Interest Check: Fabula Ultima: Pirates of Spira

[AndyZ]

Scarlett doesn’t have much of a background she ever talks about beyond running away in her adolescence to try to make a life for herself on the high seas.  After several years of serving under others and growing into adulthood, she’s ready to take her story to the next step.

[Rashol]

I think we may have enough to at least start accepting character sheets. Anyone still interested, see about writing one up. Bare minimum, I'd like a name, a look (drawn preferred), and a brief backstory about why you're interested in finding fortune and fighting fiends on the high seas.

Sorry I missed the bit about provide brief character intro.

I had lots of concepts but now I'm like huh.. how do I make them fit

[Angie]

Looks good to me! Machina weapons are around enough that either girl works.

[Rashol]

Talia Rul Zem

Generated with PixAI

Talia Rul Zem

Talia's al bhed heritage is one she wears proudly, she can even speak the language, although she has her fair share of detractors, particularly among pure al bhed communities.

For a time she was a rising star in professional fighting until suddenly, she wasn't. Hours before her championship match, she disappeared. Her coach her fans her sponsors, everyone lost money.

Talia boarded the first ship that looked like they needed a willing worker and didn't ask too many questions. She pitched in with grunt work as well as with her fists when the need arose.

Talia was expected to follow her mother into the new Yevon priesthood since she clearly had some  native talent to assuage guardians. But.. there were too many distractions like friends and food and fighting. She spent more time training and learning how to fight than she did in contemplation and dance with her mother. One day she tried combining her mother's dance with the moves she was trying to learn from her dojo. The results were not entirely what she had wanted because she accidentally awoke an Arcana of Sword, resting in the ruined temple cavern she used to train.

[c0i9z]

Viria Vales is the daughter of two renowned archeologists, specializing in researching ancient machina. She was with her parents as they worked on a new site, when they uncovered a chamber filled with ancient powerful weapons and technology. Soon after, a powerful organization, warned by one of her parent's assistants, came to confiscate the weapons and capture her parents. Viria barely managed to escape, with one of the weapons and a few other items, and has been on the run since. A pirate ship seems like a good way to get further away.

[Metraxa]

Syril Vestral, son to a middle class family, has taken this opportunity to join up with a pirate crew, explore, and perhaps find that big break that will allow him to strike it rich and establish himself as an influential merchant. there is so much out there that they do not know even now, and after several false starts and failed ventures, he is certain that this is the one that will succeed.

[Angie]

I'm noticing a slight theme, so I think I have an idea how things will start off. Before we go much further, though, I'm not sure if we've discussed whether one of the party should be the captain, or if that should be an NPC? Depending on the answers, our prologue will be a bit different.

[AndyZ]

I’ll be happy to take Captain if I can get it, and I’m good with an NPC.

[Rashol]

I’ll be happy to take Captain if I can get it, and I’m good with an NPC.

Scarlett looks like a captain. As well she should, I wonder where 'bilgewater' is located for the queen of pirates.

[Angie]

Liking everyone's bits so far. I'd say get your sheets ready, I'll get threads ready on my side, we should have more than enough to begin.

[AndyZ]

Scarlett

Dexterity d10 Might d6 Insight d10 Willpower d6

HP 40 - MP 40 - Defense 11 - Magic Defense 11 - Init -0

Identity: Pirate Captain
Origin: Commoner from nowhere
Theme: Hope

Sharpshooter 3 Spiritist 2

Ranged Weapon Mastery 3 - Adds 3 to all ranged attack rolls

Heal - 10 * T - Up to three targets - Heal 40 HP, more at higher levels.

Reinforce - 5 * T - Up to three targets - Grants status immunity for one kind of status

Pistol - 250 zenit - 2d10+3 to roll - HR + 8

Combat Tunic - 150 zenit - Defense and Magic Defense +1

100 plus (2d6*10) zenit remain.

[c0i9z]

Viria Vales

Dexterity d10 Might d6 Insight d10 Willpower d6

HP 40 - MP 40 - IP 5 - Defense 11 - Magic Defense 11 - Init -0

Identity: Runaway Daughter of Archaeologists
Origin: Al Bhed
Theme: Hope

Sharpshooter 3 Tinkerer 2

Ranged Weapon Mastery 2
You gain a bonus equal to 2 to all Accuracy Checks with ranged weapons.

Barrage
When you perform a ranged attack, you may spend 10 Mind Points to choose one option: the attack gains multi (2); or you increase the attack's multi property by one, up to a maximum of multi (3).

