I like MrRageQuit's plan, as it sets up Team Rocket to accomplish our goals by doing what comes naturally to them; being petty criminals until a world-threat shows up that they need to stop, at which point they get dangerous. They will likely cause plenty of trouble robbing nobles and having recurring duels with at least one group of Young Masters, but that's a feature not a bug.
[ ] Mote of light/Siri: Not a physical form, a small ball of light. You will always be there to guide their way, light the darkest moments, and generally be ever-present...but you will only speak when directly prompted.
[ ] Mote of light/Siri: Not a physical form, a small ball of light. You will always be there to guide their way, light the darkest moments, and generally be ever-present...but you will only speak when directly prompted.
If I were confident that you'd win, I'd make a plan similar to this but replace the Dex with the orb. But they aren't going to lose the Dex. not when WE are the dex.
Hmmm would this work as one of their rocket powers? Plus how much will it cost?
-[]Team Rocket Engineering: Team Rocket despite their failures are quite good at building machines to aid them (Team Rocket will roll with a advantage whenever building or constructing a Mech or machines)
If I were confident that you'd win, I'd make a plan similar to this but replace the Dex with the orb. But they aren't going to lose the Dex. not when WE are the dex.
Hmmm would this work as one of their rocket powers? Plus how much will it cost?
-[]Team Rocket Engineering: Team Rocket despite their failures are quite good at building machines to aid them (Team Rocket will roll with a advantage whenever building or constructing a Mech or machines)
Hmm... Meowth already has a mech-construction-adjacent skill. I'm going to nix it but offer
-[] Rocket Pilot: Over their long career, Team Rocket has piloted and driven a wide selection of vehicles and mecha. They've become proficient in piloting pretty much... anything. (Advantage when piloting or driving vehicle, conveyance, mech, piloted golem, or moving Castle) (4 points)
[x] Plan: last minute anti-heros
- [x] Consciousness
--[x] Mote of light/Siri: Yours is a visible, albeit, limited presence. Not a physical form, a small ball of light. You will always be there to guide their way, light the darkest moments, and generally be ever-present...but you will only speak when directly prompted. -[x] Rocket Power
--[x] General
---[x] Not You Guys Again!: No matter how far they Blast Off, no matter how many miles separates them from their quarry, Team Rocket always finds what they're looking for. (Roll with advantage when trying to track down a character or object.) (2 Points) ---[x] Just The Players In MyMaster Plan: Their personal schemes are nothing compared to their orders. Their Boss is the Boss. No matter how much they grumble, they will give 150% of their effort to enacting The Boss' direct bidding. (When directly following The Boss' orders, re-roll first failure.) (Synergises very well with Quirrel-style, but at what cost?) (5 Points) -[x] Jessie
–[x] Blissey. Jessie befriended her as a Chancey during her misadventures in Nursing School. Despite never catching her, they formed a strong friendship. (Blissey is a primary healer. She will remind Jessie of her youthful aspirations and encourage her to be better.) (3 Points.)
-[x] James
–[x] Growlie. A Growlithe, James' childhood friend and companion. He was always there for James. After they reunited, James bid Growlie to 'stay' to watch over his parents. (Extremely loyal, this Pokemon will remind James of duty and responsibility.) (1 Point) --[x] Write In: Stage Make Up skills. Hey. Remember that time James wore a -
-[x] Meowth.
–[x] Schroedinger's Move: Nobody actually knows how Meowth can talk. Sure, he taught himself – but is it an Ability? A Move? Just something he can do? (Explicitly makes talking one of Meowth's innate abilities. He will no longer live in fear of losing his ability to snark at his teammates because he learned Tackle. Makes it possible to teach speaking to other Pokemon/animals/'animals'.) (1 Point) –[x] Dat's Right: Meowth is ambitious. He's conniving. He's greedy. And yet, he'll put it all aside – put enmity and petty rivalries aside, when the Big Picture demands it, or even when he feels like it. He loves being evil, but being good feels good. (No inherent maluses when doing good deeds. It took Meowth a long time to admit to himself that he enjoys helping people.) (1 Point) -[x] Cheat Items:
–[x] Magic Weapon of Power: (4 Power Points)
—[x] Write in, subject to Veto: A Whip, for Jesse
—[x] Write in, subject to Veto: Shuriken, for meowth
—[x] Write in, subject to Veto: Smoke bombs, for james, a weapon in the correct hands
conciousness (30-4?)
general (26-7)
Jesse (19-3)
James (16-?)
