Siegfried (Soul Calibur)
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| Siegfried Schtauffen | |
|---|---|
 Siegfried as he appears in Soul Calibur IV |
|
| Game series | Soul series |
| First game | Soul Edge |
| Voiced by (English) | Ted D'Agostino (Soulcalibur II) Crispin Freeman (Soulcalibur III) |
| Voiced by (Japanese) | Nobuyuki Hiyama |
| Information | |
| Age | 23 |
| Birthplace | Ober-Getzenberg, Holy Roman Empire |
| Birthdate | February 6, 1568 |
| Blood type | A |
| Weapon | Zweihänder |
| Weapon name | Faust (Soul Edge) Requiem (Soulcalibur I-III) Soul Calibur (Soulcalibur IV) |
| Fighting style | Original Style |
| Family | Being Created from Soul Edge, Nightmare Father, Frederick (killed by Siegfried) Mother, Margaret |
Siegfried Schtauffen (ジークフリート・シュタウフェン Jīkufurīto Shutaufen?) is the main character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. Siegfried made his first appearance in Soul Edge and has returned for Soul Calibur, Soulcalibur III and Soulcalibur IV. He can also be seen in Soulcalibur II as an unlockable costume for his temporary alter-ego, Nightmare. The spin-off title Soulcalibur Legends was released in 2007, with Siegfried being the central character. He is one of the very few characters to appear in every game in the series.
Contents |
[edit] Character Overview
Siegfried is one of the original characters from Soul Edge and a staple character of the series, well known for his role as Nightmare (being nicknamed in Soul Blade as "Innocent Darkside", and in Soul Calibur as "A Soul in Purgatory", indicating his situation), his wielding of Soul Calibur, his impossibly large swords, and his "knight in shining armor" motif. Siegfried is the only character, in canon, who has held both Soul Edge and Soul Calibur for long periods of time, and has underwent physical changes as he grew a stronger connection with the blades. With Soul Edge, he grew a grotesque arm and became Nightmare. With Soul Calibur, his armor has become more crystalline and it possesses an icy gleam to it.Currently, he wields Soul Calibur as a polar opposite to Nightmare and is considered by some to be the main protagonist because of his role as direct opposition to Soul Edge.
[edit] Background Story
- The biographies of Siegfried Schtauffen and Nightmare are the same up until the last paragraph, where they become separate and are able to co-exist simultaneously.
Siegfried was born to Sir Frederick Schtauffen, a brave knight who was considered a champion among the oppressed peasants of his German home, and a woman named Margaret who met Frederick while he was on campaign, during the late sixteenth century. He was given the name 'Siegfried' after the famous hero, and was taught swordsmanship by his father.
Frederick embarked on a foreign crusade and, due to lack of guidance in life, Siegfried unintentionally murdered his returning father while rampaging as the leader of a teenage band of thieves calling themselves "Schwarzwind" (German translation for "black wind"). Siegfried grew in despair and eventually convinced himself that anyone but he was to blame for his father's death. Siegfried had heard rumours of the invincible Soul Edge, and came to believe his father's killer could only be killed with that weapon.
After taking the life of a noble he worked for during a siege on his castle in Ostrheinsburg (he did so in an effort to claim - what he thought was - Soul Edge), he finally managed to come across the legendary weapon Soul Edge, lying beside the corpse of the defeated Cervantes de Leon which transformed into Inferno. Siegfried defeated Inferno, earning the right to wield Soul Edge himself. However, Soul Edge telepathically spoke to Siegfried, arranging a deal between the two; Siegfried would help the blade to restore itself gathering souls, and Soul Edge would resurrect his father Frederick. But Siegfried finally succumbed to the sword's power - transforming into the Azure Knight, Nightmare.
He claimed refuge in Ostrheinsburg Castle. During the following three years, he gathered together a group of followers: the golem Astaroth, Lizardman (Aeon Calcos), and Ivy. Each of them aided him in Soul Edge's quest to devour souls for a rejuvenation ceremony to be performed in his chosen stronghold, Ostrheinsburg Castle. But as the ceremony was about to take place, the clan was quickly laid to waste. Both Aeon Calcos and Astaroth were defeated; and Ivy left the clan after learning the shocking truth of her past from the Fu-Ma ninja, Taki. Two young warriors confronted Nightmare: Kilik, owner of both the sacred staff Kali-Yuga and sacred mirror Dvapara-Yuga; and Xianghua, owner of Krita-Yuga, which revealed itself as Soul Calibur.
