[Meta Thread] Lord Windos' PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[Iron]

Oh then I'm totally getting the pokeballs that take a picture as you throw 'em! I love the every time dragonstrike's houndour came out, darkness washed over the scene

[Lord Windos]

Alright, I have some time now to answer a few questions, but I also got some Lore on the Scimitars to drop, as enough Players have sufficient Insight on this magician organization to warrant a public reveal ( and I expect the PCs to share that info eventually in game to everyone anyway) . Here goes:

The Scimitar Political Factions

Traditionalist: Hardline ‘Humans do the magic, Mons stay in their Balls’ kind of guys, placing heavy emphasis on the whole ‘Wizard/Witch’ stick in all their activities and when making decisions. They firmly believe that Pokémon themselves are the ‘lesser’ and necessary’evil’ part of conducting magical research and in the use of powerful/meaningful magics use and creation. Some would do (and some CAN) without Pokémon entirely if they can get away with it; as it stands most begrudgingly make use of Pokémon, only in so far as to use their SPE Power and what stuff only particular Pokémon can do. Their Pokemon as a result stay perpetually Balled in one shape or another most of the time, with the Scims using their Power through their Guantlets or other mediums.

 Despite what it seems they do have a point to their behavior and beliefs - Pokemon inherently use their Power in unique ways than Humans can or would, and their mere presence can heavily influence SPE Power in many ways. Ways that could be detrimental or even dangerous to Wizards ; it’s part of the reason why Guantlets were:can be ‘glitchy’ at time when a Scim uses them (and especially if the overuse them).

Moderates: What it says on the tin. These Scims , while still holding firm to the idea of ‘Wizards be in charge of the Magic, to’ , they’re more lax when it comes to the use of and relationships with their Pokemon partners, be it in matters of magic or those outside of it. Typically these Scims do the later, such as in exploration or doing tasks more suited to a Mon , doing the odd job or service, and sometimes simply for the companionship. They even are willing to use them outside the Guantlets in Battles, though most are reluctant to do so for serious matters. How close they are to their Pokémon varies, but in general they’re treated ‘okay’ .

Radicals : The ‘Pokémon AND Wizard matter!’ Group. Pretty much the complete opposite of Traditionalists , these Scim value their Pokémon regardless of what they can do for them Magic-wise and their utility/ strengths. Not that they forgo using Scim Tech , doing things the ‘Scimitar Way’ , or doing the sorts of dubious/pragmatic stuff Scims are known for, but typically they lack the reservations the other political function have on Pokémon use (including Trainer fights or use in the Wilds) OR ‘make it up’ to their Mons + reward and love on them heavily for what they provide. Or they’re the mad wizard type that thinks using Pokemon in as ‘pure’ of a way as possible is essential to their magics and research, and constantly try to push for such usage to be expanded ; these sorts of wizards usually get nervous and wary eyes pointed their way, ESPECIALLY if they’re about to do their magic or work/research in the area…

Independents: These guys don’t align with any faction , and just do things ‘their’ way. Typically their beliefs is a mix of the above three political ideals, or have entirely unique ways of viewing matters mundane, magic, and ‘Mon. These Scims are the rarest of the lot - or if they have more members they don’t advertise it / they hold multiple views and hide their less ‘common’ one. 

That’s it for now! Next post on Scims will be about their Council, so stay tuned for that later!

[Lord Windos]

PS: If it was not clear, the average Scim does not use or works/bonds with their ‘Mons like a normal Trainer/Special Trainers would. They tend to keep their Pokémon in their Balls 24/7 ( or mostly when the wizards are doing ‘serious’ business in morales case) and just use their Power in day to day life ; not doing so is typically looked upon as being ‘weird’ at best or ‘radical’ and ‘dangerous’/‘heretical’ at worst.

[Dragonstrike]

Ya know, I could actually imagine the Moderate and Radical Scimitars as being something that Nathan would have been sorta okay with.  Possibly even encouraged (provided nothing sketchy was being done, of course), especially with the kinds of scenarios I was hoping to set up with him at the end of SR.

Of course, this isn't quite a direct sequel to SR, so the happy endings that our characters were all aiming to achieve might not have happened in the same way they would have in the original campaign (if they happened at all)...

[Lord Windos]

Oh how right you are, Dragonstrike. Oh right you are…

Announcement: I finished finalizing The General World Lore Section. The part of the campaign that puts the ‘AU’ in altered Timeline. It’ll be posted later and soon. A warning first, though: what I written MIGHT piss some of you off, or at least leave you feeling mixed. All I can say in my defense is that my muse was wicked as it was sharp, and that I hope you’ll give me the benefit of the doubt to where I’m going with it all. So…brace yourselves, mates. It’s going to be wild.

[no one]

I'm not entirely sure I understand what Iron was discussing with Windos, can someone please explain? Do your Pokemon's stats depend on your own?

