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>>5461450
New thread, new Vees
groovee

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>>5461450
Wheels up and ready to roll!

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>>5461450
>Charles, ready to go!

>>5461450
I'm here to fuck bitches and look fabulous while doing it.

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>>5461450
Don't fret, because I'm here.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

As the main group leaves the safety of the caravan to go searching for their missing friends, they quickly realize how deep into the forest they've ventured when a familiar feeling embraces them... the sensation of entering a Mystery Dungeon! Stepping into the depths of the oppressive forest, you actually very quickly encounter both Vee and Tintoretto, who have both miraculously wandered into the same room. Reunited but in a place particularly dangerous, you'll have to find your way out of here intact!

Up ahead, you notice that the route ahead splits in the three different paths. Behind you, you can hear branches snapping and tree trunks being torn asunder. You have it on good feeling you shouldn't stay to figure what that mysterious thing wants. It'll reach you by three turns.

Also, post your current levels of stress.

Your choices:
>The path on the right is going up but is particularly crowded by trees. Walking through it isn't going to be the best idea, but if you can traverse it, it'll be the fastest. [-0 if entered successfully. -2 if failed.]
>The middle path dips into a moonlit pond. If water wading isn't for you, this will definitely slow you down. [-1 if unfamiliar with water.]
>The path on the left remains on the same level as you and doesn't seem to provide any particularly obvious obstacles. But something might be lurking around the corner. [-??? if entered successfully.]

>>5461467
no bitches

>>5461499
>Castform
>probably a minus something stress? considering still sleep arson-ing.

>>5461499
>The path on the right is going up but is particularly crowded by trees. Walking through it isn't going to be the best idea, but if you can traverse it, it'll be the fastest. [-0 if entered successfully. -2 if failed.]
"Stufful!" Stufful squeaks, pointing towards the path on the right. It's a long shot, but it thinks they can make it.

>>5461499
Stress: 2
"Huh. Hey!" He greets his friends, having stumbled into the dungeon long before them, yet not moved anywhere.

>>5461499
"Wait, that wasn't a dungeon back there? What...?"

>The path on the left remains on the same level as you and doesn't seem to provide any particularly obvious obstacles. But something might be looking around the corner.

Citrine immediately takes the left path, even if that might be kind of a bad idea. He can handle it. Probably.

Stress: +3

>>5461499
Stress: -2
"I do believe we should get moving. Those sounds behind us don't sound too friendly."
>Middle path
"I'd be up for moving though that pond area, but if everyone wishes to take one of the others that's fine with me."

>>5461499
>-3 stress, allegedly!
>The path on the right is going up but is particularly crowded by trees. Walking through it isn't going to be the best idea, but if you can traverse it, it'll be the fastest. [-0 if entered successfully. -2 if failed.]
"I vote to just take the quickest path, I got a bad feeling about this place..."

>>5461499
>The path on the left remains on the same level as you and doesn't seem to provide any particularly obvious obstacles. But something might be lurking around the corner. [-??? if entered successfully.]
Always go to the left in mazes! That's how you win, right?
>STRESS: 1

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>5461499
Rolling to spawn(nameless knoll)

>>5461499
"This way! We gotta get moving fast!" Brock wants to swing in the trees, monke brain having taken over.
>Stress: -2
>The path on the right

>>5461499
>>5461506
>>5461517
"I agree. I'm changing to the right. We should get going and fast!"

> To the right

>>5461514
As you step into the opening, you can definitely see up ahead is flooded with water. Knee-deep or up to the neck in wading, really, it matters on your height. Charles, however, decides to follow the others to the trees.

>>5461517
>>5461506
>>5461526
>>5461527
The path is a tight squeeze. You'll need some serious expertise to navigate through this maze-within-a-maze!
>Roll. If you have any acrobatics or maneuvering skills, be sure to apply them.

>>5461512
>>5461520
Together, Citrine and Sableye head left. Almost immediately, they find themselves in a den of sleeping ferals! Catching your breath and holding it tight, you need to be quiet about this… best not to break their Z's lest it causes further problems. You don't have the time to be worrying about mobs! Something's following you, after all!
>Try to be as fast as you can. Maybe you can get away before they wake up.
>Creep around and find out...!

Brock, Charles, and Kaku make note of how strange the forest looks. Even for a Mystery Dungeon, the trees don't seem to remain entirely coherent. With sporadic volatility, you can see them… shift. As if uncertain about where they're supposed to be.

>>5461554
>Creep around and find out...!

Citrine is a sneaky pebble. Dare I say a Stealth Rock?

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5461558
fug.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5461554
Stufful tries to squeeze through the path!

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>5461554
"WOOO! It's like a extra hard obstacle course!" Brock cheers as he swings from branch to branch. The shifting trees aren't making things easy though.

Rolled 16 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461554
"Alright guys, this place is pretty confusing... so try to keep up!" Kaku starts his usual modus operandi of making a run for it.
>+2 Parkour

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5461554
Vee decides to follow the path Citrine and Sable took, creeping behind before catching up as fast as possible.
He stops when he spots the unconscious ferals, choosing to stay quiet and still in one corner of the room.

Rolled 10 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461554
Stress: -2
"Oh this is going to get tricky..."
"Anyone else...feel a bit on edge? This place is creepy."
>Charles tries to manipulate his body to liquefy so he can move freely though the obstructions
> +2 Goo

Rolled 3 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461554
>Creep around and find out...!
..!
>Sable digs a conveniently Citrine-sized hole for him to follow through the- oh dear he's rolled a 1. Still, diggy. +2 Excavation

>>5461560
>>5461570
>>5461566
Citrine makes every single possible effort to be the opposite of stealth. He is a giant boulder of a Pokémon and makes sure the entire world is aware of it. He stomps with considerable force and steps on everything that could possibly produce the loudest crunching sound. You can see the ferals visibly stirring awake from their naps. Sableye is not entirely subtle with his digging movements either, shoveling and cracking away at the earth with reckless abandon. In fact, the only one not causing a racket is Vee, who stands conspicuously in the corner.
>The ferals are starting to wake up! What do you do!?

>>5461561
>>5461563
>>5461569
>>5461562
Stufful brute forces their way past the trees, correcting everything that proves itself to be a clear obstacle. They make it with good time, appearing on the other side. Kaku swerves and weaves between the branches and trunks with surprising dexterity and fluidity, managing to find the spots where his otherwise larger frame wouldn't be able to make it through. Finally, Charles, with his gooey biology, slips between the bark as if he were a well-oiled gear.

Brock is the least fortunate, and in his energetic haste, consumes a face full of wood chips and leaves. It's not the most nutritious midnight snack, but now's not the time to be chowing down!

While Stufful, Charles, and Kaku have put good distance between the unknown, Citrine, Sable, and Vee are lagging behind considerably! Brock, specifically, is in the most danger. He can practically hear and smell the dreadful thing approaching.

Stufful, Charles, and Kaku arrive in another clearing. This time, there are only two paths.

Your choices:
>Thick bramble and thorns on the right. Now it doesn't look like it's too thick, so you could probably power your way through if you wanted. [Roll, damage received depending on success]
>On the left, lingering spores dance in the air. It's a mad dash to try and not fall victim to the unknown effects. It's also a good measure for how long you can hold your breath! [Roll, status effect received depdning on success]
>Give up your lead and try to help your friends.

>>5461599
"Uh, guys?"
>Charles looks back, noticing they all aren't there
"I think we should wait for them. Or...maybe we should go back??"

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>5461599
Uh... it was the guy back there! Behind the unassuming Eevee! He's the dirty nap-ruiner! Get him!
>Sable points towards the way he came and tries his best to assume a commanding voice in order to confuse the ferals into obeying him like a trainer while he makes his daring escape!

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5461599
"I'll pass on the hugs monterbro!" Brock tries to catch up with the others. He's terrified, but tries to hide it.
>Run away and play it cool

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5461599
Citrine has just realized exactly what he has done. "Fuck."

>BAIL! Gyro Ball out of there!

Citrine spins into a Steel-energy fueled ball of speed to hightail it out of there! Or not-speed. However this move works.

