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

[Gnomes2169]

((Wild pokemon battle))

The Honchcrow, sitting as it was above the battlefield like a lord of the carrion, continued to appear uninterested in the battle until attacks began being directed at it, at which point it let out a defiant cry, spreading its wings and gathering power to itself. Both of the shadowed murkrow flying in the air do the same, all of them beginning to swell with Shadow energy.

(All three wild shadow pokemon are using Ether Focus)

---

((Mark a little bit in the past))

Wondering how her day had been going, Mark decided to call Mina during his dinnertime pokemon center meal. He might as well check in after all. It wasn't weird to make a video call with his pokedex at this point, right? He had totally legitimate reasons to call her, after all, so it was hardly going to be awkward!

... He finally hit the call button after fixing his hair a little bit and setting up the 'dex so that the camera would face him while still letting him eat. He might as well look a little less like he'd been training pokemon for half of the day.

[essCee]

The regular Murkrow attack a bit more immediately.

Three of them - C, D, and G - head for the Scizor that closed the distance to use Fury Cutter, and strike her with their wings. (Wing Attack).

The other three begin to circle the group, cawing menacingly. They all keep their distance by using Night Shade - E uses it on King, F uses it on Orion, and H uses it on Princess.

[gorman]

Oh yuck... This brings back memories... And of course not very good ones...

"Poliwhirl, bubble as many of the enemy birds as you can. Flaaffy, Thundershock one of the weaker ones (murkrow H). Ratman, Bite the Honchkrow. Wythir, Shadow Sneak that other weak looking Murkrow (murkrow G). And Gastly, stay invisible and if you see any of the birds coming at Flaaffy, appear in front of them and use Hypnosis on it."

Turning to the other trainers I've recently met while in the pokemon center I yell,"Battles aren't what you might expect, they won't fight fair and neither should you. The more pokemon you use to dispatch the enemy, the less likely one of your own might get injured. Don't make the same mistake I made when I arrived." Oh wait... they might be locals... What am I THINKING?!?!?!

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Murkrow Flock:

((Note for players: when you don’t specify your targets the DM will choose for you, and that will often be less than optimal.))

With more allies on the field, some of the stronger Pokémon relax. ((Pokémon unaffected by Intimidate: Honchkrow, Rascal, Daisho, Poli, Flaaffy)) Matt’s skeletal half-horse ((Helnith Pokémon!)) streaks past every other Pokémon to land the first hit:

Wythir uses Shadow Sneak!
It’s not very effective…
Murkrow G is hit for 11 damage!

Daisho hovers in place, waiting for a command. But King has his orders, and with the rain making everything slick and wet, is nearly as fast as Daisho!

King uses Water Pulse!
Critical hit!
Murkrow E is hit for 72 damage!
Murkrow E faints! ((And Intimidate moves to Flaaffy.))

He also seems to be taking his instructions to blast very, very seriously as his target is knocked out of the sky in one hit.

Gypsy isn’t far behind, though she’s still wrapped around the Murkrow as it also gathers its energy.

Gypsy uses Focus Energy!
Gypsy is getting pumped!

Poli uses Bubble!
Honchkrow is hit for 15 damage!
Honchkrow’s Speed falls!
Murkrow B is hit for 19 damage!

The attack is a sufficient enough distraction that the Murkrow releases Gypsy and vice-versa. Fortunately for her, Eto is already on the way, and manages to catch her before she hits the ground. ((Gypsy is now free to seek revenge. ))

Murkrow D is hit for 23 damage!
Attack missed due to target KO!
Murkrow F is hit for 23 damage!
Murkrow G is hit for 27 damage!
Murkrow G’s Speed falls!

Honchkrow uses Ether Focus!
Honchkrow is getting pumped!
Honchkrow’s Attack rises!
Honchkrow’s Special Attack rises!
Honchkrow’s Speed rises! ((Back up to normal. ))

Murkrow A uses Ether Focus!
Murkrow A is getting pumped!
Murkrow A’s Attack rises!
Murkrow A’s Special Attack rises!
Murkrow A’s Speed rises!

Murkrow B uses Ether Focus!
Murkrow B is getting pumped!
Murkrow B’s Attack rises!
Murkrow B’s Special Attack rises!
Murkrow B’s Speed rises!

Dancer uses Growl!
Attack of all foes falls!

The Luxio backs further into its crevice.

Ratman uses Bite!
It’s not very effective…
Honchkrow is hit for 5 damage!

Murkrow C uses Wing Attack!
Eto is hit for 11 damage!

Murkrow D uses Wing Attack!
Eto is hit for 11 damage!

Between Dancer’s Growl and the Luxio bristling at anything and everything in sight, the Murkrow hitting Eto don’t hit hard, but they do hit.

Murkrow F uses Night Shade!
Orion is hit for 25 damage!

Orion uses Swift!
Murkrow B is hit for 18 damage!
Murkrow D is hit for 22 damage!
Attack missed due to target KO!
Murkrow G is hit for 24 damage!
Murkrow G faints! ((Intimidate moves to Poli.))

Rascal uses Supersonic!
Honchkrow is confused!

Gastly hovers protectively near Flaaffy, though none of the birds seem to be targeting the Electric type just now.

Murkrow H uses Night Shade!
Princess is hit for 20 damage!

Eto uses Fury Cutter!
Murkrow B is hit for 8 damage!

Flaaffy uses Thundershock!
It’s super effective!
Murkrow H is hit for 71 damage!
Murkrow H faints! ((Intimidate moves to Daisho.))

Despite its intimidating manner, the Luxio seems intent on staying as deep in its little sheltering crevice as it can get, rather than get involved in the battle royale.

