- "No. I believe in only two things...Myself...and my riches." —Herminia
Herminia Bertolini is a character in Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent. She is the main antagonist of the Master of Wealth storyline.
Profile[]
Appearence[]
Herminia is a slim and beautiful woman with brown hair who has her face partially covered with a golden mask. She wears a luxurious white dress with golden ornaments.
Personality[]
Due to her past, Herminia is obsessed with wealth and known to be capable of the most cruel acts in order to keep or increase her fortune. She has great confidence in her wealth and believes there's nothing she cannot buy. She also has a deep hatred to those who are either from lower classes or give importance to other things such as respect and friendship over money, being capable of throwing up when thinking about those kind of bonds.
However, she wasn't always a person who desired wealth above all. Once, she was a broken harlot, unable to share her true self with anyone, until a struggling noble gave her endless love. Eventually, her heart became softer, and she was happy to be with the poor noble. Losing her love to the syndicate boss of the town, she wished for wealth so she could escape the sorrow she felt. However, even after getting revenge and gaining the wealth of the syndicate, she spiralled more and more into greed, desiring all the money of Orsterra.[1] Her actions brought her no peace, as she has nightmares of those she killed (her sisters, Gregory who was the first syndicate boss she executed, and Lord Taviani) coming back to end her and take all her wealth away. In the end, she was a woman so fractured, that wealth became the only thing she could love as she died.
Story[]
Born in the wealthy House of Bertolini, she was the youngest of three daughters with her older sisters refusing to share their father’s wealth upon his passing. Her sisters killed their remaining relatives while selling Herminia off to a distant land. Herminia was forced to become a prostitute to earn some money. At some time she met a young Oskha and bought the Huntress' Ring from him, a Divine Ring who would fulfill her wish for wealth. In a strike of luck, she got the eye of a local syndicate boss who made her his mistress. She didn't waste the choice of taking over the syndicate by winning over the boss's lackeys and have them assassinate him. With her new influence, Herminia went back to her childhood home with her men and took her revenge by having her sisters tortured before being dipped into molten gold, turning them into statues. After that, Herminia used her father’s inheritance to finance her criminal empire while becoming one of the wealthiest people in Orsterra. She would start producing a drug named "powder" and sell it to the people, becoming the most influential drug dealer, taking the position from the syndicate boss Lord Taviani and becoming known as "godmother".
At some point, she took a certain girl who was a slave of the former boss Gregory and made her her personal butler.[2]
Years later, her drug dealing put her also in conflict with the new syndicate group known as the Bargello Family, who decided to work together with Lord Taviani to assassinate Herminia during one of her business meetings. But Herminia bought the loyalty of Taviani's right hand woman Sonia and killed Taviani’s group before going after the Bargello Family, only to be defeated by the Chosen One, who was a member of Bargello's gang.
With the syndicate boss killed, Herminia paid three of the four remaining faction leaders, Montella, Tomazzo and Gastone, to work for her. Only Rosso refused as he based his loyalty on respect rather than money, joining Bargello's side to make him the new Lord. The other faction leaders Tomazzo and Gastone, pretending to follow Bargello too, took the gang to Herminia's mansion and tried to trap them there, but ended up killed by Rosso and Bargello. Also, Herminia had kidnapped Tiziano while he went to meet Montella and tried to force him to join her side, even torturing and overdosing him with her powder to make him comply. However, his loyalty to the Bargello Family proved too strong for her to understand, so she decided to kill him in front of Bargello. After that, she fought Bargello and the Chosen One alongside her female butler, but even after transforming into a giant monster with her Divine Ring, she was defeated and locked herself inside her treasure chamber to be surrounded by her wealth while succumbing to her wounds.
