Lord Rydell

Lore

The player first encounters Rydell after he is dead, his soul form is locked in a cell on the west side of the second floor of the first area of the Tower of Latria rattling the bars and crying out in anguish. He was likely injured in battle by the arrow firing machine which guards the main path to the Fool's Idol's church as that is where his Clever Rat's Ring is found. His signature weapon, the Phosphorescent Pole, was smashed and he was imprisoned and left to die in his cell. Rydell carried a pair of matching rings. When he is near death, one grants him greater protection and the other grants him immense power.

That Rydell was known by the nickname "Little Allant" and is similar in age to the King indicating they are related, most likely brothers, with Rydell being the younger of the two. That certainly explains why Ostrava, son of King Allant, would have so many keepsakes from Latria (his armor, sword, shield, and brass telescope), as Rydell would be the Prince's uncle. He is best known for stealing the Phosphorescent Pole, a magically enhanced staff weapon, from the Witch in the Sky.

It is of particular interest the degree of malice of Rydell's imprisonment as even in death he is not allowed release from the dungeon. Some type of spell by the Old Monk or the Fat Ministers has caused his soul to be drawn to and imprisoned in a different cell after he died. The key to the cell was hidden well atop one of Latria's towers to ensure he would never escape.

Theories

Rydell is the Queen's Husband

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Perhaps Rydell is the new husband of the Queen of Latria and that is why the Old Monk, who was her former husband, wishes Rydell so much suffering. His title "Lord" is a generic substitute which can be used in place of an official title (Earl, Marquise, Viscount, etc.). If he were the husband of the Queen, Lord could have been used instead of King to avoid confusion with King Allant. That the Queen had the power to banish the Old Monk would seem to indicate that Latria is a Matriarchy, in which a woman is the ultimate authority, and another reason why Rydell would have a generic title of Lord. The "little" part of the nickname "Little Allant" may also refer to his subservient role in his marriage to the Queen.

Lord Rydell's Wife is Dead

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Perhaps the corpse with a silver bracelet in the room with the prisoner horde is Rydell's wife. The silver bracelet was worn by a "daughter of nobility" and it is found in the room directly adjacent to the bridge guarded by the arrow machine. It is on this bridge that one of Rydell's rings is found. It is possible Rydell attempted to hold back the Demon horde on the bridge while his wife escaped, but ultimately he was caught and she was surrounded and killed in the dungeon.

As Rydell is related to King Allant it is possible Rydell married the Queen of Latria after the Old Monk was banished. That would explain why the Old Monk goes to such lengths to torment Rydell (he kills him then somehow imprisons his soul form in another cell).

Rydell's Name

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Ryd, or Ryo, is an Old Icelandic prefix which means "rust-colored." Ell is Latin for the pronoun "he." Also to consider the pronunciation of the name adds a Y-sound "rid-e-yell" and in some areas of the game it is spelt "Rydyell," which is closer to the way it is pronounced. So his name could mean "Rust-colored (red) man" or the "Rusty one who shouts."

Dialogue

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Heard screaming:
Please, help me!

Confronted behind bars:
Well! You are a sane one, aren't you?
My name is Rydell. Please, liberate me from this cell.
I have precious little time. I must retrieve an article from my corpse.
As you can see, the only thing that remains of me is my soul.
My body is trapped in another cell; I fancy it a fine rotten mess by now.
I've no interest in my corporeal flesh, but I left upon my person a keepsake of my late wife.
I will soon fade into the beyond. My only wish is to do so near that token of my beloved.
A retainer to the King once held the key to this cell.
That ebony swine with his gluttonous, swaying belly…

After being released:
Why! Thank you! Thank you kind soul.
Please take this fine piece of work.
Besides, I have no use for it now.
Ahh, and thus begins my final, eternal rest…

When attacked
What's gone wrong with you!? In the Lord's name, stop!
I do not wish to harm anyone!
Especially not you, my kind saviour!

Sources

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Phosphorescent Pole
A long rod inlaid with a blue jewel that emits phosphorescent light.
Bladeless and lightweight, and due to a magical enhancement, it slowly regenerates the wielder's MP.
One of Lord Rydyell's most storied exploits is his theft of this weapon from the witch in the sky.

Silver Bracelet
Silver crafted bracelets. Elegant ornaments, most likely used to decorate an equally elegant outfit.
Certainly worn by a daughter of nobility
Possibly due to their high value, the wearer will obtain more Souls after defeating an enemy

Clever Rat's Ring
A simple gold ring engraved with the seal of a small animal.
Increases attack power when HP is below 30%
Held by Lord Rydell, known as Little Allant.
There is also the Dull Rat's Ring, which forms a matching set with this ring.

Dull Rat's Ring
A simple gold ring engraved with the seal of a small animal.
Increases defense when HP is below 30%.
Held by Lord Rydell, known as Little Allant.
There is also the Clever Rat's Ring, which forms a matching set with this ring.

Once Royal Mistress Dialogue
The Queen banished her depraved old husband from the land.
He returned in strange golden garb with foul Demons in tow.

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NEXT: Satsuki

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