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Laguz

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
A gathering of laguz of all three tribes, in both humanoid and animal forms.
What do you think it would be like, to change into a bird or a dragon, as the laguz can? Being part beast is one thing, but being able to transform into that beast, with more strength than we could ever imagine... I mean, they could build a place like this before breakfast.
— Sothe

The laguz (pronounced /⁠ləˈɡuz⁠/[key][1]; Japanese: ラグズ laguz) are a sentient race of shape-shifters which inhabit the continent Tellius, appearing in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn. While they ordinarily appear in humanoid forms, they have the ability to temporarily focus their energies and shift into the form of an animal, gaining great power and strength from these forms. Every laguz is part of one of three tribes—beast, bird, and dragon—with each tribe being made up of several "clans", or unique animal races, each having their own unique set of skills and powers.

Laguz are a counterpart to the beorc, and like the beorc, they are descended from the ancient Zunanma race. While beorc are widely regarded as the "children of wisdom", the laguz are instead called the "children of strength", reflecting their mighty, bestial power. Relations between the two races have long been strained, with centuries of slavery, abuses and derision as "sub-humans" suffered by the laguz at beorc hands leaving many laguz resentful and wary of the beorc. The laguz tribes maintain their own countries away from the beorc. On rare occasions, beorc and laguz interbreed, creating the Branded.

Society

Historically, most laguz lived in the same societies as beorc, but increasing pressure from beorc abuses eventually led the majority to abandon beorc lands and create their own nations. Unlike beorc societies, where responsibility and prestige are often based entirely on a person's bloodline, most laguz societies have a philosophy of rule by the strong. Worthiness for leadership is determined by who the strongest in a group of laguz is, which also extends to the royal families of the laguz nations, which are governed by the strongest laguz of the tribe. It is believed by the laguz that this makes their monarchs inherently more trustworthy, since their abilities are proven.[2] For this reason, the ruler of a laguz nation tends to come from the inherent strongest caste living there, such as the lions or the black dragons.

The clans usually feel a strong kinship with the other clans of the tribe. In many cases all of a tribe's clans will peacefully live together within the same nation-state. The birds are the primary exception to this, but even they both started as one nation and resolved to become one again after the events of Radiant Dawn.[3]

Characteristics

Laguz tribes

Between the three tribes, there are a total of ten unique laguz clans.

The beast tribe is comprised of laguz who can transform into carnivorous land mammals, with the majority of beast clans having feline forms. This tribe mostly inhabits the Kingdom of Gallia, in the forests in Tellius's far west.

  • Cats: A lithe beast clan whose members are light on their feet and fight with swift claw strikes.
  • Tigers: A bulky, resilient beast clan with mighty defenses and powerful claw and fang attacks.
  • Lions: The mightiest of the beast tribe, the lion clan comprise the ruling caste of Gallia. They possess extreme raw strength beyond even the tigers.
  • Wolves: Once believed to be entirely extinct in Tellius after the Great Flood, this clan survived in the nation Hatari, on the other side of the Desert of Death. They were rediscovered when Volug and Nailah traveled across the desert with the heron Rafiel and befriended Micaiah.

The bird tribe is comprised of laguz who can transform into various real-life bird species. Unlike the beasts, the birds are divided into numerous nations owing to the differences and disagreements betweeen the clans. This did not change until after the events of Radiant Dawn, where they unified into one country in Serenes under the hawk Tibarn.[4]

  • Hawks: A proud bird clan which fights with both might and swiftness.
  • Ravens: A cunning bird clan with little raw strength own, but who confound their enemies with their blistering flight speeds.
  • Herons: A clan unique among the laguz for both their pacifist ways and for their ability to practice magical arts through the power of their singing. Formerly inhabiting the Serenes Forest, they were driven to extinction in an event known as the Serenes Massacre.

The dragon tribe is comprised of laguz who can transform into various types of dragons. The dragon tribe lives in the isolated kingdom of Goldoa, separating themselves from the rest of Tellius as a result of their great power.

  • Red dragons: A caste of dragon laguz who tend toward being bulky and physically strong.
  • White dragons: An arcane dragon laguz caste which wields power more in line with the magic of humans.
  • Black dragons: The rarest of the laguz dragons and their ruling caste. Black dragons are extremely powerful and possess longevity greater than any other laguz clan, and by extension vastly beyond that of beorc.

In gameplay of Path of Radiance, untransformed laguz have their classes labeled as the tribe names ("Beast Tribe", "Bird Tribe", and "Dragon Tribe").

Physical appearance

Ena, a red dragon laguz with white dragon ancestry.
Muarim, a tiger laguz, exhibiting his beast ears and tail in his humanoid form.

When in their humanoid forms, laguz usually keep some features of their beast forms. As a general rule, beast tribe laguz keep the ears and tails, and bird tribe laguz keep the wings. The dragon tribe is the exception, as they do not have any features on their dragon forms and instead they have distinctive deep orange skin and, in some cases, tattoo-like markings on their forehead. Other than these features, laguz look very similar to beorc. It is possible for bird laguz, at least, to hide their wings and successfully disguise themselves as beorc, but grave distress will cause them to lose their grip on this ability and reveal their wings.[5]

Needless to say, the animal forms of a laguz generally look identical to the real-life animal in question, with the exception of size. Animals that are actually smaller, such as cats and ravens, have their laguz counterparts instead be at least the same size as a human. Laguz of the beast tribes tend to vary greatly in their fur coloration, while birds and dragons are not known to have much variety in the colors of their feathers and scales.

