Van Arkride

Van Arkride (ヴァン・アークライド)Simplified Chinese: 范恩·亚克莱德 is a Spriggan and the founder of Arkride Solutions Office. He is the main protagonist of and .
== Profile ==
=== Appearance ===
Van is a young man with blue eyes and dark bluish-black hair styled into a spiky, swept-back style with a long fringe. He wears in the fall and winter a long cobalt jacket with a fleece lined collar, two front pockets and leather patches on the shoulder. The jacket's sleeves are partly rolled up, revealing a single unique red band worn on the left wrist. Van also wears a red shirt under a grey vest with a shorten centered zipper. He wears black dark trousers, two belts and blue-grey loafers. Around his neck, Van wears a dog tag along a cord and leather strap. On his right ear, a small ear ring can be seen. At his waist, he wears a two-part leather sword belt for his weapon. The belt consists of a main grey part at the waist and a left side hanging brown part for his weapon.
In the warmer seasons, Van replaces his jacket and most of his attire, but keeps the same style (ear ring, dog tag necklace, thin jacket, red inner shirt, light color top, light-grey trousers, brown loafers and a brown sword belt). He also wears a dark leather glove on his right hand and a metal bangle on his left, replacing his red band on his wrist.
Van is armed with a Stun-Calibur, a long-blunt weapon resembling a sword ruler, but with no sharp edges. The blade portion of the sword is the Main Module partitioned into segments and there is in the Sub Module a blue gem installed into its pommel. This gem is part of its Orbal energy executions and the blade is durable enough to resist a blow from Kasim Al-Fayed's physical Buster Lancer. The Stun-Calibur is a provided by MTSC to Van on a tester contract.
=== Personality ===
While Van comes off as dry and pragmatic, he tries not to be insincere and is not bad at looking out for others. He has contact with people in various industries and backgrounds due to his work, both those who work in the light and the 'underworld'. This extends to having a wide range of personal connections, but also a side that does not allow people to get too attached to him.https://www.falcom.co.jp/kuro/character/van.html
Although he began working as a Spriggan almost by sheer coincidence, he seems comfortable with its way of life, and even though he complains when he has to deal with bad jobs, he still makes sure to handle it.https://www.gematsu.com/2021/03/the-legend-of-heroes-kuro-no-kiseki-details-characters-setting-and-battle-system-first-gameplay Van maintains a strong code of ethics, refusing to take jobs from those he deems too corrupt or acting in bad faith, and willing to compromise for those in sincere need.
Van was very reluctant to take on part-timers, expressing anxiety and displeasure over costs and the threat to his lifestyle. He gets annoyed whenever he is forced to take them under his wing, until he ultimately accepts it.
Van is an avid connoisseur of all things relating to sweets, and few can match his expertise and passion for it. He has a rather sweet tooth and easily expresses joy when eating sweets. His love for sweets is so great that some customers who have hired Van would use rare delicacies of sweets as a form of payment, although Van would try to deny that he doesn't accept the request just because he was given sweets. Another great passion of his lies in the world of cars, where Van enthusiastically makes modifications and upgrades to his own vehicle, preferring the Ingert brand. He is also very fond of baths and saunas.
=== Background ===
Van Arkride was an orphan who lived in an orphanage of Oración‏‎, Calvard. He became childhood friends with heiress Elaine Auclair and scholar Rene Kincaid. Lacking any record of family, Van took on the surname 'Arkride' from the then administrator of the orphanage who originally held the name. At 7 years old in S.1191, he was adopted following pressure and interference from Edmond Auclair, Elaine's father, who disapproved of the boy and his relationship with his daughter. Although Edmond claims ignorance, the adopters were members of the D∴G cult and Van was subjected to various painful, traumatizing, but mostly non-lethal experiments. It was during these experiments that the cult realized Van possessed a certain 'demonic factor' that had resided within him from birth and had it extracted from him by unknown means. When Gerard Dantes learned of this, he used his position to have the demonic core taken into his possession.
