The Judges.

[Davey Gaga]

What are your thoughts on each of the five [or seven, including ex's] main Judges in this game?

Gabranth /

Spoiler

Noah fon Ronsenburg

He takes the lead for my favourite character in this game. He genuinely appears to be a good man who simply bares a grudge against his brother. He shows his credibility by eventually defending Larsa and aiding your team in the final battle with Vayne. Granted, his actions in the beginning of the game were inexcusable, but his loyalty to Larsa, Nabudis and even Archadia spoke volumes. Much like others, I believe that he had something going with Judge Drace, which would explain why he was given more screen time with her than any other Judge.

Bergan
Much like both Vayne and Cid, he had meritable intentions but his actions negated his admirable ideology. He was clearly power-hungry, as shown by his infusion with Manufacted Nethicite and didn't seem to have his head in the right place at all. He was more concerned with being right than doing what was right, which explains why he was willing to be so merciless with Drace. I liked the build up to him, however.

Ghis
I had best watch what I'm saying when Lisa's around xD Overall, he was quite an interesting character. I saw his actions on the Leviathan as secretive and they showed how he wanted to become more powerful than Vayne ("Blood alone does not an Emperor make, Vayne.") His talk of saddles and whips was nothing short of hooking and it was a shame to see him leave the story so quickly.

Drace
The only level-headed Judge, in my opinion. As far as we know, she never committed anything questionable and her only hope was to protect Larsa from harm. She saw how crucial Larsa was to the future of Ivalice and saw past Vayne's lies, ("Spare me your lies, I see the serpant coiled here before me / Vayne Solidor, as Judge Magister and upholder of the law, I hereby place you under arrest.") showing how she was not afraid to stand against Vayne, despite his intentions to 'place the reins of history back into the hands of man.' I'd say that she was the only one one with a conscience.

Zargabaath
Firstly, what happened to him? It sounded as though he was going to sacrifice himself and his crew in protecting Rabanastre from harm, yet Balthier ordered that the Alexander was to stay away. Similar to Drace, he did appear to have some kind of moral conscience yet was less vocal of his concerns. He accepted the war and did not hesitate to act in it yet he was even more quick in turning his weapons away. I'm sort of on the fence with him.

I'll leave out the other two. As I've asked already, does anyone know what actually happened to Zargabaath? xD

 

[Miss Valentine]

I don't think we ever find out what happens to Zaargabath , I did wonder that myself

Gabranth- Tries to act really brutal and tough, but he has a good heart underneath it all. He was really upset about what happened to Landis, his home, and joining the judges made him feel like less of a failure and allowed him to try and get revenge on Basch, who he blames for losing their homeland. I agree his loyalty to Larsa makes him really stand out, and like Larsa it takes a while to decide who's side he is on. He obviously doesn't trust Vayne, but goes along with him anyway in order to protect Larsa.

Bergan- Actually I thought he was much more power-hungry than Vayne or Dr Cid. I thought he was downright evil, and though he spoke of Vayne taking power I doubt in his frame of mind he would have stayed loyal. If he hadn't been killed, he probably might have tried to challenge Vayne in some way.

Ghis- very loyal to Vayne, but in a pragmatic way. Obviously doesn't quite understand what it is about the Nethecite that is so powerful, which makes him curious. I actually saw the potential of him becoming an ally, if he hadn't also had a short time in the game. In fact it annoyed me that such interesting characters died so quicky

Drace- she grated on me a bit I admit, but again she was very loyal to Larsa and you had to admire that. Although perhaps a bit foolish trying to challenge Vayne when the odds were so clearly against her. Though she did have the guts to stand up to him, even though it cost her. She and Ghis represented the conscientious side of the Judges.

Zaargabath- he very much sat on the fence throughout the game. Though loyal to Vayne, he did not like the way things were going and how brutal Vayne was. Probably had the least storyline despite being there until the end. And again, where the hell did he go????

