Proof that the remaining 10% is worth being judged for here:
These are recommendations made by Tropers for Fan Fics, all of which have been signed. After a few samples, you will be able to judge whether you might be interested in the 'fic, based on who recommended it. No-name recommendations will be zapped. Nobody would back up the rec. Discussion of the recommendation is welcome on the discussion page. As such discussion is important, do remember to add the discussion page to the watchlist, if need be.
Do warn when a fanfic may head into sexual or non-canon territory. Some people just don't like it, and as we all know, Shipping is Serious Business.
Authors, and Websites
- Recommended by Solle
- Some of the best FFXII fic out there, some of it shippy, some of it gen. This author takes Alexander O. Smith's writing style and runs with it.
The Giant Daifuku
- Recommended by Draco 234
- This author loves putting Balthier in crossover fics, and manages to make him stay in character in every scenario. A must-read for FF12 fans.
Ellnyx
- recommended by Licoriceallsorts
- Ellnyx writes a range of fanfiction for several Final Fantasies, but XII is her main fandom. Has a beautiful way with words - oblique, poetic and haunting. Read it for the pleasure of her style. Some yaoi, also het and gen
Spikey44
- recommended by Ahegao Butter
- The main author for Fran and Balthier-centric fiction. The author has numerous complete fics, from short oneshots to massive adventures. Top-notch dialogue and characterization.
To Fight Beside You
by Vixen 2004- Recommended by Mousewolf
- Status: Complete
- Pairings: Canon only
- Synopsis: "Penelo, if you do not stop hunching over your bow like so you are going to develop scoliosis." A series of one-shots and drabbles on what must have been going through each of our companion's heads as they fought beside each other to save the world.
- Comments: Drily well characterized and wonderfully witty, definitely my personal favourite fic from this fandom of all time, if only for the fact it features some of the most awesomely hilarious one-liners I have ever run into anywhere.
Moments in Another Time
by twigcollins- Recommended by lunarkweh
- Status: Dormant (last updated January 2020)
- Pairings: None
- Synopsis: "Friendship, failure, and triumph in the Archadian Empire." A prequel to the events of the game, told mostly through the eyes of Vayne and Cid, although it does include chapters focusing on Balthier and Penelo.
- Comments: This is what really humanized the trio of antagonists for me—while Vayne is still a cold bastard, Cid is still kind of teetering on the edge, and Venat is inscrutable as ever, here they're presented as sympathetic characters in their own right.
Blind Pigs
by sapereaude13- Recommended by Desert Echo
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: An AU retelling of FFXII set during the Great Depression. The New York-based Archadia Industries has taken over the Chicago company R.A. Banastre, Inc. It's up to a deposed heiress, street rats, and bootleggers to save the day.
- Pairings: Balthier/Ashe
- Comments: Exactly What It Says on the Tin, this fic manages to take every character and plot thread from the original story and insert them into the 1900s nicely. There are some minor, necessary changes, but they're executed so well you barely noticed them. Sadly it's a Dead Fic, but it doesn't end on a cliffhanger and what's there is definitely worth a look.
One Moment of Greatness
by FFNovelist- Recommended by DARTHYAN
- Status: Complete
- "Synopsis:" A novelization of FFXII, albeit one with creative liberties.
- "Comments:": Despite some rather unusual creative choices (changing Larsa's name to Lamont) there was a lot to love about this adaptation. Villains such as Vayne, Drace, and Emperor Gramis are fleshed out, and events that were only hinted at in the game are vastly expanded on. It also succeeds in giving Vayne an even more tragic backstory than he had in the original, and showing a far more human side. Overall, if you can handle a few small deviations it's worth a look.
Starting Over
by Lacks Gravitas- Recommended by fruitstripegum
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Larsa and the Judge Magister plan a diplomatic trip to Rabanastre. An extended epilogue of FFXII. Spoilers.
To Ring So Empty, or The Gradual Descent of Larsa Ferrinas Solidor in Ten Easy Steps
By midnightdiddle (gooseberry)- Recommended by Bee 123
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "In which Larsa, as the last member of House Solidor, tries to be the child-emperor a grieving Archadia needs."
- Characters: Larsa Ferrinas Solidor, Gabranth, Basch fon Ronsenburg, Penelo
- Comment: This fic wrecked me when i first found it and it still wrecks me. The writing style is beautiful.
Rabanastre
By Rahmi- Recommended by Bee 123
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "Wanderings around Ivalice: Rabanastre, no specified timeline. Penelo and Vaan hold a wake."
- Characters: Vaan, Balthier, Penelo
- Comment: Wonderful world building! and great voice for Balthier! (its also quite touching).
Expected Outcomes
by lazulisong- Recommended by Joie De Combat
- Status: Complete
- Pairings: Larsa/Penelo, Vaan/Penelo, and a faint whiff of Basch/Ashe.
- Synopsis: Larsa has always been very good at long-term planning. (Also known as 'the one where he promises her they can keep Vaan as a pet'.)
- Comments: This fic features a Larsa who has had a chance to grow into his talent for manipulating people and events to his liking, and he'd be a full-on Magnificent Bastard if only he wasn't so darned pleasant and agreeable about the whole thing. As it is, the results, and Penelo's down-to-earth exasperation with him, are comedy gold.
In Our Allotted Time
by Daemon Hunter- Recommended by ArcVaranus
- Status: Complete
- Pairings: Ashe/Basch
- Synopsis: Sometimes a hated enemy can become a friend through the most unusual of circumstances. Set in-game
- Comments: A study of how Ashe and Basch's relationship shifts and develops over the course of the game, as they move from arm's length to finger's length. Possesses a wonderful sense of emotion and humour, really getting inside the character's heads brilliantly. Also worth a mention is another fic that takes place at the same time, Contract Law, a look at Penelo and how her relationship proceeds with Vaan.
The Landis Phoenix
by Spikey44- Recommended by: Ahegao Butter
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: There is a perfectly good reason I ended up in your bed last night Fran. Balthier told her, and when I find said reason I shall be sure to tell you what it is. A story of misdeeds, ancient relics, sky pirates and calamities of the heart. Balthier&Fran.
- Comments: The world needs more Balthier and Fran fics. Great characterization and dialogue!
Fascination
By angelikitten- Recommended by Bee 123
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Fran is fascinated by Penelo being fascinated by the snow.
- Pairing: Fran/Penelo
Engaging Correspondence
By Person- Recommended by Bee 123
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "Somebody's getting married! Somebody else is not happy that they had to learn about it from street-corner gossips. A series of letters ensues."
- Pairing: Larsa Ferrinas Solidor/Vaan/Penelo
The One Where Vaan Has To Put On A Shirt
By Moonsheen- Recommended by Bee 123
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "As a part of their latest mission on behalf of the Archadian Emperor, Sky Pirates Vaan and Penelo attend a royal ball..."
- Pairing: Penelo/Larsa Ferrinas Solidor, Penelo/Vaan
Good Nature
By Sister Coyote- Recommended by Bee 123
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Larsa Ferrinas Solidor/Penelo/Vaan.
- Pairing: "They wrote each other letters for years. Poly. Fluff, new relationship."
Vaster Than Empires
By sister_coyote- Recommended by Bee 123
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "They get to know each other slowly."
- Pairing: Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca/Rasler Heios Nabradia
- Comment: Some small moments that make the characters and their relationship feel real, and not just a fairytale picture/political act, and with that add to the heartbreak of what we know will happen.
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