Nightmare and Soul Edge were defeated, initiating a new resolve in the now-conscious Siegfried, albeit temporary - shards of the weakened Soul Edge were still present within his body. He eventually assumed the azure armor for a second time, becoming Nightmare all over again, desperately pursuing fragments of the Soul Edge so that he might fully restore it.
Raphael Sorel appeared in search of Soul Edge and Nightmare stood victorious after a fierce battle. As he stepped forward to finish Raphael, he muttered something incoherently. Following this, an internal struggle began between Siegfried and Inferno (spirit of the evil sword) vying for control over their physical body. With this show of "hesitation", Raphael unleashed a desperate final blow upon his enemy, piercing the center of Soul Edge. Nightmare let out an inhuman cry, and Siegfried finally regained control of his own body. Siegfried remembered his actions previous, before using the newly-revealed holy sword, Soul Calibur, to drive into the evil eye that was the core of Soul Edge, where the weapon had been trapped - however, this effort to destroy the evil sword would prove insufficient.
At this point, the biographies of Siegfried Schtauffen and Nightmare become separate and are able to co-exist simultaneously.
In the preceding event of Soulcalibur III, Siegfried now has control of his own body, picking up both swords and leaving Ostrheinsburg on a mission to seal away Soul Edge for all eternity, as he swore to atone for his sins, not knowing that Nightmare had gained a separate body of his own.
[edit] Default costumes
[edit] Weapon(s)
- In Soulcalibur III, Siegfried's weapons and fighting style are available under the discipline "Soul of Siegfried" to characters created under the Knight class.
-- Faust
The zweihänder Siegfried always carried during his mercenary days. It's probable that the Faust was the very same sword that he used to kill his father, Frederick. It was broken during his brutal encounter with Inferno in the Spanish port. In Soulcalibur II's Weapon Gallery, it is stated that the cursed power of Soul Edge restored Faust.
-- Soul Edge
Wielded since the after events of Soul Blade and subsequently used it as his default weapon, becoming Nightmare. Though technically not a character in Soulcalibur II; the 2P version of the weapon (known as "Soul Edge (male)") was seen in Siegfried's grip in previews for Soulcalibur Legends, as well as Soul Edge (Phantom) and Soul Edge (Cocoon), the latter being based on his ultimate weapon in Soul Blade.
-- Requiem
The zweihänder Siegfried used after he was free from Soul Edge's influence. He carried this sword on a journey of atonement, but he eventually lost his will and Nightmare changed it for Soul Edge. When Siegfried reclaimed his body, he armed himself with Requiem again.
-- Soul Calibur
The crystaline weapon Siegfried used to impale Soul Edge after he was redeemed. It is in the form of a two-handed sword and could be considered his ultimate weapon. Siegfried is seen using it and also demonstrates crystal powers with it in the trailer for Soulcalibur IV along with his armor from the previous game now layered with crystal, suggesting a stronger connection with the sword and that Siegfried, in some aspects, has become to Soul Calibur what Nightmare is to Soul Edge.
- In Soulcalibur II, Nightmare was given Soul Calibur as his final weapon. This was a possible hint at Siegfried regaining his sanity and becoming separate from Nightmare, as this happened in between SC2 and 3.
[edit] Stages
-- Ostrheinsburg Castle (SE)
The castle owned by the knight Sir Stephan, which fell to the Marqui Andre siege. Siegfried joined as a Landsknecht on Sir Stephan's side working his way through the ranks, but in reality he was seeking Stephan's legendary sword "Grimblade", believing it to be Soul Edge.
-- City of Water (SC)
The City of Water, also known of the pearl of Italy, is a maze palace on water constructed by connecting countless islands across a lagoon with over 400 bridges. During the Renaissance, Venice monopolized all the merchants' rights and with this power stretched its colonization into northeast Italy as it expanded into its golden age. As a city it was adorned with gorgeous mansions, fine works of art, master pieces of architecture and it was heralded as a Mecca for intellectuals of the time. The people admired this city as if it were an illusion. Some came to the city chasing dreams; other attracted by its beautiful art and landscapes. And now Siegfried comes...
