Neg
06-09-2010, 03:06 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with much love that we are welcoming you to the newly rechristened and focused Final Fantasy XIII forum, here at Shrine! Or, welcoming you back! If you’ve been around, you’ve noticed the changes we have been working to bring about, and this will simply serve as an official statement of those changes, as well as an introduction to all the new faces this game will hopefully bring us :)
XIII was released this past March (that’s 2010 for you future Shriners) to mixed reviews and has had a very widely disparate reception among fans. Here at Shrine, things are no different, with opinions across the entire spectrum being represented by various members. XIII is rated T for Teen due to Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, and Violence.
With a mostly revamped battle system reminiscent of X-2, and an almost painfully linear storyline, XIII weaves the tale of a world living in fear of that which it barely knows. Still feeling the lingering effects of the long-past War of Transgression, Cocoon--as it name accurately denotes--lives a sheltered existence away from the perceived--and real--horrors of the world below, Pulse. The lives of 6 people are turned upside down as their loved ones, and ultimately themselves are branded as Pulse l’Cie, and forced to become fugitives of the society which once embraced them. Will they find out what their mission as l’Cie is (only to be rewarded with a crystal sleep), before they become monsters known as Cie’th? Will they become enemies of their home and everyone they know? Well, that’s up to you!
Notable Threads
These threads will change over time, but in general they are a-ok to bump no matter how far down the list they have gotten. In general, posting in the threads on the first page of the forum is a good rule of thumb. If a thread is buried under several pages of newer threads it is just fine to start a new thread on the topic you’re interested in discussing. However, if your response is substantive, we will generally be lenient on the bumping of a given thread.
Most Hated Character in FFXIII (Thread 76336)--This is a great place to discuss both characters that you hated and loved.
Musings About the Characters' Sexualities (Thread 74612)--Here, the relationships between the characters can be discussed. This can include unavoidable chats about sexuality and shipping. Inappropriate images will be spoiler tagged if the poster is not conscientious enough to do it of their own accord.
Paradigm Decks (Thread 75614)--This thread can be used to discuss your battle strategies and the characters that you use in your party.
FF XIII Trivia (Thread 76588)--This is just in its infancy, but these threads have become popular, long-running forms of entertainment here at Shrine and I’m sure this one’ll be no different!
The End of FF XIII Discussion (Thread 75103)--This is the thread in which to discuss your feelings on how the game concludes itself. This place is completely open to spoilers and brings up the next important topic we need to discuss here: Spoilers.
SPOILER POLICY
This is the first entry in the main Final Fantasy lineage to appear on the current generation of consoles and will no doubt be used by more than a few as the catalyst for finally joining said generation. Due to this, the spoiler rules will remain in effect longer than usual to accommodate this. Another popular forum keeps such rules in effect for several months following the release of a game. Accordingly:
Until September 1st spoilers from Chapters 7-13 will be tagged.
To allow for holiday shopping patterns:
Until January 1st, 2011 spoilers from Chapters 9-13 will be tagged
Spoiler Chart:
Chapter 1
*The Sanctum initiates a purge after discovery of the Pulse vestige.
*Lightning, Sazh, and Vanille are on the train.
*Hope’s mother Nora falls to her death after joining forces with Snow’s resistance group NORA.
*Snow/Lightning/Sazh enter the pulse vestige to rescue Serah.
Chapter 2
*Hope and Vanille follow Snow into the vestige.
*L’Cie created by Pulse fal’Cie either turn into crystal (for completing their task--their focus) or into monstrous Cie’th (for failing in their focus).
*Serah turns into crystal.
*Snow/Lightning/Sazh confront and defeat the fal’Cie Anima.
Chapter 3
*Snow/Lightning/Sazh/Vanille/Hope are branded as l’Cie.
*Snow believes that Serah’s request to protect Cocoon is their focus, despite the fact that the only vision they have shared involves the beast Ragnarok destroying Cocoon.
*Lightning points out that Pulse l’Cie are the enemy of Cocoon and therefore Snow’s plan makes no sense.
*Snow stays behind with Serah as Lightning and the others attempt to escape Sanctum forces.
*Snow becomes bonded with the twin Shiva sisters, Stiria and Nix.
Chapter 4
*Lightning and Hope travel a path separate from Sazh and Vanille as they traverse the Vile Peaks, an area built solely of debris from the War of Transgression between Pulse and Cocoon.