Princess uses Bubble!
Murkrow C is hit for 14 damage!
Attack missed due to target KO!
Attack missed due to target KO!

Hilda uses Iron Defense!
Hilda’s Defense rises sharply!

Honchkrow’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!
Murkrow A’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!
Murkrow B’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!


((Rain in effect.))

Honchkrow: 105/125 (Shadowed: 34%, crit ratio up one level, Special Attack up 1 level, Confused 1 round)
Murkrow A: 85/85 (Shadowed: 46%, Intimidated, crit ratio up one level, Special Attack up 1 level, Speed up 1 level)
Murkrow B: 40/85 (Shadowed: 40%, Intimidated, crit ratio up one level, Special Attack up 1 level, Speed up 1 level)
Murkrow C: 58/72 (Intimidated, Attack down 1 level)
Murkrow D: 27/72 (Intimidated, Attack down 1 level)
Murkrow E: 0/72
Murkrow F: 49/72 (Intimidated, Attack down 1 level)
Murkrow G: 0/60
Murkrow H: 0/60

Luxio: 67/67 (Attack down 1 level)

Gypsy: 46/57 (Intimidated, crit ratio up one level)
Rascal: 76/76
King: 67/67 (Intimidated)
Orion: 32/57 (Intimidated)
Hilda: 50/50 (Intimidated, Defense up 2 levels)

Leo: 66/66 (recalled)
Princess: 44/64 (Intimidated)
Dancer: 60/60 (Intimidated)
Hero: 64/64 (Intimidated)

Poli: 102/102 (Intimidated)
Gastly: 72/72 (Intimidated)
Ratman: 69/69 (Intimidated)
Wythir: 75/75 (Intimidated)
Flaaffy: 88/88 (Intimidated)

Eto: 55/77 (Intimidated)
Daisho: 100/100 (Intimidated)

----------------

Mark (timey wimey ball phone call with Mina):

Mina answers shortly; in contrast to Mark, her hair is still blue and it’s obvious she’s been spending a lot of time in the rain today. “Oh hey, I didn’t realize these things had video. Hi Mark, what do you need?”

[WindStruck]

This battle seemed to be going well enough for Flotsam's Pokémon except Orion got banged up. And Gyspy was released! It was time for some revenge! Unless all these birds decided to run away of course. Flotsam wouldn't mind that. She begins pointing out her next targets.

"King, Gypsy, shoot that one quick!" she says pointing at the weakened Murkrow that was buffing itself up!

(specifically, both shooting B with water gun.)

"Easy, Orion! Fall back and recover!"

Then indicating to Rascal, she says, "Finish that one off!"

(Targeting D. Horn attack is some nice imagery)

Lastly, Flotsam pats Hilda and says, "Don't be scared. This is important. Try to trap the Honchcrow in a whirlpool!" She sets Hilda down and steps back, letting the Clamperl open and shutter itself into the fray.

[Gnomes2169]

((Breakfast club battle))

The honchcrow, taking to the sky, would spread its wings as dark energy gathered along its feathers, and then unleash a pulse of energy with an annoyed Snarl. The pulse targeted the wild Luxio, Gypsy, Hilda, Princess, Hero, Poli, Ratman, Wythir, Flaffy and Eto. Well, if it can fight through its own confusion, that is. If anyone checks their pokedexes, it's immediately obvious that this bird has some training and atypical moves from a former trainer.

The injured shadowed murkrow, not having the same advantages, would just use a simple Wing Attack on Eto, while the healthy shadowed murkrow sends a blast of shadow energy into the sky and creates a Shadow Storm targeting the Luxio, Rascal, King, Dancer, Poli, Wythir and Daisho.

Mark (timey wimey ball phone call with Mina):

Mina answers shortly; in contrast to Mark, her hair is still blue and it’s obvious she’s been spending a lot of time in the rain today. “Oh hey, I didn’t realize these things had video. Hi Mark, what do you need?”

He waved when she answered and flashed her his Markiest Grin^tm. "Yeah, they have a camera and everything, kinda makes them better for calls than my phone when I don't need to look pokemon up. And I was just calling to check how things were going and to report in on what I've found out... I take it you've been running outside a lot, huh?"

[Feathersnow]

"Eto! Continue on your target!"

"Daisho! Astonish the big guy before he does something impressive! "

[Lord Ruby34]

Less clutches in cane in his right hand, as he uses it to direct his Pokemon. While the battle against the lesser Murkrow were going well, the shadowed Pokemon were clearly going to be a danger all on their own. He might not be able to keep Leo in reserve much longer, even with the risks that the Flying types posed to amphibian warrior. He was already regretting leaving Buck to guard the Pokemon Center. One roar might well have dispersed the flock.

But there was nothing for it. Princess and Hero were out of their element here, and he would have to trust his newfound allies to handle actually damaging the birds while his Pokemon did there best to weaken the black-feathered flock. "Princess, defend Hero and use Protect!" Less yelled, gesturing with his cane. He hated to give a complicated order he knew Princess would struggle to handle, but Hero wasn't yet strong enough to weather an assault on her own, but was still able to make at least one valuable contribution to the fight. "Hero, tail whip! Dancer, Leer!"

Less's Pokemon jump into action without hesitation, hoping to distract the shadowed Pokemon long enough for the other three trainers to bring them down.

[gorman]

"Wow these guys fight better than I when I first started...again that is... Alright team good work, Gastly good job, let's have you repeat what you did last round. Poliwhirl use Bubble again. Ratman use Quick Attack on the Honchkrow. Wythir use Stomp on the Honchkrow as well. And if it's still standing, Flaaffy Thundershock it. Let's go team!"

