Generically-Titled Fire Emblem Quest: Part 23 Summary

Part 23 Link: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/42074268/

Part 23 Summary

 -After getting out of Dain, Ellen and co. headed towards Elza Oasis once more. In order to do so, they passed through Sharlow Village. On the way, Victoria and Ellen talked about nothing in particular.
 -Asra reported the group getting close to the town, then dedicated herself to scouting behind the group. It wasn't at all unthinkable that they would be followed, after all.
 -Miles briefly explained their situation to the apparent mayor, a very welcoming but vaguely-described older fellow. He also showed the gang around town.
 -Victoria and Ellen wind up pigging out on shitty food at a local inn, outlasting every other party member to go in to do the same. Over this meal, Victoria explained that Lars had apparently kept holding off any and all demands from his grandfather that Victoria be turned into the Deadlord Draco, making excuse after excuse while trying to persuade her to join his side willingly. Neither ended up happening, partially because dear Captain Willow took all of his gestures of persuasion for herself, but mostly because Victoria values what little pride she has left.
 -After finishing pigging out, the duo discussed Asra. She hadn't been in the inn with the rest of the Great Miles, Victoria noticed, and Ellen was quick to assure her that some people just... aren't very socially-inclined. Victoria accidentally pissed off Ellen with a comment about "silver lining" to all that's happened to her, but nothing came of it.
 -Devon approached the two, asking if either had seen Asra around. They hadn't, and Devon began to fear that the Rogue/Assassin had been captured by an assassin's guild of sorts called the Peshkatz Group. They're highly elusive and dangerous, only a few important people know how to call the, apparently they raise some operatives for their group from childhood, Asra was a runaway from that group, and she has killed at least one of her number in the past, and apparently they hadn't heard from the Group for years since, assuming that they simply decided to cut their losses instead of losing more members. Devon thinks that, while they still wouldn't explicitly seek Asra out again, it's entirely possible that one of their number was put to work alongside Dain's own people.
 -Considering this group exceptionally dangerous, Devon revealed her plans not to allow anyone but herself, Miles, and Bryce to challenge the incoming wyvern riders. When Ellen refused to just run away and let her do something like that, she tried to knock her and Victoria out with a Sleep Staff. However, Ellen avoided this fate and knocked Devon out herself.
 -After explaining the situation to a reasonably-ticked Miles, Ellen was able to convince him not to run, but instead to let much of the group stay behind and fight while a few kept going to deliver Katina, Bolse, and Kia to Elza Oasis. Vaga, his hunnies, and Yancy were among the latter group, but Katina still took some convincing before actually being willing to leave (ultimately, it took playing to her recently-developed crush on Vaga).
 -The party decided to wait for the wyverns to come to them, protecting Sharlow in the process. Ellen, Bovis, Gorman, Victoria, and Laurina were on watch duty while the rest informed the local guard and the town to be ready. Upon seeing wyverns on the horizon, Bovis was tasked with telling "everyone" that wyverns were sighted. He then proceeded to spend the entire battle telling everyone instead of actually coming back and joining the fray.
 -The four who stayed immediately headed out to meet them, Ellen even equipping her Wyrmslayer. This attracted the interest of Captain Roderick, apparently the elder brother of Derrick and a fellow son of the late Willow. Naturally, Ellen called his mother a "scumbag warden" and bragged about killing her over it, which actually opened the enraged Roderick up for a deal: let him personally kill Ellen, and he would release Asra from captivity. He'd promised to let the assassin they'd hired take care of Asra after they'd caught the kids, but there's no guarantee he couldn't still pull it off with Asra loose.
 -Laurina spoke up, asked Roderick to have someone actually go GET Asra, show her alive and well, before they considered the deal, then promptly walked back to town alone.
 -It took weirdly long to the wyvern rider who had been sent to retrieve Asra to do so, and eventually another discovered that the fellow had been put to sleep. Apparently, Laurina went to tell the very mobile magic-users about this "agreement," having them sneak around the wyverns who stayed-all of whom she'd noticed were focusing exclusively on Ellen's movements-and have Devon use her Sleep staff on the sap. Soon after, most of the riders were slain, Roderick himself was killed by Asra after his mount was shot down, the sleeping rider was captured... and the assassin was nowhere to be found.

