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    Fire Emblem Never forget the five years long reprimand

    October 29, 2021

    Fire Emblem Never forget the five years long reprimand

    Never forget the five years long reprimand

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 09:07 AM PDT

    Day 29 of drawing Tharja each day for Inktober

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 03:47 PM PDT

    The Enlightened One, by me

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 10:43 AM PDT

    You're getting trapped on a deserted island, and you can only bring one of these four games. Which do you choose to bring with you? (Awakening, Fates (Limited Edition), Echoes, 3H)

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 06:44 AM PDT

    Trick-or-treat with Rhea

    Posted: 28 Oct 2021 09:50 PM PDT

    [Original Art] Sword Scion, Larcei

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 09:41 AM PDT

    The Crest of Flames on flames

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 11:50 AM PDT

    My Fire Emblem collection so far!

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 03:21 PM PDT

    1950s style Lysithea (Commission made by Anilust)

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 05:12 AM PDT

    I'd like to discuss a few plot points in Echoes

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 01:41 PM PDT

    Hello chaps.

    The title might be weird but since I wanted to make a chill topic for discussion and not, like, call out people who enjoy the story. However, I've seen a lot of praise for Echoes' story lately, and I hate fun so I decided to put a stop to that.

    No but seriously, I've always considered it on the lower end of the series in terms of story quality, and I would like to know what makes people enjoy Echoes' writing so much. As such I thought I could try to explain why some things didn't work for me and then you could share your thoughts on the matter.

    Before I begin though, it should be said that I do think Echoes has some very impressive strengths. I know it's mentioned in every topic about it, but the presentation really is amazing in Echoes. Everything looks and sounds so bloody nice, and the localization did a superb job - I played in Japanese but kind of wish I hadn't, because it's a lot less charming and humorous in general. Alm's praised sense of humor and cute observations are basically all deadpan descriptions of what you click, for example.

    I also think it helps that Echoes came out after Fates, which was a particularly low point for the series in terms of storytelling. Echoes as a whole feels a lot more grounded, and the supports, while many are far too short and lacking in substance, have a much more natural flow.

    With that said, I think most, though not all, of my major qualms can be boiled down to two major issues: Alm's perfection and Rudolf's plan.

    1) Alm's perfection

    I've seen people say that Alm being perfect is the whole point: he's both Rigelian and Zofian and thus embraces both ideals from the start, and I've seen it said that this is just how Alm was in Gaiden (with all five lines he had). No matter what was supposed to be the case, however, I think Alm's perfection remains the biggest problem in the whole game.

    At the very start of the game, Alm is described as special "in every way" by Gray. He knows everything worth knowing about battle from Mycen, is said to be crazy strong, is looked up to by his friends, has a stalker and has a long distance childhood crush. He's patient, polite, friendly, and doesn't seem to get particularly angry even when he and his friends are talked down to by strangers.

    As soon as he leaves his village, he takes back a fortress and is then named leader of the Deliverance. I realize this is basically a propaganda ploy by Clive to get more commoners on board, but the fact that there is not even a single map between this happening, where the Deliverance in its entirety (?) is hiding in a catacomb to liberating the symbol Zofia is asinine. Even if we ignore the major problems of logistics, manpower etc. here, Alm is seen as the hero not just by the people, but also the other playable characters.

    Now, a quick victory doesn't make a character perfect or anything. I think the scope of the victory and Alm being made the leader of the Deliverance so quickly is too much, but a more pressing matter here is that Alm doesn't seem to have anything to learn. He remains the friendly, calm, polite, ace leader who defeats his opponents no matter what. It doesn't seem like he has much to learn or room to grow at all; most Fire Emblem lords start as good, competent people, but few have a major victory like this this early, and most lords tend to at least try to work the inexperience angle somewhat, which is absent here. And even though Alm is supposed to be merely a figurehead of the army initially, it doesn't take long before Luthier calls him their king and Clive calls him a teacher.

