Marth Embarks (Japanese:マルスの旅立ちMarth's Departure) is the first chapter ofFire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, Book I ofMystery of the Emblem, andShadow Dragon. It is set two years after the prologue ofShadow Dragon.

Plot

Main articles:Marth Embarks/Script (Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light),Marth Embarks/Script (Mystery of the Emblem), andMarth Embarks/Script (Shadow Dragon)

Marth, having narrowly survived the downfall of Altea, reaches the island kingdom ofTalys, where its kingMostyn allows him to reside in the eastern fortress. Marth spends two years in hiding, training to become strong enough to challengeMedeus. One day, pirates from the town of Galder storm the island and begin pillaging the local villages. PrincessCaeda races to the eastern fortress to enlist Marth's aid, and he promptly engages the pirates.

Starting from the east side of the island, Marth leads the army to the western castle, where he defeatsGazzak, the leader of the pirates. He meets King Mostyn, who deems him worthy to battleDolhr and supplies him with a group of soldiers, most notablyOgma, to help him reclaimAltea. King Mostyn advises Marth to recruit more fighters who can help, whether they are hiding in villages or being forced to fight by the enemy.

Chapter data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightMystery of the EmblemShadow Dragon

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Seize	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Marth dies	7+1	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	14	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 30 columns by 13 rows

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Seize	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Marth dies	7	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	14	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 30 columns by 13 rows

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Seize	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Marth dies	7+1	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	14	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 30 columns by 13 rows

Units are arranged based on their position in deployment order afterMarth. If every unit is alive and recruited, the deployment order is:

• In Normal mode: Marth,Abel,Frey,Jagen,Cain,Gordin,Draug,Norne,Caeda.
• In Hard mode: Marth,Caeda,Cain,Abel,Draug,Jagen,Gordin.

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Character data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightMystery of the EmblemShadow Dragon Normal ModeShadow Dragon Hard Modes

Characters
New units
Marth Lord HP 18 Inventory Rapier Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Jagen Paladin HP 20 Inventory Iron Sword Silver Lance Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Cain Cavalier HP 18 Inventory Lance Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Abel Cavalier HP 18 Inventory Iron Sword Javelin Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Draug Knight HP 18 Inventory Iron Sword Lance Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Gordin Archer HP 16 Inventory Bowgun Steel Bow Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Caeda Pegasus Knight HP 16 Inventory Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Wrys Curate HP 16 Inventory Heal Level 1 Visit westernvillage
Available characters
None

Characters
New units
Marth Lord HP 18 Inventory Rapier Vulnerary Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Abel Cavalier HP 20 Inventory Javelin Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Cain Cavalier HP 20 Inventory Iron Lance Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Jagen Paladin HP 22 Inventory Silver Lance Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Gordin Archer HP 18 Inventory Iron Bow Steel Bow Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Draug Armored Knight HP 20 Inventory Iron Lance Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Caeda Pegasus Knight HP 16 Inventory Slim Lance Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1
Available characters
None

Characters
New units
Caeda Pegasus Knight HP 16 Inventory Wing Spear Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Wrys Curate HP 16 Inventory Heal Level 1 Visit westernvillage
Forcibly deployed characters
Available characters

Characters
New units
Marth Lord HP 18 Inventory Rapier Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Caeda Pegasus Knight HP 16 Inventory Wing Spear Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Cain Cavalier HP 20 Inventory Iron Lance Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Abel Cavalier HP 20 Inventory Javelin Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Draug Knight HP 20 Inventory Iron Lance Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Jagen Paladin HP 22 Inventory Silver Lance Iron Sword Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Gordin Archer HP 18 Inventory Iron Bow Steel Bow Level 1 Automatically from turn 1 Wrys Curate HP 16 Inventory Heal Level 1 Visit westernvillage
Available characters
None

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Item data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightMystery of the EmblemShadow Dragon

Items

Name Obtainment Method 10,000 G Visit the easternvillage Vulnerary Dropped byGazzak

Items

Name Obtainment Method 5,000 G Visit the easternvillage Vulnerary Visit the westernvillage

Items

Name Obtainment Method 10,000 G Visit the easternvillage Vulnerary Dropped byGazzak

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Shop data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightMystery of the EmblemShadow Dragon

