| “ | Do you really think I care about what becomes of the World? | „ |
| ~ Stroud (to Keldric). |
King Stroud of Lorimar is the central villain of the video-game Dawn of Mana. He is a despotic monarch who invades the sacred island of Illusia. He releases the Goddess of Evil Medusa to steal her throne, intending the Demon World of Mavolia and the world of Fa'Diel and rule over both. He is killed by the hand of the main hero Keldric, who must then deal with Medusa herself.
Stroud's deal with demons of Mavolia and subsequent usurpation of the throne of the Dark Realm makes him a counterpart of sort to his Dark Majesty, who has a similar background. He shares his name with the Dark Lord's less evil counterpart from Sword of Mana.
Background[]
As a child, Stroud was the heir to the throne of the Ice Kingdom of Lorimar, and threw his baby brother Keldric (the game's primary hero) into the sea to remove all pretenders to the throne.
He later made a pact with demons of Mavolia, who promised him dark powers and influence over them, if he could open the Door to Mavolia. Stroud then became a ruthless tyrant, turning his kingdom into a powerful military and his subjects into fanatical servants.
Fortunately, Keldric was saved by the Mana Tree (the earthly avatar of the Mana Goddess) and taken to Illusia Island, where the Tree is located and protected by the Tree Folk.
Personality[]
Stroud displays huge amounts of arrogance, self-centeredness, greed and hunger for power. He is cruel, hateful, violent, sadistic, boastful, and taunting. He stops at nothing to gain power no matter how many lives he tramples, backstabbing Medusa as soon as it gets convenient. After becoming a demon, he becomes even more unhinged and vicious.
Role in the game[]
The game is set some time after Stroud stroke his bargain with the demons. He leads his armies in the invasion of Illusia, looking for the Door to Mavolia, and starts slaughtering the Tree Folk and the magic creatures indiscriminately.
Mistakenly thinking that he wants to kill the Legendary Beast who in slumbering under the island, Keldric (nicknamed Keldy) sets out to awake it with his childhood friend Ritzia. Keldric is chosen by the Mana Tree and they meet the Faerie child Faye, but they end up captured by Lorimar forces.
Stroud reveals that Illusia itself is the Door to Mavolia and that Ritzia is its key. Keldric sneaks on Lorimar’s flying ship, facing the evil king who stole the fabled Sword of Mana, which had been tainted by the Echoes of Mavolia, but is thrown at sea, only owing his life to Faye.
Stroud later uses Ritzia to unlock the Door to Mavolia, making her Medusa's vessel (called Anise by mortals, the name of her first vessel, out of fear of the curse striking anyone speaking her name). Keldric and Faye spend a year gathering allies. Alas, Mavolia has spread, spawning hordes of Thanatos Spirits corrupting anyone they touch into demonic Grimslies.
This happens to Keldric's friend Lekius whom he is forced to kill. Stroud became one as well but stayed in control, absorbing as many Thanatos Spirits as he could to boost his power. Stroud later kills Medusa, knowing that she planned to replace him with Keldric and wanting to rule Mavolia and Fa'Diel from day one.
Keldric confronts and slays his demonic brother, but the only way to close the Door to Mavolia is to kill Medusa, who survived Stroud's attack. Alas, doing so would doom Ritzia. Heartbroken, Keldric slays Medusa nonetheless and frees Ritzia’s soul, who along with Faye becomes one with the Mana Tree to restore it and save Fa'Diel.
Boss Battles[]
The first battle is quite easy. Keldric must keep away from his sword strikes and special attacks, but he can also create two doubles of himself and cast powerful Ice Waves that can turn Keldric to a snowman. Keldric must throw crates and barrels to stun Stroud and attack with Fire strikes and spells.
Grim Stroud is way tougher. He causes energy blasts, blocks attacks, and spams Ice waves and flaming or jumping strikes, but he is slow and easy to avoid. Keldric must strike the rubbles towards his brother to stun him and pummel him.
Grim Stroud, fused with Thanatos Spirits.
As a huge demon, Stroud becomes much faster, mightier, more relentless, and harder to beat. He flies, attacks with his claws, dashes, energy blasts, flurries of energy blades, flying energy balls, vortexes of darkness on the ground, and a giant array of runes causing a devastating explosion of energy.
Keldric must keep away and stun him with arrows to pummel him. Destroying the flower-like Night Towers over the room deals heavy damage and stun him for long.
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 Villains
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Final Fantasy Adventure / Sword of Mana Secret of Mana Trials of Mana Legend of Mana Dawn of Mana Heroes of Mana Echoes of Mana Visions of Mana | ||