Storming the Capital

Storming the Capital (Japanese: 王都奪還 Retaking the capital) is the sixteenth chapter of Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade. In order to play the side quest after, Douglas must survive this chapter.

Which set of the next four chapters (and potentially sidequest) is played after this one—or the following side quest, if it is played—depends on the combined experience of four units: if the sum of the experience gained by Shanna and Thea is greater than or equal to that of Sue and Sin, the Ilia route will be played; otherwise, the Sacae route will be played.

Plot

Main article: Storming the Capital/Script

After rescuing Fae, Roy's army reaches Aquileia, Etruria's capital. With the aid of the Elimine Church, the Lycian Army gains public support and reaches Castle Aquileia without a fight. In turn, the revolutionaries, who persecuted the church under Bern's orders, are put on the back foot and forced to retreat to the castle. The bishop Yoder lead Roy's forces through the city and to the castle. He thanks Roy for his aid, and tells him that the church's investigation uncovered that the return of dragons is likely tied to the Fire Emblem, Bern's national treasure.

Bern's forces inside the castle are under the leadership of General Narcian. The Head Wyvern General Murdock visits Narcian and expresses disappointment in Narcian's failure to hold the Western Isles and to capture Arcadia. He also threatens to demote Narcian from his post as Wyvern General and to replace him with Galle. Once Murdock leaves, Narcian hatches the plan to blame Melady's brother Zeiss for his own failure, with the excuse that Zeiss leaked information to Roy's forces after Melady joined them.

Galle catches wind of this and tells Zeiss to hide before he is captured. He also advises Zeiss to talk to Melady.

High Chancellor Roartz and Lord Arcardo reside in the castle as well, though they flee toward Bern out of fear that they will be persecuted for Arcardo's actions on the Western Isles as well as the coup against King Mordred. They ask Great General Douglas to flee with them, but Douglas refuses, calling them cowards. Instead, Douglas remains in the castle to protect King Mordred, and to await the eventual return of Prince Myrddin. He hopes that, even if he dies, Myrddin will be able to restore Etruria to its former glory.

Among Bern's forces is the mercenary Hugh. With Roartz and Arcardo gone, he fears that his paycheck has gone with them. He offers Roy to hire him for an exorbitant price of 10,000 gold, though Roy can negotiate down to 5,000. If Roy still declines, Hugh will remain an enemy. And if Roy accepts, Hugh will assure Roy that the money has gone to a worthy cause.

Should Melady reach her brother, Zeiss confronts her about her betrayal to Bern. She counters that she has not betrayed Bern, as she only serves Princess Guinivere. Zeiss is angry with her for choosing Guinivere over Bern, but Melady holds firm to her loyalty. Despite his lingering doubts, because of Melady's strong conviction and Galle's words, Zeiss joins the Lycian Army nonetheless.

Finally, Roy's forces defeat Narcian and retake Etruria. If Douglas survived the conflict, Roy meets with King Mordred. Mordred asks Roy to retake the Saint's Tower, Saint Elimine's altar and resting place of the legendary weapon Aureola. From Mordred's behavior, it is clear to Roy that the king still mourns Myrddin's apparent death. However, Elffin does not reunite with him, stating that he will make his return when the time comes.

If Douglas did not survive the battle, Roy instead meets with Princess Guinivere. She accepts that, with Etruria safe, it is time for the Lycian Army to march on Bern itself. Guinivere gives Roy the Fire Emblem, which serves as the key to Hartmut's sword, with the expectation that Roy will use it to defeat Zephiel's dragon ally. Then, she expresses her regret at Zephiel's violent actions and at having betrayed her nation. Lastly, she asks Roy not to harm any civilians in Bern, and he promises not to do so.

Chapter data

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Seize the throne	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat: Roy dies	1–14+3	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	32+24−3	{{{third}}}
Map Secret Shop {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}
Map dimensions: 32 columns by 32 rows

Character data

Characters
New units
Hugh Mage HP 26 Inventory Elfire Member Card Elixir Level 15 Enemy, talk to with Roy and pay 10,000, 8,000, 6,000, or 5,000 gold* Zeiss Wyvern Rider HP 28 Inventory Steel Lance Javelin Level 7 Enemy, talk to with Melady Cath Thief HP 16 Inventory Iron Sword Lockpick Vulnerary Level 5 Enemy, talk to with Roy if they talked in two previous chapters (will not appear if she was previously recruited or killed)
Required characters
Available characters

