Bethany Plays: SS Ephraim Chapter 11: In the Navy

Ephraim's next destination is a fortress on land. Although there is the matter of a ghost ship...

Right, so Grado has the Dark Stone. We don't really know what it does.

But we can safely assume it's probably bad.

After all, when it was made, something bad happened in Grado.

...That's what we're setting out to prove? Not the effect of the thing, but its existence? I think we're a long way past that.

(Also, are we not already in Grado? That one's a little more nit-picky, but...

So who likes fighting while on a boat?

Welcome to the scariest mission for many.

Last time, we saw Valter send Selena back to Grado Keep for orders from Vigarde. Now it's time to see Vigarde react to this.

He is not amused.

Selena realises that Valter might not have been entirely honest about His Majesty's bidding and tries to smooth over the situation.

With Duessel turned to Ephraim's side, Vigarde is concerned about the remaining members of the original Imperial Three, both of whom express the same sentiments Duessel did.

Selena reasserts herself as a loyal vassal of the Empire. The slightly weird choice of words to express that thought is because Selena is a non-zero amount of in love with Vigarde while she's at it.

So how can Selena prove it?

Both Emperor and Prince take a moment to consider that.

Lyon would like to ask Selena to complete a task for him, instead of Vigarde.

Being sure to get Vigarde's rubber stamp, of course.

Oho, now this is cute. We already know, regardless of route progress, that Myrrh has been robbed of "her dragonstone". Lyon ordering the retrieval of a dragonstone, by the law of narrative progression, demands that this particular dragonstone be Myrrh's. So why does Lyon want something that doesn't belong to him?

This is an interesting point in terms of Magvel's lore: Artur/Cormag A Support will eventually take this line and make it incredibly confusing.

Lyon, looking for one of the rarest objects in his world, finds one in the medieval equivalent of eBay. I don't frequent the real eBay, but from what I've heard, it's perfectly reasonable.

I'm more curious how Myrrh's dragonstone got into this yard sale, though.

Once again, the line between "innocent explanation for this" and "sinister explanation for this" gets incredibly blurred. Lyon needs an object so rare that he believes only two exist for research. Sure.

Lyon has a fit.

This is normal for him, don't worry, it passes with time.

By which I mean worry immensely.

Lyon finishes this request by having Vigarde repeat his rubber stamp.

Selena makes a heartfelt pledge that she will stay on Grado's side to the very end.

Lyon is the one to react to whatever that was.

Meanwhile, on a boat.

Myrrh's home is a forest that looks pretty close to the nearest coast, but I imagine seeing the ocean from the trees is different to seeing it from a boat.

This may also be me, the Australian, thinking it's weird that people don't see the ocean often.

Ephraim is also new at this whole "ocean-faring" business. Renais seems to have no coasts.

Myrrh comments that Ephraim doesn't look like he's never been on a boat.

This is intentional on Ephraim's part. He figures being a good King involves not showing any signs of weakness.

I think Ephraim gets the chance to be challenged on this, but this may also be the writers not knowing better either. When it comes to Ephraim, I can never be fully sure.

Myrrh tries to speak up about something.

And Ephraim turns her down when someone else interrupts. This is going to be a theme for the next few chapters, and I don't think the thing Myrrh is trying to ask about is her crush on him- although she does have one of those.

This first time, she bows out to let Seth pipe up basically freely.

That blink frame. I'm sure talking to Myrrh is more pleasant than talking to Seth.

This is also something I'm sure Ephraim needs to know about sooner rather than later. It beats some of the inane crap he could have said instead just to make this scene awkward on Myrrh's behalf.

You know, I'd be interested to know whether or not this particular vessel is (or, more accurately, was) a Grado vessel.

We appear to have bumped into the Ghost Ship.

And of course it's staffed by the evil cultist in Grado's employ.

I'm... about 85% certain Riev is a human. I would not be surprised if he turned out to be a monster, but he has an actual backstory and everything.

