Pokémon
Rise of the Rockets
Rain lapped rhythmically at the windows, a soft, endless drumbeat that filled the quiet of the room. Markus Aleivy--or, Goldhawk, as he was known to most of Team Liberty--sat at the head of the long table, staring in thought at the wet glass of the window to his right. Silently, he turned his head, observing and noting the assembled Executives and Leaders before him.
To his left and right sat Selene Ashera and Kane Umbra, respectively, his fellow Team Liberty leaders. Both had recently gone through ordeals that would have broken most other agents, events that had nearly destroyed Team Liberty's ability to function--Selene, or Silvermind, having been kidnapped by a company called Soil Colossus, throwing Teams Liberty and Rocket into a mass hunt for a Manaphy, before she was freed by Team Magma, with Kane, or Blackskull, having been thought dead after being dragged into another dimension by John Ford's Darkrai. With both having returned to Team Liberty, the organization's leadership was back at full strength.
They were joined by a number of others: Maxie, the leader of Team Magma, who had established an alliance with Team Liberty after the events with Soil Colossus. Shadow Admin Bounty, formerly one of the leaders of Team Rocket, now the head of the Sinnoh government following its breaking from the main government. Of all of the Shadow Admins, Bounty alone had seen the value in a peaceful ending to the war, driving him to seek a secession from Sleight's forces. As well, Liberty Executives Meghan Vert, Head of Research; Josiah Lorne, Silvermind's replacement as Head of Strategy; and Jayron Aaron were all present. Others had been called, though were occupied with other business.
It would have to do.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Goldhawk said, in a tone implying that he was ready to say something important. After a second of silence, however, he simply shook his head, unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry... Perhaps you've heard of recent events, so you can imagine..."
"What Mark is trying to say," Blackskull took over. "Is that things have not gone well recently, as you might have gathered." He glanced briefly at a slip of paper before him. "With the razing of Hoenn and Sinnoh by the Darkrai, and the attacks in Unova, Team Rocket has essentially become a back-burner issue for us.
"Are you serious?" Maxie asked. "That was the entire basis of our alliance--the chance to help each other take out Sleight and the others. How can you just push the issue aside like this?"
"We don't have much choice, quite frankly," Lorne said dryly. "It's either shift focus away from Team Rocket or let the Darkrai or Ford slip into power. Your choice. At least with Team Rocket in charge we know what we're dealing with."
"Exactly," Blackskull said. "Not to mention that they can help us--inadvertently, at least--by focusing their own attention on the larger problems."
The conversation took a pause. Bounty leaned back in his seat, frowning. "And what if they don't?" he asked at length. "What if they continue to strike at us? Joker won't throw away an opportunity like this."
"I doubt even she would be that foolish," Goldhawk said.
"But you don't know that," Executive Vert pointed out. She and Goldhawk had been subject to unending tension between each other recently due to his disapproval of several of her projects. What better time to call out his own naivety than now? "You're content to trust these people to do the right thing when you know from experience that they won't. And for what? To maintain some sort of moral high ground?" She shook her head, ignoring the looks that several others were giving her. Vert looked around the table. "Team Liberty needs to stop trying to be some sort of spotless guiding force. Your reluctance to let anything tarnish the group's reputation has gotten us nowhere--it's holding us back. The only way forward is to accept some of the lessons that Team Rocket has tried to instill in its followers: Ruthlessness and pragmatism. It's the only way we're going to end any of this."
Blackskull glanced at her, before looking back at Goldhawk. The Electric Specialist continued to stare past Vert, at the far wall, deaf to Blackskull's concerned questions, lost in his own world as he considered the debate...
He waited for Captain Ortrune to finish her salute before bowing slightly to Sleight. "My apologies for arriving late, sir," Shadow Admin Buzz said, a somewhat sarcastic tone to his voice. "I received your call in the middle of a structural repair. You know, not something that could be abandoned on the spot and all."
"I get it," Sleight said. "That's not important right now, Max." He looked at Jessica Ortrune, nodding at her. "You received the report I sent, correct?" The captain nodded. "Then would you be so kind as to fill in Shadow Admin Buzz on the details of this mission?"
