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Cornelia (backstory character)

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
Revision as of 05:47, 4 July 2020 by Blackress (talk | contribs) (A recent text datamine revealed Cornelia (maybe the fake one?) has a set age in the game's data: https://fedatamine.com/en-us/characters/41/Cornelia/basics)
Cornelia Arnim

Medium portrait cornelia fe16.png

Gender

Female

Race

Human

Age

30

Nationality

Adrestia

Starting class

Gremory

Voiced by

Appearance(s)

Cornelia Arnim[2] (pronounced /⁠kɔɹˈniliə ˈɑɹnɪm⁠/[key]; Japanese: コルネリア=アルニム Cornelia Arnim) is a non-playable character appearing Fire Emblem: Three Houses. She is a court mage in service of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus.

Biography

Cornelia Arnim is a scholar from the Adrestian Empire who was an old acquaintance of Anselma von Arundel. In Imperial Year 1165, she left the Empire to travel to the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, where she cured a plague that was devastating the Kingdom's populace. For her deeds, King Lambert appointed the Adrestian scholar the position of Court mage. In 1168, Cornelia found a young Hapi who had run away from her village, and provided her shelter and food while also subjecting Hapi to many painful experiments. During the Insurrection of the Seven in 1171, Cornelia helped Anselma escape to the Kingdom in secret and provided her shelter as well. When Volkhard von Arundel and Edelgard, Anselma's brother and daughter respectively, arrived to Faerghus concealed from the public, Cornelia informed Anselma of the news while claiming Lambert was deliberately keeping her away from Edelgard. In 1176, Cornelia freed Hapi and eventually persuaded Anselma into taking part on the Tragedy of Duscur, promising her she would be able to see her daughter again who had left the Kingdom territories along with her uncle 2 years prior.

In 1181 of the Silver Snow, Azure Moon and Verdant Wind routes, Cornelia murders Rufus, the Kingdom's regent, frames Dimitri for the deed and publicly announces his execution, when in reality the crown prince had managed to escape from his predicament thanks to his vassal's support. With him gone, Cornelia pledges loyalty to the Empire and turns the Kingdom territories loyal to her into the Faerghus Dukedom, as she supports Adrestia's goal of unifying Fódlan. On Azure Moon, Dimitri and Kingdom Army eventually make their way towards Fhirdiad, which causes the oppressed citizens in Cornelia's rule to revolt against her. Unable to divert forces to suppress the rebellion, Cornelia grumbles about how he and Edelgard should have just killed each other and deploys Titanus as well some Viskams to face the enemy. Once Cornelia is defeated and mortally wounded, Dimitri asks her if she has any last words, giving her the opportunity to reveal Anselma's -Dimitri's stepmother- involvement with the tragedy before drawing her last breath. Meanwhile, On the Silver Snow and Verdant Wind routes, it is mentioned Cornelia suddenly vanished from the Faerghus Dukedom right after Edelgard's death,[3] leaving her whereabouts after the war unknown.

On the Crimson Flower route, Cornelia is unable to pull her scheme from other routes and, along with Rodrigue, Gwendal and non-recruited Felix and Ingrid, guards Fort Arianrhod during the war. When Cornelia get the news Edelgard and the adrestian army are about to besiege them, she's at first shocked as she had not been given any prior intel of the Empire's sudden change of plans, but later calmly accepts this situation and chooses to prepare for the upcoming fight by unleashing her Titanus on the upcoming enemy army, secretly hoping some of the Kingdom forces would end up killed in the ensuing chaos as well. Once she is finally defeated, Cornelia takes her death with grace and simply laughs as she murmurs everything had gone exactly as planned, calling it a "delightful dance". After her demise, Lord Arundel reveals to the Adrestian Emperor that Cornelia had served him and was planning to sabotage Faerghus before her attempts were cut short due to Edelgard's sudden change of plans.

It is mentioned in-game Cornelia had a sudden shift in personality sometime after being granted her new position in the Kingdom, which is consistent with other characters killed and replaced by agarthan infiltrators. Taking into account her access to those who slither in the dark's resources and her loyalty to Lord Arundel, it is implied she was murdered sometime after solving the Kingdom's epidemic sometime between Imperial Year 1165 and 1168, and that the woman the player has known as Cornelia is actually a high-ranking Agarthan impersonating her.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Role

Cornelia is the boss of Chapter 18 of the Azure Moon route and one of the bosses of Chapter 16 on the Crimson Flower route.

