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

[indifferentinferno]

His eyes flicker to Akechi- surprised at first, he was a quiet one as always, but quickly his expression smooths back out into his serious demeanor, and his concern over the looming clouds.

He's right, and it makes Flamebringer's brow furrow even more. While he can reasonably say its unlikely this world faces the kind of disasters he's familiar with- their own brand was a pain enough, and something to be taken seriously. Something that messed with your mind was not to be taken lightly.

"Don't worry. I have no intention of doing so." its not something said as a retort, but as reassurance. He'd never let down his defenses so easily.

It bothers him- now that Akechi's pointed it out, that there's a pattern to all of this. "... Has anyone been able to make any sense of why these things keep happening?" Akechi had seniority over him. Maybe he knew something he didn't. Flamebringer's efforts so far had been regulated to fitting in and finding his footing again- little of it had been dedicated to understanding the greater picture of this place.

...WISE. I meant to say wise, not rise. DARN TYPOS. D<

[truthdecided]

"We're still trying to make sense of it, truthfully." And that 'we' encompasses everyone, of course. Even the guilds.

Right now, Mightyena is busy directing guild members in various tasks. He casts a glance to her, conversing with some of the resident Pokémon that accompanied them on the trek. Best not to disturb her.

"The timing strikes me as odd. These phenomena and incidents all seemed to gain frequency around the time we arrived and have only persisted since. The sickness from the fog, the cognitive distortions... Even the discolored Sandygasts are all suspicious."

WHEEPS i saw it and i was like Ah Yes. Normal RP hours SDLFKJASLKJFLSDGG

[indifferentinferno]

He makes a dissatisfied growl, but its not directed at Akechi, "So things aren't so simple." Its not a question.

"Do you think our arrival is the cause of it?" How ironic that would be. That would mean their summoning here wasn't something done for the good of the world- And they were a plague just as much as the anomalies.

Ha, that's something he was used to being called.

"I can only assume things have been the same since you arrived, long before I did." he sighs, "It bothers me how unpredictable these things are. They seem too large scale to be the caused by any singular person." He couldn't rule out a group but... Well, back on Terra it wasn't easy to cause such kinds of mass phenomena without Arts and Magic that was difficult to obtain, and even more difficult to execute.

The curse of sleepy tagging u_u

[truthdecided]

It's a fair question. The timing alone is ominous. All this started not long after they materialized, so does that make them walking omens? A risk to society?

It wouldn't be unfitting for someone like him, but Ren... He shakes his head. No. There has to be more to it than that.

"I believe there are a few possibilities. One: we were chosen as a direct response to these growing anomalies, not unlike the heroes of a more traditional isekai story, before the widespread popularity of the 'trapped in a game' subgenre." He pauses. This might not make a lot of sense, come to think of it. "...That is to say, we could be the 'chosen heroes' meant to save this world."

That is the most positive possibility, and the one Akechi has considered the most.

"However, if the force that beckoned us is more malicious in nature, then it's possible we are being used or set up to fail. My memories of the beginning are hazy, but I do recall a voice, and an odd feeling of warmth and hope that seemed far too sincere to be truly sinister in nature." Even so, he can't help his skepticism.

Not the sleeping tagging. I've definitely been there before. Wondering if a post even makes sense

[indifferentinferno]

Flamebringer wasn't one to often loose his poker face- but he definitely looked at least the smallest bit lost before Akechi clarified. 'Isekai' sounded like a familiar word- but he couldn't remember the context under which he heard it-

Thankfully he grasps his meaning the second time, "Ah." His tone is flat. Now if that wasn't a dream that sounded too good to be true. Although... it wasn't like things had exactly been a walk in the park so far, so if that was the case, their situation at least lacked the idyllic fantasy of it all.

But... Ha, he was no hero... maybe once he entertained the possibility, when he was much younger, practically a different person entirely from who he is now.

Now he held no illusions of what he was.

He frowns, expression thoughtful, "... I'll admit, up to this point I hadn't considered much of the why's." He'd been focused on the tasks immediately in front of him, as usual. Being set up to fail... well, there wasn't enough proof to say regardless, but he couldn't help but linger on that thought... it was a feeling all too familiar.

He was a little shocked to hear he wasn't the only one who heard that voice, and that it sounded like what Akechi described was his exact experience as well, "Do you know if anyone else heard it?" He begins to ponder, "... You arrived rather quickly after I showed up in this place as well, did you notice anything strange when that happened?" It was a far cry from his interrogation of the little 'fowlbeast' when they first met.

