Oerba Yun Fang

Oerba Yun Fang is a playable character from Final Fantasy XIII. She is described as a strong woman with many mysteries surrounding her. Her full name stands for "Fang of the Yun clan, from the village of Oerba".

Appearance and Personality
Fang is a fairly tall woman, standing at 5'9". Despite her chronological age, she has the physical appearance of a twenty-one year old young woman. She has wavy black hair with a braid behind her left ear, piercing green eyes, pierced ears adorned with purple claw-shaped earrings, and she wears blue clothing that closely resembles the traditional Indian, adorned with tribal accessories. She also wears a short black top, tan leather, open-toed boots, and two fur pelts hanging from a belt that holds her spear behind her. Her clothing is very foreign, especially when compared to some of the clothes worn by other characters in the game. Oerba Dia Vanille dresses in a similar style, as they are from the same village in Gran Pulse. She and Vanille also share a similar Australian accent in the English version of the game. She has the brand of a l'Cie on her right shoulder and a large tattoo on the other. Unlike the other main characters in the game whose brands are black and change as the story progresses, Fang's l'Cie brand is white and does not change.

Character designer Tetsuya Nomura stated that when compared to other characters personality-wise, Fang is stronger than Lightning and more stubborn than Snow Villiers. During the development, most of Lightning's sex appeal was transferred to Fang to make Lightning a more serious character. As a result, Fang is very flirtatious, although this was toned down in the overseas release. Fang also has a compassionate side to her, especially when it comes to Vanille, who she treats almost like a sister.

Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero: Promise
Fang is a resident of Gran Pulse, along with Vanille, and a l'Cie like the rest of the main cast. Centuries before the events of the game, during the War of Transgression between Gran Pulse and Cocoon, Fang and Vanille both lost their families at the hands of Cocoon's l'Cie and fal'Cie and became close friends after meeting at Oerba's orphanage. Fang developed a deep grudge against Anima for failing to protect the people of Gran Pulse and became a l'Cie to protect both Gran Pulse and Vanille, the latter becoming a l'Cie as well. As a result, Fang and Vanille both hold the power to become Ragnarok to fulfill the Focus of destroying Cocoon. But as Vanille was fearful of the power bestowed to them, Fang became Ragnarok all by herself to protect her and complete their Focus. Even though Fang was unable to destroy Cocoon alone, Fang and Vanille were crystallized by the Goddess.

Five-hundred years later, Galenth Dysley brings Fang and Vanille to Cocoon, and Fang awakes with no memory of the past events dealing with Ragnarok and finds her l'Cie brand scorched. She sees that Vanille's brand is still active and tries to remember their new Focus, in a desperate attempt to prevent Vanille from becoming a Cie'th. As they adjust to life on Cocoon and wander around the town of Bodhum, they return to the Vestige. There, Fang and Vanille find an unconscious Serah Farron, who had been transformed into a l'Cie herself. They carry Serah outside of the Vestige and watch over her until she leaves for home. Both Fang and Vanille search for answers everywhere, but find nothing, eventually deciding to travel to Euride Gorge to see its residing fal'Cie, Kujata. Although Vanille doesn't want to go through with their new Focus, Fang does not want her to become a monster. She decides that they should play the part as enemies of Cocoon, raise some hell, which in turn might jump-start their memories. Fang tells Vanille that they will attack the fal'Cie but before they can make their move, Sazh Katroy's son, Dajh happens upon them. The boy is branded by the fal'Cie, and Fang and Vanille are forced to flee. Vanille tells Fang to forget about their Focus, but she reminds Vanille of her fate should they fail. Fang tells Vanille that if they do not remember their Focus then the fal'Cie will continue to make more l'Cie out of innocent people, like it did to Serah. Then she says that if they quit, the people of Cocoon will not let them go quietly and lynch them in the street. Fang tells Vanille that they have to complete their Focus whether they like it or not, and get off of Cocoon as quickly as possible. Fang forces Vanille to escape from the Euride Gorge Energy Plant alone after reassuring her friend that she will find her soon, while she fought off their pursuers. Soon after returning to Bodhum, Fang is captured by the Cavalry. She is brought aboard the Lindblum, and meets Sanctum official Cid Raines. He explains to Fang that there are two different sides to the Sanctum army and that the Cavalry does not align themselves with PSICOM, but she is reluctant to listen to him as the people of Cocoon are all enemies to her. She tells Raines that he probably captured her in order to get information on Gran Pulse. Then she says that she is useless since she is a 'broken' l'Cie due to her scorched brand. Fang tells him that she does not have any information for him, and that she was looking for a friend therefore does not have time to help him. Raines tells Fang that he understands and that she could decide whether or not to help him, but will have to stay with him in the meantime. Later, Fang gets better acquainted with Rygdea who reveals that the Cavalry helped her escape from Euride. He makes a deal with Fang to search for Vanille as long as they don't get captured by PSICOM. When Rygdea returns to the Lindblum from Bodhum's beach cafe at Lightning's recommendation, Fang is not surprised that he did not find Vanille. Then she suggests that Vanille could be in a forest or by the ocean looking for food, which shocks Rygdea. Fang eventually asks him why he is with Raines and if he is important. After they clear up their initial misunderstanding, they hear an anouncement from PSICOM removing their blockade around Euride.

