Sojaveña Wilds Northern Badlands

[Weazel]

Well, he managed to spook a few Impidimp into running off, at least. Even if the remainder’s reprisal stung. Thankfully, it didn’t sting enough to prevent him from biting into his Oran Berry as he made his way back towards the lookout again, drawn by the voice of the little horde’s leader. He drew his scalchop back as far as he could as he rushed the Morgrem, then swung with all his might as he reached her, then followed up with an open palm strike aimed at the lieutenant’s prominent nose, before leaping back as Astrid leapt down from the nearby tower to continue delivering the pain.

“Battered but not beaten,” he said, shooting Astrid what he hoped was a reassuring grin. Admittedly he was pretty much out of supplies at this point, but the Impidimp and their boss didn’t need to know that.

Spoiler: Turn 3

Archie (46 STM, 8 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 8 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Lookout
- **Bonus Action:** Item (Oran Berry)
- STRONG Razor Shell @ Sophie (-24 STM, effect, -3 TMP, +5 TMP)
- Assurance @ Sophie (-15 STM, +3 TMP)
Net change: -39 STM, +5 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 7 STM (30 after regen), 13 TMP, 8 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 3
Player Phase​

Archie's STRONG Razor Shell was aimed at Sophie...

"He's goin' for the boss!"

"Cover her! Protect Boss Sophie!"

"Save! Dive fer it!"

The horde's Cover Band let them take the hit! 34 dmg, -1 Def

A troupe of Impidimp launched themselves between Archie and Sophie, and while his Razor Shell didn't go to waste, the goons had surely saved their commander from an early knockout...!

Archie's Assurance dealt 8 to Sophie! It's hardly effective...

Gladion's Body Press dealt 8 to Sophie!
Gladion Taunted the horde!

Astrid's Triple Ice Shard dealt 16+19+ a CRITICAL 25 to Sophie!
Astrid's Aqua Jets dealt 14+15 to Sophie!
Astrid's Icicle Spear dealt 14-14-15-15-14 to Sophie!

Astrid's Spotter Feat! - Sophie’s stats:

Attack: 83 Defense: 103
​

Astrid's Iron Thorn dealt 19 to Sophie!

"You some kinda do-gooder with fancy schooling?" spat the Morgrem, stumbling to her feet and throwing a screeching nearby Impidimp at the Wayfarers as a cheap distraction. "Even if you win this fight, the rest of the gang will come and give you what you deserve for it! Pah!"

She turned to face the ice fox who'd landed on her seconds earlier and stared daggers at Astrid.

"I bet you think you're all that!" she said, sneering nastily. "Let's see if you feel special after this!!"

Sophie screamed, her anger erupting – almost cartoonishly – into flames of Burning Jealousy around her...

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 3
Enemy Phase​

Swarming underlings snatched at the party's belongings with limitless enthusiasm for thievery.

"Dibs on their lunch!"​

Anything not immediately useful went straight on the loot pile.

...Perhaps the party could return the favour.

The horde's Thief hit everyone!
Astrid: 11
Archie: 13
Gladion: Protected!
The horde stole Oran Berry and Iron Thorn!

Sophie's flames of outrage swept towards the objects of her ire, as she made a dramatic motion with her arms to direct her fire.

Sophie focused...
Sophie's Burning Jealousy dealt a CRITICAL 24 dmg to Astrid! Gladion was Protected!

When that proved insufficient to defeat her enemies, she collapsed to her knees.

"Oh, I was mistaken! How wrong I was to think I could defeat you—"

Sophie's False Surrender dealt a CRITICAL 14 dmg to Astrid! KO!!

And struck just as Astrid came within reach.

"Oh! I didn't mean to!! I'm so sorry, please forgive me!!" she wailed.

Sophie's Fake Tears lowered Gladion's Res by 2!

Still obviously insincere. Still undeniably disorienting.

The horde's Iron Thorns dealt 10 dmg to Archie and 9 to Gladion!
The horde's Fake Out dealt 8 dmg to Archie and 11 to Gladion! Archie Flinched! Covert Cloak protected Gladion!
The horde's Thief dealt 13 dmg to Archie and 15 to Gladion!
The horde are focusing...
The horde's Dark Pulse dealt 32 dmg to Gladion! Gladion Flinched!
Horde Attack: the Impidimp are preparing Thief!

