Gharnef

Gharnef Artwork of Gharnef from Shadow Dragon.

Gender Male Race Human Title(s) Dark Pontifex Starting class Bishop Dark Mage Sorcerer Voiced by Takeshi Aono (Japanese, OVA) Charles C. Campbell (US English, OVA) Appearance(s) Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon New Mystery of the Emblem, Heroes of Light and Shadow Awakening Mystery of the Emblem OVA

“	What? The dregs of Archanea have come to challenge my kingdom? Ha ha ha... Really, do they think people have not tried before?	”	— Gharnef

Gharnef (ガーネフ Garnef) was a powerful sorcerer known as the Dark Pontifex. Formerly a student of the White Sage Gotoh alongside Miloah, he turned on Gotoh after being denied the inheritance of the Aura tome and stole the Darksphere, with which he crafted his signature tome Imhullu. His possession of the Darksphere, which came to house his soul, twisted him into a malevolent figure and led him to actively work to resurrect the ancient Shadow Dragon Medeus. In the War of Shadows, Gharnef acted as a second-in-command to Medeus, seized the rule of Khadein from Miloah, stole the Falchion following the death of Altea's King Cornelius, and manipulated the rulers of Grust, Gra and Macedon into allying with Dolhr.

Though struck down by the power of Starlight during the war, Gharnef's soul lived on in the Darksphere, and with it he was revived from death by his heretic bishop disciples. He sought to engineer Medeus's revival for a second time, orchestrating the capture of four noble clerics, the corruption of Archanea's Emperor Hardin through the Darksphere, and the outbreak of the War of Heroes.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light

Role

When Marth's army came to Khadein in search of the Falchion, Gharnef briefly emerged to attack them, fully aware they were incapable of being a serious threat to him at the time. Eventually he grew bored and left.

In the closing acts of the war, Marth's army was sent by Gotoh to Thabes, Gharnef's residence and source of power, in order to retrieve the Falchion and rescue Marth's sister Elice from his captivity. Now wielding Starlight, Gharnef's dark protection from Imhullu was pierced and he was slain.

Stats

Bishop Level 10 Movement 6 Experience --

Stats Max HP 34 Luck -- Strength 7 W. Level -- Skill 5 Defense 12 Speed 18 Resistance 0

Weapons Items Imhullu -- Weapons Sword ✗ Lance ✗ Axe ✗ Bow ✗ Tome ✓ Staff ✓

Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem

Book 1

Role

When Marth's army came to Khadein in search of the Falchion, Gharnef briefly emerged to attack them, fully aware they were incapable of being a serious threat to him at the time. Eventually he grew bored and left.

In the closing acts of the war, Marth's army was sent by Gotoh to Thabes, Gharnef's residence and source of power, in order to retrieve the Falchion and rescue Marth's sister Elice from his captivity. Now wielding Starlight, Gharnef's dark protection from Imhullu was pierced and he was slain.

Stats

Bishop Level 10 Movement 6 Experience --

Stats Max HP 34 Luck 4 Strength 10 W. Level -- Skill 2 Defense 10 Speed 6 Resistance 8

Weapons Items Imhullu Falchion -- Weapons Sword ✗ Lance ✗ Axe ✗ Bow ✗ Tome ✓ Staff ✓

Book 2

Role

Following his resurrection, Gharnef engineered the War of Shadows by passing the Darksphere on to Hardin, causing him to become corrupted by his hatred and depression. In the confusion of Hardin's reign upon the rest of the continent, Gharnef stole the Falchion from Altea Castle during its downfall and orchestrated the capture of four noble clerics - Nyna, Maria, Elice and Lena - for use in the rites of Medeus's revival.

When Marth defeated Hardin, Gharnef and three of his heretic bishops appeared before him disguised as the four clerics, but were repelled and revealed by the newly-restored Shield of Seals. At the Dragon's Altar, Gharnef confronted Marth's army once again as they raided in an effort to stop Medeus's revival, and was slain permanently.

Stats

Dark Mage Level 20 Movement 6 Experience --

Stats Max HP 34 Luck 4 Strength 12 W. Level -- Skill 1 Defense 15 Speed 5 Resistance 10

Weapons Items Imhullu Falchion -- Weapons Sword ✗ Lance ✗ Axe ✗ Bow ✗ Tome ✓ Staff ✓

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

Role

When Marth's army came to Khadein in search of the Falchion, Gharnef briefly emerged to attack them, fully aware they were incapable of being a serious threat to him at the time. Eventually he grew bored and left.

In the closing acts of the war, Marth's army was sent by Gotoh to Thabes, Gharnef's residence and source of power, in order to retrieve the Falchion and rescue Marth's sister Elice from his captivity. Now wielding Starlight, Gharnef's dark protection from Imhullu was pierced and he was slain.

