And Make It Double (OOC Info)

[indigo_league]

Click here for the IC Event Log!

The end of August is about to get very exciting for trainers! Starting on August 28th, and continuing for the remainder of August, Johto and Kanto's friendly local warp pads are about to start malfunctioning. (...or are they?)

Either way, trainers who step onto a warp pad during this period will find something going wrong. Either:

• They'll end up at their intended destination, but with all the Pokemon and Pokeballs on them missing(!)
  
• Or their Pokemon will make it through to the destination but the trainer will vanish(!!)
  
• Or both will end up missing... but in different locations(!!!)

This feels very specific to be a malfunction! And it clearly has something to do with the player plot!

You've got us. This isn't a malfunction at all. Or at least not entirely!

So... what's actually going on?

A secret division of Team Rocket has been working on a very hush-hush project this entire year: a way to hijack the warp pads in order to steal Pokemon. Just think of it: warp trainers to their destination, but warp the Pokeballs right over to a Rocket Base! No dangerous grunt work necessary! Do it just every once in a while, maybe save it for more valuable Pokemon teams, and the Jennies will never figure it out!

The project was almost ready, too: the warp pad hijacking devices were installed in warp pads all over Kanto and Johto, and the final round of testing and ironing out bugs was beginning. Except...

Well, about those thefts that characters were helping Jennies with... have you figured out who the culprits were yet?

Even if not, with your help the Jennies have definitely started closing in! The culprits are panicking! And as it turns out, one of them was helping out with that very same secret project. Apparently they decided that flipping the on switch and turning the project to full blast would be the perfect distraction for them to get away.

Either because testing wasn't done, or because the warp pad hijacking system was never intended to be put under this much load, the hijacking devices are sometimes grabbing trainers instead of Pokemon. Or both!

Where are everyone and their Pokemon ending up, then? And what should we do?

There are three Team Rocket bases participating in the project: probably unsurprisingly, these are Vermilion, Saffron, and Goldenrod. Anyone who is warped by a hijacker will end up in a Team Rocket base in one of these cities! More specifically: they'll end up in a large cell made to contain Pokemon. Oh dear.

If your Pokemon were hijacked, and you weren't:

You have ended up at your destination. Your Pokemon are now in a Rocket Base somewhere.

If your Pokemon were in their Pokeballs, they might be out of luck - unless some other trainer gets warped in with them later and lets them out. If any of them were out of their Pokeballs, they're doing better! Particularly during the first couple hours of the warp pad disaster, the Rockets won't have been expecting them to show up, so no one is watching the cells. Mind, these are meant to be Pokemon-proofed... but that design still assumed there would be supervision and intervention with escape attempts. A clever Pokemon team might be able to figure something out.

As for trainers, outside... well, once people start figuring out what happened, you might want to think about searching for and raiding a Rocket base! If you've got another team stored in a PC, it's probably time to fetch them out. If you don't, maybe you can find a Pokemon team that had their trainer vanish, and team up with them? Even if it turns out you're raiding the wrong base, helping out in one place should put pressure on Team Rocket as a whole, and make it easier to escape from other bases.

If you were hijacked, but your Pokemon weren't:

Your Pokemon have ended up at your destination without their trainer. You are now in a Rocket Base somewhere, in a Pokemon-proof cell.

Also, your Pokemon have your bag, inventory, and clothes. You have shown up in the Rocket Base with nothing on. ...except for boxers (or other appropriate underclothes) with a Luvdisk print. (No, we don't know where they came from.)

You might want to try and figure out a way to break out - and possibly steal some clothes along the way. If you're lucky, you'll find someone else's Pokemon in the cell with you; if you're extra lucky, they'll be friendly enough to cooperate with you.

What your Pokemon do outside is of course entirely dependent on their personality... but they might consider teaming up with a trainer who's lost their Pokemon!

If both you and your Pokemon were hijacked:

You and your Pokemon will be warped into two totally different bases! Everything relevant above applies.

