History Characters / HyperLightDrifter

A traveler that saves the Drifter after they briefly pass out from their illness. Both a capable warrior and guide, he helps the Drifter by pointing out the locations of the Modules in each region. He too seems to be guided by the Jackal and is aware of the threat of Judgement.

* BaitAndSwitch: Appears just after the Jackal in the first three areas, and shares a pink color scheme, which can lead players to assume that the Guardian is the Jackal in human form. [[spoiler: But he dies in the South Zone, while the Jackal is unrelated. Attentive players can also see the Jackal with the Guardian after he rescues the Drifter at the beginning of the game, though it's partially hidden by foliage and easy to miss.]]
* CrusadingWidower: As he reveals in the South zone, the loss of his wife and child to the sickness lead him to start travelling and following the Jackal.
* IncurableCoughOfDeath: He suffers from the sickness, much like the Drifter, and occasionally [[BloodFromTheMouth coughs up blood]] in the same way. [[spoiler:By the time you reach the south zone, the Guardian has succumbed entirely to the illness, and expires after his final words to the Drifter.]]
* NiceGuy: All but stated: He moves the drifter to a house after he passes out from his sickness, some NPC dialogue shows that he saved several citizens of the Central City from certain death and whenever he is first talked to in a new zone he gives the drifter the location of four modules within it.
* OldMaster: He seems older than the Drifter -- a well-rounded, experienced badass. [[spoiler: Maybe age catching up with him leaves him vulnerable to sickness.]]
* OneManArmy: As cutscenes and [=NPC=] dialogue show, he is more than capable of defending himself against great numbers by himself. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, even the mightiest of warriors is no match for the mysterious sickness, and he dies to it.]]
* RealMenWearPink: His gear is mainly pink-colored with a bit of blue and brown here and there, he's also the bulkiest-looking npc in the game ''and'' he has the deepest, um, [[VoiceGrunting "voice"]]. Also, you ''really'' can't deny that his spartan-esque helmet and furry cape, despite being pink, look ''hella manly''.
* RescueIntroduction: The Drifter has a coughing fit and passes out. The Guardian picks them up and brings them to his house to recover.
** The [=NPC=] in town seems to recount a similar story of a time when the Guardian protected them by slaying a horde of monsters.
* RetiredBadass: Not exactly, since he is still a professional badass warrior. However, unlike the Player Character, he is no Drifter -- he has put down roots, made a home and started a family.

* AmazingTechnicolorPopulation: Has very distinctive cyan skin, and their eyes are white dots on black.

* AmbiguouslyHuman: Most of the setting's inhabitants are BeastMen. In contrast, the Drifter looks mostly human, but with a few differences: pale [[AmazingTechnicolorPopulation blue skin]] and [[AlienBlood fuscia blood]].

* TheChosenMany: The Drifter is not the first to seek the Modules, [[spoiler: the Immortal Cell]], or to suffer the affliction and Judgement.

* TheHeroDies: [[spoiler: Implied by the regular ending. All but confirmed by the special image you can view after beating the game on NG+: the Drifter's corpse is near the bonfire, except there is no fire now, and their clothes are ragged, and their body seems covered with cobwebs.]]

* TragicKeepsake: [[spoiler:The Guardian's outfit, once he succumbs to the sickness, is an item Drifter can take and equip.]]

* WeaponOfChoice: Aside from a LaserBlade, the Drifter has a choice of several other {{Energy Weapon}}s:

* WeaponOfChoice: Each has a trademark weapon and fighting style.
** ArcherArchetype: The Archer uses a massive EnergyBow to fire arrows and bombs.
** {{Fireball}}: The Sorcerer summons balls of energy to throw with.
** FlunkyBoss: The Summoner prefers to fight by summoning {{Attack Drone}}s.
** SinisterScythe: The Reaper fights with a massive scythe, alternating between melee and ranged attacks.

* SigilSpam: Diamonds, the shape of [[spoiler: the Immortal Cell]].

