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So I'm using this card queries website: http://azure.nsr3n.info/card_queries/submit.sh
I search up "nothing to report" and he's right there, lmao
Interesting! I've never heard of this service, but it seems like it could come in handy if you're interested in collecting cards.
The Adrestian Empire and Altean atlae
When I played SS and CF I paid no heed to paired endings and ended up getting Ferdinand and Bernadetta's paired endings both times and Dorothea with Caspar and Felix respectively. In all honesty, I find the whole "shipping industry" surrounding this game to be in contempt. I only really dislike most of it simply because it seems everyone and their sister who likes this game is trying to aggressively promote their specific shipping agenda all over the internet.
The Edelgard and Female Byleth fascination annoy me as well, mostly because it is emblematic of both a communal preference for FByleth which is irritating as a primarily MByleth player (although I have to use her to get Ferd's S and the Edelgard costume in Smash) and the fascination with any and all same-sex pairings even remotely hinted to in this game, even if they make absolutely no sense, like Ferdinand and Hubert.
I judge most of these based off of the two character's A supports and whether they make sense both within the context of the support arc and as characters. On one hand, we have Ferdinand and Dorothea's A support, which is imo one of the best in the game and makes an excellent conclusion to the chain, helping to make up for their sharply conflicting personal and political philosophies. His supports with Petra and Bernadetta are likewise great, where the characters learn from their differences and concludes with natural yet not overbearing hints at a potential for a future together. All of it's well-executed and tasteul. Compare that with Ferdinand's A+ with Hubert, which I see as an inane and illogical ending for an otherwise good story of two men who are diametrically opposed philosophically finding common ground and mutual respect over their sense of duty and service to their country and special relationship to their Emperor. I don't see any natural in universe reason for the events you start to see in the A supports to take place, and it saddens me greatly to know that my favorite character Ferdinand is a part of one of the most arbitrary A supports in the whole game.
My issue with the fascination with Petra Dorothea is how much that it has come to dominate poor Petra's character in the fanbase's popular imagination. Petra has great supports with Ferdinand, Ashe, Ignatz, and even Claude, but no one seems about those...
I see Dorothea, Linhardt, and Edelgard as purposefully ambiguous in their orientation across most of their supports, while the others appear relatively straight, although perhaps not romantically inclined so may wish for platonic relationships (lookin' at you, Caspar) But... does it really matter? Call me ignorant, but I just don't understand these shipping fools and their crazy fascination with same-sex couples...
Manuela... It kinda makes sense, but as I Ferd fan I just can't abide by it. It's not Hubert, so it's okay in my book. Leave her to Lorenz.
I actually liked Hubert's supports with Shamir a lot, and I got their paired ending when I played CF. C support was especially quite funny seeing the two trade their characteristic underhanded threats.
Very true. Their supports didn't stand out to me too much in game, but upon reviewing them, they seem okay. I think the issue with it is the fact that unless you see Hubert's part in the relationship as primarily a political ploy on behalf of the Empire's relationship with Brigid, in turn placing doubt on the authenticity of the relationship, it presumes that he actually ends up "choosing" Petra over Edelgard, which would be something of a complete 180 for him from a character perspective, and I don't think the rapport between them is strong enough for me to consider that a feasible possibility. But hey, it's more valid than Ferdinand.
I really think, based on someone who enjoys fan-art, from multiple franchies, the yuri is half a result of straight guys thinking the characters are hot. You cannot try to tell me that half of the fanbase is Lesbian. They're not. I get there are non-straight dudes who play these games, but not nearly close to a majority. I follow a subreddit called r/Edelgard. Half of it is people who just like Edelgard art (With various pairings, and also her solo) and the other half is people who can't shut up about Edelgard with female Byleth. They act like it's her default pairing (As in over male Byleth) and as if everyone cares. Of course, the opposite can also be weird, like whenever I post pictures or something, someone has to comment 'a rare surprise Edelgard and male Byleth' like bro. I'm glad you like it, but why do embrace the weirdness of this community? But the whole thing is sort of toxic, and it annoys me because I honestly just respect the character, and I love the pairing because they mesh so well. I don't want to deal with the weirdness. I have found that almost every woman, who is not explicitly married or dating a dude in canon, ends up paired with another woman in the franchise, even if it makes zero sense. People will pair two sisters together. Else and Anna are a prime example. I could think of others, but I digress. I'm not here to rant about it. I can't stand the toxic people who hate on my ship for weird reasons, I'm not here to bash the ship because I think a lot of people into it don't actually cares about the characters.
