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"I wish I could light the sky and tell him how I feel... my dearest Oswald..."

Gwendolyn

Princess Gwendolyn of the Ragnanival Kingdom is one of the two deuteragonist characters of the main storyline of Erion Saga book series (the other being Oswald), Gwendolyn is a late Aesir and Demon Lord Odin's youngest princess of the Ragnanival Kingdom after her older sister Griselda who died in the ruins of the Valentine Kingdom after she succumbed to her wounds during the Cauldron War. Gwendolyn is one of the five main playable characters of Odin Sphere, she is one of the last two surviving humans predicted in the prophecy, Gwendolyn was the one who was referred as the "mother of the new world" she was the protagonist of the first book of the game, The Valkyrie.

Profile Overview[]

Gwendolyn is the second and late princess of the ragnanival kingdom, she is the youngest child in overall of Demon Lord Odin's four children, Odin's preferential treatment to his elder daughter, Griselda, has instilled a sense of great self-doubt in Gwendolyn, who seeks to defy her perceived inferiority by pleasing her father through acts of valor. She is a high-ranking Valkyrie and, for a short time, becomes the commander of Ragnanival's forces following Griselda's death. However, as her tale unfolds and the complex nature of both her family and the world's fate become clearer, Gwendolyn proves herself as more than a tool in her father's arsenal. She is not above acts of disobedience in the name of justice, nor is she willing to bow to her father when he strips her of any and all autonomy. Odin's repeated offenses, both personal and on a grand scale, are integral to Gwendolyn's emancipation; her power stretches far beyond the battlefield, as her strong convictions and love for all she cares for ultimately guides the hand of fate itself.

Gwendolyn is a Valkyrie, an elite class of female warriors fighting for the glory of the Kingdom of Ragnanival. She is Demon Lord Odin's youngest daughter, and strives for her father's affections through acts of valor in his war over the Cauldron. As the last princess of Ragnanival, Gwendolyn is honored with her late sister Griselda's Psypher, a rare crystal powered by the souls of the fallen. Tales of Gwendolyn's battle prowess, bravery, and undying love are woven into prophecies of old, detailing her crucial role in Erion's ultimate fate.

Appearance Traits[]

Gwendolyn is a 20 year-old fair-featured young woman with blue-grey eyes and long, silver hair, which is kept in a braided bun whenever she's dressed for battle. Her Valkyrie armor features a white corset with a gold collar, an armored skirt, black and white gauntlets, and leg armor of blue and silver metal. She sports feathered wings of black, violet, and blue that magically appear from her hips when needed, and fold away whenever she is not in flight. She wears laurels of blue feather-like flowers which cover her ears.

The dress that she wears during certain cutscenes and in the Old Castle Terrace hub is primarily black with blue and white accents. The skirt portion is layered white, blue, and black, with some artwork indicating that she wears high heels beneath this. As revealed in a story scene with Oswald, this dress originally belonged to her mother.

Personality Classification[]

Gwendolyn is a strong and brave woman with powerful sense of dignity and oath and does ensure to take care her loved ones. Gwendolyn is often called a witch, evil and cold while this may be true in battle it's a stark contrast to her true feelings. Gwendolyn is in truth a kind-hearted individual perhaps the most kindhearted among all the people of Ragnanival. She demonstrates this most strongly when instead of killing Cornelius she opts to have him taken alive whereas her sister Griselda would've slew him instantly. She loves her father greatly and yearns desperately for his praise and approval. She is jealous of both her sister Griselda, while she lived, and of Velvet who Odin spoke with great reverence. Despite this jealousy in order to spare her father heartache, and out of love for him, she chose to rescue Velvet from Brigan's attempts at killing her.

While still desperate for her father's love her attitude changes when she learns of what her husband Oswald has done. Over time she grew to love him deeply to the point that she would be willing to die in order to maintain her newfound love for him. She's shown to be fiercely devoted to him even threatening the Fire King Onyx to killing him if he persisted in insulting Oswald.

Background Story[]

According to the Historical Records of the archive books stored in the library department of the ragnanival kingdom indicates that gwendolyn was born in 764 A.D. She was the second child born between Odin and his unmentioned second lover wife who presumably was the late queen of Ragnanival whom may probably have died before the main storyline events started, Gwendolyn was odin's third child in overall of his children, she was raised alongside with her older Griselda to become an able-bodied Valkyrie and also to become as an available reserve successing combat princesses that the ragnanival kingdom is requiring of, as the kingdom nation is in need of combat princesses that will act as the leading heads of their military division groups that the kingdom will be launching for their conquest of the cauldron.

Despite she grew up in the same environment and home, receiving the same care as her older sister griselda, their father seems to approve griselda more than her, causing gwendolyn to grew some jealously over griselda as she tries to compete her over their father's love and approval but even though with that she never grudged a hate jealousy against her older sister and would still often make concerns for griselda, this is seen when griselda was dying of her wounds during the cauldron war as gwendolyn saw griselda lying on the ground then she comes over her body then comforts griselda shortly before her death.

During her pre-life years before the main storyline event, she has been long competing the love of her father for her that mostly goes to gwendolyn's older sister griselda and she would think that she wished that sometimes her father would give her the same amount as her older sister receives from their father or sometimes she would express disappointment and sadness in her mind to the point she has to think that she needs to confront her father directly sooner and angrily tell him that she also deserves the same treatment level as griselda rather than just being treated like a puppy doll who receive much less attention and love compared to another one despite sharing the same status although gwendolyn has only retained it in her mind and she actually have never done it to her father.

Because of their father unfair level treatment of love, care and affection towards to both of them as her older sister Griselda receives more than her, Gwendolyn suffered from feelings of being neglected by her father, as he often expressed approval of Griselda over her, and gradually came to desire his affection to the point she was willing to die in his name.

