003//video;

[thetombkeeper]

[The feed starts to Marik holding the small, freshly polished face mask of Yamask in one hand as he settles in to sit back down then passes it off to Chenzira, who looks quite pleased and sets it back to its proper spot on his tail. There's an amused smirk before he turns his full attention to his device. What a fitting time to bring up ghosts with the holiday he's unaware of approaching.]

I've been trying to learn as much as I can of Yamask since I arrived in this world. I think I've got a fairly good understanding of them by now. I wasn't entirely convinced of their pokedex entry at first but after spending more time with them, I believe there's some truth behind their story of origin. It's too on the nose not to be.

I don't know if anyone's interested in hearing about it. I.. guess if people want, I can post a summary of what I learned.

[It's a weird thought, that people might be genuinely interested in hearing what he has to say instead of him just talking to hear himself speak. Because he does that a lot. Not as much as before but still.]

I've tried asking some of the natives about it, particularly the people working at the Ruins of Alph but they all gave rather vague responses that didn't answer any of my questions at all.

[Marik clicks his tongue in annoyance.]

I know Yamask aren't the only ones with human origin. There's a number of ghost types that are said to be once human in their previous life and some that take others to the Afterlife.

[He's been reading up on the legends of the legendary pokémon in his free time, trying to make sense of everything.]

So both reincarnation and an afterlife exist here. Has anyone been able to learn any more stories or history about... any of those subjects? I'm genuinely curious.

[A pause as he exchanges a look with his Yamask.]

And does anyone have or seen a Cofagrigus in person? Neither myself of Chenzira here want him to evolve but I'm still interested in learning about his evolved species.


[attachment: text file titled "research notes"]


[ooc: I'll be tweaking with the info and layout as time goes on. ]

Comments

VIDEO

[seacub]

[GEE EMPORIO, HOW COME YOU HAVE TWO YAMASKS-

Though one seems stuck to a rock. Hmm.]

Uhhhh...I have, I guess? I ran into a few in the Ruins of Alph...errr...

What did you want to know about ghosts, ghost pokemon, and humans though..?

VIDEO i need a better excited icon that isn't menacing

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik perks up at both the Yamasks and the fact that this kid has seen a Cofagrigus. Even Chen tries to squeeze in closer in the video feed to see them.]

Really? I didn't run into any while I was there...

[Bad luck or bad timing. Who knows. With them being confirmed at that location though, he'll need to pop back to visit soon. Get himself One Spooky Coffin Boi.]

I want to know anything and everything! There's divine beings in this world. What is it about certain humans that causes them to reincarnate their souls into pokémon? Were the deities humans originally as well and were they changed into pokémon to fit the beliefs of the people?

[Marik, he's just a kid. Don't flood him with rhetorical questions.]

it's ok gfjhf- oh right heads up Emporio's like 2, almost 3y older now; icons be 12, but he's...not

[seacub]

W..well...I have noticed that a lot of rarer ghost pokemon tend to show up in areas I go near...

[Hmmm. This stuff though.]

Huh...I guess most of this would have to come from theory...I know Chef used to be...well, a baker of some kind, thanks to the cooking contest we entered, but I don't know why that happened. ...I don't think the deities were likely human though; if you think about it, a lot of Pokemon are like animals sure, but a lot are also closer to forces of nature, right?

Would you expect something like that to start out human?

I remember you mentioning that and forgot so thank you for reminding me

[thetombkeeper]

Do they?

[Interesting. Very interesting. So he isn't the only one who attracts ghost types...

The fact that Emporio has discovered a piece of his Yamask's past is exciting news to him. He's not about to barrage poor Chen with questions to figure out who he was. If the Yamask wants to know, Marik will let him discover it himself. Still! That only further cements his own theories and research.]

A baker? That's really neat that you were able to figure out that bit of his former life. He didn't seem uncomfortable remembering, did he?

And I guess I shouldn't say "humans," more like... humanoids. Sort of like the various polythestic religions, you know? They can change their form to how they see fit but most remain humanoid. The forces of nature aspect certainly matches up too.

[He rubs his chin in thought for a moment.]

... Oh. Your one Yamask. With the purple eyes. Is that... a stone slab on his tail? What variety is that? I've never seen one before...

action

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba's content to sit with their teams for the evening. He finds himself curling against Zephyra more and more as the chilly nights approach, grateful that she keeps him warm so easily. Selene the Eevee sits in his lap, and King's already snuggling in his shell for the night.

