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Dark Pontifex

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
This article is about the chapter from Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light and its remakes; for the History Mode map from Fire Emblem Warriors, see The Dark Pontifex.
Dark Pontifex

Cm fe11 23.png

Location

The Temple of Thabes

New units

Elice (not in Mystery of the Emblem)

Boss(es)

Gharnef

Previous chapter(s)

A Knight-Filled Sky

Next chapter(s)

The Dragonkin Realm

Dark Pontifex (Japanese: 悪の司祭ガーネフ Evil Bishop Garnef) is the twenty-third chapter of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light and Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, and the eighteenth chapter in Book I of Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem.

Plot

Main article: Dark Pontifex/Script

Marth arrives at Thabes, and is confronted by Gharnef. Gharnef reveals that he planned for Marth to defeat Grust and Macedon so his own conquest of the world would be easier, much to Marth's horror. Marth and his companions battle and defeat Gharnef. Afterwards, Elice arrives, and the Altean royal siblings joyously reunite. Elice explains that Gharnef intended for her to use the Aum Staff, which was discovered in a temple in Dolhr and can be used to bring a single warrior back from the dead. Marth prepares to invade Dolhr and bring an end to the War of Shadows.

Chapter data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Chapter Data
Conditions
Unit Data
Victory: Seize Player Partner Other Enemy
Defeat: Marth dies 1–12 {{{partner}}} {{{other}}} 21+12
Cm fe11 23.png
Map dimensions:
30 columns by 28 rows

Character data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Characters
New units
Elice
Portrait elice fe11.png
Cleric
HP
18
Inventory
--
Level
10
Automatically at the end of the chapter
Required characters
Marth ​
Available characters
Abel ​Frey ​Jagen ​Cain ​Gordin ​Draug ​Norne ​Caeda ​Wrys ​Ogma ​Barst ​Bord ​Cord ​Darros ​Castor ​Julian ​Lena ​Navarre ​Merric ​Matthis ​Wolf ​Sedgar ​Roshea ​Vyland ​Hardin ​Wendell ​Rickard ​Athena ​Bantu ​Caesar ​Radd ​Roger ​Jeorge ​Maria ​Minerva ​Linde ​Jake ​Dolph ​Macellan ​Tomas ​Boah ​Midia ​Horace ​Astram ​Beck ​Catria ​Palla ​Arran ​Samson ​Xane ​Etzel ​Est ​Tiki ​Lorenz ​Ymir ​

Item data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Items
Name Obtainment Method
Is ds bullion.png Bullion (S) Open left chest
Is ds talisman.png Talisman Open right chest
Is ds master seal.png Master Seal Dropped by enemy Bishop
Is ds falchion.png Falchion Dropped by Gharnef
Is ds steel sword.png Steel Sword Dropped by a false Gharnef
Is ds steel sword.png Steel Sword Dropped by a false Gharnef
Is ds master seal.png Master Seal Dropped by enemy Bishop
Is ds fortify.png Fortify Dropped by enemy Curate
Is ds barrier.png Barrier Dropped by enemy Curate
Is ds pure water.png Pure Water Dropped by enemy Curate
Is ds door key.png Door Key Dropped by enemy Thief

Shop data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Shadow Dragon

Armories and vendors

Swords Lances Axes Bows Tomes Staves Items Secret

None

  • ×3 Maximum
The secret shop is located in the door directly north of the throne.

Enemy data

Enemy data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Stats with a decimal can vary randomly; the decimal represents the chance for the stat to increase to the nearest integer, or otherwise be truncated.

