PTA3: Til The Miltank Comes Home

by TheBurkester

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'Til The Miltank Comes Home

A Pokemon Tabletop Adventures 3 Introductory Oneshot

Written and Edited by: u/TheBurkester

This one-shot was created as a way to introduce players to PTA3. It includes a full adventure set in the Johto region, where a group of trainers must investigate the disappearance of a town farmer, and save her Miltank from peril. It aims to teach new players the basics of playing PTA3, with sections for players to:

  • Use skills
  • Catch Pokemon
  • Battle wild Pokemon
  • Interact with NPCs

This one-shot was designed with 4 players in mind, but can easily be scaled for 3-5.

Character creation:

Players will be making VERY simple characters for this one-shot. The idea is to use this as an introduction to PTA3 and its core systems, and then use other, more complex one-shots to introduce them to more complicated mechanics. As such, for the simplest experience, set up the following during character creation:

  • Trainers are all at an effective "Level 0"
  • They do not have a trainer class
  • They do not have any trainer skills
  • Trainers do not have an Origin
  • They do not have an Origin skill

To facilitate trainers having some amount of character, use the standard stat array (2,3,4,5,6) and give each trainer two skills to be talented in. Also, give each player 2 Pokeballs and 2 Sitrus berries for their journey.

Pokemon Selection

As for Pokemon, each trainer should have one Pokemon each. There are a few chances for them to catch more. Ideally, Pokemon should generally conform to the following parameters:

  • It is the first Pokemon in their evolutionary line (With the exception of low-statted Pokemon that evolve from Baby Pokemon, such as Jigglypuff)
  • It is a common or uncommon Pokemon (Rare pokemon are also viable, but may cause a power disparity if a single trainer has something much stronger than their peers)
  • It is a Pokemon found natively in Johto (This is mostly for flavour reasons. Trainers can very easily have Pokemon from another reason if they wish)
  • It is NOT a psychic or ground type, or it doesn't learn a psychic or grount type move (The final battle is exclusively against poison types, and too many psychic or ground Pokemon can trivialise the fight)
A general list of "viable" Pokemon is as follows:

Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totadile, Pidgey, Spearow, Hoothoot, Rattata, Sentret, Pichu, Pikachu, Caterpie, Weedle, Ledyba, Spinarak, Geodude, Zubat, Cleffa, Clefairy, Igglybuff, Jigglypuff, Togepi, Sandshrew, Ekans, Mareep, Wooper, Ghastly, Onix, Bellsprout, Hoppip, Paras, Poliwag, Magikarp, Goldeen, Slowpoke, Oddish, Drowzee, Abra, Pineco, Nidoran F, Nidoran M, Yanma, Sunkern, Exeggcute, Bonsly, Wynaut, Venonat, Koffing, Grimer, Magnemite, Voltorb, Aipom, Snubbull, Vulpix, Growlithe, Azurill, Marill, Diglett, Mankey, Meowth, Psyduck, Machop, Tyrogue, Magby, Smoochum, Elekid, Natu, Tentacool, Krabby, Staryu, Shellder, Remoraid, Chinchou, Seel, Lickitung, Tangela, Eevee, Horsea, Gligar, Swinub, Teddiursa, Phanpy, Mantyke, Doduo, Ponyta, Cubone, Rhyhorn, Murkrow, Houndour, Slugma, Sneasel, Misdreavus, Porygon, Omanyte, Kabuto, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Dratini, Larvitar

Speak to your players if they want something not on this list. Remember, this is just a suggestion, and you don't have to pull from this exact list. Just keep in mind that a trainer with a Dratini is going to have a much easier time in combat than a trainer with an Abra

Author's Note:

When I ran this for my group of 5 players, they all selected from a pool of Yanma, Houndour, Poliwag, Misdreavous and Mareep. While you don't have to use these exact Pokemon, creating a select pool of Pokemon for your players to choose from both gives you control over the game's power level, while also giving your players some freedom of choice.

Plot Summary

After a recent storm came crashing through Azalea town, Farmer summer has been missing for a few days. Several deliveries have come in for her, and Pokeball expert Kurt is expecting a shipment of Apricorns from her. Worried for her safety, but unwilling to brave the path to her farm himself, he enlists the help of some of the town's up-and-coming trainers to make the delivery and check in on her.

