Presentation of Grado in the prologue
The Grado Empire is the largest individual monarchy in the continent of Magvel. Throughout the course of Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, the Empire is led by Emperor Vigarde and (later) the Demon King Fomortiis, under the guise of Prince Lyon.
Grado is divided into urban and agricultural sections. The Emperor rules from the Capital city of Grado Keep, deep within the country. Many fringe cities line the edge of Grado's borders; many of these are comprised of farmland. There are many lakes which border Castle Renvall in the Renais-Grado border at the northern edge of the country. The Za'albul Marsh is in western Grado, along with the port city of Tai'zel.
Grado has the most powerful military in Magvel, due in no small part to its Six Imperial Generals, which are Generals Duessel, Glen, Selena, Caellach, Valter, and Riev. Each of these Generals are given a national treasure, a semi-precious gemstone, as proof of their promotion, and are also named based on their gemstone: Duessel the Obsidian, Selena the Fluorspar, Valter the Moonstone, Glen the Sunstone, Caellach the Tiger Eye, and Riev the Blood Beryl.
The country's eponymous founder, Grado, was one of the Five Heroes who sealed away the Demon King 800 years past. Before the events of the game, Grado housed the Fire Emblem, which was the Sacred Stone that carried the Demon King's spirit. The "S" rank dark magic tome Gleipnir, and "S" ranked black axe, Garm, are the Sacred Twin weapons of Grado, once used by the nation's founding hero.
There is no actual armory or vendor here despite these being right outside Grado Keep. Only a secret shop is located here.
According to a support between Natasha and Knoll, it was predicted by Knoll, Lyon and some other researchers through a spell that a quake will destroy approximately half of Grado within five years of the events of the game.
Characters from Grado
- Amelia
- Melina
- Natasha
- Cormag
- Duessel the Obsidian
- Emperor Vigarde
- Prince Lyon
- Selena the Fluorspar
- Glen the Sunstone
- Valter the Moonstone
- Knoll
- Saar
- Tirado
- O'Neill
- Novala
- Murray
- Breguet
- Gheb
Etymology
Grado is Italian for "grade", although its usage varies. However, given the different personalities and intentions shown from characters hailing from the empire, the word degree fits this description better, if one were to also base the empire's desire for expansion, hence the name.