At 17, Squall Leonhart is inducted into the ranks of SeeD, an elite mercenary force that is part of the Garden system.  Squall's weapon of choice is the Gunblade.  Mastery of this weapon takes years of practice.
Squall is very introverted.  Basically, you could find his picture next to the word in the dictionary.  He is untrusting of others and tries to handle everything on his own.  His cold demeanor actually cloaks a youth who has been hurt before and does not wish to ever have that experience repeated.
Orphaned during infancy, his parents probably killed during the Sorceress War, Squall grew up in Matron Edea Kramer's orphanage located in a southern part of the Centra Island chain.  He was extremely close to Ellone, whom all the children called "Sis."  When she vanished, Squall was devestated.  He had never been especially close to any of the other children.  Even as a child, Squall tended to be a loner.
He soon left to go to Balamb Garden.  There, he met Zell Dincht, Quistis Trepe, and Seifer Almasy.  Though they had all grown up in the Matron's orphanage, none seemed to remember each other.
The rest of Squall's story can be found in the Story-line section of the Library.

Born to two loving parents, Rinoa Heartilly had all the advantages that Squall did not.  Her mother was Julia, a former night club musican.  Her father was the general of the Galbadian armies.  Rinoa grew up a free-spirit, following her heart wherever it might take her.
At 17, Rinoa formed a resistance group called the Timber Owls.  Their mission was to free Timber of Galbadia's dictatorial control.  The members of the Timber Owls were Rinoa, and her friends Zone and Watts.
After meeting Seifer, Rinoa realized that she would need to enlist SeeD help to achieve her goal.  She petitioned several times with no response.  Finally, she went to Balamb Garden herself to speak directly with Headmaster Cid.  Co-incidentally, the day she is there is the day of the SeeD inaugural ball.  There, she meets Squall, who's team is later sent to help the Timber Owls.
The rest of Rinoa's story can be found in the Story-line section of the Library.

Orphaned by the Sorceress War, Quistis grew up in the Matron's orphanage with the others.  She was slightly older, and a little bossy.  Quistis was adopted, but things did not go over well at her new home.  She left for Garden at 10, made SeeD by 15, and was an instructor by 18.  Quistis was a child prodigy when it came to fighting.  With her whip, no one could best her.
Among Instructor 14, Quistis Trepe's students were Squall and Seifer.  She felt some odd subconscious connection to them, but never could truly place her finger on it...
At18, Quistis resigned her teaching position to join Squall on a mission that would soon become larger than what anyone ever expected...
On a side note, Quistis's admirers at Balamb Garden formed a loosely knit "club" called the Trepies.
The rest of Quistis's story can be found in the Story-line section of the Library.

Like his companions, Zell was also orphaned during the War.  He, too, grew up at Matron's orphanage.  However, Zell was soon adopted by the Dinchts from Balamb.  He had a fairly happy childhood, left for Garden in his teens, and became a SeeD at 17, right alongside Squall and Selphie.
Zell is a mechicanical whiz.  He can fix just about anything.  Using his hands and feet as tools as well as weapons, Zell is quite competent in the fighting arena. 
Zell is not the most...TACTFUL person ever born.  He often speaks without thinking and winds up putting his foot in his mouth.
Zell is a member of Squall's team.  He accompanies Squall on their mission to liberate Timber...and then beyond...
The rest of Zell's story can be found in the Story-line section of the Library.

Also among the orphans raised at the Matron's orphange, Selphie Tilmitt also went into Garden.  However, she went to Trabia Garden, not Balamb.  She transferred to Balamb to become a SeeD.  At 17, she made the ranks with Squall and Zell.  She became part of their team.  Her weapon of choice is the Nunchaku.
Enthusiastic about EVERYTHING, Selphie is heading the Garden Festival Committee.  She is well liked for her optimistic approach to life, even when it begins to grate on the nerves.
She is a fan of Laguna Loire's journalism, and has a section dedicated to him on her webpage.
The rest of Selphie's story can be found in the Story-line section of the Library.

Irvine is the "lady's man" of Final Fantasy VIII.  He portrays himself as a misunderstood loner who is just looking for love.  However, when the situation dictates, Irvine Kinneas drops this demeanor and goes into battle mode.
He is also among the orphans from Matron's orphanage.  Irvine is not a member of SeeD, but he does join up with Squall and Co. to "snipe the sorceress" at age 17.
He is a dead-shot sharp-shooter.
Irvine keeps his cool, even when yelling at Squall.  He is the second-most level headed player in the game.  He does have a connection to Selphie, however.  Whenever she is down, he will move heaven and earth to make her smile.
The rest of Irvine's story can be found in the Story-line section of the Library.

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