#((90% of it is just me describing various places after reading about them on bulbapedia))

[oppressiveliberator]

Have you ever been to Sinnoh? Any people or places of interest?

Years of Life Experience | Ask 'Have You Ever’ Questions!

“I’ve been to most every region!  Certainly some are off limits to foreigners, or they were when I was still travelling, but when possible I tried to visit anywhere I could.  The world is a fascinating place--so much to learn, to do, to experience, to discover. . . .

“But, yes, I have been to Sinnoh!  Perhaps. . .20* years ago. . .?  I’ve met plenty of interesting people, but that’s always quite a personal matter, isn’t it?  I’m certain that some of the people I’ve met have led interesting and productive lives. . .but I haven’t exactly checked in recently.  I would, but. . .my current. . .circumstances make doing so somewhat difficult.  But I think I can speak more on places than people.

“Sinnoh is full of mythology--sometimes it seems like it’s even moreso than other regions!  They’re quite religious there, so there are plenty of beautiful cathedrals and other places of worship to see.  I recommend joining them for services if you may--do be respectful, of course, but I personally enjoy such things.  Churches and temples have a wonderful atmosphere of devotion and belief--and sometimes trust, and sometimes fear of the supposed higher powers they stand for. . . .

“Ah, but I digress!  The three lakes--actually said to possibly be connected to Unova in their deepest parts!--are beautiful and make for an interesting trip. . .though I’ve heard that there’d been an incident perhaps ten years ago. . .but surely things have settled some by now. Reaching the caves that are in the center of these lakes is something one will mostly have to attempt on their own, as their being the homes of the lake spirits in Sinnoh--as opposed to the ones here in Unova--make them a sort of sacred place, though they’re unguarded as far as I recall, and when I entered I didn’t find anything, myself.  But mythical and legendary Pokémon are almost always hidden away, aren’t they.  That’s why they’re the stuff of myths and legends and not even believed to exist by many.

“Mt. Coronet and Stark Mountain also make for pleasant trips, and Stark Mountain in particular is good to visit if you grow tired of the cold, myahaha.  If you can make the hike, the Spear Pillar, where Sinnoh Myths say the world began, is fascinating--well, if you like ruins, that is.  It’s quite high up as well--higher than the clouds, even, which keeps it clear of snow despite the snow elsewhere on Mt. Coronet--so do take caution when visiting.  Air density is very, very low when you’re that high up, which means there’s less oxygen to go around.  I imagine that such oxygen deprivation prompted some of the myths that are told of it.

“There’s another interesting, mythological place, but. . .most of the locals seem keen on keeping it quiet and keeping people out of it for fears of what’s supposedly within. . .perhaps it would be wrong of me to tell you to look for it? Myahaha.

“But do be adventurous as with any region!  Sinnoh has many Pokémon you’ll likely find scarce in other regions if you’re a collector or trainer--or somebody who wishes to ‘befriend’ Pokémon, I suppose--so be prepared to explore if that’s what you’re visiting for. The Great Marsh, as I recall, is home to many Pokémon--I believe they'd received approval from the Global League to make it into a Safari zone, so that should surely be done by now.

“The further north you go in Sinnoh, particularly on the east side of the region as it is split by Mt. Coronet, the more you’ll find a greater difference in the regions, culturally and linguistically.  While they primarily share most of the mainland culture and language--the mainland being where Kanto and Johto and so on are--the northern and eastern areas are heavily, and in some places entirely, culturally and linguistically influenced by Russia!  The Battle Zone--an island off the north end of Sinnoh itself--especially shares this connection and is decidedly more Russian than Sinnohan.  While you’ll most certainly find speakers of “West Sinnohan” there, do be aware that you may struggle with communication as many of the towns and cities there speak only in Russian and “East Sinnohan” and they’re unsurprisingly different dialects.“Hm, I believe I went somewhat offtrack there. . . . My apologies.  The combined cultural experience is an amazing one, and I highly recommend visiting the east side of Sinnoh with a guide if you plan on going further north.  And I do recommend going towards Snowpoint, if only to see Lake Acuity and the Snowpoint Temple--although, you’re not permitted to enter the latter unless you’re “chosen.”  The temple guardians will teach you plenty of things, however, and the exterior and surrounding area are beautiful and well-maintained.

