Ortega
| Ortega | |
| Dragon Quest III | |
| |
| Japanese name | オルテガ |
| Romaji | Orutega |
| Race | Human |
| Family | Wife Child |
| Voice actor | Dave Jones II (III-HD) Daisuke Yanase (Live Spectacle Tour) |
Ortega is a character who debuted in Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation. He is the father of the Hero and a famous hero in his own right. He departed from Aliahan at the king's request that he slay the archfiend Baramos before his evil machinations bring chaos to the world. By the Hero's 16th birthday, Ortega was believed to have fallen into the Great Pit of Giaga and died, and so the Hero set out to finish their father's quest.
Appearance and personality[edit]
Ortega is a muscular, heavily scarred man nearing the final stages of middle-age in all of his appearances, having irregularly spiked hair and an unkempt beard. His clothing varies between two designs, such as in the American version of III released on the NES in 1992 he is depicted wearing a set of blue armour with matching greaves and wrist guards and a plain sword. Ortega's modern design eschews this outfit for a simple brown tunic, matching belt and boots, and a golden tiara that matches the silver one worn by his child. The sword has been replaced by a gargantuan axe as large as Ortega's torso with golden trim set into the bit and handle, wrapped with a blue fabric that matches the gem set into the end knob. Complimenting this is a black circular shield that also has golden trim.
Despite looking the part of a fearsome barbarian Ortega maintains a jovial demeanor and easily makes friends during his globetrotting, leading to him being beloved by countless people the world over. Ortega is the concept of the selfless hero personified, being a man ready to put aside his own happiness for the sake of the greater good when the entire world is threatened even though it deeply pains him to leave behind his wife and child. He shoulders this herculean task alone on the basis that he is the only man remotely capable of it, never once attempting to force the burden on to a companion or party of allies, with a dauntless stoicism seen in his unflinching gaze. Though this lone wolf tendency is born out of a sense of personal responsibility rather than pride or arrogance, it never the less would prove disastrous for the man later in his life and is the very reason why the King of Aliahan implores Ortega's child to take on a band of comrades before venturing out on their own quest.
Appearances[edit]
Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation[edit]
When the Hero was just a newborn, Ortega bid farewell to his beloved wife and left on a quest to destroy the archfiend Baramos. He is shown in an intro movie in III, fighting a dragon on top of a volcano which ends with both of them falling in. The intro is further expanded in the Super Famicom and Game Boy Color remakes, showing Ortega travelling the world on his quest before finally reaching the volcano and the fateful battle.
Prior to this, Ortega visited nearly every town and significant location that his offspring later would, fostering a reputation as an incredible hero. Of particular note is his time spent in Mur after being discovered unconscious outside the village, where the children were in awe of him and gave him the nickname Peredvizhnik ("wanderer"). One such youth, Petya even viewed him as a surrogate father figure. Touched by the kindness of the children, Ortega left Petya his helmet as a keepsake.
After falling through the mantle of the upper world after his volcanic skirmish, Ortega found himself in Alefgard without his memories. Learning of the plight of the people, he made his way to Rimuldar and took upon himself the quest of defeating Zoma, eventually making his way to Zoma's Citadel and confronting one of Zoma's underlings, King Hydra, just moments before his child arrives.
The fight with King Hydra would be Ortega's last, his body so badly burned that he was unable to see nor hear and begins speaking to the Hero as he senses someone is near. In his final moments, he regains his memory and with his dying breath tells the Hero that he is Ortega of Aliahan and if they ever travel there, to tell his wife and child what happened, that he's sorry he failed, and that he couldn't be there for them.
As Ortega is a non-playable character, the fight between Ortega and King Hydra is fully scripted. This fight cannot be won by Ortega, however through randomization, it can last for upwards of five minutes, and ultimately will end regardless once Ortega is out of MP . In the original NES Version of Dragon Quest III, after being killed by King Hydra, a special "Ortega's Death" theme played. However, this song was removed from subsequent ports of Dragon Quest III.
Ortega is shown using these spells during his fight with King Hydra.
Resurrection[edit]
If the Hero and party defeat the dragon goddess Xenlon, they are offered a wish to bring Ortega back to life. If this wish is granted, Ortega is restored to life outside of Aliahan and stays at the house with the Hero's mother. This only applies in the remake versions of Dragon Quest III, as Xenlon does not appear in the original release.
Ortega has no memory of his death in Zoma's castle or his time spent in Alefgard, but is happy to be home. He states how proud he is of the fine young man/woman his child has grown into, and declares that it is time for the new generation to take care of the worlds plights while he hangs up his sword--though he does admit he'd love to adventure with his child but cannot bear the thought of leaving his wife alone again after so long. Ortega will also quietly ask if there is a way to get his wife to ease up on the blabbering as she fills him in on what he's missed.
All Aliahan NPC dialogue, save for the Mini medal collector and old man by the well, is affected by Ortega's revival. Even the King of Aliahan snaps out of his depression when news of Ortega's return reaches him, but insists that he rest before meeting with him to discuss Zoma's declaration of war.
Known visits[edit]
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake[edit]
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Dragon Quest of the Stars[edit]
Ortega appears as a playable character for the first time in the mobile phone title, and with the exclusive vocation of Hero's Father. He can be recruited by the player in the Dragon Quest III scenario prior to the battle with King Hydra. He can be spared his fate thanks to the player's actions and his clothing is also available as cosplay gear.
Dragon Quest Rivals[edit]
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Trivia[edit]
- The opening movie to the 25th anniversary compilation of the Erdrick Trilogy shows a life-size carving of Ortega in the Hero's home, explaining how they can recognize their father despite his departure so early in their life.
- Ortega's Helm is the only part of the Erdrick Equipment set that originally belonged to the Hero's family, making it a true heirloom for future descendants.
- Ortega's Helm doesn't exist in the NES version. In its place is a novelty item called the Water blaster.
- In the original Famicom version, his appearance in the battle with the King Hydra is that of a palette-swapped Robbin' 'Ood. In the English-language NES version, his appearance was changed a unique sprite based off of a male Warrior wearing blue armor. The Super Famicom and Game Boy Color Versions give him his own overworld icon and his battles are depicted as cutscenes that do not use the regular battle screen. Data in the game's ROM suggests that Ortega was originally planned to use Robbin' 'Ood colors and fight King Hydra in a normal battle screen, but this plan was scrapped in favor of the distinct design and cinematic battles.
