Grog Drinkwater
The infamous sailor who drowns his sorrows in wine until a brother’s betrayal forces him to confront his grief and find new purpose.
Table of contents
- Overview
- Personality & Character
- Background & Story
- Relationships
- Combat Role & Strategy
- Character Development Arcs
- Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Gameplay Recommendations
- FAQ Authors’ Perspectives
- Trivia & Additional Notes
- The Hassan Tragedy Explained
- Recommended for Players Who Like
- Hassan Boss Fight Tips
- Next Steps
Overview
Grog Drinkwater is a tragic figure - once an able sailor, now a man drowning his sorrows after losing everything he held dear. His story is one of loss, vengeance, and ultimately finding new meaning through Ash’s cause.
Quick Stats
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 26 years old |
| Starting Class | Soldier |
| Joins Party | Chapter 1, Section 6 (after Gadar Sea battle) |
| Starting Level | 9 |
| Japanese Name | Lador Marx (ラドー・マルクス) |
| Reputation | Infamous sailor |
Personality & Character
Surface Appearance
Gruff Drunk
- Spends days drowning sorrows in wine/alcohol
- Appears to be washed-up sailor
- Rough exterior
- Seems like “useless bum” at first
- Infamous reputation
Bitter and Grieving
- Lost everything that mattered
- Uses alcohol to numb pain
- Cynical about life
- Pushes people away
“Once an able sailor, since the loss of his younger brother he spends his days drowning his sorrows in wine.” - Syonyx
True Character
Good Man Beneath
- “Despite his gruff exterior, he is a good man”
- Able warrior when needed
- Honorable (keeps his word)
- Capable of caring again
- Just needs to deal with loss
Skilled Fighter
- “An able warrior”
- Strong physical combatant
- Years of sailing built strength
- Experience in rough situations
- Reliable in battle
Background & Story
The Tragedy
Devastating Loss: Grog’s younger brother Hassan became a pirate and murdered all of Grog’s friends.
What Happened:
- Grog was once a successful, able sailor
- Had crew of friends
- Younger brother Hassan envied Grog’s success
- Hassan turned to piracy
- Hassan murdered Grog’s entire crew in act of jealousy
- Grog survived but lost everyone he cared about
The Aftermath:
- Overwhelmed by grief and guilt
- Couldn’t save his friends
- His own brother was the murderer
- Turned to alcohol to cope
- “Drowning sorrow with alcohol”
- Gave up on life
- Became known as drunk, washed-up sailor
Brother vs. Brother: Hassan’s envy destroyed both their lives. Grog lost his friends and purpose; Hassan lost his humanity.
Journey Through the Story
Chapter 1, Section 5 - The Bargain
Meeting Ash:
- Party needs passage to “Island of Madness” (Gillbaris)
- Grog the only sailor willing to go
- Thinking Ash is useless bum, makes arrogant deal
- “Slay the desert monster (Death Ant), I’ll ferry you”
- Expects them to fail
Ash Succeeds:
- Party defeats Death Ant
- Grog surprised but honorable
- Keeps his word - will transport them
- Agrees to sail to dangerous island
Chapter 1, Section 6 - The Confrontation
On the Ship:
- Sailing to Gillbaris Island
- Attacked by Hassan the Pirate
- Brother has found him
- Final confrontation inevitable
The Battle:
- Hassan leads pirate attack on ship
- Grog must face his brother
- Fight to the death
- In ensuing battle, Grog slays Hassan
- Puts end to his brother’s misery
- Puts end to his own guilt
Fratricide: Grog kills his own brother. This could destroy him… or free him.
