Dawn Stone Hills - Year 1 Summer - Session 1

[08-Sep-18 06:15 PM] GM (cable)
**SUMMER**
The first days of summer are upon you! The three of you have embarked on the first expedition of the new season and have spent the past few days mapping out a few areas in the Duskwood. This morning, you made your way towards the edge of the forest and the mountains, hoping to find an alternate route up to Mt Inthan. It seems that the Kupo Guilds have quite the monopoly on the best routes though, and the trail you are currently trying to blaze is filled with loose gravel, treacherous footing, and intense sunlight. You've managed to make a bit of progress though and are currently partway up the steep incline.


[08-Sep-18 06:18 PM] Xander
"Such a treacherous path...it could only have been made by some kind of malicious entity...!" Xander tromps up the path as best as he can.


[08-Sep-18 06:20 PM] GM (cable)
Xander, almost as soon as you say this, you feel a shadow fall over you briefly, and then a small object hits your shoulder and bounces off to the ground.


[08-Sep-18 06:20 PM] Xander
"We've been cursed!"
He looks over at the object that fell over.


[08-Sep-18 06:20 PM] GM (cable)
It is a single painted pebble.


[08-Sep-18 06:20 PM] Gin
"Hm, no, I think the Duskwood is simply quick to return to its state of natural chaos. As annoying as they try to make themselves, the Fairies of the woods have done a good job making the wilds more traversable in their lands." Gin remarks as he pushes through some foliage.


[08-Sep-18 06:20 PM] Xander
He picks it up.  "Hmmmm."
"A premonition, perhaps."  He pockets the pebble.


[08-Sep-18 06:21 PM] Wick
"I think *we're* making it, since its not a real path... Maybe we are malicious entities though."


[08-Sep-18 06:23 PM] GM (cable)
As you continue onward, the path only gets more difficult, but you manage to make incremental progress.
Wick, please make a Quick roll!


[08-Sep-18 06:24 PM] Wick
1d20+3


[08-Sep-18 06:24 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Wick:
1d20+3:`(5)+3=8`


[08-Sep-18 06:24 PM] GM (cable)
You step on a seemingly firm section of ground only for it to suddenly squirm under your foot. You try to keep your balance, but end up falling on your side with a soft thud.
Moments later, a tiny brown head pops out of the place you put your foot. It's a Diglett!


[08-Sep-18 06:25 PM] Gin
"Are you okay?" Gin reaches over to help Wick back up.


[08-Sep-18 06:25 PM] Wick
"Oh. Sorry, guy, didnt see ya there."


[08-Sep-18 06:26 PM] GM (cable)
It bobs up and down gently in its little dirt mound, grinning like a dope.


[08-Sep-18 06:26 PM] Xander
Xanders eyes go wide.  "Our malicious being is right here, its head just one small facet of its eldritch body below!"


[08-Sep-18 06:26 PM] GM (cable)
Actually, they don't have mouths, so it isn't grinning exactly. Its face is dopey nonetheless.


[08-Sep-18 06:27 PM] Xander
Xander inches closer.


[08-Sep-18 06:27 PM] GM (cable)
As if in response to Xander's accusation, several more Diglett suddenly pop up all around your group.


[08-Sep-18 06:27 PM] Xander
"..."


[08-Sep-18 06:27 PM] Wick
"I suppose I can't prove you're wrong."


[08-Sep-18 06:28 PM] Xander
"I think we must run, lest we get dragged down to hell by these unfathomable beings!"


[08-Sep-18 06:29 PM] Gin
"I doubt they want us in their tunnels any more than we want to be there." Gin says, taking a few steps back. "Perhaps we've alarmed them, however."


[08-Sep-18 06:29 PM] GM (cable)
All at once, the Diglett heads all shoot back underground. You feel a slight tremor under your feet. Xander's words seem truly cursed today.
Everyone make a Quick roll.


[08-Sep-18 06:30 PM] Gin
1d20


[08-Sep-18 06:30 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Gin:
1d20:`(6)=6`


[08-Sep-18 06:30 PM] Xander
1d20


[08-Sep-18 06:30 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Xander:
1d20:`(4)=4`


[08-Sep-18 06:30 PM] Wick
1d20+3


[08-Sep-18 06:30 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Wick:
1d20+3:`(3)+3=6`


[08-Sep-18 06:32 PM] GM (cable)
Another tremor quickly escalates into violent shaking as the ground beneath you begins to rapidly fall away! You all scramble to hop or crawl to higher ground, but to no avail, as the gravel landscape quickly dissolves beneath your feet. You tumble down into the darkness below!
In the chaos of the fall, you see several brown shapes darting around next to you, occasionally tugging upwards on your clothes. You eventually hit something solid, though not as painfully as you were expecting, as some of your momentum is alleviated by whatever was pulling on you. You all land in a heap and tumble out of the way as more rubble comes crashing down from above.


[08-Sep-18 06:35 PM] Xander
Xander brushes himself off, trying to stand up and get a look around.  "That's it.  We're in Hell now."


[08-Sep-18 06:35 PM] Gin
"Is everyone unhurt?" Gin says as he gets up, dusting himself off and checking that everything's still there.


[08-Sep-18 06:36 PM] GM (cable)
You're all somewhat bruised, with a few scrapes here and there, but remarkably, none of you seem badly wounded.


[08-Sep-18 06:36 PM] Wick
"Sorry, this is my bad. Everytime I go out it turns into an underground excursion."


[08-Sep-18 06:37 PM] GM (cable)
As you get to you feet, your eyes begin to adjust and you notice the walls are glowing faintly. They seem to be covered with a mixture of bioluminescent lichen and tiny flecks of glowing rock. It isn't much light, but it's enough to illuminate your immediate surroundings. Behind you lies an enormous pile of rubble, completely sealing off the hole that opened under your feet up on the mountainside path.
Xander, you see a small pink nose connected to a long face peeking out from behind a rock nearby - a Drilbur. It places both scoopclaw hands over its mouth, snickering at your group.


[08-Sep-18 06:39 PM] Gin
"The point _is_ to map uncharted territory, so it isn't so bad. I suppose I may have been wrong about the Pokemon not wanting us in their tunnels, though I wonder if the destruction to their home is really worth a few laughs for them."


