What's the harm in a little reckless besieging? Let's Play FE: The Sacred Stones

I'm sorry about how slow I've been with the updates. I should have the next one ready to go tomorrow and hopefully the next before Thanksgiving, but I have had less free time that I thought I would lately. But since I am giving up on NaNoWriMo and some other things have cleared up I should have some more time to devote to this.

Eh-heh... after I posted that I actually TRIED that (on Villiage of Silence). Dozla was... less than useful at anything except for recruting Ewan with berserker mountainman skillz Still, his sprite looks pretty cool. more "berserker" than Ross's Hero-ish colors. and he burns garcia's beard off.

Who cares, Garcia is not that great either.

Update!



What’s this? A bonus chapter? What could be going on here?



Valter:
What's the situation, Tirado? You have captured Ephraim, haven't you?

Tirado:
No. Prince Ephraim still fights in the lands north of Renvall.

Valter:
And why is that? What has happened to all those mercenaries you hired?

Tirado:
They've proven to be less then adequate. Ephraim's clever. His band strikes quickly and then vanishes into the woods. We more than double his numbers, and yet he uses the terrain wisely to fight us. He has no army--just a small force of knights loyal to Renais. Prince Ephraim's reputation as a superb strategist would seem to be well earned.

Valter:
Hmm... How interesting. The lad's beginning to whet my appetite. Tirado...Bring him to me as quickly as you can, will you?

Tirado:
As you command. Just grant me an army, and I'll bring him down swiftly.

Valter:
What sort of plan do you have?

Tirado:
Master, I am your loyal adjutant, and you are my general. For you, my lord, I have many plans ready and waiting.

Valter:
Really? Well then, let me hear them.

Tirado:
Very well. First, you and I will leave this fort and head north. Then, we will find Prince Ephraim in his leafy playpen.

Valter:
But he's not easily found, is he?

Tirado:
Do not worry. At Prince Ephraim's side is... a friend, shall we say. When the time is right, our friend will move on our behalf...

I haven’t commented much on the story, mostly because I tend to pay little attention to it, especially this early with very little important actually happening. Valter here is a bastard. As are all of the new generals, but Valter is an especially monstrous.

What? There is a traitor in Ephraim’s midst, who could it be? Who is with Ephraim, where is Ephraim? All of these answers may be answered in this chapter.



We can probably restock at a nearby village, but--

Ephraim:
No, that's not an option. We're in enemy territory. I will not involve innocents if I can avoid it.

Forde:
Yeah, I knew you'd say that. I mean, it's because of stuff like that that we've stuck with you so far. But eventually, we do need to face reality. What are we going to do?

Kyle:
Word of mouth has it that the invasion of Renais has progressed quite far. I've heard that the capital has fallen.

Ephraim:
Hm...So soon... Still, my father is in the capital, and he won't surrender easily. Forde, Kyle. Our mission here is to harry the troops, to distract their eye. Hopefully, we'll be able to give my father and Eirika time to escape. Kyle, have you heard anything from Orson? I sent him ahead to scout.

Kyle:
No word yet, and it's about time he returned...



We shouldn't tarry here any longer than necessary...

Ephraim:
I see.

Forde:
Seems as though we've certainly caught Grado's eye this time. Should we retreat back to the capital, Prince Ephraim?

Ephraim:
No. We press onward. We're going to capture Renvall.

Forde:
Wh-what?!?



Kyle:
Forde! Watch your tongue! This is our prince you're addressing!

Ephraim:
Kyle, please, it's all right. We've heard nothing from home, So what harm could a little reckless besieging cause?

That phrase is familiar. I do like the character dynamic of this trio, where normally Forde would be the reckless daredevil and Ephraim the balance between him and Kyle, but Ephraim, the supposed leader, is just straight up crazy.

Kyle:
Prince Ephraim...

Ephraim:
Don't worry. I haven’t lost all sense of self-preservation. Renvall holds an important place in Grado's national defense. If we can get the upper hand and take control of it, then Grado will waste many valuable soldiers trying to take it back I hope our attack proves useful to my father and Eirika.

Forde:
I understand what you’re saying, but... can we do it with our current strength?

