Tess

Tess is a major supporting character in Children of Mana.

Background
Tess is an inhabitant of the Mana Village originally from Lorimar. She follows the path of a Tree Maiden and prays regularly to the Mana Goddess. She also spends time researching the plants and animals of the island, and their connection with Mana. She does so as a way to connect with her parents that died in the cataclysm, who also researched Mana.

Children of Mana
The Tree maiden first is seen near the Door to Mavolia in Mana Village, and is accosted by the player character before leaving to pray at the Mana Tower. She confides in him/her, saying that the plants and animals are acting strange lately as if they were restless. She asks the player to give Moti her notes, and leave the village for the tower.

An earthquake is suddenly felt in the village, making the central stone glow dark. Nana, who was about to pray with Tess, ran back to the village after a massive white light enveloped the whole tower, leaving the maiden behind. The player character rushes to the Mana tower to investigate. After ascending the structure, the protagonist rejoins with Tess, who claims she was only praying when the ground shook and the light came down on the tower. A giant firebird appears in front of them, which prompts the main character to tell the maiden to hide while he/she takes care of it. Unfortunately, the hero doesn't seem to be able to harm the beast with normal weapon. Out of the blue, a shiny sword comes down from the heavens, planting itself in the tower. It presence neutralizes the barrier previously on the monster, making the hero able to harm it, enventually defeating the threat. Two entities separate from the beast, and fly away. As the protagonist tries to get closer to the celestial sword, he/she gets blinded by a light coming from it. Suddenly, a voice echoes, own by a sinister man nearby. The man claims the protagonist has no business with that sword and tries to grab it, but gets rejected by the weapon. The evil overlord is amused by the Mana Goddess playing tricks on him, but is not defeated, as the Mana Tree is dormant and powerless to interfere. he explains to the hero and Tess that the world will wither and soon cease to exist, before vanishing in a dark vortex. As the party is about the understand what he meant by that, the whole tower shakes again, this time focusing on other giants pillars of light hitting all the other continents of Fa'Diel. The main character takes the holy sword and escape with the maiden to report to the village.

Back in the Mana Village, Moti and Watts are processing all the information the duo had told him, with the Holy Sword being the center of discussion. Tess says that the light emitted from the weapon almost protected them form the dark-clad man. Moti and Watts shudders at what the strange man said about the world's fall, possibly hinting at the Gates to Mavolia opening again. The two elders agree to look into the matter and inquire the other nations about the columns of lights appearing in their respective regions. Moti is reluctant to involve the protagonist in something so dangerous, but considers him/her to be the chosen by the Holy Sword in the end. He entrusts the main character to investigate the light around Topple as his/her first mission. Tess urges the protagonist to be careful and that she will be praying for him/her.

Circle of Mana
Tess makes a cameo appearance alongside many other characters from the Mana series.

Physical appearance
Tess is a young woman with long blond hair and blue eyes. She has a lock of hair tied in a bun behind her left ear with a flower brooch. Her arms are covered with delicate sheer fabric that hangs loosely on her, decorated with brown lace. Her dress is made with the same flowy fabric, with a green shift underneath. She wears tan sandals and a small satchel on her waist, secured by a large flower.

Personality
As an aspiring Tree maiden, she takes her role quite seriously and go praying in the Mana Tower every single day. She is also quite the bookworm, investigating about the natural wildlife on Illusia for her research. She is also depicted as caring and gentle with her peers.

Profile and statistics
When your character approaches Tess, she will offer to switch out guardian spirits with you. Tess is the tree maiden so she ends up being involved with a lot of conflict you must save her from. Tess is also your character's friend, she encourages you.