Characters of Xenoblade Chronicles

Monolith Soft's 2010 role-playing game Xenoblade Chronicles focuses on a group of heroes who fight the Mechon, the game's main antagonistic force. The game is set in a fictional world created by two "great titans", the Bionis and the Mechonis. Due to past events, the two giants have given life to civilizations that now exist on their now-lifeless shells. However, one year prior to the game's events, the Mechon, a horde of mechanical beasts from the world of Mechonis, started to attack the civilizations of Bionis.^[1][2]

The seven main characters form a band of heroes who initially attempt to destroy the Mechon threat. The protagonist, Shulk, is a young man from Colony 9 who wields the titular Xenoblade - an energy blade called the Monado - against the Mechon. He is joined by Reyn, a headstrong Defense Force soldier; Fiora, Shulk and Reyn's childhood friend; Dunban, the previous wielder of the Monado and Fiora's older brother; Sharla, a medic from Colony 6; Melia, a mage and crown princess of the High Entia; and Riki, a member of the Nopon who is chosen as the "Heropon" of his race.

Heroes of Bionis

Shulk

Voiced by: Shintaro Asanuma (Japanese), Adam Howden (English)

The protagonist of the game, Shulk (シュルク, Sharuku^?) is an 18-year-old boy who lives in Colony 9 at the beginning of the game. A young technology researcher who has a knack for figuring out machines,^[3] he is thoughtful and methodical in his approach. He is friends with Reyn and Fiora, as well as Dunban and Dickson.

Shulk was part of the Monado expedition 14 years prior to the game's events. A blizzard resulted in the death of most of the team, including his parents.^[4] After discovering the Monado's hiding place, Eso Tower, Dickson found both the weapon and the orphaned Shulk, the expedition team's only survivor, and brought him back to Colony 9.

When the game's main story begins, Shulk was conducting research on the Monado, left in charge by Dickson. He theorizes that the Monado's centerpiece, made of multilayered glass, is linked to the weapon's various powers. When talking with Reyn and Fiora later, Shulk comes into contact with the Monado, causing him to experiance time stopping, followed by a vision of events that have yet to occur. The vision ends with Shulk's voice screaming, "NO!" over a final scean of a bloody claw, signifying the moment Metal Face presumably kills Fiora during the attack on Colony 9.^[5]

Reyn

Voiced by: Eiji Miyashita (Japanese), Jay Taylor (English)

Reyn (ライン, Rein^?) is a 18-year-old soldier from Colony 9's Defense Force, and is childhood friends with Shulk and Fiora. Despite his position as a soldier, Reyn is the stereotypical fun-loving joker of the group, and is often seen with his friends. He is often victim to Colonel Vangarre's fury, especially for tardiness.^[6] He uses an oversized shield-gunlance, which can switch from shield mode into gun or lance mode.

Fiora

Voiced by: Eri Nakao (Japanese), Carina Reeves (English)

Fiora (フィオルン, Fiorung^?) is Shulk and Reyn's childhood friend, and also Dunban's younger sister. After the Battle of Sword Valley, she is reluctant to let her brother use the Monado again, as using it nearly cost him his life.^[7] Naturally, she has a soft spot for Shulk and often cooks for him, as he is grateful for the thought. She has a theory that Shulk has no taste buds and therefore no sense of taste.^[8] She often doesn't think that Reyn is very reliable.^[9] She uses dual knives in battle.

During the attack on Colony 9, Fiora is separated from the others, and finds the mobile artillery that was previously crashed into a house. After refueling the machine, she pilots it and fires off several rounds at Metal Face in a fury to save the others. She then charges Metal Face head on, blasting the Artillery's main cannon at point-blank range. Despite all this, Metal Face seemingly takes very little damage and proceeds to stab Fiora, whom the others believe to be dead.^[10] It is this action that sets Shulk's goal and actions in motion: revenge. After the attack, Dunban later tells Shulk that Fiora would not have wished for him to feel remorse for her loss, as she died defending him.

Dunban

Voiced by: Ryo Horikawa (Japanese), Rufus Jones (English)

Dunban (ダンバン^?), 30 years old, is the previous wielder of the Monado and Fiora's older brother. A high-ranking soldier of Colony 9, Dunban was originally thought to be the only one capable of wielding the Monado, and used the weapon to great effect against the invading Mechon at the Battle of Sword Valley, one year prior to the game's main story. During the battle, however, the Monado took a considerable toll on Dunban's health, so much so that his right arm is now scarred and almost completely paralyzed. Thus, he cannot risk wielding the Monado again, as prolonged exposure to the weapon could potentially kill him. However, he can still use a katana with his left arm to fight back.

