suipokemon part 5

[15:35] <Kaingaskhan> Chapter 3 - Answers Sought
03[15:35] * Aori_Radidjiu is now known as TsukinoshiNoKatsuo
[15:39] <Kaingaskhan> Another uncertain night has passed among the temporary lodgings made in the vicinity of Oakbridge. When the morning comes, you're each informed that Mayor McGraw's condition has improved, and that he awoke this morning. As the ones who rescued him and gathered ingredients for a remedy, Tarron only felt it right that the four of you get a chance to speak with him first.
[15:43] <Kaingaskhan> On Iltani's end, Garm has likewise made a full recovery, and wishes to speak with McGraw himself, but will wait his turn if need be.
[15:45] <Kaingaskhan> Provided the lot of you have no reason to delay, proceed on?
[15:45] <Kaingaskhan> Y/N
[15:45] <Somalakshmi> Y
[15:45] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> Y
[15:46] <Iltani> Y
[15:49] <Kaingaskhan> Very well then. The three of you (Lekha seems to have slept in) arrive at the infirmary tent. Few injured remain now, those here either passing from their wounds having recovered or been moved elsewhere. Mayor McGraw is sitting on the cot that was brought for him. He is definitely not the jovial man you remember from the talent show, and it seems his whole frame buckles with an unseen
[15:49] <Kaingaskhan> weight.
[15:49] <Kaingaskhan> Tarron doesn't seem to be present at the moment.
03[15:50] * Kaingaskhan is now known as SuikoGM
[15:50] <SuikoGM> McGraw looks up as you enter, and a small hint of a smile begins to return to his face.
[15:51] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> Katsuo is still marveling at the idea that he slept in less than someone else.
[15:51] <Somalakshmi> "Mayor McGraw... how do you feel?"
[15:51] <SuikoGM> "So I hear tell you're the ones I have to thank for my recovery, indeed my life. Were that circumstances could afford celebration."
[15:52] <SuikoGM> "I still feel a bit weak, but nothing I won't overcome in time."
[15:53] <Somalakshmi> "Could you tell us what happened to you that day?"
[16:00] <SuikoGM> He nods, slowly, and begins. "They came for me just before the fire salvo. Three of them in total. A brash young ruffian, the silent gunslinger, and a woman draped in veils. I was asked to come quietly, but..." he chuckles sadly. "When I refused, they did not shy from using force. I'm not as young as I once was. ...A stray dart proved my better. I did, however, remain conscious for a
[16:00] <SuikoGM> period of time."
[16:06] <SuikoGM> "From what I gathered in their conversations, they were members of the Steel Onyx hired to capture me. They preferred me alive, but my death would prove no obstacle, either." he closes his eyes a moment. "I was told this morning by the white-haired young gentleman that the attack appeared to come from Davadezi. A fool's tale if I've ever heard one.. I have my guesses to the truth of
[16:06] <SuikoGM> it."
[16:07] <Iltani> "The entire situation reeked of a false flag operation."
[16:07] <SuikoGM> He nods.
[16:07] <Iltani> "For what reason they would want a war, though..."
[16:08] <Somalakshmi> "The woman in veils, did you hear anything from her?"
[16:08] <SuikoGM> "A moment."
[16:08] <SuikoGM> It seems he wasn't quite done.
[16:20] <SuikoGM> "Forty years I served Nolgranda proudly. Though our nation had its flaws, it was, and still is, one of the most mighty forces in Ansillia. Then, however, came the war with Girdi. I take it young Miss Isaacs here may be familiar. We honored our alliance to our northern neighbors and helped repel the attacks of the aboriginals, striking in back at vain at the harsh wilderness. Six years
[16:20] <SuikoGM> I lead in that conflict. That is, until I made calls to attempt diplomacy with the tribes. The rest of the king's and queen's generals wouldn't hear of it, much less the rulers themselves. Perhaps worst was the derision I received from Artifour, the chief wizard. ...I digress a bit, however. I was met one night by King Esran himself, who gave me a choice of becoming silent, leaving the
[16:20] <SuikoGM> country, or being clapped in irons.  And for the six years hence I've been living my life peacably here in Rivale. Considering what his father might have done, I suppose you could consider his offer a mercy. It seems strange to me that anyone would consider someone like myself a valuable target for capture, but... I know one thing."
[16:28] <SuikoGM> "Nolgranda has ever been in want of land. The mountainous climate is ill-suited for agriculture and the fishing villages below the highlands often struggle to meet the diarchy's demands. In addition to this, the bounties drawn from land and sea by the nation's True Runes of like name have been dwindling lately, as even the gods cannot create something from nothing. In other words, in
[16:28] <SuikoGM> recent years it's become difficult to sustain the quality of life that Nolgranda had previously enjoyed. I hear tale of growing poverty even now. Nolgranda imports a lot of produce and livestock from Davadezi, who tend to charge outrageous prices due to their perceived wealth. ...But Nolgranda's political and economical strategies have ever rarely been subtle. I fear all of this may be
[16:28] <SuikoGM> an attempt to occupy Rivale and even parts of Davadezi for land."
[16:29] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He keeps quiet, but his eyes narrow.
[16:30] <Iltani> "...and thus, the motive."
[16:30] <SuikoGM> "As for my capture... What they would want with me alive, I do not know, but I have no doubts that if I had died I could have been used as a martyr to stir the hearts of Nolgrandan youth."
[16:31] <SuikoGM> "The leadership didn't care much for me, but as I understand, a lot of the younger generation feels similarly to you, miss Isaacs."
[16:32] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He racks his brains over all of this.  He's no master politician, so it's a bit of a stretch to think on these things...
[16:32] <Somalakshmi> "But now that you're alive, you can reveal the truth, can't you?"
[16:32] <SuikoGM> "That is tricky. For one, I have no idea if this actually -is- the truth, or an assumption on my part."
[16:33] <Iltani> "Yet my experiences are not something I would wish on the youth of Nolgranda..." She sighs, contemplating.
[16:33] <Iltani> "If we haven't yet arrived at the true heart of the reasons for the war, then I suspect that the Mayor is at least not far off the mark."
[16:33] <Iltani> "The reasons fit."
[16:33] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He nods.  "And I doubt our own word on the experience will matter much."
[16:34] <Iltani> "The signs of the end of Nolgrandan prosperity are clear. Even my own village within the territory had fallen on hard times."
[16:34] <Iltani> "Hm. Our word may not mean much to the people of Nolgranda in their desperation."
[16:35] <Iltani> "But someone else may be more willing to hear us out."
[16:35] <SuikoGM> "Secondly... whom would I tell? The armies marching forward? The people who would be under martial law in occupied land? ..." he sighs.
[16:35] <SuikoGM> "I see little good this old man can do anymore."
[16:35] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Would you happen to know anyone, Miss Isaacs?"
[16:36] <Somalakshmi> "You're right... Nolgranda doesn't need to justify this war to themselves. Just to their people."
[16:36] <Iltani> "Truthfully, I don't."
[16:36] <Iltani> "But we can't be the only ones to find this situation strange. The fact that Davadezi does not have its own standing military isn't exactly a hidden fact, for one."
[16:37] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He thinks a bit.  "I'd ask Lady Claire, but her Samurai are more bodyguards than an army...and our Ninja work only from the shadows."
[16:38] <SuikoGM> "It is not, but I have no doubt that the King and Queen possess silver enough tongues to convince their people that an exception existed."
[16:38] <SuikoGM> "...Now then, young lady, I believe you asked about the veiled woman?"
[16:39] <Somalakshmi> "That's right. Is there anything you can tell me about her? Did they... use her name?"
[16:41] <SuikoGM> He tries to think.
[16:41] <Somalakshmi> "Did you ever hear them say Zahara?"
[16:41] <SuikoGM> "It was... ...Sarah? Something Sararah? Something like that."
[16:42] <SuikoGM> "Yes, I think that was it."
[16:42] <SuikoGM> "Did you... know this woman, young lady?"
[16:42] <Somalakshmi> "... I thought I did."
[16:42] <SuikoGM> He's puzzled.
[16:43] <Somalakshmi> "I knew Zahara from back home in Saranga."
[16:44] <Somalakshmi> "She was the most unpleasant kind of woman."
[16:44] <SuikoGM> "And now... she is working for a rather unpleasant mercenary company."
[16:44] <SuikoGM> "Mm."
[16:45] <Somalakshmi> "But I would never have thought she would work with the Steel Onyx. She used to be... employed by the Kingdom of Saranga."
[16:45] <SuikoGM> "It... can be dreadfully common to find yourself on the opposite side of a conflict with someone you're familiar with.  A fate I wouldn't wish on anyone."
[16:47] <SuikoGM> "Saranga... yes, I think I recall now. Your country surrendered to a siege carried out after the death of a Davadezian prime minister. Nasty business all around. The Steel Onyx was the majority of the sieging force, if I remember."
[16:47] <SuikoGM> He shakes his head.
[16:48] <Somalakshmi> "The Steel Onyx executed Deva Sachin in the streets like a dog."
[16:49] <SuikoGM> "I can't tell you what caused such a change of heart in your acquaintance any more than anyone else in this room could. ...But I wish you the best should you attempt to discern why."
[16:49] <Somalakshmi> "Thank you."
[16:49] <SuikoGM> He nods his head a bit respectfully when you mention the country's former leader.
[16:50] <SuikoGM> "...That does bring me to wonder, however."
[16:50] <SuikoGM> "The four... three? Of you. Mm. I seem to remember being told there were more of you. In any case..."
[16:50] <SuikoGM> "What do you intend to do with yourselves?"
[16:52] <Somalakshmi> "I'm... not sure just yet. It doesn't sound like this war can be stopped, can it?"
[16:53] <SuikoGM> "I'm afraid not without a miracle. Rivale may soon see a bloody war the likes of which it never has. Even with some of Nolgranda's forces still occupied northwards, I imagine the peaceful folk of this country will be hard-pressed to resist Nolgrandan occupation."
[16:53] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "I've a mission I'm on, although I doubt this won't impact said mission, so I'm...unsure on what to do."
[16:53] <SuikoGM> "And should this become the battleground for full scale conflict with Davadezi..."
[16:54] <SuikoGM> He tilts his head a bit, in thought.
[16:56] <SuikoGM> "Well, I imagine you still have time yet to decide."
[16:57] <Somalakshmi> "It isn't even so much about what I want to do. What CAN I do?"
[16:57] <Somalakshmi> "What can any of us do?"
[16:59] <SuikoGM> "Well... for myself... with my home of the past six years lying in ruins I feel it falls to me to try and help as many as possible to avoid a similar fate. ...I don't know yet if I mean to fight, as my better years are long past, but I firmly believe that there is something I - and any of you for that matter - can do if you wish."
