WORLDBUILDING: My Imagined Hisui Region

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After the new trailer for Pokemon Legends: Arceus dropped this week, I was inspired to build on what little we know about Hisui to create my own martial arts adventure, inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Zelda, with a dash of Pokemon Conquest.

This is by no means exhaustive or complete, and may change as we learn more about Hisui and the game itself.

The Basics (so far)

Hisui in my imagined Pokeworld is much more than what will become Shinou--it is all of ancient Waku--my imagined superregion that Kanto, Johto, Houen, and Shinou are part of.

To make it clear these are the ancestors of the canon characters, I plan to use the canon characters' Japanese names--but they are better known for their martial arts titles. Since Serena keeps her Japanese name in English, she is a foreigner that settled in Hisui, not long after Nobunaga was defeated, and Waku opened up to foreign visitors. Her martial arts title is Golden Delphox.

So far, the main cast is:

Satoshi, called Ruby Phoenix--a courageous and yet happy go lucky adventurer that can wield a flute as well as a one handed sword. He has innate red (fire) and yellow (thunder) ki.

Kasumi, called Sapphire Dragon--a brave, and no-nonsense swordswoman with a strong sense of justice who battles with twin blades, making her battles look like a dance. She has innate blue (water) and cyan (ice) ki.

Takeshi, called Emerald Raikou--his skill in music and storytelling belies an expert archer and mystic (what magic users are called in Hisui) He does have a sword when ranged combat is not possible. Some say he can even sing magic like a song. While he can wield all the elements to some degree, he started with green (earth, which covers both rocks and plants) ki first.

Serena, called Golden Delphox--a resident of a foreign region that considers Hisui her adopted home. She has had no problem adapting to the local culture, preferring to wield a rapier from home (or a bow if melee combat is not possible) She and Satoshi became fast friends, so it was no surprise she awakened some red (fire) ki to complement her innate white (light) ki.

Haruka, called Jade Beautifly--a former actor and dancer who ventured forth in search of adventure. Don't let her skill with the ribbon and fan fool you--her fights are as dazzling as any performance onstage. While she can wield all the elements of ki to a point, she is best with lavender (wind) and white (light) ki.

Hikari, called Pearl Deerling--a ninja of the Moon Clan who befriended Jade Beautifly after she helped them defend Moon Viewing Village from a warlord's forces. With her hokage's blessings, she decided to travel with Jade Beautifly, while they eventually joined up with the others as heroes for hire. As a member of the Moon Clan, she can use purple (cosmic) ki, as well as white (light) ki.

 

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I came in here to see if you were just putting in the Ketchum Krew, and it was as I expected.

Also I am getting serious sentai vibes from this. So if so what's the Megazord?

 

[Welkamo]

Gonna be following this thread, because I think Hisui explores such an interesting concept, and I wanna see how other people interpret it.

 

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Sorry, no super sentai megazords here--I was aiming for a reference to the jeweled games, Yellow, and one possible meaning of Hisui, "jade". My main goal is what The Legend of Zelda would look like (not so much Breath of the Wild, but something like Ocarina of Time and A Link to the Past turned up to 11) with kung fu in it.

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I will have more info about my imagined Hisui--since it will eventually become Shinou, ancient counterparts of the Shinou towns (and a few locations) will be profiled, along with Ash and co.'s ancient counterparts.

 

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The Six Guardian Spirits

One of the many stories, myths, and legends in Hisui is the Journey of the Six Guardian Spirits--a long epic tale that tells how six heroes each blessed with one of six divine creatures--the phoenix, the dragon, the Raikou, the Delphox, the Beautufly, and the Deerling--journeyed across Hisui, gathered the Sacred Dragon Pearls, and awakened Arceus at the peak of Celestial Crown Mountain (what is today Mt. Coronet). The story has been immortalized in literature, in art, in song, in dance, and onstage, and most anyone in Hisui knows at least one episode from the story.

Many believe that when the world is in grave danger, the Six Guardian Spirits will walk the world again, banishing evil as they once again journey to Celestial Crown Mountain, and awaken Arceus.

If asked why those specific creatures, a Hisuian will tell you this:

"The phoenix is courageous and strong, bringing growth and new life to the land. Its flame is not one that destroys and consumes, but inspires, warms, and nurtures."

