Symbology? Well it ain't it. In fact, seems like it ain't it anywhere... except Energy Nede," she adds, opting not to comment on Rena's remarks about where she was found... and her apparent heritage.
"A little leek ain't missed in a dish," she remarks as they head on into the next chamber, wherein there are...
"Huh! Fossils," Josie says, and glances down at the mattock she still has in hand. "I think we need something finer-tuned than this old lunk," she sighs, shaking her head. "And here I left my screwdriver in my other jacket!"
Up until this point, Penelope has been silent, watching and listening to the proceedings at hand. But in this moment, she launches herself at the fossil embedded in the wall.
As always, her motives are inscrutable until it's already too late.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Penelope toward her party's challenge, A Truly Remarkable Find.
<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.
"In that case I'd be glad to trade stories sometime, if you like." Chartreuse offers, as Rena remarks on her curiosity regarding Nedian education.
Sable has an important question, too. Chartreuse listens for the answer, but she won't poke further than that now that it's been asked. She listens intently as Rena explains... and gives a pretty good answer.
And... it's a battle! And, after a fight - Onix is caught.
"Congrats!" Chartreuse cheers.
Farfetch'd assists with several masterful swings of his leek, carving through even stone - and between him and Josie, they can move forward with ease. He regards Josie's comment with quiet satisfaction... while Rena's, meanwhile, earns her a suspicious glare - which is then passed toward Josie at her followup.
Chartreuse quickly returns Farfetch'd before any trouble can be caused before moving forward with everyone...
...where, they find a remarkable discovery.
"Look at this fossil!" Chartreuse gasps, eyes sparkling. She nods toward Rena. "Yes, absolutely! This is incredible find - it looks so well preserved, too!"
Chartreuse reaches for her phone. She lines it up, taking a quick picture before stowing it away and slinging her backpack off her back, setting it on the ground.
First things first, she removes her shovel. She points it at the wall and presses a button on the handle. From the blade, a red light emits out. She traces it across the fossil, then pulls out her phone again, taps a few buttons, and nods.
"Yeah, okay... That makes sense." She says. She reaches into her backpack once more, drawing out tools - which she then offers to the party.
"Here, if you need something more precise, I've got some spares on hand. Just follow my lead!" Chartreuse says, readying her shovel. ...Though it looks like Penelope is already getting a head start. "Once we get this extracted, I'll call some folks from the college to come pick it up for us."
...Hopefully, they get it out in one piece.
DG: Chartreuse Spinosa has used her Tool Archaeologist's Backpack toward her party's challenge, A Truly Remarkable Find. Enlighten! Party Wits boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Sable Aomori has posed.
It's nice that Rena and Josie have people in common. Sable takes Josie at her word, though. She doesn't want to get into it, so she's not going to press. She does listen to Rena. "...Hm," she says. "So you don't know, either..."
"But yes, I see. I think it's impressive to be able to communicate with Pokemon, too. I'm familiar with that kind of Symbological power you used, though," Sable says. "Mom's very good at it. I'm OK." A pause. "Well, I hope you can find out eventually. It would bother me not to know, I think." Then she nods to Josie. "Our Symbology is the most advanced. Supposedly, we're more suited to it than any species in the galaxy. But that's just something I read in a book..."
There is the Onix, and Josie's lines about Oyster get Sable to look back at her when it's all done. "...Shelder and Cloyster are that kind of Pokemon. Onix is more like a snake."
...She isn't familiar with the saying.
Sable, in the meantime, picks up the Pokeball she'd thrown, and cradles it in both hands. "...I hope we can be friends, Onix. I'm counting on you... You can count on me, too."
Then, they move on. Though Gabby complains and, "Your Nacho is very strong." Pause. "...That's a Psynymph, isn't it? They're really rare... and endangered. I'm happy that you're taking good care of it."
Fossil!
Sable nods to Chartreuse. "It really does. You're very well-equipped..."
