- "Lead an honorable life… That day shall never come. Harvey… You took everything from me. This fire in my breast shall never be extinguished, and you shall die by my hand. I swear it." —Osvald, leaving Cape Cold in pursuit of revenge
Osvald V. Vanstein is one of eight playable characters in Octopath Traveler II. A once-noble scholar, he was framed by his colleague for the murder of his own family. After spending more than five years in prison, Osvald has planned a prison break so he can avenge his fallen kin.
Profile[]
Appearance[]
Osvald has long, blond hair and a beard. His attire consists of a pair of spectacles, a shackle around his neck, black boots and pants, and a large brown coat that he wears over his prisoner rags. He is also quite large and muscular, as denoted by travel banter between him and Partitio.
Personality[]
 |
(I don't think this is where I should be going at the moment...) The following section contains potential story spoilers! |
Osvald is an aloof and taciturn man, often speaking in small grunts or mumbles or simply not speaking at all. Despite his gruff and stern behavior, he had a warm and kind heart underneath, showing kindness and sympathy at times. He enjoys debates and discussing opinions and dislikes conversations that he views as a waste of time.
The trauma of losing his family and spending five years in Frigit Isle, where he was subjected to inhumane mistreatment, has worn heavily on his emotional health and moral compass. Osvald shows no qualms about mugging others when it suits his needs or to retrieve something that was stolen from him, shown when he mugged his cellmate to get his notebook back or when he mugged a loan shark for Regulus's telescope.
In Frigit Isle, Osvald was shown to be very thorough and methodical, scouting out the prison and taking roster of its guards and prisoners while constantly reevaluating his escape plan. He is willing to join others out of pragmatic and logical reasons, such as collaborating with Emerald due to his knowledge and thieving skills; but he does not take other people for granted, nor is he willing to abandon them.
Osvald is completely consumed by his desire for revenge against Harvey, intending to kill him. However, he refrains from being reckless or taking lives needlessly. When Osvald learns that his daughter, Elena, is still alive, but brainwashed by Harvey, Osvald's priorities swiftly change to a desire to save his daughter from Harvey's cruelty. This shows that Osvald's love for his family outweighs his desire for revenge.
One of Osvald's most defining traits is his great intelligence, especially in mathematics. He often keeps record of even the smallest things, such as the number of guards and prisoners in Frigit Isle, the time it takes for guards to respond to a cry for help, and most notably, memorizing his very complex formulae on the One True Magic. In travel banter with Partitio, Osvald states that he has no desire for material wealth - only for knowledge.
In the past, Osvald was more optimistic and social. He was very loving and doting on his wife and daughter, often instructing Elena in mathematics and allowing her to watch magical experiments with him. Despite this, Osvald harbored self-doubt over his abilities as a father, believing that he was inadequate for only being around to teach Elena math.
True to his logical nature, Osvald has difficulty understanding things outside of mathematical equations, such as love. He outright admits in a banter with Throné that he did not swear a vow of love at his wedding with Rita as he did not fully comprehend what it meant. However, though he claims not to understand it, he was capable of showing it to his family.
Osvald was often stern, yet kind with some of the younger members of the group, especially Agnea and Ochette, akin to a father figure.
History[]
Your name is Osvald V. Vanstein, and you are a scholar. Your tale begins in the snowswept reaches of the Winterlands.
You have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering your wife and daughter, and have since spent 1,879 days locked within a frigid cell.
"Harvey—the man who took everything from me— shall die by my hand. I swear it."
Not even the bitter cold can extinguish the raging fire in your breast. And so you set out to exact your revenge...
Prior to Story[]
Osvald was a renowned scholar living in Conning Creek with his wife Rita and daughter Elena. The bulk of his research focused on finding the solution to the "One True Magic", a supposed seventh source of magic that existed outside the six elements. His search lead him to Harvey. The two formed a partnership to uncover the One True Magic together.
One day Osvald returned to his home only to find it ablaze. Harvey appeared on the scene, taunting Osvald, saying he would solve the One True Magic himself. Shortly after, Osvald was arrested and put on trial, charged with claims that only he was present on the scene and that only he, a scholar of magic, could have set the fire. He was found guilty and received a life sentence at Frigit Isle.
