[OOC] Pokémon: Veluria — Roleplayer Guild

[OOC] Pokémon: Veluria

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Welcome to Veluria — a different kind of Pokémon region.

Here, kids don't set out at ten with a rucksack and a dream. In Veluria, all young trainers pursue a compulsory education plan, coming out at twenty after years of demanding, multi-faceted training.

Students are taught an extensive range of abilities—some with applications in everyday life, others specially specific to Pokémon. They learn survival techniques, ecological science, healing methods, Pokémon behavior and health, battle theory, ethics, engineering, agriculture, etc. Each is taught not only in classrooms, but in the outdoors too—through forests, labs, mountain camps, battlefields.

Other graduates continue their studies in such academic disciplines as Poké-medicine, cryptozoology, elementary physics, aura studies, or ancient civilization studies. Others become Rangers, Habitat Restoration Architects, or Conservation or Competitive Battling specialists with special permits.

Veluria doesn't hurry its youth. It sharpens them.

- - -

I’m looking for three players for this campaign—one to fill each role: a Trainer, a Coordinator, and an Explorer.

You don’t need to feel boxed in. Your character doesn’t have to be freshly graduated—but they can be.

In this region, there exists an enigmatic organization known as the Major Arcana, operating under the authority of the Imperial Family. Each member wields a magical brooch—an amulet embodying one of the Major Arcana:

Eight of them serve as Gym Leaders.
Eight are the icons of the Contest Halls.
Five form the Elite Four and the Champion, collectively known as the Emperor’s Royal Guard.

But one brooch is missing, lost to history, or hidden for a reason.

Even tho, I'm looking for three players, each for a specific role don’t feel locked into standard archetypes.

The Trainer is someone striving to conquer every Gym, to face the Elite Four, and ultimately to challenge for the title of Champion—becoming the Emperor’s newest sword and shield. But maybe...

You are a retired policeman, now middle-aged, haunted by your days in service, seeing the gym challenge as a path to redemption—and a way to protect the future...

...or a former academic dropout, who once studied battle theory but never touched a Poké Ball—until now...

...or a bright-eyed prodigy from a remote island, who fights with instinct and improvisation, their bond with Pokémon forged without formal education.

The Coordinator seeks to dazzle the Contest Circuit, rise to the rank of Top Coordinator, and earn the right to wield the Star Arcana, ascending directly into the elite 4 ranks. But maybe...

You are a glamorous drag performer, blending art, illusion, and fierce battle style into breathtaking contests—trailblazing and unapologetic...

...or a reclusive older woman, once a contest legend, now coming out of retirement for one last shot at the Star Arcana...

...or a grizzled biker with a love for sparkle and showmanship, proving that beauty and brawn aren’t mutually exclusive.

The Explorer is driven by curiosity, chasing whispers and ruins scattered across Veluria. They seek the truth of the Major Arcana’s origin—and the secret of the missing brooch. But maybe...

You are a young single mother and former construction worker, drawn to ruins by strange dreams—dragging her toddler and her partner along in a heavily modified van...

...or a scholar of ancient languages, excommunicated from the academic world for “unethical” theories about the Arcana...

...or a blind seer, guided by the hum of lost magic, following instincts and cryptic visions, not maps.

The examples above are just inspiration—jumping-off points.

You can absolutely create a Trainer, Coordinator, or Explorer with any kind of backstory. Even something more classic, like a small-town kid with big dreams, or an Ash Ketchum-type setting off into the world.

When it comes to choosing players, I’ll be looking for characters with strong stories—people who feel real, alive, and driven. I’ll also be considering how well the characters fit together, because at the campaign’s starting point, all three will already know each other. They’re more than acquaintances and have a reason to journey across Veluria side by side.

But don’t stress too much about that yet. That’s a future-us problem.

For now, just focus on building the best Trainer, Coordinator, or Explorer you can imagine. The kind of character you’d want to follow through a whole region.

Alright, now for the “boring” part—mechanics.

⚠️⚠️ the mechanics guide is live, but I'm suspending it until further notice, because I think this might be driving potential players away ⚠️⚠️

For Pokémon stats and battles, the game will shift into a light tabletop mode. Each Pokémon will have a small creature-style stat block, inspired by D&D (the system I’m most familiar with). I’ll be handling evolution tracking and updating stat blocks as needed—you won’t need to worry about the numbers behind the curtain.

Here’s the important bit: most of the time, you won’t even touch the mechanics.
Stumbled into a flock of wild Pidgey? No need to roll dice— we'll just narrate it out.
But when you step into a Gym, hit the Contest stage, or face down villains? Oh yeah, we’re breaking out the stat blocks. That’s where the randomness kicks in to keep things tense, wild, and unpredictable.