Life cycle and reproduction

All laguz live longer than beorc. The dragon laguz are by far the most long lived, with the dragon king Deghinsea being well over one-thousand years old, being an adult and participating in the war against the dark god. According to the first volume of Tellius Recollection, Dragon laguz have an average lifespan of 1000, with each specific tribe varying by a handful of decades.[6]

Lion, cat, tiger, raven, and hawk laguz average out at around 200 years, give or take a few decades.[6] Lehran, a heron laguz, is at around two-thousand or so, being present for the first conflict with Yune, and also present for Ashunera's awakening in the epilogue in Radiant Dawn, which takes place one-thousand-two-hundred years afterwards.[7] However, Lehran's longevity seems to be unprecedented among herons, as their average lifespan is stated to be 300.[6]

Laguz appear to reproduce in a manner very similar to beorc, with mothers gestating their babies in long periods of pregnancy and eventually giving birth, rather than ways similar to animals. This was not always the case, however, as Janaff claims that hawk laguz, at least, once hatched from eggs.[8] Dragon laguz in particular, like their manakete counterparts in other games in the series, have difficulty reproducing and have extremely low birth rates: Kurthnaga was the last dragon to be born for centuries until the birth of Ena's and Rajaion's child.[9] The dragons also appear to have extremely long pregnancies, as Ena's child was born three years after Rajaion's demise and she had presumably been pregnant for years beforehand.

It is possible for beorc and laguz to reproduce with each other, although it is rare for such a couple to successfully conceive.[10] When they do so, the resulting child appears to be an ordinary beorc child but carries laguz blood which gives the potential for great power. This power manifests either immediately in the child or in one of their own descendants, creating a Branded. A Branded usually possesses a unique power depending on the tribe of their laguz parent/ancestor, but the Branded bloodline comes at a cost for the laguz parent, who completely loses their laguz powers.

Mixed relationships between laguz of different clans are not unheard of, and these relationships are able to result in offspring. While there are no known cases of, for instance, a beast pairing with a bird, there are known cases of couples composed of a heron and a raven, and a red dragon and a white dragon, resulting in children. The results differed in both cases: on one hand, the case of Ena, a red dragon with white dragon ancestry, resulted in a mixed dragon with physical traits from both clans, such as her pink coloring in her dragon form. On the other hand, the case of a raven and a heron resulted in the couple having one heron child and one raven child.

Powers

Skrimir, a lion laguz. His shifted lion state gives him immense physical strength.

The primary power shared by all laguz is their ability to shift between humanoid and animal forms. This ability depends on their health and stamina. Maintaining the beast form is inherently exhausting for laguz so, with very few exceptions, they are unable to remain in it for long, and after being shifted for a while they will have no choice but to revert and rest until they have the strength to shift again.[11] Injury and exhaustion will prevent them from being able to shift at all for the time being.[12]

One way around this limitation is the act of "halfshifting", or adopting a transitional beast form, through use of special items or skills. While halfshifting leaves a laguz weaker than they would be had they shifted properly, doing so allows them to remain shifted for as long as they like with no restrictions.[11] Laguz are also able to replenish their strength by consuming herbs or other items such as Olivi Grass or Laguz Stones. Laguz monarchs are uniquely able to remain shifted permanently without weakening themselves at all.

Different laguz clans tend to have different abilities from each other. The majority are gifted with great physical strength, with the average laguz being stronger than the average beorc, while some specialize in high speeds or defensive aptitude. Two laguz clans, the herons and the white dragons, are gifted in magic-related powers instead: the white dragons' magic powers are offensive through their breath attacks, while the herons use their magic to cast non-violent galdrar.

Laguz are inherently more affected by chaotic energies than beorc. High levels of chaos in battle will cause laguz to lose control and fight wildly without thought or restraint.[13] The dragon tribe in particular is extremely susceptible to this, made even more dangerous by their immense power.[14]

All laguz clans innately possess some ability to sense the presence of others of their kind. Its strength varies greatly depending on individual clans: tigers, lions, hawks, and ravens have a relatively weak grasp of this ability, cats have an adequate aptitude for it, herons have a greatly developed ability, and all dragon clans have the strongest sense ability of all laguz.[15]

Relationship with the beorc

You knew no other name for us? Are we really so little to you, human? You, who forced us into slavery? How easily you forget. But we laguz! We remember. We remember how we have suffered at your hands. The king can say whatever he likes, I will not trust you. I warn you now...never speak to me in such a way!
— Lethe

The racial conflict between laguz and beorc is technically older than the laguz and beorc themselves, arising back when both were still the Zunanma. When the Zunanma evolved and began to separate into unique races, wars broke out on racial lines with each clan seeking to assert their superiority over the others, and the division of the two between the "laguz" and "beorc" labels was an attempt by Ashunera to try and stop the battle by separating the factions which backfired significantly.[16] The endless conflicts between laguz and beorc was the cause of the Great Flood, and although in its aftermath representatives of all races pledged to Ashera that they would pursue peace, this promise barely lasted two centuries.

