CODEX ENTRY: ASPER (AREA 1)

AREA 1: ASPER

O brave new world, That has such people in’t.

The first international playable location in UNOVR, Area 1: Asper is where the player starts their journey and where the bulk of beginning gameplay takes place. This starting area plays host to Tutorial Mode as well as important cross-regional locations such as The Rookery and Dream Kingdom. The player-built settlement of Briarbane can be found on the northwest coastline.

There are three routes of increasing difficulty in terms of wild Pokemon: BIRCHWILD GROVE (easy) MISTY TIMBERLAND (medium) and THE SURGE STEPPES (difficult). Each route has its own distinctive shrine, which was systematically awoken by players and subsequently reclaimed by each of the three Legendary Birds (Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos.)

Additionally, each of these beginning routes contains a Team Base for one of Asper's Guilds, which are members-only.

Time has been kind to Asper, with relatively few changes since the construction of Briarbane Settlement. Most notably are the presence of Awakened Moltres in the cleansed Noonlight Shrine, a minor change of native flora in the Misty Timberlands, and the removal of the Giant Shrine from the Surge Steppes (taken by Zapdos).

NOTABLE PLACES

Starter Lab - This high-tech, modern building can be located in the center of Briarbane Settlement, and is where every trainer starts their journey. Originally, players came here to get starter Pokemon from System Admin:ProfessorAsh: now, the lab is run by System Admin:Bunyaa.

Bethany's Boudoir - This trade shop by System Admin:Bethany2 is extremely atmospheric. Pokemon are given out in little coffins and it always seems to be the full moon when you enter.

Noonlight Shrine - Once blackened with Corruption, this ancient tree covered in new growth is located on ROUTE 1: BIRCHWILD GROVE. Ascended Moltres can be found perched in the branches here, who people sometimes pray to for good fortune in battle.

Precipice Shrine - This cold, gaping pit located on ROUTE 2: MISTY TIMBERLANDS shimmers with the energy of a hidden portal. Previously used as a dumping grounds for Briarbane Settlement, there are many signs warning people against disposing of their garbage here. Small pink wildflowers ring the clearing.

Rt.3 Pokemon Center - The former System Admin:ProfessorAsh's field research site, this circle of medical tents substitutes for the fact that there is no longer a shrine in ROUTE 3: THE SURGE STEPPES. System Admin:Bethany3 is happy to bandage up your wounded Pokemon.

STORY QUEST

• STORY QUEST 1: Asper Sampling
  
• SIDE QUEST: Guild the Lily
• WORLD EVENT: Noonlight Raid
• SIDE QUEST: Steel Yourselves
• WORLD EVENT: The Precipice Crown
• SIDE QUEST: Escort the Prince
• STORY QUEST 2: Heart of Darknyas
• WORLD EVENT: Thunderfall Raid

PROFESSOR ASH'S ENTRY

TO: Pokemon Front Exploration Commission
FROM: Professor Ash
CC: Dr Bunya, Cygnus
SUBJECT: RE:TERMINATION NOTICE - PROFESSOR ASH

SPOILER: Click to show

{READ MORE...}Good afternoon PFEC Board,

I understand the reasoning outlined in my termination notice, and while I accept your decision there are several things which must be made clear before you decide on my replacement. These last few days have been quite enlightening for me, and any replacement for my position must be forewarned with the knowledge of the mantle they are taking on.

Please read the following reports and attached records with an open mind, however unlikely the events therein may seem at first glance. I am certain that upon careful review you will gain a deeper understanding of my decision to refuse corporate orders in this situation.

First and foremost, please find attached a full written record of recent events. It has now been four days since the 'Thunderfall Event' in the Surge Steppes (see attached map), wherein a grievous miscalculation on my part almost caused the deaths of three legendary Pokemon. More than that, I have incontrovertible data to support the belief that not only are the Pokemon in the Asper region highly intelligent, but that they have achieved full sentience. Not only this, but some of the legendary Pokemon in the region have the ability to take human form, and are also integral to the ongoing stability of the region.

I am aware of the remarkable nature of these claims, and thus have attached irrefutable data. Please find attached a full report of my time thus far in Asper, including testimonials from several of the trainers in the region, and complete video footage of the Thunderfall Event.

I believe that upon careful review of the attached videos and transcripts, it will become clear that my findings are incontestable.

However, as we are all aware, my work in the Asper region was not to prove sentience. Instead, it was to steward the trainers through their adventures in a new land and clear the unexplored segments of Corruption to facilitate further expansion and exploration. It is now crystal clear that I am unable to fulfil this task.

The trainers of this region are unique, and eccentric. I do not understand them, and I advise my replacement to keep an open mind when interacting with them, as they can be erratic, violent, nonsensical, and superhuman in their abilities.

I do not know where they are from, or the depths and complexities of their relationship with Pokemon. They are aware of many aspects of this world that are inaccessible to me, and they possess powers beyond my understanding, most notably the ability to communicate directly with Pokemon via human speech.

As my job is to match trainers with their first Pokemon, and I am unable to understand either the trainers of this region or the endemic Pokemon, I hope that my replacement is more capable of performing this crucial task.

As per your previous email, I have vacated my post and left the keys and control of the lab with Doctor Bunya.

I appreciate all of your assistance over the years, and your faith in my abilities, evidenced by this placement and your generous funding of my exploration. I regret that I was unable to complete my contract, but given another chance I would make the same choice and picked life over progress. Perhaps with the benefit of foresight I would have made the choice sooner.

Yours faithfully,
Professor Ash

WILD POKEMON