While these biased things continue to happen in gwendolyn's life, she is able to contain while being a trainee at a local military academy and she continued to pursue her obligated career for her kingdom nation until she graduated of it and became a certified valkyrie soldier then she would be later promoted to princess status instantly due to being part of the ragnanival royal family as she was bloodly related with it, she was promoted to the princess status on orders of the ragnanival monarchy because their kingdom nation will be needing reserved successors after their king as she and her griselda are the only fully ragnanival children of the ragnanival king making them the only eligible heirs to the throne of the ragnanival kingdom.

Plotline Summary Perspective[]

New Successor[]

Her story begins with her flying onto the battlefield with other Valkyrie as part of Odin's sneak attack on the Fairies to claim the Cauldron. Corpses are strewn on the ground as a Berserker fights a Pegasus Knight, however he falls as the Fairies push back. Gwendolyn finds Griselda mortally wounded in the remains of a temple from the Valentine Kingdom. She approaches her sister, Griselda speaks with Gwendolyn telling of how the battle sounded so far away and lamenting she wouldn't follow the king to the final battle, Armageddon, and entrusts her spear to Gwendolyn. Griselda dies and Gwendolyn embraces her sister telling her she would not be alone for long. Taking the spear Gwendolyn participates in the battle, and comes across the deadly Shadow Knight, Oswald, who slaughters the soldiers with utter ease. She declares to face him even though a Dwarf tells her she must not, the two clash and Oswald easily gets the upper hand pinning her to the ground his red blade at her throat.

Fearlessly she tells him to kill her, but instead he kills a berserker that charges at him from behind. He tells her to run away as the battle was over anymore deaths were just a waste. He looks at her one last time before leaving. The surviving dwarf approaches her and expresses relief, but Gwendolyn shamed by her defeat says she cannot go back and sets out to do what little she can leaving the dwarf as she strikes back to the best of her ability. However the battle was an utter loss and she was forced to retreat back.

In the castle she informs her father of the failed attack, the loss of many valkyries, and the loss of their commander Griselda. Odin responds that he knew of her fate and that she was the most gallant and noble of his warriors, also explaining briefly the true nature of her weapon. He announces that they will launch another attack and this time, he will be taking part in the battle and to send the troops when Gwendolyn was ready. Gwendolyn asks her father if that was all he had to say about Griselda. Odin replies that words will not bring her back and it was no time for sentimentality. He leaves Gwendolyn to prepare for the battle.

Cauldron Regaining[]

telling those under her command to move out, she pauses however looking at her spear and remembering her sister. During this a phantom blue bird appears, it speaks of how she was going to fight in order to win her father's love. Gwendolyn refutes this saying she was fighting for her father and country. She may fall in battle but all her countrymen are ready to face that fate. The bird however rebukes this saying that what Gwendolyn really wanted was to die to earn her father's love and admiration. Angry Gwendolyn slashes at the bird but it flies away, it then explains itself as being a mere phantom and representing her inner most thoughts. Mockingly it say's 'I am pathetic I have never been loved since the day I was born. Gwendolyn is still as the bird continues saying that dying in her father's honor will not make the death worthwhile, she would just die as Griselda. Gwendolyn collapses, not wanting to hear the truth of her actions desperately believing if she sacrificed herself for her duty her father would surely love her, the bird vanishes at this.

Sometime later Gwendolyn recovers to fight again and with her new spear and her father leading the army they reach very headquarters of their enemy. Gwendolyn even approaching Elfaria and calling her the Queen of the Ghosts. However Elfaria would be unfazed and would buy just enough time for Beldor to appear with his dragon Belial. Gwendolyn battles the dragon while Elfaria would regroup with Melvin but Odin would find and defeat her guards and reveal his formidable Psypher Balor, he would deal her a mortal blow that would leave her on death's doorstep while Melvin cowered and fled. Gwendolyn would defeat Belial and with Elfaria mortally wounded the fairies retreat Odin claiming the Cauldron for his own. However as he revels in his victory the Cauldron begins to glow then just as suddenly as it does so it's light goes out completely as it goes inert. Gwendolyn in the aftermath of the battle is looking for her father but in her search she meets a woman in red who says the Cauldron is a source of disaster. She also says she will not let the Cauldron be used by the Fairies or the Aesir and leaves.

Relativity Recognization[]

In the castle there is great discontent as the fire going out of the Cauldron has rendered their battle and sacrifice moot. Brigan announces he will go after the forest witch to make her tell of how to reignite the Cauldron. As he leaves Odin tells his soldiers to stop him, though he is aware of Brigan's defiance lately wondering if Brigan was serious in opposing him. He then moves to go to the forest to find the witch himself. Gwendolyn stops him saying she should do it as she was the one that allowed the witch to escape in the first place.

King Odin relents but tells Gwendolyn to treat her with respect though he doesn't elaborate as to why. After fighting her way through the forest she would find the witch and she would not let her escape this time. The witch refuses and the two battle, Gwendolyn emerges victorious but is stopped by Odin who had a feeling this would happen. It is here he reveals that Velvet was his daughter. However Velvet rebukes him giving her 'story' of events though it is not the truth of the matter. But during this Brigan overhears everything, he walks in speaking of how Valentine had, at the time, been their enemy. How Odin having a child would cause great unrest should it ever be revealed. He 'promises' to take his secret to the grave as he was a 'loyal' soldier but in truth he was making plans to use the situation to his advantage.