​

The Impidimp clustered around their leader, some of them sticking out their tongues or pulling at their eyelids, while others put up their middle digits and danced from foot to foot. As unruly as they seemed, they would likely try to take another hit for Sophie...

...Was it now or never to land the clinching blow?

 

[Weazel]

“You do like to talk,” Archie grunted, twirling his Scalchop with one paw while the other dug his last remaining berry out to pop into his mouth. “Let’s fix that.”

He rushed Sophie again, aiming his fist for the area right where her chest and stomach met. An obvious attempt to wind the Morgrem, or so it seemed. The second he felt his fist connect, he dropped to the ground, and let his forward momentum carry him forward, sliding past the Morgrem.

“Think the rest of your little gang’s gonna avenge you? If they’re anything like you, We’ve got nothing to worry about!” He yelled, digging his claws into the ground to arrest his momentum, and then launch himself back up towards Sophie! “After all, you’re just a coward, hiding behind your little lackeys!”

He swung once, then twice, trying to break through the Morgrem’s guard and grab her attention so she wouldn’t see Gladion’s follow up until it was far too late.

Spoiler: Turn 4

Archie (30 STM, 13 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 8 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Bonus Action:** Item (Leppa Berry) (+40 STM)
- Assurance @ Sophie (-15 STM, +3 TMP)
- AGILE Razor Shell @ Sophie (-24 STM, hit, effect, -6 TMP, +3 TMP)
- Razor Shell @ Sophie (-16 STM, hit, effect, -6 TMP, +3 TMP)
Net change: -15 STM, -3 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 15 STM (38 after regen), 10 TMP, 8 SHD, 0 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

Spoiler: Turn Order

1. Archie
2. Gladion

 

[Shiny Phantump]

“Shut up!” Gladion shouted, barreling forward for a body press without so much as stopping to break his sentences first. “You do NOT get to climb out of your fucking loot pile tent and whine like we’re so lucky, like you have nothing and we couldn’t imagine that.”

Don’t you dare act like you’re some kind of Plumeria.

Spoiler: Turn 4

Gladion (56 STM, 8 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Bonus Action:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- SHADOW Body Press @ [TARGET] (-16 STM, +2 TMP, +16 SHD)
Net change: -16 STM, +7 TMP, +16 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 40 STM (65 after regen), 15 TMP, 16 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Goat]

Astrid saw their plan fall apart the moment the toddlers took the brunt of Archie's shell for Sophie, as if they, too, had a divine coordinator linking them. Perhaps she'd underestimated their sobriety now that everyone's adrenaline had run its course. Oh well.

Then the flames came, turning her flank a shade of bright orange in the half-second before impact. She turned to the others with a tiny smile-- "Well! Good luck--" and tumbled into the dirt. Sophie said something but she didn't hear, nor did she particularly mind.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 4
Player Phase​

This time, the party knew what to expect. And the Fiends were predictably easy to juke...

Archie's Assurance was aimed at Sophie...
The horde of Impidimp took the hit for 14 dmg!
Archie's AGILE Razor Shell dealt 13 dmg to Sophie! Def -1!
Archie's Razor Shell dealt 22 dmg to Sophie! Def -1!

Gladion's SHADOW Body Press dealt 16 dmg to Sophie!

Down she went, wailing dramatically as she fell. In fairness, Gladion's crushing weight and the nauseating burn of Shadow-type damage probably did hurt a great deal, but this Morgrem was the type to chew the scenery.

Her Impidimp, meanwhile, held no loyalty at all once she went down.

"SCATTERRRRR!!"
​

"Dibs on the back exit!"
​

"Everyone split up! Every 'mon for hisself! Get to the other camps!!"

The dozen or so remaining imps made themselves scarce with impressive haste, launching themselves straight past the offworlders and into the labyrinth, or up and over the rock face at the rear of the camp. Having done so, this left an unconscious Sophie and half a dozen or so lesser Fiends lying in disarray across the camp.

Good work and well done, heroic spirits! You all did excellently.

Objective: defeat and arrest as many Fiends as possible. (7/20)
Objective: defeat and arrest the Fiend Lieutenant, Morgrem Sophie.

Mission Complete!

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Gladion laughed. "I'd say you shouldn't have trusted them as far as you can throw them, but apparently be cutting them too much slack... Though I can't say that would've been good for morale. Guess you got what you deserved out of all this! I mean, really, what kind of leader do you think you are? I'm surprised they didn't break rank sooner!"