At first both beorc and laguz lived together as equals in Begnion, with the exception of the isolationist dragon laguz, but over the years bigotry formed among the beorc toward the laguz, and the beorc slowly moved to consolidate absolute power over Begnion. Within two centuries, the Begnion senate declared that only beorc had the right to rule Begnion and established that the laguz were sub-human, and before long many laguz were captured and subjected to slavery under human masters. After 200 years of slavery, laguz began to escape beorc captivity and fled Begnion to find lands to call their own outside beorc control. The beast tribe was the first to succeed at this with the formation of Gallia in the western woodlands.[17] The hawks and ravens fled to the southern islets and formed Phoenicis after being inspired by the example of the beast tribe. Beorc society itself began to experience schisms over the laguz issue, with both Crimea and Daein being founded in response to changing attitudes about laguz – the Crimeans seceded over a wish to find peace with the laguz during a period of high anti-laguz sentiment, while Daein seceded when the Begnion view became more pro-laguz out of a wish to continue to practice bigotry against laguz.[18]

Sentiment in beorc nations

The Serenes Massacre was a catastrophic result of anti-laguz sentiment in beorc societies.

Even after all was said and done and the four new laguz nations – Gallia, Phoenicis, Kilvas, and Serenes – were formed, the situation in Begnion did not improve. Laguz slavery continued to be practiced, even after it was outlawed by Apostle Misaha's Laguz Emancipation Act, and popular attitudes still maintained casual bigotry toward laguz with the slur "sub-human" remaining frequently used. When the likes of Misaha and Sanaki tried to work toward establishing equality for laguz, the Begnion senate tried to undercut them at every turn and maintained laguz slave trafficking after the emancipation decree. Anti-laguz sentiment was famously used by the senate after the assassination of Misaha, as when they blamed the assassination on the heron clan, the people of Begnion readily reverted to angry anti-laguz rhetoric and committed a genocidal act against the herons.

Daein, as a country founded on anti-laguz sentiment, played on this very heavily for most of its existence. Anti-laguz viewpoints were deeply ingrained into education in Daein schools, teaching that all "sub-humans" must be destroyed, and anti-laguz violence was an active part of Daein military service in the form of "sub-human hunts", where the army would find laguz refugees from Begnion hiding in Daein's mountains and forests and murder them.[19] When Daein joined the war with the Laguz Alliance, the army established large bounties for every laguz "hunted" in the course of the war, even though a laguz served in the army.[20] Daein is notorious as the nation responsible for the creation of Feral Ones, a process devised to strip laguz of their humanity and reduce them to tools to be used by Daein to wage its wars.

Even in Crimea, a nation explicitly founded to seek friendship with the laguz, issues arose. For all the pro-laguz rhetoric of the ruling class of Crimea, it never really carred over into the citizens.[21] While the reign of Ramon, Elincia's father, ensured some improvements in Crimean relations with the laguz, citizens of rural towns were still readily swept away by hatred toward laguz at the sight of one and readily believed rumors that Ramon's attempts to build peace with the laguz was the cause of Daein's invasion.[22] Relations were improved again after the Mad King's War, when Gallia provided significant assistance in reconstructing Crimea, but it was evident that the bigotry would still take a very long time to go away completely.[23]

Sentiment in laguz societies

For their part, attitudes toward beorc in laguz societies were far from positive as a result of the centuries of abuses, and a laguz who would truly trust any and all beorc was rare. Laguz societies adopted the term "human" as a slur word for beorc, meant in much the same way as the beorc slur "sub-human".[24]

Gallia, as the closest laguz nation to beorc territory, experienced strong anti-beorc sentiment at the time of the Mad King's War's beginning despite their official alliance with Crimea, an alliance which their citizens respected just as little as Crimea's.[25] At best, some Gallian laguz were instinctively nervous and easily startled around even known friendly beorc.[26] Almost all members of the Gallian army were opposed to the idea of personally travelling with a beorc army, save for Lethe (herself not at all fond of beorc) and Mordecai.[27] Some Gallians came up with methods which would supposedly ward away encountered beorc such as pretending to be dead.[28]

The nations of the bird tribes, Phoenicis and Kilvas, adopted extreme anti-beorc attitudes as a response to the Serenes Massacre and the near-extinction of their heron brethren. Tibarn of Phoenicis refused all dealings with beorc and began to actively pirate from Begnion trading ships in protest.[29] Although Naesala of Kilvas agreed in principle, he was willing to continue his shady dealings with beorc if it meant advancing Kilvas's survival.