(Your bag, inventory, and clothes will have ended up at your destination, where some kind samaritan at the Pokemon Center will submit them to Lost and Found. You can pick them up when you finally get back to where you were going.)

Okay, but my character is a member of Team Rocket. Can they...

Also end up hijacked?

They sure can, if they use a warp pad. Fortunately for them, even if they end up in a cell, they'll be let out pretty quick if they claim to be Rocket members and get looked up in the system. Still, it does mean they got separated from their Pokemon... but Team Rocket will at least be trying to reunite them.

Try to keep other characters/Pokemon locked up, or help against the people raiding bases?

Absolutely! In fact, even if they don't succeed, the higher ups will appreciate their efforts. Team Rocket will remember this for future events (and/or for your character's career as a Rocket, once the career system rework is released). And you are welcome to have your character succeed in keeping NPCs or NPC Pokemon locked up!

Try to release other characters/Pokemon?

Well... it's definitely a good way to get into trouble with the higher ups. So they'll want to be very sneaky about it. But yes, they can do this.

Have known about the secret project?

If your character is a standard grunt, you may say that they were tasked with covertly installing a hijacker in a warp pad at one point. They would not have been told what it does, but they could be making guesses.

If your character is a Rocket and particularly scientifically inclined, you may say that they were involved with the project. In this case they would also probably be aware who the culprit is now - please contact Joey at the player plot post!

I've got another question!

Can characters end up with a temporary team of NPC Pokemon that got separated from their trainer, either in a Rocket cell or outside?

We encourage swapping with other player characters first, but yes, this is absolutely fine!

Can my character not get reunited with some/all their Pokemon?

If you'd like your Pokemon to be stuck with Team Rocket for longer for a personal plot (or if you'd like to have your character lose some Pokemon entirely), that is totally fine and up to you!

I don't think my character/their Pokemon would be able to break out of a base...

Eventually, with other trainers (including NPCs) and Jennies focusing on the bases, all prisoners will be released! Team Rocket doesn't really want to keep most of the trainers anyway. Team Rocket will be trying to squirrel away particularly valuable Pokemon, even amidst this mess... but unless you want your character to have some Pokemon stolen long term, they'll have missed yours in the chaos.

Can my character get let out of a cell by convincing someone they want to join Team Rocket? Can they actually join Team Rocket to be let out of a cell?

Yes and yes.

The player plot mentioned something about mod rewards...

There sure are rewards!

If you helped the Jennies investigate:

(i.e. you participated in the player plot portion of the event)

You will be rewarded with: some loot retrieved from the Rocket Bases (that they couldn't track down the original owner for). (If you were a Rocket who investigated by yourself, you may instead have rescued some Rocket loot during a Jenny raid, and been rewarded by being allowed to keep some of it!)

More specifically, choose one of:

• One of these held items: Full Incense, Lax Incense, Heat Rock, Icy Rock, Damp Rock, Eject Button (non-consumable version, but only one use per battle), Eject Pack (non-consumable version, but only one use per battle).
  
• A Mirror Herb.
  
• A Pokemon Egg of your choice, of any wild Pokemon available in game. The Pokemon is otherwise normal.

"Participating" requires having left at least one investigation comment.

If you or your Pokemon got hijacked, or you helped/hindered someone else who did:

(i.e. you participated in the mod portion of the event)

You will be rewarded with: a rescued Pokemon that couldn't find its owner and decided to stick with you. (Or if you're a Rocket, a stolen Pokemon that wasn't rescued!)

More specifically, the Pokemon can be the base or an evolved form of any wild Pokemon available in the game. It may be up to the level of your current highest levelled Pokemon. You may also choose up to 4 egg or TM moves that it can learn, and say that it already has those moves. The Pokemon is otherwise normal.

"Participating" requires having a thread related to the event with at least 5 total IC roleplaying comments from you (so not an investigation comment)! This thread doesn't have to be on the event log as long as it's still related to the event.

