Daena

Daena
Legend of Mana Remaster artwork
First appearance	Legend of Mana (1999)
Latest appearance	Echoes of Mana (2022)
Title(s)	Monk Soldier of Gato
Homeland	Gato Grottoes
Faction	Gato
Role	Ally
Gender	Female
Species	Feline Humanoid

“......My happiness is in making others happy. Is that so wrong an idea?”

—In-game dialogue

Daena is a major ally character in Legend of Mana and a recurring character in the Mana series.

Background

Daena grew up together with Escad and Matilda in the Gato Grottoes. While Matilda was born into a family of priests and Escad was brought to become a Holy Knight of Liotte, Daena's family had a long tradition of acting as protectors of the temple. Matilda met Irwin the demon during the childhood and treated her and Escad as equals. The young knight resented that treatment, so much so he tried to kill Irwin in the Ulkan Mines. In a cruel twist of fate, it was Escad who ended up falling into the Underworld.

History

Legend of Mana

“A monk-soldier who protects Gato's temple. She grew up with Escad, Matilda, and Irwin, but especially adores Matilda like her own sister.”

—In-game Encyclopedia

SPOILERS ENCLOSED! Click "show" to reveal, otherwise skip to the following section.

The Wisdom of Gaia

Daena is first encountered inside the Mana's Blessing inn in Domina, where she asks the main character about the Mana Tree. She then reveals she's trying to help a friend and wishes the World Tree was real to give her strength. She asks another question to the protagonist about whether or no souls live on after death. Should they reply they live forever, she will agree and comment on her body being wounded countless times but her soul has remained intact. She then asks to meet Gaia and joins the party.

They meet with Gaia, the Face of the Earth in Luon Highway. The feline monk tells the Wisdom that her friend is dying from a demon curse and she doesn't know what to do about it. Gaia replies to do what her friend wants her to do. Daena complains her friend doesn't want any help and that it was meant to be. Gaia replies she must learn to accept that, but Daena doesn't see it that way. She claims not to understand why her friend is giving up like this. The demon apparently weakened her body and soul, as she was stronger prior to this. The Wisdom declares people are meant to follow their own paths in life. Daena thanks Gaia, promising she will try being more levelheaded from now on. She gives the protagonist a Forbidden Ring before heading back by her lonesome.

Two Torches

The hero encounters Daena again in the Temple of Healing in Gato Grottoes. The female monk asks them if they know about a guy named Escad, as he is a good friend of Matilda and he's apparently came back to visit her. In the Dreamweaving Room, Escad is seen next to the frail Matilda tellin her it's only been ten years since he's been to the Underworld. He doesn't understand how she aged that much since. The old woman is glad to see her friend, even though she lost her precious other friend Irwin for the same amount of time. Escad tells her to stop thinking about that demon since he took her elemental powers to fuel his own ambitions. Matilda replies she's not as unhappy as he thinks. The two friends are interrupted by the main character entering the room, annoying Escad who asks them if they heard their conversation. Daena comes into the room and tells Escad he should go too since he's been inside for a while. The swordsman replies he learned to fight with sword thanks to Olbohn and its his will as a Wisdom to kill the demon Irwin. Matilda tells she wishes she would put the past aside and rejoice with her friends, but Escad warns her to be careful with that demon as he should not be trusted. He leaves the room afterwards.

As the main character decides to exit too, they find a strange Nun entering the Dreamweaving Room next to an injured one. As they reenter, the Nuns becomes belligerent, claiming her lord commands it before vanishing along with Matilda. Daena is seen in a weakened state lying on the ground as she curses the disguised Nun for kidnapping her friend. She joins the party by entrusting the hero to find her missing friend. She orders a Nun to lock all doors to the temple while they search the entire vicinity.

Fortunately, Escad has ambushed the culprit right outside the temple and is questioning them about working for Irwin. The impersonating Nun states she merely follows her master Irwin's orders and teleports away with Irwin. As the team search every nook and cranny around Gato, Escad is seen waiting for Daena near a cave, telling her he lost them. The female monk recalls a sealed meditation room they haven't looked at yet, and she arranges it to be opened as it is an emergency. Escad decides to look around the cave some more while the protagonist and Daena teleport to the aforementioned place. There they find Matilda and the antagonist who claims they have fallen right into their trap. However, the Abbess is escorted back to the temple by two Nuns, foiling the impersonator's plans. They battle them and defeat the threat.

Escad, Daena, Matilda and the protagonist are then seen back in the Dreamweaving Room. The Abbess explains to Escad she never wanted to give up her freedom to become a priestess, as it was Irwin who wanted to free her from a life bound by rules. Escad retaliates by saying Irwin wanted her powers he took from her, but Daena stops the conversation by telling Escad to leave the Abbess alone and that she should rest. The Knight replies he will not sit by idly as that demon grow ever so powerful as he storms off.

In Search of Faeries

Daena has left the temple to speak with Irwin and hasn't returned yet. Matilda asks the protagonist to go look for her. They find her in Lake Kilma and reveals she came here to speak to Irwin. He is hiding in the land of Faeries and the cat monk wonders if he's after Matilda's powers or revenge on Escad. She apologizes for rambling and resumes her search.

