[PKMN FULL] The International Idol Star Festival/Tournament! [T]

Junier · Jun 5, 2016

✯ THE INTERNATIONAL IDOL STAR FESTIVAL! ✯
Do you have what it takes to be a star!?

[PokeCommunity.com] The International Idol Star Festival/Tournament! [T]

Click here to redirect to the original out-of-character thread!

Click here to redirect to the in-character thread!

This RP is rated T for moderated "themes", violence and crude humor.

-------BLAM! From its airborne perch among the stage lights and girders, Rapidash descended like a meteor onto the stage; a cloak of fire flared up all around her, but the Flare Blitz dispersed with staggering brevity as the Fire-type controlled the flames up and away from herself. She landed now with deceiving grace on her hooves with not a hint of visible recoil, thanks to her coordinator's thinking. Rapidash actually looked quite confident and coolly assured, raising her golden, well-groomed head high at the sound of the audience's ceaseless acclaim.

-------And, meanwhile, directly above her, Minun was just beginning to fall. Wrapped around the smiling, emanating creature now was the green-tinted barrier of Protect. As the dispelled Flare Blitz fire flew up towards him, they danced uniquely off the move's rounded shape while Minun himself was left entirely without harm. He faced the cheering crowd with an almost cocky expression before he too effortlessly let his move fade out, allowing him to plummet and plop down comfortably onto Rapidash's back.

-------They went off moving again, around their coordinator now; there was no time to stand still during a double appeal! The Fire and Electric duo galloped in a circle, Minun taking this opportunity to expel blue, sparking "pompoms" of electricity. With them he twirled and danced as Rapidash trotted like a show horse around and around. In her wake she was leaving a trail of fire with the blossoming flames at her ankles. It proved another sign of the Pokemon's control, as the fire along its back and neck were barely perceivable at the same time; the judges adored this! They were on their feet now, clapping and grinning, the coordinator noticed, and her heart soared at the rare sight. The entire stadium was aglow with the same light energy; the audience roared greater than ever, clapping powerfully and pumping their fists to the ceiling. "Go, Rapidash!" they shouted. "Go, Minun!"

-------The overhead announcer himself carried an exuberant tone as he subtly gushed over the technique: "That Bounce, with incredible technique for a four-legged Pokemon…! And that Flare Blitz to descend…! The audience is going crazy right now! And even Minun here is doing spectacularly, despite not being Seras main performer…!"

-------The coordinator grinned while at the heart of the circle of fire. While everyone else saw a ring, she saw the strategy taught to Rapidash in order to line-up their grand, fiery finale. If the audience was excited now…

-------"Let's end this!" she announced. "Come on, Mira!" Her Minun closed off his dance and leapt from Rapidash's back into her arms. "You know what to do, Pyra!" The coordinator confidently gestured to the Fire Horse next. She immediately responded with a deep bow before suddenly jerking back her horn and thusly a great spinning pillar of flame was erected around the coordinator and her second Pokemon.

-------The Fire Spin was fantastic, immensely bright and red like the sun. The pulsating orb of Sunny Day that Rapidash had summoned at the very beginning of the routine brought forth the crimson color and sheer scale. Around the coordinator, the tower of fire leapt higher and higher. The flaming walls totally encapsulated her, her toasted, freckled skin, her burn marks concealed with showy makeup, her golden dress alight with sequins. It was like a golden flame in itself, her gown, but that was not what was causing the great gasps of awe from the outside auditorium. It was the Minun in her arms that glowed brightest now as, from his cheeks, he strained to produce the greatest and most brilliant Flash in their entire career. The gleam poured through the Fire Spin, an almost divine, enclosing light that truly accentuated the scarlet fire.

-------Finally, the coordinator recognized past the resounding elation from the crowd and judging panel, a call of "10 seconds left" from the announcer. At that, the Fire Spin collapsed, as did Rapidash slightly as she let out an exhausted whinny. The Coordinator winced and sought to ignore it as she held her dimming Munin over her head. Despite his own exhaustion, he powered through, winking playfully at the audience as the timer sounded. Then, everyone leapt to their feet as their way of greeting the winner of the IIS's sixteenth edition. It was how Sera perceived it; to lose this far in with a routine that great, with such substantial backing, was literally impossible!

✮ What's the IIS ?

-------The International Idol Star Festival—or "Tournament", internationally, as "Festival" is a term only commonly used in Sinnoh and Hoenn—is a biannual, televised spectacular organized by a subdivision of Sinnoh's Pokemon Relationships officials. Held typically during the late summer and early autumn months, the competition acts simultaneously as a celebration of Pokemon coordination as an art, though some pessimistically believe this intention has shifted somewhat. Nevertheless, the competition is held to high importance, especially in the Hoenn and Sinnoh regions, and some would even go as far as to call it the League Challenge of Pokemon coordinating. They argue that, without the IIS, coordination would be overlooked and overshadowed by the monopolizing craze that is Pokemon Training. With the International Idol Star Festival/Tournament, people worldwide can behold the true expressiveness and artistry that coordination is and always has been about.

-------A summary of how the IIS progresses is as follows: a select group of Pokemon coordinators, recognized for their attractiveness and high success rates, are to travel across six regions to participate in individual, expert-level contests. The goal of a coordinator will be to appeal to the judging panel in order to earn overall points so that, by the end, they may exceed the point value of their fellow competitors and be declared the winner of thousands in Poke, exclusive medals for their partners and near-guaranteed region-wide fame. Being crowned an IIS victor is an especially impressive feat to many a coordinator and certainly subject to plenty of respect if they manage to pull off a total victory.

-------As of now, this is the seventeenth iteration of the competition. Critics, judges and onlookers alike can agree that the last edition was less than desirable, not at all worth talking about with a plethora of bland, monotonous performers, a number of which were disqualified due to their own incompetence. The formula, unchanged for over a decade by this point, had overall grown stale and action needed to be taken this year. Because of this, the IIS is expected to take some especially interesting turns this time around, and with coordinators being called from every region rather than just Hoenn and Sinnoh, it may as well be the most versatile and intriguing iteration thus far. Don't miss your chance to fight for ultimate stardom! Do whatever you can to get at that fame and fortune!

✮ Procedure !

General Rundown:

The overall competition lasts 10 phases with each phase being set in a different location.
There are 72 hours (three days) provided before and after each phase for competitors to "plot their routines" (but, mainly, to have fun).
From the second round onward, competitors will be provided a theme, decided by Relations officials, or possibly a challenge, decided by the judges themselves, to add direction to their routines.
Contestants will be evaluated by a panel of five judges, each representing one of the five contest categories (Cuteness, Toughness, Coolness, Cleverness and Beauty). There will also be a sixth surprise judge whose identity will differ for each phase. Judges' appeal scores will be based upon execution, inclusion and individuality. Did the coordinator's routine go as well as intended, or well at all? Did they present a particular category, perhaps more than one, and how well did it follow the theme? Was their routine unique, did it stand out from the rest?
Coordinators will have a main Pokemon and one backup, in case something were to happen to their main. The main Pokemon will always perform alone unless coordinators receive directives stating otherwise.

Round Explanation:

The phase's opening round is the Primary Round where the coordinators present their partner Pokemon to the judges and audience. Based on perception of the audience's excitement, the competitor will be awarded, at most, 10 points. If a judge—including the special judge—is especially impressed, they may boost the number of points by a maximum of 5. To enthuse the audience, competitors are allowed 120 seconds backstage to dress and pamper their Pokemon with accessories, curlers, flat irons, make-up equipment, and anything else they may need. Coordinators may use what is provided as well as their own possessions.
The second and most anticipated round of each phase is the Appeal Round. Beforehand coordinators are expected to build and rehearse a routine for their Pokemon partner to perform. The routine should relate to the theme, make use of at least one contest category, and, most importantly, be creative. Any move can fit into any category depending on how it is used. The brief performance will then be ranked separately by each of the five judges on a scale of 10 (the special judge will not contribute here). The results will then be added to the competitor's final score: a maximum of 50.
Finally, unlike most contests, the IIS makes use of a surprise third round: the Mystery Round. This third round consists of a selected activity chosen "randomly" by the host that displays the trust and partnership between a coordinator and their partner. Points will be distributed differently based on the selected activity.
Once the Mystery Round ends, there will be a brief intermission before the results are presented. Then, the competitors and their Pokemon will re-enter the stage for final tallying of their total points. The special judge will then award who they found exhibited the most talent and effort with an exuberant thirty points. Finally, the winner of the phase will be determined and thoroughly applauded for their exhibition of hard work and talent!