Ephraim:
Every soldier in this area is trying to find us. The enemy has us vastly outnumbered. Attacking the castle is a ridiculous idea. If the enemy thinks the same... then we may have our opening.

Forde:
You have a point. I'm sure Renvall won't expect us to attack with these numbers. Either way, we can't run forever. And we're running out of supplies. What've we got to lose? Shall we get ready to go?

Ephraim:
Yes. If we don't move quickly, we may never get another chance. Trust me. I don't pick fights I cannot win.

Kyle:
Yes, sir!

If we capture the prince here, we can line our pockets with gold! Do you understand? We'll be rich!

Ephraim:
Orson.

Orson:
Yes...

Ephraim:
Your wounds still haven't healed from that last battle, have they? Don't push yourself. If we're defeated, you must return to Frelia. Understood?

Orson:
Understood...

Ephraim:
Let's go! Kyle! Forde!


Have you guessed the traitor yet? You’ll be shocked when you figure it out.



So I apparently failed to get map pictures of this stage, but its pretty simple. You have four characters, there are lots enemies but there is no threat at all. First your characters a much better than the enemies. They can hurt you, but to you’d have to be pretty inattentive to get someone killed. Second if Kyle or Forde die, they came back when this team reappears. And Orson is the traitor, so he will not be rejoining. So all you have to do is keep Ephraim alive as you sweep the map clean of weak enemies. Let’s get started.

First a look at my new troops.



Our other Lord, Ephraim has one of the better strength growths in the game. He also has good growths in every other stat. Ephraim might be the best lord in any of the GBA Fire Emblems. What suck is that if you choose Eirika's route in a couple chapters you only get to use him for about a third of the game.




He and Kyle are the Kent and Sain of this game, but with the colors switched. Forde has a slightly higher speed stat and, for me at least, a tendency to get screwed on the strength. And he's Franz's brother. This set of siblings relationship is much less disturbing than some coughEirika&Ephraimcough. Cavaliers and their higher classes are the backbone of my team. At least two of the three cavaliers will be used and that’s not including Amelia.



Less speed, more strength. Kyle is just as good as the brothers, but he is boring. Not that Franz is really interesting, but Kyle bores me. But he is definitely good enough to get on the team no matter what his support conversations are like.

He’s the traitor. I’ll spill the beans right now. Who cares what his growths are like. Moving on.


Now that we’ve met our team, let’s get on with it.



First I make this poorly considered move with Forde. Not the way I wanted to start, but at least the archer missed as well.



Kyle takes down a soldier. As I said, these enemies are pathetically weak compared to Ephraim and his men.



Ephraim takes out the other one. There is not much to worry about in this chapter, so it will be a lot of my guys killing there guys with no real tension about a character dying. And to end the turn I move Orson up.



The archer goes ahead and takes a shot at Forde, but Forde don’t miss this time. And that’s the enemies turn.

Ephraim takes out the Knight guarding the door with Reginleif. Reginleif is near broken. It has the power of a steel lance with the weight and accuracy of an iron lance. Plus it is effective against mounted and armored units. And has a slight Crit boost. Like the Rapier, but with the power of a lance. Ephraim does not really need it; he can usually kill the enemies without it, but it’s nice to have.



Forde finally finishes that archer off.



These guys really are outclassed. I feel like a bully for even fighting them.



For reasons I can’t remember I decide to use Orson. Usually I just have him tag along on the off chance that I get into trouble, but I used him quite a bit this time.




I thought I had a pretty good handle on how the AI worked, but I do not know why the enemies attacked Orson instead of Kyle.

Kyle finishes the last guy in the corridor and Ephraim uses the door key to get to those chests.



Forde javelins a fighter and I advance Orson. I’m not showing the enemies much respect by using a javelin on a guy with an axe, since his ability to hit me on their turn will be much better, but I doubt it will be a problem. I guarantee this attitude will get me in trouble later in this Let’s Play, though.

Enemy Turn



As expected, the fighter gets a hit on Forde, knocking down to near danger level health.



Luckily, the mage can’t kill him. And both of the enemies are beaten enough that Forde and Ephraim should have no trouble finishing them.



