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Post by Infynis on Mar 9, 2018 0:52:24 GMT
You emerge into a subterranean chamber. Crystals glint on the ceiling far above, their appearance like stars. Small white Pokemon flit among them as birds would, though the way they glide seems much more ethereal. Before you towers a great forest, though not akin to those you’ve seen on the surface world. Blocking your view of the rest of the cavern are great mushrooms of all colours, as large as trees. In addition, pillars of gems jut meters into the damp air. Amongst the yard thick stalks, you can occasionally spot movement: creatures that you can’t quite make out in the unearthly glow. Rustling and strange cries echo through the undergrowth.
The scent on the breeze is that of life, but it is also alien. The Azurill in Zee’s arms seems to relax as it smells it. There is a feeling to this place as well, something you can’t quite identify. It seems to tell you that you do not belong here, but welcomes you all the same.
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Post by raventhefree on Mar 9, 2018 17:04:04 GMT
As the party emerged into a chamber that appeared to be more of a forest than a cave, Zee was awed by the sheer size of the underground growth. Huge mushrooms, reaching towards the ceiling of the cavern, towered over their heads. The crystals that they had seen before, small and glimmering against the pitch darkness of the earlier caves, were huge now. Some of them were taller than Zee herself.
"If only to see this," Zee said, voice filled with awe, "I think we made the correct decision on the path to take."
She set the Azurill back down on the ground. "Is this your home, little guy?" she asked it, letting it go find its hollow if it had one here. If it didn't want to be caught, there was no sense in forcing the issue. This wasn't the type of adventure for a long-term babysitting mission, but Zee wanted to make sure the Pokemon got to safety nonetheless.
Picking a spot slightly away from the rustling undergrowth as to not provoke any nearby Pokemon, Zee sat down and pulled out her sketchbook. "I'm going to take a minute to draw this place. Plus, we should talk about our plan for navigating this area. I don't suppose anybody has any experience traversing giant mushrooms?"
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Post by Infynis on Mar 9, 2018 19:17:44 GMT
The Azurill bounces a ways toward the mushrooms when Zee places it on the ground, but then looks back. When it sees that the human isn't following, it returns, hopping up on a rock next to her, watching her draw. It doesn't look like it understands what Zee is doing, but its eyes are wide with interest nonetheless.
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Feb 28, 2022 15:56:25 GMT
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Post by Trixander on Mar 10, 2018 14:41:53 GMT
This place resonated with a magical power. Mezzo almost never got this feeling on the other side of the mountains. It was the feeling that came with the knowledge that he was only a small part of something much larger than himself. The crystals, the forest, the pokemon. It was otherworldly for Mezzo, yet somehow familiar. Still, he also felt like an invader in a foreign land. The forest wasn't unwelcoming, but it didn't accept them either. Despite this feeling, he definitely agreed with Zee. Coming here was the right call.
"We should walk along the outer edge of the cavern," he suggested. It was way more likely that they would find a way out that way. They would also need to find a place to rest eventually, which also seemed more likely to be found in along the walls of the cavern. "That way we can avoid testing our mushroom traversal abilities as much as possible."
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Post by Vazad on Mar 10, 2018 22:56:52 GMT
"I agree that we will be guaranteed to reach an exit that way. It might take slightly longer than if walked directly to it but that's not going to be easy to find. Can any of you tell where the wind is coming from? If we can determine a direction we should follow that wall."
Looking at the fungal splendor he couldn't help but be impressed. This was way more than he had expected when the route was being explained to them. Baraz wondered if the rest of this trip would have similar vistas if so it might be worth it just for that. He hadn't really had this feeling before. Was it... Wonder? He began to get excited about the future for the first time since he had agreed to go on pilgrimage.
"I really would prefer not to mess with the mushrooms, I've interacted with Pokemon that are similar and they tend to be full of toxins."
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Post by Infynis on Mar 11, 2018 3:03:29 GMT
It isn't particularly difficult to tell where the breeze is coming from. Strange tendrils in the forest are rustled by it, and the its gentle caress seems to beckon you into the mysterious air beneath the mushroom caps. The wind comes from within the forest; you don't know why, but you feel it originates in the direct center of the cavern.
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Post by raventhefree on Mar 12, 2018 0:55:06 GMT
"I think we should follow this blue Pokemon," Zee said, noting that the Azurill was going in the direction the wind seemed to be coaxing them. "It seems to know the place better than we do. Besides, maybe the other Pokemon here won't attack if it's clear that we're being accompanied by someone who belongs. Maybe that's just wishful thinking, though."
Zee stood up, collecting her things and stuffing them in her bag. "Back to marching order, then?"
