Introduction

Welcome to the Calora Region

An Explanation of Mystery Dungeon, if you are new to the series

This story would not exist without the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series. Mainly inspired by the original Rescue Team Blue & Red, released 2005-2006, as well as Explorers of Sky. I was inspired by these games  as a child to expand on the land and lore into my own version.

In these games, you are a human who mysteriously wakes up as a Pokemon in a new world. You meet your partner, and form a Rescue Team. Together you explore dungeons and take on jobs to help Pokemon in need, within those dungeons. Mystery Dungeons are "labyrinth-like structures with 3 to 99 floors that the player must traverse to complete missions and are home to many hostile Pokémon. They change the layout every time they are entered, making it impossible to predict how to get through beforehand. Dungeons may also have floors with set conditions such as weather effects or reduced sight." In the various games references a group of Pokemon who are behind the rescue teams. My story expands all of these concepts, with new features and lore.

If you have little to no experience with the series, I highly recommend playing Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Blue Rescue Team, which has a somewhat short storyline, then Explorers of Sky (which is much longer, but considered the best in the series). I strongly suggest emulating them. If this is inaccessible to you, the 3D remake on the Nintendo Switch is very close to the originals.

All information / links are from https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net

History of the Calora Region - A Rough Timeline

Millennium ago ancient Pokemon first appeared in this region. It is unknown when, and how. Groups of Pokemon came and went. Some species died out, some left the region, and new ones evolved. This is known as the Primeval Period.

Within the last 80,000-50,000 years, known as the Ancient Period, early Pokemon in the region began to develop a now-forgotten culture.  They built shrines and temples, now lost and broken ruins. They had unique beliefs and cultures, but so much information has been lost. Traces can be found within the underground dungeons and remains of mountainous temples. They primarily worshiped Arceus - there were other Legendaries who were considered Gods, but they were often out of reach or unpredictable, sometimes cruel.

Arceus, unable to interfere directly with the Legendaries, blessed a few Pokemon to protect some over the region, and to be able to fight back against the more rogue Legendaries. These would become Noble Pokemon. Treated like demigods of some sort. There are specific shrines dedicated to each, and a small group of worthy Pokemon were assigned to assist the Nobles.

The ancient Pokemon first discovered the Mystery Dungeons, and learned how to navigate them and gain resources. It is believed these Ancient pokemon had a close connection to the Dungeons and understood how they worked more than we do, and connect their existence to a Creation trio. Little else is known about this Ancient Period, but there are Pokemon today working hard to learn more about them.

Around roughly 30,000 years ago, the Foregone Period, was a sudden mass mortality event, wiping out a large population and forcing almost all Pokemon to flee the region by sea. Some believe the Legendaries caused it - whether it was their choice, or they were controlled by someone else. Some groups remained, however. One notable group remained in the Evergreen Isles, which had a connection with those living in the Western Pinelands. Another group fled to the east between Mt. Hemlock, and Mt. Dracaena, and were protected due to the heights and mountain ranges, forming the town Hollyhearth. Their descendants are alive today. 

The blessed Noble Pokemon went into deep sleep, hoping for their return.

About 8,000 years ago, began the Restoration Period, as Pokemon returned from across the world. In the early days of this period, there was a lot of conflict between Pokemon, as they tried to settle around the region and form settlements.  Some even used Legendaries as weapons against others. Trying to survive a new landscape, one that was once familiar, but now foreign. Larger groups began wars. Some Pokemon would go frenzy and harm their own group. The Noble Pokemon were stuck in their sleep - and the returned Pokemon were unaware of their existence. This period is also sometimes referred to as the Hostile Period.

An unknown hero, only known as Lucario, traveled the mainland from the Evergreen Isles to awaken the Noble Pokemon. With their help, they fought against the rogue Legendaries and hostile groups to reclaim the land for all.

Lucario climbed Mirage Mountain, to discover a mysterious temple above. The temple was pristine and inaccessible to any other Pokemon or Legendary. There, a connection was formed, and allowed Arceus to re-enter their realm, and calm the rest of the frenzied Legendaries and the save the Legendaries from the unknown force. 

Overtime, peace spread the region. Some of the groups reformed and worked together. These groups in the area became the regions known today. This is known as the Late Restoration Period.

However, something strange happened. After Arceus made the connection, the outer realms of the region are now unable to be traveled. More mystery dungeons appeared, some more dangerous and hostile. Despite this, culture, towns, and cities developed.

Inspired by the Legendary hero, and due to the growing hostility of the dungeons, lead to the creation of the Rescue teams who continue to help and unite the region to this day.

We are now in the Halcyon Period. 

Mystery Dungeons

In this world, Mystery Dungeons (or just simply dungeons) are "magical" areas spread across the region. Here is the information of them of how they work in game, and the Headworld's dungeons are based on this. They only exist within this region. Not much is known about them but there are some Pokemon studying them for answers. They are basically "pocket dimensions", with entrances within specific areas like a forest, a swamp, a canyon, a cave, and so on. You can safely travel in and around the area, but there will be a certain point where you will come across the entrance to the dungeon. Sometimes people end up there in an accident, which is why they need rescuing! 

