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

A.B.A | Guilty Gear | OTA

[quirkynote]

A. The Road Less Travelled

[As one of the largest quadrupedal Pokémon here, it was pretty much expected that A.B.A would be hauling a tremendous amount of materials on this expedition. You can bet a lot of locals were willing to put up with her weirdness if it meant less stuff for them to carry. A.B.A, of course, takes no issues with this. She loves showing off how strong she is, if only because she believes such a show of strength would make any would-be attackers think otherwise, and the weight on her back is...nice. Familiar.

In fact, she positions a piece of lumber over her shoulder just right that she could almost swear she was carrying Paracelsus again. To help comfort her, she's placed the Gogoat skull she's been treasuring since her last big mission right on the end of the piece of wood, letting it dangle close to her head.

Occasionally, she stops to comment on the forest, but not for the usual weirdness one might comment on. It's okay, she likes weird.]

Oh look, dear... These flowers are beautiful. Even when this fog tries to hide their splendor, they still manage to captivate an audience... Oh? They're for me...? Such a kind and caring man...

[A.B.A continues with a beak full of plucked flowers that are definitely from her husband and not a plank of wood with a skull dangling on it.]

B. The Heart of Development

[As someone who went on one of the official explorations, A.B.A is a...little checked out. Construction is just not a thing she does...or really cares about... The Pokémon apparently caught onto this, and A.B.A is left to what she was doing before: hauling materials around. She goes from one spot to another, dragging around stuff, and then simply standing around until she's called over again. It looks like she's...people watching. Or daydreaming. Or some combination of the two. When someone snaps her out of it, without fail, she bristles right before screeching at them.]

Vile, ill-mannered creature!! You are NOT to order me around!!

[She comes over anyway.]

C. Wildcard

[For anything else.]

The Road Less Travelled

[friendlyflower]

Wow, good job! They were alive and you killed them. [Flowey is sulking because someone else got tired of carrying him, so now the Sunkern is hopping along. It turns out not everyone likes conspiracy talk. What a bunch of head-in-the-sand idiots.

... He's also sulking because he just saw a field of golden flowers and it brought back memories he's not sure how to feel about.]

[quirkynote]

[Oh...her baby key is sad...??? But why??? They're having such a good time in the forest so far! No one's died or anything! ...Flowers notwithstanding. Wait, is that it? Is...is it because she killed these flowers right in front of him? Does...he believe she'd do the same to him?]

I don't plan on having you join them, if that's what's troubling you.

[friendlyflower]

Gee, aren't I lucky? [... he grumbles.] You would've killed me when we first met if I didn't back off and if you didn't discover I'm a 'key'. You never would've even known.

[Sorry, A.B.A. The brooding tweenager is hard to understand.]

[quirkynote]

[Is he? She feels like she's following him pretty well so far.]

You're right, I would've. [Not sure where this is coming from, but she supposes she has time to reminisce.] I was quite prepared to tear you apart, and I wasn't going to be kind about it, either. You would've never known such suffering, and then when you would've drawn your last breath, my face would've been the last thing you would've ever seen.

[A pause.]

...But I'm glad you changed your mind. That knowledge was much more valuable than your death, and our friendship is very dear to me.

[friendlyflower]

[She's so matter-of-fact about it. It's not a threat to her, but a fact. He admires that.]

Gee, I'm glad I changed my mind, too! [So he didn't die terribly. As for 'friendship'...]

... do you really think that?

[quirkynote]

Do I really think what?

[That their friendship is dear to her? Is he...implying she could be wrong? But...it's her opinion... An opinion can't be wrong, can it?]

I don't make a habit of lying, if that's what you're implying.

[friendlyflower]

I mean, you don't know much about me, do you? [... he did reveal he was made in a lab and he set all the monsters free, true. But as far as he knows, she doesn't know that he's soulless or all the terrible things he did.] What if you found out something horrible about me? Would you still be my friend, or would you kill me then?

[quirkynote]

As long as you aren't doing anything horrible now, I don't...particularly care...

[It's true, she doesn't know much about Flowey's past, much like she knows nothing about Paracelsus's past and his many...many war crimes. How she keeps surrounding herself with keys with questionable pasts is a mystery.]

I live in the present, not in the past... But...should you decide to be horrible again, I'll not hesitate to deliver...appropriate punishment...

[friendlyflower]

[Someone who lives in the present. He respects that. So many people spend their whole lives looking backward.

Still, he likes testing her. Her way of thinking is so strange to him, but he's starting to get a clearer picture.] Really? If I started being horrible, you'd kill me? No hesitation, either? Even though we're friends, and I'm a key?

B.

[dunchies]

[ Laios is in the middle of towing a few pieces of wood to the right spot. It ain't much, but it's honest work, especially as one of the bigger Pokémon around, too. But right as he drops of another delivery of materials, he suddenly hears her, jumping a bit as he does. Immediately, he turns toward her direction, eyes narrowing at the others who seem to be leading her away despite the initial protest. He growls a bit to himself, unable to help his growing concern.

Quietly, he sneaks up to walk alongside her, speaking in a hushed tone to avoid catching the group's attention. ] Are they bothering you, A.B.A?

