Monthly Plotting Post!

[these_balls]

PLOT DISCUSSION

TRAINER TIPS:
→ This is for general, game-wide or location-wide plots, larger-scale player plots, and general plotting ideas. This is not a CR meme.
→ The idea of this post is to help generate discussion, inspire, or plot out overall plots, as well as bounce ideas off of your fellow players and moderators. We will also be letting everyone know the overall ideas of what we'll have coming up, and you can give us input on those as well!
→ Please play nice while discussing things! Remember, it's okay to disagree, but be polite!

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Upcoming Mod Plots

[these_balls]

For the rest of July, we're focused on Outbreak.

The Bug-Catching contest won't happen on June 19th or 26th as they coincide with the plot days, but they will either move to the following Tuesday or resume in early August. (What would you guys prefer?)

More Training Center deets + some other random ideas

[islandshore]

Okay, so Riku's Training Center is still ongoing. I've got an IC Post that mentions it and opens up possibilities for brainstorming. I've also got a Massive Info Post that covers the roster, current services, etc. Prices are subject to change.

What I need: Characters willing to volunteer, be it as workers, builders, Pokémon caretakers, or Pokémon volunteers... or anything else you think would be good to have.

Additionally, there has been talk of partnering with the Celadon Breeding Center. Saber's player and I have already discussed this, so if any other breeding center peeps would like to help, coolio! Additionally, Riku may lend some of his team for breeding purposes.

During the Outbreak: I know Rockets are planning on attacking Celadon. Riku may put his 100's to work in an attempt to provide some defense for civilians and such. He's got like... 20+ of them chilling at the center, and he wouldn't mind renting some of them out for protection. Interested? Just let me know.

I'd prefer that these guys not get stolen for now, but if any Rockets wanted to confront them, they're welcome to. Just know that Riku spams TMs and tutor moves, making his guys kinda irritating to deal with.

Random side-note: An egg post will be coming up soon. I know a bunch of you were interested in Riku's stash of overpowered eggs. He just had to backtrack to grab his friends.

---

Other random plot ideas. These are kinda basic because they're just sorta 'what-ifs', but here are some things that crossed my mind...

First, I think it'd be super cool if we had another Halloween event that was borderline creepypasta. Lavender Town opens up lots of opportunities. After all, the people there moved a ton of graves to a tiny little building just so they could build a radio tower. Something involving restless spirits might be neat, but I know we've had ghost-related events before.

One thing that crossed my minds was like... just. Mass haunting and ghostly activities. Possibly with a return of creepy Lavender Town music (either backwards or Gen 1-- either would be spooky as heck).

Another plot idea that I think might be interesting is one where chars turn into Pokémon... but I realize that might be too similar to outbreak. I just think it might be an interesting source of karma because some characters are really cruel to their Pokémon, so changing into them and being forced to see things from their perspective might be fun and character-building. But, like with the ghost thing, it's just a random thought that crossed my mind.

But here's a big thing I want: More stuff for Kanto. It really feels like most of the fun stuff goes down in Johto, but for Riku, he's already been all over the region. I'm sure there are others who are more comfortable in Kanto, too. It's great to see the Outbreak spreading between both regions. It'd just be cool if there were other attractions to bring characters to the region. Johto has the Bug Catching Contest, Safari Zone, etc. Maybe there can be something to even things out a little?

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

I can see Apollo sitting off to the side smugly watching people being turned into Pokémon and being happy that they get to see things from the other side. And possibly going out and capturing people he thinks treat their Pokémon badly to show them what it's like. XD

As for Kanto... in Gen II/IV it really doesn't have anything going for it to begin with. The only thing I can think of it the Pal Park, and in Route that would really be just another Safari Zone with different Pokémon to catch. Poking around Bulbapedia for ideas of what could go there... Contests, Pokémon(-riding?) races (land/sea/air/triathlon?), a chance to challenge Red, special items, capture challenges (catch a provided wild Pokémon the fastest/with highest remaining hp/with the most style/whatever). Not sure how workable any of these are, but throwing them out anyway (while knowing that I wouldn't see the benefit of most of them just because of who I play -_-).

