misc information

[wrmods]

[ shelter / weapons / items / refining / money / entertainment / transportation / technology / laws ]

For the characters that are too old, too young, not physically capable or simply uninterested in the SeeD program, Balamb Garden provides cheap shelter, food and health care. By sectioning off an unused part of the dorms, they've devoted a part of their academy to the misplaced who are so unwelcome in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, it may get a little cramped, and they don't have enough space to separate the men from the women, nor the adults from the children. To make up for a lack of space, the dorms have two extra cots in them each and house 4 people per instead of 2. Keep in mind, the dorms aren't any different from the cadet dorms (as that's what they once were), so the room arrangement is still a 2 bedroom suite.

Cheap doesn't mean free, of course. Guests partaking in the Garden's hospitality will be expected to work for their share. They may perform menial tasks, janitorial work, work in the cafeteria, work as an assistant for the instructors, or any other measure of making themselves useful around the Garden.

Guests will still be expected to adhere to the morning wake-up call and evening curfew, as well as the Garden Code of Conduct. The Garden reserves the right to separate any guest found violating these terms from the facility.

The weapons of the world are generally no less fantastical than our own technology, with arsenals including gunblades, nunchaku, whips, hand to hand combat, rifles and other firearms, missiles, and pinwheels. Additionally, para-magic and GFs are utilized by SeeDs in combat.

SeeDs have the option of specializing in one kind of combat, and many choose a proficiency in weapons. Gunblades are notoriously the least popular for prospective weapon specialists.

Gunblades:

Combining the sword with a standard shotgun’s mechanisms, the gunblade is a unique weapon. If you trigger a round while the bullet is “set,” a strong wave of power will travel down to the edge of the blade, raising the attack power of the gunblade. By pulling the trigger at the right time, one can release a powerful attack.

Because of how the gunblade is used in order to achieve optimal performance, the weapon is considered an old fashioned and notoriously difficult weapon to use in comparison to regular swords.

Nunchaku:

A nunchaku is two sections of wood or metal connected by a cord or chain, though variants may include additional sections and chain. The ideal length of each piece should be long enough to protect the forearm when held in a high grip near the top of the shaft. Both ends are usually of equal length, although asymmetrical nunchaku exist. The ideal length for the connecting rope/chain is just enough to allow the user to lay it over his or her palm, with the sticks hanging comfortably and perpendicular to the ground, however some nanchaku users prefer a much longer chain, enabling them to hit enemies from a distance.

Chain Whips:

Consists of several metal rods, which are joined end-to-end by rings to form a flexible chain. Generally, the whip has a handle at one end and a metal dart, used for slashing or piercing an opponent, at the other.

The chain whip is heavy but flexible, allowing it to be literally used as a whip to hit, hook and bind an opponent, restrict his/her movement, and to deflect blows from other weapons. The dart is used for slashing or piercing an opponent. In some cases, the dart might be coated with a poison. Because the whip is flexible, it can be used to strike around obstacles, including an opponent's block. The whip chain can be folded and hidden from view, making it an easy weapon to carry and conceal.

Hand to Hand:

The practice of using one's body as a weapon, martial arts is unpopular but still viable even in a world full of ranged firearms and offensive magic. SeeD Cadets that opt to specialize in hand to hand combat generally use metal knuckles to augment their fighting style.

Firearms:

All SeeD cadets receive basic firearm training. Some go on to specialize in marksmanship. Their weapons of choice are usually rifles and shotguns for a more close-quarter style of combat. Generally, pistols and revolvers are unseen in the world, but that isn't to say they don't exist.

Blaster Edge:

Consists of a bladed projectile to be shot toward the enemy from a firing mechanism on the arm. After hitting the target, the projectile returns to the shooter like a boomerang. There are only five Blaster Edge models currently available: the Pinwheel, the Valkyrie, the Rising Sun, the Cardinal, and the Shooting Star.

Missiles:

The only two countries in the world to produce missiles are Galbadia and Esthar. It is believed that the missiles are armed with a target-lock mechanism. Their reach is inter-continental, with dangerous accuracy.