"The dragon is a lucky spirit; freeing the oppressed and judging those who would oppress others. It is also renowned for its wisdom, and understands there is a time for everything, for each yang, there is also a yin."

"The Raikou is strong, and yet he is gentle, for his thunder heralds the rains the nourish the land. He is proud of who he is, but never boasts about it. He is as much a warrior as he is a scholar, well versed in the arts and culture. But when he does fight, he strikes hard."

"The Delphox may have a bad reputation, but many more Delphox wish good to the world, including Arceus' divine envoy, the lady Kitsune. Kitsune embodies all of the Delphox's and their cousin Ninetales' good qualities. She is clever, wise, and a giver of good fortune. But she will not hesitate to punish the proud, the greedy, and the evil."

"The Beautifly, in her many colored raiment, flies about the land, bringing good luck, health, and prosperity to all. But don't let her benevolent nature fool you, her graceful dance in the sky is deadly to those who would deceive and bring harm. But to those who wish to turn from their wicked ways, she is a sign of growth and transformation."

"The Deerling, the divine messengers of the Legendaries. They symbolize the wisdom and grace of Arceus. But they can and they will fight if provoked, with divine speed and power. Those that receive one of their attacks will not soon forget it!"

 

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Martial Arts and Martial Titles in Hisui

In the world of my imagined Hisui, martial arts are a very important part of the culture, and the dojos of many sects, schools, and paths dot the land. Those that are willing to learn can learn everything from fighting unarmed to even using parasols, compasses, puppets, and paintbrushes as fighting implements. Many schools and arts even border on magical powers.

The heartbeat of all martial arts (and by extension, magic) is ki, or Aura, as it is sometimes called. Ki can come in many different colors and elementals, but its most basic form is blue-white. Depending on what colors of ki are in a person's heart innately, different elementals will come more easily to them. This is not to say that someone with innate fire (red) ki can't learn a water (blue) ki move; but learning an elemental their innate power(s) are weak to will take longer.

So far, the known colors of ki are:

Silver/blue-white--no elemental
Green --earth (which covers both rocks and plants
Red--fire
Lavender--wind
Blue--water
Cyan--ice
Yellow--thunder
White--light
Purple--cosmos (the moon, the stars, galaxies, etc.)
Rainbow--every elemental; the most powerful ki
Black--shadow

Almost every martial artist, mystic, performer, warrior, and the like will often take a martial title that reflects their abilities or a part of their heritage. For example, a storyteller that specializes in stories of great warriors might be called Honorable Song. Members of a family or a clan will often have similar titles.

 

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Quick Character Profile: Satoshi/Ruby Phoenix

The gung ho leader of the Six Heroes of Jade, Ruby Phoenix is originally from Pure White Village (what is today Pallet Town), in the east of Waku. He was trained in phoenix martial arts from a young age from his father Volcanic Phoenix, the chief of the local phoenix clan. Not long before venturing forth on his own, he tamed a Pikachu for company, naming it Inazuma. The new bond between Ruby Phoenix and his new companion caused yellow ki to develop in his heart, granting him the ability to use thunder abilities on top of his innate red ki. Volcanic Phoenix assured his son that this phenomenon was not unheard of, as fire and thunder are related powers.

With his parents' and the clan's blessings, Ruby Phoenix made his way to Celebration Village (what is today Jubilife City), where he befriended the others, and quickly proved himself a capable leader of a band of heroes for hire--even if he has a tendency to act before he thinks.

Brave and up for adventure, Ruby Phoenix's joie de vivre is infectious, matched only by his courage and resolve. But thinking tactically is not one of his strong suits (much to Sapphire Dragon's chagrin). Luckily, he is beginning to see the advantages of a good strategy--even if it takes a while for Emerald Raikou's lessons to sink in. Even in his darkest moments, he knows how to find the light again--even though the loss may sting in the heat of the moment, he's usually ready to try again after a day or two.

In battle, Ruby Phoenix is a highly skilled swordsman--a powerful speedster that can hit and then retreat before the opponent knows what happened. If melee combat is not possible, he can also channel ki through his flute (a gift from his mother Benevolent Phoenix), Emerald Raikou is teaching him archery, but he's not very good at it just yet.

Outside of adventuring, Ruby Phoenix enjoys playing music with his companions, a good game of mahjong, exploring with Inazuma, or a trip to the theater.