Just enough crunch to spice things up—never enough to bog you down (hopefully)

Alright, so if you’ve read all of this and want to join the journey through Veluria, here’s the application form. When you fill it out, focus on what your character wants to do, and how where they came from informs that. 

Why do they want to be Champion? Maybe it’s out of loyalty to the Imperial Family. Maybe they’re chasing glory, trying to prove something to themselves or the world, fulfilling a promise, or even running from something darker. Whatever it is, give them purpose. Make them feel alive.

[b]Name:[/b]  
[i](Your character's full name, or nickname if that's their identity)[/i]

[b]Age:[/b]  
[i](Minimum 20 years old — Veluria doesn’t rush its future champions)[/i]

[b]Spot you're going for:[/b]  
[i]Trainer / Coordinator / Explorer[/i]  
(Choose one)

[b]About:[/b]  
[i]Tell me your character’s story.  
Who are they?  
Where did they come from?  
What drives them to walk this path?  
Why do they fight, dazzle, or seek?  
Make me want to follow them through Veluria, page after page.[/i]

[b]Ideal Team:[/b]  
[i]What six Pokémon would your character dream of calling partners when they finally stand complete?  
Include typings, vibes, or themes if you want.

[b]Ace Pokémon:[/b]  
[i]Their signature partner — the heartbeat of their team.  
Describe the bond, the role in battle, the synergy.  
Why this one? What story do they share?[/i]

[b]Posting Frequency:[/b]
[i]How frequently can you post?[/i]

Guides on the Major Arcana and the Mechanical Side of Pokémon coming soon in the posts below.

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Pokémon Stat Blocks Guide

⚠️⚠️ The full guide is live, but I understand the mechanics might feel a bit overwhelming at first—so for now, think of them as suspended until everyone feels comfortable diving in. ⚠️⚠️

Introduction

This is a comprehensive guide on all the rules that determine the stat blocks for Pokémon.  

***No need to get intimidated by it. You don’t have to memorize every detail, and you definitely don’t need to read the whole thing if you’d rather not.***

There’s an example stat block for an Ivysaur at the end of the guide—maybe just checking that will help you understand most of the system all at once.

In this game, Pokémon grow from level 1 to 20. A level 20 Pokémon is equivalent to level 100 in the traditional games. Each level matters, and every time a Pokémon grows stronger, it’s felt.

To know when your Pokémon is going to level up, simply divide it's normal evolving level by 5 and round up. For example, Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur at level 16. 15/6 = 3.2 -> rounded up: level 4.

There are a few pieces of information in the Pokémon stat block you'll want to pay attention to:

Attributes – These define your Pokémon’s strengths and weaknesses. They’re directly inspired by D&D’s ability scores, but here, they have different effects. Each attribute plays a role in battle, performance, or how your Pokémon interacts with the world.

HP – This is your Pokémon’s health. It tells you how much damage they can take before fainting. Tougher Pokémon with higher Constitution can endure more hits.

AC – Stands for Armor Class. It represents how hard it is to land a hit on your Pokémon, whether through physical or special attacks, depending on their defenses. You have a physical and a special one. 

Moves – These are the actions your Pokémon can take — offensive strikes, tactical status effects, defensive maneuvers, or dazzling contest techniques. Each one costs 1 Charge to use. You can keep only 4 at a time.

Charges – This is your Pokémon’s stamina. It tells you how many actions they can take before needing a rest. Every move costs 1 Charge, and once they run out, they’re spent until they can recover.

Attributes

Every Pokémon has six attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. At level 1, each Pokémon gets 75 attribute points, and they earn 1 point every two levels.

Strength (STR) – This affects how hard your physical attacks hit. It's the primary attribute for calculating the damage of physical moves.

Dexterity (DEX) – Governs physical defense, accuracy, and initiative. This affects the Pokémon's physical AC (how hard it is to hit with physical attacks) and its Initiative (the order it acts in during combat).

Constitution (CON) – Directly affects your Pokémon’s HP. Most moves that cause conditions like poison, burn, or sleep require a Constitution saving throw to resist their effects.

Intelligence (INT) – Like Strength, but for special attacks. It determines the power and effectiveness of beams, blasts, and other special-based moves.

Wisdom (WIS) – Functions like Dexterity, but for resisting special attacks. It determines your Pokémon’s special AC—how hard it is to hit with special moves like Psychic or Flamethrower.

Charisma (CHA) – Directly influences Contests. A high-Charisma Pokémon will perform better overall (see Contest rules for more details). Charisma also affects the accuracy of status moves (in the same way Strength does for physical attacks and Intelligence for special ones), and governs happiness-based evolution. The higher the Charisma, the easier it is to form a deep bond—and evolve through it.