[16:59] <SuikoGM> "Until peace comes again..."
[17:00] <SuikoGM> There's a clearing of someone's throat at the tent flap.
06[17:02] * TsukinoshiNoKatsuo turns around.
[17:02] <SuikoGM> Tarron is peering in, and he makes his way in. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
[17:04] <Somalakshmi> "Captain Tarron. I think we were all just deciding what we want to do from here."
[17:05] <Iltani> "In as much as anything -can- be done."
03[17:07] * Kuponise is now known as Lekha
[17:08] <SuikoGM> "Yeah, you and us both. I've been speaking with my vice captain, and we've both agreed it may be time to pack up soon. We've made an attempt to reach out to Davadezi, but Pidgeots need rest, too. Whatever's to be done, I don't think keeping an unfortified encampment directly on top of the Nolgir river is such a good idea. We're looking into alternative places to set up, and then aiding
[17:08] <SuikoGM> refugees in finding new homes."
[17:09] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> Moving gives another chance to ask around.  Hmmm.  "I shall accompany you."
[17:10] <Somalakshmi> "At the very least, I'll be sticking with my troupe for now. I'll help how I can."
[17:10] <SuikoGM> "Just thought I'd give you guys a heads up. I'm letting pretty much everyone know, really."
01[17:10] <Lekha> "He already told me!" Lekha takes that moment to duck in.
[17:11] <Somalakshmi> "Good morning, Lehka."
[17:14] <SuikoGM> "I don't doubt the Sharpedos are eventually going to be called into this whole war business, though our people have standards. We're going to find out who was responsible for what happened and make sure theyr'e not the side we'll be taking money from. Civillians come first, of course. ...If we do split paths, then it was nice knowing you."
01[17:14] <Lekha> "Goooood morning!"
[17:14] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Morning."  He has a hard time saying it's good.
[17:14] <SuikoGM> "Anyway, got others to run this by. Take care of yourselves."
[17:15] <SuikoGM> Tarron leaves you again with the mayor, who Lekha would notice is sitting up on his cot.
[17:16] <SuikoGM> McGraw: "Ahh, I was wondering where the fourth one would be. The young woman with the... recorder, was it?"
[17:16] <SuikoGM> He smiles kind of weakly.
01[17:16] <Lekha> "Mmmmmaybe?"
01[17:16] <Lekha> "Am I interrupting something? I thought I'd stop in and see how you were doing because everyone else was but it's so serious in here..."
[17:17] <SuikoGM> He shakes his head.
01[17:19] <Lekha> "Well, it's good to see you up and about!"
[17:19] <SuikoGM> ....
01[17:19] <Lekha> "Or up, at least."
[17:20] <SuikoGM> "Yes. I believe I owe my life to the lot of you."
[17:20] <SuikoGM> "If there's anything I can do in return some day, don't hesitate to ask."
[17:22] <Somalakshmi> "If you're wondering what you missed, Lehka... it seems likely that Nolgranda organized this false flag operation with the Steel Onyx. And an old classmate of mine betrayed herself to the Steel Onyx. And since they're looking for an excuse to go to war with Davadezi, it seems like it might be difficult to stop them."
06[17:23] * Lekha politely refrains from asking just what sort of school Soma went to. "I see, I see. So. What can we do about it?"
[17:24] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "We're...not sure."
01[17:25] <Lekha> "Hmmm."
[17:25] <SuikoGM> "If you possessed the means... would you take up arms?"
[17:25] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "To defend the land I grew up in?  Definitely."
01[17:26] <Lekha> "..."
01[17:27] <Lekha> "If it would help those who could not."
06[17:27] * Lekha looks a bit distant as she responds.
[17:27] <Iltani> "Already doing what I can in that regard."
[17:28] <Somalakshmi> "I'm not sure. But if I can stop the Steel Onyx and confront Zahara, then I want to take that chance if I can."
[17:31] <SuikoGM> McGraw regards you all a moment. "The four of you are good people. If there were more like you, then perhaps something could be done after all..."
[17:32] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "I'm sure there are, hardly anyone I knew back home would take this lying down."
01[17:33] <Lekha> "I imagine the people of Davadezi won't stand for this either - which may be the problem."
[17:38] <SuikoGM> There's the sound of another throat clearing at the entrance to the tent, this time female. "I can't believe I had to look this hard to find you!"
01[17:39] <Lekha> "Huh?"
[17:39] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "?"
[17:40] <Somalakshmi> "Hm?"
[17:41] <SuikoGM> ...Standing there is a rather well-built woman with long, blonde hair and goggles, and blue eyes - that none of you save Iltani have seen before. http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=699462 "Seriously, usually it's like finding a needle in a haystack without the hay, but this time the hay was definitely there. ...Except it was people, not hey, but no one wants to find a
[17:41] <SuikoGM> needle in a peoplestack, do they? Way too much blood."
[17:41] <SuikoGM> *not hay
[17:44] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "...Miss, you may want to get to the point."
[17:44] <Iltani> "...."
[17:44] <SuikoGM> "Tawny, you had me worried! ...Oh, who are you people?" She blinks, looking at the rest of you.
[17:44] <Iltani> "Oh, dear."
01[17:44] <Lekha> "I like her."
[17:44] <Iltani> "Of all the times, and of all the places..."
01[17:44] <Lekha> :D
[17:45] <Somalakshmi> "A friend of yours, Iltani?"