Hostaged Sister[]

Back in the Ragnanival, the red witch is held captive and eventually reveals the only way to control the cauldron, apart from its creator, was a ring called Titrel which she had placed in the Dragon Wagner. Odin realizes that there's no way for him to get it, as due to a pact he cannot harm Wagner himself. Brigan puts the idea of having Velvet 'sacrificed' to the dragon to get the ring. Odin hesitates and Brigan subtly implies that Odin might have a 'personal' reason to refuse. Odin is unable to rebuke this as it would cause chaos in the kingdom. Brigan takes Velvet to Horn Mountain, Gwendolyn visits her father who is saddened by the events and even reveals that Velvet looks like her mother whom he had loved dearly and to lose Velvet would be like losing the princess all over again. While Gwendolyn is jealous of Velvet's favoritism she decides to rescue her so that her father would be spared of heartbreak.

Sacrificial Offering[]

Brigan and his forces reach the top of the mountain and find Wagner is not there, he sends his men to find him, and when they leave he reveals he didn't even want Wagner there. He moves to kill Velvet but is stopped by Gwendolyn who releases Velvet, angered he responds that she had done a foolish thing. Gwendolyn notices his great zeal in wanting to kill Velvet he then reveals the truth how he planned to kill Velvet himself and blackmail Odin sowing distrust in him and then taking over. He offered Gwendolyn to become his 'mistress' in return. Gwendolyn battles Brigan and kills him for his treachery. She then hurries after Velvet, but Velvet stops and asks Gwendolyn, her enemy, why she had done this. Gwendolyn admits that although it frustrates her, Odin held Velvet very dear to him and to not hate him. Velvet is silent when Brigan's troops arrive shouting how Gwendolyn had gone mad and slaughtered Brigan unaware of his true motives. Odin arrives and reminds Gwendolyn the punishment for defying him. Velvet tries to speak up for Gwendolyn but Gwendolyn stops her, and gives her back her chain letting her go.

Revoked Dignity[]

Back in Ragnanival Gwendolyn stands trial for her actions Odin is conflicted as he is aware of Gwendolyn's reason for her actions but he knows he cannot just let her go without consequences. Unable to do anything else he strips her of her rank as Valkyrie and informs her that he will cast a sleeping spell and that when she is awaken her heart will belong to a stranger. He finally calls her his precious daughter as he casts the spell on her sending her into an enchanted slumber.

Conscious Awareness[]

She finally wakes up she found herself in an abandoned castle after being kissed by Oswald and her being wed to Oswald who despaired that her fate is to suffer. Oswald, to her surprise, treats her well, however he is called away to fulfill an oath asking Gwendolyn to wait for him. Gwendolyn coldly states that she belongs to him and if he commands she will obey. This causes Oswald to strongly state that she was not an object and he wouldn't allow to treat her as an object as a possession like his adoptive father did. This made Oswald feel loathed and angry at anyone who uses person for their own benefit. Before leaving Oswald decides to give her the Titrel Ring as a symbol of his love for her whom he looted from Wagner after killing it lamenting he had nothing better to give her. Gwendolyn is shocked by this and asks why he would give her something so precious unaware of Oswald's ignorance to the ring's value.

He tells her that he wishes to see her happy and smile while touching her heart she rebuffs by claiming she's a warrior and is only happy in battle. However she is affected by his words and attitude toward her. Oswald leaves and Gwendolyn has a conversation with the bird of her thoughts who speaks how she fancies Oswald but she denies that she had true feelings. Using his absence as an opportunity she left and headed to Ragnanival to give her father the Ring. But she finds that the armies were after her and soon discovered that Brigan's phantom had possessed Odin via Queen Odette's influence. After a difficult battle she banished Brigan's soul and Odin returned to normal. She hands him the ring only to learn that Odin had tempted Oswald her hand in marriage as a means of getting Titrel knowing his daughter would give it to her, as a result his father accepted her back again in the kingdom. However after hearing how Oswald fought a dragon for her Gwendolyn found she could not stay in Ragnanival anymore and returned to the castle to wait on her husband.

Mindful Concern[]

Several days pass and Oswald still has not returned, eventually she asks Brom where he had gone who tells her that he had went to the Fire Kingdom to fulfill a promise. Gwendolyn worries about Oswald's safety, and his absence causing her heartache unable to bear it any longer, she follows him to the Volkenon Lava Pits. She comes across the Inferno King Onyx who is eager to show her his hospitality, but wanting her husband she asks him if Oswald is there. Onyx admits that he cannot lie to her and tells her how Oswald is fighting for him under an agreement, against a newborn dragon who the Vulcans have been unable to damage. He then reveals how originally Onyx was to wed her, but Odin then went back on his word and gave Gwendolyn to Oswald. He and Oswald dropped the matter 'quietly' in exchange Oswald would fight for King Onyx's behalf so long as Gwendolyn went with him. Once again Gwendolyn is touched by Oswald's devotion to her. Onyx then suggests that Oswald may die or already be dead and that he was willing to save Oswald so long as Gwendolyn marries her. Expressing how Gwendolyn must become his. But this reminds Gwendolyn of the attitude of the men from her kingdom, and strongly rebukes Onyx echoing Oswald's words "I am not an object!" and leaves. Onyx is surprised and demands his Vulcan's to capture her but to not harm her.

Gwendolyn fights her way to her husband who is fighting a baby dragon with great difficulty as his strength has been sapped by the Queen of the Dead unable to fight properly. Just before Leventhan deals the killing blow to Oswald, Gwendolyn flies in and fights it defeating it and saving her husband. She turns to Oswald noting he needs immediate aid. Onyx arrives the scene mocking Oswald about how his pride has costed him and to leave him be. However Gwendolyn states that Oswald has fought for him thus fulfilling the bargain. This angers Onyx who in his anger reveals that Oswald is selected by the Queen of the Dead and that he will die and end up by her side to leave him and marry Onyx. Angered by this Gwendolyn defends her husband with fierce devotion telling Onyx that should he persist she will attack. Impressed by her fiery reprisal Onyx leaves it at the fact that the promise has been kept but makes it clear that only Gwendolyn stirs the fires in his heart. Gwendolyn returns back to the castle with Oswald and waits as he rests in the castle. Finally Gwendolyn asks Brom about Oswald's connection to Queen Odette, Brom hesitates but Oswald, who had recovered enough to walk explains the curse of the Belderiver to her. He thanks her for saving him but expresses concern to her discussion with Onyx and why she was there in the first place.