Okay...I will just end up by saying I was annoyed when someone said Edelgard made more sense with female Byleth because they imagine Edelgard being the stronger partner.
1. That's sort of sexist. Byleth, as a dude, can so be soft with her.
2. That ignores that Edelgard is 100% a little girl, crying out for help, wanting to be held, given toys, and cherished. She's a broken person, in need of some serious love. Yes, she's a strong character, but internally, she hides from everyone how much she needs her teacher. She's not some invincible woman who needs no one in her life.
...But again, whatever. I feel weird just talking about it, people the culture around some of these ships makes me feel weird. I love Edelgard as a character, I'm not going to hate on Edelgard and female Byleth. I respect who Edelgard is, neither is 'better'. I just think the community can be toxic.
Oh, I accept Manuela with Ferdinand isn't a natural pairing. But they only get together after time spent in my post-game plotline, where I'm going to develop a relationship. Basically Ferdie gets with Dorie, but Dorie admits to him that while she loves him, she thinks she needs to be with someone else (Bernadetta). The two stay friends, but Ferdinand is hurt by the whole situation. At some point, he finds himself with Manuela...I haven't planned out why that happens yet.
I honestly just like the Edelgard and Byleth ship, because I love Edelgard. But with the others, I just like them so much I sort of want everyone to have a happy ending...I did consider letting Hubert or Linhardt stay single...but at this point, I'm only planning on Jeritza staying single because...he's Jeritza. I think El and Byleth are supposed to end up together, their dialogue outside of supports is so explicitly romantic. I could go either way with the others, you could make an argument for any pairing.
I am letting Shamir star in this fanfic eventually, but I haven't actually seen her supports yet. She does interest me as a character, from what I do know of her. I'd like to learn more from her.
Oh no, so this is my idea for Petrabert.
You know the scene, where Hubert tells Dorothea he'd marry someone besides Edelgard if she ordered it?
Well, in order to keep Brigid close to the Empire or something (Still need to decide, that's many chapters away) she does order him.
At this point in the story, Edelgard is already married to Byleth. So Hubert will have to deal with his emotions about that, but he does obey her as he sees it as the best course of action.
I'd have to decide why Petra agree's. I mean...it's Hubert. Maybe our daughter of Brigid has a soft-spot. I could see 1. Petra realizing Hubert needs someone to love him as a friend 2. She thinks its best for Brigid 3. Something happened between them earlier in the story that draws her to him, maybe he shows a hint of kindness.
But yeah, they have an arranged married. One intended to end up loveless, totally political.
But in the course of fighting Dagda (Yeah, that is going to have happen), Hubert finds out that while he serves Edelgard, he belongs to Petra, and his home is in Brigid. Oh, and maybe he offers her lessons in English :/
I want to keep the harsh nature of Hubert, but he's going to have to show a different side of him. I think expanding on his relationship with his parents might help draw some sympathy. Alot of the Black Eagles have trash parents. Maybe I could explain why he is like he is, and somehow, Petra helps crack the egg open. Maybe I'll have Edelgard and Hubert's relationship be revealed as truly mostly just professional with him, with some twinge of longing on his part. Petra offers him a chance to be simply Hubert...and show off something about him we never knew. Maybe he likes reciting poetry or something. If I end up finding a true-to-character way to make Hubert a genuine person with a personality, I deserve a Pulitzer's prize and to be featured in the New York Times.
I agree they make no sense based on their current rapport. I'm going to need to build this relationship...which is what makes it so difficult. El and Byleth have alot of explicit canon dialogue, Ferdinand and Bernadetta have some. Caspar and Dorothea as well. But Hubert has nothing with Petra. Of the black eagles, they'd be the best candidates to remain single in my mind. Especially Hubert, but while Petra is loveable, none of her dialogue was particularly romantic with anyone except the Professor. I could sort of see her with Edelgard, but barely. They're sort of equals, as two great female leaders...maybe it could work, though it might end up a political marriage. I'm not sure where the romance would come from.
