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Something about this image makes me think Rory(and maybe Chandra) were added in later as an afterthought. All the other characters are shown almost full body(save for Essentia(since she’s sort of the sought-after main focus of the game), but Rory is only seen from the shoulders up, much bigger than the rest of the cast, and is the only one not wielding a weapon(I know he doesn’t attack, but he does still have his sign). Hell, with the way he’s shaded and the expression on his face, he looks more like he’s an antagonist, as if he’s the one the party is raving to beat in finding Essentia. Hell, a story in which Rory is actively against the group and is after the Essentia in some doomed bid to get his sister back could probably work a lot better, story-wise. Still keep him as a pacifist, but he can use those pointless negotiation skills to have monsters fight for him. Hell, have him fuse with that Soul Survivor version of himself and let him tap into having more powers and abilities over said monsters, but gaining partial knowledge of an alternate life makes him go crazy, which would give him a reason to think Essentia could bring his sister back. He could also get some hint as to Alex being the destroyer of realities and see himself as the one fighting the actual bad guy, Alex. If you still need a “doesn’t attack, only blocks” character for the team, make it Panda. He and Rory essentially share the same purpose in battle, and he’s already on the advertisement for the game up there.
I don’t know how to feel about putting this much thought into YIIK of all things.
Only real reason I think Chandra looks added in latter is how she’s just shoved up in the corner all by herself, but maybe she was moved to add Rory in, which would add to the whole “last second addition”. Actually, come to think about it, everything about Rory’s gameplay mechanics is just copied from another character. He and Panda are basically the same, battle-wise, and the ability he gives Alex is the exact same as Vella: an obstacle remover. You even get both one right after the other.
Okay, seriously, know I’m thinking of a lot of other stuff you could do with “Rory as an antagonist”, and I need to stop for before I type another 5 paragraphs.