History Sandbox / MagnificentBastardFireEmblem

** [[Characters/FireEmblemThreeHousesEdelgard Edelgard von Hresvelg]] is the brilliant empress of the Adrestian Empire and an unfettered [[WellIntentionedExtremist societal reformist]]. Beginning her plans to overthrow the corrupt Church of Seiros by seizing an opportunity to turn on her genocidal benefactors, Edelgard manages to plan and command a successful war of conquest on multiple fronts through improvised schemes and alliances, using her charisma and tactical acumen to turn the war to her favor and dispose of her enemies. Showing no compunction about [[EnemyMine allying with rivals]] like Claude von Riegan or even her mortal enemy Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, Edelgard's actions ensure the defeat of "Those Who Slither In The Dark," and can potentially see all of her enemies either set to lose the war or turned into her allies.

[[AC:The Jugdral Games]]
* ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar Genealogy of the Holy War]]'': Orphaned at a tender age, Arvis of Velthomer managed to climb his way up the [[RagsToRiches ladder of power and prestige]]. Once war and corruption threatens to tear Judgral asunder, Arvis aspires to construct a peaceful empire of equality. Although he employs ruthless methods like assassination and deceit, Arvis's dream is [[WellIntentionedExtremist pure and admirable]]. Managing to claim land after land without much trouble through his machinations, Arvis caps off his conquest by slaying his last opposition, who he had outed as a traitor, in Belhalla. Crowned Emperor of Grannvale, Arvis makes the utopia he sacrificed so much for. When the second half of the plot proceeds to tear down his dream, Arvis does his best to subvert the Child Hunts, fight back against Manfroy's manipulations, and ultimately gives Seliph the Tyrfing needed to put an end to the evils plaguing Judgral. This shows that Arvis, while ambitious and unfettered, held enough standards to ensure his own sins were ultimately undone for the sake of a better world.

[[AC:''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones The Sacred Stones]]'']]

* Prince Lyon in Ephraim's route is initially a noble, well-intentioned prince out to prevent his kingdom of Grado and his people from dying a foreseen earthquake. Awakening the Demon King Fomortiis to use its power to save his homeland, Lyon resurrects his dead father Vigarde as a proxy and uses his nation of Grado to invade others so he may steal and destroy their Sacred Stones. Bringing the other nations to their knees, Lyon manipulates his old friends Ephraim and Eirika to constantly stay one step ahead of them. Even at the end, Lyon is driven only by a wish to save his Grado, [[WellIntentionedExtremist no matter how far he has to go]]. While always haunted by Fomortiis, when summoned to [[VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes the Order of Heroes]], Lyon calmly cows the Demon King into submission and servitude using his newfound leverage, performing the one deed he never could completely do before: control the devil.
* [[SelfMadeMan Caellach the Tiger Eye]] is a former Jehanna mercenary who has [[AmbitionIsEvil ambitions to become a king]]. Wanting to escape the confines of the desert, Caellach grew a reputation in his mercenary days as a boisterous yet reliable warrior for better opportunities, ending up scouted by Grado to become one of their new generals. In charge of dealing with his former home in the war efforts, Caellach's cunning and charisma was able to conquer Jehanna, taking the palace and destroying its Sacred Stone after using Carlyle, while setting in-roads with Carcino for his future reigns. Establishing his connections and cutting off his attachments to his old life, Caellach joined Valter's army in a massive battle against the Magvel army, equipping himself against any potential weaknesses, ultimately losing [[NearVillainVictory only inches away from ascending to his beloved throne]].
* [[TheStrategist Aias]] is the former comrade Caellach of, and a famed tactician that has never been cut in battle. Joining Caellach with Grado, Aias was assigned to help conquer Jehanna, defending the borders from Erika's encroaching army. With the formation he set-up, Aias stood mightly against her army, sending waves of countless cavalry and infantry to batter them as he keeps himself well defended in a wall of knights and cavalry, while remaining formidable himself if directly fought. Standing near untouchable, it's only through the impending support of the Rausten army Aias was finally defeated, either dying in battle [[GracefulLoser praising his killers' tactical prowess over him]], or being killed by Caellach after [[DefiantToTheEnd defiantly facing him]].
* [[StarterVillain Tirado]] is Valter's subordinate who contrasting him uses wit and [[YouHaveOutlivedYourusefulness strategic betrayal]]. Tasked with capturing the heirs of Renais, Tirado places the traitor Orson in Ephraim's fold and get him to try reclaiming Renais Castle, using mercenaries to weaken the prince's army before ambushing him. When Ephraim manages to escape, Tirado adapted and [[UnintentionalBackupPlan spread gossip of Ephraim's capture to lure Eirika]], tricking his adjutant Murray and a ballista squad as bait to weaken her, and then sending Orson to trick Eirika, before destroying her escape route when it fails, nearly capturing her had it not been for Ephraim's arrival leading to him [[ClimaxBoss engaging them in a final battle]], [[FaceDeathWithDignity where in defeat praises the two's skills]] and warns them of the future dangers of Grado.
[[/folder]]