I actually was going to ask if you had any ideas of how to make them work. Hubert and Petra I mean.
I'm also planning on making Raphael and Felix best buddies (platonic) and Linhardt is going to fall in love with Lysithea...if you have any idea how to make those work.
I could see Felix and Raphael some how bonding as battle bro's, men fighting valiant together... with Lysithea and Linhardt, it has to start with crests. They're just going to end up needing each other on the battlefield, and I don't know, maybe Linhardt stands up for her when someone gets too nosy, or protects her from ghosts... Lysithea gets him to actually get off his tush and work...
Maybe I don't know Lysithea well enough, because while I did recruit her, I accidentally missed her first support :| so I couldn't see any others but she strikes me as a natural motivator. She also strikes me as a natural tsundere... I honestly am most comfortable writing Lin and Lys, of the pairings I mentioned (PetraXHubert, Ferdinand x Dorie.) Maybe I shouldn't. I think I have a handle on Lysithea's personality, but I know all of those others inside and out...it might prove to have been unwise to write this before playing around with her in game.
I actually have planned a new threat from Dagda, one greater than the threat of Rhea, related to the Slitherer's.
I'm aware that since I took Crimson Flower, I missed some action with them...I need to still play it first, but basically, plan on hearing that those guys...have a boss :)...
And it's not everyone's least favorite Uncle.
...
Actually, Shamir stars in all of it (She isn't the villain, promise).
I just really generally see Ferdinand with Dorothea or Bernadetta more. Petra ended up with Linhardt of all people in my first game :D.
I didn't know they all end up pairing together.
Dorothea and her big bro ended up single because I didn't know what I was supposed to play matchmaker :/
Linhardt comes across as platonic with everyone to me, maybe even asexual. He does not seem to care about romance at all.
Edit: Sorry about double posting originally. I thought I was in Argo Navis friends.
Post self-deleted by AquilaJordyn.
I already said I dislike FByleth, both due to my personal gripes with her atrocious character design and the pompous insistence of some FByleth players that she is somehow naturally more "canonical" or otherwise superior to MByleth, despite evidence clearly contradicting that (Gameplay is another subject, as having access to Pegasus/Falcon Knight and Sylvain for free certainly outweighs MByleth's grappling/brawling/War Master abilities, but gameplay and plot must be differentiated in this instance). However, I see any serious discussion of pairings such as either Byleth and Edelgard and FByleth and Dimitri as naturally leading to a greater discussion about how (mostly) silent, often self-insert, nameable protagonists function in a game or story alongside far more defined characters. I see it as a trade-off of sorts, as the core of the story surrounds a poorly defined character and opening a bunch of writing hoops while also providing flexibility and immersion you might not see in more defined protagonists. Overall, I think Byleth is executed well enough when compared to others, but as the focus of the story lies so heavily on Byleth, the constraints of the character can show through. You're dealing with Byleth pretty well thus far in your fanfic, giving him a bit more reasonable dialogue without trying to force too much onto him.
Raphael and Felix, eh? Inward-focused Felix's characteristic sharp cynicism and Raphael's genuine kindness, selflessness and joviality seem like such a strong contrast...
I wanted both in my fanfic, and I wanted some platonic relationships...so yeah. I think you can have two friends where one is more outgoing than the other, or ones a cynic and the other is jovial. It's certainly not going to happen instantly.
Yeah...so you know those three bubbles that appear over a characters name on the support screen, where it says something about talking to someone? One day, I must not have checked it. Apparently, if you miss those, or some of them, they're story-line specific...I missed it. I don't know if hers has to come in the first part, and so I missed it because I recruited her in the second half, or I just missed it...but I missed it. Shame, she was one of my favorites in another class.
Fortunately, braniac mean looked up to make sure to talk to Edelgard before the Mausoleum...and I fed her about a metric ton of tea so she'd like me. All Bergamot by the way...I spent probably 10k gold on Bergamot tea.
