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The World of Natura; In Character Information.
Topic Started: Oct 18 2014, 03:27 PM (468 Views)
Steel Cerberus
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The Dog in the Machine
The Map of Natura
Map of Natura with Latitude and Longitude
Meteor Ocean - West Natura - North Natura - East Natura - South Natura


Natura

Natura is a planet like any other. It's experienced its fair share of war, disease, disaster, beginnings of eras, ends of ages, the rise and fall of civilizations and all things in between. This particular planet is inhabited by people and Pokémon both, who have lived together since the beginning. It's not a particularly spectacular planet, either. It has a tilt much like our own Earth. It's about the same size, and has seasons like ours, and one bright white moon. The weather isn't exactly the same, and some things are different for seemingly no reason. There's a certain feeling of magic to the place, but some would say that the magic is just science that hasn't been explained yet.

Historically, the planet and its people have been through a similar sort of history as ours, only with the addition of their Pokémon companions. Four major eras of Natura history have taken place: the Dark Times, before, during, and after the advent of steel, where uncultured barbarians fought one another for dominance and territory, enslaving Pokémon for their own nefarious needs. The uncultured barbarians became ruthless warriors and medieval holds and castles sprung up in held territories after the invention of iron and steel. Much of the Dark Times and its historical records are lost - more often than not due to the victors razing their enemies' holdings. Two continents came to blows, fighting a long and vicious war that resulted in no clear winner but an armistice.

The advent of the apricorn ball heralded the Golden Age, where 'technology' advanced very rapidly - ultimately, the sharing of technology between other tribes and cities built up the idea of the unified Kingdom of Natura, where science fiction became science fact with a thousand-year technological reign. During the Golden Age, cities sprung up all over Natura, followed with a standing military in honor of the fighting that occurred during the Dark Times as a ceremonial guard. This technological boon, when coupled with the discoveries intermingled with Pokémon research, became so advanced that teleportation was a commonplace thing.

Then there was the Cataclysm. The advent of space travel heralded a danger unknown to the people of Natura: encountering new space objects. One such space object was a gigantic meteor, hurtling directly towards the planet. This meteor held the powerful space being, Deoxys - who, upon contact with the planet, unleashed a firestorm so hellish that it obliterated most of the civilized areas of the planet. Castles of stone turned to ash and charred rock, melting under the infernal blaze. Millions died. An entire continent, once a beacon of brilliance and wonder, was destroyed by the impact of the meteor. The wall of fire consumed so much of the planet - those who were on the other side of the planet were the only true survivors. These survivors banded together to create the only true city left, naming it for their world: Natura.

This was their only hope. Their world, their salvation, consumed - things had to be rebuilt. Now, in the Reborn Age, those of the metropolis of Natura seek to rebuild their world. It has been one thousand years since the Cataclysm. Trees and jungles have been regrown. The world is once again steady and the people of Natura stand ready to enter a new age. Today, the continent is contained under the Kingdom of Natura, though government doesn't play a big part in the average person's life. There are a few different languages spoken across the planet, but nearly everyone knows the 'common language'. Natura holds to many of its old traditions, such as heralding a figurehead King and Queen to be their leaders of state, as well as maintaining a standing ceremonial military (despite not needing it whatsoever). Technological advances are once more common as old ideas and science and magic are rediscovered.


People and Pokémon
Both people and Pokémon vary considerably across the planet, sometimes with regional differences and sometimes with anomalies that can't be explained. A certain level of magic flows through the entire world, allowing for spirits, shapeshifters, and other uncommon life to appear all the way back from ancient times to the current age.

Though uncommon, there are plenty of recorded cases of 'superpowers' among individuals and family lines. Nobody can explain why a special ability or an elemental-controlling power might appear in a seemingly random individual, but it does happen. Shapeshifters also exist on Natura; they are called 'Pokémorphs', and are generally limited to transforming from human to a single Pokémon species. Some still call them by their old name, were-mons. Despite the name, it is only very rarely spread by biting, clawing, or blood contact. Most of the time it's a genetic attribute passed through family lines, and is not contagious. A contagious strain does exist, but is rare.

Pokémon are just as diverse. While there is an average height/weight/appearance of all Pokémon, differences frequently appear among individuals and entire populations. An example would be the population of horse-sized mightyena native to Direwolf Island, or the feathered serpent pokemon of the Feathered Forestland. Yanma on average are nearly four feet in length, but it isn't uncommon to find them small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Most Pokémon adhere to their species' sizes and appearances, but a deviation from the norm is not too strange! Different or similar in appearance, Pokémon are amazingly resilient and very hard to damage permanently.


