Tianami Island (sign up)

[Rice]

Hi everyone, I’m Rice ^__^. I got an interesting idea for a rp the other day, and I hope ya’ll like it.


I've placed the plot under a spoiler tag to save space, but read it if you intend to participate!

Spoiler

Ooh, looks like you got a fancy letter in the mail:

ATTN: POKEMON RESEARCHERS

As many of you know, we’ve been conducting research over at the Tianami Islands for a little over three years now. East of Ever Grande city, we’ve been studying the people and pokemon there fervently. Recently, we made a breakthrough in decoding the native people’s complex language system, and finally found out some things about their relationship with their pokemon.

All the people of Tianami (known collectively as the ‘Tian’) are assigned a pokemon at birth. The human and pokemon spend their entire lives with each other, eating, sleeping, and performing chores together. The interaction between the Tian and their pokemon is exceptional. The more we studied these bonds, the closer we realized the bond between them was. However, after having some now-possible, deep conversations with the natives, we have found something truly startling.

The Tian contend that their relationship to their ‘companion’ pokemon includes a unique psychic bond, one that is forged over a special ‘ritual’ that occurs when the two come of age. We have tried various approaches to proving this bond through electromagnetic tracking, but to no avail. We are unsure if this is a genetic trait, if these people are simply better at interpreting their pokemon’s natural signs, or this is merely one of their beliefs and nothing more.

In order to perform the psychic bonding ‘ritual’, adolescents in the Tian trek deep into the island’s thick vegetation and perform it in secret. Despite our genuine interest, the Tian insist that we cannot view this ceremony; to them, it is sacred, and is limited to the people who take part in it.

Recently, however, the leader of the Tian, a woman named Irus, noted our interest in the ritual. She suggested that we send some of our own into the forest, and have them perform the ritual themselves. This is where you come in. We need experienced men and women who are willing to explore the vast jungles of Tianami, and perhaps find the source of the ‘psychic link’ myth.

In order to respect the Tian, we must try to emulate their ritual practices as closely as possible. Every member of the team must be accompanied by a single pokemon of their choosing.

In interest of your own protection, we have decided to conceal a high level battler amongst you. They will be acting as your bodyguard. We have no idea what lies in these jungles. While we are, in part, going against the wishes of the Tian, we are doing this for your protection. Please, if you end up finding out who among you is the battler, keep it to yourself. We do not want to lose the good graces of the Tian.

All in all, we implore all of you to please apply. We have sent out this notice to only the best and brightest. With your help, our study of the Tian and their pokemon may reach a whole new level.

- THE TIANAMI RESEARCH TEAM

Basically, the idea is this: you all, as researchers, are going into the island’s jungle in order to find the source of this ‘psychic link’. You and your pokemon will be investigating everything you come across. If all goes well, we’ll find out what’s causing this mysterious link between these people and their pokemon!

There are a few more rules I want to go over, and then we can really get started!

-> Play nice! No flaming, spamming, or godmoding. Please, keep in line.
-> Edo-kun is my co-gm. What she says goes. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she plays nice :]
-> No ‘special powers’ whatsoever. As researchers, remember that you guys can have talents, but not ‘powers’.
-> Please stay in character
-> No double posting
-> Please use good grammar. I’m not a grammar nazi or anything, but keep your posts free of chatspeak and the like
-> As stated above, unless you are the concealed ‘battler’, you are not allowed more than one pokemon
-> Because the native people perform the ritual in small groups, the research team we send in will be small. Seven people, after including myself and Edo-kun, leaves five spots
-> All of the natives are NPC’s. They are not open for you to use.

Here’s the sign up sheet

Name:
Age: (between 18-30, as per the ritual)
Gender:
Physical Appearancewe’ll be trekking in the forest, so no over-elaborate outfits)
Personality:
Expertise: (What is your character known for? Do they study pokemon breeding habits, ancient ruins, particular pokemon types, etc.)
Your chosen pokemon: (This pokemon should be one your character has a close emotional bond with. Being a good battler isn’t an important thing—though they can be. Also, make sure they can make the journey through the jungle—pokemon like gyrados are much, much too large, and something like a togepi would be a hassle to carry)
History: (Also be sure to include why your character choose their current field of study)

I’ll post my own character in a separate post.

