Final Fantasy info board

[Amaya_Moriko]

~*~ Final Fantasy Info board ~*~

As I was bored and searching for other things online I came across this in Wikipedia. It has everything you could ever want to know about Final Fantasy as a series. I found it very interesting. I think I am going to post a few things from the article for easier reading. ^_^ I know that most people that have played the games know about this stuff already, but it's more for those that don't know much about it. It's up to us to get everyone informed and addicted to the games. blaugh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy

Edit (Jul 7): I was super lazy and didn't finish anything I had intended to. sweatdrop So I apologize for another incomplete thread. Gomen nasai.  

[Amaya_Moriko]

~*~ Common Themes~*~

~Airships~ Powerful airborne vessels which usually serve as a primary mode of transportation, enabling fast movement nearly anywhere in the world without the risk of random encounters. Airships generally have the appearance of flying sailing ships with a series of propellers instead of sails. Others look more technological, appearing to be zeppelins or even ornate space ships.


~Character classes and the Job system~ Classes have included the Fighter or Warrior; White, Black, Red, and Blue Mages; Monk; and Thief. Even when not given the choice of choosing a class alignment, these classes often play an important background role. Several installments in the series have utilized a "Job" system where you are able to switch character classes in between battles. In Final Fantasy X-2, the "Dressphere" system actually allowed you to switch a character's job during the middle of a fight. Certain recurring legendary weapons and spells may be granted to certain classes, such as the sword Masamune for the Ninja, or the Black Mage's Ultima spell.

~Character names~ A character named "Cid" has been present in every Final Fantasy game since Final Fantasy II (with a simple mention in Final Fantasy Origins and Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls ). Although he is never the same individual, he is usually presented as an owner, creator, and/or pilot of airships. The motion picture Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within also featured a character named "Sid," presumably an alternate spelling of the more traditional "Cid."

In a similar vein, characters named Biggs and Wedge (homages to the Star Wars characters Biggs Darklighter and Wedge Antilles) have appeared in Final Fantasy VI to Final Fantasy X-2. Other repeated names include Gogo (Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI), Gilgamesh (Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XII), Lonewolf the Pickpocket (Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI), and Sara ( Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V, and Final Fantasy IX) . The surname Highwind has also been used by several characters in the series: Ricard Highwind (Final Fantasy II), Kain Highwind ( Final Fantasy IV) , King Alexander Highwind Tycoon (Final Fantasy V), and Cid Highwind ( Final Fantasy VII ). Depending on the actions of the player, Highwind may also appear as the name of the Gummi Ship in the Final Fantasy-Disney crossover game Kingdom Hearts.

~Complex character development and significant back-story~ Throughout most of the Final Fantasy titles, the major characters grow and develop throughout the game. Frequently the relationship between various characters will change over time as well. Considerable time is also spent explaining the history behind many of the characters. Characters take on a personality of their own, rather than being totally at the control of the player. The result is that many fans will get attached to particular characters, being happy when things go well, and being sad when bad things happen to them. Often, this growth of characters is the basis for some of the humor and drama that is built into the game.

~Creatures/monsters~ Fictional creatures such as Chocobos and Moogles have appeared in most games in the series. Certain monsters also reappear frequently, including Goblins, Tonberrys and Cactuars. Lastly, summoned monsters (also known as Espers, Guardian Forces, Eidolons, Avatars or Aeons) such as Bahamut, Shiva, Ifrit, and Leviathan have appeared in almost every title in the series.

~Magical styles~ Magic in Final Fantasy is generally divided into different classes, which are usually named after a specific color. White magic and Black magic represent healing/support and attack magic, respectively, while Red magic incorporates elements of both healing and attack magic, at reduced effectiveness. Blue magic (sometimes referred to as Lore or Enemy skill), incorporates specific special attacks learned from enemies, and Time/Space magic, which includes status affecting spells such as Haste and gravity spells such as Demi. The most recent magic set is called Green Magic, first appearing as Arcana in Final Fantasy X-2, then as a fully separate magic type in demos of Final Fantasy XII. Green Magic introduces skills which were previously classified as Black or White magic, such as Darkness and Petrification.

~Plot elements~ Many entries in the Final Fantasy series involve broadly similar plot points, such as rebellion against a major economic, political, or religious power, a struggle against an evil which threatens to overtake or destroy the world, or nature versus technology. The love between major characters, from Final Fantasy IV's Cecil Harvey and Rosa Farrell to Final Fantasy X's Tidus and Yuna, as well as the death of major (and sometimes playable) characters, also drive the plot. One of the most famous of such recurring themes involves elemental crystals, which have appeared in over half of the titles of the series (Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy II, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy IX, and Final Fantasy XI), as well as in several spin-off titles (Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles).

~Status ailments and cures~ Characters in Final Fantasy are usually subject to a number of standard "status ailments" which cause deleterious effects, including silence, poison, petrification and confusion. While these are present in many console RPGs, Final Fantasy also has a standard list of items which may be used to cure specific ailments (for example, the "Echo Screen" cures silence, and "Soft" cures petrification), as well as magical spells, such as Esuna or Panacea  

[Amaya_Moriko]

!!! Final Fantasy Bestiary !!!

(All info taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_bestiary )
Just so you know, this is only a partial listing as there are numerous creatures found throughout the extensive history of the Final Fantasy series. It should also be noted that this, according to Wikipedia, is a list of non-sentient creatures. Another helpful link would be on one of many unofficial Final Fantasy websites: http://www.ffonline.com/ff10/enemies-ab.htm

Creatures A-E
Adamantoise
Ahriman
Antlion
Ark
Beastmen
Behemoth
Biblos
Bomb
Cactuar
Chimera
Chocobo
Cockatrice
Coeurl
Death Machine/Warmech
Demon's Gate
Dragon
Dullahan

Creatures F-M
Flan
Friendly Dragon
Gargant
Gigas
Goblin
Gods & Goddesses
Imp
Iron Giant
Kindred
Lamia
Magic Pot
Malboro
Mermaid
Mindflayer
Minotaur
Mover

Creaures O-Z
Ochu
Orc
Quadav
Sahagin
Sand Worm
Shoopuf
Summon
Tiamat
Tonberry
Yagudo
Zu