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Sylvain
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“ | I'm always serious when it comes to matters of the heart. When I flirt, I stake my life on it. | ” | — Sylvain to Dorothea |
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Sylvain Jose Gautier (pronounced /sɪl'veɪn hoʊ'zeɪ 'ɡɑtieɪ/[key]; Japanese: シルヴァン=ジョゼ=ゴーティエ Sylvain José Gautier) is a character appearing in Fire Emblem: Three Houses. He is a student at the Officers Academy and a member of the Blue Lions.
Biography
Sylvain is the second son of the house of Margrave Gautier. During his childhood, he was abused by his elder brother Miklan, who deeply resented him due to his own lack of a Crest making him ineligible to inherit the margravate. Eventually, Miklan was disinherited and left House Gautier. In 1180, he enrolled in the Officers Academy at Garreg Mach Monastery and joined the Blue Lions, studying and fighting alongside them. During this time, Miklan steals the Lance of Ruin from House Gautier and is tracked down and slain by Church forces, potentially including Sylvain himself.
After the timeskip, if Sylvain is a member of Byleth's class, he returns to Garreg Mach on the day of the millennium festival and accompanies them throughout the war. If not recruited on the Verdant Wind route, he reunites with Dimitri and fights alongside him in the Battle at Gronder, and can be circumvented or slain at the player's discretion. If not recruited on the Crimson Flower route, he fights alongside Dimitri at the Tailtean Plains, and is slain by Imperial forces. Sylvain makes no appearances in the story on the Silver Snow route, but it is most likely he's one of the many casualties of the Battle at Gronder.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Role
Sylvain is a starting playable character for the Blue Lions route, a recruitable unit on the Black Eagles and Golden Deer routes and a recurring enemy should he not be poached during Part I.
Starting stats and growth rates
Playable
- Main article:
Sylvain/Stats
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Enemy - Chapter 7
Normal Hard Maddening
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Enemy - Crimson Flower Chapter 17
Normal Hard Maddening
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Enemy - Verdant Wind Chapter 17
Normal Hard Maddening
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Growth rates when reclassed
- Main article:
Sylvain/Stats § Growth rates when reclassed
Abilities
style="Template:Roundtl; border:none; background-color:#222222;" colspan="2" | Ability | style="Template:Roundtr; border:none; background-color:#222222;" | Learned at | |
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Philanderer | Personal ability, innate and unremovable | |
Sword Prowess | E+; replaced with higher levels at D+, C+, B+, and A+ | |
Wrath Strike | D | |
Grounder | C | |
Axebreaker | B | |
Sword Crit +10 | S | |
Swordfaire | S+ | |
Lance Prowess | Innate; replaced with higher levels at D+, C+, B+, and A+ | |
Tempest Lance | Innate | |
Knightkneeler | C | |
Monster Piercer | C+ | |
Swordbreaker | B | |
Swift Strikes | A | |
Lance Crit +10 | S | |
Lancefaire | S+ | |
Axe Prowess | Innate; replaced with higher levels at D+, C+, B+, and A+ | |
Smash | Innate | |
Helm Splitter | C | |
Spike | C+ | |
Lancebreaker | B | |
Lightning Axe | A | |
Axe Crit +10 | S | |
Axefaire | S+ | |
Bow Prowess | E+; replaced with higher levels at D+, C+, B+, and A+ | |
Curved Shot | D | |
Close Counter | C | |
Bow Crit +10 | S | |
Bowfaire | S+ | |
Brawling Prowess | E+; replaced with higher levels at D+, C+, B+, and A+ | |
Fading Blow | D | |
Rushing Blow | C | |
Healing Focus | B | |
Brawl Crit +10 | S | |
