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LEADER: Emporio Alniño
BADGE: Petal Badge
LOCATION: New Bark Town
HOURS: 24/7
THEME: Camping + Safety
PRIZE: Safety Goggles
NEW-BARK PETAL GYM
"FLOWER IN ADVERSITY"
GYM OVERVIEW
TAGLINE: "Prove yourself to the wilds of Johto and elsewhere, by taking the challenge of a Pokemon Triathlon!"
INFO + STAFFING: At the Petal Gym, one can take courses for survival in the wilderness, or alternatively test their might and knowledge against the very same field used to learn about the outdoors. Characters will be assisted or supervised by Ranger and Camper/Picknicker class trainers hired by the gym facility.
PETAL CAMPING CO-OP Located in New Bark Town, at the border to Route 29, characters entering this building will find themselves in a storefront stocked with tents, sleeping bags, and many other useful items for those setting out on their journey. To assist such hopefuls, Petal Gym operates on a loan system- those who cannot afford the goods are allowed to temporarily borrow them in return for a later payment. At such time the payment is given, they may either keep the equipment, or use the payment toward a better purchase (such as a larger tent, and so on.) For information on the Gym Programs and Challenges, see their respective tabs.
CURRENT STOCK:
INFO + STAFFING: At the Petal Gym, one can take courses for survival in the wilderness, or alternatively test their might and knowledge against the very same field used to learn about the outdoors. Characters will be assisted or supervised by Ranger and Camper/Picknicker class trainers hired by the gym facility.
PETAL CAMPING CO-OP Located in New Bark Town, at the border to Route 29, characters entering this building will find themselves in a storefront stocked with tents, sleeping bags, and many other useful items for those setting out on their journey. To assist such hopefuls, Petal Gym operates on a loan system- those who cannot afford the goods are allowed to temporarily borrow them in return for a later payment. At such time the payment is given, they may either keep the equipment, or use the payment toward a better purchase (such as a larger tent, and so on.) For information on the Gym Programs and Challenges, see their respective tabs.
CURRENT STOCK:
- Camper Tents - Basic Galarian-style camping tents, which are outfitted with a camping wood-stove and enough space for two cots. They're all-season approved, though any fancy designs or upgrades require extra payment up-front.
- Sleeping Bags, Cots, and Sleepwear - While bags trainers arrive with include a sleeping-bag, Emporio is willing to help trainers trade them in for one of better quality if needed. Or even replace it, if needed. He also provides cots to keep sleeping arrangements off the ground- and sleepwear, which many just won't arrive with.
- Packaged Foods + MREs - Meals Ready to Eat, as MRE means, are essentially bags that can simply be heated and eaten from. They're a form of ration, as students will learn, and as can be read from books available, but they're not the only food stocked here- trainers can also get simple foods capable of being cooked on the tent woodstove, and cookbooks to better help things along.
- Camp Utensils + Supples - Anything from cooking utensils, to flares, to spark-rocks can be found here, though they're all fairly simple. The store is meant to get people going, not outfit them like the pros; but safety comes part of that, and the store supply reflects this.
- Basic Clothing + Weather Clothing - In addition to storing basic seasonal gear according to the time of year- snowsuits and boots for winter, rain ponchos for spring, so on- there's a good stock of basic pants and shirts in various sizes! A lot of these clothes are donated, but it's for a good cause; trainers come in with nothing but the clothes on their back and in their backpack, and for many, that's not necessarily enough to last until they can buy more.
- Informational Books - Last of all is a stock of supplementary books to add to the basics included in every trainer manual; things like how best to orient a tent, how to recognize an incoming storm, and more can all be found inside, and there's also specific books as well. Like Cookbooks, or Pokemon Field Guides.
GYM STRUCTURE + LAYOUT
EXTERIOR: The main exterior of Petal Gym is deceptively simple; constructed akin to a wood cabin, it has a modest two floors with a large double door entryway. With its sloping rooftop and natural chimney, it looks all the part of a cozy cottage...aside from those doors of course. Not to mention, the sign up above said doors- carved in wood beneath the image of the petal-free gym badge can be read 'NEW-BARK PETAL GYM', painted in bright, reflective colors. Rather than listing hours, one can find that the doors inside are always unlocked- and looking through the glass, someone is always at the desk as well.
