Wise One

The Wise One (ワイズマン　Wiseman), a large, spherical, boulder-like entity with one single eye as his only organic feature, is the being that influences the majority of the events in the Golden Sun series. Basically, the game refers to him as the Guardian of Vale, as well as a God. The Wise One had initially laid dormant within Sol Sanctum, in Mt. Aleph. Based on his actions at the beginning of Golden Sun and at the end of The Lost Age, the Wise One’s motives and purpose are only somewhat apparent. Alchemy was sealed away within Mt. Aleph in the ancient past to save the world from the destruction brought about by Alchemy’s abuse as a military weapon. The Wise One is essentially the guardian of Alchemy’s seal. When the inevitable attempt by Weyard’s inhabitants to bring back Alchemy would come in the future, he would awaken and take any number of complex, subtle steps to ensure that they would never be successful if they lacked the resolve, conviction, and virtues to prevent history from repeating itself. He would test the resolve of whoever removes the Elemental Stars from their pedestals to ensure that that individual would have the capacity to lead the world down the path of peace rather than another world war once Alchemy is returned successfully.

Story
This is indeed what happens when Saturos’ band instigates the effort to restore Alchemy. The Wise One sees that Isaac is the individual he had hoped for in this case. Therefore, the Wise One modifies the scenario in subtle, complex fashions so that either Isaac, who would ensure alchemy be used for good purposes, will succeed in Alchemy’s restoration, or so that Alchemy will never be returned at all. The Wise One proceeds to give a dubious explanation to Isaac about the nature of Alchemy, stating that it is a destructive force that is better off sealed, and he tasks Isaac on a quest to stop Alchemy’s return. This is the main part of a test of Isaac’s virtue; the idea is that it is up to Isaac to find out and accept the truth about Alchemy on his own, for only the strong in soul and understanding in heart can succeed at that.

Under the influence of the Wise One’s half-truth about Alchemy’s destructive potential, Isaac valiantly pursues Saturos and Felix. Over the course of Isaac’s quest, though, he is unable to prevent the lighting of three of the four Lighthouses necessary for Alchemy to return. After the episode at the third Lighthouse, Isaac confronts his rival Felix and learns the truth about Alchemy from him, the truth that if Alchemy is not returned, Weyard will wither and die, like an animal in an endless winter. Though Isaac is flabbergasted, he comes to grips with this truth and joins Felix’s cause, just as the Wise One had been hoping. However, at this time, the final beacon is already being scaled by a separate group of Adepts, Agatio and Karst, from the Fire Clan of Prox. However, the party learns from Hama that a powerful force is acting to prevent their ascent from succeeding. This force is the Wise One, who has determined that the pair lack the will and virtue necessary to complete the climb and turns them into Flame Dragons before they are able to finish their task. Eventually, Isaac and Felix stumble upon them, not knowing their identities, and slay them. It is then the Mars Star is returned to the Wise One's intended bearers, as Isaac's party retrieve it, having sworn to light the beacon.

But even before Isaac meets Agatio and Karst within the Lighthouse, the Wise One arranged for one final test; he lured the parents of Isaac and Felix from the nearby town of Prox and subdued them, transforming them into a monstrous, three-headed Doom Dragon in much the same way he did the other two Mars Adetps. When Isaac makes it to the top, the Wise One appears as a being of mystery to everyone except Isaac and Garet, whom he calls out to. When Kraden asks how Isaac is on a name- to- name basis with the Wise One, Isaac and Garet explain how the Wise One halted the flow of magma in Sol Sanctum so the two could escape safely and do his works. Piers and Kraden, completely astounded, say that no mere Adept could preform such a feat, and that anyone with that kind of power is more like a God. The Wise One proceeds to admonish Isaac for disobeying his command to stop Felix and Saturos, saying that Prox had committed an unforgivable sin. However, when the party reveals what they had learn over their journey, about the eventual end of the world, the Wise One's tone changes, looking around shiftily and saying that the party had learned too much. Isaac and co explain that the truth they learned about Alchemy is the reason why they would break the seal against the Wise One’s command, and that it was up to them and Wise One to prevent any misuse that may ensue, specifically from Alex, who's motives were clear to no-one but the Wise One and Alex himself. The Wise One simply replies that he cannot interfere with man, and thus is unable to stop Alex. The party counts themselves fortunate, assuming that this means he cannot stop them lighting the beacon either, so Felix attempts to cast in the Mars Star. It is then the Wise One starts to glow with Psynergy, much to the party's shock. He explains that while he cannot interfere directly, if some "miracle" would just happen to appear and stop them, then so be it. It is then that the Doom Dragon is summoned forth, and the party immediately takes a defensive stance. Kraden quickly puts two and two together and attempts to warn the party about the identity of the Dragon, but battle ensues before he can complete his conjecture. Nonetheless, Isaac was fully aware of what the creature was anyway, but was willing to sacrifice his loved ones in the name of Weyard’s welfare and ultimately slays the dragon. Even as the party comes to grips with the what they had done, their resolve stays firm and Felix finally casts the Mars Star into the Lighthouse. In doing this, Isaac and his friends completely pass the Wise One’s test of virtue and conviction, proving once and for all that they would do anything for the greater good.

The Wise One, in setting up this test for Isaac, never actually intended for the parents to die if Isaac was to succeed, as is illustrated by what happens after the Mars Lighthouse is activated: The energy let loose by Alchemy’s return floods into and revives their parents, allowing them to finally reunite. When the Golden Sun is formed above Mt. Aleph, a subtle effect previously employed by the Wise One, before even the eruption of Mt. Aleph, causes part of the Sun’s power to enter Isaac’s body so as to counteract the ambitions of the man who desired the full power of the Sun itself, Alex. As the Golden Sun forms, he alerts everyone in Vale and the four Lighthouses to the impending danger by communicating to them in their dreams. This proves Hama's contention that the Wise One has a caring heart; essentially, the Wise One elevates his stoic image once he finds the heroes necessary for Weyard’s well-being. As the final light converges and descends onto Mt. Aleph, The Wise One preforms one final task. Alex, perplexed as to why he does not have almighty power, is approached by the Wise One, who explains that Isaac holds the final part of the Golden Sun, and that Alex's power is not endless. Enraged, Alex assaults the Wise One with his newfound Psynergy, to which the Wise One responds, effortlessly overpowering Alex, crippling him. With that the Wise One departs, leaving Alex to be drawn into heart of the earth, along with the crumbling Mt. Aleph. It is unknown if this is somehow an exception to his claim of not interfering with man, or whether that was simply a lie, as at this point, the Golden Sun series draws to a conclusion, pending the release of Golden Sun DS.

=Trivia=
 * The Wise One is one of the only characters in the Golden Sun series that cannot ever have Mind Read used on it, even when hacking the move onto a party member.
 * Strangely, it is one of the most important NPCs in the game, yet it does not have its own portrait.