I know I need to do some 'research' by playing...fun research, right? So far, I've avoided going far into any of the people I don't know. Shamir, Raphael, Ingrid, Felix will eventually show up with Lysithea, but I've not included them because I only know they seem cool to me. I liked their dialogue from talking to them, but I didn't unlock all of their supports since they're not in my house. I did unlock one or two of Raphael's. I didn't know how/if you could recruit early on. I don't like tutorial phases much, but man, I could've benefitted from knowing that. I did recruit Anna, without knowing how. Maybe the game tells you, but that one was yet another command of Sothis's I didn't read...
...Wait you mean I need to play other houses to find out more about Linhardt?
I sort of figured that would be true for seeing another side to the Empire...but man, dang it.
I'm trying to write a chapter every two weeks. I can probably get through this new playthrough, recruit all of the people I need to (Felix, Shamir, Raphael, Lysithea, Ingrid) to learn about...but ugh.
There is no way to get Flayn permanently is there, or do they always run off at the end, her and her 'brother'? ...better question, how far can I take her supports with someone like Linhardt in the pre-time skip? I don't plan to recruit Flayn. I'll have them live, because I liked the pair, but I don't plan to have them star in the story. Linhardt though, does, and so do the Slitherer's.
I'll have to S support her with Linhardt when I go SS. That was the next I'm playing, both because I want to S support Rhea, miss Flayn, and need to research them a bit.
I knew it would be challenging to write this before 'finishing' the game, but man I couldn't wait. I was giddy like a kid in a candy story.
I've been delaying playing, mostly because I'm really into writing right now...but ugh. I was going to wait until the break, after the final battle scene with the Immaculate one in my story, since it is Crimson Flower based. I could wait to develop Raphael, Ingrid, Felix, and Shamir's story-arcs...but not Lysithea's. Hers and Linhardt's has already started. I can definitely copy-her dialogue style, but if she is going to feature at all as a character in the first part of my fanfic, I need to research her. In other words, unlock supports, especially ones with other characters. I sort of do know her relationship with Linhardt though, they didn't marry my first time, but did unlock at least one support or two together. But I'm fleshing out all of these people, so keeping them true to themselves requires maximum understanding of them. I could delay their relationship, freeze it where they are. The only people I know I wanted to start loving each other at this point, in the place where the game takes place, is El x Byleth, and Ferdinand x Dorothea. Everything else mostly happens later...but still, knowing her supports, especially with Linhardt, would be useful. I know they're relationship is crest specific, but I don't know how it ends either.
I'm glad you think Byleth is working. He's reached an emotional point in the story, where he has to contend with his feelings for Edelgard, versus what he thinks is best. I don't think he takes it really out of character (other than he has a personality, with feelings) but developing him, while trying to keep true to his...oddness is a challenge. I don't want him to suddenly start becoming a very emotional person. So it's mostly other people talking, and Sothis helping him through his internal monologue. In the post-game, he'll experience some change, as a result of what happened to him at the end.
I know I can figure it out, I'm just fresh out of ideas of how to convince readers Hubert isn't just an emotionless monster while keeping him mostly an emotionless monster.
How do you keep Hubert a jerk, while getting the kindest girl in the Black Eagles to love him?
Hrmm...
I know he has to change. I mean, it's unrealistic for any of them to stay flat. But Linhardt, El, Ferdie, Dorie, Caspar...they all provide a lever for that. We know how they change. Hubert? The dude is a flat character.
Ugh.
I just had to give Hubert a relationship. I mean, I wanted to, but the dude is a tough nut to crack.
Maybe he needs a falling out with Edelgard.
Wait, I already know the reason.
It needs to be more than this, he needs real growth leading up to it, or it'll seem cheesy...but you know how everyone thinks he has a crush on Edelgard?
I've never seen them S support...since I S supported Edelgard with Byleth, but obviously other than Byleth, them together is at least the most obvious pairing for Edelgard. Certainly for Hubert.
What if Hubert's 'goals' which align with his Lady, or at least one of them, was always to convince her to love him? But after absolute years, since childhood, of trying to woo her, this dang Professor shows up, and in a single year, amazes her. The Professor ruined Hubert's dream. He did what Hubert never could. Hubert does care about Edelgard's political ambitions and he sort of comes to consider the Professor a friend. But he can't get over the one woman in his life.
