Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon/Chapter 18

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- The Sable Order [CHP18] _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

"For Gotoh to create the magic that could defeat Gharnef, he needed two orbs: the Lightsphere and the Starsphere. Marth and company set off to Chiasmir and the Fane of Raman to find them, but in their path stood a cohort of Grustian knights known as the Sable Order. The bridges across the strait would soon be choked with the brave and the dead..."

Faster moving units do well on this map. Also, Marth's rapier and Shiida's Wing Spear can do hefty damage. Only drawback is that there are enemy archers. Ridersbane is also good.

Use the Master Seal from last map and then start the game.

DIALOGUE

Malledus: Prince Marth, I see them: a cohort of Grustian knights, out on the far side of the bridge. That must be the Sable Order...

(Nyna enters conversation)

Nyna: Marth, I heard the enemy forces have been spotted.

Marth: Yes, that's right. The Sable Order, it seems.

Nyna: Really? Tell me, who leads them?

Marth: Why does it matter?

Nyna: Oh...no, it's just- they say the Sable Order is led by a brilliant general. I was...wondering if he was riding with them today.

Marth: You must mean General Camus. I am told Doluna is not very happy with him at the moment, brilliant or not. Something about acting outside orders... They'll be keeping him on a short leash; I don't expect we'll see him here.

Nyna: That...that is good news...

END DIALOGUE

Here are the information on the houses:

HOUSES

1) Rumor has it that the person defending the Fane or Raman is not a strong warrior, but instead a weak person. And it's a she...

END HOUSES

To begin this map, just move your units forward. Keep your units that have the special weapons (ie. Ridersbane) in the front. There are 4-5 cavaliers that immediately rush from the south, defeat them first.

By the time this happens, the group in the middle should have been provoked. Kill them with units like Marth and Shiida.

At the end of turn 5, a pegasus knight, Est, will appear to the way left. Marth is needed to recruit Est.

Note about Est: Est is not a good character, her stat growth is weak and compared to other pegasus knights at the chapter you get here, Est is extremely weak.

I DO NOT recommend using Est.

Anyhow, she still has dialogue to be spoken...

DIALOGUE

Est: Ah, you're Prince Marth! I am Est, of the Medonian Whitewings- Palla and Catria's younger sister. I've been looking for you. Initially I intended to join up with you along with my sisters, but then I heard Grust had made off with one of Akaneia's three regalia- the sword Mercurius- so I flew there to get it back.

This is Mercurius right here. It's lovely, isn't it? And powerful! In the right hands, I think you'll find it a formidable weapon indeed.

END DIALOGUE

Since we aren't going to use Est (well at least I am not!), give her Ridersbane to a cavalier or maybe Shiida.

On the middle island, there is an armory, shops, and an arena. Unless you really need the weapons/items, don't bother for now. You can always go back before seizing the gate to buy items.

Reinforcements from the southwest fort should be heading toward you. Lure them into the middle section and then fight. You don't want to risk losing a unit to the other enemies in the southeast.

On turn 14, a paladin will spawn in the fort in the middle. Use one of your rear units to get rid of him. The reinforcements in the lower southwest corner will stop spawning at the end of turn 15. The paladin will keep spawning though, every other turn until 18.

Charge the lower part of the map and let the few units come and attack you. The reason for this is that one of the units near the castle has a ridersbane and can pose a threat to one of your units.

If you triggered the two horsemen to attack you, hope that all your cavaliers that can be attacked are at full or close to full HP.

If you didn't, you can choose the luxury of picking them off with Beck. Or you could use Shiida to go around and kill them.

Whatever it is, just get to the boss...

BOSS: Sternlin HP: 28

Weapon: Silver Lance Drop: Master Seal

Beginning Quote: "You shall not pass! Not today! Not ever!"

Death Quote: "Nngh! You...shall...not...unnh..."

Seize the gate and we continue...

DIALOGUE

Nyna: We've made it across the strait.

Marth: Yes. But the real battle may yet be ahead of us.

(Enter Malledus)

Marth: Malledus... Can we be certain the Lightsphere and the Starsphere are in the Fane of Raman?

Malledus: Yes, sire; but unfortunately, they may not be all we find. The fane is said to be guarded by a goddess, one with fearsome powers. Those who defile her sanctuary are punished by fire; none are spared from the blaze.

Nyna: Perhaps we should reconsider, Marth...

Marth: Perhaps...But if none are spared from the blaze, where do the rumors come from? Besides, we need those two orbs.

Malledus: Well, might I suggest you take in just a few able companions, and let the sleeping dragons lie?

Marth: Sage advice. I've no desire to tear apart a holy place, whether the goddess is home or not...I'll choose a handful of elite to search for the orbs with me.