- For the city named after her, see Emain Macha.
- For the Keyword, see Macha the Goddess of Destruction Keyword.
- For the mainstream boss, see Macha (Monster).
Description
Macha is the Goddess of War and Destruction, the sister of Morrighan and Neamhain, and the second known Badhbh Catha Goddess. Macha is known to be able to control peoples' minds and chase away the fears and anxieties that paralyzed peoples' hearts. Macha excels in martial arts and has also been known to unify her warriors and provide them with the strength to overcome their enemies.
Macha is described in the book Macha According to Emain Macha.
History
The city of Emain Macha is named after her, and some believe that she takes the form of a mermaid or a siren, hence the city's emblem.
Mainstream Storyline
Macha once loved a mortal man and was forced to give up her position as a goddess for this. However, the man betrayed her by marrying another woman, something she knew all along. After deeming human love worthless, she fell into sorrow and grief, cursed all of Erinn (is passed on in present day in the form of a song), and threw herself into one of Emain Macha's lakes. This curse slowly destroyed the world; there was drought, the lake provided no fish and turned crimson, and the dried up trees could not bear a single fruit. This then gave her the nickname: Goddess of Destruction. Eventually, the city was named Emain Macha, commemorating and immortalizing her for future generations to remember her for all eternity. It was only then that Macha's curse was lifted.
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O proud De Dannan Warriors who rest beyond the sky... Are you watching o'er the world you bought with courage and with blood? Heav'n and earth will be as one, the land in harmony, the people filled with strength and life, and guided true by love. But even this shall pass away. O as the seasons turn, the sons of man grow bolder; they forget what has true worth. They know not their abundance; for their own increase they yearn, and chip at the foundations of their peace, their lives, their mirth. And soon enough a springtime comes with fields no longer green. The summer weeps for barren trees and flowers bloom no more. In quiet lake and river fish and bird are seldom seen, and waves, in lonesome solitude, cast sighs upon the shore. O women of the land, tell me, where has your virtue gone? O men, where is your strength to fight for all you hold so dear? Your eyes see no more neighbors and the shadows linger long. When trust is broken, what is left but emptiness and fear? The knives of the betrayers and forsaking of all bonds, shall chase the goodness from this land, so quickening its doom. Your courage long ago has fled, you dread what lies beyond; it fades, it cracks, it crumbles as the world falls to its ruin. When stillness setttles o'er the land and songs are heard no more, the desolation you shall mourn, my grief to finalle share: a hopelessness so desperate, a lament from heart abhorred-- The weirght of fickle human love, so ponderous to bear.
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—Nele, Generation 3, The Goddess's curse
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Cichol attempts to revive Macha so she can bring forth Dorca Feadhain, the "Army of Darkness" in Fomorian language, as well as summoning Cromm Cruaich, the Dragon of Destruction. He attempts to sacrifice Triona through Lia Fail and use her as a vessel for the deceased Goddess; she accepts her fate so she can win the heart of Ruairi. However, Tarlach, Nao, Morrighan, and the Milletian attempt to persuade Ruairi to turn against Cichol, and after seeing Triona's body tied to Lia Fail, he immediately rebels and thwarts the resurrection of Macha by attacking Cichol and destroying Lia Fail, but is greatly injured in the process. However, through Ruairi, Cichol is able to summon Cromm Cruaich, which is soon defeated by the Milletian afterwards.
As Lia Fail becomes more unstable due to the Milletian's attack, Tarlach urges them to destroy it. However, a mysterious barrier is suddenly erected, preventing anyone from reaching it, and Macha appears before everyone. She taunts everyone and claims she will finish what she had started long ago before summoning Aonbharrs to defend her.
Eventually, Ruairi, with the aid of Shamala, uses his power to crack the barrier. However, Macha uses her magic to push him off the ledge and into the lava, but Shamala saves him. Macha then taunts Tarlach and Akule for the seemingly defeat of their comrades.
Macha steps out of the barrier to confront the Milletian, but despite their efforts, Macha still remains undefeated. However, Tarlach uses his powers to break the barrier and allow the Milletian to destroy Lia Fail once and for all, causing Macha to disappear. She admires Tarlach's efforts but warns him that he will pay a high price for it and will give them pity before vanishing.
Morgant mentions that her reincarnation will never truly disappear from Erinn. His bargain with Hymerark simply shifted the weight and role from Triona to Millia.
Keywords
- This NPC cannot be interacted with keywords.
Music
Trivia
- In Generation 1 using the Goddess Morrighan Keyword on Aeira has her suggest that all three sister goddess should have black crow wings. In spite of this, Macha has only been ever seen with red wings.
- In Generation 3 Nele recites a song titled "Macha's Curse" when using the Macha the Goddess of Destruction Keyword that was said to have been her curse upon mankind for having been betrayed by her mortal lover.
- "Macha's Curse" is a heavily edited version of the Morrighan's final prophetic poems in the real Cath Tánaiste Maige Tuired (The Second Battle of Mag Tuired).
- "Macha's Curse" skips the first poem, where the Morrighan describes the events of the battle. The curse instead briefly summarizes the positive prophecy's second poem and then mostly focuses on the negative prophecy's third.
- Despite their importance, the Morrighan's poems are often omitted from translated versions of the Cath Tánaiste Maige Tuired.
- Unlike her fellow deities, Macha does not use Demigod skills or have any form of attack; she only frequently Teleports and summons Aonbharrs and Red Falias Floating Stones to attack in her stead.
- Also, unlike her fellow deities, Macha has no moving animation whatsoever.
- Macha is one of two The Saga: Iria antagonists that has only engaged combat outside of a cutscene once, the other being Bhafel.
Gallery
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