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A- Group up with Gene- you can't see yourself beating a little Caterpie to a pulp!

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Tei continued glancing between the groups, her expression showing bewilderment at first, then fading into disbelief. Really? These were the two 'leaders' for the expedition?

Oh, this would not end well.

Sighing, she paused and lowered her new pack to the ground, stalling the inevitable choice she'd have to make by feigning the need to rearrange her supplies. She couldn't say she agreed with either of the loons over there, but...they each had their good and bad points. The problem was weighing those pros and cons before making a decision.

She wasn't the type to be all 'rainbows and Butterfrees,' or anything like that. Tei had a temper, that was for sure, and if pushed, she'd willingly defend herself from hostile Bug Pokemon attacks with violence. On the other hand, mass genocide wasn't really the answer here. The bug-types were only doing what instinct told them to do to survive. One couldn't blame them for that...the problem was the sheer number and force of them all.

If only they could just capture some, and disperse the rest, the problem should abate, at least some. She wouldn't mind picking up a Pokemon or two of her own, in fact. Save her from having to do all the fighting herself.

With a resolute sigh, Tei reshouldered her pack and started over towards one of the groups. As she neared the rather...flamboyant man, she glanced around at her new companions and commented, "Alright, let's do this."

A- Group up with Gene- you can't see yourself beating a little Caterpie to a pulp!

LT8 looked at all of the commotion and sighed once again. She had just gone inside of the inn and had gotten a few more supplies, a waist pack, and some more water. One can never be unprepaired She thought to herself once she stepped outside.

She then noticed the two groups. Looking at both of them, she silently shook her head. Really, these were the group leaders? Either one of them isn't really a good choice. They're both too extreme. But it seemed like she had to pick one of them. Looking at the woman, she seemed a bit too violent for her tastes. Better go with flower man. She rolled her eyes. If this guy wasn't right, she'd bail out. Really, did she have to go with one of the two groups? Where was the third one?

Sighing once again, she headed over to the bald man and his meganium, triple checking to make sure she had everything.

[If you have to roll a dice for any reason this post, you may roll first, then edit your post so your reaction is proportionate to your roll.]

IF YOU WENT NORTH...

As advertised, the northern side of the island took longer to get to but was definitely an easier trek than to the east. But the fact that there were more farms in a smaller area meant that there were more people to combat the problem of the bugs. Honestly, there really wasn't a whole lot to do to the north. Every farmer you encounter insists that he has it under control and doesn't need another trainer draining what little resources he has left. As the sun sets, you realize that you've spent your entire day wandering around the island and haven't even seen a single Pokemon (other than your own!). Reluctantly, you head back to town with the resolve to head out another day- in another direction.

IF YOU WENT EAST...

You're covered in all sorts of... stuff. Burrs from tall grass you had to practically swim through, prickers from wide, thick bushes you were forced to crawl through a few miles back- you look like a forest monster, of sorts. You're uncomfortable and cranky- and to make things worse, the incessant humming coming from the bug Pokemon swarms is only getting louder. Its a constant, low-pitched thrum that just about rattles your eardrums at this point. You're alone (unless you brought a Pokemon with you) and haven't seen anyone else since the morning. As afternoon reaches its peak, the temperature peaks as well.

So, not only are you covered in all sorts of floral debris, you're /hot/. Great. Could your day get any better?

It can- and it does. 8D

As you round the corner on a small footpath you decided to follow, a small copse of trees comes into sight. As you pass it on your right, you hear a sudden and fervent chittering, the rustling of wings, and then things go black. You feel the soft caress (read: panicked battering) of something that feels like... antennae and fur against your face, restricting your vision.

"VENOOOO!" The creature clinging to your face exclaims, just as startled by your sudden meeting as you must be.



The shiny Venonat hastily dislodges itself from your face/head area and scurries backwards, remaining in eyesight but veritably shuddering in anger and discomfort. It doesn't like that its been discovered. In fact, it looks ready to attack!

What do you do?!
A- Ready your own Pokemon for an attack roll 2 d20 to determine who attacks first. If your first number is 17+, then you attack first. The second number determines the strength of the attack. If you attack first, its your power score- if you attack second, then its Venonat's. Up to 13 is a mild attack, 14-18 is moderate, 18+ knocks Venonat [or you] out.
B- Back away. Slowly. This thing looks /pissed/, like it could cause some serious damage- and you're rather pleased with where your eyes are currently located.

IF YOU WENT WITH GENE...

You're probably bored at this point. While riding/walking to the area pointed out on the map by the seasoned farmer, Gene made it a point to share tales of the swarms from every year he's been on the island. Needless to say, after the first three or four stories, you're sure to find yourself nodding off.

