Sorry, typo: "I would say to not go out of one's way to note potential squick in an article;"

Meanwhile, some science checks on Solar Beam:

• the solar wind and sunlight are separate things; sunlight is photons, that is, actual light, while the solar wind is composed of ions and electrons- that is, electrically-charged matter.
  • The solar wind does not reach the earth's surface in any appreciable way, and plants would die if it did. Solar Beam has to be purely light-based.
  • Light is not really affected by magnetic containment, as it is uncharged. (there are some magnetic interactions as I understand due to the magnetic portion of the wave, but that is not a containment effect. I don't know what it actually does, though, I'm not a radio engineer.)
• Chloroplasts generate ATP directly. Mitochondria generate ATP from sugars. Plants have both because they use sugar for long-term energy storage, but Mitochondria are not involved in solar energy absorption.
  • Mitochondria might be used if the absorbed energy is stored in sugars; I'm not sure if the timescale warrants it.
• lenses just work because they concentrate light over a large area into one spot. Nothing magical about a lens.
  • Solar Beams are already emitted in a... well, beam. Cellular microlenses might direct the light, or natural lasers.
  • The absorbing phase of Solar Beam already concentrates energy over time rather than space.

So, I just recently stumbled across this awesome project and would really love to participate. I hope to lay a claim to the Snubbull line once Tracer Bullet's claim runs out (which it will soon, if they don't renew it), but in order to do so I have a question (I'm sorry if this has been clarified already, but it would be incredibly difficult to wade through 299 pages of posts, and I want to make sure that I don't write anything not commonly accepted by the preexisting members of this wonderful project).

I realize that we are trying to stick reasonably close to the game canon, but does that mean that we're still insisting that ALL Pokemon lay eggs? Even Pokemon that are clearly based on mammals? And also, are we allowing Pokemon to lay multiple eggs at once?

Thanks in advance to anyone who answers, and once again I apologize if I asked a redundant question.

Usually, we assume that mammalian Pokémon can go either way based on conditions- generally giving live birth in natural/peaceful settings, more often producing eggs in captive breeding.

Yeah, it's kinda weird, but when feasible we try to "explain" canon in preference to contradicting it.

Likewise, natural broods may have multiple eggs, depending. (Charizard K-select for instance, normally having only one egg a year, while I'm pretty sure Magikarp/Gyarados R-select, spawning a lot of eggs.)

OK, thank you so much!

Oh, I just can't wait to submit an entry! I think I'll find something else to claim while I wait for Snubbull... Could I possibly lay a claim to Girafarig? That's another one of my favorites!

edited 12th Aug '13 10:26:54 AM by Dragara

I assume I can clean the dibs page up, considering that there are entries from 2011 there?

Girafarig would be fine.

Yay! Thank you!

Now I guess I just have to wait until I can add my claim. Huh. Didn't know there was some sort of time limit as to when you could edit the dibs page.

I think that's just cause Des is editing it.

I wasn't editing the page. I asked whether cleaning it up is OK (in case there's some procedure that I don't know of).

Finally, finally getting around to posting this.

Chimecho Line

Morphs [Oak Dex #]

• Chingling (#433)

• Chimecho (discovered first, later found to be an evolved form) (#348)

Physical Description

Chingling is a small Pokémon, at only .2 meters and .6 kilograms. Its main body is a large yellow sphere, with small black eyes and a thin mouth decorated at either end with a large black spot. Chingling has tiny, round arms and legs, which cannot be used reliably for locomotion (see Notable Biology). Chingling’s most notable features (Which make up most of its height) are two long flotation sacs, which are striped with red and white and end in three round tips. It has a small, round tail.

Chimecho is barely larger than Chingling, at .6 meters and 1 kilogram. Its central sphere, and most of its body, has turned a pale blue (with a red zigzag running around its back and sides), and its twin flotation sacs have fused into a single one, which bears a resemblance to a bell (see Notable Biology). Its hands have shrunk into tiny paws, and its feet have fused and lengthened into a long ribbon-like protuberance, which makes up most of its height. A large red splotch decorates the lower half of the ribbon. Chimecho’s eyes and mouth have moved closer together (the eyes are now located at the corners of the mouth), and have turned yellow. Its tail has changed into a short stub.

