pokémon ruby and sapphire take place in a region called hoenn, which is based on an island in japan. there are 15 cities and many are connected by areas called routes. the main character of pokémon ruby and sapphire is a child who has recently moved to littleroot town. the player chooses either torchic, mudkip, or treecko as his or her starter pokémon from professor birch. his or her rival may (if the player is a girl) or brendan (if the player is a boy), is also a pokémon trainer.