Who's ready for MORE eggs?!

[findingbeasts]

Yep. That's right. Newt's Pokemon are at it again because of course they are!

( Klefkis, Joltiks and Drampas OH MY! )

Happy Holidays!

[indigo_league]

THE LONGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

Happy Holidays, Victory Road! This year, every town and city in Johto and Kanto will be marking the beginning of winter with a Winter Solstice Festival on December 21st! On this day, characters will be able to find an abundance of wintry and festive activities to partake in with friends and Pokemon alike!

Wintry and festive activities? Like what?

We're glad you asked! While the scope varies with the size of each town, all players can expect to find the following at each local festival:

BONFIRES: They're everywhere, maintained by Fire Pokemon belonging to local trainers! Goldenrod City in particular has quite an influx from the recent swarm of escapees from the warehouse explosion, taken in by families happy to give them a loving home after everything they've been through. Any characters who want to contribute the talents of their own Fire Pokemon are free to join in, or maybe they even helped organize the bonfires ahead of time if they're the type to get involved in local activities! Food offered around these bonfires includes chestnuts, sausages, potatos, and sweet potatos... and everyone is encouraged to bring food from home along to roast for themselves! It’s considered good will to share with your fellows at the bonfire, though, so don’t be surprised if a Youngster and his hungry Poochyena buddy want to swap some chestnuts for one of the hot dogs you brought! Also, you can’t turn around without hitting a stall that sells hot cocoa and cider. Just 50P for a very generously-sized cup-- 'tis the season, after all!

SWARMS: Although the highest concentration is in Mahogany Town, large numbers of Jynx, Delibird, and Snover are bustling around both regions. They all seem to be too busy making deliveries and toting mysterious parcels around to battle anybody, but Trainers who help them out may wind up making some new friends/team-mates once the holidays are over!

SHOPPING: For your last minute gift-giving needs, there is at least one row of market/craft fair stalls offering handmade goods for sale in even the smallest of towns. Larger cities have both more area devoted to this and more variety in what’s being sold, and Goldenrod City of course has the Christmas Market (announced here!) which boasts oodles of items not usually available in stores, and will be open even later than usual on the night of the festival.

SANTA!!!! SANTA CLAUS IS HERE! And here, and there, and over there... there’s plenty of jolly old men dressed up like Santa Claus, and they will happily pose for pictures with people and Pokemon alike. They’ve all got a very kindly disposition, but even they can be pushed to their limits... so do make sure not to do anything worthy of being put on any naughty list! Nobody wants to be that guy who has to be removed from the premises by a security Abomasnow while dozens of little kids cheer.

SNOW SCULPTURE CONTESTS: Participants will be given a set time for teams of people and Pokemon to build things out of snow to be judged. There is one restriction, however: no Ice type moves are allowed to be used! Make do with the materials on hand please! Winners get ribbons. They are not the cool kind you attach to Pokemon. They’re just cheap dollar store awards. But they are just cute as the dickens. And they symbolize the fun time you had playing in the snow!

TREE DECORATING: Big old evergreens, hauled in and set up by massive Abomasnow and their trainers, will be going up in plazas and town centers everywhere, and decorating them is a group effort. Tinsel and lights will be provided by local officials, but there will also be tables set up where you and your friends can string popcorn and cranberries, as well as make your own ornaments!

SLED RACING: Sled-pulling races will be held periodically throughout the day, especially in the northernmost towns; participants are encouraged to enter with teams consisting of at least two horse-like, deer-like, or dog-like Pokemon. Although if you can actually get your Pyroar to wear a harness and pull something around, more power to you. Again, your award for winning? Ribbons that don’t do anything. But you had fun, right? And fun is the name of the game!

CAROLING: As the light leaves, you might find yourself tugged along to join groups of carolers heading from home to home and serenading anyone who opens the door to them. When Pokemon get involved, singing carols can quickly become more cacophonous than melodic, but particularly enthusiastic performances might net the carolers some handouts of cookies and sweets.

DELAYED BEDTIMES! Since the winter solstice is the longest night of the year, the festival itself and all of the activities that come with it will go on well into the night-- in addition to the bonfires, beautiful lanterns and fairy-lights will come on all over the place. And as it darkens, don’t be too surprised to see fireworks going off periodically! There will also be sparklers to play with, so be careful and responsible. Bundle up tight and don't be afraid to take advantage of the bonfires, though-- it's gonna be cold!

Since the holidays are upon many of us in real life, please feel free to backdate/backtag posts and threads taking place during the festival as much as you like! Here’s wishing you all a safe and wonderful holiday season from all of us mods at Victory Road!