Posting Order:
For clarification, as things could potentially get confusing during contest rounds:

Primary Round: Quickly prepare Pokemon backstage and end post with Pokemon's end appearance The game master will have the audience react accordingly.
Appeal Round: Posting order will be decided in the out-of-character thread through randomization. The player selected first will write out an appeal post which will be followed by a judges' response and grading post from the GM. Other players, while waiting, may carry out back-stage interactions and other such things just as long as they do not begin to drag down progression. When every coordinator has been graded...
Mystery Round: How posts will be handled will be clarified depending on the round.

✮ Rules !

Ignoring that this is illegal...

A maximum of seven coordinators are to be finalized contestants. This has been a standing rule since the beginning, although tens to hundreds of applications are reviewed a year. In the unfortunate case that a current cast member is determined unable to perform, a then-dismissed applicant will be summoned to fill their place at an appropriate time. Coordinators arriving in the middle of the competition will have made a private appeal to the judges beforehand to effectively earn points and enter on a relatively even level with the other competitors.
Mega evolution will not be permitted under any circumstance. Please understand that the recent legislative decision to legalize mega evolution does not yet apply to every region. The IIS does not endorse any form of lawbreaking. Thus, any coordinator caught with any variation of a mega stone will be disqualified immediately.
Physical or verbal abuse of any sort pointed against a judge is greatly prohibited. If a coordinator exhibits any behavior that may be tagged as "abusive" by a judge, they will be faced with immediate disqualification. There are no exceptions to this rule, though only a judge may decide whether the behavior against them is abusive or otherwise.
Coordinators invited to perform in the IIS must have been proven prior to fit specific standards. A confident stage presence and sense of individuality are necessities as coordinators are considered just as important as the Pokemon they exhibit on-stage. In proof of an entry's expertise, each coordination must also possess a minimum of 10 authorized contest ribbons and at least a year's experience.
We're looking forward to a creative cast this year! We of the IIS publicly wish to apologize for semi-discriminatory behavior in the past and are now willing to accept coordinators of all ages and citizenship with open arms to the competition this time around. In fact, we actively encourage older contestants to apply for this year as there no longer exists a restrictive age range! Your experience is greatly appreciated.

✮ Rules Cnt !

As a reminder, this roleplay is rated T for general audiences. Many/most things will be permitted for creativity's sake, as long as they are treated with a level of tact and not grandly exaggerated, such as violence. Actual foul language is strongly discouraged in-character but there won't be any consequences for swearing as long as it is kept "few and far between", meaning swearing should not be a common happening in most posts.
Basic roleplay courtesies must be upheld. This includes appropriate OOC behavior, refrain from power-playing, preventing all-important, all-powerful characters, etc. See the RPT thread on rules and the like for more details.
Pokemon may each have, at most, six moves. There are no other restrictions on movesets, just as long as they are legal and do not include tutor moves, though there will be opportunities to teach Pokemon tutor moves during the RP, as well as to alter a Pokemon's overall moveset. Still, moves are very important, so think hard about which would be most useful!
Levels, for convenience's sake, will not exist in number form but instead in a general sense.
Example 1: "Yeah, my Absol's really strong!" vs. "My Absol's Level 90!"
Example 2: "I don't know about all Fennekin but mine's pretty fast!" vs. "I don't know about all Fennekin but mine' s base Speed stat is X."
No legendary or mythical Pokemon will make an appearance, as party members or otherwise.
Your character may not be related to or an interpretation of an existing "canon" character. Because many familiar characters are planned to make appearances, establishing relations to these characters may potentially impact those appearances, so it is best for applicants to play entirely original coordinators. (Note: Role models are different than family members and are very much allowed.)
Keep appeals believable, or as believable as you can make them with fantastical subject matter like Pokemon. Abstract elements like "fairy magic" are pretty subjective but elements such as fire, water and electricity should move and conduct themselves as one might expect. Of course, Pokemon are extra-powerful "animals" so moves such as Tailwind don't have to be "just wind". Be sure to consider a Pokemon's skills and flaws when mapping out a routine; their size and weight, their natural abilities, their agility or lack thereof, etc. The Pokedex is a good resource for things like this. Creativity is encouraged to the highest degree, and feel free to draw inspiration from the anime, only remember that this roleplay is mostly game-based with game "logic" coming first.
Also remember, on the subject of moves: a Pokemon may perform one differently depending on what they are, where they are and other factors. That means there does not have to be a single, correct way that a move is used!
Activity policy: A post from every member is anticipated at least once a week. If not provided, the game master will go on an active search to retrieve them, but if another week passes with either no answer or one that confirms no new post is on the way, their character will be considered "MIA" by facetious tournament directors and their space freed for another applicant. If you find yourself unable to post at a realistic date, message me and we can sort things out; communication is key. (I will automatically grant a few extra days to nd additional trust in anyone I am positive is still developing a post.)
And… please respect the decisions of the game master! These rules may also be subject to change, though it is unlikely and players will be informed through the OOC thread if such change occurs. Have fun, too! Make any problems clear to the game master in case you ever aren't.

✮ Application !

* Outlines do not need to be followed; they are an optional, provided way of organization. Characters will be based mainly on whether they add a bit of diversity to the cast without contradicting any of the rules or lore and the level of implied detail may not be necessary for every applicant to follow. In simpler terms, just do you! *

* For returning members: please do not re-post old applications. This RP has gone through many edits that older applications may possibly contradict. Old characters, however, will be warmly welcomed. *

For Coordinator:

Spoiler:

For Partners:

Spoiler:

Writing Sample: To better gauge and interpretation of the appeal process, applicants will be required to write up a brief sample. The sample needs only to be a standard paragraph in-length; at least six-seven sentences. During the sample, the applicant's coordinator should perform a very brief example appeal utilizing at least one of their partners. How and where the appeal is performed is up for the applicant to decide. This writing sample does not necessarily have to tie into upcoming in-character events.

Junier · Jun 5, 2016

Pg. 1 | Pg. 2
★ Resources ! ★

CONTEST CATEGORIES

Spoiler:

⟡ CLEVER

Very technical, structured, in-depth. Clever moves build upon one another to create a layered performance. Utilize status moves and moves with multiple effects to build towards a grand finale. Pokemon must be calculating and precise with their actions. Movements must be exact. Think robotics. Cleverness is boosted via bitter foods and Special Defense-boosting natures.

-------Surprisingly, even Clever routines can be straightforward. A young coordinator pursuing engineering outside of coordination exemplified this when he made his debut with a Forretress main. Their routine puzzled the judges at first. Forretress was carried in by stage workers and left in the very heart of the performing space where it sat, statically. Only its eyes dared to blink, once or twice. The judging panel assumed the worst at first but, looking closer and listening in, they recognized the Forretress was very subtly rocking back and forth and, soon enough, its shell gleamed as it used Iron Defense. Continually, and more obviously as time passed, the Forretress built upon its stats and the judges watched in awe as the Bagworm seemed to swell. A great, explosive finale was nearly-guaranteed; self-destructing was what the species was known for, after all, and Forretress was growing larger by the minute. One of the judges swore they saw a Normal Gem gleaming from one of the Steel-Bug's crevices. The Explosion was bound to happen! Why in Kyogre's name, then, was it taking so long? The tension built gratingly until, after what felt like hours, still nothing had happened. The Forretress had to be too tired to continue using other moves and, for whatever reason, was refusing to detonate. Security ambled on-stage to usher the Pokemon off-stage--BLAM! Forretress used Explosion just before they could reach them! Alas, it was all a sly scheme concocted by the coordinator. Admittedly, it was a very unique way of incorporating a Pokemon that would typically struggle in a contest setting. Nevertheless, the coordinator responsible was disqualified and banned from future competitions for putting others in endangerment.

Spoiler:

JUDGING PANEL & HOST

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★ Gasparre "Jasper" McRae, The Cool Judge

"Pfft, what? This is the line-up? I've seen so much better... but I guess I've seen worse too. Hahaha! But, seriously, you better make my new job exciting, got it? You all don't look boring—I'll say that much—so don't act like it!"

Age: 14
From Camphrier Town, Kalos.

Originally a poor child of a struggling Kalosian family, he found and tamed his Kecleon alone before taking a chance at contests. His leap of faith into the coordinating world without a doubt paid off as Jasper is considered one of the greater child prodigies in his home region of Kalos. With his debut as a judge—the youngest in IIS history, in fact—, his name may full-well become known region-wide. Jasper has set plenty of records for his age range and averted many an expectation; all of this he is well-aware of, as perceivable through his great, bulging ego. Jasper can be so pompous, it is downright dastardly. He is not as much a braggart as he is a sniveling know-it-all with an overbearing snarky attitude that drives many up the wall and many more away from him. His presence, he must believe, is precious. He is one who indirectly and ridiculously commands others to "earn their respect". All of this is extremely ironic considering his age. And all of it, more-or-less, it entirely false. Gasparre's idea to be an unrelenting prick was conceptualized on the stage. His Kecleon was no appeal master so his coordinator devised a plan to turn eyes towards him and that way was by being ostentatiously aggravating. Gasparre, at heart, is a mischief-maker, invigorated or at least greatly interested in the upset of others. He is impish by-nature, despite the smug sophistication his stage persona undertakes. Innocent, too, and this juvenile perception of the world does seep into his grand act on occasion. The alternative sides of Mr. McRae possess a signature wittiness and astuteness, the ability to respond swiftly and sharply, as well as to overall enhance capability as a judge. He is no expert of all-things contests, despite certainly not being ignorant on the matter, and mostly exudes an impeccable stage presence, one that will force Jasper to become unforgettable. On another, sadder note, that presence appears to have followed him off of the stage as that ungraciousness he may not have meant he may truly mean now; his authenticity is becoming increasingly harder to distinguish. On an unrelated note, he often dies his hair.

