Roleplay Rules and Setting [PLEASE READ FIRST]

[TRHQ Agent]

In larger regions where Pokémon have become a prominent and driving force - notably Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos, and to a degree Kodo - the Pokémon League becomes a governing and regulating body to ensure that people, trainers, and Pokémon can coexist peacefully.

The Pokémon League is an organization centric on powerful, knowledgable, and compassionate trainers. The League's basic architecture is comprised of Gym Leaders supporting the Elite Four who in turn support the Champion, but the structure is much more complicated and political than it would appear to the casual observer. The League employs a number of officers to help facilitate things behind the scenes, such as approving new trainer licenses or making sure Pokémon Centers have access to the tools they need.


DIVISIONS

The Pokémon League has two specialized departments: the Rangers and the Special Operations Squad.

The

Rangers exist as a subdivision of the Pokémon League. They are best known for their role in protecting the environment but also have the responsibility of investigating and arresting poachers. Rangers have a specific schooling program to prepare hopefuls for the responsibilities they will be expected to fulfill. Pokémon Rangers are more prominent in regions that aren't big enough to support a gym circuit and have no trainer population. They don't have an official presence in Kodo.

The Special Operations Squad, or Special Ops, is less well known. Pokémon Special Ops puts its prospective members through police academy physical training to ensure each is able to meet the often demanding requirements of the division. Special Ops investigates abuse-related crimes involving Pokémon and trainers. Special Ops exists primarily in larger, more densely populated regions, but due to Rocket activity in the region, Kodo has established a branch.

STAFF CHARACTERS

Staff characters are high ranking officers that act as representatives of the Pokémon League and are often involved in important League-related matters. Trainers with questions or concerns about League policies or plans can easily get in touch with officers by visiting the League office in Camphoreon and making an appointment. For a full list of staff characters complete with descriptions, visit the Staff Character & NPC Directory. If you'd like to play with any staff character, you're welcome to get in touch with the character's player (in the thread or through PM) to discuss a way for the characters to meet.

 

[TRHQ Agent]

REGISTRATION

An individual must be registered with the Pokémon League in order to legally own and train Pokémon and to purchase and use Poké Balls. One cannot register earlier than 10 years of age. Trainer licenses, received at the time of approval, act as proof of registration. Trainer registration can be done at any Pokémon Center or through the mail by printing, filling out, and sending in forms available on the internet. Many libraries and schools with Pokémon-related courses also have these forms available. Individuals who have been found guilty of Pokémon abuse, domestic abuse, or any felony will be rejected, and any of these offenses is grounds for immediate termination of a license. Trainers reapplying for a new license after having theirs revoked once before will also be rejected.

POKÉDEXES

The information contained on a trainer license can also be transferred to a Pokédex if one requests one at the time of registration. Unlike licenses, Pokédex ownership is not compulsory, but many new trainers opt in due to the device's utility in identifying unknown Pokémon and keeping track of types and learned moves. The Pokédex a person receives varies by what region they register in (reference here). Kodo assigns its own version, shown here. While this one is the standard, different colors and models can be ordered online through the League.

POKÉGEAR

Pokégear is a device that acts like a typical smartphone, but it's designed specifically for trainer use. It's durable enough that it's difficult to break accidentally and is decently waterproofed. It can be used to text and call both other gear and civilian phones as well as access the internet, and it has a much better range than a cell phone; gear will get a signal just about anywhere aboveground in Kodo. Gear are fitted with tracking chips that allow them to be located using an online service.

POKÉ BALLS

Any Poké Balls purchased are registered to a trainer's license for their exclusive use. If you lend a Poké Ball to a friend, it's important to have it reassigned to the new owner's license as soon as possible. This can be done at any Pokémon Center or through the use of transfer software that can be loaded onto the Pokégear. Trainers that bring Poké Balls that do not belong to themselves to a Center are at risk of having the Pokémon confiscated and returned to the individual to whom the Poké Ball is registered. Non-registered trainers that bring injured Pokémon to a Poké Center will not have the Pokémon returned to them unless they register as a League trainer.

Custom Poké Balls such as those made by Apricorn artisans must be brought to a League office or a Pokémon Center to have their functions checked and to be registered as legal Poké Balls before they can be used. Sale or use of non-registered Poké Balls, recently including Team Rocket's Dark Balls, is illegal.

