[@Pirouette] A while later Erika would get a text message from Ellyn. [color=507173]‘I think you got to her. She’s very sad not to depart to your location immediately, saying that she’s missing a once-in-a-lifetime joint adventure, but I will teach her that there are consequences with immediately departing despite you telling us you were going on an adventure later. Besides, I am freezing. I am staying in Cooldome for a while. Maple’s off to challenge the Gym. The Major League Gym that is way out of her league. Which leaves me a little time to relax, phew. … Or she’s coming right back. I can see her coming straight towards me. I thi’[/color] … and then the message abruptly ended mid-word. Erika probably would know that the Gym Leader of Cooldome City is often not at the Gym. She’s often either at Mt. Chill or fighting in the various tournaments arranged by the city. And sometimes she just goes on random training regiments around Isson, as she’s both a Gym Leader and a top-of-the-line professional Pokémon Trainer vying for becoming Champion. In any case, she decided to train! The Pokémon here all had varying ways of defending themselves. Hoothoot and Glameow were quick to try to Hypnosis an attacker, and Electrike threw out Thunder Wave at earliest provocation. It was also a bit perilous to be a Ghost-type here, as every cat knew Bite, and the numerous Murkrows knew Pursuit. Still, Sno was far more capable than the wild Pokémon of this route. Eep also did well, as most attacks were Normal-type, and the Electric-types had a hard time against part Grass-type, albeit they had to look out for birds doing neutral damage. Kay didn’t really have anything she was effective against, however. Chic had plenty of cats and rabbits that Double Kick could do a number on, as long as she stayed clear of birds. Gibs did well against the electric types, though they did damage back when they could fall back on Tackle. Of course, most of the experience surged into Tara, who somehow got to experience what it was like being Sno shooting down birds with ice-attacks, how it felt being Chic Double Kicking a Meowth, how it felt being Eep and outlasting opponents, Gibs and being immune to electricity and Kay using psychic (or dark) powers, all entering her mind through the machine Erika put on her. [center][color=6ecff6][i]Sno grew to level 21! Eep grew to level 20! Chic grew to level 20! Chic learned Flame Charge! Gibs grew to level 21! Kay grew to level 20! Tara grew to level 22! Tara learned Natural Gift![/i][/color][/center] Eventually, Ewan and Joshua arrived, and Erika had a thing or two to say to Joshua. He recoiled, looking taken aback by her statement, however he quickly assumed a polite stance and bowed to her. [color=668570]‘As you wish, lady Erika! Never again shall my phone even be on during a performance!’[/color] Joshua declared, seemingly taking what she said to heart. Maybe. Then she praised Espeon. [color=668570]‘Of course!’[/color] Joshua smiled as he stood up straight again, beaming happily as he walked over and stroked the fur of his happy Espeon. [color=668570]‘This fellow deserves nothing but the best! And he was about to evolve anyway, so I decided I might as well show the world during a performance! And he did such a good job, you beautiful~!’[/color] Joshua petted his Espeon, who replied with a happy cry and they looked really happy. [color=decdad]‘The Gym Leader of Bigfjord City is a Major League Gym Leader,’[/color] Ewan said. [color=decdad]‘So not the kind we should be challenging yet. We could, however, head out at sea from Bigfjord City and reach Magmagulf Town, which does have a Minor League Pokémon Gym…’[/color] … and then he frowned. [color=decdad]‘But I’d like to check out the city first. I’ve heard things about this city, and I want to confirm it with my own eyes…’[/color] Joshua looked up at his friend, looking just a tad concerned, as Ewan had gotten something serious in his eyes as he advanced on the city. He looked towards Erika, slight concern in his eyes, but also then shrugged to stand up again and follow Ewan towards the city. Though, before going! Erika put on the Goggles! … With the goggles on, it was as if she saw purple and pink wind swirling around… swirling around Mt. Edge. Specifically Mt. Edge, and also coursing through Worldedge City in different directions. While there were smaller winds in other places, including in Bigfjord City, the majority was definitely in Worldedge City and Mt. Edge. But with that out of the way, they headed in towards the city. Black skyscrapers stood daunting like pillars, growing larger and larger as they approached. Soon enough, they stepped into their shadows. [hider=now entering…][center][h2]Bigfjord City[/h2] [url=https://i.imgur.com/nnyLDfS.