Likes: Excitement, publicity in any form, sugar.
Dislikes: Monotony, blabbermouths, being told what to do.
Passivity: ★
Gullibility: ★★
Impressionability: ★★★

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★ Keira Havens, The Cute Judge

"Hiya, champs! You all doin' good? Should be! 'cause this is gonna be really big for everyone of us here! ...yep! And I'm sure every single one of you has the qualities of a star...!"

Age: 24
From Hearthome City, Sinnoh.

Keira's been involved in coordination since a very youthful age and has been judging off-and-on for the IIS, as well as in-general, for many years. During a time where certain Pokemon were deemed more fit for contests than others, young Keira came along with her run-of-the-mill Buneary partner and put this elitist mindset down with her show of sheer perseverance and talent. Because of coordinators like Keira, the contest community has become far more accepting of all varieties of Pokemon. Keira, though still a young adult, has herself quite the legacy which has led to her reaching an almost idol status throughout her home region of Sinnoh. Despite this, Miss Havens hates to claim total credit for everything she has done. Despite her very girlish appearance—"It's lolita style! It's supposed to look youthful!"—she has quite the level of expertise. Unfortunately, her highly-acquiescent and apologetic nature while around other people hinders her from making more thorough evaluations of competitors. Constructive criticism she herself has never been decent at accepting and, understanding this, is exceptionally merciful to even the worst of competitors unless they are utterly horrific. By then, however, her constructive criticism will have mainly devolved into whines and shrill complaints. Truthfully, Keira may not be the most cut-out for judging, despite her ability to see the best in most every Pokemon. She is quite bashful while on-air, as well as incredibly anxious; if she were on-stage, her mind would very much be taken off the millions of eyes looking in, on the other hand. In the meanwhile, Miss Havens has the honor of being the IIS' go-to "nice" judge, the one willing to give the underdogs a chance and to restore faith in the soft-hearted audience, as well as to contrast her nemesis, Carlos. (It isn't solely the producers who uphold this idea; Keira childishly believes Carlos to be some variant of awakened hellspawn.) Her reputation is worn with pride and Keira stifles her innermost reluctance to publicize her untainted humility, her completely-pure optimism and her ability to keep an open mind, no matter what. This way, she can still be considered "most approachable", despite the fact that she most certainly prefers some types of people and performers over others. Despite the fact that she quite often has many stinging comments to add on the sidelines or behind her peers' backs.

Likes: Twists on classic conventions, political correctness, bright colors.
Dislikes: Excessive violence or tension, Poison-types, sardonicism.
Passivity: ★★★★
Gullibility: ★★★★
Impressionability: ★★★★

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★ Miss Anne-Marie Scheinberg-Lebeau, The Beautiful Judge

"From the competitors this year, I can only ask for the very best of your creative abilities. One of you is bound to outshine the rest, but to all of you, I look forward to what you are able to present to me."

Age: 40
From Goldenrod City, Johto.

An aristocrat from the Johto region—though she did not begin rich, many theorize—who has dabbled in quite a bit of contest judging over the years. The majority of her fame stems from her on-and-off appearances in the IIS where her ruthlessness and high expectations have secured her quite the fanbase. She is the most elusive of the panel, considered a "good luck charm" of sorts by a number of credulous home-viewers and, to critics, she is one of the most talented at her duty. Miss Anne-Marie Something-or-Other is a very composed woman who carries a very enigmatic air, an air of power. She is someone who can absorb a great deal about a coordinator and their partners—their drive, their spirit and especially their experience—from acutely observing as few as thirty seconds of one of their appeals. At least, this is the bold claim associated with Anne-Marie and one flaunted extensively over her career. Despite her exuberantly luxurious lifestyle in Goldenrod—one that is also greatly shown-off through the media—and her stellar reputation, Miss Anne-Marie tends to present herself quite humbly. She does not accentuate herself with glitz and glare which in itself exudes enough self-confidence and integrity to further her rep. Though, in all truth, Anne-Marie's honesty is very selective. She is a rather withdrawn person in typical conversation and can come across as mindless, drifting from one topic to the next rather disconnectedly, as if she is taken to some other ethereal realm when interacting. Unexpectedly, based on her media portrayal, she deals with most issues through passive-aggressive methods rather than through the even-voiced bluntness, even harshness, exhibited during contests. Anne-Marie is the most reticent of the judges regarding appeals which also makes her one of the strictest as she hardly ever applauds a performance that is less than flawless, one that blows away her withdrawn exterior and causes her to gush on and on... But that has only half-way happened once before.

Likes: Simplicity, scarves, springtime.
Dislikes: Gaudiness, window shopping, meat.
Passivity: ★★
Gullibility: ★
Impressionability: ★★

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★ Dequan "Tron" Eardley, The Clever Judge

"Aw man, look at you all! I can just feel the potential emanating off every single one of you; that's awesome! Honestly, I didn't think last year was all that bad as people make it out to be, but I can tell already this year is gonna be a whole lot better with a turn-out like this! Good luck to everybody and, hey, remember to try your best to be the very best!"

Age: 26
From Castelia City, Unova.
An easygoing young man driven by innovation. He first entered a musical when he twelve years old and, since then, has been involved in DJ-ing, business, dancing, theatrics, Pokemon battling, amongst a plethora of other careers and eccentric life experiences. Dequan helped introduce coordination to the reclusive Unova region under the stage name "Tron" and his calculative, precise and organized nature of mapping out routines makes him a very capable and recently-recruited IIS judge. This is, in fact, his second year on the panel. Certainly Dequan enjoys busying himself—"keeping hims thinking"—and he wants appeals to have that stimulating effect on him as well. Dequan does hold competitors to rather high standards, especially if they dabble in his preferred category of cleverness. At the same time, he is incredibly lax in-comparison to his harshest peers and, as a grinning optimist, tends to go lighter when it comes to criticism. He is very much a kind person, being very much willing to work with coordinators one-on-one and see them improve, though any instance to prove his intellect and expertise in any situation he will swiftly take. Dequan loves to get to know people, regardless if judge or competitor, and expects people in-turn would enjoy learning more about him. He is a rather intriguing individual, is he not? Thus, he presents himself rather openly and does tend to talk extensively about things he has done and seen and been through; in that respect, he can be self-centered. But, overall, he is thoughtful enough to at the very least consider shutting up when asked politely or impolitely. Dequan very much takes discourtesy in stride, seeing himself as above anyone who "aims below the belt", but, passive nature or not, he is still a highly-competitive person. The extroverted Mr. Eardley does grow especially fond of particular coordinators and has openly made bets with his fellow judges, essentially pitting their favorites against his own. The potential of Dequan encouraging favortism within the judging panel through methods like these is very high and very dangerous.

Likes: Deceptive depth, varsity jackets, smiling.
Dislikes: The "same ol', same ol'", oranges, glasses.
Passivity: ★★★★
Gullibility: ★★
Impressionability: ★★★

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★ Carlos Rustigi, The Tough Judge

"Last year was abysmal, utterly abysmal. Off the top of my head I can remember, perhaps three coordinators who at least understood how not to slop an appeal together...? Let us all pray, for the sake of all of us that I will never have to live through such immense catastrophe again and that you will not disappoint me."

Age: 54
From Fuchsia City, Kanto.
The President of Kanto's Pokemon Fan Club and the IIS' most infamous judge whose appearance on the panel is, every year, an inevitability. Carlos' own career began as a contest host in the Hoenn region, though his highly critical, snide nature saw him swiftly in the judge's quarters. To put things simply, Carlos Rustigi is ruthless. Not only will he steadfastly refuse to applaud a performance that is anything less than perfect, he will not refrain from mocking the ones that manage to aggravate him, (i.e. are less than perfect). He is a very 'point-A-to-B' sort of man, hating unnecessary complication more than anything, as so he may claim one moment. The next, it will be passivity that is his grandest pet peeve, and then in a hour or less, it will be paltry; Pecha Berries or the weather, and he will go on incessantly about both for the relatively same length of time. Carlos comes across as a pessimistic madman the majority of the time as, despite his distaste towards lengthiness, he himself is quite verbose, diving into tangents whenever he is of sour temperament. Unfortunately, an aggravated Carlos is a fairly common sight; Mr. Rustigi packs with him a ferocious and brittle temper. Carlos possesses additionally the vigilance of a Staraptor and a very blunt, direct nature; nothing goes past him, nothing without a scalding remark. Truly Carlos is and has been the bane of many aspiring coordinators for seventeen whole iterations, though surprisingly not to the judges or the host. The best way to deal with Carlos, most have figured out by this point, is to laugh and ignore his tirades, wait until his more earnest, logical side comes around and reason alternatively with that.