Technology of Natura
Technology plays a massive part in the development of Natura. The primary technological bent of the world revolves around sustainable energy and the environment, after the destruction left by the Cataclysm in an effort to rebuild their planet. This has resulted in a wide variety of technological advances - space travel has happened though is exceptionally rare, though satellites can be found in orbit. Teleportation devices between cities provide high-end transport of both people and goods. Terraforming has happened and routinely happens in order to propagate farming. Solar and wind energy powers almost everything (most homes come equipped with solar panels for their energy) You won't see laser guns and spaceships on Natura whatsoever, though - highly-advanced technology does not come with a bent for combat or space travel, though ancient arts such as weaponsmithing do exist as heralds of a bygone age. While vehicles are certainly present in Natura, their rarity is given over to the fact that Naturans prefer to have more natural forms of travel - particularly Pokémon mounts.

The primary purveyor of technology is a company known as AgrariTech who, as their name might imply, focuses primarily on agriculture and farming. These advances have gone above and beyond even their ancient predecessors due to their meticulous recovery of ancient technology. They have created everything from power-generating solar and wind farms, to devices that have regrown entire forests, advancements for homes and people - and even, in the case of Mewtwo and Genesect, Pokémon.

On a more personal level, most advances of technology come in the form of dimensional folding. Poké Balls use a certain technology to hold their charges in temporal stasis - this technology has been adapted and perfected to include bags for travellers across the world. While there are certain size limits, the idea of a handy backpack that can carry everything from potions and Poké Balls to even a folding bicycle and fishing rod has become one of the most popular items across Natura. This technology even gives brave travelers the ability to form their own secret base using a dimensional anchor that generates a subspace that an adventurer can decorate. While these secret bases are nowhere near as large as a house, it means that a trainer can have a dedicated place to stay out in the wilds.

Many homes come equipped with a PC server anchor, where a trainer or owner can store their Pokémon and then allow them to roam around in their house as pets after installing them in a permanent location. These advancements make Pokémon more than just mere tools for battle.


Legendary Pokemon
Legendary Pokémon are very prominent in Natura history, and current life. Some of the legends roam the wilds, others prefer to stay in one location to watch over the people of this planet. Most people consider them true gods, that have shaped Natura in the past and help keep it on the right path today. There is only one 'true' instance of each legendary that holds its full power; the rest are referred to as Avatars and hold a small portion of the power of the true God-Beast. The God-Beasts, in this way, are generally gigantic depending on the species. It is possible for a worthy trainer to obtain an Avatar, but the God-Beasts themselves have never bent their will to a human - with two exceptions. That's not likely to change.

Anyone can go look for a legendary Pokémon, but they may not appear unless the person is worthy. The locations of most are well known and documented; the average person is just fine leaving the gods alone.

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Legendary Birds
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Mew Duo
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Legendary Beasts
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Tower Duo
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Celebi
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Legendary Golems
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Eon Duo
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Weather Trio
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Jirachi
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Deoxys
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Lake Guardians
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Creation Trio
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Lunar Duo
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Sea Guardians
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Heatran
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Regigigas
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Shaymin
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Arceus
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Victini
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Swords of Justice
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Forces of Nature
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Tao Trio
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Meloetta
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Genesect
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Mortality Duo
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Zygarde
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Diancie



Beginning Your Adventure
With so many young children and interdimensional travelers wanting to begin a Pokémon adventure, I feel it is best to write this quick introduction to the world of Natura and how things work here so that you can get started fastest and explore our wonderful world.

My name is Professor Hawthorn. I run the Pokémon laboratory located in Natura City, though it is rare that you'll ever see me there. Most commonly you can find me in the wilds and the ruins of Natura, studying ancient life on our beloved planet and the wide variety of differences from the norm in Pokémon. However, anyone who wants one of the starter Pokémon can always visit my laboratory and one of my aides will give it to you, as well as a free starting kit for any new trainer - a Pokédex, a PokéBrace (think of it like a phone and a computer all in one) and five Poké Balls. If you aren't sure what the starters are, ask! The lab assistants will be glad to tell you about all eighteen of your available choices.