Some calmer corner of his brain concerned he might be enjoying this a little more than really seemed fitting, he took a deep breath to suppress his shadow energy. Then he turned to Archie for advice. "So... What happens next? I guess I wasn't really picturing what'd happen next. Astrid'd probably appreciate a lift, and we got a decent handful of them around too... And, uh, how bad are the little ones gonna get hit for this?"

 

[Weazel]

When the dust cleared, the Morgrem was on the ground. The remaining Impidimp scattered, leaving fully eight of their downed comrades behind. A four grand payday, if they could get them all back to town.

"Well," he began, looking around the camp, "we can reuse their tent ropes to tie them up. Any we leave will probably just end up feeding back into the main gang."

The Impidimp individually did almost come across pitiable. But, they were all hardened criminals who'd knocked over a town or two. Some time in lockup and being made to give back to the communities they'd rob somehow would do them good.

... At least, that's how they would've been handled back home.

"It won't end until Hawthorne is behind bars," he said.

 

[Jackie Cat]

I can not say for certain what will become of the Fiends, but I have heard that with the railroad complete, it will become possible to transport large numbers of felons to a larger carceral facility than the Frontier County Prison. Also, I believe that the Impidimp you have apprehended will follow Morgrem Sophie's lead if you escort her to the nearest sheriff's office.
​

En route to Hoodoo Tangle, the party had passed through a small frontier village called Lucky Rock, which had the misfortune of being a favourite target of the Fiends. The local sheriff would gladly take the miscreants off the Wayfarers' hands and issue a reward.

"You think you can stand up to the big boss?" sneered Sophie from the ground, as she gradually came to. "Don't bet on it, suckers. Nobody beats the Fiends – you defeat one of us, the rest will mess you up for it."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Well," he began, looking around the camp, "we can reuse their tent ropes to tie them up. Any we leave will probably just end up feeding back into the main gang."
…
"It won't end until Hawthorne is behind bars," he said.

“I suppose that’s true,” Gladion admitted, though in a rather pained tone, “I still don’t find it easy to trust the frontier’s justice system after everything I’ve seen so far, though…”

"You think you can stand up to the big boss?" sneered Sophie from the ground, as she gradually came to. "Don't bet on it, suckers. Nobody beats the Fiends – you defeat one of us, the rest will mess you up for it."

Gladion rolled his eyes. He’d been trying to give a shit about them. She couldn’t make that easy for him, could she? “Nobody’s beaten the fiends yet. Which is funny because I was also of the impression that nobody’d gotten the jump on the fiends yet. Until we did. Seems like things that ‘don’t happen’ only feel that way until, y’know, they happen.”

He turned his attention to Astrid, who seemed to have taken the worst of the boss’ blows. “How’re you holding up? Can you walk?”

 

[Weazel]

There was something… Vaguely ominous about the idea of shipping the fiends off to a prison out east, rather than keeping them local. Maybe he was just being paranoid… But then again, didn’t the train have to pass through Blaguarro to get back towards the imperial center? Well, maybe not, they’d come pretty far north, maybe there was a different railhead here…

Still, he couldn’t shake the thought that they were inadvertently shipping the captured Fiends off into Cipher’s waiting arms. He shook his head, took a deep breath, and focused on what Gladion was saying instead.

“I don’t know what things are like in your home, but… Things are a lot rougher here, than in mine,” he admitted to the Graydian. “And after everything, I don’t blame you for your skepticism. I don’t know if I’m a fan either.”

Of course, Sophie had to go and ruin the moment before he could say more. All threats and bluster, she was, just like most bullies. Might be too late for her to do much reforming, but the lesser Impidimps seemed more like followers than anything. Some time away from the rest of the gang might give them the opportunity to grow as individuals and make something of themselves… Or maybe he was just thinking too much about his own world again.

Gladion had a point though, how was Astrid holding up?

 

[Jackie Cat]

Astrid seemed fine, even if she didn't have much to say.

Sophie, meanwhile, didn't seem to be making a serious attempt to actually escape, but she was certainly putting her all into complaining.

"You got lucky, that's all! Stupid lucky suckers I'm gonna..."

The trio of bounty hunters would learn to tune her out. Perhaps it'd be best to leave an interrogation to the local sheriff, once Sophie had had time to run out of steam...