Normal Hard-1 Hard-2 Hard-3 Hard-4 Hard-5

Enemy Units
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma ds01 bishop enemy.gif Khadein Bishop 10 1 29.6 1 7.7 7.7 7.7 0 4.8 12.5 -- Bolganone Master SealThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Stands on a throne, the chapter's seize point.
Ma ds01 sorcerer enemy.gif Gharnef Sorcerer 15 3 34 2 5 5 18 0 11 10 6 Imhullu FalchionThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
• Two false Gharnefs and one real; which is which is determined at random.
• Real inventory of the False Gharnefs:
Elfire Steel SwordThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
• All move to attack units in range; return to their starting positions if no one is in range.
Ma ds01 bishop enemy.gif Khadein Bishop 10 1 29.6 1 7.7 7.7 7.7 0 4.8 12.5 6 Swarm Master SealThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Immediately begins moving unprovoked.
Ma ds01 bishop enemy.gif Khadein Bishop 8 2 28.8 1 7.1 7.1 7.1 0 4.4 11.5 6 Swarm
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds01 bishop enemy.gif Khadein Bishop 8 2 28.8 1 7.1 7.1 7.1 0 4.4 11.5 6 Bolganone
• The upper one immediately begins moving unprovoked.
• The lower one moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds01 curate enemy.gif Khadein Curate 14 1 21.2 0 3.6 4.9 7.9 0 5.6 11.2 5 FortifyThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Starts on a pillar.
Ma ds01 curate enemy.gif Khadein Curate 11 1 20 0 3 4 7 0 5 10 5 Physic
--
Ma ds01 curate enemy.gif Khadein Curate 14 1 21.2 0 3.6 4.9 7.9 0 5.6 11.2 5 Fortify BarrierThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
--
Ma ds01 curate enemy.gif Khadein Curate 11 1 20 0 3 4 7 0 5 10 5 Physic Pure WaterThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
--
Ma ds01 hero enemy.gif Dolhr Hero 8 2 31.6 9.1 1 13.4 15.4 0 11.1 4.4 8 Silver Sword
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds01 sniper enemy.gif Dolhr Sniper 10 2 35.2 10.8 1 12.7 13.7 0 9.8 4.8 7 Silver Bow
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds01 thief enemy.gif Dolhr Thief 10 1 21.4 3.8 0 4.6 11.5 0 3.7 0 7 Iron Sword Door KeyThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Moves to open the left chest, then moves to escape west; ignores combat, except to attack units blocking the escape point.
Ma ds01 thief enemy.gif Dolhr Thief 15 1 24.4 4.8 0 6.6 14 0 5.2 0 7 Devil Sword
Moves to open the right chest, then moves to escape west; ignores combat, except to attack units blocking the escape point.
Ma ds01 mage enemy.gif Khadein Mage 12 1 20.4 0 7.4 4.3 6.3 0 4.2 5.2 6 Blizzard
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma ds01 mage enemy.gif Khadein Mage 15 1 21.6 0 8.6 5.2 7.2 0 4.8 5.8 6 Elfire
Moves to attack units in range.
Reinforcements
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma ds01 bishop enemy.gif Khadein Bishop 8 2 28.8 1 7.1 7.1 7.1 0 4.4 11.5 6 Thoron
--
Ma ds01 mage enemy.gif Khadein Mage 10 4 19.6 0 6.6 3.7 5.7 0 3.8 4.8 6 Thunder
--
Ma ds01 mage enemy.gif Khadein Mage 13 4 20.8 0 7.8 4.6 6.6 0 4.4 5.4 6 Blizzard
--
Ma ds01 bishop enemy.gif Khadein Bishop 8 2 28.8 1 7.1 7.1 7.1 0 4.4 11.5 6 Swarm
--

Reinforcements

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light
Mystery of the Emblem
  • Starting turn 7, continuing until 11 of each have appeared; which ones appear each turn is random; halted when Gharnef is defeated
Shadow Dragon

All reinforcements are halted when Gharnef is defeated.

Boss data

Main article: Gharnef
Boss data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Stats with a decimal can vary randomly; the decimal represents the chance for the stat to increase to the nearest integer, or be otherwise truncated.

Normal Hard-1 Hard-2 Hard-3 Hard-4 Hard-5

Portrait gharnef fe11.png
Ma ds01 sorcerer enemy.gif Sorcerer
Level 15
Movement 6
Stats
Max HP 34 Speed 18
Strength 2 Luck 0
Magic 5 Defense 11
Skill 5 Resistance 10
Inventory
Imhullu
FalchionThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Weapon Levels
Swords -- Lances -- Axes --
Bows -- Tomes A Staves E

Strategy

This section details unofficial strategies that may help with completion of the chapter. This may not work for everybody.

Identifying and Engaging the Real Gharnef:

  • In Shadow Dragon, only one of the three Gharnefs is authentic, with the other two being decoys. The identity of the real one is randomly determined.
  • The fake Gharnefs can be harmed without using Starlight and will drop a Steel Sword. Imhullu makes the real Gharnef impervious to all damage.
  • Using the Geosphere doesn't affect the real Gharnef, thereby distinguishing him from the fakes. However, using it also damages friendly units. Using the Fortify staff will counteract this.
  • Alternatively, a Ballistician's long-range attack can also help identify the real Gharnef, as it won't inflict any damage on him.
  • If you don't have Starlight, you may need to restart this chapter until the Gharnef in the northeast corner is verified as a fake, as encountering the real one there forces a battle with an invincible foe.
  • The real Gharnef is not a mandatory target though; players can bypass him and capture the throne with Marth. However, doing so means forgoing the Falchion, making the final boss more challenging.

