Understand the secrets and have some fun

[these_balls]

APPLICATIONS!
Currently: Closed!
Route 29 has closed as of May 30th. For the continuation of the game, please visit victory_road!

Applications will be normally checked during the weekend following the first and third Sunday of each month unless otherwise stated, and we will allow one application per person during one application cycle. Remember, the most characters one player can have at a time is currently set at five.

Applications received after 11:59 PM EST on Saturday of the first and third weekend of each month will be checked the following app weekend unless otherwise stated.

We now ask that potential applicants post their application in comments rather than linking. If their application contains explicit references to 'hard' spoilers (character death, unforeseen plot twists, big reveals, he was evil all along etc), players should put the application in their own journal or their character's journal and link it, making sure to mention the presence of spoilers within. For further clarification on our spoilers policy and whether or not your application needs to be linked, please check this page. Thank you for your cooperation!

The comment character limit on dreamwidth is 16,000 characters so apps no longer need to be split into multiple comments; however this is at players' discretion.

Please use the form below and post your application in comments rather than linking if you can. If you have any questions, feel free to ask either of the mods. You can reach us through emails, IMs, or PMs.

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Helpful links!
Taken: 1|2|3 / Reserves
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A compiled list of the starter pokémon to choose from offered in Route 29!
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<u><b>Player</u></b> <b>Name:</b> <b>Personal Journal:</b> <user name=""> <b>E-mail:</b> <b>AIM/Plurk/Etc.:</b> <b>Timezone:</b> <b>Current Characters in Route:</b> <b><u>Character</u></b> <b>Name:</b> <b>Series:</b> <b>Timeline:</b> <b>Canon Resource Links:</b> Here we would have the links to wikis and other information sites. If none of those seem to provide enough information, feel free to add more about the character here. However, please do not use this section as a full history section unless your canon is ridiculously obscure. General rule of thumb: if there are a good amount of descriptive resources, please just link them and use this section to add in what may have been left out, as opposed to writing an entire history section. <b>Personality:</b> Give us at minimum 2-3 full paragraphs of how you understand your character's personality. Talk about basic characteristics, any major developments over the course of their canon, their motives, their social behavior, and anything else you can think of that shows off your knowledge of this character. <b>Strengths/Weaknesses:</b> Try to cover the good points of what they can do, their life skills (not necessarily powers, but things they're just good at). Go into their biggest fears and what they just can’t do. <b><u>Pokémon Information</u></b> <b>Affiliation:</b> What career path will your character be taking? Breeder, Trainer? Or maybe even down the dark path of becoming a member of Team Rocket? Note: All Rocket members start as grunts. (For right now, only those three positions are available, whether your character chooses to follow their assigned path or not.) <b>Starter:</b> What starter pokémon do you want your character to have? Please use the list linked above to choose from. Certain pokémon have an orange star next to their names; if you choose one of these starters (Deino, Zorua, Litwick, Pikachu, Scyther, Dratini, Bagon, Gible, Axew, Ralts, Riolu, Beldum, Larvitar, Eevee, or Beldum) you must provide reasoning. You do not need to explain your reasoning for pokémon other than those listed above. <b>Password:</b> This is where you'll put the passwords from the Rules and the F.A.Q. There are two words, to assure you've read both. <b><u>Samples</u></b> <b>First Person Sample:</b> The sample must take place in Route_29's setting. Eight sentences is the minimum. This is a PokéConnect post--one that will be on the character's journal, broadcast to the network. Although it is short, it needs to show how your character would communicate with others, as well as be descriptive enough to express the character's voice without sounding too generic. <b>Third Person Sample:</b> The sample must take place in Route_29's setting. The minimum is 300 words. Please note that what we are looking for is an inner working into the character’s thoughts and actions, and how the character responds to the setting, not something that could be taken as an excerpt fanfic. You may use other characters to bounce your characters actions off of, but everything should still be mostly from their point of view.

