Part 65: Chapter 27 - Part 1
Before we begin, let's throw around some more BEXP because.![](1-GFEP01-101.jpg)
Volke's basically peaked offensively, and there's not much left in the game that he can't double, so... well, I guess he can dodge a bit better now.
![](2-GFEP01-102.jpg)
Haar gets more Haar.
Now, since Largo's been doing so well for himself and is so popular with voters and everything, let's give him a treat.
![](3-GFEP01-103.jpg)
Beeautiful. No, we're not done yet.
![](4-GFEP01-104.jpg)
Remember, "increases" here means "goes up by fifty". When Largo hits half health, he's going to find himself at ~70% crit chance at all times, and 100% if he happens to be holding a Killer Axe. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is absurd.
![](5-GFEP01-105.jpg)
Remember the Runesword? Here's how stupidly great it is. It's got the Mt of a Silver Blade and is about as accurate. It's got the 1-2 range we'd expect from a magic sword, and of course there's the whole health leeching deal. Mist has enough strength to use this without a penalty, too. That's just... great.
![](6-GFEP01-106.jpg)
I have this feeling that I've forgotten something...?
![](7-stats.png)
![](8-GFEP01-107.jpg)
This doesn't seem so bad, does it?
There's one - or rather, three - immediate concerns:
![](9-GFEP01-108.jpg)
![](10-GFEP01-109.jpg)
Thieves! The one on the left side even has a Stiletto.
![](11-GFEP01-110.jpg)
Rolf is our hostility-opener today.
![](12-GFEP01-111.jpg)
As usual, he gets a redundant crit.
![](13-GFEP01-112.jpg)
This guy could be trouble for us, so we employ the nuclear option.
![](14-GFEP01-116.jpg)
Astrid musters all the damage she can (Largo's hogging all the good axes).
![](15-GFEP01-119.jpg)
Ike is going to handle the middle more or less alone.
![](16-GFEP01-121.jpg)
If this is going to happen every time he takes a little scratch, then that's fine by me.
![](17-GFEP01-125.jpg)
I couldn't really think of anything else to do with Haar, so I guess Haar's going to the middle as well.
(You'll notice, over the course of this mission, a general sense of certain units being stuck around the middle with me having no real clue where to send them in the long term.)
![](18-GFEP01-126.jpg)
Volke is heading left.
![](19-GFEP01-128.jpg)
Largo, meanwhile, is heading right.
![](20-GFEP01-131.jpg)
Yes. He. Is.
![](21-GFEP01-132.jpg)
Oh, how irritating. Well, let's not do this then. Elincia just hangs back.
![](22-GFEP01-133.jpg)
Another annoying thing about this map is that it's quite hard to get a good shot that shows everything. #lpproblems
![](23-GFEP01-134.jpg)
One of Haar's current functions is to be an irresistable Bolting magnet.
![](24-GFEP01-135.jpg)
Largo's function is to not die.
![](25-GFEP01-137.jpg)
The problem with using Haar as I am is that he also tends to distract enemies from Ike.
![](26-GFEP01-138.jpg)
An opportunistic general goes to attack Largo.
![](27-GFEP01-139.jpg)
![](28-GFEP01-141.jpg)
He is denied.
![](29-GFEP01-143.jpg)
Damnit, wrong kind of knight. Well, whatever. Nephenee makes do.
![](30-GFEP01-146.jpg)
Astrid is as effective as ever.
![](31-GFEP01-147.jpg)
There is some shuffling around.
![](32-GFEP01-151.jpg)
Oh, hey, another Aether. Lovely.
![](33-GFEP01-155.jpg)
Joy. The thief's getting away.
![](34-GFEP01-157.jpg)
These too.
![](35-GFEP01-159.jpg)
On our turn, Ike continues chipping away at-
![](36-GFEP01-162.jpg)
-oh. This is a pretty good day for Aethers, isn't it? I hope this is a good omen...
![](37-GFEP01-165.jpg)
Mist cleans up after Haar.
![](38-GFEP01-168.jpg)
In fact, cleaning up is generally the order of the day.
![](39-GFEP01-169.jpg)
Elincia goes for it this time. Sadly, no crits result from this, so Nephenee takes the kill.
![](40-GFEP01-174.jpg)
In ridiculously overkill fashion.