 Ellen's Party Members:

 -Ellen (Mercenary Class) The player character, a young woman raised in the village of Orsin. A compassionate woman who nonetheless has her limits, protective to a fault, and perfectly fine with spending her life being worth nothing but her sword arm. The slowest to forgive.
 -Quidel (Horseman/Nomad Class) A son of the nomadic Tarvos tribe that primarily exists in the Johan region, on good terms with the royalty of Neir. Normally a friendly man, but plagued by a prejudice towards the Garou and anyone who is perceived as an enemy of the Tarvos. The biggest history buff.
 -Victoria (Sniper) The former Duchess of former Noban territory, Malva. After it was taken over, she started a rebellion to regain her homeland and birthright... And was miserably crushed and imprisoned, finally landing in Aum. The most willing to degrade herself.
 -Bovis (Hero) A masked Deadlord tasked solely with protecting and obeying Bolse, though a "quirk" in his creation has turned that into "listens to anyone if it doesn't conflict with what Bolse asked of him/protecting Bolse." Was created out of the remains of Lambert.
 -Miles (Sage) The estranged, disowned son of the Duke of a far-off duchy in Noba. Is apparently a respected mercenary of Heim constantly trying to redeem himself in his father's eyes without compromising his love for his fiancee. While on a "redemption quest" of his own to seek out Bolse, he met and befriended princess Eva of Dain, being convinced by her to rescue her younger sister, Kia, from Emperor Elias' hostage-taking tendencies in exchange for being told where to find Aum Dungeon. Most likely to blame himself for a mistake. Engaged to Devon.
 -Devon (Bishop class) A commoner from Noba. All in all ordinary, aside from her once-hidden potential for magic and fantastic ability to care for others. A founding member of the Great Miles. Engaged to Miles. Has the most faith in others.
 -Bryce (Bard) A giant, magenta-clad man with a pompadour. Theatrical at times and a bit stand-offish, he produces a very strange sound when using his bard powers. A member of the Great Miles. Most likely to imagine theme music for any situation.
 -Asra (Rogue/Assassin Class) A dark-haired woman of few words and a master of stealth with the Great Miles. There... doesn't seem to be much to her beyond her loyalty to the company. Has the least hobbies.
 -Laurina (Pirate) An ex-girlfriend of Biff's mentioned briefly by Byron while recounting the duo's days as mercenaries. Apparently traveled with them awhile before breaking up with the red knight in circumstances only described as "nasty." Later joined the Great Miles. An ill-tempered yet reserved girl with a past of piracy. The
 -Gorman (Hero Class) The former captain of Orsin's local guard, before leaving town to become a mercenary shortly before the story began. He taught Ellen and Lambert how to fight with a sword, emphasizing a balance of one's physical traits. A stern but compassionate man originally from Dain, around seven or eight years his proteges' senior. Gets sick the least.

 Garrus' Party Members:

