PokemonRegionRachen

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Region Overview

Rachen is defined by its rugged mountain ranges, dotted with two small but fertile flood plains that serve as vital agricultural hubs. Despite its mountainous terrain, the region boasts a stunning beach on its southern coast that draws tourists and trainers alike for both relaxation and challenging water-based Pokémon activities. The beach’s crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs are a stark contrast to the imposing peaks surrounding the rest of the region.

Laying south of Kanto and Johto in the waters of the Konrin Sea, Rachen's population has always been small, and with the collapse of the League in 112 AC, the government of Rachen is struggling to revive a new league (and is in talks with other governments to create a regional accreditation body) as well as continue the sustainable recovery and protection of it's reserves.

However, there are signs of rising tourism and recent deposits have been found with the aid of pokemon, indicating that there may be hope for Rachen to sustain itself in the future

Towns and Cities

• Ember Glen Town – Perched high in the mountains and located in a glen, this town is the starting point for many trainers as it is directly on the main route from Johto, connected to the . It offers breathtaking views and a close connection to rugged mountain Pokémon. It also directly faces Mt. Kizumi on the mainland of Rachenn. Cypress Labs are located here. This town used to be a larger city - remnants of the Ember Steelworks and older housing are still visible.
  • Route 401 - South and East to Silverdrift Cove
  • Route 402 - North to Yaro City. Requires 6 badges or equivalent to travel on foot. Passes through two passes and the Yochemi Valley. Most travelers take the lightrail through here.

• Silverdrift Cove - A picturesque fishing village, this village is also seeing the vast Angalic Ocean, and used to host it's own gym. There is a flooded silver mine on the island, and tiny shards of silver frequently wash up on the beach.

• • Route 401 - West to Ember Glen Town.
  • Route 403 - North to Echo Ridge Town Gym via Route 404. There are many Lapras pods here and in Route 405. At low tide, there are many sandbars here. There is an irregular ferry when the ferrywoman is around.

• Echo Ridge Town – A small, tranquil settlement located on a ridgeline with many hiking trails and caves, home to Rock and Flying-type Pokémon. Legends speak of a woman calling out for a missing lover, and hearing only echos of her cries.
  • [Badge] Echo Ridge Town Gym; Type: Flying; Leader: Zephyr Gym Challenge: Aerial platform puzzles requiring timing and precision (traditional Gym battle).
  • Route 404 - West to Silverdrift Cove vs Route 403. There is an irregular ferry when the ferrywoman is around.
  • Route 404 - East: 404 Route Not Found. But it's on every map, and sometimes, you *can* find the route. Legends say you are walking to your doom if you do. [Ghost Route, heads to Abandoned School, visible only every half-moon on cloudy nights, dangerous to trainers who do not have experience handing ghost types and are under level 25. No one knows who opens the route. Only open near midnight, called 'The Midnight Hell Forest Route'. Records show it was never built.]
  • Route 405, the Rachenn Ring Road South to ??? via Route 406 - There are many Lapras pods here and in Route 403. There is a regular ferry, but it does not stop in the Shieri Islands.

• Yaro City - The port of connection to the other regions, this city is where most foreign tourists first reach Rachenn. It is considered the second most beautiful city and beach. It boasts the tourist attraction of Yaro Castle, a now-extinct clan that used to have dominion over this segment of Rachen.
  • Route 402 - South to Ember Glen Town. North to Yaro City. Requires 6 badges or equivalent to travel on foot. Passes through two passes and the Yochemi Valley. Most travelers take the lightrail through here.
  • Route 429 - North and East to Cinder Town. Ferries run three times a day, usually around school times.

• Cinder Town - The remnants of the former capital partially destroyed by the eruption (and collapse) of a volcano located on the island. Primarily a fishing village now with some traditional crafts still stubbornly present, although in the last hundred years, there's a growing hub of eco-tourism and tours of the nearby reefs. Lives in harmony with Pokemon. Volcano is considered dormant with no measurable tectonic activity.
  • Route 428 - East to Glimmerfall Town and Yoseiri Lighthouse. No ferries. Trainers need Surf to take this route for the first half. There is a well known cafe and light house on the shoreline. Route is very rainy and stormy almost all of the time.
  • Route 429 - West and South to Yaro City. Ferries run three times a day, usually around school times.

• Glimmerfall Town - Nestled in a valley north of the largest flood plain, this farming community is known for its berry orchards and peaceful rural atmosphere. It borders to the east the Eki Exclusion Zone beyond it's farms, and as such, is the host of Rachen's Ranger Lodge. It is also the source of legends about the Protectors of Rachen, and a memorial to the Glimmer Guard is located here. (Fairy-type trainers that were the samurai of the local daimyo.)
  • [Badge] Skill Challenge - Trainers must use Pokémon moves to manipulate water flow and grow crops, solving environmental puzzles (no battle) [Grass/Water]

• • Route 427 - West to Cinder Town and Yoseiri Lighthouse. No ferries. Trainers need Surf to take this route for the second half. There is a well known cafe and light house on the shoreline. Route is very rainy and stormy almost all of the time.
  • Route 4?? - South to Route 4??, part of the Rachen Ring, and thus to Castlewick City. Mountainous and sometimes affected by prevailing winds blowing from the exclusion zone, this route boasts a unsurprising lot of fairy type pokemon. One of the more difficult paths, but many stunning vistas.

