Thanks to its Time Traveling world-fixing plot, Dragon Quest VII boasts a large cast. Names are listed based on their current localizations first seen in the 3DS remake, with their previous name from the localized Sony PlayStation release in parenthesis.

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The Heroes

The Hero

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dragon_quest_vii_hero.jpg

A mild-mannered fisherman's son who lives in the tiny village of Pilchard Bay. Despite being quiet and a bit withdrawn, he's managed to make friends with the daughter of the richest family in town and the prince of Estard. (Then again, it may be partly because he generally doesn't bother arguing...) Since his father doesn't think he's ready to join him on his fishing trips just yet, he likes to spend his free time exploring the Shrine of Mysteries. Of course, after uncovering a few of the Shrine's secrets, he quickly finds a much larger goal to work towards: restoring the world.

Batman Can Breathe in Space: The mark on his arm is what allows the party to enter and traverse the Sunken Shrine without drowning.
Battle Boomerang: One of the Hero's weapons of choice. Due to his high attack power, it can be very useful for clearing out groups of enemies.
Canon Name: His name in the manga adaption, Arus, is used again in later video game spinoffs. Pre-release footage for the 3DS remake names him Auster.
Celibate Hero: Despite the below he doesn't show a particular romantic interest like Kiefer.
Changeling Fantasy: The mechanics of which are a real Mind Screw, involving Time Travel, Voluntary Shapeshifting, and transportation from one womb to another while in the middle of gestating.
Chick Magnet: It's heavily implied through both party chat and throughout the game that Maribel has feelings for the Hero. Queen Euphonia of Hubble also falls in love with the Hero throughout the story, even attempting to make her own marriage proposal to him at the end of the game. There's also Aishe who he gets some teasing with (the novels even explore it more). At the story's end, the Hero has also gained the admiration of several female NPCs.
- Clueless Chick-Magnet: He doesn't particularly pick up on any of the above.
The Chosen One: Destined to open the Shrine of Mysteries and restore the world to its proper state. A fortune teller at the beginning even tells him this.
Chronic Hero Syndrome: Justified by the fact that they must Set Right What Once Went Wrong to restore the world, but still commented on by his friends. Mainly Maribel.
Combat Medic: Prior to being able to change vocations, he learns healing magic naturally (Up to Midheal) and some support spells.
Extreme Doormat: Party chat constantly shows Maribel speaking harshly to him. He takes it.
Foreshadowing: Suddenly being able to read ancient script while working with the Roamers and the mark on his arm being similar to Lala's mark of the Earth Spirit foreshadow both his heritage as Sharkeye's son and having the mark of the Water Spirit.
Hello, [Insert Name Here]: While the rest of the party (and the bag) can be renamed later, the Hero is the only one you're prompted to name at the start.
Heroic Mime: Treated as him simply being The Quiet One, while his friends merrily chatter away.
Jack of All Stats: Has nice, balanced stats that make him well-suited for pretty much any job you stick him in.
Knighting: Sir Mervyn's joining of the party fundamentally changes his own status, even if only informally — as far as Sir Mervyn's concerned, as long as the quest continues, the Hero is his lord and master.
Named by the Adaptation: The Warriors of Eden manga named him Arus. This would later become his Canon Name in spinoff games such as Dragon Quest Keshi Keshi and Dragon Quest Dai no Daibouken Xross Blade.
Oblivious to Love: As noted above he's not particularly good at taking hints. This is especially evident with Maribel and Euphonia.
Parental Abandonment: Refreshingly averted for a Role-Playing Game. Not only are both his parents alive, but they are loving and supportive of the Hero.
Warrior Prince: As the true son of Sharkeye and Anais, he inherits his mother's royal line.

Prince Kiefer

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dragon_quest_vii_kiefer.jpg

The troublesome heir of Estard, who keeps shirking his responsibilities to go flirt with girls or explore forbidden ruins (a result of his childhood experiences adventuring on another world in Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart). Needless to say, he and his dad don't see eye to eye. He finds life as a prince far too boring, and so he leaps at the chance for some real adventure and excitement. Ultimately, he winds up finding a more permanent way to escape his princely duties...

Boisterous Bruiser: Kiefer is the one most likely to jump into the fray as soon as the heroes encounter monsters.
Chivalrous Pervert: A shameless flirt, but beyond that...
The Chosen One: Played with. He believes he's the chosen one at the start of the adventure but soon realizes his calling his elsewhere. His descendant, however...
Crutch Character: Though a powerful fighter in his own right, unlike Hero and Maribel, he never learns any magic naturally, and permanently leaves before you reach Alltrades Abbey.
Decoy Protagonist: Much of the marketing, cover art, and early-game all give off the impression that Kiefer is a permanent party member. Turns out this is a big fat lie, Kiefer leaves roughly a third or so of the way into the game, making him a long term Guest-Star Party Member. Instead it's his implied descendant Aishe that becomes a permanent party member.
Desperately Looking for a Purpose in Life: Kiefer lives in an idyllic kingdom with no monsters or anything dangerous, and not even other places to go, so naturally he wants a life of adventure. When he chooses to stay in the past, it's partially because he knows he has found his purpose.
Flaming Sword: The first skill he learns when he levels up and typically his bread-and-butter in battles.
Heavy Equipment Class: Kiefer is able to equip the heaviest weapons and armor in the game not like it matters in the long run since he'll never get the chance to anyways.
Hero of Another Story: In his youth, Kiefer starred in Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart (a GBA release that never made it to western shores except via fan translation).
I Choose to Stay: In the past, with a beautiful girl. He gives the party a letter to his father, explaining why he chose to do so. Later on, the player can find what is implied to be Kiefer and Lala's tomb in a place of honor in the present... except it's actually the grave of Aishe's parents. Psyche!
Jumped at the Call: He's so excited by the prospect of adventure, that after your first actual fight (against mere slimes, no less), he goes into a hysterical laughing fit from the adrenaline rush.
Lantern Jaw of Justice: Kiefer is tall and traditionally handsome with a square jaw.
Magically Inept Fighter: He never learns any spells, although he does gain a flaming sword technique and the ability to double the attack in his next turn.
Mighty Glacier: He's most likely to go last, but he hits hard and has high HP.
Official Couple: With Lala
Older and Wiser: He's the same age, but he's gone on adventures before in a spinoff game.
Rebel Prince: He'd much rather be adventuring than sitting in the castle and getting ready to inherit the throne.
Royals Who Actually Do Something: While not The Chosen One, he's primarily responsible for getting the adventure started by working to solve the riddle of the Mysterious Shrine and continues to aid in restoring the world.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Gear: Averted. Before he leaves, he tosses you a bag with all the equipment he was carrying.
Stranger in a Familiar Land: Thanks to his previous travels, Kiefer finds the everyday to-do of royal life far too boring. There aren't even any monsters to fight!

Maribel Mayde

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dragon_quest_vii_maribel.jpg

The only daughter of Mayor Mayde, the richest man in Pilchard Bay, and a completely Spoiled Brat. While she's friends with the hero, she also treats him as her personal servant, and doesn't respect Kiefer at all. She clearly considers herself to be the smartest of their team and never hesitates to remind everyone of that. Still, despite all her complaining, she does stick by her friends through thick and thin.

Action Girl: Yearns for adventure and practically forces her way into the party when the opportunity arises. Almost averted after her first actual experience against monsters, but she stays with the party anyway.
Black Magician Girl: Learns a few spells naturally, long before you ever reach Alltrades Abbey, and naturally leans toward Squishy Wizard.
Can't Catch Up: For a many a player, Maribel can become this. Some try to get her out of this; others know of her temporarily leaving ahead of time, and purposefully ditch her. Regardless, all of her stats end up lower than anyone's save MP, Intelligence, and Style.
- Fixed in the 3DS version: She gains a lot more Speed (to the point where she can actually go ahead of Ruff, despite him riding a wolf) and learns Bang, allowing her to crowd-wipe enemies. She also levels up a lot faster than the other characters.
Character Development: Perhaps the most in this game. At the start of the game Maribel complains about getting dragged along into an adventure and getting attacked by monsters. She quickly grows into it though, and even by the middle of the game is very vocal about solving whatever problem is plaguing the island they are on. Much later on, she runs to take care of her dad and loses her Rich Bitch mentality, and by then she's happily jumping into action.
Childhood Friend Romance: She has feelings toward the hero. It's unknown if he returns them.
- In the manga, she also had some feelings for Prince Kiefer. However in the game, she's only has a platonic friendship with him.
Clingy Jealous Girl: Oh boy is she this towards the hero.
Fiery Redhead: She out-fires the rest of the party combined.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: She is quite mean-spirited for most part but shows her kind side at times. For instance, she gives flower seeds to Maeve to plant around her brother's grave.
Magic Staff: Maribel can equip just about every magic staff in the game. In spinoff games, she is often seen wielding one, as well.
Muscles Are Meaningful: She gets really buff due to all the fighting, which is pointed out during a conversation between her and a maid.
Maribel: You don't have to worry about me, I am a big girl.
Maid: Big girl, indeed. Look at your arms... no self-respecting lady should have biceps like these.
Never My Fault: No matter what happens, she's quick to blame somebody else. A good example is her getting furious with the hero and Kiefer for dragging her into danger (while ignoring how she forced them to take her along.)
Ninja Run: Her overworld sprint in the remake, fittingly considering her new status as a Fragile Speedster.
Only Sane Man: Considers herself to be this, especially if the hero says the wrong things to her.
Operation: Jealousy: Uses this around the hero, unfortunately he's clueless and some guys like Orca can't take the hint she's not really interested in them.
Playing with Fire / Having a Blast: She learns the Frizz spells naturally, plus Bang in the 3DS version. When Maribel appears in spinoff games, fire seems to be her element of choice.
Proper Lady: She can adopt the role if she feels she needs to, such as if her father were to take ill.
Rebellious Princess: Unlike Kiefer, she isn't actually royalty; however, her father is the richest man in town, and she disobeys him at every turn, causing him no end of grief.
The Red Mage: She learns some attack spells and Heal before the party reaches Alltrades Abbey.
Rich Bitch: At first. She gets better.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Gear: In the original, she has to leave the group for a time, she takes everything she was wearing and holding with her. Hopefully, she wasn't holding a key item...
Squishy Wizard: Her HP and Defence need several seed boosts to keep her alive against tougher foes.
Tagalong Kid -> The Drag-Along: Spends the earliest part of the game complaining about the boys trying to leave her behind while exploring the ruins, then switches her tune once they wind up literally transported into real danger.
Tsundere: Type A who's pretty short on the dere-dere and relies heavily on constant insults.

Ruff (Gabo)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dragon_quest_vii_ruff.jpg

A strange, wild-haired boy that the heroes find chained up in L'Arca. After being freed, he runs off to track down the monster responsible for L'Arca's problems, and joins the team afterwards. Actually one of the last surviving White Wolves, he was found severely injured and was taken in by a concerned farmer, who kept him locked in the barn so he wouldn't run away before he healed. When the whole town was hit with a spell that changed people into animals and vice versa, he turned human and is perfectly content with staying that way.

Battle Boomerang: Ruff's other weapon of choice if he's not wielding claws.
Canis Major: In the 3DS version he rides one (his adoptive mother no less). The wolf even gets outfits for certain jobs, like Shepherd and Paladin.
Cheerful Child: Not quite a Keet, though he sometimes veers towards that.
Cursed with Awesome: How he views being turned into a human, though he has trouble communicating this at first, due to the transformation not being complete.
Humanity Ensues: Unlike the other residents of L'arc, he doesn't change back once the spell wears off, as the Hackrobat decided to make the spell permanent in his case. Later, when a remorseful Hackrobat tries to undo the spell, it instead makes Ruff more human to the point of being able to talk like one.
Innocently Insensitive: He doesn't have many manners, as you'd likely expect from a wolf-turned-child, so he'll often blurt out insensitive things regardless of any niceties. In particular he tends to be pretty blunt about Maribel's attitude.
Lightning Bruiser: However, he starts as a Glass Cannon and has to grow into this.
Nice Guy: The friendliest of the party and overall a good-natured kid.
Noble Wolf: He was a Nice Guy even as a wolf.
Obsessed with Food: Half his comments are towards food. His 3DS face portrait is of him eating.
Pintsized Powerhouse: He's the smallest party member and one of the stronger attackers by default. Taken even further in the remake where he's smaller than NPC children and riding a wolf barely puts him at the eye level of his teammates.
Power Fist / Wolverine Claws: Like other martial artists throughout the series, Ruff's best weapons are usually claws. He also happens to have access to many of the fang-type weapons that can only be wielded by monsters from other games. Also like a martial artist, equipping Ruff with certain weapons actually decreases his attack instead of increasing it.
Precocious Crush: He has one on High Priestess Jacquline and he laments that a gruff-looking older man changes the party's vocations at Alltrades Abbey in the present instead of her.
Raised by Wolves: Justified in that he is a wolf, though he was raised by a different type of wolf than his normal species.
Wild Child: When you are raised by wolves and are one yourself a sense of wildness is to be expected.
Wild Hair: Has a long, shaggy mane of black hair that reaches down to his shoulders.