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/nnyLDfS.jpg[/img][/url][/center] Bigfjord City. The center of industry in Isson. If there’s a company, it likely has its headquarters in this city of commerce. The city of Bigfjord is famous for needing a lot of hands. The storehouse of Isson, the city is riddled with countless cheap apartments for the many objects of commerce that are shipped across the land. The ships of Bigfjord sail by the sea to Pureplain, where it is traded to the rest of the world. Inside the city hundreds of companies grow out of nothing and employ the population, and that is the draw of the city. The city itself are just skyscrapers after skyscrapers, modern and organized as far as the eye can see, with the larger companies growing out of the bunch with spectacular structures showing of their wealth and power, lording over the workers who move to Bigfjord for a chance at an easy life working for the big boys. As you enter the streets of Bigfjord City, the night of Route 13 does not leave. Where the roads of Worldedge City might feel magical, the streets of Bigfjord City feel unforgivingly real. Cars drive around causing long lines of traffic, and uncountable workers and humans tarry about, going to or from work. What perhaps stands out the most is the sheer lack of Pokémon-themed marketing. In Bigfjord City, it is like they look down on the premise of Pokémon driving the world. The only Pokémon you see are the Murkrows sitting on the street lights, hunting for their next meals and trinkets, as well as the Rattatas lurking just visible in the various alleys, doing very much the same thing. Unlike basically everywhere else in Isson, the atmosphere was not welcoming. It was stiffeningly uncaring. There were shops as far as the eye could see, and in the far distance was a gigantic skyscraper higher than any other, with a giant ball seemingly flying free right beside it. On this gigantic building was plastered four letters, a name. “Rukh”. [color=decdad]‘Rukh is the noble family running logistics in Bigfjord City,’[/color] Ewan said what Erika might already know, depending on how well informed she is. [color=decdad]‘The noble families run this city. Rukh is just one of them. There’s also the Mercia family, the Witherspoon family, the Cyrre family, the Agni family, the Hudson family, and the Rivens family… Between them, they own practically every store and building here. This is a place of business, of working people. There’s no place for Pokémon Trainers here,’[/color] he said, gazing up at the skyscrapers. [color=668570]‘Now, now, Ewan, let’s not be gloomy about it!’[/color] Joshua skipped forward, and extended his arms upwards at the giant buildings of the city. [color=668570]‘It’s the beating heart of Isson’s economy! Look at this amazing architecture! Sure, maybe there isn’t a lot for us to do here, but it was absolutely worth seeing with our own eyes. Why, we should be thankful to all the working men and women of this city, toiling away so we can enjoy our time outside it! I wish them luck in all their-’[/color] CRASH. Behind them, they had just walked by a jewelry shop, just one among countless other kinds of shops that existed throughout Bigfjord City. When they had gone a couple meters past it, the glass window suddenly shattered. An alarm sounded. Turning around… [center][url=https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Quilladin_%28Pok%C3%A9mon%29][img]https://i.imgur.com/xqFX1fi.png[/img][/url] [color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #651 – Quilladin, the Spiny Armor Pokémon. It relies on its sturdy shell to deflect predators’ attacks. It counterattacks with its sharp quills. They strengthen their bodies by running into one another. They are very kind and won’t start fights. It’s numb to pain, so even violent collisions don’t faze it.