[hider=Bavala] [center][b][h1][color=#EAFF2E]B[/color][color=#D6FF3B]a[/color][color=#C3FF48]v[/color][color=#B0FF55]a[/color][color=#9DFF62]l[/color][color=#89FF70]a[/color][/h1][/b] [i][sub]The island of rural life, humility, and no technology to enslave people or pokemon alike-- all under the auspices of the greater good. 600 sq. km [/sub][/i][/center] [quote= "What do you mean there's no wifi here?!" ] Bavala is well-known throughout the Makhasia region for it's unique culture. Here, technology is not permitted even under the most strict of circumstances. Trainers who find themselves visiting cannot bring their pokeballs, pokedexes, or other technology with them, as it is considered corrupt and disrespectful to their traditions. While there are many that find Bavala odd, and even extreme, it cannot be denied how beautiful and thriving the island is. The climate is tropical, humid, but being surrounded by the water keeps the weather temperate and warm year round. Around 80% of the island is covered by camellia forests, and from November to March, much of the island is red from the blooming flowers. Pokemon and people live in a unique harmony here. Pollution is hardly an issue, and industries that thrive here are farming or creating art such as glasswork, pottery, or other hand-crafted curios. People will take manual labor jobs from the mainland, but perhaps Bavala's biggest reasons for prospering are tourism and agriculture. All over the world, people come to Bavala to 'get away from it all.' The island is a breath of fresh air from the constant buzz and bickering of the world outside. Many 'outsiders' even come to reside in Bavala permanently, where they live happy and fulfilling lives, eschewing their reliance on technology for good. And yet there are some who leave the community, thus excommunicated from the culture forever. There is no proper or formal education on Bavala, as '8th grade' level is considered sufficient preparation before learning vocational skills or settling into farming. Finally, many times when trainers want to abandon pokemon, Bavala has become a somewhat common place to do so as it is considered a haven of sorts. As such, many of the pokemon here are widely varied and accustomed to humans. [/quote] [hider=GM Notes] I [/hider] [/hider] [hider=Karringo] [center][b][h1][color=#8324FF]K[/color][color=#8E23EC]a[/color][color=#9923DA]r[/color][color=#A422C7]r[/color][color=#B022B5]i[/color][color=#BB21A3]n[/color][color=#C62190]g[/color][color=#D1207E]o[/color][/h1][/b] [i][sub]Nestled and carved into the mountains, this sturdy town is where the foundation of great beginnings lie. 33 sq km. [/sub][/i][/center] [quote= "We've all gotta start somewhere..."]Karringo is a mid-sized mountain town, located to the far South East of the region. Foliage is abundant here, with residents insisting on keeping the area lush. The just barely tamed bushes, trees, and vines sprawl just about everywhere, cheerfully making their presence known. A serene stream makes its way through the town from a spring located just along the outskirts. Following the stream outside the town, it turns into a river that courses into dense jungle forest. The renowned Professor Jacaranda resides here, taking it upon himself to host proper beginning ceremonies for the young adults that wish to start their pokemon journeys. While anyone can receive a first pokemon from anywhere, the exciting formal tradition of a proper send-off is exciting to many. As such, many young adults choose to begin their journeys around Karringo. Craggy and rocky, houses are peppered all over the face of this mountain. Roads are smooth for the most part, but many opt to use bikes just as much as cars around this area. Be warned, the slopes and hills look beautiful, but are a threat to even the most seasoned athlete's lungs. [/quote] [quote= "You cannot always change your fate... but you may rise to meet it."] A seasoned pilot, Jacaranda treats the lucky trainers to a helicopter ride up the mountain, to a sacred clearing near a waterfall where the pokemon are gathered to choose their human partners. Few know of this area; huge trees, tropical foliage, and an unwavering sense of serenity bathe the atmopshere. Trainers are not to speak once they step foot out