StarfrostedFox

Pokémon: Battles of the ascendant League

The ascendant League

"We've trained years for this, bled for this, and now we are here. And we are going to train harder than we've ever done before, because it's all worth it. The thrill, the challenge, it's all worth bleeding for it all over again."

"And beyond fighting, what if there's something else to protect?"

The world we live in is full of Pokémon. They're large and small, fierce and gentle, outgoing and shy. But running through their veins is the ability to become competitive, a drive to fight and overcome. Humans have the ability to help these Pokémon unlock their true potential and turn battling into the work of art it has the possibility to be. But few are able to unlock their truest capabilities.

Many young children have dreams of training Pokémon, all of them have the ability to go out and catch themselves a Pidgy or Sentret, but only a small number of those go on to do anything more than catch one or two. These are the ones that go on to build a name for themselves, challenge the gyms, earn badges, and take on tournaments. Only a select few go on to try and face off against the Elite Four and only once in a while they might even overcome the Champion.

But there are those who are above even these. They serve as both legendary battlers as well as protectors of the region. They watch over those beneath them and do their best to uphold the law. But, as everyone does, they in turn reach a point where they can no longer continue in their roles. Age and injury result in retirement, though it is something to be celebrated rather than dreaded. But with retirement comes the need for replacements.

Every few years, the Elitist Tournament occurs. Dozens of invitations go out to master trainers, those who have shown promise with their skills and battling. They are observed by these protectors, the leaders of the Ascendant League, and silently ranked. Amid the tournament, private invitations are extended to those who show the most promise and the most skill to attend an exclusive academy where their abilities can be honed and sharpened into something truly excellent.

We are those trainers that have been chosen. We get to attend this academy. We will be trained, taught, and groomed for the opportunity to become one of the protectors, the legendary battlers of the world.

...

Welcome on in to the Battles of the Ascendant League. This is a role-play focused on the excitement of battling in competition, the drama of living together in Academy conditions, being taught by some of the greatest Pokémon trainers and professors of the age, and learning to be the eventual replacements for the most elite of them all. This is a story focused on the battling and training and interaction of high level trainers and their journey to become the absolute best there is.

I'm expecting a friendly and competitive story with lots of character development, Pokémon battles, and moments that can break our characters, only to have them made stronger. I'm i'm willing to have up to 8 people involved in the story, but reserve the right to ask someone to leave if the rules are not followed or they become inactive for more than two weeks. If you are going to be unavailable for this or longer, please simply post a message. You can request someone temporarily take over for you, like me, or we can skip you if needed and is possible.

Rules

• 16+ for any players hoping to join. Pokémon is a family friendly rp, but I'd like people who can handle talking and acting like adults and not falling into bickering fights out of character and can handle in character bickering as simply part of the story and not real life.
• Nothing sexual, please. And while this roleplay will contain violence, try to avoid the explicit blood and gore. Mild is perfectly acceptable, but if insides are coming out, your Pokémon should not be fighting anymore. Our characters are battling for fun, but I'm sure they still love their Pokémon.
• Be respectful to everyone. If you have a disagreement, contact me.
• God modding is a no-go, and I WILL call you out for it
• I expect at least 2 paragraphs per post. No one liners. If you're struggling to think of extra details, reach out to me for help.
• No ultra beasts or legendaries.
• Homebrewed regions are fine, but no homemade pokemon.
• No swearing. If your character is swearing, describe that they are doing so, but don't use the words. Young ears may overhear posts being read aloud, in my case, and I don't need my two year-old cursing. Or either of my older children doing it either.

character sheet template:

Name:
Age:
Pronouns: Trainer Type: (Do they specialize in a type? Are they one of the trainer types from the games? Or just a general vibe)Hometown: (Prefer town and region but just region is fine. Custom regions or from the spin-offs are fine!)
Appearance: (Description required, art appreciated)
Personality:
History: (It can be brief)
Goals: (What do they want to achieve? Why?)

Team: 6 pokemon per team at any given point. you will be able to switch out pokemon but must be approved first. You may list an additional 6 Pokémon as possible trade-ins if desired.