"...With as old as Nede's civilization is, we still have things we've lost track of, or things that disappeared over time. It's hard, to maintain our ecosystem... so some Pokemon go extinct."
"But when we find Fossils like this... we can get in touch with our ancestors. What were they thinking? Did they feel the same way we do? Did they live with Pokemon like we do...?"
"Not all of our history is very detailed, because there's a lot of it. But..."
She gestures to the Fossil. "With these fossils, we can get in touch with that past. And there's even labs that can clone Pokemon from these fossils, and give the species a new chance at life."
"I know some people who do that kind of thing... It's really good work." Pause. "Though some people use cloning for bad things. It's just science. It's not good or bad."
"Anyway," she says, "I hope we don't have to do that with Psynards one day. And... I can compound a solution that will soften the rock without harming the fossil. I'll just need a minute or two..."
Pause. "We'll still have to dig it out, though."
Pause. "...Um. Your Pidove is helping," she says to Josie. 'Helping'. "...I guess a beak is a pretty good implement..."
She smiles (a small expression, as is her norm) at Chartreuse though. "You found what you were looking for, too. I'm happy."
She will take a tool once she's done with her compound and help too, naturally.
DG: Sable Aomori has used her Tool Lezard's Flask toward her party's challenge, A Truly Remarkable Find. Stalwart! Party shielded from some Exhaustion this round!
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
===================<* CHALLENGE - A Truly Remarkable Find *>====================
| Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Wits | Challenge Rating: 3 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
A glimmer catches your attention in the rocky wall. This is...
A Fossil! No doubt about it -- and an intact one, too. This is undoubtedly a
great find, and the Princebridge University in Pewter City would marvel at
this discovery. With some luck, they may even be able to resuscitate it and
discover a creature from Nede's ancient history. You may yet be famous!
One problem.
It's impossibly embedded and stuck in the rock wall, and digging it out
without damaging it is easier said than done.
OOC: If you pass this challenge, you obtain a Fossil! Consult with staff and
you may be able to resuscitate it into a Pokemon in a later Act.
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Bad_Luck:_All_Stats_Down!, Enlighten:_Wits_Up!, Tire:_Exhaustion_Up!, and |
| Wonder:_Exhaustion_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>================================= ========================< Results - Mt. Moon - Round 4 >======================== ====================< CHALLENGE - A Truly Remarkable Find >===================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sable Aomori 20 --(0)--> 20 Best Lezard's Flask Min Wits Effects: Stalwart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chartreuse Spinosa 13 --(0)--> 13 Best Archaeologist's Backpack Min Wits Effects: Enlighten -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rena Lanford 25 --(0)--> 25 Good Investigate Bsc Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 25 --(0)--> 25 Best Penelope Maj Wits Effects: Efficient -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leader: Sable Aomori 60 --(20)--> 80 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(1), Tire(1), and Wonder(1) Effects: Enlighten(1) = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
DG: The party led by Sable Aomori has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
"That's her alright." Rena beams at Josie, "She actually hired me and Claude to explore Krosse Cave with her after we intervened in this dispute she got involved in with a local grifter. ... But you're right, she's not the type to quit at anything! Absolutely fearless."
Sable however notes that she herself doesn't know.
"Not yet." Rena tells her after a moment, "I'm still looking - searching, but I haven't found any clues here on Nede, yet."
Though in part her search is hindered by becoming ready for the Ten Wise Men - given their aims, finding her mother has to be deprioritized."
Rena does look at Sable in wonder, "Oh? I'm - apparently something of a surprise to Nedians." Rena says quietly, thinking of Masked Blossom's words, "So it'd be nice to meet someone well-versed in Nedian Symbology."
She nods Josie's way to confirm, "Exactly, for the longest time we weren't even really sure what I did was even Symbology since, it doesn't obey the rules every Symbologist on Filgaia knows."
