Subject: Gym Leaders are required to look cool.
Author:
Posted on: 2015-09-08 20:14:00 UTC
A bit of that plus some combining of elements..
Also you have no idea how long it took trying to find a more recentish photo of hS to consult against.
-July, not a stalker
And I need your help!
Sort of.
Basically, I'm going to start writing Pokémon Beige/Purple, set in the Peaci Region. This is going to be Boarder-heavy, so I'd like everyone to list their favourite Pokémon TYPE. As in Fire-type, Water-type, etc. for those not in the know. I have a plan for how I want the story to go, but I'll of course be open to input from everyone involved. I'll be designing your teams and gyms, but I'll try to keep them thematically appropriate for the Boarder in question - for example, if hS selected Psychic-type, I'd theme his gym after Rivendell and try and put elfin people in his team like Gallade.
The antagonists are Team Glitter. Duh.
So hit me up! Or hit me and tell me this idea sucks. Either works, tbh. =]
hoom hoom
Yeah, um, they've been fully booked for a while now, but people are still getting them. Please keep leaving the comments with your fave types in, though; just because you're not running a Gym doesn't mean you can't favour a particular type or Pokémon.
I, for instance, will likely be running mono-Bug in this at some point.
#THUGCATCHA
My actual favorite type is Fire.
Dragon, with Fire a close second.
Lucario and Scizor. So steel I guess.
As nobody knows me yet I should probably make it known that I have a fondness for Eevee and also point out that in real life I'm going to college for software design.
I've actually designed a gym for myself in the past, if you'd be interested in hearing it. Want me to e-mail it to you?
No. No, I really don't.
Part of the fun in an AU like this is thinking about what people would go for in their gyms - and coming up with it on my own, to surprise and delight the relevant parties when they read it. Using someone else's design feels... well, it feels a bit like cheating. Sorry.
Though other appropriate choices would be Psychic or Fire. Whatever works.
-Phobos
My favourite type is Bug in spite of my gender being female.
Actually, I'd list quite a few Bug Pokémon I'd love to have on any team: Butterfree, Dustox, Vivillon, Galvantula, Volcarona, Scyther/Scizor, Pinsir, Heracross, Parasect, Yanmega, Shuckle, Ninjask, Shedinja, Scolipede...
Because females being afraid of insects is a common stereotype.
So, um, Worm definitely isn't a thing. =]
"Girls can't like bugs" as "there are a lot of girls that don't like bugs". I've seen more than a few, but that's anecdotal, isn't it?
It's "there is a stereotype that girls don't like bugs".
Which there is.
Stereotypes still exist even if they are true in every single case.
hS
I linked N. Harmonik to Worm, a story in which the main character, Taylor Hebert, is a bug controlling parahuman (local jargon for people with superpowers).
Or, at the very least, not your typical person. :P
I'm too late to claim a type aren't I?
Drat.
Well, for the record, I would have chosen the Grass type. My team naturally would have had to feature nippy, annoying sorts such as Whimsicott (because no team of mine is truly complete without that adorable, soul-eating fluffball).
I had an idea like this way back during the PPCPT and even started a little write-up of it. It never got much further than an idea and a few paragraphs, though. It's interesting to see someone doing it. I look forward to watching this progress!
Not the best fighter, not the coolest looking one. The one that can give me companionship akin to a dog or cat. That may or may not shoot lightning.
Perhaps it was due to my using dogs and cats as an example, but almost every single one of you gave some form of mammal. I counted one fish, and a couple of birds (all from one guy) but not one reptile of any form. No squirtle, no snakes, almost all fuzzy animals.
As for the one I would take after reading this thread, I feel I have to go with the terrier with the stash. He seems like my kind of dog.
Yes, I am a dog person. Cats are OK, had one as a kid that was the best cat ever, but I car prefer dogs.
Nobody's all that certain what Blissey is; that's why we call her the Pink Blob. Say what you see an' all that. But the egg thing doesn't really imply "mammal", or at least not to me. Perhaps some kind of weird-ass monotreme...
You did kinda say companionship akin to a dog or cat.
A reptile or amphibian or fish IRL can't give companionship akin to a dog or cat. They just sit in their tanks.
Added to that, most Pokemon in the "fish" or "reptile" category are a bit big for tanks, and pretty much all snake 'mon are poisonous. Not ideal for pets...
Well, I kind of want a Cubone? Just because they're adorable and I feel so bad for them, being all sad and lonely.
They are super cute and have really good hearing.
Nope, it's just me. I must've clicked the wrong thing on the autofill and been in too much of a rush to notice my name had changed to an anime.
If so, welcome! Have this cup of Early Grey tea as a gift.
If not, who're you?
For a dog, I'd go with an Eevee (or, of course, any of its evolutionary relatives). The regional dogs are also an option- Growlithe line, Houndour, Poochyena, Lillipup, et cetera.
For a cat, my choice is the Hoenn regional cats, the Skitty line, as they start out a housecat and also end a housecat. So many regional cats start as housecats and end as big cats. Of course, if you prefer a Persian to a Delcatty, be my guest, but do remember that a Persian is as big as a lioness.
After all, cats are clearly the best pets, and Skitty is my favorite catlike Pokemon.
(Okay, maybe not necessarily the best. But I do love cats.)
Because. Bird. Made. Of. Knives. 8D
Other picks include Archeops because feathered dinosaurs, Aerodactyl because flying on a pterosaur would be the coolest thing, Togekiss to help me get some peace and quiet in this troubled time, and possibly Swablu/Altaria because floof.
No more gasoline expenses for me!
They're docile, they're super-fluffy, and they can shock the heck out of people. What more do you want?
Anyone who has ever used a big dog as a pillow understands.
1) It's Psychic
2) It's a cat
3) It's slender and cute
I mean just look at him! Look at that grin! Who wouldn't want a companion so delightfully cheery? Plus, he'll be super helpful if I ever need an extra hand.
I'm not sorry.
Aipom's evolution has you covered. =]
Meet Machamp: the quintessential handyman.
I wonder how many people have made that joke before me.
Three extra hands?
Ladies and gentlemen: Hoopa Unbound.
...when you can have tentacles?
Have some more!
((And also try to ignore the fact that your ten-year-old female character can encounter this in the wild in a game from Japan.))
I'd like an Arcanine. They're like dogs, only 120% better.
Lookit how cute he is!
And they're based on chinchillas, so you know that's some soft fur. :3
Well, any of the Blissey line, but Blissey in general are pretty good. They're excellent caregivers and very, very friendly. That's why the strange collective of Nurse Joy clones have them. =]
As for particular companionship in dog/cat form, I'd go with either Purugly for a cat or Stoutland for a dog, since they're the most overtly cat/doglike. And Stoutland is a terrier with an enormous moustache, so there's that. =]
...a Feebas.
I also wouldn't mind having it evolve.
To another Showdown event. To see who can manage the most success with a restricted team. Might be interesting.
