Pokemon ScarletandViolet, like otherPokemontitles, will have its region based on a real location. This time it is inspired by Spain, and that has a lot of fans excited to make predictions. For example, fans are guessing thatSprigatito’s evolutionwill resemble an Iberian Lynx, since that is a wildcat commonly found in Spain. There may also be new Pokemon or region variants based on icons of Spanish culture, like bullfighting, Flamenco, and peppers.
Mythology is a cultural aspect behind the inspiration ofPokemon. Many are based on Japanese folklore and myths, like Whiscash with Namazu, and Shiftry with Tengu. Spain has its own folklore and myths, and it is likely that Pokemon in that region could be inspired by them. This could especially happen with roaming legendaries.
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Iberian Deities That Can Inspire Legendaries
Iberian deities, due to conquest and cultural mixing in history, have a lot of overlap with other mythology and cultures. For example, Cariocecus was known as the god of war to Iberian tribes, butRoman conquestsynthesized him with their own god of war, Mars. Due to this, there is actually a lot that is unknown about Iberian mythology. However, there are some figures that are worth highlighting as a possibility for inspiration for the new region’s legendaries.
There is the goddess Ataegina, who Iberians believed to have ruled the underworld. While she is often compared to Persephone, she is associated with goat iconography. This brings up an idea for legendary roaming Pokemon designs, as many of the gods of Iberian myth were associated with goats (goats were sometimes used as sacrifices to them long ago by tribes). If Ataegina is used as a source of inspiration, there could be a Ghost and/orDark-typelegendary in the form of a goat.
Next to Ataegina is another god associated with the underworld, a god called Endovelicus. He is also associated with health, vegetation, and the earth. If considered for inspiration, Endovelicus could inspire aGrass-typelegendary. He is a god more commonly known, as there are still temples around Portugal to him that survived the tests of time.
Iberian Spain also had a god called Eacus. Little is known about it, except that it was known as the weather god. This could be an interesting idea for a roaming legendary that changes shape according to the weather. Like a legendary Castform of some sort.
The Roman Empire’s influence on the Iberian Peninsula also added mythology to the land that is not part of the Iberian pantheon. One example that has already influenced a majorNintendo franchiseis Epona. In Gallo-Roman religion, Epona was a deity that protected mules, donkeys, and horses and also was a symbol of fertility. This could inspire roaming legendaries that are horses. There are some Gallaecia deities that are very connected to water, which could mean Water-type legendaries appearing inPokemon Scarlet and Violet.One is Bandua and another is Nabia, who is the goddess of rivers.
Mythology Of the Iberian Peninsula
There is more to myth than just deities, and the Iberian Peninsula has plenty of interesting creatures thatPokemondevelopers may look into for the future game. Some of these creatures have already been in video games likeThe Witcher.One such myth is the Bruxa, which are vampires of Iberian folklore. They could inspire Dark andGhost-typeroaming legendaries with more mature designs.
There is another scary sort of mythological being called a Bicho-papao. They are known to be shapeshifters that embody fear and are attracted to badly behaved children. They are used by parents to get their children to not disobey, like a boogeyman. This could make for an interesting Dark andFairy-typelegendary.
Not all myths are creature-based either. An old Iberian legend believed in a phantom island that was called Antillia, or Isle of Seven Cities. That is something that sounds like it’s directly from aPokemongame, andPokemon ScarletandVioletmay use that. If so, it could be where they’ll place roaming legendaries to be first met before they start to roam around the wider map.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare releasing in late 2022 on Nintendo Switch.
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