Teamwork was power and thanks to it along with her Shuckle's contributions (and her fruit-flinging skills), Aero watched the giant Pinsir fleeing as the guide prompting everyone to do the same. "Can you at least tell us what's up with that giant Pinsir?" Aero called out as she joined everyone in the retreat while carrying Shell in her arms.

Once they were in the camp, Aero was amazed to see the inside of the tree was more like of a mini-town here. She saw that many partner Pokemon were wearing armor made of bug parts. She thought they were amazing, so it didn't take long where to go first. Thanks to her Armorer subclass that she changed before entering the armory, she helped the woman there create an armor (while trying to get through the Craft, Craft Evolution game that she witnessed for herself. Thank god she was a decent dancer) for her and her Shuckle.

While heading to the workshop next, she bumped into a seemingly scary man named orioncayge. While she wasn't very naive, Aero wasn't scared of Orion as she responded his greeting with a smile and wave. "Ooh! Thanks for the tip! I'm thinking of being a defense-type role of sorts. I think they call it "tank". Shell and I will make sure we will protect you and everyone else."

After grabbing some supplies at the workshop including the one Orion recommended, she arrived at the food hall with a declaration.

"Behold! For we are the guardians of Asper!" She shouted in a faux deep voice before reverting to normal. "What do you guys think?"

She silently accepted Tuesday's invitation as she sat down next to her while ordering Mushroom Mac and Cheese for herself and her Shuckle. Since they were her partymates for this dungeon, Aero turned to Rose Garden and Jade Jager and waved to them. "Hi, I'm Aero! I hope we can get along!"

Her Shuckle added with a happy cry.

DUNGEON: GAMMA ISLAND

Round 3

Clad in new armor and with bellies full of food, you leave the food hall and head back as a group to the main tent. A few minutes later your guide arrives, clad in his own newly-crafted Parasect armor. You can just see his eyes underneath the brim of his giant mushroom hat. "The scouts tracking Pinsir just got back," he says, "they tracked him heading East, so we're either heading for the Honeycomb Caves or the Venomous Marsh."

He looks around at the five of you, showing clear excitement at your new gear. "You all look great! Like a proper set of explorers." He laughs, mushroom jiggling. "Everyone ready?"

SPOILER: Click to show

{ARMOR AND FOOD BONUSES}
Jade Jager
CRAFTING: [tangent=This pointy armor is studded in sharp thorns that are as much defense as they are deterrent. Each time you are hit with an attack, reduce the damage taken by 10, and deal 10 damage back to the enemy!]Pinsir Armor[/tangent]
TESTING: Potion, Paralyze Heal
EATING: [tangent=Restores 50 HP and increases your Max and Current HP by 100!]Jurassic Salad[/tangent]

Aero
CRAFTING: [tangent=This pointy armor is studded in sharp thorns that are as much defense as they are deterrent. Each time you are hit with an attack, reduce the damage taken by 10, and deal 10 damage back to the enemy!]Pinsir Armor[/tangent]
TESTING: Potion, Paralyze Heal
EATING: [tangent=Restores 50 HP and adds 1 bonus dice to all of your mechanical combat rolls!]Mushroom Mac and Cheese[/tangent]

orioncayge
CRAFTING: [tangent=This pointy armor is studded in sharp thorns that are as much defense as they are deterrent. Each time you are hit with an attack, reduce the damage taken by 10, and deal 10 damage back to the enemy!]Pinsir Armor[/tangent]
TESTING: Potion, Antidote
EATING: [tangent=Restores 50 HP and adds 1 bonus dice to all of your mechanical combat rolls!]Mushroom Mac and Cheese[/tangent]

Rose Garden
CRAFTING: [tangent=This sturdy armor is the perfect set for a beginner. Each time you are hit with an attack, reduce the damage taken by 10. Your Bug attacks deal +10 damage.]Caterpie Armor[/tangent]
TESTING: Honey, Repel
EATING: [tangent=Restores 50 HP and adds 1 bonus dice to all of your mechanical combat rolls!]Mushroom Mac and Cheese[/tangent]

