Maria Renard

Character's History

Maria was the younger sister of Annet Renard and the sister-in-law of her husband Richter Belmont. The young girl, gifted with great magical power, was like her older sister an unfortunate victim of Dracula's continued assaults on Warakiya and Transylvania as a whole; specifically, she was taken captive per Dracula's orders and imprisoned within the castle's main halls, where Shaft would do to her as he pleased. When Richter swooped in on the proceedings in daring fashion, Shaft fled and left Maria to the Belmont's care. It would only seem that way: Though only a child, Maria was more than capable of handling herself and holding her own in battle, and she proved this by using her profound magical abilities to aid Richter throughout the remainder of his journey; her fiery determination made her just as serious a danger to evil's cause. With her strong connection to nature and a cast of animal friends, she would overwhelm dark forces.

Among her abilities: She could double jump, crawl quickly, tumble forward at hyper speeds, project forward a deadly image to surprise foes, and, like Richter, she could utilize an item-crash-like power to supply to her animal friends super strength.

Four years after the adventure, Richter mysteriously disappeared; it was the now-grown Maria who decided to set out to find him only to have Castlevania rise up from the depths as a clear invitation. The search in progress, she crossed paths with Alucard and was unsure of what to make of him. After numerous consultations and the viewing of his battles, she learned to trust him and soon took a liking to the mysterious half-breed; with this trust, she supplied him the information necessary to bring Richter to his senses. (In the Sega Saturn version, Alucard must instead fight for Maria's complete trust.) If not for her presence, Alucard may have finished off the possessed Richter and left the castle unwittingly, rendering Shaft's plan a major success. After witnessing the rescue of Richter at Alucard's hands, she ushered her brother-in-law to safety. When Alucard joined them seaside after the defeat of the Count, the infatuated Maria couldn't find the words, and she could only watch him depart; Richter sensed this feeling and urged her to act upon it, to chase after Alucard, which she did. If the two did get together, it would surely affect the balance of power as far as the increasingly powerful heroes and the ever-growing potency of their genes.

Maria returned one final time in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, where she played the role of "secret character" and partner to Richter Belmont. This younger version of Maria, as seen in Rondo of Blood, used her dove attack, all of her special maneuvers (double jump, crawling and image projection), and four always-available animal friends to help overwhelm hapless enemies. It should be noted that her appearance is purely anachronistic and has no place in Portrait's story or the series' official timeline.

Click any of the following links to see Maria in action for a given appearance: Rondo of Blood and Nocturne in the Moonlight.

 

Appearances

Maria appeared in both of the Dracula X titles: Dracula X: Rondo of Blood and Castlevania: Dracula X. Her role in both games was that of the supporting cast member who had been kidnapped by Dracula's dark forces. However, she was indeed a relevant playable character in Rondo, wherein she could be controlled after being saved by Richter on the game's second stage. (To find out how to save her, click here.) Maria has only one striking weapon: Small doves that she can throw forward, at short range, two at a time. In essence, each is like a boomerang in that it strikes the enemy coming and going. Maria doesn't use mystic weapons; rather, she brings along her animal friends for use as helpers, a special brand of sub-weapons.

          

Sub-Weapons
Striking Weapons
Cat: This feline will dash along the ground and before leaving the screen snip at enemies in its path   Dove: Maria tosses out small doves (two can be thrown in rapid fashion); they fly a short distance, damaging enemies, and then return to her care
Turtle: Maria takes refuge in a giant turtle shell, which protects her from damage though she loses her attacking ability and moves very slowly
Dragon: A large dragon quickly darts off the screen, devastating any enemy in its path
Cross: When it hits the ground, a freshly born flock of birds will swarm enemies in a deadly storm
Bird: Maria releases two birds diagnally upward on either side; they swoop through the air, damaging enemies in their path, before returning to her
Music Book: Maria sings a tune that translates into a musical note that floats forward and damages foes

 

Maria's third appearance was as a supporting cast member in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Maria was involved in the search for Richter, as was Alucard. Her involvement was essential to Alucard discovering the truth about Richter's sudden turn. In the Saturn version of Symphony--named Dracula X: Nocturne In the Moonlight, made only for Japanese audiences--Maria is a playable character from game's start. Like Richter, she has no story elements, and her solo mission is irrelevant in the grand scheme. She relies on a magic-draining energy ball that can be charged up to three levels: (1) A bigger fireball, (2) a spherical flame, and (3) a powerful laser. Along with other magical powers, Maria uses the typical Symphony/Nocturne weaponry.

          

Sub-Weapons
Striking Weapons
Axe: An unwieldy but powerful axe thrown in an arc, capable of damaging enemies above and below   Energy Ball: An energy-based projectile that can be charged up two levels, first for a larger shot and then a powerful laser blast
Dagger: Quick but weak daggers that Maria can toss forward at long range, three in rapid succession
Holy Water: When a vial is thrown to the ground, a deadly flame treks along the floor and engulfs foes
Cross: A boomerang-style projectile that damages enemies while both coming and going
Stopwatch: A magical watch that freezes some enemies in their tracks while slowing down others
Rebound Stone: A small diamond that rebounds about the room and cuts up enemies in its path
Aguen: A magical artifact that floats forward and upon command fires lightning bolts in all directions, repeatedly if Maria desires
Bibuti: Maria tosses deadly ashes onto the ground; enemies that trek over them will become trapped and damaged repetedly
Holy Book: A holy book will circle Maria, whipping from side to side to damage surrounding enemies

 

The younger version of Maria Renard, as seen in Rondo of Blood, returns in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin as the partner of Richter Belmont. Maria has only one striking weapon: Small doves that she can throw forward, at short range, one after another in rapid succession. As it were, each acts as a boomerang-type weapon in that it strikes the enemy both coming and going. Not to be limited, Maria can switch betwen four of her previously seen animal friends, which act as sub-weapons.

          

Sub-Weapons
Striking Weapons
Cat: This feline will dash along the ground and before leaving the screen snip at enemies in its path  
Dove: Maria tosses out small doves, which can be released in rapid-fire fashion; they fly a short distance, damaging enemies, then return to her
Turtle: Maria takes refuge in a giant turtle shell, which protects her from damage though she loses her attacking ability and moves very slowly
Dragon: A large dragon quickly darts off the screen, devastating any enemy in its path
Bird: Maria releases two birds diagnally upward on either side; they swoop through the air, damaging enemies in their path, before returning to her

 
 
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