Chapter 1+ - The New Purpose
After Hassan’s Death:
- Grog has nothing left for him
- No family, no crew, no purpose
- But also… no more running from the past
- Permanently joins Ash to fight the good fight
- Finds new meaning through Ash’s cause
- New “crew” in the party
Through the Game:
- Fights faithfully alongside party
- Reliable frontline fighter
- Proves his worth repeatedly
- No longer drowning in alcohol (presumably)
- Has found reason to live again
Relationships
With Hassan (Brother - Deceased)
- Past: Younger brother, envious of Grog
- Betrayal: Hassan became pirate, murdered Grog’s friends
- Confrontation: Final battle on ship
- Resolution: Grog kills Hassan, ending both their suffering
- Impact: Freed from guilt but carries the weight forever
With Ash Lambert
- Initial: Thinks Ash is “useless bum”
- Impressed: Ash defeats Death Ant
- Respect: Honors his word to ferry them
- Loyalty: Permanently joins after Hassan’s death
- Purpose: Ash gives him reason to live again
With the Party
- Joins: Chapter 1 (early)
- Role: Reliable frontline soldier
- Personality: Gruff but good-hearted
- Function: Tank and physical fighter
- Acceptance: Party becomes his new “crew”
Combat Role & Strategy
Class Progression
Soldier Path (Knight/Armor):
- Lv.1-9: Soldier
- Lv.10: Advances to Swordsman or Guardsman
- Lv.20: Advances to Duelist or Dragoon
Recommended Class Path
Knight Path (Recommended)
Soldier → Swordsman → Duelist
Why Knight (Duelist) Path:
- Good balance of offense and defense
- Maintains decent mobility
- Access to powerful sword techniques
- Better than Armor path
Avoid Armor/Dragoon Path: Multiple FAQ authors rate Armor as worst class (1/10) due to terrible mobility. Keep Grog on Knight path!
Battle Tactics
Early Game (Soldier, Lv.9+)
Role: Frontline tank
- Joins at Level 9 (slightly ahead of starting trio)
- Position at front
- Absorb damage
- Physical attacks
- Protect weaker units
Equipment Priority:
- Best available sword
- Heavy armor
- Steel helm
Mid Game (Swordsman/Duelist)
Role: Heavy hitter
- Strong physical attacks
- Can handle tough enemies
- Tank and damage dealer
- Reliable frontline
Equipment Priority:
- Great Sword
- Kevlar Armor
- Dragon Helm
Late Game (Duelist)
Role: Elite warrior
- One of strongest physical attackers
- Excellent tanking
- High damage output
- Essential frontline unit
Equipment Priority:
- Master Sword
- Best heavy armor
- Dragon Helm
Party Composition Tips
Grog Pairs Well With:
- Clint/Dolan - Multiple knights form strong frontline
- Ash - Dual tanks protect party
- Healers - Keep him alive, he protects them
- Ranged units - He creates space for archers/mages
Optimal Formation:
[Grog] [Ash] [Clint]
[Healer] [Mage] [Healer]
[Archer] [Archer] [Archer]
Character Development Arcs
Arc 1: The Able Sailor (Past)
Theme: Success and brotherhood
- Successful sailor
- Had crew of friends
- Younger brother Hassan
- Life was good
Arc 2: The Tragedy (Past)
Theme: Loss and betrayal
- Hassan’s envy turns to evil
- Hassan becomes pirate
- Hassan murders all Grog’s friends
- Grog loses everything
- Survivor’s guilt
Arc 3: The Drunkard (Before Game)
Theme: Grief and avoidance
- Turns to alcohol
- Drowns sorrows
- Gives up on life
- Becomes infamous drunk
- Wasting away
Arc 4: The Bargain (Chapter 1)
Theme: Testing and honor
- Ash needs passage
- Makes arrogant deal
- Ash proves himself
- Grog honors his word
- First step back to life
Arc 5: The Confrontation (Chapter 1)
Theme: Facing the past
- Hassan attacks ship
- Brothers face each other
- Grog kills Hassan
- End of brother’s misery
- End of Grog’s running
Arc 6: The Reborn (Chapter 1+)
Theme: New purpose
- Nothing left to lose
- But also nothing holding him back
- Joins Ash permanently
- Finds new family in party
- Lives to fight the good fight
Quotes & Memorable Moments
Key Story Moments
Chapter 1, Section 5 - The Deal:
- “You want passage to the Island of Madness?”
- “Slay the Death Ant, and I’ll take you”
- Thinks Ash is a bum, expects failure
- Ash succeeds
- “A deal’s a deal. I’ll ferry you.”
