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

[friendlyflower]

You don't even know what a video game is? [Well, admittedly, her life sounds like a video game itself. In a world with combat that final, there's no time for fantasy. 14.]

Hmm... I'll tell you about games, then! [There weren't many in the Underground... just whatever the humans above threw away. He remembers playing an adventure game where you kill monsters with a sword...] How about that?

[bladeofnymeia]

Well I know what games are. And I am familiar with the concept of what some call videos. But the latter is not common, and I don't think anyone has tried to combine the two...

[Still, she settles in, attention on Flowey. Curious!]

I would like that very much, please.

[friendlyflower]

So, think of it like ... a show. A play, I guess. But you can interact with it. Change fate. That's the concept!

[He saw his entire world as a game for a long time. It's hard to shake that off; even now, he feels like he's just 'leveling up' his relationship with Firoza.]

When I was a kid, my best friend and I used to play this game... 'the Legend of' something? [It was a long time ago.] We took turns playing when the other lost. [His friend took more turns than he did, admittedly, but he didn't mind. He was a pushover like that.] Then our mom would come and tell us to go play outside, so we could pretend to be the hero and the bad guy, and use sticks as our swords. That's probably more what you're used to.

... Most games are about getting stronger. Leveling up. Being able to kill enemies you couldn't kill before, until you save the world.

[He pauses.]

That's... just like your life, isn't it? Getting stronger. Fighting bigger foes. Even now, I'm just training to take on more outlaws. All universes must be like games at their core. [With heroes and enemies. He knows he was the latter. He still is. Maybe Firoza will have to kill him, eventually.]

[bladeofnymeia]

[She listens, not missing the parallels that her own life offers. Even if the terms are strange, she can understand seeking out stronger and stronger opponents. Part of her...really does relish the challenge.

But it is something that has long been tempered by an unwavering, ever growing, and uncompromising love. Oh, if she were to let herself let go even one more time...the hell she would have to pay.

It wouldn't be worth it. Nothing is worth seeing everyone in tears over her again.]

That is...one way to look at it. We always seek to improve ourselves. [Do more. See more. Go further. In that respect she is insatiable.] But even here, I've always liked...mm. A friend once called it "the calm after the storm".

[Somewhere in her there's the spirit of the most basic white man possible with her same hair and eye color grinning like a doof.]

When the danger has passed, and problems have been settled. When you see that happy relief on someone's face...when you've made yourself a new friend through your efforts. Even if it was just as simple as offering them a shoulder to help carry their burdens. If my last act were one of kindness, without the need to shed blood, I would be satisfied.

[Dying in or after a battle wouldn't bring her what she wants. Too much would be left undone and unsaid.]

I have seen what a constant and neverending need to...burn our one candle of life can do. It is truly...unless given a path and purpose, it does nothing. It quells nothing, because it cannot be quelled even beyond death.

[friendlyflower]

[Right... normal people feel 'happiness' and 'love'. How could I forget? he thinks, bitterly.

On one hand, he wants to listen to her. She clearly has a lot of worldliness and strength that he's come to admire.

On the other hand... he doesn't have hands. And isn't the fact that he's been transformed twice into wretched, limbless forms that he hates proof enough of the universe's inherent cruelty? 'It cannot be quelled beyond death', indeed.]

... Could you really be satisfied with that? [His voice sounds very, very small.] Would you die just to do a nice thing...?

trips over all the FF14 spoilers just for Flowey

[bladeofnymeia]

I was more than ready to do so if needed when I faced the Endsinger.

[They all wanted her to return home whole and hale. But to ignore the very real possibility of failure, of falling short where the great and powerful Ancients felt only a God could hold back the dam of fate...that was folly.]

And not just her. I've held the force of burning, poisoning light within me while confronting a sorcerer of eld. I've helped wrench the grasp of a ruthless empire from two lands under its yolk. I've stared down the faces of gods great and small, brought forth by all manners of men. I could have died so easily at any time, trying to protect others. Trying to preserve their hopes and futures. Gods know the exact count of how many times I've been launched across a battlefield and lucky to walk away with a mild concussion...

[The sigh she heaves is more like a laugh, a tired and worn thing.]

...But I liked it best to do the small things. I always have. It costs nothing to be kind - there is no sacrifice, no threat. Just...doing. Living in the moment with those around you. There is triumph in that sort of end, I think.

[How else to say it...were she as half as gifted with words as her friends. If they were poets and scholars as well as warriors, then she was merely a warrior.]

[friendlyflower]

[She rattles off victory after victory, and the more she speaks, the less he understands.

He wonders what her LV would be. How is it possible she's gained both LOVE and love...? How is it possible someone who's fought so much still talks about how 'it costs nothing to be kind'?

He's past his days of thinking kindness only gets you hurt, and yet... it's one thing to know he was wrong and another to have it shoved in his face. If he hadn't held back when it counted, all the way back then, would he have been like her...?]

... I have to go.

[He begins to leave in a hurry before she can say or ask anything.]

[bladeofnymeia]

Uh-

[She stands, but is unsure if she ought to follow.]

Is something the matter? I-I'm sorry if I...my offer is still open, if you'd like a story now and again!

[Says it loud enough so that, hopefully, the quickly retreating seedkin can hear her.

Oh no she scared a kid...oh no...what did she do????

Firoza Istus: lv 100 Paladin, lv 100 Weaver]