#i may use exaltation too much for posing but it's really nice okay

[zahnffxiv]

hrothtober day 8: ally!!

healing together in harmony!!

[iturbide]

You know what? You forced me to start planning a huge post breaking down Faye, so for "revenge" I'm asking you to do one for Robin too! >:) (oh and Grima too if you want, it's always great hearing you talk about them)

MISSION: SUCCESS

but I will take this vengeance challenge starting with my boy

How do I feel about this character?

Look.  Robin has been my Summoner Support character since the day the system launched.  He’s maxed out on dragonflowers at 15.  I sacrificed a 5-star exclusive dagger with a high-rarity and very potent A passive to him over any other possible unit I could have given it to.  I have written just shy of 500k words of Awakening fanfiction in which Robin is a central figure in every story. 

I kind of love Robin a lot.  That may, in fact, be an understatement for my feelings.

Who do I ship this character with romantically?

Theoretically I could ship just about anyone with Robin (with a few exceptions *coughFrederickcough*) but my big ones are Chrom (naturally) and Sumia!  Those two are the ones I most enjoy seeing Robin with since I think they play off one another in really enjoyable ways -- and it’s even better when it’s all three of them together!

Who is my brOTP for this character?

Lissa.  I LOVE Robin and Lissa as best friends and confidantes who can tease each other but will always, always have each other’s backs.  Robin and Henry being super tight as siblings is another favorite dynamic, Robin and Sully is right up there with Robin and Lissa, and when I’m not shipping them Robin and Sumia as best book buddies is near and dear to my heart.  Also Gaius, Libra, Panne, and Kellam -- I love Robin and Kellam bonding so much it does my heart good (which is why so many of these relationships are, in fact, integral to Future Built).

What’s my Unpopular Opinion™ about this character?

oh boy I have a million of these haha but the biggest one that really is an unpopular opinion is that Robin is proud of their Plegian heritage and would never EVER forsake it.  I’ve seen a not insignificant amount of fanart that puts Robin into clothing that’s clearly Ylissean in cut, style, and/or pattern, and this drives me up the wall because Robin is canonically one of our very few characters of Plegian heritage, someone who goes around throughout the entire game in a coat that bears the literal emblem of Grima in the eye-patterned sleeves -- something that’s preserved in their Grandmaster class, no less, rather than quietly done away with.  That coat is clearly important to them, and deep down -- even with all their memories buried out of direct reach -- I think their cultural heritage as a Plegian is of the utmost importance to them, such that they would only go without some show or sign or it if they were forced to do so. 

Basically, in my personal opinion, Robin should always have Plegian touches in whatever they wear but ESPECIALLY if it’s otherwise Ylissean in appearance.  Erasing Robin’s Plegian heritage is really gross to me personally, and funny enough, even IntSys didn’t do that for once, so fandom should really have no excuse.

What’s one thing I wish would have happened with this character in canon?

For Robin?  Either meeting their mom should she still be alive, or at least getting back their memories.  It does make sense that Robin started the game as an amnesiac because it let us learn through them, and made a lot of the revelations really pack a punch -- but after a certain point?  I really, really wish that Robin’s memories would have come back to them so that we could find out more of who they were before and what their experiences had been.  Even before a full return of those memories, they could have done simple things, stuff like reactions based on muscle memory or reflexive training that surprise them sometimes, or stated feelings of deja vu -- but later in the game (and supports) I really wish they would have give us something that tells us more about their life; what would be especially nice is if those returning memories involve Grimleal rituals or teachings, because I think it would have been really powerful to have someone we love and care for so much (as our player avatar) shining a better light on the much-maligned faith of Ylisse’s neighboring nation.

I’m very, very biased about that, though.

and BONUS: Grima time

How do I feel about this character? 

I’m pretty sure that at one point, if you searched up the #grima tag, mine was one of the top blogs that came up (though I’ve been getting lazy and tagging less by character lately so I’ve fallen out of there).  I’m also pretty sure that most of the people following me ended up here because of all the Grima content I started pouring out when the first one dropped in Heroes.  Grima is one of those characters who I write about exhaustively and who subtly manages to play a role in most of my Awakening fic, including the ones where they don’t physically appear (I call those Grima Sightings and frankly I would love it if people tried to spot them). 

