#gestahl

[orbitpuddingsagan]

[fast-moon]

The Gestahlian Empire is Weird

... in that no one. NO ONE. Supports Kefka.

This isn't to argue that they should, just that, statistically, about 20% of the population would. There's the saying "Fascism is when 1/3 of the population is trying to kill another 1/3 while the other 1/3 watches". And any time you put out a survey with one obviously bad/wrong response, you are always going to get some percentage of people picking that one anyway, either as a troll, or because they weren't paying attention, or because they genuinely believe it.

And as anyone from [insert country here] is painfully familiar with, no matter how much of an openly obvious piece of shit someone is, they still end up having a baffling number of ardent supporters.

And yet Kefka has 0% support from anyone in the Empire. Zero.

People say that Leo is the one good man in the Empire, but if you actually pay attention to what other Imperials say, I would say he's not alone. In fact, he seems to represent the majority attitude.

Leo is universally beloved by the soldiers and Kefka is universally despised. Which means that, across the entire Empire, the general citizenry agree with Leo's worldview over Kefka's. Hell, they actively reject Kefka's on more than one occasion when Kefka promotes genocide.

Then when you actually go to the Empire, many of the people you talk to are either completely cool with you being members of the "insurgency", or are even actively on your side.

Then there's the 24 soldiers you have to talk to before the banquet. Their responses range from remorseful, to neutral, to a few openly hostile (three of them attack you, but one is just to test your strength, not out of actual antagonism). But again, none of them defended Kefka.

So here we have this universally-reviled person, who is then made the right-hand man of Emperor Gestahl and this somehow... fails to reflect badly on Gestahl? Since the citizenry mostly seem to be willing to follow him. Even Leo is devoutly loyal to him.

So what the hell is going on here? We have a nation of people who:

Think that Leo and his respect for all life, friend or foe, is the ideal man.

Think that Kefka and his sadistic disregard for life is a piece of shit.

Think that Gestahl, who employs both of the above, is also great

Then again, we see above that there are plenty of Imperial citizens who are actively rooting for the Returners, so support for Gestahl may actually be more 50/50. You have the half who think that Leo is a representation of Gestahl's true motives and that Kefka is an aberration, so they're still willing to follow Gestahl as long as he has Leo's support. And then you have the half who see Kefka as the representation of Gestahl's true motives and he's just using his association with Leo for good PR, so they're pro-Returners.

So then the biggest mystery is why Leo follows Gestahl. He didn't fall for the PR, because he is the PR. Leo's whole personality is about being genuine and above board, so it's not like he's faking the loyalty, either.

Best I can think of is that Leo has an extreme case of "You don't know him like I do, I can fix him", and refuses to give up on anybody. Because he already shows this behavior towards Kefka, attempting to appeal to his conscience.

Because Leo's greatest strength is also his greatest weakness: He believes all people are worthwhile and deserve his respect. Even the ones who don't.

In that way, Kefka actually does have exactly one supporter. And it's the person he hates most.

(Highlighted Japanese text reads: "Hates: General Leo")

[kaanandfriends]

This needs to be a portrait we can buy in-game.

[camleecomics]

Emperor Gestahl

[rangertycho]

Final Fantasy VI

Sweet little magic user

[paintscroll]

[autumnslance]

Febhyurary 20: Pets

“...Aeryn? Why is the neighbors’ dog in a costume?”

“Well they had an overnight trip to make but couldn’t take him--”

“...So you volunteered to pet sit...”

“Of course! And well, he was so sad and then it gets so cold in the desert and I had some spare bits from altering an old dress, so...I mean look at him, he’s darling!”

“It’s true. We need to get you your own pet.”

“I wish, but my life’s too hectic to really allow it. Besides, I’ve got my hands full keeping track of Snowlight and a certain nutkin while Thancred’s out of town.”

“What happens with that rodent when you’re both away from the Stones, anyhow?”

“It’s my understanding a reign of terror occurs and a battle of wills versus Tataru. According to Ochre they’re currently tied.”

“What, exactly, are the criteria...?”

“Honestly? I’m afraid to ask.”

[alexanderdeluna]

DANCING MAD

Feeling edgy so I thought I’d draw Kefka in the Baphomet pose.