[The Oroh League] A Pokemon Sandbox Adventure

[Pink Professional]

Okay, so...Where to even begin.

Let's start with general system Questions.

1) What does growth and progression look like in the game? Not so much the stats side of thing, since you explain that, but things like progressing and gaining experience: Will there be an incentive to group up and play as a team? Will there be a reason to work together? Is there any benefit to spending time going "I go and train in the grass." because that Lone-Wolf behaviour always worries me. Mostly because if the game functions on that and it becomes clear that is the 'optimal' way to play, I'd hate to see it basically become you throwing randomly generated XP at people.

2) How important are the trainer stats? What's the difference between someone with 0 additional Battle Power and +3? What about +2 vs +3? Will that stat grow or is this ChaGen the end of our Trainer's stat growth? I understand it is meant to be a hidden system so I don't need the exact math, but my monkey brain is trying to figure out what these stats really mean, so I can try and think where the system might allow for different characters.

3) What is the verdict on strategy? Will it be sort of more Video-Game logic for the strategies? Are we going to have to worry about using Thundershock on the Rhydon's Horn? I assume with things like an Evasion stat, you'll have some form of RNG to represent an attacks accuracy, but I'm just curious about agency and the shared ruleset.

4) Is there any possible story beat options for trainers who add self-imposed limitations? I like the idea of, say, a Monotype Trainer entering the Oroh league as their form of a Gym Leader application, for example. Would that be something interesting to you as a GM? Are you hoping to keep things fairly sandbox? Mostly based on a more railroaded story that follows the Gym trail? Nothing against either approach, I'm just trying to figure out where things stand.

[Aethyrium]

1) What does growth and progression look like in the game? Not so much the stats side of thing, since you explain that, but things like progressing and gaining experience: Will there be an incentive to group up and play as a team? Will there be a reason to work together? Is there any benefit to spending time going "I go and train in the grass." because that Lone-Wolf behaviour always worries me. Mostly because if the game functions on that and it becomes clear that is the 'optimal' way to play, I'd hate to see it basically become you throwing randomly generated XP at people.

The short answer here is, you can't walk into the tall grass and grind level 3 pidgey's until your Pokemon hits level 100 and you can sweep the game. Not only is the game designed with level 100 Pokemon in mind (so you wouldn't be auto-successful anyway) this defeats the purpose of "explore and enjoy the world!" which is, probably, the core pillar of the game. Aside from forming the sweet sweet partner bonds, and what not.

Playing with one another will certainly have some benefit. In the sense you and your Pokemon can benefit from what other trainers bring to the table. Maybe you've got one trainer, and a breeder in a group. Well that breeder is focused on growth, and that can translate to a benefit to your Pokemon if you play it up. If some other trainer has a high discovery, you can benefit from that by being around them. In short, this is why there are non-battle oriented stats that exist.

I won't go out of my way to prevent lone-wolf behavior, but I don't suspect it will be an issue. And at game start, I'm likely to find a reason to tie this group or that group together - but I don't want to provide a blanket approach how I'll do that, because I'd very much like to tailor it to the approved characters. But what they do post that... I'm up for going with the flow. And individual arcs might be compelling somewhere along the line.

All of that to say, the "optimal way" to play (if there is such a thing) is to engage the world not try to game the system. The system exists almost exclusively for my benefit, to creating compelling narrative that doesn't have contrived results. Secondarily it gives you a meaningful way to influence your training style and how you want to play that you can see represented somewhere and because of that will be able to see play out in the scenarios you encounter.

2) How important are the trainer stats? What's the difference between someone with 0 additional Battle Power and +3? What about +2 vs +3? Will that stat grow or is this ChaGen the end of our Trainer's stat growth? I understand it is meant to be a hidden system so I don't need the exact math, but my monkey brain is trying to figure out what these stats really mean, so I can try and think where the system might allow for different characters.

Trainer Stats for Smooth Monkey Brains
(I too need these primers sometimes, so I totally understand where you're coming from)

Assume that 0 represents an average person.
Your trainer stats will improve as the game goes on.
You can safely assume that higher always means better. Which isn't to say that a trainer with +3 Battle Offense is superior to a trainer with +2 Battle Offense. Only that their Pokemon has <some> level of advantage when it comes to trainer-issued attack commands. Not an insurmountable advantage, not even a little. View these as "skills" the trainer is particularly good at.
Honestly, without going into the math this probably looks incomprehensible, but it boils down to "more gives you some level of bonus". There is no wrong answer.

