Backstory: Long ago, a young but strong man from the land of shamans made his way across the scorched and barren lands of Tobyan. He stopped to have a look to his left, then to his right, but no one alive was in sight. This has become worse than he could possibly imagine - the great evil that washed over the land for years have taken away the life and spiritual energy of the people who had been in fear of this darkness every day, and every night. The young man and soon learned about 6 legendary medallions, on which if they collected them all, a powerful rainbow spirit would arise, on who had the power to finally rid the evil that washes over the once peaceful land.
As the young man collected these medallions from the harshest natural conditions, he saw monsters started appearing in the wild, which were different from the animals he saw before - he sensed they had a strange shadow aura. The young man couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the violent and crude behavior that these monsters exhibited. Could they be the physical form of restless spirits of the deceased who was influenced by the darkness? No matter how much the young man fought and defended himself, these monsters wouldn't stop appearing.
Things were looking bleak for him until he saw another monster. However, this monster was different; while it was smaller than the other monsters, it drove off the evil with its powerful golden Thunder attack. Could this be a malevolent spirit of one of the deceased who took on a physical form, who developed an ego to punish the unjust? When the fierce battle was over, the boy started to communicate with the small monster spirit, where they both realized they both had a similar goal - to seal the spouting darkness and bring peace to Tobyan once again. From that point on, the young man and the monster spirit became partners.
The young man and his monster partner crossed seas, climbed mountains, and ventured through dark caves. Soon, they succeeded on collecting the legendary 6 medallions, on which their goal now, was to rid of the darkness once and for all. Soon, they encountered the source of this evil - a sinister being known as Khaos. Once upon a time, Khaos was feared as the ancient king long ago when the evil first began spouting over Tobyan, who had the ability to use shaman and shaman mage magic to defeat all enemies who stood before him. Soon Khaos acquired the knowledge to perform dark magic, which he used to cover the land of darkness to show the land that those foolish enough to stand before him will enter a never-ending nightmare that does not compare to his rulings before he acquired his dark magic.
Soon, the boy and his monster partner entered Khaos's castle, encountering him with a swarm of his shadow creatures. After an exchange of words, the battle finally began. They fought for 3 days and three nights, with the shadow creatures defeated, but with the boy and his partner pokemon feeling exhausted and injured from the shadow creatures' attacks. As Khaos joined in the fray to deliver the finishing blow, the 6 medallions started to glow. Khaos was surprised to then see the medallions giving off light towards the sky. The lights merged together, forming the presence of a rainbow spirit - a large bird who had feathers like a rainbow. Then come the red Sacred Fire from the bird, where its power was enough to purge the shadows and evil resonating from the monsters, and from Khaos. Khaos couldn't stop these flames, even with his magic, so he was soon engulfed by these flames, sealing him towards an old emerald tablet the boy now possessed.
Then came once again, the sacred fires from the rainbow bird illuminated, bringing color and life back to Tobyan, and all her people and animals back to life. The monsters were also dispelled of their darkness, where the people befriended them, becoming a family. Thus, the boy and his monster partner were both recognized as true heroes.
The General Region of Tobyan
Tobyan is pretty much known as a wild, wild, west Indian-american-esque society. The people there worshiped nature and all her beauty, believing that the spirits whom surrounded each and every one of them gave them the necessities from nature that allowed them to live happily. In fact, people always relied and thanked the spirits for pretty much everything they got - from the animal life they hunted, to the fresh water from the local rivers.
The people of Tobyan live in eight separate tribes. These tribes are led by chiefs. These chiefs basically decide the political and social terms of their tribe. The only way one could be a village chief was either by blood, or by a democratic system. Shamans are titles given to people who gained the knowledge to use magic to cure the sick, controlling the unknown, and even solving the world's most perplexing mysteries.
What's even more special about these tribes, is that it is believed that some of them were nearby the sites of where the ancient heroes found one of the six legendary medallions. Because of the tales about these medallions passed down from generation to generation, the Tobyanians decided to make a bunch of replicas of these medallions, made out of copper or other metal material. While they are not authentic, people - especially children, can start collecting them when they've come at age.
