Pokémon Umbral ~ Ruinous Origins: Signups, Q&A, Nekkid Pillow Fights...

[Astral Harmony]

Armored Bishoujo: "Sorry about the lateness. There was a four-hour power outage and I took much too long a nap to wait it out."

Things used to be so simple, y'know? Some kid from a backwater town turns ten years old, tries to leave town, runs into the local Pokémon professor who gifts them with their first Pokémon and Pokédex with a mission to gather data on all the world's Pokémon that they possibly can, and the kid goes off on his or her wild adventure, acquiring gym badges, continuously defeating an evil organization of ne'er-do-wells, and becomes one of the top Pokémon trainers ever.

I miss those days, don't you? But they're gone and we have to face our broad new future, for good or for ill, but usually for ill. Now there is widespread use of personal weapons designed to kill Pokémon and armor that protects from their attack types. Then you've got gene recombination procedures which allows fusion between human and Pokémon, creating "Pokébrids" that possess much of their human form, some physical features of the Pokémon they fused with, and all of the powers the Pokémon possessed or could possess. To top it all off, Pokémon-based crime is on the rise. Pokémon thieves used to be laughably incompetent. Now they're coordinated, powerful, and merciless.

Seriously, it's so bad that we've run out of Officer Jennys to throw at it. And that's why we need people like you. Those of you who love justice and Pokémon enough to fight against the wrongdoings of these criminals. We're the elites among countering crime and terrorism here in the Honmyr region, and we welcome you with open arms. Please sign up to fight injustice in Honmyr. Just note that we will require you to do an actual mission to test both your tactical forethought and your raw potential in battle. Don't worry, you'll have fun!

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As you've no doubt read, there are no nekkid pillow fights goin' on. I'm terribly sorry about that. But hey, you read the story, right? Interesting, eh? Setting up a profile will take some thinkey time on your behalf, so let me try to help you along with this simple Pokémon Umbral character sheet tutorial.

First and most important is your class. There are four awesome classes to choose from that require varying levels of thinkey time.

Pokémon Slayers have almost nothing to do with Pokémon except for the fact that they use personal weapons to defeat them while wearing special armor that protects themselves from Pokémon type attacks. All Slayers have reinforced armor that protects them against Normal-type Pokémon and can choose from a broad and exciting line of equipment that will give them the versatility and lethality they'll need to keep up with the other classes. Slayers are also gifted in that they can change their loadouts between missions depending on tactical data. Slayers can choose three weapons and four armor types. However, note that you can only equip one heavy weapon, one medium weapon, and one light weapon.

Pokémon Trainers use powerful Pokémon in battle to duel their enemy's Pokémon (or the enemy themselves). Trainers can have four Pokémon in their lineup which includes a Leader Pokémon that can know six different moves at one time including any HMs, while his or her other Pokémon will only know the traditional four (plus HMs). Between missions, Trainers can consider the tactical data and decide which moves their Pokémon should know before deployment.

Pokémon Hybrids, or Pokébrids, are humans that have undergone gene recombination to come out with all of a certain Pokémon's powers (including all TMs!) and some of their physical features (like ears, tail(s), etc.). Pokébrids have the power to achieve absolute synchronicity with their newfound powers and actually transform into a were-version of that Pokémon with greatly increased power and none of the type weaknesses (called a Paradigm Shift [which is usually shouted anime-style just before transformation]) for a temporary amount of time.

Pokémon Snaggers are something like Trainers, except for the following differences. A Snagger only has two Pokémon, and no Leader Pokémon. However, they can use special Pokéballs to subjugate desired Pokémon and bring them under the Snagger's complete control for the duration of the mission, including my own original type of Pokémon. In order to snag the target Pokémon, the target has to be weakened somewhat and a negative condition couldn't hurt. One thing you Snaggers should know is that your Pokéballs can help with that since throwing one both deals damage and causes Paralysis in the target, making them much easier to capture if you couldn't catch it the first time. A Snagger can only have two subjugated Pokémon at one time (if a Snagger decides to switch Pokémon, the no-longer desired Pokémon will go rogue and fight like an enemy, so be prepared). Additionally, successfully subjugated Pokémon are fully healed and ready for deployment upon capture and are not often targeted by Pokémon used by that same trainer. Cry me a river, enemy trainer, but your Pokémon is mine!

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That's it for Class. Honestly, I thought about a support class that used items and other stuff to assist and could even change loadouts, but I thought it would be pretty boring for the player playing that class and delegated it to an NPC that will be tagging along with you on your missions.

Name:
Alias:
Age:
Gender:
Class:
Pokémon Registry:
Appearance:
Backstory / Personality:

Yep, the sheet's that simple in appearance, but once you start filling it out, oh man, You're gonna do some thinkin'!

