Erdrick
| Erdrick | |
| Dragon Quest III | |
| File:WayfarersClothes.png | |
| Race | Human |
| Age | 16 |
Erdrick (ロト Roto or Loto), also known as Loto or Roto, is a recurring legendary hero from the Dragon Quest series, and specifically the playable character of Dragon Quest III. The first three Dragon Quest games are called the "Erdrick Trilogy", as each relate to the character of Erdrick in some way. Although he does not appear in Dragon Quest or Dragon Quest II, Erdrick is mentioned heavily in the game dialog and many items bear his name. The hero of Dragon Quest III, which takes place prior to the previous two games, receives the Erdrick title at the end of the adventure.
Erdrick is referenced in many of the later main Dragon Quest games, as well as some spin-offs. The character of Erdrick is often representative of the early Dragon Quest games.
Background
In Dragon Quest III, the hero, who may be either male or female, departs from their home, Aliahan, on their sixteenth birthday in order to follow in the footsteps of the brave warrior and the hero's father, Ortega, to defeat the archfiend Baramos. After defeating Baramos, 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.
Appearance
In the original Japanese version of the game the hero has black hair and wears a gold headband, a dark green or blue tunic, and a black, green, or blue cape. In later remakes of Dragon Quest III, the hero has either black or dark brown hair and wears a gold or silver headband, a blue tunic, brown leather boots and gloves, and either a red or purple cape.
Base Stats
NES Version
| Attribute | Starting Stats | Maximum Stats |
| Level | 1 | 99 |
| HP | 15 | 446 |
| MP | 6 | 218 |
| Strength | 8 | 181 |
| Agility | 6 | 156 |
| Resilience | 7 | 244 |
| Wisdom | 6 | 126 |
| Luck | 5 | 157 |
| Initial gear | Cypress stick, Plain clothes | |
Spells
| Level Learned | Original Japanese | Dragon Quest III | MP | Description |
| 2 | メラ Mera | Blaze | 2 | A simple fire spell; affects one enemy. |
| 4 | ホイミ Hoimi | Heal | 3 | A simple healing spell. |
| 6 | ニフラム Nifuramu | Expell | 2 | Blows away weak enemies. |
| 8 | ルーラ Ruura | Return | 8 | Instantaneous travel to a previously visited location. |
| 10 | ギラ Gira | Firebal | 4 | A weak fire spell that affects a group of enemies. |
| 12 | アストロン Asutoron | Ironize | 6 | Makes the hero immune to all enemy attacks for a short period of time. |
| 13 | イオ Io | Bang | 5 | Weak explosion damage to all enemies. |
| 14 | リレミト Riremito | Outside | 8 | Exit a cave with this spell. |
| 16 | ラリホー Rarihoo | Sleep | 3 | May put a group of enemies to sleep. |
| 18 | マホトーン Mahotoon | StopSpell | 3 | Try to block the enemies' spell. |
| 19 | トヘロス Toherosu | Repel | 4 | Causes weak enemies to leave you alone. |
| 23 | ベギラマ Begirama | Firebane | 6 | This fire spell affects a group of enemies. |
| 26 | ライデイン Raidein | Zap | 8 | Affects one enemy; the first lightning type spell. |
| 29 | ベホイミ Behoimi | Healmore | 5 | A stronger form of Heal. |
| 33 | ベホマ Behoma | Healall | 7 | Restores an ally to full health. |
| 35 | ザオラル Zaoraru | Vivify | 10 | 50% chance to revive a deceased party member. |
| 38 | ベホマズン Behomazun | Healusall | 62 | Restores the party to full health. |
| 41 | ギガデイン Gigadein | Lightning | 30 | Causes around 200 points of electrical damage to all enemies. |
Lineage
In Dragon Quest, 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 Quest II, the heroes are descendants of Erdrick, and also of the hero from Dragon Quest.
In Dragon Quest III, the origins of the hero Erdrick are revealed; therefore, the chronological order of the first three games is III, I, II.