Modifiers

Each attribute a Pokémon has (Strength, Dexterity, etc.) comes with a modifier. This modifier is what’s actually added to rolls—like damage, saves, accuracy, or AC. The higher the attribute, the better the modifier. The table below shows how that works:

Score        Modifier  
1            	   -5  
2–3             -4  
4–5             -3  
6–7             -2  
8–9             -1  
10–11        +0  
12–13        +1  
14–15        +2  
16–17        +3  
18–19        +4  
20+            +5  

If your Ivysaur has a Constitution score of 14, for example, that’s a +2 modifier—which means it gets 2 extra HP per level.

Different Pokémon fill different roles in battle, and how you allocate their stats will define the way they move, strike, support, and survive. Below are some general build archetypes to help you think about how your Pokémon might function in your team. These aren't hard rules—just starting points. Every bond is unique.

Tank – A Pokémon built to take hits and keep standing. High Constitution gives them the raw HP to last. Pair it with high Dexterity to shrug off physical blows, or Wisdom to endure special attacks.

Physical Striker – This one hits hard and fast. A high Strength stat powers up physical attacks, while Dexterity helps them go early in the turn order and land precise blows.

Special Striker – Similar to the physical variant, but focused on beams, pulses, and elemental blasts. Intelligence boosts damage, and pairing it with Wisdom improves survivability against opposing specials.

Speedster / Glass Cannon – High Dexterity and Strength or Intelligence, but low Constitution. They hit first, and they hit hard—but they can't take much in return.

Disruptor / Status Specialist – Focused on conditions rather than damage. Charisma improves accuracy of status moves and contest potential, while Wisdom or Dexterity can help them survive long enough to sabotage the field.

Support / Healer – These Pokémon often prioritize Charisma and Wisdom, especially if they're buffing allies or soothing them mid-battle. They're not front-liners—but they keep front-liners standing.

Contest Performer – Outside battle, this build thrives on stage. High Charisma is essential, but certain contest styles may also benefit from Dexterity, Intelligence, or even Wisdom, depending on the routine.

Balanced All-Rounder – Some Pokémon are simply good at everything—solid Constitution, decent offense on either side, and the flexibility to adapt mid-fight. Not flashy, but reliable.

Evasion-Based Scout – High Dexterity and Wisdom, built to never get hit in the first place. These Pokémon weave through danger and can be perfect for Explorers or hit-and-run tactics.

Proficiency Bonus

This is a basic modifier that increases as your Pokémon levels up. It represents overall skill, training, and experience. You’ll use it in a few important places—like when calculating AC, or when determining the DC (Difficulty Class) for a move that forces a target to resist.

Level      Proficiency Bonus  
1–4        +2  
5–8        +3  
9–12       +4  
13–16      +5  
17–20      +6  

Don’t worry about calculating this yourself— in the Stat Blocks the Proficiency Bonus will already be included wherever it applies.

HP

Your Pokémon’s HP shows how much damage they can take before fainting. The tougher the Pokémon, the more hits they can survive—and that’s reflected in their Constitution modifier.

The formula is simple:

HP = 5 × Level + (Constitution Modifier × Level)

So if your Pokémon is level 10 with a +2 Constitution modifier, their HP would be:

5 × 10 = 50  
+2 × 10 = 20  
Total: 70 HP

This means every level matters, and Constitution really shapes a Pokémon’s durability. A high-CON Pokémon will always outlast a fragile one at the same level.

AC's

AC is how hard it is to hit your Pokémon during battle. There are two types of AC: one for physical attacks, and another for special attacks.

The formulas are:

Physical AC = 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Dexterity Modifier  
Special AC = 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Wisdom Modifier

Physical AC is used when your Pokémon is being targeted by physical moves—things like Tackle, Bite, or Close Combat.  
Special AC comes into play when facing moves like Flamethrower, Psybeam, or Thunderbolt.

If your Pokémon is especially agile or perceptive, they’ll be harder to land a hit on. High Dexterity means they’re good at dodging physical blows; high Wisdom means they can read and react to incoming special attacks.

Moves

Each Pokémon can know up to 4 moves at a time. These are the actions they can take in battle—whether they’re attacking, supporting allies, weakening enemies, or enhancing themselves.

Every move will have its own description: what it does, what kind of damage it deals (if any), and whether it requires a saving throw or affects AC. All of that will be listed clearly in the move’s entry.

There are four types of moves in the Veluria system:

Physical Attacks – These are close-range strikes like Tackle, Brick Break, or Play Rough. They add your Pokémon’s Strength modifier to the damage, and are checked against the target’s Physical AC (DEX-based).

Special Attacks – These include elemental blasts, beams, or pulses—like Flamethrower, Shadow Ball, or Thunderbolt. They add your Intelligence modifier to damage and go against the target’s Special AC (WIS-based).

