The location of the Verdant Forest as it appears on the world map of Awakening.
Verdant Forest (新緑の森, fukai mori, Deep Forest) is a location from Fire Emblem Awakening. It refers to a forested island in the ocean off the southeastern coast of Valm. Cynthia can be recruited here, after defeating the trickster Ruger during Paralogue 9.
Profile[]
Living up to its name, Verdant Forest is a lush green, bursting with plant life like blossiming flowers and deciduous trees. The trees are so densely packed that in parts of the forest, the sunlight barely filters through the leaves. Verdant Forest also contains the walls and columns of what was once a great fortress. These ruins appear in a thinner part of the forest with only small copses of trees. This is further proof that there was once a large structure here interrupting the greenery of the woods. Regardless of who lived here before, Verdant Forest is now home to a band of brigands led by Ruger. The island also has many a mercenary travelling through the trees and a prosperous town filled with villagers on its southern shore.
Geography[]
Verdant Forest seems to cover the majority of the island, aside from the aforementioned ruins and town. Though, Chrom does mention a harvest, suggesting there are also farms in the area surrounding the city. It is not a large island, and Verdant Forest continues right up to the water's edge. Though the forest appears to grow on sand, there is no island beach here. Perhaps the winds here are too strong to support beaches, or perhaps as the seas have shifted, parts of the forest have been submerged. All of these traits are characteristic of maritime forests, which have densely packed canopies that can withstand the salty winds of the sea and wide-spreading roots to stay stable in the sand. Verdant Forest would have been a great asset to whoever first settled here, as it could protect the inlands from the harshness of the ocean while supporting a variety of life beneath and between its branches.
Story[]
When Chrom and his army arrive at the island's bustling city excited to share in the fruits of the harvest season, they are surprised when the villagers shut their doors in fear. Frederick does some investigating and discovers that the village is under siege by a man impersonating Chrom.
When the army goes to face the bandits, they are first met by Cynthia, who declares that anyone impersonating Chrom must face judgement. Despite Chrom's confusion, she urges him to either cast down his sword or draw it and fight. The Shepherds follow her into the Verdant Forest and engage the bandits in battle. All the while, Ruger pretends to be Chrom, recruiting mercenaries to his side by promising them a reward for helping the ruler of Ylisse.
If Chrom or Sumia talks to Cynthia during the battle, she will recognize that neither her mother nor Lucina would be fighting for the fake Chrom. Out for Ruger's blood after learning of his trickery, she joins the side of the Shepherds.
After the battle, Frederick recommits himself to spreading posters of Chrom far and wide so all will know of his noble visage. If Cynthia survived, she will prove to Sumia that they are related by comparing their identical rings. The reunion of mother and daughter is tearful and joyful at once.
Trivia[]
- If one compares the maps of Valentia and Valm, Verdant Forest appears to be on the same island as Barth's Pirate's Fortress from Gaiden.
- The model for Southtown is used for the town in Verdant Forest.
Gallery[]
