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

1b!!!

[dripdrive]

[As much as Anasui dislikes festivals, a guy needs to eat and festivals have good food. Like, really, really good food. Hence why he's wandering around stalls, looking for something to catch his interest. Much like Akira, the booze has caught his interest, and Anasui was just staring at the options. It takes Anasui a moment to realise the fellow Psychic Pokemon is actually talking to him but when he does he turns and stares at Akira blankly.]

Ten thousand yen... how much is that in dollars? [Look, he doesn't know conversion rates.]

Why would I know? Just drink all of them. Seriously, go for it. I'll watch. [Anasui, no.]

[hundredeyesoni]

[In dollars? He ponders that for a moment. Only,]

Aah, my colleague always handled all our overseas work, so I haven't kept up with the rates. It's not too much. But you have a point!

[And whatever point that may be, it does have him ordering two drinks already, different fruit wines of unusual berries. He can't let such a research opportunity go to waste.]

The berries here seem to have their own medicinal properties to begin with, so what happens when they've gone through fermentation as well? Are their original effects reduced? Increased? [Just as quickly as he's seemed to accept the suggestion to try them himself, Akira offers one to the bird Pokemon next to him instead.] Try this one for me. I'd also like to observe.

[dripdrive]

Mmm... Fair enough. It does sound like a lot though to me. [Ten thousand anything is a big number but if this guy says it's not too much then so be it. Anasui looks over the selection of drinks and rolls his eyes.]

I imagine it's the same to how things lose nutritional content when you make booze out of it. Like beets - you use them in medicine and for fermentation but you'll be hard-pressed finding the medicinal benefits in a beet spirits.

[Even though Anasui watched him order the two drinks and watched the drinks be made, he still eyes them suspiciously. He's tempted to pass but... it is a free drink...]

Fine... But if it's gross, it's going back to you. [It's hard to grab it without hands but Anasui somehow manages to grab the rim of the cup with his beak. Slowly he tips his back, tasting the spiked berry juice.] Mmm...

[hundredeyesoni]

[Akira laughs at the idea of returning it. That's not how this experiment's going to be.]

But I still have miiine.

[Is there something of a threat to how happily he counters? Surely not.

While he can't exactly cure his expensive tastes, reframing the wines as something to test does give them a pass for now. He'll at least take a sip of the one he's chosen to keep, from pomeg berries for little reason beyond an interest in their red colour.]

I can't argue the importance of a healthy diet! Still, I think berries are on a different scale compared to what you'll find at the supermarket, treating things from paralysis to minor burns so reliably. If you traded those beets out for nitroglycerin, I'd be curious to see if there's truly no effect on your heart.

[That.. may not be quite on the same scale either.

Then after a slight pause,]

I'm sure what we're drinking right now is safe!

[dripdrive]

You can still drink both. [Anasui grumbles as he puts the cup down. He's got the pink drink - A Nanab berry mixture. It's sweet but not overly so - the alcohol balancing out the strong flavour of the banana. Anasui is tempted to pick the drink back up and have another sip but he instead considers what Akira is saying with the utmost seriousness.]

You can still reduce the effects of nitroglycerin if you mix it with other compounds. It's why we can use it for heart medication in the first place and not just contact explosives.

[Anasui pauses again.]

... Swap drinks with me. I want to try yours.

[hundredeyesoni]

I really wish I could test it on someone like you, who doesn't worry about the little things like dosage!

[But while he appears to listen, handing his own drink over easily enough, he does have one concern about the whole deal.]

If everything we try is the same, it drastically reduces our chances of learning what's responsible for any unusual effects. I'll have to pass on at least a few of them, or we might only come out of this knowing they cause intoxication.

[So, looking back to the vendor, maybe he should order more? No, rather than wonder about it, he does. It's the only way to try everything, after all.]

[dripdrive]

I do worry about dosage when it's medicine. But if all these other small Pokemon can take it, I see no reason why we can't.

[Anasui sips at the drink and scowls. It's not bad. Just not his cup of tea... or booze, so it goes. So he goes back to the cup he had before and has more Nanab juice.]

More for me, I suppose.

Why don't you just ask what the unusual effects are? The actual Pokemon should know what it is.