- Mariki(src)
Mariki was a Blood Knight and chaptermaster of the chapter Thys.
Biography[]
- Mariki(src)
Mariki is a veteran Blood Knight. She has hunted abominations since her times as a novice and prowled the dunes of Shassar Sea longer than a lifetime.[1] She has also presided over nearly a hundred rituals of induction, though as usual, the failures outnumbered the successes.[2]
Recruitment Mishap[]
- Mariki(src)
Mariki indicts Bellon
At some point in the twelfth century, a hunt took her to the Hedgelands. She tracked the thrall hordes to their nest where she found a hunter fighting a losing battle against them. She was impressed by his grit and decided to perform the ritual of induction on him before he became a thrall. Mariki introduced herself to Bellon—the hunter—after he rose as a new Blood Knight, confused and hungry. She then informed him that he had been conscripted into the Order.[3]
Mariki intervenes to stop the violence
Bellon was initially reluctant but relented after he was given the chance to test his new abilities; on the condition he says his farewell to his wife. Mariki waited outside the house to give Bellon some privacy, but the situation became violent and she had to intervene and de-escalate matters. Bellon had apparently been betrayed by his friend, and he had just accidentally killed his wife. His grief caused him to fall, and—now an abomination—he killed his friend. Mariki was forced to execute Bellon. She brought Bellon's keepsake back to her chapterhouse.[3]
At some point during the next century, Mariki became the chaptermaster of Thys Chapter.[1]
Vowed in Blood[]
- Mariki(src)
- Note: The Shard-seeker will be referred to as "the survivor" or "her companion", as Mariki didn't know them nor their title, and that the events are written from her perspective.
Over a century later, Mariki tracked some thrall activity to a camp in Shassar Sea. She arrived to the aftermath of a blood bath, with a single survivor battling thralls. She lent aid to the survivor to kill the thralls. After that, she introduced herself to them and briefed them of the situation. She also identified the monster behind the massacre as Bellon (she arrived just as he was departing) and stated her surprise at his survival.[3]
Mariki devised a plan to kill Bellon, which involved using the backlash of destroying his keepsake to harm him. Mariki invited the survivor back to her chapterhouse, to the surprise of her colleagues. However, Bellon's keepsake resisted her efforts to destroy it.[3].
Regrets, and Oath's End[]
"You weren’t ready. I … mistook you. I am truly sorry."
- Bellon and Mariki(src)
Mariki has a face-off with Bellon
Before Mariki could attempt destroying the keepsake at the nearby cenotaph—located in the hall she was in—someone began attacking the doors to the chapterhouse. The doors were breached despite the knights' efforts to reinforce them, and the invader was revealed to be Bellon. The local Blood Knights could not match Bellon and were easily killed. Mariki then instructed the survivor to take the keepsake to the second cenotaph and destroy it there, and stayed back to hold Bellon off.
Mariki was eventually able to trap Bellon in a barrier, and her companion arrived some time later. They failed to destroy the keepsake as it was protected by Bellon's intense desire for vengeance. Bellon then destroyed the barrier.[3]
Mariki and Bellon battle
Together, Mariki and her companion slowly gained the upper hand against Bellon until he summoned his thralls to attack. Mariki was grieved over the state of the chapter, and regretted recruiting Bellon. Her intense grief and anger made her to fall.[3]
Mariki's fall fulfilled Bellon's vengeance, and his keepsake was now vulnerable. Her anger at Bellon prior to falling enabled her to focus on him, and the two abominations began to duke out. Mariki quickly gained the upper hand and bound Bellon, then told her companion to quickly destroy his keepsake. The backlash destroyed Bellon and Mariki,who was holding him down leaving only her keepsake.[3]
Aftermath[]
Mariki's companion stored her keepsake at the chapterhouse before departing.[3]
In-game[]
Mariki appears in Diablo Immortal. She is one of the central NPCs in the elite quest "Vowed in Blood." When helping the player, she attacks with Ravage, and Shadow's Edge as an abomination.
Regardless of the player's chosen class, Mariki is generally friendly and informative. If the player is using a Blood Knight, Mariki will refer to them as a cousin, and is more open with her comments toward the pledge and the Annulet's wish toward Thys.
As the quest progresses, she becomes desperate and despaired. After realizing Bellon clings to his curse, she is truly apologetic over inducting him and views his induction as a mistake. For various reasons, whether it be guilt, devastation, a greater interest in upholding the order or vanquishing Bellon, she transforms into an abomination and allows the destruction of his keepsake to swallow them both. The act is self-sacrificial in nature, as it fulfills his vengeful motive which has become known to Mariki while condemning her to fall. As Blood Knights do not tolerate the fallen and Mariki has declared herself one, she subjects herself to the destruction, a sign of her loyalty to the order and the pledge.
Personality and Traits[]
Clad in Blood Knight armor, Mariki has medium long white hair and pale skin, red irises amongst black sclera with veins spread out from her eyes, as typical of the knights. She speaks with a notable accent.
She often uses red magic out of her hand for psychokinetic and defensive purposes, to close and seal doors without touching them, trap a being into a dome, or restrain one with magical binds. She has also used it to form a portal. Possessing considerable strength, she can overpower multiple thralls at once, although unable to successfully defeat Bellon on her own.
Her keepsake is bright and appears violet, mixed with other light colors.
For all classes of shard-seekers, she is helpful and informative while behaving closer with Blood Knights. Besides addressing Blood Knights as a cousin, In alignment to her role as an acting chaptermaster, she is not only knowledgeable but also assertive and leading. In the present, she gives out orders and delegates tasks while focusing on Bellon herself. In the past, she was forceful on measures to take with Bellon's condition post-induction, with a disregard for his wellbeing. For her status, Thys' knights show deference to her.