There’s a proud legacy of Final Fantasy dragoons. From Kain in Final Fantasy 4 and Cid in Final Fantasy 7 to Freya in Final Fantasy 9 and Estinien in Final Fantasy 14, it's clear how big of an impact this character archetype has had on each individual entry and the franchise as a whole. That applies to the latest game too, where The key dragoon is Dion Lesage, Dominant of Bahamut in Final Fantasy 16.
SPOILERS AHEADDion is more than a dragoon, however. He’s a prince, he’s a tragic hero, he’s a beacon of righteousness for his people, and he’s the first openly gay Final Fantasy main character. His portrayal covers all these factors as equal in his being, each just a part of the greater sum that Dion represents in Final Fantasy 16’s story. The man who brought him to life, Stewart Clarke, spoke to Game ZXC about the experience. The following transcript has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: As a player, what was it like seeing Dion's story unfold?
A: I’ll be honest straight off the bat, I don’t currently have a PS5 so I haven’t been able to play it! I’ve been watching the story unfold via streamers (shout out to Esfand, Hollow, and RogersBase who I watched most of it through). It was almost more fun doing it that way as I was able to experience all the gut-wrenching story beats with the streamers and their chat which was great fun! My birthday is coming up though so maybe it’s time to bite the bullet and get the new console… it’s a great excuse!
Q: As the actor, what insight can you share into who Dion is?
A: I love to hook onto adjectives about a character that immediately jump out from a script and it was so obvious so quickly with Dion. He’s the epitome of dutiful, wedded to his people and what his Kingdom expects of him. He’s such a good man at heart, trying desperately to do the best possible thing in any given moment but functionally betrayed by a system and region that consistently acts in their own self-interests. It was so satisfying to see him eventually ally himself with Clive, despite everything, as the pair really do share so much in terms of their desire to do right by other people. Dion is so selfless, whether on a micro scale with his lover or on a macro Empire-spanning scale, taking constant risks priming into Bahamut despite the cost to his health. I’d say one of the most fun aspects to play from an acting perspective was his frighteningly passionate inner conflict in the scenes with his father, battling the hierarchy and honor he feels he has to uphold versus the very real instinct that his father has begun acting against the futures of the very people he is meant to serve.
Q: What was it like representing the first openly gay main character in a Final Fantasy game?
A: An enormous honor and a tremendous responsibility. I was so excited reading the script to portray this aspect of Dion and to treat it with the respect and truth I wanted to bring to the rest of the role. Dion is not defined by his sexuality, but it is an undeniable part of him, and his relationship with Terence is another heartbreaking example of Dion’s ability to put others above himself and his own happiness. It’s so exciting and important to have characters like Dion, who are not coded, where their sexuality is not ‘up for interpretation’, it’s simply a fact. Everyone deserves to be seen in the media they enjoy.
Q: What was your favorite scene to experience as an actor on Final Fantasy 16?
A: From a pure spectacle, I would say the actual fight with Bahamut. I didn’t have any spoken lines during that scene, so had only seen the build-up and aftermath during recording. Seeing that whole sequence play out was unreal. I also really appreciated seeing the final version of the Dion/Terence parting scene. They were able to capture so much of our facial work in that scene which was very gratifying as there was a lot of unspoken subtext! Then they had to go and play Dion’s theme over the whole thing. Cue the waterworks!
Q: How significant did it feel to get to embody an iconic Final Fantasy dragoon?
A: Unbelievable. The audition process around video games is incredibly secretive–everything has code names, so you never fully know what you’re auditioning for! When I booked the job and got the full brief through, I realized I was playing not only a Dragoon but a dominant of Bahamut himself?! I lost my mind. I’ve been a huge Final Fantasy fan since I was a teen, and other than Black Mage, there is arguably no more iconic Job in the franchise! Truly an honor to join the illustrious ranks occupied by legends like Kain and Estinien.
Q: Dion has a lot of complex relationships in the game, such as with his father. How did this aspect of his character impact your approach to him?
A: Dion’s relationship with his father is so tragic. He loves his father dearly and clearly respects the man he was, but as is the way in life, sometimes you have to acknowledge that the person you knew no longer exists and the new version is one you feel very differently about. A line that really hit hard for Dion was “For better or worse, His Radiance speaks his own mind.” Imagine seeing your father succumbing to a dark path, and wishing you could explain it away with something as simple as malicious magic. Life is rarely so convenient.
Q: Dion seems to really care for the medicine girl who heals him. How does he view her?
A: Medicine Girl reflects the countless people Dion was supposed to be protecting, when he ended up doing entirely the opposite. Seeing the reality of her life, coupled with the kindness she shows him is what allows Dion to continue into the final act. He was ready to die there in the Dominion, collapsed amongst the wreckage of a broken Kingdom. He can’t give back the lives he took (as evidenced by that beautiful shot of the lanterns and the mourners in Medicine Girl’s hut), but he can do right by at least the Girl who helped him directly, and do his best to ensure the survival of the rest of Valisthea, whatever the personal cost.
Q: Can you dive into the dynamics of Dion's relationship with Terence?
A: Terence and Dion were childhood friends, and that grew very naturally into something more. It seems like this only became a problem when Dion was elevated above Terence by rank and the military chain of command became something that separated them. There’s something beautiful about the fact that Terence found his way to becoming Dion’s right-hand man, as it still allows them those moments of intimacy in the command tent where you can see the tenderness and love they feel for each other. Terence, desperate to protect Dion, Dion gently rebuffing him and putting the Kingdom above their own desires. There’s a specificity as well when they blur the lines of master and servant. I found the simple “Thank You” Dion responds with when Terence assures him that he’s with him for the ‘Dragoon Coup’ so much more than a simple commander acknowledging his advisor. It’s Dion, for the briefest of moments, allowing himself to unburden his duty, and connect with his lover, so as to feel not quite so alone in his struggle. It was a very meaningful line for me!
Q: Is it fair to say that, in an ideal world, Dion, Terence, and the medicine girl would be a family? Or how do you interpret those scenes?
A: I don’t think Dion would have allowed himself to think about having a family when his sole focus was serving the Empire. It might have put too much strain on his ability to Prime with little regard for his own safety. However, I think Dion and Terence would make wonderful fathers and in an ideal world they’d be incredibly lucky to have someone as endlessly kind and resourceful as Medicine Girl as their daughter! I have to imagine Terence has the wherewithal to get Medicine Girl far away from Twinside before the appearance of Origin, and with Dion or not, they are making the best of their life in the new Valisthea.
Q: How has the massive fan reaction and love for Dion affected you?
A: It’s been wonderful to hear about how many people have connected with Dion, in all his complexities. He’s a true tragic hero, and it’s been incredibly exciting to receive so many messages about how touched or affected people have been by his arc in the game! As I thought when reading the script, he’s a character who suggests a rich history even in the limited time we spend with him. If enough people care about him, maybe we’ll get to see more of it! Here’s looking at Square Enix, ha!
Q: Any fun behind-the-scenes stories you'd like to share?
A: I could never pronounce Greagor EVERY single time it came up in the script, and Dion says it so much! Thank goodness for the pronunciation archive that the team kept on everything Valisthean. Even now, I’m not sure…is it Greegor? Graygor? Groogor?!
Q: Is there anything else about your time with Dion and FF16 you'd like to talk about?
A: I just wish we’d seen semi-primed Dion Bahamut form at some point. Fan artists, hit me with your interpretations!
[End]
Final Fantasy 16 is available on PS5.