Which is fine. Shouldn't somebody who has actually played the games run a gym? At the time of posting, I thought we were just going to be specialized Trainers or something. Although, I might want to hold off on handing over the reigns until I see just what Scape is up to.
Still, if I do magically win the fights with Dragons who, as far as I understand, wreck all in their path, but are crushed by everything in turn, I feel I will have earned it.
You know what? Screw it. Yeah, I'll learn how to fight with these creatures. Am I going to lose this gym? Probably. But if I do, I'm going to go down fighting. With Pokemon.
(Speaking of which, Scape, what am I fighting with? I don't exactly know what to look for in a team, see.)
Apparently, they are resistant to almost everything except themselves and fairies. So, out of Rule of Cool, I took one of the most OP types. Cool.
A lot of them are very strong, yeah, but you can play your way around them with a balanced team. Especially one with a Pink Blob or a nice tasty attacker in it.
Because as much as I love the Grass team Scape made for my Gym Leader, it's pretty weak and I've been tweaking my Psychic team for months now.
(I knew the Internet wouldn't let me down. ^_^)
What's that, Iris? It's not fair using Fire-type moves on someone who got landed with a Grass team?
Well. Isn't that just too bad?
~
More seriously (because I'm not sure it's possible to be less serious than AGLON SMASH AND BURN!), I would be willing to at least try a version using these teams. I'm not interested in going up against teams people have optimised for themselves, though, because, uh, losing is only fun when I don't know I'm going to do it? Or something.
Though I will make/update the trophies for you either way.
hS
Fighting type, since usually there are no two gyms with the same type theme within one game. Not a bad type in my opinion anyway.
Process of elimination leaves you with Poison.
Unless I miscounted, only 17 types were claimed, and there are 18 to choose from.
Bug: Edhelistar
Dark: JulyFlame
Dragon: World-Jumper
Electric: Sergio Turbo
Fairy: Alleb
Fighting: foofooman3
Fire: Desdendelle (Gym)
Flying: SkarmorySilver
Ghost: Darkotas
Grass: Iximaz (Gym)
Ground: [EvilAI]UBEROverlord
Ice: Voyd
Normal: radioactiveSue
Poison: Matt Cipher
Psychic: Huinesoron (Gym)
Rock: sonofheaven176
Steel: firemagic
Water: SeaTurtle
hS
All 18 have been taken; possibly you missed one of the 'no this no this' ones?
Though, while everyone has assumed it, Scapegrace didn't actually say 'and only one person may take any one type'. Presumably gyms need, y'know, people other than the gym leader...?
hS
She did tell July I beat her to the punch where FIRE-type is concerned.
But equally, Matt Cipher had already assumed it.
But yes, that's a fair point. (Though I still maintain that 'the 18 first posters are the only ones who get to do anything haha' probably isn't where Scapegrace was going with this?)
-- wait, why am I even discussing this? I have Psychic Pokemon, I'm sure one of them can mind-control you into agreeing with me about everything.
Everything.
hS
You were saying?
Sauron, can we mind-control that? No, I know Psychic won't hurt it, but can we just... make it stop?
... doesn't actually have a mind. Right. Hrm.
Okay, Raumo, just... just yell at it for a while. We're working on it.
Aha; so this is a problem we can solve by hitting things.
Aglon: Drain Punch. And, um, try not to get eaten.
I said try not to get--!
hS
Favorite types are Steel, Flying, Normal, and Grass. (Which is hilarious, because I hate real world plants; even working at a zoo, I get hurt more by plants than by animals.)
If you want something more imaginative than type, my favorite "themes" to use in-game are copying or random moves, and not fully evolved Pokémon. I suppose you could also do an animal team to reference my work, but that's a little broad, and honestly, plenty of PPCers past have been animal lovers, or even worked in zoos or veterinary offices, so it's really not that unique to me in this community.
I'll go with Bug-Type. 'Cuz why to have Magikarp, when you can have Metapod.
You didn't choose the Bug-type. The Bug-type chose you.
---
The Gym:
The Gym here resembles a school... well, a very odd school, at any rate. Between the lasers, flamethrower traps, insane robots, and equally insane megalomaniacal laughter (to say nothing of the honeycomb pattern adorning almost every surface), the gym is one big trap - and it's full to the brim of teleporting Scientists with Bugs to defend their Leader and Headmaster.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Scizor @ Scizorite
Technician --> Technician
Swords Dance
Bullet Punch
Bug Bite
Knock Off
Volbeat @ Damp Rock
Prankster
Rain Dance
Tail Glow
Baton Pass
U-Turn
Volcarona @ Sharp Beak
Flame Body
Quiver Dance
Hurricane
Giga Drain
Bug Buzz
Durant @ Choice Band
Hustle
Rock Slide
X-Scissor
Iron Head
Superpower
Galvantula @ Life Orb
Compound Eyes
Thunder
Sticky Web
Bug Buzz
Energy Ball
Crustle @ White Herb
Sturdy
Shell Smash
X-Scissor
Earthquake
Stone Edge
The Phat Lewts:
While the Blood badge is a little odd of a choice for a Gym Leader to hand out to ten-year-olds - a half-droplet of jasper-red blood on the left side, and a gleaming moonstone half-skull on the right, all set in blue-grey gunmetal - nobody really questions it. The other prize is TM41, Torment, after which Leader Edhelistar disappears in a puff of smoke and avows that YOU HAVE NOT HEARD THE LAST OF HIM! MWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!
Is there a cat type?
If not, I'll probably give this a miss.
Thanks for that link, although the list was almost the only part of it I understood.
Before I joined the PPC, practically all I knew about Pokemon was that it was a cartoon about a yellow blob, a man with very squinty eyes, and a woman who wore a T-shirt with an R on it. It was shown on TV-AM's Wide Awake Club (or whatever it was called by then) in the nineties. (There might've been a spin-off movie, since I think I remember seeing posters of the yellow blob on the sides of buses.)
Unfortunately, this was when I was getting too old for children's cartoons. I couldn't even get that ironic "so stupid it's good" pleasure from them any more.
Since joining the PPC, I've learnt that (a) Pokemon isn't the yellow blob's name, but a generic term for all blobby creatures; and (b) there was also a spin-off computer game that some of you have played.
There was also a trading card game.
Why, you ask? Because Fairy Type is immune to Dragon Type, and that's awesome.
The Gym:
This is an enormous affair built entirely of wood, with intricate carvings and murals everywhere, even in the benched seats and load-bearing posts. Students of architecture know the design - it's a stave church, common in Norway and now found in Peaci. The various faithful within (whose confessional booths form an elaborate maze) have come to pray, not to fight; that honour falls to the armoured knights dotted around the place, and to the Leader.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Mawile @ Mawilite
Hyper Cutter --> Huge Power
Iron Head
Play Rough
Sucker Punch
Stone Edge
Wigglytuff @ Focus Sash
Competitive
Stealth Rock
Hyper Voice
Dazzling Gleam
Focus Blast
Mr. Mime @ Spell Tag
Soundproof
Healing Wish
Dazzling Gleam
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
Azumarill @ Assault Vest
Huge Power
Ice Punch
Aqua Tail
Play Rough
Knock Off
Florges @ Leftovers
Flower Veil
Synthesis
Protect
Aromatherapy
Moonblast
Togekiss @ Life Orb
Serene Grace
Nasty Plot
Air Slash
Thunder Wave
Roost
The Phat Lewts:
Leader Alleb's badge, the Veljusa badge, is unique for two reasons. The first is that it's made from an interesting substance locally called "ecumenical matter". The second is that if you express a preferred pronunciation of Veljusa, you will receive angry letters from a hundred different people offering a hundred different correct pronunciations and sharing the unanimous opinion that you are a dunce. Her other boon is TM99, Dazzling Gleam, one of the few Fairy-type moves on the roster.
