Hey all. So I created an RP a few months back called Pokémon: Rust. Unfortunately, I wasn't as skilled at using RoleplayerGuild at the time and the RP acquired too many players all too soon which ultimately spoiled the whole thing for me. I didn't want to scrap the concept however as I liked the region and the subsequent lore I'd built around it. With that in mind, I've been re-tooling some of the concepts as well as fixing some of my old design mistake with the Kaida region as a whole. Considering it wound up detached from the original idea, it didn't seem fitting to call it Rust anymore. Without further ado, I give you...
The Kaida Region
Map: https://imgur.com/a/cVGyh74
Based on: The American West/Sierra Nevadas
Theme: Exploration/Adventure
Background: The Kaida region isn't as well known as some of the other regions in the Pokémon world. It's on the smaller side and there is no formal Pokémon League. The region's only major claim to fame is the Calagon Mountain Range. Kaida also has a reputation for being an incredibly dangerous region to traverse. The reason for this is that various Dragon-type Pokémon from around the world migrate to the Kaida Region to nest and mate within the Calagon Mountains. Due to limited nesting grounds and resources, clashes between the dragons are a frequent occurrence. Nearby humans and Pokémon alike are caught in the crossfire. Many of the Kaidan Pokémon have adapted new traits to defend themselves (Kaidan Forms), and the humans tend to steer clear of the mountains. There is an old legend in the region, passed down by the Drakken Tribe that says "Should one ascend to the peak of Mt. Calagon on the night of Soaring Stars, they will meet the legendary dragon that created the Kaida Region."
Towns/Cities: In keeping with the exploration theme of the region, all the towns/cities that make up the Kaida region are named after planets in the solar system. They are (in order of appearance):
-Plutus Town -> Plutus is a small town in the southeastern corner of the region. It doesn't have any claim to fame, a few farms and a small downtown area. Isolated from the rest of the region, very few make the trek out here. Professor Cypress stationed one of his mobile labs on the edge of town.
-Umbriel City -> The smallest 'City' in the Kaida region. Umbriel was the first settlement created when explorers from the Unova region first settled in Kaida. Many buildings around Umbriel have fallen into disrepair after constant destruction at the hands of the dragons. Nevertheless, the people continue to rebuild the town and soldier on (whether by tenacity or stubbornness). Umbriel City also has a large host of Fairy-Type Pokémon thanks to its location near Titania's Forest.
-Kronos Town -> Sitting at the base of Mt. Ender - The smallest of the Calagon Mountains - Kronos Town is famous for its great mines from which coal, minerals, and even Pokémon fossils are retrieved from the earth. Once every year, the town celebrates "Fossil Fest" in which a tournament is held and the winners receive rare fossils that were recovered from the mine.
-Zhivegas City -> Often called 'The Gem of the Desert', Zhivegas City is the largest City in Kaida. Filled to the brim with lavish hotels, game corners, and plenty of stores, Zhivegas has become a glitzy and glamourous tourist destination for the tourists who come to Kaida. The regional Power Plant is located here.
-Mercer Town -> Situated in the middle of the Nova Desert, Mercer Town is a town stuck in the past. The people look as though they jumped right out of a Wild West novel! The people have adapted to the rough conditions of the desert and are known as some of the most dedicated workers in the regions. Mercer is the base of operations as well as the trainyard for the Little Torkoal Express.
Terran Town -> An industrial nerve center for the region and the home of the Kaidan History museum. Fossils and other items of interest recovered from the Kronos Mines are brought here for processing. Fossil Restoration happens here.
-Hesperus Town -> On the southern edge of the map, Hesperus Town stands against the harsh wilderness. It's said that in the early days of the region, attacks by dragon Pokémon during their migrations were a frequent occurrence. As a result, the people of Hesperus Town began to preemptively train for the attacks upon their home; adopting strategies for defeating these Pokémon. Trainers from Hesperus have been dubbed "Dragon Busters".
-Solaris City -> The second largest city in Kaida. Solaris sits on the western end of the region, facing the open ocean. Famed for it's sunsets, the comings and goings of various dragons over the horizon is considered by many to be a sight to behold. Visitors may also catch a ferry to Asterix Isle.
