Ni no Kuni Analysis #4: Grandsun
@the-wizards-companion @technicallyoneofakind
This was a familiar that Taffy could not help but find...creepy. She doesn’t know why but she just does.
Maybe its the face? Maybe it’s the flames and her inherit pyrophobia? Who knows?
Species Name: Grandsun
Franchise: Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Creature Compendium: "A slightly temperamental creature, it it's in low spirits, its attacks tend to be tamer."
Wizard’s Companion: "The flames that surround these creatures indicate their mood. It's best to avoid them when they are blazing brightly and wait for the flames to die down."
Genus: Arcana
Celestial Sign: Sun
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The faces of these familiars are...bewitchingly strange to say the least.
Sometimes they have no reason to move in expression and sometimes they do. But as my research has shown, the face is nothing more so than a mere mask. The familiar attempts to show off the dominance to others by forcing a creepy smile to their faces. The way you can truly tell the emotions are from the flames.
Low yellow-ish flames that are at the cinders and slowly dying out are when it is at its low point. The attacks are weaker and its movements sluggish. The face may contort into sadness and grumpiness during this state.
Bright blue and and larger flames are when the familiar is at its strongest, dashing around at the speed of sound and turning their spikes like a wheel on the ground. It is highly advised to be cautious when your familiar is at this state, as the flames could potentially burn you. It doesn’t hurt to have salves and heat proof gloves (that can properly withstand the hot temperatures of your familiar, be sure that they are indeed familiar-safe fireproof gloves) but again, caution is advised. At times, during this heightened state, they can accidentally burn and harm their masters.
They really don’t mean to, sometimes sparks jump out whenever they have blue flames.
Angry red flames show off their rage, and is probably the default color of their fire. While not as bright as the blue fire that they have whenever in battle and raring to go/being excited, it is best to provide extreme caution as they are most volatile whenever this occurs. They risk accidentally imploding their surroundings with their fires. The best way to calm down your raging Grandsun would normally be feeding it their favorite treats, speaking to it in a calm voice, and anything else to help appease its mood.
Then finally, there are the sweet purplish flames, flames that are only shown to the masters that they trust and adore. It is a sweet and calm flame, a hint of incense to the smoke burning off of their bodies and helps warm up their masters. It shows a calmer side to them. While normally Grandsuns as a whole species rarely exhibit these elusive purple flames because they are always angry about something, to items like mates, family, close friends, and etc, they will showcase this sweeter side of them. The flames are warm but not hot to the touch, like holding a mug of a warm drink.
In general, people who have befriended the familiars and earned their trust and respect will not have any reason to fear their flames at all. Even when the bright blue flames of battle are showcased, their masters will not be harmed or even singed by flying debris and sparks. According to my research, they have become used to the oils of the skin and the scent of their master, allowing their body to pass through their flames without issue. They are also able to absorb flames as like a very nutritious snack, like a protein bar. Some prefer actually eating cakes over fire and their normal diet of sulfur, twigs, brimstone, and wood, but it all depends on the preference of your familiar.
I have seen special Grandsuns be used by fire departments, absorbing fires to help their masters enter the building to rescue people inside or to stop fires from destroying neighborhoods.
Temperamental at best, it takes quite a bit of time and patience for a Grandsun to warm up to you. Especially when you have just tamed it. Research has shown that wizards who have summoned Sunshines from their hearts and evolved them into Grandsuns are more likely to be closer to them and bond with them quicker. Do not rush the relationship, as Grandsuns are mostly solitary creatures and are comfortable just in the presence of their master.
In battle, these are magical tanks. Protecting their allies while charging up their own spells and powers to launch amazing attacks. It is better to have them fight on a a sunny and windless day, for they get even more power from the solar rays. In the rain, they will not be as energetic and will most likely be rather cranky and crass if summoned.
As for their Miracle Move: Stony Gaze, it has...varied effects. Yes it is useful on enemies but because of its temperamental nature it may accidentally petrify you and your friends! Don’t worry, it’s a lesser dose compared to the ones in battle but always have medicines around...just in case.