Likes: Precision, spicy condiments, having the last word.
Dislikes: Build-up, the way politics have been headed lately, Pokemon battling, amongst many other things.
Passivity: ★
Gullibility: ★
Impressionability: ★

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★ Juan Valencia, The Host

"Coordinators, I implore! May you seek to enjoy what may just well be the greatest adventure of your lifetime! Do not let the promise of success or failure consume you. Nonetheless, I wish you the most honest and purest of luck!"

Age: 47
From Pacifidlog Town, Hoenn.

A suave Hoenn gentleman and retired Gym Leader with a persistent preference towards the elegant Water-type. He turned to coordination as a way of avoiding retirement and has since become an occasional associate of the IIS. Juan himself, like water, is very clean, straightforward. Withholding or twisting information out of leniency is the same as dishonesty in his book. Juan will tell you precisely what he knows, regardless if this knowledge is especially brow-raising. Not that he should worry about being caught for saying things directors wouldn't necessarily like; Juan's fluid, regal way of speech and beguiling smile can save him from most any situation. Juan overall, outside of his occasional womanizing, vain behavior, is very much an honorable man with very courteous mannerisms. More than anything, Juan considers himself still a tutor, despite his star pupil having long grown up and adopted him Pokemon Gym in Sootpolis. Juan may not be a judge but his advice and influence should certainly not be underestimated by coordinators. His knowledge of the inner workings of the competition are very much helpful.

Likes: Surprises, women, children (not in the same way), adventure.
Dislikes: When the wrong people succeed, dry weather, sullen attitudes.
Swagger: ★★★★★★

CURRENT CAST

Spoiler:

Junier · Jun 5, 2016

...and that's that!

IIS is back! Here's hoping for a more successful run this time around! I saw people wanted a coordination RP and I got inspired again.

Regarding reservations, for those who may want to make them, just say the word and you'll be reserved a spot for 48 hours! Wouldn't want a spot to be claimed for too long without an accompanying application, especially since there are only seven. (See here for more.)

Feel free to start reading and posting apps! I'll stop in to review them whenever I can.

Who's Kiyo? · Jun 5, 2016

ooooo, reserve me please! This seems very well made.

Junier · Jun 5, 2016

Collector Elwood said:
ooooo, reserve me please! This seems very well made.

Yo, what's good, Elwood
You've got Slot #1 for a whole 48 hours!

Jauntier · Jun 5, 2016

Ayyy! It's back! Yes.

I'm personally against reservations so I'll just have an application up, hopefully by tonight, and hopefully before seven other people finish before me. Haha!

This is going to be killer good.

Foxrally · Jun 5, 2016

7 is a cursed number I BROKE MY WRIST IN GRADE 7 YOU INSENSITIVE SHET

Count me as reserved or something

Djobi Djoba · Jun 5, 2016

Wow, this looks really awesome, I'll get to working on a SU, but please reserve a spot for me in the meantime!

EDIT: By the way, I just noticed that the blurb about the Beauty judge doesn't correspond to that character!

Ech · Jun 5, 2016

~~FINALLY I CAN PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING FRESH AND MAKE FRIENDS~~

I'll try to get something by today after reading through the rules and settings more thoroughly, though I do want to see applications from other people to get a better feel of the cast. At the very least, I can get out a rough draft just to see if the idea I'm going for is tolerable for this story.

Also, I may just be crazy and overlooked something... but who's the beauty judge? Is it Anne-Marie or some kid named Jordan?

Edit: ^ proved I'm not crazy.

L'Belle · Jun 5, 2016

I love reading roleplays, so I would also love to be reserved here <3
I love Contests. This will be my first Roleplay, too :)

So, I will be making my app soon. If you can reserve me :)

Junier · Jun 5, 2016

THE INTEREST IS OVERWHELMING

Love you guys~ All reservations will be taken note of.

BIG announcement though! I forgot a huge part of the application: the writing sample! Essentially, it'll be writing out a brief appeal or part of an appeal, similar to the intro of the RP, just to see how people interpreted things and get a sense of writing style.

...I'll edit Anne-Marie's blurb too. Oops. That description was from the old IIS and I was using it as a placeholder, lol.

Groc · Jun 5, 2016

It returns...

I'll be making an SU, if you'd kindly reserve me a spot.

Jauntier · Jun 5, 2016

Okay, here we go, minimal CSS formatting and all~

Name/Nickname: Soren Ferngully
Age: 12
Gender: Male
Hometown & Region: Couriway Town, Kalos
Appearance:

5' 4", 120 lbs; Medium-length blonde hair, blue eyes, light skin.
Formal attire | Cryogenic bodysuit | General training attire | Protective sparring gear
May wear a yellow sweater vest.

Personality: A young boy concerned with impressions, Soren often practices cordiality with others while keeping his reserve in an attempt to get reads on his opponents. At the same time, he tries to be careful not to be too revealing himself. While this may give him a standoff-ish air, he tries his best at times to mitigate it with forced social interactions when need be. He has a contentedness about him that can easily slide into smugness, and he is sure of his abilities and those of his Pokemon. Soren also has a plotting side, often trying to influence situations to his benefit. Still being a young adolescent, he is just as susceptible to lashing out when things do not go his way.

Pros: Observant, analytical, diplomatic
Cons: Distant, short-tempered, impulsively begrudging
Quirks: Very particular about neatness and order.

Background: To be addressed within the role-play.

Inventory: Poffin Case, Fashion Case, Revive, discus (x3), 3' long 2" thick wooden pole (x3), hoops of varying sizes (x5), juggling pins (x5), a small cloak, a large rubber ball, two pairs of miniature ice skates, Poké Doll, 36" pugil stick, protective sparring gear, ATM card.

Adept With: Normal, Fairy, and Ice types; moderate-weighted Pokemon, dog or cat-like Pokemon

Inept With: Ghost, Electric, and Ground types; tiny or nearly weightless Pokemon, serpentine Pokemon

-------Main:
Species & Nickname: Fifi the Furfrou
Sex: Female
Moves: Baby-Doll Eyes, Tail Whip, Work Up, Charm, Sucker Punch, Cotton Guard
Ability: Fur Coat
Visual Quirks: Shiny, Kabuki trim
Nature: Impish; Alert to sounds
Best Categories: Cute, Tough
Held Item: Silk Scarf
Misc.: Much prefers to be by Soren's side than anything.

-------Secondary:
Species & Nickname: Cryogonal
Sex: Genderless
Moves: Mist, Acid Armor, Sheer Cold, Light Screen, Aurora Beam, Ice Shard
Ability: Levitate
Visual Quirks: None
Nature: Serious; Sturdy body
Best Categories: Beautiful, Clever
Held Item: None
Misc.: Will occasionally turn itself upside down, holding that position as it proceeds for no particular reason.

Writing Sample:

Spoiler:

This was an unusual part of the routine. Not often does one see a coordinator interact with their Pokemon in such an aggressive way, but if anything, it was his way of proving that he could take on his own Pokemon, if he pleased. This was a raw moment for him: controlled aggression against his loyal partner, trying his all to show the true integrity she possessed. This was what toughness was all about!

Of course, he was protected. He was only an adolescent after all, barely any meat to his bones. Fitted in foam gear for his head, chest, groin, and limbs, he was able to withstand the attacks of his partner. She though only needed her dense coat to buffet the blows, but her constitution was already strong from all those years of training, and that was safely proven in the earlier half of their routine. Now they went at it before the silent, anticipating audience, a pure rush of adrenaline for the two.

Quickly, he brought the end of his pugil crashing down, but where once there was his opponent was now just solid ground. She was quick on her little paws despite her custom bulky trim that day, and as she had leapt out of the way of the attack, she immediately pivoted toward his flank the minute all four paws touched the ground, and lunged. He saw her out of the corner of his eye. With the distribution of his weight in its current position, he wasn't able to side step out of the way as keenly as she was able to, and so reflexively he swept up the end of his stick to strike her underside. He was successful. Making contact, he caught her by surprise with the sharp woof she made. With his might, he followed through with the motion and flung her up into the air. The arc of the toss had her flip over his head, barely clearing, but she tucked herself into a ball and her trim went wild, puffing up in a dense Cotton Guard as she landed.