Comments

Ken Ichijouji | Digimon Adventure 02 | Reserved

[empireofmymind]

Player
Name: Fetchie
Dreamwidth Username: made_in_wonder
E-mail: gibberditz39@yahoo.com
AIM/MSN: fetchie88
Timezone: EST
Current Characters in Route: None

Character
Name: Ken Ichijouji
Series: Digimon Adventure 02
Timeline: Post-series (spring 2003)
Canon Resource Links: Digimon Wiki [[Note: this wiki uses dub terms. I'm pulling Ken from the Japanese, so while the plot's the same, some of the names have changed. Notably - Digimon Kaiser instead of Digimon Emperor, Osamu instead of Sam.]]

Personality:
Ken has come a long way over the course of his canon. At first a boy crouching in his brother's shadow, hating himself for being "normal" but also for resenting said brother, Ken chooses escapism upon his brother's death. Upon provocation from villains glad to find an easy victim, Ken flees to the Digital World and his persona as the cruel Digimon Kaiser, seeking a world in which he's both chosen and "perfect", has total control, and can act without consequences.

Upon realizing his own delusions, Ken begins trying to live as himself - but first has to figure out exactly who "himself" might be. Because he never spent much time feeling valued or interacting with others, Ken's introspective in a self-absorbed way. He tries to relate every new piece of information or detail back to his own situation, obsessed with discovering his place in the world. Fortunately for him, by this point he's found it: he's a Chosen Child, sworn to protect the Digital World; a friend to his fellow Chosen; a partner and older brother figure to Wormmon; and a loving son who finally knows himself loved and valued in turn.

His sense of identity secure, most of Ken's current troubles are caused by his own skewed perspective. Though he possesses incredible attention to detail, he tends to lose sight of the big picture, or only grasps said big picture once a detail alludes to it. He also has difficulty accepting things happen for no reason: to Ken, every action has a purpose, from which some deeper meaning or interpretation can be extrapolated.

This tendency to extrapolate combines with his obsession about being singled out, stemming from being overlooked all his life: he doesn't ask his puppetmasters so much "Why me?" as "Why did it have to be me?", as if what's occurred is the only possible outcome. He's also equated usefulness and worth for years, and is only just beginning to embrace the tiny things that make life beautiful, which he's never been mentally prepared to appreciate before.

Yet for all his mental baggage, Ken's still able to focus when it matters and get the job done. When given a purpose he's near unstoppable, and works consciously to surmount both his external enemies and his own bad habits - be these habits as major as a desire to avoid what's painful or as simple as inexperience in social situations. (Ken remains a rather stiff, serious boy; he'll loosen up around his friends, but has awkward social skills otherwise. He alternates between brusqueness and not completing unpleasant sentences, walks away abruptly when he considers a conversation over, and spends so much time thinking over everything that occasionally his blunt pronouncements sound like non sequiturs.)

But just because expressing himself isn't easy doesn't mean Ken won't try, focusing on self-improvement but equally concerned about others' well-being. Ken cares deeply about his friends and family, and is conscientious even in the midst of battle - he stresses, for example, that they shouldn't fight Digimon within Mayan ruins, as the ruins are priceless cultural heritage. When he's overwhelmed, he's not ashamed to cry, but alternatively refuses to simply allow other people be hurt or manipulated as he was. He even uses his guilt over being the Kaiser for noble ends: because he’s the one who committed a terrible error, he’s also the one who needs to set things right. Ken simply won’t leave any issue alone until he’s satisfied with the results, and thrives on being able to make a difference.

Most importantly, he’s embraced that he’s only human. Ken can’t get over being the Digimon Kaiser; that’s not something one can ever put behind oneself. But he can live accepting that he made a mistake, cherishing himself in spite of his flaws, and focusing on what he can do in the present instead of the errors he can’t erase in the past. This acceptance of his own weakness and determination to live in the present day drives him now, and he’s focused on keeping his life that way.

Strengths/Weaknesses:
+ A really sweet guy at heart; defining trait is "kindness"
+ Good with younger kids (who act their age, at least)
+ Selfless son & friend, will do anything for loved ones
+ Goal-oriented, fearless when given a goal
+ Is working on relaxing/holding normal-sounding conversations
+ Appreciates life's simple pleasures
+ Current hobbies: soccer, jogging. Can speak Spanish. Formerly programmed computers and took judo.

