⇨ ALOLA

[ringleaders]

Who: EVERYONE.
When: Day 73 - Day 87
Where: The islands of Alola.
What: The Carnival arrives at its next touring location, a series of tropical islands inhabited by a species of animal called Pokemon and their trainers!
Warnings: Pokemon is pretty PG-rated.

IT'S A POKEMON WORLD↴ Alola is broken up into four different islands, with a number of unique points of interest. Boats can easily be rented in order to get between the islands, or you can just pay for the fair of a scheduled trip. If you can prove you have the skills for it, you can also call on a "Ride Pokemon" - that is, either a Charizard or a Lapras that will fly or swim you between locations. ► POPULATION: Though the islands appear very small as an abstraction in the actual games, that doesn't hold over into the actual reality of it. When interacting with the different locations, imagine that they are about as big and spread out as they would be in real life. It's about on the same scale as Hawaii is on earth. Ignore any wikis that say the population of each island is like 200 people, because that's just adding up all the scripted NPCs, and there are realistically more than six houses per town. ► AMENITIES: Even if they aren't overtly listed on island maps, it can be assumed that all towns and cities will have basic amenities - that is, places to eat, place to go to the washroom, places to buy souvenirs, and the other things one would expect in a tourist heavy area. You can also buy malasadas pretty much anywhere. ► POKECENTERS: You'll be able to find a Pokecenter in pretty much every town - a Pokecenter is a public building in which Pokemon Trainers can rest and get their Pokemon healed. Think of it like free international Pokemon healthcare. You can also buy Pokeballs here, as well as potions and other healing items for later use. ► AETHER FOUNDATION: A peace keeping organization that shelters Pokemon from harm and abuse. If you kill/maim any Pokemon or otherwise act violently in public, they will come to try to take you down with their Pokemon. They also are the main force working against Team Skull. MELEMELE ISLAND↴ [MELEMELE DETAIL MAP] [GUARDIAN DEITY TAPU KOKO] [WIKI LINK] ► TRAINER SCHOOL: A full fledged for young, aspiring Pokemon Trainers! Students go here to learn about Pokemon care and battling before setting out on their own journeys. It would be sort of weird for an adult to show up here, like it would for an adult to try to attend an elementary school, but you can probably learn some of the basics just from touring the facility. ► HAU'OLI SHOPPING DISTRICT: The biggest shopping district on Melemele, you can do a lot here, from eating out to getting your hair dyed. A lot of shops are, unsurprisingly, completely Pokemon focused - but there are some that aren't, too. There are also some very nice beach fronts nearby. ► BERRY FIELDS: Berries come in a lot of different types and have different effects when used. Mostly, Pokemon love to eat them, regardless of what type they are. This is a big field of them, most of which are free to take if you catch them when ripe. ► TEN CARAT HILL: The secluded interior of a small mountain, filled with some rare types of rock Pokemon. You have to be able to bypass the left overs of some recent rockslides to get in. ► TRIAL SITE: There is only one trial on this islands, which is the Normal type trial. All you have to do is fight a bunch of Pokemon ferrets, and then fight an even bigger Pokemon ferret that thirsts for your blood. It's not so bad. AKALA ISLAND↴ [AKALA DETAIL MAP] [GUARDIAN DEITY TAPU LELE] [WIKI LINK] ► TIDE SONG HOTEL: A big ass hotel near the port - if you want to stay on Alola overnight, this is a pretty good place to go. It isn't too expensive, and is also rather nice. ► DIMENSIONAL RESEARCH LAB: Alola, on occasion, has been the site of various dimensional breaks (haha) in which extraplanar creatures called Ultra Beasts have crossed over. There isn't much information about these beasts, but they are something that are being actively studied. Characters who are nerds might find some of this information interesting. ► HANO GRAND RESORT: The inevitably big, fancy resort that tends to take route in touristy places like this. If you actually pay to spend some time there, you can enjoy all the things you'd expect to find in a fancy resort, except with way more Pokemon. There is also a fancy, secluded beach for resort goers only. ► BATTLE ROYALE DOME: A battle area in which 