Adventures in Helnith: Assault on the Town of Ash (OoC)

[Gnomes2169]

Pictured: Mark until he's had his 3rd coffee today.

[Lord Ruby34]

Also pictured, Less anytime someone expects him to be able to work his Pokedex.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

If I missed anyone or anything in that last post, let me know!

EDIT:

I don't mind making new friends, although...

I did want Flotsam to remain a "water specialist", if that wasn't clear by now.

And in case it is unclear to you (or anyone else), I am running a world, so the NPCs - and this includes the Pokémon - will have wants and needs of their own. Thus, you will get into fights you don’t want, you will encounter Pokémon you don’t want, you will lose Pokémon you do want. You will need to deal with these one way or another as this is an RPG and role playing how you overcome obstacles is a good chunk of the game.

Speaking of, now that your little Intimidate shield is gone…enjoy the encounter you would have skipped if you’d kept her around!

[Lord Ruby34]

So, I was reading through parts of the old thread. I think that this game might actually be one of the longest running online ttrpg games on the internet. That's honestly pretty spectacular.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

So, I was reading through parts of the old thread. I think that this game might actually be one of the longest running online ttrpg games on the internet. That's honestly pretty spectacular.

I like to think we’re at least in the top 5%. Though as most of the PbP games that I’ve seen are dead in six months to a year I suspect the average is kind of low.

[Gnomes2169]

So, I was reading through parts of the old thread. I think that this game might actually be one of the longest running online ttrpg games on the internet. That's honestly pretty spectacular.

Well dang. I actually haven't thought about it like that... I guess it's the longest continuous story-line too, seeing as we're still pursuing getting rid of Bandra. Kareeah is the only original player (transitioned to GM), but I'm not exactly a new kid on the block (I think I joined it in 2010). Apparently, we're nothing if not dedicated.

[gorman]

I'm not sure what to do, had a super busy weekend, might just.... chill... till everyone gets back from their field trip and wants to do the other things....

[Lord Ruby34]

I'm not sure what to do, had a super busy weekend, might just.... chill... till everyone gets back from their field trip and wants to do the other things....

If you can't think of anything else to do you could always train your pokemon? I was reading the old thread a while back, and it looks like trainer hill is another place you could go to train your team and see if you could win some prizes?

[WindStruck]

I like to think we’re at least in the top 5%. Though as most of the PbP games that I’ve seen are dead in six months to a year I suspect the average is kind of low.

I'd say most pbp games are dead within the first two weeks.

Runner up time of death is still in recruitment phase, before it even really begins.

[Lord Ruby34]

I'd say most pbp games are dead within the first two weeks.

Runner up time of death is still in recruitment phase, before it even really begins.

That's true. I'm already fearing that the game I started on Friday is going to fail before it can even get off the ground.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Is Skybreak the nearest (non-bandra controlled) city to Siltis that has a human hospital?

Yes, Skybreak has the nearest human hospital, though I will note the Pokémon Centers have some capability to treat humans as well, and if anything they’ve gotten better than average at that in Helnith for obvious reasons.

In general, if it’s a Pokémon- or journey-related injury (EX: sprained ankle, heatstroke, Pokémon attack) the Center can treat it or at least stabilize the injury well enough to get the human to the hospital if it’s severe. If it’s very bad or human-specific (EX: blood transfusion, cancer surgery) you’d need to go to a human hospital.

Also, do you mind if I give Less some knowledge of what brought the group together? I figure that Siltis is a small enough place that everything gets around quickly, and Less would have likely opposed the idea of sending out letters to young trainers to begin with.

Go for it. They weren’t exactly quiet about it, and Bandra found out so there isn’t any reason for the neighbors not to know.

She reaches for her pokeballs.

Which one(s)?

[Lord Ruby34]

Yes, Skybreak has the nearest human hospital, though I will note the Pokémon Centers have some capability to treat humans as well, and if anything they’ve gotten better than average at that in Helnith for obvious reasons.

Gotcha. I think that means that Less is very familiar with Skybreak city.

[WindStruck]

Which one(s)?

Well first would be bringing Rascal out, as promised.

Can I bring out more than one?

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Well first would be bringing Rascal out, as promised.

Can I bring out more than one?

Yes you may.

[Lord Ruby34]

Does Mark's question make Less think about anything?

Edit: Or Buck, as there's a mind reader present.

[Gnomes2169]

"You should definitely see how the nerdy kid plays the bad cop."

Yes I know that you were talking about the other question

[Lord Ruby34]

"You should definitely see how the nerdy kid plays the bad cop."

Yes I know that you were talking about the other question

Remember, no more than three broken knees between the two of them. We need to show some restraint.

[Feathersnow]

I guess the first thing I'm interested in is the government of thus region, both historical and current. What is Team Bandra actually in response to? Are they just opportunistic bandits?

Second, any relevant current events.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Does Mark's question make Less think about anything?

Possible wondering why he's asking about Tidepath (you're in Skybreak City. Tidepath is farther south).

Spoiler: Less

Show

Either way, you don't know of any ancient artifacts, devices or similar that would unnerve the local Pokémon.

