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5'4" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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POSTED ON May 7, 2023 5:34:36 GMT

Shalin had been to the extreme corners of Hoenn in her grand quest to uncover some of Hoenn's most forbidden secrets she felt would give the League a much-needed edge in the war against Team Rocket. She had been to some of the roughest peaks in the region, which she could not have done without the help of the Birdfather, Alexei Ivanov . She had been to the depths of a serpentine swamp cave alongside Keenan Toral . She had been to the depths of the Iceborne Mirage's prison with Altagracia Contreras . She had escaped a massive pyramid buried underneath the sands of old with Ashley Shepard . She had braved the reality-defying, hot-and-cold Mirage Palace with Julia Davis . She had overcome a triad of dragon trials with Isaac Merlo . And most recently, she had recovered the Ethereal Medallion from the depths of a dangerous chasm underneath Mt. Pyre, and she would never have done it without THEO BECKETT 's help.

And now, just one medallion remained.

"One in the hottest, fiercest depths of Hoenn's red earth..."

This last medallion, before she had even found the exact location of the so-called Death Crater that housed it, proved very difficult to locate, and even more so to reach. Even surveying Mount Chimney was proving to be a severe challenge; the extreme heat the bubbling crater radiated made the burning chambers of the Mirage Palace feel like an icebox by comparison. She had to strap her Vaporeon, Rielle, onto her Flygon's back just to extend the amount of time she could explore before feeling the effects of heat exhaustion. Even then, it was an extension and not indefinite. No matter what, that Vaporeon was crucial to Shalin's survival; if Rielle ever became incapacitated while she was inside the crater, both were going to die.

The location was underneath a dome of magma that had been flash-frozen during an unknown event in Hoenn's ancient past. There was rampant speculation that this dome was created from a clash of the region's two Primals, but there was no evidence supporting this theory, nor would any evidence likely ever come to light. What was clear was even getting to Death Crater would be far more dangerous than even the insides of the seven Medallion locations she had already scoured. And that was just getting to the entrance.

Perhaps the most terrifying thing she had discovered alongside Ashley Shepard was the lack of typical signage from the Rangers. It was a grim, spine-tingling indication that the level of danger this last task would put Shalin in was far beyond even that of a Hard No-Rescue Zone. This was a delve so dangerous that Rangers were not comfortable attempting to leave signage warning others to stay away. It gave even the reckless Wildest Rider in Hoenn pause. If this was just a personal quest for her, she would have abandoned it here.

This wasn't just for her, though. This was for the League. And for Hoenn.

As Shalin and her partner, THOMAS FINNEGAN, were riding inside a gondola car, made possible by the efforts of MATIAS SILPH after a horrible Team Rocket ambush some months ago, she went over the game plan with the only person crazy enough to volunteer to explore the location of and procure the final key to opening the Halls of Origin. "You did bring lots of Water and Ice Pokémon, right?" she asked. "That's why I didn't want to ride all the way to the crater. We need to save as much energy as possible for the dive itself. Even getting inside is going to put us in great danger."

NOTE: This thread takes place in mid-February 2023.

Cillian Quinn

NAME SPECIES STATUS
♥♥♥♥♥♥
Shalin Human ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Kiara Pyroar-F Good
Treble Kommo-o Good
Rielle Vaporeon Good
Starr Espeon** Good
Letheia Ninetales Good
Sandy Flygon Good

{WC: 597}
{PC: 1}

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,901 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 7, 2023 6:04:41 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Perhaps a trip to something called the Death Crater seemed a little out of his element. But danger is Gavin's element. He's always craved the high that a spike of adrenaline could bring, but avatarship with the Nihilego-corrupted Lugia has amplified that need. He felt adrenaline and excitement with twice the intensity, at the cost of needing a bigger and bigger risk.[break][break]

So, actually, the Death Crater was perfect.[break][break]

He'd scouted Shalin Nariya before reaching out, gathering just enough information to decide that making contact under his well-known Rocket persona would not be a good idea. So it's THOMAS FINNEGAN, or FINN, as he immediately insists, that strikes up a partnership with the excitable young adventurer.[break][break]

"Of course."[break][break]

His voice is deep, reassuring in its cadence, the Galarian accent lending a pleasant lilt to the words.[break][break]

In truth, he'd thought long and hard about which Pokémon he might want to bring to a dangerous mission like this. He did not want to risk use of his Shadows, lest they be tied back to the well-known terrorist that was Gavin Merlino, but neither could he toss green Pokémon into the fire (literally) and expect them to survive. So, apart from the Heatran who would be at home in this environment and the Lucario that refused to leave Gavin's side since its resurrection at Mt. Pyre, he relies on some of his old hands and a couple of the new[break][break].