Magitech Override
You may use an action and spend 10 Mind Points to perform an Opposed 【 INS + INS】 Check against a nearby soldier-rank construct you can see (the Game Master must tell you who is a valid target). If you succeed, you gain control of the creature until the end of the scene (the Game Master gives you its profile). You may only control one construct at any given time, but may set it free whenever you want; the construct is also set free as soon as it is harmed by you or by one of your allies. Once free, the construct is again in control of its actions and might turn against you.

Magicannon
You may perform the Inventory action and spend 3 Inventory Points to create a firearm weapon known as a magicannon. The magicannon will crumble to pieces as soon as you use create a new magicannon. When you create a magicannon, choose the type of damage it deals (air, bolt, earth, fire, ice, or physical).

Magicannon | Accuracy: 【DEX + INS】 +1 | Damage: 【HR + 10】| Two-handed | Ranged | No Quality

Weapon:
Magicannon | Accuracy: 【DEX + INS】 +1 | Damage: 【HR + 10】| Two-handed | Ranged | Physical

Armor:
Combat Tunic - 150 zenit - Defense: Dex die + 1 and Magic Defense: Ins Die + 1

Zenith: 350+ (2d6*10)

[Rashol]

Talia Rul Zem

Generated with PixAI

Talia Rul Zem (WIP)

Might d10 (10)
Dex d8 (8)
Ins d8 (8)
Wlp d6 (6)

HP: 65/65
Crisis: 32
MP: 50
IP: 6
Def: 8(9/11/13)
MDef: 8(9/11/13)
Combat Tunic +1/+1 (included) 150z
Mithril Shield +2/+2 (included) 150z
Mithril Shield +2/+2 (included) 150z
Attack: Might+Might; HR+5(6)(11)

Starting Jobs
Guardian 3
Arcanist 1
Weaponmaster 1

Starting Bonuses
Guardian +5hp, martial armour, martial shields

Double defender: can equip two shields and gain the benefit of both, can attack with them as a *two handed, brawling, melee* weapon of the following attribute M+M acc; HR+5 damage. Damage is also increased by levels in Defensive Mastery.

Defensive Mastery 1 while equipped with shields or martial armour reduce damage from attacks by the level of this skill.

Protect
When another creature is threatened by an attack, spell or other danger, you may take their place (any Checks that are part of the danger will be performed against you; you may declare the use of this Skill before or after the Checks have been made). If the danger already affected you, it affects you twice (resolve both instances separately); you also cannot protect multiple creatures from the same danger. If you use this Skill during a conflict, you cannot use it again until the start of your next turn.

Arcanist +5mp, ritual
Arcana Bond 1. Has the capability to summon and dismiss arcana. If this career is chosen at the start of the game, you may begin play with *one* bound arcana. All other arcana must be earned through play. It costs a action and 40mp to summon an Arcana.

Arcana of the Sword: When summoned the attack of an equipped weapon increases by +5. In addition, any damage is changed to Typeless and is not affected by type.
As part of an attack, the user may have their attack gain the multi property without limit. HR is considered 0 for this attack. At the end of the attack, the Arcana is dismissed. This is not counted as a willing dismiss.

Weaponmaster +5hp Martial weapons, Martial Shields
Counter
When an enemy hits or misses you with an attack, if the result is Even, you may immediately make a free attack against that enemy. HR is considered 0 for this attack.

(I know.. she's really really silly. Silly as in terribly badly made)

[Angie]

Talia Rul Zem

Generated with PixAI

Talia Rul Zem (WIP)

Might d10 (10)
Dex d8 (8)
Ins d8 (8)
Wlp d6 (6)

Starting Jobs
Guardian 2
Arcanist 1

Starting Bonuses
Guardian +5hp, martial armour, martial shields

Double defender: can equip two shields and gain the benefit of both, can attack with them as a *two handed, brawling, melee* weapon of the following attribute M+M acc; HR+5 damage. Damage is also increased by levels in Defensive Mastery.

Defensive Mastery 1 while equipped with martial shield or armour reduce damage from attacks by the level of this skill.

Arcanist +5mp, ritual
Arcana Bond 1. Has the capability to summon and dismiss arcana. If this career is chosen at the start of the game, you may begin play with *one* bound arcana. All other arcana must be earned through play. It costs a action and 40mp to summon an Arcana.

Arcana of the Sword: When summoned the attack of an equipped weapon increases by +5. In addition, any damage is changed to Typeless and is not affected by type.
As part of an attack, the user may have their attack gain the multi property without limit. HR is considered 0 for this attack. At the end of the attack, the Arcana is dismissed. This is not counted as a willing dismiss.

(I know.. she's really really silly. Silly as in terribly badly made)

Gonna need to check the book to make sure everything's right but uh. Don't you get 5 starting levels, not 3?