[/i][/color][/center] This fellow had just crashed straight through the front window! Despite the Pokédex entry saying it won’t start fights, it was shooting Pin Missiles all over the place breaking glass covering various pieces of valuable-looking jewelry! Then, from outside, a team of five individuals jumped into the store. They were dressed in black, wearing masks, but by their physique they were quite young, and three of them were female. They had with them a host of Pokémon… [center][url=https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Golbat_(Pok%C3%A9mon)][img]https://i.imgur.com/YHROGc0.png[/img][/url] [url=https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Magnemite_(Pok%C3%A9mon)][img]https://i.imgur.com/rjLabZS.png[/img][/url] [url=https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Koffing_(Pok%C3%A9mon)][img]https://i.imgur.com/1WQCnZi.png[/img][/url] [url=https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Chimecho_(Pok%C3%A9mon)][img]https://i.imgur.com/CKDxDrM.png[/img][/url] [color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #42 – Golbat, the Bat Pokémon. It flies in moonless night skies or inside dark caves, seeking prey. Once found, it stealthily bites and sucks their blood, not stopping until it’s full, which is at around 10 ounces, at which point it can’t fly. A human can safely donate 15 ounces, so one bite should still be safe. Curiously, after a meal, it changes blood-type to that of its target.[/i][/color] [color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #81 – Magnemite, the Magnet Pokémon. It floats by emitting electromagnetic waves from the units on its sides. It is attracted to electricity and will home in and feed on it, in case of a shortage you might want to check the breaker box for Magnemites. It is eerily silent, known to appear out of seemingly nowhere with a sudden Thunder Wave.[/i][/color] [color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #109 – Koffing, the Poison Gas Pokémon. It fills itself with lighter-than-air gases to float, and concocts them into poisonous gases within. When agitated, it expels the gases within into a poisonous smoke-screen. However, it can fail the process and randomly blow up. At higher temperatures, it is especially prone to blowing up at little to no provocation.[/i][/color] [color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #358 – Chimecho, the Wind Chime Pokémon. When it cries, it echoes inside its hollow body. It is known to hang from trees and eaves and cry in the wind. It uses its long tail to pick up berries and nuts which it then eats. Should it be enraged, it cries ultrasonic waves powerful enough to most foes flying.[/i][/color][/center] One of the team, was in the center, and despite being the smallest, she was the one that called out. [color=ac705c]‘This is a robbery! Do not resist!’[/color] she called, and the various people in there hid by the corners. Except the receptionist, who pulled a Pokéball… [color=ac705c]‘Supersonic!’[/color] she commanded, and Golbat immediately shot out soundwaves at the offending individual, who immediately regretted his decisions and fell over with hands over his ears. [color=ac705c]‘Right. Yoink!’[/color] [color=ea4c4b]‘On it. Magnemite!’[/color] one of the others nodded and cried out, and the Magnemite made an electric sound… and then a bunch of jewelry from all over the store came flying magnetically towards the magnet Pokémon! A big guy, seemingly the trainer of the Quilladin, was also focused on the inside and stuffing jewelry into a bag he’d brought. The last guy and the girl, with a Koffing and a Chimecho each, were attentively looking out. There was a couple of bikes nearby, and it was clear they had arrived using these bikes. While this was going on. [color=668570]‘Oh, man, a robbery?’[/color] Joshua commented, looking surprised. [color=668570]‘Oh, fair Erika, I’m here if you’re scared! It is probably for the better if we do not get involved, it is not our job. Here, me and Ewan will defend you…’[/color] Ewan, meanwhile, had drawn his Pokéballs and is now dashing headlong towards the robbery. [color=668570]‘Aw, man. That guy’s sense of justice is probably a bit overtuned. Did I ever mention he’s a policeman’s son?’[/color] Joshua lamented. [color=668570]‘I’m with you, whatever you decide to do, my lady!’