Sable however comments on Gabby and she smiles, and nods, "Nacho is the strongest." Gabby immediately protests with, "NY-PSY!"
Even as Sable mentions Gabby, who promptly waddles up to her. "Oh, yes. Actually - her mother joined us, she's a wild Psynard, and she's entrusted Gabby into my care." 'Joined' and 'Entrusted' are perhaps peculiar words, aren't they? Most Pokemon don't just... join, or entrust their young to others. "My friend Claude is taking care of her brother, Fabby."
Back to the fossil though! And Chartreuse's enthusiasm almost takes her aback, "Wow. Archaeologists are really something." She smiles, allowing herself to be swept up in her enthusiasm, thinking back to the academics in Linga...
"Sure. I'll do my best!"
When Josie brings out Penelope, Rena looks at it curiously, and several things line up about Penelope- Josie, and Marze in her head as she asks, "Is that your familiar?"
She asks her, curious, as she takes up a shovel.
Gabby too waddles forward and grips a shovel in her mouth, and moves towards the wall. Moments later she's chipping away beneath the fossil.
Sable however speaks upon Nede, and Rena stops in her work to listen. "That's awful... I'm told most Psynymphs and Psynards are nearly extinct like that." A beat, "I see - like the labs then."
Part of her still thinks of how that Pokemon reacted, like it was screaming in her head, looking right at her.
"I have no problems with the cloning part, at least..."
That implies she thinks a part of it isn't fine? But she doesn't speak on that, instead dutifully setting towards the work of trying to help with the fossil.
Mostly she tries not to make any major moves, instead listening to Chartreuse's advice, as she lets the expert take the lead. Sable softens the rock around it enough that between Penelope's INSCRUTABLE excavation, Chartreuse's fine tool work - that compound and Rena's desire not to SCREW ANYTHING UP.
(Which leads to her steering Gabby towards unimportant parts of the wall at times to smack the shovel against...)
Eventually the whole excavation is extracted, and properly labeled and packaged-! All in all - it's a lot of work!
A LOT OF WORK!
But probably much less work than if Nedian tech and alchemy weren't in play.
"I hope the University will appreciate all of your hard work here." Rena notes to Chartreuse, after they've all rested - after that...
DG: Sable Aomori has drawn a new Challenge.
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
==================<* CHALLENGE - Stab the Sword of Justice *>===================
| Type: Final | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 3 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
The eponymous Moon is high in the night sky when you reach the summit of the
mountain. There is a chance to relax and take stock of your situation here.
As you ascend, you notice the soft glow of moonlight from within one of the
valleys and witness a rare sight -- the native Fairy-type Pokemon, Clefairy
and Clefable, dancing and singing. All around them are chunks of glowing
Moon Stones.
The peace is soon disrupted. A tall, demonic creature, Cynne, rises through
the air, silhouetted by the full Moon. "So, this is where you've been
hiding. Hand me those moonstones, or suffer the consequences of defying the
Ten Wise Men!"
It doesn't take long before Cynne launches a mystic fusillade, blasting the
valley with magic. The Fairy Pokemon cry in terror and run, threatened by
falling rubble and volleys of arcane violence! Take up your arms... and to
him, stab the sword of justice!! (Metaphorically. Swords not mandatory.)
BGM - Stab the Sword of Justice - Star Ocean: The Second Story OST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yGHTeckax4
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Enlighten:_Wits_Up!, Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, and |
| Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Sable Aomori has posed.
She's looking and searching. Sable nods to Rena. "I respect that. It must be hard to search. ...The Ten Wise Men are always a problem. That's made me put my journey into a bit of a different path, too..."
Sable considers. Hmm. "She has a lab in Viridian City, if you want to see her sometime."
But Josie and Rena, "I see..."
Sable laughs softly at Gabby. Then, "I see..." Sable, if Gabby will allow it, will reach out her hand--for her to sniff, first--and then, if she's up for it, a little scritches. "I see. So you're not Training them, just taking care of them..."
