Millennial Fair – Indepth Character Page

Final Fantasy VIII features many wonderful characters, if you are interested in learning more about the characters, click on their names to see their profile. The Indepth section contain spoilers for people who have not completed the games, if you do not wish to spoil any of the story, you can read the general info above it instead. The main information, with exception of Edea, Ward and Kiros is all from the Final Fantasy VIII manual. Enjoy reading!

 

 

Squall Leonhart (Top)
“I had a dream too..It wasn’t nice though. I dreamt I was a moron.”
Age: 17
Height: 5’8”
A cadet in SeeD, the special combat unit of the Balamb Garden Military Academy. His aloof and anti–social behaviour makes him appear selfish and lacking a sense of team unity. Squall dislikes having others involved in his affairs, and is best described as a lone wolf.
Indepth: Squall is actually the son of Laguna and Raine, who lived together for a short time. Ellone, his half–sister, takes care of Squall in Edea’s orphanage. After Raine’s death, Laguna was in Esthar and Ellone brought her baby brother to the orphanage. Later Ellone left to find Laguna in Esthar, and leaves Squall at the orphanage. Squall promised his sis to be strong and grow up without depending on others. As a SeeD trainee, Squall developed his remarkable fighting talent. But he feels as if he is missing something, his past seems to be just a blurry memory, and his place in life remains unclear. Squall’s lapse in memory is because of the power of the Guardian Forces. As he learned to use them, the Guardian Forces started to manifest in his psyche, and replaced his memories of the past. Because of this, Squall does not remember living with Ellone, or being in the orphanage with the rest of his friends. As the truth regarding Edea, SeeD and Garden unfolds, Squall falls into a depression. His mission as a SeeD was to fight the Sorceress, but the Sorceress was the same woman who took care of him in the orphanage, and the wife of Balamb’s Headmaster Cid. However, the entire truth of the Sorceress was yet to be uncovered. After their fight in Galbadia Garden, Squall takes Edea with him to the lands of Esthar. With the help of Ellone, Laguna and doctor Odine, the truth about the sorceress is discovered, and Squall’s world is once again turned upside–down. The evil Sorceress Adel takes possession of Rinoa’s body, and the Sorceress Ultimecia has plans to use Rinoa for the destruction of their world. Though he would not admit it, Squall loves Rinoa more than anyone else in his life, and this revelation drives him to desperate messures in order to protect the person he loves most. In the final battle against Ultimecia, Squall is mortally wounded, but Rinoa’s love for Squall unleashes her true powers as one of the Sorceresses and saves his life.

 

Laguna Loire (Top)
“Ahh, sorry... This ain't the place...I brought the wrong map.”
Age: 27
Height: 5’9”
An ex–soldier turned journalist, Laguna is a strong willed man with amazing energy, His compassion for the unfortunate drives him to help the weak and bring down their opressors. Using his writing as a mighty instrument of justice, he stands strong against the evils of the world.
Indepth: The dream–like moments in Squall’s adventure take him back into the past, into his father Laguna’s past to be exact. Ellone’s special powers allow Squall and his friends to go back in time, with this she hopes to change the past, but she is unsuccesful. Laguna was a talented Galbadian soldier, but after the failed mission in Esthar, Laguna is forced to settle down. He recovers from his wounds in the small Galbadian town called Winhill, where a woman named Raine takes care of him. Laguna falls in love with her and protects the city from monsters. Laguna treats Ellone as his own daughter and in time he has a son with Raine, named Squall. But Laguna was forced to leave Winhill to look for Ellone who had disappeared. During his travels he wrote about all the places he had been to and became a famous journalist. But he did not return to Winhill, his mission in Esthar took an unexpected change when he was asked to free Esthar of Adel’s reign of terror. Laguna sealed Adel’s powers and became the new President of Esthar. In the meantime, Raine died, and Ellone, who had been rescued by Laguna, took her baby brother to Edea’s orphanage. Laguna continued his fight against the soceress and forces Doctor Odine to uncover the secrets of Ultimecia. Laguna aids Squall when the latter comes to Esthar, and provides moral support for the team.

