Baldinar

Baldinar Les Meudias was originally the Prime Minister of Kounat and was also the main culprit of said kingdom's destruction. He would be known as Ashtaroth in the original game.

Background[]

Hundreds of years before the game's events, Lord Baldinar obtained the original Klara Libri, a sacred tome that contained the secrets of the world. He followed the book's instructions and created the Soul Stone, however, he realized too late that the Soul Stone could only be controlled by the Kounat Royal Family, who could withstand the "Geas" imposed upon them by the gods. The Aernas Hammer, powered by the Soul Stone, went haywire and destroyed the entire kingdom, leaving Mari as the sole Celestial survivor. The Great Explosion of Kounat also inadvertently created the Dwarf-Elf War on the Archimedia continent, as the two sides have blamed each other for the incident ever since.

Even after several hundreds of years, Baldinar had survived as an astral form due to the effects of the Soul Stone that he had created. Though he had lost all his powers, his ambitions remained and he wandered the world to find clues to powers that could revive him. Baldinar continued to survive in his astral form, by taking Demonic Essence from the demons and monsters all over Aernas and soon arrived in Xenia. Once Baldinar realized that the essence that the Six Gods of Xenia held was a piece of the Soul Stone, he snuck deep into the land and began to spread the Demonic Essence he had acquired. The Demonic Essence dispersed into the land, turning the animals and living beings into monsters to infect the gods with darkness.

Due to the evil energy that had been spread by Baldinar, numerous creatures in Xenia evolved into monsters, and with it, the gods started to lose their sanity. Taking advantage of the confusion, Baldinar approached Ashtaroth, the guardian of the Fortress of Ascension, stole his soul, and made him his puppet. Finally acquiring a useful body, Baldinar was able to secretly move about Xenia without the other gods realizing the situation and put Xenia in a further state of chaos. With his powers, he strengthened the monsters wandering the world and alienated the humans to create war.

Story[]

Fortress of Ascension[]

When Ashtaroth arrived to obtain the Orb of Ascendancy from Thanatos, Sieghart realized that Ashtaroth's true identity was Baldinar. Upon hearing this name and the Highlanders, Mari began to recall Kounat, which caused her to lose consciousness.

Monster Train 301[]

Kassias Grandiel approached Ashtaroth with a sad greeting, attempting to prevent him from ending the Grand Chase. In this encounter, Grandiel referred to Ashtaroth as his longtime friend, Baldinar.

Zeruel Border[]

Following her defeat, Special Force Leader Dahlia confessed that she had intentionally held back the Grand Chase, allowing time for Baldinar to act. She left without answering how she knew of Baldinar.

Zeruel[]

Dahlia revealed to Gilberta that Baldinar was on the verge of acquiring power rivaling that of the gods and his purpose was to destroy the world to reshape it according to his own design. The elven queen of Zeruel would then relay this critical information to the Grand Chase, having learned that they were already aware of Baldinar, and stated that he would once again utilize the Aernas Hammer.

Kounat's Collapse[]

After the Grand Chase managed to hold their own against Ashtaroth's demon form, Grandiel tried to reason with his old friend, Baldinar, urging him to cease his actions. The elf informed them that Ashtaroth who had then ascended into a deity would render their attacks ineffective, but so long as Baldinar did not have the key to the Aernas Hammer meant that the Klara Libri's clone could defeat him.

With Ashtaroth's persistence in the face of loss, Grandiel accepted the path Baldinar had chosen and decided to seal himself, Ashtaroth, and the Aernas Hammer in the Wizard's Labyrinth, ending in a poignant flashback that showed how Baldinar got his hands on the Klara Libri from the elf and offered to help him with his research, unaware of what the book truly contained.

In the sequel[]

Act 6.9: Forest of Life, Last Day[]

After Kyle defeated Belile and survived the demon's assault, Grandiel made a vague remark in his thoughts about how they had finally escaped fate, curiously mentioning Baldinar's name.

Act 11.5: Two Mages[]

Kyle and Cindy discussed the war between the elves and dwarves of Archimedia and how she had once read in a book Grandiel was using that someone whose name she could not fully remember past "Bal" supposedly had killed the masters on both sides and then tricked both sides into thinking that the other side did it.

