EVERYONE: A bunch of prompts about cities and dungeons in Sinnoh, feat. Nori/Prema metaseries

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The shocking sequel to the original prompty prompts! I posted a prompt list for April on Discord. I made it, and here I am not adhering to it. I figured it would help me by being a worldbuilding exercise for my ficverse and own version of Sinnoh. So here we go.

Once again, you can expect sarcasm and silliness here? Acknowledgement things exist? Reminders that a lot of things don't exist? As well as stuff that disagrees with your worldbuilding, up to and including capitalizing Pokemon. You absolutely do know how serious folks can be about those kinds of differences in writing ideologies. Really though, nothing serious here!

My list, pending anyway:

 

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- Settlement Synopsis: Twinleaf Town
A sleepy village near the vicinity of Lake Verity. It was originally founded by researchers who were studying the lake who decided to settle down when they thought, hey, this is a nice and peaceful little place. If it weren't for the fact that it was featured in the virtual journey games, it might simply be one of many tiny settlements in Sinnoh not worth putting on a map. It's speculated that it was chosen because of its location, how it was the hometown of one of the assistant developers, and how quite a few notable people came from it. The city occasionally holds festivals in order to draw tourism, which has become popular since said game was released.

There is little in the way of industry here, so most work in services and small businesses. A lot of young people leave on journeys or to find better opportunities for work.

- Routes Within Reach: Simple grass
Humanity have their own settlements, which Pokemon generally respect and do not cause much trouble within. They, too, have their own settlements which are generally in heavily forested areas or the deepest reaches of caves. Routes are where the two species can meet.

Route 201 is as simple as it is ordinary. Its only defining feature is being home to one of Sinnoh's two known Nidoran colonies. It's relatively peaceful, and people from Twinleaf and the nearby Sandgem enjoy walks on it. Lake Verity is a short jump away. The roads for cars there are something of an afterthought.

- Prominent Person: Johanna Emiko Bright
A semi-retired Grand Coordinator (one who has placed Master Rank in all five categories) and Top Coordinator - by winning a final competition in a region's annual Grand Festival; the other way is winning a Superb title (winning a best-of competition in a category to qualify for the finals) in all five categories. Johanna was a rising star in the coordinating scene when she was young, and only continued to improve into her teenage and adult years. Her signature Pokemon is Jumpy the Kangaskhan; she was the first to make Johanna Superb and won her a Grand Festival.

She only needed to win Cute and Beauty to achieve the title of Grand Coordinator (Superb in all five) and therefore, a Master Coordinator. Strange for a girl? Yeah, she was something of a tomboy back in her heyday. Only motherhood put a kibosh on her career, but she wouldn't trade her child for the world. Of course, she keeps up with her training and is willing to work with young coordinators: herself, Fantina Couture, and Gasha Qian have a fun little competition going on over who can mentor the best Coordinator in Sinnoh. They frequently rib her since they're Grandmasters (a special title for those who have excelled worldwide and/or have done a lot for Contests as a whole) and she is not, but then again, her results in Contests and training can't be ignored either.

- Luminous Locale: The Auditorium
Basically, where town hall meetings and any larger-scale entertainment happens in town. It comfortably seats about 500 people; but more can work with benches and just squeezing. It's also where Johanna holds her Contest lessons and where a local drama company performs.

- Self-Made Spot: Two Sakura
One of the more noteworthy attractions in Twinleaf are the only two cherry blossoms in the town, located near its center. Their saplings were taken from the same tree and grown together over the decades. They're something of the town's pride and joy, and flower viewings are held near it every spring.

 

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- Settlement Synopsis: Sandgem Town
It was first formally settled by a prominent family. Sandgem is one of the smaller townships in Sinnoh, but it's by no means small. Sinnoh's portmanteau town names can be random at times, but true to what it's called, Sandgem's two main commodities were sand (from the nearby beach) and gems in the nearby flats. In the modern age, the latter has been all mined out. There remains a small glassmaking industry in the town.

Sandgem sees modest tourism in summer due to the beach. Locals successfully protested the construction of a Grand Hotel in the city limits; the main point of contention is that it would haven proven troublesome for trainers coming to see Professor Rowan. There are still places to stay, just no luxury resorts. The Little Pearl Inn has the highest reviews among the local places.

- Routes Within Reach: Shores and Stuff
Besides Route 201, the next route in numerical order lies to the north of Sandgem. Not every trainer starts out by seeing a Professor, but those that do like to test out their freshly received Pokemon on the route. It's a little hilly, but there are roads up to Jubilife. Naturally, they're going to make sure the path to a major hub is going to be well-maintained. The watery routes to the south lead to Ramanas Town. The beaches nearby are considered one of the best reasons to live in Sandgem, and are a popular tourist spot.

