Vandham (XC2)

Vandham, also known as Aquila Paronet Sol Esteriole, is a playable character in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. He is leader of the Garfont Mercenaries and Roc's Driver.

Appearance and personality
Vandham is a burly and tough man with dark skin and white hair. He appears to be a very tough kind of guy but is also very kind. He is well respected as the leader of the Garfont Mercenaries and those who are close to him.

Story arc
Vandham is first encountered in chapter 3 when Rex's party ends up being caught by the Urayan titan. Vandham battles with Rex's party their first encounter. He is accompanied by his trustworthy companions and.

As the fight nears its end, Pyra realizes that Vandham doesn't mean any real harm. The fight is then concluded with no casualties. Vandham brings Rex's party to Garfont Village where they all regroup. Vandham learns that Rex is trying to reach Elysium and offers his help. Vandham then joins the party as a playable character onwards.

Vandham acts as a mentor to Rex throughout their journey to reach an old friend of his in Fonsa Myma for how to reach Elysium. While making their way there, Vandham teaches Rex how to topple enemies with his art, Anchor Shot, which Rex masters quickly.

Near the end of the chapter when Pyra is kidnapped by Malos and Akhos, Vandham demonstrates to everyone how to continue ether flow despite Akhos's ether jamming blade art by intentionally stabbing himself with Roc's sickles. This gives him a fighting chance against the two while yelling to Rex to flee. Vandham is then killed by Malos and is buried in the same place the battle took place. After Vandham's death, Rex learns that Vandham wanted him to be the next leader of the Garfont Mercenaries.

Lore

 * Vandham's birth name is Aquila Paronet Sol Esteriole, and he was born into a noble Urayan family.
 * Vandham got his name from a folk hero he looked up to as a child.
 * Vandham once had a son, who is now deceased. In post-battle conversations, Vandham mentions that both Rex and Poppi remind him of his son.
 * Vandham's hobby is growing trees.
 * Vandham is well known in the mercenary business with many active and retired mercenaries in Uraya praising him and his legacy.

Trivia

 * Vandham's character is a recurring archetype within the Xeno series, of men entitled "Vandham" or a variation thereof, who are often military leaders. These characters include, Vanderkaum from Xenogears, Vanderkam from Xenosaga, Vangarre from Xenoblade Chronicles (whose Japanese name is Vandham), and in Xenoblade Chronicles X. This trope also continues with Xenoblade Chronicles 3's Guernica Vandham (and by extension, his daughter  and his grandaughter Ghondor; the first female Van- characters within the series).
 * Vandham's X-shaped facial scar may be a reference to Vanderkam's face paint or a similar scar available in the Xenoblade Chronicles X character creator.
 * Vandham shares a Japanese voice actor with Vangarre, Xord, and Guernica, Tessho Genda. He also shares an English voice actor, Simon Thorp, with Guernica.
 * Guernica strongly resembles Vandham in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

Gallery
Vandham (XC2)