Sir Mervyn (Melvin)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dragon_quest_vii_mervyn.jpg

A legendary hero who fought alongside The Almighty against the Demon Lord. Shortly before the final battle, however, The Almighty chose to seal him away so that he could be reawakened if Evil ever returned to the world. Eventually, the party learns of this legend and decides to help revive him; upon learning of the world's current state, he quickly joins the team. Don't underestimate him because of his age; his skills are legendary for good reason.

Blow You Away: Joins the party with the Swoosh spell already known, like other priests in the series.
The Chosen One: The greatest hero in the Almighty's army and personally chosen by Him to fight against the Demon Lord once again should the need arise.
Combat Medic: Sir Mervyn joins the party knowing some healing magic already without having to change his vocation.
Cool Old Guy: Many people are disappointed to see the legendary hero is an old man, but quickly find out he has the skills to back up his claims of heroism.
Fling a Light into the Future: Which was done against his will. The 3DS remake makes it clear that he's has come to understand the decision.
Fish out of Temporal Water: Not as severe as one might expect, though.
Having a Blast: He already knows the Bang spell when he joins the party.
It Sucks to Be the Chosen One: Witnessed many of his friends and comrades falling against the Demon King, then before the final battle, was snatched up and sealed away by The Almighty himself to ensure somebody would be able to fight if Evil resurfaced. When he's finally unsealed, all his other friends are long dead.
Magic Knight: Focuses on the magical side more, however.
Magic Staff: He can equip just about every magic wand in the game, including the Saviour Staff which is unique to him.
My Greatest Failure:
- Being the sole survivor of The Almighty's forces and being unable to help The Almighty fight the Demon King, being sealed away instead.
- He also laments being unable to directly save Nottagen the third time (Wiggles is the hero that time).
Sealed Good in a Can: By the Big Good himself.
Spell My Name With An S: In the 3DS remake only.
Ye Olde Butcherede Englishe: In the 3DS remake, he speaks like this.

Aishe (Aira)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dragon_quest_vii_aishe.jpg

The latest dancer of the Roamers, a tribe of wandering nomads seeking to restore The Almighty to the world. However, she chafes under the restrictions placed on her. Sure, she has an important role to play, but why should that force her to sit around patiently waiting for her time to come? She's got far more important things she wants to do with her life right now, like adventuring around the world and becoming a great fighter! She's also the descendant of Kiefer as a result of him choosing to stay with the Roamers.

Action Girl: Like Maribel.
Ancestral Weapon: She starts the game with the Sword of the Roamers, the ancient blade reserved to Guardians of the Roamers.
Battle Bikini: Not a practical outfit for combat. She does don visible armor when she changes Vocation though.
Boisterous Bruiser: Played straight in casual situations and battle. She'll behave formally when the situation requires.
The Chosen One: Her destiny causes some tension since she doesn't like the idea of her 'destiny' being the only thing that matters. She does, however, perform the dance to revive the Almighty.
Cool Big Sis: To Princess Lisette.
Dark and Troubled Past: Hinted at, although never fully explored.
Dance Battler: Starts out with the Dancer class mastered.
Déjà Vu: Upon visiting Estard castle, she states that she'd never been there in her life, but got the strong feeling of "home" from it.
Gameplay and Story Integration: Joins the party with the Dancer job maxed out, plus a few ranks in Warrior.
Generation Xerox: She takes after her ancestor, Kiefer.
Heavy Equipment Class: She's able to equip some of the heaviest equipment in the game, such as swords and axes, something she inherited from Kiefer.
Hot Gypsy Woman: She hails from a gypsy-like tribe, is revered as a master Dancer, and is downright gorgeous. Maribel is probably jealous.
Jack of All Stats: She has a flexible stat line that can make her usable in a variety of roles.
Jumped at the Call/Refusal of the Call: She hates how everyone acts like her destiny is supposed to be the sum total of her existence, so she immediately latches onto the party as a way to escape that.
Lightning Bruiser: She's a fast party member and has the strength to back it up.
Petal Power: Gets a unique animation when using the Sword Dance skill, in which she summons rose petals to surround herself as she slices monsters up.
Playing with Fire: Joins the party with the Sizz spell already known, as well as Flame Slash.
Rebellious Princess: Played with. She's willing to fulfill her destiny, but isn't going to just sit around and do nothing else while waiting for it to happen.
Screw Destiny: Or, to be more precise, screw the idea that her destiny bars her from doing anything else with her life. She doesn't mind performing the ceremony to revive The Almighty when the time comes.
Shipper on Deck: In Party Chat, she likes to tease the Hero over both Maribel and Euphonia's apparent crushes on him.
Showgirl Skirt: In her default outfit.
Stripperific: Her default outfit and many of her Vocation outfits included.

Individual Islands

Estard and Pilchard Bay (Amitt)

Pollock (Borkano)

Pollock has a reputation as the best fisherman in Pilchard Bay, and he's expecting his only child to follow in his footsteps someday. Not too soon, though, mind you. No, that boy's still got a ways to go before he's ready to join his father on a trip. Well-respected not just for his talent, but for being a hard worker; he's earned that reputation through constant effort, and by proving to be a good leader time and time again.

Disappeared Dad: Disappears when things start going to hell during the second half, but eventually makes it back home.
Heroic Build: He's easily the most muscular human character in the game, likely from his years as a fisherman.
Family Theme Naming: With his brother Pike and his wife Pearl.
Manly Man: A manly man with an incredibly muscular physique and a thick beard.
Parental Obliviousness: Subverted; he and the other parents find out what their kids are up to pretty quickly. Pollock takes the news best out of the whole lot.
Reasonable Authority Figure: The hero doesn't even have to try to convince him to allow him on his journey of world restoration.
Sibling Yin-Yang: Others constantly marvel at how different he and his brother are... and wonder what happened with Pike.

Pearl (Mollie)

Pollock's wife, and the hero's mother. While kind and caring, she dislikes her husband's shiftless brother, and worries about him being a bad influence on her son. Does her best to ensure her family is safe, healthy, and well-cared for.

He's Just Hiding: In-Universe, she insists this after Pollock's ship is lost at sea. She's right.
Only Sane Woman: When Pollock brings up the idea of paying off Pike's debts for him, she is adamantly against the idea, thinking he won't learn his lesson and only end up back in debt. She surprisingly get proven wrong.
Parental Obliviousness: Subverted; she isn't happy, but goes along with her son's wishes, regularly warning him to be careful.
Through His Stomach: Her cooking is regularly complimented, and it's implied this was part of their courtship.

Pike (Hondura)

The hero's useless slacker of an uncle, and a complete mooch who sees nothing wrong with abusing his brother's hospitality. Fancies himself a ladies' man, and is always looking for that one big score that will pull him out of the hole, preferably without him having to put much effort into it. However, any money he manages to get his hands on is promptly pissed away at the bar, sending him deeper and deeper into debt.

The Alcoholic: Spends most of his time and money at the bar, and his house is absolutely filled with liquor bottles.
Brilliant, but Lazy: How Pike views himself, and how he tries to present himself to others, with little success.
Chekhov's Boomerang: Factors into a few different plot arcs; in fact, one of the items he provides you with early on turns out to be a boomerang itself.
Con Man: His primary source of income.
Heel–Face Turn: After Pollock takes pity on Pike by paying off his debts, he starts cleaning up his act. By the end of the game, Pike has sobered up and is now earning honest pay by helping to clean the tavern.
Sibling Yin-Yang: The complete opposite of his diligent, hard-working brother.
The Slacker: How others see him.

Mayor Mayde (Amit)

The richest man in Pilchard Bay, and Maribel's doting father. Has several foods named after him and is recognized as a great merchant. Also close friends with Pollock, who heads up his fishing fleet. While he spoils Maribel rotten, he also ends up arguing with her a lot because he doesn't think a young lady should ever put herself at risk doing things like sailing or traveling. Maribel constantly blows off his concerns and does whatever she pleases, to his constant dismay.

Fantasy-Forbidding Father: Tries to be one; Maribel never listens.
Foreshadowing: He mentions several times how he's worrying himself sick over Maribel's antics.
Stay in the Kitchen: The main source of conflict between him and his daughter. He wants her to stay safe at home; she wants to travel and do whatever she darn well pleases.

King Donald (King Burns)

The current ruler of Estard, and Kiefer's long-suffering father. Views his son as nothing more than an Upper-Class Twit and is constantly trying to curtail his exploits. This overbearing style of parenting is sometimes reflected in how he rules the country, something that his retainers do their best to contain. (Ironically, they seem to have far more success at this than he ever does keeping Kiefer in line, which just adds more fuel to the fire.)

Character Development: Over time, he gradually learns to keep his temper in check. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen in time for him to patch things up with Kiefer...
Fantasy-Forbidding Father: He's harsh towards Kiefer, simply because he believes he's out of control.
Hot-Blooded: Where did you think Kiefer got it from?
Shout-Out Theme Naming: In the English 3DS translation; his name change to Donald is likely meant to go with his son Kiefer to reference Donald and Kiefer Sutherland.

Princess Lissette (Princess Leesa)

Kiefer's younger sister, who acts as a bit of a peacekeeper between her rebellious brother and short-tempered father. Leesa deeply admires her big brother, and is always eager to hear more tales of his exploits even while gently reminding him that he should be kinder to their father.

Princess Classic: Including a conical cap.
Sibling Yin-Yang: Largely content with her lot in life, and does her best to soothe things over. Clearly loves both her brother and father dearly, and does so openly, without any of the emotional constipation both suffer from.
Speech Impediment: In the 3DS remake, she has a lisp.
That Liar Lies: She accuses you of lying when you tell her that Kiefer isn't coming back. Eventually, she comes to terms with it, but it's still incredibly depressing.

The Woodcutter

A cheerful fellow who lives by himself in a small coastal cottage. While this seems like it could be a very lonely lifestyle, his ability to understand the various languages of animals ensures that's not the case.

Friend to All Living Things: He's very good with animals and even Speaks Fluent Animal.
Guest-Star Party Member: Wields an axe, and uses lots of medical herbs.
Perpetual Smiler: Consistently cheerful.
Speaks Fluent Animal: Which is how he stays abreast of what's going on elsewhere on the island.

The Servant of a Higher Power

A new character exclusive to the 3DS remake. He is a strange, fairy-like creature that has resided within the Shrine of Mysteries for centuries, waiting for "The Chosen One". He helps the party manage the Shrine's various pillars while also providing hints and clues as to where to find tablet shards.

Anti-Frustration Features: He pretty much is one. One of the main criticisms of the original game was how much of a Guide Dang It! finding certain shards was. Thanks to his guidance, however, finding the shards is now much easier.

Ballymolloy (Rexwood)

Maeve (Matilda)

A warrior who offers the disoriented heroes advice and guides them to Ballymolloy. Does her best to ensure that those who have passed on are honored. Also the younger sister of Molloy, who never forgave the townsfolk for abandoning her brother when he needed them most. The monsters and the Demon King took advantage of this, corrupting and transforming her into their leader.

