Let's Play Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

[Dusk Eclipse]

I too suggest giving Colm the Dracoshield, I made him an assassin and he is one of my top units in my own playthrough (though maxing speed and skill pre-promotion did help), Incidentally... is he better as an assassin or as a rogue? I made him an assassin; but I forgot they couldn't steal anymore and I lost some good loot that way >_>

[RagingKrikkit]

Time to play a game! It's called: "Guess who died."

[Illven]

Time to play a game! It's called: "Guess who died."

Illven remembers suggesting that game in his thread.

Clearly Yakyak's class is Thief or Rogue

[RagingKrikkit]

Thief. Very much so. Funny thing is, while I'm good at sneaking IRL, I suck at stealth games.

[RagingKrikkit]

In case nobody’s told you yet, welcome to the end of the world! To commemorate the imminent destruction of existence, I’m going to actually post an update to this. Better read it fast before the world explodes!

Chapter 6: Victims of War, Part 1

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His voice trailed off, chuckling at his own joke.















Beneath his robes, Novala clenched his fists. One day… he thought, taking some small comfort in the words that echoed through his head. Then his mind returned to the present, and he concluded his statement with Then… travel well.

The commander returned to the small force that had escorted him to the border and left, not hearing the final words spoken to his back.











Fog has long been counted among the warrior’s worst enemies. It limits vision, hiding one’s enemy away in its misty bowels. If a soldier wishes to stay alive on his trip through the fog, he must always assume that the enemy knows exactly where he is, and is on the move towards him. This leads to the most stressful moments as the soldier marches his way through the fog, weapon at the ready at all times.



It does not help when the enemy does decide to show up.







Eirika drew her weapon, turning towards the source of the sound, a figure clothed in dark robes, barely visible in the fog even from a few yards away.

















Eirika was slightly taken aback by Seth’s statement. Or rather, his command. He had never spoken to her like that before, and she wondered again what was so special about her bracelet.













There were no words to describe the terror that gripped her. The horror she felt at the very notion that captured, hurt, awaiting death. Fear leads to anger, and Eirika’s terror led to rage as her tongue lashed out at the figure before her.









Could it be true? Could it really be true that her brother had been bested? Was she truly leading this band on a path to destruction?

No.



There was a flash, and standing beside the robed figure was a young girl, perhaps six. Her hair was split into pigtails, and she whimpered, obviously trying to run, but apparently held in place by methods unseen.















S eth opened his mouth to protest, then exhaled and lowered his head. Her decision was made, and nothing he said could change that. The princess of Renaris removed the silver and gold bracelet from her wrist, and slowly made her way towards the robed figure. He extended his hand, and she placed the piece of jewelry in his palm.





















Eirika’s eyes went wide as she realized what this man, this monster was suggesting.





Another flash, and the child was gone.









































One last flash, and the man was gone.

Characters that speak in this chapter:

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Eirika
Seth

[RagingKrikkit]

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's the Fire Emblem Christmas Special!

No, it's just a Christmas update.

Chapter 6: Victims of War, Part 2

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Seth, help me come up with a plan.

Of course, princess.



The child will probably be over in that valley. It will be difficult getting horses in there, so we’re better off moving there on foot, or flying Vanessa over there. However, if she gets out too far, there may be bowmen in this fog.



Their main force will probably be over by that clearing to the northeast. That’s probably also where that shaman will be.



Alright, then. Take Franz, Neimi, and Artur, and move in that direction. The rest of us will head east and try to save the girl. Colm.

Yeah?

Use this. You’ll benefit the most from it.

Well, gee, thanks, I guess.





Vanessa, get moving towards that village first.

By your order, princess Eirika.



Colm, Joshua, Lute, Natasha, with me! We’re moving east!



Well, lookie here, we got more of them!



Franz! With me! We screen the enemy’s advance to support the princess, then move north!



I am with you, General Seth!



Contact!



Woah! Where’d he come from?!

Franz, watch yourself!



Yes, sir!



One down!



This one’s mine!















Push forward!



Dayhm, how many of them are there?



Not more than my flames can handle!



Don’t get distracted!



You shall not stop us!



A little help here?!



Yeesh!



Gaaaaaah!

Seth!



I’ll be alright!



Seth, fall back! Natasha, take care of him!



*grunt* Thank you.



My flames will consume you!



Our cause is just. Our way is pure. You shall be swept aside from our righteous path.



Vanessa, we’ll be fine! Just keep moving!



It’s just a scratch. More than can be said for him.



They’re trying to cut me off!



Reinforcements from the north! Take them out!



I have this one!



One more!



Almost there…



Agh! I hate magic!



Here you go.





Burn in the flames of my power!





You shall not pass!





Forgive me…



Wait, he took a whole family?

Please! Take my daughter away from here!

Mommy!

I’ll be right behind you, sweetie, just get out of here!



