Balthier

Balthier, born Ffamran Mid Bunansa, is a playable character in Final Fantasy XII. A Sky Pirate, he travels all over Ivalice with his partner Fran, on his airship the Strahl. While the story is told from Vaan's perspective, Balthier certainly seems to think it it his story, going so far as to refer to himself, repeatedly, as "the leading man." His middle name, Mid, is a reference to Mid Previa from Final Fantasy V, the grandson of Cid Previa.

Balthier's Early Life
While not much is revealed about Balthier's life before he became a sky pirate, it is revealed that he was once himself an Archadian Judge. Six years prior to the game's storyline, after his father Dr. Cid returned from Giruvegan, he noticed that his father's sanity was slowly fading, as he was constantly talking to someone who wasn't there. This strained their relationship, and eventually Balthier couldn't stand the sight of his father anymore. This, combined with the way Archadia was moving, forced Balthier to run away, not to be seen for some time. During this time, he changed his name to help cut off his ties with the past.

Balthier's introduction
Balthier comes into the main story while Vaan is stealing from the Royal Palace of Rabanastre. Seeing the young thief steal the Goddess' Magicite, Balthier demands he hands it over. When Vaan asks who he is, Balthier responds with "I'm the leading man, who else?" Before he can take it, the Ifrit attacks, causing him to reluctantly run away, with Vaan in tow. During their escape, Fran's hover crashes into the Garamsythe Waterway, and are forced to work together.

Balthier and Dr. Cid
While the game never tells how well Balthier got along with his father before he went to Giruvegan, afterwards, Balthier can't stand the sight of him. Thinking him to be insane, he ran away, unable to tolerate listening to his father talking about returning "History back into the hands of Man." Eventually, with the help of the other main characters, Balthier finally realises that his father wasn't insane, but rather, he was talking to the Occurian Venat all this time. Wanting to confront his father, he travels with Ashe to Archades, his home. After getting into the Draklor Laboratory, they finally confront Dr Cid, where Balthier tries to convince his father that what he's doing is insane. Cid has none of it and runs away. Finally, they catch up to Dr Cid at the Pharos at Ridorana. After a long fight with Cid, where he summons the Esper Famfrit, Balthier has to watch his father die, and up to his dying breath, he believes what he was doing was best for mankind, much to Balthier's disappointment.

Balthier and Fran
The circumstances about how or when they met is never revealed, or if they even knew each other while Balthier was still a Judge. Their relationship is very professional, with Fran being mainly the brains behind the two of them. However, there are times when it is revealed that their feelings are more than just platonic.

Balthier and The Strahl
The Strahl is Balthier's ship and one of the few things he holds dear. Originally a new prototype fighter ship, the cost of its unique folding wing design was too expensive, and so the person in charge of its production ordered to have it scrapped. However, Balthier was able to steal it, and with it made his escape from Archades. Since then, he has heavily updated the ship, so-much-so it no longer resembles the original design. After the collapse of the Bahamut, Balthier loans the Strahl to Vaan while he's away. Sometime later, Balthier takes back the Strahl, without either Vaan or Penelo finding out when he took it. It is never revealed where he got the name Strahl from.

Revenant Wings


Balthier returns in Revenant Wings as a main character, along with Fran. This time he takes a secondary role, offering the position of leading man to Vaan.

In contrast to Final Fantasy XII he has a set job, in this case the Gunner, his skills dealing with different types of shot, from status-inducing to rapid fire.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions


After the events at Fort Besselat in chapter 4, Ramza goes to the Mining Town of Gollund and checks a rumor about a godless thief stealing precious cargo from the church. Ramza then goes to the Merchant City of Dorter and checks a rumor about some precious cargo that needs escorting. When Ramza goes to the Dorter slums, he walks right into an ambush. The thieves attack Ramza, before realizing they've got the wrong man. Balthier then steps out the shadows and condemns the thieves' ability to set a trap. Teaming up with Ramza, Balthier manages to get rid of the thieves.

After the battle, Balthier explains that he is a Sky Pirate looking for the Cache of Glabados. Ramza thinks Balthier is referring to the Auracite, and when he asks Balthier what the Cache is exactly, Balthier only mentions it is the reason he is currently in Ivalice's future. When Ramza tells Balthier he thinks he knows what he's looking for, Balthier is more than keen to tag along, claiming the leading man never balks out of a little danger, even if he does feel more like a cameo role this time. Before they set off, Ramza comments that Balthier can't be a pirate of the skies if he has no wings, while Balthier complains that he is fed up of constantly following children, much to Ramza's annoyance.

Itadaki Street Portable
Balthier also appears as a character in Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable.