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The Nephilim Army

The Captain

A young but talented officer of the Veridian Empire's army, they find themselves right in the epicentre of ruthless conspiracies and ancient prophecies when it is discovered that they are a reincarnation of the Avatar of Donar, a legendary hero who defeated the dark god Zanatus many centuries ago. A determined and charismatic man or woman, they eventually become a leader defining the course of history.

All of the Other Reindeer: The Hero got bullied in the military academy for their low birth, but with Zelos' encouragement they get to stand up for themselves.
Back from the Dead: Gets executed by Casamir but returns to life 2 years later.
But Now I Must Go: Leaves Veridia and most of their companions after the final victory over Zanatus, both because he does not want to become another autocratic ruler and in order to investigate the hints that Zanatus has left before death.
Canon Name: The Hero's default name is Lindly for the female version and Devoa for the male version.
The Chosen One: The Temple of Donar hails the Captain as one of the Nephilim and the reincarnation to the Avatar of Donar. The Captain on their part is sceptical to the idea at first, but ultimately it is proven right.
Conveniently an Orphan: The hero's mother dies at childbirth during the opening cutscene, with the father having died in wars even before that.
Curtains Match the Window: Blue hair, blue eyes.
Hello, [Insert Name Here]: When you start the game you get a default name suggested to you but you can name your hero however you want, and later rename them to your heart's content.
The Hero Dies: At the end of Chapter 12. They get better.
Heroes Prefer Swords: Their weapon of choice is one.
Hope Bringer: Is seen as this by the Temple of Donar, and later by the whole population of Veridia as a living avatar of a god and someone who can topple Casamir's corrupt rule. They're this even in gameplay post-Time Skip - they give morale bonus to squads within certain radius.
Know When to Fold Them: When facing impossible odds at the end of chapter 12 the Captain willingly surrenders to Casamir in order to give their companions a chance to flee and fight another day.
The Leader: Naturally falls into this position amidst their various companions through a combination of natural charisma, assertiveness and skill. Even Diana defers to the Captain for military decisions when they are taken in by the Temple of Donar, despite being the Temple's leader in all but name and a skilled warrior in her own right - justified as while she's a better warrior than them the Captain is a better strategist, which she easily admits. Fittingly, when the Captain is executed their followers splinter, forming independent branches of resistance, but merge again when they are back to life. In combat they're not the hardest hitter but they gain leadership stat at a very quick rate.
Messianic Archetype: Ticks off a lot of boxes, including having a lot of companions, fighting against the ultimate evil and being The Chosen One, as well as dying, getting resurrected and getting betrayed by one of said companions.
Mid-Season Upgrade: When they return from the dead the Hero shows up with a new look and arsenal of abilities, including an improved class, a magical attack, the ability to resurrect units in the field, and the ability to give a divine blessing.
Power Gives You Wings: The captain displays spectral wings behind their back at times once they fully awaken to their power as a Nephilim. They still don't fly in gameplay.
Purely Aesthetic Gender: You can have your hero be either male or female, and the only thing it changes is the available romantic bonds. The game does seem to be very slightly biased towards them being female - the main menu art portraits the captain as a woman, and in the event art when the Captain is executed you can make out them having long hair, which the hero only has as a woman, but that's the extent of it.
Rapid Aging: Downplayed - when they return after Time Skip only two years have passed but the Hero looks aged by about a decade.
The Strategist: The Hero is a graduate of the Veridian Militiary Academy and they clearly didn't slack there. More often than not it is specifically they who come up with strategic decisions that form the basis of your battles.
Street Urchin: Being an orphan in a post-war country that was their childhood until they got picked up by Barnabas and tagged along with the army.
Unexplained Recovery: They never explain just how they returned to life when they did, only saying that Powers That Be have deemed it so.

Zelos

Another Veridian officer and the Captain's best friend from the academy days. If the Captain's main talent is strategy then Zelos is a renowned warrior.

Annoying Arrows: The poisoned crossbow bolts only take him down because of paralysing poison, not because they are crossbow bolts.
BFS: Lugs around a huge Zweihander.
Big Brother Mentor: Plays this part to the orphan Hero.
The Big Guy: He has a very imposing stature which helps with his warrior skills.
Bully Hunter: He does not fight the Captain's battles for them, and encourages them to push back against their bullies by themselves when those come - but he still supports the Captain emotionally, and it is implied that he does give the bullies his own beatdowns for the Hero's sake later.
Crutch Character: He's there to help you with early chapters by being a Tier 3 powerhouse when you barely see anything beyond Tier 1. His crutch runs out as soon as Chapter 3 though when units capable of overwhelming even him show up. Then he gets captured.
11th-Hour Ranger: He rejoins the team in the penultimate chapter, helping the Hero against Lysander's rebellion.
Gay Option: He's the sole male romantic bond option for a male Hero. That being said, the rest of his potential bond options are women, including a female Hero.
Heterosexual Life-Partners: With the male Captain if not picked as a romantic bond for him, as they are still very close.
Implacable Man: The cultists of Zanatos have to pump him full of poisoned bolts to finally get him to drop down to be captured, as he just powers through a standard dose.
One-Man Army: The Captain outright calls him that at one point, and he indeed plows through almost anything without an issue on levels where he's present.
Military Maverick: The first chapter has him hear of the Antares' Rebellion increased activity in the area and jump in without waiting for reinforcements, draggin the Hero along. This works out for the best, as since they come out on top this serves to kickstart the Hero's military career.
Sacrificial Lion: He gets taken down and captured by the cult of Zanatos along with the Captain early on, but only the Hero successfully escapes.
Uncertain Doom: When we last see him after his capture the cultists of Zanatos enter his cell, but what happens next is not shown. See the entry for the Hand of Zanatos to get the idea.

Jules

Another friend of the Captain from the academy days, and another orphan. Jules is of Sayunaan origin but he was raised in Veridia according to Veridian customs, so he's never actually visited Sayunaa though he's eager to do so. A cheerful and gentle young man and a good archer.

