Kieran

"I will brook no insult to my queen or my armor! You face Kieran, second commander of the Royal Knights...and your doom!"

- Kieran, fighting Valtome for honor

Kieran (ケビン Kebin) is a playable character from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and ''Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn'. He is the sub-commander of the Crimean Royal Knights, and serves under General Geoffrey.

Path of Radiance
In this game, Kieran serves as a member of Crimea's 5th Platoon, who, alongside Geoffrey, is entrusted with the honorable duty of escorting Elincia, Crimea's secret princess, from the Daein attack on Melior during the Mad King's War. When the escort is later ambushed by Daein forces, he is captured by the Daein army and held in Castle Canteus. Kieran is later rescued by Ike's forces, whereupon he will remain with them until the game reaches its conclusion. He will then cede his services back to Crimea, serving under the newly-crowned Queen Elincia.

Radiant Dawn
Kieran is first introduced in this game in a base conversation in Chapter 2-3, where he is given a Silver Axe as a gift from Geoffrey himself. Alongside the other Crimean Royal Knights, Kieran will then fall into Ludveck's trap and lay siege on Castle Felirae. They will then rush to Fort Alpea in the next preceding chapter, serving as reinforcements to Elincia's stranded forces.

Kieran later appears as an enemy unit in Chapter 3-12 to the Daein army, most likely representing the Crimean Royal Knights in Geoffrey's absence. The chances of the player managing to engage him in battle, however, are rather slim.

Kieran will survive the judgment of Ashera in Chapter 3-E, and may be assigned to either one of the three groups headed for the Tower of Guidance.

Personality
Kieran is a rather hotblooded, loud and proud individual, and is known to announce his name, rank and title before engaging in any battles. He is also extremely enthusiastic of his position as a Crimean Royal Knight, and constantly trains vigorously to protect his honor, often inflicting wounds upon himself in the process without realizing it. Furthermore, Kieran possesses an energetic and hyperactive disposition, and appears to be unable to quell his excitement in any given situation.

Kieran shares a bitter, yet one-sided, rivalry with Oscar, whom he resents for leaving the Crimean Knights. According to a support conversation he shares with Oscar, his rivalry with Oscar started in their second year of enlistment in the Crimean Army when they had just completed their horsemanship training. According to Kieran, during a final horse race, Oscar beat him "by the smallest of margins," while Oscar recalls the distance to be "at least three lengths."

Recruitment

 * Chapter 11: The door to the prison cell that Kieran is held in must have been opened. Furthermore, he must have survived Chapter 10.

Base Stats

 * FE9 Kieran Axe Knight Sprite.png Axe Knight
 * FE9Wind.gif
 * 12
 * 30
 * 11
 * 1
 * 10
 * 12
 * 8
 * 10
 * 1
 * 10
 * 33
 * 8
 * FE9 Axe.png Axe - C
 * Gamble (FE9).gif Gamble
 * }
 * }

Growth Rates

 * 60%
 * 50%
 * 15%
 * 50%
 * 40%
 * 25%
 * 40%
 * 30%
 * }

Support Conversations

 * Oscar
 * Rhys
 * Marcia

Bond Support

 * Geoffrey: 5%

Promotional Gains
Promotion to Paladin * Depends on the choice made by the player.
 * HP: +3
 * Strength: +2
 * Magic: +2
 * Skill: +2
 * Speed: +2
 * Defense: +2
 * Resistance: +3
 * Con: +1
 * Move: +1
 * Cap: +5
 * E FE9 Sword.png / FE9 Lance.png / FE9 Bow.png Rank*

Overall
Kieran is a well-rounded unit in this game. He may join the player's army relatively late, but he still proves be a very useful unit, especially if he is assigned Swords or Lances when he is promoted. Kieran has a high chance of capping his Strength, and, to a smaller extent, his Skill. His other stats are average, apart from his relatively high defenses. To further increase his usability, the player is strongly advised to replacing Kieran's Gamble skill with either Savior, Provoke, or Resolve.

Availability
◎=Forced　○=Available　□=Available for selected　△=Reinforcement
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Base Stats

 * FE10 Kieran Axe Paladin Sprite.png Axe Paladin
 * FE10Wind.png
 * 11
 * 41
 * 21
 * 6
 * 20
 * 20
 * 16
 * 18
 * 11
 * 11
 * 36
 * 9
 * FE10 Axe.gif Axe - A
 * Gamble.png Gamble Canto.png Canto
 * FE10steelpoleax.png Steel Poleax FE10handaxe.png Hand Axe FE10vulnerary.png Vulnerary
 * }

Growth Rates

 * 75%
 * 60%
 * 15%
 * 40%
 * 30%
 * 30%
 * 60%
 * 25%
 * }

Bond Support

 * Geoffrey: 5%

Promotional Gains
Promotion to Gold Knight
 * HP: +4
 * Strength: +2
 * Magic: +4
 * Skill: +2
 * Speed: +2
 * Defense: +2
 * Resistance: +4
 * Con: +0
 * Move: +0
 * C FE10 Sword.gif Rank
 * Sol.png Sol skill