Meanwhile, Serdin who was bashful about being addressed as Kounat Kingdom's supreme magician by the young Grandiel, thought she was inadequate compared to him or Baldinar. However, she mentioned that Baldinar had been a bit depressed since the outbreak, and his demeanor had turned intimidating. She also brought up the rumors about people claiming to have seen a demon in his residence. Realizing she was speaking ill of his friend, Serdin quickly apologized to Grandiel and trusted his judgment as he was closer to Baldinar than anyone else. Shen then informed the elf that rather than Kanavan, the King's aide—Baldinar—would join them in capturing the deranged Ancient Demon, Duel.

Act 11.6: The Gunfist[]

Baldinar provoked Duel, who he thought was already weakened, and remarked that he would have been more dangerous if he was in the right state of mind. Just as Baldinar was about to deliver the final blow, his attention briefly shifted to Kyle and Cindy, and almost got caught off guard by Duel if it were not for the elf's magic. After telling Serdin she was useless, Baldinar confronted the strange kids. Young Grandiel tried to cover for them, but Baldinar saw through his deception. Despite letting it slide for his friend, Baldinar warned him that if he encountered Kyle and Cindy again, he would not hesitate to kill them.

Act 11.7: Scorched Forest[]

Before he sent them off on their own, Young Grandiel clarified to Kyle and Cindy that Baldinar was not inherently cruel, despite his arrogance. However, he cautioned not to loiter around any longer, implying that Baldinar could pose a genuine threat if they crossed paths again.

Act 12.2: Disguised Princess[]

While conversing with some Kounat citizens to understand the current situation, the Grand Chase learned that neither the King nor the Prime Minister had initiated any measures to address the crisis regarding the demonic virus afflicting the city.

Act 12.6: The Cause[]

When Haru was explaining to the group how the demonic virus came to be, he claimed that all of Kounat would have succumbed to the disease if not for Baldinar's swift intervention, a statement that intrigued Kanavan.

Act 12.9: Fermat Research Lab[]

Still in shock, Kanavan had an idea of the mastermind behind the questionable underground facilities beneath the royal palace. Though she had hoped for it not to be the case, her suspicions were finally confirmed when Prime Minister Baldinar appeared. He accused the General of trespassing, destroying the kingdom's main properties, and fomenting rebellion against the Kounat Royal Family. Despite Baldinar's orders, the Kounat soldiers hesitated, prompting Kanavan to challenge his authority. In response, he presented a royal letter bearing the King's handwriting, instructing the capture of the General and to deem her a traitor if she resisted. Before coming with him, Kanavan asked for her comrades' release to which he accepted although Baldinar remarked how fortunate that Kyle was to leave unscathed as he had previously threatened to kill the boy if they crossed paths again.

A few moments later, Baldinar was seen talking with Decanee, who was delighted that the Prime Minister was able to remove a significant threat to their plans.

Act 13.6: Grandiel's Residence[]

While on their way to Grandiel's old residence, the elf recounted the time when Baldinar installed the light that was right in front of them because he thought the path to his house was so dark and difficult to navigate. Following this, Baldinar's subordinate Nia attempted to capture the group, but they were able to chase her away.

When Grandiel finally met his past self, he informed everyone that Baldinar was trying to become the new Creator and would inadvertently cause the Aernas Hammer to explode in the process which the young Grandiel refused to believe. Moreover, Grandiel asserted that it was a necessary step to prevent Baldinar from truly ascending as the new Creator. He emphasized that Kounat's disappearance was not solely due to the Prime Minister but also because the Grand Chase intervened.

In a separate conversation with his past self, Grandiel revealed that the battle between Baldinar and the people of the future had already taken place in a different timeline where both sides had died from the Great Explosion of Kounat. Armed with knowledge about the situation, the young Grandiel was determined to change their fate.

Act 13.7: The Approaching Darkness[]

As they continued their journey, Grandiel informed the Grand Chase that there was someone they needed to meet before proceeding to confront Baldinar.

Act 13.9: The 3, Reunited Again[]

Elscud challenged the Grand Chase and criticized their recent display of skill, saying it would fall short against Baldinar and the demon Decanee. Shortly after Elscud's departure, Elesis reunited with the group and reprised her role as their leader, vowing to put an end to Baldinar and Kaze'aze once and for all.