 -Natalie/Nat (Cleric) Ellen's only living friend from Orsin, who works with staves and kept up the local church. Has a cold exterior despite being sensitive. Collects the most things. Currently a couple with Biff.
 -Reese (Knight Class) A farmhand from the same town as Ellen, Nat, and Lambert. Has a lot of zeal, but might be a bit of a slimeball. Was a notorious drunkard in Orsin village, often hitting on Ellen and trying to make excuses for her to drink with him (it may be why she never does so in general). At least, that WAS true before a near-death experience led him to turn his entire life around. The most dedicated to a goal.
 -Biff (red cavalier) Biff is enthusiastic and outgoing, but tends to be misinterpreted. A chivalrous man at heart. He and Byron used to be mercenaries in the nation of Noba. The most likely to act on instinct. Currently a couple with Natalie.
 -Byron (green cavalier) A social knight with Garrus' personal guard. Unlike his friend, he is collected and somewhat reserved. Apparently an avid baker and all-around caring person. A former mercenary with Biff before they became knights. The best judge of character.
 -Robert (Fighter Class) A loud and rude lumberjack who was with Orsin's local guard/militia. The most argumentative.
 -Jay (Fighter Class) A silent and passive lumberjack who was with Orsin's local guard/militia. The best listener.
 -Garrus (Axe Lord) The crown prince of Neir, son of King Drasma. Surprisingly timid and small-framed, but capable of waving a regal axe with relative ease. The most eager to please.
 -Yvette (Paladin) A middle-aged retainer for Prince Garrus. Often speaks in his place due to his timidness, and has a motherly quality to her which can sometimes turn scary. Personally trained Ellen and Zoe when they first became knights, apparently having done this for every newcomer to a personal guard. The loudest when angry.
 -Mitchell (Thief/Outlaw Class) A former thief who seems to be friendly enough. Has friends in unsavory places, and sometimes does something amoral, but isn't malicious. Was basically given a "use your talents for us or rot in prison" ultimatum. Wants to be a gardener. Has the best dreams.
 -Cheryl (Pegasus Knight) A cheerful Pegasus Rider who often acts as a messenger for Garrus, the middle child of three sisters. Has a near-supernatural ability to make the best out of even a hopeless situation and has a very open mind when it comes to new people. Claims not to experience romantic attraction. The most upbeat.
 -Stefyn (Myrmidon) A cowardly swordfighter who was tangled up in the Johalva bandits. Seems to genuinely want to reform, but Ellen absolutely despises him for killing Lambert. A genuinely friendly, sociable swordsman who is just very easy to startle, getting extremely nervous around Ellen in particular. Sleeps the least.
 -Salia (Class Unknown) Garrus' younger sister. Went to live with the Tarvos at the age of six, much earlier than younger siblings of either royal family tend to (typically they wait until they're just slightly younger than Quidel, which is to say how old she would be now). Was returned to Rakche upon her father learning of the possibility of someone targeting his children's lives. The heaviest sleeper.
 -Monica (Falcoknight) Cheryl and Zoe's older sister, a significantly colder person than her sister. Apparently the personal retainer for Salia. Dutiful, having apparently practically raised her siblings after the war with Dain and having once been nicer. Apparently was engaged to a treasure hunter/explorer named Florence, who has been missing for a few years. The fondest of solitude.
 -Zoe (Pegasus Knight) The younger sister of Cheryl and Monica, a pegasus knight who actually detests fighting, only doing it anyway to get closer to her sisters. A member of Salia's personal guard. The prettiest smile.
 -Logan (Summoner) A largely-built, personable man who accompanies Katina on orders from the Mage General. Wields light magic and is able to summon the forms of living monsters to fight for him. The most optimistic.
 -Eva (Wyvern Rider) The granddaughter of Emperor Elias and thus a princess of Dain, having for some reason fled the country on her wyvern and taken on the fake name "Riga," beginning to travel with the personal guard incognito soon after. Apparently trusts Lars enough to tack herself onto his "Mimon" identity. A talkative, friendly-seeming girl who took an instant liking to prince Garrus, apparently having fallen for him solely through Alexia's description. Has the secretly dirtiest mind.

Status Unknown:

 -Lars/Mimon (Sage) A lone mercenary and a master of the wind magic Excalibur. Was hired by the Mage General to accompany Katina. Mostly serious and thoughtful, if a bit of a showoff. Apparently fights to support his mother and sister, even though he could retire in luxury if he wanted to. It turns out that "Mimon" was a false name, and he was in actuality Lars, the prince of Neir and grandson of Dain's emperor, elder brother to Garrus and Salia, apparently STILL next-in-line to the throne after betraying his nation a decade ago. Apparently only serving the emperor because he has several children of his own family as glorified hostages for the express purpose of keeping his unrulier family members in line, but even then he is beginning to show interest in defecting again. Has command of some sort of magical armor, completely impenetrable in one form and only penetrable by very special, ancestral weapons when he's channeling some of his other magic into attacking, as seen when Victoria's ancestral bow Ronan pierced the weaker form. On top of this, without the armor he is exceptionally agile, thought to be impossible to lay a hand on. The hardest to read.
 -Khozen (Wyvern) A silver-scaled wyvern older than Neir itself, having loyally served the rightful ruler of Neir since Queen Hauteclere hatched him with the Scepter of Katri. Riding him, she was able to lead a Revolution and found Neir. Acted as King Drasma's mount in life, immediately flying for Dain upon his demise, still considering Lars heir to the throne.
 -Dama (Garou) One of the two younger children of Lady Loba, a hot-blooded speaker-of-her-mind. Childhood friends with Princess Salia. Acts more doglike than most Garou. The least shameful about scratching herself in public.
   -Katina (Mage) The daughter of Mage General Corneria of Heim, met in her early teens. Blonde, excitable, naive, and romantic, she has a lot of magical visions of her missing twin brother, Bolse, and has begun to investigate their meanings in a search for him. Falls in love the fastest.
 -Bolse (Necromancer) Katina's twin brother. The missing son of Mage General Corneria, revealed to have been turned into an undead-conjuring, Deadlord-creating ally to Prince Lars, serving out of a combination of fear of Captain Willow and sympathy for Lars' motivations. Soft-spoken and easily-scared, he seemingly regrets his role. Due to his inexperience with necromancy, several of the Deadlords he created have some massive flaw. Was able to teleport around aboveground to his will with the Witch's Pendant before it was destroyed. The quietest speaking voice.
 -Yancy (Shaman) Biff's older brother. Went missing for awhile, only to have reconnected with Biff again before the story began. Things are... not strained, but somewhat awkward between the two. A more serious fellow than his brother, a reluctant stickler for rules he thinks make sense. Has the cleanest glasses.
 -Vaga (Garou) The son of Lady Loba, part of the same litter as Dama was. A bit of a hometown hero, he's an observant pretty boy™ and a bit of an opportunistic scoundrel. Habitually burglarizes places, and is fiercely protective of his mother. Was betrayed and framed by his own older sister. The most unpredictable.

