Ada


Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
 Cornell finds her lying on the ground in a latter area of Stage 12, the Clock Tower

Ada was the kid sister of the man-beast Cornell. Or, at least, she was led to believe this to be true. In reality, Ada was a survivor of the humans-man-beast war. Cornell took her into his care and nurtured what was a mere infant. She grew up, actually, believing that she was his stepsister. Regardless of their true connection, Ada and Cornell were described to be the perfect brother-sister combination.

Ada's life took a drastic turn, one day, when the forces of evil destroyed her village and kidnapped her from her home. It was Ortega, a former friend of Cornell, who abducted her and delivered her to Death, Actrise and Gilles De Rais for what was sure to be a further sacrifice to their cause.

When Cornell returned home after a long period of ascetic training, he was shocked to find that the village was in ruins and, of even greater concern, that Ada was missing. Through several meetings with his former friend, Ortega, he learned why his sister was kidnapped, and he vowed to save her even at the cost of his own life. While the secret of their true connection gnawed at his soul, he wouldn't let it cloud his better judgment.

Eventually, he located Ada in the castle's clock tower, but it was all a clever ruse: Death swooped in, took her into his skeletal arms, and flew off to the castle keep, hoping that Cornell would follow. Cornell proved to be a worthy hero by clawing his way to the castle heights and dealing the Dark Lord a temporary defeat. Though, evil had other plans: Ada was immediately encapsulated within a crystal, and Dracula grabbed on to it with the intention of dragging it down into the underworld with his submerging body--hers was the perfect life-force for yet another of his resurrections.

Cornell acted quickly by expelling his werewolf form, projecting it outward and commanding it to destroy the crystal, to rescue Ada, and to sacrifice itself in her place. While he would never be the same again, his ancient power of transformation gone, the safety of his sister was alone enough to suffice. To further along his healing process, Ada revealed that she knew their true connection, and she didn't think any less of him for it. "Together, we can do anything!" she told the greatly relieved Cornell.

     
 
 
Young Henry Oldrey

    Young Henry is found roaming in the Villa hedge maze, where you must help him escape from Frankenstein and hounds
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
 

When Cornell ventured into the castle's Villa during his adventure, he stumbled into a mansion owned by Master Oldrey. Upon entering into its master bedroom, he watched on as Oldrey bang away at the door, demanding that his wife, Mary, open it. Mary refused to open the door because she knew the secret that Cornell would soon discover: Master Oldrey had been infected with Dracula's curse, and he grew so accepting of his eternal status that he wished for his wife and son to join him in his "paradise." He put up tombstones with their names in the Villa's garden and was preparing to remove them from this world and allow them entry into his.

After Cornell chased off her husband, Mary, who was under the pressure of impending doom, asked a big favor of the man-beast: She pleaded with Cornell to locate her son, Henry, and bring him to safety, far away from the castle, to ensure the family's survival. Cornell obliged and thereafter found the boy hiding in the Villa's hedge maze, where a Frankenstein Gardener and two hell hounds were patrolling. Cornell came through on his word; he braved the dangers and brought the boy to safety.

This event would have so much impact and inspiration on the young Henry Oldrey. For one, he'd grow up to despise the creatures of the night. And, as a result, he'd train hard to one day become a member of the Order of Church Knights, whence he'd vow to protect children from Dracula's dark forces as Cornell once did for him.

     
 
 
Rosa


Castlevania 64
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
Rosa is found in the indoor garden of the Villa, Stage 3, only at a certain time of day (dawn); she shows up at the end of Stage 4, the Underground Mine, to warn Reinhardt against going forward; she acts as a boss on Stage 5, the Castle Center, only for Reinhardt; and she appears, resurrected, as part of the good ending for Reinhardt
Rosa is found in the indoor garden of the Villa, Stage 3, only at a certain time of day (dawn); she shows up at the end of Stage 4, the Underground Mine, to warn Reinhardt against going forward; she acts as a boss on Stage 5, the Castle Center, only for Reinhardt; and she appears, resurrected, as part of the good ending for Reinhardt

Every day, at the midst of dawn, Rosa would head down to the Villa mansion's indoor garden to feed to the white roses a diet of warm blood. At first glance, Rosa seemed to be but an ordinary young woman; however, upon breaching the Villa's defense, Reinhardt Schneider learned that Rosa's was quite the unfortunate plight.

