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Grimleal

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
This article is about the cult that worships Grima. For the chapter in Fire Emblem Awakening that is named after this cult, see The Grimleal.

Grimleal

3DSAllegianceGrimleal.png
The Grimleal's sigil.

Leader

Validar

Size

Unknown

Group type

Religious order

Purpose

To serve Grima

Appearance(s)

Awakening

Followers of the fell dragon, Grima. The selfsame dragon the first exalt defeated a thousand years ago. Even today there are some who yearn for the fiend's return.
— Frederick

The Grimleal (Japanese: ギムレー教団 Gimurei Church) is a religious order centered around the worship of Grima, the Fell Dragon, and is the state religion of the Theocracy of Plegia.

Overview

Main story

The Grimleal rose with Grima himself as his supporters and servants, and following Grima's defeat at the hands of the first Exalt of Ylisse, the Grimleal remnants founded Plegia and established their religion as the religion of the nation, fixated on one day ensuring Grima's return. They worship Grima as the God of Annihliation,[1] and believe he must be given blood sacrifices.[2] At some time after the Schism and the breakage of the Fire Emblem, Plegia and the Grimleal took possession of the gemstone Sable,[3] which they came to see as "protecting" it from being used to reassemble the Fire Emblem, an artifact with a treacherous reputation to Plegia owing to its role in defeating Grima.[4]

As the state religion of Plegia, Grimleal adherence was mandated by law under King Gangrel. Its stated the religion was popularized more then ever before by Gangrel. [5] Yet most ordinary citizens do not hold Grimleal beliefs, believing in other gods and living in fear of Grima. [6] King Gangrel himself later theorized that the Grimleal members were driven to the faith to find solace from his despotic rule.[7] In the intervening millennium, the Grimleal constantly worked toward breeding a viable human host for Grima, with the lineage of the cult's eventual leader Validar the consistently failed lineage of these efforts, until Validar's child proved a worthy vessel.[8] Grimleal are eager to lay down their life, and give up their spirits as nourishment for Grima.[9] It appears they've sacrificed themselves to Grima for years. [10]

1,000 years after Grima's defeat, Plegia started a war against neighboring Ylisse, using the alleged atrocities of its former exalt as a pretext. When Plegia lost the war, its subsequent turmoil and despair of Gangrel's death drove more of it's citizens than ever to the Grimleal as a form of solace, resulting in a further bolstering of the cult's ranks, as planned by Validar.[10]

In the aftermath of the war between Ylisse and Valm, Validar used his child to wrest possession of the near-completed Fire Emblem from Ylisse's Prince Chrom, after luring him into a trap by offering Sable. After completing the Emblem himself, he readied the Awakening to revive Grima. All Grimleal adherents, save Validar and Aversa, who helped prepare the ritual, were summoned as if by hypnosis to the Dragon's Table as self-sacrificial offerings to strengthen Grima and fuel his return.[10] Though Robin resisted Grima's possession and Validar was killed by Chrom's army in an ensuing battle to stop Grima's revival, a power-deprived incarnation of Grima from another timeline appeared to continue the Awakening, consuming the people of Plegia and restoring himself to his full power.

The Future Past

In an alternate future in which Grima successfully dominated the world, the Grimleal mostly no longer existed in light of the near-extinction of humanity, with the majority of Grima's will in the pursuit of survivors performed by Risen. The few actual humans in his service, including alternate versions of his human host's biological child, were still referred to as Grimleal, and he still spoke of the organization as if it existed.[11]

Members

Character Description Appears in
Small portrait validar fe13.png
Validar
A dark mage who wishes to architect the world's end. Awakening
Small portrait aversa fe13.png
Aversa
A cruel, high-ranking Plegian officer with a sultry aura who is secretly a pawn of the cult. Awakening
Small portrait gangrel fe13.png
Gangrel
The self-styled "Mad King of Plegia". He is officially a member of the cult, but does not truly follow their beliefs.[12] Awakening
Small portrait excellus fe13.png
Excellus
The Valmese Empire's cold and calculating tactician and a Grimleal double agent. [13] Awakening
Small portrait algol fe13.png
Algol
A Cunning Plegian General who serves a dual role as a Grimleal priest. Awakening
Small portrait chalard fe13.png
Chalard
A priest with fanatical reverence for Grima. Awakening
Small portrait gecko fe13.png
Jamil
A Grimleal thug who kidnaps and sacrifices villagers. Awakening
Small portrait nelson fe13.png
Nelson
A Valmese Grimleal who used to work for Walhart. Awakening
Small portrait chalard fe13.png
Ardri
A Grimleal priest who kidnaps and sacrifices villagers. Awakening

In addition, the Grimleal faith encompasses the vast majority of Plegia's citizens as its state religion. The order also has some control over the Risen, including the Deadlords.

