Main Site

Forum Index

Back from vacation! Oh, how I wish I were still there!

* Concerning my portrait concepts, anyone can feel free to use them in their artistic endeavors. However, I should note I may have been inspired by Guild War's profession concepts.

So, here are some of the best portraits I spat out!
I withheld some of more meh ones in the name of attachment-whoring and such.

Attached below is a .zip file containing ALL of them as well.

Morning update:
Her skin is un-jaundiced. (Replaced with a true FFT copied skin colour)
I breast-ified all of her sprite sheet now. (Previously wasn't.)
I also replaced the green that some of you did not like with the series of blues known as "Rapha-Sash/Slipper Blues"

Thank you for the input!  I'll be working from those suggestions, then.

Bonus! I drew a concept portrait for Phara! She reminds me of the bad-arse spawn of Lightning and Solid Snake. Kinky! That odd little scritch on her face is supposed to be a scar. After all, what's a pirate without a scar or two or other deformity? I know I may not be able to go into that much detail, especially with the headband, but eh.

And as an aside, here are other miscellaneous portraits. Some may be too detailed. (Too many colours would be used/whatever.)

(In hopes that I create more sprites, as I often wish to.)

My latest sprite: Phara, the sea-faring Pirate. (Or, you know, whatever you see her as being.
She isn't complete--there are still some... nits... to be... picked... out. As it were. That, and the portrait.
I want her hair to be red. (Gosh, what is it with me and red-heads?) So an alteration will be in order...

I am aware of the funny business with her hands blending into her hair on casting animations. Perhaps the 16th sprite colour can fix that?

Base sprite: Female Ninja; Hair: Female Assassin; Sash: Rapha
Colours may not be to FFT standards. (Did not use entirely existing sprite colours here and there.)
Total colours used: 15 (including black)

In addition, I am toying with the idea of adding white boot... seams? fabric? ... things to spiff it up.

Critiques? Ice cream? Oh please, be ice cream!

For those unaware, The Sable Swords:

To combat the theft and violence prevalent during the Fifty Years' War, the Sal Ghidos Council created an elite guard made of fifteen knights who had proven their worth on the battlefield. This group of black-clad warriors was known as the Sable Swords. It is said they perished after falling prey to a bandit's trap in Death's Gorge, but even today people report sightings of ghostly figures in black.

So as far as using The Sable Swords in story, perhaps one or more members of it did not die to the trap, and could be party members?

And as other party members go, an obvious, if perhaps too cliche, character addition is Balbanes/Barbaneth Beoulve (Ramza's father; If he is included, I'd suggest not as a primary character. Also, wherever Barbaneth goes, Thunder God Cid goes.)

Eldibus as a young mage trained in Magic City Gariland, and ally, yet progressing towards villain as he delves deeper into his ancient tomes?

Zerro, the legendary thief of propositions? Though, his age is unknown...

And even vaguer, how about the mother or father or other relative of Rapha & Marach, giving clues to the origin of their powers?

Something involving Simon? Based from this snippet:

Elder of Orbonne Monaster and renowned theologian, Elder Simon is a devout member of the Church of Glabados. Although he once served as a Church inquisitor, a certain incident led to his retirement, whereupon he withdrew to the remote sanctuary of Orbonne Monastery.

Why is Simon so eager to help Alma. Honest goodness, or something else entirely? (What about an unforgivable act against her father in secret?) Yay, mysteries!

Something involving Gaffgarion?:

He once served as a division commander in the Order of the Eastern Sky in the Fifty Years' War. But at war's end, Gaffgarion was expelled from the Order as a result of the barbarism of the methods he employed to ensure victory.

Additional villains can spring forth from the Khamja and The Church, among others.

If none of these suffice, it is not hard to imagine new characters. But, as far as the main hero of the story goes, it should be one who possesses skill in both physical and magical schools, much like Ramza. (His ample PA & MA; as well as Wish, Scream, Ultima.)

And on topic of Ultima and other learn-on-hit skills, what if the main character was sort of a Blue Mage, but learns human foe skills instead? That character would be in every story battle and thus able to learn these abilities, anyway.

