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	GBC Localization	Modern Localization	MP	Description
2	メラ Mera	Blaze	Frizz	2	A simple fire spell; affects one enemy.
4	ホイミ Hoimi	Heal	Heal	3	A simple healing spell.
6	ニフラム Nifuramu	Expel	Poof	2	Blows away weak enemies.
8	ルーラ Ruura	Return	Zoom	8	Instantaneous travel to a previously visited location.
10	ギラ Gira	Firebal	Sizz	4	A weak fire spell that affects a group of enemies.
12	アストロン Asutoron	Ironize	Kaclang	6	Makes the hero immune to all enemy attacks for a short period of time.
14	リレミト Riremito	Outside	Evac	8	Exit a cave with this spell.
17	ラリホー Rarihoo	Sleep	Snooze	3	May put a group of enemies to sleep.
19	マホトーン Mahotoon	StopSpell	Fizzle	3	Try to block the enemies' spell.
19	トヘロス Toherosu	Repel	Holy Protection	4	Causes weak enemies to leave you alone.
24	ベギラマ Begirama	Firebane	Sizzle	6	This fire spell affects a group of enemies.
26	ライデイン Raidein	Zap	Zap	8	Affects one enemy; the first lightning type spell.
29	ベホイミ Behoimi	Healmore	Midheal	5	A stronger form of Heal.
31	イオラ Iora	Boom	Boom	9	Damages all targets with a powerful explosion.
33	ベホマ Behoma	Healall	Fullheal	7	Restores an ally to full health.
35	ザオラル Zaoraru	Vivify	Zing	10	50% chance to revive a deceased party member.
38	ベホマズン Behomazun	Healusall	Omniheal	62	Restores the party to full health.
41	ギガデイン Gigadein	Thordain	Kazap	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.

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  Art by Mutsumi Inomata

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  Dragon Quest: Monster Battle Road (third from right)

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  Erdrick, as part of the Dragon Quest Sofubi Character merchandise series by Square Enix.

References

1. Template:Note (1989) Nintendo, Enix Corporation Dragon Warrior Instruction Manual (in English).
2. Template:Note Editors of Nintendo Power: Nintendo Power July - August, 1989; issue 7 (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 40.
3. Template:Note Enix Corporation Unveiled Secrets of Dragon Warrior II (in English) Enix America Corporation.
4. Template:Note Editors of Nintendo Power: Nintendo Power September/October, 1990; issue 16 (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 67.
5. 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).
6. Template:Note (1990) Nintendo, Enix America Corporation Licensed Nintendo of America Inc. Dragon Warrior II Map (in English) ENI-D2-US.
7. Template:Note (1991) Enix Corporation Dragon Warrior III Explorer's Handbook (in English) Enix America Corporation.
8. Template:Note (1991) Enix Corporation Dragon Warrior III Map (in English) ENI-D3-US.
9. Template:Note Editors of Nintendo Power: Nintendo Power September - October, 1989; issue 8 (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 23.