Session 30, VP1

The fourth day guarding the tree went much as the first three. Though some of the trainers & Pokemon were injured—Naivara & Saffa taking the brunt of the damage—the poachers were repelled rather successfully. Only a few birds from the flock were stolen. Thankfully, some more of the eggs had also hatched, buoying our heroes hopes. Hopes that would soon meet with reality.

The party continued to lay down more & more traps, but the poachers began to attack in larger numbers. There were only so many entrances they could guard completely, & the Flying Type Pokemon the poachers wielded began to make a dent in the size of the flock. A Politoed managed to take down two of Gunnar’s Pokemon, before locking eyes with the Martial Artist from across the cavern.

Silholdra came under heavy assault, until Bergie was able to protect her. Naivara & Peach let out powerful attacks, felling whatever enemies they could. While Gunnar was in the boughs of the tree, hoping to prevent any further escapees, the Politoed began hopping straight towards him. Peach landed a solid hit on the Pokemon, but it’s Aqua Ring kept it from being knocked out. As the last of the combatants began to fall, the frog suddenly burst up into the air.

Gunnar hefted his hand-axes, knowing he was about to be targeted. But it was just at that moment that Saffa let out a cry of effort from the far side of the cave. Her & Stiletto had been helpful in defending the Eastern-most tunnel, but she was now being backed into the wall by two poachers.

Stiletto missed as he attempted to defend her trainer: so Saffa took things into her own hands, literally. Grabbing hold of Stiletto, Saffa plunged the Pawniard’s head-blade into the chest of one of the poachers. It was enough to knock the man out, & his companion decided collect his ally & escape. Unfortunately, this commotion distracted Gunnar just enough.

The Politoed Bounced down on top of him, damaging not just the trainer, but several of the birds as well. Gunnar struggled to get back to his feet from the hammer blow. Seeing its opponent temporarily out of the fight, the Politoed grabbed some nearby Lumarrow with a rubbery grin. Its strong legs suddenly propelled it to the crown of the tree, & then out of the hole in the ceiling.

A few short moments later, the wave of enemies had been fully driven off. Crushed & mangled feathers lay around the roots of the tree, evidence of the decently-sized chunk of the flock that had been captured. The mood was somber, as Bergie began to patch Silholdra up.

Without a word, Gunnar climbed back to the crown of the ash tree. He released Skaelmvaer, while tying the rope from Saffa’s makeshift grappling hook around his waist. Once it was knotted tightly, he took hold of the “hook”, ready to throw it.

The hole in the cave ceiling was roughly 30’ away from the highest boughs of the tree. With a serious expression, Gunnar instructed Skaelmvaer to hit him with Strength. Thinking this was merely a new game, the Narpoon happily obliged, rocketing Gunnar 26’ up into the air.

Having had the "hook" spinning, Gunnar let it fly as the wind whipped past him: his aim was true, & he felt the line take a solid hold on the outside of the cave roof. Unfortunately, this is also when he felt the effects of gravity.

The rope went taut, yanking horrendously around his waist. Though he was damaged from the fight, his own Pokemon, & this shock, Gunnar had fight in him yet.

Naivara, Silholdra, Saffa, & Bergie's cries for him to wait garnered no response. Pushing through the pain, Gunnar pulled himself hand over hand up the rope, disappearing out of sight. Leaving the rest of his friends 70' below, unsure of what to do......