Tote

Tote
Legend of Mana artwork
First appearance	Legend of Mana (1999)
Latest appearance	Echoes of Mana (2022)
Title(s)	The Ocean Crosser Tote the Tortoise
Faction	Seven Wisdoms
Role	Support
Gender	Male
Species	Turtle

Tote is a supporting character in Legend of Mana and a recurring character in the Mana series.

Background

One of Seven Wisdoms existing in the world of Fa'Diel, Tote is an ancient anthropomorphic turtle who leads a life of placid tranquility in Lake Kilma, a fact that is complemented by his mild, phlegmatic personality. He is known to only introduce himself as "Turtle".

History

Legend of Mana

“An ancient turtle who is one of the Seven Wisdoms. He only introduces himself as "Turtle," and always speaks in a mild manner.”

—In-game Encyclopedia

The Gorgon Eye

Tote is introduced in Lake Kilma during the Pirate Penguins's treasure hunt. He was flipped over by the pirates who trampled all over him and asks the main character to stand in front of him so he can spin his way upright. He adds that Faeries show themselves to people only when they feel threatened. The old Wisdom casts a spell so the protagonist can see them.

He reappears near the cliff the Faeries have pushed the pirate crew off, telling the hero they should thread carefully and decide whether or not they want to save them. He decides to jump off as he sees the main character doing the same. Down there, he reveals to the Pirate Penguins whose leader has been turned into stone that the master of the lake holds no treasure and Faeries believe they will die if their master perish. According to him, both are myths. One of the penguin crew tells the old turtle to shut it and to be useful for once. Tote tells them to lure the master of the lake with the protagonist. The crew is suddently apprehensive about the monster, asking how big is it, which the turtle demonstrate by walking from quite a large distance. Feeling their hesitation, Tote takes the Cap'n Tusk stone statue and hurls it into the lake, his pirate penguin crew immediately following him. After defeating the monster the penguins are seen making a live ladder up the cliff they fell in earlier.

The Pursuit of Wisdoms

Bud wants to meet each of the Seven Wisdoms of Fa'Diel so he can become a great wizard. Tote is located at the Lakeside Cliff in Lake Kilma and will tell the young apprentice he doesn't need to listen to a Wisdom to become a great mage. He instead advises him to listen to the grass, the water, the rocks and the wind around him.

In Search of Faeries

The old Wisdom is at his usual spot in Lake Kilma and will tell the protagonist that they differ from Faeries. If the players responds by "Our World", Tote will ponders if we could become Faeries if we lived in their land. If talked again, he tells the main character maybe leaping into a Faeries's magic circle will send them into their world. He reveals a cat lady was just here asking for that a moment ago.

Sword of Mana

Tote summon

Tote makes a cameo in Sword of Mana. As will all Seven Wisdoms, the ocean crosser can be summoned by the player to deal screen-wide elemental damage to enemies. With 15 Amigos logged by the player, the wisdom can be called upon to unleash torrential waves at enemies, inflicting the SnowMan status crisis.

General information

Personality

Although Tote has been accorded the venerated title of Wisdom, he does not immediately display the insight and experience that is responsible for elevating him to such a position, leading to many doubting his credentials. In The Gorgon's Eye, he takes on the subterfuge of an eccentric old person with an odd abandon to exercising caution; his actions on the islet adjacent to Lake Kilma prove as much, as he hurls the statue of Cap'n Tusk into the lake to force the Penguins to dive into the water to act as bait to attract the Gorgon.

It is through this same event that one sees some facets of Tote's wisdom; he is evidently one who does not falter or hesitate in executing plans of whose success rate he is confident, even in the face of overwhelming doubt.

Tote's wisdom is also further explored when meeting Bud; his inclination to be practical shines through in his advice, as he debunks Bud's naive belief that speaking to the Wisdoms is a prerequisite to becoming a powerful sorcerer. Hints of Tote being of naturalistic leanings are made apparent here as well, as his advice for Bud to listen to the "grass, rocks, water and wind" points towards a belief that forming a symbiotic relationship with nature will bestow immense power to oneself.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Tote.

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  Tote encyclopedia entry

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