[center][h1][color=fff200]Arotura[/color][/h1]
a world in which humans have built castles for protection and Pokémon have always lived in the wild. In the past, strong Pokémon scared humans, so they built walls and towers from which they could repel Pokémon with bows and arrows. It was a dark time, and many castles were destroyed by agitated Pokémon... Nowadays, humans and Pokémon coexist, lending each other strength and taking each other to new heights. But while life has improved since the dark ages, not all is well.

In Venirin, a small kingdom once known the most prosperous in all of Arotura, the wise king Karos has recently passed away. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, as the eldest prince would inherit the throne. However, Karos' son Jurius wasn't half as kind or wise as his late father was, and as one of his first acts as king he declared the expansion of Venirin; a conquest that started with the swift assimilation of the previously unclaimed territory around Venirin. What inevitably followed was a declaration of war against the other kingdoms, as Jurius had no intention of stopping Venirin's expansion yet.

This war still rages today, but many know better than to involve themselves in it. Instead of fighting for Jurius' promised riches, they raid towns and villages, simply taking what valuables the unfortunate villagers might have. They hide in the ruins of fallen castles, dense forests or sometimes even the inhospitable Karadhor mountains, waiting for their opportunity to strike. Most of these thugs haven't known a day of honest work in their life. Some were forced into this, having been orphaned when the war started almost a decade ago, while others may simply not know any better, getting by the same way their parents had to. Whatever their reasons, they have all found themselves here, stealing to escape starvation for themselves and their Pokémon partner.

[h1][color=fff200]Geography[/color][/h1]
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/295216067989602305/594529490844254209/Venirin_continent_Domains.png[/img]
[color=0054a6](Present-day world map for Arotura. X’s mark the locations of large cities.)[/color][/center]
[Hider=Venirin]
[color=ed1c24][h3][b]Venirin[/b][/h3][/color]
A country formerly known as the most properous in Arotura. Under its new king, Venirin has declared war on its neighbors and has grown significantly since then. Despite taking a blow for the war efforts, Venirin's economy is still relatively stable, and many sellswords find themselves fighting for Venirin and the's generous rewards.

Nowadays, Venirin knows all kinds of environments, ranging from the lush fields for which it had always been known, to large woodland areas and seaside bluffs. It borders the Karadhor mountains in the south, Araciord in the west, Arendann in the north and Ordaleron and Yaewong in the east.

Venirin is allied with Araciord, and actively at war with Arendann, Ordaleron and Yaewong.

[color=ed1c24][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. Adasto, the capital of Venirin.
2. Agros.
3. Bussran.
4. Zhartos.
[/hider][Hider=Araciord]
[color=f26522][h3][b]Araciord[/b][/h3][/color]
Formerly the largest empire in Arotura. History notes them to have had many capable military commanders in the past, but it has since then grown more peaceful. Nowadays, Araciord grows an abundance of produce within its vast territory and trades it with neighboring countries. Its military has declined since Araciord's days of conquering, and while many Araciord men still pursue careers as warriors, they usually do so as sellswords, rather than guardsmen or soldiers of the crown. 

Like Venirin, Araciord contains many different environments within its territory. It knows expansive, rocky wastelands, lush prairies and dense forests alike. It borders Caedar in the south, Elowyn and the Rahksar Desert in the southeast, and Venirin in the northeast.

Araciord is allied with Venirin, but not actively participating in the war.

[color=f26522][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. Vorun
2. Onoro
3. Sretta

[/hider][Hider=Arendann]
[color=fff200][h3][b]Arendann[/b][/h3][/color]
Arendann is the country currently bearing the brunt of Venirin's advance. Currently, Venirin has already conquered half of Arendann's domain, and while Arendann is making a valiant stand in its remaining territory, it's all but cut off from any countries that might've allied with it. Despite facing near-certain defeat, the proud and tenacious Arendanni people still resist the Venirin assault. 

Arendann is surrounded on all sides by the ocean, save for the southeast where it has the warfront with Nevirin. The further you move north, the higher and more cliff-like Arendann becomes.

Arendann doesn't have any allies.

[color=fff200][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. Enba
2. Xavarna

[/hider][Hider=Elowyn]
[color=0054a6][h3][b]Elowyn[/b][/h3][/color]
Elowyn is a small nation bordering Caedar and the Rahksar Desert on one side, and Araciord on the other. In the past, it's been at war with Araciord, but their position in the desert has always allowed them to easily pick off any soldiers approaching them. In addition, they're renowned for their sky cavalry, which can move completely unhindered by the desert.

