Tauroneo

"I know... I was a fool. I was blinded by tradition and family reputation. By the time I realized my error, my wife and children had left me. Since then... I've been living alone in my great mansion, surrounded by countless medals and memories... Alone...for years..."

- Tauroneo talking to Rolf in a support conversation

Tauroneo (タウロニオ, Tauronio) is a playable character that first appears in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, although in Radiant Dawn he appears at a much earlier point in the game.

Background
Tauroneo comes from a renowned military family in Daein. He was trained from a young age to be a Knight for the Kingdom of Daein, later becoming a high ranking general of the Daein Army. He sought to continue his family's line of military stars by training his eldest son. He trained his son toughly and when his son finally rode off to battle he lost his arm. Tauroneo let his son leave the military and began to train his second son. Furious, his wife took their children and left Tauroneo.

Tauroneo was once one of Daein's steadfast Great Riders. He shared that title with Gawain, Lanvega, and Bryce. For some reason he was stripped of his title when Ashnard came into power (most likely because he was weaker than the other candidates for the position).

Tauroneo was good friends with Gawain, recognizing his son Ike due to seeing the parallels in the two's swordsmanship.

Path of Radiance
Despite his major demotion Tauroneo remained completely loyal to his beloved home country of Daein. He was later assigned to serve under Ena as one of those defending the Daein capital from Ike and his forces who were attempting to capture it. Tauroneo was one of two deputy commanders assigned to the defense of the capital, the other one being Kasatai who was killed trying to protect the capital. During the battle Tauroneo, along with a few other 'General' units guarded the entrance to the chamber that Ena was in.

Tauroneo could be recruited by Ike talking to him. If a player chose this, Tauroneo would approach Ike asking who had taught him to sword-fight, as he recognized the technique. Ike would tell him his father Greil did. Tauroneo of course recognized Greil (Gawain) as one of the original Four Riders he had served with. Realizing this, Tauroneo asks Ike if he has any siblings. Ike replies that he has a single sister. Upon hearing this Tauroneo says that he refuses to try to kill the last person to use Greil's techniques, and he asks that Ike either take him prisoner or execute him. Ike says he doesn't have the means to really do either and after a little more talking Tauroneo agrees to join Ike's forces.

After the Mad King's War Tauroneo returns to Daein. When parting ways with Ike he says "I have played my part. All that remains is for me to take my leave of this place. History will judge my actions..."

Radiant Dawn
In Radiant Dawn, Tauroneo can be found defending Prince Pelleas' hideout from Begnion Occupational Troops along side Zihark and Jill, who were also playable in Path Of Radiance. Tauroneo had returned to Daein after Ashnard was defeated to help rebuild it, he then had decided to help guard the apparent heir to the Daein throne so he could see his beloved homeland become free once more. In Radiant Dawn he spends much of Part I guarding Pelleas.

In Part III he serves as a leader of the Daein Army. When the Daein Army is first deployed Tauroneo also questions King Pelleas' motives for joining with Begnion. While Micaiah is departing with the troops to their first battle he promises to try to get Pelleas to stop this war. When the group discovers Pelleas' blood pact Tauroneo deploys with Micaiah to stop the Apostle's Army from advancing in Daein. During the battle he meets General Ike once again, the meeting is kept brief and professional. Canonically when Pelleas commits suicide to void the Blood Pact his last wish is for Tauroneo to watch over the people of Daein, Tauroneo agrees. If Pelleas does not commit suicide Tauroneo vows to help Pelleas find another way to get out of the Blood Pact without invoking Begnion's wrath. Despite being of Daein, Tauroneo heads to the Tower of Guidance under the care of Elincia.

After all of the fighting is over Tauroneo returns to Daein under the newly crowned Queen Micaiah. He worked tirelessly for his country as linchpin of Daein's military and a pillar of statesmanship for the rest of his days.

It is unknown if Tauroneo ever reconciled with his ex-wife and sons.

Recruitment

 * Chapter 21: Speak to him with Ike.

