Ocean's Parting (Japanese:海の道Ocean path) is Chapter 17 of theIlia route ofFire Emblem: The Binding Blade. In order to play this chapter (and the rest of the Ilia route for Chapters 18, 19, 20; and the sidequest of Chapter 20), the combinedexperience ofShanna andThea must be equal to or higher than the combined experience ofSue andSin by the end of Chapter16 or16x. Otherwise,The Bishop's Teachings and theSacae route will be played instead.

Plot

Main article:Ocean's Parting/Script

AfterRoy captures Aquileia, the revolutionary forces, including their leadersRoartz andArcardo, are chased out ofEtruria. They join withBern's army and flee toIlia. Roartz and Murdock meet with theWyvern GeneralsGalle andMurdock. Murdock puts Roartz in charge of Castle Edessa, deeper within the country, and leaves Arcardo in charge of Castle Remi at the Etrurian border. Galle expects the two Etrurians to die in battle should he and Murdock leave them alone, but Murdock says it would only be their own incompetence. Before the two depart, Murdock wishes to cross blades with Roy.

Meanwhile, theLycian Army has reformed together with the Etrurian forces into the newly named Etrurian Army, though it remains under Roy's leadership. With both Etruria and theElimine Church on his side, Roy's forces head to Ilia to finally defeat the revolutionaries' leaders. Shortly before they reach Castle Remi,Yoder talks to Roy. He asks Roy to report to him if Roy discovers new information about Bern'sdragons, and Roy promises to do so. After warning Roy to be careful, Yoder bids farewell to the Etrurian Army.

As Galle predicted, Arcardo falls in battle against Roy. Merlinus pities Arcardo's death, and then notices Roy carrying the Fire Emblem. Roy says PrincessGuinivere entrusted it to him with the hope to end the war through diplomacy. At that, Merlinus muses that she must have some faith in her brother, despite the rumors thatZephiel killed his ownfather. This is shocking news to Roy, and he ponders asking Guinivere for more information.

Chapter data

NormalHard

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Seize the castle gate	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Roy dies	1–14	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	28+24	{{{third}}}
InitialTurn 6 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}
Map dimensions: 32 columns by 24 rows

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Seize the castle gate	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Roy dies	1–14	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	28+40	{{{third}}}
InitialTurn 6 {{{content3}}} {{{content4}}} {{{content5}}} {{{content6}}} {{{content7}}} {{{content8}}} {{{content9}}} {{{content10}}} {{{content11}}} {{{content12}}} {{{content13}}} {{{content14}}} {{{content15}}}
Map dimensions: 32 columns by 24 rows

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At the start of turn 6, a sandbar in the sea will appear east of the armory, directly connecting the west to the north.

Character data

Characters
New units
None
Forcibly deployed characters
Available characters

Item data

Items

Name Obtainment Method Elixir Steal from enemyPaladin Elixir Steal from enemyPaladin Elixir Steal from enemyPaladin Vulnerary Steal from enemyCavalier Vulnerary Steal from enemyCavalier Vulnerary Steal from enemyCavalier Vulnerary Steal from enemyArcher Vulnerary Steal from enemyArcher Vulnerary Steal from enemyArcher Vulnerary Steal from enemyCavalier (reinforcement; up to 8(Normal) or 16(Hard)) Vulnerary Steal from enemyPegasus Knight (reinforcement; up to 12(Normal) or 16(Hard)) Tiena's Staff Visit thevillage

Shop data

Armories and vendors

SwordsLancesAxesBowsAnimaLightDarkStavesItemsSecret

	Name	Cost
	Slim Sword	480
	Iron Sword	460
	Killing Edge	1,300
	Iron Blade	980

	Name	Cost
	Slim Lance	450
	Iron Lance	360
	Killer Lance	1,200
	Javelin	400

	Name	Cost
	Iron Axe	270
	Killer Axe	1,000
	Hand Axe	300

	Name	Cost
	Iron Bow	540
	Killer Bow	1,400

None

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Enemy data

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.

