OVA
Description
Marth is the prince of Altea, the son of King Cornelius and Queen Liza, and an indirect descendant of the legendary hero Anri. He is the central protagonist of the original Fire Emblem story, which begins during the War of Shadows when his homeland is betrayed and invaded by the neighboring country Gra, allied with the kingdoms of Grust and Dolhr. Marth's parents are killed, and his older sister, Elice, is taken hostage by the sorcerer Gharnef. Forced to flee, Marth spends two years in exile on the remote island kingdom of Talys, where he remains under the protection of its royal family.
Marth is characterized as a courageous, good-natured, and honorable young man. He takes his royal responsibilities very seriously, always putting the needs of his people and his allies before his own comfort. He is kindhearted and idealistic, with a subtle preference for peace and a deep aversion to unnecessary violence. This pacifist leaning is not born of naivety but stems directly from his own painful experiences of loss, including the deaths of his parents and the repeated abduction of his sister. Despite preferring to avoid conflict, Marth is resolute and willing to lay down his life alongside his comrades when the situation demands it. He is humble, often seeking reassurance in his decisions and remaining open to the counsel of others. He can be shy in personal matters, as seen when he struggles to confess his feelings, and he is sometimes overly trusting, which has led to betrayal. Nevertheless, his unwavering faith in the people around him is a key part of his strength as a leader.
Marth's primary motivation is to liberate his kingdom and rescue his sister, but his goals quickly expand to the salvation of the entire continent of Archanea. He is driven by a deep sense of duty to his lineage and the belief that he must use the divine blade Falchion, passed down from Anri, to defeat the Shadow Dragon Medeus. In the first war, he works to unite the defeated human kingdoms into a league to fight back against the dragon empire of Dolhr. After a brief period of peace, he is confronted by the War of Heroes, where his former ally Hardin, now corrupted by Gharnef, declares him a traitor and conquers Altea. Marth's motivation in this second conflict is not only to reclaim his homeland but also to uncover the true history of the dragons and restore the titular Fire Emblem shield to seal away the malevolent earth dragons for good. Ultimately, he fights not for vengeance but to protect people and bring lasting peace.
In the story, Marth serves as the linchpin of the player's army. As a Lord-class unit, his survival is paramount, and his defeat results in failure. He is the only unit capable of visiting villages to receive supplies and recruits, and he is required to seize castles and thrones to progress. His role evolves from a refugee prince gathering allies into the unifier of all seven kingdoms of Archanea, a position that earns him the legendary title Hero-King. By the end of his journey, he is crowned the fifth king of Altea and works tirelessly to restore the devastated nations.
Key relationships define Marth's journey. His closest bond is with Caeda, the princess of Talys, who enlists his help against pirates early in his exile and remains by his side throughout both wars. They often fret over each other's safety, and their romantic relationship culminates in marriage after the War of Heroes. His sister, Elice, is a self-sacrificing healer and a powerful motivator for his actions, as her repeated captivity drives him to seek Gharnef's defeat. Jagen, his loyal retainer, acts as a father figure and advisor. Princess Nyna of Archanea is a key ally, and her cause provides the framework for Marth's rebellion. Hardin of Aurelis begins as a close comrade and co-leader of the league, but his corruption by Gharnef makes him a tragic antagonist in the second war. Marth's army also includes a wide variety of recruits from different backgrounds, many of whom he persuades through diplomacy, reflecting his ability to inspire loyalty.
Marth undergoes significant development over the course of his story. In the beginning, he is an inexperienced and somewhat uncertain young man, lacking confidence after the fall of his kingdom. He is a boy forced rapidly into war without any real conviction or self-assurance. As he gathers allies and overcomes battles, he grows into a confident and resolute leader. His experiences, particularly the loss of his parents and the betrayals he faces, harden his resolve without extinguishing his compassion. By the end of the War of Heroes, he has matured into a wise and just king who ponders the true meaning of justice and decides that he will fight for people rather than for revenge. Later generations remember him as the legendary Hero-King, a figure of hope and unity.
Notable abilities set Marth apart as a warrior and leader. He is a skilled swordsman and the wielder of the Falchion, a divine blade effective against dragons. He also carries the Fire Emblem, also known as the Binding Shield, which has the power to seal away earth dragons and can be used to open chests. In battle, he is a balanced combatant, with strengths in speed and skill that allow him to strike quickly and reliably, though he requires protection from concentrated enemy attacks and magic. His unique Lord class defines his role as the army commander, and his presence on the battlefield provides a strategic focal point, often granting leadership bonuses to nearby allies. He is known for his determination to save as many people as possible, and he believes wholeheartedly that he could not have achieved anything without the support of his comrades.
