Luna Ashley — Imperial Knights
Diana's sister who left the empire, setting the entire story in motion.
Luna Ashley is Diana’s older sister and serves as the central narrative catalyst for Imperial Knights. Once among the greatest knights in the empire, Luna abandoned her nation and her father Robert, leaving Diana to pick up the pieces and discover the truth behind her sister’s departure. Understanding Luna’s choice is the core mystery that drives Diana across all three routes.
Story role
The missing sister
Luna was a celebrated imperial knight alongside her father Robert. Both held high honors in the empire until a turning point when Luna walked away from everything: her rank, her family, and her country. The game opens with Diana determined to understand why her sister made this choice.
The mystery of Luna’s departure is not just about finding answers. It is about Diana understanding who her sister really is and what she stands for. The empire that Luna served is not the same empire that exists now, and Luna’s departure was a response to that change.
Connection to the plot
The story reveals that Luna did not simply abandon her duties. Her departure was connected to several major plot elements:
The emperor’s corruption and the sorcerer whispering in his ear Unspeakable research being conducted in the empire’s name A decision between loyalty to family and loyalty to the empire Luna discovered something about the empire that she could not accept, and her departure was not cowardice but a form of protest against corruption.
Diana’s motivation
Understanding Luna’s choice is Diana’s primary motivation throughout all three routes. Whether Diana follows the noble path or the bandit path, she is always searching for answers about her sister. The journey to find Luna is simultaneously a journey of self-discovery for Diana.
Character overview
Background
Luna Ashley was one of the empire’s most celebrated knights, serving alongside her father Robert at the highest levels. Her departure shocked the empire and resulted in Robert being stripped of his honors as well. The official story painted Luna as a deserter, but the truth is more complicated.
Key details:
- Full name: Luna Ashley
- Relation: Diana Ashley’s older sister
- Former role: Imperial Knight (elite rank)
- Father: Robert Ashley (former imperial knight, stripped of honor)
Personality
Luna is portrayed as someone who made an impossible choice. She loved her family and her country, but could not reconcile either with the empire’s corruption. This makes her both absent and present throughout the story: her shadow looms over every decision Diana makes.
Luna represents the question of what you do when the institution you serve becomes corrupt. She chose exile over complicity, and that choice defines her character even when she is not on screen.
Appearances
Luna does not appear as a playable or party member, but her presence is felt throughout the game through:
Flashback scenes that reveal her personality and relationship with Diana Robert’s dialogue about his daughters and his regrets Documents and letters found during the walkthrough that piece together the truth The truth uncovered in the game’s finale that explains her final choice
Story revelation across routes
Across all three routes, the player learns more about why Luna left. The specific details vary by route and ending, but the core truth remains consistent: Luna chose to protect something or someone by leaving, and her sacrifice drives Diana’s journey.
Route 1 (High Road): Luna is remembered as a hero who made a difficult choice Route 2 (Bandit Path): Luna’s departure is connected to the empire’s failures affecting common people Route 3 (Underground): The full truth about Luna’s discovery is revealed
Related pages
- Diana Ashley — Diana’s perspective on Luna and their family relationship
- Endings guide — How Luna’s story concludes in each route
- Route guide — How routes reveal different aspects of Luna’s departure
- Walkthrough — Items and scenes related to Luna throughout the game
- Review — Story themes including family loyalty and institutional corruption
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions Imperial Knights players ask first.
Who is Luna in Imperial Knights?
Luna is Diana's older sister, a former imperial knight who abandoned the empire. Her departure and the reason behind it drive Diana's journey throughout all three routes of the game.
Can I play as Luna?
No, Luna is not a playable character. She is a central story figure whose past and motivations are revealed through Diana's journey. Her screen time comes through flashbacks and discovered documents.
Why did Luna leave the empire?
Luna left because she discovered the empire's corruption and could not reconcile her duties with what the empire had become. Specific reasons are revealed progressively across the three routes and vary by ending.
What is Luna's connection to the main plot?
Luna discovered the emperor's corruption and a sorcerer's unspeakable research. Her choice to leave rather than participate drove Diana to investigate and eventually confront the empire's true nature. Luna's departure is the inciting incident for the entire game.