Part 61: Paralogue 1: Sickle to Sword
Paralogue 1: Sickle To Sword
We'll enter Farfort for a side-quest.
Slow down. What happened? 
Oy! There's the wee piglet!...Great. Bandits. What's this? A little lordling come to watch over his chattel? Haw haw ha-
Ah, damn me! Sh-Shepherds! That's right. So, what'll it be? Run and live? Or fight and die?
Rrgh! *flees* Quickly, lad. What happened here?
Maybe just hold off on titles for now. What's your name?
Donny. Er, that is, Donnel....Your majestyful. I live in the village just beyond, sir.
I guess that'll do. Now, what happened?
That rotton-toothed, pig-stinkin' bandit you just ran off attacked us! Er, pardon my language, Your Lordliness. I'm the only one what got away, and even then just barely. They were roundin' up the others to haul 'em off to a bandit camp...
Please, sir! You gots to save them folks! My ma's one of 'em, and...She's all I got in this world! Please, Your Royal Highness! This blasted war seems to spawn more evils by the day. All right, Donny. We'll save your ma. Can you lead us to her?
Aw, thank you, milord! Thank you! Just follow me, Your Sirness!*cut to night at the enemy camp*
On the grave of my sainted mother, I swear it. It was Chrom and his Shepherds, and no mistake!
Heh heh heh. A fancy lord'll fetch a high ransom from noble folk. We'll have the little man squealin' for mercy in no time!
We got nothin' left to take, sirs! Please, let our children go!
Quit yer bleatin'!
Oy, Roddick! I think this cow's the mum of the brat what ran away.
...Say, I know this one. You're the wife of the man what broke my rib last time were 'ere!
And you killed him for it, monsters! I wish he'd one for you first... Small wonder the brat's got more brass than brains if you're his mum. Guess we'll see for ourselves when we catch him, eh? Maybe we'll even make ya watch as we gut him! Bwa ha ha! N-no! Please, he's just a boy!*Cut to outside the camp*
Er...right. Thanks, Donny stay close, now. Beg pardon, milord? You don't mean...? I...I can't fight, sir! I ain't never even stuck a pig before! Oh, sorry. I just assumed...I mean...Look, just stay here. You'll be fine. I wish I was strong as you sirs and madams! Kick that scum out single handed, I would! Then you should fight and grow stronger. But I ain't- No man is born a warrior, Donny. And farm work makes for fine training-a sickle's not far from a sword, after all. Bandits may be tougher than wheat, but the principle's the same. Ngh...*sniff* Al-all right, milord. As you say, I'm no warrior. But these're my people. I gots to do what I can!
R-ready! *ulp*
Lots of axe users and archers here. The biggest threats in this map are actually the thieves, which you'll see in a bit.
Miriel, Virion, and Frederick are out. Fred being out kinda hurts because the enemies are at a point where Fred can be thrown in the fray with a Bronze Sword and weaken everyone for kills.
We're going to switch the starting map positions so that Stahl and Kellam can block out the lower entrance. Their combined Def should be adequate for them to be isolated.
I sure hope I don't get in the way! Gosh, that would be just awful...
Donny has a unique recruitment condition. Now, you might think that getting a level should be easy for him since all you have to do is give him about 3 kills, right?
Those stats, that Skill, that base Spd! Well, he has good Lck but everything else is horrible! He'll get doubled by everything, so never ever let him touch actual combat for this mission unless he's doing the killing blow.
Kellam pairs up with Stahl and plugs the bottom entrance with Iron Sword in hand.
This Thief is definitely the biggest trouble in this mission. That incredible Spd means he's going to double just about everyone save for Sumia and Chrom. Plus, he has the Underdog ability which grants +15 hit/avoid against any character with a higher level (This is almost everyone on our team).
Lissa pairs up with her favorite
Wow, Mag! Only took you like forever (reminder that we gained all of 2 Mag throughout 6 levels, despite our Asset being said Magic).
Chrom gets Vaike's support and runs up to finish off the Barbarian.
Sully gets boosted by Sumia's Spd bonus to avoid being doubled and hides in the woods for defensive stats. Donny will hide on the edge of the enemies' range.
Robin gets attacked by the Thief, and you can see how powerful he is thanks to his high Spd and Underdog. Keep in mind this is WITH woods bonus.
And then she gets attacked by the Archer. Woods are really saving her right now.
Meanwhile, Team Wall is doing just fine on their blockade. Stahl gets a level-up for his troubles and C-rank Swords.
Excellent, that gives an extra +1 Def for Kellam when he becomes the lead-unit.
A couple enemies move up to us, and it's our turn again. This enemy Thief will run straight for the top chest and run away with it. Despite this, the game gives you enough time to progress through and get the treasure.
Robin carefully places herself over the Archer and then snipes the Thief into oblivion. Thiefs give extra EXP when killed, so Robin shoots from 32 EXP all the way to a new level.
I hate you so much.
Kellam sets up a situation where he can kill two birds with one stone on the enemy phase.
Here's the secret to easily leveling up Donny, even on Lunatic: surround Archers. This map is basically made for him getting easy levels with how many Archers there are. You actually want him to not kill them immediately because he gets about 10 EXP per hit.
No one's looking because you're murdering all the witnesses, Kellam.
Chrom gives Donny an appropriate Pitchfork. Donny then kills off the Archer.
The rest of the team moves forward, with Sully switching Partners so Lissa can heal Robin up.
This might be her first bad level. Robin would know about bad levels, wouldn't she?
