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

GUILMON BREAD...

[seacub]

[There it is...THE FABLED GUILMON BREAD!

Emporio sniffs it curiously.]

Wow...it even has eyes!

[guilmon]

Mm! It has to have eyes because Guilmon has eyes!

[He holds it out for Emporio to inspect, because this is a special opportunity!]

Most bread doesn't have eyes, though. That's why it's special.

[seacub]

[He's gonna inspect the shit outta this bread!] Yeah, normally bread just kinda looks like a lump...

...I almost feel bad getting ready to eat it... ...it smells really great though, I never tried fresh bread until after I got here.

[guilmon]

Really?

[Tilting his head, Guilmon frowns. That's not good, but then again...]

Well, Guilmon had to eat day old bread before, but that's because Takato had to sneak it out of his parents' bakery.

[seacub]

Mmnhm. Fresh bread wasn't really a thing for most of the people around me, let alone...well. Me.

I had to get my food after everyone was done- otherwise I'd be seen.

[guilmon]

Oh, so you had to stay hidden too! Guilmon knows what that's like.

[Guilmon glances around for a moment. Everything is so festive...]

First, Guilmon hid in a box. Then Guilmon moved into a secret place in the park.

[seacub]

Mnh. I didn't have a box...but I did carry around a ghost garbage can that worked just as well.

Mostly though, I stayed in my ghost room. It was just as secret! Maybe even more. A park still sees public use after all.

[guilmon]

Wah... Ghosts have garbage cans and rooms?

[He blinks a few times, trying to contemplate this, but... Wait.]

Oh. But there are ghost Digimon that live places. And there's ghost Pokémon that live places, too.

[seacub]

Oh!! Haha...n...not really. I keep forgetting I have to explain that part...

[He looks at his guilmon bread, carefully taking a ear off to eat before continuing. Oh....that's GOOD bread.]

Ahmhn... ...Ghost doesn't mean 'ghost' here. I just called it that because...it was like a ghost. They're 'memories' of stuff. A part of the prison had burned down... ...and because the world remembered what was there, the memory of the room was there.

And I had the ability to access that memory!

[guilmon]

Memories can do that?

[Wow... There's a lot Guilmon doesn't understand about the world. Plus, there's a different world with different rules to consider.]

Hmm. Well, the rain made memories weird, too, so I wonder if it's like that, or if it's just a special power. A world that remembers stuff must be really smart!

[seacub]

Kind of, at least.

Interacting with memories was really something only I could do...or at least, help anyone else to do...

...I'd say your world probably has memories too, at any rate.

[guilmon]

Hmmm... Well, the Digital World's made of data, so it's probably got lots and lots of memories. And Guilmon made even more memories in the real world!

[Is it the same? Well, he's not sure, but a lot of things happened in both worlds, which means a lot of memories.]

Plus, we stopped the D-Reaper from destroying everything. That's a big memory!

[seacub]

[They're definitely not the same thing, but it doesn't mean Emporio can't be charmed by it! The boy laughs, grinning.]

It definitely sounds like a big memory...I'd bet your world absolutely remembers something like that!

I wouldn't be able to find memories like that though. Just of 'things'. Like houses, or rooms from houses.

[guilmon]

So you could do it in other places, too?

[Wow... That's really powerful. Just how many secret ghost places are there?

Needless to say, he watches Emporio with wide-eyed wonder.]

[seacub]

Probably?

[He frowns.] ...I never got the chance to try. I didn't leave Green Dolphin until...

[...]

Until just before coming here.

[guilmon]

Oh. That's too bad...

[Guilmon's posture droops. He still doesn't fully understand, but...]

Well, maybe there's a cool, secret ghost place here?

[seacub]

Mmmmmm...maybe?

I don't think I'd be able to access it though. I could only do that at home because of my Stand- I don't have that kind of power here though.

...But... ...I don't think that's a bad thing?

[guilmon]

Hmmm... yeah. We have other powers, so it's not too bad.

[Pausing, he glances at his tail.]

But it's not fun being weak to water...

[seacub]

Y-yeah, your situation is a little more serious for that huh...

...I wonder if there might be ways around that somehow, like...a protective bubble? Except fire needs oxygen to burn...

[guilmon]

What if it had really tiny holes in it?

[Would that work? Squinting, he tries to picture this...]

But I guess water could get through the holes, too.

[seacub]

Yup. Unfortunately, water is really good at doing that.

[Sorry Guilmon...]

[guilmon]

Maybe we just need something magic. Or... electric? Electric's good against water, I think.

[But does that make sense? Guilmon's not a scientist, so it's hard to say...]

[seacub]

I wonder what would be magic here...

[uh]

...I don't think electric is a good idea. Especially in salt water- that just conducts it. You'd get shocked!

[guilmon]

Good question. Digimon and Pokémon have powers that aren't the same as humans, but it's normal to them, so does it really count as magic?

[Or is everything magic? He squints, snout wrinkling, as if this is a matter of great importance...

And confusion.]

[seacub]

I don't think we can ask either. They'd probably just say it isn't, for the same reason you said- it's normal to them.

...Though, weirdly enough, it took coming here for me to decide I could call Stands 'magical'...