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Post by weirdsound on Sept 19, 2016 19:16:29 GMT
King Kota of Magikarp Pass Current Lodgings -You currently make your home in a small but well furnished apartment typically reserved for male members of the Magikarp Pass Pokemon League. The apartment is part of a five room suite, but as two league members are female, and one a genderless Timeless, only two of the other units are occupied. The suit has a massive common area, where the workstation the Anvil sent you is set up, but much of the space is dominated by the the possessions of your suite mates. Champion Shi keeps several dozen disorganized shelves full of chemicals and books, five liquor cabinets, and three chemistry stations scattered about the common area. There are also several chalk boards set up, covered in notes and diagrams that may relate to the assassination of your predecessor, but everything is in some sort of shorthand based off the local written language, and as such incomprehensible to you. The Champion himself often spends long spans of time in the common space working on various chemistry projects - you find this a bit worrying as he is rarely sober when he does so, and many of the chemicals he works with are quite dangerous. Shi is almost always flanked by his Nidoqueen or Nidoking, but over your first few days as his suite-mate you manage to meet the champion's entire battling team; He also carries an Ampharos, Mawile, Venusaur, and most impressively a Diancie. All of Shi's Pokemon seem to carry Mega Stones, and the champion boasts that the mega forms of his Nidoqueen, Nidoking, and Diancie are one of a kind custom transformations invented by himself. Elite Four Lǎol, your other suite mate, dominates a quarter of the common area with a massive tank of water in which he keeps his many Gyarados, some of which are quite impressive and exotic to you. When asked, Lǎol explains that Magikarp Pass is famed for its seven subspecies of Magikarp and Gyarados, and that he has mastered each of them. Lǎol himself is an older gentleman who's right arm ends as a stump just below his elbow, but he does not let his condition slow him down; Although he is rarely around during the day, he often shows up in the evening wearing his old Riverserpent Ranger gear to present and serve freshly caught game to Shi and yourself. Known Locations -In addition to any locations you have seen a map leading to, these are the places you know how to find and may preform actions in. The Great Canyon City of Battlescar: Your hometown sits on the bottom and along the walls of the massive gorge that was carved out by the sealing of Regigigas, and is home to the castle in which you grew up and the University of Wounded Wall's main campus. In the castle is a library and trophy room where the history of your family and its long struggle against Regigigas is documented, which can be searched by with the general education skill, or by commanding the royal archivist. The university's engineering center has a collection of diagrams relating to architecture and metallurgy that one would need tech education to understand.
The Grey Rift of Battlescar: A largely barren and scorched region of your homeland that was ravaged by a Regigigas outburst several years before your birth. The region is anchored by the major towns of Hearthdome and Emboar Iron. Hearthdome is home to one of Battlescar's many prestigious military academies, and Emboar Iron sits on a major imperial highway and is one of the few places in Battlescar to partake in the tourism industry. You have spent much of your life helping the people of the Grey Rift rebuild what Regigigas took from them, and as such you are a folk hero in the area. Before you were dragged off to rule Magikarp Pass, you had fully expected to eventually be given a position of local power in the Grey Rift. Many wild Pokemon in the rift have developed fire typing to feast on the layer of ash that is still prevalent in many parts of the region.
The Local Righteous Force Temple of Cloudsong: A Righteous Force Temple high in the Magikarp Mountains that overlooks the town of Quin's Leap. The temple is lead by your adviser Archpsion Jie, who has extended an open invention for you and up to six of your Pokemon with psychic abilities to train with his monks whenever you wish. Cloudsong is said to be built by the god Rayquaza, and is said to be the favored temple of that deity. Xerneas, the giver of life, and Ho-Oh, father of Orcs and worthy rival to the emperor, are also worshiped at Cloudsong. Cloudsong has a library devoted to the scripture of these patron gods, as well as the temple's own history, but much of it is written in runic texts that require occult skills to decipher.
