The game has over 100 unique characters as Knights, either part of your faction, or as enemies. Each Knight has beautiful artwork by Raita Kazama illustrating them too. As you defeat other factions, some Knights will join your cause, while others will keep opposing you and join another faction.
The game features a multi-faceted war between six nations, five of which bear powerful armor relics called Brigandines, for complete control of the continent of Runersia. The conflict was instigated in the year 781 by a series of consequential events: the Norzaleo Kingdom's monarch dying under unexplained circumstances, civil unrest in the Holy Gustava Empire precipitating an invasion of Norzaleo, the disappearance of the Republic of Guimoule's president, a revolution within the Mana Saleesia Theocracy, the emergence of the Shinobi Tribe, and the United Islands of Mirelva seizing the opportunity provided by the chaos to plunder the mainland.
The six nations of Runersia are:
Norzaleo Kingdom: An island monarchy established by the hero Adessa that follows the Mohana sect of the Rune faith and frequently clashes with Gustava. It wields the Brigandine of Justice. Its troops are led by Prince Rubino IV, the uncrowned son of the late King Rubino III.
Republic of Guimoule: A nation founded by Mohana Carridine, the progenitor of the Mohana sect of the Rune faith, and the rival of Mana Saleesia. It wields the Brigandine of Glory. Its troops are led by Eliza Uzala, daughter and recognized successor of Guimoule's incapacitated 15th president, Alden Uzala.
Shinobi Tribe: An isolationist, matriarchal tribe born from the former mercenary nation of Hazam, which was destroyed by Norzaleo and Guimoule. It wields the Brigandine of Freedom. Its troops are led by Talia, daughter of the tribe's chief, Della.
Mana Saleesia Theocracy: A powerful nation in the mana-rich heartlands of Runersia founded by the progenitor of the Zai sect of the Rune faith, and the rival of Guimoule. It wields the Brigandine of Sanctity. Its troops are led by Rudo Marco, who usurped his more moderate father, Holy Sovereign Romanov, to spread the Zai sect across the land.
United Islands of Mirelva: A loose alliance of seven pirate clans who banded together for mutual protection in the wake of Hazam's collapse. It wields the Brigandine of Ego. Its troops are led by the ambitious Captain Stella Hamett, daughter of Mirelva's chairman, Ginium Hamett.
Holy Gustava Empire: A scorned nation founded by exiles from Norzaleo that follows the Zoar faith, which worships the hero Zoar and considers the Rune God to be fallible. It lacks a Brigandine of its own. Its troops are led by Tim Gustav, the 13th emperor, who seeks to capture the Brigandines and prove the innate superiority of his clan to the world.