For reference, this is what the Veljusa badge looks like:-
Only made of a peculiar metal.
I absolutely love it! Especially the fact that it's a church, and the knights.
So, what is the correct pronunciation of Veljusa?
-Alleb, who is only barely resisting the urge to start calling herself "Leader Alleb."
I love Lugia, so Flying! Wait, that's taken.
Psychic? No, that's taken.
Dragon? *scrolls down* No, that's also taken.
OK then, I'll go with Ice. Drat also taken.
OK then, Rock!
Since Dragon and Fire are taken after all. Ground for me then.
The Gym:
This gym is very open air - possibly on account of the ancient-looking temple having been ruined for some time and exposed to the elements. Dig trenches have been cut into the earth and the Gym is a mess of duckboards, tents, excitable people clutching shards of ancient pottery, and whatever the blarting hell a geophysicist is. In the depths of the dig, though, lies Leader Vowel, dusty books clustered around him, slowly translating the cuneiform on the massive sandstone monolith behind him.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Camerupt @ Cameruptite
Solid Rock --> Sheer Force
Fire Blast
Earth Power
Ancient Power
Flash Cannon
Quagsire @ Leftovers
Unaware
Scald
Recover
Acid Spray
Encore
Torterra @ Miracle Seed
Overgrow
Wood Hammer
Earthquake
Rock Polish
Synthesis
Diggersby @ Focus Sash
Huge Power
Earthquake
Return
Quick Attack
Swords Dance
Flygon @ Life Orb
Levitate
Draco Meteor
Roost
Earth Power
Defog
Stunfisk @ Soft Sand
Static
Stealth Rock
Discharge
Earth Power
Eerie Impulse
The Phat Lewts:
The Diphthong badge is made of butter-coloured sandstone with the shape "/aʊ/" carved into it. Nobody's quite sure why; well, that's not true, people who know the International Phonetic Alphabet know why, but they never, ever go outside. Leader Vowel's other prize is TM28, Dig. Understandably.
I love how this is nothing like the ground team I built for myself. Thanks for doing this. But for now all Pokemon will go by their default names, because I am not creative enough to nickname them.
Definitely a bit heavier on the Special Attackers than I typically use. I also like Leader Vowel. Much easier than my boarder name. And I do like the location of the gym. I'll be interested to see how this team works together.
I prefer Fire-type, but since it was claimed by Des I'll take Steel, since I'm into Robotics IRL.
Well, it's a tie between Electric and Ice.
And my gym would definitely be a gigantic skydiving simulator, with sky battles up the wazoo and a Skarmory as my main 'mon. :D
The point was to surprise people with this. Saying what your gym "would definitely be" just tells me what it definitely isn't, and besides, that idea's incredibly similar to Skyla's aerobatics tent. Still, I hope you like your Gym.
---
The Gym:
Oddly enclosed for a Flying-type gym, Leader Skarm's is set in a cave system containing a lush jungle of ancient, enormous plants. They form as much of a puzzle as the petrified bones protruding from everywhere, and the Lost World-aesthetic is compounded by Skarm's Trainers swinging down from the cave roof on vines. Deep in the heart of the cave, though, lies a gigantic carving of an extinct Pokémon's egg - and atop it rests the Gym Leader.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Salamence @ Salamencite
Intimidate --> Aerilate
Dragon Rush
Giga Impact
Zen Headbutt
Rock Slide
Tropius @ Sitrus Berry
Harvest
Substitute
Leech Seed
Air Cutter
Leaf Tornado
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Sturdy
Iron Head
Spikes
Whirlwind
Taunt
Yanmega @ Life Orb
Tinted Lens
Bug Buzz
Air Slash
Ancient Power
Psychic
Archeops @ Sitrus Berry
Defeatist
Head Smash
Acrobatics
Outrage
Defog
Swoobat @ Salac Berry
Simple
Calm Mind
Stored Power
Air Slash
Charge Beam
The Phat Lewts:
The Pinion badge is your main prize, and as shiny objects go it's certainly up there; a large mother-of-pearl oval with a feather picked out in silver. Not only do you get TM40, Aerial Ace, but you can also pick one of the Fossils the Leader has in his collection. Choose wisely!
*chomp chomp*
This is absolutely precious by the by.
*chomp chomp*
*insert Greek mythology joke here*
---
The Gym:
This gym breaks the stereotype of Dark-type areas being spoooooky by being a bright, well-lit, bustling... canteen. The primary puzzle for trainers, though, is getting through the courses offered by the waiters who serve as Leader July's subordinates; they'll only let you past if you get through the courses at exactly the right time. Wouldn't want things to get unseemly, now, would we?
The Team (postgame):
Mega Sharpedo @ Sharpedoite
Speed Boost --> Strong Jaw
Crunch
Waterfall
Ice Fang
Protect
Skuntank @ Black Sludge
Stench
Crunch
Sucker Punch
Poison Jab
Taunt
Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock
Sand Stream
Stone Edge
Crunch
Ice Fang
Superpower
Honchkrow @ Black Glasses
Moxie
Brave Bird
Sucker Punch
Pursuit
Roost
Weavile @ Life Orb
Pressure
Icicle Crash
Ice Shard
Pursuit
Bite
Scrafty @ Lum Berry
Moxie
High Jump Kick
Crunch
Head Smash
Dragon Dance
The Phat Lewts:
Unsurprisingly, the Fang Badge is your prize for chewing through Leader July's team; a jagged sharktooth-shaped affair made of something you can only hope is ivory, set in blackened steel. You also receive TM12, Taunt, amidst much grumbling from the Leader that Crunch isn't on the TM list yet.
... that's a shark.
((No, it's a Sharpedo.))
It's a shark.
((I promise it's a Pokemon.))
It's a shark. No-one said we were allowed real animals.
((It's a- look, it Mega Evolves into this:))
So now it's a shark with bling.
((It's not a shark!))
It isn't?
((Well, no, it is, but--))
I'm naming this one 'a shark'.
((You can't name them, they're not yo- mine.))
Then I'm nicknaming it.
((You're supposed to be saying how you'd beat it.))
Eh, it's a shark. Get Sauron to levitate it out of the water.
((That... doesn't work in Pokemon.))
Sounds like people haven't been poking their mons properly to me.