Hidden by clothing, the Beast Ball at his hip bears heavy weight. Lugia had not wished to leave him defenseless, a last bastion in case things went sour. With luck, he would not need to wake the legend from her slumber.[break][break]

"Finn" ties his long brown hair back from his face, the movement jostling the single, dangling earring in his left ear. A MEGA ACCESSORY, for Finn did not wear glasses as Gavin Merlino often did.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
🔗 PUTTING ON A FRONT

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] (E) HEATRAN (F) FLASH FIRE - SUNNY DAY / MAGMA STORM / SOLAR BEAM / STEEL ROLLER / BURNING JEALOUSY / HEAVY SLAM

💜🌱 (ST) FAOLAN (M) STEADFAST - AURA SPHERE / COPYCAT / FLASH CANNON / LIFE DEW / SHADOW WAVE / EXTREMESPEED / DETECT

💜👾💿 (E) GLACEON (M) SNOW CLOAK + ICE BODY - HAIL / WISH / SWIFT / COPYCAT / FREEZY FROST / SHADOW CHILL

[break]

🌱 (C) A!NINETALES (M) SNOW WARNING + SNOW CLOAK - AURORA VEIL / MISTY TERRAIN / HYPNOSIS / HEAL BELL / BLIZZARD / DAZZLING GLEAM

🌟 (G) CLOYSTER (M) SKILL LINK - SHELL SMASH / SUPERSONIC / WHIRLPOOL / HYDRO PUMP / ICICLE SPEAR / PROTECT

🌟🌱💜 (BM) GRENINJA (F) PROTEAN - SHADOW PANIC / WATER SHURIKEN / SPIKES / SHADOW SNEAK / SMOKESCREEN / GUNK SHOT / NIGHT SLASH

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played by

raikourider

She/Her

March 18

Ecruteak City

Straight

Expeditionary

Rustboro Captain

5'4" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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TAG WITH @shalinnariya

POSTED ON May 8, 2023 8:00:50 GMT

Shalin breathed a sigh of relief. "It's one of those places that if you don't do your homework, Finn, you can easily pay for it with your life. I've been to some really crazy places before retrieving these things," she cautioned as she flipped through the seven Medallions of Eight she had painstakingly retrieved from Hoenn's most dangerous corners. If Finn were to look at the objects each roughly the size of a small human hand, he would notice an ornate carving of a legendary Pokémon on their front faces: Tornadus, Yveltal, Articuno, Regigigas, Volcanion, Rayquaza, and Spectrier, in the order she cycled through them. "And this is the last one. But it's in a place almost no human could be expected to travel to. It's in the crater of Mount Chimney, which is exactly where we're headed." She stowed the medallions as the gondola car reached its peak, letting the two off. Thankfully for them, there was no ashfall to deal with - just the uncomfortable heat radiating from the bubbling magma far below.

Once she left the gondola, Shalin sent out a quite-large Vaporeon, nearly the size of those red-eyed Pokémon that showed up routinely in Space-Time Distortions. "This is Rielle," she introduced the saddle-wearing water-type, who was quick to crouch and let her trainer aboard. Once the green-clad girl had the reins in hand, a HYDRATION-fueled veil of water surrounded them. "This is why I had to order her saddle and bridle waterproofed."

Thankfully, she already knew where the entrance was. She pointed to a dome of rock toward the northwest side of the crater, a pair of large holes toward the bottom of the dome. "It's in there. You might understand why the Rangers won't leave signage there. To make it to the crater's entrance, you'll need a Pokémon that can both fly and withstand extreme heat. If you don't have one, we can ride my Flygon together."

Regardless of their arrangements, Shalin would lead the way around the crater in a clockwise fashion, giving predators like Houndoom and Typhlosion a very wide berth. There would be enough danger once they got inside. "Finn, check your supplies one more time before we go in and make sure you have everything you need." Hyper Potion? Check. Full Heal? Check. Max Revive for emergencies? Check. Water and rations? Check and check. All was good on her end. Steam started to surround the two as they got deeper into the crater, Turtonator and Rhyperior taking a bath in the crater's magma. As easy as surfing across the magma was in theory with the correct Pokémon, it would leave a human rider too close to the broiling heat source for too long to survive. Flying was the only way for Shalin. Perhaps Finn had a way to withstand the heat?

