Gotta love character creation votes, where early leads seem to get smoked most often. It never gets old.
If I had a bias for any of these three I could've rigged the vote by suddenly closing it at certain times so far, haha. That said, putting aside personal preferences - which I think is as good a reason to choose a Pokémon as any - I think there's fair logic for any of them being appropriate character-wise (and for all three kids, not just Red). Whichever distribution we get, it'll be fun to write about.
I'll probably close the vote on Friday or further into the weekend, depending on whether votes keep trickling in!
I'll keep voting open until Tuesday, but so far it looks like Charmander's in the lead! A difference of 2 and 4 votes is not an insurmountable gap, however.
Poor Bulbasaur had such a strong start. Where are the plant lovers at?
Adhoc vote count started by Omergosh on Mar 18, 2024 at 3:49 AM, finished with 21 posts and 18 votes.
Now that I don't have to give lip service and pretend to be impartial - my personal thoughts on the most suitable starters for the Pallet trio were the Pokémon that suited each of the characters' personalities best: Bulbasaur for the patient studious Bulbapedia contributor Red, Charmander for the fiery passionate hotheaded 'WM1 Pyro' Blue, and Squirtle for the tricky clever full-of-surprises Leaf.
To me, the color of their names corresponding to the Pokémon types wasn't a factor - they don't match up in Pokémon Adventures/Special, and I never batted an eye when I was reading that manga.
It was even funnier after I rolled for the Pokémon's starting natures because they all fit those same trainers perfectly.
(Careful, Bold, and Impish respectively)
Before I started this thread, I was certain enough in my reasoning that I'd thought about having the starters predetermined, or whether I wanted this to be Quest at all instead of in User Fiction. That question was honestly one of biggest reasons I took so many years to actually get started on this idea.
But in the end I decided on a Quest, and from there the choice was simple: what kind of Pokémon Quest doesn't let you pick your starting Pokémon?
There are Quest concepts that could work for, but I don't think this is one of them.
And in the end, I think this starter distribution makes for a good story! An energetic fire-boi for Red, an unflinching shell of naughtiness for Blue, and a versatile, enabling plant-lizard who exhibits more caution than its Trainer, Leaf.
I'll see about an update on Sunday, depending on how Ramadan treats me. o7
Scheduled vote count started by Omergosh on Mar 12, 2024 at 7:16 PM, finished with 22 posts and 18 votes.
Technically it is currently Sunday where I am in the world, so close enough. On the bright side, I've finally nailed down the specifics of how I want to handle the passage of time and regular/weekly actions and votes - so after this update, I'll be pretty much as prepared as I can possibly be to keep the Quest going. I make no promises in terms of update schedule, but at the least I have enough planning in place to keep the story rolling here in Pallet Town.
Quick shoutout to all the other cool Pokémon Quests I've come across in the past while, which definitely rekindled the flame!
Personal huge shoutout to Pokémon Omega RWBY, or: Welcome to the World of Remnant Crossover, which is sadly currently discontinued. The worldbuilding + unique character premises/mechanics are superb, and the character introductory stories were executed so, so well that they made me yearn to write again. I'd personally love to see the story continue, but I understand why the author stopped where they did.
It was still a great read and also introduced me to the Pokeymanz TTRPG system, which I'm currently reading through the rules for.
I hope any of you sitting on fun Pokémon Quest/fiction ideas get the inspiration and energy you need to bring yours to life - I love reading them!
I still have so much of those threads left to binge before I'm caught up...
Winning Vote: [X] Charmander
- Fire.
- Bipedal reptilian with a nimble body, deceptively unassuming claws, and a flame that burns brightly in accordance with both its health and emotions.
- Bold
- Offense, Speed.
The three youths from Pallet Town make their choices quickly.
As Red's hand closes over the Poké Ball containing his future partner, the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He feels what he felt the last time he was here, during the compatibility test: a presence.
This time, the scientists aren't urging him to reject it. He picks the Poké Ball up off of its stand, and allows the connection to form.
CURIOSITY
Red winces. Unfamiliar signals bombard his conscience, garbled and very, very loud. The stream isn't unending, but persistent, as if poking its head out into his mind over and over asking, "Are we there yet?"
qUe?sT?ionwQu?EsStio?nW?
