Professor Rowan

Gender
 Hometown

**Professor Rowan** is the resident Pokémon Professor of Sandgem Town in the Sinnoh region. He specializes in Pokémon evolution.

Professor Rowan works in Sandgem Town with Dawn/Lucas and their family. This makes him the first Professor from the games that does not live in the player's hometown. He left the Sinnoh region four years prior to the events of the game to study the Pokémon of Kanto with Professor Oak, and has recently returned at the start of the game after reaching the conclusion that Sinnoh holds far greater secrets. He has a stern personality that makes him seem intimidating and mean, but he is actually very kind and patient. Rowan says he still feels a thrill whenever he travels anywhere with his Pokémon. He apparently has a sweet tooth, as the refrigerator in his laboratory is full of nothing but sweets and candy.

Rowan's particular field of study is Pokémon evolution, having discovered that 90% of all Pokémon are connected in some way to others through evolution. He is also interested in determining if evolution is supposed to be a form of Pokémon reaching maturity, or a way for an "incomplete" being to become "more complete," and the implications that the process has on legendary Pokémon, which don't evolve.

In Banished Platinum, the player and their friend leave Twinleaf Town just as Rowan returns from the lake, with Rowan stopping the two from journeying into the tall grass without a Pokémon. His assistant then arrives with the briefcase he left behind at the lake, and Rowan offers the two a starter Pokémon. When he is visited in Sandgem for the first time, he hands out TM27 (Return) as well as the Pokédex. Soon after, Rowan and his assistant travel to Jubilife City to drop off some notes, where they are attacked by Team Galactic, just as the player returns from Oreburgh City with their first Badge.

After becoming suspicious of Team Galactic's activities, he gathers his assistant, the player and their friend in the Canalave Library after the player obtains the Mine Badge, and tells them about the legends of Sinnoh. Before they are able to finish their discussion, however, an earthquake shakes the region, and the four manage to escape the building before an aftershock. Rowan urges the Trainers to journey to the three lakes of Sinnoh, seeing the aftermath of the explosion on the news, and sends the player's friend to Lake Acuity in the north, his assistant to Lake Verity near Twinleaf Town, and the player to Lake Valor.

He apparently previously gave Cynthia her first Pokémon and a Pokédex, though it is unknown how long before the game this occurred.

Professor Rowan is an old friend of Professor Oak, and Rowan's assistant claims that Oak is Rowan's junior in terms of seniority. In Banished Platinum, he can be seen occasionally in the basement of the Veilstone Department Store sulking about the fact they've run out of Rage Candy Bars.

In Banished Platinum, Professor Rowan has one of each Sinnoh starter in his briefcase. Prior to meeting the player, he also used to have at least one additional Sinnoh starter of the same species, which he gave to his assistant, the player character not chosen.