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[jaredxenoengage]

Ironic that Seven is a “lucky” number considering the fate of the Alternate Elyos in comparison to the main Elyos once Sombron is defeated there.

Also Ironic that in the main game, Alear becomes the 13th Emblem. 13 is an unlucky number in comparison to 7. But again, bad ending excluded, the main Elyos gets the happy ending.

Fire Emblem Engage Xenologue

Why are there seven bracelets?

The simple reason could be because they wanted extra representation from certain titles and the opportunity to include popular characters that were not one of the 12 Emblems. Seven could have been a practical number to devise special attributes for without repetition. Outside of reasons of practicality, seven is a number with symbolic associations.

Seven is a lucky number.

In Japan the number seven is considered lucky because of its significance in Buddhism and because of the Seven Gods of Luck. The Xenologue is an alternative universe which is literally a mirror to Elyso, a universe of opposites if you prefer. In an universe of opposites a number meaning luck would change its meaning to misfortune. The Xenologue is definitely an unlucky universe. 

Seven is lucky in Buddhism because seven is the number of ascent (There are seven stages of transcending time and space and seven steps to reach the realm of Buddha) and the Buddha is said to have walked seven steps at his birth. In the Xenologue when the seven bracelets are collected they grant great power which Rafal uses to transcend from Nil to Rafal. Seven is a symbol of higher knowledge, Nel gains knowledge of Rafal's true intentions, transcends her desires for the Divine Dragon and her desires for Rafal to be Nil and is reborn. 

In the Bible the number seven is the number of completeness. God created Genesis in seven days. Seven bracelets are required for a complete set. It could ironically symbolise AU Elyso being destroyed in the time it takes to collect seven bracelets. 

[jaredxenoengage]

Vector

Also Vector

These two characters are completely different, never compare these two again. PLS.

[jaredxenoengage]

It’s going down now: in meme format.

It's those unintelligent monsters, ain't it?

What are they thinking? Please, explain it

Don't really need this crap, can't waste time

What I possess can't copy and paste down

I'm doing it better, never settling for another regular

Letter to my enemies, hey, I'm telling ya

I'm breaking you down to the level of molecular

Better be wise when you're choosing battles, it's mostly babbles

You know one of those big-time shady foe-foes ain't worth fighting for

I drop these bars in my sleep

Few more tricks up my sleeve

It's way too late for you to leave now (get ready)

Disturbing the peace

Look into my eyes

Now tell me the things

You know, laughing about behind my back

The tenacity I hold

It's hard to break down

It's too late for apologies

It's going down now

You're thirsty for some blood

Actually craving for love

What you only want is dub

Greed makes you go numb

Purposefully, blocking good thoughts

Hey, please, doctor, doctor

He's about to be that patient

'Cause I'm about to knock him out cold

(Bring him back, please)

Whole lotta moves I make on you like dance floor

And during this beat down

You prolly wish that you can fast-forward (oh)

Don't you worry about it

I'll save some room for your last words

After I do this, do that, and the third

Disturbing the peace

Look into my eyes

Now tell me the things

You're blabbing about behind my back

The tenacity I hold

It's hard to break down

It's too late for apologies

It's going-

Some things may break me

But always get back up

New perspective gained

From all the pain and stress

And when I do come back

I'm stronger than ever before

So, kneel down

Disturbing the peace

Look into my eyes

Now tell me the things

You're blabbing about behind my back

The tenacity I hold

It's hard to break down

It's too late for apologies

It's going down

By Atlus Sound Team, Lotus Juice and Azumi Takahashi

[jaredxenoengage]

World building and theories of Engage

Emblem Zero: Part Six; Is Emblem Zero Sombron?

Could he be the Dark Emblem to go with Emblem Alear. In the final battle; Chapter 26: The Final Engage; Sombron is able to summon Dark Emblems. These Dark Emblems are the antagonists from the different worlds that the Emblems come from. Emblem Alear is the only one without a Dark Emblem from their world. Sombron is able to summon a corrupted version of the Dark Emblems. None of the Dark Emblems have the physical form of who they represent. They have a generic corrupted form. Alear won't be lost in the distortions between worlds because they have a physical body. That means that a Dark Emblem could survive the distortions because they also have a physical form. 