Fang is getting nervous because it has been two days since the Cavalry got her, and Vanille probably doesn't have much time left. She agreed to stay on the Lindblum to avoid capture by the army but Fang feels that she is wasting time just sitting around. She encounters Raines again, who tells her that the ship had been sealed up to stop her from escaping. Fang goes with him into the room that she was brought into blindfolded, Raines turns a device that plays a conversation a soldier recorded about the fal'Cie Eden lifting the blockade from Euride. Then he tells Fang to wait three more days until the festival in Bodhum, and she agrees to do so.

Final Fantasy XIII
Fang meets Snow Villiers in Lake Bresha after his battle with the Shiva Sisters. She sarcastically congratulates him for defeating the Sisters, and that he will wish that he just let them finish the job. Then she tells the Cavalry soldiers to help her take Snow. After he tells them to back off, Fang lifts his chin and tells Snow that he needs to shut up and come quietly if he wants to stay alive, then knocks him unconscious. When Snow comes to, he sees the soldiers taking Serah and one of them takes aim at him, Fang tells the soldier to stand down. She directs the two restraining Snow to take him to their ship. After Snow sees her brand and asks why she is helping them, Fang says, "If I were you, I'd worry about myself." While in the sky, Fang tells Snow that he could not run if he wanted to. When Snow sees the Lindblum, she tells him that he will get a peek of what is inside soon enough. Then Fang tells Snow to try and behave. After he says that he is not going to promise anything, she calls him cheeky and says that they will see how long it will last. Aboard the Lindblum when Snow tries to reach Serah, Fang stops him with her elbow to his neck. Then after Raines tells Snow of the Sanctum's plan to publically execute the l'Cie and Snow gets hostile, Fang kicks him to the floor. Later, she tells Snow that it's time to hunt some l'Cie, much to Snow's dismay. Then she says to him, "Don't get all hot and bothered." As Snow is remembering the day that he failed to protect Serah, Fang hits him on the back of his head. She remarks about the pain by calling Snow hard-headed. Then she tells him to snap to it since they were moving out.

