Characters / Love & War

The following are the main playable characters, and supporting cast, in Admiral Styles' RPG Love & War.

Ryan Eramond

Always do the right thing.

Ryan Eramond, aged eighteen, is the hero and protagonist of Love And War. As the game begins, he's a regular guy living in Davenport, who's just graduated at the top of his class from high school, and uncertain about what he should do next in life. Over the course of Act I, Ryan has several adventures with his friends, which gradually take a more serious turn. As Act I ends, he leaves his home country, Galvenia, for the first time, to visit the Zion Empire on a business trip.

Ryan's parents are Theodore Eramond, a successful businessman who runs a package delivery company, and Sheila Eramond (nee Robinson), a proud and doting mother. Ryan idolizes his paternal grandfather, Gustav Eramond, a war hero who passed away when he was twelve years old.

Ryan's weapons of choice are his revolver, as well as lighter swords.

• Badass Bookworm: He's the school valedictorian, but is good at combat too.
• Beware the Nice Ones: Ryan has so many good qualities, but he can be a genuinely dangerous opponent when riled, as Juno and Captain Blackheart have learned, to their discomfiture.
• Catchphrase: "Always do the right thing."
• Chick Magnet: Let's just say that almost every teenage girl in Davenport seems to have a crush on Ryan to some extent.
  Jaina: (brightly) "So what's the bobby dazzler of Davenport up to, today?"
• The Hero: Played straight, so far.
• Innocent Blue Eyes
• Master Swordsman: He and Henrik are Colonel Whitworth's star pupils.
• Mirror Character: To Juno. Both allow their grudges with each other to get the better of them and both have family members who they admire for being brave soldiers. The latter might explain why both take great offense at Kodenai’s act of treason.
• Old Shame: A In-Universe example. Ryan wrote a novel when he was about sixteen or seventeen, and he can't stand it now - except for the ending. This ending involves the hero and heroine separating - maybe permanently - because "The Commonwealth is greater than us both". Considering that the Commonwealth seems to be fragmenting at the end of Act I, this may count as a very subtle and clever bit of Foreshadowing, too, and may not bode well for Ryan's future love life.
• Pet the Dog: He's generally quite short with Lavie, but has the option to treat her kindly and gently at the end of the Crocogator boss fight.
• Single Woman Seeks Good Man: Quite possibly the reason for his mass appeal; Sheri and Rachel openly point out that it's part of what makes him attractive.

Henrik Spenson

Love can be blind. Or blinding.

Nineteen-year-old Henrik is Ryan's best friend, and his long-time scholastic rival - Ryan just edged him out by two points in their final examinations. Henrik tends to be quieter than Ryan, but is actually ahead of him in fighting skills. He has an understated sense of humour, belongs to the Church of Infinity, is politically liberal, and believes in respecting and protecting Nature. As Act I opens, he has just won a scholarship to attend King's College in Lorean, the capital of Galvenia. At the end of Act I, relations between Henrik and Ryan are strained, perhaps permanently, as Ryan believes that Henrik betrayed him by siding with his enemy, Juno.

Henrik's father is Alphonse Spenson, a novelist, who appears rather cold and formal. His mother, Barbara Spenson, whom he was much closer to, fell ill and died about four years before the events of Act I.

Henrik's weapons of choice are heavy, two-handed swords, such as the Claymore.

• Badass Bookworm: He and Ryan are very close, both academically and in terms of sword skills.
• Deadpan Snarker: Has a quiet, understated, dry sense of humour.
• Friend to All Living Things: Henrik is a budding environmentalist who considers all forms of animal and plant life, even creatures attacking him, worthy of respect. Ryan points out that he's the kind of person who'd feel sympathy even over a dead snake.
• Genius Bruiser: Genius swordsman, actually, but he's close enough.
• Master Swordsman: He is currently ahead of Ryan in duelling skills, according to Colonel Whitworth.
• Real Men Love Jesus: Henrik is open about, and proud of, his religious beliefs.
• The Big Guy: Henrik is a Class 5, smart as well as strong in battle.
• Vitriolic Best Buds: With Armin, especially when they're discussing politics.
• Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Henrik isn't too crazy about heights.