Story[]
Chapter 1[]
Five years later, Osvald forms a plan to escape, all while enduring brutal labor in a frigid climate and cruel treatment from the guards, including being muzzled by the sadistic Warden Davids to prevent him from casting magic spells. He maps a route, finds suitable clothing for the climate, and acquires an accomplice in the clever thief and informant Emerald. As they begin their escape, Emerald gives Osvald the keys to his muzzle, which Emerald stole.
The escape route seems successful up until they find the ladder to the exit destroyed. Osvald notes that the ladder was destroyed recently. Warden Davids reveals himself, explaining that the fault in Osvald's plan lied in his choice of ally, as they had been observing Emerald. After Osvald defeats Davids in a brawl, he uses fire magic to break through a wall while covering their escape from Davids's reinforcement.
Chapter 2[]
Osvald and Emerald find the guards on high alert, forcing them to alter their escape plan. They take refuge at a shack, where a choice comment from Emerald sparks off an idea in Osvald's mind. He uses buoyant straw and ice magic to craft a boat for himself and Emerald to escape on. During a break in their escape, Osvald ponders what to do now that his initial plan to fake his death has fallen through. Emerald then announces that he will proceed with the original plan to steal the inspectors' ship, parting ways with Osvald.
As Osvald traverses on his ice boat, the inspector's ship goes up in flames, allowing him to escape unnoticed. Osvald is unsure what compelled Emerald to set fire to the ship. As Osvald journeys, he dreams of his wife Rita, who reminds him that still has unfinished business and that she cannot be with him until he finishes it. Osvald later awakens inside an old stranger's house in Cape Cod. The old man says he found him washed up on the beach, the first escapee from Frigit Isle he's found alive.
Once fully recuperated, Osvald takes his leave, thanking the old man, who asks him to live an honest life from here on out. Osvald secretly laments that he knows he cannot fulfill the man's request, as he cannot rest until Harvey is dead by his hand. Finally free and with his purpose clear, Osvald sets out to find Harvey and exact his revenge.
If Osvald isn't your first choice, he is found collapsed outside Cape Cold. Awake him and he will join the Party.
Chapter 3[]
Returning to Conning Creek, Osvald seeks clues about Harvey's whereabouts. He visits the charred remains of his home, then proceeds to his nearby study, which remains in tact as per his suspicions. Harvey has stolen his research on the One True Magic. As he ponders, his assistant, Lady Clarissa, arrives. She expresses doubt that he is the Osvald she serves and challenges him to a duel. She exclaims her delight at seeing Osvald once he wins the fight, saying that she always thought him innocent. Osvald recites the reason behind his incarceration and the contradiction of Harvey being there, too. He deduces that he must also suspect the guards who restrained him, and goes in search of clues.
He learns that the guard's captain, Stenvar, ordered the arrest, and that Stenvar had a meeting with Harvey prior to the crime. As he resolves to meet Stenvar, Clarissa approaches, rightfully stating that Osvald seeks revenge. She tells him about her husband, Ethan—how he was found washed up on the shore, believed to have taken his own life. Clarissa doubts that was the case, but the guards did not investigate the incident. Clarissa begs Osvald not to seek his revenge, as "Revenge is nothing... It is empty and hollow." This does not dissuade Osvald. He proceeds to the guard's outpost to confront Stenvar.
Face to face with Stenvar, Osvald lays out his accusations, primarily that Stenvar accepted Harvey's bribe. Stenvar admits to assisting Harvey and threatens to kill Osvald in order to protect his secrets. Osvald defeats him and demands to know where Harvey is. Pressed hard, Stenvar reveals that Osvald's stolen research has been sent to Montwise. Based on the fact that Harvey did not kill Stenvar despite how much he knew, and the choice of Montwise, the town where he met Harvey, Osvald realizes that Harvey wants Osvald to follow him, and that he may be walking into a trap. Lady Clarissa once more begs Osvald not to seek revenge. Osvald once again ignores her request, and pushes on to Montwise.
