bravenewworld | Event - Confrontation with the Enhanced

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Event - Confrontation with the Enhanced

With the revelation of the presence of the Enhanced, Union was able to quickly mobilize. As the strange conditions continued to worsen, the Trainers of Union once again set out to bring order to the chaos.

This time however, they do not walk entirely alone. A small, dedicated team remains behind in Union, sorting through the dossiers and information that Crystal and Rory have collected. Connected to those in the field via Warp Band network, hopefully they can identify the Enhanced and find a way to calm them before a tragedy occurs.

[OOC: There will be a thread for each active team based on the sign-ups. Any areas that did not have any sign-ups will not be present and will be addressed later. As per our usual standards, moderators and NPC helpers will progress the log at least once every 24 hours. The Union log will work somewhat differently from the battle logs in that the participants will be collecting information concerning the Enhanced; when enough information has been accumulated, they will be asked to tag into the battle threads to provide guidance and support to those out in the field.

Characters participating in the Union log will function as support staff for this event. They will have their own log interacting with Rory and Crystal and as characters in other logs encounter the Enhanced, they can use the observations made to try to find out more about the Enhanced in the field and help the people in the field determine an appropriate situation. Because of this, players in the Union thread may threadjack any ongoing log to relay information as needed.

The outcome of this event will depend very much on player decisions and the ability of the characters to respond to the threats at hand, so we would highly encourage you all to tag as regularly as possible. Thanks!]

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The area around the Forest Shrine, normally bright and serene, has changed deeply over the course of the past week. The area has experienced rampant overgrowth, the trees twisting in on themselves to form a canopy that blocks all but the dimmest of light from the outside. The plants are covered in thorny growths, adding to the area's inhospitable feel.

[Yeah, this was definitely bad. Not only was his bad feeling earlier amplified, but knowing the source just sort of made things worse. The Enhanced, they were called. Thinking about their circumstances makes his blood want to boil. He tries to keep calm, though. The situation is way too dire for him to be losing his cool.]

[Ignoring the way frost is left behind in each of his foot steps, Eiji cautiously looks around what used to be the Shrine. Hina and Eclair are both close, watching his back.]

[Both of Ky's Pokemon stayed close to them, with Isaac the Ampharos providing some additional illumination with the lightball, and Jacob's vines waving - anxious to get them around the cause of this]

Now Jacob - put those vines away. Needless to say, everyone keep your eyes and ears open. I also would suggest trying not to touch the plants if at all possible.

[This was so surreal. He'd gotten used to seeing so much of this forest, on his constant trips in and out of the city all year, and now to see it like this... It just wasn't right, was it?]

[Though everyone would have heard him pretty plainly not so long ago, losing his temper at Crystal and not being a whole lot less sharp with Rory, his spirits seemed to have made an almost-full recovery. Almost. There was a clearer uncomfortable edge to his smiles and silly comments today.]

What, are you telling me I can't pick a Tangly Demon Thorn bouquet to bring home and liven my place up? You're totally killing me.

[At his side, Jadwiga the Gardevoir and Wojtek the Beartik followed the group along, both quietly vigilant and protective despite their human's lack of apparent seriousness.]

[Fei was glancing around uneasily]

This is definitely not right. Let's find our guy fast, I don't like seeing the shrine like this.

[ This was wrong. So wrong. Arthur the Gallade standing at her side, Elly was alert, a hand hovering idly near the hilt of her rapier. On her other, Mona the Ampharos provided a bit of light. ]

Me neither.

[The twin glowing orbs of the Ampharos in the party provide enough light to see by, illuminating the area enough that relatively safe passage is possible as long as the group treads lightly and slowly. The advantage this team has is that the Forest Shrine itself is not all that large, and currently enveloped entirely by the overgrowth. Whoever or whatever is hiding in here shouldn't be very difficult to flush out.

