More Norrvalo 'mon, this time a line that is ecologically similar to the Ralts line but biologically unrelated.
Valts, Valkyrlia, Valkyroir and Vallade.
Statblocks etc. under the cut.
Valts Hatchling Pokémon
Type: Fighting/Flying Ability: Berserk/Keen Eye (Hidden Ability: Drizzle)
Base Stats: HP: 28 Attack: 25 Defense: 25 Special Attack: 45 Special Defense: 35 Speed: 40 Total: 198
Valts eggs are laid in nests atop steep, sheer cliffs as a form of protection against native predators – yet they must leave their nests fairly early after they hatch to find sustenance. In order to do so, they must leap down from their nests and plummet from utterly dizzying heights to the ground below - relying on their extremely light bodies and their thick, fluffy down to cushion their fall. While their flight feathers are still developing and they are thus unable to fly, Valts possess an intrinsic and instinctive ability to manipulate the air currents around them, and they do so to guide them along spots of relative safety to avoid becoming trapped in rock crevasses or dashing against sharp rocks – while a parent (typically a Valkyroir) keeps a watchful eye for any would-be predators unwise enough to target the hatchlings.
Once on the surface, Valts tend to make themselves scarce, concealing themselves from sight and avoiding other Pokémon and humans as their bodies continue to develop. They primarily feed on plants at this stage of their lives, though as they grow and evolve they develop a more omnivorous diet.
Valts evolves to Valkyrlia starting at Level 20
Valkyrlia Twirling Pokémon
Type: Fighting/Flying Ability: Berserk/Keen Eye (Hidden Ability: Drizzle)
Base Stats: HP: 38 Attack: 35 Defense: 35 Special Attack: 65 Special Defense: 55 Speed: 50 Total: 278
In motion, Valkyrlia has a dance-like gait supported by the same manner of air-current manipulation ability possessed by its previous form, albeit more powerful and refined, and is often observed to leap and twirl about, floating in mid-air with its feet not quite touching the ground. Unlike the timid Valts, Valkyrlia are naturally inquisitive creatures, more likely to approach other creatures in a manner that seems almost fearless. These approaches are not entirely uninformed however – Valkyrlia have a sense for the auras of other living creatures (the braid-like structures on their heads may have something to do with this ability as they have been known to shift somewhat when they do so), something that allows them to get some insight into the intentions of an individual before approaching them.
Valkyrlia readily bond with Pokémon and people that leave an impression on them, particularly those skilled in combat. Should the life of Valkyrlia or the individuals with whom it had bonded be seriously threatened, though, its demeanour shifts and it becomes a fierce whirlwind of cutting gusts, not letting up until the threat is driven away or is defeated. Valkyrlia truly driven to desperation have been known to shift their battle cry into a aura-fueled keening that disrupts the life-force of all who hear it, taking their opponents with them.
Valkyrlia evolves into Valkyroir starting at level 30, or to Vallade if levelled up while knowing the move Twister (regardless of the Valkyrlia's gender).
Valkyroir Vortex Pokémon
Type: Fighting/Flying Ability: Berserk/Keen Eye (Hidden Ability: Drizzle)
Base Stats: HP: 68 Attack: 65 Defense: 65 Special Attack: 125 Special Defense: 115 Speed: 80 Total: 518
The braid-like organs used by their earlier forms to sense auras have grown in length and sensitivity, and are also believed to reinforce their ability to manipulate aura in battle.
Despite their graceful appearance, Valkyroir are infamous for having a ferocious temperament, akin to the fury of a wild storm. They spend most of their time flying high above an area they consider their territory, occasionally swooping down to hunt prey, protect an individual that they deem under their protection (be it an individual or creature they have bonded with or one of their Valts hatchlings) or test their battle skills against a suitable sparring partner. Valkyroir seem to find a particular joy in battle – the fiercer, the better – and being able to truly cut loose against their opponents is sheer joy and a close bonding experience for them. Indeed, combat between individuals and the bonds formed between them in the process often plays a part in mate selection within the species, with mated pairs often having clashed multiple times and being relatively evenly matched in strength.
Local legends in Norrvalo tell of Valkyroir ushering the souls of fallen great warriors into a paradise realm surrounded by impenetrable winds. These legends attest to their grace and ferocity, their favoring of strong opponents, and their ability to form barriers of screaming gales augmented by razor-sharp feathers around themselves and those they deem worthy of protection.
New Move:
Gale Shield Type: Flying Category: Status PP: 20 Power: -- Accuracy: --
The user surrounds itself and its allies in a wall of howling gales and razor-sharp feathers.
Gale Shield raises a barrier that lasts five turns and reduces damage from both physical and special moves targeting Pokémon behind it by about 25%, regardless of the number of Pokémon protected by the barrier. Any Pokémon using a move that makes contact against a target protected by Gale Shield will receive damage equal to 1/8 of its maximum HP.
Gale Shield can be nullified by the effect of Defog or the Screen Cleaner ability, though not by the effects of Brick Break, Raging Bull or Psychic Fangs.
A Pokemon with the Infiltrator ability ignores the effects of Gale Shield when attacking, and does not take damage when using a contact move against a target protected by Gale Shield.
Vallade Diving Pokémon
Type: Fighting/Dragon Ability: Dragon Eye Dragon Eye increases the accuracy of moves used by this Pokémon by 25%. Additionally, it boosts the damage of two-turn moves with a semi-invulnerable turn by 50%.
Base Stats: HP: 68 Attack: 125 Defense: 65 Special Attack: 65 Special Defense: 115 Speed: 80 Total: 518
Vallade is believed to represent an older, more ancestral evolutionary pathway for the Valts line, unlocked through the harnessing of primordial Dragon-type energies over the stronger attunement with Flying-type energies that the species seems to have shifted to over evolutionary time. Diminished though as it may be, all Valkyrlia still possess the capability to tap into their latent draconic essence – though few naturally realise this capability over the course of their lives without being exposed to the energies in question and instructed in wielding them. As such, very few Vallade exist in the wild, and the ones that do have been observed to pick 'successors' among Valkyrlia, taking them in and teaching them how to draw upon the dragon within and shape its energies into the form of a Twister. Valkyrlia who mastered this ability and choose to wield it often then evolve into Vallade – which then continue their 'apprenticeship' under their 'masters' until they grow accustom to their new form. They then strike out on their own, at times taking on successors of their own.
Reconnecting with the essence of dragons greatly enhances their strength and their perception, as well as their intrinsic ability to manipulate air currents – and though they are incapable of sustained, powered flight like their Valkyroir counterparts, they can leap to incredibly great heights and along incredibly great distances with a single bound, spotting a target from afar and 'locking on' to it. While Vallade may rely on their claws and the blades at the bases of their elbows in combat, their preferred tactic is to draw upon Dragon-type elemental energies and focus them into a "spear" with which to pierce their foes, striking from above with uncanny accuracy while putting all the force of gravity into their moves. With the appropriate training, Vallade may even learn how to channel other forms of energy in the selfsame manner.
Valts' cliff-jumping is inspired by the chicks of real life barnacle goose, and the line's general design is inspired by harpies and valkyries - but like many things in Norrvalo, they draw inspiration from FFXIV as well: Valkyroir evokes the primal Garuda while Vallade evokes the Dragoon job – and certain elements of Valkyrlia call to mind a particular character from Endwalker, as well...