When Alear becomes an Emblem in Chapter 22: The Fell and The Divine, their ring lands upon their finger and they can wear their ring. That means it is possible for Sombron to wear themselves as a Dark Emblem. It is also possible that the physical ring disappears with Sombron after he is defeated in the final battle because the ring is going to answer a summons from another world or reside in some kind of limbo until they are called upon. 

Back to Chapter 22: The Fell and The Divine, Alear doesn't realise that they had been reborn as an Emblem. They learn of their fate because the Emblems tell them about it. There was no one to tell Sombron that he was a Dark Emblem. Without being informed he would be ignorant to his true identity. 

[jaredxenoengage]

To all Dragon Quest fans, I have a question for you: how do you characterize each of the Dragon Quest protagonists (who are all silent protagonists)? How best would you describe who they are as individuals?

For me, the Luminary in particular, and this coming from someone who played the game, takes his job and status as the Luminary seriously. Well if he didn’t in part 1, he mostly does in part 2. The battle with the Gloomnivore explicitly shows that he feels a great sense of failure for the fall of Yggdrasil at the end of Part 1 (and this is BEFORE he learns that Veronica was an indirect casualty in these events). Not to mention the kingdom of Nautica also ensured that he would survive and get the help he needed to make things right. And by the time he was literally fished out, he was actually crying.

And yes, he is shown to be mischievous in his youth. But I don’t think it reflects well in his no options. I choose to ignore the “but thou must” situations and don’t equate them as part of the Luminary’s character. Like if you say no in Gondola, in which case, the Luminary would be deserving of Veronica’s ire.

As for the Dragon Quest 8 Hero, from what little I have seen, I see him more as a Stock Shonen protagonist. Come on, the dense face that he makes when Yangus was fighting some thugs at the bar meeting Angelo just gave me Kid Goku vibes. The fact that his High Tension mode in the PS2 version was basically Purple Super Saiyan adds to it IMO.

Not every Shonen protagonist has to be “dumb” mind you. I’m just saying this based on what I have seen so far.

[jaredxenoengage]

Veyle’s other self: the difference between the altered mind and the other self.

When we look at the aspect of Mind Control as a whole, it is the simple act of altering one’s thoughts to perfectly align with the controller’s wishes. While Fire Emblem itself usually voluntarily just uses mind control to get a (usually female) character to do what the bad guy wants them to do, the mind control trope itself is actually far more variable and complex than what you may think https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MindControl.

Beyond just that, the case of a certain Fire Emblem Engage character is a more interesting case than what some may say. Enter Veyle, who is my personal favorite Fire Emblem Engage character. A lot of people have complained that her evil personality in the words of TVTropes “cheaply removes agency from the real Veyle so she can be entirely sympathetic.” To that I say, what if I told you that that’s the point?

When it comes to Veyle’s story of abuse and control, there are three things we need to take into consideration: 1. Sombron’s control over Veyle’s life. 2. How the other Veyle is supposed to work and 3.(very important) Veyle’s accountability.

The best place to start talking about Veyle’s life of oppression is with the oppressor himself. The Fell Dragon Sombron, Veyle’s (and Alear’s) biological father. In case if it wasn’t obvious from his introduction in Chapter 10, to Sombron, everyone that he comes across (his children, the Four Hounds, and even his followers) are nothing more than pawns at best and tools at worst. Once Sombron has no use for you, you’re just deadweight (emphasis on the dead part). The end of chapter 24 also displays how he sees his children:

So right from the start, of course Veyle was stripped of her agency; she was living under a jerk that only saw his children as worthless slaves. Why would Sombron allow someone he considers to be a pawn to be allowed the chance to decide their own lives? Remember how Sombron rewarded Hyacinth for aiding his revival? He was eaten alive for it…

As a matter of fact, when it comes to Sombron’s control over others, it also foils how Sombron strips an Emblem of their free will when using an invocation on them. This represents the dominance he has over his children just for simply being their father.

This isn’t helped by the fact that the Four Hounds are all followers of the Fell Dragon (Sombron). This is especially the case of Zephia and Griss. Their reasons for treating Veyle as a “defect” is because she lacks the qualities they expected from someone who is Sombron’s child. In other words, they see Veyle as an extension of Sombron.

Zephia (Sombron’s most devoted follower) and Griss (who follows Zephia) only act nice to the good Veyle in order to keep her trapped. So that once Zephia’s spell takes full effect, the real Veyle would be erased and the other Veyle would take her place.

