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Branded

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.

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

Physical appearance

Branded are generally very similar in appearance to beorc. In fact, they don't 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 or a raven. Many branded cover up their marks with pieces of clothing, if they are able, to try and conceal their heritage.

In addition, Branded age slower than normal beorc. This is less noticeable during childhood, but eventually, the difference in age becomes quite apparent. The rate slows differently depending on the type of laguz blood the person has. Branded with dragon ancestors, for example, age much slower than Branded with any other type of blood.

Behavior

Because of all the persecution Branded face, many live reclusive or nomadic lives. They hide among the beorc, covering their brands and not getting close to anyone. It's nearly impossible for Branded to live with laguz, because the laguz have a certain instinct for identifying them. Some laguz can sense Branded more easily than others, and the ones that can't quickly catch on. The laguz then treat the Branded as if they don't exist, referring to them as "parentless", and denying that laguz blood flows in their veins.

Branded also have a knack for identifying each other, as does Yune (and presumably Ashera). Stefan very easily identifies Soren as Branded, and Soren and Micaiah recognize each other's heritage. Yune identifies all three as something she's never seen before, at first thinking Micaiah was the only one in existence.

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.

List of Branded characters

Gallery