Lore

Pokémon Trainer Accounts

When you become a Licensed Pokémon Trainer, you do so by opening an account with the Pokémon League. This account comes with a line of credit which is solely used for Pokémon related purposes. When it comes to buying Poké Balls or Pokémon related items such as food, healing items, etc, these credits are used in place of regular currency.

These credits cannot be used in place of real currency at places like restaurants, sporting stores, hotels, etc. As well, regular currency cannot be used in place of credits at Pokémon related establishments like Breeders, Competitions, Poké Marts, etc.

The starting credit line is a grant of $10,000 from the Pokémon League, and from there you must build your credit line by battling other Trainers and capturing as many Pokémon as you can.

Every activity that is Pokémon related which you register for and complete comes with a monetary reward. For example if you stop in a city and see that a local construction crew is looking for a Trainer and their Pokémon to lend a hand with some heavy lifting, you may ask to register with them and help out for a day. At the end of the day you will be rewarded with credits upon receiving a digital signature through your Pokédex from your employer and will then receive a monetary reward from the Pokémon League.

For most general jobs like those mentioned above, credits given range between $200-$1,000 for a full 8 hour shift. The more strenuous/dangerous/long-winded the job, the more you are paid.

It is rare for a job to run longer than that because it is a hassle for the employers who have to go through special paperwork with the League to employ a Trainer for longer periods of time.

The most a Trainer was ever paid for a highly dangerous job which involved them flying on the back of their Pokémon to work construction on a roughly 40 story skyscraper was a $11,500 payment for 4 hours of work, but unless your life may be on the line you won't get paid that much for most jobs.

Pokémon

Pokémon in this RP are not limited to the regions they are found in within the games. So long as the environment is suitable for their species, they can be found anywhere in the world based on the rarity of the species.

For a few examples:

* Pikachu can be found in most forests, both deciduous and coniferous, the world over.

* Magikarp can be found just about ANYWHERE there is water, while Gyarados is usually found out to sea unless it's the breeding season when they come further into large rivers and lakes to spawn.

* Dratini is usually found in warm climate ponds, rivers, and lakes. Dragonair is usually found in the deep ocean. But their final form, Dragonite's preferred habitat, is all but unknown as they most so quickly and freely about the world that none have ever been seen nesting or setting in any one place by human eyes. A prevailing theory is that they have found a roost as a species somewhere in an uncharted island or series of uncharted islands somewhere south of the Sevii Islands and the Orange Archipelago.

As well, Pokémon you capture do not automatically become loyal to you like they do in the games. They will ignore you, refuse your commands, and even try to escape until you earn their trust. If you send a newly captured Pokémon into battle, it will either run away or simply refuse to fight which could lead to it getting hurt.

Pokémon in this RP are wild animals, plain and simple. They share a natural predator/prey relationship with one another based on real-world comparisons. For example: Feraligatr would be a natural predator of just about anything it could fit into its mouth at the edge of the water like a real crocodile/alligator. Dragonite, despite its size, would mostly feed on fish due to its bipedal and primarily aerial lifestyle while its precursor forms; Dratini and Dragonair, are predatory in nature hunting prey underwater using their electric abilities to stun nearby prey and squeeze it to death in their coils before swallowing it whole like a python.



Because Pokémon are realistically depicted as wild animals, they do not inherently trust humans. They, just like real life wild animals, are prone to flee from humans or, if they feel truly threatened, stand and fight. They often live in family groups with very few species ever living a lonely or vagabond lifestyle. Notable exceptions are, of course, Cubone, Absol, and other apex predator type Pokémon like Tyranitar and other Pseudo Legendary Pokémon, as well as all of the Legendary Pokémon.

Speaking of Legendary Pokémon, they are outlandishly powerful creatures capable of leveling an entire city in less than ten minutes if they were so inclined. Even the smaller and seemingly peaceful ones are capable of this, and any human caught in the crossfire of any of their attacks will find themselves in an early grave. No human has ever survived an attack, not even a glancing blow, from a Legendary Pokémon.

Pokémon in this RP have no limitation on how many moves they can learn or utilize in combat. As long as the Pokémon has learned the technique, they can use it in combat. Period. The moves Pokémon are allowed to use in this RP depend on their anatomy and typing.

