@Demon Shinobi As soon as you put back Defense Curl, sure. It's a level 4 move, you have no reason not to know it at level 5. You'll get mileage out of that one once you reach level 36, heh.
Feel free to post it in the characters tab, and then post about arriving at Kalmia's lab. It would make things easier for me if I could include you in the next post.
@Rune_Alchemist@Eklispe@Apollosarcher I took some serious measures due to Pirouette's failure to report back to me. I felt that the princess was too important a character for me to just assume control over... so I did this. My apologies, I do have a plan, so if you'd all just confirm you're pursuing or whatever you're doing so, that'd be great.
@Pirouette I have momentarily removed Reina from the equation. If you feel ready to come back, I have a little side-thing that I'd be willing to play with you. Should you be able to get through the entire side-thing with steady posting, then I'll allow you back. Otherwise, the side-thing will not be canon at all and I'll figure out what to do when the time comes.
@Lmpkio@Crimson Raven Meanwhile, you two appear on the outside for now. You can talk out a plan of action, if you feel you should have one, hah.
There you have it. I remind you can click any smaller images to get the big version of it. Now, excuse me, I have five NPC conversations to write, hah.
Oh, and...
He was actually there all along. I didn't suddenly make him appear out of nowhere.
I didn't entirely intend him to do this, but, eh, hah. Oh, well.
Voss nodded to Isolde’s thanks before turning and exchanging a couple of words with Romilda, keeping silent for some reason. Romilda mostly glared at him in return.
Aldo looked at each of the three that spoke in turn about the woman’s fate, and then joined with looking towards Reina. Reina took a little bit of time considering the best cause of action, before replying.
"I think we should-"
SLAM
Chapter 1 - In Times of Need
The impact came too quickly for anybody to react to, from a source that had come running far too silently. An elbow impacted Reina’s head all of a sudden, the princess finding her vision going black and being unable to retain consciousness. The unknown robed figure that had delivered the blow promptly caught her, giving a slight smile in the direction of those that remained.
‘She’s the one who has the thing, right? Right. So sorry, but I’m taking this one.’
As several people were probably in the motion of intercepting him when he finished that sentence, the unknown man holding Reina’s unconscious form had already started running away at a phenomenal speed, which only maybe could be caught up to by those who were mounted. On his feet…
‘… Tsk, he has Swiftsoles…!’ Aldo informed in distress, his own motion far too slow to catch up to the Rogue running for the exit they were all heading for.
While the rest of them could decide what they thought was the most reasonable course of action, Voss turned to Romilda’s cell, picking up the key in the priest’s pocket next to the bars.
"I’ll be letting you out," he said for Romilda, and began undoing the curse placed on the prison doors. Of course, that probably was taking far too long for the people in the prison.
The Rogue that had claimed Reina was dashing for the secret exit they were to leave through, already opened at the end of the corridor where a brick wall had been moved aside by Morag’s group as they came in. The size was not entirely friendly for horses or Wyverns should they move at high speeds, but the Rogue wasn’t going to be having any problems.
What would they do?
Notable Individuals;
Blue Lord (being carried by Red Rogue) Reina - The princess of Gardo. Appreciates the finer things in life. Weapon Mastery: Sword: E Level: 2 Equipment and Items: Précieuse (Rapier), Vulnerary, Fire Emblem, Tactician’s Stone
Blue Wyvern Rider Isolde - Clumsy, but reliable Wyvern knight. Weapon Mastery: Axe: D Level: 5 Equipment and Items: Halberd, Tactician’s Stone
Blue Cavalier Marwood - The prince of Renais with a good heart and a rebellious streak, cares deeply for others. Weapon Mastery: Sword: C, Lance: D Level: 4 Equipment and Items: Reginleif, Steel Sword, Tactician’s Stone, 5,000G
Blue Cleric Titania - A tough healer from Rausten, she forges her own path to help as many people as she can. Weapon Mastery: Staff: D Level: 5 Equipment and Items: Heal, Mend, Tactician’s Stone
Blue Shaman Aldo - A shaman researcher and advisor on things magic in service of Grado. Magically gifted and incurably serious. Weapon Mastery: Dark: E Level: 2 Equipment and Items: Flux, Vulnerary, Guiding Ring, Tactician’s Stone x4.
