I think I will start off with characters.
During their journey, Lark and Schala will come to lead a prerequisite ragtag group of misfits (party members). But let's start these bios with our heroine first.
For official characters, things such as birthdays (unless proven othwise by official materials and the like) will be left to my discretion. Also, I hope the weights of everyone are realistic.
Edit: Information that changes as the story moves forward is put within parenthesis.
Edit: I am in the middle of writing out general outlines for the party's roles in the four Acts, as well as their final fates in the main endings. SPOILERS ABOUND!
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Full Name: Schala Zeal
Gender: Female
Occupation: Amnesiac Maiden (Princess of Zeal/Queen of Medina)
Origin: (Kingdom of Zeal)
Age: 23 (26 by the end of the story)
Birthdate: March 3
Species: Human
Home Time: (2400 AD/12,000 BC/1230 AD)
Home Area: Wandering (Medina)
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 143 lbs.
Hair Color: Silver White (Teal Blue in the True Ending)
Eye Color: Green
Build: Slender
Hand: Ambidextrous
Weapon Type: Dual Dagger/Sword
Innate Element: All
General Overview: A young woman with no recollection of her past. Her exotic features and perpetually forlorn expression give her a rather icy first impression, belying her kind heart and compassionate demeanor. However, there are times where she can be impatient and stubborn, making her appear standoffish at times. To see her smile is a rare thing, but when she does, the moment is said to be something to cherish.
In battle however, she seems to transform as all sense of compassion disappears. She becomes overly aggressive, with no regard for her personal safety. It's almost as if, unconsciously, she holds no value for her own life.
The reasons for this may be locked within the deepest depths of her memories...
It is revealed later on that Schala did not survive her separation from the Time Devourer unscathed. She had spent so long bonded to the creature than the Chrono Cross could not separate them completely. She is now a living fragment of Lavos, and like all good parasites, as long a even a single fragment exists, Lavos cannot be completely destroyed.
Upon reawakening her memories, Schala changes completely. She becomes far more submissive, and shies away from battle. Blaming herself for the deaths of Chrono and many others, she unconsciously desires her own destruction, and doesn't understand or see the value of her own life. Combined with being a living extension of Lavos, she tends to take unnecessary and often fatal risks. Only time will tell to see if this changes while among comrades...
History: In ancient times, Schala was the daughter of Alphard and Samaele Creojeanne, and princess of the ancient kingdom of Zeal. As a child, she was never able to sit still, was naturally inquisitive, and was never afraid to speak her mind, much to her mother's exasperation.
Everything changed however, when her father discovered the Frozen Flame within an ancient seabed, and her mother changing for the worst under its influence. Desperate, Schala stole into the inner sanctums of Zeal intending to destroy the Flame, hoping that doing so would bring the Queen back to her senses. However, she underestimated the Flame's hold on her mother, and was attacked, with her father forced to step in. The battle between King and Queen ended in a draw, but one last spell was aimed at Schala. With one act of sacrifice, King Alphard Zeal was slain in front of her... And Schala soon enough became the next Arbiter of the Frozen Flame.
Schala was never the same since then, a shadow of her former self, if even that. She blamed herself for her father's death. She never told anyone what had happened, so her long periods of silence or crying fits in her chambers were merely seen as mourning. As her mother's madness and cruelty continued, there were times Schala tried to speak out, but memories of what happened back then would paralyze her, making her submissive and easy to manipulate. Her kindness towards others remained, but even that was tempered by guilt.
However, everyone had a breaking point. As the people of Zeal reveled in their own self-glory, a quiet anger slowly built up in Schala. Anger she never previously acted upon, as she believed her father would never want her to to hate others. But in the end, hate she did. Under torture and threat of death in the Ocean Palace, for one single instant, she wished hubris and suffering upon those who thought themselves better than others. This one single moment would bring the destruction of the ancient kingdom and the first death of Chrono...
But Fate was not finished with her. Unable to live with what she had done, she was prepared to die in the collapsing Ocean Palace, but she had failed in her role as Arbiter, and was pulled into the Tessaract by a dying Lavos. For countless ages, she was fused to the creature, stewing in her own guilt and self-hatred. One day, she suddenly heard the cries of a young Serge, bringing her back to her senses for a brief moment. In that moment, using a fragment of her own life essence as a base, she created a daughter-clone, and sent her into the mists of time. Thus, Kid and Serge would become the instruments for her release... but not in the way she intended.