[17:45] <Iltani> "....something like that."
[17:46] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "You may want to introduce yourself before asking for introductions."
[17:46] <Iltani> "A vague resemblance to something like a friend."
06[17:46] * Iltani sighs. "This is Amalthea. She is the cousin to someone I knew from back home, and from what I know, she is currently supposed to be on the job."
[17:48] <SuikoGM> "Oh, you kidder. Tawny and me go waaaaaay back. Amalthea Laurent, spelunker extraordinaire. Mostly I go into dark holes for fun and profit. ...But yeaaah, about that."
[17:49] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Katsuo.  No last name.  From Tsukinoshi."
[17:49] <Somalakshmi> "Somalakshmi. You can just call me Soma."
[17:50] <Iltani> As serious as Iltani usually presents herself, she seems dangerously close to dying of embarrassment.
[17:52] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Miss Isaacs, have you caught a fever?"
[17:54] <SuikoGM> "Nice to meet you all. I guess I actually should have been looking for your boss, because you can't boss your boss, but as you know, my team and I have been checking out some caverns near Crystal Lake, trying to prove if the Sindar lived there or not. There's been a bit of a problem at Crystal Grove, the town lakeside we've been staying at between expeditions. Demons have been hounding
[17:54] <SuikoGM> all around the place lately and the mercs holed up in the old bandit fort nearby won't do anything about it. If it were just a few, I'd wring their necks myself, buuut..."
[17:55] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "You are seeking martial assistance, then."  He thinks over it.
[17:58] <SuikoGM> "More or less. Preferably more, you can't really do much with less."
[17:58] <Somalakshmi> "You're asking us to hunt demons?"
[17:59] <SuikoGM> "Well, not specifically you guys, but the Relentless Absols. ...There's some other group here too, I guess?"
[17:59] <Somalakshmi> "The Sapphire Sharpedos?"
[18:00] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "So anyone will do.  Do you have a preference as to whether the demons are simply incapacitated or would you prefer them dead?  Is there an individual bounty per demon taken out, or a flat rate for my services?"
[18:02] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> Katsuo has pulled out a little notebook and is scrawling things down in the flowing ninja script, that few if any outsiders can read.  It's fortunate that they can't, because his calligraphy is atrocious.
[18:02] <SuikoGM> "Yeah, the Sappho Sharpies, whatever they're called. We could work out individual bounties, dead or captured. You interested?"
[18:02] <SuikoGM> McGraw considers. "...If Nolgranda's really going to attack, a position near the lake might be defensible..."
[18:02] <SuikoGM> Amalthea: "If who what?"
[18:03] <Somalakshmi> "I guess we can't stay here forever..."
[18:03] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "If McGraw thinks it is to the hypothetical army's advantage, then I shall see to securing it."
[18:04] <SuikoGM> McGraw shakes his head. "It's a bit much to explain now, young lady, but some of the people here were planning on moving soon regardless."
[18:06] <SuikoGM> McGraw: "I wouldn't put all of our eggs in one basket just yet concerning our actions,but... "
[18:06] <Somalakshmi> "If it needs to be done, then I'll do it."
[18:11] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "If we are all for it, I imagine we can all work on it as a group and split the bounties evenly."
01[18:11] <Lekha> "I like the idea better than marching off to war."
[18:12] <Iltani> "I imagine Amalthea will need to speak with Garm first regarding the job."
[18:12] <Somalakshmi> "If I work with you three, I shouldn't have to worry about holding back."
01[18:13] <Lekha> "Excellent!"
01[18:13] <Lekha> "I guess that's settled, right?"
[18:16] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Right."
[18:18] <Somalakshmi> "Is it far? We should get this done as soon as possible."
[18:18] <SuikoGM> Amalthea: "Greaaaat! I'll go talk to whats-his-face and persuade him to get on-board too."
[18:19] <SuikoGM> She goes to zip off out of the tent, but nearly runs into the man since he was waiting outside to speak with McGraw anyway.
01[18:20] <Lekha> "Everything seems to be going pretty well, huh?" Lekha scoots over to Soma.
[18:20] <SuikoGM> You hear a rather... animated and one-sided conversation between them happen.
[18:20] <SuikoGM> McGraw hrms and fumbles for a cane, lifting himself up and standing out of bed. "I'll return shortly, after I've spoken with Tarron on a few things."
[18:21] <Somalakshmi> "Then we should go prepare ourselves."
[18:21] <SuikoGM> *LEkha said something to Soma :V)
[18:21] <Somalakshmi> (I missed it :3c)
01[18:22] <Lekha> [18:20] <Lekha> "Everything seems to be going pretty well, huh?" Lekha scoots over to Soma.
[18:22] <Somalakshmi> "Pretty well? I don't really know if I'd say that. Hearing that Zahara is working with the Steel Onyx was upsetting news. We weren't friends, but... we were still on the same side."
01[18:23] <Lekha> "And now we don't have to confront her directly - at least right now."
[18:25] <Somalakshmi> "I want to know why she's working with them. "
06[18:26] * TsukinoshiNoKatsuo tightens his scarf and makes sure he has all his things on hand. His caltrops? Check. Smoke Bombs? Check. Antidotes? Check. Shinobigatana? Some nicks on it, but fine. Clothes? All rips mended. Hair? Spiky enough to kill a demon if necessary.
01[18:27] <Lekha> "Oh, that reminds me."
