The Prince of Cannock (サマルトリアの王子 Prince of Samaltria) is a playable character in Dragon Quest II, and is one of three descendents of Erdrick who journeys to defeat Hargon after his attack on Moonbrooke, and is the second playable character added to the party after the Prince of Midenhall. He also has a sister who's the Princess of Cannock.
The Prince of Cannock's abilities are a mix between both of his cousins, the Prince of Midenhall and the Princess of Moonbrooke. Though he is physically strong, he is weaker than the Prince of Midenhall, and while he can use magic, most of his spells are not as powerful as those available to the Princess of Moonbrooke. In terms of statistics and spell choices, the Prince of Cannock has more in common with the other Heroes of the series.
Upon learning of the tragedy that befell Moonbrooke, the Prince of Cannock set out on a journey, first travelling to the Wellspring of the Hero. Later, he met the Prince of Midenhall at the inn in Leftwyne, where the two cousins joined forces and began travelling together.
He is shorter than the Prince of Midenhall, but taller than the Princess of Moonbrooke. In the Japanese box art and all other versions of the game, the prince has shaggy orange hair and wears a green tabard with Erdrick's crest on the chest and an orange cape attached over black clothes. He also wears green gloves and boots, as well as a pair of goggles on his head. In the American box art for the NES version of the game, he is still wearing the odd goggles on his head, but his tunic has been replaced with a full suit of green armor. The Prince is also seen carrying a green shield with a red jewel in the middle and wields a rapier.
In the Japanese version, the Prince is described as a slacker, a drinker, and an overall really fun guy; however, in the American version the Prince of Cannock is reffered a studious young man immersed in his studies. This is presumably due to the heavy censorship Nintendo of America enforced during the late 80s and early 90s.
Later in the game in all versions besides the NES original, the prince becomes ill after staying at the inn in Beran. The other heroes can travel to a small island with a single tree tile upon it and retrieve a Yggdrasil Leaf in order to cure him and continue adventuring, or may leave him behind. Doing such only slightly affects the edning of the game, where the prince's dialogue bemoans how awful his luck is.
The Prince of Cannock can equip a wide variety of weapons and armor, though not as many as the Prince of Midenhall, nor as potent. When fighting Hargon, he should be wearing: Magic Armor, the Iron Spear or Falcon Sword, and the Shield of Strength. In remake versions of the game, he has access to a wider variety of equipment, such as Erdrick's Sword and the Aurora Blade.
Based on the name you choose for the Prince of Midenhall, the Prince of Cannock's name is selected from a list of eight names. They are Bran, Glynn, Talint, Numor, Lars, Orfeo, Artho, and Esgar. In the GBC version, the possible names are: Frey, John, Art, Gary, Karl, Eric, Drew, and Paul. It is possible to manually change his name by putting in a code at the title screen.
In the Japanese version, the possible names are Tonnura, Arthur, Cain, Cookie, Conan, Sukesan, Paulos, and Rand.
His name in the Japanese CD theater drama and novelization is Conan (コナン), one of his eight default names from the game. Other books used some of the others, such as Cain (カイン) and Cookie (クッキー).
The Prince of Cannock is one of many past Dragon Quest characters who come to stay at the Quester's Rest as part of the bonus wifi content. He became available for download through DQVC on October 1, 2010, with the name Prince Princeton. He donates equipment resembling his outfit if the player meets certain requirements, and is classified as an Armamentalist. His personality remains unchanged, but he speaks with a slightly formal tone.
When the Luminary visits Cannock and speaks with the king, the monarch explains that his son vanished in a puff of smoke the moment he declared his intent to vanquish the Children of Hargon, and asks the Luminary to seek him out. True to form, the Prince of Cannock is always one step ahead of the party, and the group must visit the Roamer Encampment, the Imperial Pantry of Parthenia, and Whealbrook before being told the young man is wandering in the Neverglade forest.
Famicom art
"March Dragon Quest" detail
Dragon Quest I + II
Prince of Cannock. Artwork for the Super Famicom remake.
The prince with his cousins
Wearing plain clothes
Wearing magic armour
Wearing leather armour
Wearing chain mail
Wearing magic armour
Wearing hate mail
Using Ra's mirror on the princess
Using the Windbreaker to soar
The trio at sea
Casting Kazing on the Prince of Midenhall