On very rare occasions (approximately one in eight thousand), Chingling are born with a lighter-colored body, and orange replacing the red sections of their flotation sacs. Chingling with this mutation evolve into primarily green Chimecho, with an orange zigzag and splotch.

Notable Biology

Both Chingling and Chimecho have fairly potent psychic abilities. First and foremost, they use a local field of telekinesis to lighten themselves, and ease their passage through the skies (Though while Chimecho can float indefinitely, Chingling usually move in short hops unless the winds are strong). They can also use these abilities in battle, from throwing an opponent around with telekinesis, to attacking their minds, to healing their allies. On very rare occasions, Chimecho have been found possessing the ability to release absolutely deafening screams and psychic waves capable of putting an opponent to sleep. Average Chimecho seem incapable of doing this, and several professors are researching these odd variations.

If left un-evolved, Chingling gain access to two moves of note. Firstly, they can imprint a short-term psychic ability onto the opponent, suppressing some of their natural qualities and giving them the Chimecho line’s natural levitation. Second, when all other attacks fail, Chingling will occasionally execute a move of devastating power. This attack has been dubbed Last Resort, as Chingling almost never use it unless given no choice, and it tends to leave them too exhausted to continue battling afterwards.

Like most Psychic-types, the Chimecho line can learn a great number of TM moves. Captive Chimecho are frequently seen using electricity, florokinesis, or even obscura. Both the Chingling and Chimecho lines are noted for their bells. The chiming tones of a Chimecho’s bell are frequently used in music, and Chimecho can mix these chimes with psychic bursts to achieve various effects, including disorientation and raw physical force. Well-trained Chimecho can also stimulate a listener’s immune system, helping it heal injuries more quickly than normal.

Chingling will not evolve into Chimecho under normal circumstances, and it has been so far almost impossible to cause the evolution under lab conditions. Chingling seem to only evolve into Chimecho at night, and the evolution must be triggered by an extreme release of endorphins. This is usually caused by the Chingling in question’s attachment to its trainer (in the wild, the attachment is usually to a parent or friend), though some have replicated this through overuse of vitamins (not recommended).

To complement this odd quality, Chimecho eggs will not hatch into Chingling unless the eggs are specially treated. The reason for this is that due to the large amount of Ghost and Dark-types in the areas where Chimecho are common, the Chimecho living in those areas have evolved to hatch into Chimecho immediately, avoiding the weaker Chingling stage. However, if a combination of plants from areas where wild Chingling live are found and mashed up and and an incense of the mixture is placed around the mother Chimecho during mating, the smell can stimulate hormones that cause the mother to give birth to a Chingling instead of a Chimecho.

Habitat

Despite having been first discovered in Hoenn (at the very peak of Mt. Pyre), the Chimecho line is native to Sinnoh. Chimecho are found mostly at the Sendoff Spring, though during a period of time when Sinnoh became suddenly colder they moved into the Turnback Cave. They have also been sighted in the area around Mt. Coronet.

Chimecho have also been found in Unova, in a small forested area near Route 14. They are not frequently seen, but people entering the Abundant Shrine seeking to find Landorus have occasionally mentioned Chimecho in their reports. It is believed that these Pokémon are native, rather than being an invasive species.

Wild Chingling are found in both Sinnoh, and oddly Johto and Kanto. In Sinnoh, Chingling are found on Route 111, around Lake Valor, around Mt. Coronet, and around Lake Acuity. During cold seasons, the populations at the Lakes migrate to Sendoff Spring and Turnback Cave to be with their elders, however.

In Johto and Kanto, Chingling live almost everywhere. They primarily dwell in caves, only occasionally coming out to explore the surrounding areas.

Chingling colonies usually take up residence in natural crevices and hiding spaces. It is not uncommon for a slit in a cave wall or a large hole in a tree to be completely filled with massed Chingling, as the clumping helps keep them from being blown away in strong winds.

Chimecho, in sharp contrast, will use their psychic abilities to create homes of varying sizes for themselves. Chimecho usually dwell alone in these homes.

Diet

Chimecho and Chingling are herbivorous, usually eating small berries and nuts. While individual morphs eat very little, Chingling swarms will frequently stake out entire clumps of trees for the purpose of harvesting food.