Self-Inflicting Status Moves – These are buffs or debuffs your Pokémon applies to themselves. Things like Swords Dance, Agility, or Iron Defense. They don’t require any rolls and are usually modified by Charisma.

Status Moves (Targeted) – These apply conditions or stat changes to other Pokémon, like Growl, Confuse Ray, or Toxic. They’re powered by Charisma as well, and might require the target to make a saving throw—usually a Constitution or Wisdom save, depending on the effect.

All of this will already be written into the move itself on your stat block, so don’t worry about memorizing it. Just focus on what your Pokémon does best—and how they do it.

The damage of moves is also affected by your Pokémon’s level tier. As they grow stronger, their attacks hit harder. This multiplier is already factored into move damage in GM-provided stat blocks, but here's how it works:

Level 1–5 → ×1 (base damage)  
Level 6–10 → ×2  
Level 11–15 → ×3  
Level 16–20 → ×4

Charges

Charges represent how many actions your Pokémon can take between rests. Every time your Pokémon uses a move, it spends 1 Charge. Once they run out, they’ll need to rest—either at a Pokémon Center, at camp, or through some other downtime—before they can act again.

All moves cost 1 Charge. No exceptions. Whether it’s an attack, a buff, or a debuff, it still costs one.

Pokémon start with 6 Charges at level 1, and gain +2 Charges every 3 levels. That means more seasoned Pokémon can stay in battle longer and do more before tiring out.

Here’s how it scales:

Level 1–3 → 6 Charges  
Level 4–6 → 8 Charges  
Level 7–9 → 10 Charges  
Level 10–12 → 12 Charges  
Level 13–15 → 14 Charges  
Level 16–18 → 16 Charges  
Level 19–20 → 18 Charges  

If a Pokémon runs out of Charges, it is considered incapacitated—it can no longer take actions in combat until it has rested and recovered. It isn’t fainted, but it’s spent, too exhausted to keep going. Keeping an eye on your Charges is just as important as managing HP.

Resting and Managing Resources

As mentioned earlier, not every moment calls for the full stat block. Smaller scenes—like chasing off a flock of low-level Pokémon, having a quick race, or letting a partner Pokémon help in a light moment—don’t require rolling or detailed mechanics. In those cases, just mark off a single used Charge, and move on with the story.

But when the stakes rise—battles against other Trainers, Gym matches, contests, or dangerous wild encounters—you’ll need to be more careful. Resources matter. HP and Charges don’t come back on their own.

A full night’s rest restores 5 + Constitution modifier HP, and 2 Charges. It helps, but it’s slow. Pushing your team day after day will wear them down.

Sending a Pokémon to a Pokémon Center will restore it completely—HP, Charges, status effects, everything. But it takes 1 hour of in-game time. And time matters. If you’re not careful, you might miss your contest, your train, or your moment.

This system rewards planning, pacing, and knowing when to hold back. A powerful Pokémon that’s out of Charges is just as helpless as a fainted one.

Example Stat Block

Ivysaur – Level 4

Type: Grass/Poison

HP: 36  
Charges: 8  
Proficiency Bonus: +2

AC (Physical): 11  
AC (Special): 9

Special Ability:Overgrow – When Ivysaur has less than 1/3 of its HP, all Grass-type offensive moves deal +50% damage.

Attributes (Total: 77 points)
STR 12 (+1)  
DEX 12 (+1)  
CON 18 (+4)  
INT 10 (+0)  
WIS 8 (–1)  
CHA 15 (+2)

Moves:
Each move costs 1 Charge to use.

Razor Leaf – Physical Attack – Grass-type
A flurry of sharp-edged leaves is launched at the target.  
Damage: 1d6 +1  
Targets: Physical AC

Acid Spray – Special Attack – Poison-type
Ivysaur spits a stream of corrosive poison.  
Damage: 1d6 +0  
Targets: Special AC  
On hit, the target’s Physical AC is reduced by -1 for 2 turns.

Leech Seed – Status Move (Targeted)
Ivysaur plants a draining seed in the target.  
DC: 12 Constitution save  
On failure, the target takes 2 damage at the end of each of their turns for 3 rounds. Ivysaur regains 1 HP at each tick.

Growth – Status Move (Self-inflicted)
Ivysaur focuses and absorbs sunlight.  
Gain +1 to Strength and Intelligence for the next 3 turns.

Ivysaur – Level 4

Type: Grass/Poison

HP: 36  
(5 × 4 = 20, + CON modifier [+4] × 4 = +16)

Charges: 8  
(Level 4 → Tier 2 → 8 Charges)

Proficiency Bonus: +2

AC (Physical): 11  
(8 + Proficiency + DEX modifier = 8 + 2 + 1)

AC (Special): 9  
(8 + Proficiency + WIS modifier = 8 + 2 –1)

Special Ability:Overgrow – When Ivysaur has less than 1/3 of its HP, all Grass-type offensive moves deal +50% damage.