To Reinhardt she revealed that she was under Dracula's dark curse, as were all other Villa habitants, and that she would soon become an unwilling slave to his every whim. She warned Reinhardt that he would surely suffer the same fate should he hang around the Villa for too long. While Rosa was already a vampire, the conflict within still burned, and she was able to resist plunging her fangs into the hero.

The two met later on in the caverns when Reinhardt burst through a door only to find Rosa attempting to kill herself by exposing her flesh to a beam of sunlight. He stopped this event and lectured her that suicide was not the answer, and, furthermore, it was "forbidden by God." She requested, instead, that he end her pain using the Vampire Killer, but Reinhardt refused. He wasn't sure what she'd do next.

They met once more in the castle center, but by this time, there was no turning back; her condition had reached a point to where she could no longer resist the urge to protect her master, Dracula, and destroy any resistance to his cause. The confrontation that followed, engineered by the amused Death, finally brought about a battle between the two. Though justified in his actions in unleashing his wrath, Reinhardt vowed that he would extract revenge for her lost soul.

When Death attempted an ambush at the top of the clock tower, it was Rosa that appeared once again to throw herself onto Reinhardt, to shield him from the incoming attack. Reinhardt was surprised by her sudden restraint. As she lay in his arms, she revealed that she did believe in him and his cause, and she knew that he had the power to destroy Dracula. In her final moments, she also expressed a fear that her soul could not be forgiven; the comforting Reinhardt placed in her hand a cross and assured her that God forgives all. At the words' conclusion, Rosa faded away.

Though, this would not be their last meeting. Due to Reinhardt's timely defeat of the freshly risen Count Dracula combined with her will to be forgiven, Rosa's soul was allowed to escape from his demonic grasp and in divine fashion return to this world in human form. The very symbol of their friendship, a rose that fell from the sky, materialized into a now-free-from-the-curse Rosa, who shared a hug with the ecstatic Reinhardt. With the Dark Lord purged from this world, she would now be ready to begin a life anew

     
 
 
Renon


Castlevania 64
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
He initially shows up on Stage 3, the Villa, when you find the contract; he appears thereafter anytime a contract--found multiple times per stage--is picked up; he's found again on Stage 9, the Castle Keep, to bid you farewell or act as a boss
He initially shows up on Stage 3, the Villa, when you find the contract; he appears thereafter anytime a contract--found multiple times per stage--is picked up; he's found again on Stage 9, the Castle Keep, to bid you farewell or act as a boss

When Reinhardt Schneider (or Carrie Fernandez, depending on which you prefer) entered into the Villa Mansion's foyer, he found a sealed document laying on the ground. The moment he picked up the document and opened it, it beckoned the appearance of a strange-looking figure: Renon, the demon salesman from Hell.

Renon, his pointy tail hardly concealed, was always one to capitalize on Armageddon, and he was more than happy to assist the living if it would mean gleefully watching their demise at a later time. After all, the deaths of millions was a wonderful business opportunity.

In a gentlemanly manor, Renon offered his services to the hero if he were to sign the contract; therein, he'd supply Reinhardt all types of helpful items to take along on his quest. Furthermore, Renon promised to come to Reinhardt's aid any time he found another of his contracts laying about. He did this job well until Reinhardt neared the castle keep, whence he felt that his services were no longer needed. He bid the hero farewell and returned to Hell to find his next client.

Note that the story changes if while playing Castlevania 64 you spend too much money. As the story unfolds from this alternate perspective: Renon revealed that there was a clause in the contract, fine print that Reinhardt failed to consider. He spent too much money on goods, greedily, and would have to pay the price with his soul. Renon thus revealed his true identity, a formidable hellspawn, and tried to make good on the proposition. Instead, Reinhardt rendered the contract null and void, and Renon was unceremoniously shipped back to Hell.