Crossed Paths, Part 1[]
Partitio and Osvald arrive at New Delsta, admiring the city's energy. While exploring the street, they witness Regulus, a old friend of Osvald's, collapse from starvation. They make for the tavern after Partitio feeds him some bread. Here, Regulus tells them about his invention: the astronomical telescope, which will bring humanity closer to the stars. However, it is not complete yet due to a lack of funds. In spite of Osvald's objections, Partitio agrees to help get the materials with Regulus's remaining money. After purchasing the items needed to finish the telescope and giving them to Regulus, Regulus departs for Montwise to finish his invention, inviting the duo to join him if they happen to be in town.
Chapter 4[]
In Montwise, Osvald makes his way to the library, scrutinizing his way through it to discern Harvey's whereabouts. The information he gleans leads him to a secret passageway in the library. Proceeding through the secret passage, Osvald comes across Harvey's laboratory. He finds chimeras, a forbidden study, and wonders if Harvey used his formulae to create them. As he remarks on his curiosity to see Harvey's research notes, he is attacked by a few chimeras. He defeats them and presses on.
Osvald comes face to face with Harvey. After Harvey gloats about the fame and recognition he's received thanks to Osvald's research, Osvald admits he can have it, but doesn't understand why he had to take his family away. Harvey tells Osvald that he should be able to figure it out as he calls forth the Grieving Golem. Osvald demands to know what the source of the monster's powerful magic is. Harvey replies with "A little someone I stole from you." Osvald is horrified to learn that Harvey faked Rita's death and used her to create the monster.
Osvald is forced to kill the Grieving Golem. Osvald realizes that the Golem is not Rita, but, rather, that Harvey has given her blood to the monster. He finds a strange magic from the monster's remains. Harvey reveals it to be what he believes to be the "the answer", capable of achieving with the blood of the Lumina family, the "Lineage of Light", which Rita was part of. Using Lumina blood, he is capable of conjuring the power of the shadow. Osvald then demands to know what Harvey did to Elena, only to be interrupted by the girl herself. She has been brainwashed into believing that Harvey is her father. Harvey mentions an experiment that will involve Elena, stating to Osvald that while Rita was a failure, Elena's blood is even better. The two depart, leaving Osvald behind.
Wondering where Harvey has taken Elena, he begins to think about the Lineage of Light, noting that D'arquest pursued that line of research. From that, Osvald deduces Harvey fled to Gravell, where the body of D'arquest rests. Osvald discards revenge and resolves to save Elena.
Chapter 5[]
As he arrives in Gravell, Osvald ponders whether Harvey has found the One True Magic and if he, himself, can find his answer in time. He is pulled out of his thoughts by a call to help worshipers who have gone mad. Osvald hypothesizes that the source of the madness are the black crystals held by the worshipers. Proven correct, Osvald proceeds to confiscate their black crystals, restoring them to sanity. A cleric informs him of a black fog coming from the Duskruin Shrine, leading Osvald to suspect that Harvey has begun his experiment to awaken the One True Magic. He proceeds into the ruins in search of Harvey.
When he arrives at the resting place of D'arqest, he finds that the experiment has indeed already begun. Harvey produces the Book of Demons, another step towards invoking the One True Magic. The final step will be Elena's blood. He cuts Elena, using the power from her blood to produce two golems that confront Osvald. Osvald defeats the golems and rushes to Elena, who is unconscious but still alive. Harvey announces that his calculations are complete and attacks Osvald and Elena using the One True Magic. Cornered, Osvald reflects on a moment when he found Elena working on a report about his magic, and she asked him to keep teaching her. Inspired by this memory, and roused by the need to protect his daughter, Osvald summons his own version of the One True Magic, matching Harvey in power. Harvey refuses to admit defeat. He attempts to summon more power, only to be consumed by it.
Some time later, Osvald returns to Conning Creek, where Elena has been placed in Clarissa's care. He scrutinizes his daughter to see how she's been doing, then talks to Clarissa outside, explaining that he has not revealed himself yet to Elena because he does not want to confuse her by moving too quickly. He discusses what he felt when confronting Harvey, stating that the feelings matched his formulae precisely. An amused Clarissa concludes that what Osvald felt was love. Osvald rejects this possibility. Having examined Harvey's notes, Osvald believes that Harvey did not act alone, and resolves to search for his accomplices.