Freed from the creature she was, and the other reason for Kid's creation became apparent: She and Kid would merge along with the two realities. In the process, Schala would cease to exist as she wished... but so would Kid, becoming a life that was both, yet neither. Serge would not allow this, having fallen for Kid, not Schala. Left behind in the Tesseract, distraught, Schala made a desperate act as she was once more swallowed in time.
In the year 2480 AD, a young woman with no memories of her past would be found in the outskirts of Porre...
Act 1 - After her disastrous arrival in the year 1227 AD, Schala proceeded to accept a job to steal the Sun Stone from Porre, where she would meet Lark. After escaping from the city, she is invited to join the Zweibreicht Company by Glenn. During the mission at Zenan Bridge, she recognizes the Warmech that killed her surrogate family in the future and destroys it. This creates a new future where Roas and the others survive. Her secrecy regarding her mission eventually earns the suspicion, and later ire, of Lark. In the Zeal Ruins, she begins having flashbacks to her true past. After a confrontation with Dalton, she runs away into what used to be the throne room. She would encounter, of all things, a weakened fragment of Lavos, her memories reawakening as a result. The sudden influx of information sends her into a complete mental breakdown, attacking a group of 'Lavos Bits' with reckless abandon. Unfortunately, her mania fades to reveal that instead of Lavos Bits, she had attacked her friends, and she becomes numb with shock and horror...
Act 2 - Awakening in Manoria, Schala's personality reverts to the weak and submissive girl of old, her guilt compounded by her actions in the ruins. After a rough 'reunion' with Magil, she can only watch helplessly as Lark becomes the next Arbiter of the Frozen Flame, going mad by it's power. When Glenn begins his campaign to kill Lark, in the end, she is eventually the only one who believes Lark could still be saved. In this case, her beliefs were correct.
After being taken to Chronopolis, Schala is captured by Yarlen Shald, who tries to merge her with a mature Lavos Spawn. She is saved by a repentant Lark. When the group gets stuck at the End of Time, she stands reluctantly firm to protect Lark from the enigmatic Kale...
Act 3 - After six months in Termina, Schala finally begins coming out of her shell. During an infiltration mission in Viper Manor, she begins feeling something other than camaraderie for Lark. However, a mission in Terra Tower forces her to confront her role in Zeal's destruction, and she becomes withdrawn once more. When Porre attacks Viper Manor, Schala sacrifices herself to stop the corrupted Diana Vaal, tired of watching others die to protect her and seeing no value in her own life.
Schala remains comatose when the group travels to Medina, though she begins to become aware when Lark attempts to travel into her past to try and save her father. Due to their shared connection to Lavos, she awakens when she feels Lark wounded in battle. In the aftermath, she confronts (and returns) her growing feelings for Lark. In the aftermath of events concerning Balthezar, Schala finally vows to try and become a stronger person. She and Lark eventually marry, becoming king and queen of Medina.
Act 4 - A year and a half later, Schala has made good on her vow so far, though she still has much to sort out. She does what she can to support her husband and her people as the three-way war between Guardia, Porre, and Medina escalates, all the while trying to seal the various 'breaks' in time. In the final assault of Porre, she is the cornerstone of Lark's battle plan, leading a large force to attack the city from below the underground tunnel systems. After the battle, she is horrified as Kale raises the ruins of Zeal and merges them with the arriving spawn of Lavos.
Final Fate : Schala's fate depends on the ending acquired.
Bad Ending - In the first ending, she is unable to come to terms about her mother and her past in a critical moment, and her hesitation costs her Lark's life. She ends up driven mad with grief and succumbs to the fragment of Lavos sleeping within her, and becomes the final boss, leaving the surviving party members to put her out of her misery...
Normal Ending - In the second ending, investigating Kale's origins and revelations about her mother's madness gives Schala the final push to put her past behind her for good. Without such issues to distract her, she is able to save Lark's life. Unfortunately,she still carries a fragment of Lavos, and without and artifact like the Chrono Cross, she knows she will eventually be taken over by the creature even if they do destroy it. In the end, just as she had in the Ocean Palace, she sends her friends and beloved away to safety as she makes sure Lavos stays dead...
Good Ending - After many trials and trips through the Time Loop, the Chrono Cross is reconstructed. However, instead of using it to banish Lavos' essence from her, Schala attempts to make peace with this fragment, banking on the creature's will to survive. She ends up successful in this endeavor, and becomes separated from the hive mind. She is thus able to survive the final battle, ruling Medina alongside Lark for the rest of her days.