Buck, however, keeps thinking back to a time he fought an Absol, though he isn't sure why.

Remember, no more than three broken knees between the two of them. We need to show some restraint.

Between Less and Mark or between the Grunt and the scientist?

I guess the first thing I'm interested in is the government of thus region, both historical and current. What is Team Bandra actually in response to? Are they just opportunistic bandits?

Second, any relevant current events.

Noted.

[Lord Ruby34]

Between Less and Mark or between the Grunt and the scientist?

Eh, either way.

[Gnomes2169]

Between Less and Mark or between the Grunt and the scientist?

Mark's already injured enough, mercy, please!

[Lord Ruby34]

KI, do you mind if I use Matt approaching the move tutor as an excuse to ask some questions and check my understanding about the move tutor?

Spoiler: Questions

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1. What version of the moves should we use? Especially for moves that didn't exist until after gen IV? (My best guess is whatever version appears to be referenced on the move list? Though there's a note about it not being complete.)
2. Is it possible to tutor an egg move? (I'm assuming no, but hoping yes.)
3. Can a Pokemon learn a move that they would learn at their current level in another generation? (Assuming yes, but I wanted to double check.)
4. Can a Pokemon be tutored with a move that a pre-evolution could learn, but that the current Pokemon cannot?

Spoiler: Understanding

Show

So, if I do understand everything correctly, then Pinchy could learn any of the following moves from the move tutor? (Not including the moves Pinchy already knows?)

1. Body Slam
2. Double Edge
3. Endure
4. Mimic
5. Mud Slap
6. Rock Slide
7. Sleep Talk
8. Snore
9. Substitute
10. Swagger
11. Bug Bite
12. Earth Power
13. Fury Cutter
14. Headbutt
15. Bide
16. Bulldoze
17. Giga Drain
18. Signal Beam
19. Superpower
20. Fissure
21. Faint
22. Dig
23. Crunch
24. Astonish
25. Laser Focus
26. Scorching Sands

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Spoiler: Questions

Show

1. What version of the moves should we use? Especially for moves that didn't exist until after gen IV? (My best guess is whatever version appears to be referenced on the move list? Though there's a note about it not being complete.)

Yeah I need to get in gear and finish that.

On topic, you mean like for example how Rock Smash has a different power in different Generations? In general we go with the Gen IV interpretation for the moves that have a Gen IV variant, but of course if they only exist in Gen V+, then we use the Gen V+ version, and house rules trump everything. If there’s a particular move you want to know about, just let me know which one.

Spoiler: Questions

Show

2. Is it possible to tutor an egg move? (I'm assuming no, but hoping yes.)

Only if the Pokémon was born with it and subsequently overwrote it with something else.

Spoiler: Questions

Show

3. Can a Pokemon learn a move that they would learn at their current level in another generation? (Assuming yes, but I wanted to double check.)

Yes. So for example Mina’s Sandshrew is level 28, this means Mina could tutor her Sandshrew with Bulldoze (which the species can learn at level 18 in Gen VIII).

I will note that you have to stick with the move list for the same form/regional variant for the Pokémon you’re tutoring. Using Sandshrew as an example again, this means that Mina CANNOT tutor Sandshrew with Powder Snow, because that’s specific to the Alolan variant.

Also it has to be a move list from a mainline game.

This was my compromise between keeping the whole game stuck in Gen IV forever and re-writing the laws of physics once a week in-game.

Spoiler: Questions

Show

4. Can a Pokemon be tutored with a move that a pre-evolution could learn, but that the current Pokemon cannot?

Assuming you mean Buck, yes, you can tutor him with any move he could learn as a Growlithe at his level - and will need to since most Stone Evolutions don’t learn many if any attacks via level up after they evolve in Gen IV.

Spoiler: Understanding

Show

So, if I do understand everything correctly, then Pinchy could learn any of the following moves from the move tutor? (Not including the moves Pinchy already knows?)

1. Body Slam
2. Double Edge
3. Endure
4. Mimic
5. Mud Slap
6. Rock Slide
7. Sleep Talk
8. Snore
9. Substitute
10. Swagger
11. Bug Bite
12. Earth Power
13. Fury Cutter
14. Headbutt
15. Bide
16. Bulldoze
17. Giga Drain
18. Signal Beam
19. Superpower
20. Fissure
21. Faint
22. Dig
23. Crunch
24. Astonish
25. Laser Focus
26. Scorching Sands

Just skimming that list but yes, that looks right.

[Lord Ruby34]

Yeah I need to get in gear and finish that.

On topic, you mean like for example how Rock Smash has a different power in different Generations? In general we go with the Gen IV interpretation for the moves that have a Gen IV variant, but of course if they only exist in Gen V+, then we use the Gen V+ version, and house rules trump everything. If there’s a particular move you want to know about, just let me know which one.

Gotcha. So, for example, Knock off is a 20 Power move, and doesn't get a damage boost when removing an item.

And then, to pick a random move, Scald works like it did in gen V, so it doesn't thaw frozen Pokemon? (Not that I expect that specific move to come up.)