[08-Sep-18 06:39 PM] Xander
He frowns at it, letting out Dark Flame Master.  "Foul Demon, I challenge you to a duel!"


[08-Sep-18 06:40 PM] GM (cable)
The Drilbur seems alarmed at your dramatic tone, and promptly launches itself a few feet into the air, only to piledrive back into the dirt and burrow away. You hear some crunching noises and realize several other burrowing critters must have also been watching you.


[08-Sep-18 06:41 PM] Xander
He folds his arms, pouting


[08-Sep-18 06:42 PM] Gin
"Xander, let's not rile up the locals. They have us at a disadvantage here, and we have enough Pokemon of the woods who dislike us already in the Fairies."


[08-Sep-18 06:42 PM] GM (cable)
Dark Flame Master's smoldering glow gives you a better look at your surroundings. As you look farther into the cavern, you realize it is actually a series of tunnels. A massive network of them, in fact. These tunnels consist of a mixture of stone and dirt, and a variety of passages branch off in all directions. There seems to be quite a bit of varied architecture to them as well. Roots and vines poke through the ceilings in some stretches, while others consist almost entirely of smoothly hewn stone.


[08-Sep-18 06:42 PM] Xander
"Fffffffine."


[08-Sep-18 06:42 PM] GM (cable)

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/474812078780055552/488132060599549972/506698832-612x612.jpg


[08-Sep-18 06:44 PM] Gin
Gin releases Hana, the closest he has to a local here, and tries to find a hole made by a burrowing Pokemon. He reaches into his bag and pulls out some of his rations, leaving them by the hole.


[08-Sep-18 06:45 PM] Wick
"Hmm. We're gonna get lost and starve down here."


[08-Sep-18 06:45 PM] Gin
"That's why I'm looking for a guide."


[08-Sep-18 06:45 PM] Wick
"If any of you comes back as a ghost, please tell Rosalie I said; 'hey'"


[08-Sep-18 06:45 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, the nearby holes seem to have been largely caved in behind the Pokemon that dug them, as if they don't want to be followed. At least not easily.


[08-Sep-18 06:46 PM] Xander
"I'll be sure to
"


[08-Sep-18 06:46 PM] Gin
Gin takes his time methodically searching for signs of Pokemon in the nearby tunnels then, making sure never to wander too far from their starting location.


[08-Sep-18 06:47 PM] GM (cable)
As you're looking around, you all suddenly hear a noise down one of the side tunnels. It's a quiet whimper, like a small creature in pain.


[08-Sep-18 06:47 PM] Xander
He runs over, to see what's up!


[08-Sep-18 06:48 PM] GM (cable)
Xander bursts ahead of the group and rounds a corner to see a slightly wider tunnel section. Lying in the center is the small, purple body of a Rattata. It is still, and for a moment you fear it is dead, until you hear it emit a weak whimper again.


[08-Sep-18 06:49 PM] Xander
He kneels down to it, offering a berry to it.  "Who did this to you, comrade???"
"I shall avenge you!"


[08-Sep-18 06:49 PM] Gin
Gin walks over more slowly, taking the time to check for anything amiss in the tunnels on the way over.


[08-Sep-18 06:49 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, roll Insight please.


[08-Sep-18 06:50 PM] Gin
1d20+5 I also have a pokemon empathy trait if there's anything to be found that's related to pokemon behavior


[08-Sep-18 06:50 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Gin:
1d20+5:`(5)+5=10`


[08-Sep-18 06:51 PM] GM (cable)
Xander, it turns its head weakly towards you and tries to accept the berry, but it seems to have a hard time even keeping its jaws around the food. Give me an Insight roll too.


[08-Sep-18 06:51 PM] Xander
Does DETECTIVE apply?
1d20+2+1d6


[08-Sep-18 06:51 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Xander:
1d20+2+1d6:`(1)+2+(6)=9`


[08-Sep-18 06:51 PM] Xander
WAO


[08-Sep-18 06:51 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, as you look around, you realize that there doesn't seem to be any signs of a struggle.
Xander, you feel something is a bit off about this, but you can't put your finger on what.
But your detective instincts are abuzz!


[08-Sep-18 06:52 PM] Gin
Any signs of dragging or moving? Freshly sealed holes in the ceiling?


[08-Sep-18 06:53 PM] GM (cable)
Nope, the tunnel looks almost eerily untouched.


[08-Sep-18 06:53 PM] Xander
He picks up the little bro.  "I think it was placed as a lure of some sort."


[08-Sep-18 06:53 PM] GM (cable)
Everyone make a Quick roll! Gin, roll with a boon.


[08-Sep-18 06:53 PM] Gin
1d20+1d6


[08-Sep-18 06:53 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Gin:
1d20+1d6:`(8)+(5)=13`
Xander:
1d20:`(11)=11`


[08-Sep-18 06:54 PM] Xander
1d20


[08-Sep-18 06:54 PM] Wick
1d20+3


[08-Sep-18 06:54 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Wick:
1d20+3:`(11)+3=14`


[08-Sep-18 06:54 PM] GM (cable)
1d20


[08-Sep-18 06:54 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
GM:
1d20:`(11)=11`


[08-Sep-18 06:56 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, as you're looking around, you see a Salandit and a Sableye sneaking up behind you and Wick! They make eye contact and dash forward, trying to grab at your bags.


[08-Sep-18 06:56 PM] Gin
"Behind you!" Gin calls out to the others.


[08-Sep-18 06:57 PM] Wick
"Stop! Or face cave justice!"


[08-Sep-18 06:57 PM] Xander
He whips around.  "Away, foul fiends!"


[08-Sep-18 06:57 PM] GM (cable)
Xander, as you pick up the injured Rattata, it turns its head towards you and sticks its tongue out. There is a small poof (ninja decoy style) and you are suddenly holding a Zorua! It leaps at your belt and snatches one of your Pokeballs before making a run for it.


[08-Sep-18 06:57 PM] Xander
!!!
He runs for it


[08-Sep-18 06:58 PM] GM (cable)
Gin and Wick, you manage to notice the would-be bandits before they can get a good grip and you keep your belongings safe. They hiss at you in disappointment and run away.
The Zorua has a bit of a head start and is running down an unexplored tunnel. The other two split up and run down side passages.


