SCHEDULED RUNNING PERIOD: UNTIL OCTOBER 31ST, 11:59PM PST

ROUTE 102 & 104

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SKIRMISH SCENARIO

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🎼 Hoenn Frontier Brain – Pokemon Masters EX

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THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER AND ONWARD, Team Rocket and the League clash on Route 102 and 104. These bosky paths are lush with forest and ponds, and the latter is flanked by the eastern sea. These crucial areas lead to League controlled cities, RUSTBORO & OLDALE.[break][break]

Civilians are encouraged to stay away from these areas for their safety. However, some enterprising trainers may not be able to help themselves, for battle hardened Pokemon roam here still, attracted to the ongoing carnage.[break][break]

The mayhem is made worse by the sudden appearance of AN ARTIFICIAL POWER SPOT on these routes and in Petalburg City. Trainers and their Pokemon who have mastered the use of their Dynamax Band find themselves wielding a devastating advantage.

NOTE: On our site, the Hoenn is much larger than depicted in the games. Route 102 and Route 104 are expanded in scope, allowing for flexibility in terms of how your characters interface and threads that may not be "skirmish-based".

OOCLY, skirmishes are limited mini-MP threads used to narratively represent the continuous back and forth between the two factions.

OBJECTIVES

THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES are guiding prompts for your Skirmishes. Feel free to divert from these setups, but please keep in mind Skirmishes should feature war-related conflict of some kind.

LEAGUE: Prevent Team Rocket from making inroads into Rustboro City and Oldale Town. Scout the area for hostiles and enemy war camps and direct any intel of concern to Gym Leader CIAN MAHER and/or Gym Leader Hideo Kino. Set up defensive barricades and claw back any territory that may be lost, while rescuing any Pokemon or civilians that may be caught in the crossfire or captured.

TEAM ROCKET: Attempt to seize more ground for Team Rocket's glory. Push back League trainers and their Pokemon, while preparing for territorial advancement with camps. Utilize abandoned secret bases repurposed for Team Rocket's aims. Capture wild Pokemon in the area for Team Rocket to use in their subsequent invasions.

CIVILIANS: You are caught in the crossfire between the League and Team Rocket for one reason or another. League forces will attempt to rescue or redirect you to safety, while Team Rocket may attempt to capture you for their own uses. If you are an enterprising trainer attempting to make a name for themselves regardless of affiliation, this battleground is a tumultuous, chaotic reminder that war is no playground. Even in the Pokemon world.

MP SYSTEM

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MERIT POINT (MP) SYSTEM

THE MP SYSTEM will be utilized in your "Skirmishes: Petalburg" threads. The MP System is an event exclusive feature that rewards the writer with merit points for fulfilling particular objectives, prompts, and using on-site mechanics.

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• The MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF MP that can be earned from this Skirmishes event is 3000 MP.
• MP can be saved for future MP events (KEEP TRACK OF YOUR TOTALS).
• MP can be used to redeem rewards from the Skirmish MP shop.
• MP can be earned by completing Skirmish posts and MP prompts.
• MP can be earned by completing Skirmish threads.

This system is inspired by an older Pokemon site, Predormitum. On that site, they called it "War Effort Points (WEP)".[break][break]

The MP System is designed to encourage several things:[break][break]

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• Rewarding acquisition and use of on-site mechanics (e.g. mega evolution)
• Relieving anxiety around "winning" and "losing".
• Exploration of character weakness and vulnerability.
• Development of character relationships and connectivity.
• Development of conflict, themes, and character motivation.

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To earn MP, utilize the prompts listed in the box below. For best practice, keep track of your MP gain in your Skirmish in your post's notes.[break][break]

The limited mission, SIDE-SKIRMISH: PETALBURG, is not a MP thread.

NOTE: MP PROMPTS DO NOT STACK

MP PROMPTS

BELOW IS A LIST OF PROMPTS you can use in your Skirmish threads to earn MP. Click on the SPOILER link to expand the list of prompts.[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

MECHANIC-BASED MP (ONCE PER THREAD)

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• 10 MP have your pokemon set weather, terrain, or a magic, trick, or wonder room in your thread.
• 25 MP have your pokemon be inflicted with a status condition by an opposing pokemon.
• 10 MP use a starmobile, shadow, illumina or toxic chain pokemon in your thread.
• 10 MP mega evolve your own pokemon in your thread.
• 10 MP have your own pokemon use a z-move in your thread.
• 10 MP terastallize your own pokemon in your thread.
• 50 MP terastallize your own pokemon into the stellar-type in your thread (does not stack with terastallize prompt above).
• 50 MP dynamax your own pokemon in your thread.
• 25 MP break at least three dynergy segments in your thread.
• 50 MP use an active sygna suit in your thread.
• 50 MP use a legendary, mythical, ultra beast, paradox pokemon in a way that reflects your character or highlights another character.
• 25 MP for knocking out another Pokemon in your skirmish thread.
• 50 MP for getting your Pokemon knocked out in your skirmish thread.
• 50 MP have all of your character's Pokemon be knocked out or killed.
• 100 MP for getting your Pokemon killed (does not stack with KO) in your skirmish thread.

