[PTU] The Charizard Knights

[CateranEnforcer]

Now way out in front faced with the Xatu, Aloriana felt very exposed in her efforts to protect her pokemon. In desperation, she takes a quick swing into the darkness and makes a hasty retreat, hustling back into the light with the group. “Now Dirk!” The Machoke complies, fighting through his wounds and sending another hail of rocks into the darkness before slumping behind the Gem, exhausted.

Spoiler: Actions

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Aloriana uses Bullet Punch on Xatu 1. She uses After You on Dirk. She then moves back to B3, provoking a struggle attack from Xatu 1.

Attack: (1d20)[1] AC 2 (-6 Blindness)
Damage: (1d8+15)[19] + a tick of HP
Crit:(1d8+8)[9]

Dirk will use Rock Slide on the three Xatu (centered on G4 so it's in range), then shift to A4.

Attack: (1d20)[16] AC 4 (-6 Blindness, -1 Injury, +1 Focused Training, +1 AP)
Damage: (2d8+28)[41]
Crit:(2d8+18)[32]
*Gonna be a long shot here, need a big roll.

Spoiler: Status

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Aloriana
HP: 39/68
AP: 3/6

Dirk
HP: 21/75

Lily
HP 69/69

[CosmicOccurence]

With a small pop, Zepar disappeared from the horde of Natu, reappearing instead shrouded in darkness, using it as a shield that it's defenses couldn't match. It's eyes fixed hungrily on the Xatu, readying its spoon for another onslaught.

All the while, Neils ignored the pain of a beak stabbing into the flesh of his calf. Instead he placed his hands on the rock. So I've got to unlock the seals with emotion? How fitting for this particular trial. He began to focus his thoughts, trying to pull forth the raw emotion that he hoped would manage to 'unlock' this creature's ability to fight by their side. Knowing the way the world worked, he figured that it probably wanted joy, happiness, and satisfaction. Inspirational emotions that would encourage this little rock to break free into glorious pokemonhood once more.

But Neils didn't feel those things.

While he was a reasonably happy person, joy wasn't on his radar. Satisfaction was a luxury that one couldn't afford when working with Ibis, and glory was the last thing he'd ever achieved in his life. No, he had to focus on those emotions that defined him ... at least that's what he figured.

So instead Neils poured the pragmatism, pride, and determination that had been stewing in him into that rock which he held a connection with. He gave it his cold pragmatism that informed his every move and every action in order to always ensure that you lived to see the next day. He summoned the pride - and sometimes arrogance - of a person who knew that he has the ability to access the most subconscious depths of a person's brain to truly understand them, a power he viewed as unrivaled in its utility. But most of all, Neils fed the rock determination. Determination to always push forwards, to always look for the next move or challenge, to claw his way to the top no matter what circumstances held him from reaching his full potential. The determination to never again be consumed by the nightmares that he so feared, but to fight back and rise above his past weaknesses. All of this he gave to the stone in a surprisingly frank and vulnerable outburst for one who usually kept up a cold demeanor.

Of course, to anyone without access to this thoughts he was simply keeping his hands on the stone and not helping with battle.

Spoiler

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Zepar uses Teleport to H8 and avoid damage!

Intuition roll for Neils (assuming its a full round action) (4d6+3)[22]; using 1 AP here. 5/6 left.

[Arcran]

Under Satomi's orders, Guinevere's feinting attack manages to catch one of the Natu off-guard, the assault causing the bulbous bird to drop to the ground unceremoniously. While Aloriana defending Dirk gave the Machoke time to breath, her assault against the Xatu is far less effective, the bird simply leaning hardly an inch to the side to avoid the clumsy attack. Dirk's Rock Slide, on the other hand, cascades down on the Xatu and by all rights should have taken at least one of the birds down but, an instant later, all appeared some distance from the attack, having apparently teleported away before the rocks could do any real damage.

As Neils pushes his emotions into the Gem, the Gem pushes back. The pride it had once had in its appearance, dashed to bits by whatever the Xatu had done to it. A dash of your pragmatism, realizing that unless it helped somehow at this instant, it might never leave this damn pedestal. And, most importantly, an ironclad determination to make the Xatu clan suffer for everything they had done to it. An instant later, that determination is made clear as a piece of the Gem's pedestal flies off at lightning speed, striking one of the Natu in the head and sending it instantly into the ground.

You and the bug will handle me? Your death has been foretold, Atomus says in response to Harisson an instant before a huge stone falls from the ceiling, the boulder clipping Harisson heavily on the shoulder as it falls and nearly knocking the boy unconcious, leaving you dazed and not quite as capable with your bow as you were an instant before. Surrender and I may deign to make it quick.

