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
ajustcaws: (to run where the brave dare not go)

[personal profile] ajustcaws 2014-10-29 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
[she is such a trooper...

But anyway! It's almost kind of hard for Cynthia to hear Jimmy over her own excited battle cry, though she does realize that something happened back there and she turns to look over her shoulder!]


Comrade Jimmy! I'm glad to see you here, soldier! Now, are you ready to rock and roll!?

[...the closest pair of Magma grunts, who are still fairly far away, seem to have noticed them and are just... kind of looking at each other at the moment...]
paladinlost: (dynamic)

[personal profile] paladinlost 2014-10-29 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Actually, what he can do at the moment is stay still, because-]

Healing present! Catch it, and give it to one of your Pokémon!

[-because Cecil has become very good at telling the good presents from the bad, and one of the goodies is flying straight towards Rin. ...Flying straight towards Rin's face, if one must be precise.]

[personal profile] angerpoints 2014-10-29 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
[--oh! 'sup, Random Punchy Girl. Yusuke falters for a second, squinting at her. Isn't that...?

He's pretty sure it is, but right now, he doesn't have the time to think about it. SO FOR NOW, he just jumps on in there, taking advantage of the confusion and alarm caused by Korra's sudden appearance by punching one of the grunts in the face. As the guy falls to the ground in a heap, Yusuke pivots and strikes another grunt in the back of the neck, incapacitating her instantly.

He's about to knock out another one, but then, out of the corner of his eye, he notices a bit of movement directly behind Korra. Looks like one of the grunts is a little scrappier than her employees are - that, or she's simply resorting to physical volence out of sheer panic. Either way, Yusuke doesn't know whether Korra sees her trying to get the jump on her or not, so just in case, he points her out, bellowing:]


Hey, uh - you! Asshole at 6 o'clock!

[SORRY, KORRA. He's forgotten your name. Dude's got a memory like a sieve.]
stitchedupbodyguard: (Default)

[personal profile] stitchedupbodyguard 2014-10-29 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
[Bleh, she doesn't care, except if he tries that on her, in which case you're getting pounded into the ground, son.]

Magic, huh? Oh please! That doesn't exist.

[...Says the girl fighting with monsters.]
foolishwren: FUCK!! FUUUUCK FUCK FUCK!!! WHAT THE FUCK!! WHAT IS GOING ON!! (I feel like I dont say this often enough)

A

[personal profile] foolishwren 2014-10-29 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
[.... Man, she knew she should have tried the north first. There's WAY too much watery bullshit going on down here for someone riding a Rapidash.]

Wh-- LOOK OUT!

[Carousel lets out a squeal as Heather yanks on the reins, jerking her sharply to the side to avoid getting squished under two trainers and a Greninja. Which is probably for the best. No matter how soft that Pokemon Fanclub President thinks his Rapidash is, the species as a general rule isn't that great for breaking falls.]

[She does, however, circle sharply back around to make sure nobody... like... died.]
cawsforalarm: (Smug ✧ and drown drown drown drown)

[personal profile] cawsforalarm 2014-10-29 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
Sure it does. I would show you, but they took my powers away.
armoredsoul: (SHIT)

[personal profile] armoredsoul 2014-10-29 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
[It's the screams that attract Al's attention, and it's with his Liepard in tow that Al goes searching for the source of the disturbance.]

[Of course, it's hard to miss it when it comes charging up on you from behind a clump of trees, and Al yelps as he dives out of the way of those very sharp-looking hooves.]
Whoah!!!
freshprints: (CONCENTRATE ❈ full ishimaru go)

[personal profile] freshprints 2014-10-29 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
...

All right. We'll be in touch.
loveisanopendoor: (Reassuring)

[personal profile] loveisanopendoor 2014-10-29 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
Neither have I, but, hey, there's a first time for everything, right? And I'll be here with you to help you out, I promise!

[She puts an arm around Elsa, trying to be as reassuring as possible!]

I mean, if whatever they're doing is bad enough that Mama and Papa told us to help...it's got to be super important.
freshprints: (EYES ❈ that's checkmate motherfucker)

[personal profile] freshprints 2014-10-29 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
Where are you, Kuwata-kun?
nostabbing: (HUG ⚡ no shhh coulson's not really dead)

[personal profile] nostabbing 2014-10-29 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
[BEST FRIEND IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU.]