 

Seifer Almasy(Top)
“...Instructor. I hate it when people wish me luck. Save those words for a bad student that needs them, eh?”
Age: 18
Height: 6’2”
A candidate for SeeD. Although Seifer is a naturally gifted soldier, his inability to take orders and control his temper has earned him the label of being “problematic” Altough regocnizing and praising Squall’s abilities, Seifer regards him as his ultimate rival.
Indepth: Another one of Edea’s orphans, Seifer was recruited into Balamb Garden along with Quistis, Zell, and Squall. As a child, Seifer was very hyper and picked on the quiet, logical Squall. Seifer was jealous of all the attention Ellone and Edea gave to Squall, and his rebellious attitude only developed in Garden. Seifer is the leader of his own posse, and the head of the Disciplinary Committee in Balamb Garden. Together with his friends Fujin and Raijin, Seifer forms a powerful, and often comical team. They stick with each other no matter what. When Squall and his team assist Rinoa in infiltrating Timber, Seifer is pursuaded by the Sorceress Edea to join her side as Knight. Seifer enjoys the position of authority, as he was constantly punished for his behaviour in Garden. Seifer sees himself as the Sorceress’ Knight, whose duty is to whipe out every SeeD member on the planet. In the Garden war, Seifer commands the Galbadian Forces and protects Edea. However he is defeated by Squall and his friends, and is forced to retreat. Edea loses her power, but Seifer still follows the true Sorceress, Ultimecia. Under the strong magical influence of Ultimecia, Seifer loses sight of reality and continues to fight Squall and his friends, attempting to stop them from saving the world. When Ultimecia is destroyed, Seifer returns to normal and continues to cause mischief with his posse.

 

Rinoa Heartilly (Top)
“Oh, shut up! I made it look like that on purpose. It represents my hatred towards Deling!”
Age: 17
Height: 5’3 1/2”
A lively individual with the ability to touch people’s hearts. Open and honest with her feelings, she speaks her mind without reservation. Driven by her ambitions, she can be difficult at times.
Indepth: Rinoa is the daughter of the Galbadian General Caraway and the singer Julia Heartilly. Julia was in love with Laguna, but he never returned from the war against Esthar. Thinking she had lost him, Julia sought comfort from General Caraway, and Rinoa was the result of their love affair. Rinoa grew up in Galbadia, but her friends live in Timber; a city under Galbadian opression. Rinoa hates the Galbadian Government and wants to free Timber from their opression. Because General Caraway is her father, she forms a secret resistance group called the “Timber Owls”. Rinoa asks Headmaster Cid for assistance in the liberation of Timber, and the mission is given to Squall and his friends. Squall can’t stand working with amateurs, and he thinks the whole operation is a joke. However, Rinoa has no intention of giving into Squall’s pessimism and vigorously fights her enemies. Even though they always argue, Rinoa and Squall fall in love with each other pretty fast. But things aren’t easy for Rinoa, as she becomes the target of Ultimecia, the evil sorcerress of the future. Rinoa often feels left out, she is the only one of Squall’s friends who did not train as a SeeD warrior, and she is scared of her fate as one of the sorceresses. After the Garden War, Rinoa fought Edea, however after she defeated her, Ultimecia transferred Edea’s powers to Rinoa. The transfer of power causes Rinoa to slip into a coma, and her friends have no idea how to help her. Squall carries her on his back all the way to Esthar, where Doctor Odine treats her. To succesfully treat Rinoa, she is brought to the Esthar space station where Adel, the evil sorceress is held captive. Possessed by Ultimecia, Rinoa frees Adel and is left to wander off in space. Just before her space suit runs out of air, Squall rescues her and takes her to the Ragnarok Spaceship. The people of Esthar want to imprison Rinoa because of her powers, but Squall has no intention of letting her go and rescues her from captivity. Together with Squall and his friends, Rinoa plans to destroy Ultimecia once and for all by traveling to the future. The final battle against Ultimecia is a great success, but Squall is mortally wounded in the process. Rinoa cannot accept her loss and unleashes her powers as a sorceress in order to heal Squall back to health. With Ultimecia gone, Squall and Rinoa can finally live in peace together.