I hereby propose a female lead with a Blue Mage-esque skillset. (Trending with the recent upsurge of mighty heroines.) She can even get freaky with Balbanes and give seed as to why Ramza can learn-on-hit Ultima. Kidding! Or is it a good idea? Speak your mind, and give your own suggestions, eh?

Edit: As it turns out, Ramza and Alma's mother was a commoner.. hmm..

Zalbaag: What have you ever done to inspire my trust? The mistake was my own. Until today I had looked on you as a true brother. But your mother's common blood forever stains you common. You are not fit to bear the Beoulve name!

Herein I gathered tallies of jobs/items/abilities used in nearly all of the teams from the MemCard Generator spreadsheet. (It is far from fully accurate-it may not include all. However, the data still stands for what its worth.)

This outlines the best, and thus, the most popular.
You could say my goal in this is to encourage the buffing of low-popularity items/jobs/skillsets so that the best aren't quite the best anymore. Easier said than done, I know--balancing is tricky business.

Collection Highlights
(In order of most to least. See if you can guess the best! Full lists & counts in spoilers below)
Top 5 primary jobs: Archer, Scholar, Ninja, Bard, Monk
Top 5 secondary skillsets: Item, White Magic, Draw Out, Ninjitsu, Punch Art
Top 5 reactions: Auto Potion, Damage Split, MA Save, Absorb MP, PA Save
Top 5 support: Magic Attack UP, Attack UP, Short Charge, Defense UP, Throw Item
Top 5 movement: Move-HP Up, Move-MP Up, Move+1, Fly, Teleport
Top weapons of each type: Platina Dagger, Hidden Knife, Rune Blade, Defender, Murasame, Battle Axe, Faith Rod, Wizard Staff, Scorpion Tail, Romanda Gun, Gastrafitis, Mythril Bow, Bloody Strings, Battle Dict, Dragon Whisker, Ivory Rod, H Bag, Persia
Top 5 shields: Genji Shield, Venetian Shield, Aegis Shield, Kaiser Plate, Escutcheon II
Top headgear of each type: Diamond Helmet, Golden Hairpin, Ribbon
Top bodygear of each type: Reflect Mail, Black Costume, Linen Robe
Top accessory of each type: Sprint Shoes, Magic Gauntlet, Angel Ring, 108 Gems, Vanish Mantle, Chantage