((It's not--))
This is like the exodus all over again, you know. 'Oh, wah, we can't get over the sea.' 'Oh, wah, the Teleri won't lend us their boats.' 'Oh, wah, kinslaying isn't kind.'
((Kinslaying isn't kind.))
No, but you lot were still whingy about it.
((Can... can we focus on the Pokemon?))
Fine. Number one: a shark. Drag it out of the water.
((That--))
Or, if we're playing along with the system, get Aglon to punch it. Fighting-type beats Shark-type, right? And it's got -- let's see -- Dark, Water, and Ice to hit Aglon with, none of which are 'super effective' against Aglon. So we win.
((I think it's a bit more complicated than that.))
Then we'll use Swords Dance to make the punch better. NEXT!
That's a skunk. I'm calling this one 'a skunk'.
((Aren't skunks New World animals?))
I spent thousands of years wandering around Middle-earth; you don't think I popped across Bel- the Atlantic a time or two?
So, this one's a skunk. It's Dark and Poisonous. So we send in Salgant, who can hit it with an earthquake.
((Salgant doesn't have Earthquake.))
No, it's called 'Earth Power'. So what? It's still an earthquake. The skunk can only hit Salgant with Dark and Poison, so- wait, hang on. Why can a skunk punch?
((I guess it can just... learn the move?))
Your Internet says it can't.
((Maybe it's thinking outside the box.))
Shut up. Oh, Dark is good against Salgant. Do you think he can avoid being bitten or skunk-punched?
((Probably not, to be honest.))
Then he'd better do whatever he can and... I dunno, send in whoever's handy. Raumo to yell at it or something. NEXT.
((But you didn't come up with a way to beat--))
NEXT.
... so we've gone from normal animals to extinct normal animals. That's obviously some kind of giant reptile. So we'll call it 'a gorgonopsid'. It's half-rock, so... well, hit it. Aglon can do that.
((And if he fails?))
Why would he fail? He's two Feanorians.
((Humour me.))
Salgant could earthquake it again. Or Arnyellë can roll up into a ball and hit it.
((That's called 'Gyro Ball'.))
No, it's called rolling up into a ball and hitting it.
Can you guess what I'm calling this one?
(('A crow in a hat'?))
Correct. And since it's a bird, we'll hit it with rocks. Arnyellë's got some of those, so has Salgant.
((Are you going to make use of the REST of your Pokemon at any point?))
Sure. We'll have Raumo magic up some extra Special Attack and a little doll and pass them onto whoever needs them. Happy? Don't care. Moving on.
Okay, it's a weasel in a collar. At least they're trying now.
((You're going to call it 'a weasel in a collar', aren't you?))
No, I'm going to call it Ar-Pharazon the Golden. It looks just like him. And since it's vulnerable to rocks, it'll go down the same way as him, too. Or Aglon can punch it. Next!
That.
What is that.
((That's a Scrafty.))
It's an abomination.
((No, it's a Pokemon. I told you they weren't just animals.))
It's a scruffy, goofy-looking thing with dumb hair that can't keep its trousers from falling down.
((And it's half-fighting, so Aglon won't-))
I'm calling it Beren.
((...))
Yup. So, Dark/Fighting. Ideally we'd want to hit it with Fairy, but we don't-
((You can't call it Beren.))
Just did. Ironically, Fighting is still good against it, but we can also use Flying. That means-
((Seriously, choose a different name.))
Nope. Actually, Iris doesn't have a Flying attack, but that Heat Wave should at least do normal-
((You could call it 'Morgoth', that'd be good for a laugh.))
Beren will lash out with Dark, Fighting, and Rock, so actually Iris wouldn't be a good choice-
((Or 'Aragorn', even, he was a mess.))
Honestly, it's looking like sending in Aglon yet again is our all-around best choice. So that's-
((Dafydd. You can't call it 'Beren'.))
- about it for Beren, and I think for the list. That wasn't so bad. Who's next?
>Dafydd Illian
((There is no way we can win against that team. Seriously. ~hS))
He was very Feanorian.
I don't think trying goes with that at all.
"Do... or claim you did anyway and set fire to anyone who says otherwise."
hS
It is also a good thing he normally has no access to pokemon at all.
Because fire = my other theme, thank you very much.
hS
*points at username aggressively*
-July
Your ENTIRE GYM is flammable! [/Dafydd]
Though it does suggest that, ironically, Leader Iximaz and Leader Desdendelle probably do not get on well at all.
Or possibly that they have a very... interesting dynamic going on, where every time he sweeps her entire team in six rounds, she finds herself drawn ever closer to him...
hS
She actually recognizes there are other types out there and utilizes them. She only uses her all-Grass teams for Gym matches, since it's a Bad Idea to go out Pokémon Ranger-ing with so many weaknesses.
As of right now, her favorite Pokémon is her Reuniclus, Jellybean.
She's very squishy and likes hugs.though you do know the saying 'opposites attract'...
Leader Iximaz might use grass types in her daily Gym battles, but this is her current team. :D
Here we have Jellybean the Reuniclus. Like I said, she's very squishy and likes hugs. She also delights in feasting on her enemies.
Hello, Bladebeak! He's more of a support 'mon than anything, but he's a master at using Spikes+Whirlwind to slowly and painfully kill his enemies. And then he feasts upon them.
D'aww, Egglantine is so cute. Unfortunately, she does not regularly feast upon her enemies, but she does act as a great team cleric.
Not A Hat used to be named Floof, but Iximaz got tired of him trying to reclaim his Swabloo days and changed his name to Not A Hat in the vain hope it would convince him to stop landing on her head. So far, it hasn't worked. He occasionally partakes in the feasting.
For all the reputation Jellybean has gotten as a vicious monster, it is Putter who is the true one to be feared. He has been known to slay dragons in his spare time. And then feast upon the enemies.
Finally, we have Potato. He's not the best 'mon, as all things go, but he... tries hard? There is no feasting to be had for him.
... is that it always makes me think of this. In which case 'feasting on' is a synonym for 'encasing in her body and slowly dissolving'.
hS
Dark was introduced in Gen 2 as a direct counter to Psychic.
A July used to give newbies a welcoming bite, besides links to things on the wiki.
:D
Bite and Crunch all the way.
I'm curious what my gym would be themed about...
Because why bother with Dragons or Ghost or Fighting types when you have Magikarp? 
The Gym:
Set in a massive, saucer-shaped building, a prospective trainer finds themselves transported to a massive crystal platform in the middle of a whirlpool. They must negotiate treacherous rocks, watching trainers, and mighty wizzards before reaching the edge and riding the rapids down to the leader's lair below.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Intimidate --> Mould Breaker
Crunch
Earthquake
Waterfall
Ice Fang
Empoleon @ Chople Berry
Torrent
Roar
Scald
Toxic
Stealth Rock
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Drizzle
Scald
Toxic
Rest
Encore
Gorebyss @ White Herb
Swift Swim
Shell Smash
Muddy Water
Ice Beam
Baton Pass
Carracosta @ Lum Berry
Solid Rock
Shell Smash
Aqua Jet
Waterfall
Stone Edge
Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Swift Swim
Hydro Pump
Energy Ball
Ice Beam
Uproar
The Phat Lewts:
The A'Tuin badge is definitely not copyright infringement and we'll fight anyone who says different. Check the footnotes for an explanation. As for the TM, well, Leader Turtle will instead give HM05, Waterfall. He's got a few of those, the greedy git. =]
And what a team, eh? I'm not much of a competitive battler and I've never really gotten into the metagame but... after reviewing some of this fine team's moves and synergies this looks like something that can plough though even the toughest of enemies.