Armories and vendors

SwordsLancesAxesBowsTomesStavesItemsSecret

Name	Cost
Iron Sword	320

Name	Cost
Lance	450
Javelin	600

Name	Cost
Axe	360

Name	Cost
Bow	400
Bowgun	950

None

None

None

None

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Armories and vendors

SwordsLancesAxesBowsTomesStavesItemsSecret

	Name	Cost
	Iron Sword	420

	Name	Cost
	Iron Lance	380
	Javelin	600

	Name	Cost
	Iron Axe	430

	Name	Cost
	Iron Bow	330

None

None

None

None

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Armories and vendors

SwordsLancesAxesBowsTomesStavesItemsSecret

	Name	Cost
	Iron Sword	400

	Name	Cost
	Iron Lance	480
	Javelin	750

	Name	Cost
	Iron Axe	320

	Name	Cost
	Iron Bow	440

None

None

None

None

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Enemy data

Enemy data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightMystery of the EmblemShadow Dragon

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Gazzak Pirate 5 1 24 7 3 8 0 6 0 6 Steel Axe Drops aVulnerary upon defeat. Moves onto thegate on turn 1, then does not move. Pirate Pirate 1 11 18 5 1 6 0 4 0 6 Axe • The three surrounding thegate move to attack any player unit in range, and move next to the gate if no one is in range. • The southernmost one moves to attack any player unit in range, and moves onto the westvillage if no one is in range. • The easternmost one moves to attack any player unit in range, and moves onto the northernfort if no one is in range. Pirate Thief 1 1 16 3 1 9 0 2 0 7 Iron Sword Prioritizes raidingvillages until the Pirate on the west village is defeated. Pirate Hunter 1 1 18 6 1 5 0 3 0 6 Bow --

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Gazzak Pirate 5 1 26 6 0 3 -- 5 0 5 Iron Axe Moves onto thegate on turn 1, then does not move. Galder Pirate 1 10 22 4 0 2 -- 3 0 5 Iron Axe The adjacent pair south of the gate move next to thegate on turn 1, then do not move. Galder Pirate 3 1 24 5 0 2 -- 4 0 5 Iron Axe -- Galder Thief 1 1 16 2 1 7 -- 1 0 7 Iron Sword Ignores combat and moves to raidvillages. Galder Hunter 1 1 18 6 4 6 -- 4 0 6 Iron Bow --

Stats with a decimal can vary randomly; the decimal represents the chance for the stat to increase to the nearest integer, or otherwise be truncated.

NormalHard-1Hard-2Hard-3Hard-4Hard-5

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Gazzak Pirate 5 1 24 7 0 3 8 0 6 0 -- Steel Axe •Vulnerary Moves onto thegate on turn 1. Pirate Pirate 1 11 18 5 0 1 6 0 4 0 6 Iron Axe • The three south of theHunter, the furthest southeastern one, and the furthest northern two immediately begin moving unprovoked. • The one northwest ofGazzak begins moving if the one just east of Gazzak is provoked. • The one just east of Gazzak, the one just southwest of Gazzak, and other eastern two only move to attack units in range. Pirate Thief 1 1 16 3 0 1 7 0 1 0 7 Iron Sword Prioritizes destroyingvillages. Pirate Hunter 1 1 18 6 0 4 6 0 3 0 6 Iron Bow Begins moving if the left southeasternPirate is provoked.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Gazzak Pirate 5 1 25.2 8.5 0 3.75 8.45 0 6 0 -- Steel Axe •Vulnerary Moves onto thegate on turn 1. Pirate Pirate 1 11 19.5 5.6 0 1.75 6 0 4 0 6 Iron Axe • The three south of theHunter, the furthest southeastern one, and the furthest northern two immediately begin moving unprovoked. • The one northwest ofGazzak begins moving if the one just east of Gazzak is provoked. • The one just east of Gazzak, the one just southwest of Gazzak, and other eastern two only move to attack units in range. Pirate Thief 1 1 17.8 3.6 0 2.2 8.5 0 1 0 7 Iron Sword Prioritizes destroyingvillages. Pirate Hunter 1 1 19.8 6.3 0 4.9 6.9 0 3 0 6 Iron Bow Begins moving if the left southeasternPirate is provoked.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Gazzak Pirate 5 1 26.4 10 0 4.5 8.9 0 6 0 -- Steel Axe •Vulnerary Moves onto thegate on turn 1. Pirate Pirate 1 11 21 6.2 0 2.5 6 0 4 0 6 Iron Axe • The three south of theHunter, the furthest southeastern one, and the furthest northern two immediately begin moving unprovoked. • The one northwest ofGazzak begins moving if the one just east of Gazzak is provoked. • The one just east of Gazzak, the one just southwest of Gazzak, and other eastern two only move to attack units in range. Pirate Thief 1 1 19.6 4.2 0 3.4 10 0 1 0 7 Iron Sword Prioritizes destroyingvillages. Pirate Hunter 1 1 21.6 6.6 0 5.8 7.8 0 3 0 6 Iron Bow Begins moving if the left southeasternPirate is provoked.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Gazzak Pirate 5 1 27.6 11.5 0 5.25 9.35 0 6 0 -- Steel Axe •Vulnerary Moves onto thegate on turn 1. Pirate Pirate 1 11 22.5 6.8 0 3.25 6 0 4 0 6 Iron Axe • The three south of theHunter, the furthest southeastern one, and the furthest northern two immediately begin moving unprovoked. • The one northwest ofGazzak begins moving if the one just east of Gazzak is provoked. • The one just east of Gazzak, the one just southwest of Gazzak, and other eastern two only move to attack units in range. Pirate Thief 1 1 21.4 4.8 0 4.6 11.5 0 1 0 7 Iron Sword Prioritizes destroyingvillages. Pirate Hunter 1 1 23.4 6.9 0 6.7 8.7 0 3 0 6 Iron Bow Begins moving if the left southeasternPirate is provoked.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Gazzak Pirate 5 1 28.8 13 0 6 9.8 0 6 0 -- Steel Axe •Vulnerary Moves onto thegate on turn 1. Pirate Pirate 1 11 24 7.4 0 4 6 0 4 0 6 Iron Axe • The three south of theHunter, the furthest southeastern one, and the furthest northern two immediately begin moving unprovoked. • The one northwest ofGazzak begins moving if the one just east of Gazzak is provoked. • The one just east of Gazzak, the one just southwest of Gazzak, and other eastern two only move to attack units in range. Pirate Thief 1 1 23.2 5.4 0 5.8 13 0 1 0 7 Iron Sword Prioritizes destroyingvillages. Pirate Hunter 1 1 25.2 7.2 0 7.6 9.6 0 3 0 6 Iron Bow Begins moving if the left southeasternPirate is provoked.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Gazzak Pirate 5 1 30 14.5 0 6.75 10.25 0 6 0 -- Steel Axe •Vulnerary Moves onto thegate on turn 1. Pirate Pirate 1 11 25.5 8 0 4.75 6 0 4 0 6 Iron Axe • The three south of theHunter, the furthest southeastern one, and the furthest northern two immediately begin moving unprovoked. • The one northwest ofGazzak begins moving if the one just east of Gazzak is provoked. • The one just east of Gazzak, the one just southwest of Gazzak, and other eastern two only move to attack units in range. Pirate Thief 1 1 25 6 0 7 14.5 0 1 0 7 Iron Sword Prioritizes destroyingvillages. Pirate Hunter 1 1 27 7.5 0 8.5 10.5 0 3 0 6 Iron Bow Begins moving if he can attack a unit in two turns.

