TearRing Saga Part #1 - Chapter 1 – Landing at Port Saura

Part 1: Chapter 1 – Landing at Port Saura

Chapter 1 – Landing at Port Saura

I’m sure that Dark God will never show up again, no sir.

Let’s start a new game.

Some more recent history of the world this game plays in. Pretty basic stuff e.g. Empire hell bent on conquering everything, some young heroes/nobles and their ragtag band of companions destined to stop them.

Meet our heroes for now, Holmes and Runan.

: It’s nothing. I was just getting some sea air.

: Oh, alright. Anyway, we’re almost at Wellt. You ready for the landing?

: All I need is this rapier. Eugen should be taking care of our troops.

: Sure wouldn’t want to be one of Lazeria’s knights. How do they stand that old geezer jabbering at them all the time?

: They understand his pain. After the battle with the Empire, the Lazerian Knights were decimated, leaving only the youngest soldiers. Eugen went through hardship after hardship to protect us, and now he can’t even hold a sword any more after all the wounds he suffered. The young knights all know his pain... That’s why they do their best to repay him.

So that means he won’t be our Jeigan after all.

: Yeah, you’re right... Without Eugen or my old man, we all would have died a long time ago. Ha, although, it is kind of sad that we were saved by a pair of, shall we say, “senior citizens.”

: Holmes, the admiral told us to escape from Fort Granada, but are we doing the right thing? What worth lies in our lives that we had to sacrifice the admiral over...?

: Don’t worry about that. He’s not a man to drop dead so easily. I can guarantee it.

: I hope you’re right... Under those circumstances, even Admiral Valce would...

: Come on, Runan. It’s not like you to cry over spilled milk. My old man didn’t do this for you. He simply stayed to fight for what he believed in. When the time comes, we’ll retake Granada. Then we’ll be able to see him again.

: I suppose you’re right... Thanks, Holmes.

: Hey, come on. My old man aside, I’m actually kind of excited, you know? I probably said this before, but my dream is to travel the world as an adventurer. Now that my old man let us go, I can make that dream come true.

: An adventure... Sounds like fun.

: Yup, I plan on gathering up some people I get along with and go on all sorts of crazy expeditions. Speaking of which, Runan, why don’t you come with me? Aren’t you sick of this useless war by now?

: Holmes, I...

: Hahaha, just kidding. I know you can’t.

: Yeah... But... surely someday...

Meet Eugen, Runans chief advisor of sorts.

: Ah, so it has. No more to be shooting the breeze, eh? Alright. We’ll dock at Port Saura for now. Castle Wellt shouldn’t be far from there.

: Alright. Eugen, make sure everyone’s ready.

: Yes, my lord.

Thus we arrive at our destination in the Kingdom of Wellt.

: Holmes, you must begone at once. We must not be mistaken for outlaes such as yourselves.

A bit late for that, isn’t it?

: Yeah, yeah, we’re going. You don’t have to tell me with that big mouth of yours.

: So I assume you’re off to Isla?

: Yeah. That island is out of the Empire’s reach. We’re going to drive out the piretes and make it our new base.

: Will you be alright on your own?

: Hey, don’t worry. Hunting down pirates is our job. One glimpse of the lion on our flag’ll be enough to send them running in terror. I’m more worried about you, Runan. The Lazerian soldiers are all soft, and your personal guard’s that old fossil... I know. I’ll give you one of my men. Garo! Get down here!

Really? What happened to not be mistaken for outlaws?

: I’m sorry, Holmes...

: Well, suppose it’s goodbye for now, Runan. May the sea breeze bless your journey!

: Yes! Yours too, Holmes!

Anyone still awake? After all that it’s time to tackle the first chapter of the game.

Meet our fellow band of fighters: Runan, Garo and two yet unknown cavaliers.

: Convincing them to fight in their current state will surely be no easy task. I am afraid that for now, we are alone.

: ...Perhaps our first course of action should be to determine what kind of situation this country is in.

: Then let us gather information in this port.

: Make it so. All troops, I want you to talk to the people here and gather what information you can. We’ll head for the castle after that.

Just as we want to start the game for real, these two walk in from the bottom left corner.

Kate and Sasha seem to be in a hurry fleeing from something...

: You mustn’t say that, Your Highness! We are almost at Verje. Please bear with me.

:But... my leg...

