Lloyd Irving

Lloyd Irving is a fictional character in Tales of Symphonia, a video game by Namco. Lloyd is considered to be the strongest resident in Iselia. He is friends with Genis Sage and Colette Brunel. He is voiced by voice actor Scott Menville and is the main character of the game. Lloyd is one of the strongest characters in the game. He is often in a player's main party because he is the main character and he has some very powerful offensive skills. His Devil's Arm is "Nebilim" Sword, which he receives from Abyssion in Flanoir.

Description

Lloyd is considered to be below average when it comes to intelligence (achieving 25 out of 400 on a standardized test at the Palmacosta Academy, along with Colette commenting that it was his "best score yet" before they realized the test wasn't out of 100), though what he lacks in general knowledge, he more then makes up for in pure skill and logic (many times he points out details that help solve the puzzles)as well as great academic potential (noticed by Raine in a skit in the Temple of Darkness). Lloyd generally is seen as an idealist and he prefers to try to justify his actions by doing what he believes is in the best interest of the people of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla. Early on in the game, he makes rash decisions without thinking about their consequences, something he later recognizes and repents for. He is, in many ways, similar to Mithos. His character growth in the game is considerable, from the rash, idiotic boy from a village to the bold, brave hero he becomes.

History

Lloyd's background is one of the most troubling of any of the main characters. He was born to Anna and Kratos Aurion. Kratos was forced to kill Anna when she was hideously transformed by an Exsphere. This Exsphere caused her to turn into a monster with no ability to control herself or make rational decisions; in fact, she attempted to hurt her infant son, Lloyd. Kratos was left with no choice, and he fatally wounded his wife. Anna returned to her normal form and fell down the cliff outside of the Iselia Human Ranch, Lloyd in her arms and Noishe, the protozoan, beside her. As Anna lay dying, Dirk, a dwarf living just outside Iselia, came upon her. Responding to her dying wish, he agreed to raise Lloyd. Lloyd does not find out about his true father until a very late point in the game.

Growing Up

Lloyd grew up under the care of Dirk, the dwarf craftsman. Although Iselia was on the other side of a forest and a human ranch, Lloyd attended school there. A brash but loyal young man, he never took his studies seriously or paid much attention in class; but he displayed an outstanding work ethic as, over the years, he taught himself swordplay. (His logic for using two swords: double the blades equals double the power.) As a result of his poor grades, he was often mocked by his best friend, Genis, a child prodigy. Lloyd had one other very close friend: Colette Brunel, the seventh Chosen of Regeneration for Sylvarant.

When the Oracle of Cruxis occurs, Lloyd jumps at the chance to see how Colette's Journey of Regeneration begins. As he, Genis, and Colette make their way to the Martel Temple, where the Oracle is to be conveyed, they discover that it is under attack by a group of supposed Desians (these attackers are, in fact, the Renegades, who have a reason for looking like Desians, but the party, unaware of the existence of the Renegades, assumes that it is the Desians who are attacking the Temple). The Desians at the Iselia Human Ranch have a non-aggression treaty with the citizens of Iselia, and Lloyd sees this as a violation of the terms of the treaty. A fight ensues, which Lloyd would surely have lost if not for the arrival of a mercenary, Kratos, who (at this time) has no idea that the irresponsible boy he sees before him is his son.

The Oracle is eventually conveyed, and Colette prepares to leave on her Journey of Regeneration. Lloyd decides to go home, but before he can, Genis asks to accompany him. Genis in fact wants to go to the Human Ranch to speak to his friend there, an old woman named Marble. When Lloyd protests, Genis says that the Desians already violated the non-aggression treaty by attacking the temple. Lloyd reluctantly agrees, and the two go to the Ranch. Unfortunately, they are caught by the guards, who attack the two friends. Genis hurries back to the village, while Lloyd returns home.

The next day, Lloyd returns to the village, only to find that it is aflame. The Desians have attacked as a punishment for Lloyd's mistake. Lloyd is forced to fight a fearsome monster named Exbelua, who turns out to be a hideously transformed Marble. When the fight is over, Lloyd tells Genis to use Marble's Exsphere as a memento from her. He and Genis are exiled.

The Journey

At the request of Phaidra, Colette's grandmother, Lloyd and Genis try to catch up with Colette and her party. They eventually join up with the Chosen's party (which consists of Colette, Kratos, and Raine Sage, the teacher at the Iselia schoolhouse and Genis' sister) and become vital allies in the Journey of Regeneration.

