Shulk

Shulk is a kind and intelligent but socially clumsy youth. He is all too willing to help others with whatever problems they may have, and will carefully consider all options in doing so before deciding which he will stick with and see to the end. He respects the wishes of others even when they go against what he wants and tries to learn everything about a situation so he does not do anything rash. His main downfall is that he does not read people well, and often says things that offend others because he doesn't understand (or isn't aware of) their feelings. When left to his own devices he will simply keep to himself and do research in the lab until forced out. He also has somewhat of a pessimistic outlook on life, especially when things start going badly, and can do stupid things if his emotions get the better of him.

Shulk is a Homs with short pale blond hair, blue eyes, and a fairly average height of 1.71m. His main appearance comprises a red hooded vest, a black sweater, multi-coloured shorts with knee straps, and red boots.

Shulk is the only survivor of an expedition that found the Monado in Ose Tower, as a child fourteen years before the events of Sword Valley. He was discovered by Dickson and brought to Colony 9, where he grew up to become a weapons expert and researcher. After the Battle of Sword Valley, Dunban is injured by his overuse of the Monado, spurring Shulk to further research the weapon to discover its secrets. Shulk's life in Colony 9 is shown to be fairly idyllic; he spends most of his free time building weapons and doing research, and whenever forced to go outside he has good friends for company; Reyn to joke around with and protect him from beasts in the countryside, and Fiora as moral support and to protect him from his terrible eating habits. He also keeps Dunban as a mentor, and Dickson helps with his Monado research. When Colony 9 is attacked by the Mechon, Dunban attempts to use the Monado again but is unable to, which prompts Shulk to take it himself. To the surprise of everyone, not only can Shulk use it without issue, but it gives him occasional visions of the future that allow him to dodge attacks. However, the Monado has no effect against the giant Mechon later known as Metal Face, and he fails to act on the visions he receives, allowing Fiora to be killed. Once the attack is over, Shulk vows to enact revenge on the Mechon and leaves the colony with Reyn to track down Metal Face.

Shulk wields the Monado, The Monado is a powerful energy blade that can manipulate the ether around it, and by doing so, change the material and immaterial shape of the world. One's ability to control the Monado depends on the strength of will of its user; most Homs who try to use the sword cannot control it. At the beginning of the game, the Monado cannot harm any of the sentient beings (Homs, High Entia, and Nopon) of Bionis.