After a couple minutes of blissful silence, the group finds itself passing a small, thin forest. The trees are old, and tall, but they are few and far between. Its easy to see in between each thick trunk, and clearly visible hanging from some of the lower branches are an assortment of Weedle and Caterpie. Gene seems absolutely oblivious to the Pokemon, as they aren't directly on any farmland. He seems perfectly willing to pass them by.

Do you...
A- Stick with Gene and progress towards the intended destination? There are whispers through the group of more exotic Pokemon closer to the farms- Pinsir, maybe even a Scyther!
B- Break off into a small, renegade group! You came here to take care of the bugs and there are some RIGHT THERE.

IF YOU WENT WITH VANESSA...

You've already done some pretty over-the-top things. While making your way towards your intended destination, Vanessa revealed flamethrowers. Not everyone in the group was as excited about them as her Infernape seemed to be. But, she pressured their use, and had already scorched several fields that sounded to be full of buzzing, happily-feeding bugs. With what she deems to be "success" on her hands, Vanessa appears to be getting drunk with power. The stern-faced woman is already making plans to flush out the swarms from the next field, already visible coming up in the distance.

But there are whispers among the group that maybe this isn't the best was to go about doing things- maybe she doesn't need to use so much violence. The Pokemon are just trying to live, after all... Some people seemed more worried about the fact that they're going to provoke the wrong Pokemon into attacking them, rather than inflicting any harm. Either way, there are hushed discussions towards the back of the group about taking Vanessa out.

Do you...
A- Continue mindlessly aiming your flamethrower about, burning anything that comes into view. Who cares about a Pokemon attacking? You have a /flamethrower/, for pete's sake!
B- Use your flamethrower for other things, like.. hitting Vanessa upside the head, knocking her out, and staging a mutiny (of sorts. Can you mutiny of you're not on a boat?) NOTE: If you choose to try and attack Vanessa, roll 2 d20. Your first number needs to be 17-20 for your attack to be successful. The second number determines how strong. Anything less than 12 hurts her, but she'll attack back next round. 13-17 knocks her out, 18+ knocks her out AND quells any of her support, granting you leadership.

A- Ready your own Pokemon for an attack roll 2 d20 to determine who attacks first. If your first number is 17+, then you attack first. The second number determines the strength of the attack. If you attack first, its your power score- if you attack second, then its Venonat's. Up to 13 is a mild attack, 14-18 is moderate, 18+ knocks Venonat [or you] out.

It actually wasn't all that bad, the treck. Sure, mostpeople would be bitching around about how they were sweaty, or how there were sticky burrs attaching to them, or how there was a pebble the size of Goldenrod city in their shoes. Koorie... wasn't most people, although she would admit she was getting rather sick of crawling on her hands and knees.

Pushing herself up back to her feet, she popped off a shoe and pulled out the pebble, the shoved her foot back inside before rounding a corner and nearly jumping out of her skin when something clung to her face. Turning absolutely ridged, she swallowed her scream. Miu, from the ground behind her, tried her best not to chuckle when the Venonat dislodged itself from her trainer's face.

Koorie, however, wasn't too thrilled and took several steps back, just in time to get another face-full of Venonat as it attacked again. This time, swearing spilled from her mouth

B- Break off into a small, renegade group! You came here to take care of the bugs and there are some RIGHT THERE.

Ivy could hear a few people discussing about breaking off from the group. She was intrugied indeed, and was deathly bored of hearing Gene's story. She wasn't going to hurt the Weedle and Caterpie, no not at all. She just knew that they needed to be moved. Plus, she had no pokemon of her own. With whispers of stronger and dangerous pokemon ahead, she knew it would be stupid for her to continue. She would surely just get in the way. "I'm with you." She spoke to the two brothers that had fallen to the back of the group. The two were slowly inching away, leading a small group away from the farmlands.

A- Stick with Gene and progress towards the intended destination? There are whispers through the group of more exotic Pokemon closer to the farms- Pinsir, maybe even a Scyther!

Flor was interested in what this trainer had to say. For the first five minutes. Then insect-hunting didn't sound so interesting anymore after it was repeated ten thousand times. She stifled a yawn in order to be respectful, but she wished that they'd reach the main part of the swarm sooner...!

She focused her attention towards the Caterpies and Weedles around her instead. If they were on farmland there would be trouble, but since they were in their natural habitats she found no reason to fight them.

A. Continue mindlessly aiming your flamethrower about, burning anything that comes into view. Who cares about a Pokemon attacking? You have a /flamethrower/, for pete's sake!

Caius was, unlike some of the other members of his group, quite thrilled to have received a flamethrower. It was one of the many thing he would obtain during this trip (or at least, he hoped so, for his bag still lacked the satisfying weight of the well-prepared pack he had originally come here with), and besides, it was nice to know he wouldn't have to go around hiding anymore simply because he didn't have a Pokémon. He was quite pleased with the way things were heading so far, and only hoped that those who were more open about their displeasure didn't take anything too far...