Even as Atomus continues to taunt you, the remaining Natu dive forward, pecking at Satomi and Guinevere.

Spoiler: Actions

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Atomus' Future Sight connects with Harisson! It cannot miss! 64 damage, so 56 after damage.
Two Injuries. Special Attack and Attack.

Atomus and the Xatu use Teleport to avoid the Rock Slide!

Gem uses Rock Throw! It obliterates one of the Natu!

After the Teleport, the other two Natu use Night Shade instead. Only one hits, so Zepar takes 8 damage.

Which means I only need rolls for three of the Natu!

Natu 2 uses Peck on Satomi!
AC: (1d20-2)[10] Hit
On hit, take 24 Physical Flying Damage. 16 damage.

Natu 4 uses Peck on Guinevere!
AC: (1d20-2)[2] Hit!
On hit, take 24 Physical Flying Damage. 19 damage.

Natu 5 uses Peck on Guinevere!
AC: (1d20-2)[7] Hit!
On hit, take 24 Physical Flying Damage. 19 damage.
1 Injury. Speed.

Post away!

[Zelphas]

Satomi ignores the Natu's beak digging into her hip, turning and pulling out a bottle filled with golden liquid. She hesitates for a second, before spraying the bottle over Harisson. "Guinevere, I will help you soon. for now; move into position, and retaliate with Smog, please."

Guinevere nods, one small hand pressed to her upper leg, and limps to one side. A moment later, a stream of deep purple smoke issues from her beak, wafting around the two Natu before her.

Spoiler: OOC

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Satomi

Shift Action: None.

Standard Action: Use a Super Potion on Harisson. Harisson heals 35 HP!

Guinevere

Shift Action: Disengage Maneuver to shift to B6.

Standard Action: Use Smog on Natus 4 & 2, Special Poison Damage
Accuracy: (1d20)[8] vs. 7+Evasion, Poisons on an Even-Numbered roll
Damage: (1d6+18)[21]
If Crit: (1d6+5)[10]

[Elyander]

Harisson wasn't crushed by the rock for pure luck. He reacted poorly, barely evading the lethal blow and badly hurting his shoulder because of that. He grits his teeth as he looks at the Xatu, for a second letting anger flood his thoughts. Luckily, though, one of the smaller birds approaches him for the right again, shocking his mind back into strategic thinking.

"Cepheus, clear my way." - he orders at the same time he lines a shot at Atomus. "Go all out, boy. We're going for the boss."

The bedrill reacts in an instant, dashing between allies to arrive at Harisson's side, before quickly jabbing both pincers at the Natu in front of Harisson. As the little bird falls down, Harisson takes a deep breath before releasing an arrow at Atomus' direction, but the wound on his shoulder was still too fresh and it affects his aim more than he thought. Cursing mentally, he knocks another arrows in preparation for his next attack, just as Satomi douses him in one of her healing items. The pain fades away immediately, and he smiles widely as he aims. "Thanks, Satomi!"

Spoiler: Actions

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Initiative 15 => Cepheus
Cepheus moves to C3 [Shift Action]
Cepheus uses Twineedle on Natu 5 [Standard Action]

Spoiler: Twineedle!

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Twineedle - AC 3 Physical, Double Strike, Critical Hit, Poisons and Trips on 16+
Accuracy Check 1: (1d20+1)[5]
Accuracy Check 2: (1d20+1)[13]
If one attack hits: (1d8+31)[35] bug, physical damage
If two attacks hit: (2d8+33)[42] bug, physical damage
If one Critical Hit: (3d10)[10] extra damage
If another Critical Hit: (3d10)[14] extra damage

If any attack hits, Cepheus is Vulnerable for one full round.

Initiative 12 => Harisson
Harisson uses Brutal Training on Cepheus. [Priority Swift Action - Commander's Voice]

Spoiler: If Cepheus kills Natu 5

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Harisson uses Aiming Down the Shots [Shift Action]
Harisson uses Bullseye on Atomus [Standard Action]

Spoiler: Bullseye

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Bullseye - AC 3 Physical, Critical Hit on 13+
Accuracy Check: (1d20+2)[3]
Damage: (2d6+18)[25] normal, physical damage
Critical Hit: (3d10)[14] extra damage

Spoiler: If Cepheus hits, but doesn't kill the Natu

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Harisson will give his Dark Vision Goggles to Aloriana [Shift Action]
Harisson tries capturing the Natu.

Spoiler: Poké Ball Go!

