Tales of Berseria

Berseria takes places in the Holy Midgand Empire, a powerful country that rules over this world's archipelago of a continent. The game's world is shared with Tales of Zestiria, although the events occur 1000 years before the latter. There are countless numbers of islands around, and Midgand's rule crosses even the seas. Areas of land and islands in the game are divided into "territories."[4] Along with humans, one of the other main races is the Malakhim (singular: Malak), supernatural spirits whose wills are sealed and used by humans as slaves to utilize their magical abilities after being made visible to even normal humans due to the Advent, an incident 3 years prior to Velvet's escape from her prison. Throughout the empire, a disease known as Daemonblight causes those infected to lose their humanity and sense of rationality and transform into monsters known as Daemons, who pose a threat to the world. Along with the rulers of the Holy Midgand Empire exists a theocratic order known as the Abbey, who are of great political and religious importance and are influential in imperial affairs. The Exorcists, soldiers from the Abbey, are tasked with bringing peace and order by purging the world of Daemons and are willing to go to extremes to reach their goal.

When she was a child, Velvet Crowe and her younger brother Laphicet were saved by her brother-in-law Artorius when a Scarlet Night happened and daemons attacked their village; Velvet's pregnant older sister Celica was killed during the event known as the "Opening". Seven years later, Velvet takes care of her sickly brother with Artorius. The Scarlet Night returns, with the entire village succumbing to the Daemonblight: when Velvet finds Artorius, she sees him sacrifice her brother as part of a ritual, known as the "Advent". Artorius attempts to use her for the Advent as well, but she fights back and the Daemonblight possesses her arm, mutating it and turning her into a Daemon called a "Therion", with the ability to absorb Daemons. In a rage, she slaughters the nearby Daemons before passing out. She awakes in a prison for Daemons on the island Titania, swearing to kill Artorius and avenge her brother's murder. A group of beings known as Malakhim, who were previously only visible to "resonant" individuals, become visible to most people of the world after the "Advent". Over the next three years, Artorius forms the Abbey to bring peace to the Holy Midgand Empire, becoming the Abbey's "Shepherd" and is seen as a savior by the people for establishing the Exorcists using the malakhim.

After three years in prison, Velvet is freed by Seres, Artorius' former malak, who has broken away from him. During her escape, Velvet aids fellow prisoners Rokurou and Magilou and fights against the Praetor Exorcist Oscar Dragonia. Seres takes a fatal attack when Oscar turns one of his Malakhim servants into a dragon to face them. Absorbing Seres at her own request, Velvet makes a final attack on Oscar that blinds him in one eye before he escapes. Velvet realizes at this point that Seres must be a reincarnation of her deceased sister, Celica. Velvet and company then escape the island. Over the course of her journey to get her revenge, she also meets Laphicet, a Malak formerly in service to Praetor Exorcist Teresa Linares until being kidnapped and named by her; Eleanor, an Abbey Exorcist who questions their methods; and Eizen, a Malak who travels with pirates who grant the group sanctuary. They are also joined by Bienfu, a Normin Malak originally contracted with Magilou and who had since been bound to Eleanor while Magilou was imprisoned. Eleanor is initially reluctant to join Velvet, attempting suicide before being asked to spy on the group and then learning the Abbey's full plans.

The group learn that Artorius, Oscar, Teresa, and Legate Exorcists Shigure Rangetsu and Melchior Mayvin are trying to purge the Daemonblight by erasing all emotion from humankind: to do this, they needed to summon Innominat, one of five powerful Malakim called the Empyreans, into the world. The Abbey has been creating Therions and feeding their power to Innominat to awaken him. The Abbey is ultimately successful, with Innominat taking on the form of Velvet's deceased brother. It is also revealed to the group early on that Daemonblight is actually an impurity called "malevolence" generated by the negative emotions of humanity, which can turn humans into Daemons, and that Daemons and Malakhim are visible to only humans who possess "resonance" in them. Artorius' actions caused humanity's latent resonance to be amplified, revealing Malakhim and Daemons. Laphicet is revealed to be the reincarnation of Celica's unborn son. Initially disheartened by the revelations, Velvet embraces her role as the "Lord of Calamity" who will topple the Abbey.

In order for the group to defeat Artorius and Innominat, they pursue each of the Exorcists, defeating them and using their souls as sacrifices to awaken the four Empyreans. They then face Artorius, who merges with Innominat in the final battle before Velvet kills him once and for all. Innominat begins going berserk, and Velvet decides to seal herself away with him so that Laphicet and the other Therions (whose lives are linked to Innominat's) can survive. Laphicet becomes Innominat's replacement with the help of the four Empyreans who would serve Laphicet as his Lords. Laphicet then transforms into a benevolent dragon and purifies the land of malevolence, at the cost of humans not being able to see the Malakhim. Eleanor decides to become a Shepherd to guide the people, Magilou records the events of the world in her role as a scribe, while Laphicet renames himself as "Maotelus"—these events set the scene for Tales of Zestiria, which will occur 1000 years later.

The main cast from the game. (Left to Right) Velvet Crowe, Rokurou Rangetsu, Magilou, Laphicet, Eizen, and Eleanor Hume.