Skills[]
Battle Skills[]
| Skill | SP | Description |
|---|---|---|
 Thousand Scythes
|
38 | Deal Phys. Fan damage to All Foes (potency: 150) and have a moderate chance to inflict bleeding (turns: 2). |
 Safeguard Power
|
40 | Impart Entire Front Row with Phys. Def. Up 15% and Elem. Def. Up 15% (turns: 2). |
 Blazing Aurora
|
46 | Deal Elem. Light damage to All Foes (potency: 180). |
 Quadruple Sturdy Shot
|
48 | Deal Phys. Bow damage to Single Foe 4 time(s) (potency: 45). |
| Wild Lacerating Fan
|
56→45 | Deal Phys. Fan damage to Random Foe 4 time(s) (potency: 45) and have a moderate chance to inflict bleeding with every attack (turns: 2). |
| Radiant Arrow
|
90→72 | Deal Phys. Bow damage to All Foes once per turn (potency: 180/turns: 2) having a moderate chance to inflict bleeding (turns: 2). |
| Enervating Fan
|
60 | Deal Phys. Fan damage to Single Foe (potency: 260). 20%→30% more potent if target is bleeding. Absorb 1% of damage dealt as SP. |
| Draining Arrow
|
55 | Deal Phys. Bow damage to Single Foe (potency: 260) and absorb 10% of damage dealt as HP. 20%→30% more potent if target is bleeding. |
Passive Skills[]
Support Skills[]
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
 Summon Lady-In-Waiting
|
When using a battle skill, have a 30% chance to summon a lady-in-waiting to inflict bleeding on a random target (turns: 3). |
 Bow/Fan Atk. Boost III
|
Raise Bow and Fan damage of Self by 20%. |
Resilience Skills[]
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
 Dark Resilience
|
Raise own Dark Res. by 10%. |
| Dark Resilience
|
Raise own Dark Res. by 10%. |
 Light Resilience
|
Raise own Light Res. by 10%. |
Ultimate[]
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| The Huntress' Anguish
|
Deal Phys. Bow damage to Single Foe (potency: 500→600). 20% more potent if target is bleeding. |
Awakening Accessory[]
| Item | 
|
|
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Covetous Witch Mask
|
60 | 40 | 400 | Raise Bow and Fan damage dealt by 10%. Start of battle: High chance to all enemies with bleeding (turns: 3). |
Quotes[]
- "Oh, how repulsive! You sicken me to my core! Disgusting creatures, licking each other's festering wounds. Filthy maggots burrowing into my beautiful home! I would sooner die than believe in worms like you!" —Herminia after listening Bargello and his convictions
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Of all the boss designs in Champions of the Continent, Herminia was the most difficult to nail down. For the protagonist characters, the developers avoided outlandish designs to prioritize the realistic historical background. But the Master of Wealth's bulbous, onion-like head shape and sheer skirt abandoned that premise.[3]
- The boss designers aimed for a character design with fearsome and unapproachable, in spite of her allure and exposed skin. Her post-transformation design emphasizes a menacing aura while conveying her obsession with wealth.[4]
- Shizuka Morimoto remarks, "Even the gaudy Herminia fit into a cute sprite I have some affection for." [5]
- Hirohito Suzuki about the three first champions' fallen forms: "The scenario was such that even if the three bosses who had been resurrected from the dead lost their rings, they could utilize the power of the Accursed Flame to manifest a portion of their respective forms when they transformed." [6]
References[]
- ↑ One Woman's Desire
- ↑ Lady-in-waiting's inquiry
- ↑ The Art of Octopath Traveler 2016-2020, page 174.
- ↑ The Art of Octopath Traveler 2016-2020, page 175.
- ↑ The Art of Octopath Traveler 2016-2020, page 182.
- ↑ The Art of Octopath Traveler 2020-2023, page 193.
In Master of Wealth Chapter III, Herminia is fought twice in immediate succession:
- The first fight as Lady Herminia.
- The second fight as Herminia the Huntress.
- Eclipse of the Soul: Deal physical damage to single target. Inflict
SP Sap (The traveler will take SP damage at the end of their turn) for 2 turns. - Abundant Light: Deal damage to single target.
