Alshard
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese role-playing game
designed by Jun'ichi Inoue and FarEast Amusement Research
. It was released in July 2002. The current, version 1.5, known as was published in July 2005. It is a fantasy role-playing game
with mechanical items like as Final Fantasy
. Alshard's game system is named Standard RPG System
(SRS for short) and is used in other games such as Tenra War
and Kaze no Stigma RPG
and so on. SRS including Alshard series is one of the largest role-playing game systems published in Japan.
, and the setting includes many deities from Norse mythology
(for example 'Odin
' and 'Thor
'), but most of the deities died in Ragnarök
, the ancient war of the gods. Midgard is a fantasy world, but guns, motorcycles, robots, androids, airships, tanks, and other mechanical items are present in the setting.
Player characters are called "Questers" and possess a crystal (called a "Shard") of ancient gods, and can use supreme divine powers by using it. Questers seek an ideal world, Asgard
, and stand against the world's enemy, the abyss, and the evil empire Wahres Reich (German for the True Empire). The game title, Alshard is a coined term that means "a Shard with complete power." Every Shard has ego and tries to guide the owner to Asgard.
empire which worships the god of machinery, Deus Ex Machina
. Imperial science technology called Kabbalah
are well-developed. However, in contrast to other technology systems such as ancient race Alf's "Relics" and desert tribe Jarhead's "Gears", Kabbalah wastes mana
of world and increases the abyss which is the enemy of world. Wise men and Questers in Midgard hate the abyss and blame Wahres Reich for using dangerous Kabbalah technology. Also the empire looks on Questers as imperial enemies and is hunting Questers for their Shards possess enormous power according to imperial proclamation.
By Kabbalah technology, Reich's army possesses many modern weapons including tank
s and airships, and is the strongest military force in Midgard. The same person holds posts as the Kaiser and the Pope in this theocratic state. The present Kaiser, Gustav Joseph II, is a very taciturn and incredibly old man at 412 years old. It would be a large incident if he said just one word. The line of Kaisers born in the monogenesis from the women who were called Blessed Virgin. To prevent the accident, several clones
of Blessed Virgin are made, but subjects of Reich are not told the truth. Some propaganda
s tell that these clones are twins
. These tragic Blessed Virgins appear in early scenarios as beautiful and innocent heroines whom questers should help.
The empire has more than 10 big arcology cities as representative by imperial capital Gladsheim
in the empery. Arcology cities are structured of complex skyscraper and they are in the frontier of Reich's science power. Future scientific equipment, including air cars can exist only in the cities where the power of Shard was applied. The urbiculture of the cities are developed and is very different from the outside fantasy world, PCs can play cyberpunk
adventures in there.
The imperial overstretch of Wahres Reich cause frictions and strained relations with other nations as follows.
This section is a stub.
. Many worlds are connected by Yggdrasil like as branches and leaves of the tree. Several major worlds (including Midgard and Blue Sphere) are called "root worlds". Minor worlds and parallel universe
s of root worlds are called "leaf worlds". The abyss that try to change everything into void is similar to the disease of the tree that blights leaves and roots.
Yggdrasil universe includes many worlds as follow.
GAIA's world is named Blue Sphere. It is an alternate Earth
. There is magic, but it is concealed from public knowledge; it is united magic with science in Alchemy, a highly developed process; for instance, the magic device named Chamber staff strengthens magic with magical bullets.
Blue Sphere is invaded by the abyss that it is the enemy of Questers.
The game presents a starting character with the choice of various classes: returner (time travel
er), homunculus
(artificial humanoid), psychic
, overlander (plane-shifter), dhampir
, machinehead (animate machine like as Transformers) and intelligent weapon (including Chamber staff) and etc. The setting is inspired by recent Japanese games, novels and animations, including Fate/stay night
, Lyrical Nanoha and Haruhi Suzumiya series
.
This section is a stub.
4 base classes (fighter, scout, black magician and white mage) have important core abilities. Therefore, player characters are encouraged to choose at least one basic class.