Laguz relations with beorc nations first began to mend during the Mad King's War through the actions of Ike of the Greil Mercenaries. His defense of Leanne and Reyson from Oliver earned him the trust of Tibarn and later allowed him to unite warriors from Gallia, Kilvas, and Phoenicis under the cause of defeating Daein and freeing Crimea. However, despite these advances, the three laguz nations as the Laguz Alliance declared war on Begnion three years later once they learned of the Begnion senate's role in the Serenes Massacre, although the improved diplomatic state convinced them that known trustworthy members of the Begnion government, such as Sanaki, were not involved. Late in the war, the Laguz Alliance formed a deal with Sanaki and Elincia to assist in defeating the senate in exchange for instituting a clean slate for beorc-laguz relations and putting a permanent end to beorc abuses of laguz.[30]

Treatment of the Branded

Among the laguz, there are those who detest and revile half-breeds such as yourself. They call you "parentless," and deny you any laguz heritage, honor, or dignity. Take due care.
— Muarim

Although the Branded are already treated very poorly by beorc societies, laguz societies tend to treat them far worse. Branded are commonly known as "parentless", a term which rejects that Branded are related to laguz at all, and in Gallia a legend tells that a century of destruction will follow the birth of a Branded.[31] Whether they realize it or not, all laguz can identify a Branded by an instinctive feeling of discomfort and fear around them, though not all laguz realize that the Branded element is what they are sensing.[32][33]

Laguz refuse to interact with or even acknowledge a known Branded, instead pointedly ignoring them and pretending they simply do not exist under ordinary circumstances.[32] The Branded are actively persecuted by laguz in the regions where they hold power and are hunted and executed in honor killings.[34] The poor treatment of Branded by laguz led many Branded, notoriously including Soren, to be actively hateful toward laguz.[31]

Flavor text

Game Text
(English)
Text
(Japanese)
Radiant Dawn
Beings known as the Children of
Strength. They are divided into
three tribes: beast, bird, and
dragon. They transform into their
animal forms during combat to
fully utilize their physical
prowess.
【力の民】とも呼ばれ、大きく
獣牙族・鳥翼族・竜鱗族の
3種に分けられる。
戦闘時には "化身" し
己の有する能力を最大限に引き出す。

Etymology and other languages

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

Laguz

From *laguz, a Proto-Germanic word that can mean "water", "sea", or "ocean". Laguz is also the reconstructed Proto-Germanic name of the rune character ᛚ, which represented the "L" sound.

Japanese

ラグズ

Officially romanized as Laguz.

Spanish

Laguz

As above.

French

Laguz

As above.

German

Laguz

As above.

Italian

Laguz

As above.

Portuguese

Laguz

Mentioned in Heroes.

Korean

라구즈

Laguz; first used in the trophy description of Ike in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Traditional Chinese

拉古茲

Laguz; mentioned in Heroes.

