Al is a character in Octopath Traveler II. He is a young man traveling through Solistia alone, receiving help from the party in recovering his stolen bag and translating a mysterious tome.
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(I don't think this is where I should be going at the moment...) The following section contains potential story spoilers! |
Al's biography reveals that he is a 30-year old prince of a kingdom in a far-away place, located beyond the borders of Solistia. At one point he lets slip that the name of his homeland begins "Orst-", betraying the truth that he hails from Orsterra.
In truth, Al is King Alfred of Orsterra's kingdom of Hornburg.
Story[]
Al first appears outside the town of the player's chosen starting protagonist, requesting their aid in recovering his stolen bag. After the protagonist(s) defeat the bandit who stole his bag and return it to him, Al continues his journey.
Al later reappears in Montwise: Library, after the completion of the quest Procuring Peculiar Tomes. He seeks someone who can translate the mysterious tome From the Far Reaches of Hell, which he claims is written in a language foreign to both Solistia and his own homeland. With the help of Georges Lazuli, Al successfully deciphers the tome's meaning, then steals the book and disappears once more.
Using the knowledge unearthed in From the Far Reaches of Hell, Al opens the Gate of Finis and confronts the dark power beyond. The battle proves too much for him, and he retreats, warning the travelers not to progress any further lest they too fall prey. He then collapses, stricken unconscious by Galdera's power.
After the travelers defeat Galdera, Al recovers and steps forth to congratulate them. As thanks for sealing Galdera's dark power away, he shares his true name - Alfred Hornburg - and reveals that he came to Solistia in search of From the Far Reaches of Hell, a tome that eventually led him to the Gate of Finis. At last, he vanishes in a column of light, returning to his distant homeland.
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
"Al" is a short version of "Alfred," a name of English origin derived from the Old English words "ælf" (meaning "elf") and "ræd" (meaning "counsel"). As such, the name means "elf counsel" or "wise counselor," signifying Alfred's wisdom as well as his association with magical realms.
Trivia[]
- Al fulfills the same role that Kit from the first Octopath Traveler did, both providing the first side quest to complete after the starting character's first chapter(s) have been completed, and both later being required to unlock the final battle with Galdera.
- The From the Far Reaches of Hell plays a key role in the original Octopath Traveler, as Cyrus's story revolves around recovering and translating it. Although Al claims that this tome is written in a language foreign to Orsterra, Cyrus's research reveals that it is written in the language of High Hornburgian, and Cyrus successfully translates the tome using his Orsterran knowledge. It is unclear why Al (if he is indeed King Alfred) seeks to open the Gate of Finis and confront Galdera in Solistia, especially considering that Orsterra's own Gate of Finis and manifestation of Galdera pose a threat to his native kingdom of Hornburg. It's possible that the Solistian Gate of Finis is weakening to the point where Galdera is able to escape and wreak havoc, though Al's involvement does not help prevent this situation until the eight travelers get involved.
- Given Al's and Galdera's presence in Solistia, Orsterra and Solistia are likely related through geography, though the player is left to speculate over whether they are two separate continents in the same world or the same land at different time periods.