JUNE 2025 EVENT LOG

[bayhelpers]

⋆✩ THE BOTTLECAP RAFTING FESTIVAL ✩⋆

May Showers long gone, the sun that greets the month of June seems to intensify its brilliance to make up for absence. It’s only the start of the season of Summer, but the heat is already rising by the passing of the day.

For the residents of Bottlecap Bay, this is just another part of life. Once the threats of strange Pokemon and the enraged Dondozo are resolved there’s nothing stopping them from preparing for the end of the month. Banners are being strung across the streets. Signs are being posted at every business door.

But just what is the Dragafloat Festival anyway?

i. PRE-EMPTIVE CELEBRATIONS

PREPARE FOR A FEAST

Though life in Bottlecap Bay still proceeds with relative normalcy, the air of celebration is impossible to miss after the mid-month passes by. Not content with simply displaying festive banners and flyers for the incoming event, plenty of stores and even small eateries are pulling out all the stops. This holiday celebrates the very first arrival to Bottlecap Bay — but more than that, the timing of their newfound peace can’t be ignored! It’s the kind of chance experience that puts spirits into the highest of moods.

With street foods of all kinds on display, it’s no surprise that Pokemon will see things that weren’t there before. In fact, some shops might even be taking a page from the books of their newly accepted friends, giving their very best attempt at dishes and treats as described to them by these strange foreigners from worlds afar.

The celebratory air isn’t restricted to the daylight hours either. With the battles in the various parts of the woods, the Fog that so afflicted the bay has now receded; only partly, but enough to encourage bolder acts into the night. Local Ghost Pokemon are far more friendly (though no less mischievous) without local suspicions turning their way, and happily dance along great bonfires being erected upon the beach.

As June 20th draws closer, even the Guild Leaders can be seen joining in on the fun. Was that Ribombee with a mug of mead? Did Polteageist just offer to tell a story by the bonfire? It’s said that similar fires were used as signals for other Pokemon to make their way to the shores, but in his very own words, that’s not quite what these blazing towers are for this time. What are they for, in that case?

"Well, that’s just something you’ll have to see for yourselves!"

WINE AND DINE

⟡ Players are encouraged to come up with their own foods present at the festivals as they proceed throughout the latter end of June. Examples can be found here, but real world examples of street foods and drinks are also allowed within reason.

⟡ For characters over the age of 21, there are alcoholic beverages. The fermentation process means plenty of options to go around - feel free to assume they are made from berries, fruit or vegetables, at whatever ABV you'd like.

⟡ While the festival itself isn’t officially until the 20th of June, festivities will nonetheless fill the streets leading up to that day — and even after. They will die down significantly after a few days of cleaning and sobering up however.

⟡ The Guild Leaders are available for threads once again! Players may comment for such threads here, keeping in mind that threads will not exceed more than 5 comments from Leaders.

ii. THE ANNUAL DRAGAFLOAT RACE

ARTISTIC PRIDE

On the morning of the festival, many Pokemon rise much earlier than they normally would. The lone exception belongs to those who were early birds and nocturnal sorts to begin with — in which case they’re not only out and about already, but in some cases staying awake as long as they possibly can. It’s the Dragafloat Race, and for some aspiring extreme artists that means it’s time to show off their Pokemon spirit.

What better way to do that, than express themselves? The Pokemon preparing their paints don’t intend to do that on just any canvas though. They’re here to paint each other, and will happily encourage others to do it as well. Eager to show their skill or teach a new budding artist, it’s time to get creative and try something new.

And preferably, something bright!

IT’S TO DYE FOR

⟡ The paints being used by Pokemon vary. Some Smeargle and Grafaiai use their natural power. Others, such as Ink creating Pokemon, blend their inks with natural pigments for various painters to make use of.

⟡ All paints are safe for Pokemon skin, but are NOT water soluble. Pokemon will be warned of this in advance, but the hope is that these painted designs last through the float race — which is difficult if the water washes it away. It takes about 2 days to fade away naturally.

⟡ Characters participating in the races themselves will be encouraged to paint with colors matching a team theme! See the following prompt for further details.

ON YOUR MARK…

In the days leading up to the 20th, sign-up sheets will have been seen near to the Quest Board’s typical postings. These sheets require Pokemon to sign up for any one of two roles: Tow, or Passenger. Apparently, the sheets explain, random pair-ups will occur at the start of the race for full fairness.

But what about the race itself? When the day finally arrives, the morning is dedicated to preparation. Uniquely colored rafts are prepared for each team, and various body-painters offer their services to help each team match their float. In the true spirit of the race’s origin, each team is encouraged to choose one of the first Pokemon of Bottlecap to theme their ride around. Samurott perhaps? Maybe Gastrodon? The right to pick the coveted Dragapult is one many fight over, so it may be best to choose one of the less popular ones! Bottlecap wasn’t made by one alone after all.

The race starts in the bay, and ends in the bay; it takes Pokemon far, far out to sea before turning them around as Passengers cheer and support their Tow partner through the entire event. It’s up to the Passenger to protect their partner so that the Tow can focus on swimming. It’s a group effort, and one that takes hours of work to boot!