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

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7,901 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 9, 2023 9:35:42 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

"Mm. Lucky I've never been one to neglect my homework."[break][break]

There's a hint of amusement warming the scientists tone. Around them, the bubbling magma pits of Mt. Chimney warms the rest of him. For a child of Circhester, the heat is oppressive long before they've reached their destination... but he offers no complaint.[break][break]

He steps from the gondola car, wiping sweat from his brow.[break][break]

"I have my Aerodactyl."[break][break]

Not the DARK PREDATOR of shadow but a regular Aerodactyl, instead, who ruffles its stony wings upon release from its prison. It has been a long time since it's seen use, yet it still obediently permits him aboard.[break][break]

Though he'd already double and triple-checked his supplies before leaving, he complies with the adventurer's request, understanding the anxiety borne out of caution and experience. He opens his bag so that she might see what's inside — various healing items, provisions, and of course an abundance of water. That water provides much of the weight as he slings the bag back over his shoulders.[break][break]

A Glaceon grumbles as Gavin's Aerodactyl wraps its talons around the Ice-type; it's ICE BODY would keep them cool during the flight.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
🔗 PUTTING ON A FRONT

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] (E) HEATRAN (F) FLASH FIRE - SUNNY DAY / MAGMA STORM / SOLAR BEAM / STEEL ROLLER / BURNING JEALOUSY / HEAVY SLAM

[break]

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played by

raikourider

She/Her

March 18

Ecruteak City

Straight

Expeditionary

Rustboro Captain

5'4" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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3,475 posts

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TAG WITH @shalinnariya

POSTED ON May 10, 2023 7:00:07 GMT

While an Aerodactyl was fast and could take the heat, maneuverability could be a bit of a concern in the fairly tight spaces the duo would need to fly through. "That should work." She did have concerns about the Glaceon being exposed, nothing being between it and the magma when they were in flight. How tough was that Pokémon, if Finn had such confidence that it wouldn't overheat? "Alright, we need to go, and quickly. This air isn't going to get any cooler."

Shalin dismounted Rielle and hopped on Sandy's back, the Flygon sounding a hum with her wings as she stretched them. It was mere seconds before she could tell the difference without Rielle's HYDRATION protecting her. The very air around her was burning, as though her clothes could catch fire at any moment. "We need to go, now!" she urged, keeping speech short to keep as many embers as possible out of her lungs.

Once the two were in the air, Shalin spurred Sandy toward the tunnel at the base of the basalt dome, the Flygon's wings now humming loudly in swift, insectile flight. Approaching the tunnel low to the lava, the heat of the magma beneath Shalin started to cook her feet. Her own perspiration followed shortly after that. Having previously probed the tunnel with Sandy and a camera helped a lot, but seeing it with her own eyes was totally different. One false move, and she would be mere ash in Hoenn's tallest mountain.

The hardest part was ahead: while the tunnel widened, it also was filled with blade-like rock formations pointing every which way. They looked sharp enough to cut if impacted at high speed. Furthermore, the tunnel turned vertical, the north end covered in a rumbling magmafall. There was no dodging the ruthless elements anymore. Shalin bit her tongue wanting to scream from both her legs feeling like they were on fire. She felt like chugging several bottles of water when they touched down; it was a good thing she brought an ample, insulated supply!

After what felt like the longest ascent of her life, she witnessed a volcanic landscape that Shalin and Finn were likely the first in centuries to set their eyes on. Powerful fire-type Pokémon were commonplace inside the dome lit only by the reflection of magma's light, a sky of nothing but brown and black rock. Beneath the dome were many volcanic islands and islets of varying size, seismic activity making flying over the bubbling goop for an extended amount of time a risky, perhaps even suicidal proposition. The many tunnels linking the islands made the inhospitable place a three-dimensional maze of sorts. Magcargo and other magma-dwelling Pokémon populated a narrow, westward trail that would take the explorers dangerously close to the glowing, molten rock. The alternative was a narrow but stable rock span leading north, though it had its own dangers: it was guarded by Magmortar that looked ready to shoot on sight.