Notes: I am aware that what I put for hair color completely contradicts my beliefs. However, there had to be a damn good reason (besides throwing suspicion off Kid) that Kato changed her appearance. Here is my personal theory: Lavos is a being that's constantly evolving and changing. Having been bound to Lavos, Schala too was subject to changing. Which is why she had blonde hair and blue eyes (and became a loli, apparently) in Cross, and why she has silver-white hair (and a somewhat fuller figure) in this story.
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Full Name: Lark (Real Name: Cain Cray)
Gender: Male
Occupation: Mercenary (King of Medina)
Origin: Medina
Age: 24 (27 at the end of the story)
Birthdate: May 17
Species: Fiend/Mystic
Home Time: 1227 AD
Home Area: Varies (Medina)
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 187 lbs.
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Red
Build: Ordinary
Hand: Ambidextrous
Weapon Type: Dual Spears
Innate Element: Red
General Overview: A half-human Mystic who works alongside Glenn in the Zweibreicht Company mercenaries. Of the two, he is the one who gets jobs done. At first glance, Lark seems to be nothing more than an uncouth, womanizing braggart. However, not only does he have the skill to back up his claims, he shows a surprising amount of care in making sure the Company's clients walk away satisfied.
He is generally friendly and approachable, with a fiery sense of justice. However, a series of tragedies in his past has left him with a vicious grudge against Porre, and he occasionally laments his powerlessness in stopping the powerful nation. If he were to somehow be granted such power, would he be able to keep his morals intact?
Or would he lose himself to vengeance...?
Unfortunately, the answer is that he very nearly does. Once he discovers the Frozen Flame, he accepts the power it offers him, nearly losing his mind and alienating his allies in the process. Even though he isn't entirely himself during the following ordeal, Lark still sees himself responsible for the horrific actions in his wake. For the entirety of the story after, he fights an inner battle of wills with the Frozen Flame.
As for the matter of Schala, he is overcome by guilt for his attitude towards her during said ordeal, and owes her a life-debt of gratitude for STILL trying to save him even though he had given her every reason not to. Compounding his feelings is the fact that the two not only have very similar pasts, they both carry fragments of Lavos, giving the two a sort of psychic and emotional link. As a result, the two eventually forge a bond that cannot be broken.
History: Lark was originally born as Cain Cray, only son of Wren and Kalia Cray, and prince of Medina. As a child, he was hot-headed, willful, and somewhat crude, as most boys tended to be. Although his people didn't say it openly, many Mystics were wary of him due to his half-breed nature, which in itself was due to the fact his mother was a human.
In his mid-teens during a scouting trip, his father found a young human woman collapsed in the desert, and brought to the city. Soon enough, Cain fell for her, despite being politically arranged to the daughter of Marbule's Sage. In two years time, however, his life would change forever.
Diana Vaal had been a Porrean sleeper agent. Under the dark of night, she opened the gates to Medina, letting in Dalton and his armies. By the time Cain realized what was going on, he arrived just in time to see his father executed. In a rage, he tried to avenge him. The scar over his left eye and a stab to the gut by the girl he loved were the only rewards for his defiance.
In the aftermath, Cain became a scapegoat for the surviving Mystics. Unable to face their accusations, he fled the ruins of Medina. Betrayed, alone, and destitute, Cain lost faith in the good of others, as well as love. All he had left was anger. Hatred. Vengeance. In the wastelands, he vowed he would send every Porrean to Hell.
He made good on his word in the next few years, destroying every caravan, settlement, and military outpost he was able, leaving no survivors. He became known as 'The Bloody Flame', not once realizing that he was on his way to becoming the very monster Porre accused all Mystics of being. Everything changed again however, once he set his sights on the town of Zaineheim...
In Zaineheim, the Bloody Flame would run into opposition from a mercenary by the name of Glenn Zweibreicht. In response, he attacked a hospital, taking who he would later learn as Glenn's sister Hope, hostage. Instead of begging for her life, Hope simply apologized for the actions of humans. This ended up confusing Cain greatly, but what happened next would make him question everything he had being doing.
In the end, Hope gave her life to save her brother and Cain from Diana Vaal's double-cross. Gave her life to save a murderer like him. This and Glenn's unexpected 'mercy' would cause Cain to try and rediscover his humanity. In the end, Cain Cray and the Bloody Flame would both cease to exist, replaced by a childhood nickname that Reika Onin had called him on far too many occasions.
Unfortunately, Lark's hatred for Porre never abated even once...