[essCee]

The regular Murkrow start to falter as several of them are dropped quickly. C and D disengage from attacking Eto, and replace their mates who were flying around the group. They each use Night Shade on the Pokemon who most recently hit them - C goes for Princess and D goes for Orion. F keeps up its own Night Shading of Orion.

Caw!

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Murkrow Flock:

The less battered of the two Shadow Murkrow gives a hair-raising screech that manages to cut through all the sounds of battle and rain and leave a brief void of sound in its wake. The unnatural silence is broken a moment later as all the Pokédexes start blaring a warning in unison:

"WARNING! WARNING! Shadow Pokémon detected! Shadow Rage imminent."

The Murkrow goes from being a dark shape in the rain to a Murkrow-shaped hole that seems to devour all light. The Pokédex also informs you that it’s shot up several levels ((Effective Level: 35, up from 30)).

Princess manages to pull off the Protect while dancing between her battle partner and anything looking to attack flawlessly.

Princess uses Protect!
Princess is protecting herself!

Ratman uses Quick Attack!
Honchkrow is hit for 13 damage!

The boost in speed from their gathered shadow energy is just enough for both Shadow Murkrow to edge past Daisho.

Murkrow A uses Shadow Storm!
Wild Luxio is hit for 66 damage!

While the shelter of stone protects it somewhat, eventually the attack blasts into the Luxio’s hiding place, ripping it out into the open. The Electric type just barely manages to climb to its feet ((1 HP!)), before making a worried scan of the area and trying to limp away from the war zone in the least dangerous direction.

Critical hit!
Rascal is hit for 234 damage!
Rascal faints!
King is hit for 119 damage!
King faints!
Dancer is hit for 170 damage!
Dancer faints!
Poli is hit for 124 damage!
Poli faints!
Wythir is hit for 97 damage!
Wythir faints!
Daisho is hit for 71 damage!

Daisho valiantly hangs on to consciousness when nearly every other Pokémon directly hit by the attack is swept away.

Murkrow B uses Wing Attack!
Eto is hit for 19 damage!

The other Shadow Murkrow clashes with Eto nearby; the Luxio, seeing this, decides to give up all attempts at further intimidation in favor of hobbling a little faster. ((Intimidate dropped!))

Daisho uses Astonish!
It’s not very effective…
Honchkrow is hit for 6 damage!
Honchkrow flinches!

Gypsy uses Water Gun!
Murkrow B is hit for 24 damage!

Honchkrow flinches!

Murkrow C uses Night Shade!
Princess is protecting herself!

Murkrow D uses Night Shade!
Orion is hit for 25 damage!

Murkrow F uses Night Shade!
Orion is hit for 25 damage!
Orion faints!

Daisho’s quick save prevented the Honchkrow from pulling off its attack, but Gastly has already been spurred into action at the attempt on Flaaffy, and fires a Hypnosis at it anyway.

Gastly uses Hypnosis!
Honchkrow sleeps!

Eto uses Fury Cutter!
Murkrow B is hit for 21 damage!
Murkrow B faints!

Flaaffy uses Thundershock!
It’s super effective!
Honchkrow is hit for 46 damage!

Hero uses Tail Whip!
Defense of all foes falls!

Hilda uses Whirlpool!
Attack missed!

Honchkrow’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!
Murkrow A’s Rage Gauge falls 5%! ((Older players will note this has been tweaked; this is so there will be a little more distinction between being Shadowed and being in a Shadow Rage. There will probably be more tweaks in the future, just FYI.))


((Rain in effect.))

Honchkrow: 40/125 (Shadowed: 32%, crit ratio up one level, Special Attack up 1 level, Confused 2 rounds, Asleep, Defense down 1 level)
Murkrow A: 97/97 (Shadowed: 46%, Rage Gauge: 95%, crit ratio up one level, Special Attack up 1 level, Speed up 1 level, Defense down 1 level)
Murkrow B: 0/85 (Shadowed: 40%)
Murkrow C: 58/72 (Attack down 1 level, Defense down 1 level)
Murkrow D: 27/72 (Attack down 1 level, Defense down 1 level)
Murkrow E: 0/72
Murkrow F: 49/72 (Attack down 1 level, Defense down 1 level)
Murkrow G: 0/60
Murkrow H: 0/60

Luxio: 1/67 (Attack down 1 level, fleeing)

Gypsy: 46/57 (crit ratio up one level)
Rascal: 0/76
King: 0/67
Orion: 0/57
Hilda: 50/50 (Defense up 2 levels)

Leo: 66/66 (recalled)
Princess: 44/64
Dancer: 0/60
Hero: 64/64

Poli: 0/102
Gastly: 72/72
Ratman: 69/69
Wythir: 0/75
Flaaffy: 88/88

Eto: 36/77
Daisho: 29/100

----------------

Mark (phone call with Mina):

“Yeah, I should have looked for an umbrella at the Department Store here, but I got distracted. But how are things on your end?”

[WindStruck]

While at first the skirmish was going swimmingly (HAHA get it?!) now the tables had turned, and many friendly Pokémon had fainted. Even over half of her own Pokémon. They were dropping like flies! While Flotsam was extremely optimistic and perhaps not even taking this battle too seriously since Gypsy had been released, now she was worried for the others.

"Oh my gosh!!" she gasps, recalling her fainted Pokémon before any more harm could come to them.

"We've got to stop that crazy Pokémon!" she cries. Or maybe.. time to cut their losses and run? At least they saved Gypsy now.. but could they even hope to flee from this flock of formidable fowls?

"Smokescreen and Clamp that one now!" she says. Flotsam really hoped Hilda and Gypsy would be okay.. if not, not only would she probably have to run from this, but she'd feel horrible for her poor Pokémon. All because she went to get some snacks!

