Mid size region.
What Makes Ibérica Different:
1. Cultural Integration:
- The region could be filled with Pokémon inspired by Spanish history, flamenco, bullfighting, art, and architecture (think Gaudí-inspired designs).
- Pokémon could be linked to festivals (like La Tomatina or Running of the Bulls), with special forms or evolutions that happen only during certain times of the year.
2. Geographical Diversity:
Coastal Cliffs: Think of Pokémon inspired by marine life, cliffs, and sea caves (like oceanic or storm-based Pokémon).
Mountain Ranges: With the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada, we could have rock and dragon types with special abilities linked to harsh weather.
Olive Groves & Vineyards: Electric types that might be inspired by Mediterranean crops like olives, citrus, and grapes.
Desert Areas: Drawing from the Bardenas Reales, you could have Pokémon with a more arid, gritty aesthetic—sand-type Pokémon or ones that resemble desert flora and fauna.
3. Unique Mechanics:
Cultural Evolutions: In Ibérica, Pokémon might evolve through interactions with culture—a Flamenco Dance Evolution, for example, or Bullfighting Evolution, where certain Pokémon change when they learn moves linked to festivals.
Aesthetic evolutions: Some Pokémon might evolve depending on the time of day, with different forms at night, representing the fusion of modern Spain and ancient traditions.
4. Legendary Pokémon:
One could represent El Cid, a legendary Spanish hero—perhaps a Knightly Dragon or Warrior Pokémon.
Another might be inspired by the Sagrada Familia, something like a Mythical Building Pokémon with an ethereal, spiritual aura, representing the connection of nature and architecture.
A third could be linked to Spanish folklore, like a Chupacabra-inspired Pokémon or a trickster spirit, influencing some regional myths.
Regional Forms and New Evolutions:
Flamenco Dance Evolution: Maybe a Fighting/Fire type Pokémon evolves when it learns a dance move like Flamenco Dance, boosting its speed or attack based on rhythm.
Olive Tree Pokémon: A Grass-type Pokémon could evolve into something resembling an olive tree with an evolved form that's based on the cultural significance of the olive in Spain.
Bull Pokémon: Instead of traditional Tauros or Bouffalant, you could create a special Bull Fighting Pokémon—perhaps a Fighting or Dark type Pokémon with a unique move set inspired by the bullring. This Pokémon could evolve based on different festivals or in specific locations within Ibérica.
Ibérica Pokémon Region Design Overview
Number of Pokémon: Around 135 Pokémon (a bit more than Kalos but not as many as Galar, ensuring the region feels rich and diverse without overwhelming players).
Theme:
The region will have a unique mix of mythology, art, festivals, and geography based on the diverse landscapes of Spain, ranging from lush vineyards and coastal areas to dry deserts and ancient mountains.
Key Types in Ibérica:
Fighting/Fire: Inspired by Flamenco, bullfighting, and the passionate culture of Spain.
Fairy: Magical creatures based on Spanish myths, legends, and folklore.
Dragon/Rock: Legends like El Cid, or Pokémon inspired by Spain's ancient castles and fortresses.
Water/Steel: Coastal and industrial areas will have Pokémon representing the fusion of nature and innovation.
Grass: Many Pokémon will be linked to olive trees, vineyards, and Mediterranean crops.
Ghost/Dark: To represent darker folklore—like the Chupacabra, ghosts, and spirits tied to Spanish history.
The Corruption and Darkness of Ibérica:
While Ibérica is a land of beauty, culture, and passion, there's a hidden darkness that festers in the government, police, and corporations. Behind the grand festivals, stunning architecture, and ancient history, the region is dealing with significant issues of power abuse, inequality, and exploitation. The mythical Pokémon themselves could serve as a symbol of this imbalance, representing forces of both destruction and salvation.
Key Themes:
Wealth Inequality: The rich elites and corporations in Ibérica are getting richer, while the common folk suffer. Landowners and industrial magnates dominate, controlling access to resources like water, food, and land. Some Pokémon related to nature, agriculture, and resources could even symbolize these oppressive forces.
Corrupt Institutions: The police, government, and justice system in Ibérica are all deeply corrupt. They protect the elite and oppress the poor, using their power to silence anyone who challenges them. Pokémon tied to dark types or ghosts could reflect this, embodying fear, secrecy, and corruption.
The Media Manipulation: The media (perhaps represented by a Pokémon associated with illusion or confusion) is used to distract the public, keeping them focused on superficial matters like entertainment, festivals, and the glory of Ibérica's history, rather than addressing real issues like poverty and injustice.