For example:

Pikachu can learn all of the following techniques because its anatomy allows for them (it might be able to learn a couple more, but again typing and anatomy are the factors and I didn’t check EVERY technique in the game list):

Tackle, Headbutt, Scratch, Bite, Tail Whip (a physical technique), Growl (intimidation), Mega Kick, Mega Punch, Iron Tail, Thunder Fang, Thunderpunch, Quick Attack, Thundershock, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Charge, Bolt Strike, Charge Beam, Discharge, Electric Terrain, Electro Ball, Fusion Bolt, Nuzzle, Plasma Fists, Schock Wave, Spark, Thunder Wave, Volt Tackle, Zap Cannon, Bide, Body Slam, Double Slap, Double Team, Double Edge, Extreme Speed, Flash, Fury Swipes, Leer (intimidation), Pound, Rage, Skull Bash, Slam, Take Down.

There are no stats in this RP!!!

No Levels. No HP. No PP. No Attack, SP Attack, Defense, SP Defense, or Speed. No “characteristics” or “natures”, and no EV/IV’s to worry about.

Your Pokémon will grow and develop based on how you raise it, plain and simple. If you teach it to be tough, it will get tougher. If you train it to be fast, it will get faster. If you train it to be strong, it will get stronger. If you make it an all-around versatile fighter, it will be an all-around versatile fighter.

You determine your Pokémon’s traits and characteristics based on how you raise it. It is not dependent on video game stats.

Size of the Region

Each Region in this RP (depending on where you want to start) is MUCH LARGER than the games would otherwise suggest.
For example: Route 1 in Kanto between Pallet Town and Viridian City takes a full ten to twelve hours by car (without stopping to rest) and around three to five days when on foot depending on how much ground you choose to cover in a day.

And that is one of the shortest Routes in the Kanto Region, second to Routes 5, 6, and 7 outside of Saffron City which each take about two to three days on foot and four to six hours by car.

And that's when you travel directly from one destination to another. When you stop for resting, capturing and/or training your Pokémon, battling other willing Trainers, etc, it takes even longer.

Pokémon Battling

To pit your Pokémon in battle against another human-owned Pokémon is illegal with only one exception: Official Pokémon League Battles.

These battles can only take place between two Licensed Trainers who are participating in a competitive pursuit such as the Gym Leader's Challenge, the Pokémon Olympics, Pokémon League Competition, participants of Pokémon Fashion Contests, etc.

Pokémon Trainers of non-competitive pursuits, such as Breeders, Law Enforcement, etc, are not allowed to engage in Pokémon Battles unless it is a self-defense scenario such as if Team Rocket or Rogue Trainers who are on the run from the law engage you and endanger your life. Your Pokémon are your best defense in such scenarios, and thus the League will give you the benefit of the doubt if it's a self defense situation.

Pokémon Purchase

Pokémon can be purchased instead of captured in this RP. There are dedicated groups of what you might call Pokémon Bounty Hunters (PB Hunter, for short) who will track, capture, and deliver the Pokémon you request for a rather hefty price (contrary to the regular connotation of a bounty hunter taking in their contract dead or alive, they're entirely peaceful in this RP).

The rarity and difficulty in obtaining the Pokémon substantially increases the cost. The most expensive known contract for a PB Hunter which saw success was completed for just over $12 million, and the target was a Dragonair.

For more common or easier to capture Pokémon, the price is generally in the low thousands. A Pikachu, for example, due to the difficult of capturing an individual from among a family group and the dangers posed by their electricity generally run for around $12,000-$15,000.

As a general rule of thumb there are two groups of Pokémon whom PB Hunters will not go after as a matter of both respect for the Pokémon, and prioritizing their lives over money: Legendary and Mythical Pokémon.

No PB Hunter who has ever foolishly accepted a contract for either one has ever come back alive to collect a payment.

One final group which will usually be denied by PB Hunters as a matter of respect to the Pokémon are infant Pokémon and/or Eggs.

Depending on the species, Pokémon either birth live young or lay eggs. PB Hunters will more than likely refuse to capture such Pokémon because of the psychological and emotional damage it can cause to the newborns and the fact that a lack of proper socialization with their own kind for those which are born from eggs can cause lasting harm as well as unnatural and harmful behavior.

Pokémon Evolution

Pokémon in this RP do not require anything special to evolve except for time. All Pokémon will naturally evolve over time with only one notable exception: stone evolutions.

There are no trade evolutions in this RP. All trade and “held item" trade evolutions are normal evolutions that will happen one way or the other depending on how well you raise your Pokémon. The better you raise it, the faster it evolves. The worse job you do, the slower it will be to evolve.

Stone evolutions, however, are still a thing… However they are handled a little differently than they are in the games/anime.

In this RP, Evolution “stones” are actually edible minerals which trigger chemical reactions inside your Pokémon’s body to start the evolution process. When you find a thunder stone, it’s a mineral your Pokémon (like Pikachu) can eat to trigger evolution. Think of it as a hard candy. Your Pokémon can take bites off of it and, after some time for digestion has passed (usually around 2-4 hours) your Pokémon will evolve.