[08-Sep-18 06:59 PM] Xander
"Come back foul demon!"


[08-Sep-18 07:01 PM] Wick
Wick throws our Wander in front of the Salandit's path, cutting it off


[08-Sep-18 07:01 PM] Gin
Since I had Hana out, could I have her try to slyly trip up the Sableye as it was running?


[08-Sep-18 07:01 PM] Wick
"As I said, cave Justice!"


[08-Sep-18 07:01 PM] Gin
1d20+4


[08-Sep-18 07:01 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Gin:
1d20+4:`(3)+4=7`


[08-Sep-18 07:01 PM] Xander
He tries to use Will-o-Wisp on the Zorua!
If the target is not Burned, Will-O-Wisp deals no damage and instead causes the target to become Burned and to take their next Move action as an interrupt to Move towards the user as if Slowed.
1d20 AC 5!


[08-Sep-18 07:01 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Xander:
1d20:`(20)=20`


[08-Sep-18 07:03 PM] GM (cable)
Xander dashes after the Zorua and emits a huge flare that briefly engulfs the Zorua, which drops the ball and begins dancing around in pain. It moves towards you, but mostly out of random dancing from being on fire.

Hana attempts to trip the Sableye, but it hops over her vine and scurries off into a another passage.

The Salandit skids to a stop with a startled hiss as Wander pops out in front of it and growls.


[08-Sep-18 07:06 PM] Xander
Xander tackles the Zorua and tries to keep a good hold on it!


[08-Sep-18 07:07 PM] GM (cable)
Rather than resisting, it tries to smother its flames on your clothes!
After sufficiently scorching your cashmere attire, it looks up suddenly with a deer in headlights look, realizing its folly.


[08-Sep-18 07:08 PM] Xander
He tries to grab the ball it snatched
and boop it in


[08-Sep-18 07:11 PM] Wick
"Wander! Use Cave Justice!"


[08-Sep-18 07:14 PM] GM (cable)
Xander, you realize that this Zorua has a long stripe down its back, kind of like a skunk. As you are about to boop it, you hear a low growl further down the tunnel. You look up to see a large Krookodile, with several more stripes than it is supposed to have, charging towards you!


[08-Sep-18 07:14 PM] Xander
"Oh."


[08-Sep-18 07:15 PM] GM (cable)
Wander begins thrashing this poor Salandit, which mostly tries to evade or shoot little pew pews of poison in the doggo's eyes. But mostly it gets thrashed.


[08-Sep-18 07:15 PM] Xander
He tries to roll out of its way


[08-Sep-18 07:15 PM] GM (cable)
Give me a Quick roll!


[08-Sep-18 07:16 PM] Xander
1d20


[08-Sep-18 07:16 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Xander:
1d20:`(5)=5`


[08-Sep-18 07:16 PM] Xander
oh no


[08-Sep-18 07:18 PM] GM (cable)
The Krook slams into you, knocking you to the ground, and you realize after a moment that it seems to have snatched the Zorua. It continues back towards the others and suddenly runs up behind Wander, who is standing over the defeated Salandit imposingly. It looms behind the rock pup.
Also, Gin/Wick, there is a Krookodile.


[08-Sep-18 07:18 PM] Xander
Xander tries to get back up
And Will-o-Wisp both the Krookodile and the Zorua!


[08-Sep-18 07:19 PM] Gin
Gin watches the Sableye dart down the tunnel for a moment, then turns to the others, ready to throw a Pokemon in if needed to help out. Otherwise, he's trying to work out what the dynamic is among the inhabitants of the cave he's seen so far, whether it seems like there's a mass conspiracy to trap them down here or if the would-be thieves here are operating on their own
(insight + poke empathy?)


[08-Sep-18 07:20 PM] GM (cable)
The Krookodile brushes lunges past Wander and picks up the battered Salandit before backing up the side of the cavern. It gets hit in the face by Xander's blast of fire and glares at him indignantly.
It holds the two rescues up with one hand and looks at them sternly, holding out its other hand, as if expecting payment.


[08-Sep-18 07:21 PM] Gin
1d20+5+1d6


[08-Sep-18 07:21 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Gin:
1d20+5+1d6:`(4)+5+(2)=11`


[08-Sep-18 07:21 PM] GM (cable)
You all notice now that the Zorua has the striping I mentioned to Xander. The Salandit also has an extra stripe on its belly.


[08-Sep-18 07:21 PM] Wick
"Wha?"


[08-Sep-18 07:22 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, you seem to think these striped individuals are part of some kind of...gang? And the Krookodile is clearly superior to them because it has way too many stripes.


[08-Sep-18 07:23 PM] Gin
"We've run afoul of a gang here, it seems. But," Gin says, raising his gaze to the Krookodile. "I think it does none of us any good here to fight. Win or lose, it would be costly to them to fight us, and we want nothing more than to know a way safely through these tunnels. Uh, Hana, could you translate perhaps?"


[08-Sep-18 07:24 PM] GM (cable)
Hana walks up and wiggles her vines at the stripeleader.


[08-Sep-18 07:24 PM] Gin
Gin wonders if vines count as stripes. 🤔


[08-Sep-18 07:25 PM] GM (cable)
It growls a few things to Hana in response, and then looks at the embarrassed thieves in its hand, noting indignantly that they have no pilfered goods to offer to him.


[08-Sep-18 07:25 PM] Wick
"Addendum, I'd also like it to keep its cronies away from us."


[08-Sep-18 07:26 PM] Gin
"That's implied in 'safely', I feel, but you're right Wick, let's be explicit about that then." Gin nods to Hana.


[08-Sep-18 07:26 PM] GM (cable)
Hana wiggle mimes some more.
The Krookodile raises an eyebrow, and then looks at Xander. He points at the Zorua.
He does the same to Wick in regards to the Salandit.


[08-Sep-18 07:27 PM] Wick
"Yes, they tried to rob us. Just take them and go."


[08-Sep-18 07:28 PM] Xander
"Hmph, I'd rather they paid us in community service."
He walks up tot the Zorua and boops it


[08-Sep-18 07:30 PM] GM (cable)
The Krookodile nods at Xander's statement and holds the Zorua out in front of him. The Zorua wiggles about indignantly but then turns to give Xander a big forced grin right as it is sucked into the ball.