Rolled 6 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461599
>>Thick bramble and thorns on the right. Now it doesn't look like it's too thick, so you could probably power your way through if you wanted. [Roll, damage received depending on success]
Kaku is still on Flight mode and runs straight into a world of hurt!
>+2 Parkour?

Rolled 2 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461599
>Give up your lead and try to help your friends.
"No, I'm most certainly going back for them!"

>Charles attempts to throw a layer of Goo for the others to grab onto to be pulled along the path
> + 2 Goo

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>5461599
Vee remains completely still as he hugs the wall, hoping the darkness of the room will cloak him from sight and Sable and Citrine will make good distractions so that he can make an effort to do something.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5461599
Astor! Is there
He does a mad rush

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5461599
>Give up your lead and try to help your friends.
Stufful turns on a dime and begins flailing its tiny limbs through the trees in an effort to carve a way throug- it can't leave a bro behind.

>>5461613
Kaku makes the decision that the others can sort everything out. For him, it's best to save his own hide! Although he might just lose some of that right about now... as he crawls and slowly dances around, clumps of hair being caught up and torn off.
>He takes 175HP in damage!

Emerging on the other side, you can see the path ahead is elevated considerably. As you look around, you see nothing but brush sprouting massive, cupped leaves and not much else. There's no walking to safety on this one. You'll need to figure out a way to scale that safely.

Your choices:
>There's a frail looking plant here. It could use some water. Where might you get some?
>Maybe the wall can be scaled if you can find some footholds...
>That fallen log over there looks like it might make a good ladder in a pinch! It's just heavy.

>>5461615
>>5461621
>>5461607
>>5461620
Charles and Stufful stay behind to try and help the stranded Brock, not entirely able to locate the other missing three. Together, they manage to open up the path further, watching as a panicking monkey-sloth and bird come barreling through the opening they carved away, a monster hot on their tails!

>>5461605
>>5461608
>>5461619
Citrine makes a moderately paced getaway as the ferals start standing up and shaking away their drowsiness. They growl, groan, and hiss out in anger at having their nap interrupted. Sable's attempt at being an imposing figure doesn't pan out entirely, and he's slowly surrounded. For Vee, because of the spectacle provided by his other two friends and his relative position under the cover of the dark, he slinks his way through, undisturbed and left alone.

>>5461643
"Stufful!" It cries out trying to reach its bro.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5461643
Uh... S-Sableye! Sableye! Sable!
>Sable tries to pretend he's a feral too

>>5461643
"Bros! We could use a hand! Hahaha!" Brock joins Charles and Stufful, giving them quick brofists and turning around to face the monster "We got a party crasher!"

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5461643
"Ah! Go go go GO GO GO!"
>Charles books it with the other three!
>Thick bramble and thorns on the right. Now it doesn't look like it's too thick, so you could probably power your way through if you wanted. [Roll, damage received depending on success]

"This way!"
>Charles charges forward, hoping his large body will plow a path for the others to not get damaged!

>>5461643
Vee watches as his friends are tailed, and Sable >>5461647 is surrounded.
He looks at them both, as if to ask for direction, as he doesn't see much in way of opportunity.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5461650
Stufful doesn't complain as Slugbro carries them back to safety. It just cheers and encourages him with Coaching!

Rolled 18 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461650
>>5461646
"Guess we're booking it! Come on plushbro!" Brock grabs Stufful and speeds after Charles.
>Speeding after goobrah

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5461643
Citrine immediately turns around, realizing Sable hadn't finished digging before being discovered. He uses Gyro Ball to cannonball back into the center of the room to be an even bigger diversion! Probably!

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5461643
>HP 1045/1220
>That fallen log over there looks like it might make a good ladder in a pinch! It's just heavy.
"Owie, ow... Okay, surely the others will catch up soon. I'm gonna think ahead and make a way for everyone." Kaku Bulks Up and lifts the log with all his might!

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5461653
Vee tries to make a Wish and pass it to Sable so that he may have a bit of support in battling the ferals if things get dicey. He remains as stealthy as possible, but fears he may be seen.

Vee used Wish!

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5461643
"Good job!"
Astor vibes

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5461650
>>5461657
>>5461659
>>5461662
The brambles and thorns aren't even a consideration in Charles' mind as he goes flying through the obstacle, clearing it in a legendary amount of time. His less-than-solid body makes him a perfect candidate for simply slipping right through undisturbed, sharp objects completely ineffective on him. With the cheering from Stufful, it's almost like there was nothing there at all! Brock, emboldened by his friend's roaring success, uses the goo'd bramble and slips right through the tangle.

The three of them arrive at the other side to find Kaku struggling to lift a log. As they near the Grimmsnarl, they can practically hear the straining and possible crack of the spine. Ouch! Kaku might've just pulled a muscle. Or two.

>same choices as previous post

>>5461667
Astor stands in the same area and vibes. The monster is nearby, stench becoming a serious problem.

>>5461661
>>5461666
>>5461647
Sableye's attempt at being a feral isn't quite working out. As the Venonat, Nidoran, Aipom, and Grotle make a small formation to block his way, a barreling Citrine comes flying through to... try and distract them! However, as he does this he nearly crashes next to the creature, which has caught up, The light doesn't seem to do it any favors. It almost looks like a dead forest was picked up by a muddy flash flood and given life. You can't even tell what kind of Pokémon this is, given the amount of leafy garbage sticking out of it.

A wish comes floating out above Sableye. It looks almost... demonic? It's red for some reason. The ferals look visibly repulsed by the odd sight.

An imposing arm, coiled with thorns, slams down on the Gyro Ball Gigalith.
>Citrine is struck for 700 damage and flung to the other side of the room.

Rolled 7 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461679
What the hell is... That's pretty creepy. I'll uh... I'll just go... like, right now.
>Sable starts frantically digging a Sable-sized hole to GTFO
>Excavation +2

>>5461679
"Hey goobrah, that plant looks like it needs your help." Brock goes to check on Kaku "You alright, bro?"

Rolled 1 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461679
>>That fallen log over there looks like it might make a good ladder in a pinch! It's just heavy.
"Whew!"

>Charles notices Kaku struggling
"Hold on Kaku!"
>Charles hurries over to help him
>Perhaps his goo can assist in giving them a good grip?
> + 2 Goo

>>5461679
Vee is a tad surprised by the color of the Wish. How'd he do that? Could he change its colors this WHOLE time?

File: jesser.gif (2.93 MB, 498x362)

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>>5461679
"AGH! My back..."
Kaku is now on the ground, any urgency he felt before is totally gone.
>>5461685
"Nope. Go on without me..."

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5461679
>That fallen log over there looks like it might make a good ladder in a pinch! It's just heavy.

"Stufful! Stufful!" Stufful cries, doing jumping jacks and cheering on his friends to go beyond and push this log!

>Stufful uses Coaching on Brock and Kaku!

Rolled 15 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461686
>>5461688
Brock joins in to help with the log "No bro left behind!"
>Lift the rock, -2 strength

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5461679
Citrine is a successful distraction! "Ow."

Seeing Sable finally taking his chance, Citrine immediately turns around and burns more PP of Gyro Ball bailing down the path.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>5461679
>>5461691
"Hhnnngg... Fine, I'll do it for you little buddy!"
Kaku is pressured into trying again! His back will be crooked forevemore.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5461679
"... i should run"
Another mad dash

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5461679
>>5461687
Vee quickly repositions further away from danger to better focus on support rather than combat.
He contemplates his possible evil demonic Wishing powers.

>>5461686
>>5461691
>>5461693
>>5461695
Charles forgets how slippery he can be at times and literally slips. He falls over. Where he was once lifting the log, he is now laying in the dirt. For the other two, coached and instructed by the tiny Stufful. While Kaku's spine is currently crying out that he should probably stop doing what he's doing, Brock is managing much better, taking the rest of the weight. Together, they manage to position the log as a ramp to reach the heightened area.

While it's not entirely perfect, the log will have to do. It also mushes the poor little plant.