Chingling and Chimecho are frequently found holding Colbur Berries, most likely due to the protection they offer against Dark-type attacks. It is believed that they hoard these berries and use them when they need to explore.

Hazards

On the whole, Chingling are quite peaceful, and will not attack others. When they do, however, it’s most likely best to run. Wild Chingling fight in large groups, using overwhelming waves of psychic assault to drive off or incapacitate opponents. Coupled with small bursts of Obscura, loud screams, and intimidating cries to reduce the opponent’s will to fight back, Chingling swarms can be a credible threat to other wild Pokémon and even unprepared trainers.

Chimecho, due to their comparative rarity, usually do not fight in groups. However, one is usually enough to drive off anything threatening them. Chimecho fight in mostly the same manner as Chingling, but on a higher level. While a Chingling’s psychic bursts can stun or disorient, a psychic assault from a Chimecho is frequently enough to render an aggressor unconscious long enough for the Chimecho to make an escape. Chimecho also possess a far wider range of non-Psychic attacks, such as reckless charges (which unfortunately frequently cause damage to the Chimecho as well as the target), chemical sprays that leave an opponent drowsy and eventually asleep, and protective shields that stop the Chimecho from suffering poisons, burns, paralysis, sleep, or freezing for the duration of their existence.

Social Structure

Chingling form large swarms, of between 30-50 members. These swarms are mostly inseparable (though members of a swarm who evolve will usually leave the swarm), and use each other as protection from predators.

Chimecho, on the other hand, are far more solitary. Chimecho are almost never seen in groups of more than two (and these couples are usually mating pairs).

Courtship and Childrearing

Chingling are not sexually mature, and as such are completely incapable of breeding. Even tests involving Ditto do not produce offspring.

Chimecho breed, but rarely. When a Chimecho is receptive to mating, it will use its bell to create a specific pattern, psychically amplifying it to be heard for miles. Interested Chimecho will respond with their own cries. This frequently causes chains of partnerships, as many Chimecho, both male and female, may end up joining the network of chimes. Upon hearing mating songs, pairs of Chimecho will locate each other, meet up in the skies, and retreat to hiding places to mate and lay eggs.

Chimecho eggs take approximately half a year to hatch. Once the hatchlings begin to show psychic ability, the parents will abandon them. A clutch of Chingling hatchlings will at this point form a colony in or near the area of their hatching, while Chimecho will go their separate ways as soon as they can realistically survive on their own.

In Human Society

Both Chingling and Chimecho are popular with humans, due to their perceived cuteness, their usual friendliness, and their ability to assist greatly in medical emergencies. Chimecho particularly are frequently put to use in hospitals, similarly to the Chansey and Audino lines.

@ Dragara - Re: Snubull

I actually still wanted to tackle Snubull, but have been beset by some severe availability issues and have been kinda reluctant to get started since the reveal of Fairy typing given that Snubull is identified as the 'Fairy Pokemon', which would make it a likely candidate for typing retconning. As such, I'm somewhat loath to start on it given that X/Y are coming out in 2 months.

That said, if you're interested in the article, I am open to taking you on as a co-writer, seeing as it's been in Development Hell on my end for a year now, IIRC. Also, I find that co-writing tends to be better on me schedule-wise, and in terms of an overall finished product by virtue of having another mind to contribute ideas and bounce them against one another.

Re: Chimecho

I think that it looks like a nice article, Every, though had a few things that might merit consideration:

• How do Chingling/Chimecho tails work? How versatile are they? Do they have any noteworthy feats or structural factoids?
• Any connection between wind / rainchimes and these things?
• Have they appeared in any notable ripoffs media in the Pokeworld?

About G6 Articles

Also, I'm somewhat curious as to what we wanted to have as a policy for Gen 6 articles. I'm interested in leading the inevitable group article for Chespin, and have been talking with Tagg about tag-teaming an article about Noivern and the rest of its line, but it still seems premature to claim anything given that all we have to work with are models, typing, and a couple Pokedex blurbs.

What sort of policy did we want to set for this?

edited 12th Aug '13 12:12:08 PM by TracerBullet

I guess that starting the articles before gen. VI moves out of spoiler territory would be bad taste.

I would wait at least a month before starting dibs on Gen VI Pokemon.

