Chrono Trigger Original Characters : Your Thoughts

[Thought]

Given the tradition of the Chrono Series, original characters seem almost more canonical than fanfic about established ones. This does push the sort into the realm of "might be better off as an independent franchise," but personally I find the best aspects of the game to be the implications for adding layers of complexity (something that could be done with an independent franchise, but not as easily). Like everyone and their mother, I've worked on my own fan version of a sequel: it is specifically built on what came before in CT and CC. The cast of those games barely makes an appearance, so it would be easy to cut it loose in that regard, but then to really tell the same story I'd have to recreate CT and CC.

So I guess, if one wants to just make a fan fic about Chrono Trigger or Chrono Cross, then original characters aren't necessary. But if one wants to make a fanfic about the Chrono Series, as a continuation of it, then original characters seem to be fundamentally necessary.

[tushantin]

One aspect about Crimson Echoes that surprised me was the inclusion of Cedric Guardia. Original character? Indeed! When we go to 1AD when Guardia was founded and was at war with the world we get a suspenseful view of Cedric holding out the Frozen Flame, giving us the "WTF" factor. He was very crucial to the plotline, almost as important to King Zeal, and yet the only development he received was of a deceitful dictator. The reason I chose this character as an antagonist for Fleabane is mainly focus on his development which was left out in CE (Shortened out of view to keep the thread from "you know what").

So what was Cedric like before he touched the flame? Was he a skilled warrior? Did he charm Lady Guardia before he found the flame? If so, what did Guardia reckon about his change? Where did his dreams go wrong?

[Mr Bekkler]

One aspect about Crimson Echoes that surprised me was the inclusion of Cedric Guardia. Original character? Indeed! When we go to 1AD when Guardia was founded and was at war with the world we get a suspenseful view of Cedric holding out the Frozen Flame, giving us the "WTF" factor. He was very crucial to the plotline, almost as important to King Zeal, and yet the only development he received was of a deceitful dictator. The reason I chose this character as an antagonist for Fleabane is mainly focus on his development which was left out in CE (Shortened out of view to keep the thread from "you know what").

So what was Cedric like before he touched the flame? Was he a skilled warrior? Did he charm Lady Guardia before he found the flame? If so, what did Guardia reckon about his change? Where did his dreams go wrong?

I thought the amount of development was appropriate for what they were trying to get across. Cedric is shown as a weakling in the timeline where the Reptites kill off humans (they used the Earthbound man sprite IIRC), but in the timeline in which he has the Frozen Flame, he is a strong warrior. The contrast was pretty clear. The Flame gave him power, power corrupts, thus the Flame corrupted him, but at the same time, it was the only reason he was successful. Forgive me if I'm incorrect, I haven't watched the CE videos in a while.  Definitely room for expansion, but I didn't come out of the experience thinking Cedric didn't get enough screen time.

So I guess, if one wants to just make a fan fic about Chrono Trigger or Chrono Cross, then original characters aren't necessary. But if one wants to make a fanfic about the Chrono Series, as a continuation of it, then original characters seem to be fundamentally necessary.

I completely agree with this.