...I think Grima has just taken over a part of my brain and to be perfectly honest I’m okay with that.

Who do I ship this character with romantically? 

Emmeryn.  That’s it.  That’s the only character I have ever or frankly will ever ship Grima with because that was already something that came out of left field I literally cannot imagine anyone else managing to spark the same reaction a second time.

Who is my brOTP for this character? 

Robin, honestly.  I love the idea of Robin and Grima interactions where the two end up becoming close as friends and confidantes, regardless of the situation.  Is it kind of heartbreaking when it’s the whole “Grima’s in control and Robin’s in the backseat” situation?  Undoubtedly, but it’s also really moving to consider that they might learn how to work together and help each other and work toward a shared purpose. 

And also Grima getting parenting advice from Robin in Heroes during the early days of the creche is A+++ in my opinion.

What’s my Unpopular Opinion™ about this character? 

Aside from the idea that Grima is in fact the most parental of dragons and broods in the literal chicken sense or my giant conspiracy theory that Grima came to the past to do the same thing Lucina did (avert the ruined future)?  It’s probably that Grima is not an instigator of conflict or chaos: they’re antisocial and would prefer to distance themselves for the sake of having some peace and quiet rather than getting dragged into yet more conflict based on human preconceptions or judgments based on appearance. 

Fandom at large loves to play Grima as unrelenting evil and constantly in competition with the Awakening folks (especially the Exalted lineage) but...that doesn’t make any sense to me personally?  Grima hasn’t really asked for anything that’s happened to them: they’ve been used and abused by humanity by their own admission, and Validar is just the latest in the line to do the same, causing unspeakable harm for the sole purpose of raising Grima to destroy the world at his own bidding.  Yeah, maybe Grima doesn’t have the best feelings toward the Exalted Lineage, but also why would Grima be the one picking the fight?  If you mess with Grima the Fell Dragon will step up (Vengeful Fighter is their innate B passive in Heroes, quite likely for a reason), but I really don’t see them going out of their way to cause trouble.  They just want to be left in peace, but humans really don’t seem to get that.  Yes, the fanart can be funny, but it also rings false to me, because I really think Grima would just flat-out ignore the Exalted lineage unless they make the confrontation, at which point Grima won’t hold back.

What’s one thing I wish would have happened with this character in canon? 

First of all I really do wish we could have seen a peaceful resolution with Grima rather than having to destroy them, especially considering that the Fell Dragon really didn’t seem all that interested in hurting anybody even after raising the dragon form (see the aforementioned conspiracy theory).  Grima has been hurt so many times throughout their life that I think it would have been deeply meaningful if we could have reached out in an attempt at understanding, to have come to a non-violent resolution, and found peace without someone needing to die for once.  When Grima purposefully abstains from nuking the group that poses a threat to their life upon resurrecting their impossibly huge and powerful dragon form and instead flies out over the ocean -- so far they need Naga herself to teleport them -- it kind of says a lot about how much Grima really wants to fight (answer: they clearly don’t).

Other than that, though?  Just...give us more of Grima in general.  Tell us more about their history, especially the thousand years between their emergence from Thabes Labyrinth and their fall at the hands of the First Exalt.  I want to know more of that history, I want to see how they treated the humans that flocked to them, even knowing that those same humans would eventually break Grima’s spirit.  We just have so few crumbs about Grima, I want more than anything to get a meal instead.

Give Me a Character

[moczothe1st]

Let’s Play Fire Emblem IV: Genealogy of the Holy War, Part 13: The Invasion of Doucheland

Part 12

Welcome back to Fire Emblem IV.  Last week, we crossed the Silesse border into our old homeland, the kingdom of Grannvale. And here she is, right now! Hey there, Valey. You’re looking very invade-able this evening.  Let me slip into something a little more militaristic, and I’ll be right with you.

Zaxon Castle has barely fallen, yet before Sigurd can so much as rest, the hordes of Grannvale stand before him at the captured Lubeck Castle.

