For the character of the same name, see here.
The crest of Embla as seen from the structure of Mjolnir Strike.
The Emblian Empire (エンブラ帝国 Enbura Teikoku) is an empire in the continent of Zenith, from Fire Emblem Heroes.
Profile[]
Founded by the Divine Dragon of the same name and Thrasir, the first Empress of Embla, Embla once worked with the Kingdom of Askr to open and close the gates to other worlds, with Askr's bloodline having the power of opening and Embla's having the power of closure. That changed when the Emblians left the gates open for their own ambitions. The Emblian royal line is affected by a blood curse in which eventually, each member of the royal family is plagued by violent thoughts and a voice that tells them to seek the destruction of Askr and its bloodline.
Emblian Empire[]
The Royal Family of Embla was greatly divided with many different branches vying for power over the empire meaning coups and accusations of treachery were commonplace. After one such coup, the emperor of Embla seized power by claiming that the current ruling branch has committed treason, seeking to bring prosperity to his country. He did this by summoning and enslaving Heroes in order to wage war with Askr which only ended with his death. The crown was passed onto his second wife who, upon becoming empress, declared an end to the war. This did not end amicably, as some people of that land took their lives as well, due to his renown. A shaky peace lasted until his daughter, Veronica, declared her intention to follow in her father's footsteps in bringing the Kingdom of Askr under Emblian control. Following this, she reignited the war once again. Askr forms the Order of Heroes in response, and brings Kiran, a summoner, to the world. Veronica attacks them with her own summoned heroes, and attempts to put a stop to Kiran's summoning by doing things such as destroying the summoning grounds and trapping them in other worlds, but she's thwarted every time. As Veronica begins to be plagued by the curse of her bloodline, she moves on to other methods, such as working with Loki to begin the Tempest. Bruno chooses to go on a journey to attempt to remedy the curse of the Emblian bloodline, leaving Xander as Veronica's primary protector.
As Bruno journeys, Veronica allies herself with Múspell, as the king, Surtr, shares the same goal of destroying Askr. The two come to a disagreement as Surtr wants to raze the ground until there's nothing left, whereas Veronica still wants land she can conquer. Despite Xander's attempts to protect Veronica, Veronica is dragged to Múspell and almost used as a sacrifice for the Rite of Flame, but she's saved by Helbindi and Bruno.
When Embla and Askr are invaded by first Hel, Dökkálfheimr, and then Niðavellir, Veronica allies herself with Askr to prevent her forces from being overwhelmed, and, in the case of the invasion of Dökkálfheimr, she even stays behind to buy time for Alfonse and the Order of Heroes. Askr's Order of Heroes is able to successfully repel each invasion, keeping both Embla and Askr safe.
When villages in both Embla and Askr are gradually enclosed in darkness as what appear to be part of Embla's plot to end the bloodline of Askr, Veronica once again chose to ally herself with Askr. She was unaware that elsewhere in Embla, Veronica's distant relative and director of the Curse Directive Letizia is working to concoct a false narrative where Veronica killed her own soldiers and stole a book from the royal vaults. Most of the Houses of the Emblian Empire are eager to see Veronica dethroned, and are willing to do what is nessacary. Even the Emperor would benefit from the tarnishing of Veronica's name and removal from the throne, as Veronica was far more popular with the people than him.
As Veronica and the Order of Heroes chase Elm, the retainer of Embla who has been closing off villages, they find that they have crossed the Emblian border. Letizia used this opportunity to lead the Order of Heroes down a series of routes that she closed off or destroyed before they were able to cross into Askr, keeping them within Embla's borders. As they journey, Veronica is affected by the Emblian blood curse and she tries to kill Alfonse and Sharena, forcing the Order to abandon her. It is then that Letizia catches up with Veronica and tells her that she has been accused of treason, and tells her that she is the one framing her, as it's Veronica's family's fault that her family was stripped of their power. Veronica flees and is found by the Order, and they shelter her from Letizia when she tells them she needs to stand trial for treason. Letizia threatens the Order with closing off a greater number of Askran villages in darkness the longer they take to turn over Veronica. The Order refuses, yet Veronica ends up turning herself over. Letizia then demands Alfonse and Sharena drops their weapons and come with her as political prisoners under the same threat. In a later negotiation, Alfonse tricks Letizia into believing that he values himself much more than his people and is willing to be cutthroat. Once he threatens to kill her, Letizia decides to focus purely on Veronica for the time being and leaves.