Elowyn isn't strictly allied with anyone, but it maintains good relationships with both its neighbors, even in spite of Araciord's alliance with Venirin. Elowyn isn't actively engaged in any wars.

[color=0054a6][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. Elowyn

[/hider][Hider=Caedar]
[color=00aeef][h3][b]Caedar[/b][/h3][/color]
Caedar is a kingdom of moderate size that almost in its entirety rests on a plateau. While it does have some forestation, mostly in the southeast, most of Caedar is steppe-land. Due to this, cavalry moves across the land quickly and easily, and riding has become both a mainstay in the military and as a hobby.

It borders Elowyn and Araciord in the west, the Rahksar Desert in the north and Acidiel in the East. It maintains a friendly relationship with Elowyn, but does otherwise not really involve itself with other countries.

[color=00aeef][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. Caerus
2. Caerol

[/hider][Hider=Acidiel]
[h3][b]Acidiel[/b][/h3]
Acidiel is a nation almost entirely consisting of wetland. In the distant past the area had been a shallow cove between Caedar, Laurwym and the Rahksar Desert. Gradually, people started expanding the land and Acidiel was born. Acidiel's primary source of food is the hunt. An abundance of creatures call these wetlands their home, but growing regular produce on the wetlands has proven difficult.

Acidiel is on good terms with Laurwym, which is incidentally the only neighbor it can visit without having to climb up the side of a plateau.

[b]Most notable cities:[/b]
1. Arkstead

[/hider][Hider=Laurwym]
[color=9C9E97][h3][b]Laurwym[/b][/h3][/color]
Laurwym is a kingdom built around the split city of Lauros. Lauros itself is an almost vertically built city atop a pair of large hills, containing many staircases that wind around houses and lead up to higher-situated streets. Many bridges connect the two halves of the odd cities and allowing for quick-, if not intuitive travel from one place in the city to another. The most prominent building in Lauros is the Dragon Citadel, a tower that is considered both a place of worship and a place of training.

Laurwym is a land riddled with hills and mountains, with most of the environment being uneven in one way or another. This makes traveling through it by carriage or while riding incredibly difficult. Laurwym maintains friendly relationships with Acidiel to the west, but only recently concluded its latest war with Zulathal to the east.

[color=9C9E97][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. West-Lauros
2. East-Lauros

[/hider][Hider=Zulathal]
[color=F17F77][h3][b]Zulathal[/b][/h3][/color]
Zulathal is a large nation that knows mostly rocky terrain. It has some grassland areas as well, but the majority of Zulathal is covered in rock. Due to this, Zulathal has always felt a certain need to conquer neighboring countries with fertile ground. Because of their alliance with Olkan and the difficulty sustaining a warfront with Doraus, Ordaleron or Yaewong, Zulathal generally lashed out at Laurwym instead. 

To minimize the risk of being attacked from behind, Zulathal allied itself with Olkan, Ordaleron and Yaewong. Every so often, Zulathal declares another war against Laurwym, but there's currently no wars going on.

[color=F17F77][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. the Northern Hold
2. the Eastern Hold
3. the Southern Hold
4. the Western Hold

[/hider][Hider=Olkan]
[color=C77FEC][h3][b]Olkan[/b][/h3][/color]
A very small kingdom located in the valley between Oldaleron, Yaewong and Zulathal. It’s a very peaceful country and has good relations with all three of its neighbors. A lot of Olkan is covered in soy-fields, the source of Olkan’s primary trade product; soy beans.

Olkan is allied with all three of its neighbors, forming the centerpiece of the alliance between the four countries. Olkan's lack of soldiers means it can't independently be at war with anyone.

[color=C77FEC][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. Olkanis

[/hider][Hider=Ordaleron]
[color=E90AC6][h3][b]Ordaleron[/b][/h3][/color]
Ordaleron is a kingdom partially residing within the eastern reaches of the Karadhor Mountains. Situated highly, it's almost always cold in Ordaleron. In the winter it gets so cold that all sources of water, save for the river north between Ordaleron and Venirin, freeze over.

In the east, Ordaleron borders- and is allied to Yaewong, Olkan and Zulathal. In the north, it is separated from Venirin with a river. Currently, Ordaleron and Yaewong are on high alert, their soldier tasked with keeping the Venirin forces on their side of the river. 