C Support with Rhys
Kieran: Hey, Rhys! Nice day, isn't it. Rhys: Oh, hello, Kier... Yaaaa! What happened to you!? Kieran: Huh? What is it? Rhys: Th-there's blood gushing down the side of your head! Kieran: Hm? Why, so there is... Isn't that odd? Rhys: Odd? Please, hold still! Just stay there! Let me get my heal staff and-- Kieran: Heal staff? Bah! I'm fine. A scratch like this will heal itself! You should have seen the time I fought the Giant Scorpions of-- Rhys: Oh, my goodness! Are you kidding!? Please! Hold still... ...Phew! That should do it. But...how did you hurt yourself? Kieran: Oh, I was just training over there... Must have gotten a little crazy! Hiyaaaaaa! Whaaaaaaa! Rhys: Who were you sparring with? And why did they hit you hard enough to draw blood? Kieran: Sparring? Ha! No one spars with Kieran! I'm too much man for them! No, I was just swinging my axe around. Rhys: H-how do you cut yourself swinging-- Kieran: Rhys? I'm a Crimean knight! We fear neither blood, nor pain, nor terribly sharp implements being inserted into our... Rhys: Ooooooohhh... Kieran: ...Eh? What's wrong, Rhys? Rhys: I... I'm sorry. I just got a little lightheaded there... Do you always put yourself through such harsh training? Kieran: Of course! I'm a Crimean knight! I never cut corners in my training! Why, even if the enemy were to lance me with a thousand barbed and poisoned needles, I would never stop! Rhys: Well, that's an...admirable attitude... But I'm still concerned... Oh, dear me.

B Support with Marcia
Kieran: Marcia! Marcia: Oh, hiya, Kieran. How's your horse? Kieran: Oh, he's much better! And it's all thanks to you! When he took ill, I didn't know what to do, but... Your first aid saved the day! Marcia: Poor guy was exhausted from the constant marching. We've been fighting everywhere. I don't blame him for collapsing. Let him rest until he gets used to this new land. I'm sure he'll get better. Kieran: I had no such knowledge, for I had never fought beyond the borders of sweet Crimea. I thank you with all my heart! Marcia: Pfff! Please! It's no big deal. I've seen much worse. Kieran: Nevertheless, I, Crimean Royal Knight, Fifth Platoon Captain Kieran, shall return the favor no matter-- Marcia: Hey! Big fella! I told you, thanks aren't necessary. I'm sure that we'll run into something that you can help me with... Er...at least, I guess that might happen... So you can just help me out when that situation arrives. ...If it arrives. Kieran: Say no more! I will do so with my life! Marcia: Please! Keep your life! Oh, that reminds me... Didn't you want to ask me something the other day? Kieran: Oh, that... Well, with my horse's illness and all, I've forgotten what it was... But, by my axe, I swear that I will-- Marcia: Keep your axe too! Good gravy, I can't deal with this guy!

A Support with Oscar
Kieran: Oscar!! Oscar: Hello, Kieran. Are you going to ask me to return to the Crimean knights again? Kieran: You guessed it! I'm a Crimean knight... and I'm very proud of that fact! No better friend! No worse enemy! A knight distinguishes himself in battle, returning in triumph to hear adulation from the people and praise from his lord! When you make your name as a knight, everyone knows you! The world is laid at your feet! And above all else, you can defend our beloved Crimea and her people with your own two hands!! Oscar: That certainly sounds nice. Kieran: It's better than the life of a mercenary, cavorting with outlaws and entering battles from which you never return! Why, Oscar? Why!? I just don't get it! Oscar: ... Kieran: You're my archrival! That's an honor! I know your true skills better than anyone. If you say you will come back, I'll do everything I can to recommend your honorable return to the knights! Oscar: Heh. Thanks, Kieran. But I'm not returning. After joining the mercenaries, I had a chance to see the world. I saw grief with my own eyes. People subjugated by the powerful, losing everything and dying alone... Countries can't save people like that. It's up to men like us--men who are in the thick of the action--to aid those who cannot aid themselves. Besides, I have no use for honor. As long as I can defend the family called the Greil Mercenaries, I'm happy. Kieran: Bla... Blast! You've outdone me again! How can this be? I don't know why or how, but... I feel you beat me yet again! Oscar: You didn't lose. There are many things that a brave knight like yourself can do that we mercenaries cannot. So let's both do our best. We may stand on different sides of the field, but we aspire to the same ideal. Kieran: I see... Then I will ask you no more!! Watch me! When Crimea is fully restored, my distinguished services will resonate throughout the ages! You'll hear about it wherever you are! I'll make sure of it! Oscar: ...Yes, I'm sure you will. And when I hear your brave tales, I'll toast your success!

Path of Radiance
"Long live Crimea! Queen Elincia... May fortune smile on you..."

- Kieran's death quote in Path of Radiance.

Radiant Dawn
Kieran: General... Forgive me! I should have... trained harder... Geoffrey: Kieran... No! I'm coming to help you! Hold tight! Kieran!! (Kieran dies, game over) Kieran: Hack... I have dishonoured myself before Queen Elincia! Elincia: Kieran, you must retreat! Please, don't throw your life away. Kieran: As... As you wish! (Kieran retreats)
 * In Part 2: Chapter 3
 * In Part 3: Chapter 10 (as NPC)

Path of Radiance
"General, you are Crimea's savior! For your meritorious service, I salute you! Huzzah! Nay, a thousand huzzahs!"

Radiant Dawn
Kieran served the royal family with nearly fanatical verve. His voice could be heard from anywhere in the castle.
 * Veteran Knight (剛の騎士 Tsuyoshi no kishi, lit. Just Knight)

Archetype
Oscar and Kieran represent the Abel and Cain Archetypes respectively.

Etymology
Kieran is an alternative spelling of the Irish Ciarán, which means "small dark one". Ciarán comes from the Irish word "Ciar", which means either dark or black. Ciar can be linked back to Ciar, son of Fergus, King of Ulster. Ciar is linked to many other names, including Kerry, which hereby means Ciar's People.

Kieran is referred to as Queranus in Latin. It is also used in the vernacular of older rural Irish folk, who refer to it as small, irregular lumps of turf.