*Lightning states that she got on the purge train because she saw no other way of reaching Serah in the vestige.
*Sazh is a father and wants Hope to reunite with his own.
*Lightning decides to take out the fal’Cie Eden who directs the Sanctum and Cocoon government.
*Sazh and Vanille depart to simply “run away.”
*Lightning worries about nurturing Hope’s vengeful intentions towards Snow for letting his mother die. She also worries if she can protect Hope.
*Lightning becomes bonded with the eidolon Odin.
*Snow ends up on the Lindblum with the Calvary, a seemingly rogue element of the Sanctum forces led by General Cid Raines. Raines is aided in this endeavor by a woman who is a branded l’Cie herself. He informs Snow that PSICOM and Sanctum intend on having a public execution of all of the Pulse l’Cie.
Chapter 5
*Lightning and Hope flee through the Gapra Whitewood.
*Lightning gives Hope the survival knife given to her by Serah for her recent birthday. At this time Serah revealed that she had been branded by a l’Cie and Lightning had rebuffed her, while Snow stood by her side.
Chapter 6
*Sazh and Vanille flee through the Sunleth Waterscape.
*Sazh reveals that he has a son, Dajh.
*Dajh was branded a Sanctum fal’Cie when l’Cie intruders raided Euride Gorge energy plant.
*Sazh boarded the purge train in the hopes of reaching the pulse fal’Cie in the vestige, as he wagered that Dajh’s focus might have been to destroy it.
Chapter 7
*Col. Rosch leads the occupation of Palumpolum in the hopes of clamping down on the l’Cie fugitives.
*Lightning and Hope sneak past the Guardian forces through a food processing facility, whilst Lightning has the realization that humans in Cocoon are treated as pets of the fal’Cie.
*Lightning leaves Hope with Snow and goes on with Fang.
*Fang is from Gran Pulse and was turned into a crystal 500 years prior. She awoke on Cocoon with Vanille.
*Hope says that Snow should share the same fate as his mother as he unleashes on him and they both crash to the ground. Snow keeps his promise to Nora and shields Hope as they fall.
*Fang reveals that she and Vanille infiltrated Euride Gorge in the hopes of remembering their focus, but she did not end up remembering, as such.
*Fang wants to prevent Vanille from becoming a Cei’th and more l’Cie from being created.
*Snow carries Hope home, wounded as he may be. Hope’s father points out the flaws in their plan to take down the Sanctum, as PSICOM forces bore down on the Estheim residence.
*Snow is forgiven by both Hope and Light.
*Hope leaves with the rest of the l’Cie to fulfill his focus.
Chapter 8
*Sazh and Vanille reach Nautilus, “the city of dreams.”
*Vanille realizes that it is because of her presence at Euride Gorge that Dajh became a l’Cie. Further, the death of Sazh and the others may be the only thing that could prevent Dajh from becoming a cie’th.
*Sazh intends to turn himself over to PSICOM but Vanille attempts to tell him she is responsible to keep him from giving up. It is for naught, as he must help her escape from Sanctum forces who suddenly appear in Nautilus.
*Dajh’s focus was to track the fugitive l’Cie and turns to crystal as soon as he sees his father.
*Col. Nabaat tells Sazh that Vanille is responsible for his son becoming a l’Cie.
*As Sazh is ready to end it all, he is interrupted by the eidolon Byrnhildr.
*Sazh cannot kill Vanille or himself and so becomes a prisoner. Both l’Cie are scheduled for public execution.
Chapter 9
*Snow, Lightning, Fang, and Hope decide to board the Palamecia where Sazh and Vanille are being held in the hopes of saving them and revealing to the public of Cocoon that Primarch Dysley is responsible for manipulating their feelings against Pulse L’Cie.
*Vanille reveals that while Fang lost her memory, she has not.
*Dysley reveals that Serah’s focus was to bring the six of them together and that one of them must become Ragnarok to destroy Cocoon by destroying Orphan.
*Dysley reveals himself to be the fal’Cie Barthandelus
Chapter 10
*The party is guided to an Ark (a ship containing living weapons of Pulse) to further hone their skills
*Raines reveals to the l’Cie that not only is he a l’Cie but that fal’Cie wish to recall the maker of the world by offering a sacrifice of Cocoon. The fal’Cie are incapable of doing this themselves and must use human tools in the form of l’Cie.
*Fang forms a bond with the eidolonBahamut Diablos.
