Post by clair on Jul 5, 2012 13:08:32 GMT -5
BLACKTHORN CITY
[/font][/size][/center]Truly, it is more ancient than it appears. Generations ago, Blackthorn City was created by a semi-nomadic clan of viciously-tempered people who enjoyed training what they believed to be the most powerful pokemon - dragons. They settled in the mountains in hopes of not being disturbed by the rest of the world and eventually Blackthorn came about. After finally settling and exploring (following paths leading into the mountain) they learned that they had chosen well in a place to settle, for Dragons dwelled just near them. Over time, the masters that came from the Clan gained the respect of the Dragons, and the two groups of rivaling species managed to coexist harmoniously. It continued this way for more years than anyone can currently count.
Now, though, that war has struck, things have changed. Though Blackthorn City still focused on training powerful pokemon and often had many hot-blooded and powerful individuals in their midst, the bloodline of the original founders has been diluted. Although there are still some full-blooded members (such as Clair and Lance), there are others that the Clan considers only to be half-blooded. Full-blood members are considered to be members of The Dragon Clan by birthright, but those that are of mixed heritage may never gain that privilege. The Clan runs Blackthorn, and with Clair as its public face, she carries out the wishes of her Grandfather, The Master.
The Dragon's Den itself is another story. The light from the sun quickly fades once you enter the den, for the winding, rock-carved stairs that take you to the heart of it tunnel deep below Blackthorn City and into the mountains surrounding Blackthorn. If you know where to go, there are actually three human-accessible levels to the den itself. The Shrine on the first level is where members of the Clan go to honor their ancestors and Dragon partners, though it can be approached by the public. All throughout the Den, Dragon Tamers train their pokemon practically day and night in an attempt to rival the Clan in power. The deeper into The Den you get, though, the stronger (and scarier) the trainers and pokemon alike will be.
Now, though, that war has struck, things have changed. Though Blackthorn City still focused on training powerful pokemon and often had many hot-blooded and powerful individuals in their midst, the bloodline of the original founders has been diluted. Although there are still some full-blooded members (such as Clair and Lance), there are others that the Clan considers only to be half-blooded. Full-blood members are considered to be members of The Dragon Clan by birthright, but those that are of mixed heritage may never gain that privilege. The Clan runs Blackthorn, and with Clair as its public face, she carries out the wishes of her Grandfather, The Master.
The Dragon's Den itself is another story. The light from the sun quickly fades once you enter the den, for the winding, rock-carved stairs that take you to the heart of it tunnel deep below Blackthorn City and into the mountains surrounding Blackthorn. If you know where to go, there are actually three human-accessible levels to the den itself. The Shrine on the first level is where members of the Clan go to honor their ancestors and Dragon partners, though it can be approached by the public. All throughout the Den, Dragon Tamers train their pokemon practically day and night in an attempt to rival the Clan in power. The deeper into The Den you get, though, the stronger (and scarier) the trainers and pokemon alike will be.
THE CITY
❚ Outposts and Watchtowers
❚ Social Places and Shelter
❚ Guard Posts and Patrol Areas
❚ Entrances and Exits
❚ Landmarks and Notable Structures
There are five watchtowers scattered all around Blakthorn City. They aren't actual "towers" per se, but instead built into the mountainsides that practically surround the borders of the city as a natural wall. Outposts A and B are where most of the surveillance of the City take place, seeing as from those positions most of the City can be seen. They stay in active communication with Outpost E to keep a triangulated watch over Blackthorn. E also doubles as a point to watch down Route 45 as well. Outposts C and D, however, concentrate their efforts on looking both to the skies and the other sides of the mountains, as well as overlooking the entrances to Ice Path and The Dragon's Den.
❚ Social Places and Shelter
There are four main parts of Blackthorn City that make it livable and beyond what it used to be, actually entertaining.
The generalized "center" of the city, Location A, contains the Pokemon Center and relatively open-air market. The Pokemon Center has grown over the years, particularly after the Battle of the Dragon's Den, and is now twice the size it used to be, and three stories tall with one story beneath ground as a basement. The main floor is where the healing and various treatments of pokemon and people take place, as well as an open lobby for pokemon and people to interact. The top two floors, however, are a mix of rooms for people to stay overnight if they don't have the money for a hotel, and private rooms dedicated to medical treatment of some kind. The lower levels are largely storage, though there are a few rooms. It has also been protected greatly and can serve as a, Arceus forbid, bomb shelter. The newly renovated Pokemart is now open-air for the most part, save for glass siding that can raise and lower as needed. It has turned its attention to more natural treatments and supplements for pokemon, having a large number of herbalists and energy gurus.
Location B is a place exclusive to members of the Dragon Clan. Normal civilians are not allowed within the seven-foot brick wall that surrounds the area, and to pass through the gates identification by the guards is necessary. This is where the houses (practically mansions, really) of the members of the renown family are. There is a large courtyard in the middle of the houses, as well. No non-Clan members are permitted here.