I have to approve you before you get the spot! Once we’re done here I’ll make the startup thread!

1. Soli (Myself, Rice)
2. Ari (Edo-kun)
3. Nick (Gastly's Mama)
4. Saigo (Megidrazard)[secret battler]
5. Aaron (Ryuutakeshi)
6. Andrew (Legacy)
7. Star (Moon Light Princess)

(note that while it will be obvious from this thread who the battler is, you characters DO NOT know. Unless they find out.)

Feel free to PM me with questions! Also, feel free to aim me, but make sure you say you're from bulbagarden. sn: Colbatdragon I’m open to ideas :3

(edited for more readability)

 

[Rice]

Name: Soli Fahkir
Age: 22
Gender: Female
Physical Appearance: Long brown hair with dark eyes and skin. Wears tshirts and jean shorts, mostly
Personality: Soli is very upbeat but tends to get nervous fast. She bites her lower lip when she’s unsure about something. For every time she says something intelligent, she says something without thinking it over.
Expertise: Soli works close with pokemon breeders. She’s currently studying pokemon dietary habits.
Your chosen pokemon: A Mareep nicknamed Nel.
History: Soli’s parent’s died when she was 12, leaving a large fortune to her and her two older brothers. Her siblings were aloof and self-centered, so she spent much of her time alone. She took on the responsibility for her parent’s large ranch of pokemon. Over time, she decided to continue her mother’s work with pokemon eating habits.

 

[ShinyFlareon]

Just a note -- Rice up there may not be a grammar Nazi, but I am ;-) Also, one very, very important rule she forgot -- absolutely no, under any circumstances, godmodding. Got that? Right. Now, let's get going!

Name: Arianna Christine Emerson, aka Ari
Age: 20
Gender: female
Physical Appearance: Long black hair, mostly kept tied back in a ponytail with a single thin braid hanging down the right side of her face. Her eyes are a dark grey, like storm clouds, with hints of green, blue, and even purple. She usually wears a white shirt, khaki cargo pants, and hiking shoes.
Personality: Ari is generally kind, but has a scathing wit and is not afraid to use it. She is generally unimpressed with people, and doesn't make friends easily. However, she is very loyal and honorable, and will always keep her word.
Expertise: She is an expert on Dragon-type pokemon and the mythology associated with them. For this journey, she hopes to research the mythology of the Tian people, and experience some of it (the ritual) firsthand.
Your chosen pokemon: A Swablu named Itokuzu, someitmes just Ito
History: Ari grew up in the shadow of her older brother and sister. She was often alone, watching over her younger brother. When she started a journey at 10, she fell in love with Dragon-types, and decided to research them for a living. She is now, despite her age, one of the most respected authorities on Dragon-types in the world.

 

[Gama]

Is it just me or is Edo Co-GM to just about everything nowadays? Also, how do we know who is the battler? Is it randomised and then the battler is PM'd or something?

Name: Professor Nick Dracon
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Physical Appearance: Dark hair and fairly light skin. As Nick studies Pokemon breeding, he finds himself traveling a lot, often on foot, as his work sometimes brings him to the tops of mountains and forests etc., because of this he is fairly physically fit. He likes to wear a lab coat, but obviously, when he is traveling, he does not, and just wears a vest top and cargo trousers.
Personality: Nick is a somewhat eccentric character and very intelligent, he doesn't consider himself intelligent though and tends to assume that everyone is as intelligent and knowledgeable as he is, even in his field of expertise.
Expertise: Nick is an expert in Pokemon breeding and the results thereof.
Your chosen pokemon: Bolt the Elekid - Bolt was the first Pokemon Nick bred for himself, and as such, he has a few interesting moves.
History: Nick's parents were not particularly studious themselves, in fact, they were fairly mediocre, Nick was never particularly hard working and always found it difficult to motivate himself in areas that he didn't find interesting. Fortunately, he always found very scientific things interesting, so he excelled in scientific subjects, leading to his current career choice.
He has always been fascinated by Pokemon with unusual move sets and he eventually learnt that this was most often due to breeding. As such, he set up many studies into Pokemon breeding, which traits are passed on and which are not, as such, he owns quite a large variety of 'baby' Pokemon. He also, of course, owns adult Pokemon, but he has such a large roster in his home that he doesn't pay them that much attention, he simply leaves them food and lets them roam free around the house and his garden. He does, however, always have Bolt (his Elekid) by his side and often uses Bolt's electricity to power various devices he uses in his research.
Nick had heard very little about the Tianami Island research before being contacted with this opportunity, but he was very eager to join once he did hear about it, as always, his curiousity and eagerness to find out more overcame him and the weeks between his receipt of the invitation and his departure to the island he did virtually nothing but read up on theories and research to do with Tianami Island and the Tian.