[Rashol]

@Angie
You do. I hadn't decided on how to split it out. I'm going to add weaponmaster for Counter (and fill all my job slots) and then I have to decide on a dot of accuracy or a dot of damage reduction and damage.

Also, I know it's better to hit things with actual weapons, but the option to bludgeon people with shields is too fun. I'm reflavouring them as gauntlets.

[c0i9z]

I'd recommend Protect, so you can take more advantage of your impressive defense and counter more often.

[Rashol]

I'd recommend Protect, so you can take more advantage of your impressive defense and counter more often.

My defense is statistically worse than everyone else's. But I have more hp.

[c0i9z]

If you start with steel plate and two bronze shields, you should have 16 defence, which is 5 better than what I have. If you decide to go with Combat Tunic and two runic shields, that's still 13 defence, which is 2 better than what I have.

[Metraxa]

Syril Vestral

Dexterity: d8 (8)
Insight d8 (8)
Might: d8 (8)
Willpower: d8 (8)

HP: 45/45
MP: 50/50
Defense: 9 (8+1)
M. Defense: 9 (8+1)
Initiative: -1 (0-1)

Identity: Aspiring merchant
Origin: Luca
Theme: Ambition

Starting Jobs:

• Orator (Lvl 3)
• Rogue (Lvl 2)

Starting Bonuses

Orator: Permanently increases your maximum Mind points by 5
Rogue: Permanently increases your maximum Inventory Points by 2

Encourage 2 - During a conflict, you may use an action and spend 5 Mind Points to choose another creature that can hear and understand you. That creature recovers [SL x 5] Hit Points and chooses Dexterity, Insight, Might, or Willpower: they treat the chosen Attribute as being one dice size higher (up to a maximum of d12) until the start of your next turn.

Persuasive - When you successfully perform a Check to fill or erase sections of a Clock, if your approach relied on charm, deception or intimidation, you may spend yup to [SL x 20] Mind Points. If you do, fill or erase an additional section of that Clock for every 20 Mind Points you spend this way.

Dodge - As long as you have no shields and no martial armor equipped, our Defense score is increased by [SL].

See You Later - You may use an Action and 1 Fabula Point to vanish from the current scene, reappearing wherever you want during a different scene in which another Player Character is present. Describe how you escaped and miraculously got here!

Items:

Steel Dagger | Accuracy: [DEX + INS] + 1 | Damage [HR + 4) Physical | One-Handed | Melee | No Quality

Travel Garb | Defense: DEX die + 1 | M. defense: INS die + 1 | Initiative: -1

Gil: 250z + [2d6 X 10]

Don't have experience with the system, but I hope I did that right

[ThisOneGal]

I'm putting a flag of interest down, if there's still room. Currently reading over the rulebook.

I have next to no familiarity with FFX, so will need some guidance to make my character work.

[Rashol]

@Metraxa 
Umm.. your math is off. Hp 40; MP 45; IP 8

[ThisOneGal]

Harper
They/Them
No one remembers where Harper came from—not even Harper. They arrived at the gates of the Black Hollow Library as a child, silent and rain-soaked, clutching a half-burned book and a key with no lock. The Head Occultist, Elaris Thorne, took them in, sensing something unusual in their aura—a flicker of old and forbidden knowledge not yet awakened.

Now an apprentice occultist, Harper spends their days cataloging cursed tomes, drawing binding circles, and refining the elegant art of fencing. It was Elaris who first placed a blade in their hand, insisting that a duelist’s grace could channel just as much power as any incantation. To Harper, swordplay is more than defense—it is a ritual, each movement as deliberate and meaningful as a glyph etched in chalk.

Harper doesn’t separate sword from spell. Their style merges the two, shaping elemental magic through a precise, flowing form—blades flashing like sigils in motion. Quiet, diligent, and deeply curious, they devote every spare moment to unearthing the mystery of their origins.

Though their skills continue to grow, Harper remains on the outside. They drift at the edges of every circle: part of the order, yet never truly within it. Their magic is clean and exact, brilliant in its structure, but it offers no clarity about who they are or where they came from.

When the Library could offer no further answers, Harper left. Not for gold or glory, but in search of something more elusive: truth. And perhaps, somewhere out there, a place where they truly belong.

Identity Apprentice Occultist Looking for Answers
Origin ? ? ?
Theme Belonging
Age 22

DEX d8
INS d10
MIG d8
WLP d6

HP 50/50
MP 45/45
IP 6/6
FP 3

Crisis 25
Def 11
M. Def 13
Initiative 0

Classes
Elementalist 3
Spiritist 1
Weaponmaster 1

Starting Bonuses
Permanently increase your maximum Hit Points by 5.
Permanently increase your maximum Mind Points by 10.
You may perform Rituals whose effects fall within the Ritualism discipline.
Gain the ability to equip martial melee weapons and martial shields.
ELEMENTAL MAGIC (Iceberg)
Each time you acquire this Skill, learn one Elementalist spell. Offensive Elementalist spells use【INS + WLP】for the Magic Check.

