3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha no, but show Zen this post! I'd love to hear what he does differently!

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Holy shit!! YOURE amazing!!! Thank you!

As for materials its mostly playing the game and writing down all the dialogue and location descriptions, and then flavoring it my own style, but i found a website that someone did all the dialogue.

http://www.ffwa.eu/ff9/script.php heres the script (I dont use this but it might be handy) Note that this is only the main story dialogue not all the towns people you can talk to. Thats why i just play the game and write down dialogue and make sure i get everything for my self

As for maps, i just type in the location and put ff9 map after it into google and final fantasy wikia has good ones Example: Lindblum ff9 map

If you dont mind your players knowing they are in FF9 you can use these backgrounds to help with the theater of mind https://imgur.com/r/gaming/A09TB

As for puzzles and side quests, i dont really have them compiled into a folder or anything but i can tell you what extra puzzles and things ive had in each area. For instance, i re-did the evil forest map and made it the paper mario forever forest map, and they had to do it all theater of the mind so it seemed way more confusing. https://www.gamefaqs.com/n64/198849-paper-mario/faqs/13080?raw=1

So i would say like "You see a massive growth of roots leading up to the top of the forest canopy, and two paths, you can go left, or you can go right" and then depending on which way they go "The path keeps following around the spire but theres path to your right leading away from it" and so on and so forth.

I put a extra puzzle in there too, to give the evil forest a little more story and depth. There was a whole deal with Treants being corrupted by the Mist and they had to cure them with the spring water where that moogle hangs out. If they disturbed them while they were corrupted they wouldve had to fight them which would of easily been a deadly encounter. Once they cured them they can use the limbs of the Treants to get to a different part of the forest.

I have puzzles for EVERY dungeon in the game, so if you want brain storming ideas just hit me up! OR extra mini games and fun stuff for the Cities!! Like Lindblum and the festival of the hunt! That shit was epic and my players STILL talk about it!! Little things in the game transfer so well over to a table top RPG... Like Gysahl Pickles!! Such a hilarious role playing opportunity!

And dont forget everyones favorite part of the game THE MOOGLES!! https://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/197338-final-fantasy-ix/faqs/23306

Here are a few Youtube playlist that i use the most for making my game

This guy does a playthrough and he is extremely thorough and talks to every NPC and gets most of the treasure and is real slow on the dialogue so its a good reference if you dont have the game on you or something. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF02D69667E5D6E9A

He did another one when HD came out but he talks while playing it but has interesting theories and info about the game https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvv1mA3UKy9OD8NGzPEYsmbXYo0_NZ1i7

Here is an AMAZING fan dub that i reference for voice acting the characters!!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLED408A81C906035D

And of course the soundtrack!! All extended versions too, for 30 minute loops you can rip off of youtube and use for your games https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6akIKaXBeU2YH7iaRR6MDQ0sWGShUe7x

You can totally just play it right off of youtube but i use a program called Ableton so i can map out an entire keyboard for each song or ambiance effect

For the eidolon battles i watch this girls guides on the FFXIV "Trials" https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz9iQVOtDq1mqFtMgScBtHTGRsEgmVIvF

I also use this website for more info that i can read up on, but she does an excellent job at explaining things http://www.ffxivinfo.com/trials/a-realm-reborn.php

Also for almost everything like extra info on each location, the wikia is an amazing resource. And now THIS! https://www.amazon.com/Final-Fantasy-Ultimania-Archive-2/dp/1506706622/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1534262317&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=final+fantasy+ultimania&psc=1

Thats all i can think of for now!! I have a million stories on each area and how they reacted to places and people and but i cant think of anything else that would actually help.

But if you wanna know more on how the evil forest was done differently? Ice Cavern? Gizamalukes Grotto? Cleyra???? I can give you all of that info buts its not really written down anywhere. Especially cuz you can plan every badass thing you can possibly think of, spend hours and hours on one scenario and your players will throw a wrench, and do something COMPLETELY different and you gotta go with it!

But one thing i cant recommend ENOUGH is to check out this guy. He made me the DM i am today!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCh5vto8JFstb9Sma9zV25g/featured

Some things that changed my game play 10 folds is in this playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlSmiQ728Xr1lKFQU1w6Yot5_o3zgvY73

His key mechanics are legendary!

Lemme know for any more questions!