Following these events, the simultaneous raids on the cult by an international group headed by Cassius Bright and Ouroboros resulted in the all-but-downfall of the cult and Van's escape. Gunther Barkhorn is suggested as being personally involved with Van's emancipation. At 14 years old in S.1198, Van had the chance to be free. In S.1200, he transferred to the Aramis High School in Edith, reuniting with his two childhood friends. He was a member of the student council, and was the obvious pick for the new vice-president when the incumbent, Elaine was elected the president in the autumn of his 2nd school year. Following her election, Van dropped out from Aramis unexpectedly, leaving nothing but sparse notes for his childhood friends.
Before becoming a Spriggan, Van was found wandering aimlessly in Calvard by Barkhorn. Barkhorn instructed him in the Kunlun style of martial arts until S.1203. He later heard of Barkhorn's death at the Nord Highlands, but Van did not seek out his fellow disciples because of his hidden status.
After his training, Van returned to the capital and established his Spriggan business. He relied heavily on Dingo Brad during his early days and viewed the man as an 'elder brother' type mentor. Due to his reliable side and humanity towards his clients, the young Spriggan has amassed a large network of contacts from Calvard's intelligence sector and underworld to secret or renown groups beyond borders such as Ouroboros' Enforcers and Bracers.
At some point in the past, Van met Nadia Rayne and Swin Abel back when they were both still on the run from Garden and helped them both out by giving them a ride. By S.1205, Van undertook training with M.T.S.C. This involved sparring with Kasim Al-Fayed. He also serves as an external tester for Marduk's Combat Research Department through his weapon Stun Calibur and Core, Mare. Risette Twinings has acted as his service concierge for this time period, and he is responsible for sending her his reports on the equipment tests. They never met in person during this time, and always communicated remotely, despite having mutual acquantainces.
remotely, despite having mutual acquaintances
In S.1203, Van, who was in-training at the time, met a young Renne and befriended her after her encounter with the Recluse Cube. His simple kindness gave the young girl hope for herself, he also played a role in her going to Crossbell in inadvertently helping KeA saved the SSS from being killed by Joachim Guenter, which later arrived in full circle during her initial days as a transfer student in Edith (Van was the private investigator mentioned in ).
In S.1206, Van met Walter Kron the Direwolf, his client at the time. An encounter with a Panzer Soldat along the road resulted in Walter single-handedly throwing Van's first car and completely totalling it. While the result was a combative success, Van lamented about his destroyed car even when given reimbursement. Van still holds a grudge to the present day and has only recently upgraded his new car to the standard his previous vehicle was at.
=== ===
Van lives in his office, above the Bistro Montmart in Edith, Calvard. He has been working alone from his Arkride Solutions Office for several years. On 27 August, S.1208, he is requested by first year Aramis High School student, Agnes Claudel, to find her great-grandfather's lost memento, the Oct-Genesis. Van accepts this request which turns out to be connected to a series of mysterious events involving Van gaining the ability to transform into the Grendel form and his Holo Core, Mare, gaining sentience. In the subsequent hunt for the remaining units, Van reluctantly accepts Agnés as an employee.
Van's reputation sees him being increasingly sought after by influential figures around the Republic in cases involving the looming threat of the Almata mafia, who seem to have a connection to the Genesis devices. Van's travels around the country land him in increasingly dangerous predicaments and mysterious circumstances concerning the abilities these old objects have. As they gradually foil Almata's efforts across Calvard, they slowly acquire most of the genesis orbments and Van gains more and more employees — which are forced upon him, much to his chagrin. Additionally, Van finds himself accepting the aid of, and in turn aiding, his former childhood friends Elaine and Rene on numerous occasions. It is clear Van has unspoken feelings remain with Elaine, and the teasing of their relationship is commonplace throughout the story.
Van's bond grows with his companions and they play a critical role in helping to save him when Van's history is revealed. His connection to the don of Almata turns out to be the focal point of the events that have plagued Calvard, and much of their plan was to locate and identify Van for their scheme. After Melchior manifests the Genesis Tower, beginning Pandemonium and stopping the flow of time, Van discovers he and everyone he has talked to can still move. They act quickly to secure the capital before time runs out and the effect spreads to the rest of the continent. Within the tower, Van confronts and defeats the revived Almata members before facing up to Gerard at the zenith. Gerard reveals he took Van's diabolic core and intends to use it to become the ultimate embodiment of fear, seeing Van as nothing more than a husk and remnant of the power. Van overcomes him and takes the core back, transforming into Vagrants-Zion, one of the Seventy-Seven Devils and in control of time, in the process and leaving the world.