-Phobos Base -> Before the Overseer system was put in place, there was a town at the foot of Mt. Calagon. Unfortunately, various natural disasters caused by the feuding dragons on the mountains caused the town to become abandoned. After years of abandonment, Professor Cypress decided to build his lab here in order to study the Pokémon up close.
-Astro Village -> The final hurdle before a trainer may ascend to the peak of Mt. Calagon. Built into the cliffside, this small village is populated by the descendants of the Drakken Tribe, the first inhabitants of the Kaida Region. It is said when the wind whips through the village, you can hear the cries of those who tried to reach the summit... and failed.
Gyms (or lack thereof): Because they don't have a Pokémon League, the Kaida Region doesn't have much use for gyms. In place of that, the towns all have an Overseer. The Overseers are essentially the caretakers of a particular section of the region. Defeating the Overseers grants trainers a Mark in place of a badge. Marks are placed on the trainer cards as recognition of a trainer's skill. Upon receiving a Mark, trainers are granted permission to access the next section of a route by the Overseer's. If the route is inaccessible, trainers can still travel across the region using the Little Torkoal Express.
The Professor: The local Pokémon Professor in Kaida is Professor Cypress. A former trainer from the Johto region, Cypress found his true calling as a Pokémon professor and moved to the Kaida region in order to fuel his love for studying the Dragon-type Pokémon that nest there. In addition to the dragon Pokémon, the professor also studies the field of convergent evolution and how the unique structure of the Kaida Region leads to bizarre and new forms of Pokémon that are not seen anywhere else. While his main research lab is the Phobos Base, Professor Cypress has moble labs all throughout Kaida and he has been known to pop up at any of them on less than a moment's notice.
Starters: In keeping with the Professor's Dragon-Type obsession, all his starters are dragon-type. It should go without saying, but all three starters will evolve into a regional "Kaidan" variant.
- Dratini -> Kaidan Dragonite (Dragon/Steel)
- Bagon -> Kaidan Salamence (Dragon/Ground)
- Gible -> Kaidan Garchomp (Dragon/Ice)
Team Stratos: In the Kaida Region there are whispers of a shadowy organization known as Team Stratos. Very little is known about their motives other than their strange fixation on studying the mythology of the Kaida Region. It seems they - like many others - have a vested interest in seeking out the legendary Pokémon atop Mt. Calagon. (Re-named from Team Star because they are a thing now apparently...)
The Kaida Region
Map: https://imgur.com/a/cVGyh74
Based on: The American West/Sierra Nevadas
Theme: Exploration/Adventure
Background: The Kaida region isn't as well known as some of the other regions in the Pokémon world. It's on the smaller side and there is no formal Pokémon League. The region's only major claim to fame is the Calagon Mountain Range. Kaida also has a reputation for being an incredibly dangerous region to traverse. The reason for this is that various Dragon-type Pokémon from around the world migrate to the Kaida Region to nest and mate within the Calagon Mountains. Due to limited nesting grounds and resources, clashes between the dragons are a frequent occurrence. Nearby humans and Pokémon alike are caught in the crossfire. Many of the Kaidan Pokémon have adapted new traits to defend themselves (Kaidan Forms), and the humans tend to steer clear of the mountains. There is an old legend in the region, passed down by the Drakken Tribe that says "Should one ascend to the peak of Mt. Calagon on the night of Soaring Stars, they will meet the legendary dragon that created the Kaida Region."
Towns/Cities: In keeping with the exploration theme of the region, all the towns/cities that make up the Kaida region are named after planets in the solar system. They are (in order of appearance):
-Plutus Town -> Plutus is a small town in the southeastern corner of the region. It doesn't have any claim to fame, a few farms and a small downtown area. Isolated from the rest of the region, very few make the trek out here. Professor Cypress stationed one of his mobile labs on the edge of town.
-Umbriel City -> The smallest 'City' in the Kaida region. Umbriel was the first settlement created when explorers from the Unova region first settled in Kaida. Many buildings around Umbriel have fallen into disrepair after constant destruction at the hands of the dragons. Nevertheless, the people continue to rebuild the town and soldier on (whether by tenacity or stubbornness). Umbriel City also has a large host of Fairy-Type Pokémon thanks to its location near Titania's Forest.