Yay!, level for Ephraim. And a good one at that. Also he got a chest key.

Dead Fighter, decent Level up, chest key, end Forde’s turn.



I lead with Orson for reasons unknown and wait for the enemies to come to me, mostly so Ephraim and Forde can catch up.

Enemy Turn



I am more than a little disgusted with myself for wasting exp on Orson, but it’s not that big a deal.



I get an elixir and Killer Lance from the chests and now Ephraim and Forde have to catch up to the other two. I move Orson out of the way and have Kyle smack the archer. Short turn.

Enemy Turn



The fighter attacks Orson and the archer goes for Kyle. At least Orson missed.

Forde vulneraries and they move up. Kyle has his choice of enemies. He chooses the archer. Defenceless enemies are the best enemies.



That is level up of a man who never fights. Do you want to be that kind of man Kyle. Then shape up. Orson get’s moved a little out of the way, because I am apparently sane again and the turn ends.



And that’s the enemies turn.



Another vulnerary and a dead fighter. Forde has caught up and it’ll be another turn or two for Ephraim. Time for another boneheaded decision.



I move Orson up so the enemies can kill themselves against them and waste experience that should be going to characters I’ll actually have later.



Two more for the exp grinder. I did not think this through.

I am almost regrouped and ready to actually fight some of these guys. I really should have thought better of using Ephraim to open the chest since he has less move than the mounted units. End turn.



Down goes a monk. This is move designed to intimidate. Not even those in the leaders throne room are safe. He is never safe.



This guy attacked Kyle last round, but even 2 turns is not enough for Kyle to end him.



And the guy attacks Orson. Someone who knows more than me tell me why they are attacking Orson when they have a choice. At least the other one had no option but to attack Forde.



Another one attacks Orson. I really should keep him far away from the action if enemies are going to keep going after him. It’s almost as if they know they are going to die and their last defiant act is to rob me of the exp points.

I’m getting some good use out of that javelin. This enemy turn shows both my incompetence and that I’m not actually a complete moron.



I decide to go this way. I could have split my forces and surrounded the throne room, but that is a good way to get the guy I send alone, because I’m not using Orson, killed. So all together it is.



Kyle needs to be faster. He can’t double these enemies up, so he takes two rounds to kill anybody.



Forde can’t double with the javelin, but I don’t mind taking my time with the archer.



Level up! And while Forde’s strength growth isn’t terrible, I tend to get little of it from him. So each point is welcome.

Forde and Kyle do some damage on the enemies turn. Two fighter hurt, one archer dead. Eleven enemies left.



Ephraim finally catches up to the others and Forde and Kyle finish off the weakened fighters.



Kyle goes after the mage. He’s the only enemy on the map that can do any serious damage.



I have Forde use another vulnerary and Ephraim equips Reginleif. That knight is going to come out here and attack him and Reginleif makes sure I’ll kill him.



Spinning Lance criticals are impressive. I know people who play the game with the animations off. I understand it with the console games, but I really like the GBA animations. I can’t imagine playing these games without them.

Another critical, another dead enemy.



Kyle kills the mage. The level wasn’t bad, but I’d like a little more speed.



I did not think this turn through. I wanted to get that soldier in the corridor, but I did not need to send everybody past the throne room. It’s not a big deal, but it wasn’t smart.



The soldier suicides against Ephraim.



Vulnerary for Kyle and the others back to the throne room.

Forde is looking to be pretty good this play through.



This embarrassing enemy assault continues. Also an Archer misses Kyle.



Again, two turns for Kyle to take the Archer. At least he has the defence to take some hits.



I am impressed with Ephraim. 10 strength by Lv 6. Unlike Eirika, Ephraim is usually pretty beastly, so this is not unusual but it is better than some so far.



The archer did hit him for one on the enemies turn. And now he’s dead. Just the boss. I advance, but don’t attack. The boss doesn’t have a high chance of hitting me, but if he manages to connect twice Ephraim is dead.

Zonta here doesn’t seem to realize that I’ve already taken out the rest of his army. He needs a smaller sword if he wants to hit me.