Looking to the Luxio that was slinking off, she implores, "Please.. please help us..!" Flotsam knew it would be a lot to ask, and this wild Pokémon appeared to be severely injured. So as a token of good will (and possibly the only feasible way this Luxio could reasonably fight at all), Flotsam practically groveled up to this frightened and battered Luxio, and she slowly retrieved a tiny spray bottle thingy (from somewhere?). Spraying the Luxio's wounds improves its HP by 50.

Spoiler: ooc

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To make it absolutely clear, targeting Murkrow A, the one that nuked everyone.

[Feathersnow]

Daisho! Try, astonish again on the shadow Murkrow!

Eto, try to finish the weak one with another fury cutter!

[Gnomes2169]

The sleeping Honchcrow shifted a bit from its perch, still not fully unconscious and clearly still struggling to awaken, wings twitching to make a Wing Attack against Matt's Ghastly should it succeed.

The raging Murkrow, on the other hand, continues its rampage, releasing a scream from the void itself as it Shadow Rushes Hero.

Mark (phone call with Mina):

“Yeah, I should have looked for an umbrella at the Department Store here, but I got distracted. But how are things on your end?”

"Going well enough. Talked to the flute maker, and I think that I have a plan for how we're taking out Quibir's poffin production... but I want to talk to Wain about a few things before making anything certain." Picking up his pokedex so that he could shift in his chair without leaving her view, he'd ask, "How goes your research? You know. Besides stormy."

[gorman]

"Gastly Hynosis Murkrow A, Flaaffy Thundershock the Honchkrow, if its down hit Murkrow A with Thundershock instead, Ratman Bite Murkrow A, please go first and make that bird flinch, I can't lose the rest of you to shadowing again damn it!" I could feel my eyes starting to water and despair wash over me like the battle in the Shrine of Light when one attack wiped out the whole team. This battle was like a reminder that shadowing's a very dangerous condition with only one strange cure, I think to myself while subconsciously rubbing the pocket of my backpack that held the Time Flute. Wait a second...the TIME FLUTE.... I could have just tried to use THAT to cure these stupid shadowed krows! Oh god and I think of that NOW?! My temples throb from sudden pain and my free hand goes to my head, pain causing my eyes to squint... Damn it.

[Lord Ruby34]

"Dancer!" Less, yells out in instinctive fear as Dancer is blasted by a wave of shadow energy that sends her bouncing and rolling along the ground to land at Less's feet. Less had never seen so many Pokemon fall so quickly, and he wished for Buck's reassuring presence more than ever before. He has Dancer's Pokeball in his hand before he even realizes what's happening. A thin red line. connects the unconscious Dodou and the Pokeball as she's recalled to relative safety. No more help for it, he would have to chance sending Leo in against the flying types. The situation was looking too dire to let any of his companions stay back any longer.

"Leo, take Dancer's place!".

The battle itself was chaos. Less noted Flotsam helping the wounded Luxio and unconsciously moved to put his body between the young girl and the flock of marauding Pokemon. They needed to end this fight quickly. "Princess, vice grip that shadowed Murkrow! Leo, Revenge the strongest foe left standing!" That left the leader of the shadowed Pokemon. If that Honchcrow was capable of as much as the other shadowed Pokemon, it waking up presented a dire threat against everyone present. Less had an idea. If it wasn't still on the field, if it was gone, then the lessor Murkcrow might flee. Maybe even before they could do any more damage to his companions, or the the Pokemon that stood with them.

"Hero, guard me for a moment!" Less took half a moment to take a deep breath as he withdrew the Ultra Ball from his belt. In more than fifty years of life, this would be the first time he had actually thrown one of these contraptions. Emilia had said throwing one of these wasn't that much different than playing catch like they had when she was a girl. No hesitation. The Ultra Ball flew through the air towards the Honchcrow, opening as it made contact.

Spoiler: OOC

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Effectively skipping Hero's action to throw an Ultra Ball at the Honchcrow. No idea if you can even capture shadowed Pokemon, but Less doesn't know either!

Turn layout: Leo comes in for Dancer after she faints.
Princess uses Vicegrip on Murkrow A.
Leo uses Revenge on the strongest Murkrow still standing.
Hero's turn is used to throw an Ultra Ball at the Honchcrow.

[essCee]

With their targets either seemingly untouchable due to protect or taken down, the three regular Murkrow take stock of how many of their own are down and begin to head back to their sleepy leader. They are intercepted by Eto attacking Murkrow D on the way, so the three of them converge on that very up-close and immediately attacker with Wing Attacks.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Murkrow Flock:

Despite the groveling, the Luxio shrinks back a little. But perhaps it’s had enough previous contact with humans to know what Potions are, or perhaps it recognized Flotsam as non-threatening, because ultimately it lets her approach and spray it down. Most of its wounds vanish ((-1 Super Potion for Flotsam, 1 remaining. Luxio is now at 51 HP!))

Instantly rejuvenated, the little Electric cat charges back to the fight, bristling at the hostile birds (and this time, only the hostile birds), although between the healing and the transit time the Luxio doesn’t have the chance to contribute an attack just yet. ((Intimidate back up!))

Meanwhile, Less' Ultra Ball soars through the air. The sleeping Honchkrow is briefly engulfed – the Shadowing doesn’t seem to be preventing the ball from working (and despite the signs of a previous trainer, it apparently IS a wild Pokémon, which could have been another complication), but it still has to contain the Pokémon long enough to actually catch it –

Pop! The ball flies apart halfway through its first shake, now broken and useless. (( -1 Ultra Ball for Less, 0 remaining.))

Equally unfortunately, Ratman isn’t anywhere near fast enough to out-speed the Shadow Murkrow ((and Bite isn’t increased priority)), so Ratman is left with chasing after it until he can finally land the blow.

