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Bitter Intrigue

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Bitter Intrigue

Cm fe14c 12.png

Location

Palace Macarath

New units

Laslow, Peri

Boss(es)

Ryoma

Previous chapter(s)

Rainbow Sage

Next chapter(s)

Uprising

The Nohrian princess is sick, is she? I can tell she means a lot to you. Well then, I believe a trade is in order. Her life for yours. Come back to Hoshido with me, and I shall withdraw my troops immediately.
— Ryoma

Bitter Intrigue (Japanese: 昏き企み Dark Plot) is the twelfth chapter of the Conquest campaign in Fire Emblem Fates. In this chapter, Corrin and their army arrive in Macarath for relaxation, only for Elise to be gripped by an illness contracted on Notre Sagesse and the Hoshidan army led by Ryoma at the gates of the palace. The Nohrians must quickly deal with the Hoshidans with Elise's life on the line.

Plot

Main article: Bitter Intrigue/Script

Inside the throne room at Castle Krakenberg, Iago reports to Garon concerning the events at Notre Sagesse, which pleases him and Garon commands Iago to make Corrin suffer but not kill them, to which he gladly replies; Garon then reveals his ambitions to rule Hoshido and sacrifice Corrin to Anankos, after which Iago states that he has an idea.

We cut to Corrin, Azura, and Elise leading the trek back to Castle Krakenberg, with Corrin noting that they should be back at the castle within days and Elise promising that she won't let Corrin down; as the group continues walking, Elise suddenly stops and falls dizzy, with Corrin noting Elise having a fever and Azura noting her having a rash. Azura deduces that Elise is suffering from an illness endemic to Notre Sagesse that progresses quickly, and she could die if they don't act fast; Azura states that a Hoshidan plant could cure these symptoms, but that plant has no Nohrian equivalent, after which Corrin vows to not let Elise die. Silas arrives on the scene and states that the group has received orders from Iago—they are to travel to the royal palace in Macarath for rest and relaxation; after Corrin explains Elise's plight to Silas, Silas states that Macarath should have what they need to heal Elise, revealing that the best doctors in Nohr live in Macarath and have an unrivaled stock of medicines.

Upon arriving at Palace Macarath, Corrin notices a crowd in the area before recognizing the "crowd" as the Hoshidan army, and that the army is not alone; Ryoma appears on the scene, stating he's been waiting for Corrin and Corrin asks how he knew they were coming to Macarath. Ryoma doesn't answer and challenges Corrin to battle, after which Corrin explains Elise's plight to Ryoma. He tells Corrin he'll withdraw his troops if Corrin comes back with him to Hoshido. Corrin refuses and explains that they do not wish to be an enemy of Hoshido despite fighting for Nohr and seeks peace. Ryoma brushes off Corrin's words and deduces Corrin has been brainwashed by Garon and vows to bring Corrin back to their senses. Corrin begs Ryoma not to do this, as Ryoma again attempts to get Corrin to surrender, two mysterious figures arrive on the scene and charge Ryoma, figures revealed to be a man by the name of Laslow and a woman by the name of Peri, who eventually introduce themselves as Xander's retainers sent to look after Corrin. As Ryoma compares Xander's retainers to his own, he calls his troops into battle; Corrin once again attempts to get Ryoma to stand down, but Peri states that Ryoma does not appear to be the type to back down, while Laslow attempts to get Corrin to smile--something Corrin states they can't do until Elise is safe, after which they explain Elise's plight to Laslow and Peri. As Corrin calls their troops into battle, they state that they are not to kill anyone, much to Peri's disappointment; Corrin states that they do not wish to face Ryoma, but has been left with no other option, vowing not to let Elise die and not to have to return to Hoshido. Preparations take place at this point; the battle begins once preparations are complete, with an explanation as to how the breakable medicine and poison pots in the area work.

Should the end of turn 16 enemy phase be reached with neither Ryoma defeated nor Corrin escaped, Azura states that it appears that they have run out of time, telling Corrin they did all they could; Elise's implied death comes in the form of the Game Over screen.

Once the battle ends, Ryoma states that the Hoshidan line has been breached and that the Hoshidans have no choice but to retreat before Nohrian reinforcements arrive; once Corrin gets wind of the Hoshidan retreat, they tell Elise that it won't be long until she can be healed, with Azura stating that they're running out of time and tells Elise to tough it out. A short while later, Azura states that the worst has passed, as Elise should be able to make a full recovery provided she gets enough rest; Corrin and Azura then discuss the possibility of some within Nohr wishing to see Corrin fall as a possible explanation as to how Ryoma knew they were in the area. Elise briefly stirs awake and explains that she was dreaming about speaking with Gunter before falling back asleep; Corrin wonders why Elise saw Gunter in her dream, explains how Gunter died in the Bottomless Canyon and that they'll never see him again no matter how much they want to, then deduces that Gunter might have been trying to subconsciously send Corrin a message from the afterlife via Elise's dream.

