I've included a Notes section at the end of the character sheet to help detail my character a bit more. Let me know if you'd like me to change anything.
For those not in the know, this character comes from a region I wrote for a Pokémon RP of my own a couple of years ago (which never really got off the ground). Our GM has approved my use of the concept, though I've updated a few things from the original thread.
For those not in the know, this character comes from a region I wrote for a Pokémon RP of my own a couple of years ago (which never really got off the ground). Our GM has approved my use of the concept, though I've updated a few things from the original thread.
Name: Kazurai Tachimazu
Age: 19
Appearance: Kazurai stands at 5 feet 11; he has a well-built physique from nine years of training in fitness and martial arts. Short black hair and brown eyes help complete the picture. Most of his clothing is simple and lightweight: plain shirts, an electric-blue and silver jacket, long pants, and running shoes. Most of his smaller day-to-day equipment, including Pokémon-related items, is stowed in a satchel, which Kazurai wears over one shoulder across himself. The rest of his personal possessions are all in a large backpacker's pack. A set of five empty catches is attached to the satchel's strap, designed to hold Poké Balls.
Lastly, Kazurai wears three accessories of note: a one-inch-long gold and silver pin in the shape of a sword, worn on the left side of his jacket; and two pendants. The first has a feather from a Torchic's crest in a silver setting, while the second is a slightly worn wooden pendant depicting the Tachimazu family emblem, shown below (the same emblem is sewn into the back of his jacket):
Personality/Motivation: Kazurai is a practical, down-to-earth individual who values time management, getting things done, and the wellbeing of Pokémon in his care. He will stand up to a challenge when confronted with one: if his first attempt is not successful, he will immediately take time to study the situation and develop a plan of attack for a second attempt. In battle, he will use his knowledge of type advantages and move speeds to get ahead of his opponents. Knowledge, however, only gets you so far. Kazurai is more familiar with drills and training than the less predictable nature of battles.
A personal habit of Kazurai's is that if he believes he has not gotten enough exercise during the day, he will make time in the evening to maintain his usual training regime. If he can't, he considers the day wasted and must put in extra effort the next day to make up for it.
The main reasons Kazurai has travelled to Alola are twofold: first, to improve his own capabilities as a Warrior; and second, to pass time while waiting for the Pokémon League of his home region to complete preparations and open the doors to challengers. The best way to do both, he reasons, is to challenge another region's League - regardless of the form it takes.
Current Team: Kazurai has one Pokémon partner, a Torchic named Kei.
Moves: Scratch, Growl, Ember, Feather Dance (Egg Move)
Ability: Speed Boost / Blaze
Kazurai and Kei have formed a Link (see Notes below), and the two are practically inseparable as a result... even if Kei can be a handful at times due to her young age. They train together to maintain their fighting skills and ability to coordinate in battle.
Age: 19
Appearance: Kazurai stands at 5 feet 11; he has a well-built physique from nine years of training in fitness and martial arts. Short black hair and brown eyes help complete the picture. Most of his clothing is simple and lightweight: plain shirts, an electric-blue and silver jacket, long pants, and running shoes. Most of his smaller day-to-day equipment, including Pokémon-related items, is stowed in a satchel, which Kazurai wears over one shoulder across himself. The rest of his personal possessions are all in a large backpacker's pack. A set of five empty catches is attached to the satchel's strap, designed to hold Poké Balls.
Lastly, Kazurai wears three accessories of note: a one-inch-long gold and silver pin in the shape of a sword, worn on the left side of his jacket; and two pendants. The first has a feather from a Torchic's crest in a silver setting, while the second is a slightly worn wooden pendant depicting the Tachimazu family emblem, shown below (the same emblem is sewn into the back of his jacket):
Personality/Motivation: Kazurai is a practical, down-to-earth individual who values time management, getting things done, and the wellbeing of Pokémon in his care. He will stand up to a challenge when confronted with one: if his first attempt is not successful, he will immediately take time to study the situation and develop a plan of attack for a second attempt. In battle, he will use his knowledge of type advantages and move speeds to get ahead of his opponents. Knowledge, however, only gets you so far. Kazurai is more familiar with drills and training than the less predictable nature of battles.