I could see, leading up to his breaking point, Hubert hinting at El, trying in pretty blundering fashion to flirt, seeing himself fail only for Byleth to succeed. He could watch as his secret wish is never fulfilled. He wants to be happy for them, or at least content, but he struggles to process it as they're married. Maybe Petra finds him alone, comforting himself in a dark area of the wedding venue, on the Imperial couples wedding night or something...she comforts him as a friend. Something something, he naturally moves on from Edelgard, or at least, accept what he can't change. This could lead to a natural openness to a relationship with Petra, some point of contact for them to love each other. Maybe Hubert shocks everyone when in a meeting, he stands up for the rights of Brigid over the Empire...or he just learns the concept of a hug... I could see maybe, their marriage happens sometime around the same time as Edelgard and Byleth. It could be a moment where Petra and Hubert, already married, start to fall in love. Though I think it would do better justice for both of them if their love only comes over a great struggle to defend Brigid. While Edelgard and Byleth are together, trying to save the world, Hubert realizes he isn't jealous. He's happy just being in Brigid, with his wife he loves. Hubert stays loyal to Edelgard forever, but he is happy with what he has.
Honestly, although it might be weird of El never to confront him about it, or catch on to him, it might explain Hubert if he actually was acting how he did because he wanted to impress her. He wanted to be the only one she could trust, her loyal confidant. I know that some guys, when they like a girl, they'll be loyal to them to a fault. I mean, Hubert does disobey her at times, but all to her benefit. So the idea he couldn't get over her being with someone else, that would make sense. Now, Petra and Hubert's personalities aren't exactly aligned...so making them like each other is another thing entirely. I think kindness like Petra's is piercing, and can slay any Dragon...even Hubert's lizard heart...no offense to lizards everywhere.
I was not sure to ask, since I'm not sure you're a writer, but are you comfortable if I send you telegrams Aegir, about my writing? I promise not to send chapters to proof-read or anything, but you do have an eye for prying out problems with ideas I'd say, and while I usually ask a friend in Argo Navis about it, you might help for bouncing off whether an idea sounds like something real to a character. I definitely would like to tell you my idea for how I'm going to write new storyline for the game, the main plot of it. I don't want to spoil the game, so I don't want to ask questions about lore, I should learn that myself. But do you feel comfortable, just reviewing what I'm doing? Mostly I just want to avoid making dialogue that comes across as awkward for a character, and want to shoot ideas off of you. It's just something I've gotten into the habit of doing with my friend, regarding our nation's lore (Since we both like writing factbooks) but he wants to play the games, so I can't tell him anything when I try to explain an idea.
I would like to give you all thanks for your kind greetings. I am having confidence that this will be a wonderful region for me to be living in into the future.
The Noble State of Aegir and Altean atlae
If you don't C support a student pre timeskip, you will not be able to afterward.
Same, I didn't understand the recruitment system, and only got the faculty, knights and... Ignatz my first time through, as I said previously iirc. You have to reach a certain level in a stat (easily attained) and a skill, the latter of which is lowered by higher support levels.
Your plan for Hubert is... interesting. Here's my issue with it: Hubert is obedient to Edelgard not necessarily out of a personal interest in her as a person, but out of a sense of duty to carry on the tradition of service to the Hresvelg Emperors he inherits as descendent of House Vestra and Minister of the Imperial Household. This is why he hates his father so much, because he disgraced the house and its duties by participating in the Insurrection of the Seven against Imperial power. Going that route would have to balance his personal annoyance at or disappointment with Edelgard with his duty to her position.
Regardless, I see any potential marriage between Hubert and Petra as a necessarily political union, at least at first.
Feel free to send me TGs, and I'll give you my two cents.
Yeah, I know he's all honored-bound about it.
But while I think he does genuinely care about his duties, they were friends as kids. He ran to save her from Arundel for apparently miles until he was stopped. The guy cares about her. You could see that as just how duty-bound he is, but I feel he must love her. At the least, developing a crush on someone you've worked with for years seem very plausible.
Alternatively, the man doesn't know what to do with his life now that his ladies prime ambition is filled. I could tie this to the idea that Edelgard wants to share burdens with Byleth, and she starts relying on him more than Hubert.
I mean, in this scenario, Brigid can't leave the Empire...or it leaving the Empire has to be mutually agreed to.