>>5461694
>>5461683
>>5461687
>>5461704
Vee feels that the wish is particularly... evil! For no other particularly good reason. Citrine limply rolls his way from the area, hearing the ferals turn their attention to the monster. Sable, given the opportunity for escape, takes it as quickly as he can, scrambling out to meet his other friends. They've managed to buy some time with the ferals being left behind, but not considerable enough to catch their breath. They need to keep moving!

>>5461700
Also, Astor is still vibing in this part of the clearing for whatever reason. Suddenly, he takes off! He meets with the others, setting up their log ramp.

They now see:
>Thick bramble and thorns on the right. Now it doesn't look like it's too thick, so you could probably power your way through if you wanted. [Roll, damage received depending on success]
>On the left, lingering spores dance in the air. It's a mad dash to try and not fall victim to the unknown effects. It's also a good measure for how long you can hold your breath! [Roll, status effect received depdning on success]

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5461709
"AYOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo...."
>Thick bramble and thorns on the right. Now it doesn't look like it's too thick, so you could probably power your way through if you wanted.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5461709
"Ah! That stings..."
>Charles scrambles back up when he remembers the danger approaching them!
"Everybody up!"
>Charles uses the log to climb!

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5461709
"Goobrah! You alright? Let's keep going, this way!" Brock gestures towards the brambles, but waits to make sure he sticks with the group whichever way they go.
>Thick bramble and thorns on the right. Now it doesn't look like it's too thick, so you could probably power your way through if you wanted. [Roll, damage received depending on success]

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5461709
Stufful frowns. . . Poor plant. . . It quickly climbs up the log with others and helps the others up!

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5461709
RUN LIKE HELL!
>On the left, lingering spores dance in the air. It's a mad dash to try and not fall victim to the unknown effects. It's also a good measure for how long you can hold your breath! [Roll, status effect received depdning on success]
>Sable hopes his Weather Band functions in those conditions but is holding his breath either way. Not that ghosts NEED to breathe, but he still does.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5461709
"God, I should have just went to sleep..." Kaku limps his way up the log.
>Thick bramble and thorns on the right. Now it doesn't look like it's too thick, so you could probably power your way through if you wanted. [Roll, damage received depending on success]

>>5461715
Instead of choosing which way to go, Brock attempts to climb the log.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>5461709
Vee slinks off to the left, in the direction of the toxic-seeming spores. Hopefully his mostly-Pecha diet proves effective, as well as the Pecha Scarf hidden away under several layers of scarves below his Yellow Bandana. Who knows?

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5461709
Citrine heads to the right, trying his best to simply flatten the brambles.

>>5461720
>>5461726
>>5461729
Instead of choosing to possibly lose a little bit of fur and ghostly physical form, Sable and Vee decide that the best course of action is through the cave teeming with spores! With a deep breath and a trust placed within their items, the two of them rush past the fluorescent fungi and glittering dots. They can feel the larger particles clump to their bodies, but they can't stop now!

Eventually, they flop to the other side, Vee out of breath and gulping down fresh lungfuls of air. Sable is just sore.

Citrine is not bothered in the slightest, having harnessed the powers of the bulldozer to flatten the pesky thorns into nothing but mulch. The path has been completely cleared, however, he's the only one taking it!

The monster has defeated the ferals and is cruising through the forest and the cleared bramble path. It will be here shortly.

>>5461710
Astor has made it through, flying up to the elevated position with the others, not vertically challenged in the slightest compared to his ground-bound friends.

>>5461725
>>5461721
>>5461716
>>5461711
The log ramp group makes it up with no trouble at all, managing to scale the hastily erected path to safety. They watch as Vee and Sable appear from the dark tunnel that they elected not to take. Citrine has rolled out from the other. Behind them, they can see the monster giving considerable chase. Ahead of them, they can see the caravan not too far away...

Kaku and Charles can see the trees moving oddly around the creature, almost as if they were rearranging themselves to make it considerably easier for it to catch up to them...

Your choices:
>While the creature won't make it up here, we could always just put it down for good. [Optional fight]
>Let's just get out of here and back to safety!
>Lend a helping hand to get the others up here, too.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5461735
>Lend a helping hand to get the others up here, too.
Stufful is not letting anyone fall behind. It cries and encourages the others with coaching- its voice is hoarse now and tries its best to help them.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5461735
No bro left behind, Brock sees if he can help anyone not fortunate enough to get up and out "Let's get outta here bros! The caravan is right there!"
>Lend a helping hand to get the others up here, too.

Rolled 11 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5461735
>>Lend a helping hand to get the others up here, too.

"Come on! No one left behind!
>Charles tries to lasso his lagging friends to safety with his goo!
> + 2 Goo

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5461735
>>Lend a helping hand to get the others up here, too.
"Come on guys, we are almost there!" Kaku tries picking up the little guys, but his back is still hurt...

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5461735
Citrine, already weakened, has no will to fight this... thing. He tries to keep his speed up to leave as best as he can and hopes it's at least only after him.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5461735
Vee springs ahead, "Come on, let's go..!" He shouts quietly. He sticks close to the walls, knowing that the easiest way out of a maze is through following its walls.

>>5461741
Brock, having forgotten the most important bro of them all, to take care of your own broself first before assisting the other bros, has succumbed to his hubris. He falls down.

>>5461738
>>5461742
>>5461749
>>5461756
>>5461757
Stufful, Charles, and Kaku, working together to create a goo-hair-lasso rope to assist the others in their ascent to their level to escape the approaching monster, manage to get the others up in a good time, now no longer at the mercy of the strange beast.

Having just arrived in the same clearing as them, it stares at the fallen Brock. You can see the shifting, cantankerous amalgamation of the forest. In the moonlight, piles of branches and decaying bark spill out of the murky, mud-like shape. Kaku can tell pretty quickly it's some sort of Garbodor that must've traveled very far from where they normally go, considering all the souvenirs it managed to "pick up" along the way.

Still yet, Brock is in danger!

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5461768
>Sable takes hold of Brock and just fucking chucks him back up, following shortly after

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5461768
Brock quickly hops on his feet and starts shadowboxing towards the monster "Come on bro! Mano e mano, bro! Let's tussle!"
>No chill?

>>5461768
Stufful quickly ties the rope around its barrel and leaps down to save Brock! "Stufful!" It cries!
"Bro! Grab on!"

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5461773

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5461768
>Charles sees the others rushing to aid Brock and tries to think of something else to not get in their way

"I've got it!"
>Charles lifts up his arm, and pulls down!
>He hopes to use a very bright Draco meteor as a visual to distract the monster that is about to drop on Brock!

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5461768
Citrine stands in front of where Brock is (was?) and uses Iron Defense. Hopefully he's a good wall. Or alternate target.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5461768
"That Garbodor's got industrial levels of trash! Well, nothing else to do except..." Kaku turns one-eighty and walks...
A few meters back, then starts running towards the edge, jumping at the monster! "LETS GOOO!"
>Kaku uses his Blowback Orb on Garbodor!

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5461768
>>5461770
>>5461772
Vee gathers around Brock and Sable to make sure things are okay.
His Wish may or may not still be following them, unless he forgot to bring it with them before progressing.

>>5461772
>>5461770
>>5461773
>>5461781
Brock quickly gets back up, ready to throw down and fight like a scrappy little chihuahua underdog against a much larger dog. It's a terribly unfair fight, but the Vigoroth won't back down so easily. He taunts the beast (which doesn't understand a single thing he's speaking, mind you), before Sable promptly flings him up to be caught by the falling Stufful. Together, they're reeled in and land on the waiting Citrine, beefed up by his Iron Defense.

>>5461778
>>5461783
The Grassy Garbodor groans out as it waves an arm in front of it to block the suddenly bright shower of draconic meteors filling the night sky. Shortly after, Kaku slams it with the Blowback Orb, watching the creature leave a poisonous streak of mud across the clearing. It trips over, having lost balance.

With everyone back on the ledge and the creature a safe distance away... it's time to bail!

Skedaddling to the camp, they quickly... find themselves sitting around the campfire?

