Claude Kenni

"'I held a position as an officer in the Federation. Yet I am my own person. I will not be merely the son of Admiral Ronixis J. Kenni, hero of the Federation. And now, I am here.' ~ Claude Kenni"Claude C. Kenni is a Federation Ensign from Earth. He is one of the two possible starting characters, the other being Rena Lanford. Claude is stationed with the Federation starship Calnus, under his father Admiral Ronixis Kenni. For many years, Claude's real mother was unknown, and one of the larger unsolved questions of the game; however, game developers answered this question in Star Ocean 5. Claude's mother is now known to be Iria Kenni, Ronixis' chief science officer during Star Ocean.

Choosing Claude as a starting character will allow the player to admit Leon D.S. Geeste into the party, but will permanently preclude Dias Flac.

Character
When the game begins, Claude is honest, slightly cocky, and holds a strong, personal sense of morality. Claude is sensitive to the fact that his father is a war hero. He is aware that other Federation officers believe he became ensign because of his father's reputation, and not by merit. Claude becomes visibly shaken whenever he reflects on his father or his Federation peers. In one Private Action in Salva with Rena, Claude confides that he overheard other officers question his abilities, judgment, and even his right to be on the Calnus. Other officers believe Claude will get to "coast" through his Federation career, thanks to his father's rank and prestige.

Claude matures over time. Paired with Rena in the investigation of the Sorcery Globe, he allows himself to become vulnerable, and admits his identity crisis to her. Rena herself becomes vulnerable before Claude when they learn her true origin story, and together they grow stronger and heal, now prepared to sacrifice their lives for the good of Expel and the galaxy.

If Leon D.S. Geeste is permanently admitted to the party, Claude will assume the role of "big brother" to Leon after the child's parents die. Claude shows Leon that others care about the boy, even if his parents are lost, and helps Leon trust in others.

Claude is easily upset by real or perceived slights. When Rena is embarrassed that her aunt Rachel believed Claude is her boyfriend, Claude is annoyed that she would be humiliated by him. In truth, Rena is not embarrassed by Claude, but is emotionally unready to enter into a relationship. Claude's misunderstanding of the situation becomes a recurring theme. Later, when the swordsman Dias downplays Claude's fighting abilities in the midst of a ransom situation, Claude interprets Dias' behavior as an egregious insult. Claude failed to recognize that the situation was far more nuanced. While Dias may be rightly accused of arrogance, the reason for Dias's behavior is that he did not want Claude or Rena to be hurt or killed. Claude's brash anger fractures the group, and places the party in needless danger. Claude continues his egotistical need for approval in Lacour, by entering the Tournament of Arms simply to face, and defeat, Dias in combat.

History
Claude's place of birth is unknown, and it may be outer space, given that Claude's mother Iria was on the planet Roak at the time. He is a Federation Academy student where he studies Basic Combat Arts. At the opening of Star Ocean 2, Claude is stationed with the Calnus at the rank of ensign.

Hero of Light
See Hero of Light.

The Hero of Light is a prophesied warrior in traditional Expellian religion. The legend goes that in a time of great crisis for Expel, a man shall come wielding a weapon of light to save the planet. Expellians, especially those in the south of the continent of Cross, see Claude as the fabled savior of the planet. Rena, who was raised by the priest of Arlia on stories of the Hero of Light, is one such believer. One reason is that Claude used a highly advanced Phase Gun in front of others (in violation of Federation protocol). The Phase Gun operates by ejecting a blast of energy - emitting light in the process - to damage one's foes. Rumor quickly spreads throughout Expel of the Hero's arrival.

Claude's timing is especially pertinent. Expel stands at the brink of disaster, with the landing of the Sorcery Globe three months back. Already, the continent of El has fallen and Lacour stands at the brink of battle with the globe's horde of demons. As defeat looks certain, Claude's mere existence gives people a hope they desperately crave.

As soon as he is informed of the prophecies, Claude emphatically rejects the role of savior, spurning any idea that he is the Hero of Light. Yet the question lingers, as Claude's consistently appears to fulfill the legend's predictions time and again, even when his intentions were contrary to the prophecy.

Over time, however, Claude comes to accept that he may be the hero foretold. Whether Claude truly is the Hero of Light is left an open question by the game designers. A voice of the writers is echoed in Portrait A: "Fate has thrown this youth into an unknown world. Is this the will of heaven or what he himself seeks?" Ultimately, Claude's answer to that question is that he is the savior; in battle, Claude occasionally asks, "You think you can defeat the Hero of Light?"

Artistic Themes
Claude's narrative follows a typical story arc in Japanese role-playing games, that of a young man struggling to create his own identity in an uncaring world. Claude desperately wants to be out of the shadow of his father, Ronixis, who achieved glory in battle twenty years prior. Yet he is ushered into the Federation, which he is unsure is the right fit for him. Claude's own achievements are overlooked by others, and his own career is assumed to be thanks solely to his father's position as captain. In the journey to defeat the Ten Wise Men, and by foiling their attempt to destroy the universe, Claude succeeds in creating his own identity free of his father's influence.

If Claude remains in the Federation following the events of Star Ocean 2, Claude eventually rises to the rank of captain. (In Star Ocean: Blue Sphere, Claude remains in the Federation and reaches the rank of lieutenant). Other possible endings are that Claude settles down in Arlia with Rena, eliminates remaining monsters in El, or hunts for treasure with Celine Jules. In all of these outcomes, there is an overarching theme: Claude has the courage to create the life and identity that he truly wants.

Combat Strategy
See Combat strategy: Claude Kenni.

Private Actions
See Private Actions: Claude Kenni.

Items
See Items: Claude Kenni.

Claude begins the game with a Federation-issued Phase Gun, but quickly switches to sword-and-shield after the gun breaks in Salva. Later, when guns become available again, he continues to use swords.