Professor Oak watches with a fond smile as the kids lose focus and their bodies begin to glow. Many a time has he seen a Pidgey or a Rattata progress beyond its natural limits to a more developed form - evolving into a Pidgeotto or a Raticate respectively. The light of evolution is still dazzling to him, but familiar.
Something well-understood is that evolution is not exclusive to Pokémon. Right before his eyes, that same light now emanates from three human children.
Within a minute, as their souls adjust to new additions, new connections, they become more than the humans they used to be. With just one Pokémon, they are greater in understanding of the natural forces and creatures within this world. Already, they have access to abilities beyond their previous limits.
If this doesn't qualify as a form of evolution, what else could?
Within a minute, the light fades, as the kids no doubt adjust to unfamiliar sensations.
Excitement. Excitement. Meet. See!
There are a few things Red learns, after the messages begin to be parsed in a more productive manner. One, his new partner has a lot of energy to burn, and is keen on conveying such.
Two, it turns out that Charmander can leave the Poké Ball on its own.
Naturally, it isn't alone. The Professor and his aide squawk, immediately clearing tables to make sure nothing important is at risk from the three Pokémon who have clearly taken the new connections as permission to emerge.
"Squirtle Squirtle."
The aquatic rascal's efforts to clamber up Blue's back are thwarted as he reaches one hand back to pluck it off. The blue beast smiles at its Trainer, who holds it up by the scruff of its shell.
Squirtle's tail wags in tune with the 'messages' being broadcast through the link to its Trainer's soul.
Eagerness. Anticipation. ...Expectation?
Blue smiles back, opening his mouth to speak-
-only to sputter as his shelled partner opens its mouth too, spraying a short stream of bubbles into Blue's face.
"Bulbasaur..."
The green plant-lizard had barely touched the ground for five seconds before being hoisted triumphantly into the air by Leaf. Bulbasaur reaches to massage her forehead out of concern, sensing that its Trainer still has a lingering headache. Bulbasaur feels its Trainer freeze up.
Concern?
An aggressive, affectionate hug quickly redirects the target of Bulbasaur's worry to itself.
CONCERN!
"Char! Char! Charmander!"
The orange lizard stands atop a table, chattering away at his seated Trainer. Red weathers the unenviable task of trying to decipher both the voice in his mind and the animalistic sounds.
Meet. Energy. Me! See! Excitement!
And boy are there sounds. Hisses, barks, exclamations, somehow all intermingled with the sound of its own species' name. Red had asked Daisy about that once, only for her to hand him a thick university textbook. He couldn't read past the foreword without being at a loss, despite his younger self's efforts.
Red has since realized it's easier not to question some things about the world. Not until graduate studies, at least.
Pokémon make sounds. People hear names. That's all that's worth knowing.
Watching the little creature yap away is healing and all, but the thin wisps of flame spattering from its moving maw are concerning. Red gently reaches out and pulls Charmander's jaw shut.
?
Gazing up at him with curious eyes, the critter obligingly keeps its head still.
Its tail, however, is another matter. It wags with increasing frequency, sending little embers every which way.
After he notices the first scorch marks, Professor Oak puts his foot down and has everyone to return their Pokémon partners to their Poké Balls.
"While it's lovely to see you three getting along with your partners, perhaps you should save your bonding time for afterwards. We still need to discuss your potential positions as research assistants!"
"Potential?" Blue raises an eyebrow. "Gramps, we're already bona fide Trainers carrying around your lab's Pokémon."
"Ah, but your Trainer Licenses are only provisional at the moment. Before you can do any official League business, you'll need to have that sorted out."
Blue scoffs. "Official 'business' like what? Taxes?"
"Like challenging a Gym."
That shuts Blue up quick, considering his ambitions.
Taking that as his cue to continue, the Professor holds up a single finger. "One month. That will be your trial period, both as Trainers and as research assistants!"
Leaf pouts. "All that talk about us being special, and we're still on trial to help you?"