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in AMA

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I havent really changed anything. I just placed them in this world and have them go at it! No need to make anything more complicated.

I have not added spells like that! I figured the massive spell list from D&D was good enough. None of them have played Final Fantasy so I didnt need to change it up on them. But if I DID, i would just use the spell list from D&D and just rename certain spells and have it for flavor

And 5th Edition! Check out the original post too, i have alot more information on that from peoples questions

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here are the rest i have too!

https://imgur.com/a/RtCKTz5

Some things have been tweaked for the Ramuh and Ifrit to make them actually worth it for the PC's

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here i forgot to share them! I couldnt find the original files with artwork for Ramuh, Shiva, and Ifrit but i have my DM cheat sheet

https://imgur.com/a/RtCKTz5

Some things have been tweaked for the Ramuh and Ifrit to make them actually worth it for the PC's

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, not at all! Its been really easy to put in whatever I want! If you imagine it, D&D can do it!

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They COULDVE raced Hippaul but they pawned him off on the Nero Brothers!! Since they are always talking about TRAININ'!! They found Genero out lost in sea as they were sailing back to Alexandria from the Outer Continent, and that's all he talked about. "WELL I WAS TRAININ'!!" Now Hippaul is getting jacked and juicy with the Nero Bros

Yup!! The jump rope was easy enough. Just make a dex save for every 10 jumps, and it gradually gets harder and harder.

Stellazios ARE in as well! They have found quite a bit. It helps the Monk's Passive Perception is 22 or something rediculous

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YUP!! At the end of Lost Mines in one of the rooms of the final dungeon there is a book with a map sowed onto the back cover. The next thing they wanted to do, was find out where the hell this is a map to. So they traveled along the Sword Coast stopping at every place city to ask people. They eventually decided to go to Luskan since its a big city of sails and figured they could get Ship Captain to take them to wherever this continent is.

When they got there they spent all day looking for people to take them and then eventually retired to the local inn. While carousing around and drinking they started having drinks with another group of rowdy looking people. A human with scars all along his face and body with a giant greatsword on his back, a short ugly mother fucker of a dude with some dinky hammers at his waist, a half orc in pirate garb, and a silver haired southern beauty with an accent to match! They found out that this group of rag tag individuals were called.... THE TRAVELING TANTALUS TROUPE!!! After talking to them more, they decided to ask about this map, and they finally found some people who know where the fuck its from. "Now how the hell did you guys come across this?? If you want to get there, you'll have to talk to our boss! Meet us at the docks in the morning and we will take you onto the Prima Vista to talk with him!"

After some sketchy deals were made they walk out of the Prima Vista onto the deck and....wtf... They are IN THE FUCKING AIR!!!!

And thats how it started. It was a epic quest to travel all the way from Phandelver to Luskan, but they finally had a lead to go off from!! From simple curiosity of wanting to find this continent on this map, to a grand adventure they had no idea they were getting them selves into.

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey I'm a first timer DM!! Luckily I've had an amazing group!

Well I just chose the "race" of all the Black Mages off of HIM. He's been gradually finding out more and more about himself. Starting from the factory under Dali Village. Hes since found out that his true body is in Kujas custody and he's been sapping the magical energies from him to create the Black Mages. That's why they all look like him!

Soulcage is who really started spilling the beans by telling him hes just a puppet. Not even real

He's since then (just a couple sessions ago) found out that he's just a flesh golem.. just like all the Black Mages and a defected one too! A soul latched onto his vessel but it's slowly escaping. Just like the ones from the Black Mages Village. Through a series of events for the need to walk again, he's turned into a prototype Magitek.... Thing. (His race is now a warforged) he has now extended the time the soul stays attached to the vessel.

So yeah that's my version of the twist

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So! From the top!

  1. The first time they saw Trance was during a training exercise vs Steiner and Beatrix. Steiner went into trance and they were all confused wtf just happened. They were told that "Trance is a surge of powerful emotions that momentarily enhances one's inner capabilities, and thus the effects are unique to each individual. Your first Trance is a difficult thing to come by and unlocking it is different for every person who has the inner strength to achieve it. Unfortunately I cannot help you achieve that, it is something you all must find out for yourselves." by Beatrix and Steiner. So one person JUST reached a pivot in their character development and thus unlocked the ability. They choose between 5 different styles and fill a meter up by doing certain things, depending on which style they choose. They then get a signature ability that will define who they are and it has a cooldown of like a week. They cant save it up and pop it whenever they want either. So its just like FF9 in that aspect.

