Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 02, 2011, 04:20:54 am
Multiworld Chronicles
Chapter 1: Multiworld Madness
(take two)
Chapter 1: Multiworld Madness
(take two)
A clean, empty room. Its perfectly proportioned walls have seen no change for uncountable eons since their creation, thin angular lines faintly pressed into their surface reflecting the light of the ever-glowing ceiling and the faint red glow of the carpet on the floor. The whole room, walls, ceiling, floor and carpet, have all been created for a purpose, and have stood waiting for the right moment.
Now.
For the first time in countless millenia, the ceiling's light blinked, momentarily immersing the room in profound, impenetrable darkness. If any living being would inhabit this room, this mere fragment of a second would seem like an age of unimaginable panic to them. Though perhaps, when the darkness finally ceased, that being would take comfort in the light's reappearance.
But all things in existence are relative, slaved to the perception of such beings as are there to perceive. And thus, when the profound darkness gave way to light, and five human beings suddenly found themselves standing in a brightly lit metal room, they experienced the same onset of unimaginable panic. And for them, it would be much longer before they might again find comfort.
This story is about them.
======
The five humans are Jake Marshall, Derek Coonan, Frederick Barbarossa, Jay Kayell, and Alix Meier. They stand in the middle of the room, nearly naked save for some unfashionable grey underpants. And for Alix, a slightly fashionable tank top.
They have no memory of themselves. Oh, they know who they are, they know what they like, their personalities are untouched. Moreso, if someone would give them a "Known History Of The Known Universe" questionnaire right now, they'd probably score 100 points without so much as trying. But anything of the world that relates directly to them - where they lived, how they lived, who they knew and what they did - any memory of that sort is a complete and total blank. They know only their names, and the mysterious phrase ingrained in their minds - "You are here for a purpose. Find the nine keys and complete your task. Good luck."
They are trapped in a cubic room, ten meters to a side, with walls of dim, unreflecting metal covered in fine line patterns. The floor is mostly covered by a thick carpet with hard nap, there are meter-wide strips of bare floor along the walls. The carpet is impossible to lift or move, even a little.
Three walls of the room are bare. The fourth has a number of curious items. In the center, at roughly chest-height, is a protruding patch of shiny white metal, about the size of a postcard. Embossed upon it are nine squares, arranged as a phone's keypad and marked with deeply imprinted Roman numerals, I through IX. Pressing these "buttons" yields no effect.
Left of the keypad, the wall sports a cluster of five doors - thin doors, like those of a personal locker. Indeed, upon closer examination, each locker bears a name plate corresponding to the names of the humans.
Right of the keypad, the wall has a large black panel, some two meters long and one meter high. It looks like a screen of some kind, but the surface feels like metal, and there are no controls whatsoever anywhere near the panel.
So, now the humans have taken stock of the situation. They are nearly naked, but the lockers might provide something. They are trapped and have no idea what to do, but perhaps the keypad will start working, or the screen will show them directions. What do they do next?
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Cube.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Cube.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/A117.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/A117.txt)
==========
This first turn, I introduce a new little mechanic called the "special action". This action is mandatory, but as a bonus, it's also complementary to any normal action.
This turn's special action is getting your character some clothes - state what you would like them to be, your character will open the locker and find... something that may or may not be what you were looking for. Best of two Luck rolls will be used to determine the contents of your locker.
=== NOTE: On Differences from the previous Madness game ===
Unlike most games of this type, and the previous game in this series where you would randomy gain powers by trying to perform them, the process of improving your character is slightly different here.
Instead of starting out butt naked and helpless, your character is simply amnesiac. This was true in the previous game also, but was not used in this quality. Your character is a person with some kind of background, which he simply does not remember. Due to this, trying out a skill and suddenly succeeding at it will mean that your character was actually proficient in this skill all along. Same with abilities. However, this will only work for skills and abilities it would be possible for your character to have (you can't know how to throw fireballs unless you're in a universe where this ability is not unheard of, no matter how rare). Also, you would be wise (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KillerGameMaster) not to abuse this mechanic (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheGMIsACheatingBastard). Even disregarding the effects in the following paragraph, focusing on one or two good powers instead of trying to be a jack of all trades is a generally smart thing to do.
Also, crossing universe barriers will now come with a price. Every supernatural ability and item you've acquired in the universe you're leaving will need to pass a check, and will either be lost (if it's a power) or depowered (if it's an item) if it fails. The success rate for abilities depends on your character's proficiency with them, and for items it depends on their complexity and dependance on the universe's unique physics laws... and your luck, of course.
There, that seems to be all. Remember, questions go into the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.0). Let's play this thing!
Post by: Darvi on October 02, 2011, 05:32:53 am
For the waitlist I mean.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 02, 2011, 05:34:25 am
In?There are notes at the beginning and end of the first post about this.
For the waitlist I mean.
Post by: Darvi on October 02, 2011, 05:35:25 am
Post by: Zako on October 02, 2011, 10:17:55 am
Jake's head swam with a mixture of sensations. Vertigo, shock and a slight pressure inside his skull were the main ones he was feeling. Bending over, he takes a few deep breaths and collects himself.
Where am I? What's happening? Who are these people? Questions flooded his mind as he straightened. He took a quick inspection of himself and upon seeing both his lack of clothes and injuries, he decides that it would be best to find clothing. Maybe these other people know something?
See what these other people know. Don't forget to introduce myself.
Special action: My locker contains the following clothing: A pair of standard combat boots, thick dark green socks, a pair of camoflauge military fatigues with belt, a black t-shirt, a leather jacket, a blue baseball cap and a pair of black sunglasses.
Post by: Dermonster on October 02, 2011, 11:26:36 am
Derek eyed the others warily. He supposed they would make good meat shields if worst came to worst. He had absolutely no intention of dying, wherever they were.
"Now what do we have here... " he said as he opened his locker.
Special: Open locker to find robes, pants, gloves, shoes, and shoulder pads, all in a purple and blue color scheme. They are all covered with glyphs of unknown make or purpose. You are pretty sure they don't actually do anything. The shoulder pads have balls of odd blue fire sitting in circular depressions.
Reg: Convince someone to give me their hat.
Post by: Frelock on October 02, 2011, 02:36:13 pm
Reg: Search under the rug.[/i]
The carpet is impossible to lift or move, even a little.Just sayn'
Fre shook his head as he tried to gain some sense of the situation. A screen that shows nothing. Buttons that do nothing. A locker with his name on it. And four other souls as clueless as he. "Strange" he thought, then immediately wondered why it was strange. After all, he couldn't remember anything about himself. This could have happened to him a hundred times before. And yet that didn't feel right. Perhaps he would remember things, with time.
When Jake introduced himself, Fre responded. "Greetings, I am Frederick Barbarossa..." His voice tailed off. He felt like there was something to add to the end of that. A title? A profession? It didn't matter anymore, he supposed. Still, he felt like he had to add something. A thought popped into his head. He did remember one thing, a purpose given to him. "...Seeker of the keys."
Special action: Open locker to find a cotton undershirt; leather jerkin, trousers, and high boots; red tunic; a fur cape/cloak; and a simple gold circlet.
Action: After introducing self to others, experiment with buttons while watch screen for developments.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 02, 2011, 03:33:48 pm
Post by: Dermonster on October 02, 2011, 03:35:40 pm
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 04, 2011, 02:12:40 pm
"I'm Jay," he said to the others,feeling no need to elaborate further.
Special action: From his locker he pulls a pair of black jackboots, a pair of blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a black leather vest.
Action: Investigate screen, smack it if it gets no reception.
Post by: Kashyyk on October 05, 2011, 03:58:29 pm
(I hope you don't mind me doing some mild acting for your characters?)
Special Action: From her locker, Alix pulls a pair of assault boots, a pair of thick socks, black jeans, white cotton t-shirt, checked shirt and some sunglasses.
Action: After introducing herself, she aids Frederick in poking buttons.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 08, 2011, 10:33:43 am
=== TURN 001 ===
Zako: Special:[3][1]; Socialize(CHA):[4]
Jake Marshall opens his locker to find a pair of jungle-camo BDUs, matching socks, a brown leather jacket, military-issue jungle boots, a black t-shirt with a large smiley face print, a red baseball cap and some stylish black sunglasses. The clothes don't feel exactly like what he would wear, but they are much better than nothing.
As he puts them on, he strikes up a conversation with the others, who are getting likewise dressed. A short exchange of knowledge confirms his fears - none of them have any memory of their own lives. It is a strange feeling that he himself also experiences - being able to tell the whole life stories of countless historical figures he never knew, but not having a word to say about himself. He finishes dressing in grim silence.
dermonster: Special:[4][2]; Obtain someone's hat(CHA):[3] vs. target(CHA):[3]
Upon opening his locker Derek feels surprise, partly due to the odd selection of items, and partly because of how well said selection seems to appeal to him. A robe, pants, shoes and gloves in his favorite purple and blue colors. Tucked into the top shelf is a pair of shoulderpads, dark purple with inset orbs of blue glass that reflect light in intricate patterns, creating the illusion of flickering flames. Dressing himself quickly, Derek suddenly realizes that he has no headgear. "This will simply not do." Looking around, he sees that the military fellow - "Jake Marshall" it was, he said - has a baseball cap on. A red one, but it's close enough. "Hey Jake, can you spare a moment?"
Unfortunately, luck was not on his side today. No amount of pressure or pleas could persuade Jake to give up his cap. Due to the hard facts that Jake had no reason to do so and that Derek had no real reason to take it, the matter resolved itself in a stalemate. Status quo still endures.
Frelock: Special:[4][3]; Experiment with buttons(INT):[3]
Frederick pulls a white tiger fur cape out of the locker, followed by a red tunic, a cotton undershirt, a leather jerkin, and some simple boots and trousers. Finally, he retrieves a plain circlet of some shiny metal from the top shelf. "I begin to suspect some of us were LARPers" he thinks to himself, glancing sideways at Derek's strikingly purple robes. "If we were, this session ought to be good." Thusly dressed, and praising to himself the brilliant people behind the exceedingly effective white tiger repopulation program, Frederick walks over to the curious metal keypad on the wall. He begins thoughtfully pressing keys, watching for any changes in either the pad, or the "screen" next to it. After a few minutes of random poking around, there is no effect visible whatsoever.
Jay Kayell: Special:[4][1]; Investigate screen(PER):[1]=>(INT):[5]
In his locker, Jay is considerably surprised to find his favorite street outfit, a black vest with blue jeans complemented by a white shirt and some boots. Putting it on seems to momentarily evoke some memories of the past, but the feeling passes all too quickly, again leaving Jay alone in his mind. "Gotta find myself something to do, or I'll go nuts in here." With that thought, he approached the big black screen-looking part of the wall, and started to examine it while Frederick and Alix fought over the keypad.
Minutes tick by, but the screen shows no signs of life. Nothing at all. Jay Kayell was irritated. He pored over every inch of the screen's surface, looking for something that could trigger an event, anything at all that could be used as a control. But there was nothing. Fre and Alix seemed to have pressed every button on the pad in every conceivable way, but there was still no reaction. The screen was useless. No buttons, no controls, no response to touch. Jay resorts to pounding his fist on the black surface, to no avail. "Stupid screen! Why! Won't! You! WORK!" he shouts, strikes punctuating his every word. And suddenly, as he headbutts the screen with that last word, it dawns on him. "No buttons, no touch response - no power! It has to be activated! And if there is no button to turn it on, that means..."
Kashyyk: Special:[4][4]; Help Fre experiment(INT):[2]
Alix Meier, still uneasy from the lingering feeling of being a white-haired old man (*shudder*), approaches the locker with her name and opens it. Inside she finds a chequered shirt, a cotton t-shirt, black jeans, some thick socks, a pair of combat boots and sunglasses. Fairly common stuff. She quickly puts the clothes on, tying the shirt's sleeves over her waist, wearing it like a semi-skirt. Briefly lamenting the lack of a mirror, Alix looks around for something to do. A large man in a white tiger cape seems to be having some problems with the panel in the wall. Intrigued, she offers her help. The man - Frederick - refuses. Alix insists. The few followong minutes are spent in a frantic battle of dexterity, as she and Frederick attempt to outmanuever one another's hands on the keypad.
Taking a step back, and feeling a little like Gandalf, Jay Kayell takes a deep breath and shouts at the top of his voice.
"ACTIVATE!"
Immediately, the light dims slightly. A faint hum is heard for a few moments, and then the light returns to its full strength. Nothing else seems to happen...
And then, the buttons on the panel light up red. The screen also "lights up" - though its surface remains dark, impossibly small LED lights lining its edges all begin glowing a deep red color. Words of an alien language appear on the screen. A few seconds later the words change, but they no longer seem to be in the same language. Finally, a little later the words change for the last time, appearing now as plain English text.
WELCOME, SEEKERS
Your arrival here is only the beginning.
Your arrival here is only the beginning.
Everyone slowly turn their heads to look at Jay Kayell, who is grinning madly, nearly beaming with delight. "Yes! Just as I thought. No controls, no response, it's like a TV when you lose the remote. And you do remember how the engineers solved that particular problem, don't you, Fre?" Frederick looked back at the lit panel. Of course he remembered. He couldn't believe it didn't occur to him sooner.
"Yeah. Voice control."
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Cube.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/000/Cube.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/Kash.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/001/Kash.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Dermonster on October 08, 2011, 10:53:08 am
Hit the V
(This action should probably go last so you can possibly have a mysterious voice dole out info.)
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 08, 2011, 11:46:10 am
"Nine keys, nine buttons," he mumbled to himself, approaching the keypad.
Press button I
Post by: Zako on October 08, 2011, 12:03:34 pm
Put my BDU top back in my locker then search my clothing and locker for useful stuff.
Post by: Kashyyk on October 08, 2011, 12:41:45 pm
Action: Alix alternately preens herself in the screen reflection, and examines it for any changes due to button mashing by the team
Post by: Frelock on October 08, 2011, 02:02:41 pm
Frederick starts saying things like "Help," "Tutorial," "Information," "System Properties," to the screen.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 08, 2011, 03:52:28 pm
=== TURN 002 ===
= BUTTONPUSHERY =
= BUTTONPUSHERY =
> Dermonster: Buttonpushery(DEX):[2]
> Jay Kayell: Buttonpushery(DEX):[5]
> Frelock: Intervention(CHA):[7]; Issue commands(INT):[4]
Derek and Jay both lunge for the keypad, aiming their greasy fingers into any pushable surface they are able to reach. They come within a few feet of pushing something when suddenly Frederick's thunderous command voice hits them from behind.
"STOP."
The two men try to turn around on the spot, but their momentum carries them forward and they slam together into the wall, missing the keypad by inches. Derek staggers away, stunned, while Jay turns to the voice's originator.
"Jeebus, man! What's with the shout? I damn near ran headfirst into the wall there."
"I... I don't know." Frederick is visibly confused. "I didn't intend to.." He pauses for moment, but soon regains his train of thought and expresses his concerns to Jay and Derek. A short discussion ensues, but in the end everyone agrees that it is important to get information on the keypad's operations before pushing anything. Leaving Derek and Jay to observe, Frederick approaches the screen and begins trying out different keywords to see the device's reaction.
