The Illyna League: Gym Leader Elias

by PentheWonderful

Trainer Eli.png
PentheWonderful (Written & commissioned by @Vergil Tanner)

Elias is the fourth gym leader in your journey through the Illyna Region, and it doesn't get any easier! After defeating Kirana and making your way back to the mainland through three separate Routes, you are met with one last challenge; the intimidating Mt. Cragspire. Whilst it is not the tallest in Illyna – the mountain ranges on the islands to the South-East are far higher – Mt. Cragspire is the largest single-peak mountain in Illyna, dwarfing even Champions Peak at the end of Victory Road. The path up the mountainside is tiring and winding, with many strong wild pokemon, eager trainers and deep, labyrinthine caves to navigate through. If you manage to reach the peak, you will find the town of Orthis nestled in an ancient crater in the shadow of the towering peak nearby.

Orthis is a surprisingly bustling place, with a lively trade and deep, delving mines zigzagging into the mountain below. When you eventually decide to challenge the gym, you will find it to be a straightforward but brutal challenge; the local gym leader Elias is not to be trifled with, and he does not waste his time on the weak of heart. To that end, his challenge is largely one of determination and perseverance. His gym is built into the side of the highest peak of Mt. Cragspire, and has very little in the way of comforts or frills. Challengers are led to the base of a towering rock wall and instructed to climb; attempting to fly up on the back of your Pokemon results in an immediate disqualification. Upon reaching each ledge – each one further away than the last – the trainer is immediately challenged to a battle by Elias's apprentices.

Upon victory, you will need to find a hidden alcove to present one of your badges to in order to unlock the door leading to the next climb. The first ledge, you are met with a one-on-one battle and need to present the first badge. On the second ledge, you must complete a double battle and then find the slot for the second badge. On the third ledge, you must complete a Rotation Battle, then find the hole meant for the Harmony Badge that you won off of Kirana. Upon completing the final climb, you will come face to face with Elias himself, who is ready to “reward” you with a challenge and a half. Standing at a whopping 6'8 with every single inch of that being filled with bad attitude and hostility, he is an intimidating presence in and out of battle. His team is bristling for a fight and just as ready to tear your head off as he is! Indeed, it is said that to reach his perch, he completes the very same challenge every morning. Considering his large frame, it is not hard to believe!

In order of appearance, his team is as follows:
1. Kidul, his fortress of a Drednaw.
2. Surtr, his aggressive Coalossal.
3. Ragnar, his rampaging Tyrantrum.
4. Talon, his blindingly fast and mega-evolving Aerodactyl.
5. And finally, his trusty partner and oldest friend Fenrir, the Midnight Lycanroc.

Elias doesn't play games. Other gym leaders might try to fool you with clever combinations and unexpected tactics, or set in motion long, elaborate strategies designed to manipulate you into a corner. Elias hasn't the time or patience for such fancy nonsense. He relies on overwhelming power, raw brutal force that simply beats you down into submission. Every one of his Pokemon shares that killer instinct, and if you allow yourself to give even the slightest amount of ground, if you flinch for even a moment, it will all be over. If you manage to weather the storm and pull out a victory, he will begrudgingly give you the Seismic Badge and the TM “Rock Slide.”

People in town claim that if a challenger comes through with the Harmony Badge, Elias makes it his mission to destroy them. They seem to be a little coy on why that is, however...
  1. Vergil Tanner
    Vergil Tanner
    GAWD. I love the redesign. That choker MMMMF. >u> I'd like it a second time if I could >.>
    Jul 3, 2020
    PentheWonderful likes this.
  2. Vergil Tanner
    Vergil Tanner
    @kyuukestu Plus, we wanted the Elite 4 to be challenging, and having to face a pair of powerful trainers who know each other really well and can synergise effectively is definitely a challenge! Their teams might be shifting around a little at some point. It is an interesting question, though, what Elias's "Sixth Pokemon" would be for those who want a rematch with him. :?

    I think, off the top of my head, he'd probably have a Rhyperior holding an Assault Vest.
    Mar 16, 2020
    kyuukestu likes this.
  3. PentheWonderful
    PentheWonderful
    @kyuukestu Well, it's never been done before, and we just wanted our characters to battle together XD
    Mar 15, 2020
    Vergil Tanner and kyuukestu like this.
  4. kyuukestu
    kyuukestu
    Oh! That's a pretty novel idea! What made you come up with that?
    Mar 15, 2020
    Vergil Tanner likes this.
  5. PentheWonderful
    PentheWonderful
    @kyuukestu Well! Technically your rematch with them will be at the Pokemon League, where instead of an Elite Four, you have a double battle with the gym leaders (in pairs) you've faced to get to the champion :D
    Mar 15, 2020
    Vergil Tanner and kyuukestu like this.
  6. kyuukestu
    kyuukestu
    A straight-forward battler, in terms of battle style I think Elias would be my second favorite next to the Lady of Dread Evelina ~ ♥

    I see his Pokemon definitely have that brutal theme to them. Have you guys thought about the Gym Leaders' rematch teams? Or more generally their full 6-mon teams. I can't decide which would best fill the last slot. Leaning heavily into the idea of a Tyranitar or Aggron, but Rhyperior, Gigalith or Ramparados would work really well... :?

    With his whole 'head-on' theme, Ramparados would be pretty fitting :D
    Mar 14, 2020
  7. Vergil Tanner
    Vergil Tanner
    @Merciless Medic Who needs a car when you have a Tyrantrum? That's a Road Rage to behold right there! :p
    Mar 8, 2020
  8. Merciless Medic
    Merciless Medic
    Mar 7, 2020
  9. PentheWonderful
    PentheWonderful
    Mar 7, 2020
  10. Vergil Tanner
    Vergil Tanner
    @Merciless Medic I KNOW RIGHT?! Elias is easily the biggest of my bois. ♥ He's a big, muscular boy alright!
    Mar 7, 2020
  11. Merciless Medic
    Merciless Medic
    Dear Arceus, those muscles! :-O Don't worry, Kirana can still have him, its just.... Wow, he's so swole. XD
    Mar 6, 2020
  12. JojoMaker
    JojoMaker
    Mar 5, 2020
  13. PentheWonderful
    PentheWonderful
    Mar 2, 2020
  14. Vergil Tanner
    Vergil Tanner
    @BurbleBurble LOL. I'll keep that in mind xD Just don't let Kirana hear you say that, or she might snap you in half instead, eh @PentheWonderful ? xD
    Mar 2, 2020
  15. BurbleBurble
    BurbleBurble
    Yeah really, this guy could snap me like a toothpick and I'd thank him
    Mar 2, 2020
  16. Vergil Tanner
    Vergil Tanner
    Elias tends to have that effect on people. xD He'd enjoy it too, probably ;)
    Feb 29, 2020
  17. PentheWonderful
    PentheWonderful
    Feb 29, 2020
  18. E.K.A.N.S.
    E.K.A.N.S.
    I kinda want him to punch me in the face... or slap me... and I'd really enjoy it. Is that weird?
    Feb 29, 2020
  19. Vergil Tanner
    Vergil Tanner
    Feb 24, 2020
  20. PentheWonderful
    PentheWonderful
    @Vergil Tanner Soon, hopefully XD
    But thank you! :D I worked really hard on this one XD
    Feb 24, 2020
  21. Vergil Tanner
    Vergil Tanner
    THERE'S MA BOI.
    God, your art is always so good.

    Now where's the latest trainer who beat His Rana? Eli needs to make them cry >.>
    Feb 24, 2020