...! You’ve sprained your ankle! To think that you’ve been putting weight on it this entire time... Forgive me, my lady. I should have noticed earlier... I shall stay here and hold back our pursuers. You must make it as far as Saura. If you can hide yourself and rest in a lodge overnight, the pain should subside. Then you can continue on towards Verje in the morning. You must press on, with or without me!

: Never! I cannot abandon you here, Kate!

: Your Highness, fear not. I am your guardian and a trained knight. I will prove to be more than a match for the likes of Kodder’s soldiers.

: Yes you are indeed a fine knight, Kate. But not even you could prevail against such numbers.

: I realize that. But I must protect you, no matter what cost. That is my duty..no, my privilege, as your loyal knight.

: No! I will not allow you to run to your death! Please Kate. I can make it to Saura... I promise. So let’s go together, alright?

: Lady Sasha...

Now with us finally in control for the first time in the game, let’s have a look at our current units.

We start with our Lord Runan. To any veteran Fire Emblem player this instantly looks familiar, so those of you that read this might want to skip ahead, while I cover the basics for any new readers.

In the top left you can see general information for the character you are watching. Topmost is the title by which that character is known e.g. the people know Runan as the Scion of Lazeria. Following underneath the title is the units’ sex and name, followed by his HP and lastly his class and level information.

In the top right you can see his combat stats with his currently equipped weapon the Rapier. Attack is damage done to enemies (which gets subtracted by their defense to get the damage value). Range explains itself. Hit and Critical are the odds of hitting and critting an enemy without any avoid. Defense is the number that gets subtracted from a succesful opposing attack. Speed determines whether you can double enemies or not.

In the lower left we can find Runan’s stats.

Strength affects how much damage you do.
Skill affects your skill activation rate as well as the odds of hitting and critting.
Agility determines your speed and in part your chances to avoid attacks.
Defense determines how much damage you negate.
Magic affects all things magical (e.g. damage as well as defense).
Luck plays a part in calculating evasion and crit rates.
WLv. determines what level of weapons you are capable of using.
W.P. shows generally how effective ones unit is supposed to be

The 3 symbols right under the stats show what type of unit the knight lord is (Infantry), what kind of weapons it uses (just swords) and if the character in question has any skills. Runan starts with the City Fighter skill which gives him +10% Evade and Hit as well as +1 movement when fighting inside cities/on city maps.

The bottom right shows Runan’s current inventory e.g. his weapons and other items. So far he only posesses his Rapier.

On the next page you can find support information as well as information to promotions (since Runan is a main lord he gets a plot promotion and as such no information is given). Lastly there is a small window on the bottom right, whenever the unit has to talk to someone specific on the map to trigger something special (e.g get a conversation, recruit people etc.). Here it shows that Runan should talk to Sasha.

The next page shows your levelup history. It creates a graph showing how much the RNG hates or favors certain units.

Turning yet another page reveals this certain window. Here the game tallies how many enemies of a certain type you killed, with which weapon you killed and on what terrain you killed. Get these numbers high enough and the unit in question receives boots to Hit, Evade and Crit when fighting certain enemies/on certain terrain/ with a certain weapons.

The last page shows what kind of terrain a unit can move in and at what cost.

With all that being said, let’s take a look at our other units. Kreiss is fairly balanced with a slight edge towards strength from his initial stats. As usual with Cavaliers he can use lances as well as swords.

Kreiss supports with his fellow Cavalier as well as his Lord. He can be promoted to Knight-Captain once he reaches lvl 10 and has a Knight Proof used on him.

Arkis on the other hand has stats favoring Skill and Agility.

Other than that the same things apply that were already said before.

Garo is our Crutch character for the early game. He hits fairly hard (if he hits) and is damn fast too, given our current status. He comes with the Continue skill allowing him to get off two attacks without retaliation from the enemy inbetween. It activates according to (Agility)%. He also comes with Seafarer which does the same as the City Fighter talent of Runan just in this case for Sea Terrain/Maps.

He has no promotion and as such can, without the use of a certain item, attain a max level of 30. He also doesn’t support with any of our guys.

Let’s have a look at our allies in form of Sasha and Kate. Sasha is rather weak initially but actually has two promotions instead of one, which gives her a good and non-random boost. Keep her around your guys and possibly feed her a kill if possible. Her skill is Charisma which grants units up to 3 spaces around her +5% to Hit and Evade.

