these_balls: (SERIOUS MOD BUSINESS)
Route 29: mods ([personal profile] these_balls) wrote in [community profile] route_10652014-10-27 03:00 pm

HOENNWEEN: INTRO CHALLENGE LOG

Who: Hoennween Plot Participants!
Where: Tohjo Falls!
When: Wednesday, October 29th
Summary: You've just received a call from a mysterious voice asking you to come help save the world. This is Day One of The Rest Of Your Life™ — the introductory skirmish that will determine your field position for tomorrow and the advantages you'll have going in to the fight against Archie and Maxie.
Rating: PG-13 in general; please mark threads that go higher accordingly!
Log:



YOU ARE HERE. YOU'RE FIGHTING THESE GUYS AND ALSO POSSIBLY THESE GUYS. THEY'RE NOT HAPPY TO SEE YOU.

ETA: AND THIS IS YOUR BACKGROUND MUSIC!

KEY:
GRAY areas in the north are a range of mountains that form a natural barrier around part of the Tohjo plain where the Elite Four's resort is located. It is both difficult and dangerous to get up into the mountains proper, but this seems to be the direction from which most of the Team Magma Grunts are entering the area.

GREEN areas in the southeast and southwest are densely-packed forested areas interspersed by lakes and rivers that seem to be feeding into the main waterway into the area. It is both difficult and dangerous to venture into the woodlands proper, but this seems to be the direction from which most of the Team Aqua Grunts are entering the area.

• The BLUE area in the south is the massive lake that feeds the eponymous falls that give Tohjo its name. You will also find Team Aqua Grunts here taking great care to hold control of the lake, if you're interested in engaging in a water battle.

PINK diamonds in the east and west are the sites of massive formations of Mysterious Plot Crystals™ jutting up from beneath the surface; the Grunts on both teams appear somewhat wary of these growths, so they will be keeping a reasonable distance from them while still doing their best to protect them.

• The BROWN rectangle dead-center in the map is...the Elite Four's resort. Not exactly what you might call a fortunate place to be located, but it's easy to see why this might be considered prime real estate for both teams. You're likely to find members of both Team Aqua and Team Magma hanging around here, so be cautious!


A FEW OTHER SETTING NOTES:

• As per Arceus's summon, there will be Gen VI Pokemon joining the battle on their own! You may NPC these Pokemon, within reasonable limits; you may not capture them in Pokeballs, and they are still wild so they will not take commands from characters the way a captured Pokemon would from its trainer. However, they do recognize that the portaled-in humans are fighting on roughly the same side as they are, so they won't attack player characters and might occasionally come to their aid if need be — you're free to NPC them as you like for purposes such as this.

• The aforementioned Gen VI Pokemon can be any Pokemon that swarmed during September, plus any of their evolved forms. They've had several weeks in the wild to get buff and settle in; now you can see what they've got to show for it!

• You may NPC the Team Aqua and Team Magma Grunts as you see fit; either one can be found anywhere on the map, though Team Magma will be more highly-concentrated in the northern areas of the map, and Team Aqua will be keeping more to the south.

• There is no restriction on how many Aqua and Magma Grunts you may fight.

• You may fight members of both teams on this log if you so choose; you are not required to pick just one or the other to focus on for this particular log.

• You may forego Pokemon battling entirely and simply beat up the Grunts with physical violence yourself. If you KO a Grunt, they will white out and be warped to the nearest Pokemon Center back down in the regions proper, where they will be arrested by an officer of the Kangaskhan Police.

FOR CHARACTERS INTENDING TO USE HONEDGES LIKE WEAPONS: due to the high volume of questions we have received on this topic (it's a popular inquiry!), we want to clarify for this Pokemon in particular —

If you choose to use a Honedge as though it were a traditional sword, the most that the Honedges will allow might be slapping the grunts with the flat side of the blade. They are still opposed to attacking/killing humans, opponents or not, and if you try to stab an opponent with them, you're going to get a really obstinate ghost sword going incorporeal and ineffectively going through them. There's also the fact that you're grabbing them by the head and swinging them around — they won't like that very much.

PLEASE NOTE: if you intend to use a Honedge in this manner anyway, we may ask that you experience light IC consequences for it later in the plot! We're not barring you from getting your sword skills on with your Honedges; we're simply pointing out that there may be natural outcomes that follow from those choices.

UPDATE: if you would like to interrogate the grunts, check here for information you can learn from them!


~

☆ THE NUMBER TO MEET OR BEAT IS 50 PARTICIPANTS.