For Sigurd, to challenge Langbalt is an opportunity to avenge his father, Byron, framed by Langbalt for his crimes. Beyond Lubeck, in the desert town Phinora…

Velthomer Castle, on Grannvale’s border with the Yied Desert,

And in Belhalla, the royal capital of Grannvale, Lord Arvis serves to aid the bedridden King Azmur, while Chancellor Reptor of Freege maintains peace and order in the city. A long road to Belhalla awaits Sigurd… a clash with Grannvale en route is inevitable. Sigurd refuses to endanger the people of Silesse any further in this conflict. He is determined to fight to the end. The year is Grann 760, early spring. The fields of Silesse peacefully rest beneath a deep blanket of snow…

…. Starting with a neutral unit. Not promising.

(Oh, hey Sigurd’s dad. Glad you aren’t murdered! .... Wait, how are you not murdered? Weren’t you framed for Kurth’s murder like a year ago? How are you still... going?)

Byron: No… not until the exalted blade is in your hands…

Langbalt: My ambush may have put an end to Chalphy’s Grünritter paladin brigade, but the survival of Byron alone leaves that utterly meaningless!

Random Idiot: Y-yes, sir… but, milord, Byron is gravely wounded… surely, he has very little time left…

Langbalt: I’ve never heard such naïve drivel! Byron may not be long for this world, but he’s determined to get the holy sword Tyrfing to his son, with the very last of his strength. Do you not understand the threat that Sigurd would pose to us, should he get his hands on that damnable sword?!

(… Well, I do now. Thanks for the heads up, definitely gonna get me that sword.)

Langbalt: Move out and kill Byron, immediately!

Random Idiot: Y-yes sir! Consider it done!

Langbalt: For the gods’ sakes, he’s leading the elite Grauenritter brigade! How could it take him so long to put down the Isaachian resistance?! First Lex, now Dannan… why must both of my sons be so worthless?!

Andre: Come now, Lord Langbalt, sir. Don’t worry about a thing. After all, you’ve still got the Beigenritter and I on your side.

Langbalt: I suppose you’re right, Andre. Be sure that your men are ready to join the fray at a moment’s notice.

Andre: Heh… it would be my pleasure, sir.

Langbalt: Duke Ring… may you be at peace…

(Awww, he’s a treasonous murdering lunatic with family values. How sweet. Just a reminder that while Reptor might want to run the country, Langbalt’s motivation can best be summed up as ‘Fuck House Chalphy’.  He really has no issues with anyone else. Which kinda makes him worse, honestly, since it means he murdered the prince just to screw with Sigurd’s dad.)  

Oifey: I don’t believe so. The Lubeck occupation seems to be pursuing him, so they’re most likely not with them.

Sigurd: I see. Let’s give them a hand. We’ll be clashing with Langbalt’s army sooner or later, so why not make the first move? Move out! Our target is their front lines. Today’s victory hinges on this first strike!

… You know, after we spend hours fighting in the arena. First, though, our three upcoming promotions.

Mmmmm. I also do a little inventory shifting; Ayra gives her bolt sword to Erin, who actually has the magic to back it up, and Azel gives his Magic Ring to Taillte, who needs it more than he does even after promotion. Now, then, time for some gladiatorial combat to remind the world what heroes we are!

Sigurd: Seven wins, gained three levels:  +3 HP, +3 Strength, +1 Speed, +1 Luck, +2 Defense

Arden: Seven wins, gained three levels: +3HP, +3 Strength, +2 Speed, +1 Luck, +1 Defense

Lex: Five wins, gained two levels: +2 HP, +1 Strength, +1 Speed

Azel: Seven wins, gained three levels: +3 HP, +1 Skill, +1 Strength, +1 Magic, +1 Luck

Aideen: Seven wins. Actually can’t level up anymore! All that warping and physicing maxed her out.

Midir: Three wins, Gained one level: +1 Speed, +1 Luck. Just… the fuck, dude.

