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Marth Embarks

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
Marth Embarks

Cm fe11 1.png

Location

Isle of Talys

New units

Marth,[Note 1] Caeda, Jagen,[Note 1] Cain,[Note 1] Abel,[Note 1] Draug,[Note 1] Gordin,[Note 1] Wrys[Note 2]

Boss(es)

Gazzak

Previous chapter(s)

Prologue IV

Next chapter(s)

The Pirates of Galder

Marth Embarks (Japanese: マルスの旅立ち Marth's Departure) is the first chapter of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, Book I of Mystery of the Emblem, and Shadow Dragon. It is set two years after the prologue of Shadow Dragon.

Plot

Main article: Marth Embarks/Script

Marth, having narrowly survived the downfall of Altea, reaches the island kingdom of Talys, where its king Mostyn allows him to reside in the eastern fortress. Marth spends two years in hiding, training to become strong enough to challenge Medeus. One day, pirates from the town of Galder storm the island and begin pillaging the local villages. Princess Caeda races to the eastern fortress to enlist Marth's aid, and he promptly engages the pirates.

Starting from the east side of the island, Marth leads the army to the western castle, where he defeats Gazzak, the leader of the pirates. He meets King Mostyn, who deems him worthy to battle Dolhr and supplies him with a group of soldiers, most notably Ogma, to help him reclaim Altea. King Mostyn advises Marth to recruit more fighters who can help, whether they are hiding in villages or being forced to fight by the enemy.

Chapter data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Chapter Data
Conditions
Unit Data
Victory: Seize Player Partner Other Enemy
Defeat: Marth dies 7+1 {{{partner}}} {{{other}}} 14
Cm fe11 1.png
Map dimensions:
30 columns by 13 rows

Units are arranged based on their position in deployment order after Marth. If every unit is alive and recruited, the deployment order is:

Character data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon Normal Mode Shadow Dragon Hard Modes

Characters
New units
Marth
Portrait marth fe11.png
Lord
HP
18
Inventory
Rapier
Iron Sword
Level
1
Automatically from turn 1
Caeda
Portrait caeda fe11.png
Pegasus Knight
HP
16
Inventory
Wing Spear
Level
1
Automatically from turn 1
Cain
Portrait cain fe11.png
Cavalier
HP
20
Inventory
Iron Lance
Iron Sword
Level
1
Automatically from turn 1
Abel
Portrait abel fe11.png
Cavalier
HP
20
Inventory
Javelin
Iron Sword
Level
1
Automatically from turn 1
Draug
Portrait draug fe11.png
Knight
HP
20
Inventory
Iron Lance
Level
1
Automatically from turn 1
Jagen
Portrait jagen fe11.png
Paladin
HP
22
Inventory
Silver Lance
Iron Sword
Level
1
Automatically from turn 1
Gordin
Portrait gordin fe11.png
Archer
HP
18
Inventory
Iron Bow
Steel Bow
Level
1
Automatically from turn 1
Wrys
Portrait wrys fe11.png
Curate
HP
16
Inventory
Heal
Level
1
Visit western village
Available characters
None

Item data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Items
Name Obtainment Method
Is ds bullion.png 10,000 G Visit the eastern village
Is ds vulnerary.png Vulnerary Dropped by Gazzak

Shop data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Armories and vendors

Swords Lances Axes Bows Tomes Staves Items Secret

Name Cost
Is ds iron sword.png Iron Sword 400

Enemy data

Enemy data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Stats with a decimal can vary randomly; the decimal represents the chance for the stat to increase to the nearest integer, or otherwise be truncated.

Normal Hard-1 Hard-2 Hard-3 Hard-4 Hard-5

Enemy Units
Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma ds01 pirate enemy.gif Gazzak Pirate 5 1 24 7 0 3 8 0 6 0 -- Steel Axe VulneraryThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Moves onto the gate on turn 1.
Ma ds01 pirate enemy.gif Pirate Pirate 1 11 18 5 0 1 6 0 4 0 6 Iron Axe
• The three south of the Hunter, the furthest southeastern one, and the furthest northern two immediately begin moving unprovoked.
• The one northwest of Gazzak begins moving if the one just east of Gazzak is provoked.
• The one just east of Gazzak, the one just southwest of Gazzak, and other eastern two only move to attack units in range.
Ma ds01 thief enemy.gif Pirate Thief 1 1 16 3 0 1 7 0 1 0 7 Iron Sword
Prioritizes destroying villages.
Ma ds01 hunter enemy.gif Pirate Hunter 1 1 18 6 0 4 6 0 3 0 6 Iron Bow
Begins moving if the left southeastern Pirate is provoked.

