By 2026, the Astral Express had logged countless jumps across the stars, but the Trailblazer still kept a battered holo-journal filled with names that never appeared on any banner. Playable characters were flashy, no kidding, but these supporting souls were the ones who truly stole the show. One quiet evening aboard the Express, the Trailblazer flipped through the journal and remembered the NPCs who had left a mark — some funny, some heartbreaking, and one furry conductor who ran the whole show.
The first entry was Peak, a miner found catching Z's on a bridge in the Great Mine. The Trailblazer had been running on fumes for days, so seeing this guy snooze near danger was both alarming and weirdly relatable. Peak carried the label of lazy miner, but he was far from it. He simply wanted a simple life, cared little for material things, and refused to let others' opinions run his day. In a universe full of cosmic stakes, Peak was a gentle reminder to take a break — just not on the floor while on duty.
Master Gonshu came next in the journal. The Xianzhou Luofu puzzle master was like that grandparent who spoils you with gifts as long as you indulge their hobbies. His laser puzzles were not everybody's cup of tea, but solving them felt like a small victory, and the chests he offered were no joke. Stellar jade was always welcome, and Gonshu's generosity made him worth his weight in gold.
Then there was Perkins, the stoplight robot butler at Svarog's Base. Clara insisted that robots like Perkins only imitated human speech, but the Trailblazer quietly ignored that detail. Perkins was lively, funny, and welcoming — a real character who greeted guests with genuine charm. Svarog's Base would not have felt the same without that friendly glow at the gate.
Pascal hit different. The little robot had tried so hard to fix Rivet Town for humans who might never return, decorating with fairy lights and collecting parts with endless hope. Clara confirmed that Pascal had feelings and a form of sentience, which made the whole story a gut punch. Whatever choice the Trailblazer made in Rarely Affectionate, Pascal probably hurt more than any damage dealer ever could.
Vaska was a different kind of memorable. She was a huge Tears of Themis fan and a devoted follower of Artem, and she had a habit of muttering her thoughts out loud. The Trailblazer found her amusing at first, then slightly terrifying because her inner fangirl monologue was a little too relatable. Anyone who has ever loved a fictional character knew exactly why Vaska was spilling the tea with herself.
Rocky Martinez was on another level entirely. He wrote poems for a fellow researcher, and yes, the first one was cringe. But his devotion was real, and his quest proved he was more than just words. Rocky was willing to go above and beyond for love, even if it meant fighting the space-time continuum. The Trailblazer hoped that somewhere in the vast universe, Rocky and his researcher found each other again.
Kluzer was a good egg — maybe too good. He was selfless and cared deeply for people in the Underworld despite his own financial struggles. His side mission left a bitter taste, especially when Scott, the Fight Club owner, stood outside acting smug. The Underworld was rough, but the way Kluzer's situation was handled was sickening, and the Trailblazer was not alone in wanting to give Scott a piece of their mind.
Dunn was another Belobog name that stuck. He looked like any other Silvermane Guard commander, but his past with Serval made him far more interesting. He had a small crush on her — like half the player base — yet what made Dunn special was his stern, unwavering sense of duty. His rock and roll spirit lived in his work, and that quiet devotion was a breath of fresh air.
Chief Oleg was not exactly a side character, but he was not playable either. He welcomed the Trailblazer and their outsider friends without prejudice, even accommodating Bronya despite her status in Belobog. Oleg treated everybody with kindness regardless of background, and that made him the real MVP. If only the world had more NPCs like him.
And then, of course, there was Pom Pom. There was no debate. The conductor cooked, cleaned, greeted the Trailblazer when they boarded home, and occasionally asked for a music change so the Express did not get stuck on Wildfire forever. The shedding was a downside, and Pom Pom got emotional from time to time, but they were a real joy to be around — like getting a pet that cleans your house, except far more opinionated.
| Rank | NPC | Why They Stick |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Peak | A sleepy miner with a simple-life philosophy |
| 9 | Master Gonshu | Laser puzzles and generous chests |
| 8 | Perkins | A friendly stoplight butler with charm |
| 7 | Pascal | A hopeful robot who pulled at heartstrings |
| 6 | Vaska | A fangirl whose inner monologue escaped |
| 5 | Rocky Martinez | Cringe poems, sincere devotion |
| 4 | Kluzer | Selfless to a fault in a rough Underworld |
| 3 | Dunn | Duty, rock spirit, and a quiet crush |
| 2 | Oleg | Kindness without prejudice |
| 1 | Pom Pom | The furry conductor and real MVP |
The Trailblazer closed the journal and listened to the Express hum through the void. In 2026, the game's universe kept expanding, but these names still echoed in community conversations. Some NPCs were central to quests, others were crucial fixtures, and a few simply felt like old friends. They did not need banners or flashy ultimates to be unforgettable — they just needed one good scene and a little heart. 🚂✨",
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