Crossed Paths, Part 2[]
Arriving in Montwise, Partitio and Osvald search for Regulus's laboratory. After a disagreement on how one should take one's coffee, they head to Regulus's laboratory, finding the scholar fallen once more on hard times. He reveals that due to funds running out again, he employed a moneylender, and to provide collateral, he turned over his telescope until he could pay back his debt. Baffled, the duo set out to find the moneylender.
Outside the moneylender's manse, they overhear thugs discussing Regulus's loan, stating that he's long since paid it off. The duo confront these thugs, then proceed inside the manse where they confront the lender himself. Partitio starts to make an offer to buy the telescope off the moneylender, but Osvald mugs him instead, with Partitio saying he will "look the other way this once". Before returning to Regulus, Osvald demands the moneylender stay away from Regulus.
The telescope having been returned to Regulus, the trio venture out into the night to gaze at the stars. Osvald notices a cross-shaped constellation, which Regulus identifies as the cross of Cetus. However, Regulus notes that the constellation should not be visible at this time of year, when it is overhead only during the day. Osvald proposes that it might be night when it should be day. Regulus reveals that he's been recording the movements of the sun for many years, but recently stopped due to the daylight hours appearing to shorten. The trio, confused by what appears to be the nighttime growing longer, marvel at the mysteries of the night sky. Regulus determines he will continue to study it - and Partitio reminds him to eat.
Final Chapter[]
Relationships[]
- Rita Lumina
- Elena Vanstein
- Lady Clarissa
- Harvey
- Partitio Yellowil
- Regulus
Battle[]
Scholar Skills[]
| Skill Name | SP | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fireball | 14 | 
|
Deal fire-based damage to all foes. |
| Fire Storm | Deal fire-based damage to all foes 2 times. | ||
| Ignis Ardere | Deal fire-based damage to all foes 3 times. | ||
| Icewind | 14 | 
|
Deal ice-based damage to all foes. |
| Blizzard | Deal ice-based damage to all foes 2 times. | ||
| Glacies Claudere | Deal ice-based damage to all foes 3 times. | ||
| Lightning Bolt | 14 | 
|
Deal lightning-based damage to all foes. |
| Lightning Blast | Deal lightning-based damage to all foes 2 times. | ||
| Tonitrus Canere | Deal lightning-based damage to all foes 3 times. | ||
| Analyze | 1 | Reveal the HP and 1/2/3/5 weak point of a single foe. | |
| Stroke of Genius | 5 | Grant yourself 2/3/4/5 attribute-raising effects at random. (Effects will stack.) | |
| Elemental Barrage | 10 | Deal either fire-, ice-, or lightning-based damage to random foes 3 to 5/ 4 to 6/ 5 to 7/ 6 to 8 times. | |
| Advanced Magic | 15 | Boosts the intensity of a single ally’s spells 2/3/4/5 times. | |
| Alephan's Wisdom | 30 | [Divine Skill] Greatly boosts the intensity of a single ally's spells 3 times. |
The reason Osvald (seems like he) has native access to the "hits-two-times" and "hits-three-times-in-Latin" version of his spells is because these are unlocked by buffing himself with Advanced Magic and Alephan's Wisdom.
Support Skills[]
| Support Skill Name | No. of Skills Unlocked | Total JP | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evasive Maneuvers | 4 | 130 | Reduces the rate of random encounters. (Equipping multiple characters with this skill will have no added effect.) |
| Elemental Augmentation | 5 | 630 | Raises the equipping character's elemental attack by 50. |
| Extra Experience | 6 | 1630 | Receive additional EXP after battles. (Equipping multiple characters with this skill will have no added effect.) |
| Advanced Magic Master | 7 | 4630 | Raises the number of times the equipping character can use more intense spells by 1. |
EX Skills[]
| EX Skill Name | SP | Damage Type | Description | Unlock Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach | 10 | Grant a single ally your attribute-raising effects for 2/3/4/5 turns. | Visit the Altar of the Scholarking with Osvald | |
| One True Magic | 20 | Deal highly powerful magic damage that transcends the elements to all foes, and reduce their Shield Points regardless of their weak points. | Complete Osvald's story (automatically learned before Turn 1 during the boss fight against Harvey in Osvald's Chapter 5) | |
| One True Magic II | Deal highly powerful magic damage that transcends the elements to all foes 2 times, and reduce their Shield Points regardless of their weak points. | |||
| One True Magic III | Deal highly powerful magic damage that transcends the elements to all foes 3 times, and reduce their Shield Points regardless of their weak points. |
Latent Power[]
Latent Power is an exclusive unique move for each character in Octopath Traveler II that can only be unlocked by defeating a tough opponent at the end of Chapter 1. It has a gauge that charges when they take damage, or break enemies.