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NARRATIVE-BASED MP (ONCE PER THREAD)

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• 25 MP include a theme song or visual involving your character meaningfully in your post.
• 50 MP have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC.
• 50 MP showcase your own character's strength(s) meaningfully.
• 50 MP showcase your own character's weakness(es) meaningfully.
• 50 MP have your character directly or indirectly spotlight another writer's character's strengths.
• 50 MP have your character be injured by another's pokemon directly or indirectly.
• 50 MP involve the pokeballs of your pokemon in a meaningful way (e.g. type of pokeball described to reflect the pokemon or character, damaging them, seizing them).
• 50 MP describe your character's pokeball throwing style.
• 50 MP have your character learn something from the other character.
• 50 MP have your character earn the respect of another character in some way.
• 50 MP have your character learn to respect another character in some way.
• 50 MP have your character "hit rock bottom" (their lowest point).
• 50 MP have your character self-doubt or cast doubt on another's confidence/allegiances/beliefs, etc.
• 50 MP have your character reflect on why they're fighting/reflect on their loyalties.
• 50 MP have your character attempt to or successfully take revenge in some way.
• 50 MP have your character become inspired or consoled by another writer's character (tag them).
• 50 MP have your character make a regrettable decision or make a sacrifice.
• 50 MP have your character's Pokemon symbolize or represent in some way, the condition of your character.
• 50 MP showcase a meaningful moment between your character and their Pokemon.
• 50 MP reference (tag) another character that is not in your thread in a meaningful way.
• 50 MP have your character recall a past thread or event that they have participated in or not (link the thread).
• 50 MP include a motif or recurring symbol of some kind in your thread.
• 50 MP pace your narrative accordingly by featuring a "back and forth" in terms of advantage and raising the stakes until the climax.

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POST/COMPLETION-BASED MP

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• 10 MP per IC post in your Skirmish thread.
• 25 MP for completing your Skirmish thread.
• 50 MP for "winning" or having a "positive" outcome for your character and their Skirmish thread.
• 100 MP for "tying" or having a "neutral" outcome for your character and their Skirmish thread.
• 150 MP for "losing" or having a "negative" outcome for your character and their Skirmish thread.
• 150 MP for having Rocket and League characters and faction-based conflict in the thread (no NPCs).

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The BARE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF MP RECEIVED from a completed Skirmish thread should be 125 MP.[break][break]

Writers must decide whether they want to spend or save their characters' Merit Points for MP shop purchases and/or for future events utilizing MP.[break][break]

WARNING: Ensure that you are fulfilling these prompts meaningfully out of respect for your own writing and your writing partner's. Attempting to shove every single prompt into a single thread will likely result in a choppy, incoherent and incohesive narrative.

LINK TO SKIRMISH MP SHOP

NEW AWARDS

AWARDS RELATED TO THE MP SYSTEM have now been published. These awards can only apply to MP threads and events made from "Skirmishes: Petalburg" and onward.

RULES & GUIDELINES

GENERAL RULES

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES. If you have any questions, feel free to ask shiv in Discord or on site.[break][break]

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• Please include a Skirmish tag to your thread titles. E.g. "PUYO PUYO PANIC (SKIRMISH)" or "LOUIS VS LESTAT [SKIRMISH]".
• Completing a Skirmish thread will grant your character with 100 PD.
• Skirmish threads do not need to feature characters of the opposite faction. However, it is heavily encouraged. Skirmish threads that feature League and Rocket characters in faction-based conflict reward extra MP (150).
• Your character can only participate in THREE SKIRMISH THREADS for MP threads. Your character can participate in additional Skirmish threads, but they will not earn MP for them. Please do not start new Skirmish threads until you have completed your first three.
• A mission called, "Side Skirmish: Petalburg" has been created if you would like to explore the scenario provided by Skirmishes outside of those three threads. Of course, social threads set around this scenario can also be created freely. In the mission and social threads, MP can not be earned.[break][break]
  
  This mission can be applied to Skirmish threads taken by characters who have completed past the maximum of three Skirmish threads. However, please note that this mission will not stack on top of the regular Skirmish thread rewards.
• SKIRMISH THREADS must have a minimum of 5 POSTS PER CHARACTER/WRITER to count as COMPLETED.
• More than two characters can be in a Skirmish thread; however, your character must reach 5 posts so they can receive MP for completion.[break][break]
  
  In these threads, WINS, LOSSES, or TIES can either be assigned per faction (e.g. League win; Rocket loss) or on an individual basis (e.g. in a thread involving four people, there are two winners, two losers, with varying faction allegiances).
• Be mindful of how many MP threads you take across all of your characters. If you can not complete your Skirmish threads, depending on the circumstance, all MP gain may be nullified as a consequence.
• You are not confined to raid battling limitations for these threads (e.g. you can use more than one move per post, etc.). Just ensure that you COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR RP PARTNER(S).
• A Pokemon death requires consent from the all involved players.