INTERIOR: Inside of Petal Gym, and one finds that same cozy experience, with rustic furnishings and posters detailing basic camping tips. Considered staff only, the upstairs floor can be accessed by the stairs at the back and right of the building, near to the washrooms. Standing under sloped ceilings due to the building's construction, this is where sleeping quarters for current trainers on staff can be found. There is also a small kitchenette area near the stairway that serves as both a break-area and a room of separation to keep stairway noise from anyone sleeping.
On the main floor however, is of course much more; the doorway opens to the entire 'store front' of the building, as well as the reception desk where courses, challenges, and purchases are handled. Given that the store is meant to carry only basics and in small amounts, there aren't really any 'aisles'. It would be more accurate to say that there are shelves, with a table of goods in the middle, along with a chair or two for anyone waiting for friends to either register or return from the back. People can also find chairs to wait in to the left of the desk, near the back door- it's a more private area, and better for longer waits. The fireplace can be found here as well.
FIELD OVERVIEW: Upon leaving the backdoor of the Petal Gym, one enters an area considered 'wild' by most cartographers in the region. Carefully carved away using a combination of quick work and the move Secret Power, a massive obstacle course stretches onward among the trees, its full appearance altered by the patterns of the weather. While part of this is only made possible by a few clever mechanics designed by Emporio himself, most of it is entirely natural.
There are three core components to the gym field, which are reflected in the path expected of anyone moving through. The first portion of the field is built on a staggered incline, using a false hill- grass and trees grow along this structure, with grass reaching absurd length during the watery seasons, and the inside of the structure has been constructed to create a cave, with obstacles throughout.
The second component includes similar obstacles, but with either pathways or even markers to designate proper traffic; this is the section of the course used for vehicular training, and for the sake of those who made good time in the section prior, has a few camping sites dotted throughout. This does not change for the hidden 'tunnel' version beneath it.
Lastly, the third component is always dedicated to travel with pokemon- it is far more rugged than the earlier zones, but due to its length between it and the platform arena Emporio waits at, trainers are expected to cross it within a matter of hours on pokemon-back. It is these distances combined which make it possible for such a quick exit as well; upon completing a course or a challenge, trainers are flown directly back to the gym's back door, a process that takes hardly any time at all.
INTERIOR: Inside of Petal Gym, and one finds that same cozy experience, with rustic furnishings and posters detailing basic camping tips. Considered staff only, the upstairs floor can be accessed by the stairs at the back and right of the building, near to the washrooms. Standing under sloped ceilings due to the building's construction, this is where sleeping quarters for current trainers on staff can be found. There is also a small kitchenette area near the stairway that serves as both a break-area and a room of separation to keep stairway noise from anyone sleeping.
On the main floor however, is of course much more; the doorway opens to the entire 'store front' of the building, as well as the reception desk where courses, challenges, and purchases are handled. Given that the store is meant to carry only basics and in small amounts, there aren't really any 'aisles'. It would be more accurate to say that there are shelves, with a table of goods in the middle, along with a chair or two for anyone waiting for friends to either register or return from the back. People can also find chairs to wait in to the left of the desk, near the back door- it's a more private area, and better for longer waits. The fireplace can be found here as well.
FIELD OVERVIEW: Upon leaving the backdoor of the Petal Gym, one enters an area considered 'wild' by most cartographers in the region. Carefully carved away using a combination of quick work and the move Secret Power, a massive obstacle course stretches onward among the trees, its full appearance altered by the patterns of the weather. While part of this is only made possible by a few clever mechanics designed by Emporio himself, most of it is entirely natural.
There are three core components to the gym field, which are reflected in the path expected of anyone moving through. The first portion of the field is built on a staggered incline, using a false hill- grass and trees grow along this structure, with grass reaching absurd length during the watery seasons, and the inside of the structure has been constructed to create a cave, with obstacles throughout.
The second component includes similar obstacles, but with either pathways or even markers to designate proper traffic; this is the section of the course used for vehicular training, and for the sake of those who made good time in the section prior, has a few camping sites dotted throughout. This does not change for the hidden 'tunnel' version beneath it.
Lastly, the third component is always dedicated to travel with pokemon- it is far more rugged than the earlier zones, but due to its length between it and the platform arena Emporio waits at, trainers are expected to cross it within a matter of hours on pokemon-back. It is these distances combined which make it possible for such a quick exit as well; upon completing a course or a challenge, trainers are flown directly back to the gym's back door, a process that takes hardly any time at all.