The path there is long, but not as dangerous as Kurt made it out to be. Upon arrival, the trainers find Summer's farm seemingly abandoned. The fence around the farm's small paddock has several posts missing, and the front door is unlocked, and group of Aipom have begun ransacking her home in her absence. After their defeat, investigation leads to the realisation that something bad happened, and Summer left in a hurry.

Following her tracks leads to the trainers finding Summer stranded on a path in the nearby forest, her leg broken, and her partner Dunsparce no longer able to battle. She tells the trainers that the storm spooked her Miltank, who broke out of her pen in a panic. Worried for her safety, Summer and her Dunsparce braved the storm to track her town. But on the way, they were attacked by a group of wild Pokemon, who knocked out her Dunsparce and forced her to retreat. On the way, she tripped and fell, breaking her leg in the fall.

She pleads with the trainers to save her Miltank, who is still trapped somewhere in the forest. But not after helping her back to her cabin and contacting someone from town to come get her and look at her leg. She promises to cook the trainers a nice dinner as thanks.

Following the path towards Miltank, the trainers find her knocked out and surrounded by a group of Ekans, led by an Arbok. The trainers must do battle to rescue the poor Pokemon.

Pokemon Encountered In This One-Shot:

These Pokemon will appear at certain points in this One-Shot. It is good to have their stat blocks prepared in advance.

  • Oddish (Hiding under an apricorn tree)
  • Aipom (Ransacking Summer's House)
  • Teddiursa (Hurt and hiding on a forest path)
  • Ekans (Being led by Arbok in search of a meal)
  • Arbok (Head honcho of a group of Ekans attempting to eat Summer's Miltank)
  • Miltank (Summer's Miltank, KO'd and at the mercy of the snake Pokemon that want to eat it)

Introduction

Read Aloud (Do this for all banners like this one)

It's a new day in the wonderful world of Pokemon. Our story begins today in the Tohto region, in Azalea town. After a few days of torrential rain, the town is ready to get back to normal.

Use this time to introduce the trainers. Who are they? What do they do? What is their defining character trait?

Once all trainers have been introduced, begin a scene somwhere in town. Have a trainer (or multiple) need to do something in wake of the storm that puts them in a position to learn that Summer hasn't been seen recently. Some examples include:

  • A trainer is visiting a food spot that Summer is a regular at. The owner is puzzled that Summer hasn't come through today for her usual
  • At the post office, there are several packages addressed to Summer, all having arrived just before the storm started. The postmaster finds it strange that she hasn't come to pick * them up yet
  • At the Pokemart, there is a lack of the usual local Moomoo Milk that Summer's Miltank provides. The clerk at the counter says the store never got a delivery despite one being ordered.

When pressed, the worried NPCS all urge the trainers to speak to Pokeball expert Kurt. Many of the townsfolk don't know Summer personally, and Kurt has the most liason with her, so if anyone in town would know where she is, it would be him.

Kurt

Speaking to Kurt, he reveals that he too hasn't heard from Summer. He was expecting a delivery of Apricorns from her farm, but she hasn't shown up with them yet. Kurt asks the trainers he's talking to to assembly a small group of trainers and see that she is okay. Kurt thinks something bad may have happened, but since Azalea Town doesn't usually have many problems, whatever happened can't be that bad. Forming a small team to look for her would also make for some good practice for any aspiring trainers.

Asking Kurt about Summer reveals a few facts:

  • Summer is a nice woman, but she just prefers her own company
  • She maintains a large patch of Apricorns on her farm, which she sells to Kurt
  • She also has a Miltank that she milks and sells the Moomoo milk at the local Pokemart
  • Her partner Pokemon is a Dunsparce, though Kurt has never met it personally.

The Road To Summer's

Despite the heavy rainfall leaving large puddles and fallen branches, the path to Summer's farmstead is otherwise clear.

This is a good time to let the trainers get to know each other if they don't already, and flesh out any of their relationships, rivalries, or other interpersonal situations between them.

