Dietlinde Eckart

Eckart is ambitious, authoritarian and obsessed with acquiring power beyond the limits of her own world. She interprets unfamiliar phenomena primarily in terms of whether they can be controlled and weaponized.

Her belief in Shamballa is initially idealized. She imagines the other world as a source of advanced knowledge and weapons capable of transforming the political balance in Germany.

That fascination coexists with intense fear of what she cannot understand. Once confronted directly with Amestrian alchemy and the forces associated with the Gate, her desire for control increasingly becomes paranoia and destructive hostility.

Eckart possesses no alchemical ability of her own. Her power comes from leadership of the Thule Society and access to its personnel, occult research, aircraft, weapons and experimental technology.

The society combines occult ideas with rocket technology in its attempts to penetrate the Gate. Eckart is therefore able to threaten Amestris through organization and machinery despite being incapable of performing transmutations herself.

Passing through the Gate exposes Eckart to the shadow-like entities within it, leaving her physically altered and psychologically destabilized.

Eckart directs the Thule Society's experiments involving the Gate. The organization believes Amestris is the legendary Shamballa and seeks a means of crossing between worlds.

The society captures Envy in his dragon form and later uses both Envy and Hohenheim as catalysts for opening the Gate. Eckart eventually turns against Haushofer and personally leads an expedition through the portal into Amestris.

Once inside Amestris, Eckart becomes terrified of alchemy and concludes that the world should be destroyed rather than exploited. Edward, Alphonse and Mustang defeat her forces and send her back through the Gate. On Earth, her altered appearance causes a police officer resembling Maes Hughes to mistake her for a monster and shoot her.

Edward Elric becomes Eckart's principal opponent once the Thule Society's attempt to enter Amestris threatens both worlds.

Van Hohenheim provides knowledge that helps convince the Thule Society that another world exists. Eckart's organization ultimately uses him as a catalyst for opening the Gate.

Karl Haushofer works within the Thule Society and helps develop its interest in Shamballa. Eckart eventually turns against him as she takes control of the expedition herself.

Rudolf Hess is another member of the Thule Society participating in the political and occult movement around Eckart.

Envy is captured in dragon form and used by Eckart's organization as one of the catalysts for opening the Gate.

Alphonse Elric opposes Eckart after her forces cross into Amestris.

Roy Mustang joins the defense of Central against Eckart's invading forces.