Branded: Difference between revisions

 

The '''Branded''' (Japanese: {{hover|印付き|Shirushi-tsuki}} ''Marked Ones'') are a race present in {{FE9}} and {{FE10}}. They are the result of breeding between [[laguz]] and [[beorc]],<ref>{{cite|You are one of the Branded. You are the child of beorc and laguz.|[[Mordecai]]|Path of Radiance}}</ref> and bear a mark signifying their heritage.<ref>{{cite|My proof is this mark upon my forehead|[[Stefan]]|Path of Radiance}}</ref> In both laguz and beorc societies in [[Tellius]], they are a stigmatized race, looked down upon by both as less than human owing to their mutual mythologies falsely claiming the sexual union of a laguz and beorc to be a crime against the goddess:<ref>{{Cite|'''Stefan:''' I would like to know that as well. It's said that a union between laguz and beorc is a crime against the goddess. That's what we've always been told.<br>'''Yune:''' That's silly. I've never heard anything of the sort.<br>

'''Stefan:''' ...Heh... Heheh... Hahahahaha...!<br>'''Yune:''' Why are you laughing?<br>'''Stefan:''' It's all been a lie! For hundreds of years, we've faced persecution, abuse, and isolation. And for what? A lie! What's not to laugh about, huh? Hahaha...<br>'''Yune:''' What's happened? This is all wrong... How did history get so distorted? Was it at a particular place and time? I don't understand. I've been asleep for too long...|[[Stefan]] and [[Yune]]|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> the beorc call them "Branded" in reference to their mark, while the laguz call them "parentless" and typically refuse to acknowledge them. According to laguz legend, when a parentless one comes into being, a century of destruction follows.<ref>{{cite|A legend in Gallia speaks of the parentless. They are bad omens. When a parentless one comes into being, a century of destruction follows...|Mordecai|Path of Radiance}}</ref>

The first branded in history was the child of [[Altina]], first empress of [[Begnion]], and [[Lehran]], her [[heron]] advisor and husband.<ref>{{cite|There had been other unions between beorc and laguz, but until Altina's pregnancy, no children had ever been conceived. Indeed, hers was the first child ever to be born of beorc and laguz.|[[Nasir]]|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> [[Dheginsea]] and [[Soan]], close friends of the lovers, celebrated the glorious pregnancy, thinking the child would be a symbol of peace between the two races, [[laguz]] and [[beorc]].<ref>{{cite|As close friends of both Altina and Lehran, both King Dheginsea and Soan rejoiced at the news. The child would be the first to carry the joined blood of both laguz and beorc. The king said that the baby would become a symbol of peace between the two peoples.|[[Gareth]]|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> Not long after the child's birth, it became apparent that [[Lehran]] had lost his laguz ability to transform and sing [[galdrar]].<ref>{{cite| Soon after the child was born, Lehran lost all the powers of the laguz. He could not transform any longer, nor could he sing galdrar.|Nasir|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> He recognized that this news would not go over well with the people of [[Tellius]], and went into hiding to find a solution to the problem.<ref>{{cite|Lehran was forced to make a very difficult decision to protect the peace between beorc and laguz. He decided to retreat into seclusion and consider the problem.|Nasir|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> When he emerged, he told Altina to tell the people he died in an accident, and that the birth of their child was a false rumor.<ref>{{cite|Lehran was forced to ask the  unthinkable of his wife, his aides, and close friends: "For the sake of Begnion, you must tell the people that I died in an accident. Tell them the birth was merely a false rumor."|Gareth|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> Lehran went to [[Goldoa]] and lived in secret with Dheginsea,<ref>{{cite|Lehran left the medallion to his tribe, moving to Goldoa under King Dheginsea's protection. He simply disappeared from history after that.|Nasir|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> while Altina found a new, beorc husband, and with him raised the child as if it was theirs.<ref>{{cite|Altina eventually welcomed a beorc husband. She raised the child she'd had with Lehran as though it were an ordinary beorc child, born of her new husband.|Gareth|Radiant Dawn}}</ref>

 

From then on, unions between laguz and beorc became known as "crimes against the [[Ashera|goddess]]."<ref>{{cite|Since then, marriages between laguz and beorc have been forbidden. It became known as a "crime against the goddess."|Gareth|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> Still, there were couples that did mate, and pregnancies occasionally resulted. However, these were quickly covered up once the parents learned of the consequences.<ref>{{cite|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|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> The child was raised by the beorc parent, and everything was assumed to be normal.<ref>{{cite|The child was to be raised by the beorc parent, and raised as a beorc child. That should have been enough to hide everything, end of story.|Gareth|Radiant Dawn}}</ref>

 

However, generations later, some descendants of these unions began to bear marks—reminders of their ancestor's sins. The marks happened to look a bit like those of [[Spirit Charmer]]s. The bearers of the marks then tried to cover themselves up by dabbling in the dark arts. In time, they found they aged much slower than other beorc,<ref>{{cite|It was several generations later that the certain descendants began to manifest physical marks which indicated their ancestors' sins. Fortunately, this mark looked very similar to the marks on those protected by spirits. They could pass as students of the dark arts for at least a few years. Unfortunately, the Branded lived much longer than beorc.|Nasir|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> and most chose to hide, living outside normal society. Rumors had spread though, and everywhere people started shunning the Branded—laguz even executed them in honor killings.<ref>{{cite|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|Radiant Dawn}}</ref> They were marked unclean beings, doomed to a life of hatred and oppression.

At some point in time, an independent settlement of branded was founded in the middle of the [[Grann Desert]]. [[Stefan]] resides there, and, in support conversations with [[Soren]] invites him to join the settlement and be with others like him.<ref>{{cite|Come down to the colony in Grann Desert. Others live there. Others like you. You know...the Branded.|Stefan|Path of Radiance}}</ref> Soren denies the offer, preferring to stay with [[Ike]]. After the events of {{title|Radiant Dawn}}, Stefan's settlement grows larger, eventually becoming its own nation.<ref>{{cite|Stefan gathered like-minded individuals to form a tiny, independent settlement which later became a great country.|Epilogue|Radiant Dawn}}</ref>

[[File:Ss fe10 micaiah's mark.png|thumb|left|[[Micaiah]]'s heron brand]]

Branded are generally very similar in appearance to [[beorc]]. In fact, they do not show any of the distinct characteristics of a laguz. The most obvious trait of a branded is the mark they bear on their skin, the placement of which differs among members of the race. For example, [[Micaiah]] and her grandmother [[Misaha]] both show their mark on their right hands, but [[Soren]] and [[Stefan]] refer to their marks as being on their foreheads, and [[Zelgius]]' brand can be seen on his back. The shape of the brand seems to differ depending on the tribe of the laguz ancestor. Micaiah and Misaha's brands are the same shape, indicating their [[heron]] ancestor, [[Lehran]]. Soren's is different, indicating his [[dragon]] heritage. Zelgius' mark appears to be different from the two previously mentioned, and probably indicates his laguz ancestor was either a [[Hawk (laguz)|hawk]] or a [[Raven (laguz)|raven]]. Many branded cover up their marks with pieces of clothing, if they are able, to try and conceal their heritage.  

===Extended lifespan===

 

 

 

 

Branded are known for having special powers that normal beorc don't have. This is typically affected by the type of laguz blood given by their ancestors. Beast tribe blood can contribute to strength, while bird tribe blood may contribute to speed, and heron blood to magical powers. Not much is known of these powers, other than they are the main factor contributing to Branded hatred among beorc.<ref>{{cite|The laguz blood gives the Branded unnatural powers. Beorc fear and distrust us because they can't understand those abilities.|Stefan|Radiant Dawn}}</ref>

 

==Notable Branded characters==

[[File:FERD Micaiah.png|80px|left]]

'''Micaiah''' is a [[heron]] branded, descended from [[Lehran]] and [[Altina]], and granddaughter of [[Misaha]]. She was assumed to have been killed by the heron clan along with her grandmother, but she actually survived, and ended up in [[Daein]]. Her branded heritage allows her to hear the voice of [[Yune]] and sing the galdr of release. It also gives her the power to sense what people are feeling, predict future events, and [[Sacrifice|heal]] people without staves. Her companion, [[Sothe]], advises her to keep these powers secret as they travel together, but her motivation to help people is too powerful, and she becomes famous for her abilities.

'''Soren''' is a [[Black Dragon|black dragon]] branded, son of [[Ashnard]] and [[Almedha]]. Ashnard thought that if his offspring was borne of dragon blood, he would be a powerful asset in helping him rule the world. However, when Soren was born without any dragon traits, Ashnard abandoned him. Soren was then raised by another woman for a while, then sold to a sage who assumed he was a [[Spirit Charmer]]. Eventually the sage died, and Soren wandered around [[Gallia]] until [[Ike]] found him and took him in. Soren's tactical genius is a result of his branded heritage.

[[File:FEPR Stefan.png|80px|left]]

'''Stefan''' is most likely a [[lion]] branded, as evidenced by his ending in {{title|Radiant Dawn}}, which refers to him as "Lion-blooded", as well as his Japanese name, ''Soanvalcke'', the first four letters of which are the same as the great lion hero, [[Soan]]. He lives in an independent colony in the [[Grann Desert]], gathering other branded people to live a life away from the judgement of the [[laguz]] and [[beorc]]. Having suffered under the burden of his blood, he harbors a hatred for most other creatures, mainly the people of [[Begnion]]. His branded heritage contributes to his skill with the sword.

[[File:FERD Zelgius.png|110px|left]]

'''Zelgius''' is revealed to be branded in one of [[Sephiran]]'s memory scenes at the end of {{title|Radiant Dawn}}. Zelgius entrusts him to Sephiran, vowing to serve him and showing him the brand on his back. Zelgius becomes a great general, and is eventually given command of the [[Begnion]] army. He is a man of many secrets, and reports only to Sephiran, regardless of what others may believe.  He is very reclusive, and lets no one get to know him, save Sephiran. His branded heritage contributes to his great strength and speed, even while wearing his heavy armor.

[[File:FEPR Petrine.png|80px|left]]

'''Petrine''' is revealed to be branded in a special boss conversation with [[Soren]]. She recognizes the mark on his forehead, and refers to herself as being the same; her own mark appears to be situated on the right side of her chest. Petrine serves as one of [[Daein]]'s [[Four Riders]], taking orders from King [[Ashnard]]. She has a very intense hatred of [[laguz]], out of spite for spoiling her blood and condemning her to a life of prejudice. Being in the Daein army, she has plenty of opportunities to seek revenge on them, and does so without hesitation. Being liked by none and feared by most, she is the perfect candidate for one of [[Ashnard]]'s generals.

{{main|Misaha}}

[[File:Ss fe10 misaha's mark.png|80px|left]]

'''Misaha''' is a [[heron]] branded, descended from [[Lehran]] and [[Altina]], and grandmother of [[Micaiah]] and [[Sanaki]]. Her heritage endowed her with the ability to hear the voice of the goddess. As Apostle of [[Begnion]], she was one of the most beloved rulers of her time. She was a strong woman, and had every intention of ruling her country justly, despite her competition: the power-hungry senate. In an effort to inform her people of the true nature of the Apostles, she decided to reveal her branded heritage to her people. In retaliation, the senate assassinated her, blaming the murder on the [[heron]] clan that gave Misaha her branded blood.

 

===Amy===

'''Amy''' is the adopted child of [[Calill]] and [[Largo (Path of Radiance)|Largo]]. She is revealed to be branded in a conversation between [[Stefan]] and [[Yune]]. Yune mentions "the little girl who stays by the [[Elincia|Queen]] of [[Crimea]]" (in reference to Amy) in a list of people with blood like Stefan's. Amy lived with her adoptive parents in their bar until [[Ashera]] cast her judgement upon [[Tellius]]. Amy was one of the few civilians who was not turned to stone, and was found by [[Geoffrey]] crying before her petrified father. She accompanied Geoffrey on their journey to the [[Tower of Guidance]], and was reunited with her mother on the way.

 

 

Ss fe10 zelgius's mark.png|[[Zelgius]]'s brand in {{title|Radiant Dawn}}.

Ss fe10 misaha's mark.png|[[Misaha]]'s heron brand in {{title|Radiant Dawn}}.

 

 

[[Category:Races]][[Category:Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance]][[Category:Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn]]