Armin Tamas

And I'm the legendary Armin Tamas!

Armin, an irrepressible wise guy and would-be ladies' man, rounds out the trio of the Three Compadres with Ryan and Henrik. Armin and Henrik are polar opposites in terms of politics and values, and Ryan sometimes has to intervene to keep things from getting heated between them. Ryan once refers to him as "loose on the whole 'morals' bit", and he has been known to do a spot of thieving from time to time. Despite this, he remains a likeable and loyal friend. Armin also fancies himself as a comedian, though his sense of timing often ruins his punchlines. Armin's weapon of choice is the knife, and he carries a pair of them.

Armin's mother is Melody Tamas, a caterer; he also has a younger brother named Shirvin. His father, who is unnamed, abandoned the family just after his brother's birth. His family has financial problems, which he admits is the reason why he often comes across as money-grubbing. His family was originally from the Fulton Republic, but he considers himself a Galvenian first and foremost.

• Casanova Wannabe: "Wannabe" is right; he generally gets squashed whenever he tries a pick-up line, though his fortunes change towards the end of Act I following some timely advice from Ryan.
• Fighter, Mage, Thief: Armin is the Thief to Ryan's Fighter and Henrik's Mage (at least personality-wise.)
• Loveable Rogue: He knows a bit too much about picking pockets to be honest, but it's hard to dislike Armin. In fact, considering that cash isn't that easy to come by early in the game, his "Steal" move is one of the best ways to stock up on potions or items.
• Oh, Crap!: His reaction when he puts Lavie into tsuntsun mode by criticizing her cooking. Ryan and Henrik later make fun of him for it.
• Vitriolic Best Buds: With Henrik.

Lavender "Lavie" Regale

Your father said you needed an assistant, and here I am! Lavie Regale, at your service!

Lavie, aged seventeen, is a classmate of the trio, and has known Ryan from childhood. From what we learn, they were apparently inseparable friends at that age, but things have cooled off - at least on Ryan's side - as they grew older, perhaps due to Ryan finding another girlfriend, Marianne. She still has strong feelings for Ryan, but he tends to ignore them or brush them off. Lavie comes from a wealthy family, but is not conceited. She generally comes across as pleasant, optimistic and cheerful, though she does have a temper. She is a skilled piano player, and a champion at archery, but the least said about her cooking skills, the better. And don't say so to her face.

Lavie's parents are Sigmund Regale, a bibliophile with a magnificent library, and Emily Regale (nee Lancaster), daughter of Gerald and Anne Lancaster. She has an uncle and aunt, Vincent and Agatha Regale, who own a potions shop in the nearby town of Trinden. Lavie is very close to her maternal grandmother, who lives by herself on Mann Island, which is a short sea trip away from Davenport.

Lavie's weapon of choice is the longbow, though she uses it for sport rather than combat.