REMEMBER: IF YOUR CHARACTER DOES NOT POST TO THE INTRO CHALLENGE LOG AT LEAST ONCE
(AS A TOP-LEVEL COMMENT OR IN RESPONSE TO SOMEONE ELSE'S TOP-LEVEL COMMENT)
BEFORE 9:00 PM EST on OCTOBER 28, THEY WILL NOT COUNT TOWARD THE 50-PARTICIPANT GOAL!

~


QUICK LINKS

EVENT LINKS MASTERPOST | THE INTRO CHALLENGE INFOPOST | QUESTIONS FOR MODS | INTRO CHALLENGE PARTICIPATION CHECK-IN THREAD
awesmazings: (☼ give me all)

[personal profile] awesmazings 2014-10-28 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
[Jimmy has really been all over the place during the commotion, and once he finally manages to pull away from the lake he's off with his Houndoom at one side and Manectric at the other, searching for anyone who might need a hand. Somebody might want to make sure this kid doesn't run himself into the ground, because he's already gasping for air and doesn't seem too likely to stop any time soon.

Following at the rear is a Lopunny who happily punches anything that leaps her trainer's way, though she's caught offguard by Al's Pidgeot as it suddenly swoops down nearby.

But wait, Jimmy recognizes that trainer...]


Alphonse!
stitchedupbodyguard: (Totally sneaking)

[personal profile] stitchedupbodyguard 2014-10-28 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
....Yeah.

[She's opening up to you what the hell is even going on.]

I'm a bodyguard, something of an assassin too.
exeggutorhead: (amused)

[personal profile] exeggutorhead 2014-10-28 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
[Chimera scoots aside to let Bido help with the digging; the friendly Tyranitar is perfectly happy to have help. Envy snickers.]

If they're anything like Team Rocket, these might not even need to be hidden for them to fall in.

[The adrenaline and the lingering anger over the not-real voice don't leave so much room for awkward.]
unkinder: (☆ but I've seen despair here)

[personal profile] unkinder 2014-10-28 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Well honestly Nagi isn't the person you want to be hiding behind, either, considering how much shorter he is...but he's also packing some pretty impressive heat that he's also probably pushing a little too hard, if the way his Gardevoir stiffens every now and then is anything to go by. She's got a link going between Nagi and the other Pokemon he has, and on top of fighting, her head is pounding.

And the brief respite is a blessing when Nagi turns to see Hagakure cowering there, not...sure what to make of him, at first.]


Hey. If you don't want to be out here, I suggest you find better cover.

[He says bluntly, his gaze shifting ever so slightly to a grunt trying to send a Zubat down his way, which his Raichu promptly fries with zero hesitation.]
wakeupslap: (pic#8428371)

[personal profile] wakeupslap 2014-10-28 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
Nice hit!

[He makes his way over, his Cubchoo up on his head now after that last grunt got knocked out. He grins when he's over there.]

Hey, y'know where we are?

[He's clearly in it for a good fight. That's about it.]
armoredsoul: (Um...?)

[personal profile] armoredsoul 2014-10-28 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[It's a moment before Al can spare his attention--he's caught in a fight with one of the few grunts that actually knows how to fight back. Not nearly well enough to keep him busy for long, though--Al dodges out of the way of a lunge to bring his knee up hard into the guy's gut, and a double-fisted strike to the back of the neck keeps him down.]

[Then he turns, and smiles with a bit of relief to see a friendly face. He starts jogging over, and Clara spirals back down at a much more leisurely pace to join them.]
Jimmy! You doing okay out here?
stitchedupbodyguard: (Preparing for a fight)

[personal profile] stitchedupbodyguard 2014-10-28 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah...

[It was getting pretty hectic around here, that's for sure. Veronica herself could already feel herself growing tired from all the fighting she'd been doing. She didn't want to admit that she'd gone soft.]

[She got into a fighting pose regardless, fists raised, feet planted in the dirt. She wasn't going down.]

If we fight together, they'll be taken out quicker.
awesmazings: (☼ to where)

[personal profile] awesmazings 2014-10-28 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I'm okay!

[He looks...suspiciously wet, but that's due to all of the water battling he's been doing. Not conducive to staying dry, honestly.]

How 'bout you? These guys are all over the place!