Murkrow A uses Shadow Rush!
Hero is hit for 33 damage!
Murkrow A takes 2 damage from recoil!

Unfortunately the Murkrow manages to hit at the right angle to avoid Hero’s poisonous spines.

Daisho uses Astonish!
Murkrow A is hit for 12 damage!

Gypsy uses Smokescreen!
Accuracy of all foes falls!

Honchkrow still sleeps!

Ratman uses Bite!
It’s not very effective…
Murkrow A is hit for 10 damage!

Murkrow C uses Wing Attack!
Eto is hit for 9 damage!

Murkrow D uses Wing Attack!
Eto is hit for 11 damage!

Murkrow F uses Wing Attack!
Eto is hit for 9 damage!

Eto stumbles, but does not yet fall under the Murkrows’ combined assault.

Gastly uses Hypnosis!
Murkrow A falls asleep!

Eto uses Fury Cutter!
Murkrow D is hit for 71 damage!

Eto sends one of her attackers sailing back into the rocky outcrop. The latter slides to the ground into the mud, clearly unconscious.

Murkrow D faints!

Flaaffy uses Thundershock!
It’s super effective!
Honchkrow is hit for 44 damage!
Honchkrow faints!

The large bird tumbles backward off its perch.

Princess uses Vice Grip!
Murkrow A is hit for 26 damage!

Hilda uses Clamp!
Murkrow A is hit for 13 damage!
Hilda clamped Murkrow A!

Leo uses Revenge!
Murkrow A is hit for 42 damage!
Murkrow A faints!

The Pokédexes register that the Shadow Rage ends as soon as the Shadowed Murkrow is KO’d.

With the last of the Shadow Pokémon unconscious, the remaining Murkrow decide enough is enough and take off into the rain. On the ground, the Luxio Roars after them, as if to say, “And don’t come back!” looking confident. And then rubs against Flotsam’s leg, purring. It seems you’ve made a friend.

Now that you’re not concentrating on the battle, it’s clear that the Murkrow have stashed a fair amount of shiny stuff in and around the outcropping, scattered among the bones. It looks like this is their nesting ground, although there is no sign of eggs or hatchlings.

((Let me know if you want to stick around to loot. Either way, time for some XP!

Feathersnow, since you only used two Pokémon the entire battle you can either give a level each to Daisho and Eto or give two levels to Eto.

Everyone else, pick two of your Pokémon that participated and they will each get a level up.

Honchkrow: 0/125 (Shadowed: 32%)
Murkrow A: 0/97 (Shadowed: 46%)
Murkrow B: 0/85 (Shadowed: 40%)
Murkrow C: 58/72 - fled
Murkrow D: 0/72
Murkrow E: 0/72
Murkrow F: 49/72 - fled
Murkrow G: 0/60
Murkrow H: 0/60

Luxio: 51/67 (Attack down 1 level)

Gypsy: 46/57 (crit ratio up one level)
Rascal: 0/76
King: 0/67
Orion: 0/57
Hilda: 50/50 (Defense up 2 levels)

Leo: 66/66
Princess: 44/64
Dancer: 0/60
Hero: 31/64

Poli: 0/102
Gastly: 72/72
Ratman: 69/69
Wythir: 0/75
Flaaffy: 88/88

Eto: 7/77
Daisho: 29/100))

----------------

Mark (phone call with Mina):

“I might have a lead on that book. The college here has a museum on campus and they have another copy of it there, plus a huge library.” Mina looks uncertain for a moment, then continues. “They also have a…job board, I guess; I made a list of some of the things they had posted, and most of them are pretty straightforward, so if you or anyone else needs some extra spending money let me know and I’ll send it on.

But enough about me; did you learn anything useful from the flutemaker?”

[WindStruck]

Spoiler: ooc

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Guess I'll level up Hilda and Gypsy, given that they are the ones that survived this harrowing experience, and are among the lowest level. But if Rascal keeps getting 1KO'd, I'll probably have to level him up too!

Flotsom sighs with relief, dropping to her knees and resting in the rain. "Whew.. thank goodness! Gypsy, Hilda, are you okay?" Though she didn't recall Hilda being hit, and Gypsy looked a little worse for wear... they seemed alright. She couldn't say the same for King, Orion, or Rascal. Yikes!

Just then, the Luxio started purring and rubbing up against Flotsam. She twitched a bit in surprise, not expecting this. "Oh! Hey.." she laughs wistfully. "Hey there. If only you had realized we weren't out to get you sooner." She pats the Luxio and musses its fur, soaking wet as it was out here.

"Stupid mean crows, trying to eat my friend..." she complains idly and sighs before standing back up.

Since Gypsy was the skittish sort, now finding herself around a bunch of strange people and other pokemon, Flotsam decided to go up to her. Hugging her Horsea she says, "Oh, Gypsy, I'm so sorry! I wasn't really gone that long, was I??"

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Murkrow Flock:

Spoiler: New Stats for Gypsy and Hilda

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Pokémon: Horsea (Gypsy)
Type: Water
Ability: Swift Swim
Gender: Female
Level: 26
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 59
Attack: 33
Def: 49
Sp. Attack: 49
Sp. Def: 26
Speed: 44
Moves: LIMIT SIX – DROP ONE
Bubble
Smokescreen
Water Gun
Focus Energy
Bubblebeam
Agility
Twister

Pokémon: Clamperl (Hilda)
Type: Water
Ability: Shell Armor
Gender: Female
Level: 21
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 52
Attack: 38
Def: 47
Sp. Attack: 42
Sp. Def: 34
Speed: 24
Moves:
Clamp
Iron Defense
Water Gun
Whirlpool

Gypsy seems a little shook up, but neither she nor Hilda seem as bothered by the strangers as they had been before. (It probably helps that there are fewer of them.) Mostly they seem tired from the recent excitement.

