Branded

The Branded are a hybrid race of Laguz and Beorc featured in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. They often carry special powers that result from the mating of the two races. They are an oppressed race; both of the other races shun them as unacceptables, abominations. For this reason, many branded attempt to hide their heritage, pretending to be normal Beorc.

History

The first branded in history was the child of Altina, first empress of Begnion, and Lehran, her heron advisor and husband. 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. Not long after the child's birth, it became apparent that Lehran had lost his laguz ability to transform and sing galdrar. 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. 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. Lehran went to Goldoa and lived in secret with Dheginsea, while Altina found a new, beorc husband, and with him raised the child as if it was theirs.

From then on, unions between laguz and beorc became known as "crimes against the goddess". Still, there were couples that did mate, and pregnancies occasionally resulted. However, these were quickly covered up once the parents learned of the consequences. The child was raised by the beorc parent, and everything was assumed to be normal.

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 Sprit Charmers. 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, 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. They were marked unclean beings, doomed to a life of hatred and oppression.

At some point in time, and 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. Soren denies the offer, preferring to stay with Ike. After the events of Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Stefan's settlement grows larger, eventually becoming its own nation.

Characteristics

File:Micaiah's mark.png

Micaiah showing her mark

Branded are generally very similar in appearance to Beorc. The most obvious trait of a branded is the mark they bear on their skin, the placement of which differs between individuals. Many branded cover up their marks with pieces of clothing, if they are able to. Branded also age slower than Beorc, so they have to travel every so often in order to remain undetected. Branded also have a knack for identifying each other, as do Laguz.

List of Branded characters

• Micaiah - A heron branded, descended from Lehran and Altina
• Soren - A black dragon branded, son of Ashnard and Almedha
• Stefan - Most likely a lion branded, descended from Soan
• Petrine
• Zelgius - Possible raven branded
• Misaha - A heron branded, descended from Lehran and Altina
• Amy

Gallery

• Zelgius' mark.png

  Zelgius with his mark visible