Emporio's March Catch All - Quests + OTA

[seacub]

Who: Emporio, his quest buddies, and More!
What: Questboard Catch-All! + Bonus Prompt for Visits
When: Early March + Month-long Wildcard
Where: The Forest, and the Town
Warnings: Will be added as needed

[[OOC - The quests are in a psuedo-chronological order, but I've left the official timing vague to keep things open. As it stands, while Quest prompts presumably happen earlier in the month, the open prompt could be at any point in time.]]

[RESCUE SMOOCHUM]

[It starts, in part, with an agreement. Being in Lum, Emporio and the Ring Spirit naturally have an advantage in accessing the quest board, though not near as much as others higher up the chain. It's access enough though, and so the agreement comes into play; the Ring Spirit has finished reading up enough that he feels ready to tackle some kind of mission. Not just berry gathering either, a proper quest, with possible reward.

And so, they get to the quest board, look at what's left and... ...well it ended up being that there were actually rescues remaining. Only one would really work for his typing, but it's sure a rescue.

So the assignment was taken, a few others contacted via pearl and-]

Okay. From what we know, Smoochum went somewhere in...this direction of the woods.

...Apparently though, that's about all we have. [Thanks Onix.] So our best bet is unfortunately going the same way and hoping we find something.

[But that said, given who is in this group... ...He looks to Akechi.] I don't know if we should go too far away from each other, but if you're alright with flying now, it might be a good idea to fly a little ahead and above us to get a better view.

[And then, Ingo-] Do you think that fire you used last time might help us signal someone lost, as we go?

[A bright beacon seems easier for a scared pokemon to spot, than nothing at all!]

[MISSING?]

Huh?

[That's a little weird, Emporio thinks when he goes to the quest board a little after a successful rescue.] ...Wasn't this one already taken?

[He could have sworn that he saw someone take hold of this particular quest poster. Actually, he feels like he's seen it twice now but that can't be right.

Still- this time, he opts to take it, what with the sheer oddity of it all catching the Ring Spirit's attention as well. Of course, while the two of them are plenty clever, they should probably get help from one other...

...Which naturally, is how Emmet is recruited early into the investigation. It'll be a good test of that nose, right?]

Okay. Phantump is fairly small, and ghost-grass type- they look a little like a tree apparently, or...I guess more like if a piece of a tree had a little ghost in it, with glowing eyes?

[Emporio, helpfully, has a little note taking slate now, and has been using it to keep track of things. He's been doing his best, and coordinating with these pearls seems to be helping with that a lot.] I managed to find someone who thinks they saw them, what about you guys?

[BUSY BEERIES]

[After all of that, Emporio could use a wind-down. There's always a need for berries and sticks. The woods are nice and (relatively) dry, and supposedly walking in woods is relaxing.

So, berry gathering.

The cubone breathes out, helmet on his back.

All he needs to do, is Not think about that phantump!

...yep. Just gotta focus on berries.]

How are you guys doing?

[JUST ON THE BERRIES.]

[WILDCARD - LUM ROOMS]

[Being in Lum has its perks, and one of them is that technically speaking, one could argue that Emporio has his own address. At the very least, he definitely has his own door, which people can knock on and visit him at near the edge of the town.

Of course, that can go one of two ways- if they're smaller than four foot, he can let them into his relatively small (but certainly cozy) abode. Otherwise, he's going to just have to come outside and go somewhere else to do...whatever it is his visitors are here for.

But on that note- what IS he getting visitors for?]

Comments

[improvking]

I'll keep an eye out for footprints. If Akechi's going to be flying, I think that leaves me the closest to the ground among us.

[ "Somewhere in this general region of the forest", hm? Very specific, super helpful. ]

I'm not very experienced in navigating woodlands...

[truthdecided]

[Akechi nods. It's a solid enough plan, and his flight does put him in an advantageous position for scouting.]

We'll need to ensure that we don't lose track of each other, even if we do have a starting direction.

[He takes a few steps forward, peering up at the treetops.]

I could fly low enough that you can follow along, unless you'd rather I leave first and return once I've found proper clues.

[seacub]

[As long as they have some way to signal, that's good enough for Emporio. The boy nods, and looks to the woods then.] Got it- if it's something that smells different from the rest of the woods at least, that'll be a start. Smoochum did come from the town...

[But, hey, chin up Ring Spirit.] I'm just about as close, so we won't be looking with just one set of eyes at that level at least...