![](41-GFEP01-176.jpg)
We introduce a thief to Largo...
![](42-GFEP01-177.jpg)
...and one to Rolf.
![](43-GFEP01-179.jpg)
Rolf gets this level...
![](44-GFEP01-180.jpg)
And this curious bow that he can't wield yet. Hmm...
![](45-GFEP01-182.jpg)
Volke takes a nasty hit but manages to finish the tiger.
![](46-GFEP01-187.jpg)
Astrid almost-kills the remaining warrior.
![](47-GFEP01-188.jpg)
Haar is going to continue attracting Boltings, and he's got a date with that swordmaster to his north. That guy's special, you see.
![](48-GFEP01-190.jpg)
End of the second turn.
![](49-GFEP01-191.jpg)
Go Haar.
![](50-GFEP01-193.jpg)
Also go Astrid.
![](51-GFEP01-197.jpg)
Largo pulls off a Vantage hit but it's not a crit and he can't double, so... bleh.
![](52-GFEP01-199.jpg)
So, yeah, this one swordmaster here has himself a Brave Sword. You shouldn't take him lightly, because of the uncomfortable possibility that he might-
![](53-GFEP01-201.jpg)
-crit.
![](54-GFEP01-203.jpg)
Twice. Asshole.
![](55-GFEP01-205.jpg)
Well, two can play at that game.
![](56-GFEP01-206.jpg)
And one of us is better.
![](57-GFEP01-212.jpg)
One of the door generals decides to engage Mist and gets a face full of Mistilteinn for his trouble.
![](58-GFEP01-215.jpg)
The second one goes for Ike and is similarly afflicted.
![](59-GFEP01-216.jpg)
We do not want that guy opening that door. Trust me on this.
![](60-GFEP01-217.jpg)
Mist is annoyed.
![](61-GFEP01-220.jpg)
So is Ike.
![](62-GFEP01-222.jpg)
Oh, hey, that's four now. Keep this up.
![](63-GFEP01-229.jpg)
Rolf and Astrid clean up the left side and find themselves a Door Key. There're quite a few keys on this map, which is handy if you're only bringing one thief.
![](64-GFEP01-230.jpg)
So, yeah, this is a Crimean castle, and you are attempting to pinch Elincia's stuff.
![](65-GFEP01-232.jpg)
No.
![](66-GFEP01-233.jpg)
Well, we've got this Knight Killer, and nothing better to do with it, so... yeah.
![](67-GFEP01-236.jpg)
Haar's in a bit of a bad way after his crit incident, so he applies a vulnerary and stands next to Reyson. When properly employed, Reyson is a great source of free heals.
![](68-GFEP01-237.jpg)
Reverse angle this time because I don't know.
![](69-GFEP01-239.jpg)
Oh dear. Bolting man has noticed Largo.
![](70-GFEP01-240.jpg)
Nothing else really happens, so Haar gets his heals and we prepare to move on.
![](71-GFEP01-241.jpg)
Now, let's just...
![](72-GFEP01-242.jpg)
...oh.
![](73-GFEP01-244.jpg)
...oh.
Let's take stock in here. We've got a Sleep Asshole, a Silence Asshole, and a Brave Bow Asshole in the middle...
![](74-GFEP01-247.jpg)
A Thoron Asshole, three generals and a second Bolting Asshole (plus Physic) on the left... and we'll get to the right in just a second.
![](75-GFEP01-251.jpg)
Also we now have eyes on the boss. Brave Weapon and a goddamn Knight Ward for fuck's sake. And there's our final Occult Scroll!
![](76-GFEP01-253.jpg)
Anyway, Astrid breaks out the Hammer.
![](77-GFEP01-256.jpg)
Huh. I guess she really does have her eye on that Bolt Axe. Not that it'll do her much good, but whatever.
![](78-GFEP01-258.jpg)
Mist rushes over to bring the healing...
![](79-GFEP01-259.jpg)
...and proceeds to hit the level cap in spectacular style.
![](80-GFEP01-260.jpg)
Now, the right side. You may notice that there are a lot of laguz in that room. There is also a Meteor Asshole. Yeah, that room might be trouble. Especially when the two Siege Assholes can easily kill Largo between them.
![](81-GFEP01-261.jpg)
We hang back for now.
![](82-GFEP01-263.jpg)
Largo's out of range, so Bolting Man goes back to picking on Haar. Or, well, trying to.
