Joe

Joe is a prominent member of the Hero Party, often regarded as the “People’s Hero.” Young (19 years old), charismatic, and incredibly powerful, he represents a new generation of heroes who reject the ancient code of non-intervention. Unlike his mentor Kaylen, Joe believes that having power obligates one to use it to fix societal flaws and protect the weak directly, even if it means toppling governments.

He is characterized by his blue battle armor, his immense physical strength, and a “Heroic Aura” that purportedly charms those around him (especially women), though this is a subject of debate and mockery among his rivals.

Personality

Joe is idealistic, hot-headed, and deeply emotional. He genuinely cares about the common people and despises corruption, which puts him at odds with political figures like Orvin Talvest and Corvin Thorn. However, his idealism often borders on naivety. He is prone to making impulsive decisions based on his personal feelings (such as his relationship with Ayumi).

He values camaraderie but faces betrayal deeply. The defection of Hentaiji to the Crimson Empire and the atrocities committed by Nozomi fueled a deep-seated rage within him. Despite his strength, he often finds himself outmaneuvered by the political machinations of Ishihara Shinushi.

Abilities

[!IMPORTANT] Transformation Magic (Battle Form): Like other high-ranking heroes, Joe can enter a Battle Form. In this state, he is encased in blue magical armor that grants him superhuman strength, speed, and flight. He is capable of going toe-to-toe with powerful entities like Iris (Ren) and Seraphims.

Heroic Resilience: Joe possesses immense durability. He has survived direct confrontations with Ishihara, Yato, and High Demons, often standing back up after taking hits that would obliterate normal mages.

Combat Mastery: He is an expert in hand-to-hand combat and aerial maneuvering, preferring direct confrontation over subtle magic.

Role in the Story

The Velltrain Intervention

Joe arrived in the Kingdom of Velltrain to judge the corrupt government following the assassination of Prince Alaric. Breaking the Hero Party’s code of neutrality, he declared the kingdom under “External Hero Management.”

• He formed a romantic connection with Ayumi (Orvin’s advisor).
• He unilaterally appointed Ayumi as the temporary ruler of Velltrain, deposing the corrupt council.
• This action caused a severe rift with Kaylen, who threatened to expel him from the Hero Party for interfering in sovereign politics.

The Battle for Kaioren

When the Crimson Empire rose, Joe traveled to the capital to stop Ishihara Shinushi.

• He was forced to fight his former teammate Hentaiji, who had defected to the Empire for power and lust. Joe defeated Hentaiji but was heartbroken by the betrayal.
• He fought against the warrior Iris (Ren) in giant form.
• Despite his efforts, he was overwhelmed by the combined might of Ishihara’s forces. He was spared but humiliated, forced to retreat as the Empire solidified its power.

The Lonvar Summit

Joe attended the diplomatic summit in Lurmira as a protector. He attempted to preemptively attack Ishihara, believing she was behind an assassination attempt on Queen Sirenna. However, he was easily stopped and wounded by Yato Fujiguro (Ishihara’s shadow), showcasing the widening gap between the Heroes and the Crimson Empress.

The Demon Invasion

During the invasion of demons into the mortal realm, Joe fought on the front lines. He engaged the forces of Hell in the city of Cyrell, trying to save civilians while navigating the chaos caused by the Succubus Shino’ah. He briefly formed a truce with Imperial forces to survive.

The Divine Crisis

When the Gods launched their purge, Joe joined the desperate alliance to storm the Divine Dimension.

• He fought alongside his rival Hentaiji and his mentor Kaylen against the Angelic Legions.
• He was trapped in Selizara’s pocket dimension, where he endured psychological torture and Hentaiji’s bickering.
• He witnessed the rewriting of the universe, standing as one of the few survivors of the old world.

Crimson Age

In the canonical World B, Joe’s fate is one of the most tragic among the survivors of the old world. Subjected to the whims of the “Evil” Ishihara, he has been reduced to a shadow of his former self.

The Broken Hero

Joe was forcibly pulled into the timeline of the “Evil” Ishihara, and the “Good” Ishihara was powerless to prevent it. He is one of the very few individuals who retains full memories of the old world and the Battle for Genesis, but this knowledge is a burden that has driven him into a deep, alcohol-fueled depression. No longer the “People’s Hero,” he now wanders the world as a broken man, an outcast whom nobody believes.

The Stolen Aura

As a final insult, the Goddess Ishihara stripped him of his legendary “Aura of Beauty.” In this reality, he instead projects an “Aura of Unreliability”—he looks like a dishevelled drunkard, causing people to distrust or avoid him instinctively. Despite his weakened state and the loss of part of his Kaishin Form, he still possesses the core of his power. This makes him a target for hunters and Imperial enforcers, yet Joe himself has lost the will to fight. He does not view Ishihara as absolute evil, having seen her “Good” side, but he is paralyzed by the impossibility of reconciling the two halves of her soul.

The Evil Double: “Shadow Joe”

To further torment him, Ishihara created an absolute biological copy of Joe within the Crimson Empire. This “Evil Joe” possesses an even more powerful and intoxicating Aura of Attractiveness than the original. He travels the lands committing atrocities in Joe’s name, ensuring that the real Joe’s reputation is forever stained. The existence of this double, who is more “Joe” to the world than Joe himself, is a source of constant psychological agony for the former hero.

[!NOTE] Game Master’s Note: Players may encounter Joe as a wandering NPC. He is a fountain of dangerous, forgotten lore, but his mental state and his aura make interacting with him a significant challenge. His tragedy mirrors that of Kaylen, representing the absolute defeat of the old world’s ideals. Although his Kaishin is suppressed, it remains a potential catalyst for those seeking to challenge the divine order.