—Maria to Minerva in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
Maria (マリア Maria) is the youngest member of the royal family of Medon and the younger sister of Michalis and Minerva in Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi, Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, and Fire Emblem: Shin Monshō no Nazo ~Hikari to Kage no Eiyū~. She is a cleric who becomes a hostage to secure Medon's allegiance with Doluna, and is the first princess to be a healing unit in the Fire Emblem series.
History
War of Shadows
Before the war, Maria lives in peace in Medon, which was quiet and prosperous. She adores her father and older siblings, Michalis and Minerva. As Doluna rose to power, Michalis murders their father, King Medon. According to the designers notes, Michalis announces that it was the work of an Akaneian assassin, which allows him to justify allying with Doluna. Maria is unaware of the true nature of her father's death at the time of Michalis' coronation, and supports him. After Michalis seizes control of Medon, he approaches Maria, explaining to her that Medon would face a crisis if Doluna does not feel that Medon is truly allied with them. Michalis' solution is for Maria to become Doluna's hostage. Despite being a child, Maria agrees, trying to protect the citizens of Medon and please her older brother. Michalis, however, has lied to her, as his primary reason for imprisioning Maria is to keep his younger sister Minerva in control.
When Minerva discovers that Maria has been taken hostage, she realizes that Michalis has killed their father, but has no choice but fight with Medon, as Maria will be killed if she does not comply. Maria then spends years in isolation as Doluna's hostage in Castle Deil in Akaneia. According to the timelines, this may have been a period of six years. During this time, it is likely that Maria begins to realize what her brother has done. Maria begins to adamantly oppose the allegiance, and it is likely that she realizes the real reason why she has been captured when she is not even allowed to see her sister Minerva. As a hostage, however, Maria is powerless.
Maria’s safety and comfort is extremely important to Minerva, so Minerva continues to serve Doluna and concedes to her superior generals, such as Harmein, and the general of Castle Deil, Zharov, when Maria’s captivity is brought up. Eventually, Minerva decides to lead a revolt against her brother, and sends her subordinate Catria to Marth to request that he rescue Maria from Castle Deil. When Marth releases Maria from her imprisonment, she thanks him and decides that she is going to join him in battle, as she is tired of feeling helpless. After Maria is rescued, Minerva is able to join Marth as well, as Maria is finally safe. After convincing Minerva that she is going be strong and help, Maria assists Marth and his army.
When Marth's armies begin to enter Medon, Maria knows that she must help restore order to Medon, as she unknowingly helped Michalis corrupt it. Maria assists in battling her countrymen and her older brother Michalis, who is shocked to see her on the battlefield. Afterwords, Maria continues to assist Marth and his army until the war is over.
War of Heroes
Once the war ends, Maria travels to Khadein to study there for a while before returning to her own kingdom to serve her people as a cleric. Once she returns, she helps her brother Michalis recover from the grievous injuries he sustained from battling Minerva, who was not able to deal him the killing blow. Despite what he has done, Maria still loves Michalis and is incredibly concerned for him, and she stays by his bedside until he recovers, praying until she cries. When Michalis awakes he thinks Maria looks like an angel, and he is touched by her kindness.
Soon after, she is captured by Gharnef (in Shin Monshō no Nazo ~Hikari to Kage no Eiyū~, she is captured by assassins sent by Gharnef). Michalis attempts to rescue her and battles Gharnef, but Maria does not see the outcome as she is hypnotized by Gharnef before the battle ends. As she is of pure and noble blood, Gharnef plans to use her life force, along with that of Elice, Lena, and Nyna to fully resurrect Medeus. (If the Shield of Seals has not been obtained, Maria and the other kidnapped Bishops come to Marth after Hardin has been defeated and tell him that they have defeated Gharnef with their combined strength. They urge Marth to return to Altea and live with what time he has left. In reality, however, Maria and the other Bishops are illusions, and Maria and the Bishops are sacrificed to Medeus, who revives and takes over the world.) When Marth and his army attempt to defeat Medeus, Maria and the other hypnotized bishops boldly protect him. As Maria is to be sacrificed to Medeus, Marth and his army is able to intervene, during which Minerva wakes her from Gharnef's hypnosis. Maria inquires about Michalis, as she only wants her family to be happy again, as it was before the wars began. Maria joins Minerva and Marth's army to help in defeating Medeus yet again, so she can return to Medon with her family.
After the second war ends, Maria likely learns that Michalis has died. After accepting the loss, Maria lives peacefully at Lena’s monastery with Minerva and Julian, caring for orphans. In Shin Monshō no Nazo ~Hikari to Kage no Eiyū~, Michalis can survive, however, and Maria expresses her want to talk seriously to him and Minerva. After the war, she becomes like an older sister to the orphans in Lena's orphange.
