The Explorer[2][3][4][5] is a character in The Precursor Legacy. Living in Sandover Village, he is introduced as Jak's uncle (and is thus sometimes referred to as simply Uncle).[1][6][7][8] He is well known as an adventurer and cartographer, having traveled the world many times over collecting everything from gems to eco.[3]
Jak assists the Explorer in affording a new journey by trading ninety Precursor orbs for a power cell. The Explorer also provided Jak with a map of the continent to assist him in his journey north to Gol and Maia's citadel.
History[]
Jak speaking with the Explorer in his hut.
In The Precursor Legacy, the Explorer had set about a new journey, but was missing his requisite Precursor orbs. He accused Daxter of stealing them, calling him miserable and ugly, not realizing that Daxter was present, as he had since been turned into an ottsel. He offered Jak a power cell in return for collecting ninety orbs, in the mission "Bring 90 orbs to your uncle", which Jak accomplished.
Jak was measured against the legacy of his uncle. Jak, too, had a spirit of exploration, though his watchover Samos Hagai, Sandover's resident sage, felt he would not measure up. Many others in the village, and possibly the other sages, had faith that Jak would someday be like his uncle, though Samos remained adamantly doubtful.[9] However, as Jak proved himself during his journey north, Samos admitted that his uncle would be proud.[10]
Characteristics[]
Concept art of the Explorer.
The Explorer is a human with fair skin, green eyes, and a stout build. He is completely bald apart from the blond mutton chops from his sideburns to his mustache, as well as his large, blond, free-floating eyebrows. He wears a spectacle on his right eye, presumably to assist in his map-making. He uses a cane with a large green gem in the middle, and has a leather satchel wherein he appears to keep his supplies (such as the power cell he gave to Jak). His attire is fairly similar to Jak's, with a blue-collared sleeveless tunic, a leather belt, beige pants, and cloth strappings around his wrists, ankles, and feet.
Jak my boy, I hope this comes in handy on your quest. Good luck! Your Uncle.
The Explorer, The Precursor Legacy game map
As the Explorer's name implies, he's known for his explorations and cartography, creating a map of the continent from Sandover Village in the south to Gol and Maia's citadel in the north.[11][12] His hut, located directly across from the Mayor's in central Sandover, contains many other maps within it, namely of Sentinel Beach and Misty Island. Despite his somewhat dismissive and impersonal attitude, he appears to care for his nephew, calling him "my boy" and "dear boy", and gifting him his continental map stamped with his personal wax seal.
Behind the scenes[]
The Explorer was originally known as the Merchant,[13] initially sketched by character artist Charles Zembillas.[14] The Explorer's only extant resemblances to the original Merchant are his satchel and role as a trader.
The Explorer's true relation to Jak became questionable after Jak II's revelation that Jak was born 300 years into the future as a scion of the House of Mar. It is possible that the Explorer simply fulfilled an adoptive uncle role, similar to how Samos took in Jak as a father figure, or that the Explorer is his ancestral uncle.
Little has been published since The Precursor Legacy to clarify. The non-canon "Where Are They Now?" section of The Official Jak 3 Guide offers some speculation as to the Explorer's origins and post-The Precursor Legacy whereabouts: It suggests that the Explorer is the missing link to Jak's past, or that he was one of the first warriors sent by the Precursors to Jak's world, posing as a friend of the family to watch over Jak while he grew up. Alternatively, it says, some believe that he was simply deranged, exaggerating tales of his exploration and his connection to Jak. He is stated to have disappeared on his journey after Jak gave him the Precursor orbs, possibly using them in connection with other Precursor technology for time travel.[8]
Citations[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Precursor Legacy, credits
- ↑ Jak 3, The Precursor Legacy Model Viewer
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Naughty Dog & Limited Run Games [2000] 2019, Chapter 4: "Minor Characters" § "Supporting Characters Village 1"
- ↑ Rafei 2000
- ↑ The Precursor Legacy, file:
explorer.o - ↑ The Precursor Legacy script § "Uncle"
- ↑ The Precursor Legacy, "Bring 90 orbs to your uncle"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Schrader 2004, p. 188
- ↑ The Precursor Legacy script § "Samos Hagai (gameplay) 2"
- ↑ The Precursor Legacy script § "Samos Hagai (gameplay) 7"
- ↑ The Precursor Legacy, game manual (NTSC-U/C), p. 20
- ↑ The Precursor Legacy, game manual (PAL), p. iii-iv
- ↑ Naughty Dog & Limited Run Games [2000] 2019, Chapter 8: "Plot/Story" § "Village 1"
- ↑ Zembillas 2002, set 25, page 472
References[]
- Rafei, Bob (2000, December 14). Explorer Village 1. Archived from the original on May 9, 2020.
- Naughty Dog, Limited Run Games (2000; 2019). Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Design Bible — Original Production Binder. sony.
- Naughty Dog (2001). Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 2.
- Zembillas, Charles (2002). 603: Character Development by Charles Zembillas. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017.
- Naughty Dog (2004). Jak 3 [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 2.
- Schrader, Nathali (2004). The Official Jak 3 Guide. Piggyback Interactive. Additional contributions by Naughty Dog. ISBN 0761549285.