Act 1 - After destroying a Porrean productions facility, he would take a job attempting to assassinate Dalton, where he would meet Schala. After escaping from Porre, he takes the time to mentor the new fledgling of the Zweibreicht Company until a mission to smuggle Elements across the Zenan bridge brings a horrifying thought to his mind: The possibility of Schala being a Porrean sleeper agent. He grows more and more paranoid as some of Schala's behaviors begin seeming more suspicious. Everything comes to a head inside the Aquarius Labs and the Zeal Ruins, where he angrily confronts her on his suspicions. Her silent evasion on the matter and the appearance of Dalton fueling his paranoia even further eventually drives him to action. He attacks, but is overpowered by Schala, who was suffering from a complete mental breakdown, and left for dead...
Act 2 - Awakening in Manolia having been rescued by Magil, Lark is unwilling to forgive or accept anyone's explanations concerning Schala. Believing his friends had betrayed him, he encounters the Frozen Flame in the Cathedral, which the Radical Dreamers had somehow secured. Without question, he accepts the power the Flame offers, and goes mad as a result and attacks his former allies. Only after the Radical Dreamers are slaughtered during his escape does he realize what his paranoia and hatred had cost him.
Everything comes to a head at the ruins of Zaineheim, where he futilely tries to fight off the Flame's influence, with Schala - the one person he had wronged the most - being the only one actively trying to save him. The Flame tries to take over completely, but the battle is won... at the apparent sacrifice of his childhood friend Reika. He later awakens in 2400 AD and becomes distraught at the fallout of his previous actions.
To make matters worse, he becomes hunted by an enigmatic entity known as Kale, who seeks the Frozen Flame. After Schala is captured, to the mistrust of his old allies, he aids in her rescue. Out of penance, he purposely puts himself in harm's way to protect everyone from both the haywire Lavos Spawn and the pursuing Porrean forces, forming a sort of dreamlike bond with Schala in the process. He is eventually forgiven by the others, while Schala had never blamed him in the first place...
Act 3 - After discovering that Reika had survived the events of Zaineheim, Lark and the others are hired on by the Acacia Dragoons. In the ensuing months, Lark is outed as the former prince of Medina, and also tries to come to grips with his growing relationship with Schala. Tragedy strikes when Diana Vaal, the woman who had betrayed his people to Porre, attacks Viper Manor. Lark and Glenn get their revenge on the sleeper agent, but Schala sacrifices herself in the process, becoming comatose.
Lark loses the will to fight on, and flees with the unconscious Schala to the ruins of Medina, not realizing that there are still survivors. Although given a cold reception from the majority of his people, he and Schala are given sanctuary. The others try to snap him out of his funk, but nobody can convince him to leave Schala's side. With a sudden appearance by Balthezar, he is given an opportunity to save her: Travel back in time to the age of Zeal and prevent the death of King Alphard. He does travel back, but realizes that going through with this course of action would not only possibly prevent his friends from ever existing, it would be betraying everything Schala had fought for. Thus he allows history to take its course.
However, his time in Zeal had reignited his spirit, and he fights off a Porrean excursion alone, regaining the respect of his people. From there, he leads an army to defend Medina from Dalton, though he is wounded in the battle, causing Schala to awaken from her coma due to their bond. In the aftermath, he and Schala become lovers, and after events concerning Balthezar, the two marry. Lark becomes the Sixth Fiendlord to lead Medina's armies in the coming three-way war between Guardia and Porre.
Act 4 - Lark's hands are busy with his duties as King and sealing the various 'breaks' in time, but eventually, he is able to amass enough allies and territory to lead a decisive assault against Porre. After securing the city, he makes his final stand against Dalton, eventually defeating the tyrant once and for all. However, Kale is not finished with him, as the madman still desires the Flame.
Final Fate: His eventual fate is determined by which ending is acquired.
Bad Ending - Schala's hesitation during the final battle with Queen Zeal causes Lark to expend much of his energy to rescue her. However, he is ambushed by Kale, who uses black magic to forcefully extract the Frozen Flame from his very being. The shock ends up killing him, leaving Schala alone in her grief and despair...
Normal Ending - Lark is ambushed and on death's door after getting the Frozen Flame forcefully extracted. However, Schala remains focused enough to save his life. After the final battle, Schala ends up sacrificing herself to stop Lavos, leaving Lark to mourn for years after. Although he eventually does remarry, he never truly recovers from the heartbreak, eventually disappearing into obscurity... and thus leaving history to repeat itself over and over in a stable time loop...