Green Shaman Voss - Scholarly Shaman of Grado. Usually prefers the company of books over people. Weapon Mastery: Dark: C Level: 4 Equipment and Items: Flux, Nosferatu, Vulnerary
Green Summoner in Cell Romilda – Notorious dark-magic criminal. Captured and had her magic sealed by Rioga. Weapon Mastery: N/A (sealed) Level: ??? Equipment and Items: ---
Red Rogue ??? - An unknown invader. Phenomenally skilled. He was here all along. Weapon Mastery: Sword: A Level: 10 Equipment and Items: Iron Sword, Iron Sword, Lockpick, Swiftsole
__________________________
Meanwhile!
On top of a Wyvern, two humans and a Manakete were approaching the town surrounding Grado Keep. There were lower-level Jehannan troops running about town, fighting pockets of resistance and seeking to route them out. Seemed like the higher-level guys had all ran into the keep while the grunts were sent into the town around.
Hevel was utterly still, holding onto Servus and letting Kara sleep on him best she wanted. The time to wake up was approaching, however. Should Kara try to feel it, she’d feel the Fire Emblem following a passage underground (at fairly high speed) and it felt like it would eventually emerge among the buildings to the right. That may not be entirely ideal.
Would they have a plan of action here? Come closer, and Jehannans would most certainly spot them. Did they have a plan?
Notable Individuals;
Blue Wyvern Rider Servus - Abandoned his home as a rogue mercenary. Adores his rare wyvern, Amboli. Weapon Mastery: Axe: D Level: 6 Equipment and Items: Halberd, Vulnerary, Pure Water
Blue Thief Hevel - A young man on an aimless journey. A timid but humane thief that often monologues with himself. Weapon Mastery: Sword: D Level: 2 Equipment and Items: Iron Sword, Lockpick
Blue Manakete Kara - Mature and worldly Manakete with a strong wanderlust and an even stronger appetite. Weapon Mastery: Stone: D Level: 6 Equipment and Items: Dragonstone, Vulnerary (2 uses)
Green Soldier in down-right corner. Viridia - Daughter of a Jehannan hero. Serious, righteous and dependable. Weapon Mastery: Lance: D Level: 3 Equipment and Items: Iron Lance
Green Knight in down-right corner. Osmund – A Grado Knight from the countryside. Inexperienced warrior with intimidating visage. Weapon Mastery: Lance: E Level: 2 Equipment and Items: Iron Lance, Vulnerary, Antitoxin
Red Knight Boss Zane - Former knight of Grado, now a commander of Jehanna. Craves battle and greater challenges. Weapon Mastery: Lance: C Level: 12 Equipment and Items: Iron Lance
Red Warrior on throne Nurit - Second-in-Command of Rhodri’s Wheel Guild. A hearty girl with a vicious battle-lust who feels at home at sea. Weapon Mastery: Axe: ???, Bow: ??? Level: ??? Equipment and Items: Killer Axe, Steel Bow, Hero Crest
Red Wyvern Knight next to throne Nadir - Second-in-Command of Eira’s Storm Guild. A charming man who dutifully takes care of all Eira can’t handle. Weapon Mastery: Axe: ???, Lance: ??? Level: ??? Equipment and Items: Spear, Elysian Whip
Alright, let's see now. Demon here's the last of the newcomers that were coming, so, yeah, this'll do.
@Demon Shinobi Yupp, nicely written. There is, however, some standards that I've had the other players adhere to that I'll have you do, too. You should start with 500 P and only one Potion... ... ... ... Oh, you bought a Pokéball with those 200 P. ... ... ... ... ... Ya know what? Fine, they're available in all common stores anyway, heh. Just don't go catching a Pokémon before actually getting your starter!
Munchlax, hah. They actually start with that many moves, oh, boy. Gosh, this moveset differs rather dramatically from the moveset of Snorlax, for some reason. Very well. By the personal rules I've put on myself to limit the "level 1 moves", I'd like you to remove Lick for now, on account Munchlax learns it later anyway. I was debating letting you replace it with Recycle, but I am going to go with "no", just in case there is any other Pokémon out there that has a stupidly overpowered move just out-of-range of the four highest level 1 moves. ... Starting with Metronome, hah...
No held items for the starter Pokémon, I'm afraid. I... I wrote that somewhere, right? I can't find it. Have I missed actually including one of my basic rules for starter Pokémon in the first post for two years? ... HAH!
