"The Tower of Babel" as envisioned by Athanasius Kircher.
 

Original promotional photograph of a pamphlet advertisement for the Japanese Arcade release of The Tower of Druaga (1984). A scale model of backdrops and locations, accompanied by two-dimensional hand-drawn animation cells were used in the photography of the pamphlet.
 

An engraving known as "The Confusion of Tongues" by Gustave Doré (1865). Depicting the construction of the Tower of Babel, which was built in an effort to reach heaven, but was ultimately struck down by God.

  Gilgamesh is the main hero of the Druaga series. Also commonly referred to as "Gil, the Golden Knight". In the game, he is the son of King Marduk [whom in real life history is the god of ancient Babylon]. Sadly, King Marduk was defeated in the invasion of the Sumerian Empire. Gilgamesh is the Prince of Babilym, who would eventually become King upon his wedding to his childhood friend and lover, Ki, the Shrine Maiden of the Goddess Ishtar. Gil is brave and noble in his duties--always striving to see them through to the very end. Which is greatly in contrast to the actual figure he was based off of. The real Gilgamesh of historic legend was said to be a "Demigod" [akin to Hercules] and was reportedly "two thirds god and one third man".

  Much like his video game counterpart, he was of royal lineage--the fifth king of Uruk. Although he wasn't anywhere near "noble". He would "sleep with women the night before their weddings to their respective husbands". Even in the great Epic of Gilgamesh that was recorded on stone tablets over some 4,000 years ago, Gilgamesh would embark on a journey to achieve immortality--meeting Ishtar, the Goddess of Love and War, and the "courtesan" [high-class "lady of the evening"] of the Gods, and refusing her amorous advances upon him. Then ultimately meeting the only survivors of "the great deluge" [believed to be a strong reference to the flood of Noah's Ark].

  Since then, the concept of Gilgamesh as a historical icon has been associated with immortality and a great lust for power, which is evident in games such as the Final Fantasy series, and certain Japanese Anime series.

  Even so, Gilgamesh and Ki remain notable characters among NAMCO's popular video game character roster. They were even mascots of NAMCO, along with Pac-Man, Taizou Hori (The star of Dig-Dug), Mappy the Police-mouse, Valkyrie and Kurino Sandra, The Cosmo Gang and more. All of which who frequently appeared on the covers of NAMCO's long since discontinued Arcade newsletter publication NG Gaming Community Magazine. The covers are featured throughout the Sony PlayStation collection of Namco Museum.
 

  Ki [pronounced "KAI" and not "KEE" as some people might think] is Gilgamesh's long-time childhood friend, and beloved fiancée. She is a devout shrine maiden to the Goddess Ishtar, whose job is to act as a mediator on behalf of the gods.

  In the game, when Gilgamesh is critically wounded, it is Ki that tends to him--ever watchfully. She is pulled away from her duties when Ishtar commands her to sneak into the Tower of Druaga and steal back the Blue Crystal Rod--a pivotal artifact that is extremely vital to the events that are occurring; it can shift the outcome of the Druaga War.

  Ki fails in this attempt and is caught and transformed into a stone by Druaga and held hostage.

  Upon her rescue by Gilgamesh, it is now Ki's duty to lead the way and help both Gilgamesh and herself escape from the rubble that once was the Tower of Druaga. Now that she wields the Blue Crystal Rod, Ki's magical prowess has greatly increased.

  It is unclear, but I believe that Ki's source material is more than likely based off the Sumerian Goddess of the Earth and Underworld also known as the Goddess named Ki.

  In the game series, Gil and Ki would eventually become the next King and Queen of Babilym. Ki makes a later appearance in the Japanese-only Multiplayer Linked Arcade RPG Druaga Online: The Story of Aon under the name of "Young Ki".

  There is a reason behind this.

  According to the game's story. Only Young Maidens of Babilym are to serve as shrine maidens to Ishtar. This is due to the fact that only young maidens possess the ability to hear the voices of the gods. When Ki reached adult womanhood and became the wife of Gilgamesh, she then lost her ability to serve as Ishtar's shrine maiden. As a result, a new shrine maiden was to be named.

  In NG Gaming Community Magazine, NAMCO of Japan's discontinued Arcade newsletter, Ki has made the most appearances on the cover artwork of any female character, and probably any NAMCO character at that time, period.
 

  Both in the games and in real life history, Ishtar is referred to as the Goddess of Love and War. Known for her stunning beauty, in real life history she was also known as the "courtesan of the gods".

  After Anu grew disgusted at the sight of human beings fighting over the Blue Crystal Rod, Ishtar appealed to Anu, asking that she could take up the role of watching over the humans of Babilym.

  Ishtar worked with Gil and Ki in an effort to recover the Blue Crystal Rod that had been stolen by her archenemy Druaga.

  Throughout the games, Ishtar serves as a guide to help players succeed in their many quests. This even holds true in Namco X Capcom for Sony PlayStation 2 as she helps the characters there travel between dimensions. In that game, Valkyrie (from the "Valkyrie" series) was her personal agent.

  Even so, when Ishtar made an appearance in The Nightmare of Druaga: Mysterious Dungeon, she was actually quite bossy and demanding towards Gilgamesh. The scriptwriters probably wrote her out to behave this way, as the game was extremely strict about employing anti-cheating measures.