And Then John Was a Zombie: She is the leader of the monsters.
Barrier Maiden: A nasty example, as the only way to save the kidnapped villagers is to kill her — otherwise they'll remain trapped forever.
Chainmail Bikini: Her outfit is practically identical to the female warrior from Dragon Quest III.
Dem Bones: Her true form is a Fright knight monster. Dragon Quest XI has her as a Skeleton Swordsman monster for her boss fight in the Rainbow Mines instead. Justified, since Fright Knights and their Night and Blight Knight variants are not present in the game.
Due to the Dead: Introduced tending to some old, weathered gravestones at the edge of the forest, putting grass on their plots because she doesn't have any flowers on hand. Maribel offers her some flower seeds, which she gratefully takes and plants them. By the end of the arc, they've fully bloomed.
Elemental Punch: In battle, she attacks with Lightning Slash and Dragon Slash.
Foregone Victory: Refuses to fight during your boss battle, merely standing before you and occasionally defending, never attacking. Subverted for her reappearance in Dragon Quest XI, where you have to defeat her in a boss fight.
Guest-Star Party Member: Only for a very short while after arriving in Ballymolloy.
Not a Game: Finds Kiefer's excitement about fighting monsters somewhat distasteful. What happens to her drives this point home for the trio, as well.
Suicide by Cop: Refuses to fight during her boss battle, knowing that her life is what keeps the town's curse active
Took a Level in Badass: In Dragon Quest XI, she goes from a boss that can only defend to a boss that uses Lightning Slash against the party, summons Rockbombs to back her up, and other abilities like Robochopping and healing herself with Heal.
Tragic Keepsake: A wooden doll that her brother carved for her before his death. She later passes it on to the heroes.
Tragic Monster: And how.

Molloy (Rex)

The namesake for the village of Ballymolloy. Twenty years ago, when the monsters first appeared, he ventured to their lair and fought them alone, leading to his eventual, courageous death. However, he was only fighting alone because his intended backup chickened out and refused to follow and assist them as they had promised to; he met his demise waiting for help that would never arrive.

Death by Origin Story
Heroic Sacrifice
Posthumous Character: Long gone, but his story is integral to understanding why things have gotten so bad in his hometown.

Hanlon (Hank)

A citizen turned makeshift warrior by necessity, Hank was recently gravely injured while defending the village. Despite this, he remains determined to defeat the leader of the monsters and save their kidnapped loved ones at any cost.

Guest-Star Party Member: Is massively more powerful then the party, but moves ponderously, taking a break every other turn.
Meaningful Name: His name in the remake invokes Hanlon's Razor.
Shoot the Dog: Is willing to deliver the final blow to the monstrous Maeve in order to save his town, despite his own feelings on the matter.

Patrick

Hanlon's young son. Though only a small child, he does his best to care for his wounded father. Looks up to Maeve.

Creepy Child: He's a little excited by the thought of his dad bringing him monster's entrails as proof of his victory.
Tragic Keepsake: Before leaving, you pass on Maeve's wooden doll to him.
Wise Beyond Their Years: Had to grow up fast thanks to the monster attack nearly killing his father and driving them into hiding.

Emberdale (Engow)

Palmela

The Fortune Teller of Emberdale. A former priestess, she found her calling as a Seer with stunningly accurate predictions. But accuracy means little when nobody wants to hear whatever bad news you might be trying to pass on... like a vision of the upcoming festival turning into A Fate Worse Than Death.

The Cassandra: Nobody believes her claim that the Flaming Festival will bring doom to Emberdale unless the heroes intervene.
Chekhov's Boomerang
Fortune Teller: She works as one in addition to making medicine.
Generation Xerox: Her descendant in present-day Emberdale looks exactly like her.
Legacy Character: In-Universe, anyone in her line who exhibits the same gift of fortune-telling is given her name.

Gaffer (The Elder of Engow)

The village elder. Regards Palmela as an old, powerless medicine woman who's merely stirring up trouble, and responds to her warnings that the Flaming Festival will end in fire and death by volcanic eruption. Just as stubborn and hardheaded as Palmela, minus any visions to justify his made-up mind.

Attack of the Town Festival: The Flaming Festival he holds turns out to cause a deadly eruption that gets the island sealed away.
Suit with Vested Interests: Wants to hold the festival in spite of the danger.
- Somewhat more justified than most examples of this trope, in that the Festival is not a mere tourist attraction or celebration, but an attempt to appease the Father of the Flame and thereby avert disaster.
Too Dumb to Live: "Everyone will DIE at the end of the festival!" "Let's hold it tonight!"

Regenstein (Dialec)

Klemens

A swordsman who grew up in Regenstein, and served as their lifeline by regularly traveling to other towns for supplies. But once, while he was away, a mysterious Gray Rain came and turned everyone else to stone...

Bilingual Bonus: His name in German still translates to "clayman".
Doomed Hometown: And he's the only survivor to this day.
I Let Gwen Stacy Die: Though he didn't cause the Gray Rain, he spent his whole life searching for a cure, only to find when he returned that the weather had worn their statues down too much for it to work. In hindsight, he could have saved them by moving them to shelter first before leaving, but in his grief, that didn't occur to him.
Sole Survivor: When the party meet him for the first time, he's the only one still in town.
Survivor Guilt: Blames himself for leaving shortly before the Gray Rain, and freely admits wishing that he could have shared their tragic fate.

Helga (Millie)

The most beautiful girl in all of Regenstein, and Klemens's beloved. Tragically, she turned into his lost love after being turned to stone by the gray rain.

The Lost Lenore: For Klemens.
Posthumous Character
Taken for Granite: Due to the gray rain turning everyone else to stone.

Ralf (Keene)

The town drunk who is skeptical that the town is able to summon rain.

The Cynic: Doesn't believe that the ritual has any real impact on whether or not they get any rain, and only stops drinking because the bartender cuts him off so he can attend the festivities himself.
Last Words: As he's being petrified, his last words and actions are to call out to his son and attempt to get inside his house to make sure he's all right.
Posthumous Character
Taken for Granite: Just like the others, he was turned to stone.

Felix (Joseph)

Before the Gray Rain, Felix was an inquisitive and curious youngster who loved playing pranks and was very interested in Regenstein's history. After that, however...

Cheerful Child: He always has a smile on his face.
Posthumous Character: Subverted, in that using the angel's tears cures him.
Taken for Granite: Fortunately, it's not permanent like everyone else.

Sim

An old man from the present day who seeks to set up a new village. Upon finding a deserted island, he decides to found a new village there and recruits the hero and his friends to spread word-of-mouth and send travelers his way.

Adapted Out: Because the town-building side-quest has changed, Sim is replaced with Carey in the 3DS remake.
Egopolis: When trying to decide upon a name for the fledgling town, he suggests three variations on the hero's name plus a townish word, like Heroburg.
Grumpy Old Man: Regardless of what form you build your township up into, Sim finds some fault with it, filling his journal with complaints. Even if you kick out residents and switch things up to access a different final town, he remains unsatisfied.
Shout-Out: His name.

Carey

A young woman who wants to create a Haven for repentant monsters, building it on the ruins of Regenstein. She invites the player to be on the look out for monsters in human form to send to her.

Gender Flip: Is the 3DS remake's equivalent to Sim. She's nicer then he is.
Plucky Girl: Is always cheerful in her efforts to build her monster Haven.

L'Arca (Orph)

Hackrobat (Deathpal)

An evil demon who attacked L'Arca in the distant past, but was defeated by the local white wolves and sealed away in the highest peak of Grotta del Sigillo. He was fred by an alien force to get his vengeance on the white wolves and turned all the people of L'Arca in animals and the animals into people.

Acrofatic: In spite of his bulk, he's a pretty good juggler and among the first bosses able to act twice in a round.
Anti-Magic: PS1 only, the cave he's fought in prevents you from casting spells. Coupled with his ability to Dazzleflash players, he's nasty to deal with.
The Atoner: In the present, he tries to use the last of his magic to turn Ruff back into a wolf, but he ends up making his mind human enough to allow him to speak coherently.
Eyescream: Inverted, he juggles massive eyeballs and his normal attack has him merging them all into one giant eyeball and slam it at the heroes.
Fat Bastard: A cruel demon who's also ball-shaped due to his fat size.
Karmic Transformation: Ironically enough, all those years of seal turned him into a normal human. It's implied he used to be human but was corrupted into his demon form.
Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: He wishes to exterminate all white wolves, but he can't find the last one. Only when he's about to be sealed again he finally realize that because of his transformation spell, the only missing wolf was turned into a human.
Sealed Evil in a Can: He was sealed inside a stone coffin on the very tip of the hollowed mountain known as "Grotta del Sigillo", first by the wolves and later by your party. By the time he finally breaks out in the present, he's a human again.

Faraday (Falrod)

Captain Thaddeus Goodwinding (Captain Trad)

Head of the forces of Faraday, and leading a losing war of attrition against the Automatons. He knows that the eccentric and reclusive Autonymus may be their last hope of survival, but is rather doubtful about their chances of working with him.

Berserk Button: Autonymus is a sensitive subject for him.
Blade Lock: After getting into the Automatons' hideout, he spends the entire dungeon doing this with one such mech.
Guest-Star Party Member: While he follows you around, he doesn't much do much fighting.
Jerkass Has a Point: Though his reaction to any suggestion of working with Autonymus initially comes off as extreme, it's not without reason, as he suspects the inventor won't be keen to comply.

Autonymus Goodwinding (Zebbot)

An antisocial inventor who claims to sympathize more with machines than his own countrymen. Lives alone in his isolated laboratory tinkering with scraps of machinery.

Failure-to-Save Murder: Serves as the root of his grudge against his brother, as she was with him at the time of her accident. That said, he blames Ellie herself for this as well.
Freudian Excuse: He never forgave his lost love Ellie for dying in a tragic accident, and became obsessed with machines out of the belief that a robot would never up and die on him.
Jerkass Woobie: Invoked. He's largely regarded In-Universe as the first, though there are a few who sympathize with his situation.
Misanthrope Supreme: Openly states that he does not care what happens to his fellow man, expressing more empathy for the killer robots.

E.L.L.I.E. (Eri)

A malfunctioning Automaton who catches Goodwinding's eye and becomes his pet project of sorts.

Bullying a Dragon: Despite her being integral to saving the kingdom, she is still attacked by the ungrateful townsfolk afterwards, who take advantage of her refusing to attack by beating on her.
Fun with Acronyms: In the English 3DS translation, E.L.L.I.E. is an acronym.
Killer Robot -> Robot Maid
Palette Swap: In the 3DS version, she's pink and orange rather than the standard automaton colors.
Replacement Goldfish: For Autonymus's lost love, Ellie.
What Measure Is a Mook?: Or Non-Human?
Who Wants to Live Forever?: In the present day, she is found caring for Autonymus's skeletal corpse, incapable of telling that he isn't just sleeping. It gets worse once the current king of Faraday tracks her down.

Tintop Dictator (Machinoid)

The leader of the Automaton soldiers sending hordes of them to attack the land.

Bait-and-Switch Boss: Despite being the man behind the robots, he's rather easy to defeat and the actual boss is the much more formidable Slaughtomaton.
Epic Flail: Swings around a gigantic orange flail in combat.
Flunky Boss: Will periodically summons more Automatons to fight alongside him.
From Nobody to Nightmare: Invoked, it's implied he wanted to use the powerful Automatons to raze Faraday to the ground and prove to Orgodemir how much of a threat he is.
With My Dying Breath, I Summon You: When slain in combat, he calls forth his secret weapon, the Slaughtomaton, which proceeds to crush him and fight in his place as the true boss of the Automaton Stronghold.

Greenthumb Gardens (Verd ham)

Lavender (Linda)

A young woman saddled with her parents' massive debt after their deaths. Burdock agrees to forgive the debt if she accepts an Arranged Marriage with his son Dill; while she agrees, she's secretly pining after her real beloved: Carraway. She eventually drives Carraway out of town with her demands that he fight for her; though she marries Dill, she eventually abandons him and their son to search for Carraway, only to decide she can't face him, and spends the rest of her life as a nun secretly watching over him from her convent.