- Thousand Scythes: Deal damage to Front.
- Blazing Aurora: Deal damage to Front.
- Hmm, what shall I do?/Kneel before the true power of my wealth!: Lady Herminia enters boost mode. Uses Enrage Powder/Safeguard Powder/Ruinous Powder/Mindrot Powder if she is not broken before her next action.
- Enrage Powder: Impart Phys. Atk. Up to all her allies for 3 turns.
- Safeguard Powder: Impart Phys. Def. Up to all her allies for 3 turns.
- Ruinous Powder: Impart Phys. Atk. Down , Elem. Atk. Down , Phys. Def. Down and Elem. Def. Down to Front for 3 turns.
- Mindrot Powder: Impart SP Sap (The traveler will take SP damage at the end of their turn) to Front for 3 turns.
- Enrage Powder: Impart
- Lady Herminia's fan rends space asunder!: When Lady-in-waiting is not longer on the battefield. Cast Countdown on self for 3 turns. It will be followed by Sharp blades emerged from the torn space! if she is not broken before the countdown's end.
- Sharp blades emerged from the torn space!: Deal damage to random target 5 time(s).
- Sharp blades emerged from the torn space!: Deal
- Herminia the Huntress weaves a zone of mental collapse!: First action. Inflict permanent SP Sap (The traveler will take SP damage at the end of their turn) to Front. Effect is removed upon break.
- Shot: Deal damage to single target.
- Fathomless Arrow: Deal damage to single target. Reduces 28% of the target's current SP.
- Radiant Arrow: Deal damage to single target.
- Spill of Moonlight: Deal damage to random target 4 time(s).
- Temptation of the Night: Inflict Sleep (The target will be unable to act until a turn has passed or they take damage) to Front for 2-4 turns.
- Herminia the Huntress has loosed a bolt of light into the heavens!: Cast Countdown on self for 4 turns. It will be followed by Arrows of light rain from the sky! if Herminia the Huntress is not broken before the countdown's end.
- Arrows of light rain from the sky!: Deal damage to random target 5 time(s).
- Arrows of light rain from the sky!: Deal
- Sadness steals across Herminia the Huntress's face.: At 25% HP or less. Herminia the Huntress enters boost mode. Uses The Huntress's Lament if not broken before her next action.
- The Huntress's Lament: Deal damage to Front. Inflict SP Sap (The traveler will take SP damage at the end of their turn) for 3 turns.
- The Huntress's Lament: Deal
 |
(I don't think this is where I should be going at the moment...) The following section contains potential story spoilers! |
In the Bestower of All Chapter VI, Herminia is fought as Cursed Lady Herminia.
- Herminia's fan rends space asunder!: First action and can be used at the end of turn before the first Reckless Rage. Cast Countdown on self for 3 turns. Sharp blades will emerge from the torn space if she is not broken before the the countdown's end.
- Sharp blades emerged from the torn space!: Deal damage to random target 5 time(s).
- Sharp blades emerged from the torn space!: Deal
- Radiant Arrow: Deal damage to single target.
- Shiny Stone: Deal damage to random target 3 time(s).
- Thousand Scythes: Deal damage to Front.
- Hmm, what shall I do?: Before the first Reckless Rage. Restores all BPs. Uses Enrage Powder/Safeguard Powder/Ruinous Powder/Mindrot Powder if she is not broken before her next action.
- Enrage Powder: Impart Phys. Atk. Up to self for 3 turns.
- Safeguard Powder: Impart Phys. Def. Up to self for 3 turns.
- Ruinous Powder: Impart Phys. Atk. Down , Elem. Atk. Down , Phys. Def. Down and Elem. Def. Down to Front for 3 turns.
- Mindrot Powder: Impart SP Sap (The traveler will take SP damage at the end of their turn) to Front for 3 turns.