Holyn: Seven wins, Gained two levels: +1 HP, +1 Luck, +2 Defense

Ayra: wins, Gained two levels: +2 Strength, +1 Defense

Jamke: Seven wins, Gained two levels: +2 HP, +1 Skill, +1 Strength, +1 Defense

Dew: Seven wins, Gained two levels: +2 HP, +1 Skill, +1 Luck, +1 Defense

Lewyn: Seven wins, Gained three levels: +3 HP, +1 Skill, +1 Magic

Lachesis: Seven wins, Gained two levels:  +1 HP, +1 Resistance, +1 Speed

Beowulf: Five wins, Gained one level: +1 HP, +1 Skill, +1 Defense

Erin: Seven wins, Gained two levels:  +2 HP, +1 Skill, +1 Strength, +2 Luck, +2 Defense.

Bridget: Seven wins, Gained two levels: +2 HP, +1 Speed, +1 Magic, +1 Luck

Taillte: Seven wins, Gained two levels: +2 HP, +1 Defense, +1 Resistance

 And yes, Arden did so well because he still had the Brave Sword for his attempts, and he promoted halfway through.

The stat bonuses are nothing special, but this is actually a really good promotion. He gains the ability to use spears, axes, and bows in addition to his swords, and picks up for himself the truly obnoxious Pavise skill all those enemy bosses use to ruin your day. I’m pleased, Arden. You don’t get to get married and I will never use you again because this has been a giant pain, but you’re an okay person anyway.  

So here’s the map. Our starting position is in the northwest; enemy formations are marked by red rectangles, and Byron is the yellow dot. Our first job is to reach him before he dies.  He will not attack enemies (he’s unarmed), so he’ll spend the whole time running, but he’s also wounded and can’t outrun most of his pursuers. You won’t lose the map if you don’t get to him in time, but you will lose access to Tyrfing, which… no. Just no. Not acceptable.  So our first, crucial job is to clear out that patch of enemies between us and Byron, and Sigurd has to be leading the charge because only he can talk to his dad, obviously. But we also do need to send a rearguard to the west, to wipe out the enemy unit there and protect the assorted villages from bandits. So looks like we’ll be splitting the army again, I know I love that!

First step, I send Sigurd, Midir, Lachesis, and Beowulf about halfway through their move range, and then have Sylvia run up to Dance them all. This will let them reach the enemy line on their first turn, doing some solid damage before they’d otherwise be able to.

This not only clears a few units, but it gives this enemy brigade a target. They’ll be moving away from Byron, which is key. He can’t take many hits at all, so every enemy you can draw away from him is worth it.

Now, there’s also villages to the north and south of our castle that have bandits right next to them, so I have Holyn and Ayra both take one. They’ll be able to reach them in a turn and have 100% chance of clearing the bandits immediately.  Erin begins moving to the one directly east of the castle; it’s on a peninsula so she can reach it fastest by cutting across the ocean. Most of the foot soldiers move west to intercept the enemy there, while Lex, Azel, Aideen, and Bridget move to start catching up with the front line.  Why Aideen and Bridget? Because their brother is there, and… well….

Aideen: I… I did. I’ve heard he murdered our father, and later Mahnya in Silesse as well… I can’t believe it. I can barely imagine the evil which would have possessed him to do such monstrous things…

Bridget: … I’m going to kill him. There’s no other way. Whatever the evil is, he has to be stopped. Right here, right now. You understand, right, Aideen?

Aideen: Bridget…

Bridget: Andre’s crimes are House Jungby’s crimes. They’re our crimes too, our responsibility.  They reflect on us, even when they really shouldn’t. I know I’ll have his blood on my hands for the rest of my life, but… Aideen, I want you to understand.

Aideen: Of course I do, Bridget…

Well, big sis isn’t having any of that patricide, Andre ol’ buddy. It was nice knowing you.  

Ya dick.

End turn.

Hot damn. Beowulf must be sick of being the team joke, because that level was brilliant.  Either that or he thinks I’ll fail at saving Byron, have to reset, and lose it.  Either or.

(Wait, Belhalla looks like that?  And it took us this long to realize they’re evil? Dammit, guys.)

(Hey, Arvis! Long time no see! How’s your hair doing? Still deceptive?)