Tuesday
CRAFTING: [tangent=Horn on this armor hides a simple yet effective poison. Each time you are hit with an attack, reduce the damage taken by 10. Your Poison attacks deal +10 damage.]Weedle Armor[/tangent]
TESTING: Potion & Honey
EATING: [tangent=Restores 50 HP and boosts resistances. You do not take additional damage from Super Effective attacks!]Big Boy Meat Platter[/tangent]

As you're leaving the camp the guide points out the massive gashes on the tree's exterior. "That's not just random damage, those are territorial markings. That Pinsir marked our tree as its new nest." He sucks air through his teeth. "The big guy will be heading back to his nest to rest, and when he's back to fighting fit he'll return to finish the job." There is a note of steel to his voice. An edge to the usually jovial tone. "We've got to drive him out of the area before that happens."

You head through the dense forests, pushing through vines thicker than anacondas and climbing over fallen trees that are decomposing into hills of moss and mushrooms.

As you follow the Pinsir's tracks along the side of the fallen tree, you soon hear the scrape of metal. It's constant, legion, like a thousand workers digging a pit in the undergrowth.

You reach the base of the fallen tree, a massive hollowed stump that is swarming with Durant.

The stump is full of swirling green chunks, and a steady stream of Durant scuttle up and deposit their bounty in the brew. Chunks of lichen, sprigs of giant mint, and slices of fallen fruit all go into the massive MOSSJITO, and the air is thick with a pleasant, fresh smell.

"Oh we're in luck today," says the guide. "That Mossjito is almost complete. If we help the Durant out they'll definitely give us a hand tracking down Pinsir."

Objectives

Your PRIMARY OBJECTIVE is to assist the Durant in completing their giant Mossjito! You can add anything that you have on hand, or head into the forest and forage something to mix into the wonderous cocktail.

BONUS OBJECTIVES: Have a little fun! Complete these bonus objectives in your post for additional rewards (3 max per player).
1. Make an alcohol pun
2. Use with work 'delishimo'
3. Try (and fail) to ride a Durant
4. Find signs that Pinsir has been nearby
5. Sneak a sip of the drink
6. Compliment another player

The round will end in 48 hours.

"Oh shit Two, you good?"  

Orion would watch as Tuesday would fail to raid the Durant, but then bring back the mother of all mint.  This was shaping up to make a mighty fine adventure, and honestly it was probably going to turn into a rager.  Ants were getting ready to turn the fuck up and Orion wasn't one to turn down free bug juice.  Gil, on the other hand, seemed less than thrilled that some mysterious jungle juice had been added to the mix.  

"Boss!  what are you doing?  We could get attacked by the Pinsir!"  He whined.
"We'll be fine, I don't see any signs of him nearby, do you?"
"YES!"  Gil would point his body towards a large downed tree.  "Something really bug had to knock that down, and the sap bleeding down it says that happened recently no?"
"I dunno, I'm not a tree expert.  Relax, live a little, have a sip of Mossjito..."  he paused.  "Actually, this brew is too big, it isn't very Ito, it's el mosso, big and grande."  Gil let out a large sigh and followed after his master as he found himself working the same mint that Tuesday had started working.  He would take a few chunks of leaf and made sure to give them a nice thwap against the large stump before throwing them in.  "Speaking of, looks like we're working with a mix master here with Tuesday.  Practically found the missing ingredient right away!"  

"That or she's an alcoholic."  Gil quipped grumpily scuttling up the stump to help.
"Be nice," Orion warned.  "We're here to have fun."
"You're having fun!  I'm scared!"
"And why is that?"  
"Cause a big bug will show up and try to stomp on us.  How does that not make you nervous?"
"I am nervous he will show up,"  Orion confessed looking down to the bug.  "But I'm not gonna let that stop me, that's what being brave is about.  It aint not bein scared, it's not letting it stop you."
"Well I'm sorry I'm not big and strong like you!"
"You don't gotta be bud, you just gotta be able to do what needs to be done when the chips are down.  Bravery is like a muscle, but it's not a physical one, it's a mental one, I mean sheesh, look at the lil one."  He would jerk his head over towards Rose.  "She's having a blast, cool as a cucumber, bravest person here.  Calm down and have a sip of the juice."
"What if it's poison!"  
"What if it's a buff!"
"Well..."  Gil peered at the soup elixer.  "If I'm going to be brave, I'm not gonna be afraid of missing out on a buff and stand up to peer pressure."
"Good on you lil man, why don't you go get some more moss and I'll help wake this mint up."