The Luxio’s head fur is a little shorter than expected, and a glance at the Pokédex will confirm it’s a girl. She seems to enjoy the pats, and after a moment she and Hilda strike up a conversation in Pokéspeak.

"Oh, Gypsy, I'm so sorry! I wasn't really gone that long, was I??"

Gypsy snuggles deep into her trainer’s arms, and while Flotsam naturally can’t understand a word of it her answer in breathy Pokéspeak seems to be reassuring.

[Lord Ruby34]

Less lets out a long exhale. His gambit with the Pokeball had failed, but at they had managed to drive off the flock. Less took a moment to congratulation his Pokemon. "Excellent showing. Princess, you did a particularly good job with the protect maneuver." He makes sure to give a little extra attention to Hero, checking out her wounds before recalling both Princess and Hero to their balls to recover.

The field was a mess. The unconscious forms of many Murkrow lay scattered about, and everyone else seemed to be shaking off their daze. The girl, Floatsom, Less recalled, was fussing over her captured Pokemon, as she well should. Less took a moment to approach. "I think that little Luxio has taken a shine to you, child. Why don't you offer her a Pokeball and see if she'd like to join you on your travels. It seems likely that she would be amiable."

Next to them though, was the unconscious Honchkrow that Less had thrown an Ultra Ball at earlier. Less bent down to examine the injured Pokemon, carefully, with Leo standing beside him. He had not had the opportunity to examine a shadowed Pokemon before. "Is there a way to heal whatever was afflicting these creatures?" Less wondered aloud. It seemed to him that it might be their responsibility to take the injured Pokemon back to the center to see what could be done.

[WindStruck]

Having finished a proper reunion with her Pokémon, Flotsam turns curiously to Less. She looks between the older man and the Luxio repeatedly, as if coming out of a daze. "Huh? Oh, I mean, um..."

The thought of actually "capturing" or taming the wild Pokémon hadn't crossed Flotsam's mind. She was just grateful that it seemed to want to help, and turned out friendly - and that she got Gypsy back safe and sound at least.

"I don't know. She's cute and all, and I'm glad she's taken a liking to me. I'm just not sure if, uh.. if she'll be all that compatible with the others? Or if she'll like the same things we do?" Thoughts of the Luxio roughhousing with her other Pokémon and accidentally shocking them half to death, or simply being unhappy being sopping wet and drenched, or underwater all the time came to Flotsam.

She was about as eager to take on an electric Pokémon as a vampire was to receive a holy cross.

[Gnomes2169]

Mark (phone call with Mina):

“I might have a lead on that book. The college here has a museum on campus and they have another copy of it there, plus a huge library.” Mina looks uncertain for a moment, then continues. “They also have a…job board, I guess; I made a list of some of the things they had posted, and most of them are pretty straightforward, so if you or anyone else needs some extra spending money let me know and I’ll send it on.

But enough about me; did you learn anything useful from the flutemaker?”

"Huh. I'm perpetually broke. I should look at that board." He says, remembering the medicine delivery jobs he's run over the last few days. More stuff like that wouldn't be all that rough. "The flute maker told us about the town. There's no pokemon center, it's close-ish to the regional safari zone, there aren't many woods or forests in the area, but it's a bit rocky. It's also close enough to that volcano on the coast that they have a steady source of volcanic ash, which is why she liked living there among other things. They don't have a power plant of their own, so if we can cut them off from the plant in Piez that should pretty much shut them down... if we can handle their backup generators in the contest hall and the mart, at least. The houses are also pretty well fireproofed, on account of the volcano. Oh, and she gave us a LOT of soot sacks, so we could pick up ash for her craft. Ash that's... constantly falling... on account of the active volcano."

Pausing for a second, Mark would glance around him and lean in to quietly add, "I'm not certain that I trust her fully. I know it may have just been her personality, but she was... well, she doesn't like Bandra for sure, but she was flighty about them burning down her shop, and they might still have something she cares about to blackmail her with she didn't want to talk about..." He realized that he'd never actually heard how she got out of the town in the first place, just that she'd left after the shop was destroyed, but he shook his head and said, "I'm probably just being paranoid. But anyway, I implied that we might be looking to come at Quibir from the Safari zone in the east. Just in case. I think our best bet is to surf from Tidepath to the western shoreline anyway." If his paranoia was onto something and Ei sold them out to Bandra, that would hopefully point their eyes in the wrong direction.

[gorman]

After inspecting the Murkrow's nest area for loot I over hear the one called Less inquire about a cure to the conditioning of shadowing.
"As far as I'm aware, the painstakingly long process of fighting with a shadowed pokemon will eventually bring it back to normal provided it doesn't go into a rage and...well... you saw what the ONE bird did to what was it..... FIVE of our pokemon.... Just wipe them all out in one hit... So, now I believe when they become healed, they too will be infected with the shadowing...disease? Ahm, there is also the possibility that you find one of these," I say pulling the Time Flute from my backpack, "It's called a Time Flute and it has the chance to cleanse a pokemon of it's shadowing in one go provided it listens to the music that soothes the savage soul. However this item appears to deteriorate upon usage, I'd say this one has maybe three more uses left before it's completely broken. I'm unaware of a means to repair it. That's roughly the extent on my knowledge of shadowing."

[Lord Ruby34]

The hesitation in Flotsom's voice was audible. It reminded him of Emilia and so many other children, hesitant to try a new food, play with a new toy, or make a new friend. "You will never know the answers to the those questions, child," Less responds in the accented drawl he uses when giving a lecture, "unless you take the time to find out the answers. You may make a new friend, or you may end up parting after only a week. But without taking the time to try to make friends you don't expect, you never will. But your compassion has already started to create a bond between the two of you. I believe that bond could grow mighty, if you take the time to nurture it to fruition."

