.png){kind=link}
The ID crest of the Maiden.
The Maiden (＜巫女＞ Miko?, "Priestess") is a key role in Tales of Arise. This position was created to act as the yin to the Sovereign's yang in the Spirit Channeling Ceremony of three centuries ago. Gifted with control over astral energy equal to that of the Sovereign, she is tasked with the role of keeping his powers in check.
History[]
The role of Maiden is first mentioned when Alphen regains his memories. He explains that he was made into the Sovereign for the specific purpose of the Spirit Channeling Ceremony three hundred years ago, which also required a Maiden. The last Maiden was Naori Imeris.
After the party assemble the five master cores, the Red Woman in charge of Ganath Haros reveals herself to the party along with the Dark master core. When she uses it, she inadvertently reveals Shionne Imeris, Naori's descendant, to be a Maiden, and uses both her and Alphen's Sovereign powers to combine the six cores into the Renas Alma before disappearing with it.
In the Forbidden Zone on Lenegis, the party enter the chamber where the original ceremony took place. In there, a stream of astral energy flowed in, relaying a message from Naori. Naori explains that while the Renas Alma was to control the Sovereign's power, the Maiden's role was to temper and shape it. When the last ceremony failed, it was believed that Naori was at fault, so the Helganquil decided to replace her with a mechanical chamber designed to emulate the Maiden's power.
Information Terminal[]
"The Maiden acts as the Sovereign's support mechanism for the Spirit Channeling Ceremony. Each one is granted Level 2 authority and an ID crest. A Renan subject serves its functions, providing the Sovereign with the supplemental Dark astral energy it lacks in tandem with the Renas Alma. During the ceremony, it is partly responsible for astral energy conversion, as well as maintaining stability over the Sovereign's own powers. Additionally, the degree of intimacy between it and the Sovereign has been observed to positively impact the level of stability in both subjects. Because of this, trial activations of the Sovereign without the Maiden present are expressly forbidden. Furthermore, neither the Sovereign nor the Maiden are to be informed about the details of the Spirit Channeling plan.
Addendum 1: Mental instability in the Maiden has been deemed the cause of the past Sovereign's rampancy. Countermeasures must be considered.
Addendum 2: In line with plan adjustments, the current subject will have its Maiden registration revoked and be returned to its original household."