Age-Gap Romance: His canon romantic bond is Narima, who looks about a decade older than him.
Bodyguard Crush: He can enter a relationship with his retainer Narima. She then becomes queen consort of Sayunaa after the game's events.
The Good King: In the epilogue with Narima as his queen he quickly delegates all military matters to her, instead focusing on internal affairs and culture. His efforts earn him the moniker "Gold-hearted" to indicate his kindness.
Happily Adopted: Unlike the Hero Jules lucked out as an oprhan, since he was adopted by rich and loving parents who also made sure he's at least educated about the culture he comes from. In return he talks like he's fond of them.
Hidden Backup Prince: Exaggerated. He doesn't know that he's the heir to the Sayunaari throne until Narima tells him just after Sayunaa is liberated and she prepares to crown him.
Lost Orphaned Royalty: He along with Abygail are the surviving descendants to the Dargon dynasty of Sayunaa, making them royalty by blood. Narima is the one who eventually reveals it to him and the cast.
Modest Royalty: He stays humble even after his royal heritage is revealed to him and he ascends to the throne.
Nice Guy: He's kind and polite to anyone he interacts with.
Red Oni, Blue Oni: The game uses this phrase verbatim to describe him and Sybil, with his laidback and kind personality makes him blue to her red.
Rightful King Returns: At the conclusion of the Sayunaa arc of missions he assumes the throne of Sayunaa and uses his new position to assist the Nephilim's Army.
Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: When he hears of the Captain's imprisonment for treason he does not buy the accusations for a second, and deserts the army along with Sybil and Barnabas to link up with the Hero and support them.
Strong Girl, Smart Guy: All of his romantic bonds have this dynamic, as while he's far from a Non-Action Guy he's not that interested in warfare and all of his possible partners end up being more combative than him.

Sybil

A priestess from the Sisterhood of Mercy and a friend of Jules, she shows up along with him during the first Chapter. She's a battlefield healer, a position she wants to trade for some real action.

Action Girl: She's one at heart if not by position, as being a priestess she's actually a noncombatant. Playing through a certain gaiden quest allows her to finally get the promotion to a paladin, changing her gameplay class in the process.
Age-Gap Romance: Her canon romance bond is with Barnabas who's old enough to be her father.
Combat Medic: Becoming a paladin turns her into this, as she turns into a frontline combatant while still capable of healing.
Fiery Red Head: She's fiesty, impulsive and notably redheaded.
Field Promotion: Her achieving the rank of a paladin happens around the procedure when Diana grants her the rank of a paladin without having Sybil go through the necessary rites or having a child. She justifies it with the fact that with the Donar Temple crushed Diana remains the last alive paladin and whatever scraps of faith remain need militant protectors. Sybil has sufficiently demonstrated her capability for this role so Diana approves of Sybil assuming the mantle.
Healer Signs On Early: Downplayed. She's the first named healer who joins your team (generics notwithstanding) and joins in the second chapter.
Heterosexual Life-Partners: Becomes this with Abygail if she becomes a paladin, with Abygail acting as her bonded sister.
Mandatory Motherhood: Another reason why she cannot be a paladin yet is that all prospective candidates must have a child before they are considered, and Sybil is childless (and single for that matter).
Red Oni, Blue Oni: With her restless and impulsive character she's red to Jules blue.
Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Along with Jules and Barnabas she deserts the army and falls in with the Captain after they are accused of murdering the Empress.
Unishment: If romanced by the Hero, her penance for her actions includes accompanying the hero for at least a year in the game's epilogue, and Diana allows her to keep her status as a Paladin.
White Mage: Her starting class is a priestess which acts as pure healer, but she desperately wants to be a paladin instead.
You Were Trying Too Hard: She's eager to join the Sisterhood of Justice and become a paladin, and this eagerness is a large part of why she keeps getting refused. According to Diana, if you want the role, you're not qualified for it. Diana eventually drops this position, since the Temple needs fighters and Sybil's willing.

Barnabas

A master sergeant in the Veridian Army, much more skillful and experienced that his rank might imply. Barnabas was the one who took the Hero into the army as an urchin, allowing them to stay with his unit to help with menial tasks, looking after them until they were old enough to take care of themselves.

Almighty Janitor: He's merely a master sergeant but his reputation and experience far exceed his nominal rank, and those who know him well can attest to it - Zelos for example still calls him "sir" out of respect even if he actually outranks Barnabas now.
Because I'm Good At It: He'd be perfectly fine with retiring to the life of agriculture but he stays in the army because he's a good soldier and he knows it, same as he knows that civilian people need good soldiers to protect them in times of war.
Cavalry Officer: In-game he's a knight class, and his leader trait reduces the capacity requirement of other cavalry units in his squad, letting him build a cavalry squad with ease.
Declining Promotion: He could've rose through the ranks long ago, but he keeps declining promotions as he doesn't want additional duties and paperwork that comes with the officer rank.
Parental Substitute: They don't call each other "father" and "son/daughter" and by now the Captain does not require any parental protection but in the past Barnabas acted as one to the Captain, after he took them into his unit and later provided other assistance for the Hero to get where they are by the time the game starts.
Old Soldier: Barnabas has been in the army for more than 20 years.
Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: He deserts the army along with Jules and Sybil to join with the Captain after they are broken out of prison, and as it is implied in his conversations it's generally very important for him that a fighting happens for a good cause.

Stefan

A thief, rogue and a general scoundrel and also a spy in employ of the Temple of Donar. Stefan enters the plot when he breaks the Captain out of their imprisonment and along with Diana takes them to the temple grounds for sanctuary, remaining their steadfast companion ever since.