Duke Aegir will always have my hate. I sort of worried Ferdinand seemed a lot like what El hates in the nobility, and would end up like his Dad. But in truth, he is the character-opposite of him. He's noble precisely because he's not his Dad.
Hey...Hubert and Ferdinand do have something in common. They want to be unlike their Dads. Same with Linhardt...in a way. The one exception is Caspar, because they're both good fighters. His Dad remained loyal, right? I remember some support where it is mentioned he is fighting on the front. I might be confusing him with Caspar's brother though.
I'll send you telegrams then. I had one idea I could discuss right now, but I sort of already have decided it's a dumb scene and needs a rewrite. I also know what I want to do with it...
I'll ask you about my main plot idea then.
Alright
I am impressed at the creativity of your ideas, and appreciate that you are taking the time to consider the arcs of each of the Black Eagles when drawing up your plot. It sounds like quite an ambitious project, I hope to see you pull it off. PetraxHubert sounds like a challenging, albeit potentially interesting combination. Perhaps they could bond over their sense of loyalty and dedication to their respective countries? Both are willing to abandon their emperor/homeland to advance their national interests, so I would try to capitalize on that common ground. One of the things I appreciate most about our great Black Eagle house is that most of the members have strong political convictions. Makes Linhardt's generally lackadaisical attitude stand out quite drastically, but I digress. And please do not do not fear if you multipost every once in a while, as long as you are not spamming, the activity is appreciated.
Eh, I am less opposed to Female Byleth, as you mentioned, few things are all that different with her in place. I played though the routes as Male Byleth first, but if I find the time or desire to go though them again, I am open to trying female Byleth and getting some S supports with Dmitri, Claude, or other prominent men.
Indeed, I hope you find this region a pleasant place to discuss your game, that is what you wish to do here.
A pleasant welcome to the nations of Flame adrestia and Linhardt to our great region of Fodlan!
Yeah, I'm interested to see male characters' S supports, too maybe I'll just youtube them (I know, how sacrilegious). But... why did you remove my border control authority, Adrestia?
If anyone saw that Nintendo Direct, that "Triangle Strategy" tactical RPG looked like it could be very interesting, both from a storytelling and tactical perspective. Certainly going to check out that demo soon.
I don't want to double-post, because the founder of a region getting in trouble in one of his allied regions makes for bad politics.
Imagine President Biden went to the U.K., and broke some U.K. laws.
Looks pretty shoddy.
I don't know if either of us is opposed with Fem Byleth. I just don't like how the community acts about her and the entire ship between Edelgard and Byleth. Though her armor certainly belongs on some subreddit about 'useless female armor'
Playing the side-story right now.
My boy Alois is here :D.
Yes, I decided that because we should refrain from ejecting it banning nations, I should restrict the powers so that you do not start banning people with reckless abandon... of course I do not think you ever would, but still, I see little reason to keep the possibility around.
Of course, but do not fear, all of our two regional rules are posted on the world factbook. But Alois is in the side story? I don't recall him having a playable role, but perhaps I am mistaken...
Are you really active enough to deal with potential threats? If a spammer comes when you're not around, what are we going to do?
Happy to be here. I also run Flame adrestia just for fun, but I'll probably be most active on this nation. I won't really be too in-character, although my personality and writing style is very similar to Linhardt's so in a way I will be...
I can't find the original post to reply to (and I can't be bothered to look too long for something so trivial) but I disagree with whoever said that Linhardt's lack of interest in politics clashes with the rest of the Black Eagles. The issue with Linhardt (and the issue with Crimson Flower as a whole) is that the writers don't know when to tone down his tropes. The only thing I dislike about Linhardt is that even in times of stress he just goes "time to go to sleep lol." Imagine how much impact it would have if he put aside his lackadaisical attitude when he recognized the weight of the war situation. The same is true of Bernadetta, Caspar, Ferdinand, etc. Some of the scenes with the Black Eagles feels like eight different conversations rather than one conversation with different perspectives. It'll go from Edie talking about the importance of winning this fight and then go to Bernie being terrified of a tree or something and then to Ferdinand saying they must win because they are nobles and then Linhardt taking a nap and so on and so on.