Fistfaire | S+ | |
Black Magic Avo +20 | Budding Talent: | |
Reason | E+; replaced with higher levels at D+, C+, B+, and A+ | |
Black Magic Range +1 | S | |
Black Tomefaire | S+ | |
Faith | E+; replaced with higher levels at D+, C+, B+, and A+ | |
White Magic Range +1 | S | |
White Tomefaire | S+ | |
Authority | E+; replaced with higher levels at D+, C+, B+, and A+ | |
Battalion Vantage | C | |
Defensive Tactics | B | |
Offensive Tactics | S+ | |
Weight -3 | C | |
Smite | B | |
Weight -5 | A | |
Armored Effect Null | S+ | |
Dexterity +4 | C | |
Movement +1 | A+ | |
Cavalry Effect Null | S+ | |
Alert Stance | B | |
Alert Stance+ | A+ | |
Flying Effect Null | S+ | |
colspan="3" style="Template:Roundb; border:none; background-color:#222222" width="100%"|The above ability list does not include class abilities, or abilities and combat arts that are granted by items. |
Spell list
style="Template:Roundtl; border:none; background-color:#222222; width: 30%;" | Spell | style="Template:Roundtr; border:none; background-color:#222222;" | Learned at |
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Fire | D |
Bolganone | C |
Sagittae | B |
Ragnarok | A |
Heal | D |
Nosferatu | D+ |
Physic | C |
style="Template:Roundbl; border:none; background-color:#222222;" | Seraphim | style="Template:Roundbr; border:none; background-color:#222222;" | B |
Analysis
This character analysis section may not be accurate to every player's experience. |
Sylvain is a physically-oriented unit with great offenses and good physical bulk. His base stats while not excellent are solid, lacking any clear weakness, and with Tempest Lance at base he can deal major damage immediately from recruitment. On top of solid bases, Sylvain has great growths in speed, HP, Defense, and charm and a good growth in strength, meaning that as the game progresses, Sylvain will end up with respectable physical bulk on par with Dimitri which will allow him to survive double attacks from the fastest enemies on maddening. Sylvain's personal skill of Philanderer, which gives -2 to damage taken and +2 to damage output when next to a female unit, also boosts his bulk in the early game allowing him to tank hits for more vulnerable allies in the early game. Upon achieving an A-rank in lances, Sylvain will obtain one of the best combat arts in the game: Swift Strikes. This is one of the few combat arts with a brave-effect meaning it makes a guaranteed follow-up attack, and Sylvain is one of three units able to obtain this art. With a strong-enough lance, this combat art allows Sylvain to one-round nearly any enemy. Swift Strikes even retains the effective damage bonus of the Horseslayer and Blessed Lance allowing Sylvain to tear through nearly any enemy horseback unit or monster.
Sylvain possesses a minor Crest of Gautier which grants him a 40% chance to raise might by five when using a combat art. Like nearly all crest effects, the proc rate is not reliable though it has great synergy with Swift Strikes. Since the combat art hits twice consecutively, the Crest of Gautier effect has a 64% of procing on at least one of the hits, meaning that the effect will proc when using Swift Strike more often than not, further bolstering Sylvain's impressive ability to consistently one-round enemies. Sylvain's crest also allows him to use Ruined Sky, the Lance of Ruin's exclusive combat art. The art grants a great bonus to might (+13) and deals bonus damage to dragons and flying units, however, any bonuses to might it grants pales in comparison to using Swift Strikes with the relic lance — which grants an effective +24 to might provided the second hit lands— and since both arts consume the same amount of durability, Swift Strikes is the superior option.