The Local Castle of Depthgazer: A fortified structure in the town of Quin's Keep that serves as the main gate through which travelers and goods heading to or from the drow lands pass, the first line of defense against attacks from below, and the primary residence of Lord Governor Jiang Zhuān and his Wife Professor Dàshà. As the Lord Governor is hardly ever home, Dàshà has given you an open invitation to use Depthgazer as a place to conduct your business far from the prying eyes of the Crucible.
Camp Brass Mercy of Trapinch Fang: A large collection of tents in the Drowish Slum of Rot that serve as a hospital and recruitment center run by The Anvil of Metal and Flesh. Elguard-F33, the adviser sent to you by the Anvil, claims that you are welcome to visit whenever you want, but warns that getting caught visiting Trapinch Fang could have serious diplomatic ramifications. Elguard-F33 raises her child, who may be your bastard nephew, here.
NPC List -The following is a list of NPCs the GM considers to be in a mechanically significant relationship with your character. You are not limited to interacting with NPCs on the list; Feel free to manipulate or seek advice from any NPC you have met, or hunt for any NPC you have heard of. {Roomate} Champion Shi: Magikarp Pass League Champion. Lives in the suites reserved for male members of the league. Highly skilled and respected in spite of a severe drinking problem. {Roomate} Elite Four Lǎol: Magikarp Pass League Member. Lives in the suites reserved for male members of the league. A former ranger who refuses to let his disability hinder his love for the outdoors. {Personal Lobbyist (University of the Wounded Walls)} Professor Dàshà: Semi-retired scholar with interests in chemistry, engineering, and history. Blood relative to Kota. Splits her time between advising Kota at Court, keeping house at Depthgazer, and her various academic pursuits across the kingdom. {Personal Lobbyist (University of the Wounded Walls)} Professor Dàshà: Semi-retired scholar with interests in chemistry, engineering, and history. Blood relative to Kota. Splits her time between advising Kota at Court, keeping house at Depthgazer, and her various academic pursuits across the kingdom. {Personal Lobbyist (Anvil of Metal and Flesh)} Elguard-F33: Doctor and Recruiter for the Anvil. Splits her time between advising Kota at Court, and running Anvil Operations at Camp Brass Mercy. {Personal Lobbyist (Righteous Force)} Archpsion Jie: The Archpsion of Cloudsong Temple. Known for his great individual power, and breath of experience across many fields. Splits his time between advising Kota at Court, and running Cloudsong Temple.
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Post by weirdsound on Sept 19, 2016 19:20:37 GMT
One Day Prior to the Reign of King Kota:
Those born into the noble houses of Battlescar are generally less accustomed to luxury than most other highborns, but the last few nights have been rough, even by your standards. You had accepted the invitation of Archpsion Jie to spend some time in Cloudsong, the largest and most Prestigious Righteous Force Temple in your new kingdom, and although the view from the highest point in Magikarp Pass is amazing, it is far from worth the stone beds and tiny portions of rice that the inhabitants consider proper meals. You had decided to fly out to Magikarp Pass early, to meet your new advisers before plunging headlong into your new life, and they have only just now all arrived.
Unable to find even a desk in such an austere environment, you are forced to sit cross legged on a simple mat to go over the letters of introduction that each advisor has given you. Or rather two of them.
Professor Dàshà, the adviser sent to you by the University, is an old friend and instructor. Biologically speaking she is your aunt, the daughter of your maternal grandfather and his second wife, but as she is only seven years your elder you have never thought of her in such terms. As a child, Dàshà was the big sister you never had, flying you around Battlescar and showing you all the famous roads, walls, and battlegrounds. A prodigious student of both chemistry and engineering, Dàshà was anointed with the title of professor shortly after her 20th birthday, and was given primary responsibility for the education of you and your group of friends. She taught you much of what you know, and was always supportive of your dream to spread Battlescar's infrastructure across the empire. She left the Battlescar abruptly two years ago, when her father married her off with little warning to Lord Governer Jiang Zhuān, a famous wandering trainer who hails from your new kingdom. Since then, you understand she has focused her studies on the architecture and history of her new home.
