[quote=@Bounce][@tsukune]

Are there particular parts of the FF franchise you're wanting the pool of characters to come from? Or not come from?

In particular, I have some canons from XIV in mind. But, I can just as easily adjust to characters from a different FF.[/quote]

I have this addressed in my OOC draft, which I'm going to put up below:

[hider=OOC Draft]
[center][color=darkgoldenrod][h2]TL;DR[/h2][b]< Rules >[/b][/color][/center]

[list][*][b]High-casual to advanced standard.[/b] We are not asking you to write novel-length purple prose; rather, the emphasis is on quality such as minimal spelling and typo errors, good grammar and punctuation, proper paragraphing and sentence structure. Proofreading your work before hitting the post button is highly encouraged.[/list]

[list][*][b]Character-driven and interaction-heavy.[/b] Do expect lots of psychological drama and collaborative writing. Of course there is a plot, but all we can say is: just sit tight and brace yourselves for the unexpected twists. *smirks*[/list]

[list][*][b]16+.[/b] Violence, gore and profanity are allowed as long as they are not done excessively. Do note that there will be possible character deaths, and dark psychological themes.

General forum rules still apply here, remember that - take all the steamy stuffs away from public eyes and do them in PMs, please. Fade to black, and don't be a dick.[/list]

[list][*]We do understand that real life should take priority over a shared hobby, and we do not feel the need to force a fixed posting schedule on the players. However, [b]1-2 posts per week or every fortnight should be relatively stress-free enough to handle.[/b] If you need more time away to battle with real life wars, we would greatly appreciate that you drop us a notice so that nobody will leave you out of the epic adventures.

If you have to drop this game when it has already begun, do drop us a note so that the GMs can take over your character(s) from there. We'll be sad to see you go, but that's life, innit?[/list]

[list][*]GM staff words aren't exactly [i]the[/i] law (hey, we're not evil dictators!) but [b]do respect us and our decisions all the same.[/b] We will only step in as a last resort to snuff out any dramatic flames and trolls before they destroy this whole game world completely.

Of course, feel free to approach us if you need help with things related to this game.[/list]
[hr]
[center][color=darkgoldenrod][h2]APPLICATION[/h2][b]< Character Sheet >[/b][/color][/center]

[list][*]For the main PC, [b]please choose any canon character from the suggested lists below.[/b] Those roles not named in the lists will be on a case-by-case basis.
[list][*][url=http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Playable_Characters]Playable[/url]
[*][url=http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Guest]Guest[/url]
[*][hider=Notables]
[list][*][b][i]I[/i]:[/b] Garland
[*][b][i]II[/i]:[/b] Emperor Mateus
[*][b][i]III[/i]:[/b] Cid Haze, Sara Altney, Desch, Aria Benett, Alus
[*][b][i]IV[/i]:[/b] Golbez, Zemus
[*][b][i]V[/i]:[/b] Exdeath
[*][b][i]VI[/i]:[/b] Kefka Palazzo, Leo Cristophe
[*][b][i]Compilation of VII[/i]:[/b] Professor Hojo, Dr. Hollander, Rufus Shinra, Turks (Veld, Tseng, Rude, Reno, Elena), Genesis Rhapsodos, Angeal Hewley
[*][b][i]VIII[/i]:[/b] Ultimecia
[*][b][i]IX[/i]:[/b] Kuja, Necron
[*][b][i]X[/i], [i]X-2[/i]:[/b] Sin (Yu Yevon, Jecht), Yunalesca, Shuyin, Leblanc
[*][b][i]XII[/i]:[/b] Vayne Carudas Solidor, Dr. Cid
[*][b][i]XIII[/i], [i]XIII-2[/i], [i]Lightning Returns[/i]:[/b] Jihl Nabaat, Caius Ballad, Alyssa Zaidelle
[*][b][i]Type-0[/i]:[/b] Cid Aulstyne, Qator Bashtar, Kurasame Susaya, Arecia Al-Rashia, Claes Celestia "Hoshihime" Misca Sancest[/list]
[/hider][/list]
Do note that characters from the following will [b][u]not[/u][/b] be accepted:
[list][*]Player-created roles in [i]Original FF[/i], [i]III[/i] (NES ver.), [i]Before Crisis VII[/i], [i]Crystal Chronicles[/i], [i]XI[/i], [i]XIV[/i], etc.;
[*]Not-yet-released titles e.g. [i]XV[/i], [i]World[/i];
[*]Mobile-exclusive e.g. [i]Record Keeper[/i], [i]All the Bravest[/i], [i]Mobius[/i], etc.;
[*]Unrelated titles e.g. [i]The Spirits Within[/i], [i]Unlimited[/i], [i]Legend[/i] (known as [i]SaGa[/i] in Japan), etc.
[*][b]Crossover with the [i]Kingdom Hearts[/i] series is [u]not[/u] happening, ever. Don't bother asking why.[/b][/list]
If there's anything you're unsure of regarding this rule, please go to any of the GMs for clarification.

