Acolyte Sousuke

Acolyte Sousuke
Affiliation	Zaishen Order
Type	Human
Profession	Elementalist
Service	Hero
Level(s)	11...20
Campaign	Nightfall

“

Explosive Zaishen Disciple
"Understanding is half the battle... and now you understand."
Origin: Cantha
Age: 27
Profession: Elementalist
This guy talks too much. Sousuke always has advice, wisecracks, and commentary on his current situation. His amused outlook on life, unrestrained curiousity, and quirky sense of humor are rare for a Zaishen warrior, but he backs it up with a flamboyant, explosive fighting style. A mission is only a failure, he believes, if you don't learn anything from it... and Sousuke doesn't care much for failure. As a Zaishen warrior, he insists he's one of the deadliest combatants in the world, and he has a compulsion to prove it again and again. If that's not enough, he'll tell you, again and again.

— official website (archived)

“

Acolyte Sousuke always has advice, wisecracks, and commentary on his current situation. His amused outlook on life, unrestrained curiousity, and quirky sense of humor are rare for a Zaishen, but he backs it up with a flamboyant, explosive fighting style. A mission is only a failure, he believes, if you don't learn anything from it... and Sousuke doesn't care much for failure. As a Zaishen disciple, he's one of the deadliest combatants in the world, and he has a compulsion to prove it again and again.

— The Guild Wars Nightfall Manuscripts

Locations

• Istan
  • Kamadan, Jewel of Istan (explorable area)
  • Plains of Jarin (only during quest Zaishen Elite)
  • Sun Docks (prior to getting either Jin or Sousuke as a hero; Nightfall characters must have completed the quest Isle of the Dead)
  • Zehlon Reach (only during quest Student Sousuke)
• Realm of Torment
  • Throne of Secrets

Quests

Quests given:

• Gain Sousuke

Quests involved in:

• Bad Tide Rising
• Zaishen Elite
• Student Sousuke

Recruitment

Complete the quest Student Sousuke, which is unlocked by completing the quest Zaishen Elite. Both quests can be obtained from Field General Hayao. (Accepting the quest to recruit Sousuke prevents the recruitment of Acolyte Jin until after the completion of the Nightfall campaign.)

If you first chose Jin, you can recruit Sousuke with the Gain Sousuke quest available in the Throne of Secrets.

Skills

4 Earth Magic, 8 Fire Magic, 6 Energy Storage

• Ward Against Melee
• Liquid Flame
• Inferno
• Flare
• Aura of Restoration
• Glyph of Lesser Energy
• Resurrection Signet

Armor

Acolyte Sousuke starts with Elementalist Zaishen armor, which is nearly identical in appearance to blue Elementalist Shing Jea armor, as well as a Zaishen Eye for a headgear. His armor has an armor rating of 34 to 60, depending on his level.

The appearance of his armor can be upgraded to Elite Sunspear Armor using Stolen Sunspear Armor acquired from the Dajkah Inlet Challenge Mission. The appearance of his armor can be upgraded to Primeval armor using Primeval Armor Remnants acquired in the Domain of Anguish and during the Ebony Citadel of Mallyx mission.

See Acolyte Sousuke's armor gallery.

Dialogue

Sun Docks, Plains of Jarin, and Zehlon Reach:

"Well, good day! My name is Sousuke. You're lucky you've come upon me in a good mood. I've fried people for looking at me like that. Ha, ha. Just kidding! I'm usually very careful with my elemental magic. I wouldn't hurt a fly. Well, perhaps, if it was Kournan."

Throne of Secrets:

"The fire! The explosions! The valiant fights! It's a tale of heroes, and you're the greatest one!"

Quotes

"Although I don't take myself seriously, I do take my work... extraordinarily... seriously."

"Every soldier we are forced to destroy is one more innocent broken by the lies of war."

"I could take Acolyte Jin in a fight. One on one, I would definitely win. What... you don't believe me?"

"I don't know how we'll make it to the end without going mad."

"Look at this. I've never seen one in this area before. Don't you think that's interesting?"

Storyline quotes

Quotes in the context of the Nightfall storyline:

• Before Special Delivery:

"Kormir has gone to Cantha, leaving me here to hold down the fort, as it were! I am very excited about working with the Sunspears."

• Special Delivery:

"Mmm-hm. This Jerek... did one of you date his little sister or something?"

• Between Special Delivery and Big News, Small Package:

"This Castellan Puuba interests me. He is just so very clever... for someone who's missing everything that goes on around him!"

