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About this blog

This is a love letter to Squaresoft with a working title (I want something different to give it an actually identity - because it has its own - and prolong the wrath of Square-Enix). I've chosen to use influences from Final Fantasy when building the world because it's their most iconic, well-known IP. It also provides a plethora of canon to work with when building a game world.

 

Much of this has been boiled down and summarized to spare you the agony on long, winded explanations. I am organizing portions to promote it, and figure out how to build a pitch for this thing because it's a complex animal that needs some good development. This is my shot at making waves with RM. I been wasting time on RM since the PS1, I want to put the skills I have to use for once, and I'm swinging for the parking lot.

Entries in this blog

 

Bahamir

Bahamir     After the Great War the Bahamir Dynasty had been decimated. The Essences had been gathered, but the Bahamuts were permitted to remain in he hands of the Bahamir people. Simply "hiding" them anywhere was too risky. Rather than establish a kingdom to rebuild, they chose to once again become tribal, retreating deep into the highland wilderness near the base of Mount Ramuh. They would remain hidden away, protecting the Essences of the three Bahamuts. They divided into three core tribes. The central tribe would house the old royal family, and a portion of the nobles and common classes. But it would also house the Bahamuts, kept in the possession of the royal bloodline. They have remained in the highlands for two long eras.        Henato Senior   King of the Bahamir people, Henato grows old, and must prepare his sons to inherit his kingdom. Henato Jr, Sedato and Seto are his three boys from oldest to youngest.   Henato Jr. is the ideal Bahamir Prince. Strong, hearty, honorable and humane. He is a folk hero of the people and somewhat of a celebrity among young boys and females of all ages. He possesses the pendant containing the essence of Bahamut ZERO.   Sedato remains close behind Henato Jr., following in his footsteps, led by his example and influence. He and his older brother live like rock stars of the Dragoon Kingdom, doing their best to retain their honor and dignity all the while. Sedato possess the pendant containing the essence of Neo Bahamut.
Seto is the runt of the litter. He struggles to conform to the pressures and expectations of a young Dragoon Prince. He's not overly strong, smart, brave, or wise. He develops anxiety and insecurities by the time he reaches his teen years as a result of being a member of the royal family. Unsure of himself, his life, or his ability to be a Prince, Seto leaves his people, fleeing into the wilderness to escape the weight of an entire kingdom resting on his shoulders. With him travels the pendant containing the essence of Bahamut.     Seto    A young Seto travels the world, never finding a place he could fit in. A place he could call home. He learns to become a phantom, never staying in one place for too long. But still, he cannot resist the ways of his people, lending a hand to help anywhere he can. By his early twenties, he has an understanding of the realm of Odinspawn and what makes their cultures tick. He blends into their routines, but remains as a ghost. During his time spent in the Slums of Zenobia, he meets a man by the name of Edge Widowmaker. An ex-Zenobian soldier and renowned outlaw criminal. Seto draws strength from his persona, taking the name Edge in place of his own after witnessing the renegade's death during a gun fight. Using the name Edge garners fear and respect beyond the sands of Zenobia, where the name holds weight, but few knew the man personally.   Seto continues to use the moniker during his travels. Through the use of said moniker, Seto is introduced to the Peoples Rebelion of Zenobia. An underground network of anti-Zenobian cells stretching across the Empire's reach. It is here that Seto finally finds a cause he call his own. Something to fight for.   During a lone wolf attempt to confront and kill Sarovoc, Seto has a chance encounter with a young, independent freedom fighter by the name of Anastasia Maria Grace.
That One NPC

That One NPC

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[WIP] Final Fantasy (Plot Summary)

This is a very skimpy, poorly written and organized summary of the plot to the first set of stories. Part of the challenge was figuring out how to fit all of this into game format without breaking it up into a few titles (YUCK! -.-'). I'm dropping it here because no one looks at my blog, and I'm overly nervous and antsy about getting content off of that older site and over here for safe keeping. I don't even trust my own google docs to not lose data anymore. It's all about redundancy.   I will edit these soon, and try not to let it spoil anything for you if you find it interesting. You don't have to read all the way to end yet.   Note:         Final Fantasy I
Zenobia is a massive, technologically advanced desert metropolis. An empire seeking to conquer and erase the old world. Using their far superior technology they sweep the vast continent committing genocide, establishing new Zenobian cities atop the ruins and corpses. The desert city is divided in two. The core of the city is awe inspiring. Buildings that tower into the sky. Wealth and luxury for every man and woman. Highly advanced technology engrained into daily life. Outside the core, beyond the walls and defenses, the people of the slums suffer in poverty and oppression, living in crudely built structures under horrible conditions.