> Kashyyk: Observe(PER):[5]
Alix manages to get a good look at herself through the dark reflective surface of the screen, which, she eventually concurs, she is happy with. Her appreciation of her own image is interrupted when Frederick walks up to the screen and motions her to move aside. Alix hesitantly obliges, but remains close and observes Fre's actions with interest, looking over his shoulder... or, under his shoulder, because the towering six-foot muscle mountain makes her meager but proud five foot two look positively diminuitive.
Frederick begins to address the voice-controlled display, starting with the simplest command he could think of.
"Help!"
The screen changes. No text appears, but the screen is now filled with eight simple square pictograms, each depicting an event.
Spoiler: Pictogram listing (click to show/hide)
Alix is intrigued, but Frederick is not through experimenting. He speaks several more commands, but "Tutorial", "Information", and "Demonstration" do not cause the screen to change. Trying a more creative approach, Frederick commands "System Properties!" and the screen switches to a different view. It now shows the silhouettes of five humans of different sizes, four male and one female. What seem to be physical parameters and telemetry data, complete with an oscilloscope graph of the heart rhythm, are constantly updating below the silhouettes. Derek chooses this moment to exercise sarcasm. "Oh look, how useful. Now we'll know if any of us are dead in this room."
> Zako: Examine posessions(PER):[2]
In the meantime, Jake shoves the top piece of his BDU back into the locker, opting instead for the classy look of the leather jacket. He absentmindedly slaps the jacket's pockets, feeling for any items that might have come with it. But there's nothing. Not even a lighter. Jake is disappointed, though not in the least surprised. He sighs, and goes to look at the screen everybody's been staring at for the last ten minutes. He sees some kind of vital stat readouts as he approaches, but Frederick shouts "Help!" again, switching the view back to some boring pictograms. Jake sighs again. Puzzles. Just what he needed.
FREDERICK BARBAROSSA HAS DISCOVERED A SKILL!
Command Voice: If you issue an order in severe urgency, your Charisma score for the command roll is increased 50%, rounded down.
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Cube.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Cube.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Kash.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/002/Kash.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Dermonster on October 08, 2011, 04:00:37 pm
He claps his hands and smirks. "Seems straightforward enough. Hopefully you four can keep up."
He peers at the keypad." Barring further... interruptions, I'd say we try the middle one. Good a starting point as any."
Resume the pressing of the V
Post by: Kashyyk on October 08, 2011, 05:48:52 pm
Examine the room and it's occupants further
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 08, 2011, 05:51:53 pm
Brace for impact.
Post by: Zako on October 08, 2011, 09:13:28 pm
Brace myself for anything unexpected.
Post by: Aklyon on October 08, 2011, 09:38:01 pm
Post by: Frelock on October 09, 2011, 01:39:10 am
Be ready for a sudden change in scenery. If nothing happens, ask the screen to "List Commands"
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 09, 2011, 11:02:40 am
=== TURN III ===
> dermonster: Push Da Button(DEX):[6]>>[5]
> Jay Kayell: Brace self(WIS):[2]
> Zako: Brace self(WIS):[3]
> Frelock: Brace self(WIS):[3]
> Kashyyk: Examine surroundings(PER):[1]
As Jake, Frederick and Jay prepare themselves for something unexpected, Derek purposefully strides toward the panel. Without taking too much time to think, he sticks his thumb into the center button. The button's light begins pulsating, and the image on the screen changes. Alix, who up to this point had been looking at herself in the screen's reflective surface, is startled. The screen shows three large pictograms. The first is a circle, with a horizontal line separating it into two equal halves, and a large round dot in the center. The second depicts an odd creature - an animal, it seems, but not one you have ever encountered. The third is a red silhouette of an item, which seems to consist of a multitude of criss-crossing supports, with an odd shape suspended in the middle. Under the pictograms, across the width of the screen, is a progress bar, which steadily diminishes. These pictograms are no doubt clues, which could greatly help to complete the upcoming mission.
However, Derek pays the screen no attention. With an annoyed expression of "What? Still not working?", he quickly jams his finger again into the pulsating button.
The screen goes blank. The light of the ceiling suddenly intensifies, and a deep rumbling hum fills the air as the walls of the room begin to vibrate. The light and sound are soon unbearable, forcing everyone to stop their ears and shut their eyes tight.
Suddenly, a cool breeze. The sound fades, the blinding light gives way to warm rays of the sun. The Seekers have arrived to their first world.
Alix is the first to snap out of the stupor and look around. They have been brought to a very scenic spot on top of a large hill, from where they can see a beautiful view of rolling hills, forests, and distant mountains. A road can be seen nearby, going past the hill, across a nearby stream, and into the distance... er, somewhere. Alix suddenly realizes that nobody has a compass. Directly around them is a wide stretch of grassy hill, with some tall grass growing across its sides. And behind them, half embedded into the hill's slope, is a burning dirigible.
Wait, what?
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Hill.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Kash.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/003/Kash.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
The turn is short, but with actions like that did you expect something else? ;)
I'm still updating Jay and Frelock's status.
Post by: Dermonster on October 09, 2011, 11:08:17 am
Go to the dirigible. Call out for intelligent life and examine the wreckage.
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 09, 2011, 11:26:54 am
"After you," he says to Derek.
Investigate dirigible.
Post by: Frelock on October 09, 2011, 12:55:30 pm
Investigate downed dirigible; keep an eye out for that strange animal we saw on the screen.
Post by: Zako on October 09, 2011, 08:27:29 pm
Search the dirigible for stuff; keep checking the area incase of ambushes.
Post by: Kashyyk on October 10, 2011, 09:27:25 am
Go search the Dirigible, being mindful of the fire
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 10, 2011, 11:21:33 am
=== TURN IV ===
= MY DEAR RIGIBLE, =
= MY DEAR RIGIBLE, =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
As one, the whole group moves toward the wreck of the dirigible, attempting to salvage at least something from the remains. Unfortunately, there isn't much left to salvage. The material of the balloon has already burned away, leaving only a few bare metal twigs of its frame. The gondola, a minivan-sized wooden cabin, is shattered and nearly completely burnt. Frederick delivers a mighty kick to the surviving part of the gondola, turning it over and away from most of the fire, which allows everyone else to swarm in and begin search and rescue operations.
Upon closer inspection, the cabin - or at least the half of it that remained - turns out to be empty. Derek and Frederick search it very thoroughly, but while there are several compartments, none of them contain anything. The only found item is a slightly burnt two by two plank with a nail in it, which Frederick dislodged from an internal doorframe with his own forehead. Jay Kayell stumbled - literally - on an empty backpack lying right next to the wreckage. As the fires died down, Alix brought herself to look amidst the burnt planks of the rest of the wreck, but only found a bent iron wrench, thoroughly covered in soot, and a large pile of twisted metal that seems to have at some point been a gas burner. If there was somebody on the dirigible when it crashed, they all survived and walked away.
Suddenly, Jake Marshall turns up with a heavy travel bag and a happy grin. "You people are searching in the wrong damn place! Use your heads! If whoever flew this knew they were going down, they'd start throwing things overboard to keep flying. I found this just down the hill, next to that big swath of tall grass. There's probably more in that same direction."
The travel bag obviously belonged to an adventurous person. Inside is a bedroll, a bottle of water, a pouch with simple tools (among these a pocket knife) and firemaking implements, and two small balls of unknown purpose. The balls are split by a line into two equal halves, one red and one white, with a small button in the center. Frederick remarks that the tiny balls look awfully similar to the first pictogram shown on the screen before they were transported here. Jake concurs. "Well, if it was a clue, I be damned if I understand what was the use of it. Either there's a lot more to these than I realize, or the clues were about something else entirely."
A shriek of an unknown bird tears through the silence. The fires consume the last of the wrecked dirigible and disappear, leaving only smoke.
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Hill.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Kash.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/004/Kash.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
I'll update the pictures later, again. The statuses should be fine... I think.
Post by: Zako on October 10, 2011, 11:58:26 am
Lead the others down the hill to where the other bags are and help them search for useful stuff.
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 10, 2011, 01:06:55 pm
Follow Jake down the hill, look for anything of use.
Post by: Dermonster on October 10, 2011, 02:31:06 pm
Grab one or two balls from Jake and experiment with them. Walk with the group and keep an eye out occasionally.
Post by: Kashyyk on October 10, 2011, 04:56:28 pm
Alix follows the group, watching for enemies and useful dumped equipment
Post by: Frelock on October 10, 2011, 06:21:23 pm
Continue to follow group. This time, try shouting out to anyone out there.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 11, 2011, 07:06:32 am
=== TURN V ===
= A WILD WHATCHAMACALLIT APPEARS =
= A WILD WHATCHAMACALLIT APPEARS =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
Following Jake's advice (and Jake himself), the Seekers proceed down the hill, keeping a watchful eye out for things useful or dangerous. Some birds seem to be flying far in the sky, but no other living thing can be seen. Frederick shouts out several times, calling to unseen, but hopefully present survivors, but gets no response. Derek can't stop thinking about Jake's balls (the ones he found, not... oh get your mind out of the gutter), but is hesitant to approach him after the previous failure with the hat. To his surprise though, Jake easily gives up one of the odd balls, allowing Derek to freely experiment with it. Just as he thought, the tiny marble-sized ball could expand into a larger version of itself, the size of a tennis ball, at the push of the little button. And could shrink back, too. He's had suspicions about the place they were in, but it seemed too wacky to be true. This ball is the proof Derek needs, but so far he keeps his thoughts to himself.
The group finally approaches the grass field where Jake Marshall had found his bag. The sounds of nature surround the Seekers, a cool breeze sends gentle waves rolling across the grass. The scene is serene and soothing, but Alix feels uneasy. Something about the grass seems strangely foreboding to her, but she brushes the thought aside. It's just grass, after all. Still, Alix hefts the improvised bludgeon in her hands, holding it at the ready. Feeling no present danger, Jake is the first to happily plunge into the wide swath of chest-tall plantlife. Exchanging brief looks, the rest of the group follows suit.
Fanning out to cover the most space, the Seekers soon lose sight of one another, the folds of terrain and ridiculously tall grass obscuring their view. Jake manages to lose sight of even the hill, and is hopelessly lost until he wades out onto a well-trodden path. Quickly orienting himself by own sense of direction, he chooses the right way to go and is soon back at the hill. He doesn't find anything, however. Jay and Derek are a lot luckier. Derek strides out of the grass holding a large backpack, complete with a bedroll and a slightly dented kettle dangling from its side. Jay emerges soon afterward, dragging behind him the mangled remains of two bicycles. As the trio sits down to examine the contents of Derek's backpack, Alix walks out of the grass as well, happily humming an odd tune. She presents her finds - a vial of blue liquid with a spray nozzle, and some sort of brightly colored postcard-sized PDA with a folding screen. Derek is incredibly interested in the PDA, even momentarily forgetting his new backpack, but as he turns toward Alix, he suddenly stops. "Alix," he says, "there's a very goddamn large caterpillar on your left shoulder. I'm not kidding." A little stunned, Alix slowly turns her head left. A very large, bright green and yellow caterpillar with stunningly large black eyes and red antennae leans forward from her shoulder and looks back at her. "Squee?" Alix freezes in place, unsure how to react.
At this exact moment, Frederick crashes through the grass, trips, and falls to the ground in front of everyone. Before anyone can say anything, he rolls over and points up into the sky. "Look out, BIRD!" Suddenly, a rather large brown bird with yellow-red plumage and sharp claws dives down from the direction of the sun, passing mere inches above everyones' heads and screeching something incomprehensible before pulling upwards and turning back for another dive. The green caterpillar leaps from Alix's shoulder and hides itself under Derek's backpack. Frederick gets up, and holds his nailed plank at the ready. "Look alive people, here it comes again! It's one damn pissed off bird, chased me all the way out here! If you got suggestions on dealing with it, I'm open to them."
The bird screeches again and goes into another dive. The battle is on!
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Hill.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Kash.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Kash.txt)
==========
Enemies:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Bird.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/005/Bird.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
I'll update the statuses as soon as I get to them. Damn dacha with its damn truckloads of work.
No stats for the bird, because I'm still not sure how to go about them. For now, treat it like a bird.
Post by: Dermonster on October 11, 2011, 07:15:12 am
Grab the backpack, the PDA, the weird bug thing, and dive for cover. Search through the backpack for more ball-things.
Post by: Zako on October 11, 2011, 09:18:31 am
Try to lure the bird into the wreckage and tangle it in the bars. If it does't go for me, find a weapon of some sort in the wreckage!
Post by: Kashyyk on October 11, 2011, 11:25:35 am
Pocket the Bottle, whilst backing away. And try to use the PDA to get some help in the current situation. All the time whilst keeping an eye on the bird.
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 11, 2011, 12:49:42 pm
"Batter up, you son of a bitch!" he yells at the bird.
Grab one of the broken bikes, use it to smash bird.
Post by: Frelock on October 11, 2011, 01:59:30 pm
Two-by-four to bird's face. Call out a heroic battle cry while I'm at it.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 11, 2011, 03:28:40 pm
=== TURN VI ===
= FEATHER FALL =
= FEATHER FALL =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
As the bird glides down on its attack vector, Jay Kayell and Frederick take up defensive positions. Jay, lacking a weapon, picks up one of the broken bikes and hefts it like a giant flyswatter. Suddenly, Jake runs out in front of them, waving his hands. "Hey! Over here bird-brains!" He continues running, apparently trying to lure the bird away towards the mess of metal bars near the wreckage, but it doesn't work. The bird continues rapidly approaching. Derek grabs everything he can reach and throws himself to the ground, putting the height of a small patch of thick brushery between him and the approaching claws. He puts the scared caterpillar onto the ground near him, and begins furiously digging through the backpack in search of something.
In the meantime, Alix suddenly has a brainstorm. Something clicks in her head as she opens the little PDA. "Hey, I know this. It's ridiculous, but I know this." Lining up the eye of the tiny camera on the back of the device with the approaching bird, she confidently pushes one of the many buttons. The PDA's display lights up, and starts showing a series of close-up pictures of the bird, while a calm electronic voice begins to read out: "Pidgeotto, an evolved form of Pidgey. It is armed with sharp claws and dives from the sky to capture its prey. Unlike the more gentle Pidgey, Pidgeotto can be more dangerous. Approach with extreme caution." The device continues to display information about this Pidgeotto, making Alix momentarily space out and forget that said "dangerous" bird is currently approaching rapidly. "Hey, this is cool! I wonder if- *THWACK*
As soon as Jay and Frederick saw the bird head towards Alix, they tried their best to intercept it. But it was too darn quick. Jay's mighty bicycle swing came in too fast, missing the bird entirely and very nearly causing him to stray into the path of Frederick's much better aimed attack. The wooden plank connected only partially, tearing a patch of feathers out of Pidgeotto's flank and right wing, but it was just enough to slightly throw the bird off target. It recoiled in pain, tumbled, and with all its ridiculous speed, smashed right into Alix's chest. Alix dropped like a shooting gallery target, but remained conscious, and even retained her grip on the PDA. The Pidgeotto also recovered quickly, and took off, trailing feathers, leaving behind a slightly bruised Alix and several rightfully pissed off men. The bird made a wobbling circle high over the Seekers' heads, and, deciding it's had enough, flew back from whence it came.
A few seconds later, Jake returned. Once he saw that his manuever didn't work, he tried to look for a fitting weapon amidst the wreckage. But arming himself with just a piece of half-burnt wood seemed a little below his pride. He'd settle for a nice long piece of metal, but the dirigible's carcass was made of rather thin and bendy strips, which were now made brittle by the fire, and were useless.