He quietly listens to Marik's discussion of his research, lost in thought for a little while. And then: ]

You know I have trouble believing in all of that. But I guess it's not that different from...I've heard some people say they wouldn't mind being reincarnated as a companion, like a cat or dog. Pokémon are a fair bit stronger. And more spoiled if they find you.

[thetombkeeper]

[Oba's curled up towards the opening of King's shell as always and the rest of Marik's team besides Chen are in their pokéballs for the night. When Kaiba speaks up, the blonde looks over at him. He debates mentioning that everyone has seen or heard Arceus at one point when they returned to Johto.]

If you do good in life and once you finally take the path to Duat, the God Osiris will decide if you're worthy of being reborn. You don't really have a choice in what He picks though. That's what I was taught, at least.

I suppose whatever deity here who's domain is death and the afterlife might be the one deciding who gets reincarnated. I need to figure out which one it is... Arceus's direct "children" seem to encompass time and space rather than life and death. I don't know if it's Arceus itself that governs those domains.

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba is content to sit and pet Selene for a few moments. It's comfortable, and he's making room just in case Marik and Chen are cold. ]

I wonder...might be fun to scare people, but it might also be lonely until you find someone who understands you.

[ Deep sigh. ]

The priest was lucky he became me, though I guess I can't entirely rule out being a Garchomp at some point.

[rolltoavoidpossession]

[Good news: based on the background, it seems Ryou made it to Cherrygrove! He's currently got Banshee the Hisuian Zorua in his lap, along with an Espurr clinging to the top of his head. The Espurr is just...staring, with those big wide eyes.]

It's not just humans. I was looking at Banshee's entry, and it sounds like her variant of Zorua are resurrected regular Zorua. They apparently get power from resentment.

[Not that this stops him from petting Banshee.]

[thetombkeeper]

[Cherrygrove is very nice. One of his favorite towns so far.

... also no Ryou why do you have one of those?! It's bad enough he has to deal with Atem's in person! Marik grimaces for a second.]

I hadn't read their pokédex entry before. Huh...

[That's... a damn fitting starter for the teen, that's for sure, Spirit or not.]

A variant makes more sense than becoming a different species all together though. That raises the question, was this world just pokémon first and then the humans were created...?

[He shakes his head.]

... Sorry. Thinking outloud. I don't expect you to know. You just got here. Have you noticed any particular behavior from your Zorua that seems... odd or hostile? I know someone else with one and theirs is unusually aggressive.

[rolltoavoidpossession]

[Aww, but he thinks that Espurr is great! Look at it!

Ryou blinks, about to point out that he wouldn't know anything about this world yet, but it seems Marik realizes that and asks something else before he can say anything.]

Hm, she does like to fight. She kept trying to take on everything on the road to Cherrygrove, even though her only move was Shadow Sneak and she couldn't hit a lot of things.

[crystalmaster]

Your research is really interesting! That is ... pretty confusing to have both reincarnation and an afterlife here. I wonder how they choose who goes where or if it's just random. Or maybe it's people with unfinished business who reincarnate.

[thetombkeeper]

Ah, thanks... I hope it read alright.

[It's still weird hearing praise.]

Are you familiar with any of the polythestic religions of our world?

[crystalmaster]

I followed it fine!

Not too much, I have to admit.

[ironchef]

I've not seen one. I know most pokemon can still be bred. Kind of weird to think some lines of Pokemon might have come from humans in the beginning.

[thetombkeeper]

[You just broke his brain, Hunk.]

... I hadn't even thought of that. Gods, that's even more bizarre... Can ghost types breed...? Does that mean they're not incorporeal?

[ironchef]

Well yeah, actually. And the idea is super wierd. I've not actually bred any yet, but my handbook tells me all about it.

Most of them are in this group called the "Amorphous" egg group. Yamask and Cofagrigus are both in it... and the Mineral group, weirdly enough.

video

[nellacerniera]

I have limited experience with Ghost types, and certainly no personal experience with Yamask or Cofagrigus, but I can at least speak of the ones I have trained--Shuppet and Banette, the Honedge line, Mimikyu, and the Typhlosion variant specific to Hisui. The last of those may be the most relevant to what you've been wondering about, I believe.

video

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik's typing away to add the names to his notes.]