Concentrate Spells: Focus spells on a single target, but with raised potency. (In the previous installment, this was called Alephan's Enlightenment.)
Subjobs[]
Below are the sprites and appearance changes for Osvald with each basic Subjob:
Each time a subjob is selected the appearance of the character will also change. The first sprite is the appearance with no Subjob equipped.
Recommended Subjobs[]
- Merchant is a worthwhile choice on Osvald for multiple reasons. On top of giving him access to Spears and Bows, it also provides him with the Rest Skill to restore SP. When Mugging, Sidestep is great for fighting physical combatants by letting Osvald build up BP without taking damage. The real showstopper, however, is Hired Help, which can deal massive damage regardless of user's own stats and level, so long as he's got the money for it. This makes it more possible for Osvald to Mug high-difficulty targets early game, giving him access high-quality equipment.
- Apothecary is a strong subjob on Osvald. Like Merchant, it provides strong self-sustain to via Healing Touch, not to mention increased HP and bulk, and increases his weapon coverage by giving him Axes. Most importantly, however, is its support skills Vigorous Victor and Inspiriting Break which restore his HP and SP after combat, Mugging included, and when he breaks a target respectively.
- Arcanist gives Osvald access to every element except Wind, all of whom can be buffed with Advanced Magic or Alephan's Wisdom, turning him into a breaking machine. It also lets him equip the Mooneater dagger, which has one of the strongest Elemental Attack stats of any weapon on top of strengthing his Fire damage. The subjob's Seal Of Diffusion skill works very well with Stroke Of Genius, allowing him to buff the entire party. In addition, Blessing and Malice give Osvald SP and HP recovery while also doing damage respectively. Finally, the Of Equal Might Support Skill equalizes his base strength and elemental stats, depending on which is higher.
- Cleric is an alternate choice if Arcanist is unavailable. Like Arcanist, it futher increases Osvald's Elemental stat and gives him an additional element in Light. This subjob also gives multiple healing options while Mythical staff provides a way to recover SP. However, it offers no additional weapon types and doesn't help Osvald with his comparatively-low stats.
- Armsmaster can be a surprisingly strong choice for Osvald as this allows him to take advantage of the many weapons which increase the strength of an elemental attack. For example, by equipping the Guardian's Ice Blade, Battle-tested Axe, and Absolute-Zero Bow, he can boost the power of Icewind three separate times.
- Conjurer helps minimize SP consumption. Its unique Conjure Skills give the entire party an additional hit of Fire, Ice, Lightning, or Wind damage after a weapon attack based on their elemental stat, of which Osvald has the highest of any character. Also, the subjob's SP Saver Support Skill straight-up halves the SP costs of Skills.
Due to the flexibilty of subjobs, any character can fill any role with the right equipment and skills, with proper planning, any of the travelers can perform decently on any subjob.
