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

Meanwhile, outside the castle.




Seth: Princess, this place is perilous. We should bypass Mulan altogether and head straight for the castle.
Eirika: But we can’t just ignore this… You were there when Renais was invaded… You saw what I saw. You saw how the people suffered at the hands of Grado’s soldiers. Homes were destroyed, possessions stolen, women kidnapped… Anyone who resisted was executed without question, without hesitation.
Seth: …
Eirika: Please, Seth. I can’t allow that to happen here. I don’t want any more people harmed by Grado’s atrocities.
Seth: All right, Princess. I understand. Perhaps we can retake Mulan. But, Princess, you must act with caution. Your people nee you, too.
Eirika: Of course, Seth. Come on! Let’s go!

Time for Battle number 2



Seven men on this map, with three more to come as reinforcements in turn 3 or 4, though it is possible to win before they show up. Harder than the first map, but still not an obstacle of any sort. And this time I won’t embarrass myself by getting killed.



My first move is to visit this house, though I am not sure why. He doesn’t tell me anything useful, but the house does give a ten percent evasion boost.



The enemy captain is overjoyed by the two for one deal on princesses and sends his troops after our small party.



Eirika deals with first fighter and nets her second impressive level up. A few more points of strength and she’ll be a monster for the first half of the game.

And at the beginning of turn 2 we get some new arrivals.



Franz: Where’s the castle guard? Has Mulan fallen? Are we too late?
Gilliam: To tough to say from here. Princess Tana’s in no danger if they want her as a bargaining tool. We men of the Eastern Watch will see to her safety.
Franz: Yes… Yes, of course. We mustn’t give up. We must move. We must retake the castle. Then, we ride forth to Princess Eirika’s aid.
Gilliam: I’ve stronger armor than you do. I’ll take the lead. Watch my back.

And so joins Gilliam and Franz.



Gilliam is the only Knight in this game, though there another character that can become one. Some people love Gilliam, and there really are no bad units in this game, but I am not a fan of Gilliam or for that matter knights in general. Still the only real problem with Gilliam is his speed, so if you want to use him he is more than solid.



Franz here is one of the better units in the game. Solid growths and supports, though he is in the most crowded class. You do not get many units in this game, but there are plenty of cavaliers/paladins/great knights to choose from. Franz is the all around one with no glaring flaws or strengths.



Franz and Gilliam team-up and take out this soldier, but I missed the shot of Gilliam attacking.



On the enemies turn, the other fighter attacked Gilliam and did some significant damage. Gilliam missed For some reason half of my pictures for this have disappeared. The Soldier attacked Gilliam with much less success than the fighter



Before Eirika finished off this soldier Gilliam and Franz took out the fighter.



The last fighter also attacks Gilliam, with both connecting. This map is falling quickly.

Franz easily dispatches the last fighter, netting himself a mediocre level up. I end my turn without attacking anywhere else.



At the start of the next turn a pair of fighters and a soldier show up in the bottom corner, extended this battle a couple more rounds. (Also this screenshot is not from the same play through as the others, I had to redo it for some conversations I missed.



Eirika takes out another soldier while I position Franz and Gilliam to take out the reinforcements.



Seth was getting restless, so I let him take out the boss, but I am not going to seize and clear till the last few enemies are taken care of. On their turn the enemies charge at my units.



Franz attacks one of the Fighters, but is unable to kill it and I moved Gilliam to the fort because he is already half dead.



Gilliam manages to finish the one that Franz attacked and the other two attack him as well, but Gilliam misses them.



Together Franz and Eirika take out the fighter. These big slow axe users are great for leveling up sword using lords.

Gilliam finishes the last enemy and gets a solid level up. I would bemoan the lack of speed, but I don’t actually want him fast enough to double, I’d much rather use him to soften up enemies for my somewhat less strong units for a few maps.

With these next pictures, just assume I got these before I missed the picture of Eirika seizing the gate.



Eirika: Franz, you made it through unscathed...
Franz: Yes, your Highness. I met up with Sir Gilliam of Frelia and explained the situation in Renais. He told me that Princess Tana was in danger as well, here at Mulan. We rode as swiftly as we could.
Eirika: Tana is here? Franz, we must hurry!
Franz: Understood!