Griss really followed Veyle (EVeyle) so that he could get pain as offering to the Fell Dragon. It now makes sense why he was following Veyle and considers her good side to be a defect. Just Sombron and Zephia, Griss was forcing his expectations onto her.

The mere fact that the Hounds were followers of her father Sombron means that Veyle was going to be trapped by him no matter how many times she tries to run or defy his orders. Sombron will have control over Veyle’s life one way or another. For Veyle, there was never such a thing as being able to control her own life (no agency). Because Sombron is the one who had control over it. The Four Hounds exist to keep her trapped under the rule of her abusive father.

Like I said before, just simply being the daughter of the Fell Dragon allows Sombron to have control over Veyle even when not directly there. As Veyle lost her mother and was forced to go into hiding because of the persecution she suffered from the humans.

This leads into Veyle’s other personality EVeyle. This is not just another mind control situation. EVeyle is her own person with her own thoughts and feelings. She isn’t just some mindless robot who can’t think without someone else doing the thinking.

EVeyle feels more like a Shadow from the works of Carl Jung (referenced in the Persona series, 2 and 4 more specifically). A shadow is the innermost emotional cores that lie deep within our psyche. Often representing the sides of ourselves we wish to hide from others.

EVeyle represents Veyle’s inner hate for humans, her innate desire for Sombron’s acknowledgement, and her fear of becoming a monster. Zephia uses her power to tamper with her heart to create her other self. The other Veyle is the embodiment of Sombron’s will.

Even EVeyle says that she is “the real Veyle.” This is a common word choice for shadow archetypes. Representing the darker paths that we as individuals are at risk of taking.

Yu's vocals: You and I we ain't so different

I guess I had more blessings

Without it, got belligerent

But I totally understand

Glass was half full for mine

Adachi's vocals: And it looked half empty for me

Both: Maybe that one glass made the path we took, who knows?

— "Yin Yang", Persona 4: The Golden Animation

As Zephia’s actions with tampering with her Draconic Impulses implies, Zephia was just stimulating the feelings that Veyle held inside of her. EVeyle’s hatred towards humans, her desire to please her father, and her fear of what she would become as a result, etc.

Terra: What did I do? What did YOU do?

Maleficent: You speak as if I pulled some invisible strings. No, you couldn't be further from the truth, child. I simply whispered to the darkness you already held inside.

— Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

As for EVeyle having a personality, Veyle’s supports with Ivy and Hortensia confirm that Evil Veyle liked Sweets. While the real Veyle likes Spicy foods. This is the moment where Hortensia truly begins to accept the real Veyle as the true Veyle.

In the case where this was a similar situation with Hortensia or Invoked Emblems, EVeyle would be a mindless husk incapable of having the capacity for liking or disliking anything. She would have no emotions whatsoever. Would a mindless person have the ability to beg for their life and say “I don’t want to die” with such emotions? I don’t think so.

But the most important aspect about Veyle’s character comes after she finally wins her agency back: her desire to atone for her (EVeyle’s) sins. A choice that she is making for herself. Not because anyone is asking/forcing her to do it.

Veyle’s supports and the rest of the game are focused on her atoning. Veyle could have just blamed all of the bad things that happened onto Sombron, Zephia and/or her evil self. But when it comes down to it, Veyle chooses to atone.

One could say that it’s out of self hatred, and while this may be true, this is another reason why I compared EVeyle to be a shadow. She still treats EVeyle as her own weakness. Something that, if it didn’t overcome her, then everything that happened could have been avoided.

The puzzling question is can one still be hold accountable for circumstances they have no control over? The circumstances may vary, but in the case of Veyle, because EVeyle is the darkness in her heart, she has to make the choice to fight to prove she is more than what others say.

In fact, Veyle was very close to choosing the easy way out and accepting death just to be with her sibling Alear who just died protecting her. And even then, she didn’t blame the world, Sombron or Zephia for the suffering she endured.

It isn’t until Alear (who also suffered from Sombron’s abuse) faces his own struggles that he learned to understand and accept Veyle. And this act of forgiveness would be the first step in saving the world and (more importantly, in that moment) mend their broken relationship.

Regardless if Veyle deserves credit for all that has happened or not, it’s as Sigurd said to Alear and Seliph; truth is subjective and there can’t be one single truth either. We have to see the bigger picture in order to truly understand each other.

