Rudolph Mueller

**Rudolph Mueller** is a playable character in *Triangle Strategy*. He is a recruitable character available if the player chooses to travel to Aesfrost in Chapter III, Part I: Whither the River Flows.

## Profile/Story

### Background

Rudolph was an Aesfrosti orphan living with his little brother. Rudolph's brother had big aspirations for the future, and one day hoped to sail across Norzelia with Rudolph. When Rudolph's little brother had fallen deathly ill, Rudolph was forced to illegally smuggle salt in order to pay for his treatment. Rudolph eventually got detained for his salt smuggling, and his brother passed away while Rudolph was in jail.

### Former Salt Smuggler

Rudolph is a former salt smuggler working with Sycras Diutte to earn a pardon. With Rudolph's help, Sycras uncovers an illegal salt smuggling ring.

### Hunter

In Chapter III, Part II: A Land of Snow and Ice when Serenoa Wolffort and his group visit Aesfrost, Sycras and Rudolph decide to catch the salt smuggling ring in the act. By working with Serenoa, Rudolph and Sycras are able to apprehend the salt smugglers and earn Rudolph a lighter sentence. Because Rudolph's lighter sentence was exile from Aesfrost, Serenoa decides to accept Rudolph into House Wolffort.

While at House Wolffort, Rudolph forms a connection with House Wolffort spy Anna Pascal. Rudolph opens up to her about his brother, and how disheartened he felt not being able to save him. Rudolph and Anna ride a boat down the Norzelia River\* together, as a way of resolving Rudolph's inner turmoil.

\*During this character's last development scene, Rudolph says "This sea air feels wonderful!", which might emply they are not navigating through the Norzelia river, but through the sea. Creating a plot hole, since the location of the sea, let alone if it exists, is only written in a legend inside Lady Orlaea's diary

## Max Stats

### Movement

4

Joining in Chapter III, Part II: A Land of Snow and Ice, Rudolph's base class is a Hunter, with high speed and high physical strength. He wields a Longbow at Weapon Rank 1, a Steelbow at Weapon Rank 2, and a Demon Slayer's Bow at Weapon Rank 3. Rudolph possesses the following classes and abilities:

### Hunter

 3
 5
 9

## Character Stories

### Poverty

*Rudolph speaks of his past as he walks with Anna.*

* **Beggar**: Please, good ser, toss us a spare coin?
* **Rudolph**: A beggar...
* **Anna**: Cast off from the Aesfrosti mine, no doubt.
* **Anna**: Focus, Rudolph. There is work to be done.
* **Beggar**: Many thanks, ser. May your good deed be returned tenfold.
* **Rudolph**: Apologies fer that, ma'am. On we go.
* **Anna**: This war has forced so many into poverty. Everyone looks a bit more downtrodden these days.
* **Rudolph**: ......
* **Anna**: Is everything all right? You seem miles away.
* **Rudolph**: Just thinkin' of the past, is all.
* **Aesfrosti Soldier**: You've made your last run, smuggler scum!
* **Rudolph**: Damn it all! Looks like I'm done for...
* **Aesfrosti Soldier**: You are under arrest for the illegal transportation and distribution of salt!
* **Rudolph**: Please! Ye've got t' let me go. I beg ye!
* **Rudolph**: My little brother needs me. He'll die if ye don't! He's sick and—
* **Aesfrosti Soldier**: Hmph! A likely story! What a pity then that you chose to betray your country rather than support him through honest means.
* **Aesfrosti Soldier**: Throw him in a cell, so he can contemplate the consequences of his crimes!
* **Rudolph**: No! Get yer hands off o' me! Ye've got t' let me go!
* **Rudolph**: I got t' smugglin' salt so I could afford medicine for my brother.
* **Rudolph**: We could barely put food on th' table, let alone find money fer medicine.
* **Rudolph**: I know it ain't right, but what choice did I have?
* **Rudolph**: He died while I was locked up.
* **Rudolph**: I broke my promise to 'im.
* **Anna**: I...had no idea.
* **Rudolph**: It's not anythin' to do with ye, anyhow. Let's get back to work.

