Martel Temple, also sometimes referred to as Iselia Chapel, is an area in the world of Sylvarant, and the place where the Chosen of Mana receives his or her "Oracle" in Tales of Symphonia. Later in the story, it also becomes the home for the Summon Spirit of Hearts, Verius.
Martel Temple as it appears in Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World.
History
Tales of Symphonia
Oracle
The party first visits the temple when the "Oracle" arrives. When Lloyd Irving, Colette Brunel, and Genis Sage arrive, the temple is under attack by Desians. At the entrance, they see Botta and his men threatening Phaidra Brunel, Colette's grandmother. When the trio are discovered, Botta sends Vidarr to attack Colette. Just when it seems that Lloyd and his friends are about to lose, Kratos Aurion arrives and saves them. After the battle, Kratos introduces himself as a mercenary, and Colette's grandmother Phaidra hires him to guard Colette on her way to the "Oracle". Lloyd insists on following, but Kratos tells him to stay home, angering Lloyd. Regardless of the choice the player takes afterward, Lloyd will manage to come with them, convincing Genis to join him.
Once inside the temple, Kratos has gives Lloyd the "Training Manual", and Colette tells the party that they need the Sorcerer's Ring to get to the "Oracle". After going through a trial of golems, they obtain the Sorcerer's Ring and go into the room of the seal. There, Lloyd sees a shining gem in the middle of the altar, and assumes that it is the Cruxis Crystal. Colette answers positively and says that she has been told that she was born with that in her hand. Suddenly, there is a flash of light, and they meet an angel, Remiel. Remiel says that he is an angel of Cruxis, and is to give the Chosen her power and send her to the Tower of Salvation. Colette accepts her duty, and Remiel gives Colette the Cruxis Crystal on the altar. He also makes the Tower of Salvation appear, a symbol that the Journey of Regeneration has begun. After this, Colette is officially titled the Chosen One, and begins her journey to regenerate the world. Before Remiel leaves, Colette also asks him if he is her real father, in which he says yes.
While Colette and Kratos go ahead of them, Lloyd and Genis talk shortly about how family is still family even though the rumors about Frank Brunel not being Colette's real father, as she is born by angels, are now proven true. When they get to town they meet Raine Sage, Genis's older sister, who is showing a strong affection for the temple. When she sees them, however, she punishes them for not being in class. Afterward, she says that class is over for the day, and that they should go home. Outside they hear a maniac laugh, but Genis tells Lloyd not to think about it.
Corrine's Rebirth
Later in the story, Sheena Fujibayashi says she hears Corrine within the temple. They go further to investigate, and when they arrive in the Room of the Seal, it is revealed that Corrine was transformed into Verius the Summon Spirit of Hearts by Sheena's love after sacrificing his life for her.
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
Footfalls of Tomorrow
In the sequel of Tales of Symphonia, the Martel Temple is known for being the place that started the very last Journey of Regeneration. The new protagonists, Emil Castagnier and Marta Lualdi, travel to the temple to speak to Dirk, who is performing repairs there for the moment. When they ask if he is Lloyd's father, Dirk says that he is, even though they are not related by blood. Emil suddenly bursts out and asks why he is not ashamed over raising Lloyd. Dirk, however, says that he did not raise a man who runs from his own responsibilities, thus he is sure that Lloyd has a reason for not saying anything.
Eternal Bond
In the last chapter, together with the cast from the original game, they all visit the temple to meet up with Verius to obtain assistance in sealing away Ratatosk's personality within Emil. Verius says that he will help Emil, but only if he wishes to seal away the other him by all of his heart. Emil is not sure what he should do, but suddenly Ratatosk takes control and attacks the concerned Lloyd. Lloyd loses Lumen's Centurions' core, and Ratatosk immediately takes it and wakes Lumen, remembering the first moments from when he merged from the core six months ago; in reality, Lloyd was the one who saved Marta, but he followed a Vanguard-member who ran away, when Ratatosk awakened. Emil regains control again shortly after and apologizes to Lloyd for his behavior, which Lloyd forgives.
When going outside again, they hear Dirk yell, and Lloyd hurries down to him. Monsters have suddenly appeared, and Dirk tries to defend himself with his grand hammer. After defeating all the monsters, Ratatosk once again takes control, but only halfway. Emil manages to get some control, and they are both meeting each other face to face within Emil's mind, perceived as a formless world projected upon reality. After the conversation, Emil decides to borrow Verius's power and seals Ratatosk's personality away. Emil can no longer be in "Ratatosk Mode" when fighting, and therefore he must believe in his own strength.
Other Appearances
Tales of Symphonia manga
There are not many differences between the game and the Tales of Symphonia manga. One of the major differences is that Corrine does not reawaken as Verius in the Martel Temple; instead, he is reborn in the Temple of Lightning in the fight against Volt, almost right after dying.
Tales of Symphonia: The Animation
Unlike in the game and the manga, Colette is already at the Martel Temple with three priests and guards, preparing for the Oracle. When they are met by Remie, he asks if she is ready to accept the task of the Chosen One. As Colette accepts, Remiel gives her the Cruxis Crystal, and bestows the Tower of Salvation. After Remiel is gone, the priests kneel before Colette, telling her about the fate of the previous Chosen twenty years ago, and apologize for the burden they are giving her.
Just as Colette promises the priests to fulfill the Journey of Regeneration, the windows break, and countless of arrows are shot into the church, aiming for Colette. However the priests stand up before her, saving her. She then sees that Desians are invading, and hides. One after one, the guards are killed, and Colette are forced to fight them. However, just then, Lloyd, Genis, and Raine arrive. While Genis and Raine look for the injured priests, Lloyd hurries over to Colette to help her. Just as he is about to fight, Kratos comes, apologizing for being late. The difference from the game seems to be that Kratos already was hired to protect Colette, instead of being just a wandering mercenary. With one single swing, he kills nearly all the soldiers, except one who tries to take Colette. Lloyd stops him, however, and suddenly something on his hand shines, revealing his Exsphere. With its help, Lloyd attacks a soldier, finally killing him.