Integration with Mythical Pokémon:
The mythical Pokémon are symbols of this corruption—they represent ancient powers that have been twisted by modern greed. But they also hold the key to restoring balance in the region. The Player becomes a key figure in unearthing the truth behind these legendary creatures, taking on the responsibility of righting the wrongs that have been done.
Legendary Pokémon Representing the Old Power and Modern Corruption:
Cidreign – The Fallen Hero:
Cidreign, the knightly dragon, was once a symbol of heroism and justice, but it has been corrupted by the greed of the ruling elite. In modern Ibérica, it now represents the betrayal of noble ideals.
Cidreign was once a protector of the common people. But after being manipulated and used by the corrupt government, its once-pure heart has turned bitter and vengeful.
The player's goal is to restore Cidreign's honor and purge its corruption. By doing so, they will not only gain Cidreign's trust but also unlock hidden truths about the government's role in the region's suffering.
Gaudios – The Distracted Divinity:
Gaudios, a fairy-steel Pokémon representing art and architecture, was created by the ancient architects of Ibérica, embodying beauty, culture, and divine creation. However, in the present day, it is used as a tool by the wealthy elite to manipulate public perception and distract people from the region's problems.
Its powers are often used by the elite to create illusions of prosperity, masking the poverty that runs rampant in the streets. Players must unravel the truth about Gaudios and its creators to free it from the corrupted influence of those who control it.
Chuparos – The Shadow of the Past:
Chuparos, the Ghost/Dark Pokémon tied to the Chupacabra myth, has become a symbol of the darkness that lurks within Ibérica's institutions. It is a creature of secrecy, feeding off the corruption and fear that plagues the region.
The Pokémon embodies the hidden truths that no one dares to face, drawing power from cover-ups, disappearances, and the fear of those in power. Players must confront Chuparos and unravel the truth behind its existence to bring light to the shadows.
The Corruptible Forces:
There are several factions in Ibérica that influence how the world behaves—these will tie directly to the story's political and societal elements. They will give the player insight into how deeply rooted the corruption is:
The Elite Council of Ibérica: A group of corporate and political leaders who manipulate the region's resources for personal gain. They control the Pokémon League and use their influence to maintain their grip on power. Their Pokémon are often Dark/Fighting types, representing the aggressive methods they use to maintain control.
The Ibérica Police: Once protectors of the people, they are now agents of oppression. They use Fighting and Dark Pokémon to intimidate and control the population, keeping people in check through fear. Some Police Officers also possess corrupted mythical Pokémon like Chuparos or others that represent chaos.
Media Corporations: These organizations use Pokémon with Psychic or Illusion powers to broadcast false narratives, diverting the people's attention away from the region's most pressing issues. Players will encounter these groups as they investigate the manipulated truth.
Plot Development – Fighting Corruption:
The player's role would be much more than just catching Pokémon. Here are some key story beats:
A Call to Arms: The player starts as an ordinary trainer, but soon learns that the government and elite are suppressing the common folk, exploiting them to further their own interests. Their journey will involve uncovering hidden truths about the region's past and battling against powerful forces to free Ibérica.
Revelations about Mythicals: Each Legendary Pokémon represents a part of the puzzle. To restore balance to the region, players must confront the corruption surrounding these creatures and purge their influence from the hands of those who exploit them.
Corruption vs. Restoration: As the player advances, they'll uncover the depth of corruption and will have to decide how to use their Pokémon's power. The mythicals offer a unique opportunity to either reinforce the existing order or topple it, bringing about a new era of justice and equality.
Visual and Gameplay Themes:
City Settings: Urban environments filled with corruption and poverty, where the underclass lives in the shadows of glitzy skyscrapers owned by the elite.
Cultural Representation: Traditional Spanish culture (like Flamenco and bullfighting) will be tied to both positive and negative forces. Festivals could serve as distractions, but they can also represent moments of rebellion or awakening.
Battle Mechanics: As the player moves through the region, their interactions with different factions (the media, police, and elite corporations) will affect their reputation and how NPCs react to them.
Guide for narrative.
Here are some aspects I think might be worth expanding on or exploring deeper, especially in terms of story structure and world-building:
1. Character Development:
Main Protagonist's Backstory: You could flesh out the player's connection to the corruption in Ibérica. Maybe they have a personal history with the government's oppression—perhaps their family was directly affected, or maybe they were raised in a society that perpetuates the media's false narrative, only to be awakened to the truth. Their journey could be about discovering their own inner resistance or rebellion.
Rivals and Allies: The rivals or other trainers you face can be reflections of the various factions in Ibérica. For example:
A rival from the Elite Council, who starts off as a strong ally but becomes more corrupted by power.
A rebel leader who helps guide the player and wants to see Ibérica freed, but may have questionable methods or personal vendettas.