Quotes[]
- "... Ngh. Wh-where am I...? Was I... unconscious? You saved me there. My name is Osvald. I'm a scholar. You must be... a traveler. I'm looking for someone. I'm sure you have... your own reasons for traveling. So what do you say we help each other out for a bit? It's the only logical choice, and my magic is sure to be of use." —Before joining the Party
- "You've chosen well..." —Accept to join the Party
- "So, what are you waiting for? Let's go." —Joined the Party
- "Thinking time." —Start of turn
- "Hmm..." —Start of turn
- "Thinking time." —Start of turn
- "I need a plan..." —Start of turn
- "Fire, burn!" —Using Fireball
- "Reduce them to ash!" —Using Fire Storm
- "Pierce them, wings of frost!" —Using Icewind
- "Rise, fierce blizzard!" —Using Blizzard
- "Strike them down!" —Using Lightning Bolt
- "Roar, thunder!" —Using Lightning Blast
- "Let me look at you." —Using Analyze
- "Eureka." —Using Stroke of Genius
- "Indulge me for a moment." —Using Elemental Barrage
- "Calculations complete." —Using Advanced Magic
- "Impart your wisdom, Alephan!" —Using Alephan's Wisdom
- "Class is in session." —Using Teach
- "This is... the answer!" —Using One True Magic
- "I'll kill you!" —Using Aggressive Slash
- "I'll run you through!" —Using Piercing Thrust
- "No more games." —Using Enervating Slash
- "I will defend what's mine." —Using Stout Wall
- "I'll take you on." —Using Incite
- "For every action..." —Using Vengeful Blade
- "...there's a reaction!" —Triggering Eye for an Eye
- "Brand the Thunderblade, I need you!" —Using Brand's Blade
- "May your wounds be healed." —Using Heal Wounds
- "I call down the light!" —Using Holy Light
- "Fortifying defenses!" —Prayer to the Flame
- "Don't mind if I do." —Using Mystical Staff
- "Burn bright, O Sacred Flame!" —Using Luminescence
- "This should ease the pain." —Using Sacred Shield
- "The Flamebringer shall save you." —Using Revive
- "I call upon Aelfric, the Flamebringer!" —Using Aelfric's Blessing
- "Feel the lion's power!" —Using Lion Dance
- "I'll find your weakness." —Using Ruinous Kick
- "Put on a show!" —Using Peacock Strut
- "Blow, wind!" —Using Sweeping Gale
- "Ahem..." —Using Stimulate
- "Hit them low." —Using Dagger Dance
- "Victory is mine." —Using Bewildering Grace
- "Aid us, Sealticge, Lady of Grace!" —Using Sealticge's Seduction
- "Strike true!" —Using Arrow of Fortune
- "Just a moment." —Using Rest
- "This was inevitable..." —Failing Collect
- "Burn!" —Using Ember
- "Here." —Using Donate BP
- "You cannot hit me." —Using Sidestep
- "You know what to do!" —Using Hired Help
- "Bifelgan the Trader, I summon thee!" —Using Bifelgan's Bounty
- "I'll take that." —Using Steal
- "Darkness take you." —Using Darkest Night
- "Surely you understand." —Using HP Thief
- "I'll make this quick." —Using Swift Step
- "You won't be needing that." —Using Armor Corrosive
- "Hold still." —Using Shackle Foe
- "Aeber, Prince of Thieves!" —Using Aeber's Reckoning
- "This ought to help." —Using Healing Touch
- "Freeze them." —Using Icicle
- "That's better." —Using Rehabilitate
- "I'll split you in two!" —Using Sweeping Cleave
- "I'll strike with poison!" —Using Poison Axe
- "To continued healing." —Using Replenish Health
- "Have some poison!" —Using Weak to Poison
- "Dohter the Charitable, I need you!" —Using Dohter's Charity
- "Target acquired." —Using Precise Shot
- "Lighting fall!" —Using Thunderbird
- "You're a fine test subject." —Using Cleaving Blow
- "Just as I calculated." —Using Mercy Strike
- "Ready, aim..." —Using Take Aim
- "You can wait." —Using Leghold Trap
- "Fight me as you are!" —Using Abating Orb
- "Draefendi, guide my arrows!" —Using Draefendi's Bow
- "Unleash the fire within!" —Using Conjure Flames
- "Loose the winds of winter!" —Using Conjure Ice
- "Feel the current surround you!" —Using Conjure Lightning
- "Let the winds envelop you!" —Using Conjure Gusts