Daena is found later speaking with Irwin, the latter claiming they've grown up since their last meeting. She questions his motives concerning Matilda. Ever since she collapsed in the mines when she was alone with him, she rapidly grew ever weaker and older. Daena orders the demon to give her powers back, but Irwin merely scoffs at the accusations. She tries to hit him, but he is to quick and strong for her. He asks Daena to give a message to Matilda that when everything comes to an end, she'll see that it was all a dream. He walks off, but the monk warrior tries to catch up to him. She hops on a portal created by Faeries just in time to enter their secret land.

Star-crossed Lovers

Daena has returned from the Land of Faeries and is seen in the Dreamweaving Room next to Matilda. She promptly asks her to go with her to the Mindas Ruins. Should she crosses into the Land of Faeries there, she could prolong her lifespan thanks to time flowing differently there. The cat monk adds the Abbess is the only one who can stop Irwin. Escad rushes into the room, blade at hand, accusing Daena's mind of being poisoned by the demon. Matilda tries to calm him down, but the Holy Knight swings his sword at Daena as a warning sign. Daena shouts he's the demon and he's been lying about learning from a wisdom. The ailing Abbess chants a spell and teleports her, Daena and the protagonist to the Tower of Winds.

The cat monk is seen battling with Escad at the base of the tower. The protagonist has the option to side with either one of them or to stay out of this. If they choose to side with Daena, they team up and fight the Knight until he dies at their hand. The team rushes back to Matilda atop the tower, and Daena tells her friend she needs to go the Land of Faeries. The Abbess says she isn't going anywhere, as seeing Irwin was all she wanted. She reveals being in love with him. The feline fighter answers back to go to his land for he will destroy the world of Fa'Diel if she stays here. Matilda replies she and Irwin won't interfere with each other's freedom. If he decides to destroy the world, she must accept that. She tells Daena to decide what makes her happy in life. Daena answers her happiness comes from making others happy. The fate of the world in the Mana Goddess's hands.

Heaven's Gate

Daena asks her beloved friend in the Temple of Healing why she did not stop Irwin. Matilda replies saying she loves him and allowing him to be free is what brings him happiness. Daena retorts that they can be forever happy in the Land of Faeries for the sake of the whole world. According to the Abbess, the true sin is to deny others freedom. The cat monk retaliates telling her she will kill Irwin, but Matilda is content with her friend choosing her own path. Daena still objects to her views, saying she wants to be like her little sister. Matilda gives the protagonist the Brooch of Love and Daena and them head to Lucemia the flying fortress.

With the help of the Cancun Bird, they manage to infiltrate the fortress. There, they find Selva the spirit of wind, telling them Irwin is only toying with them. However, the adventurers persevere and finally reach the demon. Irwin claims his sole purpose is to eradicate vile creatures from this world, as they have taken so much land from them. The two parties engage in battle and Daena and the main character end up victorious. The fortress collapses as Irwin's body fades away, but they manage to escape thanks to the Cancun Bird. They are, however, too late to save Matilda. A Nun informs them she had just passed away and her body has vanished with her last breath. Daena telsl the Nun she needs some time to sort things through.

Spoiler ends here.

Circle of Mana

Daena makes a cameo appearance in the online game, along with several other characters from the Mana series. She appears in 3 sets of cards.

Rank	Attribute	Name	Classes				Quote
SUR	力	ダナエ[葛藤]	猫の獣人	司祭の娘の友	[光]道を探す僧兵	[闇]友情の闘志	「彼女の為に、私が何をすべきなのか…その答えが知りたい。」 "I want to know the answer to what I should do for her."
SUR	力	ダナエ	猫の獣人	司祭を守る者	[光]熱き僧兵	[闇]信念の闘志	「あきらめるなんて、弱い心から生まれてくるものだわ！私は彼女を元に戻したいの！」 "Giving up comes from a weak heart! I want her back!"
SSUR	力	ダナエ	猫の獣人	司祭の娘の友	[光]道を探す僧兵	[闇]友情の闘志	「私は、マチルダを助けたいだけだったのに…」 "I just wanted to help Matilda..."

Rise of Mana

Sierra appears as a recruitable Monster Pet in Rise of Mana.

Echoes of Mana

While not physically appearing in the game, Daena was depicted in one memory gem:

• Missions Misaligned

General information

Personality

A pacifist by nature, Daena is portrayed as a character who ardently seeks to achieve ideal resolutions to problems besetting the people she deeply cares for.

This nature of hers has proven to be particularly beneficial in shaping her personality, as she is depicted as one who is selfless, empathetic and compassionate, constantly putting the needs of others over her own personal foibles. Her relationship with Matilda prove as much; during The Wisdom of Gaeus, for one, in spite of her terror-induced misgivings about meeting Gaeus, she resolves to shelf them for the sake of seeking advice on alleviating Matilda's suffering. Her actions in In Search of Faeries also prove this, as, in spite of the danger that she subjects herself to, she embarks on a quest to seek a way to enter the Land of Faeries in order to locate Irwin and learn of his motives with relation to Matilda.

In addition to this, Daena's pacifist leanings have also contributed greatly to her being a non-prejudicial individual; she refuses to permit malicious preconceived perceptions shaped by society to cloud her overall sense of judgement, as she seeks peaceful resolutions that bring happiness to all, regardless of race or social status. The views that she expresses with regards to Irwin evidence this; she sees Irwin as nothing more than a being who is no different from her, one whose life's discourse is subjected to the whims of their capricious emotions.

Daena's pacifist leanings can prove to be her fatal flaw, should the Hero/Heroine elect to take Escad's side in Star-Crossed Lovers.

Gallery

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

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  Daena encyclopedia entry

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