Epilogue 3.1: Alpawtraz Prison[]

In a flashback, Baldinar was nagging Grandiel that he stop reading the Klara Libri, dismissing it as yet another boring book he found, and dragged him out of his room to join the festival, teasing the elf that reading books would not make him popular though he promised to help his friend with his important research afterward. Despite Grandiel's protests, they continued to explore the festival. On that fateful day, Baldinar by chance came across a certain lady and was captivated by her beauty.

Epilogue 3.2: The Execution[]

In another flashback, Grandiel was searching for Baldinar, who had loads of cleaning duties, when he found him with the same woman from the festival, seemingly enamored by each other's company.

Back to the present, Baldinar taunted Kanavan, claiming that the citizens of Kounat, who in reality had already seen through his schemes, gathered like little insects to witness her execution. The people demanded the presence of the King before he proceeded, but the Prime Minister insisted on carrying out the sentence. To his surprise, Grandiel had stepped in, declaring his objection, and warned Baldinar that he was not allowed to continue without the King's involvement. Baldinar threatened him with treason, but with Mari revealing herself to the public in support of Kanavan, Baldinar finally decided to show what King Arsad had turned into. Before the Prime Minister could harm anyone, Serdin warped the citizens away. However, Baldinar stated that all their efforts were futile, as the world was destined to end that day, challenging the Grand Chase to stop him.

Epilogue 3.3: King Fallen by Demonic Energy[]

A flashback showed how Baldinar, who was visibly in distress about the outbreak, grappled with the situation and made a grim decision to end the lives of those truly affected by the demonic virus. Despite feeling conflicted, Grandiel and Kanavan understood his reason, as Baldinar asserted that everyone else would die if they did nothing. To his shock, however, he later found out that the girl he had fallen in love with had also succumbed to the virus.

After the Grand Chase defeated his henchmen, the tied-up Kanavan demanded that Baldinar restore King Arsad to normal. However, the Prime Minister coldly informed her that he could not do so, as the King was already dead. Varonas came in the nick of time just as Baldinar prepared to strike. Meanwhile, Decanee and Elscud intervened, buying him more time. The Prime Minister watched as King Arsad succumbed to corruption due to the Ancient Demonic Energy.

Epilogue 3.4: Baldinar's Creation[]

The flashback where Baldinar became utterly consumed by the contents of the Klara Libri and began spiraling to madness was shown. The attendant monitoring him told Grandiel that he had remained locked in his room for days, occasionally obsessively washing his hands or destroying everything in sight. When the elf checked on him, Baldinar had already become fixated on the idea of creating a new world devoid of sorrow and mistakes. He got upset about Grandiel disapproving of his fantasies, but when his friend wished he could have his personality, Baldinar asked the elf if they could ever go back to how things were and be like his past self again.

After General Kanavan defeated King Arsad, Baldinar taunted her about how she truly had committed treason this time. Then, he demonstrated the power of Creation, which manifested into a monstrous being.

When Baldinar's Creation was vanquished, the Prime Minister was already on to creating another one when Kanavan charged directly at him, leaving her right arm impaired. To his overconfidence, however, Baldinar fell prey to the General's fatal strike. In a moment of urgency, Decanee and Elscud proceeded to move the unconscious Baldinar to the Aernas Hammer while the heroes focused on ensuring the safety of all civilians. Grandiel told his past self to take care of their future, even if it meant eliminating Baldinar 1,500 years later. His young self swore not to let it get to that point in the first place.

Epilogue 3.5: Chief Researcher Fermat[]

In their quest to confront Baldinar and Decanee, who had moved to the Aernas Hammer, the Grand Chase passed through Fermat's Research Lab in the castle's basement and put an end to all of the doctor's experiments.

Epilogue 3.6: The World's End[]

In the flashback continuing off from when Grandiel locked himself and Ashtaroth in the Wizard's Labyrinth, the elf informed Elscud, who had managed to enter his tower through the Dimensional Chasm, that Baldinar's troops had absorbed the False Creator's power and were able to give form to a mere thought of Heitaros. This concerned Elscud, but Grandiel assured him that Baldinar's soul was not in its complete state and it should be around Kounat Ruins. Then, he asked the red knight to end Baldinar from the past if they failed their mission, as this should recreate the Great Explosion that would prevent the world's end from the hands of the newly born Creator.