Arranged Marriage: With Dill. She's not happy about it.
Debt Detester: Not only is she saddled with an unwanted engagement due to her late parents' debt, she hates being treated like a charity case, such as when a merchant friend of the family insists on giving her money to help with her financial woes.
Did Not Think This Through: Played for Drama as her "Reason You Suck" Speech to Carraway was done out of the hope that if she said those things, Carraway would finally be motivated to fight for her love. Unfortunately, Carraway took her words to heart and left in order to make everyone happy. She’s last seen regretting her poor decision, explaining to the heroes her true intentions and lamenting on how she only wanted to elope with him.
Holding Out for a Hero: Deconstructed, as this is her Fatal Flaw: Instead of trying to solve her problems herself, she hopes to be 'rescued' from them. She agrees to marry Burdock's son to erase her family's debt, but doesn't want to fulfill this commitment — instead, she wants Carraway to "save" her and run away together, escaping her responsibilities. She makes no effort to fix matters on her own, pressuring Carraway to make all the difficult decisions. By the time she does act, a lot of damage has been done, and she's so ashamed that she can't bring herself to face Carraway after finding him.
Missing Mom: After ditching her son and husband.
My God, What Have I Done?: Laments this after driving Carraway to leave town when she accuses him of being too cowardly to fight for her love. She was trying to provoke him into acting, but underestimated his desire to keep everyone happy.
Parting-Words Regret: Her words to Carraway on how she never wanted to see him again were said out of the hope that Carraway would be driven to elope with her if she did. Instead, they end up being the last thing she ever says to him as they drive him to leave town.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Really reams out poor Carraway as part of an ill-considered plan to provoke him into acting. He instead takes her criticisms to heart and leaves.
Together in Death: Carraway is buried alongside her in the present.

Carraway (Pepe)

One of Burdock's gardeners, along with his father and brother. Carraway loves Lavender dearly, so much that he would risk his life for her... yet at the same time, he fears what sort of retribution might fall upon his family if he interfered with her engagement to Dill. He eventually leaves town rather than be forced to choose between his family's future and his beloved, and establishes his own herb garden. He remained a bachelor for the rest of his life, though he does adopt a daughter.

Did Not Get the Girl: By his own choice, though it broke his heart.
Dirty Coward: Gets called a coward by Lavender herself for his hesitation to choose love over family. He doesn't disagree with that, echoing those words before leaving town.
Extreme Doormat: Tends to put everyone else ahead of himself, which causes problems when people are attempting to pull or push him in different directions.
Friend-or-Idol Decision: Should he get together with Lavender, breaking the engagement and her deal with Burdock, leaving her parents' debt to be dealt with, and putting his family's livelihood at risk? Or should he stay silent and watch his beloved marry another man, spending the rest of his life working for them and walking on eggshells to keep a suspicious Dill from accusing him of a secret affair with his wife? In the end, despite Lavender and Cayenne urging him to fight for the relationship, he takes a third option: leave town so Lavender could have a happy life with Dill and avoid bringing any trouble to his family. Needless to say, this doesn't pan out the way Carraway wanted at all.
I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Complicated by circumstances, especially Lavender's desire for him to fight for her even at the cost of imperilling his family. Ultimately Deconstructed, as his choice to run away in hopes of Lavender having a happy life with Dill only causes her to be trapped in an abusive marriage until she ran away and spent the reminder of her life secretly watching him from her convent, leaving him with the knowledge that his choice ultimately didn’t help her at all once he finds out.
Replacement Goldfish: Hinted at with Lavender, the orphan he adopted, though he treats her as his own daughter.
Shoot the Dog: When met later on, Carraway, while heartbroken about Lavender, convinces and consoles himself that at least Lavender is living a happy life with Dill. Then you find out she had moved to the convent above his place and died so close to him without him realizing it, and decide to tell him and show him Lavender's grave. This reopens the wound for him and makes him realize how much he loved Lavender, but now filled him with regret due not only for not running away with her when he had the chance but also for not realizing she was so physically close that whole time before she died. When Maribel of all people doesn't make her typical bratty remarks but instead points out that you just reopened old wounds and didn't help matters at all, and for once is right about her comments, you know you've screwed up big time.
Take a Third Option: Deconstructed: Rather than choose between his lover and his family, he leaves town. He thinks this is for the best, but nobody is happy with it and nobody benefits from it, himself included. All it does is cement everyone's unhappiness for years to come, and ends up sowing the seeds for the town's eventual collapse.
Together in Death: Is buried alongside Lavender in the present. The fact that this remains unchanged even after taking Carraway to Lavender's grave in the past suggests that this is how he made peace with the affair.

Dill (Iwan)

The only child of the richest family in Greenthumb Gardens, and a complete Upper-Class Twit. Honestly loves Lavender, and is suspicious and jealous of her relationship with Carraway. While he marries Lavender, he can't keep her with him, and fritters away the family fortune before finally ending up as the lowly servant of the new richest man in town.

Arranged Marriage: With Lavender, much to his delight.
Break the Haughty: Later events are not kind to him, given how he's abandoned by his wife, wastes his father's fortune, and finds himself working for the man who replaced him as the richest fellow in town.
Domestic Abuse: Abused Lavender during the thirty-year time skip after losing his mansion and garden to Dan D. Lion, causing her to ditch him and her son.
Green-Eyed Monster: Towards Carraway. While not entirely without reason, he's keen to shunt all the blame for the situation onto his perceived rival, while painting Lavender as completely innocent in the whole affair.
It's All About Me: So incredibly self-absorbed that he wants his father to officially announce his engagement to Lavender at the party they're holding to celebrate Carraway's recovery.
Love Redeems: The reason why his father arranged his marriage to Lavender, hoping that his son's love for her would make him a better person. However, Dill ended up driving Lavender away with his continued bad behaviour (which turned to abuse) and the actual moment comes when he takes the heat for Cayenne's crime, leaving town with her.
Pet the Dog: Subverted; his suggestion that they hold a banquet to celebrate Carraway recovering is actually motivated by wanting a good venue to announce his engagement.
- Played straighter when Cayenne is caught in the act of poisoning her husband. He steps in, claims fault, and leaves town with her. Even Maribel and the other heroes are impressed by this.
Upper-Class Twit: Much to his father's dismay.

Cayenne (Kaya)

A maid working for Burdock. Deeply in love with Dill, and so encourages Lavender and Carraway's relationship in hopes of stopping the arranged marriage from going through. When this doesn't work, she watches Dill squander his inheritance and end up serving another man, whom she then marries with a cruel vengeance in mind...

Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: She tries to come off as sweet as possible initially, but quickly shows that she only thinks for herself to the detriment of everyone else.
I Was Just Joking: Casually jokes about poisoning the party's food before declaring that she was kidding. Doubles as Foreshadowing as years later, Cayenne is revealed to have been secretly poisoning her husband's food.
Karma Houdini: Zig-Zagged: While she is exiled from Greenthumb Gardens when she is exposed, Dill takes most of the heat for her and she gets to leave with her true love.
Meido
Shipper with an Agenda: Wants Carraway and Lavender to hook up so that she can catch Dill on the rebound.
Tampering with Food and Drink: Jokes about this, suggesting it would be a good way of eliminating her romantic rival. Eventually follows through, but on a different target.
Unrequited Love: Towards Dill.
Yandere: States outright that she should get rid of Lavender herself. Later marries the man whose fortunes rose above Dill's in order to get revenge.

Burdock (Borlock)

The richest man in town, and Dill's father. Extremely proud of his impressive garden, rather less so of his son. Still, he wants what's best for him, and hopes that marrying Lavender will help along Dill's development into a more mature, worthier heir. It doesn't work.

All for Nothing: His attempts at having Dill mature by marrying Lavender to him backfires as not only Dill never matured like Burdock hoped, he ends up losing the garden to a wealthier man and said garden is later abandoned in favour of the herb garden Lavender's true love established after he left her so she could marry Dill.
Love Redeems: Basically banking on his son's love for Lavender making him a better person in the long run. Needless to say, it doesn't work.
Poor Communication Kills: He's somewhat Locked Out of the Loop concerning all the romantic drama.
Reasonable Authority Figure: Even if reading the above profiles makes you doubt this.
Unwitting Instigator of Doom: His offer to clear the debt Lavender's parents amassed if she marries Dill causes a lot of grief.

The Roamers (The Deja Tribe)

Lala (Layla)

The latest in a line of tribal dancers who lead the Roamers, Lala bears a birthmark that proves she holds the Spirit of the Earth within her body. A great destiny and a vast responsibility rests on the shoulders of her and her bloodline; however, she never asked for this burden, and it weighs heavily upon her...

Birthmark of Destiny: Which serves as proof of her heritage.
Blessed with Suck: How she views the Earth Spirit, as it doesn't give her any particular powers or abilities beyond the possibility that she might be the one who will perform the ritual to resurrect The Almighty. A vast responsibility, causing others to expect great things from her and push her beyond her limits.
Commonality Connection: When Kiefer mentions that the prince of his homeland is known for avoiding his responsibilities, she replies that she understands that, much to his surprise.
It Sucks to Be the Chosen One: She's not a big fan of what destiny supposedly demands of her. Mainly due to all the pressure it places on her, and how hard she's expected to work to live up to it.
Official Couple: With Kiefer.
Resigned to the Call: Like it or not, the job's got to be done.
Tears of Joy: After Kiefer becomes the new Guardian in order to stay with her, she sings with tears in her eyes.

Florin (Jann)

The tribe's torban-player and Lala's lover. His music has the power to repel monsters, enabling the Roamers to roam the land with little fear. Very protective of Lala, to the point of being somewhat controlling. Does not like Kiefer.

The Atoner: Becomes one after revealing how he deceived his tribe, hid the mark, and attempted the ceremony to revive The Almighty despite it not being the right time simply because he wanted to be free to marry Lala.
Blessed with Suck: At some point after his birth, a divine mark like Lala's appeared on his chest... meaning that he can never marry her, for the tribe would not allow it.
But Now I Must Go: Leaves the Roamers after the ceremony fails.
Chekhov's Boomerang: The importance of his torban-playing, and the powers it possesses.
Green-Eyed Monster: Immediately becomes jealous of Kiefer because unlike him, Kiefer can carry on a relationship with Lala without having to worry about his secret being uncovered.
Guest-Star Party Member: Doesn't do anything in battle and just follows you around, despite several mentions of his ability to repel monsters. Hand Waved by him saying the ability does not work in the cave. The most he does is to read certain stone tablets.
- He actually helps you out when you face Gracos in battle, in both versions.
Jerkass: Primarily towards Kiefer.
Musical Assassin: He attacks by playing his torban.
Pet the Dog: Party chat in the 3DS version has his conversations with the team be very amicable and polite.
Yank the Dog's Chain: For him it's the failure of the ceremony, meaning the freedom to marry Lala he pined for during his time with the party will never be his.

Rom Baro

The title of the leader of the Roamers, he guides his people in their seemingly-endless journey across the world as they await the coming of The Almighty.

The Prankster: In spite of his duties, Rom Baro isn't above playing practical jokes on his guests and generally tries to keep a sense of humor. In Dragon Quest XI (3DS and Definitive versions only), when an unknown saboteur breaks all the strings on their torbans, he suggests that the Roamers play "air torbans" to try and appease The Almighty while he tries to find a better solution.

Rosa (Beretta)

The wife of Rom Baro, and more reasonable than her practical-joke-loving husband. Keeps the tribe running, and is more in tune with Lala's thoughts and feelings than Lala realizes.

Armor-Piercing Question: Stops Lala in her tracks when she asks her if she really loves Florin.
I Was Quite a Looker: Used to be the tribe's main dancer in her younger years.
Reasonable Authority Figure: More so than her husband.
What the Hell, Hero?: Calls out Lala for dancing despite her leg being seriously injured.

Boldo (Datz)

The current guardian of the Roamers, Lala's father, and a boisterous and friendly man. Married into the Roamers after falling in love with Lala's mother.

In the Back: Badly injured by a monster managing to get behind him during combat.

