Arete

Arete Artwork of Arete from Heroes. The combination of her alluring figure and her songbird voice are said to have entranced royals everywhere from Valla to Nohr.

Gender Female Race Human Family Unnamed King of Valla (first husband, deceased) Garon (second husband) Azura (daughter) Mikoto (younger sister) Corrin (nibling) Sumeragi (brother-in-law) Shigure (grandson) Nationality Vallite/Nohrian Starting class Strategist Voiced by Kris Zimmerman-Salter (English, Fates) Sara Cravens (English, Heroes) Yuka Keicho (Japanese, all appearances) Appearance(s) Fates Heroes

Arete (pronounced /⁠ˈɑɹəteɪ⁠/^[key]; Japanese: シェンメイ Shenmei) was the former Queen of Nohr and Valla in Fire Emblem Fates.

Fire Emblem Fates

Role

Birthright and Conquest

Arete died before the events of Fates. She was the mother of Azura, and is briefly mentioned in Birthright Chapter 22 and Conquest Chapter 16.

Revelation

Arete only appears in Revelation, and as an enemy to Corrin's forces. Her first appearance, albeit obscured, is in Chapter 7. The means of her appearance remains unexplained for a fair portion of the game, though it is eventually revealed that the Vallite king Anankos is able to enslave and command the dead, with Arete being one such servant.

Arete makes a total of three boss appearances, with her first boss appearance being in Chapter 18, still under an obscuring shadow. She flees after this encounter.

A while later she appears again in Chapter 22 in a forest of Valla. Arete reveals herself to Corrin and the army. Azura eventually sees that the mysterious woman they met earlier was her deceased mother. Arete battles them and escapes again after the battle.

Her last appearance is in Chapter 23, with a reanimated Scarlet in tow as a 'gift'. After the battle, Arete is finally dealt a mortal blow. During her dying moments she remembers who she was and who Azura is. Arete spends her final minutes in Azura's arms before she dissolves away, leaving the army to harden their resolve to take down Anankos.

Stats

Enemy - Revelation Chapter 18

See also: Veiled Kingdom

Normal Hard Lunatic

Strategist Level 7 Movement -

Stats Max HP 37 Speed 17 Strength 0 Luck 18 Magic 20 Defense 9 Skill 16 Resistance 19+1

Inventory Skills Rabbit Spirit Sun Festal -- Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B C -- --

Strategist Level 7 Movement -

Stats Max HP 39 Speed 17 Strength 0 Luck 18 Magic 22 Defense 9 Skill 16 Resistance 21+3

Inventory Skills Rabbit Spirit Sun Festal Resistance +2 Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B C -- --

Strategist Level 7 Movement -

Stats Max HP 42 Speed 17 Strength 0 Luck 18 Magic 25 Defense 12 Skill 16 Resistance 24+3

Inventory Skills Rabbit Spirit Sun Festal Resistance +2 Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B A -- --

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Enemy - Revelation Chapter 22

See also: Memories

Normal Hard Lunatic

Strategist Level 10 Movement -

Stats Max HP 36 Speed 18 Strength 13 Luck 12 Magic 21+2 Defense 18 Skill 20 Resistance 23+1

Inventory Skills Rabbit Spirit Great Festal Silence Magic +2 Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B A -- --

Strategist Level 10 Movement -

Stats Max HP 38 Speed 18 Strength 15 Luck 12 Magic 23+2 Defense 19 Skill 20 Resistance 23+1

Inventory Skills Rabbit Spirit Great Festal Silence Magic +2 Inspiration Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B A -- --

Strategist Level 10 Movement -

Stats Max HP 40 Speed 18 Strength 17 Luck 12 Magic 24+2 Defense 21 Skill 20 Resistance 25+1

Inventory Skills Rabbit Spirit Great Festal Silence Magic +2 Inspiration Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B A -- --

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Enemy - Revelation Chapter 23

See also: Arete Undone

Normal Hard Lunatic

Strategist Level 12 Movement -

Stats Max HP 41 Speed 18 Strength 14 Luck 10 Magic 24+2 Defense 19 Skill 21 Resistance 28

Inventory Skills Ragnarok Fortify Enfeeble Magic +2 Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B A -- --

Strategist Level 12 Movement -

Stats Max HP 42 Speed 18 Strength 15 Luck 10 Magic 25+2 Defense 20 Skill 21 Resistance 28

Inventory Skills Ragnarok Fortify Enfeeble Magic +2 Inspiration Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B A -- --

Strategist Level 12 Movement -

Stats Max HP 44 Speed 18 Strength 17 Luck 10 Magic 27+2 Defense 23 Skill 21 Resistance 30

Inventory Skills Ragnarok Fortify Enfeeble Magic +2 Inspiration Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B A -- --

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Enemy - Hidden Truths 2

See also: Hidden Truths 2

Strategist Level 12 Movement -

Stats Max HP 40 Speed 18 Strength 13 Luck 0 Magic 21+2 Defense 18 Skill 19 Resistance 15