[/color] The passersby seemed to have collectively decided not to get involved and were clearing the street as quickly as they could… What would Erika do? … On a nearby lightpost sat a large bird that previously wasn’t there, its head flipped upside down and staring down at the robbery, and then at Ewan, Joshua and Erika. [center][url=https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Noctowl_(Pok%C3%A9mon)][img]https://i.imgur.com/6hEemYS.png[/img][/url] [color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #164 – Noctowl, the Owl Pokémon. It makes no sound when it flies, and it is believed to never fail at catching prey in darkness. Its eyes can see in even the tiniest amount of light. When it wants to think, it flips its head upside down, which somehow sharpens its intellectual power. Some call it “the emperor of dark nights”.[/i][/color][/center][/hider] ________________________ [@Remram] The guy did not seem phased at all at Basil’s threat, simply standing there staring Basil into his eyes as requested, no movement of his expression unveiling any thoughts that might be going through his mind. No positive nor negative feelings. When Basil finished his speech, he brought a hand to his pocket, and lifted up a Pokéball to point at him. [color=f88d34]‘Battle me,’[/color] he stated. What would Basil do? If Basil refused... The guy wordlessly put the Pokéball back into his pocket. Instead, he turned around and started walking, picking up a phone from his other pocket as he did so. Never once did he seem bothered by the flow of events, and now he was on his way. What would Basil do now? [hider=Stillwood Village][center][h2]Stillwood Village[/h2] [url=https://i.imgur.com/NDG5NfG.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/Y9bCCki.jpg[/img][/url][/center] Inside these calm forests lies a village completely in-tune with nature. The buildings are built around or in the trees of wood and stone, the light shining onto the village stifled by the great trees above. In the air, meeting your nose as soon as you tread into the village, is filled to the brim with the smell of forest and spores. It’s a wild smell, but somehow it is extremely relaxing and any worries seem to be stifled before the calming village ahead where everyone is always so calm and happy, wild Pokémon walking freely on the roads of the place. This is Stillwood Village, the most relaxing place imaginable, it’s people in touch with nature and wishing the best to all those who come to their cozy and ancient little home. Wild Grass Pokémon freely wander the streets, spreading their spores into the air which the townspeople actively walk through every single day. They are all smiles, very helpful, the entire village and all visitors afflicted by the relaxing sensations brought by the spores during their stay in Stillwood Village. However, these spores are the reason quite a few avoid Stillwood Village, arguing that it messes with one’s mind. It is extremely rare that a member of Stillwood Village moves out of the village, after all. It will also quickly become evident just how little the members of the village care about the world at large, all their worries gone by the relaxing spores and just continue living, no troubles in the slightest. That’s Stillwood Village for you.[/hider] [hider=Suggestions to actions, Stillwood Village]1. Find Pokémon. [i]Can still search for Pokémon in cities~[/i] 2. Talk. [i]In cities, there are considerably more people one can talk to. Talking can give you info on local rumors and such.[/i] 3. Exit. [i]Exit the town to any of the connected areas.[/i] 4. Specify. [i]If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result.[/i] 5. Trigger random event. [i]Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you.[/i] 6. Notable Places. [i]Visit any of the places in the city![/i] 6.1. Pokémon Center. [i]Heal all your Pokémon.[/i] 6.2. PokéMart. [i]Go to a store and buy things.[/i] 6.3. Pokémon Gym. [i]???[/i] 6.4. Herb Store. [i]Selling bitter medicine that is very good for your Pokémon![/i] 6.5. Flower Shop. [i]For decoration and for pleasant smells, the flower shop has the best selection in Isson![/i] 6.6. Berry Garden. [i]Allows trainers to rent earth to plant their own berries. New trainers gets a kit to start them off![/i] 6.7. Treehouse Arena. [i]Even forest-people want to battle it out sometimes. Lots of berries as prices~[/i] 6.8. Ancient Woods. [i]An older part of the forest. Dangerous, but said to hold a link to the past. There are large old rocks here. What more could they hold?