Para-magic:

The practice of magic for non-Sorceresses. Para-magic is taught to all SeeD Cadets as one of the primary functions of combat. If a SeeD Cadet cannot practice para-magic they will not graduate the program.

More information about para-magic and its uses can be found here.

GFs:

GFs, or Guardian Forces, are essential to a Balamb SeeD Cadet's training. Without them they would not be able to use the Junction System. If a Seed Cadet does not have at least five (5) GFs before taking the exam they will not graduate the program.

More information about GFs can be found here.

Items serve many purposes in the world, ranging from medicinal to battle aids. There are various classes of items. Here we'll provide an overview of each class and how it'll affect your character. Click the associated link for each class to view a list of its items.

Important: When including items in your roleplay interactions, make sure you factor in the logistics of how your character could carry it, if its probable that they would have it with them at the moment, and how effective it would be. Items are not meant to be used as a 'get out of a bad situation free' card. If you're unsure as to whether you should use an item in your scene, contact a moderator to ask.

Recovery: Items used to support in combat, a recovery item can be anything from a potion to an eye drop. Recovery items are usually small in size, with the exception of tents and cottages. We ask that players be realistic in what their characters can carry. A pocket may only be able to fit as many as three potions. A bag might be able to fit more, if your character is inclined to haul one around.

Additionally, while in-game a recovery item may return a character to full-health, in the roleplay they will only serve as a minor healing, numbing and coagulation agent. Characters will still be required to seek out medical aid if the sustained injury is severe enough.

Battle: Items used to aid a character's offense in battle, generally in the form of stones. These are used to cast magic that the character does not have stocked in their Junction System. They are expendable and only see one use each, usually only used in an emergency.

Ammunition: Different forms of ammunition are available for firearm specialists. Each type of ammo has a different effect when used. Some ammo is harder to come by than others.

GF Items: Items used to teach GF abilities instantly, without having to learn them over a period of time. There are also items that can be used to force a GF to forget an ability, if they've learned too many and can no longer learn any more. There are also GF compatability items that will raise the compatibility between a GF and its user, increasing the damage it causes when summoned and decreasing the time it takes for the user to summon it.

Other: Any item that does not fit in a category above. Includes items such as car fuel cells, renaming tags and refinement items. For more information on refining, check here.

Refining is the process of turning item(s) into something else. Any item in the game can be refined, whether it's into an upgrade item, a different class of item or magic. Some items may only be obtained by the refining process, and are otherwise unavailable.

A character can use refining by teaching their GF their respective refining abilities. The rarer the GF, the more useful their refinement ability will be. For a list of GF's respective refining abilities and what items can be refined, look here.

The world of FFVIII uses gil (G) as its official currency, accepted worldwide. It may be the only form of currency used: any alternate forms are never mentioned. Since the arrival of people from other worlds, currency exchange stations have begun appearing at train and airstations that will accept their currency in exchange for gil.

Job opportunities include but are not limited to working in schools and universities, shops, bars, travel agencies, recruit into armies, raising chocobos, fishing, sailing boats, farming and conducting research.

SeeDs are supplied a salary in accordance with their rank. SeeD Cadets are afforded an allowance per trimester.

Known means of entertainment in the world and Garden include the Triple Triad card game, T-boarding, movies, theater, concerts, reading, Chocobo riding/raising, fishing, Garden clubs and committees, Garden run newsletter, the use of computers, and the occasional ball.

Essentially, any pasttime one would enjoy on Earth is enjoyed in the world of FFVII. However, there are some limitations which are elaborated on in the technology section.

Triple Triad:

A card game enjoyed by people the world over, they originated from the magician Orlan modifying cards used in fortune-telling for use in a game, coining the official name “Triple Triad.” Initially played among soldiers, they spread to the common people and today are widely used for entertainment among men and women of all ages.

The game is reminiscent to a card-version of tic-tac-toe, with a 3x3 playing "grid". The goal is to have the most cards turned over to your color at the end of the game.