“If you’re a battler or a coordinator, the aforementioned Battle Zone is likely where you’d like to visit.  Despite its name battling isn’t the only matter handled there as it is an entire settlement, though with heavy focus on its perhaps most marketable areas.  The Fight and Survival areas are for battlers--the Fight Area is an ideal visit if you’re more of a viewer of battles than a participant, as they do allow audiences to witness many battles within.

“As for Coordinators, the Resort Area is likely more their speed--and surprisingly tropical.  The Ribbon Syndicate is off limits to but the most skilled of coordinators, but it does host audience-attended Pokémon Contests now and then. . .for a modest fee.  I assume it’s one of those places coordinators dream of performing in, though I will admit I don’t know much about the culture and industry behind Pokémon contests, and am more of a casual fan of Beauty and Cleverness Contests.  Of course, there are Contest Halls all about Sinnoh as well!  There’s no need to go to the Battle Zone to see them.

“Truthfully what places of interest you may want to look out for depend on your own interests!  I’m certain I could name many places to go, but they may not be of interest to you.  For example, Route 224 is a largely irrelevant peninsula which ends on a cliff overlooking the sea.  But at a certain time of year, flowers grow on the otherwise rocky cliff and the pollen and overgrowth turns the rock an interesting shade of white.  Among both certain religions and simply local custom, it’s common practice to come to this rock when it’s in its white form, and leave charms and notes of thanks to Shaymin, the Gratitude Pokémon, which are theorized to live there in some capacity.  Of course, I do love my myths and legends, so I find such a place to be a fantastic visit.  Even visitors are welcomed to leave their words of thanks, so it’s something of local culture to be explored.“I’ll also add that, at times, it appears there are flowers in the ocean itself just off the cliff, uninhibited in their growth by the seawater.  They must come quite a ways up to reach the sunlight, given that the sea there is quite deep.  Perhaps they’re expressing their gratitude as well.“Ah!  And on the note of Shaymin! They’re also said to make their home somewhere near Floaroma Town--which I don’t recommend you visit if you have allergies, myahahahaha!  Flowers are in bloom here all throughout the year, supposedly because of Shaymin’s efforts when it was previously barren.  These days, it’s a farming area and produces some of the most fantastic crops and honey one can find in the world--not to mention the variety of flowers!  I remember hearing talk of using the mystically fertile land to hopefully regrow long extinct plants and grass-type Pokémon from all around the world, though I wonder if that ideal ever saw the light of day.

“Celestic Town, the oldest city in Sinnoh, is as traditionally Sinnohan as a place could be.  It’s the best place to go about learning Sinnoh’s history, although it’s such a traditional town in most places that it could be jarring for most modern visitors. . . .”

He exhales, taking in a few breaths.  He hadn’t been talking nonstop or particularly rambling, but he had spoken a lot. . .which he loved to do, but he was beginning to tire of it.  After a long drink, he ended his little recollections.  “Goodness me, I’ve said quite a bit. . .hopefully you can find something you like if you go to Sinnoh.  Your average visitor seems to have mixed feelings about it, but if you know what you’re after and where to look, and you’re prepared for the cultural and linguistic leap across the mountains, you should have a splendid time.”

((*I’m going off real life years just to be lazy because the timeline a GameFreak employee gave us is hard to work with lmao, take this number with a grain of salt?  DPPt released in 2007--Cyrus was 27 in DPPT.  DPPT was roughly 12 years ago real time, so Cyrus would be 39 at present, and he’s implying he met Cyrus when Cyrus was 18 or so years old, when Cyrus was in college.))