For Moogle, you may choose [b]any [u]one[/u][/b] of the canonical designs from across all the game titles. Feel free to use [url=http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Moogle_(race)]this page[/url] for your reference.[/list]

[b](CS Template at a later date as I'm still testing out format and codes.)[/b]

[hr]
[center][color=darkgoldenrod][h2]FAQ[/h2][b]< Frequently Asked Questions >[/b][/color][/center]

[list][*][b]"Amnesiac Dissonance": a simple, complete mindwipe...or something else much more sinister?[/b]
[color=darkgray]I want to stay away from the idea of "strictly a hard and fast, no-memories-at-all amnesia" - rather than brainwashing the characters completely clean, I'd say their old memories are something like a surreal jigsaw puzzle thrown into a mess by whoever brought them to Celestia. Your character will embark on a quest to piece back their past; memories aren't like physical objects with a definite form and they are often greatly influenced by emotions. Remember that they are creating new memories throughout this journey which will also affect their perception of their previous life, reevaluating with a different light, so the memory jigsaw in your character growth plan may deviate from the original canon. Whether your character is able to return back to someone as close as their original self, or someone completely different from who they once were, is entirely dependent on how you develop your character.[/color][/list]

[list][*][b]What about recurring characters, spells and summons? How would those work in this game?[/b]
[color=darkgray][b]Recurring Characters:[/b] we are well aware of certain elements that span across various titles i.e. Cid, Gilgamesh, to name a few. However, these recurrences do have features that change from one game to another or things that make them unique and easily identifiable to a particular title, which you should be taking into account.

[b]Creatures & Spells:[/b] please check the Codex/Lore section.

[b]Summons:[/b] we're not keen on allowing players to own them permanently as depicted in the [i]Lightning Saga[/i] games, hence we'll be employing the "temporary contract" system like those in [i]XII[/i] and [i]Type-0[/i]:
[list][*]They can be called forth ("summon") by your character for a limited time duration before they go back to the void where they're originally from;
[*]Players must give up something of equal value (can be physical items or obscure things like memory or relationship with a certain character, etc.) as offering before these mighty beings can lend you their powers.[/list]
Also, as the color scheme and more detailed design of the summons vary in each game, to avoid unnecessary debate you can assume that these summons are nothing but shadow silhouettes while retaining the basic form to tell them apart from each other e.g. Alexander = castle, Odin = demonic knight on a six-legged steed, etc. If you really want to go into the details, you may assume that these shadows can shift their look to the character's understanding (something like how the Greek goddess Aphrodite constantly changes her appearance to appeal to those who set their eyes upon her).

[b]Moogle:[/b] while its function is set as simply your character's other traveling companion (aside from "The Voice"), but we're going to give you the freedom to use any one out of the many canonical Moogle designs (e.g. your character is Cloud who's from [i]VII[/i] but the Moogle is from the [i]Lightning Saga[/i] games). There are many different looks for the Moogles across the game titles but [u]you're only allowed to pick one per character[/u], so choose carefully, heh.[/color][/list][/hider]
And here's the general lore, which is subjected to further expansion from players' inputs:

[hider=Basic Lore]
[center][color=darkgoldenrod][h2]CODEX[/h2][b]< Lore & Terminology >[/b][/color][/center]

[list][*][b][url=http://www.biblicalart.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/supernova.jpg]Celestia[/url][/b]
[color=darkgray]A parallel dimension - some say it's situated in the middle of infinity, while others say it's a dream within a dream. This surreal universe is the main stage where you will begin your quest in search of your identity, your past.

