Recap / Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Note: For clarity, this Recap page only covers events and history told in Path of Radiance. For further background details, please consult Radiant Dawn.

A Brief Backstory

Long ago, a dark god submerged the world in water, leaving only the large continent of Tellius. Tellius is inhabited by two races: the Beorc, who are capable of wielding weapons, and the Laguz, who are capable of transforming into beastly forms. The two races worked together to defeat the dark god. Its power was sealed in a medallion kept by Lehran, the leader of the Heron Laguz, while the swords Ragnell and Alondite that were wielded in battle against the god were entrusted to the Beorc lands. However, since that era, tensions between the two races have formed.

Prologue - Mercenaries

In the modern day, located in the Crimean countryside, there is a band of Beorc mercenaries led by a man named Greil. Ike, Greil's son, has been training with his father and his fellow mercenary Boyd, with the expectation that Ike will one day inherit leadership. Supporting Ike on the sidelines is Mist, his younger sister. Although Ike has yet to gain his father's power, he manages to earn Greil's respect.

1 - The Battle Begins

Ike is sent on his first job, saving the small village of Caldea from a group of bandits. Assisting him on this mission is Titania, his father's second in command, as well as the brothers Oscar and Boyd.

2 - Rescue

Ike's sister Mist and Oscar and Boyd's younger brother Rolf, the two children of the camp, have been kidnapped by the remaining bandits as revenge. Although Titania insists she can handle the matter herself, the matter is too personal for the others to ignore, defying orders to stay put in order to launch an attack. Joining them is Rhys, the group's healer, concerned for the children's safety.

3 - Pirates Aground

Ike's next job is to defend Port Talma from a pirate attack. Accompanying him this time are Titania, the knight Gatrie, and the sniper Shinon, the last of whom has gripes with following the orders of a less experienced man. During the mission, a Pegasus Knight named Marcia joins the fray, trying to recover a treasure that had been stolen from her. Following the mission, some villagers question why the mercenaries aren't using their talents in service of the Crimean throne, but the mercenaries are mostly content with their current lives.

4 - Roadside Battle

War has begun, with the neighboring nation of Daein launching an attack on Crimea's capital. Ike is tasked with a scouting mission, joined by Titania, Rhys, Shinon, Gatrie, and the camp's tactician Soren. They end up coming across an overturned carriage being attacked by a merciless Daein general, and are forced into battle. It is only after their victory do they learn that they've just rescued an unconscious lady.

5 - Flight!

Upon waking up, the rescued lady identifies herself as Princess Elincia Ridell Crimea, the secret heir to Crimea's throne. The Daein army has now followed her to Greil's stronghold, and demands her to be given to them, with a failure to comply leading to battle. The mercenaries decide to side with Elincia, and work to carve a path through the army in order to make their escape.

6 - A Brief Diversion

Now on the run for the first time in their lives, the mercenaries decide to escort Elincia to Gallia, another nation that's allied with Crimea. However, they've now attracted the attention of Petrine, one of the Four Riders of Daein. The mercenaries end up splitting in half, with Ike's team tasked with getting Elincia past Petrine's underlings guarding the border.

7 - Shades of Evil

With the princess successfully moved to Gallia, Ike and his team turn back to try and reunite with Greil, who is battling Petrine herself within Fort Meritenne. Ike's group helps to even the odds, particularly after another mercenary named Mia shows up and asks to join their band. They successfully dissuade Petrine from continuing the fight, but another threat has emerged: the Black Knight, a heavily armored man working for Daein, and Greil's former pupil. Overwhelmed, Greil is struck down, but the Black Knight is unsatisfied (as he can tell Greil had intentionally weakened himself since the last time they met) and decides to spare the others in the hope of a better challenge later.

8 - Despair and Hope

Though stricken with grief, Ike vows to lead the company in his father's stead. Although most of the mercenaries choose to stay, Shinon and Gatrie decide to part ways. Ike's first battle as leader is to defend a convoy of merchants against an attack from Daein within Gallia's borders, exposing King Ashnard of Daein's intent to take the war beyond Crimea. One of the attackers turns out to just be a famished young mage named Ilyana, who switches sides when Ike informs her that he's defending the convoy she was a part of.