63   Archer 53   Scholar 51   Ninja 51   Bard 46   Monk 44   Thief 42   Paladin 40   Priest 39   Oracle 39   Samurai 28   Chemist 27   Mediator 25   Lancer 25   Dancer 22   Wizard 21   Squire 18   Mime 16   Time Mage 15   Summoner 11   Geomancer 126   Item 100   White Magic 83   Draw Out 48   Ninjitsu 47   Punch Art 34   Summon Magic 30   Steal 25   Chivalry 24   Time Magic 20   Snipe 20   Talk Skill 18   Basic Skill 13   Black Magic 13   Sing 12   Yin Yang Magic 10   Elemental 8   Jump 7   Dance 2   Lore 105   Auto Potion 57   Damage Split 53   MA Save 43   Absorb MP 37   PA Save 35   Dragon Spirit 33   HP Restore 30   Abandon 29   MP Restore 28   Counter Flood 24   Counter 24   Projectile Guard 19   Awareness 16   Counter Magic 14   Speed Save 11   Regenerator 11   Faith Up 10   Finger Guard 9   Critical Quick 7   Meatbone Slash 6   Sunken State 6   Distribute 0   Brave Up 0   Counter Tackle 98   Magic Attack UP 95   Attack UP 94   Short Charge 47   Defense UP 43   Throw Item 39   Unyielding 38   Equip Shield 34   Overwhelm 29   Equip Armor 24   Two Swords 20   Martial Arts 19   Equip Ranged 19   Magic Defend UP 13   Equip Polearm 12   Half of MP 11   Two Hands 5   Equip Magegear 2   Maintenance 1   Equip Light Blade 0   Equip Clothes 0   Defend 0   Equip Hvy Blade 0   Monster Talk 174   Move-HP Up 129   Move-MP Up 71   Move+1 49   Fly 31   Teleport 21   Float 12   Flee 10   Ignore Height 0   Jump +1 0   Jump +2 25   Platina Dagger 17   Main Gauche 12   Orichalcum 6   Mage Masher 4   Air Knife 2   Dual Cutters 2   Blind Knife 1   Assassin Dagger 0   Throwing Knife     38   Hidden Knife 18   Ninja Knife 9   Sasuke Knife 6   Koga Knife 4   Short Edge 2   Ninja Edge 2   Iga Knife 1   Spell Edge 41   Rune Blade 9   Blood Sword 3   Ancient Sword 3   Sleep Sword 2   Diamond Sword 2   Platinum Sword 1   Ice Brand 0   Coral Sword     6   Defender 4   Chaos Blade 2   Excalibur 1   Save the Queen 1   Ragnarok     12   Murasame 12   Muramasa 5   Asura Knife 5   Kikuichimonji 5   Masamune 2   Bizen Boat 2   Heaven's Cloud 2   Chirijiraden 1   Kiyomori 0   Kotetsu Knife 31   Faith Rod 19   Wizard Rod 17   Prismatic Rod 3   Flame Rod 2   Poison Rod 1   Ice Rod 1   Dragon Rod 0   Thunder Rod     32   Wizard Staff 17   Mace of Zeus 5   Rainbow Staff 5   Gold Staff 4   White Staff 0   Healing Staff 17   Romanda Gun 17   Blaze Gun 11   Stone Gun 9   Blast Gun 8   Mythril Gun 8   Glacier Gun     20   Mythril Bow 3   Ultimus Bow 0   Long Bow 0   Silver Bow 0   Ice Bow 0   Lightning Bow 0   Windslash Bow 7   Gastrafitis 6   Night Killer 3   Poison Bow 2   Cross Bow 2   Hunting Bow 0   Bow Gun 13   Dragon Whisker 6   Obelisk 5   Javelin 3   Partisan 3   Holy Lance 1   Spear 0   Mythril Spear     33   Ivory Rod 10   Octagon Rod 3   Whale Whisker 1   Iron Fan 0   Gokuu Rod 8   Battle Axe 4   Giant Axe 3   Slasher     15   Scorpion Tail 5   Spiked Futon 4   Aspergillum 0   Sadist's Whip     16   H Bag 14   FS Bag 10   P Bag 3   C Bag     6   Battle Dict 2   Monster Dict 1   Papyrus Plate 1   Madlemgen 8   Bloody Strings 5   Fairy Harp 0   Lamia Harp     5   Persia 3   Ryozan Silk 1   Cashmere 35   Genji Shield 35   Venetian Shield 19   Aegis Shield 19   Kaiser Plate 11   Escutcheon II 8   Ice Shield 8   Flame Shield 5   Mythril Shield 4   Platina Shield 3   Gold Shield 3   Diamond Shield 3   Crystal Shield 26   Diamond Helmet 25   Barbuta 22   Crystal Helmet 18   Circlet 16   Cross Helmet 13   Gold Helmet 7   Grand Helmet 3   Mythril Helmet 3   Platina Helmet 0   Genji Helmet 30   Reflect Mail 28   Carabini Mail 13   Diamond Armor 12   Gold Armor 10   Platina Armor 6   Genji Armor 0   Crystal Armor 0   Maximilian 141   Golden Hairpin 80   Black Hood 68   Thief Hat 67   Green Beret 48   Holy Miter 46   Twist Headband 27   Flash Hat 98   Black Costume 74   Power Sleeve 55   Wizard Outfit 47   Brigandine 36   Earth Clothes 31   Rubber Costume 29   Santa Outfit 18   Secret Clothes 31   Ribbon 10   Cachusha 3   Barette 37   Linen Robe 37   Robe of Lords 16   Wizard Robe 14   Silk Robe 13   Chameleon Robe 13   White Robe 11   Black Robe 10   Light Robe 39   Sprint Shoes 36   Red Shoes 35   Battle Boots 24   Germinas Boots 11   Iron Boots 10   Rubber Shoes 8   Feather Boots     47   Magic Gauntlet 39   Bracer 4   Power Wrist 1   Genji Gauntlet     43   Angel Ring 38   Magic Ring 33   Reflect Ring 13   Cursed Ring 4   Defense Ring     24   108 Gems 18   N-Kai Armlet 8   Diamond Armlet 0   Jade Armlet 0   Defense Armlet     17   Vanish Mantle 11   Dracula Mantle 9   Elf Mantle 8   Small Mantle 6   Feather Mantle 2   Wizard Mantle 1   Leather Mantle     69   Chantage 47   Setiemson 46   Cherche 6   Salty Rage

Suffice to say, it is sad when so many items are neglected. Next step: suggestions for improvement? How about it, Arena-masters?