"Sir," Ortrune said. "An elite team of Rocket agents--including Squad Delta-42; Gym Leaders Koga, Sabrina, Surge; Agent Lafoyae Belrose; and Shadow Admins Buzz and..." She seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Shadow Admin Sleight--are to launch an infiltration and destruction attack on the primary headquarters of Soil Colossus, Incorporated. Our objective is to ensure the full dismantle of, and the elimination of all conspiring leaders within, the organization. Prisoners will not be taken."
"Sounds intense," Buzz said. He frowned as he considered the mission further. "Wait... Soil Colossus... Is that the same group that Joker got involved in? The one that wanted the Manaphy from Unova? The one that...?" He clenched his fists in anger.
"... attacked Paradise in a successful attempt to kidnap Team Liberty Executive Selene Ashera, better known as 'Silvermind,' from within Team Rocket's prisons?" Sleight finished for the Shadow Admin of Hoenn, hardly paying attention to the two people before him as he typed on his computer. "Indeed they are. Which means this is a chance for you to have your revenge... among other things." He glanced up at Buzz, the look in his eyes implying silent danger.
The Bug-Specialist felt uneasy at this look, though did not say anything--for the moment. Instead, he watched as Sleight dismissed Ortrune, giving her an order to prepare her agents. Her departure left the two Shadow Admins alone. "I take it something is wrong?" Buzz asked.
"You might say that," Sleight answered. "Let me put it simply for you, Max. I am a wholehearted believer in the beginner's learning curve; as such, I am willing to overlook a certain degree of failure in new Executives and Admins. However..." He steeped his fingers, looking up at Buzz from behind his hands as he placed his elbows on the desk. "Your track record is one of particular shame for me. On my orders, you managed to eliminate Heather when it became obvious that she could no longer perform her duties to this government. Because of that, I was more than willing to overlook your failure in finishing off Markus Aleivy. Since then, however, I have seen nothing but reports of failure and disaster from Hoenn, turbulent as the region may be."
"I can explain that," Buzz said quietly.
"I'm not interested, particularly because you already have," Sleight said, glancing to another file on his desk that contained reports from Hoenn. "Like I said, I'm willing to accept a certain degree of failure for new leaders. You've exceeded the limit. Allowing not one, but two hostile organizations to break into Paradise--on two separate occasions, one right after the other, with many of the attackers involved being the same from the first strike. Failing to even attempt to repel the Darkrai when they arrived in Hoenn, or at least studying them while they were busy fighting against the various Legendary Pokémon that had gathered against them, something even Bounty was willing to do. And then, this recent development with Team Aqua and the ascent of power by this 'James Pierce' character, the former mess of which I was forced to clean up..." He stared straight into Buzz's eyes, the cold, gray circles seeming to create a block of ice in Buzz's stomach.
"I will say this once, and once only," Sleight said. "You walk a thin line. Consider this mission to be your proof of redemption. If you survive it, if you manage to actually help us complete our objective, then you will have restored my faith in you, and I will leave your position in peace. Otherwise, consider your tenure as Shadow Admin of Hoenn to be over." He placed his hands on his desk again, leaning back in his seat and beginning to type once more. "Keep that in mind as you get ready. You are excused."
"Yes, sir," Buzz said quietly, turning and leaving the office.
John Ford studied the screen before him in thought. Like the others around him, this screen was one of the only sources of light in the darkness that shrouded his hideout. Each displayed a specific, individual subject--information on the leaders of the various organizations; live-fed status reports from various agents; the condition of the Second Child, Maddison Hayes, his catalyst for the destruction of Castelia City, now trapped in a psychic coma of her own creation. This screen, the largest, monitored something else, however.
The sole purpose for his existence.
He studied it carefully, spinning a small token in his hand. This screen monitored dimensional disturbances of a... special variety, one that very few beings were aware of. It was his job to watch over them, to keep them in check, to ensure that the foolish actions of others--such as Teams Liberty and Rocket--did not disrupt them, give them power...
He shut the screen off and turned his seat around as he heard the tell-tale breath of a portal of darkness opening behind him. Illuminated by the screens, James Pierce, current President of Hoenn and Ford's first apprentice, emerged into the room, giving a short salute to his superior. "Sir," he said, concern evident in his voice. "It's getting worse out there. The Darkrai are growing more powerful, and the events in Unova..." He trailed off, staring at a screen behind Ford, where the damage to the region was displayed. "Sir..."
