Spooky Scary...Legendaries?

[these_balls]

Hey out there, Routers! As we move into the last two weeks of the month, it's time for a:



SO WHAT'S GOING ON THIS YEAR?

Well, "this year" is right — as long-term players have surely noticed by now, we've been having some incredibly strange weather this year, from heat waves and droughts in the middle of February to snow and hail in the middle of summer to hurricanes and tornadoes cropping up seemingly without explanation!

Up until now, that is.

As it turns out, there are two masterminds behind the circumstances that have been causing these ecological problems, and they've been up to something for the better part of a year now. But at long last, those schemes are coming to a head and they're ready to put them into action, which is where all of you come in!

We hope you're ready for some Hoenn Hype, Route, because Maxie and Archie, along with Team Magma and Team Aqua, are bringing it to you this Halloween!

DON'T YOU MEAN "HOENNWEEN"?

Somebody was going to have to make that pun sooner or later, weren't they?

SO WHAT EXACTLY HAVE MAXIE AND ARCHIE BEEN DOING?

As it happens, Maxie and Archie have been in contact with the Kalos region long before Johto/Kanto ever got in touch with the folks over there themselves. Specifically, they got interested in Kalos on account of a certain professor's research into Mega Evolution, because their usual showdowns against each other were starting to get stale and inconclusive. So of course, they did the natural and sensible thing by deciding that they would just have to get their hands on the ability to Mega Evolve something, do that to their respective Legendaries, and then smack them against each other until they figured out once and for all who was superior to the other.

Unfortunately for Maxie and Archie, their ability to get at pretty much any information about Mega Evolution was hindered by the intervention of a mysterious group of well-organized people who may or may not resemble Pitbull, and consequently they only managed to get away with a few tiny shards of Some Kind Of Mysterious Crystal™ for their efforts.

Never ones to be deterred, however, they came to the logical conclusion that the Crystals have got to have something to do with Mega Evolution, and therefore in the interest of being better safe than sorry, they proceeded to use their tiny shards of crystal to begin growing more — deep beneath the surface of the Johto/Kanto region.

...IS THAT WHY WE HAD THOSE MYSTERIOUS CRYSTAL TOWERS BREAK THROUGH THE SURFACE OF THE REGION BACK IN MAY?

It certainly is.

Congratulations, guys, you were heroes without even realizing it; destroying those crystal towers to end the region's Fourth Wall also set Maxie and Archie's plans back a couple months because of the destruction to the crystals that it caused.

AND SO THE WEIRD WEATHER AND THE EARTHQUAKES...?

Both byproducts of the methods they've been using to stimulate the crystal growth; the earthquakes in particular are because the crystal formations beneath the surface are starting to hit critical levels, and are shaking up things underground as a result of how they've been growing.

And yet again, Team Magma and Team Aqua prove themselves to be ecoterrorists. Well done, everyone concerned.

ALL RIGHT, SO HOW DO THE SEPTEMBER SWARMS FIT IN TO ALL OF THIS?

You can thank Arceus for those — literally speaking, not just figuratively.

In response to all of the shenanigans that have been going on in the region lately, as well as the fact that there's a pretty cataclysmic Legendary battle looming on the horizon, Arceus decided to respond to the impending threat by creating some reinforcements for itself. Rather than effectively brainwashing the existing wild Pokemon into conscription to come help it fight against Groudon and Kyogre, Acreus decided instead to create new swarms of Pokemon to act as its support, and chose the Kalos gen in particular because being native the Kalos region themselves, they're better-suited to deal with issues of Mega Evolution than ones that have become accustomed to the Johto/Kanto wild over so many years.

Coincidentally, Arceus is going to be summoning those swarm Pokemon to the site of Maxie and Archie's big showdown for the sake of helping it out, so you'll be seeing them again soon! And you might want to tag along with their migration, because they're going to need your help, too.

MIGRATION? WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

The same place the Goomies went after their swarm back in February, and coincidentally the place that Maxie and Archie have chosen for their battleground on account of the fact that it's both up in the mountains and accessible by water: TOHJO FALLS.

THAT WAS A LOT OF EXPOSITION, BUT NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PLOT. WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING?

