The JRPGL – Division 4

Alrest Flamebringers

GM: Alex Fuller
Pick #11 in rounds 1 and 3; Pick #6 in rounds 2 and 4

• Shulk (Xenoblade Chronicles)
  
• Mòrag Ladair (Xenoblade Chronicles 2)
  
• Estelle Bright (The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky)
  
• Adelbert Steiner (Final Fantasy IX)

Every party needs at least one member to be the hero, and Shulk fills this role with aplomb. Going out of his way to help loved ones and fight for those in danger, while never losing his sense of understanding and love for everyone around him, he makes the perfect focus point of the Alrest Flamebringers.

Every hero needs some support and Mòrag Ladair provides this in multiple ways. The Flamebringers’ namesake constantly shows why she fulfills such a trusted role, acting as a mature force. Her role as Special Inquisitor, with access to crack Blade squadrons, also gives the Alrest Flamebringers a leg up in fact-finding. Villains hiding in the shadows will not escape the gaze of the Alrest Flamebringers.

But sometimes, miscreants and other jerks simply need to be shouted out at and, if that fails, hit with a large stick. Estelle Bright excels at both of these. She also fulfills a strong support role and ensures that any wavering from the other party members will be quickly snuffed out. If nothing else, the Alrest Flamebringers offers the very best in strength of character.

While there was temptation to artificially slide in some magic for the purposes of balance, it’s really not my style so instead the Alrest Flamebringers play to their strength of hitting things really hard with the addition of Adelbert Steiner. A tank who will not stop in his goals, he is loyal and will go through thick and thin for those he deems deserving of his trust. His loyalty may have blinded him to evil in the past, but that’s hardly going to be an issue in the Flamebringers considering who his teammates are.

Mist Summoners

GM: Phil Willis
Pick #7 in rounds 1 and 3; Pick #10 in rounds 2 and 4

• Rydia (Final Fantasy IV)
  
• Torneko Taloon (Dragon Quest IV)
  
• Liete (Grandia)
  
• Oswald (Odin Sphere)

I created a team consisting of characters from my favorite JRPGs. It makes sense that if one chooses the best of the best, they have a shot to win.

Of course, to make sure they rise above, they need to function well as a team. This group covers all of the bases. Oswald not only hits hard with massive combos fueled by darkness, but holds down the front line. Rydia backs him up with powerful spells and summons. Liete keeps the party healed, and contributes additional firepower as needed. And Torneko makes sure that the party has the best equipment and items available at the best prices. After all, a hero may possess great skill, but that matters little if she goes into battle with cheaply made armor and weapons.

Together, they form an unstoppable quartet that will decimate all would-be challengers!

Treno Troublemakers

GM: Shannon Harle
Pick #8 in rounds 1 and 3; Pick #9 in rounds 2 and 4

• Stocke (Radiant Historia)
  
• Snow Villiers (Final Fantasy XIII)
  
• Yukiko Amagi (Persona 4)
  
• Nina (Breath of Fire)

They’ve been to jail; they’re not afraid to go back! These players have all been trouble in each of their games, and together, they are the Treno Troublemakers!

Snow Villiers breaks the law and all rules of society by becoming a l’Cie to save his one love. Nina is a pariah in Windia, cast out by even her own father and mother because of her black wings. Yukiko Amagi takes things into her own hands and foils the police at their own game in her investigations with her friends. And Stocke betrays kin and country in order to bring a deadly war to an end to save both the world and all of time.

With their forces combined, the quartet is going make you hope you prepared for trouble and will make it double!

Narshe Novas

GM: Pascal Tekaia
Pick #12 in rounds 1 and 3; Pick #5 in rounds 2 and 4

• chaos (Xenosaga)
  
• Kaim Argonar (Lost Odyssey)
  
• Vivi Ornitier (Final Fantasy IX)
  
• Robbins (The Alliance Alive)

The Narshe Novas place value in exhibiting a more quiet, dignified sort of strength, the false calm before a devastating storm. Rather than sheer brute strength and martial prowess, the team’s combatants prefer to achieve victory through calculated might.

The team’s mentality takes its inspiration from the deep mines and subterranean cave systems of its namesake town, nestled beneath a snow-covered mountain range. Like Narshe, the Novas may seem unassuming, but there’s a steadfast surety in what lies beneath the surface that is more than a match for any opponent.

Though there’s no clear-cut team captain, Xenosaga‘s chaos and Lost Odyssey‘s Kaim Argonar share the responsibility of the leader role. The former having been around for millennia, with potential divine background, the latter being an immortal, the pair have the experience and wisdom to look any challenge in the face. Oh, and Kaim knows his way around a blade, as anyone who’s ever seen the Highlands of Wohl opening scene from Lost Odyssey can attest to, while chaos’ ether abilities can be used to both damage and heal the party in a pinch.

The little black mage Vivi has got the arcane side of things covered, with access to everything from basic-level offensive spells to devastating magical attacks. Lacking the grace of his teammates, and due to his diminutive size, he prefers to stay on the back lines.

Rounding out the team is a left-field draft pick, The Alliance Alive‘s penguin powder keg, Robbins. Like Vivi, his stature belies the world of pain he is capable of delivering to his enemies, courtesy of his flipper-style martial arts ability. Plus, he doubles as a cute and cuddly team mascot in a pinch. A stabby one.