[ He shoots the work crew a side glance. What are they up to with her... ]

[quirkynote]

[Ah, Laios. Someone who doesn't bother her nearly as much. In fact, she'd argue she's quite fond of his company. Especially since he does things like ask her if she's bothered, rather than doing the bothering.

Yes, Laios is...a good boy.

Taking his lead, she lowers her voice, as well as her head so their conversation is strictly between the two of them.]

Yes! Very much so! I find them incredibly vexing. [Her fur bristles as she eyes the Pokémon in question. It appears to be...an adorable Jumpluff in a hardhat. They smile gently over at the two of them, waving a friendly puffball in the air.] Do me a favor and kill them for me.

[Wait. No. That's rude.]

...Please.

(1/3)

[dunchies]

[ He immediately repeats back at full volume: ] Kill?

[ That gets a few glances, but he’s too shocked to pay them much mind. Such a serious request could only be for an equally serious crime. But then who— ]

(2/3)

[dunchies]

[ Oh.

That is a very cute Jumpluff. Hello. ]

(3/3)

[dunchies]

[ He turns back to her with a grave look in his eyes. ]

A.B.A, that Jumpluff... don’t tell me... [ The gears are turning. It’s coming together. ]

They used a Grass move on you? [ A moment of silence. Let the revelation sink in. But just in case he wasn't clear: ] You're weak to Grass moves.

1/2

[quirkynote]

[The word "weak" hits A.B.A like a truck, a visible shiver running through her entire body. Deep down, she should know Laios is only trying to be factual, but her pride takes an almost fatal blow.]

As a homunculus, I have no weaknesses—

[quirkynote]

[WAIT, NO, if the Jumpluff believes the same thing, then that means it's DEFINITELY trying to kill her.]

E-Eeek!! We need to rid ourselves of this creature, immediately! This is no longer a mere annoyance, this is self-defense!!

[The Jumpluff hasn't even attacked her. In fact, it still continues to wave and smile politely. Could really use some of those materials they have.]

[dunchies]

I think here you might be closer to a chimera, actually. [ But now's not the time for that. This is suddenly a matter of life or death. ]

A.B.A, I won't be able to shield you from another direct attack, but I can try to keep their attention on me. If they're already willing to go after someone in town, then they might be too far gone to reason with. [ He had thought the fog's effects might have been mostly dealt with by now, but clearly not. Perhaps the journey over to the outpost had its own side effects...

Anyway, that Jumpluff is getting tired of trying to wave at them and is now making their way over. ]

[quirkynote]

[Despite being the larger Pokémon, A.B.A finds herself cowering behind Laios anyway, trying to make herself appear as small as possible. A reflex from her days doing the very same with Paracelsus. Someone...!! Protect her...!!]

T-They're coming this way...!! Does their bloodlust know no hounds?!

[She means bounds...but her point still stands. Why do they seem so determined to kill a dog?! She trembles, she's literally shaking as the creature comes forward. Now that she gets a better look at the Jumpluff, those beady, red eyes truly are menacing. How did the Pokémon let such a villain slip into their peaceful settlement?!]

I beg of you, Laios... I can't die before reuniting with my husband...!!

[dunchies]

... Their bloodlust doesn't know this hound yet. I'll put a stop to this.

[ This is it! An enemy approaches, and it's up to him to protect her. He stances up at the incoming Jumpluff, their smile unwavering as if to mock poor A.B.A all over again. ]

Don't come any closer. I know exactly what you're thinking. [ The Jumpluff stops in their tracks, looking more confused than terrified. So is he going to bring everything over after all? ] You're going to have to get through me first. [ If it's a battle Laios wants, he's going to have to wait while the Jumpluff sighs and walks right past them to look over the materials. ] H-hey...

[ He glances over his shoulder when it's obvious they're not intimidated in the slightest. ] A.B.A... I don't know what they're planning, but it might be more serious than I thought. M-maybe I should have growled more...

B!!

[seacub]

[Understandably, Emporio responds to A.B.A's shouts by stiffening on the spot, hunching his shoulders, and reeling back.]

U-Uh...!!

...I'm sorry?

[He'd just said Hello....]

[quirkynote]

[Well, a simple hello wouldn't set her off, so she was probably shouting at someone else. Still, she's not in the mood to correct a child, so she puffs out her chest and holds her head high in a rather authoritative manner.]

As you should be. I hope you take this time to reflect upon your sins...

kfljgkjfhgf i love her with all my heart

[seacub]

B-but I don't know what my sins are...

[Is this about him using her as an example on the pearl before?? He said he was sorry! He's sorry!!]

[quirkynote]

All the more reason to reflect...

[Foolish children and their belief they're above sin. See, this is exactly why she's glad she was never a child. She couldn't bare the idea of being this embarrassing.]

Your first sin is pride. To think you wouldn't hold a single sin in your heart... Guilty! Guilty of the sin of arrogance!

god i love her,

[seacub]

I-

I didn't say I thought I had know sins!! Th- They're just unidentifi-

W-why would it be those ones if I was just saying I didn't know!!

[He could probably come up with a smarter argument, but he's mostly stuck on the idea that he's somehow getting on bad footing with A.B.A. Nooooooo-]