Good Ending - Lark and Schala both survive the final battles, but not before dealing with Kale once and for all in the crumbling ruins of Angra Mainyu. For the rest of his days afterwards, he strives to make the brighter future Chrono and many others fought for a reality.
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Full Name: Glenn Zweibreicht
Gender: Male
Occupation: Mercenary Captain
Origin: Choras
Age: 27 (30 at the end of the story)
Birthdate: September 16
Species: Human
Home Time: 1227 AD
Home Area: Wandering (Choras)
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 214 lbs.
Hair Color: Pale Green
Eye Color: Green
Build: Tall and Lean
Hand: Right
Weapon Type: Gun
Innate Element: Green
General Overview: Founder of the Zweibreicht Mercenary Company along with Lark. Of the two, he generally handles the finances and spoils of their jobs, though he does get involved directly more often than not. Mostly laid-back and snarky, he usually has a good joke or burn ready for almost any situation. Tends to be a habitual chain-smoker.
Although he and Lark practice a fair working relationship on the surface, he and Lark don't always see eye to eye. In fact, six years prior, Lark had been one of Glenn's bounties before being reformed. Details are scarce, but the conflict ended with the life of his younger sister. But has Glenn truly put the past behind him?
Or is he merely waiting for an excuse to pull the trigger?
The answer... is complicated. For a while, it seemed as though he and Lark had developed a fast friendship. However, the latter events of Act 1 begin to show how fragile it truly was. Lark coming into contact with the Frozen Flame and subsequent corruption in Act 2 ends up being the straw that breaks the Nu's back, and Glenn brings it upon himself to take him out, eventually going so far as to threaten to shoot through Schala in order to kill him... possibly hinting that Lark wasn't the only one being influenced by the Flame.
It is only during the party's attempt to escape from 2400 AD does Glenn finally gets a chance to end things. Hope's death, Reika's apparent sacrifice, the people of Manolia that were killed under the Flame's influence, Lark's actions as the Bloody Flame. Glenn finally has the justification he needs... and in the end, he is unable to pull the trigger. Lark's recent bouts of self-sacrifice, his own guilt at threatening Schala, and the memories of all the success they had as a company prove that as fragil as it ended up being, their friendship truly was genuine. Not only that, killing Lark would cause him to end up making a liar out of his sister. From that point on, Glenn vows to put the past behind him.
History: Glenn Zweibreicht was born as one of many illegitimate children to Vincent Galbanni, Merchant King and leader of Choras. Not recognized as a potential heir, he ended up growing up in the city's slums. His sister Hope would be born a few years after, and he would take it upon himself to take care of her as their mother was unfit to do so.
At sixteen, he became a mercenary trained in all manner of firearms in order to bring money into their home. However, on the day of his first job, the Blue Mist hit Choras, and his success was marred by the fact that Hope had caught the disease. He would commit her to a hospital and use all of his earnings for her treatment, growing increasingly exasperated as the years went on when it seemed that nothing was working.
Some years later, tragedy would strike as a fallen Mystic prince with a vendetta against Porre would attack the hospital, taking Hope hostage. Glenn insists on being the first to make contact. During negotiations, a squad of Porrean soldiers led by Diana Vaal opens fire on the three of them for the sake of 'tying up loose ends'. Hope sacrifices herself to save both her captor and her brother. Overcome by grief, Glenn nearly kills the Fiend, but is paralyzed by the fact that Hope saw something in him worth sacrificing herself for. This, he offers up a contract to the man: be someone worthy enough so Hope's death would not be in vain.
And so, the Bloody Flame was no more, and the Zweibreicht Company was formed...
Act 1 - After aiding Lark in his mission to rescue the miners from San Dorino, Glenn is once again forced into a backseat role in the next job, rescuing Lark and Schala and escaping from Porre when the job goes south. He soon after recruits Schala into the Zweibreicht Company. After Zenan Bridge, Glenn becomes more and more disturbed by Lark's growing paranoia, and wonders if he will break away from his contract. In the Zeal Ruins, he and Reika follow a distraught Schala, only to be wounded by her in the throne room...
Act 2 -
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Full Name: Reika Onin
Gender: Female
Occupation: Daughter of Marbule's Sage
Origin: El Nido - Marbule
Age: 23 (26 at the end of the story)
Birthdate: February 8
Species: Demi-Human (Aquatic Type)
Home Time: 1227 AD
Home Area: Wandering (Medina)
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 132 lbs
Hair Color: Violet
Eye Color: Violet
Build: Voluptuous
Hand: Ambidextrous
Weapon Type: Bow and Arrow
Innate Element: Blue
General Overview: A rather... bouncy and energetic young mermaid hailing from the El Nido Archipeligo. She is a childhood friend of Lark and moonlights as the third junior member of the Zweibreicht Company, integral to keeping Lark and Glenn from killing each other. Is constantly upbeat and cheerful, as nothing ever seems to keep her down for long. Her thought process can be... a little 'out there' at times. Also, she is sexy, and she
knows it. Much to Schala's annoyance.
