Zalen

Zalen
Dragon Quest I HD-2D Remake
Japanese name	ザライ
Romaji	Zarai

Zalen is a wandering Troubadour and and distant descendant of the fabled musician Galen. He roams the islands of the Alefgard archipelago seeking inspiration to emerge from his ancestor's shadow and leave his own mark on history.

Appearances

Dragon Quest I HD-2D Remake

Zalen is first encountered in the Forgotten Ruins north the bridge to Kol, where he laments that he's been in a bit of a slump ever since distancing his work from that of Galen's style. He tells the Hero that he is trying to get inspiration by following his in ancestor's footsteps―as well as those of Erdrick―by travelling to places found in their storied history. Zalen then bids the Hero farewell, stating they will surely meet again. This begins a sidequest that sees the Hero encountering Zalen across Alefgard.

Sidequest locations

• Nameless Ruins, southwest of the Craggy Cave
• Damdara, after obtaining the magic key
• Cantlin, after obtaining the ultimate key
• Galenholm, after retrieving the lyre of ire

At this point the player will need to venture to the Field of Flowers after obtaining the Mark of Erdrick and speaking to a faerie resting there. On her advice the player then speaks to the Dream-Whisperer in the Shrine of Rain, who casts Zoom on herself and the Hero to reach the Western Isle. This is the place where Erdrick descended to Alefgard so many centuries ago, leaving behind his helm. The Dream-Whisperer states that Erdrick would often come here to stare at the sky longingly, as if he were mourning not being able to reunite with a loved one.

Speaking to Zalen in Rimuldar after learning of this will inspire the bard and award the player with the trophy A New Song of Erdrick on the platforms that support achievements.