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Boss data

Main article:Gazzak

Boss data

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of LightMystery of the EmblemShadow Dragon

Pirate Level 5 Movement 6 Experience 38

Stats Max HP 24 Speed 8 Strength 7 Luck 0 Skill 3 Defense 6 W. Level 7 Resistance 0

Inventory Drops Steel Axe Vulnerary Weapons Sword ✗ Lance ✗ Axe ✓ Bow ✗ Tome ✗ Staff ✗ Ballista ✗ Stone ✗

Pirate Level 5 Movement 5 Experience 62

Stats Max HP 26 Luck -- Strength 6 W. Level -- Skill 0 Defense 5 Speed 3 Resistance 0

Weapons Items Iron Axe -- Weapons Sword ✗ Lance ✗ Axe ✓ Bow ✗ Tome ✗ Staff ✗

Stats with a decimal can vary randomly; the decimal represents the chance for the stat to increase to the nearest integer, or otherwise be truncated.

NormalHard-1Hard-2Hard-3Hard-4Hard-5

Pirate Level 5 Movement --

Stats Max HP 24 Speed 8 Strength 7 Luck 0 Magic 0 Defense 6 Skill 3 Resistance 0

Inventory Steel Axe Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- D -- -- --

Pirate Level 5 Movement --

Stats Max HP 25.2 Speed 8.45 Strength 8.5 Luck 0 Magic 0 Defense 6 Skill 3.75 Resistance 0

Inventory Steel Axe Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- C -- -- --

Pirate Level 5 Movement --

Stats Max HP 26.4 Speed 8.9 Strength 10 Luck 0 Magic 0 Defense 6 Skill 4.5 Resistance 0

Inventory Steel Axe Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- C -- -- --

Pirate Level 5 Movement --

Stats Max HP 27.6 Speed 9.35 Strength 11.5 Luck 0 Magic 0 Defense 6 Skill 5.25 Resistance 0

Inventory Steel Axe Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- B -- -- --

Pirate Level 5 Movement --

Stats Max HP 28.8 Speed 9.8 Strength 13 Luck 0 Magic 0 Defense 6 Skill 6 Resistance 0

Inventory Steel Axe Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- B -- -- --

Pirate Level 5 Movement --

Stats Max HP 30 Speed 10.25 Strength 14.5 Luck 0 Magic 0 Defense 6 Skill 6.75 Resistance 0

Inventory Steel Axe Vulnerary Weapon Levels -- -- A -- -- --

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Strategy

Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light

Marth has exclusive access to several extremely powerful swords and enemies will automatically prioritize attacking him if at all possible. Caeda doesn't have much going for her apart from her flight utility; she does get immediate access to Jagen's Silver Lance, but Abel isn't far behind and has much better Strength to deal damage.