Gil would wriggle off to drag more moss over towards Orion, who would sneak a sip of the drink while he was absent.  "Needs more mint." he quipped.

Aero tilted her head in confusion. She was too young to drink alcohol, but this next task involved one with a bunch of Durant. She has no clue how to help them make one, but she would try anyway.

First, she tried to forage some fruits by riding a Durant there. But it took 30 seconds until she got kicked out by it.

Foolishness aside, Aero spent a few hours foraging what she found there. A bunch of berries, moss, fruits... As she was about to finish, she ended up falling into a hole face-first. Her Shuckle called out to her above the hole in concern.

"I-I'm okay... Ow... That smarts..." Aero muttered. "What did I just tr-"

But she stopped in mid-sentence as she dropped her items and jaw at what she saw. Because upon closer inspection, she saw a large footprint. A footprint that seemed very familiar to her.

"Oh no..." Aero quickly picked up her items and slowly backed away with Shell. "We need to warn the others."

Without any hesitation, they ran back to where the players were and dumped everything she had in the mixture before turning to them in panic.

"Guys! I got some bad news! Ooh! That mixture looks cool, Mister Cayge!" Aero complimented orioncayge. But she quickly shook her head to get back on topic. "No, important! Now! Have you guys seen a strange large footprint in the forest?! Something tells me trouble's coming back!"

Shell the Shuckle (HP: 300/300)
Armor: Pinsir Armor (-10 damage and +10 counter)
Testing: Potion, Paralyze Heal
Food: Mushroom Mac and Cheese (Recovers +50 HP and 1 bonus roll in all rolls)

Bonus Objectives:
1. Try (and fail) to ride a Durant
2. Find signs that Pinsir has been nearby
3. Compliment another player

DUNGEON: GAMMA ISLAND

Round 4

Mint, honey, fruit, and citrus are carefully muddled into the drink. The stump bubbles and fizzes, and those that drank from the mixture feel it react inside them with varying results.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Little Sippy}
orioncayge - Resistance++
Each enemy attack against you is reduced by 10 for the next two fights.
Jade Jager - Resistance+ / Poisoned
Each enemy attack against you is reduced by 10 for the next fight. You are also [tangent=Poisoned Pokemon take 10 Poison damage at the end of their turn.]Poisoned![/tangent]
Tuesday - Damage+ / Paralyzed
Your attacks gain a +10 bonus for the next fight.
You are [tangent=Paralyzed Pokemon lose two damage dice (to a minimum of one) for the next battle!]Paralyzed![/tangent]

Poison can be cured by an Antidote.
Paralysis can be cured by a Paralyze Heal.

The footprints don't lie: Pinsir is close. The Durant lead you around in tight loops, circling the massive trees and passing through thickets of fragrant jungle flowers. Everywhere you see remnants of the Pinsir. Churned ground, gouged bark, and footprints in the leaf litter.

Before you can find the beast you come upon a tragic scene. A Spewpa is caught in his own web! The little larvae struggles, wriggling to get free from the sticky silk netting that he has somehow managed to become entangled in. "Hewp me..." he mutters, voice muffled by his patchy, fuzzy cloak. "Befow he comes back!"

But it's too late. The trap is sprung!

The ground underneath you ruptures as Pinsir unburrows, knocking you all back with titanic force as the battle begins again!

BATTLE: GIANT PINSIR!

HP: 2082/2500

This is a 5v1 Mini-Raid. Use your partner Bug Pokemon to defeat Pinsir in Mechanical Combat. Please use the Rolling Thread.

Your PRIMARY OBJECTIVE is to deal 500 more damage to Pinsir. Doing so will drive the giant bug back to its nest, allowing you a safe retreat to camp.

Pinsir's attacks have been predetermined based on your rolls in Discord, and are in the spoiler below. As always, every attack hits on UNOVR, so RP getting hit by the attacks and hitting back as dramatically as possible.