Attributes (Total: 77 points)
STR 12 (+1)  
DEX 12 (+1)  
CON 18 (+4)  
INT 10 (+0)  
WIS 8 (–1)  
CHA 15 (+2)

(75 points is where all Pokémon start. They get +1 every two levels, so at level 4 he has 77 points total.)

Moves:
Each move costs 1 Charge to use.

Razor Leaf – Physical Attack – Grass-type
A flurry of sharp-edged leaves is launched at the target.  
Damage: 1d6 +1 (STR)  
Targets: Physical AC  
If Ivysaur has less than 12 HP, this move deals +50% damage (Overgrow).

Acid Spray – Special Attack – Poison-type
Ivysaur spits a stream of corrosive poison.  
Damage: 1d6 +0 (INT)  
Targets: Special AC  
On hit, the target’s Physical AC is reduced by -1 for 2 turns.

Leech Seed – Status Move (Targeted)
Ivysaur plants a draining seed in the target.  
DC: 12 Constitution save  
(Calculated as 8 + Proficiency [+2] + CHA [+2])  
On failure, the target takes 2 damage at the end of each of their turns for 3 rounds. Ivysaur regains 1 HP at each tick.

Growth – Status Move (Self-inflicted)
Ivysaur focuses and absorbs sunlight.  
Gain +1 to Strength and Intelligence for the next 3 turns.  
No roll required.

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The Major Arcana



The Major Arcana – Imperial Order of Veluria

To most citizens of Veluria, the Major Arcana are simply the greatest heroes of the region—Gym Leaders, Contest Icons, and the Emperor’s Royal Guard. Each member bears a legendary Brooch said to grant its wielder incredible powers tied to an ancient tarot motif. However, the true origin of the brooches is shrouded in mystery. No one remembers who created them—or why. 

Originally formed around these relics, the Major Arcana once served an unknown purpose now lost to time. Over generations, they became figures of cultural, political, and military power—enforcing Imperial law, shaping public ideals, and dominating both battle and beauty.

Each Gym Leader and Contest Icon wields a unique Brooch linked to a Major Arcana card, and each operates out of a designated city. The cities themselves have become famous centers of tourism, training, and cultural rivalry.

The Elite Four and Champion reside in the Imperial Capital, ruling as the Emperor's Royal Guard.

---

Gym Leaders – The Swords of the Empire

The Gym Leaders wield Brooches with power over Pokémon combat. They form the outer wall of the Arcana Order—trial by battle, city by city.

Magician – Electric Type
City: Voltisburg

Emperor – Steel Type
City: Sibellen

Chariot – Fighting Type
City: Kordastein

Strength – Normal Type
City: Marefield

Justice – Psychic Type
City: Delmaris

Death – Ghost Type
City: Tenebrake Hollow

Devil – Dark Type
City: Blightshore

Tower – Rock Type
City: Cragspire

---

Contest Icons – The Faces of the Empire

The Icons wield Brooches designed for contest performance, artistic expression, and philosophical power. Their talents shape culture and policy through elegance, symbolism, and spectacle.

High Priestess – Intelligence Focus
City: Sibellen

Empress – Constitution Focus
City: Rosperia

Hierophant – Wisdom Focus
City: Kordastein

Lovers – Charisma Focus
City: Auralis

Hermit – Strength Focus
City: Tenebrake Hollow

Wheel of Fortune – Dexterity Focus
City: Voltisburg

Hanged Man – Inverting Perspectives
City: Virelia Falls

Temperance – Balancing & Unity
City: Noccellis

---

The Emperor’s Royal Guard – Elite Four & Champion

Their brooches are beyond tactical—they are mythic. The Champion and Elites are guardians of destiny, chosen not by victory alone, but by alignment with fate itself.

Star – Top Icon/ Elite 1
Moon – Elite 2
Sun – Elite 3
Judgement – Elite 4
World – Champion

Residence: Caelux Citadel – The Imperial Capital

---

“The brooches are only tokens. What they seal—or unleash—remains to be remembered.”

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The Contest System of Veluria


In Veluria, Pokémon Contests are more than just elegant displays—they are battlegrounds of style, strategy, and spirit. Overseen by the Major Arcana’s Contest Icons, the circuit is rigorous, cutthroat, and deeply symbolic, with each ribbon not only signifying skill but acting as a potential key to fate itself.

Each Contest distributes four Ribbons per event, and progression through the Contest is determined through a structured, high-stakes format:

---

Contest Phases

1. Presentation Phase
All contestants participate in a themed performance. Judges evaluate based on creativity, synergy, and execution.  
→ One Ribbon is awarded to the best presentation of the round.  