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Poké Ball - AC6 Status
Accuracy Check: (1d20)[2]
Capture Roll: (1d100-5)[10] / (1d20+1)[2] (Not sure which method we're using

Spoiler: If everything goes wrong and Cepheus misses

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Harisson curses mentally [Free Action]
Harisson will give his Dark Vision Goggles to Aloriana [Shift Action]
Harisson uses Struggle on Natu 5[Standard Action]

Spoiler: Struggle

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Struggle - AC 4 Physical, Critical Hit on 19+
Accuracy Check: (1d20)[1]
Damage: (1d8+14)[15] normal, physical damage
Critical Hit: (3d10)[21] extra damage

[CosmicOccurence]

Neils continues to pour emotions into the rock, but as he sees the locks loosening he casts his attention into multiple realms. He quickly establishes a connection with Guinevere, knowing it could be useful later. He then glances at Zepar, but the Kadabra was hidden in darkness, so he merely commanded - Shadow Ball again Zepar! Focus attention on the injured one.

Spoiler

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So I wasn't sure if its totally free or if I need to keep going. So here's a roll anyways! (4d6+2)[16]

Channeling the lovely Guinevere as a Swift, and Focused Commands orders on Zepar as a standard. Not shifting atm.

Zepar teleports to 4H uses Shadow Ball on Xatu 2
(1d20+2)[18], lowers SpDef 1 CS on roll of 17+
(2d8+30)[42] Special Ghost damage

[Arcran]

Guinevere lets out a mighty line of toxic gasses, only to have the Natu rapidly beat their wings, knocking away the poisonous cloud. Cepheus' attack on the Natu, on the other hand, is far more effective. The Beedrill's stingers both connect, taking down the small bird. Despite Cepheus' success, Harisson isn't quite as lucky, with Atomus knocking his arrow out of the air with a lazy flick of his wings.

You dare to threaten - Atomus begins, an instant before Zepar takes down one of the other Xatu. Insolent worm! You shall suffer! Atomus mentally shrieks, before an odd wind fills the arena, suddenly picking up the Kadabra and slamming him back into the ground, the Kababra barely getting back up. The other Xatu sends a blade of air at Dirk once more, only for the Machoke to block the move with a Karate Chop of his own.

The Gem beginning to become more active seems to draw the the attention of the Natu as well, with both soaring towards the man Channeling it. Neils feels a brief instant of panic from the Gem before the Natu connect with him, causing the Channeler to fall to the ground, unconscious. An instant later, the Gem flashes red before launching a rock into one of the remaining Natu, causing the Natu to slam into the ground unconscious.

Behind you, the rest of the group is holding their own, keeping the swarm of Natu from getting too close to the rest of the group.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Atomus uses Ominous Wind on Zepar!
AC: (1d20-2)[15] +1 all stats on 19+ Hit!
On hit, Zepar takes 42 Special Ghost Damage! 55 damage.
2 Injuries, Speed and Accuracy.

Xatu 1 uses Air Slash on Dirk! It's through quite a bit of Rough Terrain!
AC: (1d20-6)[2]

Natu 2 uses Peck on Neils!
AC: (1d20)[20] Crit!
On hit, Neils takes 24 damage.
Crit bumps up to 39, so 34 damage

Natu 4 uses Peck on Neils!
AC: (1d20)[10]
On hits, Neils takes 24 damage.
19 damage.
Causes 2 Injuries, both Speed

Injuries: (1d6)[5](1d6)[6](1d6)[5](1d6)[5](1d6)[1](1d6)[6](1d6)[2](1d6)[4]


Post away!

[CateranEnforcer]

Breathing heavily, Dirk sees the Natu swarming Neils and shoves him aside as the bird lands a viscous peck with its beak. Though it hurts, he weathers the blow despite his wounds, barely hanging on to consciousness.

“Dirk that's enough!” Aloriana calls as she returns him to his pokeball. She tosses another one towards one of the Xatu and Lily pops out with a cry. “Ready Lily?” she calls, preparing to strike again.

Spoiler: Actions

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Dirk will use a Interrupt action to Intercept Melee for Neils, taking the critical hit and pushing Neils to C6. 17 damage? He can't fail the Athletics roll.

Aloriana will recall Dirk and send out Lily to F3.

Spoiler: Status

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Aloriana
HP: 39/68
AP: 3/6

Dirk
HP: 4/75

Lily
HP 69/69

[Elyander]

Harisson is worried as Neils is focused by the Natus, but Dirk move at the right moment to take the steam off of him. Although the Machoke is hurt, the bold action allowed Neils to stay in the game, and Harisson is glad the other candidates are so adept at teamwork. Most of the enemies are down, so he decides it's time to shake things up.

