b) Background ---------------------------------------------------------- [0220]

Discover the rich history of the Fire Emblem series, from the original NES title to the GBA and GameCube entries, and understand their place in the Fire Emblem Heroes universe.

The History of Fire Emblem enlightens those who have no clue about where this game fits in the series and gives a little background on previous games for the player's benefit.

Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (NES 1990)
The very first Fire Emblem game and it starred Marth, the prince of Altea. The game itself takes place on the continent of Akaneia. An important note is that the mentor of Marth is Jeigan, an old but powerful knight sworn to protect him. The Devil King Garnef resurrects the Dark Dragon Medeus, allowing the evil Dolua empire to be brought to its former glory. Cornelius, the King of Altea is killed and the Falchion, used to defeat Medeus a century ago by the hero of Altea of the age; Anri. Marth flees to the island kingdom of Talis until the Garuda pirates ambush them and Marth is forced to fight back. Under the army of Talis as well as Jeigan's squad he leads a campaign to destroy Medeus.

Fire Emblem: Gaiden (NES 1991)
In the same world as the original Fire Emblem, but a different setting. The game stars Alm and Celica, who are childhood friends. Throughout the game they build separate armies. Many changes were made from the original, such as as many will know now the branched promotions of The Sacred Stones.

Fire Emblem: Monsho no Nazo (SNES 1993)
The continued story of Marth, back on the continent of Akaneia. Hardin, the new king and ally of Marth betrays him and soon Marth learns of the existence of Medeus. Marth once again must defeat both his former ally and his past foes, Garnef and Medeus.

Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (SNES 1996)
The most popular of all the Fire Emblem games and takes place in the continent of Jugdral. The first half of the game stars Sigurd, the prince of Chalphy. At the end of Chapter Five, he and his squad meet their end because of Alvis and the Thracian army. The second half of the game features Selis, son of Sigurd, leading the second generation (ie. the children of the first generation) or substitutes. Only a single character features in both portions of the game. Similar to Medeus, Manfroy seeks to revive the Dark Lord Loputousu.

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (SNES 1999-2000)
The midquel of Genealogy of the Holy War, starring Leaf, son of Cuan; a close friend of Sigurd's. It also features Fin, the survivor of both parts of Genealogy of the Holy War. Leaf's quest is for revenge against the Thracian army for what they did to his parents. Some of the new features in this game included fog-of-war maps and the rescue command. Widely considered the most difficult Fire Emblem game in the series.

Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (GBA 2002)
Taking place on the continent of Elibe and the sequel to the very game I am writing this guide on. It stars Roy, son of Eliwood; Marquess of Pherae. Roy must lead the League of Lycia when his father becomes ill. King Zephiel, ruler of Bern has completed his conquest of Ilia and Sacae and is getting ready to complete his world domination by conquering Lycia. During his travels, he encounters many twists and turns that change his perceptions of the enemy and Roy eventually discovers many truths about the land and its people.

Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (GBA 2003)
THIS GUIDE IS BASED ON THIS GAME

Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki (GBA 2004-2005)
The final GBA Fire Emblem game takes place on the continent of Magvel. Men sealed the evil in the land (monsters) using the Sacred Stones which became heirlooms to different royal families. Grado, the biggest country has recently began invading the other nations. The story begins with the fall of Renais. Prince Ephraim is out of reach after going to the front lines so King Fado orders Seth to take Princess Eirika (twin sister of Ephraim) to Frelia, the neighbour of Renais and seek assistance. This game is considered the easiest in the series.

Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki (GAMECUBE 2005)
Path of Radiance takes place in another completely new continent, Tellius. It stars Ike, a mercenary training under his father Greil who lives in Crimea. Out of the blue, the nearby kingdom Daein attacks Crimea's capital, resulting in Ike and his friends being thrown into a complicated plot involving the Black Knight, a race known as the Laguz and a sealed god of chaos.