To acquire cards, characters may join the Card Club for a starting deck, use their GF's ability "Card" on enemies, defeat another player in Triple Triad and acquire their card(s) as per the current trade rule or find them as they go along.

T-Boarding:

A skateboard capable of traveling through the air at low altitudes, the “T” comes from the first letter of the word “Turbine.” It is popular among youths, but its use is banned within Garden. T-boards may only be acquired by traveling to Esthar.

Movies, Theater and Concerts:

Because of the lack of television broadcasting, movies are only available in theaters. Large cities such as Deling and Dollet feature movie theaters. As such, for a student to see a movie, they must travel by train, aircraft or boat to a city that has a theater to see movies. Alternatively, they are sometimes played in the Quad in the Garden, though the only movies available are ones that have been released on DVD.

Much like movies, theater is only available in cities, though almost any city large or small will have a stage for theater and concerts. Additionally, the Garden Festival Committee has been known to arrange plays and concerts in the Quad.

Reading:

Characters who enjoy reading will find the Garden library's shelves stocked with all sorts of satisfactory reading material. For those inclined, there is even a library committee.

Chocobo riding/raising:

Chocobos come in all shapes and sizes. Thoughout the world are small clusters of forest that are known to be Chocobo grounds. Some natives spend their time catching wild Chocobos to tame and raise here. For more information about chocobos, check here.

Fishing:

With two sea-side towns (Balamb and Fisherman's Horizon) devoted to fishing and another (Dollet) whose residents enjoy it as a favored pasttime, fishing is a large part of the world.

Found around the coast of Balamb is also the Balamb Fish, a large fish with turqoise scales. Due to its amazing flavor, it's known as one of the 3 Great Delicacies of the World.

Garden clubs and committees:

Students of Balamb Garden take their entertainment into their own hands with a multitude of clubs and committees to join and enjoy. Some clubs are student-run and created with no approval from the faculty (Trepies in particular), whereas others are faculty-run and approved (the Disciplinary Committee). Students are generally free to form their own clubs so long as they don't go against Garden rules and Code.

Find a complete list of current clubs and committees in the Garden here.

Computers:

Because satellite and radio waves are out of commission and cable is unreliable at best, communication is generally contained within one region even with the use of the internet. Garden's BBS system is used as the main method of communication between students in the Garden because it is available to anyone and everyone within Garden, but cannot be accessed from anywhere else.

As of January 2011, all characters are also issued laptops capable of wireless networking, so that the BBS system can be accessed from anywhere on campus. These laptops are not as technologically advanced as ones currently on Earth: for instance, webcams still don't function well 85% of the time. But software's become slightly better, so characters do have access to an early version of Photoshop/Paint Shop Pro/its equivalent and various other programs like Solitare and Word. The Balamb Newsletter is also available online.

The Garden computers' interface is uniform for every terminal and looks like a menu. It features six (6) options: GFs, The Basics, About Garden, A Message From Garden, Garden Square, and The School Festival Committee. (The first option, "Tutorial", is replaced with "GFs" during the roleplay for obvious fourthwall reasons.)

GF is a WR-specific function designed to help students acquire GFs. It's an interface that Garden provides wherein students can download (and later upload) GFs to their Junction Systems. Currently, students may download Quetzalcoatl, Shiva, Siren and Ifrit. Students who have unique GFs that wish to upload them to the GF network may do so as well.

The Basics will bring up a general overview of some common terms the character will hear in the Garden, such as Magic (and Para-Magic), Guardian Forces and Sorceresses.

About Garden features the Garden rules as well as info on the three Garden institutions around the world and the basics of the SeeD mercenary program.

A Message From Garden features Garden Events, which contains timelines detailing the Garden's major events during the year. It also contains announcements by the Cafeteria, Disciplinary and Library committees, as well as any other clubs or committees that may form.

Garden Square, or the BBS, functions as a sort of public message board for the students. This is the menu option students will be using if they're communicating via BBS on the main community.