Gallery

References

  1. Radiant Dawn narrator
  2. "Ulki: Our king...does nothing special. Everyone just does what's needed. There is no chaos.
    Ike: He's really trusted, isn't he?
    Ulki: That's...natural. In laguz society, the strongest become king. Unlike the beorc, kingship is not tied to blood, so we have no weak kings. I'm sorry... Perhaps that was improper.
    " — Ulki and Ike, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  3. "The hawk tribe and the raven tribe used to live together in Phoenicis. Our tribes were like brothers!" — Tibarn, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  4. "Tibarn was chosen as the first king of the unified bird clans, and brought them great respect from the other nations." — Ending, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  5. "Civilian: What's wrong, my lord sage? You don't look well. Are you feeling all right?
    Lehran: Ungh!
    Civilian: GWAAAAAAHHHH! Wings! From the sage's back! Wings... He's one of them! He's a monster!
    " — A civilian and Lehran, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Microwaveit, Tellius Recollection (PoR) Translation Project - Comparison between Beorc and Laguz Lifespans, Reddit, Published: 3 August, 2016, Retrieved: 3 August, 2016
  7. "Ashunera: How long has it been? A hundred years? Five hundred?
    Lehran: About twelve hundred years.
    " — Lehran and Ashunera, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  8. "Janaff: There are some weaklings back home that I don't even want to call hawks. I'd love to stick 'em back in their eggs and start over from scratch.
    Ike: Hey, you hatch from eggs?! Eh?
    Janaff: I was speaking figuratively. You know? Like...a metaphor? We haven't hatched from eggs for many generations now. Silly beorc... All right, I'm outta here. I gotta warm up the ol' wings before battle, or who knows what might happen.
    Ike: I figured that egg thing was a joke, but I had no idea it ever really happened...Bird tribes... Go figure.
    " — Janaff and Ike, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  9. "Ena returned home and gave birth to her lost fiance's child. Goldoa rejoiced at the first dragon birth in centuries." — Ena's ending, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  10. "Even so, the taboo was broken several times over the next few decades. Usually no child was conceived, but when there was, it was swiftly covered up. The parents soon learned what it meant to bear a child who possessed both laguz and beorc blood." — Nasir, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Nailah: As you know, we laguz fight only in our shifted forms. However, we can't remain in that state for very long. It is too exhausting. Volug, however, has halfshifted. When he does this, he can remain in beast form all day long.
    Micaiah: Queen Nailah, I appreciate you help–
    Nailah: He is not as strong in this transitional form. Even so, he is still more than a match for any beorc.
    " — Nailah and Micaiah, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  12. "Skrimir: How are the injured holding up?
    Ranulf: They're exhausted. Some are so bad off they can't even get up the energy to transform. The unwounded soldiers have been taking turns carrying the injured.
    " — Skrimir and Ranulf, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  13. "Ike! We have a problem! A big problem. All this battlefield chaos is starting to really affect the laguz. They're on the verge of losing control. I can't stop them, Ike! If they find Micaiah, they're going to tear her apart. I guarantee it." — Ranulf, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  14. "Nasir: Ashnard needed Goldoa to get involved in his war. That's why he did everything in his power to provoke King Dheginsea. Most of you have never fought in a war, but even more than other laguz, the dragon tribe loses control once they taste battle.
    Kurthnaga: Oh...
    Nasir: Near the end of the war, we found out that Prince Rajaion could not be saved. I thought the king would surely go on a rampage. At the time, we had no idea that Lady Almedha was still alive. The king thought he'd lost not only dragon soldiers but also his children.
    Ena: ...
    Nasir: If the war had ended any later... Had Ike not killed Ashnard... Goldoa would have joined the war. And we would have started killing. We would have destroyed the Daein army, its coconspirators, everyone. We would not have stopped until the continent was ashes. Then the spirit of chaos would have spread across Tellius, awakening the goddess and destroying the dragon tribe. That was the danger we faced in the Mad King's War.
    " — Nasir, Kurthnaga, and Ena, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  15. "Reyson: It's not your fault. Please don't apologize. I know Leanne is alive. These battlefields are filled with chaotic energy, but I can still sense her...It's faint, but I know it's Leanne.
    Tibarn: Which is all the more reason for us to hurry. There may be other ways to finish this, but crushing Daein is the surest.
    Reyson: Agreed.
    Ike: Reyson, is this mysterious power that you use to sense Leanne something only herons possess?
    Tibarn: It's not something any of the hawk clans have! That is a certainty!
    Reyson: That's not true, Tibarn. The power may differ in potency between us, but all laguz possess it to some degree.
    Tibarn: Ah, so it's just that my sense isn't developed, is that it?
    Reyson: The power is distributed something like this...Among the bird tribes, it's very strong in the heron clan. Among the beast tribes, I've heard it's most developed in the cat clan, though not as strongly as in the herons. As for the dragon tribes... It's said they may be equal to, or even surpass, the strength of the herons.
    " — Reyson, Tibarn, and Ike, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  16. "The Zunanma continued to evolve and change, giving rise to a variety of races and tribes across the land. Naturally, each of the races thought their own was superior to the others, and conflict arose between them. The goddess tried to make peace among her people, but nothing could stop the warring Zunanma. Trying to separate the factions, the goddess gave them different names, laguz and beorc... But this only intensified their conflict." — Yune, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  17. "Lethe: ...Are you serious? I take it humans aren't interested in passing history down to their children... ...Typical. All right... Centuries ago, when Begnion was still a monarchy, the only countries were Begnion and Goldoa. Goldoa was as it is today: a reclusive nation inhabited only by dragon tribes. All the other laguz lived in Begnion with the humans.