They do their best! And as they do, "Yes. Like the labs. But they don't do behavioral modification on the fossils in general--it's hard enough to revive them. You have to train them on your own."
They succeed! And they move on. "I'll tell them you worked hard," Sable says to Chartreuse of the University. This might even do something!
But... They finally reach the summit, and get a chance to take stock. Sable looks out to the soft glow of moonlight in the valleys, and--
"Ah," Sable says. "The Pokemon are dancing..."
"It's beautiful, isn't it? ...I know you're interested in the Stones, Chartreuse, but maybe we should wait until they finish--"
Cynne comes.
"So, this is where you've been hiding. Hand me those moonstones, or suffer the consequences of defying the Ten Wise Men!"
Sable knows him--she's seen him before. Her expression turns in dismay. "No!" she calls, and Cynne launches his fiery and windy magical assault, shouting about the Ten Wise Men.
As the Fairy Pokemon cry in terror and run--
"Pip!" Ulpi says, and suddenly rushes in front of Sable. Sable pauses--and then straightens her back. "...I said I wouldn't look away," she says. "Let's go!" She extends her hand, pointing the way towards him. "Ulpi..."
She narrows her eyes. "Use Rain Dance. We'll put out his flames."
She pulls a few packets of medicine--she expects to need them in this fight. Piplup is still very small.
DG: Sable Aomori has used her Tool Occult Medicine toward her party's challenge, Stab the Sword of Justice.
<Pose Tracker> Chartreuse Spinosa has posed.
Chartreuse chuckles just a bit sheepishly at Rena's comment.
"Hah... you think so?" She replies, massaging the back of her neck.
Chartreuse listens intently as Sable speaks on fossils. Getting in touch with their ancestors... it's true. She shuts her eyes for a moment. Those words really resonate with her. That's what she's always strived for - getting in touch with the past, learning what she can from it in order to make the future better.
"Well said." Chartreuse says with a nod. Cloning... "I think it's a noble effort, myself. Everything that happened... it's not the Pokemon's fault. But if we can give them another chance... I think it's worth it.
She then offers Sable a smile of her own in return, as she comments that she found what she was looking for. "Yes, I did..."
And together... after some hard work, they successfully excavate the fossil! Chartreuse snaps another picture, as well as shoots a message toward the University.
"I hope so, too..." Chartreuse replies to Rena and laughs, just a little, as Sable says she'll tell them she worked hard. "Thanks... I appreciate it."
She's in high spirits, now. Finding an intact fossil like this is rare - she's found bits and pieces before, but something like this... It's been a dream of hers.
...But, as much as she wants to stick around and marvel at it, they do have more mountain to explore. And so they continue - until, eventually, they reach the summit. The moon is high in the sky, now - and so, they're treated to the marvelous sight of the dancing fairies.
"Remarkable..." Chartreuse breathes out, watching intently - then nods, toward Sable. "Yes, absolutely. I'm in no hurry to interrupt them."
...But, as it happens - there's someone who is. A demon, who's after the moonstones!
Quickly, Chartreuse sends out Mareep.
"Mareep! Use Light Screen - protect them!" Chartreuse calls out. Materializing, Mareep lets out a determined 'baa'. Walls of light appear within the valley to provide the Clefairy and Clefable with cover!
"And as for you... Farfetch'd!" Chartreuse calls out. She sends out Farfetch'd once more. "Use Slash!"
With a grim nod Farfetch'd ascends, flying high - then tucks his leek beneath his wing much like a quick draw artist readying their sword in its sheath. And then he descends, drawing his leek to deliver unto Cynne a single slash!
DG: Chartreuse Spinosa has used her Tool Light Clay toward her party's challenge, Stab the Sword of Justice. Embolden! Party Combat boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Ha! That sounds like Celie. A go-getter from the time she was out of diapers -- eh, maybe she'd rather I not mention that," Josie allows, shrugging her shoulders as if to apologize.