Reika has pinned her lifelong hopes on one day being Lark's wife ever since childhood. However, due to events in his past, or the possibility that he's never been conditioned to see her as more than a friend, he ignores her advances... most of the time. She continues to support him regardless, hoping for the possibility of wedding bells in her future. But will her devotion be the end of her?
Will her feelings be doomed to be absorbed within the mists of time?
History: Reika was born to Bacchus and Minerva Onin as the eldest of two children. Energetic almost to a fault, it usually took a good majority of Marbule's community to help reign her in during her early years. Her mother would always tell her stories of how two souls could be forever bound by a Red String of Fate, and seeing how happy her parents were, she took those stories to heart. Enough so that when her family was summoned to a diplomatic conference in Medina and met it's young prince, who on a whim she would call Lark, she knew she had found her soulmate. The two were then arranged to be wed when they came of age.
Seven years after the birth of her brother Darien, Reika's mother would die off the coast of Choras. Everything changed in Marbule. Her father became a broken man, becoming apathetic to all around him in his grief. That apathy would soon enough spread to the majority of Marbule's citizens, who felt the Sage's loss as keenly as he did. Taking advantage of this grief, two conservative-minded advisors named Mustardio and Releesh would take charge of the city's affairs, slowly but surely isolating Marbule from the rest of the world. Reika would oppose them at every turn. After all, she was to become Sage in a few short years.
At least, that was what she thought...
The Purge of Medina brought a wave of fear to those not loyal to Porre. Reika however, implored the Sage's Council to send aid to their allied Medinans, her worry of her future fiancé showing through. Unfortunately, due to bribes, blackmail, or threats of death, as well as using her father's apathy to their advantage, the poisonous advisers accused Reika of acting under her own interests and needlessly risking the lives of Marbule's citizens. The verdict was unanimous. Reika Onin was exiled from Marbule.
Wandering the land, she would meet her arranged fiancé again, only to see him a changed man, with his heart closed to nothing but vengeance against Porre. Despite it all, Reika persevered. After hearing of the tragedy at Zaineheim years later, she sought Lark out again, shocked to discover he had formed a mercenary company with Glenn Zweibreicht. Unwilling to be apart from the man she loved anymore, she would become the Zweibreicht Company's third member...
Act 1 - Reika is left behind at the start of the story, building rapport with the Radical Dreamers in hope of more work for the Zweibreicht Company. When she returns to the group in San Dorino, she is shocked that they had recruited Schala in her absence, and immediately begins seeing her as a rival. After the events of Zenan Bridge, she eases up on her in response to Lark's growing paranoia, and attempts to play peacemaker for the group with varying degrees of success. When things come to a head in the Aquarius Labs, Reika slaps Lark, stating she doesn't want him to become 'that person' again. This stays his hand, but only briefly. Soon after, she and Glenn follow a distraught Schala, only to be the first to get cut down...
Trivia: Reika has the largest chest of the entire cast. For the playable characters, Laura and Lavenda tie at 2nd place, with Schala taking a
very close 3rd.
Trivia 2: She is one of the few mermaids in the setting with legs. She has no idea how other mermaids can stand not having legs, as she sees their land-movement akin to scraping ones knees on the ground all the time.
Trivia 3: It's on her mother's side, but Reika is Nikki's descendant. She is a fan of his work and collects any vintage albums she can get her hands on.
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Full Name: Gilbert Rhodius (Alias: Grobyc)
Gender: Male
Occupation: Acacia Special Ops.
Origin: El Nido - Termina (Porre)
Age: 30 (233)
Birthdate: Unknown
Species: Cyborg
Home Time: 1227 AD
Home Area: Viper Manor
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 401 lbs.
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: White
Build: Bionic
Hand: Ambidextrous
Weapon Type: Fist
Innate Element: Black
General Overview: A cyborg who has served the Viper Clan of El Nido for over 200 years. Having rediscovered his humanity sometime during his service, he is revealed to be blunt, honest, and serious-minded. He generally prioritizes his mission first, but is not beyond coming to the aid of others, if for no other reason than smoother operations. Highly intelligent, he has no patience for slackers and cowardice, and respects the strong (in both strength and conviction) above all else.
