Part 7: The Two Falchions

Chapter 4: The Two Falchions



Beating Paralogue gives us access to all the Iron Weapons, which is useful since most of our characters are getting up in Weapon rank.



We'll stop by Chapter 1's map for another Heal Staff since Lissa's just about finished with her first one.

Reckon I could cobble somethin' together instead!/Ya think my stuff is worth anythin'? 'Cause I doubt it.

Donny's buy/sell quote.



Let's enter Arena Ferox.





Of course.

*Raimi leaves*



Out training, I'd wager. The khans of Ferox prefer battle to politics. Or rather, battle IS their politics.

A warrior ruler, eh? I can picture him now...A giant of a man unparalleled thew, his broad chest covered in hair, heheh...



Huh?

*Flavia arrives*



One of them, yes-the East-Khan. My name is Flavia.

I apologize for the troubles at the border, Prince Chrom. You are welcome in Regna Ferox.

Thank you, but I'm confident we can put that misunderstanding behind us. Is it true bandits posing as Ylisseans have been ransacking your border villages?

Yes. Those Plegian dogs! We found documents proving as much on the corpse of one of their captains. Plegia must see some benefit in raising tensions between your kingdom and ours.

Damn them!

I...Forgive me, Your Grace. That was...indelicately put.

Ha! Damn them and damn delicacy! Here in Ferox, we appreciate plain speech.

In that case, you should have a word with your damn border guards...

...Ha ha! Now that's Feroxi diplomacy! Yes, I like you already. I know why you have come, Prince.

But regrettably, I cannot provide any Feroxi troops for Ylisse.

What?! Why not?!

I lack the authority.

Forgive me, but I don't understand. Aren't you the khan?

As I said, I am ONE of the khans. In Ferox, the khans of east and west hold a tournament every few years. The victor acquires total sovereignty over both kingdoms. And that means they have the final say when it comes to forging alliances. The West-Khan won the last tournament, you see, and so...

So we are to receive to aid at all?

Not if you always give up so easily!

The next tournament is nigh, you see, and I am in need of champions.

What does that have to do with us?

The captain of my border guard informs me your Shepherds are quite capable. Perhaps you would consider representing the East in the upcoming tournament?

If you win and I become ruling khan, I will grant your alliance.

I would have assumed Ylisseans had no place in such Feroxi traditions.

Ha! On the contrary! The khans themselves do not fight-they choose champions to represent them. Otherwise our land would be rife with blood feuds and dead khans! We don't involve comrades or kin for the same reason. Over time, it was decided the tournament should be fought by outsiders. Although the outsiders have never included foreign royalty. ...That I know of! Ha! Regardless, it is your choice to make.

There is no choice, East-Khan. My people are desperate.

We face not only Plegia's constant attacks, but now the added threat of the Risen. If fighting for you is the quickest way to an alliance, then we will take up our steel.

Ha ha! Oh, I like you, Prince Chrom. I do hope you survive the tournament! Come. I'll show you the arena where the tournament is held. But be wary! I hear an equally able swordsman champions the West-Khan.

He shall be defeated by Ylisse's necessity.

Well spoken again-I look forward to seeing if you're equally skilled with a blade!



We cut to the arena.



This is a relatively short map, but very open and very dangerous for us. We need to kill enemies fast before the second wave comes and overwhelms the team.



Marth is pretty tough. Good stats (especially that Spd), and has unlimited uses of a very powerful sword. Even worse, it also acts as a Concoction (Item that heals 20 HP) so if we don't kill Marth quickly, he can heal all the damage back at no cost.



Luckily, he won't attack us unless we get near his enemy range.



Sully, Robin, and Donny will come along as the voted members. The only notable inventory move is giving Sully the Killer Lance acquired from the last mission.



I see him...

.......

Marth! One question, before we begin.

.......

...Fine, then.

Our swords can speak for us!

Watch this Chapter Title's cutscene!



Marth is a gifted swordsman, and his men look capable as well. We should mind our distance.



The starting enemy formation gives us a safe zone to work with, though it won't last since they'll come charging at his ASAP. We'll mark this Fighter here to see where he can hit.



Kellam will pair-up with Chrom to boost his Def, then they will move over to the marked Fighter's maximum attack range. The rest of the team will move up next to them.



Despite Chrom's lack of Str growing, his Spd's coming along nicely enough for him to start doubling on enemies.



The other Fighter and two Mages move up on us. The Mages are the bigger problem since their attack range is larger thanks to Tomes and most of our characters don't have decent Res. We'll mark the two Mages and take out the Fighter, eliminating the map one step at a time.



Robin will support Sully and then Sully will wait for the Fighter, Bronze Sword in hand.



Chrom tiptoes to avoid the Mage's range. Lissa heals her brother back to full, and Donny ends the turn by staying in the safe zone next to Lissa.



Sully trades heavy blows with the Fighter and gains a pretty bad level. Not a good thing when Skill is your highest stat.



Now the Knights move in. Next turn, the top two Fighters with Hand Axes (1-2 range, 3 Mt, 70 hit Axe) will also move.



Robin takes over and positions herself to chip away the Fighter while being put in position to counter the Mage. Lissa and Robin are really the only ones that can take more than two blows from the Mage at this point. Robin gains C rank Tomes.



Donny takes out the wounded Fighter and gains a level.



Spd at this point is Donny's biggest need.



We unmark this Mage to see if Chrom is safe from counterattack from the other Mage. With a resounding yes, Chrom doubles him to death.