Alltrades Abbey (Dharma Temple)

Nava (Neris)

A gentle, beautiful young woman with an unfortunate illness. Made all the more unfortunate by how she and her brother were imprisoned by monsters, along with so many others. Despite their dire situation, Neris does her best to support her loved ones and keep whatever peace they can manage. Winds up Brainwashed and Crazy after having her soul shattered, but recovers. However, it's implied that this ordeal put too much strain on her body, shortening her lifespan even more.

Brainwashed and Crazy: After having her soul stolen, she's given a Soulstealer and turned into a possessed Dark Action Girl.
Damsel in Distress: A somewhat unusual variant, in that she becomes a Damsel in Distress by having her soul sucked into a Soulstealer... which the monsters then give to her and have her slaughter others with. Meaning that to save this Damsel, you have to beat the tar out of her first.
Dark Action Girl: After she's armed with her own Soulstealer.
Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Sweet, gentle ill girl with long, fluffy golden hair.
Hoist by His Own Petard: Saved from her soul-shattered state by the heroes beating her until she drops the Soulstealer — which just happens to have her own soul inside of it — and then being stabbed with it, allowing it to return to her body.
An Ice Person: When you fight her, she uses Crack, Crackle, and Kacrackle Slash.
Silk Hiding Steel: Complete with that unmistakable steel will.

Zev (Zaji)

Nava's overprotective younger brother. Naturally suspicious of his sister's various suitors, especially Kasim.—-

Big Brother Instinct: Or Little Brother Instinct, in his case.
But Now I Must Go: After Alltrades Abbey is saved, he chooses to leave his sister behind, asking Kasim to protect her in his stead.
Guest-Star Party Member: The third in the Alltrades Abbey arc, during the tournament section.
Hoist by His Own Petard: Has his soul sucked into a Soulstealer, then is set against the party while wielding that same sword... which Eustace turns to their advantage by disarming and stabbing him with it.
Just a Kid: Getting dismissed due to his youth naturally doesn't go over well with him.
Magic Knight: Uses both magic and swordplay when he's in the party.
My Sister Is Off-Limits Until the very end.
Taking the Blade: Shoves Nava out of the way of a Soulstealer and takes the hit himself.

Eustace (Kasim)

A guard of Alltrades Abbey, and a bit of a trickster. Also interested in Nava, much to Zev's dismay.

Drowning His Sorrows: Spends most nights at the penal colony getting drunk at the bar, ruminating over his inability to protect the High Priestess.
Guest-Star Party Member: The second during the Alltrades Abbey arc.
Master Swordsman: Looks like a swashbuckler and his weapon of choice is an arming sword used with great skill.
Moving the Goalposts: Strings Fingers along by promising that he'll put in a good word for him with the guards if he just does one more favor.
Pragmatic Hero: Good at getting a good read on situations and thinking quickly, and isn't afraid to take actions that others might find to be less than perfectly noble.
What the Hell, Hero?:
- The chief priest coldly dresses him down for not standing his ground and dying alongside his fellow guardsmen.
- Subsequently gets called out by Maribel when he disarms the Soulstealer-wielding Zev and stabs him with it. Subverted, however, when that actually saves Zev's life by returning his soul to his body.

Fingers (Flower)

A thief who's good at obtaining pretty much anything you can ask for... for a price. Wants to reform and become one of the shrine's guards; after his first attempt went awry due to circumstances beyond his control, he befriended Kasim in hopes of getting his help.

Anime Hair: Has some noticeable spiky black hair with a tuff of bright yellow spikes in the front.
Guest-Star Party Member: The first in the Alltrades Abbey arc, briefly.
Impossible Thief: Has a well-deserved reputation for being able to get his hands on all manner of goodies, such as Yggdrasil Dew or one of the vacuum cleaners from Faraday.
Ironic Name: In the original translation.
Jerkass: He may have a noble goal, but that doesn't make him any less self-centered.
Never My Fault: Rather than admitting he shouldn't have used you as a distraction for the guards without even warning you, he insists it's their own fault for trusting him.
Reformed Criminal: Eager to become one and prove himself worthy of serving as a guard. He ends up declining the position in the end, however.
Unwitting Pawn: He makes one out of you.
We Need a Distraction: Claims as such when the group approaches the grotto guarded by the two monsters. He proceeds to turn the party into a distraction while he runs past them.

Strom (Suifu)

The self-proclaimed leader of the penal colony, and holds onto that power by regularly kicking the ass of new arrivals and anyone who might cause trouble.

Asskicking Leads to Leadership: Beat the previous head of the penal colony in order to take over, and keeps the residents in line through shows of strength.
Hopeless Boss Fight: The first of two during this part in the game.
Mayor of a Ghost Town: After Alltrades Abbey is saved, he remains in the evacuated penal colony, ruefully recognizing that he will probably never have that kind of power and respect again.
Well-Intentioned Extremist: While he and his flunkies clearly enjoy being in charge, he also put this system into place to try and keep anyone from accepting the monsters' offer. Kind of hard to murder five people and steal their souls when you've got the thuggish leader and his goons breathing down your neck, after all.

The Aspiring Hero

A warrior clad in full pink armor who traveled to the shrine hoping to become a hero, only to find himself tricked and drained of all his hard-won abilities.

The Corruptible: Tempted by the monsters' challenge to win back his stolen powers, he takes up the Soulstealer and goes on a rampage. Though he doesn't quite gather five souls, his effort is enough to earn his powers back and a trip to the arena.
No Name Given: Never offers his name to anyone. Ironic, given his desire for fame.
Redemption Equals Death: Dies protecting another man during the rebellion to retake the Abbey.
Small Name, Big Ego: Has a very high opinion of himself.

Rashers and Stripes (Inopp and Gonzu)

Two powerful monsters charged with guarding the penal colony and keeping any of their captives from escaping. Take a lot of cruel pride in their handiwork.

Dual Boss: Fought together both times.
Full-Boar Action: Rashers's a large warthog-headed man with a brutal spiked club and the ability to snort out sand from the nostrils.
Hopeless Boss Fight: First time around.
Panthera Awesome: Stripes is a feline monster with a demonic face in the mouth... or a demon wearing a full body tiger disguise.
Powers as Programs: Have grown incredibly strong by siphoning energy off of the powers stolen from their victims. High Priestess Jacqueline puts a stop to this long enough for you to slay them.
Punny Name: Inopp contains the word "Ino", which is the short for Inoshishi, "boar".

High Priestess Jacqueline (Fosse)

The priestess of Alltrades Abbey, who was captured and sealed away by the monsters when they took over. Despite her youth and the desperateness of the current situation, she is actually very powerful.

Child Mage: Despite being younger than the heroes, she's skilled with magic.
The Dog Bites Back: She was imprisoned by Cardinal Sin, had her temple took over and her loyal followers scattered and tortured. She can join the fight against Cardinal Sin and actually deal a whole lot of damage to him.
Guest-Star Party Member: Fourth and final party member during the Alltrades Abbey quest.
Holy Hand Grenade: She uses powerful Light Magic.
An Ice Person: In battle, she attacks with the Crackle spell.
It's All My Fault: Blames herself for not being strong enough to stop the monsters.
Punny Name: In the 3DS translation; it's a feminine version of the one used in Dragon Quest IX and the remake of Dragon Quest VI: "Jacq of Alltrades".
The Red Mage: She uses both attack and healing magic in battle, just like the traditional Sages of the series. In the 3DS version, the Sage's class outfit appears to be designed after Jacqueline's.
This Is Unforgivable!: Her reaction upon witnessing firsthand what the monsters do for those who 'earn their freedom' by shattering enough souls in the arena.

Cardinal Sin (Antoria)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dqvii3ds___cardinal_sin_5.png

Head of the monsters plaguing Alltrades Abbey, and has been twisting the temple to his own ends.

Bait the Dog: He seems to be a regular priest giving out classes at first, but he later turns out to be quite nasty.
Degraded Boss: Purple versions of him named "Baron Von Bellycose" appear as regular enemies in the Cave to Yet Another World.
Fake King: Fake High Priest in this case, but the role is otherwise identical.
Fat Bastard: Cardinal Sin has a huge belly that hangs over his waist.
Hope Crusher: Rather than simply destroy his island or manipulate the humans into doing so relatively quickly like the other local villains, Cardinal Sin takes the time to set up a complex system designed to completely break his prisoners' spirits in numerous different ways. He even admits that the despair he gathered was worth far more than all the power he stole.
Jiggle Physics: In the 3DS version, his belly noticeably jiggles after attacking or being attacked. Especially if defeated with a Critical Hit.
Playing with Fire: Attacks using both Flame Slash and the Sizzle spell.
Punny Name: In the 3DS translation.
Released to Elsewhere: Turns out that those who win their freedom by complying with the monsters' every whim are 'freed' by being slain.
Smug Snake

La Bravoure (Mezar)

Honoré (Nicola)

A devoted dreamer who longs to meet the "Great Hero" sealed away by The Almighty. However, he made a promise to his late father that he would never leave La Bravoure, for his father feared that his idealistic son would be easy prey for monsters. Wanting to keep that vow, Honoré thus keeps an eye out for worthy travelers to entrust his greatest treasure to: a Flying Carpet.

Flying Carpet: Unknown to him, it's a fake. His maid Colette was instructed by his father to keep the actual Flying Carpet hidden away so that Honoré would be made to keep his promise.
Hero-Worshipper
Wide-Eyed Idealist

Sir Laysalot (Ragley)

A warrior claiming to be the reborn warrior of legend who fought with The Almighty against the Demon King...

Punny Name: Lancelot + "Lies A Lot".

Al-Balad (Dune)

Hadid (Hadeed)

One of the few remaining free men of Al-Balad, as the rest were captured by monsters and forced to work on the Likeness of the Great Evil. Believes the Queen betrayed her country in exchange for her own life. Brusque and cold, though clearly not without reason, and gradually warms up to the heroes.

Back from the Dead: He's murdered by Setesh just before the party can reach him, but is resurrected by Fertiti after Setesh's defeat and the Likeness's destruction.
Brutal Honesty
Deadpan Snarker
Determinator
Defrosting Ice Queen
Generation Xerox: Among his descendants in present-day Al-Balad is one of these.
Official Couple: With the Queen, after coming to understand the truth behind her sacrifice.
Sinister Scimitar: Downplayed, he fights with a massive curved sword, but is a good person, even if aloof and initially prejudiced against Queen Fertiti's supposed betrayal.

Khalid (Zarathustra)

Hadid's elderly father, and chief of the small village of those left behind by the monsters' raids. Unlike his son, he has faith in the Queen and believes her motives are pure.

Death by Despair: Suffers this after seeing the fossilized skull, believing it to be proof that the Serpent of the Nihil River is dead.
Reincarnation: It's implied that his virtuous life leads to him being reborn as the Serpent, allowing the party to progress to the Likeness of the Great Evil.

Queen Fertiti

The queen of Al-Balad. Her attempt to have a Likeness of the Great Spirit built attracted monsters to their land, which then overtook the project and converted it to a statue of the Demon King. When they demanded a girl to be sacrificed, the Queen went instead... but did she then strike a deal with the monsters to enslave her people in exchange for sparing her life?

Dirty Coward: Subverted, she was never planning to betray her people.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: The Likeness was meant to ward off monsters. Instead, it attracted the attention of Orgodemir's forces long before it was completed, and led to their kingdom being targeted and usurped.
The Quisling: Subverted.
Senseless Sacrifice: How she views her deal with the monsters, as she did so in hopes of protecting her people through her sacrifice, only to find that the monsters didn't honor their side of the bargain.

Setesh the Punisher (Seto)

The monster currently ruling Al-Balad. Is overseeing the construction of the Likeness of the Great Evil, a monument to his master the Demon King.

The Brute: He typically attacks with hard-hitting physical attacks from his saber. However, he only targets one party member at a time, making healing easier. He also lack personality beyond cruel arrogance.
Draconic Humanoid: Setesh is a humanoid drake, wielding a sword and wearing a cuirass.
Meaningful Name: Named for Set, the "evil" god of the Egyptian pantheon.
Purple Is Powerful: He's the strongest monster in Al-Balad and his skin is dark purple.
Sinister Scimitar: Wields a long cutlass and he can occasionally wield it with both hands for massive damage.
This Cannot Be!: After crowing over a defeated Khalid, he express shock and dies roaring in disbelief after being defeated by the heroes.