9 - Gallia

Tensions between the Beorc in Ike's company and the Beast Laguz of Gallia run high, particularly due to some racist comments Shinon had made in the past as well as Soren's overly tact attitude. Despite this, Ike seeks to make amends and work together to take on Daein's forces. Two Gallian natives, Lethe and Mordecai, escort the mercenaries down the coast to meet with their leader, but come across a secret Daein stronghold set up in their territory. Furious at the occupation, they decide to fight. Joining them for this battle are Mist and Rolf, who want to contribute in this time of need despite still being children, with the latter using archery skills that Shinon had taught him. Marcia also reappears and joins Ike's forces, hoping to repay the mercenaries for their earlier assistance.

10 - Prisoner Release

After his audience with King Caineghis of Gallia, Ike learns new details about his family's history. He also agrees to escort Princess Elincia to the nation of Begnion, since Gallia is no longer a safe haven for her. To assist him with this mission, the king gifts a large sum of funds, continued support from Lethe and Mordecai, and the assistance of his own tactician Ranulf. Along the way, Ranulf directs the mercenaries to Canteus Castle to search for prisoners of war that could assist them. A mysterious thief named Volke is hired to help pick the cell's doors (as well as open chests), and the mercenaries end up freeing two farmers (Brom and Nephenee) willing to fight, a member of the Crimean royal guard that considers himself Oscar's rival (Kieran), and a bishop that was on a pilgrimage (Sephiran).

11 - Blood Runs Red

While trying to charter a ship to Begnion from Toha, a Crimean port that's been mostly unaffected by the war, Daein forces arrives. Toha vigilantes blow Ike's cover, partly to save their own skin, and partly due to their own racism towards Laguz...though one member, Zihark, turns out to be an undercover Laguz sympathizer that switches sides when meeting Lethe or Mordecai. Not helping matters is that the Black Knight is in town, though he chooses to not get involved unless the battle gets too boring. Ike's mercenaries are able to escape the town on a boat owned by a merchant named Nasir, though they end up chased by Jill Fizzart, a Laguz-hating Daein soldier that rides a flying Wyvern.

12 - A Strange Land

During the lengthy journey to Begnion by sea, Ike checks up with his allies, and comes across a stowaway child named Sothe. Sothe has been looking for someone important to him, and offers to assist Ike as a thief until he finds her; unlike Volke, he even works for free. The trip is then is interrupted when Raven Laguz from the island nation of Kilvas raid the ship, getting it stuck on reefs close to the nation of Goldoa in the process. During the commotion, Jill finally catches up to them, but offers a truce given the current circumstances. After holding out long enough, the battle is stopped by the arrival of Goldoa's Dragon Laguz; although the nation is mostly isolated, they are familiar with Nasir, and free his stuck ship.

13 - A Guiding Wind

Continuing their voyage, Ike's mercenaries come across a Begnion ship in combat with Daein forces. Ike decides to help, reuniting with Gatrie in the process, who is now in service of Astrid of Begnion's House Damiell. Kilvas' king Naesala also interferes with the conflict, having his men raid the ships for loot while all sides are weakened fighting each other. After the battle is over, Ike is told that the Begnion ship was transporting their Apostle empress Sanaki, and is surprised to see that she looks like a child. He's also surprised to learn that Sephiran, the bishop he rescued, is the nation's Prime Minister.

14 - Training

Now in Begnion, Sanaki offers Ike's mercenaries a series of jobs to help strengthen relationships between their cause and Begnion. Their first task is hunting bandits in the nation's countryside, but they don't learn until they arrive that the bandits are actually Laguz slavers. It also turns out that Marcia's brother Makalov is currently employed by the slavers, but only due to racking up a massive debt.

15 - The Feral Frontier

The Apostle's next job for Ike's mercenaries is to deal with a band of thieves in Grann Desert. To Ike's surprise, the thieves are a group of escaped Laguz slaves, with a Beast Laguz named Muarim as the strongest among them. Thinking that Ike was sent to recapture them, the groups end up fighting, with a mysterious swordsman named Stefan joining in if Ike's Laguz allies happen to find him. The battle ends when Muarim is saved by a young boy named Tormod, who reveals himself as the true leader of the Laguz Emancipation Army.

