Derek "Dune" Morton

Name:	Derek Morton
Nickname/Alias:	Dune
Gender:	Male
Sexuality:	Unknown
Age:	31 (As of 2023)
Height:	Unknown
Ethnicity:	Mixed [European]
Birthday:	September 21, 1991
Attribute:	N/A
Trainer ID:	N/A
Home:	Phenac City, Orre
Pokéform:	Drilbur
Starter:	Galvani
Status:	Alive

An explorer and aspiring archaeologist who happened upon a group of living legends. Specializes in sandstorm combat.

Biography

A native of Orre, Derek Morton was more at home in the barrens around his home of Phenac City than in the town itself. He would lose himself exploring every tiny nook and cranny trying to find nothing in particular. This earned him his nickname, as people in town compared the young man to a "walking sand dune". Aside from his school studies, he poured over books about ancient history and maps, most of which he found to be woefully vague or incomplete. Deciding that he wanted to fill in the blanks himself, Dune signed onto the first of Silph Co.'s many expeditions. Providing much needed muscle (literally and figuratively) and knowledge of the local landscape, Dune found himself rehired time and again. He eventually saved enough money to obtain all the supplies he needed, and bought passage from Gateon Port to new and interesting place.

Dune is helped the J-Team find and defeat the scientists that had attempted to capture Cresselia, and after some convincing, went to Orre with the rest of the team after it was discovered that Cipher was the main financial backer of the aforementioned scientists. There, Dune has not only Snagged several Shadow Pokemon, but has also discovered that he is in fact the descendant of Sabaku, he's started training in Sabaku's personal fighting style, and that Galvani, his starter and partner, is in fact a girl.

Appearance

Dune has short brown hair and brown eyes. His skin is very tan from the amount of time he spends in the sun. He stands at about 5'10", with a thin frame that makes most clothes in his size category a little loose.

Dune dresses for practicality. He favors clothes that are light and loose when traveling through the desert or mountains, but will wear thicker clothing at high altitudes and in colder climates. He prefers light earth tones, generally tan or brown. He can always be found wearing his pair of custom orange Go-Goggles, and will usually have a tan scarf wrapped around his neck.

He has received two sets of headwear as gifts. The first is an Indiana Jones-esque fedora, which he received from Des, and the second is a helmet, crafted by Galvani, which looks suspiciously like a military ballistics helmet. Galvani later added a light to the front of it.

After discovering the tomb holding ancient warriors of Terrera, he was rewarded with an ancient staff made of petrified wood, capped with a small figurine of an Arcanine made of white gold. He now uses it as a walking staff.

Personality

Dune is, in a word, observational. He has studied every myth and legend he can get his hands on, as well as the synopses of said legends by others. He tends to read new people about as often as new books, and knows what to looks for when telling someone's mental state. This can backfire, as he tends to drown out other events, leading to tunnel vision. Dune developed a strong sense of morality from all the myths and legends he read, as well as the sense of honor his father instilled in him. He believes that while doing good towards someone evil may not seem logical, doing evil towards evil will only make matters worse. Dune does not see himself as a natural leader. He has a natural urge to help those in need, but will step back if he believes someone can handle the job better.

Has a Mindscape.

Further Details

Favorite Color: Orange

Attribute: None

Aura/Obscura Affinity: Telepathically Deaf, no abilities otherwise

Likes: Majestic vistas, ancient ruins, spicy food

Dislikes: Sailing, bitter food, being lost, scorpion Pokémon

Dune's Team

Galvani

Garuda

Rill

Cun Annwn

Big Dom

Selene

Ajax

Champloo

Flanagan

Hildr

Zeus

Vega

Anja

Laharl

Flonne

Candace

Eos

Etna

Alexandrine

Alisaie

Kars

Svarog

In the AU

In the AU, Dune never met Galvani. Thus, he lost interest in trying to leave Orre and eventually enrolled in Phenac University to earn a Masters Degree in World History. He also shed his old nickname, and is commonly known by his first name Derek.

After the bombs hit, Derek fled the city and met up with Justy, the PreGym leader. The two of them gathered a small group of refugees and fled to Eclo Canyon, where they built a small base using the remnants of the old Team Snagem base. After hearing rumors of a prisoner from Kalos that was being kept in solitary confinement, Derek and Justy rescued the captive, who turned out to be General Guy, a famous revolutionary returned as a Yamask.

Items

Dune has acquired a variety of odd items over the course of his travels. Notable examples include:

• The Eighth Wonder, one of Ammy's glaives she used during her time in Ransei. Received as a gift during the 2013 Christmas event.
• Portions of Sabaku's warrior armor. Thus far, he has only located the boots and the bladed gauntlets.
• A piece of metal gifted to him by the Heatran of Mt. Battle. It is an alloy of tungsten, titanium, and iron, but due to it's strength there is almost no forge hot enough to forge anything with it.
• A helmet crafted by Galvani. It is extremely strong, and it has a lamp on the front of it.
• A pair of Obscurasilk gloves gifted to him by Ren and Crewe during the 2013 Christmas event. They will absorb energy-based special attacks.
• A petrified wood staff with a white gold Arcanine figure capping it. Often used as a walking staff.
• A steel gauntlet with a Key Stone set in it, found in Sabaku and Emphemria's treasure room under the old Morton Manor.
• The large hat gifted to Sabaku from Celzvet. It's large, leather, embellished, and has a large tan Pidgeot feather adorning it.

Relationships

Dune is relatively new to the group, so he hasn't become fully acquainted with many of the more senior members.

• Dune is currently in a relationship with a remarkable young woman named Deziree.
• During a Dream Rift breakout inside the Unova Champion's room, Dune and team had rushed to Ren's aid after the latter had been swarmed by Infernapes. Later, the two teamed up with Des to close the reopened Castelia City rift. The two are good friends, as he was with Des before his passing.
• After Umbra told Every and Dune about his past as the Ghost Lord, Dune took it in stride, saying that he had already proven himself to no longer be the man he once was. They now share a respectful friendship.
• Dune's first meeting with Herbert was sparked by a mutual interest in myths, specifically those of the Sinnoh region. Selene had to intervene, however, when Dune started becoming slightly manic over hearing about the Lake Trio. Later, in Orre, Dune helped console Herbert through a rough patch.
• After a chance (Haha) meeting inside the Holon Ruins, it was revealed that Dune and Pi had both experienced similar attacks on their psyche by ancient, malignant beings known as the Criminal and Madness, respectively. The two shared their tales and parted ways. They still recognize each other, though they are little more than friends in passing.
• Dune has come to see Crewe in an almost fraternal or paternal sense, and cares deeply about her well being. After entering her Mindscape, this instinct only strengthened.
• Following an incident involving Noir, Dune has developed a... complicated relationship with Cebu.
• He considers himself to be Aline's personal protector during her travels with the J-Team, and considers her safety to be top priority.
• Prof. Mesquite is his great-aunt.

Trivia

• Dune's battling style is inspired by Justy, the Pregym Leader in Phenac City.
• Dune's Go-Goggles were custom made for improved peripheral vision. There is also space for further upgrades as necessary.
• Dune's development name was "Dusty", Galvani's was "Tesla", and Rill's was "Delta".
• Back in Orre, Dune had several run-ins with a certain affro'd Wanderer. He would likely recognize him and his music on sight.
• Hildr, Dune's Donphan, is currently the only Mon that is both native to the Dream World and is also a Delta Species.
• Dune and Deziree are the first PCs to have gotten successfully married.

Gallery

Deziree and Dune (right) observing the stars. (Commission by gabbiehstuff.) (dA link)