Franklin Perkin

thumb|Franklin threatening children after using them as material for an article Franklin Perkin is a cynical and morally ambiguous man whose anti-government beliefs are shaped by both ideological conviction and financial hardship. Bitter over the state of Ostania and frustrated by his circumstances, he makes a living by writing anti-Ostanian books and articles for underground publications distributed in Westalis. In order to gather material for his writings, Franklin is willing to manipulate situations and exploit others to support his narratives. In one instance, he deliberately throws a child's toy into a dumpster and photographs the children retrieving it in order to portray them as starving and impoverished. He later intimidates the children by threatening to report them to the SSS for supposedly embracing Western ideology. Despite his unethical behavior, Franklin is not portrayed as entirely malicious or insincere. Beneath his bitterness and opportunism, he displays signs of exhaustion, desperation, and genuine dissatisfaction with the country's condition. According to his father, Franklin previously jeopardized his newspaper career by insisting on "doing what's right." Franklin himself claims that he wants to make Ostania a better place for his family to live despite frequently resorting to dishonest and manipulative methods. thumb|left|Franklin accepts his fate Franklin is also shown to be calm and resigned when confronted with arrest. Upon seeing Yuri Briar and the SSS waiting outside his apartment to arrest him, he quickly accepts his fate and prepares himself to leave without resistance. Even while being handcuffed, he retains a critical view of the government and questions whether the true disgrace lies with those who oppose tyranny or those who enforce it. However, he remains appreciative when Yuri promises to arrange financial assistance for his father, sincerely thanking him before being escorted away.

Franklin Perkin is a tall, thin man with a gaunt face, droopy black eyes, and messy light brown hair. He has noticeable stubble along his chin and jawline, giving him a worn and fatigued appearance. His eyes are typically half-lidded, often accompanied by a tense or uneasy expression, and he frequently carries himself with a slight slouch. He wears a navy blue jacket with a light shearling collar over a plaid button-up shirt, along with light-colored pants and dark shoes. He is also shown carrying a small bag during his appearance. His overall appearance is plain and somewhat disheveled, reflecting his exhausted and financially strained condition. In the past, he had shorter hair.