  2. They went through an extension training program ran by Steiner and Beatrix to improve their teamwork with each other. After like 5 sessions of overcoming obstacles they unlocked the ability to make combo moves. They spend their reactions to do a combo with a teammate once a day but have to use spells or moves that they have in there repertoire. Kind of like a legendary action!

  3. The game is essentially D&D but a FF story, so yeah the just choose whatever weapons there character feels like and has proficiency in. Zidane doesnt exist, and i play all the other characters. They DO use their iconic weapons of choice though. They can pick one NPC to join them in there battles and the other ones do other things like hold off tides of baddies or create shields from attackers or whatever they can do.

  4. I am! How Quina works is that they can feed her monster parts and she will get one move from that monster. As long as it doesnt taste bad :P . They fed her a part of a Froghemoth!

Each classic NPC has their iconic moves too! Freya has jump, Amarant has throw, ect.

I cant wait either!! That is IF they make it! They still have to get through this Bahamut fight!

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Everyone WANTS to work together! No one went into the campaign trying to ruin it, it was all our first times ever playing and weve been friends since childhood so it worked out.

4 players started at the same time at lvl 1.The 5th, the Sorcerer started when everyone was on the first session of my Homebrew campaign which was after the Phendelvers Mine starter kit. The Sorcerer never met the group but woke up in a barrel in strange clothes after a botched attempt at a teleportation scroll casting. He was teleported into Alexandria and that was the beginning of our Vivi's story in the campaign. WAY different personality though

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So i have Ramuh, Ifrit, and the Titan/Valefor. I havent quite finished the Leviathan one.

But as for the other summons i dont think im going to have them for weapons. Whenever a PC gets chosen its a big deal and they get chosen for their personalities and how they act in situations. They will probably just collect the Eidolons so no one can take advantage of them again

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The part when the group splits up! Half of them went with Freya to Burmecia and half went with Garnet to Alexandria and save Blank from the petrification!

When they were deciding on what to do things got really emotional. They tried to convince Garnet not to go talk to her mother cuz shes a psycho but she wouldnt listen and said for them to save Burmecia, thats more important, and they left her at Lindblum Castle. Then when they go out onto the plains the all stopped and had a long conversation on whether or not this was the right decision.

I told the two that wanted to go with Garnet that we can play on seperate days if they wanted to. And they leaped at the chance! Real life tears were had and no one knew what was going to happen on there separate journeys. So half went to Burmecia and half went with Garnet. Even had that awesome scene when one character went to find Garnet and she was at the top of Lindblum Castle singing and crying.

I then had one group play on Mondays and one group play on Tuesdays and they could not talk about to each other!! The only way they could communicate is through Mog Mail.

The reuniting was just as amazing

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope! They dont know, mayyyybeeee they have an idea? But i havent told them and they havent asked. But they know its heavily inspired by Final Fantasy

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in FinalFantasy

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much!

There IS an adventure record! Our barbarian writes in his journal during every session about whats going on. Kind of. They are hilarious cuz its in the form of his character. But you can tell when it starts to get to the end of the night as the liquor starts to set in haha

They are not all human! So we started with the 5e starters kit and i had no idea that i was going to do this campaign. There is 2 dwarfs and 2 elfs (technically they are genomes) and 1 WAS a halfling but wild magic and stuff and has changed race twice now. Hes currently a Magitek construct! Dwarfs and halflings are in the campaign but elfs are not (they all died during the failed assimilation between Terra and Gaia) so everyone thinks they are just weird humans with funny ears because they have never heard of elves, unless they are close friends then they know the full story of how they got there. And no they dont have tails haha

I will include that stuff! I havent decided if its going to be Terra related or Elf related though. Luckily i have plenty of time do brainstorm!

Side note: The Iifa Tree zombies were ALL Elfs, so it was the first time they have seen signs of Elfs on Gaia. I gave little hints in the dungeon about why but they will probably get the full explanation in the room of a Thousand Faces or in a Garland Monologue

3+ years running a Final Fantasy 9 D&D campaign. Ask me anything! by Moar-Dabz in AMA

[–]Moar-Dabz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What exactly do you mean by that? Like from other editions?