Template:

Pokemon name here

Name:
Species:
Personality:
Stats: (Use a letter grading format. F-S)
Endurance: (Staying power. Can they take a hit? How long can they fight?)
Power: (Raw strength and ability to deal damage overall)
Speed: (Agility and sheer speed)
Adaptability: (How likely are they to adapt on their own? Do they have abilities that help them outside of hitting hard like leech seeds or spikes)
Potential: (How much room for growth do they still have?)

Pokémon: Valkyrie league 2.0

It would be funny if Birdboy Co-Gmed this, and you Co-Gmed the other one.

@Azure Bubbles

Haha! That's quite the funny image. Not an unrealistic idea. A bit hampered by the fact that I created this topic because the other one was full though. CX Ah well.

Pokémon: Valkyrie league 2.0

thank you! I've started work on putting together a thread, I'm just trying to decide the information that I should include. I saw Birdboy had started making a facility layout, so I may do something similar. We'll see. I'm also interested in having a co-gm possibly, if anyone is interested in the responsibility.

Pokémon: Valkyrie league 2.0

@Lord Frostecs I understand, especially if it's a habit. I really appreciate it though! And your years of shaping and adjusting show. I love when there's a character that grows with you and changes and become something truly unique. I considered using one of my trainers that I've worked on the most, but she didn't fit the general theme of the story. So I made a new one. I'm looking forward to seeing how she develops and surprises me. Because, I don't truly believe that they are a full character until they can start surprising you with their reactions. Multilingual people are awesome. I'm a little biased though. My husband speaks three. Haha! But if you'd like to have your Ninetails speak, I am OK with that. Meowth and Slowking readily come to mind, and Lucario as well, although that was Moore telepathic. And yes, thank goodness for translation apps. I only hear they are getting better. My husband works as an interpreter. He believes that live interpretation is the best, but has used translator programs and say that they are improving. They didn't used to be so great.

I like that idea! It makes complete sense for the idea of them training and having high-level trainers come to teach them. His name is Brendon, I am 99% sure. May is his counterpart. But I think that could be fun. I'm willing to play a Canon character briefly for something like that. Who wouldn't want to get a chance to gush over Pokémon? I would.

@Azure Bubbles Haha! Perfect! The idea has merit.

Does anyone have an opinion on the idea I mentioned back on the first page? About them getting invitations to a competition and then being recruited from there?

Pokémon: Battles of the ascendant League

Name: Maeve Brennan
Age: 24
Pronouns: She/Her
Trainer Type: Adaptive Battler / Ace Trainer
Hometown: Castelia City, Unova

Appearance: Maeve stands at 5’8” with an athletic build developed through years of traveling alongside her Pokémon rather than relying on transportation. She has pale skin lightly tanned from constant time outdoors, auburn hair usually tied into a practical braid or ponytail that falls to the middle of her back, and sharp green eyes that seem to be constantly evaluating her surroundings. Her clothing favors utility over fashion: dark hiking pants, durable boots, fingerless gloves, and a fitted gray jacket bearing patches from tournaments she’s participated in over the years. A weathered messenger bag hangs at her side, stuffed with notebooks full of battle observations and training regimens.

Personality: Maeve is analytical, patient, and intensely competitive. Unlike many trainers who rely primarily on instinct, she approaches battling as a science, carefully studying opponents, recording observations, and constantly refining her strategies. Calm under pressure and rarely prone to emotional outbursts, she has earned a reputation for keeping a clear head even in difficult situations. However, her confidence in her preparation can occasionally turn into stubbornness when she believes her conclusions are correct.

Outside of battle, Maeve is quieter and more approachable than her serious demeanor initially suggests. She tends to listen more than she speaks, often observing people and situations with the same attentiveness she brings to battling. New acquaintances sometimes mistake her reserved nature for aloofness, though those who spend time with her quickly discover she is thoughtful, dependable, and genuinely kind. She possesses a dry sense of humor that emerges most often around close friends and enjoys subtle teasing, particularly when she knows someone well enough to understand it will be appreciated.