Stahl camps in the pillar (Basically woods) and gulps down a Vulnerary. He takes a puny 3 damage on the enemy phase, thank to weapon triangle and a massive 15 total Def.
Pictured: Donny attempting combat with actual enemies
Kellam will draw in and weaken all the enemies on the far left, while Sully takes over the pillar and finishes off the Barbarian. She gets a Door Key from his corpse.
Robin moves next to Sully and transfers back Lissa to then separate from her for a Heal next turn. The rest of the team moves forward and ends.
Sully gets a nice counter-kill and a level-up.
How the hell is everyone else gaining Mag except Robin?? Even Virion got Mag!
The Thief opens the door, which is actually good because it saves us a Door Key.
Kellam just heavily damaged 3 units while taking 0 damage in the process. That's what he does.
Lissa heals Robin fully, then Kellam takes advantage of his defense and safely attacks the second Thief.
Behold, overkill Dual Guard!
Donny pairs up with Robin and hides just below the enemy range. Chrom and Sully plug up the path to protect Lissa.
Not too worried. Killer Lance is a 10 Mt weapon with a wicked 30 Crit. It only requires a C rank in lances, too.
The bottom Thief suicides into Kellam, and he gains all the good stats. 14 Def this early in the game blocks out a huge number of enemies.
This will be used shortly.
Sully gets attacked by a Barbarian and gets a one-round kill thanks to Sumia's assistance.
Another Barbarian, another kill though this time Sully got hit hard.
No, you can't.
Ehhhhh too close of a call.
Lissa is just so busy today. The rest of the team surrounds the Archer for Donny's next victim.
Kellam starts the assault on the retreating Thief.
The Donnel plan continues with Sully healing herself, then Donny taking another kill.
Don't even understand how that works.
Killer Lance obtained.
2. freakin. strength out of 6 levels.
The team gets banged up a bit, but at this point the map is firmly in control. Now the rest is just feeding kills for Donny.
Robin crits for victory.
Lissa heals Sully, then the rest back off as Kellam baits another Archer to his doom.
Sully gains a bit of WEXP.
Whatcha got?
Oh, I like you Donnel. Donny's Villager ability is Aptitude, which increases all his growths by 20%. These types of levels are very common for him.
A couple turns pass as Donny pokes the Archer until it dies. Lissa heals enough for another level.
Why won't Magic people actually grow Mag....
Another trap for Donny to feed off.
Looking pretty good there, Donny boy! The Archer drops a Chest Key.
Donny goes up and opens the chest for a Rescue Staff. This staff is an E rank staff that lets the owner teleport any character within range (Mag/2) next to them. It has 5 uses and always gives around 30-40 EXP per use.
Kellam baits and weakens the last Barbarian grunt.
The Vaike swoops in and takes the kill. He gained Lck and Def for the last two stats.
*several turns later*
The beast hungers.
Team sets up for one last bait-and-kill.
Sully unequips to prevent any Dual Strikes so Sumia can double exactly down to 1.
Goddamnit Donny, you're off the team
Robin safely hits Roddick with Thunder.
Then the rest of the team surrounds her so she doesn't get Critical'ed. Robin kills anyway with a Crit of her own.
Well, of course she gets defense, because that's as likely as Mag apparently.
Stahl's name first is a travesty.
A worthy first victory, Donny. You fought well.*Donny reunites with his ma*
Oh, Donny! Thank goodness you're safe! I was worried near to death, boy! I can't thank you enough for savin' my son and our village, milord....Donny! Where are your manners?! Take a knee and thank His Lordliness! Er, I can't begin to repay all what you done for us, Sir! Th-thank you! You led the charge, Donny. We just picked off the stragglers. Hone your potential and use it to keep this village safe. W-wait! Please! Something wrong? I has a request, sir. If it please Your Graceliness....Take me with you, milord! Lemme be a Shepherd like you! I'm good with livestock, I am! Please, sir! Hush now, you fool boy! I wan to hone my...whatever he said. I want to keep this place safe! I never thought I was good for nothin' more than shovelin' dirt...But milord showed me there's more I can do. More I needs to be doing! You needs be knowin' your place, boy! A farmhand's no fit for a royal- Actually, we'd be trilled to have him. The Shepherds need every good man we can find, and your son fought bravely. Y-you're very kind to say as much, Lord Lordshipness, but...*Siiigh* Well, you're a man grown now, Donny. Is'pose you can make up your own mind. Aw, Ma......You just come home safe, love. I'll see that the village is still standin' when you return a hero....Well?! Off with you, then! Glory's waitin', boy! I ain't fightin' for glory, Ma. I'm fightin' for you! But if I do find some glory, I'll be sure to bring it home for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eJD8Pc56lk
extras
Donnel
Starting Class: Villager
Weapon rank: Lance (E)
Abilities:
-Apptitude: Increase all growths by 20%
Base Stats (Growth Rates, with Aptitude)
HP-16 (105%) Spd-3 (70%)
Str-4 (75%) Lck-11 (100%)
Mag-0 (35%) Def-3 (65%)
Skill-2 (65%) Res-0 (40%)
Donnel is what Fire Emblem would call an "Est" archetype. These are weak characters that, once given enough EXP, become one of the best party members in the group. It might not seem like it, but Donny is a lot better than he is because the Villager class has the worst class bases in the game. It's down the line when it comes to promotions and seals, but Donny will in most cases be the first to cap his stats and do it at a much faster rate than anyone else.
Official Bio: A villager from a remote corner of Ylisse who came to the fight with little more than farming experience. However, he is eager to learn and shows a great deal of promise. The one with the curliest hair.