Barlowe

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Barlowe

Japanese name	Barrowe
Appearance(s)	18??:Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Role(s)	Ecclesia Leader, Villain
Weapon of Choice	Glyph Books
Abilities	Glyphs
Voice Actor(s)
Seiyuu(s)
Music Theme(s)	Sapphire Elegy, Lament to the Master
Gender	Male

Barlowe is a character in Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia and leader of the Ecclesia. He is the founder of glyphs and the master of Shanoa and Albus.

Story

Before Castlevania

Sometime after Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the Belmonts vanished, leaving no one to oppose Dracula, should he return. Many organizations were formed because of this, one of them being Ecclesia. All of them failed, however, except Ecclesia. The leader, Barlowe, had made a breakthrough with the discovery of glyphs, symbols that represent the power in everything. Due to his discovery, Dracula's remains were entrusted to Barlowe, so that he may find a way to destroy them. Barlowe researched strenuously until he discovered Dominus; the only glyph capable of damaging Dracula.

Events of Order of Ecclesia

At an unspecified time, Barlowe also took in two students: Albus and Shanoa. He raised and trained them together and they both became capable hunters. However, Barlowe deduced that only Shanoa was able to host Dominus. Albus did not like this turn of events, though, and implored Barlowe to research ways for Albus to be able to take in the glyph instead of Shanoa, as Dominus would kill her. One day in Ecclesia, Barlowe sent Albus on a fool's errand and held the Dominus ritual in his absence. Albus came back for a short visit before the ritual started, however, and found out about this through Shanoa. Barlowe was explaining to Shanoa that the ritual will adjust her body to Dominus, telling her that after this she would be able to bear the most powerful glyph. While Shanoa was absorbing the Dominus glyphs, Albus interrupted the ritual. He was angry that Barlowe had betrayed the promise he had made to Albus. Barlowe told Albus that he knew well that only Shanoa could be the bearer of the glyph. Albus then said that he intended to overcome his weakness; Barlowe tried to calm him by saying that they could still research for ways and maybe even overcome this setback, but Albus decided that it was too late and stole Dominus. Barlowe was shocked and told Albus to not act foolishly, as this would destroy their mission, but Albus told Barlowe that he had his own mission and pointed his gun at Barlowe. Albus and Barlowe both shot glyphs at each other and they collided. Albus then declared that Barlowe was not his master any more and escaped Ecclesia.

Because of that, Shanoa's memories and emotions were wiped from her mind. Barlowe retrained her for several weeks and sent her after Albus, telling her that it was he who robbed Shanoa of her memories and of mankind's last hope. Barlowe himself remained in the Ecclesia headquarters.

‎ Shanoa returned at times and reported what she had found out about Albus to Barlowe. The first time, she told him that Albus deliberately gave her a piece of Dominus, which shocked Barlowe, but he was relieved that at least a single piece was with them. The second time, Shanoa asked about Dominus' origin, and Barlowe told her that it is indeed from Dracula. He then told Shanoa the story of a clan in the past that used a Holy Whip to defeat Dracula and as time went on, they vanished, leading to the creation of other clans and tools, such as the glyphs of Ecclesia. Ecclesia was the strongest of the clans and because of that, certain men of power gave an object to Ecclesia, that being the vessel for Dracula's soul and destroying that would be Dracula's defeat. However, their glyphs could not even scratch the vessel, which lead to Barlowe thinking that fighting fire with fire may work and so, he created Dominus from Dracula himself, as no less would be enough to destroy the Vampire Lord. He then told Shanoa that he trusts the Lord's plan over Albus', and told her that she should do what she thinks is right.

After another run-in with Albus, Shanoa reported that Albus was hosting the final piece of Dominus himself. Barlowe was shocked when he heard this and feared that Albus' genius may outstrip his own. While they assumed that only Shanoa was able to host Dominus, they left an opening and Albus took it. Barlowe still believed that they had the upper-hand because the other two pieces were with them. He then told Shanoa to kill Albus and put him out of his misery and to come back alive.

When Shanoa killed Albus and absorbed the last Dominus glyph, she also absorbed Albus' soul and memories with it. In that moment, she discovered that Dominus stole her memories and not Albus' interruption. Albus' spirit within her then explained much about Dominus and that Barlowe had been lying to them all this time. He had also neglected to mention that using Dominus would kill Shanoa. With this information, Shanoa returned to Ecclesia.

From her silence, Barlowe figured that Albus had been killed. He then told Shanoa to go to the forbidden room and use Dominus to save mankind, as that is what Albus would have wanted. Barlowe told Shanoa to use the Dominus union on the vessel, but Shanoa refused. He asked if she was having second thoughts, to which Shanoa replied that she promised Albus to never use Dominus. Barlowe assured Shanoa that Albus must have lied to her, to which Shanoa responded that he would be the one to know about lies. Barlowe denied this, but Shanoa told him she now knew that he used her emotions and memories as a sacrifice to Dominus, lied to Albus and sent him on a fool's errand and neglected to mention that using Dominus would kill her. She then demanded an explanation. Barlowe, however, tried to explain to Shanoa that mankind needed her life, and that giving her life so that man might live his dreams is wonderful. Shanoa told her old master that he was mad. Barlowe then intended to take advantage of Albus' research and kill Shanoa so that he may use Dominus himself.

After a long battle, Shanoa defeated Barlowe. It was then that Barlowe told Shanoa that the object was not a vessel for Dracula's soul, but rather a seal on it. Barlowe revealed to her that Ecclesia's mission was realizing the singular wish of mankind: the resurrection of Dracula. Shanoa denied it, saying that mankind would want no such thing, but Barlowe told her that they do, which is why Dracula returns again and again, regardless of being defeated. After that, Dracula's remains bestowed upon Barlowe an immense amount of power and by using that power and sacrificing his own life, Barlowe resurrected Dracula.