Sylvain's best promotion pathways involve capitalizing on the amazing damage output of Swift Strikes. In order to focus on obtaining Swift Strikes as soon as possible, promote Sylvain into a Soldier, then Cavalier, then end in Paladin. Since Paladin has Lancefaire and the highest strength class modifier and movement out of all horse-mounted classes, the Paladin class is one of Sylvain's best final classes. Promoting Sylvain to a Dark Knight not only makes him lose a point of movement, but also decreases his damage output with lances by six in exchange for strengthening his magic, which Sylvain has a significantly lower growth in as compared to his strength growth. When following the above promotion path, make sure to give Sylvain Death Blow by mastering the Brigand class with him as obtaining the skill translates to as much as twelve more damage when using Swift Strikes. Sylvain can also follow the promotion pathway of Fighter to Brigand, master for Death Blow, then Wyvern Rider, ending in Wyvern Lord. The best physically-oriented class in the game is undoubtedly the Wyvern Lord as it has the best strength and speed modifiers and Canto bolstered by the peerless movement of flying units; though, with Sylvain, the case can also be made for Paladin being a better option. While the Wyvern Lord class has generally superior combat and movement, Paladins have Lancefaire as a class skill, making the strength class modifier for Paladin an effective +7 as opposed to the Wyvern Lord's +4. Furthermore, Paladins, in being landbound units, can equip guard adjutants, giving Paladins a safer enemy phase.
Out-of-House Performance
Sylvain holds the unique distinction of being the easiest unit to recruit outside of the Blue Lions. As long as you picked a female Byleth at the beginning of the game, Sylvain can be recruited during the first exploration session in Chapter 2. Since he essentially has no recruitment cost, Sylvain can essentially be considered one of your starting units in any route and be trained accordingly. Sylvain's personal skill also has great synergy with Hilda and Leonie's personal skills, Hilda's giving Sylvain +5 damage output in conjunction with his own personal skill and Leonie's allowing the two to boost each other. An additional perk of an early recruitment of Sylvain is that it allows you to keep the Lance of Ruin by refusing to return it to Rhea after Chapter 5, giving you a 22-might weapon to bring to your next encounter with the Death Knight and to Gronder Field without playing Sylvain's paralogue, which usually unlocks at the beginning of Chapter 7. The Lance of Ruin can also be used in Chapter 6 to reliably one shot the Death Knight when used with Knightkneeler. On the other hand, if you picked male Byleth in the beginning, Sylvain's standards for out-of-house recruitment are more far more stringent, demanding a high level of charm and proficiency in Reason, a proficiency only helpful for Byleth if you plan to keep him in the Enlightened One class or if you are playing Black Eagles and also seek to recruit Lorenz. These conditions make Sylvain more difficult to recruit before the main map of Chapter 5, potentially making you miss out on a great advantage to recruiting him.
Personality and character
Sylvain acts as an elder brother figure to the other students, but his fondness for sweet-talking girls causes him trouble. While he enjoys the company of women, he also despises how so many of them are only interested in him because of his Crest. His flirtatious ways belie his shrewd, perceptive mind, and he's a lot better at reading people than he lets on. He jokes around more frequently than most other Officers Academy students.
As he is childhood friends with Felix, Ingrid and Dimitri he shares a deep bond with them and expresses his unhappiness if forced to fight them. Despite his flirty and easygoing nature he does this behavior stems from the fact that he feels unable to form proper romances, and so he dates around without any particular commitment and can only truly commit to love with women he deeply trust such as Dorothea and Ingrid.
Despite the impression he gives off to people he's actually quite intelligent, being shown to easily grasp complicated magic formulas at a glance in his supports with Annette. In his supports with Dedue, Sylvain explains his suspicions behind the Tragedy of Duscur, as Duscur and Faerghus had enjoyed good relations up until that point and the fact that the king's elite guard was effortlessly slaughtered, a feat not plausible for a smaller, less skilled military. Sylvain explains that he intentionally leads people to think he is not very smart because he dislikes the pressure of people's expectations and them believing they know what he is capable of, saying he finds it suffocating.
Sylvain hates the way crests influence the lives of those in Fódlan, as his brother Miklan was born without one and held deep resentment against Sylvain for having one, even throwing him down a well at one point. Despite all of this, Sylvain doesn't hold resentment towards his brother and expresses that he could have ended up just like him if Miklan was born with a crest instead of Sylvain. Furthermore, he holds most women in contempt, as he believes they show interest in him solely due to his Crest in an attempt to curry favor with him without actually getting to know him. Despite this, in conversations with Byleth, Sylvain admits that hating women is merely an "easy answer" and seems to recognize that he cannot blame them for all his problems.