Well, as long they're not electric that is.
You'll be fine. =]
definitions of fine may vary
That Shell Smash boost from Gorebyss (who I shall refer to as "Aiguille" from now on) offers a fantastic boost to both offensive and speed stats-- Baton Pass that to Gyarados ("Riptide") and suddenly you get a mighty Mega-capable, Earthquake-using monster that can act as a decent physical sweeper.
Yeah, not too shabby.
Also, I assume that that Politoed is there to set up rain, right? And to presumably lock foes into non-offensive moves to get a few Scalds in after using Encore, if I'm not mistaken. You just gotta get the read...
It's there as a rain setter, yeah (hence Damp Rock - weather is no longer permanent in Gen VI), but mostly it's there as an offensive support - you use it to spread status effects with Toxic and lock people into stuff with Encore. Scald's really only there because otherwise you're Taunt bait. =]
Other than that, yeah, Gorebyss is designed as a SmashPasser, hence the White Herb. Baton Pass carries stat drops over as well, so having it there means you can set up with Shell Smash in the rain and (hopefully) use Baton Pass to only give the boosts. +2 Attack and Speed on a Mega Gyarados? dats just cray cray yo.
I would've pick Psychic, but I see hS called dibs already.
Though, honestly, Scape - I founded the Pyro department. ^_~ I have other themes than elves, you know!
So my main Pokemon should of course be either psy/fire or psy/dragon. Which makes for... apparently Delphox for the former (Victini I think is unique?, and Darmanitan looks, um, dumb), and... wow, nothing at all suitable for the latter?
Things only get worse if I go for fairy instead of psychic... oh, well, can't set fire to everything.
brb, teaching Gallade Fire Punch four times.
hS
...
Liar. =]
Besides, Des beat you to the Fire-type.
The Gym:
This gym is absolutely covered with gems, to a truly outrageous degree. The whole place is full to bursting with the things, though in its own way it's strangely tasteful. It's probably the elegant wood and masonry underpinning the whole business. The gym's main trap feature is its hall of mirrors, though the gems are themselves hiding... dark things within.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Gallade @ Galladite
Justified --> Inner Focus
Swords Dance
Fire Punch
Drain Punch
Zen Headbutt
Girafarig @ Silk Scarf
Sap Sipper
Hyper Voice
Nasty Plot
Substitute
Baton Pass
Claydol @ Soft Sand
Levitate
Rapid Spin
Ancient Power
Earth Power
Psychic
Bronzong @ Leftovers
Levitate
Stealth Rock
Gyro Ball
Toxic
Trick Room
Sigilyph @ Life Orb
Magic Guard
Psyshock
Heat Wave
Roost
Calm Mind
Alakazam @ Twisted Spoon
Inner Focus
Psychic
Focus Blast
Shadow Ball
Encore
The Phat Lewts:
The Silmaril Badge is a glittering prize indeed, shining from your lapel with the light of the stars themselves. After all, Pokémon may well have put them there. In addition, you get TM04, Calm Mind. Something for which the Feanorians were, of course, entirely famed. =]
..any chance of a plain English translation?
The beginning and end are confusing enough (why would Elves be working out in a gym?) but the middle bit isn't even pretending to make sense. It's like some avant-garde free-verse poetry from the fifties. (I imagine a beatnik standing a concrete plaza, surrounded by modernist office blocks, as he angrily declaims your words at the bowler-hatted businessmen passing by!)
Pokemon are magical monsters which people can capture and use to fight each other (ie, pit fights, without the pit). The most structured fights take place in what are called Gyms - it's not the Elves who're getting the workout, it's the Pokemon. The Gym is lead by one person - in this case, me - who Pokemon trainers have to beat to get a shiny badge.
Then we see the list of Gym Leader Huinesoron's six Pokemon. You get the Pokemon species (such as Girafarig), and then the item they're holding (@ followed by, for instance, a Silk Scarf). On the next line, you get their innate ability - Claydol has Levitate, for instance, so is always... uh... levitating.
Then you have the four moves for each Pokemon - their spells or literal attacks. Fire Punch is literally a punch with the Pokemon's hand on fire. They use these as instructed against the opposing Pokemon.
Beating a Gym Leader nets you two things: a pretty badge to say you've done it, and a move, which you can teach to your own Pokemon. So if your little demons successfully magic mine into oblivion, I'll give you a badge shaped like a Silmaril, and a move that helps your Pokemon focus. And some begrudging congratulations.
These are my six Pokemon in the order Scapegrace listed them. The first two pictures are actually the same critter - that 'Mega Gallade' means it starts out as Gallade (Curufin), and then transforms on its first turn into Mega Gallade (Celegorm). It makes him stronger and prettier, and more susceptible to cunning Doriathrin princesses. ^_^
That help?
hS
Elves do work out in gyms! The adjoining Dr. Wu gives you one, after you eat volcano bakemeat at your mom's house! Then you get called a trashy man and cry.
Bonus Engrish points if you get what I'm referencing.
You know, that looks alarmingly like one of my brothers. Curufin, maybe?
... and that looks more like 'Pretty Pretty Celegorm'. Oy, hS, can I name your Pokedemons?
((I... guess...?))
Great. Then I'm calling this one Aglon, after the Lords of Aglon-and-Himlad it so resembles.
((I'm going to regret this, aren't I?))
Hey, you gave me the keyboard. What's next?
I had a horse that looked like that once. Admittedly not quite like that, but it was bicoloured like that thing. Angry little beggar, too. I'll name this one Raumo after her.
((Are you going to translate for the non-Quenya speakers?))
You speak Quenya. Very badly, but-
((There are other people here.))
Are there?
((...))
All right; it means the combined sound of a storm. Told you she was angry.
... HEY! COUSIN TURGON! I found one of your lieges!
Yeah, that's Salgant. Hopefully this one doesn't end up as Morgoth's jester.
... that's a bell.
((Pokemon aren't all animal-themed.))
But that's a bell.
((It's a musical instrument; surely you approve.))
It's a bell. Bells aren't instruments, they're fripperies. Amusements for the like of Her Imperial Highness Melian the Bigotted.
((It's a bell that can poison you and trap you in a world turned upside-down, then hit you with invisible rocks.))
Okay, so it's the best bell ever. Call it Arnyellë.
((... 'very bell'?))
Hey, you chose it. NEXT!
Now that's a Pokedemon worth seeing. Better than an arrogant eagle or condescending swan any day.