"Of course. A theory is only a theory, and rather useless without any testing. It may turn out your compatibility is more limited than we'd anticipated. There's only one way to find out!"
Leaf sighs melodramatically.
"You three have one month to catch another Pokémon in a Pokéball and bring it here for study."
"Oh, well that doesn't sound too bad-"
"Of course, I expect you all to submit a handwritten report about the process, including personal observations about your newly acquired Pokémon."
Leaf slumps. We're out of school but still have homework?
Blue shudders. Is he gonna get Daisy to bug me about it every day?
Red stills. If it's handwritten, do we need to include hand-drawn illustrations?
"Hahaha, you can't call yourselves research assistants if you make us do all the work!"
After that, conversation turns towards the boring legal details, covering expectations and such. As they sign the last of their paperwork, the three Pallet Town youths are reminded that this is in fact a real job they've signed up for.
Of course, getting a Pokémon out of it is a great deal.
That said, it turns out the League doesn't give out Trainer Licenses every time a professor asks nicely.
"We'll take care of the legal stuff on our end," Professor Oak assures them. "However, if you three want to travel around while experiencing all the benefits of an active Trainer License, you must get used to keeping it active."
A moment of expectant silence.
The old man harrumphs.
Finally, Blue sighs. "And how do we keep it active? Just battle people?"
"Hm." The Professor pauses. "Technically, that does work! Heaven knows you'll come across Trainers desperate to ambush any soul carrying a Pokéball because their License is about to expire. But no, I was referring more to Trainer Commissions. Back in school, I recall you three had do community service each year?"
Blue makes a face. "Ugh, volunteer hours."
Leaf perks up. "I remember seeing notices for this stuff at Mom's restaurant and they looked way more official than that! Isn't most of that stuff above our paygrade though? Like, we just started working here."
Professor Oak waves a hand dismissively. "Benefits of this first month being your 'trial period' - the criteria for a Commission this time are quite loose! You're here to earn your License, not defend it."
Leaf leans in. "...How loose are we talking, here?"
"Rescue a kite from a tree, find a lost item, clean up an inaccessible area such as a rooftop - anything you can accomplish with your knowledge, skills, and Pokémon can count!"
"And do we have to use our Pokémon?"
"Oh, not at all."
Blue looks skeptical. "That's it? We just gotta find someone's chores to do every week?"
His grandfather shrugs. "For now, such tasks will suffice. As long as you can provide your client's contact information each time, we can help you fill out the rest of the reports-"
Everyone groans.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic."
You have the rest of the day to get acquainted with your chubby little companion, Charmander.
Where do you go?
[] The park down the hill from Professor Oak's Lab.
[] Home, sweet home. Not a walk you're looking forward to.
[] Leaf's family owns a restaurant.
[] The pier has a nice boardwalk running along the coast.
[] Write-in...
What do you do primarily?
[] Ask Charmander to hold specific poses for you to sketch for practice.
[] New Trainers are recommended to avoid testing their abilities, and to rest until the next day. Most people ignore this rule, and you're no exception.
[] Instead of taxing Charmander or yourself, focus on familiarizing yourself with that psychic link between the two of you. [] Blue challenges you to a battle as soon as Professor Oak is out of earshot. Neither of you are in any condition to battle, but it's never been in your nature to back down. The walls have ears, and you two are quickly dissuaded. Maybe you can schedule this for some other time.
[] Write-in...
Who joins you?
[] Leaf, who casually asks you to burn some scrap paper she had on her, insisting it'll be good practice for you. You probably don't want to ask.
[] Blue, who seems to be craving some sort of competitive satisfaction aside from the battle he's just been denied. You'll probably be dragged into something.
[] Red's mother, who just got done shopping. You should probably help her carry things home.
[] Daisy Oak, who's helping set up for an event at the local Pokémon Center. You can get advice on Pokémon care.
[] Professor Oak's aide, who is making the most of his early lunch break. You could learn a lot from him.
For this vote, please use Plan Voting! Your personal combination of all three of these vote options are your plan.
Surprise, I'm back! We went from a three month gap to a two month gap. I'll try to do better than simply continue that pattern, and get the next update out before an entire month passes.