of the helicopter, an after arriving to the clearing, they are to stay in one place silently until a pokemon has accepted it's pokeball. Items, food, any external influence to mar the pokemon's judgement is not permitted. When their pokemon has chosen, the duo can then step out of the clearing to allow others to make their decisions without rush. Should a trainer decide to utter even a single word, their ceremony will not truly be recognized. It is said those who disrespect the ritual are doomed to failure. The longest ceremony has taken 18 hours to complete, with the shortest being finished in 45 minutes. Should their pokemon not choose them, there is no shame. Destiny is a fickle matter. They may try as many times as it takes to be chosen. [/quote] [quote="Where do I go from here...?"] [b]✩[/b] Head [b]north[/b] and you will find yourself heading towards jungle and wilderness. [b]✩[/b] Head [b]South East[/b] towards Route 1, a laborious yet scenic route through the [indent][i]Darratree Rainforest[/i], to leave Karringo. While there are roads taken by cars and other transportation methods to reach Karringo, there are always traditional exploration paths meant to be traveled on foot and taken by trainers. This is also where the first [b][i]Trial[/i][/b] is![/indent] [b]✩[/b] Head straight [b]South[/b] and after a full day's trek or so, you will find yourself at the base [indent]of the mountain, where forest slowly errodes into beach, and the ocean can be seen for miles. A scenic, less troublesome route here that meets with road is another option to get to the next town. Some opt to take this path instead of taking the Trial through Darratree.[/indent] [/quote] [/hider] [hider=Darratree Rainforest] [h1][center][b][color=#FF8C19]D[/color][color=#EF8130]a[/color][color=#E07647]r[/color][color=#D06B5E]r[/color][color=#C16175]a[/color][color=#B1568C]t[/color][color=#A24BA3]r[/color][color=#9241BA]e[/color][color=#8336D1]e[/color] [color=#6420FF]R[/color][color=#5E37F2]a[/color][color=#594DE6]i[/color][color=#5463D9]n[/color][color=#4F79CD]f[/color][color=#4990C0]o[/color][color=#44A6B4]r[/color][color=#3FBCA8]e[/color][color=#3AD29B]s[/color][color=#35E88F]t[/color][/b][/center][/h1] [center][i][sub]Towering canopies, a harrowing trial, mystery and peril combine to leave a mark on trainers who dare to venture in-- forever. 500 sq km. [/sub][/i][/center] [quote= "Is that edible??"] With a staggering 5,000 to 6,000 plant species, Darratree is one of the most species diverse rainforests in the pokemon world. Large pitcher plants, brightly colored fungi, and flowers in every color of the rainbow are abundant here, yet shrouded by the massively tall trees that cast the rainforest floor in shadow. Luckily, rope bridges, ladders, pulleys and platforms are abundant here, for both researchers and trainers to use as they explore the area, including the canopy which easily rests around 100 feet above ground. Trainers be warned, beautiful as the canopy is, a fall can result in more than a nasty injury. [/quote] [quote="You're going to steal my pokedex?! Hey, get back here!"][color=red][b]✩Trial 01✩[/b][/color] Lore whispers of the appointed guardian of the rainforest, a person hidden by his threatening mask, who issues the trials to new trainers. Every year is a different trial; however... He does have a fondness for taking items and having trainers work to get them back. [/quote] [quote= "Where do I go from here..?"] [b]✩[/b] Head [b]north[/b] as the crow flies and you will only be heading up the mountain. Why did you come south if you were just going to head back up north again? [b]✩[/b] After completing the trial, keep heading South East towards Route 1! [b]✩[/b] Head straight [b]South[/b] and after a full day's trek or so, you will find yourself at the base of the mountain, where forest slowly erodes into beach, and the ocean can be seen for miles in the [b]East[/b]. A scenic, less troublesome route here that meets with road is another option to get to the next town. Some opt to take this path instead of taking the Trial through Darratree. [b]✩[/b] [b]Westward[/b] will take you to another footpath, where trainers can explore the mountain, but there are no more formal paths to other cities or towns. [/quote] [/hider] [hider=Bela Bela City] [b][center][h1][color=#36F2FF]B[/color][color=#3AE9FF]e[/color][color=#3FE0FF]l[/color][color=#44D8FF]a[/color] [color=#4EC7FF]B[/color][color=#53BEFF]e[/color][color=#58B5FF]l[/color][color=#5CADFF]a[/color] [color=#669CFF]C[/color][color=#6B93FF]i[/color][color=#708BFF]t[/color][color=#7582FF]y[/color][/h1][/center][/b] [center][i][sub]A testament to mankind's historical progression of technology. 