 

Quistis Trepe (Top)
“Funny? No, no, it’s not that! I’m just happy. I feel like I’m beginning to understand my student a little. That’s all.”
Age: 18
Height: 5’6”
A SeeD cadet at the age of 15, Quistis now instructs Squall and his companions at Balamb Garden. Contrary to her cool exterior, she occasionally has a difficult time coping with frustration, and as a result can become depressed over trivial matters.
Indepth: Quistis was another one of the orphans that was transferred to Balamb by Headmaster Cid. After Ellone left the Garden, she wanted to take over as the big sister and always had to seperate Squall and Seifer when they were fighting. Her position as the eldest girl in the orphanage gave her a bossy attitude, but she carries her responsibility with grace. In Balamb Garden she proved to be an exemplary student and was appointed as the youngest SeeD instructor in Garden. Quistis is good friends with Xu, another female instructor, and she has her own group of fans among the students who worship her. Quistis is a logical, yet indecisive woman, especially when it comes to her feelings. At first she thought she was in love with Squall but after regaining her memories of the orphanage, she realised she was protecting Squall as a big sister. Quistis is loyal to her friends, and as senior SeeD member she always has the interest of Garden in mind while she is away on her missions.

 

Selphie Tilmitt (Top)
“...Hm? Since you’re angry, I guess you’re the Chicken–wuss.”
Age: 17
Height: 5’1 1/2”
Selphie seems out of place in a military academy because of her innocent appearance and her light–hearted personality. Her happy–go–lucky disposition and laid–back attitude tend to catch others off guard.
Indepth: Selphie is another orphan raised by Edea. She ran away from the orphanage and enlisted at Trabia garden. As part of an exchange project however, she ended up in Balamb Garden where she did her SeeD field exam with Squall and Zell. Her excellent performance got her promoted to SeeD and assigned permanently with Squall’s team. She is one of the organizers of the Balamb Garden Festival, but her plans were ruined when Garden crashed into Fisherman’s Horrizon during its first flight. Irvine feels sad for Selphie and convinces the FH repair crew to help rebuild the Festival Stage. Before leaving FH, Selphie organizes a concert with Zell, Quistis and Irvine especially for Squall and Rinoa. Selphie supports Squall even though she is often puzzled by his actions and words. Selphie can be overly enthousiastic and irrational, but she always has her teammates in mind, and fights for what she believes in.

 

Zell Dincht (Top)
“I’ll teach ya some SeeD manners!”
Age: 17
Height: 5’5”
Aspiring to become like his grandfather who was once a soldier, Zell entered Garden at the age of 13. Not being one to think matter through, he is known to act on impulse rather than reasoning. At heart however, he is an honest, dedicated young man.
Indepth: Zell is the martial arts specialist in Balamb Garden and a mischievous, energetic young man. When he was young, he lived with Edea in the orphanage before he was adopted by the Dincht family in Balamb City. Zell is picked on by everyone and hardly taken seriously. However, his honesty and sense of responsibility make him a valueable member of the SeeD Special Forces. When Seifer attempts to assasinate Present Deling in Timber, Zell blows the team’s cover by involving Balamb Garden. As a result, Galbadia turns its attention towards the Gardens, and President Deling swears to retalliate with full force. Zell feels extremely guilty but keeps his sadness inside. When Galbadian missiles were targeting Balamb and Trabia Garden, Zell and his team infiltrate the Galbadian missile bunker. They are too late to stop the missiles, and the mission is a disaster when the the missile bunker is blown up. Luckily, Zell and his team escape unharmed and return to Balamb Garden. Zell continues to support Squall in his fight against Galbadia in the Garden War, and follows Squall all the way to Esthar. Though some may see Zell as annoying and quick tempered, he is a kind hearted man who is willing to give everything to protect his family and friends.

 

Irvine Kinneas (Top)
“Thanks for the support, but I never miss my target.”
Age: 17
Height: 6’0”
Irvine is known as the “Best Shooter in Garden.” His reputation for cherishing the company of woman is almost as well known as his accuracy with a gun. Altough he seems to be uncaring and frivolous at first glance, in reality his is sensitive and serious.
Indepth: Irvine, too, is from the orphanage that belonged to Edea, but unlike the other kids, he went to Galbadia Garden, and became an expert sniper there, and a full-fledged SeeD. He teams up with Squall’s team from Balamb to eliminate Edea, who is becoming a threat, by snipering her. He fails in assassinating her, and backs Squall all the way. He’s a real womanizer and will hit on any female in sight, but deep inside he’s kind and cares for his friends. When Squall and his team are captured by Galbadian authorities, Irvine is ordered to take Rinoa back to Galbadia City. After being scratched half to death, he returns to the Desert Prison and provides a cover for Squall’s team to escape. Irvine used to play with Selphie when he was little, but his interest turned into romantic interests. Selphie however wants nothing to do with Irvine’s adolescent fantasies. When push comes to shove, Irvine is a fearsome warrior and reliable teammate.