While the university was content to send you kin, the other two Orders you requested aid from have decided to wow you with advisors of a higher profile. The Righteous Force has decided to name your present host, Archpsion Jie, as your advisor, and reading over his resume you can’t help but be impressed. In his youth Jie spent nearly a decade honing his psychic powers under the tutelage of Emperor Lugia itself, before joining the Righteous Force and almost immediately being appointed Archpsion to the famed temple of Cloudsong. Over the course of the four and a half decades that followed, Jie has split his time between further honing his mind and soul at Cloudsong, and taking various short term political, military, and intelligence appointments for both Magikarp Pass and his not-so-distant homeland. To top things off, the letter notes that Cloudsong is the favorite temple of the Sky God Rayquaza, and between that particular deity and his old master Lugia, Jie is so heavily blessed that his power surpasses that of all but the strongest spirits.
Your last advisor, Elguard-F33, is somebody you both know and respect. She is a traditional elf medicine woman whose body and skillset have been upgraded by the Anvil of Metal and Flesh. F33 is a beloved angel of mercy in Battlescar, where she tends to show up whenever the war against Regigigas gets particularly intense. Tending to the injured with a combination of elf magic, herb lore, and The Anvil’s technology, F33 has many times brought a wounded hero of Battlescar from the brink of death to the front lines in a matter of hours. A frequent and honored guest in your home, F33 is very close to your older siblings whom your father allows to fight on the battlefield. From her letter of introduction you learn that when not in your homeland she spends her time tending to the wretched and recruiting for the Anvil in Rot, a Drowish slum beneath the Magikarp Mountains. You are also shocked when her letter informs you that she is raising a half-breed son, the father of whom is either your eldest brother Roku, or Mao, the Battlescar League Champion.
As you finish reading the letters, a young Psion Monk enters your chamber and calls you to the Temple Rock Garden, where you find your three advisers waiting. After introductions and pleasantries, Dàshà gets the meeting started.
“I am sorry for the delay, m’lord.” She begins, “I had been hired to survey the Royal Residence at the Crucible, as they are still trying to figure out how the assassins who killed your predecessor got in. We have yet to figure it out, but the locals are anxious for you to step up and lead, as power is presently in the hands of League Champion Shi, who hasn’t been sober since the funeral.”
Your mentor offers you a bemused smile. You can tell she is quite stressed. “I have been asked to inform you that you are to travel to the crucible tomorrow, where you will meet your future bride, receivea briefing from the court, and be sworn in as ruler. Until the royal residence is deemed safe, you will be staying in a suite with Champion Shi and Lǎol of the Elite Four. You will be legally married, but a formal wedding and coronation will have to wait until the Kingdom is finished mourning your predecessor.”
“With that in mind,” Archpsion Jie cuts in, “I’d advise you to question the three of us now and learn all you can about the situation. I have not been to the Crucible in years, but as a rule, I always assume that nobody there can be trusted until they give you reason to believe otherwise.”
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Post by twilightkiwi on Sept 22, 2016 3:18:42 GMT
Dàshà was one of the few people Kota thought of as his equal, in merit if not in station; he might have chafed at being forced to wait to take up residence at his new home, but coming from her it was easier for him to understand the wisdom behind the decision. "Perhaps I should personally assist in the investigation," he mused. "I may be unfamiliar with the royal residences, but if detailed floorplans can be provided... well, you're well aware my knowledge of structural engineering is not inconsiderate. An outside eye may find something the locals have missed, or taken for granted." Kota bowed his head slightly, steepling his fingers under his chin. "Yes, my public involvement might also go a ways towards easing the anxieties of the common folk. To demonstrate that I am not unwilling to take matters into my own hands - that I take their concerns seriously, and that I want justice and closure for their former King as much as they do." He paused, realizing that he had begun to pace slowly, and it dawned on the prince that it might be wise to actually allow his advisers to advise. "Of course, I will take your counsel on the matter before making a decision. You know these people better than I."