Summary

After triumphing at Notre Sagesse and gaining the Rainbow Sage's power, Corrin heads to Macarath to recover. However, an unexpected battle awaits.

Chapter data

Normal Hard Lunatic

Chapter Data
Conditions
Unit Data
Victory: Defeat Ryoma or have Corrin escape Player Partner Other Enemy
Defeat: Corrin dies*, the player's army is routed*, or 16 turns pass 3–13 {{{partner}}} {{{other}}} 31+6
Cm fe14c 12.png
Map dimensions:
19 columns by 28 rows

This chapter features destructible pots. There are positive "Medicine" pots and negative "Poison" pots; destroying one will apply one of various effects to all units, player or enemy, within two spaces of the pot.

Medicine pots can provide one of the following effects:

  • Restore 30% of units' maximum HP
  • Grant +4 to one of the units' stats for the rest of the chapter
  • Grant +2 to two of the units' stats for the rest of the chapter

Poison pots can provide one of the following effects:

  • Inflict silence status on units for one turn
  • Inflict stun status on units for one turn
  • Reduces units' maximum HP by 1/2 for the rest of the chapter
  • Deal 30% of units' maximum HP as damage to them
  • Inflict -5 debuff to one of the units' stats

The effects that each pot gives are static, and will be the same through every playthrough of the chapter.

Character data

Characters
New units
Laslow
Small portrait laslow fe14.png
Mercenary
HP
28
Inventory
Steel Sword
Vulnerary
Level
12
Automatically from turn 1
Peri
Small portrait peri fe14.png
Cavalier
HP
25
Inventory
Steel Lance
Iron Sword
Level
10
Automatically from turn 1
Required characters
Corrin m ​Laslow ​Peri ​
Available characters
Felicia ​Silas ​Arthur ​Effie ​Odin ​Niles ​Azura ​Nyx ​Camilla ​Selena ​Beruka ​Kaze ​
Undeployable characters
Elise ​

Note: Felicia is only a returning character if Corrin is male, while Jakob is only a returning character if Corrin is female. The returning characters list does not include any characters recruitable in paralogues or xenologues, as the player may not have taken on any available paralogue chapters yet. The list also does not include any bonus units, as they are recruitable at the player's discretion.

Item data

Items
Name Obtainment Method
Is 3ds02 stat booster.png Secret Book Dropped by Ryoma
Is 3ds02 shuriken.png Flame Shuriken Dropped by Saizo
Is 3ds02 key.png Door Key Dropped by enemy Apothecary
Is 3ds02 key.png Door Key Dropped by enemy Apothecary
Is 3ds02 katana.png Kodachi Dropped by enemy Samurai
Is 3ds02 sword.png Armorslayer Open western chest
Is 3ds02 gold.png 5000G Open eastern chest

Dragon Vein data

The Dragon Vein in this chapter is stated to have the effect "Call an earthquake to break all the pots". Its location changes depending on what difficulty the chapter is played on.

  • On Normal and Hard mode:
    • Column 10, row 14: Adjacent to Saizo's and Kagero's initial position
  • On Lunatic mode:
    • Column 10, row 11: Two squares north of Saizo's and Kagero's initial position

