The location of the Garden of Giants on the world map.
The Garden of Giants (Garden of the Strong in the Japanese version) is a location in Fire Emblem Awakening. It is found on an island off the western coast of Valm. This is the location of Paralogue 23, wherein Priam is encountered.
Profile[]
The Garden of Giants is well-hidden on a small island, its location a secret passed on by whispers. It is an open, grassy area dotted with trees. Crumbling walls from an old castle dominate the center of the Garden. It is said that the Garden of Giants holds some connection to the legendary Radiant Hero and that his descendant may reside there now. While it is never confirmed, Priam does claim to be said descendant. Thusly, he wields Ragnell, the divine blade blessed by the Goddess Ashera.
Following these rumors, many a warrior has travelled to the Garden of Giants to test their mettle against the blood of the Radiant Hero. Until Chrom's arrival, Priam had defeated them all. Yet his friendly nature compelled all of his challengers to stay by his side, leading to a significant number of people living in the Garden. Chrom beholds the community as idyllic, hoping to create a world where sibling-like rivalry is the only kind of fighting that exists.
Geography[]
To the north of the Garden of Giants is a large mass of rock protruding from the grass-covered ground. To the south, another rock formation leads to the sea. There is also a small pool of water in the middle of the island. These are common features of karst topography, which occurs with the erosion of carbonate bedrock such as limestone. The rocky outcropping and rocky shore bordering the Garden of Giants have been shaped by weathering and fluctuating sea levels respectively. The pool of water in the middle of the Garden could either be a sinkhole or an exsurgence, depending on whether water is sinking into it from the Garden or surging out from hydrological formations beneath the ground. These underground formations are characteristic of karst regions and exacerbated by the interactions between freshwater and saltwater on islands. While this makes an exsurgence more likely, dissolution of rock at the island surface or epikarst is not uncommon. The Garden itself would geologically be a karst field, referring to the flat expanse between rock formations in the region.
Another example of karst topography in Fire Emblem Awakening can be seen in Wyvern Valley, also on the continent of Valm.
Story[]
Chrom hears rumors of a descendant of the Radiant Hero and travels to the Garden of Giants to recruit this man to his cause. As he discusses his plan with Robin, Priam overhears them and challenges Chrom to a fight, stating he has no interest in working under someone who cannot fight for himself. Despite the skill of Priam and his small army of friends, the Shepherds emerge victorious. True to his word, Priam joins Chrom, looking forward to exploring beyond the island once more. Before he leaves, he duels each of his friends one last time to say goodbye.
Trivia[]
- This is the location of the final paralogue in the game, though it is only accessible via SpotPass.
- The Garden of Giants is one of four locations in Awakening which house a famous sword from a previous game, the others being the Dragon's Table, the Warriors' Tomb, and of course, Ylisstol. The legendary weapons are Ragnell, the Balmung, Sol Katti, and Falchion respectively.
- Other notable swords can be found in the Outrealms, particularly Xenologue 15.
Gallery[]