Anastasia Maria Grace is a resident of the slums. She is an everyday twenty-three year old girl who believes so strongly in the ideals of equality, freedom, and world peace that she is willing to stand against an entity so powerful that any hope of a world free of it has been lost. She and three of her friends (Jin, Willow, Kato) plan an attack on Zenobia Prime HQ, a technology corporation owned by Prince Sarovoc Ducrinus and the sole provider of energy to the entire city. The plan fails and Ana's friends are killed by the faulty explosive timers. She is rescued by a mysterious outsider who calls himself Edge. He parts ways to protect her (as he is being hunted by Zenobian troops), instructing her to meet him at Odessa Inn. With her best friends dead she goes to the only place she can think of. Stryker is ex-Zenobian Special Forces, the owner/operator of*"Rebel Radio", and mentor to Jin. He volunteers to escort her to Odessa.

Leaving Zenobia for the very first time, Ana accidentally embarks on an epic journey that takes her across the world to crusade against the Zenobian Empire.

She meets Juakeem Mohinder, a bedouin warrior and chocobo breeder, and his war bird Shae'elle. He gives her a young, unremarkable chocobo named Boko who is determined to become a worthy war bird.

The group meets Edge and Commander Bastian Fairheart at Odessa Inn. The Inn is a front for a rebel base located beneath the ground. The base is compromised by Zenobian forces and Bastian leads the group out of the desert and into the wilderness. Along their journey they meet Casius Magnus, a nomadic Black Mage who saved Ana from capture back on the road to Odessa. They also meet Lillian Nobunaga, a Swordstress, traveling warrior and the last of her ancient race.

When they reach the coast, they meet Cideon Armstrong, Captain of the Free Airship Valiant and his nephews Biggs and Wedge. Cid reluctantly grants them sanctuary aboard his ship. Ana inspires Cid to stop hiding underwater instead of living and fighting

While helping rebel forces defend a city from Zenobian assault, the group has an encounter with Marrick Cross, a White Mage and exiled Paladin of Whiteguard. They also square off with the Agents of the Chimera Initiative. Victor Chimera, ex-Zenobian Special Forces, ex-Imperial Operative, and war hero. Leo and Lyra Stratta, lethal killing machines trained by the legendary brute Hogo Marks. Tallis "Tank" Cortez, heavy weapons and demolition expert. Callixta "Raven" Ravana, deadly sniper and ace pilot. Marrick attempts to commandeer the Valiant, but is thwarted by the crew. The Zenobian attack fails.

Bastian (through his belief in Ana's ability to inspire otherwise defeated men) suggests that she be taken to Tessafe's Mirror of Fate. A standing mirror with decorative silver framework said to have belonged to Queen Tessafe of Whiteguard. This mystical, enchanted mirror shows any who gaze into it an image of importance. What it shows you varies, and it's not always easy to understand.

One by one the group enters the temple to behold the mirror's message.

(In order, identifying what they saw, and whether it was shown or later revealed)

Biggs (shown): A man in a white mask (Leo Stratta and the man who kills him. He did not encounter Leo at the previous battle, so he does not recognize him)

Wedge (revealed): A knight clad in black armour holding a bloody sword (Kierkess Aventola, and the man who kills him in VIII)

 Seto (shown): A Dragon's eye opening (the awakening of Bahamut)

 Lilly (revealed): A flaming bird (Phoenix)

Bastian (revealed): A soaring white dove (symbolizing Ana, freedom, and hope)

Stryker (revealed): Ana

Casius (revealed): Ana

Ana (revealed): It shows her key fragments of future events taking place within the stories.       Final Fantasy II   Prince Sarovoc Ducrinus assassinates his own brother in order to take the throne as Emperor of Zenobia.

Ana emerges from the temple after hours of the group waiting. The journey continues as Ana drags Cid across the globe, spreading her message and ideals.

The Valiant visits the eastern plains of Turra where Zenobia is burning villages and temples to the ground as they expand into the territory. They meet Banion Warbear, a warrior Monk and hero of Turra. Together they drive Zenobia from the lands of Turra. Banion agrees to travel with Ana in order to learn more about his enemy.

Stryker confronts Edge about using the name Edge Widowmaker telling him he knew the man and he was older than Stryker is. Edge reveals his true identity to be Seto Bobaloo Sobral. He assumed the name and persona after witnessing the ex-Zeno soldier die in a gunfight in the slums of Zenobia.

Marrick Cross springs himself from the Valiant's holding cells, determined to commandeer the ship and kill its charming Captain. When he is clearly outgunned and outnumbered, he surrenders. As he is being escorted to cells, he levels with Cid about why he wants his ship so much. He has a tip about a Zenobian plan to take the city of Kiratoma, one of the largest rebel holds in the world. He is trying to reach the city before it falls. Cid locks him up and heads for Kiratoma. When this plan is confirmed, Marrick is released under a close watch.