Queen Neferta

The present-day Queen of Al-Balad. Only communicates with others through her assistants.

Dude, Where's My Respect?: Averted. Word of your exploits have been passed down through the generations, and all of Al-Balad holds a grand celebration honoring you when you visit their kingdom in the present day.
The High Queen: A beloved ruler in the present day and is nothing but supportive to the party.
It's All My Fault: She prayed to The Almighty Numen for answers about the darkness that enveloped Al-Balad, only for "him" to realize the other Blood Ruby that was lost after Setesh's defeat was in her possession and had legions of monsters take it from her as payback.

Sa'id (Saide)

The present-day Elder's youngest son, and the younger brother of the Three Very Stupid Brothers. Standoffish, but honorable and competent.

Generation Xerox: Yep, he reuses Hadid's model.
Youngest Child Wins: His older brothers are all Very Stupid indeed.

Gröndal and the Roots of Ygg (Krage and the Sacred Tree)

Mayor of Gröndal

The elderly leader of a town full of whackos claiming to be the Demon King. As the Only Sane Man, he nevertheless seems resigned to his fate, gloomily urging travelers to leave before they fall prey to the same insanity.

Badass Normal: Arguable, but considering how long he resisted giving in to the poisoned water, and was the only one who didn't resist you saving him...
Her Code Name Was "Mary Sue": The account his family passes down of the event greatly exaggerates his role in saving the town. The 3DS translation, at least, points the finger at the current mayor for doing this and not the original or any of the mayors between them.
Only Sane Man: He's the only one in town who wasn't swayed by the Demon King propaganda.
Unrequited Love: Towards the guardian of the Sacred Tree, at least in the PSX version. It doesn't really show up on 3DS.

The Faerie Girl

A faerie girl who lives by the Roots of Ygg, acting as its guardian.

Age-Inappropriate Dress: She wears a leaf skirt and bikini combo despite her young age. Subverted in that she's not human, but a faerie.
Anime Hair: Aside from being green, her hair is styled into gravity-defying green spirals.
It's All My Fault: Blames herself for Gröndal's problems, as she distrusted the villagers and spread rumors about the tree to get them to leave it alone. The Tree's Yggdrasil Dew can purify water, so they could have used it to cure the well when it was poisoned, if only they weren't afraid of the rumors....

The Stranger

A mysterious hooded man who encourage the intoxicated people of Gröndal.

Arc Villain: Of the Gröndal arc, having made the Well Wisher poison the water and trying to force the citizens to burn down Ygg.
Degraded Boss: His boss form is that of a mere Fighting Batboon, he doesn't even have the honor of having a unique sprite or name.
In the Hood: Wears a hood that completely hides hid features, alongside a cape.
Obviously Evil: Black cape? Face-obscuring hood? Metal choker with encased green gem? Talking about the "next Demon King" to the villagers? Yup, that's the villain.
One-Winged Angel: When out of tricks, he turns back into a Fighting Batboon to kill the party.
Recurring Boss: He's first fought as the "Stranger" at the Roots of Ygg. You later deal with his true form after purifying the well.
Villainous Breakdown: Flies in a rage and attacks the villagers when the water is purified.

El Ciclo (Litorud)

Senor Pomposa (Baloch)

An eccentric designer; the town of El Ciclo is filled with his inventions, buildings, and artwork, including their famous clock tower. His most recent creation is a bridge to the north, which is set to have its grand opening tomorrow. Despite his fame, however, Senor Pomposa is equally infamous for being difficult to work with.—-

Insufferable Genius: The assistants that are frequently hired to take care of him end up quitting due to his attitude.
Luke, I Am Your Father: He's actually Antonia's father, but his late wife Emilia didn't want her to be a burden to him and so he lives alone in his studio without knowing this. It's implied at the end of the arc that they do eventually learn the truth and live happily together until his death, with a memorial built on the top floor of his tower.
No Celebrities Were Harmed: The 3DS version makes it explicit that he's a parallel to Antonin Gaudi.
The Tower: Pomposa's final creation which Antonia completes after his death, a giant trap-filled tower built on the site of his former studio.

Antonia (Aimy)

A rather klutzy maid working at the El Ciclo Inn, driving the innkeeper to distraction with her frequent accidents. Has a tendency to start each morning off by tumbling down the stairs. Admires Senor Pomposa and his work, and is planning to attend the bridge's unveiling tomorrow.

Cute Clumsy Girl: Actually a mild subversion. She seems the type, but the main reason she keeps falling down the stairs every morning is actually due to the "Groundhog Day" Loop going on in El Ciclo.
Hidden Depths: It turns out she's Senor Pomposa's daughter and has inherited much of his genius, as she completes his tower's construction after his death.

Doctor Salvador

The town doctor, and Senor Pomposa's only close friend and confidant. Keeps a careful watch over Antonia, mindful of the extra care she needs. Also due to his promise to Emilia, Antonia's late mother, and to Senor Pomposa, her distant father.

Reasonable Authority Figure: Towards Antonia and Senor Pomposa
Secret-Keeper: Only person in town that knows the truth about Senor Pomposa's daughter.

The Time Being (TimeSage)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_time_being.png

A monster residing in the clock tower, his use of the Sands of Time has locked El Ciclo in the current time loop.

Arc Villain: Of the El Ciclo arc.
Attack Reflector: Casts Bounce on either himself or one of his Side Winders to deflect enemy spells.
Blinded by the Light: Uses Dazzleflash to blind his enemies.
Degraded Boss: His design is used for the Demon Deacons and Beastly Priests encountered later in the game.
Flunky Boss: Fights alongside two Side Winders: said monsters can use the Sands of Time to rewind the entire battle, forcing you to kill them first if you want to make progress.
Having a Blast: Casts Boom in battle.
Hoist by His Own Petard: Unvoluntary example, but his time-rewinding mechanic is absolute, which means that, for example, any dead player will revert back to life.
Playing with Fire: Casts Frizzle to sear one enemy.

Hardlypool, Spilton-on-Sea, and Wetlock (Avon, Huzu, and Hamelia)

Old Man Riffer (The Traveling Bard)

A mysterious traveling musician who wanders from town to town, playing breathtakingly beautiful music. Though everyone who hears his song begs him to remain, he never settles down, moving on to the next village. He's actually Florin, now an old man and using his torban playing abilities to atone for his actions during his youth.

The Atoner: Still atoning for what he did the last time you met him.
But Now I Must Go: Insists on leaving after ensuring everyone in town has heard his song at least once. And pulls this again once the threat has been dealt with.
Cool Old Guy: This old man not only plays a lovely melody wherever he goes, but he helps deal with Gracos.
Fling a Light into the Future: Eventually, he stopped to take on a student to pass on his techniques and songs. That student passed on their ability over and over until it eventually culminated in Crispin.
Good All Along: Though he at first appears to be a villain (as he's luring people to his tower with his singing, similar to the Fighting Batboon manipulating the citizens of Gröndal among others), it turns out he was taking people to his tower to protect them from Gracos.
Guest-Star Party Member: Fights alongside you for the Gracos fight.
Older and Wiser: He's more down to earth than he was when you meet him at the Roamer Encampment.

Gracos

A familiar sea monster who tries to submerge an entire island. He resides in the Sunken Citadel.

Breath Weapon: He can use either Chilly Breath or Venom Mist, hitting a single character per use.
Fat Bastard: He's massive and fat, tried to sink an entire island.
Generation Xerox: If you return to the Sunken Citadel in the present, you meet his descendant, Gracos V. Though he fights the party with just as much viciousness as the original Gracos, he only does so out of self-defense as he prefers to be left alone and has no interest in conquering the surface.
Making a Splash: His plan involves flooding an entire island to kill all the inhabitants, and in battle he can use Tidal Wave and Jolly Rager.
Prongs of Poseidon: This time, he wields a more elaborated, four-pronged halberd rather than a crescent on a stick.

Providence (Probina)

Abraham (Ordeux)

The elderly leader of Providence. A kind and reasonable man, he has provided shelter for an amnesiac priest, who was found with a mysterious Goddess Statue. The warlike kingdom of Ruckers has learned of the statue's mystical powers and has been trying to seize it for themselves, leaving them in a bad situation... yet he still does his best to protect all of his people, the priest included.

Caleb (Razuel)

Abraham's son. Unlike his father, he is quick to anger and highly impulsive.

Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Breaks the Goddess Statue just to spite the Rucker soldiers, only to learn that the invading forces were monsters in disguise, seeking to destroy the statue themselves.

The Priest of Providence

A compassionate priest who arrived in Providence three years ago, washed up on the shore in bloody robes and clutching the Goddess Statue. Though he has no memory of how he came to be there, he has still managed to settle down and continue his work as a priest... until the King of Rucker arrives, at least.

Chekhov's Gunman: Keep him in mind; you'll be seeing him again.
Heroic Sacrifice
Trauma-Induced Amnesia: Eventually remembers that his home village was attacked by monsters as well.

Nottagen (Loomin)

Buddy (Sieble) and Wiggles (Chibi)

A lonely fellow with somewhat exotic tastes in pets. Has a habit of adopting monsters and doting on them like children.

Heroic Sacrifice: The fate of Buddy's first attempt at a monster pet, a Rockbomb he names Rocky who explodes to save his owner from the Malign Vine. Depending on the player's decision, his second pet Wiggles will do the same to protect him from the Worms of Woe.
Pet Baby Wild Animal: Rocky the Rockbomb and Wiggles the larval Worm of Woe.
Shared Family Quirks: His present-day descendant is implied to be the owner of the nearby Monster Meadows, where he gives monsters a safe refuge to live and thrive like Buddy did for Wiggles. Helping to fill the Meadows with monsters is a lengthy side-quest. Completing it awards a special item that summons a horde of Worms of Woe in battle.
Sole Survivor: If the wrong decision about Wiggles is made.
What the Hell, Hero?: If the party kills Wiggles for the villagers, he calls them out on it.

Sulkk (DarkDraco)

An evil shadow dragon residing on the top of a massive tower near Nottagen, his presence blots the sun and lets the monsters rule supreme.

Blow You Away: Uses Wind Sickles when fought in battle.
Breath Weapon: Spews Chilly Breath and Inferno when fought.
Dark Is Evil: Sulkk is the cause of the darkness in Nottagen and must be defeated...though the darkness WAS keeping the Malign Vine in check, since dispelling it gave the Malign Vine its chance to shine.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: After the party defeats Sulkk and brings the sun back to Nottagen, they return to the present only to find that the town is in ruins. Turns out, the sun caused a plant-based monster called the Malign Vine to grow and destroy Nottagen instead. Oops! And when the Vine is slain, a small worm left behind by it brings more trouble that still destroys the village, though it's possible to prevent this disaster from happening by sparing Wiggles.
Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: The darkness in Nottagen that Sulkk creates throws a monkey wrench into the Malign Vine's ability to terrorize the town, since it needed the sun to grow.
Reused Character Design: Has the same appearance as a Blazing Wingwyrm from Orgodemir's army in the PS1 original, but gains a different appearance in the 3DS remake to help differentiate between the two monsters.
Unstoppable Rage: When Moostapha is killed by the party, Sulkk has a meltdown and tries to torch everybody in and around Nottagen, including his own allies.

Moostapha (Borunga)

The boss of the monsters stationed in Nottagen.

Disproportionate Retribution: Attacks the party just for the bath water going cold on him and ruining his bath time.
Mook Lieutenant: For Orgodemir's minions stationed in Nottagen.
Moose Are Idiots: Subverted, since he knows every face in town and rightly recognizes the party as potential threats.
Morality Pet: For Sulkk, since his presence was keeping him calm and happy. Killing him only makes the dragon angry and willing to destroy everything in his path, including his own allies.
Reused Character Design: Shares the same appearance as the Ginormooses in Orgodemir's army in the PS1 original, as well as Of the Stars, but has a different appearance in the 3DS remake.
Villains Out Shopping: Loves a good bath when ruling over Nottagen.
Villain Respect: He's genuinely surprised that the party made it to Nottagen despite it being sealed in darkness, saying they must be special in some way.
When All You Have Is a Hammer…: He can only use physical attacks such as Desperate Attacks and stomping on one enemy with his foot in addition to Muster Strength to increase his attack.

