Idonea Marcia Esdrasea
Champion Idonea Marcia Esdrasea (a.k.a. the Ruby's Flame)
The daughter of War has never let the words of her critics detract from her brilliance; once spoken, they become merely another weapon with which she may destroy her foes.The Medimian Empire has many heroes. from the vaunted heroes of legends past who first claimed their nation's freedom to the tireless service offered by dedicated saints throughout time. Idonea falls into neither category: as daughter to one of the Rubies Regnant, her path to heroism was stained with the blood of the disobedient and the taint of the corrupt. She stands apart from her mother's legacy, distant yet distinct, with her bloodied name on the lips of half the nation's diplomats and warriors as her comet burns its path through her enemies. The recent outbreak of war with the Aletheian Empire is only the latest in her epic. Here, she has ended conflicts alone -- here, she has made a mark unlike any other. But this is not her first war, nor will it be her last. Serving as Champion to the Archdevil Dispater, Idonea straddles the lines of heroine and tyrant in her devoted service to her nation and Lord. Unlike many fellow antipaladins, Idonea does not strive for chaos - instead, she is an iron bastion of law and an extension of her mother's own blade. She has been best used by her nation in stopping uprisings or rebellions as they attempt to spread; though her axe-arm is always ready, Idonea wields intimidation and coercion as weapons in their own right, and her ability to root out sedition is near unparalleled when she looses her squadron, the majority of whom she trained herself. Currently, Idonea travels separately from the majority of her squadron. After the kidnapping of Lucilia Juliana by Riven Drast's people alongside Lady Ceridwen Undria, Idonea was sent to the battlefield to investigate the airships that held the two kidnapped noblewomen. This was where she met the Lost Ones, a largely-Aletheian group of fellow Champions charged by deities with dealing with the Shards of the Void. Dr. Elias Thorntouch revealed himself as the one holding the noblewomen hostage, and offered to release them under one condition - that the Champions bring him the Earth-Mother's Gift to study. Though Idonea had no knowledge of the Gift or what the Champions' tasks were, she agreed to the terms and entered into a rough peace with the Aletheian group after communication with her superiors. She travelled with them throughout Takawaoku to find the Gift in its supposed location of Shiar, keeping the group at arm's length, and only bringing along one enslaved member of the Amethystine Regiment - Cintha, a mage who Idonea has known since the girl's youngest years. Idonea's future remains uncertain, now, as does that of all within the Gift's radius. Its interference with Avatar magic suggests that the encounter will be far more unpredictable than usual, and Idonea has already become separated from the rest.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Idonea is often described as being larger than life. She stands at 6'4, towering above many of her human companions, and is - to use a colloquialism - 'built like a brick shithouse'. Her flaming orange-pink hair glows against the brass of her skin, flickering in form like the living flames from which she is descended. The story of her life is painted on her skin in the countless scars she wears with pride, particularly in those jagged, raw scars earnt in the depths of the Abyss, and the sword-scar she wears on her face from the first time she matched her mother's competence in a duel. She is no delicate beauty, and remains proud of that.
Beneath the gauntlets and plate, her left arm is entirely changed in form - plates of blackened iron patterned with molten red and intricate wrought iron-grey patterns prove her claim to the Championship of Dispater, the King of Iron.
Apparel & Accessories
Idonea wears full plate in Medimia's colours - black, scarlet, and gold - most of the time, with her other outfits largely tending to be along the same lines in colouration. She has little patience for fashion or its presence in her life, and largely puts up with the decisions of her higher-ups when it comes to the aesthetic choices of her garb. She takes a practical view to apparel at all times, and pushes back on required costumery or finery for events if it has a chance to limit her ability to perform her role or defend herself.
Since becoming the Champion of Dispater, her deity's symbol has largely replaced that of Asmodeus and Medimia across her apparel and armour. She maintains that she is no less devoted to her nation, even so.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Idonea was born to Idaura Esdras Lexea in a rare time of peace for Medimia's reigning Ruby of War as part of the Ruby's decision to further her line and ensure that her legacy's fire remained alive. Prior to this decision, Idaura had not taken an interest in romantic affairs for many years; the change of mind allowed her to establish a strong relationship with Idonea's father, Marcus Atys Calidus, who was both one of the Emperor's cousins and a close assistant to the Ruby of Law. Though the marriage seemed diplomatic to most, and was certainly a political match at the beginning, the two formed a true love match over the years leading up to Idonea's birth.
It is said that the expulsion of flame was such upon Idonea's entrance to the world that only those also blessed with the gift of fire escaped scarring; though most had the damage repaired, her father wears the burn scar across his shoulder like a badge of honour.