Within a Dungeon, you can encounter:

• hostile Pokemon (in the context of this world, they aren't "real" Pokemon, but can still attack and hurt you)
• monster house (a room where you will be attacked by a large amount of Pokemon suddenly! uncommon but dangerous)
• traps (which may cause damage, status effects, ruin some of your items, and other things.).
• locked doors (keys will be needed)
• a boss pokemon (but not always)
• resources (from food, to materials, to treasure) the main reason why Pokemon explore dungeons

Magic

Things such as moves, abilities, types, status effects are normal and inherent to every Pokemon. There is a secondary sort of power referred to as magic. This refers to things like magical items like Orbs, Mega Evolutions, Z-Moves, Terastalization, and using powers that aren't official moves from the games. For example, Grass type Pokemon have a range of plant-based moves. However, they can't just simply grow specific flowers or plants from the ground. Learning magic allows them this ability. Another is Water Pokemon manipulating water that isn't theirs, Rock types manipulating Earth, almost like Avatar: The Last Airbender logic.  

Not all Pokemon are born with the ability to use magic efficiently but almost every Pokemon has the ability to learn it. Some have it easier than others, some it may take years. There are two schools dedicated to training, a modern one in Brineridge, and a more traditional one in Dragon's Gate.

Noble Pokemon

This concept is taken from Pokemon Legends Arceus. There are many Noble Pokemon, referred to as Lords. (I'm not using Lady as it  sounds a little silly. This does not mean they are all male. It is just an old, honorary term.)

These are descendants of past Noble pokemon - similar to how Legendaries are born, but these are literally born - as in their offspring. There are some Noble pokemon who have been lost to time.

• Lord of the Lake: Gyarados | located in Lake Gyarados
• Lord of the Woods: Kleavor | located in Wildpine Forest
• Lord of the Isles: Milotic | located near the Cobalt Coast
• Lord of the Hollow: Trevenant | located in Pumpkaboo Forest
• Lord of the Skies: Hisuian Braviary | located in the Cumulus Isles
• Lord of the Tundra: Avalugg | located in Altar of Ice
• Lord of the Volcano: Coalossal | located in Mt. Ashfall
• Lord of the Mountain: Wydeer | located in Serpentine Mountain Trail
• Lord of the Coast: Hisuian Arcanine | located in Windy Shoreline
• Lord of the Mesa: Garchomp | located Tawny Mesa
• Lord of the Sands: Camerupt | located in Mirage Sands
• Lord of the Reef: Wishiwashi | located in Seasound Ruins
• Lord of the Jungle: Zarude | located in Lost Undergrowth
• Lord of the Plains: Electivire | located in Amp Plains
• Lord of the Cove: Kingler | located in Glittering Glaciers
• Lord of the Hills: Drampa | located in Chaparral Highlands
• Lord of the Ruins: Copperajah | located in the Sunbeam Ruins

Miscellaneous Worldbuilding Notes

Random stuff I didn't fit into another page... maybe I will make a page for it in the future 

• humans do not exist
• dynamax does not exist
• certain legendaries do not exist in this canon (see NPC page)
• technology can be advanced or nonexistent. most of the world is rural styled / countryside. there are some major cities that are more modern in appearance and inspired by the mainline games, and they will have more modern technology to go with it. 
• there is a free railway system across the region (a mix of steam train, light rail, bullet train), most towns have a station. you can also travel via large flying pokemon via FlightTaxi (this is typically a Corviknight, but can also be Pigeot, Altaria, Talonflame, etc) but this will cost money
• most pokemon live typical human lifespans. some pokemon species live longer, it depends on the species and your choice. dragon types live about twice as long naturally, and some rock, psychic, and steel type can as well. legendaries live about 4-5 times longer than a human lifespan, possibly longer.
• most pokemon eat a pescatarian or vegetation diet. this includes foods such as: 
  • berries, which are found wild or grown on farms
  • poffins, a popular small cake-like food flavored with berries, originated in sinnoh. they are simple and cheap to make and easy to store, and because of this, are considered a staple food for travel.
  • poke puffs, small french macaron-like dessert with a frosted/decorated top, usually very cute in appearance. originally from kalos. while smaller than poffins, they are a little more expensive, more difficult to make without baking skills, and more desirable (as a treat.)
  • pokeblocks, a small, square-shaped, berry-based candy. flavor and texture differ based on the berries used. usually has a gummy-like texture.
  • curry, a popular food due to being easily made while on the road if you have camping supplies. varies based on ingredients. (can be made with meat products, or veggies/berries)
  • real-life fruits/vegetables
  • foods produced by pokemon: fungus grown on paras, gabite's scales as medicine, combee's honey, tropius' fruit, and so on. available at markets.
  • moo-moo cheese, or other dairy products made from miltank milk... yeah, don't think about it too much. does make a good filling, high protein food for travels. 
  • pokemon can eat meat, as in other pokemon. the most common are magikarp and barraskewda. it could be seen as a separate kind of magikarp/barraskewda who are more animal-like.

Pokemon Variants

Most Pokemon are of "Common" variant, but these are canon existing variants you can use for inspiration.

• Coastal sometimes take on a Water secondary or primary typing. These are Pokemon who evolved to live near or in the Sea.
• Mountain sometimes takes on a Rock, Fire (if Volcanic), Ground, or Fighting secondary or primary typing. These are Pokemon who evolved in rough, high altitude terrain.
• Plains sometimes takes on a Normal, Electric secondary or primary typing. These are Pokemon who evolved in long, flat grasslands. 
• Desert sometimes takes on a Ground, Poison or Dark secondary or primary typing. These are Pokemon who evolved in a dry, hot climate.
• Tundra sometimes takes on an Ice secondary or primary typing. These are Pokemon who evolved in a cold, northern climate.
• Jungle sometimes takes on a Grass or Psychic secondary or primary typing. These are Pokemon who evolved in dense, lush southern jungles.
• Forest sometimes takes on a Grass, Dark, Fairy, or Ghost secondary or primary typing. These are Pokemon who evolved in forests, either the western pines or eastern deciduous.