Balthier

Born in 684 Old Valendian, Balthier, as Ffamran mied Bunansa, is the third son of Cidolfus Demen Bunansa, a scientist in employ of the Archadian Empire. Ffamran showed such promise at a young age - referred to as the "prodigal Bunansa son" on the streets - that he was made an Archadian Judge at only sixteen years old. In 700, six years prior to Final Fantasy XII's storyline, after his father returned from Giruvegan, he noticed Cid's sanity was fading, as he was constantly talking to someone who wasn't there, raving on about "bringing the reins of history back to the hands of man". This strained their relationship, and eventually Ffamran couldn't stand the sight of his father. This, combined with the way Archadia was moving, made him decide leaving his post as Judge and run away, stealing the new prototype fighter ship as a means of escape from Archades. Since then, having gone into hiding, he has heavily updated the ship, so much so that it no longer resembles the original design, and named it the Strahl. Ffamran took on the name Balthier as an alias to help cast aside his ties with Archades. Partnering with his Viera companion, Fran, he flew the skies of Ivalice, searching for treasures, gaining notoriety as a Sky Pirate, and also an increasing bounty on his head. Balthier is a charming and dashing man, with a sharp and cunning wit, and is also rather cynical. Balthier comes across as cocky and self-centered at times, but his trust in Fran is complete, and at times assures Vaan of his abilities. While the story is told from Vaan's perspective, Balthier certainly seems to think it is his story, going so far as to repeatedly refer to himself as "the leading man." Despite this, he is far from selfish, proving himself to be completely selfless in the events aboard the Sky Fortress Bahamut. Balthier is a tall man, standing at six feet, with short, dark blond hair and sharply styled sideburns. He wears an embroidered golden vest over a high-collared shirt and tight black leather trousers with leather shin pads, and steel, open-backed sandals on his feet. Around his waist sits two crossed, gold-buckled belts on which he has two pouches attached to either side. He wears a collection of brightly coloured rings and bracelets on his left hand, and has a set of earrings in both ears.