Part 5: Shepherds

Chapter 2: Shepherds


Music: Here we are! The Shepherds' Garrison



Here we are! The Shepherds' garrison.

Go on, make yourself at home.

*Robin looks around*



Oh, hey, Maribelle!

"Oh, hey" yourself! I've sprouted 14 gray hairs fretting over you!

Aw, you worry too much. I can handle a battle or two! ...Although I could do without the bugs and the bear barbecue.



I bet he had a rough time out there without ol' Teach and his trusty axe!

Oh, so you're "Teach" now, Vaike, is that it? Hee hee! And here I thought people were just born lacking wits. It can be taught?

Ha! Never doubt the Vaike!

...Wait, was that an insult?

Beg pardon, but when might we see the captain?

Poor Sumia. She's simply beside herself with concern...Her eyes were scanning the horizon all day during training....She might have earned fewer bruises fighting blindfolded.

Aw, Sumia, that's so sweet of you to worry about Chrom.

Worry? Well, I...He's our captain and our prince-of course I'd worry!

So, who's the stranger?



She just joined the Shepherds. Chrom's made her our new tactician.

You should see all the tricks she's got up her sleeve!

Oh yeah? Can she do this? *buuuuuurp*



In any case, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintances.

Ugh, Vaike! That was abhorrent! Must you baseborn oafs pollute even the air with your buffoonery?

And you, Robin! Don't encourage him! I'd hoped you were cut from finer cloth! Hmph! *leaves*

Don't take it to heart, Robin. Maribelle warms to people slowly.

Or burns too quickly! Hee hee! But yeah, just give her time.

*Chrom arrives*



How the hell....

Sumia! Are you all right? ...Those boots of yours again?

No! I mean, yes! I mean...*sigh*

All right, listen, everyone: in the morning, we'll be marching to Regna Ferox.

Regna Ferox?

A unified kingdom to Ylisse's north. Inhabited by barbarians, so it's said.

Warriors are what they are, and we'll need their strength to quell this new menace. Typically, the exalt would request such aid in person. But given recent events...Well, the people might worry should my sister suddenly leave the capital. So the task has been passed to us.

Now, this mission is strictly voluntary. So if, for any-

I volunteer!

Me too! You'll be needin' ol' Teach along for such a delicate mission!

I'll go as well....What? I've been here the whole time!

I...I, um...

Yes, Sumia?

It's just that...I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a proper mission just yet. I'd probably just get in the way.

Well, you could stay behind the main group, and if a battle is met, just watch and learn? Your choice, of course. But some lessons can only be learned on the battlefield.

W-well, if you think it wise, Captain.

Just stay by me and you'll be fine.

Oh, yes! I mean-Yes, sir, I'll do that!

*cut to the Northroad*



W-wait for me!

Stahl?

Music: The Vaike never forgets! I just don't always remember

Why am I the last to hear about this expedition to Ferox?

Huh? Vaike was supposed to...

Vaike! Did you forget to tell Stahl about our mission?

The Vaike never forgets!...I just don't always remember, is all...

Ugh...I swear, you'd forget your own name if you weren't constantly saying it yourself! Speaking of which, are you SURE you remembered your axe this time?

Hey! That was one time!...Okay, twice, but training sessions don't count. Anyway, I got it right here. Teach is loaded and ready for action!

Glad to have you along, Stahl, ol' buddy.

That makes one of us. I was in such a hurry, I had to miss breakfast! There were muffins, and cakes, and...Well, I can tell you all about it while we march...

Your name is Stahl, right?



Hello, Robin. Miriel told me we had a new Shepherd.

Er, Miriel's one of our mages. She should catch up soon.

*cut to the battlefield*



"Risen?"

We needed a name for this new threat, so the council gave them one.



Mya ha! They'll rememebr ME once I drive my axe into their...

Wait...My axe. Where's my axe?! I had it a second ago!

Vaike, this is no time for jokes...

I'm serious! It's gone, but I JUST had it! It's got to be around here somewhere...

Keep to the rear, then! The battle is nigh!



All weapons have strengths and weakness to bear in mind. Lance have an advantage over swords, for example, while swords best axes. We'll want to work this into our strategy whenever possible.



All right, more new party members. Stahl is another Cavalier, with his weapon rank edging towards a sword user. Fire Emblem usually throws a red and green Cavalier at you to accompany the Lord character, with the red being the speedster and the green one being a high Str unit.



Vaike has high Str, and his Support Bonus gives out high Str and Def. Unfortunately for the Vaike, that's all he'll be doing since he lost his weapon.



Enemy Range shows us a safe zone for the 1st turn, so non-combatants like Lissa can avoid being attacked.



Chrom will park in the woods to stack Def and bait out the left side. Lissa will pair-up with Robin and stay at the top of the T.



The Vaike will fortify Stahl as they camp out on the woods on the right.



Virion and Sully join again and hang out at the bottom. The enemy advances.



Look at all that Def stacking at work.



Stahl, not so much, but hey he's only level 2.

*Miriel arrives*



Hmm? Is that an axe? Why yes it is...Perhaps someone mislaid it?

I'd not thought such dereliction permissible among the Shepherds.

Oh goddamnit, Vaike. It was literally just a few tiles away from the left.

Still, I'd be remiss to not return this implement to its owner. Perhaps along with a stern word or two of disapprobation!



Miriel is our first Mage, a dedicated Tome user. Mages come with Magic +2, which makes her as powerful as Robin in stats (although that sounds less impressive after the growths Robin had...).



Sully starts to clean up the left side with a kill.



Chrom and Stahl tag-team on the remaining left Soldier.



Lissa's been a little neglected so she's going to start healing every tiny cut and bruise here. Miriel moves up for the next counterattack.



