#in general whatever happened in Adrestia is completely eluded or ignored

[randomnameless]

I can't believe I missed your post :'(

Post timeskip, they go through the motions of starting a sword fight, but then just kinda… stop and… part ways… Not sure if Edelgard’s rather under-played delivery is part of the issue.

Yep, for the crux of the emotional roller coaster the devs wanted to pull... this is pretty shallow -

i am a bit biased, but if you build a house on shaky foundations, it's going to crumble, and it's the same here - why would/should the player feel upset aout fighting her, when she effectively declared her war and is the reason why Billy was sleeping for 5 years?

Welcome to Fodlan's Post Timeskip, which can be called an alternate universe at this point : plot threads are dropped faster than a bowling ball - characters do not react to the plot, and we're stuck in a marshmallow of a spectacle, with the game sometimes, through musics and forced dialgues, tells us how we should feel, regardless of whatever happened in the first part of the game (White Clouds).

Man, her dad looks very ill. The implication of her dialogue is that it’s because of the “burden of the throne” but eeeeh

Bear in mind poor Ionius is yeeted out from 3 Hopes, and he was supposed to have died shortly after this scene in the FE16 canon iirc.

Some people surmised he had some link or another to the experiments Edel herself suffered (maybe he tried to be a test subject) but given how Ionius's plan, before being defanged by his nobles, was to concentrate power on himself, I suppose he didn't caught that "illness" yet when he was making those plans?

Normally, the archbishop should act as a witness to the ceremony, though iirc the original JP script just had "bishop"...?

The Church of Seiros and Adrestia were supposed to be super close a long time ago (Seiros helped Wilhelm, the first Emperor, to create Adrestia after all!), but the relationships between the Empire and the Church became more and more, uh, distant with the years.

"By the covenant between the red blood and the white sword”

I swear at first I didn't catch the dick/sword joke, but then, I cannot unsee it anymore

Both Hubert in their support and Ionius IX here frame it as Edelgard being “stolen away to the Kingdom” but like, no, her mom took her there? And from what I understand, Edelgard was perfectly fine there. The real issue was when Thales posing as Arundel brought her back. But it seems that Edelgard doesn’t actually remember that stuff, so are they purposefully lying to her?

IIRC it wasn't her mother who took her there, but her Uncle (the real one before being Thales'd).

Now, the game is never explicit about the events that transpired back then - Hubert and Ionius have one version, from AM we learn another version from Cornelia about Anselma/Patricia's (Edel's mom) POV while Edel herself never comments about those events.

Presumably, Volkhard tried to put his niece to safety during the events of the Insurrection - but who was also heavily implied to have prioritised his son over 1000 years of inherited loyalty during the Insurrection? Arundel and Vestra Sr (Hubert's dad) both put the safety of children first over their loyalty to Ionius, and turned against him.

Now, why did they do this... was Ionius going to harm children (even his own daughter???), or were they afraid they could die during the Insurrection (but then, Ferdinand never left Enbarr while being his father's heir)... We will never know.

As for who is lying to who, in SS you can unlock the Ferdinand/Lysithea (i know) paralogue, where they basically tell you another version of the Insurrection, rather, they give a more nuanced POV about Duke Aegir, the former Prime Minister, than the one Edel always gives... Again, the games never do anything with this, but given how Edel was able to forgive and ultimately turn the other conspirators (Caspar's dad, Linhardt's dad) to her side, but had Aegir Sr immediately arrested, I guess she and her dad really don't like Duke Aegir. Why? Whoever knows.

Edelgard’s first act: putting Duke Aegir in his place and basically imprisoning him in the palace (?)

Yep, he is immediately jailed. In 3 Hopes he has a bit more spotlight (even if he never reveals his reasons for turning against Ionius) and the Ferdie paralogue has basically him escape from his jail, only to run away and happen on an angry mob...

Also, idk if you've noticed it, but during the entire cutscene, but especially when Aegir is arrested, Edel is flanked by at least two soldiers/generals.

Ionius IX and Edelgard both keep referring to how the fate of Fodlan is in her hands now, which is kind of lol given that she’s technically only taking over one of three countries in Fodlan

:)

I made an earlier Lion King meme about it, but both Edel and her dad really miss that time when Adrestia ruled over Fodlan, as so, they both want to return to those days and thus, conquer the rest of Fodlan to make it all "Adrestian" again.