[08-Sep-18 07:32 PM] Gin
"We'll bring them back home regularly, don't worry." Gin says when Xander zwoops the fox.


[08-Sep-18 07:32 PM] GM (cable)
Based on observing the interactions here, as well as the limited number of stripes on the smaller Pokemon, you think that the small ones were either newbies or incompetent. Or both.
The Krookodile seems to be fine with letting you punish them for their failed heist.
It holds the Salandit by its tail in front of all of you for a moment to see if you want to do anything with it. It hangs there limply, clearly defeated.


[08-Sep-18 07:34 PM] Wick
"Just let us move on."


[08-Sep-18 07:35 PM] GM (cable)
It nods and throws the lizard over its shoulder like a bindle before running off into yet another tunnel.
The tunnel around you grows quiet.


[08-Sep-18 07:36 PM] Xander
"...maybe we should have asked it for the way out."


[08-Sep-18 07:36 PM] Wick
"Up?"


[08-Sep-18 07:36 PM] Gin
"I thought Hana did, but perhaps it didn't see a reason to help us further."


[08-Sep-18 07:37 PM] GM (cable)
Hana shakes her torso left-right to confirm she did not get any other helpful info.


[08-Sep-18 07:37 PM] Wick
"I say we just keep going..."


[08-Sep-18 07:37 PM] Gin
"Yeah."


[08-Sep-18 07:37 PM] Xander
"The path is treacherous, but surely we can find a way out!"


[08-Sep-18 07:38 PM] GM (cable)
You continue to scout out the tunnels! As you're moving along, looking for a passage to try, you notice two that stand out in particular. One of them has a somewhat pungent aroma coming from deeper into the darkness. From the other, you hear a soft chorus of clicking sounds.


[08-Sep-18 07:40 PM] Wick
"Hmm. Extremely cursed."


[08-Sep-18 07:40 PM] Gin
"I vote bugs." Gin says, pointing down the way towards the clicking sounds.


[08-Sep-18 07:41 PM] Xander
"I think my cursed flames could handle bugs quite fine."


[08-Sep-18 07:41 PM] Wick
"Very well."


[08-Sep-18 07:42 PM] GM (cable)
You all turn down the path with the clicking noises. As you continue on, the noise grows faintly louder. At some point, a small clump of dirt hits Gin on the shoulder from above.


[08-Sep-18 07:43 PM] Gin
What did it come from?


[08-Sep-18 07:43 PM] Wick
Wix begfins to absentmindedly chitter to the rhythm


[08-Sep-18 07:44 PM] Xander
Xander holds his cursed left arm with his right hand, occasionally directing it at particularly loud chittering


[08-Sep-18 07:44 PM] GM (cable)
As you look up, you see a slightly small Durant walking along the ceiling! It seems like its trek dislodged a bit of dirt. It carries a small, half-eaten piece of fruit in its jaws.


[08-Sep-18 07:45 PM] Gin
"If it has fruit, it probably came from the surface. I'm no expert like Vasko, but I can't think of many fruits you can grow in tunnels like this, away from sunlight."


[08-Sep-18 07:46 PM] Wick
"Darkfruit."


[08-Sep-18 07:47 PM] GM (cable)
It pauses for a moment, its eyes falling on Wick and his chittering. It clicks twice at him before continuing onward towards the din up ahead.


[08-Sep-18 07:47 PM] Xander
"Cursed pomegranates, perhaps."


[08-Sep-18 07:47 PM] Wick
Wick continues chittering and moves forward


[08-Sep-18 07:48 PM] Gin
"I hope you aren't accidentally saying something offensive to it."


[08-Sep-18 07:49 PM] GM (cable)
As you continue onward, a few side tunnels connect to the one you're walking along, and a couple more Durant join the one you spotted on the ceiling. You begin to notice that these Durant all have varying amounts of green coloring all over their spindly legs.
Eventually you arrive at the source of the noise. A large swarm of Durant, all over the walls and ceiling, mill about before a pile of rubble. It seems their path has been cut off.


[08-Sep-18 07:49 PM] Gin
Gin looks to see if any more are carrying fruits or other vegetation.


[08-Sep-18 07:50 PM] GM (cable)
Each Durant has been carrying a bit of something vegetative. Sometimes bark, sometimes bits of moss.


[08-Sep-18 07:50 PM] Gin
"If we can find where they're coming from with the fruits, that's more useful than where they're going. This looks like the sort of trouble we want nothing to do with, after all." Gin keeps his distance from the swarm.
He turns and starts to follow whichever side tunnel had the most Durant carrying vegetation that seems like it'd come from the surface, as opposed to moss or something that could grow underground.


[08-Sep-18 07:53 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, roll Insightful.


[08-Sep-18 07:53 PM] Gin
1d20+5


[08-Sep-18 07:53 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Gin:
1d20+5:`(6)+5=11`


[08-Sep-18 07:55 PM] GM (cable)
To your disappointment, you realize that you've seen evidence of both underground and surface vegetation coming from their trails. Knowing a bit about Durant, you also recall that they can will sometimes travel extremely far on a foraging trip. Any side paths you follow could be quite a long walk.


[08-Sep-18 07:55 PM] Xander
Xander thinks
and thonks
Then he sends out
"Great Defiler Xipe Totec!"
"Smash it!"
1d20 rollout on the cave in


[08-Sep-18 07:56 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Xander:
1d20:`(14)=14`


[08-Sep-18 07:56 PM] GM (cable)
After standing around for a bit, you all realize that these Durant all seem rather calm about your presence. Durant are notoriously aggressive, most of the time.


[08-Sep-18 07:56 PM] Gin
"Well, it might be a long trip if we try to follow where they came from. But that seems to me like a better prospect than where they're _going_. I definitely wouldn't want to appear like we're intruders to their queen's resting place, for example."


[08-Sep-18 07:56 PM] GM (cable)
Xipe Totec bursts out and begins ramming the cave in with gusto!
As he slams the rubble repeatedly, the Durant begin to pick up bits of rock and debris from his progress and move them to the side, in an attempt to help.
It takes a good 15 minutes or so, but eventually, Xipe Totec busts through the rubble to the other side! The Durant all click their jaws in appreciation and form an orderly line to start going through the tiny hole.
Wick, you hear a soft, repeated thudding noise to your left. Which is the wall.