    Even when Celica shows up, and the two start arguing about how to resolve the conflict, Alm is calm and doesn't really say anything wrong. He says the Rigelians need to be driven out of Zofia and that King Lima, a certified prick, failed his people. Even if you argue that Alm is too quick to pick a fight here, keep in mind that Rudolf would've never agreed to any talks, so mowing straight ahead is the right choice. We'll get to Rudolf later, but it's worth keeping in mind that thus far pressing on no matter what has been and will continue to be the right decision.

    Alm goes on to push the Rigelians out of Zofia and into Rigel, defeating Berkut twice along the way. Berkut is haughty, arrogant, and also talks down to Alm and his army, yet is soundly defeated when he shows up. Even when resorting to dark magic, Berkut is forced to flee with his tail between his legs. However, the point here isn't necessarily that Alm wins no matter what, but that Alm doesn't show any ill will towards Berkut. We'll get to that more in a bit.

    In fact, let's take a little break from the main plot events and see what characters have said about Alm up till this point.

    Clive: Just look at what you did in my stead. I criticized you roundly for diverting our army to save one person. But you did it anyway because you have something I do not—strength of heart. You understand what is precious and fight for it no matter the cost. I am lucky to have so wise a teacher.

    Man (Zofia Castle): Three huzzahs for Zofia's liberators, and three huzzahs for Alm! Truly, he is the hero Zofia has been waiting for. And he's every bit the champion General Mycen was! Make no mistake, the Rigelian Empire's as fearsome a foe as they come, but with Alm leading our forces, we needn't fear any man!

    Tobin: You're the one who said all those years ago that Alm was different from us. You knew he was going to do something like this one day. [...] Well, you were on to something no matter what you meant. Because now we're starting to see that he's much bigger than we are. I'm proud of him, but…I'm also going to miss him.

    Main characters being praised is nothing new, but they're laying it on very thick here very early, and it doesn't ever stop. Keep in mind that Tobin's "arc" as it were in his base conversation ends with him coming to terms he'll never be as good as Alm.

    For a little thought experiment, remove Alm's name from those quotes and add "Avatar" instead.

    Moving back to the main plot, Alm is tricked by Nuibaba to come to her lair. However, he overcomes the challenge as heroes are wont to do, but what I think is important to point out here is that this is the most optimal outcome possible. By doing this, Alm saves a lot of people and wins over Zeke to his side - even when falling into a trap, Alm suffers no consequences. There's nothing to encourage or force a change in tactics or mindset. Alm wins every battle, overcomes every challenge, fights his way out of every trap, and everything just keeps working out.

    I understand that the hero needs to win in a series like Fire Emblem, but I'm not arguing Alm should lose permanently or anything. What I'm saying is that Alm's path to victory is effectively a straight line from point A to point B and since there are basically no bumps in the road, there is no room for growth or introspection. Most Fire Emblem games at the very least try to explain why you can't just charge into the evil empire without building your strength first, but here Alm is a bowling ball and the enemies he faces bowling pins.

    Finally, Alm reaches Rigel Castle and takes down Rudolf. I'll ignore the lack of subtlety in the foreshadowing here and instead focus on what it means that Alm isn't of common birth. The game has made a big deal of the divide between nobles and commoners, and a consistent message has been that one's birth doesn't determine what one is capable of. A simple message, but it works. The villains in particular argue that nobles are superior because of their bloodline and bearings, however, and by making Alm royalty, the game practically says they're right.

    Alm was born special. It's not just his elite training, it's in his very blood. He's got a special Brand to prove it. Even if you argue his upbringing in Zofia is what made him a more balanced individual capable of utilizing this power, it doesn't change the fact that Alm was born with special powers which regular people don't have, thus making him a poor example of the game's message. Furthermore, if Alm hadn't been royalty, the Deliverance would've died in Duma's labyrinth underneath Rigel, as Alm had to go through an invisible wall which separates kings from the common riff-raff.

    In this labyrinth, Alm defeats Berkut a third and final time. This time Berkut is hooked up on god juice and has killed his fiancé (another can of worms I don't have time for tonight) and bound her spirit to serve him as some kind of undead fire spirit. Even as Berkut lies dying, Alm cries for him as Berkut is the protagonist's cousin.

