Senel Coolidge, a young expert in the special skill called "eres", was drifting in the misty ocean on a small boat with his younger sister Shirley. As food ran out and their strength deteriorated, an island suddenly burst through the mist and approached the boat with astonishing speed, engulfing it with perilous waves. When Senel and Shirley awoke on the shore, they realized this was no ordinary island. Its surface was covered in lush forests teeming with life, but despite its appearance, the ground that stretched out before them was actually an enormous ship called the Legacy.
Characters
Senel Coolidge
Japanese Voice Actor: Kenichi Suzumura
English Voice Actor: Jim Walker
Although only 17 years old, Senel Coolidge is a skilled fighter and adept in iron eres. He also excels at piloting boats and swimming due to his years battling monsters and patrolling the seaways as an Alliance marine. He has a strong will and is highly focused, never backing out of a commitment. Because he tends to act without explanation, others often mistake him as being unsociable; however, his kinder, more friendly side gradually becomes apparent as the game progresses. His adoptive 'sister' Shirley has been his only family since early childhood. While adrift in the ocean one day, the two of them come across an ancient vessel. The chance encounter draws them into a struggle whose outcome will determine the fate of the world.
Senel is the first main character who doesn't wield a sword in the "Tales" series; instead, he fights with his fists. His tendency to sleep heavily is a running joke throughout the game -- upon first meeting him, Harriet comments that he 'sleeps like a rock'; there are also several scenes throughout the game in which the other members of the party attempt to wake him up in the morning, with mixed results.
Shirley Fennes
Japanese Voice Actress: Ryō Hirohashi
English Voice Actress: Carrie Savage
Shirley Fennes is Senel's adoptive sister and travels with him at the beginning of the game. She is delicate and frail, allergic to ocean water and even sea breezes. Due to her introverted nature, others often view her as timid and fearful, but her sense of determination knows no equal. Once she's set her mind on something, there's no stopping her. Her life is thrown into chaos when people begin to suspect that she is the new Merines, a figure said to have ruled over the Legacy many years ago.
Will Raynard
Japanese Voice Actor: Susumu Chiba
English Voice Actor: Cam Clarke
Will Raynard is the first person Senel encounters on the Legacy. A trustworthy 28-year-old man, he puts his crystal eres abilities to good use while attempting to keep peace in Werites Beacon. The townspeople refer to him as their "sheriff"; however, he refuses to accept that titles and insists that he is just a natural historian. His experience, leadership skills and ability to make hard decisions serve the party well. Yet despite all his strengths, he harbors a single hidden weakness. He equips a large hammer as his weapon, but does not use it very much.
Chloe Valens
Japanese Voice Actress: Masumi Asano
English Voice Actress: Heather Halley
This seventeen year-old young woman and practitioner of iron eres has an extraordinary talent with the sword. She belongs to the Valens family, a once-great line of knights whose existence is well-known throughout the Legendia world. Chloe feels pressured by her family's reputation and tries her hardest to live up to what she thinks a knight should be. Most of the time, she appears very serious and determined, but she also has moments of exuberance, and occasionally worries about silly things.
Chloe Valens came to the Legacy to avenge her parents, and she is single-minded and focused in achieving that goal, sometimes to the point of irrationality. She uses swords in combat and has some similar techniques to Lloyd and Cress/Cless in previous Tales games. She also has strong feelings for Senel and is initially highly jealous of Shirley. Chloe doesn't know how to swim, a weakness she takes very seriously.
Norma Beatty
Japanese Voice Actress: Kaori Mizuhashi
English Voice Actress: Tara Strong
Norma is a treasure hunter and practitioner of crystal eres whom Senel's party encounters on their journey. She came to the Legacy in search of "the Everlight" - a miraculous artifact that grants its wielder any wish imaginable. Cheerful and comical, she banters with those around her and occasionally pokes fun at herself in order to get a good laugh. She is also the butt of a running joke where she falls asleep at the most bizarre of times. Despite her silly side, she makes deeply profound and insightful remarks which should not be taken lightly. She enjoys giving people nicknames reserved for only her to use. In combat she attacks by blowing bubbles out of a straw but fortunately only does so rarely.
Moses Sandor
Japanese Voice Actor: Kazuya Nakai
English Voice Actor: Shiloh Strong
Hailing from a clan of beast tamers, this javelin-wielding iron eres practitioner of 17 years is always accompanied by Giet, his pet Galf (a type of wolf-like beast). The notorious leader of a clan of mountain bandits aboard the Legacy, Moses Sandor leads his large band of outlaws in raids across the surrounding lands. He views Giet and his outlaw followers as his own family and will lay down his life to protect them. He also "adopts" Jay and the others as his family, and seems oblivious to Jay's obvious disdain for the title of "Little Bro." At first glance he may appear barbaric, but he is actually a very kind young man who takes good care of those dear to him and is easily moved to tears. He uses his iron eres to power up his spear shots and call a rain of spears down on the stage.
Jay
Japanese Voice Actress: Ryōko Shiraishi
English Voice Actor: Steve Staley
This cryptic 16-year-old boy is a practitioner of iron eres. A master analysist, he always calmly observes events from the sidelines and often serves as a strategist and tactician. His primary occupation was providing information before joining Senel's group. Not exactly the social type, he frequently infuriates others with his sarcastic remarks.
He seems to harbor a special contempt for Moses, whom he constantly calls "stupid bandit". This is somewhat of a running gag throughout the game. However, he acts like a kid his age when with certain people. Jay is also great friends with the Oresoren and worries about their safety quite a bit.
Raised on the Legacy from a young age, he is very fond of the vessel. He was taken in the leader of a clan of ninja's and trained, practically from birth, by Solon. His training was harsh and painful, and until he was taken in by the Oresoren, he was but an empty, emotionless shell. However, when he meets the main crew and joins their party, he loosens up even more, but is still a serious (though sarcastic and a bit annoying at times) character.
In combat, he wields a dagger but surprisingly uses his head and feet as much as his weapon. He is a lot like a ninja, not being able to wear heavy armour much like the ninja archetype in role playing games.
Grune
Japanese Voice Actress: Ayako Kawasumi
English Voice Actress: Lara Jill Miller
A practitioner of crystal eres, this mysterious girl possesses the ability to infuse in others a warm feeling of inner peace and tranquility no matter what the circumstances. The only memory she has is that of her name, yet this fact does not dispirit her and she can always be found smiling gently. Never upset or disturbed, she just might be the most fearless and beautiful person in the party - as well as the most clueless. She is a pure offensive spellcaster who uses an urn or jar as a weapon. She speaks in a high-pitched empty monotone.