- Prominent People: The Berlitz family
The first settlers on the land originally built here because of the beach, so they could have a little resort all to themselves. In modern times, they're called the Berlitz family. They were nobility back in the feudal days, same as the Backlots, and were able to smoothly transition into the modern era with smart business investments and getting their hooks into research. Tourism is their main business venue, particularly their five-star Grand Resort. They played a key role in the development of Sandgem Town, although their grip has loosened in the modern age. They may be a powerful family, but the likes of the Joys, Jennys, and Schraders outstrip them in influence.

- Luminous Locale: Rowan Pokemon Research Laboratory
Founded in the 1800s in another form, the Pokemon Lab in Sinnoh began life as a team of explorers who took a hands-on approach to Pokemon research. The fictional Hisui tales heavily exaggerated this. Under the oversight of the 6th generation patriarch of the Rowan family, it received the government's blessing as Sinnoh's official Pokemon Lab. It is quite formal; you can expect most people working there to wear suits instead of anything like lab coats. It specializes in the study of Pokemon evolution (Rowan's doctorate), but like all labs, it undergoes research into anything Pokemon-related.

- Self-Made Spot: Hatōji Academy
Along with its elder brother, which is aptly called Hatō, Hatōji Academy is a private junior high school which overlooks the beach. While not as prestigious as some of its contemporaries around the country, both are nevertheless renowned for their arts and science programs. Students taking the latter courses have occasionally been invited to shadow Professor Rowan himself.

It might surprise you, but private schools in Japan can falter in the battling department. You might think that with the money to hire the best tutors, that their school battling teams would flourish. But in practice it's tougher than you might expect to find them and harder still to find those who are willing, and public schools tend to have more students with experience (e.g. who went on journeys). There are exceptions to any rule though, and Hatōji is up there mostly thanks to its captain, Chris Foster. Although, her attractiveness and popularity are a double-edged sword for the team as a whole...

 

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- Settlement Synopsis: Jubilife City
The largest and most populous city in Sinnoh with roughly 450000 people. Skyscrapers sprawl out in the center of town, parks dot the landscape, and the outer reaches feature smaller businesses and more traditional housing. One thing that is true from fictional stories is that it was the first major settlement on the land (but not the first ever). Nowadays, it's home to the major businesses like Jubilife TV and the Poketch Company, as well as other spots like the Sinnoh Police Training Facility and Carl Dervish's Trainer Summer School.

Being landlocked hurts it as a trading hub since things have to either come in by truck or plane. That and its non-centralized location contribute to it not being the most prosperous city in the region.

- Routes Within Reach: Gotta drive
The traffic roads leading to and from Jubilife are some of the best maintained in the region. Nevertheless, the surrounding routes are still peaceful and quiet; actually, the same could be said about anywhere. Gotta respect nature, after all. There are separate tunnels for traffic heading to Oreburgh or Floaroma; as discussed, Pokemon generally leave those alone since they know they're what humans use. Similarly, there's a bridge to Canalave, although some choose to go by water.

- Prominent Person: Kergen Williams
Hey, you know something? The (my) Pokemon world's pretty great. Sure, there's some ugly parts of it, and sometimes the world gets threatened, but when you boil it down, it's pretty idealistic. The philanthropist Kergen Williams was one of those optimistic people who believed everyone deserves a chance in life. That's why he built a school for those young folks who fell through the cracks in society.

Sure, some people have shown they really are bad seeds who won't change. And sure, there's news reports about incidents at the school seemingly once a month. But to him, it's about the success stories. One of them being Sofie Shadden, a somewhat rough and troubled young woman who stood up to a gang in the school (getting them expelled, even this school has limits) and got scouted as a special operative in the International Police.

- Luminous Locale: Global Trade Station
The ability to transfer Poke Balls electronically was a major breakthrough in storage technology. Pokemon could be transferred long distances quickly; useful for adhering to the government-mandated limit of six. The Trade Machine was an innovation that allowed legal and easy transfer of Poke Ball registration from one owner to another. Then someone came up with the idea of combining the two.

The first two stations were constructed in Jubilife and Goldenrod as a proof of concept. It has very gradually expanded since then. Like anything electronic, it is heavily regulated to avoid data theft and under strict government control. Much like electronic storage, if anything's off, they can lock the whole system down at the push of a button. A feature that came under scrutiny was the Wonder Trade; turns out, trading at random wasn't very mentally healthy for the Pokemon. It was removed within months.