At adulthood, her life shifted. Now an adult, there was nothing prohibiting her from joining her mother on the battlefield - and join her she did, participating in smaller offensives against local monsters at first, and in larger-scale battles against Medimia's rebel factions later on. It was after these instances that her father brought up the wasting of her diplomatic talents to both her mother and the greater members of Medimia's political hierarchy - the other Rubies, and the Emperor himself. Unaware, she continued on as usual, aiding the guard when home and honing her prowess with the axe on the battlefield.
It was over the months of this ongoing discussion that the might of Hell entered Idonea's blade. She was sent with her trusted squadron and a few members of the Amethystine Regiment to deal with a violent threat reported in a north-eastern mining town, and was promptly ambushed by the demonic threat that had inflicted itself upon the region. Though the squad had little trouble dealing with the demonic presence, they were not prepared for the portal that lay open in the mine's depths - nor the lashes of fire that sought their souls.
Her childhood was one of luxury, and despite her species aging far slower than the humans around her, Idonea did not want for allies - though friendship was perhaps a stretch in many cases. Her mother began training her in combat at a very young age, and her father handled the organisation of her diplomatic education.
Through the different branches she met of Medimian, she became a useful informant for them both on the goings-on in Coruscia, and soon began being referred to as their assistant by others.
Calling her an informant is a bit rich. She was a bossy-boots, a know-it-all, and the world's loudest snitch. I don't know how that was useful to anyone. ...I guess she got better when she grew up.
It was incredible! She slashed the fire-tongues with her axe and set it ablaze with their dying light, and ordered us to retreat. The mages prepared a teleport and got us out of there just as this massive claw reached through! Ah, but, unfortunately, it had caught hold of Centurion Esdrasea's armour...Furious, the Ruby of War made clear that she saw a need to retrieve her daughter from the Abyss. The Emperor denied her the opportunity to go herself, declaring it to be of too great risk to the nation; he did, however, allow a lesser group. Before this squadron could set forth, however, the sky tore open in Coruscia's central square - and through the gates of Hell, her armour drenched in viscera and her eyes aflame with unnatural light, walked Idonea. She would not speak on the events that had transpired, would not explain how one could enter via the Abyss and exit through Hell, but sought an audience with the Emperor at his earliest convenience. After that, the decision on what to do with her was easy. As Medimia's latest antipaladin and newest heroine, Idonea had become a strong deterrant for rebellions and a force to watch when her words alone wouldn't shut down whatever had begun to brew. She travelled with her core squadron throughout the country to exchange diplomatic messages, maintain order, and above all remain visible - for even those wishing to escape the Empire's strict rule appreciated a demon-slaying hero... especially when the nation's strict segregation prevented them ever learning of her darker acts. Notably, she periodically serves as a teacher for Medimia's more promising noble children, though rumour suggested she has been greatly displeased by the brief assignments over the years. One of these former students, Cintha, later joined Idonea's personal squadron after Idonea's personal involvement in the incident that both orphaned the girl and relegated her as a slave to the Amethystine Regiment. Some consider this act a rare mercy; others more aware of Idonea's standards disagree.
Social
Religious Views
Idonea is a devout follower of the archdevil Dispater above all else - even above Dispater's own superior, Asmodeus. She holds deep respect for Dispater's wife and allies as is expected of her, and looks down on followers of Dispater's wayward son, Ragathiel. As Dispater's chosen Champion, she follows his edicts to the letter - she seeks to uphold absolute law, to ensure perfection in her surroundings, and to use her words as a weapon, though perhaps not to the same extent as a follower of Mephistopheles might.
She does additionally follow the rules of the Church of Asmodeus, as she is a loyal Medimian and pays respect to her country's own religion. As there are no conflicts between her personal belief and that of Asmodeus's faithful due to their extremely close ties and Dispater's status as Asmodeus's closest ally, her beliefs are well-accepted in her homeland - especially as they ensure her undying servitude to the crown.
Relationships
Alignment
Lawful Evil
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Currently Held Titles
Date of Birth
20th of Abadius
Year of Birth
5495 EA
131 Years old
Birthplace
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Pronouns
she/her
Gender
Female
Eyes
Firelike orange
Hair
Literal fire; warm pinks & oranges
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Metallic brass-bronze skin; not overly reflective.
Height
6'4
Belief/Deity
Dispater
Aligned Organization
One of Idonea's greataxes by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
Idonea has used many weapons in her career, but prefers labrys-style greataxes. Her current favourite, the Immolator of Sins, is an enchanted adamantine greataxe stained scarlet and trimmed in gold that burns with scarlet flame. The edge is sharpened to inflict additional trauma on those Idonea menaces, as befitting its cruel nature.
One of Idonea's greataxes by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
She is so cool (metaphorically). I shall admire her from a distance. I... hope her mother was not too damaged by her birth.
Hahah, thank you for the giggle there! Thankfully, ifrits come with built-in fire resistance, and Idaura has.. gone somewhat far beyond just that. She'll get a writeup one day, most likely.
welcome to my signature! check out istralar!