Only if the Pokémon was born with it and subsequently overwrote it with something else.

Would it be possible for any of our starting Pokemon to have access to an egg move, with the fiction being that they've forgotten it and would have to relearn the move? (Specifically, I would tutor Buck with Morning Sun if possible.)

Yes. So for example Mina’s Sandshrew is level 28, this means Mina could tutor her Sandshrew with Bulldoze (which the species can learn at level 18 in Gen VIII).

I will note that you have to stick with the move list for the same form/regional variant for the Pokémon you’re tutoring. Using Sandshrew as an example again, this means that Mina CANNOT tutor Sandshrew with Powder Snow, because that’s specific to the Alolan variant.

Also it has to be a move list from a mainline game.

This was my compromise between keeping the whole game stuck in Gen IV forever and re-writing the laws of physics once a week in-game.

Makes perfect sense. I figured it would be easier to ask these questions now than when Less actually goes to the move tutor.

Assuming you mean Buck, yes, you can tutor him with any move he could learn as a Growlithe at his level - and will need to since most Stone Evolutions don’t learn many if any attacks via level up after they evolve in Gen IV.

Slightly different example. What if Princess evolves into Crawdaunt, could she then learn Crabhammer from the move tutor at the lowest level that Corphish or Crawdaunt could learn Crabhammer?

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Gotcha. So, for example, Knock off is a 20 Power move, and doesn't get a damage boost when removing an item.

Correct.

(Although looking at the wiki page for Knock Off specifically it looks like there was some weirdness with it disabling the item in Gen IV rather than actually knocking it off. I’ll probably go with it actually knocking the item off, because wow that’s unintuitive.)

Would it be possible for any of our starting Pokemon to have access to an egg move, with the fiction being that they've forgotten it and would have to relearn the move? (Specifically, I would tutor Buck with Morning Sun if possible.)

I’ll allow it this once, sure.

I figured it would be easier to ask these questions now than when Less actually goes to the move tutor.

No problem there.

Slightly different example. What if Princess evolves into Crawdaunt, could she then learn Crabhammer from the move tutor at the lowest level that Corphish or Crawdaunt could learn Crabhammer?

If she evolves, she has to use the level numbers for her evolution. So as a Crawdaunt she could be tutored with it at *checks* level 38 (FireRed and LeafGreen).

[Lord Ruby34]

Correct.

(Although looking at the wiki page for Knock Off specifically it looks like there was some weirdness with it disabling the item in Gen IV rather than actually knocking it off. I’ll probably go with it actually knocking the item off, because wow that’s unintuitive.)

I'd put it down to early gen weirdness. Though there's a fair amount of modern gen weirdness too . . .

I’ll allow it this once, sure.

Excellent Now to plan out the rest of his moveset. Along with the rest of the team. . . . Less is going to need a lot of heart scales, isn't he?

If she evolves, she has to use the level numbers for her evolution. So as a Crawdaunt she could be tutored with it at *checks* level 38 (FireRed and LeafGreen).

Hmm. Gotcha.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Excellent Now to plan out the rest of his moveset. Along with the rest of the team. . . . Less is going to need a lot of heart scales, isn't he?

If it's any consolation, Less can join the club: Mina has a brand new Gyarados with exactly three moves: Splash, Tackle and Bite. Bandra's quaking in their boots, I know.

On the plus side, most of the group including Less and Mina has Mining Kits, so getting more Scales isn't going to require a lengthy sidequest, just luck and patience. (And, fair warning, a trip to somewhere rocky. I promise if anyone tries mining in the middle of the sidewalk or digging holes in the Skybreak park, law enforcement will have something to say about it. )

[Lord Ruby34]

If it's any consolation, Less can join the club: Mina has a brand new Gyarados with exactly three moves: Splash, Tackle and Bite. Bandra's quaking in their boots, I know.

On the plus side, most of the group including Less and Mina has Mining Kits, so getting more Scales isn't going to require a lengthy sidequest, just luck and patience. (And, fair warning, a trip to somewhere rocky. I promise if anyone tries mining in the middle of the sidewalk or digging holes in the Skybreak park, law enforcement will have something to say about it. )

I suppose there might also be some fun Pokemon in the mountains too . . . potentially a problem for tomorrow.

Ooooh, actually, does the University Science department have a geology club? They might have heart scales already.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Ooooh, actually, does the University Science department have a geology club? They might have heart scales already.

Kind of? The Geology Club's official headquarters are in Tidepath, but they do have occasional meetings (and of course post notices) at the University and they sell things in the jewelry section of the Department Store.

Spoiler: Less

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They used to have their headquarters in Greshil, before Bandra turned it into a ghost town.

[Lord Ruby34]

Kind of? The Geology Club's official headquarters are in Tidepath, but they do have occasional meetings (and of course post notices) at the University and they sell things in the jewelry section of the Department Store.

Spoiler: Less

Show

They used to have their headquarters in Greshil, before Bandra turned it into a ghost town.

So, probably not something that Less can do today. Plans for the future.