Derek is unhappy that the fight ended like this, but he can't do anything about it. His unhappiness is slightly offset by the things he found inside the backpack. In addition to several more spray-vials - or, as he called them, Potions, he found at least a dozen empty Pokeballs, a portable kitchen with some raw ingredients, some spare clothing (which wouldn't fit anyone present), and another PDA - or Pokedex. He waits until the others help Alix get up, then reveals his finds and says, perfectly deadpan: "Well. It seems I now officially have more balls than anyone present." And then he cracks up.
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Hill.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Kash.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/006/Kash.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Status pages, status pages. It'll take me some time to update them all. Gotta update them all, see? I want to be the ver-ry best, te de de da de daa... :)
The stats on most of the items should be fairly obvious. And Derek does still have the caterpillar.
Post by: Dermonster on October 11, 2011, 04:00:33 pm
Derek sits up as he goes into lecture mode. "Humans learned to capture these creatures inside these things called 'Pokeballs' I have here, I will pass some of these out shortly. These people mainly use them as pets or in glorified cockfights. This," He holds out the caterpillar, "is a Caterpie, a somewhat harmless bug type that transforms into a more useful form after it has gained enough worldly knowledge, or 'experience', to metamorphism into a cocoon and then into a butterfly. There are approximately over 600 different pokemon, and about 30 of them have the power to destroy the planet in the wrong hands, or if they just damn well feel like it."
Derek clears his throat. "Regular people are unlikely to find such creatures, as they are one of a kind and hide out in remote locations or dislike being seen. In any case, in the games and the cartoon, all acts of direct human on pokemon violence were looked down upon, and we are frankly defenseless against a well aimed thunderbolt. I suggest we find some of these critters and capture them, by force or persuasion. Though persuasion may reassure their loyalty, they have an instinctual initiative to follow the one who bested them in combat."
Derek coughs, "There are a few I would like to catch personally, such as a Ralts or Torchic, due to nostalgia reasons. If we had caught that bird, we would have much more easily seen which way to civilization. In any case, I'll attempt to tame this Caterpie after I pass out some balls. I'll be keeping a small majority of them, as I prefer to remain outside of melee combat and will need anything that gets me out of having to fight close range. I will be more useful this way."
Pass two balls out to everybody (One to Jake, as he has one already). Calm, tame and then catch the Caterpie.
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 11, 2011, 04:23:27 pm
"So, beat them up and they follow you? Simple enough."
Look for pokemon, catch the pokemon.
Post by: Dermonster on October 11, 2011, 04:34:57 pm
He smirks. "So in short terms, friendship is power."
Post by: Frelock on October 11, 2011, 07:16:25 pm
Assist Jay in his endeavor.
Post by: Dermonster on October 11, 2011, 07:25:07 pm
Derek leans back. "Of course there are variances, and these methods are just the most common ones that one may feel safest using on most wild pokemon. The act of capturing itself, is just to enlarge a pokeball by pressing the button and throwing it at the pokemon. You release captured pokemon by throwing the ball into the air. I cannot begin to discuss the mechanics of such devices, as we are obviously not from around here and most of this is from memory and theories."
Post by: Zako on October 11, 2011, 11:23:10 pm
Fix the bikes with my tools.
Post by: Kashyyk on October 12, 2011, 10:43:08 am
"Don't worry Fre, I'm alright. Oh and Derek, be nice to Caty!" Noticing his questioning look she continues, "That's my nickname for him"
And smiling brightly, she gets up, and walks to the edge of the forest. Once there, she intends to sit just inside the trees and wait for any curious pokemon to appear, and trusting in her innate friendliness she will try to befriend them.
Go to the edge of the forest, and wait for a pokemon to come along. Then befriend and capture it.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 12, 2011, 12:24:35 pm
=== TURN VII ===
= CLAWS ENCOUNTERS =
= CLAWS ENCOUNTERS =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
After Derek finishes the insightful lecture, he hands out some of his Pokeballs, so that each of his teammates ends up with a pair. This leaves him six, and, happy with his division skills, Derek turns to his new would-be partner. Caterpie, or "Caty", as Alix insisted he call her, still seems scared, so he tries to comfort it with soothing words and gentle stroking of its back. Surprisingly, this has a completely opposite effect. Caty comes to its senses, and, seeing a large face bearing down on it, does the only thing a Caterpie is really good at.
A second later, it is fleeing from a very upset man in purple robes and a very stylish full face mask of a mummy made of sticky web string. Squeeing in distress, Caty darts towards Alix and crawls back up onto her shoulder. Derek tears off the webs with one arm, simultaneously raising a pokeball with the other, but stops once he sees where his target is. Alix smiles. "See, Derek? You said it yourself. Friendship is power. I was the one who found it, so it is mine." She turns to Caty. "Will you be mine?" Caty leans a little sideways, lowering its head as if unsure. Alix takes out a pokeball and enlarges it. "Come on, it will be fun." With that, she takes the caterpillar off her shoulder, puts it on the ground and gently bonks it on the head with the pokeball. The ball instantly opens, shooting out a bright red beam that seems to consume Caty and suck it back in as the ball closes and falls to the ground. It wobbles a little, making an odd noise as the button on its front pulses with a red light, but then emits a "ting" and lays inert. Derek is slightly disappointed, but what's done is done. "Oh well. Congratulations, Alix, on your first caught Pokemon. Now granted, it's just a Caterpie, but it's a start." With that he turns away and goes back to sort his scattered possessions.
In the meantime, Jake has started working on the two bicycles Jay brought in. The poor things are in terrible shape, it is highly doubtful that even a proper repair shop could fix them without spare parts. However, Jake thinks, there is just enough surviving parts between them to make one good bike. I think I can do it.. Armed with nothing but a screwdriver, pliers, a pocket knife and his own raw strength, Jake begins the operation.
Unaware of what is being done to his two bikes, Jay wanders in the tall grass in search of wild pokemon. He tries to make as much noise as possible, trying to attract things to him, but it is all for naught - in all the time he wanders, he doesn't see a single anima-er, pokemon. In frustration, Jay turns back. He walks for several minutes when he suddenly realizes something is wrong. He can't see the characteristic bulge of the large hill. The smoke column from the wreckage has dissipated, and now all folds in the terrain seem the same. The area he approaches is surrounded by dark, gloomy forests, which he so far doesn't feel like entering. Jay is forced to face the facts. He is completely lost.
Alix lets Caty out of the pokeball, and walks away from the hill as it sits on her shoulder. Near the edge of a nearby grove, she sits down on the ground and simply bides her time, waiting for something to happen upon her. The wait isn't long. Fairly soon Alix sees movement in the grass not far from her, and takes out her Pokedex in anticipation. A small grey muzzle pokes out from the grass, sniffs the air, and hides again. A minute later, a large purple field mouse - or, what looks like a large purple field mouse - scurries out of the growth, sees Alix, and stops. Alix aims the Pokedex again and pushes a button. In response, the Pokedex recites: "A Forest Pokemon, Rattata. It likes cheese, nuts, fruits, and berries. It also comes out into open fields to steal food from stupid travelers." Alix frowns. "Not very nice." She looks back at Rattata. "But kinda cute. Come here, little Rattata!" But as soon as Alix moves to approach, the Rattata scurries off back into the grass. It seems they're very cautious of people. Alix spends a few more uneventful minutes near the edge of the grove, but the Rattata doesn't come back.
Jake finally completes his operation. His hunch proved correct. Out of the remains of two bicycles, he had successfully built one that is completely functional. He had to discard two mangled wheels and the worst of the two frames, but with a little strength and a lot of persistence, he repaired the other frame and attached everything else to it. In the end, Jake even managed to salvage a few spare parts, including an extra chain. He shows his creation to Derek. Derek approves. "Great, he says, now build a cart and you can drive the lot of us. Heh."
Frederick's patience begins to run out. He's been circling the hill for... hell, he doesn't even have a way to tell time! But Fre is very definitely tired of wading through the grass. In all this time, he hadn't encountered a single... wait, what was that?
Suddenly, something growls right next to him! Frederick's reflexes allow him to react in time to avoid the swipe of a powerful claw, and he quickly backpedals out of the grass. But the creature still has its eyes on him, and follows him onto the clearing where Frederick can finally see what it is. A very large, red and white cat-like pokemon with sharp black claws and yellow eyes. It moves menacingly on all fours, preparing to pounce. Though he lacks a Pokedex to see the details, Frederick sees right away that this one is going to be trouble. He readies his two by four. "Alright then. Bring it on!"
Jake Marshall uncovers a skill!
> Bicycle Repairman: You have a knack for repairing man-powered vehicles of wheel and chain. Whenever you're working on something that is, or was, a bicycle, your DEX is increased 50%, rounded up.
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Hill.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Kash.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Kash.txt)
==========
Enemies:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Zangoose.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/007/Zangoose.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Statuses updated in a moment....ish.
Jay Kayell, why does it take me so long to update your picture? I have no idea. Perhaps it's the beard. :P
Edit: forgot Jake's skill.
Post by: Dermonster on October 12, 2011, 12:55:40 pm
Analyze with Pokedex and give strategic advise from afar(Bonus to Frelocks action if I get a good roll), throw a Pokeball if it seems weakened enough.
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 12, 2011, 02:00:03 pm
Try to get back to group, keep an eye out for anything useful on the way.
Post by: Kashyyk on October 12, 2011, 02:17:57 pm
"This is your chance Caty! Use String Shot!!"
Caty will use String Shot on the Zangoose, while Alix waits for the opportune moment to thwack it with her Wrench
Post by: Frelock on October 12, 2011, 03:50:16 pm
Strike at the Zangoose.
Post by: Zako on October 12, 2011, 06:27:14 pm
Call out to Jay and try to help him get back.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 13, 2011, 01:15:30 pm
=== TURN VIII ===
= NOT VERY EFFECTIVE =
= NOT VERY EFFECTIVE =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
The fierce growls tear through the silent air around the hill, alerting the Seekers of the situation. Within seconds, Alix is on her feet and running through the grass towards the fight. Pushing herself to the limit, she runs onto the clearing to see Frederick facing off with a very angry Zangoose. Man and Pokemon stare at each other. The man is the first to act. Frederick takes a breath, steps forward, and takes a mighty swing, aiming at the Pokemon's head! But instead of landing a hit, the two-by-four suddenly slips out of Fre's hand, and harmlessly sails over the Zangoose, flying into the tall grass. Frederick takes a step back. "Uh oh." Seeing his enemy weaponless, the Pokemon prepares to strike.
But before it takes another step, Alix finally catches her breath and sends out her own combatant. "Caty! Use String Shot!" The little caterpillar obediently leaps from its master's shoulder, lands a few meters away from the Zangoose, and, before the Pokemon can react, sprays it with a dense weave of sticky fibers! The Zangoose is constrained by the string! It attempts to tear itself loose, but its efforts are for naught.
Finally, Derek arrives on the scene as well. Weighed down by his backpack, he could not run as fast, but he is able to quickly assess the situation and give out some insightful comments. "Wow it looks big. Okay, great job immobilizing it Alix, now we have to move in and pummel it into submission! Watch out for the claws though! Get something with a long reach and smack it!"
Back at the hill, Jake, oblivious or ignorant of the fight nearby, is concerned with the location of Jay Kayell. The man went off into the wilderness without means of survival, and he's been gone for a little too long. Scrambling to the very top of the hill, Jake looks around. The fields and hills are full of movement, but soon he sees something that doesn't belong. A black humanlike figure roaming near a distant forest. If it's Jay, Jake thinks, he's gone way too far. He could be lost. He considers shouting, but thinks better of it considering the distance involved. "If he really is lost, all he needs is a guiding light." Jake's eyes happen upon the charred remains of the dirigible. "Or, as the case would be, a guiding smoke."
Jay Kayell spends several more minutes walking in a straight line, but sees no change in scenery. A forest here, a hill there, they all look the same. No sign of a road or a stream anywhere. Jay sighs, and keeps on walking. Sooner or later I'm bound to get somewhere, he thinks. If something else doesn't get me first. He walks for a while longer, casually looking around for anything at all useful, when suddenly a spot of bright red among the greenery catches his eye. Curious, Jay walks up to the item. It seems to be one of those Pokeballs Derek was handing out. This one's already enlarged though, and is kinda just sitting amidst the grass. Prime trap material, Jay thinks, but the curiosity gets the better of him, and he cautiosly picks the ball up. Nothing happens. Suddenly, it pops open with a bright flash, releasing a beam of energy that solidifies into... a sheathed knife? A big knife, at that. Practically a sword. Jay struggles a little to remember the name. Something-to. Kanto? Punto? Pinto? Pah. Whatever it's called, it's a damn fine blade. Jay sheathes it again and fixes it to his belt. The weapon makes him feel a little safer, and the extra pokeball is a bonus. Jay sighs and keeps on walking. He's still lost. "Damn. If only I could see where... hey, that smoke wasn't there before."
Jake Marshall uncovers a skill!
> Waldo-matic: You can notice very slight details. When looking for an item or person from a fixed view, your PER score is increased 50%, rounded up.
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Hill.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Kash.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Kash.txt)
==========
Enemies:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Zangoose.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/008/Zangoose.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Jay Kayell is no longer lost, but returning to the hill will still take a little time.
Also, fights will go much quicker if we do several attacks per turn.
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 13, 2011, 01:32:10 pm
Walk towards smoke, keep an eye out for danger or loot.
Post by: Dermonster on October 13, 2011, 02:54:48 pm
Rush toward the 2x4 on the ground, pick it up and slam the Zangoose right on the head with the flat side in a running blow, then hit it in its shoulder with the nail side. Then Pokeball (After everyone else goes).
Post by: Zako on October 13, 2011, 05:08:57 pm
Head towards the fight and sneak attack the zangoose!
Post by: Kashyyk on October 13, 2011, 05:24:10 pm
Caty uses String Shot again, and Alix watches for the right moment to whack the Zangoose
Post by: Frelock on October 13, 2011, 09:27:43 pm
Find a big rock or large, heavy tree-branch, smash against Zangoose.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on October 15, 2011, 03:05:14 pm
=== TURN IX ===
= BORKING AS A TEAM =
= BORKING AS A TEAM =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
:[5] vs Zangoose(TOU):[5]The Zangoose tears itself free! It growls, seeking out Frederick. Derek sees the situation worsen and valiantly leaps into action! He surprises himself with his own agility, effortlessly covering the width of the clearing, and landing in a perfect combat roll, Frederick's two-by-four already in his hands. Alix steps into battle, again ordering Caty to use String Shot while she moves in for the attack! The Zangoose nimbly evades Caty's attack, however, forcing Alix to momentarily withdraw. Derek sees an opportunity to attack, and swings at the Zangoose's head... only to be forced to quickly pull the strike back as he sees Jack Marshall leaping out of the grass at the pokemon, knife in hand! The Zangoose effortlessly sidesteps Jake's leap, and turns his attention back to Frederick, who is desperately seeking a replacement weapon. Alix uses this moment to sneak up on the 'mon and gives it a solid whack on the head with the wrench!.. which the Zangoose easily shrugs off. Alix scrambles back to a safe distance, and the angry pokemon turns again to Frederick... who is raising a large rock above his head. With a resounding "Choke on this!", he throws the sedimentary projectile at the Zangoose's head! Zangoose stands up on its hind legs to avoid the attack, but this results in a fairly solid blow to is abdomen, which will likely leave a nasty bruise. Frederick, now again weaponless, begins to back away, but the Zangoose, walking on hind legs, quickly closes distance and swipes at Frederick with its claws! A well-placed rock saves Frederick some major damage, as he trips on it and falls back, the claws leaving only deep scratches in his chest and forearms. With him on the ground and the Zangoose bearing down on him, Frederick's position doesn't look very good. Suddenly, Derek returns with a mighty swing of the two-by-four! The blow connects with the Zangoose's right cheek, bruisng it and sending the 'mon reeling, the plank's nail leaving a deep scratch that mirrors the scar-like red fur pattern on the other cheek with real blood. The Zangoose growls again, more angry than ever!