Chapter 1, Section 6 - Hassan Battle:
- “Hassan… little brother”
- Emotional confrontation
- “I have to end this”
- Final battle between brothers
- Hassan dies by Grog’s hand
Chapter 1, Section 6 - Joining:
- “I have nothing else for me here”
- “I’ll fight alongside you”
- Permanent recruitment
- Beginning of redemption
Gameplay Recommendations
Leveling Strategy
Early Game (Ch. 1-2):
- Grog joins at Level 9 (ahead of curve)
- Use extensively - strong fighter
- Advance to Swordsman at Level 10
- Choose KNIGHT PATH
Mid Game (Ch. 3-4):
- Continue Knight path
- Advance to Duelist at Level 20
- Focus on STR and DEF
- Equip best swords and armor
Late Game (Ch. 5-6):
- Grog should be Level 28-32
- One of your strongest physical units
- Essential frontline fighter
- Fully equipped with Master-tier gear
Equipment Progression
| Chapter | Weapon | Armor | Helm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ch. 1-2 | Long Sword → Steel Sword | Chain Mail → Scale Mail | Iron Helm → Steel Mask |
| Ch. 3-4 | Steel Sword → Great Sword | Scale Mail → Kevlar | Dragon Helm |
| Ch. 5-6 | Great Sword → Master Sword | Kevlar → Best available | Dragon Helm |
FAQ Authors’ Perspectives
Jeff Chan (Atom Edge)
Focus: Tragic backstory
- Emphasizes Hassan’s betrayal
- Highlights the murdered crew
- Notes the drinking as coping mechanism
- Brotherhood tragedy theme
Syonyx
Focus: Character beneath the surface Quote: “Despite his gruff exterior, he is a good man and an able warrior”
- Notes he “needs only to deal with his loss”
- Emphasizes he’s drowning sorrows in wine
- Once an able sailor
Uyeyama
Data: Age 26, Japanese name Lador Marx Details: Joins Chapter 1, Section 6 Reputation: “Infamous sailor”
Trivia & Additional Notes
Name Differences
- US/Canada: Grog Drinkwater
- Japan: Lador Marx (ラドー・マルクス)
- “Grog” = slang for alcohol (fitting name!)
- “Drinkwater” = ironic given his drinking problem
Age & Experience
- 26 years old - Older than Clint (27) but same age range
- Young enough to rebuild life
- Old enough to have experienced tragedy
- Mid-twenties sailor with hard past
The Name “Grog”
- Grog = historical term for watered-down rum
- Served to sailors in British Royal Navy
- Perfect name for alcoholic sailor
- Intentional dark humor in naming
Hassan the Pirate
- Boss battle in Chapter 1, Section 6
- “Hassan the Pirate” (US version)
- “Red Rum the Pirate” (Japanese version - completely different!)
- Grog’s “baby brother” (younger brother)
- Driven by envy and jealousy
Character Archetype
- “Tragic drunkard finds redemption” trope
- “Brother vs. brother” tragedy
- “Gruff exterior, good heart”
- Common in RPGs but well-executed
Thematic Elements
- Survivor’s guilt
- Alcoholism as coping
- Fratricide (brother-killing)
- Redemption through purpose
- Found family (party becomes new crew)
The Hassan Tragedy Explained
What Drove Hassan?
Envy:
- Grog was successful sailor
- Hassan was younger, less accomplished
- Hassan wanted what Grog had
- Envy consumed him
Descent:
- Turned to piracy
- Crossed moral lines
- Became murderer
- Destroyed his own brother’s life
The Murders:
- All of Grog’s crew/friends killed
- Hassan personally responsible
- Done out of jealousy
- Ultimate betrayal
Why It Matters
For Grog:
- Lost everyone he cared about
- His own brother did it
- Survivor’s guilt + fraternal guilt
- Couldn’t face living
- Alcohol became escape
For Hassan:
- Consumed by envy
- Became monster
- Lost his humanity
- Death was mercy
Resolution:
- Grog forced to kill his own brother
- Traumatic but necessary
- Ends Hassan’s evil
- Frees Grog from the past
- Allows Grog to move forward
Recommended for Players Who Like
✓ Tragic backstories with redemption ✓ Characters who overcome addiction/grief ✓ Brother-vs-brother stories ✓ Reliable frontline fighters ✓ “Rough exterior, good heart” characters ✓ Found family themes
Hassan Boss Fight Tips
Chapter 1, Section 6: Gadar Sea
Enemy: Hassan the Pirate + pirates
Strategy:
- Defensive positioning on ship
- Groups of 3 around bridge ends
- Let enemies come to you
- Keep Healer in middle of ship
- Archers at ends of bridges
- Clean up remaining enemies
Story Moment: This is Grog’s “baby brother” - emotionally significant boss battle. Hassan must be defeated for Grog’s story to progress.
Next Steps
- Continue reading about Dolan - Magnus’s loyal officer
- Review Knight Class Guide for Grog’s optimal path
- Check the Chapter 1 Walkthrough for Hassan battle
- Plan your Party Composition with multiple knights
“From grief to purpose, from alcohol to action.”
Grog Drinkwater - The Redeemed Sailor