Prologue IV/Script
Introduction
Marth and his knights took refuge in a forest near Altea's borders, lying low while they waited for the right chance to escape the kingdom. Before long, the enemy grew less watchful; the time to slip away had come. Still, the prince could not quell the sadness in his heart for his sister, Elice.
Before the battle
(at the edge of the forest)
Malledus: Prince Marth. ...Sire? Sire! Are you listening?!
Marth: Huh? ...Oh. Malledus.
Malledus: Get ahold of yourself, sire! I know how you grieve, but the Gra host that pursues us will not be interested. We must keep moving, and with all haste at that.
Marth: I...I'm sorry. These thoughts are hard to put aside.
Malledus: From here, we will cross out of Altea and begin our escape to Talys. I trust you are prepared?
Marth: Talys... I've heard the name. An island kingdom to the east, isn't it?
Malledus: That is correct. The king there was a good friend to your father—and perhaps more importantly, a true friend. It was Princess Elice's wish that you seek refuge in Talys should things ever go awry.
Marth: Me, but not her...
Malledus: I've arranged for a boat to take us from the northeast shore. But to get there, we'll first need to cut through a prison to the north. I managed to come by a key to the premises. Let me hand it over.
(Obtained a Door Key)
Malledus: Now, on the road, you may notice people who seem to be fighting for Gra against their wishes. Before you resort to your blade, you should try talking to them first.
During battle
(end of the first player phase)
Captain: Alteans south of the prison?
Soldier: Yes, sir. Not many of ‘em, but the scouts say they're a tough bunch all the same. And guess who's with ‘em...
Captain: ...You're saying the prince is coming this way?
Soldier: Yes, sir. How ought we proceed? The main force ‘as yet to arrive and—to be honest, sir—we need ‘em.
Captain: Bah! You're cowed too easily. We can win...if we set a trap.
Soldier: Er...a trap, sir?
Captain: The Prince of Altea will be ours. Just do as I tell you, and we'll pluck this royal plum long before the main force can show up to steal all the glory. Heh...
(end of the first enemy phase)
Ruffian: You! Inside!
Gordin: Grrrmph...
Ruffian: Heh. I thought Altea was the great ‘ero Anri's kingdom! Didn't take more'n a couple of days to break you, now did it, Gaggles?
Gordin: Mmph! Arrumph!
Ruffian: What's the matter, Gaggles? Can't talk ‘cause you're gagged, Gaggles? Ba ha ha! I'll letcha in on a little secret. Altea's little princeling is on ‘is way ‘ere right this moment.
Gordin: ......!
Ruffian: Ooh, but sad for you, you look awfully dangerous in that uniform... MISTER GRA SOLDIER! Ha! Soon as the prince sees you, ‘e'll say, “Yow! It's an enemy ambush!”—and that'll be the end of you.
Gordin: Gugrrrmph!
Ruffian: Once the prince sticks you like a pig, we get to call him Marth the Tyrant, coz ‘e kills ‘is on countrymen. Won't that be a ‘oot!
Gordin: Rrrmph.
Ruffian: So long, Gaggles! Better start prayin' to your ‘igher deity of choice!
If Gordin is recruited
Marth: Yow! It's an enemy ambush!
Gordin: Rrrgmph mrph!
Marth: Huh? You've been gagged? Here, I'll get that... Wait, I know you! You're one of our archers, er...
Gordin: Gordin, sire! My name is Gordin. The enemy captured me and left me in this mortifying state.
Marth: I see. Well, I'm glad you're unharmed. But I'm afraid we cannot stay here a moment longer. Stay behind me and—
Gordin: I can fight, sire! If you have a bow I could use, I would be honored to fight at your side.
(after Gordin is recruited, Jiol and twelve knights appear)
Jiol: Listen, men. Your target is the prince. Find the prince of Altea and bring me his head served on a shield!
(Jiol exits the map)
Marth: Look there!
Malledus: No... Anri save us... Of all the places to be beset! Sire, that is Gra's main force—and they are accompanied by the knights of Grust's Sable Order. Our chances of routing them are slim, I'm afraid...and those of slipping away undetected afterward, all but nil...
Marth: Then, we've no hope?
Malledus: I...I can think of one strategy. We could leave a decoy behind for when the enemy catches up.
Marth: A decoy?
Malledus: It's you they're after, sire. Were one of your men to stay behind disguised as you... Well, the enemy ought to take the bait. That would give you and the others time to escape.
(southern fort is highlighted)
Malledus: One of your men must make for that fortress on the south highroad. He will act as a decoy by dressing as you and luring the enemy force away.
Marth: But Malledus, how will he find his way back to us?
Malledus: Sire... He may not. You must part with one of your comrades. There is no other way.
Marth: ...Well, I will find a way! You cannot expect me to agree to... to abandoning one of our own to a death at the hands of the enemy. Surely there must be another way...
Malledus: Forgive me, sire... But this is our only chance. You know as well as I do that you must not die here today.
(if Marth tries to be the decoy)
Malledus: No, sire! Get back here! One of your other men must take that position!
