Deane
Deane [ディーン] is a fifteen year old paladin who serves as the primary protagonist of Yoko Tanaka's 1989 Ultima-inspired manga, Ultima: The Quest of the Avatar. He replaces the character of Dupre from the original Ultima IV.
Description[edit]
Unbeknownst to all but a few, Deane was the child of Lady Aila – a woman who was Sentri’s daughter and Lord British’s lover. Seemingly conceived through supernatural means, Deane was discovered by Judge Talfourd of Yew and his son, Shiva, as an infant, having been exposed after his mother's death at the hands of monsters. Imbued by his messianic birth with the potential of the Avatar, Deane did his best to follow in his older brother's footsteps, and took on the burden of completing his sibling's unfinished quest following his foster-father's death in an attack by bandits.[1]
Often coming across as naive and innocent, Deane showed patience and sympathy to the other members of his party – never turning down the company of a fellow traveler and doing his best to follow the Virtues he was meant to embody. He frequently came into conflict with less scrupulous members of the party, such as Io and Shamino, as he strove to deal honestly and fairly with the various people of the realm. Due to the mystic forces which appeared to surround him, Deane could often perform surprisingly deadly magical attacks, giving him a considerable edge over those more experienced than he.
When the party traversed the Abyss, and Deane learned of his brother's corruption by the wicked Hawkwind, the youth set the whole of his being against the malevolent adviser, seeking at all costs to stop him from channeling the spirit of Mondain.[2] Although he eventually slew him, Deane came to realize that the evil which Hawkwind had summoned is far greater than even he anticipated, and to this end he sacrifices his own life – sealing away the darkness which underlied Britannia's sins as he ascends to Avatarhood.[3]
Before this apotheosis, Deane promised the young Io that he will return to her – having grown found of the young woman during their time together. At the end of the manga it appeared that the Avatar was true to his word, and that he had reincarnated as the bard’s own son.[4]
Gallery[edit]
Deane, reborn as Io’s child
Danae on the Paladin card
References[edit]
- ↑ Tanaka, Yuko. Quest of the Avatar (Ultima IV). JICC: August 29, 1989. Pages 1–25.
- ↑ Tanaka, Yuko. Quest of the Avatar (Ultima IV). JICC: August 29, 1989. Pages 186–216.
- ↑ Tanaka, Yuko. Quest of the Avatar (Ultima IV). JICC: August 29, 1989. Pages 221–245.
- ↑ Tanaka, Yuko. Quest of the Avatar (Ultima IV). JICC: August 29, 1989. Pages 249–252.