Location C is more for the public than anyone else. It consists of restaurants and hotels (nothing flashy, very modest colors and something that doesnt make much noise and pollution) that are actually quite decent despite their homely appearance. The food served is a bit pricey, but it is well worth it for anyone that enjoys satisfying their tastebuds. The hotels are also secure and protected 24/7 by round-the-clock staff that are armed with pokemon.
Lastly, Location D houses the City Hall (and some nice scenery) where all the major meetings and debates of the higher-ups in Blackthorn (and sometimes Lux if such an event occurs) take place. Civilians are allowed to sit in on these meetings unless otherwise specified, but they are not permitted to say a word unless spoken to directly by someone at the table.
❚ Guard Posts and Patrol Areas
Look closely for these. No matter what time of day, there are always guards posted at these locations, at the gates to the Dragon Clan's moiety, the entrance to the Gym, the entrance to The Dragon's Den, the southern entrance/exit to the City, and lastly the entrance/exit Ice Path.
Somewhere like the gates of the Clan's moiety will have two actual, small brick-walled buildings for the guards to stay in that are large enough to have two single beds and a kitchenette, as well as the ones in front of the Gym and southern entrance/exit. However, the ones in the front of Ice Path and The Dragon's Den are only two small, single-person buildings to protect them from the elements when needed.
❚ Entrances and Exits
Where most people pass through when they come to Blackthorn City for the first time, Entrance A connects the stretching path from Blackthorn to the opening of Ice Path. Guards patrol the last few rooms of Ice Path, but not the whole thing, just for preparation and passing word of newcomers.
Exit B leads directly into The Dragon's Den. The Guards posted here make sure that only Dragon Tamers enter the Den past their watch by asking them to display their party on-hand. The Guards at this entrance are Tamers themselves, and patrol inside the Den between shifts to keep it safe. Exit C has been added since the War began, and it is immediate access to the deeper levels of The Den for the members of the Dragon Clan. It is a Clan Secret.
Lastly, Entrance D connects Route 45 to Blackthorn over a re-fortified wooden bridge that passes over roaring whitewater below. Don't fall off, or the churning current bashing against the sides of the cliffs in Blackthorn's Gorge will kill you.
❚ Landmarks and Notable Structures
The Gym. This is an obvious one. To this day Clair still takes challengers, but they have to be able to beat the guards posted at the entrance. Despite the seemingly stupid idea to have dangerous substances indoors, there is literally a floor of Lava in this Den, and anybody wishing to contact Clair needs to either work their way through the maze of shifting rock formations or fly over the Lava. Clair spends a considerable amount of time here, in her "throne". Even if she is defeated, she gives no Badges.
Mark B is the monument that was erected after The Battle of the Dragon's Den. Originally it was planned to be built within the Dragon's Den, but Clair lobbied to have it built in Blackthorn City where all could see it and respect the Lux that fought so bravely to protect it.
Mark C, however, is a Blackthorn-funded project rather than an all-Lux funded one. It was erected as a monument to the generations of Dragon pokemon and Tamers that have lived and died in Blackthorn, as well as those that were born and left. It is carved marble in the rough shape of two Dragonair and a Salamence. It is called Dragon Rock for obvious reasons.
Though it is not labeled, a small path has been made of sandstone that sits on the shallow lake between the Gym and Dragon's Den. It hugs the mountainside as not to obscure view, but it is a footpath for access rather than needing a pokemon to cross to the den every time.
THE DRAGON'S DEN
As stated above, the Dragons Den is a place created by the Masters generations ago where they could train and coexist with Dragon Pokemon and grow stronger. It is a sacred ground that the Dragon Clan believes only chosen people should enter - i.e. Dragon Tamers that have come to respect the power of the Dragon pokemon (and proving it by battling Clair and defeating her) or members of the Dragon Clan themself who had trained in the art of Dragon Taming since a young age.
There are three levels to it, each deeper underground than the last. The first level contains the Dragon Shrine.
In the Den, you will find a vast variety of Dragon pokemon. Most commonly you will come across Dratini (they may be small but they can pack a whallop) and Dragonair, along with Gyarados in the water. If you're lucky, you might see a Kingdra or Axew in the water or on the rocks. Also, there have been rare sightings of Dragonite and Shelgon on the deepest level of the Den. The pokemon in the lowest level are rumored to be nearly blind, for the only light are large fires that are ever-burning flames in the center of each level, created by Flamethrowers and Dragonbreaths alike by Dragons ages ago.
There are three levels to it, each deeper underground than the last. The first level contains the Dragon Shrine.
In the Den, you will find a vast variety of Dragon pokemon. Most commonly you will come across Dratini (they may be small but they can pack a whallop) and Dragonair, along with Gyarados in the water. If you're lucky, you might see a Kingdra or Axew in the water or on the rocks. Also, there have been rare sightings of Dragonite and Shelgon on the deepest level of the Den. The pokemon in the lowest level are rumored to be nearly blind, for the only light are large fires that are ever-burning flames in the center of each level, created by Flamethrowers and Dragonbreaths alike by Dragons ages ago.