Arvis: Duke Langbalt and his army stand ready at Lubeck. It’s only a matter of time before their insurrection is suppressed.

King Azmur: Even so… even now, it is almost beyond belief, is it not? That Lord Byron would slay Kurth… or that Sigurd would incite a rebellion…

Arvis: Your Majesty

(Okay, he gets points for knowing the right term.)

Arvis: If I may explain once more… Lord Byron was plotting against the crown in concert with the late Lord Ring of Jungby. His Highness fell afoul of their assault, an act to which our very own Dukes Reptor and Langbalt bore witness.  

(“And I mean, how could you disbelieve those faces?” )

Arvis: His Highness learned of their schemes to seize the throne too late, and paid for it with his life.  Naturally, Lord Sigurd had a hand in his father’s revolt. What clearer proof is there than how he still harbors an enemy, the prince of Isaach? There is no question. Their treason against the state is grave. I, too, feel this pain as my own, having lost not only a prince but a father-in-law…

(… Oh no.)

Arvis: And in the name of my beloved wife, Princess Deirdre, I will never allow Sigurd’s traitorous rampage to stand!

(HURK)

Arvis: Even if Duke Langbalt fails to defeat him, that is not the end! The elite fire mages of House Velthomer, the Rotenritter, stand ready to stop this rebellion once and for all!

Azmur: I see… if you say it is so, then… perhaps this could never have been avoided…

Azmur: Ah… Deirdre. Bless you… you truly are a sweet child. Even if I have little time left, you give me hope for Grannvale’s future… I can scarcely imagine when Kurth could have had as fine a daughter as you. But there is no doubt in my mind. None outside the royal House Belhalla possess the Brand that graces your brow. Whence did you come, my dear? Where in the world have you been all along…

(“In the woods, mostly. It turns out that isolating me from all men was a great idea and they should have put way more effort into it. I genuinely can’t be trusted.”)

Deirdre: I’m so sorry, Grandfather. I simply don’t remember. Try as I may, I simply cannot recall anything…

Azmur: Ah, forgive me, my dear. I know you have suffered more and longer than any of us.

Arvis: From the moment I found her wandering lost in the castle grounds, it was clear she had no memory of her past.  All she knew was her own name. The rest of her past is lost to her. At first I sought only to aid her out of sympathy, as any decent man would do, but before long love took root within me…

(HUUUUUUUUUUUUURK)

Arvis: With all due respect, Deirdre, not once did I suspect that you could possibly be the daughter of our late Prince Kurth.  

Azmur: I remember well the day you introduced her as the woman you wished to marry… I simply could not believe what I saw! At first sight I knew, perhaps as only family can. Precisely as I thought, beneath your circlet was the Brand of Naga. Lord Arvis, I trust you understand. Only a full-blooded heir to Saint Heim can rightfully wield the Book of Naga and release its true holy power. And the power of Naga is the only force able to repel the Dark Lord, Loptyr.  

Arvis: I am well aware of the legend, sire.

Azmur: The holy lineage of our lord Naga and Saint Heim must never perish! Deirdre, you must bear a son with all due haste!

(… Done. His name’s Seliph, I think he’s pushing two around this point?  That was easy! … Oh, wait, you mean a son with Arvis. In that case, HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRK)

Azmur: And should your son be so fortunate as to inherit Naga’s power… he shall be Prince of Grannvale, and inherit the throne when I am no more. Lord Arvis, until your son has grown into a man, you shall be his regent. Guide him well to adulthood. I trust you understand… cough!  Cough…

Well that was gross. Hurry, everyone, kill some shit to make me feel alive again. 

Oh, Ayra, you always know just how to cheer me up. Holyn, you could stand to be more like Ayra.  Now, on the eastern front, here’s where things get weird.

The enemy is not a big problem, the battle is almost won here. But Sigurd is not in place to talk to Byron.  So what I’m going to try (and if this doesn’t work I shall be so furious) is position him and two other people as a wall.

The idea… and this had better work… is that Byron will get get his turn first and run through my units, where the enemy will not be able to follow him. That jerk in the top corner is just a bandit, he won’t attack anyone while there’s a village to pilfer.

