Application for Brave New World

[rydiaofmist]

PLAYER INFO

Name: Sheepy
Contact Information: sheepyton
Time Zone: -08:00 Pacific
Characters Played: Lux Crownguard, Sakura Shinguji


CHARACTER INFO

Character Name: Rydia
Character Canon: Final Fantasy IV

History: Game Wiki | Character Wiki

AU History:

Rydia was the only child of a Dragonair shifter and a Axew shifter, born in the small and remote village of Mist. Consisting mostly of Pokémon and shifters, it was a surprise when Rydia, the daughter of two shifters (both originally human in nature) was born as what would be assumed a normal Human. While this had been known to happen in the past, the occurrence was rather rare, however both parents embraced their new daughter lovingly and gave her the best upbringing that they possibly could.

It is hard to say just when her Enlightened abilities began to manifest, as, from when she started talking, it seemed that Rydia could understand both Humans and Pokémon equally well. Moreover, she had no difficulty bonding with the other Pokémon of her village, given her naturally friendly and sunny disposition as a small child; even the largest, most intimidating residents of the village seemed not to mind her but, instead, took a shining toward the child.

Most of Rydia's life consisted of a world without a father. Disappearing into the wilderness one day shortly after her birth, she has no memory of him, but was, because of this, especially close to her mother. A long-lived shifter in her own right, she acted as one of the protectors of Mist, alongside its elder, a shifter named Tiki, and a few of the other shifters dating back to before the time of the Savior. Fate, however, would not be kind to young Rydia, and, when she was seven, her mother disappeared into the night, one of the first of many disappearances of its kind to plague the small village. Suddenly orphaned, she, much like many other children over the next few years, was left under the supervision of one of the other adult shifters.

It was hard to say whether the Vulpix shifter chose Rydia or the other way around, but, in very short order, the young girl endeared herself to the village's midwife, a melancholic woman called Ran. Seeing her sad made her realize that it was all right for her to mourn, and that in and of itself helped Rydia bounce back much quicker from that tragedy than she might have. As more shifters began disappearing much the same way her mother did, and Mist was uprooted numerous times, Rydia began to wonder why. Why were the citizens of Mist disappearing into the night? Why did they constantly have to pack their belongings and move at a moment's notice?

She would not find that answer before her world was turned upside down. The village attacked, many were stolen away, and many died that night. Despite her pleas and insistence to help fight, she was pulled away by Ran, her master, and the elder Tiki. In the chaos, the four were separated and, as far as Rydia was concerned, at least, assumed for dead.

Wandering on her own, she grew up fast, however, through a stroke of luck, she was reunited with Tiki after a few years. The two have, up until this point, been searching for clues for the whereabouts of any survivors of Mist, as well as the reason for the abductions and attack. This brought them to Union. Perhaps there they would find the answers that they sought.

Canon Personality:

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and Rydia is living proof of that. A naturally chipper child, it takes a lot to knock her down, and even then she does not stay down for long. Quite honestly, she does not see the point in being sad or angry for long. She doesn't enjoy it, and believes that if she is sad that others around her will be. Not wanting to be a burden is what drives her to be as strong as she is, and she always insists upon pulling her own weight regardless of the circumstance.

Having lived in a relatively secluded village for her whole life, she can be just a bit naive. She tries to see the best in people, wishing to give them the benefit of the doubt more often than not. That does not mean that she doesn't have a bit of a free spirited side. This girl has spunk, and certainly dances to the beat of her own drum. Each summoner within her village seems to have their own way of doing things, and she is definitely no different.

People are important to her, particularly the ones she considers as a friend. Friends are family to her, end of story. This girl has a big heart, and while she may at times butt heads with the people that she cares about (Red comes to mind), at the end of the day she will do everything in her power to protect them. Woe be it to anyone who tries to threaten her family, because this little girl packs a punch.

