-This whole OP comes from Minecraft Forums. Me and many others such as the big guy Dinh left due to the shrinking community, so expect odd things such as... maybe the rules. Unedited bits are seldom directed at the people you call 'free roleplayers.'
-We're always accepting. Yes, always, although not after the RP finishes. If you join the RP really late, don't worry - scaling solves everything, and we also have a planned sequel. Just have a bigger-than-usual biography explaining what you did before starting the RP rather late, and increase the level to match the average of everyone else.
-If you're going to join, PLEASE DO NOT JUST LEAVE. I mean, out of the several RPs I've been in, only about three stay since everyone else leaves, usually for no apparent reason. If you do have to leave, inform us, otherwise we'll just let your character drift off into the background.
-Remember when Pokemon fusions were a fad? We don't, and I think they were in fact associated with Digimon. Regardless, since Digimon has those special evolutions and Nintendo seems rather fine copying more or less, we're including
fusions. No, not through the use of gems, scientists and stuff, but through genetics. You know, birth. Each egg group is its own species, although for the sake of understanding, there will still be different Pokemon such as Greninjas, Aegislashes, Zoroarks, etc. We're talking about Pokemon having different genetics, so they may be a cross of a Scraggy and a Snivy - hybrids, essentially.
Although there isn't really a limit to this (heck, all the roleplayers can be hybrids), don't expect too many of these around in the RP for balancing purposes. Oh, and we'll be pretty disappointed if there's like 5 hybrids and just 1 regular Pokemon. Unfortunately, the fusion currently doesn't support Pokemon above generation 1, so I'd suggest using your imagination instead. One last note, don't just randomise and play as a hybrid you hate later on, otherwise that ruins the experience for everyone in general. You also have to make sure that the combinations make sense, otherwise they'll just die on their own since they can't even breath.
-Since we don't need an entire section explaining species, I'll just leave the playable species here: Humans, Pokemon and hybrids. Humans are... well, humans. Pokemon are... Pokemon. Hybrids are a mix of Pokemon and other Pokemon, since of course Pokemon DNA is incompatible with human DNA. (With the exception of Deoxys, Ditto, etc.) More like subspecies within a species. Basically, if a Pokemon crosses with a different Pokemon in the same egg group/species, then the offspring will be hybrid.
Just a heads up, don't expect any Legendary or Ditto hybrids. Not only is the former in the undiscovered egg group and therefore can't really mate, but the latter cannot make a hybrid at all. It can definitely change its DNA, but it can't make a hybrid with any Pokemon, since it transforms into the mate's base species. (Even I found this confusing at first.)
-If going as a hybrid Pokemon, please use the X/Y system of labeling the species. 'X' being the main/base Pokemon from the mother, 'Y' being the other Pokemon from the father. A hybrid looks like X with Y characteristics.
Note that children will take only the base Pokemon of both of their parents, with the mother's being the base of the child's two species.
-Since this is set in the present world up to the point of Pokemon suddenly existing, don't expect Pokeballs and such... that's definitely off the books for now. However, there is new stuff around:
Regular attacks - pretty much Struggle, but usable at any time... and, there's no recoil. Instead of pumping out fireballs, you can just go ahead and sock your enemy in the face. Don't expect too much from it, though.
Fear - a status effect similar to Paralysis, but it can affect Electric Pokemon. However, it cannot affect Dark and Ghost Pokemon. Fear is usually associated with Dark and Ghost moves, although of course not all of them - we'll be using common sense to judge whether Fear can be added to the move.
Panic is another status effect - it's similar to Confusion (like it doesn't show up on your screen in a game of Pokemon), but it causes the affected entity to attack anything and try to save themselves... in way where they're not actually confused. It's considerably a lot more dangerous than Confusion since they're aware of what they're attacking and such (they're not idiots and won't attack themselves), but it's easier to treat with simple calming techniques and a morale boost. It's offset however by the fact that any move can cause this, and anything can be affected by it - just either deal enough damage in a few moves or cause a morale drop, and then you'll have a moderate chance of inducing Panic.
Bleed is also a status effect - it's similar to Burn, but it affects human commonly than Pokemon, since obviously they've got less physical strength than most Pokemon. It can stack with Burn, so caution is advised. Left untreated, Infection can do even more harm. Burn can do the same thing. For balancing purposes, Bleed will only affect the entity if the injuries they suffered were severe, with moves such as Spikes and gunfire obviously causing this. It can be treated easily by simply taking time out from battle to apply pressure to the wound. Almost any move can cause this, as long as they apply pressure and such. Steel, Ground, Rock, and Ghost Pokemon are immune to this.
Infection - status effect that usually correlates with a lack of action against Bleed or Burn, as well as exposure to a dirty environment. Infection is similar to Bleed and Burn, and it can stack with Bleed AND Burn, so you have to be extremely careful. Grass and Bug moves can cause this. Grass and Bug Pokemon are immune to this.
Don't expect too much turn-based attacks, but we will revolve around it. Misuse of moves against a lower level Pokemon CAN and WILL get you killed, so you gotta be careful - this is for balancing purposes.
Crits aren't (entirely) random - they're forced, unless done frantically. Just be careful as overuse of Crits can lead to self-harm, assuming you even manage to pull one off.
TMs, HMs and other stuff don't come in about later in the RP. TM's are the same as usual, except they're not used up. HM's are your 'fifth' move, as if you don't forget them. Now, while you may be able to lift a tree out of the way (or even climb over it), an HM will make things much,
much easier by pretty much just obliterating the obstacle.
Mega Stones are rare, powerful things. The evolution's temporary, with the Mega Stone disappearing for about ten minutes upon use. Afterwards, the Mega Stone reappears in the air, floating until someone takes it back. Any Pokemon can use it, as long as the Mega Stone is for them. Oddly, a Mega Stone is quite tough, in which almost nothing can damage it.
-There are certain advantages over being a human than a Pokemon - for example, you can handle sticks, weapons, guns, etc, while most Pokemon can't really hold things with their lack of a thumb. They're more maneuverable, aren't as affected when it comes to status effects and attacks, and gain a foothold in a world where humans used to be the dominant species. For example, they can open doors and drive cars. Certain Pokemon can do these things, however, but not all of them.
-If being a hybrid, just note you can either take two lists of moves or combine them into one - the advantages of having two lists include having more moves, whereas the advantages of having a combined one include less hassle and not being pressured to choose between two moves at a certain level.