• Castlewick City - Located on the largest flood plain, this city is known for its botanical gardens and research facilities focused on endangered Pokémon. The Siwa river runs through this plain, and the city itself has been built up above the near annual flooding in the plain. Site of the Rachen Pokemon League HQ. City is arranged in concentric circles around a large castle destroyed by fire, but every night, a large ceremonial torch in the core of the old courtyard is lit in memory of those fallen in past conflicts.
  • Route 4??, via Route 4?? - Rachen Ring Road, West. Leads towards ???. Road is very mountainous as it follows several ridges before descending into the Eachi Valley. Several ruins of villages dot the route. Contains the Rachen Aura Institute.
  • Route 4?? - Rachen Ring Road, East. Leads towards Route 4??, originally part of route XX that led towards Kawagajinmei and the town of ???. When the routes were normalized across Konrin, the number was skipped in Rachen out of memory.
  • Route 4??, via Route 4?? - Rachen Ring Road, South. Leads towards ???, and eventually, the capital. This road is on the flood plains, meaning that sometimes it is underwater.
  • Route 4??, between Route 4?? and Route 4?? - Quick connector up a ravine towards the mountains ?? of ???. Recently constructed, and easier to traverse than older routes.

   Coral Bay City – The bustling tourist hub on the famous beach, featuring water sports, Pokémon contests, and a lively market specializing in rare oceanic Pokémon goods.
   Ironclad City – A mining town rich in minerals, with a Gym specializing in Steel-type Pokémon. The city is surrounded by old tunnels from decades of mining.
   
   Phantom Hollow – The ghost town of Rachen, abandoned after a tragic event. Now inhabited primarily by Ghost-type Pokémon, it’s a spooky but fascinating spot for brave trainers.

Special Features

• Mountainous Terrain - Rachen’s challenging mountains require trainers to prepare for tough climbs, weather changes, and rugged paths, making it a region that rewards perseverance. Several routes are always stormy and wet, and have persistent weather.

• Yoseiri Lighthouse: A continually maintained lighthouse, this was built three hundred years ago. It is maintained by the former gym leader of Glimmerfall Town. The gym leader occasionally holds informal training tournaments here.

• Abandoned School - A school back in the Daisho-era, it has been closed and abandoned for well on ninety years now. Known now for it's urban ruins as it is overgrown by the nearby forest, there are Poltchageist and Gastly groups that have taken the ruins over.

• Shieri Islands - Some islands barely above sea level, known primarily for the artificial reef project here to restore coral pokemon and the Corsola population. Due to rip currents, this area is often only occupied by stronger Pokémon or those that stay within the reefs.

• Exclusion Zones - Two regions are cordoned off due to dangerous aura levels left by historic battles and conflict. These areas are rich in rare and endangered Pokémon species, but trainers are strictly prohibited or advised to enter only with special permission.
  • Exclusion Zone 1 - The final battle between two daimyo, this area is still toxic due to massive ghost and fairy aura some three hundred years later. The zone has slowly been shrinking, and some trainers are allowed in only if they are considered excessively strong. However, the core of the zone, the battlefield of Kawagajinmei is likely to be forbidden for another three hundred years.

   Phantom Hollow: This ghost town is a hotspot for Ghost-type Pokémon and eerie phenomena. The town’s haunting atmosphere offers a unique challenge and story arc for trainers drawn to the supernatural.

   Tourism & Research: Coral Bay City’s beach tourism and Castlewick City’s research labs provide opportunities for side quests, contests, and discovering new Pokémon behaviors. They are also the largest 

Unique Pokémon (to Rachen)

• Coralwing (NDex #1026) [Water/Fairy] A Water/Fairy Pokémon that lives among the coral reefs and is known for its mesmerizing, glowing wings. (Rare-ish but not endangered, difficult to catch, primarily lives in several reserves.)
• Reeftide (NDex #1027) [Water/Fairy] - Evo of Coralwing. (L30) Controls tides, protector of coral reefs
• Aura Wraith (NDex #1028) [Ghost/Fighting] The vague glowing shape of a large Pokémon, believed to born from the intense battle auras lingering in the exclusion zone. Uncatchable under L50. Only seen in deep exclusion zone.

[Strong against Normal/Rock/Ghost/Steel/Psychic/Ice/Dark] [Weak against Flying/Ghost/Psychic/Fairy] [half damage from Poison/Rock] [quarter from Bug] [0 from Normal/Fighting]

• Phantom Moth (NDex #1029) [Bug/Ghost] - A spectral Bug/Ghost Pokémon frequently spotted in Phantom Hollow, known for its hauntingly beautiful, translucent wings. Not endangered.
• Hauntail (NDex #1030) [Ghost/Water] - Ghostly eel near Coral Bay. Schools of this phantasmal eel often appear around lost boats and lead them home. Legend speaks they are formed by the ghosts of drowned sailors. Not endangered.

(two forms)

• Glowvine (NDex #1031) [Grass/Fairy] - Bioluminescent vine in Castlewick. It is said they form a wall to warn Pokémon and people that they are entering dangerous territory in the exclusion zone. They curse those who harm the forests they reside in.
• Mistvine (NDex #1031) [Grass/Ghost] - Ghostly vine in exclusion zones with dominate Ghost aura. Also in Phantom Hallow. Very more a predatory vine.
• Fogpaw (NDex #1032) [Ghost] - Ghostly feline prowling Phantom Hollow.
• Lunashade (NDex #1033) [Dark/Ghost] - Moonlit ghost Pokémon in Phantom Hollow

Rachen Regional Forms

• Pichu/Pikachu/Raichu (+Fairy)
• Squirtle/Wartortle/Blastoise (coral-encrusted shells) (+Rock)
• Gyrados (Water/Dragon) [Atrocity Pokémon. The Gyrados in this region grow a bit more golden, and are dragon types.]
• Fennekin (Fire/Psychic) -> Braixen (Fire/Psychic) -> Delphox (Psychic/Fairy); clusters near Aurafell Hamlet; "invasive"