2. Battle Phase
Those who score high enough advance to competitive battles—where style must be matched with tactical brilliance.  
→ Top 2 Finalists each receive 1 Ribbon.  
→ Overall Winner receives an additional Ribbon (total 2).  

Each Contest, therefore, awards exactly 4 Ribbons. With 8 Contest Halls across Veluria, a total of 32 Ribbons are distributed per circuit season.

---

Qualifying for the Grand Festival

To enter the prestigious Grand Festival, Coordinators must earn 5 Ribbons. This mathematically limits the Grand Festival to a maximum of 6 qualified contestants per season—assuming no ribbon hoarding.

However, nothing prevents a coordinator who already holds 5 ribbons from continuing to compete. Some do this intentionally to:
- Prevent potential rivals from qualifying.
- Secure additional prestige and dominance.
- Exhaust and observe future competition.

This creates a competitive meta where power players can gatekeep access to the Grand Festival itself.

---

Ribbons from Previous Years

Coordinators may redeem ribbons from prior seasons under a diminishing return system:
- 2 ribbons from last year = 1 valid current ribbon  
- 3 ribbons from 2–3 years ago = 1 current ribbon  
- 5 ribbons from older seasons = 1 current ribbon  

This allows long-time coordinators to stay in play, but shifts the number of potential Grand Festival contestants each year, based on who chooses to redeem.

---

The Path to Icon Status

Winning the Grand Festival grants the title of Top Coordinator, the highest civilian honor in contest artistry. But the journey doesn’t end there.

- A Top Coordinator enters a 3 months mentorship program under any Contest Icon of their choice.
- After their tutelage, they gain the right to challenge an Icon for their position.
- If victorious, they claim the Icon’s Brooch and seat, becoming part of the Major Arcana’s Circle of Eight.

Furthermore, any Contest Icon may challenge the Star Icon—the current Top Icon who holds the legendary Star Brooch, also known as the First Elite of the Emperor’s Royal Guard.

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The Road to Champion

In Veluria, becoming Champion is not a dream—it is an ordeal. A crucible forged by the Imperial Order and sanctioned by the Brooches themselves. It is the ultimate path of mastery, forged through hardship, victory, and relentless ambition.

To become a Champion, one must first conquer the Eight Gyms of Veluria, each led by a master of a single Pokémon Type and bearer of an Arcana Brooch. But the Gyms are not mere obstacles—they are ascending trials.

---

The Gym Circuit

Each Gym Leader is a specialist bound to an Arcana and a specific type:
- They do not vary in skill—only in intensity of the challenge presented.
- Early Gyms field weaker teams not out of lack of power, but in respect to the structure of the path.

These Gyms form a calibrated staircase—intended not to weed out the unworthy, but to temper them into steel.

Upon earning all 8 Badges, a Trainer gains the Imperial Right to challenge the Emperor’s Royal Guard.

---

Elite Four & Champion Challenge

This is where the dream ends for most.

The challenger must face the Elite Four in order. Each Arcana-bound warrior is a master of fate, bonded with a brooch that augments them beyond the mortal norm.

If the challenger defeats the Elite Four and the reigning Champion, they do not ascend immediately.

Instead, they undergo 3 months of private tutelage under the Champion themself—a rite of passage, a final molding.

After this period, the challenger returns and faces the Elite Four once more—this time at full power.

- The Star Brooch holder does not rematch as it's seat is reserved for Icons.
- If the challenger defeats any member, they may claim their position in the Royal Guard.
- Any Elite Four member may challenge the Champion at any time for their title.
- If they fail, they may challenge a Gym Leader of their choosing in a full-force rematch. If victorious, they reclaim a Gym seat.
- Gym Leaders may, once per year, challenge the Elite Four for ascension.

The system ensures a balance of honor and hunger. No one sits in power without defending it. All must earn their place again and again.

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Veluria Region – City Progression and Arcana Presence

