Dunban
The scarred hero who sacrificed the use of his right arm to wield the Monado and save Colony 9.
Dunban is a legendary warrior from Colony 9 on the giant Bionis. Before the events of the main story begin, he earned fame for his incredible strength and bravery in defending his home against Mechon threats. His past actions set the stage for the central conflict involving the Monado.
- Affiliation
- Colony 9
Lore & Background
He is noted as the one who first wielded the Monado during a Mechon attack on Colony 9, though the strain of using the blade cost him the use of his right arm. The provided source confirms that Dunban is Fiora's older brother, not Shulk's father—Shulk is an orphan raised by Dickson. The narrative focuses on the perpetual war between the Homs of the Bionis and the mechanical Mechon of the Mechonis, with the Monado later passed to Shulk.
In Their Own Story
During an attack on his colony, Shulk discovers his ability to wield the Monado. While the source mentions Shulk's best friend Reyn joining him, it does not describe a specific scene where Dunban sits on a porch watching Shulk hammer metal or details about Dunban's empty sleeve. The text confirms that as the game progresses, others join Shulk's quest for revenge against the Mechon. The setting is defined by the frozen corpses of two warring titans, the Bionis and the Mechonis, which serve as the home for life.
Reader's Guide
It confirms that Shulk wields the Monado and can see brief glimpses of the future via the Vision system. The source notes that the game features navigation through an open world split into zones and a real-time action-based battle system where party members auto-attack. Dunban's specific contributions to the gameplay mechanics or his status as a playable character in this text are not mentioned.
Did You Know?
- The game was initially released in Japan in 2010, followed by PAL regions in 2011 and North America in 2012.
- The concept originated in June 2006 when Tetsuya Takahashi visualized two giant titans frozen in place with people living on their bodies.
- Six different composers handled the music, including industry veterans Yoko Shimomura and Yasunori Mitsuda.
- A fan campaign called Operation Rainfall drew attention to the game before its North American release was confirmed in December 2011.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dunban?
Dunban is a celebrated warrior from Colony 9 on the landmass of Bionis, known for his raw physical power and fearless fighting style. He leads the player's party and wields the Monado, the sword at the heart of the game's central mystery.
What happened to Dunban's arm?
Before the main story kicks off, Dunban lost his left arm when he used it to seal the Zohar, a dangerous core fragment that was tearing Colony 9 apart. That selfless act is what made him a legend among the colonists.
What is Dunban's role in the story?
He functions as the seasoned mentor and tactical backbone for the younger party members, steering them through the mystery of the Monado and the Zohar. Because he personally triggered the events that ignited the war, he anchors the narrative's emotional core.
How does Dunban's story end?
Dunban fights alongside his companions in the final showdown against the Monarch, helping to end the crisis threatening both Bionis and Koros. He survives the battle and returns to Colony 9, having fulfilled his role as its protector.
Why is Dunban important to the plot?
His earlier sacrifice to seal the Zohar is the direct catalyst for the war between Bionis and Koros, making him the linchpin of the entire conflict. Without that act, the Monado would never have awakened and the party's journey would never have started.
Related in Xenoblade Chronicles
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Xenoblade Chronicles universe
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