[While he talks, both his Houndoom and his Manectric keep their eyes on the field, watching for any grunts who might try to sneak their way while they're talking.]
stitchedupbodyguard: (Totally sneaking)

[personal profile] stitchedupbodyguard 2014-10-28 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
[Veronica's fighting tactics were more hands on than that, unfortunately for the random grunts. Her Pokémon dealt with the pokemon, and Veronica herself fought with the grunts, utilising hand-to-hand combat. She didn't have her swords, but her Honedge was okay too, even though he only wanted to hit with the flat end of his blade.

That was fine. It might have been better to simply kill them, but that wasn't an option here. Something Veronica had to get used to.

She glanced up to see a grunt flying over head. Following the trajectory, she found Nagi.

Her eyes narrowed, and she approached.
]

Interesting tactics. It's like before.
awesmazings: (☼ a secret chord)

[personal profile] awesmazings 2014-10-28 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah...you're right.

[Jimmy isn't a fighter himself, but his Lopunny? She adopts the same stance Veronica does with a curt nod, bouncing a little on her toes.]

These guys seem to like fighting in pairs anyway, so why can't we?
exeggutorhead: (maniacal grin)

[personal profile] exeggutorhead 2014-10-28 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Now Envy starts moving to close that distance, his pace a little faster than measured. The sneer is still there, but it almost looks like bared teeth.]

You can think whatever you'd like about what I'm doing here. After all, if that's what I'm here for then haven't I chosen a good spot?

[A Lucario and a Bisharp look around the corner where Envy had been heading before, having finally noticed that their trainer stopped and changed direction out of nowhere. The Bisharp looks impassively curious, but the Lucario is a bit concerned.]
unkinder: (☆ I cannot stand to look in the mirror)

[personal profile] unkinder 2014-10-28 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
[If Nagi was running on full tanks, that guy might have had his trachea crushed, or a few broken ribs, beyond...being killed outright. So, bless Pokemon world for being Pokemon world, basically.]

Is it?

[He mutters, lowering his hand a little. During the pause his Gardevoir cradles her head gently in her hands, letting out a quiet moan. Being so close to these crystals is excruciating, but she continues to fight regardless. She has to.

And the reason he asks, well. He's going all out here, attacking people as well as Pokemon if they cross him.]
armoredsoul: (Worried)

[personal profile] armoredsoul 2014-10-28 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
I've been better, but we're holding up well enough. [Al glances around while his Pidgeot blinks sleepily at them both.] It seems like there's no end to them! As soon as one goes down, there's three more running in!
armoredsoul: (Wary)

[personal profile] armoredsoul 2014-10-28 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
[A Quilava and Luxray come running to catch up with Al about the same time, the former currently carried by the scruff of the neck by the latter. The Luxray rumbles a low growl and looks between Al and this new trainer with worry. That isn't one of the enemies, what's going on?]

[As Envy advances Al brings his fists up in a guard position, watching his every movement carefully. Every inch of him wants to charge Envy right now, but he's not going to give the homunculus that edge.]
You're gonna be sorely disappointed, in that case!
loveisanopendoor: (On palms)

[personal profile] loveisanopendoor 2014-10-28 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, sandwiches don't seem like too bad of an idea right now! Wailing on these Magma and Aqua grunts sure does work up a bit of an appetite...

[Anna, priorities...]
me_first: (armed and... dangerous?)

[personal profile] me_first 2014-10-28 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
True.

[He whistles and his Skarmory takes off, circling the battlefield.]

She'll let... us know if there's danger. Now...

[His Haunter and Honedge go after some Poochyena, and his Vulpix sticks close to the Porygon.]

Some of these are a bit weaker... but let's see.
in_praetego: <user name=signontheline> ([!!] | Been a while since I could)

[personal profile] in_praetego 2014-10-28 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
Mister Rideaux.

[ It's both a greeting and an acknowledgement followed with a small nod of his head. ]

I wouldn't really call it business. It's just our way of helping out... at least until I find my brother or my pokemon. Were you called here too?
loveisanopendoor: (I'll be right here)

[personal profile] loveisanopendoor 2014-10-28 07:29 am (UTC)(link)
I had a feeling you'd be here, Ms. Hero!

[It looks like Anna and Elsa are doing a pretty fair job of fending off some Magma Grunts back-to-back themselves; and between the two of them, it certainly seems like they're putting in work!]

You got room for a couple more members in that Justice League of yours?
loveisanopendoor: (Uhh..)

[personal profile] loveisanopendoor 2014-10-28 07:37 am (UTC)(link)
O-oh, goodness, Nui...

