Character recruitment is a key in advancing the storyline in Dark Cloud 2. Some characters are needed to fill Georama requirements, while others are there just to be there. Most will sell the player items. When added to the party, they'll give various benefits.
Characters can only be recruited after a storyline event in Chapter 2 involving Gordon.
Adel
Where: Adel can be found in Max's house, by the staircase leading to the kitchen. She's dressed like a maid.
How: She wants a Hunk of Copper, Sturdy Cloth, and Thick Hide. If you don't own these items, you can buy them from Conda or the Sundry Shop. After you give them to her, exit and enter the room.
When: Adel is required for the Tailor's Shop in Chapter 2.
Why: Adel will sell you fruits. When in your party, she'll slowly increase the WHP of unequipped weapons.
Aunt Polly
Where: Polly's Bakery (Palm Brinks)
How: She'll tell you to go talk to Morton. Head to Morton's Sundries, and from there go to the house with the pumpkin field in the yard. Inspect the door and talk to Morton again. Finally, go talk to Polly, and she'll join you (and give you 20 Crunchy Breads!).
When: Aunt Polly is required for the Eatery in Chapter 2.
Why: Aunt Polly will sell you the normal stock of her shop. When in your party, she'll make you bread.
Borneo
Where: Outside the train
How: He will automatically join you once Chapter 2 begins.
When: Borneo is required for the Gundorada Workshop in Chapter 5.
Why: Borno will sell you ores. When in your party, he'll guarantee that every enemy you defeat will drop a Georama element.
Cedric
Where: Outside the doors to the train
How: He'll automatically join you once Chapter 2 begins.
When: Cedric is required for the Gundorada Workshop in Chapter 5.
Why: Cedric will refuel the Ridepod for free and sell you parts for it. When in your party, he'll increase bonus points for weapons upgrades.
Claire
Where: In her home in Palm Brinks (it's near Max's house)
How: Claire wants a photo of the Lafrescia Stem.
When: Claire is required for Chapter 4.
Why: Clair will sell you Gift Capsules. When in your party, she'll add 2 more rage counters to enemy monsters.
Conda
Where: At the back of the train
How: Conda will automatically join you after you obtain your first Geostone.
When: Not required.
Why: Conda will sell you Georama materials.
Corrine
Where: On the second floor of Morton's house (the one with the all the pumpkins).
How: Corrine will want to play a game of hide and seek. You'll find her on the second floor of Claire's house, and then in Max's bedroom.
When: Not required.
Why: Corrine will sell you hair ties for Monica. When in your party, she'll guarantee that every coin flip will come up on the angel side.
Doctor Dell
Where: Palm Brinks, in his clinic by the lake.
How: Doctor Dell will automatically join you after you go and speak to him, as part of the Chapter 3 storyline.
When: Required for storyline purposes.
Why: Doctor Dell will sell you mighty healings. When in your party, he'll cure abnormal statuses.
Donny
Where: Entrance to the Underground Channel
How: Donny wants a Dark Coin and an Indestructible Coin. You can either find these in the dungeons or buy them at the Jurak Mall's Tailor Shop.
When: Required for Chapter 4.
Why: Donny will sell you health items, repair powders, and clothing items. When in your party, he'll unlock treasure chests and doors.
Eric
Where: Outside the train.
How: He will automatically join you once Chapter 2 begins.
When: Required for Chapter 5.
Why: Eric will sell you gunpowder. When in your party, he'll make you Improved Bombs.
Fabio
Where: On the pier next to the boat in the lake in Palm Brinks.
How: Catch a Nonky fish bigger than 60 cm.
When: After you move Gordon to Sindain.
Why:
Ferdinand
Where: In Max's house, in the kitchen; he's the cook.
How: Give him a roasted chestnut.
When: After Gordon moves to Sindain.
Why:
Gerald
Where: In Max's house, inside his study; he is Max's father.
How: Upgrade the trumpet gun to a Bell Trigger; you can buy or make one as well as find one in your travels.
When: After you move Gordon to Sindain.
Why:
Gordon
Where: In front of Max's House.
How: Give him a holy water to cure the sick tree.
When: After Max learns he needs Gordon in Sindain.
Why: He is needed to revive Jurak.
Granny Rosa
Where: Inside Max's house, on the way to the kitchen.
How: Spell the phrase "Let's go together." When she asks you to 'speak up.'
When: After Max moves Gordon to Sindain.
Why: She sells amulets for various ailments.
Julia
Where: In Parn's Studio in Palm Brinks.
How: Must give Parn the golden paint.
When: After you acquire the golden paint.
Why: She sells armbands and an indestructible coin.
Lin
Where:In Balance Valley.
How: Cure her with the medicine from the future.
When: After you restore Lao Chao's as well as get the flower for his dish.
Why: Lin will automatically join your party after you cure her.
Mayor Need
Where: In Mayor Need's office in the City Hall in Palm Brinks.
How: Solve his puzzle; put in the combination '1221.'
When: After you move Gordon to Sindain.
Why:
Mena
Where: In the lobby of the Mayor's office.
How: Talk to her with Monica. You will have to clear 10 Sphedas anywhere in the game. Chapter 7 Moon Flower Palace is the easiest when it comes to Spheda.
When: In Chapter three, after unlocking Spheda.
Why:
Milane
Where: In the Palm Brinks Weapon Shop.
How: Talk to her with Monica; upgrade the Gladius she gives you 2 levels.
When: After Gordon moves to Sindain.
Why: Must be moved to Sindain to Revive Jurak fully.
Olive
Where: In the town Square.
How: Win the Finny Frenzy (come in first place)
When: After you unlock the Finny Frenzy
Why: She will sell you lures and 'pump you up' if she is in your party.
Parn
Where: In Parn's Studio in Palm Brinks.
How: Give him the gold paint.
When: After you acquire the gold paint from the golden eggs on Jurak.
Why:
Pau
Where: In his cave in Veniccio.
How: Talk to him and give him a carrot.
When: After you restore Heim Rada.
Why: He reveals all dungeon maps and shows which monster has the dungeon key.
Priest Bruno
Where: Cathedral in Palm Brinks.
How: Solve the candle logic puzzle.
When: After you move Gordon to Sindain.
Why: When in your party, he can revive you once.
Rufio
Where: On the bridge on the way to Doctor Dell's house in Palm Brinks at night.
How: Give him a picture of the moon, can be acquired anywhere in Palm Brinks.
When: After Gordon moves to Sindain.
Why:
Sheriff Blinkhorn
Where: In front of the Police Station in Palm Brinks.
How: Beat his race time of 2 min. and 1 sec. to the boat and back to the Police Station.
When: After you move Gordon to Sindain.
Why:
Stewart
Where: In Max's house.
How: Give him the money he requires to buy the book; price will increase a few times and the last price will be 2000 Gilda.
When: After you move Gordon to Palm Brinks.
Why: