Category Archives: Fire Emblem 8

Fort Rigwald

As usual, today’s picture is down in the chapter; but today, there are two pictures! I drew an illustration for the beginning of the chapter and the end of the chapter. And for all that I couldn’t remember what people were talking about and I had to go and restart the game and play it again to find out. Oh, my background for the second one is laaaaame. The first one I don’t think is too bad, though.

I’ve been working on the last chapters of The Tactician and the Jewel (sooooo close!! Chapter 9 really is finished now and I’ve started the outline of Chapter 10) but I took some time out to write the Rigwald chapter. Bit rushed, perhaps, but it gets the plot across, yeah? I hope it’s not too boring. …You know, I have a scene in which the ‘hero’ of TTatJ’ is not present – and I discovered how much he overshadows everything. I got to spotlight some minor characters! Yay!

Ephraim’s Story: Chapter 5: Fort Rigwald

Chapter 4: A New Journey     Chapter 6: Turning Traitor

 

    Chapter 5: Fort Rigwald

ephraimillustration3    It was dawn over the hill country just south of Frelia. Commander Syrene and I were standing on a small cliff overlooking the back of a small and interestingly-looking castle.

    “Fort Rigwald, huh?” I mused. “Who built it, do you know?”

    “I am afraid not, Lord Ephraim. I can see why you asked, though. The gate on the south leads directly into a long covered passage filled with arrow-slits. Any enemy who breaches the gates is instantly in a killing ground. The back walls are impervious, and there is no back gate, so the front gate is pretty much the only way to get in and capture the place. It has stood unconquered for generations.”

    “And to capture the place, we’ll need to take out its commander, who will probably be in the throne room of the keep. If we don’t, then they’ll fall on our rear as we try to assault the capital.” I looked lopsidedly at her. “Do you think we can do it?”

    “It’s a daunting task,” she admitted. “The enemy not only has those formidable defences, but the advantage of numbers as well.”

    “But what about morale?” I asked.

    “You think they may not want to fight?”

    “This is the emperor’s war. Renais and Grado have always been close allies and friends. The hearts of the people cannot be so swift to change. I know that General Duessel, my old lance teacher, is loyal as an old dog can be to the crown… but he also opposes this war. I’m sure he opposes it with every fibre of his being. I wonder if he’s in there. I could ask him what’s going on with the emperor.”

    “Optimism here may be deadly,” Syrene said sternly. Then her face lightened. “Still, it’s a much better idea than attacking Grado’s main army face to face.”

    I smiled at her and thought. “I think it would be a really bad idea to ask our pegasus knights to create a diversion… they’re sure to have thought of that. Let me see… here’s what we’ll do.”

    I marshalled my troops. “All right, listen up! We’re going to bust down those gates and head inside, as quick as we can! Rush the throne room and kill their commander. That may force the other side to surrender. I’ll give more specific orders as we get into battle. Understood?”

    “Yes, sir!” responded my army. Continue reading

Ephraim Meets Syrene

A small sketch of where I (gasp) replace Seth and co. with Syrene!! (down here towards the end of the chapter)I think it makes sense, personally, and considering I already wrote Eirika’s Story and have most of the characters in there, especially Seth, I needed to use other characters to provide emphasis. I’m gonna miss Kyle and Forde, though. They were wasted on Eirika’s Story. But they needed to go with her. No more silly banter from the social knights, but Syrene is here to save the day! I like her. I pair her with Innes, though that’s probably so uncanon that people are shooting me dirty looks now. I’m not sure what to do with the other Frelians, though. I don’t find them the most interesting characters, actually. I’ll figure out something.

Ephraim’s Story: Chapter 4: A New Journey

Chapter 3: It’s a Trap!     Chapter 5: Fort Rigwald

 

Chapter 4: A New Journey

   After we left the castle of Renvall, I went ahead slightly with Seth. “Please, tell me all that has happened, Seth. All I know is that Renais Castle has fallen. Tell me, has my father escaped?”

   Seth bowed his head and I knew the news before he spoke it. “He has not. My deepest sympathies, Prince Ephraim. Princess Eirika and I heard the news when we arrived at Castle Frelia. But I am beginning my tale in the middle.”

   “Go ahead, Seth.”