The remaining bottom enemies target Chrom, which he came out relatively unscathed.



Miriel starts her first bout with a Fire spell. Fire is 1 Mt weaker than Thunder, though the beginning enemies don't have much Res to tell the difference.



Sully finishes off another enemy, and gains a level for her troubles. More Str and Spd is never a bad thing.



Stahl gets the 2nd kill of this turn, and gains D rank for swords.



That's three. Having a C Support with Fred increases the chance of a Dual Attack and Dual Guard, which makes it safer for Chrom to bait out future attacks.



OH MY GOD, STRENGTH



I tried to play it smart and plan a kill on the enemy phase, but Robin decided 89% isn't high enough to hit.



Might I advise patience, milord? Robin is a fine tactician, but we have been working her mercilessly. Even the best of us needs rest.

Yes, of course. I'm sorry.

Perhaps Robin would prefer we choose our own actions at times.

But how will we know?

We could use a simple command that lets us fight on our own. So long as Robin realizes such a strategy does not guarantee victory. Acting as we see fit may not always lead us to the best course of action.



Auto-battle essentially makes your units play like the enemy AI. I'm going to save you time: Don't. The only time it's worth it is if you're absolutely sure your units won't die no matter what you do, so save it for map grinding or something. Do not use Auto-battle for actual battles.



Anyways, Lissa heals Chrom and gains her first level. A good one, actually.



Stahl kills the last enemy south of the bridge and gains some good stats. Spd especially is nice for Stahl.



Chrom hit the Event Tile for a quick 30 EXP. The Shepherds heal up and begin their final charge into the second pack of enemies. But before that...



I wondered what manner of ignoramus would mislay their weapon. Now I know.

Thanks, Miriel! ...Er, for the axe, anyway.

Perhaps next time I'll use a spell to fasten it to your hands...permanently.



Stahl and Chrom will take the brunt of the wave since they have the highest Def on the team.



Or...maybe they just outright kill the enemies. That works too.



Miriel pairs up with Robin for a super magic unit and waits, while Chrom and Stahl wall out the remaining enemies.



Miriel starts the mop-up with a blast, and picks up a free Iron Sword from the fried corpse.

Hmph. Finders, keepers. He won't be needing it anymore.

Some items will drop after you defeat the enemy. These will be marked in green font in their inventory, so always scout on the enemies because some are designed to run away from you ASAP.



Stahl moves ahead and kills another Risen to clear space. That Iron Lance will be a nice toy for Sully.



Hey look! Virion is doing something!



And Chrom one-ups with a critical strike. Criticals and attack abilities trigger a cutscene and yell out one of four pretty awesome lines per character. I'll put them in highlights after every battle update.



Aaaaand we're back to this again.



Huh, another Dual Attack. Stahl gets the norm level-up for him.



Lissa healing every tiny hangnail nabbed her another level. And what the hell, she's gained more Str than Chrom



Sully steps on an Event Tile.



That is a B-rank 15 Mt axe that gives +2 Str/Def we just picked up. A shame no one can use it right now.



The team sets up Miriel with enough people for maximum supports. A couple fireballs were thrown, and a few wounds were healed until the Chief was weakened enough.



ENTER THE VAIKE



I don't even know what that means.



But if they're appearing this far up the Northroad...

Then no path is safe. We'll need to stay wary.

Next time: Warrior Realm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX45PsvlJXA

extras


Stahl
Starting Class: Cavalier
Weapon Ranks: Swords (E), Lances (E)
Abilities:
-Discipline: Gain 2x Weapon Experience

Base Stats (Growth Rates)

HP-22 (95%) Spd-6 (50%)
Str-8 (65%) Lck-5 (50%)
Mag-0 (10%) Def-8 (60%)
Skill-7 (65%) Res-1 (15%)

Stahl is the opposite Sully. Whereas she's a speed demon, Stahl is built to get to a place fast and hold his ground with his great HP, Str, and Def growths. He may not double enemies as much, but enemies can't beat a foe they can't damage.

Official Bio: A surprisingly normal Shepherd with a big heart and perpetual cowlick. He has a good head on hsi shoulders, but the rest of him often has trouble keeping up. The most eager to clean a plate.


Vaike
Starting Class: Fighter
Weapon rank: Axes (D)
Abilities:
-HP+5

Base Stats (Growth Rates)

HP-24 (105%) Spd-6 (50%)
Str-9 (75%) Lck-4 (45%)
Mag-0 (10%) Def-5 (50%)
Skill-8 (65%) Res-0 (15%)

The Vaike is all about power, and his favorite lesson is overkill.

Yeah, that's about it. He gives as much Str Support Bonus as Frederick and he's the only other Axe user you'll have for quite a while.

Official Bio: A rough-hewn Shepherd with a loud personality and far more confidence than his ability warrants. He sees himself as exemplary and reverently refers to himself in the third person. The best at misplacing things.


Miriel
Starting Class: Mage
Weapon rank: Tome (E)
Abilities:
-Mag+2

Base Stats (Growth Rates)

HP-18 (70%) Spd-7 (60%)
Str-0 (15%) Lck-6 (50%)
Mag-6 (60%) Def-3 (25%)
Skill-5 (60%) Res-4 (40%)

Miriel is the first Mage of the party, which is great as enemies early in the game have weak Res. Miriel also gives good Mag Support Bonus for Robin to pair-up with. Her growths favor her as a speedy magician, but will break in two if she sniffs any more than one direct confrontation.

Official Bio: A grandiloquent but fastidious Shepherd who grows irascible if so much as a single arrow sits awry in its quiver. She adores research and obsesses over her subject of study. The most superfluous packer.