Editing Final Fantasy VI (section)

===Setting===
Instead of the strictly [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[fantasy]] settings featured in previous ''Final Fantasy'' titles, ''Final Fantasy VI'' is set in a world that also has prominent [[steampunk]] influences. The structure of society is similar to that of the latter half of the 19th century, with [[opera]] and the [[fine art]]s serving as recurring motifs throughout the game,<ref name="NPC in Jidor">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy III |developer=Square Co |publisher=Square Soft |date=1994-10-11 |platform=Super NES |quote='''(NPC in Jidoor)''' You like art? No? Philistines!}}</ref> and a level of technology comparable to that of the [[Second Industrial Revolution]]. During the first half of the game, the planet is referred to as the World of Balance, and is divided into three lush continents. The northern continent is punctuated by a series of mountain ranges, the southern continent has been mostly subjugated by the cruel Gestahl Empire, and the eastern continent is home to the Veldt, a massive wilderness inhabited by monsters from all over the world. An apocalyptic event mid-game transforms the planet into the World of Ruin; its withering landmasses are fractured into numerous islands surrounding a larger continent.

The game alludes to a conflict known as the "War of the Magi", which occurred one thousand years prior to the beginning of the game. In this conflict, three quarreling entities known as the "Warring Triad" used innocent humans as soldiers by transforming them into enslaved magical beings called Espers. The Triad realized their wrongdoings; they freed the espers and sealed their own powers inside three stone statues.<ref name="Statues">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy III |developer=Square Co |publisher=Square Soft |date=1994-10-11 |platform=Super NES|quote='''Left statue:''' The birth of magic... three goddesses were banished here. In time they began quarreling, which led to all-out war. Those unlucky humans who got in the way were transformed to Espers, and used as living war machines. / '''Right Statue:''' The goddesses finally realized that they were being laughed at by those who had banished them here. In a rare moment of mutual clarity, they agreed to seal themselves away from the world. With their last ounce of energy they gave the Espers back their own free will, and then transformed themselves... ...into stone. Their only request was that the Espers keep them sealed away from all eternity. / '''Center Statue:''' The Espers created these statues as a symbol of their vow to let the goddesses sleep in peace. The Espers have sworn to keep the goddesses' power from being abused.}}</ref> As a precaution, the espers sealed off both the statues and themselves from the realm of humans. The concept of magic gradually faded to myth as mankind built a society extolling science and technology.<ref name="Game opening">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy III |developer=Square Co |publisher=Square Soft |date=1994-10-11 |platform=Super NES |quote='''(Game opening)''' Long ago, the War of the Magi reduced the world to a scorched wasteland, and magic simply ceased to exist. 1000 years have passed... Iron, gunpowder and steam engines have been rediscovered, and high technology reigns...}}</ref> At the game's opening, the Empire has taken advantage of the weakening barrier between the human and esper domains, capturing several espers in the process. Using these espers as a power source, the Empire has created "Magitek", a craft that combines magic with machinery (including [[mecha|mechanical infantry]]) and infuses humans with magical powers.<ref name="Magitek Armor">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy III |developer=Square Co |publisher=Square Soft |date=1994-10-11 |platform=Super NES |quote='''(Soldier)''' Open up! Give us back the girl and the Empire's Magitek Armor!}}</ref> The Empire is opposed by the Returners, a rebel organization seeking to free the subjugated lands.