Father James

Father James Ballard is a major supporting character in the 2016 Hangar 13 video game Mafia III, and deuteragonist in the DLC Sign of the Times. He's a priest at Saint Michelle's Orphanage and spiritual advisor to protagonist Lincoln Clay. When Lincoln's adoptive family is killed by the Marcano Crime Family, and he seeks vengeance against Sal Marcano, Father James assumes the role of a moral compass, consistently urging restraint and discouraging Lincoln from pursing revenge.
Father James embodies the ideals of goodness and redemption in Lincoln's life, serving as a constant reminder that even the most hardened individuals can find redemption. This stands in stark contrast to Lincoln's close friend and ally, John Donovan, a former CIA operative and war veteran, who actively supports Lincoln's quest for vengeance against the Marcanos.
He was voiced and motion captured by Gordon Greene. 
==Biography==
===Background===
James Ballad served as a medic during World War II in the all-black Third Platoon, Company C, of the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion in the U.S. Army. Following the war, he held various jobs briefly before pursuing a calling to the seminary. Upon completing his seminary education, Bishop Jenkins assigned him to Saint Michelle's Orphanage, where he crossed paths with Lincoln Clay as a young boy. In 1958, when the orphanage ceased operations, Father James was reassigned to Saint Jerome's Catholic Church, where he continued his service until his retirement in 2002. 
===Lincoln's Return from Vietnam===
Lincoln is eventually adopted by the Robinsons, a family who helps run the Black Mob. Many years later, he decides to join the military during the Vietnam War. After serving in the military, Lincoln returns to New Bordeaux and reunites with the Robinsons. Unfortunately, Sammy's Black Mob faces financial troubles due to the Haitian Mob's interference and debt to Sal Marcano, affecting their black lottery profits. After Lincoln eliminates the Haitian Mob's leader, Baka, Sal offers Lincoln Sammy's position, which he declines. Instead, Lincoln collaborates with Giorgi to execute a successful heist on the Federal Reserve.
However, Sal betrays the Black Mob, killing Sammy and Lincoln's friends, and burning down Sammy's restaurant. Lincoln survives a gunshot to the head, thanks to Father James pulling him from the fire and nursing him back to health over the course of several months. Upon recovering, he seeks help from Donovan, who uses his resources to gather intelligence on the Marcano Crime Family. Lincoln's mission extends beyond seeking vengeance against Sal Marcano; it involves systematically dismantling Marcano's criminal empire while forming a new family of his own in the process.
===Escorting Alvarez to Safety===
Alvarez, a skilled Cuban engraver, was coerced into counterfeiting money for Sal Marcano. In his home country, the communist regime also compelled him to forge American currency as part of an economic scheme against the United States. After the successful Federal Reserve heist, Sal obtained money plates but lacked the ability to counterfeit on his own. Consequently, Tommy Marcano, Sal's brother, hired Alvarez for this task. However, Lincoln Clay learned of the plates and Alvarez's involvement through Frank Pagani. Unfortunately, Lincoln's opportunity to reach Alvarez was thwarted when Tommy assigned him to counterfeiting work just moments before Lincoln's attack on Pagani's Fine Motors.
In response, Lincoln took control of the Southdowns district, causing Alvarez to flee due to both neighborhood violence and distrust of the Marcanos. Seeking escape, Alvarez contacted his uncle Zarraga, expressing a desire to return to Cuba. However, unbeknownst to Alvarez, Zarraga had ties to the Marcanos and promptly informed them of his nephew's whereabouts. Alvarez found refuge at the Anderson Bay Lighthouse but was ambushed by a small group of Marcano's hitmen. Fortunately, Lincoln arrived in time to rescue him, and despite initial hesitation, Alvarez chose to flee the area with Lincoln. They managed to escape a squad of Marcano hitmen and took shelter at Father James' church.
Recognizing the imminent danger posed by Sal Marcano's relentless pursuit, Lincoln sought Father James' assistance in getting Alvarez out of New Bordeaux. Despite initial reluctance, Father James agreed to help and mentioned a Jesuit contact in New Mexico who specialized in aiding individuals in such dire situations.
