The Illyna League: Gym Leader Elias

(Written & commissioned by @Vergil Tanner)

Elias is the fourth gym leader in your journey through the Illyna Region, and it doesn't get any easier! After defeating Kirana and making your way back to the mainland through three separate Routes, you are met with one last challenge; the intimidating Mt. Cragspire. Whilst it is not the tallest in Illyna – the mountain ranges on the islands to the South-East are far higher – Mt. Cragspire is the largest single-peak mountain in Illyna, dwarfing even Champions Peak at the end of Victory Road. The path up the mountainside is tiring and winding, with many strong wild pokemon, eager trainers and deep, labyrinthine caves to navigate through. If you manage to reach the peak, you will find the town of Orthis nestled in an ancient crater in the shadow of the towering peak nearby.

Orthis is a surprisingly bustling place, with a lively trade and deep, delving mines zigzagging into the mountain below. When you eventually decide to challenge the gym, you will find it to be a straightforward but brutal challenge; the local gym leader Elias is not to be trifled with, and he does not waste his time on the weak of heart. To that end, his challenge is largely one of determination and perseverance. His gym is built into the side of the highest peak of Mt. Cragspire, and has very little in the way of comforts or frills. Challengers are led to the base of a towering rock wall and instructed to climb; attempting to fly up on the back of your Pokemon results in an immediate disqualification. Upon reaching each ledge – each one further away than the last – the trainer is immediately challenged to a battle by Elias's apprentices.

Upon victory, you will need to find a hidden alcove to present one of your badges to in order to unlock the door leading to the next climb. The first ledge, you are met with a one-on-one battle and need to present the first badge. On the second ledge, you must complete a double battle and then find the slot for the second badge. On the third ledge, you must complete a Rotation Battle, then find the hole meant for the Harmony Badge that you won off of Kirana. Upon completing the final climb, you will come face to face with Elias himself, who is ready to “reward” you with a challenge and a half. Standing at a whopping 6'8 with every single inch of that being filled with bad attitude and hostility, he is an intimidating presence in and out of battle. His team is bristling for a fight and just as ready to tear your head off as he is! Indeed, it is said that to reach his perch, he completes the very same challenge every morning. Considering his large frame, it is not hard to believe!

In order of appearance, his team is as follows:
1. Kidul, his fortress of a Drednaw.
2. Surtr, his aggressive Coalossal.
3. Ragnar, his rampaging Tyrantrum.
4. Talon, his blindingly fast and mega-evolving Aerodactyl.
5. And finally, his trusty partner and oldest friend Fenrir, the Midnight Lycanroc.

Elias doesn't play games. Other gym leaders might try to fool you with clever combinations and unexpected tactics, or set in motion long, elaborate strategies designed to manipulate you into a corner. Elias hasn't the time or patience for such fancy nonsense. He relies on overwhelming power, raw brutal force that simply beats you down into submission. Every one of his Pokemon shares that killer instinct, and if you allow yourself to give even the slightest amount of ground, if you flinch for even a moment, it will all be over. If you manage to weather the storm and pull out a victory, he will begrudgingly give you the Seismic Badge and the TM “Rock Slide.”

People in town claim that if a challenger comes through with the Harmony Badge, Elias makes it his mission to destroy them. They seem to be a little coy on why that is, however...