Years of traveling have made Maeve highly independent, but they have also strengthened her appreciation for companionship. She remembers small details about people, pays close attention to the needs of those around her, and values loyalty above almost anything else. While she can be intensely focused on self-improvement, she genuinely enjoys helping younger trainers develop their skills and is surprisingly patient when teaching others.

Maeve’s relationship with her Pokémon extends far beyond training and competition. She treats every member of her team as an individual partner, frequently talking through plans, observations, and even personal frustrations with them during their travels. Their trust means more to her than any badge or tournament title, and much of her motivation stems from a desire to become the kind of trainer her Pokémon would choose to remain beside even if they had every opportunity to leave.

Despite her accomplishments, Maeve remains her own harshest critic. Past failures against elite trainers still linger in the back of her mind, fueling both her determination and her tendency to overanalyze mistakes. She often struggles to relax, feeling as though there is always something more she could study, improve, or prepare for. Yet beneath that relentless drive is someone who finds genuine happiness in simple moments: sharing a campfire with her team, watching her Pokémon grow stronger together, and knowing that the bonds they’ve built were earned through trust rather than expectation.

History: Maeve’s father worked as a battle analyst for regional tournaments, and from an early age she spent more time studying matches than playing games. By sixteen she had already challenged the Unova League and earned all eight badges. She became known locally as a rising star but repeatedly fell short when facing trainers operating at the highest levels.

Most aspiring trainers would have settled for their accomplishments. Maeve became obsessed with understanding why she kept losing. For years she traveled across multiple regions, studying battle styles, training methods, and Pokémon behavior. She built her current team not around power alone, but around versatility and trust.

Now she believes she’s finally ready to compete among the world’s elite.

Goals: To earn a place within the Ascendant League and prove that preparation, adaptation, and partnership can stand alongside raw talent. More personally, she wants to become the kind of trainer whose Pokémon choose to stay with her even after they’ve achieved greatness.

Team:

Atlas

Name: Atlas
Species: Lucario
Personality: Disciplined, observant, and deeply loyal, Atlas carries himself with the quiet confidence of a veteran fighter. He rarely wastes energy on unnecessary movement or emotion, preferring to watch and assess situations before acting. Among the team, he naturally falls into a leadership role, often helping keep more impulsive Pokémon focused during training sessions.

Atlas takes battle seriously and holds himself to exceptionally high standards. Losses bother him more than he lets on, and he can become overly self-critical when he feels he has let Maeve or his teammates down. Despite his stern demeanor, he is surprisingly patient with younger or less experienced Pokémon, often acting as a mentor rather than a disciplinarian. He and Maeve share an almost wordless understanding developed through years of working together.

Stats:

Endurance: B
Power: A
Speed: B
Adaptability: A
Potential: B

Bridget

Name: Bridget
Species: Ampharos
Personality: Bridget is the emotional heart of the team. Warm, affectionate, and endlessly patient, she is often the first Pokémon to comfort an injured teammate or welcome a newcomer. She enjoys physical affection and has a habit of leaning against others without realizing how large she actually is.

In battle, however, Bridget undergoes a startling transformation. Her normally gentle demeanor gives way to fierce determination, and she becomes almost impossible to intimidate. Once she plants her feet, she refuses to back down, often enduring punishment that would make other Pokémon retreat. She doesn’t fight out of pride or aggression; she fights because she genuinely believes protecting her teammates is her responsibility.

Stats:

Endurance: A
Power: A
Speed: C
Adaptability: B
Potential: B

Whisper

Name: Whisper
Species: Zoroark
Personality: Whisper thrives on mischief and unpredictability. She enjoys keeping everyone guessing, whether that means creating harmless illusions to confuse teammates or subtly rearranging items just to see how long it takes someone to notice. She possesses a sharp wit and often seems one step ahead of everyone around her.

Beneath her playful nature lies an intensely intelligent and perceptive Pokémon. Whisper pays close attention to people’s emotions and insecurities, making her exceptionally good at reading opponents. While she enjoys teasing her teammates, she is fiercely protective of them and can become surprisingly serious when one of them is threatened. Of everyone on the team, she is probably the most likely to challenge Maeve’s decisions, though usually because she sees possibilities others miss.