     
 
 
Charles Vincent


Castlevania 64
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
Charles' first appearance is in the master bedroom of the Villa on Stage 3, where he sleeps during the night; he later shows up after the fake Dracula is defeated (under the right circumstances) to reveal the truth; if time requirements aren't met, he'll show up as a vampirized boss at
game's end
Charles' first appearance is in the master bedroom of the Villa on Stage 3, where he sleeps during the night; he later shows up after the fake Dracula is defeated (under the right circumstances) to reveal the truth; if time requirements aren't met, he'll show up as a vampirized boss at
game's end

Charlie Vincent (also known as "Vincent the Vampire Killer") considered himself to be the greatest vampire hunter in the world. As an old, wise and battled-tested veteran--and a scholar who spent his entire life studying vampires and lycanthropy--he had in his arsenal all of the tricks necessary to take down a foe such as Count Dracula.

As a result of his past success, you could say that he was a tad arrogant: He very proudly touted himself as "the best," despite even the existence of the Belmont clan and its blood relatives. And when a threat of Dracula's resurrection surfaced, Vincent decided to hone his skill by setting up residence in the Villa Mansion, to live amongst evil to prove to the dark forces his worth.

When Reinhardt (or Carrie) infiltrated the mansion and made his way to its master bedroom, he was greeted rudely by Vincent. When Reinhardt confided that he was on his way to slay Dracula, Vincent laughed it off: "Stop talking nonsense--leave Dracula to me!"

Reinhardt reached the castle keep first. When he was suckered in by Malus' alleged innocence after Dracula's "defeat," it was Vincent who showed up with his vials of holy water to reveal to Reinhardt the truth--that Malus was actually Dracula incarnate. Had Vincent not shown up at that precise time, Reinhardt might have remained ignorant to Dracula's scheming ways. Thus, the old man's instincts proved to be a valuable tool in the war against evil.

Note that the story changes if while playing Castlevania 64 you take too much time to reach the castle keep. As the story unfolds from this alternate perspective: Vincent reached the castle keep first, but he found that he wasn't quite to level he thought; he not only lost to Dracula's servant in battle--he was infected with the curse and thus vampirized. When Reinhardt reached the keep, Vincent showed up to confirm this cold reality by attacking with his now-dark vials of holy water. The defeat of Vincent was a critical blow to his mission for one reason: When Reinhardt defeated Dracula's servant, there was no one show up to advise him that it wasn't even the real Dark Lord. Malus succeeded in fooling Reinhardt, and the world was still at risk.

Special note: Reader Daniel Krauze believes that Vincent was inspired by characters from the movie Fright Night: "The name of one is Charlie Brewster and the other, a Van Helsing-type of guy, is named Peter Vincent."

     
 
 
Quincy Morris


Castlevania: Bloodlines
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
Quincy's name and summarized exploits are mentioned only in the game's instruction manual as part of the setup for Bloodlines' story
Quincy Morris is referenced during conversations between Jonathan Morris and Eric Lecarde, his actions questioned by a concerned grandson

Quincy Morris was the father of John Morris and yet another in the long line of Belmont descendants. To be exact, the Morris family is related to the Belmont clan by blood but as warriors of comparable power. When Richter Belmont in 1797 relinquished possession of the Vampire Killer whip and the mystic weapons to the Baldwins and Graves, also of blood relation, it was believed that the clan would one day return to reacquire them as dictated by the cycle of Dracula rising approximately once per century. By 1897, this had not happened--Dracula had returned several times, but there were no Belmonts to be seen. The responsibility in their hands, it was the elders of the blood-related Schneider faction who saw transfer of the weapons over to the capable Morrises.

They were left to the care of Quincy Morris, whose adventures are yet to be fully chronicled. (There are only two real mentions of the hero: One in Castlevania: Bloodlines' manual, a summary of his encounters, and the other in the natural exposition of Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, where he's referred to simply as Jonathan Morris' "grandfather.") For a better view of his exploits, we need look to Bram Stoker's Dracula, from whose pages both Bloodlines and Quincy Morris are drawn out and reestablished as Castlevania canon. In actuality, Bloodlines continues right from where Stoker's tale left us and begins adding in the classic series' ingredients.