Base Stats

 * FE9 Tauroneo General Sprite.png General
 * FE9Thunder.gifer
 * 14
 * 48
 * 22
 * 11
 * 18
 * 13
 * 14
 * 22
 * 14
 * 10
 * 15
 * 6
 * FE9 Sword.png Sword - A FE9 Lance.png Lance - A
 * Resolve (FE9).gif Resolve
 * FE9Spear.gif Spear FE9SilverBlade.gif Silver Blade MasteryBook.gif Occult Scroll
 * }

Growth Rates

 * 60%
 * 55%
 * 5%
 * 50%
 * 30%
 * 60%
 * 40%
 * 15%
 * }

Support Conversations

 * Largo
 * Rolf

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

 * FE10 Tauroneo Lance General Sprite.png Lance General
 * FE10Thunder.pnger
 * 14
 * 38
 * 24
 * 12
 * 22
 * 20
 * 18
 * 21
 * 15
 * 11
 * 21
 * 6
 * FE10 Lance.gif Lance - S FE10 Axe.gif Axe - A
 * Shove.png Shove Resolve.png Resolve
 * FE10silverlance.png Silver Lance FE10javelin.png Javelin FE10vulnerary.png Vulnerary
 * }

Growth Rates

 * 55%
 * 40%
 * 5%
 * 65%
 * 50%
 * 20%
 * 45%
 * 50%
 * }

Promotional Gains
Promotion to Marshall
 * HP: +4
 * Strength: +2
 * Magic: +4
 * Skill: +2
 * Speed: +2
 * Defense: +2
 * Resistance: +4
 * Con: +0
 * Move: +0
 * Luna.png Luna skill

Overall
It is not recommended to train Tauroneo during Part 1, due to the fact that he disappears halfway through Part I and is overpowered to start with, taking vital experience from your other units.

During Parts 3 and 4, Tauroneo is more readily trained, though his relatively low Defense will make the Laguz opposition in Part 3 troublesome for him. Tauroneo is almost certain to cap his Strength, Speed, Skill, and Resistance. He also has high Magic, making him a good candidate for the Imbue scroll. Tauroneo's high Resistance makes him one of the best Endgame Generals on the hardest difficulty setting.

As an enemy
"Ah ha ha! I will cut you down with ease and leave your corpse for the rats!"

- Tauroneo's battle quote

Recruit Conversation
Ike: Hyaaaa! Take this! ...What is it? Why are you staring at me like that? Tauroneo: I am Tauroneo, a general of Daein. Young general of Crimea, I have but one question to ask you. Your swordsmanship is familiar... Who taught you to fight in this way? To the best of my knowledge, that style was used by only one man-- an old friend of mine. Ike: Wait! Are you a friend of my father? Tauroneo: We were good friends...long ago. How is the old goat? Ike: ...My father no longer lives. He was defeated and slain by a Daein general. Tauroneo: That can't be! For the Gawain I knew to be beaten... Who was it? Who took him down? Ike: A knight encased in black armor. Tauroneo: The Black Knight, eh? I did not know his strength had grown so much... interesting. Ike: ... Tauroneo: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Ike: I have one sister. Tauroneo: In that case, I will not fight you. The world must not lose Gawain's style of swordsmanship. I surrender. You may lock me away or execute me or what you will. I care not. Ike: Are you sane? Tauroneo: Very much so. I had already decided that I would die in this place. I have served this country for many years--since the time of the previous king. But the current regent... He rules through fear and wants nothing but war. I can abide it no longer. Ike: If you plan on dying anyway, join us. We have need of strength such as yours. Tauroneo: You would take a former Daein general? I cannot. You fellow Crimeans would resist. They would never accept it. Ike: Our army does not have the luxury of being so picky. Please... Lend us your strength. Tauroneo: ...As you will. I've already thrown my life away. If it can serve you somehow, you may use it as you see fit.

Death Quote
"My love... My sons... Live strong...and true."

- Death Quote

Epilogue
Steadfast Rider (不動の四駿, Steadfast Four Riders in the Japanese version)

Tauroneo worked tirelessly for his country as linchpin of Daein's military and a pillar of statesmanship.

Trivia

 * Tauroneo (along with Calill and Stefan) is the only character from Path of Radiance to appear in Radiant Dawn at the same level.

Etymology
The name Tauroneo perhaps comes from the latin word 'taurus,' meaning 'bull,' and 'neo' which means 'new' in Greek.