Seth: Franz, you and I must work together to protect Princess Eirika. I want you to ride with us.
Franz: Sir! With honor sir!

After with the Grado soldiers out of the way Eirika takes the castle.




Gilliam: It was no trouble. I live to serve, Princess.
Eirika: Tana!
Tana: …Eirika?!? Is that really you?
Eirika: Tana, what are you doing, so far from Castle Frelia?
Tana: I heard that Renais had fallen, and I was so worried… But I’m glad to see that you are safe… Wait! Where is Ephraim? Is he well?
Eirika: I wish I knew.
Tana: You haven’t heard from him? Oh, I hope he’s not been harmed… Come we must go to Castle Frelia. My Lord Father my know something.
Eirika: Thank you, Tana.

I found Ewan kinda annoying to train in this game without the tower.

On that note: I've actually had Eirika miss this boss with her rapier once, getting speared in the face by the boss on this map. It was not fun.

I don't have much room to argue here since I don't use pegasus knights, but the General is my favorite class in all Fire Emblem titles, not just because they're mechanically awesome, but because they make heavy armor look awesome again (and Wallace is the best).

You're wrong.

Female snipers have the best armor.

And heroes.

Gilliam rocks, you can throw him out in the middle of most maps and just let him do his thang.

Dark magic is terrible, but summoning is awesome. Go with Knoll for the backstory factor.

This is not a real update, I just noticed that I forgot to add the post battle conversations. So who is ready for plot stuff?




Tana: Don’t be mad, Father. Look, I come bearing good news. Eirika! Come out now!
Eirika: King Hayden, I am pleased to see you again, even in these sad times.
Hayden: Ah, Eirika! It does my heart good to see you safe.
Eirika: Thank you. I was able to escape the castle before Renais fell. But I’m not sure if my father…
Hayden: Yes. I… have received word of your father.
Eirika: Your Highness? Please tell me. Is my father well?
Hayden: …My friend King Fado… did not survive the fall of Renais Castle.
Eirika: …No it cannot be…
Hayden: Rest assured, Grado will be punished for its cowardly act. This is Frelia’s promise. Eirika, please stay her and rest. I cannot imagine how exhausted you must be.
Eirika: …
Seth: King Hayden. You know of Prince Ephraim’s disappearance, do you not?
Hayden: Yes, we hear the prince and his men hound Grado at every turn. It’s said that he’s led his forces into the Empire itself. Reports suggest he’s crossed the border and now fights in Renvall.
Eirika: My Brother… He fights on? Even now?
Hayden: Yes. My Pegasus knights bought this information at a great price. Even though Renais has fallen, he charges into the enemy’s heart. He is truly Fado’s son. What a valiant youth. I wish I knew whether he remains unharmed, but I do not.
Eirika: King Hayden, I thank you for your offer, but I cannot stay. I intend to ride to my brother’s side with reinforcements.
Hayden: I cannot allow it. I know how you feel, but this plan is suicide. I would be betraying Fado’s memory if I allowed any harm to befall you. Stay here. Rest and mourn. Leave this war to the warriors.
Eirika: I know you mean well, Your Majesty. However, I have lost my father, and my twin brother is in peril. My brother, he is a part of me… I cannot rest here in peace while he risks his life.
Hayden: No. Renais has no more army. Grado’s forces decimated it. I wish that Frelia could provide you with support, with soldiers, but… My son, Innes, is on his way to meet the empire’s forces. We cannot spare a single brigade. Your own retinue of knights cannot possibly face Grado alone. Are you so determined to go?
Eirika: Yes, with apologies.
Hayden: …As resolute as your father, eh? What an I to do on the face of such foolhardy determination? Vanessa. Moulder. Gilliam.

While the plot of Sacred Stones is no great shakes, not that any of the other Fire Emblems are much better, I have to note the similarity to other games like Final Fantasy Tactics, Suikoden 2 and (I believe, I've only watched my friend play it) Tactics Ogre in the central characters. The two friends and a sister. Sacred Stones seems to place more emphasis on the sister than the others, but it is the same basic set up.