The men of Kiratoma are defeated, tired, scared and pissed off. They see no point in fighting an impossible battle. Command struggles to keep morale at a reasonable level. The majority of the soldiers are pushing for a surrender. Stryker dresses Ana in full combat gear, as if she were actually going to fight. He marches a terrified Ana past hundreds of soldiers. The point is a strong one: If you cowards won't fight, the women and children will, because someone has to defend this city.

His plan works, and only a few hundred of thousands refuse to fight. With the help of the heroes, Kiratoma is barely defended for the moment and Marrick has become an ally of the group.

Zenobian forces muster again as reinforcements arrive on both sides. The second battle is brutal and rebel forces have no choice but to retreat or die. But not before Stryker shoots Leo in the shoulder with a pistol, dropping him instantly. The group escapes to The Valiant, but Casius has chosen to stay behind and fight the pursuing troops. Ana and Seto strongly protest leaving him but Cid makes a tough call, assuring them he can handle himself.

Using his native martial art combined with fire and ice magic, he begins to fend off the soldiers, casting reflect to neutralize their bullets. But more and more soldiers pile into the clearing...       Final Fantasy III   The group has taken on refugees from the Kiratoma Army and must take them to Andora, the Rebel Capitol.

Cid and Stryker confront Marrick about his White Mage heritage, the reason he wanted to defend Kiratoma being that it's dense, harsh territory was the last defense between Zenobian lines and Whiteguard territory. Marrick is honest about his being born a Paladin of Whiteguard, devoting his life to the crown and being exiled by the Arch Mage for falling in love with his granddaughter. Stryker confesses to Cid and Marrick that he used to be Special Forces, army before that. Devoted his life to helping slaughter the people he's trying to help now. Cid accepts them both as them men they are today.

Andora brings a new hope. Several outlying pro-Andora Nations have mustered their armies and are preparing to attack a Zenobian fortress alongside Andorans. They capture the fortress. During the battle a mysterious man (Havyian Solaris) saves Seto's life, disappearing afterward. Casius arrives during the battle (he was told to go to Andora as the group was leaving).

But Sarovoc Ducrinus approaches from above with Callixta in a helicopter. He takes careful aim with Raven's long range rifle. Seto sees the chopper and moves to reach Ana, yelling her name. A mysterious man (Simeon Ortega) grapples his torso, holding him back. Sarovoc pulls the trigger and a high powered round rips through Ana's chest killing her instantly. The rebel heroine and domestic terrorist is dead...

The group looks on helplessly and in horror. Seto rushes to her side. As this intense, profound emotional maelstrom ignites within Seto, a void of energy forms high above him. A massive sapphire dragon emerges head-first, rotating as it comes forth before extending his wings. Bahamut!

Callixta and Sarovoc hightail it out of there, narrowly dodging Tri Flare attacks from the forgotten Deity. He looms in the sky, circling around and around as Seto holds Ana's body in his arms.
The group captures the mysterious man.

By now Ana has travelled across the world, meeting and inspiring hundreds of thousands of lives. She taught people that strength isn't determined by one's skill with a blade, but by the quality of their character. She also started a world-wide feminine movement, inspiring millions of women and girls to be what they want to be, not what's expected of them.       Final Fantasy IV   A moving funeral is held for Ana at the Mana Tree (a place the group visited together, and where Ana made everyone promise to keep fighting, always, no matter what happens) where she wanted to be buried when she died. Hundreds of rebel vessels and thousands of pilgrims attend the emotional ceremony.

Distant, emotionally void and still covered in Ana's blood, Seto heads home. The group reluctantly follows him deep into the wilderness (after bringing him aboard The Valiant when he collapsed in the wilderness). When they arrive, they are met by Henato Junior, eldest brother of Seto. His father (Henato Senior) tells him that the essence of Bahamut resides in the sapphire pendant around his neck. When he ran away at fifteen, he missed out of his right of passage as a Dragoon prince when he would have been told this and taught how to command him. Henato Senior tells the group that there are other forces in the world similar to Bahamut.

Seto makes it clear to his family that his guests are no longer welcome and the group is forced to leave.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Bahamut has Sarovoc researching this phenomena, and Leo is healed up from his wound.

Without Ana, the group falls apart. Casius returns to his travels. Banion returns to his people, Bastian has long since left, Juakeem and Shae'elle have returned to the Zenobian desert. Having nowhere to go, Marrick and Lilly remain with Cid, Stryker, Biggs, and Wedge. There is a lot of personal struggle and grieving. Characters swapping memories and stories.

*Simeon Ortega**is interrogated extensively but he reveals nothing. Only that the other mystery man is the real bad guy, despite what it all may look like.