"Cepheus, go easy on that bird." - he says, pointing at the last Natu standing - "He may become our new companion."

The beedrill moves as ordered, shooting one of its spike at the Natu right in front of Harisson. As soon as the spike connects, Harisson draws one of his pokéballs and throws it at the bird. It tries to avoid the ball, but the gadget clipt it on the wing, sucking the pokémon inside. As Harisson waits for the result of the capture, he makes a quick motion with the hand towards the closest Xatu. Cepheus understands the message, spinning around and sending a second spike flying towards it. A clean hit.

Spoiler: Actions

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Initiative 15 => Cepheus
Cepheus uses Poison Sting on Natu 2 [Standard Action]

Spoiler: Poison Sting

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Poison Sting - Physical, AC 2, Poisons on 16+, Critical on 17+
Accuracy Check: 15 (1d20+1)
Damage: 28 (1d8+21) Poison, Physical

Cepheus uses Poison Sting on Xatu 1 [Standard Action - Strike Again!]

Spoiler: Poison Sting

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Poison Sting - Physical, AC 2, Poisons on 16+, Critical on 17+
Accuracy Check: 21 (1d20+1)
Damage: 23 (1d8+21) + 17 (3d10+1d8+6) Poison, Physical
Xatu 1 is now Poisoned.

Initiative 12 => Harisson
Harisson uses Strike Again! on Cepheus [Swift Action - Commander's Voice]
Harisson uses a Poké Ball on Natu 2 [Standard Action]

Spoiler: Poké Ball!

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Poke Ball - Status, AC 6
Accuracy Check: 11 (1d20)
Capture Roll: 10 (1d20+1) (My 1d100 roll was glitchy. Should I roll it instead of d20?)

[Zelphas]

Satomi tsks under her breath as the Smog fails to connect. It was a gamble, in any case. She glances quickly across the battlefield, noting the fall of the Xatu and the rest of the Natu, including one capture by Harisson. Finally, she looks at Guinevere... and makes a snap decision. "Guinevere... Faint Attack. Directly ahead."

Guinevere nods and leaps towards Atomus, dark swirls gathering around her as she moves. At the last second, she twists, one arm swinging up in a hammering blow from the side as the Xatu moves in that direction to dodge.

Seconds after the blow connects, Guinevere vanishes in a flash of light. Satomi places her Poke Ball back at her belt and leans over, ignoring the Xatu as she sprays a vial of purple liquid over Niels' wounds.

Spoiler: OOC

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Guinevere

Shift Action: Shift to F6.

Standard Action: Faint Attack on Atomus, Physical Dark Damage
Accuracy: (1d20)[14] Faint Attack cannot miss, rolling for crit chance
Damage: (2d6+20)[27]
If Crit: (2d6+8)[15]

Satomi

Shift Action: Return Guinevere.

Standard Action: Use a Potion on Niels. Niels heals 20 HP.

[CateranEnforcer]

Feeling a bit more confident with how things were going as the ranks of the birds thinned out some, Aloriana wanted to keep up the pressure. She rushes back into the fray and moves up to the Xatu brave or foolish enough to stand in the light. “Now, together! Rock Slide!” she calls to Lily, who stomps the ground with her powerful hooves sending a shower of stone towards their hapless victim as the two attack in tandem.

Spoiler: Actions

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Aloriana uses Bullet Punch at the start of next round. She moves to D3 and attacks the Xatu there. She then uses After You on Lily.

Attack: (1d20)[20] AC 2 (+2 to hit for flanking)
Damage: (1d8+15)[19]
Crit: (1d8+8)[10]

Lily uses Rock Slide on the Xatu as a Standard, and Grass Pelt as a Swift gaining 12 THP. If the Xatu faints this round, she'll shift to H5.

Attack: (1d20)[12] AC 4 (+2 to hit for flanking, +1 focused training) flinch on 17+
Damage: (1d8+23)[24] +6 damage from OoC
Crit: (1d8+10)[17]

Spoiler: Status

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Aloriana
HP: 39/68
AP: 3/6

Dirk
HP: 4/75

Lily
HP (12) 69/69

[CosmicOccurence]

Cursing softly as he nearly faints, Neils calls out a quick thanks to the knight. I really hope I don't end up owing these people any favors was his only desperate thought as he scrambled away from the - presumably - unconscious Natu and into the group. If helping that stone was going to end up with him fainted, then he'd try to channel emotions into it from further away. As long has he didn't wander off too far the connection should still be intact.

