Professor Rowan: Difference between revisions

Professor Rowan works in [[Sandgem Town]] with {{ga|Dawn}}/{{ga|Lucas}} and their family. This makes him the first Professor from the handheld games that does not live in the {{player}}'s hometown. He left the [[Sinnoh]] [[region]] four years prior to the events of [[Generation IV]] to study the Pokémon of [[Kanto]] with [[Professor Oak]], and has recently returned at the start of {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}} after reaching the conclusion that Sinnoh holds far greater secrets. He has a stern personality that makes him seem intimidating and mean, but he is actually very kind and patient. Rowan says he still feels a thrill whenever he travels anywhere with his Pokémon. He apparently has a sweet tooth, as the refrigerator in his laboratory is full of nothing but sweets and candy.  

Rowan's particular field of study is Pokémon [[evolution]], having discovered that 90% of all Pokémon are [[List of Pokémon by evolution family|connected in some way]] to others through evolution. He is also interested in determining if evolution is supposed to be a form of Pokémon reaching maturity, or a way for an "incomplete" being to become "more complete," and the implications that the process has on [[legendary Pokémon]], which don't evolve.

In {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}, Professor Rowan is seen for the first time observing [[Lake Verity]] with his assistant. After being interrupted by the player and {{ga|Barry|their friend}}, he quickly walks off leaving his briefcase, which holds three {{i|Poké Ball}}s containing {{p|Turtwig}}, {{p|Chimchar}}, and {{p|Piplup}}, behind. The player and their friend try to return it to him, but are attacked by wild Pokémon in the process, and are forced to use two of the Pokémon in the briefcase for defense. After returning the Pokémon to Rowan in his lab, Rowan hears about the survival tactics that they used, and tells them to keep the Pokémon, as well as giving them each a [[Pokédex]] to record data about every single Pokémon. Soon after, Rowan and his assistant travel to [[Jubilife City]] to drop off some notes, where they are attacked by [[Team Galactic]], just as the player returns from [[Oreburgh City]] with their first [[Badge]].

In {{game|Platinum}}, however, the player and their friend leave Twinleaf Town just as Rowan returns from the lake, with Rowan stopping the two from journeying into the tall grass without a Pokémon. His assistant then arrives with the briefcase he left behind at the lake, and Rowan offers the two a [[starter Pokémon]]. When he is visited in Sandgem for the first time, he hands out {{TM|27|Return}} as well as the Pokédex.

In all three games, after becoming suspicious of Team Galactic's activities, he gathers his assistant, the player and their friend in the [[Canalave Library]] after the player obtains the {{badge|Mine}}, and tells them about the legends of [[Sinnoh]]. Before they are able to finish their discussion, however, an earthquake shakes the region, and the four manage to escape the building before an aftershock. Rowan urges the Trainers to journey to the three lakes of Sinnoh, seeing the aftermath of the explosion on the news, and sends the player's friend to [[Lake Acuity]] in the north, his assistant to [[Lake Verity]] near [[Twinleaf Town]], and the player to [[Lake Valor]].

He apparently previously gave [[Cynthia]] her first Pokémon and a Pokédex, though it is unknown how long before the games this occurred.