bottlecaplogs | AUGUST 2025 EVENT LOG

⋆✩ 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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

One of the people near him happens to be a Hatenna, who mostly had been watching the skyline and mostly looking for any distraction to speak of that would take away from anything internal she had to wrestle with. Those clouds were dark, but she'd... seen her share of skylines. Not so much for portents, when she'd been rather heavily involved in matters of destruction herself, once upon a time.

Still, to potentially speak further of the territory they had arrived in, that was more than fair game for substance. When no one else in the vicinity seems to lend themselves to the question, she'll speak up.

"Oh, are you concerned of it being more than 'just' a storm?"

Perhaps not the sort of response being looked for... she can't quite help her nature at times, to test the waters, though she's curious all the same.

He briefly glances at the small pokmeon before returning to looking at the clouds.

"... It never hurts to be prepared. The wrong kind of disaster could wipe all our efforts off the face of the planet within seconds."

In his experience so far- This planet was completely free of Catastrophes as he understood them. Something which was alien and bewildering. Even the rain that had messed with the memories of himself and others hardly qualified- But he couldn't find it in himself to simply accept that was all there was too it.

"... Its nothing." He says. Not eager to expose himself to this stranger. His paranoia would be kept to himself.

"It could, but I doubt that would stop such a group. Too many idealists, and heroic types..."

Among some of them, there might be panic for certain, but others... they would likely be persistent enough to take up the mantle of just starting all over again. The way they had tackled this part of the expedition so far had shown that much.

"Unless you're afraid that it might wipe us out too, of course."

Yeah, she heard him say 'it's nothing' but it's not going to stop her from pressing just slightly, either. Messing with things they don't know about, fine. Survival? That was a little more important.

He huffs, slightly amused. He couldn't disagree with her there. He wonders how many of them would choose to stay and face the storm despite it all...

Tch, great, a nosy one. "... Lets just say I'm familiar with storms that you shouldn't trifle with. Can't trifle with. Else you face your grave for your idiocy." It was a rare kind of expert, or fool, that made it through a Catastrophe unscathed. Its why Catastrophe messengers were held in such high regard and allowed universal clemency.

"Whether or not this is one of those kinds of storms..." He pauses again to stare at the clouds, "... I can't say. I'm no weather expert. Lets hope those clouds don't harbor that level of ill will." For now they seemed sedate enough. It didn't stop his eyes from lingering on them however.

"Unfortunately, most won't learn unless by experience. It doesn't seem as simple to avoid if it's coming our way, regardless."

Nosy to a fault, usually she'd prefer to stay out of it, but in this case, any possible information was still new and hopefully with it's use.

"If you're that concerned, there's probably a Pokémon around with that sort of ability to figure it out. Attuning to the weather doesn't seem like it would be in the realm of difficulty, if you know where to ask anyway."

She may not know where just yet, but it seems better than brooding about a what if, in her estimation.

"... That's true enough." he agrees after a pause. People who didn't know the terror of such storms... what a novel and strange thought. He'd almost consider himself fortunate... except... well. "Yes. If its something so dangerous finding natural shelter would be smarter than running." He has more than his fair share of experience. Playing around in the midst of a impartial and deadly storm was asking for a quick death.

He hums, considering. He could ask Mighteyena... He didn't know anyone personally, nor did he have any interest and doing that level of socializing- but if he was worried about it, he could reasonably assume someone else probably was as well. And if not anyone else- he trusted the Oran Berries' leader to cover her bases.

"I suppose not." Is all the response she receives however, after brief silence. It certainly wasn't a common ability back where he came from- but then again, they had scientists for that kind of thing.

For now he'd have to let it be until he could hunt down his guild leader, but that was probably well enough. At least for now it didn't look like it was going anywhere... probably.

"Seems like you have a plan."

She hasn't heard it, of course, though given his pause and change in tone she can pick up that something had changed. Unfortunately her own senses don't quite extend to the weather, mostly her concern was poking at that level of unease he was exhibiting. Prodding him toward a more productive line of thought instead of brewing too much ineffectively certainly helped her just a little.

"Though if you should find anything out, a heads up might be nice."

He grunts noncommittally, not really considering that this other person wants an answer.

He gives her a flat and intense look, "If you're so worried, then go ask yourself." He had no doubts that if there was truly a problem, then the information would make its way down the vine. Mightyena of all the guild leaders wasn't going to leave her people, temporary or permanent, without a sense of direction or safety.

But he was no one's messenger boy.

She'd had her own idea on how to handle things, but unfortunately his disposition--that sudden intense annoyance, she didn't really need to be an empath to feel the direction that was headed. She'll just meet his response cool, but lightly, one of her hair flaps lifting in a shrug.

"You're the one who brought it all to attention to begin with. It was hardly an inconsiderate request~"

Of course she can't help herself, even if it's an almost unnecessary deflection. After all, she didn't have that same certainty he did about the guild leaders, or even that talking to them was his plan.

"Attention?" He scoffed. What a weak argument. He hadn't asked her specifically- nor caused any kind of public scene, he'd simply asked a fairly reasonable question given the circumstances they'd kept finding themselves in.

And yet she insisted on making this about his behavior. "If you can't be bothered to seek the answer out yourself, then the answer must not be that important to you." he retorts, turning away from her, with no intention to continue to play her games, he has better things to do.

Archnemon wasn't too worried; her poking at him had done more than enough to stir him, and any minor amusement was giving way to his annoyance, time to find a new vibe instead.

"Who knows~?"

As if he thought he would have the last words when he turns, but she finds no more reason to linger herself.

He lets her go on that note, rolling his eyes to himself privately. What a nuisance.

... It was an almost familiar irritating presence though. He glances over his shoulder briefly- as if expecting to see a very different white haired silhouette.

Tch. Whatever.

AUGUST 2025 EVENT LOG

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We can end the thread here if you want!