    Now, keep in mind that at this point, Alm has not seen a single good trait in Berkut. Berkut has until this point only been an arrogant dipshit, insulting Alm, his friends, and his army whenever possible. He resorted to dark magic in the battlefield and murdered his fiancé in some kind of horrible ritual. However, Alm doesn't even show a hint of anger. I know some would argue that it's because of Alm's longing for a family, and sure, that's probably it, but the whole scene is so horribly off-key. Alm knew only Berkut as a horrible, horrible person and found out they were related five minutes ago; their connection should've been a burden to Alm, not a potential source of joy. Alm doesn't have a bad bone in his body and is practically not allowed to be angry at people we're supposed to find sympathetic.

    With that out of the way, Alm goes on to get his legendary weapon and save Celica. Their conversation ends like this:

    Alm: …Let's go, Celica. We have to save Duma, for her sake and ours.

    Celica: Alm, I…

    Alm: Listen, Celica. I know you sacrificed your own life to protect me and the others. But I never wanted that. I couldn't ever be happy in a world you died to create!

    Celica: Oh, Alm… I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

    Alm: Don't apologize. Just know that I need you, all right? Without your wisdom, all I know how to do is fight whatever's in front of me. So please… Will you fight with me? Believe in me. Believe in US. Believe in our combined strength!

    Celica: I do. It's as Mila said… We've had the strength to live and fight for our world this whole time. I lost faith in that somewhere along the way… But right now, it seems the most obvious thing in the world. I trust in mankind like I trust in you, Alm. Absolutely, and without hesitation.

    Alm: I feel the same, Celica. This isn't where things end for us. Even without gods, this world has a long and prosperous future ahead of it. Now let's go claim that future together!

    Okay, so, there is a LOT to break down here. Let's start with this:

    Without your wisdom, all I know how to do is fight whatever's in front of me.

    This is a lazy line to try and justify Celica's presence in the plot. Not once throughout Echoes has Alm needed Celica's supposed wisdom, and not once has he not been rewarded for just charging ahead. Keep in mind that at this point Alm has not lost a single fight, and unless you count losing playable units to try and weave gameplay elements into the plot, Alm has had no reason to stop and question his way of doing things.

    I lost faith in that somewhere along the way… But right now, it seems the most obvious thing in the world. I trust in mankind like I trust in you, Alm. Absolutely, and without hesitation.

    This basically completes both Alm's and Celica's arcs, such as they are, and it does not end with a combination of their ideals meeting or anything of the sort. It ends with Celica saying Alm was right.

    The game has pushed the idea of duality throughout the plot. Two countries, two gods, two different ways of viewing the world, two protagonists. We've been told that extremes are bad: Rigelians are strong but cruel and Zofians are nice but lazy/corrupt. A middleground is needed if Valentia is to be reunited and the people are to grow and know peace. However, Alm has been this middleground this entire time - he's always been driven and strong, but had compassion to spare. So then...what is the point of Celica? What did she contribute to the main story? Her perspective was never needed; she just had to get around to Alm's way of thinking.

    If you don't think finding a middleground between two extremes is a message of the plot, then Duma's final line makes no sense.

    Duma: So be it, Alm. I leave Valentia's future to you, her hero. Take from us what lessons you will and shape her into a land to remember. Make her strong like Duma, and fill her with Mila's love. Let our grave mistakes be warnings of where not to tread as you lead her forth. Now, we shall sleep. And never shall you disturb our slumber.

    And notice how he talks to Alm, not Celica. Why doesn't Alm, the bigger protagonist, simply eat Celica? Oh wait, he did.

    Alm ends the game as he started: perfect. He's strong, capable, wise, driven, and compassionate. He's not had to learn anything from anyone, never had to question himself or his way of doing things. He's not needed help from other allied groups or nations like in other games. He's never been punished for "just fighting whatever is in front of him". There has been no real arc, low point, or anything of the sort. Even if you were to argue that static characters can work just fine, or that this was always the point, or that this is how it was in Gaiden, this is not particularly engaging writing, and it absolutely guts Celica's relevance to the plot, or anyone else's for that matter.

