This chapter is fairly nonstandard; there are no enemies to be fought and it automatically ends after 5 turns have passed. The player is free to do whatever they wish with their units during the chapter; the main goal is to purchase supplies, be they weapons or items, from the nearby shops and armories.
In the group's final preparations for the confrontation with Nergal they opt to make several purchases of supplies in Ostia's castle town before meeting with Fargus in Badon to set sale to the Dread Isle. The group obtains 30,000 gold from Ostia's coffers with Hector's blessing after Oswin reminds Hector that they cannot completely empty Ostia's savings.
As the group disperses several idle topics of conversation come up, such as Ostia's historical philosophy on the ruling classes and the recent death of Marquess Uther.
After the allotted time passes the group sets out. If Hector's tale is being played there is an additional scene where Hector makes a quick return trip to the Ostian throne room to express some final thoughts on Uther's death; commenting on how small the empty throne looks.
(Hector's tale only) NPC, talk with Bartre. Bartre must be a level 5 warrior or higher and have a weapon equipped; they must both survive a single round of unscripted combat.
Available characters
Note: Although Nils's inventory can be managed during this chapter, he cannot be deployed due to the plot.
Note: Karla will only appear during Hector's tale, and only if Bartre is brought along and is a level 5 warrior or higher.
Strategy
This section details unofficial strategies that may help with completion of the chapter. This may not work for everybody.
There's no real strategy involved with this chapter—just buy what you need with the gold that you have. Feel free to use the arena for some easy exp and gold. Do remember that there will be a secret shop in the next chapter, so if you really want to buy an item offered later then don't spend all of your money here.
Trivia
Karla is arguably the most difficult character to recruit in the entire game. Despite this, she is widely considered to be inferior to her brother Karel, and is not a particularly impressive unit in general.
This is one of only three chapters in the Fire Emblem series where the player can engage green NPC units in combat, the others being Open Fire and Leonster's Gate, both from Fire Emblem: Thracia 776.
This is the only chapter in the game to lack a boss.
Etymology and other languages
Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language
Name
Definition, etymology, and notes
English
Battle Preparations
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German
Bereit zum Kampf
Ready for Battle
Gallery
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