+/- Willing to take one for the team, but also puts himself in unnecessary danger
+/- Has almost a sixth sense about when Supernatural Evil is Afoot. This could come in handy, but he often doesn't trust it - and it sometimes hurts like hell.
+/- Doesn't know when to leave well enough alone.

- Over-interprets everything, broods, esp. when he falls short of his own expectations.
- Freezes up in new/unexpected situations.
- Occasionally avoidant, though he's working on that. Still ends conversations waaay too abruptly.
- Trollable. Know how to push his buttons and you can play him like a video game.
- Cannot see the forest for the trees; focuses too much on his own perspective/involvement in events.
- Pessimistic - though again, he's working on that.

Pokémon Information
Affiliation: Trainer
Starter: Weedle
Password: raspberry lemonade

Samples
First Person Sample:
[The PokéConnect switches on to "voice".]

Good morning, everyone. Did you happen to see the sunrise this morning? Weedle and I found it extraordinary.

I have a question for advanced Pokémon trainers. What happens once one becomes a "Pokémon Master"? Is there something only Masters can do? Is defeating all the Gyms the only qualification?

Thank you for your time.
[And just like that, the transmission ends.]

Third Person Sample:
"You did it, Weedle!" Ken cheered as the wild Rattata, disoriented and woozy, staggered to the ground. While his Pokémon chattered in pride and satisfaction - being young, and fragile at that, victories were few and far between - Ken knelt by their fallen opponent.

"Are you all right?" he asked, digging in his backpack for an Antidote; upon learning of his Pokémon's particular specialty, he'd purchased as many of these items as he could afford once given the chance. "Here, this'll..."

The Rattata's eyes flickered open. Glaring, it bit at Ken's hand and staggered away.

Ken sighed, turning the Antidote over in his palm. Again. Again he tried to do the right thing, but his opponents refused the aid. Why? He'd only capture those who'd come willingly - and wasn't it better to receive assistance than suffer alone...

No. No, he knew the answer to that. Trust didn't come so easily, even without matters of pride. Foolish him, for believing anyone could possibly trust the hand that'd wounded them. Was he only trying to erase his acts by healing them afterwards?

Again, no. The scale wasn't the same. He was just still getting used to this world. And if he didn't trust his own intentions, who would?

Weedle curled up in his lap; Ken looked down to find the Pokémon's movements were sluggish. "Sorry," he murmured, replacing the Antidote and searching for a Potion instead. "I shouldn't leave you hanging like that. Congratulations on your win."

Giving another happy burble, Weedle snuggled up against Ken; a wave of nostalgia hit, but Ken's hands stayed steady and his face stayed thoughtful. Daydreaming about his world wouldn't help. Nor would refusing to follow the path he'd been handed. Someone had chosen him for this journey, just like the others - and Ken'd discover why, no matter what. That way, he'd be satisfied. That way, he could go home.

Weedle's stubby arms gripped Ken's front in what felt like a hug. Ken's shoulders relaxed, and he let himself smile. Yes. He'd do all that and more.

Because people were counting on him here, too.

ACCEPTED

[these_balls]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Pokemon!
Congratulations, you have a fun and exciting adventure awaiting you.

Now that you've been accepted...
[○] Respond to this with your character's journal. This is a must!
[○] Comment in the Taken Characters post, alphabetized by series: # thru H, I thru R, or S thru Z.
[○] Comment to the Friend Add/Remove, and update your friends list.
[○] Join the following communities: route_29, route_006, route_1065, pokedaycare.
Note! You will not be accepted to the main or logs community until you've commented in the aforementioned places.
[○] If you reserved, please let us know that they've been accepted.
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[○] Route 29 has an optional spam/meme community; it's slowpoke_gif!

Thank you! See you in Johto!

Re: ACCEPTED

[empireofmymind]

Here's Ken's journal!