Bartholomew Estheim



Bartholomew Estheim (バルトロメイ・エストハイム, Barutoromei Esutohaimu) is Hope Estheim's father and the husband of Nora Estheim in Final Fantasy XIII. He lives in Palumpolum, works for the Sanctum, and is mentioned of not getting along with his son. Bartholomew is 178 centimeters tall according to the Ultimania guide and is voiced by in English and by  in Japanese.

Datalog
Bartholomew is Hope's father, but has difficulties relating to his teenage son.

Though deeply upset by his wife's death, he sees how much Hope has grown during the subsequent events, and encourages him to find his own path and make his own decisions.

Now wanted by the Sanctum for his actions in aiding Pulse l'Cie, Bartholomew is currently under the protection of the Cavalry.

Story
Still burdened by the memory of his mother's death and his status as a l'Cie, Hope initially does not want to reach out to his father. However, on their journey to Eden, he and Lightning must travel through Palumpolum, Hope's hometown, and he agrees to help her get past the PSICOM soldiers patrolling the area. Lightning convinces Hope he must tell his father what has happened.

After being pursued by PSICOM, Lightning's group makes their way to the Estheim residence, where they meet Bartholomew Estheim. Despite his position as a Sanctum employee, he chooses to hide his son and the fellow l'Cie from the officials. When Snow apologizes for the death of his wife, Bartholomew forgives him as he fulfilled Nora's final request to get Hope home. Bartholomew tells Hope that he must choose his own path, whatever it may be. When the Sanctum finds them, Lightning and Hope make it seem that Bartholomew was an unwilling accomplice to prevent him from getting Purged. Aboard the Lindblum, Hope says that his father was taken to a safe location by the Cavalry. Despite this assurance, Bartholomew is not seen at the game's end. However in Final Fantasy XIII -Episode i-, it is revealed that he is still alive.

Trivia

 * Like Rygdea, Bartholomew is a . Various NPCs in Nautilus and Eden wear the same clothes as he does.
 * Initially, Bartholomew is clumsy at expressing his love for Hope, just like how Jecht did not know how to show his love for his son, Tidus in Final Fantasy X.
 * His name is never spoken in game, like Rygdea.