Set in the original region of Arciel, Legends Rising is a route-inspired, but not strictly route-based, Pokemon roleplay. Pick a faction, pick a class, and strike out into the wild to take on the League, master Contest coordination, research the mysteries of Pokemon and Arciel, and much, much more. Will you be a classic trainer? A criminal? A farmer? Choose your destiny on Legends Rising.
Route 7 seemed like the perfect place to get his start. It acted as the main route connecting the two halves of the region. It saw a lot of traffic going back and fourth which meant a lot of challenges, a lot of chances and a lot of suckers. His Pokemon was holstered as he made his way through the gates. It was evening and the sun was just setting behind him just slipping behind the buildings sending long shadows shooting westward. Same way he was heading. Not that they could carry far as the mountains loomed ahead painted a bright orange hue.
He pulled his hood over his head and headed down the route. His feet moved lightly as they shuffled ahead, following the path as any traveler would. It was rough surrounding but the League did a good job of making sure the Routes stayed clear. There was no money to be made if challengers couldn't make it to their Gyms after all. Absently he reached back to touch his pack. Assuring the safety of his recently acquired egg. It was curious to see how absent minded people get on long ocean trips when they're so involved ith the scenery. It was just a shame he couldn't figure out what the egg would become before he snagged it.
It was after the first big curve in the road that he decided to step off the road. Stepping just to the other side of the brush to give him a chance of seeing someone else on he road before they saw him. Whether he had nefarious intent with them or not was beside the point. He liked to at least have an idea of who he was dealing with before he started talking so he knew which way to play it. It had really become more of a defense mechanism than anything over the years. When you learned how to play on peoples likes and dislikes. Make them see you on their side or think you their lesser. It really helped to get to the best out of the experience. Or at least the most desired result.
His finger circled Bunkers Pokeball hanging from his belt. The itch was there. It had been some time since he started up from scratch and he was eager to see what he could make of himself. It was a new kind of challenge to step back to the beginner role. Then again he was making this his own unique challenge. This region didn't know what it had coming.
A short ways down the trail, you encounter Endre Arthmael, a veritable mountain of a man. He apologizes for startling you. Whether he actually did or not.
Endre tells you that he's been regularly patrolling the area, due to the increase in sightings of unusual or suspicious occurrences since the Ultra Wormhole opened back in June. Perhaps you'd like to accompany him, as you're headed in the same direction? He doesn't have much, but he could offer you a few small tokens of thanks.
Of course, he reassures you, you're welcome to decline.
Donnie was trying to keep from seeming suspicious and keep an eye out for any vulnerable targets. He kept to the shrubs as long as he could but an increasingly rough terrain forced him back to the road before he had traveled too far. Fine enough by him. With where his party stood now he was probably a little underwhelmed for the highwayman routine. It would come with time.
So he opted for the road, keeping his head down so his hood cast enough of a shadow on his face, and each hand grasping the straps of his pack. The path grew into more of an incline the further he went, the mountain becoming subtly more than just scenery. There was a sound of footsteps coming from behind him. A smirk snaked its way across his face though he did not look back at first. Instead he let the steps grow closer which took a surprisingly short amount of time he'd later realize for the sheer length of the legs that carried the individual. When he had dared to peek over his shoulder his was thrown off kilter simply by surprise alone. For who would not be startled by sharing the road with a mountain.
"No no. You're good, dawg, you're good. Just...pfffft." He looked over the man's hulking physique then down to his own before zipping up his hoodie some and offering a half hearted grin. "Just didn't know they made 'em as big as you here. Make a man feel like a budew." He laughed though it went more nervous than not at the mention of suspicion. Oh of Wormholes. That was actually interesting… he had no first hand experience with them but he had heard plenty of second hand accounts and the wide spread aftermath. Alola was a changed place after they showed up. But this guy looked prolific. If he wasn't the most powerful trainer in the region Donnie would be damned if he wasn't in the top tier. So when the offer came to travel alongside him well...
"I'll tag along no problem. Just ugh- maybe you could slow down the pace a bit give a guy a chance to keep up." Another uncomfortable laugh and he set off after his lead. An interesting chance to observe what this region had to offer before he grew big enough (figuratively because this guy was huge) to take them on.
Last Edit: Aug 11, 2020 6:47:39 GMT by Donnie Rees
Endre seems glad to make your acquaintance, and have company on his patrol. He slows his pace for you - ever so slightly - and attempts to strike up some light conversation. Asking about what led you to your chosen class, whether you're from the region and if you like it so far, what your favorite kind of Pokemon are, and so forth.