Sub-classes are the classes that have not only abilities but also various cultural backgrounds. Sub-classes represent ethnos, memberships of organizations, schools of magic and lifestyles.
Non-human race characters are represented by racial classes. These classes provide the unique racial abilities, magics, items and martial arts.
Overlander and overlander-alternative classes represent plane-shifters who came from various worlds in Yggdrasil universe.
Advanced classes and Einheriere classes are the special classes for high-level characters. Einheriere characters gain immortality.
At this time there are more over 70 character classes and about 2,800 class abilities. In Standard RPG System, all spells and skills are comprised in class abilities.
Unique classes in Alshard
', which adds extra damage to damage rolls, while white mages possess the power of 'Idun', which can raise the dead. Supreme divine powers are named , and work much like hero points. Each character can use Kago three times every a session, according to three classes was chosen during character creation.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
designed by Jun'ichi Inoue and FarEast Amusement Research
FarEast Amusement Research
FarEast Amusement Research is a Japanese company founded in 1993 by the current president Tarou Suzufuki, which produces role-playing games, board games and light novels. F.E.A.R. has a subsidiary publishing company named Game Field. Game Field publishes bimonthly RPG magazine Gamers Field since...
. It was released in July 2002. The current, version 1.5, known as was published in July 2005. It is a fantasy role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
with mechanical items like as Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy
is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and is developed and owned by Square Enix . The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and science-fantasy role-playing video games , but includes motion pictures, anime, printed media, and other merchandise...
. Alshard's game system is named Standard RPG System
Standard RPG System
The Standard RPG System is Japanese role-playing game system developed by FarEast Amusement Research and used in Alshard, Tenra War, Kaze no Stigma RPG, Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica RPG and so on...
(SRS for short) and is used in other games such as Tenra War
Tenra War
is a Japanese mixed-genre tabletop role-playing game designed by Jun'ichi Inoue and FarEast Amusement Research. It was released in April 2007. It is a triple crossover product, based on an oriental science fantasy RPG Tenra Bansho, steampunk western RPG Terra the Gunslinger, and post-apocalypse...
and Kaze no Stigma RPG
Kaze no Stigma RPG
is a Japanese contemporary fantasy role-playing game based upon the light novels, Kaze no Stigma written by Takahiro Yamato. It was released in June 2007 and is designed by Kiyomune Miwa and FarEast Amusement Research Co.,Ltd....
and so on. SRS including Alshard series is one of the largest role-playing game systems published in Japan.
Setting
Alshard's world is named MidgardMidgard
Midgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is an old Germanic name for our world and is the home of Humans, with the literal meaning "middle enclosure".-Etymology:...
, and the setting includes many deities from Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
(for example 'Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
' and 'Thor
Thor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
'), but most of the deities died in Ragnarök
Ragnarök
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures , the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water...
, the ancient war of the gods. Midgard is a fantasy world, but guns, motorcycles, robots, androids, airships, tanks, and other mechanical items are present in the setting.
Player characters are called "Questers" and possess a crystal (called a "Shard") of ancient gods, and can use supreme divine powers by using it. Questers seek an ideal world, Asgard
Asgard
In Norse religion, Asgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is the country or capital city of the Norse Gods surrounded by an incomplete wall attributed to a Hrimthurs riding the stallion Svadilfari, according to Gylfaginning. Valhalla is located within Asgard...
, and stand against the world's enemy, the abyss, and the evil empire Wahres Reich (German for the True Empire). The game title, Alshard is a coined term that means "a Shard with complete power." Every Shard has ego and tries to guide the owner to Asgard.
Midgard and Wahres Reich
Midgard is about as large as Eurasian Continent in the actual world. More than 70 percent of it is occupied by Wahres Reich. Wahres Reich is a theocraticTheocracy
Theocracy is a form of organization in which the official policy is to be governed by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided, or simply pursuant to the doctrine of a particular religious sect or religion....
empire which worships the god of machinery, Deus Ex Machina
Deus ex machina
A deus ex machina is a plot device whereby a seemingly inextricable problem is suddenly and abruptly solved with the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability, or object.-Linguistic considerations:...
