Cardinal Alphonse Delacroix also known as Alphons Draclau, is second-in-command of the Church of Glabados as well as a famous knight of the Fifty Years' War in Final Fantasy Tactics. He is the lord of Lionel Castle.
He uses the unique job cardinal.
History[]
Delacroix is helping the Lucavi demons retrieve the auracite, magickal stones which are the Lucavi's conduits to exist in Ivalice. He learned that Besrudio Bunansa had the Taurus Stone and hired Ludovich Baert, leader of the Baert Trading Company, to seize it. They captured Besrudio, but his son Mustadio escaped. Baert's mercenaries hunted him down, but he was saved by Ramza Beoulve and Agrias Oaks who were on their way to Lionel to seek shelter for Princess Ovelia.
Delacroix shows Ovelia's company the Scorpio Stone.
The cardinal greeted them and revealed that he had the Scorpio Stone. He told Mustadio about the Zodiac Brave Legend and agreed to shelter Ovelia. Agrias remained with Ovelia, while Ramza and Mustadio departed for the Clockwork City of Goug to find Besrudio.
Delacroix had Ovelia imprisoned, but Agrias escaped. Meanwhile, Ramza and Mustadio ran afoul of Baert. The leader of the Ludovich company obtained what he believed to be the Taurus Stone, but was actually a fake created by Mustadio. He took it to the cardinal who, discovering it to be a forgery, killed Baert and hired Goffard Gaffgarion in his place. Ramza and Mustadio escaped Baert's minions and returned by an alternate route, rescuing Agrias in the process.
Gaffgarion set a trap at Golgollada Gallows, but failed to defeat Ramza upon his arrival and retreated to Lionel where he set a second trap at the gate. Delacroix greeted Delita Heiral and fellow demon-possessed Church official Folmarv Tengille. Folmarv informed Ovelia that she was not the princess she thought she was, and Delita took her to Duke Goltanna.
Fighting Ramza[]
Delacroix transforms with the power of the auracite.
Ramza killed Gaffgarion and made his way inside the castle, where he, Agrias, and Mustadio confronted Delacroix, aware of his involvement with Baert. Delacroix revealed that Ovelia was no longer around and transformed into Cúchulainn, a Lucavi demon. He attacked Ramza and company, but was killed. Ramza was later branded a heretic by the Church who sent High Confessor Zalmour to execute him because of what occurred in Lionel, claiming that Ramza killed the cardinal and stole the auracite.
Characteristics[]
Concept art.
Appearance[]
Delacroix is a bald middle-aged man sporting a white moustache. He wears a gray and brown priest garb and a purple cloak, as well brown gloves and boots.
Personality[]
Delacroix poses as a wise and benevolent holy figure of Lionel, hiding his true nature underneath honeyed words to gain the trust of those around him, such as ensuring a sanctuary to Princess Ovelia and Agrias Oaks. In reality, he is a cunning and manipulative man, operating from the shadows with the Baert Trade Company to acquire the auracites for himself. He is ruthless and cold, personally killing Ludovich after he failed to obtain the Taurus auracite.
While it is not initially clear how much of his traits are derived from his own personality, and which ones come from his possession, The Ivalice Chronicles gives greater context. Delacroix was hinted to having been a pious man, devoted to his faith and its teachings until coming across the Scorpio auracite. The power within the Stone seduced him and corrupted him, making him power-drunk and megalomaniac, believing himself a god. Whichever religious beliefs he held were twisted into worshiping the Lucavi and the High Seraph. When transformed, Delacroix declares to still be himself, except having now transcended his human limitations.
Transformed, Delacroix fully embraces his depraved ways and evil influence with unfiltered glee. Making a mockery of the Church's teachings as being fanciful tales narrated in words and ink. He reveals his part in deceiving thousands of devout followers and is proud of it. In his dialogue with Ramza and Agrias, he mocks their commitment to justice and virtue, declaring his disappointment that they would not acknowledge the greatness and self-declared divinity of his power.
Gameplay[]
Stats[]
The cardinal's power in the Church is second only to that of the High Confessor himself.
The cardinal is a story-related job used in cutscenes and serves no purpose in battle. It possesses no action abilities, reaction abilities, support abilities, and movement abilities. Curiously, the developers did take time to give it a job description.
| Prerequisite | Weapons | Helmet | Armor | Equip Shields? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | Knives | None | Robes | No |
| Move Rate | Jump Rate | Speed | Physical Evasion Rate | Base Attack | Base Magic | Base HP | Base MP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 6 | 10% | Average | Average | Average | Average |
Boss[]
Delacroix transforms into Cúchulainn to battle Ramza and the party.
Behind the scenes[]
Voice[]
Delacroix is given a voice in The Ivalice Chronicles. He is voiced by Uoken in Japanese and Jonathan Keeble in English. Delacroix speaks with an old American accent.
Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]
Knights of the Crystals[]
Alphonse Delacroix's job, cardinal appears on a gold card.
Etymology[]
De la croix means "of the Cross" in French.
The name Alphonse means "eager" or "noble".
Altogether, the character's name translation, "Noble of the Cross", fits his position as cardinal. A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical leader, an ecclesiastical prince, and usually an ordained bishop of the Roman Catholic Church.