A personal habit of Kazurai's is that if he believes he has not gotten enough exercise during the day, he will make time in the evening to maintain his usual training regime. If he can't, he considers the day wasted and must put in extra effort the next day to make up for it.
The main reasons Kazurai has travelled to Alola are twofold: first, to improve his own capabilities as a Warrior; and second, to pass time while waiting for the Pokémon League of his home region to complete preparations and open the doors to challengers. The best way to do both, he reasons, is to challenge another region's League - regardless of the form it takes.
History:
Kazurai hails from the Kingdom of Platinos, in the Sengun region. Sengun is a large island landmass, home to ten Kingdoms that divide the land among themselves. Platinos is a reasonably large Kingdom situated near the center of the island, and Steel and Electric Pokémon make their homes in the Kingdom's territory.
Sengun is also home to a somewhat unique type of Trainer: Warriors, individuals who fight alongside their Pokémon and form special bonds called Links as an equivalent to using Poké Balls. The Tachimazu family are Warriors one and all thanks to their lineage originating from ancient Warlords, and Kazurai is no exception. The son of two Warrior parents - his mother from Platinos and his father from its neighbouring Kingdom Challena - Kazurai was quickly confirmed as a Warrior himself, inheriting traits from both sides of the family.
The young Warrior, oldest of three children, grew up in a household that kept him busy: from age ten he was enrolled in Platinos's Steel Mind Dojo to learn martial arts and train in fitness. Between schoolwork, training, and helping around the house, Kazurai was occupied and active. At the traditional age of fourteen, Kazurai determined which types of Pokémon his abilities favoured: through encounters with Pokémon of many types, he found himself most in tune with the Fighting and Electric Pokémon he met, able to befriend them quickly. It was then that he was deemed ready to begin raising his own Pokémon and unlock his true potential as a Warrior.
Kazurai, however, originally chose not to do so. He had more to learn. There was no sense in leaving his studies unfinished: experience would come later when he believed himself prepared. His parents, however, wished him to form a Link with a Pokémon of his own. So he travelled to the neighbouring Kingdom of Regala, where Professors Acer and Holly Ilex offered him the choice of six: three Pokémon unique to Sengun, and three that could be found in other regions. Kazurai found himself spending a little time with the Chikoritas, Torchics, and Oshawotts that the Professors provided.
Eventually, one of the newly-hatched Torchics that didn't shy away from Kazurai considered him friendly, and the Warrior remembered his training. Steady the breath, reach out with your thoughts, stay calm and collected. The Torchic blinked, her expression changing to a wary look. Kazurai held her gaze evenly for a few seconds. Then his senses opened up, and he felt a rush of energy flow through him. Or at least, that was the best way he could describe it. Regardless, he knew that the young Torchic had accepted, the Link was formed, and the two would be partners. Happy with his choice - and with hers - Kazurai named his new partner Kei, and they returned home to Platinos.
Over the next five years the two would develop their bond further, and learn how a Warrior and Pokémon fought side by side through sparring matches. Only when Kazurai had completed his training at the Steel Mind Dojo did he believe himself and Kei ready to venture out into the greater Sengun region, to unlock his second inherited talent: Warrior Skills. The best way to do that was to take on the Pokémon League Challenge: travel to each of the Ten Kingdoms in order to face Gym Leaders and earn the title of Champion.
Sengun's Pokémon League, however, was still incomplete. The Gyms were ready, but Victory Tower and the League Headquarters at its peak were still under construction. By royal decree from Regala's King Paros, the Gyms will not reopen their doors until Victory Tower is complete and an Elite Four chosen to serve as the final test - against would-be Champions and each other. And the construction team was only about a quarter of the way towards completing the Tower's external structure, let alone the League HQ at the top... or all manner of environments and interiors within.