Stats:

Endurance: C
Power: B
Speed: A
Adaptability: S
Potential: A

Harbor

Name: Harbor
Species: Gastrodon
Personality: Harbor is a living embodiment of patience. Calm to the point of seeming sleepy, he rarely reacts strongly to anything, whether it be victory, defeat, or chaos unfolding around him. Many opponents mistake his relaxed demeanor for laziness until they discover just how difficult he is to move once he’s decided to stand his ground.

He serves as an emotional anchor for the team. Younger or more excitable Pokémon often find themselves settling down in his presence. Harbor has a knack for being exactly where he’s needed, quietly supporting teammates without seeking recognition. Though he appears passive, he possesses remarkable determination. Once he commits to something, convincing him otherwise is nearly impossible.

Stats:

Endurance: S
Power: B
Speed: D
Adaptability: A
Potential: B

Tempest

Name: Tempest
Species: Talonflame
Personality: Tempest lives for motion. Energetic, fearless, and endlessly competitive, he is always looking for an opportunity to test himself against someone stronger. Whether it’s racing wild Pokémon, practicing aerial maneuvers, or challenging teammates to friendly competitions, he rarely sits still for long.

His enthusiasm can sometimes outpace his judgment, leading him to rush into situations before fully thinking them through. Fortunately, years with Maeve have taught him at least some restraint. Tempest genuinely loves battling and often views difficult opponents as exciting opportunities rather than threats. While he can come across as cocky, his confidence stems more from a love of competition than arrogance. He is usually the loudest supporter when one of his teammates succeeds.

Stats:

Endurance: C
Power: B
Speed: S
Adaptability: B
Potential: B

Juniper

Name: Juniper
Species: Leavanny
Personality: Juniper is the caretaker and peacemaker of the group. Gentle, nurturing, and highly attentive, she is constantly looking after the well-being of others. She often repairs torn equipment, tends minor injuries, and quietly makes sure everyone has what they need before long journeys.

Unlike Bridget’s openly affectionate nature, Juniper expresses her care through actions rather than words. She notices small details that others miss and often intervenes before disagreements can escalate. Despite her soft-spoken demeanor, she possesses a surprisingly strong will. When protecting her teammates or standing up for something she believes in, Juniper becomes remarkably courageous. Many people underestimate her because of her kindness, a mistake that opponents frequently regret once battle begins.

Stats:

Endurance: B
Power: B
Speed: B
Adaptability: A
Potential: A

Alternate Pokémon:

Rhumba

Name: Rhumba
Species: Skuntank
Personality: Rhumba is unapologetically confident and possesses a wicked sense of humor. She enjoys making opponents uncomfortable long before a battle even begins, often staring them down or intentionally lingering just a little too close to their personal space. Among the team, she acts as a provocateur, constantly poking at others to see how they’ll react.

Despite her abrasive exterior, Rhumba is fiercely loyal and surprisingly perceptive. She understands that battles are often won through psychology as much as strength and takes pride in disrupting opponents’ plans. While she occasionally clashes with more disciplined teammates, she secretly respects hard work and dedication when she sees it.

Stats:

Endurance: B
Power: B
Speed: B
Adaptability: S
Potential: B

Oracle

Name: Oracle
Species: Xatu
Personality: Oracle is contemplative, patient, and unusually difficult to surprise. She spends long periods quietly observing the world around her, seemingly lost in thought, before offering insights that often prove unexpectedly accurate.

Many teammates joke that Oracle already knows what everyone is going to do before they do it. Whether or not that’s true, she possesses exceptional intuition and frequently notices problems before they become serious. Though she prefers solitude, she cares deeply for the team and quietly watches over them whenever she can.

Stats:

Endurance: B
Power: B
Speed: B
Adaptability: A
Potential: A

Cipher

Name: Cipher
Species: Sigilyph
Personality: Cipher is inquisitive, analytical, and fascinated by mysteries. He enjoys investigating unfamiliar places, strange battle strategies, and unusual Pokémon behavior, often disappearing for hours in pursuit of a question that caught his interest.

