- "I hope my books will be of use to people in the future. I believe that's the only way I can make up for what I did." —In Stonegard, quest complete
Russell is a character in Octopath Traveler. He is a scholar who lives in Atlasdam and conducts his research in the Subterranean Study located beneath the town, and he serves as the first boss of Cyrus's story.
Profile[]
Appearance[]
Russell has brown hair and wears a black-and-gold scholar's robe.
Personality[]
Russell is addicted to gambling, leading him to act with desperate and unscrupulous behavior. His desperation to acquire money leads him to commit criminal acts, such as stealing valuable tomes from the library, and he would rather attack a colleague than come clean about his crimes.
After his arrest, Russell is expelled from the Royal Academy, causing him to re-evaluate his life. After a brief stint of alcoholism, he experiences a change of heart and seeks to prove his repentance by adding a valuable contribution to academia, publishing research about the history of Orsterra.
Story[]
Two years before the events of Octopath Traveler, Russell began stealing books from Atlasdam's royal library in order to pay off his frightful gambling debt. He sold his house and moved into the Subterranean Study so that he could continue his research, pilfering books to keep his finances afloat.
During Cyrus's Chapter 1, desperation drove Russell to steal a rare and valuable tome, The Church of the Sacred Flame: A Complete Historie, by stealing a key to the archives from a sleeping guard. After being interrogated by Cyrus about the theft, Russell feared that his guilt would be exposed, and retreated into his study. Cyrus followed him to his underground laboratory, confronting Russell with his guilt. Russell refused Cyrus's offer to accompany him back to the academy for further inquiry, instead opting to engage Cyrus in battle, only to be defeated and turned in. He later confessed his crimes and his business associates before being expelled from the academy.
Russell moved to Stonegard to work with Dominic, who found him a tavern wallowing in alcohol and regret. Realizing the error of his ways, Russell teamed up with Dominic, seeking to redeem himself by contributing a valuable research project to society. He now aspires to write his own books and fill libraries the world over.
Russell will begin the battle with two Water Wisps.
- Tome Toss: Deals damage to a single target
- Tome Tempest: Deals damage to multiple targets
- Wildfire: Deals fire damage to all targets
- Fireball: Charges for one turn, deals fire damage to all targets
Russell/NPC
Quotes[]
- "Do you think the heavens will listen to my confession?" —When Guided
- "I suppose a short break is in order..." —When Allured
- "I must be getting back to help Master Dominic." —Parting Ways
- "Do you think we could conduct this brutishness some other time?" —When Challenged
- "A monster!? It must not be allowed to pass!" —When Provoked
- "You should learn to show the proper respect!" —Failing a Path Action
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
"Russell" is a name of Norman-French origin meaning "red." Archaically used to refer to the red fox, the name eventually came to mean "redhead" or "little red one." Its red aspect may reflect Russell's use of fire magic, while its connection to the fox evokes Russell's sly, crafty traits.
Trivia[]
- After completing Cyrus' fourth chapter, Russell can be found in Stonegard for an optional sidequest.
- Russell is the only boss in Cyrus' story to be left alive.
- According to his biography, Russell was lauded as a child prodigy but lost his genius as he aged.