    Jill: Humans and sub-humans used to live together in Begnion?! I had no idea...
    Lethe: A human was named as the first king, although the laguz's superior strength led us to rule more often than not. Despite the harmony that most felt about this arrangement, the senators wanted nothing to do with it. In the name of the "apostle," they claimed that only a human could be the true ruler of Begnion...and started a civil war. Like blind, mewling kittens, the laguz kings underestimated the situation... We never had a chance. Caught by surprise, my brothers suffered defeat after defeat in the face of superior human weapons and magic. ...That was the start of long, dark days... The start of laguz slavery.
    Jill: ...
    Lethe: After nearly 200 years, a small number of enslaved laguz managed to escape their human captors in Begnion. The beast tribes fled to the mountains and unexplored forest areas–places where humans were loathe to tread. The bird tribes, on the other hand, escaped to the distant southern islands. This is how our laguz kingdoms began. It took another eighty years, and the blood of many brother laguz, until we were formally recognized as nations. This is why we fight. Why we hate. Humans don't want former slaves to have countries and be treated as equals. Laguz carry the shame of the past deep in their hearts, and struggle still for the freedom that you take for granted. This is the true history of Tellius... No wonder humans would bury it.
    " — Lethe and Jill, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  18. Timeline of Tellius
  19. "Do you know the first thing we're taught in Daein schools? Sub-humans are evil. Sub-humans are the enemy. Sub-humans must be eradicated. The army stages periodic sub-human hunts. We'd find refugees from Begnion hiding in our mountains and forests..." — Jill, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  20. "Micaiah: Well, with a few exceptions, the soldiers are excited about hunting down the laguz... They've been promised a large bounty for each one they kill. It's certainly raised morale.
    Sothe: Listen to yourself! Laguz hunting?! That's just great. We've gone from being freedom fighters to bigots in the blink of an eye. I can't believe you'd go along with such a murderous plan.
    " — Micaiah and Sothe, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  21. "Ike: But I thought Crimea and Gallia were allied nations. Why would a wandering laguz be cause for concern?
    Ranulf: Well, it shouldn't be, but...
    Titania: Do you remember what King Caineghis told you? The friendship between Crimea and Gallia exists only between the ruling classes. It hasn't taken root in the minds of the common citizenry at all.
    Ranulf: That being said, things have improved quite a bit since King Ramon ascended to the throne. The reports of hunts and such other horrors have all but disappeared...
    " — Ike, Ranulf, and Titania, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  22. "Ike: Are you mad?! Your king was murdered by Daein! And now you're going to cooperate with them?
    Man: Well, um...
    Youth: I heard the king was teamin' up with those sub-humans! That's what got him killed!
    Lady: Yeah! That's right! If we need allies, I'll take flesh-and-blood Daein humans over some fanged sub-human freak!
    " — Ike and three citizens of Toha, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  23. "Man: Hey, did you hear? The Imperial Army is requesting Crimea's assistance.
    Youth: Yeah, I heard! I also heard that the messenger treated our queen with no respect at all! Who do they think they are!?
    Lady: Shhh! Not so loud! Begnion is ruled by the apostle. They helped us when Daein invaded. It's only right that we pay back the favor by coming to their aid.
    Man: But Begnion is fighting the beast tribes of Gallia. Why would we fight Gallia? The beast tribes helped us rebuild Crimea.
    Youth (2): That's true, but come on! Think about it. Who would you rather side with? A land of beorc, or the land of sub... laguz? The answer's as plain as day. We side with the beorc.
    Man: Hmm... You have a point.
    Youth: I'd choose Gallia over Begnion.
    Lady: Really?
    Youth (2): But why?
    Youth: The people of Gallia helped us rebuild the village, even though we're beorc. They even repaired the road to the farm that's up on the mountain. That wasn't an easy job, either.
    Lady: Yes, I remember. What was his name... Mordecai? He was strong, yet very kind. He looked frightening at first, but the children in the village loved to play with him. He was a wonderful man.
    Man: If the queen decides to answer Begnion's request for troops, we'd have to fight Gallia. How terrible would that be?
    Youth (2): That's war, isn't it?
    Man: Yes. I suppose it is, at that.
    Lady: Hmm.
    Youth (2): I wish we didn't have to fight anyone at all.
    " — Four Crimean villagers, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  24. "Ranulf: Well, aren't you the dutiful one! Hey, that reminds me...you were born here in Gallia, right? I knew there was something odd about you. You're awfully friendly for a beorc, you know! Oh, you might not know, but a beorc is what--
    Ike: I know what it means. It's what you call us humans, right?
    Ranulf: Oh, knew that, did you? Well then, let me tell you something else. When we use the word "human," we mean it much the way you beorc do when you call us "sub-human."
    Ike: Really? It's an insult to be called human? I'm glad you told me. I would never have guessed.
    Ranulf: I should warn you, if you run across any laguz who call you that, be careful. They are no friend of yours.
    " — Ranulf and Ike, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  25. "Caineghis: Gallia and Crimea are allied nations, that cannot be denied. However, this alliance in reality binds only the royal families. It is not respected by our citizenry.
    Titania: The people of Gallia are seldom seen in Crimea, are they? Even though our nations are friends, the people of Crimea have little real understanding of the laguz. Many of our people still use that undignified name, sub-human, when they speak of the laguz...
