Ashe is the daughter and only child of King Dalmasca, who died during the Archadian invasion. After Dalmasca was conquered, Ashe disappears and forms the resistance against Archadia. She hopes to free the people of Dalmasca from the rule of the Empire.

  The story follows the lighthearted Vaan; as he deals with the recent loss of his parents and his determination towards becoming a renowned sky pirate. Vaan is joined by his girlfriend Penelo. Vaan is a very nice and pleasing young man from the Dalmasca Kingdom, which is now under the rule of the Archadian Empire. Vaan lost his family in a previous conflict and now dreams of commanding an air ship to escape the conquering Archadia. Vaan joins the resistance in order to free the citizens and the royal family of Dalmasca.

  Fran is part of the Viera race and travels the world with her partner Balthier. She entrusts her faith in combat during her journeys with Vaan and Ashe. While Fran is proficient when it comes to grappling and fencing skills, she is also adept in all forms of weapons. 

  Balthier is a sky pirate and pilots a small ship around in the skies of Ivalice. With his companion Fran they prefer to be neutral when it comes to the war between the kingdoms of Ivalice.

  Like Vaan, Penelo lost her parents in the Great War and makes her living at the local bazaar. A great singer, dancer, and warrior, she is also a headstrong woman with a fierce determination. Penelo is a 16 year old hume who lives near her close friend, Vaan in Rabanastre of Dalamasca. She lost her family in a previous war and works happily at the bazaar. Her philosophy is "As long as you never give up, things will get better down the road." Penelo loves to sing and dance. She learned martial arts from her older brother, who used to be a knight. Her dancing style is similar to martial arts, even if she has no actual fighting experience. 

  The older Basch is the more mature character in the game, much like Auron from FFX and Edgar from FFVI. He was a former general of Dalmasca, but he killed the king when he found out King Dalamasca sold his people to Archadia. Basch also killed Vaan's older brother, Reks, when he had found out the truth. Basch is known as a villian but he travels with Vaan, but his intentions are still clouded in mystery.