They can see Mawile walking around, staring at each of you. "Why'd they choose to sleep outside?" she murmurs, asking no one. Scoffing, she sends a glance at the sleeping car. "What was the point of paying extra for that if they're just going to rough it out here...?"

>>5461803
>Sable jumps up
Wha-!?
...Fucking nightmares, every time...

>>5461785
Vee knows that the demonic and evil wish has been left behind in the depths of the forest, doing delightfully devilish things, the likes of which only Vee could imagine in his criminal mind.

It probably despawned. Very evil despawn, of course.

>>5461803
"Hey bro! We're back!" Brock bounds over to Mawile with excitement "You should've seen that big monster, bro! It was wild!"

>>5461803
>Charles stares blankly
"What."
>Is all he can manage

>>5461803
"Miss, I'm wondering the same thing..." Kaku drops dead on the spot.

>>5461803
Stufful blinks in confusion. "Stu. . .Stufful?"

>>5461805
"Hm." Vee sits around.
He rests in a cozy-looking ball a little ways away from the fire. He's quite tired.

>>5461806
>>5461810
"...back?" Mawile tilts her head in confusion. "What monster? None of you left here at all? I woke up just a while ago to do the midnight sweep and I see all of you just... here. Was there something I missed?"

She peers over at Kaku and pokes him with a stick. Seeing no immediate response, she glares at the others. "Was some moondust passed around or what?"

>>5461830
ACK!
>Sable immediately buries himself underground using dig upon seeing a Mawile.

>>5461830
Bind in face down in some grass. "Mmmmi cnft rriiivvvv..."

>>5461830
"Whoa! You didn't see us getting back?" Brock looks around "We went in there to check out something. Turned out to be a monster, like, a huge one!"
Brock turns to look at Mawile "How could you miss something like that, bro?"

>>5461830
>Charles shakes his head
"I think we were all running from a dream monster."

>>5461834
>Sable turns Bind on his side after peeking the top of his head out from underground.
What?

Be shakes a bit, but doesn't move. "chhhhrrrrrn mmmm!!"

>>5461830
Stufful is confused and. . . and they don't know anymore. "Stufful stuff. . "
"I'm going to sleep in one of the carts- if anyone wants to join me go ahead."

>>5461841
C'mon, tell me! Pretty please?
>Sable lifts Bind's head

>>5461853
"Get some rest plushbro." Brock gives Stufful a brofist as he passes by.

>>5461835
Mawile gives him a look as if to silently ask him, 'do you think I saw the giant monster chasing all of you back into base camp.' Really, it's a powerful look that manages to impart a great amount of meaning.

>>5461836
"I'm pretty sure someone slipped some of you some moondust when you weren't paying attention." She shrugs nonchalantly. "Just have some warm tea and it'll wear off."

>>5461841
>>5461834
"...what's wrong with him?"

>>5461858
"What's moondust?" Brock senses a clue!

>>5461855
He gasps for air. "Gah. I guess it doesn't protect me from sleep paralysis... thanks, Sab."

>>5461861
No problem! Just keep me covered from... her.

>>5461859
Mawile waves her hand in the air, summoning a very small amount of fairy energy to mimic glittering dust. "Moondust." She repeats. "Makes you go 'over the moon' as they say. I try not to associate with the stuff too much. With how some of you were acting, it made me think you got something laced in."

>>5461865
"Well that's a nasty trick someone pulled..."

>>5461865
Brock practically runs away from the exhibition, but halts some steps away and hops in place "Whoa! Trippy. Didn't feel a thing myself."

As the group discusses their sudden departure from what must've been the dream world, they seem to lose themselves in the discussion of strange Pokémon solutions to maladies and other temperamental conditions. In the shadows of the forest nearby, a frustrated group of cloaked individuals groan their grievances, a plan foiled before it could reach fruition. They disperse into the dark. For now, Lost Hope and co. are left alone... to enjoy the rest of the early morning.

Night survived!

+350EXP+1d20EXP
+1,000P

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5461879
>oooooh a roll!

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5461879
Vee lets out a large breath. "What a weird day..."

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5461879
Brock chills as he gains enough xp to level up and evolve. But he doesn't... yet. He chills by doing pushups and situps.

"...I'm going back to bed."

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5461879
>XP

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5461879

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5461879
>roll

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5461879
Rolling

Rolled 537 (1d850)

ignore this

Sorry, there will be nothing for today. I'll be trying on Tuesday to do a quick thing and then transition to a different quest line for the mean time.

>>5461879
The caravan comes to a stop just off the main traveling road, arriving at the entrance to a town. As you observed your surroundings, you came to note that the place didn't really seem to qualify to be called something like that. Certainly smaller than a village, too. The best thing you could use to describe the quaint and quiet place would be a rest stop, at best.

There's a shop (not run by the Kecleons, surprisingly), a Pelipper mailing outpost, and a sizeable inn. Nearby that inn, tents are pitched up around it.

Mawile has gone off to the outpost, presumably to report the status of the expedition.

It's daytime now, and this settlement has a considerable hush around it. Not the most lively of places. The shop looks to be closed at the moment and the outpost is occupied by your acquaintance, so... the inn it will have to be.

Inside the inn is a simple affair, stone and wood holding up the two-story structure. Torches covered by globes provide light for darker areas, however, most of it is done through natural lighting.
You see:
>A Kricketot at the bar
>Basking in the sunlit tables, a Cufant
>A strange gray Braixen, studying a map

File: 3d.jpg (2.82 MB, 2716x2160)

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>>5472621
Vee looks around the area, intrigued. He seems interested in the strange Pokémon with the map, so he walks over to investigate. "Hi! Whatcha got there?"

>>5472621
>A strange gray Braixen, studying a map
Good day, how's the map looking?

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>>5472632
>>5472633
You approach the Braixen (picrel). However, you quickly realize they're a lot taller than what you normally would be expecting.

They glance quickly at you, not particularly impressed, but not about to brush you off entirely. "It is a map, Eevee." A peek reveals that it's patched together and riddled with constant notes and arrows. She lowers the paper, staring at the two. "Did you need something from me?" the weird Braixen asks, voice betraying her guarded tone.

>>5472646
Just looking to see if you know the routes here, or if you've seen anything strange. Sorry to bother you.

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>>5472646
"I wanted to see what you were doing! Maps always have a purpose, so there's a reason you're looking at it." He concludes, looking around the room.
"This seems like a good place to be if you need to think, especially if you're traveling somewhere." He presses a bit further.

>>5472621
>A Kricketot at the bar
Kaku sits at the counter. "Hey, you guys got Pinap juice?"

>>5472657
Kricketot looks up, surprised to be seeing a patron. "Oh... mmm... no, I don't think so. We have hard berry juice and whatever's nearby. Aguav, Pomeg, and Grepa." He holds out a cup. "Did you want a drink? Only 15P."

You can guess something is bothering the Kricketot. You can roll to attempt to figure it out or ignore it.

>>5472650
>>5472656
The Braixen? goes back to looking at her map. "The route here doesn't deviate from the road you used to get here," she mentions idly. "Yes. It's not terrible for planning when it's quiet." A few seconds of silence and she continues. "Just what are you trying to work out of me, Eevee?"

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Rolled 7 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5472669
"All your cool secrets! Someone like you must be pretty well-traveled. That means you're special, and special Pokémon have special stories."
Vee tries to use his natural cuteness to get more out of her. He's not malicious, only interested in whatever she's doing. Mischievous is a little more like it.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5472669
"Sure, Grepa is fine..." He hands over the poke. "So, hows the business? I take it this isn't a
big tourism spot." Kaku tries reading Kricketot's expression...

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>5472669
>>5472677
Yeah, have you seen anything unusual around here?
>Sable assists Vee's roll

>>5472677
>>5472686
She seems perturbed by the insistence from Vee, but doesn't appear to be too annoyed or suspicious of his motives. "I am no more special than any other 'mon," she murmurs, taking a quill pen and adding an entry on the map. "I'm looking for something."