What I feel like this question ultimately is (and I may be wrong here entirely) is... "Is a trainer that focuses entirely on Growth/Discovery/Capture Rate going to be boned when it comes to battles at any stage of the game", and the answer to that is absolutely no. Will battles be a little tougher? Possibly... but also probably not.

Growth may as well be a battle stat, for all that it can make your Pokemon stronger than average for its level.
Capture Rate isn't a battle stat, but can be utilized to make sure you have the right Pokemon for whatever challenge is ahead of you.
Discovery will help you find other solutions to problems, and potentially gain an edge by getting cool/unique things (re: held items possibly?).

These are meant to be subtle, but not irrelevant ways to represent the strengths of your character - there are no weaknesses, remember, 0 is average. You're never going to be punished because you didn't have atleast <x> of <y>.

3) What is the verdict on strategy? Will it be sort of more Video-Game logic for the strategies? Are we going to have to worry about using Thundershock on the Rhydon's Horn? I assume with things like an Evasion stat, you'll have some form of RNG to represent an attacks accuracy, but I'm just curious about agency and the shared ruleset.

No, you won't have to Thundershock Rhydon's horn - which wouldn't work anyway because ground types are immune to electric, but whaaatever, I know what you mean. XD

You're certainly welcome to flavor things like that, and depict them as such. But you won't be getting bonuses because one player decided to break the sprinkler system and use the water to amplify the electric attack (silly Pikachu!). Instead your situation will be influenced by what commands you issue, what moves are utilized, how you've trained your individual Pokemon, and of course whatever fun narrative stuff we come up with along the way.

We're going to ride the line somewhere between "I press tackle, then tackle again, then tackle again" and "I use Iron Tail to deflect the Electroball so that I can quick attack into their face!"

With the latter being the side I would lean - even though Iron Tail isn't a defensive move, but I'm all for flavoring it being the reason you were able to avoid the Electroball... Does this make sense?

4) Is there any possible story beat options for trainers who add self-imposed limitations? I like the idea of, say, a Monotype Trainer entering the Oroh league as their form of a Gym Leader application, for example. Would that be something interesting to you as a GM? Are you hoping to keep things fairly sandbox? Mostly based on a more railroaded story that follows the Gym trail? Nothing against either approach, I'm just trying to figure out where things stand.

I am 10,000% on board for individual arcs. If you want to write a character whose goal is to become a Gym Leader, I am here for it and we will incorporate it. It's... Obviously something of an "end game goal", and you may never get there (feels like the conclusion to the game... or the opening to a sequel... but in either case far off), but absolutely I am willing and wanting to write the story of their adventure to attain that goal. And that sort of thing doesn't even need to come from a place of self-imposed limitation... Though, I think it'd be a cool addition if it was. I'm all for such things.

We'll be sandboxy in the sense that the world is open and I am mostly looking to tell the tale of whatever trainers come along - what that looks like is really up to what you want to do. I've got some bigger metaplot ideas, but there's no real need for the players to directly interact with that... MAybe you'll come across little bits, maybe get sucked up into something, maybe not.

[Envious]

My sheet is officially finished and submitted for your consideration!

[Aethyrium]

My sheet is officially finished and submitted for your consideration!

Gleeeee! Review it I shall.

[Pink Professional]

Thank you for humouring me; especially when it comes to the ol' Monkey-Noggin'. 

All of that to say, the "optimal way" to play (if there is such a thing) is to engage the world not try to game the system. The system exists almost exclusively for my benefit, to creating compelling narrative that doesn't have contrived results. Secondarily it gives you a meaningful way to influence your training style and how you want to play that you can see represented somewhere and because of that will be able to see play out in the scenarios you encounter.

This is encouraging, and was what I was hoping to hear really. It's always hard to judge when a Sandbox game inherently has a System-like approach, even if that same approach is in the background. It also has enough anonymity and such that I don't feel I have to do a thing to be good enough.

