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Erich Van Houten, known in Japanese as Eylih Van Houten (エーリッヒ・ヴァン・ホーテン, ērihhi van hōten) is Elly's father and Medena's husband.
Biography[]
He is a middle-aged Gazel class Solarian with blond hair and a mustache.
He used to be part of Gebler but was reassigned as the head superintendent of the Soylent System. Feeling guilty, he saved many Lambs from becoming Wels and later food and medicine for the population of Solaris[1], including Elly's childhood nanny. Eventually he resigned from his position as head superintendent and became one of the administrative staff of the Special Forces.
He was engaged in research with Nikolai Balthasar on the M Project[2].
Xenogears[]
"I can't believe you still...? How dare you say that in front of your mother...!"
Erich is first seen in Solaris after Elly hacks into his home computer, looking for information that will help Fei Fong Wong and the others. After making a call to the military police, Erich goes to his desk, pulls out a gun and points it at Fei. Elly protests, even going as far as to protectively step in front of Fei and declaring herself to be a traitor.
As Erich and Elly's argument heats up, Elly says that Erich was less concerned about her safety and more concerned about people seeing her, because she was "half a land dweller". Medena, who was standing in the doorway, gasps, and Erich slaps Elly for her insinuation.
Fei, not wanting Elly to fight with her parents, goes to leave and tells them that this was now a "land dweller problem". Erich, acknowledging his gratitude for Fei protecting Elly, does not stop him from leaving.
Later, Medena visits Elly in her room, and reaffirms her love for her daughter, urging her to go to her loved ones. Erich meets Elly in the hallway outside and hands her an Army Cardkey, telling her to choose her own path.
"Leave my daughter alone! Or else!"
When Erich hears soldiers arriving, he is surprised by the Imperial Guard, instead of the military police. Stating that the intruder had 'fled', Erich is alarmed to learn that Karellen had ordered Elly be taken into custody. Putting everything on the line, Erich holds back the soldiers to allow Elly to escape.
Erich and Medena are later sprung from prison by Hammer and reunite with the party. Wanting to arrange a ride for everyone, Erich leaves ahead of the group.
As the betrayal of Hammer and the tragedy of Medena's death stop the party's retreat, Grahf and the Executioner teleport in and demand Elly remain with them. After the party battles the two, Erich intervenes in a Solarian Eagle soldier gear. The Executioner, amused by his and Medena's devotion to Elly, forces his gear to malfunction.
In his last moments before his gear explodes, Erich urges Elly to go, telling her to believe in herself, and that he and Medena will support her, because she is their daughter, no matter what.
Quotes[]
- "No! Even if he is your friend, I can't overlook a land dweller who tries to sneak into the palace!" (about Fei)
- "You know how traitors are punished even if they're 1st Class citizens! You'll be safe if we kill the intruders who know about us. I'm worried about your safety..."
- "You may be an intruder, but the fact is, you protected my daughter. If I shoot you, I'll lose her." (to Fei)
- "G,gha! E...Elly...go...now... Elly, no matter what happens, believe in yourself and go on. We'll be happy to help anyway we can. That's the least I can do to make up to you... Elly... you're Medena's daughter, my daughter, no matter what... so..." (final words)
Trivia[]
- He was originally meant to have brown hair and brown eyes, however, his sprite portrait was changed to blonde hair in the game.
- When Elly tries to access Erich's computer, she first guesses the password to be her full name, Elehayym ('E L H A Y M' in the NA release). When that fails, she tries her name backwards, 'Myyahele', which ends up being the actual password. This is likely a nod towards how Myyah and Elly are connected, though this would have been lost in the NA release, where Myyah is named Miang.
Gallery[]
- ↑ CITAN: "Naturally, Erich always had pangs of guilt. So he kept as many land dwellers as possible under his protection as 3rd Class citizens. Then he resigned. That's why he is on the administrative staff of the Special Forces now."
- ↑ CITAN: "Elly, your father, Erich, used to be the superintendent of this facility. He was involved in the research with Maria's father."