[08-Sep-18 07:59 PM] Gin
"Could you have your Venipede ask for a path to the surface?"


[08-Sep-18 07:59 PM] GM (cable)
After a few moments, Gin and Xander hear it too.


[08-Sep-18 07:59 PM] Gin
"Hopefully, it can follow their pheromone trails if given one."


[08-Sep-18 08:00 PM] Gin
Gin doesn't want to be there if something busts through. He retreats away from the wall a safe distance.


[08-Sep-18 08:00 PM] Xander
He nods.  "Xipe Totec, inquire for infernal aid!"


[08-Sep-18 08:02 PM] GM (cable)
Xipe Totec begins chittering to the big metal ants. He seems to have a tough time getting the eager delivery workers to stop and listen, but a few of them click back to him after a while. After a few replies, he looks very confused and then sort of points his head towards where they are going and looks back at Xander.


[08-Sep-18 08:02 PM] Xander
¯\_(ツ)_/¯


[08-Sep-18 08:02 PM] GM (cable)
The thudding noises continue to grow louder when suddenly, a small section of the wall collapses!


[08-Sep-18 08:02 PM] Xander
"Xipe Totec thinks we should follow their le- A DEMON!!!"


[08-Sep-18 08:03 PM] GM (cable)
The collapse is actually astonishingly mild and doesn't cause any more damage than a small hole into the wall. As the dust settles, a Geodude wearing a bright orange hardhat floats out into the larger tunnel. It holds a large stone tablet under one arm as it looks around, squinting.


[08-Sep-18 08:04 PM] Xander
He squints back at it.


[08-Sep-18 08:04 PM] Wick
"Maybe we're the demons," Wick says calmly as he stares into the new hole. "I think it came with a holy tablet to exorcise us from its realm."


[08-Sep-18 08:04 PM] Gin
"Or it's a foreman? I think that's the term."


[08-Sep-18 08:04 PM] Xander
He strokes his chin.  "What if demons think they're angels???"


[08-Sep-18 08:04 PM] GM (cable)
The Geodude looks at the hole in the rubble and then squints even harder back at Xander.


[08-Sep-18 08:05 PM] Gin
How are the bugs reacting to this?


[08-Sep-18 08:05 PM] GM (cable)
It holds up the tablet and smacks it with its free hand, clearly disgruntled.


[08-Sep-18 08:05 PM] Xander
He folds his arms. "Well I didn't see any holes for these poor bugs to go through so I made my own!"


[08-Sep-18 08:05 PM] GM (cable)
The Durant continue to file through the hole, as if this is the most ordinary thing in the world.
The Geodude flies up very close to Xander and points at several places on the tablet, then at Xipe Totec, then at the rubble, and then throws his free hand in the air in exasperation.
It does give Gin an appreciative nod at the word 'foreman', however.


[08-Sep-18 08:07 PM] Gin
Gin tries to get a look at the tablet from where he is as he watches this. Can he figure out what the 'dude means?


[08-Sep-18 08:07 PM] GM (cable)
Roll Focused!
Anyone who sees it really.


[08-Sep-18 08:07 PM] Gin
poke empathy apply?
1d20+3+1d6


[08-Sep-18 08:07 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Gin:
1d20+3+1d6:`(14)+3+(6)=23`


[08-Sep-18 08:07 PM] Xander
"Tell him!  If he's going to leave us stranded for so long then we can't be to blame for not following his plan!"  He wildly gesticulates at Xipe Totec to try and help with getting his point across
1d20+2+1d6


[08-Sep-18 08:07 PM] GM's Toolkit#6456
Xander:
1d20+2+1d6:`(17)+2+(2)=21`


[08-Sep-18 08:07 PM] Wick
"Maybe we created a hole where it didn't want a hole on account of structural instability."


[08-Sep-18 08:08 PM] GM (cable)
The Geodude points at Wick up through the words 'didn't want a hole' but then it waves its hand in 'so so' gesture at the last part.
At first, the tablet appears to be a big hunk of stone with a bunch of tiny lines scratched into it. But after you stare at it for a while and try to wrap your head around it, you realize it is something like a timesheet. A schedule, of sorts.
You have no idea what any of the units actually mean, but you get the rough idea.


[08-Sep-18 08:11 PM] Gin
"Oh I see. I think. Well, what can we do to make it right to you? We just want to find a way out. And map the area." Gin points up and also shows the Geodude his journal where he's scribbling a rough map of the area, as he has for other expeditions too.


[08-Sep-18 08:12 PM] GM (cable)
The Geodude snatches the journal and looks at it intently before handing it back. He raises a rocky eyebrow at you and points up questioningly.


[08-Sep-18 08:13 PM] Gin
Gin nods.


[08-Sep-18 08:14 PM] GM (cable)
It places its hand on its chin, which is basically just its body, and looks at the timesheet. It then looks back at you and holds up four fingers.
You think it might be telling you how long that would take. Maybe in days. Maybe some other unit.


[08-Sep-18 08:15 PM] Xander
Xander slumps.  "4 days in hell..."


[08-Sep-18 08:15 PM] Gin
"That's a bit longer than we'd want to spend down here. Anything we could do to speed that up?"


[08-Sep-18 08:15 PM] GM (cable)
It shrugs and points to the timesheet, specifically at several other entries. Seems it has a lot on the schedule already.
At some point it looks at the stream of Durant entering the tiny hole and seems to get a little aggravated before reaching under its hat and pulling out something small and shiny. It's a whistle. It then blows the whistle really loudly.


[08-Sep-18 08:17 PM] Gin
"I doubt a Durant's foraging path would have been more than a day, nevermind four days. Shall we try the side tunnels then?" He says to the others, backing away to let the Geodude do foreman things.


[08-Sep-18 08:17 PM] Wick
"Uh... yeah. Maybe it meant 4 hours?"


[08-Sep-18 08:18 PM] GM (cable)
After the whistle rings out, a big chunk of the ceiling falls down on an open section of the ground! Then it stands up.
The Graveler flexes its four arms and begins methodically opening up the tunnel in a far more organized manner. The Geodude begins gesticulating wildly as it directs the big rocky worker.