I. Hate. Magic.



Wait here. I’m going to go get your mommy and daddy.











































Mommy!



Is that… I need to get you out of here now!



Dammit!



I’ve got him!







Let’s get you out of here!



Susie! Susie!!!

Oh, no…



Eirika traded blows with the shrouded figure, ducking away from his dark blasts time and again, until an opening presented itself, and she lunged forward, stabbing her blade into his lung. He fell to his knees, croaking “You win… There’s no need… to kill… me…”

Anger leads to hate.

No need? You must have forgotten: this is war. There are no rules here. In war, you can do anything.

Her blade struck out one last time, spearing both his artery and his windpipe. He fell to the dirt, and drowned in his own blood.

Characters that speak in this chapter:

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Eirika
Seth
Franz
Vanessa
Neimi
Colm
Artur
Lute
Natasha
Joshua

[Illven]

Sucks to be her.

[RagingKrikkit]

They say time flies when you're having fun, but this? No, it can't have been a full year that I've been on GitP. Really? Huh. Well, then, to celebrate: BADLY NEEDED UPDATES TO ALL LPs!

Chapter 6: Victims of War, Part 3

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Eirika glanced down to the shining metal on her wrist. A birthday present from her father, given to her all those years ago. And now Seth was telling her that it was the key to the greatest treasure of Renais.















































We must hurry to Renvall!

A whoosh of wind blew into Eirika’s back, and she turned to find Vanessa and her mount behind her.

Vanessa, is the girl safe?

Vanessa hesitated, and Eirika began to feel that something was not right. Then she noticed how pale the sky-rider was, as she silently moved her lips before finally managing to choke out

Princess Eirika… The girl’s… parents are safe…

The words hit her like a dagger. Or rather, the words left unsaid.

You… you don’t mean…

There was… a soldier in the fog. I left her alone and went to get her parents… and he…

They stared into each other’s horror-struck eyes, crushed under the enormity of their failure, before Eirika felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to see Seth.

Your highness, there is nothing more we can do here. We must move on.

Seth? How can you say that? The-

Princess, we cannot bring back the dead. Her parents do not desire and will not accept your condolences. We cannot bring them with us, nor can we spare anyone to escort them home. It is a terrible situation, but we must leave them to find their own way to safety. I am sorry, Princess Eirika, but there is no other solution.

The princess of Renais hung her head. I… I… Damn it! she chocked out. Why did this happen? What led Grado to begin this madness?

Princess Eirika, I do not have the answers you seek. But I do know that we will learn them, even if we must drag them out of Emperor Vigrade with a sword.

That… That sounds like a plan to me.

Characters that speak in this chapter:

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Eirika
Seth
Franz
Vanessa
Colm
Neimi
Artur
Lute
Natasha
Joshua

Thoughts:

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From an editorial standpoint, I think this is my best chapter: plenty of dialogue, variety in images, and character development instead of an endless montage of stuff dying.

However, from a gameplay perspective… Yeah… I don’t know how I pulled through that one without loosing anyone, not counting the little girl, for who’s death I blame a combination of personal forgetfulness and a stupidly bloodthirsty AI.

Next Chapter:

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I have a seize objective to which I may bring 10 units. I am thinking of bringing Eirika, Seth, Franz, Vanessa, Ross, Neimi, Colm, Natasha, Joshua, and either Artur or Lute.

Performance Review:

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Artur


Artur has average HP, below average Mag, average Skl, average Spd, Above average Luck, above average Def, and above average Res. I can live with someone who makes 2 15% rolls in 3 levels.

[Illven]

I agree with your votes, except Neimi. Bring both Artur and Lute.

[P equals NP]

I am intrigued. Please continue.

The Sacred Stones is the only Fire Emblem game I really tried to play seriously (even though I'm pretty familiar with the story of Sword of Seals, Blazing Sword and that of Sacred Stones as well). I'm so bad at these games that I couldn't even beat this one, which is commonly criticised for being too easy. =D

The one chapter that will be the death of me is the one where...

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...you have to rescue Eirika from being curbstomped just outside Jehanna Palace (I was playing Ephraim's route) and have to fend off: Caellach, who is immune to crits; Valter, who does not receive amplified damage from arrows; and last but not least, a ****load of units. That sure was annoying...

[Illven]

I am intrigued. Please continue.

The Sacred Stones is the only Fire Emblem game I really tried to play seriously (even though I'm pretty familiar with the story of Sword of Seals, Blazing Sword and that of Sacred Stones as well). I'm so bad at these games that I couldn't even beat this one, which is commonly criticised for being too easy. =D

The one chapter that will be the death of me is the one where...

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...you have to rescue Eirika from being curbstomped just outside Jehanna Palace (I was playing Ephraim's route) and have to fend off: Caellach, who is immune to crits; Valter, who does not receive amplified damage from arrows; and last but not least, a ****load of units. That sure was annoying...