Hubble (Mardra)

The King of Rucker

Ruler of a broken kingdom. Once a barbaric country focused on expanding their own domain at any cost, they defeated the neighboring kingdom of Hubble ten years ago, only to be wiped out themselves about one year before your arrival, thanks to Hubble's powerful young ruler. Their army was completely wiped out, yet the king was left alive, gradually piecing together what remains of his country.

Kick The Son Of A Bitch: The SOB being kicked. It's hard to feel sorry for him after all he's done, or what he allowed to happen.

King Hybris (Zeppel)

The young ruler of Hubble, who took over for his parents recently and has taken their country on a very magic-oriented bent. His decisions have made Hubble strong, but at what cost...?

Hopeless Boss Fight: Your first battle with him is this after the power of the Incantation turns him into an unstoppable gargoyle-like monster. After The Wizz weakens Hybris some with The Great Leveller, the party can defeat him in the rematch.
My Greatest Failure: Blames himself for Hubble being conquered ten years ago, despite being only eight years old at the time. Losing Lucia in the process didn't help.
Start of Darkness: Lucia's death at the Captain's hands. It didn't help that the Captain openly mocked his weakness and baited him to try and stop them.
Unwitting Pawn: Becomes this to the Envoy as his hunger for power continues to grow.
Well-Intentioned Extremist: All he wanted was to make up for his failure to save his kingdom and his friend. In the process, he drives his kingdom to violent warfare and ultimately unleashes the world-destroying Incantation.

Father Martyn (Dino)

King Hybris's childhood friend, who worries incessantly about the rumors that his liege is pursuing to revive the Incantation.

Taking the Bullet: Steps in and takes a powerful spell cast at Midge, nearly dying in the process.

Lucia

Hybris and Martin's other childhood friend. Died during the Rucker invasion when the Captain of the Rucker Army flung her off a cliff. She was only eight years old.

Midge (Mikwa)

A sweet little girl practicing to become a mage so that she can eventually enter the Grand Conjuratorium and make her family rich. Her parents are somewhat divided on whether or not this is a good idea.

Child Mage
Girlish Pigtails
Playing with Fire
Troubling Unchildlike Behavior: The source of her parents' conflict: one encourages her to spend all her time studying magic so that she can join the Grand Conjuratorium and support them, while the other would rather see her enjoy her childhood instead of sacrificing it.

The Wizz (High Priest)

The Wizard-in-Chief of Hubble who, until recently, was King Hybris's equal in authority. He is concerned that his king is going way too far in his quest for strength.

Cassandra Truth: He tried to warn Hybris that the Incantation was sealed away for a very good reason, but was banished from Hubble for it. Needless to say, he was right.
Stable Time Loop: After gaining the power of The Great Leveller in the Present, the party can return to the Past and show The Wizz the completed fruits of his labors. This encourages him to refine the spell even further, culminating in creating "The Greater Leveller" for the Hero's own use.
Status-Buff Dispel: The Great Leveller, which The Wizz is developing to counter the forbidden Incantation. He makes enough progress on it to weaken Hybris so the party can finish him off, but doesn't complete the spell until near the end of his life. He does, however, leave the spell at his grave for the Hero to take for himself.

Queen Euphonia (Princess Michaela)

The present-day ruler of Hubble. Well beloved by her people, she has a sizable fanclub. Can be a bit impulsive at times, and has a bit of a short temper.

The High Queen: Euphonia is this in the 3DS version, although she looks a little too young to rule the country.
Instant Fan Club
Killer Rabbit: At first glance Euphonia comes off as a Spoiled Sweet Reasonable Authority Figure. Then her Hubblefest torban competition completely flops and she suddenly becomes filled with vengeance and wants someone to pay for ruining her festival. Even Aishe admits that she is completely unnerved by her.
Plucky Girl: Hyperactive and pushed her Kingdom into investing more in music to follow her passion.
Smitten Teenage Girl: By the end of the game, after the Demon King is defeated, Euphonia makes it blatantly obvious that she has fallen in love with the Hero. She starts to offer a marriage proposal before chickening out and instead insisting that he visits her very often.
Spoiled Sweet: Upon meeting the Hero and his party she immediately proclaims them as her new friends and even offers to help them find their torban player with no strings attached.
The Tease: Towards the Hero.

Crispin (Johann)

The most skilled musician found in present-day Hubble, whose talent with the torban has made him a major celebrity. Unfortunately, he's aware of his talent, and tends to slack off rather than keep working to better himself.

Brilliant, but Lazy
Shipper on Deck: During the epilogue, Maribel chastises him for his womanizing aspirations, and he teases her about how he couldn't possibly measure up to a heartthrob like the hero.
Wrong Song Gag: He thought a quiet and respectful funeral would be a fine place to play a happy and cheerful dance song. His audience and especially his mentor thought otherwise.

Aeolus Vale (Gorges)

The Praetor (Pendragon)

Head of the Cirrus tribe, though a bit dim-witted. Practically worships the Sacred Stone, a golden rock which has blessed Aeolus Vale with never-ending wind, and is desperate to keep it safe from the monsters invading their realm.

Dirty Coward
Inadequate Inheritor: How his mother sees him. And how he sees Fidelia, due to her condition.
Luke, I Am Your Father: Fidelia is his biological daughter. However, since she was born without wings, he decided to pass her off as adopted instead, afraid of being judged for siring a wingless child.
Too Dumb to Live: Especially when he tries to stop his mother from telling Fidelia she's of Cirrus blood because he doesn't want her to blow his cover... even though Fidelia needs to know this so she can help you pass a door only the Cirrus can open and save Aeolus Vale after the wind dies and leaves all the other Cirrus stranded.

Grandma

The Praetor's elderly mother, who disapproves of her son's methods and his over-reliance on the Sacred Stone.

Calling the Old Man Out: Does this to her son on Fidelia's behalf following the reveal of her true heritage.
Cool Old Lady
Inadequate Inheritor: How she views her son, much to her displeasure.
When I Was Your Age...: She points out to the Praetor that the Cirrus never needed the Sacred Stone in the past and always focused more on protecting Aeolus Vale. Given what happens, she has a point. Focusing on the Stone rather than purifying the Vale causes the wind to stop entirely, and since everyone was so used to the wind supporting them, they promptly fall over, unable to move at all.

Fidelia (Firia)

An orphan who was taken in by the Praetor, despite being merely human and not having wings. Because of this, the other residents tend to look down upon her, and she's bullied by the other kids in town, including her younger sister, who treats her like a servant rather than a sibling.

All of the Other Reindeer
Girlish Pigtails
Heartwarming Orphan: Subverted. She's actually the Praetor's own daughter, but her lack of wings shames him, so he disowned her without abandoning her.
She Is All Grown Up: When you meet her later.
The Pollyanna
Powers as Programs: Her wings are missing, it's implied, because a higher power ordained they should be given to her descendant Serafina instead.
Tomato in the Mirror
The Un-Favourite

Vaipur

A genie monster that has resided in the Sullied Sanctum.

Blow You Away: Casts Kaswoosh and uses Wind Sickles in battle. He's also immune to wind skills and magic.
The Dragon: To Cumulus Vex. Though considering that Cumulus Vex these days is a Degraded Boss, Vaipur would've been the true mastermind behind the lack of wind in Aeolus Vale.
Reused Character Design: Initially shares the same design as the High Djinkses from Mortamor's army in the PS1 original. In the 3DS remake, however, he has a Red and Black and Evil All Over design.
Villain Respect: He's impressed Auster and the party have made it through the darkness sealing the continents in order to solve their problems.

Cumulus Vex

A cloud monster who dwells deep within the Cirrus Shrine and has corrupted the holy statue to bring forth darkness.

Blow You Away: He's immune to wind magic and mostly attacks with Woosh spells and Thin Air.
Degraded Boss: Cumulus Rexes appear later in the game, as does Cumulus Vex itself as a normal enemy in Dragon Quest IX. The same game also introduces Cumulus Hexes, while the 3DS remake of VII introduces Cumulus Nixes.
Elemental Embodiment: He's a living cloud.
Hero Killer: Another was responsible for Kiefer's death, as revealed in the 3DS remake.
The Man Behind the Man: To Vaipur and the monsters of the shrine.

Vogograd and Mount Gora (Labres and Mount Tor)

The Prefect

As the head of the tiny town of Vogograd, he has struggled to rally his people as their homes and surroundings are enveloped by a strange, oppressively thick fog. The fact that the fog has brought many horrible monsters with it has not helped; neither have the recent deaths... and now, to top it all off, a monster wearing the robes of the recently deceased priest has holed up in the church! Clearly they have to act, but how best to handle this situation...?

Dirty Coward: After promising to make a monument for the heroes to thank them, he has a change of heart and alters the writing to make himself and the citizens look more heroic while blaming all on the adventurers.

Luka (Lucas)

The recently orphaned son of the town's lumberjack, who traveled to Mount Gora with his wife and the local priest to try and stop the fog at its source. His most precious possession is a blessed statue which has been passed down in his family for generations. Regarded by the other citizens as a pitiful figure, he nevertheless has had difficulty getting anyone to listen to his belief that the monster in the church isn't actually evil.

All of the Other Reindeer
Heartwarming Orphan
Shaming the Mob: When he calls out the citizens on lynching the transformed priest.

Monster in Priest's Clothing

A hideous beast wearing the robes of a dead man, it has terrorized Vogograd by coming into town and holing up in the church. Strangely, it has yet to attack anyone, but almost everyone fears that it's only a matter of time before it strikes...

Chekhov's Gunman: You've already met him, and know what sort of end he'll come to.
Crucified Hero Shot: The townsfolk do this to him before they kill him with fire. Cue the Big Damn Heroes moment.
Deal with the Devil: A completely heroic version: he let himself be transformed into a monster in exchange for a promise that no harm will come to the townsfolk so long as he lives in his cursed form.
Heroic Sacrifice

Gasputin

A devoted follower of the Demon King who has taken up residence on Mount Gora, overseeing a ritual that creates an evil fog.

Batman Gambit: His plan: Make a deal with the Priest of Vogograd to spare the village if the priest lets himself be transformed, swearing that no harm will come to Vogograd so long as he lives as a monster. Then send the hideous priest back to town and wait for the citizens to lynch him, effectively negating his sacrifice by ending the priest's life with their own hands.
The Dragon: Not in the game itself, but the Dragon Quest VII Shonen manga has him be Orgodemir's right hand man, in a similar fashion to The Almighty and Sir Mervyn, even combining the roles of the Envoy in Hubble, as well as Nephil, The Almighty's chief of security at the Cathedral of Light.
Green and Mean: He has green skin and is one of the most despicable enemies.
Manipulative Bastard

Lev (Lief)

A present-day descendant of Lucas, whose family has been shunned for their insistence on relating an unpopular version of the town's legendary history. Mainly, the real version of events, rather than the heavily censored version that tries to paint the townsfolk as the heroes rather than the villains.

All of the Other Reindeer: He's seen as an outcast in town because he doesn't believe in what the other townsfolk think what happened.
Cassandra Truth: No one believes what really happened back then in Vogograd, causing him to be shunned.

Sasha (Sazamu)

Ringleader of the children's gang of present-day Vogograd, he's followed his family's example by shunning and taunting Lev for his unpopular version of the town's history. However, he and the other kids change their tune after digging up the original Monolith, and decide to pass on the truth from now on despite their parents' resistance.

Buccanham (Coastal)

Sharkeye

A legendary pirate who was, along with his ship and crew, imprisoned in ice by Orgodemir's servants. The Hero turns out to be his descendant.

And I Must Scream: Notable in that defeating his region's villain does not free him. Nope, that doesn't happen until Orgodemir starts masquerading as God.
Cool Ship: Owns the Sea Dragon, which is not so much a ship as it is a literal floating castle.
Luke, I Am Your Father: He's an ancestor of the Hero.
Pirate: Has a very fancy ship that he goes on adventures on.