Gwendolyn apologizes for disobeying his command and expresses how she was worried about him and could not just idly stand by. Oswald is surprised and hopeful and asks if she truly was worried. Gwendolyn stammers to find the words to express herself, but before just then, a Valkyrie arrives in the balcony castle to inform Gwendolyn that her father had been defeated and the Titrel ring was taken from him by the fairies. Oswald overhears this and realizes that his "gift" to Gwendolyn who in turn gave it to King Odin by Gwendolyn herself. Realizing that the marriage was just another scheme of Odin's and that he was a puppet in Odin's machinations he fell to despair, he leaves and Gwendolyn tries to stop him to explain and how she feels now but Oswald ignores her. Realizing her error and shortsightedness might cost her the only person to truly love her she tells the Valkyrie that she will fight for her Father's name but will not return to the kingdom yet. Gwendolyn prepares to go to Ringford to get the ring back her inner thoughts expressing the suicidal actions she is taking. But Gwendolyn is firm as she feels terrified to lose Oswald because of her actions, resolved and fighting for love she set's out.

Gift Reclamation[]

Gwendolyn later headed to the Ringford nation of the fairies and fight her way through it and when she finally encounters Mercedes and asked her to hand over the ring to her but Mercedes refuses as she said that it was a spoil of war taken from the Demon Lord Odin. Gwendolyn desperate to get the gift her husband had given her battles Mercedes. Mercedes was eventually overpowered and defeated by Gwendolyn. She takes back the ring from the fairies and makes her way back home but comes across Myris who sought out to find Gwendolyn. Myris informs Gwendolyn that Oswald has been taken by the Halja and Brom was injured trying to save him as well as telling her the truth of Oswald's actions before and after she awoke. Gwendolyn returns home to consider what to do next.

Defying Deadline[]

After some time Gwendolyn dresses in her armor again Myris telling her it was impossible to save Oswald. But Gwendolyn tells her there is a way as only one person could take her to the Netherworld... her father Demon Lord Odin. She heads to Ragnanival to talk with her father, Odin praises her for fighting the fairies of Ringford and taking back the ring, he then asks for it. But she ignores him and asks him about how to enter the Netherworld. Odin is angered by this and demands her to give him the ring. She continues begging for him to listen her request. Angered by her defiance he brings up how she is an exile and now she wishes to bargain. Eventually however he gives in saying in exchange for the ring he will take her to the Netherworld and once again demands for the ring. But Gwendolyn aware of her father's gift for deception responds she will only give it once she returns from the Netherworld.

Gwendolyn fights her way through the Netherworld eventually coming to Queen Odette's personal area filled with glittering blue skulls made of Psypher. Odette instantly recognizes Gwendolyn as Odin's daughter and is irritated by her abrupt and sudden entrance calling her the daughter of the 'petty thief.' Gwendolyn asks Odette to return Oswald to her Odette laughs at her showing Oswald and reaffirming how Oswald had been pledged to her in exchange for the cursed power of the Belderiver and how he was her's long before he met Gwendolyn. Calling Gwendolyn a nuisance she decides to personally kill Gwendolyn but Gwendolyn replies that she does not fear death and that losing Oswald was far more painful than dying. Odette however mocks her resolve and explains how the souls of the dead fuse together to become Psypher crystals even saying that Gwendolyn risks her very soul by using the Spear, eager to kill Gwendolyn she readies for a fight.

After a long arduous battle Gwendolyn triumphs over Odette ending Odette's reign and life permanently. Odette with her last breaths reveals that she was the one who created the bridge to the Netherworld to the world of the living. But with her gone that bridge would forever be closed and that death would become more horrible than it had ever been under her rule. She finishes by telling Gwendolyn that when the world sees its demise to remember the horror that she had unleashed and with that the Queen of the Dead is no more. Gwendolyn rushes to Oswald's side and Odin flies in grabbing both and leaving the Netherworld before the bridge fully vanishes.

Back in Ragnanival, Odin confirms that the Netherworld is in fact truly sealed off from the living and the only way to enter it now was to die. Oswald awakens and Gwendolyn is overjoyed to be reunited with her husband. Odin turns to the two noting that only pure love could overcome death and how he couldn't collect crystals from the Netherworld for Pyspher weapons but with the Cauldron it wouldn't matter. He demands that Gwendolyn fulfills her promise and give him the ring. Seeing Oswald however Gwendolyn speaks of how the ring was a symbol of Oswald's love and how it currently represented all she was and if the ring was to be taken her life must be taken as well. Oswald is touched by her devotion but Odin is angered telling her that her beliefs were merely an 'illusion' and that she was married because he ordered it. But Gwendolyn refuses telling him that even if the love was an illusion she wasn't afraid of losing honor she was terrified of losing her love for Oswald. Angered even further Odin prepares to strike Gwendolyn unable to believe that she would sacrifice her very life and pride just for love. Oswald steps between them asking if he was really going to kill his own child. Rebuked Odin lowers his fist he tells them that they are ruining his plans. After a while he let's them go saying if he was to be any kind of father he would have to show compassion. Gwendolyn tries to thank him but he tells her to not speak calling her disloyal, he leaves telling Oswald that he entrusts his daughter to Oswald.