Okay.

Okay.

End turn!

(… Oh fucking score Byron will talk to Sigurd on his own.  I win!)

Sigurd: Father! Come, you mustn’t give in now!

Byron: No… there’s no hope left for me now… listen well, my son. Langbalt was Prince Kurth’s true killer. And Reptor is the one holding his leash… His Majesty must know the truth! I… death holds no fear for me. But I cannot die in peace not knowing if our honor shall be cleansed of these lies.

Sigurd: Rest assured, Father. Our good name will be cleared. I promise.  

Byron: Sigurd… I beg your forgiveness. It was my negligence which condemned you to this suffering…  Sigurd. Take this. It is Tyrfing… our exalted blade…

Sigurd: Tyrfing… but Father! Surely you will still need this!

Byron: Take it, Sigurd.. use it to… restore… our honor…

Sigurd: Father… please, hang on!  Father! … Father…  Why… why in the world did he have to… grrr… REPTOR! LANGBALT!  Mark my words!  You will pay dearly for all you’ve done!  

Ouch. But this is much better than not having him talk to Sigurd at all, in which case he still dies and his son never knows and doesn’t get his inheritance.  Unfortunately, Tyrfing is useless right now, because the blade is broken; we’ll need to have Sigurd rush back to the castle to fix it on our turn.  After, of course, axe jerks!

…. WHY’D YOU EQUIP THE BROKEN TYRFING, MAN?! A broken weapon can still work, mind you, but it will slow the unit down a ton and have a bare fraction of its attack power, so it’s a very dumb idea. Which, you know, makes sense.

Well, nothing else exciting happens on the enemy phase, so let’s start our turn right with some nice rampant slaughter. It does a body good!

I love it when an army comes together. And since Ayra, Holyn, and Erin are now on top of villages that are  out of the way for anyone else, I liberate them.

(He was married? … Not to his sister, right? God, I hate that I feel the need to ask that.)

Gossip Girl: His name’s,  er… Ares? Something like that. I feel pretty bad for the poor boy. He’s gotta be just three or four years old…

(I feel bad for him because his name is Ares, the douchiest Greek God. And they were all douches!)

Whiner: Argh, how did this world turn into such a savage place…

Info Master: You’ll often find that boys’ll take up their father’s traits more dominantly, while girls’ll be more strongly influenced by their mother’s.  

… So did we start playing Pokemon, or something?  Was that the secret to breeding a better Lapras? Whatever, the western front still has to fight. Almost forgot them!

Very nice! That little flashing screen there before Taillte finally gets some Magic was her also getting a Lover Critical for attacking while next to Lewyn. It doesn’t show up often, but it’s a thing of beauty when it does. Though, in fairness, Taillte also didn’t need it to end that fight quickly; like Ethlin before her, she’s ended up with weird stats, and one of them is that her speed is enormous.  She also has the skill Adept (Chance based on speed to double-attack) since promoting, and so   End turn!

Random Idiot: How could you have breached our front lines so quickly?  

Well, like that, mostly. Also, holy crap, the Shield Sword and a promotion have done Beowulf great help. He’s gone overnight from the army’s whipping boy to an unstoppable killing machine.  

…. Same can’t be said for Claude, though. God, I hate you, Claude.  Reset! I mostly recreate the prior turn, though not as well; Taillte decided that Magic growth was a one-time thing, and she gets +1HP and +1 Defense this time. Defense is still good for her, so hey.  Now, let’s see if this goes a little better?

… Am I being trolled?

Well, at least Claude survives. He might be bad at 90% of everything, but he’s got some killer Resistance. Now, let’s try to clear out the remaining enemies before something else fucks up.  

All right, good start. Also, Random Idiot’s name was Slayder!  I genuinely didn’t notice until I was killing him.  Good for you, Slayder.  

Beige is the most terrifying of colors. To show how scared I am, I have Bridget equip her holy bow and move into their range.  Hee. Hee. Hee.