Now Soren was in a blind spot. The weight of his stick was a little much for him because its ends were padded. By the time he was able to glance back over his shoulder, he just barely made a quarter turn to face the oncoming rush. The hefty ball of dark fur threw him a Sucker Punch, slamming herself against his side. This caused the boy to bend and arch back, but not before making a sharp maneuver. As his hands were still above his head from the previous throw, he thrust his arms down behind his head, the end of his stick pegging the Furfrou right on her back, hard. The action tipped him off balance, and he came tumbling backward into his strike. Fifi, despite the jab to her heavily cushioned back, was able to escape his collapse by squeezing out under him, right between his legs. As a final assurance, she glanced back at Soren with a sly look of triumph as she swept her tail right at his feet, her Tail Whip tripping him up where he ultimately came crashing down.

Out of breath, feeling particularly taken by the burst of directed energy that was the sparring routine, he laid supinely sprawled on the stage, and in surrender he raised his pugil stick in the air. Fifi gave a quick yelp of victory as she merrily pranced around her Trainer, wagging her tail to the sound of the audience's applause.

Junier · Jun 5, 2016

Jauntier said:
Okay, here we go, minimal CSS formatting and all~

I knew you were anticipating this... Soren is accepted, again! I really love your writing sample, I'll say again; intense and creative, especially how Soren just all-out fistcuffs with his Furfrou. This twelve-year-old is not playing any games. Talk about some tough competition right off the bat. A kid like this has to have an interesting background and I'm excited to see what that is.

~~Godzil, you are reserved as well!~~
On second thought, I've decided to revoke reservations, as I don't think them very fair in-retrospect. It takes away from the "first-come-first-serve" situation, no matter if temporary, among other things. I apologize if this disturbs a number of people who did jump at reserving a spot. I'd just like to give potential joiners who weren't so timely a chance to consider joining or not without spots being swept from under their noses.

Djobi Djoba · Jun 5, 2016

Name: Kenji Oyama
Age: 72
Gender: Male
Hometown: Ecruteak City

Appearance:

Spoiler:

Personality/Background:

A venerable man by most people's standards, Kenji is an old and well-respected Pokémon Coordinator from the Johto Region, and at one point might've been favored to win this tournament by a wide margin. Unfortunately, that was many years ago; during his prime, a sudden illness made him retire from the competitive scene and he is only now making his comeback twenty years later. In his old age, Kenji is a placid man of gentle disposition, but he is also very set on his ways, and on what he views as his patrimony to the sport. He considers himself one of the best Pokémon Coordinators ever, and though he isn't truly a braggart, he can come off as rude or demeaning towards some of his younger peers in the way he handles himself, not to mention towards judges who are yet to earn his respect. They say an old dog doesn't learn new tricks, and it will be interesting to see if Kenji will be able to adapt to the new style of Pokémon Coordinating, or if he will stick to his tried and tested methods from the past generation. As for his personal flair and style, expect Kenji to bring some of that traditional Ecruteak flavor to the stand, he is a sucker for traditional Noh music, kimonos, and kabuki masks, and is a well-respected authority on the traditional arts of kendo, tea ceremony, gardening, and history. Although there are troubling reports of his newfound interest and indulgence with sake, his PR team has assured us at the IIS that Kenji is ready to take this challenge head on and with newfound conviction, while discarding the reports of his alcoholism as mindless chatter.

Strengths: Experience; there is little doubt that Kenji was one of the best out there during his prime, and he brings a lot more time and experience to the table than even some of our own judges!
Weaknesses: Stage-rust; how will Kenji be able to adapt to the new style of Pokémon Coordinating? A lot has changed in the past 20 years, and Kenji has a long way to go if he wants to prove he still has it!
Quirks: Tradition; that's the name of the game for Kenji's style, expect to see a lower paced methodology to his routines, and to get a nice lesson in traditional music, theatrics, and martial arts!

Inventory:

Adept with: Bipedal Pokémon | Fighting, Rock, & Ground-types | Heavy Pokémon

Inept with: Armless Pokémon | Dragon, Ghost, & Bug-types | Tiny Pokémon

Main Partner:

Spoiler:

Secondary Partner:

Spoiler:

Writing Sample:

Spoiler:

*20 years ago*

The tempo of the noh drumbeat increased as the little Tyrogue performed his kata, hitting air with a left and a right alongside the ever-erratic rhythm of the flute, posing with powerful and graceful stances as the tantalizing music became punctuated with a powerful "yoh". All the while, Kenji prepared tea in the background, his face hidden by a Ninetales mask, he wore a white and purple kimono with red accents, and appeared to take no mind to his Pokémon. For the better too, thought Kenji, preparation is key to Contests, and Kenji misliked the idea of giving instructions to his Pokémon during his appeal, such was his way.

The drumbeat continued to increase in tempo, drawing an expectant silence from the crowd, who didn't know whether to watch the baby Pokémon's kata, or the looming threat above it. Panzer, he was called, the most famous Aggron in history perhaps; almost won the Hoenn championship single-handedly before succumbing to grievous wounds, but not before his legendary durability allowed him to completely thrash the opposing team, and now he towered above Kenji's Buakaw who continued his kata as if unaffected by his towering, intimidating presence.

Suddenly, a deep, elongated "yoh" punctuated the end of the music as Kenji finished pouring a cup of tea. Buakaw, Kenji's Tyrogue, stopped in his tracks, sight lowered to the ground, eyes closed, having taken a low stance.

Kenji drank the tea deliberately and stood up. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: Panzer!" he announced to the perplexed crowd.

At that point, Buakaw jumped.

The Scuffle Pokémon flew across the stage, front leg stretched forward and landed a solid high jump kick that sounded like a gong upon the hide of the Iron Armor Pokémon.

Panzer's strong tail managed to hold up his body for a second before the weight of the Pokémon eventually caused him to fall, faited; the legend of his sturdiness defeated by a baby Pokémon's attack.

The weight of the crowd's silence lay heavy on the Contest Hall.

"Bulk up", a judge surmised. "Clever."

Junier · Jun 5, 2016

Djobi Djoba said:
This is still a WIP, wanted to write it as if this was an IIS report on my character, hope it reads that way

Oh my god, this is amazing, dude. An old man striving to return to his former glory in a new age of coordinating? Genius! Kenji's gonna be a blast, and the style in which your app is written really helps capture that individuality too. Can't wait to see his partners and that sample!

Ech · Jun 6, 2016

Carcol Hastingues

"For the last time, it is pronounced Cah-Cuhl Ah-Stan-Ga, NOT Car-Coal Hasting-Goose!"
[alink id="S1"]

MAIN[/alink id] | [alink id="S2"]

SECONDARY[/alink id]
[alink id="S3"]CONTEST SAMPLE[/alink id]

Age: 18
Gender: Male
Hometown & Region: Lumiose City "The City of Light", Kalos
Appearance:

Spoiler:

Personality

Carcol is an incredibly flamboyant megalomaniac who easily takes many things for granted. With a strong affinity for melodrama and avant-garde, Carcol will persevere to go beyond the threshold of perfection at the cost of going against every norm in society just to sate his own disproportionately inflated ego. Unfortunately, he can get quite overzealous and distrait with his ideas, often chewing on more than he can bite. This critical flaw evidently hinders his own talent as a coordinator, as well as an individual, as he always loses the original goal of his plans. While his ostentatious performances have been depicted as pleasantly ludicrous, Carcol finds levity of any kind very distasteful and prefers to maintain his credibility as an artiste.

Carcol is quite a hopeless romantic when it comes to socializing. A handsome lech (without the handsome part), he will constantly hit on any female he deems even remotely attractive -- he is often rejected for being too brazen and oafish. In general, he is quite loquacious but his given manner of speech can range from being overly ostentatious and prissy to crudely acerbic depending on his mood. He may sometimes descend into malapropism when using the more long-winded words but he never actually acknowledges his errors and acts blameless when confronted or corrected. This is possibly due to him being a megalomaniac, as aforementioned. On the more positive aspects of his pretentious demeanor, Carcol does have a tender heart. Though he is very reluctant to accept others on the same pedestal he exclusively must stand on, he will humble himself enough to express gratitude and respect when it is due, albeit his compliments come off as a little maladroit and backwards. Sardonic as he may be, Carcol does abide by his own weird sense of etiquette and civility; while he may not always say the nicest things to certain people, he seldom goes out of his way to actively antagonize others, even if they wronged him, and he will never act on any malicious intent.

Good Points:

----------"Well, where do I start? I am pretty much amazing in every way. I am a gregarious, if admittedly a little effusive and blunt, gentleman, and while I may occasionally snap back at ignorant ruffians with a unrefined quip or two, I dislike the idea of being uncivilized and brutish! I can be quite down-to-earth when needed, but when it comes to being serious, I can also bring out my more fabulous side~! Also, check out my AWESOME pompadour!"