01[18:28] <Lekha> "Katsuo, look! The egg hatched!" Lekha pulls Valdrada out of his comfy cloth bed in her bag and holds him up for Katsuo's inspection.
[18:29] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> !
[18:29] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He's pulled out of his self-examination to look at the bug.  "It is...very lively.  And very healthy.  Good fortune."
06[18:29] * Somalakshmi examines the little blue bug. "How cute."
[18:32] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "I pray that Kami of fortune may smile upon this newborn."  He gives a solemn nod.
01[18:32] <Lekha> "Isn't he? I named him Valdrada."
[18:35] <SuikoGM> Valdrada wiggles a bit, looking around with a toothy gaze.
06[18:35] * Lekha sets him down when he gets a little too wiggly. "Anyway."
[18:36] <SuikoGM> He makes something of a brief chriping noise at Soma, and begins to climb Katsuo once set down.
[18:37] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> Katsuo stays perfectly still, letting the bug climb him.
01[18:38] <Lekha> "Looks like he likes you too! You can be his uncle. I think a child should have a lot of aunts and uncles, don't you?"
[18:39] <SuikoGM> Valdrada rests on Katsuo's head and raises a tiny pincer to survey his surroundings.
[18:39] <SuikoGM> Meanwhile, Gavin pokes his head in as well. "Soma? Ah, there you are."
[18:40] <Somalakshmi> "Oh, hello Gavin."
[18:41] <SuikoGM> Gavin: "You've been spending a lot of time with these people. I guess you've made some friends." he smiles. "I wanted to discuss something real quick with you, though."
[18:41] <Somalakshmi> "Of course."
06[18:41] * Somalakshmi steps outside to speak with him.
[18:41] <SuikoGM> The two of you head past Amalthea and Garm to speak a moment.
[18:42] <SuikoGM> "Okay, so..."
[18:42] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> Katsuo sends Edge.  Maybe they'll get along.  Maybe they'll hate each other.
[18:45] <SuikoGM> "The Sharpedos have offered the troupe a contract. Room and board, wherever we end up, whatever we want from their stocks, apparently, along with good pay, in exchange for biweekly performances, more if morale calls for it. And no questions asked if we want to terminate if hostile forces move our way. ...I've been thinking a lot on if we want to stay or if we want to head west, but I've
[18:45] <SuikoGM> been going around and getting everyone's opinion."
[18:45] <SuikoGM> "And I'd like to hear your thoughts, too."
[18:46] <Somalakshmi> "They want us to join up with them?"
[18:46] <SuikoGM> "For a while, yeah."
[18:47] <SuikoGM> Valdrada gives Edge a look when he pops out.
[18:47] <SuikoGM> The shelmet blinks at the active little bug and clamps his shell closed.
[18:47] <SuikoGM> Valdrada immediately heads over and tries to pry his way in, and failing that, starts crawling on top with a delighted 'skree'.
[18:47] <Somalakshmi> "I'd be okay with that if that's what you want, Gavin. I still have a lot I need to repay, after all."
[18:48] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> Perhaps not.  Oh well, Edge needs to run around a bit anyw-
[18:48] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> ...
[18:48] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He returns Edge.
[18:48] <SuikoGM> Valdrada flails around a bit and flops onto the ground, the rug pulled from under him.
[18:48] <SuikoGM> He plays dead, melodramatically.
[18:50] <SuikoGM> Gavin nods. "...I've been considering accepting. It's dangerous, but...Luna seems adamant about keeping people's spirits up, something seems to have lit a fire so to speak under Unbroken Circle, everyone else.... well, the pay is good."
[18:50] <SuikoGM> "And... I dunno. This seems like it might be good for you too. You seem to get along with the people here."
[18:50] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Your little friend has a bit of a mean streak."
[18:51] <SuikoGM> "I have my own reservations, but I'll do what I think's best for everyone."
06[18:51] * Somalakshmi nods. "They've all been very kind to me. Especially Sumeru."
[18:53] <SuikoGM> Gavin: "Yeah, I guess that settles it then. I'll accept the deal."
[18:53] <SuikoGM> Gavin: "...Looked like Tarron was starting to get some of the camp packed away, too. Guess he found his place."
[18:54] <Somalakshmi> "There was talk of trying to head to Crystal Grove."
[18:55] <SuikoGM> He thinks. "Haven't heard of it. That means it's probably quiet enough to be safe."
[18:55] <SuikoGM> "Alright, I'll be getting back to to the caravan and packing our own things up."
[18:55] <SuikoGM> "Swing on by when you're ready."
01[18:56] <Lekha> Aww, poor baby. She scoops up Valdrada again as the conversation ends.
[18:56] <SuikoGM> Valdrada attaches to Lekha's arm and doesn't let go.
[18:56] <SuikoGM> A defeated-looking Garm walks into the tent with Amalthea.
[18:57] <SuikoGM> Garm: "Isaacs, we'll be reporting to Crystal Grove."
[18:57] <Somalakshmi> "Gavin... if it ever looks like it's getting too dangerous, just remember you don't have to impress us or anything."
[18:58] <SuikoGM> Gavin: "Yeah, it's not that, it's just... I don't think I could leave you guys behind no matter how scared I was. We're not quite a family, but... we're getting there, I think. I'd like the troupe to have that kind of feeling for all of us."
[18:59] <SuikoGM> Garm has the look of a man emasculated.
01[19:00] <Lekha> Oho.