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If your thief is fast enough you can steal both Calleach's and Valter's special items. Then you can crit them or arrow them to death if you want.

[P equals NP]

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If your thief is fast enough you can steal both Calleach's and Valter's special items. Then you can crit them or arrow them to death if you want.

Hm... not a bad idea, actually. Of course, I'd have to get over my fear of deploying vulnerable characters in combat first.

[LeoArchon]

I hate that the monster-catagory 'weapons' don't have any effect on the WT. Also, you got really unlucky with the girl. My apologies.

As a personal note, when it comes to this game, I like using the tower, and taking on everything on the first floor with one or two units at a time (one to fight, the other to heal/dance). Sure, it's time-consuming, but the levels...

I'm looking forward to an update of this. Maybe in the near future?

Also, to Illven: I read through your FE7 LP, and I have to ask (being new to the forums). What the flying flarks is a 'nuzlocke' LP?

[Illven]

I hate that the monster-catagory 'weapons' don't have any effect on the WT. Also, you got really unlucky with the girl. My apologies.

As a personal note, when it comes to this game, I like using the tower, and taking on everything on the first floor with one or two units at a time (one to fight, the other to heal/dance). Sure, it's time-consuming, but the levels...

I'm looking forward to an update of this. Maybe in the near future?

Also, to Illven: I read through your FE7 LP, and I have to ask (being new to the forums). What the flying flarks is a 'nuzlocke' LP?

A nuzlocke, is a way of playing pokemon.

http://nuzlocke.com/challenge-comic.html

[LeoArchon]

A nuzlocke, is a way of playing pokemon.

http://nuzlocke.com/challenge-comic.html

Ah, thanks! That clears that up.

Out of curiosity, who here has heard of the old SRPG Warsong?

[John Cribati]

I vote to split your units between Ephraim and Eirika.

I vote for Innes/L'Arachel A-Support. Do eet.
I also vote for Franz/Amelia, Colm/Neimi, and Artur/Lute A-Supports.

[P equals NP]

I vote to split your units between Ephraim and Eirika.

I vote for Innes/L'Arachel A-Support. Do eet.
I also vote for Franz/Amelia, Colm/Neimi, and Artur/Lute A-Supports.

I second those. Joshua/Natasha as well, because the support conversations are so sweet.

[LeoArchon]

... Well, I play FE7 for the first time in a while, and Dorcas dies in Chapter 12. If only Rebecca hadn't missed the boss... Perhaps, in hindsight, I should have had Marcus nearby to bail Dorcas out, rather than out of the way so he wouldn't soak up EXP.

I'm playing FE8, too, and I'm a bit miffed by something. Namely, you can't access a town's arena from the world map. I mean, I know there's the tower and the ruins in this game, but still.

A question comes to mind, however: do the two trainees from Eirika's route appear in Ephraim's as well? Namely, Amelia and Ewan? I've never played through Ephraim's route, so I wouldn't know.

[John Cribati]

A question comes to mind, however: do the two trainees from Eirika's route appear in Ephraim's as well? Namely, Amelia and Ewan? I've never played through Ephraim's route, so I wouldn't know.

The only characters Eirika picks up that Ephraim doesn't have to chance to are Innes and Saleh, just like Ephraim picks up Deussel and Knoll.

[P equals NP]

A question comes to mind, however: do the two trainees from Eirika's route appear in Ephraim's as well? Namely, Amelia and Ewan? I've never played through Ephraim's route, so I wouldn't know.

Playing either Ephraim's route or Eirika's route should make no difference where characters are concerned.

[RagingKrikkit]

I really want to move this along. I really do. But Awakening is calling...

[P equals NP]

I guess you should just take your time, then. At least you're not dead. =D

[ZeltArruin]

It's Renais, not Renaris, btw.

[RagingKrikkit]

Got it, fixed.

[RagingKrikkit]

Three. Years. I've really left this lying around for three whole years. I'd blame the Army, but then again I let this die a full year before I joined. So to anyone who was here from the beginning, I'd like to thank Glyphstone for letting me dig this back out, apologize for leaving you hanging like that, and for the new guys, welcome to the party, even though I already said that seven pages ago.

Chapter 7: Waterside Renvall, Part 1

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My apologies for that. Words of wisdom: never get old, your bladder just keeps shrinking and shrinking. Now, where was I?



Ah, yes, Renvall. With her brother reported captured and awaiting execution, Princess Erika and her party rushed to the fortress of Renvall to save the missing prince of Renais.











Castle Renvall is a natural fortress, easy to defend and difficult to assault. We must plan our attack carefully.

I agree...