- Self-Made Spot: The Sinnoh Museum of Modern Art
Dedicated to artists, people and Pokemon alike, from across the Sinnoh region. It occasionally sees guest exhibits from around the world, particularly from Kalos. It's often said that if your art is good enough to make it here, you've made it regionally. The curator and workers there are very stuffy and their criticism of what they see as lesser works tends not to be taken too seriously.

 

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- Settlement Synopsis: Oreburgh City
A mining town in a valley. A fair number of the residents work in the mines. It's not a very healthy place to live. People with respiratory issues are advised to move away from the city. The air quality is bad enough to generate at least a few questions about putting a Gym in the city; before Roark's, the last was a Fire-type Gym that closed in 1974. The good news is, it's not usually bad enough that short-term exposure is problematic, so people stopping over won't have trouble. But long-term? Black lung disease was a serious issue, particularly among the miners. Safety measures have been taken in the modern era to prevent the worst of it. Most modern buildings are constructed to keep fine particles out. So really, it's not as bad as it seems. Just, be aware. You know?

There are concerns about what might happen to the town once the coal is mined out. It's focused a little too hard on the primary and secondary sectors of work. Even its biggest attraction, the mining museum, is heavily tied to the industry that dominates the town's economy. The current local government haven't shown a need to change that just yet.

- Routes Within Reach: Bring your boots
Oreburgh are isolated in some fashion. Route 207 to the north is a rugged hike and a long walk to the next major city, whichever way you're going. Maybe even a trip through a cave! It's still a hike or a trip through a different cave to reach Jubilife. Like most major cities in Sinnoh that are like this, there are a lot of commodities in the city itself as a result. If you're driving, you're better off. Just watch for rockslides.

- Prominent Person: Roark Vass
The young safety supervisor of Oreburgh Mine, and also the Gym Leader of the city. While there were accusations of nepotism, the simple truth is he got both positions through sheer talent. A little known fact is that he wasn't Byron's original choice for a Gym Leader recommendation: he wanted to suggest Roark's friend Riley. He turned it down and was the one to give Byron the suggestion.

Roark uses his Rock-type Pokemon to help oversee the mine and nearby tunnel while keeping wild Pokemon in line. He opened up the former as a training spot for locals and visitors alike, also subtly allowing trainers to practice for him in the process (he learned that trick from his father). He's been compared to Roxanne of Hoenn for both being Rock-type experts who value study more than anything.

He was a little surprised to get the recommendation and, regardless, still gets criticism for familial preference. Yet it isn't really fair, since it was the League officials that oversaw, discussed, and went with the decision. Along with Celestic Gym Leader Sprig Acantha, they are the two newest Gym Leaders in Sinnoh.

- Luminous Locale: Oreburgh Mine
A massive deposit of coal was found under the city. The mine is divided into two sections: a quarry and a cave. The main thing they mine is coal, but occasionally precious gems are found when they burrow deep enough to touch the Underground. The coal is used in a nearby power plant, but is also sent by truck to ports and Fuego Ironworks.

Trainers occasionally meet to battle here informally. There are designated places for battle in the mine to avoid disrupting wild Pokemon. Cave-ins have been known to occur when things get too reckless, but judges usually make sure not to let it get to that point and rescue crews are always on-hand.

- Self-Made Spot: Oreburgh Coal Power Plant
Noticing a pattern here? Oreburgh is mostly known for its coal. This was Sinnoh's first major power plant. Cleaner sources like wind and solar were eventually introduced, but this has been maintained because it is unaffected by weather shifts. Galarian Weezing are employed nowadays to help filter some of the pollution it produces.

 

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- Settlement Synopsis: Floaroma Town
If Oreburgh is all about mining, the rural Floaroma is all about plants. It's a very peaceful green community, although ironically, the air can be just as thick thanks to pollen and the scent of flowers. There is a rumor that the land was blessed by the god of flowers, Shaymin. There is no scientific or historical basis for this. Either way, it's the continuing efforts of the town that maintains it to this day.

The heart of the town is Floaroma Meadow, where plants of all kinds grow. It's like a miniature jungle. Flower reading is a popular hobby/trade, if somewhat over-saturated. It's also well-known for being the place where you can find any flower for your Hanakotoba needs. But flowers don't exactly make for the best trade, so farming (particularly berries) is also a part of the town's industry.