-- Lost Cathedral (SC3)
It resembles many others, yet is like nothing else. A magnificent palace of water that seems to contain every form of architecture known to Europe. No one knows who made it, or where it is located. However, it is said that only those with a strong will and a willingness to bet their own lives can reach it. The great volume of water that flows through it is always circulating and pure, and it is said that it cleanses those who come here to pray. Siegfried seeks a showdown with Soul Edge and atonement for his own sins. Pursuing him, Nightmare, too, reaches this place. Will this holy palace of water be the end of both their journeys?
(Note: Siegfried shares this stage with Nightmare.)
[edit] Epilogues
- Siegfried's Destined Battle in Soul Calibur is Mitsurugi or Arthur, and in Soulcalibur III his Destined Battle is with Raphael. Also, Siegfried is the Destined Battle of Custom Characters with a 'Lightning' alignment (in Quick Play).
[edit] Soul Edge
-- Input Ending Siegfried destroys Soul Edge and goes near a cliff and talks to his father.
-- No Input Ending Siegfried grasps Soul Edge by the hilt, screams violently and turns into Nightmare.
[edit] Soulcalibur II
The dormant soul within him awakened. Sanity regained, he takes his sword in hand and vowed to never sleep again as he wanders the lands. Eventually, he comes upon a crevasse that runs deep into the earth and casts the sword into the dark abyss. He then destroys the path leading to the chasm in which he abandoned the weapon and vows to become its guardian for eternity.
[edit] Soulcalibur III
-- Input Ending Siegfried is seen standing in front of Soul Edge, with Soul Calibur in his left hand. He looks at Soul Edge, and then at his right hand. Siegfried's hand turns deformed for a few seconds before returning to normal again. Then, Nightmare's voice is heard. Three illusions of Nightmare appear before Siegfried, when he rids of them in a single slash, before recollecting the words of the second illusion, "you have no right to live". Siegfried vows to live on as a form of redemption.
-- No Input Ending In Siegfried's alternate ending, he is overpowered by multiple Nightmares, when lightning comes out of the sky, sending all three Nightmares flying. The visual goes white for a brief period before focusing on Siegfried looking at his hand. Talking to his father, he then vows to live on.
[edit] In-game notes
In Soul Blade, Siegfried had a secret costume entitled "Siegfried!", which made him appear as an early version of Nightmare in red armor. Originally, the developers of that game had considered using the alternate costumes as separate characters, but the idea was scrapped. Ironically, Siegfried is later made the 2nd & 3rd Costume of Nightmare in Soulcalibur II. In Soulcalibur III, what appears to be a body suit beneath Siegfried's armor bears a coloration discontinuity; in the opening movie and concept art, the suit is depicted to be green, but in all other aspects of the game, it appears to be black in color. Also, one of his concept art slides depicts him wearing a helmet shaped like an eagle's head and a suit of armor with feather designs on it, similar to the armor he currently wears.
One of Siegfried's extra weapons is the Glam (mistranslation of Gram), the weapon that Sigurd in Norse mythology (the character's namesake) used to kill the dragon Fafnir and in Soulcalibur Legends, Siegfried fights "Fanfir". The Faust blade also takes reference from a German legend, in which the protagonist makes a deal with the devil (in-universe, Siegfried and Soul Edge have a Faustian bargain of sorts).
In Tales of Souls featured in Soulcalibur III, near the end of any character's path, Siegfried will face off against Nightmare, and the winner will face the player's character next. This of course excludes himself and Nightmare, as these two will battle if Siegfried or Nightmare manages to avoid being trapped in the cage.
[edit] Series' appearances
- Soul Edge
- Soul Edge: Version II / Soul Blade
- Soul Calibur
- Soulcalibur II (as Nightmare's 2nd & 3rd costume)
- Soulcalibur III
- Soulcalibur III: Arcade Edition
- Soulcalibur Legends
- Soulcalibur IV
[edit] External links
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