TEAMS + CHALLENGES
GYM BASICS: In order to challenge the Petal Gym, characters must have fulfilled one of two requirements; either they will have four badges to present to the trainer on staff, or they will have previously taken one of five different instruction courses on survival camping. Once a gym challenge begins, challengers may either bring their own ride pokemon, or borrow from the gym for the duration of the course. It is anticipated that completion of the obstacle course will take no more than two days, but staff are available to assist in emergencies.
At the end of this obstacle course, challengers will meet Emporio in battle- and depending on their skill, may either defeat him, or otherwise fail. Failure however does not mean an immediate loss- those who recognize their inexperience and forfeit the match will be presented with the badge for recognizing their own limitations. The gym emphasizes safety and survival above all else after all, and one must remember they can run from wild pokemon.
Depending on the season and weather, differing courses will be available for challenge. It is for this reason that the Gym Badge has five hollow petals attached; completion of one particular challenge nets a colored glass petal to insert into the frame, with the option to re-take the challenge up to five times for a completed flower.
SNOW TEAM:
❄️ 
❄️ 
❄️ 
❄️ 
❄️ 
FRIGID PETAL: The obstacle course for the Frigid Petal is covered entirely with snow, and scattered with patches of ice. During the foot portion of the trek, challengers will need to watch their step carefully, lest they fall through snow or even ice itself into a small chamber below. Doing so will simply force them to navigate their way out of a now iced cave, but may require outside assistance worst case. Challengers then proceed to a cross-country skii maze, testing their ability to further navigate in more dizzing conditions, with their final portion of the maze involving pokemon-riding across entirely iced grounds.
Upon reaching the end of this course, trainers will find Emporio garbed heavily in a parka set resembling the Hisuian Zoroark. While he'll offer challengers a minute inside his own tent from the cold, a battle will very quickly begin on a field of Snow- a non-damaging battle condition which increases the defense of Ice Type pokemon, while halving the power of any moves reliant on the sun. Blizzard, as well, will consistently hit.
RAIN TEAM:
⚡ 
⚡ 
⚡ 
⚡ 
⚡ 
WEEPING PETAL: The field for the Weeping petal is unique, with tall grass along the hilly (and sealed) 'cave' creating a foot-maze that must be traversed without the help of any vehicles or pokemon whatsoever. While challengers can technically cut through the grass on their own, they'll find it unpleasant at best, and dangerous at worst, as wild pokemon yet live in the course. While portions of the course reach onto the trees via platforms, it quickly becomes groundbound in the rain- with trainers made to use dirt bikes as well as skilled climbing pokemon to navigate the remainder of the course.
Upon reaching the end of the obstacle course in these conditions, trainers will have a brief moment to take shelter from the rain after Emporio- garbed in luminescent rain gear remniscient of the Sensu Oricorio- leads them in. Their battle will bring them right back into the Rain however, and while non-damaging, all fire damage is halved while all water damage is doubled. On top of this, Thunder will now strike with exact precision.
SUN TEAM:
💧 
💧 
💧 
💧 
💧 
HORIZON PETAL: During any run for the Horizon petal, the entirety of the obstacle course becomes flooded. The blocked cave portion creates a somewhat safe field for trainers to swim through, with still present tall grass creating a deterent for those intending to bypass the maze. Upon reaching the edge of the shallow waters, challengers will switch to boating of some sort- kayaking, rowing, etc- but will be flagged down at a floating dock partway between here and the end of the course. From this point, trainers must travel entirely via the move 'Surf', or if capable, even Dive.
While a part of the arena provides floatation support for trainers, and for their pokemon, it's implied that they should be ready to fight in the open water- and indeed, that they won't have so many luxuries on the open sea routes. On these waters however, the weather will be calm and Sunny, as Emporio comes to face them in swim and dive gear resembling his Basculegion. While under the Sunny condition, fire type moves will increase in potency, while water type moves will have their damage halved; pokemon cannot be frozen on top of this, and moves reliant on sunlight become more potent.
FOG TEAM:
🌫️ 
🌫️ 
🌫️ 
🌫️ 
🌫️ 
SHROUDED PETAL: For the course to challenge the Shrouded petal, trainers will immediately enter the now opened cave structure at the entrance of the grounds, with deeper tunnels revealed for the sake of the challenge. The initial part of the course is lighter than the rest, but the lowest level is pitch black, demanding skills in illumination and navigation both. After navigating the upper level by foot and hand-climb, the lower level will involve narrow planks bridging waterways, to be run using an Acro Bike- preferrably one with a headlamp. Climbing back out at the other end of the course will require assistance from climbing pokemon, with the use of Strength and Rock Smash equally encouraged.