Names to keep in mind:

 -Hauteclere (Wyvern Monarch) The first queen of Neir. Famous for hatching Khozen and starting a persevering alliance with the Tarvos Nomads, both essential actions in a successful revolution against the Gerxel empire. Considered one of the most important figures in Teege history. Apparently banished the Garou to the mountains after the war.
 -Antiman (Nomadic Trooper, presumably) Quidel's uncle, younger brother to the chief of the Tarvos. A trusted friend, advisor, and diplomat to King Drasma. A caring man of few words. Has been left in charge of Neir in the royal family's absence.
 -Garou Tribe (Garou and Managarm, for the most part) A tribe of beastlike shapeshifters living in the mountain range between Neir and Heim. Currently led by a Managarm named Loba. A few of them are such fans of Vaga that (on top of apparently having slept with him a lot) he has the utmost faith that they'll be trying to save him despite his frameup.
 -Ahua (Managarm) The oldest child of Chief Loba of the Garou tribe. Appears to be dutiful, but also gets mad weirdly easy. Actually in league with whatever evil organization captured Bolse and created the Deadlords, for the purpose of retaking Tarvos Valley and devouring its namesake people.
 -Corneria (Presumably something Magical) Mage General of Heim and mother of Katina and Bolse. Arranged for a meeting with King Drasma to discuss the matter of magical assassins. A person who favors reasoning through a situation, having been heavily wary of King Drasma's gung ho tendencies and well-intended endangerment of his children.
 -Deadlords (Bovis: Hero, Tigris: Berserker, Simia: Swordmaster) Twelve exceptionally powerful undead warriors who are able to be summoned by unknown means. Three have been seen to be created by/working for the deaf necromancer's faction so far. Bovis is his personal bodyguard, Tigris has become a commander of undead legions, and Simia... was supposed to act as an assassin, but immediately disobeyed orders and abandoned Tigris in the Garou Mountains. Apparently there was a mistake in summoning her. Canis is in the body of Lady Loba, humorously having next to no magical capability.
 -The Vautou (Unique Class) Groups of winged bandits that make Heim's deserts their home. They were VERY recently taken over by Simia, having cut down their previous chief and asserted her dominance.
 -Alexia (Class Unknown) The mother of Lars, Garrus, Salia, and Paula, former queen of Neir. Defected to her homeland, Dain, during a horrible war between it and Neir. Still speaks fondly of her family, but even with her age and position, she's currently under her father's thumb in terms of actions she might take.
 -Derrick (Wyvern Lord) A childhood friend of Gorman's from back in Dain, the only one to stick up for and support him and his mother when Captain Willow tried to have them killed. Now the leader of the Emperor's Flight, the most elite Wyvern squadron of Dain.
 -"True Vautou"/Rogue Vautou (Vautou classes) A rogue faction of Vautou created by Clovis in secret, rejecting the notion of anyone besides a winged bandit like themselves leading them.
 -Elias (Emperor) The big man, the head honcho of Dain, the very likely big bad, and far from the best of grandparents. He's had several of his younger descendants held hostage across the country just to keep the rest of the royal family in line in case some of them seem a bit rebellious. He also seems to have been the one to employ several other morally dubious tactics witnessed throughout what's been seen of Dain, but he isn't as explicitly mentioned to have seen to it like the relatives thing.
 -Paula (literal eight year-old) The youngest daughter of King Drasma and Alexia, born after the latter left the country for Dain. Presumably part of Elias' typical scheme of choice for dealing with unruly relatives.
 -Kia (literal five year-old) A princess of Dain, the younger sister of Eva. Was held hostage by her grandfather, presumably to keep her parents and sister in line, but was freed by the Great Miles. A bit of a precocious brat who doesn't fully understand the situation she's in.