Unlike some of Maeve’s more structured partners, Cipher thrives when dealing with uncertainty. He enjoys solving problems and often approaches challenges from unexpected angles. While his thought processes can occasionally be difficult for others to follow, his conclusions are usually worth listening to. His curiosity is balanced by a strong sense of loyalty that keeps him grounded when it matters most.

Stats:

Endurance: B
Power: B
Speed: A
Adaptability: S
Potential: A

Ember

Name: Ember

Species: Houndoom

Personality: Ember possesses a calm intensity that can be unsettling to those who don’t know her. She rarely wastes movement or energy, preferring to sit quietly and observe everything around her with unwavering focus. Unlike Tempest’s openly competitive nature, Ember is a hunter at heart—patient, calculating, and willing to wait for exactly the right moment before acting.

She has a strong protective streak and forms deep bonds with those she trusts, though she can be wary of strangers. Around the team, Ember often acts as an unofficial night watch, remaining alert long after everyone else has settled down. She shares Atlas’s disciplined mindset and frequently trains alongside him, though her methods are more instinctive than structured.

In battle, Ember excels at applying constant pressure. She enjoys forcing opponents into mistakes and has little interest in flashy victories, preferring efficient, decisive wins. Despite her intimidating appearance, she is surprisingly gentle with younger Pokémon and has a habit of quietly checking on injured teammates when she thinks nobody is watching.

Stats:

Endurance: B
Power: A
Speed: B
Adaptability: A
Potential: B

Paradox

Name: Paradox

Species: Reuniclus

Personality: Paradox is endlessly curious and fascinated by patterns. He approaches nearly everything as a puzzle waiting to be solved, whether it involves battle tactics, Pokémon behavior, or understanding the habits of the people around him. While highly intelligent, he lacks any sense of superiority and is genuinely excited whenever someone teaches him something new.

He often spends long periods quietly observing training sessions before suddenly offering an insight that completely changes how everyone views a situation. His thought processes can be difficult for others to follow, as he frequently notices connections that seem unrelated at first glance. Despite his intellectual nature, Paradox is surprisingly gentle and enjoys spending time around his teammates simply listening to their conversations.

In battle, Paradox excels at adaptation. He enjoys analyzing opponents as the fight unfolds, identifying weaknesses and adjusting strategies in real time. The longer a battle lasts, the more dangerous he becomes. While not physically imposing, his ability to remain calm and think clearly under pressure makes him one of the team’s most reliable problem-solvers.

Stats:

Endurance: B
Power: A
Speed: C
Adaptability: S
Potential: A

October

Name: October

Species: Leafeon

Personality: October is calm, disciplined, and quietly affectionate. She prefers peaceful surroundings and often chooses to rest near campsites, gardens, or patches of sunlight whenever the opportunity arises. Unlike many Pokémon who seek attention directly, October expresses affection through simple acts of companionship, often remaining close to teammates without demanding notice.

She possesses a patient temperament that allows her to endure long training sessions without complaint. While generally reserved, she becomes surprisingly stubborn once she commits to something. Attempts to change her mind rarely succeed unless she is given time to reach the conclusion herself.

Among the team, October serves as a stabilizing influence. Younger or more energetic Pokémon often find her presence reassuring, and she has a talent for defusing tension before disagreements escalate. Her quiet confidence earns respect from teammates who might otherwise overlook her gentle demeanor.

In battle, October favors precision over aggression. She carefully studies opponents, waiting for opportunities rather than forcing them. Though she lacks Tempest’s explosiveness or Atlas’s intensity, her consistency and reliability make her a valuable partner in difficult matches. Opponents often underestimate her until they discover just how difficult she is to wear down.

Stats:

Endurance: B
Power: B
Speed: A
Adaptability: A
Potential: A

Pokémon: Battles of the ascendant League

Hello all! Welcome to the thread! This is what I've decided for our overall story, please speak up and let me know your thoughts and ideas. I'll be editing in the future to include information about the Academy grounds and buildings itself in the future, taking a leaf out of BB's book, but this will be more than enough to start with. Those interested in joining the story can post character sheets below and I will accept those who meet all requirements and there is still room.