  Should a player die in a dungeon, become frustrated and turn off the PlayStation 2 console, or try to back up their save by swapping Memory Cards and saving to another card should you fail on one save, the player would be greeted by the Goddess Ishtar the next time they started the game.

  Ishtar would give the player a strong, firm lecturing about how they "should not mess with the natural flow of time" and that they "mustn't do it again, or else there would be dire consequences to pay" [referring to messing with save files on your memory card].

  This behavior was very contrary to Ishtar's normal, compassionate, loving, almost "motherly" behavior in previous games. But The Nightmare of Druaga: Mysterious Dungeon was developed by ARIKA and ChunSoft, and was merely licensed by NAMCO. So whether or not the game can be considered "canon" can be disputed [especially since the "Druaga" series was supposed to have ended in 1994's Super Famicom title "The Blue Crystal Rod" ].
 

  Anu, the chief "God of the Pantheon". And a prominent god in Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian mythology. The original creator of the Blue Crystal Rod itself.

  Anu created the Blue Crystal Rod so that it's celestial light could shine down on Babilym and its people--a reward for the strong show of faith and servitude towards him.

  After seeing the Sumerian Imperial Army ravage Babilym and build the Tower to reach the Blue Crystal Rod in heaven, Anu grows disgusted with humankind in general and turns his back upon them. After the Rod was stolen, Anu becomes enraged even further and destroys the tower via a mighty strike by a lighting bolt, even destroying all who resided within it.

  Ishtar appeals to Anu, and Anu gives the humans one final chance to set things right.

  While he is important to the story, because he created the Blue Crystal Rod, Anu makes little appearances throughout the series. However, Gilgamesh has the option to face him in the 5th and Extra dungeon of The Nightmare of Druaga: Mysterious Dungeon in a stage known as "Between Heaven and Earth".
 

  In Babylonian mythology, Druaga was the ruler of the devil world. The representation of him in the game series stays true [for the most part, anyway] to how his true form is said to look. The Ruby mace, eight arms, four legs and such.

  In the game, Druaga had been previously defeated by the Goddess Ishtar and was sealed away under the earth below. The celestial light that poured upon the land of Babilym from the Blue Crystal Rod insured that he remained sealed away.

  But when the Sumerian Empire invaded Babilym and greedily built a tower to reach the Blue Crystal Rod, the celestial light that kept Druaga sealed was obscured by the tower's dark shadow. Thus, Druaga broke free and took the Blue Crystal Rod and control of the tower for himself.

  While Druaga died by Gilgamesh's hand in The Tower of Druaga, Gil and Ki worked hard to prevent his resurrection and defeat him once and for all in both The Blue Crystal Rod and The Nightmare of Druaga: Mysterious Dungeon.
 

  Quox the Dragon is one of the few characters that has nothing to do with Sumerian, Babylonian, or Assyrian mythology. The concept of "Quox the Dragon" first appeared in the year 1914 in the eighth book of L. Frank Baum's "Oz" book series of children's novels--the book titled "Tik-Tok of Oz".

  Described as a "lackadaisical" [to be without vigor or determination; listless. or "lazy" and sloth-like for all intents and purposes] dragon in the book, he aided in the defeat of the Nome King.

  In the games however, Quox is said to have been the original inhabitant of the tower before the "Druaga" incident occurred. He was quite docile and friendly, and even was befriended by Ki and helped her in her efforts to reach the top of the tower.

  Said to be the physical manifestation, or rather, the "embodiment" of the Blue Crystal Rod itself. Quox is physically linked to the Blue Crystal Rod.

  Initially, Quox resisted Druaga up until Ki finally had the Blue Crystal Rod within reach. When the Blue Crystal Rod split into three forms--the Blue, Green, and Red Crystal Rods--Quox became evil and under Druaga's control. Ultimately splitting into three separate forms. His original form of a Green dragon, then a Silver Dragon, and then a Black Dragon.

  After Druaga's defeat, Quox regained his sanity and was good once again.
 

  Succubus was a seductress and an agent of Druaga.

  During the Tower of Druaga incident, Gilgamesh came into contact with her. At that time, Gil had acquired the Red and Green crystal rods. All he needed was the Blue Crystal Rod to make the rod whole once more.

  Using trickery and deception, Succubus attempted to deceive Gilgamesh and end his quest prematurely. Gilgamesh bested her however, and she eventually relinquished the Blue Crystal Rod--allowing Gil to fight against Druaga on the 59th Floor of the tower.
 

  A mysterious female figure.

  Her true identity remained shrouded in mystery. She did not appear until The Nightmare of Druaga: Mysterious Dungeon for Sony PlayStation 2.

  During the events of that game, she kidnaps Ki and leads her to the Dark Ruins. To which point, Gilgamesh gives chase.

  There is some sort of link between her, Ki, and Succubus... What could it be...?
 

  They move in a set pattern, however. Red wisps will follow the wall in a counter-clockwise pattern, while Blue wisps will follow in a clockwise pattern. Gilgamesh can become impervious to their touch by obtaining the Red and Blue rings, however.