Character Profile: Marian Fenrir

I had an opportunity to work on the Tua'tha Mountain Trail (aka Mt. Fomhair), with all the main maps created (will add more both for possible revision and for added side-content) and I have one more major story event to add. It's looking like I won't be done with it all in time like I hoped, but at least it's because I had to start making sprites for a pair of new characters that will be part of one of a few recurring antagonist groups in the game. While I'll be keeping her partner secret for now, today I'm going to talk about this character.

General Description

Marian was a former adventurer who came from the southern region of Emira, who seemingly disappeared after the previous Spirit Pilgrimage had failed; one that she had been a part of. She hadn't been heard from for years, and yet she is sought after by Fuya and her crew for undisclosed reasons.  Whatever history they have, Fuya is determined to find her above all else. 

As an antagonist, Marian assists one of the key opposing groups you'll encounter in the game; a cult who seem to follow the words of Pluto, and according to their leader, Pluto wishes to be freed from his imprisonment. Their movements have been greatly seclusive and it seems only now that they are acting towards their mission. Marian, being one of its primary members, works alongside them in order to obtain whatever it is that was promised by her leader.

Story

She is first encountered at the top of Mt. Fomhair, where the head of the Sleeping Giant rests. Although, to the pilgrimage party she hides her identity and form from them whilst assisting her partner in whatever business they had for coming here.  They don't linger for long, as they leave behind a monster for the party to fight before disappearing. While what would be a strange one-off for them, once the party learns that the mystery cult is active and what they've been doing ties to this incident, it becomes evident that they would run into each other again.

Inspiration

Name-wise, it's derived from both the character from Tales of Destiny, and an arte that Leon uses called Marian, which itself was a pun due to alternate kanji readings for what it actually is (you can read more here). Her last name and design are based on the Fenrir monster from Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. That game, while not great, had a lot of neat monsters you could get and the Fenrir was definitely one of them. I don't do it complete justice as a sprite, but I think the artist did well with the concept art from years ago that I had to at least try.

Wrap-Up

I may do a profile for her cult leader later, after I make more progress, but any more profiles in relation to the demos will come first. I'm definitely keeping her partner hidden because of story reasons. But once they're made, and a mini-boss fight set up, I will be able to properly finish the current map area and move on.

Art Reference

• General Art by Princess (https://bsky.app/profile/princessnapped.bsky.social)