80 sq km. [/sub][/i][/center] [quote= "Steampunk? In pokemon?"]Heading South East from Karringo, going down the mountain, one would find themselves on the sandy beaches of the ocean. A day at the beach is always fun, but there is also a regular ferry service here that can take the trainers to a mid-sized port city called Bela Bela. This location functions as a rest-stop for weary sailors or trainers who have traveled a long way overseas. Bela Bela is a uniquely distinguishable place in appearance and attractions. It can only be described with an infrastructure found nowhere else, consisting of a system where large cogs and gears power escalators, moving roads, and aerial rotating buildings. All of these steam, spring propelled gadgets and constructions are styled in Victorian architecture combined with chrome and bronze accents to create a place that could only be considered-- [i]steampunk[/i]. A steam-engine trolley makes its rounds about the city, while few with some extra cash can take the hot air-balloons for grand jaunts over the ocean. Perhaps one of the largest attractions is a historical piece-- a pirate-esque dirigible that was said to be able to travel through water and air. Tightly docked to Bela Bela with iron chains shackled onto steel posts, it has now become a home for many wild pokemon-- and, as some locals will adamantly claim-- ghosts. The creaky groans and general dangerous nature of ship make it off limits to any and everyone unless they have permission to explore. Apparently there's a treasure guarded by spirits on this ship...?[/quote] Bela Bela serves to be a historical, architectural, and technological landmark Makhasia. Going through the city, a resident or trainer can truly see what technology was like hundreds of years ago. Though much time has passed, most of the city's original architecture has been maintained. Old fashioned style, hand-crafted pokeballs derived from apricorns are also sold here. [quote="Where do I go from here...?"] [b]✩[/b] Head [b]North[/b] and you will find yourself heading towards the mainland, whence you came! [b]✩[/b] Heading even further [b]South[/b], will guide you towards the ocean. If you have powerful water pokemon, you may across the next island or even mainland-- but that would take days of traveling. There are small rest stops on the way, but flying's the best way to reach the destinations over the ocean. Or boat. [b]✩[/b] Head straight [b]West[/b] and after a full day's trek or so, you will find yourself at Bavala. [b]✩[/b]Head [b]East[/b] and you'll find the same story as going South. [/quote] [/hider] [hider=Tesorin City] [center][h1][b][color=#21FF19]T[/color][color=#46EB1E]e[/color][color=#6BD724]s[/color][color=#90C42A]o[/color][color=#B5B02F]r[/color][color=#DA9C35]i[/color][color=#FF893A]n[/color] [color=#B5B02F]C[/color][color=#90C42A]i[/color][color=#6BD724]t[/color][color=#46EB1E]y[/color][/b][/h1] [sub] [i]Dizzyingly tall skyscrapers race towards the sky, while roads of possibility stretch out before you. 1027 sq km[/i][/sub][/center] [quote= "There is no solitude in the world like that of a big city..." ] Tesorin is the most modern, technological metropolis of Makhasia. Not every city is a tourist attraction like Bavala or a quaint town like Karringo. Packed to the brim with people, malls, and the promise for a trainer to find whatever they desire within the confines, Tesorin is a wonderful place to explore or get lost in. Quite crowded, the city fluctuates being claustrophobic yet cozy. The hustle and grind never stops, and people are always trying to innovate or find 'the next big break.' Efficiency is one of the city themes here with at least 80% of the area covered in solar panels. An electric 'playpen' at the center of the city is actually an interactive power generator used to attract electric pokemon in order to gather excess electricity