Kate is a bit stronger right of the gate, wielding both bows and swords. She also comes with a Wooden Shield, an item which grants +4 defense when equipped. It breaks after being used four times.

With all that out of the way, Runan takes his first turn of the game and visits one of the houses.

: Wait, you guys were on that thing? Who are you?

Not outlaws obviously

: I don’t know why you came all the way from the mainland, but don’t cause any trouble, you hear? We’ve got enough problems as it is. Hm? This thing? Some medicine, I think... I found it down at the docks. Don’t know what it’s for. If you want it, be my guest.

And as such we acquire a stat up item right out of the gate. This one, as the name suggests, raises one characters Weapon Level by 3.

Meanwhile Kreiss visits another house.

: Why don’t you wait for a while?

Arkis follows the example set so far and goes of to say hello to another villager.

: I’d been wondering wha kind of studly men these were, who had held the combined might of the Imperial armies at bay for an entire year. But oddly enough, you’re the cutest little boy, aren’t you? Oh well, whatever. You came all this way to see me, so here. Have this herb.

Herbs are your standard healing items, healing 10 HP à pop.

Garo just heads down the street for now, and Kate and Sasha move towards the city.

Finally our enemies show themselves.

: Capture the princess and bring her back to the palace.

: Yes, my lord.

Let’s have a look at our opposition. In short they suck. The only possible threat would be Luz, but we have a Rapier which is effective against armors (and horseback, so even the cavalier is just an afterthought). That one Bowman will drop his herbs when slain.

Runan visits another house while waiting for the drawbridge to lower.

: However I doubt the Empire would bother coming all the way out here. His Majesty, King Ropharl, went with his troops to Fort Balt in Liebe’s aid and has been missing ever since. He was a fine king... It’s unfortunate that his kindness cost him his life and his land. This country is finished without the king... Queen Liza and Princess Sasha aren’t enough to pull our nation through these harsh times. Oh you’ve been very patient to listen to an old man’s rambling. Here, take this sword as a token of my gratitude. It may be run-of-the-mill, but its edge hasn’t dulled since the days that i wielded it. Not one bit.

On the first glance this looks like a regular Iron Sword, but if you examine it further (by equipping it and looking at your stats) you’ll see that it raises your crit chance by 1%. This is because once a weapon has reached 50 kills, it will increase it’s crit chance by 1% for every additional kill with that weapon up to a maximum of 49%.

Garo visits the house highlighted.

: However, our King Ropharl went far abroad in order to fight in the Balt War. And in the King’s absences, Count Kodder, who had risen to the rank of chancellor, seized his opportunity, and drained this once prosperous harbor of all the life that it once had. The chancellor’s troops came to levy enormous taxes on all of the cargo entering or leaving this place, seizing anything and everything that was worth anything at all. There is no way we can survive for long in such trying times... If only our good King were here with us... Oh, dear me, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be filling the ears of visitors with such gloom. This isn’t much of a way to apologize, but here, please take this Wooden Shield. It’s a memento of my father, but you could find more use for it than I. I would be pleased to see it actually used by somone who could aid us. I’m sure my father would be, too.

In a “what if” scenario, Arkis visits the house with the blue roof.

: This is were we train soldiers in the art of Seafaring, so they might be able to better combat the filthy pirates who plague the high seas. Heh, you look like you just might have what it takes. Very well, then I will teach you the art of Seafaring.

We could learn the Seafaring skill here if we wanted but neither of our units really needs it at the moment so decline to return at a later point.

Instead Arkis moves further down south and Kreiss visits the last house in the port.

: Indeed, such is his nobility that Chancellor Kodder is no comparision at all. In fact, mostly everyone would agree that he is more suited to be chancellor than Count Kodder ever was.... but why would our Queen appoint Kodder instead and unleash his malevolence upon us? I guess that those nobles are so high up that they can’t see how hard the rest of us on the ground are struggling just to make ends meet every day. Just typical. Anyway, here. Why don’t you take this amulet? My ex gave this to me, and I don’t want her to find out I still have it. But, uh, I really don’t have the heart to just throw it out, so, uh...If you could just take it from me, that would really make me happy.

The charm negates one fatal attack and then breaks. Handy if the RNG screws with you, but relying on it is obviously a bad idea as your folks should not die in the first place.