Trivia

  • Sources differ on how the Grimleal was popularized under Gangrel's rule:
    • Gangrel says in his supports that citizens likely joined the cult to rebel against the oppression of his barbaric rule.
    • Aversa claims that Gangrel's death drove the mourning people to the Grimleal, despite Gangrel losing support from all but his closest followers.
    • The art book says Gangrel turned Plegia into a Grimleal state by force to secure power. [14]
  • Owing to the thuggish nature of the Grimleal, in several chapters, Grimleal units are labeled "Ruffian."

Etymology and other languages

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

Grimleal

Portmanteau of Grima, their object of worship, and the obscure English leal, "loyal": [15] "those loyal to Grima".

Japanese

ギムレー教団

Gimurei Church

Spanish

Orden de Grima

Order of Grima

French

Disciples de Grima

Disciples of Grima

German

Grimleal

As above.

Italian

Seguaci di Grima

Disciples of Grima

Gallery

References

  1. "Ha ha! You dare defy Grima, god of annihilation" — Chalard, Fire Emblem Awakening
  2. " Lord Grima demands blood! All things unto Lord Grima! " — Ardri, Fire Emblem Awakening
  3. "King Validar has extended an invitation. He says Plegia has been guarding Sable, and now he wishes to return it to you." — Frederick, Fire Emblem Awakening
  4. "Do you really want it that badly? This concerns me. The Gemstones and the Fire Emblem can be...treacherous artifacts. A fact Plegia and the Grimleal sadly know all too well..." — Validar, Fire Emblem Awakening
  5. "Gangrel popularized the religion" (The Art of Fire Emblem Awakening)
  6. "Gods praise ye, good people! Gods praise ye one and all! We lives in constant fear of what the Grimleal will do to us, so we does! 'Ere!" — Plegian Elder, Fire Emblem Awakening
  7. "Avatar: You once worshipped Grima, correct? As a member of the Grimleal?
    Gangrel: Pah, those wrinkled old warts with their dusty tomes? I was Grimleal in name only. Course, it was the faith of the realm, so I knew most of its rituals.
    Avatar: Religion can be a powerful tool for uniting people behind a single cause. I wager Aversa used it to convince your subjects to take up arms?
    Gangrel: ...Perhaps. But in the end, I'd say she used me as much as anyone.
    Avatar: And what did the people of Plegia really think of the faith?
    Gangrel: Think? Ha! They DIDN'T think! Between my iron-fisted rule and Aversa's inquisitions, they had no choice about it. ... But as I said, it was a cruel time.
    Avatar: Your people were cowed by your political might, but the temples offered solace...
    Gangrel: Ah, yes. The solace of the damned.
    " — Avatar (male) and Gangrel, Fire Emblem Awakening
  8. "The Grimleal have worked for generations to create someone like you... A vessel worthy of our master. Simply having Grima's blood in your veins is not enough... My father was not worthy, nor was his father before him. Even I was not able to accept Grima's most sacred gift. But you? You had all the makings. You were perfection!" — Validar, Fire Emblem Awakening
  9. "Master Grima...my life force...is yours..." — Chalard, Fire Emblem Awakening
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Aversa: You aren't listening. All of this—every word and action—has been orchestrated... Gangrel held the exalt in contempt, yes, so Validar and I used him. In life AND death. The king's demise threw Plegia into chaos. It drove the people to Grima... Now their life force and rancor can be laid before the fell dragon en masse.
    Chrom: You couldn't mean...
    Aversa: It is called the Table for a reason, you naive little man. It is where Grima feeds! The Grimleal have gladly offered themselves to him for ages. Even now, they pray for his return... Today the Table overflows with bounty, and their prayers will be answered!
    " — Aversa, Fire Emblem Awakening
  11. "I do not "imply." I have sent the strongest of my Grimleal to dispatch your comrades. They are almost certainly dead by now." — Grima, Fire Emblem Awakening
  12. "Pah, those wrinkled old warts with their dusty tomes? I was Grimleal in name only. Course, it was the faith of the realm, so I knew most of its rituals." — Gangrel, Fire Emblem Awakening
  13. "That wicked Grimleal fanatic whispering lies in my ear didn't help matters..." — Walhart, Fire Emblem Awakening