Trainer Stats for Smooth Monkey Brains
(I too need these primers sometimes, so I totally understand where you're coming from)

Assume that 0 represents an average person.
Your trainer stats will improve as the game goes on.
You can safely assume that higher always means better. Which isn't to say that a trainer with +3 Battle Offense is superior to a trainer with +2 Battle Offense. Only that their Pokemon has <some> level of advantage when it comes to trainer-issued attack commands. Not an insurmountable advantage, not even a little. View these as "skills" the trainer is particularly good at.
Honestly, without going into the math this probably looks incomprehensible, but it boils down to "more gives you some level of bonus". There is no wrong answer.

What I feel like this question ultimately is (and I may be wrong here entirely) is... "Is a trainer that focuses entirely on Growth/Discovery/Capture Rate going to be boned when it comes to battles at any stage of the game", and the answer to that is absolutely no. Will battles be a little tougher? Possibly... but also probably not.

The question wasn't intended as  "Is a trainer that focuses entirely on Growth/Discovery/Capture Rate going to be boned when it comes to battles" and more as "How much of a difference is X player going to experience when they are out of their depth and in a field they aren't an expert at" if that makes sense. I like the idea of there being a reason for players to come together, and if it is suddenly really important to get on the side of the trainer who Specs into Discovery because of a Safari Event for example, that's an opportunity for someone to shine. I certainly can't blame you for thinking that's what the question was, I realise reading back that a lot of my questions sounded a bit...Powergame-ee, because I'm trying to sorta-dissect the system.

No, you won't have to Thundershock Rhydon's horn - which wouldn't work anyway because ground types are immune to electric, but whaaatever, I know what you mean. XD

You're certainly welcome to flavor things like that, and depict them as such. But you won't be getting bonuses because one player decided to break the sprinkler system and use the water to amplify the electric attack (silly Pikachu!). Instead your situation will be influenced by what commands you issue, what moves are utilized, how you've trained your individual Pokemon, and of course whatever fun narrative stuff we come up with along the way.

We're going to ride the line somewhere between "I press tackle, then tackle again, then tackle again" and "I use Iron Tail to deflect the Electroball so that I can quick attack into their face!"

Okay, great.

Now, to ask a couple more questions that are frankly a lot more fun.

1) Thoughts on Mega Pokemon, Z-Moves, and Formes?

2) How realistic is it for a Trainer to potentially 'Seek out' a certain Pokemon? If I'm going a Mono-Type trainer for example, I might really want that One Good Tanky Flying Type, or that one really fast Rock Sweeper. Seems like a great reason to want a high discovery stat, for example.

[Crash]

Okay, I modified Mina's stats and fixed the moves on her litwick.  I think she is done.

[Aethyrium]

The question wasn't intended as  "Is a trainer that focuses entirely on Growth/Discovery/Capture Rate going to be boned when it comes to battles" and more as "How much of a difference is X player going to experience when they are out of their depth and in a field they aren't an expert at" if that makes sense. I like the idea of there being a reason for players to come together, and if it is suddenly really important to get on the side of the trainer who Specs into Discovery because of a Safari Event for example, that's an opportunity for someone to shine. I certainly can't blame you for thinking that's what the question was, I realise reading back that a lot of my questions sounded a bit...Powergame-ee, because I'm trying to sorta-dissect the system.

I would say that ultimately I wanted a "system" (can this even really be called that... Anyway) that doesn't lend itself to telling a player "you're good at <x> so you aren't good at <y>". Instead this is about "Okay so you're extra good at <x>". But, yes, your example about a safari event is exactly the sort of reason you might want to lean into someone that is good at Discovery, for instance.

Discovery is particularly... Influential like that. If you are familiar with Dungeons & Dragons, imagine a zone in the game has a 2d6 table of events where the center of the table represents the common stuff and the outer edges represent the more rare stuff. A player with better discovery is going to have an easier time finding those edge results. And maybe even they get to roll on a special 1d8+1d6 table, that has some stuff the "average" person might never encounter.

In that sense, yes, it's very worthwhile to have companions.

1) Thoughts on Mega Pokemon, Z-Moves, and Formes?

