Chapter 16: The Foreign Prince
Chapter 16 introduces Prince Kurt's quest to reclaim her fallen kingdom, a classic Fire Emblem narrative complicated by the machinations of the goddess Fenris. This chapter highlights the story's unique split into Light and Shadow paths, influenced by multiplayer battles. It also revisits accessibility features like Casual and Phoenix Modes, and the Hero Skill mechanic from Cipher.
The story of Chapter 16 is split into Light and Shadow chapters, occurring at various points in time. Players progress by engaging in multiplayer battles aligned with the appropriate side. Prince Kurt, who initially pretends to be a man, sets out to retake her nation from an invading empire, accompanied by allies and retainers, a common Fire Emblem plot.
However, Kurt is constantly pursued by servants of Fenris, the goddess of shadows, who attempt to entice her to join them. Fenris tempts individuals to make dark pacts, offering their heart's desire in exchange for their spirit and soul, which invariably leads to them becoming corrupted, beast-like versions of themselves, enslaved to their darkest impulses. This narrative introduces a "who can be trusted?" paranoia plot, a relatively new theme for the series.
Mechanics relevant to this chapter include:
- Hero Skill: Unique to Red characters in Cipher (excluding Lianna and Rowan), this skill allows for changing the main character mid-play, offering strategic depth. Characters from these games often focus on swarming with cheap units.
- Casual Mode: Introduced in Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem, this mode disables permanent death, allowing defeated characters to return in subsequent chapters.
- Phoenix Mode: From Fire Emblem Fates, this mode ensures defeated characters return to battle on the very next turn with full health, catering to novices.
- Lyn's Tale (Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade): An extended tutorial where permanent death is absent. Units defeated here return in later stories, though in a weaker state.
- Side Chapters (Gaiden chapters): In Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, these become available after losing a certain number of units, providing new recruitable characters to bolster your roster.