Braixen? lowers her map and pushes it aside, staring at Sableye. "Now, I don't think it's very fair for this to be so one-sided. What unusual things have you seen?" Her charred stick is briefly pointed at him in a somewhat threatening manner.

>>5472683
Kaku is able to tell that Kricketot is upset or sad. Up-sad? It's hard to tell if it's directed at someone or something. The bug gets to work crushing and juicing a berry. "It's okay over here. Some days, it's like nothing is happening. Other times, it's like the whole continent wants to show up here. Most of the town lives in here, me included."

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>>5472701
Vee sits and waits for his friend to add to the conversation so they can keep things going, maybe even see what she's looking for. His tails idly swooshes on the ground.

>>5472701
>Sable is unperturbed by the threat from a psychic type (presumed)
Well, there was a lot of things. Most recent was some massive thing in the forest that chased us all away, before that was Regigigas stomping through a town, levelling the place and turning it into a Mystery Dungeon.

>A Kricketot at the bar

Bind quietly takes a seat by Kaku, and orders some pomeg juice, curious about potables one can find this far from Treasure Town. He places 15P on the counter, and takes the chance to listen in.

>>5472701
Stern is awake! Had he slept pass the entire night the previous quest because he was too busy sleeping!? He looks around for a nearby guildmember to talk with. "That sure was a good night's rest!"

>>5472709
>>5472711
"Don't you have some stories to tell. You're quite away from home, aren't you?" She loops the stick into her fur, almost as if it was a sheath for a blade. "I heard about what happened to that town. What was its name again? Treasureville?"

Braixen? goes back to her map and sits down. "I'm looking for someone. Perhaps nothing more than a myth, or maybe just a rumor."

>>5472716
Kricketot looks at the payment and the newcomer. He accepts it with some hesitation and begins making a new drink. "Was there something that, ah, happened here? It's more than I usually see appearing."

>>5472727
Treasure Town, but that's beside the point. Who are you looking for?

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>>5472727
>>5472729
"Yeah! I wanna know. Maybe we've seen them before, and we can help!" Vee's interest has peaked.

>>5472727
"Oh not much, we got quite the sizable group. But maybe you might be able the tell us, have you seen any strange pokemon lately? We are on something of a hunt, y'see."

>>5472727
Stern approaches Kaku and Bind! Mostly Kaku.
"Hey, Kaku! Who's this? What're you guys talkin' about?"

>>5472727
Astor!

Rolled 6 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>5472727
"Nothing worth a whole conversation (lie!!!), we're just a big group." He takes a sip... "Is that going to be a problem? Anything we can do to lighten your burden?"
...He's bad at handling drinks.

>>5472746
"Hey Stern! This is the bartender, Kricketot. We were getting acquainted with the place, I was hoping Kricketot here could point us to a lead on our quest. Want a drink?"

>>5472727
>>5472746
>>5472752

"Stufful!" Theodore squeals, leaping onto a bar stool to join the rest of his bros. He drums his paws on the counter.

"Hey guys! What's shaking?"

>>5472751
That was supososed to be a minus!! He's swooning already.

>>5472752
"Hm, I'm good! I already drank some water when I woke up! What's our quest again...?"

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>>5472729
>>5472735
"I highly doubt you would know anything, but I'll oblige you. Know that if you try to trick me, I will respond in kind," she threatens. Braixen pulls out an image of a Pokémon, holding it up for the two of them to see. "Swifter than the lightning and just as brutal... I wish to find them."

>The paper is worn and dyed sparingly


>>5472742
>>5472751
Kricketot gives a dismissive hum. "I haven't seen anything strange. I don't really leave this place too often, and we don't get, ah, the most traffic. Unless you count that Delphox over there." He leans in close. "She's been here a while and acting all distant and weird."

He shrugs. "Sorry. All I know is that the bridge that crosses the Gyarados River has been out for a while now. If you're traveling this way, you need to find another way around."

>>5472764
Hmm... That looks like Raikou. Atypical coloration, too. How odd...
>Sable is thinking to himself now

>>5472764
Theodore looks around for a moment before tilting its head. "Stufful?" It mewls.

"Are we in purgatory?"

He doesn't give any time to answer before he spots the hard drinks and points excitedly at one. "Stufful!" Theodore cries.

"Oh! I want some!"

>>5472764
"Pssssshhh...we'll brave it. It'll be ffffine."

>>5472758
"Me too, I can hardly take anthor sipppp..." He woobles wobblishly.

>>5472768
"Huh? You really want a drink, Stufful?"

>>5472769
Stern grabs the drink out of Bind's hands.
"No more drinking!"

>>5472764
"Alright, we'll keep that in mind."
>>5472768
"I don't think that'd be a good idea, buddy!"

>>5472759
>>5472769
Bind has the same constitution as a bag of water. Which is: none at all! He's getting seriously buzzed from what is essentially old fruit. It isn't even that particularly potent.

>>5472768
Kricketot attempts to figure out the weird stranger. "...ah-huh. Did you want a drink? It's 15P."

The three who arrived at the bar can also attempt to perceive what might be troubling Kricketot.

>>5472764
Braixen nods. "Yes, that is his name..." She flips the paper back to her side. "...colored different? Is this wrong?"

>>5472773
Theo nods and claps his paws together. "Ful! Ful! Ful!" It turns back and drums its paws on the counter. "Stufful!" It mewls.

"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I haven't drank since the company party months ago!"

>>5472782
Theo nods and puts down 30p for two drinks.

>>5472782
Not wrong, just unusual. Raikou is typically depicted with yellow fur, blue whiskers, and a purple back coat. Yours isn't wrong, there have been sightings with those colors instead, just much rarer.
>Sable looks at Bind
>>5472769
Oh dear. I should probably go make sure he's okay, shouldn't I?

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>>5472764
"You don't seem very trick-able." Vee comments. He looks at the paper. "Ooh..."

Vee looks up from the paper after Sable's >>5472766 loose description.
"We haven't seen anyone like that before, but I know a little bit. Not sure if it could help, we might be just as puzzled as you."

>>5472786
"Oh, uh... yeah, probablyyy..?"

>>5472782
Clearing his throat, he glances at the paper again, and then back to Brai-phox.
"Seen any freak lightning storms recently?"

>>5472769
"... is he drunk? How?"

>>5472790
Alright, call me if you need me back here.
>Sable goes over to help Bind
>>5472769
Bind, buddy? You feelin' alright?

>>5472794
Vee waves.

>>5472782
That's embarassing!

>>5472794
"Pffft. I'm ffffine. You ever seen a buzz?" Whether he's actually drunk off of functionally non-alcoholic drinks or not, that ain't a buzz.

>>5472786
>>5472790
"I see. I wasn't aware there could be... more than one. Then I must be looking for this specific one," Braixen? remarks. Listening to what Vee has to say, she shakes her head, although remains wary. "None that I recall. Raikou's footprint upon this land has been minimal. His presence is muted and there are only whispers of sightings. That is why my colleagues considered it a futile effort."

>>5472784
Kricketot takes the coins and lays down two cups. "Did you happen to know which you'd..." He stops himself, cutting his speech short, and instead elects to lay down the three available berries. "Which ones would you like?"
>Aguav, Pomeg, and Grepa.

>>5472816
>>5472784
"He-hey...! Pick...pick the pomeg one. It's sweet you'll like it." He puts a hand on Theo's shoulder and gestures outward to which drink is objectively the best.

>>5472816
Vee seems happy that there are plenty of Pokémon who will chase rumors just for fun, no matter what.
"Well maybe your colleagues could learn a little from you." He giggles.
"What about Raikou makes YOU wanna chase him, if nobody else does?" Perhaps a personal question. Who knows what this Bralphoxen's tragic backstory could be? "-If you don't mind me asking."

>>5472810
>>5472816
Bind, you're plastered. I think it's time for some fresh air. C'mon.
>Sable tugs at Bind's leg a bit

>>5472816
>>5472823
>Pomeg
"Stufful!" It mewls and picks his boss's recommendation. He puts 15p more to try them all out!

>>5472763
"We are looking for the nightmare cult, remember? Team Go-Round sent us looking this way."

