Rudolf

Rudolf Artwork of Rudolf from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. Emperor of Rigel.

Gender Male Race Human Age 50 Family Alm (son) Berkut (nephew) Nationality Rigelian Title(s) Emperor of Rigel Starting class Gold Knight Voiced by Jamieson Price (English, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia and Heroes) Takayuki Sugō (English, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia and Heroes) Appearance(s) Gaiden Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Heroes

“	A merciful leader may grant a second chance. Only a fool allows a third.	”	— Rudolf

Rudolf (Japanese: ルドルフ Rudlf) was the Emperor of Rigel. He posed as a malevolent tyrant and invaded neighboring Zofia as part of his plan to instigate the rise of true heroes in Valentia to combat the corrupting influence of the gods Mila and Duma.

Biography

In the year 590, Rudolf travelled to Ram Village in secret to visit the former Zofian knight Mycen, now an exile protecting Celica from Desaix. Rudolf informed Mycen of the details of his master plan to free Valentia, determined even then, and entrusted his newborn son Albein to Mycen's care.

Later in 604, Rudolf put into motion the beginning steps of his plan: he received Falchion from Duma, and with it sealed away Mila, causing the crops of Zofia to wither and inciting famine in the nation. Under these weakened conditions, Zofia fell to a coup instigated by Desaix, followed by Rudolf's launch of an invasion of Zofia. In response to these conditions, in 606, Alm departed from Ram to lead the Zofian liberation army against both Desaix's faction and Rigel, while Celica departed from Novis Priory to search for Mila.

At the culmination of the war with Rigel, Alm led a charge on Rigel Castle itself. Rudolf led the defense of the palace, determined to lead his men to the last, and implored his soldiers to surrender to Alm should he fall in battle and to value their lives. Rudolf was defeated in battle, and in his dying words revealed Alm's true identity as his son and implored Alm to use Falchion to defeat Duma.

Fire Emblem Gaiden

Role

Rudolf is the final boss of Alm's route in Chapter 4 of Gaiden, fought at Rigel Castle. He is incapable of actually harming Alm, instead displaying the message "Why won't Rudolf attack?"; curiously, he can still initiate rounds of combat with Alm in the enemy phase, but will not actually strike him and instead leaves himself wide open to Alm's counterattacking.

Stats

Gold Knight Level 20

Stats Max HP 52 Luck 40 Strength 27 Defense 22 Skill 16 Resistance 6 Speed 21 Movement 9

Equipment Spells Angel Ring -- Weapons Sword ✗ Axe ✗ B. Magic ✗ Lance ✓ Bow ✗ W. Magic ✗

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Role

Rudolf reprises his role as the final boss of Alm's route in Chapter 4. Once again, he will not attack Alm, and will leave himself open to Alm's attacks.

He is also featured in a Memory Prism, titled The Lasting Promise. It is shown here that, instead of him travelling to Ram village in secret, Mycen traveled to Rigel Castle, where Rudolf revealed his plan and entrusted Mycen with the newborn Alm.

Stats

Normal Hard

Gold Knight Level 20

Stats Max HP 52 Luck 0+20 Attack 28 Defense 23 Skill 17 Resistance 8 Speed 22 Movement 9

Item Skills Angel Ring Lance Recovery* Weapons ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

Gold Knight Level 20

Stats Max HP 52 Luck 13+20 Attack 30 Defense 25 Skill 26 Resistance 16 Speed 24 Movement 9

Item Skills Angel Ring Lance Recovery* Weapons ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

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Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Rudolf was first made available to be summoned by players on February 7, 2020 in a special Valentine's variation as part of the summoning event surrounding the launch of the Lovely Gifts update. The aforementioned Valentine's variation of Rudolf is the only one currently available in Heroes, based on his Echoes: Shadows of Valentia incarnation.

Rudolf: Emperor of Rigel

Starting stats

Rudolf: Emperor of Rigel is only available at 5★ rarity.

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 23/24/25 Attack 9/10/11 Speed 3/4/5 Defense 10/11/12 Resistance 6/7/8 Maximum HP 42/46/49 Attack 39/43/46 Speed 18/21/24 Defense 38/41/45 Resistance 25/29/32 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}

Skills Thorn Lance -- Glowing Ember

Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Rarity	SP cost
	Iron Lance	Innate
	Steel Lance	Innate
	Silver Lance	Innate
	Thorn Lance	Innate
	Glowing Ember	Innate
	Bonfire	★★★★★	200 SP
B	Special Fighter 1	★★★★★	60 SP
B	Special Fighter 2	★★★★★	120 SP
B	Special Fighter 3	★★★★★	240 SP
C	Threaten Def 1	★★★★★	50 SP
C	Threat. Atk/Def 1	★★★★★	100 SP
C	Threat. Atk/Def 2	★★★★★	200 SP
C	Threat. Atk/Def 3	★★★★★	300 SP

