Bottle Cap Bay

Have we brought together what we've learned from the forest anywhere besides to the officials of Bottlecap Bay in general?

[This is asked by Firoza, the little blue Nidoran projecting an image of herself sitting in the Cheri Berry base. Her allotted bed of collected leaves also seems to have bits of fabric and thread in it, and some things collected from the forest floor around the Canopy - bark, shed feathers, moss, etc. It's morning, from the way the light hits things...so it's clear that she's kind of projecting her "I woke up with thoughts" questions.]

It seems prudent, to me, that we share what we've learned amongst ourselves to try and put some of these pieces together. What I recall seeing does make me curious, but going back and trying to investigate myself...that's out of the question. I wouldn't have made it without my fellow teammates.

[Though there is a sheepish sense of "I ought to be stronger" that comes through unconsciously. Not ungrateful, not ashamed, just. A gently embarrassed sort of feeling, being accustomed to having the strength to overcome many things and finding herself helpless instead.]

When we were in the Southern Forest, Courier Six, Guilmon, and I encountered a Pokemon called Oricorio who claimed to be from Bottlecap Bay. They were the only friendly Pokemon we met, though - the others were of the Ghost typing, and were insistent on fighting and pursuing us.

Landmarks of any kind became unusable. [A little bitterness in her voice at that. Fucking rude, forest.] And, as we learned, our recollections of events happening did not line up. The others said I kept trying to bite something that wasn't there, but I'm certain I saw some sort of green ape creature [a recollection of which is shared when it's mentioned] trying to hit us with various sticks and vines. It felt as if we were in there for days.

We realized that the only thing that was consistent in our memories was Oricorio's actions and words - and then the ground opened up underneath us, and I...I-I fell in.

[Give her a second to shove her head in her lil nest in embarrassment before she huffs out a breath and pops back up.]

A-Anyway. The others came down for me, and as we were traversing the tunnels and caves the hole led to, we tried to ask Oricorio things...trying to sort out what was happening. And they said they had never heard of the Guilds of Bottlecap Bay. At that moment, there was this...menacing presence, the kind that makes your hair stand on end even when you don't see it. And we noticed, then, that the area around us - it was as if the caves below were some sort of ruins of a civilizations.

Um, and then Oricorio just disappeared? They left a feather behind. So...they were nice, but I wonder if they were also a Ghost of some kind.

Everything began to feel fuzzy afterwards, and we had to get out immediately. I don't think we would have remained conscious if we had stayed, though I'm unsure if that was because of the spores' influence or some kind of issue with the caves themselves, maybe a gas? I have heard of such things happening in mines before, so extra precautions ought to be taken if we decide to try and go down there again.

But, overall...it seems there was once some kind of settlement in the forest long ago, long enough for it to have been grown over and gone to ruin. And there is, at least, some sort of ambassador of the strangeness in Oricorio, I think. That's just a...mm. What's the word. Hy...hypothesis? Yes, it's that.

[A pause to breathe, and clear her throat.]

Well. That's what I recall. What did the rest of you find?

[A blue Nidoran in a blue bandana smiles gently at you and nods in greeting. You may have met her, you may have not - therefore, she ought to introduce herself before trying an experiment.]

Hello. This is Firoza Istus - you may call me Firoza if you like. I am not good at this sort of communication...but that is going to work to my advantage. I want to share something with everyone.

[The memory that bubbles up is allowed to come freely - it's not nearly as clear or steady as what a Psychic Pokemon would be able to share, but it is intentional, rather than accidental. The image is of a desk, where an attendant lays out thin plates decorated like tiny slides of stained glass, each image unique, and there's a sense of...a task, that goes with each one.]

This is a system we have where I'm from, where people can put in requests for adventurers to do a task, such as protect cargo or slay beasts, or guide travelers to and from places. They are called leves. Similar ones can come in all the time, and like quests are represented by like images. Where I've done much adventuring, in Eorzea, usually they depict sainted individuals of the gods of the realm. In other lands, the system has proved to be very popular, and the images for leves are different - but it is the same concept.

[The memory fades back to the Nidoran, looking contemplative and at peace.]

'Tis reminiscent of that board in town. And...it is welcoming to see. So, I wonder...is there aught similar where you are from? I should like to learn about it, and about all of you in turn.