The Alcoholic: He's fond of his sauce, and one of his unit selection barks even references this.
Back Stab: In combat Stefan is basically a reskinned assassin, and so he is capable of performing stealth attacks like assassins and rogues do.
The Chosen One: He's also a Nephilim.
Everyone Has Standards: Rogue he may be he views the Tidereavers and their slavery trade with utter contempt.
Flash Step: After awakening to his Nephilim powers he becomes capable of teleporting around as well as teleporting whole squads on the battlefield. Recovering his Nephilim weapon enhances it even further as outlined in the Mid-Season Upgrade below.
Forgot About His Powers: In the scene where Casamir reveals he has Diana's son hostage Stefan probably could've used his Flash Step abilities to grab the kid and bypass the whole level through that, but he does not make a move. Could be justified by him possibly being just as affected by this as Diana was and also not willing to gamble with the boy's life when Alex was within the stabbing range from Kuroda.
Handsome Lech: He will hit on several female characters in your group, to varying success. If he completes his romantic bond with Diana he is forced to agree to cut it out.
Honorary Uncle: To Diana's son, Alex.
Heel–Face Turn: Happened before the game started. It's implied he was less scrupulous in the past but Diana's influence set him straight(er).
Loveable Rogue: He's a thief, a lech and an overall scoundrel, but he willingly serves the good cause and his heart is in the right place.
Mid-Season Upgrade: Late in the game he uncovers a magic weapon that gives him an extra attack in combat and turns all of his attacks into back stabs, even on defence.
Not Good with Rejection: Played for laughs - when Abygail shoots his flirting down by playfully saying she likes handsome and manly men unlike Stefan he completely buys it and is mortified as a result.
Prayer Is a Last Resort: Offers a heartfelt one at the end of the Chapter 17 in the Darkest Hour as he's standing at the top of Mount Ptolomea next to Diana's dead body, asking Donar to lend his followers his aid in the time when they need it the most.
Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: By the end of the game he starts to see this as his raison d'etre - he still remains a rogue and a thief, but he resolves to use his skills to punish the wicked that cannot be touched by law.
True Companions: With Diana, and their characters arguably have the most chemistry between them among the whole cast.

Diana

The head paladin of the Temple of Donar, she along with Stefan bust out the Hero out of their unjust imprisonment. She is the one who reveals to the Captain their destiny as a Nephilim, and subsequently remains one of their most steadfast allies.

Action Mom: It is actually a requirement for a priestess to bear a child before she is allowed to become a paladin, but Diana's case is more pronounced as her son Alex actually plays a part in the plot.
Amazonian Beauty: She's tall, muscular and quite attractive. Even more so after she recovers her Nephilim weapon and becomes inhumanly tall and muscular, but still remains kinda attractive.
Badass in Distress: Briefly in Chapter 27, where she is captured by Casamir and you need to bail her out. She only lets herself gets captured because Casamir also has her son hostage, forcing her compliance. If not for that with the Nephilim power she has at that moment she'd be fully capable of breaking out without help - you may notice that the strength of the squad guarding her is actually lower than her own.
Brutish Character, Brutish Weapon: Subverted. She fights with a huge warhammer that she can use to cleave rows of enemies at once. She trades it for a Shockwave Stomp after she recovers her Nephilim weapon. However, while she's the most physically powerful member of the army, she isn't dumb, as she jokingly points out to Lysander.
The Chosen One: Like the Captain she is also a Nephilim, being a reincarnation of one of the heroes that defeated Zanatus a millenium ago.
Dumb Muscle: Diana defies this trope in a joking manner. Since Lysander takes her (due to her hulking size) to be a bit of a brute, Diana starts using Hulk Speak now and then when talking with him.
Extreme Mêlée Revenge: Implied to inflict this on Casamir as she pointedly discards her hammer and her gauntlet before the Captain leaves them alone in a room.
Fanservice Pack: Receives one along with her Mid-Season Upgrade, where her armour now exposes her shoulders and gains an Impossibly-Low Neckline. Much less of an issue than it seems, since with her new height you can only reach that opening with an arrow.
Gory Discretion Shot: We are not shown what she does to Casamir as the scene fades away to black and changes when the Hero steps out of the room and she is seen moving towards Casamir. Judging from characters' subsequent comments the result was nothing short of horrifying.
Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Blonde and thoroughly heroic.
The Hero Dies: She dies from exposure atop the Mount Ptolomea, sitting for several days before the door to the Gods' Realm that refused to open. Thankfully, the first thing the Hero does after their own return to life is resurrecting her.
Hyper-Competent Sidekick: She's this to the Grandmaster Oxley who is the formal head of the Temple and she defers to him. She staunchily refuses to go for the position of the Grandmistress, believing herself unfit for this rank, but in truth devotees of the faith still view her with greater authority than they do the Grandmaster.
Loved I Not Honor More: She clearly loves her son but he views her militant duty as a paladin equally important, so she is often away from him. Alex is not always understanding.
Mama Bear: Even if she is not always around she is very protective of her son Alex, and spends two years during the Time Skip busting the cult's children reeducation camps instead of pursuing the prophecy that could save the world in hopes of finding him. Consequently, when she finally gets her hands on Casamir after he kidnaps her son it ends very poorly for the man.
Mid-Season Upgrade: After she fully awakens to her Nephilim heritage she gains access to a divine power, letting her (or another squad you mark) Draw Aggro while benefitting from increased resistance. Finding her Nephilim weapon enhances it further, granting her the ability to grow to a gigantic size. In that form she grows several times taller (though she can still fit into buildings) with proportionate increase in strength, to the point where she can defeat enemies via Shockwave Stomp.
The Paragon: She is viewed with adoration as an ideal hero of the Donari faith to others, a fervent upholder of justice and a protector of the weak. Fittingly, after the Hero is executed she picks up their torch as the leader of one branch of the resistance against Casamir.
Razor Wind: After receiving her Nephilim weapon she gains a ranged attack where she sends out a wave of energy at the enemy by swiping her arm through the air.
Reasonable Authority Figure: As a paladin she is focused on upholding the tenets and laws of her faith, but it's made clear that she holds the spirit of the laws higher than their letter. The best example is how she allows for Sybil's promotion to a paladin without following with all the necessary rites and requirements, and according to the epilogue she wasn't actually planning on having Sybil go through all those requirements even later.
The Redeemer: Acted as one to Stefan after he was captured in one of her slaver raids, enlisting his services. Time spent with her resulted in an improved moral compass for him.
Red Baron: She is called the Goddess of War.
Sizeshifter: Becomes one following her Mid-Season Upgrade, where she gains the ability to grow at will. Or rather shrink - in one of her conversations with Stefan she reveals that her giant form is her default form now, and she instead shrinks to better interact with people.
Statuesque Stunner: She towers over everyone else in the cast, but is still viewed as beautiful by others and has multiple possible romantic bonds.
Supporting Leader: She's the de facto head of the Temple of Donar, especially so during the time skip when the Donari faith is all but eradicated and she becomes the leader by default, yet she still defers to the Captain, lending the Temple's forces to their use, and lets them make the calls in battle.
Tranquil Fury: When she finally faces Casamir following his kidnapping of her son she does not utter a single word, but her actions speak volumes.