Refusing to accept such an ending, Agnes rallies the rest of the party and they travel to the Infinite Boundary via Mare. They encounter a fettered Vagrants-Zion and engage in combat, restoring Van's resolve and bringing him back. Together they vanquish the devil, which accepts the result for a time and withdraws, warning Van that it is a temporary measure. Van casts the diabolic core into the ether, which is followed by a large crack forming. They return to reality and Van spends the new year with his childhood friends after dropping Agnes back to her father's home.
=== ===
Van continues his work at the Arkride Solutions Office. On 20 February, S.1209 at 9:45, he is requested by Bracer Elaine Auclair to assist her investigation about a Grendel look-alike recorded murdering others.
== Gameplay ==
=== Weapons ===
<tabber>
|-|Trails through Daybreak=
|-|Kuro no Kiseki II: CRIMSON SiN=
</tabber>
=== Crafts ===
<tabber>
|-|Trails through Daybreak=
|-|Kuro no Kiseki II: CRIMSON SiN=
</tabber>
== Gallery ==
=== ===
Elaine Auclair - Visual (Hajimari).png|Van's guest appearance in 
=== ===
Van Arkride (Kuro).png|Character artwork by Katsumi Enami
Van Arkride Key Visual (Kuro).png|Key visual character artwork by Katsumi Enami
Van Arkride - Key Visual PS5 Artwork (Kuro).png|Key visual character artwork by Katsumi Enami
Van Arkride key artwork 2 (Kuro).png|Falcom 40th Anniversary character artwork
Announcement visual (Kuro).jpg.jpg|Key visual (Mare, Grendel)
Agency Key Visual (Kuro).jpg|Key visual, Arkride Solutions
Tharbad - Key Visual (Kuro).png|Key visual
Van & Grendel - Key Visual (Kuro).png|Key visual
Groupshot Monmarte - Key Visual (Kuro).png|Key visual
Kuro main party Key Visual (Kuro).png|Key visual
Edith - Concept Art 1 (Kuro).jpg|Van in Edith
Cover Art Kuro PS5 (Kuro).png|PS5 Cover|Key visual
Van & Renne - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Van's Childhood 1 - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Van's Childhood 2 - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Van's Childhood 4 - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Van's Childhood 5 - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Van's Youth 1 - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Van's Youth 2 - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Van's Youth 3 - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Van's Youth 4 - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Van's Youth 6 - Visual (Kuro).png|Flashback
Ending - Visual 5 (Kuro).png|Ending visual
Ending - Visual 14 (Kuro).png|Ending visual
Ending - Visual 16 (Kuro).png|Ending visual
Twilight Journey (Kuro).png|Official art
HOT-SHOT - Van (Kuro).png|HOT-SHOT
HOT-SHOT - Agnès & Van (Kuro).png|HOT-SHOT: Agnès & Van
HOT-SHOT - Van & Elaine & Kincaid New Year 2022 (Kuro).png|HOT-SHOT: NEW YEARS 2022
White Day official artwork 2022 (Kuro).jpg|White day artwork 
Van Arkride concept art (Kuro).png|Finalized concept artwork
Van Arkride concept art 2 (Kuro).png|Concept art
Van Arkride concept art 3 (Kuro).png|Concept art
Van Arkride Bath Concept Art (Kuro).png|Bath outfit concept art
Stun Caliber concept art (Kuro).png|Van's Stun Caliber concept art
Van Arkride Year of the Tiger DLC (Kuro).jpg|Year of the Tiger DLC costume
Van Arkride Combat Icon (Kuro).png|Combat icon
Achievement 1 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - THE LEGEND OF HEROES
Achievement 2 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Great Spriggan
Achievement 4 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Quest Master
Achievement 10 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Connect Master
Achievement 13 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Gourmet Maniac
Achievement 14 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Treasure Hunter
Achievement 20 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Timenager