- Routes Within Reach: Basically weeds
The flowers in the meadow have a habit of spreading to nearby routes to where they can become pests. Thankfully, the nearby Eterna Forest and mountains serve as natural barriers, although on days with a south flowing breeze, the scent of flowers can spread downhill into the northern outskirts of Jubilife. Two stations collectively known as "The Works" are to the north and east. Trainers can expect to find plenty of Grass and Bug Pokemon hanging around, as well as the odd bird and even some Water-types.

- Prominent Person: Gardenia Daffodil Florence
It's a little known fact that Gardenia, the Gym Leader of Eterna City, was actually born in Floaroma Town. The reason why she didn't become the Gym Leader of her hometown was because there already was a Gym Leader in the town at the time: Aaron Vespa. She chose Eterna since it was close by, and she loved exploring the Eterna Forest anyway. Although Aaron later stepped back to focus on training more, aiming for an Elite Four position, Gardenia remained in her city's neighbor. Still, she makes sure to visit her hometown often.

Gardenia is a peppy young woman who absolutely adores Grass-type Pokemon. She has obsessively studied how to care for all known species, even certain Legendary Pokemon, just in case. The Grass-type is considered one of the hardest to be an expert at due to its myriad of weaknesses, but Gardenia managed to through sheer perseverance. Even as a young woman on her Pokemon journey, she exclusively trained them, and the fact that she made it to the League at all proved her worth. She was actually offered a position right then and there at thirteen, but she politely declined. There was still a lot of training to be done. The door was open though, and five years ago in 2010, she accepted the offer.

Until Roark was given a position as Gym Leader, she was considered the first in the recommended order for new trainers. But, like all leaders, she is by no means weak. They balance their teams for their opponents' strength, after all.

- Luminous Locale: Pick a Peck of Colors
A shop that focused on aesthetics and one of the oldest stores in Floaroma. It has been run by the Tsubomi family for four generations. Besides flowers, they also grow many different kinds of berries, including some rare and exotic ones. The family is super nice and helpful to those who come by. Besides helping trainers who want to grow berries, they have also helped out coordinators with their supply of floral-themed accessories for Pokemon.

- Self-Made Spot: Club Petal Dance
There are always playgrounds for grown-ups in the world, and some of these are more grown-up than others. This little spot in the northwest corner of Floaroma features adult entertainment with a botanical and musical twist. While many come to watch beautiful women perform, there's appeal for those who prefer men as well. Wednesdays in particular are when they're exclusively featured. The club holds monthly musical plays in very revealing clothing (if any at all) on the last Saturday of every month. They're actually pretty talented performers, and lots of people unironically come by just for those.

 

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- Settlement/Site Synopsis: Eterna City
Though it once had a different name, this was the third major settlement that took hold in Sinnoh, after Celestic (then known as Kannagi) and Jubilife. Compared to them, it holds a healthy mix of the old and the new. Remember the past, tie it to the present, and look forward to the future. That has been their motto since the late 1940s.

The tribes here were some of the first to make contact with the Kannagi clan. Peaceful relations were established, and a statue of one of the Mighty Pokemon of their faith was created in town. They seem to have gotten some wires crossed. That or they weren't as well known back then.

- Routes Within Reach: Tough Walks
Whichever way you walk after leaving Eterna, you're in for an adventure. To the west lies a small pond that shortly leads into Eterna Forest, a natural maze of trees full of Bug and Grass Pokemon. It's a popular spot for trainers and some won't take no for an answer when it comes to battling. The pond, fed from an underground vein from the nearly impassible mountains to the north, is a popular fishing spot. To the east lies Mt. Coronet, Sinnoh's very own natural divider. Whether it's over or under the mountain, you'll have a big hike on your hands. And Route 206 to the south is a very long bridge closed to pedestrian traffic: only bicycles and vehicles are allowed on the road. There are bicycle rental services available if you want to pay, but otherwise, the footpath to the south is rugged and maze-like.

Up north is a little better than these three, but there also isn't much of note that way either; Greenstation is the largest, and it only has around 2000 people (as a comparison, Eterna has roughly 40000), and Fairtribe (former home of a group of basically noble savages). The mountain that Snowpoint sits on is too difficult to walk up.

- Prominent Person: Underground Man
That's his legal name. That's what he changed it to. Before that, he was known as Perth Vass. A uncle of Byron with the same enthusiasm for mining as him and his son. He was a Hiker in his youth and a Ground-type expert. Unlike his relatives, he never bothered making it official in the League. Rumors of a fling with long-standing member Bertha and not wanting to step on her toes while remaining in Sinnoh may have had something to do with it, but it should be stressed that's tabloid stuff.