For Reguler Mons, mostly yes. You use and Level their Special Stat, their Better Defensive Stat (Cap wise - if a Pokemon had a Cap of 8 on VIT but a Cap of 4 on INS, you'd use/level their VIT for Rolls), and all their Specialties, Moves, and Surprises! . Everything else (PC's STR, DEX, Not Used Defense Stat, and their Skill Scores) is supplied by Leveling up your PC's Stats. Half and Half, basically. 

For Pseudo Tier Mon, you combine all their Scores together for that Mon's Ro11s , but you have to 1eve1 A11 that Mon's Stats , like you have to level all your PC's Stats. In other words, Pseudo act like how Dragonstrike did Pokemon Stats (They're independent of your PC's/other Mons stats and you have to 1eve1 them to increase them) whi1e benefiting off your PC's Stats (1ike how Iron treated Pokemon Stats in his Campaign - he just used the PC's Stats for all their Mons). Pseudo double up and get ALL the Stats for themselves, but you have to worc them HARD to get them to their MAX potentia1, to sum it up.

Uh... So... If you have a physical attacker, their strength is entirely dependent on your own strength? I'm genuinely confused. So if for example, you're playing a character with some kind of degenerative muscular disease, your Machamp or Conkeldurr ends up being a wet noodle? Just a hypothetical, I'm having some trouble wrapping my head around the concept.

[Iron]

Your Attributes reflect what you're good at training, not necessarily what your trainer is like. You could be a wet noodle with a Strength attribute of 5.

Since your Pokemon do 99% of the fighting, it's largely irrelevant what your trainer's own battle statistics are.


Mechanically, it saves a little on paperwork/time and lets you spend your XP on fun stuff instead of carefully investing all the time.

[Lord Windos]

I'm not entirely sure I understand what Iron was discussing with Windos, can someone please explain? Do your Pokemon's stats depend on your own?

For Reguler Mons, mostly yes. You use and Level their Special Stat, their Better Defensive Stat (Cap wise - if a Pokemon had a Cap of 8 on VIT but a Cap of 4 on INS, you'd use/level their VIT for Rolls), and all their Specialties, Moves, and Surprises! . Everything else (PC's STR, DEX, Not Used Defense Stat, and their Skill Scores) is supplied by Leveling up your PC's Stats. Half and Half, basically. 

For Pseudo Tier Mon, you combine all their Scores together for that Mon's Ro11s , but you have to 1eve1 A11 that Mon's Stats , like you have to level all your PC's Stats. In other words, Pseudo act like how Dragonstrike did Pokemon Stats (They're independent of your PC's/other Mons stats and you have to 1eve1 them to increase them) whi1e benefiting off your PC's Stats (1ike how Iron treated Pokemon Stats in his Campaign - he just used the PC's Stats for all their Mons). Pseudo double up and get ALL the Stats for themselves, but you have to worc them HARD to get them to their MAX potentia1, to sum it up.

Uh... So... If you have a physical attacker, their strength is entirely dependent on your own strength? I'm genuinely confused. So if for example, you're playing a character with some kind of degenerative muscular disease, your Machamp or Conkeldurr ends up being a wet noodle? Just a hypothetical, I'm having some trouble wrapping my head around the concept.

Yes, unfortunately. ‘It’s the way the system work - though it should be noted that such things in universe are Rare since Trainers also train themselves too, you know. Plus Phys Pokémon probably wouldn’t even be on the radar with a disability like that that could still somehow be a trainer - they’d specialize elsewhere to make up for their disability. Or find another way to express Strength , such as finding ways to optimize their Mons workouts or how THEY use their own power to best effect. Pokémon are incredibly accommodating to the Trainers they care for too , so even if Mr Wet Noodle tries to be stubborn about STR training Conk would do his best anyway to honor their friendship and Bond - which is a power of its own too… 

Point is, Attributes are a bit more abstract than one thinks, at least in my campaign.

EDIT: Iron Ninja-Ed me! The BOULDER came in with a smashing post!

[no one]

Hmm. That's a little un-intuitive but I guess I get it.

[Lord Windos]

Right, right, time to unleash THE Lore. Forgive the occasiona1 use of ' 1 ' s as ' l ' s - I need to go buy that keyboard tomorrow...

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Wild Lands World Lore Part 1 - Alpha, Theta, Delta

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Music: The Creation of Hyrule

Time - ???? - ????

 The A’ru Rarii lived and reigned supreme over Sutalör, their Civilization being so advance technologically and arcanely that calling them a post scarcity society would be a gross insult. The only thing preventing them from taking over the world was their disinterest in such things - no, this civilization was focused on the Spiritual, and a Ideal most dear to them...

Sadly, what that Ideal was has been lost to time - for one day, almost the entire civilization vanished.

Chaos stepped in, and too the reigns - for in the wake of this unmitigated disaster came the Calamities - Chimeric Pokemon Gods of Unown origins - that swept in a destroyed the almost hollowed remains and reshaping the entirety of the lands, before each claimed a part of it as their domain. A vast, impossibility tall ring of mountains sprouted up from the seas around the Region, completely cutting it off from the world and further devastating the land. A impenetrable Storm Wall surrounding it, above and around, obscuring the lands from all sight.   During this all the remainder of the people scattered to the four winds, doing their best to live and salvage what was left of their ways. Such was the beginning of 'The Lepia' - The little, lesser, People.