Re: Ghostly Creepypasta + Kanto

[soggypastry]

Something really big that would get attention, I think, is to have something stir up all or most of the restless spirits. This could cause both the massive hauntings and bring attention to Kanto. The main "graveyard" in Gen II was in Kanto, so if the source of the hauntings is there, it would make sense characters would go over to stop it. Especially if it spread to Johto and nothing would stop it unless the spirits were settled at the source, almost like plugging a leak.

Maybe bring in a Legend, too, to get more than just "we need to fix this" types involved; D/P flavor text mentions that Giratina appears in an old cemetary, so it wouldn't be much of a stretch for it to appear in Lavender Town, I don't think. It might be too big and cast off from the main idea, though, so that's just a thought.

[papasmellslikethis]

I'd love to have Charles help out at the training center!

He's just started out in Johto, though. So it'd be quite a while before he could make it to Celadon...

PokéGear software?

[eagletalons]

(is that really a thing)

I asked the mods about upgrading the PokéGear in the FAQ and they said that while the hardware cant be tinkered with, apps can be developed for it, and thanks to Sora complaining about how difficult it is to navigte, Hope's now gotten the idea that he might be able to program a few new things for it to make it more newbie-friendly. Ah, to be a genius.

So for my first question: What kind of app would you guys like to see on the Gear? The Route friends I have on Plurk suggested a Google Maps-like thing for Johto (and maybe Kanto too), and that's a cool idea, but I'd like to know what others think.

Also, if I do go through with the Google/Johto maps thing, I'm no developer and I'll probably have to fudge something for it, and Hope will need help because there probably no satellites in this world. Silver suggested strapping cameras on flying-types. More suggestions?

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

Icons rather than labels for illiterate characters? (Someone really needs to show this guy how to get it to read text and PokéDex entries out loud) ^^;

Some sort of counter-music program that makes a sound that cancels out the BGM? Forget what the effect's called. APOLLO WOULD PAY GOOD MONEY FOR THIS! Even if you had to buy each location's counter-music separately.

Also, I find the "cameras on fliers" idea more amusing than I prolly should. XD;

[idlewanderlust]

Soooo I don't want to jump into the cluster of threads above, but

If people want alternative music choices, I could hit up the im@s cast about it sometime once they're in a place that would be good to record their songs? lots and lots of cute and pretty Japanese idol music directly into your gear for a small price, yup yup. Maybe once they hit Goldenrod they can all head to a recording studio and go to town? I'll see about like... one of us arranging a post with music choices and stuff if people want it.

Could also have Hayate volunteer some violin music since he plays.

[exeggutorhead]

I had a plot idea involving Yamask! On Bulbapedia it says that people who put on the mask they carry will be possessed by the Yamask in question, which I think would be a really interesting thing to play with if that was taken to mean possessed by the person the Yamask used to be. I wasn't entirely sure how to handle getting the masks to the characters, though (a swarm getting interfered with, maybe?).

As for the possession aspect, maybe there could be a list of general 'types' of people, like farmer, servant, princess, warrior, etc. and an RNG could decide which type the character would be (this could also involve Pokemon Conquest) with the player headcanon-ing from there. I realize we've done things with ghosts in the past already, and the costume possession thing last Halloween, but it's something I think would be fun and hopefully different enough.

[icansolvethemtoo]

When in doubt, swarms!! Could be the Yamasks themselves under strange influences, or just out to cause trouble. I kind of like how this one doesn't particularly need to be scary at all, it's just different. Could be a neat fall plot, probably!

[bamfsecretary]

This is the best plot idea ever.

And you just know that they'd wear them (ie the Terrible Trio + France & Nanao). And swarms are always a possibility!

[usedwrench]

♥ How did I forget to comment to this earlier? ...Oh well, better late than never and it's not like I have much to say. So just saying that I like this idea a lot!

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

So, I’ve signed up Cobra here to attack the Saffron and Vermillion Gyms. I was wondering if anyone wanted to help him with one/both of those or get involved in that.

Game-wise, I wanted to suggest a couple of things, but they’re pretty vague. Maybe we could have some sort of prehistoric Pokémon event/swarm/thing in the future? Maybe involving the Pewter Museum?

My other idea is that maybe there could be something with the Ruins of Alph and the Unown. Maybe Team Rocket or just some random traveler accidentally does something and releases Unowns everywhere throughout the area?

Like I said, they’re pretty vague and just some ideas I’ve been kicking around for the past couple weeks.