Abygail

A priestess in the Temple of Donar, she's encountered soon after the Hero is rescued from the prison. She's also Jules' sister, an orphan from Sayunaa just like him.

Action Duo: Forms one with Sybil if the latter gets her promotion to a paladin and Abygail becomes her bonded sister. They cost half the capacity if one gets added to another's squad, encouraging you to group them together.
Dragon Tamer: She has an affinity for dragons. Dragons included in her squad gain XP at an increased rate, and in a gaiden quest she's the one who convinces the ancient dragon Azuros to join your cause.
Fluffy the Terrible: She names the first drakeling she finds Nibbler. It stays Nibbler even if you advance it into a mature dragon.
Lost Orphaned Royalty: Just like her brother she is a blood descendant of the Dargon dynasty of Sayunaa. After Jules claims the throne she is given the title of Princess-Royal herself.
Nice Girl: Kind, supportive and bubbly.
Silk Hiding Steel: She's not an Action Girl but she refuses to be a Neutral Female either. Jules describes her as fiercely independent and says she does not let him coddle her, and while she's nothing but nice and polite to others she's not exactly meek or spineless. Perfectly demonstrated when she shoots down Stefan's unwanted advances without breaking her usual sweet demeanour or invoking any outward hostility, but leaving him gasping for air.
White Mage: As a priestess she's a pure healer in combat.

Narima

A Sayunaari whom the Captain's party encounters as they raid the Tidereaver's fleet. Grateful for their assistance Narima accompanies them afterwards, though she might actually have other reasons for doing so.

Amazonian Beauty: She's quite muscular but still attractive as attested by her multiple possible romantic bonds.
Back Stab: Played with - she does not have a true back stab attack like rogues and assasins do, but she's not actually impeded by enemies in the front rows and is capable of attacking backliners even if the front row is still alive and intact, effectively giving her a back stab capability. It happens randomly depending on how her AI picks her targets, but it can happen on any turn even on defence.
Bodyguard Crush: In her romantic bond with Jules, as he's a royalty by blood and she's his retainer. The inequality is eventually removed as he makes her his queen and even before that she's viewed as the power behind the throne.
Bow and Sword in Accord: Fights with a bow and a two-handed blade, effectively being a combination of a samurai (being a hybrid melee and ranged attacker) and a blademaster (strong double melee attack and relying more on evasion than armour to survive) in combat.
Cultural Posturing: She holds the Sayunaari culture in great esteem, and feels rather dismissive about the Veridian heartlanders. Something she and Jaromir bond over.
Damsel out of Distress: She was a Tidereavers captive when the Captain raids their fleet - an opportunity she uses to break out on her own and assist in the fight.
Dark Is Not Evil: Dressed in all black but she's a Pragmatic Hero at worst.
Good Is Not Nice: She has noble goals and intentions but she's rather pragmatic in how she goes for them. It's also clear that while she supports the Nephilim cause she does it primarily for Sayunaa's sake and has her own goals placed above the Captains'.
Glass Cannon: She's not that resilient in combat but her damage output is very high.
The Order: She's a part of the Scions of Dargon, a clandestine circle of loyalists to the Dargon dynasty who for were trying to restore the Dargon bloodline after it was seemingly terminated a century ago. When they discover Jules who is descended from that bloodline she joins the Nephilim army to keep an eye on him and eventually restore him to the throne.
Really Royalty Reveal: She's the one who breaks the news about Jules' royal heritage to him - no sooner than when the current Sayunaari prime minister is dead and all obstacles before Jules and the royal title are removed.
Tsundere: She does not get along with Stefan at all at first, telling him in no uncertain terms to keep away. She's still a potential romantic bond for him, making her this if the bond is formed.
Undying Loyalty: To the Dargon bloodline, and as a result to Jules.

Lysander

A renowned Veridian general, he secretly reaches out to the Captain after their escape, and eventually joins them in full, lending his knowledge and strategic talent to their cause.

All Love Is Unrequited: He gets smitten with Diana at one point but she does not reciprocate, and it is not possible to form a romantic bond for them.
Arbitrary Scepticism: Subverted. He's not in a hurry to believe the prophecy of the Nephilim even as it unfolds right before his eyes - however it's not that he simply dismisses the prophecy but rather he refuses to take it at face value, suspecting that there might be more to it.
Cassandra Truth: His warning that retrieving all Nephilim weapons will unleash Zanatus? Turns out 100% correct.
Cunning Linguist: He's able to pick up some basics of the ancient language that Historium Magnus is written in as he tries to study what it says on the Nephilim prophecy. That he had to reach out to the cult of Zanatus to access it is what makes it a spoiler.
Defector from Decadence: He wasn't there to see Casamir's treacherous nature with his own eyes but he figures out that Casamir's no good anyway, so he jumps ship and joins the Nephilim Rebellion.
Easily Forgiven: Double Subverted. The Hero does not hate Lysander for his mutiny, but he's still hurt by it and when all is said and done Lysander is put to prison as punishment.
Expecting Someone Taller: The Captain was surprised to find out that the famed general Lysander was someone so young.
Finding Judas: Near the end of the game he betrays the Hero, wary that their quest may actually cause some apocalyptic event and also worried that the Captain might be on his way to become yet another autocrat.
Manipulative Bastard: He somehow manages to convince every non-Nephilim in the party to join his mutiny and stop the Hero with the help from the cult of Zanatus, even the Captain's romantic bond.
Non-Action Guy: He's a commander, not a bruiser. In combat instead of striking an enemy he performs a squad-wide heal.
Number Two: He serves as the Hero's chief adviser after the Time Skip and he rejoins the team. It helps that he's the one person willing to push back against the Hero.
The Smart Guy: He's easily the smartest one on the Nephilim team, with extensive knowledge in a wide set of areas including strategy, advances in technology, social studies and statecraft. During the epilogue when Veridia transforms into a republic he's the one who drafts its constitution.
Smart People Wear Glasses: He wears a pair of round glasses and he's quite an intellectual.
Status Buff: Simply having him deployed buffs the hit and evasion rate for all of your squads.
Sour Supporter: Deliberately and intentionally. He's not afraid to criticise and look for potential flaws in the Hero's plans or reasonings, but that is done to prevent them from making costly mistakes or causing harm rather than out of spite. On the personal level he never wavers in his loyalty to the Hero.
The Strategist: Probably the only one who can be said to surpass the Captain in this area.
The Stoic: Very restrained and composed, his mien almost never cracks.
Treacherous Advisor: Betrays the Hero at one point near the end of the game, though for well-intentioned reasons.
Turncoat: He flips over to the Hero's team right in the middle of a battle to suppress their rebellion, where he started on the Casamir's side.
You Are in Command Now: Despite his betrayal and subsequent punishment, Lysander is still all but slated to become the next Emperor, with the Lord even tasking him to build a better world.
Undying Loyalty: He can cultivate it in men under his command, and they protect him till the very end. In combat, enemies can only target him after everyone else in his squad is killed.
Zero-Effort Boss: He does not get a new set of combat actions when you face him as an enemy, only retaining his heal. Since he faces the Hero all on his lonesome he surrenders after one strike from you, as it happens every time when an enemy squad has only healers left.