I'd say no Gen VI articles until at least a week or two after the games release.

edited 12th Aug '13 12:12:49 PM by rmctagg09

I agree with Tagg. Or at least until we get canon 'dex entries.

edited 12th Aug '13 12:26:57 PM by Umbramatic

Tracer Bullet: Oh, I almost forgot about the Fairy-Type. Either way, I'm still up for working on it and would be perfectly fine with collaborating on it! You'll just kinda need to inform me of how exactly we would go about working on it together (who writes what, who researches what, etc.). I've always been something of a soloist with these kinds of things.

edited 12th Aug '13 5:19:07 PM by Dragara

OK guys, tell me what you think. I probably missed some important information or at least need to flesh something out more, so please do tell me anything you see that strikes you as wrong. Keep in mind that a lot of the information I got from combining real-life behaviors and such of both okapis and giraffes, although I did make up a couple of pieces here and there.

Oh, and if anyone could come up with a better explanation for Sap Sipper, that would be just dandy.

Girafarig

Morphs [Oak Catalog #]

• Girafarig [#203] – Giraffokeryx gemellus

Girafarig are even-toed ungulates that stand just less than 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall on average, and normally weigh approximately 92 pounds (41.5 kilograms). The species’ most distinctive feature is the tail, however, which ends in a second head, housing a small and primitive brain of its own.

They are also noted for possessing a long neck with pink-colored spikes lining their spine, starting from the base of the skull and ending at the base of the tail. A single pair of ossicones grows from the top of the head, between the ears, and the nose is pink-colored and fleshy, protruding notably from the end of the muzzle. The legs are long like the neck, though still quite powerful, and end in black hooves.

The species’ coloration is considered another defining trait, with the anterior portion of the body being gold with large, dark brown spots running alongside the spikes, while the posterior is reversed, being dark brown with gold spots. The divide between light and dark is an abrupt line around the center of the torso on males, closer to the back legs on females, and makes for a striking visual contrast.

The top of the face is marked by a large white patch, and the eyes of the front head have a white sclera with dark blue irises while the rear head has large eyes with a bright yellow sclera and dark irises.

As with all species of Pokémon, extremely rare colorations exist and are highly prized by collectors. In these cases, the spikes and nose become a light blue, the gold color darkens slightly, and the dark brown lightens significantly.

Notable Biology

Easily the most striking feature of a Girafarig is its second head. This head contains a very small brain that is incapable of thought, reacting solely upon instinct. If this head becomes aware of a living presence around it, it instinctually lashes out and tries to bite it.

Though this head is physically incapable of ingesting food, it is often observed making chewing and swallowing motions as the main head eats, indicating that there is a strong connection between the two heads. This is further hinted at when a Girafarig sleeps, because the second head apparently has no need to do so and instead keeps watch, alerting the front head if danger is sensed. The fact that it alerts the main head without a single sound or motion strengthens this hypothesis.

Being both Normal- and Psychic-Type, Girafarig are incredibly versatile when it comes to their potential moves. With the proper Technical Machines or skilled breeding, it is possible to own a Girafarig with the ability to hit enemies with Electric-, Ghost-, Grass-, Ground-, and even Fighting-Type moves, in addition to the Dark-, Normal-, and Psychic-Type moves naturally available.

Despite the wide variety of move types available to the species, however, Girafarig tend to execute special attacks slightly more effectively than physical ones. This is not much of a setback, though, because they are also very skilled at supporting teammates and stalling opponents, and are rather fast and maneuverable.

Girafarig can be separated into three different subgroups based on the innate abilities that they can potentially possess.

One subgroup of this Pokémon is noted for its apparent mental stability that makes it incredibly difficult to startle or frighten. This leads to them being common choices for Trainers who plan to visit or inhabit loud and active places, or who live with young children (although Girafarig are not recommended to be kept around children) or certain species of Pokémon, such as any of the Whismur line.

A second subgroup appears to be slightly opposite from the first, in that they are incredibly light sleepers. While this does not necessarily translate to being easily spooked, it is generally best for the health of these Pokémon for them to be kept in quiet places, at least while resting. Despite this slight health hazard, however, they are useful in battles against opponents who resort to sleep-inducing moves, as their attempts at incapacitating enemies becomes much less useful.

