In regards to all the plot suggestions, this is the problem I'm having. The RP I have in mind would be akin to Instant Action on most video games. Player X challenges Player Y, they duke it out, and that's about it...just like in Pokemon Stadium. Just picture Pokemon Stadium except without the N64. The intent is to have it be low commitment for new comers so they can get a hold of the concepts and take the lessons learned into other RPs.
Also, when I made the notion of using already existing characters from other RPs on the forum, I meant to mention that it would be optional, and more for everyone to use as a 'What if' situation and players can RP as Random Mook #837 in place of an actual character if so desired.
The Gym Leader challenge I'm not 100% sure on how I'd like to see it come in regards to the actual gym leaders themselves, but allowing the revolving Gym Leader cast to create their own sounds interesting. The idea I first thought up was that, for example, if a person was facing their first gym on the totem pole, any member of the revolving cast who is up for the battle can volunteer and state which out of any gym leader from the five generations they wish to be and then RP accordingly. Leniency on skill would be up to the RPer in question, but I don't think I should have to make a rule about Brock not being nigh impossible to defeat. But with either system, the premise of fighting 15 battles would be the same in execution.
But if you are directing this towards newbies, how do you plan to "encourage" them to follow these rules and learn how to lose? Or limit the battle length?
Micro-chip implants to the skull. It's pretty simple. By having them practice with a friendly community of RPers that will offer advise and their own personal Trainer Tips, which is the sole reason for the RP. Studies have proven the fact that learning via a hands-on approach is the best way to learn and completely outclasses reading how or being shown how.
You can read how to change the brakes in your car, and I can show you the steps to do so, but you won't have a full understanding of it until you try to do it yourself. And you won't be the best on you first shot, but you improve the more you work at it.
It might get really messy if you have a lot of people in unrelated battles in the same thread? Unless you go with the tournament idea gimmiepie had, but then it could take ages for some RPers to get to actually battle.
I've already thought of the solution to that. Every arena would have an assigned letter, and every battle that takes place will have a number. So let's say the water arena is letter G and we're both participating in the 42nd battle, our battle would be designated G042. A rule would state that each post of a battle must have the designation within it so players can distinguish between them. (also will allow players to use CTRL+F)
even though i would actually qualify as a 'newbie' in this case, would you consider me as a possible gym leader for the battle RP too? perhaps as (one of) the first in line, so trainers can see the level of battle prowess going up as they move on in the league, and at the same time i could get a good taste of when i should accept defeat.
I'd be glad to have you on board, as well as the others who have currently showed interest, even with your modest modesty. :P But like I mentioned earlier in this post, it will be a revolving cast, so you won't always be the first Gym Leader, but if you were in the roster and preferred to be fairly early on I'm sure your peers would respect that decision....most of the time. You'll have to get out of that shell at some point.