With the Gyms closed off, Kazurai was stumped. All that training, all the studies and preparation. With no knowledge of when the League would be properly ready - and no chance of being chosen as one of the Elite Four with just Kei by his side - he had no way to properly challenge himself as a Trainer. At least, no way in Sengun. Other regions have Leagues of their own, he reasoned. Why not challenge one of them to pass the time until the Sengun League was ready? To that end, he did a little research on the Pokémon Leagues of other regions. It was there he discovered Alola, and its different approach to the system: the island challenge. Trainers took the challenge to visit all four islands of Alola, facing all manner of challenges. What was equally intriguing to Kazurai was the depiction of a Raichu and several other Pokémon in the promotional artwork. Perhaps they were alternate forms?
There was a ship leaving from Mystriver in a few weeks - sadly, no flights. Kazurai knew his goal. So he packed a bag of supplies and a second one for travel gear, and with Kei by his side he set out. On the ship to Alola, he has begun researching the region and the Pokémon therein. He knows, however, that as a visitor to Alola, he could also be considered an ambassador for Sengun: he intends to avoid any action that would dishonour himself and his home.
Kazurai hails from the Kingdom of Platinos, in the Sengun region. Sengun is a large island landmass, home to ten Kingdoms that divide the land among themselves. Platinos is a reasonably large Kingdom situated near the center of the island, and Steel and Electric Pokémon make their homes in the Kingdom's territory.
Sengun is also home to a somewhat unique type of Trainer: Warriors, individuals who fight alongside their Pokémon and form special bonds called Links as an equivalent to using Poké Balls. The Tachimazu family are Warriors one and all thanks to their lineage originating from ancient Warlords, and Kazurai is no exception. The son of two Warrior parents - his mother from Platinos and his father from its neighbouring Kingdom Challena - Kazurai was quickly confirmed as a Warrior himself, inheriting traits from both sides of the family.
The young Warrior, oldest of three children, grew up in a household that kept him busy: from age ten he was enrolled in Platinos's Steel Mind Dojo to learn martial arts and train in fitness. Between schoolwork, training, and helping around the house, Kazurai was occupied and active. At the traditional age of fourteen, Kazurai determined which types of Pokémon his abilities favoured: through encounters with Pokémon of many types, he found himself most in tune with the Fighting and Electric Pokémon he met, able to befriend them quickly. It was then that he was deemed ready to begin raising his own Pokémon and unlock his true potential as a Warrior.
Kazurai, however, originally chose not to do so. He had more to learn. There was no sense in leaving his studies unfinished: experience would come later when he believed himself prepared. His parents, however, wished him to form a Link with a Pokémon of his own. So he travelled to the neighbouring Kingdom of Regala, where Professors Acer and Holly Ilex offered him the choice of six: three Pokémon unique to Sengun, and three that could be found in other regions. Kazurai found himself spending a little time with the Chikoritas, Torchics, and Oshawotts that the Professors provided.
Eventually, one of the newly-hatched Torchics that didn't shy away from Kazurai considered him friendly, and the Warrior remembered his training. Steady the breath, reach out with your thoughts, stay calm and collected. The Torchic blinked, her expression changing to a wary look. Kazurai held her gaze evenly for a few seconds. Then his senses opened up, and he felt a rush of energy flow through him. Or at least, that was the best way he could describe it. Regardless, he knew that the young Torchic had accepted, the Link was formed, and the two would be partners. Happy with his choice - and with hers - Kazurai named his new partner Kei, and they returned home to Platinos.