At the same time, he quickly recalled Zepar and called out Rem. There was no use in having the Kadabra faint on him, and it would only cause more trouble later. A quick point was all it took for Rem to send its signature Hypnotic blast of energy at the lead Xatu.

Spoiler

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Assuming I'm not fainted here due to successful interception, shift to D4. Full Round action to swap out Zepar for Rem, which I believe also means I cannot command this round. Correct me if I'm wrong on that though.

Hypnosis on Atomus.

[Arcran]

Dirk manages to just barely shove Neils out of the way, the Machoke taking the Natu's peck in the back but shrugging it off almost entirely. Still, he hardly complains when Aloriana returns him for Lily. Cepheus makes good use of Dirk's distraction as he darts forward, striking the Natu quickly just in time for Harisson's Pokeball to come in, the ball connecting heavily with the small bird, the capture system engaging instantly and pulling it inside. The ball wobbles twice before going completely still. It would seem you had a new ally.

The assault against the remaining Xatu goes rather well; both Aloriana and Lily connect heavily with the Xatu, causing it to stagger back a step. It was still standing however, and turned its gaze towards Lily. And instant later, the Xatu began to flash purple, before a hastily shot Poison Sting by Cepheus strikes the bird, literally pinning it to the wall of the cave.

The assault against Atomus, on the other hand, doesn't go nearly as well. Despite Guinevere's Type Advantage, the Xatu seems to hardly feel the blow. Rem's attack backfires completely; the instant the pulse begins Atomus simply locks eyes with the Musharna, and Rem floats gently down to the ground, completely unconscious. The attacks seems to have done little more than anger the Xatu.

You, Atomus says, locking eyes with Satomi. This is your doing, and you shall pay!

And instant later the Xatu's eyes flash, much like they did before the boulder hit Harisson.

Spoiler: Neils

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The Gem, while still trying to push through the locks, seems to have exhausted itself; it is nearly as dormant as when you first arrived.

Spoiler: OoC

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Harisson captures the Natu! Male, Level 8, 50% HP. You pick Nature/Ability.

And rolls!
Xatu 1 uses Night Shade on Lily!
AC: (1d20-2)[0] Miss!
On hit, Lily takes 25 damage.

Atomus uses Magic Bounce! Hypnosis is reflected back at Rem! Rem is Asleep!

Atomus uses Future Sight on Satomi!

[Zelphas]

Satomi meets Atomus' gaze levelly. "No. This was your doing. I simply revealed it." She pulls out a bottle of purple liquid and sprays it over her wounds, keeping eye contact with the Xatu leader all the while. "This next strike is not my doom foretold, but your anger displayed."

In a flash of light, Renault appears at Satomi's side. "Renault! Scratch!" she calls out, pointing at Atomus. The little Kabuto races forward, spiny claws slashing wildly through the air.

Spoiler: OOC

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Satomi

Shift Action: Release Renault at D6.

Standard Action: Use a potion on self. Satomi is at full health (for a few fleeting moments)!

Renault

Shift Action: Begin moving towards Atomus.

Standard Action: Scratch, Physical Normal Damage. Rolled a 2 to hit in the OOC with 26 damage. With the Pass keyword, Renault ends up at H6.

[Elyander]

Harisson smirks as the pokéball stops shaking. "Oh, look at that, Atomus." - he says, turning to the Xatu and knocking an arrow again - "I have one of your own. He'll be well treated, though. And hopefully he'll come back one day to teach your kind how to be better. In the meantime... Cepheus, make him pay."

Harisson was worried about the powerful attack that was sure to come again, so taking Atomus down was a priority. Cepheus understands that, rushing to the Xatu and striking it with a powerful blow, despite the darkness that surrounds both pokémon. Harisson follows the attack, shooting an arrow straight at the bird.

Spoiler: Actions

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Initiative 15 => Cepheus
Cepheus moves to F5 [Shift Action]
Cepheus uses Twineedle [Standard Action]

Spoiler: Twineedle

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Twineedle - AC 3, Critical Hit, Poisons and Trips on 17+
Accuracy Roll 1: 12 (1d0-5) - Natural 17, so Critical hit, Poisons and Trips, right?
Accuracy Roll 2: 3 (1d0-5) - Xatu is flanked, so I don't know if it hits with the -2 evasion
Damage if the second attack doesn't hit: 36 (1d8+31) + 23 (1d8+8+3d10) Bug, Physical
Damage if the second attack hits: 46 (2d8+36) + 23 (1d8+8+3d10) Bug, Physical

Atomus is Poisoned and Tripped. Take that, a**.