for city generators. Five monorails run all throughout the metropolis for work commuters and trainers alike to use. Despite the shiny chrome and stainless steel gleam though, it can be cutthroat and unforgiving. [/quote] [quote= "Why does steel resist so many types?!" ] The steel-type gym is here; as a large, concrete and chrome dome, nobody can miss it. Here, the gym leader Ferritia resides. With her gray hair, grey eyes, wrinkled walnut skin, and mouth always pursed in a frown, she seems unassuming at first... Known for her varying steel type pokemon, Ferritia focuses more on offense because of steel's natural resistance to so many elements. And at different levels, Ferritia uses different pokemon for trainers of different experience. Of course-- just because she adjusts her skills appropriately does [i]not[/i] make her a pushover. At 56 years old, she has been running the gym for thirty years, and doesn't plan on stepping down anytime soon. [/quote] [quote= "Pfft, I'd rather come out on top alone than have to carry someone else with me."] [color=red][b]✩Trial 02✩[/b][/color] The electric trial takes place in an abandoned power plant just outside of Tesorin. What lies in wait? As per tradition of Makhasia, trainers are not permitted to talk about their trials through the region and spoil the tasks for others to complete. Still, there are some rumors. Some say the plant is a man-made maze that tests both knowledge, character, and strength of trainers alike. "Trust or Forsake" is a phrase oft whispered and mentioned when the trial is talked about, though the precise meaning is unclear. Once inside the barbed wire fences and past the 'DANGER' signs stalked outside the premises, these trainers are on their own. [/quote] [quote="Finally out of that place. Tell me where to go next!"] [b]✩[/b] Head [b]North[/b] and you will find yourself heading towards the city of 'Hanging Gardens'! [b]✩[/b] Heading even further [b]South[/b], and TBE (to be edited) [b]✩[/b] Head straight [b]West[/b] and you will find yourself setting the path for the small town of Osoro! [b]✩[/b]Head [b]East[/b] and you as a trainer will be heading towards the Forest of Dreams. [/quote] [/hider] [hider=My Hider] [h1][b][center][color=#5C2958]T[/color][color=#6B2D64]w[/color][color=#7A3271]i[/color][color=#8A367E]l[/color][color=#993B8A]i[/color][color=#A83F97]g[/color][color=#B844A4]h[/color][color=#C33EA4]t[/color] [color=#DB33A5]W[/color][color=#E72EA6]o[/color][color=#F329A6]o[/color][color=#FF23A7]d[/color][/center][/b][/h1] [center][sub]The deceptively sleepy wood that harbors immense danger 75 sq km[/sub][/center] [quote= "You're getting very sleepy..."] Time seems to stop here in this forest which is oddly clouded in a vibrant, swirling mist of pinky purple that reminds many of twilight. This cloudy fog is actually [i]dream mist[/i], produced by the numerous Munna and Musharna that densely populate this natural habitat. Not an incredibly large forest, it's still quite maze-like to intruders because of how dense and obscure the mist is. Since the species of Munna and Musharna feed on dreams, it's not uncommon for them to employ 'harmless' tactics, such as hypnosis, on travelers who stumble upon their turfThose who fall asleep in the forest may be subjected to their dreams being eaten harmlessly. Though... if threatened, a pokemon may use Nightmare instead. Stantler are also abundant here--and far more skittish than the Musharna, their horns can conjure up illusions that would confuse even the most devious of ghost pokemon. Beware-- Stantler are dangerously timid, and having a pact with the Munna and Musharna of the forest, if they feel threatened, the psychic types will come to their aid. Be careful--the pokemon here only want to protect themselves. Try not to fall asleep or get caught in a nightmare you [i]can't[/i] wake up from. [/quote] [quote= "That was a nice nap. Now what?"] [b]✩[/b] Head West and you'll be back at Tesorin--you did travel East to come here, after all. [b]✩[/b] Head further East and you'll somehow find a long, looping, path back to Karringo! [b]✩ [/b] Head South and you can find a path to the Burnrock Badlands. [b]✩[/b] Head North and you'll find yourself in the barren, rocky valleys of No Man's Pass... [/quote] [/hider]