…….. I mean, I was expecting more of a symbolic slaughtering, but all of your archers moving into my melee range and just stopping, is pretty good too.  Now, Aideen can’t kill Andre in one turn, so we can actually see him talk to both his sisters. Let’s go!

Andre: Your sins have soiled the honor of my House Jungby, and now, you must make your amends with your very life.

Aideen: Andre… what a pitiful man you’ve become.

(Awwwwwwwwwwwwwyeeeeeeeeah AIDEEN BURN.)

Literally. Bridget, your move!

Andre: No matter what it takes, you – the shame of my house – must be put to a timely death.

Bridget: ENOUGH!  You murdered your own father!  You, Andre, are the disgrace to Jungby’s honor, and to the good name of the Crusader Ullur!

… Isn’t Scorpius a Power Ranger villain…?

Bridget gains her brother’s power by eating his heart, and the rest of the team is now free to paint over the Beigenritter with a more interesting color. RED.  

Oooooh the terror of the Beigenritter. Now, nothing more to be done until we move on Langbalt directly, so I take a few turns here to let the western front move back over to meet up with the east, letting our whole army move at once. I won’t need them; Lubeck Castle has very little in terms of defense, just three generals and four ballistae, the real danger being Langbalt himself.  But dammit all, I put a lot of effort into promoting Arden, I’ll be damned if I’m leaving him behind for the main part of the map that opens after you take Lubeck. Oh, and, I have Sigurd sent home for a moment to visit the blacksmith…

Oh that is beautiful.  In addition to having the same high-end offense as all Holy Weapons, Tyrfing gives him a whopping 40 stat points, +10 each to Skill and Speed, and +20 to Resistance, which almost instantly turns him from somewhat vulnerable to mages to one of our best anti-mage units. Plus, it comes with the Miracle ability, meaning he gets a very sizable chance to dodge an attack that would kill him… not that there’s gonna be a lot of attacks likely to kill him while he’s holding Tyrfing.  

I love holy weapons.

Now, after we get everyone together again, it’s time to kick some ass on Langbalt.  There’s three generals out in front of his castle, and four ballistae to its east; two to the north and two to the south.  The southern ones are no issue, but the northern are below a cliff and can only be attacked by Erin (who shouldn’t be getting near ballistae!) or units with a ranged attack. I send Azel and Lachesis up to deal with them, which the rest of the army starts chipping at the generals.

One down!  The four ballistae all take shots at us on the enemy phase, but only one hits and Lachesis can take it.  And then she gets to counter with extreme prejudice when it’s our shot again.  

And that’s the end of the defenders.  However, like I said earlier, the real issue isn’t them. It’s this motherfucker.

Langbalt is actually really nasty considering he’s only the first boss of the chapter.  His stats are fine, but more dangerously he’s packing Major Neir holy blood and his family’s Holy Weapon, Helswath.  Like all Holy Weapons it has 30 attack, but it can attack at any range (so no cheesing him from a distance!) and boosts his defense and resistance by 20 and 10 points, respectively. Combine this with the fact he’s a Baron with the ever-obnoxious Pavise skill and is on a Castle, and he can be a serious pain to do real damage to if you get unlucky. As an upside, at least, It’s a very heavy weapon and slows him considerably, which mostly nullifies his evasion boost from fighting in the castle, but… I mean, he  only had average speed to start with.  The man has 41 defense and hits like a train, and that’s bad enough.  

Oh, and, obviously, there’s some special conversations to be had.  

1)     I’m getting a little sick of people calling us traitors while they’re literally in the middle of treason.

2)     God that combat result is sad.  Lex barely scratches his dad.

Maybe somebody a bit more legendary will have more luck. Siggy?

Langbalt: How perfect! I’ll reunite you with your dearly departed father. He ought to be lonely by now!

Sigurd: Langbalt… LANGBALT! You will pay for what you did to my father!

… Better, but still kind of sad. This is our uber-sword. The top sword of all swords. And we got a little under half his health.

Okay.

Time to stop fucking around.

Lewyn, Bitches. So cool he doesn’t need good levels anymore.  From here, all that’s left is to take the last few villages:

Oddly Happy Man: But the people of Isaach ain’t givin’ up hope. Prince Shanan’s still out there, and they know someday he’ll lead ‘em to freedom!