![](83-GFEP01-265.jpg)
Other Bolting Man goes after Rolf.
![](84-GFEP01-276.jpg)
Two Short Spear generals and the Thoron guy all fail to hit Astrid, while the general who was Hammered runs away to heal.
![](85-GFEP01-277.jpg)
There be Physicians about.
![](86-GFEP01-280.jpg)
Now, let's see what we can't accomplish over here.
![](87-GFEP01-282.jpg)
Elincia takes a quick potshot at this hawk and runs away while we think about what to do next.
![](88-GFEP01-285.jpg)
Meanwhile, Astrid spots an opportunity to murder the shit out of Other Bolting Man.
![](89-GFEP01-289.jpg)
At the same time, Volke's new toys start being seriously worthwhile.
![](90-GFEP01-292.jpg)
Ike steps in to lend a hand too.
![](91-GFEP01-294.jpg)
I don't know if this is a sign that Ike is now seriously Aether-happy or if it's a problem that he's using up all the Aether. I don't know. I don't know!
![](92-GFEP01-296.jpg)
This is pretty OK though. Remembering that Ike has capped strength, speed and resistance, defence and HP is pretty much the last remaining thing that he really wants.
![](93-GFEP01-298.jpg)
Rolf finally busts out the Brave Bow in order to avoid potentially eating a Thoron.
![](94-GFEP01-302.jpg)
I've been wondering for a while now what to do with Haar, so I have him break down one of the doors leading to the middle area.
![](95-GFEP01-304.jpg)
Haar's going to draw out the tigers in the middle, and Nephenee's going to jam up the right side for a while.
![](96-GFEP01-305.jpg)
With this, Bolting Man's Bolting tome disintegrates. Now there's just Meteor Guy left!
![](97-GFEP01-306.jpg)
Aaaand Astrid gets Sleep'd. Well, shit.
![](98-GFEP01-308.jpg)
Nephenee easily dodges a burning space rock.
![](99-GFEP01-311.jpg)
Haar's fight gets started...
![](100-GFEP01-314.jpg)
And a tiger turns out to be a cheating bastard and attacks from a square that really ought not to work like that, thus clawing Rolf in the face.
![](101-GFEP01-317.jpg)
I'm not sure but I think this would have been fatal. I was really not banking on both of them being able to attack Rolf.
![](102-GFEP01-319.jpg)
Nephenee duly proceeds to take a tiny amount of damage off a cat.
![](103-GFEP01-321.jpg)
The others just run into the door. No, clearly this is not going to be fast enough... we need a better idea.
![](104-GFEP01-327.jpg)
While Ike picks up his sixth Aether of the mission, his buddies get to cleaning the room around him.
![](105-GFEP01-332.jpg)
In particular, Volke and Rolf kill a dude and nab themselves a chest key.
At this point I start being totally unsure as to whether or not I should send Volke to another room at this point (to maybe steal some more Physics or something).
![](106-GFEP01-334.jpg)
Haar and the tiger continue their dance.
![](107-GFEP01-337.jpg)
Then, with Reyson's help, they continue it some more.
![](108-GFEP01-338.jpg)
Shit.
![](109-GFEP01-340.jpg)
I also start worrying about the fact that Mist isn't carrying a Restore stave and should I maybe have her go trade for one with Elincia or something crap I don't know fuuuuck...
![](110-GFEP01-341.jpg)
Right. I have a plan. We clear a guy out of the way and then...
![](111-GFEP01-344.jpg)
...er. Decent level. Anyway. And then...
![](112-GFEP01-345.jpg)
...okay, another Elincia potshot, yes, yes, AND THEN...
![](113-GFEP01-348.jpg)
...Largo. This hit doesn't crit, and Largo takes a hit himself, but it doesn't matter. We are officially Rolling With This Gambit.
![](114-GFEP01-350.jpg)
Here we go.
![](115-GFEP01-351.jpg)
Thanks to Meteor Guy being first, Largo goes directly to <50% health.
He's holding a Killer Axe.
Remember what we discussed?
![](116-GFEP01-353.jpg)
Aggravatingly, the other laguz in that room are lower down the turn order, so here's a load of less awesome shit first.
![](117-GFEP01-355.jpg)
Also enemies start trying to gang up on Astrid.