Personality and character

Rudolf saw the ruinous state of Valentia induced by the strong influence of the gods, and in response sought to rescue Valentia from itself by ridding it of their influence. To this end, he instigated a conflict with himself as the archvillain, sacrificing himself to spark the rise of heroes capable of fighting back, defeating him and unifying the continent without the influence of the gods. He was fiercely determined to achieve his goal, completely accepting of this self-condemnation. In spite of the atrocities committed under his rule by his commanders, he cared for the welfare of his subjects, entreating them to survive beyond his rule in Alm's company. Rudolf is shown to treat his nephew Berkut sternly and harshly, and outright calls him a weakling to his face before marching out to battle Alm. His guard captain Massena claims that he truly loved Berkut and regretted that his plan to save Valentia would inevitably hurt him.^{[citation needed]}

Quotes

Battle quotes

“	Brave soldiers of Rigel! How admirably you have fought for me until now! However... The time has already grown late. The fate of the Rigelian Empire has drawn to an end. Hear me, all of you!!! This is my final request. If I should fall, you must not interfere. Those of you who remain should surrender like the courageous men you are. I hear that Zofia's young general is a man of compassion. In no way should surrender be a bad choice for you. Is that clear? Do not die in vain. Do not throw away your lives so frivolously!	”	— Rudolf, at the start of the battle in Gaiden.

“	Brave warriors of Rigel. You have fought with courage and skill at my side these long years. But the hour of reckoning is upon us. Our empire's light is guttering. Now heed my words well! If I should fall, my final order is that you lay down your arms and surrender. I hear the young Zofian general is a man of mercy. If you have any love and loyalty for me, you'll not waste your lives this day.	”	— Rudolf, at the start of the battle in Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

“	Come... Strike me!	”	— Rudolf in Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Critical quotes

“	The time has come!	”	— Rudolf

“	Fool!	”	— Rudolf

“	No mercy!	”	— Rudolf

“	Now perish!	”	— Rudolf

Death quotes

“	This is...as it should be...	”	— Rudolf's defeat voice clip in Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

“	Alm... You've become a splendid young man... Was it no mistake to have entrusted you with Sir Mycen after all...? You should have realized it by now, haven't you? Your real name is Albein Alm Rudolf. My...one and only...son... Guh... I cannot speak for much longer... However, Alm. I have just one last request. Using "Falchion", that holy sword that sealed Mila... Defeat...the fell god...Duma...	”	— Rudolf in Gaiden.

“	Rudolf: You've...done well... I'm proud of you...my son. Alm: ...What? Rudolf: I knew I was right to entrust you to my dearest friend. Alm: Your friend... You mean...Mycen? What's going on here? What are you saying?! Rudolf: I'd thought you'd have realized by now. Your true name... Your true name is Albein Alm Rudolf. You are...my one and only son. Alm: I... What? That can't be true... You're lying! Why should I believe a word you say? Rudolf: Nnngh... Be still, Alm. I haven't time left... to explain. But I beg you to grant me one... final favor. Alm: You want a favor from ME? Rudolf: Take the Divine Falchion that... sealed Mila's strength... Duma has become a thing of mindless evil. Use the blade... Destroy him... Please, my son... You must... Alm: No, wait! Emperor Rudolf! Were you truly my father? Then I've just... Oh, gods... What have I done? Aah... AAAAAAAUGH!	”	— Rudolf's death quote with Alm in Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Heroes quotes

Main article: Rudolf/Quotes (Heroes)

Flavor text

Game	Text (English)	Text (Japanese)
Echoes: Shadows of Valentia	Emperor of Rigel.	リゲル帝国の皇帝。
Heroes	The stern, commanding Emperor of Rigel. Father of Alm and uncle of Berkut. Appears in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.	リゲル帝国の厳格な皇帝。 アルムの父。ベルクトは甥にあたる。 （登場：『ファイアーエムブレム Echoes』）

Trivia

• Rudolf appears to be his surname, as Alm's full name is "Albein Alm Rudolf". His given name is unknown, making him the only Fire Emblem series character who is indicated to be referred to exclusively by a surname. Alm is also called "Rudolf II" by Rudolf's followers, and in the cast listing of Gaiden, Rudolf is called "Rudlf First".

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology and in other regions
Language	Name	Definition, etymology, and notes
English	Rudolf	From the Germanic name Hrodulf, which was derived from the elements hrod "fame" and wulf "wolf".
English (unofficial)	Rudolf	Used in the Gaiden fan translation.
Japanese	ルドルフ	Officially romanized as Rudlf First.
Spanish	Rudolf	As above.
French	Rudolf	As above.
German	Rudolf	As above.
Italian	Rudolf	As above.
Dutch	Rudolf	As above.
Portuguese (Brazil)	Rudolf	As above.
Simplified Chinese	鲁道夫	Rudolf
Traditional Chinese	魯道夫	Rudolf

Gallery

Sprite Gallery
Gold Knight Lance

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  Artwork of Rudolf from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

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  Artwork of Rudolf from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

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  Concept artwork of Rudolf from Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

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  Portrait of Rudolf in Echoes: Shadows of Valentia.

Heroes artwork

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  Artwork of Rudolf: Emperor of Rigel from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Rudolf: Emperor of Rigel from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Rudolf: Emperor of Rigel from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Rudolf: Emperor of Rigel from Heroes.

References

This article is part of Project Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in the Fire Emblem series.