Appearance
In Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi, Maria wears a royal blue garb with a short skirt and blue wristbands, which is abandoned for a more modest white dress befitting a cleric in all of her later appearances. In Monshō no Nazo and the Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi manga, this dress appears to be very plain, but in Shadow Dragon it has detailed lining and a high collar and cushioned sleeves. Maria wears a golden tiara, which in Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi and Monshō no Nazo is very apparently a symbol of her royalty, but in Shadow Dragon and Shin Monshō no Nazo ~Hikari to Kage no Eiyū~, it appears to be more like a contemporary headband. Maria also wears a neclace with a green gem in Monshō no Nazo and Shadow Dragon. When portrayed as a Bishop in Monshō no Nazo , Maria wears a shortened version of her original dress adorned with red and yellow designs, a red gem, and golden bracelets. She wears boots in Monshō no Nazo as a Cleric, and as a Bishop wears red cloth shoes. Overall, Maria dresses very modestly, possibly due to her obligation to her people as a cleric.
Maria has red hair and eyes like her siblings, but her hair is shorter than theirs and in Shadow Dragon her hair appears to be thicker. When hypnotized by Gharnef, Maria's eyes are a light shade of brown and devoid of light. Maria appears very small compared to other characters in stature, and she has very wide and large eyes when compared to other characters, most importantly her siblings, hinting at her young age.
Personality
Maria has a very bright, cheerful, and optimistic personality. She loves her siblings incredibly, to the point of trying to do anything to please them, which is seen when she willingly becomes a hostage for Michalis. She does, however, carry a certain amount of responsibility as a princess of Medon, as she tries to protect and serve her countrymen as best she can. It is implied that this is the reason why Maria became a cleric, as she can serve her wounded and sick countrymen. While she is a hostage, this responsibility weighs on her as she discovers that she is not protecting Medon as she thought she was, and she eagerly awaits the opportunity to do so once freed.
Maria is also incredibly persevering, as even though she is only a child when she becomes a hostage, she is able to spend years in isolation surrounded by those hostile towards her without losing her cheery demeanor. While she is normally a very compassionate and kindhearted young girl, Maria can be willful and fanciful at times, which is seen when she eagerly joins Marth’s army and refuses to listen to any protests on the matter.
Maria is honest and outspoken, and she speaks frankly and in a simplier manner than her fellow royals, highlighted by her catchphrase; "No protesting!" She does all she can to assist her sister and Marth's army in the war, and even participates in the encouragement of Jake with several other females for the cause. This prompts Minerva to say that she is naive, telling her that war is not like the stories of princes and damsels that Maria enjoys, which is supported by Maria calling Marth dashing.
Additionally, Maria may have something of a crush on Marth, her handsome rescuer. Coupled by her support of Jake, it is likely that Maria is aware of her situation, and she derives a certain happiness in seeing herself as a princess and damsel-in-distress, but on the other hand dislikes being powerless, as she cannot help anyone. Maria counters Minerva by saying that she is sick of being helpless, and she will not leave the battlefield because she wants to stay with her.
Maria is new to the battlefield, and it is apparent through both Minerva's concern for her and Michalis' shock at entering combat with Maria. Her determination is shown when she states that she wants to become stronger so she won’t be a burden, as she strives to be helpful. It is likely that this steadfast determination and fiery willpower is what allows Maria to psychologically survive being imprisoned from such an early age.
Maria's benevolent and selfless nature is shown as well when she later nurses her brother back to health, holding no ill will against him, despite his killing of their father and keeping her in jeopardy during the first war. Maria's love for her brother is so great that she doesn't leave his bedside, desperately praying over him until she cries. Her empathy serves as the biggest catalyst for Michalis’s subsequent change of heart, which makes her indirectly responsible for Minerva's rescue by his hands and his assist in the defeat of Gharnef in the second war. Maria's love for her sister is equally great, as Maria is eager to share with Minerva that she has become a soldier, and Minerva is able to wake her from Gharnef's hypnosis. Maria reveals to Minerva that she genuinely cares about her and Michalis and she just wants her and her siblings to be a happy family again.
Despite her incredible benevolence, Maria is, however, still young, which is apparent when she is woken by Minerva from Gharnef's hypnosis and she expresses her fear of Medeus and Gharnef, but she is still willing to do what she can to help her family stay together. Therefore, we see that Maria is a kind and determined young princess who puts the needs of others before her own.
Character Data
Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi
Recruitment
Template:Footer- Details: Maria is locked in the central room of Castle Deil, so a Door Key or a Thief should be brought to free her.
- Note: Maria must be recruited to recruit Minerva.
Base Stats
Name | Class | Chapter | Affiliation | Recruit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Maria | Priest | 10 | Medon | Enemy, talk with Marth |
Starting Class | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Insert FE1 Sprite.gif | |||||||||
Level | HP | Str | Skl | Spd | Lck | Wlv | Def | Res | Move |
?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? |
Weapon | Starting Items | ||||||||
-- | -- |
Cleric 3 19 2 2 2 Varies 8 4 0 5 Staff Heal
Template:CharstatFE1/end
Growth Rates
HP | Str | Skl | Spd | Luk | Wlv | Def | Res | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0% | 0% | 0% | 20% | 30% | 70% | 0% | 0%
Template:ChargrowthFE1&3/end
Monshō no NazoRecruitment
Base Stats
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sister | 3 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 5 | Staff | Heal
Template:CharstatFE1/end
|
Bishop | 1 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 6 | Staff Magic |
Recover
Template:CharstatFE1/end
Growth Rates
|