Part 4: Crumbling League or, A Trustworthy Face
Chapter 4: Crumbling League or, A Trustworthy Face
So if any of you were wondering why my face is wet it's because it's still raining and also shut up.
Roy is kind of depressed after the recent events. Not that I blame him.
governed by Lord Erik.
Beneath this beauty, however, lies treachery and great skullduggery...
Surely Erik of all people can't be involved, have you ever seen a more trustworthy face?
After the title card, we see Narcian fly in, accompanied by a stench most foul.
Gasp! Who would have thought that Erik would be in league with reptile-brain over there?!
Lord Erik. I don't think I've yet praised your wisdom in joining Bern."It's going to get you killed in about 15 minutes when Roy comes seeking revenge, but it was very wise. At least this way, you won't need to grow old. ...Older."
Thank you, sire. Ancient vows and traditions are nothing more than a burden anyway....I can't say I completely disagree with his viewpoint, but...
You, my friend, are wise beyond your years. Now, where is that gift you promised me? She does not seem to be here....Yeah, I'm not going to feel too bad about cooking him in his own armour.
I can do that, now. Because Lugh.
Ah, yes! She is in her quarters. She is exceedingly naive, you see. When I told her she could meet her brother, she cooperated without question.
You there! Bring her here!
Welcome, Lady Clarine.
Who might you be? I am Narcian, one of Bern's three Wyvern Generals. My lovely little lass, I think you will enjoy my company more than your brother's...
Heh... Ha ha ha! What? Why do you laugh? You compare yourself to my brother? You think too highly of yourself. Your garb, your hair - even your speech... All a painfully obvious guise to hide your true lowborn face.
Oh, heavens no.
... I think we're going to get along just fine.
Y-you vermin!! I'll see you suffer!
What?! Impossible! What of Slater?Oh! Me! Me! Pick me!
Err... His whereabouts are unknown, sire.He's around. Here and there. And all the way over there.
The enemy is reported to be Roy, son of Marquess Pherae.
Accursed interruptions! Lord Erik, lock the girl in a cell. I will give her the pleasure of my company when I return! You, blockade the highroad from Ostia. This Roy might just pass by. I want his head! Yes, sire!So are we going to finally have a boss fight with Narcian, vent our frustrations, spill his blood in Hector's name?
Hahaha, no. He runs off again.
...
I'm not really feeling it. I can buy this once, but now? We've pissed him off. He wants Roy's head. And he's just going to run off, again leaving a conveniently underpowered underling to handle matters instead of curbstomping us while he still can. It feels not so much like we're winning this because we're good, but rather because they are dumb, which is not the greatest thing.
But no matter, we have a fuckton of ponies to slaughter and that always puts me in a good mood. Not that our formation's exactly ideal for it... How long until I get to rearrange my unit before battles, again?
Anyway, since there are only three ways in to where we're sitting, we could probably just weather the battle by placing people like Bors or Wolt on those bridges and having the enemy break themselves against our invulnerable defences...
But the map is kinda big, and it would take forever for those archers on the left to waddle all the way over to us.
Also, these forts look kinda suspicious.
Still going to start by plugging up the holes, though. We wouldn't want someone to exhale gently in Elen's direction or anything. Meanwhile, our designated village-visitor will visit this village.
Only thieves can use lockpicks. But I have something called a door key, which will open any door. Anyone can use it. You can have it.
I mean I'm not totally amazed by a door key but maybe this kid bought it with his allowance or something because he wanted to not be a useless sack of shit like most NPCs. Maybe one day he'll even have a name.
Because I don't trust those forts, Shanna picks up Wade and will be dropping him on one of those little islands in case there's a problem that needs to be addressed.
Bors dodges an attack and gains a level. It's Def, so I'm happy.
This guy runs a sword through Wolt's face for one point of damage.
And Lugh finally gets to do something.
The average level in the group is still pretty low, but there's still a couple of people who are noticeably worse off than the rest. We'll try to let the kids catch up.
They'll try, too.
The first wave isn't really anything special, and they're outnumbered. They go down fast. Bors proceeds to try and draw out the next wave.
Once they loot a town, there's nothing left. Visit the towns quickly and they might just share something good!