Hi, Bernie! Are you okay? These guys aren't giving you trouble, are they?

[does she have to punch a guy Bernie she will punch a guy for you]
armoredsoul: (Marks to bear)

[personal profile] armoredsoul 2014-10-29 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think we'll be able to drive them off just swarming their forces...we needs to get a safe space of our own, or do something so drastic it forces both sides to retreat.
armoredsoul: (Pissed)

[personal profile] armoredsoul 2014-10-29 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
[The Luxray, Eddie, sets down his companion and shakes his head with worry. This is as weird to him as it is to you guys, man!]

If I have to!

[Al scoffs, sneering right back at Envy.] You really expect me to believe you were trying to help?
defyingfrigidity: (pic#7136569)

[personal profile] defyingfrigidity 2014-10-29 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
... You know, I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that you're trying to initiate sibling bonding through forcing information out of strange men.

[THIS PLACE IS BRINGING OUT ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF HER SISTER, ISN'T IT.

Of course, that thought is quickly dropped when Anna brings up their parents, and Elsa frowns.]


... Do you really think those were mama and papa's voices? That... certainly sounded like papa, but it all seems rather... convenient, don't you think?
foolishwren: as i was, you shall be (Default)

[personal profile] foolishwren 2014-10-29 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
[A chirping trill rings out nearby, audible even over the rush of wind-- Sunny can be loud when she wants to be. The Togekiss is soaring overhead, her puffy wings extended to their full capacity-- she's not fighting any of the Pokemon below, no, she has a different mission-- but she recognizes Hiccup from the time Heather had spent in and out of the Justice Farm back during her stay in Saffron.]

[She won't swoop too close-- this situation is SERIOUS and nobody needs a giant owl smashing into them midflight-- but she'll call her greeting anyway.]

[Down below, a flicker of orange and white moving erratically across the battlefield can be seen where Heather obliviously races between battlers on her Rapidash-- she's not particularly concerned with looking up, outside of whatever is needed to ensure she doesn't get squashed by a falling Pokemon or something.]
irenicly: (♨ you're afraid cause she's got closer)

[personal profile] irenicly 2014-10-29 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
[...You know. This might just work.

His expression brightens.]


I think I know what else could help.

If we could take a couple trees down, it might make an even better roadblock.
tearsofademon: (the poor and downtrod)

[personal profile] tearsofademon 2014-10-29 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
Exactly. Less damage that way, in the long run.

Still, Ryner looked away as Sion did that, instead finding a Leppa berry and giving it to Glen to eat. This was a lot more intense than their sparring with Rose ever got, after all, and the tiny spider could probably use a pick-me-up. Ryner himself could go for a while yet, though - that time training under Germer hadn't been for nothing, especially with his menagerie keeping him on his toes these days. He was probably in better shape than he'd ever been even on the road with Ferris, all told.

"Is it really too much to ask for an October that doesn't have something bothersome happen?" Ryner lamented even as another Grunt noticed his friend knocked out on the ground. Not for long, though, as Glen quickly repaid the berry by sending a Thunder Wave the grunt's way to paralyze him in his tracks.
ortion: (❀ just no)

[personal profile] ortion 2014-10-29 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Rosamund and Cordelia, who had been watching Kato pleadingly since he arrived, take that order as well and follow Kato's Pokemon into the fray. They've been around Kato long enough to know he'll help their trainer snap out of whatever rage he's gotten himself into.

Meanwhile, Dist remains silent for a little bit as he continues to tremble, still avoiding eye contact except for his glare of seething rage at the grunt. He's taken in a lot of emotion all at once; it's becoming difficult to manage.

He doesn't answer to the first question. In the state he's in, he doesn't really care how he kills the girl. She doesn't deserve a beautiful death for what she's done. To the second question, he nods halfheartedly.]


It was sudden, but her voice was just there, and she said she needed my help. It quickly became very clear why.

[His words are shaky, like he's holding a lot back.]