 

[Rice]

Anyone can be the battler, they just need to say so in their application post. Er, what I mean to say is that your character's don't know when the game starts, even though it will be obvious from this list. Sorry for the confusion :]

Edo-Kun: I did say no godmodding! Read my post

 

[ShinyFlareon]

Ah, yeah. Well, Rice -- remember you have to say whether or not these people are accepted!

Gastly's Mama, I'm pretty sure you're in

 

[Rice]

Oops, sorry! Yes, Gastly's Mama, you're in :]

 

[Chargreymonizard]

I almost missed the line about only one unless you are the battler, so I guess I should ask: can I be the battler and have a legitimate research position?

Name: Saigo Kaijuu
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Physical Appearance: Saigo is someone easily missed, for all he does trying to stand out in a crowd. He has a ponytail that reaches the middle of his back and a beard and mustache (though the beard is rather small). His clothes are a combination of black and red at all times, but most people only see the black of his ankle-length trench coat. Upon his head are a pair of goggles with dark lenses.
Personality: Saigo is a fairly easy-going guy most of the time, but most wouldn't know it from his intimidating appearance. He's also a bookworm, enjoying tales of fantasy and science fiction, with the occasional real-world mythology thrown in.
Expertise: History, with occasional expeditions to ancient ruins.
Your chosen Pokémon: Sea Titan the Starmie
History: Saigo's starting Pokémon wasn't one of your usual three from any region, but a Staryu he hatched when he was young. It wasn't long before the Staryu, who hadn't yet been named, found a Water Stone in a river and evolved on its own. Saigo traveled as a regular Pokémon trainer for a few years winning nearly every badge in the world, though he almost never made it to any of the Pokémon League competitions in time to join them. His first bit of fascination with ruins and history was formed while visiting the Ruins of Alph in Johto. As he encountered more and more ruins, and Ruin Maniacs to go with them, he became utterly fascinated with the subject and quit being a trainer and joined a archeology team. His six Pokémon, collectively known as "the Titans," join him in his research, but Sea Titan is the one he favours most, leaving out of it's Pokéball at all times.

(Here's just a quick list of his team:
-Sea Titan, Starmie, Miracle Cure, Water/Psychic (more heavily Psychic than most Starmie from having been one so long)
-Storm Titan, Electivire, Motor Drive, Electric
-Sky Titan, Salamence, Intimidate, Flying/Dragon
-Song Titan, Clefable, Magic Guard, Normal
-Shadow Titan, Mismagius, Levitate, Ghost
-Speed Titan, Arcanine, Flash Fire, Fire)

He uses code names for the various attacks of his Pokémon (such as: "Song Titan! Sing a song of Summer!" means "use Flamethrower." I'll translate each one as they come up. If necessary.

 

[Rice]

Megidrazard - You're in. Also, yes, your character can the battler and a researcher! Er, later on in the rp I may pm you if/when a plot twist happens, if you don't mind.

Just remember that you're supposed to be undercover, so the other characters don't know you are the hidden battler.

(not really related: Do stamie's float as the move around? I've never watched the anime, though I would assume if you let it out of the pokeball all the time...)