 

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Quick Character Profile: Kasumi/Sapphire Dragon

Beautiful, strong, and confident, Sapphire Dragon more than lives up to her nickname in the martial world--the Water-Ice Warrior Princess. Originally from Azure Village (what is today Cerulean City) in the east of Waku, she arrived in Hisui in search of adventure, and bring glory to the Eastern Dragon Clan. Like many dragon clans that draw on blue (water) ki, she also has cyan (ice) ki in her heart. But while she may come off as bossy and hardheaded to some, she does care for her friends and family, and only wants to see them be their very best.

One of four sisters trained in dragon martial arts, she grew frustrated when her eldest sister Venerable Dragon preferred to train as an actress rather than taking her place as the leader of the clan. When her other sisters Azure Dragon and Cerulean Dragon chose to become actresses as well, she took matters into her own hands, and told her parents she would step up as clan leader--a decision she has never regretted. While her sisters did tease her at first for not joining them onstage, eventually they respected her decision, and wished her well on her adventures.

She eventually befriended the others in Celebration Village, and settled there. But she has her suspicions of the Galaxy Expedition Team, and wonders if they have more nefarious ambitions than simply surveying Hisui, and building the area's first Pokedex.

In battle, Sapphire Dragon is a powerful yet balanced fighter--those who have seen her in battle say it looks almost "like a dancing dragon" in a flurry of blades. But water can help as well as harm, so she also knows when to defend or support her allies. Her preferred weapons are twinblades, but when melee combat is not possible, she can use a bow to a degree. (she's not as good as Emerald Raikou is at the bow, but is a decent shot when needed)

Outside of adventuring, Sapphire Dragon enjoys swimming in Wartortle Lake, a good game of mahjong, trips to the theater (while she would never be caught dead on the stage thanks to bad memories of her sisters, she does appreciate a well done performance), and a good action packed novel.

 

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Quick Character Profile: Takeshi/Emerald Raikou

Awe inspiring to see even in dull green traveler's garb, Emerald Raikou exudes the strength and power of a mountain, and also the kindness and wisdom of the valley. Originally from Silver Village (what is today Pewter City) in the east of Waku, he initially came to Celebration Village in hopes of documenting the stories, songs, and lore of the Hisui region for the scholar's guild of Silver Village. But hearing the worried rumors about the Galaxy Expedition Team in town made him wonder what their true motives were. When the others shared his suspicions, he decided to keep an eye out for any evidence confirming or denying the rumors as he traveled and adventured which the others. While he may appriciate a good story, he does not tolerate liars, cheaters, deceivers, and treachery. It takes a lot to make him angry, but when he does snap, many have described it as "the noble Raikou admonishing its cub." His huge heart is both his biggest strength, and biggest weakness--he has been known to sing for the young ladies of the village whether they want to hear him or not.

Friendly and cordial to those he meets, Emerald Raikou has a way with words, and a gift of song, and can often be found in Celebration Village's square, playing his harp and weaving tales of adventure, virtue, and how things are for the townsfolk. But while he may seem like a humble storyteller, his musical skill belies a master archer and mystic. Some in Celebration Village have said he has never missed a shot, and can even sing ki like a song. But he did not learn the ability to master all the elements overnight--which he can control all the colors of ki to a point, green (earth) ki comes to him the easiest.

In battle, he is primarily a ranged tactical fighter, picking off targets from afar or dealing with multiple opponents at once. But when using archery or ki isn't possible, he can use his fists or a sword in a melee scenario.

Outside of adventuring, Emerald Raikou enjoys collecting and telling stories, playing music with his companions, practicing his archery, a good game of mahjong, and a good play at the theater.

 

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Quick Character Profile: Serena/Golden Delphox

Golden Delphox is unique among the group thanks to her dual Wakunese and Kalusien citizenship. Her parents were originally Wakunese envoys to the Kalusien king, so she was born in the Kalusien town of Croquis (since Nobunaga had closed off Waku to foreigners long before). Once Nobunaga and his men were defeated, and Waku opened back up to foreigners, she and her family were welcomed back to Waku with open arms (thanks to Waku's new emperor restoring the friendship between Waku and Kalusienne) Not long after resettling in Pure White Village, Golden Delphox wondered if there was an audience in Kalusienne for learning about a culture different from theirs. So with her parents' blessings, she traveled to Hisui, where she settled in Celebration Village. She formed a particular bond with Ruby Phoenix, and gave him a crash course in Kalusien so he could translate Kalusien swashbuckler stories, fairy tales, and hero tales into Wakunese with her help.