* EyeBeams: In battle, it can emit a devastating blast of magenta fire.

* FanNickname: While it's officially called the Jackal, there are some fans that call it "Anubis", after the jackal-headed god of Egyptian mythology.

* ColorMotifs: A [[PurpleIsPowerful garish magenta]] surrounds its shapeless black form. This is also the color of Drifter's blood in cutscenes, as well as mysterious pylons and containers that crackle in a way that's evocative of a Geiger counter. [[spoiler: And it is also the color of the Modules themselves, hinting at some unclear connection between them]].

* CoupDeGraceCutscene: Unlike most other bosses, Judgement does not does not immediately "die" when it is defeated. It sits there, breathing heavily, unable to move, attack, or defend itself. The Drifter must deliberately finish it off with a non-standard flourish of strikes culminating in a leap and a SwordPlant, driving their LaserBlade deep into Judgement's body. [[[spoiler: Then, in an OminousVisualGlitch, Judgement vanishes and it appears that the Drifter instead fatally stabbed the Immortal Cell. Torrents of AlienBlood [[HighPressureBlood gush out of the Cell]] as it dies.]]

* FlunkyBoss: Summons packs of four explosive drones that surround the Drifter and make nuisances of themselves.

* LightningBruiser: It not only boasts the power of a godlike entity, its speed is just as insane. It ''will'' knock the Drifter over if they're in the way of its dashes.

* NightmareSequence: It dominates the terrifying visions of the main character. It removes any doubt of its malevolence when it brutally ''kills'' the Drifter multiple times in these dreams. The Drifter never faces it "in person" until the very end, but they clearly fear Judgement throughout.

These are the characters of ''Videogame/HyperLightDrifter''. They are characterized solely through their behavior; even when they speak, StoryBreadcrumbs are revealed as images instead of words. Because of this, they are all open to AlternativeCharacterInterpretation and this list cannot be taken as the final one.

* BloodFromTheMouth: A symptom of his illness is coughing up blood.
* TheHeroDies: [[spoiler:Implied by the regular ending: after destroying Judgement, his symptoms worsen and he can't heal with health kits anymore; to cement this further the ending shows a wound opening in his stomach. All but confirmed by the special image you can view after beating the game on NG+ showing the Drifter's body in the area with the bonfire, except there is no fire now and his clothes are ragged and it looks like cobwebs coming off his body.]]

* LightningBruiser: He's both fast and deadly in combat.

** MasterOfUnlocking: The Drifter does not seem to press buttons on {{HolographicTerminal}}s; The drone seems to activate most of them.

* TheMusketeer: Though primarily a user of blades, the Drifter is no stranger to the use of sidearms and long-arms. They may use a sword and carry two ranged weapons, fluidly switching between all three as the situation demands. Whilst only a basic pistol is available initially, the Drifter can find five other weapons.

* WeaponOfChoice: Aside from a LaserBlade, the Drifter has a choice of several other {{energy Weapon}}s:

** ShotgunsAreJustBetter: Two varieties- a basic shotgun that deals very high damage up close, and a sort of 'shard' gun that fires a spread of projectiles that then home in on a target after a short delay. Both have fairly limited capacity.

* FallenHero: {{Implied}}. He weilds a [[TheMusketeer sword and gun]] like the Drifter, and when [[spoiler: he dies he emits a shadowy aura like other corpses.]] This suggests he was one of TheChosenMany like the protagonist.

* ColorMotifs: A sickly magenta is associated with it, which is also the color of Drifter's blood in cutscenes, as well as mysterious pylons and containers that crackle in a way that's evocative of a Geiger counter. [[spoiler: And it's also the color of the Modules themselves, hinting at some unclear connection between them. For added points collecting 4 modules in an area he suffers visions of the beast]].

* CoupDeGrace: Unlike most other bosses, Judgement does not ''immediately'' "die" when reaching 0 HP. It sits there, breathing heavily, unable to move, attack, or defend itself. [[spoiler:The player must actively, consciously execute the finishing blow, in which the Drifter uses a FinishingMove to destroy Judgement... and the Immortal Cell]].