 

[Falconwing]

Name: Aaron Reese
Age: 25
Gender: Male

Physical Appearance: A tall man will short brown hair and grey eyes. He he wears a black flat cap on his head most of the time and jacket of some kind. Occasionally he will wear a black vest. Other clothing consists of t-shirts and jeans and basic sneakers.

Personality: Aaron is a confident, intelligent individual who has a tendency to be distant from others. He loves to read, write, and draw and usually carries a book or two with him. Aaron does have an arrogant streak. Usually this occurs during a debate of some kind and Aaron believes his opinion is the right one. Aaron is, obviously, a bit stubborn and it takes some effort to get him to abandon a task. When he is with people, expect him to be the one talking the most, the loudest, or a combination of both. He is usually happiest with

Expertise: Aaron is the Olivine City Head Librarian. He is also the author of a few fantasy novels as well as the book Below the Current, a nonfiction report on an expedition in the Whirl Islands, and Silver Summit, a journal of a hike up Mt. Silver. He is well known by many pokemon researchers.

Your chosen pokemon: Houndoom (Reed)

History: Aaron grew up in what he calls the perfect life. His parents were always around and the family did a lot together. Ander has always enjoyed Pokemon and discovering new ones but he also enjoyed writing and reading books. So, after a five year trip through the Johto Region, Aaron returned to his hometown of Olivine City and opened the Olivine City Library, which has serviced the famed port city for many years. In the last couple years, Aaron was welcomed into the ranks of the Interregional Pokemon Researcher's Organization, which funds different groups in their quest to study pokemon. Through his connections in the port, Aaron Reese is well known name amongst pokemon researchers and his books can be found in almost every lab across the world. Aaron wishes to continue his studies of pokemon by finally leaving the Johto region for an adventure into the unknown. Namely, our current adventure.

As for the story behind his Houndoom, Aaron has a small team of pokemon that have accompanied him in the past. He discovered Houndoom, then a Houndour, passed out during his trip up Mt. Silver. Aaron gave up three days of travel to help heal the Houndour, who has to this day stood by his master.

...

So, ye or nay?

 

[ShinyFlareon]

Looks all right to me. I'm gonna wait for the final verdict from Rice, though.

 

[Legacy]

1. NAME : Andrew Peterson - Male

2. AGE: 18 years old

3. APPEARANCE:
-baby-faced, wide-eyed
-short brown hair, bright blue eyes, tan skin (but not too dark)
-wears typical clothing for his age, although tends to dress nicely: plain polo shirts with collar, blue jeans, sneakers
-also wears glasses
-skinny but not too skinny, surprisingly athletic

4. PERSONALITY:
-He is somewhat of a whiz-kid. i.e. Nerdy
-He was accepted to university early (when he was 16) where he studies Pokemon day and night
-He spunky and excited as all heck to be a part of this project because he is so young.
-He's very focused on school and academia
-he is more "booksmart" than "streetsmart" when it comes to Pokemon
-very naive to things besides school and intelligent things
-he knows he is a nerd and is teased for it by his peers, so he isn't conceded dispite how smart he is....
-very kind to others
-he tries to hide his ridiculous intelligence from others so as not to be teased

5. EXPERTISE: Andrew is the top student in his college as a Pokemon biology major. He is somewhat famous in some circles for his research and experiments.

He is incredibly interested in the science behind the different types of Pokemon and their elemental aspects. (Like how a Pokemon can spit fire, create its own electricity, etc.)

6. HIS POKEMON OF CHOICE: Poliwhirl (Kenji) Caught it (Poliwag) as a child, and it was one of his only friends growing up since he was an outcast as a kid. He has more Pokemon, but Poliwhirl is the one he is closest too.

