Janus

A knight of Crell Monferaigne, he was chosen to perform an assassination due to his skill. When it went public, he sacrificed himself rather than betray his country, but his compatriots regarded his sacrifice with contempt.

Janus is an Einherjar from Valkyrie Profile. He is an Archer and can be recruited in Chapter 2, 3 or 4.

Janus
Japanese:	ジェイクリーナス
Romaji:	JIEIKURI-NASU
Race:	Human
Gender:	Male
Age:	40
Title:	Former Knight Assassin
Class:	Archer
Weapon:	Crossbow
Purify Weird Soul:	Guilty Break
Homeland:	Crell Monferaigne
Appears In:	Valkyrie Profile Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
Voice Actors:	Norio Wakamoto Scottie Ray

Background

Janus was once a royal knight of Crell Monferaigne, much to his father's pride. A skilled and respected warrior, he was often tasked with espionage and assassination missions due to his unwavering loyalty. One of these missions involved assassinating a nobleman of a neighbouring country who was driving up tariff rates on trade. However, the endeavour failed, whether by accident or because of a setup. Due to the delicate political situation this put the country in, the king was forced to disavow all knowledge of Janus' acts and present him as a deserter and a traitor[1]. He was stripped of his rank and exiled, much to the contempt of his fellow citizens.

Ten years after the fact, Janus returns to Crell Monferaigne out of concern for the king and learns that he has died and that a new king has taken his place. When he visits a tavern, he realizes that the citizens still despise him, enough to come to blows. When he leaves the tavern, he bumps into a little boy sitting on the steps. Afraid and apologetic, the child is surprised when Janus shows him kindness.

In spite of this, Janus remains utterly loyal to his kingdom. However, the people involved in the failed assassination are still in place and fear that he may expose them. One night, Janus accidentally intercepts a man trying to steal some documents. When he brings the documents back, the conspirators have him killed, stating that they could not have done it while the previous king was still alive. Lenneth recruits him, impressed by his unwavering sense of honour. As the little boy sits on the tavern steps once again, he hears the customers ridiculing Janus' endeavour and hangs his head in sadness, perhaps the only townsperson to mourn his death.

If Lenneth returns to Janus' house after recruiting him, he will retrieve the weapon he used for his assassination, the Raven Slayer.

Battle

Janus is an excellent Archer, second only to Lenneth herself. He has a good PWS, and one of his regular attacks poisons the enemy.

Attacks

• Diseased Needle
• Tri-Stinger
• Restrain Flame

Elemental Tolerance

Darkness	Fire	Holy	Ice	Lightning	Poison
25%	25%	50%	50%	0	100%

Purify Weird Soul

Janus' PWS is called Guilty Break. He will say "For my honour!" before using it.

Traits

• Loves Dad
• Loves Mom
• Brave
• Unlucky
• Sacrificing
• Tonguetied
• Reserved

Recruitment

Janus is one of the characters whose recruitment is randomized. He may appear in Crell Monferaigne in Chapter 2, 3 or 4, on all difficulties.

Transfer

Janus' starting hero value is -62. As an Archer, he is ideal for meeting the Chapter 3 requirements. However, you may not have him at that point. He can also meet the requirements for Chapter 4, 6 and 8, notably due to his Brave trait.

Etymology

Janus is the name of the Roman god of beginnings and passageways. He is depicted with two heads, one looking towards the past, the other towards the future[2]. This may symbolize the dualities in Janus' identity (knight and assassin, dutiful soldier and presumed coward), as well as the fact that he is both looking towards the past (his lost honour) and the future (his attempt at helping his country once again).

Trivia

• Janus is voiced by the same actor as Jun and Surt.
• Janus appears to be missing his left eye.
• Janus' weapon is clearly a crossbow, but this does not affect his ability to equip regular bows, as any other Archer.
• Janus may be encountered in his house in Crell Monferaigne, if you visit the city before recruiting him. The developers have stated that his silence is an expression of shock at having discovered that the king is dead[3].
• Sending Janus up to Asgard may trigger a short scene during his first Sacred Phase where it is stated that his father is dead, although the circumstances and time of his death remain unclear.
• Also in Asgard, after about two Sacred Phases, Janus is approached by Loki, who asks him what is on his mind. He rebuffs Loki's overtures and gains Hero Points for the conversation.

Gallery

Janus concept art

Janus' expressions

Janus' Voice Collection picture

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