There was lots to be mined in the Underground, and that could change not only Sinnoh's economy forever, but the life of trainers - after all, things like evolutionary stones were hard to come by. The Man was the first to make regular trips down to the Underground, and eventually pioneered a device that allowed easy access by emulating the Escape Rope: a strange item woven from Psychic-type Pokemon hair that allows short-range teleportation while underground. By attuning them to the Underground, it allowed users of the Explorer's Kit to go down and return to where they entered in a flash.

- Luminous Locale: Herb's Herbs
Herbal medicine has a long rich history in the world. Before the advent of modern medicine as well as the healing machine - a device that allows a Pokemon to get the equivalent of a good night's rest in minutes - natural methods had to be used to heal wounds. What worked for humans didn't work for Pokemon and vice versa, but one that worked for both was herbal remedies. Eastern countries and natives in the west are known for making use of them. Even though universal healthcare for Pokemon exists worldwide, there are some ailments that only herbs have been able to handle, and they have proven at least equally effective.

Their effectiveness cannot be denied. However, Pokemon can find them unpalatable; the edible ones taste bitter and topical ones sting. Not every Pokemon can handle them. They're somewhat controversial among fringe groups because of this; infamously, the creator of the games is staunchly against them. That said, while Energy Roots and Revival Herbs can be gathered, it takes time and knowledge to properly prepare the powdered versions and certain remedies, and only a select few people are licensed to do so; Herb's Herbs are some of the most famous in Sinnoh for this. The family has been active for over 500 years, although the current owner changed the name in an attempt to be hip.

- Self-Made Spot: Galactic Observatory
On the hills on the northwest of town is a little place dedicated to scouting the stars. It's a relatively modern addition to Eterna City. The city was an ideal place to build: it's small but not too small, there's almost no skyglow, and it had the hills to support one. It was built by a technologically-savvy man who wanted to get away from the bustle of Sunyshore City. The heavens are peaceful, he always said. Something to quietly appreciate. The observatory has a small yet loyal staff inspired by the man's dedication. It's a private place that is usually closed to the public.

 

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- Settlement/Site Synopsis: Hearthome City
Appropriately called the Heart of Sinnoh. Hearthome is as close to the middle of the region as you can get. It is the largest trading hub in Sinnoh due to its centralized location. The city has a population of around 150000, which is the third-largest in Sinnoh. Where all hearts touch each other indeed.

The first Ceutholic missionaries to Sinnoh built a church here, but over the centuries, it eventually ended up more something for foreign culture. Turns out, people all over the world have a lot of similarities when you boil it down.

- Routes Within Reach: Long but smooth
While other major cities are far away from Hearthome, the fact that you have to pass through either it or Celestic to go from one side of Sinnoh to the other has ensured the routes heading to and from the place are well taken care of. The tunnel through Mt. Coronet was carefully crafted, and the road down to Pastoria was scouted carefully to avoid sinkholes and made from treated cement to endure long-term water exposure.

One of the most notable nearby landmarks is Norton V. Backlot's mansion, located just outside city limits. Backlot is always willing to help trainers, so long as they put up with his boasting, and has held little competitions for them with rewards from his collection.

- Prominent Person: Mr. Goods
In a town this large, there are plenty of prominent residents, including Melissa 'Fantina' Couture, the eccentric owner of the private park Amity Square who has infamously narrow tastes in cuteness, and the regional manager of the Pokemon Storage System in Sinnoh. Let's talk about a crazy, technically homeless man instead of any of them (also since I'm avoiding overlap with previous prompty prompts so it won't be Fantina).

A rumored friend of Underground Man, Mr. Goods is somewhat of a beloved eccentric individual. Unlike him, that's not his real name. He has legitimately forgotten it (it's Yoshiki Yamashita). Yamashita also once went by Givyu Presance until he became frustrated with a kid didn't get the pun and pointed out Givyu wasn't a real name. He spends his days wandering the streets, finding rare treasure that people throw out, and crafting things in his workshop: an old rusted-out shack. He loves the idea of kids making secret bases and is more than willing to give them decorative rewards for their accomplishments.

People put up with him since they view him as a savant who never got the help he needed, and he's so far proven to be harmless. The truth is exactly that, actually: he was thrown out of his home when he was eighteen and a traumatic incident led to his current condition. Sometimes things really are what they seem. He has refused any sort of psychic-assisted treatment, saying that if the gods will it, his true memory will return.

- Luminous Locale: Hearthome Contest Hall
While it is not the only Contest Hall in all of Sinnoh, it is the oldest, largest, and most prominent, and also where Master Rank contests exclusively take place. It's also the host of most special exhibitions in the region. Gym Leader Fantina is a frequent host and funder of the place. It seats over 25000 people at full capacity.