[Nui's Pokemon...are pretty violent, aren't they? She got some pretty weird vibes from her from the conversations they've had together, but, this was certainly..extreme, to say the least. Almost uncomfortably so. She knew desperate times called for desperate measures, of course, but they just whited out, after all, so going this far...]

Is that, um, really necessary..?
irenicly: (♨ doesn't even matter)

[personal profile] irenicly 2014-10-28 08:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Holy what.

It takes Banjou a very long time to speak. His first instinct is to cheer him on, because truth be told, that was pretty cool to watch. But it was also not something that Banjou would normally do.

Standing awkwardly and staring at the man who just sent a mammoth to knock into a huge group of grunts isn't exactly Banjou's idea of a good introduction, so after a moment he stops gaping.]


Can't say I'd have thought of a strategy like that myself.

[Says the man with one lone Bidoof.]
katostrophic: (POUT ☢ we're pretty and sick)

[personal profile] katostrophic 2014-10-28 09:34 am (UTC)(link)
...I see.

[Kato doesn't take his hand off Dist's shoulder as he reaches into his pocket, retrieving two pokeballs and tossing them into the air.]

Attack anyone who approaches us.

[Hydreigon and Gengar, the selected Pokemon, react to the orders with gusto (perhaps...too much gusto...). Hydra zooms up into the air, belching flames, while Lussac cackles madly and disappears into the ground.]

Just...stop for a moment. Talk to me. You wouldn't want to kill this girl in such an ugly manner, would you?

[Let's just calm down so you don't do anything you regret, okay?

...

...and if she really is keeping your Professor captive then we can kill her in a beautiful manner.]


Is that why you jumped into the portal...?
katostrophic: (HMM ☢  we're young and we're bored)

Sounds good to me!

[personal profile] katostrophic 2014-10-28 09:38 am (UTC)(link)
[Somewhere between Dist's melancholy and Henry's gleefulness, Kato is relatively calm - especially now that Dist is calm (or, well, calmer than he was before, anyway). He's watching his Zoroark and Gengar lay waste to a group of Poochyenas, while his Hydreigon lands behind him (with a suitably intimidating crash) to receive new orders.]

A friend of yours...?

[The question is directed at Dist, but left open enough for this strange newcomer to introduce himself if he would prefer that. Someone who could describe this clusterfuck as a 'really nice day' was definitely worth investigating.]
divinitea: (EW ♠ truck you too monobear)

[personal profile] divinitea 2014-10-28 09:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Unlike her trainer, Victoria isn't really a fan of lying, and she's rather determined to keep her word in this situation. Regardless of her trainer's feelings about them, she knows that it is important that her classmates know she is safe.

Besides - even in this state, she's never been very good at telling the truth.]


We will check in with you periodically, Kirigiri-san.

[Another one of Celes' Pokemon - her Lopunny - has timidly made her way over to her, chattering nervously and wringing her empty paws together. This time, instead of screaming and swearing, Celes just...collapses, wrapping her arms around her chest and resting her head on her knees.]

I don't understand...why is this so hard? W...why can't they find him...

[Victoria didn't need to see the sight of Celes' shoulders beginning to tremble to know that an emotional explosion is coming, but it's not exactly doing anything to reassure her.

Right. Time to end this conversation.]


Please let us know if the situation changes for you or any of Celestia-sama's classmates.

[With any luck, they'll all get through this new challenge in one piece - or close enough.]
fauxtographs: (� wink!)

[personal profile] fauxtographs 2014-10-28 10:03 am (UTC)(link)
I've always thought that a battle would be an incredible place to make a friend! Lovely to meet you, Captain. Although I hope your title doesn't mean you're associated with that band of pirates!

[Emmy's voice is light, however! She's clearly joking.

...

...although considering that you just helped her take down a bunch of the red grunts, it...probably wouldn't be too crazy to think that you might be part of the blue group...

...

...please don't secretly be a pirate.]
fauxtographs: (� guard)

[personal profile] fauxtographs 2014-10-28 10:13 am (UTC)(link)
[You know Jimmy, there's something particularly fantastic about using a wave of water to bring down a bunch of Team Magma grunts - not that Emmy can appreciate that, but she can appreciate the fact that it has most definitely stopped them in their tracks!]

Thanks, Jimmy!

[As if being washed off their feet wasn't enough, the grunts now have to deal with Emmy and her ferocious tiny dog leaping on them and giving them a damn good pummel!]

Where-is-my-uncle!?

[...

...give her a minute, Jimmy.]

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