The main group of Sinistrals that appear across the series
Sinistral is the localized term applied to an evil deity or to one of certain extent, but it mainly refers to the group of main villains in the series. The term itself is only present during the overseas localization of the games, serving as the term applied to the generic mad god (神) term of the original Japanese scripts, by which the Sinistrals are referred in-game.
It was coined by humankind during ancient times, before being picked by the main group of antagonist Sinistrals as the term they refer themselves to. The term by itself is not limited to the four usual antagonist Sinistrals and can be applied to any other god upon meeting specific conditions.
Definition[]
The term Sinistral corresponds to a deity perceived as evil, as seen specially on the main group of antagonists gods. However, another connotation can be extracted from Daos' dialogue at the end of Lufia: The Legend Returns, that appears to refer to the fact that the word Sinistral applies to a god that has absorbed a force of negative nature, as seen when Zalbak (Fire) absorbs Erim (Death), to which Daos comments that upon doing this Zalbak will turn into the "Ultimate Sinistral". Lastly, a final alternate and simpler definition of the word can be obtained by translating the original Japanese term (狂神) meaning "mad god", implying the Sinistrals may be, in fact, corrupted forms of gods originally seen as benevolent.
Nature, Origin, and Role[]
The Sinistrals have been described as forms of energy across the series. This might imply that their true nature radicates in the fact that they could be the embodiment of a natural force, as seen specifically on Zalbak who appears to be a being of pure fire. Their origin is rather unclear, other than they appear to bear some relation to the Spiritual Force (also called Wave) that is oftenly a fundamental part of the plot in the games.
It won't be until Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals that their true role would be revealed, along with their true forms. However, it is unknown if the information presented in-game could apply to the original series, as the game was efectively a reboot of the series.
The Sinistrals and their true forms, residing in their respective shrines, are seen as what appear to be mechanical inventions made by an extinct/ascended non-human race. More so, according to a legend told by Artea, they appear to have created humanity. Along with the legend, and Arekdias dialogue during both endings of the game, it is implied the Sinistrals act as overseers of the progress of mankind, until they become advanced enough to distance themselves from their true creators and reach harmony as a species.
Members[]
Main[]
The Sinistrals (四狂神, Shi Kyou Shin) are a group of evil gods that act as the main antagonists in the series. Their base is the Fortress of Doom located on Doom Island. There are four Sinistrals, each of whom has an unique personality and corresponding dominion over a Spiritual Force perceived as of negative nature.
- Gades, Sinistral of Destruction: The weakest of the group. He displays an arrogant personality and seems to be quite of a combat maniac, yet he appears to respect people who display no fear and sheer strength and resolve.
- Amon, Sinistral of Chaos: Stronger than Gades but seemingly weaker than his other siblings, he appears as the more calmed and often serious of the group. Enjoys dispersing chaos by manipulating weak-minded people and proving people can't never fully trust each other.
- Erim, Sinistral of Death: Apparently at the same level of power as Amon, She's been shown as the most humane of the group, possibly a product of her split personality, which puts her at stakes with her older brother Daos. It appears she's the most violent of the group, a trait which is conserved in her many reincarnations.
- Daos, Sinistral of Terror: The strongest of the group. He acts as the main antagonist in every main game. Unlike the others he appears to be highly resentful and displays a more arrogant and cruel personality than Gades'. He's bent on proving that humanity is worthless and only serves for worshiping higher beings such as him.
Others[]
These are characters that haven't been referred to as Sinistrals but instead as plain gods or super beings. Their role is largely unknown, and appear to be neutral in nature save for the special exception of Guard Daos and Zalbak.
- Guard Daos/Guardios, God of Destruction: The product of a fusion between Daos, Amon and Gades. He's actually a stronger version of Daos that wields the combinated powers of his other two siblings.
- Arekdias, The Absolute: Referred as the king of Sinistrals, and likewise of any other god, he's more of a neutral figure who monitors the progress of humankind and chooses to whether enact judgement upon them or not, based on signals emitted by Dual Blade.
- Zalbak, The Infernal God of Flame: A monstrous-looking scorpion-like creature who lives in a planet far away from Earth. He no longer appears to display use of reason, as upon being summoned he goes on a rampage and plunges Southland into a literal hell. Upon absorbing Erim, he's referred as the Ultimate Sinistral. He may be one of the gods of old mentioned across the series, as he seems to be the embodiment of fire.
- Iris/Iria, Unknown Title: A goddess who lives in seclusion in the deepest parts of Southland's Ancient Cave. Her function is unknown, although it seems that she created many of the pieces of divine equipment seen in the series (such as the pearl armaments found in the Three Towers). Her power goes far beyond than the one of the four main Sinistrals, and even seems to rival Arekdias'. During combat she displays use of many skills that involve the use of light, which along her name seem to indicate her true nature as the embodiment of light.
- Runa: A goddess of old mentioned in Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals. Nothing is known about her other than a cult was formed around her teachings.
Trivia[]
- The word and its plural form appear as the localized terms for the group of main villains -the Four Demon Nobles (四魔貴族) of Square Enix's Romancing SaGa 3.
- The word Sinistral means left, as in the opposite of right, which goes along with the common theme of Dualism found in the series.
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