In the meantime, the best-equipped member of the team, weapons-wise, is only just now reaching the foot of the hill, having spent the last few minutes futilely looking for useful items along his way.
Derek Coonan uncovers a skill!
> Combat Acrobatics: Whenever you need to quickly cross a short distance in a combat situation, you do so in an acrobatic manner and your AGI is increased by 50%, rounded down.
Alix Meier uncovers a skill!
> Good Pounder: Your AGI for attacking with weapons improvised out of tools is increased 50%, rounded down.
==========
=== STATUS ===
(click images for status pages)
==========
Locations:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Hill.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Zako.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Zako.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Derm.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Derm.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Frel.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Frel.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/JayK.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/JayK.txt)(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Kash.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Kash.txt)
==========
Enemies:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Zangoose.png) (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/009/Zangoose.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Sorry for the rather bland turn description, really couldn't spice it up in any way without getting tangled in repetitive descriptions and things. At least it's readable.
Post by: Dermonster on October 15, 2011, 03:13:13 pm
Whack the Zangooses' legs and arms, then Poke-ball it.
Post by: Kashyyk on October 15, 2011, 05:04:17 pm
More whacky and String Shot
Post by: Jay Kayell on October 15, 2011, 05:40:08 pm
Attack with blade, aim for the legs.
Post by: Zako on October 15, 2011, 09:32:59 pm
Flank that Zangoose and attack from behind the same time that the others do.
Post by: Frelock on October 16, 2011, 11:33:53 pm
Attempt to talk the beast into submission.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on January 22, 2013, 08:10:56 am
=== TURN X ===
= SURPRISE! =
= SURPRISE! =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
The fight continues with Alix and Caty once again launching into their combo attack, but the Zangoose is quick enough on its feet to only suffer a glancing blow from Alix's powerful wrench swing, even as it evades most of the sticky web strings. The momentum of the heavy wrench sends Alix careening into the grass, and the pokemon quickly removes the few strands of web that landed on it.
Jake, in the meantime, struggles to remove the rest of the webbing that landed on him.
Derek, sensing an opening, combat-rolls with his two by four into a striking position next to the Zangoose, and makes his best impression of a junior league batter, with the pokemon's nose as the ball. The wooden plank connects soundly with the 'mon's flesh, but Derek is surprised to see that instead of evading, the Zangoose chose to simply catch the offensive piece of carpentry in his claw, effectively stopping the attack. The pokemon pulls on the plank, probably thinking to disarm its opponent, but Derek holds on tight.
Seriously, it's a bad idea to give a walking meatmincer even more weapons, right? Right?
The Zangoose pulls on the plank again and drives his other, equally clawed forelimb into Derek's barely protected right side. The loosely fitting heavy robe deflects some of the blow, but the strike still leaves two painful gashes on Derek's body. The pokemon draws the claw back to strike again, but is suddenly stopped as Frederick interjects, attempting to talk to it. Realizing the Zangoose might not understand English, he tries to use body language and intonations more than the words themselves to persuade the pokemon to calm down. The Zangoose seems to listen to Fred's talking for all of two seconds before it swipes its claw at him, forcing him to step back. It is clearly not impressed. Derek, who till now seemed to be holding his right arm at his injured side, suddenly draws it back.
"Don't worry, Freddie, I got this."
The object in Derek's hand suddenly expands. With a weak, but still quick swinging motion, Derek throws the Pokeball at the Zangoose's face at point-blank range. The 'mon only has time to widen its eyes in surprise before the 'ball strikes it directly on the forehead and opens up, swallowing it in a flash of red light. Its function done, the Pokeball falls on the ground some distance away, wobbling slightly as it processes its "prey". Derek, for the moment no longer threatened by an angry badgercat with long claws, also lowers himself to the ground, wobbling for a different reason. Everyone stares at the Pokeball intently, as it keeps rocking side to side on the ground, flashing a red light. Derek frowns.
"This.. doesn't look good."
Suddenly, the ball cracks open! With a bright flash of red light and an angry scream, the Zangoose returns to the battlefield! "Oh, come on," Jake shouts, "how tough is this guy?" Alix helps him get rid of the webs while Frederick gives Derek a hand to stand up. "Formation, people" Frederick instructs. "We won't beat this guy by just randomly lunging at him." The four people stare at the Zangoose as it stands at the edge of the tall grass in an aggressive stance, sizing up its enemies.
Suddenly, the pokemon cries out in pain, as a tip of a sharp blade forces its way through its right shoulder! The Zangoose flinches, grabs with its left claw at the injury, and tries to turn around to face the new threat, but a powerful kick sends it stumbling to the ground before the rest of the group. Confusion on their faces is quickly replaced with elation as Jay Kayell steps out of the tall grass, sheathing a Japanese-looking dagger and smiling smugly.
"Surprise!"
No skills were gained this turn.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
>Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/010/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
>Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/010/Zako.txt)
>Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/010/Derm.txt)
>Frederick Barbarossa (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/010/Frel.txt)
>Jay Kayell (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/010/JayK.txt)
>Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/010/Kash.txt)
==========
NPCs:
>Caty the Caterpie (in Alix's status)
==========
Enemies:
Wild Zangoose (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/010/Zangoose.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Are you surprised?
Post by: Dermonster on January 22, 2013, 08:18:45 am
Slightly.
Happy?
YOU BET YOUR ASS I'M HAPPY!
"Good timing. We gotta get this thing down fast. C'mon people, get your ass in gear! Feels like this fight's been taking years!"
I ain't takin' this shit, son. Attempt a rallying cry, whack it once more with the plank, and throw another pokeball (Modifier, use at the end of the round.)
Post by: Xantalos on January 22, 2013, 11:13:02 am
Post by: Greenstarfanatic on January 22, 2013, 11:24:51 am
Watching this. INTENSELY.DITTO.
Post by: mcclay on January 22, 2013, 11:25:43 am
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on January 22, 2013, 12:37:50 pm
Post by: Kashyyk on January 22, 2013, 07:27:39 pm
"Reckon you could try again?" Alix said to Caty, "I'll try to distract it for you." As her pokemon prepared to spray strings of web again, Alix once more tries to smack the Zangoose.
Alix attempts to shoryuken the Zangoose with the wrench, whilst Caty once again uses string shot
Post by: Zako on January 23, 2013, 10:09:02 pm
Jake thought quickly, taking in what he knew of the people he was with and the current world and applying it as best he could to the situation, and gets an idea. "Frederick! Try using that voice thingy you do to get it to surrender peacefully! Try offering it food and medical help with one of those potion things to try and get it on your side before you try one of those balls!"
Prepare a flanking attack once again, waiting for Frederick to try and calm it. If he doesn't work or he doesn't try, attack again and cut the back of the Zangoose's leg with my knife to try and slow it down and weaken it.
Post by: DreamThorn on January 26, 2013, 06:16:58 am
*Confusion*
Where am I?
Suddenly, Jac finds him/herself in the middle of what appears to be a battle. Humanoids on the one side, a ridiculous white and red monster on the other, and a bloody knife in Jac's hand. There is only one possible conclusion.
Action: Go for the (Zangoose's) throat!
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on January 26, 2013, 11:07:41 am
((I am not keeping the voice ability if its not obvious with the above text.))
Taking what was a poor excuse for a top hat I sneak up behind the zangoose and attempt to cover its head with the hat in an attempt to blind it.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on January 27, 2013, 04:21:24 am
=== TURN XI ===
= ACK!-ROBATIC PERFORMANCE =
= ACK!-ROBATIC PERFORMANCE =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
The standoff doesn't last long. Driven by the sheer desire to finish the fight, Derek looses a somewhat incomprehensible battle cry and lunges forward, prompting the rest of the Seekers to attack.
Derek and Alix charge in as one, but even injured, the Zangoose remains quick. It rolls away from the attack, tripping up Derek with its tail in the process. Derek drops face first into the not-so-soft ground.
"Ow."
Alix spins around and delivers another glancing blow to the 'mon's head with her wrench, sending it reeling. Jac and Jake flash their respective knives as they move in from the sides, no longer showing restraint before the obviously dangerous animal. The Zangoose turns to face Jac and swings its claw to meet the attacker but instead of a brutal takedown, Jac and Jake's charge devolves into an impromptu choreographic event, as both of them slip and trip simultaneously, executing a perfect synchronized front flip tumble and landing on the ground, hands flailing around the Zangoose's feet. The Zangoose is momentarily confused. Alix sees the opening.
"Caty, now! Use String Shot!"
The little green caterpillar leaps forward and dutifully obliges, spraying the Zangoose with her web string, covering it head to toe in sticky strands stronger than steel. The badgercat growls in protest, but is unable to free itself. With some alarm, Jac and Jake notice their arms also trapped in the resulting cocoon. Before they can try to cut themselves free, however, Dragonheart tackles the still-standing Zangoose from behind, pinning it to the ground and pulling his papier mache hat over its muzzle to disorient it, effectively ending the fight.
"Looks like we got this one in the bag, people! Or in the hat, as it were." Zarkov smiles.
Zarkov Dragonheart uncovers a skill!
Bear Wrestler[4]: Attempt to take down or restrain a large (up to twice as large/heavy as you) creature with a wrestling move. Success doubles the roll used for the move. Successfully restrained creature can't attack.
(clarification: wrestling uses STR+AGI. Using this skill and succeeding means you roll (STR+AGI)*2 versus the creature's normal STR+AGI. The [4] means the skill is active, and rolls a d4 for its success.)
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
>Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/011/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
>Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/011/Zako.txt)
>Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/011/Dermonster.txt)
>Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/011/Kashyyk.txt)
>Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/011/Akhier.txt)
>Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/011/DreamThorn.txt)
==========
NPCs:
>Caty the Caterpie (in Alix's status)
==========
Enemies:
Wild Zangoose (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/011/Zangoose.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on January 27, 2013, 04:35:00 am
Use one of my pokeballs to catch the Zangoose
Post by: Zako on January 27, 2013, 07:50:31 am
Quickly cut my way free and back off, ready to attack if there is more trouble or to throw a pokeball if needed. Keep a eye out for anything that might be creeping up on us.
Post by: Dermonster on January 27, 2013, 08:53:23 am
Quickly capture it before Zarkov does something stupid.
Post by: DreamThorn on January 27, 2013, 09:13:23 am
Action: Attempt to remove the 'String Shot' from myself and gather it up.
Post by: Kashyyk on January 27, 2013, 03:08:51 pm
Stick around, and generally be on the watch for anything that isn't going to plan.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on January 27, 2013, 03:12:21 pm
Derek notices Zarkov reach for a pokeball. "Oh hell no! You're the one holding it down, don't let your arms loose!"Just going to mention that I am not actually holding it down though I guess I did tackle it somewhat, its is string shotted and thus wrapped up quite well. The only thing I did was put my hat over its head so it couldn't see.
Quickly capture it before Zarkov does something stupid.
Edit: yeah just realized I probably should have posted this in the Discussion thread.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on January 29, 2013, 06:55:31 am
=== TURN XII ===
= HOW WONDERFULLY META =
= HOW WONDERFULLY META =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
Feeling victorious and sure of his safety, Zarkov lets go of the downed pokemon and rummages in his shorts' surprisingly roomy pockets for one of the two tiny plastic balls he could capture it with. Alix approaches the Zangoose warily, wrench at the ready, when he finally manages to procure one.
"Relax, girl. This beastie ain't going anywhere soon", Zarkov said, and smiled again. "Nothing to worry about."
"I want to believe that", Alix replied, "but I prefer to be sure. I'll relax when it's in a Pokeball or out of sight. Don't underestimate a Zangoose."
Zarkov opens his mouth to retort, but Derek, having finally collected himself off the ground, interjects.
"Quite right, Alix. This, however, brings up an issue." Derek raises a hand, and expands another Pokeball. "If you don't mind, this is a pokemon I would like to keep."
While the two argue over right of possession and Alix keeps watch, Jac and Jake start cutting themselves free of the webbing. Jac's longer blade gives him an edge, even though he very nearly stabs his own fingers off with it. He stands up and looks at his lightly bleeding hand, still covered in shreds of sticky, white, waterproof, nearly sterile and stronger-than-steel substance. Jac's brain grinds its gears for a few seconds, and then a lightbulb lights up. "Oh. Neat." Without hesitation he squats down again and tears into the cocoon around the Zangoose, cutting away a nice patch of the impromptu natural gauze. A rather large patch. Jac stands up and stares at the webbing in his hands. Jake, having freed himself as well, walks around the arguers and stares at it as well. Then at the gaping hole in the cocoon that was supposed to restrain the angry badgercat. Then at Jac. Jac looks back at him. "Uh..."
Before either of them can call out to the rest of the group, the Zangoose tenses up and, with an angry scream, tears itself free from the web! Zarkov flails wildly, losing balance and falling on his back behind the pokemon, as it stands up on its hind legs and growls at Derek and Alix! Derek flinches, draws back his arm to throw the Pokeball, but accidentally loses his grip on it, sending it flying into the grass behind him! "Oh crap." The Zangoose makes an exaggerated motion sideways with its head, shaking off Zarkov's improvized muzzle, and stares at Alix.
Or, well, it tries to.
Before the Zangoose can so much as become surprised, its jaw meets four pounds of iron as Alix's powerful uppercut swing connects, sending the 'mon staggering and stumbling back.
"And STAY down!"
The Zangoose groans weakly, tries to regain its balance, but its foot gets caught in the remains of the webbing and it falls over backwards, right over the prone and still somewhat stunned Zarkov. Alix moves in to check, but suddenly something clicks, and the Zangoose disappears in a flash of red light. Left on the ground is just Zarkov, still stunned and dazed by the flash, his right hand holding an enlarged Pokeball.
Jac and Jake finally come out of their momentary stupor, but by then it's already over. Derek can only sigh. Zarkov stands up, the pokeball in his hand emitting a loud *PING* and going silent. A smile creeps over his face as he looks at Derek. "Guess this one's mine after all."
Just as everyone tries to relax, a sudden noise and a flash of light makes the Seekers spin around. On the ground beside Alix where Caty had been, now sits a large, elongated, dark green creature that looks like a bulgy banana-like carapace fitted with a pair of yellow eyes. Alix aims the Pokedex at the creature and presses a button. The Pokedex displays a few pictures and recites:
"Metapod. Evolved form of Caterpie. A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution."
Alix puts away the Pokedex and thoughtfully remarks "Huh. Just like in the games."
No skills were gained this turn.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
>Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/012/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
>Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/012/Zako.txt)
>Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/012/Dermonster.txt)
>Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/012/Kashyyk.txt)
>Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/012/Akhier.txt)
>Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/012/DreamThorn.txt)
==========
NPCs:
>Caty the Metapod (in Alix's status)
==========
Enemies:
None, actually.