   It was a long story. I shook my head when he had finished. “That’s… near incredible. But Forde and Kyle and I – and Orson, until four or five days ago – we’ve been fighting Grado soldiers every day for weeks, until Valter came to capture us and Orson showed his true colours. And it fits exactly with what you say. Each battle they were a bit more interested in my wrist, in my bracelet. And for what? To destroy the Sacred Stone of Renais? To release abominable monsters across the lands… How could they seriously plot such a thing?”

   “We… do not know. The cleric Natasha has told us all she knows, but I feel there is much more that she does not, could not know. If we could only speak to your friend Prince Lyon, it might solve much, but that is not possible with current standings and strengths.”

   I thought for a minute, and then nodded, agreeing with him. “Do you know how these bracelets unlock our Sacred Stone?”

   Seth met my gaze for a moment, then looked away at the horizon. “I… cannot tell you how yet. King Fado instructed me to keep it secret, even from you, until it was needed. Please believe me, I shall tell you everything when it is time.”

   “I understand, Seth. But don’t you go dying on us! I need the answer to this riddle sooner or later, and we might find it in the Sacred Stone.”

   The older man smiled slightly. “Die? And fail in my duty? Never, my lord.” Continue reading

Renvall Rescue

Scroll down to find the picture somewhere in Chapter 3 of Ephraim’s Story. I forgot the horses! I guess I wasn’t confident enough to draw them. The left side of the page is a quick summary of what they say during that scene in the game. As you can see I didn’t follow it exactly. I find it’s smoother to read and less predictible to the reader that way. I mean, EVERYONE and their kitchen sink knows what Lyn says in the Prologue of Rekka no Ken in the game. Also it avoids what one fanfic author, through Erk, called RDOO’s: Random Displays of Obviousness.

Ephraim’s Story: Chapter 3: It’s a Trap!

Chapter 2: Prisoners     Chapter 4: A New Journey

 

Chapter 3: It’s a Trap!

    I finally got the door open. Kyle and Forde were sound asleep, which was no surprise since I could see stars through their window – I had none. They looked rather uncomfortable. I pulled the door slightly, trying to see if I could slip out without making a noise. My luck was good. The door were pretty quiet, and I managed to get out.

    “Ephraim?” came a very small voice, from high up somewhere.

    “Myrrh?” I whispered, looking around frantically. She hadn’t been captured too, had she? I’d never forgive myself if she-

    “I’m up here,” her voice came again. I looked back at the window. There were dark fluffy pigtails silhouetted against the stars.

    “Myrrh! You’re all right!”

   “I’m sorry, Ephraim. I can’t help.”

    “Don’t worry about that,” I said. “I’m just glad you’re all right. You just sit tight and we’ll get out. No one has seen you?” I sat down on a wooden stool and began the laborious effort of opening the knights’ door. It was a little easier than mine, since I was facing it this time.

    “No. I stayed hidden, even when the Wyvern Master came and battled you, and your knight knocked you out… I was so worried when they carried you back inside. Ever since night came I’ve been trying to find you, if I could.”

    “Well, you did, and I’m grateful.” Continue reading

Ephraim’s Story: Chapter 2: Prisoners

Chapter 1: Unbroken Heart     Chapter 3: It’s a Trap!

 

Chapter 2: Prisoners

    I awoke in a cold stone cell. I stared up at the ceiling blankly until feeling returned to my body.

Then it became imperative that I sit up.

“Ow… my head…” I moaned, rubbing the spot on the back of it where I had been hit by Orson’s lance haft.

“Prince Ephraim, are you all right?” called Kyle’s voice.

“Mm? Yes. I’m fine. My head just still hurts where that – ” I broke off. “Kyle, how are you? Is Forde with you?”

“Yeah, I’m here, Prince. We’re all stuck in this room together. You’ve got a cell to yourself, though.”

“I can see that,” I said, standing unsteadily and leaning against the bars. Across from me were my two cavaliers, crouching in their cell.

“You’ve been out for a couple of hours longer than we have,” Kyle told me.

“Any way to get out of here?” I asked, pushing each separate bar in turn.

“Nope, not from what I can see,” Forde commented cheerfully. “Anyhow, it would be kinda foolish to try and escape just yet – they’re bound to have extra guards with you and all.”