Enemy data

Normal Hard Lunatic

Enemy Units
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma 3ds02 swordmaster ryoma enemy.gif Ryoma Swordmaster 3 1 34 15+4 2 15 17+1 12 14−1 11−1 - Raijinto Secret BookThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Bushido Inspiration
--
Ma 3ds02 shrine maiden enemy.gif Hoshidan Shrine Maiden 11 1 23 0 10 10 9 7 4 10 - Wane Festal
Stands on a pillar.
Ma 3ds02 shrine maiden enemy.gif Hoshidan Shrine Maiden 11 1 23 0 10 10 9 7 4 10 - Freeze
--
Ma 3ds02 shrine maiden enemy.gif Hoshidan Shrine Maiden 11 1 23 0 10 10 9 7 4 10 - Entrap
Stands on a pillar.
Ma 3ds02 shrine maiden enemy.gif Hoshidan Shrine Maiden 11 1 23 0 10 10 9 7 4 10 - Silence
--
Ma 3ds02 ninja enemy.gif Hoshidan Ninja 12 3 25 9 0 14 14+2 5 7 10 5 Steel Shuriken
The northern two begin moving if an Apothecary with an Iron Yumi is provoked, or if the Dragon Vein is activated.
Ma 3ds02 samurai enemy.gif Hoshidan Samurai 12 2 26 11 0 12 14+1 7 7−1 8−1 5 Iron Katana
--
Ma 3ds02 spear fighter enemy.gif Hoshidan Spear Fighter 11 4 26 12 0 14 11 5 9+1 5+1 5 Steel Naginata
The northern two begin moving if Saizo, Kagero, or a central Ninja, Samurai, or Spear Fighter is provoked.
Ma 3ds02 ninja saizo enemy.gif Saizo Ninja 13 1 29 11 7 17+1 12+5 11 10 6 5+1 Flame ShurikenThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Pyrotechnics Seal Strength
Lead unit of pair up with Kagero.
Ma 3ds02 ninja kagero enemy.gif Kagero Ninja 13 1 26 14 0 11+1 14+5 9 8 12 5+1 Steel Shuriken
Shuriken Mastery Grisly Wound
Supporting unit of pair up with Saizo.
Ma 3ds02 ninja enemy.gif Hoshidan Ninja 12 2 25 9 0 14 14+2 5 7 10 5 Iron Shuriken
Poison Strike
--
Ma 3ds02 samurai enemy.gif Hoshidan Samurai 12 1 26 11 0 12 14+1 7 7−1 8−1 5 Steel Katana
--
Ma 3ds02 apothecary enemy.gif Hoshidan Apothecary 11 2 27 12 0 10 8 5 11 5+2 5 Steel Yumi
--
Ma 3ds02 apothecary enemy.gif Hoshidan Apothecary 11 2 27 12 0 10 8 5 11 5+2 5 Iron Yumi Door KeyThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
--
Ma 3ds02 ninja enemy.gif Hoshidan Ninja 12 2 25 9 0 14 14+2 5 7 10 5 Steel Shuriken
Poison Strike
Begins moving if an Apothecary with an Iron Yumi is provoked, or if the Dragon Vein is activated.
Ma 3ds02 samurai enemy.gif Hoshidan Samurai 12 4 26 11 0 12 14+5 7+2 7−1 8−1 5 Iron Katana
Two pairs, for a total of four Samurai.
Ma 3ds02 samurai enemy.gif Hoshidan Samurai 12 1 26 11 0 12 14+1 7 7−1 8−1 5 Steel Katana KodachiThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Will not move until he or the nearby Samurai is fought.
Ma 3ds02 samurai enemy.gif Hoshidan Samurai 12 1 26 11 0 12 14+1 7 7−1 8−1 5 Steel Katana Kodachi
Will not move until he or the nearby Samurai is fought.
Reinforcements
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma 3ds02 apothecary enemy.gif Hoshidan Apothecary 11 2 27 12 0 10 8 5 11 5+2 5 Steel Yumi
--
Ma 3ds02 apothecary enemy.gif Hoshidan Apothecary 11 4 27 12 0 10 8 5 11 5+2 5 Iron Yumi
--

Reinforcements

  • After passing the garden area (reaching row 11)
    • 2 (Normal)/4 (Hard/Lunatic) Apothecaries with Steel Yumis; one (Normal)/two (Hard/Lunatic) from the southwestern and southeastern corners of the map each
    • 4 Apothecaries with Iron Yumis; two from the southwestern and southeastern corners of the map each

Boss data

Main article: Ryoma

Normal Hard/Lunatic

Small portrait ryoma fe14.png
Dragon Vein Ma 3ds02 swordmaster ryoma enemy.gif Swordmaster
Level 3
Movement -
Stats
Max HP 34 Speed 17+1
Strength 15+4 Luck 12
Magic 2 Defense 14−1
Skill 15 Resistance 11−1
Inventory Skills
Raijinto
Secret BookThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Bushido
Inspiration
Weapon Levels
Swords/Katanas B Lances/Naginata -- Axes/Clubs -- Bows/Yumi --
Tomes/Scrolls -- Staves/Rods -- Daggers/Shuriken -- Dragonstones --

Strategy

This section details unofficial strategies that may help with completion of the chapter. This may not work for everybody.
Locations of pots and their effects.