Had he not been a direct witness to it, Finn may not have believed that such a place even existed. Julia Davis probably wouldn't have either; if anything, she'd probably feel Hoenn's Wildest Rider was reckless for even considering coming here. But she had to, for Hoenn's sake. The Thermal Medallion was somewhere down here.

And she was going to find it.

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,901 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 11, 2023 15:34:12 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Rather than speech, Gavin commands his Pokémon with clicks and whistles, all the more to avoid the burning air from drying out his mouth and throat. Aerodactyl takes to the skies, following the Flygon as ordered, and the Glaceon proves its use by summoning HAIL. It hisses and melts in the too-hot air, but the Pokémon's ICE BODY is empowered all the same.[break][break]

This was not his Aerodactyl's first flight through a deadly obstacle course. It had been the only thing to save him from the grasping limbs of a corrupted Tree of Life, and it dodges the blades of rock with the same skill.
[break][break]
But for all his trust in his prehistoric mount, even Gavin's Glaceon cannot compete against the heat at the heart of a volcano. Sweat stings in his eyes and pours down the back of his neck, his lungs burn, his skin as hot as if he'd stayed for hours in the midday sun. It should terrify him, but in place of terror there is the rush of challenging his own mortality, and he lets out a triumphant cry as Aerodactyl's wings flare out to steady them at the top of the bubbling magmafall.[break][break]

It was beautiful, for all its danger.[break][break]

Gavin feels dizzy from both heat and high, grinning wide as he looks over to Shalin. They were not friends, would in fact be enemies on the field of battle, but there was a certain bond formed by narrowly avoiding death together.[break][break]

She might think he was insane. He probably was.[break][break]

Rather than using words, he gestures first toward his Glaceon and then toward the western passage. The Ice-type wouldn't fare well against a Magmortar's cannons, but its FREEZY FROST and HAIL could hopefully withstand the heat enough to scoot through narrow passage.[break][break]

Of course, he was open to Shalin Nariya's objections. She was the adventurer, after all!

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
🔗 PUTTING ON A FRONT

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] (E) HEATRAN (F) FLASH FIRE - SUNNY DAY / MAGMA STORM / SOLAR BEAM / STEEL ROLLER / BURNING JEALOUSY / HEAVY SLAM

[break]

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played by

raikourider

She/Her

March 18

Ecruteak City

Straight

Expeditionary

Rustboro Captain

5'4" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

3,475 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @shalinnariya

POSTED ON May 15, 2023 5:45:39 GMT

The Morse Code-like commands Finn gave his Pokémon were indicative of his skill as a trainer. He was certainly not one Shalin would want to lock horns with. It was a good thing the two were on the same side! They had to be; without each other, they would certainly perish in such unwelcoming conditions. "Alright... I trust you and your Glaceon," she said, taking a few photos of the exterior of the natural, volcanic maze amidst the FREEZY FROST and HAIL. Stowing her phone as soon as possible, Shalin hopped onto her Vaporeon's back, one of the only reasons the oversized water type able to bear her being her short, lithe body.

Even with the protection of the water-type and ice-type, the ultraheated cliffside was still... well, hot. Only it was bearable. Magcargo, Centiskorch, and Turtonator were all taking baths in the magma, enjoying the volcanic gases flowing around them too much to notice the duo and their Pokémon that would have burned up if not for the powerful Glaceon. A steeply rising tunnel in the back led the two to a much cooler, but still hot, wing of the crater, its basalt surface matching the texture of the dome. Was this the dome's inner surface keeping the volcanic ecosystem self-contained?

With the closest source of magma far below, this would be a good opportunity for Finn's Glaceon to rest up. Their vantage point also gave Shalin a good view of the west side of the crater. There were plenty of places where Shalin would be forced to hop on a flying-type or dismount, as a land Pokémon simply would not be a viable mount with how narrow some of the spans connecting sections of the crater were. The number of tunnel entrances she could see was staggering, too. Navigating the made that was Death Crater would require more trial and error than she could have ever anticipated, and with not only wild Pokémon, but the environment itself, wearing away at the stamina of her Pokémon, time was not on their side.

"Finn, if you give me a few minutes, I think I can sketch out a rough map of this place," Shalin requested. It would be less sketching and more entering squares on a grid in her phone, and it would have very few details given her stationary perspective, but it was better than nothing!

[player]http://noproblo.dayjo.org/ZeldaSounds/Oracle/Oracle_Fanfare_Item.wav[/player]

You got the MAP! The dark rooms are the ones you haven't been to yet.

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,901 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 16, 2023 22:45:23 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Each pull of breath burns his lungs, and Gavin takes advantage of the relative calm to retrieve a thermos from his bag, resisting the urge to chug its contents. He sips slowly, letting the liquid soothe his aching throat. He finds himself missing his short hair, glad at least for the ponytail that keeps it from sticking to the back of his neck.[break][break]

Though secretly relieved by her request for a short break, he doesn't express it, merely nodding his acquiescence. A map would be useful.[break][break]

"I know, you're miserable," he croons to his Glaceon, offering him some of the water. "You're doing great."[break][break]

The foul-tempered Ice-type only grumbles, though he does lap eagerly at the offered water before Gavin tucks him back into his pokeball to rest. His Aerodactyl perches on a ledge, seemingly unbothered by the heat.[break][break]

"I have a few options to deal with those Magmortar, if we decide to head back that way," Gavin says, as he watches Shalin Nariya fiddle with her phone. "My Heatran's Flash Fire could soak up their attacks, no problem. Honestly, she'd feel right at home here."[break][break]

He lets her out as he speaks, the strange Pokémon scuttling along the basalt surface like a spider.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
🔗 PUTTING ON A FRONT

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] (E) HEATRAN (F) FLASH FIRE - SUNNY DAY / MAGMA STORM / SOLAR BEAM / STEEL ROLLER / BURNING JEALOUSY / HEAVY SLAM

[break]

close tab

played by

raikourider

She/Her

March 18

Ecruteak City

Straight

Expeditionary

Rustboro Captain

5'4" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

3,475 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @shalinnariya

POSTED ON May 19, 2023 2:50:45 GMT

Once Shalin was done taking in the view, she continued along a trail stretching across the volcanic dome's western peaks; it was a small miracle these human-traversable paths existed at all. Perhaps the only other person that had even witnessed the inside of the dome at all was Ashley Shepard . and the kind of danger the sweltering environment presented was too much even for him.

Shalin gasped at the introduction to Finn's latest companion. "I've never seen a Pokémon like that before," she remarked. "It looks really powerful... and well-adapted to the environment. As long as it can fit in relatively narrow places, it will be invaluable here, I imagine." There was just one problem: the span the Magmortar overlooked was rather narrow. It was wide enough for a narrow-bodied Pokémon to carry them over it, though not a Pokémon like Heatran without a little creativity.

When she had thought she had came into a pocket of relative cool, the temperature began rising again, accompanied by seismic vibration. Blocking the way was a large magma geyser that gave off too much heat to get close to. It proved to be too much even after getting back on her Vaporeon, only letting her get marginally closer with the veil of HYDRATION protecting her. On the inaccessible east side was a huge, precipitously-placed boulder. "Look at that," she pointed. "I bet if we could find a way over there, we could plug up that geyser with that. Look how huge it is!"

With little else to do, Shalin led the way back to the Magmortar-guarded natural bridge that was simply too narrow for the Heatran to crawl on top of with its spider-like legs. "Flash Fire, you said? We could use your Heatran as cover from one end, at least. Sadly I don't have any Pokémon with Flash Fire here." After approach, it did not take long for the Magmortar lining the long but narrow span to aim their arm cannons at the humans. One strong hit would almost certainly knock them off the bridge and toward the sizzling, bubbling goop below!

NOTE: This thread takes place in mid-February 2023.

Cillian Quinn

NAME SPECIES STATUS
♥♥♥♥♥♥
Shalin Human ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Kiara Pyroar-F Good
Treble Kommo-o Good
Rielle Vaporeon Good
Starr Espeon** Good
Letheia Ninetales Good
Sandy Flygon Good

{WC: 353}
{PC: 5}

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,901 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 21, 2023 22:20:03 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Pride kindles in a gaze desaturated by grey contacts.[break][break]

"They're quite rare," he crows, smiling. "This one doesn't see much use; I'm far more suited to colder climates."[break][break]

As 'Finn', he didn't have to conceal his Galarian accent nor his distaste for Hoenn's heat. Even Hoenn felt cold in contrast to the center of a volcano, however, and it's only a lust for adventure that tethers him here.[break][break]