Sasha and Kate flee towards the city with the enemies in pursuit.

We’re still stranded, waiting for the bridge to be lowered so we just end our turn.

The enemies slowly gain on our damsels in distress.

For our next turn we look at what kind of goods the shops on this map have to offer. Nobody really needs anything, but it’s nice to know in case we return here.

The opposing cavalier reaches Kate...

...and engages in a losing combat.

Finally the drawbridge has been lowered and we can enter the fight.

Thank you Captain Obvious.

First order of the day is getting Runan to talk to Sasha.

: We’ll deal with the pursuers, so hide someplace safe in the meantime. You’ll tell us what’s going on afterwards.

: Y-Yes...

: Foreign knights? Where are they from?

Kreiss and his noble steed murder our first enemy of the game.

Arkis isn’t going to let that one slide and kills the attacking spearman with a critical on his counterattack.

A bowman attacks Kreiss and gets a spear back for his trouble.

Runan finishes off the injured Bowman...

... who drops his herb.

Kate murders another spear guy.

The boss takes a stab at Runan, but misses and gets scratched in return.

The bowman suffers from his abyssmal skill score and fails to hit Arkis.

Arkis softens up the bowman…

while Garo softens up the boss.

Runan kills the boss with a fierce stab to the crotch.

Our first levelup of the game. Skill and Speed... I can live with that.

To finish things off, Sasha kills the remaining bowman.

: We have her safe and sound. Here she is...

: Are you alright?

: Those must have been Wellt’s soldiers. Why were they after you? You look like someone of noble upbringing.

: Lord Runan, don’t you remember? This is Lady Sasha, princess of Wellt.

: Princess Sasha!?

I am pleased to see you again, Lord Runan.

: And I you... I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you.

: Of course, the last time we met was very long ago. But... I recognized you at once. We only met for a short while, but you were very kind to me... Much like you were today.

: I was still a boy of ten when I accompanied my father on his trip to Wellt. I recall meeting a young princess, but... You’ve changed so much that I couldn’t even recognize you.

: Well, I remembered, my lord.

: Oh, you must be Lord Runan’s guardian.

: Eugen, at your service, my lady.

: Yes, that’s right, General Eugen. Thank you for remembering me.

: Princess Sasha, would you mind telling us what’s happening in Wellt? Why is a member of the royal family being pursued?

: Are you familiar with the Balt War, Lord Runan?

: Yes. It was a major battle that broke out between the Empire and the Western Union over Fort Balt half a year ago. The Western Union was decimated... I heard that King Ropharl was leading the Western Union and went missing soon after.

: That is correct... My father has gone missing. Most of the brave nobles and knights that accompanied my father were killed, leaving only a handful who managed to return to us. With much of the nobility gone, those remaining have begun running the country into the ground, driven by their avarice. Without my father to stop them, they have free reign to abuse their power as they wish.

: But would a nation as powerful as Wellt be crippled so badly after a single defeat? King Ropharl is counted among the Five Great Kings of Liberia. He must have left someone trustworthy in charge to manage the kingdom in his absences.

: Yes, Count Kodder was left in charge to protect the country. However, he has let his greed overtake him. When the previous chancellor fell ill, Kodder named himself the successor. With his power, he has been putting heavy taxes on our people, banishing authorities who dare to question him... He has become nothing short of a tyrant.

: So he’s free to do what he wants without the king to intervene. What does your mother... What does Queen Liza think about this?

: My mother noticed Kodder’s despotic reign, so she prepared a letter to banish him and name Count Maron as chancellor in his place, but... Count Maron is the lord of Verje to the east, and one of my father’closest allegiants. His age prevented him from participating in the Balt War, but he is a loyal and honorable man, loved by commoner and noble alike. My father asked Count Maron to take the role of chancellor, but he refused, insisting that he was not worth of such a title. He still resides in Fort Verje.

: I see... Then you were on your way to Verje to deliver your mother’s letter to him.

: My mother entrusted the letter to Kate, one of our knight’s in thre Kingsguard. However, she feared that I would be taken hostage if Kodder found out, so I was told to accompany her.

: I understand. Then we shall escort you to Verje. I’d like to meet this Count Maron myself.

: But what are you doing in Wellt, Lord Runan? I heard rumors that you were fighting the Empire in Granada...

