Gladiolus Amicitia

Gladiolus Amicitia is a companion of Prince Noctis and a party member in Final Fantasy XV. Although not directly controllable, he is in Noctis's party and the player can co-opt moves with him and issue him commands.

He is a childhood friend of Noctis and Ignis, the eldest son of Clarus Amicitia and older brother to Iris Amicitia. As a member of the Crownsguard, Gladiolus acts as the shield of Noctis, like his father has been to King Regis. He has known Noctis since childhood and considers him a brother.

Appearance
Gladiolus is a tall man with a large build. He wears black leather trousers with a small side chain, an open black shirt with nothing but a pendant underneath. In the "no jacket" version of his outfit he wears a black vest with the Crownsguard's insignia in gray.

He has a small arm sleeve over his left wrist, and wears black shoes with red soles. He has amber eyes, a long scar over his left eye, and has tattoos covering his arms. He obtains more scars during the game. His long brown hair is shaved along the sides, and he sports a jaw beard. Like all party members, he has skull motifs to his outfit; the buttons on his jacket have skulls on them, his necklace has two golden skulls, and there is a small skull on his belt buckle and on the tag of his trousers' zipper.

Ten years later Gladiolus the sides of his hair have grown back. His hair is longer, and he keeps it in a small ponytail. The tattoo on his arm has slightly faded, and he wears the Kingsglaive uniform.

Personality
Gladiolus is a cheerful person, contrasting with his imposing physique. Gladiolus has been a fan of the great outdoors since he was young, and has collected various Coleman camping equipment items. He enjoys fighting, and thus researches techniques and skills.

Gladiolus comes from a family that has always been protectors of the Lucis royal family, and is the only party member with a militaristic background. Not only is he trained to protect Noctis, but he's also his friend. Gladiolus freely expresses his opinions on what's necessary and acts as a pillar in ensuring that the team doesn't sway from their goal. This directness gets him into arguments with Noctis.

Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV
Gladiolus initially disliked Noctis for his uncooperative attitude, but was forced to train him and the two would spar at a Citadel training room. Gladiolus blew off steam about it back home when playing with his sister Iris, wishing that he would become guardian to Regis like his father rather than Noctis. One day, the curious Iris insisted upon seeing Noctis, but while waiting at the Citadel, she chased a cat and got lost in a wooded area outside the palace while Noctis followed.

While Gladiolus searched the palace Noctis brought the distressed Iris back. To cover for her, he claimed responsibility for her getting lost, submitting to being grounded by his father. Gladiolus learned the truth from his sister and was favorably impressed by Noctis's actions. The two bonded of mutual respect, which would develop into a brotherly love and friendship over the years.

Final Fantasy XV Prologue Parting Ways
At the Crownsguard's training hall, Clarus, Gladiolus's father, tells his son about the security measures in place during the signing ceremony of the treaty between Lucis and the Niflheim. The peace has brought along many changes, including the role of the Crownsguard, whose new place will be with the people now rather than the king. Clarus doesn't mind, as protecting the populace ensures their support for Regis. The Amicitia family has but one duty: to safeguard and support the king. Clarus asks Gladiolus to keep Prince Noctis safe, not just as the next king, but as a comrade and a true friend.

Cor Leonis arrives with Prompto Argentum who has come for his Crownsguard uniform. Prompto is nervous to be meeting Clarus, and affirms he has completed his self-defense training for the journey before leaving with Gladiolus. They are scheduled to accompany Noctis on his trip to Altissia the following day. Prompto wants to show his parents his new clothes, while Gladiolus is going out to eat with his family.

Night has fallen by the time Ignis, Prompto, and Gladiolus arrive to help Noctis clean his apartment. Gladiolus has packed camping equipment for the road, including cooking equipment for Ignis. In the morning, Noctis, Gladiolus, and Prompto are awakened by Noctis's alarm while Ignis is already awake and ready. They head off to the Citadel.

Final Fantasy XV
Gladiolus accompanies Noctis and his friends on a road trip across the lands toward Altissia where they are to meet Noctis's betrothed, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret. King Regis sends them on their way, but they are soon forced to push their car, the Regalia, to a service station after it breaks down. Afterward they continue to Galdin Quay but find the ferry is not running. They stay the night but the next morning learn the crown city has been attacked by the Empire during the treaty-signing ceremony and Regis, Luna and Noctis are all reported dead. Gladiolus tries to stay on top of the situation and tells Noctis to keep his cool. They try to return to the city but find it blockaded, and rendezvous with Cor Leonis, the marshal of the Crownsguard.

It turns out that while Luna had escaped, Regis has been killed and Insomnia has been destroyed by the Empire's daemons and magitek troops. Noctis embarks on a journey to reclaim his kingdom by collecting the Royal Arms of his forebears and forging covenants with the astrals with faraway help from Luna. Gladiolus stays by his side and supports him, but is at times frustrated with Noctis who struggles with the burdens he's been left with. Iris calls Noctis to let him know she is safe, and they head to Lestallum to see her.

When they head to the Disc of Cauthess at the beckoning of the astral god Titan, Noctis and Gladiolus become separated from Ignis and Prompto. Gladiolus protects Noctis alone, and asks him to reaffirm his conviction to become the king. After Noctis forges a covenant with Titan they escape, but their car has been seized by the Empire and they must infiltrate an imperial base to retrieve it. They are accosted by Luna's brother Ravus Nox Fleuret who works for the Empire. When he threatens Noctis Gladiolus steps between them, but Ravus uses his superhuman strength to slam Gladiolus to the side, hurting his arm.