- "Rain, cleanse us!" —Using Prayer for Rain
- "May you remain pure of heart." —Using Dance of Immunity
- "Blessings upon us all!" —Using Rite of the Sun
- "I'll give you a boost." —Using BP Boost
- "Knowledge is power." —Using Seal of Diffusion
- "I'll just turn that around." —Using Seal of Inversion
- "I'll tell you when I'm done." —Using Sixfold Strike
- "The best defense is a good offense." —Using Bulwark
- "Make peace with death!" —Using Conqueror's Sword: Cosmic Roar
- "Conqueror's Sword!" —Finishing Conqueror's Sword: Cosmic Roar
- "Warlord's Spear!" —Using Warlord's Spear: Giant Swing
- "Dancer's Blade!" —Using Dancer's Blade: Mischievous Step
- "Lionheart's Axe!" —Using Lionheart's Axe: On the Hunt
- "Hunter's Bow!" —Using Hunter's Bow: Flurry of Arrows
- "Spiritlord's Staff!" —Using Spiritlord's Staff: Deliverance
- "Transform!" —Using Changeable Catapult
- "You go ahead!" —Using Springy Boots
- "Accuracy is everything!" —Using Critical Scope
- "I know your weakness." —Using Elemental Bomb Bottle
- "Ahem..." —Using Tin Horn
- "This has some use in it yet." —Using Hastening Hammer
- "This should set things right." —Using Arkar's Coil
- "Efficiency is key!" —Using All-Purpose Tool
- "In pursuit of knowledge!" —Boosting
- "Calculations complete." —Max Boost
- "Feel my wrath!" —Max Boost
- "I won't let you down." —Receiving party aid
- "Thank you." —Receiving party aid
- "The tide is turning." —Receiving party aid
- "That's a help." —Receiving party aid
- "I've gained valuable insight." —After battle
- "Study harder." —After battle
- "I've seen worse methods." —After battle
- "Hand it over." —Using Mug
- "I'll take that." —Using Mug
- "All according to plan." —Breaking an enemy
- "I will set things right!" —Battling Warden Davids
- "I have no time for games." —Battling Stenvar
- "Forgive me, Rita!" —Battling Grieving Golem
- "HARVEY!" —Battling Harvey
- "This... is the final answer!" —Battling Vide
- "...Call on me if you need me." —In taverns
- "Ah, a battle of wits." —Entering an optional boss battle
- "How weak." —Defeating an enemy
- "You're finished." —Defeating an enemy
- "I like my odds." —Beginning of battle
- "Let me show you what I've learned!" —Using Latent Power
- "In pursuit of knowledge!" —Using Latent Power
- "Try again!" —Dodging an enemy attack
- "Poor aim!" —Dodging an enemy attack
- "Well done!" —When Emerald breaks an enemy
- "Excellent." —When Ochette breaks an enemy
- "Now's our chance." —When Castti breaks an enemy
- "Hmm..." —When Throné breaks an enemy
- "I knew you would." —When Partitio breaks an enemy
- "Here goes!" —When Agnea breaks an enemy
- "Hoho..." —When Temenos breaks an enemy
- "Nice." —When Hikari breaks an enemy
Gallery[]
Art by Yamaguchi of ACQUIRE Corp.
Art by Kenta Kamata of the SQEX Asano team.
Etymology[]
"Osvald" is a Germanic variation of the name "Oswald," which is derived from the Old English elements "os" (meaning "god") and "weald" (meaning "powerful" or "mighty"). There is also an Old Norse cognate of this name, "Osvaldr" (or "Ásvaldr"), derived from the elements "áss" ("god") and "valdr" ("ruler"). Osvald's name therefore symbolizes his physical and magical strength.
Osvald's surname "Vanstein" is a combination of the Dutch surname prefix "van" (a preposition such as "from," or "of") and "stein," a German, Norwegian and Yiddish word meaning "stone," "pip," or "kernel." Again, the surname likely reinforces Osvald's strength in drawing from the symbolism of a steadfast rock, but it may also contain a hint of affection in its smaller meanings.
Trivia[]
- At 38 years old, Osvald is the oldest traveler in a mainline Octopath Traveler game.
- Osvald is the only traveler in the mainline games to have a middle initial.
- Osvald is also the only main traveler in the series to have been married and had a child.