Marcus visits the little hut next to the village. Pirates, you say...?
Wade hates pirates. I think he's jealous of their mad water-walking skills. Meanwhile, I don't expect Shanna will be a great deal of help so she'll just fuck off back to land.
The next group takes the bait, but Bors has a javelin and 12 Def and is not terribly bothered.
5 mov. On a knight. It's fun.
Meanwhile, in Erik's basement.
Who's there?!
Here's a new face.
I will not.For whatever reason, Clarine doesn't think it looks like a trustworthy one.
I refuse to meet with such churlish people.
...... Just get over here.
...... Let go, I say!I don't think he's letting go, but we'll have to wait until next turn to find out.
And now it's the next turn. Shanna, meet Enemy Nomad and his friend Horrible Instant Death Radius.
Yeah, she's not going anywhere unless we deal with this guy.
Before that, though, Elen fixes a scratch Lot got last round and actually hits her 50% magic growth this time!
She does not get any more resistant to physical damage, like slight breezes, but you can't have it all. Unless you're Wolt.
Freshly patched up, Lot takes out that archer so Shanna can go shopping in peace. There's both a vendor and an armoury next to the lower village. She picks up a couple of heal staves (and it's about time, Elen's initial one is already running out, she's got like 10 charges left).
Still nothing down by Wade and the forts, but we've thinned the enemy ranks a bit.
Clarine appears to be wishing we'd managed to put a stray arrow through this motherfucker instead.
Keep it down. You won't be able to make a clean escape making all that noise. Escape?! Then you're..."...cosplaying as Dante from Devil May Cry?"
I prepared a horse for you out back under a tree. Take it and go, while everyone's distracted. ...... Why are you helping me? I despise Bern with all my soul. With all your soul? ...Never mind. Forget it. Saying that only piques my curiosity further. Time is short. Hurry! ......
Clarine pops out as a green, AI controlled unit. Unlike just about every other green unit, you actually don't have to protect her - the enemies just don't care that she's there until she turns blue (spoiler).
I've never met such a boorish man! This is a battlefield! A proper gentleman would escort a lady to her mansion! Well, it's hardly of concern now. Sigh, I only came here to see my brother, and now look at the mess I'm in... What am I to do now?You're going to run over to me and recruit yourself by talking to Roy.
Spoilers.
So damn happy the enemies don't go for her because she's like, very slightly more durable than Elen.
A self-centered lady of Eturia. Commander Klain's younger sister.
Very slightly.
That aside, she's a healer, on a horse! What more could you ask for?
"I'm still down here, guys! Guys?"
Having an archer who's as tanky as Hector (
) is a really nice way to draw things in without killing them so weaker characters can get some experience. That duty fulfilled, Wolt finally gets to hit back. This isn't a kill, but he only needs one more EXP for a level...
...and now the only person with more defence in this party is Bors. Wolt has officially out-tanked Marcus.
The speed is nice, too.
I was going to have Roy weaken this guy a bit so Lugh could get some levels,
...but he went like What, weaken him? Fuck that, I'mma crit a motherfucker.
That was a good level, Roy, you don't have to look so sad.
Lance contributes as well.
I like that speed and defence, but I'm starting to feel like you're putting off something important...
Lugh burns a man to death.
And Lot sits just where the lower cavalier can get to him.
"Guys? Guuuuys?"
But suddenly!
'Course, you'll hear no complaints from us. Turmoil's how we make a living. Heh heh heh...You will not be making much living much longer, little man.
Sadly both pirates who spawned (there was one behind the guy's portrait above) have hand axes, but Lot is holding the only one we have. Wade might need some help with this after all.
Speaking of Lot, he's doing really well for himself.
Clarine runs towards Roy, but is too far away to talk to him.
Those 3% make all the difference, as Wade hits and dodges.
I figured Shanna might be able to help out a little, but... yeah. Bors takes this one. Shanna's going to visit that second village instead. Don't need stats for that.
And Allen weakens the other one so Lugh can finish the job.
He profits quite nicely.
We'll all suffer under Bern's iron-fisted rule. But you just might be able to stop them. Here is something that will help you fight a little longer. Think carefully before using it.