Stats

Enemy - Azure Moon Chapter 18

Normal Hard Maddening

Enemy - Crimson Flower Chapter 16

Normal Hard Maddening

Personality and character

While presenting a front of an affable servant of the Kingdom, Cornelia is in reality a cruel and sadistic woman who is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure her dominance of the Kingdom should the situation present itself, and views the Dukedom forces as nothing but pawns and has no care for the people living in it. In contrast, it is mentioned by multiple NPCs as well by Dimitri she used to be more kind in the past, and that she even had different likes and dislikes compared to the woman seen in the story. Unlike all on-screen Agarthans impersonators, the current Cornelia doesn't seem to share her group's low opinion of surface-dwelling humans beyond her general lack of empathy.

Quotes

Battle quotes

Oh my, what a charming guest. Let me take care of you...
— Cornelia as an enemy in Azure Moon Chapter 18 and Crimson Flower Chapter 16.
Hm. I can't quite say that I'm pleased to meet you. Though I do know quite a lot about you. It would be nice if we could catch up a little... But I'm afraid it's time for you to die.
— Cornelia fighting Byleth in Azure Moon Chapter 18.
Cornelia: My, it's been a long time hasn't it, Your Highness? You've grown awfully strong.
Dimitri: How shameless. I bet it was you who killed my uncle and set me up. Am I right?
Cornelia: Hah! Too true! I'd already forgotten about all that loveliness.
Dimitri: I'll kill you, you monster! You will pay for all that you have done!

— Cornelia fighting Dimitri in Azure Moon Chapter 18.
Cornelia: Ah, your face brings back memories... Still alive, are we, Gustave?
Gilbert: Prattle on, Cornelia. Faerghus will not be cowed by the likes of you.
Cornelia: How very dull...

— Cornelia fighting Gilbert in Azure Moon Chapter 18.
Ah. Such a shame... I always thought we'd end up being good friends. But you're here as an enemy... The only thing left to do is to kill you. Right?
— Cornelia fighting Byleth in Crimson Flower Chapter 16.

Critical quotes

I'll take good care of you!
— Cornelia
Don't look at me like that!
— Cornelia
Muahahaha!
— Cornelia
Sweet dreams!
— Cornelia

Death quote

Gah! So this is as far as I could get...
— Cornelia's defeat quote in Crimson Flower Chapter 16 and Azure Moon Chapter 18.

Trivia

  • Unlike Thales, Solon and Kronya, the appearance and name of the high-ranking agarthan impersonating Cornelia are never revealed or hinted in-game. Likewise, she's the only member of "those who slither in the dark" who keeps the Agarthan Technology ability under her fake guise.

Etymology and other languages

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

Cornelia Arnim

Full name, known by just Cornelia in most menus. Cornelia is a given name and the feminine form of "Cornelius". Arnim is a German surname.

Spanish

Cornelia Arnim

As above.

French

Cornelia Arnim

As above.

German

Cornelia Arnim

As above.

Italian

Cornelia Arnim

As above.