Combat Strategy:

  • On Hard-4 and below, using all three Geosphere charges will kill every enemy on the map, except the Gharnefs, Heroes and Snipers, using Fortify to prevent friendly casualties. Do note that enemies killed by the Geosphere will not drop their items; this can end up destroying the second Fortify in the game. On Hard-5, Lv10 Bishops and the Lv15 Thief can round up to 40 HP and survive, but if they don't, they die with the rest.
  • This chapter is filled with Mages and Bishops with Swarm and Thoron magic. Barrier staves and Pure Waters can effectively counteract them.
  • Secure the chests in the northwest early but move with caution.
  • Eliminate individual enemies in one turn since they'll be healed with the enemy's Fortify staff.
  • After clearing the southeast area, you will face two waves of reinforcements at the tower's summit.
  • A secret shop sells Master Seals but it's not likely that you will need them at this point.
  • Players should primarily use Legendary, Silver, and Killer weapons, as well as Ballisticians, to quickly defeat the low-defense mages. Legendary Weapons can be repaired with the Hammerne staff if their usage gets low.
  • Acquiring the Falchion for Marth significantly boosts his combat prowess for upcoming challenges.

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language Name Definition, etymology, and notes
English

Dark Pontifex

--

Japanese

悪の司祭ガーネフ

Evil Bishop Garnef

Spanish

El Pontifice Oscuro

The Dark Pontifex

French

Le Pontife maléfique

The Dark Pontifex

German

Dunkler Curateer

Dark Curate

Italian

Il Pontefice oscuro

The Dark Pontifex

Gallery


This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


References

← A Knight-Filled Sky • Dark Pontifex • The Dragonkin Realm →
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light
Playable characters AbelArranAstramBantuBarstBeckBoahBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCordDarrosDolphDraugEliceEstGordinGotohHardinJagenJakeJeorgeJulianLenaLindeLorenzMacellanMariaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNavarreOgmaPallaRaddRickardRogerRosheaSamsonSedgarTikiTomasVylandWendellWolfWrysXane
Non-playable characters Aurelis KingMalledusNynaTalys King
Bosses BentheonCamusEmereusGazzakGharnefGomerGrigasHarmeinHeimlerHollstadtHymanJiolKannivalKhozenMannuMedeusMerachMichalisMorzasOrridyonSternlinTikiVolzhinXemcelZharov
Background characters AnriArtemisCorneliusLizaLudwik
Regalia and personal weapons AumAuraExcaliburFalchionGradivusImhulluMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlight
Chapters 1: Marth Embarks • 2: The Pirates of Galder • 3: The Ghoul's Teeth • 4: Battle in the Lea • 5: Champions of Aurelis • 6: Fire Emblem • 7: Lefcandith Gauntlet • 8: Port Warren • 9: The Pyrathi Dragon • 10: Princess Minerva • 11: Knorda Market • 12: The Ageless Palace • 13: The Wooden Cavalry • 14: Land of Sorrow • 15: An Oasis of Magic • 16: The Battle for Altea • 17: Star and Savior • 18: The Sable Order • 19: Manakete Princess • 20: Camus the Sable • 21: Clash in Macedon • 22: A Knight-Filled Sky • 23: Dark Pontifex • 24: The Dragonkin Realm • 25: Chosen by Fate
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAurelisDolhrGraGrustKhadeinKingdom of ArchaneaMacedonPyrathiTalysThabes
Groups, objects and concepts Archanean LeagueDragons (Divine DragonsEarth Dragons) • DragoonsFire EmblemSable OrderWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists ArmoriesCharactersClasses (Class change) • ItemsScriptsSecret ShopsTerrainVendorsWeapons
Related topics Hakoda manga adaptationName chart • Other games (GaidenMystery of the EmblemShadow DragonAwakening) • Sound Test ModeTimeline
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
Playable characters Book 1 AbelArranAstramBantuBarstBoahBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCordDolphDraugEliceEstGordinHardinJagenJeorgeJulianLenaLindeLorenzMacellanMariaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNavarreOgmaPallaRaddRickardRosheaSamsonSedgarTikiTomasVylandWendellWolfXane
Book 2 AbelArlenArranAstramBantuCaedaCainCastorCatriaCecilDraugEliceEstPhinaGordinJeorgeJubeloJulianLenaLindeLukeMariaMarishaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNavarreNynaOgmaPallaRickardRoderickRosheaRyanSamsonSamuelSheenaSiriusTikiVylandWarrenWendellXaneYuliya
Non-playable characters Book 1 GotohMalledusNynaTalys King