Inventory Skills Ragnarok Physic Magic +2 Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B B -- --

Enemy - Heirs of Fate V

See also: V: Endless Dawn

Normal Hard/Lunatic

Strategist Level 11 Movement -

Stats Max HP 40 Speed 18 Strength 15 Luck 8 Magic 22+2 Defense 19 Skill 20 Resistance 27

Inventory Skills Ragnarok Fortify Master Seal Magic +2 Inspiration Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B A -- --

Strategist Level 11 Movement -

Stats Max HP 41 Speed 18 Strength 15 Luck 10 Magic 23+2 Defense 20 Skill 21 Resistance 28

Inventory Skills Ragnarok Fortify Master Seal Magic +2 Inspiration Weapon Levels -- -- -- -- B A -- --

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Fire Emblem Heroes

Role

Arete is one of the characters added to the game in the Echoes of Truth update, and was made available to players in the fifty-seventh Grand Hero Battle, which initially ran from July 20, 2021 through July 27, 2021. Only one variation of Arete is currently available in Heroes, based on her Fates incarnation.

Starting stats

★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

Rarity ★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 6/7/8 Speed 3/4/5 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 6/7/8 Maximum HP 34/37/40 Attack 29/32/35 Speed 20/23/26 Defense 14/17/20 Resistance 27/30/33 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Note: This unit requires the usage of Trait Fruit to access any flaws and assets.

Skills Elfire -- --

Rarity ★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 17/18/19 Attack 7/8/9 Speed 3/4/5 Defense 3/4/5 Resistance 7/8/9 Maximum HP 35/38/41 Attack 31/34/37 Speed 21/24/27 Defense 15/18/21 Resistance 29/32/35 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Note: This unit requires the usage of Trait Fruit to access any flaws and assets.

Skills Rauðrrabbit -- Chilling Wind

Rarity ★★★★★ Weapon type Movement type

Initial Stats Level 40 Stats Maximum HP 18/19/20 Attack 7/8/9 Speed 4/5/6 Defense 4/5/6 Resistance 7/8/9 Maximum HP 37/41/44 Attack 33/36/39 Speed 23/27/30 Defense 17/20/23 Resistance 31/34/37 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}} Note: This unit requires the usage of Trait Fruit to access any flaws and assets.

Skills Rauðrrabbit+ -- Chilling Wind

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Skill set

Skill set
Skill		Rarity	SP cost
	Fire	Innate
	Elfire	Innate
	Rauðrrabbit	★★★	200 SP
	Rauðrrabbit+	★★★★★	300 SP
	Chilling Wind	★★★	100 SP
	Glacies	★★★★	200 SP
A	Atk/Res Push 1	★★★	60 SP
A	Atk/Res Push 2	★★★★	120 SP
A	Atk/Res Push 3	★★★★★	240 SP
C	Res Ploy 1	★★★	60 SP
C	Res Ploy 2	★★★★	120 SP
C	Res Ploy 3	★★★★★	240 SP

Personality and character

What little is known about Arete's character before her passing and resurrection comes from both her daughter and Cassita's recollections. It is said she was a gifted singer and dancer, and trained Azura in both areas. She was also very knowledgeable about her homeland, Valla, as most of Azura's grasps of it came from her, incidentally highlighting Arete's self sacrificial nature towards her loved ones, given sharing information from Valla outside its territory would trigger a curse that made them quickly perish. In Revelation, it is shown Arete was revived by Anankos with none of her past memories, leaving her as a husk whose main trait is her loyalty towards the Silent Dragon.

Arete's despiction in Heroes showcases more facets of her persona, thanks to being summoned as her original self. She's cold towards enemies and reserved regarding her past, partly due to disliking reviving umpleasant memories, yet affable and polite to her allies, displaying a fixation towards being useful. She believes people must be strong in order to survive. Lastly, Arete shows great care and love towards her daughter and her wellbeing, and is worried her unique strength could prevent her from living a normal life.

Quotes

Battle quotes

“	On behalf of my king, I welcome you to our hidden kingdom.	”	— Arete, as the boss of Revelation Chapter 18.

“	Everything that I do, I do in the name of the great Anankos.	”	— Arete as the boss of Revelation Chapter 22

“	Arete: King Anankos will see you destroyed. Azura: ...	”	— Arete, when fighting Azura in Revelation Chapter 22

“	I will not let you go any farther. If you try, I will kill you.	”	— Arete, as the boss of Revelation Chapter 23.