Item data

Items

Name Obtainment Method Blue Gem Steal from Narcian Delphi Shield Steal from Narcian Red Gem Steal from enemy Manakete Red Gem Steal from enemy Mage Vulnerary Steal from enemy Mage (requires Warp to access) Member Card Steal from Hugh or recruit him Elixir Steal from Hugh or recruit him Lockpick Steal from Cath or recruit her (reinforcement) Vulnerary Steal from Cath or recruit her (reinforcement) Lockpick Steal from enemy Thief (reinforcement) Berserk Open upper most chest in southwestern room Knight Crest Open upper chest in southwestern room Hero Crest Open middle chest in southwestern room Silver Bow Open lower chest in southwestern room Rescue Open lower most chest in southwestern room 5000G Open upper most chest in northeastern room Bolting Open upper chest in northeastern room Brave Lance Open middle chest in northeastern room Restore Open lower chest in northeastern room Mend open lower most chest in northeastern room

Shop data

Armories and vendors

Swords Lances Axes Bows Anima Light Dark Staves Items Secret

None

None

None

None

None

None

None

None

None

	Name	Cost
	Knight Crest	10,000
	Hero Crest	10,000
	Orion's Bolt	10,000
	Elysian Whip	10,000
	Guiding Ring	10,000
	Angelic Robe	8,000
	Lockpick	2,400

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The secret shop is located in the upper left corner of the map, in the same tile where Zeiss first appears.

Enemy data

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.

Normal Hard

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Narcian Wyvern Lord 10 1 46 16 13 16 13 20 12 11 8 Runesword • Delphi Shield • Blue Gem Does not move; stands on a throne, the chapter's seize point. Bern Mage 16 1 23~26 8~11 7~9 7~9 2~4 3~4 7~9 6 5 Aircalibur -- Bern Mage 17 1 23~26 8~11 7~10 7~10 2~4 3~4 7~10 6 5 Aircalibur -- Bern Manakete 9 1 41~50 8~13+10 6~10+10 6~9 5~9 1+20 2~5+5 5 5 Firestone Does not move, except to heal. Bern Manakete 8 1 40~49 8~13+10 5~10+10 6~9 5~8 1+20 2~5+5 5 5 Firestone • Red Gem Does not move, except to heal. Bern Knight 17 1 28~32 10~13 6~9 2~3 3~5 12~15 0~1 13 4 Ridersbane Moves to attack units in range. Bern Knight 18 1 28~33 10~13 7~9 2~3 3~5 13~15 0~1 13 4 Ridersbane Moves to attack units in range. Bern Knight 17 1 28~32 10~13 6~9 2~3 3~5 12~15 0~1 13 4 Javelin • Steel Lance Moves to attack units in range. Bern Knight 18 2 28~33 10~13 7~9 2~3 3~5 13~15 0~1 13 4 Steel Lance • Javelin The upper one moves to attack units in range. Bern Bishop 1 1 28~31 9~12 8~10 7~9 6~9 4~5 14~17 6 6 Purge • Mend -- Bern Bishop 1 1 28~31 9~12 8~10 7~9 6~9 4~5 14~17 6 6 Lightning • Physic Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Paladin 1 1 34~38 11~13 8~11 9~11 4~6 9~11 5~7 11 8 Steel Sword • Javelin Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Mage 17 2 23~26 8~11 7~10 7~10 2~4 3~4 7~10 6 5 Elfire Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Mage 16 1 23~26 8~11 7~9 7~9 2~4 3~4 7~9 6 5 Elfire -- Etruria Mage 16 1 23~26 8~11 7~9 7~9 2~4 3~4 7~9 6 5 Aircalibur • Red Gem -- Etruria Mage 17 1 23~26 8~11 7~10 7~10 2~4 3~4 7~10 6 5 Bolting • Vulnerary Does not move, except to heal. Etruria Mercenary 18 1 29~34 9~12 13~16 12~15 4~6 6~8 2~3 9 5 Killing Edge -- Etruria Mercenary 18 1 29~34 9~12 13~16 12~15 4~6 6~8 2~3 9 5 Armorslayer -- Etruria Mercenary 18 2 29~34 9~12 13~16 12~15 4~6 6~8 2~3 9 5 Steel Sword Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Fighter 15 1 30~34 11~14 6~8 7~9 1~3 3~5 1~2 11 5 Killer Axe -- Etruria Fighter 16 1 31~35 12~15 6~8 7~10 1~3 3~5 1~2 11 5 Steel Axe • Hand Axe -- Etruria Fighter 16 2 31~35 12~15 6~8 7~10 1~3 3~5 1~2 11 5 Steel Axe -- Etruria Bishop 2 1 28~32 9~13 8~11 7~10 6~10 4~6 14~18 6 6 Lightning • Mend • Silence -- Etruia Bishop 1 1 28~31 9~12 8~10 7~9 6~9 4~5 14~17 6 6 Lightning • Physic Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Sniper 6 1 33~39 12~16 11~15 8~12 5~9 7~10 4~7 8 6 Silver Bow -- Etruria Sniper 5 1 33~38 12~16 11~15 8~11 5~9 7~10 4~7 8 6 Steel Bow -- Douglas General 10 1 46 19 13 8 11 20 5 17 5 Silver Axe Immediately begins moving unprovoked. Does not attack Larum or Elffin. Roartz General 6 1 50 21 13 12 13 20 11 16 5 Silver Lance Leaves the map at the start of turn 1. Arcardo Paladin 5 1 48 20 14 13 13 16 10 11 8 Silver Lance Leaves the map at the start of turn 1. Hugh Mage 15 1 26 13 11 12 10 9 9 7 5 Elfire • Member Card • Elixir Moves towards Roy.