"That so," Josie says, as Sable explains a thing or three about Nedians. "Hmmm. Makes me wonder why so many folk have Symbology practices, even. Maybe your ancestors really got around, eh?" She grins at Sable a little toothily, like a wine-drunk aunt.
Cloyster? "Well! Then the world's your Cloyster," Josie amends, scarcely missing a beat.
Sable explains a little about the fossils, at that, at which Josie nods as if she understands. "So that's the matter of it... I heard tell some at the lab that got attacked and all," she remarks, gesturing broadly at the stone wall and fossil both. "Kind of wild, if you ask me. Seems that the usual matter of it's that dead is dead and may they rest in peace... but here we've got something that can bring the dead up 'round again." She has turned her back on Sable at this point. "...You ain't ever used that on Nedians, right?"
Of course, then Penelope invites herself to the party. "I... think she's helping," Josie says, squinting. "And they're called pigeons, back home."
Fortunately, today Penelope is merciful. The fossil is extracted in one piece.
"...Pet, actually," she tells Rena, before turning to Chartreuse. "Well, ain't you the lucky one! And she's a right beauty, too! That'll earn you a point or two with the professors, like! ...Don't suppose you could find me a nice rock while you're at it, eh?" It might be hard to tell if Josie means a nice rock as in an evolution stone, or just a rock that she could sell for some spare cash.
TRegardless, it's not much further until the caves part at last to reveal the summit. "Well, would you look at that! Don't think that's an everyday sort of thing," she notes, watching the Clefairy as they dance and dance. But alas, it's not to last.
"Hey, you--" Josie calls out as destruction rains down from the skies, courtesy of Cynne. "Tch," Josie hisses as fire burns and erupts near enough every place she can see about them, fumbling in her jacket pocket for a flask. Popping the cork, she takes a swig of its contents before stuffing it back away again. She'd opted to default to Energy Nede's ways when on Energy Nede, sure, but that doesn't mean she's come in here unarmed (as it were). From where it's been holstered against her lower back and hidden by her coat, she draws out an ARM! "Can't stand a bastard like that--" she grits out, squinting an eye shut as she takes as careful aim as she can with an Avehan gunsmoke handgun. Even for her, the odds aren't in her favor with an ARM like that -- even modded -- but that doesn't mean she's not going to give as good as she's got.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Liquid Courage toward her party's challenge, Stab the Sword of Justice. Rally!
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
"It is, but... in time, I'll find her, I know it."
Her? Rena doesn't say.
"Viridian City? I'll keep that in mind, thank you."
As Josie mentions Celie in diapers, Rena giggles lightly, "Oh it's fine. In a small town, if you're younger, everyone's seen you that way, right?"
The clarification on Penelope as her pet causes Rena to nod in wonder, "I see! Well she's beautiful." Before she blushes lightly on the implication that 'Nedian ancestors got around.'
Gabby not only butts her head against the hand lightly, but then nuzzles it. "Ny-Psy!" And Rena bobs her head, "That's right." Before she smiles, "Gabby is a sucker for the attention. The cave she was born in was just far too small for her, I think."
A smile towards Chartreuse, "You're welcome, I'm just glad I didn't mess it up for you."
The moon is high in the sky, and then Cynne arises attacking the fairies, as Rena looks shocked, before her eyes narrow, "Never. Gabby-! Get into cover! This one is my fight."
Unfortunately it's too late, as Cynne launches his spell of wind and flame, catching the Psynymph in the fray and launching her with cry that's silenced far too quickly.
"No!"
Rena rushes over to Gabby, and leaps to catch her, taking a knee, as she sprays a super potion onto her. And then begins to cast healing spell after healing spell on the other trainers and Pokemon.
"Cure All!" As Symbological power flows and arcs through everyone present, and she shouts, "Fairy Healing!" And again, but this time focused on her Ulpi.