If you aren't sure about Natura or how to get started, here are some handy hints. We only let people of age go on a full adventure on their own - the legal age is 18 (which includes drinking and controlled substances). That doesn't mean children can't own their own pets if they want to, though. For those looking to journey, first you can visit the lab and go where you want, though a trip to my lab isn't necessary. From there, you can travel the world and train your Pokémon and see the sights, or do whatever you feel you want to! It's your adventure, after all.

I've heard rumours that in other worlds, from some travelers, there are things called gyms and a Pokémon League. We don't have one of those here. Battles are usually between two people who just want to test their skills - and most dedicated trainers welcome the challenge, to prove their worth against one another.

If you have any questions on Pokémon or the adventure, feel free to visit my laboratory whenever you choose. I wish you all the best!

- Professor Hawthorn
Edited by Steel Cerberus, Apr 3 2015, 11:17 AM.
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Steel Cerberus
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The Dog in the Machine
Additional Information
This is a section of extra information that doesn't specifically fall into the general world category above. It's not required to read, but will likely enhance the experience and give you a few more things to think about in your roleplaying.

Secret Bases
One of the biggest concerns of a traveling trainer used to be wondering where they were going to spend their next night. Pokémon Centers have always had space for a handful of trainers, but that requires a trainer be able to reach a city. Since Natura towns and cities are few and far between, most traveling individuals weren't venturing too far from civilization. Secret Bases were invented to allow trainers to travel and set up a living space wherever they wanted.

The Bases work by creating a pocket dimension wherever the base is put down, through some technological means that hasn't really been explained to the public. In reality, the base itself and everything taken in and out of it becomes part electronic data and part pocket dimension, which is why they can be placed anywhere and can simply be packed up and carried away. They are able to be placed on any surface, where the node will stick and allow entry and exit. The bases can be set up to where only the owner may get it, or programmed where selected others can also get in. The standard node when not active is a square cylinder a couple of inches long and an inch thick. At one end is a button and the other is the end that anchors the node; pushing the button while the opposite end is pressed against a surface deploys the main anchors, and the unit then unfolds to anchor flat against the surface. The base can then only be picked up through the owner's Pokébrace, and the button is then used to enter. All the base settings can be customized through the Pokébrace as well. It is also possible for the technology to be deployed other ways, which means that the entrance can take on nearly any appearance. Like say, a door just sitting in the mountains.

The original Secret Bases were simple, took the form of wherever they were set down (inside a tree, in a cave, in a bush, etc), and were only one continuous room. So, a base put down against a tree would have a leafy interior with a wooden floor. One put against a rock face would have a stone interior like the type of rock the base was set into. They weren't able to be customized much, and had little security. Since then, technology has advanced to make it more like having a modern studio apartment; a single room but having modern amenities like a small kitchen, bathroom, electricity, etc. Upgrades are available to make a much larger space and certain upgrades, but can get costly. The basic model can also be set back to the 'classic' style of the originals, if the trainer so chooses. These can be decorated and visited like any other base - some trainers even make a game of finding others' secret bases by collecting electronic 'flags' associated with them.

The basic base model is available for very cheap, and sometimes free to new trainers, through AgrariTech. They make a special point of giving bases to dimensional travelers, knowing that they may have no money or no place to otherwise stay.

Key Stones and Mega Stones
Key Stones have been seen throughout history well before the Cataclysm; powerful artifacts that allow certain pokémon holding Mega Stones to mega evolve and obtain a more powerful form. Unfortunately the events a thousand years ago seemed to have wiped out a majority of the existing Key Stones, and those that knew how to forge the Mega Rings and other objects needed to contain and use their power. In modern times, Key Stones and Mega Stones both are extremely rare, normally only held by the old warrior families. History would have us believe that they are artifacts of great power, and too many of them is a harbinger of the end times.

It's debatable how true history is, but nobody can argue that both Key Stones and Mega Stones are extremely rare today. Only a few exist, and are jealously guarded by those that have them. The thing the stone is placed in doesn't matter when compared to the stone itself, because only certain kinds will work as Key Stones and the various Mega Stones. Both types of stones are simply a medium to link pokémon and trainer; Key Stones only work on trainers, and Mega Stones only work on whichever species of pokémon resonates with that particular stone.

All the raw stones are found naturally in veins below the earth, sometimes only small enough to produce a few stones, or massive glittering structures that may stretch for miles. There's quite an extensive underground tunnel system, built before the Cataclysm, but many have fallen into disrepair and collapsed from the meteor strike. It used to be well documented where to find which stone, but most of those papers have been lost to history, or guarded by the old warrior families.