• Brainy Brunette: She's the only character in the game who can level up by solving puzzles or tests of memory, rather than by just grinding.
• Buxom Beauty Standard: According to her grandmother, Lavie is one in a long line of "curvaceous Lancaster women".
• Catchphrase: "A deputy doesn't complain", "I, Lavie Regale, will do X, or die trying!"
• Cool Big Sis: Lavie plays this role to little Betty Taylor in the remake.
• Cute Clumsy Girl: She means well, but her attempts to help out generally end up a mess. For example, when she helps Carmen, her housekeeper, to water plants, Carmen ends up having to replant them all. And when Lavie generously offers to sweep up her grandmother's cottage for her, poor Grandma Lancaster ends up with almost all her crockery smashed:
  Lavie: (singing as she sweeps) "La la la, la la la..."
  (sound of crockery smashing as she accidentally bumps into it)
  Lavie: (upset) "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
• Faux Action Girl: She comes across as this in the Glendale quest.
• Feminine Women Can Cook: Both Lavie's mother and grandmother are excellent at cooking. Lavie is, well, not in their league, but still believes that she will get there someday.
  Lavie: (amused) "A cookbook! I hope I'll be able to use one someday.."
• Genki Girl: She's cheerful, bright and energetic in general, when not in tsuntsun mode.
• Guys Smash, Girls Shoot: Being the only girl in the party during Act I, Lavie fights with a longbow, whereas Ryan, Henrik and Juno are swordsman and Armin uses a knife.
• I Am Not Pretty: She says this to her grandmother, mainly because she can't get Ryan to notice her, but no one else in-universe agrees; everyone from Ryan's dad to a little girl in Westchester considers her attractive.
• Lethal Chef: Ryan was apparently sick for three days after trying one of her recipes. He has dubbed them "Kitchen Katastrophes" ever since.
• Lipstick-and-Load Montage: Lavie does it in the ending of Act I. Ryan has to leave her behind because she takes to much time at it and almost causes him to lost the ship.
• Love Hurts: She loves Ryan, but Ryan is still getting over his breakup with Marianne, and considers her a friend at best, a nuisance at worst. One of the saddest scenes in the remake is when Lavie, eavesdropping on a conversation between Ryan and Marianne, can't contain her tears.
• Luminescent Blush: Lavie tends to develop one whenever she experiences any strong emotion.
• Meaningful Name: Her first name evokes flowers and femininity; her last name is either a reference to her wealth, or a wry comment on her cooking skills.
• Patient Childhood Love Interest: Alternates between patient and passionate, but fits the general description.
• Plucky Girl: She's not too fond of creepy parks or lizards, but Lavie will not give up on a difficult task.
  Lavie: (scared, but determined) "A deputy doesn't complain.."
• Red Eyes, Take Warning: Her eyes turn red when she's in tsuntsun mode.
• Tsundere: A Type B version. She's nice and cheerful in general, love-struck or even flirtatious when with Ryan, but if he hurts her feelings - or if anyone else makes fun of her cooking - there will be hell to pay.
  Lavie: (brightly) "Good morning, sunshine! Good morning, trees! Good morning, birds!"
  (beat)
  Lavie: (darkly) "But a bad morning to you, Ryan Eramond! A bad, BAD morning! Hmph!"

Marianne Robertson

I could face each and every day, knowing that I had you..

Marianne is Ryan's former girlfriend, and his first love. They had been "going steady" for about six months, but their relationship was tragically interrupted when Ryan walked in on her kissing another classmate. We see little of Marianne in Act I, but she's an important character - Ryan's conflicted feelings for her are an important motive for his character, and her encounter with Ryan in the park is a great Character Development sequence for both of them. Marianne works as a barmaid in the local pub.

Marianne's father is Alex Robertson, about whom we aren't told much - except that he has an appointment to see Sigmund Regale at one point. We know nothing about her mother.

• Insecure Love Interest: This was left unclear in the original, but is made much more explicit in the remake; she even ends up telling Ryan, in effect, that It's Not You, It's Me.
• Make Up or Break Up: Halfway through Act I, Marianne meets Ryan and tearfully asks him to forgive her. He doesn't refuse, but can't make up his mind.
• Meido: In her encounter with Ryan, she's wearing a barmaid's apron.
• Ms. Fanservice: Wears the most "fan-service"y outfits of all the women in the game.

Colonel Whitworth

A sword is a weapon of honour.

Colonel Walter Whitworth is a decorated war hero, a member of the Commonwealth Peacekeeping Forces (CPF), who played a vital role in saving the Commonwealth from the attack of the "War Hawks" at the Battle of Chespa Bay. He now runs an Academy of Swordsmanship in Davenport, whose pupils include Ryan and Henrik. A hard taskmaster, he believes in fair play, honour and integrity. His Academy's mottos are "Perfection, Or Nothing" and "No Guns."