[Ahem, as it is.] I think if you stay in enough range that Ingo can smell where you are, that should work? If you stay too low, I don't think you'd be able to get that 'birds-eye' perspective after all...

[Though the trees may well make that an issue in itself. Hm.]

I guess do your best...

[offtracks]

Stay within shouting range, and I am sure it will be alright!

[That's what he and Gliscor often do. "Shouting range" for Ingo is rather larger than a lot of people, but no matter!

As they set off, he walks with his head lowered to the ground, trusting Akechi and the others to keep an eye on their surroundings. Following a scent trail is still a little strange. It really draws his focus to how much his senses have changed since taking on this form. Now, he can tell that a number of various Pokemon have passed through here recently: some that he can recognize, many he does not.]

There are many scents this close to town...I think we shall have to walk a little and let them become less confused.

[improvking]

[ As they walk, the Ring-Spirit tries to split his attention between staying aware of their surroundings and keeping an eye out for useful footprints. So far nothing's stood out to him either. ]

Mn, sounds good... [ Next he calls up to Akechi: ] You seeing anything yet?

[truthdecided]

[It takes a moment for Akechi to respond, as he works his way higher into the treetops. At a glance, there's nothing out of the ordinary. Just footprints of passing Pokémon here and there, the occasional nest from fellow flying types, and yet...

There's a sound, however faint. Interesting...

Hopping down from a branch, he descends enough to return to earshot.]

I hear some squabbling in the distance! It may be unrelated, but we'll want to remain diligent.

[Given past experience, it could turn hostile.]

[seacub]

Got it, [he determines, doing his best to keep his eyes open in the meantime. They're bound to catch something after a point, at least- Smoochum is supposed to be a bright pink color right? That has to stand out.

And yet instead of sight, Akechi is soon reporting back with news on the sound.] Squabbling?

[The helmet that he's already pulled on is given a slight tug, as if to make sure it's still in place.] ...We'd better check somehow just in case then...

[Hmmm.]

I can be pretty quiet, but I'm not sure how well I can hide my smell right now...

[offtracks]

Ah! Yes, we certainly ought to check!

[Smoochum might have set off some wild Pokemon! Though...as far as checking things out stealthily goes, Ingo himself is certainly not the pick. He's the largest of the party by far, and one of the bigger Pokemon around in general.]

Perhaps Akechi could check from above? Though I do not like you going so far off on your own!

[improvking]

...Would rolling in the dirt first make your scent stand out less or more?

[ Hm, an interesting thought... but possibly not the most helpful avenue to explore actionally,, ]

I could probably use Shadow Sneak in this situation too. I haven't practiced the move much, but so far most of what I'm supposedly able to do has come pretty naturally...

[ He'll leave it up to Emporio to decide if he's offering to accompany him or to go instead. ]

[truthdecided]

Having seen Shadow Sneak in motion, it's not a terrible option. However, if I use the foliage as cover, I should be able to inspect more closely.

[He'll go ahead and fly further ahead for now, careful to remain out of sight.

Luckily, he's accustomed to stealth operations, so it isn't too hard for him to avoid detection...

And that's when he spots them, a circle of unruly Pokémon surrounding the poor Smoochum.

Scowling, Akechi turns around, quiet until he's gained enough distance to call to the others.]

Regrettably, it appears that we won't be reaching Smoochum-san without a fight. Is everyone prepared?

[seacub]

[Emporio winces, and adjusts his helmet with a small nod.] ....As ready as I'll ever be. Did you get a good look at the type of pokemon surrounding them?

[It would probably suck if they tried an ambush only to cause more harm to Smoochum. Or themselves!]

[offtracks]

[Ingo nods - that was going to be his question too. The strategy changes rather significantly based on what type the other Pokemon are!]

Or how many there are?

[improvking]

Mn, a best-guess at the number and type of our opponents would help us a lot. I'm ready to go whenever the rest of you are, but a plan of attack wouldn't hurt.

[ If only to avoid attacking each other in the confusion of combat - he has to account for more than his own actions in the upcoming fight. (...Look at him, advocating for anything beyond Leeroy Jenkins'ing the problem!) ]

had to figure out what the mob was and then I was like "uhhh, vaguely foresty but good against psy"

[truthdecided]

It's a group of six Phantump, Pumpkaboo, and Nuzleaves, two each. If I have my types correctly memorized, that explains why Smoochum-chan is still struggling.