He nods as she explains about the boulder, then follows her back to the narrow path. Too narrow for his Heatran, ordinarily, but the Rocket underboss had a plan. A click of his tongue sees her curl into a ball, a STEEL ROLLER allowing her to balance better along the thin strip they had to navigate. Gavin's Cloyster takes up the rear — carried by the Aerodactyl, the duo work to PROTECT and deflect any cannonfire that missed the Heatran and its FLASH FIRE.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
🔗 PUTTING ON A FRONT

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] (E) HEATRAN (F) FLASH FIRE - SUNNY DAY / MAGMA STORM / SOLAR BEAM / STEEL ROLLER / BURNING JEALOUSY / HEAVY SLAM

[break]

close tab

played by

raikourider

She/Her

March 18

Ecruteak City

Straight

Expeditionary

Rustboro Captain

5'4" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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POSTED ON May 24, 2023 6:53:26 GMT

The wide-bodied, magmatic Fire and Steel-type was much more nimble than Shalin anticipated, its STEEL ROLLER letting it traverse the bridge with little trouble. FLASH FIRE rendered the medicine-ball-sized fireballs useless, a loud hiss causing Shalin's hair to tingle as she rode her Vaporeon closely behind Finn and his rare and powerful partner. While they were able to traverse the pass with little trouble, the bridge's sentinels were still there for the return trip. They would be even more challenging to handle in reverse, what with there being little to no cover once they left the tunnel the duo entered to escape the wrath of the Magmortar.

The black rock covering the edges of the tunnel looked very similar to the dome separating the duo's current environment from that of the outside world. "Finn, this reminds me a lot of the lava tubes of the Mirage Palace. The ones whatever civilization lived there in the past... they used them for geothermal power. I wonder if this is similar...? There's no shortage of geothermal power in Hoenn, is there?" Among Fallarbor, Lavaridge, and Sootopolis, the latter of which Finn may have been most familiar with, that natural source of electrical power was invaluable to the people that lived there.

The more Shalin traversed Death Crater, the more obvious it became that the magma flow around the place had an intricate pattern that would need to be understood in order to claim the Thermal Medallion. At the tunnel's lowest point, the two would be able to feel tremendous heat radiating from the natural walls on all sides of them; it was a sign they had wound below the glowing goop's surface. How this tunnel had existed for so long without collapsing from the pressure and heat of the magma surrounding it was a complete mystery. No more of one than mysteries surrounding many legendary Pokémon, but a mystery nonetheless.

The tunnel cooled rapidly as it ascended, feeling like stepping into an air-conditioned room by comparison. After peaking, their path forward sharply dropped at such a steep angle that it appeared only sliding down it was possible. Though there were left and right forks, proper timing would be required to take either one of them. Shalin consulted her digital map. "It looks like both of these forks go to different sides of the lava lake," she observed aloud, showing said map to Finn. "It's hard to say which is the way forward. I think the right path loops around more easily, but I don't know." She just seemed happy to be able to cool off... or at least, as much as their hellish environment would allow them to. She waited to get off her Vaporeon's back until a decision was made.

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

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7,901 posts

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TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON May 26, 2023 8:45:39 GMT

Tempest Quinn likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

"Mirage Palace?" Though acting as Gavin Merlino under the guise of 'Finn', it is Cillian Quinn's natural curiosity that shines in his eyes and softens his tone. "Where's that?"[break][break]

He wonders if any of the ruins Shalin Nariya explores have connection to Tempest Quinn's culture. How Temp might feel about it, if so.[break][break]

There certainly was no shortage of geothermal power in Hoenn; Shalin was right about that. Having lived in Fallarbor before his move to Sootopolis, Gavin had come to appreciate its worth. Not that it made this damnable heat any easier to bear. He's grateful for the cooling air as they ascend the tunnel, leaning over to glance at the map as his guide speaks.[break][break]

"Right it is."
[break][break]
Neither of them truly knew what to expect, but the hope of a slightly easier time spurs them in such a direction.[break][break]

"Hell of a tight window of opportunity. I think my Lucario can nail it," for Faolan was known for his EXTREME SPEED, "but do you have a plan? I think it'd be deadly to get separated in here."[break][break]

As he speaks, he recalls all of his Pokemon in favor of the Lucario; the jackal bears scars suggesting a dangerous life, but looks upon Gavin with intense loyalty and affection.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
🔗 PUTTING ON A FRONT