If you participated in both:

You may choose to swap out the above rescued/stolen Pokemon reward for one of the following:

• A random rescued/stolen Pokemon designed by the mods... that will have one special trait! You will not be able to choose the species, but in exchange this Pokemon will be unusual somehow. (You may still choose the level and those 4 extra moves.)
  
• A... small item from home?? It mysteriously shows up the next time you use a warp pad. (This item cannot be a weapon, high-tech, or magic, and it must be small enough to fit in your pocket.)

(You may still get the Rocket loot reward.)

Participation for these rewards is due on September 30th, 11:59 PM EST. See the mod comment below!

Otherwise, feel free to use this post to plot what will happen to your character and/or any Pokemon swaps!

Comments

Questions

[indigo_league]

[oceanbear]

So Emporio is in the middle of interrogating a rather suspicious Butterfree here, and I wanted to know if it's likely he can track it back to the Vermillion base somehow. It seemed rude to assume for the TL...

(frozen comment) Reward Submissions

[indigo_league]

Participation for rewards is due on September 30th, 11:59 PM EST. Respond here with the form below for mods to approve your rewards!

<b>Prepare for Squoble participation:</b> link to comment here, if submitting this <b>And Make It Double participation:</b> link to thread here, if submitting this <B>Reward(s):</b> list the rewards you're claiming!

(frozen comment)

[oceanbear]

Prepare for Squoble participation: This Arceus-danged Butterfree...
And Make It Double participation: Time for a Break Out!
Reward(s): Random Mod Designed Pokemon Please!! If he still gets a reward for the player plot participation as well, I guess he'll take the Eject Pack?

(frozen comment) Re: Reward Submissions

[calisugarfiend]

Prepare for Squoble participation: https://victory-road.dreamwidth.org/760724.html?thread=73379220#cmt73379220 (Loop and Cali were working together on the investigation :'3)
And Make It Double participation: https://victory-road.dreamwidth.org/761583.html?thread=73447151#cmt73447151

Reward(s): I'd love to do the Random Mod Designed Pokemon please :')

(frozen comment)

[loopsiedaisy]

Prepare for Squoble participation: here
And Make It Double participation: Maybe later?
Reward(s): Eject Pack!

(frozen comment)

[phdepression]

Prepare for Squoble participation: Stake-out
And Make It Double participation: Stake... in???
Reward(s): Eject Button, a regular Lapras (a rescued Pokemon that couldn't find its owner and decided to stick with you)

(frozen comment)

[curuiosity]

Prepare for Squoble participation: https://victory-road.dreamwidth.org/760724.html?thread=73389204#cmt73389204
And Make It Double participation: https://victory-road.dreamwidth.org/761583.html?thread=73457135#cmt73457135
Reward(s): Mod designed Pokemon, and an Eject Pack please!

(frozen comment)

[paladinlost]

Prepare for Squoble participation: It's flyer time!
And Make It Double participation: It's escape time!
Reward(s): a Klink egg, swapping the rescued Pokémon for a Rainbow Tail from home (back there, could be traded for a Limit Ring that breaks the damage limit; in this world, does nothing; looks like a colorful rat tail)

(frozen comment)

[uncannytoo]

Prepare for Squoble participation: rocket grunt investigates own team, finds nothing wrong
And Make It Double participation: The Legend of Backflip Jones
Reward(s): i would very much like a Feebas egg for the player reward, and a mod-designed Pokémon in lieu of the other reward!!

(frozen comment)

[foolishwren]

And Make It Double participation: Can we offer you a latte in this trying time
Reward(s): A Pokemon! I haven't decided what kind yet!!! Maybe a Big Worm? We shall see.

(frozen comment)

[exeggutorhead]

And Make It Double participation: Here!
Reward(s): A rescued pokemon!