Atop the Mountain it is unfortunately not just Pokemon that dance amidst this Rondo of Wind and Flame.
"You'll regret that." She rasps, before saying, "Stall him." Knowing it's a big ask.
Rena closes her eyes for a moment, concentrating, and then there is a distinct SCREECH in the distance. And abruptly a shape flies out of nowhere, on radiant blue-white wings. This enormous form rushes down Cynne, trying to knock him out of the sky outright.
Then banking abruptly, swings around sharply, to slash towards him with twin arcs of Psychic Energy that bursts out of the wings into an X-Shaped Psychocut towards Cynne.
It's a Psynard, looking just like a Psynymph, but it is probably in Josie's reckoning about the size of a Metal Dragon - albeit likely without the same raw firepower. And it looks upset, the answer to why is obvious, Rena is holding the recovering Psynymph in her arms. Rena looks at Lady Brightwing and something is conveyed.
"Flee back to your masters." Rena tells Cynne after a moment, still protectively holding Gabby away from him, "And tell them this world's counterattack is coming."
DG: Rena Lanford has used her Tool Super Potion toward her party's challenge, Stab the Sword of Justice. Rally!
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
==================<* CHALLENGE - Stab the Sword of Justice *>===================
| Type: Final | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 3 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
The eponymous Moon is high in the night sky when you reach the summit of the
mountain. There is a chance to relax and take stock of your situation here.
As you ascend, you notice the soft glow of moonlight from within one of the
valleys and witness a rare sight -- the native Fairy-type Pokemon, Clefairy
and Clefable, dancing and singing. All around them are chunks of glowing
Moon Stones.
The peace is soon disrupted. A tall, demonic creature, Cynne, rises through
the air, silhouetted by the full Moon. "So, this is where you've been
hiding. Hand me those moonstones, or suffer the consequences of defying the
Ten Wise Men!"
It doesn't take long before Cynne launches a mystic fusillade, blasting the
valley with magic. The Fairy Pokemon cry in terror and run, threatened by
falling rubble and volleys of arcane violence! Take up your arms... and to
him, stab the sword of justice!! (Metaphorically. Swords not mandatory.)
BGM - Stab the Sword of Justice - Star Ocean: The Second Story OST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yGHTeckax4
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, and |
| Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>================================= ========================< Results - Mt. Moon - Round 5 >======================== ===================< CHALLENGE - Stab the Sword of Justice >==================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sable Aomori 20 --(5)--> 25 Best Occult Medicine Maj Combat Effects: Efficient -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chartreuse Spinosa 13 --(5)--> 18 Good Light Clay Min Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rena Lanford 25 --(5)--> 30 Best Super Potion Maj Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 25 --(5)--> 30 Best Liquid Courage Maj Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leader: Sable Aomori 80 --(35)--> 115 Pass Conditions: Fright(2) and Wound(2) Effects: Embolden(1) = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Sable Aomori has successfully explored Mt. Moon!
=================================<* Mt. Moon *>=================================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - A TM Revolution *>========================
| Type: Discovery | Dungeon Ability: Conclusion | Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information >----------------------------
You seize the upper hand and turn the situation around!
Cynne growls, his pride clearly wounded. With a flourish of his wings, he
exclaims, "This little victory means nothing. Our masters' plan proceeds
apace!" and disappears into the night. His minions beat a hasty retreat with
their master no longer present. You've won the night in Mt. Moon!
As you pack up and get ready to leave, one of the Fairy-type Pokemon, a pale
pink creature known as Clefairy, hops up and down excitedly, gesturing to
one of the piles of rocks. Wow! There's a small disk-shaped machine known as
a Technical Machine, which can teach a Pokemon -- or even a willing
combatant -- a new Move.
This one has Rock Smash loaded into it! Smash some rocks! (But don't break
bricks. That's a different Move.)
