Ragnar McRyan
| Ragnar McRyan | |
| Dragon Quest IV | |
| |
| Sprite(s) | 
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| Japanese name | ライアン |
| Romaji | Raian |
| Class | Warrior |
| Race | Human |
| Age | 30s |
| Voice actor | Shinji Ogawa (CD Theater) Tomokazu Sugita (Japanese, Dragon Quest Heroes I + II) |
"It's just hoo I was expectin' it tae be. The legend was right!"
Ragnar McRyan (ライアン, Ryan in Japanese, and first localized as Ragnar on the NES) is the first character that the player controls in the original version of Dragon Quest IV (second in the remakes as the prologue lets you play as The Hero). A soldier of the Kingdom of Burland, Ragnar is sent to investigate a case of missing children in the village of Strathbaile.
Discounting the prologue, and the fact that all main characters are present in Chapter Six, Ragnar is the only member of the chosen to make cameo appearances in multiple chapters (with the exception being Chapter Four).
Appearance and Personality
Ragnar is a very physically fit and muscular man, despite his age. He has tanned skin and dark blue hair, with a stern appearance and a large bushy mustache. He wears a pink breastplate with a long red cape attached and a leather skirt called a pteruges over a blue undershirt and shorts. His helmet is pink with a red plume and he wears pink gloves and pink shin guards over a black pair of boots. Ragnar also wears a metal armband on his right bicep, two metal bands on his thighs, and a single metal pauldron on his left shoulder. His armour is reminiscent of the kind used in Ancient Rome.
Naturally, he is far more concerned with improving his skill at arms than with scholarly pursuits. He is quite a compassionate person, as evidenced by his righteous fury against the demonic kidnappers and willingness to befriend an innocent monster when most would slay it. Ragnar's fellow soldiers look up to him with admiration and respect, and even the king places the utmost confidence in him. Though Ragnar takes great pride in his strength and skill, he is a humble man at heart and places the safety of others above all else.
Starting with the DS remake, Ragnar speaks with a Scottish accent (ex: "Och no! Hoo'd I manage tae get scrabbed right on the end o' ma couter?").
Story
Ragnar's chapter begins with him receiving a summons from the King of Burland. He treks through a cave from his hometown in the south to the royal castle; to do so, he is forced to travel through a cave, where he meets Healie, a Healslime who joins him on his quest after being rejected by several of Ragnar's comrades.
After reaching the castle, the king tasks Ragnar with discovering the cause of the sudden disappearance of many of Strathbaile's children. Ragnar tracks down the kids' usual hangout spot, and from here Healie discovers a magical "spring" to a nearby fortress, which several Burland soldiers have already located and are fast on their way to perishing in, if they have not already done so. Ragnar makes it to the heart of the fortress, and confronts the demon responsible, who unveils the Underworld's master plan of killing the Chosen before he can ever rise against their Lord. Ragnar kills him and rescues the children, winning the favour of the entire country.
Despite the accolades he receives, knowing the Underworld's plan Ragnar reveals he cannot simply stand by as darkness gathers, and sets out on a quest with Healie, to find and protect the hero.
Ragnar makes cameo appearances during Chapters 2 and 3. In Chapter 2 he is in the Endor Shrine at night. In Chapter 3 he can be found in the casino at Endor in which he is looking for The Hero.
By Chapter 5, his search took him to Mintos where a couple of residents would relate his visit to The Hero.
Sometime after, Ragnar headed to the House of Prophecy to learn more about The Hero, but diverted from that search when learning about the corrupt King of Palais de Léon from a prisoner at Havre Léon.
He arrived to the castle where he is about to take on the Marquis. After the Marquis is defeated by the Hero's party, Ragnar joins forces with the hero.
After the downfall of Psaro the Manslayer (Aamon in the remakes), Ragnar reported the victory to the King of Burland and later visited the Hero in Hidden Valley with the rest of the party.
Abilities
When applied to the Dragon Quest III class system, Ragnar is a warrior. He has immense strength and resilience, but low agility. Even his character design is a variation of the warrior, which was traditionally in pink armour. He can don nearly all available armour and use most weapons.
Stats
- PSX version.
| Attribute | Starting Stats | Maximum Stats |
| Level | 1 | 99 |
| HP | 27 | 734 |
| MP | ||
| Strength | 7 | 219 |
| Agility | 4 | 84 |
| Resilience | 13 | 227 |
| Wisdom | 1 | 156 |
| Luck | 2 | 152 |
| Initial gear | Copper sword, Leather armour | |
Names
- His original name is ライアン (Raian, or Ryan). This was romanized as Lyan in the original guidebook, but Ryan on the official DS wallpaper.
- In the German DS localization he is called Ragnar Rauhbein. Rauhbein is a German term for a person that is uncouth, but good at heart.
- In the Italian DS localisation, he is called Gagliardo de Guglielmi.
Other Appearances
Dragon Quest VIII
Ragnar appears as one of the monster team owners at Morrie's Monster Arena. His team includes a Healslime, a Dullahan, and a Gigantes, which are called "Healie's Heelies," a homage to his partnership with Healie.
Dragon Quest IX
Ragnar appears as one of the special guests at the Quester's Rest in Stornway. This could be obtained through the DQVC using Nintendo's Wi-Fi Channel. When spoken to, he gives the player different pieces of his outfit depending on different situations, such as talking to him as a Warrior.
Dragon Quest Heroes I + II
Ragnar appears as an exclusive playable character in the Nintendo Switch version. As a reference to his partnership with Healie, Ragnar teams up with Healix in his Coup de Grâce attack.
Non-Dragon Quest Appearances
Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Special
Along with Torneko, Kiryl, and Alena, Ragnar appears as a playable character in Itadaki Street Special.
Trivia
In Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime, the character Big Daddy bears a strong resemblance to Ragnar.
Gallery
Famicom art
More Famicom art
With Borya and Alena
Mutsumi Inomata artwork
Wearing bronze armour
Wearing iron armour
Wearing full plate armour
Wearing spiked armour
Wearing hardwood headwear
PS1 art
DS art
Dragon Quest: Monster Battle card
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime
Ragnar in Dragon Quest Heroes I + II
Ragnar fighting alongside Healix
Ragnar in High Tension
Ragnar preparing his Coup de Grâce