Kota resumed his pacing, clasping his hands behind his back as he looked to Jie. "Archpsion, aside from you three of course - do you know of any whom you believe I can trust? Or at least should give the benefit of the doubt?" Battlescar's courts were fairly light on political intrigue, its nobles more concerned with the defense of their holdings than with infighting and backstabbing that might leave the nation vulnerable. Kota was not accustomed to a less straightforward approach to leadership, but his education had included insights on such matters, and he liked to think he was not completely blind to courtly machinations.
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Post by weirdsound on Sept 22, 2016 15:44:33 GMT
Dàshà shoots you a glance and gives a short dark chuckle. "I'm afraid the investigation isn't hindered so much by a structural engineering problem as it is a personnel problem. I doubt you want any part of that hot mess. Champion Shi brought in Dean Tepth to head up the whole project."
Dean Tepth, the slimy wurmple of a man in charge of the University's studies on ancient wonders, is not somebody you would want in charge of any project, much less one relating to your personal safety. Obsessed with his own reputation, Tepth is more than prone to holding back the work of those beneath him, and stealing the credit of any underling who manages to succeed in spite of his interference.
A frown spreads across the face of Archpsion Jie, as he briefly pauses for thought before speaking. "By all means a wise ruler should care for the common people, but as monarch of Magikarp Pass, what they think of you will mean little. The Crucible is an isolated place of prayer, leadership, defense, and scholarship. The population is small, isolated, and almost entirely highborn. Most commoners consider their local Lord Governor to be directly responsible for their affairs, and if they think of the residents of the Crucible at all, it is in an abstract and romantic sense."
Jie rises to his feet, and begins to mirror your pacing. As he moves, you are stricken, but not fooled, by the frail appearance of the man. "The residents love gossip, and especially a good conspiracy theory... Nearly as much as they despise the husband of Professor Dàshà. If some wonderful person hasn't already started to spread the idea that your predecessor was killed to put the nephew of Zhuān's wife on the throne, they surely will if you get involved in the investigation."
The Archpsion runs his fingers through his long and wispy silver hair. "Who can you trust though? That is a good question, and not one I feel entirely comfortable answering until I've been back for a few days - people change over time, and I haven't been to the Crucible in a while... I suppose you can trust the champion's intentions, if not his decision making. Shi has his issues with the bottle, and I can't imagine him losing his wife and son to the assassins helped him in that regard, but he is a good man."
"Good man. Sure. He will drive you crazy though Kota." Dàshà cuts in. "So much wasted talent - he is still by far the strongest trainer in the Crucible, unless my husband or Master Fang happen to be around, even while Blackout Drunk, and he is probably a better chemist than he is a Pokemon Trainer."
"Aside from him," the professor continues, "I have a step daughter at the Crucible. To the Archpsion's point, getting too close to my family may not endear you to anybody else, but likewise she has few friends or allies, and as such would grab onto any chance she gets to earn your favor. Gōngzhǔ is about your age, and already a member of the elite four - she is the sort of pampered brat who wouldn't last two minutes back home, but she has brains and ambition at least."
Elguard-F33 speaks next, offering her suggestion of who you might trust in her strange and slightly metallic voice. "Within the Crucible sits a structure called The Madrasa of the Timeless, which is both an institution for the study of Fossil Pokemon and your Royal Military Academy. Inside the Madrasa, the Anvil, the Mewtonic Sect, and the Oath of the Stars vie openly for power and academic influence. I can obviously ensure the friendship of the Anvil's other scholars if you are willing to anger the other two orders."
"This suggestion is a bit outside the Pokeball so to speak," Archpsion Jie frowns, "but there is a Kobold called Bagontooth who serves as an apothecary and medic to the low ranking soldiers of the Crucible. He is a repugnant fellow with few redeeming qualities, but he is also the de-facto leader of the small Kobold tribe that makes its living as servants to the Crucible's highborn humans and drow. Through this network, he likely knows more secrets about those who live in the Crucible than anybody else. Under normal circumstances, I could never recommend that anybody trust him, but he is a Dragon worshiper, and you are a dragon, so he may actually be willing to serve you."