Stats

Enemy, Ch.15 Boss, Ch.23

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 Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- A E

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 Falchion Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- A E

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Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem

Role

Following his resurrection, Gharnef engineered the War of Shadows by passing the Darksphere on to Hardin, causing him to become corrupted by his hatred and depression. In the confusion of Hardin's reign upon the rest of the continent, Gharnef stole the Falchion from Altea Castle during its downfall and orchestrated the capture of four noble clerics - Nyna, Maria, Elice and Lena - for use in the rites of Medeus's revival.

When Marth defeated Hardin, Gharnef and three of his heretic bishops appeared before him disguised as the four clerics, but were repelled and revealed by the newly-restored Shield of Seals. At the Dragon's Altar, Gharnef confronted Marth's army once again as they raided in an effort to stop Medeus's revival, and was slain permanently.

Additionally, Gharnef controlled a network of assasins led by Eremiya, tasking them with attempting to assassinate Marth before he could interfere. They were also responsible for bringing him the four clerics.

Stats

Boss, Ch.23 Playable, extra chapters

Sorcerer Level 20 Movement 6

Stats Max HP 38 Speed 15 Strength 2 Luck 0 Magic 12 Defense 13 Skill 16 Resistance 17

Inventory Imhullu Falchion Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- A E

Sorcerer Level 20 Movement 6

Recruitment: Assassins, automatically one turn after reinforcements have been triggered. Stats Growth Rates Max HP 38 Speed 15 Strength 2 Luck 9 Magic 12 Defense 13 Skill 16 Resistance 17 Max HP 20% Speed 20% Strength 0% Luck 0% Magic 20% Defense 0% Skill 20% Resistance 20% {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Inventory Imhullu Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- A C

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Fire Emblem Awakening

Gharnef is playable as a bonus SpotPass character, as part of the Shadow Dragon character set. He also appears as an enemy unit in the DLC chapters Lost Bloodlines 2 and 3, and Rogues & Redeemers 1 and 3; as well as an ally unit in the DLC chapter Rogues & Redeemers 2.

Starting stats and growth rates

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This section is missing stats, calculations, or growth rates which may be currently unknown. If this information is available, please help improve the page by adding it.

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Reclassing options

Gharnef Base classes:* Dark Mage Sorcerer Dark Knight Reclass options: This unit can reclass to any male class available through reclassing.

See reclass for more details on the reclassing system.

Growth rates when reclassed

Growth rates for all SpotPass bonus units are unknown at this time.

Promotion stat gains

Archer Barbarian Cavalier Dark Mage Wyvern Rider Fighter Knight Mage Mercenary Myrmidon Priest Tactician Thief

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sniper	+4	+2	+1	+4	+3	+0	+5	+3	+1	--
Bow Knight	+8	+3	+0	+2	+4	+0	+1	+2	+3	Template:Sword3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Berserker	+8	+5	+0	+2	+3	+0	+2	+1	+1	--
Warrior	+6	+4	+0	+5	-1	+0	+4	+3	+1	Template:Bow3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Paladin	+7	+3	+1	+2	+2	+0	+3	+6	+1	--
Great Knight	+8	+5	+0	+1	-1	+0	+7	+1	+0	Template:Axe3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sorcerer	+5	+1	+3	+2	+1	+0	+3	+3	+1	--
Dark Knight	+7	+3	+2	+4	+2	+0	+5	+1	+3	Template:Sword3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Wyvern Lord	+5	+4	+0	+2	+2	+0	+3	+3	+1	Template:Lance3DS E
Griffon Rider	+3	+2	+0	+4	+4	+0	+0	+3	+1	--

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Warrior	+8	+4	+0	+3	+2	+0	+3	+3	+1	Template:Bow3DS E
Hero	+2	+0	+1	+6	+5	+0	+4	+3	+1	Template:Sword3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
General	+10	+4	+0	+3	+2	+0	+4	+3	+1	Template:Axe3DS E
Great Knight	+8	+3	+0	+2	+3	+0	+3	+1	+3	Template:Sword3DS E, Template:Axe3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Sage	+4	+1	+3	+2	+3	+0	+2	+2	+1	Template:Staff3DS E
Dark Knight	+9	+4	+1	+3	+1	+0	+7	+2	+3	Template:Sword3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Hero	+4	+3	+1	+3	+3	+0	+3	+3	+1	Template:Axe3DS E
Bow Knight	+6	+3	+0	+2	+3	+0	+1	+2	+3	Template:Bow3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Swordmaster	+4	+3	+1	+2	+3	+0	+2	+3	+1	--
Assassin	+5	+4	-1	+4	+2	+0	+1	+0	+1	Template:Bow3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
War Monk	+8	+5	+2	+2	+2	+0	+5	+0	+1	Template:Axe3DS E
Sage	+4	+1	+4	+3	+3	+0	+3	-1	+1	Template:Tome3DS E