So in 1897, Quincy Morris defeated Count Dracula by stabbing him through the heart with a wooden stake. (Not using the Vampire Killer to finish the task may have future implication.) While the battle raged, the adolescent John Morris and his friend Eric Lecarde watched the encounter from the shadows. Due to the injuries endured during the battle with the Dark Lord, Quincy was unable to survive the encounter. Though, his act of bravery would not be forgotten. In light of the youths' witnessing of this battle, his legacy would live on: The heavily impacted John Morris and Eric Lecarde vowed to train diligently, to grow into warriors and forever fight against and crush the creatures of the underworld.

     
    
 
 
Stella and Loretta


Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
 Stella and Loretta make frequent appearances, advancing the story both as bosses and in storyline exposition

Stella and Loretta were the twin daughters of Eric Lecarde. When one day in 1944 Castlevania mysteriously rose from the depths, Eric Lecarde, ever the warrior descended from the line of knights, was one of the hunters who investigated the matter. Stella and Loretta, fearing for their father's safety, left home soon after and without Eric's knowledge trailed behind. Finding the direct source of its rising, Eric breached a magical painting, the studio of vampire Brauner, who was using such devices to cut off the flow of Dracula's power and take possession of the castle for himself. He ambushed the oblivious Eric and ended his life. Stella and Loretta arrived in time to witness Brauner's finishing blow. Paralyzed by the horrific scene, not realizing that Eric before death had cast a magic barrier to bind his soul to the castle, neither sister could react hastily enough to ward off Brauner's attack, which saw the sinking of his teeth into their necks.

Though, Brauner's actions toward the sisters weren't carried out in angst; no--upon the very sight of them, Brauner was convinced that they were the reincarnation of his daughters, who were killed during World War I. Now he'd spare them the potential for recurring doom; he'd grant "his daughters" eternal life so that he would never again lose them at the hands of the humans. When they reawakened as vampires, Stella and Loretta embraced such ownership and the darkness entailed, as if brainwashed in accepting Brauner as their father. Had the same brand of hatred clouded their judgment?

It was as vampires that they showcased their personalities as contaminated by darkness. Stella, the older of the sisters, was flashy and aggressive, skilled in the use of physical attacks; she would learn to look down upon the humans condescendingly. Loretta, her appearance rather plain, was intelligent, rational and unemotional; strong in magical propensity, she, too, came to look down upon the humans who were no match. They would exhibit these tortured feelings in their encounters with Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin, who they viewed as trying to destroy their father and meddle in their plans. Brauner prevented direct encounters, insisting that their energies were better spent ridding the castle of Dracula's influence.

When the heroes learned from Wind (Eric Lecarde's ghostly alias) the truth, that they were his daughters only lost to darkness, Charlotte formulated a plan: She would through her trials learn a purification spell and use it to heal them, for there was a chance that full vampirism had not yet taken hold. Though Eric had strong doubts, Charlotte followed through; in the inevitable skirmish, whence the sisters would disobey Brauner and promise to lay waste to the heroes they despised, Jonathan held off their attacks long enough for Charlotte to finish the deed, restoring to the sisters their senses. Their eyes seeing a new reality, they immediately recognized Jonathan as a Morris warrior. The sisters could only muster enough energy to apologize for causing so much trouble, a sentiment they would repeatedly convey to the heroes who had believed in them enough to find the cure.

Free of their curse, they would return the favor by supplying information as to Brauner's location and the measures needed to breach the seal. Furthermore, they would do what their father Eric had proposed: As living Lecardes, they could act as they key to the unlocking of the Vampire Killer's true power. With Stella's assistance, Loretta incarnated the whip's last memory, an image of Richter Belmont, whose defeat at the hands of Jonathan would earn him authoritative control over the Vampire Killer. In affording this control, they played well their role to assist in the thwarting of Brauner's plan and thus the desires of Death and Count Dracula to re-inhabit this world. When the heroes gathered after victory, Eric revealed to Stella and Loretta his specter and bid them a final farewell. Sensing Stella had come to worry more than anyone could know, he soothed her emotional wounds with a request not to overdo her role. A more stoic Loretta could only take solace in his final words: "Live for all you're worth." Though crushed, they would heed his words and keep a strong face.