Landmarks
Kalay: Most children start their adventures in this quiet and peaceful land. The Wanaka tribe rests in here. This place is filled with giant tepee's, which is where the people of the land lives in. The soil here is rich and filled with minerals, and there is also fresh water that streams from the rivers. The rivers are clean, the trees are frisk, the ground is not too musty... everything about this town is very remote and ideal to live in. There is also a sanctuary here, but unless you're a shaman or one of the council elders, it's forbidden to go inside. It's forbidden, because it's said to rest a stone emerald tablet that it is believed to hold dark and unholy powers. No one must ever tamper or disturb it.
Dalia: The town of Dalia is widely known for the trading market. People from all over the land come to this town to trade goods across the country, even towards the lands of Kanto. This is also arguably one of the biggest towns of Tobyan - the buildings are made out of sturdy wood, nailed together with steel nails, all put together under a sturdy wooden roof.
Jüradku: Residing near the heart of a desert, Jüradku is a pretty odd town where the women population greatly exceeds the men. The women never really depended on the men; they would do all of the general labor, from battling, to hunting, while males would generally lie around in their homes all day. These women are the sole members and founders of the Jüradku tribe. The Jüradku Desert nearby is a sort of spooky spiritual place where it is believed that without the proper assistance of the monster spirits there, one would be lost in the desert forever.
Deko: While this town is in Tobyan, this town does not technically have Tobyanian natives. It was founded by a monk who did grasp the concept of spiritualism, but this town was not affiliated with Tobyan in anyway, since it was, back then, founded in an area that is not technically in Tobyan soil. You can say that this town represents the ancient Chinese culture. Instead of a tribe, a famous clan resides here. The Colthearts family clan. The Colthearts are a family who were known for communicating with spirits, and with the land of the dead. The leader, and master of the Colthearts clan was the one who's connection to the spirit world, and the land of the dead was the strongest of them all. However, the "spiritual power" of the Colthearts clan was always inherited by the females of the group.
Suijin: This town is almost surrounded by flowing rivers and lakes. The most famous ocean resides here too - an ocean known as Ruta. Ruta is a famous ocean because most of Tobyan's marine life live there. In fact, most of the land's fresh fish comes from the Ruta ocean as well. Even marine pokemon live in here: Magikarp, Feebas, Remoraid, Carvanha, and so on. This town is also home to the Neptune Tribe, who worships a legendary sea god king who had the power to give water during a drought, and bless the town with rain for their plants. Interestingly enough, they also fear Gyarados, sea serpents that terrify the people of this land.
Kuroko Gulch: Located near a desert filled with mountains, this is a fairly musty, sandy and large town where settlers and foreigners from across the world live in. These settlers... well, you can call them your average cowboys/cowgirls, miners, even scavengers. The cowboys/cowgirls usually like to rest and unwind from traveling on their steads - or in this case, their Ponytas and Rapidashes. A lot of miners here come to this town to investigate a lake where it is famous for finding gold, and other valuable treasures. The town is led by a sheriff, who has a job to maintain order in this town. This town actually has been taken over from the Tobyan people a long time ago, where war was imminent. The Ranchers, a group that consists of cowboys and horse riders, took this land from the Tobyanian people, putting an end to the harsh war that was supposed to last for years. However, because of that, there has been a lot of 'bad blood' between these ranchers, and Tobyanian natives.
Wanako: This is a town that is located near the foot of an inactive volcano. The tribe in this land, the Onaku tribe, worships the fire spirits that help this volcano remain stable. This town is also famous for Sacred Ashes, a material that is used to make one of the most powerful medicines of curing any illness.
Ookaraha: Every 100 years, the Ookaraha tribe from this land celebrates the becoming of a new witch-doctor. The witch-doctor is believed to have the most powerful magic in Tobyan. This is also the place where the most Shamans in Tobyan live in, learning more about magic and how to control the unknown with their will. Interestingly enough, the people in this land also love music; if one were to enter this land, they would instantly hear the sounds of drums.