With Veronica's execution date looming, Letizia is upset to hear from her spies that only 60 percent of the Emblian population believes her version of events. She resolves to slander Veronica further, but the Order of Heroes intercepts her at the prison. As they battle, Veronica is able to sway the prison guards to her side through honest words and respect, and the guards end up setting her free and acting as a rebellious force against Letizia. Bruno then arrives at the prison, and tells Letizia that she'd spread herself too thin telling too many lies, making it easier for the public to see through them. He adds that he personally had spread doubt about her story amongst the people, and then informs her that the prison army is on its way to arrest her.
The conflict reaching this point forces the Emblian vassal houses that had merely been playing along to firmly choose between backing Veronica and Letizia, meaning Letizia does not have as many resources at her disposal as she did before. Bruno tells the Order of Heroes that in Embla, is is the victor that will decide which version of events becomes the truth. Letizia chooses to face the Askran forces rather than Veronica on her rebellious force, as she believes this course of action will lessen her chances of being surrounded. She fails to defeat them, and Veronica catches up to her. Veronica tells Letizia that she is unfit for the throne as she does not care for the people. Veronica chooses not to execute Letizia, as she feels guilty for what her father did to her and was always someone she looked up to.
Just when everyone thinks it's over, Elm announces that Lady Embla's arrival is on hand. A darkness big enough to engulf the entirety of both Embla and Askr spreads over the sky.
Alternate Emblian Empire[]
The alternate Emblian Empire is another universe's version of the Emblian Empire that appears in Book III. In this Emblian Empire, Hel successfully conquered both it and Askr. That world's versions of Alfonse and Veronica, who go by the names of Líf and Thrasir to hide their identity, preform the Heart's Rite to combat Heel, utilizing the heart of Angrboða. This results in every subject of both of their kingdoms dying. Thrasir agrees to become a general of Hel to balance the cohort of the dead, in which by wiping out another realm, they could bring back their own.
Veronica, Alfonse, and the rest of the Order of Heroes enter alternate Embla to discover more clues about the Heart's Rite. After finding information about the Rite and the horrible tolls it took on Líf and Thrasir's realm, the group decides it's too dangerous to use in their own world, but they can take the heart of Angrboða from this Embla to defeat Hel, as the price had already been paid.
Notable Locations[]
- Embla Castle - The royal palace of Embla, home to Veronica. Veronica refuses Alfonse and Sharena access to it in Book III.
- Letizia's Retreat - An estate with extensive gardens that belonged to Letizia.
- Library of Embla - A location in Embla that had information on the heart of Angrboða.
- Temple of Blood - A temple that contains the heart of Angrboða.
- Curse Directive Fortress - A fortress near the Askr border that is home to the Curse Directive. The fortress, like the rest of the Directive, is commanded by Letizia.
- Embla's Domain - A realm where Embla resides.
Family Tree[]
Notable Emblians[]
Royalty[]
- Bruno – Eldest prince of Embla. He journeys to find a cure to the Emblian curse.
- Veronica – The younger imperial princess of the Emblian Empire who uses Heroes against the Askran Kingdom.
- Letizia - A member of the imperial family, ninth in line to the throne and the Director of the Curse Directive. Growing up, she and Veronica were as close as sisters.
Divinity[]
- Embla - God of the closed kingdom, which shares her name. Spite and jealousy rule her, and she wishes death to any who side with Askr.
- Elm - Retainer to Embla. Snide and shameless, he lines his words with barbs meant to wound.
Other[]
- Xander - A prince from the World of Fates, he's a hero who chooses to stay by Veronica's side out of sympathy for her.
- Thrasir – A woman encountered in Hel who uses the name of the first Empress of Embla.
Etymology[]
The Japanese name for Askr, "Ask", and "Embla" are derived from Old Norse mythology. Ask representing a male form, whereas Embla represents a female respectively—were the first two humans, created by the gods. In Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, both sources, three gods, one of whom is Odin, find Ask and Embla and bestow upon them various corporeal and spiritual gifts.
In Old Norse, Embla theoretically means "elm tree" or "vine". The crest of Embla resembles a vine or tree.
Trivia[]
- Up until Letizia's debut as a playable character, Embla was the only kingdom whose every known inhabitants are playable only as Special Heroes.
- Embla's domain bears a strange resemblance to the setting of the Eclipse from the Berserk manga and anime.
Gallery[]