Deceased units/potential units missed:

 -Lambert (Mercenary Class, died in thread 2) The son of the captain of Orsin village's guard and Ellen's closest friend, a real showy bastard. A talented swordsman who was found half-dead after a fight with a myrmidon with Stefyn (when he was with the Johalva). He died early the next morning despite the best efforts of Garrus' knights and Nat. The least confident.
 -Mina (Archer, died in thread 17) A young woman who was assigned to guard Aum Dungeon, close friends with fellow guards Walter and Simon under Captain Willow. After accidentally shooting her boss' eye out aiming for Ellen, Willow drove her sword through her eye and into her head. The most pluck.
 -Walter (Fighter, died in thread 17) A young man who wound up guarding Aum alongside his childhood friends. Though the environment was depressing, the boss was awful, and the hours were tough, he felt as though he could persevere so long as he had Mina's smile. Killed by Ellen when he flew into a distressed frenzy at her callousness. Can tie a cherry stem with his tongue.
 -King Drasma (Wyvern Monarch, died in thread 18) The king of the nation of Neir, and the father of Prince Garrus and Princess Salia. A warrior king who ordered his son and his small band to wipe out a notorious group of bandits. A boisterous man who is surprisingly fond of staves and healing, while also very irresponsible. Killed by Clovis in the midst of cutting down the other Rogue Vautou. Was apparently not the best of parents to Lars.

Defeated bosses:

 -Tabat (Berserker, died in thread 3) The leader of the fearsome Johalva bandits, who terrorized Tarvos valley and most recently destroyed Orsin village. Garrus' father, King Drasma, tasked him with wiping this faction out. While alive, he personally oversaw the capture of Natalie and Ellen, and was the one who ordered Stefyn to kill Lambert. Personally killed by Ellen, with the aid of Prince Garrus, in the former outpost his group had taken over. Was once friends with Gorman.
 -Incomplete Dracozombies (died in thread 5) Four Dracozombies, summoned by a deaf, fair-haired, signing spellcaster whose face Ellen didn't see. They were all in various states of incompleteness, making them look even more dead than the much more threatening complete Dracozombies. Apparently sent to kill prince Garrus, as by far the strongest of the quartet was focusing primarily on fighting him.
 -Willow (Wyvern Lord, died in thread 17) Derrick's mother, a former captain who was stationed at Traban Outpost. Physically abusive and known for her bloodthirstiness and "thoroughness," Derrick eventually saw to it that she was court martialed, dishonorably discharged, and imprisoned. She then secretly functioned as the Warden of Aum Dungeon, earning the terror of Bolse, Victoria, and all of her subordinates. However, she was ultimately killed by Ellen at the start of a prison break. It's later mentioned offhand that Derrick is not her only son, and implied that the other one(s) is/are also terrible to some extent, but not as bad as she was.
 -Tigris (Berserker, died in thread 18) A Deadlord created with the body of Tabat, primarily intended to serve as the leader of undead hordes. Was one of Chief Loba's assassins. Despite his physically imposing nature and tendency to give breaking speeches (or at least attempt them), he was actually the overall easiest to defeat of the Deadlords, owing to his impractical fighting style being easy to dodge, even with his strength as immense as it was. Was killed by Stefyn, revealing upon his demise that he regrets nothing, and that he in particular retained all of his memories of life.
 -Clovis (Vautou Head, died right after thread 18) An old friend of Mitchell's and the second-in-command of the Vautou bandits. Was close with their late leader Oiseau, and ended up leading a rogue faction of them in rejection of Simia as the new leader. Wound up killing King Drasma, and was executed personally by Simia after being captured at the battle's end.
 -Simon (Soldier, died in thread 21) A guard at Aum Dungeon. An emotionally volatile man who feels he has no control over his life, depending on his friends for validation. Despises Ellen for letting Captain Willow kill Mina, then killing Walter herself, and most heinously for letting him live. The most naturally clear skin. Wound up leading the guards of Aum dungeon in a full-on ambush, destroying the Witch's Pendant in the process, but was killed by Victoria after having his hand cut off by Ellen.
 -Roderick (Wyvern Lord, died in thread 23) The eldest son of Captain Willow and brother of Derrick, a bloodthirsty fellow enraged at his mother's demise. Led a squadron of Wyvern Riders who apparently knew about the truth of Aum Dungeon. Killed by Asra thanks to the efforts of Ellen, Victoria, and Quidel, who shot his wyvern down.