The third subgroup, and the rarest of the three, is not necessarily of either stalwart or nervous temperament, but rather has an unusual affinity for combating Grass-Types. In fact, being hit by Grass-Type attacks only makes this subgroup stronger, as it appears to somehow absorb the kinetic energy behind the intended damage and convert it into potential energy, which it uses to enhance its physical strength.

Habitat

Girafarig are most commonly cited as being grassland Pokémon, although they have been found inhabiting forests and mountain valleys as well. They are native to the Johto and Sinnoh regions, but were imported to the Hoenn region’s Safari Zone, along with other Johto species, to attract more customers after the Hoenn and Kanto species ceased to interest them.

They are currently most common in Johto, though they are not exceptionally common in any of the areas in which they appear, causing them to be of at least moderate value to collectors.

Diet

Girafarig are herbivores and feed mainly on tree shoots, buds, grasses, ferns, leaves, fruits, and fungi. It is worth noting that many of the species Girafarig feed on are known to be highly toxic to humans, thus it is imperative that Trainers preparing a diet of these items for their Pokémon take care not to ingest any of them and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.

Girafarig have a four-chambered stomach, with the first chamber specially adapted to their toxic diet, and are known to regurgitate their food and engage in rumination, more commonly known as cud-chewing.

It has also been observed that in the wild, Girafarig will satisfy their mineral need by ingesting clay from riverbanks. It is strongly recommended that Trainers purchase vitamin supplements to include with their Girafarig’s diet to ensure that its health is well-maintained.

Hazards

As with keeping any Psychic-Type Pokémon, danger is inherent in the mental capabilities of all Girafarig, which are enhanced to even more dangerous levels when Technical Machines are used to give them unnatural moves.

While most are fairly calm and tend to not attack unless provoked, angering one to its breaking point can cause even the gentlest individual to unleash its frightening psychic powers upon a human. It is also possible for a young or mentally unstable Girafarig to accidentally cause harm to a human due to its lack of control over its abilities.

Suffering the full brunt of a Girafarig’s attacks can very well cause brain damage to a human, which can be permanent and severe in the worst cases.

The second head, being purely instinct-driven, is dangerous to those who do not take care to keep a safe distance from it. Its sharp, curved teeth and powerful jaw are incredibly difficult to escape from once captured, and a single bite can lead to potentially severe injuries, or even death, depending upon where the bite lands, how large the victim is, and how long the second head remains clamped on before the victim is able to pry its jaw open.

This is the reason why Girafarig are not recommended for novice Trainers or households with young children and baby Pokémon, as the head cannot make a distinction between friend and foe.

Being a sufficiently large and physically powerful Pokémon, an angry or frightened Girafarig is also capable of causing harm by tackling, head-butting, crushing, kicking, and trampling anything or anyone unfortunate enough to be in its way.

Courting and Childrearing

Female Girafarig become sexually mature at around three years of age, while males mature close to four years, and the species engages in a polygamous mating structure. Males determine the fertility of females by tasting their urine for estrus, and then begin to court them once fertility is confirmed. Courting consists of both Girafarig sniffing, licking, and circling each other until the female accepts the male.

After an eight-month gestation period, a wild Girafarig will normally give birth to one live calf, although twins are not unheard of. A captive Girafarig will instead lay a single egg after only five months and incubate it for the remaining three.

Scientists have proposed many theories as to why this phenomenon occurs. Some believe that it results from the unnaturally close proximity of humans, others that it is an unintentional side-effect of teaching Pokémon unnatural moves and using performance-enhancing items, and still others that it is the result of keeping Pokémon within Pokéballs, although research has so far proven unable to solve this mystery.

After the young are born, they remain with the mother for up to a year, after which she pushes them out on their own, and they establish their own home range. The father takes no part in the rearing of offspring, but does allow them and their mother to pass through his territory in order to forage and does not act hostile towards them.

In captivity, it is possible to breed Girafarig with many different species of land-based and mammalian Pokémon, along with a small number of odd species. Though this interspecies breeding bears no ill side effects, it does not naturally occur in the wild except in incredibly rare, generally undocumented, cases.

Social Structure

Girafarig are generally solitary Pokémon, only found in groups of a mother and her offspring, or a couple coming together to mate. There are no explicit social bonds between individuals, with family members being slightly friendly at the most.