Mega Evolution is not the same as it is in the games.

Mega Evolution in this RP is permanent, and considered a natural evolution so long as certain requirements are met to achieve it:

1) Your Pokémon has consumed a mineral known as Sereinium.

- For reasons unknown, this mineral is the catalyst for the chemical reaction within the Pokémon's body that triggers Mega Evolution when the Pokémon has a Mega Evolution form.

- Sereinium is a mineral found in deep caves which will naturally draw Pokémon who have Mega Evolutions like candy. It has a scent which only Pokémon are able to detect, and when they do it is irresistible. Even the most well-trained Pokémon will ignore their Trainers to dig up and consume this mineral.

*** (For story reasons, none of our Trainers will know of this mineral or understand why it is our Pokémon (if they have a Mega Evolution form) are drawn to this strange mineral in caves such as the depths of Mt. Moon, Mt. Silver, etc)

2) Your Pokémon's heart is 100% open to you.

- Even the slightest hint of doubt your Pokémon has about you as a Trainer, as a human being, and as a member of its family will prevent Mega Evolution from happening. They must be absolutely and without question 100% devoted to you and accept you unconditionally as a member of its family.

3) Your Pokémon has a reason to Mega Evolve.

- Mega Evolution is a stage that Pokémon cannot naturally attain when they live a carefree and relatively safe life style. If you're a Trainer who avoids Team Rocket and other dangers, doesn't put themselves at risk for others, and who leads a relatively leisurely lifestyle where Official Pokémon League Battles are the most exciting thing to happen to you, Mega Evolution will never happen.

- It is not known why Mega Evolution occurs in response to such a need, but many believe that it is the stress and adrenaline which reacts to the Sereinium they have consumed to trigger a chemical reaction which encourages the evolution to take place.

Special Pokémon Typing and Techniques.

Every time I’ve done this kind of RP the question about “what are Ghost Pokémon?”, “how do we handle Psychic Pokémon?”, and “what are Dark Pokémon?” have come up.

Here are your answers:

* Ghost Pokémon: Ghost Pokémon are Pokémon with the ability to alter the pigmentation of their skin to almost seamlessly reflect their environment making it seem like they have disappeared. Their control over their pigmentation is so precise that they can move freely about without giving away their position so long as they are careful. They cannot actually disappear or go into a true "ghost mode”, so to speak. It’s all perception and the warping of perception with their pigmentation changing abilities.

* Psychic Pokémon: They are highly intelligent. Psychic abilities are powerful, but not infallible. Also they don’t work on everything. The Pokémon’s physical and mental state are key to their success in battle. If they are well-rested and healthy, they will be deadly combatants. If they are tired, mentally and/or physically, their abilities suffer and they are far more vulnerable to attacks. Because they rely on their minds, they are naturally physically frail even when their Trainers try to focus on toughness training to compensate.

* Dark Pokémon: Dark Pokémon are similar to Psychic Types. They have a strange dark power which is similar, though somehow an antithesis of psychic abilities. Science has yet to explain it. Somehow they are immune to Psychic Pokémon’s powers and mental games, and are naturally very tough creatures. However, the majority of them lack physical strength to match their special abilities. Tit for tat, as they say.

Items

Items in this RP have been stripped to the bare basics in terms of price and usage.

First off, “stat altering” items such as X Attack are not in the RP. Because we’re dealing with real animals and not video game sprites, such items have no reason to exist.

Secondly, there are no “held” items. If a Pokémon were made to hold an item then the Pokémon would be hampered in battle and be less effective. For those who have martial arts backgrounds such as myself, have you ever sparred (fought) with someone while holding a large object in one or both hands? It’s a nightmare.

Here is the complete list of items this RP will deal with as far as Pokémon are concerned:

(If you don’t see an item here, it doesn’t exist in the RP)

Recovery Items

* Potion = $20
* Super Potion = $50
* Antidote = $15
* Paralyze Heal = $25
* Burn Heal = $25
* Ice Heal = $25
* Awakening = $30
* Full Heal = $300

Poké Balls

* Poké Ball = $20
* Great Ball = $50
* Ultra Ball = $150
** Custom Poké Ball = $500/Ball

** Custom Poké Balls are the “Apricorn” Poké Balls Kurt made in Gen II. They are not available for purchase in Poké Marts. You have to find the materials in the world and take them to a specialist (one in every major city) to get these Poké Balls. They are expensive because they are actually making the Poké Ball for you. The average time to make one custom Poké Ball is three days.

