Hey a new update for the day! So I got to thinking on this one while having dinner and at the same time I was also thinking of what to name the "writer" of this guide for the story and here are a few names I thought of for her:

Violet

Emma

Carmine

Skyler

So yeah those are the names I have in my head down for her so far (not going to use my own name for personal reasons) anyways with that out of the way, here is the next update.

One thing all Regions (that I've heard about through the grape vine that is) have in common is the fact there are about eight gyms and an Elite Four as well as a Champion of said Elite Four. Well here in Amestris… our gyms have a slightly different system to them from the gyms of other regions. You see here in Amestris we value strength and tactics that are used in the battles like the other regions… but we also greatly value mental strength as well.

See when you challenge a gym here you get two, sometimes three options to earn the badge. First option is what Pokemon trainers are used to, Battle their way through the gym and battle the Leader. The second option is in the form of Knowledge, as most people have to just get the badge to even get to other places. The final option is not given out by all gyms but it's an option still, a Test of Survival.

The Knowledge option is a diverse option among the gyms here as each test for this one is unique. Some will give out actual written tests that you will have at the least a week to finish and solve. The more common one is to answer a riddle, that has a clue hidden somewhere within the town or city the gym is located in.

The Test of Survival is where you failed both other options (which again doesn't happen often, unless you are in Briggs) and absolutely need said badge. The test is usually to be stranded somewhere for several days with your supplies taken away and you will still have your Alchemymon with you. It's not just a test of survival but a test of trust. (Quite frankly I'm surprised I even passed mine once with how my team is… and because of Envy fucking up most of the gear I made and Ling eating EVERYTHING…. At least Ed was helpful.)

Trust me when I say, the test of Survival can either be one of the hardest things to do, or one of the easiest. Honestly it all depends on trust of your team, cooperation, tactics and knowing how to make your own tools, camp and food without items you can buy in stores.

Before when I mentioned failing one of the two other tests… well they give you a limit on how many times you can challenge them or take the knowledge test. Again that depends on the town or city they are in.

My recommendation for these options, unless you plan on challenging the Elite Four that is, is to go for the test of Knowledge. It's one of the better ways to get on with your life if you have a team that doesn't listen to you much… or you have a team of homunculus types.

If you want to challenge the Elite Four and try to become champion however, go with Battling and the Test of Survival options, those will make you more qualified. (Yes they will know how you got your badge… each badge has a symbol for how you earned it on them.)