Anaϊs (Anise)

The lovely wife of Sharkeye. When he set out to try and confront the Demon King, she stayed behind in Buccanham with their unborn child.

The King of Buccanham

A close friend of the great Sharkeye, he and his country have paid for their defiance with a terrible curse: Any newly born children will transform into a monster once the moon is full, and disappear to parts unknown. Obviously, he wants to find a way to break the curse. Unfortunately, he has a very poor relationship with the local halflings, who refuse to help them.

The Foreman (The Grand Halfling)

The solemn and stubborn elder of the halflings, he nurses an old grudge against the king, but may be convinced to set it aside for the good of the land...

Queen Bea (Queen Shukrina)

The late Queen of Buccanham, and the source of the grudge between the King and the Foreman. She was the Foreman's daughter, but defied him to marry the King.

Mossferatu

A monstrous fishman who's taking advantage of the situation to infest the Den of the Dwarves and gorge himself on the precious glowmoss.

Breath Weapon: Breathes a Chilly Breath to damage all enemies, in addition to Venom Mist to poison them.
Degraded Boss: His design is later used for the Croaked Kings encountered near the end of the game and the remakes of Dragon Quest IV.
Fat Bastard: He's an egg-shaped fishman who stands on his tail and a dangerous threat.
Flunky Boss: Fights alongside a Quayhorse and a Wharfhorse, resurrecting either one with Kazing, should they fall in battle.
Lone Wolf Boss: It's implied that rather than being at the direct service of the Demon King, Mossferatu is just taking advantage of the situation to eat at will.
Villainous Glutton: He's gorging himself on the moss in the Dwarves caverns, sending his monsters to attack the locals.

Togrus Maximus

An evil goat-like monster responsible for the curse hovering over Buccanham.

The Brute: He's the violent servant of the Demon King and lacks proper magic ^note Aside from Midheal or skills beyond "hitting very hard".
Climax Boss: He's the last of Orgodemir's commanders to defeat, after which the party focuses on finding his master's initial base, the Malign Shrine.
Degraded Boss: Monsters that resemble Togrus called Torges appear in the Cathedral of Blight near the end of the game, as well as Dragon Quest X and the remakes of Dragon Quest IV.
Gruesome Goat: Togrus vaguely resembles a humanoid goat and is a very powerful, demonic opponent.
Weapon Specialization: Wields a whip held in an arc over his head, holding the handle in one hand and the tip in the other.

The Four Great Spirits

Four spirits tied to the four elements of the world: Fire, Earth, Wind and Water. They fought alongside The Almighty against the forces of the Demon Lord but eventually fell in a deep slumber and faded away, their presence strong in certain parts of the world. After the fake Almighty's appearance, the heroes have to awaken the Four Spirits so that they may lend a hand against Orgodemir's trickery and expose him as an impostor.

Common Tropes

Color-Coded Elements: Fire is red, Earth is yellow, Wind is green and Water is blue. Nothing unusual.
Elite Four: They were this to The Almighty during his battle against the Demon King.
Red Oni, Blue Oni: In pairs: the Fire Spirit is aloof, harsh and actually challenges the party to a fight for his help, while the Water Spirit is kind, gentle and the earnest to help the heroes with no strings attached. another red-blue pair is the Wind and Earth spirits: the former is pretty-looking, vain and whimsical, the latter is ugly but also stern, helpful and dutiful.
Sealed Good in a Can: In order to unmask the fake Almighty, the heroes have to find and release the four spirits from their slumber.
Superboss: All four are fought at once in the second post-game dungeon, their combined strength rivalling The Almighty himself.

The Spirit of Fire

A fiery humanoid who resides in a shrine in the depths of Burnmont, worshipped as the Father of the Flames by the people of Emberdale.

Blood Knight: The only spirit who openly challenges the heroes to a fight to see if they're worthy of his help.
Elemental Embodiment: Of fire, flames and magma.
Flaming Hair: His saiyanesque mane is made of yellow fire.
Worthy Opponent: Considers the heroes this for beating him into submission.

The Spirit of Earth

An earthen humanoid who's revered as the Spirit of the Land by the people of the desert nation of Al-Balad, resides somewhere in the Reversed Pyramid.

Elemental Embodiment: Of earth, soil and the desert.
Reasonable Authority Figure: He's nothing but stern and corteous and immediately helps the heroes when they explain themselves.
Rock Monster: He appears as a towering brown humanoid made of rocks.

The Spirit of Wind

The sylphish spirit inhabiting an alternate dimension inside the Ventus Tower near the Aelous Vale.

Elemental Embodiment: Of wind, tornadoes and clouds.
Harem Seeker: Unlike the other Spirits, she's frivolous enough to ask for a harem of hot boys in exchange for her help, enough for five years. Maribel even calls her a "slut" in the original translation.

The Spirit of Water

The mermaid-like spirit worshipped by the inhabitants of Buccanham, dear to the legendary captain Sharkeye. The mark on the hero's hand is her doing.

Big Good: After the disappearance of The Almighty, she's this to the rest of the world. She's also the one who gave the marking to the Hero.
Elemental Embodiment: Of water and ocean.
Shark Man: She resembles a shark-based mermaid, but is actually a force of goodness.
Staff of Authority: Wields a jewel-tipped scepter, being the only Elemental Spirit wielding an item.

The Demon King

^{Click to see his monstrous form}

Orgodemir

This game's Demon Lord. Long ago, he murdered The Almighty and sealed every continent except Estard into pocket dimensions. After the party frees every continent in the world, they travel to Orgodemir's lair to defeat him once and for all. However, once they succeed, he claims with his dying breath that while his body may be destroyed, his spirit will always live on...

As Long as There Is Evil: "Even if my body is destroyed, my soul will live on forever!"
Big Bad: Of the overarching plot.
Bishōnen Line: Zigzagged. He starts with and prefers his Bishounen form out of vanity, only becoming a monster when necessary. The second time you fight him, he starts in dragon form and then, apparently in an attempt to bluff you, assumes his dandy form... which he clings desperately to even as he starts losing the fight.
Body Horror: During the final boss fight, he jumps from dragon to dandy forms, and then insists on maintaining the dandy form despite the losing battle. The result is that the third phase of his fight depicts him decaying back into his dragon form, and his fourth phase is again the dragon form melting with the death throes of decay. His body is so unstable he can barely hold himself together, with his right arm stripped down to the bone.
Clipped-Wing Angel: His attempts to cling to his bishounen form even as the final battle wears on reduces him to Body Horror.
Demiurge Archetype: He combines this with Satanic Archetype; after his initial defeat, he is resurrected and poses as the Almighty, taking control of the world while promising a golden age for humanity, only to then seal away the islands that pose a threat to him and flooding the world with monsters. For bonus points, his name is a rough anagram of "demiourgos".
Disc-One Final Boss And Final Boss.
Eyes Do Not Belong There: In addition to his Third Eye, the brain of his final form turns out to hide yet another eye, which is shown when he uses Magic Burst.
Flunky Boss: During the 4th and final phase, he'll summon Orglob and Orgon, souped up versions of his Ulcer and Grotwyrm minions and their variants to aid him.
Glamour: His Bishounen form is one. During the final fight he starts in his monstrous centipede-demon form, and then crosses the Bishounen Line for the second phase of his fight to show how unaffected he is. This gives way to utter Glamour Failure in the third and fourth phases of the battle when his true form is exposed and ultimately dissolves into paste.
God Is Evil: His Plan B. He takes on the appearance of The Almighty who is revived by the Roamers in the present and seemingly promises to bring about a new golden age for humanity. This is actually just a charade so that he could seal up the islands all over again while secretly getting the support of humanity at the same time. It takes the party freeing the Four Great Spirits to expose him once and for all.
Greater-Scope Villain: Each island/continent has a Big Bad in charge of sealing/destroying it. He's the one who orchestrated every one.
Green and Mean: He is a Satanic archetype whose real form is a giant, greenish dragon-demon.
Irony: So obsessed with beauty that he clings to his handsome dandy guise, even when Combat Breakdown reduces him to some hideous thing.
Jerkass Gods: A sadistic, manipulative parallel to Satan who's the main cause of all the calamities in the story.
My Brain Is Big: Orgodemir's One-Winged Angel form has a beach-ball sized mass of brain matter bulging out through the crown.
One-Winged Angel:
- When you fight him as the Disc-One Final Boss, Orgodemir will do the typical transition from humanoid to monster as the fight goes on, transitioning from his foppish demon form to his hideous dragon-centipede form.
- When fighting him as the actual Final Boss, the Boss Battle also depicts Orgodemir going through a unique Villainous Combat Breakdown that takes this trope in all sorts of directions. Orgodemir first tries to wipe you out with his centipede-dragon form, but when you best him he out and out tries to flex on you by vomiting himself in his foppish humanoid guise onto the battlefield. When bested at this point, his body begins to decay in earnest and his One-Winged Angel head pops out, but in his vanity Orgodemir attempts to cling to his fop form in the middle of his Combat Breakdown, which probably makes things worse when he's defeated in this form and is forced to revert to his dragon form, which is all but doomed.
Orcus on His Throne: Zigzagged and then played straight. While he already defeated The Almighty ^note, he got to work sealing various continents, while appointing various monsters such as Cardinal Sin and Togrus Maximus in charge before licking his wounds until the Hero and his friends showed up. Even when disguised as The Almighty, he just chills out at the Cathedral of Light until the Four Spirits expose him. Justified in the latter case, since he's still playing the part of a "benevolent god" and doesn't interfere with either humanity or his army of monsters, unless it suits his needs, such as sealing worlds he deems "evil" like Estard, and taking back the other Blood Ruby from Queen Neferta of Al-Balad.
Our Dragons Are Different: Orgodemir's mutant-centipede-dragon One-Winged Angel form counts as a dragon for purposes of dragon-slaying equipment.
Playing with Fire: Knows Kafrizz, Magma Blast, Inferno, Scorch, and Fierce Flame, as well as Hellfire in Dragon Quest IX.
Punched Across the Room: One of his most powerful attacks in the final battle.
Satanic Archetype: The first franchise villain to adopt Satanic motifs more complex than a Card-Carrying Evil Overlord who turns into a Big Red Devil. The manga adaptions of the game even go the extra mile, showing that he was once the Night Spirit that brought comfort to humanity during the night, but became the Demon King via the negative emotions of humans, while also tempting Guren with the chance to destroy the humans of Emberdale.
Super-Scream: Knows Ferocious Roar, which damages his enemies in addition to stunning them. Dragon Quest IX has him use War Cry, as well as Raging Roar when faced as a Legacy Boss.
Third Eye: Both of his forms have this.
This Cannot Be!: He's outright incredulous that a group of humans manage to defeat him the second time around, and wonders if the party is actually The Almighty in disguise.
Villainous Breakdown: In the final battle, once he's in his final form, he's lost his smugness and is well and truly pissed.
Your Princess Is in Another Castle!: He wasn't kidding when he said his spirit will return.

The Almighty

The Almighty (God)

A long time ago, The Almighty died trying to protect the world he created from Orgodemir's wrath, just barely saving enough of it to give humans a chance to survive. In the present day, the Roamers are looking for a way to revive him.

The Chessmaster: Even if he did not directly control all the actions in game, The Almighty certainly deserves credit for setting up enough chess pieces to give humanity a chance to save itself.
God: Rather unusual for a JRPG, this God is a straight up capitol-G Abrahamic God.
God Is Good: Whether or not you agree with his methods, there is no denying The Almighty has humanity’s best interests at heart.
The Gods Must Be Lazy: It ends up he survived his fight with Orgodemir, but decided that humanity didn't need him anymore and could take care of themselves. While he's right, given how many people suffered at Orgodemir's hands it can come off as avoiding responsibility.
Grandpa God: He looks like a pudgy, smiling old man.
In Mysterious Ways: How he works after his fight with Orgodemir.
Superboss: Found alive and well in a post-game bonus dungeon, and he is really difficult to beat in a fight.
Time-Limit Boss: As with many Dragon Quest bonus bosses, he will grant wishes if defeated within a set turn limit.

Characters / Dragon Quest VII

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