. Imperial science technology called Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
are well-developed. However, in contrast to other technology systems such as ancient race Alf's "Relics" and desert tribe Jarhead's "Gears", Kabbalah wastes mana
Mana
Mana is an indigenous Pacific islander concept of an impersonal force or quality that resides in people, animals, and inanimate objects. The word is a cognate in many Oceanic languages, including Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian....
of world and increases the abyss which is the enemy of world. Wise men and Questers in Midgard hate the abyss and blame Wahres Reich for using dangerous Kabbalah technology. Also the empire looks on Questers as imperial enemies and is hunting Questers for their Shards possess enormous power according to imperial proclamation.
By Kabbalah technology, Reich's army possesses many modern weapons including tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s and airships, and is the strongest military force in Midgard. The same person holds posts as the Kaiser and the Pope in this theocratic state. The present Kaiser, Gustav Joseph II, is a very taciturn and incredibly old man at 412 years old. It would be a large incident if he said just one word. The line of Kaisers born in the monogenesis from the women who were called Blessed Virgin. To prevent the accident, several clones
Cloning
Cloning in biology is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually. Cloning in biotechnology refers to processes used to create copies of DNA fragments , cells , or...
of Blessed Virgin are made, but subjects of Reich are not told the truth. Some propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
s tell that these clones are twins
TWINS
Two Wide-Angle Imaging Neutral-Atom Spectrometers are a pair of NASA instruments aboard two United States National Reconnaissance Office satellites in Molniya orbits. TWINS was designed to provide stereo images of the Earth's ring current. The first instrument, TWINS-1, was launched aboard USA-184...
. These tragic Blessed Virgins appear in early scenarios as beautiful and innocent heroines whom questers should help.
The empire has more than 10 big arcology cities as representative by imperial capital Gladsheim
Gladsheim
In Norse mythology, Glaðsheimr is a realm in Asgard where Odin's hall of Valhalla is located according to Grímnismál....
in the empery. Arcology cities are structured of complex skyscraper and they are in the frontier of Reich's science power. Future scientific equipment, including air cars can exist only in the cities where the power of Shard was applied. The urbiculture of the cities are developed and is very different from the outside fantasy world, PCs can play cyberpunk
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is a postmodern and science fiction genre noted for its focus on "high tech and low life." The name is a portmanteau of cybernetics and punk, and was originally coined by Bruce Bethke as the title of his short story "Cyberpunk," published in 1983...
adventures in there.
The imperial overstretch of Wahres Reich cause frictions and strained relations with other nations as follows.
- Westri - A kingdom that was ruined by the invasion of Wahres Reich and the riot of hundreds of mad robots. The crown princess is missing.
- Silvestri - A republic that was built after a revolution, like the French First RepublicFrench First RepublicThe French First Republic was founded on 22 September 1792, by the newly established National Convention. The First Republic lasted until the declaration of the First French Empire in 1804 under Napoleon I...
. - Kirsche - A former principality under the Westri. It is an armed neutral country.
- Yashima - An eastern empire of samuraiSamuraiis the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
and ninjaNinjaA or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
. Yashima is one of the names used to describe ancient Japan. (See also Names of JapanNames of JapanThere are many names of Japan in the English, Japanese, and other languages. The word "Japan" is an exonym, and is used by a large number of languages. The Japanese names for Japan are Nippon and Nihon . They are both written in Japanese using the kanji 日本...
) - Zoanesheim - The kingdom of the catlike Lynx people in the Golden Forest.
- Vanaheim - The maritime kingdom of the merrowMerrowMerrow or Murrough is the Scottish and Irish Gaelic equivalent of the mermaid and mermen of other cultures. These beings are said to appear as human from the waist up but have the body of a fish from the waist down...
, a legal entity of Wahres Reich. The king is treated as a president of the company under Reich's law. - Among - The lizard-folk's subterranean empire.
