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[[Image:dq3hero.jpg|right]]
'''Erdrick''', also known as '''Loto''' or '''Roto''', is a legendary hero from the ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' series. The first three [[Dragon Quest]] games make up the "Erdrick trilogy," which are all connected by the legend of Erdrick. He is known in the game as the hero who freed [[Alefgard]] from darkness. The name Erdrick was first mentioned in the English localization, ''[[Dragon Warrior]]'' in which the player is referred to as Erdrick's descendent. Erdrick’s legend was completed with the [[1991]] release of ''[[Dragon Warrior III]]''. 

==Use of Erdrick in ''[[Dragon Quest|Dragon Warrior]]''==

In ''[[Dragon Warrior]]'', Erdrick was the ancestor of the hero.  The hero follows in the footsteps of Erdrick to ultimately reach [[Charlock Castle]] and confront the [[Dragonlord]].

In ''[[Dragon Warrior II]]'', the heroes are descendants of Erdrick, and also of the hero from [[Dragon Warrior]].

In ''[[Dragon Warrior III]]'', the [[origins]] of the hero Erdrick are revealed; therefore, the chronological order of the first three games is III, I, II.

==Alternate Names for the Same Legendary Hero==

The hero, originally known as Erdrick to many North Americans, is also known by two other names: Roto and Loto.

===Roto===
In the original Japanese version games (''[[Dragon Quest]]''), Erdrick is known exclusively by the name '''Roto''', which is also used by some import gamers.

===Loto===
Another [[romanization]] of the name is '''Loto''', which was used in place of Erdrick when [[Enix|Enix America, Inc.]] re-released Dragon Warrior I, II, and III on the [[Game Boy Color]].  This was most likely used because the Japanese language does not distinguish between R and L.

==The Title of Erdrick==

In ''Dragon Warrior III'', the hero, who may be either male or female, departs from  [[Aliahan]] in order to follow in the footsteps of the brave warrior [[Ortega (Dragon Quest)|Ortega]], the hero's father, by defeating the [[archfiend]] [[Baramos]].  After accomplishing that, the hero returns victorious to [[Aliahan]] only to be confronted by a new nemesis, [[Zoma]].  Taking up a new quest to defeat [[Zoma]], the hero travels through [[the Great Pit of Giaga]] to [[Alefgard]], which is sealed in darkness.

At the end of ''Dragon Warrior III'', the King of [[Alefgard]] bestows upon the hero “the Order of Erdrick”, the country’s highest honor reserved only for true heroes.  This implies Erdrick is a title rather than the hero's actual name. In the manga series, [[The Emblem of Roto]], the hero's real name is Arel.  

==Items Bearing the Name Erdrick==

In the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] versions of Dragon Warrior, several items that once belonged to the hero have Erdrick in their names.  (these are named after Loto in the Game Boy remakes):

===Erdrick’s Sword===

This is the most powerful sword in ''[[Dragon Warrior]]''  and ''[[Dragon Warrior III]]''.  Other names for this sword include Sword of Erdrick (''[[Dragon Warrior II]]'') and Sword of Kings (''[[Dragon Warrior III]].'')

===Erdrick’s Armor===

The most powerful armor in ''[[Dragon Warrior]]'', which protects against the hit point damage from poison swamps and barriers.  It is also known as Armor of Erdrick in ''[[Dragon Warrior II]]'' and as Armor of Radiance in ''[[Dragon Warrior III]]''.

===The Shield of Erdrick===

The shield used by Erdrick when confronting [[Zoma]].  This is the name found in ''[[Dragon Warrior II]]''.  It is called the Shield of Heroes in ''[[Dragon Warrior III]]'', and it does not exist in ''[[Dragon Warrior]]''.

===The Helmet of Erdrick===

The helmet worn by Erdrick when confronting [[Zoma]].  This item exists only in ''[[Dragon Warrior II]]'', and it is not a specific armor from ''[[Dragon Warrior III]]''. (It may be assumed to be Ortega's Helm in the remake of [[Dragon Warrior III]]).

===Erdrick’s Token===

An object which proves the hero's lineage in ''[[Dragon Warrior]]'', which is found in a swamp south of [[Cantlin]] (or Mercado in the Game Boy remake).

===Erdrick's Tablet===

A message written in stone by Erdrick in [[''Dragon Warrior III'']] and left for the hero in ''[[Dragon Warrior]]''.  It gives instructions on what items are needed to reach the Isle of Dragons, which is the location of [[Charlock Castle]].  The tablet is found in a cave called [[Erdrick's Cave]].

==Other References to Erdrick==

* In the original Final Fantasy, a role playing game produced by [[Square]], there is a grave for Erdrick (in the remakes, the name is Link.
* Erdrick's sword is wielded by a mark in Final Fantasy XII. It is referred to as the "Wyrmhero Blade" (In the Japanese version, it's called "Tolo Sword").

==Notes==
:# {{note|dw_manual}} (1989) Nintendo, Enix Corporation ''Dragon Warrior Instruction Manual'' (in English).
:# {{note|np7_40}} Editors of Nintendo Power: ''Nintendo Power July - August, 1989; issue 7'' (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 40.
:# {{note|dw2_manual}} Enix Corporation ''Unveiled Secrets of Dragon Warrior II'' (in English) Enix America Corporation.
:# {{note|np16_67}} Editors of Nintendo Power: ''Nintendo Power September/October, 1990; issue 16'' (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 67.
:# {{note|dw_np_guide}} (1989) Nintendo of America Inc., Tokuma Shoten U.S. Edition, Enix Corporation Licensed exclusively to Nintendo of America Inc., Nintendo Power Strategy Guide Published by Nintendo of America Inc. and Tokuma Shoten ''Dragon Warrior Strategy Guide'' (in English).
:# {{note|dw2_map}} (1990) Nintendo, Enix America Corporation Licensed Nintendo of America Inc. ''Dragon Warrior II Map'' (in English) ENI-D2-US.
:# {{note|dw3_manual}} (1991) Enix Corporation ''Dragon Warrior III Explorer's Handbook'' (in English) Enix America Corporation.
:# {{note|dw3_map}} (1991) Enix Corporation ''Dragon Warrior III Map'' (in English) ENI-D3-US.
:# {{note|np8_23}} Editors of Nintendo Power: ''Nintendo Power September - October, 1989; issue 8'' (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 23.

[[Category:Dragon Warrior III Characters]]