Adelbert Steiner
Adelbert Steiner is a primary party member in Final Fantasy IX. Serving the Kingdom of Alexandria under Queen Brahne, he is the 33-year-old Captain of the Knights of Pluto, an all-male military unit. Bound by a strict code of chivalry and unwavering loyalty, his foremost objective is the protection of Princess Garnet til Alexandros XVII. Throughout the narrative, he is almost exclusively referred to by his surname, Steiner.
Overview
Adelbert Steiner is a primary party member in Final Fantasy IX. Serving the Kingdom of Alexandria under Queen Brahne, he is the 33-year-old Captain of the Knights of Pluto, an all-male military unit. Bound by a strict code of chivalry and unwavering loyalty, his foremost objective is the protection of Princess Garnet til Alexandros XVII. Throughout the narrative, he is almost exclusively referred to by his surname, Steiner.
Appearance
Steiner is a stern-faced 33-year-old man with brown hair and brown eyes. He wears a heavy set of full-body knight armor, complete with pauldrons, chainmail, a helmet, and gloves, including white and fingerless varieties. His heavy metallic gear produces a distinct clanking sound as he moves. During his Trance state, his armor transforms to entirely enclose his body, completely concealing his face.
Personality
Steiner is exceptionally rigid, stubborn, and deeply bound by duty. He exhibits near-blind obedience to authority and the Royal Family, which initially causes him to act inflexibly and clash with others. Despite his stern demeanor, he is not cold-hearted. As he confronts complex moral dilemmas, he develops a strong sense of personal independence and genuine conviction, resolving to protect others according to his own conscience rather than mere dictates.
Abilities
In combat, Steiner acts as a heavy physical attacker who wields powerful two-handed swords and utilizes specialized Sword Tech skills. When battling alongside the black mage Vivi Ornitier, he gains access to Sword Magic, combining physical strikes with elemental spells. In his Trance form, his raw physical attack power increases threefold, though he retains his standard action commands.
Background
Orphaned by war at a young age, Steiner was taken in by Alexandrian knights when he was five years old and officially earned his knighthood at sixteen. After performing well in a royal tournament years later, he was granted command of the newly formed Knights of Pluto. When Princess Garnet leaves the castle, he pursues her, ultimately embarking on a journey that forces him to reevaluate his duty to the crown.
Relationships
Steiner holds absolute devotion to Princess Garnet til Alexandros XVII. He initially harbors immense disdain for the thief Zidane Tribal, refusing even to address him by name, though he gradually comes to respect him as a reliable ally. Conversely, he shows immense respect toward the young black mage Vivi Ornitier, addressing him with formal deference. He also shares a fierce rivalry with General Beatrix of the Alexandrian military.
Trivia
During early development of Final Fantasy IX, his full name was planned as Edward Steiner. He is closely tied to the Excalibur II, the game's most powerful weapon, which can only be obtained by reaching a specific location in the final dungeon within twelve hours of playtime. Additionally, when forced to fight fellow Alexandrian soldiers in battle, Steiner displays a somber, sorrowful expression on the victory screen instead of celebrating.