Just don't trust his medical knowledge." F33 butts in, That little beast is nothing but a quack."
"Not entirely true, Elguard," Jie chides, "He has real medical knowledge. However, Unless he likes you, or you call his bullshit, he will be content to peddle Ekans Oil and dangerous narcotics is all. There are a handful of other non-humans at the Crucible as well you might consider dealing with. The Timeless are the ones who built the place to begin with; Humanoids hewn from rock. The secret to their reproduction has been lost to history, so they are in general a cowardly lot, afraid of making enemies who might drag them to their inevitable extinction faster."
Seemingly exausted by his brief pacing excursion, Archpsion Jie sits back down and folds his arms across his chest. "The Drow at the Crucible can be trusted, as they need your protection. They are persecuted refugees, condemned by the nearby underground Queendom of Trapinch Fang. With that in mind, however, I wouldn't do them any favors until you at least consider the possibility of putting the knife in their back. As distasteful as that action might be, re-kindling the ancient alliance between your kingdom and Trapinch Fang could be well worth it."
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Post by twilightkiwi on Sept 27, 2016 8:31:32 GMT
Kota grimaced - practically recoiled - at mention of Dean Tepth, but paid close attention to the other suggestions his advisers made, nodding or shaking his head along with their words. He'd produced a small notebook - graphing paper, actually, for moments when inspiration struck him - and took quick notes with a stick of graphite. Bound paper books were still uncommon in many parts of the Empire, but Battlescar had means of mass-producing paper - though wood was rarely spared for the purpose, prioritized for construction, so it was still a luxury.
The trio had sound suggestions, and he was relieved to see that they were (mostly) in agreement with each other's assessments. He'd initially been worried that the three would be squabbling amongst each other and vying for him to take one side or another from the start, but it seemed that they were at least capable of being civil with each other around him. What their true opinions of each other might be, Kota supposed he would learn soon enough once he got the chance to speak to them individually. Dàshà in particular he was looking forward to catching up and comparing notes with, though he knew it would be unwise to show any favoritism so early, even for family.
"Very well," he began after a short pause to gather his thoughts once the three had fallen into silence. "If you all believe it's better I remain uninvolved, I trust your assessment of the situation. As far as allies go, these are not decisions that should be made in a day... Trapinch Fang, in particular, I'd like look further into. I'll request any materials that may be available regarding the history between the two kingdoms, though I'd like to see what the Drow have to offer as well. Perhaps they have a representative I could speak to, clandestinely if possible." Kota and his siblings had been raised with practicality and usefulness at the forefront of their education, and neither the idea of working with the nonhuman races, nor turning against them, was unpalatable to him. Another possibility occurred, however - along a line of thought he'd been somewhat avoiding.
"... I suppose," Kota added after some hesitation, "that my soon-to-be queen may have her own opinions on the matter, as well. What..." He turned away slightly, clearing his throat. He'd expected to have a political marriage arranged - and soon, given his age - but this was a very different situation. His wife would be queen, and was a Spirit equal to himself in her own right, not just some nobleman's coddled daughter. "What can you tell me about her? Is she competent? Intelligent? How much weight ought I give to her words?"
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Post by weirdsound on Sept 27, 2016 22:18:15 GMT
"The history between Magikarp Pass and Trapinch Fang began as an alliance against Heatran," F33 comments, "so assuming you intend to study Heatran's history, you will learn about the Drow as well. If you would like a meeting with their leadership, I could arrange that. The rulers of Trapinch fang are as fond of me as the rulers of Battlescar are."
"I can't claim to know the story as to why Trapinch Fang dislikes the Drow living at the Crucible," Professor Dàshà concedes, "but I do know that the Drow at the Crucible also have their own underground settlement called Weedle's Feast that can be accessed through a secret tunnel near the Crucible. You could slip down there for a quiet visit without letting everybody on the surface know that you are socializing with the Drow."