Boss data

Main article: Gazzak
Boss data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light Mystery of the Emblem Shadow Dragon

Stats with a decimal can vary randomly; the decimal represents the chance for the stat to increase to the nearest integer, or otherwise be truncated.

Normal Hard-1 Hard-2 Hard-3 Hard-4 Hard-5

Portrait gazzak fe11.png
Ma ds01 pirate enemy.gif Pirate
Level 5
Movement --
Stats
Max HP 24 Speed 8
Strength 7 Luck 0
Magic 0 Defense 6
Skill 3 Resistance 0
Inventory
Steel Axe
VulneraryThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Weapon Levels
Swords -- Lances -- Axes D
Bows -- Tomes -- Staves --

Strategy

This section details unofficial strategies that may help with completion of the chapter. This may not work for everybody.

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light

Marth has exclusive access to several extremely powerful swords and enemies will automatically prioritize attacking him if at all possible. Caeda doesn't have much going for her apart from her flight utility; she does get immediate access to Jagen's Silver Lance, but Abel isn't far behind and has much better Strength to deal damage.

Shadow Dragon

  1. Prologue Playthrough and Character Training: If you are playing in Normal Mode and have completed the Prologue, the characters you have played with so far should have gained several levels by now. This is an excellent opportunity to level up other characters, as the ones you have been using will not gain much experience here.
  2. Norne's Appearance: If you finished Prologue IV with four or fewer characters, Norne will join your team. She is slightly better than Gordin. If you are considering using her, start training now as her starting stats are quite low. However, there are more powerful bow users available later in the game.
  3. Enemy Encounter Strategy: Pirates and the Hunter are manageable. Some approach from land and others from the sea. One will be stationed at the castle while three others linger until you get closer. Place your injured characters in forests or forts, especially before getting Wrys for healing. Keep Caeda away from the Hunter as she is vulnerable to arrows.
  4. Protect the Villages: Ensure you defeat the Thief before he reaches any villages as they will be destroyed the moment he enters.
  5. Equipment Purchases: Once you acquire gold from a village, get some weapons. Buy an Iron Lance and some Javelins for Caeda, so she does not have to rely on her unique weapon. Get a lance for Abel (he only starts with a Javelin) and consider another Javelin for Draug.
  6. Boss Strategy: Attacking the boss from a distance is possible, so plan accordingly.

Hard-5

To make your gameplay a tad smoother, aim for Gazzak to have 10 speed through resets.

Your Starting Units:

  1. Marth: He is the protagonist but has unimpressive stats. His reliance on swords is a disadvantage since the game has many lance-wielding enemies and lacks effective 2-range sword options.
  2. Caeda: A quick but fragile Pegasus Knight. Due to powerful enemies, her impressive speed shines, enabling her to efficiently tackle cavalry and armored foes with her unique Wing Spear.
  3. Cain and Abel: These Cavaliers have well-rounded stats. Cain's lower lance rank makes him a bit more of a pain to train, though.
  4. Draug: A dependable early-game tank.
  5. Jagen: An early-game Paladin that can provide support with his Silver Lance.
  6. Gordin: An Archer with overall disappointing stats and growth.

Gameplay Strategies:

  1. Send Marth to the village to collect 10,000 gold immediately. Buy Javelins for Draug, Caeda, and Jagen, and Iron Lances for Abel and Caeda.
  2. Use Abel's Javelin to weaken the nearby Thief, allowing Marth to finish him by turn 2.
  3. Six enemy Pirates will quickly approach at the chapter's start. Position Draug on the eastern fortress for defense and counter-attacks.
  4. If things get dicey, use Jagen's Silver Lance. Never end a turn with Gordin having a Steel Bow equipped and always make sure he is outside of the enemies' range, as he can be defeated in one round.
  5. After eliminating the initial aggressive pirates, you will gain the upper hand. Use forts for healing and use Draug to strategically attract enemies. Try to level up all units, excluding Jagen, to level 2.
  6. If Cain gets +1 speed, he can avoid being doubled by 10-speed Gazzak. If Draug gets +1 HP or defense and +1 luck, he cannot be ORKOed by the pirates in the next chapter under any circumstances. If Marth and Abel get +1 speed, they cannot be doubled by 11-speed Gazzak, and if Abel gets +1 luck, he cannot be critically hit by Gazzak.

Visit the western village to recruit Wrys, a Curate who is really only helpful in Chapter 2. As for Gazzak, weaken him using Javelins and the Iron Bow. Do not let Jagen kill with a critical hit as you need the experience Gazzak offers to be spread among your other units.