- While the other main travelers cover only their first chapters to be recruited, Osvald’s recruiting story covers two chapters instead due to his tale starting in a prison cell at Frigit Isle and had no way to travel freely until his escape.
- Both Osvald and Throné wear collars around their necks, symbolizing their respective captivity. Both characters also set off on their journeys in order to find freedom and kill those who have imprisoned them.
- Osvald takes after Cyrus Albright, both being scholars with magical prowess who deal with a peer who seeks research relating to a fallen god - Lucia seeking immortality through the bloodstones tied to Galdera, the Fallen, while Harvey seeks the power of Shadow which is connected to Vide, the Wicked. Osvald’s storyline and motives of avenging his family, however, are similar to those of Primrose Azelhart.
- Like Primrose, Osvald's end goal (as designated by his Battle Extend music) is "Revenge."
- Osvald references some of Cyrus's lines during battle. Examples include Osvald's "Study harder" line (a tribute to Cyrus's "You should have studied harder") and "Pierce them, wings of frost!" (a tribute to "O ice, pierce them through!").
- Although Osvald cannot use spells while he is muzzled in his Chapter 1, he can still use Elemental Barrage if the player has learned it ahead of time (for Elemental Barrage, despite its magical categorizations, does not count as an AOE spell).
- Osvald enjoys black coffee, claiming that its bitterness stimulates the mind. By the same token, he eschews alcohol as it dulls one's wits.
- According to Osvald, every scholar should have a trifecta of strengths: discipline, stamina, and willpower. Exercise increases all three; hence Osvald possesses a muscular physique.
- As revealed in travel banter with Castti, Osvald holds internal debates with multiple mental versions of himself, each offering a different perspective.
- In travel banter with Partitio, Osvald reveals that he was poor as a student, forcing him to choose between bread and books. He chose books with the result that he eventually collapsed from malnutrition and had to spent a hefty sum on an apothecary's treatment.
- During his Chapter 4's travel banter, Osvald offers book recommendations to two of his fellow travelers. He recommends The War of the Great Wall to Hikari, who enjoys reading battle records, and The Western Dance Compendium to Agnea.
- Osvald loves goulash, a dish that his wife often made for him at home.
- In travel banter, Ochette suggests that Osvald should imbue her arrows with magic to grant them elemental effects. Osvald seems intrigued by the idea until she proposes to call the result "Projectiles by Pops," at which point he loses interest.
- At the beginning of Osvald's final chapter, Ochette notes that he smells different. She calls his new scent "more spiritual," comparing it to sunlight.
- Osvald spent most of his free time in childhood reading.
- Writer Kakunoshin Futsuzawa wrote Osvald's story to mirror and weaves together his "heart," which is locked away in prison with the element of magic.[2]
- As revealed during the Epilogue, Osvald hates crowds.
- In the game's leftover files, Osvald was called "Herbert."
- When composing Osvald's theme, Yasunori Nishiki strove to express both Osvald's burning desire for vengeance and his stature as a huge man with a deep baritone voice. The cello represents the overwhelming sorrow Osvald bears within his massive frame, while the unison between bass and melody create a powerful resonance and the lack of true harmony creates a hollow, empty timbre that adds to the feel of desolation. The refrain features a more passionate melody played on the cello, filling the theme with Osvald’s grief at the loss of the wife he loved.[3]
- "The Journey for Revenge Ends” is Yasunori Nishiki's personal favorite of the eight travelers' final battle themes. In this arrangement, Nishiki represented the way in which Osvald's inner despair eventually becomes an all-consuming desire for vengeance against Harvey. The power chords on the electric guitar stand in for the hollow sound of the original theme, expressing the vengeance boiling within Osvald erupting like lava from a volcano.[4]
- Osvald's and Throné's themes were particularly difficult for Nishiki to create.[5]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.jp.square-enix.com/octopathtraveler2/traveler/osvald.html
- ↑ https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_US/news/making-octopath-traveler-ii
- ↑ https://note.com/yasunori_nishiki/n/nc332d8d2e70b?magazine_key=mceb3c1ed9da8
- ↑ https://note.com/yasunori_nishiki/n/n01e6c552e899
- ↑ https://note.com/yasunori_nishiki/n/naf48c8c7518a