Pokémon
"On the desk there is my invention, the Pokédex! It automatically records data on Pokémon you've seen or caught. It's a high-tech encyclopedia!"
- -- Professor Samuel Oak
Pokémon is a catch-all term for the wildlife of Energy Nede. This term also shows the interference of the Nedians in their planet's native fauna, to preserve them, as it is a casual shortening of the term "pocket monster." They have been altered genetically to survive in the Kanto Region, thoroughly cataloged, and domesticated such that even wild Pokémon are unlikely to kill someone (though it does happen). They are also often pets, companions, and partners in battle, who are used in every walk of life.
Trainers, Gyms, and the Pokémon League
Battles between individuals commanding Pokémon are a very popular sport on Energy Nede. This can be tournaments, individual matches, and involve both teams and single duels. Those who find and train Pokémon are often called Trainers.
Trainers can be of any age and come from any walk in life. It is very common for teenagers to become Trainers. However, adults sometimes do, even taking a year off from their career to do so. It is common for Trainers to practice, find Pokémon, and decide to challenge Gyms; however, it is equally common for them to simply explore the Kanto Region and capture Pokémon.
Pokémon are captured through a device called a Pokéball, which will provide a stable home, stimulation, and comfort for a captured Pokémon. Considerable effort has gone into making Pokéballs humane, though it is considered proper to let their residents roam free unless traveling or entering a situation that could be dangerous. There are many different types of Pokéballs, developed for different situations.
The Pokémon League is the regulatory body for Trainers and a trade guild of sorts. Trainers participating try to become Champion-ranked Trainers, which is done by acquiring all of the Gym Badges from across Kanto. Pokémon Gyms are a set of challenges meant to test the tactical, physical, and mental fortitude of a Trainer and their Pokémon, which culminates in a battle against the Gym Leader. After all of the Gym Badges are acquired, a Trainer must battle the Elite Four, who lead the League. Defeating all four of the Elite Four will earn someone the rank of Champion-ranked Trainer.
The Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and willing Champion-ranked Trainers often help with disaster recovery, law enforcement, and other dangerous missions. It is a well-known fact that Gym Leaders and Elite Four typically hold back when someone challenges them, as they are an obstacle to overcome rather than trying to win at any cost; this changes in truly dangerous situations, which some criminals have discovered to their chagrin.
Pokémon in Gunslinger and Digger
Any character can be a Pokémon Trainer, and the League was quick to allow offworlders to join. However, like most things at Dream Chasers MUSH, truly excelling at being a Trainer means focusing on it. As such, while staff will allow anyone to have a form that represents their use of a team of Pokémon, only characters who make that their chief identity can get access to Legendary Pokémon.
A Gunslinger stat block should typically represent a team of six Pokémon commanded by the Trainer. These forms should have PS Squad, unless something strange is going on (such as only using one Pokémon). You're free to use move sets, HMs, and TMs in any combinations as you see fit. Mega Evolutions can be brief attacks, though these are only suggested for Mystic Artes or Signature Attacks, given their power level. Z-Moves are also Mystic Artes. As a general rule, Physical Attack moves should usually be Techniques and Special Attack moves should usually be Sorcery, but we won't be especially strict (and some Pokémon may certainly have ARM attacks, such as when they have literal guns growing out of them).
We aren't legislating Pokémon from other, non-Kanto Regions; efforts to preserve those were pretty thorough, and Sheriff Star could not emotionally handle a world where Piplup is extinct. Star Ocean 2 monsters native to Energy Nede are simply also Pokémon in this world. Yes, this means you can have Psynards on your team.
Additionally, if you're from Spira and your team includes five Pokémon and one Chocobo, that's OK too!
However, the following things are off-limits:
- Legendary Pokémon need approval from staff and have the above stipulation. If you have one, being a Pokémon Trainer should be your character's main thing. We won't be granting approval out the gate, as this should be built up to. We'll be creating a chart, similar to Silver Mediums, when they begin to come into play.
- Shadow Pokémon, Paradox Pokémon, and Ultra Beasts are not available (yet).
A Pokémon using Dynamax or Mega Evolution can be a Gear form at the player's discretion (and with staff approval).
Similarly, Pokémon and items from the series can be used as Tools in Digger. This especially includes use of HMs and TMs as Tools, which are very appropriate. Similarly, if you have a Dynamax Pokémon that you want to use as a Gear for Gear-scale Digs, follow your bliss.
Staff will not be concerned with the relative power levels, Types, or specific moves of Pokémon. While we encourage you to use the games as inspiration, we won't be concerned if two people build their Eevees differently or give different flags to Flamethrower attacks. These can be chalked up to differences in training.
A Note on Tone
Please don't be weird about injuring, imperiling, or murdering Pokémon. This isn't the kind of MUSH where we're putting a magnifying glass on the suffering of Pokémon or the morality of using Pokémon in everyday or extraordinary life. Sometimes, Pokémon die (and they're part of an ecosystem where they may catch or become dinner), but we're not focused on that.