About damn time! Chrom also gains C rank swords.



Lissa heals her brother again for a level-up. Could really use some Mag, please....



The last Mage hits Donny for a free fireball, but at least his Spd's decent enough to not get doubled and die.



And the rest of the enemies move up. It's a good thing Marth doesn't move on Hard, because dealing with a boosted swordsman that can heal itself is enough trouble without everything else going on.



Kellam takes on the Mage with the assumption that he can take the counterattack from that nearby Knight without trouble. A surprise Dual Attack from Chrom steals a potential kill for Donny! At least we got a free Thunder from the Mage's corpse.



Sully takes back the lead and gulps a Vulnerary, then equips the Killer Lance in preparation for the Knight. Lissa heals the rest of the dings up and Donny hides in the safe zone.



I'll kill you twice!



Well, now I see why Sully is so fond of her horse. Free Vulnerary for the victory.



Kellam gets attacked by the Knight as expected, but two Dual Attacks from Chrom was not. Another spotlight stolen from Kellam!



Just the Hand Axe brothers left to deal with.



Chrom kills the right one without trouble.



Sully will bait the Hand Axe Fighter with a Bronze Sword in hand to minimize the damage.



Glass weapons are incredibly power weapons. The Axe version has 15 Mt, 65 hit...and 3 uses. The biggest draw to them are that they are all E rank weapons, giving characters starting out their weapon rank a nice killshot weapon. Lissa heals Donny and ends the turn.



I just see this as more EXP for Lissa.



Robin strikes the Fighter with Thunder with a little help from Sully.



Donny nets another kill.



The next few turns are spent going up and around to get that last Event Tile, while Lissa heals enough to gain Staff rank and a level. I think she's regressing to the mean.



Sully gets to the Event Tile while equipping herself a Killer Lance. Ephraim's Lance is a C rank, 11 Mt, 80 hit lance that also gives +2 Str/Spd. In other words, Sully just got a Sully weapon.



Sully gets attacked by Marth. Battle went well, as Sully dodged a heavy hit (but Robin missed on her Dual Attack).



Pictured: Donny not being good against Marth.



Kellam weakens Marth with a Javelin, and gains himself a level for his troubles.



Str is nice, though of course he misses out on the 75% Def boost.



Sully switches support partners, then switches for Chrom leading the fray.



I've said enough for one day, sir.

Hmph. Is that how it is? Lissa owes you her life, and for you have my gratitude. But within these walls, I represent the East-Khan and the interests of Ylisse. I can't promise to stay my blade, but I vow not to shame you.

Heh, never expected such youthful arrogance. We shall see who shames who!



So much for that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnLfGwtRG7c

*after the battle*



And, perhaps more to the point, you have your alliance. I will provide Ylisse with the soldiers she needs.

Truly? Thank you, East-Khan.

I should thank you! It feels like ages since I've held full power. Come, my new friends! Tonight, we celebrate! *runs straight for buffet*



I'm sorry, have we met?

I'm the West-Khan you so rudely removed from power! You're handy with a sword, boy. I thought for sure I'd picked the stronger man.

What do you know about him?

You mean that "Marth"? Bah! He's just some sellsword with delusions of grandeur. All I know is that he turned up one eve and knocked my old champion flat.

It was love at first sight, and I'm generally too old for such things! Baha! Anyways, he's gone now. Up and fled the moment the tournament ended.

He's so dark and mysterious...*siiigh*

Sounds like Marth's got at least one fan...

Well, I mean, c'mon...He IS sort of dreamy, isn't he?

And YOU'RE sort of dreaming!

Yowch! Lighten up, Big Brother. I was just kidding.

Milord? Milady? If this fascinating discussion is over, we'd best return home. The exalt will want this news of our new alliance immediately.

Right as always, Frederick.



*A warrior walks up to the group*



This is Lon'qu, my former champion. Not much for talking, mind you, but he's peerless with a sword. As good as Marth, in my mind.

To be honest, I can't figure out how Marth bested him so quickly.

Marth beat him? But he looks so big and strong...

*Lissa tries to walk up to him*



Hey! Wh-what did I say?!

Ba ha ha! Let's just say that ladies tend to put Lon'Qu on edge.

Nonetheless, he is capable. Perhaps he even has the makings of a khan. Consider him West Ferox's contribution to the Ylissean cause.

You're certain about this?

Yes, yes. He's your man now.

And Lon'qu? You have no objections?



...All right, then. Welcome aboard.

Next Time: The Exalt and the King

extras

Lon'qu
Starting Class: Myrmidon
Weapon Ranks: Swords (C)
Abilities:
-Avoid+10

Myrmidon Support Bonus: +4 Spd/+2 Lck

Base Stats (Growth Rates)

HP-20 (80%) Spd-13 (75%)
Str-6 (55%) Lck-7 (55%)
Mag-1 (20%) Def-7 (30%)
Skill-12 (75%) Res-2 (25%)

Lon'qu is a Myrmidon, sword warriors who are all about speed, critical strikes, and more speed. They're basically sword Pegasus Knights, with abilities leaning more towards combat survivability. Lon'Qu isn't exactly the hardest hitting character, but he will provide great Spd support for people in need of doubling power.

Lon'Qu comes with a Killing Edge, A C rank, 9 Mt, 90 hit sword with 30 Crit.

Official Bio: A swordsman raised in Regna Ferox, where Khan Basilio has vouched for his skill. While cool and curt around most people, the very sight of woman turns him beet red. The deftest potato peeler.