"I know," Ford said quietly. "There was little that could be done to stop it, unfortunately." He sighed. "We'll have to deal with it; Team Plasma will surely have it covered. But it raises numerous concerns for our future, considering... Well, you know."
Pierce walked toward the screen, placing his hands on the railing and leaning forward, bowing his head. "Sir..." he said quietly, fatigue evident in his voice. "We can't keep this up. You know that, right?"
"What do you mean?" Ford asked, meeting Pierce's eye as the First Child turned his head.
"We need others," he said simply. "With Maddison out indefinitely... and with McKinley's role being what it is... Quincy and I can't keep this fight up much longer--a fight of this magnitude, with so much at stake. A fight against everyone... everything... Liberty, Rocket, Plasma... and..." He shook his head. "Not by ourselves. It's getting to be too much."
Ford closed his eyes. Silently, he turned away again, sighing as he looked at the information on another screen nearby. "I know, First Child," he said, his voice almost silent as he spoke. "I know... It won't be long. I just need more time..."
Story in a Nutshell
The above introduction may be a bit confusing to new people due to how long the RPG has been running. Nevertheless, I will attempt to summarize what Rise of the Rockets is about here.
Essentially, twenty years prior to current events, a group of Rocket Admins usurped Giovanni, killing him and gaining control over the organization. These Shadow Admins, as they call themselves, ushered in a new era for the world, revolutionizing Team Rocket's structure and managing to take control over the four original regions--Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, as well as the Orange Islands. Acting as the new government for the four regions, Team Rocket subdued or dismantled numerous other organizations, eliminating rebellion and criminal groups alike.
Except for one: Team Liberty, a resistance group headed by Goldhawk, Blackskull, formerly Bluefalcon, and currently Silvermind. Acting from the Sevii Islands, Team Liberty has been at the forefront of the fight against Team Rocket's rule for the last twelve years, gaining power and recruiting others to their cause--something that Team Rocket has been hard at work to accomplish, as well. With both groups harboring huge amounts of Legendary Pokémon and famous trainers, their war continues to rage, though numerous other enemy groups--detailed in the section below--have thrown the conflict into an unstable struggle of wits and power.
tl:dr it's a war RPG set in the Pokémon universe where Team Rocket is the main government and they're fighting a bunch of rebel groups and there may or may not be other stuff at play.
Factions
Numerous forces are at play in Rise of the Rockets. Which one you join, who you assist, is up to you--though that is not to say that the balance will not be affected regardless of your choices...
Team Liberty
Established a little over a decade ago to fight against Team Rocket's rule, Team Liberty's primary goal is to achieve freedom for the four Kanto regions. Nowadays, their focus has shifted to include the fight against outside forces that threaten the very fabric of human existence--the Ancient Darkrai and Ford's Hojohsin League, in particular.
Current Leaders: Markus Aleivy (Goldhawk,) Kane Umbra (Blackskull,) Selene Ashera (Silvermind.)
Controlled Regions: Sevii Islands.
Base of Operations:
- The Alamo: Team Liberty's main base, located on Four Island. Funded and constructed by Liberty Leader Blackskull, the Alamo is a massive facility, containing every conceivable asset required to maintain and create an army, from training and sleeping quarters to labs and Pokémon Centers. Boats and helicopters heading off from the base are a common sight, transporting agents to and from other locations. Until recently, the Alamo's location was hidden from hostile groups; however, actions by John Ford have revealed the base's position to Team Rocket and others. Nevertheless, it remains a highly-defensible position.
- Fallback Bases: Bases located on the other Sevii Islands. In operation at all times, though at a smaller scale than the Alamo, they are prepped for the possibility of a total invasion of Four Island.
Other Information: Currently allied with the Team Rocket Separatists and Team Magma.
Team Rocket
The governing body of Kanto and its sister regions, Team Rocket has risen above its past as a lowly criminal organization under the leadership of the four Shadow Admins. While many still view the group as scum--a justified opinion, considering their brutal method of gaining power--the Rocket regime genuinely cares for the well-being of its nation, improving many aspects of life and, in general, creating a safer, stabler environment than many people are willing to admit. They are determined to fight forces of chaos, such as Team Liberty and the Hojohsin League.
Current Leaders: Sleight, Joker, Max Bussle (Buzz.)
Controlled Regions: Kanto, Johto, Orange Islands.
Base of Operations:
- Chapel: Team Rocket's main base in Kanto, headed by Sleight, Chapel is located somewhere in the Indigo Plateau. Dwarfing even the Alamo in defensive capabilities, Chapel is not hidden from the world--its defenses are so great that it is able to stand tall where it is built, calling for opposition from any who think they can breach its walls. The local geography assists in these defensive abilities.
- Abyss: Team Rocket's main base in Johto, located underneath the Lake of Rage and headed by Joker. Abyss is the greatest hub of psychic influence and technology in the world, with many of its assets incorporating the use of psychic abilities into their inner workings.
- Paradise: Team Rocket's main base in Hoenn, located underground on Southern Island, was originally supervised by Ace, and then Buzz following her demotion and execution. While remaining a powerful and essential part of Team Rocket's power, Paradise has suffered two attacks in the recent past, both at the hands of Team Liberty, rendering it the weakest of the remaining main bases.
- Purgatory: Team Rocket's main base in Oreburgh City, Sinnoh up until it was self-destructed by its overseer, Bounty. Purgatory was a powerful facility that had withstood many attacks in its time. The arrival of the Ancient Darkrai, however, necessitated its destruction as a precautionary measure to prevent the Ancients from gaining information that could be exploited in their war on humanity.
- Requiem: Team Rocket's main base in the Orange Islands, located on Mandarin Island, Requiem is controlled by Admin Viper. A massive underground complex, little is known about it at this point, though cloning experiments are known to take place there, under Viper's careful supervision.
Other Information: Thus far, Team Rocket has endured both the largest loss of territory and power, and yet sustained the least amount of damage to its integrity as an organization. While it has experienced the losses of Ace, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, the group has yet to lose any of its primary firepower in the ongoing conflicts.
TR Separatists
The Sinnoh-branch of Team Rocket, the Separatists broke off from the main government when tensions between Sleight and Bounty reached a breaking point, tensions that rose due to the latter's belief that the war with Team Liberty would continue to go nowhere. Having formed his own faction, Bounty has allied himself with Team Liberty, assisting them in their war against Sleight's forces and helping them to combat other threats as they arise.
Current Leaders: Bounty.
Controlled Regions: Sinnoh.
Base of Operations:
- The Separatists do not currently operate out of a large-scale facility, instead using a Team Rocket fall-back base on the outskirts of Johto. They are currently awaiting the defeat of the Darkrai, in the hopes that they will be able to retake Sinnoh once the Ancients are gone.
Other Information: Currently allied with Team Liberty and Team Magma.
Hojohsin League
A coalition between his own forces and three other, smaller organizations, the Hojohsin League was created by John Ford to be used as a vehicle for his own plans to roll out. Encompassing the likes of Team Energon, Team Galactic, and formerly the Searchers, the Hojohsin League's plans and methods range from the relatively simple--such as quietly taking over the vacuum of power in Hoenn--to the extreme, such as their bombing of Castelia City in Unova. The Hojohsin League is also assisted by a weapons company called Déoza, though little is known of their actual relationship to the organization.
Current Leaders: John Ford (overall head,) Michael Travis (Team Energon,) Saturn (Team Galactic)
Controlled Regions: Hoenn; active in all other regions.
Base of Operations:
- Hoenn Presidential Office: The main governmental building in Hoenn, located in Lilycove City. President James Pierce, one of Ford's agents, assumed operation of the Hoenn government from here during the silent takeover of the region several months ago; however, the place was vacated following the Darkrai invasion. Even so, the place is well-equipped in terms of defenses, especially after the numerous additions that Ford and Pierce have made.
- Titan: Team Energon's main base. Headed by Michael Travis, though no other information is known about it.
- Nova: Team Galactic's main headquarters; controlled by Saturn. It is located somewhere in Sinnoh, though recent events involving the Darkrai have made it inaccessible by all but the strongest of trainers.
- Ford's Hideout: Hidden away in some unknown part of the world lies Ford's main base of operations. A dark place, no one but his closest agents have ever gone there, and as such nothing is known about it.
Other Information: While the Hojohsin League initially formed under a single, large-scale plan, Ford has placed all action regarding that operation on hold for the moment, due to recent developments--such as the loss of the Searchers and Maddison Hayes, one of his top-ranked agents. This is not to say that they are completely inactive--quite the contrary; instead they have simply shifted focus to larger problems, such as the Darkrai, much like Teams Liberty and Rocket.
Team Magma
A reformed extremist group that once sought to use the Legendary Pokémon Groudon to achieve world domination, Team Magma has performed a complete reversal of their previous philosophies. Having reconsidered his priorities, Maxie has opted to assist in the take down of Team Rocket, a goal he hopes to achieve with help from Team Liberty.
Current Leaders: Maxie.
Base of Operations:
- Havoc: Team Magma's main base, located within Mt. Ember on One Island. Specially designed to withstand the intense heat from the magma within the volcano, Havoc is an incredibly well-fortified facility, bearing powerful natural defenses and artificial constructs designed to protect itself from them--something that attackers, in general, do not boast. Access to Havoc is mediated by TM teleporter Pokémon, which are constantly on stand-by.
Other Information: Currently allied with the Team Rocket Separatists and Team Liberty.
Team Plasma
In another world, Team Plasma's rise to power could be seen as a more peaceful parallel to that of Team Rocket. While Sleight and the other Shadow Admins forced their way into positions of power, Team Plasma sought rule over Unova through legitimate political campaigns, using their reformed philosophies on the treatment of Pokémon as a means to gather support from the public. Since then, they have worked tirelessly to improve Unova's state of affairs, enacting both beloved and questionable laws in the process.
Current Leaders: Gorm, Bronius, Rood, Zinzolin, Giallo, Ryoku.
Controlled Regions: Unova.
Base of Operations:
- Plasma Castle: Located in Black City, Unova, Plasma Castle is just as its name suggests: a large castle from which the Unovan government operates. Possessing highly futuristic technology, it is a primary hub of scientific development in the world, and is where some of the highest-ranked threats to Unova's security are held captive. From their council chamber at the top of the castle, the Six Sages govern Unova with a democratic debate-and-vote system.
Other Information: While they are not actively antagonistic toward Team Liberty or Team Rocket, Team Plasma does not have high opinions of either organization, viewing the former as terrorists and the latter as tyrants. Nevertheless, the Sages consider the need to keep the news of war subdued in their region to be more important than getting involved in foreign conflict, and as such are entirely complacent with leaving the two enemy organizations to their own devices.
The Ancient Darkrai
In ancient times, there lived ten powerful Darkrai, who were granted powers over time and space so as to serve as keepers of the world in the event that Palkia and Dialga became too injured to continue their own service. The Darkrai betrayed Arceus's trust, and were sealed away--until now. Having been imprisoned for thousands of years, the Darkrai have returned to seek vengeance upon the world, casting darkness as they slowly consume the world in their conquest. Led by Sombra, the Darkrai will stop for nothing until their plans are seen through.
Current Leaders: Sombra/Ten.
Controlled Regions: Sinnoh, Hoenn.
Base of Operations:
- Sinjoh Ruins: Their place of gathering, the Sinjoh Ruins are located in Johto. While it is not exactly a true headquarters--for the Darkrai do not actually possess one--it is known to be the location where Sombra remains imprisoned, and thus serves as an important landmark for the remaining Nightmare Pokémon.
Other Information: While there are officially ten Darkrai, their second strongest member, Ilios (Nine), no longer serves Sombra, seeing his plans as corrupt and based in folly--nothing good can come of them. As such, he is currently allied with John Ford, assisting him in his own affairs while the pair find a way to combat Sombra's growing abilities. Additionally, each of the Ten are nicknamed in descending order for their power level.
Achievements
This section lists the current achievements of each group. Players may use a max of up to two trainers or Legendary Pokémon or a mix with them on a mission; the exception is that for certain missions that require the use of more Legendary Pokémon (such as the Regigigas mission) players may bring more than two, though only as needed.
Key
Team Liberty
Team Rocket
Team Plasma
John Ford/Hojohsin League
Sombra
Kanto Gym Leaders Recruited
-Forrest (Neutral; rotates the running of Pewter Gym with his and Brock's other siblings.)