Back in their castle Oswald speaks honestly of how it pained him to keep her there knowing she has conflicted feelings but he couldn't stop himself from wanting to be with her. Gwendolyn responds telling him that she doesn't mind if her emotions were caused by a spell that she would endure any hardship so long as it was by his side. Oswald heartened by this tells her of how she was a light for him and how he experienced happiness and fear, both tied to his love for her. She promises that her love will never fade, the two embrace and Gwendolyn begs him to not let go of her. With this the bird that was her 'inner thoughts' flies from her signifying she no longer needed to hear its words.

Armageddon - [True Ending][]

Monstrosity Demise[]

Gwendolyn is in the Castle, with Brom the earth shaking as she watches the mountain covered with the undead let free by King Gallon. Gwendolyn worries for Oswald who had gone to find information, Gwendolyn voices concern for Ragnanival and her father but Brom reminds her to keep calm. Myris appears via a portal and another pooka urging Gwendolyn to come with her. Gwendolyn however apologizes and asks for her spear leaving to change into her armor. Fully dressed she prepares to follow Oswald, Myris wishes for her to not go but Gwendolyn reminds her that she is a Valkyrie if it becomes too much she can just fly. Myris sadly accepts this, Gwendolyn suggests to meet on top of Horn Mountain and both Myris and Brom agree to do so. They leave and Gwendolyn readies to leave when she see's her sister's ghost. Showing a rare moment of fear she asks if Griselda is there for her. Griselda approaches and goes through Gwendolyn with a cryptic message, "Knock down the crown... Do not forget your role... in the Epic Poems..." Gwendolyn looks for her sister but see's nothing. She moves to search when ghouls appear she jumps over them and flies away.

During her flight, she would find the giant serpentine body of Leventhan, the baby dragon she had once fought its growth drastically accelerated thanks to Phozons absorbed from the Cauldron. Her inner voice calls it "The King of Snakes" due to its serpentine body, Gwendolyn recalling hearing it from her sister, and how its body could encircle the entire continent. Gwendolyn believes it to be impossible to kill it as it would be like using a bucket of water to stop a volcano. She lands on its monstrous body as it fires another one of its devastating beams and see's Horn Mountain collapsing remembering her promise to meet Myris and Brom there she can only apologize as they had most likely died from collapse. Her inner voice speaks of how Leventhan will devour the land including Gwendolyn's 'last treasure,' her beloved Oswald. But it reminds her of Griselda's words, 'Knock down the crown.' Gwendolyn looks up and see's the crown wedged into Leventhan's horn. Knowing what she must do she climbs it's body avoiding it's various attacks attacking the crown each time cracking the horn till it finally breaks exploding and sending Gwendolyn flying. The powerful energies inside of Leventhan fuming out destroying it's body, as it's body falls to earth, so too does Gwendolyn.

Her wings have been damaged robbing her ability to fly as she falls to earth her inner voice appears before her, telling Gwendolyn that there has never been anyone as brave as her in all of history. It was a great honor for a Valkyrie as it watched her grow, Gwendolyn could only remark how the bird sounded more like her sister than it sounded like her. It is then that the bird reveals the truth, she was Griselda watching over Gwendolyn and sharing her pain and blood even in death. Griselda tells Gwendolyn how her actions followed the poems, and that she can leave with confidence, she tells her sister good-bye as they would meet at world's end and vanishes. Gwendolyn remarks that it won't be long now, but she wishes that before she died she could light the sky and tell Oswald, her dearest Oswald, how she feels. It as this point she loses consciousness, unaware that Oswald using the last bit of his shadow powers to grab her from the sky preventing her death.

Ending Epilogue - (Wheel of Fate)[]

Land Blessing[]

Later on, Gwendolyn and Oswald both finally wake up and found themselves in the middle of nowhere devastated Earth all around them. Oswald comparing it to the Netherworld calling it even worse than the Netherworld, Gwendolyn wondering if they were the only ones who had truly survived the Armageddon. Oswald responds that he doesn't know but it was a miracle they survived at all. He suggests they find a place to rest but Gwendolyn devoid of hope wonders if there's any place that would accept them after the damage they had done to the world. Oswald however see's something in the distance and moves to look he calls for Gwendolyn to see. She follows him and the two watch in shock and awe as the land begins to flood with life, the ground formerly brown and lifeless now green and filled with life, water flowing rivers and waterfalls forming. Oswald notes that this is a miracle and that they could not give up, they must have hope.

The two happily lived with each other as a couple and they later successfully build their own family when they finally had children of theirs and took care of their family and raise the children to become adults and stayed maintaining their family until they finally both died of old age by means of natural causes and their now grown adult kids and to their will be future direct descendant generations passed their story legend from one another for over a thousand years until it reaches the full acknowledgement of the story by the time Alice had finally finished reading all of the books of the Erion Saga series, Alice is one of many direct human descendants of Gwendolyn and Oswald, the alice's color of her eyes and hairs greatly resembles her ancestors (Gwendolyn and Oswald) and her being their distant direct descendant, her physical appearance features reminds of their DNA remains.

Relationships[]

Princess Griselda of the Ragnanival Kingdom[]

This relationship is the least well known as it's very briefly mentioned, Griselda seems to care for Gwendolyn as she entrusted her spear to her sister when she died thanks to the Fairy Kingdom's counterattack. At the very least Gwendolyn cared for Griselda, as when Gwendolyn relayed the death of Griselda Odin quickly moved for action and she asked if he would not do more for her death. However this love is mixed with a degree of jealousy as often felt neglected as Griselda was Odin's 'favorite' daughter over her. Gwendolyn would often do deeds in order to show herself as being worthy of her father's love at almost any cost.