06[19:02] * Somalakshmi lets out a gentle sigh. "Gavin...
06[19:02] * Somalakshmi gently holds the back of his hand "You're very sweet. But we don't want to see you get hurt either."
[19:03] <Iltani> "....that bad, huh?"
[19:03] <SuikoGM> Garm: "I don't want to talk about it."
06[19:03] * Iltani sighs. "Noted, in any case. Where is she now?"
06[19:04] * TsukinoshiNoKatsuo feels a bit of pity for Garm, whatever happened.
[19:04] <SuikoGM> Garm: "Isn't she right-" He turns to look. Nope. "...Guess she's getting ready to head back.
[19:04] <SuikoGM> "
[19:05] <SuikoGM> Gavin flushes a bit. "...Thanks, Soma."
[19:05] <Iltani> "Probably better for the sanity of all involved that way."
[19:06] <SuikoGM> Anyone have anything else to cover?
06[19:06] * Somalakshmi is good
06[19:06] * TsukinoshiNoKatsuo is pretty good.
06[19:06] * Lekha is good
06[19:06] * Iltani is fine.
[19:08] <SuikoGM> Alright, then.
[19:12] <SuikoGM> The Sharpedos, the Abols, the refugees that decide to come along, and the dance troupe, as well as the lot of you, begin to pack up and move out of Oakbridge, to the north. The journey is uneventful apart from short bursts of rain, and soon you arrive at the enormous expanse of the Crystal Lake. True to its word, the water is so clear that even in a body of water this size, you can see
[19:12] <SuikoGM> all th e way to the bottom of the lake. The water stretches out far beyond you, looking almost like the edge of a small sea, and when the light hits the water just right, the surface seems to reflect the sky in its entirety, giving the impression if you fell in, you'd fall forever.
[19:13] <SuikoGM> You all continue further westward along the shores of this grand lake, following its bend around further northward.
[19:15] <SuikoGM> Crystal Grove, a small logging town on the lake's edge, awaits you after half a day's journey. Amalthea is perky the entire time, and seems wont to tell embarassing stories, that, thankfully, are diverted just in time by choice distractions.
[19:18] <SuikoGM> This town resides in the verdant shore west of the lake, with surprisingly well-built buildings with white walls and blue-tinged roofs. It looks almost somewhat like a middle class neighborhood in a larger city. You're told by McGraw that traders founded the place as a pitstop for trade routes to the Emerald Marsh of Davadezi, which never panned out. Instead of being abandoned, however,
[19:18] <SuikoGM> everything was sold to laborers who set up lumber mills, fishing boats and farms nearby.
[19:19] <SuikoGM> With that in mind, the local inn is quite large, but also quite vacant, and it's easy to make reservations there.
[19:19] <SuikoGM> Your tickets are paid for by Garm of the Absols, in this case.
[19:21] <SuikoGM> Once you've got your rooms set up, you're later met in the common room of the inn (which by the way, is named the Dozing Snorlax) by Amalthea, and a woman with long, brown hair and green eyes. http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=1320475
[19:23] <SuikoGM> The place isn't used much, but it's clearly well taken care of. Mounted Sawsbuck heads on the dark brown or green walls, a smoldering fire, polished tables..
[19:25] <SuikoGM> Amalthea: "Heeey. Just wanted to introduce you guys real quick. This is Amelia. She's our bean counter. And also our money person. She's a really recent recruit but she's good at her job."
[19:25] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Beans sound like they take an awful long time to count, it must be a trying job."
[19:26] <SuikoGM> Amelia bows her head after looking at all of you. "Nice to meet you. Our funding for this expedition comes from the Carthan Institute, and we're setting aside a portion for bounties on demons that have been causing problems."
[19:28] <SuikoGM> "I've taken the liberty of making a list of known demons and dividing them among interested parties. For your group, I've prepared three."
[19:29] <SuikoGM> She slides forward three slips of paper with surprisingly well-drawn pokemon pictures on them, done in the style of mock wanted posters.
[19:30] <SuikoGM> Well, they -are- wanted posters, they just haven't been posted.
[19:30] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He takes a look at them, giving them some close study.
[19:33] <SuikoGM> The first is a golem of some kind. Bipedal, humanoid shaped, with a seal on its chest. Various clusters of purple crystals line its body. "Crystal Guardian" is written underneath.Bounty: 6000 potch.
[19:35] <SuikoGM> The second is some sort of unholy metal-plant congolmorate with various vines and spikes. "The Metathorn" is scribbled underneath. Also worth 6000 potch.
[19:36] <SuikoGM> And the third... is a Mightyena covered in scars, with metallic-looking, bladed fur. A sword in sheath is hung over its back. ...This is the demon Iltani encountered before, though looking healthier and armed. "The Bladed Wolf" - 10,000 potch.
[19:39] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Hmmmm..."
[19:39] <SuikoGM> Amelia continues: "The golem seems to have broken free of a subterranean cavern after Amalthea got a little... overeager in exploration. It has a Lightning Rune carved into its body and demonic powers on top of that. It has been wandering the countryside in an orderly manner, as if patrolling."
[19:40] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Patrolling?  Then we could probably do something to take advantage of its patrol route...it might walk right into Caltrops..."
[19:40] <SuikoGM> "The 'metathorn' is something that's been harassing loggers. No one can really say what its abilities are apart from sheer viciousness, but it seems to be a combination of Metagross and Ferrothorn."