Sharla

Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe (Japanese), Kellie Bright (English)

Sharla (カルナ, Carna^?) is a 21-year-old medic from Colony 6's Defense Force who uses an ether rifle in battle. Prior to the start of the story, Sharla and her younger brother Juju lived in Colony 6. Sharla was due to marry a member of Colony 6's Defence Force, named Gadolt. Unfortunately, the Mechon attacked, led by Xord, and destroyed Colony 6. Sharla was tasked with helping the young, sick, and elderly escape the warzone. Gadolt and Otharon, Colony 6's Defense Force colonel, stayed behind to launch a surprise attack on the Mechon; however, the attack fails, with Gadolt captured by the Mechon.

It is near the Refugee Camp that Sharla meets Shulk and Reyn. She almost immediately takes a liking to Reyn, as he reminds her of Gadolt, but has trouble believing that Shulk can witness the future.^[11] When Juju runs away to try to fight the Mechon, the three give chase, eventually reaching Juju, who has been captured by a Mechon M71. During this battle, Sharla realizes that Shulk's visions are real when he unlocks a Monado Art that saves her from a tentacle attack.

Unfortunately for Sharla, their victory is short-lived as Xord appears and kidnaps Juju, causing Sharla to faint from the ordeal for about 4 hours. Upon recovering, Sharla leads the party through the Ether Mines, below Colony 6, where they locate Xord near an ether river. When she finds that Xord had eaten all of the Colony 6 residents, she swears not to stop until she destroys every last Mechon around her.^[12] After the battle, she is asked to accompany Shulk on his journey. She also receives Gadolt's Rifle.

Melia

Voiced by: Shiori Katsuta (Japanese), Jenna Louise Coleman (English)

Melia (メリア^?) is the High Entian crown princess, living in the Royal City of Alcamoth prior to the games events. She is a powerful mage, and uses strong Ether Arts to prove it. Her true age is unknown in the game; the art book, "Secret Monado Files", reveals her age to be 88 years. Her Arts focus on summoning elemental spirits and ether magic.

Melia is first seen unconscious in Makna Forest, having been attacked by a Telethia. When Shulk's group finds her, Sharla says that to revive her, she needs to use pure Ether crystals, forcing Shulk to back-track to a nearby waterfall. Upon returning, they revive Melia. She doesn't explain her reason for being in Makna Forest straight away. When Shulk mentions the Telethia from a vision, Melia is surprised, but refuses to believe Shulk can see the future.^[13] Only when they face the Telethia and defeat it does she come to accept his power.

Riki

Voiced by: Yuki Kaida (Japanese), Wayne Forester (English)

Riki (リキ^?) is a member of the mercantile Nopon race. Although he looks like a child, he is actually 40 years old and has a "wifeypon" and at least six children. A natural storyteller, he will go on at length about how he is actually the true legendary hero spoken of in the prophecies.

The player's party is first introduced to Riki in a short, humorous scene. The characters are seemingly unimpressed with the compact hero and are unsure what to make of him. This doesn't improve upon learning that Riki expects them to find equipment for him, too! Riki later informs the group that his reason for being the "Heropon", the chosen legendary warrior of the Nopon race, is that he owes "lots of monies" to the Nopon tribe. However, if he successfully saves Makna Forset from the "Dinobeast"—the Telethia that had attacked Melia earlier—his debts will be forgotten. After doing so, Chief Dunga of the Nopon has Riki travel with Shulk's group, much to Reyn's surprise.

Antagonists

Faced Mechon

A "higher" type of the Mechon, Faced Mechon are so named due to the fact that they possess stylised faces. (Other Mechon simply have seemingly randomised arrays of red lights for eyes.) Faced Mechon are immune to the effects of the Monado's initial form, as each Faced Mechon contains a Homs as their life force, the Homs being Bionis lifeforms, and therefore cannot be piecred by the Monado. Faced Mechon also share a unique ability to transform into jets and fly.

Metal Face (Mumkhar)

Mumkhar (ムムカ, Mumca^?) is a pugilist soldier first introduced in the opening scene at the Battle of Sword Valley, alongside Dunban and Dickson. The player quickly learns that Mumkhar is an cruel, honorless fighter and is willing to flee battle and abandon his comrades to save his life, rather than to stay and fight. We also learn that he desires the Monado for himself. During the battle, Mumkhar does attempt an escape; however, he falls down a slope and is implied to have been killed by Mechon. Later on, it turns out he has been captured and transformed into a Faced Mechon called Metal Face (黒いフェイス, Kuroi (Black) Face^?).

Metal Face is first seen leading the attack against Colony 9, and is the one who kills Fiora-causing Shulk to mark Metal Face as his one enemy. During the battle against the Mechon, it is revealed that Metal Face is immune to the Monado's effects, making him an incredibly dangerous enemy. After Shulk damages his head, Metal Face eventually flees from the colony, withdrawing his troops. Later, he attacks Shulk and company again after Xord's defeat. His head refitted with a working "jaw", Metal Face gloats about his killing Fiora. Enraged, Shulk attacks him again, this time damaging his arm. He flees when a Telethia appears to drive Metal Face away.