In time, the rest of the world forgot about these lands, and history marched ever on...

Time - XXX - 140 Years Ago

One day, a research vessel, Own by Professor Sutalör the First, of Sinnoh descent got caught into a wild storm, through completely off course. Hundred of miles was the boat dragged through the sea by turbulent winds. The Professor prayed to every Legend he could to save him - and when none answer, he screamed to the winds for anything to help.

His wish, at that pivotal moment, came true.

Impossibly, the vessel preserved. The storm, once a angry entity hell bent on sinking him to the bottom of Kyorge's Domain, now guided him instead. Through the turbulent sea....and past the great Storm Wall of Sutalör, right to the Barrier Mountains encircling them. Astonished by this discovery and good Fortune, P. Sutalör charted the entirety of the ring in a great frenzy, and by complete luck manage to discover small, narrow passage through, barely big enough for the boat to fit through. 

The Professor made his way to the coast of what would one day become the first Settlement on the re-discovered. Like all good imperialist Sinnish at the time, he decided that he would christen these lands in the name of his family and stake first claim for his Region and People. 

Thus, the lands of the A'ru Rarii took on the mantle of Sutalör. Something the Lepia, now a scattered collection of Tribes thorough their homelands, would soon take quick umbrage with...

Time - 140 - 110 Years Ago

Immigration efforts from Sinnoh and subsequently Unnova, Alola, and Tandor, with a smattering of people arriving from Jhoto and Rikoto, all bringing with them their Pokemon and their zeal of new beginnings and opportunities. Efforts to colonize the new Region was glacial - Sutalör , though welcoming of the world now, was not a gentle mistress. Soon the people learnt just how incredibly out of their depth they were, as the fierce Pokemon and even fiercer Natives, who the Settlers made a very poor impression on and were frightened and angry about 'Vin'dacc' breaching and taking over their homelands, maligned them at every single opportunity. The Malefic Monstrum and Strangeness of the lands were not idle - hundreds died or were lost to these immense threats and forces of Nature. These conflicts, terrible disasters and mishaps, and the struggles throughout eventually became known as 'The First Bushland Wars' by historians, with many of them lamenting the foolish intolerances and refusal to all coexistence and cooperation...

Only a single small city, Bayhama, and its surrounding lands could be maintained through persistent struggle on the Settlers part, for the next 30 years, that lot becoming just as stubborn and wild as the lands themselves, refusing to let go of their claim and newfound destiny. 

It was around 30 years ago that the Settlers finally managed to get Pokeball factories sourced and established with persistent, defiant effort and MANY set-backs, and the Region was linked up to the World PC Network. From there the cost of taking land, settling it, and keeping it became cheap enough for the Settlers to finally make progress in thoroughly expanding as far as they could, pushing back the Natives, creating Routes through the lands, and setting down more roots, one Trainer and Soldier at a time.

Time - 110 - ~ 60 Years Ago

Eventually, though hey hit a wall in the form of what would be called Mt. Twinspires and The Lostlorne Taiga. The former occupied and home to the Mrufe'Lepia, who had ample time to develop and fortify the rocky and treacherious mountains and vallies they thrived in to be an horrifying meatgrinder against all incursion. The later, a cold, snowy, frigid, and thoroughly fae and borderline eldritch forest of coniferous trees that held the Hez'Lepia, the entire place and it's menagre of critters and spirits misleading and rendering any poor and unwelcome SOULs alone, lost, and their Fates very, very Strange or bleak.

Entry and progress into Eastern Sutalör was virtually untenable with these dual bulwarks. With no way of scouting the lands beyond for safe places to make Ship Routes and Landings and the coasts past a certain point still teeming with Sutalorian Jellicents, always ecstatic at any opportunity to sink ships and forcibly inducted their occupants into their Undersea Kingdom of DEATH, expansion stall once more. It was at this point that the political efforts of factions seeking peace and reconciliation with The Lepia finally to traction, and eventually an agreement was struck between the Settlers and Natives after a great deal of reconciliation was made.

The Settlers would not trespass past Mt. Twinspires and The Lostlorne Taiga, they would clear out of any of the sacred grounds and primary homelands of the other Tribes made, and they would be forbidden to trespass into certain parts of the region or radically changing them. In exchange, the Settlers would be allowed to keep the cities and lands they've developed and made home, and the Natives would help them (begrudgingly) Survive and better combat the Wildness, find balance with the Strange, and set forth to better co-exist with the Native 'Mons and avoid angering and attracting the attention of The Malefic Monstrum.

From here the Settlers and Natives were at a uneasy peace, slowly learning to tolerate each other and, perhaps one day, come joining together in mutual respect and trust.

That day would not soon come. For around 60 years ago 'The Ruinous Times' began, the name coined by Heart, Shaman Hero of Cheshire, the name coming from the title of book he published.

A fitting name, for an era that changed the entire course of Destiny and the very Foundations of the World itself.

END OF PART 1
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