 

Edea Kramer (Top)
“...A SeeD. ...Planted in a run-down Garden.”
Age: Unknown
Height: Unknown
Edea suddenly appeared in Galbadia after President Deling’s speech to all other nations. He appointed the Soceress as “peace” ambassador to unite all nations. But it is clear that Galbadia wants to rule with world with fear, and Edea would be their Queen on the chessboard of global war. But will Edea let herself be used as a pawn?
Indepth: Edea is the wife of Headmaster Cid Kramer and the matron of a small orphanage on the southern archipelagos. One day a sorceress came to the orphanage, she was dying and needed to transfer her powers onto someone else. Edea took her powers, knowing what kind of danger and responsibility it would bring. Edea leaves the orphanage and Cid brings the children with him to Balamb Garden. As a sorceress under Ultimecia’s command, Edea took control of the Galbadian Government and Military in order to wipe out SeeD. Ultimecia knew that she would have to erradicate SeeD in the past if she wanted to realise her ambition of merging all times periods. After the War between Balamb and Galbadia Garden, Edea is defeated by Squall and his friends. Upon her defeat, Ultimecia transfered Edea’s powers to Rinoa. Edea retreats to the orphanage and offers to help Squall in treating Rinoa’s sudden coma. She travel to Esthar with his friends and consults Doctor Odine, the specialist on soceresses and scientist during Adel’s rule. With Edea’s help, Squall is able to bring back Rinoa and form a plan against Ultimecia.

 

Ward Zaback (Top)
“I didn’t think you’d actually do it. Our popularity rating’s gone up a point.”
Age: Unknown
Height: Unknown
One of Laguna’s buddies and an impressive soldier of the Galbadian army. Tough his appearance would suggest otherwise, Ward is a kind and gentle man who cares for his friends. After the accident in Esthar, Ward lost his voice and found a job as a cleaner in the Galbadian Desert Prison.
Indepth: Not much is known about Ward before he joined the Galbadian army. During his time in the army, Galbadia was still at war with Esthar and Timber. Ward, Laguna and Kiros infiltrated both Timber and Esthar, but the last mission was a failure. Ward and his team were cornered by the Esthar soldiers, in a last ditch effort to escape, they jumped down from a great height and landed in the water. Kiros dragged both Ward and Laguna onto a vessels and retreated back to Galbadia. Ward lost his voice during the incident and quits the army. He finds a job as janitor in the Galbadian Desert Prison. Later when Laguna was looking for Ellone in Esthar, Ward once again joined his friends and rescues her from the research lab. When Laguna takes the position as President of Esthar, Ward becomes one of his top advisors and continues to live his life there.

 

Kiros Seagul (Top)
“Don’t tell me we’re lost again.”
Age: Unknown
Height: Unknown
An officer in the Galbadian army and friend of Laguna and Ward. Laguna’s true origin is unknown, but his appearance suggests he is not from the Galbadian Mainland. Kiros is a calm, collected and intelligent warrior. He often disagrees with Laguna’s rash decisions, but supports him nonetheless.
Indepth: Kiros is one of Laguna’s friends and teammates in the Galbadian Army. Like Ward, not much is known about Kiros before his appearance in the Galbadian army. After the failed mission in Esthar, Kiros stays in Galbadia as a citizen. He regularly visits Laguna in Winhill, and cannot understand why Laguna has abandoned his adventurous life for the life of a writer. But he can see that Laguna has changed for the better and supports him in everything he does. When Ellone is kidnapped, Kiros and Ward immediately follow Laguna to rescue her. Their search brings them to Esthar, the country they used to wage war against. After hearing about Adel’s wicked rule, Kiros joins his friends in the liberation movement and helps Laguna seal Adel’s power. When Laguna takes the seat as President of Esthar, Kiros functions as one of his main advisors.

 

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