After the war ends Sylvain is stated to have convinced the nobles of his teritory to get rid of the crest system and is also stated to have treated all of his children equally (in some endings his heir not bearing a crest).
Supports
- Main article:
Sylvain/Supports
Endings
Sylvain, Sincerest of Knights (single ending)
As Margrave Gautier, Sylvain devoted his life to improving relations with the people of the Sreng region. With oration alone, he succeeded in helping to create a new way of life for nobles in which Relics and Crests were no longer viewed as necessary. Though he went down in history as an extraordinary lord, it nevertheless became customary to refer to cheaters as "sons of Gautier."
Byleth, Wandering Flame/Ruler of Dawn & Sylvain, Sincerest of Knights
After ascending the throne as the first leader of the United Kingdom of Fódlan, Byleth announced her marriage to Sylvain, who had become the new Margrave Gautier. Sylvain was a valued ally who assisted his wife in her new role, both publicly and privately. Most of all, it is said that his cunning manner of speech was a great asset for fostering relations between the Church of Seiros, Fódlan, and surrounding regions. Though known as a philanderer in youth, Sylvain happily settled down after marriage and became a gentle and devoted husband and father. The two had many children whom they doted on equally, regardless of whether or not they bore a crest.
Dorothea, Devoted Heart & Sylvain, Sincerest of Knights
After more than 10 proposals, Dorothea finally relented and agreed to marry Sylvain. Together they inherited Gautier territory. With the support of his wife's counsel, the new Margrave Gautier was able to improve relations with the Sreng people, and thereby convince the local nobles that Relics and Crests were no longer an absolute requirement for survival. Due to their efforts, they went down in history as an extraordinary lord and lady. It is said that what finally convinced Dorothea to marry Sylvain was his promise that they would grow old happily together, and that he was true to his word.
Azure Moon
Byleth, Guardian of Order & Sylvain, Sincerest of Knights
After becoming the new archbishop of the Church of Seiros, Byleth announced her marriage to Sylvain, heir to House Gautier. Sylvain was a valued ally who assisted his wife in her new role, both publicly and privately. He achieved a great deal, including fostering relations with Faerghus and helping to institute sweeping organizational changes within the church. Though known as a philanderer in his youth, Sylvain happily settled down after marriage. By the time he inherited the title of Margrave Gautier, he was a gentle and devoted husband. It is said that those who knew him in his youth wondered what sort of spell the archbishop had cast on him.
Felix, The Shield's Successor & Sylvain, Sincerest of Knights
After the war, Felix and Sylvain inherited their respective titles of Duke Fraldarius and Margrave Gautier, and set to work restoring the Kingdom. Each led a busy life, but that only seemed to enhance their friendship over the years. Each became known for making surprise visits to the estate of the other, in order to deliver the latest taunting in a friendly but relentless game of one-upmanship. It is said that, in their later years, they became so close that they passed away on the same day, as if conceding that one could not live without the other.
Crimson Flower
Byleth, Wings of the Hegemon & Sylvain, Sincerest of Knights
When the fighting was over, Byleth and Sylvain were married. As the new leaders of House Gautier, they focused their efforts on the restoration of northern Fódlan, which had been deeply scarred by the ravages of war. Once this task was complete, they set their sights on improving relations with the Sreng people in an effort to remove the perceived need for the power of Crests. This accomplishment took a great deal of hard work, but the two refused to give up on their ideals. In time, the two had a large and loving family. They lived happily and loved their children equally, regardless of whether or not they bore a Crest.