=== Lincoln's Fate===
====Rule Together Ending====
After Sal Marcano's death, Lincoln and his underbooses took control of New Bordeaux. But Lincoln didn't stop there; he expanded his influence into other southern regions like Florida and the Carolinas, becoming incredibly rich. He used his wealth wisely, sharing it with the right people to secure their loyalty.
As a mob boss, he spent his wealth generously, fixing up Delray Hollow, buying Frisco Fields, and reopening Baron Saturday's Fun Park. He also donated money to charities, schools, and hospitals. However, with all that money came temptations, and Lincoln got involved in drugs, alcohol, and prostitution to make even more money. Sadly, his choice to stay in New Bordeaux and run his criminal empire cost him the one person who truly cared about him—Father James.
====Rule Alone Ending====
After betraying and killing his underbosses, Lincoln leaves Eaglehurst Plantation. As he starts his car, it suddenly catches fire and explodes, killing him instantly. Father James, realizing that Lincoln had become no different from Sal Marcano due to his actions, had planted a bomb under the car. The Father doesn't regret this because of what Lincoln had turned into.
Agent Maguire thought that a car bomb was too easy for someone who had done so much wrong. Father James identified Lincoln's body, which left some doubt in Maguire's mind. Years later, he sometimes hears sounds upstairs that resemble combat boots, but he knows it's just the old house making noises. Still, when it happens, he can't help but wonder if it's Lincoln Clay returning to take what's left of his life.
====Leave New Bordeaux Ending====
After Sal Marcano's death, Lincoln Clay vanished, causing the FBI to lower their priority on his case. Agent Maguire, however, maintained an active file. In 1971, he traced Lincoln to a shipyard in California, where Lincoln was using a different name. Unfortunately, by the time Maguire arrived, Lincoln had disappeared again. The trail grew cold, and by '77 or '78, Maguire assumed Lincoln was dead. However, he received reports of someone matching Lincoln's description working with the Colombians, and occasional sightings occurred in the following years. Maguire remains convinced that one day Lincoln will stop running or make a mistake, and he'll be there waiting for him.
Lincoln did make it to California and worked at the shipyards for a while. He even met a woman, and it seemed like they might get married, but their relationship fell apart. Afterward, he began moving around, visiting Alaska, New York, South America, and even Vietnam. Father James still receives postcards from him occasionally, leading him to believe that Lincoln struggled to accept the world as it is and his place in it.
==Personality==
Father James is characterized by his strong sense of morality and compassion. He serves as a spiritual guide and confidant to Lincoln and is deeply committed to his faith and values, often trying to steer Lincoln away from a path of vengeance and violence. He believes in the inherent goodness of people and tries to help Lincoln find alternatives to his quest for revenge. Despite his reservations about Lincoln's actions, Father James remains a loyal friend who ultimately cares about Lincoln's well-being. His personality reflects a conflict between his desire to do what is morally right and his concern for Lincoln's safety in a dangerous criminal underworld.
==Quotes==
==Gallery==
Father James 6.webp|Father James nursing Lincoln back to health.
Father James 4.webp|Lincoln and Father James have a talk.
Top-10-Mafia-3-Characters-Older-Father-James-780x439.jpg.webp|An older Father James on the Lincoln Clay documentary.
Father James 3.webp|A young Father James as a medic in WWII.
Mafia-iii-2017-nb.jpeg|Father James in the "Sign of the Times" DLC.
==External Links==
*Father James on the Heroic Benchmark Wiki
*Father James on the Mafia Wiki
Category:Male
Category:Video Game Heroes
Category:Friend of a Villain
Category:Priests
Category:Honorable
Category:Selfless
Category:Lawful Good
Category:Hope Bringers
Category:Determinators
Category:Protectors
Category:Chaste
Category:Tragic
Category:Honest
Category:Nurturers
Category:Optimists
Category:Pacifists
Category:Role Models
Category:Truth-Seekers
Category:Soul Searchers
Category:Anti-Heroes
Category:Officials