Let me help you set them free!































the group quickly became a hive of activity as weapons were checked and maintained, tactics and techniques discussed, prayers uttered, and Moulder weaved his way through the fighters, applying a spell learned from Lute to them that would allow for communication at distance. Upon receiving her incantation and instructions on how to use the spell, Princess Erika raised her left hand to her ear and called "Communications check?" and a moment later heard Seth's voice from his scouting position on a nearby hill, as clear as if he were standing next to her.

Check is good, your Highness, I have you loud and clear.

Any suggestions, Seth?



The bad news is that the enemy have an artillery position on the far ridgeline.



We'll be clear across the bridge, but once we start pushing North we'll start to come under ballista fire.



The good news is that they kindly left another ballista near us, with only light guard. If we can get someone to it, we can have support on our push to the gate.

Neimi, can you operate a ballista?

Um... I've never tried...

I can walk you through it, let us know when the ballista has been secured.

Okay...

Good. Franz, go with Nemi and then regroup with us once you've taken it. Everyone else, follow me!

[fizzmaister]

Now this is a very pleasant surprise. I assumed this wouldn't be revived. Now if only I had the time to play along.

[Dragonus45]

Happy to see you back, and right in time for everyone to be talking about Fire Emblem again too.

[RagingKrikkit]

Figures. The moment I tell the mods that my life has settled down enough to sustain a thread, life goes absolutely nuts for me. Also, for anyone here who also paid attention to my old Pokémon nuzlocke, it is currently undergoing a badly-needed rewrite and will eventually find a home on the Nuzlocke Forums proper. Links will be provided when it goes up.

Chapter 7: Waterside Renvall, Part 2

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Over the bridge, go!



With a flurry of war cries, Erika's warband broke from concealment and charged the bridge spanning the river that fed from Lake Renvall.



They fell upon the bridge guards, caught unprepared for the sudden assault, and within seconds the group had secured purchase on the far bank.



But the assault had not gone unobserved by the castle sentries, and within seconds a trumpet's call sounded from the parapets, raising the alarm to the rest of Grado's soldiers.









No sooner had the alert been raised when Neimi and Franz sprung their trap, swiftly launching themselves against the ballista's garrison.





The soldiers of Grado rallied, charging to meet their foe.



It was a brave--but ultimately futile--notion.







One by one, they fell before Erika's band.



Okay, I'm at the ballista!

Good. There should be a crankshaft on the right side of it.

I see it!

Grab it and turn it towards you.



Even as Seth instructed Neimi in the operation of the ballista, the assault continued.



Vanessa harassed the enemy's flank, swooping down from the hilltops with lightning speed.



And the bulk of the army continued to grind away all that stood before them.







Then, with an ominous whistle, the first ballista bolt arrived, crashing into the ground near Seth, inspiring him to append "And do it fast!" to his instructions.



Seth, break through and take out that ballista, we're sitting ducks here!



Finally, with a screech of its own, Neimi's first bolt sailed downrange, finding purchase in one of the enemy. [color="DarkOrchid"I got him![/color]

Good! Do it again!









The melee was brutal, but short-lived, Eirika's force maintaining an impressive fluidity as they danced from foe to foe, doubling up on anyone able to hold his ground against one of the group.





Spotting an opening in the crumbling line, Seth surged forward and struck down the ballista's operator before he could hone in his aim.





And with one final blow, the way was clear. All that remained was to take the castle gate itself.

[RagingKrikkit]

Ugh, sorry about that, I got caught up tormenting myself, so it looks like I'm going to have to filler you all in for a moment. Consider this a flashback to between chapters 6 and 7.

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Seth?

Yes, your highness?

About yesterday…

Your highness, that was… a terrible situation. We did all that we could-

But it wasn’t enough! Damn it, Seth, how am going I to save Renais if I couldn’t save one child?!

By learning from this failure, and by vowing that you will never allow the same fate to befall another innocent child.

What good are words in the face of steel? A pledge means nothing on the battlefield. To vow that I will never let this happen again would be a promise I cannot keep.

Then make no pledge, and push forward, whatever fortune comes our way. Yes, there will be losses. There will be defeats. There will be times when we wonder if we can truly achieve what we have set out to do. But whatever the cost, we will move forward. We will keep pushing onward. We will let the dead rest easy, knowing that their sacrifice was not in vain. That, your highness, is how Renais will be saved. But only if you do not despair, and lead us forward.

I… You’re right, Seth. I can’t give in to despair. But every time I close my eyes, I see her, standing there in the grip of that monster, terrified, begging me for help. And I failed her.

It is both the blessing and curse of a leader to bear the memories of those we have lost. We are haunted by them, forever to wonder how we could have kept them from dying. But at the same time, they can motivate us, remind us of what we are fighting for. What they died for. Learn from your mistakes, and fight to keep them from happening again.

Thank you, Seth. I… I will.

[fizzmaister]

That tank romance simulator seems to be pretty horrible.