Though it is mostly unknown to the inhabitants of Natura, there's a pattern to where the stones can be found. Fire types can be found near underground lakes of magma, water types under the ocean, etc. Also unknown to to the inhabitants is where to find the raw crystal to make the Key Stones. It is found only one place on the planet: in Skyclad Peak, within the triangle formed by the time/space/distortion dragons. Once the raw crystal has been harvested, it is cut down to a sphere and polished, where it can then be placed in jewelry or armor. There's no standard size of the finished stone, but it seems like they need to be at least as big as a standard marble to work properly; otherwise, the link between pokémon and trainer is not strong enough.

The historical need to forge a special item to place the Key Stone in seems to be nothing more than a myth. Any Key Stone that has been cut and polished seems to be able to attune to a trainer and be used, even without being set into an object. The same goes for the Mega Stones.

(as a side note here, just because IC wise it's supposed to be rare, don't hesitate to give a character a Key Stone/Mega Stone if you want to. The lore is meant to give flavor, not limitations.)

Pokémon Variations and Subspecies
Natura is fortunate to be home to a wide variety of pokémon species. While there remains a 'standard' appearance of pokémon - what is seen in the official pokedex listings - the potential for variations and subspecies seems to be limitless on Natura. The pokémon in this world vary widely on patterns, build, size. and even intelligence, all possible within a single species.

There's thought to be three broad ways of classifying intelligence in pokémon - domestic, wild, and feral. Domestic pokémon are ones that were generally bred in captivity, and are familiar with people-specific concepts and things. Most domestic pokémon naturally understand the common language even from birth. It is not uncommon for these pokémon to learn to speak the common language, and even behave like their trainers in some cases. The major difference between domestic and wild pokémon intelligence levels is the exposure to people-specific concepts. Wild pokémon are just as intelligent as their domestic counterparts, but lack the experiences of living within a people-centered society. Both seem to understand people-specific concepts, and have a learning capacity similar to people. For example, a wild pokémon may see a city and think 'People live there.', while a domestic pokémon will think 'That's Natura Central.' though there's no reason to think that a wild pokémon couldn't pick up names and things from overhearing passing trainers. There is still much debate on naming classifications, as some refer to these pokémon as non-human people, but Natura's multi-universal alignment means that there's a decent population of non-human people that aren't pokémon either.

Feral pokémon are more similar to our own animals that we're familiar with, possessing varying levels of intelligence. They may be able to be trained to understand human words and commands, but not to the same level as a domestic/wild pokémon. Combat commands seem to be the easiest thing for them to learn, so they can still be effective at battling or even as just a pet depending on the species. Since pokémon are the only 'animals' on the planet, they are also used as food. The specific kinds used were humanely bred just for consumption, and have a feral mind.

Most pokémon stay near to the pokédex-listed average size, but there are well known and documented exceptions. For example, many species of bug pokémon come in very small varieties, similar to their insect counterparts in our world. For larger pokémon, extreme variation seems to be more common in individuals than populations, though the direwolf mightyena is an example of a larger group of a single species. The God-Beast Legendaries, for the most part, seem to also be larger than listed in the pokedex, and Avatars seem to be the documented sizes.

Pokémon can also have seemingly unlimited pattern and color variations, deviating from the standard. Body patterns can vary wildly, from spots to stripes, to speckles to piebald variations. Colors can also vary as well, turning a feraligatr dark green, or a pikachu brown instead of yellow. There is also a 'shiny' color variant, able to be easily distinguished from regular color variations by the metal-flake/glitter-like quality to the color of the pokémon's fur, feathers, or scales.

It is also not uncommon for pokémon to have a full mutation - like a new limb, or different structure altogether. There have been reports of sharpedo having longer bodies and tails, zoroark with a fluffy tail, velociraptor-like sceptile, and of course the direwolf mightyena. Plant type pokémon sometimes take after different trees, herbs, and flowers, and have also been known to follow the seasonal changes. Variations are even seen among pokémon that neither animal nor plant, like klefki having varying keyring and key shapes, honedge taking the appearance of varying swords, and drifloon of uncommon balloon types. Then there can be variations specific to one area, like the aquatic dragons of Wyvernlake or the feather mutations of the Feathered Forestland. The possibilities seem to be limitless.

Pokémon variation is the life's work and professional interest of Professor Hawthorn, and she has written extensive books and papers about the subject. She is always eager to study and meet varying pokémon... when she can be tracked down, that is.
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