I was honestly toying with the idea of making a mod, myself. However, it is a huge undertaking--not to mention time investment. My idea was to continue the story after The War of the Lions--but around ~20 years later. I have a skeleton of the story ready if shown interest.

As for the jobs I was envisioning, I was inspired by the Khamja, whose members include the likes of Rapha & Marach, Illua & Ewen among others. (From FFWiki: "The clan is considered incredibly powerful and dangerous, having access to spells, weapons, and Job classes that other clans cannot obtain.")

My submission:
Job name: Harbinger
Job purpose: Support/Harassment
Job description: Heralds of astrology who warp the dimensions of time and space. Uses Astrology to manipulate fate and sway the course of battle.
Genders: Both
Skillset Name: Astrology
Skillset Description: Harbinger job command. This augur toys with the laws of the universe.
Ability Types: (General 'Time Magic' spells, but re-purposed and re-envisioned, with more emphasis on "space" or placement.)
Here is a small sample of possible abilities: (Speed/MP values withheld for the sake of avoiding complexity.)

Astral Flux - ~100 JP - Hastens the passage of time of those in line with the stars. (Add: Haste. Effects all nearby units in range of 1.)
Phase Grip - ~250 JP - Halts the passage of time with the pulse of a star, severing the target from time's flow. (Add: Stop. Effects only one unit within a range of 3.
Dimensional Rift - ~450 JP - Tears holes in the fabric of time. Reduces the HP of units in a large area by 33%. (Range of 2, AoE Effect range of 2 (always effects caster), vertical range of 3)
Time Reversal - ~550 JP - Rewind the stars, balancing time and even reversing death itself. (Cancels all: Dead, Haste, Slow. Centered on caster, radius of 1.)
Celestial Stasis - ~650 JP - Halt the course of enemies' guardian stars, rendering them, and yourself, completely unable to act. (Inflicts any: Stop, Don't Act, Don't Move. Centered on caster, radius of 3 or 4, infinite vertical tolerance.)
Parallel Balance - Hidden ability/Auto-Learned/0 JP - Warps time and space to inflict damage commensurate with the damage the user has endured. (Requires Critical status on caster. Range of 5. Effect of 1.)
Temporal Boon - Hidden ability/Auto-Learned/0 JP - Voids your existence while gifting a second chance to another. (Cancel: Stop, Sleep, Petrify; Adds: Quick, Haste. Requires Critical or Doom status on caster & kills caster after casting. Range of ~5 (or infinite range?))
SUPPORT
Alacrity (Short Charge) - Halves CT of Spells and Abilities

Additional Info: (Inspired by the "Nightshade" class of FFTA.) As such, and with a job name such as 'Harbinger', I would style them as sword/katana-bearing dimensional warriors that can equip robes for added flavor.)

As for its abilities, I was trying to go for inter-skill conflict. (Abilities should conflict with one another.) However... use 'Dimensional Rift' three times, and then use 'Parallel Balance' to great effect?

On the grand scale, I figure each job's skillset will have a couple of auto-learned/invisible abilities that are only useable when Critical/Doomed respectively. (Doom wouldn't be inflictable by the player.)

... Albeit the version I contributed had red hair, and may not be "true" to the unhooded version of Meliadoul that many seem to envision. Perhaps I did wrong in making her a red head?

By all means, variety can be good.

What happens to the Zodiac stones after the events of end-game FFT?
I've read several entries on FFT's story, but there are no details of if.

Due to this, no one knows. So then, I want some opinions from others as to what might happen to them.

I've had several ideas, myself.
- Ramza gives the stones to his friends (party members, whether special or generic) to keep safe
(Obviously this would vary from player to player, depending what company he kept. Although there are still key-characters from the story that could fulfill these tasks, such as Orran or Valmafra)
- Ramza (and/or his friends) scatter them throughout the continent, or even world
- They are destroyed?


Reason is: I may be dabbling a little into story content set after the completion of FFT's story.