AUGUST 2025 EVENT LOG

[bayhelpers]

⋆✩ THE FIRST TRUE EXPEDITION ✩⋆

The Guildleader’s announcement comes off the excitement of yet another round of mysterious new arrivals floundering their way into society. It comes not long after a fresh round of beach parties and campfires, announced simply by notices posted to the Quest Board concerning a vital announcement to be made at the Archive’s steps. Within the first week of the month, that announcement has been made.

It’s time to expand their borders. It’s time to break through the unknown.

It’s time, the Guilds agree, for an Expedition.

i. LET THE EXPEDITION BEGIN

PACK YOUR BAGS

Preparing for the Expedition is no simple task. After the announcement has been made, all three Guilds prepare personal sign-ups for the matter, extending invitations to Pokemon they feel will do particularly well. An expedition, each Leader explains, is not at all the same as any typical quest. It is an effort comparable to the very exodus that formed what Bottlecap Bay is today. It’s a collective of Pokemon all headed for one singular goal, supporting each other in the effort.

Pokemon are encouraged to invest in sacks and satchels in some cases, while others are simply handed worn packs for their own use. Lists of necessary supplies are passed around, ranging from simple foods like apples and chestnuts all the way to rare and valuable goods that could make or break any team lost in the woods. Seeds that explode when chewed upon, or even revive a Pokemon from unconsciousness are carefully divided among Expeditioners, and as the day fast approaches the nervousness becomes a tangible thing upon the air. Heavy, like a storm. Static, akin to electricity from a yet unseen lightning bolt.

Yet skies are clear - and they remain clear when the day comes for the trek as well.

WE’RE TAKING A ROAD TRIP

⟡ The Expedition begins ICly on the 1st of August - Players are free to handwave characters seeing notices leading up to this day beginning from the 25th of July.

⟡ When it comes to being allowed on the Expedition, even new Pokemon are invited to join! The Guild Leaders are anticipating they’ll have hidden strengths and unusual insights in dealing with the unexpected, compared to native Pokemon - what with the experiences they have coming from very different worlds.

⟡ All Pokemon on the Expedition will at minimum be equipped with some form of sack for personal belongings. While larger Pokemon will also be tasked with carrying extra loads intended for tents and shelters, smaller ones will be asked to tow rations (or other supplies that are easily split) for their immediate party.

⟡ Many stores in the town are eager to do their part to support Expeditioners! While this doesn’t mean any special discounts, it does mean that items and goods they exchange might be a little more personalized. It seems a Pokemon’s favorite snack just happens to have been set aside, while the last satchel available is in their favorite color. How fortuitous!

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

While all three are in agreement, it is only one Guild Leader who spearheads the charge. The Oran Berries of the Spire are left with a trusted deputy to handle any immediate matters as the Expedition Team sets off for the woods in early August, and where most teams are a mere two to four Pokemon strong it isn’t inaccurate to compare this one to an army. As a mass, these Pokemon move forward with their packs filled with supplies. Stone, lumber, and straw for larger sorts. Food and tools for others. And still more with nothing but the most vital necessities, first aid, and so on.

The three sections of forest that are known to Bottlecap Bay all border the sandy shore of the Bay’s lower crescent, with the ‘North’ in particular creeping along the Canopy. Through probing of the Forest’s boundaries and environs, thanks in large part to all of the explorations and quests of the past months, the Guilds have determined that the Forest eventually starts funneling together, the far end of each section growing narrower and narrower as the entire Forest is compressed between impassable terrain. This also means that whatever’s at the other end, any entrance to the Forest should exit in roughly the same place.

The Expedition intends to travel just through the North section - at this point they’ve had plenty of experience dealing with the primary hazard of spores! However, as the team carries on, they start to encounter discordant patches resembling the Middle and South in alternating moments of time. Some begin to voice concerns and questions - the Forest was never so strange before, even when the fog was at its thickest. Is this trip really worth it? How are they possibly going to make it through to the other side? The Forest seemed unending even when they were starting to get used to the conditions in each section individually!

As worries mount, Mightyena calls out encouragement, and hopeful whispers spread from the front of the Expedition. One of the Pokemon near Mightyena has a hunch, and says so in a shy voice. A feeling that just ahead, there might be something that isn’t just woods. Thanks to everyone’s efforts in recruitment, many wild Pokemon have agreed to assist over the last number of days - and the ones from the furthest corners of the Forest concur. The end is near, and this has been the forest’s final test. They just have to push on.