Marth is characterized as a courageous, good-natured, and honorable young man. He takes his royal responsibilities very seriously, always putting the needs of his people and his allies before his own comfort. He is kindhearted and idealistic, with a subtle preference for peace and a deep aversion to unnecessary violence. This pacifist leaning is not born of naivety but stems directly from his own painful experiences of loss, including the deaths of his parents and the repeated abduction of his sister. Despite preferring to avoid conflict, Marth is resolute and willing to lay down his life alongside his comrades when the situation demands it. He is humble, often seeking reassurance in his decisions and remaining open to the counsel of others. He can be shy in personal matters, as seen when he struggles to confess his feelings, and he is sometimes overly trusting, which has led to betrayal. Nevertheless, his unwavering faith in the people around him is a key part of his strength as a leader.
Marth's primary motivation is to liberate his kingdom and rescue his sister, but his goals quickly expand to the salvation of the entire continent of Archanea. He is driven by a deep sense of duty to his lineage and the belief that he must use the divine blade Falchion, passed down from Anri, to defeat the Shadow Dragon Medeus. In the first war, he works to unite the defeated human kingdoms into a league to fight back against the dragon empire of Dolhr. After a brief period of peace, he is confronted by the War of Heroes, where his former ally Hardin, now corrupted by Gharnef, declares him a traitor and conquers Altea. Marth's motivation in this second conflict is not only to reclaim his homeland but also to uncover the true history of the dragons and restore the titular Fire Emblem shield to seal away the malevolent earth dragons for good. Ultimately, he fights not for vengeance but to protect people and bring lasting peace.
In the story, Marth serves as the linchpin of the player's army. As a Lord-class unit, his survival is paramount, and his defeat results in failure. He is the only unit capable of visiting villages to receive supplies and recruits, and he is required to seize castles and thrones to progress. His role evolves from a refugee prince gathering allies into the unifier of all seven kingdoms of Archanea, a position that earns him the legendary title Hero-King. By the end of his journey, he is crowned the fifth king of Altea and works tirelessly to restore the devastated nations.
Key relationships define Marth's journey. His closest bond is with Caeda, the princess of Talys, who enlists his help against pirates early in his exile and remains by his side throughout both wars. They often fret over each other's safety, and their romantic relationship culminates in marriage after the War of Heroes. His sister, Elice, is a self-sacrificing healer and a powerful motivator for his actions, as her repeated captivity drives him to seek Gharnef's defeat. Jagen, his loyal retainer, acts as a father figure and advisor. Princess Nyna of Archanea is a key ally, and her cause provides the framework for Marth's rebellion. Hardin of Aurelis begins as a close comrade and co-leader of the league, but his corruption by Gharnef makes him a tragic antagonist in the second war. Marth's army also includes a wide variety of recruits from different backgrounds, many of whom he persuades through diplomacy, reflecting his ability to inspire loyalty.
Marth undergoes significant development over the course of his story. In the beginning, he is an inexperienced and somewhat uncertain young man, lacking confidence after the fall of his kingdom. He is a boy forced rapidly into war without any real conviction or self-assurance. As he gathers allies and overcomes battles, he grows into a confident and resolute leader. His experiences, particularly the loss of his parents and the betrayals he faces, harden his resolve without extinguishing his compassion. By the end of the War of Heroes, he has matured into a wise and just king who ponders the true meaning of justice and decides that he will fight for people rather than for revenge. Later generations remember him as the legendary Hero-King, a figure of hope and unity.
Notable abilities set Marth apart as a warrior and leader. He is a skilled swordsman and the wielder of the Falchion, a divine blade effective against dragons. He also carries the Fire Emblem, also known as the Binding Shield, which has the power to seal away earth dragons and can be used to open chests. In battle, he is a balanced combatant, with strengths in speed and skill that allow him to strike quickly and reliably, though he requires protection from concentrated enemy attacks and magic. His unique Lord class defines his role as the army commander, and his presence on the battlefield provides a strategic focal point, often granting leadership bonuses to nearby allies. He is known for his determination to save as many people as possible, and he believes wholeheartedly that he could not have achieved anything without the support of his comrades.