* NightmareSequence: It dominates the terrifying visions of the main character. It removes any doubt of its malevolence when it brutally ''kills'' the Drifter multiple times in these dreams.

* DarkLordOnLifeSupport: One Titan [[spoiler: is still alive -- or pieces of it are, at least. Immersed in titanic [[HealingVat life-support tanks]] are its eyes and its biomechanical heart (or in other words, its [[CreatorInJoke Heart Machine]]).]]

This is the character sheet for ''Videogame/HyperLightDrifter''.

* TheChosenMany: The Drifter is not the first to seek the Modules, the Immortal Cell, or to suffer the affliction and Judgement, but they may yet be the first to succeed.

** MasterOfUnlocking: The Drifter does not bother with buttons, locks or consoles: once kiss are found and enemies are out of the way the drone opens and activates things.

* RetiredBadass: Not exactly, since he is still a professional badass warrior. However, unlike the Player Character he is no Drifter -- he has put down roots, made a home and started a family.

The PlayerCharacter in New Game Alt. She is largely differentiated from the main Drifter by her different moveset – featuring a swift beam cast instead of a sword and a faster walk and sprint speed – but she also does not show his anguish over the course of her game, and [[spoiler: instead of destroying the corrupted Immortal Cell and dying, she just walks out of the room after the final boss.]] She is more of an opportunity to play the game again as a more powerful character than anything else.
* DifficultButAwesome: Her attack is faster than the main Drifter's, with a longer range that can cross some chasms if with a moderately reduced width, and she is faster than the Drifter and can dash farther than him. With this moveset, she can wipe the floor with her enemies and kill some bosses within seconds. However, she has two fewer hit points than the main Drifter on standard difficulty – though one more than him in NewGamePlus – so there is a bit less room for error when playing as her.

* TotemPoleTrench: [[spoiler:As his death animation shows, he's actually a very tiny birdman standing on the shoulders of a much larger creature.]]

* ThrowDownTheBomblet: One of its primary attacks is to throw giant glass containers full of pink fire (as seen throughout the city and its underground labs). These explode violently on impact.

* TheCorruption: [[spoiler: It has connections to both the corruption of the Immortal Cell and the sickness that afflicts the Drifter, Guardian, and numerous others. Whether it's the cause of both or only a result of them is unclear]].

* EldritchAbomination

* TheMagicGoesAway: Suggested by the BittersweetEnding. [[spoiler: The shimmering light hanging above the land rises and dissipates, impling the Jackal is leaving. However, this seems to be because it is finally free now that the Immortal Cell is destroyed and its influence ended.]]

** ArcherArchetype: The Archer uses a massive bow to fire energized arrows.

* LightningBruiser: He's both fast and deadly gameplay-wise.

* NiceGuy: All but stated: He moves the drifter to a house after he passes out from his sickness, some NPC dialogue shows that he saved several citizens of the Central City from certain death and whenever he is first talked to in a new zone he gives the drifter the location of 4 modules within it.

* DifficultButAwesome: She has speed and range over drifter prime. Despite the narrow blast graphic, it has a habit of registering hits even when the attack looks like a miss. With that said, she’s a total glass cannon, and the platform distances were built around drifter prime’s dash distance. Expect to overshoot A LOT.

* VictoryPose: For someone that never speaks, the Drifter still manages to show off; after clearing any challenging battle (whether a small arena, or a full-on BossBattle), the Drifter will do a dramatic sword-flourish and [[SwordPlant slam it point first into the ground]].
* WeaponOfChoice: Aside from his LaserBlade, the Drifter has a choice of six (technically seven) other weapons;

This is the character sheet for ''Videogame/HyperLightDrifter''. Also, it Main/NeedsWikiMagicLove.

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* ApocalypticLog: These seem to be the purpose of the monoliths. [[spoiler: They testify to "our" responsibility for the Immortal Cell and warn that it is still alive and dangerous.]]
* CrypticBackgroundEvent: The events preceding the game remain mostly shrouded in mystery, but this character provides tantalizing hints.
* HolographicImperfection: The recorded image flickers as it plays back.