If Lumera was in her right state of mind at the time and knew the full truth about Veyle, I’m sure Lumera would have forgiven Veyle without a second thought. And I’m sure Alear forgiving Veyle is what the real Lumera would have wanted too.

Veyle doesn’t deserve forgiveness for being a victim of Sombron’s abuse. Veyle deserves it because she herself made the choice and effort to make things right, to atone, to change… even before chapter 22, she already had the potential to be a hero…

And that’s more than I can say for Sombron and Zephia, who made no effort to repent whatsoever and continued to live in their selfish ways until the very end. In the words of Ike: “they’ll get no sympathy from me.”

So overall, I say screw TVTropes take here. Veyle fighting to get her agency back is the point, EVeyle actually has more depth than you think, and above all else, she’s sympathetic because she chose atonement when she could have hid behind her excuse. That’s just my opinion though.

[jaredxenoengage]

Happy Father’s Day

[jaredxenoengage]

Yes, I ship Makoto and Aigis and yes this my headcanon. What of it?

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Persona 3 Reload platonic routes be like this.

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Veronica being in Engage and Engage being considered mainline Fire Emblem means that you, yes YOU, are canon in Fire Emblem lore. And I think that’s beautiful

.

[jaredxenoengage]

I`m not gonna explain myself

[jaredxenoengage]

The Five Man Band is among one my favorite tropes in media. Why? IDK why, it just is. I used to be a Power Rangers fan, five is usually among the highest these teams get to. In which case it becomes a Three plus two scenario where a Power Trio becomes a Five Man Band (Ninja Storm, Dino Thunder, and Jungle Fury come to mind).

I bring up this trope to talk about Fire Emblem Engage specifically, Alear, and the Four Primary Royals fit this trope. And it’s not just in team composition, IMO, the Emblems they are best known for (specifically in the Prologue cutscene) best give idea on why they fit the role in the team.

Alear the The Hero/Leader of the team; because obviously they are the Fire Emblem Lord, they are the Divine Dragon: the only one who can summon the Emblems who can save the world from the Fell Dragon. And just like any other Fire Emblem Lord in the franchise, if they are defeated, it’s a game over. Pretty typical Fire Emblem knowledge.

Alear’s most common Emblem is Marth. Marth is the first ever Fire Emblem Lord in the franchise, the idealistic leader that his loved ones trust and follows. Marth is the first of many sword wielding heroes in the franchise. Swords are a very common weapon type for heroes (Micaiah is the only Emblem in the main game that canonically never uses swords).

Alfred is the Lancer. Who usually acts a foil to the Hero/Leader, usually is their first/best friend/companion, and/or is the first to question any decision the leader/hero makes. Not every character of the archetype has to be a rival or a jerk (or in most cases both), Alfred is one of those examples. Alfred is the first Royal to join. Firene has the closest ties with Lumera, and Alfred appears in more cutscenes than any other Royal in the game. (Double points for having Lances as his primary weapon type).

The Emblem he uses in the Prologue is Lucina. Lucina is the not the central protagonist of Awakening, Chrom is. Even still, Lucina is a character who acts as an emotional foil to Chrom. More importantly, Lucina is the descendant of Marth, who happens to be Alear’s most associated Emblem.

Diamant is the big guy/muscle of Alear’s team. Brodia is the Kingdom of Might after all. Diamant is the most physically imposing with his main stats being his HP, Strength and Defense. Diamant is also the tallest and oldest member of the team (age being 25, Alfred is 21, Ivy is 20, Timerra is 18 and Alear is physically 17).

Diamant’s national Emblem is Roy, who gives Sword Power as an inheritance skill that allows Diamant to hit harder with a sword, but at the cost of avoid. Rise Above (Emblem Roy’s Engage skill) increases his level and stats along with them. Ironically, Roy was 15 years old in his games, Diamant is the oldest Royal, yet Roy is one of the younger FE lords next to Leif.

Next is Ivy, befitting of Elusia’s title of the Kingdom of Knowledge, she is the smart girl. Ivy has gone to school and was at the top of her class. (Studying is also one of her hobbies and likes items regarding them) Ivy is the most level headed of the Royals. Ivy is the only member of this main team that uses magic, and her ability to fly and heal is invaluable in a Fire Emblem game.