-Kronos Town -> Sitting at the base of Mt. Ender - The smallest of the Calagon Mountains - Kronos Town is famous for its great mines from which coal, minerals, and even Pokémon fossils are retrieved from the earth. Once every year, the town celebrates "Fossil Fest" in which a tournament is held and the winners receive rare fossils that were recovered from the mine.
-Zhivegas City -> Often called 'The Gem of the Desert', Zhivegas City is the largest City in Kaida. Filled to the brim with lavish hotels, game corners, and plenty of stores, Zhivegas has become a glitzy and glamourous tourist destination for the tourists who come to Kaida. The regional Power Plant is located here.
-Mercer Town -> Situated in the middle of the Nova Desert, Mercer Town is a town stuck in the past. The people look as though they jumped right out of a Wild West novel! The people have adapted to the rough conditions of the desert and are known as some of the most dedicated workers in the regions. Mercer is the base of operations as well as the trainyard for the Little Torkoal Express.
Terran Town -> An industrial nerve center for the region and the home of the Kaidan History museum. Fossils and other items of interest recovered from the Kronos Mines are brought here for processing. Fossil Restoration happens here.
-Hesperus Town -> On the southern edge of the map, Hesperus Town stands against the harsh wilderness. It's said that in the early days of the region, attacks by dragon Pokémon during their migrations were a frequent occurrence. As a result, the people of Hesperus Town began to preemptively train for the attacks upon their home; adopting strategies for defeating these Pokémon. Trainers from Hesperus have been dubbed "Dragon Busters".
-Solaris City -> The second largest city in Kaida. Solaris sits on the western end of the region, facing the open ocean. Famed for it's sunsets, the comings and goings of various dragons over the horizon is considered by many to be a sight to behold. Visitors may also catch a ferry to Asterix Isle.
-Phobos Base -> Before the Overseer system was put in place, there was a town at the foot of Mt. Calagon. Unfortunately, various natural disasters caused by the feuding dragons on the mountains caused the town to become abandoned. After years of abandonment, Professor Cypress decided to build his lab here in order to study the Pokémon up close.
-Astro Village -> The final hurdle before a trainer may ascend to the peak of Mt. Calagon. Built into the cliffside, this small village is populated by the descendants of the Drakken Tribe, the first inhabitants of the Kaida Region. It is said when the wind whips through the village, you can hear the cries of those who tried to reach the summit... and failed.
Gyms (or lack thereof): Because they don't have a Pokémon League, the Kaida Region doesn't have much use for gyms. In place of that, the towns all have an Overseer. The Overseers are essentially the caretakers of a particular section of the region. Defeating the Overseers grants trainers a Mark in place of a badge. Marks are placed on the trainer cards as recognition of a trainer's skill. Upon receiving a Mark, trainers are granted permission to access the next section of a route by the Overseer's. If the route is inaccessible, trainers can still travel across the region using the Little Torkoal Express.
The Professor: The local Pokémon Professor in Kaida is Professor Cypress. A former trainer from the Johto region, Cypress found his true calling as a Pokémon professor and moved to the Kaida region in order to fuel his love for studying the Dragon-type Pokémon that nest there. In addition to the dragon Pokémon, the professor also studies the field of convergent evolution and how the unique structure of the Kaida Region leads to bizarre and new forms of Pokémon that are not seen anywhere else. While his main research lab is the Phobos Base, Professor Cypress has moble labs all throughout Kaida and he has been known to pop up at any of them on less than a moment's notice.
Starters: In keeping with the Professor's Dragon-Type obsession, all his starters are dragon-type. It should go without saying, but all three starters will evolve into a regional "Kaidan" variant.
- Dratini -> Kaidan Dragonite (Dragon/Steel)
- Bagon -> Kaidan Salamence (Dragon/Ground)
- Gible -> Kaidan Garchomp (Dragon/Ice)
Team Stratos: In the Kaida Region there are whispers of a shadowy organization known as Team Stratos. Very little is known about their motives other than their strange fixation on studying the mythology of the Kaida Region. It seems they - like many others - have a vested interest in seeking out the legendary Pokémon atop Mt. Calagon. (Re-named from Team Star because they are a thing now apparently...)
Character Sheets!