4 trainers fight each other all at once, with teams of there Pokemon. The trainers here are mostly quite expert, and you need a team of three Pokemon to play, so player characters probably won't be able to participate. However, you can still come to watch, if you like seeing a bunch of colourful monsters slapping each other around. ► PANIOLA RANCH: A large ranch that keeps a lot of Pokemon that resemble earth farm animals. You can leave Pokemon here to stay for a while if you need a break from the strains of trainer life. Quite often, however, your Pokemon will end up getting knocked up and leave you with another egg to care for. ► TRIAL SITES: Brooklet Hill is a lake filled area that contains the Water Trial. You have to fight a bunch of schooling Wishiwashi, and then an even bigger schooling Wishiwashi to win. Wela Volcano Park contains the Fire Trial, where you must climb to the top of the dormant volcano, and spot the difference between a series of ceremonial island dances. Then you gotta fight a team of Marrowaks and a giant Salazzle. The Lush Jungle contains the Grass challenge, in which you have to find a series of rare organic ingredients in order to brew something that will lure out a giant Lurantis. ULA'ULA ISLAND↴ [ULA'ULA DETAIL MAP] [GUARDIAN DEITY TAPU BULU] [WIKI LINK] ► MALIE GARDEN: A nice big garden to hang out in and chill. Also, there are Pokemon there... and also, Pokemon battles? There's really no end to it. ► MOUNT HOKULANI OBSERVATORY: Up at the top of the local mountain, you can go see a space observatory. Like most things in Alola, it's like a regular observatory, except with more Pokemon, since some Pokemon just straight up come from space. You can take a bus up here, but you can also hike if you want. ► HAINA DESERT: A shitty desert in the middle of the island. Mostly only good for if you want the kinds of Pokemon that live in shitty deserts. ► ABANDONED THRIFTY MEGAMART: A Megamart, but haunted. Extremely haunted, filled with the kind of ghost Pokemon that would actually kill you. You have to take a bunch of pictures of ghosts on your way through here if you want to beat the Ghost Trial. ► PO TOWN: The ramshackle remains of the town that Team Skull have taken over. It's completely walled off from the rest of the world, and is pretty terrible. No point in going in there unless you're fighting crime, in which case you can expect to get challenged to Pokemon battles by a lot of Team Skull knuckleheads. ► LAKE OF THE MOON: A huge, round temple thing in the middle of nowhere. It's used to praise a legendary Pokemon that existed years ago, but there presently doesn't seem to be anything around except cool architecture. ► TRIAL SITES: The Observatory contains the Electric Challenge, during which you have to fend off various kinds of electric grubs, before eventually taking on a giant Vikavolt. The Abandoned Megamart must first be cleared before challenging the Ghost Trial officially, at which point you will have to defeat a powerful Mimikyu. PONI ISLAND↴ [PONI DETAIL MAP] [GUARDIAN DEITY TAPU FINI] [WIKI LINK] ► SEAFOLK VILLAGE: A village made of nothing but houseboats and other water fairing homes. It's the only major town on Poni Island. ► ANCIENT RUINS: Most of Poni Island has been reduced to ruins, over time. Not many people live here, relative to the other islands, but there are a lot of abandoned buildings from when they apparently used to. ► VAST PONI CANYONS: Most of the island is comprised of canyons, caves, and valleys filled with particularly strong Pokemon, and also a lot of fight-hungry Pokemon trainers. Most of them will want to fight you as soon as they see you, since they are there mostly to train, but they will back down if you tell them you're not a trainer. Though, at that point they will strongly urge you to go home, because it's too danger for anything other than the strongest trainers. ► ALTAR OF THE SUN: A matching altar to the one found on Ula'ula, except this time dedicated to a legendary Pokemon of the sun. If you play some magic flutes here at the right time then apparently a giant lion might show up, but there's no way to be sure. ► TRIAL SITES: The only Trial here is the Grand Trial, which is a fight against the leader's ground type Pokemon. You may also get lucky and have the Fairy Trial's kahuna deign to fight you, with her fairy types, if she randomly wanders into your path. Both of them are very strong, and are not advised to challenge for new trainers.