1. Voltisburg  
• Gym Leader: Magician – Electric Type  
• Contest Icon: Wheel of Fortune – Dexterity Focus  

2. Sibellen  
• Gym Leader: Emperor – Steel Type  
• Contest Icon: High Priestess – Intelligence Focus  

3. Kordastein  
• Gym Leader: Chariot – Fighting Type  

4. Rosperia  
• Contest Icon: Empress – Constitution Focus  

5. Marefield  
• Gym Leader: Strength – Normal Type  
• (No Contest Hall—rest stop city)  

6. Auralis  
• Contest Icon: Lovers – Charisma Focus  

7. Delmaris  
• Gym Leader: Justice – Psychic Type  
• (No Contest Hall—seat of academic tradition)  

8. Tenebrake Hollow  
• Gym Leader: Death – Ghost Type  
• Contest Icon: Hermit – Strength Focus  

9. Blightshore  
• Gym Leader: Devil – Dark Type  
• Contest Icon: Hierophant – Wisdom Focus  

10. Virelia Falls  
• Contest Icon: Hanged Man – Inverting Perspectives  

11. Cragspire  
• Gym Leader: Tower – Rock Type  

12. Noccellis  
• Contest Icon: Temperance – Balancing & Unity  

13. Caelux Citadel (Imperial Capital)  
• Elite Four: Star, Moon, Sun, Judgement  
• Champion: World Brooch Holder

Hidden 1 yr ago Post by Randomguy

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Randomguy

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All right, here's my application. The backstory mentioned family members being a gym leader and an elite four, if that doesn't quite fit with what you've planned for the region, I don't mind making it gym leaders and elite four of another region instead.



Name:  
Dr Alan Graves

Age:  
27

Spot you're going for:  
Trainer  

About:  
Gym Leader's Scion

Alan Graves was born to a family that traditionally held the post of the Ghost-type gym in Veluria. Despite having the expected aptitude for battling from his pedigree, however, rather than being a trainer after finishing his education to take up the position of the next Gym Leader, he instead went on to pursue a medical degree due to the existence of his older sister.

Alan's older sister, not only the elder sibling, and thus was considered the 'heir' so to speak, but was also a talented prodigy of Pokémon battle whose skill Alan always felt was out of his reach. While there was a degree of jealousy and feeling of inadequacy when the two were younger, as an adult, Alan had long past got over those issues. Rather, it was merely a fact of life that he had accepted and was content with. By the time he graduated, he had fully accepted that the position of the Gym Leader would go to his Sister, and instead, considering his stellar academic achievements, he went on to become a medical doctor, before joining a residency program for Palliative Medicine.

As someone who came from a family of Ghost-type specialists—apropos of their family name—the topic of death, and what lay beyond, was something that Alan was well acquainted with. It was, after all, something that all Ghost-type specialists probably ruminated on from time to time. Furthermore, Ghost-type Pokémon, despite their rather malicious reputation, appeared to provide some therapeutic comfort to patients at death's door. A topic that had actually yielded several research papers, ranging from a placebo effect to a unique form of energy that resonated with the state of mind of terminally ill patients. Whatever the case, patients often reported spending time with Ghost-type Pokémon, especially if they were well-trained as therapeutic Pokémon, allowed to be more at peace, even saying that they felt they could now 'greet death like a friend.'

Thus, specialising in Palliative Medicine, working with terminally ill patients whose main 'treatment' was to make their last days as comfortable as possible and to help them cherish what time they had left seemed like a good fit for Alan. In the middle of his residency, however, his sister, before even officially becoming a Gym Leader, was skilled enough to be appointed as a member of the Elite Four, leaving the position of the 'heir' to their Gym empty. As a Gym Leader was a prestigious position, Alan was then asked to step in and was expected to be the one who eventually took over.

A Gym Leader having another occupation was not exactly uncommon, however, it was the fact that Alan never undertook a Pokémon journey as a Trainer and instead went directly to Medical School, something that would undoubtedly cast some aspersion on the status of a Gym Leader. Thus, Alan had to take a break from his studies and went on a journey as a trainer instead. While a part of him was annoyed at having been 'forced' to leave his study, another part, one that was perhaps a remnant of Child Alan, who dreamt to take over as the Gym Leader, was somewhat excited. He did not know how far he could go as a Pokémon Trainer in the Gym Challenge, but if he was going to do it, he might as well try to see how far he could go.

Ideal Team:  


Skeledirge
As the Dirge in its name implied, Skeledirge was meant to represent a song of lament for the deceased. According to its Pokedex entry, Skeledirge’s gentle singing soothes the souls of all that hear it; in this sense, it hearkens to its fire typing that symbolises life, as its lamentation was also a celebration of the life led by the deceased.

Annihilape
The Rage Pokemon. It was said to evolve from Primeape when its rage transcended its physical body. Annihilape represented the anguish of terminally ill patients at the unfairness of life. The silent cry of a child with leukaemia, the anger of those with degenerative diseases wanting to spend more time with their loved ones...all of the rage that the patients cannot properly express was taken upon the fists of Annihilape, as it raged on their behalf.

Gholdengo
Cynically, one could say that Gholdengo represented the commercialisation of medicine, of how some patients were left unable to seek treatment due to financial reasons. On the flipside, however, Gholdengon also represented the donations made by those who cared for the infirmed, which sustained many medical facilities, in particular, many palliative programs to help fulfil a patient's last wish.