Before fully exiting the near vertical ascent along various ledges, trainers will find themselves at the arena; now uncovered from where it's hidden from other courses. Emporio, garbed in climbing gear with the appearance of a Gholdengo will be a beacon in the thick Fog that coats much of the course, and once ready, the battle will begin. Due to the fog, no pokemon are harmed by weather, but accuracy of all moves will be lowered- unless they are guaranteed to strike.
SAND TEAM:
🌞 
🌞 
🌞 
🌞 
🌞 
ARID PETAL: As the driest of course challenges, the Arid petal begins with careful navigation down the mini-mountain that is the covered 'cave', entirely by foot. A light sandstorm may or may not run through the area, depending on the wind conditions, further complicating travel. While dry conditions prevent a risk of slipping, danger lies in the ability to pace oneself among the rocks until they reach the bottom. At this point, a Mach bike will be required to continue forward, ascending small ledges that would otherwise be too difficult to climb over. The final portion of the course is rugged and sharp, requiring hard-footed pokemon to ride to the other end, but is otherwise straight forward. Trainers will be encouraged to rest before tackling this part, as it's incredibly difficult to camp on the final portion here.
With the obstacle course conquered, Emporio will be found under shade, garbed in flowing clothes that draw inspiration from Sinestcha. The battle will begin as soon as both sides are ready, but when it does, a sandstorm will whip up regardless of whether or not the wind created one on the course. In these Sandstorm conditions, all pokemon who are not rock, ground, or steel type will take damage at regular intervals- and as well, rock pokemon will find their defenses partly increased.
At the end of this obstacle course, challengers will meet Emporio in battle- and depending on their skill, may either defeat him, or otherwise fail. Failure however does not mean an immediate loss- those who recognize their inexperience and forfeit the match will be presented with the badge for recognizing their own limitations. The gym emphasizes safety and survival above all else after all, and one must remember they can run from wild pokemon.
Depending on the season and weather, differing courses will be available for challenge. It is for this reason that the Gym Badge has five hollow petals attached; completion of one particular challenge nets a colored glass petal to insert into the frame, with the option to re-take the challenge up to five times for a completed flower.
SNOW TEAM:
❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
FRIGID PETAL: The obstacle course for the Frigid Petal is covered entirely with snow, and scattered with patches of ice. During the foot portion of the trek, challengers will need to watch their step carefully, lest they fall through snow or even ice itself into a small chamber below. Doing so will simply force them to navigate their way out of a now iced cave, but may require outside assistance worst case. Challengers then proceed to a cross-country skii maze, testing their ability to further navigate in more dizzing conditions, with their final portion of the maze involving pokemon-riding across entirely iced grounds.
Upon reaching the end of this course, trainers will find Emporio garbed heavily in a parka set resembling the Hisuian Zoroark. While he'll offer challengers a minute inside his own tent from the cold, a battle will very quickly begin on a field of Snow- a non-damaging battle condition which increases the defense of Ice Type pokemon, while halving the power of any moves reliant on the sun. Blizzard, as well, will consistently hit.
RAIN TEAM:
⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ ⚡
WEEPING PETAL: The field for the Weeping petal is unique, with tall grass along the hilly (and sealed) 'cave' creating a foot-maze that must be traversed without the help of any vehicles or pokemon whatsoever. While challengers can technically cut through the grass on their own, they'll find it unpleasant at best, and dangerous at worst, as wild pokemon yet live in the course. While portions of the course reach onto the trees via platforms, it quickly becomes groundbound in the rain- with trainers made to use dirt bikes as well as skilled climbing pokemon to navigate the remainder of the course.
Upon reaching the end of the obstacle course in these conditions, trainers will have a brief moment to take shelter from the rain after Emporio- garbed in luminescent rain gear remniscient of the Sensu Oricorio- leads them in. Their battle will bring them right back into the Rain however, and while non-damaging, all fire damage is halved while all water damage is doubled. On top of this, Thunder will now strike with exact precision.
SUN TEAM:
💧 💧 💧 💧 💧
HORIZON PETAL: During any run for the Horizon petal, the entirety of the obstacle course becomes flooded. The blocked cave portion creates a somewhat safe field for trainers to swim through, with still present tall grass creating a deterent for those intending to bypass the maze. Upon reaching the edge of the shallow waters, challengers will switch to boating of some sort- kayaking, rowing, etc- but will be flagged down at a floating dock partway between here and the end of the course. From this point, trainers must travel entirely via the move 'Surf', or if capable, even Dive.
