Count Cidolfus Orlandeau,[2] also known as Cidolfas Orlandu,[3] is a playable character in Final Fantasy Tactics. He is the lord commander of the Order of the Southern Sky and a close friend of Duke Goltanna. He is a respected leader in Ivalice, whose legendary and unmatched swordsmanship earned him the epithet "Thunder God".
He fought alongside the knight gallant Barbaneth Beoulve during the Fifty Years' War, leading the Southern Sky against the forces of Ordallia. He adopted a son, Orran Durai, during the final days of the war. Later, during the War of the Lions, Count Orlandeau led the Southern Sky again, this time fighting for Duke Goltanna against Duke Larg. However, he became critical of Duke Goltanna's actions during the war and events led him to aiding Ramza Beoulve in his own quest.
Orlandeau's job is the sword saint, allowing him to use a variety of devastating sword techniques from other "special knight" jobs, namely the holy knight, fell knight, and divine knight. He can be recruited to Ramza's company in chapter 4, "In the Name of Love".
History[]
Early history[]
A member of House Orlandeau, Cidolfus became fast friends with Duke Goltanna twenty years prior to the events of Final Fantasy Tactics.[1]
Cidolfus led the Order of the Southern Sky during the Fifty Years' War, when he became known as the Thunder God. He fought alongside Knight Gallant Barbaneth Beoulve, lord commander of the Order of the Northern Sky,[4] and Barbaneth's son, Zalbaag Beoulve.[1] Their countless victories at home led them poised to attack Ordallia, but low domestic morale forced the knights to pacify their own citizens.[4]
Cidolfus had great admiration for his counterpart, Barbaneth, who, in turn, described him as the only man he could call a friend.[5] Cidolfus therefore knew Ramza as a youth. When Ramza was around three or four years old, he attempted to lift Cidolfus' sword. Lord Barbaneth scolded him to the point of tears, but luckily, Ramza was unharmed.[6]
Cidolfus served Duke Goltanna loyally for at least twenty years.[7]
War of the Lions[]
In chapter 2, "The Manipulative & the Subservient", Cidolfus was present when Delita Heiral brought Princess Ovelia to Duke Goltanna. Delita also brought a prisoner who identified Chancellor Glevanne as the one behind the attempts on Ovelia's life.[8] This sparked the War of the Lions.
In chapter 3, "The Valiant", he was present at a meeting with Duke Goltanna, the Baron of Bolmina, Viscount Blanche, and Marquis Elmdore de Limberry. Cidolfus expressed fear at the citizens being displaced and fleeing to Lesalia, as his adopted son, Orran, had reported, and urged for peace. Duke Goltanna understood his fears, but did not wish to end the war, instead proposing to treble the tax rate and turn refugees away, but clamp down on scalpers. Cidolfus insisted on peace talks and objected to an increase on taxes, not wishing for the public, who had suffered greatly during the Fifty Years' War, to bear further burden, but Duke Goltanna disagreed and expressed disappointment in him.[9]
Cidolfus gazes at his personal auracite after hearing Orran's report.
Ramza Beoulve sent a message through Orran to Cidolfus about the Church of Glabados orchestrating the war to obtain auracite, choosing to rely on him due to his father's history with him.[5] Orran reported this and also mentioned that the Southern Sky only remained loyal to Duke Goltanna because Cidolfus did. Cidolfus dismissed this notion, responding that a member of House Orlandeau always honors an oath after pledging fealty to his lord, even if it costs him his life.[10]
In chapter 4, "In the Name of Love", the Church of Glabados ordered Delita Heiral to assassinate Cidolfus,[11] though he did not intend to honor it. Ramza came to Zeltennia seeking Cidolfus' help against the Church of Glabados, having evidence of their misdeeds in the form of the Scriptures of Germonique, hoping to stop the fighting early. However, by this point, Count Orlandeau had already departed to Fort Besselat.[12]
High Confessor Marcel of the Church falsely accused him of attempting to assassinate Duke Goltanna, leading to Duke Goltanna confronting him. Cidolfus retorted that it was the high confessor who was scheming and questioned why Duke Goltanna chose to believe the high confessor over someone who had served him loyally for two decades. Duke Goltanna refused to believe him and imprisoned him, replacing him with Delita.[7] However, Delita, the real assassin, killed Duke Goltanna, and staged Cidolfus' death with a decoy.[13]
The real Cidolfus was freed by Ramza. He recognized Ramza from his youth and commented that he was a worthy son of Barbaneth. He opted to join Ramza in his quest to end the high confessor's plans. While Orran wished to accompany him, Cidolfus ordered him to keep Princess Ovelia safe in Zeltennia, calling her the sole rightful heir to the throne.[6] With Delita having staged his death, Cidolfus was able to join Ramza in his battle against the Church, their Knights Templar, and the Lucavi demons that controlled them, bringing the Libra auracite with him.