You know, I meant to include this in the game write up, because I thought about it and had plans for it... Then forgot to write it. Whoops.

Mega Evolution is in, Z moves and D/G-Max is out. Because they are inferior mechanics in every way, and sad, sad replacements to what was ultimately one of the best concepts ever introduced into the Pokemon universe... fight me. Mega Evolution, in fact, may ultimately be one place I eventually (possibly, not for sure) look to Fakemon. I have no plans for this, but I have considered it, and it's possible that I may be willing to include this somewhere down the line as a special "hey you get this really cool thing for your <thing>".

Formes definitely in, and regional variants as well. I may play with the concept of regional variants in game as well, Oroh variants - but like mega evolution Fakemon, this is a... Ultimately undecided, not sure if I want to go there idea.

2) How realistic is it for a Trainer to potentially 'Seek out' a certain Pokemon? If I'm going a Mono-Type trainer for example, I might really want that One Good Tanky Flying Type, or that one really fast Rock Sweeper. Seems like a great reason to want a high discovery stat, for example.

I'd say seeking out specific Pokemon is reasonable. I will probably come up with a map to show everyone eventually (before game start, probably?) but Oroh is meant to feel more open than any other region. That is, you don't go: Starting Town, Route 1, Side City, Route 2, Forest Area, Gym City 1.

Rather from the starting city there are 3 connected routes (10, 20, and 30). Which all go to different places. The Gym Challenge doesn't need to be taken in a specific order, either. You don't need the boulderbadge to try and get the cascadebadge to try and get the thunderbadge etc etc. You can order how you tackle gyms in any order that you come across them or decide to take them on.

Because of this the world should feel much more open. And each 'zone' won't feel like, okay well there's Caterpies, Blipbugs, Weedles, Pidgeys, and Rattatas on this route, but if I want that Skarmory I'll need be half way through the game. Finding a Pokemon habitat is it's own adventure, and maybe you steer your way to where a certain type hangs out so that you can hunt that specific Pokemon - you aren't gated like the games might make you feel. There will also, possibly (read: definitely) be opportunities to catch things that might not be local in certain areas. Assume that I'll want to keep things interesting and throw in the Ho-Oh flying overhead style events regularly because the world is moving around you.

[Aethyrium]

Okay, I modified Mina's stats and fixed the moves on her litwick.  I think she is done.

Woohoo! I'll look today and make comments. :D

[Pink Professional]

Well, I'm contented. Mostly because you have the only opinion worth having about Megas, Dynamax, and Z-Moves

I'll throw a sheet out in a couple of hours. Thank you for putting up with my inquisitive, smooth brain.

[Mr L]

So for the psychic, I was honestly thinking along the lines of the telekinesis being barely better than Mage Hand from D&D, only able to lift maybe 10 lbs with it, and the Telepathy would purely be just for communication between them and ones they've spent a significant amount of time with and bonded with (not sexual, but they understand the creature on a deeper level). They wouldn't use either in a trainer v trainer scenario as they believe it unfair. So at best it's silent communication (which they won't even have with their starter, probably until it evolves) and maybe some light debris clearing? If still no, no worries, I can think of something else. I just think this ability to bond with others to evolve their powers is a fun idea.

EDIT: those are fair points, I can't really find a good excuse to use this type of character at the moment. The initial idea for them is that they had brief flashes of power, but couldn't remember them. So they don't know they're psychic, until they've developed the bond with their starter or something. The power growth would be a slow progression to not great degrees.

And crud. I had another question while catching up, but forgot.

[Crash]

Woohoo! I'll look today and make comments. :D

Here is the link to the post so you don't have to search for it.  I can also PM her to you if you would like.

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=329780.msg15754532#msg15754532

[Crash]

So for the psychic, I was honestly thinking along the lines of the telekinesis being barely better than Mage Hand from D&D, only able to lift maybe 10 lbs with it, and the Telepathy would purely be just for communication between them and ones they've spent a significant amount of time with and bonded with (not sexual, but they understand the creature on a deeper level). They wouldn't use either in a trainer v trainer scenario as they believe it unfair. So at best it's silent communication (which they won't even have with their starter, probably until it evolves) and maybe some light debris clearing? If still no, no worries, I can think of something else. I just think this ability to bond with others to evolve their powers is a fun idea.

