Richard

Richard (リチャード Richādo) is the Prince of Windol Country in Tales of Graces, calm and collected. He shares a great bond with Asbel Lhant.

Personality
Calm and collected, he takes polictial affairs very personally, and is quite peace-loving. He loves his country and will do anything to help his people. He trusts his friends, Asbel and Sophie, with his most personal issues and together they help each other out.

After Lambda's possession takes effect, he becomes quite the opposite, doubting his friends and having a huge hatred for people. This is highly due to Lambda´s nature of sorrow and loneliness.

Fighting Style
He wields a rapier and primarily uses strike artes, and has been shown to use only Wind or neutral elemental attacks and spells.

Friend
Richard is first seen sitting alone in a dark room with a sadden expression on his face before he notices someone at the window. That someone is Asbel as he pushes the windows open, making the room all a sudden brighter. At first, Richard rejects Asbel offer to go out and play, believing the only reason people would want to get close to him is so they could use and gain something in return. But soon realizes that Asbel is different. When Richard offered Asbel his ring in exchange for having saved his life, Asbel angrily rejected it, stating that he didn't save to gain something or that he was a prince. Along with Sophie, the two made a vow of friendship at the flower garden, carving their names onto the tree. Richard states, promises, that he will never forget that moment.

Betrayal
It was revealed in the fourth trailer that Richard's father, the King of Windol, passes away. When a weak Richard is found by Asbel and Sophie, he explains that his father was killed by Richard's uncle, Celdic.

Possession
As the story progresses Richard shows signs of evil behavior which later on the party learns that Richard is being controlled by a being named Lambda and eventually transforms into a more demonic form. Asbel and the others fight him in Lambda's Cocoon.

End of Madness
When Richard is defeated in the final dungeon, he regains control. He tells Asbel that he does not know which feelings are his or Lambda, because in someway the two feelings are identical. He then asks Asbel to kill him and Lambda while he's still in control, knowing what they are doing is wrong. But Asbel refused, telling him that he's his friend. Richard thanks him for that, but continues to urge him to hurry and end him as Lambda starts taking control again. Lambda attempts to get rid of Richard, by doing what he had done to Emeraude, but Asbel is able to pull Richard out of Lambda's grasp, thus saving him.

Party
Asbel Lhant - Richard places tremendous trust and fellowship in him, realizing that Asbel is different, that he does not intend to use him to gain something, and that is why he likes him.

Sophie - Both are quiet and rarely speak, but they are still friends. But, seven years later, a rift is formed between the two due to what lies dormant inside Richard, making the two unable to touch. In a skit, during the prologue, Richard tells Sophie that they're alike in someway, but see things differently.

Malik Caesars - It is optional, in the childhood arc, to see Malik at the Knights Academy. Upon seeing him, Richard attempts to hide, telling Asbel that that person knows him. Malik takes notice almost immediately, and approaches them. Asbel intervenes, and covers for Richard. Malik plays into it and tells Richard to become stronger, for their sake, and also, whispers for him to be careful, before walking off. Richard thanks Malik, in his mind. Seven years later, the two become enemies, as the knights have joined the new king.

Cheria Barnes- It is possible that they know each other, considering they met when they were children and were friends.

Pascal - Pascal comically accused Richard of being her rival for Sophie's affection after seeing Sophie looking depressed after Richard rejects her.

Family
While most of his story is not revealed, the fourth trailer hints that his father, the King, was killed by his closest soldiers.