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Author Topic: Final Fantasy RPG  (Read 8879 times)

Bruno Carvalho

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« on: August 14, 2015, 08:07:03 PM »
First, let me introduce myself. My name is Bruno Carvalho and i've been playing and GM'ing since the nineties (1994, to be exact). I'm from Brazil and a huge fan of the Returner's FFRPG (been playing it since the First Edition - and yes, it was EVEN WORSE than the dreaded second). Upon the death of the Returner's group and SeeD's decision to move to computer-assisted gaming (as they openly recognize FFRPG SeeD is optimized for IRC gaming and not for tabletop), there were a Brazilian game designer called Fernanda Parker who took the third edition and translated it to Portuguese, maintaining it alive here in Brazil... until last year. Last year, she decided to abandon the project to real life issues.

So I decided to keep the steam going, and to do that I'd rather adress some of the glaring problems with Third Edition. And after looking at it for a while, it seemed that the best course of action was to start it anew and create a new game, instead of trying to fix its myriad of problems. So, since January this year, I've been creating what I (without any modesty, i confess) call the FFRPG Fourth Edition. I've taken inspiration not only on Returner's FFRPG, but also in SeeD, Zodiac, FFd6 and other FFRPG sources available.

And it's about done. It's actually playable - I've run some playtest campaigns and there is other campaigns run by other GMs popping around here in Brazil, but I've reached the point that the project is getting bigger than I can tackle it alone. So here I am, looking for help! Let me detail my key points:

1) System Features (these are already done)

a) Compact, rules light gaming
The actual game book have 100 pages total, in comparison to 3rd Edition's over 400. And it is written in portuguese. In comparison to english, portuguese takes around 30% more words to say the same thing. And its already in English, with about 90 pages in the core book, plus 29 pages for the first supplement.

b) Collaborative narrative
In character creation and during play, the players can use the built-in collaborative mechanics to drive the story foward. This way, the GM get inputs before and during play to what story better suits its players - and while the GM still have the final word, the players have the tools to really feel in the driver's seat of the story.

c) Intuitive task resolution
The task resolution mechanics uses a intuitive system, without tables or abitrary difficulty scales. Characters of all levels can contribute to meet the party's goals, without creating the situation where only optimized characters can have a chance of sucess in their area of expertise.

d) Customizable characters
Albeit still working on a class/level structure, the job system presents 17 unique jobs with multiclassing rules that allow over 80 unique job combinations. Also, the job descriptions present several different abilities and spells who can be chosen or not - no more "every swordmaster knows the same skills" from 3rd Edition. Geomancy, Blue Magic and Summon are descripted in the first expansion pack: Forces of Nature.

e) Inverted leveling up system
Instead of the traditional "Gain XP -> Level Up -> Improve Stats", you invert the logic, and you "Gain XP -> Improve Stats -> Level Up", akin to systems like L5R (but simpler). In this way, characters of distinct levels can exist even with the same XP, and that leads to better balanced spels and skills that use Character Level (no more Lv.5 Death kiling either no one or your entire party)

f) Fluid combat initiative
Instead of having fixed combat initiative orders, the system uses a phase-based system(akin to the 7th Sea combat mechanics) that allows for another level of tactical combat. Due to the increased complexity of this mechanic, the combat movement is very simplified and the use of tactical maps and miniatures is discouraged.

g) Character-driven advancement system
Instead of just awarding XP for "killing monsters and completing missions", the character advancement system depends on the players character's motives and personality. This allows the players, as a group, to signal to the GM the kind of adventures they want to play. "Killing monsters" and "Completing Missions" are still valid options to earn XP, but it's not mandatory or the sole way.

h) Racial mechanics, Monster Construction guidelines and a sample Bestiary
The main Final Fantasy Races are there in the first expansion pack, called Forces of Nature, along with monster construction help and some sample monsters ready to use.

2) Current Works (I'm working in these points right now)

a) Job Changing rules and Tactical-map based combat
Next in request is the FFT and FFV-like job changes rules.

3) The much needed help (Wished I could do but I simply can't)

a) Art and Editing
I simply have absolutely NO art skills. Can't draw a stick figure for good. That includes not only interior drawings in the book, but also editing and stuff like that. Also, I'm sure the book can have a better layout and editing - I just lack the skillz to do it.

b) Worldbooks
No RPG is complete without great Scenarios. And few games have better worlds than the Final Fantasy series. So I'll need help writing down these worlds and converting them to this system, to enable Game Masters to jump at their favourite worlds.

c) MOAR playtest
No ruleset is good without notes from the field. This one is the point I'd like more to see going. Without playtester feedback, it's very hard to see what's good and what's broken in the rules.

d) Assorted critcism and suggestions
Of course, any help in this direction is good, no matter how small it may look.

Anyway, thanks for your patience reading this long post! Hope you all have fun and good games!