The biggest part will be Pokémon registry, and it's actually pretty easy. Slayers don't need to put anything, since they can change their loadouts from scratch before deploying. Trainers don't have to do much except list the names and Abilities (like Levitate or Compound Eyes) of their Pokémon since they can decide on actual moves before deployment. Don't worry, I have an Ultimate Pokédex and access to Bulbapedia so I can rapidly check up on what's what. Pokébrids will need only present the name of the Pokémon whose DNA was combined with their own. Snaggers need only list their two Pokémon as they can decide moves before deployment.

Pokébrids should pay attention to Appearance because the gene recombination will affect their physical appearance. For example, expect things like ears, tails, skin discoloration, and other factors. For example, Wizardcat wants to be an Espeon Pokébrid, correct? It's only natural to assume that character would have that gem on the forehead as well.

As for things like Pokémon level and evolutionary form, imagine having Pokémon at around level 70, with unevolved Pokémon having higher levels to cover for the stat boost that comes with evolution. Moves will have more practical, real-world applications to enhance tactics and cleverness on the part of you, the players. Pokémon battles will vary greatly as well, so be prepared for anything.

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And now, for the Slayers in the audience. Here's the equipment that you can choose between missions. Remember: one light weapon, one medium weapon, one heavy weapon, and four pieces of armor. Read the tactical data before each mission once the RP gets underway and use that information to determine how best to suit up.

Light Weapons
- Claws of Twilight ~ Gothically-decorated wrist-mounted claws. Deals Dark type damage. Usually super effective against Psychic and Ghost types. Usually not very effective against Fighting, Dark and Steel types. May cause the opponent to flinch, forfeiting its counterattack. Grrr, baby, very grrr!
- Dragon Slave ~ Looks like a common sword and has a name inspired by a certain flatchested anime sorceress's ultimate spell of destruction. Deals Dragon type damage. Usually super effective against Dragon types. Usually not very effective against Steel types. I wonder if anyone would choose to equip this seemingly limited weapon?
- Capacitor Rod ~ An electric rod that charges lethal doses of electricity when not striking the enemy, then discharges it when in close proximity to the target. Deals Electric type damage. Usually super effective against Water and Flying types. Usually not very effective against Electric, Grass and Dragon. Usually ineffective against Ground types. Do not use to torment people you don't like as it is often lethal. Can paralyze the foe.
- Strange Parasite ~ Bizarre parasites that kind of resemble the Pokémon Parasect, these are thrown by hand onto the target where they unleash natural hell. Deals Grass type damage. Usually super effective against Water, Ground and Rock types. Usually not very effective against Fire, Grass, Poison, Flying, Bug, Dragon and Steel types. Please refrain from putting two Strange Parasites inside a little arena for hosting gambling battles.
- Toxin Bombs ~ Bombs that detonate on impact, filling the very near area near the explosion point with toxic gas. Usually very effective against Grass types. Usually not very effective against Poison, Ground, Rock and Ghost. Usually ineffective against Steel. You can poison most Pokémon with these so using them against other Pokémon isn't always a waste. You can use these to fumigate your house, but there are cheaper methods of doing so.

Medium Weapons
- Swarm Bow ~ Has nothing to do with actual swarms. The strange technologies employed in the arrows are under patent never to be tampered with. Somehow manages to deal Bug type damage. Usually super effective against Grass, Psychic and Dark types. Usually not very effective against Fire, Fighting, Poison, Flying, Ghost and Steel types. Seriously, how do the arrows deal Bug type damage, anyways?
- HV Penetrator Rifle ~ The high velocity rounds that are fired from this baby pack a mean bite. Deals Fighting type damage. Usually super effective against Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark and Steel types. Usually not very effective against Poison, Flying, Psychic and Bug types. Usually ineffective against Ghost types. Uh huh huh, huh huh, I said "penetrator."
- Gust Blaster ~ A shiny red weapon that has recently seen mass production as an effective means of generating powerful blasts of wind. Deals Flying type damage. Usually super effective against Grass, Fighting and Bug types. Usually not very effective against Electric, Rock and Steel. Has occasionally forced Flying types to land, rendering them vulnerable to Ground type moves. Should not be used to cool yourself down, unless you like being thrown back several yards.
- Netherworld Sapper ~ A revolutionary weapon employing experimental technologies that allow it to fire a strange coiling beam supposedly powered by trace energies from the netherworld. Deals Ghost type damage. Usually super effective against Psychic and Ghost types. Usually not very effective against Dark and Steel types. Usually ineffective against Normal types. Cannot help you contact your dead wife so she can tell you where the TV remote went. Try underneath your couch cushions.
- Titanic Fist ~ A powerful metal hammer that is used to pound the ground and cause localized tremors. Deals Ground type damage. Usually super effective against Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock and Steel types. Usually not very effective against Grass and Bug types. Usually ineffective against Flying types. A more kickass way to play Whack-A-Mole has never been invented.
- Synapse Disruptor ~ A bizarre new age rifle that can affect the mental coordination of the target. Deals Psychic type damage. Usually super effective against Fighting and Poison types. Usually not very effective against Psychic and Steel types. Usually ineffective against Dark types. May cause confusion in targets. Not to be used to hynotize your friends and make them behave like a chicken.