This world is divided into 5 regions, based on their terrain type:
[list][*][b]Grasveldt[/b] (plains)
[*][b]Areiadune[/b] (desert)
[*][b]Eisbeulf[/b] (arctic)
[*][b]Regenselva[/b] (tropical)
[*][b]Hapstaden[/b] (capital)[/list][/color][/list]

[list][*][b][url=http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0GlVAlyNi0I/maxresdefault.jpg]"The Voice"[/url][/b]
[color=darkgray]A mysterious entity that you cannot see, only hear in your mind - at times it helps to guide you through this foreign land you are exploring, but whether or not it has an agenda for doing so, only time will tell...[/color][/list]

[list][*][b][url=http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Moogle_(race)]Moogle[/url][/b]
[color=darkgray]If hearing voices in your head isn't weird enough, how about getting another guide - this time a physical one, but in the form of...uh, a floating plush toy? Well, the Moogles will be your first traveling companion in this surreal land, but even so you can barely drop your guard - this little one just doesn't make you feel at ease at all with its apparent clumsiness, made worse by its overly helpful nature. No one knows where they come from; they are already by your side when you wake up...kupo.[/color][/list]

[list][*][b][url=http://c.mwp4.me/media/wp_200/1/1/6262-1621211168.jpg]Chocobo[/url][/b]
[color=darkgray]This wild and flashy avian may not be able to fly given their rather large body, but their powerful legs allow them to sprint across the lands of Celestia - there isn't any place where this bird-like creature has yet to set foot on. They can be a great way to ease ground transportation, but only if you have what it takes to tame this free-spirited beast to bend its will to do your bidding.[/color][/list]

[list][*][b][url=http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/6/6e/Cactuar_FFVIII_Color_Art.jpg]Sabotender[/url][/b]
[color=darkgray]More commonly known as "Cactuar" in the English games, these cactus-like creatures may seem cute (or even dumb-looking, depending on how you view them) but they are dangerous for their signature "1000 Needles" attack, easily inflicting heavy damage on anyone. However, in Celestia they have a mischievous touch: using their quickness as a weapon, these little flora prey on unsuspecting travelers, looting them for anything they deem valuable. If you're able to stumble upon a Sabotender's lair, the amount of stolen treasures hidden within would easily turn on your instinctive greed, but that is if you can get past the guarding [b]Jumbotenders[/b] ("Gigantuar") first...[/color][/list]

[list][*][b][url=http://images4.fanpop.com/image/answers/264000/264694_1309787686881_494_270.jpg]Orbis[/url][/b]
[color=darkgray]In [i]VII[/i], it's known as "materia"; in Spira, they call it the "sphere"; in the Fabula universe, it becomes "phantoma" - the orbis technically functions the same way as all of those: a type of elemental substance abundant in Celestia, which you can collect for combat uses, to refine your equipment, among many other things.

Going further, the orbis is not merely an orb-like substance but a form of living spirit - hence its close ties with nature, giving it elemental properties. There are a total of 6 element types: [b]Fire[/b], [b]Ice/Water[/b], [b]Earth[/b], [b]Air/Wind[/b], [b]Light/Thunder[/b], and [b]Darkness[/b]. The method to collect orbis is similar to the absorption of phantoma from dead enemies as seen in [i]Type-0[/i].[/color][/list]

[list][*][b][url=http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/2/20/Loisoux_Seals_Bahamut.png]Astra[/url][/b]
[color=darkgray]Known as "Summons" in most instances - including other names such as "Eidolons" and "Espers" - the Astras are shadowy warlords that reside in the void on a separate plane from Celestia. They usually lay dormant within this space; you can call them forth via a Summoning Ritual by offering something of equal value to borrow a portion of their power, albeit temporary before they leave and go back to their deep slumber once more. No one knows the true form of the Astras, for they can easily shift their appearance into an image that can be comprehended by the person who sets sight on them.[/color][/list]
[/hider]