Trainer Commissions are basically my excuse to give Trainers an in-universe incentive to do sidequests. Could you imagine if Red just continued to be a quiet, antisocial, studious boy who only did his homework? Not on my watch.
After this in-game day, we'll continue onto weekly phases, where you can plan out Red's schedule in more detail! If you're familiar with Quests like Usagi Quest or My Huntsman Academia, you know the drill.
I could have made this first vote after two months the weekly schedule vote, but I thought that'd be a little much after, y'know. Two whole months away.
[X] Plan: Posemander
-[X] Leaf's family owns a restaurant.
-[X] Ask Charmander to hold specific poses for you to sketch for practice.
-[X] Leaf, who casually asks you to burn some scrap paper she had on her, insisting it'll be good practice for you. You probably don't want to ask.
The restaurant both sounds like a comfy place to spend time at and potentially gives us an early look at those commisions and while some of the other options are pretty interesting as well, pairing up Leaf with her family's restaurant just feels right. And then lastly the sketching just sounds like both a neat little character exercise and really, if this is JJBA inspired, we gotta make sure our boy grows up to have a strong posing game. Hm, maybe we can even get some fancy group poses with Bulbasaur and Leaf out of it.
I almost want to suggest something else just for variety's sake, but it's been a day and nobody else has any objections... so let's just go with the plan that everyone likes.
I almost want to suggest something else just for variety's sake, but it's been a day and nobody else has any objections... so let's just go with the plan that everyone likes.
I mean hey, technically it's only been a day. Not even a full 18 hours have passed yet, and people who participate usually come in waves.
The early bandwagons for the previous two votes in this Quest were actually both overturned, so that early vote momentum isn't as much of a factor as you might think.
If you have other ideas that interest you, throw 'em out there!
I mean hey, technically it's only been a day. Not even a full 18 hours have passed yet, and people who participate usually come in waves.
The early bandwagons for the previous two votes in this Quest were actually both overturned, so that early vote momentum isn't as much of a factor as you might think.
If you have other ideas that interest you, throw 'em out there!
Hmm... in that case, I guess I'll propose a plan that teaches us more about the mechanics of this crossover.
[X] Plan: Lunch Lesson
-[X] The park down the hill from Professor Oak's Lab.
-[X] Instead of taxing Charmander or yourself, focus on familiarizing yourself with that psychic link between the two of you.
-[X] Professor Oak's aide, who is making the most of his early lunch break. You could learn a lot from him.
Of course as soon as I say all that about voting, the early plan still seems to have the lead.
I'll close the vote in another day or two! I do want to up the pace of Quest updates so I won't draw it out much longer.
Adhoc vote count started by Omergosh on May 24, 2024 at 10:06 PM, finished with 8 posts and 4 votes.
[X] Plan: Posemander
-[X] Leaf's family owns a restaurant.
-[X] Ask Charmander to hold specific poses for you to sketch for practice.
-[X] Leaf, who casually asks you to burn some scrap paper she had on her, insisting it'll be good practice for you. You probably don't want to ask.
[X] Plan: Lunch Lesson
-[X] The park down the hill from Professor Oak's Lab.
-[X] Instead of taxing Charmander or yourself, focus on familiarizing yourself with that psychic link between the two of you.
-[X] Professor Oak's aide, who is making the most of his early lunch break. You could learn a lot from him.
Looks like Red's taking the opportunity to move a little further out of his comfort zone.
Adhoc vote count started by Omergosh on May 26, 2024 at 8:24 PM, finished with 10 posts and 5 votes.
[X] Plan: Posemander
-[X] Leaf's family owns a restaurant.
-[X] Ask Charmander to hold specific poses for you to sketch for practice.
-[X] Leaf, who casually asks you to burn some scrap paper she had on her, insisting it'll be good practice for you. You probably don't want to ask.
[X] Plan: Lunch Lesson
-[X] The park down the hill from Professor Oak's Lab.
-[X] Instead of taxing Charmander or yourself, focus on familiarizing yourself with that psychic link between the two of you.
-[X] Professor Oak's aide, who is making the most of his early lunch break. You could learn a lot from him.