When Shulk's team arrives at the top of Prison Island, Zanza (in the giant Arglas' body) allows Shulk to upgrade the Monado. As Zanza is allowing Shulk to do the change, Metal Face throws a green spear which pierces the in the chest, killing him. Just before Zanza dies, he tells Shulk that the process is complete and the Monado is transformed. Using it, he fights Metal Face. After the battle, Shulk manages to cut off Metal Face's right arm. As he is about to finish Metal Face off, Silver Face protects her "ally", at which point it is shown that Fiora is still alive. Silver Face flies off and Metal Face follows with the Mass-Produced Faces.

When the heroes of Bionis nears the end of Valak Mountain, Silver Face apppears. As the being posessing Fiora begins talking with the group, a laser shot hits the side of the mechon and sends Silver Face crashing into an ice wall, knocking Fiora out. Metal Face is revealed to have fired the shot and the Mechon lands on top of Silver Face, telling Shulk to give him the Monado or he will kill her.^[14] At this point, Metal Face is revealed to be controlled by Mumkhar, albeit with a new mechanical body.^[15] He emerges from his Mechon to claim the Monado, but is caught off-guard by Melia and the group fights him. Dunban and Mumkhar then engage in an intense verbal and physical struggle, which culminates in Dunban managing to injure Mumkhar.^[16]

Xord (Myserious Face)

A faced Mechon that kidnaps Sharla's younger brother Juju.

Nemesis Face (Fiora/Meyneth)

The Mechon piloted by Meyneth, using Fiora's body.

Jade Face (Gadolt)

Sharla's boyfriend in the Colony 6 Defense Force and an ether rifle user, Gadolt disappeared after a failed surprise attack against the Mechon.

Egil

The Machina behind the Faced Mechon, as well as the controller of all Mechon.

Trinity of Disiples

A trio of disicples chosen by Zanza, these warriors seek immortality, in order to rule alongside the god of the Bionis.

Dickson

Dunban's war friend from the Battle of Sword Valley. After discovering the remains of the Monado expedition, Dickson discovered the legendary weapon and the young Shulk intact. He brought both back to Colony 9, where he act's as a surrogate father to Shulk.^[17]

Zanza

The god of the Bionis, and the reason behind Shulk's existence.

Residents of Bionis

Homs

The Homs are human-like beings originating from the Bionis. Partly because of the Battle of Sword Valley, there are only two remaining Homs settlements left: Colony 9, and Colony 6.

Vangarre

Vangarre is the colonel of Colony 9's Defense Force army, and Reyn's superior officer. Vangarre is strict, short-tempered, and explosive, often to the point of physical pain.^[18] He is first mentioned by Reyn, who calls him "Square-tache" behind his back.^[19] He is then seen yelling at two DF soldiers for "crashing the mobile artilery into a house" during a training run.^[20] During the attack on Colony 9, he is presumed killed by Metal Face when the latter cruches him with debris; however, it is later revealed that he had survived - and he has still retained his short temper.

Otharon

Otharon is the colonel of Colony 6's Defense Force.^[21]

Residents of Mechonis

Machina

The Machina, or humanoid "machine people", who originated from the Mechonis. While they are similar to their Mechon counterparts in one sense, they are more like the Homs of the Bionis.

Linada

The Machina who welcomes Shulk's group into the village. She is a doctor, and is able to help Fiora adjust to her new body.

Miqol

The chief of the Hidden Machina Village. He was a witness to the original battle between the Bionis and Mechonis, which almost wiped out the Machina race.^[22] He is also the father of Egil.