Well done, heroic spirits. Rest well!

<><><><><>​

 

[Jackie Cat]

It seemed each Fiends camp was much like another. A different corner of Hoodoo Tangle's shallows; the same wooden lookout towers, patchy pitch-tents, and shrill squabbling from inside.

It seems you have approached another large group of pokémon, judging by the cluster of nearby souls. This may well be another of the camps you are looking for. Are you ready to begin battle, heroic spirits?​

 

[AdamArtDraws]

"Alright then. The hunt begins." Felin cracked her knuckles and drew her blade. She leapt into the fray right on Silver and Isidora's heels.

Spoiler: Turn post

Felin (105 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Main Camp
- **Bonus Action:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- AGILE SHADOW Hone Claws (-27 STM, +2 TMP, +18 SHD)
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Aerial Ace @ Fiends (-8 STM, Sure Hit, Protean, +5 TMP)
Net change: -53 STM, +14 TMP, +18 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 52 STM (78 after regen), 19 TMP, 18 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Cresselia92]

Well, they were truly an unlikely trio! There was his friend Felin, who admired humans; there was the far-from-friend Isidora, who despised humans; and then there was him, a human. Truly a combination made in the weirdest heaven!

‘Things are gonna be interesting. I can say this much,’ he mused, studying intently the camp of hooligans from a safe distance.

It seems you have approached another large group of pokémon, judging by the cluster of nearby souls. This may well be another of the camps you are looking for. Are you ready to begin battle, heroic spirits?​

Silver unsheathed his claws and smirked with confidence. “Ah! I’m always ready for battle, Betel!” He glanced at his teammates and pumped his fist, letting his venom flow to the tips. “Okay! Let’s go kick those losers’ arses — stealthily! They’ll never know what got ‘em!”

Having said so, Silver charged forward like a raging Tauros, not letting anything — not even injuries — get in his way! It didn’t take long for him to reach the crowd of Impidimp.

“Alright! Party’s over, punks!”

And with a defiant battle cry, Silver leaped toward the group of pink hooligans and swiped his venom-drenched claws wildly, not caring whether he struck living or inanimate targets.

Spoiler: Turn 1

Silver (107 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Bonus Action:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Protect (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Bulk Up (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Dash to Main Camp (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Poison Jab @ Horde (-24 STM, +3 TMP)
- Poison Jab @ Horde (-16 STM, +3 TMP)
Net change: -76 STM, +13 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 31 STM (57 after regen), 18 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[JFought]

I'm more than ready. Isidora knew she could trust the battle capabilities of at least one of the pokémon here. The other... he'd have to do a lot to prove himself. Maybe it was because he was a sneasel too that she felt particularly critical of him.

As for herself, Isidora kneeled, placed her claws on opposite shoulders, and concentrated. For a while after she discovered the shadow in her, she hadn't been able to replicate it reliably. But after that nightmare with the condescending 'Powehi,' she was hit by an epiphany. Negative emotions. Summoning shadows was unreliable before because it was fueled by her fear.

So, her mind naturally went to consider what would happen if she lost in front of this weird human-sneasel upstart. And she considered how much she could not allow that to happen.

She drew her claws down her arms and bared them. The cold feeling that followed was simultaneously disconcerting and a relief. It worked. "I'll split from you all, and-"

Except Silver had already run in. ...Draw attention. So I'll just see about those tents then...

Spoiler: Turn Order

1. Silver
2. Isidora
3. Felin

Spoiler: Turn 1

Isidora (116 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Main Camp
- **Bonus Action:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- SHADOW Fake Out @ Fiends (-17 STM, Sure Hit, +2 TMP, +17 SHD)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Fiends behavior
- Double Team (-9 STM, +2 TMP)
- Power-Up Punch @ Main Camp Tent 1 (-14 STM, +2 TMP)
- Interact @ Check Main Camp Tent 2 (-3 TMP)
- Ice Shard @ Trash Tent (-5 STM, -2 TMP, +2 TMP)
- Dash to Loot Pile (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Ice Shard @ Loot Tent (-10 STM, +2 TMP)
Net change: -55 STM, +8 TMP, +17 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 61 STM (90 after regen), 13 TMP, 17 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 1
Player Phase​

Pointed stones dug into Silver and Felin!
Isidora dodged the pointed stones and sharp steel!