Trivia

  • Wrys was removed from Mystery of the Emblem Book I and replaced by Gazzak's Vulnerary, which was removed from his inventory and placed in the left village of the chapter. This has been referenced several times in recent years, including in Wrys's primary ability on his first Fire Emblem Cipher card, B01-015N Healing Curate, which allows him to be discarded for a Vulnerary equivalent.

Etymology and other languages

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

Marth Embarks

--

Japanese

マルスの旅立ち

Marth's Departure

Spanish

El viaje de Marth

Marth's journey

French

La quête de Marth

Marth's quest

German

Marth bricht auf

Lit. "Marth breaks on"

Italian

Marth approda a Talys

Marth arrives at Talys

Gallery

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Not in Shadow Dragon Normal Mode.
  2. Not in Mystery of the Emblem.

References

← Prologue IV • Marth Embarks • The Pirates of Galder →
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light
Playable characters AbelArranAstramBantuBarstBeckBoahBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCordDarrosDolphDraugEliceEstGordinGotohHardinJagenJakeJeorgeJulianLenaLindeLorenzMacellanMariaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNavarreOgmaPallaRaddRickardRogerRosheaSamsonSedgarTikiTomasVylandWendellWolfWrysXane
Non-playable characters Aurelis KingMalledusNynaTalys King
Bosses BentheonCamusEmereusGazzakGharnefGomerGrigasHarmeinHeimlerHollstadtHymanJiolKannivalKhozenMannuMedeusMerachMichalisMorzasOrridyonSternlinTikiVolzhinXemcelZharov
Background characters AnriArtemisCorneliusLizaLudwik
Regalia and personal weapons AumAuraExcaliburFalchionGradivusImhulluMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlight
Chapters 1: Marth Embarks • 2: The Pirates of Galder • 3: The Ghoul's Teeth • 4: Battle in the Lea • 5: Champions of Aurelis • 6: Fire Emblem • 7: Lefcandith Gauntlet • 8: Port Warren • 9: The Pyrathi Dragon • 10: Princess Minerva • 11: Knorda Market • 12: The Ageless Palace • 13: The Wooden Cavalry • 14: Land of Sorrow • 15: An Oasis of Magic • 16: The Battle for Altea • 17: Star and Savior • 18: The Sable Order • 19: Manakete Princess • 20: Camus the Sable • 21: Clash in Macedon • 22: A Knight-Filled Sky • 23: Dark Pontifex • 24: The Dragonkin Realm • 25: Chosen by Fate
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAurelisDolhrGraGrustKhadeinKingdom of ArchaneaMacedonPyrathiTalysThabes
Groups, objects and concepts Archanean LeagueDragons (Divine DragonsEarth Dragons) • DragoonsFire EmblemSable OrderWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists ArmoriesCharactersClasses (Class change) • ItemsScriptsSecret ShopsTerrainVendorsWeapons
Related topics Hakoda manga adaptationName chart • Other games (GaidenMystery of the EmblemShadow DragonAwakening) • Sound Test ModeTimeline
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
Playable characters Book 1 AbelArranAstramBantuBarstBoahBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCordDolphDraugEliceEstGordinHardinJagenJeorgeJulianLenaLindeLorenzMacellanMariaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNavarreOgmaPallaRaddRickardRosheaSamsonSedgarTikiTomasVylandWendellWolfXane
Book 2 AbelArlenArranAstramBantuCaedaCainCastorCatriaCecilDraugEliceEstPhinaGordinJeorgeJubeloJulianLenaLindeLukeMariaMarishaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNavarreNynaOgmaPallaRickardRoderickRosheaRyanSamsonSamuelSheenaSiriusTikiVylandWarrenWendellXaneYuliya
Non-playable characters Book 1 GotohMalledusNynaTalys King
Book 2 Aurelis KingBoahCamusGotohJagenLangLorenzMichalis
Bosses Book 1 CamusEmereusGazzakGharnefGomerHarmeinHollstadtHymanJiolKannivalKhozenMedeusMerachMichalisMorzasTikiVolzhinXemcelZharov
Book 2 DallEibelEllereanFire DragonGailGharnefHardinHereticIce DragonJeorgeLangLorenzLumelLykkeMage DragonMedeusNehringSheenaTorusWillowWyvernYodel
Background characters AdrahAnriArtemisCaldasCorneliusIoteLizaLudwikMarlonMarcelusNagaOrdwin