    Elincia: ...My father's heart was filled with shame and sorrow over what you describe. More than any king in our history, he wanted to deepen relations between our people, and then...
    Caineghis: Perhaps that is why Daein targeted him. Their hatred of the laguz is well known.
    Ike: Could it be...?
    Caineghis: In my heart of hearts, I would like to take guardianship of Princess Elincia and assist in the rebuilding of Crimea. However, anti-beorc sentiment is running high here in Gallia. If we were to offer safe harbor to Elincia, I feel many of our elder statesmen would protest. They would say that we are giving Daein an ideal excuse to attack.
    " — Caineghis, Titania, Elincia, and Ike, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  26. "Soldier: It's this way. Follow me. Hey! Not so close! Walk behind me.
    Ike: What?
    Soldier: Er... Pardon me. The king has ordered us to treat beorc with kindness, but... It will...take some time. It is difficult to fight that instinct. Perhaps some memory of the slavery our forefathers suffered at beorc hands flows in our blood.
    Ike: I understand. I'll keep my distance.
    " — A Gallian tiger and Ike, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  27. "None of the others could stand the idea of traveling with humans. I myself tremble with loathing at the thought of going to Begnion, but...When the king gives an order,obedience is the only option." — Lethe, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  28. "Villager: Eeeek! Hu-hu-humans! Yaaaaah!
    Playable unit: Um...
    Villager: Urk! Urk! Ahhh...Oh, come on! You are so rude! If you can't tell, I'm playing dead. So go away! Huh? Why? Because my mother told me, "If you ever meet a beorc, play dead, and it will leave you be." It's not true, is it? Hsss! I knew it wasn't true! I knew it! Well then, take this, and get out of here! Quickly! I HATE humans! I don't want to talk to you! Hsss! SHOO!!
    " — A Gallian cat and any member of the Greil Mercenaries, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  29. "Deghinsea: And you, too, King Phoenicis. What good will your piracy do you if it earns the wrath of Begnion? Continue at this pace, and there's no telling when the hostilities will end.
    Tibarn: Until the people of Begnion apologize for the slaughter of our brother herons, I will do no such thing.
    Deghinsea: Prince Reyson of Serenes? Are you of the same mind?
    Reyson: Those humans burned Serenes Forest and killed my people. No amount of human blood can slake my thirst for vengeance. For my siblings, for my countrymen, I demand justice. I cannot even return mybedridden father to our forest home! I am no soldier. I know nothing of war, so King Phoenicis acts in my stead. I am most grateful to him, and I would not see him stop until Begnion has paid.
    " — Deghinsea, Tibarn, and Reyson, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  30. "I will accept, if you agree to a few conditions. First, the immediate and total emancipation of any laguz remaining in slavery. Second, that new diplomatic relations between our peoples start with a clean slate no bias against beorc or laguz shall be tolerated. Lastly, a full alliance between our countries, to further solidify this agreement. If you agree to these terms, I give my support. I hope that at long last the dream that both King Ramon and I held can come to fruition." — Caineghis, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  31. 31.0 31.1 "Stefan: You don't need to talk to me if you're afraid. Now that you know what I am, I make you uncomfortable, don't I?
    Mordecai: I am unsure. A legend in Gallia speaks of the parentless. They are bad omens. When a parentless one comes into being, a century of destruction follows...
    Stefan: Yes, that's it. The laguz do call us that. "Parentless," as if to deny our heritage. As if to deny that we are their kin. That's how the laguz treat us–as if we should never have been born. The beorc may tremble when they see the brands we bear, but at least they do not deny that we share blood. That is why so many of the Branded hate the laguz–because they have rejected our very existence.
    " — Stefan and Mordecai, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
  32. 32.0 32.1 "Stefan: The laguz blood gives the Branded unnatural powers. Beorc fear and distrust us because they can't understand those abilities. The laguz are even worse. They treat us like we're phantoms, refusing to acknowledge us, as if we don't even exist.
    Yune: I see...
    Stefan: It's easy to hide among beorcs. You just cover the brand, avoid getting close to anyone, and never settle down. Pretending you're normal. The laguz are different. They can sense what we are... They have an instinct for it. Not all laguz know for sure, but the sharp ones figure it out instantly. Others just feel uneasy around us. Some never figure it out, but they're surrounded by ones who do. Either way, the laguz would never talk to us voluntarily. Why would you pay attention to someone who doesn't even exist?
    " — Stefan and Yune, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  33. "Micaiah: Hello, Vika. Can I help you?
    Vika: Meep!
    Micaiah: Vika!
    Vika: ...
    Micaiah: You always run away from me... Did I do something to offend you?
    Vika: No, I'm so sorry. I can't explain why this happens. I get so jumpy around you. There's just... something about you.
    Micaiah: Oh...
    Vika: Oh, but please don't be sad! It's not you. It's me. I get... confused... sometimes. I really admire you, and then I get a bizarre feeling, and...
    Micaiah: It's all right. Sorry to bother you.
    Vika: ...No. Wait.
    Micaiah: Hm?
    Vika: I want to overcome this. I don't like that I feel I must avoid you for some inexplicable reason.
    Micaiah: But...
    Vika: I know how painful it is to be... feared. I'm really, really sorry. Let's be friends, OK? If you can forgive me, that is...
    " — Vika and Micaiah, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
  34. "Most Branded chose to hide, living outside of ordinary society, and they disappeared into the shadows of history. Rumors had already begun to spread across Begnion, however. The Branded were shunned and cast out wherever they lived. Where the laguz held power, they persecuted the Branded and executed them in honor killings." — Gareth, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