[[AC:The Elibe Games]]
[[folder:Examples]]

[[AC:The Tellius Games]]

* [[ChessmasterSidekick Hubert von Vestra]] is the brilliant [[TheDragon right hand]] of Edelgard, serving out of genuine love and loyalty toward her. Cloaking his intelligence in an ObviouslyEvil persona, Hubert proves a vital asset to the Adrestian Empire in their war against the Church of Seiros. Often opting for assassination and usually handling the dirty work of Edelgard's schemes, Hubert secures her rule by ordering the deaths of every noble in the Adrestian Empire when she rises to power and is even willing to stray from her orders to ensure her goals are achieved, no matter what he must do. Taking to the field often to face foes of the Empire, Hubert proves himself an excellent and analytical tactician who can deduce enemy plans and dispense valuable advice. If the Empire is successful, Hubert proves an effective advisor to Edelgard for years to come. If they fail, he [[VillainousValour valiantly]] engages in a final stand against the Empire's enemies. If given the opportunity, Hubert [[GracefulLoser has a posthumous letter sent to the victors]] to ensure the defeat of "those who slither in the dark".

** [[DevilInPlainSight Hubert von Vestra]] remains the same [[ChessmasterSidekick brilliant right hand]] he was in the original game. Always loyally serving Edelgard and suspicious of any newcomers, he shows no hesitation in resorting to amoral tactics yet proves excellent at providing support, saving the life of Ferdinand von Aegir through his inference of the noble's actions and intentionally being rid of nobles who don't suit his goals, whether they be through direct purging or putting them in a position to die at enemy hands. Saving Edelgard's life by using a contingency to get her out, he is even capable of coercing her would-be assassin into serving his own side in the middle of battle. Consistently loyal and with genuine soft spots yet outwardly cruel and ruthless enough to try to kill his own allies should it be convenient, Hubert is among the key players of Edelgard's conquest.

** [[UndyingLoyalty General Murdock]] has been [[TheDragon the retainer]] of King Zephiel ever since he was young and can match his liege in wit and combat. Conspiring with his master in killing Zephiel's abusive father and [[TheUsurper taking the throne]], Murdock helped launch his massive conquest of the continent. [[FourStarBadass As the head of Bern's three generals]], Murdock was responsible for Bern's successful war efforts, conquering most of Ilia and assist in the conquest of Lycia, all the way taking advantage of Roy to eliminate liable allies as pawns while replacing them with his own trusted soldiers. Impressed by Roy, Murdock confronts him in Shrine of Seal while guarding the Binding Blade, leading Bern's elite army to face him in the largest battle in the war with countless elite soldiers of all classes. [[MightyGlacier With massive strength and endurance]], Murdock stands as a massive wall against the army, only falling after a long battle of attrition, with his only dying regret being that he can't protect his master any longer.

* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes'': [[NobleTopEnforcer Princess Laegjarn]] is a general of the [[Characters/FireEmblemHeroesMuspell Kingdom of Múspell]] and serves as a recurring threat for the Order of Heroes to face. Realizing her physical weaknesses, she decides to make a name for herself by becoming a strategist to watch over her little sister, Laevateinn. During her introduction, she sharply notices the fake footprints that the Order has left to throw her off their trail and when captured by the Order of Heroes, Laegjarn manages to escape by exploiting the distracted Fjorm's grief over her sister Gunnthrá's death. Upon learning of Helbindi's DoomedHometown caused by his failure, Laegjarn politely relieves him of his duty by lying to [[TinTyrant Surtr]], saying he died. When Surtr orders the death of Laevateinn for her failure to kill the Order, Laegjarn chooses to die instead, requesting Fjorm save Laevateinn from an unnecessary death. Fjorm mourns her death, saying the two of them could've been friends under different circumstances. Later resurrected by the god Múspell himself to finally end his nemesis Nifl for good by having Laegjarn duel Fjorm to the death, Laegjarn takes advantage of a ProphecyTwist that ensures she defeats Fjorm, but resurrects her by giving Fjorm a Flame Gem, allowing both of them to defeat Múspell and free Fjorm from the Rite of Frost, [[EarnYourHappyEnding allowing both of them to live as friends]].