To keep the conversation going, he offers up a few details of his own life - such as how he's a ranking member of the Arcielian Explorers' League, though it wasn't so at first. Actually, he grew up in Orre, and developed a loathing of thieves and thugs as a result. His usually easygoing voice turns harsh when he mentions that part.
You see nothing unusual on the first leg of your patrol.
The man seemed pleasant enough but Donnie wasn't the type to take particularly to the pleasant people. He always felt an air of duplicity to it. If everyone tried to be nice then it was just a big game of charades where everyone was pulling the wool over each others eyes. That just makes everyone blind. But he wasnt about this that to the big guy. He knew how to keep a conversation with an upstanding member of society.
Unova originally but I'm loving the scenery."
"I think fire Pokemon are the best. So warm an cuddly!"
"I've never understood the criminally minded. Law and Order. Thats what dear old Dad always taught me."
Pre-registered responses that he was used to shelling out just to keep people guessing. Maintaining continuity was an issue though. Something just off the path caught his eye and a massive Nidorans ears could be seen just over the grass. Donnie bit his lip and begged the pardon of his peculiar traveling companion to step off the road. The Nidoran caught wind of him pretty quickly and he pulled down his hood staring down the Pokemon. With a flash he lobbed out Bunker, the huge Mareanie appearing mid air and jumping into battle just across from the Nidoran. It growled and crouched defensively taking up positing.
"Let's start him off with Infestation." His voice dripped with excitement for their first battle as the Mareanie called out, causing a slew of creepy crawlies to emerge from the surrounding foliage and overtake the Nidoran. It roared in frustration and lunged forward to Peck at Bunker with a glowing horn.
He bunkered down true to his name. Sharp teeth grided as Bunker took the attack head on. Don's head was already calculating his next move. Only issue of Poison on Poison was he couldn't get the condition advntage but at least infestation would help.
"Peck him back!" The Mareanie took a few steps back on his many legs and jabbed several of the front ones forward in a smiling fashion striking the Nidoran. It responded by wiping its body around smack him with an impressive Iron Tail that knocked Bunker back but he called out in pain as the bugs dug into him for a third time.
"Again!" There was borderline malice in Donnie's voice as he blurted out a war cry. The Mareanie rushed forward carried by its many appendages to lash out at the retreating Pokemon. It was far from over though. The Nidoran struck back with another Iron Tail and Don could tell it left a much more significant hit than the last. The Nidoran winced against he infestation once more though he could tell it could still go many more rounds than Mareanie. He gritted his teeth and recalled his Pokemon with one hand. Pitching a Pokeball at the Nidoran with the other.
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-Attempting to catch Nidoran
Last Edit: Aug 11, 2020 7:40:42 GMT by Donnie Rees
The ball smacked into the purple Pokemon and popped open, scooping it up in a brilliant light. It then hit the ground, bouncing gently and began to rattle back and forth. Donnie stood there with his teeth clenched together. Hand gripping Bunker’s ball with white knuckles as he waited for the confirming ping of a good catch. It felt like the moment hung forever before the satisfying ping hit his ears.
”Yes.” He did a small fist pump but tried to keep his composure. It was exciting. Similar to his first time catching a Pokemon in Alola. It was quite a rush. This restart certainly was a great idea. For nothing less than a thrill. Composing himself, Donnie clipped Bunker to his belt and straightened his hood. Stepping across the field he picked up the new Pokemon and considered it for a moment.
”Caesar, I think. Regal, powerful, larger than life.” He bounced it in his hands once before placing him along his belt as well. He turned to, rather easily, find his traveling companion and jogged up to the path once more to fall into pace with him. Or rather reach a pace that matched his much larger strides.
”Sorry about that. Building up the team. You know how it goes. Now what was that you were saying? Explorers League? That’s pretty dope. So you must get to see all of the most interesting places around here, huh?” He tried not to smirk devilishly at the thought. Could be a good source of information to pick off of. Give him the upper hand at where in this region was most deserving of his first
Last Edit: Aug 13, 2020 20:31:58 GMT by Donnie Rees
Most interesting places, you say? Endre thinks for a bit before he starts telling you a tale of his journey through the Sequoia Forest a few months ago. A tall tale, quite literally. He mentions giant Pokemon that tower over even the Huge Pokemon in Arciel. Yet he tells the story calmly, like a naturalist on a television show, at one point raises a (massive) hand above his head, indicating the height of the Weedle he encountered. You shudder to think about how big the Beedrill must be.