     
 
 
Vincent Dorin

    Vincent Dorin greets the heroes at adventure's start and then retires to his shop, where he remains; he appears in the ending sequence, his status dependent on the storyline
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
 

Vincent Durin was a priest dispatched by the Church to meet with and assist the heroes who were called upon to investigate the mysterious rising of Castlevania. Not known as the courageous type, Vincent was nervously waiting outside the castle when he noticed the legendary Vampire Killer, as brandished by Jonathan Morris. "A blessing indeed!" Vincent raved at the sight of the famed whip. Well-researched in the subject of Belmonts and their blood relatives, he wasn't too pleased to learn that Jonathan could not properly utilize it. A bit hazy was his recollection of the surname Aulin, which angered the young Charlotte, a name he did recognize. "Charlotte? Oh! You must be the great magician everyone's been talking about!" he blurted, cowering before her intimidating presence.

Vincent revealed the purpose of his appearance: He was ordered to assist the heroes by supplying them potions and other magical items, which would surely help in their quest. But he would to the heroes' disappointment do this only for a price--a "matter of economics," of which the Church was no stranger. Wishing them well, he, too, headed into the castle, where he'd find a safe place to open shop.

His stay at the haunted estate would take a turn for the worst when he was ambushed and bitten by a vampire, infected with a curse that if not cured quickly would surely doom him to a life of eternal darkness. He scurried about frantically, begging for the heroes to do something. Lucky for him, Charlotte had by then learned a purification spell, which was cast in time to spare him a cursed fate. Though he was gracious, not even their heroic actions could coerce him to hand out a freebie or two; business was a serious matter, after all, even if he was fearful of Dracula's revival.

In defeating Brauner and then Death and Dracula, Jonathan and Charlotte forgot to notify their timid little friend of a little matter of the castle's impending collapse. It wasn't until Charlotte remembered the day's events in regard to purification that this became apparent. With Stella and Loretta at their side, they hurried off to search for their missing friend, who unbeknownst to them was following right behind, scampering as if a lost dog. "Wait a second! Hey! I'm over here!"

     
 
 
Mina Hakuba


Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Mina hangs around the entrance area to the Castle Corridor, and she later appears in the game's best ending
Mina chats with Soma in the intro scene, and she in the game's ending sequence arrives to comfort the battle-worn Soma

Mina Hakuba was the only daughter of the man known as the Hakuba Shrine's caretaker and its head priest. The young Mina was known to be extremely friendly, and she was well-liked by all those who made her acquaintance.

And even though Soma Cruz was ever the intimidating personality, she always felt comfortable around him. A true testament to her amiable nature were her relationships with other relevant parties--mainly Genya Arikado and Yoko Belnades, two mysterious characters who often frequented her father's shrine. In 2035, when Mina and Soma climbed to the top of the Hakuba Shrine to get a better view of the impending celestial event, they were both whimsically transported into Castlevania, which had been sealed away in the darkness of the eclipse. Before Soma awakened from his unconscious state, Mina had already discovered that Genya Arikado was lurking about, too.

When Soma awakened, neither he nor Mina was certain of Genya's intent, but they knew for sure that they were both pawns in a dangerous game. Soma's proved to be the more troubling plight, his mission more urgent, so Mina did what she had always done: During his journey, as he struggled to find his true self, she continued to ease Soma's tension and make him feel at home amongst his suspicious new friends (most notably, she'd offer clues to a befuddled Soma and furthermore replenish his HP and MP meters). Her friendship proved to be all the more valuable when Soma faced his greatest threat, the essence of chaos; she pooled together all of the troops in order to use their collective power to psychically contact Soma with the words of encouragement that would give him the strength to attain victory. After that fight, when it was clear that inside Soma lay the sleeping spirit of Dracula, she would not let this chilling fact break their bond. Instead, she promised that she would stand by him, no matter what--that she would always rush to his aid.