Comments

[anti_nonsense]

[Rita wrinkles her nose at their exchange. He named it?]

[But at his accusation, she quickly turns defensive.] I-it's not my fault this place is being used for a challenge! I'll be happy to leave as soon my business is done here. [And that can't come soon enough, as far as she's concerned.]

[kingsroads]

Whatever this challenge is, I doubt it involves flinging fireballs at the poor ghosts.

[ It just involves the kitten spewing fire at the ghosts which is apparently completely different. Strange rolls his eyes slightly before changing the topic entirely. ]

By the way, what sort of magic was that? Answers specific as possible would be appreciated. [ The question is asked in a genuinely interested tone of voice instead of the accusatory tone that poor Rita was getting. ]

[anti_nonsense]

[Rita keeps her eyes narrowed at him until he changes the subject, at which point her expression softens a bit. He wants to know the specifics? Most people can't handle the specifics.]

It's the most commonly used form of magic, where I'm from. To distinguish it from other forms, I suppose it could be called 'blastia magic'. It requires the use of a blastia for energy conversion.

[She points to the red-jeweled gold choker on her neck.] This is the one I use.

[kingsroads]

[ Strange looks at the choker, as if he'd somehow magically be able to figure out how it works by staring at it. Now that's fascinating. At least in his world, there weren't really any tools to help perform magic like that blastia, they just...did it. ]

Is the blastia needed to perform your magic in the first place or is it simply more of a refining tool? And, aside from fire, what other types of magic can you perform?

[ it's just the nosy magicians question hour. ]

[anti_nonsense]

It's required. Generally speaking, humans can't use magic by themselves, because we can't convert aer into usable magic energy unassisted.

[She folds her arms, casting another suspicious stare at the Haunter behind him.] I specialize in offensive elemental magic of various kinds. If these freaks keep getting in my way, you might get to see some of the other types in action.

[kingsroads]

I think you mean only humans from your world can't use magic by themselves, [ Strange butts in, with a little smirk. ] Some of us are quite adept at it.

[ Taking a step backwards, Strange shoos Haunter away with one hand as he starts to mutter something under his breath. A moment later, it straight up starts to rain in the building. The rain's only covering a small area, about the size of a shopping cart and is (thankfully) away from Rita, Strange, Litten, and Haunter. It rains for a good ten seconds before Strange gestures at where it was raining again, and the rain vanishes.

Just ignore the fact that Strange is grinning in a really obnoxious sort of smug manner. He really likes showing off, even if it's only rain. ]

[anti_nonsense]

[His correction may be accurate, although there are other factors to consider. Magic without blastia... though unheard of until recently, Rita knows it's possible. She's seen it herself, with spirit magic. Used it, even. With enough research and development, they may even get to a point where...

Her thoughts are interrupted when the man begins to demonstrate his magic, and her eyes abruptly widen. So his questions didn't come out of idle curiosity, after all. This guy clearly knows a thing or two.

When the spell disappears, Rita turns her wide-eyed gaze to the man and draws closer, looking him over with renewed interest.] What kind of magic was that? It looks like you used an incantation... What do you draw power from?

[kingsroads]

[ That smug smile is still on Strange's face as he answers Rita's questions in a self-important, puffed up sort of tone. Not only does he love showing off but he loves talking about magic. The combination of showing off and talking shop is enough that even though their first five minutes got off so terribly, Strange is already warming up to Rita. ]

It was English magic—my specialty. And yes, I used an incantation. Most of my magic requires me to do so. As for your last question, I drew power from nature and the world itself.

[anti_nonsense]

Nature and the world? That's a bit... vague.

[Rita looks a little puzzled by the explanation, but nonetheless she produces a notebook and pen from her pockets and starts jotting down notes. Whatever information she can get, however incomplete it may be, it may be worth recording for future reference.]

[kingsroads]

Well, it is what it is, [ Strange remarks with a little shrug. And then he starts rambling, rattling off information as if all if it would be useful to Rita and all of it would help her out somehow. ]

If I'm casting a spell involving wind, for example, part of the incantation involves asking the wind if it wouldn't mind doing what I ask. Of course, other aspects of magic work differently. Symbolism, for example, is often used. The flame of a candle to represent something's stay or a certain item to act as a handsel.

[ BLAH BLAH BLAH this can go on for a while because Strange has seemingly no plan to actually shut the hell up about magic. ]

[anti_nonsense]

[If it weren't for his earlier demonstration, Rita might have dismissed some of his claims as nonsense, but instead, she actually takes notes for most of them. His magic works. Even if his process sounds odd and unscientific, there must be a reason it works.]

I'd like to see some of those spells in action. Honestly, I've never heard of a magic system like what you're describing.

But... this isn't the best place to talk. [Strange might seem fine with the spooky supermarket, but Rita's still plenty tense. Every once in a while, she catches a suspicious movement out of the corner of her eye, possibly another one of those creepy monsters, which puts her right back on edge. She can't focus in a place like this.] Let's meet somewhere for a proper discussion, after I'm done this challenge.

[kingsroads]

About that...what is the challenge supposed to be?

[ The lure of a haunted building was enough to catch Strange's interest. He has no idea what the challenge is supposed to be or how to even do a challenge in the first place. Something involving the ghosts? Which, he doesn't even have a Pokemon to begin with, though Strange doesn't realize it, he couldn't do the challenge even if he wanted to. ]

I could help out, if you wish. I've no idea how these things work so if I need to wait outside until you and your cat are done, simply say so.

[anti_nonsense]

The goal is to lure out the Totem Pokemon by photographing other monsters in this area, then defeat it. [She shrugs.] You can help if you want. Of course, to pass the challenge, I'll have to take down that Totem monster by myself.

[She's acting apathetic, but she'd actually really like the help. This guy seems more or less unfazed by the "ghost" monsters around here, and maybe he can even help distract them, so they don't catch her off guard.

