Princess Gwaelin
| Gwaelin | |
| Dragon Quest Dragon Quest Monsters Dragon Quest Builders | |
| |
| Sprite(s) | 
|
| Japanese name | ローラ姫 |
| Romaji | Rōra Hime (Princess laura) |
| Old localization | Lady Lora |
| Title | Princess |
| Race | Human |
| Family | Lorik (Father) |
| Voice actor | Hiroko Kasahara (CD Theater) |
Princess Gwaelin is an NPC character in the original Dragon Quest. She is the daughter of the king of Tantegel and has been kidnapped by the Dragonlord. During the game, she can be rescued by The Hero as a sidequest. This makes her the one and only sidequest present in the original Dragon Quest.
Appearances
Dragon Quest
Rescue
The Hero may rescue Gwaelin during his quest to defeat the Dragonlord, though this is not a requirement to complete the game. She is located inside the Quagmire Cave south of Kol which connects to the southeastern continent. In order to rescue Gwaelin, the Hero must fight and defeat a ferocious Green Dragon that guards her (rather lavish) cell. This monster is not visible on the dungeon map screen, but rather is trigger when the Hero steps on a specific tile (similar to the Golem which guards Mercado). If the Dragonlord is defeated prior to the Princess' rescue, she will still be in her cell and able to be rescued, though the Green Dragon will not be present.
After rescuing the princess, the Hero carries her back to her father at Tantegel castle. A sprite showing the hero carrying Gwaelin is used at this time. In the remakes of the game, the Dragonlord has a special reaction if she is being carried when the Hero confronts him. In it, he laughs heartily at the absurdity, and 'thanks' the Hero for his kindness in bringing the Princess to him.
Tantegel Castle
At Tantegel Castle, Gwaelin gives the Hero an item called the 'Princess' Pledge' which tells the Hero his exact distance from Tantegel on the map of Alefgard at the time it is used. It is useful in finding the Emblem of Erdrick later in the game.
While at the castle, her highness occupies the empty space next to her father in the throne room. When spoken to in the NES version, she asks the Hero if he loves her. Answering yes triggers the short love music to play.
Ending
If the Hero rescued Gwaelin during the game, then she will be present during the ending and join the protagonist on his journey to establish his own kingdom. The Hero will again carry the lass away as he leaves Alefgard after defeating the Dragonlord. If the Hero is already carrying her when the ending begins, the result is much the same, though a single line is different.
Future
Eventually she and The Hero get married and settle in Torland. They have three children, who establish the kingdoms of Midenhall, Cannock, and Moonbrooke. 100 years later, their descendants become the heroes of Dragon Quest II.
Also, a tunnel leading from Cannock to Moonbrooke was named after her.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Gwaelin appears as an NPC in the Tantegel section of the Echo Chamber. She is not the focus of the disruption in time, as instead her father has been cursed to be unable to speak.
Dragon Quest Monsters
The princess is once again found in the Quagmire Cave being guarded by a green dragon. Once the serpent is slain she will allow Terry to carry her outside, but upon seeing the lad is half her size she decides to wait for a stronger hero to arrive and sweep her off her feet.
Theatrhythm Dragon Quest
The princess shows up as a playable character in Theatrhythm Dragon Quest.
Dragon Quest Builders
The princess is an NPC in the final chapter of the game, having recited a charm to turn herself to stone in order to escape the agony of her Hero's betrayal and the despair the Dragonlord wrought once he blacked out the sky and banished the basics of building from those living in Alefgard. Gwaelin remained in stasis for approximately 100 years until the Builder revives her with a phial of Holy Water. When spoken to in the first section of the chapter, she will restore the builder's HP.
Unlike other characters in the game, the princess immediately recognizes the player as the legendary builder and encourages them throughout the chapter. She dutifully prays that Rubiss bestow her blessing upon the builder, which allows the goddess' voice to penetrate the miasma covering the land and speak with the player directly. Just prior to her awakening, she received a vision from Rubiss telling her that three sages will need to join her in Tantegel, uniting three divine artifacts to restore the land. These sages are the principal npcs of the previous chapters.
Quotes
"Mighty Hero, thou wilt, of course, escort me to my home, the palace?"
- Upon slaying the dragon in the Quagmire Cave.
"Th--?! B--?! Grr...mayhap thou didst not hear me correctly..."
- Upon being told no.
"Why, Hero! Tee hee! (squeak)"
- Answering yes.
Gallery
Perky Princess
Chibi art
With the Dragonlord
DQ Heroines
As depicted in Monster Battle Road, along with the Sunstone, Staff of Rain, and Rainbow Drop
A minifigure depicting a budding romance
Petite Princess as shown in Builders