Jaromir

The Duke of Embor, and thus one of the highest-ranking nobles in the Veridian Empire. He provides the Captain with his support and troops later into the game, allowing them to revitalise their resistance against Casamir

Cultural Posturing: He views the people of Embor as a different breed from the Empire's heartlanders, and bonds with Narima over their shared view that without northmen and easterners to protect the midlanders from outside threats those would've likely been eradicated long time ago.
Hero-Worshipper: He quite literally worships the Hero as the Avatar of Donar. The Captain has to convince him to talk to them more normally.
Jumped at the Call: When the Captain comes to him to request his aid against Casamir he cannot say "yes" quick enough.
Out of Focus: Once he's recruited into the Nephilim cause he effectively drops out of the narrative. His support is a major contribution to the Captain's power base and his fight against Casamir, but apart from a handful of link events Jaromir might as well not be there as a character.
Reasonable Authority Figure: Not only is he the only ruler who joins the Nephilim Army without any reservations, he's also shown in the epilogue to acquiesce to Veridia becoming a republic, and takes the opportunity to retire peacefully.
Religious Bruiser: He's very devoted to the Donari faith, if his reaction to the Hero is any indication.
Royals Who Actually Do Something: He's a duke, making him only one step below the Emperor of Veridia, and he personally leads armies in combat. Considering his fellow dukes Lothair and Terenor do the same it must be the setting's norm.

Raskuja

A Barek Tor mercenary, he may be hired by the Hero soon after his campaign against Casamir starts, or later if you cannot afford him then.

Cat Folk: As a member of the Barek Tor species, he's a cat man.
Combat Pragmatist: His personal trait Barek Tor Savagery makes all of his attacks ambush attacks at night.
Creepy Good: He's a mercenary who specialises in ambush tactics and his battle map quotes are rather sinister. That said, once hired he sticks with the Captain's cause through thick and thin, and while he may be a sellsword it's clear he prefers fighting for the good guys.
Hero of Another Story: He's an adventuring mercenary who left his homeland to try and secure new connections between his land and the outside world, and revitalise it through incoming trade while earning himself some personal fame in the process.
In-Universe Game Clock: He exploits the game's day and night cycle the most out of all units or characters - at night all attacks done by his squad become ambushes.
Only in It for the Money: When you first meet him you need to pay him to get him to fight by your side. However, even if you don't hire him then it's still possile to recruit him later.
Optional Party Member: He can be missed if you don't pay him his fee.
Trrrilling Rrrs: His vocal quotes feature this. In the event text, this is reflected by him occasionally elongating his rs.

The Donari Temple

Grandmaster Oxley

The Grandmaster of the Temple of Donar, and thus the head of the Donari faith. The Captain encounters him soon after Stefan and Diana break him out of prison, and Oxley provides him with aid with fighting against Casamir.

Almost Dead Guy: After getting stabbed by Jebediah in the back, he manages to hang on long enough to tell Diana to retrieve the prophecy from the Temple basement.
Cunning Linguist: He's able to understand the contents of Historium Magnus, being one of very few individuals in the world capable of doing so.
Hope Spot: When he erects a magical barrier capable of stopping the Hand of Zanatus. Then Jebediah stabs him in the back.
Reasonable Authority Figure: He agrees to lend the Temple's forces to the Captain for their battle against Casamir, and also donates a large sum of gold for your expenses.
Sacrificial Lamb: Gets killed when the Hand of Zanatus raids his abbey.

Jebediah

An acolyte to Grandmaster Oxley and a successor to his knowledge.

All Love Is Unrequited: After he falls under Beatrix's enchantment. Makes perfect sense, seeing how she enchanted him only so she could easily access his notes and otherwise couldn't care less about him.
Bastard Understudy: Jebediah murders Oxley after he took him as his personal study and taught him the language of Historium Magnus.
Cunning Linguist: Along with Oxley he's one of only two people in the world who can read Historium Magnus. Then he kills Oxley, making himself the only one.
The Igor: He's slavishly loyal to the cult's Grandmaster, translating Historium Magnus for him, and he's the only higher up of the Cult of Zanatus to show such devotion - Beatrix, The Hand and even Kuroda all have their own opinions and ultimately end up not caring that much.
The Mole: For the cult of Zanatus.
The Smart Guy: For the Temple of Donar, as Oxley's understudy capable of understanding Historium Magnus. Considering his true allegiance, he's actually Evil Genius.
Smart People Wear Glasses: He wears a pair of round lenses.
Speech Impediment: He has a slight stutter.

Alex

Diana's young son. He lives in one of the Temple's abbeys, so with Diana constantly away they rarely see each other, with Edelia taking care of him.