>>5472832
"Oiiii, I'm fine, Kaku already- Kaku already cut me eme off. Ackshully, I... I need some water anyway. Barkeep! C-can I have some water?"

>>5472845
Well if you're so fine, then you won't mind me sitting with you and making sure you don't get into any trouble then, would you?

>>5472823
>>5472832
>>5472833
Kricketot takes the presumably empty and finished cup from Bind and stares inside of it, uncertain of how the Lopunny got so tipsy. "I didn't put in anything else, did I...?"

He notices the new payment laid out by Stufful and accepts it, placing another cup and crushing the three berries into three separate drinks. Kricketot lays them all out in front of him, shortly after.

>>5472826
Braixen? rolls up her map and puts it back in her bag, leaning against the seat. She clears her throat. "My colleagues thought it strange that I would be renouncing my life's work. All that I had done to search for a simple rumor. For a moment, I thought it, too. But then, upon further reflection, I knew it deep down this was my calling. My true meaning. The world of espers never truly gripped me the way that this desire does now. Maybe when it happens, and I find it squashed, I may crawl back... but so far, I stride away from the stuffy tomes and crowded shelves. Here, I am free."

"All my experience and knowledge, I find it better used as a Spellblade." Delphox reveals her stick and ignites it in the fashion of a blade. "To accommodate my new style of fighting, I shaved away the excess fur I grew when I evolved. It would not do me any good, weighing me down in the heat of combat."

>>5472843
"Oh yeah! Hm..." He thinks to himself for a bit.

>>5472848
"Don't mind Bind, he's a lightweight. He'd get drunk from cough syrup."

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>>5472848
"Wow..." Vee admires the cool fire stick sword. Listening to the Delphox's explanation and her peculiar style of combat has Vee's interest in its entirety.
"That's definitely an interesting story. No wonder I've never seen a Pokémon like you before." He declares.

"I wish I could do cool stuff like that. I find it more... efficient, for me, personally, to stay away from the the big flashy stuff some of my friends can do. Though, here YOU are, testing your limits! Maybe I could try something different sometime, ehehe!"

>>5472846
"How would I even do do that? Zzzfiiine. Just sit down here and order somethin'.

>>5472848
He wiggles a hand at the Kricketot. "I'm like, I'm like Gastly light. You're goooood..." He chuckles.

He passes a few coins to Kaku, Sable, Stern, and Theo. 60P out, total.
"Heheh, I learned happy hour."

>>5472861
>Sablesigh
>>5472848
Fine. Mister Kricketot, I'd like some water. Mineral, if you have any, if not regular is alright.

>>5472864
>>5472848
"Oh, can I get some too, if you have any regular water?"

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5472861
"If you insist! More Grepa for me!"
>>5472848
"So, Kricketot! Nothing is troubling you I hope? I'm aware we can be a bit overbearing."
Kaku subtly tries getting him to spit what's bothering him.

Rolled 18, 8, 16 = 42 (3d20)

>>5472848
Theodore downs all three.

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>>5472823
Well, sweet is accurate, if not precise.

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>>5472855
>>5472864
>>5472868
>>5472869
>>5472870
"Okay... cough syrup..." Kricketot hums to themselves. He looks to Bind and considers the words said earlier and now. "I did have something that was, ah, bothering me."

He looks confused for a second and leaves. He returns shortly after with a cup of water on the rocks. Literally. There are rocks and pebbles inside the cup. Kricketot offers it to Sable by leaving it in front of him.

Stern receives water, no rocks.

Stufful does a good job at not immediately succumbing to the effects of alcoholism, although one of the drinks happened to hit him a little harder. The Pomeg, most likely, given its sharp and spicy kick.

>>5472857
"Yes, from a studious scholar to a wandering ragamuffin magician. It is not glorious, but in order to find this Raikou, I deemed it a necessity to leave that behind." She extinguishes the flame-blade and returns the stick to her side. "You are an Eevee, I'm certain you are in no part limited in your potential."

Vee manages to catch a glimpse of a paper sticking out of the map. There is something very familiar about it.

>>5472873
Glug glug...
Stern gulps it down, easily.

>>5472873
>Sable smiles
Thank you! I'll be right back. Stern, no more for Bind, okay?
>Sable walks over to Vee and Delphox
So, what's up?

>>5472873
Theodore shudders and coughs. It's a strong drink and he can already feel some haziness drop over his form like a hefty blanket. "Stufful. . ." It mewls, pushing the cups back and laying its head against Stern's side.

"Mmm. . . Good drinks. . ."

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>>5472873
Vee responds, laughing slightly. "I guess I limit myself, I-" He stutters for a moment as he spots the paper, reading it at a glance. "Choose... not to evolve." Getting back on topic...
"It's hard to explain, but sometimes, if you CAN'T do something, it makes it easier to look for alternatives."
It may be a little obvious he's seen and knows something about the paper, but he isn't trying to hide it very much.

>>5472873
"We cast a wiiiide net, with all our numberssss...... you never know, we might just be able to- help! Come on, spill that tea."

>>5472873
"Well, you can let us know! If it's us then we'll take no offense."

>>5472877
>>5472884
Delphox glances at the returning Sableye, not audibly acknowledging him. She returns her attention to Vee, picking up on his skipped words. With a raised brow, she sits up. "Something's piqued your interest, hasn't it. Go on, spill it. I'm listening," she orders, a bit forcefully. Despite the opening up, there's still residual hostility and paranoia.

>>5472886
>>5472887
Kricketot looks off to the side, perhaps looking in the direction of his room. "Well, ah, you see... I used to have this stringed instrument I would play here. Something happened and it got damaged. I don't know how to fix it, and the Sawsbuck who operates the store hasn't been around." He taps his claws together. "It's making me a bit anxious being unable to play, you see..."

Kricketot is asking you to fix his instrument! There is a reward but failure is definitely a possibility. Granted, you most likely can't mess it up any more than it already is, right?
Do you accept?

>>5472909
>Yes
"Hmmm? Well, I'm pretty good with my hands, I can give it a look if you want!" Kaku sips some more Grepa juice

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>>5472909
"Well, those prints on the paper..." Vee points at the map.
"I've seen them before. Not the same ones, the first one is different, but the other two are identical." He explains, allowing Sableye >>5472877 to understand the situation. "I've been there before, and those prints," he reiterates, "mean something important."

He contemplates showing some evidence, but only has one real shred of it on him...
"I didn't think Raikou would be related to it... huh..."
He is willing to tell more, if Delphox is willing to listen.

>>5472909
>>5472919
>Sable takes a peek
Hm! That is pretty similar. Why are you looking for Raikou anyway, miss?

>>5472909
>Naturally.
We are more dextrous than whatever those bug-nub not-hands can do, after all. Hopefully it's something familiar enough to work on.

>>5472909
(Alive)
Astor is no longer comatose!
"What did i miss?"

>>5472909
"Stufful!" Theodore nods and strikes his arm out in a roman salute.

"Yeah! We'll fix your guitar! Violin! Whatever!"

>>5472909
"Hm, I can try and help! I got hands now!"

>>5472933
Astor is in an Inn. There is Sableye and Vee conversing with a Delphox. Kaku, Bind, Stern, and Stufful are talking with a Kricketot.

>>5472918
>>5472929
>>5472942
>>5472953
Accepting the unofficial job request, the group is taken behind the bar and to a small room that makes up Kricketot's room. Heading inside, he retrieves the instrument in question. It's a leaf wrapped bag. Undoing the knot at the top, it's revealed that the damage was definitely beyond his expertise.

The strange wooden-banjo-string-instrument thing has many of its threads pulled apart and the base partially crushed. What a mess!

Where do you start? Kricketot is watching expectantly.
>The crushed portion
>The strings
>Maybe there might be more damage we can't quite see...

>>5472919
>>5472927
Delphox doesn't look at Sable, but does respond to him. "To learn and find a control of my element better than what I currently have. There would be no better teacher than a master Spellblade."

She points to Vee. "Do go on." Delphox gestures for him to continue his explanation. "I said I was listening."