Initiative 12 => Harisson
Harisson binds Reckless Advance to Cepheus [Swift Action - Commander's Voice]
Harisson uses Aiming Down the Shot [Shift Action]
Harisson uses Bullseye! [Standard Action]

Spoiler: Bullseye!

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Bullseye! - AC 3, Critical Hit on 13+
Accuracy Check: (1d20)[8]
Damage: (2d6+18)[24] Normal, Physical
Critical Damage: + (2d6+10)[13] + (3d10)[16] extra damage

[CosmicOccurence]

Neils cursed softly as Rem went down; that wasn't supposed to happen. However, he quickly slid next to her and gently shook her awake. He would have rather thrown one of his Pester Balls, but waking Rem was more important. As she began to float once more, he whispered Yawn Rem. Rem complied, making sure that Atomus could see and hear her yawning expansively.

Spoiler

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Neils disengages to E4 and wakes Rem as a Standard Action.

Rem uses Yawn. Can't miss but it can crit (1d20)[2]
On a 20, Atomus gets a -4 to his first save check.
At the end of Atomus's next turn, he falls asleep.

[CateranEnforcer]

Aloriana looked around after the Xatu fell and sees their foes beaten, save for one. "It's over Atomus! Please no more of this." He didn't look like the surrendering kind, but she had to try. She was worried he'd try something desperate or destructive cornered now as he was.

Spoiler

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Free action to speak. No other actions can be taken until Atomus acts.

[Arcran]

Renualt's attack doesn't even come close to connecting with the Xatu, but does enough to leave him completely open for Cepheus who flies in like an avenging missile, ramming both of his spines into the Xatu's body and lifting the Pokemon off the ground before slamming him down with a terrifying amount of force, poison dripping from the Beedrill's stingers as it hovers, leering at the foe on the ground. The Xatu seems to hardly notice Rem's attack as he slowly begins to push himself up.

You come into my home, the Xatu says, even as another stone falls from the ceiling, striking Satomi across the brow and nearly laying her out.

You assault my family, he continues, whipping a wing out to send Renault tumbling away as the Kabuto attempts to take advantage of the new opening.

And then you have the ga- Atomus begins, before Cepheus seizes the initiative, launching a devastating flurry of attacks against the Xatu. Again and again the Beedrill buffets the Xatu before finally Atomus falls, bleeding from dozens of wounds.

As Atomus falls, the few Natu still fighting the rest of your allies scatter, vanishing into the tunnels with a mixture of flapping wings and teleporting pops. For a brief moment, the cave is silent save for the labored breathing of you and your allies and the slow drip of blood falling off Atomus' body.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Satomi takes 64 damage, so 53. Two Injuries, affecting (1d6)[2] and (1d6)[2]

Experience will be rewarded at the completion of the Gates in a giant lump sum.

[Zelphas]

Satomi staggers from the falling boulder, but manages to keep her feet. She had been expecting the attack, but it did not help her much in overcoming it. Woozily, she turns back to Atomus--only to see Cepheus lay the bird low with a devastating series of strikes. "Ah. Good. We're done then," she mutters, seemingly to herself.

Satomi reaches a wobbling hand into the satchel at her side, extracting a thick pad of gauze which she begins to unsteadily wind around her head. Her hands gradually calm, and by the time she has finished with her bandage, she seems relatively alert. "Neils-san, are you able to communicate with the Gem any farther?" she asks calmly, back on task once more. "The arcane locks placed upon its form are beyond any of us here, I believe, unless someone has been withholding incredible occult knowledge and skill." Satomi pointedly does not look at Selky as she says this; now is not the time for any kind of accusation, after all.

Spoiler: OOC

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Satomi uses 1 Bandage on herself.

If there's time, she also uses Walk it Off, removing 1 injury and gaining back 14 HP (1/4th her maximum), putting her at 32 HP.

[Elyander]

"Cepheus, that's enough." - Harisson says, fearing the beedrill's wrath isn't quenched yet - "Great work, boy. You deserve some rest." Harisson pats the pokémon's head, before recalling him. He then grabs the pokéball with the recently catched Natu, smiling to himself. "We'll talk soon, but first..."

Harisson looks around to make sure all the others are ok. Luckily Satomi is tougher than she looks, already patching herself from Atomus' last strike. The boy approaches her with a smile, before agreeing with her idea. "It sounds complicated, indeed. Can you do something about it, Neils? You seemed to connect with it before somehow." - Harisson sounds calm despite the battle they just had - "Also, could you take a look at the pokémon we fought, Satomi? Just to make sure they will be fine. We're not here to kill the wildlife, I believe." - he grins before adding - "You may leave Atomus for last, though."