Children Are Innocent: He is a good kid but still small and naive, and so he shows no trace of suspicion or apprehension when Casamir comes to him and says he can take him to his mother, even though at that point his takeover had already happened and the children kidnappings, Alex included, happened with his sanction.
I Have Your Wife: Casamir takes him as his personal hostage when he learns that it is Diana who leads the resistance against him. He plays this card during one of the final chapters, forcing Diana into submission for that level.
Missing Dad: He grows without his father. Diana only mentions that they are no longer in contact, and we don't even learn his name or any other detail about him.
When You Coming Home, Dad?: He hates that Diana has to spend so much time away from him. Seeing how he looks to be around 5 years old he does not yet understand the importance of her duties.

Edelia

A temple priestess and Diana's bonded sister. As Diana's bonded, it is Edelia's duty to watch over Alex while Diana is away.

Advertised Extra: She is seen in the main menu art and in the epilogue, but has only a bit part in the game's plot and isn't even playable.
Forbidden Love: Her romantic bond with Lysander, should it be formed, is technically against the Temple's rules, but they go with it anyway.
My Greatest Failure: She views letting Alex get taken from her and subsequently following the cult's orders without resistance as this. Diana holds no grudge, as resisting would've only gotten Edelia killed.
Nephewism: Invoked by the Temple's rules. Every church paladin must have children before she can even assume the rank, and every paladin has a bonded sister who watches over her children while she's away. Edelia is Diana's bonded and cares for Alex in her place.
Platonic Life-Partners: She is Diana's bonded partner and raises her son, but there's nothing romantic between them.

The Veridian Empire

Empress Florina

The ruler of the Veridian Empire, obtaining the throne after a long series of conflicts known as the Succession Wars. Her kidnapping by a once loyal general Antares kickstarts the plot.

Damsel in Distress: She gets kidnapped by the mutinous general Antares. Or so it seems. In truth, she went along willingly and he didn't as much kidnap but attempted to save her.
Puppet King: It's clear that Florina only sits the Veridian throne due to being a compromise candidate, which then means that the real power resides elsewhere around the Empire between the Dukes. Even in the direct Imperial realm, Prime Minister Casamir holds the reins of power.
Sacrificial Lamb: Gets killed by Casamir in her second appearance.
We Hardly Knew Ye: She has only two scenes and less than ten lines in the whole game.

General Antares

A hero of the Succession Wars, he unexpectedly turns rogue, kidnaps the Empress and starts an uprising at the onset of the game.

Better to Die than Be Killed: He chooses to commit suicide rather than being arrested (and eventually executed) by the Imperial government after the Hero and Zelos end his rebellion.
Eye Patch Of Power: Has only one eye left.
Hero Antagonist: His uprising had more benevolent motives behind it than it may seem, though you only learn this after he's defeated.
The Paragon Always Rebels: He's a renowned war leader from the time of the Succession Wars, and when he turns rogue his army follows along with him.
Small Role, Big Impact: His rebellion, which gets put down by an army led by two young soldiers, ends up setting off a course of events that would change Tahnra forever.
Starter Villain: Putting down his rebellion forms the basis for the first few chapters of the game.

Prime Minister Casamir

The prime minister of the Veridian Empire, during the Succession Wars he was one of the contenders for the imperial throne, eventually losing it to Florina. He seemingly takes his loss gracefully - until he gets the chance to enact his own scheme.

Ambition Is Evil: No, he didn't let go of his ambitions for the imperial throne, willing to murder, betray, deceive and align himself with the cult to the God of Evil to get there.
Anti-Climax Boss: Mooks protecting him may be tough but Casamir himself goes down without an effort, being represented on the field as a single sentinel with nobody else in his squad. With his low morale it's actually possible to force him to surrender unlike everyone else in that chapter, though he still dies in the plot.
The Chessmaster: He concocts a cunning plan to remove Empress Florina from power, frame the Captain for her death and become the Emperor himself. Later he also elminiates two out of three dukes of the Empire who could have opposed his claim, annexes their lands and successfully sits himself on the throne.
The Emperor: We don't know if Florina fulfilled the evil connotations of the trope but Casamir definitely does once he assumes the throne. Under his rule the cult of Zanatus runs unchecked, forcefully taking children from their parents to be brainwashed into their cult, killing anyone who resists.
Evil Chancellor: Acting as the prime minister at first, he betrays and kills Empress Florina and installs himself as the Emperor soon after.
The Heavy: He's not the Big Bad, but his schemes and the opposition to him drives the majority of the game's plot.
Hero Killer: He executes the Captain after chapter 12. Thankfully, it ends up being only temporary.
Obviously Evil: Honestly, with his look alone it would be more surprising if he hadn't turned out to be a villain.
Puppet King: He thinks that he's using the cult of Zanatus for his own purposes, but literally everyone else can see it's the other way around.
Reasonable Authority Figure: Manages to create an impression of one at first, when he concedes to slowing down the assault on general Antares to preserve soldiers' lives. His true colours show through very quickly, however.
The Resenter: He was spiteful of Florina who, according to him, received the throne only by the privilege given to her by her bloodline, doing nothing to actually earn it.
Sadistic Choice: When he takes both Diana and Alex hostage he puts them in separate cells on the opposite ends of the map, taunting the Hero that he can only save one. It gets subverted however, since you can easily save both in any order - not even Kuroda is willing to kill a child on Casamir's orders.
Too Clever by Half: He's actually a pretty crafty schemer but when finally getting his desired title of the Emperor he finds himself in over his head. Under his rule and with the cult of Zanatus unchecked the Empire slowly degrades and his subjects slip out of his control, with Casamir unable to mitigate the damage and stabilise his reign.
Villainous Breakdown: He gets more and more unstable as his Empire slips from under his control, and secretly he's terrified of the Captain after they return to life. Fittingly, when you finally face him in combat his unit on the battlefield has miniscule morale.
0% Approval Rating: By the time he's taken down his Empire is drowning in uprisings, the people hate him, and consequently history remembers him as nothing but an evil bastard.

Duke Lothair

The Duke of Isanter, who assists the Captain once their uprising is on its way.

The Cavalry: His army arrives to reinforce the Hero's troops when they are cornered by Casamir's forces in the Temple's abbey. The Hero gets to return the favour later.
Know When to Fold 'Em: After the Hero is captured and the rebellion is crushed he is willing to surrender in order to spare his people from further bloodshed.
Reasonable Authority Figure: As a ruler he's compassionate, smart and level-headed, and he's also willing to listen and go along with the Hero's strategies when presented with good ideas.
Royals Who Actually Do Something: He's a duke and the chief strategist of his realm.
Sacrificial Lion: He does not get his chance to surrender as he's assassinated by Kuroda before he can do so. This shows us how bleak things are about to become.