Reinforcements

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Zeiss Wyvern Rider 7 1 28 14 9 8 6 12 2 10 7 Steel Lance • Javelin -- Cath Thief 5 1 16 3 7 11 8 2 1 5 6 Iron Sword • Lockpick • Vulnerary • Does not appear if she was recruited or killed in a previous chapter. • Ignores combat; moves to open chests and doors, then moves to escape via the southwest stairs once all chests and doors are open, her inventory is filled, she lacks a means of opening chests or doors, or Roy talks to her. Etruria Thief 13 1 21~23 3~4 5~8 13~15 4~6 2~3 2~3 6 6 Iron Sword • Lockpick • Does not appear if Cath was recruited or killed in a previous chapter. • Ignores combat; moves to open chests and doors, then moves to escape via the southwest stairs once all chests and doors are open, his inventory is filled or he lacks a means of opening chests or doors. Etruria Mage 16 5 23~26 8~11 7~9 7~9 2~4 3~4 7~9 6 5 Elfire -- Etruria Mercenary 16 5 28~32 9~11 13~15 12~14 3~6 6~8 1~3 9 5 Steel Sword -- Etruria Mercenary 14 5 27~30 8~10 12~14 11~13 3~5 6~7 1~3 9 5 Steel Sword -- Etruria Fighter 15 5 30~34 11~14 6~8 7~9 1~3 3~5 1~2 11 5 Steel Axe • Hand Axe -- Etruria Mage 14 1 22~25 7~10 6~8 6~9 2~3 3~4 6~9 6 5 Bolting --