EDIT: those are fair points, I can't really find a good excuse to use this type of character at the moment. The initial idea for them is that they had brief flashes of power, but couldn't remember them. So they don't know they're psychic, until they've developed the bond with their starter or something. The power growth would be a slow progression to not great degrees.

And crud. I had another question while catching up, but forgot.

Just an outsider opinion.  I do not believe that you intend it to be an advantage. However, these sorts of things almost always becomes an "advantage" of some sort, even if unintended, and it opens the GM up to having to consider and balance "special abilities" for everyone because once one is submitted then a lot of people start submitting special abilities of their own creating a power creep.  If the GM then decides to deny it for a different player later they get accused of playing favorites. 

[Mr L]

Just an outsider opinion.  I do not believe that you intend it to be an advantage. However, these sorts of things almost always becomes an "advantage" of some sort, even if unintended, and it opens the GM up to having to consider and balance "special abilities" for everyone because once one is submitted then a lot of people start submitting special abilities of their own creating a power creep.  If the GM then decides to deny it for a different player later they get accused of playing favorites. 

That makes sense, which helps soften the potential "no." Even if I would imagine bonding with another human enough for telepathy being difficult, being able to communicate mentally with a pokemon could have a huge advantage, since they could understand it.

Even if it was gonna be just a flavor thing (like never tosses a pokeball by hand, clearing debris would take just as long), it can still be a bit much.

[Aethyrium]

I appreciate your understanding Mr L.

Crash makes good points about it, too. Yeah, ultimately (now that I've had a few hours to sit on it and think), I just don't feel like it's a needed element to the game and probably introduces more complications than are really needed. I feel we can tell awesome stories without that being in there to stir it up more.

And Crash, thanks for the link, I appreciate it. :D

[Crash]

I appreciate your understanding Mr L.

Crash makes good points about it, too. Yeah, ultimately (now that I've had a few hours to sit on it and think), I just don't feel like it's a needed element to the game and probably introduces more complications than are really needed. I feel we can tell awesome stories without that being in there to stir it up more.

And Crash, thanks for the link, I appreciate it. :D

Glad I could help, at least with the link. ;)

[pdragon]

additional images

Character Name: Tracy Jones
Trainer Class: Tactician
Gender & Sexuality: Male, Bisexual
Age: 18

Battle Offense	Battle Defense	Capture Rate	Growth	Discovery
1	3	2	1	3

Personality: Tracy is a willful and determined young man with a kind nature and strong sense of justice. More than anything he seeks to help and defend others, though his willingness to help out can sometimes lead to him butting in where he isn't needed, or worse plunge head first into a dangerous situation. He grew up reading detective novels and watching crime dramas, which he often attempts to replicate in his own investigations. As such he has a penchant for dramatic flourishes and wild leaps in logic when working on a case, though thanks to his sharp senses and analytical mind his track record is actually pretty good.

Motivation & Goals: Officer in training. Obtain a minimum of 5 badges.

Biography: Tracy was only 7 years old when he had his first criminal encounter. A gang of thugs were attempting to rob a pokemon center his family was visiting, taking everyone inside hostage and demanding they all give over their pokemon. At the time Tracy was too weak and scared to do anything, completely helpless. However it was then that an officer arrived, a woman named Jennifer, and with her pokemon in tow managed to take down the entire gang of robbers single handedly. That incident was what inspired Tracy to become an officer himself. He worked diligently all throughout school in both athletics and academics, and joined the police academy right after graduation. He's currently still in the middle of his training, which is the reason he's traveling the gym circuit. It's important for any officer to have both an intimate knowledge of the region they're patrolling, as well as be a competent enough battler to contend with criminals who use pokemon as weapons. As such having recruits work their way through the gym challenge is a good way to give them hands on experience with both. 