-Misty
-Brock
-Lt. Surge
-Erika (Neutral)
-Janine
-Sabrina
-Giovanni - Deceased
-Blue
Johto Gym Leaders Recruited
-Bugsy
-Jasmine
-Chuck
Hoenn Gym Leaders Recruited
-Tate
-Liza
-Juan
Sinnoh Gym Leaders Recruited
-Fantina
-Byron
-Volkner
Orange Crew Members Recruited
-
Frontier Brains Recruited
-Brandon (Not recruited, but friendly to Team Liberty.)
-Thorton
Elite Four Members Recruited
-Lorelei
-Koga
-Karen
-Aaron
-Flint (Searchers; Deceased)
-Cynthia
Other Famous Trainers Recruited
-Red (Team Liberty Executive)
-Leaf Green (Deceased)
-Ethan Gold
-Brendan Ruby (MIA)
-Silver (Double-agent for TL within TR)
-Richie Eston (Team Liberty Executive)
-Riley
-Baoba
-Yellow
Legendary Pokémon Recruited
-Articuno (1) (1)
-Zapdos (1) (1)
-Moltres
-Mewtwo (1) (1)
-Mew (1) (2 Neutral, 1 formerly Searchers)
-Thousands of Unown (Not Legendary, but still extremely powerful in large numbers; thousands were formerly controlled by Team Rocket, but have been resealed)
-Raikou (3, 1 Extra-dimensional) (1 Neutral; formerly Searchers)
-Entei (2, 1 Extra-dimensional)
-Suicune (2, 1 Extra-dimensional (deceased))
-Lugia (1) (1 Neutral; formerly Searchers)
-Ho-oh
-Celebi
-Regirock
-Regice
-Registeel (1) (1 Neutral; formerly Searchers)
-Latias (1) (3)
-Latios (3)
-Kyogre
-Rayquaza
-Deoxys (2) (4; 1 the Alpha-Deoxys, other 3 weaker, single-form individuals)
-Jirachi
-Uxie
-Mespirit
-Azelf
-Heatran (1) (1)
-Regigigas
-Cresselia (1) (1 Neutral; formerly Searchers)
-Manaphy (1)
-Darkrai (1) (1) (1 Neutral; formerly Searchers) (1) (9)
-Landorus
-Genesect (1; Shadow Genesect)
Evolution Guide
Here's a fairly simple chart showing how many battles you must participate in to evolve. Note that you do not have to win every battle; you do, however, need to spread them out, as I will not take well to people going from battle to battle in rapid succession just to get their Deino to turn into a Hydreigon:
1st Evolution: 7 battles. (EX: Charmander to Charmeleon)
2nd Evolution: 9 more battles. (EX: Charmeleon to Charizard)
Evolution w/Stone/Item: Either use the stone/item or do 8 battles. (EX: Eevee to Flareon or Gligar to Gliscor)
Evolution w/Other Pokémon: 7 battles, with at least one alongside the required Pokémon (You do not need to own it, nor does it need to be an ally.) (EX: Mantyke does a battle alongside a Remoraid)
Evolution w/Trading: Either trade or do 7 battles. (EX: Haunter to Gengar)
Evolution w/Trading and Item: Either trade while the Pokémon is holding that item or fight 12 battles. (EX: Scyther to Scizor)
Evolution @ Certain Location: 8 battles with at least 1 at that location (EX: 1 battle at Moss Rock in Sinnoh for Leafeon or 1 battle in Chargestone Cave in Unova for Magnezone.)
Evolution via Trade w/Certain Pokémon: Either trade those two Pokémon with each other or do 12 battles with at least two beside the other Pokémon (EX: Shelmet and Karrablast into Accelgor and Escavalier, respectively.)
For those wondering what counts towards this:
-Wild battles count for one.
-Battles against trainers count for one.
-Battles involving more than one opponent count for two. This accounts for both double battles, triple battles and anything bigger than that.
-Battles where, at the conclusion, a Pokémon is caught count for one for each of the Pokémon -- the caught one and the one used to weaken it.
-Training battles count for one.
-Battles against "boss" characters (I.E. an admin of a group or a Legendary Pokémon) count for two.
-Invasion battles (I.E. battles instigated by one team to try to take out another team's base) count for two to three points, depending on the circumstances.
Note that your Pokémon only gets experience if it participates in a battle. If I have a Charmander and a Pikachu and I only use Pikachu in a battle, the experience gained from that battle will only count towards Pikachu--not Charmander.