Anyways. With those changes, Axl is accepted.
@Dusksong Yupp. This is a good example of socializing. I'm rather happy with this post. Nicely posted.
@Gardevoiran Seabreeze is an epic name for a seagull, haha. Yeah, that was a cool little interaction. Nicely posted. Now let's see what I do.
@Rune_Alchemist Teh-heh. Small impromptu haircut was a slight bit closer to dangerous than I was imagining, but sure. Alright, then. Yeah, this is amusing. Nicely posted.
@Joshua Tamashii I'll note that one of the things I am avoiding is having the NPCs saying things that'll (maybe rightly) scare the kids, hah. Pokémon journeys should be exciting, not terrifying. Jury's still out on if I've succeeded with that or not. Still, the warnings do make sense, but, yeah, oh well. In character given he has reason to worry for Amelia. Mmm. Nicely posted. You two give me a mention when it's time, heh.
@Old Amsterdam Yupp. Excitement is heartwarming. Nicely posted. Now everyone there has posted, I have reason to post. I have to post once somewhere else, though, so that might be tomorrow or later. We'll see.
@Rune_Alchemist Alright, here's the little continuation of that.
@Dusksong Sorry that you're getting a little sidelined, there were suddenly new trainers to pay attention to, heh.
@Gardevoiran@Old Amsterdam Yeah, I went ahead and gave you two the whole starter thing. My apologies if it went too fast according to you. I did want to get you started. Anyways, there you go, how's it going? Does that do it for you? Hah.
Chikorita looked up curiously at Claire as she offered the mushroom. The Leaf Pokémon inspected the mushroom briefly before taking a tiny nibble out of it. Then she looked up at Claire again, before spitting out the little bit of mushroom back onto Claire’s hand.
‘Chiko!’ Chikorita announced with a wide smile before turning and running in a circle somewhat back. Meanwhile, Ralia teleported up onto Meganium’s back… and felt a mild shudder from the creature beneath her, but otherwise no movement. Seemed like standing on the back of this green beast was safe yet.
Chikorita ran about a bit, throwing happy glances at Claire every once in a while, until-
‘Chi~!’ Chikorita spun her leaf and three Razor Leaves launched, aimed so that they barely missed Claire by her right leg, left arm and to the right of her head. Chikorita giggled a bit, facing Claire. A twig right behind her head may have been cut in two.
‘Chikorita!’ the supposedly docile Pokémon announced, looking happily and expectantly at Claire. If Claire didn’t get it, maybe Ralia did. Chikorita wanted to play~ Play with razor-sharp leaves, that is~
Ralia’s emotion-sensor detected a hint of amusement from straight below.
'She’s Poli. She’s the Pokémon of one of the other trainer’s I’ve sent out,' Kalmia said, coming over to pick up Poli after enough cuddling. 'I figure they’d be bored waiting inside the PC for too long, so I let them out with me. The same with any Pokémon you store in the PC!' Kalmia said with a smile before putting Poli back on top of the server. Then was the introduction to the Pokédex and all of that, Kalmia simply smiling when Dei came out and was named by the excited Eryn. Then the question of the routes.
'I’m not going to recommend either. Route 2 isn’t THAT hard, but it’s very easy to get lost in Wet Caverns if you’re not used to it. Route 1 is more straight-forward, and has a nice Minor-League Gym waiting in Highhill Town. It’s really up to you, you’re probably going to venture through most routes-' and that’s where Kalmia suddenly quieted as there was a knock on the door. Kalmia’s eyes lit up, looking over to the door behind Eryn.
'Oh! That might be one of the other new trainers!' Kalmia said, excitedly bouncing over towards the door, intending on opening it… when suddenly a heavy impact like someone was trying to break the door down resounded through it. Kalmia stopped, hesitating, her excited expression waning just slightly in confusion and unsurety, staring at the door with a couple second thoughts. Eventually she carefully brought her hands forward to push the door forward…
Skylar was patiently waiting for the door to open, when suddenly this girl appeared sprinting past him and colliding with the door and falling onto the ground without him being able to see what was actually happening, though Xatu definitely saw. They’re free to have their own short interaction if they so please, but a couple seconds later the door opened. First slightly carefully to just allow the one inside to peek out to assess the situation, then it swung confidently open, a woman standing just inside.