She then blinks, "Alternatively, my home at Quin's Keep sits on the major entrance to the subterranian tunnels, and would make a good place for a secret meeting with Drow on either side."
Jie folds his hands and briefly pauses for thought when you ask about your bride to be. "I knew your future mother-in-law as as a young woman. She had fled her family, the demon worshiping rulers of Registeel Gate, a city in the Kingdom of Spade that sits right on our northern border, and came to me in hopes of learning to worship the gods."
The Archpsion sighs, "She... lacked the gifts needed to partake in direct worship, so I instead arranged to marry her off to the King of Cragspur, the only other safe pass through these mountains, which sits far to the south. She has written to me a few times since, requesting advice for raising her children, including Akileija, the girl you are to wed. Akileija is a stubborn woman, who dreams of becoming a great wandering heroine, but her mother feared this path might lead her to wicked ways of the Black Knights, an Order that is as good as her families' birthright."
Jie pauses again, and nervously fiddles with his mustache. "I thought the concerns of Akileija's mother were valid, and advised her to lock the child up and break her into becoming a proper and harmless lady through harsh discipline. We thought this was working for a time, until it was discovered that the girl was a Latias Spirit several years ago, at which point Akileija's father objected to her continued captivity. The girl has been training as a warrior ever since, but I haven't been in touch with her mother, so I can't speak to her skills, intellect, or values."
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Post by twilightkiwi on Oct 1, 2016 16:51:29 GMT
While discipline was an important facet of Battlescar life, Kota frowned at the Archpsion's talk of 'breaking' Akileija. It seemed a bit excessive, and Kota had little patience for 'proper ladies' in any case. Though he didn't say so aloud, he was glad it didn't seem to have taken for the girl. He was unsure how well he would be able to handle a self-proclaimed warrior, but at least he had plenty of experience dealing with his older brothers and sisters who were largely of a military bent. It was better than the alternative, at least. "The Black Knights are no joke, from what little I've heard. I suppose I don't know enough about her family's history to judge. You must have done what you thought was wisest at the time," Kota finally allowed. "As long as she's not all muscle and no mind, I'll manage."
As Kota began to fold his notebook back up, a low hum filled the Garden as a squat, blue and chrome Pokemon hovered into view. Upon spotting Kota, it snapped to attention and somehow managed a salute with one of its bulky arms. "Ah, Dàshà, perhaps you remember my childhood Beldum. If anything Sentinel has become even more vigilant than it was back then - you recall how it used to watch visitors to the castle even while they slept! It's never satisfied when I tour a new place until it's personally surveyed the entire grounds." He smirked, returning the Metang's salute. "Which, I presume, it's just finished doing. Hopefully it didn't startle too many Monks."
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Post by weirdsound on Oct 3, 2016 20:23:54 GMT
Jie nods quietly in response to your words. Elguard-F33 seems less than impressed. "The Black Knights are indeed no joke, but for all their faults they play an important role. Magikarp Pass is a rich nation with a relatively small population. Your kingdom's terrain makes it easy to defend, but should you ever need to wage war abroad, you may have little option but to call upon those foul soldiers for aid."
"They are not a threat to you either," Jie concedes after a long pause, "The Kingdom of Spade, from which the Knights Hail, is a barren desert largely dependent on food imports that have to cross your land. In Theory the knights will attack any target for the right price, but in practice they are unlikely to do anything that endangers their homeland."
Dàshà looks Sentinel up and down, before smiling. "Yeah. I remember. It was a gift from my father for your second birthday... perhaps your third. Nice to see it growing up. It will be really impressive when it reaches its final form, but in general your steel types should earn you a good deal of respect around the Crucible; The rank and file soldiers and guards there wield almost exclusively Rock Pokemon."
Your aunt throws the Metang a salute, before pausing for thought. "I'd be careful about letting it patrol the Crucible on its own though; It might blunder into somewhere the Timeless consider sacred, and that would cause a scene."
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