Bad Points:

----------"Hah! Surely you jest! ... I know your name isn't Shirley, it was just a.. erm, was what I said a hyperbole? Anyways! I am perfect, with an equally perfect capital P! No! I am even better than that! I am... beyond perfection. What? People think I am some sort of joke? Nonsense, everything I do is done with grace and sincerity, why I should be hailed as one of the greatest... ... wait, why are you laughing at me? I am not some zany jester to be mocked! Also, some people have the misconception that I am rather slow, as in the sense that I have an inattentive tendency to miss details."

Quirks/Misc:

----------"Many people claim I'm rather effeminate, just because I partake in a few unorthodox hobbies like ballet, singing tenor and cooking pies. Bah! Every man is burly enough that they can pass this seemingly non-existent threshold that segregates gender roles. Why, we are all entitled to engage in a multitude of activities, regardless of what we are! Right? Besides, I get to meet more ladies by engaging in the things they're commonly associated with.
--------And why, yes! My hair is naturally pink. I don't care what you think, because you're a pleb. I still don't know why everyone compares me to those... mmm, voluptuous nurses at the centers; my pompadour is clearly superior to their Beedrill's nest of a hairdo. And speaking of Beedrill... please do not judge me for this, but I will admit that I have an irrational fear of anything with more than two pairs of legs. Blast those infernal Bug-Types! Why must they coexist with our species?!"

Background

Carcol hails from Lumiose City, the luminous landmark that lies at the heart of Kalos and practically excretes a plethora of seductive artifice from its very seams, what with its eminent focus on the film industry and textile market. Though the spectacular region lacks their own variation of contests, oddly enough, Carcol was introduced to the foreign notion after he was encouraged to seek out more feasible alternatives for his passion on reaching stardom. Having some pleasant experiences producing low-budget PR videos with his little Goomy that he received as a gift, Carcol aspired to aim for stardom with his partner. Having desperately pleaded for his mother's assistance, a veteran trainer that frequently wanders the globe in her ambition to be the very best battler, Carcol gained the necessary crutch to use for his expenses in travel and was able to depart from Kalos without having to worry about funds. Of course, he would pay his mother back once he reached apotheosis of his career. He and his mother visited Hoenn and Sinnoh, the regions most affiliated with coordination. While his mother was preoccupied honing her skills at their national Battle Frontiers, Carcol shied away from such brutish activities and was able to tend to his more gloriously passion in artsy showmanship. His very first time partaking at a modest contest in the summery parts of Hoenn left an impressively pleasant mark on the locals; his familiarity with the dazzling movies and other spectacles he observed in Kalos enabled him to get a good idea of what an audience might want out of his performances.

But, after savoring the taste of success so many times, he gradually came to feel something that something was missing. The stylized ribbons he received from the Judges and the audience's thunderous appraisal that concluded his acts felt saturated with an unsatisfactory tone. Everything felt like a routine; this was no longer a passion, it was a job with banal expectations. This was not the stardom he sought as a child. No, he needed to go beyond the norm. He needed to show the world how truly avant-garde his unique ideas were. He expended a majority of his efforts and time padding out his schemes with over-the-top spectacles and non-sequiturs in an attempt to be edgy and artsy. He wanted to earn recognition not as another "talented" coordinator but as a truly unique individual with a flair that no one has ever graced their eyes on before in this line of work.

He got what he wanted. Due to how outlandish and convoluted his acts have become, Carcol quickly became somewhat of a infamous figure among fellow coordinators and he is easily found at the butt of many jokes in various regions. And while he could still win his contests fairly through a combination of commendable hard-work and determination, he quickly lost all credibility as an "artist" and is seldom taken seriously by anyone that gets even a small glimpse of his ostentatious nature. Infuriated by the reception for his efforts, Carcol strives to clean his name of ridicule. Miraculously, he was given the opportunity to showcase his idiosyncratic style at the International Idol Star Festival (which he doesn't realize it could be abbreviated as IIS or even Festival or Tournament) and lead into a brilliant, epic reversal for his reputation.

Inventory

"I shall exclude most basic utilities that the majority of society wouldn't dare to leave behind, especially in this modern digital age."

1. Poffin Case
("Hmm, I've always wanted to try one of these myself.")
2. Fashion Case
("... like. Dude, why do I have so many tiny mushrooms in here?")
3. Hoops
("I believe I throw these at my Pokemon for tricks!")
4. Hair-Gel
("Comprised out of Goodra mucus and expired Moo-Moo Milk! Gross, but makes my pompadour swag with style.")
5. Perfume / Deodorant
("My hair would smell as rank as a Muk otherwise. It also helps make my Pokemon smell nice!")
6. A Leather Whip
("Uh... who gave me these? I am not into that sort of depraved hobby! I was referring to Pyroar taming, of course.")
7. Portable Speakers + Music Player:
("Glitz and Glam, this is my JAM!")
8. Video Recorder
("What? I want to preserve those special moments. These are allowed, right? Oh, I think I still have my very first productions as a scrappy youth, oh hoho!")
9. Ballerina Tights (Kirlia Theme)
("... ah, what's this among my assortment of dazzling garments? Oh? This isn't mine. BUT I'll WEAR IT ANYWAY IF I MUST.")
10. Personal First-Aid Kit
("... Sometimes my Pokemon and I get hurt in our extreme acts! ... Usually I exclusively get harmed, but I shall come prepared!")
11. Umbrella
("For those moments whenever the weather decides to feel a little down. Also, looks pretty dazzling in a show!")
11. Megaphone
("FOR DYNAMIC SHOUTING.")

Things I am awesome with
Dragon-Types, Fairy-Types, Normal-Types or, really, anything cute or at least civil! Best with over-the-top spectacles that go beyond people's expectations!

Things I cannot tolerate
BUG-TYPES!!! Also, Fire-Types, Poison-Types or any Pokemon that are destructive by nature, and performances that feel too minimalist or slow.

Hey, what's shaking, bacon? ;3

[a id]S1[/a id]

SIR ESCARGOO III

Really just wants its trainer to be happy.

Timid and takes plenty of Siestas!
Loves sweets, hates anything spicy

Species: Goodra
Gender: ♀
Moves: Flail, Protect, Bubble, Rain Dance (*), Aqua Tail, Outrage / Draco Meteor (**)
Ability: Gooey
Visual Quirks: Though it is not classified as a shiny, it inherited recessive genes that gave its exterior a slightly lighter and pinker hue and it also developed a set of purple eyes. It also has only one spot on its cheeks and two spots on its tail, whereas most Goodra would normally have two spots and three spots on their faces and tails respectively. The back pair of its antennae are shorter than average but much thicker, as well as being more curled at the ends.
Best Categories: Specializes in cute and beautiful. Struggles with acting tough and cool.
Held Item: "Sir Escargoo has no need to append any external constituents for his natural elegance!"
Superfluously Long-Winded Dossier:
Sir Escargoo III (ignore the fact that it is actually female; Carcol doesn't know this) was born and raised at a modest daycare center that was meticulously ran by Carcol's father who had to expended his own resources to have it set up in Lumiose City. Quietly abandoned by its former owner after it was unscrupulously deemed too weak for battling, Carcol's father was adamant on giving the neglected Goomy an actual home. By the incessant suggestions bawled by Carcol's ostentatious mother, Escargoo was granted as a quick gift to Carcol when he was still very young and new to the diverse world of Pokemon. Having a severe fear of bugs and anything associated with their seemingly noxious dispositions that could deter the insecure child, Carcol's mother decided to have a harmless Goomy (foolishly believing it to be some deformed Weedle) accompany her son in hopes that he could overcome his anxiety. Evidently, this failed, but at least Carcol received a new playful friend.

The Goodra and their evolutionary line are quite popular for their general friendliness and neotenic traits that could even enlighten the most cynical of grumps, and Escargoo is no exception. It expresses extensive euphoria when it confronts any friendly humans, having an affinity for slimy hugs that Goodra are notorious for. While it won't shy from humans, Escargoo is much more timid and insecure when it comes to interacting with other Pokemon, especially members of its own species. The reason for this is unclear, but there have been speculations that Escargoo suffers from an inferiority complex due to the fact that it was discarded away for being comparatively weak to other Pokemon. This complex sometimes affects its own performances, often freezing up when feeling uncertain of itself or spastically erupting in tears when it can no longer tolerate pressure. For this reason, Escargoo -- contrast to its trainer's fondness of the spotlight -- dislikes being in the center of attention, as well as partaking in any serious competitions that could jeopardize its credibility as an adept Pokemon.

Escargoo is quite intelligent and dexterous for a Pokemon. It shows the capability to draw portraits, whether it be through the use of conventional utensils like paint or creatively utilizing its abilities. Though it strives to hone its skills on a hobby that would be unorthodox for any Pokemon that isn't a Smeargle, it can be quite reticent and reserved about its hidden passion. Seldom does it willingly present its creations on its own and prefers using its skills under the guidance of its coordinator.