[/i] 7. Stillwood Village Trades: Grass-type 7.1. [color=DE6E87]‘I got this little Bounsweet, but I keep being attacked by birds! Please, trade me a Geodude for it? Rocks should be strong against birds!’[/color] 7.2. [color=F8DC29]‘I actually only got this Gossifleur to lure trainers into trading me what I really want… I want a Spoink. Please, get me a Spoink.’[/color] 7.3. [color=BED060]‘This is a Capsakid. I got it because I heard it was gonna have two heads. It doesn’t. I’d trade it for a Doduo? I like two heads.’[/color] 8. Follow. [i]Not sure if it would be smart, but it is an option.[/i][/hider] [i]Connected areas: [/i] Route 4. [i]Forest route at the base of Mt. Strength leading west to Rainrock City.[/i] Route 5. [i]A grassy incline connecting mountains, forests, plains, Stillwood and Lakewatch.[/i] Route 14. [i]The waters of Dragon Lake are also known as Route 14. It connects Lakewatch Town, Highhill Town and Stillwood Village.[/i] Mountain Valley. [i]A passage between Mt. Strength and Mt. Chill, a shortcut to Worldedge City.[/i] [hider=Stillwood Village, known Pokémon]Common: #44 Oddish #187 Hoppip #188 Skiploom #285 Shroomish #315 Roselia #406 Budew Uncommon: #45 Gloom Rare: #190 Aipom[/hider] ________________________ [@Typical] [color=98684D]‘Eh, I’ll have it sorted out later,’[/color] Kaz figured, doing a hand-wave as he turned away from his Pokémon. Eryn asked if he’d be going back. [color=98684D]‘I’m going through this cave, actually,’[/color] Kaz said. [color=98684D]‘I apparently have to stick around here for a while, and I heard about this cool city where they fight all the time, Cooldome City. I intend to go there and find out what I can about battling! Then, in f- a couple days time, I’ll be right back in here!’[/color] he said, smirking about it. So then, Eryn inquired about contact information. [color=98684D]‘Contact info?’[/color] Kaz looked like she’d asked for something completely foreign to him. [color=98684D]‘Oh, right. A number. A number for my phone, a number especially to contact me, my phone number. That number?’[/color] Kaz asked, as he realized what she was talking about and then idly scratched his neck. Then he just smiled. [color=98684D]‘I actually don’t have one. I’ve never needed one. Maybe I should look into that in Cooldome City, haha,’[/color] he chuckled. [color=98684D]‘Hey, I can take YOUR number, and then when I get a way to contact you, I’ll be able to contact you! How does that sound?’[/color] he asked. Then he looked down at Eri… [color=98684D]‘Hey, your Bagon looks frozen stiff! The ice around here might not agree with him, haha!’[/color] he chuckled, unaware. [color=98684D]‘Anyway, time for me to depart, so…’[/color] he looked towards the icy slide. [color=98684D]‘Eh, that way looks troublesome. Towards adventure! We’ll find our way eventually!’[/color] he declared, turning in the opposite direction of where the Glaceon went out. His Pokémon followed, Gourgeist, Klefki, Heracross and Skrelp calling excitedly, while Golduck walked firmly unexcitedly behind them… Golduck stopped, suddenly. It turned briefly, looking down at Eri, the partly psychic duck’s forehead glowing momentarily… then it turned and followed Kaz once again. Eryn is still in the Frozen Cave. [hider=Frozen Cave][center][h3]Frozen Cave[/h3][/center] [center][url=https://i.imgur.com/3E58zVV.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/3E58zVVh.jpg[/img][/url][/center] The tunnels of the Frozen Cave are a series of pathways inside, and above, the mountain range surrounding Cooldome City and Route 9. In various places the signs of construction are evident, as people attempted to tame the caverns, but ultimately to no avail. There are quite a few paths that lead down through icy halls where only the frozen walls are your companions, but an equal amount lead in over the mountainside with the open sky above and a constant snowfall. Ice sticks out like crystals, forming both the path that one may walk on as well as the scenery one might be awed by. The icy nature here is untamed and wild. Compared to the calm coolness of the mines, here the cold feels substantially more hostile. Any trainer heading through here must beware or they will slip, and not all paths one can slip down have access to easy paths back up. Cold blows eternally from above and below. Many ice-Pokémon make their home here, and quite a few of them are at least somewhat aggressive in nature. All of this caused these caves to once be judged to be a great challenge, and any Pokémon Trainer that is able to brave them is worthy of the battle-focused city of Cooldome City that awaits on the other side… Albeit, most people who make their way to Cooldome City does so by the far safer Tunnel on the eastern side instead.