Isurd

Isurd, also known as Dawnhero Isurd, is a character in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. He is a tactician in Agnus's army, the commander of Colony Lambda, and Taion's former mentor.

Appearance and personality
Isurd has light-brown hair and blue eyes. His face is covered in blue markings resembling s's ether lines. He wears a white armored trenchcoat with golden accents. In battle, his manifests as two disc launchers. His term mark is located at the base of his neck, just above the center of his collarbone.

Isurd is a serious and hardworking commander. He has low self-esteem, thinking of himself as weak compared to strong willed characters. He has a hard time asking for help and tends to shoulder as much burden as he can by himself, sometimes to the point of overworking himself. He apologises a lot to the party for involving them in Colony Lambda's problems, even when they help him of their own volition. However deep down he was also intensely attached to Nimue, and feels great regret over his part in her death. He also holds repressed resentment for Taion, partly blaming him for her fate.

Story arc
Five years ago, Isurd was part of an Agnian squad on an expedition to the Cadensia Region, but an attack from a Kevesi squad killed his squadmates and left him nearly dead. He was rescued by members of the Lost Colony and nursed back to health by Nimue. Eventually, he managed to convince Nimue to return with him and join Colony Lambda. Both he and Nimue would later mentor Taion in the art of strategy.

After Nimue's death, Taion would give Isurd Nimue's old pocket watch, blaming himself for her fate.

Main story
The Consul of Colony Lambda, J, uses Isurd's lingering resentment of Taion for Nimue's death to create a mudpuppet in his image, which attacks the party with Colony Lambda's Ferronis while attempting to psychologically break Taion by accusing him of being responsible for what happened to her as well as recreating the same enemy tactic on the day Nimue was killed.

After the battle, Isurd awakens in the infirmary. Either aware or suspecting of what happened, he asks what his mudpuppet said to Taion. When Taion lies and claims he was "his usual self", Isurd recognizes the lie and apologizes for his past behavior, telling Taion that Nimue would be proud of him. He then returns Nimue's pocket watch to Taion and hopes one day he can go visit her by going to a place in Casedia Region, beyond the Farlaine Underpass where Saffornias bloom, and bury the pocket watch there.

Unwavering Resolve
Taion is asking Isurd about Colony Lambda's problems with their Auto-Levs when a deep rumble interrupts them. Soon, Tulgrim enters the Commander's Office to report a cave-in in the. As Isurd immediately motions to go on the site of the accident, Taion begs him to let the party help. Isurd agrees, and they all head for the mines, where Tulgrim and Lambda troops are already waiting for them. There, they notice not only the collapse of some walls, but also a hoard of monsters, attracted by the ether. Isurd quickly organizes an evacuation, using his authority to override the usual Colony Lambda's protocol to coordinate all squad leaders before issuing orders. Forbidding Tulgrim's troops to go any further into the mine in case another collapse happens, Isurd goes to look for potential injured trapped deeper in the mines, the party by his side.

They make their way to the upper levels of the mines with the elevators, working together to remove a boulder blocking the way. As they get closer to the site of the cave-in, Isurd calls for his men, who are thankfully all unharmed. The party reaches deeper into the mines and rescues them, eliminating a hoard of Scorpox that occupy the area to feed on ether. The danger passed, Isurd reflects on his own weakness, belittling himself in comparison of strong-willed people like Smoldering Cammuravi, Silvercoat Ethel or Ouroboros themselves. He then heads back to Colony Lambda, with a request to the party to visit him at the Commander's Office later so he can properly thank all of them.

Once in the Commander's Office, Noah and Eunie try to cut short to Isurd's thanks, explaining that they didn't help him to receive something in return. Isurd tries to protest, but Mio changes the subject, asking him about the Auto-Levs situation. They seems to still be out of service, to Isurd's frustration, who needs them to investigate the mines for any other potential cave-in before sending miners in again. However, Tulgrim enters the Commander's Office soon afterwards with a report about the Auto-Levs being operational again. The Engineering Corps want Isurd to have a look at them and judge whether or not they can be used. As Isurd takes his leave from the party, Taion asks to join him, quickly supported by Eunie and Noah. The Commander agrees, and they all head for the Cave at Pira Bluffs, where the Auto-Levs are stationed.

As they arrive, they stumbled upon a wounded Colony Lambda soldier, who informs them the Auto-Levs have gone out of control and are now attacking them. Taion asks Isurd to stay back while the party takes care of it, but Isurd categorically refuses, arguing that he would be a lousy example for the troops if he just stood around and stared instead of fighting. They enter the cave together, and fight the berserk Armadillo Auto-Levs. Isurd and Taion combine their attacks, leading them to victory. Afterwards, Isurd thanks them once more, reitering his offer to give them something in return. At his insistence, the party takes a moment to consider what they could be needing. Taion is the one to decide on their reward, and requests that Isurd fight by their side once more, so he can show his old Commander the path he is walking is the right one. Isurd accepts, and pledges himself and Colony Lambda to Taion and the rest of the party. Isurd then points out he and Colony Lambda will need to keep improving, to keep up with Ouroboros and the changes they're bringing. As the party offers to help him and the colony with that, he tries once again to refuse, and the party once again reassures him they're more than willing to help, for that is what friends do. Taken aback by their trust, Isurd smiles, feeling lucky to have friends like Taion.

Lambda's Problem
When the party decides to help rebuild the Colony's canteen that was wrecked during the fight against Consul J, Isurd gives them the final approval for the construction of the new canteen.

Side Story: Taion
Isurd shows Taion a contact lens that Nimue used to wear, and informs the party of his past and Nimue's true backstory where she is from the Lost Colony: A colony that isn't bound to the Flame Clock system and has soldiers from cradles that were possibly liberated by Ouroboros long time ago. He receives word from the Nopon caravans that Agnus is planning an attack on the Lost Colony, and asks them to protect the colony. In particular, he tells Taion that if Nimue has been reborn there, that he must protect her younger self at any cost. However, he also informs Taion he wouldn't go to Lost Colony with him because he didn't want to see her if she is reborn.

Other Appearances
Isurd makes a brief appearance in quest, The Final Cog, where he, Alexandria, Shinoh, soldiers and Nopons from Colony 30, watch Dorrick finally be completed.

Isurd can be among the recruited Heroes to aid the party in the final battle against Z, pledging himself to the party as he is summoned. After Z's defeat, Isurd can be seen on the Agnian side as Aionios splits back into the two worlds it was created from.

Lore

 * Isurd likes to eat onigiri.
 * Isurd and Seeker are old friends.

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

Affinity

 * Nimue

As a party member
Isurd is a Strategos, a Healer class which focuses on debuffs. He joins the party after the quest Unwavering Resolve, and is upgraded after the quest Effervescent Heart.

Trivia

 * Isurd's overall appearance bears a resemblance to Xenogears' antagonist, Kahran Ramsus.
 * Unlike Ramsus, Isurd is an ally to the protagonist.