Garland

The evil knight whose kidnapping of Princess Sarah sparks the journey of the Warriors of Light.

Garland is the first major antagonist encountered by the four youths known as the Warriors of Light in Final Fantasy. He appears early in the game's narrative within the Kingdom of Coneria, where he has abducted Princess Sarah. His defeat allows the King of Coneria to construct a bridge, enabling the heroes to travel east toward Pravoka and continue their quest to restore light to the world's four elemental crystals.

Quick Facts

Role: Primary Antagonist
First appears: Final Fantasy (1987)
Status: Defeated

Lore & Background

Garland serves as the initial obstacle for the Warriors of Light, who each carry one of the four darkened elemental crystals. He operates out of the ruined Temple of Chaos before his capture. After the Warriors of Light rescue Princess Sarah from him, the King of Coneria builds a bridge that lets them travel east. This structure is essential for the Warriors' progression eastward to Pravoka, where they must liberate the town from pirates. Garland's role is strictly defined by this early confrontation, setting the stage for the heroes to acquire a ship and embark on their delivery quests along the Aldi Sea.

Reader's Guide

To progress past Garland, players must form a party of four characters from six available classes: Fighter, Thief, Black Belt, Red Mage, White Mage, and Black Mage. Combat is menu-based and turn-based; the player selects actions like Attack, Magic, or Item until one side flees or is defeated. Victory grants experience points (to increase levels up to fifty) and Gil. Upon defeating Garland in Coneria, the game advances by unlocking the bridge to Pravoka. Players should ensure their party has sufficient healing items, such as potions for ailments like poison, and Tents or Cabins available on the world map to restore health and save progress before engaging him.

Did You Know?

The game was originally conceived under the working title Fighting Fantasy before trademark issues and Square's dire circumstances prompted a name change.
By March 2003, all versions of Final Fantasy had sold a combined two million copies worldwide.
Final Fantasy was the first game to show player characters on the right side of the screen and enemies on the left, rather than using a first-person view.