While a part of the arena provides floatation support for trainers, and for their pokemon, it's implied that they should be ready to fight in the open water- and indeed, that they won't have so many luxuries on the open sea routes. On these waters however, the weather will be calm and Sunny, as Emporio comes to face them in swim and dive gear resembling his Basculegion. While under the Sunny condition, fire type moves will increase in potency, while water type moves will have their damage halved; pokemon cannot be frozen on top of this, and moves reliant on sunlight become more potent.
FOG TEAM:
🌫️ 🌫️ 🌫️ 🌫️ 🌫️
SHROUDED PETAL: For the course to challenge the Shrouded petal, trainers will immediately enter the now opened cave structure at the entrance of the grounds, with deeper tunnels revealed for the sake of the challenge. The initial part of the course is lighter than the rest, but the lowest level is pitch black, demanding skills in illumination and navigation both. After navigating the upper level by foot and hand-climb, the lower level will involve narrow planks bridging waterways, to be run using an Acro Bike- preferrably one with a headlamp. Climbing back out at the other end of the course will require assistance from climbing pokemon, with the use of Strength and Rock Smash equally encouraged.
Before fully exiting the near vertical ascent along various ledges, trainers will find themselves at the arena; now uncovered from where it's hidden from other courses. Emporio, garbed in climbing gear with the appearance of a Gholdengo will be a beacon in the thick Fog that coats much of the course, and once ready, the battle will begin. Due to the fog, no pokemon are harmed by weather, but accuracy of all moves will be lowered- unless they are guaranteed to strike.
SAND TEAM:
🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞
ARID PETAL: As the driest of course challenges, the Arid petal begins with careful navigation down the mini-mountain that is the covered 'cave', entirely by foot. A light sandstorm may or may not run through the area, depending on the wind conditions, further complicating travel. While dry conditions prevent a risk of slipping, danger lies in the ability to pace oneself among the rocks until they reach the bottom. At this point, a Mach bike will be required to continue forward, ascending small ledges that would otherwise be too difficult to climb over. The final portion of the course is rugged and sharp, requiring hard-footed pokemon to ride to the other end, but is otherwise straight forward. Trainers will be encouraged to rest before tackling this part, as it's incredibly difficult to camp on the final portion here.
With the obstacle course conquered, Emporio will be found under shade, garbed in flowing clothes that draw inspiration from Sinestcha. The battle will begin as soon as both sides are ready, but when it does, a sandstorm will whip up regardless of whether or not the wind created one on the course. In these Sandstorm conditions, all pokemon who are not rock, ground, or steel type will take damage at regular intervals- and as well, rock pokemon will find their defenses partly increased.
AVAILABLE COURSES
OVERVIEW: As one of the options to challenge the gym is to have taken available survival courses, it comes as no surprise that the trainers maintaining the building (including Emporio himself) also act as instructors and teachers in their own right. While much of the instruction takes place within the grounds of the Gym, occasional trips to Route 29 may also happen, so as to include experience with wild pokemon. Each course is uniquely geared toward camping and travelling within specific weather conditions, and may be taken either individually, or in groups of 2 to 5 depending on; the more students are involved, the longer each course is likely to take, with prospective trainers being warned to prepare for up to a full week of straight camping.
BASIC COURSE FEATURES: At the start of every course, whether teaching veterans or otherwise, students will be treated to an overview of the course schedule along with a single day of basic camping training. Those who have already experienced the lesson may be asked to help, which aids in speeding up proceedings. Regardless however, there are a small few things that everyone leaving for a pokemon journey must know-
Namely, how to pitch a tent, start a campfire, cook with said fire, find food, and more than that, make certain that their livlihood isn't sabotaged by curious pokemon. While it's assumed that incoming trainers also know how to handle a pokemon fight or capture a pokemon as well, these lessons will still be included- even if simply as a review. Lessons of rapid pokemon safety will also be included, as the easiest way to keep a pokemon from harm in any situation is ultimately the same across the board: put them in their pokeball.
From here, the specifics of each survival course depend on the current season and time, with the Caving Course sporadically available.
WINTER SAFETY COURSE: With snow on the ground, a quick and expected intro to this course involves a lesson in properly preparing for the cold and avoiding it. Students will learn how to dress for the weather in advance, and in emergencies as well, while learning how best to protect their campsite from the prolonged effects of snow and melting snow as well. Preparing a campsite so that it stays both dry and warm is more difficult than some may predict, and there will even be lessons relating to camping on ice, as such risks are very real on the pokemon journey.