Kalmia was a decently tall woman, wearing glasses and had blonde hair tied into a ponytail, and wore casual blue clothes under a white professor-like lab-coat. Her hair was completely soaked and she had a towel around her neck for some reason. She was smiling widely, happy to see them.
+ lab-coat as described, because professor
'Skylar! Alice! You came at the same time? Nice! … But do be more careful what you might run into when out adventuring, Alice, there’s cliffs and such,' Kalmia warned with a happy little smile. 'Come in! Oh, and meet Eryn! She’s as new as you, and she just got her new Pokémon!' Kalmia took a step inside, waving for them to come to. 'Come in!'
The rectangular room immediately inside the door had bookshelves placed in a circle around an area in the middle, not properly taking advantage of the space in the corners. The shelves contained varying books and papers of research, as well as the occasional Pokéballs. In the back and right, a large amount of what appeared to be computer servers filled about 40% of the available space, and they were coupled to Kalmia’s laptop which stood on a desk to the left of it. Other than the laptop, there was also a large amount of papers and binders on it, making it impossible to place anything else on there.
To the right of the table was a healing station from a Pokémon Center, with places to place six Pokéballs, along with a large cylinder thing with a glass middle and a hatch that one likely were to place something moderately large within. There was nothing that said what it actually was. While it was tight in here, it was still decently maneuverable and Kalmia knew where everything she wanted was.
There was a door to the right leading to the offshoot house on the side of the lab, and from it was a pink Pokémon waddling forward at an extremely slow pace. Still. It had only gotten a couple of steps further from when Eryn came in.
In addition, on top of the servers was another Pokémon, a round tadpole-looking blue one with white stomach with swirly pattern on it.
Kalmia was walking in backwards, currently keeping an eye out to check if Skylar was able to come in successfully, and assuming he was given he has a whole world to travel after this she turned around and walked with satisfaction over to the computer desk. There, she had a couple of items that she picked up, before turning around to the young ones, whatever they were doing.
'Alright. So here are the things that I wanted to distribute among you. The Pokédex, which I received from Professor Oak that I now present to you for the purpose of indexing the region of Isson. Here you go,' Kalmia said, offering Skylar and Alice one dex each.
‘First and foremost, your Trainer Card. It is your ID as a Pokémon Trainer, showing your name, index number as a Pokémon Trainer, a picture of you, the date you got your card, today, and it also shows how many badges you currently have. At the moment, that's zero. If you ever enter the Pokémon League, the Battle Dome or any Pokémon Contests, it will also show your results there.’ Kalmia said. ‘I took the liberty of inserting your new Trainer Card into your Pokédex, for the Pokédex won't function without it, but you can take it out when you need to show it or add a badge to it. It's in the back of the Pokédex.’ (You know how the Pokédex looks like a Game Boy Advance? It's in the place where you'd insert a game cartridge. You may pick what colour yours is~)
‘Your Pokédex has multiple functions. The main function is to give you information on every Pokémon you encounter and register the Pokémon you have caught. Scan a Pokémon by simply holding the Pokédex towards the Pokémon in question and press the scan-button. You'll be told information about said Pokémon, and by capturing the Pokémon you can also see its expected sizes, what moves it knows, what level it is, what types it is, where it is expected to live, all sorts of stuff. Note, Pokéballs needs to be registered to a person in order for them to function, and the Pokédex does that for you when your Trainer's Card is inserted. It's already linked to the PC as well, so any Pokémon beyond the six you're already carrying will be transported to the PC, and you can retrieve them at any Pokémon Center PC.’ It is common knowledge that you can only have six Pokémon at you at any time.
‘If you check the Pokédex, you can play the cries of a specific Pokémon you've previously caught. Use that as you wish. You can also use the Pokédex to find out where you might be able to find a specific Pokémon that you've scanned and want to catch... Or, well, you WOULD be able to do that, but the Pokédex has never existed in Isson and as such that data is not recorded. However, you can input it! So, if someone ELSE of you guys has inserted the data of where one might be able to find a specific Pokémon, then it will display on your map similarly! You can also supply each other with information about your previously caught Pokémon if you wish! Do help each other out~!’ So no need for ALL of you to complete the Pokédex if you don't wish to, you can do it as a team.