The short version is, we're going to be taking you all back to Tohjo Falls and giving you the opportunity to fight some legendaries, beat on some Team Bosses, and save the world.

For the slightly longer version, here's how things are going to shake out:

Between now and 9:00 PM EST on Thursday, October 23rd, players who intend to send their characters to participate in this plot should comment to this headcount thread, one comment per character, so that we know how many people are going to be participating! THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE; if your comment to participate has not been posted as of 9:01 PM EST on Thursday, you will not be permitted to participate in the plot.

The events of the plot will consist of THREE MOD-PROVIDED LOGS:

• The first log will go up on Monday, October 27th, and will be the Intro Challenge Log.
• The second log will go up on Wednesday, October 29th, and will be the Boss Battle Log.
• The final log will go up on Friday, October 31st, and regardless of whether players have met or failed to achieve the win condition for the plot, will be the After-Battle Wind-Down Log.

However, ICly speaking, the events of these logs will take place on the last three days of the month — that is, the 29th, 30th, and 31st of October.

The reason for the extra time allocated to the first two logs is because player participation on those logs WILL affect the flow of the plot. As we have utilized on plots in the past, both the Intro Challenge Log and the Boss Battle Log will have a stated "Character Participation Threshold", which will be determined by how many characters initially sign up to participate on the plot. If the threshold is crossed within the time limit, the "win condition" for that log will be met, and will affect how the events that follow it play out.


☆ BECAUSE PLAYER PARTICIPATION WILL DIRECTLY AFFECT THE EVENTS OF THE PLOT, WE STRONGLY SUGGEST PLAYERS ENSURE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE TIME CONSTRAINTS OF THE PLOT WHEN SIGNING UP TO PARTICIPATE. ☆

Further details on how the achievement of a "win" will be determined and what the precise conditions are to earn it will be discussed below, under headings pertaining to each specific log.

SO OOCLY THE PLOT RUNS FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, BUT ICLY IT ONLY RUNS FROM WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY. HOW WILL WE BE ICLY ACCOUNTING FOR THAT DOWNTIME?

As mentioned earlier, starting on Sunday, October 26th, all of the September Swarm Pokemon that disappeared into the Johto/Kanto wild will be making a reappearance! Like the Goomies before them, they'll be heading towards Tohjo Falls (for people in Johto, that means heading east; in Kanto, they'll be heading west) to go help out! Characters will ICly be able to see them migrating during from Sunday to the IC beginning of the plot on Wednesday; those missing days will also be plagued by earthquakes, as the crystals beneath the surface of the ground continue to move in anticipation of the coming battle.

CAN I CATCH ONE OF THE MIGRATING POKEMON AS THEY GO PAST?

Unfortunately, having been summoned by their creator with a significant mission to achieve, they will unfortunately prove too fast and too nimble to be caught at this time. But don't worry, you'll be seeing them again soon!

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PLOT?

Characters participating in the plot will have three main obligations to meet:
• Sign up on our Plot Participation Subthread before 9:00 PM EST on Thursday, October 23rd, responding to the header comment with one comment per character.
• Participate on the Intro Challenge Log.
• Participate on the Boss Battle Log.

As mentioned above, we will be using the number of characters signed up to participate in the plot as a means of determining the win condition threshold for each log. Therefore, having an accurate number is essential.

In order to successfully meet the win conditions of the Intro Challenge Log, at least two-thirds of players signed up to participate on the plot must tag into the log with at least one top-level comment or one response to a top-level comment. We will include the number to meet or beat on the log itself, along with a link to that log's Participation Subthread where you will link us to your comment participating in the log.

If the players meet the win conditions of the Intro Challenge Log, the threshold to meet the win conditions of the Boss Battle Log will be lowered to one-half of players signed up to participate. If they do not meet the win conditions on the Intro Challenge log, they can still win the plot overall! However, they will have to meet the same two-thirds threshold in order to do so.

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR PARTICIPATION, A COMMENT MUST MEET THESE CRITERIA:
• On the Intro Challenge Log, the comment must be timestamped prior to 9:00 PM EST on Tuesday, October 28th
• On the Boss Battle Log, the comment must be timestamped prior to 9:00 PM EST on Thursday, October 30th
• For both logs, the comment must be linked to us according to the directions we will provide. Merely posting the comment is not enough; it is the player's responsibility to link us proof of it as directed.

But that's not all! As added incentive to participate, we will be including some bonus rewards that will be unlocked if the win conditions are successfully met. These rewards will be discussed in more detail on a post coming next week when the plot begins, but there's one big one we can mention right now:


☆ IF PLAYERS SUCCESSFULLY MEET THE WIN CONDITIONS FOR THE INTRO CHALLENGE LOG, THEY WILL BE PERMITTED TO ACCESS MEGA EVOLUTION IN THE BATTLE AGAINST ARCHIE AND MAXIE. ☆

Because it's only fair.

I'M SOLD! WHAT DO I NEED TO DO FOR RIGHT NOW?

Right now, if you want to sign up for the plot, go down and comment to The Plot Participation Subthread! One comment per character, please.

Once we close the sign-ups on Thursday, October 23rd, we will count up how many characters will be participating in the plot and use that number to determine the win condition threshold for the Intro Challenge Log.

Between now and the start of the plot, make plans with your CR and get hype to have fun!

Next weekend, prior to the start of the plot, we will provide another infopost with more of the nitty-gritty setting details about what events are going to be taking place in the logs themselves, along with a list of the concrete rewards and outcomes that will follow from meeting or failing to achieve the win conditions for each log. So keep your eyes peeled!

...YOU DIDN'T MENTION HOW MY CHARACTER IS GETTING TO THE PLOT, THOUGH.

Arceus will be handling your travel arrangements! Don't worry, we won't leave you to try to find the place on your own.

WHAT IF I OPT NOT TO PARTICIPATE ON THIS PLOT?

That's also fine! Participation is optional. However, you'll be experiencing a lot of world-shaking and generally cataclysmic circumstances for the duration, so your characters might want to batten down the hatches and weather it out. Gym challenges will also be suspended for the duration of the plot — the leaders will be preoccupied with plot-related matters and will not be offering badge challenges during that time period.

Again, we would like to strongly stress the importance of having an accurate headcount for the purposes of participation on the plot logs. Please do not sign up for the plot unless you are reasonably confident in your ability to participate! Achieving victory depends on the cooperation and commitment of everyone involved, so please be willing to meet the demands of the deadlines when signing up to participate.

I'M BRAND NEW TO THE GAME AND WON'T BE ANY GOOD IN A BATTLE. DOES THIS MEAN I CAN'T SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE?

This plot is open to everyone, regardless of how long their character has been in the game! Don't worry, there'll be plenty of opportunities for characters to participate regardless of how strong or battle-savvy their teams are, so the only requirements to signing up are being able to meet the time deadlines and being committed to having fun!

I HAVE A QUESTION YOU HAVEN'T ANSWERED YET!

Please feel free to ask us about it right down here!

☆ IMPORTANT LINKS ☆
Plot Headcount Thread | Mod Questions Thread

Comments

(frozen comment) ☆ PARTICIPATION HEADCOUNT ☆

[these_balls]

COMMENT TO THIS THREAD WITH THIS INFORMATION, PLEASE:

<b>PLAYER NAME:</b> <b>CHARACTER NAME:</b> <b>POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING:</b>

Note: you may change or modify the Pokemon team your character will be bringing on the plot (max 6 roster slots) up until the cutoff deadline for signups.
After the cutoff, we ask that you please not make changes to the roster that will be accompanying you!

(frozen comment)

[lullabytes]

PLAYER NAME: Lucy.
CHARACTER NAME: Chiaki Nanami.
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Musharna, Gyarados, Ninetales, Porygon-Z, Rotom, Ambipom.

(frozen comment)

[in_praetego]

PLAYER NAME: Faust
CHARACTER NAME: Yukio Okumura
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Chansey, Ampharos, Houndoom, Meganium, Glaceon, Starraptor

(frozen comment)

[solas_ion]

PLAYER NAME: Nao
CHARACTER NAME: Lancer
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Houndoom, Poliwhirl, Venomoth, Rapidash, Rapidash (that's not a typo promise), and Lucario.