[color=E90AC6][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. Oderon
2. Khera

[/hider][Hider=Yaewong]
[color=DE7FC9][h3][b]Yaewong[/b][/h3][/color]
Yaewong is an empire situated between a mountain and the coast. It's a militaristic nation with many traditions. They value personal strength, honor and loyalty above all else. Yaewong warriors fight with unparalleled determination, making them fearsome opponents, but more fearsome still are their generals. Only the most skilled warriors are selected for promotion, and yet Yaewong knows no shortage of capable generals.

Yaewong borders Olkan, Ordaleron and Zulathal in the southwest, Guran in the northeast and Venirin across the river in the northwest. Yaewong is on bad terms with Guran and allied to Olkan, Zulathal and Ordaleron.  Together with Ordaleron, Yaewong is reinforcing the border with Venirin.

[color=DE7FC9][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. Qi’jeng
2. Otonaka
3. Shirooka

[/hider][Hider=Guran]
[color=FF7FBA][h3][b]Guran[/b][/h3][/color]
Guran is a moderately small seaside nation. Strong winds seem to blow through Guran all year round, making it near-impossible for tall- and bushlike plants to grow well. In order to protect themselves from the violent winds, the people of Guran build their cities small and surround them with sturdy wooden walls.

Guran has occasionally attacked Yaewong in the past, but that ended when Yaewong retaliated and conquered a large part of Guran. Guran and Yaewong are no longer at war, but they remain on bad terms.

[color=FF7FBA][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. Iroha
2. Torino
[/hider][Hider=Doraus]
[color=9DE700][h3][b]Doraus[/b][/h3][/color]
Doraus is singular, walled city, known as the “Keeper of the Tides.” This is because of its position on the only part of the landbridge between Zulathal and Rivanen that doesn’t get submerged during high tides.

They watch the world from atop their bluffs, entirely self-sufficient and completely isolated.

[color=9DE700][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
-

[/hider][Hider=Rivanen]
[color=48F200][h3][b]Rivanen[/b][/h3][/color]
[Description Coming Soon]

[color=48F200][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1.
2.
3.
4.

[/hider][Hider=Tenthogan]
[color=48F200][h3][b]Tenthogan[/b][/h3][/color]
[Description Coming Soon]

[color=48F200][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. 

[/hider][Hider=Prunaed]
[color=05EB18][h3][b]Prunaed[/b][/h3][/color]
[Description Coming Soon]

[color=05EB18][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1.

[/hider][Hider=Arotath]
[color=D7B92B][h3][b]Arotath[/b][/h3][/color]
[Description Coming Soon]

[color=D7B92B][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

[/hider][Hider=Yhbun]
[color=00FF96][h3][b]Yhbun[/b][/h3][/color]
[Description Coming Soon]

[color=00FF96][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1.

[/hider][Hider=Loraccus]
[color=E9D97E][h3][b]Loraccus[/b][/h3][/color]
[Description Coming Soon]

[color=E9D97E][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1.
2.
3. 

[/hider][Hider=Umiramos]
[color=790400][h3][b]Umiramos[/b][/h3][/color]
[Description Coming Soon]

[color=790400][b]Most notable cities:[/b][/color]
1.
2.
3.
4.

[/hider][Hider=Other]
[h3][b]Karadhor Mountains[/b][/h3]
The Karadhor Mountains are infamous for its inhospitable nature and for being the centerpoint of Arotura. It knows many steep cliffs and sharp peaks, and its tallest peaks even reach above the clouds. People don't often explore it due to its high lethality rate. A popular nickname for it is "the Breakneck Mountains." Despite how inhospitable it is, or rather because of it, the Karadhor mountains have seen many outlaws live within its reaches.

[h3][b]Paradise Valley[/b][/h3]
A small settlement stuck between the Karadhor Mountains and the Rahksar Desert. It has a small pond, formed by water flowing down the mountainside, as a watersource and unlike the Mountains and the Desert surrounding it, Paradise Valley is bursting with life. It is for this reason that it's often referred to as "Utopia."