They decide to gut up and get back to fighting the Empire. They plan an attack on a Zenobian outpost with some rebel forces. The plan fails and as a sniper, Stryker reluctantly escapes after watching the team captured through the crosshairs of his empty rifle. Marrick unloads both pistols three times before throwing them down and surrendering. The Valiant is ceased and it's crew jailed along with the group.       Final Fantasy V   Lyra Stratta and a company of Special Forces soldiers close in on a frosty stone altar. Lyra closes her eyes, touching the cold surface slowly. She comes out of the remote temple eager to test her new prize. She summons Shiva, the beautiful Goddess of ice, and in a fit of rage and grief, she kills everyone but Lyra using Diamond Dust. (This stems back to the Great War when the Gods were still free)

Cid, Biggs, Wedge, Lilly, and Marrick are in a Zenobian prison.

Stryker travels far and wide searching for Casius. He gets him up to speed, and they head directly for Sobral territory. They manage to be taken prisoner and Seto speaks to them. Stryker tells him the gang is locked up and Seto begins preparing for the journey.

He talks to his father, and brothers Henato and Sedato. He tells them everything. That an entity so evil that they would destroy everything to rebuild in their own image threatens the lives of every free man the world over, and he must leave again to fight it. His father is moved to tears, telling Seto he is proud of him. Seto is the runt, he always lived in the shadow of Henato, a hero of the tribe, and Sedato, now a hero to. Henato Sr. loves all of his sons, but he recognized that Seto is special from birth, that's why he has Bahamut. Even though Neo and ZERO are more powerful, Bahamut is the father of all Gods, the one true God. It's been the duty and destiny of his kin to protect the world and long have they neglected it.

They free their friends (and a lot of rebel soldiers and Andoran civilians) with the help of local rebel factions. Casius goes 0 to 100 particularly quick and with considerable force. He leaves a trail of victims through the prison. He finds Boko, who has been chained and beaten but he is freed after Casius kills his tormentors. The Valiant is located and taken back.

The Time Mage Elder Kirin visits Seto aboard The Valiant. He tells him he must release Ortega immediately, speaks to him about the Gods, and tips him off about the location of Ifrit.

The gang arrives at the cave and Leo has been perched like a predator staking for prey. He squares off with Wedge (two spear enthusiasts). Casius has hung back to make sure Wedge is alright, and he can see that Leo is toying with him like a cat with a mouse pinned to the floor. He interferes, disarming Leo, breaking his nose, left wrist, and right arm at the elbow before throwing him over a cliff into water below.

The group retrieves Ifrit and Phoenix successfully. Meanwhile Members of the Chimera Initiative recover Siren and Leviathan.

While searching for the resting place of Titan, the group encounters a behemoth and together they kill the beast in an intense battle. Everyone survives but Casius is worn out and beat up. (Titan and Golem are retrieved)

Seto heads for Gallik Baal'a, a small continent to the far north (a place Ana made him promise not to go before she died) to search a legendary cursed shrine.

Stryker has Cid head for Juakeem and Shae'elle, and Banion afterward. Stryker brings the rest of the group together again.     Final Fantasy VI
Seto searches an ancient ruin with a torch, coming upon an ebony skull in a pool of water. He recovers Diablos and Doomtrain.

The gang encounter the Chimera Initiative in an ancient temple compound and fight there way out with Sylph and Typhoon.

The gang reunites with Seto. Elder Kirin summons him by teleporting him to Mount Ramuh in front of the members of his high council. The oldest and most powerful of Time Mages; thousands of years old. His back is to them with Kirin before him. He cannot see or hear them, but he can feel their eyes on him, their presence and judgement. It brings him to tears, dropping to his knees. Kirin tells him the recently acquired deities are dangerous and must be returned to Gallik Baal'a immediately. He takes him to a secluded area of the wilderness, comforting him, but telling him that the Time Stream was broken by a curious young Time Mage after reading a book from the library of world culture and history. He stole a very specific ring and used it to travel back in time in an attempt to change the course of events. He saved Seto's life, hoping he would save Ana's. A man was sent to capture him and return him to his own place the Time Stream. During the process, he stopped Seto from potentially altering the natural course of events. He gives him eight enchanted rings that cast protect on their wearer. He asks him what he thinks the Mirror showed Ana. Why she changed from that moment forward. Seto begins to put all the little clues together. Kirin says simply, "Keep fighting," and tells him to find The Tomb of Alexander.

Seto is returned to the group and he emotionally reveals to the group that the Mirror showed Ana the future, even after her death. They gather to deal with the summons; who will be charged with what deities.

Leo has uncovered Cerberus and unleashes it on a village of fisherman.

Tybin and Sabin Marks are hired by Sarovoc to deal with Cid and his band of misfit strays. Sabin Marks shoots The Valiant out of the sky. Leo unleashes Cerberus and engages himself. His hellhound devours crew members as they evacuate the grounded vessel and Biggs engages Leo having Titan occupy Cerberus. Leo kills Biggs, mutilating and disgracing his corpse, kicking it around. Using wind magic from Sylph and Typhoon and his Qiang training, Wedge clashes with Leo in a heated duel. The heroes gain control and drive off the Initiative and the Marks brothers.