Travel through the snow is another vital portion of the course, which includes the ability to recognize when snow may be too deep to safely walk through. Travelling to avoid snowblindness will be one matter, but learning when best to shelter up inside a tent or similar is yet another, as the severity of snow storms and squalls will not and cannot be understated. Visibility is a constant danger, but even without visibility, the cold can do one in much faster. A unique part of this lesson, students will learn how to make their snowshoes- and keep the results when they leave.
RAIN AND STORM SAFETY COURSE: While some may consider rain and storm safety a matter of basic common sense, students will quickly find it anything but. A primary part of this lesson involves not merely learning to properly stay dry in such conditions, but also how to avoid the natural dangers that can come with it; mudslides and mudsinks, fallen trees, and even lightning are all hazards, and especially at night. Visibility in these conditions are vital, and especially stability, no matter what one walks along.
The ground is not the only thing students will learn about either; keeping dry extends to campsites and campgrounds, with students learning well how to not only stay above wet soil, but even how to put their camp in the trees themselves if potentially needed. Identifying the risks of tall grass and shaking trees come hand in hand with the danger of the storm, but it will be well worth it for the security of confidence after. Students also leave with a set of walking sticks- specifically, sticks that reflect and glow, helping to make them visible in the heavy rains.
OCEAN AND WATER SAFETY COURSE: As those challenging the Horizon Petal will note, the sunny weather conditions of the field dominate an entirely aquatic region. This is because of a lesson carefully imparted by the OW course at Petal Gym; it isn't the sun that will necessarily do you in, but rather, everything else. While the dangers of heat exposure are covered in the Volcanic Course, students here still get a briefing about what not to do when in need of hydration On the water.
Namely, drink the water. The importance of salt vs fresh, how to clean water, how to recognize poor swimming and boating conditions, and for that matter how to swim at all are all covered in this course (Though students will be leaving the course with a life jacket for themselves)- but in addition, comes lessons in how to safely set up temporary camp along the many shore rocks one might find in the middle of Kantonian and Johtonian water routes. Important instructions in finding and acquiring food is also made, what with the lack of typical foraging options to be found. A final warning to the students: Never try to sail, swim, or surf outside of the marked routes, and especially not without wearing floatation devices.
CAVE AND CLIMBING SAFETY COURSE: Available at somewhat sporadic times of the year, the course on cave safety- as a vitally necessary one at all times of the year- is the only one which can be signed up for well in advance. An availability is worked out, and a message sent to applying parties the minute the cave is dry and available, with the class even running during certain moments of winter in order to mimick the Ice Cavern.
The caving course is deceptively simple; many weather conditions no longer become troublesome while in a cave, but in return, numerous other dangers appear. Strict lessons in preparing proper amounts of food- for some can be stranded days on end- as well as instructions for safe cave foraging are given, followed by how best to keep a tent away from pokemon and how best to make one's way along cave walls and ladders. Albeit mostly cave walls. Leaving this course, trainers will be given a hand-powered flashlight, and instructions on its use; having Flash is all well and good, but sometimes, even a flashlight is all anyone needs.
VOLCANO AND DESERT SAEFTY COURSE: A unique course among the line-up offered at Petal Gym, it is here that emphasis on how to cope with heat can be found. Volcanoes being a somewhat possible encounter for any on their journey, careful emphasis on how best to locate places where one can safely pitch a tent without either overheating or even falling victim to rockslide is made here. In addition, there are tips on how to dress for the sun while protecting one's skin- with displays of covering clothing that remains cool included.
In addition to basic camping practice, there are renewed foraging instructions, as volcanoes and deserts are incredibly different from the usual brush. Deserts themselves being a risk only at the Ruins of Alph, an interesting lesson can be found in how best to travel through ruinous locations; not only to be aware of the potential for pitfalls through the sand, but also the risk of wild ghost pokemon especially. A simple gift, students will be leaving this course with a sun-poncho; breathable, covering, and easy to pack.
STAFFING NOTES: Emporio has a small but dedicated team of teachers, each of whom have taken care to brush up on the survival advice they themselves may not have known when hired. Holding their backgrounds as Rangers, Hikers, and even Swimmers, each often have a course specialty they focus on, but will otherwise help to maintain the grounds or store on other given days. When a trainer is unavailable to teach or guard, the Gym's grounds are closed; with Emporio potentially standing in to man the store during this time.