I hope that's a general "you" because otherwise someone might just be horribly disappointed.
Still, he gives her an Angelic robe, our first permanent stat booster! In this case, it's +7 HP. Shanna herself would make good use out of it, but that's assuming she ever sees combat again and I wouldn't exactly bet money on that. Maybe Lugh or Chad... We'll see.
Not a whole lot of enemies left! So of course Erik is feeling a little screwed, and...
...calls in the cav... the reinforcements.
What do you want? We need some backup. Take some troops and prepare for battle. ...... Are you deaf? Go and fight! I heard you. I'll leave when I'm ready.I'm sure you all wish you could treat your employers like this on occasion.
If his sword arm is a s skilled as the rumor s say, though, then it's no matter.
(See, I don't need to wish because just like this guy, I'm skilled enough to pull it off.
)
Enemy phase again, and the pirate who had parked himself on that fort... steps off it again so he can handaxe Wade from a distance.
Wade may not be able to hit back, but he can take that fort and laugh as they distract themselves chucking axes all over the place without hitting a thing until I can get him something with a little bit of range on it.
And finally,
Clarine is in range to talk to Roy. He can't talk to her, mind; it has to be the other way around.
Do you see anyone else?Aside from my whole army?
...No?
You are the leader of this little group, are you not?
I am. Most convenient. Very well then. You will protect me. Excuse me? Hard of hearing? I said that you will protect me from harm.
Away with you, peasant. I was not addressing you.
What?! Who do you tink-
It looks like she's being pursued by the castle's soldiers. That's why she wants us to guard her. Right?
Um, yes! That is correct... Im... impudent child! We can't simply accept any useless girl into our army!
And I am not useless! I can use staves to heal wounded allies.
So you'll help us fight? ...If that's what it takes! I suppose I can't simply demand protection without any kind of payment. Thanks, we appreciate it! Our enemy is Bern, so we need everyone we can get. I'm Roy. Pleased to meet you, Lady Clarine. The pleasure is all- Ahem! Let's focus on the issue at hand.Not much of an issue left to focus on, presently. Clarine joins and is immediately under our control. This will be very handy, as soon as I've got some of my people injured again. You've seen her stats already, but here are the growths: HP 40, Mag 30, Skl, 40, Spd 50, Lck 65, Def 10 Res 40. It's a toss-up as to who is better statwise, Clarine or Elen, but Clarine does have a huge advantage in that she's riding a horse.
Bors tries to speed thing up a little, but he misses. Not that it matters, mind.
What's worse, Wolt misses too. Damn it Wolt, do you know what I'm payi-
...
You know what Wolt, just keep it up, there's a good Wolt.
Well, it gives Allen a chance to... huh. He's more speedy than strong, now.
Yes, that will do nicely.
It's okay, he can handle it as long as there's only one, and now he can do it again!
Lance's not powerful, but he's reliable. Here, he crits on a 3% chance. With another (non-critical) hit as well, he brings the cav low enough...
...that Bors can finish it. I'm not expecting him to go around doubling things, but he can at least try not to get doubled by others.
Then Rutger shows up and... wait, shit, that's a little close for comfort. I was expecting him, like, right outside the castle gate.
At least he doesn't do much dama-
he doubles Wolt
...at least he didn't crit. That would have been a reset.
Fortunately, the rest of his group isn't equipped with killer weapons, so.
There are more pirates now, which is good because they can't all attack from hand axe distance! Someone will have to get up close and personal, and when they do...
By the way, this is how shitty archers are in vanilla Fire Emblem.
Rutger is the only big problem here, but Roy doesn't have any means of communicating with him that doesn't involve bloody murder, most likely with Roy on the receiving end.
That's better.
What? You're still here? "Still here?" You abandoned me in the middle of a battlefield! How can you have the nerve to say that?! I could have been killed!Actually if you had just walked to the edge of the battlefield you would have been in no danger whatsoever
I guess you're lucky you're still alive then. Did you want something or can I go now?Stone cold.
Just a moment! I shan't allow you to abandon me twice. A gentlemen must take responsibility for his actions. Responsibility? For what? I saved you from that twisted sadist. If a gentleman rescues a lady, he must also escort her to her mansion! In what fairy tale does some barf of a man abandon his princess?