Jade Beautifly was enamored by the Western instruments (a violin and a mandolin) and the rapier Golden Delphox had brought with her from Kalusienne, as well as the Kalusien dancing Golden Delphox had learned to do as a child. She taught Golden Delphox how to use the ribbon she used while dancing as a whip-like weapon, with her rapier as a backup (since Golden Delphox proves on several occasions that a Kalusien rapier can beat a Wakunese katana)

Her multilingual ability (speaking Kalusienne as well as English and Wakunese) has proved helpful against warlords and corrupt officials. But to most people, she is friendly and cordial. If someone is in danger, she will confound opponents with Kalusien fighting arts adapted to Wakunese opponents, very much like the Delphox, or the swashbuckling heroes in Kalusien novels.

She is still relearning Wakunese customs after living in Kalusienne for so long, but the others do their best to help her out.. She is sometimes nicknamed "the soap lady" because of her large supply of Kalusien soap she brought over from Kalusienne--and to the residents of Hisui, at least, fine Kalusien soap is worth more than gold.

She is currently writing a book about her adventures in Waku, and plans to publish it in Kalos once it is complete.

Outside of adventuring, Golden Delphox enjoys a game of mahjong (even though she has forgotten most of the rules), trips to the theater (she highly prefers the adventurous and colorful Wakunese stage as opposed to overly stiff and formal Kalusien plays), sharing her adopted culture with the people she meets, playing music with her companions (she has found the Western violin blends very well with the Wakunese harp), and writing for her book.

 

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Quick Character Profile: Haruka/Jade Beautifly

Immediately recognizable in her colorful robes, it is hard not to smile when Jade Beautifly is around! Originally from Oran Blossom Village in the south of Waku (what is today Petalburg City), she made a name for herself as an actress in the local theater troupe before traveling to Hisui to start her own troupe, with her family's blessings. She quickly befriended Pearl Deerling on the way to Celebration Village, and met the others soon after. She was instrumental in helping Golden Delphox get resettled in Waku after returning from Kalusienne.

In between adventures, Jade Beautifly teaches aspiring actors and actresses in Celebration Village, and directs the plays the students perform in. (Emerald Raikou pitches in as well, helping write scripts and narrating the plays). But her experience in stage fighting has also translated into actual fighting--she is very skilled at ribbon dancing and the war fan. Those who have seen her fight raves it is "a high flying display of color and agility that would be right at home on the many stages of Hisui."

Sweet and softspoken, Jade Beautifly is well loved and well liked among the residents of Celebration Village. But when someone she loves is in danger, she will go to any lengths to protect them. While she typically does her best to juggle adventuring and teaching, she can bite off more than she can chew, leaving her burnt out. Thankfully, she usually bounces back after a few days to relax (the others' music and Golden Delphox's massive collection of Kalusien soap always helps)

Outside of adventuring and her classes at the Oran Blossom Theatrical Academy, Jade Beautifly enjoys a good game of mahjong (even though she is still learning the rules) well acted play, exploring the fields around Celebration Village, a good novel, cooking (especially learning how to make sweet treats--both native Wakunese treats, and Kalusien treats), helping Golden Delphox with research for her book, exploring the markets of Hisui, and performing for the people of Hisui.

 

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Quick Character Profile: Hikari/Pearl Deerling

Originally from Twin Leaf Village in Hisui, Pearl Deerling discovered a hidden village of ninja while out seeking her fortune, and was initiated into the Moon Clan. For several years, she trained in learning the Moon clan's cosmic jutsu, using the power of the moon and the stars to both help and harm. But even that wasn't enough to defend Moon Viewing Vilage from a rogue warlord--luckily, Jade Beautifly happened to be passing that way, and lended her fighting skills to help.

Grateful for Jade Beautifly's help, Pearl Deerling asked if she could travel with her. Jade Beautifly agreed, and with the blessings of the Moon Clan's hokage, Pearl Deerling went forth into the world. Upon reaching Celebration Village, she settled there.