As if on cue, something crashes.
Endre dashes over toward the sound, beckoning you to follow at whatever pace you can. His back is turned to you. You could just leave, now. Go back to a simple life of picking pockets and bullying children. Whatever this is, you didn't sign up for it.
But should you choose to follow...
Hovering amid a copse of totally destroyed trees is a black and gold creature, with wings and a large stinger. But it's over ten feet tall, and definitely no Beedrill you've ever seen, not with those three-clawed hands, or that long neck that slowly swivels around ... As soon as it locks onto you with those bizarre misshapen eyes, the creature shoots off into the sky like a rocket, out of sight before Endre can even reach for a Pokeball.
When next you look at Endre, you see him scribbling furiously in a small notebook. Should you attempt to sneak a surreptitious peek at what he's writing, you don't glean much; his writing looks like Steelix tracks. But one word stands out to you, a word you can't mistake for anything else:
Donnie’s smile grew as his plan to get the big man talking about some of the craziest things he had seen. Though as he began to tell him about Sequoia Forest the smile slowly chipped away. They really must have something in the water of this region. It had been a joke when he had thought it first coming across Endre but now...now he really was starting to think there was an argument to be made. The thought of a Weedle taller than this monstrosity of a man was terrifying enough as is. But it was the thought of the Beedrill it would turn into that made his blood curdle.
So much so that when a crash suddenly sounded he almost jumped to the opposite side of the path, conveniently behind Endre. He, however, ran right towards the trouble. Just like the goody two-shoes he pegged him for. Though he beckoned for Donnie to follow he hesitated. This was a chance to slip away. Get back to the slinking around he had been doing before he was spotted but...still. Something made him curious and before he knew it his feet were pounding against the ground as he attempted to catch up with the giant.
Thankfully he was able to speed up to pace with the big man though making up for their size difference with a hell of a lot more steps. What he saw when they came to a stop froze him in his place. The gold and black immediately made him think of the giant Beedrill but there was something not right about it. No...No he recognized this, not from in person but at least enough media coverage to understand it’s unnatural appearance. It’s eyes turned, locking onto him where he stood and Donnie froze. He could feel his bladder about to give way when the beast suddenly shot up into the atmosphere and immediately out of sight.
The thug stood there speechless, staring up at crimson back lit clouds still in shock of what they had witnessed. A glance over Endres...well, forearm, revealed some of the most illegible handwriting he had seen. And he lived with drop outs and criminals for a decade. Still one word stood out. ‘Naganadel’. His knees gave way and he dropped to them for a moment. Overwhelmed with what they had just seen.
”Ultra Beasts, in Arciel? But it’s been years since they’ve opened in Alola. What the hell is it doing here?” Now Donnie didn’t keep with the news much. Aside from taking pride in some of his exploits being reported. But he hadn’t heard anything about Wormholes for quite some time. As far as he was concerned he left all that bogusness in Alola.
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-Mystery Egg 5/5 posts!
Last Edit: Aug 15, 2020 20:06:02 GMT by Donnie Rees
Endre extends a hand to help you up to your feet. He agrees with you that the appearance of the Ultra Beasts in Arciel is a very serious matter, and he ought to inform the Explorers' League. Assuming you manage to get up, he extends you the invitation again -- after all, you were willing to help him keep an eye out, and they could use more people like you.
The two of you reach the end of Endre's patrol route uneventfully, and he turns to part ways, but not before digging through his pack and offering you some supplies for your journey as a thank-you.
”Oh I don’t know about that one, Big Guy. But I’ll keep the league in mind. Who knows. If training Pokemon doesn’t work out I may join you!” He chuckled jokingly at the statement but by no means at all would he catch himself dead with the group but it was clear they were movers and shakers around here. Maybe a false alliance would be needed in the future. Maybe he could use them for information. Perhaps he’d never see another member or hear a mention of them from here but until then he liked keeping ties clear. Endre departed with some kind words and handing over some supplies to wish Donnie well. He actually appreciated that.
”Oh wow. Thanks, I uh- I appreciate it.” He took the bag and happily sifted through it for a moment before wishing his rather tall traveling companion a safe journey.