Besides, you said you "despise Bern with all your soul." If you ask me, you'd be better of joining us. We'll be fighting Bern, you know. What? Wait! Is that true? Is that army you're in really going to challenge Bern?
...... Fine. Yes? I'll join your army. Satisfied? Ah... I suppose.
My protection is more important than fighting Bern! Come back!
I imagine Clarine would be pretty obnoxious if anyone she talks to gave her any measure of respect whatsoever. As is though...
A young man seeking revenge on Bern.
So now we have a Rutger.
Let's see what he can do!
...Welcome to the party, Rutger.
His growths are HP 80, Str 30, Skl 60, Spd 50, Lck 30, Def 20, Res 20. Pretty respectable magic resistance for a swordy guy, and that speed looks delicious. His strength grows at the same rate as Shanna's, though...
Speaking of whom, she'll try to get Wade one of the hand axes she bought earlier and hopefully not die in the process. (If she does, I'm calling it an acceptable sacrifice.)
With nothing but pirates and the boss left, Allen takes care of the houses.
Some weapons completely reverse the weapon triangle! For instance, you might find an axe that will work well against swords.
Oh, might I, now? I think I'd like that.
That's all the excitement left on this stage. Enemy phase over, Shanna tosses him a hand axe.
The traitorous marquess of Laus.
Since he's in range to be attacked now, here's Erik. He's... actually a step down from last time. Hell, Ruud had more punch to him.
He does have a javelin, but he starts with a steel sword equipped, so we're free to chip away from a distance this turn. He'll switch when he's able, but Lugh can survive a shot from the javelin and the archer isn't in range to hit him.
Allow me to teach you the way of the world!
The way of the world is as follows: We beat you up, you drop experience points.
Meanwhile...
We're not about to abandon the land in which we were born. Please take this sword. It was given to us generations ago. A gift from the marquess.
It's a... steel blade.
Dude, your marquess was a shitty gift-giver. I mean it's not that it's completely useless, but I was all set up for an axe that reverses the weapon triangle and now I'm disappointed.
Wade gets stronger axing one of the pirates with his regular, boring axe. The others all miss him.
Except for this one who misses Shanna instead.
Erik goes for Lugh as expected. Bors chips a few more experience points off...
...before Lugh gets the kill.
(I did save state before that.)
Ha... ha ha... Fools... There is no future for... those... who oppose... absolute power...
Stats worthy of a boss kill.
I left Shanna hanging around Wade. Forced to choose between getting good and getting dead, she picks the former. Good for her!
...
Also I'm suddenly realizing that she has twice Wade's defence. What the hell is up with the stats in this army?
The islands are now pirate-free, so we seize the castle and win. Also no they're not, I killed them all.
Thank you. Tell everyone to get some rest. Yes, milord.milady
Does he look all right?
I never would have thought Lord Erik would turn on Lycia. I thought the Lycian League's bond was stronger than this. Cowardly Bern! Underhanded tactics!
...I apolgize. Oh... I'm sorry. I wasn't even thinking about you. No... You are right. We'll now proceed west towards Ostia. But now we know that even the other marquesses can't be trusted. With Lord Hector gone, I fear there may be no peaceful end for this war. Princess, do you plan on returning to Bern? If you need anything- No, please allow me to stay, if it would not be a burden. You, a burden? Never! But why do you wish to stay? My brother is wrong. He is pulling the dragons into a human war. If he thinks this is how he can free the world, I must stop him. Free the world? Yes, he has always been obsessed with "liberating the world." He said that's the purpose of this war. What does that mean? I do not know... My brother is not so power-hungry that he would attempt to conquer the world. I'm sure he believes strongly in what he's done to Elibe. Regardless, that doesn't excuse the violence he has caused... Princess Guinivere...
I'm not so sure I agree with the princess there, but I'm sure she knows what she's talking about hahahahahahahahasorry. Anyway, look, a title drop! So early! We'll check that out next time.
...I mean it's not as if we have a choice or anything. But still. And just maybe Roy will cheer up a little by then, so I hope you're all looking forward to it.