Sign Up/Discussion Pokemon: The Road of the Tamahime

This RP is strictly for @SAF the Nekomancer and me.

(rated E10+ for fantasy violence and frightening images

In a fantastic Pokeworld far from the one we know, the people make a grand journey to the Aiiro City each year to wish their ruler, the kind and wise Hikari-hime, well on her birthday. It is one of the very few times the public is allowed into the Indigo Palace, and millions come to the city each year in hopes of seeing the young princess face to face.


But then one year, the already long journey got a bit more hazardous--yokai began appearing, wild Pokémon went rogue, and sects of evil martial arts grew emboldened by the chaos, hoping they could assail the Indigo Palace, capture Hikari-hime, and hold her prisoner while they ruled the land with iron fists.


Puzzled at why such a joyous season should turn terrifying, the royal sages researched what was going on for weeks. They concluded that the seal to a primal evil dragon had been broken by an ambition evil sect, and the only way to seal the dragon, Eiengedou, was to awaken the Tamahime--the jeweled goddesses that protected the land.


As Hikari-hime's birthday drew near, the people began setting out on the journey to the Aiiro City. While some opted to simply stay home, others packed weapons, or hired the services of yokai hunters to protect them on the way.


But to four best friends that made their keep as yokai hunters, they decided to awaken the Tamahime along the way. It would potentially mean a longer trip, and filled with many dangers--but Ash, Misty, Brock, and Serena were not about ready to sit idly by and watch their world get destroyed. To further reduce the chance of getting the attention of evil sects, they decided to escort you, a traveler on your own journey to the Aiiro City.


What wonders and terrors await you and these four best friends on their adventure? Can our heroes seal the primal dragon, and preserve an ancient celebration?

Sign up here with the following info:

Character name:
Character age:
Character's physical appearance:
Character's personality/known history:
Character's Pokémon (if any; Legendaries are not allowed)
Character's current inventory (you have managed to save a thousand coins for this journey, as well as camp gear, food and drink, medical supplies, and a weapon of your choice--just in case)
What spurred your character to make the journey to the Aiiro City? Has your character gone to see the princess for years, or are they determined not to let an ancient primal dragon ruin their first trip?

 

@SAF the Nekomancer

Take your time--I can take care of some logistics on my end too

 

@SAF the Nekomancer

That's perfect! Maybe he could perform for Hikari-hime at the end?

 

@SAF the Nekomancer

So are we ready to start? I'll still put worldbuilding info in here, including the Trio and Serena's movesets.

 

@SAF the Nekomancer

All right, I'll make the thread now, and put worldbuilding info in here as needed.

 

@Kittimancy

The Music of Ancient Kanto

Ancient Kantonian music has been described as equal parts beautiful and exotic by travelers. But to the native Kantonians themselves, music is a source of pride, and even a source of power, as people have been known to channel mahou (magic) through their music, both for good and for ill.

With more foreigners arriving in Kanto, some of their instruments and songs have been adopted by the native Kantonians as a sign of friendship, but most of Kanto's traditional instruments are used in a ceremonial or theatrical context, even though some of them have a long history as solo instruments.

Some of the more common instruments include:

The bansi

This side-blown flute is famous around the Pokeworld for its distinct piercing sound, making it the traditional hero's instrument in the Kantonian theater. But it can play sweetly too, so it has a large solo repertoire too.

Ash owns a bansi, and plays it often--both the heroic tunes of the theater and the softer and mellower material

(what a bansi basically sounds like)

The tikin

Popularly called "the Kantonian fiddle" in other parts of the world, this three stringed fiddle-like instrument is famous for its voice-like sound and vast solo repertoire.

Misty wishes to learn to play a tikin, but has had no luck with finding a teacher.

(what a tikin basically sounds like)

The vina

Considered the icon of Kanto, this harp-like instrument is well known as "the narrator's instrument", and alongside the bansi, is revered as "the friends of song". It is also favored among storytellers for its portability.

Brock owns a vina, and will happily play one of the thousands of songs he knows upon request.

(what a vina basically sounds like)

The suji

A foreigner's instrument adopted by the native Kantonians alongside the mandolin, this guitar-like instrument is growing in popularity with storytellers and minstrels for its rich and full sound.

Brock owns a suji, but doesn't know very many songs on it just yet, as suji sheet music is not yet widely available in Kanto. He has picked up a few songs from foreigners on the way to the Aiiro City.