Reinforcements arrive and the ship is fixed up. Biggs is buried next to Ana at the Mana Tree.

The group heads for The Tomb of Alexander. But Seto rushes ahead of the party while they take twenty to prepare. While entering the musty stairwell he is ambushed by Sarovoc and shot three times in the torso. Priestess Talla has had a vision of Sarovoc obtaining Alexander & Crusader, and through it, Seto's death. She rushes by chocobo to his aid, reviving him before it's too late.

Zenobia invades Whiteguard with force. Sarovoc marches into the High Temple and cuts Talla's throat when she tells him that Seto will come for him.

Marrick betrays the gang, snatching Seto's pendant and Bahamut along with it. He's cut a deal with Sarovoc to spare his people.       Final Fantasy VII   Marrick serves Sarovoc in attempting to use Bahamut to create a weapon capable of protecting Zenobia from the Gods by killing them. The pendant remains useless to them and Sarovoc grows angry with Marrick.

Kirin once again visits Seto aboard the Valiant. He tells him of one who may be able to defeat Alexander. Odin and Gilgamesh become the group's next move. He also gives him Shoat, an odd Lesser Diety giving him access to low level Time Magic.

At High Rock Plateau, the group retrieves Odin & Gilgamesh and Lilly squares off with Leo, telling Cid to go and meet her at a nearby rebel base. She kills Leo in a fierce, intense battle. As he lays bleeding out, she hesitantly removes his mask revealing a baby faced young man. A single tear rolls down his cheek and she realizes they were not so different. The last of their kind, victims of Zenobia.

Seto forces Cid to go back for Lilly.

When Lyra finds out Leo was killed, she goes on a war path.

She hunts the heroes down at a rebel base, and Zenobians hit it hard. Lyra faces off with Lilly in a blind rage, shooting her in the stomach before using her scimitar to have fun with her. Lilly digs deep and kills Lyra, freeing her from her torment, and putting an end to the Shinjan race.

Sarovoc uses Alexander to influence the people of Whiteguard, claiming to be a child of the Gods and their chosen ruler. He aims to ensure the easy allegiance of Whiteguard to Zenobia and the Ducrinus name forever. Marrick discovers this and tries to kill Sarovoc. He fails and Sarovoc kills him.

A movement begins to muster forces from around the world to attack the city of Zenobia. Banion gathers warrior monks by the hundreds. Juakeem summons his brethren and their war birds. Bastian and the resistance amass the largest rebel force ever assembled. Men and women from all corners of the world answer the call. Casius Magnus returns to The Veldt and does his best to sway the council, but they send him away, refusing to involve themselves. Word spreads and a group of several hundred follow Casius, becoming exiles to fight the Empire.

The forces muster around Zenobia. Casius leads a preemptive strike with a savage blitz. He summons Doomtrain, which runs through Zenobia repeatedly, leaving devastation and rusted railroad tracks in its wake. He summons a flurry of meteors that ravage the core of the metropolis. Ifrit scorches hundreds of men, cooking them alive as Casius and his warriors unleash upon the masses. Casius casts himself dry, his reflect spell falling as hundreds of bullets rip through him...

The organized forces stand in anticipation, watching the show from afar. Sarovoc is enraged by the devastation and unleashes his summons upon the opposing masses. The heroes respond and the rebel forces charge the Zenobian lines. A titanic duel of Gods is unfolding in the sand around, sky above, and in the streets of Zenobia as an epic, bloody conflict plays out in the sands outside the city.

Seto rides Boko into the battle alongside Juakeem and Shae'elle. Sarovoc releases Alexander upon the rebel soldiers. He obliterates masses of men before Seto sends Gilgamesh to keep him busy. An epic fight ensues between the two. Seto finds Sarovoc and squares off with him. He kills him, ending the fight between Alexander and Gilgamesh before either would claim victory.

Far away in the wilderness of the Sobral territory, Henato Jr seeks advice from his father. He tells him that he holds a terrible responsibility. Fighting back tears, he tells him he will never know how sorry he is that it had to be him, but only he can summon Bahamut ZERO.

Henato Jr is torn. He understands that Zenobia must be defeated, but he also understands the weight of what it will mean.

As Sarovoc lays dying, the cloudy sky rips open as a massive onyx dragon penetrates the atmosphere. It hits the core of Zenobia with a Tetra Flare roughly equivalent to a 50 megaton nuclear warhead.Zenobia is levelled, only portions of the outermost slums left intact. Seto pulls his pendant from around Sarovoc's neck in the foggy aftermath. Zenobians lay down their arms as word of the unholy event spreads and soldiers return to behold the ruins of their Capitol.