DOWNLOAD SECTION (I'll try to keep this updated)

PORTUGUESE VERSION
CD 1: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4eCD1
CD 2: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4eCD2

Forces of Nature Expansion Pack: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4eDLC1
Final Fantasy IV Wordlbook: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4eDLC2

Character Sheet: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4Ficha

ENGLISH VERSION

Disk 1: Archived
Disk 2: Archived

Forces of Nature Expansion Pack: Archived

Final Fantasy Complete 4th Edition:Archived

Final Fantasy Revised 4th Edition:Archived

Final Fantasy 4th Edition Remastered : http://bit.ly/FFRPG4ER

Final Fantasy IV Worldbook: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4thDLC2

Final Fantasy VI Worldbook: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4thDLC3

Final Fantasy Tactics Worldbook: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4thDLC4

Character Sheet: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4eSheet

Version History:

2019-12-19: Remastered the corebook
2018-10-7: Revised Edition added
2017-10-19:Uploaded the Final Fantasy Tactics Worldbook - English Version
2016-09-24: Final Fantasy VI Worldbook added
2016-03-11: Final Fantasy Complete 4th Edition Added
2015-11-05: Final Fantasy IV worldbook added
2015-08-14: Original Post
« Last Edit: December 19, 2019, 07:30:18 AM by Bruno Carvalho »

Bruno Carvalho

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« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2015, 01:52:04 PM »
There's a new DLC online!

I have a strange relationship with Final Fantasy IV. It was the first FF game I played as a kid- someone told me how great FF VI (III, at the time) was, and when I got to rent it, I found FF IV (II at the time). So I decided to play the games in order and rented IV first, and thats when I ended up loving the whole series. Eventually, FF VI replaced IV as my all time favorite Final Fantasy game. So when writing the worldbooks, I decided to go back to my childhood and begin with Cecil and Kain's tale.

So, without further ado, the first post is updated and here's the download link: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4thDLC2

Bruno Carvalho

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« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2016, 06:43:37 AM »
New book to download! FFRPG Complete 4th Edition is a relaunching of the corebooks (Disk 1 + 2), along with the Forces of Nature expansion, with better formatting, some balance adjustments, optional rules, GM advice, several grammar fixes, art, and much more! You may download it at the link http://bit.ly/FFRPG4RE.

Also, for whoever is interested, I've set up a FFRPG 4th Ed subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/ffrpg/. Come and share your thoughts!
« Last Edit: October 07, 2018, 10:42:00 AM by Bruno Carvalho »

kosmos1214

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« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2016, 08:08:30 PM »
thanks for the update
sjw social just-us warriors

now for a few quotes from my fathers generation
"kill a commie for mommy"

"hey thee i walk through the valley of the shadow of death but i fear no evil because im the meanest son of a bitch in the valley"

Bruno Carvalho

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« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2016, 02:57:12 PM »
Come download the latest DLC for the FFRPG 4th Edition! The Final Fantasy VI worldbook brings the tales of Aeolus, a new world for your campaigns, and some new rules suited to the FF VI gameplay!
Dowload link: Final Fantasy VI Worldbook: http://bit.ly/FFRPG4thDLC3

Armchair Gamer

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« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2016, 08:46:37 PM »
I really should check this out ... I was a member of the original team the Returners were rebelling against in the first place. :)

Bruno Carvalho

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« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2016, 09:18:11 PM »
To those not following the game's subreddit: there is a new Secondary Job in the oven, to be released with the upcoming FFT Worldbook. So, in a Unearthed Arcana, here you got its first version (DISCLAIMER: This Job is not yet playtested. Use at your own risk):

New Secondary Job: Squire

While many believe that a squire is just a knight in training, some Squires never leave this status. Forgoing formal training, they never progress beyond the basic training of another Job, relying on their innate talents and intuition to progress. Be a Squire if you want to control the battlefield using offensive actions instead of reacting. Abilities marked with # requires the Map combat rules.

Basic Skill: Core Ability earned at level 1. Choose another Secondary Job. You earn that job’s first level Core Ability. Regardless of the chosen Job, the Specialties for Basic Skill are:

Throw Stone: Requires Earth and Air 2. You gain the Ranged Quick physical action !Throw Stone. You gather a rock and throw at your opponent, making an Air vs Air, dif 40 attack. If you hit, you deal Crush-elemental damage equal to the level-appropriate Throwing Weapon’s damage.

Equip Axe: Requires character level 1. You may equip Heavy Weapons.

Artful Dodger: Requires Earth and Air level 5. Reduce your !Dodge action’s difficulty to 40.

Dash#: Requires Earth 3. You gain the Melee Quick physical action !Dash. You bodyslam at your target, attacking with your weapon. Do a weapon attack, inflicting normal damage, and pushing your target one square backwards. If you manage to achieve a critical hit, the target is also gains the Immobilize status until after his next action.

Move-Up#: Requires Air 3. Increase your Move by 1.


Accumulate: Core Ability earned at level 19. You gain the Slow(4) Physical action !Focus. Using it, you accumulate strength for your next blows. You gain the Strengthen (Physical) status until the end of the next round. Specialties:

Mana Well: Requires Water level 10. Your !Focus action can be used to give the Strengthen (Magic) status effect instead of Strengthen(Physical).