Regalia and personal weapons AumAuraExcaliburFalchionFire EmblemGradivusImhulluMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlight
Chapters Book 1 1: Marth Embarks • 2: The Pirates of Galder • 3: A Brush in the Teeth • 4: Champions of Aurelis • 5: Fire Emblem • 6: Lefcandith Gauntlet • 7: Port Warren • 8: Princess Minerva • 9: Knorda Market • 10: The Ageless Palace • 11: Land of Sorrow • 12: An Oasis of Magic • 13: The Battle for Altea • 14: Star and Savior • 15: Manakete Princess • 16: Camus the Sable • 17: A Knight-Filled Sky • 18: Dark Pontifex • 19: The Dragonkin Realm • 20: Chosen by Fate
Book 2 1: The Grustian Expedition • 2: Rebellion at Macedon • 3: Abducted Princess • 4: Joy and Sorrow • 5: Liberation of Grust • 6: The Nest of Evil • 7: The Scarlet Sword • 8: Soulful Bridge • 9: Sanctuary of Sorcery • 10: Two Sorcerers • 11: Anri's Way • 12: Graveyard of Fire Dragons • 13: Frozen Land • 14: A Mystery Revealed • 15: Return of the Prince • 16: Regaining the Capital • 17: Gra's Sun Sets • 18: Battle of the Pass • 19: The Last Decisive Battle • 20: Dark Emperor • E1: The Wyvern's Dale • E2: The Dragon Altar (part 1part 2part 3)
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAnri's WayAurelisDolhr (Dragon Altar) • Empire of ArchaneaGraGrustKhadeinMacedonTalys
Groups, objects and concepts Archanean LeagueCoyote's MenDragons (Divine DragonEarth DragonManakete) • DragoonsHereticsSable OrderWar of HeroesWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics Anime adaptationName chart • Other games (Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightGaidenGenealogy of the Holy WarArchanea SagaNew Mystery of the EmblemAwakening) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound MuseumTimeline
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
Playable characters AbelArranAstramAthenaBantuBarstBeckBoahBordCaedaCaesarCainCastorCatriaCordDarrosDolphDraugEliceEstEtzelFreyGordinGotohHardinHoraceJagenJakeJeorgeJulianLenaLindeLorenzMacellanMariaMarthMatthisMerricMidiaMinervaNagiNavarreNorneOgmaPallaRaddRickardRogerRosheaSamsonSedgarTikiTomasVylandWendellWolfWrysXaneYmir
Non-playable characters Aurelis KingMalledusNynaTalys King
Bosses BathysBentheonCamusCaptainDactylDejaniraEmereusGazzakGharnefGomerGrigasHarmeinHeimlerHollstadtHymanJiolKannivalKhozenLarissaMannuMedeusMerachMichalisMorzasOrridyonSternlinTikiVolzhinXemcelZharov
Background characters AdrahAnriArtemisCaldasIoteLizaLudwikMarlonMarcelusNagaOrdwin
Regalia and personal weapons AumFalchionFire EmblemGradivusImhulluHauteclereMercuriusParthiaRapierStarlightWing Spear
Chapters P: Prologue I • P: Prologue II • P: Prologue III • P: Prologue IV • 1: Marth Embarks • 2: The Pirates of Galder • 3: A Brush in the Teeth • 4: Battle in the Lea • 5: Champions of Aurelis • 6: Fire Emblem • 6x: In War's Grip • 7: Lefcandith Gauntlet • 8: Port Warren • 9: The Pyrathi Dragon • 10: Princess Minerva • 11: Knorda Market • 12: The Ageless Palace • 12x: A Traitor's Worth • 13: The Wooden Cavalry • 14: Land of Sorrow • 15: An Oasis of Magic • 16: The Battle for Altea • 17: Star and Savior • 17x: Helena Castle • 18: The Sable Order • 19: Manakete Princess • 20: Camus the Sable • 20x: The Lair of Fire • 21: Clash in Macedon • 22: A Knight-Filled Sky • 23: Dark Pontifex • 24: The Dragonkin Realm • 24x: The AlterspireE: Chosen by Fate
Locations ArchaneaAlteaAurelisDolhrGraGrustKhadeinKingdom of ArchaneaMacedonPyrathiTalysThabes
Groups, objects and concepts Archanean LeagueDragons (Divine DragonEarth DragonManakete) • DragoonsSable OrderWar of LiberationWar of ShadowsWhitewinged Order
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • ConversationsItemsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics List of version differences (Name chart) • Other games (Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightGaidenNew Mystery of the EmblemAwakening) • Pre-release information (Unused content) • Sound RoomTimeline