(A few things for clarification about the BBS: public is the operative word. All posts, threads and discussions are visible to anyone who accesses the board. That means no filters, locks or anything of the sort. Additionally, the poster's names are not visible. Students must log in with their ID to post/view the BBS, and their ID represents them as they post. They aren't completely anonymous, but unless you know a student's ID number or they signed their post with their name, they shouldn't be immediately recognizable.)

*** Recently a Private messaging system as been integrated onto the BBS, which works much like Dreamwidth's private messaaging system; a sender can choose a specific receiver to send a message to, and they can converse with one another in the private thread.

The School Festival Committee is a section for the Garden Festival Committee to post announcements and student related material. The menu option leads to another mini-menu, which is much cuter and more flowery and functions as a personal blog of sorts. The first option, Garden Festival Committee, is for members to write about the current state of the festival, requesting new members and expressing hopes for future festivals. My Friends functions as a sort of guestbook, where visitors may leave a little message. My Diary is to be used exclusively by the head of the Garden Festival Committee. Sir Laguna's Page, a special addition, was Selphie's homage page to Laguna Loire, or "Sir Laguna", as she calls him. She posted reviews of Laguna's articles found in Timber Maniacs magazines during her travels. It hasn't been updated in a while.

For more information on technology and its limitations, look here.

Balls:

Events in the Garden held for special occasions. Annual balls are held for SeeD inauguration after the Spring SeeD exam for those that passed.

Transportation in FFVIII is not unlike modern transportation. With a full range of working vehicles, boats, trains and aircrafts it isn't difficult to get around.

Chocobo:

The primary mail delivery method. Chocobos are considered native fauna, an increasing rarity in contrast to the Lunar Cry monsters and baddies crawling the surface. They're the only truly domesticated animal large enough to ride in the world, replacing our horses.

Rental Vehicles:

In every major city (Deling, Dollet, Balamb) you'll find a car rental station. The fee for renting an automobile is steep (around 5k gil) and an even bigger chunk of change is the fuel (a cell goes for 3k each). Rental vehicles are smaller than the Garden's Personal Carrier Vehicle, seating three (3) and a driver.

Buses:

The only city that features public transporation is Deling. Their bus system is such that you can't look left and then right without seeing a bus making a stop. With stops in front of every major city location, it's remarkably easy to navigate the large city. The bus design is similar to the Galbadian road and Balamb Garden Personal Carrier Vehicle, if slightly elongated. Most likely seats up to fifteen (15) passengers and a driver.

The Garden:

The Garden serves as a mobile hovercraft. It can pass over water, land and any terrain. However, it moves at agonizingly slow speeds and is not intended to be mobile constantly. It is navigated by archaic controls accessed via the bridge. Only qualified SeeD pilots may control the Garden.

Trains:

The main method of transport, with trans-continnental and underwater tracks, trains are powered by a turbine mechanism. They are currently quickest way to get from continent to continent without taking an airship. Their railroad cars’ coloring differs depending on the travel region.

Tickets are 3k gil per person and are checked before entering the train and then used again to gain access to the main area, where the personal cabins are located.

There are passenger cars with interiors customized for special customers, such as the president’s private car and the cabin provided for SeeD’s personal use, which had an extravagent design, consisting of a decent sized room with a large corner-couch, magazines, potted plants, a curtained window and an ornate-designed bunkbed. There also appears to be an electronic panel, perhaps a television screen or an electronic display map. If the ticket isn't used for access at the outer door panel, patrons occupy a small waiting-room looking area without seating.

Airships:

Extremely sophisticated technology from Esthar, airships were originally used to banish Sorceresses to space and not used for actual air travel. Since then, they've started being produced with more frequency. Each Garden has one airship in its possession, as well as the development of several Airstations cropping up around the globe. Admittedly airfare is more expensive than trains or vehicles at 8k gil per person per trip, as such airship travel has yet to be popularized outside of the wealthy. An airship consists of a cockpit, with a crew occupancy of four (4), a passenger room that seats ten (10), an airlock chamber, a top deck aisle, a hangar and a boarding ramp.