They can do that much, right?

ARE WE THERE YET?

⟡ While the threat levels over all within the forest have dropped down somewhat, navigation during the Expedition becomes even harder than it was before. The trip at minimum takes a full day - but notably, Pokemon who stray from the group quickly find themselves back in the pack, or back in Bottlecap depending on their intentions.

⟡ The Expedition only stops a few times during this trip, each time for a shared meal. There is always at least one Pokemon with their eyes directly ahead so that they don’t lose the path, and others in the group make certain to keep their fellows in sight at all times.

⟡ While they don’t ultimately set up tents in the woods, it’s clear from speaking with Mightyena that it was considered a possibility; in fact, finding a place for the Outpost within just a single day should have been impossible! She seems certain that at least one Pokemon move or ability was involved in this.

ii. BOTTLECAP OUTPOST, NAME TBD

CAMPING WITH EXTRA STEPS

After little more than a day of trekking, the journey comes to an end. The Expedition’s goal was to find a place suitable enough to create another settlement. To find a place beyond the woods that could be considered safe. A place that could eventually become another home.

Thanks to the cooperation of the Pokemon of the forest, they have managed just that.

The valley is a beautiful carpet of swaying grass, gently sloping hills, and tiny babbling brooks. Wildflowers sprout in colorful clumps or large swathes, and the air smells sweet and fresh; a breeze ruffles gently through Pokemon fur and feathers, chasing clouds through the sky. Scattered rocks and boulders make for perfect spots to lie down and sunbathe. One larger stream meanders through the center, its water clear enough to see straight through to the rocky bottom - at least except for the spots where rocks jut out above the surface, generating sprays of drops and foam. It's kind of hard to believe that this was just beyond the fog and gnarled undergrowth of the forest!

At the other end of the valley, the hills begin to grow steeper, and trees fill in again - in fact, it almost looks denser than the forest on the way back to the Bay, if that's even possible. Over near that end Mightyena is organizing expeditions, marking off three general directions to start exploring. It might be tempting to sneak out for a peek ahead of time, but Mightyena insists it's not safe to go solo and without supplies.

Off in the distance, beyond the dense woods, the hills stretch into an extensive mountain range. Dark clouds hang above many of them, caught on the peaks.

Closer to the center of the valley, on one side of the stream where the ground is flattest, the Outpost's boundaries are being marked out. It's time to start building!

NO REALLY DON’T GO IN THERE

⟡ Pokemon who haven’t been approved for Exploration Quests will be swiftly caught and carried back to the Outpost base. Done enough times, and they may even be sent back to Bottlecap Bay!

⟡ Curiously, Pokemon who return from their expeditions will note that even if they encounter mountains, none of the visible mountains match what they saw - no matter what direction teams explore in, the regions and sights are entirely incongruous with what can be seen from the valley.

⟡ Those remaining at the Outpost will have plenty of work to do. Regular travel routes must be established, as well as the placement of temporary shelters. Pokemon will be spending many days out here, which means lots of hunting and gathering work to be done as well. Players are invited to come up with their own unique tasks; a village has many requirements.

THE HEART OF DEVELOPMENT

So here’s the bad news: even with the wide number and variety of Pokemon present, and all the strange abilities and skills at everyone’s disposal, building an Outpost… just isn’t something that happens in a day. Everyone’s going to be here for a while! And there’s simply too much work for anyone to get away with slacking.

Any Expedition members who aren’t being sent out on an official exploration are going to have their paws, wings, and other assorted limbs full of construction tasks. Even those sent out on explorations will be expected to join in as soon as they’re back - assuming they’ve avoided injury, of course. And whenever Pokemon collapse for a well-earned rest… it’s going to have to be under tarps and temporary shelters. (At least it’s probably not much worse than what everyone’s already used to, for everyone but the Lum Berries?)

Still, the relief of making it through the Forest and the loveliness of the environs has the mood of the Expedition high! The overall feeling is like that of a barn raising, with cheers ringing out whenever a new building is framed, and again whenever it’s officially designated complete. Some massive fire pits are very nearly the first thing to get put together, and every sundown there’s bonfires for the Expedition members to congregate around and relax with their supper.