When the trainers are ready to proceed with the narrative, read the following description:

As you reach the end of the path, you finally come upon Summer's farmstead. A quaint farmhouse stands at the end of the path, flanked by a patch of apricorn trees, weathered and battered by the storm, and a sizeable paddock with a wooden stake fence that appears empty.

Summer's Farmstead

Summer's Farmhouse stands abandoned for the moment after she ran into the storm to find her Miltank. The trainers are free to investigate for clues as to her whereabouts. There are three places for them to investigate: The Paddock to the east, where Summer's Miltank normally rests, The Apricorn Trees to the west, which Summer harvests to sell to Kurt, and Summer's House, where she normally stays/lives.

Investigating each area reveals the following:

The Paddock:

The paddock is well constructed with lots of room for a single medium to large size Pokemon to roam around. At its top end is an enclosed shelter for a Pokemon to rest under.

The ground of the paddock is muggy and damp, with a wet pile of hay in the corner under the shelter.

While most of the fenceposts are still in good condition, the fenceposts on the south side of the paddock are missing.

Investigating these spots indicates they were not removed cleanly, as if they were pushed over with some amount of force. A successful DC15 Investigation Check reveals they were pushed over from the inside.

Following from the fallen posts, trainers can find a set of hoofprints heading into the forest to the east.

The Apricorn Trees:

Three rows of colourful apricorn trees stand to the west of the farmhouse. Though weathered and damaged after the storm, they are all still standing.

Some of the trees have had their apricorn harvests blown clean off. A DC13 Nature Check reveals that the ones that remain look to be in good condition and ready to harvest.

A wild Oddish has also taken refuge under one of the trees, and hides from the trainers. A trainer who succeeds on a DC13 Perception Check can find it attempting to mimic a plant in the ground. It is not hostile, and will attempt to flee if one of the trainers gets too close to it.

The House

At the end of the dirt path is a modest farmhouse in good shape. Despite the water dripping from the awnings, it seems quite cozy

The front door is closed but unlocked. Attempting to open it reveals it is jammed, and requires some amount of force to open. A trainer may make a DC10 Athletics check to force the door open.

A successful DC10 Perception check also reveals the sound of indistinct chittering coming from inside the house. A successful DC15 Perception Check reveals there is more than one thing inside making the noise.

Inside, a trio of Aipom have made themselves quite at home, having snuck in the night previous. One roots through the fridge, while the other two ransack the small bookshelf and table.

The Aipom are territorial, but not necessarily confrontational. Trainers may attempt a more displmatic approach through Nature or Pokemon Handling checks, but the Aipom will try to attack them if they enter the house

The Aipom don't fight to kill, only to scare away any intruders. If the trainers retreat, they will not pursue.

The Aipom won't fight to the death, and each individual Aipom will flee if any of the following conditions are met:

  • Their HP drops to 10 or below
  • One of the other Aipom is knocked out

After their defeat, the trainers are able to investigate more freely. By thoroughly investigating the house, the players can find the following:

  • While the Aipoms were clearly having fun, the damage they caused was overall quite minimal, and the house is otherwise in working order
  • There is no sign of a struggle, or a possible attack
  • On the table is a coffee cup and a plate.
    • The plate is covered in crumbs but holds no food, having been eaten by the Aipom
    • The cup is empty, but there is a dark coffee ring on the inside
  • In the small bookshelf next to her bed is a book clearly labelled as a Diary.
    • The final date is listed as the morning of the first day of the storm
    • Summer was worried about her Miltank being spooked by the storm, and pledged that she would bring her Miltank inside until the storm passed

Some things about the situation are not immediately visible. Some things players can find (and the conclusions you can help draw them to) are:

  • There is no sign of a struggle (Suggests she left of her own volition)
  • While the door was unlocked, it was not broken into (Suggests she left in a hurry)
  • There is a lack of weather appropriate clothing (Suggests she left while the storm was going)
  • There is no sign of her Dunsparce anywhere

Players should be able to deduce that during the storm, Summer grew worried about her Miltank and went to retrieve her. However, she did not return for whatever reason, presumably to follow the tracks near the paddock.

