Beldam

"Mmmmmmwee hee hee hee! I have no quarrel with you...but I simply can't allow you to hunt for the Crystal Stars."

- Beldam

Beldam is the leader of the three Shadow Sirens, which consists of herself and her sisters, Marilyn and Vivian (who is later replaced with Doopliss). Beldam is a Shadow who is more than 1,000 years old and happens to be the oldest of the three sisters. She and the Shadow Sirens work with the Secret Society of X-Nauts to find the Crystal Stars and open The Thousand-Year Door. Beldam and her sisters are reoccurring enemies that appear many times throughout Mario's adventure in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, making numerous attempts to slow him down and hinder his progress. She and her Sirens always appear during even numbered chapters and are fought a total of two times. In the end, Beldam is revealed to have been the one who arranged for the events of the story, using even the X-Nauts as pawns in her scheme.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
"Let's go, my lovelies! Marilyn! Vivian! Come! We've got a job to do!"

- Beldam

Sometime prior to the events that take place in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Beldam, Marilyn, and possibly Vivian are servants of the Shadow Queen. After she is defeated and sealed by the four heroes, she and the Shadow Sirens devise a plan to reawaken her, so they can serve her once more. Beldam and the Shadow Sirens soon begin to spread rumors of an ancient treasure that has been sealed behind the Thousand-Year Door in hopes that someone will come across the Crystal Stars in order to open the seal.

Eventually, Beldam and her sisters stumble upon the extraterrestrial organization known as the Secret Society of X-Nauts and are acquainted with their leader, Sir Grodus; they then join him and enlists in his services, pretending to be nothing more than hired help. Taking advantage of Sir Grodus's desire to rule the world, Beldam and the Shadow Sirens tell him a lie, saying that the Shadow Queen will obey whoever wakes her and aid him in his quest for world domination. She also tells him that all seven Crystal Stars are needed to break the seal on the Thousand-Year Door and that a pure maiden is needed in order for her to be fully revived. Beldam informs Sir Grodus of the Magical Map that is contained inside of a Treasure Chest, which has radar-like functions that will allow anyone to track down the location of the Crystal Stars. However, neither of them are able to open it themselves, due to their evil and tainted ambitions, as it could only be opened by someone who is pure of heart. Considering this, Beldam and Sir Grodus decide to have someone else open it for them.

Putting their plan into action, Beldam decides to go to the city of Rogueport to look for a pure maiden, which just-so-happened to be Princess Peach. Disguised as an elderly merchant, she sells her the treasure chest containing the map in hopes of stealing it back (as well as kidnapping her in the process). However, a "strange old man" (as well as many other witnesses) are around at the time, causing Beldam to withdraw from the mission. As a result of her failure to snatch the map, Princess Peach ends up mailing it to Mario, inviting him to go on a treasure hunt with her. However, by the time Mario arrives at Rogueport, Princess Peach has already gotten herself kidnapped by the X-Nauts (who also manages to find the Crystal Star while they are there). Sir Grodus interrogates Princess Peach for a small portion of time, asking about the whereabouts of the map. She refuses to tell him, but accidentally does so anyway after one of the X-Naut soldiers tells him that a "dude in a red shirt and blue overalls" defeats Hooktail and obtains the Diamond Star. From then on, it's confirmed that Mario has the map and Sir Grodus makes it his sole mission to retrieve the map from him at all costs, so he sends Beldam, Marilyn, and Vivian to Boggly Woods in order to do so, but not before giving them a sketch so they'll know what he looks like when they come across him.

Boggly Woods
"If my information is correct, Mario should be coming down this road quite soon. You must ambush him and get that map!"

- Beldam

Due to the fact that the sketch has gotten "misplaced", none of the Shadow Sirens (except for Marilyn, apparently) recognizes Mario when they see him. Beldam then blames it on Vivian, claiming that she is the one who lost it (when in actuality, it is she herself). Vivian tries to persuade Beldam that she never had it, but she didn't listen and continues yelling at her, and decides to punish her by taking the necklace that she finds. However, Beldam eventually finds the sketch and recognizes Mario as soon as he comes back (since he and his partners are trying to find the necklace that she took from Vivian, which belongs to Flurrie). Shortly after that, the Shadow Sirens engage Mario and company in battle, and are vanquished. Beldam, humiliated by her defeat, blames it all on Marilyn and Vivian, telling them to prepare for a "world-class punishment session" when they get home (despite the fact that she threatens both sisters, it's likely that only Vivian is actually punished). Thus, the Shadow Sirens retreat and return to the X-Naut Fortress, leaving the necklace behind.