In The Ivalice Chronicles, Cidolfus has more dialogue upon joining to Ramza's party. He noticed that Marquis Elmdore was still alive, having thought that he was dead. Cidolfus had learned about the Church's plot from Ramza, which Elmdore confirmed. Elmdore wanted Cidolfus to challenge him in a sword fight to the death, which he accepted by demonstrating to his swordsmanship. Elmdore scorned Cidolfus' idealism and Cidolfus vowed to stop Elmdore at all costs and to put an end to his march for power. Following Elmdore's defeat and transformation into Zalera using the Gemini auracite, Cidolfus recognized the monster as one of the Lucavi, dreaded creatures he could scarcely believe were real. Ramza told him about Cardinal Delacroix and Wiegraf being among them, as well as Folmarv Tengille, the leader of the Knights Templar. Cidolfus learned that succumbing to the auracite in exchange for power was a pitiable fate and decided to join Ramza in destroying them. He denounced the possessed Elmdore as no longer the Silver Prince and Zalera confirmed that he was no longer Elmdore, but a Death Seraph who now planned to purge them all.
During the battle with the Beoulve brothers after Zalbaag was incensed over Dycedarg's crimes, Zalbaag met Cidolfus and showed great respect for him having survived his reported assassination. Zalbaag told him to take care of Ramza. Dycedarg recognized him as well, thinking that he was seeing a ghost, and Cidolfus was glad to see him again after a long time. Dycedarg questioned if he had come to avenge Duke Goltanna, but Cidolfus clarified that he was no longer in the war and simply accompanied Ramza on his quest. Dycedarg mocked him for siding with Ramza and for opposing him, with Cidolfus berating Dycedarg for his mockery.
At Mullonde, he recognized Folmarv Tengille during their confrontation while backed up with Loffrey Wodring and Cletienne Duroi. Cidolfus accused him of causing more chaos in Ivalice and for profaning the Zodiac Braves by assuming their name. He wanted to vanquish Folmarv for his pursuit of evil and power. Folmarv did not recognize him at first and was surprised that he had survived the assassination, blaming Delita for betraying him and the Church. When Zalbaag was under Folmarv's control following his resurrection, Zalbaag begged either Ramza or Cidolfus to kill him, to which Ramza emotionally had no other choice while Cidolfus dutifully accepted the task. In the final battle before facing Ultima in the confrontation against Folmarv's true form as Hashmal, Cidolfus saw him eye to eye for the first time and the words of the vanquished became nothing but empty lamentations that caused a war. He decided to eliminate it plain and simple to conquer evil.
Legacy[]
His ultimate fate is unknown, but Orran wondered if he had died bravely fighting the Lucavi leader, prior to seeing Ramza and Alma riding by on chocobos during Alma's "funeral".[14]
Delita's plot framed Cidolfus as Goltanna's killer, presumably destroying his name and reputation.[13] Orran knew the truth, but was imprisoned by Delita until Alma's funeral.[15] It can be assumed that Cidolfus' name was eventually cleared because of the Durai Papers being made public centuries later by Orran's descendant, Arazlam Durai.[14] If he survived the battle against Ultima, he may have died during the five years that Orran was writing the Durai Papers, as he did not save his adopted son from being burned at the stake.
Characteristics[]
Appearance[]
He has short brown and gray hair and brown eyes. He wears a brown hood and jacket, along with dark armor, light purple pants with a matching purple belt, and brown boots. His in-game sprite's armor is purple.
Personality[]
He embodies the ideals of honor, loyalty, and justice that are upheld as the true path of knighthood, standing by the oaths he swore as a knight and member of House Orlandeau, all of which he values above personal ambition. Despite being a veteran knight with a legendary reputation as the "Thunder God", he carries himself with humility.[6]
His disagreement with Duke Goltanna over Cidolfus pushing for peace due to the burden that the people suffered over the war caused a great rift between them.[9][1] Nonetheless, he remained steadfastly loyal to him, even when others were not[10] and was distraught when the same was not returned.[7]
His sympathy toward the general public in his pushing for peace talks[9] and his warmth toward Ramza as a youth and adult[6] show a softer side to his character outside his reputation as a fierce veteran.
Gameplay[]
His default and exclusive job is the sword saint, one of the "special Knight" jobs, which has a combination of abilities from the holy knight, fell knight, and divine knight. Thanks to the sword saint's high physical attack power, its sword techniques are so powerful that they can defeat most standard enemies in one or two hits; thus, he can render most subsequent story battles trivial.