### A Promise Fulfilled

*The former salt smuggler recounts the promise he made to his late brother...*

* **Rudolph**: Ah... Never saw myself comin' this far just t' be scrubbin' the decks on some ship.
* **Anna**: Quiet. This is an important job, even if you think it beneath you.
* **Rudolph**: Aye, I meant no disrespect. It's just that my brother and I always figured we'd be passengers on a ship like this.
* **Anna**: I see. Was he...fond of ships?
* **Rudolph**: Not as such, no.
* **Anna**: What's that?
* **Rudolph**: It's my brother. Or rather, his ashes anyhow.
* **Anna**: ......
* **Rudolph**: Made a promise to him when we were still small, y'see...
* **Rudolph**: When he got better, I told 'im we'd set off t' wherever we wanted. Eat whatever we wanted, see things nobody'd seen...
* **Rudolph**: He always dreamt we'd find a paradise of our own an' live like kings.
* **Rudolph**: But he never so much as left 'is sickbed, let alone the duchy itself.
* **Rudolph**: I'm a terrible brother. Broke my word... Soon as I saw this ship, it all came floodin' back.
* **Anna**: You needn't punish yourself. You did all you could to protect him.
* **Rudolph**: Thank ye. I appreciate the kind words, but...what's done is done.
* **Anna**: I refuse to accept that. Nothing is ever final.
* **Anna**: And I daresay the weather is fair enough for a short test cruise.
* **Rudolph**: We can just take the ship out fer a joy ride? Don't we need 'Is Lordship's permission?
* **Anna**: I am my own person, and responsible for my own actions...and the consequences of those actions.
* **Anna**: Besides, I must ensure that the ship is in working order.
* **Anna**: ...And you deserve a reward for your labor today. I am certain we can handle ourselves, if we work together.
* **Rudolph**: Don't need t' tell me twice!
* **Rudolph**: This sea air feels wonderful! I had no idea a breeze could feel so good!
* **Rudolph**: He never got t' go outside, ye know, on account o' the sickness. He jus' lay there, starin' at the ceilin'...
* **Rudolph**: ...But now he can finally see the bright blue sky and feel the winds uncaged.
* **Rudolph**: If only one o' his dreams is fulfilled, 'm glad it's this one.
* **Rudolph**: Thank ye, Anna. This has turned into a fine way t' honor his memory. He's free now!
* **Anna**: There is no need for thanks. This is my job.
* **Rudolph**: Aye, so ye say...
* **Rudolph**: ...That don't mean I can't be grateful.

## Mid-Battle Conversations

### Chapter III, Part II: A Land of Snow and Ice

#### Half of the smugglers defeated

* **Rudolph**: That's half of 'em. Ye'll keep yer word about my pardon, won't ye?
* **Sycras**: We'll talk when this is finished!

#### near Anna

* **Rudolph**: Ye've a dark past, too. I can tell. How'd ye come to be with this lot?
* **Anna**: I am no criminal. Mind your tongue.

#### near Hughette

* **Rudolph**: Ye can always trust one who fights with a bow, yeah?
* **Hughette**: Less talk, more fighting.

### Chapter X, Part II: A Treacherous Soul

#### vs. Sycras

* **Rudolph**: We meet again, Sycras. Though I can't say I'm happy 'bout it.
* **Sycras**: Agreed. I had hoped you would become an honest man, Rudolph.
* **Rudolph**: We got our reasons. Not that I'd expect a straight-laced man like you to understand 'em.

### Chapter XVIII: Begone, Shadow of Sadness

#### vs. Sycras

* **Rudolph**: Ser Sycras, put yer sword away. I don't wanna hurt ye.
* **Rudolph**: I'd hate to rob those poor kids of their father.
* **Sycras**: I am a soldier of the duchy. There are more families than mine depending on me!

### Final Chapter: The Bell Tolls for No One

#### vs. Svarog

* **Rudolph**: Ye've done it now, Svarog. Ye had no right burnin' down our homes like that!
* **Svarog**: Aesfrost is a nation for the strong and free. Rights are earned by iron wills and fists!

### Final Chapter: For Norzelia

#### vs. Idore

* **Rudolph**: I reckon even the evil'd be ashamed to have ye in their company. Least they have the sense to realize what they're doin' is wrong.
* **Idore**: You speak to me of evil, yet is is you who would see my justice undone. I serve only the welfare of my flock.