Taltuba

Taltuba
Character Information
Allegiance(s):	Rostorl
Occupation:	Nobleman
Race:	Human
Birthday:	August 30
First Appearance:	Zill O'll

Taltuba Luga (タルテュバ・リューガ) is a secondary character in Zill O'll. Depending on the protagonist's character relations, he may be a recurring boss fight for them.

He is 22 years old at the start of the game.

Role in Game

Taltuba was born into the Luga family, one of the esteemed seven clans (or "dragons") of the Rostorl nobility with immense prestige within the royal court. His father was jealous of the former duke of their family, Lord Elienay (Lemghon and Est's father). During Taltuba's childhood, his father arranged for the duke's death in a bid to steal the seat of leadership for himself. The duke perished due to his greed yet Taltuba's father did not escape unpunished. He wasn't permitted to inherit family leadership and his popularity plummeted. The other nobles sought to repay his villainy by repeatedly sending various assassins to take Taltuba's life.

The mountain of guards surrounding his family manor prevented their success, but it caused irreparable damage to the young boy's psyche. Watts Sarnight, his lone friend who protected him during his troubled childhood, joined Tejava's revolt and left the nobility thereafter to teach recruits for Rostorl knighthood. Feeling as though everyone is against him, Taltuba resolved to make an enemy of everyone around him. He frequently bullies and beats anyone below his status, which led to the negative reputation for nobility in Rostorl's slums.

Shortly before the start of the main story, Eris sought to ensure a mate for Tiana. She first chose her nephew, but he reminded her of the debt she owed the Luga family for their help in quelling Tejava's rebellion. Eris should have chosen Lemghon –since he is the current family head– yet their antagonistic ties changed her ruling. As a mean-spirited gesture towards the duke, Eris instead named Taltuba as the Queen's fiancé. The decision bolstered Taltuba's vanity and boldness, causing him to believe that he had paramount authority over his rivals. He begins secret dealings with Antino to purchase various monsters to intimidate the common folk. "Large Castle City" protagonists can first see him making one of these investments at the start of their story. Other protagonists can be on receiving end of one of these monsters by initiating Xenetes's first character event.

During the continental war, Taltuba's fear prevents him from joining the battle, causing his reputation to worsen and his demeanor to become bitter and aggressive. He bullies and rants incessantly, leading to his tantrums being stopped by the main character through duels in Xenetes, Atleia, and Elfas's events. Despite his weak state, even new heroes can defeat him.

Xenetes's achievements in the war cause Eris to reconsider Tiana's engagement, which makes Taltuba realize he is unwanted and unable to cope with it. Instead of accepting reality, he blames Xenetes for his suffering. Shali, noticing the hatred in Taltuba's heart, grants his wish for power. Taltuba agrees without questioning Shali's sincerity and arranges a meeting with Tiana, Atleia, Xenetes, and Lemghon to seek revenge. The main character may be invited to attend and witnesses Shali transforming Taltuba into a monstrous being. They can choose to team up with either Xenetes or Lemghon to defeat him.

After the battle, Taltuba miraculously returns to his human form, but the event severely damages him. Eris punishes him by stripping away his noble status, leaving him badly injured and barely surviving by drowning his sorrows in alcohol at his mansion. The Queen, either Tiana or Atleia, may bring the main character to his bedside after Dyneskal's second attack. She explains his weakened state and asks the main character to give him one of their Life Pieces, an item that increases maximum health, in hopes of restoring him. If the main character refuses, the Queen respects their decision and escorts them out. The main character can choose to visit Taltuba again during their second visit.

Even the protagonist is skeptical if the item will save him should he/she choose to give it away, thinking that Taltuba's wounds are too deep for anything to mend. He awakens when Tiana/Atleia tries to use it, aghast that they would want to help him after everything he has done. Straining himself to speak, he shares with them his deepest self-reflection about his actions and confesses his thoughts about certain protagonists. Taltuba thanks them for their consideration and for listening to him in his dying moments.

The Queen respectfully acknowledges the protagonist's epiphany. Tiana is sad about the situation that led to his realization. Atleia understands his sorrow because she has experienced something similar in the past. Both maidens appreciate the protagonist's compassion towards Taltuba and promise to work diligently on his behalf.

Personality

Taltuba spends the majority of the main story stewing in jealousy and envy for other people. He has not enjoyed his upbringing of constant paranoia, and he hates to see others rejoicing life. He loathes his cousins for being more talented than him, despises Xenetes for his popularity, and curses Osshi's heroism in the slums. "Shining Golden Fields" heroines are his natural enemy simply because they are a noble in the Luga family. He often vents his frustrations through violent and crude methods, lashing out towards those seeking to reason with him with heated tantrums. Though he is often heard proclaiming his lineage as justification for his actions, his brash cries of attention are a part of his selfish belief that he can objectify happiness for himself and take it.

The nobleman didn't realize how naive he was until he lost his title. He felt bad about the bad things he did and hated himself. Taltuba thought he was foolish and sad, but he believed that people's hearts are important and should be saved for a peaceful future. He was surprised that the people from "Large Castle City" didn't hate him for hurting their home and was grateful that they wanted to help him. Taltuba felt a little better before he died, but wished he had changed his bad behavior earlier.