Less's attention briefly returns to the Murkrow before Matt's words register. He turns sharply towards him, with a look of surprise. "Dancer and the others then, could be infected, by this shadowing?" Less realizes his voice comes out sharper and more accusing than intended. The only thing that stops Less from heading off to the Pokemon Center at that moment is the man's claim that the flute can cure them. Less takes a deep breath, then continues. "My apologies, that came out poorly, and I do not mean to express anything but my own bewilderment. Does that flute cure all the Pokemon who hear it, then, with one song? If so, it might be practical to take the shadowed crows to the Pokemon center with our own injured companions, so that we can heal them and stop the shadowed Pokemon from spreading this affliction any further."

Spoiler: Accent and Appearance

Show

I spent awhile trying to look for a good reference image for Less, but didn't find exactly what I was looking for. But I imagine him looking and sounding like the picture below, only twenty some years older, sans hat, and in a tweed suit. Currently, I suppose, he would also be dripping wet.

[Feathersnow]

Akio listens with alarm that his beloved Daisho and Eto might possibly be infected! He sees to them, but does not withdraw them to their pokeballs until this is sorted out. "Good girls. You did good."

Spoiler: OoC

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2 levels to Eto

[WindStruck]

Flotsam looks down and shies away, still feeling quite reluctant. But the revelation that this shadowing was contagious was quite alarming.

"What?! Oh my gosh! I think we should head to the Pokémon center right away then!"

She looks at Matt and says, "If anyone else got shadowed, I hope you can cure them!"

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Murkrow Flock:

Spoiler: New Stats for Princess and Hero

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Pokemon: Corphish (Princess)
Type: Water
Ability: Shell Armor
Gender: Female
Level: 26
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 66 +1
Attack: 54 +10
Def: 46 +10
Sp. Attack: 39
Sp. Def: 31
Speed: 31
Moves: LIMIT SIX – DROP ONE
Bubble
Harden
ViceGrip
Leer
Bubblebeam
Protect
Knock Off

Pokemon: Nidorina (Hero)
Type: Poison
Ability: Poison Point
Gender: Female
Level: 21
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 66 +1
Attack: 37
Def: 39 +5
Sp. Attack: 34
Sp. Def: 34 +10
Speed: 35
Moves:
Growl
Scratch
Tail Whip
Double Kick
Poison Sting
Fury Swipes

Spoiler: New Stats for Eto

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Pokemon: Scizor (Eto)
Type: Bug/Steel
Ability: Technician
Gender: Female
Level: 27
Held Item: NONE
Stats--
HP: 83
Attack: 83
Def: 67 +7
Sp. Attack: 43
Sp. Def: 56 +15
Speed: 48
Moves:
Quick Attack
Focus Energy
Pursuit
False Swipe
Metal Claw
Fury Cutter

((Note for players: You can’t catch a Pokémon that has been KO’d; in-universe this is a safety feature on the Pokéballs. So if you want to take any of the wild ‘mon back to town you are going to need to carry them, or find another way to transport them.))

Spoiler: Less

Show

While Less is examining the knocked out Honchkrow, he notices something wrapped around its leg: a thick metal band, with a stubby little antennae jutting out of it and a small red light that blinks ominously.

Meanwhile, heedless of Flotsam’s concerns, the Luxio is standing in the rain with no apparent regard for the wet and has managed to coax Hilda out of her shell both literally and figuratively, as the two seem very absorbed in their conversation.

Matt digs through the site and comes up with a number of noteworthy items:

Spoiler: Loot

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Rare Bone
Thick Club
Crumpled up ball of aluminum foil
Water Stone
Human skull
Beach Glass x4
Mining Kit
Heart Scale x2
Lone Earring
Poison Gem
Relic Copper
Chipped Pot – inside is a receipt you can barely make out, with a delivery address in Skybreak City
Glitter Ball
Net Ball x2
Wide Brimmed Hat with bug netting built in
Part of a belt with a shiny buckle still attached
Unown Tiles* – G, K, P, T, W
Cloudy Crystal*
Various bones of indeterminate origin and species

*Helnith item
Cloudy Crystal – weather stone like the Heat Rock or Damp Rock, except this one extends the use of fog

----------------

Mark (phone call with Mina):

"Huh. I'm perpetually broke. I should look at that board."

“I’ll send you the list then. Fair warning, if you want one of the jobs you need to sign up at the college campus; it was near the entrance of the main building. Some of them are a regular thing, some of them you have to do at a particular time.

Also, they have security here to protect against Bandra Teleporting in, but that means we can’t just warp in and out whenever we want either.”

"The flute maker told us about the town. There's no pokemon center, it's close-ish to the regional safari zone, there aren't many woods or forests in the area, but it's a bit rocky. It's also close enough to that volcano on the coast that they have a steady source of volcanic ash, which is why she liked living there among other things. They don't have a power plant of their own, so if we can cut them off from the plant in Piez that should pretty much shut them down... if we can handle their backup generators in the contest hall and the mart, at least."

“Sounds good. And even if we can’t take out the generators, at least the Grunts we fight won’t be able to run over and heal their Pokémon mid-battle.”

"The houses are also pretty well fireproofed, on account of the volcano. Oh, and she gave us a LOT of soot sacks, so we could pick up ash for her craft. Ash that's... constantly falling... on account of the active volcano."