Marjat: This land rests in the heart of a dense forest. Land animals and pokemon are most populated in this forest area as well. This area is more famous for it's wood and fruit, since there's enough trees and fruit life for them to have a supply for habitable wood, as well as healthy vegetation for years to come. It's interesting to note that the people who live in this land, also known as the Miraj tribe, tell tales about one day, a young child is going to arrive, passing a very important trial to be fully recognized as a hero. This trial consists of two tests: cooperation, and combat. No one as ever passed this trial, however, that did not discourage the tribe leader of waiting for this hero.
The Pokemon
It is believed that Pokemon were the spirits of deceased animals that took on a physical form. However, despite them being considered 'monsters', they are actually quite friendly towards people - under great care, of course. As such, the people soon gave these monsters a new name: pokemon. Like in Modern times, the Pokemon were owned by people, to perform a number of tasks such as hunting, scavenging, fishing, cleaning, and so on. Soon, the Tobyanian people created a new sport - the sport known as pokemon battling.
Pokemon battling consisted of two or more pokemon performing magic, or moves under the commands of their owners, until one is rendered unable to battle, which the other would win. Thanks to that, the people thought they were able to control magic itself, under the helm of their pokemon. Shamans especially used pokemon to conduct their healing magic, with moves such as Softboiled and Heal Bell. However, not all people used pokemon magic for good - some used it for their own personal malice. People even used pokemon for theft, pillaging, even a threat to kill. Because of that, crime rates have gone up the last couple of years.
As for pokemon technology, apricorns were the ancestor of the modern day pokeball. These apricorns would open up to seal a pokemon inside, keeping it nice and safe away from crowds. No one really knows why and how apricons an do this, but yet, no one really went into great lengths to figure it out. The best part for kids is that they were light, and very handy to carry their pokemon around in, not to mention that they can be painted in any color.
The Medallions & Battle Masters
It's believed that these medallions represent elemental energy in the world. One famous tale about them when they were all together, a giant powerful bird with rainbow feathers would fly from the heavens, with it's power under the bearer's command. However, the original six medallions were so powerful that the people in Tobyan sealed each one away in specific, yet not exactly known, locations. The only thing is known is that these medallions were sealed well within 6 towns that presented their element well. However, to pay respect to these medallions, certain towns have made replicas of each elemental medallion, to be collected by anyone, especially children, who is traveling in each town. If someone were to collect all of these replica medallions, they would be recognized as a well-respected and influential person. The names and description of each medallion are as followed:
Dendō, the medallion of thunder and lightning. This medallion represents spirits of thunder and lightning that is said to be only produced by the gods. It's said that those who possessed this medallion gains the ability to strike down foes with unrivaled speeds.
Kusa, the medallion of the trees. This medallion represents the spirits who created plant and forest life, who brought their green fields. A rumor tells that those who possessed this medallion, gains eternal life.
Kasai, the medallion of the flames. This medallion represents the sacred flames that re-shape the world, as well as the dangerous flames that burns down anything in sight. It's been told that those who has this medallion, gains the ability to control the powerful flames.
Mizu, the medallion of the rivers. This medallion represents the flowing water of the lakes, rivers, and oceans, and how they help each living being sustain their own life. Although it's not been confirmed, those who gets this medallion has the power to heal an injured soul.
Seishin, the Medallion of Energy. Spiritual energy is what this medallion represents. This energy is more recognized by shamans, who use this magic to unravel the unknown, and control things to their will. In other words, psychic energy.
Gōsuto, the Medallion of the dead. This medallion represents the land of the dead, and the ghosts who inhibit the world. These ghosts are not to be feared, however, since they are just as happy to communicate with humans as any other spirit. This is a folktale, but those who gains this medallion has the power visit the house of the dead.
Each replica medallion is given by a sort of
Battle Master, if you defeat or impress them in a pokemon battle. Many kids have been trying to collect these symbols - some failed, some succeeded. Why do they try? Again, it's for respect, and influence, however, they can also collect other rewards, such as wealth, food, and water for their family. There are
six battle masters in this region, with a legendary set of
4 individuals who are said to be the elite of the elite pokemon trainers.