----------"Though the work was popped out of existence before I could preserve the moment for proof, I once honestly witnessed my graceful Goodra sculpting an image of me in my finest using nothing but Bubble. Clearly, it is almost as talented and artsy as I."

Though Escargoo's relationship with Carcol began strong when they were little, things have been gradually deteriorating into a cesspool of creative differences. The pair behave less like friends and their general demeanor as a whole resembles something akin to that of a lowly servant compromising its own desires just to desperately please its master.

----------"Hey! I love my Escargoo! I'm not some nefariously stock villain that endorses the enslavement of Pokemon! I just want the two of us to reach stardom, together! Everyone should love my Goodra just as much as I love him! ... What do you mean it's a her?"

The tragedy behind this somewhat dysfunctional relationship is that neither show any malicious intentions and they genuinely care for each other to the point they're willing to compromise their own well-beings just for each other.

(*): Triggered exclusively by crying or feeling depressed, though occasionally can voluntarily summon the move to its advantage. Rain Dance does not influence the actual weather and simply forms a tiny cloud that covers only a small circumference (though rare, this move has very interesting side-effects during other climates). Peculiarly, the cloud will viciously target the coordinator and is bent to keep them drenched for as long as the Pokemon is upset.

(**): Outrage is the current sixth move but is not an ideal move for its specialties. Outrage is only activated when the Pokemon is overwhelmed by stress and is unable to comply with its given task. While the results are often disastrous for its appeal, the Pokemon will not actively harm anyone in its proximity during any of its temper tantrums and behaves more like a baby desperate for attention and help rather than a hyper-aggressive beast. Thus, special notifications were given to executives and Judges in advance, to avoid any misunderstandings on the matter and avert unfortunate incidents that may harm the Pokemon, or worse, get the coordinator disqualified. Draco Meteor is the much preferred Tutor Move that will, hopefully, replace Outrage to better accommodate for the Pokemon's given niche.

[a id]S2[/a id]

MYRMEX

A kindred spirit in disguise. Sorta.

Adamant and likes to thrash about!
Loves spicy flavors, hates anything dry

Species: Scizor
Gender: ♂
Moves: Bullet Punch, Fury Cutter, Swords Dance, Agility, Endure, Leer
Ability: Technician
Visual Quirks: In general, its physiology is completely indistinguishable from other Scizor and does not have anything that would make it stand out. The only thing that differentiates it are the gauze strips tightly wrapped around its appendages along with a few bandages randomly scattered on its body; though the Pokemon recently recovered from its injuries, it stubbornly kept the tattered appearance to give the impression that it's a very resilient Pokemon.
Best Categories: Specializes in tough and cool. Doesn't even know the definition of cute or beauty, given its lack of refinement and fondness for senseless destruction.
Held Item: Red Scarf (sometimes wears it)
About this unwanted partner:
This feisty Scizor originally belonged to Carcol's mother, a robust woman who specialized in battling with efficient precision and abhorred the idea of contesting power and talent solely for show. Scizor are very renowned in the competitive scene, highly acclaimed for both for their ferocious fighting capabilities and their fashionably attractive aesthetics -- the latter being a bonus, really. Myrmex could be just as competent as any other Scizor when it came to battles, but its Charizard-esque ego held it back considerably from acting on reason or logic and such arrogance had cost Carcol's mother many victories in her career as a serious battler. Frustrated with its insensible nonsense, she adamantly gave the defiant Scizor to his prissy son in the hopes that it could sate its ego through such a medium. Seeing as how the Scizor preferred impractical style over optimal routines and Carcol still has yet to overcome his crippling fear of bugs, it seemed like it was a sensible decision. At the time.

A dare-devil that is easily provoked by a challenge, this Scizor sought out glory for itself. Always willing to validate its worth, ut would even go as of as blatantly disobeying its trainer's direct commands should it feel that it is not being utilized to its truest potential. While it initially seemed that this Scizor shared the same burning passions in superfluous theatricals with fellow megalomaniac Carcol, Myrmex had a much darker affinity for dangerous thrills. It only cared about showcasing its strength and resilience, feeling rather apathetic on the concept of being "avant-garde" for the sake of something as abstract as art. It wanted to make a point to the world, and it wanted to be very blunt about it.

A combination of Carcol's phobia of bugs as well as Scizor's turbulent attitude has made this back-up performer very difficult to work with, and it is seldom used by Carcol. Only in very rare circumstances does Carcol ever willingly use it for contests. Though the Scizor may seem quite irreverent and stubborn from its conceited disposition, it does and can get along relatively well with other Pokemon... so as long as it isn't directly competing with them in some way. Proof to this amicable nature lies in its unusually close friendship with Escargoo, despite the two being polar opposites. And though it can be quite disrespectful towards its trainer, it does not show any genuine animosity towards him.

[a id]S3[/a id]

CONTEST SAMPLE

Spoiler:

Though the ornate idea felt too impractical to execute, the pair were determined to conduct their stylish event which was juxtaposed to the unembellished stage they were destined to perform on. So as long as Carcol meticulously moderated his overzealous efforts rather than impulsively expand on the, there shouldn't have to be any risks that could rob them of their success. But alas, the avant-garde artiste could not conceal his heavy in that minuscule molecule ambiguously called a brain, and like a wrathful avalanche awoken by a maladroit bawl, it would all come toppling down on his show.

His faithful Goodra exhausted all of its energy, pacing around the limited stage whilst whipping around its hindquarters in quick spasms. Large but gentle gushes of water were meticulously curled into gorgeous spirals as they were rapidly discharged from the slug-like Dragon's moist tail, the liquid being tinted with a mint hue which most likely derived from the creature's slimy secretions. Though slime is definitely not something considered "beautiful", the way light energetically reflected off the waves through the air gave it a very clean comportment; it was a shade of mint after all, which is a color strongly associated with freshness.

Meticulously reserving its strength, it had to ensure that the pressure it was emitting would be strong enough to make an impacting splash of glamour but also restrained to a point where it could not potentially hit the audience and especially the judges witnessing the spectacle. As each swing gradually sapped more and more of its precious energy, the debilitated Goodra expended its focus on its coordinator who was prancing around the stage and maneuvering around the minty jets of water so boldly. As stressful as the situation already was, the Goodra had to maintain complete awareness and would not dare to ruin its coordinator's convoluted choreography with an accidental misfire. Pressure quickly accumulated and it wasn't clear just how long the poor Dragon could last before it made an inevitable mishap; this whole procedure made battling feel like child's play!

"Oh, YES!!" the gaudy coordinator excitedly hollered at the crowd to tug all of their attention away selfishly, and amazingly so without losing any during his overtiring performance. In an attempt to size them up, he began flaunting to the judges and audience with a boastful announcement. "Are you all awestruck yet?! Because if you are still too stubborn to acknowledge my peerless performance, I guarantee that once we reveal the penultimate showstopper, I guarantee all of you witnessing this act will be left utterly flabbergasted from the climax! Behold! My scrupulously handsome Escargoo shall utilize something as mundane as Bubble and meticulously transform it into an ornate display of, of... GLAMOUR! As he continues to make use of Aqua Tail to create these majestic maelstroms for me to maneuver around, he will also be simultaneously affixing bubbles onto these beautiful streams showering before me and they will release an explosion of rainbows upon bursting! Now, Escargoo! Come and let us show these judges -- no -- let us show the whole WORLD on what we can do, together!"

The Goodra, still lashing out its tail and excessively extending on Aqua Tail for such an equally excessive event, cringed at the coordinator's misguided enthusiasm. The crowd were clearly impressed and sated by what was being offered; why was he intent on adding more?! Still, its undying loyalty to its bel trainer to the end overcame any personal fears as common sense, thus it reluctantly obliged. Already exhausted from the multitude of tasks, it began to carefully contrive a combination of saliva and mucus from its mouth, forming spheres lightly shaded in mint that would encase the surrounding air. Soon, a swarm of these bubbles floated astray and they accompanied the coiling rushes that were being discharged from Aqua Tail.

Wow! Two moves at once? Verily, this was quite an unanticipated spectacle if not ambiguously illegal, but this distressed Goodra was beginning to understand why Pokemon typically limit themselves to just one move in any scenario; the bubbles unintentionally collided with the streams of water that rushed out from the tapering ends of its tail, conjoining together as a single, wrathful entity. The interaction caused a surprisingly violent reaction, where the pockets of air erupted and forcibly dispersed any bodies of water they touched uncontrollably. Suddenly the wavering figures of graceful water that accompanied Carcol in his movements quickly became a series of torrential landmines that incessantly jiggled him around the podium like a ragdoll being tormented by tidal.