Shadow Dragon

1. Prologue Playthrough and Character Training: If you are playing in Normal Mode and have completed the Prologue, the characters you have played with so far should have gained several levels by now. This is an excellent opportunity to level up other characters, as the ones you have been using will not gain much experience here.
2. Norne's Appearance: If you finished Prologue IV with four or fewer characters,Norne will join your team. She is slightly better thanGordin. If you are considering using her, start training now as her starting stats are quite low. However, there are more powerful bow users available later in the game.
3. Enemy Encounter Strategy:Pirates and theHunter are manageable. Some approach from land and others from the sea. One will be stationed at the castle while three others linger until you get closer. Place your injured characters in forests or forts, especially before gettingWrys for healing. KeepCaeda away from the Hunter as she is vulnerable to arrows.
4. Protect the Villages: Ensure you defeat theThief before he reaches any villages as they will be destroyed the moment he enters.
5. Equipment Purchases: Once you acquire gold from a village, get some weapons. Buy anIron Lance and someJavelins for Caeda, so she does not have to rely on her unique weapon. Get a lance for Abel (he only starts with a Javelin) and consider another Javelin forDraug.
6. Boss Strategy: Attacking the boss from a distance is possible, so plan accordingly.

Hard-5

To make your gameplay a tad smoother, aim forGazzak to have 10 speed through resets. Ideally theHunter should also have 10 speed, though this is less important with good positioning and will require more resets.

Gameplay Strategies:

1. SendMarth to the village to collect 10,000 gold immediately. Have one of the cavaliers buyJavelins forDraug,Caeda, andJagen, andIron Lances forAbel andCaeda. Additional Javelins can be helpful for the future, though there are plenty of shops that sell Javelins in later chapters.
2. Javelins are helpful for dealing safe chip, though the low hit rates makes them unreliable. HP is a valuable resource in this map, try to avoid unnecessary damage as much as possible.
3. Make sure to kill theThief before he can raze the village.
4. Six enemyPirates will quickly approach at the chapter's start. Keep an eye on which Pirates are aggressive and which are not. Position Jagen on the eastern fortress for defense and counter-attacks.
5. Jagen'sSilver Lance and Caeda'sWing Spear are your most powerful weapons, being able to deal 15 and 7x2 damage to the pirates respectively. They are the only ways to kill Pirates in two rounds. Note that Caeda needs to level up HP or defense once to take more than one hit before dying.
6. Never letGordin have theSteel Bow equipped when an enemy can reach him on enemy phase, as he can be defeated in one round.
7. After eliminating the initial aggressive pirates, you will gain the upper hand. Use forts for healing and use Jagen to strategically attract enemies. For the Hunter, take advantage of his AI to let him come to you on one turn and then kill him the next turn.
8. If Cain gets +1 speed, he can avoid being doubled by 10-speed Gazzak. If Draug gets +1 HP or defense and +1 luck, he cannot beORKOed by the pirates in the next chapter under any circumstances. If Marth and Abel get +1 speed, they cannot be doubled by 11-speed Gazzak, and if Abel gets +1 luck, he cannot be critically hit by Gazzak.
9. The safest way to take care of Gazzak is to weaken him using Javelins and the Steel Bow. Cain and Marth can take turns chipping him on enemy phase and healing via the fort or Wrys's staff, though try not to spend too many uses ofHeal as you can't get another one until after chapter 3.

Trivia

• Wrys was removed fromMystery of the Emblem Book I and replaced by Gazzak's Vulnerary, which was removed from his inventory and placed in the left village of the chapter. This has been referenced several times, including in Wrys's primary ability on his firstFire Emblem Cipher card,B01-015N Healing Curate, which allows him to be discarded for a Vulnerary equivalent.
• The synopsis beforePrologue II ofNew Mystery of the Emblem depicts a modified version of the CG image used in the introduction of this chapter inShadow Dragon, adding Jagen to it.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

• 
  Screenshot fromShadow Dragon & the Blade of Light.
• 
  CG image displayed during the introduction text inShadow Dragon.

Notes

References