Pyro Enterprises Direct/4-23-20 Kotomo Direct

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Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the first Pyro Enterprises Direct of 2020! It's been a wild and crazy year for many of us, so here's hoping that this presentation will be able to brighten at least someone's day!
Normally, I start off these directs by thanking the community for their years of kindness and support, but in the case of Kotomo in particular, I don't think I can even describe how happy I am. This project has exploded in popularity among the community like nothing I've ever developed before, and the amount of encouragement, interest, and praise I've garnered as a result is nothing short of staggering. As a result, I feel like I owe it to you, the people, to give the game its own themed Direct, chockful of information and reveals!
And speaking of reveals, let's not waste any time!
==Your Starters Advance!==
The three starting Kotomo- the Psychic-type Synax, the Electric-type Tandrum, and the Metal-type Stiril- have been some of the hallmarks of Kotomo's design philosophy, inspiring the style and general vibe of the rest of the roster. Like any good starting creature, however, these three are intended to be steadfast allies throughout the entirety of your adventure, and they certainly can't do that without Advancing at least once! Meet the midstage starters!
The tiny Synax advances into Axolon when trained enough, becoming a more humanoid creature with a darker color scheme. Still able to sense emotions, Axolon has become intelligent enough to read basic thought patterns of those around them, and uses this skill to become perfectly in sync with its trainer. A strange substance now circulates through its body- while it aids in picking up psychic energy, it also dulls Axolon's senses a small amount, making the Kotomo look like it is perpetually dazed.
Tandrum only becomes more temperamental when it advances into Raidrum, styling its fur into a suave-looking pompadour that it uses for both intimidation and attraction purposes. Its internal electricity sac has increased in size, letting it generate much greater amounts of electricity that become concentrated in the yellow fur on its forearms. If it's charged up enough, one punch can deliver the same amount of raw electrical energy as a lightning strike!
While Stiril might have been a bit of a neatfreak, its advanced form Aliril is even more so. Having heightened magnetic powers and a third horn to use as a conduit for them, Aliril projects a field around it that repels both attacks and dirt. It's even able to use its powers to walk on top of water, giving it an otherworldly aura of beauty. Of course, if it trusts you enough, it will let even the dirtiest trainer give it love and affection.
These three midstages aren't the end of the starters' growth- their true final forms are yet to be revealed- but even in these new forms, they'll certainly be a valuable asset to any team! Which one are you most interested in? Are you still pleased with your initial choice of starter? Sound off in the comments below!
==A Wide World to Explore!==
This game isn't just about the titular Kotomo- the land of Heiwana is a vast open world filled with secrets and hidden areas to find! There's lots to see and do in this game, so here's a rundown of just some of the locations you'll find along your adventure!
Located in the far north of the island, past the rocky and dry Zanizar Ridge, lies Zanzi City, an equally rocky location where massive stone gears jut from the side of the mountain. This stonework machinery powers the massive earthen drill in the center of town, which both mines for valuable crystals and harvests geothermal energy to provide power to the rest of Heiwana. It's not just a power plant, however, as the drill's top acts as a plaza for people to gather in a massive market, selling all sorts of odds and ends! Zanzi City is also home to the Rush League Stadium, home to the unique Rush Battle system- here, the player will be tasked with defeating as many Kotomo they can under a turn limit, with points being awarded by fulfilling certain conditions. Get enough points and win big!
Across a vast, snowy mountain range from Zanzi is Starshine City, a bustling metropolis that's one of the biggest cities in Heiwana. Its star attraction is the Aerie, a large circular building that's suspended in the air by wires held by the surrounding buildings; while a home to Wind-type Kotomo and the location which the Heiwana Mail Service operates out of, it's also home to what can only be described as a hybrid between theater and club, where all the hardworking people of Starshine come to relax. You're more than welcome to come up on stage and dance with your Kotomo- it's a wonderful bonding exercise!
Travel down south from Starshine and, after crossing some grassy plains and the thick Mokotal Swamp, you'll come across Poko Town. Despite being built entirely offshore and out of wooden planks, Poko is a small yet thriving fishing community with a relaxed and comforting vibe. Take a gander at their beautiful coral-themed accessories, take part in a fishing contest, or,if you're feeling more adventurous, head out into the vast open ocean to the south in search of treasure, adventure, and mysterious new Kotomo!
As you can see, Heiwana is a place filled with opportunities to explore and have your own adventures in- and that's not even getting into all of the hidden underground catacombs and dungeons scattered across the land! We hope you're as excited to uncover the secrets of this new land as the scientists at Verdacorp are!
==A Vast Cast of Characters!==
What's a world without people to inhabit it! While the community's already been introduced to characters such as Kiki and the rival Blade, here are some more individuals you'll encounter over the course of the journey!
 
Sawyer is the head of the previously mentioned Heiwana Mail Service, acting as both a manager and deliveryman who ventures across the whole of the island just to make sure people get their mail. Despite his frail visage, he's strong enough to ride on the back of his Kotomo in a majestic manner, and he's absolutely certain there's life in his old bones yet. In their quest to track down Blade, Sawyer is more than willing to act as everyone's eyes and ears, provided they help him with his deliveries- he's also more than willing to mail packages between players!
Sawyer specializes in Wind and Water-type Kotomo, and enjoys using weather effects, terrain effects, and items in order to confuse and disorient his foes.
 
Cinda hails from Zanzi City, and is one of the most talented Kotomo battlers in all the land. She's so powerful that she wrestles with her own team, and is a veritable master tactician. Unfortunately, the world of Kotomo doesn't revolve around battles, and she's practically useless at everything else; as a result, she spends most of her time either battling for money or looking for a job. When a nearby volcano begins erupting, the player and Kiki join Cinda in taking down the massive fiery Kotomo causing the conflagration.
Cinda specializes in Flame and Melee-type Kotomo, and to describe her battle style as pure offense would be just a tad off- she's prone to feints, misdirection, and stat decreases in order to make her hits harder and harder.
 
Nanuk is a young denizen who lives in a small, snowy village in the middle of the mountains. While his people pride themselves on their strength and survival skills, Nanuk is unfortunately lacking in this department, having to rely on his Frosky, Kenai, in order to accomplish even the simplest tasks. He decides to tag along with the player and Kiki in an attempt to become stronger and learn from them, but things don't exactly go as planned in the process...
Nanuk specializes in Ice and Plant-type Kotomo, and tends to play a defensive, conservative game in battles.
==New Kotomo Appear!==
Of course, it's not just the humans who are important in Heiwana- please welcome some more introductions to the existing lineup of Kotomo!
Inhabiting the majority of the waterways of Heiwana is Gnarana, a dimwitted little fish with a massive overbite and penchant for bonking its noggin on rocks in an attempt to catch food. As a result, it's learned to store food in its jaw rather than becoming an active hunter- its advanced form, Gnashark, eschews this entirely, keeping all of the aggression but becoming a much sharper predator- literally. Both are pure Water-type and can have either the Water Body ability- causing Soak on contact- or Secret Stash, which lets them reuse a healing item which they have been given to hold.
Nettrop is a Plant/Melee-type Kotomo native to the thick jungles of Heiwana, hiding in bushes and hurling their spiky bodies at intruders in order to scare them off. Fortunately, they're very tiny, and pulling one off your body doesn't really hurt at all. Its advanced form Clustrop is much more passive, floating through the air and waiting for prey to become entangled within its spiky vines like a grassy jellyfish. Both share the ability Spiky Skin, which enables them to deal damage when struck physically- between this and their penchant for scattering entry hazards around, Nettrop and Clustrop become wildly powerful tanks, wearing down the enemy.
Moskemo is a highly dangerous Bug/Wind Kotomo who lurks in the deep swamps, hiding in the shadows before darting out to siphon the blood of their targets. Their eyes are like elaborate crosshairs, giving them exceptional accuracy and turning them into living ammunition; their ability to corrupt the blood in their system and spit it out as toxic liquid is dangerous as well. In spite of this, the big bugs are more than happy to be trained, seeking love and affection like any other Kotomo. Moskemo possesses the ability Lifetaker, restoring some of the damage it deals with physical attacks as HP- this helps to offset its low defenses.
Radiano is a Metal/Digital Kotomo who resides in the highest peaks of Heiwana, holding their metallic swords aloft as they stand still for months on end. These blades help them transmit and receive mysterious signals that they appear to use to communicate, but if challenged, they will turn the blade to combat. These signals are important to Radiano in battle as well, with its unique ability Stance Signal changing effect based on what position it is sent into battle with. If sent into Strength Stance, it will gain a free boost to Strength and Magic upon entry- if sent into Shield Stance, it will boost Defense and Resistance instead. Use this highly versatile Kotomo any way you desire!
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That's all for this direct! We hope you've enjoyed all of our announcements and that you're excited for what comes next... both from Kotomo and our studio's other projects!
Be seeing you!
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