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Narcian Wyvern Lord 10 1 53~56 19~21 15~17 17~19 14~16 21~23 12~13 11 8 Runesword • Delphi Shield • Blue Gem Does not move; stands on a throne, the chapter's seize point. Bern Mage 16 1 28~33 13~18 10~14 10~14 3~7 3~5 10~14 6 5 Aircalibur -- Bern Mage 17 1 28~33 13~18 10~15 10~15 3~7 3~5 10~15 6 5 Aircalibur -- Bern Manakete 9 1 50~62 11~18+10 8~14+10 7~12 7~13 1+20 2~7+5 5 5 Firestone Does not move, except to heal. Bern Manakete 8 1 49~61 11~18+10 7~14+10 7~12 7~12 1+20 2~7+5 5 5 Firestone • Red Gem Does not move, except to heal. Bern Knight 17 1 35~42 13~18 9~14 3~5 5~9 14~19 0~2 13 4 Ridersbane Moves to attack units in range. Bern Knight 18 1 35~43 13~18 10~14 3~5 5~9 15~19 0~2 13 4 Ridersbane Moves to attack units in range. Bern Knight 17 1 35~42 13~18 9~14 3~5 5~9 14~19 0~2 13 4 Javelin • Steel Lance Moves to attack units in range. Bern Knight 18 2 35~43 13~18 10~14 3~5 5~9 15~19 0~2 13 4 Steel Lance • Javelin The upper one moves to attack units in range. Bern Bishop 1 1 32~37 12~17 10~14 9~12 9~14 4~6 17~22 6 6 Purge • Mend -- Bern Bishop 1 1 32~37 12~17 10~14 9~12 9~14 4~6 17~22 6 6 Lightning • Physic Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Paladin 1 1 40~47 13~17 10~15 10~14 6~10 10~13 6~10 11 8 Steel Sword • Javelin Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Mage 17 2 28~33 13~18 10~15 10~15 3~7 3~5 10~15 6 5 Elfire Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Mage 16 1 28~33 13~18 10~14 10~14 3~7 3~5 10~14 6 5 Elfire -- Etruria Mage 16 1 28~33 13~18 10~14 10~14 3~7 3~5 10~14 6 5 Aircalibur • Red Gem -- Etruria Mage 17 1 28~33 13~18 10~15 10~15 3~7 3~5 10~15 6 5 Bolting • Vulnerary Does not move, except to heal. Etruria Mercenary 18 1 36~44 12~17 16~20 15~19 6~10 7~11 3~5 9 5 Killing Edge -- Etruria Mercenary 18 1 36~44 12~17 16~20 15~19 6~10 7~11 3~5 9 5 Armorslayer -- Etruria Mercenary 18 2 36~44 12~17 16~20 15~19 6~10 7~11 3~5 9 5 Steel Sword Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Fighter 15 1 38~45 16~20 9~13 9~13 2~5 4~7 1~4 11 5 Killer Axe -- Etruria Fighter 16 1 39~46 17~20 9~13 9~14 2~5 4~7 1~4 11 5 Steel Axe • Hand Axe -- Etruria Fighter 16 2 39~46 17~20 9~13 9~14 2~5 4~7 1~4 11 5 Steel Axe -- Etruria Bishop 2 1 32~38 12~18 10~15 9~13 9~15 4~7 17~23 6 6 Lightning • Mend • Silence -- Etruia Bishop 1 1 32~37 12~17 10~14 9~12 9~14 4~6 17~22 6 6 Lightning • Physic Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Sniper 6 1 39~48 14~20 13~19 9~15 7~13 8~12 5~9 8 6 Silver Bow -- Etruria Sniper 5 1 39~47 14~20 13~19 9~14 7~13 8~12 5~9 8 6 Steel Bow -- Douglas General 10 1 46 19 13 8 11 20 5 17 5 Silver Axe Immediately begins moving unprovoked. Does not attack Larum or Elffin. Roartz General 6 1 57~60 23~25 15~17 12~14 14~16 22~23 12~13 16 5 Silver Lance Leaves the map at the start of turn 1. Arcardo Paladin 5 1 54~57 22~24 16~18 14~16 15~17 17~18 11~13 11 8 Silver Lance Leaves the map at the start of turn 1. Hugh Mage 15 1 26 13 11 12 10 9 9 7 5 Elfire • Member Card • Elixir Moves towards Roy.

Reinforcements

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Zeiss Wyvern Rider 7 1 35~38 18~20 12~14 10~12 8~10 14~16 2~4 10 7 Steel Lance • Javelin -- Cath Thief 5 1 20~22 3~4 11~13 14~16 11~13 2~3 2~4 5 6 Iron Sword • Lockpick • Vulnerary • Does not appear if she was recruited or killed in a previous chapter. • Ignores combat; moves to open chests and doors, then moves to escape via the southwest stairs once all chests and doors are open, her inventory is filled, she lacks a means of opening chests or doors, or Roy talks to her. Etruria Thief 13 1 25~30 3~5 9~14 16~20 7~11 2~4 3~6 6 6 Iron Sword • Lockpick • Does not appear if Cath was recruited or killed in a previous chapter. • Ignores combat; moves to open chests and doors, then moves to escape via the southwest stairs once all chests and doors are open, his inventory is filled or he lacks a means of opening chests or doors. Etruria Mage 16 5 28~33 13~18 10~14 10~14 3~7 3~5 10~14 6 5 Elfire -- Etruria Mercenary 16 5 35~42 12~16 16~20 15~18 5~10 7~11 2~5 9 5 Steel Sword -- Etruria Mercenary 14 5 34~40 11~15 15~19 14~17 5~9 7~10 2~5 9 5 Steel Sword -- Etruria Fighter 15 5 38~45 16~20 9~13 9~13 2~5 4~7 1~4 11 5 Steel Axe • Hand Axe -- Etruria Mage 14 1 27~32 12~17 9~13 9~14 3~6 3~5 9~14 6 5 Bolting --