Hayden: You are to accompany Princess Eirika of Renais into Grado territory. I expect each of you to provide aid and support for her brother.
Moulder: Hmm. Quite a grave responsibility you’ve given us.
Vanessa: No matter the obstacles, we will perform our duty.
Gilliam: Our lives are yours.
Hayden: These are some of my most stalwart vassals. They will, no doubt, prove themselves quite valuable on your journey. Remember, you are venturing behind enemy lines. You will need supplies. I will have a supply convoy readied to carry your weapons and provisions. It will remain by your side, no matter how far afield you venture.
Eirika: King Hayden, I… thank you.
Hayden: No, save your thanks for your return…with your brother, Prince Ephriam.
Eirika: Yes, Your Highness!

So a really long conversation that gets me two new characters and hey look at this



But wait the chapter is not quite over yet, there is another conversation to see.



Eirika: Thank you for your concern, Tana. But I have no choice. Don’t you see, Tana? I have to go.
Tana: Eirika… Oh, why is this happening? What’s gone wrong with the world?
Eirika: Tana…
Tana: Why would Grado invade? Emperor Vigarde is a man of peace. His people adore him. And you and Ephraim are friends with Prince Lyon, are you not? What could be behind this madness? Why is this happening…
Eirika: I have no answers for you, Tana. I don’t want to believe it, but the reality is that we are at war. If I do nothing, I may lose my brother as well as my father. This is why I have to fight. It’s the only answer I have.


End of Chapter 1

Time for Chapter 2.



Quick Recap:



The chapter starts with Eirika, Vanessa and Moulder having an intensely boring conversation about basic strategy that caused me to decide to stop transcribing every conversation. I’ll still do the important ones and the eventual support conversations. But end result is that the apparently sincere Vanessa goes to scout out the town. And there she finds bandits.



I wonder if there are some people in any of these towns that will help defend them and eventually join our small army.



This father/son pair meets our need for more meat and axe users. Yay!



Luckily for Ross and his daddy, Vanessa is there to hear their cries for help.

The trio here concludes that Moulder, our new cleric could heal young Ross, if only he were close enough. But he’s not, so there is no hope. Unless Vanessa could fly over the mountains, grab the kid and fly back to the rest of the army.



Ha Ha Ha, I was mocking the in game tutorial for rescuing and healing. Now that’s humorous. One thing great about Fire Emblem is that any boring conversation or explanation can be skipped by pressing the start button. So Vanessa rescues Ross and Moulder visit’s the village to get an elixir, while I forget to get a look at Moulder’s and Vanessa’s stats. I send Eirika to visit the other town (some might note that the pictures show I did this in the opposite order, but that is due to a mishap with about 2/3 of my pics for this stage. This is going to be a rough entry where I try to splice two attempts into one post. Almost all of the fighting stuff will be from the real one though.




Eirika gets a nice prize from a mysterious woman. I wonder if we'll ever see her again. I move the rest of my team down and end my turn.



I go slow and try to get in position to get experience to who I want to get it, namely Franz, Eirika and Ross.

Having Eirika talk to Ross turns him from a green neutral unit to a blue team member. Which also allows him to get valuable experience.



While Ross’s stats start out kind of crappy, he is one of the new trainee units. His class is a notch below the rest of the non-promoted units. So he gets a big experience boost. And he gets ten extra levels. I have never had any of the three trainees not turn out awesome. Once he reaches lv 10 a battle conclusion will prompt me to choose his new class. Ross options are being a Fighter like his dear old dad or being the only Pirate you can use in the game. I usually go Pirate, but Fighter gives the chance to turn him into a Hero. Though Hero doesn’t match up well with Ross’s stat growths. I’m definitely interested in class suggestions and chime in if you want Ross on the bench. If do not tell me to not use him he will always be in my party.



I send Eirika to deal with these (bandits). She gets yet another terrific level up. I am not manipulating these level ups in any way. I would not know how to if I wanted to. I do wish should would get a few more HPs.



Vanessa drops Garcia where Ross can recruit him for me.



I have never used Garcia. He is somewhat better than Ross when you get him, but Ross becomes so much better so fast Garcia always seemed superfluous. In any other Fire Emblem game he would probably a fine unit, and he is the only Fighter I get. Yes Ross can become one, but Garcia is the only guaranteed Fighter. Using him is the opposite of Ross. Tell me is you want him, because without prompting he’s riding the bench.

Franz softens up this bandit for Ross to hopefully take him out.