Quotes
Battle quotes
“ | Miklan: Why have you come, you Crest-bearing fool? Sylvain: I'm here for the Lance of Ruin, Miklan. Hand it over. I don't want to humiliate you, but I will. Miklan: Hmph! Hurry up an die already. If not for you... If it hadn't been for you... Sylvain: Shut up! I'm so tired of hearing that. You've always blamed me for something that isn't my fault. |
” | — Sylvain against Miklan in Chapter 5. |
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“ | Sylvain: What is that? It's like a bad dream come to life. Black Beast: Gyaaaaargh! |
” | — Sylvain agaisnt Miklan as the black beast in Chapter 5. |
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“ | Sylvain: Hey, Felix? Remember when we were kids and we made a promise about dying together? Felix: I remember. Sylvain: Well, seems we're about to kill each other. Felix: Sorry, Sylvain. You'll die first. |
” | — Sylvain fighting an enemy Felix in Crimson Flower Chapter 16, or as an enemy fighting Felix in Crimson Flower Chapter 17. |
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“ | Ingrid: Sylvain. This isn't funny. What are you doing? Sylvain: I'm sorry, Ingrid. I believe in what the professor is trying to do more than I do in my own country. Ingrid: Perhaps my blade will cut away the scales from your eyes! |
” | — Sylvain, fighting an enemy Ingrid in Crimson Flower Chapter 16. |
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“ | So what are you waiting for? Let's finish this today. | ” | — Sylvain, as an enemy in Crimson Flower Chapter 17. |
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“ | Professor! Has it really been five years? We ought to raise a glass to the occasion. Celebrate your return. Nah, I'd rather commemorate it with your death. | ” | — Sylvain, as an enemy fighting male Byleth in Crimson Flower Chapter 17. |
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“ | Professor, there's something I should admit. I've got some regrets about how our lives have gone. I should have made a proper attempt to woo you before now. Instead, I have to kill you. | ” | — Sylvain, as an enemy fighting female Byleth in Crimson Flower Chapter 17. |
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“ | Sylvain: Stand down, Ingrid. I know you don't want to die here. Ingrid: I will not. I'll never ally myself with the likes of you. Sylvain: Stubborn as ever. I always did like that about you. Ingrid: And you never cease to amaze me with your false flattery. Don't waste your breath. |
” | — Sylvain, as an enemy fighting Ingrid in Crimson Flower Chapter 17. |
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“ | Huh. I guess this is fate. Sorry, but I need you to please give up quietly, OK? | ” | — Sylvain, as an enemy in Verdant Wind Chapter 17. |
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“ | Felix: Sylvain, stand aside. My blade thirsts for his blood, not yours. Sylvain: If that's so, then you oughta stand down. I don't want to fight you either! Felix: Fine. Then we're at an impasse. |
” | — Unused dialogue between Sylvain and an enemy Felix in Azure Moon Chapter 18. |
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“ | Thief Leader: Hey, I know that face. You're the boss's little bro, right? Sylvain: I'm sorry to say it, but yeah, I'm his brother. And he's led you into a bad spot. Anyway, your boss is dead. So this is your chance to disband this little thief gang of yours. Thief Leader: Quiet, fool! You think I have any other choice but to be a thief? Sylvain: Well, it's probably on me for making such a stupid request. |
” | — Sylvain fighting any Thief Leader in The Forgotten. |
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Critical quotes
“ | Open wide! | ” | — Sylvain in Part I |
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“ | Gonna need you to move! | ” | — Sylvain in Parts I & II |
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“ | Don't underestimate me! | ” | — Sylvain in Part I |
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“ | Take this! | ” | — Sylvain in Part I |
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“ | Let's finish this! | ” | — Sylvain in Part II |
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“ | This'll do it. | ” | — Sylvain in Part II |
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“ | Whatever it takes! | ” | — Sylvain in Part II |
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Death/retreat quotes
“ | I can't believe it... Well, not much more I can do here. | ” | — Sylvain's retreat quote as a playable character in Part I. |
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“ | Heh, I'm not afraid. I figured it would end like this... | ” | — Sylvain's death quote in classic mode as a playable character in Part II. |
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“ | Damn. I'm not dying here. I'm pulling back for now. | ” | — Sylvain's retreat quote in casual mode as a playable character in Part II. |
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“ | I was such a fool. So...this is how it ends. Forgive me, Your Majesty. I'm...going on...ahead. | ” | — Sylvain's death quote as an enemy Crimson Flower Chapter 17. |
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Other quotes
- Main article:
Sylvain/Quotes
Other appearances
Fire Emblem Cipher
Sylvain is currently featured on three cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.