Badge Case

Badge Case

Pokemon

Name: Barrel | Level 5 | Species: Clauncher
Ability: Mega Launcher | Moves: Bubble Beam, Water Gun, Vice Grip, Flail
Stats: Attack: 10 | Special Attack: 10 | Defense: 10 | Special Defense: 10 | Speed: 10 | Evasion: 10

[Pink Professional]

Character Used: Ryouta Kise

Character Name: Mikial Bronnwyn
Trainer Class: Trainer
Gender & Sexuality: Male & Bicurious
Age: 27

Battle Offense	Battle Defense	Capture Rate	Growth	Discovery
3	3	1	2	1

Personality: Driven, optimistic, and a little prideful, Mikial is a constantly moving towards his goals. He sees himself as a dependable and reliable sort, much like the type of Pokemon he brings to battle. His most redeeming feature is his work ethic. He doesn't like to be called a genius, or a prodigy, or whatever buzzword people like to throw around at schools or academies. His power, his talent, his potential are all the result of well honed hard work forged in the anvils of practice and repetition. Mikial's worst feature is his tendency to hone in on things. He is the sort of man to see something he wants to do, and rush towards it headlong and headstrong. This has gotten him into trouble before, and likely will again in the future. Thankfully, things always work out. Right?

Motivation & Goals: Mikial has a set goal in mind. He wants to become the best Normal type trainer in the world. At the moment, he's setting the realistic goal of doing as well as he can in the Oroh League, but his aspirations are to become a Gym Leader or; perhaps even a member of the Elite Four? The Sky is the limit, and the only thing stopping him and his team from reaching the top is hard work and grit.

Biography: Born into the reasonably well-off family of a Gym Assistant Mother, and a Pokemon Researcher Father, Mikial was the first and only child of the pair. His parents were loving and supportive, and when they realised his ambition was set early on to follow in the footsteps of his mother they tried their best to set him up for success by enrolling him in a Private academy for Pokemon trainers. Mikial earned his entrance into the venue fair and square through a lot of hard work and practice in terms of acing the exam, and so started his journey towards Trainer-dom.

Mikial's fascination with Normal Type Pokemon came with a visit from a Gym Leader dedicated to the type. He saw something in the Pokemon that other people didn't. Whereas they saw boring, he saw humble. Whereas they saw bland, he saw the beauty of simplicity and minimalism. He saw something in them that he wanted to see in himself one day.  Reliability, and dependability. Surety, and certainty. When he told his classmates about this newfound fascination though, they laughed. When they saw he was serious, things got awkward and the Teacher was involved. The adult told the teenager that there was a certain...ceiling above people who focused on Normal types. They were the sort who never gained a chance to shine. Even the Gym Leaders tended to be early bumps in the road for the average trainer.

This only served to harden Mikial's conviction, and forge his ideal of hardwork and motivation trumping what was conventionally seen as the 'smart' path. He graduated the academy for a few years and existed as a trainer in a lesser region before the invitation to take the Oroh challenge came into his lap.

Badge Case

Pokemon

Broark| Level: 5 | Species: Munchlax
Ability:  Thick Fat| Moves: Lick, Tackle, Recycle, Rest, Curse, Sleep Talk
Stats: Attack - 10 | Special Attack - 10| Defense - 10| Special Defense - 10| Speed  - 10| Evasion - 10

[Mr L]

I appreciate your understanding Mr L.

Crash makes good points about it, too. Yeah, ultimately (now that I've had a few hours to sit on it and think), I just don't feel like it's a needed element to the game and probably introduces more complications than are really needed. I feel we can tell awesome stories without that being in there to stir it up more.

And Crash, thanks for the link, I appreciate it. :D

I'm still interested in playing, will just have to think more about my character and their starter. Will try to get something out tonight if I can.

EDIT: i remembered the question and a new one. First, do we get full control of our pokemon outside of battle?
Second, how are we working with pokemon who evolve via trades or otherwise impossible conditions for a solo player?

[Cold Heritage]

Is Onyx a valid choice as a starter Pokemon?

[Mr L]

Character Name: Abigail “Gail” Rivers
Trainer Class: Breeder
Gender & Sexuality: Female and Pansexual
Age: 22

Battle Offense	Battle Defense	Capture Rate	Growth	Discovery
1	2	2	3	2

Personality: Sweet, caring, and more than willing to get her hands dirty. Abigail grew up caring for others, regardless of the situation, always looking to see some form of betterment from the one she has her eyes set on. She is a very selfless person and has trouble asking other humans for help, mostly just to not seem like a burden on others, thus she’ll almost always try something herself before even asking her pokemon to help, let alone another human.