Ivy is associated with two Emblems rather than one. Lyn (the Emblem entrusted to Elusia) has the ability to summon doubles that can be used to distract the enemy. While Leif is an Emblem that switches between your current weapons it best suit the situation (often for the worst, unfortunately). It’s also worth noting that Soren is the DLC Emblem entrusted to Alt. Elusia. Soren is the Tactician of the Greil Mercenaries.

Finally, Timerra acts the emotional core to the team as the heart. Despite being far more politically savvy than what her peppy personality might suggest, she still is a genuine mood-maker in her supports where she attempts to get Ivy to open up and give perspective to Diamant on their ways of leading their countries. Her Queendom represents Freedom and is a very accepting person.

Her Emblem is Ike, and even if people mainly see him as a snarky guy, Ike is a very compassionate person. I mean, Ike would have to be a nice guy if he is the only person Soren is unfailingly kind to and is devoted to above everyone else. Ike’s Resolve (pun intended) is the thing that keeps the Greil Mercenaries from falling apart after his father’s death. Gameplay wise, Timerra with Ike act as a Critical Hit fighter with Wrath and Sandstorm. It takes a lot of effort and a bit of luck to make the most of her.

And finally, Veyle rounds out the team as the Sixth Ranger (doubles as 11th Hour Ranger, she is the last recruit in the main game). Sixth Rangers often comes joining in the team after a rivalry dispute and or brainwashing (Tommy Oliver (trope namer) and Zuko from Avatar comes to mind), Veyle is no exception. Veyle is the only other Non DLC Dragon units in the game. Most Sixth Rangers often (like the Red Ranger) have a power no other Ranger does.

Veyle doesn’t have a designated Emblem outside of Marth (who her evil self used, and she has boss dialogue with Emblem Marth in his Paralogue), but I consider Emblem Alear to be the closest thing Veyle will get to a designated Emblem. Her evil self also wears Alear’s Ring in the bad ending.

The major difference between Alear’s team, and the Four Hounds led by EVeyle is that the Hounds were already formed long before the story began. Alear and the Four Royals don’t officially form until more than halfway through Engage’s main story chapters. And yet these guys became a real team where the Hounds failed.

[jaredxenoengage]

IMO, I actually think the Four Hounds aren’t that bad as antagonists.

Because I see them and EVeyle as an evil foil to Alear and the Four Royals. Have you heard of the Psycho Rangers trope? The Psycho Rangers are basically meant to be evil Power Rangers.

This, IMO, how the Four Hounds work. Alear’s team is the Four Primary Royals that Alear meets on their journey to defeat Sombron (Alfred, Diamant, Ivy and Timerra). While Veyle (or at least EVeyle)’s team consists of the Four Hounds (of whom Zephia considers to be “family”).

The Four Hounds, however, are family by name only. Zephia’s actions towards the Hounds, especially being with Sombron (who could give zero thought about bonds) would ultimately be the downfall of the family Zephia created.

The main difference between the Four Royals and the Four Hounds is how they treat Alear and Veyle. The Royals respected Alear initially because they were the Divine Dragon, but Chapter 20 shows that Alfred and the others accept and know Alear for who they are as people.

The Hounds (except Mauvier) more or less treat Veyle as a means to an end. Zephia follows Sombron in order to win his favor. Griss (as follower of the Fell Dragon) needs EVeyle to inflict pain on him because it’s his devotion to the cult of the Fell Dragon, which required blood. Marni wanted EVeyle’s praises. Marni saw good Veyle as the “boring one” because she never got praise from Good Veyle. This mentality changed by the time she learned Veyle’s backstory, but by then, it’s too late.

The Royals could have been like the Hounds if they only saw Alear for their status rather than as a person. In their supports, Alear and the Royals get to form relationships outside of battle and they get to understand each other better as a result.

Alear, Alfred, Diamant, Ivy, Timerra and eventually Veyle all eventually became the real family that the Four Hounds failed to be. They may not express this dynamic outright, but they don’t need to. It just makes these facts all the more telling.

[jaredxenoengage]

Persona Q2 is underrated, NGL

Road Less Taken is currently my favorite Persona opening.

[jaredxenoengage]

Fair reminder, don’t screw around with the Black Bulls.

[jaredxenoengage]

Name your various reactions that matches Amy when Sonic is about to pounce Eggman with her still in tow.

I’ll start with “my reaction to the recent Chainsaw Man chapter.”

[jaredxenoengage]

Shadow has wings now!