Achievement 26 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Persevering Solitude's Spa Maniac
Achievement 30 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Scrum Master
Achievement 45 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Behind the Scenes Solver、Start
Achievement 46 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - Downtown's Spriggan
Achievement 53 (Daybreak).png|Achievement - For You who will Return Someday
Van Arkride OP 1 (Daybreak).png|Opening screenshot
Van Arkride OP 2 (Daybreak).png|Opening screenshot
Van Arkride OP 3 (Daybreak).png|Opening screenshot
4spg OP (Daybreak).png|Opening (Character Back Appearance) screenshot
Announcement screenshot 2 (Kuro).jpg|Announcement screenshot
Announcement screenshot 4 (Kuro).jpg|Announcement screenshot
Van Arkride 1 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot (Xipha)
Van Arkride 2 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot
Van Arkride 3 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot
Risette Twinings - Promotional Screenshot 3 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot
Quatre Salision - Promotional Screenshot 2 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot
Walter Kron - Promotional Screenshot 3 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot
Mare - Promotional Screenshot 2 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot with Mare
Mare - Promotional Screenshot 3 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot with Mare & Grendel
Ashen Lu - Promotional Screenshot 1 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot with Ashen Lu
Dingo Brad - Promotional Screenshot 1 (Kuro).jpg|Promotional screenshot with Dingo Brad
Battle Teaser (Kuro).jpg|Battle Teaser
=== ===
Van Arkride (Kuro II).webp|Character artwork by Katsumi Enami
Van Arkride key artwork (Kuro II).png|Announcement artwork
Van & Elaine during High School - Visual (Kuro II).png|Flashback
Van Going Berserk during Training - Visual (Kuro II).png|Flashback
Van Helping Swin & Nadia Out - Visual (Kuro II).png|Flashback
Ending Visual (Kuro II).png|Ending visual
Van Arkride Chibi (Kuro II).png|SD Model
Famitsu October 6 2022 Enami Artwork (Kuro II).png|Famitsu artwork by Katsumi Enami
HOT-SHOT - Van & Aaron (Kuro II).png|HOT-SHOT: Van & Aaron
HOT-SHOT - School Days (Kuro II).png|HOT-SHOT: SCHOOL DAYS
Van Arkride Suit Style - Finalized Concept Art (Kuro II).png|Suit Style
Van Arkride OP 1 (Daybreak II).png|Opening screenshot
Van Arkride OP 2 (Daybreak II).png|Opening screenshot
Van Arkride Promotional Screenshot 1 (Kuro II).jpg|Promotional screenshot
Van Arkride Promotional Screenshot 2 (Kuro II).jpg|Promotional screenshot
=== ===
Van Arkride (Kai).webp|Character artwork
Van Arkride (Kai) Promotional Screenshot.png|Promotional screenshot
Promotional screenshot 11 (Kai).png|Promotional screenshot
Promotional screenshot 12 (Kai).png|Promotional screenshot
Promotional screenshot 25 (Kai).png|Promotional screenshot
=== Other ===
Van Arkride (Langrisser Mobile X).jpg|Langrisser Mobile X
== Trivia ==
* Similar to Estelle Bright and Lloyd Bannings, Van Arkride uses a non-lethal weapon, the Stun-Calibur, as his main weapon. This weapon is based on the Jian, a narrow bludgeon used in China to break swords. However, the Stun-Caliber made by M.T.S.C can enable a mode that covers the weapon in a blade of electricity, gifting it lethal potential.
* Pre-Spriggan Van Arkride was taught the Kunlun Style martial arts until S.1203 by Dominion Gunther Barkhorn who faked his death in December, S.1205 and later reappeared as Bergard Zeman, the current master of the Kunlun Style.
== References ==
Japanese terms
Sources
Category:Characters
Category:Trails through Daybreak Characters
Category:Kuro no Kiseki II Characters
Category:Male Characters
Category:Swordsmen
Category:Arkride Solutions Office
Category:D∴G Cult Captives
Category:Martial Artists