Organizations in Midgard
- Excalibur - The knights of the round table whose foe is the abyss. The airship named Avalon is their movable military base.
- Primrose - The resistance against Wahres Reich. The leaders are Hans Wilmar and his sister Sophie. They are named after Hans SchollHans SchollHans Fritz Scholl was a founding member of the White Rose resistance movement in Nazi Germany.-Biography:...
and Sophie SchollSophie SchollSophia Magdalena Scholl was a German student, active within the White Rose non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany. She was convicted of high treason after having been found distributing anti-war leaflets at the University of Munich with her brother Hans...
, the leaders of the actual White RoseWhite RoseThe White Rose was a non-violent/intellectual resistance group in Nazi Germany, consisting of students from the University of Munich and their philosophy professor...
resistance. - NornNornsThe Norns in Norse mythology are female beings who rule the destiny of gods and men, a kind of dísir comparable to the Fates in classical mythology....
- A guild of monster hunters. There are three sections named Urd, Verdandi and Skuld. - Academy - A magic academy built by ancient race known as the Alf on floating islands. The alumni are called Wizards and respected as elite magicians.
- General Material (G=M) - The transport company which helps the resistance movement and prevents Reich's invasion. Jormungand is G=M's rival company.
- Aegis - The defenders of the world. The members wear metal armor, and are called Runeknights. Aegis and Excalibur are rivals.
- Silber Kreuz (SK) - One of the special forces of Wahres Reich. SK is the Imperial Guard. Schwarz Kreuz (Agents of the Cardinal), Virtues (MilitiaMilitiaThe term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
of the religious orderReligious orderA religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practice. The order is composed of initiates and, in some...
), Kaiser Schwert (Kaiser's military policeMilitary policeMilitary police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
) and others are also imperial special forces. - Wincaster Fortune Service (WFS) - The information company that sells "the future". WFS helps adventurers and stands against the abyss. WFS is in fact a sect of Excalibur.
Races in Midgard
- Alf - An ancient race that had great technology and created deities and Valkyries. The crystals named receptor are buried on their foreheads. They can control ancient scientific devices called relics including orbital weaponry, laser swordLightsaberA lightsaber is a fictional weapon in the Star Wars universe, a "laser sword." It consists of a polished metal hilt which projects a blade of light about 1.33 metres long. The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi order and their Sith counterparts, both of whom can use them for close...
and deflector shield by using receptors.- Fomor - A race of dark Alf polluted by the abyss.
- Valkyrie - Armored gynoidGynoidA gynoid is anything which resembles or pertains to the female human form. It is also used in American English medical terminology as a shortening of the term Gynecoid ....
s made by Alfs are also considered one of the intelligent races. Every Valkyrie has weapon system called the Weapons Administration Retractability System (W.A.R.S. for short) including railgunRailgunA railgun is an entirely electrical gun that accelerates a conductive projectile along a pair of metal rails using the same principles as the homopolar motor. Railguns use two sliding or rolling contacts that permit a large electric current to pass through the projectile. This current interacts...
, gatling gunGatling gunThe Gatling gun is one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun. It is well known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat...
and particle projection cannon. - Lynx - A race of bipedal catpeople have cat-like ears, eyes and a tail. Despite their capriciousness, they are good hunters. They have skills of arcane archery, tribal magic or martial arts.
- Dvergr - Dwarves live as air raiders and good blacksmithBlacksmithA blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
s. They love alcohol and Rock'n Roll music very much. - Sirius - A race of shapeshifterShapeshiftingShapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
change into wolves. They live as nomadNomadNomadic people , commonly known as itinerants in modern-day contexts, are communities of people who move from one place to another, rather than settling permanently in one location. There are an estimated 30-40 million nomads in the world. Many cultures have traditionally been nomadic, but...
