Garthoz
Garthoz is the lion Commander of the Order of Imperial Knights in the visual novel GameOver.
Questlines
When the Order arrives in town, you'll happen to glimpse one particularly important knight in the proceedings that keeps a close eye on you in particular.[1] The next time you enter the Barracks, you'll find that everyone is in a closed off meeting that you can't attend. Iron, however, is still outside and discusses with you the changes that will be happening. For one, you'll likely have to earn your way back into being allowed to patrol with the others, since Ran will no longer be actively a part of the town's guard. While still nominally captain, he'll be elsewhere working on more investigative cases instead. He also mentions a "new stallion in town" that you should get to know if you want to start being involved again.[2] Looking for the stallion will prove easier said than done, because there's several of those among the new Order arrivals. You'll suddenly be accosted by quite the large specimen of equine who will demand to know why you're there. Explaining to him what Iron told you to look for, the stallion will be surprised at the mention of his son, recognizing you as the "mare" his son is "taming". He'll introduce himself as Steel.[3] Speaking with Steel after this will have him inform you that the Commander wishes to see you.[4]
Upon entering formerly Ran's office and meeting the Commander, you'll be intimidated by his size and imposing glowing aura. He was the knight staring at you during the entrance parade and he knows you as the "nameless traveler" in the town.[5] If you have already become Diakor's vassal,[6] Garthoz will recognize you as such and what end the Sovereign has for you in regards to producing children. The Commander remarks that the Sovereign is different from his siblings who are known elsewhere in the world by the Order and the kingdom's ruler. He also expresses his anger at having to serve any sort of Sovereign like that, particularly ones that purposefully allow and push for interactions with fiends. He also explains that the reason why the order looks the way it does, glowing and all, is because of the blessing from the Sovereign who distributes their mana to them. And it is not a willing decision in most cases, as those who are to become a knight are decided by the Sovereign practically from birth and then are mentally and physically altered to fit the role. Over time, due to channeling such a large amount of single-aspected mana, their form changes to resemble the source, hence why several members of the Order have been growing horns. Their mentality also alters for the role they are meant to present, though Garthoz' appears to result in him having stronger amounts of anger and defiance. He doesn't know why the Sovereign wants this for him, as it is radically different from the calm and composed Paladin he was prior.[7]
He then suddenly takes you to a pre-ordained meeting with Diakor. The Dragon explains that the reason he has changed Garthoz as such is that he requires an Executioner, one who will be able to kill who needs to be killed. He also points out that the Knight's creed against fiends is misguided, as the various types of fiends act as a balance and control for the world, offsetting some other existing imbalance. The Sovereign allows for Garthoz to keep up the pretense of his knighthood, but deems that he will be unable to avoid venting his real opinions when alone with you, as an outlet for his emotions. He also details the plan of accepting the new elemental spirits that will be found into the town, then having the King visit to swear his loyalty to the Sovereign. He also suggests that Garthoz do some sort of necessary experimentation with Jar, though you aren't aware of what that means.[7] If you have somehow managed to get to this point and have not met Diakor and become his vassal, then an alternative meeting option is available. It requires having gone on patrol with Jar before,[8] having chosen to become a part of his lower body at the end of a patrol,[9] and having manipulated and changed your mark with Varok and him having noticed that.[10] Then, speaking with Garthoz will have him take you to meet Diakor, who you were unaware of and will add himself to your mind as a new vassal. You will then be kicked out and not get to hear his conversation with Garthoz.[11] Note: These two talks are mutually exclusive and obtaining one means the other can never be obtained. In almost all cases, the first conversation will be the one that occurs unless you actively avoid certain interactions. Which is inadvisable because of how involved Diakor is in many interactions prior to the Order's arrival.