Rui Kamishiro | Project Sekai

[curuiosity]

He's getting stuck in a Rocket Base without his Pokemon who wants:

1) To be around his Pokemon? (Meowscarada, Pawmot, Flabebe, Crobat, Zorua, and Driftloon are who I'm thinking it would most likely be, but I'm open to a different party)

2)To have their Pokemon wind up with Rui?

[phdepression]

High key eager to team up with your mons or have JoJo's beasts of adorable Pokemon say hi to Rui. Whatever you think is cooler!

Calliope Macabre | OC

[calisugarfiend]

Cali will be stuck on a Rocket Base without her own Pokemon on hand, who wants:

1. To be with her Pokemon?: Battenberg the Indeedee (she is a tranquil fury sort of Pokemon and isn't afraid to be horrifying, brews a good cup of tea though), Kugel the Fidough (sweet summer child of a pupper), and Chantilly the Buneary (she is not a fighter, she is a cuddly little ball of trauma at the moment). The other three, Sweet Sixteen, Truffles, and Meringue will be with Loop :3

2. To have their Pokemon wind up with Cali?

[phdepression]

It's been a hot minute since I tagged you! I'm down to be the Pokemon or be JoJo managing Cali's Pokemon. Jotaro has a Daschbun on his team jsyk which matches Kugel's vibes. Dawwww...

Cecil Harvey | FF4TAY/DFFOO

[paladinlost]

Two options available for team-ups!

1) Cecil himself, whose specialty is NOT punching people, but that won't stop him from trying if he has to. Free party tank for younger Pokémon or species with weaker defenses!

2) Rosie the Clefable, Fu the Beheeyem, Ice-bro the Froslass, Mindflayer the Omastar, Noct the Corviknight, and Spiritus the Lurantis. All are willing to cooperate with other trainers, but good luck figuring out their movesets!

Re: Cecil Harvey | FF4TAY/DFFOO

[calisugarfiend]

I'm fully onboard with the party tank XD Would you like me to toss Chantilly to you? She hasn't been leveled up much and is more of a companion Pokemon rather than a fighter on Cali's team :x

Bido | Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)

[uncannytoo]

i'm not going to split up bido and his lizards so soon, but as a rocket grunt still yet to venture out of goldenrod, he'll be on duty in the base while everything's going down.

So! if your character gets teleported there, he could wind up assigned to guard their cage? or if they're a fellow rocket, maybe they can have a beautiful bonding moment of shared panic. he's going to need the emotional support :')

Emporio Alniño | JJBA: Stone Ocean

[oceanbear]

Emporio here will probably not *leave* Vermillion, but between that and the fact that he's very much close to a Rocket Alpha (like an aunt...), that Does mean he'll be inclined to help. Somehow.

Somehow will probably involve a Base Raid! Sneaky-sneakylike, though. He can't have gotten any intel on the base from the Rockets he knows, mind you, but that's not exactly going to stop him from following anyone around so here he is, up for an assist!

Harry Potter | Harry Potter

[phoenixwiz]

* While I am not going to throw him into a cell in a Rocket base (just yet), Harry is definitely ready to take in any Pokémon who had their trainers gone missing. Also willing to get involve in the base raid too. He ain’t Sneaky McSneakyface in his canon for nothing.

* The team he is supposed to be using for the Clair gym battle is stuck in a Rocket base at Goldenrod. They are Gardenia the Togekiss, Roger the Pikachu, Pinecone the Glalie, Aura the Altaria, Molly the Alola Raichu, and Horace the Klawf. They are willing to team up with other trainers but have fun guessing their moves. It may take a while to get it right.

Envy | Fullmetal Alchemist

[exeggutorhead]

Both Envy and his Pokemon are gonna get warped to Rocket bases! Envy's going to the Goldenrod base, but his Pokemon could go wherever.

