Joshua

"Oh, yeah... See, you can have all the skill in the world and still have a bad day. It doesn't take much for the most fortunate man around to have a fall. A royal family at the height of their power gets betrayed, and that's the end. It's life really, innit?"

- Joshua talking to Gerik in a support conversation

Joshua (ヨシュア Yoshua, translated Jhosua in the Japanese version) is a playable character from Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. He is a wandering swordsman from Jehanna with a fervor for gambling. He fits the Nabarl and Levn archetypes.

Joshua is met by Eirika and her group in Serafew where he is working as a mercenary on a job to kill Natasha. Natasha approaches Joshua to tell him about the emperor's strange changes; Joshua seemingly does not care however and has a small bet with Natasha (a simple coinflip). She wins the bet, possibly as a result of Joshua cheating in her favor, ultimately causing Joshua to join Eirika's group.

In Eirika's route, he is revealed to be the Prince of Jehanna, who disappeared about ten years prior to the beginning of the story, abandoning both his mother, Ismaire, and his title so he could better learn about his people's needs and become worthy of the crown in his own eyes. During this time he worked with Caellach in a mercenary troop, and appears to have earned a penchant for stirring up trouble off the job, but Caellach appreciated him anyway.

It is mentioned in his supports with Artur that he has trouble fighting mages. He also shows a slight admiration for Gerik in their supports.

While Natasha won the first bet between herself and Joshua, it is unsure if she actually "won", or if Joshua cheated. This is especially due to what Joshua says when Natasha asks him if he's serious about joining her: "I may cheat, but I never worm out of a bet. It's a rule of mine."

During chapter 15. Joshua can, at the player's discretion, be made to fight Caellach. When the battle begins, Joshua and Caellach will reminisce on their time as mercenaries together.

- In Eirika's route Joshua then bluntly asks if Caellach killed his mother. Caellach confirms this, and says things like that happen in war and that grudges get in the way of work. Joshua sarcastically agrees and proclaims he is going to kill Caellach and that he should not hold it against him, which angers Caellach.

- In Ephraim's route, on the other hand, more detail is put into their time as mercenaries and Caellach's ambitions, where it is revealed that Caellach would always pick fights with Joshua, but still respected him. Caellach then attempts to goad Joshua over to his side, which he refuses. They then go to battle due to their opposing sides but seem to hold no ill will towards each other, unlike in Eirika's route.

He also appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Personality
Joshua is a very roguish, casual, and carefree person. He's also very cunning, enough so that he can cheat without getting noticed, although Gerik and Artur catch on. He believes in luck more than ability, and is carefree about his job, as shown in Serafew when he is sent to kill Natasha, he'd rather head back to the Arena. He's also slightly flirtatious to girls, especially Natasha; he is also noted to have feelings for her, which is hinted in his first word to think of her as 'beautiful' and his B Support when he bets she will fall for him, a bet she admits he won later on.

Despite his jovial and carefree attitude, Joshua is very loyal, genuinely kind, caring, calm, and composed in the battlefield, as potrayed in his conversation with his mother that he felt deep guilt over leaving her. He shows the most kindness to girls, not only to Natasha but also to Marisa and L'Arachel. Joshua also seems to be fairly honest, as seen in a support conversation with Innes where he cheats Innes out of tons of gold. Innes continues to gamble with Joshua even though he won't stop losing. Eventually, Joshua admits that he is cheating and offers to return the gold he cheated away from Innes.

Base Stats
|Myrmidon |Wind |5 |24 |8 |13 |14 |7 |5 |2 |8 |5 |Sword - C |Killing Edge

Promotion Gain
Myrmidon to Swordmaster
 * HP +5
 * Str +2
 * Def +2
 * Res +1
 * Con +1
 * Rescue +1
 * Movement +1
 * +15% Crit Rate

Myrmidon to Assassin
 * HP +3
 * Str +1
 * Def +2
 * Res +2
 * Movement +1
 * Silencer Skill (The % rate of this skill is half of the character crit rate, If crit rate =50%, this skill rate = 25%)

Growth Rates
|80% |35% |55% |55% |30% |20% |20%

Overall
His excellent speed allows him to dodge most attacks thrown his way. His chance of capping out his skill, speed and strength is high; but it is unlikely that he will cap his luck, which sometimes leads people to choose the otherwise similar stat-wise Marisa over him (though his luck is still pretty decent). However, if you support him with Gerik or L'Arachel, he will have about a 75% critical chance with a killing edge as a swordmaster by A level (due to their Thunder and Light affinities respectively). Joshua is somewhat difficult to level up early on because of his low defense stat; but he can promote to level 20 by the time Marisa joins the party. Although his defense is typically superior in contrast to Marisa's, it is still wise to keep him close to a healer such as L'Arachel (who, if you supported to A rank will also boost his attack, hit rate, defense, and crit chance while within range).