Heaving a huge sigh of relief as soon as the mountain of a man was out of sight he let out a large sigh of relief. His posture slouched, his shoulders hunched forward and he crouched down to rest rump on his shoes for a moment as he rubbed his face. It was over now. The prim the proper. Playing upstanding citizens. It still baffled him to have come so close to an Ultra Beast. And after coming so far from Alola. He still felt uncomfortable from its presence. He could feel it’s gaze. But it was time to get back to work.
The criminal pulled the hood tight back around his head and slid the straps of his pack off his shoulders. Immediately as he did he felt the bag wiggle violently as if something was trying to get out. Holding it at arms length he watched the bag lurch and thrash as strange honking noises came from within. Then it all clicked. The egg! Don tried to place the bag on the ground gently a went to undo the top of the bag. As he did a bright blue head burst through the mouth of the bag, Looking him right in the face and honking loudly. The excitement sank from Donnie’s face as he looked at the Ducklett. His Ducklett. Oh man he had a Ducklett now…
”Oh great...you’re adorable.” The sarcasm dripped from his voice as he leaned back from the bag, resting his arms on his knees. ”Maybe we can work with that. I’ll make a thief out of you my little Magpie. Come on.” Not bothering to put his new hatch in a ball yet he undid the bag enough to make sure the Ducklett could breath unhindered before throwing it and the bag over his shoulders once more and heading further up the mountain as darkness was starting to set in the route.
As the evening crept over the land Donnie made sure to keep more alert than ever. The big guy had gotten the drop on him but he wasn’t about to let that happen again. It was quiet though. Only occasionally broken by and obnoxious honk from Magpie popping from his pack. Each met with a long heavy sigh from Donnie. He was about to pull out the Pokeball he had set aside for the egg when he heard a rustling in the grass in front of them. The thief froze and immediately dropped low to the ground as he could crouch, three fingers placed to the ground for balance as he twisted to look around the foliage.
A bright yellow bird with fluffed feathers danced his way into the road. It chirped in time as it made its way across the road, legs kicking to the same beat as it fluffed it’s pom-poms. Immediately Donnie rolled his eyes. He was all too familiar with Oricorio. They were both from the same region so he had seen these many times before but the yellow pom-pom bird was definitely his least favorite. Whistling out he tossed Caesar’s ball into the air and he materialized before the bird as it turned to look.
The huge Nidoran snarled at the small bird who seemed to jump to attention and with a sudden shift in the wind sent air blowing towards the both of them in response to some strange dance the bird performed. Donnie grit his teeth as he knew that meant the bird would have the upper hand in the speed department so they had to work an advantage of their own.
”Focus energy Caesar. We’ll make short work of him.” A bright glow emitted from the Nidoran as it concentrated down on its power. But the Oricorio attacked first. Powered by the wind at it’s back the bird launched forward, it’s beak glowing with a blue light as it came down with a peck. It moved far too fast for Donnie’s Pokemon to get out of the way but he was ready to launch an attack all his own.
”Iron Tail while it’s still close!” Donnie snarled out the command to his Pokemon who jumped forward to lash out with a glowing tail of metal. It struck the bird head on, launching it back down the dark path though it caught the air with its wings bringing it down to a steady landing.
It zoomed in again for another Peck. It’s yellow frame little more than a blur in the late evening as the blow landed. It took its toll, on both combattants. The Oricorio must have caught himself on one of Caesar’s barbs because he appeared to be poisoned as he set up for another attack.
”Peck back!” Donnie commanded and the Nidoran charged forward, his central horn glowing with the same energy though the Oricorio dodged nimbly out of the way. As it sidestepped it unleashed an eerie cooing in the way of a Growl attack. Leaving Caesar unsettled as he set himself up for another round. Looking at the Oricorio, already poisoned, and the heavily outsped Nidoran Donnie mulled things over.
”Another Iron Tail on this pest.” And he did. Another whirl and the small tail of the Nidoran nailed his opponent. The wind seemed to die down and Donnie withdrew Caesar quickly replacing him with a grinning Bunker.
Bunker was significantly slower but he could take a lot of hits and he tended to be a bit more potent when he knew his opponent was suffering already.
”Infestation!” Donnie spoke through a grin as he watched the summoned creepy crawlies overtake the already poisoned bird pokemon. He liked to specialize in whittling down an enemy over time. Watch them hopelessly unable to stop as their health faded away bit by bit. The bird wasn’t going down without a fight though. The Oricorio charged, flipping through the air to come down on another Peck attack, he must not have had much in the way of damaging attacks he knew but their species were far better known for their specialization in battle. The attack hit spot on, the Mareanie bracing behind his arms that took the brunt of the attack.