Also on a way smaller note, I’m working on revising Cobra’s list of people he hates but that probably won’t get finished until after the current event.

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

Prehistoric Pokémon! \o/ *wants Apollo to have an Archen so bad*

Hm... Would the Unown do that weird crystal thing like in the movie maybe?

On that smaller note, it's too bad Apollo and Cobra won't be able to have a superpowered fight with their powers (he's level 2 fire, if you're wondering), since Apollo will be in the Ecruteak area during the event. I still want that horribly embarrassing fight to happen though. XD

[infinitejustice]

Well! Athrun is in Vermilion City, and he's not about to sit back and let someone attack a gym without trying to stop it -- especially the same guy who tried to blow up the Game Corner a few months ago. That said, I'm totally up for him getting injured -- he's well overdue for a hospital visit.

[allbend]

Hm! Well, Xion is in Celadon, but she just could easily fly to Saffron and see what's going on. Could we be involved in trying to stop this?

[islandshore]

Depending on when the gym attack happens, Riku might wind up flying down to see what's going down. He'll have level four fire powers, but I don't mind getting him a little roughed up. Even with his monster team to protect him, he's not invincible. :|b

A prehistoric swarm would be neat-- or maybe a rampage, given the nature of those particular Pokémon. I've actually toyed with the idea of Terror trying to lay some eggs and have them hatch into vicious 'dactyls, but I like the idea of maybe a revival attempt at the Pewter Museum going out of control.

As for Unowns, I think there was a plot like that at the start of the game, though I'm sure there's more that can be done with Unown.

[doitrockapella]

Man, I love Cobra's list of people he hates.

I picture it like the Burn Book from Mean Girls except with more Cobra logos everywhere and lots of furious scribbling in the margins and possibly some mustaches drawn on the people he's got pictures of.


(Also, more relevantly, a prehistoric event would be totally relevant to Carmen's interests and I've actually considered having her steal Pokemon fossils before, so. /useful information?)

[determinator]

These are all specific to the Outbreak plot, but this should be a good opportunity to build CR at least!

I have three Rockets participating in the event and attacking different Gyms. Abalon Demar will be attacking Goldenrod's Gym on his own (though I would love it if some other Rockets would like to help him out!). He has a level 5 in Water power, but I'm willing to let him get stopped and captured (and outed as a Rocket!) if he's on his own. If other Rockets are interested in working with him, I'm sure we can coordinate something! Abalon's Pokemon are very weak and can be taken down easily, but he's a very skilled magician back home and he knows his way around the battlefield with his own skills, so he'll be harder to take down than his Pokemon!

Second is Ryuunosuke Uryuu who has a 2 in Dark powers. He's going to be attacking Violet's Gym with the assistance of Peacock! (She doesn't have any powers though.) I'm willing to let Ryuunosuke lose battles however, I would prefer to have him get away without being outed as a member of Team Rocket. If anyone in Violet wants to team up to stop him and Peacock before they actually attack the Gym, that would be great! Ryuunosuke's Pokemon are around levels 50-60 and Peacock's are 30-40 (I think).

And finally, Archer and Kimblee will be doing their usual thing and double teaming both Mahogany and Blackthorn Gyms! They both have full teams of level 100s. Archer has a Psychic power of 1 and Kimblee has an Electric power of 3. Dal and I would prefer if these two get away with their crimes for the time being, but feel free to engage them!

Let me know if you want to do anything with any of these morons!

[friendyousohard]

I'd like to volunteer Twilight to stop Ryuunosuke and Peacock. With her level 70+ pokemon (not a full party of those, but as they include a Dragonite and a Kadabra she doesn't need numbers) and her level 4 Electric powers, she should serve as quite the roadblock. The thing is, she's going to put a very, very high priority in determining their identities, so she'll be doing everything she can to tear off their disguises, paralyze them for capture (hell-o Thunder Wave!) and basically just try to ruin their anonimity. Not saying she'll succeed, mind you, but expect clothing damage and maybe a forced retreat before she can unmask them. Also, she's a PGC member, so any features she notes about them will be sent to the Corps at large.

If that's all cool with you, then I think we might have ourselves a plan!

