Even A Stray Has Pride

FF12 wallpaper (1024×768)

𝔽𝔽𝕏𝕀𝕀 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 - 𝔻𝕒𝕪 𝟞: 𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℕℙℂ -> 𝕁𝕦𝕕𝕘𝕖 𝕄𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝔾𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕙

The unspoken leader of the rank of Judge Magister of the Archadian Imperial Army, Gabranth is many things to many people. To Emperor Gramis, he is a loyal servant and head of the 9th Bureau of Intelligence and Espionage. To Judge Magister Drace, he is a trusted and respected confidante. To the young Lord Larsa, he is a mentor and protector. To Basch fon Ronsenburg, he is Noah, an estranged brother, an identical twin, and an enemy. But of all the masks Gabranth has worn, of all the roles he's played, all the duties he's shouldered... he will be remembered by those who loved him most, and by those who know the truth, as an integral player in the end of the war in Ivalice and one who gave his life in defense of a child and for what he believed in.

Gabranth: "Lose Larsa and we lose the Empire. Protect him. I would entrust him to no other's care." Basch: "I will keep him from harm. I promise you. For the Empire, and for Dalmasca." Gabranth: "Your words... put me at ease, brother. Sorry... to leave you..."

I slew your king. I slew your country. Do these deeds not demand vengeance?

The main reason why Vayne keeps Basch alive is to silence Marquis Ondore. However, another reason is to extract information about the whereabouts of the Dusk Shard, which Vayne failed to obtain for two years. But Emperor Gramis, unaware that Vayne had been after the nethicite way back then, becomes suspicious of Vayne’s actions—particularly the fact that he’s letting Basch live. Gramis orders his confidant Judge Gabranth to investigate Vayne’s true motif. Gabranth's visit to Basch’s oubliette is thus carried out under Gramis’s directive. At the same time, Gabranth has a personal motive: a desire to know why his resented brother has been allowed to live.

Though his words are meant to dig Vayne’s intentions in keeping Basch alive, they also carry an intense hatred, as if to say, “Why is someone like you still breathing?

Can’t He Just Ask Vayne?

Though Gabranth serves under Vayne, Gabranth is secretly investigating him under a covert order from Emperor Gramis. That’s why he can’t directly ask Vayne why Basch is kept alive.

However, Vayne is fully aware that Gabranth is investigating him. Even Gabranth’s meeting with Basch is something Vayne allows deliberately—he hopes Basch might accidentally reveal useful information, such as the whereabouts of the Dusk Shard, and so he lets Gabranth continue his actions unchecked.

Since any meeting with a prisoner requires Vayne’s permission and cannot happen without an escort of imperial soldiers, Gabranth is unable to conceal from Vayne anything he learns during the meeting.

And even if Gabranth were to discover information from Basch that could disadvantage Vayne, there's a high likelihood Emperor Gramis would execute Gabranth to silence him in order to protect House Solidor.

Serving both Vayne and the Emperor, Gabranth stands in an extremely precarious position—he’s constantly at risk of being cut down by either side at any moment.

This is for a comic, based on my 2017 FFXII books I wrote. I've come to really enjoy Gabranth as a character and try to study how to draw him better. I've drawn him quite a lot in the past, but now that I study him more, I realise how gentle his face looks, and there is often a sadness in his eyes. ;_;

note below: left is the in-game model, not cutscene model. this is the model you fight in pharos and aboard bahamut, thats why he looks .. crunchier. 

 the right model is dissidia NT

as you can see above, they nerved his curves (chest-waist-thighs ratio)

To you who is reading this, perhaps you might find this letter resonant to your heart.

Though this letter is addressed to a fictional character, I hope you also understand this affection and adoration I feel towards one character, the way you adore your favourite character just as much. It is merely a silly desire of mine to write this out, simply because my heart would burst if I didn't.

For those who have not played FFXII, may contain spoilers.

he’s quite thin without he cape, fufufu

the belt attaches to nothing

et cetera

The name normally used by the Judge Magisters is the surname.「Gabranth」is his maternal surname. Gabranth’s homeland was ruined by the invasion of the Archadian Empire. At the time, Gabranth had an older brother who was a budding knight, but he was unwilling to surrender to the Empire, so he left his family and went to another kingdom.