Throughout the game, Lloyd displays the most character development. The irresponsible and proud young man he starts the game as, is slowly transformed into a gentle idealist who wishes for peace in the world. He has many of the characteristics of Mithos, the Hero of the Ancient Kharlan War. It is mentioned by Kratos at Flanoir that Mithos and Lloyd are also quite different, however; Mithos and Kratos were too proud to admit to their mistakes. Lloyd, on the other hand, knows when he has made a mistake, and he learns from his experiences, changing and adapting. Kratos says that he and Mithos were unable to do that, and that is why the world has suffered so much. Despite their similarities, the great difference which distinguishes Lloyd from Mithos is the fact that Lloyd wants to save the world without sacrificing anyone's lives while Mithos is willing to sacrifice any number of lives to strive for his golden "Age of Lifeless beings." As lowly educated as he is, Lloyd posesses a strong heart and powerful ideals such as 'everyone has the right to live,' and 'discrimination should stop.'

The game chronicles Lloyd's transformation into a hero, one even greater than Mithos. His determination becomes a valuable tool in his fight against Cruxis. He eventually forms a pact with Origin, the King of Summon Spirits, and uses the Eternal Sword to reunite the two worlds. Lloyd then uses its power to regrow the Giant Kharlan Tree and provide the new world with enough mana to flourish. The last thing he does with the sword is send Derris-Kharlan, the great comet of mana, into space. This signals the end of Mithos' era, and the true Regeneration of the World.

Relationships

As Lloyd Irving, the player is given many opportunities to interact with his teammates -- answering questions, making conversation, choosing one to participate in a certain event, and so on. Depending on the player's decisions, the other party members' "Affection" for Lloyd may rise or fall. While the actual numerical value of the Affection rating is invisible, it is possible to recognize who has the highest and lowest Affection through the dialogue of several cutscenes.

• Colette Brunel: Colette thinks of Lloyd as her best friend, even going so far as to develop romantic feelings towards him. She admires his confidence and strength of will, qualities that Colette herself lacks, and will always back him up on any decision he makes. When she is rendered temporarily mute, it is to Lloyd she communicates (by using her finger to "write" words on his palm). Her devotion to him runs incredibly deep.

• Genis Sage: The two boys have shared a strong bond of friendship for many years. Though they often tease each other, Genis especially enjoying insulting Lloyd's intelligence, they support each other unwaveringly. Like Colette, Genis secretly admires his constant companion's recklessness and raw courage. He harbors a dream that they will remain best friends forever. Though it may seem childish, it is likely to come true.

• Kratos Aurion: True to his taciturn nature, Kratos rarely speaks to Lloyd in a tone that does not suggest indifference. The two clash near the start of the adventure when Lloyd begins to feel intimidated by the overwhelming skill and cool demeanor of the older swordsman. Eventually the two develop a genuine respect for one another -- Lloyd for Kratos's wisdom, and Kratos for Lloyd's determination -- and while they never truly become close friends, they acknowledge each other as dependable allies.

• Raine Sage: As his teacher, Raine is all too familiar with the fact that Lloyd is not academically gifted. At the beginning of their journey, she often scolds, lambastes and punishes him for making thoughtless comments. However, she comes to realize that all the cold, hard facts in the world could not squash Lloyd's idealism, and that his dream of a world in which all people are treated equally could be the best hope for her and Genis.

• Sheena Fujibayashi: She and Lloyd begin the adventure as grudging (on Sheena's part) allies. As more of her troubled past is revealed, and Lloyd takes it upon himself to comfort her, she begins to develop a heavy crush on him -- despite Zelos's advances. From the moment she joins the party, however, Sheena seems to have some difficulty expressing her emotions. This becomes increasingly apparent throughout the story, as several times she becomes frustrated with Lloyd for his utter ineptitude in all things romantic. She expresses a desire to "be with [him]", traveling the world together till the end of their days.

• Zelos Wilder: Though emotionally distant, Zelos has no problem treating Lloyd as one might treat a lifelong drinking partner. Through loud and amusing shows of condescending narcissism, Zelos subtly expresses a hope that, one day, the two really will become the best of friends. As he establishes a mutual trust with the rest of the party, Zelos opens up his playboy facade, confiding in Lloyd his deep fear of being the Chosen. All he wants is someone to judge him by his character, not his status or looks, and Lloyd seems to him just the right man for the job.

• Presea Combatir: Not a social creature by any means, Presea undergoes perhaps the most significant character development of the team. At first she treats Lloyd as simply a means to an end -- while never being overtly cruel about it -- but his honesty and common sense causes her to place a great deal of trust in him. As difficult a person to talk to as she is, Presea recognizes and appreciates that Lloyd's efforts to befriend her are no small task.

• Regal Bryant: The refined gentleman and the village idiot make an unusual pair, to be sure. But Lloyd takes a liking to Regal's toughness and sense of honor immediately, and their relationship becomes like that shared by brothers. Regal indeed admits that if he had a younger brother, he would probably have turned out a lot like Lloyd. Regal has deep respect for the young warrior's optimistic worldview, and learns from him that endless self-punishment is only an excuse for self-pity. Their bond is perhaps best summed up when Lloyd remarks, "I'm counting on your support," and Regal simply replies: "You have it."