Travelers Assemble! [Jaunt]

[vrepit_no]

All right, Travellers, we have a goal and a way to get to it. There is a portal in a park near the pogemon HQ that leads to a similar landscape to the one we're aiming for. I'm clearing the area and we can use it as a launch point. What do people know about this Nevermore character? Weaknesses, layout of the castle, guard numbers and types - any information is good information guys.

And let me know who's coming to the portal and whether or not you've signed up with the Guardia. There's some good material and supplies there if you need them and it will allow you to move about freely.

Comments

[ninjayeehaw]

I'm one a' the guys that fought him earlier. [Because he doesn't recognise this guy for having chimed in on those messes earlier.] What we got here's a Mineral Pog, mostly stone with matchin' powers; first attack we saw was it usin' stone projectiles that tore one a' them burger monsters to shreds. He can float an' fly, got some damn good manoeuvrability on him. Ain't afraid a' direct contact in a fight, but Lupa said he might not appreciate firepower too much. Immune t'lightning, but lucky fer us I got that trick down pat too.

When Yakki an' I were there, weren't no guards at all, an' we only fought in what mighta been his throne room. [A moment's pause.] If y'need visuals fer any 'f it I can share those.

[vrepit_no]

Visuals would help, yeah. If we can pre-plan a strategy that might help. Did you get a look at the rest of the castle at all?

[ninjayeehaw]

[A couple of images follow in quick succession, accessible to anyone who wants to see them: a craggy stone landscape with clouds of sand blowing past (not exactly the same as Shiro's portal, but distinctly similar); a somewhat out-of-place gothic bridge in the middle of view, leading to the distinctive castle; itself, made of black, somewhat glassy fulgurites and surrounded by intense storm clouds; and the inside of what might be a courtyard or throne room - in the last one, there's a sense of atmospheric pressure, like lightning is about to strike.]

Nothin' more than what's here. I'd put money on Nevermore knowin' when someone's tryin' t'sneak around the back, though, 'specially since he's got Yakumo's gear. Ain't sure how good at it he's gonna be, but that's gonna be somethin' makin' him a whole lot trickier. Seems like Nevermore can absorb powers from people he defeats - he Pog'd a burger 'mon an' started spewin' ketchup. [And he flashes an image of that too.] Knocked out Yakumo an' could use his gear. Can't say fer sure, but he might be able t'use mine too. We can't afford anyone gettin' knocked out by him.

[shiroganeheir]

I will be there, oji-san. I am small enough and easily overlooked, so I can assist with reconnaissance, and despite my tournament elimination, I do have a few powerful tricks up my sleeve that will be useful in a fight.

[vrepit_no]

I have no doubt about your capabilities, Naoto. You'll be a big help no matter what. But seriously, Shiro is fine.

[vrepit_no]

Sounds like distance is our friend, then, and agility. Do you know if he's actually stealing abilities or just copying them? Can you and Yakumo still use your gear and abilities?

Stone and lightning... Are either of you resistant to electricity? Could he have taken the resistance from you?

[ninjayeehaw]

Dunno how stone might work in yer world, but at least here it's non-conductive. An' it ain't so much me resistin' as just usin' a move that overrides his power over the lightnin'. Can't copy that, he don't got my gear.

I got all my powers an' gear still, so whatever Nevermore does must be some kinda copy trick. Yakumo’s got his powers, but without his gear he can't use a good chunk of it. Until we get that back, s'my first priority. Dunno if us leavin' means it's stuck here fer good.

[shiroganeheir]

My apologies.

[Her voice is a little softer, a bit fussy.]

Let me know what is going on and where.

[cloudpotter]

[...Yakumo can get on board with this guy's style, but there's a very important warning that's missing here.]

Anyone going through the portals should be warned that they're each one-way. Even if we find some exit portals nearby, there's the chance that we might not all be able to leave through them. Anyone who isn't ready to accept the consequences of that needs to remain behind.

[vrepit_no]

Tends to depend on which planet you're on, but point taken. Can I ask about Yakumo's gear and what it does? We need to know what we can expect.