[/hider] [hider=Suggestions to actions]1. Find Pokémon. [i]Can be specified what kind of Pokémon is being searched for, and how you search.[/i] 2. Train Pokémon. [i]With this command, we can jump ahead in time and skip posting about grinding.[/i] 3. Move back. [i]Go back to the Frozen Cave Mines, and to safety.[/i] 4. Proceed. [i]Delve deeper into the Frozen Cave, possibly seeking a destination.[/i] 4.1. Get through. [i]There is an exit on the other side of the Frozen Cave. You can attempt getting to it.[/i] 4.2. Descend. [i]It very much feels like you can descend lower and lower through these caves. What could await down there?[/i] 4.3. Ascend. [i]Besides down, it also feels like upwards could be a potential direction, climbing up through the various holes the snow and wind falls through.[/i] 5. Specify. [i]If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result.[/i] 6. Trigger random event. [i]Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you.[/i] 7. Kaz. [i]Does something, perhaps, feel off about what just happened in front of you?[/i] [/hider] [i]Connected areas: [/i] Frozen Cave, Mines. [i]At the entrance of the Frozen Cave.[/i] Route 9. [i]If you were to get all the way through.[/i] [hider=Frozen Cave, known Pokémon]Common: #41 Zubat #220 Swinub #361 Snorunt Uncommon: #215 Sneasel #225 Delibird #362 Glalie Rare: #471 Glaceon [/hider] But, she can head back to the Mines if she so wishes. With Peri she can scale the frozen slide or just dig a new path if she so wished. Regardless, what will Eryn do? Rest as intended? What will she then do next day, in that case? [hider=Now Entering][center][h3]Frozen Cave, Mines[/h3][/center] [center][url=https://i.imgur.com/gKgkizh.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/krB3poU.jpg[/img][/url][/center] Less than a cave, it feels like you’ve entered the bottom of a great ravine of ice. Long corridors with cliff-like walls stretch on, moving far along the western Mt. Chill mountain range. A cold wind almost constantly blows through the cavern, and looking for the source of these winds will reveal that far above are occasional holes in the cave ceiling which are letting in sunlight from above, and the light from there bounces on all the ice and brightens the entire cave in mystical light. This alone is a spectacle to witness. However, perhaps the most curious detail is the fact these are, in fact, mines. Workers make their housing in tents, igloos and even properly constructed houses high in the mines. Human-made stairs, ladders and bridges spread across certain walls of the caverns where humans and Pokémon work to uncover the secrets frozen into the walls of the cave. For the most curious of both Pokémon and items are frozen into these walls, and these miners make a profit chopping them out. Perhaps you could join in, see what you might find?[/hider] [hider=Suggestions to actions]1. Find Pokémon. [i]Note, there are more Pokémon in the tunnels than here. Unless you’re specifically searching the ice?[/i] 2. Talk. [i]This is basically a small settlement. They probably know a bit about mining in ice![/i] 3. Move along. [i]Either out of the cave, or deeper into it.[/i] 4. Specify. [i]If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result.[/i] 5. Trigger random event. [i]Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you.[/i] 6. Notable Buildings. [i]Not many, but there’s a small base here![/i] 6.1. Miner’s Base. [i]For maps, getting info or tools and learning how to mine![/i] 6.2. Miner’s Shop. [i]Skip all the hard work of actually mining and buy what the miners are selling! Varies every day![/i] 6.3. Comfy Igloo. [i]If you just want to rest, have a chat, relax, restore health.[/i] 7. Area Specific: Mining. [i]People here mine the ice for items and Pokémon caught in the ice. You could too![/i][/hider] [i]Connected areas: [/i] Route 5. [i]Exit the mines and you’ll be right there.[/i] Frozen Cave. [i]The Frozen Cave proper awaits beyond the mine.[/i] [hider=Frozen Cave Mines, known Pokémon]Common: #225 Delibird Uncommon: #238 Smoochum Rare: #321 Wailord (Frozen)[/hider]