* [[NobleTopEnforcer Princess Laegjarn]] is a general of the [[Characters/FireEmblemHeroesMuspell Kingdom of Múspell]] and serves as a recurring threat for the Order of Heroes to face. Realizing her physical weaknesses, she decides to make a name for herself by becoming a strategist to watch over her little sister, Laevateinn. During her introduction, she sharply notices the fake footprints that the Order has left to throw her off their trail and when captured by the Order of Heroes, Laegjarn manages to escape by exploiting the distracted Fjorm's grief over her sister Gunnthrá's death. Upon learning of Helbindi's DoomedHometown caused by his failure, Laegjarn politely relieves him of his duty by lying to [[TinTyrant Surtr]], saying he died. When Surtr orders the death of Laevateinn for her failure to kill the Order, Laegjarn chooses to die instead, requesting Fjorm save Laevateinn from an unnecessary death. Fjorm mourns her death, saying the two of them could've been friends under different circumstances. Later resurrected by the god Múspell himself to finally end his nemesis Nifl for good by having Laegjarn duel Fjorm to the death, Laegjarn takes advantage of a ProphecyTwist that ensures she defeats Fjorm, but resurrects her by giving Fjorm a Flame Gem, allowing both of them to defeat Múspell and free Fjorm from the Rite of Frost, [[EarnYourHappyEnding allowing both of them to live as friends]].

* [[NobleTopEnforcer Princess Laegjarn]] is a general of the [[Characters/FireEmblemHeroesMuspell Kingdom of Múspell]] and serves as a recurring threat for the Order of Heroes to face. Realizing her physical weaknesses, she decides to make a name for herself by becoming a strategist to watch over her little sister, Laevateinn. During her introduction, she sharply notices the fake footprints that the Order has left to throw her off their trail and when captured by the Order of Heroes, Laegjarn manages to escape by exploiting the distracted Fjorm's grief over her sister Gunnthrá's death. Upon learning of Helbindi's DoomedHometown caused by his failure, Laegjarn politely relieves him of his duty by lying to [[TinTyrant Surtr]], saying he died. When Surtr orders the death of Laevateinn for her failure to kill the Order, Laegjarn chooses to die instead, requesting Fjorm save Laevateinn from an unnecessary death. Fjorm mourns her death, saying the two of them could've been friends under different circumstances.

* [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Yen'fay, the Dynast of Chon'sin,]] was [[MasterSwordsman a former swordsman]] who after his defeat made [[HeroicSacrifice the ultimate sacrifice to protect his kingdom and sister]]. The past king of Chon'sin, Yen'fay fought valiantly against Walhart, but after his kingdom fell, and Excellus blackmailed him with Say'ri's life, Yen'fay was force into Walhart's army, becoming one of his generals. Scheming against his captors, Yen'fay set-up a plan, adding his people to his army, and waiting for a force who can take him down. Seeing the Ylisse army's effort, Yen'fay saw them capable of defeating Walhart, and as such has himself killed in a battle against them to keep his deal with Excellus to protect Say'ri, before unleashing [[ThanatosGambit his trap]] by using his death to influence the Chon'sin soldiers to defect during a critical battle, striking a major blow and giving Ylisse the chance to take down Walhart and Excellus beyond the grave.

* [[StarterVillain Tirado]] is Valter's subordinate who contrasting him uses wit and [[YouHaveOutlivedYourusefulness strategic betrayal]]. Tasked with capturing the heirs of Renais, Tirado place the traitor Orson in Ephraim's fold and get him to try reclaiming Renais Castle, using mercenaries to weaken the prince's army before ambushing him. When Ephraim manages to escape, Tirado adapted and [[UnintentionalBackupPlan spread gossip of Ephraim's capture to lure Eirika]], tricking his adjutant Murray and a ballista squad as bait to weaken her, and then sending Orson to trick Eirika, before destroying her escape route when it fails, nearly capturing her had it not been for Ephraim's arrival leading to him [[ClimaxBoss engaging them in a final battle]], [[FaceDeathWithDignity where in defeat praises the two's skills]] and warns the future dangers of Grado.