A police officer who starts off chasing the player but gradually sees the flaws in the system and has to make a difficult choice: stay loyal to the law or rebel.
2. The Government & Power Structures:
System of Corruption: Explore how the Elite Council, the police, and other governing bodies came to power in the first place. Was there a historical event that allowed the rise of this corrupt system? Perhaps a war, a coup, or even something as subtle as the gradual decline of democratic systems?
How does the economic system in Ibérica work? Do the people pay high taxes to support elite lifestyles? Do certain corporations control vital resources like water, food, or land?
The Pokémon League as a Front: The League could be a propaganda tool of the government, offering fame, wealth, and power to those who play along. Trainers who get too close to the truth might face opposition from the League, or be manipulated into believing that the corrupt system is actually the only way to "maintain order."
3. Factions and Their Influence:
The Media's Role: Consider expanding on the role of media corporations as puppeteers of perception. Maybe there's an entire underground movement (comprising Pokémon Trainers, hackers, and former reporters) who are trying to expose the lies and bring the truth to light. This could be linked to certain mysterious events—maybe some people are starting to question the "official narrative" after seeing odd occurrences with Pokémon (unexplainable phenomena tied to the mythicals).
Secret Organizations: You might have an elite group of revolutionaries or a secret resistance with access to rare, mythical Pokémon (like a third faction that uses their own mythicals to fight the elite). These figures could have complicated morals, as they may be trying to undermine the government but at the cost of becoming just as morally ambiguous or oppressive as the ones they fight.
4. The Mythicals' Connection to Corruption:
How the Mythicals Are Exploited: You could dive deeper into how the mythical Pokémon came to be symbols of control for the corrupt powers in Ibérica. Each mythical might have once been a guardian or protector of a specific region or people, but through manipulation and betrayal, these Pokémon were corrupted by greed.
Maybe Gaudios was originally a beacon of hope for all people but was twisted to create false illusions of grandeur to pacify the masses.
Chuparos might have once been a protector of the land, but now its energy is drained by those who hide the truth.
Players could explore how each mythical is linked to specific societal issues, uncovering hidden secrets and betrayals that explain how they became corrupted.
5. Rebellion and Resistance – Player Choices:
One of the most intriguing parts of your world is the idea of rebellion and resistance, so it would be interesting to dive into how the player can challenge the corrupt system.
What kind of choices does the player make to resist the corruption? Do they expose corruption to the public? Do they rescue people who have been unjustly imprisoned by the government or police?
How do resistance factions interact with the player? Do they give you missions to weaken the government's grip, or will they demand sacrifices from you for the greater good?
There could be consequences to siding with different factions. For instance, rebels might offer rare Pokémon, but their methods could be morally questionable. Elite Council members might offer you influence and power, but at the cost of compromising your ideals.
6. The Role of Nature vs. Technology:
Explore the tension between nature and industrialization in Ibérica. The natural beauty of the region (the vineyards, olive groves, mountains, and coastlines) is being destroyed or exploited by large corporations and government-backed industries. This could tie into the nature-based Pokémon you create.
Certain areas of Ibérica might be polluted or over-developed, with factories or mining operations draining resources, leading to weakened or corrupted Pokémon.
Perhaps there are Pokémon that have mutated or evolved because of industrial exploitation, and these creatures serve as a visual metaphor for the damage being done to the environment.
7. Symbolism and Visual Motifs:
The aesthetic of the region will play a major role in setting the tone. Contrast the beautiful, historic landmarks with modern urban decay.
Use color palettes to signify the tension between natural beauty and corruption. For example, certain mythicals or areas of Ibérica could have glowing colors (like gold or silver) to represent the corrupt elite, while more natural areas are filled with earthy tones, greens, and blues to symbolize the common people.
You might use patterns, symbols, and architecture to show the deep cultural divide. For example, traditional Spanish motifs could be corrupted, twisted, or hidden in plain sight, serving as hidden codes for players to decode as they uncover the truth.
Conclusion – Helping You Shape the Narrative[1]:
Since you're building the narrative yourself, I would focus on deepening the personal stakes of the player's journey, allowing them to directly confront the corruption, while also exploring complex characters and factions. By tying the mythical Pokémon closely to the government's manipulation, you can create a narrative where the player must make difficult choices that don't have clear-cut answers.
The mythicals, in this context, aren't just powerful creatures—they're the key to unraveling the truth about Ibérica's corruption, and the player's role is to restore balance or burn the entire system down. Powerful symbols like these mythical creatures will be essential to carrying the deeper themes of rebellion, resistance, and moral ambiguity.
[1] Script idea I'll shape myself in the narrative. Don't worry, the narrative won't have any AI.