When they return to Lestallum they discover the Amicitia family butler, Jared Hester, has been killed by the Empire, and Iris wants to leave Lestallum with Jared's grandson Talcott. They take Iris to Cape Caem, and along the way Gladiolus has a chance to fight alongside his sister, and have Noctis pick flowers for her, knowing this would make Iris happy. Caem is a rural outpost that has a secret harbor for King Regis's boat, but as Noctis, Ignis and Prompto head off to find mythril to repair the ship with, Gladiolus ops to stay out of it. During his absence, Gladiolus works as a hunter and stumbles across Noctis as he is clearing out the Lestallum power plant of daemons. Noctis recognizes him through the sound of his voice, and after Gladiolus removes his protective suit Noctis finds he has a new scar on his face, although Gladiolus doesn't explain his escapade further.

With the ship repaired, the party heads off to Altissia where Luna is to rouse the sea goddess Leviathan so she can forge a covenant with Noctis. The local government expects this to lead to trouble and Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto are on evacuation duty while Noctis and Luna approach the astral. Noctis forges his covenant and receives the Ring of the Lucii from Luna—a royal heirloom Luna had saved from Insomnia that would let Noctis wield the combined powers of his ancestors. When Noctis awakens days after his battle with the Leviathan, he learns Luna has died and Ignis lost his vision at the evacuation.

Overcome by grief, Noctis becomes withdrawn and refuses to wield the ring. This infuriates Gladiolus, who views Noctis's inability to cope as a sign of him not being ready for the task they have at hand: reclaiming the stolen Crystal of Lucis, and defeating the Empire. Gladiolus also disagrees with Ignis's decision to continue with them despite his disability. As they head off to a Royal Tomb to find another Royal Arm, Gladiolus berates Noctis out of frustration. After they find the weapon Ignis speaks up to heal the rift that has formed between them.

As they continue toward the imperial capital, they discover daylight is vanishing from the world now that Luna, the Oracle with the powers to fight the plagues of darkness, has died. Their train is halted by imperial forces and daemons, and Gladiolus and Ignis get the train moving again while Noctis and Prompto fight off the assault. Afterward, a frantic Noctis calls Ignis that Prompto has fallen off the train, and they assume he has been captured by the Empire.

Noctis drives the party to the imperial capital until the Regalia is destroyed and they abandon it. Gladiolus and Ignis are separated from Noctis who continues alone, finding he is unable to use his magic and resorts to finally wielding the ring. Gladiolus and Ignis are brought to the imperial magitek laboratory Zegnautus Keep by Chancellor Ardyn Izunia, a mysterious man who wields the powers of darkness who has been following them since Lucis. They save Noctis from a trap, and head off to rescue Prompto. When they are ambushed by a horde of daemons Noctis's friends urge him to go to the Crystal alone with the belief the Crystal's powers of light can save them. Noctis reluctantly leaves his friends behind, but when he gets to the Crystal he is absorbed inside it. When his friends follow they only find a gloating Ardyn.

After Noctis disappears the sun doesn't rise again and the world is overtaken by daemons. Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto return to what remains of Lucis and become daemon hunters. Ten years later, Noctis returns, ready to fulfill the prophecy as the True King and return light to the world. Donning the uniforms of the Kingsglaive, an elite force of soldiers who once had the task of protecting the king, Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto accompany Noctis once more to the ruins of Insomnia. Gladiolus treats Noctis with newfound respect, referring to him as Your Majesty. During their final meal together Noctis struggles expressing the gratitude he feels toward his friends, everyone knowing he will have to die to bring light back to the world.

In Insomnia they fight their way through the daemonic forces to the Citadel. They fell the astral god of fire Ifrit and Noctis battles Ardyn one-on-one with the power of kings. After Ardyn dies asking for Noctis to meet him "on the other side", Noctis sends his friends away in a manner similar King Regis sent their party off ten years ago. Noctis gives up his life to destroy Ardyn's soul in the afterlife with the memories of his friends by his side, and the sun finally rises.

Party member
In battle, Gladiolus uses greatswords as his Primary Arm and can equip Shields as Secondary Arm. He has the highest physical power and HP of the group. Many of his skills are centered on around direct offensive and defense actions. Some of his physical abilities include Tempest and Dawnhammer.

Downloadable content
Gladiolus will have his own downloadable episode where the player can take control of him directly. A co-op multiplayer mode is also in the plans where Gladiolus will be playable.

Creation and development
Gladiolus's design was redone from his original appearance in Final Fantasy Versus XIII by Yusuke Naora, the art director of Final Fantasy XV. In his old design he wore a black undershirt with his unbuttoned leather shirt but has since been made bare-chested, and his trousers and jacket have been made more detailed with pockets and seams. Gladiolus was altered to look more intellectual. His eyes were narrowed to achieve a "sultry gaze into the distance". He needed a powerful physique to act as Noctis's shield, and thus Naora looked at reference material of martial artists to rework his chest and abs.

Director Hajime Tabata has explained that black has historically been treated as a special color in Lucis. Thus the attire of the royal family, and those in occupations closely tied to it, wear black.

Voice
Gladiolus is voiced by Kenta Miyake in Japanese and by Chris Parson in English. In the credits for Kingsglaive, Parson's name is misspelled as "Parsons".

Merchandise
Gladiolus will be available as a Play Arts -Kai- figure.

Gallery

 * Final Fantasy Versus XIII

Etymology
Together, his full name literally reads: "Short sword, friendship".