Demon Lord Odin[]

Gwendolyn's relationship with her father is a curious topic, she does everything she can to win his affection yet despite what she does it never measures up to Griselda's feats. After Griselda dies, her 'Inner thoughts' revealed that she had an intense fixation of this and would even call herself pathetic and how she was 'never loved' since the day she was born. Everything she does she does to prove herself worthy of her father's love. So much so that she betrays Oswald and gives Titrel to Odin but upon learning about the pact she chooses to stay with Oswald. When Oswald is taken she goes to her father to get him back imploring him to take her to the Netherworld, promising to give the ring after she had returned aware of her father's habit for telling lies and going back on his word. Even afterward she refused to give him the ring as by then she recognized it's true importance to Oswald and what it meant for herself.

Myris the Assistant[]

Myris is Gwendolyn's faithful servant, tending to her loyally and without question. It is not known exactly how this relationship is formed but it one of the strongest as even when Gwendolyn was punished and banished for killing Brigan, Myris went to serve her again despite being dismissed. This relationship is so strong that when Oswald appeared she stood fearlessly ready to fight him despite being significantly weaker than him. To that end Myris tries to have Gwendolyn be more of a normal woman than a warrior as she had found Gwendolyn's mother's dress and gave it to her to try it on. Also after awakening she would tease Gwendolyn's growing affections for Oswald. Later when Oswald is taken by the Halja she immediately leaves the castle to inform her of what happened as well as revealing Oswald's actions before and after she had awoken. Also when Armageddon befell Erion she urged Gwendolyn to follow her to safety wanting to keep Gwendolyn safe.

Princess Velvet of the Valentine Kingdom[]

Gwendolyn's feelings for Velvet are complicated to say the least. At first they are hostile after Gwendolyn discovers Velvet is not only the infamous Forest Witch but that she had stopped the Cauldron. After learning of Velvet's true heritage, being her half-sister, Gwendolyn is distressed. This grows into jealousy when Odin admits that Velvet resembled Princess Ariel who he had loved deeply and that if Velvet died it was like losing her all over again. Gwendolyn remarks that not even her mother received such loving when she had lived... and despite her jealousy she went to save Velvet for her father. After rescuing her she would tell Velvet to not hate Odin revealing that Odin loved her more than he loved Gwendolyn and it frustrated her immensely. Velvet would go after Gwendolyn learning she had been punished only to learn too late there was nothing she could do.

Brom the Blacksmith[]

Gwendolyn's and Brom's relationship is simplistic he serves her loyally similar to Myris. However unlike Myris who is much more positive and lighthearted he's slightly more stern and willing to reprimand Gwendolyn when she leaves for Ragnanival and the Volkenon Fire Pits. However this is only because he worries for Oswald as he knows hearing that Gwendolyn left the castle against his orders would cause him great distress and he wants to prevent this at all costs. That being said he's very courteous and informative to her normally, when Gwendolyn asks him where Oswald had gone after hearing no word of him for several days she began to worry for Oswald's safety he tells her instantly as well as the face he had one it to fulfill a promise. While he scolds her again for leaving he does express gratitude for rescuing Oswald.

Oswald the Shadow Knight[]

Gwendolyn and Oswald's relationship is easily one of the more complex relationships in the game. They start off as enemies on opposing forces, both struggling for the affections of their 'father's' and ultimately both suffering for it. Oswald would develop an intense fixation for Gwendolyn when during a scouting mission he sees her wearing her mother's dress and talking with Myris. This gives him a much different imagery than that of what he was used to from rumors. Later he would kill a dragon and defeat the Inferno King Onyx for her hand, initially after waking up she is not aware of these facts till after meeting both Odin and Onyx who would explain the situation to her. She would become extremely touched that someone had done all this for her. It was the first time someone had done a deed for her love and her own love for Oswald would swell tremendously as a result to the point that after her betrayal had been revealed she had went to Ringford to retrieve the ring as an apology to Oswald. She would even ask for her father to take her to the Netherworld to rescue him from Odette and would even tell him to kill her if he wanted the ring. After this the two would promise to love each other forever.

Notable Committed Murders[]

  • General Brigan - For attempting to sacrifice her paternal half sister velvet to dragon wagner in exchange for obtaining the titrel ring from the dragon that was previously given to the dragon wagner by velvet herself for safekeeping and to prevent anyone from finding and obtaining the ring that might be used for evil plans and intentions by that one who have found it and gwendolyn was banished from her kingdom nation by her father because of this.
  • Leventhan - Guided from seeing her sister's ghost Griselda Gwendolyn flies to Leventhan recognizing it as the baby dragon she had saved her beloved Oswald. She wonders at first how she could kill it till her inner thoughts told her to "Knock down the Crown." Gwendolyn would see the crown wedged into the horn of Leventhan. Gwendolyn would fight the King of Snakes and would eventually destroy the crown killing Leventhan and fulfilling her role in the prophecy. However the final blow would send her flying and destroying her wings destroying her ability to fly. As she fell the bird which she believed to be her inner thoughts would praise her for her attack. She would reveal her true identity as Griselda's soul, who would confirm that with the prophecy being fulfilled everything would be alright. She would then fade away with Gwendolyn wishing that Oswald would be safe.
  • Queen Odette - When Odette had taken the grief stricken Oswald Gwendolyn went to the Nether realm to reclaim her dear husband. She tried initially to reclaim him without violence but Odette would refuse and Gwendolyn would raise her spear against her desperate to reclaim Oswald at any cost. After a fierce battle she would kill Odette and reclaim her beloved but would also set in motion Armageddon in doing this.