Over the next five years the two would develop their bond further, and learn how a Warrior and Pokémon fought side by side through sparring matches. Only when Kazurai had completed his training at the Steel Mind Dojo did he believe himself and Kei ready to venture out into the greater Sengun region, to unlock his second inherited talent: Warrior Skills. The best way to do that was to take on the Pokémon League Challenge: travel to each of the Ten Kingdoms in order to face Gym Leaders and earn the title of Champion.
Sengun's Pokémon League, however, was still incomplete. The Gyms were ready, but Victory Tower and the League Headquarters at its peak were still under construction. By royal decree from Regala's King Paros, the Gyms will not reopen their doors until Victory Tower is complete and an Elite Four chosen to serve as the final test - against would-be Champions and each other. And the construction team was only about a quarter of the way towards completing the Tower's external structure, let alone the League HQ at the top... or all manner of environments and interiors within.
With the Gyms closed off, Kazurai was stumped. All that training, all the studies and preparation. With no knowledge of when the League would be properly ready - and no chance of being chosen as one of the Elite Four with just Kei by his side - he had no way to properly challenge himself as a Trainer. At least, no way in Sengun. Other regions have Leagues of their own, he reasoned. Why not challenge one of them to pass the time until the Sengun League was ready? To that end, he did a little research on the Pokémon Leagues of other regions. It was there he discovered Alola, and its different approach to the system: the island challenge. Trainers took the challenge to visit all four islands of Alola, facing all manner of challenges. What was equally intriguing to Kazurai was the depiction of a Raichu and several other Pokémon in the promotional artwork. Perhaps they were alternate forms?
There was a ship leaving from Mystriver in a few weeks - sadly, no flights. Kazurai knew his goal. So he packed a bag of supplies and a second one for travel gear, and with Kei by his side he set out. On the ship to Alola, he has begun researching the region and the Pokémon therein. He knows, however, that as a visitor to Alola, he could also be considered an ambassador for Sengun: he intends to avoid any action that would dishonour himself and his home.
Current Team: Kazurai has one Pokémon partner, a Torchic named Kei.
Moves: Scratch, Growl, Ember, Feather Dance (Egg Move)
Ability: Speed Boost / Blaze
Kazurai and Kei have formed a Link (see Notes below), and the two are practically inseparable as a result... even if Kei can be a handful at times due to her young age. They train together to maintain their fighting skills and ability to coordinate in battle.
Additional Information:
Warrior of Sengun: Kazurai may be a Trainer, but is a Warrior first and foremost. He has several years' training in self-defensive martial arts, a solid education in both Pokémon- and non-Pokémon-related subjects, and rudimentary experience in the general skills needed for travelling Trainers: things like cooking, wilderness survival, and setting up a camp for the night.
In addition, Kazurai has inherited the skills and abilities of Sengun's Warriors. This grants him two skills, the centerpieces of Warrior culture:
• First, the ability to form a special bond with a Pokémon called a Link. If the Pokémon is willing, the Link connects the Warrior and the Pokémon in a similar manner to a Poké Ball, without the need for the Ball itself. The two become partners, each learning from the other.
• Second, the power of Warrior Skills. Warriors use these in battle to provide a boost to their Pokémon. Once a Warrior unlocks their power - how this is done depends on the individual - they gain a Warrior Skill, begin learning to use it, and can learn more Skills from those who are willing to teach them. This power does have its drawbacks, however. Warrior Skills require intense focus and strength of will. Using a Warrior Skill drains a significant portion of your mental reserves, even in the strongest, so a Warrior can only use a Warrior Skill once per battle.
Kazurai knows he has a Warrior's abilities, having formed a Link, but has yet to unlock his ability to use Warrior Skills. Despite this, he still wears the pin so that other Warriors will recognise him as one of their own. Kazurai has also inherited his family's affinity for Pokémon of the Electric and Fighting types: he finds Pokémon of those types much easier to interact with than others, but as a result, it is difficult for him to approach Psychic or Ground-type Pokémon.