Epilogue 3.7: New World[]

After his conversation with Elscud from the previous flashback, Grandiel had located the missing fragment of Baldinar's soul. To his surprise, however, the fragment had materialized into the form of two children, each bearing a familiar face. Grandiel could not bring himself to destroy them, so the elf had chosen to raise the kids as if they were his own.

In the Aernas Hammer grounds, seeing the courageous Kyle as he faced off against Baldinar, who had ascended as the False Creator, reminded him of how he longed for his friend to return to his lively and dignified self.

For a brief moment, after the Grand Chase thwarted him from gaining full control over the Creator's power, Baldinar transported Kyle and Cindy to a liminal space. There, the Prime Minister declared that he had given up being the Creator and would be consumed by the Great Explosion. He also informed them how the demonic energy inside him would take form as a hive mind and cause immense suffering in the future. Baldinar then revealed to Kyle and Cindy that they were parts of him, and he could send them back to the present using the power of Zephyr Wings Nephilim, which remained within Kyle. Accepting the risk, the boy's untroubled demeanor reminded Baldinar of how he used to be, telling Kyle to keep being himself. Lastly, he gave his regards to his friend, Grandiel, for allowing him to meet someone he loved as well as seeing his most beloved selves.

Act 21.5: Danger Climbing the Wall[]

As Kyle began seeing visions of Baldinar's cherished woman behind the worried Cindy, he thought he had heard what sounded like the Prime Minister's voice, saying he would never be able to escape. This led to his "instinct" awakening.

Act 21.6: Trauma Imprinted on Soul[]

In a moment of tension, Mari warned the enraged Sieghart not to confuse Baldinar's soul with what the body had done and implied that Kyle attacked his comrades "instinctively".

Epilogue 6.4: Ruler's Rights[]

An illusion of Baldinar manifested in Kyle's mind and seduced him into embracing his "instinct" rather than suppressing it. He asserted that the boy was not Baldinar despite being a part of him and his idea of "righteousness" had burdened his friends. Kyle was swayed to seek more power and follow the dark path, oblivious to the evil behind the illusion of Baldinar.

Epilogue 6.6: Casted Shadow of Greed[]

Behind Kyle, whose instinct had been triggered once again, was Baldinar which left the Grand Chase confused. However, the Ancient Demon Duel quickly discerned that it was the Demon God Heitaros wearing his likeness.

Nelia told the group that Baldinar no longer existed and had already become a part of Heitaros by absorbing him, adding that he would feel honored since he was used as an offering for the Demon God's revival. With the Grand Chase realizing that Kyle and Cindy were next, the First Lord started attacking them, knowing that the lady was also a fragment of Baldinar's soul.

As the war between Heitaros and the Ancient Demons came to a close, Baldinar was mentioned by the Bounty Hunter Tristan as he bragged that he had successfully secured the Creator's strength from his ruins which were also buried in the Tower of Memories. Once confident that he was then as strong as the Demon Gods, Tristan would later discover that it was merely a trap set up by Legis Wilde.

Epilogue 6.7: Crazy Envoy[]

Sieghart stressed how they must not let Baldinar come back again, regardless of their opponent, especially since the disgraced Underworld King Plouton had also been resurrected by then.

Epilogue 7.4: Identical[]

While Io's companions marveled at how it was possible that the Tower of Disappearance and the monsters inhabiting within could be copied, albeit a lesser copy, the angel herself did not find it incredible whatsoever. Io claimed it was merely due to the False Creator's power, an information she realized she was not supposed to disclose.

Attacks[]

Grand Chase for kakao God Baldinar — Baldinar as the False Creator.

Baldinar can be fought as a boss in Epilogue 3.7: New World as the False Creator.

Baldinar creates copies of Kounat Soldiers that were encountered in the game prior. If these are not cleared within the given time limit, he gains an increase in damage dealt, and a decrease in received damage for the rest of the battle as well as having his skill cooldown reduced. Then he recovers a huge amount of HP/MP.

After 8 seconds, Baldinar focuses his mind to enhance his creations. This can be interrupted by the player with a stun or any flinching skills.