Meowth (??-2))
[x] Plan: last minute anti-heros
- [x] Consciousness
--[x] Mote of light/Siri: Yours is a visible, albeit, limited presence. Not a physical form, a small ball of light. You will always be there to guide their way, light the darkest moments, and generally be ever-present...but you will only speak when directly prompted. -[x] Rocket Power
--[x] General
---[x] Not You Guys Again!: No matter how far they Blast Off, no matter how many miles separates them from their quarry, Team Rocket always finds what they're looking for. (Roll with advantage when trying to track down a character or object.) (2 Points) ---[x] Just The Players In MyMaster Plan: Their personal schemes are nothing compared to their orders. Their Boss is the Boss. No matter how much they grumble, they will give 150% of their effort to enacting The Boss' direct bidding. (When directly following The Boss' orders, re-roll first failure.) (Synergises very well with Quirrel-style, but at what cost?) (5 Points) -[x] Jessie
–[x] Blissey. Jessie befriended her as a Chancey during her misadventures in Nursing School. Despite never catching her, they formed a strong friendship. (Blissey is a primary healer. She will remind Jessie of her youthful aspirations and encourage her to be better.) (3 Points.)
-[x] James
–[x] Growlie. A Growlithe, James' childhood friend and companion. He was always there for James. After they reunited, James bid Growlie to 'stay' to watch over his parents. (Extremely loyal, this Pokemon will remind James of duty and responsibility.) (1 Point) --[x] Write In: Stage Make Up skills. Hey. Remember that time James wore a -
-[x] Meowth.
–[x] Schroedinger's Move: Nobody actually knows how Meowth can talk. Sure, he taught himself – but is it an Ability? A Move? Just something he can do? (Explicitly makes talking one of Meowth's innate abilities. He will no longer live in fear of losing his ability to snark at his teammates because he learned Tackle. Makes it possible to teach speaking to other Pokemon/animals/'animals'.) (1 Point) –[x] Dat's Right: Meowth is ambitious. He's conniving. He's greedy. And yet, he'll put it all aside – put enmity and petty rivalries aside, when the Big Picture demands it, or even when he feels like it. He loves being evil, but being good feels good. (No inherent maluses when doing good deeds. It took Meowth a long time to admit to himself that he enjoys helping people.) (1 Point) -[x] Cheat Items:
–[x] Magic Weapon of Power: (4 Power Points)
—[x] Write in, subject to Veto: A Whip, for Jesse
—[x] Write in, subject to Veto: Shuriken, for meowth
—[x] Write in, subject to Veto: Smoke bombs, for james, a weapon in the correct hands
conciousness (30-4?)
general (26-7)
Jesse (19-3)
James (16-?)
Meowth (??-2))
[x] Plan: last minute anti-heros
- [x] Consciousness
--[x] Mote of light/Siri: Yours is a visible, albeit, limited presence. Not a physical form, a small ball of light. You will always be there to guide their way, light the darkest moments, and generally be ever-present...but you will only speak when directly prompted. -[x] Rocket Power --[x] General ---[x] Not You Guys Again!: No matter how far they Blast Off, no matter how many miles separates them from their quarry, Team Rocket always finds what they're looking for. (Roll with advantage when trying to track down a character or object.) (2 Points) ---[x] Just The Players In MyMaster Plan: Their personal schemes are nothing compared to their orders. Their Boss is the Boss. No matter how much they grumble, they will give 150% of their effort to enacting The Boss' direct bidding. (When directly following The Boss' orders, re-roll first failure.) (Synergises very well with Quirrel-style, but at what cost?) (5 Points) -[x] Jessie –[x] Blissey. Jessie befriended her as a Chancey during her misadventures in Nursing School. Despite never catching her, they formed a strong friendship. (Blissey is a primary healer. She will remind Jessie of her youthful aspirations and encourage her to be better.) (3 Points.) -[x] James –[x] Growlie. A Growlithe, James' childhood friend and companion. He was always there for James. After they reunited, James bid Growlie to 'stay' to watch over his parents. (Extremely loyal, this Pokemon will remind James of duty and responsibility.) (1 Point) --[x] Write In: Stage Make Up skills. Hey. Remember that time James wore a - -[x] Meowth. –[x] Schroedinger's Move: Nobody actually knows how Meowth can talk. Sure, he taught himself – but is it an Ability? A Move? Just something he can do? (Explicitly makes talking one of Meowth's innate abilities. He will no longer live in fear of losing his ability to snark at his teammates because he learned Tackle. Makes it possible to teach speaking to other Pokemon/animals/'animals'.) (1 Point) –[x] Dat's Right: Meowth is ambitious. He's conniving. He's greedy. And yet, he'll put it all aside – put enmity and petty rivalries aside, when the Big Picture demands it, or even when he feels like it. He loves being evil, but being good feels good. (No inherent maluses when doing good deeds. It took Meowth a long time to admit to himself that he enjoys helping people.) (1 Point) -[x] Cheat Items: –[x] Magic Weapon of Power: (4 Power Points)
—[x] Write in, subject to Veto: A Whip, for Jesse
—[x] Write in, subject to Veto: Shuriken, for meowth
—[x] Write in, subject to Veto: Smoke bombs, for james, a weapon in the correct hands
The three Rockets all start speaking at once, interrupting you.