Inventory: Kazurai carries the following possessions:
• A week's worth of clothing and other personal items
• Two journals, and a pen to go with them. One is full of notes and its cover features a sword emblem identical to the pin Kazurai wears on his jacket. The other is plain and partially filled.
• A bedroll, compact one-person tent, cooking gear, and a first-aid kit for human injuries
• A pack of ingredients to produce ponigiri, a traditional Sengun dish for both human and Pokémon consumption. Ponigiri are primarily composed of plain rice, but include secondary ingredients for added nutritional and restorative value. Diced Berries, when properly prepared, are a common component. The pack has limited supplies, but Kazurai can purchase more ingredients from any store that stocks basic food staples.
• Two cases of food specifically for Pokémon
• A standard-issue silver PokéLink, with an engraving of the Tachimazu emblem on the back. The PokéLink is a smartphone-esque device commonly used in Sengun. It has pre-installed apps for phone and video calls, browsing the internet, synchronising with a Pokédex, using TMs to teach moves to Pokémon, and assessing the health and fitness of any Pokémon accompanying the user.
• A small amount of cash for minor expenses
• - Debit card linked to Kazurai's personal Sengun-based bank account
Warrior of Sengun: Kazurai may be a Trainer, but is a Warrior first and foremost. He has several years' training in self-defensive martial arts, a solid education in both Pokémon- and non-Pokémon-related subjects, and rudimentary experience in the general skills needed for travelling Trainers: things like cooking, wilderness survival, and setting up a camp for the night.
In addition, Kazurai has inherited the skills and abilities of Sengun's Warriors. This grants him two skills, the centerpieces of Warrior culture:
• First, the ability to form a special bond with a Pokémon called a Link. If the Pokémon is willing, the Link connects the Warrior and the Pokémon in a similar manner to a Poké Ball, without the need for the Ball itself. The two become partners, each learning from the other.
• Second, the power of Warrior Skills. Warriors use these in battle to provide a boost to their Pokémon. Once a Warrior unlocks their power - how this is done depends on the individual - they gain a Warrior Skill, begin learning to use it, and can learn more Skills from those who are willing to teach them. This power does have its drawbacks, however. Warrior Skills require intense focus and strength of will. Using a Warrior Skill drains a significant portion of your mental reserves, even in the strongest, so a Warrior can only use a Warrior Skill once per battle.
Kazurai knows he has a Warrior's abilities, having formed a Link, but has yet to unlock his ability to use Warrior Skills. Despite this, he still wears the pin so that other Warriors will recognise him as one of their own. Kazurai has also inherited his family's affinity for Pokémon of the Electric and Fighting types: he finds Pokémon of those types much easier to interact with than others, but as a result, it is difficult for him to approach Psychic or Ground-type Pokémon.
Inventory: Kazurai carries the following possessions:
• A week's worth of clothing and other personal items
• Two journals, and a pen to go with them. One is full of notes and its cover features a sword emblem identical to the pin Kazurai wears on his jacket. The other is plain and partially filled.
• A bedroll, compact one-person tent, cooking gear, and a first-aid kit for human injuries
• A pack of ingredients to produce ponigiri, a traditional Sengun dish for both human and Pokémon consumption. Ponigiri are primarily composed of plain rice, but include secondary ingredients for added nutritional and restorative value. Diced Berries, when properly prepared, are a common component. The pack has limited supplies, but Kazurai can purchase more ingredients from any store that stocks basic food staples.
• Two cases of food specifically for Pokémon
• A standard-issue silver PokéLink, with an engraving of the Tachimazu emblem on the back. The PokéLink is a smartphone-esque device commonly used in Sengun. It has pre-installed apps for phone and video calls, browsing the internet, synchronising with a Pokédex, using TMs to teach moves to Pokémon, and assessing the health and fitness of any Pokémon accompanying the user.
• A small amount of cash for minor expenses
• - Debit card linked to Kazurai's personal Sengun-based bank account