[19:42] <SuikoGM> "And this one, we've been taking to call the Bladed Wolf, is a menace. Demons possess heightened intelligence that wild pokemon can't match... however, this creature appears to be conscripting and training other wild canine pokemon into attacking locals with hit and run tactics."
[19:42] <SuikoGM> "It appears to have taken a sword from one of its victims and can wield it as deftly as a man with its tail."
[19:46] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "That sounds like the most problematic one...probably the one we'll handle last."
[19:46] <Somalakshmi> "Will we be taking on all of them?"
[19:46] <SuikoGM> "You don't need to, we can pass a job to someone else if need be."
[19:46] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Those are the three assigned to us."
[19:47] <SuikoGM> Amelia seems amused at Katsuo. "You're a hard worker, aren't you?"
[19:47] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Slackers get nothing."
[19:49] <Somalakshmi> "Then I'd prefer to start with that golem. That metathorn sounds like a poor match for me."
[19:49] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "I am sure we can manage, but if you need a warmup, I'll start with what you prefer."
[19:50] <SuikoGM> "I like you already. Any further questions about any of these?"
[19:51] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "If you could, I'd like a map of the golem's patrol route, and a report on the exact area that the Metathorn has claimed, as well as its attacking habits.  I believe Canines are territorial, so a general report on the boundaries of the Bladed Wolf's activities would be appreciated."
[19:52] <SuikoGM> "We'll provide what we can, but keep in mind these are extremely dangerous creatures, so information may be limited."
[19:52] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Of course."
[19:54] <Somalakshmi> "Do we know anything about the typing of these creatures?"
[20:09] <Iltani> "The Bladed Wolf might have been a Steel type."
06[20:09] * Iltani sighs. "For my part, I ran into it before, ready to attack Levante before Bernard and I intervened."
[20:11] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Learn anything about it?"
[20:13] <SuikoGM> Amelia: "You're fortunate then. According to the intel we've gathered, this is the most dangerous one so far."
01[20:13] <Lekha> "Tell me more."
[20:14] <SuikoGM> Who was that to?
01[20:14] <Lekha> Melia
[20:15] <Iltani> "Not anything critical. It's vicious, and it's out for blood."
[20:16] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Your encounter sounds like it was short, so it does not surprise me that you did not learn much."
01[20:20] <Lekha> "Mmm."
01[20:20] <Lekha> "Did it use that sword on you?"
[20:21] <SuikoGM> "Apart from being skilled in swordplay, it seems particularly skilled in leadership, empowering lesser pokemon under its command. That said, I haven't heard any reports of it fighting alone. It coordinates attacks in ways that shred through protective armor, and emboldens its allies, which attack en masse."
[20:21] <SuikoGM> The wolf didn't seem to have a sword when you fought it, Iltani.
[20:21] <Iltani> "Thankfully, it was. No, it did not have the sword at the time - which means we should pursue it only when we have a suitable means of disarming it."
[20:22] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "We'll have to find a way to separate it from its comrades."
[20:22] <Somalakshmi> "Does anyone have any opposition to us fighting that Crystal Guardian first?"
[20:22] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "None.  It sounds the easiest to ambush."
01[20:23] <Lekha> "That sounds fine to me."
01[20:23] <Lekha> "Crystals are magic, you know!"
[20:26] <Somalakshmi> "Then it looks like we have our mission."
[20:27] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Considering the power that demons have, it would be best to attack them at a disadvantage.  For the golem, that sounds like a simple manner of setting up a trap at a chokepoint in its patrol route, and then attacking it when it has sprung our trap."
01[20:28] <Lekha> "If you'd like, I can try and figure out the best place to put it."
01[20:28] <Lekha> "Or where we WILL put it, I guess."
[20:29] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "That would be appreciated."
01[20:30] <Lekha> "If you could scout it out though, that might help."
[20:30] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "We could do it together."
[20:30] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "I think for something made of stone and crystal, it would be best to make a pit trap.  It would have a hard time getting itself out of one."
[20:31] <SuikoGM> Amalthea: "Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you! ...Or dug out for you. ...Even though you're doing the digging."
01[20:31] <Lekha> "You could help. :D"
[20:31] <SuikoGM> Amalthea: "I could!"
[20:32] <SuikoGM> "It'd give me more of a chance to catch up with Illy Izzy over here."
[20:32] <Somalakshmi> "I might prefer if it's just the four of us when we engage the enemy."
01[20:32] <Lekha> "Well, yeah, but what about the diggy diggy hole?"
[20:32] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "For the Metathorn, I was thinking maybe a tripwire trap that might set off explosives or some such...as for digging."
[20:32] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "...I have a potato."
01[20:34] <Lekha> "What's that have to do with anything?"
[20:34] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "It seems to be somewhat proficient at digging holes to root itself in."
01[20:35] <Lekha> "Ohhhh."
01[20:35] <Lekha> "Let's see, I have..."
01[20:35] <Lekha> "Hmm."
[20:36] <Somalakshmi> "I don't believe I have anything that could help us dig a trap."
01[20:36] <Lekha> "You've got your hands, right? We can probably find a shovel somewhere."
01[20:36] <Lekha> "And Zemmy can help soften up the ground."
[20:37] <Somalakshmi> "Can we really dig a pit large enough?"
01[20:37] <Lekha> "Who knows?"
01[20:37] <Lekha> "At the very least, we could make an anklecatcher I guess."
