Category:Esthar Garden

Esthar Garden is one of the three Garden military facilities, currently located in the region of the same name. It was formerly known as Galbadia Garden, and was the second Garden founded. It was founded in May 2140, one year before the founding of Trabia Garden. The current Headmaster of Esthar Garden is Liam Jacob Bayloh.The current SeeD Commander and also head of site security is Seifer Almasy.

Esthar Garden is part of the Garden Organization, as founded by Cid Kramer. It is also a part of the O.S.I.R.I.S Information Storage Network.

Esthar Garden's main complex.

Background

Esthar Garden, then known as Galbadia Garden, was founded in June 2140 by Cid Kramer, who had also founded Balamb Garden a year earlier as a means of countering the power of Sorceresses should the need arise. Differences between Balamb Garden and Galbadia Garden were noticeable and vast almost immediately from inception - the Headmaster and Garden Master, Martine, developed Galbadia Garden's SeeD program to rely on firearms and standard military tactics instead of the Guardian Force based combat system that Balamb relied upon.

In 2151, the Garden would find itself in combat with a Sorceress - ironically, the wife of Cid Kramer herself, Sorceress Edea, who had received powers from Ultimecia, a Sorceress from the future. Edea, having control of most of the Galbadian province proper, assumed control of Galbadia Garden as her base of operations and left a brainwashed Seifer Almasy in control of the Garden after Martine fled to Fisherman's Horizon. Soon after, Balamb and Galbadia Gardens would clash, leaving Balamb victorious, Galbadia Garden's population in shambles, and Edea defeated and stripped of her powers - powers which went to Rinoa Heartilly. Seifer fled, leaving the Garden without a Headmaster until shortly after, when Martine returned from Fisherman's Horizon to reclaim command, a position he held for over a year more.

Galbadia would shortly thereafter find itself in an investigation that culminated in Martine's removal and Angel being inducted as the new Headmaster. Galbadia Garden split with the Galbadian province soon after, renaming itself to Esthar Garden and finding shelter within Estharian borders by decree of Laguna Loire.

Garden Population

Esthar Garden's population is the largest of the three Gardens by far, having nearly twice the population of Trabia Garden. The military tactics and conventions at Esthar Garden, along with its contracts with the Estharian military, gave it a large appeal to future soldiers.

Population Breakdown:

• Total Students: 15,000 (100%)
  • Full-Time Students: 8,250 (55%)
  • Cadets: 4,500 (30%)
  • SeeD: 2,250 (15%)

Locations

Esthar Garden is located in the plains just north of the capital city.

The building itself is similar to the design of Balamb Garden, in that it manages to house everything in one structure, while allowing the maximum amount of people allowed in such a structure. The first floor is dedicated to physically-intensive activities, as well as the training dojos and weapons ranges. The cafeteria is located on this floor as well, giving an expansive view of the plains of Esthar. Also located on this floor is the vehicle garage and the Salamander launch bay.

The second floor is dedicated to classrooms, as well as offices for instructors and staff. The most notable feature is the library, which while not comparing to the Arkives at Trabia Garden, is expansive and was designed with easy access in mind. Not to be forgotten, is the hanger bay for the fighters which are the primary air defense for Esthar Garden. It also has multiple easy-access ports which allow for quick defense/offense, as demonstrated in the battle against Sin.

The third floor is largely filled by the Command Center, remodeled after the Sorceress Conflict by Headmaster Martine. His insight allowed for a massive yet functional center in which all aspects of Garden were easily accessible. Also on this floor are the Garden Master's Office, located off to the side and just above the command center, and the Garden Security Officer's office. Both are connected directly to the command center, as the Security Officer is often considered the second in command of Garden, and both him and the Garden Master would need quick access to the Command Center.

When grounded at home, the Garden is surrounded by main areas used for training, but most notable is the sniper range approximately four miles away, safely outside the perimeter of the capital.

SeeD

The backbone of the Garden system proper, SeeD are highly trained mercenaries, adaptable to a wide range of combat situations. Each Garden, however, does have a specialty training regime; Esthar Garden trains SeeD in the enhanced use of military tactics and weaponry in combat, making it akin to an entire army of special forces units.

Night Riders

The Night Riders are Esthar Garden's counterpart to Balamb Garden's First Team and Trabia Garden's Black SeeD program. Made up of only a few members, they are each high-level special operatives capable of finishing a mission considered too dangerous for even normal SeeD members to attempt.

Ranking and Command Structure

Ranking Structure

Command Structure

Esthar Garden maintains a fairly large base of staff to command the Garden's various duties. The two most important figures are the Headmaster, responsible for carrying out political and economic decisions for the Garden system, and the Garden SeeD Commander, who holds decisions over SeeD forces, training, and missions. Both of these offices work in conjunction, often advising the other in order to effectively maintain the Garden's high state of efficiency.

Garden Headmaster

The Headmaster is responsible for maintaining political contacts, overseeing that Garden operations are carried out, and approving/declining contracts, among other things. The Headmaster serves a term of no more than 8 years, but can be re-elected indefinitely.

The current Garden Headmaster is Liam Jacob Bayloh.

Garden SeeD Commander

The SeeD Commander of Garden directs and oversees the day-to-day trappings of SeeD training and operations. Often an instructor or a department head, the SeeD Commander is elected based upon diplomatic skill, administrative capability, and military judgment, and serves for 4 years, but can be re-elected indefinitely. In Esthar Garden, he or she is considered second in command, as the command structure of Esthar Garden defers to the Headmaster first, unlike the other two Gardens.

The current Garden SeeD Commander is Seifer Almasy.

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