*The party departs the Ark for Gran Pulse
Chapter 11
*The party explores Gran Pulse and Hope enters into a partnership with the eidolon Alexander. Once believed to appear when l’Cie had finally given up hope (and to end their misery), Lightning postulates that eidolons instead appear to give l’Cie renewed hope.
*Fang remembers that she had become Ragnarok and Vanille had lied to her. Vanille faces off with the eidolon Hecatoncheir.
*It is revealed that Vanille met Serah after being seperated from Fang on Cocoon.
*The party returns to Vanille and Fang's home, Oerba. After 5 centuries, it is a veritable wasteland--a fractured shadow of its past glory.
*Barthandalus reveals that he has revived Raines as a puppet Primarch. He believes this will cause the Calvary to kill him and recklessly charge into Eden’s cradle. They will then destroy Eden and Orphan, allowing him to realize his goal.
*The party decides to return to Cocoon.
Chapter 12
*The Ark is activated and Pulsian beasts run the streets of Cocoon.
*The party travels to Eden’s Seat and defeats Rosch along the way.
Chapter 13*The party enters Orphan’s Cradle
*Barthandalus takes his defeat in stride as he fuses with Eden and Orphan
*Hybrid Orphan uses more “smoke and mirrors” to make Fang think that the other party members have become cie’th and force her to once again become Ragnarok.
*The party members break through the illusions and lies to let Fang know that she is not alone.
*The party defeats Orphan and creates a new destiny for themselves
*Fang and Vanille merge into a new beast who, through sacrificing itself, is able to prevent Cocoon from falling from the sky.
*Snow, Lightning, Sazh, and Hope must help the refugees of Coccon build a new future and repair their home.
*Serah and Dajh are returned to human form.
Spoiler tags can be constructed using the following code:
[.SPOILER]TEXT[./SPOILER] w/o the periods.
As a manner of closing, we would like to reiterate that the release of new entries in the main lineage of Final Fantasy is one of the main ways that we get new members. One would do well to remember that. Criticisms of the game or its characters, plot, pacing, etc., are fine, and welcomed whole-heartedly. However, posts attacking members will not be tolerated and will be deleted or dealt with in a manner consistent with the policies and rules of this site.
Questions about forum maintenance can be directed to Agent0042. All plot related questions and feedback regarding this charter, however, should be directed to Neg, via PM.
Enjoy your stay at Shrine and in the XIII forum! :D
XIII was released this past March (that’s 2010 for you future Shriners) to mixed reviews and has had a very widely disparate reception among fans. Here at Shrine, things are no different, with opinions across the entire spectrum being represented by various members. XIII is rated T for Teen due to Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, and Violence.
With a mostly revamped battle system reminiscent of X-2, and an almost painfully linear storyline, XIII weaves the tale of a world living in fear of that which it barely knows. Still feeling the lingering effects of the long-past War of Transgression, Cocoon--as it name accurately denotes--lives a sheltered existence away from the perceived--and real--horrors of the world below, Pulse. The lives of 6 people are turned upside down as their loved ones, and ultimately themselves are branded as Pulse l’Cie, and forced to become fugitives of the society which once embraced them. Will they find out what their mission as l’Cie is (only to be rewarded with a crystal sleep), before they become monsters known as Cie’th? Will they become enemies of their home and everyone they know? Well, that’s up to you!
Notable Threads
These threads will change over time, but in general they are a-ok to bump no matter how far down the list they have gotten. In general, posting in the threads on the first page of the forum is a good rule of thumb. If a thread is buried under several pages of newer threads it is just fine to start a new thread on the topic you’re interested in discussing. However, if your response is substantive, we will generally be lenient on the bumping of a given thread.
Most Hated Character in FFXIII (Thread 76336)--This is a great place to discuss both characters that you hated and loved.
Musings About the Characters' Sexualities (Thread 74612)--Here, the relationships between the characters can be discussed. This can include unavoidable chats about sexuality and shipping. Inappropriate images will be spoiler tagged if the poster is not conscientious enough to do it of their own accord.
Paradigm Decks (Thread 75614)--This thread can be used to discuss your battle strategies and the characters that you use in your party.
FF XIII Trivia (Thread 76588)--This is just in its infancy, but these threads have become popular, long-running forms of entertainment here at Shrine and I’m sure this one’ll be no different!