James' fists are clenched and he has a gleam in his eyes, "Our Pokemon, we are nothing without our teams!"
"Power! Unlimited Power!" Jessie cackles.
"Knowledge. Knowin' is half da battle!"
Hmm. They're lucky, you were going to grant them all three anyway. There is a flash.
James takes in a breath, and lets it out. "Something feels different."
"Somethin' is different," Meowth murmurs, staring at his paws. "Da powah was inside me the whole time…"
"Oh," James looks around the alley they've been deposited in, then up. "Oh."
You come to life in Jessie's hands. "Henisi, Center of Trade in the 'Boot of Power', and one of the most important cities in the League of Tonitr. Henisi is an old city, built to control and regulate the canals that were dug across the top of The Boot, affectionately called 'the Boot's Collar'."
"The Boot?" James wrinkles his nose, "We're in a Region called The Boot?"
"Our 'Fabulous Secret Power' is just a Pokedex?" Jessie scoffs, and tosses you at James.
"The Boot of Power," you lecture, unperturbed, "was the center of an old Empire. Steeped in magic, it remains a corner-stone of the modern world."
"Jessie, look." James points, and Jessie gasps.
"I've seen smaller Sky-Scrapers." Jessie admits, grudgingly impressed.
"The Taciturn Tower was one of the Wonders of the Daquinan Empire. Few remember how to make such grand structures."
James fiddles with you, "So The Boss decided knowledge is power, huh?"
"Meowth, 'e's right!" Meowth cackles, "Knowledge is powah, and I've got all da knowledge I need!" His eyes are sparkling.
James taps his foot on the ground, "What are we fighting, anyway? Meteorites, and angry Legendary?"
"The World Under The Sun faces many threats, both existential and insidious-" You begin.
"Save the lecture you stupid box, we've got company!" Jessie reaches for her belt, grabbing the first Pokeball her hand finds.
"Oh, I'm just passing through." A tanned man wearing a green tunic almost runs out of the alley where your Heroes were deposited. "Now, where can I find some cabbages…"
"Cabbages, eugh." James shudders, "I do hope they're not a staple crop here."
"I tink we should follow dat guy's lead, honestly."
"Why would we want to find cabbages?" Jessie turns up her nose
"I'd much prefer rice, or maybe a nice malasada." James crosses his arms, still holding you.
"What I meant," Meowth rolls his eyes, "was dat we should get outta dis alley and figure out what's goin' on, and where we are."
"Henisi, weren't you listening?"
"Yeah, yeah, but where's Hensisi? Where's dis Boot of Powah, and what's bad enough for a Legendary to grab us ta fix it?"
"War. War neverending."
"Oh, yeah dat kinda tracks." Meowth nods.
Jessie and James nod in agreement. "War, huh?" Jessie muses.
There's a beat.
"WAR?!" All three exclaim.
"Death-"
"Destruction of property-"
"Diseases an' food shortages-"
"How are we supposed to stop a war?" Jessie shrieks.
"A war? Which one?" Someone has taken notice of your Heroes, and they don't look cabbage-themed. "And why are you hooligans yelling in an alley?"
(How fortuitous is this encounter: 70.)
"Multiple wars, lovely." James sighs, "We're a bit lost, I'm afraid."
The person comes into view, revealing the form of a hunched old woman. "Hm, lost eh? Judging by your clothes, you're not from around here."