[meikyuubutterfly]

Hey hey, Redd and Abalon, take my new magical girl rocket with you? She hates crybabies like Whitney, so she'd be all fired up and ready to go. She's got level 2 electric powers, which could work well together with Abalon's water powers? Because water+electric is a good combo and Utau likes going all out with all of her powers in canon and in Johto too... She's also a very skilled magical girl back home, kind of dangerous too if she gets anything like a weapon into her hands (...uh, it happens a bit later in her canon, but she literally ran towards the main character in order to ... idk, hurt Amu with her weapon). She's also harder to take down than her pokemon (sob, for now, because she's new and all that >.>.).

...Though I kind of wouldn't want her to be outed as a Rocket, but if it happens... Well, then it happens. She won't care, she's used to criminal organization business+hiding under clothes back home. Most likely she'd run away before being captured etc.

...Also known as Hi, I'd like to volunteer this girl to come with you..."

[dreamsofahero]

I'll have to talk to Ryner's player before we could make any plans, buuuut Sion and Ryner are currently hanging out in Blackthorn and will be there at least for the beginning of the plot, and they definitely would not sit back quietly if they saw Rocket shenanigans going on. :D;; Ryner I know has multiple level 100s in his party, and while Sion has none yet he does have several who ware or will by the time be at 80+, and both of them got level 4 powers (Sion is ice, Ryner is electric).

Oh, and both of them wouldn't think twice about completely ignoring the "rules" of proper pokemon battles if it came to fighting a known Rocket (i.e. double-teaming someone, attacking the trainer rather than the pokemon, etc). So, y'know, there is definitely a possibility of this being a thing. :D

HOWEVER, I should note, that since Sion and Ryner attacking Rockets could potentially turn into a Big Deal, at least for them (which is why we've frequently deliberately avoided getting them involved before), iiiff it should be the case that it would be better for them to be out of Blackthorn/out of commission at the time that could also be coordinated, though we'd need to know details to come up with something. So basically EITHER WAY we should totally talk. :|a

[used_trick]

Mind if Harley tags along for the Goldenrod Gym attack? She's got level 2 Psychic powers so I was gonna have her using low-grade versions of Mirror Coat and Reflect, along with some basic telekinetic type stuff. And I'm definitely willing to let her get knocked around, as long as she isn't unmasked as a Rocket just yet.

[bellyshirt]

Luke could accompany Abalon and the others to the Goldenrod Gym, and even Teleport them out of there if things get hinky with his level 3 Psychic powers. That could solve anyone's unmasking problem--and mine as well, since I don't want Luke to get outed either.

As for pokemon...he has a Snubbull, a Zorua who won't want to associate with him, and a Magikarp. :|b

Pokemon Guardian Corps

[soggypastry]

Some of you have heard of this already; our old friend Merlin and a lot of other characters had enough of Team Rocket being mean after the Mag Train incident and decided to do something about it, which ended up with the Corps forming. We've lost Merlin and a lot of characters in the period between November and March when things finally took off, but I digress.

Now, the main idea I have is that, since there's little proof that the trash attack and subsequent storms had anything to do with Team Rocket but there's hardly anyone else who could have done something that widespread, Lightning is going to somehow make another call for people to come and join the Corps. This will probably come down after the Outbreak due to how much chaos that's going to devolve into, but "sign-ups" are always open, as it were. Right now, joining depends on being told about the Corps and then grabbing either Lightning or Ven and asking for "clearance", but this will probably change soon. As soon as I can have a long chat with Ven-mun about the idea, anyway.

But, in the meantime, if you'd like your character to join up or just to plot with the Corps in general, a current roster can be found here, and like it says there, we're an equal opportunity group and can figure out something for anyone. Want your hero character to kick some butt with other like minded folk? Chances are you'll get your chance. Want your Rocket character to make chaos for those that stand against your comrades and earn some points with the higher ups? You might just be able to! Want to make chaos for the fun of it? Chances are you'll get the chance to do that, too!

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

I'm definitely interested in Apollo joining up. He just needs to find out that Team Rocket hurts Pokémon and not just humans and he'll be all over that. Based on his and Cobra Commander's interactions so far, it's possible that Apollo's name will show up on Cobra's next list, considering how petty Cobra is. If the PGC gets a hold of the new list they might look into him to see what he did to get on Cobra's bad side? Cobra-mun and I are keeping an eye out for a chance at them fighting each other, which could easily get very public. I should note that Apollo's illiterate, so locked text messages won't work for him until he's shown the text-to-speech function.