Mauville

Mauville is the capital city of Hoenn. Situated in the middle of the continent, it links north and south, east and west. It is unique in the world in that the city's mayor and gym leader, Wattson, wields almost complete control over the city, with Hoenn's government located in Lilycove. In 2002, he began a project aimed at redeveloping the city and converting it into a mostly-indoors city, with a vast roof. The works were carried out by Wattson's company, Mauville City Holdings.

Historically, Mauville sits at a central hub of travel within Hoenn. It is located in flat grasslands, and operates as a key strategic location with the country, linking the Route 118 river, over which most trade from Eastern Hoenn passes; Route 111 which leads to Northern Hoenn, Mt Chimney and the Great Desert; Route 117 to Verdanturf and the Rusturf Tunnel for a connection to Western Hoenn; as well as a series of canals to the city's south, allowing access to South Hoenn and the Hoennese Sea. Over the centuries this has led to Mauville becoming Hoenn's largest city and in many ways its most important.

The city is immensely rich, with the city council able to impose tariffs and restrictions on domestic trade. Wattson has been the city mayor for over 30 years. In 2002, he began a development scheme aimed at protecting Mauville from Hoenn's erratic climate. The main focus of this was to erect an immense roof over the city, but several of Wattson's other projects with Mauville City Holdings tie into the scheme: the city's power is almost entirely dependent on the New Mauville Power Plant, located to the south of the city, essentially acting as a private power supply. The city also has a canal network linking to the Wattson-owned port of Sea Mauville on the coast, granting it access to a coastline the city would not otherwise extend to.

The power exerted over Hoenn by Wattson and Mauville's city council has led to accusations of it being nothing more than an independent city-state. The Hoennese government has attempted to place sanctions on the city on a number of occasions, but these have generally been ineffectual. Instead, since the New Alliance Party was elected to power in 2014, government strategy has mostly centred around empowering other Hoennese cities.

## Buildings and Landmarks

Perhaps surprisingly for a capital city, Mauville has very little in the way of important national landmarks beyond the various projects owned and regulated by Mauville City Holdings. Much of the city is malls and shopping centres.

The Hoenn Battle Institute is based in Mauville. The Institute is the regulatory body that oversees Pokébattling in the region. Its close proximity to Mauville City has often seen it accused of bias or of being unduly influenced by the club.

Mauville Hills is one of the country's most famous cultural reference points. A high-class residential complex in the west end of the city, it is the home to Hoenn's rich and famous. Notable residents include Ribbon Belle, Wattson, Mr Yeet and the Rotation Frump. Dwile Flonking is said to own property in Mauville Hills. The Hills are often featured on Hoennese television. Examples include Mauville Hills Cop and Mauville Hills, 90210.

The city's famous Trick House hosts an annual contest.The competitor who overcomes the Trick House's various rooms receives a large cash prize. These obstacles vary each year, and they include rope swings, log walks, and confusing mazes.

Crooner's Court is one of the only open spaces within Mauville's city limits. Here the city is open to the sky and the elements. Musicians and performers gather within the court.

## Pokébattling

Mauville City is the one of only professional clubs in Mauville. Owned and funded by Wattson, it plays games at The Dust Bowl stadium to the north of the city. It is the most successful club in Hoennese history, with more national league titles and cup victories than any other team.

Just outside the built-up city limits is Foothill Rovers of the League of Western Hoenn. Despite being from a relatively small leafy suburb, Rovers enjoys good support from the city, in part due to the difficulty of acquiring tickets to Mauville City matches.

The only other team of any note is Egg Boys Burn, a youth Pokébattling club originally based on Route 117 to the west of the city. It was moved inside city limits during the city redevelopment period and handed funding by local business owner Rydel, on the condition their stadium would be sponsored by his company, Rydel's Cycles. Like Foothill Rovers, Egg Boys enjoys significant support from the local population.

Mauville has hosted World Cup games twice, in 1994 and 2008. It hosted the 1994 World Cup final, but following Mauville City's move to The Dust Bowl, the decision was made to host the 2008 Final in Lilycove.