NormalHard

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Etruria Knight 16 1 27~31 10~12 6~8 1~3 3~5 12~14 0~1 13 4 Horseslayer Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Knight 16 1 27~31 10~12 6~8 1~3 3~5 12~14 0~1 13 4 Axereaver Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Mage 17 1 23~26 8~11 7~10 7~10 2~4 3~4 7~10 6 5 Elfire -- Etruria Mage 17 1 23~26 8~11 7~10 7~10 2~4 3~4 7~10 6 5 Fimbulvetr -- Etruria Mage 16 1 23~26 8~11 7~9 7~9 2~4 3~4 7~9 6 5 Thunder -- Etruria Mage 15 1 22~25 7~10 6~9 7~9 2~4 3~4 7~9 6 5 Thunder Does not move, except to heal. Etruria Paladin 5 3 36~42 11~15 9~13 9~12 4~8 9~12 5~8 11 8 Silver Lance •Elixir • The southeast one moves to attack units in range. • The northern one begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Cavalier 17 1 30~34 9~12 7~10 8~11 4~6 8~9 1~3 9 7 Killer Lance Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Cavalier 17 2 30~34 9~12 7~10 8~11 4~6 8~9 1~3 9 7 Steel Lance •Javelin The southeast one moves to attack units in range. Etruria Cavalier 16 2 29~33 9~11 7~9 8~10 3~6 7~9 1~3 9 7 Steel Lance •Javelin • The southeast one moves to attack units in range. • The northern one begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Cavalier 16 1 29~33 9~11 7~9 8~10 3~6 7~9 1~3 9 7 Steel Lance •Vulnerary Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Cavalier 15 1 29~32 9~11 6~9 8~10 3~5 7~9 1~2 9 7 Killer Lance -- Etruria Cavalier 15 2 29~32 9~11 6~9 8~10 3~5 7~9 1~2 9 7 Steel Lance •Javelin The northern one begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Cavalier 15 2 29~32 9~11 6~9 8~10 3~5 7~9 1~2 9 7 Steel Lance •Vulnerary The northern one begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Cavalier 15 1 29~32 9~11 6~9 8~10 3~5 7~9 1~2 9 7 Axereaver Begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Bishop 6 1 29~34 10~14 9~12 7~11 7~12 4~6 15~20 6 6 Physic •Purge -- Etruria Bishop 5 1 29~34 10~14 8~12 7~10 7~11 4~6 15~19 6 6 Physic •Divine •Sleep Does not move. Etruria Archer 17 3 27~31 8~11 8~11 7~9 4~7 5~6 1~2 7 5 Steel Bow •Vulnerary The two on islands move to attack units in range, and operateBallistae. Etruria Fighter 17 1 31~36 12~15 6~9 8~10 2~3 4~5 1~2 11 5 Steel Axe -- Arcardo Paladin 10 1 48 20 14 13 13 16 10 11 8 Silver Lance •Javelin Does not move; stands on thegate, the chapter's seize point.

Reinforcements

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Etruria Cavalier 16 4 29~33 9~11 7~9 8~10 3~6 7~9 1~3 9 7 Steel Sword •Vulnerary -- Etruria Cavalier 15 4 29~32 9~11 6~9 8~10 3~5 7~9 1~2 9 7 Steel Lance •Vulnerary -- Etruria Archer 17 4 27~31 8~11 8~11 7~9 4~7 5~6 1~2 7 5 Steel Bow -- Etruria Pegasus Knight 13 12 20~23 7~9 9~11 9~11 3~5 4~5 4~6 5 7 Steel Lance •Vulnerary --

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Etruria Knight 16 1 35~42 14~18 9~13 2~6 5~9 14~18 0~2 13 4 Horseslayer Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Knight 16 1 35~42 14~18 9~13 2~6 5~9 14~18 0~2 13 4 Axereaver Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Mage 17 1 28~34 13~19 11~16 10~15 4~7 3~5 10~15 6 5 Elfire -- Etruria Mage 17 1 28~34 13~19 11~16 10~15 4~7 3~5 10~15 6 5 Fimbulvetr -- Etruria Mage 16 1 28~34 13~19 11~15 10~14 4~7 3~5 10~14 6 5 Thunder -- Etruria Mage 15 1 27~33 12~18 10~15 10~14 4~7 3~5 10~14 6 5 Thunder Does not move, except to heal. Etruria Paladin 5 3 43~52 13~19 12~18 10~15 6~12 10~14 6~11 11 8 Silver Lance •Elixir • The southeast one moves to attack units in range. • The northern one begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Cavalier 17 1 37~45 12~17 11~16 10~15 7~11 9~12 2~5 9 7 Killer Lance Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Cavalier 17 2 37~45 12~17 11~16 10~15 7~11 9~12 2~5 9 7 Steel Lance •Javelin The southeast one moves to attack units in range. Etruria Cavalier 16 2 36~44 12~16 11~15 10~14 6~11 8~12 2~5 9 7 Steel Lance •Javelin • The southeast one moves to attack units in range. • The northern one begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Cavalier 16 1 36~44 12~16 11~15 10~14 6~11 8~12 2~5 9 7 Steel Lance •Vulnerary Moves to attack units in range. Etruria Cavalier 15 1 36~43 12~16 10~15 10~14 6~10 8~12 2~4 9 7 Killer Lance -- Etruria Cavalier 15 2 36~43 12~16 10~15 10~14 6~10 8~12 2~4 9 7 Steel Lance •Javelin The northern one begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Cavalier 15 2 36~43 12~16 10~15 10~14 6~10 8~12 2~4 9 7 Steel Lance •Vulnerary The northern one begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Cavalier 15 1 36~43 12~16 10~15 10~14 6~10 8~12 2~4 9 7 Axereaver Begins moving unprovoked when he can attack a unit within two turns. Etruria Bishop 6 1 33~41 13~19 11~16 9~14 11~18 4~8 19~26 6 6 Physic •Purge -- Etruria Bishop 5 1 33~41 13~19 10~16 9~13 11~17 4~8 19~25 6 6 Physic •Divine •Sleep Does not move. Etruria Archer 17 3 34~41 11~16 12~17 10~14 7~12 6~9 2~4 7 5 Steel Bow •Vulnerary The two on islands move to attack units in range, and operateBallistae. Etruria Fighter 17 1 39~48 17~20 9~14 11~15 3~6 5~8 2~4 11 5 Steel Axe -- Arcardo Paladin 10 1 55~58 22~24 17~19 14~16 15~17 17~18 11~13 11 8 Silver Lance •Javelin Does not move; stands on thegate, the chapter's seize point.