Book 2 Aurelis KingBoahCamusGotohJagenLangLorenzMichalis
Bosses Book 1 CamusEmereusGazzakGharnefGomerHarmeinHollstadtHymanJiolKannivalKhozenMedeusMerachMichalisMorzasTikiVolzhinXemcelZharov
Book 2 DallEibelEllereanFire DragonGailGharnefHardinHereticIce DragonJeorgeLangLorenzLumelLykkeMage DragonMedeusNehringSheenaTorusWillowWyvernYodel
Background characters AdrahAnriArtemisCaldasCorneliusIoteLizaLudwikMarlonMarcelusNagaOrdwin
Regalia and personal weapons AumAuraExcaliburFalchionFire EmblemGradivusImhulluMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlight
Chapters Book 1 1: Marth Embarks • 2: The Pirates of Galder • 3: A Brush in the Teeth • 4: Champions of Aurelis • 5: Fire Emblem • 6: Lefcandith Gauntlet • 7: Port Warren • 8: Princess Minerva • 9: Knorda Market • 10: The Ageless Palace • 11: Land of Sorrow • 12: An Oasis of Magic • 13: The Battle for Altea • 14: Star and Savior • 15: Manakete Princess • 16: Camus the Sable • 17: A Knight-Filled Sky • 18: Dark Pontifex • 19: The Dragonkin Realm • 20: Chosen by Fate
Book 2 1: The Grustian Expedition • 2: Rebellion at Macedon • 3: Abducted Princess • 4: Joy and Sorrow • 5: Liberation of Grust • 6: The Nest of Evil • 7: The Scarlet Sword • 8: Soulful Bridge • 9: Sanctuary of Sorcery • 10: Two Sorcerers • 11: Anri's Way • 12: Graveyard of Fire Dragons • 13: Frozen Land • 14: A Mystery Revealed • 15: Return of the Prince • 16: Regaining the Capital • 17: Gra's Sun Sets • 18: Battle of the Pass • 19: The Last Decisive Battle • 20: Dark Emperor • E1: The Wyvern's Dale • E2: The Dragon Altar (part 1part 2part 3)
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAnri's WayAurelisDolhr (Dragon Altar) • Empire of ArchaneaGraGrustKhadeinMacedonTalys
Groups, objects and concepts Archanean LeagueCoyote's MenDragons (Divine DragonEarth DragonManakete) • DragoonsHereticsSable OrderWar of HeroesWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Anime adaptationName chart • Other games (Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightGaidenGenealogy of the Holy WarArchanea SagaNew Mystery of the EmblemAwakening) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound MuseumTimeline
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
Playable characters AbelArranAstramAthenaBantuBarstBeckBoahBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCordDarrosDolphDraugEliceEstEtzelFreyGordinGotohHardinHoraceJagenJakeJeorgeJulianLenaLindeLorenzMacellanMariaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNagiNavarreNorneOgmaPallaRaddRickardRogerRosheaSamsonSedgarTikiTomasVylandWendellWolfWrysXaneYmir
Non-playable characters Aurelis KingMalledusNynaTalys King
Bosses BathysBentheonCamusCaptainDactylDejaniraEmereusGazzakGharnefGomerGrigasHarmeinHeimlerHollstadtHymanJiolKannivalKhozenLarissaMannuMedeusMerachMichalisMorzasOrridyonSternlinTikiVolzhinXemcelZharov
Background characters AdrahAnriArtemisCaldasIoteLizaLudwikMarlonMarcelusNagaOrdwin
Regalia and personal weapons AumFalchionFire EmblemGradivusImhulluHauteclereMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlightWing Spear
Chapters P: Prologue I • P: Prologue II • P: Prologue III • P: Prologue IV • 1: Marth Embarks • 2: The Pirates of Galder • 3: A Brush in the Teeth • 4: Battle in the Lea • 5: Champions of Aurelis • 6: Fire Emblem • 6x: In War's Grip • 7: Lefcandith Gauntlet • 8: Port Warren • 9: The Pyrathi Dragon • 10: Princess Minerva • 11: Knorda Market • 12: The Ageless Palace • 12x: A Traitor's Worth • 13: The Wooden Cavalry • 14: Land of Sorrow • 15: An Oasis of Magic • 16: The Battle for Altea • 17: Star and Savior • 17x: Helena Castle • 18: The Sable Order • 19: Manakete Princess • 20: Camus the Sable • 20x: The Lair of Fire • 21: Clash in Macedon • 22: A Knight-Filled Sky • 23: Dark Pontifex • 24: The Dragonkin Realm • 24x: The AlterspireE: Chosen by Fate
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAurelisDolhrGraGrustKhadeinKingdom of ArchaneaMacedonPyrathiTalysThabes
Groups, objects and concepts Archanean LeagueDragons (Divine DragonEarth DragonManakete) • DragoonsSable OrderWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • ConversationsItemsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics List of version differences (Name chart) • Other games (Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightGaidenNew Mystery of the EmblemAwakening) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound RoomTimeline