Twilight Town
Later on, Beldam informs Sir Grodus of the Superbombomb, a new weapon that she prepares that will bring Mario to a "quick and certain end". Although he is displeased with her previous failures and is beginning to lose his patience. Despite this, Sir Grodus still trusts her words and sends Beldam, Marilyn, and Vivian on yet another mission. This time, they are sent to Twilight Town, which is Mario and company's next destination. Somehow, Beldam manages to misplace the Superbombomb, and once again blames Vivian. She shouts at her once more, furiously telling her about how much of a "useless little fool" she is. Then, Beldam decides to leave Vivian outside to search for the Superbombomb while she and Marilyn go to take a "well-earned siesta", once again threatening to punish her if she doesn't. After Beldam and her are finished with their nap, they find out that Vivian is no longer there (as she has recently joined Mario's party). Shortly thereafter, Doopliss, who is just defeated by them, comes rushing by. From thereon, Beldam recruits him as a new member of the Shadow Sirens (and with it a new member of the Secret Society of X-Nauts).

Poshley Heights
"Normally, this would be where I finally deal with you and that homely traitor, Vivian... But something tells me that trying that alone might be unwise. So you live, for now. Instead, I'll just beat you to Poshley Heights and get that Crystal Star before you do!"

- Beldam

Beldam is seen again during the events of Chapter 6, where she eavesdropped on a conversation that Mario and his partners are having, concerning the whereabouts of the next Crystal Star. Beldam then emerges from the shadows, startling them in the process. She tells Mario and company that she would like to dispose of them, but feels that trying that alone wouldn't be wise, so she instead tells them that she will beat them to Poshley Heights to obtain the Crystal Star before they do. During Mario and company's ride on the Excess Express, Beldam makes it her sole mission to stop them from reaching Poshley Heights at all costs. She originally intends to use the Superbombomb to destroy the train while they are still aboard, but that plan was foiled when Sir Grodus sends Lord Crump to Twilight Town to retrieve it. He soon ends up getting into a quarrel with Bowser, who decides to detonate the bomb by breathing fire on it. As a result, Beldam has to brainstorm another strategy.

Somehow, Beldam finds out about what will happen if Nitro Honey Syrup gets mixed with seashells and gold, which is a sticky explosion that will blanket the entire train and immobilize everyone aboard. She then has Doopliss board the train disguised as the famous actor, Zip Toad, so that nobody will suspect anything. After that, he stole the Businessman's briefcase, (which contains vital documents), Toodles' Gold Ring, and the Toad Waitress' Shell Earrings. However, Mario, his partners, and fellow "detective", Pennington manage to track Doopliss down before the plan can be completed; they retrieve the stolen items and give them back to their rightful owners. After the train stops at Riverside Station, "Zip Toad" reverts back to his true self and runs off. A Toad then informs Mario that a "suspicious shadowy person wearing a hat" (which is Beldam) went into the terminal station to flip the switch. Not only that, but a bunch of small Smorgs are left there as well. However, it is never revealed whether or not they have any official connection to the Shadow Sirens and/or the Secret Society of X-Nauts. By the time Mario and company, along with Pennington arrive at Poshley Sanctum, they uncover Beldam, Marilyn, and Doopliss stealing the Crystal Star. As soon as they leave, however, Pennington reveals to Mario and company that "Crystal Star" they stole is a fake, and tells them that the real one is cleverly hidden within the sanctum somewhere.

Palace of Shadow
"Mwee hee hee hee hee! So you still don't see it? Ah, such fools... The 'Professor Frankly' you were with when you opened the Thousand-Year Door... Was none other than this little freak-in-a-sheet!"