[CateranEnforcer]

The fight done, Aloriana sheaths her sword and let's out a sigh. That's one way to end it, I suppose. She calls out to the group, “Is everyone alright?” She couldn't really do much about it even if they weren't but things had gotten a bit dicey there and she wasn't able to keep track of everything happening on all fronts. She frowns at the fallen birds all around them. “I really hope we haven't doomed the tribe by doing this. Atomus didn't seem like a good guy, but he was trying to keep his people safe. What's going to happen to them now that we've done this? I wish there was a way we could help, though we still need a way out of here ourselves." she mused aloud.

[CosmicOccurence]

Neils recalled Rem and placed the Pokeball in his pocket. Now that Zepar was in a severely wounded state, he would need to make sure that Rem was in good health for the upcoming battles, which he was sure would occur. I'll try to see if we can wake it fully. It was fairly exhausted from the contributions that it did present, but maybe with the Psychic Pokemon fainted it will be able to break free more easily.

He walked up to the rock once more and put his hands on it, delving once more into its conciousness. While the connection was still there from before, he hoped that it would be easier to truly discover what was happening now that the stress of battle had ended.

Spoiler

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Intuition! (4d6+2)[14]

[Zelphas]

The slightest flicker of a smile is all that Satomi shows in response to Harisson's suggestion, her face otherwise remaining sober. "Very well." She turns towards the unconscious Natu and Xatu all around them, wincing lightly as Renault scuttles over to her and drags himself up onto his familiar perch on her back.

Spoiler: OOC

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Medicine Edu to assess the Natu and Xatu, seeing if any need to be stabilized or if they will recover on their own: (4d6+2)[17]

[Arcran]

As Pokemon are returned around the cave, Rem drifts lazily back into Neils Pokeball while Cepheus seems less than pleased with being returned. The rest of the group takes a few steps towards you all, listening in on the conversation.

"Wait, we're going to help the bastards?" Studs asks incredulously. "Was I the only one that saw them just try to kill us? We should be finishing them off while they're down, not patching them up!" the urchin cries, wiping the blood from his knives on his pants.

"Woah, they're just as alive as us!" Selky says indignantly, drawing a nod from Chantu. "Atomus might have been a **** but, like Aloriana said, he was trying to keep his tribe safe!"

"Yeah, and the second he got in our way he tried to murder us! Why the hell shouldn't we do the same?" Brawley asks, hoisting his trident up.

"Satomi, I don't believe any of us have the skill to unlock the Gem, unfortunately," Chantu says quickly, perhaps in an attempt to derail the current conversation. "Neils, if you can make contact, I'd be eager to see what you can gleam from it."

Spoiler: Satomi

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Fortunately, it would appear that, at least for most of the Natu, actual injuries were fairly minor. While they'd have a killer headache, both the Natu and Xatu should be able to fully recover.

Atomus, on the other hand, if in fairly bad shape. Between Cepheus' colossal attack and the Beedrill's venom, you aren't certain that the Xatu will recover without a little help.

Of course, all of this was assuming the Sableye didn't shred them the instant you were gone.

Spoiler: Neils

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The Gem, while exhausted, is seeming to slowly recover from the exertion of attacking the two Natu. The first feeling you touch is overwhelming gratitude, overriding any and every other emotion present in the Gem. A moment later, that gratitude becomes tinged with a hint of fear, and the source soon becomes obvious. With the Natu and Xatu temporarily out of the way, what was there to stop the Sableye from simply carrying her off again?

It was also the first time you felt a definitive gender from the Pokemon: it clearly felt it was female, although nothing in its appearance actually reflected that. While it was to pinpoint exactly why at this point, that fact was obviously of considerable importance in why it was so terrified of the Sableye.

[Zelphas]

"Because we plan to be Knights," Satomi responds to Brawley quietly, moving towards Atomus. "We are supposed to be better than our enemies, not only in strength of arms, but in purity of morals. The Knights are supposed to be above petty rivalries or holding grudges against defeated foes." She bends down, one hand going into her satchel and retrieving a pale yellow bottle. Renault sees the Xatu leader and hisses, but Satomi quiets him with a touch, her other hand spraying the Full Heal over Atomus. "After all, this is still the Trial of Emotion. We must not let it cloud our judgment or suppress our ethics."