”Poison Sting!” The defensive arms guarding the Mareanie jumped into action. Lifting the small marine creature off the ground as it’s thorns protruding from it’s limbs jabbed into the bird. It didn’t hit nearly as hard as Caesar had but it was enough. The bird stumbled back on it’s thin legs. The poison and the insects ravaged it as he tried to regain his footing. And tried. Before ultimately falling.
Donnie looked over the creature, returning Bunker and considering throwing a ball at the overcome Pokemon but thought better. He didn’t have enough potential to make his squad. If he was going to leave an impact on this region he couldn’t catch everything he came across like some school boy newbie. So he moved on, walking past the fainted creature and pulling up his hood he slipped into the night without a second thought.
The route was getting darker and the sound of insects and birds filled the air. That and the occasional honk from the young Ducklett. Donnie kept to the edge of the road, watching for travelers and prepared to slip into the brush if he had to. It wasn’t long before his eyes adjusted to the dark, moonlight just barely illuminating the path. He didn’t mind the sliver of moon they had, just meant it was that easier to stay unseen. Campfires as well would be pretty easy to see. He made sure to scan the treeline as he made his way.
It was around the third honk the Donnie began to reprimand Magpie in hushed tones. For all intents and purposes it really made more noise so Donnie settled to feed the newborn a few chunks of one of his granola bars in an attempt to win his silence. That was when he noticed the small box in the road. It looked more like a void in the gentle glow of the paved street but as he moved closer Donnie produced a small light from his phone and illuminated a wooden,and very much broken, box. It was certainly dropped though how someone would have missed the noise was beyond him. Maybe it fell from the pack of someone fleeing the loud crash caused by the Ultra Beast earlier. But still. He sifted through the remains and uncovered a large polished stone. He recognized it immediately to be a Mega Stone but of what kind he wasn’t sure.
Picking it up he dusted it from the scattered remains of the box and swung his pack down off his shoulder causing Magpie to release another loud honk.
”Shhhh. We got ourselves a find. Look. You know what that is?” He held up the shining stone to show the Pokemon who immediately tried to bite down on it. Thankfully Donnie was quicker and snapped his bill shut before he could.
”No not food. Loot. Some sucker dropped this and now we get ourselves a freebie. Here. Look out.” Pulling loose the tie of the bag he slipped the stone into the pack and pulled it just tight enough that the Ducklett couldn’t get in to the rest of the bad. Kicking the remains aside he holstered the bag once more and continued on, watching for any signs of life.
The night had come to full swing. Donnie took a break on a fallen log off the road, rehydrating himself and splitting another granola bar with the hungry duckling. The road was quiet though he supposed if it was busy it would make his life a little bit more difficult. He needed to remember to have a slow start. They were still just starting off but he could stand to catch some Pokemon the old fashioned way or win in some straight up battles to bolster their power level.
It was then that he heard the thick strum of strings just barely ringging out through the trees on the mountainside. Magpie turned his head towards the direction the sound was coming from and honked. Quickly Donnie pulled out his Pokeball and put the creature in his designated ball for the first time. Hooking the ball to his belt he stood and pulled his bag over his shoulder before heading towards the sound. It was several minutes before he caught the firelight through the treelines. A bit further off the road than he would have expected but that wasn’t a problems. A trainer, musician seemed like too, was sitting beside the campfire plucking away at the strings of an electrical guitar. The cord ran to a speaker that he was using as a stool aswell though why on earth someone would lug that around he had no idea.
What caught his attention though was the bag left off the side behind the speaker. Ripe for the picking. His team was still feeling a little light and he could use a pre-trained Pokemon to give them a boost. Hey maybe get some cash while he was at it. He moved through the shadows, slowly, in a semi circle around the camp site. Being quiet wasn’t as worrisome as it normally was but he still made sure he watched his step, timing each movement with the rhythmic beat.
Once he was behind the trainer he moved closer, keeping an eye on the musician’s strumming as he lifted slid open the top of the bag. His eyes kept on the trainer as he reached into the flap to grab the first Pokeball he felt.
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-Attempting to steal 1 random Pokeball. -Stealth/Crime +15 El0tbB7b
06
04
00
Lvl 5 5/5
Lvl 0 1/5
Lvl 0 2/5
Lvl 8 2/5
Lvl 1 5/5
Gold x3, 
Sand x3, 
Iron x3
Lv11 