He certainly trusts the monsters more than perhaps he trusts his fellow man.

He warped away to go do something presumably more important than, you know, sinking Ephraim.

At no point does it occur to the monsters that Ephraim has no counter to the ship(s) being sunk. I mostly bring up this possibility because the thought does occur to the villains of FE7: Eliwood just happened to be sailing with experienced sailors who knew how to plug leaks.

We start on a boat, although it's not clear what formation will be helping us. I bring the main crew, Colm for vision and EXP, and Duessel as my panic button.

That ship will move closer to us, which is important, or else Tana and Cormag would be doing a lot of legwork here. With that said, there are opponents who are not bound by the shape of the boats, and the Fog of War is going to make it very difficult to figure out where those guys are hiding.

Note that Ross is not allowed to go swimming. However he goes about that in the first place, I'm sure it'll be just too damn jarring to act like he can do it at will on the open ocean.

Told you there were flying enemies to look out for.

...Ew. That's... well, Cormag's just fine, but I'm not sure I want Cormag getting in that mess.

Let's just leave him here.

Could've sworn there were Mogalls up here too.

There are gargoyles down here. And all my fliers are in the north.

Cormag's going just fine with the accuracy, at least.

The ship moves into place, and...

...Still no actual way to board that ship, but a wonderful preview of the amount of fighting that's in our future. Also three gargoyles positioned such I have no idea how I'm killing them, but I have to do so.

Tana can take a Mogall Cormag didn't, freeing him to head further south.

OK, good to know which squares are targets.

Now is not the time for this. Cormag is not really fast- he's fast enough, but that comes later.

I had hopes, but now I just have bigger problems.

Artur, at least, can be counted on to turn any enemy into a solution.

While Ephraim has no issues with the javelins.

Natasha will have to be safeguarded by careful positioning.

Fortunately, it worked, but Cormag is now a problem.

Not helping.

The boarding planks have been set. Fortunately, at the end of their turn.

Ephraim notices that this is just the perfect excuse to actually launch an offensive.

The fact Ephraim (and even the monsters) can walk on this ship implies it's a real boat, despite its description as a ghost ship.

Camera shifted down there, there must be something moving about unseen.

And there are the Mogalls I was thinking of.

I don't think this is a full heal, considering how much HP Cormag needs, but it's good enough.

Ephraim charges bravely into the thick of danger. How dangerous can this boat be?

Oh.

Well, even on Hard Mode, this is Sacred Stones, those guys aren't that bad. Although if they all attack him at once, and they all hit, there is a possibility Ephraim dies here.

I fully believe Ephraim is no stranger to this exact situation.

Artur's going to finish up the healing. Garcia can put down Natasha.

...Not in that way.

Joshua's going this way, although he's going to miss out on the first wave of EXP. He may help take a few hits for Ephraim.

Cormag flies up to take on this wall. I'm hoping there's no archers on this side.

Ross is the other guy. Cormag is probably going to be the first target- although the first time he fails to kill, Ross is going to have fun.

(Also, notice that even with Garcia putting down Natasha, he's made sure his destination is 3 squares away from Ross's destination.)

...OK, this is going to be a problem.

Speed! You're going to need a lot more of that.

The other benefit to this is that Ephraim can't be attacked from the square this guy is standing on.

Cormag is starting to learn how to dodge. If he's not getting Defence, he'll need a few of these.

Ephraim's going much better.

OK, so that's a very nice cleanup of enemies.

...Those guys haven't moved. Tana has places to be, but this is a rout map!

At least this means I can melee this guy.

And that's a great level up to make up for it. This is a Tana worth bragging about.

You have how much HP?

Not a good time for this.

I guess it's a good feeding opportunity.

Where were those archers last turn, Cormag was in so much more danger than I thought!

Ephraim has to stand here to make this defensive wall continue to exist.

So what's happening to make a defensive line here?

You have to die.