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] (E) HEATRAN (F) FLASH FIRE - SUNNY DAY / MAGMA STORM / SOLAR BEAM / STEEL ROLLER / BURNING JEALOUSY / HEAVY SLAM

[break]

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played by

raikourider

She/Her

March 18

Ecruteak City

Straight

Expeditionary

Rustboro Captain

5'4" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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3,475 posts

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TAG WITH @shalinnariya

POSTED ON May 30, 2023 0:52:42 GMT

"Hidden deep within Mount Chimney's Fiery Path," Shalin explained. "I don't know if it's Infinity Energy that supported the place, but it's... a place that's almost straight out of a fantasy novel. The bottom half of it is really hot, as one would expect a fortress making heavy use of geothermal power to be hot on the inside. The second floor, though, looked like it was in the sky, and was built out of almost pure Never Melt Ice. It sounds wild, but such a place exists. There's even a sign outside it telling Rangers that they shouldn't attempt rescues from within the place." She went on to describe the tale of her trip there, including that it was where she found the BLUE VEST she wore for protection.

"It would," Shalin agreed. "I would use Sandy, but the slide is too narrow for her." She sent out Starr, her Shiny Espeon the size of a small horse: big enough for a single person to ride on. "While it's not a true teleport, Starr here can Ally Switch with me if I don't make it. That way I'll have two chances at it."

Observing the Lucario's wounds, Shalin couldn't help but ask, "You've been with that Lucario a long time, haven't you?" as she prepared to slide down the dark lava tube. "I'm going," she warned Finn before sitting down and inching over the edge. The explorer picked up speed rapidly, ready to shift her weight to the right when the time was right. She let out a loud grunt as her body sailed over a lip on the tube's bottom surface, sending her to the right fork as she desired. Once she saw her trainer had made it, Starr followed her with little difficulty.

The heat picked up as the determined explorers descended, the sound of bubbling magma growing louder until it peaks, depositing the two near the crater's main magma lake. Starr touched down just in time to alert Shalin to the presence of hostile Pokémon around the corner. Quietly and carefully stepping closer, she peeked around the black cliff face to find several angry, battle-ready Centiskorch emerging from beneath the glowing soup. "Finn, I think we've got company," she whispered back.

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,901 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Jun 3, 2023 8:51:03 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Gavin listens intently to her tale of the Mirage Palace, eyes widening at the vivid descriptions of her experience there.[break][break]

"Giant Ninetales, huh? And there were Pokémon riding them?"[break][break]

It certainly sounded like something out of fantasy, yet he gets the feeling that Shalin Nariya is telling the truth. After all, this place was real enough, and he might never have believed it if not for seeing it with his own eyes.[break][break]

"Do you think we'll see anything like that here?"[break][break]

Rather than worried, Gavin sounds intrigued.[break][break]

Shalin sends out the largest Espeon Gavin's ever seen, and he nods as she explains her plan. The question about his Lucario doesn't seem to phase him; he'd braced himself for the fact she might ask, curious as she seemed to be.[break][break]

"I have." He fondly ruffles the fur between Faolan's ears, eliciting a grumble from the jackal. "He's my best buddy."[break][break]

That much is the truth.[break][break]

Shalin goes first, and Gavin waits until she's cleared the tunnel before making his own descent, at less risk of crashing into her should something go wrong. But Faolan is his trusted companion for a reason, and he grasps the Lucario tight as it lunges for the opening with EXTREME SPEED. Clawed feet dig hard against the warm rock, slowing their descent until they're safely at the bottom. Gavin thanks him with a look and a curt nod, disentangling himself to carefully advance toward their unknown destination.[break][break]

Not wanting to be spotted by their 'company', he sends out his stealthiest Pokémon- a Greninja who immediately sets up a SMOKESCREEN and disappears into its haze. From within, GUNK SHOTS are fired toward the hissing centipedes, looking to turn the tides in their favour with a war of poisonous attrition.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Shalin Nariya

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
🔗 PUTTING ON A FRONT

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] (E) HEATRAN (F) FLASH FIRE - SUNNY DAY / MAGMA STORM / SOLAR BEAM / STEEL ROLLER / BURNING JEALOUSY / HEAVY SLAM

[break]

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played by

raikourider

She/Her

March 18

Ecruteak City

Straight

Expeditionary

Rustboro Captain

5'4" height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

3,475 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @shalinnariya