Thabes (Japanese:テーベThebes), nicknamed the "city of illusion", is an abandoned city located in the northern reaches of theMamorthod Desert, which itself is located withinAnri's Way. It has not housed a population for a very long time, though there are many lost treasures and technologies within its sand-filled halls.

It is home toThabes Labyrinth, which is plundered by explorers and treasure-hunters alike, to varying success.^[1]

It is unknown if Thabes has any connections toKhadein, another city of scholars and mages located in the sands south of Thabes.

History

Ancient times

Ages before theWar of Shadows Thabes was an advanced city filled with marvelous technologies and scholars. Eventually the city came to be abandoned, though little of Thabes' history is known.

It is known to have been run by a Senate^[2] as well as a vaguely defined Council.^[3] At some point in the past an alchemist namedForneus studied in Thabes. The Senate apparently had a great deal of resources; they were able to obtaindivine dragon blood for Forneus's experiments.^[4] Forneus eventually began to defy the Senate and was sealed in his workshop in Thabes Labyrinth. At a presumably later point,Duma and his army, againstNaga's wishes, marched on Thabes and destroyed it; he felt that thehumans had gained too much power there. This was the catalyst for Duma's exile.

Ages later, the downfall of Thabes came to be blamed on the greed of its inhabitants, though Duma's direct attack on it is only mentioned in theBook of Valentian Revelations, and doesn't appear to be common knowledge among the people of the realm.^[5]

Additionally, it is said that the divine dragon ruler Naga died at Thabes.^[6]

Around the War of Shadows and its aftermath

During the War of Shadows a temple within Thabes was the hideout ofGharnef and his magical apparatus.^[7]Marth journeyed to Thabes on his quest to reclaimFalchion from Gharnef. Marth would, some years later, draw near to Thabes again during theWar of Heroes in search of theLightsphere.^[8]

In the time between the warsAlm andCelica visited Thabes after escorting anArchanean merchant from across the ocean fromValentia. Alm and Celica later descended into its Labyrinth; they themselves unsure as to why.^[9] They managed to make their way down to Forneus's workshop, breaking the weakening seal on it in the process, and found his projects, thedeath masks as well asthe Creation.

Notable locations in Thabes

Tower of Thabes

TheTower of Thabes is a tower built above the Temple of Thabes. It served as Gharnef's hideout and the location of his magical apparatus and the source of his power^[7] during theWar of Shadows.

Thabes Labyrinth

Main article:Thabes Labyrinth

Thabes Labyrinth, as its name suggests, is a sprawling Labyrinth located below the city. Forneus's workshop is located within.

Characters from Thabes

Character	Description	Appears in
Forneus	An alchemist who studied in Thabes.	None
The Creation	A creature that was "born" in the depths of Thabes Labyrinth.	Awakening,Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Trivia

• Alocation known as the "Ruins of Time" appears in the same location as Thabes inFire Emblem Awakening, and serves as the setting forParalogue 12.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

• 
  Left and right floor tile backgrounds used inBook I, Chapter 18 ofMystery of the Emblem.
• 
  Throne tile background used in Book I, Chapter 18 ofMystery of the Emblem.
• 
  Image ofGharnef and his influence looming over Thabes during theWar of Shadows.
• 
  The Mamorthod Desert, with the Tower of Thabes visible in the distance.
• 
  Artwork of the Temple of Thabes from theShadow Dragon & the Blade of Light: Winning Strategy guide.
• 
  Artwork of the Temple of Thabes from theMystery of the Emblem: Winning Strategy guide.

References