Garcia has to take a position to get anything to happen. Look at these numbers- Garcia may be filler, but he's good filler. Also this guy sucks.

Oh hey, I can kill this other archer from this position while making a defensive formation! How convenient!

Look at these numbers. Look at them.

And Artur can still contribute while he's at it.

Garcia is also taking up all the attacks, because clearly he's the weak link.

Here's what Garcia looks like.

Joshua gets to have some fun! ...You can't kill this guy?

Ow, that's a huge damage if it hit. Entombed are scary when they actually get to have stats.

And then there's Ephraim, who's wondering how cool Joshua can be if he's scared.

This man is obscene.

Ross took damage! I didn't think it was possible!

And the north Entombed heads Garcia's way. I think it's still alive.

That is a Miss frame.

And our Mogall friend way back here obediently melees Tana like someone who can't move.

Ow.

I was wondering what was going to happen once we ran out of bonewalkers.

...Those aren't monsters.

Fortunately, it seems L'Arachel was not to suffer the same fate as Tana. Honestly, she's more heroic here than in Eirika route.

L'Arachel is so adorable.

Rennac has not ditched L'Arachel's company on-screen yet in Ephraim route, so this is them quietly confirming that.

Perfect time to run away: when the person you're running away from is boarding a boat. It'll be a long time before L'Arachel can even begin looking for Rennac, and he has all the head start in the world.

Whether L'Arachel musters up the energy to care is her business.

They have a fight to be contributing to.

Gargoyles! Natasha is continuing to be very concerned about her safe spaces.

Not helping matters is that Tana is way out of position.

Ross gets this guy, as a high-levelled character eyeing his next promotion. He might make level 18, but his day is nigh.

Garcia takes a kill because I am worried about the consequences of him not getting one.

...Artur may be powerful, but he can't do everything. Not to say he's not working out here, but...

Right, let's feed this guy to Joshua and-

Joshua you mildly irritate.

At least you got numbers out of it.

Ephraim takes this guy.

And the staffers heal. I can make defensive lines.

Starting with you.

In hindsight, why didn't Garcia take the gargoyle? Maybe he couldn't manage the Wight.

Colm moves up and vindicates the decision to play defensively: there was something else up there.

So long, that guy. Wasn't your other option Joshua?

...Cormag please.

Artur, of course, can handle any gargoyles that come out of wherever.

Tana's a little more worried.

Only somewhat, though, of course.

Oi, I want those kills!

That's going to be a thing...

Actually, that's probably scarier. Good thing we still have Torch in effect in that area.

Wow, that's close.

...Although why are you engaging in melee?

Wow she dodged death.

Cormag did not dodge, but he was doing just fine in terms of his defence. He got a point of Res, you know!

Dozla goes and kills the other gargoyle on his turn. In these maps, it is possible to observe Dozla cheating in Fog of War by attacking a mystery square and hitting an enemy- even if you know an enemy is present, you can't do that yourself.

So how do we recruit L'Arachel without the power of Eirika's sapphic energy?

Apparently, she recruits us.

Ephraim asks a valid question, considering he has met this woman once, clearly doesn't have Eirika's head for faces, and asking "what the hell is L'Arachel's deal?" is a natural question.

You've been going anonymous, remember?

L'Arachel steps back on being informed Ephraim doesn't have any idea what her deal is.

L'Arachel is one iconic line after another, and I feel like no one pays this one the attention it deserves.

L'Arachel isn't really a little sister type, but Ephraim is no more able to ignore her tears than he is Eirika, Tana or Myrrh.

Ephraim asks this of L'Arachel, monster hunter extraordinaire. I know I've been pointing out this is a natural reaction, but give the girl some credit!

L'Arachel tells Ephraim to be wowed, but Ephraim is not particularly impressed by L'Arachel whacking gargoyles with her staff and telling them to begone.

Ross is starting the process of reassembling our broken backline.