Boats:

The most popular mode of transport after trains, boats are cheap and effective, though traveling between continents can take over a day's travel time.

Assault Boat:

These hydrofoils are used primarily as troop carriers for conflicts near accessible waterways. The Assault Boat can seat six (6) soldiers in a small war room, equipped with electronic boards used for preparations, plus two (2) pilots and there is standing room for at least one more person. Entrance is via a starboard hatch, an opening on the bow, and a top hatch, which provides access to an artillery gun — the only obvious offensive weaponry.

Cruise Ship:

Only seen in sea-side towns such as Dollet, Balamb and Fisherman's Horizon, these ships are only owned by wealthy families who can afford their upkeep and initial cost, as well as a permanent place to dock them.

Galbadian Road Vehicle:

A vehicle employed by the Galbadian army in most of their operations. Often used as roadblocks to cut off areas currently occupied by Galbadians. Seats six (4) passengers and a driver.

Personal Carrier Vehicle:

A vehicle similar to the Galbadian road vehicle design. Used as student transportation for the Gardens, it can seat six (6) passengers and a driver. The personal carrier vehicles (PCV) are free for Cadets and SeeD use, but supplies are limited. PCV are often the transportation of choice for members of Garden to get out and about during vacations or Garden downtime.

Bikes/Scooters:

Small motorized vehicles that seat one (1), they are used to get around between cities. Inexpensive, they are a favorite among students and youth. However, the use of motor bikes and scooters are prohibited within Garden.

Walking:

Never hurts.

Technology and architecture in the world ranges from modern to extremely advanced and futuristic. Some cities are far more technologically advanced than others. Even so, baseline technologies that are commonplace among all of them exist, such as vehicles and ranged communication devices (radio, television). However, those means of communication were rendered useless by the jamming.

The worldwide jamming happened thirty-eight years ago. As all frequencies became filled with noise, the radio waves that had been the routine means of communication became impossible to use. Presently, HD (Hyper Data) cables stretched along the underground are the primary means of communication, though areas are often cut off from the cable network due to battles and the behavior of monsters; not all areas above ground are connected. If the restoration of a radio wave-related facility is conducted, a brief radio broadcast is possible, but as it has no practical use, it is rarely performed. This means that technology such as cellphones and wireless radios will be rendered ineffective for communication. Ipods and other portable music/DVD players will function, and replacement cords to recharge batteries with adapters for the world's outlets can be purchased.

Because each region was essentially cut off from the next in terms of communication, they all developed on their own with separate culture, architecture and levels of technology. While some may have similarities, they are all overall unique.

Examples include Dollet and Timber, whose architecture is archaically inspired with cobblestone streets and stone arches. Dollet in particular is very Renaissance-inspired, with large marble statue fountains in the middle of grand squares. Even still, they use neon signs and drive vehicles reminiscent of the 40-50s.




Timber, though in the same vein, has more of a steampunk element. Famous for being a trans-continental train hub, this is much the theme of their town with gears and stoplights adorning their signs and buildings. Like Dollet, even though their town is mostly old-fashioned, they still retain futuristic flourishes, with lit shopping malls and neon catwalks.




On the flipside, Deling is a more modern-looking city with Parisian elements. Well-lit and busy, it's much the picture of a metropolis.


Esthar is by far and away the most technologically advanced country in the world. Unlike the other cities, it is futuristic in its entirety, from walkways to buildings. All of the world's technological advancement is owed to Esthar. It is home to the most dedicated scientists.

Each country has its own government, set of laws and punishment. No country in the world is averse to basic Geneva Conventions, so anywhere you go you will be punished for basic offenses against humanity such as murder, rape and torture.

Garden: Military Code of Conduct

• Laws:
  Garden's Code and punishment methods are borrowed directly from The United States Military Academy at West Point.
  
  There is an entire manual (unavailable to players in written format as of yet) detailing the official Code of Conduct for SeeDs and Cadets which includes everything from the correct way to address a superior officer to what to do in the event that you cannot report to your home Garden on a mission.
  