[vrepit_no]

No, really, it's okay. I'm just an untutored old man, that's all. Do you want to meet me at the portal? I have some things that might help you, and I would love to have a chance to talk to you in person.

[vrepit_no]

Really? Good to know, thank you! We'll have to be careful with our coordinating. Can you tell us anything about what we're going to be facing?

[shiroganeheir]

Oh. My apologies. It means 'uncle'. I... well, you are family of some sort, and...

[She sighs, pausing for a long moment before she regains her composure.]

Alright. I will see you soon.

[cloudpotter]

Kinji's already given you the gist of it. [It might sound dismissive, but there's no point in repeating known information.] A stealth attack is going to be our best option, if Nevermore's even still there. We have to accept the possibility that this is bait, and the people we're leaving behind have to be strong enough to handle him on their own if we can't make it back to them.

[vrepit_no]

[Startled silence.]

Oh, sorry, that's... That's kind of you. I'll, uh, see you soon.

[vrepit_no]

True. If Nevermore comes out, I suspect he'll head for Malik. There's one heckuva grudge there. But Malik also has backup from the other Guardia members. I don't want to drag native civilians into this if I can help it.

[It's hard enough riding herd on people who can communicate telepathically.]

Any notion who might be good at large group tactics? I've studied it, but I'll take all the help I can get.

[cloudpotter]

For Malik? [That's a surprise. Wasn't someone saying they were partnered, even if Malik's intention hadn't been for any of this to happen?]

--Ah, no... I haven't met anyone yet who might have experience. My team operates as six, and even then we're fairly autonomous. Most of the experience we have in large-scale group tactics is more about how to take them down.

[so how do small, independent units sound to you buddy]

Action

[shiroganeheir]

It isn't long before a tiny fairy-like pogemon flies over and hovers near him, bowing in the air in front of him.

"Good afternoon."

[vrepit_no]

[Actually, small autonomous groups working within an overall schematic is sounding better and better all the time.]

Apparently Nevermore is not fond of humans at all. Considers them a lesser race. But he has a special dislike for Malike - or his wife. That part isn't quite clear yet. But Athena - Malik's pogemon - seems to really hate Nevermore and there seems to be a similar hate the other way around.

A band of six? From home, or formed after you were brought here?

[imperialbadasshiddensnark]

Do you have any particular plans on how to storm that castle? Or would you still need scouting parties to get a clear assessment of their defenses?

[cloudpotter]

From home. Nobody here would be compatible enough with our style to form a new team.

[He doesn't mean it as an insult, it's just the fact of the matter. Whatever new teams are formed, they just won't mesh as well as six ninjas piloting a giant mecha comprised of their own souls do.]

Is anyone stationed with Malik and his wife? Even if they have native guards, if Nevermore chooses them as his target we'll need someone who can tell the Network quickly... The arena, too, might become a significant danger - if Nevermore hates the human-Pogemon alliance as much as he claims, he might use it to make a statement.

Re: Action

[vrepit_no]

[He recognizes the voice more than the tiny fairy person, and he smiles, offering a snappy military salute rather than a bow.]

Naoto. Or, er... mei-chan? I think? Sorry, I'm... not as well educated in the old languages as I'd like. Haven't had much chance to practice. But uh, it really is nice to see you, Naoto. And I'm sorry that I was rude earlier. I'd be honored to be considered family like that.

[He offers her a palm to stand on rather than having to fly about.]

[vrepit_no]

We need more information first. But if we can get some fliers over the battlements or find a back door to sneak into, it might be a good idea to mount a quick and quiet pincer movement. Even better if we can keep people on lookout for any escapees. Honestly, though, I'm better at small groups, 5 men or so. I'm rusty on my grand scale tactics.

[vrepit_no]

Fair enough. I know how that goes. [Man is he missing his team right now.]

I want to try and get Athena to stay with him, but I don't have a good idea of who might be best to stay behind as a protective detail. There'd certainly be enough for them to do.

[triggerhappytraitor]

I spoke with a member of the council.

They believe they have a way to finally stop Nevermore, using Sealing Pogs after he's been weakened. With enough energy put into them, they should be able to stop Nevermore from being able to be released from his pog.