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Dermonster on January 29, 2013, 07:31:57 am
He winces, clutching his side. "Hey Jake, toss me your pocket knife for a second?"
Toss Zarkov a Potion. See if I can rip up some of the clothing in this backpack for bandage purposes.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on January 29, 2013, 12:07:54 pm
Let Zangoose out and use potion on it and basically try healing it and what not then check a pokedex or whatever so I can properly name it.
Post by: Zako on January 30, 2013, 01:19:26 am
Inspect the webbing for viability for use as bandages or medical supplies, then carefully inspect all the wounds that the party has to see how bad they are. Clean out all the open wounds with some water and use my knife to make some bandages and then treat the wounds as best I can.
((Here's to hoping my high INT score helps with my medical rolls...))
Post by: DreamThorn on January 30, 2013, 08:06:18 am
Jac proceeds to help clean the remaining webbing off the Zangoose, and makes bandages only from this second batch, keeping the first batch for impromptu use later.
Post by: Kashyyk on January 30, 2013, 07:09:05 pm
Alix moves to the road, and investigates the area for signs or anything else interesting.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on January 31, 2013, 02:42:40 pm
=== TURN XIII ===
= STRANGER THINGS WILL HAPPEN =
= STRANGER THINGS WILL HAPPEN =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
With the Zangoose finally defeated, the Seekers take some time to sort out their injuries and equipment. "I'm going to go look around", Alix says, hefting her wrench. "Can't have something else sneak up on us." She picks up Caty and strides off into the grass, making sweeping motions with her wrench. Derek watches her leave, and walks up to Zarkov, who is still looking at his new acquisition, slightly dumbfounded. "Hey man. I may not like you very much, but since we're still a team..." He digs a Potion out of his backpack, and hands it to Zarkov. "Here, take this. We beat that Zangoose up pretty bad, so use this to heal it. Point and spray, even you should be able to handle that." Zarkov takes the spritzer-headed bottle. "Thanks, I guess. Sorry, I know you wanted to get this guy, but he literally fell on me. Or is it she? I'll have to check. Think it's safe to let it out? I mean, we did just beat it half to death..." Derek thought for a moment and shrugged. "Don't know. Usually they become agreeable - at least because you've got that Pokeball primed on them, ready to pull them back in - but the Zangoose usually has a temper. Might want to look out. It's probably not in a good state to fight, so it should be safe-ck!" A sudden jolt of pain reminded Derek of his wound. "Just.. be sure to keep the Pokeball on hand so you can recall it. I think I'm going to see about not bleeding all over here."
Faced with a sudden need for medical supplies, Jac and Jake examine the webs left after the Zangoose's capture. The strands are dense, intertwined, and seem to be quite good at covering large stretches of body, not to mention their strength. On first glance, they seem like the perfect bandage material. They show their finds to Derek, but he is not convinced. "It might looks nice, guys, but... I don't think using a caterpillar's spit to cover your wounds is the best idea, is all. Give me a good old cloth bandage any day. Hand me that knife of yours, Jake, so I can make some."
Jake frowns but complies, handing the pocket knife over. Having nothing to cut things with now, and nothing to cut for that matter, he decides to help Jac make the bandages out of web instead. Jac's tanto makes short work of the webs once they're stretched into sheets, and the cocoon used to trap the Zangoose provides enough material to work with. Together, Jac and Jake fashion the webs into nearly a dozen long strips of strong, stretchy, and handily adhesive bandage material, neatly rolled up into discrete rolls like some sort of human-applicable duct tape. Their work done, the two look back at Derek, who is still trying to horribly maim a poor defenseless shirt with a pocket knife. Finally he succeeds, and with a loud sound of tearing cloth - as, naturally, that's what was happening - the shirt ends up in two halves, neither entirely suitable for bandaging. Derek stands there and looks at the bisected shirt, seemingly stunned by his own ineptitude.
"Okay, that... was not supposed to happen."
Jake sighs and shakes his head, coming over to Derek with a roll of the sticky bandage. "Yeah DC, we can't all be master craftsmen. Now get out of that robe of yours and let me check that cut."
Derek frowns dismissively, but disrobes. "Do you even know how to dress a wound?" he asks, hesitantly lifting his arm and allowing Jake to see the double gash left by the Zangoose. Jake shrugs. "How would I know? I can't remember a thing, same as you." He smirks. "Seems it's all learn by doing from here. Now hold still."
Jake takes a good long look at the wound, as if thinking. He makes passes around it with his hand, getting a feel of the edges and the trickling blood. Derek starts getting impatient. "Well? I ain't gonna bleed forever, if you know what I mean." Suddenly, Jake's movements change. He starts acting with a purpose, as if his hands know what they must do even before the rest of his body reacts. Quickly taking a water bottle out of his backpack, Jake cleans up the bleeding gashes, dresses them with a folded pad of webbing, and finally fixes the dressings in place with a long strip of bandage across the torso. Derek is quite surprised. "Well! I hope you learned something from that doing, because that's pretty damn impressive, considering." Jake looks back at him. "You know.. I'm not sure if I learned that just now."
While the others take care of their cuts and scratches, Zarkov stands to the side and hesitantly points his Pokeball at the ground. "Okay... let's see if this works. Zangoose, I choose you?" Nothing happens. It takes a bit of effort to get the device to comply, but soon it opens up, releasing the trapped Zangoose onto the grass. It materializes standing on two legs, but quickly drops to all fours, groaning. Zarkov, hesitant to approach, half-circles around the pokemon, looking at its injuries. The Zangoose is clearly not in good shape. Bruised, cut, bleeding from its shoulder and mouth, and obviously quite in pain, the badgercat is a poor sight. Sensing no immediate threat, Zarkov approaches, Potion in hand. The Zangoose growls weakly, and lowers itself to the ground, closing its eyes. Suddenly, Zarkov freezes mid-stride. "Er, what? I.. Did you.. Nah, can't be." He shakes his head and kneels near the Zangoose. The pokemon growls weakly again. "Wh.. what? Do whatever I want to you, but make it quick? What.. sorcery is this?" Zarkov stumbles back and holds a hand to his forehead. "Okay, calm down, this is a strange place and strange things might be normal here." He turns to the Zangoose. "You, ah, understand me? Are you.. a.. alright?" The sheer audacity of the question became apparent even to him, as the pokemon's response was something between a pained grunt and a snort. "What I think? I think you might need some of this." Finally sure that what was happening is either perfectly normal or signs of imminent insanity, Zarkov moves close to the Zangoose and proceeds to apply the Potion, spraying what wounds he can reach. The strange liquid inside the Potion seems to take effect almost immediately, closing up the bleeding stab wound, dissolving bruises, and even, with some manual work, appearing to mend the broken jaw, although it's obvious that just a spritzer bottle isn't going to be enough for such an injury to heal. The liquid in the Potion runs out before Zarkov can fix everything, but by the time he is done the Zangoose is back to standing on its hind legs, still a little battered but obviously much better off than before. Zarkov admires the result of his efforts. "Well? Feeling better?" The pokemon looks over itself and answers with a satisfied sort of growl. Then it seems to.. smile? As well as a still-healing recently-broken jaw allows it to, anyway. The Zangoose lifts up a clawed paw, and strongly, but not forcefully, taps Zarkov on the chest, growling again. Zarkov is perplexed. "We.. fight good? You.. huh." He smiles in return. "Okay then! I've gotta think up a name to call you, I guess. But, uh, one question first..."
--------
Meanwhile, further down the hill, Alix finally strides out of the grass and walks out onto the road. She looks around, searching for signs of trouble, when a nearby bush suddenly rustles. Setting Caty down, Alix carefully advances to get a closer look. When she is just a few feet away, the bush rustles again, and out of it leaps what looks to all the world like a large green tortoise with a green sprout on its head, forcing her to dodge and retreat to Caty's position. The tortoise stops and turns around, seeming ready to attack again. Alix can recognize the pokemon even before she aims her Pokedex at it and listens to the computer's recital:
"Turtwig. Tortoise pokemon. The shell on its back is made of soil. On a very healthy Turtwig, the shell should feel moist."
Alix puts the Pokedex away. A Turtwig shouldn't outright attack humans, even if startled. Something does not feel right about this.
Jake Marshall recovers a skill!
First Aid[5]: You can provide qualified medical aid, with any supplies on hand.
Zarkov Dragonheart gains an ability!
Pokemon Trainer: (Passive) You are able to understand Pokemon speech, mostly that of Pokemon you own, with varying degrees of success. PER check to dialogue.
Zarkov Dragonheart gains knowledge!
The Zangoose is very much male.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
>Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/013/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
>Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/013/Zako.txt)
>Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/013/Dermonster.txt)
>Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/013/Kashyyk.txt)
>Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/013/Akhier.txt)
>Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/013/DreamThorn.txt)
==========
NPCs:
>Caty the Metapod (in Alix's status)
>Unnamed (yet) Zangoose (in Zarkov's status)
==========
Enemies:
>Wild Turtwig (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/013/WildTurtwig.txt)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Dermonster on January 31, 2013, 04:09:06 pm
Attempt to find missing, possibly ruined pokeballs and determine if I can fix/salvage anything with them. Follow group if we go anywhere.
Post by: Zako on February 01, 2013, 05:04:24 am
Treat Zarkov's injuries then climb onto a rock or something with a decent height to it and take a good look around the area for things that could be useful nearby.
Post by: DreamThorn on February 01, 2013, 09:37:15 am
*stretches a bit* *looks around* I wonder how this thing works...
Jac opens a pokéball and pokes around inside. (Pun not intended ;) )
Concentrating on the pokéball, he/she doesn't notice that his/her fingertips attempt to stretch and thin.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 03, 2013, 03:45:26 am
Thanks for treating my injuries, I think I will go and see whats happening over there
ELSE
Well maybe you can try again later, as it is I think I will go and see whats happening over there
END
I head over to where the Turtwig is and observe to see if me and Zak (Name of Zangoose) need to help, if not just try to figure out why the turtwig is aggressive
Post by: Kashyyk on February 04, 2013, 07:28:51 am
Alix glance at the overly aggressive Turtwig, then back to Caty. What was up with it? She crouched lower, to the wild pokemon's level.
"Hey little guy, are you ok? What's got you so riled up?" She hoped she could at least calm it down some what, she didn't particularly like beating on animals, even if they had supernatural abilities.
Talk to the Turtwig, try to calm it down, and try to see if it's healthy or not.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 05, 2013, 03:17:49 pm
=== TURN XIV ===
= LOOKING FOR TROUBLE =
= LOOKING FOR TROUBLE =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
Following her intuition, Alix lies down on the ground in front of the tortoise and attempts to look non-threatening, speaking in as soothing a voice as she can manage. "Come on, Turtwig. Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you. Come on, little guy.." Her attempt at diplomacy immediately backfires, as the pokemon charges straight at her! Before Alix can react, the wild Turtwig lunges forward and meets her face with a powerful headbutt, sending her tumbling back head over heels with a scream. She is dazed and in pain, but conscious, feeling the trickle of blood from her split lips and broken nose. The thought "maybe it's a girl" passes through Alix's head and gets lost in the spinning maelstrom of pain and confusion.
--------
Back at the clearing, Jake tries to give first aid to Zarkov, but upon examination declares that bandaging scratches is a waste of bandage material. Zarkov is nonplussed. "Whatever, man. They don't hurt anymore anyway." He gets up and looks around. "I think I shall go and seek out our female companion. We shouldn't stay here too long. Come on, Zak, let's go."
As Zarkov and his Zangoose wade off into the tall grass, Jake decides that looking about is not such a bad idea. "Of course, I'm not going to do that by walking around," he thinks, making his way back to the top of the hill. From up high, Jake casts his gaze far over the rolling hills and forests, looking out for trouble. And trouble he does find, although from a direction he least expected. A familiar screech alerts him just in time to hit the ground, as a pair of sharp claws pass swiftly by, missing his head by inches. Jake stands up and watches the rather large brown bird with yellow-red plumage bank slowly, circling around for another pass.
"Oh great. This one again."
Non-narrative events summary:
> Derek found both Pokeballs, but both broken beyond repair. It seems the Pokemon breaking out of a 'ball fries whatever electronics are in it, and the other ball just hit a sharp stone and fell apart.
> Zarkov and Zak are lost in the grass.
> Jac's attempts at poking around a pokeball's innards don't result in anything, and nothing weird happens with his fingers whatsoever.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
>Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/014/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
> Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/014/Zako.txt) (Hill top)
> Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/014/Dermonster.txt) (Clearing)
> Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/014/Kashyyk.txt) (Road)
> Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/014/Akhier.txt) (Lost in Grass)
> Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/014/DreamThorn.txt) (Clearing)
==========
Allies:
> Caty the Metapod (in Alix's status)
> Zak the Zangoose (in Zarkov's status)
==========
Enemies:
=<Enemy Status (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/014/Enemies.txt)>=
> Wild Pidgeotto (Hill top)
> Wild Turtwig (Road)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 05, 2013, 03:23:18 pm
Post by: Dermonster on February 05, 2013, 04:04:36 pm
SKill check: One bird with one stone.
Post by: Kashyyk on February 05, 2013, 06:49:38 pm
"Ouch!"
What was that thing's problem? I knew I didn't have long before it attacked again though. Good thing I had my own 'mon to assist me. So, after dispatching Caty in the direction of the Turtwig, I gently prodded my nose and lips and gingerly tried to set it straight.
Caty string shots the Turtwig, whilst Alix tries to set her nose.
Post by: Zako on February 05, 2013, 09:10:07 pm
Run for cover and grab a rock to throw at the bird. Chuck it if the bird is coming close but stay low as best as possible.
Post by: DreamThorn on February 06, 2013, 01:11:37 am
Jac's ears perk up, hearing the commotion of the bird's attack.
"I'm coming!"
Jac joins the battle. After Jake throws the rock, Jac attempts to grab/grapple the bird when/if it comes into range.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 08, 2013, 06:39:13 am
=== TURN XV ===
= ONE BIRD, TWO STONES, BOTH MISSED =
= ONE BIRD, TWO STONES, BOTH MISSED =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
Jake bolts down the hill, back towards the clearing, interjecting cries of warning with shouts for help. The Pidgeotto is hot on his heels. It's hard to ignore the shouts of a man chased after by a murderous, up-till-recently fictional bird, so Jac and Derek drop what little they were doing and rush to Jake's aid.
"Hang in there man, we're coming!"
Seeing two people running to help him, Jake slows his pace and looks around for something to throw. Nothing but a fairly large rock catches his eye, so he hefts it up and steadies his arm for a toss directly at the approaching Pokemon, right as Derek and Jac run up behind. The Pidgeotto suddenly spreads its wings and stops, flapping it wings in midair a few meters ahead of the group, seemingly intimidated by three angry people. Jake seizes the moment and tosses the rock at it.
Suddenly, the Pidgeotto screeches, and thrusts its wings forward in a single, powerful flap. A tremendous gust of wind strikes the Seekers! Jake's rock slows down and just barely grazes the bird's side, while Derek's never leaves his hand as he is blown away completely. Jake himself is almost blown away too, but stands his ground, his clothes flapping like mad in the sudden hurricane-level wind.
