Group RP Pokemon: Evolution Quest (IC thread)

To the west of Steamington was a clearing that saw the accessible path to the Fire Dragon King's lair, situated as volcano below the surface.

Like a spiraling staircase, it was only possible to reach the lava lake at the bottom via the stone steps that slowly descended into the pit. Unfortunately, due to the extreme heat of the lair and that the lava tended to bubble, rise, and spill out to the surface, it was usually impossible to reach the lava lake at the bottom. What was known, however, were the treasure rooms that contained the Dragon King's loot which were specially enchanted so that lava wouldn't spill into them. All that was needed was a simple rock smashing, and the treasure room would be accessible again.

As the party arrived at the surface of the pit, they could see the lava lake boiling far down below. The lake was calmer than the other day and the lava wasn't bubbling yet. The strategy was straightforward: descend carefully to the lava lake, engage the Dragon King below while Xuehua provides cover from above, investigate the treasure rooms, and - if there was time - the 'Sword of the Stars' the Dragon King supposedly had.

Atelier was already starting to feel sweat as he got close. Thank goodness he had taken a Potion of Cold before coming here...

 

As the group descended into the lair, Blacky could feel the air getting hotter and hotter. His Flame Amulet did help against the heat, but not sure if it was enough. Well, at least Blacky was neither a Leafeon nor a Glaceon. Why? Because those two branches of Eeveelutions would've had a bad time down here.

 

As the party took its first steps beneath the surface, it seemed simple enough although it became increasingly dark with each step taken downward. The only light came from the glowing lava at the bottom of the pit. The party kept going downward, uneventfully, until they stopped by at the first treasure room for a break.

@ChocoChicken
Atelier wanted to make sure that Xuehua was alright in particular. “You okay?”

 

Now that they're in a treasure room, Blacky couldn't help but wanting to see what kind of treasure was in there. He also had his sword ready in case it was a mimic, though.

(Neither Blacky nor I know what the treasure is in there. I'll leave it up to Wave and 122 for now.)

 

"...So far, all right. Just give me the word and I'll cast." Xuehua hadn't taken out the Orb quite yet - after all, "do not drop the incredibly precious and powerful artifact into the lava" was the one reminder blaring in her mind the whole time.

 

@WavePearl

(Maybe armour or items will do as treasure for now, or maybe stuff taken from Steamington. Any ideas?)

"Glad to hear it," Atelier replied. He clutched his tome and sword tightly. He wasn't exactly sure what to expect at the bottom. "If you're ever feeling uncomfortable, Xuehua, just let us know." In the back of his mind, he wondered why Xuehua was a little on edge, but he supposed that could wait for now.

Here, the treasure room was spacious and bigger than he expected. Piles of coins taken from Steamington lay about and closed chests were stacked in a corner. It also had plenty of breathing room, so there was enough air within that wouldn't cause suffocation.

Far down below, lava began to bubble at the lake.

 

(I'm good for now. Not sure if the rumored Sword of the Stars is even there as either a loot or a post-battle reward tho.)

 

(Xuehua would definitely be sticking to her staff for a while. She might consider a secondary one for other elements, but she didn't carve it by herself for nothing.)

 

(Maybe just some support items then... and I'll leave the Sword of the Stars to Wave)

@WavePearl @SAF @ChocoChicken

The chest that Blacky opened revealed a Reflect Barrier and a Light Screen Barrier, support items that would each repel a physical and a special attack only once for the entire party. As for Xuehua, she received a Teleport Ring that would allow her to jump relatively short distances after use, but the ring would break after about three uses. And Atelier picked up - quite randomly - a Perfect Apple, which was definitely too valuable to consider eating.

"Well... I'll take it, I guess," he remarked.

He then went closer to the treasure room exit to wait for the party.

Balance: 24,550C
Inventory: ?x Books and Novels, 1x Journal, 1x Strategy Book, 1x Fire Tome, 1x Ice Tome, 1x Water Tome (SotS), Ethereal Grimoire, 10x Geo Pebbles, 22x Gravelerocks, 2x Aloe Vera, 1x Perfect Apple
Equipped: Steel Short Sword

 

(Oh boy, Perfect Apple. )

"Okay, nice," Blacky smiled upon claiming the barriers. It means that he wouldn't need to use the respective moves himself until he used up the barriers.

 

(Had to pull another Mystery Dungeon reference )

As he waited for the team to catch their breath, Atelier made sure there was space in his satchel for the enormous Perfect Apple. What to do with it, that could wait. What was for certain was that the apple must not be burnt during this battle.

 

Seeing Atelier struggling to put his newly acquired Perfect Apple made Blacky raise his eyebrow in confusion. "Just what the heck is a huge apple doing here?" he muttered.

 

"Don't question it. Might be some late adventurer's... unless the Dragon King just got really hungry I guess." Xuehua slipped the ring on.
(While teleporting, can you teleport others with you?)

 

"Ah, okay," Blacky let out a sigh. Either way, a Perfect Apple in a volcanic dungeon is pretty much as weird as 100 Gravelerocks in an underwater palace. Or even weirder since the former is a food and food is technically burnable.

He decided to sneak a peek at the treasure room's doorway regardless.