As the group proceeds along, the light emanating from Elly and Ky's Pokemon eventually falls upon a thick patch of thorny vegetation seemingly growing up from out of the ground. Even with the light, it's difficult to see through entirely, but the keen eyed or particularly logical among them will likely notice or surmise that this is the altar itself. And as soon as the light reaches that point, a pair of glowing purple eyes can be seen for a brief instant, accompanied by a sharp hissing sound.]

[The glow catches Eiji's attention and the hissing has him stopping dead in his tracks. He holds his arm out to hopefully signal everyone to stop. It looks like they found who they were looking for.]

The altar.

[His voice is very quiet.]

[He stops in in midstep, glancing around as he heard the hiss and tried to pinpoint where exactly it came from. Ky briefly touched Jacob's petals, petting it to calm his nerves as he traced the image of a star against his shoulder]

I wonder why it would wrap around the altar like that.

[Feliks isn't the most logical or attentive, but he can certainly see what's pointed out to him. He stops as well, hanging back. Wojtek growls, very quietly, but stops when Jadwiga shakes her head and touches his arm.]

[That hiss makes him uneasy. It sounds kind of like an Arbok, doesn't it? Poison types are pretty bad news for him...]

[No sense worrying too much about it now.]

Maybe the altar seems safe? Like, I might think that, if I were running around in the wilderness with people coming after me.

Yeah...

[Fei considers for a moment]

So, what do we do? Do we just reach in and try to grab whatever's in there and pull it out? That doesn't seem too safe.

[ Elly immediately threw a hand out, her expression steely. Shut up, he can hear you! Try to seem as nonthreatening as possible. ]

Mona. Behind me.

[ The pokemon doing as she is told, Elly's expression changes a bit as she tried to address what they assumed was the Enhanced behind the altar. ]

It's all right. We aren't going to hurt you.

[The group's guess about the strange figure wrapped up in the Shrine being an Arbok was a good one, but in this case incorrect. It seems the hissing, inhuman as it might have sounded at the time, was in fact emanating from their quarry.]

Don't look at me!

[This time, there is only a single purple flash from behind the twisted mass of vines and thorns, followed by a spray of thick poisonous venom as it shoots out from inside. It's not so much aimed at anyone in particular, but more of a warning shot for anyone attempting to get too close.]

[Ky steps back as the venom was sprayed out, his eyes staring at where it landed]

Poison...?

[He almost looked up where it came from - but managed to stop himself, no. The voice didn't want that - it would likely set them off. It was a risk, but if the sword could calm whoever this enhanced was, he would take a gamble]

Isaac, dim the light - just enough that we can see our immediate area and no further.

[The Ampharos hesitated, but complies as the Venusaur let out a disgruntled noise]

[Why did it have to be Poison types??]

[Feliks squeaks a little as he jumps back, pulling his Gardevoir behind him, his heart immediately racing. Should have gone with one of the other groups... Like, the fire-and-ice mountain. Why didn't he go to the fire-and-ice mountain?? He would have been great there!]

[He takes a breath, trying to steady his nerves.]

Um... W-We're like, not looking! It's okay!

[ Mona follows suit, dimming her light and directing it away from the altar. Both Pokemon and human backed away from the poison blast, Elly doing her best to retain a sense of calm through the aggression. She, too, avoided making direct eye contact. She smiles warmly. ]

Fei, get the medical pack for me. Are you hurt at all? I'm a nurse from Union, a settlement to the northwest. These are my friends. We're here to help you.

Fei nods, covering his mouth to avoid inhaling and moves swiftly to retrieve Elly's kit and hand it off to her.

[There is an audible sigh of relief the moment Ky's Ampharos dims its light. The twisted foliage begins to part, revealing about half of the face of the Enhanced hiding inside. To those standing near the back of the group, the overall impression is generally something on the order of 'darkly handsome.'

To Elly and anyone still standing near the altar, it's apparent that this is unfortunately someone who simply looks better both at a distance and in very dim light. His skin is pale, face slightly too thin, purple eyes bulging disturbingly - overall, not someone who is easy to look at.