Recruit Conversation
Natasha: You... You're that man I met... Are you here to capture me? You've been hired to silence me, haven't you... Joshua: Yeah, Grado's paying the bill. They want you dead, you know? But don't feel bad. It's not personal. Natasha: Wait, please... It doesn't matter what happens to me, but you must hear my words. The emperor of Grado is changed. He is not the man he once was. The other nations must be warned before he extinguishes all light from our lands. Joshua: Hey, no offense, but I'm just a mercenary. I don't care about Grado or its emperor. Everything you say may be true, or it may be lies. I don't care either way. Natasha: But that's... Joshua: Even so... Killing a beautiful lady like you would leave a bad taste in my mouth. Tell me, do you like to gamble? Natasha: What?! Joshua: Gambling's what I live for. Even when I lose, I never want to stop. Let's have us a little wager. If you win, I'll believe you. Heads or tails, you call it. Natasha: You can't... This is no time for games... Joshua: Would you rather I get on with the job I was hired for? Natasha: ..... Um, heads... No! Tails! Joshua: All right. So I'm heads, and you're tails. Here we go. ... ... ... Natasha: ....... Which... Which is it? Joshua: What do you know?! It's tails. You win. Figures. I haven't won anything all day. Well, Lady Luck has spoken. Guess I'm on your side now. Natasha: Are you serious? Joshua: Yeah. Sure, I might cheat, but I never worm out of a bet. It's a rule of mine. Natasha: Oh, thank you heaven! Thank you, blessed light, for your protection! Joshua: I got nothing against heaven, but I'm right here if you want someone to thank... No? Well, get behind me then. I've got to take care of these fools.

Battle Conversations

 * Vs. Carlyle

Carlyle: You...could it be?

Joshua: Carlye. How did this happen? You taught me how to wield a blade. You of all people...

Carlyle: You've returned. But now...It's too late. It's far too late.

Joshua: Caellach.
 * Vs. Caellach (Eirika's Route)

Caellach: Hey! If it isn't Joshua. It's been a long time. Have you been well? Joshua: I've been all right. Still working as a mercenary. When did you get all proper and join the Grado army?

Caellach: Didn't I tell you? I wasn't about to waste my life as a nameless soldier. Still, I think back on those days a lot lately... My axe and you sword... The two of us were a deadly pair, eh?

Joshua: ......

Caellach: By the way... I know all about you, Joshua. Who you really are I mean. The prince of Jehanna, huh? When did you plan on sharing the wealth, you sneaky dog?

Joshua: Listen, you can't reduce a nation to loot waiting to be divided. And more importantly, I made a vow to my mother. I'm going to succeed her as ruler of my homeland. Hey Caellach... You're the one who killed my mother, aren't you?

Caellach: Yeah... Sorry 'bout that. Things happen, you know? C'mon Joshua, don't hate me. This is war. There's nothing you can do about it. Besides, grudges get in the way of work, right?

Joshua: That's true. It's as you say. Listen Caellach... I've got to kill you now. Don't hold it against me.

Caellach: You arrogant... You haven't changed a bit! I've always wanted to show you who's better, Joshua. And I'm even stronger that I used to be. I'm gonna wipe that smug look off your face for good!

Joshua: It's been a long time, Caellach.
 * Vs. Caellach (Ephraim's Route)

Caellach: Is that really you, Joshua? How long's it been?

Joshua: About two years... What've you been doing? You know, that innkeeper's still mad you stiffed him.

Caellach: Oh please... You telling me that old dog's still alive? ...How's the rest of the droop doing?

Joshua: They're getting by. Some of them ended up feeding the cows, though...

Caellach: Is that so? Those were good times, weren't they, Joshua? We were terrors on the battlefield and worse of it.

Joshua: Yeah we were. You'd get carried away and pick fights with me... You always said the same thing: "I will be King!"

Caellach: Yeah, that's my dream. And I'll do anything to make it true. What do you say, Joshua? Let's team up again? Leave those losers you're with and work for me.

Joshua: Sorry, can't do it. I'm not going to let you use me for anything.

Caellach: Bah... You're a cold fish, aren't you. That's one thing that hasn't changed about you.

Joshua: You haven't changed much either. You're still shameless as ever.

Caellach: Ha ha! That's the truth. Well... You want to get started?

Joshua: Mm. Sure.

Caellach: I'm stronger than I used to be. No offence, but you're not in my league anymore. Don't hate me, Joshua.

Joshua: Same to you.

Death Quotes
"First the girl, now this. Today really isn't my lucky day."

- Enemy Death Quote

"I... I guess my luck finally ran out... Heh."

- Ally Death Quote

Ending
Joshua returned to Jehanna and ruled over it as king. His skills as a leader had grown great, and Jehanna flourished as never before. He never outgrew his love of travel and games of chance.
 * Joshua, the Tempest King (風来王 Kaze-rai-ō)

When Joshua returned to Jehanna, he took Natasha as his bride and claimed the throne as its rightful heir. Natasha was the perfect companion, and together, they carried the mighty desert nation to great glory.
 * (A Support with Natasha)

Joshua returned to Jehanna with Marisa, where she pledged service to the crown and became the top swordfighter in the land. Joshua still loved games of chance, but when it came to Marisa, she was ever the winner.
 * (A Support with Marisa)

After the war, Joshua challenged Gerik to a duel in hopes of pressing him to move to Jehanna. The match ended in a tie, but Gerik was impressed by Joshua's swagger. From that day forward, Gerik never left Joshua's side.
 * (A Support with Gerik)

Other Supports
Artur, Innes, L'Arachel

Etymology
Joshua is a Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh is salvation". After the death of Moses, Joshua became leader of the Israelites and led them to the Promised Land. A member of the tribe of Ephraim, he is most famous for bringing down the city of Jericho. A book in the Bible named for him details his time as the Israelites' leader.

The Greek form of Joshua is "Jesus".

Trivia

 * Joshua can support with every recruitable ice affinity in the game, with the exception of Kyle.
 * In the prototype version, Joshua was already promoted into a Swordmaster.