‘In addition. Since we are doing this on mission of the Pokémon Research Association, we're actually getting paid. For each Pokémon you catch, the data of where the Pokémon was encountered and such will be recorded, and a number of Pokédollars will be transferred to your accounts. Also, assuming you register a Pokémon trainer battle, you automatically get the winnings transferred to you should you win the battle. Really easy, and you don't lose anything by losing, so you don't have to worry about running out of money out there!’ The Pokémon Association has to do SOMETHING so that Pokémon Trainers don't go broke out there. (… And please ignore the financial contradiction caused by not losing anything by being defeated. I feel you shouldn't have to fear getting into Pokémon battles for monetary reasons!)
‘It's also a communicator that can be contacted by both phone and Pokégears as well as other Pokédexes. I took the liberty of inputting the contact information of all the other Pokédexes I've handed out and to my own central Pokédex, but you can register any other people just as you wish. Give me a call anytime you're in trouble and need some advice! I'm not a Pokémon Professor for nothing!’ Kalmia smirked happily, looking out over the new trainers.
‘Any questions?’
'Oak customized yours when he heard you were blind, it can read the menu’s out loud and be commanded by voice if you wish! Here’s a manual in braille, just in case you need it!' Kalmia said to Skylar, and he was given a little book for how to handle the equipment while blind, if he needed it.
'So, you’re not the first batch of trainers I let through, but you’re all still connected, you can call them if you wish, too. Perhaps get some tips or so? Teh-heh. In any case. Since the others had a head-start, I figure I’ll get you going as quickly as possible. Now for your Pokémon,' Kalmia said, before turning and walking over to her computer and pressing a couple of buttons. Two Pokéballs were downloaded. She placed them on the table, and turned to the two.
'Alright. These two Pokéballs contain your Pokémon. The left is for Skylar, the right is for Alice. Go ahead. Let them out and say hi~'
So she did, letting them get their Pokémon.
So, with the assumption that he’d eventually go forth, Skylar found that the ball opened with a flash and a being materialized before him.
- You've obtained Wingull! -
Pokédex Entry #278 – Wingull, the Seagull Pokémon. It soars on updrafts by the sea, staying airborne without flapping its wings, skating across the sky like a glider. It dives into the sea to catch prey as well as shiny or valuable things, which it then hides in a variety of locations. Popular with fishermen, as when they gather around a spot it confirms that the area is rich with fish.
- Would you like to give Wingull a nickname? -
Wingull ♂ Type: Water/Flying Personality: Up to player. Quirks/Talents/Aspirations/Other: Up to player. Level: 5 Moves: Growl, Water Gun, Supersonic Ability: Keen Eye. Prevents loss of accuracy. Has good eyesight and will be able to see no matter what. Held Item: None.
For Alice the ball waiting for her on the table, and with the assumption that she went and opened it, a flash of light came as the creature materialized in the air in front of her.
- You've obtained Horsea! -
Pokédex Entry #116 – Horsea, the Dragon Pokémon. Using its fins, it can move in any direction while facing a different direction. It eats insects that it shoots down with precise shots of water or ink. If threatened, it blasts a large amount of black ink and flees. Its nests are in the shade of corals.
- Would you like to give Horsea a nickname? -
For the specific workings of this world, the Pokéball materializes a field of water around water-only Pokémon when on land, meaning Horsea’s surrounded by it. However, this field only acts like water for the Pokémon inside it, meaning other physical creatures can pass through like it was air and cannot be drowned in it. They cannot swim higher than their own height without having some form of ground beneath them supporting. This is entirely for the convenience of having Water-type Pokémon on land.
Now Kalmia let them take a moment. Maybe say hi to each other. Ask questions. Things like that.
TL;DR nothing that's actually relevant to anyone, confirming they exist, heh
She walked down the streets, idly putting one leg in front of another. This idle action, called “walking”... she had to do it so rarely. Yet, she enjoyed it. At least, she used to.
She was in the midst of the city, a simple blonde-haired girl wearing glasses and casual clothes, eyeing the buildings and people walking by with a lonely expression. This used to be relaxing, simply walking along the streets with nothing to do. It used to be releasing, the thought that for right now, nothing could stop her from just taking a walk. It was a pause from her otherwise stressful life of hunting her patron's goals and her many sleepless nights. Now… now this didn’t help.