But the ninja's role as a guardian in the shadows stuck with her, making her invaluable as a scout. She earned her martial title because of her huge heart and quick feet, "moving swiftly like the Deerling, bringing holy judgement upon those who would harm others."

As a ninja, she knows practically everything going on in Waku, and the many entrances to the hidden world. She is still close to many ninjas across the Ten Great Clans, so when the group doesn't know what to do next, she usually knows of a fellow ninja (or someone in their current location she has helped before) that could help. Her most precious possession is the Isshiki Bag (Everything Bag)--an enchanted bag that holds just what you need for any given situation, giving a whole new meaning to crazy prepared. While she is confident in her skills, she knows very well not to boast, as there will always be someone better than you in the martial world.

She is a very tactical fighter, using a combination of a boomerang, shuriken, enchanted balls, or a ninken (ninja sword) in a melee scenario. Thanks to the Isshiki Bag, she has millions of different kinds of shuriken for any kind of battle situation. But she is hardly a jack of all trades--she has honed her skills enough to shift between offense, defense or support as the battle demands.

Outside of adventuring, Pearl Deerling enjoys exploring, a good story (either read or told), trips to the theater (or assisting in one of Jade Beautifly's plays; but typically helps design the costumes), a good game of mahjong or hanafuda, and drawing pictures (usually landscapes or interesting clothing)

 

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The Oran Blossom Theatrical Academy

The Oran Blossom Theatrical Academy is a relatively new addition to Celebration Village, where the children of the village and the surrounding villages can train to be theatrical actors. Currently, the number of students enrolled (across Celebration Village and nearby villages) is 386. While Jade Beautifly, the school's founder and principal, does teach and help plan the lavish productions (by school standards), there are other actors and crew members on the staff to help teach, care for the school's day-to-day operations, and perform the plays.

Unlike most theatrical academies in the area, there are no auditions required to enroll in the school--just a desire to learn and the dedication needed to put into the rigorous training.

First year students learn about the various aspects of a play, and how they come together in a complete show--music, dancing, acting, acrobatics, stage combat, aquatics, puppetry, and how to interact with live Pokemon safely. Second year students and third year students hone their performance skills, and go behind the curtain to see how things work--including the friendly Rotoms that power the lights and effects (this is how a lighting system and special effects similar to a modern theater exists in my imagined Hisui). The students perform many plays across their three years of study, but the one they remember most is the play performed by the third years just before graduation in the spring, as a culmination of all they have learned in their three years of study.

The students do not receive new teachers for the same topic as they progress--many of the teachers follow the students as they progress.

Jade Beautifly mainly teaches general performance classes--a combination of both a lecture and a performance class that explores the various aspects of a play, and how they come together in a complete show.

Response to the school has been enthusiastic, and many of the parents pitch in to help put on the various plays through the year. The plays are typically folktales, myths, and legends from across Waku, but thanks to Golden Delphox's and Ruby Phoenix's efforts to translate Kalusien fairy tales and hero tales into Wakunese, the plays also include Kalusien tales transformed into a Wakunese setting.

 

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The Great Tree

The Great Tree is a huge maple tree that stands at a fork in the road near Celebration Village. From the Great Tree, you can reach Celebration Village to the west, Reedy Field to the east, the New Snow Mountains by going north, or continue deeper into Hisui by going south.

No one knows for sure when the Great Tree was planted, but many Hisuians believe Shaymin planted the tree, and so the people of a nearby village built the Temple of Rejoicing Earth in her honor. The tree is a popular gathering spot in the fall for maple leaf viewing, and a waypoint for travelers going to the north mountains or Celebration Village. Ruby Phoenix can often be found here making kazefue (the Hisuian name for panpipes--the name literally means "wind flute") out of reeds gathered from Reedy Field. If a traveler is interested in the kazefue he has made, Ruby Phoenix will happily sell his instruments for a fair price.

Emerald Raikou can also be spotted under the tree weaving tales he has collected for the children of the nearby villages--as his tales both teach and entertain. (in Hisui, the concept of school as we know it would be very strange--so children learn from kataribe--singer-storytellers who often travel, but some larger villages and towns have kataribe in residence).