Jessie and James pat themselves down, realizing they're wearing pristine Team Rocket uniforms. "I rather assumed we would find ourselves in local garments." James admitted.
Jessie lets out a bark of laughter, "Of course not, that would be too easy."
"Meowth-"
"...is that a cat?"
"Cat? Isn't that a Pokémon body-type?" James hums, "Yes, I suppose Meowth-"
"Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. Meowth loves to roam at night to gather coins and other objects that sparkle, but it spends most of the daylight hours sleeping."
"Meowth, been a while since I heard dat entry."
"A talking cat? Meowth the talking cat?" The old lady hums, "Those clothes, the talking cat, your features… and that device. You must be from the East."
"The East?" James' brow furrows, "Well, I suppose-"
"Yes. Yes we are." Jessie cuts in, "We just got here, actually."
"On a boat!" Meowth adds, "Dose canals sure are somethin'."
"Yes, we're quite proud of them." The old lady seems to stand a little bit straighter, "Are you lost? Were you trying to find the Tower?" She wrinkles her nose, "I hope you're not part of one of those 'Sects'."
"Oh, heavens no." James says automatically, then pauses. "Sects…"
"Sects are organizations of Cultivators. Due to recent events, they have begun re-locating and splitting off, though they are still most numerous in their home-country, known in the West as Seiqua."
"Seiqua Region?" Jessie tilts her head, "And Sects are like Gyms?"
"Ah!" James nods, "Then we're definitely not trying to join the local Sects."
The old lady hums, "Good. They seem to cause nothing but trouble. There are a few of your 'Great Sages' up at the Tower, but they never do anything when the Sects have their little-" she sniffs, "turf battles."
"If the Sects are Gyms, then the Taciturn Tower is a Battle Facility." Jessie reasons, "Great Sage must be a class of trainer."
"...are you sure you're from Seiqua?"
"We," James says grandly, "are the highest class of Cultivator. From the distant shores we call home, we've journeyed West to find-" He pauses.
"Knowledge!" Meowth suggests.
"Riches!" Jessie adds.
"Wobuffet!"
"-ourselves." James finishes.
(How does he do? D100+Charisma+10 (face): 107)
The woman's gaze softens. "Oh, I see. Adventuring types."
"Indubitably." James bows, "Team Rocket, at your service."
"There's certainly always something going on along the Hem." She huffs, "Outside of Kakonium" she turn her head and spits on the ground, "we're the center of plots and intrigue, for better and worse."
"Ah, so this must be the capital of your… Boot?"
"Foreigners. 'The Boot' is a peninsula." She pauses, "It was the center of an empire, once, but now it's a collection of cities and towns that are a shadow of what used to be, forced to join forces in a defensive league."
"But Henisi is clearly the most important city." Jessie leans in and grins.
"Yes, yes it is." The old lady laughs, "Not that Daquinum or will ever acknowledge it!"
"Daquinum, the old capital of the Daquinan Empire, once held primacy in the continent. Enduring the ravages of time and war, it is still steeped in the ancient magic and rituals that fueled it."
"And they'll never let us forget it." The old lady scoffs, "Daquinum is a relic, a shadow of its former self. Henisi remembers the old rituals. Henisi remembers the pacts that were made. Henisi yet knows the art of Sacred Stone. Henisi controls the canals, Henisi keeps our trade routes un-plundered by the Kakonines or Varags." She closes her eyes and breathes deeply.
James croons "Hensisi is truly the jewel of your league… Ah." He pauses, "When is the next conference?"
"Conference?"
"League Conference." James nods, "When the strongest trainers challenge each-other to find the next Champion."
"I dunno, dis place seems a bit…" Meowth trails off, glancing at the old lady. "Uh. I don't know dat dey'd have tournaments like that, Jimmy."
"Leagues have to have conferences, Meowth." Jessie snorts, "How else will they separate out the chaff from the 'very best'?"
"Ah! Tourneys are held regularly," The old lady pauses, "Daquinum holds them most often. Although the Protector Tonitrum in Prasata gives out the grandest prizes. But Prasata is practically on the frontier, and has more of…" She pauses, "More Sects, so you won't have any particular novelty. Our prizes might not be the grandest, but our sorcerors and craftsmen ensure that they last the longest.
"I see!" James bows, "Thank you for your advice, kind lady."
She chuckles, "Lady? Me? I'm a simple washer woman, nothing more. If you want a Lady, showing your might at a tournament would be the way to go." She clucks, "Ah, excuse me. The day flies by." She nods at James and leaves the alley.