To both Ionius and Edel, the other countries don't exist, they are parts of Fodlan who should, and will, be part of Adrestia.

evil henchguy states clearly that they’re here to take the Crest Stones, and also the bones. Oh boy!

So many discourse could have been avoided if people bothered to notice Metodey explicitely mentionned the bones because both Edel and Metodey most likely know what they are stealing, they're not only stealing shiny rocks, but also bones of dead beings to use them as weapons.

Obviously, Rhea's not happy about this, even if the delivery of her line vastly differs between the ENG dub and the JP dub (in the jp version, Rhea's more panicked!).

She’s their Emperor, so by disobeying her, they’re functionally all traitors. In general, I’m surprised we do battle with her initially and only choose whether to side with her after being ordered to kill her directly

Oh I never thought about this under this angle!

Yes, she could basically have told them to drop their weapons else she'll consider them traitors to the Empire!

But tbh, the main focus of that scene was the Flamey reveal - Edel might be their Emperor, but she is also the figure that has been trying to kill them (and killed peons+Jeralt) for the last year - so maybe the game thought that those characters (the BE members) would of course fight against the Flame Emperor, regardless of their identity? And if they were truly on the Flame Emperor's hitlist or opposed Edel's plans as the Flame Emperor, they are already opposing the Emperor, thus already traitors?

Edelgard never really tries to recruit you and isn’t at all surprised that you stand against her. Ngl, I expected a “join me and we can rule the galaxy together” pitch

It's explained in more details in Crimson Flower, but basically she expected Byleth to side with Rhea because Byleth is, at this point for her at least, a non-human, and non-humans would of course side with each other.

(regardless of the other reasons Byleth might have to refuse to join her, but that's never brought up in CF)

all the BE kids are like “so what if she’s the Emperor, we’re just gonna do our own thing” but without actually confronting what they’re doing. (Update: Hubert at least obliquely threatens Ferdinand if you attack him, with “you have people you care about in the empire, right? think about what’ll happen to them if you stand with the Church”)

Petra's paralogue changes, if you are in CF or if you are not - in the non CF routes, she has to help Brigid fighters against Imperial troops who are, uh, stationned there - but in CF, you have to kill Church soldiers who tried to ask Brigid not to join forces/be a puppet of the Empire, in the non CF routes, Hubert mentions a "diplomatic errand" to Brigid and is here to remind whoever is fighting against him that Brigid is a vassal of the Empire...

But she says so, so it must be true! /s

Church wants to rule Fodlan!” and “Church split up the empire to make kingdom and alliance, all to set us against each other” which, I cannot emphasize enough, doesn’t really come across as an issue when there’s no major history of conflict between the nations. The only actual post-independence conflict was the Hrym-Ordelia business which barely gets mentioned and is also the Empire’s own fault…

The gold and extravagance thing is just nonsense too.

The Church had no say in the Crescent Moon War (the War where the Alliance became a thing) and... in the DLC, you have a novel set in the early days of the Empire where "northerners" being torn apart by wild beasts was a spectacle for wealthy Adrestians. Sure, it's a novel so it might not totally be close to reality, but you just have to wonder why this was left here... Faerghus started a war of independance, killed defeated the Emperor of that time but, instead of marching on Enbarr, asked to be recognised as a country, and the CoS accepted it.

Of course, this sparked 3 (4?) years of discourse in certain areas but... yep, that war speech is rich, especially coming from the person who assured her Dad that she was going to look after "Fodlan" and not only the country she inherits - who wants to rule over Fodlan ? The Church?

Seteth says that Edelgard “demanded her own father relinquish the throne” but like… I was at her coronation. They either got lazy copy-pasting dialogue from other routes or assumed you’d totes side with her if you saw that scene

Seteth most likely only heard hearsays - even if, in a way, she did ask her dad for the crown?

Granted, like I noted above, the fact that several soldiers were at her side during this coronation imo doesn't make me believe she "demanded" the crown from her father, but "demanded, backed up by an army" power over the Empire to Aegir, who was supposed to have it, and he couldn't refuse.