Mina seems to pick up on the hesitation and replies, hesitant in turn, “That sounds…good? ”

"I'm not certain that I trust her fully. I know it may have just been her personality, but she was... well, she doesn't like Bandra for sure, but she was flighty about them burning down her shop, and they might still have something she cares about to blackmail her with she didn't want to talk about...I'm probably just being paranoid. But anyway, I implied that we might be looking to come at Quibir from the Safari zone in the east. Just in case. I think our best bet is to surf from Tidepath to the western shoreline anyway."

“She was an interesting personality, that’s for sure. But good plan. Anything else I should know that can’t wait? I need to get out before curfew, or I’m going to be stuck here until tomorrow.”

Not long after this, Mark’s Pokédex brees with an incoming text.

Mina sent you a message!
Hello, my stormy fellow!

Here is the list I mentioned.

• Count the Pokémon that eat out of a feeder at the park (Six hour slots: 7 AM – 1 PM, 1 PM – 7 PM.)(4,000 PD)
• Battle and subdue (do NOT catch; I asked) a Water Pokémon so they can attach a camera to it (date and time is open, transportation provided) (6,000 PD)
• Catalogue historical items for the museum (8 AM to 4 PM daily) (6,000 PD)
• Escort staff member to take plaster casts of prints on north coast (date and time is open, I gather this is near Bandra territory and they’re having trouble finding volunteers) (4,000 PD)
• Set up chairs for a seminar at the park (10 AM to 11 AM TOMORROW, it was going to be today but they postponed it due to rain, also they want multiple people) (2,000 PD)
• Take chairs down after the seminar (1 PM to 2 PM TOMORROW, see above about more people) (2,000 PD)
• Collect bird droppings around Skybreak (I’m serious. Apparently they’re studying their diet, or something. Date and time is open.) (3,000 PD)
• Pick up soil samples from the Geology Club in Tidepath (Date and time is open.)(4,000 PD)
• Escort staff member to gather plant and soil samples from the Spectral Dimension (‘Rift dependent’, I didn’t ask since I figured there wouldn’t be time before you-know-what, sorry! Also they want at least three people.) (20,000 PD)

Also there were some postings from the Geology Club, but they were offering items, not money.

If you want to pick these up, don’t forget curfew starts at 8 PM and goes until 6 AM!

[Lord Ruby34]

Less takes a moment to retrieve the metal band from the Honchkrow's leg and examine the object more thoroughly. Some kind of transmitter? Less will look for more information, then hold the band out and see what everyone else might know.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I'll go ahead and delete bubble.

Also, I think Less wants to know what this is before committing to a course of action, if he can figure it out.

[Gnomes2169]

Murkrow Flock:
Mark (phone call with Mina):

Spoiler: The phone call

Show

“I’ll send you the list then. Fair warning, if you want one of the jobs you need to sign up at the college campus; it was near the entrance of the main building. Some of them are a regular thing, some of them you have to do at a particular time.

Also, they have security here to protect against Bandra Teleporting in, but that means we can’t just warp in and out whenever we want either.”

“Sounds good. And even if we can’t take out the generators, at least the Grunts we fight won’t be able to run over and heal their Pokémon mid-battle.”

Mina seems to pick up on the hesitation and replies, hesitant in turn, “That sounds…good? ”

“She was an interesting personality, that’s for sure. But good plan. Anything else I should know that can’t wait? I need to get out before curfew, or I’m going to be stuck here until tomorrow.”

He'd make sure to keep that curfew time in mind. "That should be all on my end for now. I'll call Wain and see what he has to say, and then go talk to those people Matt found. If I see you again tonight, I'll update you on how all that junk goes too. Uh..." There was a bit of an awkward pause as he considered how to say bye, and he decides on, "See you later then!" After she responds, he hangs up, smacks his forehead with his fleshy hand and says, "Idiot. 'SeE YoU lAtEr tHeN.' That's what took you so long to come up with?" He checked her text with all the jobs, sent her a message in response, and then gave Wain his call.

Spoiler: Jerbs

Show

Not long after this, Mark’s Pokédex brees with an incoming text.

Mina sent you a message!
Hello, my stormy fellow!

Here is the list I mentioned.

• Count the Pokémon that eat out of a feeder at the park (Six hour slots: 7 AM – 1 PM, 1 PM – 7 PM.)(4,000 PD)
• Battle and subdue (do NOT catch; I asked) a Water Pokémon so they can attach a camera to it (date and time is open, transportation provided) (6,000 PD)
• Catalogue historical items for the museum (8 AM to 4 PM daily) (6,000 PD)
• Escort staff member to take plaster casts of prints on north coast (date and time is open, I gather this is near Bandra territory and they’re having trouble finding volunteers) (4,000 PD)
• Set up chairs for a seminar at the park (10 AM to 11 AM TOMORROW, it was going to be today but they postponed it due to rain, also they want multiple people) (2,000 PD)
• Take chairs down after the seminar (1 PM to 2 PM TOMORROW, see above about more people) (2,000 PD)
• Collect bird droppings around Skybreak (I’m serious. Apparently they’re studying their diet, or something. Date and time is open.) (3,000 PD)
• Pick up soil samples from the Geology Club in Tidepath (Date and time is open.)(4,000 PD)
• Escort staff member to gather plant and soil samples from the Spectral Dimension (‘Rift dependent’, I didn’t ask since I figured there wouldn’t be time before you-know-what, sorry! Also they want at least three people.) (20,000 PD)

Also there were some postings from the Geology Club, but they were offering items, not money.

If you want to pick these up, don’t forget curfew starts at 8 PM and goes until 6 AM!

Mark's message read, <Makes sense the chairs one got washed out.> That was close enough to storm stuff, right? Right. <I'm guessing these jobs are per-person? Most of them seem easy. Except that spectral dimension one, holy wow that's crazy. The chairs ones should be easily doable, I'll see if any of the new people are interested in helping.>