Motivation & Goals: Nothing makes Gail feel more alive than seeing others become better, through hard work and dedication (and sometimes a loving kick in the rear!). She wants to travel to make long lasting friendships, to make a team of pokemon that are strong, but kind. While she wants to eventually take on the Elite Four, it’s a far-off future kind of dream. In the meantime, she’s content just building a strong family around her, in her pokemon.

Biography: Her parents worked in physical therapy fields for most of her life, while she often stayed home to help take care of her two brothers and sister. When her siblings were old enough to watch themselves, she would often volunteer to help her parents with some patients. It was here that she discovered her love of helping others through hard times and watching them become better over time.

One day, a boy came in with a pokemon that the nearby center was unable to heal due to a sudden surge of patients. Abigail and her mother took the little Skiddo in and nursed it back to health. The pokemon took a shine to Gail and refused to leave her side. It was discovered that it had no trainer, and so her mom gave her her first pokeball, to make the bond official. The two have been inseparable ever since.

Between watching her siblings, volunteering with her parents, and taking care of a pokemon, Gail started to feel a bit overwhelmed, when her father made a suggestion. To go on a journey. She was old enough, she had a great reliable pokemon partner, and she can share the love in her big heart with others who need it. It took a restless night to decide. She would do it. Maybe she could take on the league afterall?

Badge Case

Pokemon

Name Slick | Level 5| Species: Skiddo
Ability Sap Sipper| Moves: Growth | Tackle | Vine Whip | Tail Whip | Rollout |
Stats: Attack 10| Special Attack 10| Defense 10| Special Defense 10| Speed 10| Evasion 10

[Cold Heritage]

Character Name: Toddward Jackedsson
Trainer Class: Champion
Gender & Sexuality: Cismale, Bisexual
Age: 25

Battle Offense	Battle Defense	Capture Rate	Growth	Discovery
5	3	0	2	0

Personality: Toddward Jackedsson is a fairly affable and gregarious man of few words. He has a simple mind, with simple needs and simple desires. The school of hard knocks has taught Toddward basically every lesson in life and he only learned three letters: T.K.O. but he more often than not gets by with just K.O. In battle Toddward is a bombastic foe, calling attacks while screaming like a wild animal, as if there were some correlation between how loud he is and how powerful his Pokemon's attacks are. Loyal to a fault, Toddward is always willing to help pump the Pokemon of his friends up.

Motivation & Goals: TO BECOME THE POKEMON SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!

Biography: Hailing from Parts Unknown, Toddward Jackedsson has done some things that he is no longer proud of. His early Pokemon battles were fought as a junior member of the global criminal organization known as Team Rocket. Toddward had the beanie with a red 'R' on it and everything. His Pokemon would mercilessly trample down the Pokemon of other children, and once victorious, he would steal both Pokemon and candy from his crying, defeated opponents, often kicking dirt in their faces as a final humiliation.

But Toddward's reign of terror was curtailed when the tales of infamous villainy reached the ears of the mysterious and unknowable TRAINER X. TRAINER X confronted Toddward and defeated the young man in a brutal, humiliating battle that was decided in a single move. Forced in a single moment to confront every bad thing he had forced his opponents to endure, Toddward's callous young heart was broken and as he shed MANLY TEARS out of shame for his wrong-doing and years of evil TRAINER X set Toddward on the path of righteousness and virtue! It took many years of HOT-BLOODED POKEMON BATTLE, but Toddward was ultimately capable of retrieving all of the Pokemon he had stolen, returning them to their beloved trainers, and replacing every single piece of candy he had ever stolen. He even submitted to letting the trainers he defeated kick dirt in his face to even the score, if they wanted to. Many did. Toddward endured it stoically, his DUE PENANCE.

Now freed from the chains of his past and the burdens of his sins, Toddward has come to Oroh to forge the first link in his glorious new future!