And while he is no longer directly attacking, the expression on his face remains fearful and guarded. When he speaks again, his voice is quiet but severe, giving the sense that he is actively holding himself back from a louder outburst.]

There's no medicine that can cure what's wrong with me.

[ She kept her gaze lowered, trying to honor the man's request to not be looked at as best as she could, knowing full well that it could be a trap. Maybe it was the Union effect, but she had faith that it wasn't all an act. She won't approach just yet, but starts to work her way toward the front of the group. ]

I know what you've gone through. I couldn't possibly imagine the pain you've gone through, but I've had a similar experience. I know what it feels like to believe that you're a monster.

[ She raises her gaze just slightly, still not looking him in the eye, but just enough that she can give him a reassuring smile. ]

These people are kind. If they can take in and help someone like me, I know they can help you, even just a little bit. Will you let us try?

[ She reaches a hand out, offering it to him. ]

[Fei isn't going to make any sudden moves, but his muscles are tense and he's ready to burst into motion if needed.]

[Ky kneels, putting his hand on Jacob's head - dissipating the plant-type's growing tension, and shook his head at it - no. It's not time to attack. And the kneeling served a duel purpose, first to lower his profile to appear less threatening, and secondly he's in a good position to unleash a stunning bolt of electricity if things go south

For now, Elly seems to have a good handle on the situation]

[Wojtek is still on edge, but the Beartik is at least calmed enough by Jadwiga and Feliks's presence to keep from growling outright.]

[Feliks stands near the back for the moment, letting the more combat-trained members of the assembled company take the lead positions. Most of his strong attacks are ranged, anyway. He contemplates using Misty Terrain to keep anybody from being poisoned, but it's not exactly something he can do inconspicuously. Best to just toss it out there immediately if a fight does break out.]

Maybe not cure, but like, there are ways to make things easier, right? And like she said, we want to help you out!

No. You certainly couldn't know what I've been through.

[His voice is disdainful, practically spitting the words back at Elly. Clearly, this is a man who has suffered much. Or at least he seems to think so.]

I used to be someone. I had money, whatever Pokemon I desired, political connections, powerful friends... I had whatever I wanted. I had it all. And I could have had more. So much more. The Enhanced project would have made my life truly perfect. Something like this was never supposed to happen to someone like me.

[As he continues, it's very apparent that this fellow sincerely believes he's been dealt a bad hand, and that he doesn't deserve his current lot in life. It's a clear sense of entitlement by a greedy jerk who didn't know any better and didn't care.]

But now, I'm no one. I'm worse than no one. All I am now... is a freak!

[At that last word, the foliage surrounding the Enhanced finally drops, revealing his true form. It's easy to see how this could have once been a handsome man - his form lithe, features soft, hair long and flowing - but it is a form corrupted by the Enhancement process. Up close, it's easy to see that his skin is too pale, his body too thin and spindly... every feature has been warped and twisted into something as ugly on the outside as he is on the inside. And behind that fringe of white hair, a sickly purple light pulses in the middle of his forehead.]

Look at me now! Look at me! Is this what you expected to see? Is this a face you would be kind to?

[The man trembles, fists clenched at his side, eyes watching the group very carefully for their reactions.]

[ Very very quietly. ]

His name is Florian, and you may have guessed he is both poison and fairy types. He had volunteered due to ... a wish for a fairy typing.

Caution is recommended, as he is easily set off.

[ ... Which is why he's talking quietly, and hopefully a little more tactfully than "he was vain and wanted to be pretty like a fairy type". ]

[Fei sighs and mutters to himself. This guy was a bit...

The typing was really bad for him too. He sticks to the back and doesn't do anything, although he's ready to jump in if needed.]

Event - Confrontation with the Enhanced

Forest Shrine

Forest Shrine

Re: Forest Shrine

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best I could do on the pb front, just imagine Ghirahim is a little creepier

Friendly nerd interruption : voice

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