BASIC COURSE FEATURES: At the start of every course, whether teaching veterans or otherwise, students will be treated to an overview of the course schedule along with a single day of basic camping training. Those who have already experienced the lesson may be asked to help, which aids in speeding up proceedings. Regardless however, there are a small few things that everyone leaving for a pokemon journey must know-
Namely, how to pitch a tent, start a campfire, cook with said fire, find food, and more than that, make certain that their livlihood isn't sabotaged by curious pokemon. While it's assumed that incoming trainers also know how to handle a pokemon fight or capture a pokemon as well, these lessons will still be included- even if simply as a review. Lessons of rapid pokemon safety will also be included, as the easiest way to keep a pokemon from harm in any situation is ultimately the same across the board: put them in their pokeball.
From here, the specifics of each survival course depend on the current season and time, with the Caving Course sporadically available.
WINTER SAFETY COURSE: With snow on the ground, a quick and expected intro to this course involves a lesson in properly preparing for the cold and avoiding it. Students will learn how to dress for the weather in advance, and in emergencies as well, while learning how best to protect their campsite from the prolonged effects of snow and melting snow as well. Preparing a campsite so that it stays both dry and warm is more difficult than some may predict, and there will even be lessons relating to camping on ice, as such risks are very real on the pokemon journey.
Travel through the snow is another vital portion of the course, which includes the ability to recognize when snow may be too deep to safely walk through. Travelling to avoid snowblindness will be one matter, but learning when best to shelter up inside a tent or similar is yet another, as the severity of snow storms and squalls will not and cannot be understated. Visibility is a constant danger, but even without visibility, the cold can do one in much faster. A unique part of this lesson, students will learn how to make their snowshoes- and keep the results when they leave.
RAIN AND STORM SAFETY COURSE: While some may consider rain and storm safety a matter of basic common sense, students will quickly find it anything but. A primary part of this lesson involves not merely learning to properly stay dry in such conditions, but also how to avoid the natural dangers that can come with it; mudslides and mudsinks, fallen trees, and even lightning are all hazards, and especially at night. Visibility in these conditions are vital, and especially stability, no matter what one walks along.
The ground is not the only thing students will learn about either; keeping dry extends to campsites and campgrounds, with students learning well how to not only stay above wet soil, but even how to put their camp in the trees themselves if potentially needed. Identifying the risks of tall grass and shaking trees come hand in hand with the danger of the storm, but it will be well worth it for the security of confidence after. Students also leave with a set of walking sticks- specifically, sticks that reflect and glow, helping to make them visible in the heavy rains.
OCEAN AND WATER SAFETY COURSE: As those challenging the Horizon Petal will note, the sunny weather conditions of the field dominate an entirely aquatic region. This is because of a lesson carefully imparted by the OW course at Petal Gym; it isn't the sun that will necessarily do you in, but rather, everything else. While the dangers of heat exposure are covered in the Volcanic Course, students here still get a briefing about what not to do when in need of hydration On the water.
Namely, drink the water. The importance of salt vs fresh, how to clean water, how to recognize poor swimming and boating conditions, and for that matter how to swim at all are all covered in this course (Though students will be leaving the course with a life jacket for themselves)- but in addition, comes lessons in how to safely set up temporary camp along the many shore rocks one might find in the middle of Kantonian and Johtonian water routes. Important instructions in finding and acquiring food is also made, what with the lack of typical foraging options to be found. A final warning to the students: Never try to sail, swim, or surf outside of the marked routes, and especially not without wearing floatation devices.
CAVE AND CLIMBING SAFETY COURSE: Available at somewhat sporadic times of the year, the course on cave safety- as a vitally necessary one at all times of the year- is the only one which can be signed up for well in advance. An availability is worked out, and a message sent to applying parties the minute the cave is dry and available, with the class even running during certain moments of winter in order to mimick the Ice Cavern.
The caving course is deceptively simple; many weather conditions no longer become troublesome while in a cave, but in return, numerous other dangers appear. Strict lessons in preparing proper amounts of food- for some can be stranded days on end- as well as instructions for safe cave foraging are given, followed by how best to keep a tent away from pokemon and how best to make one's way along cave walls and ladders. Albeit mostly cave walls. Leaving this course, trainers will be given a hand-powered flashlight, and instructions on its use; having Flash is all well and good, but sometimes, even a flashlight is all anyone needs.