(decoy is selected)
Decoy: Sire, allow me.
(once decoy is chosen)
Soldier: Look! It's...it's Prince Marth!
Soldier: Oh yeah? Who's that then? That bloke over there is dressed in the same clothes. Could be either of ‘em.
(decoy leaves map, Jiol appears)
Jiol: Simpletons! Use your heads! One of them ran the other one didn't. What does that tell you? Easy! The one who stayed behind is trying to buy time for the one who fled.
Soldier: So, er...the one who took off is—
Jiol: The real prince, you idiot, yes! Hie, troops, after him! Put that craven whelp to the sword!
(Jiol and his host exit the map)
Marth: <decoy>? Wait! <decoy>! Quickly, Malledus, we must head south and rescue him!
Malledus: No, sire. We have to press on.
Marth: Press on? <decoy> might be dying back there!
Malledus: If he is, then why would you be so selfish as to let him die in vain? Honor him, by allowing his life and his choice to mean something!
Marth: ...<decoy>. ...... ...All right. I will honor him. ...I will go.
(at the northern edge of the map)
Captain: The prince fled south? Bah! Seems the plum's fallen too far from our tree... No matter. Open the north door! We can still crush the Altean rabble he left behind.
(if no decoy is chosen and only Marth survives)
Captain: All but the prince have been slain? Good. Open the north door! The little whelp is ours now!
If Gordin is killed before talking with Marth
Gordin: Grrrmph...
(at the end of the turn)
Marth: Blast! That archer was on our side!
(at the north end)
Captain: They killed the captive? Heh heh... what fools! Hie, let's give them the punishment fools deserve! Open the north door! Lure them out and strike them down!
Once the north door is opened, regardless of circumstance
(after crossing the bridge)
Malledus: Sire, there is a village over yonder. (highlights village) Its residents may be willing to help. Why don't you try paying them a visit?
Houses and Villages
Houses
- Villager: Boy, I don't envy you! The enemy horde is closin' in on you faster'n a bolt of Thoron. You and your friends had better hightail it outta here!
- Villager: Sometimes victory on the battlefield requires that someone you care about make a sacrifice. But parting with one comrade may be the only way to meet another. You need to learn to accept your losses in life and move forward.
Village
- Villager: My word! Aren't you—No, you cannot stay here! Run! Before their soldiers come back! Here, this is the bow my granddaughter always used. Take it, sire! Please, promise you'll stay safe... (obtained a Steel Bow)
After the battle
(Draug appears)
Draug: Prince Marth! Make haste, sire!
Marth: Draug, is that you? What are you doing here?
Draug: I received word from Sir Malledus to ready a vessel, that we might slip away discreetly by sea.
If chapter was completed with five units
Draug: The enemy has crossed the border and closes in on us from the west; we cannot stay here. Hurry, sire!
(they exit north)
If the chapter was completed with four or fewer units
Norne: Draug, sir! The enemy has crossed the border from the west! They'll be upon us soon!
Draug: Right, we're on our way. Sire, this is Norne. She caught wind of our struggle and wishes to fight for Altea.
Norne: Prince Marth, ‘tis an honor. By your leave, though I'll by savin' the curtsy-bobbin' for later. Quickly, sire!
(they exit north)
If a decoy was chosen
(elsewhere, the decoy is revealed to Jiol and his host)
Jiol: This is...the wrong prince? No! You dare make a fool of me? Kill him! Make this prince mimer SUFFER!
Frey Jagen Cain Abel Gordin
Frey: Count this knight honored to die in the service of his prince. Live, sire, and grow strong...
Ending
And so Marth and his knights left Altea, heavy of heart and bleary of eye...
Jagen: Look, sire. See how Altea shrinks on the horizon...
Marth: ...aven...
Jagen: Pardon?
Marth: I am a craven. Powerless to save my sister; to stanch my kingdom's wounds; to ease my people's fears...
Jagen: This...was your only recourse, sire. But surely, one day, you will be able to set things right...
Marth: “Surely”? Why do words of such conviction smack so much of uncertainty when spoken? Not surely, Jagen. Assuredly. Gra will pay for all their acts. Today, though, allow me to wallow in this pain, to feel every awful twist of it. I never want to forget.
Jagen: Sire...
Marth: I will return, Altea! Your prince will return to you one day!
If Jagen is no longer in the party
Draug: Look, sire. See how Altea shrinks on the horizon...
Marth: ...aven...
Draug: Beg your pardon?
Marth: I am a craven. Powerless to save my sister; to stanch my kingdom's wounds; to ease my people's fears...
Draug: This...was your only recourse, sire. But surely, one day, you will be able to set things right...
Marth: “Surely”? Why do words of such conviction smack so much of uncertainty when spoken? Not surely, Draug. Assuredly. Gra will pay for all their acts. Today, though, allow me to wallow in this pain, to feel every awful twist of it. I never want to forget.
Draug: Sire...
Marth: I will return, Altea! Your prince will return to you one day!