- As well, all Poké Balls can and do fail.

- When a Poké Ball fails to capture a Pokémon, it does not break. It simply fails to contain the struggling Pokémon and becomes an empty Poké Ball laying wherever it landed after the Pokémon broke free. Once you retrieve the ball, you can use it again at a later time.

- Sometimes Poké Balls will break, but this is mostly when they are used multiple times and fail multiple times which can and does happen. The more often a Poké Ball fails to capture a Pokémon, the more wear and tear it faces. Eventually it will break and you'll have to replace it, and this is true of Poké Balls which house your team of Pokémon as well. Poké Balls are all made of metal and as such are vulnerable to metal fatigue.

- I expect to see you fail to capture Pokémon and see at least one Poké Ball break during the course of your adventure.

Pokémon Food

* Small Bag (5 lbs) = $20
* Medium Bag (10 lbs) = $35
* Large Bag (20 lbs) = $50

* For the sake of simplicity we are streamlining Pokémon diets in this RP, so it’s a one-formula satisfies all kind of deal.

- Pokémon Food is optional.

Your Pokémon can be told to forage for food on its own and it will handle its business just fine. So long as it doesn’t stray too far from you, it will return in short order with a full stomach (or empty depending on whether or not it was successful). But if it wanders too far or gets into trouble, you’ll either need to find it quickly or risk it being injured or killed by wild Pokémon.

There are NO TM’s or HM’s!

TM’s and HM’s were always more a hindrance than a help in the games in my honest opinion, so I have done away with them entirely. If your Pokémon can swim and support your weight, you can ride on its back as it swims. If they can fly and support your weight, you can fly about on their back. Etc.

All TM’s are techniques that can be learned naturally by your Pokémon so long as its anatomy and typing allow for it like any other technique from the franchise.

Fossil Pokémon.

Fossile Pokémon are part of the RP, and they are not extinct. They are ancient species, yes, but they are alive and well. But they are obscenely rare. In the RP’s history, only three people have even seen Fossil Pokémon. None have ever captured them. But those three sightings were all confirmed and identified as being authentic, so the world knows they’re out there… Somewhere.

Money

Pokémon Trainers who participate in official Pokémon Battles are rewarded by the Pokémon League for participating in the battle regardless of whether they win or lose. The winner is awarded with $250, and the loser earns $100. That’s not a lot of money, but it adds up because of the following…

You earn $$$ for capturing Pokémon!

That’s right. Capturing Pokémon earns you monetary rewards. Every successful capture earns you a whopping $500 from the Pokémon League. And no, evolving your Pokémon does not count as “capturing” so there’s no money in that. There is no penalty for failing to capture a Pokémon.

The Pokémon League.

The Pokémon League in this RP is a governmental body, not a competition. It is the Pokémon League who regulates all laws and regulations regarding human interactions with Pokémon. All Pokémon Contests, Competitions, Championships, Law Enforcement, Pokémon Center activities, Pokémon Breeding, etc are overseen by the League.

All licensing for the aforementioned (among many other professions involving Pokémon) are provided by the Pokémon League after a strict and very thorough process of ensuring that individuals are properly prepared for their chosen field.

Breeders, for example, must hold at least a Master's Degree in Pokémon Breeding from an Accredited Pokémon Breeder's University before they are allowed to register for their Breeder's License. When they register, they undergo a rigorous test of all their scholastic and practical experience and teachings. If they pass, they are awarded their License pending final review by the League including a background check.

Every profession involving Pokémon follows these kinds of proceedings. The League will check you out to make sure you're safe and prepared for what you want to do with Pokémon. If you're not prepared or properly equipped to deal with the life you have asked to lead, they won't allow you to follow that path for your own safety (and the safety of others).

Team Rocket

There are no other criminal organizations in this RP. Team Rocket is it.

They are highly organized and very, very successful. To date they have only seen ten members face imprisonment and conviction after due process. Ten.

They number in the thousands and have been operating for over sixty years in this RP.

What's worse is that they are not shy about using firearms to get what they want. Numerous human and Pokémon casualties have resulted from Team Rocket operations when they got in the way. They routinely steal or capture other human-owned Pokémon using specialized Poké Balls that override the programming of the opposing Trainer's Poké Ball and allow their Poké Ball to capture the Pokémon as if it were wild.

Because of this, Trainers have been advised to flee Team Rocket and avoid them at all costs.

The only ones who actively pursue Team Rocket are Pokémon Law Enforcement Officers and other higher level Law Enforcement type officials.

In short, stay away from them in this RP.