Reinforcements

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Etruria Cavalier 16 8 36~44 12~16 11~15 10~14 6~11 8~12 2~5 9 7 Steel Sword •Vulnerary -- Etruria Cavalier 15 8 36~43 12~16 10~15 10~14 6~10 8~12 2~4 9 7 Steel Lance •Vulnerary -- Etruria Archer 17 8 34~41 11~16 12~17 10~14 7~12 6~9 2~4 7 5 Steel Bow -- Etruria Pegasus Knight 13 16 26~32 10~14 13~17 13~17 6~10 5~7 6~10 5 7 Steel Lance •Vulnerary --

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Reinforcements

All hard mode-exclusive reinforcements are halted whenArcardo is defeated.

• Enemy phase of turns 8 – 11(Normal Mode)/15(Hard Mode)
  • 1Cavalier with aSteel Sword from the upper fort south of the gate
  • 1 Cavalier with aSteel Lance from the northernmost fort
  • 1Archer from the lower fort south of the gate
• Enemy phase of turns 8(Hard Mode)/10(Normal Mode) – 15
  • 2Pegasus Knights from the southeast forts

Boss data

Main article:Arcardo

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.^[1]

NormalHard

Paladin Level 10

Stats Max HP 48 Luck 13 Strength 20 Defense 16 Skill 14 Resistance 10 Speed 13 Constitution 11 Movement 8 Aid 14

Inventory Silver Axe Javelin Weapon Levels ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

Paladin Level 10

Stats Max HP 55~58 Luck 15~17 Strength 22~24 Defense 17~18 Skill 17~19 Resistance 11~13 Speed 14~16 Constitution 11 Movement 8 Aid 14

Inventory Silver Axe Javelin Weapon Levels ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

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Strategy

This map featuresBallistae, so avoid using flying units. However, if you possess theDelphi Shield—stolen fromNarcian in an earlier chapter—it can offer protection. With that shield, you can target theArchers on the isles.

By turn 6 though, the tide will recede, revealing a passage as shown on the map above. Focus on moving your units towards this path as it is easier than navigating through the forest to reach the boss. Position your strongest, fastest, and most defensively robust, units at the forefront. They will shield your team from the onslaught of enemyCavaliers andPaladins. In fact, you can effectively block the emerging path with just a single unit.

Remember to also set up a defense at the rear. Most enemies, excluding two groups of cavaliers, a paladin, and those near the boss, will advance from below.

As you wait for the path to appear, visit the town. Purchase several "Killer" weapons. This shop is unique, offering these weapons earlier than most other locations in the game. These weapons can significantly boost your combat capabilities. Equipping aSwordmaster with aKilling Edge or aBerserker with aKiller Axe usually results in critical hits.

Key pointers to keep in mind:

• Monitor theMages' attack ranges. They pose a greater threat to your non-magical units.
• The enemyBishop wields aSleep staff. Bring aRestore staff to counteract this.
• If you are willing to forgo some experience, station your units in forts to prevent enemy reinforcements.

Lastly, when confronting the boss, either deploy a potent mage or use the killer weapons you purchased.

Trivia

• During the opening cutscene of this chapter, the movement sound being played when Galle leaves with Murdock from the castle is of a Pegasus despite Galle being mounted on a Wyvern.^[2]
• In the DTN fan translation, this chapter's name is displayed as glitched tiles.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

• 
  Map of the chapter
• 
  The chapter's intro screen from the DTN version of thefan translation patch, showing this chapter's "name" in that version to be a bunch of glitchy tiles.

References