- Beldam

During the events of Chapter 7 and 8, Sir Grodus and the Shadow Sirens devise a plan to successfully open the Thousand-Year Door, despite the fact that they have already lost six of the Crystal Stars to Mario and his allies. He leaves Lord Crump in charge of guarding the base, as well as the Crystal Star that they find in Rogueport prior to the beginning of the game. Sir Grodus has planned for Mario and company to defeat Lord Crump so that they can obtain the Crystal Star and open the Thousand-Year Door for them. He felt that regardless of whether or not he succeeds in defeating Mario and his partners, or if it's the other way around, then it would still achieve the same effect either way. After abducting Professor Frankly and having him stuffed in a closet somewhere, Beldam (or Sir Grodus) have Doopliss disguise himself as the professor to trick Mario and company into opening the door. "Professor Frankly" informs the heroes that he somehow finds a way to open the door without the Crystal Stars, and ends up entering the Palace of Shadow with Princess Peach. As soon as Mario and company went through the door, Sir Grodus and the Shadow Sirens follow them in secrecy. He manages to get to the palace's throne room (possibly after Gloomtail is vanquished, since it's not possible to advance through the palace without the Star Key), while Beldam and the Shadow Sirens, on the other hand, wait for Mario and company in the "outside" area of the Palace of Shadow, and reveal to them that the "Professor Frankly" that convinces them to open the Thousand-Year Door is none other than Doopliss (which Beldam refers to as "Freak-Sheet", showing him almost the same amount of disrespect she shows toward Vivian). The Shadow Sirens once again engage Mario and his associates in combat, and end up suffering another defeat.

Later on, after Mario and company defeat Bowser and Kammy Koopa, who literally "drops in" after Sir Grodus's defeat, he takes Princess Peach and manages to escape to the Shadow Queen's resting place. Declaring himself the new ruler of the world, Sir Grodus unleashes the her, which literally blanketed the Mushroom World in eternal darkness by her mere presence. He then presents her to the Shadow Queen as a vessel for her spirit. After she possesses Princess Peach, Sir Grodus commands her to destroy Mario and company, but she refuses and blasts him to smithereens, stating that she takes orders from no one. After the second strike to Sir Grodus's head, Beldam, Marilyn, and Doopliss appear. She then explains to the Shadow Queen that she orchestrates all the events that occurred throughout the game; from tricking him, spreading the rumor of the false treasure, and finding a pure maiden for her to inhabit, thus making her the true mastermind behind everything. The Shadow Queen then congratulates Beldam and the Shadow Sirens for their hard work and offers Mario and company a chance to join her. They refuse, and engage the Shadow Queen in combat, eventually defeating her with the help of the seven Crystal Stars, her, and the wishes of all their companions. Princess Peach morphs back into her normal state and Beldam, Marilyn, and Doopliss retreat.

Redemption
"Now that the Shadow Queen's been defeated, I don't think Beldam's into evil. Oh, and Beldam also promised me she would never be mean to Vivian again. Yup, I believe the three sirens are going to live pretty peacefully from now on..."

- Goombella

At the end of the game, it's revealed that Beldam renounces her villainous ways after the Shadow Queen is defeated. She then apologizes to Vivian, promising to never mistreat her again. Vivian accepts Beldam's apology, and now lives peacefully with Beldam and Marilyn in Twilight Town.

Super Paper Mario
Beldam didn't physically or visually make an appearance in Super Paper Mario, but she and Marilyn are still mentioned in Vivian's Catch Card description.

Personality
As Goombella has stated in her Tattle information, Beldam's personality "stinks", meaning that she has several negative personality traits. Beldam is extremely scurrilous, rude, bossy, domineering, and often plays favoritism, treating all group members except for Marilyn as scurrilously as possible. For example, she tends to be very absentminded and will often blame her own mistakes on Vivian. Beldam will constantly disrespect her, talking about how "ugly" and "useless" she is. Presumably because of this disrespect, she also seems to keep Vivian in the dark about her true plans about using Sir Grodus. She shows almost the same amount of disrespect towards Doopliss, always calling him "Freak-Sheet", rather than referring to him by his actual name (despite the fact that he corrects her). An example of the favoritism she shows is when she tells Vivian to search for the Superbombbomb (which she herself lost), while she and Marilyn go to take a "well-earned siesta", threatening to punish her if she doesn't find it. Also, during the second battle with the Shadow Sirens, Beldam shows concern for Marilyn, asking if she is alright, and wouldn't show any towards Doopliss at all, instead threatening to punish him if he loses. Going by this, it's safe to assume that Beldam has absolutely no respect for anyone (aside from herself, Marilyn, and the Shadow Queen), as she appears to have as much sympathy and compassion for her own sister and associate as she does for her enemies.