However, this is just conjecture since nothing that happened in this scene, or in Adrestia in general, is developed in the Post TS.

Rhea in particular fluctuates between clearly considering Sothis her mother and her loss as a very personal one, and speaking of Sothis as her goddess and a much more detached authority figure

Ah for this I can reply!

The devs gave an interview in early 2020 about it, Rhea doesn't only want Sothis back because Sothis is her mother, but first and foremost, she wants Sothis back because Sothis is the Progenitor God :

Kusakihara: Actually, in the beginning cutscene, there is a one-cut of Sothis looking down, and it was for that, a character design sheet for her was needed. As for Rhea’s tenacity, there is actually stuff that was written that did not make it in. For Rhea, Sothis is not just her mother, but also the Creator, and therefore she has goals beyond just wanting to meet her mother. This is the foundation of Rhea’s mind/heart

You'll see it in more details (uh, iirc it's only one line) at the end of SS, but basically, Rhea thinks she can recover "everything" she has lost if Sothis returns.

Dimitri has mysteriously come to the conclusion that Edelgard is responsible for Duscur.

I don't remember that plot point very well and jury's still out whether some events happening in other routes also happen here, but Dimitri had his doubts about the Flame Emperor, and in AM, there is a special event where he basically witnesses Thales saying to the Flame Emperor that Duscur was done for her sake.

time to kill off some children. I want no one coming to the promise day.

aww, no paralogues then?

They have creepy masks and hold “Pointy Art(ificial) Crest Stones” which are “artificial Crest Stones with a distorted shape, produced in the Empire.” They have enormous wings that are even a barrier ability (lol) and are noted as being very swift.

Agarthans and Imperial scientists refined the results Solon got with random students making random black beasts, and managed to get some with wings!

Granted, we don't know how many "tries" it took them to reach that new prototype, nor how many people died in the attempt. Worry not though, the game never gives a fuck about demonic beasts.

In his real form lmao, wonder if anyone noticed how their commander changed out for another dude somewhere along the line

Apparently no one caught Rhea transforming, too, so maybe no one was really paying attention to them?

OK, onto SS choice and the timeskip!

Due to when they let you save, I've actually played into the very start of the war phase, so I'll just say it here. I was kind of disappointed by how limp-wristed the whole Edelgard situation is? I expected some more "join me and we shall rule Fodlan" kind of thing, but Edelgard is very neutral and almost disinterested about it. Oh, you're not joining her? Oh well.

The Byleth relationship with Claude is rather detached because he has so little stakes in Fodlan and keeps hiding his actual background and motives for so long, but like the tradeoff is that they have no actual beef or conflict and just cooperate well. I kind of thought Edelgard would be more emotionally charged in some way and she... isn't really? Post timeskip, they go through the motions of starting a sword fight, but then just kinda... stop and... part ways... Not sure if Edelgard's rather under-played delivery is part of the issue. I'm not saying her voice actress is bad, but she doesn't really sell the character imo.

Anyway, I am as ever unimpressed by Edelgard.

Live blogging notes:

Edelgard going to Enbarr to be crowned is a secret.

Man, her dad looks very ill. The implication of her dialogue is that it's because of the "burden of the throne" but eeeeeh

Normally, the archbishop should act as a witness to the ceremony, though iirc the original JP script just had "bishop"...?

"By the covenant between the red blood and the white sword"

Man... Both Hubert in their support and Ionius IX here frame it as Edelgard being "stolen away to the Kingdom" but like, no, her mom took her there? And from what I understand, Edelgard was perfectly fine there. The real issue was when Thales posing as Arundel brought her back. But it seems that Edelgard doesn't actually remember that stuff, so are they purposefully lying to her?

It seems like Ionius IX saw his children experimented on. Edelgard mentions seeing him clench his fists until they bled.

Edelgard's first act: putting Duke Aegir in his place and basically imprisoning him in the palace (?)

Ionius IX and Edelgard both keep referring to how the fate of Fodlan is in her hands now, which is kind of lol given that she's technically only taking over one of three countries in Fodlan.