"Holy..! This bird means business! Somebody take it down, fast!" Jake shouts against the wind, perfectly aware that without some actual ranged firepower the Seekers are pretty much at the mercy of the much more nimble flying adversary. He glances around for more things to throw at the Pokemon, but sees nothing except his only weapon. Hesitantly he takes it out and readies to throw, hoping that the knife's thin profile will not let it be deflected so easily.
However, in a moment Jac provides an alternative solution. Before Jake can throw anything, the black-hooded man (at least Jake thinks he's a man) leaps up like a living shadow, and locks his hands around the Pidgeotto's legs! The pokemon screeches and flaps rapidly, trying to fly up, but Jac's manages to plant his feet into the hill's slope and keep the bird from getting away.
"Oh no you don't! Come 'ere, you oversized chicken!"
With a grunt, Jac pulls the Pidgeotto towards him and uses the gained momentum to smack the bird into the ground in an overhead smash. The pokemon squawks as its back and head hit the dirt, the impact only slightly dampened by the grass. It lays still for a moment, stunned and disoriented. Jac steps back, holding a hand to his arm and cringing. "Ow. I think I sprained something. Damn that thing is strong."
--------
Zarkov and Zak wade through the grass, following the vague sounds of some kind of battle happening nearby. Confusingly, the sounds come from two directions now, but Zarkov is undeterred and keeps going toward the original source. He finally steps out of the grass and onto the road, only to see what appears to be a leaf-green tortoise attacking Alix. Alix's green carapaced banana - Caty, Zarkov remembered, although the species name eluded him for the moment - was shooting its web strings at the tortoise, which skillfully evaded them. Zak looked at his master and gave a questioning sort of growl, causing the tortoise to momentarily stop and consider the new opponent appearing behind it. Zarkov raised an eyebrow at Zak's inquiry, and looked at Alix.
"Help? Hm. Look at her. Nose and lips bleeding, but eyes determined. And there's Caty there to help her already. She's got it under control. Let's just watch."
Non-narrative events summary:
> Derek's sharp stone cut his hand when he was blown back.
> No skills were gained.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
>Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/015/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
> Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/015/Zako.txt) (Hill side)
> Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/015/Dermonster.txt) (Hill side)
> Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/015/Kashyyk.txt) (Road)
> Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/015/Akhier.txt) (Road)
> Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/015/DreamThorn.txt) (Hill side)
==========
Allies:
> Caty the Metapod (with Alix)
> Zak the Zangoose (with Zarkov)
==========
Enemies:
=<Enemy Status (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/015/Enemies.txt)>=
> Wild Pidgeotto (Hill side)
> Wild Turtwig (Road)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Kashyyk on February 08, 2013, 07:59:40 am
It would seem that dirtle hit me really hard. And it's even avoiding Caty's stringshot. Well, I can't have that...
"Caty keep using StringShot!"
Hopefully it'll be distracted enough for me to whack it. In an idea world, it'll then realise it's out of it's league, and sod off.
Caty stringshots moar. Alix then whacks it with a
Post by: Dermonster on February 08, 2013, 08:58:31 am
Double whack with the flat of the board and use pokeball.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 08, 2013, 10:44:55 am
I sit back ready to step in if my help is needed to stop someone on my side from dieing
Post by: penguinofhonor on February 08, 2013, 05:47:20 pm
Post by: Zako on February 08, 2013, 09:51:54 pm
Attack with the knife and do my best to keep the creature on the ground.
Post by: DreamThorn on February 10, 2013, 09:00:49 am
Action: Temporary transformation - Tentacle arms! Lightning grab!
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 10, 2013, 11:18:32 am
=== TURN XVI ===
= WRAPPING IT UP =
= WRAPPING IT UP =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
Alix notices Zarkov standing further up the road and shouts out to him. "Stand back, Dragonheart, don't interfere!" Zarkov just smiles. "Wasn't planning to, honestly. I see you've got things well in hand." Alix clenches her wrench. "You bet I do!"
As Zarkov watches on, Alix leaps forward and swings madly at the Turtwig, which does its best to get out of the way of the wrench-swinging woman. Every attack misses by less and less as Alix forces the pokemon back and keeps the momentum of the attack going. "Stand still, you little..!," Alix exclaims, jumping at the tortoise, arms with the wrench raised for an overhead smash down. The Turtwig's eyes widen, and suddenly, instead of dodging, it hides into its shell! Alix's attack hits dead on, bringing the full power of an enraged five-foot-two woman and four pounds of wrench down onto the pokemon's back. It would've ended quite badly for the Turtwig, if it wasn't for one little fact.
It's a turtle, with a hard earthen shell.
The wrench bounces back, vibrating wildly and flying out of Alix's grasp! Alix loses her balance, having gone all-out on this one attack, and tumbles over the Turtwig, landing awkwardly on the grass beside the road. She looks up, seeing the pokemon still in its shell, sitting silently on the ground, perhaps a little rattled by the heavy blow. Suddenly, Alix realizes the opening she's created.
"Caty, use String Shot! Now!"
The Metapod dutifully obliges, unleashing a torrent of sticky webbing with pinpoint accuracy, completely covering the immobile Turtwig. "Keep it up, Caty!" Alix shouts, staggering up to her feet. "String Shot, again!" Alix dashes to the webbed Turtwig and, tearing the sticky webs off the ground with considerable effort, flips the tortoise over before another stream of web lands on top of it, now creating a complete, solid cover of webs over all of the Turtwig's shell. Alix exhales heavily and wipes a few drops of sweat off her forehead. Looking first at Caty, then at Zarkov, she picks the encased pokemon up and holds it under her arm.
"Well, that's a wrap."
--------
Back at the hillside, the three Seekers pile upon the wild Pidgeotto in an attempt to subdue it. Jake leaps at it with his pocket knife. Derek swings at it with his two-by-four. Jac... sort of flails his arms around and trips over his feet, falling on top of it. In the ensuing scuffle and tangle of bodies, nobody manages to get seriously hurt, including the increasingly disoriented and confused Pidgeotto. Derek is the first to come to his senses, and rummages through his backpack for another Pokeball.
"Alright, third time's the charm.. go, Pokeball!"
Derek assumes a classic pitcher pose, despite being a few feet away from his target, and tosses the ball as hard as he can. The ball flies true, striking the pinned Pidgeotto in the chest, and immediately absorbs the Pokemon into itself. Derek doesn't see this, however, because he has put too much force into the throw and slipped on the patch of grass he was standing on, landing face first into the ground. He remains lying that way even as the Pokeball emits a "ping" and goes still on the grass beside him.
Non-narrative events summary:
> Derek Coonan has recovered a skill!
> Junior League Dropout: You were kicked out of your local baseball team for lapses in performance, despite being moderately good at it. Your AGI score varies between 50% and 150% of its base value for throwing and catching objects, as well as hitting something with a long stick.
> Jac Loscure failed to discover any powers. It seems neither this universe nor the one he came from have any instances of people with tentacle arms.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
>Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/016/Hill.txt)
==========
Characters:
> Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/016/Zako.txt) (Hill side)
> Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/016/Dermonster.txt) (Hill side)
> Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/016/Kashyyk.txt) (Road)
> Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/016/Akhier.txt) (Road)
> Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/016/DreamThorn.txt) (Hill side)
==========
Allies:
> Caty the Metapod (with Alix)
> Zak the Zangoose (with Zarkov)
==========
Enemies:
=<Enemy Status (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/016/Enemies.txt)>=
> Wild Turtwig (Carried by Alix)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Dermonster on February 10, 2013, 11:30:07 am
Bring out Aether, introduce self and examine for debilitating wounds.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 10, 2013, 04:44:01 pm
I head back to join up with the rest of the party, first by heading to where we had last been gathered at and then back tracking towards the point of origin in this world looking for them till I find them. Once there I follow them wherever they go so as to not get left somewhere.
Post by: DreamThorn on February 11, 2013, 01:36:22 am
Jac stands up and dusts himself off. It's as if he's always been male, maybe.
"Clearly, the only way to fight around here is by using Pokémon," he says to himself, before asking the nearby Seekers: "Have any of you figured out what we are looking for yet? I have no clue at all."
Action: Stick with other Seekers.
Post by: Zako on February 11, 2013, 03:57:58 am
Climb to the top of the hill and take a lookout position. Have a good hard look at the surrounding terrain for any signs of civilization and memorize which direction they are in.
Post by: Kashyyk on February 11, 2013, 04:30:42 pm
Right. With him guy dealt with, I better sort myself out. Putting the turtwig down on the ground, I sat on top of him, using him as a sort of stool to rest on. I then got back to trying to sort my nose out,setting it and stemming the bleeding using a bit of Caty's web.
Fix up my injuries as best I can.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 12, 2013, 04:15:27 am
=== TURN XVII ===
= LOOKING AROUND =
(the oft-forgotten action)
= LOOKING AROUND =
(the oft-forgotten action)
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
Derek stands up and dusts himself off, picking up his Pokeball while his teammates untangle themselves. "Heh. So much effort to catch you." He smiles. "But I know, you'll be worth it. I'll name you... Aether." With a purposely exaggerated motion, Derek points the Pokeball at the ground and proclaims, "Aether, come out!"
A second later, the shape of the Pidgeotto appears on the grass before him. Aether is still a little dazed, but makes no moves to escape. Good, Derek thinks to himself as he moves in to examine the bird. After a quick examination, Derek is relieved to see that Aether's injuries are mostly superficial. A bruise here, a scrape there. The torn out patch of feathers won't heal by itself, and is unlikely to be fixed by a Potion, but something tells Derek that any Pokemon center will be able to take care of it. For her part, Aether calmly accepts being examined, which strikes Derek as a little odd considering her previous behavior, but he dismisses it as the consequence of being caught. The pokemon is also still a little dazed from being thrown around and assaulted by several slightly murderous people, so Derek decides to give Aether some air and lets her rest.
In the meantime, Jake returns to the lookout spot that Aether had so unceremoniously chased him off from. The hilltop is an excellent vantage point, with very few of the surrounding terrain features being of comparable height. Jake makes out the light brown strip of the road, weaving inbetween the hills and groves, leading off into the distant mountains in one direction, and through a rather dense forest in the other. Trying to spot signs of civilization proves near futile, with no obvious skylines or clouds of smog to tell the location of the nearest city. However, after a few minutes of squinting, Jake makes out what seems like a small wooden house, just peeking out over the top of a hillock somewhere near the mountain-bound part of the road.
Non-narrative events summary:
> Alix manages to right her nose, and successfully binds her split lips with the aid of Caty's web spray and some creative poking of holes. She now wears what amounts to a surgical mask made of webbing, with a slit for the mouth. The nose is unlikely to heal up properly without proper medical attention though.
> The Turtwig tries to chew his way out of the cocoon, but only gets its mouth glued shut by the sticky webs.
> Zarkov and Zak almost manage to get lost again, but sticking to being outside of the tall grass allows them to circumnavigate the hill and rejoin Derek and Jac, rather tired.
> Yes, Aether is a "she".
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
> Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/017/Hill.txt) (current position)
> Tall Mountains (far "up" the road)
> Wooden house ("up" the road)
> Dense Forest ("down" the road)
==========
Characters:
> Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/017/Zako.txt) (Hill top)
> Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/017/Dermonster.txt) (Hill side)
> Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/017/Kashyyk.txt) (Road)
> Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/017/Akhier.txt) (Hill side)
> Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/017/DreamThorn.txt) (Hill side)
==========
Allies:
> Caty the Metapod (with Alix)
> Zak the Zangoose (with Zarkov)
> Aether the Pidgeotto (with Derek)
==========
Enemies:
=<Enemy Status (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/017/Enemies.txt)>=
> Wild Turtwig (Carried by Alix)
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 12, 2013, 04:27:42 am
Lead the group to the road and Alix then once there let someone else take the lead for a little bit. Also if I notice the Turtwig struggling in the webbing I talk to it and see whats up.
Post by: Kashyyk on February 12, 2013, 09:36:31 am
That's better... I can imagine I don't look the best now though.
"Now, about you..." I said to the turwid, "I'd say you've lost, am I right? So, you're gonna be a good pokemon and let me capture you, alright?"
Trusting the pokemon to understand me, I pulled out my other pokeball.
Catch the turtwig with my final pokeball.
Post by: Dermonster on February 12, 2013, 11:15:57 am
Reconnissance! Wait by the trail.
Post by: Zako on February 12, 2013, 12:20:23 pm
Search the grass one more time for anything that we have missed, then head down to the road with the others. Stay on guard incase of pokemon ambush.
Post by: DreamThorn on February 13, 2013, 01:28:48 am
Action: Follow Zarkov to the road, while looking for bushes with berries or fruit.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 13, 2013, 06:36:56 am
=== TURN XVIII ===
= TIME TO HIT THE ROAD =
= TIME TO HIT THE ROAD =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
Once Jake returns and describes his findings, the Seekers start preparing to move out. Jac and Zarkov have few things to do and start towards the road immediately. Derek sits down next to Aether and mouths some instructions to her before walking off as well. The Pidgeotto squawks in confirmation and takes flight, flying in the direction of the forest.
Jake stands amidst the clearing and scratches his head. The temptation to dive back into the tall grass to look for more things to
"Well, damn. How did I forget about this?"
--------
Back at the road, Alix is still waiting for the rest of the team to come down from the hill so everyone can get going. The wait is boring, and the cocooned Turtwig, now employed as an improvised stool, is emitting increasingly annoyed (and annoying) noises. Alix looks over at Caty, who is still sitting nearby, motionless as only a transitionary evolution form of an insect can be. I won't be able to just rely on you forever, she thinks, twirling a shrunken Pokeball in her hands. Finally, she decides that whatever use someone else might have for a Turtwig, they could always find more Pokemon. Besides, she defeated this one fair and square.
"Hey, Turtwig," she begins. "I'd say you've lost, don't you agree? I defeated you fair and square, right?" The Turtwig seems to murmur something in response, but its mouth appears to be full. Alix continues, expanding the Pokeball in her hand. "So, you're going to be a good Pokemon and let me catch you, alright?" With that, she stands up and taps the cocooned Turtwig with the ball. The device immediately opens up and swallows the pokemon in a flash of red light, leaving behind an empty cocoon. Alix suddenly realizes that this might not have been the best idea, as the ball blinks a red light and wobbles slightly in her hand. This continues for a few tense seconds, the Turtwig seeming to struggle against the pokeball's restraint.
The grass suddenly parts behind Alix with a loud rustle, almost causing her to drop the ball. Zarkov Dragonheart stumbles out onto the road, with Zak, Jac, and Derek following behind him. All four of them seem to be eating something. Approaching Alix, Jac digs inside his backpack and hands her a handful of small round fruit that look strikingly similar to shrunk Pokeballs painted blue. "Here, try some," he says. "Found a shrub of these and some others on the way here. Might be useful later, but I got enough to last us a while."
Suddenly, a portion of the tall grass bursts outward, releasing a blur of man, steel, and gleaming wire-spoked wheels onto the road. The blur stops and rings its bell enthusiastically, grinning like mad. The Seekers return blank stares. "Oh stop with those looks, people," Jake exclaims, getting off his frankenbicycle. "Can't a man have some fun around here?"
As Alix tries to process this, Zarkov walks up to her and hands her a wrench. "Here, I found it by the side of the road. Or rather, my foot did. Be careful where you lose your tools, miss." He makes a motion as if tipping his hat, but his hand grasps at the empty space above his head. He looks at it absentmindedly and turns his attention elsewhere while Alix examines the wrench. It couldn't possibly be her wrench, she thought, because hers was bent, and this one... isn't. Although she did hit that Turtwig kind of hard...