The team he'll have had with him consists of: Juliet the Vaporeon (fully leveled but very no-nonsense and will take convincing to listen to anybody else), Carl the Aerodactyl (fully leveled, will only behave for/listen to Juliet), Thistle the Floragato (friendly and good at sneaking/tricks but very excitable), Goblin the Sableye (sneaky, loves to bite watch your fingers or aim him at Rockets), Margrave the Hisuian Zorua (spoiled brat, manipulative, piercing indignant screams), and Screech the Archen (caught in the prehistoric era, basically a seagull and food motivated)

[curuiosity]

Rui has experience breaking in/out of places and escaping, and Envy's team seems fun, especially Thistle and Goblin, tho him trying to convince Juliet to work together with him sounds fun too!

I'm thinking of sticking Rui in Saffron's base.

Scar | Fullmetal Alchemist

[officerdown]

Both Scar and his Pokemon will be nabbed. His mons will appear as a set: A very sweet, clingy, and well-behaved Skitty, and a Zangoose who is aloof, mean, and deeply protective of the Skitty.

I'm also planning to have Scar team up with a traumatized Mankey who has a problem with lashing out in anger, if that's something anyone wants to play with! Scar has been going out of his way to avoid the Jennys' efforts to reach out to the outworlders, but he will absolutely be raising hell on the base until he is reunited with his Pokemon. This is a rare chance for him to snap back into Violent Anarchist Mode, since the wonderful world of Pokemon provides (blissfully) so few opportunities for him to do so.

[phdepression]

The mons seem sooooo cute! If you're down, I'm happy to do either scenario. I can see Jotaro butting heads with the Zangoose (bc theyre similar lmao).

Alternatively, I'm happy to enable anarchy. Jotaro's Pokemon are usually wrangled by their trainer but JoJo's Cetitan in particular loves to cause havoc. Whatever you prefer!

Jotaro Kujo | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean

[phdepression]

Ohhh! This looks fun!!! I have no preference of what base Jotaro will end up at so I'm open to anything!

1) Jotaro IS getting kidnapped. Because it's funny since he's a giant of a man and he'll be pissed because he wants his hat back. Jotaro's more than happy to free as many Pokemon as he can and punch as many bad guys as possible. Honestly, maybe your Pokemon have to hold him back.

2) Jotaro's team for beating Clair is Frail the Cetitan, Bread the Dachsbun and Cream the Alcremie so all of them will be at one base. There will also be his Type: Null (that makes ominous but utterly inane prophecies) and Star Platinum the Palafin with the trio, alongside a Pokemon egg. While SP is fully trained and evolved, he will be viciously protective over the egg.

Catrina Calavera | OC

[gimmeeyeballs]

I might as well throw this dumpster fire into the chaos after her misadventures with the warp pad (why she was trying to go back to Cherrygrove is anyone's guess). Catrina will be stuck in the Saffron City Rocket Base and her Pokemon separated from the former blue amphibian. Who'd like to:

1. Be stuck with Catrina's Pokemon? We got Gytrash-Gurtdog (A hideously diseased Hisuian Zorua, nasty to look at really), Annabelle Lee (The only normal Pokemon in Catrina's team, well behaved Shinx with a serious demeanor), and Smokey Joe (A highly vicious Litwick Catrina caught at Sprout Tower.)

2. Toss their Pokemon at Catrina and hope for the best as they work together (Catrina is basically a train wreck, I am so sorry.)

Vinegar Doppio | Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

[epitaffio]

Doppio's a Rocket and I'm totally down for some Fights and Tussles! Keep in mind I'm not actually the best at RPing Pokémon battles wheezes but if you need a crime guy, I've got one.

I'd also like his Pokémon to get hijacked at the start, I think? He's at the very least getting separated from his Morpeko and his Honchkrow, both of which are also pretty criminally-minded, so... Shenanigans.

Re: Vinegar Doppio | Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

[calisugarfiend]

Catrina's player here, I was curious and I am planning on having Gytrash being loose in the Rocket Base for a month before being returned, would you be up for some Tom and Jerry based shenanigans with the awfully diseased Hisuian Zorua?