See also

Races and animals of the Fire Emblem series
Major species BeorcBrandedDragon (ManaketeDivine DragonEarth DragonFell DragonFire DragonFirst DragonIce DragonWar DragonWyvern) • EmblemGodHumanKitsuneLaguz (Black DragonCatHawkHeronLionRavenRed DragonTigerWhite DragonWolf) • MirageMorphNabateanTaguelWolfskinZunanma
Animals and other species CorruptedFabricationGriffinHorseIllusionKinshiMonsterPegasusPhantomRisenWolf
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Playable characters AstridBastianBoydBromCalillDevdanElinciaEnaGatrieGiffcaGeoffreyHaarIkeIlyanaJanaffJillKieranLargoLetheLuciaMakalovMarciaMiaMistMordecaiMuarimNaesalaNasirNepheneeOscarRanulfReysonRhysRolfShinonSorenSotheStefanTanithTauroneoTibarnTitaniaTormodUlkiVolkeZihark
Trial Map characters AshnardBryceOliverPetrineShiharam
Non-playable characters AimeeCaineghisDanielDeghinseaGarethGreilHetzelIzukaJorgeKurthnagaLeanneLekainLotzMustonNealuchiRajaionSanakiSephiranSigrunZelgius
Bosses AshnardBalmerBertramBlack KnightBoydBryceDakovaDanomillEmilEnaGashilamaGreilGromellHafeddHavettiHeddwynHomasaIkanauKamuraKasataiKayacheyKimaarsiKotaffMackoyaMaijinMuarimNaesalaNedataNorrisOliverPetrineRikardSchaefferSeekerShiharamTomenamiZawana
Background characters AltinaAsheraElenaLilliaLoraziehRamonRenning
Regalia and personal weapons AlonditeAmitiAshera StaffDouble BowGurgurantRagnellRegal SwordRexauraRexboltRexcaliburRexflameRolf's BowUrvanVague KattiWishblade
Chapters P: Mercenaries • 1: The Battle Begins • 2: Rescue • 3: Pirates Aground • 4: Roadside Battle • 5: Flight! • 6: A Brief Diversion • 7: Shades of Evil • 8: Despair and Hope • 9: Gallia • 10: Prisoner Release • 11: Blood Runs Red • 12: A Strange Land • 13: A Guiding Wind • 14: Training • 15: The Feral Frontier • 16: The Atonement • 17: Day Breaks (stage 1stage 2stage 3stage 4) • 18: Crimea Marches • 19: Entrusted • 20: Defending Talrega • 21: Without a King • 22: Solo • 23: The Great Bridge • 24: Battle Reunion • 25: Strange Lands • 26: Clash! • 27: Moment of Fate (stage 1stage 2) • 28: Twisted TowerE: Repatriation
Trial Maps Hillside BattleLonely IsleStrange TurnDesperationEscapeTrapped
Locations TelliusBegnion (SienneTower of Guidance) • CrimeaDaein (NevassaTalrega) • GalliaGoldoaGrann DesertGritnea TowerKilvasPhoenicisSerenes Forest
Groups, objects and events Ancient languageGreat FloodGreil MercenariesLehran's MedallionMad King's War • Races (BeorcBrandedLaguz) • Serenes MassacreWarp Powder
Lists Base conversationsChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSkillsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Data transferList of version differences (Name chart) • Other games (Radiant Dawn) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound RoomTimeline
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Playable characters Part I AranBlack KnightEdwardFionaIlyanaJillLauraLeonardoMegMicaiahMuarimNailahNolanRafielSotheTauroneoTormodVikaVolugZihark
Part II AstridBromCalillDanvedElinciaGeoffreyHaarHeatherKieranLeanneLetheLuciaMakalovMarciaMordecaiNealuchiNephenee
Part III BoydGatrieIkeJanaffKyzaLyreMiaMistOscarRanulfReysonRhysRolfShinonSigrunSorenTanithTitaniaUlki
Part IV BastianCaineghisEnaGarethGiffcaKurthnagaLehranNaesalaNasirOliverPelleasRenningSanakiSkrimirStefanTibarnVolke
Non-playable characters AimeeAlderAlmedhaAmyAshuneraDanielJorgeLargoMustonNicoYuneZelgius
Bosses Part I AgonyBurtonDjurIsaiyaJarodLavertonPainPugoRadminWystanZaitan
Part II LudveckMarajTashoriaYeardleyZeffren
Part III CallumGoranIkeIstvanLethe/KezhdaLombrosoMicaiahRoarkRommitSeptimusSergeiSigrunSilvanoVeyona
Part IV AsheraBlack KnightCatalenaDheginseaHetzelIzukaLekainLevailNumidaOliverSephiranValtomeYuma
Background characters AltinaElenaGreilLanvegaLilliaLoraziehMisahaRajaionRamonSoan
Regalia and personal weapons AlonditeAmitiAshera StaffBalberithBaselardCaladbolgCreiddyladCymbelineDouble BowEttardFloreteLughnasadhMatronaRagnellRexauraRexboltRexcaliburRexflameTarvosThaniUrvanVague KattiWishblade
Chapters Part I P: Under Gray Skies • 1: Maiden of Miracles • 2: The Dispossessed • 3: A Faint Light • 4: A Distant Voice • 5: The Lost Heir • 6: Raise the Standard (stage 1stage 2) • 7: A Gathering Hope • 8: Glory Unwanted • 9: One SurvivesE: Daein, Arise!
Part II P: On Drifting Clouds • 1: Winds of Rebellion • 2: Tides of Intrigue • 3: Geoffrey's ChargeE: Elincia's Gambit
Part III P: The Great Advance • 1: Laguz and Beorc • 2: Stormclouds • 3: River Crossing • 4: The General's Hand • 5: Retreat! • 6: A Reason to Fight • 7: Rivals Collide • 8: Incandescent Glow • 9: Marauders • 10: The Heart of Crimea • 11: Just Cause • 12: The Price • 13: Blood ContractE: From Pain, Awakening
Part IV P: Chaos Named • 1: Road to the Empire • 2: Silent World • 3: Distortions • 4: Revelations • 5: Unforgivable SinE: Rebirth (1)E: Rebirth (2)E: Rebirth (3)E: Rebirth (4)E: Rebirth (5)
Locations TelliusBegnion (SienneTower of Guidance) • CrimeaDaeinDesert of DeathGalliaGoldoaGrann DesertHatariKilvasPhoenicisSerenes Forest
Groups, objects and events Ancient languageBlood pactDawn BrigadeDisciples of OrderGreat FloodGreil MercenariesLaguz AllianceLehran's MedallionMad King's War • Races (BeorcBrandedLaguzZunanma) • Serenes MassacreWarp Powder
Lists Base conversationsChaptersCharacters (Availability chart) • Classes (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSkillsWeapons
Related topics Data transferList of version differences (Name chart) • Other games (Path of Radiance) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound RoomTimeline