: I’ll tell you about it later. Anyway, we should leave before Kodder sends reinforcements.

With that we jump cut to the Wellt Royal Palace.

: I have heard rumors that you are planning on building an alliance with the Empire. Do you honestly believe that Ropharl would allow such foolishness? What sort of excuse do you intend to give to the King when he returns?

: With all due respect, your Majesty, King Ropharl was lost to us long ago. As chancellor, it is my duty to protect our nation, is it not?

: The king is alive! I am his wife, I would know... Count Kodder, I ask that you cease your opression of my people at once. There is still time to repent for your sins.

: Your insults wound me, my lady. Generous as I am, I still have my limits.

: Are you threatening me? Then spare yourself the trouble and kill me now. Your name shall be stained forever in history as a filthy traitor!

: Ughh...

: Count Kodder, if you have no further business, then I ask you to leave.

: The royal family of Wellt descends from General Sutherland. Antagonizing them would not be a wise decision.

: What do you suggest then?

The queen’s hope lies in Count Maron. If he were lost, she would surely give in to us.

: Yes... We must eliminate Maron. Let us make haste... The nobles may side with the Queen should we hesitate.

Another cut, to Verje this time.

: What? I thought she was being pursued by Kodder’s soliders.

: She was rescued by a group of knights who had landed at Port Saura. A small band, a few dozen at most, but apparently quite valorous.

: Knights? ...Could it be the Empire?

: No, they were flying the flag of the Blue Dragon.

: Blue Dragon... Liebe’s coat of arms.

: They are either from liebe itself, or one of it’s four principalities. I suspect that they must be from Lazeria. I heard that Liebe’s last remaining base, Fort Granada, fell only a few days ago.

: then Prince Runan fled with his soldiers to Saura? Why would the come knocking on Wellt’s door?

: The late Duke of Lazeria and King Ropharl were close friends as members of the Five Great Kings. The king’s recent dispatch must partly have been to avenge his old comrade. It is not unusual then, that the son of the late Duke would come to Wellt seeking refuge following the loss of his land.

: Prince Runan... He is known as a hero for holding his own against an entire imperial legion. What do you think of him, father?

: He is still a boy, barely twenty years old. That is too young to be called a hero. The people are simply projecting an image onto him after witnessing the death of their true hero, Glamdr.

: So ist he „Hero of Granada” an illusion?

: I suspect as much... But, regardless, we must thank him and his knights for rescueing the princess. Raffin, go to the castle gate and welcome them in. We must pay our due respects...

: Don’t be ridiculous. I swear loyalty to the princess as a knight of Wellt. That is all there is to it.

: Hahaha! You’re the same as ever, dear brother. But I’m sure the princess would appreciate a kind word or two from you for a change...

: Women! Esther, if you have time to waste on such useless gossip, why don’t you spend it on your training? Father was against you becoming a knight, but I supported you because I trusted your words when you said you wished to be of help to him. I must eventually return to my home country. I can’t be protecting you forever.

: I never once asked you to protect me!

: Wait!

: Raffin… You mustn’t pamper her. Don’t forget that you two are not related. We don’t need the other knights to start talking.

: Yes, my humblest apologies...

And we’re back at Saura to finish this wordy chapter.

: He was burned to death by the terror of Muse. My father tried so hard to end the war... when there was finally hope for a treaty in Norzeria, he was overjoyed and headed over at once. But the Empire had resurrected the Holy Dragon Muse. My father was reduced to ash along with thousands of other innocent people by the dragon’s breath...

: I’m sorry. He was such a kind man... Lord Glamdr used to visit Wellt very frequently. He cared for me like his own daugther. The last time we met, he even offered for me to go to Lazeria.

: He was very fond of you, Lady Sasha. He always wanted to welcome you to Lazeria as Lord Runan’s betrothed. He was sorely disappointed that that would not do, since you are the only heir to the throne of Wellt.

: Really, Eugen? But I have no plans to take the throne. My father would never have wished as much. Lord Glamdr... He should have told me.

: Well then, Lady Sasha, what say you to come to Lazeria with us?

: ... Eugen, let’s get going.

: Ah! Yes, of course, my lord.

And after much words Chapter 1 has ended. In Chapter 2 we’ll head over to Verje.

Character Informations

Runan