Edit: I wanted to add some more thoughts I had. I'm in the middle of playing Blue Lions right now, and while I don't like those characters as much as the Black Eagles I can say they have a much stronger chemistry, seeing as many of them knew each other before they came to the school. They are less interesting individually but together they have much stronger writing. I love the Black Eagles, don't get me wrong, but I do envy the Blue Lions chemistry. I haven't played Golden Deer or Silver Snow yet so I can't comment on those routes.
If I recall correctly, he's in it for some of the cutscenes but he's not playable. I imagine that they just got to a cutscene with him in it.
Holy living Jesusssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. Aelfric just dropped the hot potato. He dropped all of it about Byleth's Mom, right in front of Rhea aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Explain yourself woman!
(I'm in the Holy Mausoleum)
I find, regardless of what happens, regardless of who I'm fighting, that Edelgard's central point: That the crests are screwing up everything...is correct.
Correct as usual Linhardt :)...you're also nailing the sounding like Linhardt vibe...though I'd work on making some more sighs and notifying us that you're tired.
...Honestly, Alois is the official weird Dad character... I was only excited because I missed all of the characters. I took a hiatus from playing while I was writing.
That is the problem with Linhardt. I love him dearily, but the trope with him rarely if ever is thrown off. He does on occasion, it's just on another level though. He's always sleepy.
I do sometimes think they have different stories, they're not interconnected. But I think that is meant to show their conflicting personalities. The Empire is only united by love of their Professor, and fear of Edelgard...or of Hubert. Edelgard and Hubert constantly incensed by Linhardt's laziness, Bernadetta scared off by Hubert. Ferdinand bugging Dorothea. Ferdinand bugging Edelgard. Ferdinand bugging Linhardt. Ferdinand bugging Hubert. Ferdinand bugging Bernadetta. Ferdinand...
Wait. The common thread is Ferdinand.
Obviously just joking around.
I'm honestly trying to think if Hubert ever throws off the trope. Linhardt does, eventually, give some sort of effort in the end. He just complains about it the whole way.
I get where you're coming from with Linhardt and Bernadetta, at least in the earlier supports and scenes early in their character's developments, but I gotta disagree with you on Ferdinand. His nobility is a great point of personal pride and identity, so it makes sense that he would be vocal about it. I don't see anything particularly illogical or trope-ish about it, considering his personal philosophical system. But I do agree with you on the Blue Lions. I think each house in the game represents its respective country to a tee, so it makes sense that conservative Faerghus and its tradition of tightly connected noble houses would seem more unified than the sprawling Adrestian Empire, which faces internal turmoil following centuries of decline amid power struggles between the monarchy and nobility.
Thinking about it more, I don't even think the issue is that he's always sleepy, it's that he's always obsessed with naps in particular. It would be a lot more interesting if, rather than just deciding to take a nap, he wrestled with his constant tiredness and it actually impeded in his life. There are a lot of hints that the reason he is so sleepy all the time is because he is awake all night engaged in reading. Imagine if, rather than just saying the reason he sleeps so much is because he just likes it, he didn't want to be so tired all the time but couldn't control it? I do believe that is the general idea they were going for but the writing is so tropey and focused on his obsession with sleep that it doesn't seem that way.
I don't want any of this to make it sound like I don't love Linhardt. Linhardt von Hevring is one of my favorite video game characters ever and he reminds me of myself so much. You yourself said that I'm getting the "sounding like Linhardt vibe" and I haven't even been trying, we just talk similarly. I just wish that they didn't make it seem like he just naps on principle and rather that his constant tiredness due to a terrible sleep schedule (which is something that I can relate to) is something which he tries to tackle and cope with. I do wonder if this is better in Japanese or if its just as cheesy.
I mean, like you said, it is sort of suggested. I just think they need to go out and say it, or rather, show it. Have the Professor confront him, and challenge him.
We learn that Edelgard is the way she is you know...what's the word...I don't want to say bossy, but... 'expecting' she expects a lot, is because of her past, and she doesn't apologize for it. Bernie, we know it's because of her Dad so she gets a break. She has a confrontation about it with Dorothea. I know Edelgard confront him about it, but it's always blamed on his constitution. Maybe we find out he stays up really late, or maybe on one occasion, Byleth throws a chalk stick at him during class because he's sleeping and he asks the Professor to help him. Maybe they spend the next day together pouring caffeine into him, or gasp, Linhardt tries working out.