16 - The Atonement

Ike decides to confront Sanaki about her requests, and learns that her true intention was to expose the underground Laguz slave trade among Begnion's nobles. Her final request for now is to apprehend Duke Oliver Tanas, whose obsession with beauty has garnered him the greatest prize of all: Prince Reyson of the near-extinct Heron Laguz, who was under the protection of King Tibarn of the Hawk Laguz until Naesala tricked and betrayed them. However, Oliver has many armed guards at his villa, including a man named Devdan that switches sides when he realizes Ike's forces includes children. Unfortunately, Oliver manages to escape during the commotion, but Reyson is able to get away from him.

17 - Day Breaks

The mercenaries quickly track Duke Oliver and Prince Reyson to Serenes Forest, the former home of the Heron Laguz before it was set ablaze by a Begnion mob. Oliver's hired an entire small army's worth of men to help him regain his prize, which Ike's forces have to fight through in a long, multi-part conflict. The arduous battle is first interrupted by the appearance of Leanne, Reyson's long-lost sister thought to have been killed in the inferno, and then by Tibarn and his subordinates, who have learned of Naesala's treachery and have come to aid in Reyson's recovery. Once Oliver is finally cornered and slain, Reyson and Leanne reunite, and use their unique power as Heron Laguz to restore the forest to its former glory.

18 - Crimea Marches

Sanaki achieves peace with the Herons, who forgive her nation for its former atrocious actions. She then appoints Ike the title of Lord, and the position of leader of the Crimean Liberation Army, as it's time to take the fight to Daein. Joining Ike at this point are Prince Reyson, Tibarn's "eyes" and "ears" Ulki and Janaff, and Tanith, one of the captains of Begnion's Holy Guard of Pegasus Knights. The Liberation Army's first battle is at Tor Garen, a wall that marks the Daein-Begnion border. Once there, Ike finds that Shinon has now been employed by Daein and is fighting against them, but is able to convince him to switch sides with the help of Shinon's young apprentice Rolf.

19 - Entrusted

Naesala has joined forces with Daein, and is seen supporting their forces in fighting against Ike. However, once Reyson confronts him, he admits his mistakes, tries to make amends with a gift for Reyson, and departs the battlefield. That night, while camping, Volke has a discussion with Ike. It turns out that Volke knows about Greil's secret past, as one of Daein's Four Riders. During his service, he found a treasure called Lehran's Medallion, also known as the Fire Emblem, which drove him into a berserk rage. To atone for the slaughter he caused, Greil had purposely weakened his dominant arm, and left his old position to help others as a mercenary. As for the Medallion, it's currently in Mist's possession, and her natural talent as a cleric has kept its maddening influence at bay. With all this revealed, Volke then offers a new contract that will allow him to work as his true profession: assassin.

20 - Defending Talrega

The Liberation Army is making further progress to Daein's capital of Nevassa, hiring a talented sage named Calill along the way. However, Petrine has set up a trap for them at the village of Talrega, opening a floodgate to slow them down at the expense of its citizens' lives. Ike has to fight against Daein troops to close the gates, but they're being commanded by Shiharam Fizzart, Jill's father, which leads to an emotional confrontation and possible betrayal if Jill hasn't formed a strong bond with Ike's forces.

21 - Without a King

The Liberation Army has reached the capital and prepare to take it, but King Ashnard has already left to claim Crimea for himself. In his place as their opposition is Ena, his tactician, who turns out to be a Dragon Laguz from Goldoa. Complicating matters further is that there's a traitor within the Liberation Army: Nasir, the merchant, turns out to also be a Dragon Laguz, and Ena's grandfather. Despite this betrayal, Ike chooses to spare Ena, and the two Dragons repay Ike's kindness by genuinely joining his side. During the conflict, Ike also meets Tauroneo, an old friend of his father's, and convinces him to temporarily turn his back on Daein and join the Crimean cause.

22 - Solo

Wondering what exactly Ashnard is up to, having let his own nation be conquered by the Liberation Army and Beignon reinforcements while he's taking Crimea, Ike is directed by Nasir to a holy temple. Once there, he finds that Daein soldiers are using the priests as human shields. Once dealing with that problem, Ike converses with the head bishop, Tomenami, and learns that his now-deceased mother once resided there and was the one that kept the Fire Emblem hidden.