She stands up again slowly, one hand to the bandage at her head, and turns to face Harisson. "Harisson-san, you know that when Friend returns he will wish to slaughter the Natu tribe, correct? You seem to have the greatest rapport with the Sableye. Are you willing to talk him down?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Using a Full Heal on Atomus, as described. His poison is cured.

[CosmicOccurence]

So I know we came here with Friend and all, Neils said, But the gem is just as scared of the Sableye as she was of the Xatu. It seems like its recovering a bit, but I don't know if she'll be able to fully break free or not. I'm going to try and find out more of what she wants, but Channeling isn't like Telepathy. It isn't like we can talk to each other or anything.

Neils continued to try and focus on the connection. He'd never had to try this hard, mostly because he usually didn't want anything more than to see through Rem's eyes while she was reading dreams. It was only just now dawning on him just how useful Channeling was, but he finally understood that the barriers of the ability were also far greater than he had first realized.

Curiously, Neils cycled through a varied set of intentions as to what to do with the gem, trying to read its emotional responses. He wasn't sure if this would work, but he wouldn't know until he tried. First he gave off the intention to leave it here, then to take it to the surface, then to take it home. Of course, he had no idea what home would be for a gem, but it was possible that they were supposed to take the gem to the gate.

However, he did continue one emotion throughout; that he wouldn't abandon the gem to the Sableye.

Spoiler

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Continuing Intuition. (4d6+2)[17]

[Elyander]

Harisson hear both Satomi's and Neils' words, considering carefully how to deal with the situation. Satomi said something he had already considered, but he meant it when he said they didn't come to do harm to the wildlife. It included allowing the Sableyes to do harm to the Natu tribe because of their doing. Neils, however, had revelead something much more troublesome. "The Gem also fears Friend? Muk, this can get tricky..."

"I see. Well, rest assure, Satomi...san?" - he risks, trying to be respectful to the girls' tradition, whatever it might be - "No slaughter will come to pass." Harisson looks around, directly at the shadows. "Isn't that right, Friend?"

[CateranEnforcer]

“No! No just killing!” she exclaimed at the suggestion. “I mean, he had a point we did try to change everything about their life down here. Maybe we can help them get out of here and solve these problems for good. Where ever 'out of here' is.” she looked around the room for any clues or exits or anything at all.

Aloriana started to get a bad feeling about this. “Friend led us here and without him we are lost. There's got to be a way out of here. Can you help us find it?” she asks the Gem. She had hoped the Gem would be the key to the puzzle here, but it might not be the case after what she had seen here. She begin to fear the Sableye's retaliation should they take their precious Gem too.

Spoiler

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Perception:(2d6)[7]

[Arcran]

"Fine, fine, no killing. We'll be noble as hell," Studs says, rolling his eyes, while Brawley simply nods.

"Still, if we're not killing them, we need to do something. I get the feeling just leaving them for the Sableye would be worse than killing them, right?" Selky says, looking at the bodies. "I'd say we take them with us, but there's just too may for that unless somebody is hiding a half-dozen sleds up their shorts."

Despite Harisson's attempt to draw out Friend, there is no response and, through his connection with the wind, Harisson can tell that there isn't anything out there. It would seem Friend has yet to return.

Spoiler: Neils

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When you thought of letting the Gem remain, a wave of panic washed over your empathetic link, clearly indicating the the Gem needs to leave. Thinking of home seems to simply confuse the Gem; it didn't seem to have a clear concept of what exactly home was. The only emotion that warranted any real response was taking it with you, although that seemed to be more due to the fact that it would escape the Sableye. While it was grateful to the group of you, escaping the Sableye was, once again, it's chief desire.

Spoiler: Perception DC 14

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While it's hardly audible, you can just barely make out what sound like war cries echoing down the tunnel you had come through. It would appear Friend's tribe is rapidly approaching.

[CateranEnforcer]

“I don't suppose we'd have a good chance of making them see our side, either. Friend seemed nice enough, but also very...” she paused. “...emotionally driven.” she finished. “But Atomus was cold and calculating.” She seemed pleased with herself with recognizing this pattern, but it didn't help their current situation.

Aloriana thinks for a minute seeing nothing of use. “Maybe we can take the gem with us at least.” She pulls out an empty pokeball. “You think it'll come with me willingly? We can keep her safe from the Sableye in these.” she asks Neils. Looking around, "I don't know if we can hide all of this though, any ideas?” she frowns.

Spoiler

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If it seems a promising prospect and Neils is finished with it, Aloriana will attempt to capture the gem in a pokeball.
Acc: (1d20)[19]
Capture roll: (1d20+1)[5]