polydreamusfilk

[polydreamusfilk]

You know, when my friend asked me approximately 1.5 years ago, “Hey, wanna play?” and let me make a file on their copy of Awakening, I did not expect to get this into Fire Emblem. Here’s an in-universe Three Houses filk/fansong inspired by the fact that killing the Blue Lions in the Crimson Flower route emotionally destroyed me. “Tailtean Dirge” heavily inspired by and to the tune of “The Bonnie Banks O’ Loch Lomond.” (Specifically the arrangement I sang in high school.) Lyrics and in-universe notes under the cut!

Tailtean Dirge

(A traditional folk song dating back to the War of Fódlan Reunification, writer unknown)

By our sharpened swords and by our shining shields

Where the winds blow strong on Fhirdiad

Where me and my liege were ever wont to gaze

O’er the snowy, snowy streets of Fhirdiad

REFRAIN:

Oh ye'll take the high road and I'll take the low road 

and I'll be in Faerghus afore ye,

But me and my sovereign will never walk again 

through the snowy, snowy streets of Fhirdiad

T'was there that we parted like our dear old Glenn, 

On the muddy, muddy banks Plains of Tailtean, 

Where in faded hue, Seiros slipped from view

 and the rain pourin' down from the aether

[Refrain]

The Eagles may sing and the crimson flowers spring

And in moonlight the embers are floating

So Faerghus will ken nae ‘nother spring,

and Duscur shall go on weeping

Oh ye’ll take the high road and I’ll take the the low road

And I’ll be northward afore ye

But me and my sovereign will never walk again

Though the snowy, snowy streets of Fhirdiad.

Accompanying note: The Millennium Battle of the Tailtean Plains is considered by many to be the most decisive battle in the War of Fódlan Reunification. The song makes reference to the former Holy Kingdom of Faerghus and its capital, Fhirdiad. The capital of Fhirdiad was burned in the subsequent and final battle of the War of Fódlan Reunification [1]. The mentioning of Glenn may reference a Faerghen victim of the Tragedy of Duscur [2] and Seiros may refer to the retreat of the Knights of Seiros after their general was wounded in combat [3]. Few, if any, firsthand accounts of this battle written by soldiers of the Faerghen Army exist. It is speculated that since the Battle of the Tailtean Plains was Faerghus's final stand, they fought to their last soldier. Bones belonging to Demonic Beasts have been discovered on the site that do not correspond with those attributed to the Empire Army, corroborating accounts that some Faerghen soldiers willingly used Crest-Stones to transform into Demonic Beasts to bolster their army’s offenses [4]. Faerghus was a country known for its military discipline, ideals of valor on the battlefield, and adherence to chivalry: the use of Crest-Stones to this end would not be out of place.

The "Eagles" are a reference to the Black Eagle Strike Force: a group of soldiers handpicked by Emperor Edelgard herself that she fought alongside during the war [5]. The crimson flowers likely refer to an old legend about flowers watered with the blood of a battle blooming scarlet [6]. The final line of the sixth verse is controversial - the expression of concern or sympathy towards Duscur and its people in this time period would be considered atypical due to the events of the Tragedy of Duscur [2]. Fervent debate exists over whether the line is original to the song or was added later in its history [7]. The truth of this event would not be uncovered until years into Emperor Edelgard's reign: it had not been the people of Duscur that assassinated the Faerghus royal family, but a secret group given the name "Those Who Slither in the Dark" by Royal Advisor Hubert von Vestra in a famous treatise [8]. While the song could fit the perspective of any Faerghen soldier, some speculate due to the sixth line that the song is intended to be from the perspective of Dedue Molinaro, King Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd's royal retainer and Duscurian survivor of the Tragedy. [2]. When the bodies of the two were discovered on the battlefield, they were locked in a final embrace [9].

[polydreamusfilk]

“Never Use A Grand Relic”

Instructions for All Members of The Bureau of Balance to the tune of Fantasy Frank Hayes’s “Never Set The Cat on Fire”

Lyrics and notes under the cut! Sincere and special thanks to @astriiformes and @scribefindegil for inspiring me to write this several years ago!

Never use a Grand Relic, you only will regret it!

The victory will be pyrrhic, you surely won't forget it!

At no point should you use the mitten, stone, chalice or ribbon

No, never use a Grand Relic!

[Refrain: Mind your orders, like the wizard fighter and cleric,

and never use a Grand Relic!]

Don't use the Phoenix-Fire Gauntlet, you'll just burn yourself out!

You'll wind up like a comet, it'll end badly without a doubt!

If Phandalin gets turned to glass, everyone involved will pass!

Don't use the Phoenix-Fire Gauntlet!

[Refrain]

Don't try on the Oculus, your tie's already rocking!

The accessory will be superfluous, the Boys will keep a'mocking!

If you get thrown from a train, you'll only have yourself to blame!

Don't try on the Oc-cu-lus!

    [Refrain]

Don't dare put on the Gaia Sash, you'll only hurt your girlfriend!

You're acting pretty rash, things won't turn how you intend!

Though it seems you can't be beat, sooner or later you'll take the heat!

Don't dare put on the Gaia Sash!

[Refrain]

Don't disturb the Philosopher's Stone, or you'll cross The Director!

Your lab/the world will turn to a crystal zone, you really ought to respect her!

This whole thing has gone off track, and it won't bring your mother back!

Don't disturb the Philosopher's Stone!

[Refrain]

Don’t reach for the Temporal Chalice, or time itself will be rewound!

Even if it’s not from malice, to an hour’s loop you will be bound!

Refuge will be turned to rubble, until someone can burst the bubble!

Don’t reach for the Temporal Chalice!

[Refrain]

Don't try and ring the Animus Bell, or you’ll have to give up all you’ve got!

It’ll be your own death knell, and that’ll make everything all for naught!

Wonderland is quite a trap, and what you give up you can’t get back!

Don’t try and ring the Animus Bell!

[Refrain]

Don't touch The Director's white-oak staff, it could be very dangerous!

Whatever you do won’t be worth the laugh, it might even be traitorous!

The battle is not yet won, and...Lu-Lucretia, what have you done?

Don't join an interplanar mission!

[Refrain]

I can’t believe I finally have this done! I started writing it years ago, thought about doing something different and ambitious with the Temporal Chalice verse, then completely forgot it existed. Which...now that I think about it, is fitting for a TAX filk. I still have fond memories of tapping rhythms between classes and trawling through Rhymezone, though! I finally remembered it existed around the start of summer(?) after a filksing, but only figured out how to post it recently! I think it turned out pretty alright for my first filksong! Enjoy!