Juniper

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 Agnain chestplate on their torso, which leaves their arms and stomach bare. They wear brown-and-green gauntlets and white boots, and have an 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. Due to Colony Tau's focus on farming, Juniper is knowledgeable about agriculture, and willingly aids Colony 9 during its farming crisis.

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

Juniper and their posse ambush the party as they make their way through Maktha Wildwood, but were defeated. After their defeat, they retreat back to Colony Tau. The party later follows their footsteps leading them to the Colony. Juniper later greets the party who notices their extremely low Flame Clock. Juniper then explains that their Colony is abandoned, their Consul rarely visits them and other inhabitants of the colony are prepared to accept their deaths, not afraid of dying when the Flame Clock depletes. As they are discussing about destroying the Flame Clock, Raine notifies them that monsters are attacking the colony and that Selin is injured by them.

Juniper later assists the party in defending Colony Tau and from the attacking Annon Rhinnon and saving Selin. After they were dealt with, Juniper allows Noah and Mio to destroy their Flame Clock and decides to join the party as one of the Heroes, and teaches the party the Rope Slide Mobility Skill.

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 is required to be in the party for the Quests, Off-Seeing Customs, Cultural Exchange, Lost Friend, The Harvest, The Hunter, Korresia Finds Her Calling, and Tau-Tirkin Alliance.

Juniper can be among the recruited Heroes to aid the party in the final battle against Z, declaring their intention 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