[attr="class","RANGER3"]

ORIGINS: PYRITE TOWN

Growing up in Pyrite Town, Richard Swank knew from his birth that he was destined for greater things. The child of a strange Bohemian couple, he was a change of pace for the normal youth of his hometown; street life was dull to him and he often times laid back, enjoying the clouds and dreaming of bigger things. His parents often preached of the importance of protecting the planet and how every plant, person, or Pokémon was here for us to cheris, with emphasis on plants.
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He'd spend a majority of his developmental years reading about the works of the Pokémon Rangers in other regions, working out, and learning his parents' craft: cooking and botany. Around the age of fifteen, Rich adopted a Charmander, Qing Long, who would go on to become his most loyal companion. Qing Long was adopted by Rich after his home had been turned into an outpost for local thugs. [break]

[break]DUTY CALLS: RANGER SCHOOL & FORWARD

Upon reaching the age of eighteen, Richard sailed from the Orre Region to Sinnoh to become a Pokémon Ranger; the ideals they upheld resonated with him and the path seemed to be a lucrative choice for someone who was constantly bored by the civilian life. Sabe would accompany him and together, they breezed through Ranger School, with Rich receiving his license and began his climb of the Ranger ranks.