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Post by Vazad on Mar 12, 2018 6:00:15 GMT
Baraz nodded and patted Fritz on a part that he was fairly certain wouldn't catch his hand and crush it. Falling in a short distance behind it.
"Sounds like a plan to me. I wouldn't trust things here not to attack us though. Fritz, you take point."
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Post by Infynis on Mar 21, 2018 20:50:48 GMT
With the party reassembled, you begin your trek into the alien forest. The Azurill bounces ahead, happily following the playful breeze deeper amongst the mighty stalks. The light is low, but the crystal pillars are frequent enough that you are able you avoid tripping on the strange root-like tendrils that weave across the ground. The cavern floor here is not stone, but a rich, deep brown dirt that squishes moistly beneath your boots.
Despite Baraz's fears, no Pokemon spring from the undergrowth to attack you, though you can hear them moving through it in the distance all around.
Time for perception checks once again!
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Post by raventhefree on Mar 21, 2018 20:59:00 GMT
The amount of Pokemon Zee could hear rooting around, just out of sight, put her slightly on edge. Even so, they didn't seem terribly aggressive, and even the little Pokemon ahead of them didn't seem too bothered by all of it. In fact, it seemed to be enjoying itself here. That relieved Zee, especially seeing how upset it had been before. As one of the less graceful people she knew, Zee often joked that she could trip over flat ground. Now, though, they were in a cave with twisted undergrowth and extensive tendrils that threatened to trip her at every step. She made sure Mezzo's shoulder was within easy reach, just in case she did decide to fall over. Mostly, though, she looked at her feet, trying to carefully choose her footing. When they took another break, she would get another good look at the area. Zee rolls perception! jr2upYqz3d6
Lillette rolls perception! 2d6 3d6·2d6
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Post by Trixander on Mar 22, 2018 3:16:16 GMT
As the ground squished beneath his feet, Mezzo began to wonder where exactly they were being led. Hopefully the pokemon around here were friends of the Azurill, and wouldn't attack them as long as they accompanied it. He was especially worried because the newest addition to his team was a Fighting-type. If the pokemon here were Fairy-types he would have to rely on an injured Legato. While Zee focused on her feet, Mezzo kept his eyes open for trouble. Mezzo's Perception: _VY1D28d2d6
Legato's Perception: 3d6+1 2d6·3d6+1
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Post by Vazad on Mar 22, 2018 18:09:48 GMT
Baraz trudged along, trying his best not to kick up mud on himself as he did his best not to trip on the roots crisscrossing the area. He kept his eyes peeled, checking around for any movement in the area. There seemed to be a whole ecosystem down here, who knows what it's major predators could be. Baraz's Perception 1WriYmis2d6
Fritz's Perception 2d6+1 2d6·2d6+1
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Post by Infynis on Mar 25, 2018 17:43:47 GMT
You make a decent amount of progress into the forest, Azuril skipping along ahead of you, before Legato suddenly stops. The fur on the back of his neck stands on end, and he reveals his teeth in a silent snarl. At the same time, through the noise of the Pokemon in the forest, Baraz and Zee are able to make out what sounds like combat ahead. Azurill however, continues hopping straight toward the sound, oblivious.
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Post by raventhefree on Mar 26, 2018 0:17:44 GMT
Before the Azurill can get too far ahead, Zee hurries forward and snags the tiny thing up. "Shh," she whispers to the little Pokemon. "There's a fight ahead."
With Azurill stopped from getting too far ahead, she turned to the others. "Should we go and try to break it up, or do you think we can avoid the scuffle?" Zee asked the others. "I know Legato is pretty beaten up, and I wouldn't want him to get seriously hurt. Besides, how will we know which side is the 'good' side, anyway?" Zee wrung her hands as best she could while still holding onto the Azurill. "As it is, I know that Mezzo here isn't a master of stealth," she commented, giving him a pointed, but still playful, look.
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Post by Infynis on Mar 26, 2018 0:28:37 GMT
The Azurill allows you to stop it, but doesn't seem to understand why. It chirps excitedly, gesturing with an ear toward where you can hear the fighting. It has a happy look on it's face, and continues to motion in that direction while in your hands.
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Post by Vazad on Mar 27, 2018 10:09:24 GMT
"It's quite obvious your little friend thinks we should continue, it was frightened half to death earlier and yet it seems to be perfectly fine now. So for my money, I say we take the chance."
When Zee worries about figuring out which side is the good one Baraz gives her a strange look.
"Well, the good side is whichever one we decide to back. This isn't a fairy tale, despite what the surroundings might make you think."
