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Since I'm quite an FF6 nut I've been coming up with weird questions. Since this game does take place in what seems to be the latter half of the 19th century of Europe, this one question came to my mind:

Is Relm a gypsy?

?!

Her clothing style: Pretty gypsy-ish.

Thamasa town theme: Pretty gypy-ish in my opinion.

Well?! ?!

I think Strago was pimping her out... Why would would he allow her to dress that way? If it really is 19th century Europe, girls that age were doing all types on inappropriate-ness back then.

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Sabin: Kefka! Wait!
Kefka: Wait he says! Do I look like a waiter?

She and Locke, and others I can't remember right now, are definitely sporting the travelling gypsy look. It's one of the many reasons why the styles of FFVI are so brilliant! I think Biggs, Wedge and Jessie in FFVII achieved a pretty fine travelling people image as well.

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Scepticism, that dry rot of the intellect, had not left one entire idea in his mind.

Me on the Starcraft.

She looks more like little red riding hood to me, although I judge appearances based on the most commonly used in-game appearance, as opposed to the conceptual art. It just makes more sense to me, to judge based on the product we actually get to see during the course of the game, as opposed to more unsettled dust in the ground, even if that final appearance is due to graphical limitations. It is how we're introduced to them after-all and these limitations are a large part of why many characters look the way they do. Take Mario for instance. If it was easier to draw his hair, or if they could make arms look more visible against a like-color shirt, or if they could've drawn noses better with such small sprites, he'd not have the trademark look he has today.

Anyway, I'm no expert on the subject but gypsies are nomadic and sometimes dishonest outcasts aren't they? Although her conceptual clothing may vaguely match the part, Thamasa itself seems to be far too stable of a settlement for her to meet the standard definition. I'm uncertain about others but I think Thamasa has more of the atmosphere of a self-sufficient, if not somewhat rural town or perhaps at a stretch, a rather xenophobic civilization, as opposed to a band of wandering folks who have nowhere to really go. Come to think of it, I'd personally be more inclined to believe that Lone Wolf and his wandering band of thieves come much closer to filling the traditionally portrayed gypsy role than the Thamasans ever will.

Gogo does comes close and he while he does share the same in-game fashion sense as Strago and Relm, Kefka and Owzer who're both a far cry from living the gypsy lifestyle, also have similar tastes. This says nothing of Relm's conceptual clothing, but it does suggest that Relm's wardrobe may not be all that unusual by the game's standards. Then again, we don't see any other children wearing such clothing either, which while a bit odd, could be chalked up to NPC sprite reuse.

Quote (Bum Rush Blitzer)

I think Strago was pimping her out... Why would would he allow her to dress that way? If it really is 19th century Europe, girls that age were doing all types on inappropriate-ness back then.

Lol, Strago the Pimp. I've gotta remember that one. It's kinda funny but yeah... I somehow doubt it's a very successful venture, if his only harlot is somebody even Edgar the womanizer considers unapproachable... yeah...

This post has been edited by Tonepoet on 7th December 2009 21:16

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Role reversal at its finest.

Relm isn't a gypsy. Relm's a pictomancer. Usually the closest thing to gypsies in JRPGs are travelling entertainers, and as Tonepoet quite thoroughly discussed, FF6 doesn't have much in that vein, and few itenerant groups at all.

I'm not sure how people get from steampunk undertones to 19th century cultural values, but if that's the standard you want to apply, then Relm's character design would look pretty scandalous. Hell, we have unflattering names for prepubescent girls who wear tube tops today.

This post has been edited by Shiva Indis on 7th December 2009 14:59

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"Cavefish is delicious, but only if cooked."

Gypsies being nomadic and dishonest is a stereotype really.. although thats the definition of the word "gypsie" itself being a travelling type for the most part. The dishonest/thieves is stereotype. I dunno about her not being a Roma Gypsie though. Her baggy pants and top do kinda match to Roma Gypsies. Roma being the Romani people from India.. but she's not Roma Indian so... ah well all I can say is that I feel that there is some sort of inspiration behind it. I dont know where you got Kefka being a gypsy because he certain doesn't look it in my opinion

Added: Her hat makes her unique! xD

This post has been edited by deepblue on 14th December 2009 00:12

Well, one thing that is similar about the people of Thamasa is that they keep to themselves (you notice this when you first enter the town), and are pretty secretive about their magic, and Gypsies are known to have an esoteric cultural/social structure, or at least keep that part of their lives to themselves for the most part, and though it may just be a stereotype, they are also widely viewed as having associations to magic practices.

I totally agree with Tonepoet on the "sprite vs. concept art" perception of the characters. Unfortunately, it seems the makers of the FF series don't seem to (at least the re-makers), which I find slightly dissappointing. I remember first seeing the cutscenes in the anthology version, and being like "who the heck is that? It's Celes! No, THAT's Celes... Then the other one's... some sort of Terra/Celes mixture? Wtf?".

This post has been edited by finalalias on 14th December 2009 18:08

Quote (Shiva Indis @ 7th December 2009 09:48)

I'm not sure how people get from steampunk undertones to 19th century cultural values, but if that's the standard you want to apply, then Relm's character design would look pretty scandalous.

The majority of the backdrop of the game is of Steampunk and 19th Century Victoriana (Edit: Well Europe in general not overtly Victoriana ^^;)soo.. yeah you're right. People at the time consider the way Gypsy women dressed to be scandalous anyway.

Also, what do you call that thing she's wearing on her head in her concept art again? xD I was thinking bandana but I could be wrong I personally felt that was an absolutely on the spot Gypsy interpretation of some sort.

This post has been edited by deepblue on 15th December 2009 18:29

personally... she's herself...

but i do think that to some bit of an retrospect.