• Big News, Small Package:

"Well, hello, Tahlkora! Aren't you just as cute as Kormir's little button nose."

• Between Big News, Small Package and Following the Trail:

"Tahlkora, it looks like you were right. That map's definitely leading us someplace, and I'd bet it's not a sandy beach with sweet juice drinks."

• Following the Trail:

"I'm betting we'll find more than Jerek bargained for in Cliffs of Dohjok. If it's a treasure map, I vote he doesn't get a share."

• Blacktide Den:

"Corsairs and Kournans. Jerek won't believe us if we go tell him, so we'd better head for Blacktide Den and do a little snooping around of our own."

• Between Blacktide Den and The Iron Truth:

"I looked fantastic in those corsair clothes. Too bad they're not in fashion at the emperor's court, or I'd be all the rage."

• The Iron Truth:

"Oh, bother. I think Jerek's right and truly angry at us now. He didn't think that map would come to anything, did he?"

• Between The Iron Truth and Trial by Fire:

"Ironfist is all bluster and no bang. Let's take the information back to Jerek and see if he'll let us take it before your Council of Elders and these Kournan ambassadors."

• Trial by Fire:

"You'll do fine. Just keep your voice up, make your accusations very simple, and show them the evidence we've collected. What could possibly go wrong?"

• Between Trial by Fire and War Preparations (Recruit Training):

"Varesh not involved, my bonny blue.... Kahyet is a pawn and nothing more, and behind every pawn is a guiding hand. General Morgahn's too trusting, if you ask me."

• War Preparations (Wind and Water):

"Praying to Dwayna is all well and good, but I prefer a nice festival of Lyss, [sic] myself. Brilliant lights, dancing girls, and plenty of food and drink for everyone. Now THAT'S prayer!"

• Between War Preparations (Wind and Water) and War Preparations (Ghost Reconnaissance):

"Well, that was... nice. I could have done without the monsters. Still, we need to talk to the Castellan again and see if there's anything else to be done before we leave with Kormir."

• War Preparations (Ghost Reconnaissance):

"Oooh, ancestral spirits. Wait, is Tahlkora shivering? Is that some sort of Elonian tradition to honor the dead?"

• Between War Preparations (Ghost Reconnaissance) and The Time is Nigh:

"Blessings, spiritual guidance, check. Sheer firepower... not so much. Hm."

• The Time is Nigh:

"For Istan and for Cantha!"

• Consulate Docks:

"I'm ready! You're ready! Koss is ... not paying attention."

• Hunted!:

"I heard the others talking. They don't think you can find a place to protect all the Sunspears. Let's prove them wrong."

• Between Hunted! and The Great Escape:

"I wonder what these caves were used for before the corruption. Corsair hideout? Monster lair? How interesting."

• The Great Escape:

"You really think we can get Koss out of that Kournan garrison? I suppose if we take the right spells, bring a few hundred soldiers... what, no soldiers? Spells it is, then!"

• And a Hero Shall Lead Them:

"We did it! They thought it impossible, but the joke's on them. Let's finish the job!"

• Venta Cemetery:

"Are you sure we can get through this? I'll have to trust your leadership on this one, my friend!"

• The Council is Called:

"Warmarshal Varesh has no idea how much trouble we're going to cause her. Oh, yes, I can feel my spirits lifting already."

• To Vabbi!:

"Vabbi? I've never been to Vabbi. What should I bring? What are the well-dressed Elementalists wearing these days?"

• Centaur Blackmail:

"We should head to the Sunspear Sanctuary and find out what the gossip is there."

• Kodonur Crossroads:

"I was told that once that [sic] Kournan work camp was once a sprawling estate. How tragic to see it turned into something this vile."

• Mysterious Message:

"Jahai Bluffs? The monument to Palawa Joko's defeat? I hear the place is haunted. It will make for an enjoyable visit."

• Secrets in the Shadow:

"We're committed now. Listen to the Master of Whispers; he knows what he's doing."

• To Kill a Demon:

"Water demons? Fire spells!"

• Rilohn Refuge or Pogahn Passage:

"Glad we have a map. Mind if I carry it?"

• Rally The Princes:

"I have friends in the priesthood of Lyssa back home. I should write them of this."

• Tihark Orchard:

"A party in Vabbi! Keep your ears open. These princes gossip like old housewives."

• All's Well That Ends Well:

"Perhaps we should bake a cake with the word "TRAP" on it and bring it along. It's never a good idea to go visiting empty-handed."

• Warning Kehanni:

"We have to warn Kehanni!"