  Since it isn't available for player reference, players may assume it is much like any military code. Cadets receive a class covering the Code, but specific instances of it won't be expected to be quoted. If a player would like to make up a rule in the Code of Conduct they may.
  
  For specific rules, look here.



• Punishment:
  Court martial. If found guilty through court martial, the accused faces severe consequences, including being "turned back" (repeating an academic year), probation, demotion and separation from the academy (expulsion).
  
  A Cadet may face automatic expulsion if the offense is severe enough.
  
  For offenses not quite serious enough to make it to court martial, a Cadet may be sentenced to punishment tours. Colloquially known as "walking the area" to the Cadets of Garden, punishment tours consist of walking a specified number of hours in retribution. Offenses such as speaking out of turn or being caught out past curfew may result in punishment tours. Alternatively, Cadets may be sentenced to fatigue tours, where assigned hours may be "worked off" by menial laborious tasks such as cleaning Dorms or mopping floors.
  
  Cadets also enforce an unofficial sanction known as "silencing", which is the act of not speaking to Cadets accused of violating the Garden CoC.

Balamb: Localized Town-Style Government

• Military:
  Balamb has lived peacefully for a long time, and there does not appear to have been many situations demanding the use of an army. The existence of Balamb Garden and its SeeDs provided the citizens a sense of relief, but since its mobilization the town has instituted a volunteer militia.
  
  
• Laws:
  Balamb is governed by a nine member council. Their laws are generally good-faith and neighborly-type values. Betrayal and things of its ilk are not tolerated.
  
  
• Punishment:
  Community service for lesser crimes, deportation/banishment for a more serious offense.

Galbadian Government: Military Dictatorship

• Military:
  Galbadia has one of the largest military forces in the world. Reflecting the policies and power of the president, there is extreme cooperation amongst the military, and it conducts itself aggressively on both foreign and domestic soil. To that end, even regular troops in the military are highly trained for combat and able to use para-magic. Different uniforms are worn amongst soldiers according to rank and ability.
  
  
• Laws:
  Galbadia is perhaps the only country that would be more lenient towards violent offenders, so long as the violence is not committed towards a government or military official. The government withholds the right to imprison any person who commits an offense against a military officer or government official. An offense can range anywhere from giving them a dirty look to an assassination attempt.
  
  Resistance groups are also a no-no and anyone outed as a resistance member will be executed and made an example of.
  
  
• Punishment:
  Demotion, dismissal or court martial for offenses within the military.
  Anywhere from political imprisonment to execution for civilian offenders.

Esthar: Republic

• Military:
  Possessing a powerful army utilizing high-tech technology, Esthar’s military power exceeds that of the large country, Galbadia, in the west. Soldiers combat proficiency is enhanced by the suits they wear, and they wield tuning swords that have built-in shotguns. By means of advancement in the development of mechanized soldiers, it is anticipated that they will rise to the level of serving as the standard units, allowing citizens to be released from military service. The country once possessed the enormous device that can induce the Lunar Cry, but during the transition from dictatorship to republic, it was cast to the bottom of the sea. The former state of affairs in Esthar is largely unknown to its younger generation, who serve as much of the current army; there’s a common concern that they rely too much on the enhancement suits and that refinement of their natural strength is neglected.
  
  
• Laws:
  Since Esthar is so massive, smaller regions are sectioned off within Esthar City proper and governerned individually. They all follow the same general law system with minor differences throughout. Since Esthar is so secular, there are little religious influences in their laws.
  
  The quickest thing that will get you imprisoned in Esthar is being a Sorceress sympathizer.
  
  
• Punishment:
  Imprisonment.

Dollet: Dukedom

• Military:
  Though it holds a small-scale troop of infantry, they lack combat experience and can not cope with a sudden offensive surge. Due to a small military budget, the necessary funds to commission outside help (most likely SeeD) would be raised by an extra tax on residents.
  
  
• Laws:
  A sensible law system dictated by a parliament that borders on the conservative side. Anti-discriminatory laws are not present.
  
  
• Punishment:
  Imprisonment or capital punishment by decree of the Duke.

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