Unknownst all but the highest ranked members of the Acacia Dragoons, he was once known as Grobyc, Porre's former 'secret weapon'. He was amongst those who aided Serge in his adventures and was witness to the defeat of the Time Devourer. As such, he was one of the few who retained their memories of the events. Knowing he could not return to Porre after his insubordinations, he was given shelter among the Viper Clan, where he has remained ever since.
Over time, he has steadily replaced more and more of his human parts with machine in order to prolong his lifespan, all to continue his duty to protect the Viper Clan. However, he knows he cannot cheat death forever, and prays that the Clan's future is secure before his eventual passing.
But in truth, how long does he have left?
Act 1 - Gilbert arrives in Truce along with Schwann after the events of Zenan Bridge. He doesn't think much of the Zweibreicht Company at first when they run into him at the pier, but starts changing this view when they are eventually summoned to Carmillia's estate. He finds Lark to be a surprisingly capable commander during the Defense of Manoria. He joins the group under the pretense of sharing info, but is actually keeping tabs on Lark on General Maria's orders. In the Zeal Ruins, he is the only one still conscious after Schala's mental breakdown...
Notes: Leaves the party for a good majority of Act 3. Permanently leaves the party after defeating Shald in Act 4. Any accessories and equipment that aren't exclusive to him will be returned to the inventory.
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Full Name: Schwann Tarvos
Gender: Male
Occupation: Grandmaster of the Four Devas
Origin: El Nido - Guldove
Age: 33 (36 by the end of the story)
Birthdate: July 26
Species: Demi-Human (Feline Type)
Home Time: 1227 AD
Home Area: Viper Manor
Height: 7'2"
Weight: 287 lbs.
Hair Color: Orange
Eye Color: Maroon
Build: Giant and Muscular
Hand: Right
Weapon Type: Great Axe
Innate Element: Yellow
General Overview: A tiger-like Demi-human acting as leader of the Four Devas of the Acacia Dragoons, and closest confidant of General Maria of the Viper Clan. A giant even among Demi-human standards, he gives off a frightening first impression, especially if one meets him on the battlefield. However, those who actually know him boast of a jovial persona, though he can be a bit too boisterous for his own good. He's always looking for a good scrap. Has a 10-year-old daughter named Annette whom he dotes upon every chance he gets.
Ten years previous, Lady Maria had been abducted by a certain individual on Schwann's watch. Leading a company of twenty, he succeeded in rescuing her from her captors. However, an incident occurred on the way back to Termina, leaving Schwann and Maria as the only survivors. To this day, neither of them speak of it.
What could have happened on that day...?
Act 1 - Schwann arrives in Truce with Gilbert after the events of Zenan Bridge. Unlike his colleague, he takes a keen interest in the Zweibreicht Company, having heard the rumors associated with their recent success. He offers up a challenge to test their strength in one of the city's Missions. Although he does not join the party, he does accompany them to Manoria and the Aquarius Labs. While in the labs, the group ends up tripping the alarms, and he offers to hold off the enemy while the group finishes their mission...
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Full Name: Laura Vastor (Real Name: Laurallia Estane Guardia)
Gender: Female
Occupation: Captain of the Guard (Fallen Heir of Guardia/Queen of Guardia)
Origin: Zenan Mainland
Age: 26 (29 at the end of the story)
Birthdate: April 19
Species: Human
Home Time: 1227 AD
Home Area: Guardia
Height: 6"
Weight: 150 lbs.
Hair Color: Red
Eye Color: Blue
Build: Toned
Hand: Left
Weapon Type: Nodachi
Innate Element: White
General Overview: A stoic woman and personal sword of Governor Carmillia Vastor of Guardia. Beneath her cool demeanor and sharp tone lies a fierce determination and sense of duty. As she puts duty first, she has no patience for distractions, and admonishes the very concept of 'wasting time'. Has a surprising fondness for 'cute things' and is very easily flustered. It is not easy to earn her trust, but for those who do, her loyalty is undying. All she wants in life is a place to belong.
Whispers from years past speak of the affair Count Vastor had with one of his maids. Laura, the product of this union, faced severe prejudice from her half-sister Carmillia because of this. Even to this day, she is treated as garbage despite her unfailing duty, but bears the abuse as Carmillia is the only family she has left. As such, her sense of duty has become somewhat distorted. And then there are the stories of her bearing a long-forgotten bloodline.