You can Guard and Dodge any of Pinsir's attacks, but you cannot disrupt them unless explicitly stated. If the enemy's attack is Super Effective, please add 20 damage to their attack.

SPOILER: Click to show

{PINSIR'S ATTACKS}

0: Dig: Pinsir digs underground. The forest floor rumbles and ruptures as Pinsir unburrows beneath you!
YAv1vMOe3d20 Ground Damage

1: Rock Throw: Pinsir uses its strong pincers to pick up nearby rocks and hurl them at players.
4d20 Rock Damage

2: Horn Blast: Pinsir charges up energy in its horns and releases a powerful shockwave that deals significant damage and also knocks you back.
4d20 Bug Damage

3: Earthquake: Pinsir slams its massive feet into the ground, creating a powerful seismic shockwave that ripples through the battlefield. This attack can be Disrupted.
3d60 Ground Damage

4: Vice Grip: Pinsir locks its pincers onto a player's Pokémon, squeezing tightly and causing continuous damage with each turn. The trapped Pokémon will struggle to break free while taking 10 damage each post.
4d20 Normal Damage

5: Pin Missile: Pinsir rapidly launches a barrage of razor-sharp spikes from its horn, creating a deadly storm of projectiles. If any of the rolls are a d10, your Pokemon is [tangent=Poisoned Pokemon take an additional 10 damage at the end of their turn.]Poisoned![/tangent]
5d10 Bug Damage

6: Guillotine: Pinsir focuses its immense strength into a devastating strike, aiming directly at the opponent's weak point. On a 1-5, the target takes a flat 50 damage. On a 6 the target takes 500 damage. This attack can be Disrupted.
1d6 Normal Damage

orioncayge (4,4) - Dig + Vice Grip + YOUR CHOICE OF A DIFFERENT ATTACK

Aero (5,4) - Dig + Pin Missile + Vice Grip

Jade Jager (1,4) - Dig + Horn Blast + Vice Grip

Tuesday (2,6) - Dig + Horn Blast + Guillotine

Rose Garden (5,6) - Dig + Pin Missile + Guillotine

Pinsir will automatically retreat after one round of posts if it has lost at least 500 HP. However, you are welcome to keep battling it. If you post additional times please roll a d6 in Discord for which attack Pinsir uses, and then roll for the attacks in the rolling thread.

Objectives

Your PRIMARY OBJECTIVE is to deal 500 damage to Pinsir. Doing so will drive off the giant bug, making it retreat to its nest, as well as rewarding you with necessary upgrade materials! However, if you would like additional materials you can complete BONUS PROMPTS or even attempt the HARD MODE.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Objectives}

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Drive off Pinsir by dealing 500 damage!

BONUS OBJECTIVES: Use the environment to battle Pinsir! Complete these bonus objectives in your post for additional materials (3 max rewards per player).
1. Get stuck in Spewpa's web.
2. Use an item.
3. Protect/Heal Spewpa! (Optional: Give him a little kiss)
4. Describe the effects of your poisoning.
5. Come up with a clever insult to destroy Pinsir's self-esteem.
6. Coordinate your attack with that of another player!

HARD MODE: Reduce Pinsir to ZERO HP!

The round will end in 48 hours.

Orion felt fucking great.  He wasn't sure if the fermentation had kicked in or if he was just rocking a placebuzz, but either way that Mossito was a gulp of liquid courage.  So as the expedition was moving forward, Orion was having a blast as he hefted Gilgamesh atop his helmet so the scardy bug could keep a better eye out.  The moment they'd spotted the Spewpa, the fighter was halfway to the web before the trap had been sprung.  Earth and vines parted as the kaiju rose from the earth below like the Underminer at the end of the Incredibles.  How he'd managed to burrow like that without anyone feeling or seeing anything was fucking wild, but that was pokemon for you.  

Needless to say Gilgamesh cried havoc and let loose a mighty warcry.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"

Orion was fast on his feet, energy pulsing within him as he rolled backwards and shielded the tiny healer from ancillary debris from the aftermath of the dig. He'd taken part of the initial blast, but between him and the armor the tiny terrorized tot was mostly unscathed. What came next well, was a barrage of attacks that had even Orion struggling to keep up. First was a barrage of pin missiles, which the fighter was able to mostly swat out of the air. The few he missed glanced ineffectively off of Gil's armor, and a few spikes had even been reflected back into the carapace of the attacker causing him some pain.