There was a pressure in her chest, a tension which just wouldn’t go away. Ever since Lea had delivered the news, ever since then, she’d known her existence here was fleeting. Soon enough, she would never be able to walk these streets again. Soon enough, she’d get too busy, and wouldn’t have the time to take these leisurely walks anymore. This could very well be the last time she could wander the streets like this. It was in her best interest to make the most of it.
Yet she couldn’t. It didn’t help. How… troublesome of it.
The arcade. She walked by the arcade again. There were lights inside, instruments of entertainment lighting up and playing sounds. Once upon a time, she had wanted to go in there, to experience the things like any other girl, but at the time she didn’t have money. Money was inconsequential to the goals of her patron, everything she needed was already provided. Now, she had more money than she knew what to do with… and she no longer felt like going in.
Her awareness flickered, hearing noises in the distance. She turned her eyes to the horizon, and images flickered over the insides of her glasses as she viewed what was going on from a distance. Spirits. There were spirits attacking the public. She sighed. Couldn’t they take a break for just a couple seconds? Okay, so there had in fact been a break, but it really didn’t feel like it, ESPECIALLY when it happened during HER break. She clicked her tongue.
Her phone started ringing. She had one now, because she had been forced to learn how to use one. She already knew what it was about. “Don’t get that close to danger when untransformed”... right? She already knew, but of course, that simply wasn’t enough of a comfort to warrant not calling about the danger. That… that was one of the reasons why she couldn’t relax. It wasn’t as if she was truly disconnected even when she went out like this anymore. She was always on call, even when having “free-time”...
She reached into the pocket, lifted out her phone, confirmed who it was from and then cancelled the call. With a small sigh, she turned and wandered away from the incident. She imagined the protectors of the town would be on it, soon. You know, sometimes she could imagine being a Puchuu girl must be really nice. That mental satisfaction they get for saving people… it sounded fairly appealing to her from here. All she got in return for her continued success was not dying a horrible death. Hah.
Still, she would serve Asengav to her dying breath. For so was her compulsion. Affirming this to herself, Mariette turned and walked down the streets of Penrose, in a direction away from the conflict that was occurring, soon to vanish from the streets altogether.
Eli sat, a transformed harpy made out of slime, inside a lonely room with a whole lot of papers, several open books and using the fluid in her wing to snap a coin into the air so she could catch it again when it came down. There had been a LOT of strange artifacts mixed in with Justine’s treasures and there were several tomes which the rest had brought from the library which were her job to examine. Mariette might seem like the calm and focused girl, but book smart she was not, and as such it was up to Eli to do the actual research and get up to date with all the details while Mariette played leadership. So she worked on, not having fingers when doing academic work not actually being a problem.
While Mariette occasionally went out to relax, Eli honestly found it more relaxing to do work. There were lots of girls to keep track of, lots of items to identify, lots of plans to potentially make… and it helped take her mind off the coin which she was tossing up into the air occasionally, playing with it. Mariette and Eli had both been given a Platinum Coin from their patron for their services. Mariette had immediately put it aside to spend later in case she found need for additional power, currently she felt she didn’t require it. To Eli, however, the coin carried the potential of possibly resurrecting her older twin sister. … And that brought back all the ill feelings she thought she had gotten over with Caroline’s defeat.
Of course, Deni coming back would make her happy… but did she REALLY want to bring Deni back to this? That which they were now planning? … Eli caught the coin again in her wing, the coin slowing down as it passed through her fluids and then lightly spun down on the table to lie there for a bit. Eli sat back, and felt the remorse. There was a battle within her. Bring Deni back to this battle, and nothing would have changed. Yet bringing Deni back… could lead to her just being slain again, in the events that would come in the not-too-distant future. In the end, Eli wasn’t sure that was for the best. She decided to let the coin rest for now, getting up to move to the next room in the mansion, she wasn’t getting more research done now.
Besides, she had other duties. It wasn’t like anyone else was keeping the place clean around here. As she no longer had to scout as much, she had taken up the duty to act maid and make sure the mansion which was Mariette’s interdimensional apartment continued to be welcoming for their guests…
Xaltwind
Framing A Moose
Ariamis
Not a Sayan
SkyeOfStars
Remram
Apollosarcher
King Kindred