She is the first to tell you if you've messed up. She is also the first to forgive. Rydia is not the type to hold grudges, however she is the type to fight--and fight hard--for what she believes is right. This girl, despite being so young, has a very defined idea of right and wrong, and while her opinion may not always be wanted, she is not hesitant about sharing it. Whether it be to ridicule someone for making a mistake or reassuring them when they are upset, Rydia is the first to say something and oftentimes the last as well.

AU Deviation:

The biggest difference in this iteration revolves around the fall of Mist and how it was brought about. Being older, she has a better understanding of what happened, and that, very likely, it was brought upon by humans. She does not hate humans by any stretch because of this--she knows well enough to realize that there is good and there is evil in this world. But, given what she does know about their attackers, one thing does set her on edge: technology. The things used to bring about the end of Mist were items that she had never seen before, and that scares her, paralyzes her, much like her fear of fire in OU canon.

In some ways, too, she is also a bit more well-established in who she is as a person than at the point she is in OU canon, given her association with Ran and the time between losing her parents and now. The loss of Mist still hangs on her, and she feels like she could have done something, but she does not show this face outwardly, perhaps even less so than in the game.

Rydia also will be starting out at an older age (17) and won't be going to the Feymarch.

Canon Abilities:

Rydia is a summoner and, at the beginning of the game, has access to both white and black magic, as well as the ability to summon Eidolons. Her white magic arsenal is rather limited, consisting of the following spells:
• Cure
  
• Sight
  
• Stun
  
• Confuse
  
• Esuna
  
• Cura
  
• Raise

She only has access to these spells for a short period of time as well, and between the time she leaves the party (re: gets escorted to the Feymarch) and reunites with them, she loses the ability to use white magic altogether. Instead, she is given access to higher level black magic, as well as the ability to tap into her summoning abilities outright, enlisting the aid of various Eidolons to help her in battle. Usually, this just means using their main signature move.

Enlightened Abilities:

Rydia is a Kindred Soul with straight Dragon typing.

Initially, much like her OU canon version, Rydia will be able to use very low-grade healing and elemental magics (water, electric, ice and fire-based). Appearance-wise, she'll stay relatively the same, with wild green hair, however her eyes will have more of a violet hue to them.

Upon her first evolution, Rydia will be losing all healing magic in place of stat-boosting abilities that she can share with her Pokemon. Her elemental magic will also become stronger. Most importantly of note, Rydia will be gaining a small, silver horn, much like the one you would see on a Dragonair.

Her third and final evolution isn't as different from her other previous ones, but the effects of such moves like Helping Hand, Baton Toss and the like--moves she has in her own arsenal--will be stronger, as well as getting a significant boost to her elemental magic.

Starter Pokémon:

A Goomy named Whyt and a Pidgey named Boco.

Notes/Special Considerations:

These have been discussed with the mod team, all regarding her origins and addressing the vagueness of her history prior to a few years ago.

SAMPLES

First-Person: ☆ | ☆

Third-Person:

What would you say the role of Pokémon is in your life?

[Rydia closes her eyes, smiling.]

Both of my parents were shifters, and I grew up surrounded by Pokémon. They’re extremely important to me. I get along with them better than people in some ways. They’re irreplaceable friends to me.


What do you seek for humanity’s future?

Equality between people and Pokémon. I think it goes without saying that no one wants to see history repeat itself, but it goes further than that. I want to see them one day see each other as equals. We’re a long way from that, but I think it’s possible.


To what lengths would you go to rescue your allies if they were lost in the wilderness?

[With purpose.]
I would stop at nothing to find them. All of them.


What do you look for in the Pokémon with whom you bond?

I look for a kindred spirit. For someone who I can be friends with, and will help me grow and learn.


A human has attacked a wild Pokémon who retaliates in defense. How do you respond and whom do you defend?

I would defend the Pokémon. They were attacked and only acted to defend itself. They should be punished for their actions in kind.


When encountering a rare and powerful Pokémon, what is most important? Researching it, bonding with it, or defeating it? Why?

Befriending it. We would work together as equals.