References

1. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Scene: Prologue. (2011-9-1) "Shulk (voice-over): Long ago, the world was nothing more than an endless sea cloaked in a boundless sky, reaching as far as could possibly be imagined. Then two great titans came into existence. The Bionis and the Mechonis. [...] The titans were locked in a timeless battle. Until at last, only their lifeless corpses remained."
2. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Scene: Prologue. Level/area: Battle of Sword Valley. (2011-9-1) "Shulk (voice-over): Eons have passed. Now, our world, this vast land stretching across the remains of the Bionis, is under attack by a relentless force known as the Mechon."
3. ^ "Xenoblade Chronicles Review". http://www.i4u.com/related_articles/08HtgB97HM5JO. Retrieved 19 October 2011. 
4. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Tethra Cave. (2011-9-1) "Reyn: You know, I've been thinking about it. Why you can use the Monado, I mean. Dickson told me. You're a survivor from the Monado expedition team that when out 14 years ago. There was a blizzard or something, and your mum and dad died. And then Dickson found you and brought you back."
5. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Scene: First Vision. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Voice (Metal Face): Look at you! Worthless without the Monado! / Voice (Sharla): ...until I've scrapped each and every one of you! / Voice (Shulk): ...so, of course I want to get my revenge! / Voice (Egil): Your blade... It did not cut deep enough. / Voice (Shulk): NO!"
6. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Shulk: The colonel was pretty angry today. Did he hit you? / Reyn: Well, whether he hit me is neither here nor there, really...though he did actually end up hitting me. And that ain't all. He made me do about a thousand press-ups and sit-ups. / Shulk: Whoa. Nasty. / Reyn: Yeah, and now I have to go all the way to the Mag Mell Ruins and back."
7. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Scene: Colony 9. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Dunban: ...but now I'm almost well enough to wield the Monado again. / Fiora: Dunban, don't say that! The Mechon have gone now. Why would you say that?! / Dunban: I'm just saying I'm prepared. Sorry."
8. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Scene: Colony 9. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Fiora: Shulk has no sense of taste. He'll say it's delishious even if it's stone cold."
9. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Scene: Colony 9. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Fiora: [to Reyn] A promise doesn't mean much coming from you. [...] Reyn: She doesn't trust me at all."
10. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Scene: Attack on Colony 9. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Shulk: NO!"
11. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Refugee Camp. (2011-9-1) "Reyn: [to Sharla] Believe it or don't believe, that's your call. But I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for Shulk's visions."
12. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Scene: Ether Mines. Level/area: Ether Mines. (2011-9-1) "Sharla: (to Xord and the other Mechon) I won't stop until I've scrapped each and every one of you!"
13. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Makna Forest. (2011-9-1) "Melia: Forgive me, Shulk, but what are you talking about? / Reyn: Shulk can see visions of the future. / Melia: See...the future? And you expect me to believe that rubbish?! / Reyn: Believe it or don't believe it. Same as I tell all the nonbelievers. / Sharla: That'd be me, then. / Reyn: Oh, yeah! (turning to Melia) In any case, the only reason we got this far was 'cos of Shulk's visions. If Shulk says he sees you in a vision, then you must be important to whatever happens next. And if you're tough enough to fight a faced Mechon, you're all right in my book."
14. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Valak Mountain. (2011-9-1) "Fiora (???): Wielder of the Monado. There is...a matter I must speak to you about—Ah! / Shulk: Fiora! / Reyn: What was that?! [...] Shulk: Metal Face! / Dunban: Stay alert! / Melia: You killed my father! / Reyn: Get him! / Shulk: Get away from her! / Metal Face: Now, now. Let's all calm down. If I slip, I might mess up her hair. / Shulk: You... / Melia: You're disgusting! / Metal Face: Would you be so kind as to put down that dangerous toy [Monado] you have? [...] / Shulk: All right. You can have it. But only if you let her [Fiora] go."
15. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Valak Mountain. (2011-9-1) "Dunban: Mumkhar! I thought it might be, but...you're to blame for all this?!"
16. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Valak Mountain. (2011-9-1) "Dunban: You fought beside me at Sword Valley! Why did you change sides?! Why the Mechon?! / Mumkhar: You're as blind as you were then! I wanted you dead for years! [...] I wanted to get the Monado so I could be the new hero! / Dunban: Is that it?! That's the puerile reason you killed all those innocent people?! Ravaged our home?!"
17. ^ "Xenoblade's Characters Revealed". Xenoblade's Characters Revealed. andriasang.com. http://andriasang.com/comjge/. Retrieved November 15, 2011. 
18. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Vangarre: You idiots! What the hell are you playing at?! / Shulk: (thinking) Uh-oh! The colonel's gonna explode."
19. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Reyn: Anyway, we'd better get back to the colony. If I'm late for drills again, old Square-tache is gonna kill me. / Shulk: Square-tache? Oh, the Defense Force colonel. He's pretty scary. / Reyn: Tell me about it..."
20. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Vangarre: Crashing the mobile artilery into a house?! How long have you been in the force?! / Defense Force Soldier: Sorry, sir. It's just that we were trying to go as fast as we could, like you ordered... / Defense Force Soldier: But it's impossible to get to the Military District in only 40 seconds. / Vangarre: I don't want any excuses! Champions don't whine, they win!"
21. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. (Nintendo). Wii. Level/area: Colony 9. (2011-9-1) "Shulk: It's good that you managed to evacuate so many. / Sharla: We have the Colonel...Otharon...to thank for that. Him and Gadolt."
22. ^ Monolith Soft. Xenoblade Chronicles. Wii. Level/area: Fallen Arm. (2011-9-1) "Miqol:I know I look young, but I'm actually quite old."

External links

• Official website for Japan (Japanese)
• Official website for UK/EU (English)
• Xenoblade Chronicles Wiki, an external wiki.