[h3][b]Rahksar Desert[/b][/h3]
A vast desert said to contain hidden treasure beneath the sand. Despite the rumors, all people have found here are sand and death. There are countless other rumors about how the treasure would be hidden in underground temples or caves, but those rumors too, remain unconfirmed. The only thing people have really been able to confirm about the Rahksar Desert is that it's incredibly hot during the day and freezing cold at night.
[/hider]

[center][h1][color=fff200]Rules[/color][/h1][/center]
I doubt you guys will need it, but I will state these rules nonetheless.
1. Be civil. There's no reason for insults and other pointless swearing OoC when we're all here to enjoy a game.
2. Be reasonable. No godmodding, autohitting, endless dodging, etc. Let's keep this fun for everyone involved.
3. Work things out. When roleplaying combat with another player, try to reach a conclusion without my intervention. I will step in if I feel things get out of hand, but I don't want to have to be an arbiter for literally every action you guys take.
4. Follow the guild's rules. Obviously. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
5. Join the Discord. It will not be mandatory, but it will be the easiest way to keep in touch with me.

[center][h1][color=fff200]OoC Information[/color][/h1][/center]
As you may have deduced from the introduction, in this setting you'd play as one of these thugs and their Pokémon. Whether you want to be a laid-back thug simply living a lazy life or a Robin Hood-esque rogue who shares his spoils with the poor, it's all fine, so long as you're an outlaw in one way or another.

The technological level of the setting is roughly comparable to the 17th century, save for the development of weapons. Being a bandit/thief/thug of some sort, you'd likely have a weapon and some combat ability, which you may want/have to use in order to overpower the people you're robbing and/or defending yourself from, in case your Pokémon partner is too busy battling theirs.

Poké balls don't exist yet, so anyone is limited to a single Pokémon partner they can rely on, which they've raised, tamed or otherwise bonded with. As the story develops I may allow people to train a second Pokémon, assuming they've somehow done something to create a bond with another Pokémon during play. The same is true for mega evolution and Z-moves; you'll have to earn them during play.

At the start of the game you will have a single Pokémon partner, and some pretty basic equipment, such as a simple weapon, some form of armor, some ropes and perhaps a few torches.

The restrictions on your Pokémon partner are as follows;[list]
[*] It may not be legendary.
[*] It may have any ability normally available to it. (Including hidden abilities)
[*] It may be a 1st stage evolution, so long as it evolves at or before level 30. (So while you may have a Charmeleon, you may not have a Charizard or Volcarona at the start of the game.)
[/list]

Pokémon will know moves, but unlike the main series of the video games, I won't harass you over not knowing cut; a sword will do the trick, and so will a Scyther, regardless of his moves. Essentially, this means that your moves will be an indicator of your fighting style and techniques, but Pokémon don't suddenly become unable to do things they'd normally have no trouble doing if they don't have certain moves.

[center][h1][color=fff200]Character Template[/color][/h1][/center]
[hider=Empty CS]
[Ref Image]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b] (18-45)
[b]Sex:[/b] (M/F)
[b]Orientation:[/b] (In case y'all wanna get lovey dovey. Romance will not be a focus.)
[b]Place of Birth:[/b] (I'll have proper descriptions of a few villages once I'll put up the OoC)

[b]Appearance:[/b]
(As it says)

[b]Personality:[/b]
(Both good and bad traits)

[b]Skills:[/b]
(Things you can use to make it through life. E.g. hunting, fishing, swordsplay, martial arts, cooking, smithing, etc. Please keep it reasonable. Rate them A through E with A being Amazing and E being Acceptable, but relatively unskilled.)

[b]Inventory:[/b]
(What do you make sure to have on you at all times?)

[b]Background:[/b]
(Where did you come from, how were you raised, and not unimportantly; how did you end up living a life of crime.)

[hr]
[Bulbapedia Image]
[b]Pokémon:[/b] (Species name)
[b]Nickname:[/b] (If none, same as species name)
[b]Gender:[/b] (M/F)
[b]Ability:[/b] (Any ability the pokémon can normally have)
[b]Item:[/b] (None at the start of the game.)
[b]Moves:[/b] (While you don't have to scream orders and announce every attack beforehand, the four moves you list here will serve as a guideline for what your Pokémon can do, and it will allow me to easily judge whether you're landing a super-effective attack if such isn't clear from your description IC.)

[b]Bond:[/b] (How well you get along with your Pokémon partner, how you met and how you bonded. (Essentially your Pokemon's backstory.))
[/hider]

[center][h1][color=fff200][url=https://discord.gg/JSku3z5]Discord Link[/url][/color][/h1]
[url=https://discord.gg/JSku3z5][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/295216067989602305/595026315589976101/discord.png[/img][/url][/center]