23 - The Great Bridge

Gallia is now able to officially join the war effort, meaning that Ranulf can take a more active role rather than merely be a guide. However, for the Liberation Army to get back to Crimea, they must cross Riven Bridge, which Petrine has riddled with traps. With assistance from some remaining members of the Crimean royal guard, the army successfully crosses it and kills Petrine, even meeting and recruiting Jill's former commander Haar in the process.

24 - Battle Reunion

The royal guard reveals that they've been using Delbray Castle as a secret shelter, and that word of Elincia's return has inspired them to take action. However, before their forces can reunite, Daein forces lay siege to it. With the exception of the Black Knight, who once again shows up as a reinforcement but does not take direct action, the Liberation Army is able to beat them back, rescuing Elincia's retainer Lucia, the sage Bastian, and captain of the royal guard Geoffrey.

25 - Strange Lands

The Liberation Army approach Marhaut Range to rendezvous with the Gallian forces, but see a Daein battalion preparing boulders to roll down onto their forces. To assist, Ike hires a berserker named Largo, who's quite familiar with Calill.

26 - Clash!

Ashnard's plan to embroil the continent in war and unleash the Fire Emblem's true power is coming together, which mean the Liberation Army must make haste. While the Hawk Laguz of Phoenicis, led by Tibarn, prepare an assault on Fort Nados to divert Daein's attention, Ike must lead the main assault against the insane general Bertram at Fort Pinell. Elincia at long last joins her companions for the battles ahead, riding upon a winged steed and wielding the blade Amiti.

27 - Moment of Fate

It is now time to truly strike at Fort Nados, where the Black Knight is waiting for his fateful encounter with Ike. Time is of the essence, as Ashnard now holds both the Fire Emblem and Reyson's sister Leanne, whose Heron voice is also vital to unleashing its power. After clearing most of the occupying army, Ike insists to his allies that he alone can face the Black Knight, as his father's holy sword Ragnell is the only equal against the Knight's holy sword Alondite. Despite this warning, Mist still sneaks into the tower where the duel is held to provide support for her brother. Ike manages to succeed and avenge his father, leaving the Black Knight's body behind as the tower collapses...which is fortunate, as if he had failed, Nasir would have given his life to take the Knight out and help Ike escape.

28 - Twisted Tower

With Greil avenged, Ike turns his attention to rescuing Leanne. She's being kept in Gritnea Tower, an evil place where the Daein sorcerer Izuka has been driving Laguz into insane, Feral beasts to use in battle. Assisting Ike on this mission is Nasir (who would be replaced by Ena if Nasir had sacrificed himself), as well as some temporary aid from Tibarn.

Final - Repatriation

Ashnard has holed up in Crimea's capital, and his defeat will end the war. But this is no easy task, requiring the aid of combined Beorc and Laguz forces; Ike is even permitted to call in either Tibarn, Naesala, or King Caineghis' best retainer Giffca to help with the final charge past Daein's top general Bryce to strike at the Mad King. Just when it looks like victory is assured, Ashnard is able to tap into the Medallion's power to grant him and his wyvern steed new power...but this is not enough, as Ike is able to finally strike him down with Ragnell.

Epilogue

Though there are none to mourn the death of Ashnard, there is one to mourn the death of his steed. It's revealed that the reason Ena had worked for Ashnard was because the wyvern was actually Rajaion, who was not only Goldoa's crown prince, but her lover...before he was captured and Izuka's experiments turned him Feral. Leanne is able to restore Rajaion long enough for a tearful goodbye, before the stress from everything he's gone through ends his life.

With Crimea retaken and Elincia its rightful Queen, the members of the Liberation Army go their separate ways. Sephiran makes an appearance, but rather than return the now-powerless Fire Emblem to Beignon, he entrusts it with Ike. Sephiran also reveals some more about the medallion's history, including that the legendary hero that had sealed a dark god's power within it, Altina, was Sanaki's distant ancestor. Although offered a life of comfort, Ike renounces his title of Lord and returns to helping the people as a mercenary.