Oh, Turtwig!
Alix suddenly remembers that she is still holding a Pokeball with a potentially dangerous turtle that is about to break out. She quickly checks on the ball, but it is perfectly still. In the commotion caused by the arrival of her teammates, the successful capture signal of the ball was completely ignored.
----
A few minutes later, Aether returns, landing next to the team. The combined force of Derek, Zarkov, and Zak acting as a translator, manages to decipher what she has seen. Apparently for much of the way in, the forest isn't at all interesting. There are, however, a large number of Pokemon, a lot of them not even native to these parts, and all or most unnaturally aggressive to strangers. There are some kind of ruins deep in the forest, but apart from a particularly large Pokemon keeping guard over them, they don't seem to be entirely important.
Non-narrative events summary:
> Just about everything was covered. Look at the end of post for special action for next turn.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
> Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/018/Hill.txt) (current position)
> Tall Mountains (far "up" the road)
> Wooden house ("up" the road)
> Dense Forest ("down" the road)
> Ruins (deep in the Dense Forest)
==========
Characters:
> Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/018/Zako.txt) (Road)
> Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/018/Dermonster.txt) (Road)
> Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/018/Kashyyk.txt) (Road)
> Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/018/Akhier.txt) (Road)
> Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/018/DreamThorn.txt) (Road)
==========
Vehicles:
> Frankencycle (with Jake): Cobbled from the remains of two smashed bicycles, this is a perfectly normal pedal-powered two-wheel transport for up to two people.
==========
Allies:
> Caty the Metapod (with Alix)
> Zak the Zangoose (with Zarkov)
> Aether the Pidgeotto (with Derek)
==========
Enemies:
=<Enemy Status (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/018/Enemies.txt)>=
> No enemies present.
==========
==SPECIAL ACTION FOR NEXT TURN==
Decide where you are going as a team and what you do along the way.
Normal action will be applied before setting out.
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: DreamThorn on February 13, 2013, 08:34:04 am
"I vote we check out the little house up the road and get some intel."
Post by: Zako on February 13, 2013, 08:45:06 am
Special action: Head to the house. Treat my companions injuries as best as possible.
Diagnose my companion's injuries and think about how to treat them, then do so.
Post by: Dermonster on February 13, 2013, 09:13:02 am
Derek pauses, in thought. "I would like to come back and investigate, one day. For now, houseward it is."
Derek pet Aether lightly. "Good work, girl, saved us a bit of trouble, you did. You can have a bit of a snooze, for now." He said, and returned her to his pokeball.
"I'll ride up with Jake." he said, turning back to the group. "I'll send info back with Aether if we find anything while you guys aren't there."
Special Action: Ride with Jake.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 13, 2013, 11:14:35 am
Special is of course head to the house while my action will be to keep a sharp lookout while heading there then doing a very thorough job searching the house once we get there.
Post by: Kashyyk on February 13, 2013, 08:22:17 pm
"I wonder if that healing spray would work on a human... Any ideas guys?" Also, I need to decide a name for Turtwig. Something that fitted him, I'm assuming it's a him anyway. After heaering Derek's suggestion she was decided. A'tuin.
Try to work out if the spray would fix my face (I guess int or wis), and tag along with the rest of the gang. Name the turtwig A'Tuin.
Post by: Dermonster on February 13, 2013, 08:24:56 pm
Derek's eyes light up. "Oh! Name it A'tuin!"
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 14, 2013, 04:39:22 am
=== TURN XIX ===
= A STROKE OF LUCK? =
= A STROKE OF LUCK? =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
After a few minutes of delay, during which Alix attempts to spray herself with the Potion, to no avail, and Derek demonstrates his utter inability to ride a bicycle, the whole group of Seekers decides to just walk along the road towards the mountains, keeping on the lookout for the wooden house behind a hill and any other oddities. Despite a certain present tension, and the perceived threat of the large swathes of tall grass swaying in the wind as they pass them, the group meets no opposition. The walk is uneventful, the calm soothing breeze and eye-pleasing forms and colors of the landscape reminding the Seekers that despite its violent underlay, this world is still based on a shonen anime series. Before long, the wooden structure that Jake had seen from the hilltop comes into view. The group approaches its entrance, looking up in slight disbelief.
"Jake. I thought you said this was a wooden house."
The building standing before them is huge, an elaborate four-story mansion with carved wooden supports and arched windows, half-set into the side of the hill. The front door resembles a double castle gate, with an image of a four-leaf clover surrounded by many smaller clovers deeply carved into it. Cresting the top is a penthouse, the only part of the building visible from the other side of the hill.
Jake turns to look at his fellow Seekers and shrugs. "Well, a huge mansion does count as a house, right?"
The group stands there for a minute, looking over the structure. The mansion is obviously unfinished, areas of it lacking the exquisite paintwork that covers most of the ground floor and some parts of the second and third, and at least a few rooms still being built. It seems as if the mansion expanded as it was being constructed, the owner forced to add more rooms and floors than initially planned to account for a sudden change of plans. A fence or wall seems to have been planned as well, but only exists now as a few thick wooden posts, carved at the top into the shape of a four-leaf clover. The ground floor windows are covered by closed shutters, engraved with the same design as the door.
Not a sound comes from within the building, and no lights are on. From the outside, it seems as though the building is abandoned.
Zarkov gives the handle of the door an experimental tug. The door doesn't open. He tugs harder, and a few more times, when Derek comes up and motions him aside.
"Why such impatience? Have you tried knocking?"
He raises his hand to follow up on his words, when suddenly there's a clang, and the door opens slowly inward, its hinges singing a heart-rending song of mis-maintenance. A tired-looking man, obviously in his 40s but with an air of energy about him, appears behind the half-open door. He's stout, wearing a white longcoat embossed with the outline of a four-leaf clover, with a thick grey mustache and almost thicker eyebrows on his ever so slightly wrinkled face. The man eyes the Seekers warily and furrows his brow.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
Non-narrative events summary:
> Derek's robe got caught in the bike's chain and he barely managed to remain unscathed as he fell all over the place. The robe is only slightly tarnished.
> Alix got a faceful of Potion, using up about half before realizing it probably won't work on a human. It seems to work using some kind of biological principle unique to Pokemon.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
> Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/019/Hill.txt) ("down" the road)
> Tall Mountains ("up" the road)
> Wooden Mansion (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/019/Mansion.txt) (current position)
> Dense Forest (far "down" the road)
> Ruins (deep in the Dense Forest)
==========
Characters:
> Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/019/Zako.txt) (Mansion entrance)
> Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/019/Dermonster.txt) (Mansion entrance)
> Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/019/Kashyyk.txt) (Mansion entrance)
> Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/019/Akhier.txt) (Mansion entrance)
> Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/019/DreamThorn.txt) (Mansion entrance)
==========
Vehicles:
> Frankencycle (with Jake): Cobbled from the remains of two smashed bicycles, this is a perfectly normal pedal-powered two-wheel transport for up to two people.
==========
Allies:
> Caty the Metapod (with Alix)
> Zak the Zangoose (with Zarkov)
==========
Enemies:
=<Enemy Status (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/019/Enemies.txt)>=
> No enemies present.
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Dermonster on February 14, 2013, 08:55:40 am
Post by: Kashyyk on February 14, 2013, 09:47:30 am
So, it would seem blue potion both doesn't work on humans and doesn't taste all that great. There goes that plan...
Whilst half listening to Derek talk to the guy, I peer into the depths of the house.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 14, 2013, 12:50:18 pm
Give the house a good looking over while the others are talking to the guy to see if I can spot anything amiss.
Post by: Zako on February 14, 2013, 09:47:49 pm
Help assist Derek with negotiation by pointing out our various injuries and poor state of affairs.
Post by: DreamThorn on February 15, 2013, 01:44:24 am
Edit: Minor fix-ups.
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 15, 2013, 09:26:07 am
=== TURN XX ===
= NOT OMINOUS AT ALL =
= NOT OMINOUS AT ALL =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
Derek recoils from the man, the sudden appearance momentarily freaking him out. Seeing him stammer, struggling to begin conversation, Jake steps in and does his best to salvage the stalled introduction. "Hello, sir." he says, tipping his baseball cap. "We are terribly sorry to inconvenience you, but we kinda need help. There's been an airship crash, and we are very lost. We've been going on foot for some time now, and suffered attacks by aggressive Pokemon in the area. This house is the first sign of civilization we've seen here, and we'd be very grateful for any assistance you can provide. Even if it's just a map to the nearest town."
The man's expression lightens, and even shifts to concern at the mention of the crash. He quickly glances over the rest of the team, noticing the scrapes, cuts, bruises and bandages on them and their pokemon. "Oh, my. You seem to be in quite a tangle." The man opens the double doors fully inward, revealing a large, but sparsely decorated entrance hall. "I'm afraid there is little I can provide, but I will not refuse help to travellers in need. Please, come in." He motions towards the cushioned benches in the hall. "There is some business I must attend to, but I will return shortly. Welcome to Cloverfield Manor."
The Seekers exchange glances and walk into the hall. Jake leaves his bicycle at the door. Zarkov pauses at the entrance, thoughtfully looking the mansion over before heading in as well. A nagging thought in the back of his mind tells him that something about the building is off, but he can't find anything suspicious in just its looks. It seems about as normal as a haphazardly expanded mansion set into the side of a hill can be.
On the inside, the mansion seems pretty normal too. Four men, a woman, and two pokemon seat themselves on the reasonably comfortable benches and look around while the man, either the owner or his butler, closes the door and heads off into the depths of the building. Alix does her best to take stock of the surroundings. The hall isn't very extravagant or lavish, but is far from spartan. The benches, intricately carved with clover leaves, line the walls while a single large round table with a dozen chairs stands in the center. The surface of the table bears the same pattern as the door - a large four-leaf clover surrounded by a lot of smaller ones, and getting smaller toward the edge of the design. A series of lamps in carved wooden frames - carved in the shape of a clover - hang from the ceiling. None of this seems entirely strange, or suspicious, though it does tell volumes about the interior designer of the place.
The wait isn't too long. After some ten minutes, the man returns with a tray filled with cups and some assorted objects. He sets it down on the table, and a smell of what seems like some kind of herbal tea fills the room. "Please," the man says. "Help yourselves. It's my favorite blend." He pulls a chair out and sits on it, motioning the Seekers to do the same. "Sorry for having to leave without introducing myself. I am professor Cloverfield, and, as you may have guessed, this is my manor. Now, why don't you have a seat here at the table and tell me your about yourselves? I don't get many guests here, so I'll even tell you some of my story too." He looks lost in thought for a moment, his eyes not looking at anywhere in particular. "I have held onto it... far too long."
Non-narrative events summary:
> Derek failed his introduction speech, so Jake and Jac's successes combined to result in this.
> The tray has enough cups of tea for everyone, and some miscellaneous objects you can't quite see from where you are.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
> Tall Mountains ("up" the road)
> Cloverfield Manor (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/020/Mansion.txt) (current position)
> Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/020/Hill.txt) ("down" the road)
> Dense Forest (far "down" the road)
> Ruins (deep in the Dense Forest)
==========
Characters:
> Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/020/Zako.txt) (Mansion entrance)
> Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/020/Dermonster.txt) (Mansion entrance)
> Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/020/Kashyyk.txt) (Mansion entrance)
> Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/020/Akhier.txt) (Mansion entrance)
> Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/020/DreamThorn.txt) (Mansion entrance)
==========
Vehicles:
> Frankencycle (at manor entrance): Cobbled from the remains of two smashed bicycles, this is a perfectly normal pedal-powered two-wheel transport for up to two people.
==========
Allies:
> Caty the Metapod (with Alix)
> Zak the Zangoose (with Zarkov)
==========
Enemies:
> No enemies present.
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Dermonster on February 15, 2013, 05:13:38 pm
Derek sips a bit more tea, his mouth dry.
"We managed to fix a bycycle and gather a few pokeballs along with miscellaneous camping tools when we were jumped in rapid succession a caterpie, a pidgeotto, a very fierce zangoose, the same pidgeotto which now rests in this ball, and a turtwig. I will tell you, we had never even held a pokeball until this moment. Zerkov managed to pin and capture the Zangoose after several back and forths (I managed to get a good twack in with a two by four), Alix befriended the Caterpie and Turtwig, and I caught the Pidgeotto. We found a road and saw this place from the top of a hill. After brief recon of the other direction, and that the road went lead to nowhere but old ruins, we traveled here."
Derek shrugs. "That's about it, really. Can you tell us where we are?"
Post by: Kashyyk on February 15, 2013, 07:26:46 pm
Starting slightly, as Derek mentioned my name, I quickly nodded and grabbed one of the teacups. It may just have been my paranoid streak but I wasn't completely at ease in that manor. Whilst faking sips at my newly acquired beverage I kept examing our new companions, the five humans and two pokemon, but specifically our host. I wasn't yet certain that he was all he seemed to be.
Post by: DreamThorn on February 15, 2013, 09:15:21 pm
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 16, 2013, 01:36:16 am
Code: (My action) [Select]
<I get a cup of tea after everyone else has gotten theirs, helping pass them out. Once I have
mine I take a breath like I am savoring the smell of it but while doing so I try to detect any scent of
poison or drugs in it.>
<IF I don't smell any of that THEN I take a small sip and while savoring the flavor I try to taste
any poison or drug in it.>
<IF I can manage to delay long enough so that we are onto his story I pretend to be engrossed
by his story while drinking as slowly as I can>
<IF at any point someone does something that would let me set my drink down THEN I do so
and don't pick it up until someone points out that I am not drinking mine, then I act like I had
forgotten it and I pick it up and resume drinking slowly>
<IF AT ANY POINT any of the group who have been drinking the tea starts to seem unnaturally
drowsy or starts to look sick THEN I set my cup down and act slightly like whatever symptoms
they where showing but to a lesser extent, at this point
<IF someone points out that I stopped drinking I will
<IF acting sleepy state that I seem to be more tired then I thought but I wanted to keep
listening so I stopped drinking the tea because it was making me feel tired.>
<ELSE IF instead I was acting a little sick I respond that the tea wasn't sitting well on my
empty stomach and that maybe after we finish with all the talking I can have some water
<if someone offers to get some I turn them down saying I would rather let my stomach
settle a little first.>
>
Of note if I can't pull the tired or sick act off easily I will side more towards not acting over over-acting.>
Post by: Zako on February 16, 2013, 02:43:46 am
"I'm fine, I'm not really thirsty right now." Jake replies as he looks at the tea, honestly not in the mood for any right now. "You said that you had a story, what is it about exactly?"
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 18, 2013, 10:28:03 am
=== TURN XXI ===
= THE HEART OF THE ISSUE =
= THE HEART OF THE ISSUE =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
The Seekers - some readily, some reluctantly - leave the benches and take their places around the large table. The Professor smiles kindly and pushes the tea tray forward, allowing everyone to take a cup. Jac almost spills tea all over the table when he attempts to grab both a cup and the items on the tray with one hand, but somehow manages to avoid a mess, only splashing a little of the sweet-smelling liquid on the table. Zarkov, on the other hand, picks his cup up as if it were filled with some combination of hydrochloric acid, molten magma, and thermonuclear waste, careful not to so much as ripple the tea inside and avoiding skin contact with even the fumes of the steaming hot beverage. The Professor raises an eyebrow, noticing the odd behavior, but keeps his smile on. "No need to be so careful, young man." He turns to Derek, who is sitting closest to him. "Now then, let's hear it."