Oh, interesting. In GD (and I believe BL), you fight the Flame Emperor in the Tomb and then break their mask, revealing Edelgard. But here, Edelgard walks in as herself from the beginning and willingly reveals her identity.

Her wehehe evil henchguy states clearly that they're here to take the Crest Stones, and also the bones. Oh boy!

It's interesting that Edelgard can't just order her classmates to stand down. She's their Emperor, so by disobeying her, they're functionally all traitors. In general, I'm surprised we do battle with her initially and only choose whether to side with her after being ordered to kill her directly.

Despite what I kind of expected, Edelgard never really tries to recruit you and isn't at all surprised that you stand against her. Ngl, I expected a "join me and we can rule the galaxy together" pitch. Kinda disappointed...

Yeah, all the BE kids are like "so what if she's the Emperor, we're just gonna do our own thing" but without actually confronting what they're doing. (Update: Hubert at least obliquely threatens Ferdinand if you attack him, with "you have people you care about in the empire, right? think about what'll happen to them if you stand with the Church")

Edelgard's big speech is like "Church wants to rule Fodlan!" and "Church split up the empire to make kingdom and alliance, all to set us against each other" which, I cannot emphasize enough, doesn't really come across as an issue when there's no major history of conflict between the nations. The only actual post-independence conflict was the Hrym-Ordelia business which barely gets mentioned and is also the Empire's own fault... The gold and extravagance thing is just nonsense too.

Oh, lmao. Seteth says that Edelgard "demanded her own father relinquish the throne" but like... I was at her coronation. They either got lazy copy-pasting dialogue from other routes or assumed you'd totes side with her if you saw that scene.

The tone Rhea and Seteth take in regard to the "progenitor god" is a bit weird because Rhea in particular fluctuates between clearly considering Sothis her mother and her loss as a very personal one, and speaking of Sothis as her goddess and a much more detached authority figure.

Ferdinand says that half of the six big noble families declared support for Edelgard. Hubert's dad was assassinated, Bernie's dad is under house arrest and his wife is siding with Edelgard in his stead, and Ferdie's dad his been stripped of his PM position, his rank, and his lands.

Huh, a bunch of the church units auto-recruited.

You can recruit Hilda here, though I don't have enough of... probably axe ranks.

Dimitri has mysteriously come to the conclusion that Edelgard is responsible for Duscur. The month before, his explore dialogue was about how he hasn't been sleeping.

Anyway, time to kill off some children. I want no one coming to the promise day.

It is unexpectedly hard. Normal mode is so easy you have to be trying to lose on purpose, and even then it's hard to do.

The battle starts with the enemy already within the walls (Outer Wall on the map location). The Church is holding out for reinforcements that come in through the left and right entrances, but they are first taken by Imperial forces (Death Knight on the left, Hubert on the right), which have to be cleared out.

There are "Onagers" (basically catapults) that archers can use to fire in the town and "Fire Orbs" that mages can use next to the monastery inner walls.

There are two Winged Demonic Beasts with the Imperial forces. They have creepy masks and hold "Pointy Art(ificial) Crest Stones" which are "artificial Crest Stones with a distorted shape, produced in the Empire." They have enormous wings that are even a barrier ability (lol) and are noted as being very swift.

Rhea's class is Archbishop, she's using the Sword of Seiros (which is also mentioned in the class description lol) and Seiros Shield (interesting point: halves monster damage). She's got A in sword, reason, faith, and leadership, B in fists, but nothing in axes or bows, and only a D in lances. Her abilities include Sacred Power (gives boost to allies and lowers damage taken) and Charm. Walking buff point, I see.

After we repel them, Edelgard sends in the reserve troops and signals Arundel (Thales). (He comes in with more Demonic Beasts and also attacks Byleth and Rhea with dark magic... in his real form lmao, wonder if anyone noticed how their commander changed out for another dude somewhere along the line.)

I saw this before, but why does Claude fight with a sword in cutscenes? Sword here and sword in the Fort Mercius scene against Nader too. Also, funny that he and Dimitri are hanging out together for some reason.

Note that Byleth swings and extends the Sword of the Creator with enough force to shatter a Demonic Beast's mask and bodily throw it off the Immaculate One. Like, dang... those things are big and heavy??