However, the day may come soon where her duty and her conscience will clash, and she may realize too late that her 'dear sister' does not have her best interests at heart...
Act 1 - Laura first appears after Lark, Schala, and Glenn escape from Porre, impressed by the fact they had been able to escape at all. She meets the group again in Truce, after the events of Zenan Bridge. After their meeting with Carmillia, Schala overhears an argument between her and Laura. The other girl confronts her, but Laura tells her to let sleeping dogs lie. She accompanies the group to the Aquarius Labs and aids Schwann in holding off the enemy. However, she soon slips away from combat, embarking on a mission of her own...
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Full Name: Magil (Real Name: Janus Zeal)
Occupation: Masked Magician (Fallen Prince of Zeal)
Origin: Zenan Mainland (Kingdom of Zeal)
Age: 31 (32 by the time he leaves in Act 3)
Birthdate: Unknown
Species: Human
Home Time: Unknown (1025 AD)
Home Area: Wandering (Guardia)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 154 lbs.
Hair Color: Teal Blue
Eye Color: Green
Build: Tall and Slender
Hand: Right
Weapon Type: Rod
Innate Element: Black
General Overview: A mysterious vagrant who appears to the group during a time of crisis, hiding his face behind a strange mask.
Act 1 - Magil arrives in Truce shortly after the group's meeting with Carmillia, and offers his pardons... though Schala accuses him of leering. He is only shown once more after the party leaves for the Aquarius Labs, claiming to have a forboding premonition...
Notes: Schala's a major character of interest. You knew this guy had to be involved somehow.
Notes 2: He doesn't join up until act 2.
Notes 3: Not a permanent party member. He replaces Schala/Lark during times where either one of them are 'indisposed'.
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Full Name: Lavenda (Lavender)
Gender: Female
Occupation: Warrior Priestess
Origin: Reptite Dimension
Age: 21 (24 at the end of the story)
Birthdate: Refuses to divulge
Species: Dragonian
Home Time: 2400 AD - Reptite Dimension
Home Area: Terra Tower
Height: 5.6
Weight: 139 lbs
Hair Color: Lavender Purple
Eye Color: Gold
Build: Slender
Hand: Right
Weapon: Bladed Whip
Innate Element: Black
General Overview: A Dragonian Priestess inadvertantly awakened from cryosleep by Lark and Schala at the beginning of Act 3. Prideful with a bit of a temper, but out of the awakened Dragonian, she keeps a much more level head than any of them. She holds a chilling familiarity for the rogue entity known as Kale, and by extension, Lavos. Initially distrustfull of Lark and Schala (both carriers of some sort of fragment of Lavos), but eventually builds a rapport upon their mutual dislike of Kale.
It seems she may know far more of the truth of things than she's willing to tell. Just what is she hiding...?
Act 1: Does not appear at all.
Act 2: Is briefly seen at the very end of the Act sleeping within a crystal structure in Terra Tower.
Act 3: Lavenda is officially introduced when Lark and Schala investigate strange reactions from Terra Tower at the beginning of the act. She and her brethren are awoken when the tower's systems detect the high quantities of Lavos corruption within Schala. Aware of what Lark and Schala are (and humanity as a whole), she has the two held at weapon-point while she accesses Dinopolis' living memory. She finds the history of the war with Chronopolis, the Dragon God's corruption, the colonization of El Nido, and the extermination of the rest of the Dragonians by mainlanders... egged on at the hands of Kale.
Upon realizing their mutual animosity towards the rogue, Lavenda has Lark and Schala released and proposes a temporary alliance. Although it starts as a union of convenience, Lavenda reluctantly comes to think highly of her newfound companions. When Kale attacks Terra Tower at the conclusion of Termina's last mission, she attempts to overpower him, following him through one of his Gates as he tries to escape.
After doggedly fighting Kale through different eras, Lavenda is finally ditched during The 2nd Battle of Medina. She is reunited with the party after the conclusion, and remains in the group from then on.
Trivia 1: I originally had a Shakespeare/Hamlet naming scheme for the Dragovian characters in this story, but during the past few months, I decided to name them after various herbs as a throwback to Toriyama. Lavenda, for instance, being named for lavender. Her original name was Ophelia.
Trivia 2: Originally, this character only had a minor role as a hologram in an important Act 4 sidequest where she narrates the origins of Lavos and thus the greater evil behind the story (and the series as a whole). This was mostly because I just wasn't sure
how to insert her properly into the main party. I've finally found a way to do that (and it was so laughably easy, too), so now she's part of the main narrative as I originally intended.