Advanced weapons of any kind are outlawed and destroyed all over Zenobia's reach and rebel holds and cultures. Universal peace is an ideal adopted by the major nations and enforced harshly. New Zenobia is established out of the ruins, and a new government and ideology based on Ana's beliefs is adopted. Stryker is pivotal in the rebuilding of Zenobia, and afterward travels the world spreading Ana's messages as he writes a book titled The Epic of Anastasia chronicling her journey and the resulting revolution and defeat of the Empire. He becomes an ambassador of peace, equality, and New Zenobia.

Casius and Marrick are buried with Ana and Biggs at the Mana Tree...    
That One NPC

That One NPC

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The Lore

Much of this has been boiled down and summarized to spare you the agony of long, winded explanations.   THE LORE
  The first era (an era is 1000 years) of mortals was harmonious and productive. Civilizations were built and flourished. Cultures interacted, traded and learned from one another, coexisting peacefully through a time when this world was an idyllic paradise. Near the end of this era, infighting between Odinspawn nations began to erupt, resulting in a three-hundred year period of bloodshed and conflict that had been hardwired into their physical makeup by Odin himself. When the dust had settled and the bones had sank into the earth, only one mighty empire of Odinkin remained. But the centuries of expansion and bloodshed had left them with a taste for power and war.   They set their sights on Whiteguard.       The White War     The White War was a long and brutal one. Whiteguard had superior warriors, leadership, equipment and tactics. Odinkin had the sheer force of numbers. Legions of warriors who believed that the worth of an individual could be decided only on the battlefield. War had become the focal point of their culture and spirituality. Despite never making much ground in the grand scheme of the war, Odinspawn would not yield, nor relent in their pursuit of victory. It wasn't long before the Bahamir came to the aid of Whiteguard, creating an alliance to crush the Odinkin foe, putting them back in their place. Feeling left out, Hades decided to directly interfere.   In a shocking twist, Black Mages joined the battle, not as allies of Odinspawn, but enemies of Whiteguard and their Bahamir allies. This resulted in the equivalent of a World War, and mass destruction of the civilizations and relationships they built. Hades had interacted with mortals, commanding his Black Mage tribes to destroy Whiteguard, the Bahamir Dynasty, and then the world of Odinkin. This was the first transgression of the Pantheon, and Bahamut's heart was breaking as he watched his beloved creations fall into chaos.   The war came to a climax with one crucial battle at the Plains of Turra. Each of the races amassed their forces for what would be the largest battle in the history of the White War. Aroused by the prospect of the destruction about to unfold, Hades joins the battle alongside his Black Mages. As the fight begins, Hades is raining down an unholy brand of death upon the battlefield. Feeling the loss of every White Mage, Alexander joins the fight, going head to head with Hades. Feeling as if it were only fair at this point, Odin, Sleipnir and Gilgamesh begin to do what they do best; make violence seem like an art form. It takes hold like a domino effect, and one by one deities join the battle (the Bahamuts, Ramuh, Shoat and Doomtrain not withstanding). When Bahamut has had enough, he steps in. And his wrath is absolute, however just.   The cloudy sky rips open and Bahamut ZERO penetrates the atmosphere, hitting the battlefield with a Tetra Flare, killing the armies of all involved parties. Only the soldiers present. Only the soldiers carrying the torch of that war. Only those actively committing the bloodshed.    Every deity, including the Bahamuts, were sealed in a state it's hard to really explain, but I call it an 'Essence.' They exist, but are frozen in time so that they cannot think, act or use magic until a mortal possessing their Essence 'summons' them. At which point, said mortal individual can command their will. The deity knows what you want it to do, you don't even have to speak. An Essence must exist in either an object crafted by a mortal, or a humanoid mortal being. It is impossible to destroy the essence of a deity.   Bahamut placed the deities in objects in the possession of the Bahamir Dynasty.              The Fall of The Bahamir Dynasty     In the era following the White War, chaos would once again take hold on mortals. Struggling to understand what had happened, and mourning their fallen, there was a brief time of peace for contemplation. When Bahamir diplomats traveled abroad to inform world leaders of the artifacts they now possessed, war over the prospect of obtaining such power was inevitable. Another world war ensued, and the Bahamir Dynasty was picked apart by the rest of the divine races. One by one artifacts fell as regions were defeated and failed to evacuate the artifacts in time.       The Great War     In the centuries to follow, the races one again met of the battlefield, with another world war ensuing. Without Bahamut to step in, the scale of destruction surpasses the White War. During the chaos and bloodshed of the battle, Phoenix strikes Icen down, killing him (this was important because in the written story Shiva was the first deity uncovered by a female antagonist named Lyra Stratta. When she 'summoned' her, she was unfrozen from that moment when she was about to Diamond Dust the entire battlefield to avenge her son. Instead she ended up killing a small element of Zenobian special forces that were accompanying Lyra, thousands of years later. It was how the entire process and purpose of the 'summons' as actually introduced and demonstrated, and a great symbolic moment for Lyra). That climactic battle saw an end to the war when several Time Mages interfered. The summons were gathered by force, placed in artifacts, and hidden away.   The Bahamir retreated into the wilderness. They formed several large tribes, one containing the Imperial family. They remained on the move in dense, unsettled northern and eastern lands. Their sole purpose to protect the Bahamuts.   The Empire of the Odinspawn claimed the larger victory over Whiteguard in the war, and enslaved many of them during the long exchanges of the conflict. Whiteguard worked out borders and were permitted to keep their capitol.   Black Mages denounced Hades, Essences and Magic. They retreated to the savage wilderness of the Veldt, generally considered uninhabitable due to the harsh ecosystems. They remained tribal for all five mortal eras, developing an extremely advanced martial art oriented around mastering the senses enough to defeat armed foes using nothing but mind, body and spirit.   Each Essence was hidden away in a secret location, with only the three Bahamuts remaining on the run.     Over the next two mortal eras, the wars are forgotten. The Essences are forgotten.
That One NPC