  14. "When the country came under the rule of mad king Gangrel, a devotee of the Fell Dragon Grima, it underwent a revival as a religious state" (The Art of Fire Emblem Awakening)
  15. Wiktionary: leal
Fire Emblem Awakening
Playable characters AnnaAversaBasilioBradyChercheChromCordeliaCynthiaDonnelEmmerynFlaviaFrederickGaiusGangrelGeromeGregorHenryInigoKellamKjelleLaurentLibraLissaLon'quLucinaMaribelleMirielMorganNahNoireNowiOliviaOwainPannePriamRickenRobinSay'riSeveraStahlSullySumiaTharjaTikiVaikeVirionWalhartYarneYen'fay
Non-playable characters HollandMaidenNagaOld HubbaPhila
Bosses AlgolAnguillaArdriAversaBovisCampariCanisCassiusCervantesChalardDalenDaltonDracoEquusExcellusEzraFarberGallusGangrelGarrickGeckoGrimaGyralIgnatiusJamilLepusMarthMorristanMusMustafaNelsonNombryOrtonOvisPherosPorcusPriamRaimiRisen ChiefRoddickRugerSimiaTigrisValidarVastoVictorVincentWalhartXalbadorYen'fayZanth
Background characters First exaltKe'riMarth
DLC characters AlmCatriaCelicaEirikaEldiganElinciaEphraimEstIkeKatarinaLeifLynPrince MarthMicaiahPallaRoySeliph
SpotPass characters Shadow Dragon CaedaGharnefLindeMerricMinervaNavarreNynaOgmaPrince MarthTiki
Gaiden AlmBoeyCelicaClairCliveDeenLuthierMycenNomahValbar
Mystery of the Emblem AthenaCatriaEtzelHardinHoraceKatarinaKing MarthLegionMaliceNorne
Genealogy of the Holy War G1 ArdenArvisAyraDeirdreEthlynJamkeLewynQuanRaquesisSigurd
Genealogy of the Holy War G2 AltenaAresArthurCedFeeJuliaJuliusLarceiSeliphUlster
Thracia 776 DagdarEyvelFinnLeifMareetaNannaOlwenRaydrikSaiasSalem
Binding Blade CeciliaLilinaLughPercevalRaighRoyShannaSophiaWoltZephiel
Fire Emblem EliwoodFlorinaHectorJaffarKarelLynMatthewNergalNinoSerra
Sacred Stones AmeliaEirikaEphraimInnesL'ArachelLuteLyonMarisaMoulderSeth
Path of Radiance AshnardElinciaGeoffreyIkeLuciaMiaMistSorenTitaniaZihark
Radiant Dawn Black KnightBromEdwardLeonardoMicaiahNepheneeSanakiSephiranSigrunSothe
Others CamusIshtarLinusLloydNarcianOliverPetrineSelenaTravantUrsula
Regalia and personal weapons AmatsuArmadsBalmungBook of NagaDouble BowExcaliburFalchion (Exalted FalchionParallel Falchion) • ForsetiGáe BolgGoddess StaffGoetiaGradivusGrima's TruthGungnirHauteclereHelswathMercuriusMissiletainnMjölnirMystletainnNidhoggNoble RapierParthiaRagnellRapierSol KattiTyrfingValflameWolf BergYewfelle
Chapters Main story Pm: Invisible Ties • P: The Verge of History • 1: Unwelcome Change • 2: Shepherds • 3: Warrior Realm • 4: Two Falchions • 5: The Exalt and the King • 6: Foreseer • 7: Incursion • 8: The Grimleal • 9: Emmeryn • 10: Renewal • 11: Mad King Gangrel • 12: The Seacomers • 13: Of Sacred Blood • 14: Flames on the Blue • 15: Smoldering Resistance • 16: Naga's Voice • 17: Inexorable Death • 18: Sibling Blades • 19: The Conqueror • 20: The Sword or the Knee • 21: Five Gemstones • 22: An Ill Presage • 23: Invisible Ties • 24: Awakening • 25: To Slay a GodE: Grima
Paralogues 1: Sickle to Sword • 2: The Secret Seller • 3: A Strangled Peace • 4: Anna the Merchant • 5: Scion of Legend • 6: A Man for Flowers • 7: Noble Lineage • 8: A Duel Disgraced • 9: Wings of Justice • 10: Ambivalence • 11: Twin Wyverns • 12: Disowned by Time • 13: Rival Bands • 14: Shadow in the Sands • 15: A Shot from the Dark • 16: Daughter to Dragons • 17: The Threat of Silence • 18: The Dead King's Lament • 19: Irreconcilable Paths • 20: A Hard Miracle • 21: Ghost of a Blade • 22: The Wellspring of Truth • 23: The Radiant Hero
Xenologues Champions of Yore 1Champions of Yore 2Champions of Yore 3The Golden GaffeEXPonential GrowthInfinite RegaliaLost Bloodlines 1Lost Bloodlines 2Lost Bloodlines 3Smash Brethren 1Smash Brethren 2Smash Brethren 3Rogues & Redeemers 1Rogues & Redeemers 2Rogues & Redeemers 3Death's EmbraceFive-Anna FirefightRoster RescueHarvest ScrambleSummer ScrambleHot-Spring ScrambleThe Future Past 1The Future Past 2The Future Past 3Apotheosis
Locations YlisseFerox (Arena Ferox) • Outrealm Gate (Outrealms) • Plegia (Dragon's Table) • YlisseValmChon'sinRosanneValm
Groups, objects, and concepts AwakeningEinherjarFire EmblemGrimleal (Deadlords) • RisenShepherds
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSkillsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Ancient LettersBirthdayDouble DuelDownloadable contentName chartNintendo Dream comics • Other games (GaidenGenealogy of the Holy WarShadow DragonNew Mystery of the Emblem) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Unit Gallery (Soundtrack) • SpotPassStreetPassTimelineWorld map