One year later, while she and Soma were discussing the events that so troubled him, Celia Fortner appeared and threw a wrench into things. It was clear that Celia and her new cult were trying to goad young Soma into another painful ordeal, and he would have to respond. Though she would not be joining him in his new quest, she would be with her friend in spirit. Though, her participation would extend further: She entrusted with Genya Arikado a special talisman, which she wanted Soma to have when the situation required. Upon meeting with Arikado in the guest house of the cult's hideaway, this talisman Soma did receive.

When Celia used a doppelganger disguised as Mina to trick Soma into thinking his trusted friend was dead, he gave in to temptation and let his hatred boil over, almost transforming into the Dark Lord incarnate. Though, by equipping Mina's talisman, Soma was able to hold back the forces of chaos until the doppelganger's presence was discovered. That plan was thwarted, and Mina did indeed live up to her promise to protect him. When the battle was over, and the exhausted Soma stood seaside as the cult's hideout collapsed into the sea, it was Mina who showed up unexpectedly to further comfort her friend.

     
 
 
Yoko Belnades


Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
She appears in the Study, Clock Tower and Underground Reservoir to advance the story; later, her energy depleted, she stays in the safety of the entrance to the Castle Corridor
After being ditched, Soma escorts her to the village, where she sets up shop and aides him, game-long, in different ways; she, too, shows up in the ending sequence to greet the victorious heroes

Yoko Belnades is a member of that family of legend, a gifted magic-user descended from Sypha Belnades and even Carrie Fernandez. Because of her great magical powers, Yoko became another in a long line of witches to find employment with the Catholic Church. Yoko and her employers knew well of Nosatradamus' prophecy that in the year 2035 a new master would locate the haunted Castlevania and inherit the estate and all of Dracula's powers with it. Fearful of this event, the Church sent Yoko out to investigate matters surrounding the predicted event and any ties to the Hakuba Shrine.

Because her family grew closely together with those representing the Belmont clan, she knew of Julius Belmont's past exploits and to where the castle was banished. This knowledge, she thought, made her an expert on the matter. Once she was able to transport into the castle, along with Genya Arikado, further investigation led her to believe that the prophecy was true, that someone would inherit Dracula's power--but she was tracing the wrong subject. After the talkative and noisy Yoko befriended Soma, she shared with him her evidence that Graham Jones was to be the recipient of Dracula's dark power. She couldn't know how wrong she really was.

When Graham caught on to her presence, she became a target of his increasing insecurity. When they met up in the castle's catacombs, he attacked her viciously, but Soma arrived just in time to scare him off. By the time the truth was revealed, that Soma was the subject destined to inherit that dark power, Yoko was too hurt to offer any assistance. Instead, she mustered what energy she could to participate in the psychic contact with Soma, to do her part in offering the words of encouragement that would see him finally conquer his inner demons.

One year later, Yoko was involved in the Church's investigation of the new cult headed by Celia Fortner. Joined by Julius Belmont, she headed to the cult's hideout to aid in eliminating the threat. Neither wished for Soma Cruz to become involved in the matter, but his determination was evident. While Julius understood why Soma would take such measures, Yoko could not. Then again, Belmont has his own agenda, and he infiltrated the cult's hideout, ditching Yoko at its entrance. She had no choice but to request that Soma escort her to the safety of a nearby village.

Back at the village, realizing that she now had little control over the continuing investigation, Yoko set up a shop in order to teach Soma about the importance of magic seals, which could be used to draw in dark power. She would also assist in his mission with a process of "weapon synthesis," wherein she would fuse together weaponry and spared souls in order to create for him new tools of destruction. Furthermore, she would provide inside information, when necessary, on a myriad of topics. Though leery of Hammer, who set up his own shop across the way, Yoko was happy in this role. And when the battle was over, the cult having been defeated, Yoko was one of the first ones there to greet the victorious heroes.

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