Silver's AGILE Poison Jab dealt 27 dmg to the Horde! It's super-effective!
Silver's Poison Jab dealt 38 dmg to the Horde! It's super-effective!

Isidora's SHADOW Fake Out dealt 17 dmg to the Horde! It's super-effective!

Isidora's Spotter Feat!
Fiends behaviour:

The Fiends are fanatically loyal to their Morgrem bosses, up until the point they lose. They'll dive in front of the first attack they can, every turn. If Taunted, they'll focus on attacking as much as possible, but otherwise they'll pay more attention to being a nuisance and Calling their boss. They will always choose Thief as their Horde Attack.

Isidora's Power-Up Punch hit the Main Camp Tent! It dealt a grazing 6 dmg to the Impidimp inside! +1 Atk!

Interact result:

Isidora checked the other tent in Main Camp. It contained Additional Goblins.

Isidora's Ice Shard hit the Trash Tent! It dealt a grazing 9 dmg to the Impidimp inside!
Isidora's AGILE Ice Shard hit the Loot Tent! It dealt a grazing 7 dmg to the Impidimp inside!

Felin's Aerial Ace dealt 24 dmg to the Horde!

The three Wayfarers' initial attack was deft and effective, dealing considerable damage to the Impidimp in the camp. Some of those nearest the entrance fainted immediately, never getting the chance to realise they were under attack.

The rest rallied, jeering and shaking their fists and making lewd gestures – though the Morgrem lieutenant didn't seem to be among them...

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 1
Enemy Phase​

"Woah! Camp's under attack! Everyone, stop pissing about!"

"Piss off, Gregory!"​

"Yeah, fuck you, Gregory!"​

"C'mon, it's those assholes what nabbed boss Sophie! Get 'em!"

"Dibs on that sword!"
​

The horde's Iron Thorns dealt 11 dmg to Felin! Silver was Protected!
The horde's Fake Out dealt a grazing 5 dmg to Isidora! She avoided Flinching! Silver was Protected!

"Let's see you losers try that lame shit again!"

"Naw, it SUCKED bad enough the FIRST time!!"​

The horde called for an Encore from Felin and Silver!
The horde are Flinching and couldn't do more...
The horde are Flinching and couldn't Focus...
Horde Attack: the Impidimp are preparing Thief!

It certainly wasn't a mystery why the Fiends were so unpopular, their thievery aside...

"Shit shit shit why was I looking at the camp I should'a been lookin' out front damnit damnit damnit..."​

There was a strange light from somewhere...
Someone's Dazzling Gleam struck Isidora for 19 dmg and Felin for 13!​

That attack... Had it come from somewhere above...?

It seemed like the Fiends were paying attention to everyone fairly equally...

 

[JFought]

Isidora deftly weaved through the horde, dodging their traps, hitting her targets, and narrowly avoiding the worst of that Fake Out she had seen coming just in the nick of time. Even working together, these impidimp were clumsy, unrefined, and way too easy to cut through. She had never dealt with a less impressive group of pokémon: it was impressive. How did they ever manage to steal anything? Sheer numbers, she guessed.

But despite her searching, the commander was nowhere to be found. They would have to be somewhere in camp...

She turned around just in time for the light of a Dazzling Gleam to burn through her. Shit! Where did that come from!? That was too strong to come from one of these losers. Her eyes locked on to the towers: the attack must've come from one of them. She didn't see which one, but if she were to guess...

With the implicit understanding that Silver would cover the other one, she knocked an impidimp out of the way and ran for the tower closest to her. She circled around it to conceal her approach, climbed up the side, then hesitated near the top for the exact split second she needed to prepare an Ice Shard, vault herself up, and instantly attack whoever was there.

Spoiler: Turn 2

Isidora (90 STM, 13 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 17 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Lookout
- **Bonus Action:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- SHADOW Double Team (-9 STM, +2 TMP, +9 SHD)
- STRONG Power-Up Punch @ Fiends (-21 STM, Sure Hit, +4 TMP)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Fiends behavior 3 (or offenses)
- Interact @ Climb East Tower and ambush the lookout with next move (-3 TMP)
- Ice Shard @ Enemy on East Tower (-5 STM, +2 TMP)
Net change: -35 STM, +10 TMP, +9 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 55 STM (84 after regen), 23 TMP, 26 SHD, 0 RAD