[Which is an issue, given Emporio's typing and the ghosts present... Though, since they are a group of four, the numbers could be worse.]

I believe our best chance is to catch them off guard, so I'd be happy to bolster our speed with Tailwind and then divert their attention.

[At least Ingo has fire on his side, which should also help even the odds.]

rip in rip emporio

[seacub]

[Oh. Oh he hates that.

Emporio grimaces openly, but with a deep breath clearly prepares to brace for battle.

And nods.] I'm good at avoiding notice at least...and...and honestly, I don't know any ground moves, so I can at least aim for the nuzleaf.

....I probably can't do anything about the rest is the thing...

[offtracks]

[Ingo nods along seriously. It's not the greatest lineup for their group, but it could be worse. At least, it isn't enough that he feels any need to retreat and abandon Smoochum!]

All of us are vulnerable type-wise, save for Akechi. We will want to strike hard and fast! We are at least as effective against the ghosts as they are against us - [Nodding at his fellow ghost-types.] - so I will aim to bring down the Nuzleaf first, before they use too many dark-type attacks. If you have any fairy-type moves - [That's for the Ring Spirit.] - that will help against them as well!

[improvking]

[ The Ring-Spirit listens... he's not used to coming up with plans himself, but he can probably follow one from someone else.

Probably. ]

Mm, no fairy-type moves here, unfortunately. I may need to look into that when we get back to town...

So one of you -[ anyone! anyone who's not him! ]- give the word, and we all attack together? If you're -[ Ingo ]- going to focus on the Nuzleaves first, then I'll start with the ghost-types.

...And we should probably be careful not to hit Smoochum.

[truthdecided]

If need be, I can grab Smoochum. With luck, she won't be nearly as heavy as Purrloin was, but first...

[He hops into the air, beating his wings until a Tailwind forms around them.]

This should help ensure we move as swiftly as possible.

[seacub]

Mnnh....

[He has Secret Power and Headbutt. Two normal moves. The only one he can hit is Nuzleaf, so-]

Actually...I think I can get Smoochum- they wouldn't expect someone from the ground for that, and I'm used to avoiding notice. Plus, flying moves should work on most of these, right?

[Grass against Flying, all that.

So if they're all agreed, with the Tailwind ready?] ...Let's go?

[offtracks]

I agree! Flying is effective against grass, and you are at a disadvantage! Try and get the both of you behind cover, if you can! That said...let us not waste the Tailwind! All aboard!

[If we're all ready to go - Ingo will lead the attack and charge ahead! Smoochum is indeed quite surrounded, the poor thing. It makes it difficult to aim without risk of a stray ember hitting them. That would be terrible! So he begins by tackling one of the Nuzleaf in an effort to separate them from the group.]

[improvking]

[ The Ring-Spirit is quick to follow! He intends to spend as much of this fight as he can alternating between Astonish and Shadow Sneak versus the ghosts among their adversaries... and while hopping between opponents, he'll do his best to not aim at such an angle that Smoochum catches any of his attacks. ]

[truthdecided]

[With the plan in motion, Akechi launches himself into the fray, twirling at one of the Nuzleaves with a Drill Peck.

The shock from his arrival ought to buy the others some time to make their moves, and he'll continue attacking with various flying type moves to keep the enemies busy.]

[seacub]

[Right- off they go! Emporio waits for the chaos to really start before smoothly darting in using the bushes for cover. He whispers for Smoochum's attention while the other is still quailing, and after a moment of confusion, it seems to be listening to him.

Good, good- just keep the heat on those wild pokemon, he'll start leading Smoochum outta the battlefield-!]

[offtracks]

[With Smoochum safely out of the line of fire, Ingo feels free to use...well, fire! He boosts his speed further by using Flame Charge against the Nuzleaf he's cornered, ignoring the sharp-edged leaves that rake across his fur in turn. It stings, but he knows serious pains from minor ones, and this is only a grass-type attack - minor.

Of course, there's far more opponents here than allies. A few stray ghost-type moves are flying from the Pumpkaboo and Phantump as well - that's a bit harder to ignore.]

What on earth are you all doing, picking on a baby Pokemon like that? You ought to be ashamed of yourselves!

was told it was okay to skip RS this round. Sorry for the delayed response!

[truthdecided]

I doubt they particularly care, Ingo-san.

[Akechi dives down at another Nuzleaf, twirling away.]

If they're anything like Orthworm-san and Persian-san, their senses may very well be impaired!