• Determinator: Walter Whitworth was born with a rare genetic disease, and his mother was told that he wouldn't survive infancy. The Colonel took great pride in defying this prediction, and accomplished a lot - in war and in peace - before finally dying at the age of seventy, at the beginning of Act II.
• Master Swordsman: His reputation is so high that students travel from all over Galvenia to take lessons from him.
• Obi-Wan Moment: The Colonel goes out pretty much this way at the beginning of Act II.
• Old Master: A very good example of this trope in action.
• Parental Substitute: To Henrik Spenson, as we learn in Act II.
• Verbal Tic: He tends to end his sentences with a very British "what what?"

Grandma Lancaster

And how's my favourite granddaughter in the whole world?

Anne Lancaster, Lavie's maternal grandmother, lives on nearby Mann Island, where she is universally loved by youth for her warm nature and cooking skills. Anne's husband, Gerald Lancaster, died about eight years before the events of Act I, and she lives in the house that he built. She did try living with Lavie and her parents for a while, but she and Sigmund Regale couldn't get along. She shares a very close bond with Lavie, and is a source of consolation and good advice for her.

• Cool Old Lady: Here she is, advising Lavie on how to recognize true love, for example:
  Anne Lancaster: (calmly) "..and when he kisses you, your knees feel weak. I think that's - one of the clearest signs."
  Lavie: (blushing) "G-Gran! C-c'mon, now...."
  Anne Lancaster: (amused) "It's true, dear. You may think it's something from a storybook, but when it happens, you'll know."
• Granny Classic: A quintessential example, though she has no cats.
• Grow Old with Me: Her relationship with her late husband was apparently very much along these lines.
• I Was Quite a Looker: An interesting example. In the game, Anne is a grey-haired elderly lady. But when she and Lavie have a chat, she boosts Lavie's self-esteem by saying that, when she was a young girl, she looked just like Lavie.
• Supreme Chef: She's universally acknowledged as one, and has passed on her skills to her daughter, Emily.

Juno

You dare to mock the name of Juno?

Juno's full name is Makarov Juno, but he does not like to be addressed by his first name, except possibly by Henrik. An angry young man, Juno harbours a grudge against Ryan, for reasons that are unclear. Juno is a master swordsman, with a "formidable, but unorthodox technique" (according to Colonel Whitworth), but can also play dirty when it suits him. Juno is intelligent, and tends to use formal language and forms of address in his speech.

Unlike the other characters, we know very little about Juno's past, though we are told that his mother is still alive. His father was a Lieutenant in the Galvenian Army at some point in time, but we know little else about him.

• Arch-Enemy: To Ryan. It's strongly hinted that it's because Juno is The Resenter.
• Disappeared Dad: Of the "deceased" variety, see below.
• Gender-Blender Name: Juno prefers to be addressed by his surname, for obvious reasons, but the trouble is that Juno is a woman's name - it's the name of Jupiter / Zeus' wife and consort in Greco-Roman mythology, the Roman equivalent of the Greek Hera.
• Goldfish Poop Gang: An odd example. When he's opposing Ryan, or trying to score off him, then he's just a nuisance. But as a playable character, he's probably the most powerful.
• Master Swordsman: His attacks deal the most damage in the whole of Act I. However, when he faced off against Ryan, he was defeated quite convincingly.
• Military Brat: We learn during the Lorea Mine quest that his father was a lieutenant. Completing the dogtag sidequest, visiting the graveyard, and doing a little mental arithmetic fills out the rest of the story about his father.
• Mysterious Past: We know very little about Juno's backstory, his family, or what makes him tick. However, completing a certain sidequest in the remake gives you strong hints that his father was a soldier, and died a hero's death saving Davenport from bandits.
• Mirror Character: To Ryan. Both allow their grudges with each other to get the better of them and both have family members who they admire for being brave soldiers. The latter might explain why both take great offense at Kodenai’s act of treason.
• Pet the Dog: For all his vengeful behaviour towards Ryan, he can be downright nice to Henrik - at one point, even calling out Ryan on the need to involve Henrik in their discussion.
• The Resenter: He fits this trope to a T; he's the resenter to Ryan's hero.