- One of the below cards' epithets are still in raw, untranslated Japanese; it needs translation.
Fire Emblem Cipher data for Sylvain | |||||
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Sincerest of Knights, Sylvain | |||||
"I understand the value of my blood. Believe me, I hate how much I understand it." | |||||
Attack: 70 | Support: 10 | Range: 1 | Deploy Cost: 4 | ||
Class: Paladin | Tier: Advanced | Class Change Cost: 3 | |||
Lance of Ruin, the Magic Lance: [Always] If your allies outnumber your enemies, the number of orbs that this unit's attacks will destroy is increased to 2. Threat-Defying Blade: [Trigger] Each time you use a "Sylvain"'s from your hand, until the end of the turn, all other allies gain +10 attack. | |||||
Card #B19-025R • Artist: Misei Ito | |||||
笑顔になってほしいのさ, Sylvain | |||||
"If I emerge victorious, the ladies are sure to take notice. I'll have to go into hiding." | |||||
Attack: 60 | Support: 10 | Range: 1 | Deploy Cost: 3 | ||
Class: Cavalier | Tier: Advanced | Class Change Cost: 2 | |||
Determination Beneath a Smile: [Hand] [Activate] Until the end of your opponent's next turn, allied "Sylvain" gains +20 attack and is immune to destruction as the cost or effect of skills. ([Hand] is only usable while this card is in your hand.) | |||||
Card #B19-026N • Artist: Karuta Shiki | |||||
Prodigal Son of House Gautier, Sylvain | |||||
"Well, well! It must be my lucky day today, being approached by such a beauty." | |||||
Attack: 40 | Support: 10 | Range: 1 | Deploy Cost: 1 | ||
Class: Noble | Tier: Base | Class Change Cost: -- | |||
Philanderer: [Always] If you have 2 or more allies, this unit gains +10 attack. Attack Emblem: [Support] Until the end of this combat, your attacking unit gains +20 attack. | |||||
Card #B19-027N • Artist: Misei Ito | |||||
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Sylvain . |
Trivia
- As an enemy, Sylvain has access to the Pass ability, which he can't obtain as a playable unit.
Etymology and other languages
Names, etymology, and in other regions | ||
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Language | Name | Definition, etymology, and notes |
English |
Sylvain Jose Gautier |
Full name, known by just Sylvain in most menus. Sylvain is a French derivative of the Latin name Silvanus, meaning "wood". Jose is a Hebrew/Aramaic name, and also, when spelled José, is a Spanish, Portuguese, and French form of "Joseph". Gautier is a French surname. |
Spanish |
Sylvain Jose Gautier |
As above. |
French |
Sylvain Jose Gautier |
As above. |
German |
Sylvain Jose Gautier |
As above. |
Italian |
Sylvain Jose Gautier |
As above. |
Korean |
실뱅 조제 고티에 |
Sylvain Joje Gautier |
Simplified Chinese |
希尔凡·乔瑟·戈迪耶 |
Sylvain Jose Gautier |
Traditional Chinese |
希爾凡‧喬瑟‧戈迪耶 |
Sylvain Jose Gautier |
Gallery
High quality portrait artwork of Sylvain from Three Houses.
Portrait of Sylvain from Three Houses.
Concept art of Sylvain from Three Houses.
Other appearances
Artwork of Sylvain from Fire Emblem Cipher.
Artwork of Sylvain from Fire Emblem Cipher.
Artwork of Sylvain from Fire Emblem Cipher.
Artwork of Sylvain from Fire Emblem Cipher.
Artwork of Sylvain from Fire Emblem Cipher.
External links
References
This article is part of Project Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in the Fire Emblem series. |