Battle Before Dawn

The Battle Before Dawn is one of the most key chapters to the plot structure of both Fire Emblem:Rekka no Ken and Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi. In the chapter, Eliwood, Lyn, and Hector try to stop Black Fang assassins Jaffar and Nino from murdering Prince Zephil. However, Eliwood and company are too late and the goodness in Nino's heart prevents clamity, offering to sacrifice herself rather than her or Jaffar bring harm to Zephil. Jaffar is moved by Nino's innocence and, combined with his sexual attraction to Nino, Jaffar's long supressed emotions finnaly surface. He defys his orders to kill Nino and Zephil, and tries to escape when he is caught by Ursulaand Maxime and is forced to protect Nino. Jaffar then decides that since Nino is "worth of living," that he must sacrifice himself in a last-stand so that she may escape. Nino, however, is in love with Jaffar and refuses to leave him to his death. Nino and Jaffar are then rescued by the game's three protagonists and Nino convinces Jaffar to join their cause.

Tactical information- This chapter can be very challenging for players who want to recruruit both Jaffar and Nino. There are also four chests with valuable items that are quickly plundered by enemy theives. The best course of action in this chapter is to take two theives (if you have two), torches, and strong units with very good movment. Send at least one of your lords through the east hall to recruit Nino. (Nino will almost survive because all she has to fight is a monk). The real challenge, however, is surviving Ursula's Bolting. If your units get close enough (past the southernmost pillars), Ursula will most likey hit them with an overwhelming blast of thunder magic that almost almways hits and kills. Though only optional, the best way to kill Ursual is to use a theif with a torch (from a safe distance) to find her position, and then use Pent or another offensive unit with very high resistance to move in and kill her. Jaffar is pretty much invincible when armed, but once his killing edge breaks, it's only a matter of time before he is killed by the endless onslaught of enemy units. The best thing to do is to use a unit with great movement to rescue Jaffar and take him to a safe place where he and Nino can talk. As far as chests go, send a unit with high moblility down both halls to intercept the theives and then use two thives of your own to steal the items.

Results of Events- The Battle Before Dawn sends several emotional and political rpples throught the world of Elibe. Most importantly, Zephil is made aware of the King's desire to end his life, which plants the seed of suspicion that finnaly drives him to kill his father and claim the throne. Basically, this means that had it not been for the mercy of fair Nino, none of the events in Fire Emblem 6 would have ever happned. This event also draws Jaffar and Nino together, who begot Lugh and Ray, who help Roy later on in his campaign against Bern and the dragons. This also greatly helps Lyn, Hector, and Eliwood in their journy. Greatful that her son was saved, Queen Helen reveals the location of the shrine of seals to Eliwood. Here the lords meet Bramimond and the seals on the legendary weapons of Elibe are broken, making it possible for mortals to access them once again. This also inderecly helps Roy on his journey years later.