((You are calling something arrogant?))
Yes. I suppose Armanwë would be a bit unsubtle... let's call it Iris instead.
((... 'Iris'?))
Yes.
((That's not from Middle-earth.))
Connie's got Tanfin interested in Greek Mythology, so I've had to learn it in self-defense. And this is certainly what I'd want as my goddess of the rainbow.
I think I fought one of those once. Yeah, pretty sure I did - a big ugly cat with more hair than it was ever meant to have.
((You're thinking of Tevildo; I'm pretty sure he got turned into Sauron in the final version.))
Heh, there you go. Call it Sauron.
((I am not calling a Pokemon Sauron.))
Yes you are.
((No, I'm not.))
Oy, Salgant, come help me convin-
((OKAY FINE.))
I knew you'd see reason. One way or another.
>Dafydd Illian
Featuring Aglon posing at Salgant's expense (sounds about right), and Raumo chasing Sauron off-stage (yeah, so does that). You can decide for yourself whether that Star of Feanor is the Silmaril Badge or just decoration.
(With many thanks to JulyFlame for the design of Gym Leader Huinesoron.)
hS
After all the beautiful snarking that's been going on, I can't help but feel like this Team hS portrait is missing Dafydd. Possibly seated and looking at that chart or something. :D (Or I suppose he could be off screen, but that's not as funny...)
~DF, who is regretting not having a team for Dafydd to snark at
Arnyelle, I said widescreen! Widescreen! You can't see- what do you mean you've got no eyes? How does that matter?
Ugh. This is what comes of not having an Electric-type to do tech support.
Now I feel really bad for Salgant...
(With apologies to Dafydd for not being able to draw him very well. If July feels like making a Master Strategist/Snarker At Large costume for him... ;})
hS
Gym Leader hS reminds me very much of Seto Kaiba if Seto Kaiba was a Pokemon battling elf.
It's too bad hS didn't get the Dragon type. Reshiram would have been a perfect big bad for this leader.
A bit of that plus some combining of elements..
Also you have no idea how long it took trying to find a more recentish photo of hS to consult against.
-July, not a stalker
That's really cool.
(This message brought to you by the Mental Council for Preventing hS Squealing 'I'm Gonna Be A Pokemaster!'.)
(Technically, this message brought to you by about 2/3 of the Mental Council. Lou is squealing herself, and Dafydd wants him to do it for malicious reasons of his own.)
(The identities of the rest of the Mental Council are kept secret to protect the innocent and guilty alike.)
hS
-ious.
Heck, I'll take Dafydd commenting on just about anything. I'm still grinning. That was perfect.
~DF
And I don't want to go making snide comments about other people's, for obvious reasons.
hS
I got a good chuckle reading Dafydd's snark. :P
... if you want his comments on 'How Team Beleriand would (try to) beat up Team Foliage', I can offer that.
hS
The Gym:
Leader Cipher's gym is situated overlooking a clear, bright river lined with thorn trees and the occasional Sudowoodo, perhaps at odds with the conventional depiction of such places. Indeed, it's rather different; a burly-looking castle in the Ordensburg style, known locally as the Thorn; its massive walls going from wood at the bottom to brick at the top. Inside it's a similar story, with thorn bushes and trick bookcases hiding Trainers in elaborate, wing-sporting armour.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Beedrill @ Beedrillite
Swarm --> Adaptability
X-Scissor
Protect
Poison Jab
Drill Run
Dragalge @ Dragon Fang
Adaptability
Toxic
Venoshock
Dragon Pulse
Scald
Toxicroak @ Poison Barb
Poison Touch
Gunk Shot
Drain Punch
Cross Chop
Ice Punch
Weezing @ Black Sludge
Levitate
Sludge Bomb
Flamethrower
Toxic Spikes
Will-O-Wisp
Drapion @ Lum Berry
Sniper
Swords Dance
Night Slash
Poison Jab
Aqua Tail
Nidoking @ Life Orb
Sheer Force
Earth Power
Ice Beam
Thunderbolt
Sludge Wave
The Phat Lewts:
The Wheelwright badge is Leader Cipher's prize, an elaborate eight-spoked wheel affair with the top half a moonstone and the bottom half a rich, red garnet, all set in old gold. The TM you get is TM84, Poison Jab, although the Leader confesses he'd have preferred to have an Electrode on the team.
---
I knew a bit about Polish history anyway - The Civ 5 modding scene takes you all over the world without leaving your chair - so I decided to emphasise that. This is going to be really awkward if it turns out I've had the wrong end of the stick and you're actually Lithuanian or something. =]
.
.
.
.
.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA~!!!!
Everything's perfect! From the Teutonic Castle in Malbork
This is what you meant, right? :D Yeah, this is the Teutonic Castle in Malbork (Northern Poland) and nobody calls in Ordensburg, so I had to think about it for a while.
Thorn... Hmmm, if that wasn't a random name I guess you were going for the English equivalent for the city of Toruń - the birthplace of Copernicus.
Wing-sporting armout, eh? POISON STRONK!
And finally, the Wheelwright badge... I couldn't stop laughing! Seriously, that's pre-Middle Ages history! Like, even before the year 1000!
Overall, I love you so much for doing this! May the Great Beard bless you with all its gifts! :D
His favorite is Fighting.
The Gym:
Entering through the mouth of a cave (which doesn't look like a tiger because my lawyers aren't that good), what at first looks like a strange trail down soon turns into a massive hall, with diamonds glittering from within the pillars as Trainer and Pokémon alike fight with each other and, occasionally, bow-armed skeletons. Nobody's entirely sure why, but it does make for an interesting maze puzzle before reaching Leader Foo.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Lopunny @ Lopunnite
Limber --> Scrappy
High Jump Kick
Return
Ice Punch
Teeter Dance
Infernape @ Expert Belt
Iron Fist
Fire Punch
Mach Punch
Stone Edge
Earthquake
Medicham @ Choice Band
Pure Power
High Jump Kick
Thunder Punch
Poison Jab
Psycho Cut
Scrafty @ Lum Berry
Intimidate
Dragon Dance
High Jump Kick
Knock Off
Head Smash
Pangoro @ Life Orb
Scrappy
Superpower
Crunch
Gunk Shot
Parting Shot
Mienshao @ Black Belt
Reckless
High Jump Kick
Swords Dance
U-Turn
Rock Slide
The Phat Lewts
Foo's badge, the Diamond badge, is an elaborately-carved light blue gem of some description, matching the ones on the walls that fill his Gym with slightly creepy blue-tinged light. His other gift is TM94, Rock Smash.
Because most of my favorite Pokémon are pure Normal-type.
Your Gym:
Your name is LEADER RADIOACTIVESUE and you are slightly perplexed at how you managed to make your name fit within the CHARACTER LIMIT. It is not your THIRTEENTH BIRTHDAY. Instead, it is your GYM. Your gym is a maze of SWITCH PUZZLES with the prospective trainers having to guide a CLONE through a maze with a SERIES OF SWITCHES, all the while CONSTANTLY ASSAILED by your IMPERIAL GUARD. It occurs to you that this means they must act with the SECOND PERSON.