The pots in this chapter have a number of potential effects applied to units within a two-square radius of the pot when broken. Medicine pots can restore up to 30% of the target's maximum HP (akin to the Renewal skill), apply +4 to a single one of the target's stats for the remainder of the battle (akin to two triggers of a -⁠taker skill), or apply +2 to two of the target's stats for the remainder of the battle (akin to the usage of a tonic or one trigger of a -⁠taker skill). Poison pots can deal damage equal to 30% of the target's maximum HP (akin to the Renewal skill in reverse), debuff two stats by -5 each (akin to the Defense and Resistance drop caused by an A-rank dagger or shuriken), drop the user's movement to 0 and avoid by -20 for one turn (akin to the Freeze staff and its skill variants), inflict silence (akin to the Silence rod), or halve the target's maximum HP for the remainder of the battle (akin to the Hexing Rod). The terrain indicator, when the cursor is over a pot, will reveal whether a pot is medicine or poison, but will not narrow down specific effects.

If Jakob has or nearly has Swordbreaker and you've recruited Dwyer, you're in very good shape. Elise has a severe case of plot-itis, so she's not allowed to take part in this chapter. Dwyer serves as the best option for a healer in her absence since Jakob does far better as a combat unit. You also receive Laslow and Peri at the beginning of the chapter. Laslow is a Mercenary with better HP and Strength than Selena, but worse Speed, Defense, and Resistance. Peri is one of the only Cavaliers to specialize in lances instead of swords (the other being Gunter), and she has better Speed and weapon levels than Silas is likely to have.

You only have 16 turns to skewer Ryoma or escape, so let's move, move, move! The medicine pot to the right buffs your Magic by 4, while the one in the center buffs your Defense by 4. If you can buff Nyx/Odin and Dwyer with the right pot and your bulkier units with the center, it'll help quite a bit. Afterwards, a Wyvern with a Hand Axe can wound the Ninja from relative safety in the central lake. Effie and Wyvern Lord Jakob's high Defense can help you tear through Saizo, Kagero, and their cronies. As you push north, beware the Shrine Maiden with Silence. Camilla makes good bait for her since she's primarily a physical unit. Nyx/Odin and Dwyer, on the other hand, will be crippled for a turn should they be silenced.

The biggest problem with this map is making it through the horde of Apothecaries without getting yourself killed. Complicating matters is the fact that none of your royals will be able to safely trip the Dragon Vein because they are riding wyverns (Corrin and Camilla), defenseless (Dwyer), or indisposed (Elise). The poison jar directly to the left of the bottom-right pillar only deals a negligible amount of damage, so that's the safest one to break and slip through. Beware the Freeze Shrine Maiden and ESPECIALLY the Entrap Shrine Maiden, as they can cripple an unsuspecting unit or even get them killed if you're not careful. Sending Effie into the Entrap range is a good way to take care of that Shrine Maiden and her Samurai cronies. Carefully make your way to Ryoma's position. You definitely want to get your hands on the two chests, so make sure you get them before escaping or defeating Ryoma. Jakob's Swordbreaker makes Ryoma an utter pushover. If you don't have Swordbreaker, throw Effie at him and hope for the best.