The sun slowly makes its way across the sky as the people inside the manor sit down at the table and relay their short, but lavishly padded with unnecessary detail, story to professor Cloverfield, pausing for sips of tea and the occasional return question. The professor is surprised to learn that the Seekers were not on the crashed airship, as he assumed, but his attempts to understand the situation were as vain as the Seekers' attempts to remember much of the nonexistant "prior events".
Alix eyes her surroundings, miming sipping motions with her teacup. She'd had a look at her teammates before, and they seem to have proven themselves an actual team over the few recent hours, but the whole situation with the metallic cube room and the sudden trip to another world - a fictional one at that - has made her suspicious. She suddenly realizes that within the context of the anime and the games, the group of five adults traveling the roads is more suspicious than the lone old man living in an odd house by the side of a disused road. She even contemplates actually taking a sip of the tea - it smells very inviting, reminiscent of a summer meadow. 'But no' she thinks. 'It can't be that easy. In the games and anime, Pokemon never attacked to kill either. Something is still amiss. Better play it safe.'
As the conversation goes on, Jac forgoes the tea in favor of examining the objects provided to them. One seems to be a small folded map of the nearby area. The other is a framed photograph, showing a pair of people standing together, facing the camera, in front of some kind of machine. Jac recognizes one of the people as the Professor, although he is clearly younger there. The other person is a tall, rather handsome man with piercing fuchsia eyes, dressed in a stylish black business outfit with red highlights. Jac draws Derek's attention with a raised hand, and slides him the photograph, just as he reaches the final part of his story. Derek gives the photo a brief look. "...and, well, that's how we ended up at your door, and you know the rest. I suppose this -" he hands the picture to the Professor - "relates to the story you were going to tell us?"
Professor Cloverfield sighs heavily as he holds the photo in his hands, closing his eyes. "Yes. But, now that I heard your story, I see that you are not normal travelers.[/i]" He looks up, passing his eyes over the team. "Aren't you? No, it is not normal. I may be old, and I lived alone for a long time, but I can see when something is not as it seems. Some of you -" he looks at Zarkov and Alix, both holding full cups of tea -"seem to have the same feeling towards me as well. I can't fault you. I guess it doesn't really matter anymore, but there is one more thing I would like to show you now. It has to do with this man on the picture. Please, follow me. Maybe... Maybe you'll be able to avert what is about to come."
Professor Cloverfield stands up from his chair and fishes out a small device from his pocket. It is small and green, looking like one of those car alarm remotes, before the introduction of biometric detectors. He thumbs a button on it, and the wall on the far side of the hall suddenly parts, revealing a corridor leading downward. He walks up to the entrance to the corridor and stands next to it, not facing towards the team but looking over his shoulder. "You are justified if you decide not to trust me. But the thing down here, at the heart of Cloverfield Manor, is likely linked to the strange aggression of the Pokemon you've encountered. And it may help you in your travels... if it so decides. If you don't want to follow, feel free to stay here or take a walk through the manor. This will not take long."
Non-narrative events summary:
> None as such. From all your suspiciousness, you manage to discern that the tea is just a sweet-scented flower tea, very soothing and relaxing. You can't say exactly what's in it, but given the general theme of the Professor, you can bet your right leg there's clover leaf involved somehow.
> You may choose whether or not to follow the Professor - see end of post for details.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
> Tall Mountains ("up" the road)
> Cloverfield Manor (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/021/Mansion.txt) (current position)
> Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/021/Hill.txt) ("down" the road)
> Dense Forest (far "down" the road)
> Ruins (deep in the Dense Forest)
==========
Characters:
> Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/021/Zako.txt) (Central Hall)
> Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/021/Dermonster.txt) (Central Hall)
> Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/021/Kashyyk.txt) (Central Hall)
> Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/021/Akhier.txt) (Central Hall)
> Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/021/DreamThorn.txt) (Central Hall)
==========
Vehicles:
> Frankencycle (at manor entrance): Cobbled from the remains of two smashed bicycles, this is a perfectly normal pedal-powered two-wheel transport for up to two people.
==========
Allies:
> Caty the Metapod (with Alix)
> Zak the Zangoose (with Zarkov)
==========
Enemies:
> No enemies present.
==========
> SPECIAL ACTION FOR NEXT TURN
Decide whether or not you follow the Professor down to the "Heart of the Manor". Individually, not as a team.
If you don't, describe what you do and where you go, what you look for in general. You'll have about ten minutes.
If you do, describe what you talk and think about as you descend.
Normal action, if provided, applies before the group separates.
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Dermonster on February 18, 2013, 10:44:11 am
Head down to the Heart. Keep 2x4 in hand. Attempt rudimentary mental defenses in case of psychics. Ask what exactly it is.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 18, 2013, 06:12:46 pm
Decide I trust the professor and follow him without a second thought
Post by: Kashyyk on February 18, 2013, 06:26:25 pm
Ehh, what the hell. He noticed my suspiciousness early, so I might as well throw caution to the winds. I quickly followed him into the passage.
"Professor, what are you exactly a professor of?"
Post by: Zako on February 19, 2013, 01:07:28 am
Follow the professor and stay alert.
Post by: DreamThorn on February 19, 2013, 08:18:23 am
Post by: Someone1214 on February 24, 2013, 12:27:14 pm
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 24, 2013, 01:09:11 pm
Post by: Sean Mirrsen on February 25, 2013, 04:08:01 am
=== TURN XXII ===
= ONE LONG DAMN CORRIDOR =
= ONE LONG DAMN CORRIDOR =
Spoiler: Results (click to show/hide)
The Seekers exchange glances. Their minds are occupied by different thoughts, but in one thing they seem to find agreement. As one, they nod and start walking after the Professor. The corridor they walk down is fairly long, and slightly turning. Before long it is apparent that the corridor is actually a spiral staircase, somehow constructed underground using nothing but smooth wooden boards. Some time passes in silence as they descend deeper.
"Professor." Derek asks as he walks by Cloverfield's side, clutching his weapon firmer in his hands. "What exactly is it that you're leading us to? What is down there?"
"Yeah, Professor." Jake adds from behind. "Is it related to that machine in the photograph?"
The Professor sighs heavily, the questions seeming to disturb an unpleasant memory. "Yes," he finally says. "You could say that that machine was the thing that started it all. It was the fruit of long and arduous research, six years of the best Pokemon researchers in the world working together to uncover some of the deepest mysteries of the Pokemon life.."
Professor Cloverfield falls silent for a short while, allowing Alix to add a question as well. "Professor... what exactly were you studying? What are you a Professor of?" He raises his head to reply, but Jac suddenly butts in. "Oh, oh, do you know how these Pokeballs work? I've been trying to figure it out all day, and.. and... What?" Jac looks up to see the whole team, including the professor, stopped, looking back at him - the team with various blank and annoyed stares; but the professor more surprised, and just slightly more tired than usual. Jac tries to smile, confused. "Bad question? Wrong time?"
The professor sighs, and shakes his head. "No, young man." he says, turning and starting to walk again. "You may have asked the most relevant question of them all." He continues down, feeling the wooden wall with his hand, as the Seekers exchange glances again, shrug, and follow.
"I might as well tell the story from its start," he begins. "I have been an ardent researcher of Pokemon all my life, but I did not find anything new, or worthwhile... until about fifteen years ago. I worked with a young man then, a smart rich kid who seemed to use his family wealth to further humanity's knowledge of Pokemon. I had no complaints back then. His name was Alfred. Alfred Emeric. Together we studied everything, from history to theology, trying to find a glimpse of something, that special something that made Pokemon what they were. I'm sure you've noticed by now, that Pokemon don't readily fit in with human biology. Even more bizarrely, they don't fit in with human laws of nature, able to generate energy at will and gain superior sustenance from things that should be outright impossible. Add in their uncanny intellect, and it becomes apparent, even without research, that there is more to Pokemon than meets even the most studious eyes. For years there was no progress, but then suddenly we had had a breakthrough! Using a rare mineral imported at great expense from Hoehn, we had built a machine, a machine that could sense the "something". We had no name for it, and could come up with nothing better than just calling it the Pokemons' "Soul". But the machine could not only sense it, no. Theoretically, and with enough of the mineral, it could be possible to make it interact with it, interpret it, manipulate it! In some unprecedented artificial way, the machine was tapping into the same natural force that was being used by all Pokemon Trainers throughout the history of the world, and the same force that was only slightly nudged by the famous Pokemon Rangers. Tapping into it, and possibly shaping it to its operator's desire."
Professor Cloverfield sighs, stopping for a moment. "I was blind then. Blinded by my own success and the generosity of the boy, I did not see what harm I was about to unleash on the world. Me and Alfred posed for that picture at the time that I thought was our greatest triumph."
Derek nods thoughtfully. "I think I understand where this is going. Continue, Professor, please."
Cloverfield nods, and walks further down the corridor, the Seekers following. "Yes, you probably understand. Alfred had anything but the good of humanity or the Pokemon as his goals. When it became apparent that my machine was unable to exert the kind of raw force he wanted it to, he copied my design and cast me out of the labs, cut my funding. I protested, I pleaded with him to rethink what he wanted to do, but he seemed to see nothing but the power that was opening before him. It then became clear to me that Alfred only cared about his own power. It was all I could do sabotage my own invention, removing the mineral at its heart and storing it away. I fled, fled to this remote part of the region, in hopes that he would never find me. But I don't think he cared. He had my design, and more than enough money to get more of the mineral. He must have started working on his own, more powerful version of the machine - the Soul Extractor, as we called it." He turns to look over his shoulder at the team and seems to smile sadly. "Not the most harmless-sounding name, is it? Alfred's suggestion."
A different light begins to mix into the soft white of the regularly spaced clover-leaf ceiling lamps, a greenish glow seeping in from somewhere further down the corridor. The Professor leads the way as the corridor opens into an underground chamber, a large laboratory space. The wooden planks making up the corridor seem to twist out and thicken, seamlessly flowing into great roots that surround the chamber instead of ending abruptly. Cloverfield continues his story as he walks towards the center of the chamber, motioning the Seekers to take care not to touch anything.
"I may not know for sure that what happened to the Pokemon outside was Alfred's doing. But it's been fifteen years. And I know of no other thing capable of affecting Pokemon in that way. That the act of capture disrupts the aggression spell is no coincidence, as the Pokeballs tap into the same energy, binding an imprint of the Pokemon's "soul" to themselves. Whatever this "soul" actually is, we never managed to understand, but it seems that it possesses an energy, and a mind of its own, especially if drawn from the aether. The shard of mineral I took from my first machine turned out to contain a sentient mind, the mind of a Pokemon that has never made itself known to humankind. Perhaps attracted by my desire to come into contact with it, it spoke to me from within that small stone. It took me some time to figure out what it wanted, but it directed me, and had me place the stone here, where it grew. The manor you see outside is merely a result of it wanting to provide me with a place to live, to protect me as I protected it. But now, after fifteen years, I think it is time. It has grown, not metaphorically but physically, shaping a body for itself just as it shaped a home for me."
As the professor speaks these words, the group finally approaches the center of the chamber, where a humongous column of roots connects the mossy floor to the ceiling. Near the ground, the roots part and thin, forming a cradle, within which lies suspended a creature. A Pokemon, emitting a faint blue aura. Derek and Alix instinctively take out their Pokedexes, but their attempts are futile. "No such Pokemon in database." Reluctantly they put the datapads away and move closer to examine the suspended Pokemon.
The creature is a winged quadruped, resembling perhaps a deer, but clearly not actually an animal. A short green fuzz, like fine moss, covers most of the Pokemon's body, except the incredibly thin, silk-like strands of its tail, the soft crest on the back of its head and neck, and the insides of its wings, that seem to resemble narrow flower petals rather than feathers. The creature's narrow muzzle lacks features except its solid black eyes. The eyes lack eyelids, but for some reason still seem as if they're closed. And finally, set into the pokemon's forehead is a single round gem, glowing a soft cerulean blue, and spreading its light throughout the room.
The professor approaches the creature, and lays a hand on its forehead, touching the gem. "Yes." he speaks, as if to himself. "It is time."
He quickly moves towards one of the many machines set about in the lab, and deftly punches some commands into a terminal. The lights in the room dim, even as the light of the gem begins to intensify. The roots around the creature seem to start resonating, glowing a faint green, as if flowing energy into the pokemon's body, funneling it into the singe point. The Seekers instinctively step back, watching the process unfold.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/scrap260_b.jpg)
After a while, the glow dims, and the artificial lighting comes back on. The roots around the pokemon seem to bend down and unweave the cradle, releasing the creature onto the ground. It stands up slowly, unsurely, its legs seeming to move for the first time in its life - which, the Seekers realize, is probably exactly what is happening. Finally it raises its head and looks around, its eyes still jet black, but now seeming to glow from within with a warmth, an indescribable synesthesia of senses impossible to capture in any picture. It sees the professor and takes a step forward, but stops, surprised, upon noticing the Seekers. Suddenly, a voice manifests, not coming from anywhere in particular, sounding clearly in everyone's heads, but for some reason unquestionably coming from the creature, despite it lacking a mouth.
"Professor... who are they?"
Non-narrative events summary:
> Breaking the turn in half because coly hrap can't delay any longer.
> See next turn action instructions at end of post.
==========
=== STATUS ===
==========
Locations:
> Tall Mountains ("up" the road)
> Cloverfield Manor (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/022/Mansion.txt) (current position)
> Green Hill (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/022/Hill.txt) ("down" the road)
> Dense Forest (far "down" the road)
> Ruins (deep in the Dense Forest)
==========
Characters:
> Jake Marshall (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/022/Zako.txt) (Heart of the Manor)
> Derek Coonan (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/022/Dermonster.txt) (Heart of the Manor)
> Alix Meier (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/022/Kashyyk.txt) (Heart of the Manor)
> Zarkov Dragonheart (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/022/Akhier.txt) (Heart of the Manor)
> Jac Loscure (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4152380/MwM2/Status/022/DreamThorn.txt) (Heart of the Manor)
==========
Vehicles:
> Frankencycle (at manor entrance): Cobbled from the remains of two smashed bicycles, this is a perfectly normal pedal-powered two-wheel transport for up to two people.
==========
Allies:
> Caty the Metapod (with Alix)
> Zak the Zangoose (with Zarkov)
==========
NPCs:
> Professor Cloverfield (Heart of the Manor)
> Unknown Pokemon (Heart of the Manor)
==========
Enemies:
> No enemies present.
==========
> SPECIAL ACTION FOR NEXT TURN
Now that you're down here with the strange pokemon, think of how you introduce yourselves. What you do and how you act determines how this will progress.
==========
Comments in the discussion thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=87215.msg0#new), please.
Post by: Dermonster on February 25, 2013, 07:34:03 am
He bowed. "My name is Derek Coonan." He glanced at his comrades. "I am the acting leader of the Seekers, as you can tell by my fancy clothing. It is a wonder to meet you. May I ask your name?"
Post by: Zako on February 25, 2013, 10:51:15 am
Say nothing but look around the chamber from where I am, seeing if anything makes me remember something.
Post by: Akhier the Dragon hearted on February 25, 2013, 05:47:49 pm
Post by: DreamThorn on February 26, 2013, 01:24:35 am
Post by: Kashyyk on February 26, 2013, 09:53:48 am