Magilou's Menagerie is, officially, a traveling entertainment troupe. In reality, it's simply a false name used by Velvet and her companions to dodge the Abbey's inspections and travel restrictions. A motley and fractious crew of Daemons, Malakhim, and humans out to overthrow the Abbey and kill its leader: Artorius, the team is ruthless and pragmatic; despite their differing motivations, however, they come to trust each other completely. When not hanging out on the Van Eltia, they travel the land, fighting daemons, malakhim, and the Abbey alike.

Velvet Crowe (ベルベット・クラウ, Berubetto Kurau)

Voiced by (English): Cristina Vee[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Rina Satō[14]

A 19-year-old woman who transformed into a Daemon and was subsequently imprisoned because of an incident that happened three years prior to the events of the game in her village. After breaking out of her island prison Titania, she battles the Abbey and their Exorcists who have shed their emotions in pursuit of victory against Daemons. She holds a grudge against Artorius, her brother-in-law, for sacrificing her younger brother in front of her during the incident three years prior.[4][15]

Laphicet (ライフィセット, Raifisetto)

Voiced by (English): Amber Connor[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Azumi Asakura[14]

A Malak who is forcibly made into Velvet's companion after being kidnapped from Teresa's control by an escaping Velvet. As his will is sealed, he has no sense of self and lives as a tool to be ordered and used. After following Velvet and her group, however, he starts to develop his own sense of self. Velvet named him after her deceased brother. Over time, Laphicet helps Velvet regain some of her original warmth and compassion.

Eleanor Hume (エレノア・ヒューム, Erenoa Hyūmu)

Voiced by (English): Erica Mendez[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Ami Koshimizu[14]

One of the Abbey's Exorcists who at first clashes with Velvet's quest for revenge, but later is forced to join her party in order to return Laphicet to the Exorcists on Artorius's special orders. In her past, she lived with her mother, who died protecting Eleanor during the Scarlet Night, resulting in a large scar on Eleanor's chest. The experience left Eleanor traumatized and with a bitter hatred towards Daemons. Over the course of game, Eleanor discovers the true depths of the Abbey's immorality and joins with Velvet's group to help stop them. In the end, she becomes the new Shepherd, one of few humans to maintain the ability to see Malakhim.

Rokurou Rangetsu (ロクロウ・ランゲツ, Rokurou Rangetsu)

Voiced by (English): Benjamin Diskin[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Daisuke Kishio[14]

A Daemon similar to Velvet who managed to maintain his sense of reason and his human form. He aims to defeat his stronger elder brother in the ways of the sword. He joins Velvet in escaping Titania and continues on her journey to repay his debt to her for helping him find his sword.

Magilou Mayvin (マギルゥ・メーヴィン, Magirū Mēvin)

Voiced by (English): Erica Lindbeck[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Satomi Satō[14]

A mysterious and carefree sorceress who joins Velvet and Rokurou in escaping their island prison. She is acquainted with Melchior in a seemingly antagonistic relationship. In the later part of the story, it is revealed that Melchior is her abusive foster father. In the end, she becomes the first Mayvin scribe.

Bienfu (ビエンフー, Bienfū)

Voiced by (English): Monica Rial[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Naomi Nagasawa[14]

Magilou's small Malak partner who is mercilessly teased by Magilou for comedic purposes, he hides his real face with a ribbon-decorated hat to look interesting. After Magilou was locked up in Titania, he was found and taken into the care of Eleanor, whom he sees as a significantly kinder master.

Eizen (アイゼン, Aizen)

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa[14]

A 1000-year-old Malak pirate who has the appearance of a 30-year-old and pilots a ship called the Van Eltia as its vice-captain. He joins Velvet in order to search for his close friend, the missing ship captain, Van Aifread. In the 3 year period during Velvet's imprisonment, he became infamous as a "Reaper" whose existence as a Malak brings misfortune to everyone around him. He is also the elder brother of Edna, one of the main characters of Tales of Zestiria.

The Abbey (聖寮, Seiryou, "Holy Villa") is an organization founded and led by Artorius as a means of fighting daemons with the help of malakhim. During these three years, the Abbey gained much popularity and support. While officially it states the daemonblight is the reason that humans and animals alike turn into daemons, it is a facade to hide the truth behind the origins of daemons: the "impurity", or darkness, within human hearts. Those who fight on behalf of the Abbey are known as exorcists, religious soldiers who quell daemons.

Artorius Collbrande (アルトリウス・コルブランド, Arutoriusu Koruburando)

Voiced by (English): Ray Chase[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Kenyu Horiuchi[14]

Once addressed by Velvet with the nickname of "Arthur" and her brother-in-law, Artorius is the head of the Abbey and the Exorcists who is deemed the world's savior and the game's primary antagonist for having acquired a power that would allow him to save the world from the Daemonblight. He favors the use of reason over emotion as part of his battle tactics, and has used this as the prime teaching for all Exorcists. The true reason over his action is his desire to be reunited with Celica again, as her reincarnation into a Malak and losing her emotion and memories over her time with Artorius drive him insane.