These...these savages have her. [The captured grunt attempts to re-state that she has no idea who or what Dist is talking about, but he'll have none of it.] They could've been keeping her all this time and I had no way of knowing!
loveisanopendoor: (Stumped)

[personal profile] loveisanopendoor 2014-10-29 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
Hey now, you can't say it's not new and exciting, at the very least! How often can you say you got to spend quality time stopping a nefarious plot with your little sister?

[Anna seems to be taking it as it comes, for better or for worse!]

It could be, but...I don't see how anyone here would have the ability to, y'know, do an imitation of their voices, though...and if it was an imitation, it was a pretty darn good one, wouldn't you say? And we both heard it...
Edited 2014-10-29 02:29 (UTC)
ortion: (❀ contemplating)

[personal profile] ortion 2014-10-29 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
Well...I have to admit that the battling has kept me placated, but as you said, the portal was...unfortunate.

[Dead mother figures, Henry. Why is Arceus doing this to us.

He gives another order to Lance so he can focus his attention on their conversation, leaning close to Kato to keep his voice down when he explains.]


He's one of us, Kato. [As in, a Rocket.] He arrived just a few weeks ago. Originally a mage by trade, but you know what Johto does to magic users.

[Lord what he would do to be able use his artes right now. Now those explosions would be cathartic.]
defyingfrigidity: (pic#7669711)

[personal profile] defyingfrigidity 2014-10-29 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
You have a point there. Still... this wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I wanted more opportunities for bonding experiences.

[AT LEAST IT'S SOMETHING..... UNIQUE....?]

I don't know this world any better than you do, but from everything I've seen here so far... I wouldn't really be shocked if there was something that could do that. Some sort of psychic-type.

I'm not saying that this being was malevolent at all, considering we've apparently been brought here to fight bad people. I just.... don't trust that those voices we heard were genuine.
dreamsofahero: (sigh)

[personal profile] dreamsofahero 2014-10-29 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Clearly," Sion retorted as he returned, pausing once again to scan the battlefield.

"...We can probably scatter that group if we strike from both sides simultaneously," he said, pointing. Then without even waiting for Ryner's reply he gave a short command to Sea and took off. The milotic responded by letting out a cry and sending a plume of water into the air before following.... And a few moments later, Just and Valiant broke off their attacks, apparently finding more interesting targets elsewhere. Zu might, of course, suffer a hit or two for it if she wasn't fast enough on the uptake, but nothing the garchomp couldn't handle.
sincereheart: (no way)

[personal profile] sincereheart 2014-10-29 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
Killua-san!

[ A very outraged Mimi is stomping over to you, Pokémon following in her wake. Her Flaaffy casually fries a couple grunts' Pokémon on the way, and her Skitty spots an enemy Rattata and scampers after it with a predatory gleam in his eye. Mimi doesn't notice. ]

What are you doing to that poor man?! You stop that this instant!
awesmazings: (☼ a secret chord)

[personal profile] awesmazings 2014-10-29 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
[Okay, Jimmy can't help but laugh at that display before turning his attention back to the lake, watching as Lucky makes contact with another Sharpedo. He has to be careful, considering how rough their hides are.]

Yeah. My Pokemon are okay for now, I think, but if these guys keep coming, we're gonna have to try something else.

[personal profile] angerpoints 2014-10-29 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
[WOW, geez, holy shit-- Yusuke steps back as Susie slams into the grunts' Pokemon, lifting his arm to shield his face from the splash of water that follows. He isn't quite sure what the hell's happening at first: one second, the bad guys' monsters are being flattened by a Surprise Flying Whatever, then the next, the ground beneath his feet is trembling, with enough force that, at first, he wonders if the area's being hit with another one of those earthquakes. It isn't until a second or two after that, when he registers the steady THUNK-THUNK-THUNK of Squirt's footsteps and the sound of Shaun's voice, that it all finally clicks, and with a grin, he turns to peer up at Shaun, saying:]

Hey, short stuff! Nice ride!

[Puu trills out a greeting of his own. A few of the grunts round on Shaun, seething. If there is anything Pokemon villains instinctively dislike, it's kids within Pokemon's target age demographic. Especially when those kids meddle in their affairs. >:(]

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