It was a dark and bleary night, and in the darkness, the sneasel’s eyes reflected what little light was available. Running her claws through her hair and over her signature red feathers, Nycty sighed a little bit. A small shift from one foot to the other to test the softness of her soles against the ground before moving into a crouch. The gem on her forehead glowing faintly in a light blue as the icy cold of her prepared Ice Punch starts to sink through her claws.
Pokemorphs are more then just human shaped pokemon (although humans ‘‘being’’ pokemon is somewhat established canon) and as such, come with a slew of differences that can flavor your roleplaying to give that little something extra in your scenes. For the first major example, many pokemon are covered with fur, leaves, features, or scales and as such, may not be able to blush well, if at all. Others might have expressive ears, twitching noses, or tails that can convey emotion. While in general all pokemorphs are treated like warm blooded mammals, there are many different ways to non-verbally communicate available with the addition of such things as wings or extra arms. Take inspiration from animal behaviors in terms of what they use to signify emotions such as calm, distress, or anger to add that extra depth to your character so you aren’t just a human in a fuzzy suit!
Living with Powers #
There are a few major differences between being a human and being a pokemorph that is so pervasive that it can often times be ignored, which is Typing and Intrinsic Powers. To give a brief idea, all pokemorphs (even Normal!) have a Type that helps to connect them to some primal element in the world. This connection can be both supportive and antagonistic, depending on the pokemorph’s personality and ties to their type. Then, there are the intrinsic powers that pokemorphs possess, codified and measured by Special Attack and Special Defense statistics, and channeled into useful effects through pokemorph Moves. As this is a basic fact of life, it’s important to think about it, as it simply is a bit of ever present flavor… like cilantro on tacos.
Roleplaying a Type #
While a general list of what special abilities Types give can be found under [pokemorph-details](Pokemorph Details), as well as the effects Types can have on one another over and above Type Advantages and Disadvantages, there is more to be considered from the roleplaying angle. As mentioned previously, a type is a link to a primal element, and as such, can provide comfort to those that are in tune with their Type. On the other hand, those that dislike their Type, or perhaps hate the fact that they are being stereo… uh, typed, may find that their element brings them a sense of unease. In pure game terms, there isn’t an actual, measureable effect, but it can add a simple and effective way to provide additional dimension to your character with how they feel about their own Typing.
One major change comes with the Grass type - since the underground is so dim, Grass types tend to have to either find a way to get access to expensive sunstone-powered lamps, or be in perpetual “fall colors”. Thankfully, the stark colors that being sun-starved cause have become a bit of a personal fashion all it’s own.
Moves - What are they good For? #
Pokemorphs when they come of age, have generally managed to exhibit up to three different moves. Moves represent the channeling of a pokemorphs inner connection to the elements as well as their natural phyisical capabilities to cause effects over and above what might be done through sheer muscle and grit alone. Special Moves, in particular, as pure shows of channeled elemental force, where Physical moves often combine elemental acumen with training or talent to break the realm of standard movement.
In fact, moves can probably be best through of as an analog to “Magic”. Powerful psychic pokemon can use the move ‘‘Psychic’’ to move things with their mind, or speak in telepathy (as long as the target isn’t a ‘‘Dark’’ type). Moves such as Chilling Water or Water Cannon might help you create a cool cup of water on a hot day, or allow you to output enough water to fill a small swimming pool depending on how much you want to use it. Some pokemorphs can fire massive lasers from their eyes, gems, or mouths while other might channel dark force through their claws. Fire types never need a lighter as long as they have some kind of fire element attack, and if you’re an electric type, you might be able to power a radio in a pinch. Dittos can transform themselves freely to copy others, making them both wondrous and feared.
But what about Normal Type attacks? Even Normal Type is a channeling of that link that pokemorphs have… to themselves. They are focused inner talent given the ability to express itself into the physical world.
Moves are not only useful in combat, but they can be used as Power Stunts as roleplaying additions. For example, creating fire that’s more powerful or distant then touch range could simply be a partial use of Flamethrower. Sword Dance can be both used to entertain and as a way to augment agility for spectacular movement. Charm, when not used at full power, can simply be a sense of wholesomeness and friendliness. Even using a Move at full power can be used as a Stunt outside of combat - you can be creative to an extent, just remember that there is a limit to how much a pokemorph can exert their inner powers before they get depleted.
Some of these moves, though, don’t work very well outside of the limited scope of combat. Terrain altering moves for example, are naturally limited in scale as to not cause natural disasters when used (and we won’t talk about Watersport).
There are also some specific Moves that grant bonuses unique to use outside of combat. FLY, DIG, PSYCHIC, STRENGTH are a few examples.
Equipment #
Pokemorph underground’s main city, [canal-city](Canal City), is set in an age roughly equivelent to the 1910s, with some advancements in electrical understanding and circuitry aided by the long-held and secretive knowledge coveted by the Nobility. As this is the age of modernity, some many pokemorphs have taken to utilizing tools rather then fully relying on only their internal abilities. This can both lessen the strain on the individual, as well as make things a bit more even across the board.