[08-Sep-18 08:19 PM] Gin
"Would wild Pokemon think in terms of hours? Those are hard enough for us to track back in town without a sundial."


[08-Sep-18 08:22 PM] Wick
"Shrug," Wick says.


[08-Sep-18 08:23 PM] Gin
"I'll start to check a side tunnel at least and see if it looks promising at all."


[08-Sep-18 08:23 PM] GM (cable)
Xipe Totec peeks his head over a bit of rubble as the Graveler opens the path forward, looking curiously.


[08-Sep-18 08:24 PM] Gin
Gin heads off down the most promising tunnel, watching both the ceiling and ground carefully as he does.


[08-Sep-18 08:25 PM] Xander
"You think that's the way back to Midgard, Xipe?"


[08-Sep-18 08:26 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, as you get a bit farther away from the group, you catch sight of another Geodude. This one appears to be wearing a glassy hardhat that is somehow emitting a bright light, like a headlamp. The 'dude is arguing with a Roggenrola as it gestures wildly at another pile of rubble.


[08-Sep-18 08:27 PM] Gin
Gin watches for a while before approaching the pair, trying to get a sense of what the disagreement is.


[08-Sep-18 08:28 PM] GM (cable)
Xander, Xipe shakes his head side to side at you. He kinda crawls up your leg and points his head at a few of your trinkets, including a Pokeball and your cross. He then nods towards the newly opened tunnel.
As you approach, Gin, you see that this Geodude also has a timesheet, which it references frequently during the argument. It seems like it maybe thinks this section should get opened up? Or maybe it thinks it's not the next thing on the schedule. Hard to tell which side he's on, actually.


[08-Sep-18 08:31 PM] Gin
"Excuse me," Gin says, then points at the pile of rubble, making a gesture like clearing it out. Then gives a thumbs up/down at the Geodude.


[08-Sep-18 08:32 PM] GM (cable)
The Geodude gives you a thumbs down and gestures at the timesheet indignantly. The Roggenrola wobbles about, clearly annoyed at the decision. A Chinchoi peeks over the top of the foreman's glass helmet, which you suddenly realize is like a fishbowl hat. Or something.


[08-Sep-18 08:33 PM] Gin
"Ah, that's how the hat works." Gin points at the helmet, mimes splashing water, and tries to gesture questioningly about where to find it.


[08-Sep-18 08:34 PM] GM (cable)
The Chinchou points one of its bulbs towards a side tunnel as the Geodude keeps arguing.


[08-Sep-18 08:35 PM] Gin
"Cheers." Gin heads down that way.


[08-Sep-18 08:35 PM] Xander
"A demon down there?  One I could catch?"  He smirks.


[08-Sep-18 08:36 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, you're getting pretty far away from the group. Do you want to keep going without them?


[08-Sep-18 08:36 PM] Gin
He's gonna take a quick peek down this way to see if there's an apparent source of water nearby, and if not he'll head back.


[08-Sep-18 08:37 PM] Wick
"Last time there was underground water it made me meet God and I didn't like it. Come back Gin!"


[08-Sep-18 08:38 PM] Xander
"You met God?"  He thinks.


[08-Sep-18 08:38 PM] GM (cable)
Xipe frowns and points at a potion and a carabiner hanging from Xander's belt and then nod nods towards the tunnel again.


[08-Sep-18 08:38 PM] Xander
"You should introduce me to him."


[08-Sep-18 08:38 PM] GM (cable)
You think he might mean manmade things.


[08-Sep-18 08:39 PM] Xander
"Oh, Xipe thinks there's human things over there..."  he nods.  "Probably our way out then."


[08-Sep-18 08:39 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, you do not find any water right away. What you do find is a single Clefairy, standing at the edge of a tunnel. It waves at you politely with a small smile. It has a bow on its head.


[08-Sep-18 08:39 PM] Wick
"She was a woman but yes sure."


[08-Sep-18 08:40 PM] GM (cable)
The Durant have mostly cleared out at this point.


[08-Sep-18 08:40 PM] Xander
"Introduce me to her sometime!"


[08-Sep-18 08:40 PM] Gin
"Just taking a quick peek this way is all. " Gin calls back. "We should note the ecology of this place for later, and if there's water down here that probably has its own ecosystem." Does he see anything of note before he heads back?


[08-Sep-18 08:41 PM] GM (cable)
The passage that the Clefairy stands before seems a bit brighter than average for the glowing tunnels down here.
Wander paces around Wick, looking over at the hard-working Graveler inquisitively from time to time.


[08-Sep-18 08:44 PM] Gin
"Oh hey there." Gin waves to the Clefairy. "What's down that way?" He points down the bright tunnel.


[08-Sep-18 08:45 PM] GM (cable)
She smiles more brightly and puts both her hands up and waves them down to the side dramatically. She then hands Gin a small pebble.


[08-Sep-18 08:46 PM] Gin
"...oh right, we're still in the Duskwood." Gin looks warily down at the pebble.


[08-Sep-18 08:46 PM] GM (cable)
At first, you think it is indeed a painted pebble, but you then realize it to be some kind of quartz, smoothly sculpted into a little pebble.
You're not sure what that means it is for though.


[08-Sep-18 08:47 PM] Gin
"No water this way, but there's a Clefairy here who just handed me a crystal." Gin calls back to the others. "Want to make a quick detour before we look for the way out?"


[08-Sep-18 08:48 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefairy tilts her head when you mention water and then shakes it and points down the tunnel.


[08-Sep-18 08:50 PM] Gin
Gin decides to follow the Clefairy then! But cautiously. FAIRIES


[08-Sep-18 08:50 PM] Xander
Xander decides to go after Gin. "Don't go alone in hell!  Use the buddy system!"


[08-Sep-18 08:51 PM] Wick
Wick hadnt been responding because he had been waiting for Gin to catch up, but I guess he and Xander just turn back to look for him??
(I thought he was talking to the clefairy)


[08-Sep-18 08:53 PM] GM (cable)
As Xander and Wick show up the Clefairy gets very excited. She hands each of you a crystal pebble and gestures down the tunnel, as if to ask if you want to follow her.
She then begins to lead you _somewhere_.
As you travel, the tunnel grows progressively brighter and brighter, as larger chunks of glowing crystal begin to protrude from the cavern walls. The path becomes mostly solid stone, rather than dirt, too.