>>START.
Your Team (postgame):
Mega Pidgeot @ Pidgeotite
Keen Eye --> No Guard
Hurricane
Heat Wave
Swagger
Roost
Exploud @ Choice Specs
Scrappy
Boomburst
Focus Blast
Flamethrower
Ice Beam
Cincinno @ King's Rock
Skill Link
Rock Blast
Tail Slap
Bullet Seed
Gunk Shot
Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Toxic Boost
Facade
Brick Break
Night Slash
Quick Attack
Swellow @ Flame Orb
Guts
Facade
Quick Attack
U-Turn
Brave Bird
Ambipom @ Life Orb
Pickup
Fake Out
Return
Low Kick
Knock Off
Your Phat Lewts:
You give out the CAPSLOCK BADGE, two right-facing chevrons of glittering EMERALD. You also see fit to give a victorious adversary TM64, EXPLOSION. It seems FITTING, given how LOUD you can get.
>> GYM: END.
Because they are freaking dragons. How cool is that!? Short of that, Fire.
Yeah, I don't play Pokemon. I'm interested to see where this is going though.
Fierce as fire!!
I'm not too sure what colours July was going for (colourblindness + dark image), so I guessed. Browns are pretty inoffensive, right?
Talonflame is a pretty bird. Even hampered by being in hS!art, it's gorgeous.
I would apologise for making Uldor Darmanitan look demented, but, uh, it started out that way.
Dafydd is deciding whether Des would look good in an iron crown. ^_~
hS
The Gym:
This gym is hollowed out of a basalt bluff, though the interior is mainly concrete, barbed wire, and intricate patterns of angry screaming people marching up and down the place. The floor tiles are bedecked with the leader's symbol, the Raven-in-Flight, and they seem to be crystalline in nature - leeching the other metals out of the base's very walls. Brute force is the order of the day... except, of course, when it isn't.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Houndoom @ Houndoomite
Flash Fire --> Solar Power
Nasty Plot
Fire Blast
Dark Pulse
Solar Beam
Arcanine @ Rocky Helmet
Intimidate
Morning Sun
Flare Blitz
Extreme Speed
Wild Charge
Ninetales @ Leftovers
Drought
Solar Beam
Flamethrower
Will-O-Wisp
Hex
Talonflame @ Normal Gem
Gale Wings
Quick Attack
Acrobatics
Flare Blitz
Tailwind
Darmanitan @ Life Orb
Sheer Force
Flare Blitz
Rock Slide
Earthquake
Superpower
Pyroar @ Charcoal
Unnerve
Flamethrower
Hyper Voice
Dark Pulse
Solar Beam
The Phat Lewts
First up is the Tiberium Badge. It's an elaborate crystal that grew into the shape of a stylised flame, and it glows from within in a way that's almost certainly completely fine. The other gift is TM50, Overheat, a powerful move that comes with a cost.
((What, no chart?))
I showed them the chart to let them know I was doing it. I'm not showing them the rest so as to avoid sharing my planning with them.
((Fair enough.))
So, is this one of the ones that upgrades itself on the fly?
I see that it is. I guess that's supposed to be a hellhound, but it's not a patch on the real thing. Ooh, it's got horns and a forked tail? I've fought the kind the size of horses, with venomous fangs and enough strength to rip your arm clean off. And when I say 'fought', I mean 'fought and killed entire packs at once'.
Still, I'll give them credit for effort, and call this one Draugluin.
Desdendelle's monsters mostly share weaknesses to Rock, Ground, and Water; we don't have Water, but Salgant can hit the other two. Unfortunately, Salgant is also weak against Draugluin - he can't abide Grass or Fighting. Which sounds a lot like Turgon's thane, actually.
Hmm, not rising to that one? I'll have to try harder. The best thing to do looks like sending in Aglon to punch it. Because once again, if you want something done, send House Feanor to do it.
... still no reaction? Maybe he's ill.
Ah, another hellhound. This one can be Carcharoth. It looks about as much of a pushover as he should have been. Except, oh, wait - some mortal idiot literally fed him a Silmaril. I suppose we shouldn't ask too much of someone who let a King of the Noldor get eaten by werewolves - or of the supposed King who let himself be eaten...
((--!))
Ah. There it is.
So Carcharoth can't hit us very well unless we're silly enough to send in Iris. Equally, we can't do much to him. Salgant of course can hit him handily - and is immune to his electric attack which probably comes from the Silmaril - but apart from that, it's mostly Raumo, Aglon or Sauron getting in general-purpose normal hits of various kinds.
Another hellhound? Theme much? Hrm. Since the many tails-which-get-in-the-way make it look like there's more than one, let's call it Gaurhoth. Much though I hate to use that debased language, Sindarin has a good word for this.
Oh, I haven't prodded him yet. Er... and the fact that it's so small and unassuming shows you exactly how non-threatening the Gaurhoth were to competent warriors?
((Not gonna swing that one, I'm afraid.))
Drat. So Gaurhoth shares Carcharoth's weaknesses, but can hit different types. Since it can attack out Ghost weakness, we'll want to send in Raumo, who's immune to that. Of course Raumo can't really hit well at all, but maybe he can get in one hit and throw up a Substitute, then switch out for someone who can, like Aglon.
Everlasting Dark, it's not a dog. But it is just a bird; Morgoth didn't really use birds.
((Wait, you're theming your nicknames?))
Of course. No, Morgoth used metal-clad dragons and the like, not those silly eagles Manwe so enjoyed employing.
((One of those eagles saved your brother's life.))
For a few hundred years. Not really worth it, was it? So, a dragon. With a colour scheme like that, let's call it Glaurung.
((Glaurung couldn't fly.))
He didn't need to to smash up a certain hole in the ground.
((...))
That's what I thought. Glaurung is super weak to Salgant's moves, so that's what we're going with. Next.
What. Is that.
It looks like a mortal who's had too much Dorwinion wine.
I'm going to call it Uldor the Accursed. And then I'm going to kill it.
((Whoa! You can't go killing other people's Pokemon.))
Can I not? I still know how to wield a sword, you know.
((Dafydd, it's not actually Uldor.))
I know. Because I killed him.
... ugh, fine. Same type as Carcharoth and Gaurhoth, and I'm going to let Aglon hit it to death because this fight needs a Feanorion. NEXT!
... that's cheating.
((I think there's two different kinds.))
Oh. Hrm. Well, it's a cat... did I use Tevildo?
((You ended up calling him Sauron.))
This one can be Tevildo, then. Rounding out Team: Morgoth's Greatest Hits. And he's weak to Salgant or Aglon, so let's go with punching him again. NEXT!
((I think that's it.))
Oh. Listen, I'm sure someone said Psychic is the best type, but we're not doing all that well in these fights. I'd go so far as to say that my inspired leadership is the only thing rescuing us from extinction.
((I'm sure you would. Psychic is good because it's not weak to much, I think, and didn't used to be weak to anything with actual damaging moves.))