After she and Snow arrive in Palumpolum, Fang says that they are going to need a plan but Snow playfully objects to heroes needing plans. Snow throws her a gun, she jumps on the back of Shiva behind him and helps him rescue Lightning and Hope. Afterward, Fang joins the party and goes off with Lightning. In the back alley, Fang calls Snow on her wireless communicator. When he asks her what's up, she yells, "You damn well know what's up! Why haven't you called in?" Then she asks Snow about his status. After he asks Fang about her status, she quickly replies, "I'm great, you're great, everybody's great," and gives the communicator to Lightning. Fang tells her to choice a rendezvous point, and not to worry since the line is hyper-encrypted. When Lightning begins yelling into the device for Hope, Fang tells her that yelling will not fix it and that is was interference. Then she says that she has point and that Lightning needs to cool off her head. Later in the Western Promenade, after Lightning asks Fang about who she is, Fang wonders where to begin. She says that she has a few screws loose, but she is a l'Cie just like Lightning. Then she reveals to Lightning that she is from Gran Pulse, and that she and Vanille fell into crystal stasis there but awoke on Cocoon. Fang talks to Lightning about how she became a Gran Pulse l'Cie five-hundred years ago alongside Vanille and how they must have completed their Focus since they were turned to crystal. However, she could not seem to remember what their Focus was. She also mentions that when they awoke, they wandered Cocoon trying to remember their Focus but found nothing. Determined to prevent Vanille from becoming a Cie'th, Fang forced Vanille to split up from her and now intends to find Vanille and help her complete her Focus. Fang tells Lightning that they did not do their job right and Serah was made a l'Cie as the result. After she says that they messed up and apologizes, Lightning slaps her. Fang asks her if that is it, Lighting says that she had better hope so and that whether or not they are square will be up to Serah. Fang tells her that she sounds exactly like Snow, only he didn't hit her. Then she says that is glad she apologized since it took a load off her shoulders. Lightning asks Fang if she only apologized in order to feel better, Fang bluntly answers, "Guess so." Then she asks Lightning if she felt any better after hitting her. When she says that it did not change anything, Fang tells her to tell that to her jaw.

Later, Fang tries to call Snow back but the line is still jammed. She says that he can take care of himself, although Lightning is not so sure. Then Lightning asks Fang if the others were safe since the Sanctum would make an announcement. Fang says that they would in order to let everyone know that the "big bad l'Cie" can't hurt them anymore, and calls everyone on Cocoon a bunch of cowards and blowhards. After Lightning says that l'Cie would have been nothing but targets to her if not for Serah, Fang says that Gran Pulse is just as twisted. She recalls Cocoon being called a floating nest of vipers ready to strike, or so she originally thought. Then she tells Lightning that she and Vanille must have completed their first Focus since they were in crystal stasis until they woke on Cocoon. Fang says that her childhood memories are clear as day, but the part concerning her past Focus is completely blank. Then she says that her brand is now messed up for some reason. Lighting asks Fang if she wants to find her past memories, and if she is willing to be an enemy of Cocoon. Fang tells her that Pulse and Cocoon can rot for all she cares because if she does not learn what her and Vanille's new focus is, Vanille is going to be a Cie'th. Then she says that she will tear down the sky if that will save Vanille from that fate. Fang asks Lightning if she has seen Vanille's brand but the latter says that she has not. Fang explains to her how a l'Cie turns into a Cie'th and how much time you left depending on your brand. She says that over time they start getting more arrows and then an eye, when the eye opens all the way it's over. She checks Lightning's brand and tells her that she has plenty of time. She also says that getting a nasty shock can speed up the process, which causes her to worry about Vanille's brand being far along by now. Then she says that she has to find Vanille and get her home. Lightning asks Fang if she means to Pulse, but she corrects Lightning by saying "To Gran Pulse." Fang says that she would like to see the Sanctum try and stop her from leaving Cocoon, since they prevent its citizens from doing so. After Lightning says that she has no plan or future to fight for, Fang tells her that her future is to see Serah after she wakes up and that all she has to do is survive. Then soldiers fly overhead, Fang says that Snow and Hope might have been found, and she and Lightning hurry to find them. They find Snow and Hope in time to help the latter fight an Ushumgal Subjugator that knocked Snow unconscious. After the battle, and Lightning and Hope share their moment, Fang reminds them not to forget about Snow. After getting settled in Hope's house, Fang watches him and his dad. Then she watches a news update on the events taking place in Palumpolum, during which she notices a family photo of Hope and his parents. When PSICOM invades the house, Fang and Lightning fight them off. They along with Hope and his father watch Snow as he goes out before Yaag Rosch and his platoon. Afterward, Fang, Hope and Lightning take down a Havoc Skytank. Then Cavalry soldiers disguised like those from PSICOM accompanied by Rygdea arrive. He asks Fang if she needs a ride, she tells him not to get cute, and the party leaves.

