Guild Vivecci: The Beginnings

I usually don’t do much actual roleplaying in video games. When you give me a blank slate to play with, I tend to just use that character as a blank slate. I picked every lock and robbed every shop in Oblivion, never thought twice about it, and don’t really consider it a blemish on my character’s personality. She doesn’t have a personality. She’s a blank slate, remember?

The Etrian Odyssey series is different, though. In these games you are the master of an entire guild of blank slates. Each of your characters is, literally, a collection of stats and a single still image. The character artwork, however, is so vibrant and so varied that it’s easy to imagine your guild as a group of people. I picked the detached, mean-looking alchemist girl in EO1, and the “I really don’t need this shit” poise she has about her made it easy for me to cast her in my EO2 fiction contest entry.

Now that I’m barreling headlong into Etrian Odyssey III, though, it was time for an all-new guild. I started out making one of each class, though not everyone has seen actual combat yet. And, now as then, it was easy to clip personalities onto the character artwork. I’m therefore happy to give this progress update on the Adventures of Guild Vivecci!

Prince Ronald Vivecci, sixth son of King Nathan. Hails from a faraway land. Freed from the responsibilities of being heir, Ronald has set out on a fantastic adventure.

Alexander, Ronald’s sworn shield. A hoplite in service to House Vivecci, he is charged with the protection of the young prince in all his endevours… much to his chagrin.

Carmen Catstails, captain of the Stygian, a ship Ronald has contracted. Her dealings with Ronald are curt, but amicable. As long as payments are made in full and on time she probably won’t resort to tying the prince up and ransoming him back to his father.

Li-Fang, a wandering monk. Younger half-sister to Li-Mae, an alchemist who was a member of the guild that conquered the labyrinth near the town of Etria many years ago. Li-Mae was eventually fired for her sour attitude and poor performance, a fate Li-Fang hopes to avoid.

Bad Barney, an escaped gladiator. Carries a heavy club and enjoys smashing things with it. Has a considerable bounty on his head, but Ronald seems to enjoy his company. Everyone else wonders if the prince truly can keep his “pet” under control.

Dez, an arbalist who serves aboard the Stygian. One of Carmen’s oldest friends and closest allies. Speaks with a strong, exotic accent of unknown origin.

Henrietta McO’Flannery, a peasant girl from a poor farming family. Childhood friend of the prince’s. She accepted his invitation not just to keep him company, but also because the promise of riches to send home to her family was just too alluring. She has no idea what she’s getting into.

Drexel Star-seer, a zodiac, and the Stygian‘s chief navigator. A notorious womanizer, he once got a bit too amorous with the captain, and has the glass eye to prove it.

Mowgli, a wild boy raised by wolves. May have in fact wandered in from some other story entirely.

Kitsune, a mysterious warrior woman. Motives and abilities unknown. May in fact be a poser.

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Guild Vivecci has finished exploring the labyrinth up through B4F, and is currently developing ways to take down the horrible demon-fish Narmer. More updates coming as deemed appropriate.