Beldam is also the kind of person who will do whatever it takes to accomplish her goals (quite similarly to Dimentio), regardless of how many innocent lives are taken in the process. She has clearly demonstrated this when she planned to destroy Mario and his partners with the Superbombbomb while they are aboard the Excess Express, which would've resulted in many lives at stake. Beldam has also shown a blatant disregard for other lives by planning to release the Shadow Queen in the first place, knowing that the planet will get plunged into anarchy, knowing that it will result in the deaths of millions, if not billions, but still did it anyway regardless. Beldam also seems to care very little about what will happen to Sir Grodus after the Shadow Queen has been released, since she only sees him and his organization as nothing more than pawns to be manipulated.

As leader of the Shadow Sirens, Beldam happens to be the "brains" of the group (while Marilyn, on the other hand, is the "brawn"), and she is the one who usually comes up with their plans. Despite Beldam's constant forgetfulness and frequent displays of incompetence (which she likes to blame on other people), she has still proven herself to be a highly intelligent, conniving, and manipulating individual. This is shown when Beldam spreads the rumor of a false "treasure" behind the Thousand-Year Door, as well as when she pawns Sir Grodus (and the entire X-Naut legion). Beldam is able to take advantage of his desire for power and control by tricking him into releasing the Shadow Queen, telling him that she will obey his every command if he is to do so. This, of course, results in Sir Grodus trying to command the Shadow Queen, getting blasted to pieces, and nearly getting himself killed in the process.

While Beldam has been shown to be extremely sinister and dastardly throughout the course of the game, it's hinted that this is because she is under the Shadow Queen's influence. At the end of the game, Beldam is shown to be much kinder, as she apologizes for the way she treats Vivian, promising that she'd never do it again. However, it's never revealed whether or not she makes that same promise to Doopliss.

Powers and Abilities
Although Beldam is physically weaker than the other members of her team, she makes up for it by using powerful magic abilities. Beldam possesses cryokinetic abilities, which she uses to freeze Mario and his partners, causing them to be immobilized for at least two turns. Beldam has various other abilities as well, such as increasing the size and attack power of her teammates, as well as giving them more attack turns. Beldam also has the ability to do the exact opposite to Mario and his teammates. Her other magical abilities are slowing Mario and his partners down, giving her teammates "fast" status, and the ability to poison her opponents. As with her sisters, Beldam also has the ability to use the Veil technique, where she can sink through the shadows and eavesdrop on other peoples' conversations (as she demonstrates in Chapter 6, where she hears from Mario and his partners that the next Crystal Star was at Poshley Heights). However, she has never been seen utilizing that ability in combat and only uses it during the various cutscenes that take place throughout the game.

Quotes

 * Please see here for a full list of quotes.

On-Field Tattle Data

 * "This shady woman is certainly selfish and mean! You see how cruel she is to her own sister? What a total meanie! I wonder what went on between them..."
 * "That's Beldam of the Shadow Sirens. Remember?  Vivian's sister? I'm totally surprised she followed us all the way out here, though. And what was that plan she was yapping about, huh?  This sounds bad..."

Trivia

 * Beldam's name comes from the word "beldame", which is used to describe a sorceress or a hideous woman. It also comes from the word "bedlam" (with the L and the D switched), meaning chaos or disorder.
 * The color of her hat represents her cryokinetic abilities.
 * Beldam is the first character in the Paper Mario series (with Dimentio being the second) to use another villain as a pawn, making plans to secretly betray him in the end.
 * Beldam's line, "my lovelies" is a possible reference to The Wizard of Oz, where the Wicked Witch of the West would always refer to Dorothy as "my pretty".
 * Out of all the antagonist groups in the Mario series (such as the Axem Rangers, Koopa Bros., etc.), Beldam is the only group leader who wears blue rather than red. She is also the only older sibling who wears something other than red.
 * Most likely by coincidence, Beldam has a similar laugh to Cloaker, a boss from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
 * Despite being the leader, she is the weakest member of The Shadow Sirens.