(what a suji basically sounds like)

The kibakofue

One of the more unusual and exotic instruments of Kanto, the kibakofue (literally "wooden box pipes") is an ancient Kantonian instrument traditionally used to accompany the ribbon dance, as it eliminated the need for a full orchestra due to the instrument's haunting airy whistle-like sound and wide range. (anywhere from two or three on starter instruments to six to eight on professional instruments). Most kibakofue typically play about five to six octaves.

The kibakofue is considered a "furniture instrument" due to its design. The performer (usually female) sits before a large rectangular mouthpiece, which they puff and inhale into, using tiny button-like valves to direct the air to different pipes. Each pipe has an inhale note and an exhale note, similar to a harmonica. This allows the performer to create a relatively continuous sound. Some foreigners have described the kibakofue as "the box of tubes and buttons."

Playing the kibakofue is not for the weak of lung, but is highly rewarding for those that choose to play it.

The group has a kibakofue at home, but of the four, Serena is the only one that can play it well.

(what a kibakofue basically sounds like, accompanied by the end blown kidi and the tin whistle-like fueko)

 

@Kittimancy

All About Awada

Awada is a naturally carbonated soda-like drink made near springs. It is available in a variety of flavors, and available for sale in most general stores, markets, and inns. Some temples even make their own brands of awada for enjoyment during sacred festivals and for travelers to buy.

Some of the flavors available include (but are no means limited to):

--Leppa
--Amazuppai (literally "sweet and sour", this is the counterpart of a cola flavor, as you need vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus flavors to make it)
--Cheri
--Citrus
--Kuran
--Ginger (this flavor is often used to soothe upset stomachs, so it is sold at temples and in alchemy shops)
--Grepa
--Mintbark (the counterpart to root beer)
--Nomel
--Oran
--Vanilla

Of the group, Brock is an amazuppai connoisseur, as that flavor is hard to find in the mountains. So far, he has tried well over 350 different amazuppai from across Kanto. In his words, "a good amazuppai should strike a balance between sweet and sour." His current favorite is Blue Dragon, which is made in Hanada.

Real World Soda to Awada Counterparts (so far):

Coke=White Ribbon Amazuppai (a reference to the best award you can get in a contest--white ribbons are given to those entries that go beyond first place. Brock rates White Ribbon as "very good--sweet with a little sparkle.")
Pepsi=Joyful Tama Amazuppai (since the real logo resembles a smile. Brock rates Joyful Tama as "While too sweet for some, the colorful red and blue jewel with the white stripe and the strong flavor make it hard not to smile!)
Mountain Dew=Midori Mist (as this strong citrus awada is brewed in Nibi, Brock takes pride in it)
Dr. Pepper=Nijusan Amazuppai (Brock is not a fan of this amazuppai, and rates it "just okay--the flavor is an acquired taste"--the distinct flavor put him off)
Sprite=Citrus Spring (this clear citrus awada is also used to help soothe upset stomachs)

 

@SAF

Legendary Gifts

As you travel to the Aiiro City, you may find shrines or entire temples devoted to a specific Legendary or pseudo-Legendary. If you donate enough (or do a good deed, or something else to earn the Legendary's favor), they will bestow on you a gift.

These sacred gifts never run out, fade away, or expire--so multiple copies of the same Gift can stack.

Known Legendary Gifts (who can bestow them, and what they do)

The Gift of Luck--receivers of this gift will have good things happen to them, and be protected from harm (Haku has this gift, which can stack--Shaymin, Jirachi, and Celebi can give this gift)
The Gift of Power--receivers of this gift will have their abilities made stronger (Entei gives this gift)
The Gift of Wisdom--receivers of this gift will be able to see past illusions and deception, and generally read between the lines (Zoroark gives this gift)
The Gift of Courage--receivers of this gift will be able to stand against any foe with unshakable resolve. You gain more confidence, and people will be more likely to listen to you (Keldeo, Cobalion, Vizirion, and Terrakion give this gift)
The Gift of Life--you are not affected by evil magic, status effects or instakills (Diancie gives this gift)
The Gift of Rebirth--If you are unfortunate enough to fall in battle, this gift will revive you, so that your perishing never happened at all (Moltres gives this gift)

As envoys of Arceus, Mew and the holy Delphox Kitsune can give any gift

By no means exhaustive or complete!