Sypha Belnades — Castlevania: Belmont's Curse

Sypha Belnades is Rose's mother. Official text: she fought alongside Trevor against Count Dracula twenty-three years ago, but fell victim to his curse and died soon after Rose was born. Her loss left a lasting shadow. English voice: Alejandra Reynoso, reprising the Netflix series. Japanese voice: Ayaka Shimoyamada.

Dead, and still in the move list

Eurogamer's preview is the mechanical key: Rose slings spells thanks to magical tarot cards left behind by her very dead mother. The entire Arcana system is a Belnades inheritance wearing Belmont leather. When you throw Cursed Flame, you are playing Sypha's remaining toolkit. When you seal a boss into a card, you are using her method on new monsters.

She is not a playable party member like in Castlevania III. She is backstory, costume, and voice. Midnight Edition includes a Sypha Style Costume for Rose and the Family's Grace relic. Those are how the game lets you wear the missing parent. Story scenes will do the rest. Do not expect a co-op mage walking beside you through Paris.

Why her death is the title

Dracula's curse killed the mother and marked the daughter's arm. That is the "Belmont's Curse" the subtitle is pointing at, as much as any castle fog. Trevor's grief and Rose's power come from the same event. If you skip character logs, you will still feel it every time a tarot card upgrades. Read her next to Rose and Trevor before you enter the castle.