Juniper

Juniper, also known as Ghostbow Juniper is a Hero in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. They are a forest dweller from Agnus and the commander of Colony Tau.

Appearance and personality
Juniper is a young Agnian with an androgynous appearance. They have short green hair with a braid and animal ears reminiscent of the Gormotti. A triangular green gem similar to a Core Crystal is embedded in the back of their left shoulder. They wear an Agnian chestplate on their torso, which leaves their arms and stomach bare. They wear brown-and-green gauntlets and white boots, and have a long y-shaped orange shoulder cape.

Juniper is initially nihilistic, accepting of their colony's demise once its Flame Clock runs out. They initially distrust outsiders, ambushing the party during their first trip through Maktha Wildwood. They feel a bit nervous in crowds, having the impression to be stared at. Due to Colony Tau's focus on farming, Juniper is knowledgeable about agriculture, and willingly aids during its farming crisis.

Natural Selection
Juniper's Hero Quest,, is part of the main story.

Juniper, alongside Selin, Carson, Imogen and Honorine, ambush the party as they make their way through Maktha Wildwood, aiming to claim their life. The party fights back, injures Imogen and forces the Agnians to retreat back to Colony Tau. Feeling something was off about this attack, the party follows their tracks up to the Agnian Colony. Juniper greets the party at the entrance and invites them in to talk. As they explore, the party can't help but notice the run-down state of the Colony and their extremely low Flame Clock. Juniper explains that their Colony is abandoned, their Consul rarely visits them and other inhabitants of the colony are prepared to accept their deaths when the Flame Clock depletes. As Noah tries to convince them to let him destroy their Flame Clock, Selin notifies Juniper that monsters are attacking the colony and have already injured one of the Colony Tau soldiers.

The party assists Juniper, Raine and Selin in defending Colony Tau and from the attacking Annon Rhinnons and successfully rescue the injured Geum. Reminded by the event of the fear of losing their friends, Juniper agrees to Noah and Mio destroying their Flame Clock, backed up by Raine and Selin who assure them they'll follow whatever choice they make. Juniper then requests to travel the world with the party, to learn about it and become stronger. Juniper joins the party as one of the Heroes, and teaches them the Rope Slide Traversal Skill.

Sidequests appearances

 * Juniper is required to be in the party for the quest Off-Seeing Customs.

As the party discuss Colony Tau's Off-Seer, Juniper reveals the previous off-seer was killed in battle against Keves and asks Noah and Mio to send him off. When they do, Juniper reveals the Former Commander died on that same battlefield after promoting Juniper to replace him. They note all of Colony Tau inherited a little something from him, and that they need to keep on moving forward instead of stagnating as they have been doing.


 * Juniper is required to be in the party for the quest The Harvest.

It's harvest time at Colony Tau. Glory and Carson enroll the party's help to harvest Spongy Spuds. Monsters attack, aiming to eat the vegetables, but Juniper and the party eliminate them, adding meat to the menu.


 * Juniper is required to be in the party for the quest The Hunter.

Some time after Raine went for hunting despite being injured, Juniper receives an Iris call from Geum asking them to come quickly. Geum has noticed the smoke of a Beaconstone, an emergency system used by Colony Tau to warn of danger when can't get normal communication out, and believes it to be Raine's. Juniper decides to go check it out, and asks Geum to stay at the colony and to send Glory after them in case Raine is injured. The party ends up finding a wounded Raine, who tells them about a strange monster he was hunting. Juniper and the party follow its tracks, but they end near Low Maktha Wildwood, and Juniper decides it's not worth following further. They all go back to Colony Tau and report to Raine.

Juniper is required to be in the party for the Quests, Cultural Exchange, Lost Friend, Korresia Finds Her Calling, and Tau-Tirkin Alliance.

Reasons to Evolve
Juniper makes an appearance during Zeon's Ascension Quest, Reasons to Evolve. Due to Colony Tau's agricultural focus, the party decides to ask Juniper for help solving Colony 9's food crisis. They teach Zeon about Spongy Spuds and Earthwormwood. In the process, Kite is instantly smitten with them at first sight, but Juniper is confused by his strange behavior. As their trouble continues, Juniper treks to Colony 9 themself to help them personally, and oversees their first successful harvest. They request permission from Zeon to visit Colony 9 more frequently, which he grants.

Other appearances
Juniper can be among the recruited Heroes to aid the party in the final battle against Z, declaring their intent to back up the party as they are summoned. After Z's defeat, Juniper can be seen on the Agnian side as Aionios splits back into the two worlds it was created from.

As a boss

 * Agnus Fighter A
 * Ghostbow Juniper (Heroes Frontline)

As an NPC
Juniper can be found at Colony Tau when not engaged as the party's Hero.

Affinity

 * Raine
 * Zeon
 * Kite
 * The Tirking

Gameplay
See Juniper/Gameplay (XC3)