But with the end of the race in sight by way of massive bonfires sitting in the Bay’s evening light, it’s work that will be well worth it. Do your best, Pokemon of Bottlecap!

...GO!

⟡ The race will take only one day, but Sign-Ups are available as a fun bonus for players to participate in. No threads will be required, and a random draw will be performed on June 30th to determine a winner from among a pool of NPC Pokemon.

⟡ Unless otherwise requested, pair-ups for the race are completely random. In fact, players may find themselves ‘partnered’ to an NPC! If two players wish above all else to form a team, please indicate this when signing up.

⟡ Despite the nature of the race, Sign-Ups do not require particular typing for the roles of Tow and Passenger. Instead, there is a disclaimer and a warning encouraging any and all Pokemon weak to Water against the role of Tow.

⟡ Festivities noted in earlier prompts will reach their peak energy during the afterhours of the race, carrying on through the entire night.

✩ OOC NOTES.

⟡ CWS: Water/ocean related risks, potential alcohol use, references to prior heavy quests (Pokemon death, Pokemon eating other Pokemon)

⟡ While all Heavy Quests will ICly have completed by June 15th, 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 24th! We understand that there's been a few months now where this wasn't expected, so we don't want you to forget.

⟡ 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

iii

[telewarped]

Heavy is the head that wears the birthday crown, huh?

[Shoka indicates the discarded party hat as she approaches with her present: a few items tucked away in a simple box. It's large enough that she needs both hands to carry it, but it doesn't look especially heavy.]

To be honest, though, I'm impressed you wore it as long as you did! Wish I could've gotten a pic...

[He was so cute, even though he hated it!]

[firealone]

[He ducks his head a bit, as if caught doing a crime - the birthday hat was, after all, explained to him as a very important part of the ritual.]

I can put it back on if you want a picture... actually, I might need help with that.

[Getting things off of his head is easy, putting them back on is much more involved. But more importantly - present! Once Shoka sets it down, Firepaw starts scratching at the wrapping to the best of his ability, but... it is hilariously difficult for him. He ends up having to pull at the wrapping with his teeth.]

[telewarped]

[She would have already gotten a picture if she still had her phone, but Grumpearl pics just aren't the same when any images captured will inevitably fade into her memory anyway.]

Nah. You've suffered enough—but I appreciate your bravery!

[She... tried to have the wrapping be simple and easy (but fun!) to remove for his sake, but she snorts as she watches him tearing messily into it with his teeth.]

On second thought, maybe I should've just skipped the wrapping... My bad. Need some help?

[Whether he needs an additional set of claws or not, eventually he'll manage to get it unwrapped and find three items inside: a sweet malasada (wrapped in a bit of parchment paper) for old time's sake, a small, hand-sewn crinkle toy, designed from scrap fabric in the vague likeness of a flattened bird, and a round, smooth rock—an Everstone.

(If he wants, the box itself can maybe also count as a bonus fourth gift, being just large enough for him to fit inside once its contents are removed.)]

[firealone]

[He does end up needing help - but as soon as he gets it open he starts buzzing with excitement. He recognizes the Everstone immediately - he's been taking those quests specifically to try and get one - and then notices the crinkle toy, and then the malasada, and then the box possibilities click into place-]

StarClan above- Shoka, these are amazing!

[Before anything else, he needs to move the box aside so he can bump his forehead into hers, purring at max volume the entire time.]

Thank you so much! I promise I'm gonna find you something just as good for your birthday!

[telewarped]

[Shoka seems a little nervous as she watches Firepaw appraising his gifts, as if worried he won't like them—but he's naturally as enthusiastic as ever. When he comes over to her, she laughs and gives him a brief, affectionate scritch by one of his ears.]

Heh—happy birthday, hotshot! Surprise, or whatever...

[Her birthday...? That's right. It hadn't even crossed her mind before until just now, but now that she's not in the UG anymore, she's probably back to aging normally... Unless Mimikyu don't age either.

It's... a little too much for her to dwell on right now, so she just titters.]

As long as you show up, that'd be enough for me. [Ugh... Sappy, even if it's true!] Anyways, I—hope the Everstone is the real deal! Looked like a normal rock to me, but... they told me it was, so... And I wasn't sure if you're really into crinkle toys, but... no hard feelings if you decide you just wanna shred it instead, hah.

[The little scrap-fabric bird has been filled with bits of paper and Skarmory down that will make a crisp, crinkling sound when Firepaw bats it around.]

[firealone]

[He doesn't get petted often enough, it turns out - if possible, she earns an even louder purr that sounds like he might be hurting something by going so hard.]

I guess we'll know if it's real, whenever we actually start evolving... no one's managed it yet, I think.

[Which is odd, but maybe the Everstone will at least help with the zoomies he's been getting after every battle lately.]

Really, though, this are all fantastic! I'll try to be careful with the crinkle toy... but I haven't had one in moons, so I can't make any promises.