Roque Brilliante is a character in Octopath Traveler II. He is the main antagonist and final boss of Partitio’s story, where he is fought indirectly as the pilot of the Steam Tank Obsidian.
A wealthy business tycoon, Roque helped Papp transform Oresrush into a thriving silver-mining town before going on to found the Roque Company. By investing in the steam engine, he became the leading businessman of his day.
Profile[]
Appearance[]
Roque wears a silver-rimmed monocle and keeps his gray hair in a ponytail. He walks with a cane, and wields a staff in battle. As head of the Roque Company, he wears a black-and-cold cape and hat, but as a regular worker he wears a gray vest and pants.
Personality[]
Roque is a pragmatic, business-minded tycoon who seeks to make profits with maximum efficiency, regardless of those who might suffer as a result. He despises inefficiency in all its forms and prioritizes progress above all, believing that history can only be shaped by the rich and powerful. Because money is his bottom line, Roque is willing to exploit his workers, falsify contracts, and swindle his friends in order to turn a profit.
According to Partitio, Roque is known as "Rainbow Tongue" on account of his ability to convince others that they could find a pot of gold if they followed his logic. In the art of persuasion, Partitio claims that few are Roque's equal; his words are like magic.
Viewing himself as a true capitalist, Roque admires Partitio's enterprising energy, and he expresses disappointment to see Partitio "squander" his talents by sharing wealth rather than amassing it. When Partitio bests him by purchasing the rights to the Neo Steam Engine, Roque decides that he should have squashed his competitor long ago and unleashes his company's secret weapon in a violent demonstration of force.
After his defeat at Partitio's hands, however, Roque that admits he has devoted so much energy to fulfilling his greed, he has forgotten why he wanted money in the first place. Humbled, he accepts Partitio's mercy and allows Partitio to hire him to join a new business venture with Partitio & Roque.
History[]
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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! |
In his youth, Roque once spotted a pocket watch glittering in a shop window. The moment he laid eyes on it, he wanted it more than anything in the world, and so he dedicated himself to obtaining it. He spent endless hours working as a bootblack to make enough money for the purchase, until his hands were stained black with polish. Yet the instant that the watch became his, a deep dissatisfaction sprang up within him - for a new trinket had caught his eye.
Roque spent years working hard to purchase each next trinket he wanted, growing in skill and business acumen. At one point he toiled in a silver mine, risking his health to the point of coughing up blood. He gradually developed into a shrewd businessman and invested in increasing large ventures, coming to pursue money to its own sake. Roque once said that he wanted to make his family, his town, and the world happy, but his dream of prosperity grew tainted over time, and his scruples dissolved until he no longer cared about how he acquired his wealth.
Sixteen years ago, Roque and his business partner Papp oversaw the land that would become Oresrush. Roque told Papp's son Partitio that the land was an asset, bought fair and square, and could not be given away for free. He oversaw Papp testing Partitio's business acumen, requiring the young merchant to purchase some silver ore from a merchant using his father's leaves he was given. When the boy succeeded, Roque complimented Partitio on his "fine eye" and expressed his optimism about the upcoming "Age of Silver."
Eight years later, Oresrush became prosperous, thriving off the silver that constituted its main commodity. Yet after witnessing Partitio sell some silver ore, Roque went to Papp that night, declaring he was leaving town as the town's fortunes were "ebbing away". As Roque left Papp's home, he warned Papp about the contract he'd signed to purchase Oresrush, saying that it had one "crucial flaw" which he would find out about soon enough. Outside, Roque ran into Partitio, who had just returned from the mines and the tavern. Pulling him aside, Roque told Partitio about his intent to leave town to go to the eastern lands, where a "steam engine" was being patented and the world was soon entering the "Age of Steam." Roque invited Partitio to leave with him, but the young man refused, saying his place was with the town and its people. Disappointed, Roque left Oresrush later that night.
Roque went on to invest in the steam engine, establishing the Roque Company in Clockbank to manufacture and sell steam engines to other businesses and to the upper class. He also levied taxes from the citizens and workers there. With his newfound wealth, Roque was able to purchase his own island, which included his own town and production factory.
Story[]
Chapter 1[]
After Partitio and his posse defeated Giff and his henchmen at his manse, Giff revealed that the land owner was actually Roque himself, having discreetly modified the contract for the land without Papp knowing, which allowed him to take it back at any time he wanted. After he did so, he levied a huge tax on silver and hired Giff to be his enforcer and collector.
Chapter 2[]
Roque would later run into Partitio again after the latter defeated his guard dog while infiltrating his factory tracking down Floyd and his newest steam engine model. After a short conversation in which Partitio offered to buy the rights to the steam engine, Roque agreed to do so, but for the price of eighty billion leaves. When Partitio agreed to the terms, he drew up a contract for him and sent him on his way.
Chapter 4[]
Some time later, Roque held a press conference as well as a showing of the newest model steam engine created in his factory. As he was talking, Partitio interrupted him with an announcement of his own: he had accumulated the funds to purchase the rights to the steam engine from Roque. Despite Roque's skepticism, Alrond, the noble who Partitio was able to get the funds from, appeared in his boat to bring all of the funds needed for the purchase. This infuriated Roque, who attempted to declare the contract null and void, which instead caused the scriveners present to turn on him. He then went back to his factory, where he suddenly brought out Steam Tank Obsidian, a prototype steam engine weaponized for combat and turned it on Partitio. Despite its power, it was destroyed by Partitio and his team. Defeated, Roque told Partitio that the future now belonged to him and to leave him be. However, Partitio wanted to speak to him about an idea he had regarding his steam tank.
Some time later, Roque stepped down as president of his company (which was renamed Partitio & Roque) with Partitio becoming the new president at Roque's insistence, but he remained on as a consultant to assist in the creation and manufacturing of the locomotive.
Quotes[]
- "Heh... it's business time." —Using Thorough Appraisal
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
"Roque" is a name of Spanish and Portuguese origin with German roots, either derived as a habitational name or potentially meaning "rook" or "crow." Roque's name likely symbolizes his business acumen and shrewdness, with a phonetic allusion to "rock" - potentially tied to the silver mines that established the prosperity of Oresrush.
Roque's surname, "Brilliante," is identical to the Italian adjective meaning "brilliant" or "sparkling." This name reinforces Roque's financial prowess, in addition to suggesting the sparkling wealth of silver and leaves that he has amassed.
Trivia[]
- Roque is one of only three main antagonists to not be killed in the main character's respective final chapters, the others being Dolcinaea and Harvey.
- Also, of the three, he is the only one to not be fought directly against the main characters in a final chapter battle.
- He, alongside Dolcinaea, are the only end bosses whose actions and motivations are totally unrelated to the Moonshade Order agenda.
- During Partitio's Chapter 1, Papp refers to Roque as "that Roque feller" - probably a reference to the American magnate John D. Rockefeller, the country's first billionaire.
- During Partitio's Chapter 1, Roque's inventory contains an Inspiriting Plum and a Silver-rimmed Monocle. Although Roque is willing to sell the plum for eighty leaves, his monocle is not for sale.
- After Partitio's story is completed, Roque appears in Oresrush alongside Papp. His inventory contains a Silver Coin (presumably given to him by Partitio), which is not for sale.
- During the Epilogue, Roque and Papp reveal their plans to retire and run a little shop together.