Originally known as Erdrick to many North Americans, the hero is also known by two other names: Roto and Loto. In the original Japanese version games (i.e. Dragon Quest), Erdrick is known exclusively by the name Roto, which is also used by some import gamers. Another romanization of the name is Loto, which was used in place of Erdrick when Enix America, Inc. re-released Dragon Quest 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.
When Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies was released in North America and Europe, the name Erdrick was once again used to refer to the legendary hero of Dragon Quest III, effectively returning to the original English localization from the NES era.
In the manga series, Dragon Quest: The Emblem of Roto, the hero's real name is Arel.
Origins of Title
At the end of Dragon Quest 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. The hero is referred to by this title in all references outside of Dragon Quest III.
Attempting to name the hero "Erdrick" in Dragon Quest III for the NES will generate a message requesting the player to enter their real name; however, if a space is added at the end, the warning message will not be displayed and the game may be played with the hero being named "Erdrick ".
Items Bearing the Name Erdrick
In the Nintendo Entertainment System versions of Dragon Quest, several items that once belonged to the hero have Erdrick in their names (which are named after Loto in the Game Boy remakes).
Erdrick’s sword
Main article: Erdrick's sword
This is the most powerful sword in Dragon Quest and Dragon Quest III. Other names for this sword include Sword of Erdrick (Dragon Quest II) and Sword of Kings (Dragon Quest III).
Erdrick’s Armor
The most powerful armor in Dragon Quest, which protects against the hit point damage from poison swamps and barriers. It is also known as Armor of Erdrick in Dragon Quest II and as Armor of Radiance in Dragon Quest III.
The Shield of Erdrick
The shield used by Erdrick when confronting Zoma. This is the name found in Dragon Quest II. It is called the Shield of Heroes in Dragon Quest III, and it does not exist in Dragon Quest.
The Helmet of Erdrick
The helmet worn by Erdrick when confronting Zoma. This item exists only in Dragon Quest II, and it is not a specific armor from Dragon Quest III. (It may be assumed to be Ortega's Helm in the remake of Dragon Quest III).
Erdrick’s Token
An object which proves the hero's lineage in Dragon Quest, 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 Quest III and left for the hero in Dragon Quest. 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 opening scene of Dragon Quest V, the protagonist's father, Pankraz, suggests the name "Madason" for his son. His wife, Madalena, disagrees, and suggests the name which the player entered. If the player already entered the name "Madason", Pankraz will suggest "Erdrick" instead.
- In the US translation of Dragon Quest VI (Nintendo DS Version), an NPC in Gallows Moor goes by the name of Erdrick.
- In Dragon Quest IX the set of legendary armaments are referred to as Erdrick's, and not Loto's, reversing the localization change from the Game Boy Color remake of Dragon Quest III.
- In the original Final Fantasy, a role playing game produced by Square, there is a grave for Erdrick (in the remakes, and the original Japanese version of Final Fantasy, 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 the Tolo Sword).
- The manga series Gintama has a parody of Dragon Quest which starts Leukocyte King, a character based on Edrick.
Gallery
- RotoDQ3cropped.png
From the cover of Dragon Quest III for Famicom; artwork of the Hero Roto by Akira Toriyama.
Erdrick, as part of the Dragon Quest Sofubi Character merchandise series by Square Enix.
References
- Template:Note (1989) Nintendo, Enix Corporation Dragon Warrior Instruction Manual (in English).
- Template:Note Editors of Nintendo Power: Nintendo Power July - August, 1989; issue 7 (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 40.
- Template:Note Enix Corporation Unveiled Secrets of Dragon Warrior II (in English) Enix America Corporation.
- Template:Note Editors of Nintendo Power: Nintendo Power September/October, 1990; issue 16 (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 67.
- Template:Note (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).
- Template:Note (1990) Nintendo, Enix America Corporation Licensed Nintendo of America Inc. Dragon Warrior II Map (in English) ENI-D2-US.
- Template:Note (1991) Enix Corporation Dragon Warrior III Explorer's Handbook (in English) Enix America Corporation.
- Template:Note (1991) Enix Corporation Dragon Warrior III Map (in English) ENI-D3-US.
- Template:Note Editors of Nintendo Power: Nintendo Power September - October, 1989; issue 8 (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 23.
