Playable characters
Bartz Klauser
A simple traveller, Bartz goes to investigate the meteor that crashed down in Tycoon. A chance meeting with Lenna and Galuf proves for Bartz the beginning of a perilous journey and a discovery of the legacy left for him by his father.
Bartz is afraid of heights due to an accident while playing hide and seek, and has since avoided them like the plague.
Near the beginning of the game, Bartz is endowed with the essence of Wind, making him one of the Light Warriors.
- Default items: Tonic x3
- Default equipment: Broadsward, LeatherArmor
- Rare item: Memento
| Vigour | 28 |
|---|---|
| Stamina | 27 |
| Speed | 25 |
| Magic Power | 25 |
Lenna Charlotte Tycoon
Also known as Reina in the PlayStation and SNES versions, Lenna is the daughter of the King of Tycoon and is therefore a princess.
Near the beginning of the game, Lenna is endowed with the essence of Water, making her one of the Light Warriors.
- Default equipment: Knife, LeatherArmor
- Rare item: Pendant
| Vigour | 25 |
|---|---|
| Stamina | 25 |
| Speed | 26 |
| Magic Power | 28 |
Faris Scherwiz
Faris is the youngest pirate captain to have ever existed, but is still deeply respected by the crew. However, the player finds out earlier on in the game that the pirates cove isn't the only secret she's got - Faris is a she! This doesn't stop Faris from being rude and selfish, though, and there are huge hints that there is more to this fiery young woman than just a concealed gender - is she Lenna's long-lost sister?
Near the beginning of the game, Faris is endowed with the essence of Fire, making her one of the Light Warriors.
- Default equipment: Dirk, LeatherArmor
- Rare item: Pendant
| Vigour | 27 |
|---|---|
| Stamina | 26 |
| Speed | 27 |
| Magic Power | 26 |
Galuf Halm Baldeson
Galuf is a mysterious old man that was found at the meteorite in Tycoon near the beginning of the game. However, he could not remember anything about himself apart from his name – Galuf – due to head-trauma induced amnesia. Despite his advanced years, Galuf is usually the first one up for a fight and never gives up. It is later discovered that Galuf is, in fact, the King of Bal Castle and has a granddaughter, Krile, who later takes his place as a Light Warrior.
Near the beginning of the game, Galuf is endowed with the essence of Earth, making him one of the Light Warriors.
- Default equipment: LeatherArmor
| Vigour | 27 |
|---|---|
| Stamina | 28 |
| Speed | 24 |
| Magic Power | 24 |
Krile Maia Baldesion
Krile is Galuf's granddaughter. From her childhood, she possesses the ability to speak with Moogles and dragons, as well as to commune with the spirits of the fallen. When she is first met by the party, she not only displays a strong aptitude in magic, but is also a capable physical fighter.
Krile and her grandfather share an unbreakable bond, and so after certain events in the game, she will take Galuf's place as a Warrior of Light, inheriting all of Galuf's abilities plus any stats carried forward from his Jobs.
Her starting stats are the same as Galuf's.
| Vigour | 27 |
|---|---|
| Stamina | 28 |
| Speed | 24 |
| Magic Power | 24 |
Non-playable characters
Boko
Bartz'z chocobo and, before the events of the game, only companion. Boko allows Bartz to cross rivers at certain times, but spends much of the game recuperating from a broken leg.
King Tycoon
Reina's father and king of Tycoon. At the start of the game, Tycoon leaves to find out what is disturbing the crystals and Reina spends much of the game searching for him.
Pirates
Faris is the leader of a band of pirates at the start of the game. They seem to be more interested in rum than in actual pirating though. The are, however, extremely loyal to Faris.
Hydra
Faris' sea monster who can be used to power a ship. Faris raised Hydra from an egg and there is a strong bond between them.
Zok
Reina's learned friend and keeper of the Torna canal gate. Zok lives in Tule and gives Bartz the key to the canal so they can get through.
Cid
A scholar who designed machines to amplify the crystal's powers. Cid was imprisoned in Karnak castle dungeon after learning that his machines were responsible for shattering the crystals and then trying to shut them down. Later, Cid helps repair the Airship, which allows you to travel nearly anywhere in the world.
Mid
Cid's grandson, fellow scholar, and helper. He keeps Cid's spirits up when he starts to feel guilty about trying to exploit the crystals.
Antagonists
Gilgamesh
A big talker that will never admit defeat, Gilgamesh is a recurring boss in Final Fantasy V. Despite having somehow made up the ranks as Exdeath's evil henchman, he is a coward who usually chickens out and runs away when the going gets tough. After being sacked and banished to the Rift due to Exdeath perceiving incompetence, Gilgamesh meets the party again and promises friendship if they get out alive.
There is also an additional scene in Final Fantasy V where, when fighting the monster Necrophobe, if you take too long Gilgamesh will appear (and you can steal some Genji Armour from him if you like), exchange a few warm words with your party, then self-destructs himself and kill the Necrophobe in the process.
Exdeath
The main antagonist, Exdeath, is a dark mage that began life as a tree in the Great Forest of Moore years before the events of the game. The tree grew, fueled by hate and a desire to unseal the power of the Void from 1000 years ago, when the world was split in two. Thirty years before the events of the game, he becomes the ruler of one world by brute force and, failing to find the crystals sealed within it, decides to take over the other. However, the Dawn Warriors—Galuf, Xezat Surgate, Kelgar Vlondett, and Dorgann Klauser—learn of his sinister plot and pursue him. A great battle is fought, but the Dawn Warriors barely manage to subdue Exdeath in spite of his exceedingly powerful magic. As a last resort, the Dawn Warriors combine the powers of the world's four crystals into a seal. Exdeath is banished, but will the seal hold?