• Greed and Regret:

"The Hidden City of Ahdashim. I like the way that sounds. Dark and mysterious. Maybe it's something wonderful..."

• Calling the Order:

"Defend the citadel to my last breath! Or, almost last. Personally, I'd rather use my last breath to curse at someone. I'll defend the citadel to my next-to-last breath!"

• Dasha Vestibule or Dzagonur Bastion:

"It's a vault. A lousy vault. Bah."

• Pledge of the Merchant Princes:

"I heard Koss and Melonni talking. It wasn't their usual run-off-the-mill-fight, so I think they're getting along again."

• Grand Court of Sebelkeh:

"Tahlkora is amazing! And to think, just a short time ago, she was a scared little girl."

• Attack at the Kodash:

"The Forum Highlands isn't a very good place for earth spells. The stone's too soft. Then again, if I had to listen to all those Vabbians talk for years on end, I might go a little soft in the head, too."

• Heart or Mind: Garden in Danger or Heart or Mind: Ronjok in Danger:

"Isn't there something we were supposed to do in the Marga Coast?"

• Jennur's Horde or Nundu Bay:

"Poor Melonni! But...the Garden! Oh, such a tough decision. I hate these kinds of things."

• Crossing the Desolation:

"Zerai again. He always sends us all across creation. I wonder how many places we'll visit this time before we're done?"

• Gate of Desolation:

"I've never had second thoughts about being a Zaishen, but Palawa Joko wasn't in the contract!"

• A Deal's a Deal:

"Hmmm. Joko's Domain. Well, that could be snappier. Joko's Towering Palace of Doom!"

• Horde of Darkness:

"No matter how much creativity you put into it, a wurm is still a wurm, and I think the best thing for them would be some orange sauce, a little cinnamon, and a stiff dose of fire."

• Ruins of Morah:

"Varesh is bad, but Palawa Joko really gets under my skin. Until skale figure out how to get rabies and communicate zombie-disease, Palawa Joko's going to be the scariest thing in the world."

• Uncharted Territory:

"Which is worse: to be eaten by these creatures, or trapped in this terrible place? I can't decide!"

• Gate of Pain:

"This place is like my worst nightmares...the ones inspired by those little pickles."

• Kormir's Crusade:

"Ssssh. Be quiet. I thought I saw movement over there, behind those rocks. Abaddon is everywhere..."

• All Alone in the Darkness:

"Well, at least things here still burn!"

• Gate of Madness:

"It must be horrible to be one of those lost Sunspear scouts. To be totally...alone."

• Abaddon's Gate:

"Shiro the Betrayer! I can't think of anyone else in Cantha whose soul deserves eternal torment more than his."

• Nightfall campaign completed:

"I look forward to exploring more of Elona... now that it's not about to be eradicated by Nightfall."

Idle quotes that appear to be independent of the storyline:

• "I wonder what the Sunspears were doing so far north? How very odd."
• "Understanding is half the battle, the other half is fireballs."

Battle quotes

"Are you kidding me?"

"Balthazar shall smite you!"

"Burn 'em down!"

"Call, fire! Summon, wind!"

"Did you see that?!"

"Free the elements! Scorch the ground!"

"I can handle this!"

"I've never cast this before. Hang on!"

"Oooh. That's a good one!"

"That blew up good. That blew up REAL good." (paraphrase from a Second City Television comedy skit)

"The power of the elements is at my command!"

"That was the best fight ever!"

"Whoa! That had to hurt!"

Notes

• A duplicate Acolyte Sousuke will show up as a "Zaishen Elementalist".
• Acolyte Sousuke's default weapon is a customized blue Fire Wand with 8-13 fire damage, an attribute requirement of 5 Fire Magic and HCT 10% Fire Magic spells. His default offhand item is an uncustomized white Iridescent Prism with +8 Energy, +20 health, and an attribute requirement of 5 Energy Storage.
• As with most heroes, this one has a tonic form.

Trivia

• Acolyte Sousuke will eventually go on to become the first weaver, learning from the djinn of Elona how to attune to two different elements at once.
• Acolyte Sousuke gives many the impression that his design had been influenced by the Naruto manga or anime, although there are also strong opinions that the character is merely a common archetype and that the name is nothing more than being similar to the common Japanese names of "Sousuke" or "Sasuke". The proponents draw the similarity from the fact that a character named Sasuke Uchiha in the series hails from a family that specialises in fire-based techniques and that Acolyte Sousuke's character also bears similarity to the main protagonist of that series, Naruto Uzumaki.

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