Where Is 'Borne Of Caution' Set?

I've been hooked on 'Borne of Caution' for months, and the setting is one of its strongest elements. The story takes place in a meticulously crafted version of the Pokémon world, but with a darker, more realistic twist. Our protagonist finds himself stranded in the Hoenn region, specifically around Route 120 near Fortree City. The author does an amazing job making this familiar location feel fresh and dangerous - the tall grass isn't just decorative, it hides genuine threats. What really stands out is how they expanded the ecosystem beyond what we saw in the games. Wild Pokémon behave like actual animals with complex social structures, and the wilderness feels vast and untamed. The human settlements have this frontier town vibe where civilization barely holds back the wilds. You can practically smell the damp earth and hear the Wingull cries over the ocean.

As someone who analyzes world-building in fiction, 'Borne of Caution' presents an intriguing case study in adaptive settings. The story transplants a modern human into the Pokémon universe's Hoenn region, but radically recontextualizes what that means. Unlike the sanitized game environments, this Hoenn feels biologically plausible - overgrown jungles choke ancient ruins, territorial Pokémon packs control entire territories, and weather patterns follow natural laws rather than gameplay mechanics.

The narrative focuses heavily on the western half of Hoenn, particularly the areas between Mauville and Fortree. These locations get expanded far beyond their in-game representations. Mauville becomes a sprawling metropolis where technology and nature constantly clash, while Fortree's treehouses are reimagined as elaborate defensive structures against aerial predators. The author adds entirely new locations too, like abandoned research outposts overrun by Grass-types or coastal caves where Water Pokémon breed violently.

What fascinates me is how the setting evolves alongside the protagonist's understanding. Early chapters portray Hoenn as terrifying wilderness, but later reveal complex ecosystems where humans carve precarious niches. The Safari Zone becomes a Darwinian nightmare, and Victory Road's tunnels house predatory colonies rather than convenient training spots. This version of Hoenn feels lived-in and logical, where every geographical feature exists for ecological reasons rather than gameplay convenience.

Let me paint you a picture of where 'Borne of Caution' unfolds, because the setting is practically a character itself. Imagine the Hoenn region you remember from the games, then strip away all the kid-friendly veneer. The story kicks off near Mauville, where the protagonist wakes up in a world where Pokémon aren't just companions - they're apex predators. The routes between cities aren't neat pathways but proper wilderness zones where people travel in armed groups.

As the plot progresses, we see different facets of this brutal Hoenn. Fortree City isn't just charming treehouses - it's a fortress designed to withstand flying type incursions. The volcanic area around Lavaridge becomes a deadly habitat where Fire-types reign supreme, and the ocean routes are patrolled by aggressive Water Pokémon that sink ships. The author even adds new locations like 'The Tangled Woods', a forest so dense with Grass-types that humans need flamethrowers to clear paths.

The brilliance lies in how this setting affects every aspect of the story. Battles aren't sport but survival, and catching Pokémon requires military tactics rather than throwing Pokéballs. Towns feel like islands of safety in a world that wants to eat you alive. It's Pokémon meets survival horror, and the Hoenn region has never felt more alive or terrifying.