Duke Terenor

The Duke of Rimorgue, he opposes the Captain's rebellion against Casamir following the latter's orders.

Anti-Villain: He seems to be buying into Casamir's lies about the Hero killing the Empress and starting their own uprising, and he's not associated with the cult of Zanatus. From his point of view, he's rightfully putting down a mutiny and punishing betrayers.
Royals Who Actually Do Something: He personally leads his armies in combat, which sadly gets him killed by your hand.
The Rival: His and Lothair's duchies are long rivals, so when Isanter joins the Hero's uprising he does not hesitate to put it down on Casamir's orders.
Uriah Gambit: Implied to be played like this by Casamir, when the latter orders Terenor to assault the hero's stronghold which gets him killed in battle - only for Casamir to immediately show up with an even larger army and wipe out the Hero's resistance.

The Cult of Zanatus

The Hand of Zanatus

A mysterious knight clad in dark armour and the primary enforcer to the Cult of Zanatus. Possessing tremendous power, when he takes the field doom follows his wake, and facing him is certain death.

Black Knight: Played perfectly straight.
Captain Obvious Reveal: No, you won't be surprised when you find out who hides behind that helmet. In universe too, as The Hero seems to figure it out the moment they meet in person, if not sooner.
Cynicism Catalyst: Even after getting freed from Edmund's bondage Zelos's new worldview had not changed. Whatever Zanatus had shown him about the truth of the setting's Divine Conflict had soured him greatly at the Donari faith. He never spells out what is it that Zanatus showed him that changed his mind, but judging from their interactions on the matter the Captain also knows what Zelos knows and does not try to dissuade him, further implying that it's not just lingering brainwashing.
Heel–Face Turn: More like Heel–Face Revolving Door. As he's actually Zelos, he starts as a hero, gets corrupted into a villain, but switches back to the Captain's side in the end.
The Dragon: He's the chief enforcer to the head of the cult of Zanatus and the leader of their armies.
Dragon Rider: In battle he fights from the back of a black dragon.
The Emperor: In the removed alternative ending he becomes one, uniting all of humanity under himself. He does a better job at it than Casamir did too, as while he's remembered for his brutal conquests he's also viewed as a very capable ruler and his reign as the golden age by history.
Even Evil Has Standards: Mass murderer and temple desecrator he may be, even he draws the line at killing children. Pity that his subordinates are not so scrupulous.
Expy: Let's see. Black armour, concealing helmet, Magic Knight, The Dreaded, infamously powerful, serves as the top enforcer to an unseen larger villain, secretly has a personal connection to the protagonist and sacrifices himself to save the protagonist from the aforementioned villain - he's basically this settings's Darth Vader.
Fallen Hero: As Zelos, and also as one of the Nephilim.
Heroic Sacrifice: Fatally stabs himself to save the Hero from Edmund Pendergast. Doesn't stick as the Hero revives him soon after.
Magic Knight: When he drops in to ravage the Temple abbey he is seen both cutting enemies down with his sword and blasting them with elemental attacks.
More than Mind Control: There doesn't seem to be any supernatural compulsion to Zelos' new outlook to life. Even after freeing himself from Edmund Pendergast he views the faith of Donar as nothing but a pile of lies and deception. He is also seen to talk back to Edmund, and on another occasion tries to get Jebediah to doubt him, showing that his mind is his own.
Multi-Armed and Dangerous: His awakened form has four arms, each with their own separate attack.
Noble Demon: For all his atrocities the Hand is this. First, he forbids the killing of children, and has nothing but disgust for Casamir's attempt to use Diana's son as a hostage. Then there's his Undying Loyalty to the Captain, and also how he rules in the alternative ending.
"Not So Different" Remark: Calls himself and Diana nothing but Living Weapons in service to gods, with both of them having cast everything, including their humanity, away for the power they wield now - the conversation event is even called "Demons of dark and light". Poignantly, Diana does not retort.
One-Man Army: In battle he's simply unstoppable, be that on his dragon or on foot.
Power Echoes: His battlefield quotes have noticeable echo to them.
Red Eyes, Take Warning: His helmet's slits with red. His normal eyes are the same as they've always been though.
Run or Die: When he shows up as an enemy that's your only option when it comes to dealing with him.
Spanner in the Works: Lysander and Jebediah's trap would have worked had the Hand not showed up at the last moment to break the spell.
Synchronisation: His loyalty to Edmund Pendergast is enforced through this, and if Edmund dies Zelos would die as well. What Edmund did not expect was that Zelos would weaponise it against him, because their life link works both ways - so when Edmund has the Hero dead to rights Zelos runs himself through with his own sword to save the Hero.
Undying Loyalty: To the Captain. He may no longer hold loyalty to the Donari faith or to the Veridian Empire and is willing to murder people en masse, but he makes his Heel–Face Turn when the Hero is about to die again.
Worthy Opponent: Considers Diana to be this, as he admits to her in the endgame.

Kuroda

A master assassin and the head of the Tidereavers, who the cult of Zanatus frequently sends after the Hero.

Because You Were Nice to Me: While he seemingly scoffs at Diana's compassion when she spares him he does agree to join the heroes against the cult.
Crippling Overspecialization: Being a master assassin he's a lethal infiltrator but his skills of killing someone sneakily are not that useful in the open battle. As a result, he's nothing special on the battlefield but fully justifies his hype when he operates in his own element and kills Duke Lothair.
The Dreaded: He's an infamous master assassin, and Stefan talks of him with mix of fear and hatred.
Even Evil Has Standards: Not even he is willing to kill Diana's child, and after getting bested returns him unharmed.
Immortal Assassin: Kuroda is actually a revenant, maintained by the cult of Zanatus for centuries.
In the Hood: Wears one along with a mask to cover his lower face.
Heel–Face Turn: At the very end after his defeat he agrees to lend the heroes his strength to fight Zanatus.
Know When to Fold 'Em: Every time you defeat his squad in combat he decides not to fight to the death and flees.
Legacy Character: Legends reveal that Kuroda is not his original name; he became Kuroda when he killed the previous Kuroda in a duel.
Professional Killer: He's an assassin by trade. He is sent after the Hero on some occasions, though he ultimately fails to take their life. He's more successful with Lothair though.
Who Wants to Live Forever?: He's implied to having grown weary of his undying existence when heroes defeat him for the final time. Certainly, he does not seem to be phased by the idea that with the cult's end his life will also cease.