7. HISTORY:
-was extremely nerdy as a kid, didn't have any friends
-has grown up and is actually sort of attractive to girls, but he is too nerdy and inexperienced socially to function well with girls or peers
-tried Pokemon training as a kid, but was more interested in science and didn't like traveling alone (caught Poliwag)
-accepted into college/university at 16
-chose to study Pokemon biology because he loves Pokemon but doesn't like battling or traveling, it's his way of being close to the creatures he loves.
-He likes being smart, but secretly yearns for acceptance from his peers and wants human friends, and a girlfriend
-He thinks this project will help him grow up and hopefully endear him to his peers since everyone loves Pokemon
-Somewhat of a 'momma's boy' he has rarely been away from home for this long.
-currently researching pokemon biology at the college and spends much of his time doing school work, his (older) classmates urge him to come party with them, but he is obsessed with his work.

 

[ShinyFlareon]

As I told Ryuutakeshi, the bio looks fine to me. Still, if I may ask one question -- as a biology student, what is his driving force in coming to this island when the purpose of the expedition is a faction of the culture of the Tian? Does he want to explore the possibility of a biological factor in the Tian's ritual? Is he there in hopes of discovering new species?

Okay, that's more than one question, but I hope I got my point across without sounding too snobbish or picky.

 

[Legacy]

As I told Ryuutakeshi, the bio looks fine to me. Still, if I may ask one question -- as a biology student, what is his driving force in coming to this island when the purpose of the expedition is a faction of the culture of the Tian? Does he want to explore the possibility of a biological factor in the Tian's ritual? Is he there in hopes of discovering new species?

Okay, that's more than one question, but I hope I got my point across without sounding too snobbish or picky.

haha no worries. the reason he wants to come with is twofold: one, he is intrigued about the 'psychic' bond between the people and their pokemon from a scientific point of view...he believes it to be more scientific than personal.

and second, he wants to do this because he thinks it will help him to leave the protected, familiar constraints of his sheltered life and go off on an adventure finally. he's been an outcast his entire life and wants to finally go on an adventure with other people by his side.

 

[Rice]

Ryuutakeshi and Legacy, you're both fine :] Just one more person and we can start!

 

[Moon Light Princess]

Me! If you don't mind

Name: Star Walker

Age: 19

Apperance: Long, hazelnut hair with blonde highlights. Her eyes matches her hazelnut hair. She usually pulls it up into a high ponytail with her bangs covering her forehead. On this trip she wears a black tank top with jean shorts and black tennis shoes. She also carries a tiny notebook where she writes down important notes.

Personality: Has a friendly attitude most of the time. Very outgoing. She likes to speak her mind, which may cause some arguments. She is always ready to learn which is why you will never see her without her notebook.

Expertise: Even though she is young, she is well known for traveling the world and studying pokemon habitats and their behaviors towards other pokemon and humans.

Chosen Pokemon: Her Leafeon, which she calls Mo-Mo. She has had her since she was an evee hatched from an egg. Leafeon thinks of Star as her mother which is why they have a very close bond.

History: Star was adopted when she was 10 years old by a woman well known as Professor Rin Lynwood, who owns a lab full of pokemon. Because of this, Star has been interested in Pokemon and wanted to know more about them. When her mother allowed her too, she started traveling the world to study different Pokemon. When she came back home from a long trip, she recieved a letter telling her about Tianami Island. Of course, she agreed to go.

 

[Falconwing]

Well that was fast.

 

[Rice]

Moon Light Princess, you're good. Welcome aboard :]

Sign are closed! However if you are itching to play with us, pm me/edo-kun with your bio and we'll take a look :].

I'll start the start up thread now.

Ryuutakeshi: What do you mean?

 

[Falconwing]

I mean we got our last person real fast.

 

[Chargreymonizard]

Megidrazard - You're in. Also, yes, your character can the battler and a researcher! Er, later on in the rp I may pm you if/when a plot twist happens, if you don't mind.

Just remember that you're supposed to be undercover, so the other characters don't know you are the hidden battler.

(not really related: Do stamie's float as the move around? I've never watched the anime, though I would assume if you let it out of the pokeball all the time...)

I always picture Sea Titan as floating just behind Saigo's shoulder. I think that, even if Starmie normally don't hover, Sea Titan's Psychic tendencies keep her afloat. (I should also add that, although Starmie are genderless, Sea Titan thinks of herself as female and will be referred to with feminine pronouns)