It won’t be long before the Outpost is complete, and this will all be worth it!

NEW PLACES

⟡ While the core of the Outpost won’t be finished until the final week of the month, other unique matters will slowly make themselves known as the 24th of August approaches. In particular, a uniquely shaped building with its own Questboard will finish its construction alongside a storehouse, a clinic, and a dwelling house.

⟡ The latter three buildings are quite basic; the Storehouse is used to maintain and preserve stock of all manner of necessary materials including food, and even has the beginnings of facilities meant to process these. There is talk of possibly creating a water wheel to help with this. The Clinic in turn is a far smaller version of its Bottlecap counterpart, meant for emergency treatment of Pokemon who cannot be brought directly to town.

⟡ By August 24th, Pokemon will be able to experience the finished Dwelling house on their own. While it’s constructed in the style of many of Bottlecap Bay’s buildings, it seems to follow the spirit of the Oran and Cheri guild’s dormitory systems. Pokemon share rooms with four simple beds, and the entire building makes use of a communal stove.

⟡ The final building is the most important; it’s a Post Office. The Quest Board outside of it is meant to host requests relevant to the regions too distant from Bottlecap to reasonably respond to, but for now something else is posted there. ICly posted on August 24th, these notices call for a vote on names for the Outpost and neighboring regions. Further details, and an IC Suggestion Poll, can be found Here.

✩ OOC NOTES.

⟡ CWS: Typical Pokemon violence - otherwise this is a fairly tame event!

⟡ As promised on the monthly plotting post, we are happy to announce that Activity Rewards are now available! You can find more information here.

⟡ While all Heavy Quests will ICly have completed by August 24th, sign-ups for these quests will remain open all month.

⟡ For those who participated in Heavy Quests this month, don't forget to submit your quest completion forms before the 30th!

⟡ Have any questions related to the event? Ask them here! If your question is more general for the game, please make sure to direct it to the FAQ page instead. Thank you, and happy threading!

FULL NAVIGATION

Comments

[seacub]

Hm?

[Oh, that's an interesting question. He ponders it. Not because he doesn't know he's sure, but more...

...He wants to be sure he can put it to words.] Well, the fog was...not necessarily made of spirits I guess, but it seems like there's spirits stuck in there, right?

So it makes sense that they'd question things when trying to connect and take over.

But those kinds of questions don't happen without its influence. The only thing that stops being 'us' is the bodies we have to adapt to.

[But, for the sake of debate, he looks to Flowey. The Grotle carrying him seems content to just ignore all of this weird talk.] What makes you wonder if you aren't you?

[friendlyflower]

[He supposes that makes sense; he didn't know the nature of the fog for sure. But still...]

... I don't have any proof one way or another. It's just a hunch. [For now. He hates admitting he doesn't know something, but he really doesn't have much to go off of.] That disorientation we felt on that quest... it felt worse than the fog. And the way the forest is glitching out is NOT normal.

You must've noticed that some of the new arrivals you meet never make it to town. Even if you rescue them, bring them to temporary housing, do everything right... they just disappear. And then their face becomes foggy, and you just can't remember the interaction you had at all. In fact, the way people just suddenly fall into comas for no reason... people say it's because they worked too hard. But I've done a lot and I'm fine.

... It's like some fundamental thing is missing from them. Like characters in a video game who don't have someone to play them.

[seacub]

Hmmm...

[He certainly does know what Flowey is talking about. People he's met that are just...hard to place. Vanished, it feels.

...If he were to consider something similar to that however-]

...Honestly, looking back, those actually feel a lot like the Pokemon who get..uh. Rescued multiple times. I remember treating one of them- I'd actually been one of the people that rescued them, but they didn't remember it at all. And when I try to focus on when I did, it feels...strange somehow?

...Rescuing that Pokemon was when I heard that 'question' too, so it feels connected. Either way though, I...

[The cubone trails off.]

...I guess I can't explain to a satisfactory point why I'm sure we're who we are. ...But after seeing 'replacements' before coming here, I at least feel confident. I'm me. And you're 'you'. What that means might change over time, but we're still ourselves.

[...Hmmm. But, speaking of the comas- and Grotle is very obviously listening in now, much as they haven't slowed down- Emporio can at least theorize on that.] I definitely agree it isn't hard work. But...