Beatrix

The daughter of Edmund Pendergast and a sorceress of terrifying might. She's essentially a human secret weapon of the Cult of Zanatus.

Broken Bird: Very subtly. When she calls herself insane to Jules she does not do it in a boastful manner, indicating that on some level she is aware of how wrong she is.
Charm Person: Fire magic is not her only trick, as she is seen putting some enchantment on Jebediah, getting him to fall in love with her which she uses to help herself to his translations of Historium Magnus. She's also implied to charm the Hero like this if their romantic bond is formed.
Daddy's Little Villain: She was groomed to be Edmund Pendergast's personal human nuke from her childhood, and gladly plays the part. At least at first - she has never forgotten that she was only adopted, and that her present disposition is not natural.
Fallen Hero: She is a Nephilim herself, but she was found early by the cult of Zanatus and corrupted into their minion.
Femme Fatale: She's not shy about using her sex appeal to manipulate men, and she's only not The Vamp because she's (somewhat) redeemable.
Hopeless Boss Fight: Her appearance in Chapter 11 is treated as such - she is insanely strong, and you're supposed to avoid her until she gets bored and leaves. It is technically possible to defeat her there, but it is very difficult and requires some unorthodox tactics on your part.
I Just Want to Be Loved: She mentions late in the game that in her childhood she was growing up surrounded by luxury and was not in want for anything - except for love and affection. It is also implied that when she charms the Hero she does it not in order to manipulate him like she does with Jebediah, but because she actually likes him and wants to be loved by him.
Impossibly-Low Neckline: Her dress includes one.
Ineffectual Loner: She eventually deserts the cult and goes off on her own to try and reclaim her Nephilim legacy. She gets overwhelmed and killed as a result, with the heroes finding her dead in her Nephilim shrine after they successfuly defeat the cult's army protecting it. Luckily for her, the Captain is capable of resurrecting people at that point.
It Amused Me: In Chapter 11 she will actually leave on her own after some time instead of finishing the rest of your troops because she gets bored with it (and thank Donar for that, because otherwise she'd be fully capable of finishing you off). She also eventually deserts the cult of Zanatus and later joins the Hero's party because it seems more fun.
Kill It with Fire: She attacks by throwing a rain of fire on an enemy squad, hitting everyone at once for huge damage. Her Nephilim power lets you throw a fiery meteor anywhere on the map, damaging enemy troops in the area.
Lady of Black Magic: Beautiful, seductive and capable of raining fire and meteors to burn down whole armies.
One-Man Army: During Chapter 11 she singlehandedly scatters hosts of Isanter knights, who have been trouncing Casamir's troops until that moment.
Person of Mass Destruction: When she is telling her father how she is fond of incinerating armies she is not boasting.
Pyromaniac: She's an unhinged sorceress who talks about almost nothing else than roasting people.
Red Eyes, Take Warning: She is red-eyed and she is an unstable pyromaniac of overwhelming power.
Redemption Demotion: Heavily downplayed. When you face her as an enemy she'll eat whatever you throw at her without getting a scratch in return, but when you get her on your side she is... still the powerhouse actually, just not quite on the same level, in that her attacks will be "merely" enough to leave enemies on the death door rather than killing them outright. Sadly, this means that foes will be able to counterattack, and with her defences not what they used to be if you overcommit with her she will be overwhelmed on her own. Bring someone with her to cover her and mop up after her and she'll do the heavy lifting - and once you give her some levels and artifacts she can actually become even stronger than when she was a foe.
Reforged into a Minion: Mentions to Jules that she was brainwashed into what she is by the cult of Zanatus since she was a child. Her conditioning does show signs of slipping throughout the game, revealing hints of what her natural personality would be, but it's clear she is not going to recover quickly or easily.
Reformed, but Not Tamed: Her demeanour does not change one bit after she joins your team. Not at first, at least.

Edmund Pendergast

An affluent banker, and also the secret grandmaster of the cult of Zanatus.

Barrier Warrior: One of his combat moves includes protecting himself with an impenetrable shield. He does not attack during that turn, so you should also use this time to recharge a bit.
Batman Gambit: Plays a successful one throughout the game events. He actually wants all the Nephilim weapons to be found, as he'd corrupted those with his blood, and retrieving them now would allow him to be released. He still acts like he wants to stop the Hero from obtaining them, and even when the Captain knows better they still retrieve the final weapon, as they needs it to resurrect Zelos.
Big Bad: He's the Grandmaster of the Cult of Zanatus and actually Zanatus himself.
Evil Banker: Does not get to be more evil than the leader of a cult worshipping the God of Evil. Except when you're actually the God of Evil in quetion.
Final Boss: He's the final opponent of the game.
Flunky Boss: Summons endless reinforcements during his boss battle.
Hidden Villain: He's the one who is talking to his champions starting from chapter 12, but he gets no visual avatar or a dialogue portrait. It is not until when you recruit Beatrix do you even learn his name and you only see him in the flesh by the endgame.
Human Disguise: He's actually Zanatus himself, who's been in this world all this time since a thousand of years ago when he was defeated by the original Nephilim, lingering by transferring between bodies of different humans.
My Death Is Just the Beginning: His final words imply this, hinting that he's actually answering to an even greater power, and that the Hero will regret defeating him.
Stationary Boss: He sits immobile in the centre of the map, attacking those who come into range.
Subsystem Damage: His claws are treated as separate targets from his boy. Destroying them also gradually deprives him of his attacks with those.

Characters / Symphony of War

The Nephilim Army

The Donari Temple

The Veridian Empire

The Cult of Zanatus

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Characters / Symphony of War

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The Nephilim Army

The Donari Temple

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The Cult of Zanatus

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