"You know." Orion would quip, keeping his body placed between his boy and the beast. "A pinsir attack works best when you have someone to work with, but I guess you've got no bitches and no bois to back you up, so you had to make do!"

Meanwhile, Gil had decided he was tired of this bitch ass bug's shit, and was charging forward. He could already see the cogs at work, and so he would do his best to help everyone he could. What had Orion said? Being brave wasn't not being scared, it wasn't letting it stop you? First up was that Chariot bug who he'd helped the first time around, he was an ass beater and he looked like he was having a hard time moving. He would pounce on his ally and strike his pressure points freeing up his poke chakras and helping with any potential gout issues he had before moving on. The Ninja lady and her Nymble were looking kinda beat up, so he would swing by with a vine and a twig and help splint any injured chitinous plates.

Finally he would dart forward towards the Spewpa. If Gil was feeling hurt and scared with all of this armor and Orion protecting him, he could only imagine how the Spewpa felt. Stopping by the web he would do his best to try and free the trapped bug.

"Hold on!" he squeaked. "I've got you!" He would lean down and plant a booboo kiss on the Spewpa's forehead, something he'd learned from his older sister Arachnae, before making an upsetting realization. Not only had he failed to free the Spewpa, but he'd managed to get himself caught in the same trap his charge was in. That was when the Pinsire whirled around and SNAPPED it's claws closed on him, ripping him from the web and leaving him caught in a VICE GRIP.

"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP" Gil shrieked.
"GIL!" Orion howled, charging forward to help his pal.

To Aero's horror, her fears came true. The giant Pinsir was back and it managed to get a jump on them by unburrowing below them. The force of attacks caused the young girl to throw off into a nearby spider web, trapping her beside the poor Spewpa along with orioncayge, Tuesday, and Jade Jager in the process.

"W-Wha-?! Hey!" She exclaimed in panic. "This is not fair!"

However, her panic was cut short when she saw that Spewpa was starting to cry. Aero couldn't understand what it saying, but she knew how it felt because of this turn of events. She managed to free one of her hands to pet the poor Bug-type Pokemon. "Don't worry, little guy," she said before kissing on its forehead. "We'll take care of that guy before we can free you." However, she noticed Tuesday's Pokemon acting a bit funny.

Meanwhile, her Shuckle was having trouble as thanks to the ambush along with an added Pin Missle, he was trapped in the horns of the Pinsir. While he was protected by its shell and armor, he knew it wouldn't last long.

Eventually, she managed to shake off her sticky bindings because she was simply stuck than tangled and rushed to her Shuckle's side. "You okay, Shell?" Her Bug/Rock-type Pokemon nodded despite the pain of Pinsir's Vice Grip. "Alright. Time to strike back!" She then rushed to the Pinsir in front of it before glaring at their opponent. "Hey, you ugly beetle! Guess what I'm wearing! It's better to wear it on a runway because your shell is as soft as a Snorlax!"

Yep, that's enough to piss the Pinsir off. This gave enough time for Shell to use Rock Throw in his attempt to free himself while Aero ran to Tuesday's Whirlipede with a Paralyze Heal on hand. "Don't worry. I'll heal you up for your trainer's sake," she said before squirting a bottle into it, hoping it might work.

Shell the Shuckle used Rock Throw! (Pinsir's HP: 1642/2500)

SPOILER: Click to show

{BATTLE LOG}
-144 damage to Pinsir (89 + 33 + 30)
-72 damage to Shell (72 + 10)
Aero uses a Paralyze Heal to Tuesday's Whirlipede

Roll

Damage this Turn: 440/500

Shell the Shuckle (HP: 208/300)
Armor: Pinsir Armor (-10 damage and +10 counter)
Testing: Potion, Paralyze Heal
Food: Mushroom Mac and Cheese (Recovers +50 HP and 1 bonus roll in all rolls)

Bonus Objectives:
1. Get stuck in Spewpa's web.
2. Use an item.
3. Come up with a clever insult to destroy Pinsir's self-esteem.