“	Arete: Why is it that looking at you gives me such an incredible headache? Azura: I... Could it be... Arete: No matter—killing you will make the pain go away. Prepare yourself for the next world. Azura: After our last encounter, I readied myself for this moment. I knew that, if we met again, I might have to be the one to take you down.	”	— Arete, when fighting Azura in Revelation Chapter 23

“	You will die before ever sullying the almighty King Anankos's presence.	”	— Arete, as one of the bosses of V: Endless Dawn

“	Arete: It was good of you to come and meet your death firsthand. You've been quite the thorn in our side. You and your mother both. Not to mention a pain in my skull. Every time I lay eyes on you... Every time... Shigure: If you don't understand why that is, then you are truly lost to me. I had hopes...daydreams...about what might happen if you could be saved. What joy we might have shared. What songs we might have sung. Arete: You flatter yourself. I would I deign to do these things with you? Shigure: Do you feel nothing when you look at me? At this pendant? It doesn't stir anything at all within you? Arete: What does the great King Anankos's loyal servant care for such things? Perhaps this pain will stop when I silence you once and for all. But first, let me hear your voice. Sing once more before fading into nothing. Shigure: If I sing, it will be your funeral dirge. For I see there can be no mercy for you. Farewell, Grandmother...	”	— Arete, when fighting Shigure in V: Endless Dawn

Defeat quotes

“	I'm sorry.	”	— Arete's defeat voice clip

“	So...you are capable of more than I thought...	”	— Arete's defeat quote in Revelation Chapter 18.

“	You seem...stronger than before. I should have accounted for that...	”	— Arete's defeat quote quote in Revelation Chapter 22.

“	I...	”	— Arete's death quote in Revelation Chapter 23.

“	Ah...finally... I remember at last...	”	— Arete's defeat quote in V: Endless Dawn

Heroes quotes

Main article: Arete/Quotes (Heroes)

Other appearances

Fire Emblem Cipher

Arete is featured on two cards in Fire Emblem Cipher.

Fire Emblem Cipher data for Arete
	Queen of Nohr, Arete
		"Everyone of you will die here. All are against the will of the demon king Anankos."
		Attack: 50	Support: 20	Range: 1-2	Deploy Cost: 3
		Class: Strategist		Tier: Advanced	Class Change Cost: 2
		Jumbled Memories: [Activate] [] If you pay the cost, you may draw one card and reveal it. If the revealed card is not , you must discard a card from your hand. Descendant of Valla: [Always] While you have no face-up cards in your Bond Area, this unit's attack increases by 10.
	Card #B06-094HN • Artist: Minori Fuyuzora
	Princess of Valla, Arete
		"The path you walk belongs to destiny, just let it flow... All of your joy and your pain will fall like the tide, let it flow..."
		Attack: 30	Support: 20	Range: –	Deploy Cost: 1
		Class: Troubadour		Tier: Base	Class Change Cost: --
		Heal: [Activate] [] [] Choose a card from your Retreat Area other than "Arete" and add it to your hand. Miracle Emblem: [Support] Until the end of this battle, your opponent's attacking unit cannot perform a Critical Hit.
	Card #B06-095N • Artist: Minori Fuyuzora
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Arete .

Flavor text

Game	Text (English)	Text (Japanese)
Fates	Azura's mother. Once married to King Garon. Also has strong ties to Valla.	アクアの母。暗夜王ガロンの妻でもあった。 透魔王国とも浅からぬ因縁を持つ。
Heroes	The combination of her alluring figure and her songbird voice are said to have entranced royals everywhere from Valla to Nohr. Appears in Fire Emblem Fates.	透魔においても、暗夜においても―― その姿にまして美しき歌声は、王の心を溶かしたという。 （登場：『ファイアーエムブレム ｉｆ』）

Trivia

• Arete's feather can be purchased from the accessory shop in My Castle.
• For whatever reason, Arete has less HP across chapters of the same difficulty. For instance, in the Normal mode version of chapter 22 she has less HP than in the Normal Mode version of chapter 18, though it goes back up by her appearance in the same difficulty of chapter 23.
  • Likewise, her Luck decreases with each appearance at least on the Normal difficulty, with chapter 18 giving her her highest figure in the stat.

Etymology and other languages

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Names, etymology and in other regions
Language	Name	Definition, etymology, and notes
English	Arete	From the Greek ἀρετή aretḗ, meaning "excellence" or "moral virtue". In Greek mythology, Arete was the beloved wife of Alcinous and the mother of two children, Nausicaa and Laodamas.
Japanese	シェンメイ	Officially romanized as Shenmei. Derived from Chinese shěnměi 審美 meaning "appreciating beauty" or "appreciating the arts".
Spanish	Arete	--
French	Arete	--
German	Arete	--
Italian	Arete	--
Portuguese (Brazil)	Arete	--
Traditional Chinese	萱玫	Shenmei; distinct from 審美 shěnměi.

Gallery

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  Portrait of Arete from Fire Emblem Fates.

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  Concept artwork of Arete from Fates.

Heroes artwork

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  Artwork of Arete: Requiem's Beauty from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Arete: Requiem's Beauty from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Arete: Requiem's Beauty from Heroes.

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  Artwork of Arete: Requiem's Beauty from Heroes.

References

This article is part of Project Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in the Fire Emblem series.