Badge Case

Badge Case

Pokemon

KING COBRA (yes, all upper case) | Level: 5 | Species: Onix
Ability: Sturdy | Moves: Defense Curl, Smackdown, Harden, Bind, Rock Throw, Tackle
Stats: Attack 10 | Special Attack 10 | Defense 10 | Special Defense 10 | Speed 10 | Evasion 10

[Aethyrium]

EDIT: i remembered the question and a new one. First, do we get full control of our pokemon outside of battle?
Second, how are we working with pokemon who evolve via trades or otherwise impossible conditions for a solo player?

Yes, you absolutely will have full control over them. As for non-standard evolutions, either in game opportunities will be provided for such things or I will create a list of replacement evolution criteria.

Is Onyx a valid choice as a starter Pokemon?

Sure is! :D

Two more profiles! Woohoo! That brings up to 6 submitted sheets, so I will begin reviewing them. I expect I'll leave this open through the coming weekend, just to make sure everyone who wants an opportunity to have a chance. I'll announce an official date soon as I'm ready.

In the mean time... thank you for all of your patience and enthusiasm. And if you've been stalking this, please please jump in and fill out a sheet. I'd love to see what you would want to play!

[Mr L]

Yes, you absolutely will have full control over them. As for non-standard evolutions, either in game opportunities will be provided for such things or I will create a list of replacement evolution criteria.
Sure is! :D

Two more profiles! Woohoo! That brings up to 6 submitted sheets, so I will begin reviewing them. I expect I'll leave this open through the coming weekend, just to make sure everyone who wants an opportunity to have a chance. I'll announce an official date soon as I'm ready.

In the mean time... thank you for all of your patience and enthusiasm. And if you've been stalking this, please please jump in and fill out a sheet. I'd love to see what you would want to play!

Is suddenly picturing a booth near a trading station with a sign, "Need a trade to evole? Lemme help!" lol

Couple little questions.

One about catch rate. Is this stat taken into effect during the whole process of catching a pokemon (like you're a better judge of how weak the wild pokemon is), or is it literally just after the pokeball hits it?

How hard or soft are pokedex entries for some species going to play in? Some fire types could literally not exist without the region/world being destroyed because they're so hot. The hole on the back of a Shedinja taking anyone's soul who gazes into it, etc.

Last, will we have to worry about money management?

[Aethyrium]

Ha. An adorable idea. No... Worst case, there's always the other trainers in the game. But I think I can be more clever than that if I need to be. ;)

Catch Rate is representative of the whole process - but it's "primary" function is making sure that ball wiggles thrice and seals. Also crit captures - because why not. So yes, it will help inform you of when to throw the ball, but also help ensure that your throw is successful.

Pokedex entries are whack, and I would just assume that they will not play any role in the game whatsoever. If I'm feeling particularly perky, when/if Pokedex's are used, I'll make up my own entries for you. But we're going to avoid the idea that there are Froslass' haunting towns and abducting people from their homes on snowy nights! (And eesh, especially all the even more crazy bits).

I hadn't considered money things. I... Will get back to you on this. My instinct is no, but I may put that to vote from the approved players - some people like that resource management, some don't, and I could go either way.

[Crash]

Ha. An adorable idea. No... Worst case, there's always the other trainers in the game. But I think I can be more clever than that if I need to be. ;)

Catch Rate is representative of the whole process - but it's "primary" function is making sure that ball wiggles thrice and seals. Also crit captures - because why not. So yes, it will help inform you of when to throw the ball, but also help ensure that your throw is successful.

Pokedex entries are whack, and I would just assume that they will not play any role in the game whatsoever. If I'm feeling particularly perky, when/if Pokedex's are used, I'll make up my own entries for you. But we're going to avoid the idea that there are Froslass' haunting towns and abducting people from their homes on snowy nights! (And eesh, especially all the even more crazy bits).

I hadn't considered money things. I... Will get back to you on this. My instinct is no, but I may put that to vote from the approved players - some people like that resource management, some don't, and I could go either way.

Glad you are not making the pokedex entries so nuts.  Makes my girls ghost and dark hunting more fun.  I won't have to worry about my litwick draining the life out of poor child Mina meets and I can still investigate haunted houses and keep some of the danger and excitement it entails.

As to the money thing, I would rather it not be a resource management thing.  Roleplaying it wealth or lack thereof is more interesting to me than having to track it all.