Kodenai

I thought I had covered my tracks fairly well.

Londes Kodenai, a former member of the Galvenian Royal Army, is the personal aide and security guard to the corrupt Mayor of Glendale, Samuel Talmadge. When Talmadge is arrested for stealing a valuable necklace, Kodenai is arrested along with him, and the two are transferred to Lorean for safe custody. However, Kodenai manages to escape, and we gradually learn that he may be involved in treason. At the end of Act I, Kodenai is caught and defeated in battle by Ryan, Henrik and Juno, but is killed by Juno before we can learn more about the conspiracy he is involved in. Though he held a clerical post in the Army, Kodenai is skilled in battle, and deceptively strong.

• Hidden Depths: He goes from "Mayor's flunky" to "mysterious conspirator" over the course of Act I.
• I Surrender, Suckers: One possible explanation for his conduct at the end of the final battle.
• Just Following Orders: Kodenai's excuse to Ryan and his companions, when they accuse him of being a traitor.

Princess Carranya

Ryan, would you like to dance?

Princess Carranya Gerius Elizabeth Alexandra Lionheart is the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Galvenia. Ryan meets her in the course of Act II, where she has stowed away on board the HMS Paradiso, to try to convince the Zion Emperor to avoid a war with the Varald Directorate. When she is caught travelling without a ticket, Ryan comes to her rescue, and the two become friends. Carranya has led a rather sheltered life, due to her royal background, and is eager to experience the simple pleasures of life - such as dancing or acting in a play - in Ryan's company. She initially comes across as stereotypically "shy, demure and quiet", but has hidden depths as well.

Princess Carranya's parents are King Arlbert and Queen Katarina of Galvenia. She loves Galvenian history, and her knowledge of it far outstrips Ryan's.

• Holy Hand Grenade: Her offensive moves are both light-based "holy" attacks.
• I Just Want to Be Normal: She admits this to Ryan when they're dancing.
• Jack of All Trades: She can use light-based magic, has a number of buffs, and is also the only healer in the whole of Love and War.
• Luminescent Blush: She is a princess, after all... and it goes well with the red hair and green eyes.

• Overly Long Name: As befits royalty. "Gerius" is her maternal ancestors' house name, "Lionheart" is the name of the ruling dynasty. "Elizabeth" and "Alexandra" are obvious references to real-world royalty - Elizabeth to the Queens of England, and there's a long list of real-world princesses who share her other name.
• Princess Classic: A straight example, though played with a bit when she decides to have a day of fun.
• Princesses Prefer Pink: Played straight, she says pink is her favourite colour.
• Religion is Magic: Carranya's attacks begin with her bowing in supplication and praying to the Infinity - followed by her frying the enemy party with beams of holy light.
• Shrinking Violet: Played with. She is expected to behave in this way, as befits female royalty, and Ryan also expects this. However, it's not so much that she is shy, as that she has trained herself to be that way - she is actually brave and resourceful when given the opportunity, as befits a descendant of Lady Penelope.
• Significant Green-Eyed Redhead: A good example - she's passionate, but sensible and conscious of her duties as the Princess.
• When She Smiles: Though she's not "plain" by any means, she remains a triumphant example - people find it very hard to resist her when she does this, including cranky restaurant owners.
• White Magician Girl: She's red-haired, but fits the trope well otherwise: feminine, compassionate, peace-loving, and good at healing spells.
• Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Carranya is a brave young woman, to the point of joining Ryan in combat, but she does not like spiders.
• Yamato Nadeshiko: A Galvenian version.