Maphaeus (Total War)

Maphaeus is one of the first seven Sages of the Goddesses, created at the dawn of Hyrule to defend the Triforce.

Etymology
Mapheaus's name predates many Hyrulean languages. It is possible the Ancient Hylian words maph (forever, eternal) and aeus (burning, smoldering) were derived from her name.



Physical Appearance
In the Book of Mudora, Maphaeus is described as "created of form, yet free of it, Maphaeus briefly rebelled against her inception until accepting her place. She was as wild as the flames that wrapped about her, and her wrath was swift". It is assumed Maphaeus is likely a being composed entirely of flames or magma. Portrayals of her in later ages depict her as a burning humanoid that is often dancing.

Maphaeus appears as a gargantuan Hylian woman composed of ash, magma, and flame, with billowing white hair made of smoke and fire. Her eyes glow a deep, fiery red.

Powers and Abilities
Maphaeus was given the ability to control and manipulate heat, most commonly through the use of fire and explosives. She could ignite anything she chose.

Personality
Maphaeus' personality is described as wild, chaotic, and free. She dislikes restrictions being put on her and is often left to her own devices.

Creation of Hyrule
Maphaeus was the fourth Sage to be created by the Golden Goddesses. She was created to power the engines of the Goddesses and assure that they remained operational. She participated in battle against many of the Druthulidi that were corrupting the creation of Hyrule. When the Goddesses initiated their purge of Hyrule, it was said that she drenched the world in holy fire, burning the corrupted monsters of the Druthulidi to death.

Post Creation
With Hyrule in its infancy Maphaeus returned to the Sacred Realm and watched over the Triforce, awaiting for the Trilith so that it may be passed on to mortals.

When the Trilith awoke into Hyrule, Maphaeus, five of the other Sages, and the three Oracles passed the Triforce unto them and placed it in their care. It is written that Maphaeus taught mortals the concepts of freedom, fun, and the thrill of the hunt. Her work complete, Maphaeus left into the depths of the molten earth under the Death Mountain Range where she has rested ever since.

There is no record of how or when Maphaeus chose Dakkon to be her successor. It is possible that there may have been another forgotten sage in the line between the two. Maphaeus is worshiped by the Gorons as a lesser deity, and is often referenced or prayed to by their people before battle. In later eras she is often associated with freedom, free will, rebellion, fun, dancing, burning, and destruction.

The Return of Sulkaris
Maphaeus, along with the other 7 First Sages is targeted by Sulkaris and her Gohma armies in 12X AG. Following the deaths of Malkorbagia and Evaleen, Sulkaris invades the Death Mountain Range, unleashing mass destruction as the Oocca glass the region in an effort to destroy the Gohma infestation. Sulkaris manages to unearth Maphaeus from her sanctuary deep beneath Death Mountain and slays the First Sage of Fire.