The End of FF XIII Discussion (Thread 75103)--This is the thread in which to discuss your feelings on how the game concludes itself. This place is completely open to spoilers and brings up the next important topic we need to discuss here: Spoilers.
SPOILER POLICY
This is the first entry in the main Final Fantasy lineage to appear on the current generation of consoles and will no doubt be used by more than a few as the catalyst for finally joining said generation. Due to this, the spoiler rules will remain in effect longer than usual to accommodate this. Another popular forum keeps such rules in effect for several months following the release of a game. Accordingly:
Until September 1st spoilers from Chapters 7-13 will be tagged.
To allow for holiday shopping patterns:
Until January 1st, 2011 spoilers from Chapters 9-13 will be tagged
Spoiler Chart:
Chapter 1
*The Sanctum initiates a purge after discovery of the Pulse vestige.
*Lightning, Sazh, and Vanille are on the train.
*Hope’s mother Nora falls to her death after joining forces with Snow’s resistance group NORA.
*Snow/Lightning/Sazh enter the pulse vestige to rescue Serah.
Chapter 2
*Hope and Vanille follow Snow into the vestige.
*L’Cie created by Pulse fal’Cie either turn into crystal (for completing their task--their focus) or into monstrous Cie’th (for failing in their focus).
*Serah turns into crystal.
*Snow/Lightning/Sazh confront and defeat the fal’Cie Anima.
Chapter 3
*Snow/Lightning/Sazh/Vanille/Hope are branded as l’Cie.
*Snow believes that Serah’s request to protect Cocoon is their focus, despite the fact that the only vision they have shared involves the beast Ragnarok destroying Cocoon.
*Lightning points out that Pulse l’Cie are the enemy of Cocoon and therefore Snow’s plan makes no sense.
*Snow stays behind with Serah as Lightning and the others attempt to escape Sanctum forces.
*Snow becomes bonded with the twin Shiva sisters, Stiria and Nix.
Chapter 4
*Lightning and Hope travel a path separate from Sazh and Vanille as they traverse the Vile Peaks, an area built solely of debris from the War of Transgression between Pulse and Cocoon.
*Lightning states that she got on the purge train because she saw no other way of reaching Serah in the vestige.
*Sazh is a father and wants Hope to reunite with his own.
*Lightning decides to take out the fal’Cie Eden who directs the Sanctum and Cocoon government.
*Sazh and Vanille depart to simply “run away.”
*Lightning worries about nurturing Hope’s vengeful intentions towards Snow for letting his mother die. She also worries if she can protect Hope.
*Lightning becomes bonded with the eidolon Odin.
*Snow ends up on the Lindblum with the Calvary, a seemingly rogue element of the Sanctum forces led by General Cid Raines. Raines is aided in this endeavor by a woman who is a branded l’Cie herself. He informs Snow that PSICOM and Sanctum intend on having a public execution of all of the Pulse l’Cie.
Chapter 5
*Lightning and Hope flee through the Gapra Whitewood.
*Lightning gives Hope the survival knife given to her by Serah for her recent birthday. At this time Serah revealed that she had been branded by a l’Cie and Lightning had rebuffed her, while Snow stood by her side.
Chapter 6
*Sazh and Vanille flee through the Sunleth Waterscape.
*Sazh reveals that he has a son, Dajh.
*Dajh was branded a Sanctum fal’Cie when l’Cie intruders raided Euride Gorge energy plant.
*Sazh boarded the purge train in the hopes of reaching the pulse fal’Cie in the vestige, as he wagered that Dajh’s focus might have been to destroy it.
Chapter 7
*Col. Rosch leads the occupation of Palumpolum in the hopes of clamping down on the l’Cie fugitives.
*Lightning and Hope sneak past the Guardian forces through a food processing facility, whilst Lightning has the realization that humans in Cocoon are treated as pets of the fal’Cie.
*Lightning leaves Hope with Snow and goes on with Fang.
*Fang is from Gran Pulse and was turned into a crystal 500 years prior. She awoke on Cocoon with Vanille.
*Hope says that Snow should share the same fate as his mother as he unleashes on him and they both crash to the ground. Snow keeps his promise to Nora and shields Hope as they fall.
*Fang reveals that she and Vanille infiltrated Euride Gorge in the hopes of remembering their focus, but she did not end up remembering, as such.
*Fang wants to prevent Vanille from becoming a Cei’th and more l’Cie from being created.
*Snow carries Hope home, wounded as he may be. Hope’s father points out the flaws in their plan to take down the Sanctum, as PSICOM forces bore down on the Estheim residence.