Meanwhile, the Litten that needs to defeat the Totem Pokemon in question appears to have lost interest in what's happening around it and is now curled up on the counter, asleep.]

[kingsroads]

Which one's the Totem Pokemon? I've been in this building for a while, I'm certain I can tell you something about it.

[ The problem here is that Strange still doesn't really know the names of the Pokemon. Granted, some of them say their names so that's easy but others of them just make weird chirping noises. Still, he's acting like he's fairly confident and knows his shit so surely there is nothing for Rita to worry about. ]

[anti_nonsense]

I'm not sure. Generally, a Totem Pokemon has a distinct aura, and tends to be larger than others of the same species... so we should know it when we see it.

Anyway, since you're so chummy with that thing, you think you can make it hold still for a picture? [She holds up her Poke Finder and nods at the Haunter. At least she's gotten used to it existing in her general vicinity... sort of.]

[kingsroads]

Of course! [ Turning towards Haunter, Strange gave the Pokemon a little smile. ] Grant, do you mind holding still for a moment? She's just going to take your picture, nothing more.

Haaaaaunt, [ the Haunter whined more out of protest than anything else. He's gonna do it. Turning towards Rita, it stayed visible and stayed still for her to take a picture...buuuuut made a really silly face, tongue sticking out and eyes crossed. Strange is badly repressing the urge to giggle. ]

Does that work?

[anti_nonsense]

[Rita glances at them both with a flat, humorless look.] ... It'll do.

[She snaps the picture, then immediately turns away from the Haunter, not wanting to encourage its antics.] Okay, next. There should be more around here. You got any hunches? [If he's been hanging around here for as long as he says, she supposes he might know where these things like to hide.]

[kingsroads]

One of them likes to be in that back room, [ Strange says, as he gestures to a back store-room where Mimikyu tends to hang out (not that he knows what that is, of course) ]

And another can usually be found over there. [ This time it's said with a gesture towards an empty row of a freezer aisle. A Gastly can be found there though again, if you ask Strange that Pokemon's name is Hadley-Bright. ]

Where do you want to go first?

[anti_nonsense]

We'll start here. [Rita's nothing if not decisive. She turns and walks to the freezer aisle he indicated, looks down it, and starts shouting.]

Hey, you... thing! Show yourself!

[She doesn't want to actually go into the aisle, because then it might jump out at her, like last time.]

[kingsroads]

[ Strange...just gives Rita a Look. Hoo boy is he judging the hell out of that plan and it shows ]

Is that really how you plan to get it's attention?

[anti_nonsense]

[She bristles and shoots him a sour look.] What? You got a better solution?

[kingsroads]

As a matter of fact, I do!

[ That better solution for Strange is to just walk right into the aisle, looking around as if expecting to see one of the ghosts pop up. It's all done in a calm, methodical manner. He ain't fraid of no ghosts. Of course, the freezer door suddenly shooting open inches from his face is enough to make even Strange start, tensing up almost instantly...before he relaxes slightly, holding his fingers to his neck as if to check the post. ]

Hadley-Bright, is that you?

[ Almost on cue, a Gastly appears in the freezer area, obviously proud of the fact that it managed to scare Strange, who's now looking at the Pokemon with a small little smile of his own. This isn't helping his creepy weirdo image in the slightest, is it. ]

[anti_nonsense]

[Rita also gives a start when the door swings open, and from then on she's holding her breath, standing rigid as she watches him. When the Gastly actually appears, she gasps, then scrambles to get the Poke Finder into position. She runs forward to join Strange (standing just a bit behind him, keeping him between her and the Gastly) and with trembling hands, takes the photo.

There's a click from the camera... and then another noise. Along the back wall of the store, Rita catches a glimpse of something running by, in the direction of the back room.]

Wh... what was that!?

[Her Litten, suddenly awake, jumps down from the counter and runs ahead, pursuing the mysterious creature.]

[kingsroads]

Possibly Winespill, possibly the Duke of Wellington.

[ Strange's inability to pick up on any Pokemon names is simultaneously impressive and annoying. But whatever moved in the back room, Strange saw it also, and is leisurely strolling back towards there, letting Litten lead the way...and straight up leaving Rita in the freezer aisle with her new buddy Gastly. ]

Might want to hurry!

[anti_nonsense]

The hell kind of names are those!? [She's been letting it slide for a while, but yep, Rita does not get his naming sense.]

[But he's right; there's no time to lose. So rather than wait for an answer, Rita breaks into a run after her Litten, quickly overtaking Strange. She finds the cat just outside the back room, scratching at the door with its claws.]

This must be it... [She takes a deep breath.]

I... I'm gonna open it! [For some reason, she's announcing it instead of just... doing it.]