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Grandmaster	+4	+3	+3	+2	+2	+0	+2	+2	+1	--

Class	HP	Str	Mag	Skill	Spd	Lck	Def	Res	Mov	Weapon level
Assassin	+5	+5	+0	+7	+4	+0	+3	+1	+1	Template:Bow3DS E
Trickster	+3	+1	+4	+4	+3	+0	+1	+5	+1	Template:Staff3DS E

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Skill set

Like all male bonus units in Awakening, Gharnef has access to all base class and advanced class skills available to standard male units.

Personality and character

Originally Gharnef was thoroughly a man of justice and good intentions, despite lacking compassion and love, and was a highly competent student of Gotoh. However, this changed when Gotoh decided to designate Miloah as the successor of Khadein and the Aura tome, owing to his lack of compassion: Gharnef was twisted by jealousy and rage, which prompted him to steal the Darksphere. The creation of the Imhullu tome sealed his soul in the Darksphere, corrupting him even further into the Dark Pontifex.

From then on, Gharnef was characterised by an almost fanatical devotion to despair and vengeance upon humanity, seeking their end through the revival of Medeus. His preferred method of operation was to remain in the shadows while manipulating other people into his service, such as Jiol, Ludwik, Michalis and Eremiya; in the latter case he even threw it in her face as she died and was released from his control. He delighted in the suffering of others, regardless of who they were, and rumours abounded that he had no intention of remaining subservient to Medeus in the long run, plotting instead to slay and usurp him.

Quotes

Battle quotes

“	You dare oppose me, fool? You must not value your life. Cower before the might of the magic Imhullu: once forbidden, now unleashed!	”	— Gharnef, as an enemy in Chapter 15 of Shadow Dragon.

“	Heh heh heh... You dare challenge me, fool? You must not value your life. Cower before the might of the dark magic Imhullu!	”	— Gharnef, as the boss of Chapter 23 of Shadow Dragon.

“	Heh heh heh... Perhaps... a taste of Imhullu's might is necessary.	”	— Gharnef, as the boss of Chapter 23 of New Mystery of the Emblem.

“	Your blade is blunt before me, Marth... I'll smash you and the Binding Shield into pieces!!	”	— Gharnef when fighting Marth, as the boss of Chapter 23 of New Mystery of the Emblem.

“	Heh heh heh... Allow me to demonstrate Imhullu's might...	”	— Gharnef when fighting Kris, as the boss of Chapter 23 of New Mystery of the Emblem.

“	Heh heh heh... Let me teach you the meaning of despair!	”	— Gharnef, as a playable character in Assassins in New Mystery of the Emblem.

Death quote

“	Agh! What... Where did you get...Starlight...? Still, you are a fool ...Your power is not enough to defeat Medeus...I shall be waiting in the pits of the inferno...for when he sends you to join me... Heh heh, ha ha ha!	”	— Gharnef, as the boss of Chapter 23 of Shadow Dragon.

“	Heh heh... You're too late... The end is nigh...	”	— Gharnef, as the boss of Chapter 23 of New Mystery of the Emblem.

“	Heh heh heh... Maybe I fooled around too much... I'll fall back for now!	”	— Gharnef, as a playable character in Assassins in New Mystery of the Emblem.

Other appearances

Gharnef in the OVA.

Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (anime)

Gharnef appears in a flashback in the first episode, Prince of Aritia. Following Gra's betrayal of Altea at Fort Menedy and the decimation of its army by both Gra and Grust, Gharnef appeared before King Cornelius and offered him the safety of the Altean people (albeit in slavery) in exchange for Cornelius's surrender. Cornelius refused and attempted to attack Gharnef using Falchion, but was easily killed by a single blast of Gharnef's Imhullu.

Trivia

• In Ankoku Ryuu, Gharnef's portrait is a recolor and edit of Bantu's (or vice-versa).

Gallery

• 

  Artwork of Gharnef from Mystery of the Emblem.

• 

  Artwork of Gharnef from Mystery of the Emblem.

• 

  Artwork of Gharnef from Mystery of the Emblem.

• 

  Artwork of Gharnef from Shadow Dragon

• 

  Gharnef, as depicted in the OVA.

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language	Name	Definition, etymology, and notes
English	Gharnef	Uncertain etymology.
Spanish	Gharnef
French	Gharnef
German	Gharnef
Italian	Gharnef

References

This article is part of Project Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in the Fire Emblem series.