Later, they meet up with Cid Raines only to find out that Vanille and Sazh have been taken in by the Sanctum and will be executed. Not willing to let that happen, the group decide to infiltrate the Palamecia and save the two. When Fang is finally reunited with Vanille, the two share a hug before Fang checks her brand to see how far along she is, and is relieved to see that Vanille still has time left. Fang tells Vanille that they will talk later for making her worry like that. After that, they show the rest of the party a miracle "Gran Pulse style." Vanille entangles a Garuda Inteceptor with her weapon while Fang jumps high into the air. Then she comes down and subdues the beast with her spear. While riding it, Fang asks Sazh "Believe in Lady Luck now?" He answers that he believes in Lady Bad Luck. After jumping off the creature and landing on the bridge, Fang reminds Vanille that they are still going to have their talk but will have to survive this first. The party encounters Galenth Dysley, who is actually a fal'Cie named Barthandelus. After the party defeats him, he goes on to talk about their Focus and that one of them will have to become Ragnarok and destroy Orphan. Confused, Fang asks him what Ragnarok is and her brand begins to burn. Then Dysley appears next to her and teases her for forgetting her Focus.

After defeating Cid Raines within the Fifth Ark, the party appears ready to give up on their Focus, not willing to destroy Cocoon. Fang tells them to count her out and gets ready to fight the party. She claims that she does not care if Cocoon is destroyed because it is better than seeing her friends turn into Cie'th. She tells them that she will go at it alone, get stronger, and smash Cocoon out of the sky. However, her brand begins to glow and summons Bahamut. Fang asks the Eidolon if it came to take pity on her and take care of a broken l'Cie. Snow asks Fang if it is here to help us. She tells him that Eidolons are their salvation, and that they appear to put a l'Cie out of their misery if they can't decide what to do next. Lightning and Snow protect Fang from Bahamut's attack and she asks them why. Lightning tells her that they're protecting one of their own and that they are fighting their Focus until the end. She extends her hand to Fang asking her to fight with them. Fang takes her hand and challenges Bahamut, which she manages to tame with help from Lightning and Vanille. After the battle, a new path leading to the bottom part of the Ark is revealed. Vanille finds an old Gran Pulse airship and Fang sees a gate their homeland in the distance. After Vanille says that there is no way for them to remove their brands, Fang tells her that they probably never thought to look for a way. Then after Hope gaves his speech and calls Gran Pulse hell, Fang amusedly asks him, "Oh, is it, now? How many times have you been there?" He tells her none but he wants to go and see what it's like for himself. After going through the gate to Gran Pulse, the party's airship is attacked by a monster. It damages the ship causing Vanille and Hope to be sucked out and fall to the world below. With help from Lightning, Fang summons Bahamut and saves Snow, Sazh, Vanille and Hope. While riding Bahamut to find a place to land, Fang says, "Home sweet home. Welcome to Gran Pulse." A few days later, in the Flower-filled Fissure of the Mah'habara Subterra, on the way to Oerba, Fang lies to Vanille about remembering everything that happened five-hundred years ago. When Vanille's brand starts glowing and summons Hecatoncheir, Fang realizes that Vanille had always remembered everything from the past, including their Focus to destroy Cocoon. After helping Vanille tame the Eidolon, Fang says she realized something was off about Vanille concerning their Focus, ever since Raines told that story in the Fifth Ark. She says that Vanille had been avoiding their Focus ever since coming out of crystal stasis, and that she always knew Ragnarok is the name of destruction. When Vanille says that Fang did all the damage while she didn't do anything, Fang tells her that it was no reason for her to lie. Fang asks Vanille if she thought that was what she would want, and says that her of all people should know that. She balls her hand into a fist as if ready to punch Vanille, but only softly taps her against her head. Fang tells Vanille that she has had it rough and that she wasn't alone anymore. She hugs Vanille and tells her that if she keeps it up, she will have her crying as well soon. Then she assures Vanille that they have a new family now, and that they will get through this.