 

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Roads and Post Stations in Hisui (and beyond)

Like the rest of Waku, Hisui has its own network of roads and post stations. Initially designed for the Imperial Post, the roads are marked by checkpoints along the way known as post stations. Originally, it was only the mail riders, or yubinkishu, who stopped at the post stations, usually to rest, pick up mail that had been postmarked at that station, and drop off mail intended for delivery. Over time, the post stations have become entire towns--even more so since Emperor Wataru opened Waku. In addition to yubinkishu, other travelers will stop at a station too--usually to rest, replenish supplies, learn the latest news, send and receive mail, see the latest hit plays, and even leave requests for a hero for hire.

Many post stations have colorful names--usually in reference to something nearby, the area's natural beauty, or local folklore. The closest post station of the main network to Hisui, Flying Dragon Station, sits at the southernmost tip of Hisui, near the Flying Dragon Bridge, making for easy passage to the rest of Waku.

 

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The Tenfue and Tengoto in Hisui

Music is very important in Hisui (and Waku as a whole), but no instruments are more important than the tenfue, or "celestial flute", and the tengoto, or "celestial harp" These special instruments are said to have divine power, and can be used to tame Pokemon, as well as play magic.

Unlike the normal flutes (the side blown bansi and the end blown kidi) and harp (the vina), every tenfue and tengoto is unique to their owner, and often have names. It is not yet known if other divine instruments exist, but scholars agree that there may be more.

When tenfue and tengoto are not being used to play magic, they often look like and sound like a normal instrument. But when their owners have need for a magical song, they become their true magnificently colored forms.

Of the group, the boys each own a divine instrument, and Serena has an end blown tenfue (after a side blown version proved too difficult). Satoshi owns the phoenix blessed bansi, Fushibue (that looks like a normal bansi when performing everyday music); Takeshi owns the earth blessed vina, Midori; and Serena owns the light blessed kidi, Senrei.

 

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The Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark

From the notes of Golden Delphox:

Zorua and its evolution Zoroark are quite different in Waku. While the normal black variety typically doesn't mean any harm to humans (the extent of their pranks being playful or annoying in nature), there are some that are white with red markings. Whether these Pokemon are something to be revered or feared depends on the individual Pokemon--unlike their cousins Delphox and Ninetales, Zorua and Zoroark are just as diverse as people--some are revered as gods and heroes, and some are feared as demons and monsters.

A fairly reliable way to tell if a Hisuian Zorua or Zoroark (so named because of its initial discovery in Hisui) means to help or harm is if it has a title--a helpful individual will have a positive sounding title, and a harmful individual will have a negative sounding title. This isn't always foolproof--some harmful individuals may take a helpful title to slip past barriers.

In our case, the Zoroark that we had to track and slay for the mystics of the Enclave of the Misty Rain had the title of a fearsome Zoroark--White Ghost.

Like their black relatives, a wild Hisuian Zoroark is terrified of arrows. It doesn't matter if it is an everyday hunter's bow, or a miko's sacred bow--the majority of them will flee when they hear a bow being drawn.

 

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Manual #1: The Resplendent Thunder Sword

The Resplendent Thunder Sword is a thunder elemental sword manual made famous by the hero Glorious Star. While it is intended for those attuned to yellow ki users, white and red ki users can also use it (since fire and light are related to thunder)

The style focuses on hard hitting offense, paralyzing opponents before they can do anything. It is especially effective against water and wind styles. Metal can be very risky against this style, as metal conducts electricity. However, it is not immune to the type chart in the ancient Pokemon world--it will not do a thing against earth styles. The light of dragons and wood styles will also resist this and other thunder styles

While the techniques in the manual are best used with one handed swords, they are also adaptable to twinblades, shortswords, and some two-handed swords.

One of the more famous current users is the dual fire and thunder blessed hero, Ruby Phoenix. By combining some of his innate fire power with the thunder powers in this manual, he created an offshoot of this style called the Resplendent Phoenix Sword--seen by many in the martial world of Hisui as his signature sword style out of the many thunder and fire styles he knows. His creation of the Resplendent Phoenix Sword ended up creating an entire family of styles--the Resplendent Swords. These in turn created many more families of offshoots--Resplendent Bows, Resplendent Spears, Resplendent Fists, and more. But every offshoot can trace their roots back to this manual

Some of the moves in this manual include:

Raikou Looking Back--a strike that hits a target behind the user, catching them off guard. This move has been adapted to other weapons and fists.