Counter Tackle: Requires Air 8. Whenever an enemy tries to use the !Escape action against you, increase his difficulty by 20.

Magical Traps#: Requires Fire and Earth 11. You may create magical traps. When using a magical ability or Spell, you may target a square in range and any phase up to the end of the next round. At the start of the chosen phase, the Ability or Spell detonates, inflicting its effects, and using the chosen square as the origin point of the Area of Effect, if applicable. Whenever a character moves into the chosen square before the chosen phase, you may detonate the trap early.


Overwhelm Defenses: Core Ability earned at level 35. Once per phase, when you miss an attack, you may increase the difficulty by 20, to a maximum of 99, to re-roll it.

Awareness: Requires Fire level 16. You gain the Ranged magical action !Awareness. Do an Fire vs Air, dif 0, attack against all enemies. Your acute senses detect traces of enemy presence. All enemies hit lose the Vanish status effect.

Faith and Bravery: Requires Earth and Water level 13. Whenever you’re under the effects a Weaken status effect, gain a Strenghten status effect. Weaken(Armor) gives you Strengthen (Physical). Weaken (Mental) gives you Strengthen (Magical). Weaken (Physical) gives you Strengthen (Armor). Weaken (Magical) gives you Strengthen (Mental).

Ordered Retreat: Requires Air and Water level 13. When you succeed with the !Escape action, all allies can benefit from a successful !Escape action this phase.


Tailwind: Core Ability earned at level 50. You gain the Ranged Quick action !Yell. Use it on an ally. The target gains one extra initiative die with the value equal to the current phase.

Mighty Dodge: Requires Air and Earth level 16. You may use the !Attack action as a free action after you succeed with the !Dodge action.

JP Up: Requires Earth, Air, Fire and Water level 12. Choose an action of any other Secondary Job. You gain that action. This ability can not grant reactions.

Bruno Carvalho

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« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2017, 08:43:45 PM »
Visiting to say this project is not dead. So here's the release of another sourcebook, this time the Final Fantasy Tactics Worldbook!

http://bit.ly/FFRPG4thDLC4

It contains:

Ivalice setting, history and geography;
Campaign ideas;
Rules for Freelancer Main Job (job-changing system) and Squire Secondary Job;
Battle Map rules; and
a sample Bestiary.

Now that I got those 2 huge requests done (map combat and job-swapping), which game / mechanic should I be focusing now?

kosmos1214

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« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2017, 06:39:56 PM »
Quote from: Bruno Carvalho;1001403
Visiting to say this project is not dead. So here's the release of another sourcebook, this time the Final Fantasy Tactics Worldbook!

http://bit.ly/FFRPG4thDLC4

It contains:

Ivalice setting, history and geography;
Campaign ideas;
Rules for Freelancer Main Job (job-changing system) and Squire Secondary Job;
Battle Map rules; and
a sample Bestiary.

Now that I got those 2 huge requests done (map combat and job-swapping), which game / mechanic should I be focusing now?

Well I haven't gotten threw the update yet but depending on how far you went you may consider looking at the some of the newer Ivalice stuff form ffXII and ffXII revenant wings(XII takes place close to tactics geographically) and the other ff tactics games.
For that matter the license board and ffIX ability learning might both also be an idea.

Also I do want to say this book is beautiful as always thank you.
sjw social just-us warriors

now for a few quotes from my fathers generation
"kill a commie for mommy"

"hey thee i walk through the valley of the shadow of death but i fear no evil because im the meanest son of a bitch in the valley"

Bruno Carvalho

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« Reply #9 on: October 07, 2018, 10:44:27 AM »
A new corebook was released, FFRPG Revised 4th Edition. It substitutes the Complete Edition rulebook, incorporating erratas and some job reworks, along with a new weapon class (Katanas), several grammar fixes, and much more! Find it at http://bit.ly/FFRPG4RE !

kosmos1214

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« Reply #10 on: October 16, 2018, 06:49:47 PM »
Thank you again.
sjw social just-us warriors

now for a few quotes from my fathers generation
"kill a commie for mommy"

"hey thee i walk through the valley of the shadow of death but i fear no evil because im the meanest son of a bitch in the valley"

nour

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« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2019, 10:00:45 AM »
Quote from: Bruno Carvalho;1059260
A new corebook was released, FFRPG Revised 4th Edition. It substitutes the Complete Edition rulebook, incorporating erratas and some job reworks, along with a new weapon class (Katanas), several grammar fixes, and much more! Find it at UC Browser SHAREit MX Player !

So all I have to do is to get this version or its an update so I have to get the old ones ?
Its my first time looking to this game so I have no idea how to proceed.
« Last Edit: January 19, 2019, 12:49:36 PM by nour »

Bruno Carvalho

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« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2019, 07:32:11 AM »
Nice to see there's still interest here. I'll use up this moment to plug in some news: A new core rulebook was launched this month, with some balance adjustments and layout improvements. You can donwload it at http://bit.ly/FFRPG4ER