VOLCANO AND DESERT SAEFTY COURSE: A unique course among the line-up offered at Petal Gym, it is here that emphasis on how to cope with heat can be found. Volcanoes being a somewhat possible encounter for any on their journey, careful emphasis on how best to locate places where one can safely pitch a tent without either overheating or even falling victim to rockslide is made here. In addition, there are tips on how to dress for the sun while protecting one's skin- with displays of covering clothing that remains cool included.
In addition to basic camping practice, there are renewed foraging instructions, as volcanoes and deserts are incredibly different from the usual brush. Deserts themselves being a risk only at the Ruins of Alph, an interesting lesson can be found in how best to travel through ruinous locations; not only to be aware of the potential for pitfalls through the sand, but also the risk of wild ghost pokemon especially. A simple gift, students will be leaving this course with a sun-poncho; breathable, covering, and easy to pack.
STAFFING NOTES: Emporio has a small but dedicated team of teachers, each of whom have taken care to brush up on the survival advice they themselves may not have known when hired. Holding their backgrounds as Rangers, Hikers, and even Swimmers, each often have a course specialty they focus on, but will otherwise help to maintain the grounds or store on other given days. When a trainer is unavailable to teach or guard, the Gym's grounds are closed; with Emporio potentially standing in to man the store during this time.
HALL OF FAME
PETAL GYM HALL OF FAME: This page records those who have done one, two, or even both things; challenge the gym and succeed, or taken a course and passed. Depending on the number of times courses and challenges are completed, different symbols will be noted by each challenger's name.
KEY:
FRIGID PETAL CHALLENGE - ❄️ | SNOW SAFETY COURSE - ⛄
WEEPING PETAL CHALLENGE - ⚡ | STORM SAFETY COURSE - ⛈️
HORIZON PETAL CHALLENGE - 💧 | OCEAN SAFETY COURSE - 🌊
SHROUDED PETAL CHALLENGE - 🌫️ | CAVE SAFETY COURSE - 🌙
ARID PETAL CHALLENGE - 🌞 | DESERT + VOLCANO SAFETY COURSE - 🌵
[NAME]: This is a placeholder sample; once the first challenger or course taker is recorded, it will be replaced.
KEY:
FRIGID PETAL CHALLENGE - ❄️ | SNOW SAFETY COURSE - ⛄
WEEPING PETAL CHALLENGE - ⚡ | STORM SAFETY COURSE - ⛈️
HORIZON PETAL CHALLENGE - 💧 | OCEAN SAFETY COURSE - 🌊
SHROUDED PETAL CHALLENGE - 🌫️ | CAVE SAFETY COURSE - 🌙
ARID PETAL CHALLENGE - 🌞 | DESERT + VOLCANO SAFETY COURSE - 🌵
[NAME]: This is a placeholder sample; once the first challenger or course taker is recorded, it will be replaced.
ABOUT THE GYM LEADER
NAME + AGE: Emporio Alniño + 17
APPEARANCE: Standing at roughly 5'9'', Emporio is hispanic, with gold eyes and curled blond hair. Relatively athletic in build, he's not alarmingly muscular (unlike what one would expect of his series), and being a young teen still, can come across as a bit gangling. More often than not, he wears outfits inspired by his pokemon- though he leaves the gym related ones for the gym. Of note, these day-to-day outfits include those inspired by cyclizar, gengar, and dragapult.
LIVING SPACE: Currently, Emporio resides in a houseboat, which was given to him by Armin. Carting it through Johto, it ultimately found itself a dock in New Bark, where Emporio's gym now is. He lives there alone, but it works quite well as a bachelor pad unsurprisingly, and the kids who pass through the sleepy town find it quite the novelty.
BONUS: (More trivia will go here when I think of it)
APPEARANCE: Standing at roughly 5'9'', Emporio is hispanic, with gold eyes and curled blond hair. Relatively athletic in build, he's not alarmingly muscular (unlike what one would expect of his series), and being a young teen still, can come across as a bit gangling. More often than not, he wears outfits inspired by his pokemon- though he leaves the gym related ones for the gym. Of note, these day-to-day outfits include those inspired by cyclizar, gengar, and dragapult.
LIVING SPACE: Currently, Emporio resides in a houseboat, which was given to him by Armin. Carting it through Johto, it ultimately found itself a dock in New Bark, where Emporio's gym now is. He lives there alone, but it works quite well as a bachelor pad unsurprisingly, and the kids who pass through the sleepy town find it quite the novelty.
BONUS: (More trivia will go here when I think of it)
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