[08-Sep-18 08:54 PM] Wick
"This doesn't look like the way out... are we heading deeper in?"


[08-Sep-18 08:55 PM] Gin
"Who's to say? But it _is_ something noteworthy enough for us to check out, I think."


[08-Sep-18 08:56 PM] GM (cable)
Along the way you pass yet another Geodude foreman. This one appears to be wearing some kind of rocky helmet, but you quickly realize it seems to be wearing a Roggenrola as a helmet. For once, there is no arguing, just diligent construction, as a Golem and a Boldore work together to widen a narrow passageway.
You detect the same pungent aroma from before coming from their tunnel and glimpse a few mushrooms growing along the ground.
The Clefairy continues down a different route though, and you eventually lose sight of this latest construction site.


[08-Sep-18 08:57 PM] Wick
"Fair enough."


[08-Sep-18 08:58 PM] Gin
"Where did you get the bow?" Gin asks the Clefairy, gesturing at it, as he follows.


[08-Sep-18 08:58 PM] Xander
"Whether the divine or the demonic, I suppose it is good to gather more knowledge."


[08-Sep-18 08:59 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefairy traces its arms in a shape that you realize looks like the wings on a Clefable. She smiles happily as she leads you onward.
Eventually, you begin to hear the sound of gently flowing water, and the tunnel opens up into a large cavern of stone. You can see a small river running around a central island of some sort, and light filters in from the surface through large crystals that jut out of the ceiling, giving the whole cavern a very mellow vibe.


[08-Sep-18 09:00 PM] Gin
"A Clefable makes them? Oh, this is a nice place. Much nicer than all the dirt and lichen, at least."


[08-Sep-18 09:00 PM] GM (cable)
The cavern is also filled with Pokemon! Various species lounge about at different areas as several more Clefairy mill about offering refreshments and snacks.


[08-Sep-18 09:00 PM] Xander
"The River Styx, perhaps..."


[08-Sep-18 09:00 PM] Gin
"Also, is that light from the surface shining through?"


[08-Sep-18 09:00 PM] GM (cable)
Each Clefairy has its own little bow, and they all look uniquely made.


[08-Sep-18 09:01 PM] Wick
"Huh. This is nice. Shame it's so hard to reach."


[08-Sep-18 09:04 PM] GM (cable)
As you look around, you see several odd little rituals going on.
In one corner, a Machop and an Elekid are lying on some raised stone tables as a pair of Makuhita give them massages.
At the source of the river, a few a Magby and Mankey dip their feet in the water, giggling slightly about something unseen.
Another larger section has a Medicham making very odd, deliberate poses, as an Ekans and a Stufful try their hardest to imitate it. The Stufful mostly falls down a lot, but they seem to be enjoying themselves.
Lastly, there is a line of furry Pokemon waiting for their turn, as a Sneasel excellently grooms their fur. The barber is currently working on a Dugtrio with glorious golden locks.


[08-Sep-18 09:05 PM] Gin
"There's a lot of biodiversity down here too."


[08-Sep-18 09:06 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefairy that was guiding you seems to have wandered off, but then she comes bounding back joyfully as a kindly Clefable follows behind her.


[08-Sep-18 09:07 PM] Wick
"Hi, Yes, how do we go outside? Outside?" Wick repeats, gesticulating vaguely


[08-Sep-18 09:07 PM] Xander
Xander eyes all of these mons suspiciously but then gives teh Clefable a nod when it appears.  "We seek to see the skies again!"


[08-Sep-18 09:09 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefable gives you all a deep bow before standing fully and tilting her head quizzically. She points across the cavern and you see a small, carved tunnel. Sunlight seems to trickle in a little ways into the tunnel.


[08-Sep-18 09:10 PM] Gin
Gin sits down at an unoccupied part of the cave and takes out his tea set. He'll scoop up some of the water from the river and heats it up with his torch, preparing some tea. He gestures for the first Clefairy to come join him and looks around to see if any other Pokemon start to take interest.


[08-Sep-18 09:10 PM] GM (cable)
As Xander speaks up, the Clefable suddenly stares intensely at his arm. She snaps her fingers and a Hariyama suddenly appears and attempts to pick Xander up.
The Clefable then smiles softly at Wick and hands him another crystal pebble. As you all continue to observe the Pokemon here, you see them handing crystal pebbles to the Clefairy attendants as they partake of the various amenities in the grotto.


[08-Sep-18 09:12 PM] Gin
"Uh."
"I think we'd prefer that not happen."
"Or an explanation at least."


[08-Sep-18 09:12 PM] Xander
"Unhand me you foul beasts!" He flails around as the Hariyama starts carrying him away


[08-Sep-18 09:13 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefable points sternly at Xander's demon arm and then over at one of the massage tables.


[08-Sep-18 09:13 PM] Xander
"The demons want to take my arm back for their own use!"


[08-Sep-18 09:13 PM] GM (cable)
The Hariyama seems to be taking Xander for a mandatory massage.


[08-Sep-18 09:13 PM] Wick
"Okay here's a pebble for getting us out of here," Wick says, handing it back to the Clefable.


[08-Sep-18 09:13 PM] Xander
"It's part of their master plan to take over the surface world!!!!"


[08-Sep-18 09:13 PM] Wick
"And giving me Xander back."


[08-Sep-18 09:14 PM] GM (cable)
Gin, several Clefairy came over to looks at your _strange_ contraption as you start to go deal with the Xander problem.
The Hariyama pauses and looks back at the Clefable matriarch. She sighs and waves a hand back over towards the group, and the foam-fingered deliverymon returns Xander to his previous position.


[08-Sep-18 09:15 PM] Gin
"We can come back for that later." Gin serves the Clefairy some tea as he gets up to confront the Hariyama. "For now, we'd like to just relax a bit and then head up to the surface."


[08-Sep-18 09:15 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefable then gestures at his arm with a concerned expression and mimes something bursting out.