Abilities[]

As a Valkyrie, Gwendolyn has limited ability to fly with her wings that are located on her hips. While in the air she can also perform dive-bombing attacks. Her Psypher gives her the unique spell Shadow Ally, creating a shadowy duplicate of herself to aid her in attacking. While she is initially easily bested by Oswald and nearly killed, she later proves herself to be a competent spearwoman, and manages to defeat a number of powerful characters throughout the story, including the mighty Snake King Leventhan.

Gameplay[]

Gwendolyn is the first character controlled by the player, and as such is a well-balanced character. Eventually she obtains the second highest damage output among the characters by combining her Shadow Ally and Overload spells, second only to Mercedes' rapid firing attacks. Gwendolyn however has the advantage of significantly higher HP and Defense.

Her dive attack is one of her traits, allowing her to slay multiple enemies from the sky. Her Psypher is also one of the slowest growth in the game, but her HP level growth is probably the highest as player can reach over level 35 before the end of the game.

During her story, she visits the ruins of Valentine, Elrit Forest, Winterhorn Ridge, Ragnanival, the Volkenon Lava Pit, The Fairy Forest Ringford and finally the Netherworld Endelphia. She battles Oswald, Belial, Velvet, Brigan, Odin, Hatchling Leventhan, Mercedes and Odette as bosses in her chapters, and is the foretold foe of the fully-grown Leventhen.

Gameplay (PS2)[]

Gwendolyn is one of two characters that can fly, with the other character being Mercedes, she is a well balanced unit whose spells help augment her damage. She has high health but is second to Oswald in that regard, and high defense. She is also only one of two characters with a guard ability the other character being Cornelius though her guard seems to be stronger than his.

Gameplay (OSL)[]

As of Leifthrasir Gwendolyn's major mechanics remain the same with a few changes to her attacks. But the greatest change is to her skill system as i is with most characters. In the game she is a unit that balances good HP, a strong defense, a robust offense and the power to use ice. Her Ice powers in particular gives her a strong advantage in battle as she can incase her opponents in ice thus allowing her to freeze more troublesome opponents in place while allowing her to deal with weaker opponents first. In summary her gameplay is focused on controlling the fight so that she dominates the field with her icy techniques.

She has a medium walk speed allowing her decent movement but her ability to move shines with her unique gliding function. By jumping and holding X she will spread the wings near her waist and glide temporarily. She can either raise her wings to gain slightly left, or drop down completely. If one holds the Left or Right direction and the attack button she will perform a dive attack that is multi-hitting and very fast making it hard for enemies to damage her. Her up attack has changed now being a rising flourish that will hit opponents multiple times and can cancel into her air combo attack. As for her Crouch attack she now has 3 of them, by crouching and tapping Square she will do a slide this is good for breaking guard on targets and allows her to cancel into her attack combo easily. By holding square briefly she will charge up then leap forward spinning her spear and ending with a powerful thrust attack. After holding it for a second the spear will shine 2 times one the second she does the same leap forward but this time she will leap farther spin her spear longer and the final blow will be stronger thus allowing for more damage overall. As with all characters she now has a dash attack that can be activated by holding Square and either the right or left directional button. In her case it's a powerful and quick cleaving motion with her spear allowing her to damage multiple opponents as well as continue her combos. On the ground she will jump back slightly then dash forward while in the air she will just dash forward. Her dodge is a backflip that can be repeated 3 times, she goes through enemies, and is invincible while doing this.

Gwendolyn's Skills, Gwendolyn has 5 active power skills, 10 magic skills as well as some unique passive skills.

Her First Power Skill, is Beak Drive, Gwendolyn will charge forward spinning as she does hitting enemies multiple times and going through them. She is also invincible while this attack is active making it great escape tool if she get's surrounded, while also useful to continue her combos.

Her Second Power Skill, is High Thrust, Gwendolyn will leap skyward spinning, this has two effects it will draw in airborne enemies, and deal damage while she spins. She will then finish off with a slice that will knock them back, this is a good combo extender as well as a good anti-air and launcher move.

Her Third Power Skill, is Needle Strike, Gwendolyn will thrust her spear forward rapidly dealing damage with each thrust and then stabbing moving forward slightly. This attack is good for continuing combo's as well as finishing them off for damage, it's also great at breaking down super armor for large enemies/Mini-bosses.

Her Fourth Skill, is Fall Clash, Gwendolyn will leap upward at an angle thrusting her spear up, then come down with a finishing stab downward. The upward attack is multi-hitting while the final stab is a single hit. But this is a powerful attack and can be used as a combo ender.

Her Final Power Skill is Rising Crescent, Gwendolyn will moving forward spinning her spear as she does she then will leap into the air for a multi-hitting attack to follow up with aerial combos. This attack can only be performed on the ground and can be used to extend combos.

Now we move onto her magic skills, as stated she uses Ice Element this means if she does enough damage with her elemental magic she will cause the freeze status effect on her opponents no one save major story bosses, are immune to her freezing effect. You can tell when an enemy will freeze as they will turn blue and a blue mist will cover their body.

Her First Magic Skill, is Ice Shot, Gwendolyn will spin her spear then she will swing it forward shooting a cluster of ice missiles that will home in on the nearest target dealing ice damage. If enough hit the opponent and build up enough status effect it will freeze the opponent. This skill costs 5 Phozons.

Her Second Magic Skill, is Icicle Wave, Gwendolyn will jump up then stab her spear into the ground causing large icicles to shoot out to the left and right about 4 will pop up dealing a good amount of damage and applying a heavy amount of freeze doing so. This move is good to get rid of swarming enemies while also getting rid of weaker one hit kill enemies. This move can only be done on the ground and costs 9 Phozons.

Her Third Magic Skill, is Needle Storm, this is rather unique in that it's one of the few magic skills that's a powered up version of an existing skill. Gwendolyn will do her Needle Strike skill but will also shoot forward spear like shockwaves forward that will count as double the hit allowing for more damage with the final thrust going even father forward. This Skill costs 12 Phozons.

