Pokemon Calyrex, Glastrier, and Spectrier lore explained
The Pokemon Calyrex, Glastrier, and Spectrier are legendary species introduced in the expansion to the Sword and Shield games known as the Crown Tundra in Generation VIII. This trio is included as one of the few that is capable of Pocket Monsters fusion, as Calyrex is capable of using the item known as the Reins of Unity to fuse with Glastrier/Spectrier to become Ice Rider/Shadow Rider Calyrex.
While these three Pokemon don't have voluminous backstories as some legendary species, their history based in the Galar region is still quite interesting. In this article, we will take a look at Calyrex, Glastrier, and Spectrier, and how they figure into the world of Pocket Monsters. We will also delve into the influence the three have had on the Galar region and its inhabitants based on in-game information.
Breaking down the lore of Calyrex, Glastrier, and Spectrier in the Pokemon series
Before the modern days of the Galar region, Calyrex, Glastrier, and Spectrier all inhabited the land of the Crown Tundra. Glastrier and Spectrier were known to be incredibly territorial and would regularly intimidate any perceived intruders. All the while, the arrogance and strength of Glastrier and Spectrier prevented any individual from taming the two mighty beasts.
Glastrier and Spectrier effectively ruled as Pokemon lords within the Crown Tundra, attacking and harming both people and Pocket Monsters alike with no warning. However, all of this changed with the arrival of Calyrex, an immensely intelligent and powerful creature that can fully understand (and even speak) human language and see into the past and future.
Much of Calyrex's history remains shrouded in mystery, though some Galarian legends have suggested that the King Pokemon once saved a forest's inhabitants from the threat of an incoming meteor by psychically relocating the entire forest. Some stories also tell of Calyrex's power to control the bodies of humans, particularly those committing misdeeds.
Because of its immense power, Calyrex managed to subdue Glastrier and Spectrier and make them its steeds. The people of the Crown Tundra praised the small Pokemon for this incredible feat, and legends tell that Calyrex was once a king of the entire Galar region who was revered for its benevolence.
The Crowd Tundra's inhabitants eventually came to know Calyrex as the "King of Bountiful Harvests" because Calyrex's presence could bring lush vegetation, ripe fruit, and abundant crops, things in short supply in the frigid environs of the Crown Tundra. The Pokemon is also said to be capable of mending wounds and fixing the heart, even healing the wounds of its foes after facing them in battle.
The Radiant Petals that Calyrex is capable of creating were fashioned into the Reins of Unity by the people of Galar. These reins were presented to Calyrex, and they are how current-day Calyrex can fuse with Glastrier and Spectrier again, regaining its full power and empowering its steeds as well. It is said that Calyrex's psychic powers can reach up to 30 miles away at full strength.
While Calyrex rode its steeds across Galar to bring abundant vegetation to the region, its power was tied to Glastrier/Spectrier as well as the people's belief. As the people of Galar began to forget about the Pokemon, Calyrex's power waned, and eventually Glastrier and Spectrier separated from it. Not long after, Calyrex became little more than a fairy tale in the Galar region.
This remained the case until the events of the Pokemon Sword and Shield Crown Tundra DLC, where the young trainer Victor/Gloria (the canon names established for the player character depending on gender) arrived in the Crown Tundra town of Freezington and restored a beloved statue of Calyrex. The legendary creature appeared in front of the trainer and spoke to them through its potent telepathy.
Calyrex stated that because the people's belief in it had dissipated, Glastrier/Spectrier left it, leaving it at a fraction of its former strength. Victor/Gloria learns from the mayor of Freezington that Glastrier/Spectrier can be lured by growing Iceroot/Shaderoot Carrots that Calyrex once fed its steeds. With that in mind, Victor/Gloria successfully cultivated a crop of specialized carrots.
Glasterier/Spectrier appears and begins to cause problems in Freezington despite Victor/Gloria's efforts to subdue the equine Pokemon. Calyrex arrives to help steer its former steeds away from attacking the townsfolk, leaving behind a hair from Glastrier/Spectrier. With the assistance of the Steel-type trainer Peony, Victor/Gloria uses the hair and a Radiant Petal from Calyrex to create the Reins of Unity.
Reins in hand, Victor/Gloria and Calyrex depart to the Crown Shrine where Glastrier/Spectrier is found. Calyrex uses the reins to fuse with its steed once more, then challenges Victor/Gloria to a battle. The young trainer is victorious, and Ice Rider/Shadow Rider Calyrex willingly allows itself to be captured, deeming Victor/Gloria as the trainer worthy of leading them into battle.
Since those days in the Crown Tundra, Calyrex, Glastrier, and Spectrier have appeared in later Pokemon games including Generation IX's Scarlet and Violet. However, these appearances have effectively no bearing on the overall story and canon, and they're widely regarded as bonus encounters for trainers who wish to catch the powerful legendaries and add them to their team.