That One NPC

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The Communion With Bahamut

So in the plot of the 8th and final story, to boil it down, Hades invokes his last right, having the armies of Gallik Baal'a declare war on the rest of the world whilst he awaits his prize, the FInal Reckoning. The people of Gallik Baal'a are the descendants of mortals of various races (Black Mages not included) who were directly manipulated by Hades. Long ago, when Hades forged his legendary 6 relics and bestowed them upon mortals, they swore a binding oath to him and his last right, the right to fight for his cause and existence.   The prize he awaits, is his shot at the one who has kept him imprisoned for thousands of years; Bahamut.   I had planned a scene where Kierkess Aventola and Seto meet for the Final Reckoning. Kierkess summons Hades, arrogantly and maliciously spiking Wedge's spear in the ground before him, but when Seto reluctantly summons Bahamut, something special happens. Seto actually shares a brief communion with Bahamut himself. The god takes the form of a Dragoon ancestor (I had always liked the idea of his appearance being based on Hironobu Sakaguchi) to make it easier for him to process and participate in the conversation. They talk about a few things, mainly about how Seto is unsure if Ana would want him to fight at all. Bahamut tells him Ana would want him to defend what they had built; her ideals. Seto tells him he is afraid of what will happen if Hades kills him, and Bahamut tells him that even if Hades put an end to his physical form, he would exist in spirit forever. He continues, telling him (more or less) that he mustn't be a slave to his fear of what ifs anymore.   Seto had already received closure surrounding Ana when he met her in her Knights of Round form, but the Bahamut scene to me was essential to the history of his people going back to the first story. I felt like the conversation with Bahamut (the parts not mentioned here, when Seto asks him questions about what he is, what the 'summons' are, who his people are, etc), were very important and what he really needed at this point in his journey, as the Chief of Dragoon people, a husband and father.     But now, as I sit here refining the plot outline, I'm wondering if I should keep that in, or take it out.     Thoughts on this???
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Odinspawn