 

[TRHQ Agent]

The League recognizes that Pokémon are sentient, intelligent creatures and considers their thoughts and opinions to be on par with those of humans, and they encourage trainers to respect their Pokémon as the dangerous and wonderful creatures they are and not to underestimate or misuse their companionship. As such, the League recognizes Pokémon autonomy and takes no issue with the idea of a Pokémon voluntarily accompanying any individual without having been captured by that individual.

The League asks that trainers respect this autonomy by not battling or capturing wild Pokémon against their evident will. If a Pokémon demonstrates fearful behavior or tries to flee, one should not attempt to battle or capture it forcibly. Instead, it is recommended that a trainer employ peaceful tactics such as offering food. If a Pokémon fails to respond to any advances or appears agitated or frightened, the trainer should acknowledge its feelings and leave it alone.

A traditional Pokémon battle takes place between two Pokémon, each guided by its trainer. Most battles that take place are all-on-all, meaning each trainer can utilize his or her entire team whether it consists of one or six Pokémon, but trainers may decide on unique rules for the battle between themselves before it begins. Alternate styles of battling include double, triple, and rotation battles. Sky battling, popular in the Kalos region, is a form of battling that takes place in midair exclusively between flying Pokémon. A battle ends when all of one trainer's battling Pokémon are unable to battle, and the defeated trainer pays a portion of prize money to the winner. In regions where Pokémon training and battling is common, many trainers are able to support a livelihood through battling and come to be considered professionals.

In both battling against other trainers and training in private, Pokémon are to learn to fight in a way that does not cause harm to themselves or other Pokémon. Using a Pokémon's natural anatomy to mimic moves that it does not know - such as attacking its opponent with teeth despite not knowing the moves Bite, Crunch, Hyper Fang, etc. - are disallowed in civilized battling as they may cause undue injury to either Pokémon. There are no specific guidelines on what qualifies as the "correct" way to train or battle, and trainers are encouraged to search for the style that best fits themselves and their Pokémon. However, the League does not condone unnecessary aggression or cruelty, and if a trainer is found to be endangering other Pokémon or trainers physically or psychologically, they may have a citation brought against their license.
 

[TRHQ Agent]

(Team Rocket members with a League license, while technically able to visit, are for the time being under strict orders not to approach the Trainer's Centers due to high risk unless otherwise approved by a moderator.)

In order to sustain a gym circuit, a region must have at least eight major cities or towns and an active trainer population. Kodo's small size makes it unsuitable for gym habitation, but the Pokémon League took an interest in bolstering the region's trainers and giving them resources to rival those available in other regions. Because of this, the League sanctioned the construction of Trainers' Centers. Kodo's Trainers' Centers are unique insomuch that no other League region offers similar facilities.

Save for the first floor, the Trainers' Centers exist as underground structures. Only registered members of the Pokémon League can enter these facilities; identification must be presented at each visit. Security within the buildings is subtle but tight with various measures in place to detect human and Pokémon intruders. Understanding that the region has been terrorized by Team Rocket for years and that many League functions have been infiltrated by the organization in the past, the Pokémon League has taken every step to ensure an environment of safety for the Centers' visitors.

Staff in either Center can assist with every aspect of training; one can find advice on practicality in the Eastern Center and on recreation in the Northern Center. Though their focus is on their respective specializations, each is equipped to answer questions and concerns about all areas of Pokémon training.

Eastern Kodo League Trainers' Center
Status: Open
Representative: Former Unova Champion Alder
Focus: The Eastern Center focuses on Pokémon training as a sport and as a form of recreation, promoting the traditional goals of training. It appeals primarily to individuals who intend to travel abroad to challenge gyms, who wish to strengthen their bonds between themselves and their Pokémon, and who are simply pursuing the classic ideal of becoming the very best.


FLOOR 01

• Main entrance
  
• Lobby

FLOOR B1

• Pokémon Center
  
• Cafeteria
  
• Overnight accommodations

FLOOR B2

• PokéMart/book store
  
• Small offices
  
• Small training rooms

FLOOR B3

• Large training rooms

FLOOR B4

• Water training room
  
• Arenas


Northern Kodo League Trainers' Center
Status: Open
Representative: Kodo Special Ops Commander Petra Rall
Focus: The Northern Center focuses on practical Pokémon training. The League acknowledges that traveling on Pokémon journeys is not always the safest endeavor, especially in Kodo, and the Northern Center specializes in preparing trainers and Pokémon for responding to emergencies. It serves as a destination for trainers seeking to become Rangers or Special Ops officers as well as those interested in using Pokémon to protect themselves and others.


