Riful

Lore & Background

In the history of the Organization, there were three "Creatures of the Abyss" settling in different regions: one in the West (Riful), one in the North (Isley), and one in the South (Lucilla). Riful holds the title for the Western region. She commands a consort named Dauf, who appears as a giant armored humanoid capable of firing rods from his hands, arms, and mouth. Contrary to his monstrous appearance, Dauf is a highly intelligent strategist whose devotion stems from a twisted admiration for Riful rather than fear of abandonment. While Rafaela served as the former Number 1 of the Organization, she was not part of Riful's sisterhood or the twin experiment; Riful's bond was solely with her human sister Luciela.

In Their Own Story

The narrative surrounding Riful involves her relationship with her consort Dauf and the tragic history of the controlled Awakened Being program. The first experiment using non-identical sisters Luciela and Rafaela ended in failure; Luciela's cat-like form lost a fight for control of the southern region against Isley. Rafaela found Luciela, killed her by breaking her spine, but then injected her own Yoki to merge with her successfully. Later, Riful is targeted by the Abyss Feeders Alicia and Beth. These identical twin sisters are part of a program where one fully awakens while the other retains their collective human mind to remote control the awakened partner. The Twins engage in battle against Riful, ultimately resulting in their defeat and death at her hands.

Reader's Guide

Riful serves as a major antagonist whose power is balanced by the unique mechanics of her subordinates and the Organization's countermeasures. She commands Dauf, whose regeneration and healing abilities are low compared to his physical output, making him dependent on Riful's leadership. The most effective strategy against such threats involves the Abyss Feeders, who are trained to return home if six or more are killed. In the specific instance involving Riful, after Isley is defeated, the Feeders are deployed to track her down for Alicia and Beth. This highlights the cyclical nature of the conflict where former warriors become specialized hunters. The defeat of the Twins by Priscilla later in the saga further underscores the overwhelming power of the awakened hierarchy.

Did You Know?

• The Organization created only three "Creatures of the Abyss," with Riful ruling the West, Isley the North, and Lucilla the South.
• Riful's consort Dauf is a giant armored humanoid who serves as a brilliant strategist motivated by twisted admiration for Riful.
• The identical twins Alicia and Beth function as a single unit where one awakens while the other retains their human mind to control them remotely; they were subjects of a later experiment iteration, distinct from Riful's
• Luciela was Riful's human sister who became Lucilla, whereas Rafaela was a separate Awakened Being who held the rank of Number 1 of the Organization.
• Riful met her end in the final arc at the hands of Priscilla, cementing her status as one of the most powerful yet tragic figures in Claymore history.

The Nature of Claymores

In a medieval realm terrorized by Yoma, shape-shifting humanoids that devour people, a clandestine entity known as the Organization recruits warriors to combat this threat. These fighters are created through a grim process involving human-Yoma hybrids, granting them silver eyes and immense strength at the cost of their humanity. The public fears them as "Silver-eyed Witches," while they are colloquially called Claymores due to the massive swords they wield. Their existence is defined by a strict hierarchy based on combat prowess, with ranks determining their power levels and missions. Despite being tools for extermination, these warriors struggle against their own monstrous nature, constantly balancing the urge to awaken into full Yoma-like beings while trying to retain their human wills. The Organization exploits this duality, sending them on dangerous hunts where survival often depends on suppressing their inner demons.

The Tragedy of Teresa and Clare

Teresa, known as "the Faint Smile," stands as the legendary No. 1 Claymore, possessing a mysterious power that allows her to defeat enemies while using less than ten percent of her Yoki. Her defining moment occurs when she adopts an orphaned girl named Clare after destroying a pack of Yoma that killed Clare's family. Teresa's compassion leads to her desertion from the Organization, prompting an execution team led by Priscilla to hunt them down. Although Teresa effortlessly defeats the initial attackers, Priscilla eventually awakens into a demonic form and kills her. In a desperate act to gain vengeance, Clare demands the Organization use Teresa's severed head instead of Yoma flesh to create her. This unique origin leaves Clare with low power, ranking her as No. 47, yet it fuels her years of training to one day face Priscilla.

The Evolution of Ranks and Bonds

Beyond the protagonist, the series explores a diverse cast of Claymores who form deep bonds while navigating their deadly profession. Miria, the agile "Phantom," leads by example but eventually rejects the Organization's corruption after investigating its dark secrets following her friend Hilda's death. Deneve, a survivor of the Northern Campaign with high regeneration, initially struggles with shame over her defensive abilities until Helen helps her accept her humanity. Helen herself is aggressive and status-conscious, yet she evolves by combining techniques from fallen comrades like Jean. These characters illustrate that despite their artificial origins and low ranks, they possess complex emotions and loyalties. Their relationships often serve as the emotional core of the narrative, highlighting the struggle to remain human amidst a world designed to turn them into monsters.

Awakened Beings and Abyss Feeders

When Claymores lose control, they transform into Awakened Beings, entities with powers far exceeding standard Yoma. These creatures take various forms, from bird-like Hilda to crustacean Agatha, and some become "Creatures of the Abyss," ruling over specific regions like the North or South. The Organization counters these threats by creating Abyss Feeders, elite hunters derived from eleven Awakened Beings who attacked their headquarters. These Feeders have their eyes and mouths sewn shut, removing their ability to sense Yoki so they can only track targets by scent. They are programmed to return if too many fall, serving as a specialized weapon against the most dangerous awakened warriors. This dynamic creates a cycle of violence where former sisters become hunters or prey, underscoring the tragic inevitability of their existence.