- Enrage Powder: Impart
- The Accurst Flame kindles / enlives Herminia's greed!: After recovering from the first / second break. Impart self with permanent Reckless Rage ( Phys. Atk. Up, Elem. Atk. Up, Crit. Up and Spd. Up) and impart Phys. Def. Down and Elem. Def. Down to Front for 3 turns.
- Herminia creates a daydream zone! // SP will be lost when switching to the back row!: Inflict permanent SP Damage When Moving to Back Row (The traveler will take SP damage when moving to Back) to Front and will recover 1 BP when a traveler get switched. Effect is removed upon break.
- Cursed Dark Fortune: First action after recovering from the first break. Deal damage to random target 2 time(s). Inflict Sleep (The target will be unable to act until a turn has passed or they take damage) with every attack for 3 turns.
- Temptation of the Night: First action after recovering from the second break. Inflict Sleep (The target will be unable to act until a turn has passed or they take damage) to Front for 2 turns.
- Herminia has loosened arrows of light into the heavens!: End of turn after recovering from the first / second break. Cast Countdown on self for 3 turns. It will be followed by Arrows of light rain from the sky! if Herminia is not broken before the countdown's end.
- Arrows of light rain from the sky!: Deal damage to random target 5 time(s). Reduces % of max SP in with every attack.
- Arrows of light rain from the sky!: Deal
- Predation: Deal physical damage to single target. Inflict Bleeding (The target will take physical damage at the end of their turn) for 3 turns. Absorb 2000% of damage dealt as HP.
- Cursed Radiant Arrow: Deal damage to single target. Reduces 20% of max SP. Forcibly switch Front traveler for the Back one. Traveler acting after being hit by the attack will slip and fall, missing their turn.
- Spill of Moonlight: Deal damage to random target 4 time(s).
- Cursed Thousand Scythes: Deal damage to Front. Reduces % of max SP.
- The Huntress's Lament: At full BP in the first Reckless Rage mode. Deal damage to Front. Reduces % of max SP.
- Herminia creates a daydream zone! // SP will be lost when switching to the back row!: Inflict permanent
- The Accurst Flame rouses Herminia!: After recovering from the third break onwards. Impart self with permanent Reckless Rage ( Phys. Atk. Up, Elem. Atk. Up, Crit. Up and Spd. Up) and impart Phys. Def. Down and Elem. Def. Down to Front for 3 turns. Will be followed by Herminia creates a daydream zone!.
- Cursed Full Moon: First action after recovering from the third break onwards. Deal damage to random target 2 time(s). Inflict Comatose (The traveler will be unable to act until a turn has passed) for 3 turns.
- Herminia has loosened arrows of darkness into the heavens!: End of the turn after recovering from a break. Cast Countdown on self for 3 turns. It will be followed by Arrows of darkness rain from the sky! if Herminia is not broken before the countdown's end.
- Arrows of darkness rain from the sky!: Deal damage to random target 5 time(s). Reduces 5% of max SP.
- Arrows of darkness rain from the sky!: Deal
- Cursed Predation: Deal physical damage to single target. Reduces % of max SP and inflict Bleeding (The target will take physical damage at the end of their turn) for 3 turns . Absorb 2000% of damage dealt as HP.
- Cursed Eclipse: Deal damage to random target 4 time(s). Impart Phys. Atk. Down and Elem. Atk. Down with every attack for 3 turns.
- Cursed Temptation of the Night: Inflict Sleep (The target will be unable to act until a turn has passed or they take damage) and SP Sap (The traveler will take SP damage at the end of their turn) to Front for 3 turns.
- Cursed Huntress's Lament: At full BP in the second Reckless Rage mode onwards. Deal damage to Front. Reduces 19% of max SP. Forcibly switch Front traveler(s) for the Back one(s). Traveler(s) acting after being hit by the attack will slip and fall, missing their turn.
- Cursed Full Moon: First action after recovering from the third break onwards. Deal