Heavy Weapons
- Napalm Thrower ~ A heavy weapon that bathes the target in painful jellied gasoline ignited by a gun-mounted pyrotechnic initiator. Deals Fire type damage. Usually super effective against Grass, Ice, Bug and Steel types. Usually not very effective against Fire, Water, Rock and Dragon types. May cause painful burns. Not to be used for getting rid of weeds and pruning trees, you psycho.
- Hydro Cannon ~ A heavy weapon that powerfully ejects blasts of water from a back-mounted tank that can be quickly refilled from various sources. Deals Water type damage. Usually super effective against Fire, Ground and Rock types. Usually not very effective against Water, Grass and Dragon types. Be your own Blastoise!
- LH Launcher ~ A modified Hydro Cannon that now blasts the foe with superchilled liquid helium, which is where the LH part of the name comes from. Deals Ice type damage. Usually super effective against Grass, Ground, Flying and Dragon types. Usually not very effective against Fire, Water, Ice and Steel types. For the last time, stop using these weapons to play pranks! Oh, and enemies may become frozen from application.
- Siege Boomerang ~ A throw and catch weapon of considerable size and weight that hits extremely hard and takes years of training to master the return catch alone. Deals Rock type damage. Usually super effective against Fire, Ice, Flying and Bug types. Usually not very effective against Fighting, Ground and Steel types. Can you smell what The Rock is cookin'?
- Crescent Moon ~ A lean, mean, Pokémon-slaughtering heavy scythe that strikes fear in any foe, even ones with protection against its type. Deals Steel type damage. Usually super effective against Ice and Rock types. Usually not very effective against Fire, Water, Electric and Steel types. Don't fear the Reaper.

Armor
- Reinforced Vest ~ The only exception to the rule of four pieces of armor, you'll always have this equipped and it won't occupy one of your two armor slots. Protects you against Normal type attacks.
- Pesticide Layer ~ An application of this spray that doesn't wash off in water offers great protection from the buzzy, buzzy wrath of Bug types.
- Shadow Suit ~ A ninja suit. How in the hell does this protect from the full force of Dark type attacks? The world may never know. You should note that wearing this makes you feel so cool that you may never flinch.
- Courage Emblem ~ Some kind of bizarre pyramid-shaped artifact, worn around the neck or attached to a belt or something, that discourages Dragon types from delivering the full oomph of their assault.
- Insulated Armor ~ Special armor plating that absorbs and protects your vitals from Electric type attacks. Renders paralysis ineffectual.
- Impact Gear ~ A soft material that reinforces the body's ability to absorb powerful impacts, like Fighting type attacks.
- FR Suit ~ A simple-looking uniform that actually offers great potential against Fire type damage. Renders burns ineffectual.
- Windbreaker ~ Yeah, yeah, out with the flatulence jokes already. This weighted jacket of special material shields you from the punishment of Flying type attacks.
- Holy Talisman ~ A white tablet with ancient scriptures worn around the neck with tough rope, this item protects against Ghost type attacks. Usually worn by people who frequent locations rumored to be haunted.
- Herbicide Layer ~ The application of this spray won't harm you, but it will keep Grass type Pokémon from hitting you as fiercely as they could. Renders health-draining attacks like Leech Seed, Absorb, and Giga Drain ineffectual.
- Jump Boots ~ Special boots with turbo boosters that launch you just as the microcomputers within them detect seismic activity, relieving you of much of the damage from Ground type attacks.
- Counter Injector ~ A quick and relatively painless prick from this waist-mounted device ensures that Poison type attacks won't harm nearly as much as they could. Renders poison (the status, not the attack type) ineffectual.
- Brain Case ~ Invented by wackos with crackpot theories about governments using satellites to take control of their minds, these reinforced skullcaps are actually quite good at protecting you from the full assault of Psychic type attacks. Renders confusion ineffectual.
- Thermal Underwear ~ Not just for old people trying to stay warm in the winter! This hi-tech bodysuit worn underneath your normal clothes protects you from the full wrath of Ice type attacks, and renders freezing ineffectual.
- Sonic Guard ~ A piece of armor for your arm that takes some practice to master, the Sonic Guard hammers away much of the damage from Rock type attacks. A good offense sometimes is the best defense.
- Platemail ~ Not a full suit, but rather enough individual pieces to offer considerable protection from Steel type attacks. Damsels might be impressed by your rescue performance, given that they've had enough to drink beforehand.
- Weather Cloak ~ A cloak with hood that protects you from severe weather, particularly Water type damage. Renders sleep ineffectual.

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Gawd, I hope that's it. Took a lot more time that I thought it would've. Anyways, sign up, please offer suggestions, yadda-yadda-yadda. I'm going to go play Darksiders until I get tired of seeing blood...so...might take a few days.