. Their culture is similar to TibetTibetTibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
an's one. All of them are both strong martial artists and judicious philosophers. - Jarhead - In a precise sense, it's not a non-human race but a unique tribe living in a desert. Jarhead's people regardless of gender always wear masks and protective suits from head to foot according to their religious law. They have firearms technologies called Gears. Jarhead's setting bears some resemblance to Desert PunkDesert Punkis a post-apocalyptic manga series written and illustrated by Usune Masatoshi, serialized in Enterbrain's Comic Beam since 1997. The published chapters have been collected in 13 volumes....
's.
This section is a stub.
Cosmology
Cosmology of Alshard is called Yggdrasil universe and described as the world tree YggdrasilYggdrasil
In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is an immense tree that is central in Norse cosmology. It was said to be the world tree around which the nine worlds existed...
. Many worlds are connected by Yggdrasil like as branches and leaves of the tree. Several major worlds (including Midgard and Blue Sphere) are called "root worlds". Minor worlds and parallel universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
s of root worlds are called "leaf worlds". The abyss that try to change everything into void is similar to the disease of the tree that blights leaves and roots.
- MidgardMidgardMidgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is an old Germanic name for our world and is the home of Humans, with the literal meaning "middle enclosure".-Etymology:...
- The standard stage of Alshard. The central world of Yggdrasil universe. - Blue Sphere - The standard stage of Alshard Gaia. An alternate Earth. Although the existence of magic is concealed from public knowledge in this world, the magic-integrated technology called Alchemy is well-developed in secret.
- Another Sphere - One of the parallel worlds (leaf worlds) of the Blue Sphere. The existence of magic is well-known in this world. Magic and magicians are administrated under laws by all the U.N. member countries.
- Hero's Sphere - One of the parallel worlds (leaf worlds) of the Blue Sphere. The existence of magic is disbelieved and negated in this world. All Questers are considered as superheroes.
- Sanc Crimson - One of the parallel worlds (leaf worlds) of the Blue Sphere. In this world, JupiterJupiterJupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass one-thousandth that of the Sun but is two and a half times the mass of all the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn,...
became a fixed star and the homeland of mankind is MarsMarsMars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
instead of Earth. Sanc Crimson is a garrison kingdom dominated by a cruel Queen polluted by the abyss. It invaded and annihilated five worlds already.
- UtgardUtgårdUtgård is a village on the island Vesterøy in Hvaler municipality, Norway. Its population is 304....
- It is also treated as one of the root worlds although in fact, it is Alf's flying battleship as huge as a continent that is traveling across dimensions to avoid the abyss. Most Alfs entered into artificial hibernation in the ship. - HadesHadesHades , Hadēs, originally , Haidēs or , Aidēs , meaning "the unseen") was the ancient Greek god of the underworld. The genitive , Haidou, was an elision to denote locality: "[the house/dominion] of Hades". Eventually, the nominative came to designate the abode of the dead.In Greek mythology, Hades...
and HelheimHel (realm)In Norse mythology, Hel, the location, shares a name with Hel, a female figure associated with the location. In late Icelandic sources, varying descriptions of Hel are given and various figures are described as being buried with items that will facilitate their journey to Hel after their death...
- Two netherworlds, Hades's inhabitants are deaths and Helheim's are demons. - No Future - A cyberpunk world which was devastated by worldwide disasters.
- Twilight world - A fantasy world whose inhabitants have faith in the God of monotheism. The setting bears a remarkable resemblance to Blade of ArcanaBlade of Arcanais a Japanese language epic fantasy role-playing game released in 1999. Its setting is similar to medieval Europe, including strong church of monotheism, religious wars and knight-errants....
's. - 10th TERRA - The world of Tenra WarTenra Waris a Japanese mixed-genre tabletop role-playing game designed by Jun'ichi Inoue and FarEast Amusement Research. It was released in April 2007. It is a triple crossover product, based on an oriental science fantasy RPG Tenra Bansho, steampunk western RPG Terra the Gunslinger, and post-apocalypse...
, Tenra bansho and Terra the GunslingerTerra the Gunslingeris a Japanese western steampunk tabletop role-playing game.-Setting:The game takes place in Terra, a fictional continent modeled after North America during the American Old West. Its theme is frontier spirit. The setting is fictitious, but actual historical Americans also appear as non-player...