...Something I realized is, well. Almost everyone here had a reality they came here from, right? In theory, we all had to arrive somehow. We also all arrived in different bodies.

Presumably, whatever brought us here had to make those- we aren't necessarily in the same body 'with changes'. Actually, I would expect them to be different bodies. And it's not like it would be hard either! We've seen Pokemon capable of all kinds of things...creating a 'shell' for someone to inhabit wouldn't be a challenge at all, I'm sure!

[Aware of how that likely sounds, given what they're talking about, he determinedly carries on.] ...But that doesn't mean we aren't 'us'. Even if it's a new body... ...who we are at the core is still us.

[friendlyflower]

...

[Flowey is silent for a long time. Emporio might think he's lost in thought, or even ignoring him. But then, suddenly, he speaks again:]

It's a Pokemon.

[He looks both... deeply relieved and deeply concerned.] You're right, Emporio. The thing that brought us here. It has to be a Pokemon. At first, I thought maybe it was just this world-- the 'game' that we're all playing in. But games have a creator.

Something brought us here. Something made these bodies. [It certainly has a sick sense of humor, making him a freaking seed.]

... Something made this world. And it's breaking. [Maybe that's why they're here-- to fix it? Or is this part of its design too, and its just toying with them? As much as Flowey's pessimistic nature wants to assume the latter... it feels like they've still been building towards some sort of purpose, with these quests and now with this expedition.]

Have you found anything in the archives about Pokemon that are like gods?

[seacub]

[A Pokemon, Flowey says.

Emporio finds himself nodding.] Probably. ...Which, I guess means Polteageist has to fight 'God' if it tries sending everyone back once whatever we're here for is done.

[It's hard to tell if Emporio is joking or not. Given what little he's said about home though, it may well be that he fully intends to help Polteageist do it, if it comes to that.

Crossing his arms, he hums from under his helmet, the sound echoing with a light rumble.] ...It's weird to think of it like a game, but it's not a bad analogy at least. Like how the 'Dungeon Master' of a tabletop is the creator of a world for each game session.

...And I guess, if we keep following that line of thought, the Dungeon Master doesn't normally have full control. ...Not if they're a good one anyway. You have to have room for the 'players', the characters, to actually move and affect things. The problem is...

[Well, the problem is that as Flowey has said it seems to be breaking.] ...The players also have to be able to get out.

[Well, Pokemon Gods...] There's some vague legends at least. Not a lot of concrete stuff though, and it's all phrased like folklore more than anything. I wouldn't be able to say if I've seen everything though. I, uh.

...I don't know if you've seen the archive ordering system but...

[Grotle, of course, chooses now to interrupt.]

You can't find much of anything when you need it...not without being in tune with spirits...

[Given Emporio's wince, the turtle Pokemon has hit the nail on the head.]

[friendlyflower]

Gods can fall just like anyone else. Trust me. [He knows Emporio's up for it just as much as Polteageist probably is. And him, too.]

Eavesdropping sure is rude! [He grins at the Grotle. He's not mad; he knew others were listening in. As far as he's concerned, the more Pokemon are aware of this strange reality, the better.] But when you put it like that, it makes sense! I thought it was that Polteageist is a total slob, but it really does keep out nosy Pokemon like me. Hee hee.

[He turns back to Emporio.] ... let's just keep our eyes peeled! I'm sure this oh-so-noble expedition will reveal new information.

[seacub]

Oh, I definitely believe it.

[From experience!

Though, a small correction-] Honestly, I'm not sure it's really meant to keep people away. It's more like...

...When someone has a messy desk, and they tell you it's obvious where everything is. He just kind of assumes everyone else can follow the same system.

[There is an exhausted sigh that comes with it. After all-] ...And honestly, I think that might be worse...

[Ah well.] A new place should definitely reveal something though. ...Though I do wonder what it'll look like...

good place to wrap?

[friendlyflower]

Still very convenient for Polteageist. [He's just salty, and he'll always assume the worst. He's working on it. Kind of.]

Watch your back. We don't know what we're up against in this new place.

Sure!

[seacub]

The text is still there... [He tries, and fails to say convincingly.

But, the cubone nods.] ...Yeah.

We'll have to be careful.