Baraz walks over to peer toward the direction the noise is coming from. As Zee finishes speaking he continues.
"I doubt we'd be able to sneak up there as a group if you want to keep things quiet. It might be best just to put the two Pokemon who were least harmed in front and just do our best to let them distract whatever's up there."
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Post by Trixander on Mar 28, 2018 14:35:40 GMT
Mezzo considered the Azurill for a moment. Wherever it was taking them, it seemed to have a supernatural sense for where it was. It definitely did not want to get involved with any conflict, it was much too timid for that. No, Mezzo was confident that the little thing was ignorant of the battle ahead.
He smiled at Zee's comment. "I'm afraid that it is true, I love the spotlight too much to move around backstage."
"And yet I do not think that it is worth the risk. At best we might gain a new ally, and at worst we could be completely overwhelmed. We may not be able to sneak past, but if we go around, I am sure that our little friend here would be able to get us back on track." He looked at the Azurill, which he was unsure if it knew what he was saying.
"As far as good and evil are concerned, I do not think that a gang of five pokemon cornering two is a good gang of pokemon," Mezzo adds. "Our journey is a grand story. Every story has its villains."
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Post by raventhefree on Mar 31, 2018 16:51:51 GMT
"I don't think it knows there's fighting," Zee said, looking at Baraz. When he continued, though, she frowned. "I see the world differently. There's very little room for grey area in my mind--morally or rationally. Besides, I agree with what Mezzo said. There's a difference between Pokemon fighting to maintain the food chain and survive, but it seems like Pokemon around here might go out of their way to bully or hurt others."
She considered their options. "It seems to me that if the Pokemon are busy fighting, we may be able to go around them as Mezzo suggested as long as we give them a wide berth. As it is, the sounds of the fighting are faint enough that this little guy doesn't seem to notice. Our sounds will more than likely be masked by the combat. Besides, approaching while I'm holding this Pokemon could be dangerous. It's injured and it seems to be our best guide, and I would prefer to have my hands free in case I can be of use healing Pokemon on the field. Not only that, but if there are truly Fairy-types densely populating this area, Mezzo's pokemon could become a liability." She paused, realizing that what she said might have been a little off color. "Sorry," she muttered, looking down. Collecting herself and taking a deep breath, she looked back up at the group. "As I was saying. It seems like the new Pokemon is likely weak to Fairy-type, or it wouldn't have needed to gang up on the little guy's parent five to one. Given that Legato and Lillette are weakened, if we don't need to fight, it may be best not to."
Hesitating, Zee put on a glum look. "That being said, I really could use a second traveling companion, especially since this one won't get into a Pokeball. The next time we're in tip-top shape, we should also consider having well-equipped teams from a defensive and offensive perspective."
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Post by Vazad on Apr 2, 2018 11:47:53 GMT
Baraz shrugged as both Mezzo and Zee made their comments about good and evil. While he felt that the idea was a bit naive he didn't feel as if it was worth being argumentative about. Life would show its true face eventually. He listened as they mostly decided to avoid the confrontation ahead, that was fine with him. The group had already taken a beating and they would need to pace themselves if they were going to get through this.
"Alright, I doubt we'll be totally safe in here, to begin with, but if you both feel like it's for the best to avoid what's up ahead that's fine with me. I'll let you choose the path and will direct Fritz to lead the way."
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Post by Infynis on Apr 2, 2018 21:42:13 GMT
Carefully skirting the area from where the sounds of combat emanate, the group pierces deeper into the fey forest. The mushrooms increase further in size as you advance, towering mightily above, their stalks thick as a commoner's home. The roots that cover the ground are now as wide as trees back on the surface, and make progression difficult. Once you are well past the sound of the fighting, the breeze that had been with you since the beginning dies away. The Azurill is also no longer leading you, but is content to remain in Zee's arms.
Just when the undergrowth is getting to the point where you think you will not be able to continue for the hindrance of the terrain, you find yourselves in a clearing. The ground here is bare of fungal tendrils, exposing once more the soft black dirt. Ahead, on the other side of the clearing, the mushroom-trees and crystal pillars are more tightly packed than you have seen to this point, and the undergrowth reaches to head height. There are however, three gaps in the plant life. Each is like a tunnel into the gloom, and you can see where none lead. Furthermore, for the first time since entering the forest, the canopy of mushroom caps is broken, and you can see the roof of the chamber. Like you saw at the entrance, crystals glint upon it like stars, but from here, you can also see a massive crystal pillar descending from the ceiling. It is impossible to tell it's magnitude due to its unknown distance, but the Pokemon that glide across the space in front of it are nothing more than specks. It looks to reach down into the forest somewhere far ahead.
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