. - Energy planes - Several energy planes (equivalent to non-material planes) are known such as , and several .
- AsgardAsgardIn Norse religion, Asgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is the country or capital city of the Norse Gods surrounded by an incomplete wall attributed to a Hrimthurs riding the stallion Svadilfari, according to Gylfaginning. Valhalla is located within Asgard...
- The ultimate ideal world that Questers are seeking.
Alshard GAIA
is a contemporary fantasy role-playing game using the Standard RPG System which was released in August 2006. Alshard GAIA has high degree of compatibility with Alshard, it is possible to use classes of two games together.GAIA's world is named Blue Sphere. It is an alternate Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. There is magic, but it is concealed from public knowledge; it is united magic with science in Alchemy, a highly developed process; for instance, the magic device named Chamber staff strengthens magic with magical bullets.
Blue Sphere is invaded by the abyss that it is the enemy of Questers.
The game presents a starting character with the choice of various classes: returner (time travel
Time travel
Time travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
er), homunculus
Homunculus
Homunculus is a term used, generally, in various fields of study to refer to any representation of a human being. Historically, it referred specifically to the concept of a miniature though fully formed human body, for example, in the studies of alchemy and preformationism...
(artificial humanoid), psychic
Psychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
, overlander (plane-shifter), dhampir
Dhampir
A Dhampir in Balkan folklore is the child of a vampire father and a human mother. The term is sometimes spelled dhampyre, dhamphir, or dhampyr. Dhampir powers are similar to those of vampires, but without the usual weaknesses...
, machinehead (animate machine like as Transformers) and intelligent weapon (including Chamber staff) and etc. The setting is inspired by recent Japanese games, novels and animations, including Fate/stay night
Fate/stay night
is a Japanese visual novel developed by Type-Moon, which was originally released as an adult game for the PC. An all-ages version of Fate/stay night, titled Fate/stay night Réalta Nua, was released for the PlayStation 2 on April 19, 2007, and features the Japanese voice actors from the anime series...
, Lyrical Nanoha and Haruhi Suzumiya series
Haruhi Suzumiya (franchise)
is the general name for a series of light novels written by Nagaru Tanigawa and illustrated by Noizi Ito which were subsequently adapted into other media. The story follows the title character Haruhi Suzumiya, a high school girl who can unconsciously change reality, and her strange antics with her...
.
This section is a stub.
System
Standard RPG System uses only 6 sided dice. To determine whether the action is successful or not the player rolls only 2d6, if the total of the dice rolled by the player and ability/class adjustments is more than or equal to difficulty score the action succeeds. To determine damage the player rolls a number of 6 sided dice. The number of dice that are rolled increases with various class abilities.Character classes
Players choose up to three classes during character creation—for example, fighter/fighter/fighter (a 3rd-level fighter), valkyrie/valkyrie/scout (a 2nd-level valkyrie/1st-level scout), or black magician/white mage/wizard (a 1st-level black magician/1st-level white mage/1st-level wizard).4 base classes (fighter, scout, black magician and white mage) have important core abilities. Therefore, player characters are encouraged to choose at least one basic class.
Sub-classes are the classes that have not only abilities but also various cultural backgrounds. Sub-classes represent ethnos, memberships of organizations, schools of magic and lifestyles.
Non-human race characters are represented by racial classes. These classes provide the unique racial abilities, magics, items and martial arts.
Overlander and overlander-alternative classes represent plane-shifters who came from various worlds in Yggdrasil universe.
Advanced classes and Einheriere classes are the special classes for high-level characters. Einheriere characters gain immortality.
At this time there are more over 70 character classes and about 2,800 class abilities. In Standard RPG System, all spells and skills are comprised in class abilities.
Unique classes in Alshard
- Valkyrie - Racial class. A female-type battle android (robot) (gynoidGynoidA gynoid is anything which resembles or pertains to the female human form. It is also used in American English medical terminology as a shortening of the term Gynecoid ....