“I see.” I turned my head to hear better. “Someone’s coming.”

Orson clattered down the stairs into the room.

“Orson!” I snarled. If there hadn’t been bars I believe I would have thrown myself on him and proceeded to beat the daylights out of him, but as it was, I couldn’t. Continue reading

Ephraim’s Story: Chapter 1: Unbroken Heart

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones: Ephraim’s Story

Chapter 2: Prisoners

    Chapter 1: Unbroken Heart

    I am Ephraim. I am the Prince of Renais, son of King Fado and brother to my twin sister Eirika. I have jade green hair and eyes. The lance I wield is called the Reginleif. I like the lance.

If you want a description of the way I dress, too, I wear a light blue tunic, white pants, black boots, brown gloves, over which I wear a bracelet my father gave to me – not a girly bracelet, thank goodness – leather armour to protect my hips while fighting on horseback, a dark blue cloak with red lining, and dark blue chest, shoulder, and leg armour. On the chest plate is the Crest of Renais.

Now, I may be the Prince of Renais, but I’m far more interested in being a warrior than a king when my father passes away.

Which was why, on a certain day in the year 803, I was with the last three of my knights – Kyle, Forde, and Orson – and a small girl named Myrrh, who had joined us recently after we rescued her from bandits, and we were camping in a deep thicket somewhere in the north of Grado, which had always been Renais’ friend, but had now attacked us. I was horribly confused, but I had to protect Renais, so I did what I could. I led suprise attacks and ambushes against Grado’s armies for as long as I could, but now we were four, and I couldn’t quite do that anymore. We’d been fighting useless mercenaries, anyway. We’d always been vastly outnumbered, but I used my wits and education in tactics to come out victor every time.

“Forde, how are we on supplies and equipment?” I asked one of my two ‘social knights’, the one with blonde hair and blue-grey eyes.

“It’s not looking good,” he replied glumly. “Our weapons are in bad shape, and we’re running low on food. We can probably restock at a nearby village, but-”

“No, that’s not an option. We’re in enemy territory. I will not involve innocents if I can avoid it.” Continue reading

Fire Emblem Rescue

Franz is blind! Oh noes! jk

Franz is blind! Oh noes! jk

There are so many illustrations/parodies of the Fire Emblem Rescue command, so I did my own. Only it’s not a parody. See, this is what should happen when you have two horse mounted guys and one rescues the other. Duh! So there you are. Franz and Amelia from Fire Emblem 8 demonstrate after cavalier!Amelia gets hit by an arrow. Franz doesn’t have eyes because I thought that would ruin the effect somehow. Meh.

I dragged out my Zela costume yesterday. I’m going to make a pouch thingy to go on the belt, so I can carry my lunch to school. I also need to find a quick way to attach my waterbottle. And I think I want to make a new tunic, make it longer, more formfitting in the waist. And I’m going to make a wood/plastic sword. Yep. That’s my big plan. I’m going to try the pouch first because I still have material left from the cloak that I can use. Oh, and I want to add little detail things to the costume all over because y’know, it’s quite a plain costume. I know that a ton of, say, strappy or dangly things would only get in the way of moving swiftly and silently through the forest and/or fighting, but there must be something I can do. I’m thinking about embroidered ivy on stuff. y/n? And little bits of stitching to the black shirt/pants as if it got torn once and mended. And add length to both the sleeves and neck because the shirt is actually too small. And fix the gauntlets so they don’t cut off circulation when I try to play piano. o_O7

And then maybe I’ll buy red material and start working on a Flairé costume because Flairé would be awesome to go as. Although I’d need a long shiny black wig. Hmm. And the cloak would be insane because I want to make his fancy cloak with the embroidered phoenix on the back that you haven’t seen yet. Whee!

Brothers-in-law

Difficulties in not-using honorifics abound

Difficulties in not-using honorifics abound

Ephraim and Seth. Not much to say, except that they both have short legs but Ephraim somehow looks okay despite that, and Seth has a way-cool coat. And they’re both not exactly like the official art.

It’s really dumb how there’s only official art (that I’ve seen) for about ten random characters in Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones.

And yes, I did realize that the KOTOR II patch has not yet been released. I’m looking forward to it, though. Eeeee.