![](118-GFEP01-356.jpg)
We should probably do something about them.
![](119-GFEP01-358.jpg)
Just because she's asleep doesn't mean she's not impenetrable sometimes, of course.
![](120-GFEP01-359.jpg)
Ah. Finally. It begins.
![](121-GFEP01-360.jpg)
![](122-GFEP01-361.jpg)
![](123-GFEP01-362.jpg)
One.
![](124-GFEP01-365.jpg)
Two.
![](125-GFEP01-368.jpg)
Three.
![](126-GFEP01-370.jpg)
Four consecutive vantage-crit kills. Largo, ladies and gentlemen.
![](127-GFEP01-366.jpg)
Here is a man with his priorities firmly in order.
![](128-GFEP01-373.jpg)
Right. Let's take the heat off of Astrid.
![](129-GFEP01-375.jpg)
It's minimal but functional!
![](130-GFEP01-380.jpg)
This guy has been a great help, what with triggering Largo's berserker rage, but it's time for him to die.
![](131-GFEP01-381.jpg)
![](132-GFEP01-382.jpg)
Elincia finally gets that crit. And a Chest Key, too.
![](133-GFEP01-385.jpg)
Haar tentatively moves one square forward.
![](134-GFEP01-387.jpg)
For some reason, my priority list has Volke nabbing us another Physic staff ahead of him helping open the chests on the left side (protip: there are three chests there, and only two Chest Key uses).
![](135-GFEP01-388.jpg)
This isn't looking so bad anymore, is it?
![](136-GFEP01-391.jpg)
This whole thing here keeps going on.
![](137-GFEP01-395.jpg)
Rolf dodges death a second time (actually this wouldn't have killed him, but still).
![](138-GFEP01-398.jpg)
Oh, really?
![](139-GFEP01-399.jpg)
Five.
![](140-GFEP01-405.jpg)
It's not ideal to have Mist lead offensives since she's capped her level, but I'm impatient and annoyed with having people aimlessly wander around the middle so there it is.
![](141-GFEP01-409.jpg)
Reyson flies in, chants, and then...
![](142-GFEP01-410.jpg)
Fuck. Well, it's only a longbow.
![](143-GFEP01-411.jpg)
Yoink. This probably wasn't necessary, but if you ask me you can never have too many of these.
![](144-GFEP01-412.jpg)
Mist kills his ass.
![](145-GFEP01-415.jpg)
Actually... hmm...
![](146-GFEP01-416.jpg)
Looks like Reyson's safe after all.
![](147-GFEP01-422.jpg)
Rolf and Ike take care of the last guy pestering Astrid. Ike decides to break his Aether streak and crit instead.
![](148-GFEP01-423.jpg)
Largo spots another pretender presuming to wield a killer weapon.
![](149-GFEP01-424.jpg)
Six.
![](150-GFEP01-426.jpg)
Elincia finally gets to beginning the looting. Our first claim is this Spear, which is... nice, I guess.
![](151-GFEP01-427.jpg)
Alright. We've basically got this. We just have to coordinate the looting.
![](152-GFEP01-428.jpg)
FUCK.
![](153-GFEP01-431.jpg)
Well, both archers completely fail to damage Mist, so that's something.
![](154-GFEP01-433.jpg)
Astrid takes one more hit.
![](155-GFEP01-434.jpg)
Largo doesn't.
![](156-GFEP01-437.jpg)
Right. Let's get on with it.
![](157-GFEP01-440.jpg)
Archers = toast.
![](158-GFEP01-441.jpg)
Haar = still Haar. More importantly, that last archer dropped another Chest Key, so Haar can now loot the middle room.
![](159-GFEP01-443.jpg)
So. Commence wasting fools.
![](160-GFEP01-448.jpg)
Seven.
![](161-GFEP01-449.jpg)
This... is good, I guess. Largo wants some more speed.
![](162-GFEP01-451.jpg)
Basically everyone kills a dude.
![](163-GFEP01-453.jpg)
Oh hells yes. While the Ashera Staff is kinda like the nuclear option of healing, Fortify is a moderately scaled back version that is still totally amazing while also having nearly three times as many uses. It will heal all units within [magic / 2] squares of the caster for [magic + 10] HP. That is pretty fucking awesome.