Thunder Sword Beam--one of the basic moves of the style; the user shoots a yellow beam of light from their blade that does lightning damage

Thunderbolt Lighting Up the Sky--the user lifts their blade to the sky and charges it with lightning, then slams it down to the ground. The lightning shocks anything in its path.

Flight of the Shining Pidgeot--a quick charged slash

Breaking Through Clouds to Touch the Sky--a basic high jump slash, one of the first jump slashes a student of this style will learn

Blade that Cuts Through the Dark--a light based downward slash that is very good against darkness based skills

Raikou Leaping to Attack--another basic charge slash

Cutting Oak in Two--a hard slash strong enough to cut through oak trees

Wave of Lightning--a slash that unleashes a wave of lightning

Claw that Pierces Armor--a thrust that can puncture any form of armor, including diamond and mythril

Blade Without Equal--a high jump slash often used as a finishing blow

Thunder that Shakes the Earth--an underthrust that sends a wave of lightning at any enemies in the way

Four Colors of Power--a powerful technique that cuts the target once in every direction and with four different elementals--fire (red), water (blue), lightning (yellow), and earth (green)

Sword Glowing with Raikou's Power--the user channels some chi into their blade, making it glow yellow. The next attack is then imbued with lightning energy.

Dazzling Purple Sword--a more powerful sword beam that shoots out purple lightning at a target

Heavenly Thunder Slash--slashes the opponent with an electrically charged blade

Dance of the Storm--a powerful sword move that surrounds the target with electrically charged blades

Thunderbolt Piercing Clouds--a lightning based stab that penetrates the opponent's defense.

Mountain Piercing Bolt--a hard lightning tinged stab that penetrates heavy armor

Braviary Spreads His Wings (sword)--a hard downward slash that begins with the user raising both arms, fooling the opponent into thinking they are surrendering

 

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Manual #2: The Celestial River Bow​

The Celestial River Bow is a dual water and ice elemental archery style that allows users to tap into both blue (water) and cyan (ice) ki. Sapphire Dragon is actually one of its better known users, on the occasion she does use a bow (when battling in melee combat is not possible or too dangerous) While she is not as good of a shot as Takeshi is, she can hit a target when it counts. (she does practice with Takeshi when she can)

Being a dual water and ice style, this style as twice as many strengths and weaknesses to consider. The water side easily puts out fire, and soaks earth, but is weak to thunder and wood. The strength against fire does make up for ice's weakness to fire, but the ice side of the style should be wary of rocks, fists, and metal. It prevails, meanwhile, against the light of dragons, wind, makes up for water's weakness to wood, and earth.

Since it is a ranged style, it can also be used with the fukiya(literally 'breath-arrow' in the Wakunese language), the ancient blowpipe commonly used by ninja. Some clever musicians can also fire ki from wind instruments like a blowpipe--both types of flutes work well for this. While many musicians seeking to use a wind instrument as a weapon opt to use the end blown kidi as a fukiya, some have managed to adapt the side blown bansi for use in battle. The best bansi performers can attack simply by tonguing ki tinged notes very very quickly!

Some of the techniques of this style include:

Articuno's Flight Over the Plain--fires an arrow that freezes the target

Sitting Cross-legged on the Temple Steps--a shot taken from a kneeling position

Icy Silver Needles--The user fires multiple arrows at once, which can hit multiple targets, or pin a single target to the closest flat surface.

Intercepting a Blade--a shot used to disrupt jump slashes and underthrusts

Crystals Falling From the Sky--a quick bow shot that hits all enemy targets

Gyarados Swimming Upstream--uses an arrow to pin an opponent to the closest flat surface.

Lugia Hiding in the Snow--a stealth move that also serves as a long range sniper shot

Icy Blue Mist--Sapphire Dragon fires an arrow into the ground, creating a cloud of pale blue mist at the point of impact. Sapphire Dragon particularly loves using this move to make an entrance.

Water Rushing Against the Rocks--The user fires an arrow, creating a wave out of its flight path

Icy Nail in Evil's Coffin--The user fires several rounds of arrows into the sky, pinning the target to the closest flat surface. Often used as a finishing move.

Articuno's Mystical Crystal--The user fires an arrow, creating an ice crystal at the point of impact

Silver Wings Split the Sky--the user fires an arrow into the sky, creating millions of silver crystals that come raining down on the foe