Area Zero Field Trip

[indigo_league]

Early in the week, Riegfried and Soy sent out a recorded video: an invitation for all guests on this Paldean vacation to join them on a little field trip into Area Zero within the Great Crater of Paldea. It is a spot known for fascinating explorers, academics, and seasoned battlers, however is generally off-limits due to the dangerous nature of the very powerful pokemon within. Which makes it the perfect place for a little study trip!

(They add that the trip was approved by the Paldea League, which is in charge of granting such access, but isn’t the idea of heeding the call of adventure no matter what more thrilling?)

Anyone interested in spending two days in Area Zero will be asked to gather in front of the Academy on the morning of the 9th, from where flying taxis will take everybody to the Gate Entrance. From there, warp panels bring you inside the crater, to the first of many research stations. While most of the space within is dedicated to computers and scientific equipment, the sleeping quarters have plenty of beds to accommodate you all overnight. You are also met here by several of the scientists stationed at this research station who have an offer for you. While you can just explore the area on your own, you could also contribute to the general body of knowledge and understanding and perhaps complete an assignment or two. Completely optional. Really. If you can resist five harried scientists giving you big Lillipup eyes. Outside the research station, Area Zero awaits. The grassy ground spirals down in a corkscrew pattern with occasional caves branching off. A wide river with rushing waterfalls cuts its own way through. Light sparkles off of crystal formations and gives a glittering appearance to the whole space, which is otherwise dimmed by a foggy mist. Area Zero lives up to its reputation when it comes to mystery, but as for danger? The Pokemon up here seem to be a little stronger than others encountered in Paldea, but all things considered, they hardly seem worth being warned about. But there is the sense of something more. Maybe you hear clicks and whirs coming from something unseen, or see a colorful glow that fades before you can reach it. You may simply be unable to shake the feeling you’re being watched. And even at the higher points of Area Zero, you may outright see the source of all this: Creatures that resemble familiar Pokemon, but behave like machines. Despite their appearance, the PokeGear recognizes them as true Pokemon. These Pokemon are reclusive until the trip leads to Area Zero’s depths, but within those underground caverns it’s a different story. More of the Pokemon there share that robotic quality than not. Some display aggression, some fear, and others curiosity. This is their home, and visitors from the outside world are so rare. How can they be sure what to expect? Anyway, have fun, be safe, and make sure you are back at the Research station at 10PM on the 10th. We are only allowed to leave 10% of participants behind!

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Comments

[nastyboy]

....Well then.

[Dimitri can certainly see why things are such a concern now, his one eye wide in alarm. Earthquakes and warring legendaries... He'd really want to avoid that, if possible.]

[So he listens attentively, nodding along with both of Cecil's suggestions.]

Of course. I will be sure to make such strong wishes myself, and inform those that I come across as well. If I see any evil doers, then you will not need worry.

Gremlin and I are very familiar with such matters, and so will be able to act appropriately.

[There is nothing about this situation that rat throwing cannot help. Or, at the very least, it will probably not make the situation worse. Probably.]

Would they respond to the desires of our companions as well, such as Gremlin?

[paladinlost]

[Look, if anyone is going to be throwing rats in the near future, it may as well be Dimitri. He's a better option than most other potential rat-throwers, really, as far as Cecil is concerned.

Given a few minutes, he might even be able to express that sentiment in a non-ridiculous manner, but Dimitri's question proves most distracting.]

You know, I had not considered that! It would make perfect sense, of course. After all, not everyone among us is human, despite this world's best efforts, yet there's no reason to believe one's species has an impact on the local crystals' reaction or lack thereof. And Pokémon can certainly be as intelligent or sapient as we are, so why would they not be included? ...Yet if that is the case, the local Pokémon would also be able to influence them.

[That. Might be an issue, now that he thinks about it.]

[nastyboy]

[It is most definitely an issue, considering that now raises the available wishes and such to.... very high numbers. Dimitri won't do the math on that. He just waits for Cecil to think for a minute on what he wants to do, if anything.]

...Perhaps we should try communicating with the local residents, or bribing them.

[Bribe what? Don't worry about it.]

[paladinlost]

[Cecil tries to do the math on that. Tries. And then he stops, because he really doesn't like the numbers he's getting.

Maybe thinking about this wasn't such a good idea after all.]

...I've not brought nearly enough sandwich ingredients for that, I'm afraid.

[Food is always an appreciated bribe, right? But do the robots even eat???]

[nastyboy]

Indeed.... That sounds as though it would require a catering company of some sort.

[And do they have catering to that degree.... All the way out here... He doesn't know, it is a mystery. At least to him.]

...Do you think we could bribe them with other things? Do you believe that creatures of electricity such as they would like video games, or is that presumptive?