The Forest Path

Following the tracks leads to a small gap in the treeline, with a small, well-worn path that goes further into the forest. This path is much more untamed than the one bridging Summer's Farmstead and Azalea town, but even with the mess the storm left, it is clear the path still sees use. The muddy ground makes the hoof tracks stand out, and as you continue forward, you begin to make out boot-prints as well.

A short while into following the path, the trainers hear a voice call to them from behind a nearby tree. Following the voice, the trainers find Summer! She's taking shelter under the tree, absolutely drenched and looking exhausted. But she is still very much alive, though her leg is bent in the wrong direction. Summer recognises the trainers from town, and asks what they're doing out in the woods.

She is very grateful the trainers are here to help, and tells them the following:

  • She's alive, but she's far from okay. She's tired, she's hungry, and her leg is definitely broken.
  • A trainer can attempt to help with her leg by making a DC15 Medicine Check to help set it correctly. Summer still lacks the strength to walk on her own, but will thank anyone who helps treat her
  • She is in the forest because her Miltank got spooked during the storm, and managed to break out of her pen and run away
  • Summer left in a hurry to find her, since her Miltank has a tendency to get lost very easily
  • She never found her Miltank, as she was ambushed by a group of Ekans. She tried to fight them, but they quickly overwhelmed her Dunsparce and forced her to flee
  • As she ran, she slipped on a protruding tree root and broke her leg
  • She tried to drag herself back to town, but grew weak as she was battered by the storm, and she was forced to take shelter. Overexposure to the rain also weakened her, and she was forced to rest. This tree was as far as she got before the party found her resting
  • Based on the tracks she was following, Summer believes her Miltank has fled further down the path to a small clearing that Summer would take her to frequently
  • There is a flower patch in the clearing, which grows some rare flowers and herbs with healing properties that her Miltank loves to chew on

Summer asks the party for two favours. One is to return her to her cabin and call for medical attention, and the other to find her missing Miltank before it is too late. She hands the trainers the Love Ball that usually houses her Miltank, and asks them to return her safely.

She promises to cook everyone a lovely meal in return for their help.

Also in the trees is a lone Teddiursa cub, attempting to hide from Summer, who unknowingly scared it the night previously. If Summer leaves the area, such as being guided away by any of the trainers, the Teddiursa emerges. It is clearly hurt and limping. A combination of a successful DC13 Pokemon Handling Check and DC13 Medicine Check allows a trainer to get close to the Teddiursa to help it, removing thorns in its foot. The Teddiursa is grateful to whoever helps it, and decides to join their party, allowing itself to be caught without issue.

Players can still attempt to catch the Teddiursa without helping it, though this incurs a -25 penalty to the Capture Rate.

The Final Confrontation

When the trainers reconvene, and after dealing with the Teddiursa, they hear a cry from further down the path!

Following the noise, you arrive at the clearing in the forest, where a freshly fainted Miltank is surrounded by a pack of three Ekans, led by an angry Arbok. The snake Pokemon are all seemingly bickering over who gets to have the fresh meal when you arrive. Upon noticing them, their body language becomes aggressive, and they attack, not wanting to give up the chance at a meal such as Miltank.

The trainers must fight with all of their might to defeat the poison type threats.

Author's Note:

The number of Ekans in this encounter can vary depending on the strength of the trainers facing them. If there is less trainers, or if one of their Pokemon has fainted, consider lowering the amount of Ekans to two to compensate.

  • Not wanting to give up the possibility of food, and seeing the trainers as another possible meal, the Ekans and Arbok will continue to fight relentlessly, until

  • While all of them can be caught, the Arbok has a -25 penalty to its catch rate

  • If the trainers manage to recall Miltank into its Love Ball, the Pokemon become more aggressive, and will pursue the trainers until the trainers catch or KO them

  • The flowers on the map have a special property: any Pokemon who spends its action eating the flowers can immediately end one condition affecting it (such as poison or paralysis)

When all of the Pokemon are defeated or captured, the battle is over. With Summer's Miltank safe, and the threat dealt with, the trainers are able to return to Summer's farm. Summer is being tended to by medical professionals from town, who she called after the players dropped her off (provided they didn't call ahead already). She thanks them for their help, and is very grateful that the ordeal is over.

The one-shot ends with Summer promising to make the dinner she plans on cooking extra delicious, just for all their help.

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