I don't want the characters to all end the same, with all of their quirks 'solved' it makes them who they are, but personal growth is the difference between a flat character and round character... Linhardt isn't really flat, but I think he'd benefit from a more in depth analysis. I'll always love him for keeping us all healed and presenting the logisticians take on every situation.
I see myself as Edelgard in persona but I definitely have my Linhardt side.
While I agree with you in that many of the Black Eagles sometimes fall into repetitive cycles of behavior, I fail to see how that has anything to do with my observation about Linhardt's political apathy as compared with the rest of the house, all of which (with the partial exception of Bernadetta, although I would argue she does as well) carry strong convictions about either their society or morality. Linhardt is passionate about his research, not necessarily the greater ideas promoted by the other members of the house.
I did not pick up on that. If you believe he's sleepy because he reads all night, perhaps he has some sort of issue with his circadian rhythms? He is a teenager after all, and being that he is significantly less sleep-focused later in the game, he could have partially grown out of it. Regardless, if that is the case it would not necessarily be a satisfying or meaningful conclusion.
In fact I think that people like Ferdinand, Bernie, and Dorothea have less convincing motivations than Linhardt. Ferdinand has some interesting elements in his wrestling with the fact that Edelgard imprisoned his father, but that is not explored very much. Likewise, he claims that he wants to convince Edelgard not to abolish the nobility but that conflict of interest is hardly tackled. Why would he fight so loyally for someone who wants to destroy what he loves? He cares about politics but his beliefs are in conflict with the Black Eagle Strike Force. Bernie is definitely better in part II than in part I (as are all the characters) but she doesn't really show much motivation to fight through her fear of people to fight for this. She clearly has reasons to hate Fódlan's traditions and religious values and I would have loved to see her decide to put aside her fears to fight against the Church. She kind of does that but not in a convincing manner. Dorothea, much like Linhardt, detests the horrors that the war brings. Instead of coming to terms with the necessity of Edelgard's actions she seems like she hates being a member of the Strike Force. In fact I think that's the main issue here- there are a decent sum of characters that seem as if they actively dislike being on the Strike Force which makes me just ask why they even bother fighting. They say it's because they trust the professor, but having a teacher you really like as your commander isn't really enough of a reason to be the leading battalion in a massive civil war.
Caspar, Petra, Hubert, Edelgard, and Linhardt, in my opinion, have convincing enough motivations to fight for the Empire. Linhardt detests entitled nobles and highly values freedom, and even though he detests blood and killing, his role is a healer, effectively meaning that his goal is to prevent that from happening to his friends. Edelgard for obvious reasons. Hubert is obsessed with Edelgard (which I think is annoying) but it's very clear that he wouldn't side with anyone else in this war. Petra knows that Edelgard would allow Brigid to remain free and her dedication as a soldier is clear. Caspar doesn't have strong beliefs beyond "being mean = bad" but you can tell he has a love for his comrades in the Black Eagles. Even further, he was screwed over by the feudal system and under Edelgard's meritocratic society, he becomes the war minister (except in his ending with Linhardt, which is adorable as hell).
In short, I think Linhardt has convincing political motivations to fight for the Empire. He dislikes war (as I hope most of us do) but he knows that it's necessary. He wants his friends to stay alive and safe and he wants the war to be over but he also believes in the world that Edelgard is fighting for. If he was an offensive character and actively killing people on the battlefield despite his distaste for killing, then I would have a bigger problem. I think the writers did a poor job of highlighting why he fights. When you ask him why he sided for the Empire, he says "because it would be pointless to fight against Edelgard." I find it hard to believe he would make such an important decision based on that. His beliefs are in line with Edelgard's, why would they not put an emphasis on that?
Yeah, he frequently talks about how when he finds something engaging he loses sleep over it. I don't necessarily think he would have needed to grow out of it, rather that the issue lies in how they present it as him just liking sleep rather than a sort of behavior where he stays up late hyperfocused on something only to sleep in late and be tired all day. I like how he does what he wants even if that makes others feel like he doesn't care, because he cares when he's passionate.
Edit: Grammar
Btw, the new Garreg Mach that just joined is mine. Just made it for the issues gameplay.
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