[truthdecided]

"The initial wave of arrivals plummeted into the ocean in the midst of a storm. Trapped in unfamiliar forms, we had to struggle to reach dry land." Pausing, he looks down at himself. Small, winged, and decidedly round. "I used to be rather tall. Now, I'm among the smallest of our group. To make matters worse, I had to adapt to flight in order to save my... partner from drowning."

Partner, rather than rival... Not that Ren isn't still a rival in his eyes, but things have changed. It's not quite the same anymore.

"But what intrigues me is the lack of clarity. I like to believe I have a sharp memory, yet I can only recall that there was a voice and not the details of their words. It's rather frustrating, really."

[indifferentinferno]

Landing in the ocean would've been a nightmare to him, the very thought sends a shiver down his spine. As far as he could tell- the oceans here were far safer than the ones back on Terra, albiet still not all that safe. But in his newly transformed body, and frazzled mind- He wouldn't have realized this wasn't Terra immediately. He would've felt like a sitting water-fowlbeast waiting to be eaten by the nearest seaborn nest.

He can sympathize with the amount of raw stress Akechi must've been under at the time- Even without his world's particular ailment.

"So its not the same place every time. Nor are the locations all that close to each other..." He mutters. After all, he hadn't been anywhere near the ocean. He'd been busy for the last set of arrivals- but now that he was considering it he remembered they were found along the beach. Close to Akechi's arrival location, but not the same.

He sighs, "... Likewise. Normally I would think that such a strange occurrence would stand out all the more. But clearly there's something unnatural about all of this." And no leads as to why outside of their idle speculation... how annoying.

[truthdecided]

"The wave prior to your arrival all dropped within the forest when the fog still lingered everywhere." It's so strange to compare to the present, where it's all but receded. The mysteries of the forest somewhat remain, but the danger has decreased. "There were concerns over the health of those who inhaled it. Many even hallucinated and lost sight of reality."

Can they even say it hasn't happened? Several among their group have fallen into comas. Though Ren and A.B.A awakened, the same can't be said for the likes of Alastor and Doc. Now Dark Heart has joined them, and even Firepaw...

Looking away, Akechi tries his hardest to hide his discomfort.

"But what's strange is, the most recent group arrived under decidedly more... ordinary circumstances, barring the strangely discolored Sandygasts."

[indifferentinferno]

Oh, so that's why everyone was herded into the medical tents for an exam when he had arrived. While the fog had been around for longer at that point- it was still an unknown variable that was actively causing issues for residents new and old.

He doesn't mention to Akechi that he lied his way out of said medical check-up.

He notices Akechi's discomfort- Mostly because its so out of character for him. True, he hasn't spent the most amount of time around him, but its still enough of a difference from the norm that he clocks it.

He doesn't ask. He had heard rumors and mentions of those who had fallen asleep, with no sign of waking. Not to mention his own questions about his mental stability after talking to Laios-

No, he wouldn't get lost in these thoughts either, he forces himself to focus. "Things have been strangely peaceful as of late." he growls, "Which I can't imagine means anything good." Its a deeply cynical outlook- but its how he's always had to live.

[truthdecided]

"No, I find it highly suspicious." The surroundings, ominous in their scope, draw his attention once more. Subtle flashes of heat and cold, of uncertain dangers... all of it speak to something grander just around the bend. "I'm not ungrateful. Our efforts have clearly alleviated many of the dangers within the forest, but many mysteries still linger, and the world spans far beyond what we've seen."

[indifferentinferno]

He's glad they're on the same page, if there's more people who feel the way he does, he feels more confident in their chances of finding solutions. But he still can't help the way his eyes drift back up to the hanging storms... mirroring Akechi's similar wariness.

"... The scope of how much we know is so small." He comments. He'd grown used to having a greater picture- which was a strange thought- it didn't always used to be that way. But Rhodes had so many connections and avenues of information- He was no longer just a simple wandering mercenary, unaware of the world around him.

Here it was like he'd reverted back to that time.

And with the pace at which they could make progress on foot... Well. He sighs, there was no point in dwelling on things he couldn't change. "We've fought to secure a foothold at least." A victory is a victory, even if it feels infinitesimally small compared to all they still have to conquer.

[truthdecided]

"Yet one might question the ethics of coming into 'unclaimed' territory and making it our own." He shifts on his perch, turning toward the outpost proper. "Many human societies were built through conquest, taking lands inhabited by existing populations and claiming them for some higher power. I want to believe this outpost is merely providing shelter and resources rather than threatening the local fauna."

It doesn't seem in their nature, after all. The city of Bottlecap Bay is far less driven by greed, at least on the surface. It's far more communal.

"There's much we still don't know about the wider Pokémon culture, of course, and I doubt it's a monolith."

