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| Map of Jugdral from Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War |
As we all know, the stories of most Fire Emblem games are based around political drama and intrigue. The tales of the struggling people and nobles alike, and their journeys within the various environments they were nurtured in. These games tell dramatic tales of life, death, love and friendship. Hardship and war, but also the joys that come with just living.
One of the larger focuses of the overarching plots of modern Fire Emblem titles is that of "Friendship," and the ability to triumph any obstacles with it. However, the Fire Emblem titles from the Shouzou Kaga era had a much different thematic focus. The stories were dark and grim, and they showed the struggles of those living within a cynical world.
Today I'll be focusing on the continent of Jugdral and the politics within.
Jugdral is a world filled with corruption and suffering, both from the people and the various leaders in place.
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| Quan, Sigurd, Eldigan - Fire Emblem Cipher Series 6 |
The Nations of Jugdral
For anyone not familiar with the setting of Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War & Thracia 776, I'll go over a quick blurb on each nation present in the continent of Jugdral. But first, I'll drop a quick link to where you can find the history of this continent.
The Judral Chronology can be found here: (http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Jugdral)
The continent of Jugdral is comprised of the following nations:
- The Kingdom of Grannvale
- The Kingdom of Grannvale is the first nation we're introduced to in Genealogy of the Holy War, and is ultimately the most complex of them all. Grannvale eventually grows and becomes an Empire, and rightfully so. The land mass is rather large, and throughout the first generation of the game of this duology Grannvale successfully conquers and annexes at least THREE kingdoms (even more so around the events of the second generation). This nation is a very powerful political player in the world of Jugdral, especially with all of the noble houses under its command. With houses Chalphy, Jungby, Velthomer, Freege, Dozel and Edda under its command, Grannvale holds claim to six of the twelve crusaders bloodlines. For reasons that will be explained later, Grannvale is currently at war with the Kingdom of Isaach.(Source: http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Grannvale)
- The Kingdom of Verdane
- A small nation founded by a ruler of non-crusader heritage, the people of Verdane are referred to as "Barbarians" by their Grannvalean neighbours. Despite a peaceful reign, King Batou of Verdane is corrupted by Sandima of the Loptyr Sect. The actions of Verdane and the invasion on Grannvale kick off Sigurd's involvement in Genealogy of the Holy War. (Source: http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Verdane)
- The Dominion of Agustria
- Founded by the Black Knight Hezul, Agustria is the largest nation in Judgral (in terms of general size), and is comprised of various houses - Nodion, Mackily, Anphony, and Heirhein. Agustria is rife with corrupt nobles who care not for the well being of the people, only for their own selfish gain. As a result, civil strife is ever the present in this nation. One prominent example of between the nobles of Heirhein (Elliot) and Nodion (Eldigan), who are frequently at each others throats for petty reasoning. (Source: http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Agustria)
- The Kingdom of Silesse
- A northern Kingdom founded by the Crusader Sety, and where the people worship the Wind God Holsety. Silesse is ruled by Queen Rahna, mother of Levin, who takes Sigurd's army under her protection after he's branded a traitor by Grannvale. During the first Generation of Genealogy of the Holy War, Silesse is engaged in a civil war instigated by the brothers of Queen Rahna's late husband in order to gain control of the nation for themselves. (Source: http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Silesse)
- The Kingdom of Thracia
- The Kingdom of Thracia is the nation occupying the southern portion of the Thracian peninsula, with the Kingdom of Manster to the north. Thracia was founded by the Crusader Dain, older brother to the Crusader Noba, and is ruled by King Travant. The Kingdom of Thracia is a struggling nation, with rocky soil and hilly terrain, and as a result the people are starved. Because of this, the Thracians are frequently at war with Manster in an effort to take their resources as their own, and often send their military abroad to work as mercenaries. (Source: http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Thracia)
- The Manster District
- Manster is the location directly north of the Kingdom of Thracia, and contains four Kingdoms: Leonster, Alster, Manster and Conote. (Source: http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Manster_District)
- Leonster: Home of the descendants of the Crusader Noba. Most of Manster's military strength comes from Leonster's Lance Ritter, otherwise known as the "Wall of Leonster."
- Manster: The closest to Thracia's border.
- Alster: A nation over run by Grannvale after the Battle of Belhalla. Unfortunately, not much is known about Alster.
- Conote: The last nation that's a part of the Manster District. Conote was the nation who sent aid when Manster was over run by Travant's army, only to betray them and assassinate the King of Leonster.
- The Republic of Miletos
- A mostly unimportant nation, only briefly visited in the events of Genealogy of the Holy War. Miletos was a location where the infamous Child Hunts (orchestrated by the Lopto Sect) were held. In modern day, Miletos is mostly abandoned. (Source: http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Miletos)
- The Kingdom of Isaach
- A territory located in northern Judral. Isaach is known as the home of swordmasters, and was founded by the Crusader Odo during the original Holy War. Isaach is at the center of it all. The betrayal of Prince Kurth and the assassination of Isaach's King Mananan was the one event that sparked the events of the first generation. (Source: http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Isaach)
Now that I've laid the groundwork and set the stage, it is time to conclude Part 1 of "The Power of Politics."
Next time, I will talk about the major players of Jugdralian politics and their connections to one another.