Pokémon - Starters and Catching
When you first start off, you will be able to choose a mixture of up to three Pokémon to start with. Any Pokémon can be chosen, aside from a select few. Please note the following while building your profile(s).
-No Legendary Pokémon--Rather obviously, you cannot start with or own a Legendary Pokémon. Some exemptions have been made in the "owning" department, but these are very few and far between. As such, do not expect to officially "own" a Legendary Pokémon at any point.
-Limited middle/final stage--As the game has been running for so long, you may start with either two base stage and one final stage Pokémon, or one base stage and two middle stage Pokémon. You may not have all-middle or all-final, however.
Otherwise, anything is free to use. If you wish to catch a Pokémon, which you inevitably will, then you must get permission first. Note that you are allowed a maximum of 20 Pokémon per character.
Multiples of Legendary Pokémon
Despite (or because of, as some cases may be) how we are mostly going off of the games and manga, quite a few Legendary Pokémon are going to be treated as multi-member species throughout the game. This system is primarily based off of their Pokédex entries, many of which imply the existence of more than one of the Pokémon in question. These Pokémon are:
-Four of the five Kanto/Johto birds -- Lugia, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres.
-The three Johto beasts -- Entei, Suicune and Raikou.
-Mew
-Celebi*
-Three of the four Regis -- Regice, Registeel and Regirock. Regigigas is not included because of its implied status as a single Pokémon.
-Latios and Latias
-Deoxys
-Jirachi
-Cresselia
-Darkrai
-Manaphy and Phione
-Heatran
-Shaymin
-Victini--NOTE: Victini does not bring instant victory to whoever recruits it. That would break the game.
-Meloetta (9)
-Genesect (5)
All others will be treated as one of a kind Pokémon, due to evidence in their Pokédex entries.
*Celebi's nature as a time traveling Pokémon leaves its status relatively ambiguous. Some people may argue that there have to be multiple ones from different moments in time, while others could simply see it as one that has made its mark at many different times to many different people.
Moves
I'm going to go out on a limb and use a trust system when it comes to moves. Basically, you are the judge of what your Pokémon can use, selecting attacks out of their naturally learned/Egg move pool. In addition, to stop suddenly changing attacks, your Pokémon may only know a maximum of six moves at any given time.
TM/HM Factor
TMs and HMs are rather curious items in the games. When you use one, provided it is an attack that your Pokémon can learn, it will automatically teach the specified move to that Pokémon. The workings behind this have never been revealed. For the purposes of this game, though, an explanation must be given.
Essentially, TMs and HMs act as computerized instruction booklets, giving you information on how to teach an attack to a Pokémon but not necessarily allowing them to use it right away. Using these instructions, you can teach your Pokémon how to use the move, though it will require practice before they master it (about the duration of one mission.)
However, there is a rather annoying technicality with most HMs: Most are things your Pokémon should already know how to do, like swimming (Surf) and flying (Fly) for example. Well, needless to say that I'm not going to not let you use a Pokémon to fly around or swim from place to place without being taught the move. However, to use them in battle, your Pokémon would have to learn how to manipulate whatever it is they are doing, like using a large amount of water for Surf.
Egg Moves
When choosing your Pokémons' starting moves, you are allowed to choose moves that that particular Pokémon can learn by breeding to start with. However, remember to treat the egg moves as you would normal moves -- if it has a base attack of over, say, 80 (if even that,) then it's going to be harder for your Pokémon to use and they won't be able to use it as often, etc.
Replacing Moves
As your Pokémon grows older, it should be able to use its powers to a larger degree. So, whenever one of your Pokémon evolves, you may replace older moves with different moves from the new form's move pool.
Move Tutors
Move Tutors specialize in teaching moves to a Pokémon quicker than their trainer is able to. They can be found throughout the various regions, and, for a small price, will gladly teach your Pokémon a move for you. However, as this process takes time, you will need to leave that Pokémon with the Move Tutor so that they can teach them the specified move. There is no specific time required for them to finish teaching a move, but please keep it realistic--they are not going to master it in the span of an hour.
Character Profile
Fill this form out and post it here, should you wish to join. You are allowed up to four characters by default, though extras can be issued as rewards for good behavior.
Username:
Name:
Faction:
Hometown:
Age: Your character's age. Suggested minimum is around 10.
Appearance:
Personality:
Background:
Pokémon: You may start with up to three; see Starters and Catching section above.