 

[Misty]

Ghis
I had best watch what I'm saying when Lisa's around xD Overall, he was quite an interesting character. I saw his actions on the Leviathan as secretive and they showed how he wanted to become more powerful than Vayne ("Blood alone does not an Emperor make, Vayne.") His talk of saddles and whips was nothing short of hooking and it was a shame to see him leave the story so quickly.

Damn right xP

I actually saw the potential of him becoming an ally, if he hadn't also had a short time in the game.

If anything, I don't think he'd become an ally. He had dreams/desires of his own, and wouldn't really associate himself with the main group probably.

Anyway, my thoughts:

Gabranth: Man with a lot of issues, with a deep hatred towards his brother. However, deep down inside, he was not evil, or cruel. He just lacked the strength to stand up to Vayne for things which we're quite clearly wrong. I believe that deep down inside he would have saved Drace, but if he were to rise against Vayne, both he and Drace would die. Then who would look after Larsa? Zargabaath? Not really the most physically/mentally strongest judge - I think he would follow the Empire even more like he usually would, and wouldn't disagree with any word.

Ghis: He had the potential to be a villain later on in the game. It was clear that though he appeared to support the Empire, he had wishes of his own to fulfill, and that was to become Emperor. He believed that he could challenge Vayne, and usurp him from his future position. I think he had charm, was intelligent, but a bit hasty - as you can tell by that Leviathan explosion. His voice is so darn awesome too <3

Bergan: If you were to compare this man to a dog, you'd call him a rabid pitbull. He was vicious - he had strength above that of any normal man, because of the whole being infused with nethicite dramaz. He probably craved more power then anybody else in the game. Despite him obviously being a really nasty person, he worshipped Reddas pretty much (we all know Reddas is pretty damn awesome) and had some awesome lines, plus the voice to go with it.
I'm a sucker for villains, so despite all of this above information, and the fact he threw Drace across the floor like a rag doll by grabbing her face...I loved him <3

Drace - The only one who stood up against Vayne, and for that action alone (the scene before her sad death), she is very commendable. She provided that much needed mother figure for Larsa, and would have made a great ally on the main group.

Zargabaath - The judge who really didn't stand out much. I reckon he was the male equivalent of Drace, but, less inclined to speak out because of fear of what would happen to him. He was honourable, but yeah, kinda needed to stand up more for what he saw was wrong. He was clearly upset when Vayne pretty much said that Drace had to be killed, but with his deep loyalty ties to the Empire, I suppose he didn't think that anything he said would change Vayne's mind.

 

[Soul Saver]

Gabranth- A troubled man who betrayed his country and his brother. Why did he join with the enemy? Perhaps he was just doing what he needed to survive. Anyhow, as has already been said, he had alot of issues. Thought he was good at heart, and more of a Darth Vader type character (minus the horrible scars).
After all, he vowed to protect Larsa.

Ghis- A worthy challenger, obviously with ambitions to get rid of Vayne. He was smart and even well-intentioned, given his offer to restore Ashe to the Dalmascan throne. I thought that his appearance was too short, and if he and his fleet weren't destroyed, he would have been a great challenger later on. He was planning something big, to use the Dawn Shard against Vayne. Interesting character.

Bergan- Aside from the killing spree and bloodlust, some of his intentions were actually quite admirable, as has been said before. To "bring the reins of history back into the hands of man". There really wasn't enough of this guy either.
He appears malicious when he's first introduced, yes, and believes in rule by force. His speech was awe-inspiring. He seemed quite unwise in augmenting himself with Nethicite, though. And slaying all those people, was that really neccessary? Perhaps in defiance against the Gods.

Drace- A matriarchal figure, with very good intentions and principles, but I think she was misguided to turn against Vayne, who seemed a pretty worthy and wise ruler.

Zargabaath- Not much to say about him, except that he believes strongly in upholding the law.