Innominat (カノヌシ, Kanonushi)

Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya[14]

One of the five Empyreans, is an extremely powerful Malak that Artorius and the Exorcists summon to purge all human emotion in order to cleanse the world of Daemonblight. He takes on the form of Velvet's deceased brother and serves as the game's secondary antagonist.[16]

Oscar Dragonia (オスカー・ドラゴニア, Osukā Doragonia)

Voiced by: Tomoaki Maeno[14]

A Praetor-rank Exorcist who tries to stop Velvet after the latter escapes from prison. He has a strong sense of justice as an Exorcist and loyalty to his sister.

Teresa Linares (テレサ・リナレス, Teresa Rinaresu)

Voiced by (English): Brina Palencia[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Yui Horie[14]

A Praetor-rank Exorcist and Oscar's half-sister who governs the northern area of the empire. She worries much for her brother that he will push himself too far on the job, despite her being known by the title of "Frozen Queen".

Shigure Rangetsu (シグレ・ランゲツ)

Voiced by (English): Max Mittelman[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Kazuya Nakai[14]

A Legate-rank Exorcist who is Rokurou's elder brother. He is regarded a genius swordsman within the Rangetsu style, and is always seeking an interesting and entertaining fight.

Melchior Mayvin (メルキオル・メーヴィン, Merukioru Mēvin)

Voiced by: Nobuo Tobita[14]

A Legate-rank Exorcist who is a master in the art of alchemy. He is Artorius's colleague and friend who shares similar beliefs.

Celica Crowe (セリカ・クラウ, Serika Kurau)

Voiced by: Satomi Arai[14]

The older sister of Velvet, Laphicet, and wife of Artorius. Her death on the first Scarlet Night sets in motion the tragedy of the second Scarlet Night.

Laphicet Crowe (ライフィセット・クラウ, Raifisetto Kurau)

Voiced by (English): Abby Trott[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Rie Kugimiya[14]

The younger brother of Velvet and Celica. His tragic death marks the start of Velvet's quest for vengeance.

Niko (ニコ)

Voiced by: Manami Numakura[14]

The childhood friend of Velvet. She transformed into a werewolf daemon and died on the Scarlet Night.

Seres (シアリーズ, Shiarīzu)

Voiced by (English): Monica Rial[13]
Voiced by (Japanese): Satomi Arai[14]

A Malak formerly under Artorius' command who regained her sense of will and aids Velvet in her escape from prison for the sake of stopping Artorius. She was originally Celica, Velvet's older sister and Artorius' wife who was pregnant with his son.

Claudin Asgard (クローディン・アスガード, Kurōdin Asugādo)

He was known to have been one of the earliest Shepherds, as well as an exorcist, who used his powers to end the Era of Darkness, unite the central continent to form the Holy Midgand Empire, and usher in the Era of Asgard. Claudin was the mentor of Artorius Collbrande.

Dyle (ダイル, Dairu)

Voiced by: Takashi Nagasako[14]

A former sailor who turned into a lizard daemon after his guild framed him for smuggling, which he was apart of but not solely responsible.

Van Aifread (バン・アイフリード, Ban Aifuriido)

Voiced by: Yukitoshi Hori[14]

The captain of Aifread's pirates who transformed into a Daemon. Once held in the same prison as Velvet, he was freed by Melchior but his whereabouts are unknown for a while.

Benwick (ベンウィック, Benwikku)

Voiced by: Takuya Satō[14]

The younger brother of Van Aifread acting as temporary leader of Aifread's pirates alongside first mate Eizen.

White Turtlez (ホワイトかめにん, Howaito Kamenin, "White Kamenin")

Voiced by: Marina Inoue[14]

Turtlez is a creature the party keeps bumping into when traveling inside long dungeons.

Tabatha Baskerville (タバサ・バスカヴィル, Tabasa Basukaviru)

Voiced by: Mari Yokoo[14]

The leader of the shadow guild Bloodwing Butterflies hidden in Midgand's capital.

Zaveid (ザビーダ, Zabīda)

Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda[14]

A returning character from Tales of Zestiria, he is a malak with wind powers that occasionally meets the party, and carries a powerful magic weapon that belonged to Aifread.

Kurogane (クロガネ)

Voiced by: Shinpachi Tsuji[14]

A blacksmith who became a daemon long ago in his relentlessness to create a blade that can best the powerful Stormhowl. Each sword incarnation he creates is dubbed Stormquell.

Grimoirh (グリモワール, Gurimowāru, "Grimoire")

Voiced by: Fumi Hirano[14]

A gray Normin Malak who the party meet and journeys with them on the Van Eltia.

Kamoana (モアナ, "Moana")

Voiced by: Tomoyo Kurosawa[14]

A young girl that turned into a Tree Therion Daemon and regains her reason.

Percival Yil Mid Asgard (パーシバル・イル・ミッド・アスガード, Pāshibaru Iru Middo Asugādo)

Voiced by: Ryo Iwasaki[14]

The prince of Midgand, who fled the capital after releasing his pet bird turned Therion.

Medissa (メディサ, Medisa)

Voiced by: Takako Honda[14]

A devout lady in Hellawes who condemned the Abbey for killing her Daemon turned daughter.