Jessie nods decisively, "Granny Exposition gave us a place to start. We should enter a tournament. I doubt they've seen Pokemon like ours before."
James feels at his belt, "And I can't say that we've seen Pokemon like theirs before, either. I don't even know who I've got with me!"
"Wobbuffet!"
"Jimmy's right," Meowth nodds, "We can't fight no-one 'till we know what we have. And dis place has what, magic an' knights? An' what's Cultivation?"
"Cultivators dedicate their lives to understanding the power that's inside. The process of understanding involves learning how to harness, hone and utilize that power. Many cultivators become conceited and foolhardy, causing conflicts of personality that may result in feuds and even wars."
"Twerp stuff." Meowth huffs, "But before dey realize dey're all on da same side and team up ta fight us. I tink we should head ta this Taciturn Towah and," he wiggles his hand, "knock on da door."
"Marvelous plan. Brilliant." James deadpans, "Oh, hello Mr. Wizard, Great Sage! We are but humble travelers who wish to learn the great secrets of magic! Pay no attention to the Meowth sneaking in behind us." He shakes his head, "No, we need to do some scouting. Go to a few inns and taverns, listen to what people say. Maybe pick up a few contacts."
"You want to go bar-hopping?" Jessie pauses, "Well, I could use a drink, and some food… but we don't have any money. The tournament is our best bet-"
"WOBBUFFET!"
What do Team Rocket end up doing?
[] Blasting off?
-[] Jessie - Find a competition of some sort, and enter
-[] Meowth - Go to the Taciturn Tower and beg for some mystic power
-[] James - Go tavern-crawling and hope to run into a quest-giver
-[] Wobbuffet - You don't need a regional Professor to teach you Brick Break, find a move tutor! Or uh, something to that effect?
-[] Sects - "What? The 'Seiquan' twerps that fight each-other? Actually, on second thought, they do sound more like gangs…"
-[] Write-In: The Pokedex had a solution. (Subject to Veto)
Team Rocket is your gambit. Team Rocket are your Heroes. You chose them.
However, it seems… someone else chose you.
You can feel it. You can feel why. Everything he ever did seemed to be for naught – every endeavor, destroyed. Incidentally. All of his work, for nothing, over and over and over again. And nobody cared. Nobody thought to ask if he wanted help. Nobody ever helped him pick up the pieces.
You understand. He hitched a ride, hoping for a second chance. A better life. He's a bit more… business-minded than you'd prefer, but you get him. You'll even give him a... minor boon.
Pick One:
[] My Cabbage Merchant?
-[] Speed: He managed to seem like he was everywhere, always one step ahead of the Fire Nation. Now, he's even faster, able to rival horses or even some Cultivators.
-[] Knowledge: He specialized in selling cabbages, he knew them fairly well. Optimal growing conditions, different strains and varieties, how to recognize a cabbage that's about to spoil. Now, he'll have a special insight about cabbages. Perhaps he'll make a new cultivar...
-[] Rage: My cabbages... My Cabbages... MY! CABBAGES! RAAAGH!
A talkative (but biased and a bit xenophobic, but not extremely so) old woman is decent, all told. A crit would both have resulted in one particular guy appearing, but the circumstances would be wildly different based on if it was a success or failure.
Prasata was vaguely mentioned, it's a city in the League of Tonitrum that's outside of The Boot of Power. 3 guesses on where in Legally Distinct Europe 'The Boot' is, and the first two don't count. I'll post a map and the character sheet(s) on Tuesday or Wednesday. If anyone guesses what real life city Prasata corresponds to, I'll give them a choice of either a minor boon, or a bit more lore than I intended to give so early.
[X] Blasting off?
-[X] Meowth - Go to the Taciturn Tower and beg for some mystic power
[X] My Cabbage Merchant?
-[X] Speed: He managed to seem like he was everywhere, always one step ahead of the Fire Nation. Now, he's even faster, able to rival horses or even some Cultivators.
Maybe this time he can use his speed to save his Cabbages, or at least move the cart out of the way of danger before it can touch his and his own. here's hoping he won't end up as Giuseppe 2.
[X] My Cabbage Merchant?
-[X] Speed: He managed to seem like he was everywhere, always one step ahead of the Fire Nation. Now, he's even faster, able to rival horses or even some Cultivators.