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5472957
"Is that Tono?"
Will Astor notice his mistake?

>>5472957
>Maybe there might be more damage we can't quite see...
"Stufful stuff. . ." Theodore yips, examining the instrument carefully for any other damage and the state of its damage.

"Let's see. . . The string might be able to be salvaged, but the base will need a lot of glue."

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5472957
Bind uses his wibbly wobbly eyes to see the instrument from perspectives unseen and look for hidden damage.

Rolled 3 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>5472957
>>The strings
"Huh, maybe I can work with this?" Kaku uses his hair tendrils to carefully pull back and replace the strings.

>>5472957
Fair enough.

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>>5472957
"I ended up finding this old abandoned building quite a while back. There was a... gravesite there. It held the names of a lot of special Pokémon. Seemed like they were all connected by their loyalty to their craft; swords." He lifts a paw towards her wand.

"Maybe you'd fit right in." He proposes.

"N-Not... Not like, dead, but-" He stutters to correct himself.
"Anyway... I met a few of them myself. They weren't, y'know, well," they were ghosts, "but I would assume that Raikou holds some allegiance to the same thing, maybe even the same mon they all seem to look up to, given the last rune. Zacian." He speaks the last name a little quieter, unsure of himself.

>>5472960
Astor is both colorblind and forgetful! At the very least, he thinks it might not be Tono. But there is also a signifcant likelihood that it could also be Tono.

>>5472966
>>5472969
Together, Stufful and Bind fully inspect the instrument, not satisfied that what they can see is the true extent of the damage. Somehow, in his drunken stupor, the Lopunny is able to tap along the spine of the instrument with siginifcant accuracy. His resonating spirit with Spinda allows him to reveal the micro-fractures present in the material!

>>5472973
Kaku's attempt to repair the strings doesn't seem to work out too well. He manages to fix one of them, but the rest have been snapped too short to be strung back into place. Two of them would need to be replaced entirely.

>>5472977
>>5472978
Delphox sits still as she processes the information, along with ignoring the small slip-up in syntax from Vee. "I'm aware of a 'Zacian,' that I presumed to be a dead end in my search. All I knew was that they were a patron of the practice." She takes the paper out that contained the printrune Vee snuck a glimpse from. "I suppose this might make a greater amount of sense given your new perspective. And if what you're saying is true... let me ask of you to accompany me on my journey. Your knowledge and experience would prove invaluable on my journey."

>>5473000
Stern scratches his head.
"I dunno how I can help. So, uh, just tell me what to do, yeah? I don't think my strength helps here."

File: EeveeWelcomesYou.png (1.17 MB, 900x1200)

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>>5473000
"R-Really..?" Vee is a tad surprised. "I, uh... I think that'd be fun!" He's happy that his knowledge is wanted.
"Do you want me to ask my friends if they wanna come along, too? I'm sure we'd do fine together, but I'm not the greatest at fair battles."
All in all, he's excited!

>>5473000
>>5473006
I'll go with you if you wanna go, Vee.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5473000
"Hey, Delphox, do i know you from somewhere? Didn't you had an eyepatch? Also weren't you dating an Arcanine called Maroon against your will?"
Is... that too specific? Will the bird be assaulted for that? (Aka roll for fun)

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5473000
"Hmmm. It's superdamageddd. Even if we fix the big things, the wood'll... woodle... heheh. It'll uhh, keep chipping itself, or something. The wood itself is hurt everywhere."
But can you make any sense of that? Even Bind might not.
Hold-hold on. I might have an idea.
Bind steps outside, looking for a sufficiently quality tree to chip with tree to chip with either of his attacking moves.

Rolled 4 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>5473000
"Ugh, this is harder than I thought." Kaku tries growing a hair that mimics the thickness, pitch, and flexibility of a banjo-string. He'll use that as a replacement, if he can do the precise control that requires.

>>5473012
>Sable facepalms and hopes that whatever cruel fate Astor has summoned will be quick

>>5473006
>>5473011
"If you believe your friends will simplify the search for Raikou, I can accept that." She steps back, holding herself tall with considerable confidence. "This has been a long time with many inconveniences and setbacks. However, with the boon that has befallen upon me today, perhaps my luck might just turn around for the better. I can only hope this bears fruit instead of remaining so... barren."

>>5473012
Delphox ignores the weird stranger, choosing to not be bothered by his misunderstanding and heckling. The chances of her being mistaken for any other 'mon of her line was already admittedly low.

>>5473013
Kricketot looks disheartened at the idea that his beloved instrument is beyond saving. He looks to all of you and is willing to agree to give you a reward for your efforts.

Bind manages to locate a very wimpy tree. It's not much, but it is the bare minimum to work with. If he goes with this, there's no room for error at all!

>>5473014
Kaku's hair doesn't seem to be the best at growing hair on command for use in an instrument. He has, however, grown a bushel that would definitely be a boon for an aspiring painter.

>You may stop now and recieve half of the reward. Or you may persist and try to repair it! If you fail, you do not get anything.

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>>5473028
"I'll do my best to ensure the fruit tastes better than anything you've ever had before!" Vee cheers.
"I don't think we'll be staying here for too much longer, so I hope you're well-rested from you time here."

>>5473028
"I guess there's nothing else to it. I'll leave it as is before it falls apart." Kaku gives up.

oops something has come up and i must cut it short

we will continue next time at normal hours!

You recieve: 50EXP and 500P for participating!

Feel free to reply, however, and we can pick up from there.

>>5473040
Vee is one happeevee! He looks forward to the coming adventure on their current journey.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5473028
Bind, spurred on by the fate of a wooden soundmaker in his hands, grinds out a hidden opening in the tree with secret power! The chips are ground to a fine dust...maybe.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5473040
>>5473037
"Aw, I really thought I can help more..."

I forgor again.

Delphox is still seated at the table in the inn, having ended her conversation with the two, concluding that they were willing to help her with the goal of finding the elusive Raikou.

By the Pelipper Post Office, you can see a frustrated Mawile standing outside, scribbling into a notebook. Looks like something happened...

>>5473043
Meanwhile, at the back of the inn, you have the group attempting to repair the instrument. Bind's attempt at trying to take down the less-than-giving tree has resulted in producing, quite possibly, the most average looking replica one could have ever devised (by kicking it into existence!). Returning with the newly manufactured wooden block, it's up to the others if they think they are up to the task...

Kricketot looks on with bated breath and a glimmer of hope.

>>5477281
>Sable is just enjoying his drink hanging out with the Delphox silently. He's not going outside, there's a Mawile out there, after all!

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5477281
Despite absolutely not having been there before, Citrine is suddenly very much in the area! How strange!

>inscrutable rock roll

>>5477281
Vee is satisfied with the conversation. He looks to the Delphox and Sableye >>5477284.
"I'm gonna go get some fresh air, we've still got time before we're ready to head out." He stands and stretches his legs. "Be right back!"

With that, he exits the building and takes a deep breath of the outside air, looking around.

>>5477289
Have a good time, Vee!

>>5477281
"Uhm, anything I can do to help?"
Stern stands awkwardly as he watches the 'mons with more precise ways of manipulating the instrument work.

>>5477294
"I will!" Vee fled!

>>5477281
Bind hobbles back to kricketot, fine repairs made mediocreish-ly. "Microrepaiiiiresssssss-Donezo!" The Lopunny cries, before drunkenly twirling and turning on his back to fall over. The wood piece flops unceremoniously on his stomach.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>5477281
>>5477299
"I'm about as stumped as you, Stern! How about this..." Kaku gives him a coin. "Try melting that and joining the snapped strings together!"
Kaku tries a second time to make replacement strings.

>>5477286
>>5477289
It appears Citrine had overslept in the Caravan and was subsequently left undisturbed by the others! Now entering the very small collection of buildings, he can see Mawile heatedly arguing with the Meganium and Mudsdale. Vee, having now exited the inn to breathe the air that is outside (instead of inside), spots the developing situation.

