Test 1.

[azumods]

VALOR Your arrival at Lake Valor is met with no fanfare at all, nor are there any obstructions; it seems that Team Galactic has moved on from here, the area devoid of activity and strangely-dressed people for the time being. The area is also largely devoid of water. There's some, in the area that presumably was the lake once; however, it can hardly be called a proper lake now. There's a massive crater in the middle of the clearing that that now-unobstructed path through the woods takes you to; it's refilled some since whatever incident caused it, but the water is only about knee-high at the deepest and generally incapable of impeding you much if you should choose to wade into it. Whatever you choose to do, there's a massive, raised area in the middle of what's left of the lake, a rock formation of some sort; it's capable of being scaled with reasonably little difficulty. An opening is visible in the rock face, large and gaping, leading inwards and downwards into a cavern system of some sort. Your exploration starts now; time to see if there really is nothing worth reporting in the area.

Comments

[takestheblame]

...hm...

[Well it's clear they won't get through by fighting. Maybe...]

Are we certain there aren't any other routes?

[He looks around, trying to find indications of holes or other tunnels that can lead forward]

[azumods]

[Unfortunately, it seems like there's only one way in, and one other way out - in other words, this is it.]

[takestheblame]

[Welp. That scraps that plan -- and is also good. It means there may not be any surprises awaiting them other than the wall of Spiritombs just ahead. It's good to have reassurance.

Everyone is doing their best to be civilized and try to communicate with them. Kiryu decides to leave that to them, for the most part. Once Daigo is out of his Pokeball, he gives him a simple instruction:]

Go ask them to let you pass. Be polite. Take a look further inside this chamber but don't go too far before coming back.

[Daigo looks back a forth between Kiryu and the Spiritombs for a moment, not enthused about leaving his trainer behind, but he obeys, approaching the Spiritombs and asking them to let him pass.

Maybe the simplest ideas will work, who knows]

[azumods]

[Sometimes it's good to keep things simple! Unfortunately, the Spiritomb will not let him pass. There isn't really enough room to try to sneak around them either. They're not attacking, but they definitely aren't pleased with the idea of anyone going back in there.]

[takestheblame]

[Well that was worth a try. Daigo returns, dejected. Kiryu gives him an encouraging pat on the head and decides to give it a try.

He's a rather straightforward guy, so unlike everyone else he's focused on getting through instead of achieving understanding. That's why he asks them directly, a hand still on Daigo's head]

I understand you're wary of letting us through, but it's necessary we meet the deity of this lake. How about you escort us at all times?

[It's not like they would be able to do anything the Spiritombs don't want, after all]

[azumods]

[The Spiritomb aren't moving from their spots and their lights are flashing a bit faster than usual. It's not the same yes or no answers some of the others are getting.]

[takestheblame]

[He's taking that as a no -- if they had agreed they would have stepped aside, he thinks]

Is there a reason why you don't want to let us through? Is the deity hurt?

[Solve whatever problem there is, if any. Be helpful, Kiryu, being helpful is always good]

[azumods]

[That will get them to flash in the same patterns the others have gotten for answers: yes.]

[takestheblame]

A hurt deity...that's a problem.

[A big problem. They won't want a bunch of strangers approach a deity that needs protection. Well then! Let's see...]

A few of us here have healing items. It's not much, and I guess your friend will need rest, but letting them heal the deity should be of help.

We all don't need to pass through. Only those who can help could go -- and I don't think it'll be more than four or five.

[Four or five from a group of twenty-something]

[azumods]

[That doesn't get a clear answer from them at first. Their lights are blinking and they seem to be communicating with each other, but eventually you'll get an uncertain no, like they're undecided.]

[takestheblame]

Would knowing exactly what we can do help you decide?

[Kiryu thinks he'd like to know what a doctor would do in a surgery to help his adopted daughter if she needed one. This is similar in some vague way, in his opinion]

[azumods]

[Once again, there's a moment where they don't respond, but eventually you'll get a hesitant and unsure yes.]

[takestheblame]

[Progress! This is a breakthrough! Kiryu nods]

Thank you.

[Time to gather everyone else and try to get someone to inform these ghosts what they can do to help a hurt deity, because Kiryu sure doesn't know how to explain potions and stuff other than 'we spray this liquid and that's all']

[azumods]

[Good luck, Kiryu!!]