Mimikyu
A lonely Pokémon who wore the visage of Pikachu in an attempt to get closer to people, among the terminally ill, who were comforted by Ghost-types, Mimikyu cut an endearing figure, a source of comfort and friendship. It was there, among those who sought succour among Ghost-type Pokémon, that the fake, Mimikyu, finally surpassed the original it tried to emulate, Pikachu, in providing companionship.

Drifblim
Though having an infamous legend of whisking children away to the underworld, in old Sinnoh, when it was still called Hisui, Drifblim represented the transience of life and the melancholy of death, carrying the souls of the departed to the sky. Though rather morbid, due to a similar structure to a hot air balloon, Drifblim could provide warmth as they took people into the beautiful sky above in a comforting and magnificent final moments for terminally ill patients.

Houndstone
It was said that, though being a profession concerned with saving lives, Doctors were those who were also well acquainted with death. Some cynical adage even said that the skills of a doctor increase with the number of patients who have died under their care. Houndstone, the loyal Pokémon that spent its time in graveyards, and whose signature move was Last Respects, represented the memories of dead patients that doctors carried with respect and care.

Ace Pokémon:  
Houndstone
A Pokémon that Alan would send out last, using its signature move of Last Respects, which grew in power the more allies were defeated as a 'sweeper'.

According to the Pokedex, a lovingly mourned Pokémon was said to turn into a Houndstone. Growing up, Alan's family had a Stoutlant that, rather than being used for battling, was more used as the family's companion. Despite having the typical sibling rivalry when they were children, caring for the Stoutland was the one thing Alan and his sister were of one mind. It was a source of bond for the two, and when the old dog died of old age when they were still children, it was the first instance of the two experiencing death and starting to comprehend it. 

A few years after the burial, however, the two found a Greavard near the grave of the Stoutland, which the siblings interpreted as the Stoutland reborn as a Ghost-type. Like the old dog Stoutland, Houndstone proved to be a source of bond for the two, who had sort of drifted away since the death of Stoutland, eventually leading to the two overcoming their issues with each other. Alan's sister was forever disappointed that Houndstone eventually picked Alan as his trainer, however.

Posting Frequency:
I can post once a week at a minimum.

1x Like

Hidden 1 yr ago → 1 yr ago Post by Nebulae

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Nebulae

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@Randomguy Wow, I really loved reading your application! I'm guessing you put it together before I posted all the new details about the Road to Champion—but that’s totally fine. There’s actually a really cool way we can weave your character’s family history into the Arcana system.

What if your sister did go through the Champion route? Maybe she didn’t make it all the way the first time—but she was strong enough to take over your father’s, mother’s, or even grandparent’s role as Gym Leader after the previous Elite 4 reshuffle. Over time, she sharpened her skills, held her city with pride—and when the moment came, she challenged the Elite again and finally claimed her place in the Royal Guard as the bearer of the Moon Brooch.

Now the person in your family who originally held the Gym title was asked to come back — maybe they're too old, or maybe they were just ready to retire. Either way, everyone’s looking at you to pick up where they left off. And this means you have to go all the way in the road to take their spot.

Hidden 1 yr ago Post by Randomguy

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Randomguy

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@Nebulae yeah I put it together before you post the details. So it was a pleasant surprise that you do plan to have a ghost type gym. Though then again I suppose with the Death Arcana that would make sense.

Your proposed additions works for me. That's about what I sorta imagined too

Hidden 1 yr ago Post by Nebulae

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Nebulae

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@Randomguy All set! You’re good to post your character in the Characters tab now. Just use this slightly adjusted version of the Application Sheet when you do.

One important thing—make sure your team reflects the fact that your character focused more on academia than hands-on battling. Keep the power level balanced for someone just starting their journey in the field.

Your current team should have no more than 3 Pokémon. If Houndstone is already evolved, then the other two should be no stronger than around level 15.

[b]Name:[/b]  
[i](Your character's full name, or nickname if that's their identity)[/i]

[b]Age:[/b]  
[i](Minimum 20 years old — Veluria doesn’t rush its future champions)[/i]

[b]Spot you're going for:[/b]  
[i]Trainer / Coordinator / Explorer[/i]  
(Choose one)

[b]About:[/b]  
[i]Tell me your character’s story.  
Who are they?  
Where did they come from?  
What drives them to walk this path?  
Why do they fight, dazzle, or seek?  
Make me want to follow them through Veluria, page after page.[/i]

[b]Pokémon Team:[/b]

Hidden 1 yr ago Post by Randomguy

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Randomguy

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@Nebulae All right. Posted. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to also make the pokemon sheet, but they're there. Mostly just used standard array matched to the canon pokemon stats before allocating the rest of the points.

Oh, also are held items a thing? Since some move interacted with them. Oh, and what about STAB plus type charts?

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