Session 24, VP1

The week after Gudbrund’s fall passed quickly. For some, the days were filled with rest & recovery. For others, the hours were filled with training & self-improvement in various forms. Each dawn, one more mission finished, one less tie to Drillsberg.

The atmosphere in both parties began to grow restless, like birds ready to take wing. Remembering their earlier conversation, Lauren called Gunnar. The Trapinch cave had yet to be visited since the bombs had been sent into the desert. Together, as one last moment of peace, both parties decided to check on the wild Pokemon together.

Retracing the harried steps they had taken only days before, the group crossed the Varfjell Fields towards Nest Cave. As the group debated how to descend the rock wall without a rope, Lauren grinned. From inside their bag, they produced the rope Gunnar had left behind, recovered on a camping trip.

After reaching the desert floor in safety, Bronze cast her gaze deep into the shadows of the cave. Within, she could see only around 200 or so Trapinch & Vibrava, huddled closely together at the far end. Bergie remarked that this was odd, as the Trapinch had been known to leave the cave at dawn, not returning until dusk.

As quietly as he could, Bergie crept his way to the still forms of the Pokemon. A much-lessened version of the sound that had been plaguing Drillsberg ebbed & flowed; the Pokemon seemed to be snoring while in a state of hibernation. When Bergie gave the all-clear, the rest of the trainers entered as well.

A few took the opportunity to catch a Trapinch, while postulating on what could have caused the odd change of behavior in the Pokemon. To the side of the cave, the collapse caused by one of Gudbrund’s spirits remained, completely sealing off entry to the underground tunnels. Thankfully, this seemed to have mitigate the Vibrava wings’ sound reaching Drillsberg.

Eventually, it was suggested that the impact of the bombs into the desert may have caused some shifts in the ecosystem. The sound of a large number of footsteps near the cave mouth cut conversation to a halt. Having heard tell of Soltinmunnr, all the trainers readied themselves for battle.

It was a surprise when a lone, young woman came skidding to a stop inside the cave. Though she had just been running, her expression didn’t indicate any duress. The sound of footsteps continued plodding past Nest cave, off to the East. Sylvie & Bergie rushed over to see if the visitor was injured.

A bit frostily, she stood, dusted herself off, & took a step away from the other trainers. With some space established, she introduced herself as Ariela, a trainer from further North in Varfjell. Apparently, she had been looking for fossils in the desert the past week. In an unlucky twist of fate, she had come face-to-face with Soltinmunnr himself. Before he could move to attack her, the redirected bombs impacted, scaring hundreds of Pokemon out of hiding. Sensing the easier prey, the Statispine took his leave.

Since then, Ariela had noticed that all the Pokemon seemed confused & territorial. In fact, it had been a small troop of Torkoal that chased her into Nest Cave. When asked about Trapinch, she remembered she had seen several huddled in the caves at the center of Frigga’s Womb.

After telling her tale, Ariela began wandering around the cave, examining the rock walls. The party watched in confusion, as she produced a small trowel, screwing it onto the walking stick on her back. Using the combined shovel, Ariela dug an intricately-shaped piece of fossilized bone from the rock. With a bit more discussion, the trainers decided to search for the remaining Trapinch, hoping to reunite the swarm. They didn’t get far along their trek before spotting 4 lumps speeding towards them beneath the sands.

Lauren quickly pointed out that the two shapes in front appeared to be Dunsparce, being chased by the two shapes behind. Bronze quickly arced a Pokeball into one of the Dunsparce, adding it to her growing roster. Hoping to stop the aggressive Pokemon from pursuing the remaining Dunsparce, Sylvie had Thistle sweep up the sands hiding the two attacking Pokemon.

The creatures were revealed to be oddly-shaped, winged Pokemon that were spinning like drills. The Pokemon slowed, & the trainers identified them as Sigilyph. Working together, they knocked one Sigilyph unconscious, while Ariela captured the other.

The sun had already begun its descent to the horizon by this time. Knowing it would take a few hours to return safely to Drillsberg, our heroes made the decision to return with their new ally. Though the winds of fate had brought the heroes together, it had become clear that their continued paths ran in different directions.

Bergie, Gunnar, & Naivara were still unsure of their next steps: should they continue to help the Trapinch? Try to put down Soltinmunnr? Or continue with their original plan, & set out for Harbinger Valley?

Bronze, Lauren, Reinhold, & Sylvie would be leaving for Ohmslo in the morning, & Ariela asked to accompany them. Having run low on both clothing & supplies, a trip to a well-stocked city sounded ideal.

The trainers walked together towards the setting sun. The next dawn would take from them these new friends & companions, but for now? For now, they reminisced on their time spent in Drillsberg. The losses, the victories, the trials & pain. Things had been learned, lives had been saved, & foes had been met. And, most impactful of all, the kindred spirits they had fought so hard beside.