So... you're saying it's like hiding in a hole in the ground and then crowing over your superiority because the enemy can't actually find you?
((...))
I'll take that as a yes. Suits you, then.
>Dafydd Illian
((Ugh. So if anyone else wants one of these, let me know. ~hS))
Quick, get him before he spreads the word!
I'm a big fan of tricksy things and the negation properties of Ghost. :3
The Gym:
In a direct contrast to Leader Iximaz's castle, this one is big and faintly foreboding, a parody of the bleached-white fairytale castles of old. Within are all the trappings of a warlock; alchemical labs, randomly moving armour, and a bevy of strange women wandering around the place challenging mortals to battle.
The Team (postgame):
Mega Sableye @ Sablenite
Prankster --> Magic Bounce
Shadow Ball
Will-O-Wisp
Recover
Calm Mind
Chandelure @ Choice Specs
Flash Fire
Trick
Fire Blast
Energy Ball
Hex
Golurk @ Soft Sand
No Guard
Earthquake
Dynamic Punch
Phantom Force
Stone Edge
Jellicent @ Leftovers
Cursed Body
Hex
Scald
Recover
Toxic
Shedinja @ Focus Sash
Wonder Guard
Baton Pass
Swords Dance
Shadow Sneak
Protect
Mismagius @ Colbur Berry
Levitate
Hex
Nasty Plot
Dazzling Gleam
Thunder Wave
The Phat Lewts:
The Alliance Badge is a rather ornate affair, an elaborate onyx lion's head with a pearl sigil picked out on the top. However, the TM given to you by leader Darkotas is not. You have a choice of either TM21, Return, or TM27, Frustration. Don't worry - you can get the other one later in the game. Promise.
I LOVE GRASS POKÉMON YOU HAVE NO IDEA.
Also, Team Glitter. Why is this so perfect.
The Gym:
In a huge, imposing, but still beautiful fairytale castle lies Leader Iximaz - current head of the Pokémon Ranger Corps - and her guard of battle-hardened Rangers. The inside is thickly forested, and conceals many traps for the unwary... though like a true Ranger, you can get out if you trust in your heart and your team.
The Team (postgame-level stuff for now):
Mega Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Overgrow --> Thick Fat
Toxic
Venoshock
Giga Drain
Synthesis
Breloom @ Toxic Orb
Poison Heal
Swords Dance
Spore
Facade
Mach Punch
Leavanny @ Focus Sash
Swarm
Sticky Web
Aerial Ace
Leaf Blade
X-Scissor
Liligant @ Miracle Seed
Own Tempo
Quiver Dance
Giga Drain
Sleep Powder
Petal Dance
Exeggutor @ Lum Berry
Harvest
Psyshock
Giga Drain
Sleep Powder
Rest
Gogoat @ Leftovers
Sap Sipper
Bulk Up
Horn Leech
Substitute
Earthquake
The Badge:
The Treaty Badge, a cluster of oak leaves in green and verdigrised-bronze, is a symbol of your team's strength of will. You also get TM86, Grass Knot.
((... that is not a Pokemon.))
No, it isn't. It's a sensible, organised way of discussing this. Not that that would occur to you Finarfinians, but some of us come from Houses that make plans.
((...))
The chart shows that we're somewhat out of luck here. Team Iximaz have five crippling weaknesses - Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug. But as our team markers on the bottom show, we outright can't touch three of those, and one of the others - Poison - we only have one move for. We can hit Fire, so Aglon and Iris will be getting a major workout in this battle.
((You know we're not actually fighting, right?))
And whose fault is that? Roll the Pokedemons.
Everlasting Dark! What is that? It looks like a mutant toad with a tree growing on it.
Well, at least it doesn't change when it 'Mega Evolves'.
((Much as I'd love to disagree with you... no, it kind of doesn't.))
So let's call it Sulimo, after someone else who didn't change even when he should have. As my chart shows, Sulimo here is vulnerable to both Fire and Psychic. That latter means most of our team can take him on; if we look at his moves, we see that he'll have a seriously hard time hitting Iris, so in goes the Rainbow Goddess. Next!
((That was almost a reasoned discussion. You're going to get a reputation if you keep going like this.))
I said NEXT!
... it's a lizard with a mushroom stuck on its head. So it grew up in a cave? I'm going to call it Felagund.
((HEY!))
Felagund is weak. To Psychic.
((Oh just stop.))
That gives us lots of options... but for thematic purposes, I'm going to say use Sauron on him. I think we all know how that will end.
Remind me, are these ones themed 'Cheerful Horror-type'? Because that's terrifying. Though with that dancer pose, it reminds me of Melian... I'm calling it Melian.
((Didn't you already pick on Queen Melian once?))
Many, many more times than once. Melian has a massive Fire weakness, and nothing terribly good against Iris, so the glorious rainbow of House Feanor once again beats the forest-dwelling dancer.
((... are you seriously bragging about the Second Kinslaying?))
... I was thinking of something else, I promise.
((Uh-huh.))
You're right; if that was the point I was making, it would have been an awful one.
((Should I tell your wife about this?))
Let's just move on.
...
OH COME ON. I just used up my Melian reference! This one even has a crown! Can I go back and change it?
((Nope. You burned that ship behind you...))
Go jump off an iceberg. Fine. I'm calling this one Finarfin.
((... why...?))
To irritate you. Finarfin is a weakling pansy who runs away all the time--
((Dafydd...))
-- and is weak to the same things as everyone else. Since all he can hit with is Grass, let's mix things up and send in Arnyelle to poison him to death.
That's a tree.
((So was 'Finarfin'.))
No, he was a useless coward. This is a genuine tree. I think Cirdan grew them down at Eglarest. So let's call it-
((Cirdan?))
No, Hirilorn. Because it's so... 'majestic'.
((My patience is seriously wearing thin.))
My caring ran out a long time ago. Hirilorn is... hey, Psychic is our gimmick! Figures the Queen of Trees would steal from us, just like the Queen of Doriath stole our glory.
((You mean by being actually capable of defending her realm?))
Yes, that. We can either use Sauron against Hirilorn to hit a Ghost weakness, or go back to Iris and Fire on the grounds that Hirilorn can't really touch her.
And that... is just a goat.
((You're still going to give it an offensive name, though.))
What gave you that impression? I was going to name it after one of my tough, mountain-bred horses.
((Oh, well, that's--))
But if you'd prefer offensive, I'll call it Turin, after yet another scruffy mortal.
... what, no objection?
((Yeah, I'm not too fond of Turin myself. Remember what he did to Nargothrond?))
... is it too late to change it?
((Yes.))
Bother. Well, Turin is virtually identical to Finarfin - they were both useless cowards who got their own people killed -
((HEY!))
Heh, gotcha - except that he could hit Arnyelle's weakness if he wanted.
So we'll just send in Aglon to punch him on fire. Problem solved!
>Dafydd Illian
Dafydd, never change. Please. :D
Permission to have Dafydd snark at my team is hereby granted.