Everything; the momentum, the build-up and the entire set-up; quickly fell apart as the hapless and drenched coordinator soon found himself slipping off the stand and onto the grass below. Dazed, he genuinely believed that he had only a minor mishap; the show still concluded on a impressive note and he anticipated the sounds of thunderous applause for his valiant efforts to go one step beyond. But whilst staring up at the azure sky from his somewhat ignoble position, he could only hear the distasteful sounds of scornful laughter that relentlessly sliced apart his pride.

"Ouch."

dud190 · Jun 6, 2016

This is done. I think.

Name: Rosemary Hutchinson
Age: 42
Gender: Female
Hometown: Iccirus City, Unova

Appearance:

Spoiler:

Personality: Rosemary is a logical, yet cheerful and happy person. She always has a smile on her face, and it is almost impossible to wipe out the smile on her face. Rosemary also always tries to make a positive of any situation, good or bad. She will find some way to make the worst, humiliating loss of her career into a positive that she can look back on with positive feelings towards. It is usually like this when around people as well, as Rosemary is never usually alone. She is always hanging out with people or pokemon all the time. Rosemary is fairly social, and her cheerful personality makes her a fun gal to be around.
While Rosemary has a seemingly cheerful personality, she also has an analytical side to her that almost nobody would see coming. This side of her is generally not seen during her social interactions. Generally someone only sees this side when Rosemary is developing her strategies. She carefully plots out her performances each time and makes sure that there is a back-up plan. Her philosophy is that while there is no room for error, sometimes that error comes anyway and a back-up plan is needed in case of mistakes. She is very meticulous in coordinating almost everything in the performance.

Background:

Spoiler:

As a child, Rosemary didn't think much about pokemon and didn't really care about it until she got older. At 24, Rosemary got married to a guy named Fazio, and they had a kid shortly after. The family grew up in Icirrus City for many years, and when the child turned 10, he asked Rosemary for a pokemon. It was also around this time when Rosemary started watching Pokemon Performances on TV. Rosemary agreed to let her child get a pokemon, and they traveled down to Nuvema Town to ask Professor Juniper, and Juniper gave the child a pokemon.
A year later(Rosemary is 35 now), the child came back to Icirrus City, and his son had the wonderful idea to help his mom catch a pokemon for this first time. So together they went out into Twist Mountain, and together they helped catch a Drilbur for Rosemary.
The child left a few days later, and Rosemary started spending alot of time with Drilbur. At first, Drilbur was scared of Rosemary but warmed up to her when the Drilbur realized that she meant no harm. Together, they watched Pokemon Performances together on TV and developed a close bond with each other.
When Rosemary was 38, she eventually caved into the pressure of becoming a performer herself. Fazio kept encouraging Rosemary to become one since she watches so much and was wildly facinated. He also pointed out the fact that her pokemon were watching the performances with her and seemed equally fascinated. Even her son who came by now and then encouraged Rosemary to start performing.
Together, with her Drilbur and Tynamo, which she had rescued a year ago, started training hard to work towards these performances. It turns out, they were pretty good. All those years of watching performances really helped them as they developed plans of their performances based off of ones they saw on TV, and avoided the ones that crowds generally disliked. Rosemary became somewhat well-known within Unova, and people started coming to her for tips or the occasional battle. It was the occasional battle and the routine training that helped both of her pokemon evolve. Together, they accumulated many contest ribbons over the course of 4 years and they finally made the ultimate decision to take performing to the biggest stage of all, confident of their performances.

Strengths: Mild, analytical, social.
Weaknesses: Secretive, adamant, show-off(of her pokemon)
Quirks: Practices at least once a day.

Inventory: (Essentials described in first post), a laptop and charger, a bright flashlight, a thunderstone, several sticks of varying length, rings of varying size and color, two really long metal tubes, rocks of varying sizes.

Adept with: Friendly pokemon, electric pokemon, fairy type pokemon, energetic pokemon.

Inept with: Genderless pokemon, dark type pokemon, ghost type pokemon, lazy pokemon.

Main:

Spoiler:

Secondary:

Spoiler:

RP Sample:

Spoiler:

"Now, for our next act, I would like to introduce... Rosemary and her partner, Excadrill!" the announcer said.
Rosemary looked over at Coren, giving him a slight smile and nod. "Here we go, Coren! Another performance, another spectacle for the audience!" Rosemary exclaimed. Coren replied with a grunt and smile of his own, and the two walked out onto the stage into the cheering crowd.
Turning to face the crowd, she attempted to get them even more worked up. "Are you guys ready for a show?" Rosemary yelled. "Here is ours! Coren, use Sandstorm!" To show emphasis towards the Excadrill, she made an emphasis with her hands. The beginning of step one was about to start. Excadrill jumped up and flipped himself in the air, pointing down. He landed slightly on the ground, and to dazzle the crowd slightly, made two perfectly timed jumps right into the original spot. Coren then started spinning around and around on his head, whipping up dirt and dust to create a sandstorm on the field. Step one, the opening act was complete, as the sandstorm now viciously roared in the background. It's time for step two: The physical performance.
"Alright Coren! Use Rock Slide!" Rosemary commanded. Now back on his feet again, the Excadrill stomped his right foot, and up in the air, inside the sandstorm, appeared giant boulders, which started to fall down. Now came the part they had practiced most, the part that was the hardest to master. Rosemary gave a quick nod to Coren, who nodded back. Then a quick commanded was uttered by Rosemary: "Jump!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Coren immediately jumped to the closest rock falling near him, with blazing fast speed that nobody saw coming. Coren almost slipped on the original rock, but somehow kept his footing and kept jumping from rock to rock as they were falling. As Coren got to the next to last rock in line, Rosemary smiled, as she knew that the hard part was over. Now was the finale.
"Ok, Coren! Time for Drill Run!" Rosemary commanded with a flashy smile. As the Excadrill was hopping onto the last rock, he did a 180 degree turn in the air to land on the side of the rock and used it as a trampoline to bounce back towards the rocks all while he was spinning and turning into a drill. Coren - Drill Forme then barreled straight towards all the rocks, gaining speed and smashing all the falling rocks to pieces like they were nothing. However, a look of shock quickly came upon Rosemary's face as she realized that Coren wouldn't be able to smash all the rocks in time. But Rosemary quickly wiped that look off of her face. Despite not wanting to have a mess-up in the performance, she made sure she had many back-up plans in case something did happen. A quick recall of words made sure Rosemary knew what to say for this specific mess-up. During practice, this was the second most common mess-up, the first one being falling when jumping on the rocks.
"Recall!" Rosemary shouted the code word up to Coren, who registered it and made the split second instinct to come out of the Drill Run. He quickly scanned the stage for the rock or rocks that did not get crushed and redirected his fall towards the two rocks that had landed on the ground. Coren landed with both feet on the ground, making a very loud thud.
"The finishing touch!" Rosemary exclaimed, and as she did, Coren did a giant leap frog towards the two boulders, using his blades to go in a downward arcing motion, like stabbing something with a knife, effectively shattering the boulder to pieces, which flew up into the air and fell down. After a moment, the crowd bursted into applause.

With a smile and a wave from Rosemary and Coren, Rosemary said, "Thank you very much! It was an honor to be here!"

Junier · Jun 6, 2016

Ech said:
Most of this is finished, I just need to add images, finish the partners and lay out a sample of my lame writing (maybe spruce up CSS to make it look nicer). Because this want through so many iterations (I have no good ideas for this setting), I want to get some feedback on what I currently have before committing any further. If there are any rules I infringed on that should be addressed or there's anything that's contradictory or derailing and doesn't make any sense to the context of the character or story, please let me know.

There are some issues with what you have thus far, unfortunately. How Carcol got in is what irks me the most. "Begging" and "outside connections" aside, the selected coordinators were strictly chosen for both their talent and individuality. You'd definitely need to leave that detail about him being a "lackluster coordinator" out of the final product. It could lead to some humorous moments but, in the end, if everyone's character doesn't even have to be that good to get in, we're not going to be having that much of a good time. Alternatively, if you don't want him to be the best at actual coordination, you can emphasize his stage presence instead. For example, the Coolness Judge, Gasparre, has an alter-ego of sort that has gotten him rather far.

Speaking of Gasparre, this is a more minor complaint on my end but, so far, we already have two wealthy, or at least well-off, Kalos teenage boys with plotting, arrogant personality traits that will play a big part in progressing the story. If Carcol is a character all of his own, I'll have no complaints, but it's still something to consider.

dud190 said:
Still a work in progress, because I gotta sleep and if I don't get sleep, bad things will happen.

Your app looks fine so far. Rosemary is a simple and charming character. I'm interested in seeing what direction you take with her first appeal in the writing sample.

L'Belle · Jun 6, 2016

Ok, I will make mine today, is that acceptable? I'm really busy. And I have no idea how to use CSS.

[PKMN FULL] The International Idol Star Festival/Tournament! [T]

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