Pokemon Contests originated in Hoenn as an alternative and non-violent means of showcasing raising Pokemon, spinning out of one of the original Battle Tents after the League (allegedly helped) shut those down. They proved modestly popular at first, and Sinnoh was one of the first regions to jump in on the craze in the 1930s. It's a little known fact that the Kannagis and Mitsutris were huge supporters of it; the Top Coordinator of 1937's Grand Festival was even a member of the latter clan.

Contests' popularity increased immensely after the war; people were tired of fighting and looking for something different. It was not just a passing fad either. More were built all around Sinnoh, just like they had in Hoenn. These days, a journey to become a high-level Coordinator is seen as just as viable and respected as being a top battler, much to the Leagues' chagrin. Since they pride themselves on having the best Pokemon exhibitions around.

- Self-Made Spot: Sinnoh Variety Radio
Hearthome is host to several radio stations that broadcast to all corners of the region. Sinnoh Variety Radio is one of them. Formerly known as Japan Sinnoh Public Radio (JSPR), it was originally stationed in Veilstone City, until the quality of its content and demand from people in the west convinced them to move. A name change came with it due to the fact that Hearthome was happy to fund them. Of course, this came with accusations of selling out, but thus far, the content continues to be as revered as always.

One of their most popular programs is Crime by Starlight, a radio drama that can best be described as a soap opera blended with criminal procedure blended with an action flick. It's well known for realistically going into the mindset of the criminals, and not always portraying them as evil/antagonistic. It's set in the same universe as Spirit of Police, which featured a supernatural bend - beyond Pokemon - on police investigations.

 

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- Settlement Synopsis: Solaceon Town
One of the more noteworthy smaller townships in the region. While the city limits are expansive, most of it is farmland. This makes for a quiet, rural place with a peculiar stench that permeates much of the air in the town. A fair chunk of the city's population of 7500 lives on the hills on the northeast side because of it. The main road in town uniquely stretches straight through north to south. The main Pokemon Center and a few inns are along this road, allowing truckers bound for Celestic or Veilstone to stop for fuel and a rest before getting on their way.

- Routes Within Reach: Diversity!
If you're going by road, the way to Hearthome is fairly smooth. If you're going by foot, you'll get to cross vast fields, small rivers, and around craters in what is agreed to be one of the more scenic legs of a Sinnoh journey. It's a long way to either town if you're heading to the north. Route 210 is lined with thick grass, and let's not talk about if you're going to Celestic. It's better if you're headed to Veilstone, but the terrain is still uneven. Bladefort is in between all three locations.

- Prominent Person: Belle Hartley
Daughter of Randy Hartley, the editor of the local newspaper, Pokemon News Press. Yes, local. Hey, did you really expect such a small group to serve all of Sinnoh? That's stretching suspension of disbelief even for this world.

PNP is a five-person team: Billy Bob is their writer, Andy is their researcher, Belle is the interviewer, and Li is their intern. They are something of a product of their time back before the internet, giving locals useful and obscure information about Pokemon that was hard to find in books. Belle is popular around town, everyone knows who she is, but even her coworkers don't know she's more than just a pretty face. She knows they'll need to evolve to stay afloat. Though, it don't exactly take a genius to see that the model ain't sustainable, as she says to those that'll listen. Sadly, among those who don't are the rest of 'em except Li. The only reason they're keeping going is that she gets them those little local stories you'd never see on the bigger news outlets.

What she'd like most of all is for them to sell, so she can get out into the world, maybe go on a journey, see the world, find a good man, and get a good job; heck, she had more than one Schrader say she could stand beside them. She's got the charisma for it. But no such luck right now.

- Luminous Locale: Solaceon Ruins
The Unown have always been something of an enigma. As mentioned, it is known that they modeled themselves after the Latin alphabet - even appearing before it spread to places - but it's not known why. It is known that subterran Pokemon use them to express their language. Of all the places in the world with Unown, Solaceon Ruins has been one of the most fascinating. They've been known about since Ancient Japan, but serious research into their meaning has only happened since the Showa period, and is still ongoing.

"Friend" is an important word in all Pokemon languages, and indeed, a very important concept to them. Even a freshly birthed Pokemon understands the concept and importance of friendship. The Unown here have been known to greet friendly faces with the word in various human languages, while engravings with inert ones express what it means to the Pokemon race: life entwined brings life anew. In other words, life is better with friends.