Our story is going to begin with each of our characters receiving an invitation to compete in an elite competition against other trainers who have shown talent. Those who run the academy and are looking for those with the potential to replace them as the protectors of the region will be watching. These battles will be against NPC's. You can either control them yourself or ask someone else to control the NPC. Our characters will be winning these first battles, so be sure to showcase their strengths and skills, give the leaders a reason to invite them to the academy to learn to be even better.

What region would you guys like to have the academy in? What kind of set up for dorm rooms most appeal to you guys?

At one point, each of us can rotate in a visiting elite NPC to come to the academy to teach our characters. These would be recognizable heroes from the anime or games, those who have lots of skills.

Pokémon: Valkyrie league 2.0

@Lord Frostecs Sure is! Birdboy gave me permission to take his initial idea and see if I could find a group for myself. I'm just trying to generate ideas with people so that we can build the story into something that we want to play. I saw you hanging around in the other thread when I was looking. I haven't finalized how many players there will be yet in mine. And I greatly encourage sharing ideas. I've already posted one, but haven't heard any opinion on it yet. Once we have a better idea of the kind of story we'd like, I'll work on the official thread and an introduction.

I like your character! He sounds very interesting, and I strangely relate to him. I have brain damage. I think he'd fit in well. And I enjoyed the foreign names you used. Just one reminder, because it might've gotten overlooked in the introduction post, I don't allow swearing in this particular story, in or out of character. I don't like swearing and I have three young children who absorb information readily and spit it back out. I use VoiceOver on my phone because I'm blind, so if I'm around them and I am going through recent posts, I don't want them to hear curse words. I know that's not for everyone, but I'd really appreciate it. Thank you! Sidenote: Warhammer is a very expensive hobby. We have several models and armies in storage at the moment.

Pokémon: Valkyrie league 2.0

@Aisede Well, welcome back then! I'm good with all generations. I'm more familiar with Pokémon up to Sword and Shield, but I'm fine with anything after that as well. As long as it stays within the rules, it's good.

Pokémon: Valkyrie league 2.0

Just waiting to see if any other character sheets are going to be submitted. I should be able to get an introduction written and a thread created relatively easily soon. That's the hope anyway. I also wanted to check to see if anyone else had thoughts or ideas or an opinion on the starting point I mentioned before. We can always continue to brainstorm in an actual thread, but I feel like here is a good place to hammer out a few details at least.

Also, I added some alternate Pokémon that my character could have to switch out to. Anyone applying or accepted, which will probably be most of who have applied, our free to create some alternate Pokémon their trainer would have access to. I did six and I think that's a decent number. I might edit some of their names later, I'm not 100% happy with all of them. That's a sure sign that you have the wrong name.

Between Lessons & Lies

His eyes tightened as she accepted the lies, though he kept the frown from his face easily enough. He instead pressed the fingers of one hand hard into his thigh while it was still inside his pocket before once again releasing all the tension. He nodded simply to her decision. He wasn't going to argue about it, it wouldn't really make a difference.

The request for a Ferriday bag gave him paws and he couldn't help but tip his head to one side slightly. He had one, sure, but he used it for his own phone as needed. And those were out in his backpack.

"Not on me, but I'm sure there's a spare with the others, like you said," he replied, aware of the sound of voices on the other side of the door, while not feeling the need to look. They were muffled enough that it meant that no one was currently shouting.

He wondered if the Senator had left. The thought nearly twisted his mouth, but he settled on blinking instead. Reaching forward as she held out the sticky note and pen, Ronan nodded again. He pressed the little paper against his hand and swiftly wrote out his number in a blocky script. Above the series of numbers he wrote Scott Daniels, double checked that the information was correct, and then held both pen and paper out for her to take back.

"is that the plan as soon as School lets out?" A pause, his head turning to look up at the clock himself. "What time does School usually let out?"