FLOOR 01

• Main entrance
  
• Lobby
  
• Infirmary/Pokémon Center
  
• Cafeteria

FLOOR B1

• Overnight accommodations
  
• PokéMart
  
• Emergency exit

FLOOR B2

• Small training rooms
  
• Large training rooms

FLOOR B3

• Pool/water arena
  
• Recreational rooms
  
• Exercise facilities

FLOOR B4

• Agility courses

FLOOR B5

• Offices
  
• Equipment storage

 

[TRHQ Agent]

The Kodo Special Operations Squad, or Kodo Special Ops (KSO) is a branch of the Pokémon League's Special Ops division stationed in the island region of Kodo. This squad, one of the smallest that exists, is headed by Commander Petra Rall, who was previously an active officer in Kanto. The Kodo branch varies slightly from the squads in other regions; Special Ops usually only assigns squads to large, dense regions where there are frequent reports of Pokémon-related abuse. The KSO functions under the express orders of responding to matters of possible relation to Team Rocket, often working alongside League officers and Kodo Police Department to contain threats.

The KSO also maintains a Volunteer Department (KSOVD) for trainers who do not wish to join the KSO as a career but want to offer their services for the region's defense.

Unlike Team Rocket, trainers can quit at any time if they no longer wish to be a part of the KSO.


RANKS

The KSO can be split into four separate ranks: Volunteer, Trainee, Officer, and Commander.

Volunteer: A Volunteer is someone who isn't officially employed by the KSO but is willing to offer their assistance in times of need. In order to become a Volunteer, a trainer must be at least 16 years old, hold a League trainer license, and pass a physical agility test. Once a trainer passes the test, they are added to a list of volunteers and return to their everyday lives. When an emergency arises in which the KSO needs more hands, they'll call in volunteers. Volunteers will be assigned to the company of an officer for the duration of the task at hand and are expected to follow the officer's lead.

If your character is physically fit and capable of following directions, you're free to claim at any time that the KSO accepted them into the program as a volunteer.

Trainee: Trainees must also be at least 16 years of age with a valid trainer license. After enrolling, trainees spend the next two months being trained to handle the responsibilities of an officer. They also undergo mandatory physical fitness training to ensure they'll be able to pass the physical fitness test at the end of the course even if they weren't already physically fit.

If you intend for your character to join the KSO, please make a note of the day that they signed up either in RP or in your journal so that you can keep track of the two months for their training. Like with Rocket trainees, you may not say that they started on an earlier date and then skip the two months.

Officer: A trainee who has passed their training becomes a KSO officer. Officers are specially trained League members with the knowledge and skills to deal with a number of threats to the Pokémon League and to the people and Pokémon of Kodo. Their responsibilities include responding to calls, handling paperwork, working with Pokémon, arresting suspects, collaborating with other officers, and leading volunteers. They report directly to the KSO's commander.

Officers will be assigned a Pokémon partner if they don't already have one, but this does not mean that you as a player are entitled to a free Pokémon.

Commander: Because the Special Ops branch of Kodo is much smaller than in other regions, the commander is the only rank above the officers. The KSO's commander is Petra Rall, and she handles matters such as giving assignments and reviewing reports.

FACILITIES

The KSO office is located in Camphoreon and is where officers report for work. It's also where civilians and trainers can go to report problems, ask questions, or sign up to become volunteers or trainees.

The Northern Trainers' Center is also staffed by a number of KSO officers. These officers are available to answer questions, hold classes, and offer training seminars to interested trainers. This allows trainers to hone their skills in the event that they encounter conflict as well as gives them a chance to prepare for becoming a volunteer.

 

[TRHQ Agent]

The Pokémon League's policies are fairly straightforward: They do not condone behavior that is harmful to the environment, other trainers, or other Pokémon, nor do they allow the use of Pokémon to assist in a crime. The League prefers, whenever possible, not to separate Pokémon from their trainers, believing that each will grow most in the company of the other. However, when a trainer has been found responsible for three separate infractions, they will have their trainer's license revoked, disallowing them from carrying Poké Balls, owning or training Pokémon, or participating in any official events.

Trainers that continue to commit infractions after having their license revoked will have increasingly strict measures taken against them:

• The first is a warning from a League official to make sure the individual is aware of their behavior and to inform of the coming consequences.
  
• The second is police involvement and possible criminal charges.
  
• The third is to bar residence in any region with a League presence.

 

[TRHQ Agent]

Reserved

 

[TRHQ Agent]

Reserved

 

[TRHQ Agent]

Reserved