A Closer Look at Final Fantasy IX: Characters Zidane Click for full size image FF IX's primary protagonist is Zidane - a dashing, simian-tailed young man with the aura of a scoundrel. Zidane could be directly compared to FF VI's Locke character - another heroic young thief of similar temperament. Zidane displays a can-do attitude and seems willing to step on some toes to achieve what he perceives as justice. While his group originally planned to kidnap princess Garnet, certain events transpired that ultimately brought the fair princess and her surly ward into a prominent role in Zidane's life. Smitten by Garnet's beauty and charms, Zidane seems willing to go to great lengths to protect her. Garnet Click for full size image Garnet is the princess of Alexandria and the target of the Zidane's kidnapping scheme. The game alludes that her mother, Queen Brahne, has been acting odd as of late, cavorting with shady characters and murmuring about world conquest. Though she's been pampered and sheltered all her life, Garnet is aware of her own strengths and weaknesses and is hip to her mother's odd behavior. Garnet wants out of Alexandria and sees the worldly and dangerous Zidane as her ticket out of the palace. Garnet is part white mage and part summoner, and she is able to both cure and protect her party, as well as summon the deadly Sacred Beasts. Vivi Click for full size image Vivi is a meek, submissive young mage who doesn't fully realize the amount of power he wields. Though he fumbles with words as often as he does with his feet, Vivi has a host of powerful black magic at his disposal. Vivi develops a close relationship with Zidane as the game progresses, and it's apparent that Zidane cares very much for the young boy. Vivi is the quintessential Final Fantasy black mage, boasting the steepled hat, blue mantle, and orange glowing eyes. Whether he can cast Meteo, the legendary spell from past Final Fantasy games, is yet to be determined. Steiner Click for full size image The bumbling, forthright Steiner is a knight in the service of Queen Brahne. As the leader of Alexandria's male soldiers, the Knights of Pluto, Steiner feels it his duty to earn his order the respect it deserves. Throughout the game, Steiner expresses his strong distaste for Zidane, convinced, as he is, that Zidane is a murderous scoundrel with foul designs for princess Garnet. But Steiner is loyal to the crown, and his first concern is the princess' safety - he will heedlessly take up arms to defend her. Steiner is of the knight class and, in addition to his powerful "sword tech" attacks, he boasts a series of "sword magic" attacks, which he can use with the help of Vivi. Quina Click for full size image Quina is an odd character indeed. A member of an androgynous species, Quina absorbs enemies' abilities by consuming their bodies. Primarily concerned with consumption of food and foes, Quina is a lusty, amusing character that joins the party in order to master the art of eating, and ends up providing plenty of comic relief throughout the game. Quina is essentially a blue mage, as it assimilates enemies' abilities for later use in combat. Amarant Click for full size image Cold, reserved, and deadly, Amarant (formerly known as Salamander) arguably boasts Amano's most interesting character design to date. Sporting thick red dreadlocks, smooth pasty skin, and a powerful build, Amarant's visage demands respect, and given the character's nature, it's easy to assume that he gets it. As far as gameplay goes, Amarant is apparently part FF ninja and part monk, as he's able to throw weapons and money at his enemies, as well as use various martial-arts techniques, similar to FF VI's Sabin character. Freyja Click for full size image Freyja is a dragoon (or "dragon knight") that has been exiled from her homeland and forced to live the life of a vagabond. Almost resembling a kind of reptilian rodent, this honorable and profound warrior lives by a noble code and proves to be possessed of a highly enlightened nature. Freyja behaves identically to the dragoons of yore and the lancers of more recent times. Her primary attack, "jump," allows her to leap high into the air and land upon the backs of enemies, piercing them with her vicious lance. Eiko Click for full size image Eiko is a young orphan of six years. She is brilliant in mind and wields power beyond what most would think one of her age is capable of. Of an arcane heritage, Eiko has a formed a bond with the magical moogles of Gaia and seems wise beyond her years. While a practitioner of white magic, Eiko can also summon the Sacred Beasts.