Korean

코넬리아 아르님

Cornelia Arnim

Simplified Chinese

科尔娜莉亚·阿尔尼姆

Cornelia Arnim

Traditional Chinese

科爾娜莉亞‧阿爾尼姆

Cornelia Arnim

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Credits
  2. "Cornelia Arnim... That's a familiar name, yes. She once studied in the Empire." — Hanneman, in Azure Moon Chapter 19, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
  3. "Cornelia of the Faerghus Dukedom seems to have disappeared from the palace...and rather swiftly. They (Cornelia and Count Bergliez) must have realized that the revival of the old Kingdom was a real threat." — A merchant in Garreg Mach Monastery during Verdant Wind's Chapter 21, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Project Characters.png This article is part of Project Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in the Fire Emblem series.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Playable characters Black Eagles BernadettaCasparDorotheaEdelgardFerdinandHubertLinhardtPetra
Blue Lions AnnetteAsheDedueDimitriFelixIngridMercedesSylvain
Golden Deer ClaudeHildaIgnatzLeonieLorenzLysitheaMarianneRaphael
Other AloisAnnaDLCBylethCatherineCyrilFlaynGilbertHannemanJeritzaManuelaSetethShamir
Ashen WolvesDLC BalthusConstanceHapiYuri
Non-playable characters AbysskeeperDLCDuke AegirFlecheGatekeeperDuke GerthIonius IXJeraltJudithLadislavaNaderRandolphRheaRodrigueSothis
Bosses AcheronAelfricDLCAloisLord ArundelBiasBlaiddydCasparCatherineCharonChilonClaudeCorneliaDaphnelDedueDeath KnightDimitriDominicBaron DominicEdelgardFelixFerdinandFlame EmperorFlaynFraldariusGautierGloucesterGonerilGwendalHubertIngridThe Immaculate OneThe ImmovableJudithKostasKronyaLadislavaLamineLinhardtLonatoLorenzMercedesMetodeyMiklanMysonNaderNemesisBaron OchsDLCOdessePallardóPittacusRandolphRheaRieganRodrigueSetethShamirSolonSylvainThalesWandering BeastThe Wind Caller
Background characters Lord ArundelCount BergliezCorneliaMargrave GautierGlennCount GloucesterCount HevringHolstLambertMonicaPatriciaRufusSeirosSitriTomasTianaCount Varley
Personal weapons and regalia Aegis ShieldAreadbharAsclepiusAthameAxe of UkonvasaraAymrBlutgangCaduceus StaffCirce StaffCrusherFailnaughtFetters of DromiFreikugelThe InexhaustibleLance of RuinLúinOchain ShieldRafail GemScythe of SarielSeiros ShieldSpear of AssalSword of BegaltaSword of MoraltaSword of SeirosSword of the CreatorTathlum BowThunderbrandThyrsusVajra-Mushti
Chapters Part I
White Clouds
P: An Inevitable Encounter • 1: Three Houses • 2: Familiar Scenery • 3: Mutiny in the Mist • 4: The Goddess's Rite of Rebirth • 5: Tower of Black Winds • 6: Rumors of a Reaper • 7: Field of the Eagle and Lion • 8: The Flame in the Darkness • 9: The Cause of Sorrow • 10: Where the Goddess Dwells • 11: Throne of Knowledge • 12: To War Black Eagles, if Byleth sides against EdelgardBlue LionsGolden Deer / Outset of a Power Struggle Black Eagles, if Byleth sides with Edelgard
Part II Silver Snow
Silver Snow
13: Reunion at Dawn • 14: A King Without a Kingdom • 15: Valley of Torment • 16: The Rose-Colored River • 17: The Impregnable Fortress • 18: The Chaos of War • 19: Conclusion of the Crossing Roads • 20: The City Without Light • 21: Following a Dream
Azure Moon
Azure Moon
13: Reunion at Dawn • 14: The Delusional Prince • 15: Valley of Torment • 16: The Rose-Colored River • 17: Blood of the Eagle and Lion • 18: The King's Triumphant Return • 19: The Golden Deer's Plea • 20: The Impregnable Fortress • 21: Our Chosen Paths • 22: Oath of the Dagger
Verdant Wind
Verdant Wind
13: Reunion at Dawn • 14: The Alliance Leader's Ambitions • 15: Valley of Torment • 16: The Rose-Colored River • 17: Blood of the Eagle and Lion • 18: The Golden Scheme • 19: The Chaos of War • 20: Conclusion of the Crossing Roads • 21: The City Without Light • 22: Fódlan's New Dawn
Crimson Flower
Crimson Flower
13: Beyond Escape • 14: The Master Tactician • 15: Tempest of Swords and Shields • 16: Lady of Deceit • 17: Field of Revenge • 18: To the End of a Dream
Paralogues Paralogues Part I Black Market SchemeDLCA Cursed RelicDLCDeath TollDividing the World Black Eagles, if Byleth sides against EdelgardBlue LionsGolden DeerFalling Short of HeavenThe ForgottenLand of the Golden DeerAn Ocean ViewOil and WaterRumored NuptialsThe Secret MerchantDLC Blue LionsGolden DeerSword and Shield of SeirosTales of the Red CanyonTrue ChivalryWar for the Weak Blue Lions
Part II Darkness Beneath the Earth Crimson FlowerDividing the World Silver SnowAzure MoonVerdant WindEternal Guardian Silver SnowAzure MoonVerdant WindThe Face Beneath Silver SnowAzure MoonVerdant WindForeign Land and SkyForgotten HeroInsurmountable Crimson FlowerLegend of the LakeRetribution Silver SnowAzure MoonVerdant WindThe Secret MerchantDLC Crimson FlowerThe Silver Maiden Azure MoonThe Sleeping Sand Legend Verdant WindWeathervanes of Fódlan Azure Moon
Cindered Shadows
Cindered Shadows
1: The Fourth House • 2: What Lies Beneath • 3: The Rite of Rising • 4: Danger in the Dark • 5: Betrayal • 6: Return to Me • 7: Wolf Pack
Locations FódlanAdrestiaFaerghusGarreg Mach Monastery (Abyss) • LeicesterAlmyraBrigidDagdaSrengZahras
Groups, objects and concepts 10 ElitesAshen WolvesBlack Eagles (Black Eagle Strike Force) • Blue LionsChildren of the GoddessChurch of Seiros (Knights of Seiros) • Crests (Crest Stone) • Divine PulseGolden DeerHeroes' RelicsInsurrection of the SevenMonstersThose who slither in the darkTragedy of DuscurWar of Heroes
Lists AbilitiesChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItems (Monastery items) • QuestsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Music LibraryName chart • Other games (Warriors: Three Hopes) • Pre-release informationUnused contentDownloadable contentClass mastery