Meanwhile, Eirika keeps dealing with the ones on left side of the map. The one that I failed to kill with Ross last round smacked Vanessa, but no great harm was done.



Moulder heals Vanessa and Garcia bashes an Archer in the face with his axe.



Ross misses another chance to take out this bandit.



But Eirika finishes him off for one more unbelievable Level Up. Still no Hp, but that seems like complaining about my presents on Christmas.

The bandit takes a swipe at Franz, who cannot take him out.




I have Vanessa save the last town while Ross and Franz take down the last non-Boss bandit.



And Garcia finishes off the boss for a level up that



He might as well not have gotten. But it ends the battle.

Time for post battle convos.




Seth: Aren’t you… the great Garcia? You fought for Renais, didn’t you?
Eirika: Seth, do you know this man?
Seth: He was a troop commander for Renais until around ten years ago. When I was a recruit, the soldiers used to tell so many tales about him. They called him a daring and fearless fighter for Renais. Master Garcia you must know the peril our homeland faces right now… Can we impose upon you to lend your strength to Renais once again?
Garcia: …I’m sorry. I’m retired now. I’m not a soldier anymore. It’s… a decision I made long ago.
Seth: Master Garcia…
Garcia: …When I was a soldier, I lived my life fighting for my country’s honor. I spent my life fighting for faceless, uncaring nobles. When my wife fell ill and died, I met the child she had left behind. At that moment, I finally realized what my duty had cost me.
Eirika:…
Garcia: I stood at my wife’s grave and promised her I would be a father to our son. I’m done with armies. I’m done with fighting, except to protect my son. I’ve no regrets. I’m the boys father.
Seth:…
Ross: You… you blasted fool! Father, what’s all this nonsense I’m hearing?
Garcia: Ross!
Ross: If you’re not going, then I will! I’m a fighter! I know I can do this!
Garcia: Ross, What are you saying? I…
Ross: Dad, please! Listen to me! I respect you more than any other man in the world. I know you gave up being a soldier for me. I know that! But how can you throw away such a big part of yourself? You’re a warrior at heart! You can’t give that up and be happy!
Garcia:…
Ross: Look at me, Dad! Have you seen me fight? I’m not a child anymore. I’m a warrior, like you. You’re free to worry, but I can survive on my own!
Garcia: …Ross
Ross: You want to challenge me, Father? I’m not gonna lose to you! I’m not gonna lose to anyone!
Garcia: …You’re right. You’re a good soldier, Ross. If these old bones of mine can still erve, I’d like to join you.
Ross: Dad…
Garcia: Looks like my boy grew up while I wasn’t looking. He’s tougher than I thought. He doesn’t need my help. I’ve raised him as best I could, but he’s right. I’ve nothing to fear. I should fight. I will fight.
Ross: Dad!


So Ross and Garcia are officially on board for the rest of the game.

Eirika: Thank you. My father gave this to me.
Man: But you should be careful, wearing such a valuable item so openly. There are gold-hungry thieves and bandits everywhere. The most wicked are Bazba’s Bandits. They are … cruel beyond words. If you have something they want, your life is worth less than nothing. Just the other day they assaulted some travelers and… Oh, it was awful. Oh, Renais is finished, mark my words. The Grado Empire’s stolen our future. Our only hope against them was that Prince Ephraim would prevail, but… Rumor has it that he’s on the verge of being crushed by Grado’s vast numbers




Flashback time



Ephraim: Tell me, though: why do you want me to teach you to fight? I thought you didn’t care for violence…
Eirika: I do not like uncivilized behavior. I think one can solve one’s problems without fighting. And yet…
Ephraim: And yet what?
Eirika: I’ve always relied on you to protect me, Brother. I would rather not be such a burden to you in the future. So, I thought maybe I should learn to protect myself…
Ephraim: I’m your brother. Brothers are supposed to protect their sisters. It’s nothing for you to worry about. It’s no cause for concern.
Eirika: Yes, but… I am your sister. Sisters are supposed to worry about their brothers. So I would like to learn something of swordplay, if only a little. And maybe, someday, I can protect you in your time of need… So please, Ephraim.
Ephraim: All right, all right. How could I say no? It’s agreed. I’ll teach you, but won’t hold back because you’re my sister. And I want no complaining once we’ve started, Eirika.
Eirika: Complain? Me? Never!