>>5477299
>>5477317
>>5477328
Bind has perished from drinking a barely alcoholic drink. The funeral services will be held tomorrow. He's fine. Just in a class below lightweight. Lighter than air? Definitely can't hold a drink.
There is now a new instrument base!
>Start over from scratch [No risk]
>Take parts from the old instrument [Easier, but risk involved]

Kaku pulls out a couple more hairs, literally, to try and repair this stringed instrument. His panic only manages to create some substandard strumming lines. Maybe he could try to get it tempered.

Stern recieves 1P to melt it down and try to do something with it.
>Use it to repair the existing strings
>Melt it down to add new parts to Bind's wooden block
>[Player write-in]

>>5477342
Citrine rushes over. "Hey, hey, calm down! What's going on here?" he asks Mawile and the other two caravan 'mons. "No need to get too loud."

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5477342
Stern shrugs. He tries to use a careful fire to melt the P to repair the existing strings.
"Here we go, this is the only way I can think of to help..."

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Rolled 4 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5477342
Vee looks on at the confrontation ahead of him. He smiles.

Walking over after getting a nice breath of fresh air, Vee approaches the three, (or four, with Citrine >>5477347) readying his voice.

"Hi!" Vee says hi. He doesn't know or really care why they're arguing, just that it would probably be better if they weren't.

+2 Cuteness.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5477342
>>Take parts from the old instrument [Easier, but risk involved]
"Well, might as well make use of whats left..." Kaku tries to salvage what he can of the old thing to put on the new base.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>5477342
Rolling to spawn(outdoor rest stop)

>>5477281
>Tintoretto is still lost in the forest, he thinks he went straight.

>>5477380
>Saliva is absolutely dropping from his mouth as he spazzes his way forward...
"Beffry boy??? DEATH!!"

>>5477347
>>5477350
"Why not?" Mawile huffs, her hair-jaw looking tense. "It's not going to be for long and you've got a whole group protecting the caravan!"

Meganium shakes their head. "If only... look! We're not going to take an alternate route. That's how bad things happen. When you're moving cargo, it's on us too if something goes wrong!"

Mudsdale nods in agreement.

Making an aggravated sigh, Mawile turns to Citrine and Vee. "SO! Turns out the bridge that takes us over the chasm has been destroyed by something or whatever. As far as I know, it's out, and we can't take that route. I've been talking with them to map out a detour, but they don't want to do it." She gives a quick glance back to the two and gives them a stink eye. "So the rest of the trip is out until the bridge is fixed. I'm thinking about writing to some of my friends in the Federation to come along and fix it."

>>5477349
>>5477361
Together, Stern manages to solder the different materials together to repair the old strings, while Kaku dismantles the remaining parts with careful precision. As he transplants the new parts to Bind's block, Stern finishes and produces the new strings, now tinged with a peculiar golden sheen.

It's looking closer to the original. Kricketot cannot help but look amazed by the effort produced by the group. "I... I you've fixed it!" he says, looking over the effort of the three. "I can do the strings and tuning myself but... you've all done it!"

Your group receives for repairing the instrument:
>75EXP
>300P each
>1x Energy Powder (to claim)
>1x Encourage Seed (to claim)

>>5477380
Tintoretto has somehow wandered back into the vicinity of the group, despite being lost in the depths of the forests. It's surprising he hasn't encountered a mystery dungeon! He can see the outpost town as he exits from between the leaves.

>>5477397
"That's an issue..." Vee thinks about the problem. He wonders if the two others are being paid for this, and if a path was agreed upon prior.
"How big's the bridge? Can't the supplies just be carried across some other way, or is the gap too large?"
Vee gets the feeling it might be best to wait.

>>5477397
Tintoretto lays down in the streets, some ignore him others trample him. He's lost all ways to speak, he can only see...
the....
beauty...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MagELQywiGI

>>5477397
"Wow, I'm even impressed by myself! You are welcome, Kricket. Good job team!" Kaku picks the Encourage Seed.
"And you gotta get yourself together..." He says as he picks Bind.
>>5477402
"Hey Vee! What's all this fuss about?" Says Kaku after leaving the guildmaster with the cargo.

>>5477397
>Sable munches a few rocks from his drink

>>5477397
"Well. To say nothing for the supplies, I think we've got a couple ways to fly things over, but... a detour is so much easier, right? How long would it take us?"

>>5477425
Vee turns around to face Kaku. "The path we were supposed to take is destroyed, and not everyone wants to take a detour." Vee explains. He looks thoughtful about what the better choice would be.

>>5477406
Tintoretto's pupils are so huge...
His breathing is constantly changing, at first he stops, then starts to hyperventilate, takes deep breathes, and screams.

>>5477402
Mawile shakes her head. "The path we took was the fastest route, so we would need to either backtrack or wait. It's too large to cross normally without it." She rolls her eyes. "Of course, there's the option of making our way down to the chasm's riverbed, but they don't want to 'deviate' from our agreement because that means a surprise dungeon if we're unlucky. Or maybe an ambush of some kind."

She sits down on the Post Office's patio step. "Tried to reassure them it would be fine since we could handle it, but noooo..." You can see her scanning the area. "It would be so easy if Slurpuff didn't need to bring an entire guild's worth of food! Ugh."

>>5477425
>>5477434
"Carry all of this over? There's a reason why we're traveling on land, you know that, right?" Mawile scoffs, looking amused. "I think we need to wait here until we can get a couple of 'mons to fix this mess." Out of frustration, she kicks a small pebble, skipping it along the dirt road.

Suddenly, she stands up. "You know what? I think I'm going to go assess the damage myself." Mawile marches out in the direction of the nearby bridge.

In the meantime, Vee can mention the job opportunity.

>>5477406
The street is empty and devoid of anyone else. He's hallucinating being trampled! Somehow, anyway.

>>5477435
>>5477443
"Oh yeah, I did hear about that. A detour sounds fine, who's gonna fix the bridge anyways? The trail will be ice cold by the time that's done! Might as well cut our losses and go back home."

>>5477443
>Best for someone to roll a 10 to save him
Tintoretto only imagines the Caterpies crawling on him as worthy adversaries, how dare they walk on him?
"Sir?" one of them says, "are you alright?"

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>>5477443
>>5477446
Vee shrugs, speaking to Mawile. "If you agreed to it before, then changing the terms of the agreement would be unfair," he states. "If you want them to do things you didn't agree upon, then they'll probably want compensation, especially if they're worried for their safety."

Vee sits down and glances at the parties in front of him. "If that's not possible, then I guess we'll just have to wait. How long does it take to fix a bridge?" He tilts his head in question.

>>5477446
>>5477451
Mawile has already departed to make the short walk to where the bridge is. However, currently, you have some options you can try.
>Attempt to convince the Caravan to make the detour [Words/Payment]
>Decide that it's good being cheap and that you can wait it out [Accepts Delphox's quest]
>Transport all the supplies yourself [Uunknown outcome]
>[Player write-in]

>>5477458
>Decide that it's good being cheap and that you can wait it out [Accepts Delphox's quest]

>>5477458
Vee ponders his options, before coming to a conclusion. The Delphox's personal journey sounds interesting, and she's already on board with it.
>Decide that it's good being cheap and that you can wait it out [Accepts Delphox's quest]

In the meantime, Vee is unsure if he should bring it up with the caravan, or Mawile.

>>5477449
>Tintoretto shits himself

>>5477458
>>Transport all the supplies yourself [Uunknown outcome]
"You know what, I don't believe that between me, Stern, Brock and Citrine we wouldn't be able to carry this damn caravan, let those guys go I say!"

>>5477458
>Attempt to convince the Caravan to make the detour [Words/Payment]

Citrine turns to the Meganium and Mudsdale. He'd throw his arms up in the air... if he had any. "Alright, listen, you say detours are how 'bad things happen'? Our party's pretty adept at fighting off threats if that's what you're worried about. We could also pay you to sweeten the deal, if you don't believe we can protect the supplies well enough. I'm NOT up to cancelling this."

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5477473
>roll to convince

Is that... Astor?
No, it's just your imagination

>>5477487
>Tintoretto stares at nothing and drools.