============================= Dungeon Conditions: =============================
| Embolden:_Combat_Up!, Fright:_Combat_Down!_Agility_Up!, |
| Treasure:_Exploration_Up!, and Wound:_Combat_Down! |
= Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Sable Aomori has posed.
"You're welcome," Sable says to Rena. "And... I hope you do." Find her. She smiles, too, at Gabby. "Now she gets to see whole worlds..."
Sable appreciates hearing that a real academic like Chartreuse likes her takes! It's different when it's not family. So she nods, but quietly vibrates a little on the inside. "Thank you..."
"Hmm... I wonder if that's why?" Sable muses aloud. She takes the question seriously. "It might be."
"I like Cloyster. It's very powerful defensively. And the shell is pretty."
"...I don't think so," Sable says. "I don't think it would be the same person anyway. But maybe. We've done a lot of things."
But pigeons! "Pigeon, then. Yes, I agree. She's a very cute pigeon." She nods to Rena. They do find fancy rocks after all, though.
Chartreuse says it's fine to wait--but soon, they aren't waiting.
The battle begins in earnest. Rena says to 'stall', after Gabby is hurt. Her healing spells keep Ulpi in the action--the small Pokemon needs the help with the way he gets up in Cynne's space to fire off his attacks. Josie's ARMsfire gets Sable's attention with widened eyes--and is effective, to boot. But Farfetch'd and his leek slam Cynne straight in the face!
This disorients him long enough that they can get well clear for when Lady Brightwing comes, and blasts Cynne and his minions away. He's a terrible foe to any who could fight him--but an adult Psynard goes a long way.
Cynne's pride is wounded, clearly. "It doesn't matter," he says. "Counterattack all you like. You'll fail. Our masters' plans cannot be stopped!"
...And then they're done. Thy're on the summit; the Fairy Pokemon start to come out of their hiding places, and look around again, as Ulpi stares after Cynne... and in his resolve, begins to glow white. There is a sudden energy, and he is radiant in it, shining brilliant.
In moments--
He's twice the height he was before, 'dressed' with markings much like a fancy coat. Prinplup stands, and slashes with his wing once, with a deep crow like the roar of the arctic tide.
"Oh!" Sable says, and moves to hug her Pokemon. "You did so well..."
He abides this, though it's a little embarrassing. And while this happens, a Clefairy approaches, gesturing to a pile of rocks. "Clefairy!" it says.
The rock has a Technical Machine on it!
Maybe it's the Clefairy's way of thanking them. Sable looks seriously at the Clefairy, for her part. "...We'll protect you all," she says.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Cynne might very well be correct, after all she doesn't know all that they have planned for universal domination.
"But you can." Rena answers him, "And so can they."
In the aftermath, Lady Brightwing lowers herself down with a flap of wings, and Rena offers Gabby up to her.
Rather than take her, she floats lower, and nuzzles her child's cheek. "You're sure? But she got hurt. And it's my faul-"
Lady Brightwing makes a noise that cuts her off, as if to show certainty and Rena smiles as if touched. "... I... thank you for your trust."
The Psynard looks to the Clefairy, and other Fairy Pokemon for a moment, before flapping her wing to fly higher and taking off.
Rena's still holding onto Gabby, stroking her head when she smiles at Sable and her Pokemon, "They did. ... I'm grateful to them, and you."
As Sable uses the TM, Rena agrees, softly, "We will." Only to hear a pitched two syllable chirp as she looks down at the Clefairy.
"Hm? But-" Rena stops, as it speaks again, "Cle-fai-ry." "-you're right. It does go both ways."
And she kneels down, "Would you like to come with us? To protect this world." The Clefairy warbles another noise, before adding, "Pi! Pi! Pi!" Rena reaches out a hand, and the Clefairy takes her hand and shakes it.
"Welcome aboard, Pippi."
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Not pictured: Rena putting Pippi in the Dusk Ball. It happens! Just not on camera!