Etymology and other languages

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

Bitter Intrigue

--

Japanese

昏き企み

Dark Plot

Spanish

Intriga amarga

Bitter intrigue

French

Cruelle intrigue

Cruel intrigue

German

Bittere Intrigen

Bitter Intrigue

Italian

Un amaro intrigo

A bitter intrigue

Korean

어둠의 계략

Dark scheme

Gallery


This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


References

← Rainbow Sage • Bitter Intrigue • Uprising →
Fire Emblem Fates
Playable characters Birthright
Birthright
AsugiAzamaAzuraCaeldoriCorrinDwyerFeliciaHanaHayatoHinataHinokaHisameIzanaJakobKadenKageroKanaKazeKiragiMidoriMitamaMozuOboroOrochiReinaRhajatRinkahRyomaSaizoSakuraScarletSelkieSetsunaShigureShiroShuraSilasSophieSubakiTakumiYukimura
Conquest
Conquest
ArthurAzuraBennyBerukaCamillaCharlotteCorrinDwyerEffieEliseFeliciaFloraForrestGunterIgnatiusIzanaJakobKanaKazeKeatonLaslowLeoMidoriMozuNilesNinaNyxOdinOpheliaPercyPeriSelenaShigureShuraSiegbertSilasSoleilSophieVelouriaXander
Revelation
Revelation
ArthurAsugiAzamaAzuraBennyBerukaCaeldoriCamillaCharlotteCorrinDwyerEffieEliseFeliciaFloraForrestFugaGunterHanaHayatoHinataHinokaHisameIgnatiusJakobKadenKageroKanaKazeKeatonKiragiLaslowLeoMidoriMitamaMozuNilesNinaNyxOboroOdinOpheliaOrochiPercyPeriReinaRhajatRinkahRyomaSaizoSakuraScarletSelenaSelkieSetsunaShigureShiroShuraSiegbertSilasSoleilSophieSubakiTakumiVelouriaXander
DLC Anna
amiibo IkeLucinaMarthRobin
Non-playable characters CassitaLaylaLilithRainbow Sage
Bosses ???AnankosAnthonyAreteCandaceDaichiDanielaFunkeGaronGazakHaitakaHansIagoKilmaKotaroKumageraLlewelynLloydMikotoNicholOmozuSennoSumeragiTakumiTarbaZharaZola
Background characters CadrosIkonaKaterinaMoro
Regalia and personal weapons Astral BlessingAurgelmirBifröstBölverkBrynhildrChakramExcaliburFujin YumiGanglariHagakure BladeMissiletainnPursuerRaijintoSiegfriedSkadiWaterwheelYato
Chapters Prologue P: Ties That Bind • 1: Nohr • 2: Gift of Ganglari • 3: Journey Begins • 4: Hoshido • 5: Mother • 6: The Path Is Yours
Birthright
Birthright
6: In the White Light • 7: A Vow Upheld • 8: Fierce Winds • 9: Land of Gods • 10: Ninja Village • 11: To the Sea • 12: Dark Reunion • 13: Another Hope • 14: Light Scatters • 15: Wolfskin Peak • 16: Pleasure Palace • 17: Lost in the Ice • 18: Leo • 19: Rainbow Sage • 20: Fort Dragonfall • 21: Burning Falls • 22: Hidden Capital • 23: Camilla • 24: Tears of a Dragon • 25: Traitor Revealed • 26: Xander • 27: King GaronE: Dawn Breaks
Conquest
Conquest
6: Embrace the Dark • 7: A Dragon's Decree • 8: Cold Reception • 9: Another Trial • 10: Unhappy Reunion • 11: Rainbow Sage • 12: Bitter Intrigue • 13: Uprising • 14: Voice of Paradise • 15: The Black Pillar • 16: Invasion • 17: Den of Betrayal • 18: Black & White • 19: Kitsune Lair • 20: Winds of Change • 21: Eternal Stairway • 22: Sakura • 23: Possessed • 24: Hinoka • 25: Ryoma • 26: Treason • 27: The Empty KingE: Night Breaks Through
Revelation
Revelation
6: Into the Ground • 7: Unspeakable World • 8: Traitor's Brand • 9: Wanderer • 10: Voice of a God • 11: Mutual Enemies • 12: Frozen Sea • 13: A Lost Peace • 14: Orders • 15: Rainbow Sage • 16: White Flames • 17: Black Flames • 18: Veiled Kingdom • 19: Hidden Strings • 20: Seeds of Doubt • 21: Going Forward • 22: Memories • 23: Arete Undone • 24: Days Lost • 25: Blades Drawn • 26: The Vallite King • 27: Hear My CryE: Anankos
Paralogues 1: Tragic Start • 2: Dragon Blood • 3: Surprise Duet • 4: Fight or Flight • 5: Bold Approach • 6: Herbal Remedy • 7: Father & Liege • 8: A Great Hunt • 9: Saizo vs. Saizo • 10: Hunter & Prey • 11: A Long Grudge • 12: Sweet Dreams • 13: Truly Talented • 14: After the End • 15: Hidden Bravery • 16: Abducted • 17: Two Defenders • 18: Nutty Family • 19: Great Heroism • 20: Ultimate Power • 21: Bright Smile • 22: Abrupt Clash
Invasions Birthright: Invasion 1Invasion 2Invasion 3Conquest: Invasion 1Invasion 2Invasion 3Revelation: Invasion 1Invasion 2Invasion 3
DLC chapters Ghostly GoldBoo CampMuseum MeleeBeach BrawlRoyal RoyaleBefore AwakeningHidden Truths 1Hidden Truths 2Vanguard DawnAnna on the RunBallistician BlitzWitches' TrialA Gift from AnnaAnother Gift from AnnaI: In Endless DreamsII: Realms CollideIII: The Changing TideIV: Light's SacrificeV: Endless DawnEnd: Lost in the WavesHoshidan Festival of BondsNohrian Festival of Bonds
Hero Battles Hero-King MarthRadiant Hero IkePrincess LucinaGrandmaster Robin
Locations Deeprealms (My Castle) • Hoshido (Flame TribeIzumoKohgaMokushuWind Tribe) • Nohr (Dragon's GateIce TribeNestra) • Notre SagesseValla (Bottomless Canyon)
Groups, objects, and concepts Ancient TextsDragon VeinMy Castle
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • ItemsScriptsSkillsSupportsWeapons
Related topics 4koma Comic & Character Guide BookCrown of NibelungDownloadable contentName chart • Other games (Awakening) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Soundtrack