Eirika: Y-yes… Someone bumped into me is all. I was jarred.
Seth: Hm? Your Highness, where is your bracelet?
Eirika: My bracelet? It’s…gone. Where could it be? Did that man--
Seth: I’ll find him!
Eirika: Don’t worry about it, Seth. That bracelet was a gift from my father, but Ephraim needs our help. I can’t let sentimentality get in the way of duty.



Seth seems oddly insistent on retrieving that bracelet. I'm sure it's nothing. Next time: Bazba's Bandits

I'm going to make the oddest request ever: Ross as a Warrior.

Call me crazy, but I like the idea of having an archer with stats focused on hitting hard more than fast and accurate.

I second this. Weather through pirate or fighter i'm not sure.

Fighter...


Or Pirate...


Yeah, Rubberman wins


Also, This is my First Post on Talkingtime!

Aw, no level-ups for Ross yet. You should absolutely use him, though; go Pirate first, and then on to Berserker, because they're awesome. I'd say Warrior, but I kinda like Neimi and want to see her get a chance to shine, and if Ross can use a bow she'll be living in his shadow the whole game.

(If the crybaby has turned out sucky by the time of Ross' second promotion, then yeah, bench her and go Warrior.)

Ross is best as a Hero if you're not going to use Creature Campaign.

Ross should become a Pirate, just because you can't get a good Berserker otherwise. And Berserkers are fun to have, even as a novelty.

I personally never found Franz to be a great character, merely decent. Amelia can pick up his slack and more as a Great Knight.

Sacred Stones really isn't that great of a Fire Emblem game, admittedly, but I do like the branching promotions. It's too bad they haven't done it for any other Fire Emblem game, really.

Ewan beast it out as a druid, because Knoll is terrible and no amount of plot relevance (and there is very little anyway) can make him better.

Amelia? Great Knight?

No she should be a paladin because the female cavalier sprite has a cute ponyta-

...nothing.

Anyway, Ross murders everything if you can train him, usually without exception once he promotes. I usually pour all the experience into him and he's promoted by chapter four. I'd suggest making him a Hero because heroes are sexy but I think a Warrior would be the way to go.

Also, please use the pink-haired crybaby and the girl who's critical hit animation involves tripping on her spear.

Or else.

Ross always ended up as a Berserker for me, Im a sucker for +critical hits and hes a way better Berserker than Dozla.

No General love for Amelia?

Amelia is best as a General.

That is uncontestable.

Still, first time I used her I had her be a Paladin just so I could make an army of horse riders.

Totally worth it.

Ross: Pirate -> Berserker

Amelia: Knight -> General (seriously, what is wrong with you great knight people)

Ewan: Mage -> Sage (Light is more effective than Dark in this endgame, and the legendary Dark tome is too heavy to actually use, so the element isn't worth the bother. Or make him a Sage anyway, and use the glitch to teach him Dark, because Sages look cooler than Druids.)

Amelia is one of my favorite characters and I have a long standing, irrational and pointless hatred of Knights and Generals. I am open to class suggestions for just about every character, but the odds are not good for General Amelia. She needs a pony.

And as bad as Dozla is, I love him. No matter what class I make Ross, I'll have a Berserker I'm willing to use. I am personally leaning to Hero Ross, because I have always made him a Pirate before. So I've never seen Ross as a Hero.

Ross as a Hero is honestly pretty swell. Not as strong as Berserker, to be sure, but probably more useful in general.

I mean, yeah, Gerik kicks his ass, but eh.

Also Great Knights are pretty much better than Paladins in every way. I found that out fairly early.

But Paladins look better and have more move. Which is mostly unnecessary, but... but... I've got nothing.

Ross as a Warrior or Hero is a cute idea, but everybody knows that the BEST way to train him is Pirate -> Berserker.

Amelia as a General is probably optimal, but I hate Generals. Great Knight (or Paladin for swooshy hair of awesome).

Ewan is rad no matter what you make him. Choose as you will.

Hey, whenever you get a new class, would you mind giving a short description of what kind of weapons / spells they can use?

Anyway, Ross -> Hero or Ross -> Berserker, both are fine.