Okay, first of all, that day won’t be for awhile since he’s like 12, and second of all… where are we?  I know they mentioned Lubeck Castle was conquered by Grannvale pretty recently last chapter, and certainly this village is oddly chipper about Grannvale not being able to fully pacify one of their conquests, but it doesn’t seem to be part of Silesse either.  There’s no snow or pegasi.  

Oh, screw it.  One more village to go.

Captain Obvious: All they ever do these days is set their army on every country they can get their hands on.  Prince Kurth’d be utterly ashamed to know what’s become of his beloved Grannvale… you have to do something! I’m begging you… go to Grannvale! Take the country back from the wicked folk who are perverting all it holds dear!

Well. I mean. Considering we are the army they set on two of those countries, I think we have to.  Let’s take Lubeck and call it a week.  

(I hope not!  I think only Langbalt himself actually hit us more than once, unless you count Claude getting axed. And you should never count Claude.)  

Sigurd: Listen, Oifey, I need to ask something of you.

Oifey: Of course, sire. What is it?

Sigurd: As I recall, the territory of Isaach should be very close to the north-east of Lubeck.  From what I’ve heard, ever since Grannvale won the war, Isaach has been governed by Danaan, Langbalt’s eldest son. But I’d wager his influence has yet to reach much of the country, so…

Oifey: I beg your pardon, sire?!  Are you seriously asking me to abandon you for safety, now of all times? No! I refuse! I will not leave you, sire! I’m here for you no matter what, till I draw my last breath!

Sigurd: Oifey, listen.  I know this is a huge imposition, but please, hear me out. I… I don’t want to lose Seliph. He isn’t even two years old!  I can hardly fight with an infant in tow. Please, Oifey. Take care of Seliph. Take him and find refuge from this blasted war.  I know I can trust you, Oifey. You are my only hope.

(Heehee. Help me, Oifey-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.)

Oifey: Sire… I… very well. I’ll take Lord Seliph. I’ll protect him, no matter what happens. That said, you have to promise me.  Promise you’ll come for us as soon as the war is over. I won’t leave if you can’t promise that.

Sigurd: Of course. I swear it.

(Yeah, well, you also promised Sigurd you would look after Deirdre, and you fucked that up, so forgive me if I don’t put a lot of weight in your promises.)

Shanan: I won’t hand him over to anyone, not even Oifey, until Deirdre says I can!

Sigurd: Calm down, Shanan. I know you’re still hurt about losing Deirdre, but it’s okay. He’ll be fine with Oifey.

Shanan: No! I need to protect Seliph! … And you’re forgetting that the people of Isaach won’t exactly be happy to see more Grannvaleans! Oifey along won’t last a minute there, but if I’m there it’ll be okay. Who better to protect Seliph in Isaach than the prince of Isaach? Please…

(Sigurd: Outwitted by a ten year old.)

Oifey: Now that he mentions it, sire, I would be a tad more at ease if Shanan was there as well. I know you’re reluctant to involve someone so young in something so dangerous, but I think we can agree he’s become a talented warrior.

(… He has?)

Oifey: Not to mention, I’ll need Shanan to secure the people’s support.  

Sigurd: Hm… I’m sorry to burden you more, Shanan, but please… take care of Seliph for me.

Shanan: Leave it to me! I’m gonna keep getting stronger, and nobody’ll ever hurt Seliph! I’ll teach him all about Deirdre, too, but… I wonder how he’ll take what happened…

Oifey: I… suppose we should set out, then. Farewell, sire. Take care of yourself. I pray victory and clemency find you as soon as possible.

Sigurd: Thank you, Oifey. Be careful out there.

Oifey: Yes, sir!

Sigurd: Seliph… I’m so sorry. Please, grow up safe and strong.

Well. It only took us... I think the game timeline has been three years so far?... it only took us three years to realize we shouldn’t be bringing children to war, and so I think we’ll call it a week here. Check in next week for when someone brings some children to war.  

Resets: 19. I hope you’re proud of yourself, CLAUDE.

Part 14