Battle over. I really wish there were a few more battles with this team, so the Orson betrayal would have some punch and just because I like how awesome the trio I have here are.



We took the castle, but we don't have the manpower to hold it in a siege. There's no point in lingering here. Let's continue on to Grado Keep.

Forde:
Prince Ephraim, things have taken a turn for the worse. I took a look around the castle perimeter... We're surrounded.

Kyle:
What?

Ephraim:
Grado's sent reinforcements? So quickly...?

Kyle:
What should we do?

Ephraim:
...... We must escape!



You've earned your reputation. I must say, I quite admire your work. I take it you're the leader of this pack--the misguided Prince Ephraim.

Ephraim:
I am.

Valter:
I'm General Valter, the Moonstone of Grado's Imperial Army. Catching up to you has caused me no small amount of trouble. We've reduced your wretched home of Renais to ruin, and yet... you and your little band of bravos continue to be a thorn in our side. But that all ends here.

Ephraim:
We'll see...You claim you've taken the capital of Renais... Tell me, how did you know I would attack Renvall?

Valter:
Ha ha... Patience. You'll have your answer soon enough. Now, be good lads, and drop your weapons, will you?

Kyle:
Prince Ephraim, let us attack!

Ephraim:
......

Valter:
Listen to me, Ephraim. You're a smart man. You know it's futile to fight me. You cannot win. You cannot escape. Accept the reality of your situation, and surrender to me.

Ephraim:
Surrender?

Valter:
Heh heh heh... That's right. If you do, I'll let you live. I hold your life in the palm of my hand. Do not test my good humor. Now, come over here, bend your knee, and beg for your life. Show me how Renais dogs grovel.

Ephraim:
I think not.

Valter:
What?

Ephraim:
You said your name was Valter, didn't you? Well, I’m sorry, Valter, but I don't have time to waste playing games with you. So, we're going to knock you louts about a bit and then make our way out of here.

Valter:
Fool... Have you gone mad? Do you truly believe you can fight your way past my wyvern knights?

Ephraim:
Watch and see. I don't pick fights I can't win. Kyle, Forde. Are you ready?

Kyle:
My life has been yours since the moment I took my chivalric vows.

Forde:
It's moments like these that keep me by your side, my prince.

Valter:
What idiotic wretches you are... Prepare yourselves to be destroyed utterly!

Ephraim:
We break to the east. GO!

Is it just me or are the adventures of the reckless prince much more interesting than his sisters search for him?



Next Time: The Frog of War.

And that is why Ephraim is the best lord ever. All the reckless bravado of Wallace who is awesome, but with the strategic mind of a Lord.

Also Forde is a pretty awesome guy.

You know you could have just taken off all off Orson's items and used him as bait? I usually intentionally get him killed off, the bastard deserved what was coming to him.

Oh man this stage.

Seriously, this is one of the few actually hard levels in the game. At least in hard mode anyways.

Yes I know that. This is the last chapter I played back in February when I was originally supposed to do this. When I was going through the pictures I was baffled by just what the hell I was doing with Orson. Its' almost like I thought I was playing hard mode. Sometimes I'm just a dumbass apparently.

Yeah man, what the hell is up with your usage of Orson. It's Fire Emblem 101 to take all his stuff and leave him in the back.

Ephraim: ...So let's attack an enemy stronghold with four guys!

You fucking suck, Ephraim.

Orson is the worst paladin in the game when you unlock him in the post-game bonus content.

This goes over my head because I'm STILL stuck on those dang marshes (13E). Sooooooo clooooooooooooose but yet every time soooooooo faaaaaaaaaaaar. 5x wasn't really that hard for me, however.

I think I was planning to try and not give away that Orson is a traitor so I used him like he was part of the real team. It's a bad idea, but it was before I started putting together each chapter.

Now your past self is all like, "Future self, what the hell is up with your casually revealing not-at-all obvious spoilers?!"

I always end up using Kyle for no other reason than feeling like I have Spike Spiegel on my team. I really don't like Paladin's much otherwise.

I like Kyle because he has the audacity to be named Kyle in a medieval fantasy setting.

According to Wikipedia, it's a Gaelic name so it's most appropriate.