Otherwise, Girafarig do not interact much and tend to stick to their own territories, although males will often allow fertile females into their territories for the opportunity to mate.

Disputes only occur between males, usually over mates or territory boundaries. To settle them, Girafarig will participate in kicking and head-butting, and their secondary heads will attempt to bite their opponents if they get close enough. Though these fights normally do not become violent enough to injure the participants, allowing one of the heads to bite can lead to painful injuries that could potentially become infected.

In Human Culture

Girafarig, being exotic and visually fascinating Pokémon, have naturally been thought of as awe-inspiring creatures by ancient cultures. When explorers and traders went to faraway locations and discovered these seemingly magical beasts, they brought specimens of them back to display in zoos or present as gifts to rulers.

Likewise, they have found notability in pop culture, usually as minor characters but increasingly as notable protagonists and mascots.

One of the most widely-known film examples is a lovable hypochondriac Girafarig who, along with four other Pokémon, was a zoo attraction that wound up stranded in a faraway region and struggled to find a way to return home. Also, a popular chain of toy stores is easily identified by its mascot, George the Girafarig.

edited 12th Aug '13 5:16:40 PM by Dragara

Needs less walls of text and more paragraphs in each section.

Alright, I tried dividing up some of the larger paragraphs. Is it better? Or does it still need more division?

Looks like a good start to me. You should sign your article at the bottom with your handle, it helps with getting in contact with you and knowing who wrote what once it's published.

Well, Girafarig's entry is published!

rmctagg09: Thanks for your input.

edited 12th Aug '13 8:38:11 PM by Dragara

Sure did miss alot while I was celebrating someone's birthday.

@tangent 128: Derp. Sorry for that. Guess I need to work on my research skills more. Haven't done this type of thing since 2 years ago in my biology years.

@Dragara: For whatever it's worth, great article! Got no comments on my mind yet.

@memyselfand I 2: While it's also great, adding in the subgroups based on their abilities/hidden abilities (like Dragara's Girafarig article) would give it that much more content.

@everyone concerned: While this isn't part of TV Tropes yes (so it may come off as shameless advertising), I put a lot of effort into making this article as well-thought-out and accurate as my sources allow me. I'm putting the link here because I'd like this community's criticisms about it, see if I missed anything, or if there are things that need more sense, etc. in my view on how the Ralts line goes (well... it only covers Ralts, not the other 3 evolutionary states)

There are some things that you may disagree with, like the Egg Cycle counter being calculated in minutes rather than hours (hence a 21-cycle gestation period is roughly 4 days in my article, rather than 8 months), so I'm thinking about changing it for sensibility's sake. I'll also later add in the references and sources from where I got my info (one of them being Pykrete's article, since a lot of points make good sense)

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/9520930/2/Christ-s-How-To-Raise-a-Ralts

edited 13th Aug '13 8:32:17 PM by J.N.L.J.

Guys, I was wondering - do we have in-universe explanation of retcons about number of Pokémon and other things?

I once it explained it (or imagined) as PokéUnion (now I noticed the name's similar to European Union) with new regions joining it over time, and thus Pokédex and other stuff being updated. (inb4 Chingling and other new G4 (pre)evos weren't discovered in Sinnoh, debunking this theory) - I even imagined the Trainer would receive message in style of "Kalos has recently joined the PokéUnion. You may expect an update to your Pokédex in a while." (back then Kalos was recently announced, I think we had only starters and legends revealed)

edited 20th Aug '13 1:25:48 AM by PinkCelebi

I've just been reading the entry for Mew, and I noticed something...odd about it. Mew is described as 'a small, rodentline Pokémon'. Now, either rodentline isn't a typo and it means the obvious, or it is a typo and it's meant to be rodentlike...but either way, it's wrong. Mew is a cat. So why is it being lumped in with Raticate, Pikachu, and all the 'mon like them?

edited 21st Aug '13 6:25:57 AM by Tiroth

I'm adding that idea to my personal Head Canon. It makes sense to me. Kanto and Johto created an alliance, creating the New Pokedex, then Hoenn and Sinnoh joined while there was new discoveries made in Kanto and Johto. Instead of re-sorting the Pokedex every time a new nation was added, the authorities decided to keep it roughly sorted by region and date of discovery.