[08-Sep-18 09:16 PM] Xander
He dusts himself off and sticks his tongue out at the Hariyama before rejoining the others.


[08-Sep-18 09:16 PM] GM (cable)
The Hariyama merely shrugs and wanders off.
The Clefable is still looking at Xander, deeply concerned.
The Clefairy produce a variety of leaves and other things that _might_ be tea and attempt to add them to your brew, Gin.
Over at the barbershop, the Sneasel has moved on to grooming a ridiculously fluffy Vulpix.


[08-Sep-18 09:18 PM] Xander
He sighs.  "I am aware of the danger in my arm, Miss.  It is my mission to find a way to exorcise it and to use its great evil power for good!"


[08-Sep-18 09:18 PM] Gin
Gin gently pushes away the other leaves. "Thank you, but best not to muddle the brew. We can do that next, or perhaps next time I visit."
"Or one of you can come back with me to town, and we can do this every day."
Gin hopes to find the original Clefairy in this group.


[08-Sep-18 09:19 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefairy look _very_ sad that they didn't get to help. Their faces (and their bows) droop.
The original Clefairy is holding some horrifying mixture of leaves and mushrooms. She seemed very proud of her tea ingredients.


[08-Sep-18 09:20 PM] Gin
"Oh, don't be that way. Like I said, we can try those another time." Gin offers some tea to the gathered Clefairy.


[08-Sep-18 09:20 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefable nods at Xander's words and snaps her fingers again. A Meditite suddenly appears and hands her a small piece of bark. She turns it over and shows it to Xander.


[08-Sep-18 09:21 PM] Xander
Hmmmmm.  He studies it, carefully.


[08-Sep-18 09:21 PM] GM (cable)
It's mostly a piece of bark, but engraved on the side she displays to you is the holy symbol of Grace's nature religion.


[08-Sep-18 09:22 PM] Xander
!!!
"Perhaps my sister was here then...She had tried to exorcise my arm prior but it hadn't worked.  I wonder if she's found out anything since..."


[08-Sep-18 09:23 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefable points to the symbol, then Xander's arm, then the massage table once again.


[08-Sep-18 09:23 PM] Xander
He thinks...
"Fine, I'll humor you." He walks over to it.


[08-Sep-18 09:25 PM] Wick
"Ufhfghkg"
Wick just sits down on the ground.
"We're going to live down here now I guess."


[08-Sep-18 09:26 PM] Gin
"There's an exit over that way, it looks like." Gin points at the carved tunnel with the light peeking through.


[08-Sep-18 09:26 PM] Wick
WICK is annoyed that none of the Pokemon down here will tell them how to leave!
Oh well then nvm
HA HA


[08-Sep-18 09:29 PM] GM (cable)
Rather than Xander getting a massage, the Makuhita suddenly clear out of the area. Without you even noticing its approach, the Medicham that was leading yoga suddenly appears before you, its hands clasped in a prayer position. A Wooper comes over and spits some mud into a small basin next to the table as the Medicham begins to rapidly rub its hands together, creating a _lot_ of heat in the process.


[08-Sep-18 09:29 PM] Xander
blink blink


[08-Sep-18 09:30 PM] GM (cable)
This all takes a little bit, so Xander has some time to process what may or may not be about to happen.


[08-Sep-18 09:30 PM] Gin
Does the Clefairy seem receptive to coming back to town?


[08-Sep-18 09:31 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefairy places a tiny hand on her chin contemplatively about going with you, and then holds up her unholy combination of vegetation hopefully.
After the Medicham gets its hands good and hot, it plunges one of them into the mud, which starts to boil. It deftly whips its hand out, covered in scalding mud and places it palm first on Xander's chest.


[08-Sep-18 09:33 PM] Gin
"That seems a bit questionable for tea all mixed together, I'll be honest, but perhaps for a stew? That said, there are some mushroom teas I can make. We'd have to sun dry those first and see what might be good."


[08-Sep-18 09:33 PM] Xander
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
He kneels over, in pain, but eventually stands up.  "My arm...feels a little lighter."  He smirks, nodding.
"It wasn't pleasant, but thank you."


[08-Sep-18 09:35 PM] GM (cable)
It burns intensely for a few hots seconds, but after it fades, you don't think your chest is seriously burned.
The Medicham nods dramatically to you, and traces an arcane symbol in the air. To most people, it probably looks like gibberish.
The Clefairy thinks deeply a little longer and then nod nods. She tries to take your hand and lead you to the Clefable.


[08-Sep-18 09:37 PM] Gin
Gin lets himself be led over!


[08-Sep-18 09:38 PM] Xander
He nods, tracing another arcane symbol with blue flames and thanking it


[08-Sep-18 09:40 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefairy leads you over and waves and mimes something to the Clefable. The matriarch inspects you intensely. After a few charged moments she eventually nods and reaches down, removing the Clefairy's bow and handing it to you.
The Medicham bows to Xander and returns to its yoga class.
The Clefairy claps excitedly at the Clefable's blessing.


[08-Sep-18 09:40 PM] Xander
He joins Gin now, ready to leave!


[08-Sep-18 09:41 PM] Gin
Can Gin tell what he's supposed to do with this bow or what it symbolizes?
"Well, it looks nice on you, so if you want to keep wearing it, you can. Or I can think of something to do with it, but it doesn't exactly suit me." Gin offers it back to the Clefairy.
"Either way though," Gin also holds out an Apricorn Ball.


[08-Sep-18 09:44 PM] GM (cable)
The Clefairy looks a bit surprised, but then gleefully takes her bow back and refastens it just a little bit off center this time, to distinguish herself from the other staff. The Clefable nods at Gin approvingly as the Clefairy high fives your Pokeball. Shwoop!


[08-Sep-18 09:45 PM] Gin
"Well, that was a fruitful detour. Should we go now?"


[08-Sep-18 09:48 PM] GM (cable)

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/474812078780055552/488178908718563339/59b8624feafd48a2ce99c2ce6ff2cfc5-d55o2re.jpg


[08-Sep-18 10:00 PM] GM (cable)
You say your goodbyes to the spa fairies and head out the side tunnel. Thankfully, it leads quickly back to the surface, and you emerge in an area of the Duskwood that is fairly close to an area you've mapped before, where you set up your camp for the night.