Iceberg | 20 MP | One creature | Instantaneous
A pillar of ice magic envelops your foe, suddenly dropping their body temperature to a critical level. The target suffers【HR + 25】ice damage.
Damage dealt by this spell ignores Resistances.
SPELLBLADE (SL 2)
When you cast an offensive spell targeting a single creature, if the spell has a total Mind Point cost of【SL × 10】or lower and you have one or more bow, brawling, dagger, flail, spear or sword weapons equipped, you may choose one of those weapons. If you do, your Magic Check for the spell will use the chosen weapon's Accuracy Check formula; for instance, the Magic Check for an Elementalist spell cast through a bronze sword (page 131) will be【DEX + MIG】+1 instead of【INS + WLP】.
SPIRITUAL MAGIC (Heal)
Each time you acquire this Skill, learn one Spiritist spell. Offensive Spiritist spells use【INS + WLP】for the Magic Check.

Heal | 10×T MP | Up to three creatures | Instantaneous
You invigorate your companions, soothing their pain and healing their fatigue. Each target recovers 40 Hit Points. This amount increases to 50 Hit Points if you are level 20 or higher, or to 60 Hit Points if you are level 40 or higher.
MELEE WEAPON MASTERY (SL 1)
You gain a bonus equal to【SL】to all Accuracy Checks with melee weapons.
Rapier | 200g |【DEX + INS】+1 |【HR + 6】Physical
One-handed - Melee - No Quality.

Combat Tunic | 150g | DEX die +1 | INS die +1 | -
No Quality.

Runic Shield | 150g | +2 | +2 | -
No Quality.

70 gil
Who trained you in the way of the Elements?
The Head Occultist, Elaris Thorne, was my mentor and adoptive parent. She taught me to wield the elements with discipline and care—never as a blunt instrument, but as an extension of thought and intention.

Your magic can be devastating... are you afraid of yourself?
No. I don’t fear myself. But I do fear what magic can make possible—what it can take from the world when used carelessly. Power isn’t evil, but it is never neutral.

Elemental magic is often used in war. Did you serve in the military?
Fortunately, no. I’ve studied battles, dissected grim old records, but never held rank or marched under a banner. I was raised in a place where knowledge, not violence, was the first answer.

What does your magic look like?
It’s clean, exact—brilliant in its purity. Spells form with deliberate geometry, like sigils brought to life. The elements obey not rage, but reason.
Where does your magic come from? What are your beliefs concerning life and death?
I wish I knew. Sometimes, when I cast, it feels like remembering more than creating. As for life and death... I believe they are part of a cycle we rarely understand. If there is truth beyond that veil, I haven’t seen it—only echoes.

How do you feel about manipulating other people’s emotions and vital energy?
It’s a serious act, one that must not be taken lightly. Consent is essential—unless you’re defending yourself or others. Even then, it should be a last resort, not a first tool.

What do you think of religion? Are you part of a specific cult, church or institution?
I was raised in the Black Hollow Library, not a temple. Knowledge was our doctrine, truth our pursuit. I respect belief, but I have yet to find one that fits the shape of me.
What is your relationship with weapons? Are they mere objects, or something more?
They’re more than tools. My sword, like my magic, is a focus—a conduit for will, ritual, and balance. When I fight, I don’t just strike. I speak a language older than words.

Is battle something you seek, or something you strive to avoid?
I avoid it whenever I can. But battle is a language too, and sometimes, it is the only one others will hear. I won’t run from it if it must be spoken.

Are you, or have you ever been, the servant of a Lady or Lord? What were they like?
I have not. I served the Library, not a person. I don’t know what it means to give yourself to a ruler—only to a purpose.

What do your weapons and fighting style look like?
Fluid. Controlled. Every motion measured. My style blends fencing with ritual—a dance between intellect and instinct. When I fight, I’m trying to find the perfect question, not just the winning blow.

[Metraxa]

@Metraxa
Umm.. your math is off. Hp 40; MP 45; IP 8

More like the thing I was reading is wrong, I guess. Fixed.  

[c0i9z]

More like the thing I was reading is wrong, I guess. Fixed. 

You forgot to add your character level, so HP 45, MP 50.

[Metraxa]

You forgot to add your character level, so HP 45, MP 50.

That's how it was initially, but I was just told that that was incorrect so now I do not know