For your Pokémon (one form for each):
Species:
Nickname:
Trainer:
Appearance:
Personality:
Ability:
Specialty:
Known Moves: Maximum of six. Please do not start with TM/HM/Move Tutor moves; be sure to mark Egg Moves.
Current Characters
Click for list.
Game Masters
Games Masters are the hosts of the game. Usually, their word is law; however, if you feel that an unfair call has been made, then politely say so and we'll see if we can work it out.
The Game Masters are:
-Parugi (Host)
-Blade (Co-Host)
-Kumata Nuva (Retired)
-Bundalings (Retired)
-GLaDOS (Retired)
Rules
Rules are rules are rules. They should be followed. They should not be broken. The latter will do you no good; the former will. Therefore, follow the rules.
1. As usual, all BZPower rules apply. These can be found here, if you haven't looked them over already.
2. To reiterate from the above, flaming and spamming will not be tolerated. Spamming involves posting useless messages, in this case a post that has no connection to the RPG. Don't do it. Flaming involves purposefully fighting with or attacking another member. Don't do it.
3. Listen to the staff. If you think a Game Master/Moderator has made an unfair call, take it up with us, and we'll work it out.
4. Don't take control of another player's characters unless asked. By this, I mean A. Don't kill someone's character without permission, B. Don't hurt another player's character without permission, and C. Don't make another player's character do something they wouldn't do. If you want to do that to your own characters, then fine, go ahead.
5. Be realistic (at least, in terms of Pokémon.) Do not get from one place to another in one post. Do not win every single battle. Do not evolve your Pokémon in rapid succession. Space out events so that you don't run out of things to do throughout the game.
6. Distinguish between IC and OOC. IC stands for In Character and is used for the in-game portion of your post. OOC stands for Out of Character and is used for the out of game portion of your post.
EX:
IC: Bob charged forward to meet the two Rocket grunts, tossing a Pokéball into the air and releasing his Charmander.
OOC: Hey, teammates, feel free to jump into the fight.
7. Creativity is a must. This is a pretty sandboxy RPG, and as such there aren't a ton of restrictions to abide to. The only things that need to be approved are really big NPC introductions and REALLY big plot points, the likes of which could completely change the game as we know it. Other than that, feel free to experiment.
8. You must be approved before you can start playing. This makes it far easier to keep people from starting with super powerful Pokémon, as opposed to catching them after they've gone on two missions.
9. Do not meta-game or God-mode. For the uninformed: Meta-gaming is the use of OOC knowledge (or things that you know, but your character doesn't) to your advantage, like reading a conversation between two characters, who are nowhere near your character, and then going to your boss and telling him about it. God-modding is, plain and simple, unrealism -- never fatiguing, acting super powerful, preforming things that your character could never possibly do, etc. Neither are allowed under ANY circumstances.
10. Have fun! And because there is no other good place to say this -- don't take things extremely seriously. Yes, the plot is darker than your average Pokémon plot. Yes, it's mostly based off of the games. This does not mean that your experience has to be. Relax; don't put too much time into IVs and weaknesses and strengths and natures and whatever else there is to consider in the games. So, again, have fun!
Rewards & Punishments
Rise of the Rockets offers a variety of rewards for good behavior. Such rewards include the following:
*Special items, e.g. evolution stones, TMs, HMs.
*The ability to create an Executive character for one of the factions, who are candidates for promotion to Leader status if one of the faction leaders dies.
*The ability to evolve a Pokémon sooner than stated in the Evolution Guide.
*An upgrade to an attack without having to wait for evolution-- e.g. Ember could be upgraded to Flamethrower.
*In-game information regarding things like base information, blueprints, etc.
These rewards, as usual, can be obtained by a variety of actions -- like showing good sportsmanship, helping other players and the GMs, giving recaps when players ask, and other such actions.
On the flop side, though, we also have a system of punishment. RotR formerly had a structured punishment system; however, people have been good enough about things that I haven't had to use it, and as such it is now gone. Be aware, though, that if you do something abhorrent, you will hear from me about it.
Regardless, if you've read this far, then we hope to see you in the game, and if you decide to play, I hope you have fun! ^_^
~Parugi
Edited by Parugi, Jan 13 2013 - 07:26 PM.
So, are we waiting for things to settle for a while, or...?