Clothing is a spattering of period accurate clothing, neo-victorian punk, business suits, and a few offshoots in style here and there. Materials can include mushroom-cotton, wool, and some polyester. Materials like PVC and leather are also available, but much more expensive then the natural fibers - and less available to those without means. Footwear varies from pokemorph to pokemorph, with bare pawed and decorative boots being as equally present as dress shoes. Shoes can fit a variety of foot styles as well, for the more pawed types of pokemorphs.
For personal effects and accessories, there is quite a lot available based on the general stores of Canal City, although the farther from a major settlement you get, the more rural to medieval things are. For example, most watches are digital time keepers with a back light - as long as power infrastructure is available (or a handy electric type) they can remain powered near indefinitely. Mechanical watches tend to be rarer and a sign of wealth as the complexity required needs a skilled craftman to create. Books are available - mostly stories, legends, cookbooks and survival guides as most books on scientific materials are simply not available beyond basic primary school education. Briefcases, backpacks, and slingbags are all common to see. Notepads and dayplanners, paper pads, and both pencils and ink pens are widely available.
But style probably isn’t why you’re here, and is better covered in each city’s specific locale.
Weapons #
Weapons do exist in the underground, in a variaty of flavors. For the most part, small bladed weapons are common to find including daggers, stillettos, and other varients up to gladius sized. Nobility and the well-to-do that have access to professional training may use more exotic weaponry or larger bladed weapons as the cave systems can be quite a nasty barrier to anything that isn’t small and easily manueverable.
The mushroom-lumber isn’t quite as sturdy as ancient woods are, so without additional materials such as spring steel, bows lack a lot of power, limiting them to hobbyist use. Spring Steel and Compound Bows do exist but are incredibly expensive and specialized. Also, as mentioned, of little use in a world that is mostly narrow caves. Mushroom wood can still be used for staves, nunchucks, tonfa and the like, as it can get quite dense.
So let’s talk about gunpowder.
Yes, gunpowder exists. Explosives can be used for helping open up caves, smooth out walls, and enlarge caverns for habitation. It can also be used for weapons. While most explosives can be used out of the box for what they are not designed for, there is a class of weapons that are designed for harm, and little else. Firearms. The general tech level of the 1910s does include the use of revolvers, repeating pistols (although jamming can be an issue), and long rifles. For the most part, these particular weapons are either ineffective (such as against steel types) or only show their powers at ranges beyond what a pokemorph can effect directly (again, in caves). This has made them hold out weapons or only used as a stylistic choice, especially since at close ranges a bullet is far less impressive then a Firespin. The plus side is that they are limited by ammunition instead of personal energy, and ammunition can be shared.
The downsides of firearms include maintenance, accuracy, and of course, ammunition availability. Ammunition is only available through a few highly regulated sources, and even the primers needed to re-use casings can be hard to get a hold of. Canal City and Basalt City are the two cities that can sell ammunition, although of the two only Basalt City will sell to anyone with enough money. The Guild has the ability to issue some for specific missions, but generally tries to avoid it if possible - guns are too easy to rely on and not as effective as a well trained blade in close quarters, let alone natural abilities.
Armor #
Pokemorphs tend to be naturally resistant to getting hurt. Armor can help augment a pokemorph’s Defense slightly, but generally follows more of the rule of cool then anything else. Primarily effective against weapons mentioned above, it can only really help against Physical Moves - Special Moves bypass any additional armor completely (although their physical effects may be lessened).
Generally armor comes in chain and plate varieties, and used as an enhancement to clothes. The only exception to this is the Defense Force of Canal City, who wears a combination of partial plate and high tensile strength padded clothing to provide additional physical defense when protecting order.
Money #
Money is poke. Poke is money. Poke is life. Well, not totally. It is considered a universal fiat currency whose value is held steady through an agreement between Canal City and Basalt City - as the two largest economic powers they backstop it as well as handle ensuring the validity of the money. It comes in both coin and bill form, with larger denomination bills being both physically larger and more complex in decoration - the printing process is a well-kept secret and thus far, remains impossible to counterfeit.
Oddly, it can also be found in modern form in Mystery Dungeons. Mystery Dungeons do sometimes have “Yenny” which is only of use to exotic collectors.
For settlements that don’t do business with the major cities, barter and trade become more of the law of the land, then poke - although most traveling traders will accept poke as they can always cash in at a larger city, the supply chain of the underground still leaves some to be desired. Digital Currency as we know it in the modern era, simply does not exist.
Savings and Loan Banks can be found in major cities, and loan sharks can be found just about anywhere for purchasing more then you can afford, and regretting it later.
How Feral is “Feral” #
It should be made note that all pokemorphs are anthropomorphic in nature, stand upright, and can speak. Waving, hand motions, and fine motorskills easily separate a pokemorph from their less-gentrified cousins. Even those with long claws or special combat-oriented features can tend to ‘retract’ them to provide for ease of use.
Feral pokemon do exist, and they are scary. Feral pokemon have the intelligence of simple animals and are able to much better channel their inner abilities, often times almost double the effectiveness of the average pokemorph. A pack of them is not to be taken lightly, and even the ‘domesticated’ ones can return to their feral mindset if sufficiently provoked.