Artificer Joules

> "*This work can be so unpleasant...*"
> ― Joules
>
>

**Artificer Joules** is a scientist who lives in an underground lab in Solstice Yard with his son, Arlet. He does various research in weaponry and automation.

In Grapple Force Rena, he is offered a bound artifact called the Hollow Forge by Lueh, who allows him to research it if he can make him armies of hollows. He makes these armies for Lueh, who in turn gives them to other people so they can conquer areas of the world. When Lueh dies, Joules continues his research on his own, and then works for the Capital after their forces kidnap Arlet and hold him hostage. The Capital forces Joules to make them armies of hollows and copies of the bound artifacts and threaten to kill Arlet if her refuses to comply. When Arlet is later freed and destroys the Hollow Forge, Joules doesn't appear to care, simply being happy to see his son again.

## Appearance

Joules is a relatively tall man in his mid-30s or so. He has long, black hair, which he wears over his left eye.

He wears a white lab coat over a red shirt. He tucks his shirt into a pair of jeans. He also sports a pair of glasses with yellow brims, a belt with a yellow buckle, and shiny brown boots.

## Personality

When Joules is first introduced, he is very cold and emotionless. He appears to only care about his research, putting the well-being of those he is researching on the backburner. Once Arlet is rescued, however, new aspects of his personality are suddenly revealed. He is shown to care deeply for his son, and that although he initially enjoyed his work, he has grown to despise it.

## Abilities

* **Creating Hollows (Formerly)**: Before the Hollow Forge was destroyed by Arlet, Joules could use it to generate endless amounts of various types of hollows. The hollows have no independent mind, and follow any order given to them without hesitation.

## Relationships

### Arlet

One day, while researching the Hollow Forge, Joules accidentally created Arlet. Unlike the numerous other hollows that he had previously created and given to Lueh, Arlet was his own independent person, with his own unique thoughts and desires. Unlike the other hollows, Joules never gave Arlet to Lueh, instead keeping him around in the laboratory as an assistant of sorts. Over time, Joules began to think of Arlet as his own son, and began to enjoy the time they spent together. After Lueh's death and the Fairy Forest Disaster, Joules was discovered by Capital forces, and they kidnapped Arlet and force Joules to work for them making hollows. With Arlet's presence removed from his life, Joules slowly grew bitter as the days went on and began to despise his job. When Arlet was finally freed, Joules shed a tear and gave him a big hug as they were reunited.

### Lueh

Joules was the only person whom Lueh directly gave a bound artifact to. In exchange for being allowed to research the Hollow Forge, Joules had to supply Lueh with some of the hollows he generated, to which Joules accepted. When Lueh stopped coming to Joules to get more hollows after his death in the Fairy Forest Disaster, Joules appeared to not think about it much, showing his indifference towards Lueh.

## Quotes

*"This work can be so unpleasant…"* -to himself after capturing Rena

*"This isn't a dungeon full of treasures, you know. Be off, now."* -to Pine after encountering her in his facility

*"Not fair? This isn't a competition, you know. This is research. I am, however, expecting an honest effort out of you."* -to Pine, after being challenged to fight against her

*"We've been over this. Technically, no, but... ah, all right, yes. You are [my son]."* -to Arlet, reassuring him that he will always be his son to him