Her Fourth Magic Skill is Blinding Light, Gwendolyn will spin her spear briefly then swing it releasing a blinding flash of light. This will both damage and stun opponents allowing her to take them out unaware. However this is useless against the Major Bosses. This Skill costs 12 Phozons to use.

Her Fifth Magic Skill, is Grid Smash, much like Icicle Wave Gwendolyn will jump up slightly and thrust her spear into the ground this creates a powerful shockwave dealing a great amount of damage while also sending weaker enemies flying away from her. This Skills Costs 18 Phozons to use and can only be used on the ground.

Her Sixth Magic Skill, is Comet Spear, unlike her other skills this is more of a utility skill, Gwendolyn will aim high and will seemingly throw her spear. After a few seconds they will rain down in front of her damage anything in their path. They will adjust to whatever direction she is facing and will always land in front of her this will only last a few seconds. This skill can only be done on the ground and costs 20 Phozons.

Her Seventh Skill, is Freeze Lance, this is a charge skill in that it can be charged up to be more powerful. When activated Gwendolyn will root in place and spin her spear. It can be activated at any time but will launch automatically after 2 seconds of charging. At full charge Gwendolyn will shoot a giant spear of ice forward that does tremendous damage and tremendous freeze status effect stacking almost freezing for sure. This skill requires 23 Phozons to use and is best to be used either when away from opponents or after stunning them or freezing them already.

Her Eighth Magic Skill is Blizzard, Gwendolyn will move in frozen time spinning her spear for a second then she will swing and a giant blizzard will appear on the screen dealing low damage but high freeze to all enemies on screen. This is a great move for slowing down the fight or getting rid of weak single hit enemies. This move costs 30 phozons and can only be used on the ground.

Her Ninth Magic Skill is a support skill called Pain Feather, Gwendolyn will backflip into the air in a great arc dropping feathers as she does, she's invulnerable to damage and the feathers will freeze any non-major boss enemy that touch the feathers. This skill costs only 1 Phozon.

Her Tenth Magic Skill is a support skill called Arctic Shroud, while this skill is active Gwendolyn cannot be burned or frozen allowing her to avoid these effects. This skill costs 6 Phozons.

As with all characters she has a special/ultimate skill. Her skill is Gungnir when activated Gwendolyn will fly into the air, infusing her spear with magic. It will enlarge becoming gigantic revealing it's hidden craftsmanship. She will then send it flying, two more spears will fly out and cross each other with her Psypher stabbing below this causes a flash that will deal tremendous damage to all enemies both on and slightly off-screen.

Concept Art, Sprites, and Screenshots[]

Official Artwork and Merchandise[]

Trivia[]

  • Gwendolyn's seiyuu is Ayako Kawasumi while her voice for the English dub is Karen Strassmen.
  • She is based on the Valkyrie Brynhildr from the opera Der Ring des Nibelungen, where much of the basis for Odin Sphere's story comes from. Her overall design is based on the ballerina from Swan Lake with some influences from the character Gradriel of Princess Crown thrown in.
  • The only stage she does not visit during her story is Titania.
  • Of the playable characters, she never appears as a boss character, a trait that's shared with Cornelius.
  • Although she eventually meets Velvet, she never encounters her half-brother Ingway and presumably never even finds out about him.
  • Gwendolyn currently has the largest number of official figurines, with the total number being seven.
  • In-game, Gwendolyn's animations never have her flashing her underwear. In quite a bit of official artwork, however, she's frequently shown having her underwear exposed. (This garnered some minor controversy for when the American boxart for Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir was revealed, as the artwork had been edited due to Gwendolyn's underwear being visible in the original piece.)
  • Gwendolyn's role is the same as Lif's ("Life"), in the norse mythology, she being the only woman surviving Ragnarok.
  • It is very likely that Gwendolyn is based on the Valkyrie Princess 'Brunnhilde' from Wagner's Ring Cycle. Both have a father called Odin, and they are both woken from a deep sleep by the kiss of a prince (Siegfried for Brunnhilde, Oswald for Gwendolyn).
  • Gwendolyn's story is the last to end in the main storyline, mostly due to a rather large break in action (Thirty act's worth) during which she was asleep.
  • Gwendolyn is one of the two crownless lords spoken of in the Erion Saga, owing to her banished status.
  • Gwendolyn is the mother in who's arms Leventhen is said to sleep in, hinting at her role in destroying him.
  • Gwendolyn is voice in Japanese by Ayako Kawasumi who also played the character of warrior-woman Saber in the anime Fate/stay night. Gwendolyn's relationship with Onyx, voiced by Tomokazu Seki, strongly parallels the relationship between Saber and Seki's character in Fate, the arrogant king Gilgamesh. Like Onyx and Gwendolyn, Gilgamesh obsessively desired to "possess" Saber because of her beauty and strength, but was rebuffed because he did not respect her.
  • Gwendolyn bears personality traits being born as a youngest children: Kind, self sacrificing, gentle and also fierce. Griselda even hinted that even though she is brave, Gwendolyn is 'lenient'.
Odin Sphere Characters
Main Playable Characters
GwendolynCorneliusMercedesOswaldVelvet
Supporting Characters
BelialBromGriseldaHindelIngwayKing EdmundMaster KroisMatthewMyrisOdinQueen ElfariaWagner
Supporting Antagonists
BeldorMelvinQueen OdetteUrzurBriganSkuldi
Primary Antagonists
King GallonKing OnyxKing ValentineLeventhan
Minor Characters
AliceEdgarMelelunchMelieneMerilMauryPrincess ArielSocrates
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