** [[ConsummateProfessional Volke]] the "[[RedBaron Fireman]]" is an [[ProfessionalKiller ever professional assassin]] loyal to only gold and reputation. An infamous killer who'll do any job no matter how dirty, he was hired by Greil [[MercyKill to kill him if he fell to Lehran's Medallion]], but when he died, Volke decided to work for his son Ike to keep his deal. Disguised as a thief, Volke took advantage of the [[Characters/FireEmblemPathOfRadianceGreilMercenaries Greil Mercernaries]] needing one to join them, all the while extorting money from them for his services. Once Ike manages to garner the funds to bribe Volke, Volke reveals his true identity as an assassin and told his deal with Greil, offering the same deal as his father, serving as his assassin, as one of his most lethal fighters in the war, and his contingency if he goes berserk. In [[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn Radiant Dawn]], Volke returns under Bastian, sent to capture Izuka, before extorting more gold from his client to kill his former client, then joining the battle against the Begnion and Ashera for [[OnlyInItForTheMoney a massive fortune]] uncaring of the fate of the world.
** Naesala, the King of Kilvas, is a Raven Laguz who is introduced cheerfully working with the Daein army and betraying them to loot their ships for the betterment of Kilvas. Selling his friend, the Heron Laguz Reyson into slavery for benefits to Kilvas, Naesala does intend to recover him, and later assists the army against Daein to rescue Reyson's sister Leanne. Constantly manipulating and betraying his allies, it turns out Naesala is under a Blood Pact to the Beginon Senate, to force them to do his worst deeds or risk his entire nation dying. Finding a loophole in the Blood Pact, Naesala is able to break it and join the heroes to achieve a final freedom for Kilvas and live happily ever after with Leanne.

* [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Yen'fay, the Dynast of Chon'sin,]] was [[MasterSwordsman a former swordsman]] who after his defeat made [[HeroicSacrifice the ultimate sacrifice to protect his kingdom and sister]]. The past king of Chon'sin, Yen'fay fought valiantly against Walhart, but after his kingdom fell, and Excellus blackmailed him with Say'ri's life, Yen'fay was forced into Walhart's army, becoming one of his generals. Scheming against his captors, Yen'fay setup a plan, adding his people to his army, and waiting for a force who can take him down. Seeing the Ylisse army's effort, Yen'fay saw them capable of defeating Walhart, and as such has himself killed in a battle against them to keep his deal with Excellus to protect Say'ri, before unleashing [[ThanatosGambit his trap]] by using his death to influence the Chon'sin soldiers to defect during a critical battle, striking a major blow and giving Ylisse the chance to take down Walhart and Excellus beyond the grave.

** [[ConsummateProfessional Volke]] the "[[RedBaron Fireman]]" is an [[ProfessionalKiller ever professional assassin]] loyal to only gold and reputation. An infamous killer who'll do any job no matter how dirty, he was hired by Greil [[MercyKill to kill him if he fell to Lehran's Medallion]], but when he died, Volke decided to work for his son Ike to keep his deal. Disguise as a thief, Volke took advantage of the Greil's Mercernary needing one to join them, all the while extorting money from them for his services. Once Ike manage to garner the funds to bribe Volke, Volke reveals his true identity as an assassin and told his deal with Greil, offering the same deal as his father, serving as his assassin, as one of his most lethal fighters in the war, and his contingency if he goes berserk. In [[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn Radiant Dawn]], Volke returns under Bastian, sent to capture Izuka, before extorting more gold from his client to kill his former client, then joining the battle against the Begnion and Ashera for [[OnlyInItForTheMoney a massive fortune]] uncaring of the fate of the world.

* [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Yen'fay, the Dynast of Chon'sin,]] was [[MasterSwordsman a former swordsman]] who after his defeat made [[HeroicSacrifice the ultimate sacrifice to protect his kingdom and sister]]. The past king of Chon'sin, Yen'fay fought valiantly against Walhart, but after his kingdom fell, and Excellus blackmailed him with Say'ri's life, Yen'fay was force into Walhart's army, becoming one of his generals. Scheming against his captors, Yen'fay set-up a plan, adding his people to his army, and waiting for a force who can take him down. Seeing the Ylisse army's effort, Yen'fay saw them capable of defeating Walhart, and as such has himself killed in a battle against them to keep his deal with Excellus to protect Say'ri, before unleashing [[ThanatosGambit his trap]] by using his death to influence the Chon'sin soldiers to defect during a critical battle, striking a major blow and giving Ylisse the chance to take down Walhart and Excellus beyond the grave.

* [[GeniusBruiser Caellach]] [[SelfMadeMan the Tiger Eye]] is a former Jehanna mercenary who has [[AmbitionIsEvil ambitions to become a king]]. Wanting to escape the confines of the desert, Caellach grew a reputation in his mercenary days as a boisterous yet reliable warrior for better opportunities, ending up scouted by Grado to become one of their new generals. In charge of dealing with his former home in the war efforts, Caellach's cunning and charisma was able to conquer Jehanna, taking the palace and destroying its Sacred Stone after using Carlyle, while setting in-roads with Carcino for his future reigns. Establishing his connections and cutting off his attachments to his old life, Caellach joined Valter's army in a massive battle against the Magvel army, equipping himself against any potential weaknesses, ultimately losing [[NearVillainVictory only inches away from ascending to his beloved throne]].