![](164-GFEP01-457.jpg)
While Ike entertains the nearby General, Rolf pilfers another of this mission's main prizes - a Resolve scroll. This is going to make someone hells of broken.
![](165-GFEP01-458.jpg)
Yep. We sure are winning.
![](166-GFEP01-460.jpg)
No, I don't think so.
![](167-GFEP01-464.jpg)
This tiger finally breaks Largo's crit streak and survives a round of combat.
![](168-GFEP01-466.jpg)
And Astrid wakes the fuck up. About time!
![](169-GFEP01-467.jpg)
![](170-GFEP01-468.jpg)
With Reyson's help, Haar loots both of the middle chests. I think we're definitely set for Physics now.
![](171-GFEP01-470.jpg)
Remember how Mist kept obliterating wyverns using the Sonic Sword? Well, the Flame Lance can be used like that too, as Nephenee demonstrates.
![](172-GFEP01-474.jpg)
...what the fuck, RNG. What the fuck.
![](173-GFEP01-475.jpg)
Elincia repeatedly clobbers the Brave Bow guy. It doesn't kill him, but...
![](174-GFEP01-477.jpg)
...It gets her a level.
![](175-GFEP01-478.jpg)
Largo does the honours.
![](176-GFEP01-479.jpg)
And there goes the last remaining enemy (who will ever move off their spot, anyway).
![](177-GFEP01-481.jpg)
The second-last chest yields its prize.
![](178-GFEP01-482.jpg)
Now we just have to get Volke over to the left side.
![](179-GFEP01-483.jpg)
Oh, right, Sleep Guy's still alive, isn't he? Well, whatever. Largo deserves a good nap.
![](180-GFEP01-485.jpg)
Anyway. Elincia, being the one with the Restore staff, heals Volke.
![](181-GFEP01-487.jpg)
Reyson then sings to Elincia (capping magic in the process).
![](182-GFEP01-489.jpg)
Elincia then heals Largo while Volke runs up the stairs.
![](183-GFEP01-491.jpg)
While we wait for the next turn, Largo takes a potshot at the boss with his Short Axe.
![](184-GFEP01-492.jpg)
![](185-hahuxedo.png)
![](186-GFEP01-493.jpg)
Enjoy away, mate.
![](187-GFEP01-494.jpg)
Now, looking at Ike's stats, a few things strike me as lacking.
![](188-GFEP01-496.jpg)
Fortunately, Ike thought ahead and packed a Dracoshield. Congratulations, Ike now has capped defence.
![](189-GFEP01-497.jpg)
It's looking awfully one-sided in here.
![](190-GFEP01-500.jpg)
Since Largo's at range and Hafedd won't move, he switches to his Spear.
![](191-GFEP01-503.jpg)
Moron.
![](192-GFEP01-507.jpg)
Ike also takes the time to apply a Seraph Robe, while Astrid picks up Volke, gets chanted to, and carts him off to the left side.
![](193-GFEP01-509.jpg)
Also, Elincia finally puts down the guy formerly known as Sleep Guy.
![](194-GFEP01-513.jpg)
I hate stalling, but it's necessary to get the last treasure.
![](195-GFEP01-517.jpg)
And here it is. We're probably not even ever going to use this fucking thing.
![](196-GFEP01-518.jpg)
Well, whatever.
![](197-GFEP01-520.jpg)
![](198-ike.png)
![](185-hahuxedo.png)
![](199-GFEP01-522.jpg)
As you wish.
![](200-GFEP01-523.jpg)
![](201-GFEP01-525.jpg)
![](202-GFEP01-526.jpg)
And now Ike has capped HP as well. That's five stats! We also grab that final Occult scroll.
![](203-GFEP01-531.jpg)
Some shoves and a chant later...
![](204-GFEP01-532.jpg)
And we're done.
---
![](205-GFEP01-533.jpg)
![](206-stats.png)
![](198-ike.png)
![](207-GFEP01-537.jpg)
![](208-GFEP01-538.jpg)
![](209-GFEP01-539.jpg)
Soren would be right if it wasn't for the whole blessed-armour deal we're up against. Every good Fire Emblem player knows that there are bosses you're just supposed to gang up on.
![](210-soren.png)
![](211-titania.png)
![](212-GFEP01-542.jpg)
![](211-titania.png)
![](210-soren.png)
![](213-GFEP01-543.jpg)
---
To Be Continued!