L'ubor is a character in Final Fantasy XVI. Known as the Desert Hare (砂漠の耳, Sabaku no Mimi), he is the forgemaster and owner of the Briar's Kiss in Dalimil, as well as a clandestine broker of information. His first meeting with Clive Rosfield is marked by sardonic confidence and strict terms of trust, but his arc ultimately explores Valisthea's persecution of Bearers and the possibility of reconciliation.
History[]
Early life and legacy[]
An orphan raised in Dalimil, L'ubor was taken in by the forgemaster Ruzena Dalimil, who became his mentor. She taught him to make "blades instead of trouble", and upon her death he inherited her forge and the mantle of the "Desert Hare", continuing her network of contacts that once liaised with Cidolfus Telamon. Though he also had a history with Cid, L'ubor is the successor to Cid;s original contact in Dalimil rather than the one who worked with Cid decades earlier.
Role in Dalimil[]
By day, L'ubor ran the Briar's Kiss as a respected community figure; by night, he dealt in secrets as the Desert Hare. He carefully navigated local power dynamics, particularly the presence of Hugo Kupka's Men of the Rock in the town, while quietly caring for two orphans, Rens and Drika, whom he considers his foremost responsibility.
L'ubor hired Clive to eliminate a new bandit threat upriver, the so-called "League of Outlaws".[1] After Clive's success, a crisis in town forced L'ubor to unleash a sudden bolt of magic without a crystal to halt a foe, exposing him as Bearer. The townsfolk he just protected turned on him and L'ubor publicly confirmed the truth before pledging to leave Dalimil so his presence would not divide the community.
Preparing to go into exile, L'ubor later asked Clive to escort Rens and Drika to the safety of the Hideaway.[2] When news of an impending attack by a horde of Akashic arrived, he tried to warn Dalimil but was dismissed as a "branded". The children publicly defended him, shaming the adults into listening; L'ubor led the successful defense of the town. In the aftermath, he was affirmed as the mayor of Dalimil and vowed to build "a haven for man and bearer both", aligning himself with Cid's ideals.
Characteristics[]
Appearance[]
A well-dressed artisan, L'ubor's bearing reflects wealth and authority appropriate to a master forgemaster.
Personality[]
L'ubor's caustic wit and cocky self-assurance mask a life spent "passing" in a society that dehumanizes Bearers. The performance protects his secret and deters scrutiny, but his consistent actions or shielding Dalimil, caring for orphans, and choosing civic duty over pride, reveal a principled, compassionate leader beneath the armor.
Gameplay[]
L'ubor is the subject of two quests, "Lines in the Sand" and "Lines in the Sand II". The first is available in mid-game, and the objective is to eliminate the League of Outlaws. In "Lines in the Sand II", available during "Back to Their Origin" (endgame), the objective is to warn the town of the Akashic attack, protect Rens and Drika, and lead the defense.
Citations[]
- ↑ Final Fantasy XVI, "Lines in the Sand"
- ↑ Final Fantasy XVI, "Lines in the Sand II"