Jade Curtiss

Dr. Jade Balfour, more commonly known as Jade Curtiss or as Jade the Necromancer is a colonel serving in the Malkuth military and an exceptional wielder of Fonic Arts well known throughout Auldrant. He always seems to be smiling, or at least cheerful, regardless of the events taking place about him, giving little indication of his true thoughts on anything.

Background
Jade is known as the father of Fomicry, the science of extracting data from an existing entity to produce a perfect copy known as a 'replica'. His first attempt was apparently when his sister, Nephry, broke her favorite doll, at which point, rather than buying a new one, Jade, at the age of nine, created an exact replica.

In his youth, he was, as described by Nephry Balfour, a 'devil' highly adept in casting Fonic Artes, who did not understand the significance of life or perhaps that anything other than himself could be sentient -- and he, therefore, enjoyed killing monsters by casting spells even adults found difficult. Sometime after Luke's conversation with Nephry regarding her brother, Jade confesses to Luke that he still fails to understand what it means for someone to die.

He was, however, significantly changed by his teacher, Dr. Nebilim, a healer who commanded the Seventh Fonon, which Jade could not command himself. Though he had great respect for his teacher, Jade attempted to cast a spell using the seventh fonon, but instead unleashed a power beyond his control that resulted in the death of his teacher.

As Nebelim lay dying, Jade created a replica of her, though rather than resurrecting his beloved teacher, he only succeeded in creating a monster which he found himself forced to destroy.

At some time after these painful events, Jade's talents in fonic artes and fomicry were recognized, and he was adopted into House Curtiss, a family of high position within the Malkyth military. Jade was eventually convinced to cease his endeavours with Fomicry by his close friend, Emperor Peony the Ninth, who spent his childhood years in Jade's hometown, Keterburg. It is also revealed that Jade forbade the practice of Fomicry on living organisms due to both ethical and technical issues arising from the subject.

Dist (known during Jade's childhood as Saphir Wyon Neis, and was one of Nebilim's students), however, still didn't accept Nebilim's death. His dream was to see Jade return to normal, and help him resurrect her again. However, Jade had always refused, and often opted to make fun of Dist instead.

He introduces himself as, "Colonel Jade Curtiss, Third Division, Malkuth Imperial Forces." He doesn't ever name himself as Jade the Necromancer, but acknowledges the truth when others (like Largo, aboard the Tartarus) call him the Necromancer.

Personality
Jade is at first a bit of an enigma, he generally teases the party and refers to them as "youngsters", with Jade no one can ever tell what's on his mind or what he's feeling, he rarely shows signs of anger, he shows anger after fighting Major Legretta, shocking the whole party because of Jade usually being the teasing one.

Deep inside however, Jade feels guilt for killing Professor Neblim and for all the people he's killed, Jade has said that he still can't grasp what it means for people to die, something Luke fon Fabre is able to do that he can't.

Abilities
Jade is generally the strongest character in Tales of the Abyss, Jade is able to use a spear that he conjures with Fonic Artes, Jade is more then capable with his spear and with his Fonic Artes, when Jade is first introduced he is at Level 45 and has more then half of his spells, however due to a fon slot seal he loses all but Sonic Spear and Energy Blast, starting at Level 5.

Quotes
"Why, if it isn't Dist the Runny!" -Jade teasing Dist on the ferry to Baticul "What's wrong? You look like you swallowed a bug, oh wait you always look like that." -Jade teasing Asch in Yulia City "Oh admonishing melody, arise in the name of the Necromancer, Mystic Cage! Now know what true power is!" -Jade's first Mystic Arte, Mystic Cage. "I, who stand in the full light of the heavens command thee who opens the gates to hell, come forth divine lightning! This ends now, Indignation!" -Jade's second Mystic Arte, Indignation "Over my dead body!" -Jade losing his temper for the first time in the game over Major Legretta's comments on Fomicry.

Trivia

 * Jade's original last name, Balfour, was the name of an actual, historical doctor.

(Viva Tales Of were videos that were given out as preorder bonuses in Japan. Only a few games had Viva Tales Of as preorder bonuses)
 * Jade is featured in the "Viva Tales Of!" extra DVDs. He appears alongside Zelos Wilder (from Tales of Symphonia), and the two comment together on various Tales Of games and their characters.

--In the minigame Jade quests around looking for quarters of a small word, all the while being confronted by Barbatos Goetia, the main from Tales of Destiny 2. In his travels he visits the Renegades Hanger (from Tales of Symphonia,) Veigue Lungberg from (Tales of Rebirth), Keele Zeibel from (Tales of Eternia), and makes Asch (also from Tales of the Abyss) his partner. Asch then finds Zelos Wilder (from Tales of Symphonia) and Arche Klaine (from Tales of Phantasia)
 * Jade is one of the 'main characters' in a DVD-minigame on the 'Tales Of Innocence: Dramatic Voice Acting' DVD (an extra sold only in Japan)