*Snow is forgiven by both Hope and Light.
*Hope leaves with the rest of the l’Cie to fulfill his focus.
Chapter 8
*Sazh and Vanille reach Nautilus, “the city of dreams.”
*Vanille realizes that it is because of her presence at Euride Gorge that Dajh became a l’Cie. Further, the death of Sazh and the others may be the only thing that could prevent Dajh from becoming a cie’th.
*Sazh intends to turn himself over to PSICOM but Vanille attempts to tell him she is responsible to keep him from giving up. It is for naught, as he must help her escape from Sanctum forces who suddenly appear in Nautilus.
*Dajh’s focus was to track the fugitive l’Cie and turns to crystal as soon as he sees his father.
*Col. Nabaat tells Sazh that Vanille is responsible for his son becoming a l’Cie.
*As Sazh is ready to end it all, he is interrupted by the eidolon Byrnhildr.
*Sazh cannot kill Vanille or himself and so becomes a prisoner. Both l’Cie are scheduled for public execution.
Chapter 9
*Snow, Lightning, Fang, and Hope decide to board the Palamecia where Sazh and Vanille are being held in the hopes of saving them and revealing to the public of Cocoon that Primarch Dysley is responsible for manipulating their feelings against Pulse L’Cie.
*Vanille reveals that while Fang lost her memory, she has not.
*Dysley reveals that Serah’s focus was to bring the six of them together and that one of them must become Ragnarok to destroy Cocoon by destroying Orphan.
*Dysley reveals himself to be the fal’Cie Barthandelus
Chapter 10
*The party is guided to an Ark (a ship containing living weapons of Pulse) to further hone their skills
*Raines reveals to the l’Cie that not only is he a l’Cie but that fal’Cie wish to recall the maker of the world by offering a sacrifice of Cocoon. The fal’Cie are incapable of doing this themselves and must use human tools in the form of l’Cie.
*Fang forms a bond with the eidolon
*The party departs the Ark for Gran Pulse
Chapter 11
*The party explores Gran Pulse and Hope enters into a partnership with the eidolon Alexander. Once believed to appear when l’Cie had finally given up hope (and to end their misery), Lightning postulates that eidolons instead appear to give l’Cie renewed hope.
*Fang remembers that she had become Ragnarok and Vanille had lied to her. Vanille faces off with the eidolon Hecatoncheir.
*It is revealed that Vanille met Serah after being seperated from Fang on Cocoon.
*The party returns to Vanille and Fang's home, Oerba. After 5 centuries, it is a veritable wasteland--a fractured shadow of its past glory.
*Barthandalus reveals that he has revived Raines as a puppet Primarch. He believes this will cause the Calvary to kill him and recklessly charge into Eden’s cradle. They will then destroy Eden and Orphan, allowing him to realize his goal.
*The party decides to return to Cocoon.
Chapter 12
*The Ark is activated and Pulsian beasts run the streets of Cocoon.
*The party travels to Eden’s Seat and defeats Rosch along the way.
Chapter 13*The party enters Orphan’s Cradle
*Barthandalus takes his defeat in stride as he fuses with Eden and Orphan
*Hybrid Orphan uses more “smoke and mirrors” to make Fang think that the other party members have become cie’th and force her to once again become Ragnarok.
*The party members break through the illusions and lies to let Fang know that she is not alone.
*The party defeats Orphan and creates a new destiny for themselves
*Fang and Vanille merge into a new beast who, through sacrificing itself, is able to prevent Cocoon from falling from the sky.
*Snow, Lightning, Sazh, and Hope must help the refugees of Coccon build a new future and repair their home.
*Serah and Dajh are returned to human form.
Spoiler tags can be constructed using the following code:
[.SPOILER]TEXT[./SPOILER] w/o the periods.
As a manner of closing, we would like to reiterate that the release of new entries in the main lineage of Final Fantasy is one of the main ways that we get new members. One would do well to remember that. Criticisms of the game or its characters, plot, pacing, etc., are fine, and welcomed whole-heartedly. However, posts attacking members will not be tolerated and will be deleted or dealt with in a manner consistent with the policies and rules of this site.
Questions about forum maintenance can be directed to Agent0042. All plot related questions and feedback regarding this charter, however, should be directed to Neg, via PM.
Enjoy your stay at Shrine and in the XIII forum! :D