Garcia is needed here and can't Support him.

At least Mogalls are easy food for Colm. If he can take the hit.

Strength and Defence! Not sure what the latter is for.

...That's inconvenient. You might recall there being a gargoyle on our starting boat I haven't killed yet. He's disappeared into one of those single tiles of Fog.

Tana heads south and takes a Vulnerary.

Cormag smash!

Also be used for L'Arachel to get some valuable, valuable EXP. After this map, Natasha will be hitting the bench unless I need two healers.

Also taking out this guy, because as much as I've been painting them as a threat, the Mogalls can be resisted by the two healers. Colm hates them a bit more, but he has actual Evasion.

Natasha stands here and Torches.

I really need vision on this guy.

More gargoyles to the west, and Tana is still dealing with those Mogalls.

These ones, meanwhile, aren't even worth the Lightning charges it will take to eliminate them.

L'Arachel gets combat EXP!

Well, that's annoying.

This unit brought to you by the number 12.

No damage, in case you were wondering.

Ooh, aren't you scary?

...Ooh, aren't you scarier? This particular Deathgoyle happens to be the boss, although he has come as a reinforcement.

...Er, happened.

Oh hey, here's Dozla doing his "I can see you" trick! He can stay green, I need L'Arachel doing helpful actions.

Right, that's these two dealt with. Should be finishing up...

Natasha switches around inventories such that L'Arachel has the better staves. Also showing off that L'Arachel is holding the White Gem Innes had in Eirika route.

L'Arachel still has plenty of healing to do.

Ross smash, and...

...I take it the victory music started playing.

That's my cue to get the hell off this boat.

Now what do we do with a third boat?

Clearly, we sail in a V formation and make an intimidating sight to the people at whatever port we land at.

Even the way I play, this just is not true. Mechanically, L'Arachel's appearance is more of a rescue mission, and I don't even feel like the non-Ephraim parts of the narrative are trying to sell L'Arachel's presence as valuable, even if L'Arachel herself thinks it was because L'Arachel.

L'Arachel's happy to share her identity. So much for her veil of anonymity from Chapter 4.

...

Now, I know they're twins, but this is the only time the physical resemblance is commented on. Apparently, Eirika's sapphic energy is so strong that it draws L'Arachel to her brother.

Because as you might recall, L'Arachel's only met Eirika once in this timeline.

Ephraim sees very little issue with L'Arachel recognising him from his sister.

Once again, L'Arachel recognises Eirika as the princess owing to her sharing the same name.

Citation needed. I guess he does have very nice armour.

Ephraim goes right into it. Because of course he does.

It's enough to convince L'Arachel, at any rate. Not that doing that was hard.

...Is Grado really that much bigger than us? We can take 'em, we've already made it through Duessel, Glen is about to die off-screen, and that was the hardest mission in the game we just completed.

He's not known who you are for a while now.

I've been open with this information, but you might notice L'Arachel did not tell Eirika this. I'm not sure why she tells Ephraim and not Eirika- I'd joke that it's wanting Eirika to fall for her, but I feel like L'Arachel would try to flirt by flaunting her status rather than hiding it. The out-of-universe explanation is that the game has a cool way for L'Arachel to reveal herself on Eirika route and no way to have this moment happen on Ephraim route, so there's no point in keeping a lid on it.

L'Arachel is rather fond of talking about her noble bearing. Of course she can't disguise herself as someone other than a princess, she's just too princess-like!

Eirika route goes into more detail about these "circumstances" when the reveal happens.

There is no issues whatsoever from this politically. It turns out the apple does not fall too far from the tree, and Mansel is quite happy to go along with L'Arachel's whims.

Besides, I don't think there's anything Rausten can do that would make Grado attack them with more gusto than they already intend to. I'm not sure how much Rausten is already being attacked, but Riev is trying to get the Sacred Stone. Considering he's sending a ghost ship at Ephraim, one can question how hard, but he is technically trying.