    2) Rudolf's plan

    It just doesn't work.

    Even if you accept Rudolf starting a war by killing Mila rather than Duma who has already gone raving mad - which I've seen justified by saying that the Duma Faithful had spies everywhere and could've easily killed Rudolf or whatever, which I don't think is directly supported by the plot - Rudolf's gambit is absolute madness.

    Let's break down Rudolf's plan as it stands after he's killed Mila: Rudolf wants to be defeated by Alm and Duma slain. He wants mankind to rise above the need for gods and to stand on their own two feet.

    Makes sense, but how exactly does he intend to accomplish this? By the start of the game, Zofia is going through a drought and is experiencing poor harvests. There has been a civil war, bandit raids, and over half the country is occupied by Rigel. The Deliverance is hiding in a catacomb at the start of the game, and the living dead are roaming the lands. Zofians are said to be weak and lazy, while Rigelians are crazy strong and militaristic. However, Rudolf banks on Alm being capable of defying all of these odds and reach him at the northern tip of Rigel.

    There are no hints that Rudolf is making things easier for Alm. He denies any opportunity to talk and plan things with the Deliverance or prepare them for what should happen after his death. The game also conveniently brushes the issue of Duma's death impacting the land aside as it's never mentioned again after Alm says he'll work in the fields to combat the drought (???).

    Rudolf seems to be unhinged. He dangles the throne in front of Berkut all his life only for Alm to show up and claim it, and then he enacts this crazy suicide-deicide gambit which only works because this is a video game. That may be a little blunt of me but I'm a little tired as I've been writing this post for quite a long time now and it's getting late, but that is the impression I get.

    More than Rudolf's plan being utter madness, however, I think it's worth discussing the inherent hypocrisy of it. "But wait, Odovakar" I hear you saying, salivating at the thought of owning me with facts and logic. "Rudolf knew about the prophecy™ and therefore knew Alm would succeed!"

    If this is your argument then I would like to counter with two points of my own.

    1) We never get the prophecy in full, and it honestly feels really half baked

    2) Rudolf's entire motivation seems to be wanting mankind to rise above gods and stand on their own to feet. By basing his demented plan on prophetic mumbo-jumbo, he's putting his faith not in mankind, but, well, in prophetic mumbo-jumbo.

    So, the in-universe justification for Rudolf going through with this seems to be because his son has a birthmark.

    Anyway, those are my thoughts. I'd be curious to hear yours. I apologize if I don't answer a lot of replies (if I'll get any after this chonker of a text) since it's getting late here.

    submitted by /u/Odovakar
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    My FE7 Daily Chibi Project: Part 6

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 08:39 AM PDT

    #TeamSeas

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 04:21 PM PDT

    What FE3H characters do you think should have had supports?

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 10:45 AM PDT

    In Claude We Trust (Ask Claude and Pasha comic - the series finale!)

    Posted: 28 Oct 2021 10:08 PM PDT

    Trick or Treat! [Art by @SMKittyKat on Twitter, Commissioned by Me!]

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 02:45 AM PDT

    What is a mechanic you do not want to see on the next FE game?

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 02:48 PM PDT

    Out of all the Weapon Types...

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 09:21 AM PDT

    Imagine, if you will, you having a chance to learn any of the weapon types, which would you pick?

    Nothing to do with unit class, just learning from a master of that particular weapon.

    Me personally, I can't decide between daggers, bow/arrow, or staves.

    submitted by /u/Cerebrum-Igni
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    Tiki in Fire Emblem Sacred Stones

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 08:02 AM PDT

    What is the most balanced fire emblem game?

    Posted: 29 Oct 2021 07:57 PM PDT

    Games I've played so far are awakening and fates conquest and I am working my way through echoes rn before I go to three houses. So far, echoes def feels less broken and unbalanced compared to awakening and conquest so far (nosferatu bs in awakening and unbalanced royal characters in conquest). What are the most balanced FE games? Just wondering.

    submitted by /u/skapuppet
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