That said, the place is known to be dangerous. It's rare, but people and Pokemon have been known to vanish without a trace in the area. Trainers and researchers are advised to travel in groups, enter at their own risk, and avoid confrontation beyond capturing an Unown (they're accepting of that; a trainer is a potential friend). One of the most notable disappearances has been Lisa Kannagi in 2003, a Galarian explorer who married into the family.

- Self-Made Spot: The Caras Farm
Presently run by Agnes Caras, a small yet plot-relevant place. The land the Caras farm is on was purchased by Greek immigrants in the 1900s. They dabble in crops and animal livestock, but they also raise Pokemon as workers and occasionally give them out as starter Pokemon around the city. The owner's nephew, Spike, was gifted a Tauros, but it should be stressed it was a special case. It's usually things like Lechonk, Ponyta, Skiddo, and Buizel: easy to handle, reliable, and maybe a little exotic.

 

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- Settlement Synopsis: Veilstone City
A hodgepodge of a city that was carved out of a mountain. Many of the buildings sit on flattened out cliffs. While it is one of the more isolated in Sinnoh, it's also the fourth-most populous with 60000 people.

One of Sinnoh's major ports. Goods are regularly shipped to and from Batalson Island. Fishing and archaeology are also major industries. Gambling too, thanks to the Gym Leader and owner of the Game Corner, Gasha Qian. Veilstone is a city that has a little bit of everything in it. It has to be given its isolation: in fact, the whole reason the mall exists is that it sprouted from a market set up by well-off travelers who brought goods from other cities. It eventually ended up being the largest shopping center in Sinnoh.

As the main setting of the series, there's almost too much to talk about. But...

- Routes Within Reach: Rocky Road
Wherever you head out of Veilstone, the terrain is going to be as rugged as the city. Weather systems that flow in from Batalson Island to the north can make the weather on Route 215 a little unpredictable; Veilstone itself is generally protected due to the large hills on its northern end. Route 214 has lakes, forests, and rocky hills. Head further south, and you'll eventually reach Grandlake Town.

- Prominent People: Youths Against Mistaken Society
A youth protest group that gained a considerable amount of notoriety around town due to their brazenness. It was originally formed by the unlikely friends Louis Trussel and Mariko Urusai, as well as their acquaintance, Nariya Yaznik, in response to a tepid response to bullying at Stony Hills Elementary. It expanded to strike out against other injustices around town and gained two more members, the twins Yumi and Touya Takao.

Somewhere along the way, YAMS (a name thought up by Nariya to be sort of catchy) started to push the envelope. Ironically, they became unable to accomplish much because of the stigma surrounding them and rumors they would say were spread by the other side; people just did not want to listen to them. But there were two incidents that really damaged them. The first was the Demon Nidorina incident. They were ironically among the many opposing allowing Nori Carino to train her. Being proven thoroughly wrong seemed to make something snap in the two leaders, as some of the former members will say. The other was when they tried to target the town's mayor. This showed the extent of their pettiness to many, and how far they were willing to go to ruin someone.

Currently inactive. The Takao twins did not participate in the mayor incident and left when they were blamed for its (relative) failure. Yumi originally joined to make the world a better place, but they weren't. She currently works on her school's newsletter (with Nori Carino no less). Her brother found a girlfriend and pretty much became a normal teenager. Nariya left after a nasty confrontation with the future head priestess of the Kannagi Shrine due to various stress build up, finding a new friend in Prema and possible direction in becoming an acolyte. Even their new member, Arnie, had to step away. It was a harsh slap in the face for Louis and Mariko, who had to reassess themselves. However, they maintain their original goals of activism and trying to make people see things for what they are.

- Luminous (expanded) Locale: The Quarry
A tale of tragedy, sort of. No one's really sure why this place was mined. While most of what's been found are rocks, their biggest discovery was a meteorite that has signs of extraterrestrial life. It is currently on display at the nearby Geological Research Facility and Museum, which was responsible for this big hole in the ground. They didn't bother filling it back in.

Besides being a place for tourists (although not many come by), the quarry is also a modestly popular hangout spot for locals. Trainers come by to practice in rough conditions or even battle. And sometimes in the evening, teenagers will come by to make out (or go further than that). There's always security on-hand to serve as overseers. They'll generally let things slide as long as they don't disrupt any business. Those who think about using it for more unsavory purposes get put off by them and the cameras which are always keeping a watchful eye over the place.

- Self-Made Spot: Marble Tor
The heights on the northern end of town are basically the upper class district. There are open fields, trees of all kinds (some of which were brought over), and lots of scenic views. It's where the nicest homes are, particularly the Willins family manor (who are famous in the film industry) and Daikoka mansion (business experts). It gives the best view of the city as well as the ocean below. On very clear days, one can even see Batalson Island way off in the distance.

