Zenithia

Castle Zenithia

Japanese 天空城 Game Dragon Quest IV
Dragon Quest V
Dragon Quest VI Old localization Same

Zenithia is the name of the sky castle that appears in several games in the Dragon Quest series.

The first appearance is in Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, and the castle is one of several elements from the eponymous Zenithia trilogy.

Description

Zenithia is home to the powerful Zenith Dragon who serves as the guardian of the world, and the winged, angel-like Zenithian people. Zenithians are an insular culture who avoid contact with those on the surface, but there have been instances where they have fallen off the clouds by accident or descended to earth of their own volition. Zenithia is considered to be a myth by the world at large in each game it appears in, though researchers and clairvoyant NPCs give the player hints to its existence throughout the course of an adventure.

The counterpart to Zenithia is Nadiria, the underworld from which demons crawl forth. The antagonistic relationship between the two is the driving plot component in Dragon Quest V, as the actions taken by the villains to destroy the castle directly lead to the inclusion of the game's Hero and his family in the war against Nadiria.

Appearances

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen

Zenithia made its first appearance as the final overworld location the Chosen Ones travel to before descending into Nadiria. The castle can be accessed by climbing the Stairway to Zenithia near the Azimuth, which goes as far up to the sky. While at Zenithia, the Hero is given additional experience points by the Zenith Dragon, enough to raise them one level. The Dragon also unlocks the Zenithian sword's true powers, as it will be needed for the final confrontation. In the wake of Psaro the Manslayer's transformation in Nadiria, a beam of malice is emitted from the heart of the underworld and reaches the skies, burning a hole in the clouds. This hole gives the Hero and party access to the Doorway to Nadiria, directly below the castle.

In one of the castle chambers, a Zenithian woman can be interacted with. Her dialogue seems to imply that she is the Hero's long-lost mother. In addition, a diary can be found in the library reveals more information about the Hero's mother. In the adjacent rooms, the Hero can obtain a phial of Yggdrasil dew if they does not have any at the moment.

If the Hero interacts with Orifiela, she will allow her dragon companion, Sparkie, to accompany the Hero as a temporary party member. Sparkie acts on his own accord as do all guest characters, but focuses exclusively on attacking with his claws and breath.

Treasures

• Mini medal
• Yggdrasil dew

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

Zenithia has fallen into a lake south of Lofty Peak several years before the game's story begins. This happened when the Gold Orb, half of a set of magical orbs that power the castle, was knocked from it's pedestal by a cloud of miasma rising from Nadiria during the Zenith Dragon's tour of the world in the form of a human. The orb fell to earth and landed in Uptaten Towers, where it was discovered by the Hero as a child.

The Zenithians sent themselves into suspended animation to survive the flooding of their home during their leader's absence. The Hero and his companions will attempt to raise Zenithia on the behalf of Dr. Agon, a peculiar man that they had rescued from a several decade-long ride in a minecart in the Diggery Pokery. The man uses magic to observe what had happened to the castle, and sees the Gold Orb falling to earth, being rediscovered, and then destroyed by Bishop Ladja. He states that all is not lost, however, and sends the party to the Faerie Lea--the two orbs that power Zenithia were crafted by the fair folk and there is a chance that duplicates can be made. After a brief stint of time travel at the Faerie Palace, the Hero returns with the Gold Orb in hand and Zenithia rises from it's watery tomb.

With this partially restored power, the castle can move freely around the lower sky and is one of the methods of travel used by the Hero to traverse around the world map -- it's the only means of reaching the secluded Talon Tower.

Aside from the hidden passageway leading to the two orb pedestals, Zenithia's physical layout is largely unchanged from its previous appearance in IV. The hole in the clouds is still present as well, although it no longer serves any purpose aside from a swift exit. In addition, the diary containing information about the previous Legendary Hero's mother is still present in the library, although its pages have aged to the point where only a small portion of the original passage can be read.

Treasures

• Grappling hook
• Mini medal
• T'n'T ticket
• Yggdrasil dew
• Zenithian Tintinnabulum

Legendary Equipment

Main article: Zenithian Equipment

There exists a set of legendary weapons and armor hailing from Zenithia, which are mandatory obtained in order to advance through the game. Most commonly known as the Zenithian sword, armor, shield and helmet; only a hero of Zenithian descent can wear them. The entire set is required to be allowed entry into the Stairway to Zenithia in IV--if the Hero is not present in the party, the gate will not open.

Square Enix has released the Zenithian sword and Sword of Ramias as part of their Dragon Quest Legend Items series - miniature collectible toy replicas of artifacts from the Dragon Quest universe.

Zenithia, from Square Enix's Dragon Quest World Gallery series

Notable inhabitants

• Zenith Dragon (Originally Master Dragon) - The ruler of Zenithia in the fourth and fifth games. In IV, he defeated Estark in the past and asks the party to defeat Psaro the Manslayer. In V, he offers to carry the party, on his back through the skies after the castle is restored.
• Orifiela (Originally Lucia) - She appears in the the fourth game as a Zenithian who has fallen to the world below and was unable to return to Zenithia. The party meets her at the top of the Yggdrasil, and she participates in battle as an uncontrollable partner.
• Dr Agon - An enigmatic person who comes from the Castle of Zenithia. He appears in V, and he may be more than he seems at first.
• Sparkie (Originally Doran)- A young dragon who is sent by Orifiela to help the party, in their fight against Psaro the Manslayer.
• Oopsy and Daisy - Both are elfin girls who first appear in Birdsong Tower in Chapter 2 of IV. They leave upon Alena, Kiryl & Borya reaching the top of the tower, and accidentally drop the Birdsong nectar. They appear again in Chapters 5 & 6 in Zenithia voicing their distrust of humans, but concede respect for The Hero and company upon their victory of Psaro.

Musical themes

• The theme for Zenithia was called "Unknown Castle" in the Japanese soundtrack for IV.
• Dragon Quest V's theme was simply called "Heaven".

Maps & Gallery

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  Dragon Quest Museum Shibuya, Japan.

Dragon Quest IV

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  Zenithia Castle in Dragon Quest IV. (NES)

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  Official art of Zenithia, circa 2001

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Dragon Quest V

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  Underwater Zenithia Castle in Dragon Quest V. (SFC)

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  Zenithia Castle risen in Dragon Quest V. (SFC)

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  Zenithia rising from its sunken slumber.

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  Silver Orb. (Cell phone)

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  Gold Orb. (Cell phone)

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  Gold Orb. (Cell phone)

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Dragon Quest VI

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  Zenithia Castle earthbound in Dragon Quest VI (SFC)

See Also

• Cloudsgate Citadel
• The Observatory
• Zenithia.com