The Andoran Concordat     During the climax of the Great War, several Time Mages interfered in order to bring the conflict to a close. The death of Icen had drawn a line in the sand. It had gone too far. The world leaders from every nation involved in the war were abruptly teleported to High Rock Plateau in the country of Andora. It was here that the Andoran Concordat was forged. Over a period of three days, the Time Mages endured tireless debates as they convinced the leaders of each nation that this war could not, and would not be allowed to continue. In the end, it took threat of further force to subdue the bloodlust of the Odinkin Empire. Each nation signed the concordat, agreeing to an new era of peace. Borders were negotiated, and the conflict smoldered out over the following decades.         Zenobia    In the era following the Andoran Concordat, the Odinkin Empire once again fell back into internal conflict. Over the next two mortal eras, their Empire evolved and shifted like the sands their new Empire sits upon today.   According to legend, the Zenobian Desert was once a sea of lush, windswept green plains and dense, fertile forests. But somehow, somewhere along the line, it became an arid, destitute ocean of unforgiving dunes. Despite these harsh conditions, the ancient city of Zenobia has managed to not only flourish, but excel. Zenobia is a massive, technologically advanced, desert metropolis. An empire seeking to conquer and erase the old world. Using their far superior technology, they sweep the vast continent committing genocide, and establish new Zenobian cities atop the ruins and corpses. They have been crushing their fellow Odinkin nations, one after another, solidifying a new, glorious Empire of Odinspawn.   The desert city is divided in two. The core of the city is awe inspiring. Buildings that tower into the sky. Wealth and luxury for every man and woman. Highly advanced technology ingrained into daily life. Outside the core, beyond the walls and defenses, the people of the slums suffer in poverty and oppression, living in crudely built structures under terrible conditions. They do not hold official citizenship, and are afforded none of the basic services such as fire prevention, law enforcement, or adequate medical care.   Zenobia is ruled by the Ducrinus royal family. They have governed over Zenobian lands for centuries, and have become synonymous with Zenobian culture and politics. Hector Ducrinus is the aging, stricken Emperor. Disease has confined him to his bed chambers, and he clings to life support as his oldest son, Lucius, keeps the Empire running. Sarovoc, the youngest, is the President of Zenobia Prime, a technological and energy powerhouse that controls and supplies all of Zenobia's energy.       Sarovoc Ducrinus (I've already been informed that it rings similarly to Sephiroth. It was not the intention, and I hadn't realized until I was informed. It's a name I've been using for characters in games for some time. My go-to warrior or mage build name. Zenobia is inspired by Midgar. I've never denied that. Final Fantasy VII is a big part of what this story pays homage to, but it retains an identity of its own.)   Sarovoc is a cold, calculated and cruel man. A product of Hector's signature brand of upbringing, and the brutal training of Hogo Marks, Hector's specialist instructor. He loathes both his father, and brother for their cruelty toward him. He desires the throne more than anything, and there is nothing he will not do to sit upon it as rightful Emperor of Zenobia. His first move is to remove his father from the board, unplugging his life support. He attempts to frame his brother, and leaks information surrounding the incident to the Zenobian press. This creates enough of a disturbance to allow Sarovoc to assassinate Lucius, blaming a rogue sycophant looking to avenge Hector.   Sarovoc becomes the Emperor Zenobia.
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The Pantheon

Trying to structure the lore in a way that it would feed a world I could then build a story off of, I kept coming back to the 'Summons', and the dilemma of how I would adapt them into my story. It only felt natural to make them the gods of this world. It was both challenging and fun to not only build a pantheon of Final Fantasy Gods, but develop lore that would make them work in the traditional sense.        THE PANTHEON     In the beginning, there was only Bahamut. Guardian of the cosmos and creator of worlds.
  Greater Gods Bahamut created ten Greater Gods that would help shape the features and physics of our game world.   Ramuh Wise, powerful sage and Lord of Time.   Alexander Brave, exalted paladin and Lord of Light.   Hades Shadowy, fiendish sorcerer and Lord of Darkness.   Odin Vicious, mounted general and Lord of War.   Palidor Wild, ferocious bird of prey and Lord of Thunder.   Ifrit Furious, smoldering demon and Lord of Fire.   Titan Towering, mighty cyclops and Lord of Earth.   Shiva Stern, malevolent huntress and Goddess of Ice.   Siren Beautiful, deadly mermaid and Goddess of Water.   Sylph Nimble, furtive nymph and Goddess of Wind.
  Lesser Gods Each Greater God created one or more Lesser Gods.   Neo Bahamut Bahamut created Neo Bahamut from the core of a young star.   Bahamut ZERO Bahamut created Bahamut ZERO from a ferocious black hole.   Shoat Ramuh created Shoat from a ripple in the Time Stream.   Crusader Alexander created Crusader from a shard of his sword.    Diablos Hades created Diablos from the darkness of the underworld.   Doomtrain Hades created Doomtrain from the restless souls of the dead.   Gilgamesh Odin created Gilgamesh from the fiery soul of his horse, Sleipnir, and the essence of the warrior from Gungnir, his sword.   Quezicotl Palidor created Quezicotl from a collision of lighting bolts.   Phoenix Ifrit created Phoenix from a breath of fire.   Golem Titan created Golem from a chunk of rock from the earth.   Icen Shiva created Icen from a lock of her hair.   Leviathan Siren created Leviathan from a stampeding river.   Typhoon Sylph created Typhoon from a raging tornado.
  Children of The Gods Five species of humanoids were created to populate and cultivate the planet.   Bahamir First, Bahamut created a special race of warriors. Their vast empire maintained peace and stability for centuries in the First Era.   Odinspawn Odin set forth, creating masses of stock humans all across the world. They were primitive, and drawn to war by their very nature.   Time Mage Ramuh took his time before creating another special race of humans. The Time Mages are powerful and reclusive. They have watched over the world for centuries from the peaks of Mount Ramuh.   White Mage Alexander took pride and care to create the denizens of Whiteguard. Skillful, intelligent healers, oracles and paladins.   Black Mage Ever the astute, cunning God, Hades created Black Mages last. He carefully studied the creation of each species and crafted a blunt force tool he perceived to be superior to the rest. Taller, stronger, and capable of tapping into each of the elements in addition to the forces of the Underworld.
  Palidor, Ifrit, Shiva, Titan, Siren, and Sylph created the elemental magics and forces, and the vast array of creatures upon the earth.
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