Lord of Calamity

The Lord of Calamity (災禍の顕主) is a being that appears in Tales of Zestiria.

History
A Lord of Calamity acquires their power due to a curse of immortality, which caused them to accumulate far more grief, despair, and negative emotions than most humans are capable of in their lifetimes; however, it is known that there were other Lords of Calamity in the distant past, and so other means to achieve the power may exist. It is implied that a powerful enough Shepherd can take the Lord of Calamity's place, and being able to form a contract with a dragon, in the same way the Shepherd forms contract with his seraph lords and sub-lords, may be a requirement.

The only known Lord of Calamity is Heldalf, who was cursed with immortality and misfortune by the previous Shepherd, Michael, who sacrificed a baby, Mikleo, on an altar to the seraph Maotelus. The curse also brought death to all those close to Heldalf, including his newborn son, who was seemingly transforming into a hellion before being put down by Heldalf. Heldalf only realized his true form as the Lord of Calamity when he attempted to commit suicide by throwing himself onto an active battlefield. Unable to be struck down, the surplus of negativity on the battlefield empowered him into his current lion-like form, though it is not known if all Lords of Calamity bear the same appearance.