FAQ / PVP HELP

BELOW, frequently asked questions and their answers have been provided. Click on the SPOILER tag to reveal the questions.[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

WHY DO LOSSES PROVIDE MORE POINTS THAN WINS? HOW WERE THE NEEDED TOTALS DETERMINED?

One reason why losses provide more points to alleviate or balance particular tensions in roleplay OOCly and ICly such as ego and point gain. However, the values have been determined after consider the playstyles of participating players, their activity, and the number of League vs Rocket.[break][break]

Remember, there are other ways to gain points in your threads apart from the outcome of a battle. Furthermore, you can consider the invisible contributions of faction NPCs such as officers, rangers, and grunts fighting alongside your characters on the battlefield.[break][break]

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IN BATTLE?

A Pokemon battle can be a traditional combat between two Pokemon and their trainers. However, you can consider the following to spice your combat up:[break][break]

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• varying the number of Pokemon out on the field (2v2, 3v1, etc.).
• using the environment (using cover, throwing objects, causing obstructions).
• every post does not need to have a pokemon battle element to it. consider pauses in battle for dialogue, reflection, etc.
• consider varying the environment of battle (e.g. on a rooftop, in the sky, during a chase).
• your characters may attempt to physically attack each other.
• any weapon use must be okayed with your rp partner; however, remember, pokemon are always more effective than humanmade weapons.
• consider verbal arguments, contests of morality conveyed through dialogue, pleas and condemnation, etc.

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WHAT CAN A WIN LOOK LIKE?

Apart from defeating your opponent's Pokemon, "winning" can encompass a variety of narrative beats. For example, securing or sabotaging an objective, stealing a prized possession, triumphing over another's philosophy/taking a higher moral ground, etc.[break][break]

WHAT CAN A LOSS LOOK LIKE?

Losing can encompass a variety of narrative conclusions. Apart from all or some of your characters' Pokemon fainting, one can consider options such as retreat, being unable to escape, becoming too injured to carry on.[break][break]

WHAT IF MY RP PARTNER DEFAULTS/GHOSTS/AFKS?

If your RP partner has defaulted, please let shiv know. You will be able to choose the outcome in collaboration with your remaining partners if applicable.[break][break]

WHAT IF I DON'T WANT MY CHARACTER'S IDENTITY TO BE GIVEN AWAY?

"Wear a mask."[break][break]

I'M HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY RP PARTNER. WHAT DO I DO?

First, give them the benefit of the doubt and try to communicate with them. If communication does not work, message staff and we will try to mediate or deliberate on an issue or outcome.

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PVP-CENTRIC GUIDELINES

THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES are focused on the player versus player aspect. These rules have been created to ensure the smoothest running of this event from my side and to keep into account, the enjoyment of all roleplayers and of the hobby itself.[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

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• If your writing partner(s) do not communicate with you or show signs of having "ghosted", please skip them and/or make plans to create another Skirmish thread. Alert shiv, for he takes into account writers who chronically do not follow through on these threads.
• Avoid godmodding, meaning taking control of another player's character or Pokemon during roleplay. This is sometimes called powerplaying. Examples and tips can be found here: FORUM ROLEPLAY: POWERPLAY.[break][break]
  
  POWERPLAYING INVINCIBILITY can be committed in various ways: an unwillingness to get hit and an unwillingness to miss.
• Unless plotted out beforehand, it ICly makes sense, or your character and their Pokemon have been outstrategized or outsmarted entirely, try to allow some GIVE AND TAKE in your battles. This means, battles should have highs and lows, hits and misses, for all involved. Characters and their Pokemon are not perfect.
• I will NOT TOLERATE complaints revolving your IC-opponents' perceived levels of power, disparity of power, a player's experience in battle RP and more.[break][break]
  
  Even if they are seasoned trainers ICly, possess legendary or mythical Pokemon, or are avatars, you can still create meaningful narratives in this event and your threads. You and your characters are not helpless.
• If you find your ego being bruised or anxiety rising to a level you can not manage, there is no shame in FORFEITING or LEAVING THE EVENT.
• Avoid labeling other characters' moves, actions, behaviours with certainty (e.g. Player of Character A writing that Character B is being desperate). Understand that players may not have their character "perform optimally" because characters make human mistakes/the player may be generously granting you openings while providing space for narrative progression.
• Considering parameters set by particular past mediations and social contracts, I will NOT TOLERATE OOC drama/relationship complications/conflict disrupting the event.[break][break]
  
  I will REMOVE PLAYERS who instigate or dwell on it OOCly. Inevitably, your characters will be in the same areas. You must let go and move on.
• If you need assistance with battle RP, progressing conflict narratives in creative manners, etc., feel free to ASK FOR HELP! You can do this in Discord or through a private message to me, SHIV.
• Mod deliberations are final.