I've been told the basic tale of Shuppet and Banette but if you have them, I'd love to hear about your personal experiences with them.

Hisui variants seem to have a lot of ghost types from what I've noticed. I wonder what it was about that place that prompts the change...

[nellacerniera]

Pizzelle is a bit more vindictive than most of my other Pokémon, but otherwise, she's quite sweet. I don't know if her temperament would differ from a Banette found in the wild, since I've yet to encounter one and Pizzelle I've had since she was a Shuppet.

If I remember correctly, Hisuian Typhlosion was said to be affected by the energy of the mountain in Hisui's center, which was considered sacred. Its fire is said purify souls and it guides those souls to the afterlife, so... make of that what you will.

Video

[logical_lioness]

Oh, Merlin, these research notes are excellent! Would you mind if I took a copy of them?

It's nice to see other people like to research as well. I can tell you some of the things I've discovered about the ghost-type pokemon I own, if that helps? I always try to find out as much about them as I can when I catch them.

Video

[thetombkeeper]

Oh. Thanks, Hermione. I don't mind at all! Use them however you'd like. I'm planning on adding on to it now that a decent amount of people have given me more information to work with.

And that would be great! Only if it's not too much trouble for you. I've got a certain fondness for ghost-types so I love learning everything I can about them.

[logical_lioness]

[She gives Marik a wide smile and then turns to rummage on her desk before proudly producing a thick, tabbed notebook. She starts flipping through it, skimming pages before landing on one of the pages she's looking for.]

Here we go! Okay, so Mismagius - obviously the name appears to be derived from a combination of Mage, Magus, and mischievous, and the pointed shape of their head is synonymous with a witch's hat, so it makes sense. They've been likened to banshees - that's a female spirit in Gaelic folklore with an ear-splitting cry - as it's pre-evolution, Misdreavus, wails at night to frighten people.

[She glances over at her Mismagius, Umbra, who just pokes her tongue out at Hermione. Hermione rolls her eyes.]

[mutters] There's definitely a common thread with ghost pokemon and making mischief, that's for sure....

[action]

[paythepenalty]

[As someone with his fair share of experience with reincarnation and the afterlife, Atem has been softly launched into thought about what those things mean here in Johto and how Pokémon could be involved. Going to the afterlife is something on the edge of his resting mind; Johto has been a distraction from thinking about missing the Ceremonial Duel with Yugi, but in the quiet times he's definitely in his head about it.]

[Atem approaches Marik, not entirely sure how to start the conversation, but he's going for it anyway.]

Marik. About your post earlier...

[He pauses. Then he takes out Mahado's PokéBall where the Sigilyph is taking a rest from his orbiting habit, and stares at it.]

My Sigilyph's PokéDex entry says they once guarded ancient buildings by circling them. Perhaps mine senses something ancient in me.

[He huffs, amused, and reattaches the Ball to the chain on his pants. Obelisk is out of his ball and by Atem's feet, grasping onto one of his boot buckles with his tiny paw. He's staring at Marik; he's used to him now, but he's always watching. Atem sighs and puts his hands in his pockets.]

What stories have you heard about Pokémon and the afterlife here? I'm curious.

[action]

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik turns at the sound of Atem's voice. Chen's tucked into the front of his coat with his head peeking out from under the blonde's chin.]

Hm?

[He looks at the pokéball then to the Pharaoh.]

I've been wanting to study Sigilyph. I only caught some glimpses of them in the distance when I was at the Ruins of Alph.

Considering the way this world seems to work, you were given that starter because of who you are. It's too intentional to be a coincidence.

[A quick glance to Obelisk with the slightest of sneers. He knows he doesn't mean any harm but still. Those eyes.]

I've heard a lot today. More than I thought I would. I've got a good amount to add to my notes.

[He pauses.]

Have you... read over them or... ah... would you like me to read them to you?

[action]

[paythepenalty]

[Atem turns the starter thing over in his head a bit. Because of who he is? So, in a way, this is destiny. He glances down to Mahado's Pokéball he just clipped back into place.]

Feel free to study him anytime, Marik.

[Obelisk continues to stare at Marik with no sign of reacting to him.]

[Atem nods and smiles that half-smirk half-smile thing he does.]

I've read some, but I would like to hear them in your words.