[indifferentinferno]

"What a pretty question," his gaze follows Akechi's, "One reserved for those who have the luxury of asking. Survival and power are forces that sit at the core of every living being. When one feels satisfied in both- that is when we look to others and judge them for how pretty their choices were." His tone is... hard to decipher, sitting somewhere between condescension and exhaustion. "The strong are the ones who choose the paths of others. The weak can only pray it ends in their favor- and maybe, hopefully, that it ends in them achieving their own power, and getting to make their own 'pretty' choices."

He pauses, "That being said. The Pokemon do not strike me as conquerors." If anything, it was uncanny how humanitarian they were. How much they reminded him of his own employers. It was like seeing lightning strike the same place twice. "Most our battles are out of necessity. And I don't think either you or I could argue that they were optional." Those threats he'd had a hand in facing back at the Bay proper... no. Had they been left to roam free, the residents would've been hurt. It qualified as defense, not conquest.

If anything it surprised him that everyone had uniquely decided to show mercy to the trouble makers... even himself.

He hummed, "My place is clear for now, that is enough." He was no scientist or scholar after all, and he made no claims to be one. He turns to look at Akechi, "What are you looking for with your understanding? Answers?" Maybe the little fowlbeast thought the path home could be found in their temporary co-workers.

[truthdecided]

"Indeed. Ursaluna, Spiritomb, Dondozo, and Tatsugiri had to be dealt with, lest their rampages claim more lives." It's a calm, simple statement. The bounties spoke to their severity, if anything, to a degree that readily eclipsed the swarms of smaller Pokémon.

Yet, for as composed as he appears, something in Flamebringer's claims makes him narrow his eyes. "That being said, I hardly believe one should let the strong determine their fates. I would sooner carve my own path, and here I have the luxury to do so."

Before... well. Before, he never had control, no matter how hard he believed otherwise.

[indifferentinferno]

Flamebringer returns his gaze steadily, unwavering in his opinion. "Does that not indicate that you sought out strength in order to change your 'fate'? To break away from the chains of being 'weak' in order to guide the path you could grow upon?" Its said without judgement, but spoken as if its obvious. One didn't 'let' the strong control their lives. It was simply never a choice to begin with. He breaks his gaze away.

"Luxury... is a word for it." He makes a face, like he's not sure how he feels about it. He might have... No, he knows for sure that if he acted with such ignorance as he has in this world back on Terra, he would be dead by now.

Its a sobering thought.

"I'm not accustomed to things being so... peaceful." He admits. Even with the chaos he'd experienced so far, it was a far cry from the wars, social upheaval, and catastrophes that haunted his homeland. Maybe any normal person would relish in it. He kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"That 'luxury' you speak if is abundant. Encouraged even." It reminds him of that young sankta boy. He expressed views not dissimilar to Akechi. It contradicts much of what he had grown accustomed to on Terra.

[truthdecided]

"Indeed. What dangers there are are far more... straightforward than matters of war, politics, and capitalism." A whisper of a chuckle slips from him at that fact. "The lack of currency, the mostly harmonious nature of the city... It's so picturesque that sometimes I question how long it will last."

[indifferentinferno]

Straightforward, if not a little too buddy buddy for his tastes. Although he supposes maybe its a bit ridiculous to complain about things when the environment is so peaceful relatively speaking.

"... I doubt for much longer." He feels like trouble is on the horizon. They've been able to solve any issues that had cropped up so far, but when would their resourcefulness fall short? When would their best not be good enough? It led back to the core of what troubled both of them. Without more information, more of an idea what was going on, they couldn't prepare for the worst...

[truthdecided]

"I do wonder if this outpost is the start of something more..." He peers back at the buildings in progress, claiming the once untamed wild. "For all that Flowey joked about colonialism, it isn't terribly hard to make a connection."

[indifferentinferno]

"The Pokemon native to this world know far more than we do just by default." He sighed, it was a fact that still irritated him. "Maybe they have a sense for something we don't." He thinks if any of them were actually aware of some ground breaking information it would be shared. Up until this point at least they'd seemed more than willing to be open about all information that was relevant to their survival.

But instincts worked differently than knowledge.

"What? Are you concerned our benign handlers might turn into tyrants?" He says it with a bit of sarcasm. Having done time around the sort he had a difficult time seeing it. But then again- maybe there was something others were seeing that he wasn't.

"If they hope to have any chance of survival, we can't simply relegate ourselves to one point on the map." He glances at Akechi, "That includes taking the risk of stepping on toes."

Not that they should pick fights with their neighbors. If any of the locals were truly upset about them moving in, he'd yet to hear about it. But public relations and the sorts were not his forte. He left that task to the better suited of his peers.