Many of the school-aged people from and around here go to the Jade Point schools. It has a reputation as being a rich folk school, but it's as public as the rest of them. They're pretty welcoming there and in Marble Tor in general, actually.

 

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- Settlement/Site Synopsis: Pastoria City
This city was originally founded near the Great Marsh to protect it from development by speculators. It grew over time into a small community. A river flows through this lush township with a countryside feel. However, it actually has a population of around 30000. Pastoria also serves as one of the major ports leading to mainland Japan. It doesn't experience as many ice blockages compared to Veilstone or even Canalave, allowing more ships to pass through. It's also easier to ship goods to eastern Sinnoh from here compared to Canalave.

It was also originally host to the Safari Zone, in an effort to allow Trainers in on a trial basis to capture the Pokemon after interest was expressed. It was shut down with all others in Japan nationwide - they were something of a fad - after numerous public safety concerns centered around allowing trainers to walk around hunting Pokemon with none of their own to protect them. The Kanto one's seniority blocked it for a while, but when the Warden shut down his willingly to travel the world, that gave them their chance. Nothing of value was lost. Did anyone unironically like those places, especially with shinies?

- Routes Within Reach: Water you up to?
Route 213 has scenic beachside views. However, the waters around here are rough and rock-filled, so it has to be avoided in the port. It's a good place to find and train Water-types. Absol colonies live in the forests nearby. It's a long walk over to Veilstone or Sunyshore to where Grandlake Town has become a major destination just for being a stopover point.

The southern sections of Route 212 are very swampy. It's advised that most trainers try to take the higher roads to avoid drowning, and if they want to go through the thick of things, to travel alongside Pokemon which can aid them. Particularly deep areas of the marsh are marked with warning signs. The roads are similarly on these elevated parts; the reason why they can wind so much is that they were made to avoid sinkholes. It's not constantly raining here like depicted in the games, but it is just as wet as you'd expect. Pokemon from the Great Marsh have been known to wander out here on occasion. It can be very slippery in winter. Most Pokemon go into hibernation in this season.

Heading south leads across many rivers and, notably, eventually to Kinflow Town. Pastoria also serves the ports in Almia; although Canalave is closer, it's cheaper to ship goods bound for eastern Sinnoh here.

- Prominent Person: Futomaki
A podiatrist for Pokemon, who can sometimes be found in his beachside hut. He and his clinic both go by the name Dr. Footstep. When it comes to specialized foot injuries in the Sinnoh region, Futomaki is without peer. He notably treated former Sinnoh Elite Four member Kenichi's Hitmonlee after a Jump Kick gone horribly wrong, to where the Kicking Pokemon was able to battle again several months later. In addition, he has a special service where he measures the bonds between trainer and Pokemon based off their footprints.

Despite what he claims, he cannot actually talk to Pokemon. However, he is exceptionally good at reading them from how they move. His translations are simply based on what he believes they are thinking. He sometimes can't help but slip in his personal views. He is a devout of the Mitsutri faith, after all.

- Luminous Locale: Croagunk Statue
The Great Marsh in Sinnoh is home to Japan's only major Croagunk colony, at least until canon somehow finds a way to contradict me. They were one of the species that Pastoria was founded to protect. The Pokemon gained a strange following for being both cute and weird; its croaking sounds and a local pharmaceutical company adopting it as a mascot also helped.

The statue was originally built in 1864 by a traveling sculptor from Kalos. People loved it, and it ended up as a symbol of the town. The rain hasn't been kind to it over the years, so after a restoration effort, it was moved to the local mall where it can be properly covered. Every year, a festival is held in honor of the Pokemon they saved, with competitions for the best Croagunk as part of them taking place near the statue.

- Self-Made Spot: Water Treatment Plant
Pastoria is a city known for its vast natural water reserves between the marsh and nearby lakes. Probably the best example of flaunting this is the Pastoria Gym, the brainchild of Leader Crasher Wake (don't worry, he gives back to the community). The Gym puzzle in particular involves draining and filling a pool. But, everything is finite, and as it was originally founded by conservationists, they knew that well. Better to plan for the future while you still can, no matter how far off that may be.

The water treatment plant uses good old-fashioned science to cleanse and recycle water as needed. Whatever gets permanently used up (crops, consumption), Water-types can top back through their ability to produce it through mixing hydrogen and oxygen; it similarly just needs treatment to remove microorganisms and bacteria. It gets pumped back into the lakes and reused at the Gym and the city's water parks. There are also plans to add a desalination section within twenty years.