) similar to KOS-MOS (of XenosagaXenosagais a series of science fiction video games developed by Monolith Soft and published by Namco Bandai. Xenosaga's main story is in the form of a trilogy of PlayStation 2 video games. There have been three spin-off games and an anime adaptation. The Xenosaga series serves as a spiritual successor to...
). - Panzer ritter - Sub-class. Knight that rides a motorcycleMotorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
(called Panzer in Midgard) instead of a horse. - Soldat - Sub-class. Cyborg soldier of Reich's army.
- Sorcerer aka Zauberer - Sub-class. The User of techno-sorcery by operating Kabbalistic computer named Sephirot.
- Alias - Sub-class. Human clone made by divine powers of Deus Ex Machina. He/She serves the aristocrat and acts as an espionage agent with military uniform of the butlerButlerA butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
/housemaid style.
Kago, divine protections
The characters' ability scores are decided by the selection of classes almost automatically. Moreover, characters possess supreme divine powers according to their classes. For example, fighters possess the power of 'ThorThor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
', which adds extra damage to damage rolls, while white mages possess the power of 'Idun', which can raise the dead. Supreme divine powers are named , and work much like hero points. Each character can use Kago three times every a session, according to three classes was chosen during character creation.
1st edition
- ALSHARD, basic rulebook, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-0951-X - ÁR VAR ALDA, advanced rulebook, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-40-9
- QUEEN of GRACE, Wahres Reich's guide, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-44-1
- ON YOUR MIND, supplement, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-48-4
- BRIGHT KNIGHT, supplement & scenario pack, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-57-3
- AMAZING WORLD, campaign setting, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-61-1
- TIR-NAN-ÓG, campaign setting #2, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-70-0
- FLY HIGH, supplement & scenario pack, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-83-2
- Super Scenario Support #1-#17, scenario packs, Game Field, No ISBN
Fortissimo edition
- ALSHARD ff, basic rulebook, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-2382-2 - Odin no Yari (Spear of Odin), replay (transcript of game sessions), EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-2361-X - ÁR VAR ALDA ff, advanced rulebook, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-92-1
- OVER the RAINBOW, scenario pack, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-95-6
- WAHRES REICH, guidebook to Wahres Reich, Game Field, ISBN 4-907792-97-2
- WINCASTER FORTUNE SERVICE, Wincaster city guidebook, Game Field, ISBN 4-86224-003-8
- BRIGHT KNIGHT ff, supplement & scenario pack, Game Field, ISBN 4-86224-005-4
- MIDGARD, campaign setting, Game Field, ISBN 4-86224-009-7
- EINHERIER, supplement for high-level characters, Game Field, ISBN 4-86224-024-8
- JÖRMUNGANDR, scenario pack, Game Field, ISBN 4-86224-027-9
- AROUND THE WORLD, scenario pack, Game Field, ISBN 4-86224-031-6
- Tokeijikake no Hakaishin (Clockwork Destructive God), replay, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-4553-7 - HLIDSKJALF, campaign setting for high-level characters, Game Field, ISBN 4-86224-041-5
Alshard Gaia
- ALSHARD GAIA, basic rulebook, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-2898-0 - Mirai e no Profile (Profile for the Future), replay, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-2916-2 - ALSHARD GAIA Advanced RuleBook, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-3057-8 - LOST REQUIEM, supplement & scenario pack, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-3075-6 - EVERYDAY MAGIC, supplement, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-3480-7 - Kami no Okurimono (The God-given Gift), replay, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-3510-1 - GREAT DIMENSION, Yggdrasil universe guidebook, Game Field, ISBN 4-86224-022-4
- Kami Nagu Mitsurugi (The God-slaying Swords), replay, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-3687-0 - DARK MAGIC, scenario pack, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-4067-9 - Yume e no Contact (Contact for the Dream), replay, EnterbrainEnterbrainis a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
, ISBN 4-7577-4232-1