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Reinforcements

• NPC phase of turn 1
  • Zeiss from the northwest corner of the map
• Enemy phase of turn 10, if Cath was not recruited or killed previously
  • Cath from the center-south stairs
  • 1 Thief from the northern stairs
• Enemy phase of turns 11–15
  • 1 Mage with an Elfire from the western stairs
  • 1 level 16 Mercenary from the northern stairs
  • 1 level 14 Mercenary from the southwestern stairs
  • 1 Fighter from the center-south stairs
• Enemy phase of turn 12
  • 1 Mage with a Bolting from the southeast stairs

Boss data

Main article: Narcian

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.^[1]

Normal Hard

Wyvern Lord Level 10

Stats Max HP 46 Luck 13 Strength 16 Defense 20 Skill 13 Resistance 12 Speed 16 Constitution 11 Movement 8 Aid 14

Inventory Runesword Delphi Shield Blue Gem Weapon Levels ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

Wyvern Lord Level 10

Stats Max HP 53~56 Luck 14~16 Strength 19~21 Defense 21~23 Skill 15~17 Resistance 12~13 Speed 17~19 Constitution 11 Movement 8 Aid 14

Inventory Runesword Delphi Shield Blue Gem Weapon Levels ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

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Strategy

Given the numerous tasks and items at hand and considering the strong enemies you will face, it is essential to strategize effectively. Deploy your promoted units: Nomadic Troopers, Falcon Knights, Paladins, Bishops, Valkyries, Swordmasters, and Heroes are all valuable.

Your army is divided into two groups:

Right Group:

• Have at least one healer and a Thief.
• Be cautious of the Mage with Bolting; aim to take him out with an Archer/Nomad wielding a Long Bow. Utilize Pure Waters and the Barrier staff for protection if necessary.
• The Bishop in the upper right can silence your healers, and taking him out should be your top priority. If you have only one healer, either avoid being in his staff range, or bring along sufficient healing items.
• The Manakete inside the treasure room does not move, and can be dealt with a legendary weapon and / or a magic user.
• If you want to recruit Hugh, move Roy through this route. Engage Hugh in conversation, but remember, the less you pay him, the weaker his stats. To make Hugh's recruitment easier, transport Roy using a mounted unit to the entrance on the right to later chat with Hugh.
  • Even if you don't have sufficient money at the beginning of the chapter, there is a chest in the northeastern room containing 5000 gold, which guarantees his recruitment at the lowest stats (or can allow you to get a better version).
  • If you do not want to recruit him, it is a good idea to steal his Member Card before killing him. He has an elixir as well, which is fairly useful, but of less importance overall.

Left Group:

• This path is more straightforward. Use your most formidable units against the promoted adversaries. A Thief is also very useful.
• Position a couple of mages and a thief near the stationary Manakete, steal its Gem, then eliminate it.
• If you want to recruit Zeiss, make sure to bring Melady. Zeiss appears on turn 1 atop the Secret Shop tile (refer to the map for its location). Without both Zeiss and Melady, you will miss out on Chapter 21x and by extension the true ending of the game.

As for items:

• Bring along a Barrier staff to counter magic enemies.
• Having Door and Chest Keys is useful if you haven't deployed multiple thieves.
• Hugh's Member Card is necessary to access the Secret Shop, and can be acquired by either stealing it or recruiting him. The most useful item here is the Angelic Robe, but keep in mind that there is another Secret Shop at Chapter 21 that is even better, and sells all stat boosting items (including the coveted boots), at the expense of being near the end of the game.
  • If a unit possesses the Silver Card from Chapter 14, items' costs are halved. This can be used to "trade" promotion items, by selling undesirable ones and buying useful ones at no monetary cost.

Keeping Douglas alive will unlock a side quest, Chapter 16x. Keep him safe through these strategies:

1. Distract him with the right group, causing him to wander aimlessly.
2. Utilize a Sleep staff to put him to rest every four turns when in proximity.
3. Surround him with high-evasion, unarmed units. Note that Douglas won't harm Larum/Elffin, so they are ideal for this.

If you have not recruited Cath yet, she reappears in this chapter. You will have two additional opportunities for her to join. If you have not spoken to her two times prior, she will remain unrecruitable.

Lastly, prioritize stealing the boss's items. The Delphi Shield especially is invaluable, shielding flying units against arrows for future chapters. The Blue Gem is useful but not as essential. Once the shield is stolen, effective damage will eliminate him quickly: arrows, divine weapons and the Aircalibur are all excellent tools. Note that Runesword he wields is a physical weapon in The Binding Blade, with no drawbacks.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

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  Map of the chapter

References