Stats[]
He joins the party with 77 bravery, 65 faith, and his level depends on the party's levels. He comes equipped with a full set of crystal equipment, as well as the powerful Excalibur knight's sword and the bracer accessory.
Alongside Meliadoul Tengille and Beowulf Cadmus, Cidolfus is one of three characters to bring a Zodiac Stone into the party upon joining.
Rendezvous[]
When fought in the eleventh Rendezvous battle: All-Star Melee, he is two levels higher than the highest level deployed unit. He starts with 77 bravery and 65 faith. He is in his default sword saint class and is equipped with the Excalibur, a full set of crystal equipment, and a Japa Mala. He has access to the Swordplay and Iaido commands, as well as to the abilities Safeguard, Manafont, and Mana Shield.
When fought in the fourteenth Rendezvous battle: Brave Story, he is level 99 and starts with 77 bravery and 65 faith. He comes equipped with the Excalibur, crystal helm, crystal armor, and his other equipment is randomized. He has access to Swordplay, Iaido, Bonecrusher, Doublehand, and Move +2.
Musical themes[]
Concept art.
"Thunder God Cid's Theme" (雷神シドのテーマ, Raijin Shido no Tēma?) employs bell chimes, strings, horns, and percussion to give it a majestic, honorable tune. It incorporates leitmotifs from the track "Brave Story" and "Epilogue". The track is 21st in the original soundtrack and composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto. His motif is reprised in the unreleased track played during the High Confessor Marcel Funebris' last moment.
Other appearances[]
Guest appearances[]
Cidolfus has appeared in the following games throughout the Final Fantasy series:
- Final Fantasy XIV as cameo and boss.
- Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call as a playable character.
- Pictlogica Final Fantasy as a playable character.
- Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade as a Legend and a playable character.
- Final Fantasy Artniks as a card.
- Final Fantasy Record Keeper as a playable character.
- Final Fantasy Brave Exvius as a summonable vision.
- War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius as a summonable vision.
- Final Fantasy Trading Card Game as a series of cards.
- Triple Triad as a series of cards.
Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]
Cidolfus has made key guest appearances in the following non-Final Fantasy media:
- Rise of Mana series as an enemy boss.
- Knights of the Crystals series as a card.
Celebratory artwork made for the release of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles by Kazuya Takahashi, the character designer from Final Fantasy XVI.
Other media[]
In Vagrant Story, fragments of his skeleton were said to be contained in the Orlandu gem held in the city of Leá Monde.
"Orlandeau" is listed as an answer to a Brain Blast question in Final Fantasy XIII-2.
Behind the scenes[]
Cidolfus is the first "Cid" in Final Fantasy history who is not an engineer, a pilot, or a captain of an airship. He can be compared to Hobyrim van Rahms from Tactics Ogre, the spiritual predecessor of Final Fantasy Tactics by the same director. Their job classes are similar: Sword Saint for Cidolfus and Swordmaster for Hobyrim. They don brown outfits and their glory and nobility are stripped because of someone's ambition. A "Count Orlandeau" is mentioned in the Warren Reports of the PlayStation Portable remake of Tactics Ogre, naming this figure as the ancestor to Leundar Balbatos' puppet lord and figurehead leader of the Galgastani.
In The Ivalice Chronicles, he is the only character to call Marquis Elmdore by his first name, Messam, during the battle inside Limberry Castle.
Voice[]
Cidolfus was given a voice in The Ivalice Chronicles, being voiced by Akio Otsuka in Japanese and Timothy Watson in English. He speaks in a noble English accent similar to Fusoya in the 3D version of Final Fantasy IV.
Etymology[]
Cid is a recurring name in the Final Fantasy series. Cid is derived from the dialectal Arabic word سيد (sîdi or sayyid), which means "lord" or "master".
Orlandeau is derived from Orlando, the Italian name for Roland, a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who was depicted as a legendary paladin of Charlemagne's court in medieval European literary works. Such works include The Song of Roland, in which he is depicted wielding an unbreakable sword named Durandal to single-handedly defend himself from thousands of Saracens.
Citations[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Final Fantasy Tactics Personae § "Cidolfus Orlandeau"
- ↑ Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
- ↑ Final Fantasy Tactics (PlayStation)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Final Fantasy Tactics rumors § "Fifty Years' War"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "The Thunder God's Son"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "Freeing the Count"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "Thunder God in Chains"
- ↑ Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "The War of the Lions"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "The Thunder God"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "Keeper of the Stone"
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedwotl delita will - ↑ Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "Gears in Motion"
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "The Black Lion Slain"
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "Requiem"
- ↑ Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions script § "Delita's Betrayal"