(frozen comment)

[exeggutorhead]

PLAYER NAME: Ieva
CHARACTER NAME: Envy
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Tyranitar, Houndoom, Tropius, Tyrunt, Lucario, Bisharp

(frozen comment)

[crystalballer]

PLAYER NAME: Seto
CHARACTER NAME: Yasuhiro Hagakure
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Elgyem, Kadabra, Claydol, Bronzong, Sigilyph, Medicham

(frozen comment)

[loveisanopendoor]

PLAYER NAME: Aren
CHARACTER NAME: Anna of Arendelle
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Charizard, Gyarados, Fraxure, Furret, Eevee, Jigglypuff

(frozen comment)

[wing_attack]

PLAYER NAME: Matt
CHARACTER NAME: Tobias
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Braviary, Zebstrika, Ursaring, Amaura, Tyrunt, Ditto

(frozen comment)

[awesmazings]

PLAYER NAME: Chi
CHARACTER NAME: Jimmy Two-Shoes
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Manectric, Furret, Houndoom, Floatzel, Volcarona, Lopunny

(frozen comment)

[ossifragant]

PLAYER NAME: Nin
CHARACTER NAME: Greed
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Meowth, Rapidash, Graveler, Feraligatr, Scolipede, Charizard

(frozen comment)

[katostrophic]

PLAYER NAME: Typhie
CHARACTER NAME: Dr Kato
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Hydreigon, Lunatone, Genger, Camerupt, Zoroark, Gigalith

(frozen comment)

[unkinder]

PLAYER NAME: Chi
CHARACTER NAME: Nagi Naoe
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Raichu, Ninetails, Gardevoir, Abra, Umbreon, Porygon

(frozen comment)

[irenicly]

PLAYER NAME: Nin
CHARACTER NAME: Kazuichi Banjou
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Bidoof

(frozen comment)

[paopuprincess]

PLAYER NAME: Jon
CHARACTER NAME: Kairi
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Staryu, Lapras, Lucario, Snorunt, Espurr, Fennekin.

(frozen comment)

[islandshore]

PLAYER NAME: Mega
CHARACTER NAME: Riku
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Charizard, Lucario, Nidoking, Blastoise, Sceptile, Greninja

(frozen comment)

[ortion]

PLAYER NAME: Seto
CHARACTER NAME: Dist the Rose
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Roserade, Scizor, Purrloin, Jellicent, Reuniclus, Steelix

(frozen comment)

[buckyouup]

PLAYER NAME: Jon
CHARACTER NAME: Applejack
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Venusaur, Skarmory, Rhyperior, Gardevoir, Garchomp, Blaziken

(frozen comment)

[bookslap]

PLAYER NAME: Myki
CHARACTER NAME: Nanao Ise
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Ivysaur, Yamask, Honedge x 2, Luxio, Skiddo

(frozen comment)

[lieutenantantichrist]

PLAYER NAME: Caddy
CHARACTER NAME: Carter Blake
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Snubbull, Gallade, Clauncher, Kingler, Mareep, Musharna

(frozen comment)

[friendyousohard]

PLAYER NAME: Lea
CHARACTER NAME: Twilight Sparkle
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Dragonite, Alakazam, Heracross, Magnezone, Tyranitar, Slowbro

(frozen comment)

[dressofheaven]

PLAYER NAME: Lea
CHARACTER NAME: Ilyasviel von Einzbern
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Rhyperior, Dusknoir, Garchomp, Volcarona, Feraligatr, Metagross.

(frozen comment)

[soundmind]

PLAYER NAME: Mozart
CHARACTER NAME: Maka Albarn
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Houndoom, Alakazam, Serperior, Emolga, Blastoise, Bisharp

(frozen comment)

[beholdmydemons]

PLAYER NAME: Holo
CHARACTER NAME: Walter
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Houndoom, Volcarona, Blaziken, Drapion, Kingdra, Porygon

(frozen comment)

[enjoymyatelier]

PLAYER NAME: Ran
CHARACTER NAME: Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Serperior, Ampharos, Reuniclus, Chandelure, Archeops, Nidoqueen

(frozen comment)

[ajustcaws]

PLAYER NAME: Ran
CHARACTER NAME: Cynthia
POKEMON TEAM MY CHARACTER WILL BE BRINGING: Zebstrika, Murkrow, Braviary, Rapidash, Houndoom, Sharpedo