After defeating Barthandelus in Orphan's Cradle, and seeing Orphan torture Vanille into becoming Ragnarok, Fang decides to once more assume the form on her own in an attempt to destroy both the fal'Cie and herself. Vanille tries to talk her out of it by reminding her of their promise to protect Cocoon, but Fang tells her that she also made a promise to protect her family. Then she says that they sometimes have to choose and prepares to strike Vanille until Snow and Sazh restrain her. She forces them off and jumps high into the air. Orphan casts magic on her and after she lands, she sees everyone else except Vanille are now Cie'th. They begin to relentlessly attack her and Fang asks if this is what she gets for choosing salvation. After they pile up on top of her, Fang manages to force them off. Her brand appears to be active again and she once again transforms into an incomplete Ragnarok. Fang, not fully willing to destroy Cocoon along with Orphan, manages only in breaking the shell of Orphan before turning back into a human. As a way of forcing Fang into taking the form of Ragnarok again and finish the job, she is subject to torture by Orphan in an agonizing cycle of being painfully attacked and then healed, as to allow the anger that Orphan hoped would accumulate to fuel her. Vanille has to see her closest friend suffer before her eyes, and right as Vanille is about to fight Orphan herself, saying that she promised not to run away anymore, the rest of the party arrives, telling both Vanille and Fang that they were tricked by Orphan into believing they had become Cie'th. They manage to save Fang and apologize for not being there. After Orphan's destruction, Fang and Vanille become the complete form of Ragnarok and save Cocoon. After they both successfully destroy and save Cocoon, Fang and Vanille are left in a crystallized state within its crystal pillar. After Sazh makes a sarcastic comment about Cocoon being destroyed, Fang laughs and says, "Whatever you want to believe." Then she says that when prayers turn into promises, not even fate can stand in their way.

Abilities and Equipment
She wields a double-bladed spear that can be split into a three-section staff in battle. Fang's full ATB skill, Highwind, is a powerful Jump attack. Her Eidolon is Bahamut, who has no element. Bahamut takes flight in his Gestalt Mode. Stat-wise, Fang has the highest Physical Attack power which makes her the best Commando, but can also learn all elemental strikes as well as spells up to the -"ra" level with Water and Wind being her -"ga" specialty.

Fang's Spears

 * Bladed Lance
 * Glaive
 * Dragoon Lance
 * Dragonhorn
 * Partisan
 * Rhomphaia
 * Shamanic Spear
 * Heretic's Halberd
 * Punisher
 * Banescissor Spear
 * Pandoran Spear
 * Calamity Spear
 * Taming Pole
 * Venus Gospel
 * Gae Bolg
 * Gungnir
 * Kain's Lance

Musical Themes
In Final Fantasy XIII, "Fang's Theme" is a short, uplifting orchestral piece, something unusual for a character of the "strong, serious female" archetype. It contains a small variant of the battle theme and plays at many points during the game, including the party's siege on the Palamecia to rescue Sazh and Vanille, when Fang summons Bahamut for the first time, and during the party's arrival in Grand Pulse. A variant of her theme, "Determination," is played when she and Vanille become Ragnarok and save Cocoon.

Trivia

 * Before the script was completed, Fang was originally written as a male character..
 * Fang's weapon can break apart into a three-section staff, and is known in some regions as a "coiling dragon staff", reflecting her control of Bahamut.
 * Fang's full-ATB skill, Highwind, is a reference to the Dragoons of earlier installments who bear the last name Highwind.
 * Fang's crystal has taken the shape of a fang.
 * Fang's main Paradigm roles are Commando, Sentinel, and Saboteur. Her specialist role is Commando.
 * Fang is chronologically the oldest playable character in the entire Final Fantasy series.
 * Fang is the only playable character in Final Fantasy XIII who does not major in the Ravager role.
 * Out of all six playable characters, Fang has the longest crystarium expansion.