[20:37] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Depends on how much time passes between its patrol intervals."
01[20:40] <Lekha> "I guess we can put up a distraction, too."
[20:41] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "A distraction...perhaps a fast-moving Pokemon that might lead it on a chase for a while?"
[20:41] <SuikoGM> Amalthea: "This is going to be positively electrifying!"
[20:41] <SuikoGM> "Be sure to let us know the results!"
01[20:42] <Lekha> "Euphie is pretty fast."
[20:42] <Somalakshmi> "It sounds like it's going to be quite big. I'm just not sure if we can pull off a trap like that. Maybe something simpler would be less likely to go wrong."
[20:44] <Iltani> "Improvising a tripwire may be a good first start."
[20:44] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He puts a hand to his chin.  "I imagine it would be best to see it in person first, to see how big we might have to make a pit trap."
[20:45] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "If it is too big to dig a trap during its patrol interval, we will try a tripwire or some such instead."
06[20:45] * Lekha nods.
[20:47] <SuikoGM> Amelia speaks up once more. "Is anyone here familiar with the way demons work, or shall I go over it quickly?"
[20:48] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "A reminder would be good."
01[20:48] <Lekha> "I love exposition!"
[20:53] <SuikoGM> "Right. Demons are the colloquial term for extremely powerful Pokemon with a violent temperament. They differ wildly in terms of power and abilities, but they all share the same sort of... presence, you could say. The feeling of dread called Tension. Demons tend to have special 'auras' that grant them amazing abilities - similar powers are granted by True Runes at times if the legends
[20:53] <SuikoGM> hold true, but for demons the source of their auras are not discernable, thus lending credence to their name. One such aura all demons share seems to interferes with the rune-bonding magic of apricorn balls, but this erodes as they become injured. Demons are, technically, tamable, if you find common ground with them once captured, though much of their former power dissipates upon the
[20:53] <SuikoGM> pokemon being bound."
01[20:54] <Lekha> "Makes sense."
03[20:55] * SuikoGM is now known as Kaingaskhan
01[20:55] <Lekha> "Because they've lost their dread."
03[20:55] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Kaingaskhan
03[20:55] * Kaingaskhan is now known as SuikoGM
03[20:55] * SuikoGM changes topic to '<Lekha> "I love exposition!"'
[20:58] <@SuikoGM> "Once it manifests an aura, it should be immediately apparent what it does. It's hard to explain... but it's similar to knowing a color is blue on seeing it, and that shade of blue is different from other shades of blue. Due to their strength, only elite soldiers or otherwise well-trained professionals should try to take these on. That...hopefully includes you four."
[20:59] <@SuikoGM> "Any questions?"
[20:59] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "None, thank you."
[20:59] <@SuikoGM> "I'm sure some of you knew these things anyway."
01[21:00] <Lekha> "Always nice to have a refresher!"
[21:02] <Somalakshmi> "I doubt I'd be able to tame a demon."
[21:02] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "We can try."
[21:02] <Iltani> "...usually best not to."
[21:02] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "The bounty doesn't care whether it's dead or alive, however."
[21:03] <@SuikoGM> "It's true. Dead or captured, if it's out of our hair, you get the money."
01[21:03] <Lekha> "If we can, it's a nice bonus, but it's probably better not to plan on it."
[21:03] <Iltani> "It took me and Bernard, as well as two Pokemon, just to barely fend off The Bladed Wolf."
[21:08] <@SuikoGM> Amalthea: "I'd wish you all good luck, but I still have 37 years of the bad kind!"
01[21:08] <Lekha> 1d20 pickup
[21:08] <PsychoRoll> Lekha, pickup: 20 [1d20=20]
[21:09] <@SuikoGM> 1d18
[21:09] <PsychoRoll> SuikoGM, 1d18: 9 [1d18=9]
[21:11] <@SuikoGM> 1d100 shenanigans
[21:11] <PsychoRoll> SuikoGM, shenanigans: 49 [1d100=49]
[21:12] <Somalakshmi> 1d20 round 4 of the pickup duel
[21:12] <PsychoRoll> Somalakshmi, round 4 of the pickup duel: 13 [1d20=13]
[21:14] <@SuikoGM> While looking around your room, Lekha
[21:15] <@SuikoGM> You discover a Greater Scroll of Rototiller (Rototiller VM)
[21:15] <@SuikoGM> It seems abandoned
[21:15] <@SuikoGM> The owner is long gone by now
[21:15] <@SuikoGM> Finders keepers!
[21:16] <@SuikoGM> 1d100 shenanigans ball
[21:16] <PsychoRoll> SuikoGM, shenanigans ball: 50 [1d100=50]
[21:19] <@SuikoGM> Phronk searches far and wide
[21:19] <@SuikoGM> and finds a rare Frustration Ball
[21:21] <@SuikoGM> This is a Great Ball whose capture rate gains a further -10 bonus if the ball's thrower missed an attack against the target in the previous round.
01[21:21] <Lekha> that is pretty good shenanigans
[21:22] <@SuikoGM> And with thaaaat
[21:22] <@SuikoGM> Anyone have anything they need before closing?
06[21:22] * Somalakshmi doesn't
01[21:23] <Lekha> nope!
[21:30] <@SuikoGM> With that then, as our heroes are railed strongly on the path to the story, how WILL their destinies intertwine in the coming days?
[21:30] <@SuikoGM> Chapter 3 - Answers Sought - End