WORLDBUILDING: The Talie Region

[LightningTopaz]

The Talie (pronounced Tah-lee-eh) region is a region of my imagined Pokeworld inspired by mainland Italy. After a successful theatrical tour in Kalos, Ash receives an invitation from the local professor, Prof. Laurel, to bring the Kagayou Theater to Talie. Ash eagerly agrees, and with local girl Gianna Belfiore, sets out to take in every wonder of this bastion of the arts and culture.

So while their high flying and exciting Tawame plays get thunderous applause on some of the Pokeworld's most famous stages, not everything is sunshine and fiori for our heroes. The evil Team Nero seeks to take advantage of a well known Talien legend, and rule the region by unleashing the ancient dragon Azudra, who was said to have been sealed by the legendary pegasus-like Pokemon, Brilavallo.

Can Ash and the gang juggle their tour and stop Team Nero at the same time? Or will Talie be brought to its knees under Team Nero's oppression?

The region (and the story that goes with it) is still very much in progress, so this is a space to put what I've done so far, and answer any questions about this Poke-Italy.

 

[Greninjaman]

Will there be a Gym Challenge?

 

[LightningTopaz]

@Greninjaman

I have drawn up Gym Leaders, but Ash is not going for the Pokemon League this time.

 

[LightningTopaz]

A profile of Ash and the gang's guide in Talie:

Gianna Belfiore Quick Profile​

Name: Gianna Belfiore

Age: 13

Height: 5'4" (1.52 m)

Build: Athletic and muscular

Hair: Long and reddish brown; it is often tied back in a braid so it is not caught in anything during a performance.

Eyes: Green

Occupation: Actress, musician, and Pokemon trainer

Known relationships (so far): Mom (very close and loving); Dad (very close and loving), Nonna (very close and loving), Luca (little brother; playful and loving}; Beatrice (little sister; playful and loving); Ash Ketchum (friendship); Misty Williams (friendship); Brock Harrison (respectful friendship--she often calls him "maestro Brock", due to his wisdom and musical skill); Serena Lacroix (friendship); May Alder (friendship; she gets her permission to call her Vera after finding "May" hard to say in Talien); Dawn Solberg (friendship--she gets her permission to call her Lucinda to avoid confusion with the admins of Team Nero)

Known Pokemon: Fiama the Foquila (the phoenix-like eagle Pokemon that is the final form of the fire chick starter of Talie, Pollucia), Arcoba the Doratalla (a colorful butterfly-like Pokemon based on the southern festoon butterfly)

Personality/Known history: Gianna grew up in Fenice City along with her family, where they have made a name for themselves on the local theater and music scene--either onstage or behind the scenes. But she has always dreamed of seeing the whole region for herself, not just the route leading to Guardolupo City and the Pokemon League. So when Prof. Laurel asked her if she was willing to serve as a guide to Ash and the gang, Gianna jumped at the chance--she had always wanted to learn about a style of theater different from hers.

She and Ash hit it off right away, with both of then eager to teach their local cultures to each other. But little did she know, she would get to see the whole of Talie, and so much more.

Happy and eager for adventure, Gianna never lets the bad times get her down. Even in her darkest moments, she knows how to find the light again. As the adventure progresses, she refers to our heroes as "mia seconda famiglia" (my second family) However, sometimes her eagerness causes her to get in over her head--something she is working to overcome.

Strengths: acting (she is known as l'eroina--the heroine--for her spirited portrayal of heroic roles), music (she sings and plays flute and trumpet--she is one of the youngest to perform 'The Carnival of Maschera' on trumpet), stage combat (as many of her roles require her to sword fight--she even gives Ash a challenge) stage archery (her trick shots even impress Brock), her imagination, her knowledge of the region.

Weaknesses: Getting in over her head, painting, admitting she needs help, going fast, deep water, being cold, the Spinarak family, con artists

 

[LightningTopaz]

Talie City Profile: Fedeleo Town

Fedeleo Town Is often the first place visitors to Talie arrive. The resident professor, Prof. Laurel, has her lab here. If a trainer is interested in taking Talie's Gym challenge, they can choose between the deer-like Petavo (petal+cervo; Italian for 'deer'), the fire chick Pollucia (pollastra, an Italian word for 'chick'+St. Lucia, a saint associated with light. Unlike Torchic, Pollucia actually has wings, and a flowing tail--a hint of its phoenix like final form), or the water dog Rugicane (rugiada, Italian for 'dew'+cane, Italian for dog. Unlike Growlithe, Rugicane looks a little more like a wolf pup--a hint to its final dual Water/Ice wolf form. As the gang is not here for the Gyms, they have their most current teams as of Sword/Shield)

The town gets its name from a local legend--when a dragon threatened the town, a Pyroar journeyed from Kalos to Talie and slew it. It stayed in the town for 30 days before returning to Kalos. There is a statue of the Pyroar in the town piazza, and the local santuario (a large shrine dedicated to a Pokemon. They are very common across the Europa superegion that Kalos and Talie are a part of, as the people of the region deeply revered the Legendary Pokemon, and heroic normal Pokemon. In Kalos, they are called sanctuaires) is dedicated to the Pyroar family.

In addition to Prof. Laurel's lab, the town boasts ancient Talien ruins, the santuario, many different museums, and parks.

 

[LightningTopaz]

Talie City Profile: Ponisola Town

Ponisola Town is famous for its summer festival and its Race of the Elementals, a Ponyta race held during the first week of summer since medieval times. The race gets its name because each Ponyta represents a district of the town, which are named for the eighteen types of Pokemon. The winner of the race gets a beautifully decorated flag known as the Victor's Flag that is hung in the district hall for the year until the next race.

While no one district has a commanding lead in the number of wins, in recent years the Dragon district had a 10 year winning streak before the Fire district won last year's race. When the group arrives to perform for the festival, Ash wonders who's favored to win this year, and asks around. Some townsfolk tell him that Fairy and Electric are looking strong this year, but Dragon may take the Victor's Flag back as revenge for Fire winning last year. Gianna explains there are similar races all across Talie.

The route for any Race of the Elementals always winds through the host town, usually with a santuario or historic building as the finish line. The Ponytas in the Race of the Elements are not ridden, unlike most races of this type, often confusing tourists. Another reason the race is named the Race of the Elementals are the elaborate themed regalia the Ponytas wear (so the Fire Ponyta may have phoenix themed regalia, for example)

The group gets to watch this year's race and several others like it as they journey through Talie.

 

[LightningTopaz]

Talie City Profile: Paneacqua Town

Paneacqua Town is a picturesque small town that gets its name from a local hero tale. The local sanctuario honors Arceus and the hero, and most of the residents know some form of the story--but like all folkloric tales, there are many different versions.

In the most common version of the story, Arceus appears to a man, and tells him to throw his three pieces of bread into a pond. When the man complies, the bread transforms into a sword, a bow, and a suit of armor, which he then uses to slay a number of dragons. No matter which version of the epic adventure you hear, the last dragon the hero slays is always the blue dragon Pokemon Azudra, often with the help of the pegasus Pokemon Brilavalo.

It is said that Arceus will still appear to someone who makes a pure and sincere request, then throws a piece of bread in the water. Ash actually tries it, and Arceus blesses the Kagayou for their journey.