Marianna

A brave explorer of centuries past, hired by deserters to seek a new homeland in the desert wastes. As the town started to grow, she was voted to become the leader, and she helped her people survive. When they faced a starving winter, she found the help of the Eldritch Eleven, who agreed to feed the town in return for a favor. With their help, the village thrived--and then the gods claimed their prize, sacrificing Marianna and having her lover Ayaka bring down the knife, then ordering a monarchy to be established, starting with her brother. In time, the village grew successful and numerous, and eventually became Waldemar's kingdom, a small country completely isolated from the rest of the world.

And Marianna has been forced to see what she created. After her death, the gods ordered her to be buried in the grove of cherry trees outside their cave, and sealed her soul in one of the trees. As a result, she's seen the darkness growing in the nation since her death. Those trusted in the kingdom know about Marianna's presence jn the tree, while normal citizens believe it's not to be chopped down simply because she was buried there, and therefore is sacred.

They say that, in the spring she died, you can see her spirit sitting in the flower buds, watching the nation she created.

The Eldritch Eleven take great pleasure in keeping her soul alive for so many centuries. If all goes as planned, she will be their final sacrifice.

But not everything is going as planned. . .

And letting the one they betrayed watch the downfall of her people, and long for justice, may not prove to be the best idea. . .

Read Marianna's detailed backstory here (Part 1), here (Part 2) & here (Part 3)!