* FallenHero: {{Implied}}. He weilds a [[TheMusketeer sword and gun]] like the Drifter, and when he [[spoiler: does he emits a shadowy aura like other corpses.]] This suggests he was one of TheChosenMany like the protagonist.

* TakenForGranite: Partially-petrified, with green crystals rising from his back and coating an entire arm. [[spoiler:When defeated, he becomes fully crystallized. Then falls apart from a CleanCut.]]

* ChestMonster: One of the module containers is located in an open area that looks suspiciously like a BossRoom. [[spoiler: When the Drifter opens the container, you get a brief glimpse of a shadowy monster where the module should be before the ''container explodes''. HeWasThereAllAlong, and The Summoner emerges to fight you.]]

* TitleThemeDrop: After defeating them, the chilled-out tune from the start screen plays in each empty Boss Room.

* GameOverMan: When the Drifter dies, a cracking howl is faintly heard. It is Judgement's glitchy, distorted roar.

* MementoMori: Their importance to one of the game's themes. On one hand, they pose no threat to the Drifter. On the other, they seem to weigh heavily on their thoughts: the Titans' decaying corpses dominate both the Drifter's nightmares and the waking world they walk. The Drifter is already acutely aware of their own mortality, and the colossal wrecks of the Titans are an overwhelming reminder that even the most powerful can die.

* ChestMonster: One of the module containers is located in an open area that looks suspiciously like a BossRoom. When the Drifter opens the container, you get a brief glimpse of a shadowy mess where the module should be before the ''container explodes''. HeWasThereAllAlong, and The Summoner emerges to fight you.

* BossRoom: One of the South Zone's modules is in the middle of what looks suspiciously like a BossRoom... see below;
* HeWasRightThereAllAlong: One of the bosses does not appear until you attempt to activate the module container in the center of the room. The boss then ''explodes out of the space beneath the module container'' and launches their attack.

** ArcherArchetype: One of the last to be fought uses a massive bow to fire energized arrows.
** {{Fireball}}: One summons balls of energy to throw with.
** FlunkyBoss: The ambusher prefers to fight by summoning {{Attack Drone}}s.
** SinisterScythe: Another fights with a massive scythe, alternating between melee and ranged attacks.

* GameOverMan: When the Drifter dies, a cracking howl is faintly heard. It is Judgment's glitchy, distorted roar.

* SigilSpam: [[spoiler: It's "face" is identical to containers the Drifter opens to collect Modules]].

* TentacledTerror: Ropy tendrils trail from its shapeless body.

* BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind: [[spoiler: When the Drifter finishes off Judgement, it's revealed that they stabbed not the monster, but the Immortal Cell. This throws into question if Judgement was even real to begin with]].

* DarkLordOnLifeSupport: One Titan [[spoiler: is still alive -- or pieces of it are, at least. Immersed in titanic [[HealingVat life-support tanks]] are its eyes, its brain, and its biomechanical heart (or in other words, its [[CreatorInJoke Heart Machine]]).]]

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Absolutely the case here: He's the leader of the north cultists and a powerful foe

* LargeAndInCharge: Bosses are traditionally large in this game, but the Hierophant is ''big''; easily twice the height of the Drifter- and he's also the leader of the evil bird cultists.

* RescueIntroduction: The Drifter has a fit of illness, passes out, then wakes up in an unfamiliar house. The Guardian picked them up and brought them to this safe place.

* AmbiguouslyHuman: Most of the setting's inhabitants are PettingZooPeople. In contrast, the Drifter looks mostly human, but with a few differences: pale [[AmazingTechnicolorPopulation blue skin]] and [[AlienBlood fuscia blood]].

* LaserBlade: The Drifter's primary weapon of choice is a sword made of HardLight. There are several different designs and colors available, conferring the perk of the gear set they hail from.