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Battle before Dawn

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
Battle before Dawn

Cm fe07 26.png

Location

Queen Hellene's manse in Bern

Weather

Fog of war

New units

Nino, Jaffar

Boss(es)

Ursula, Maxime

Previous chapter(s)
Next chapter(s)
Side quest conditions
  • Nino is recruited, is alive, and talked to Jaffar
  • Jaffar is alive

Battle before Dawn (Japanese: 夜明け前の攻防 Battle before Dawn) is the twenty-sixth chapter of Eliwood's tale and twenty-eighth of Hector's tale in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. To play the side quest after, the player must have Nino speak with Jaffar—which requires that Nino be recruited—and both must survive to the end of the chapter.

Plot

Main articles: Battle before Dawn/Script (Eliwood) and Battle before Dawn/Script (Hector)

Nino and Jaffar infiltrate Zephiel's manse. Before they enter Zephiel's room, Nino assures herself that this is an easy mission. Outside his door, Nino and Jaffar hear Zephiel praying for his father's acceptance and for his family to live as on in happiness. Jaffar silently breaks into the room and knock Zephiel unconscious; Jaffar then tells Nino to finish him off. However, Nino sympathizes with Zephiel's desires and cannot bring herself to kill him. Jaffar then decides to flee the manse with Nino; however, Ursula and Maxime appear to halt their escape. When Ursula notices that Nino is still alive, she immediately understands that Jaffar has failed; she then orders for the lights around the manse to be put out and for the deaths of Jaffar, Nino, and Zephiel. Jaffar tells Nino to flee the battlefield while he holds off the Black Fang, and runs off before Nino can protest. At that time, Eliwood, Hector, and Lyn arrive to the sounds of an ongoing battle; they prepare to join the battle and save Prince Zephiel's life.

Over the course of the battle, one of the lords may talk to Nino. Nino begs the lords to save Zephiel. The lords recognize Nino and explain to her how the Black Fang has become pawns for Nergal; Nino struggles to believe it, but joins their company when invited. Nino can then talk to Jaffar; she begs him to join her in Eliwood's company, but he refuses as he believes his is not a life worth saving—Jaffar insists that she flee, but Nino refuses to leave without Jaffar. Additionally, one of the lords may talk to Zephiel. The lords inform Zephiel that they are there to protect him; he is hesitant to trust them, but chooses to when he reasons they could have killed him if they wanted to.

After the map objective is cleared, the lights in the manse are relit. Zephiel thinks to check on his mother before Bern soldiers attend him. If Jaffar and Nino talked and neither were defeated, they reunite after the battle in the company of the lords. Jaffer asks why they have not killed him, and Hector threatens to; however, he decides it would be a waste to kill a potential ally against Nergal. Jaffar, to protect Nino, accompanies the lords. Inside the manse, Limstella finds Ursula and collects her quintessence for Nergal.

The following morning, Eliwood, Lyn, and Hector report to Hellene. They try to inform her of the assassination attempt, but she brushes it off and insists that they give her the Fire Emblem immediately. Before Hellene informs the group of how to reach the Shrine of Seals, Eliwood berates her for being so callously to her son. Disgusted with the politics of Bern, Eliwood takes his leave of the queen alongside Hector and Lyn. After the group leave, Murdock arrives to inform Hellene of the events of the night before. Outside, Eliwood regrets angering the queen, though the others pay it little mind and begin to consider their other options. Suddenly, Queen Hellene approaches them and gifts them a book detailing the road to the Shrine of Seals as well as a Heaven Seal; she expresses her gratitude for them saving her son. When Hellene returns to the manse, she apologizes to Zephiel for being a poor mother and tells him that she wants the royal family to live together in happiness. Hellene acknowledges that Desmond may never forgive her discourteous behavior, but promises to make an honest attempt for the sake of her son's happiness.

Chapter data

Eliwood Normal Eliwood Hard Hector Normal Hector Hard

Chapter Data
Conditions
Unit Data
Victory: Protect Zephiel for 15 turns Player Partner Other Enemy
Defeat: Eliwood, Hector, Lyn, or Zephiel dies 1–14+1 {{{partner}}} 3−1 28+20
Cm fe07 E-26.png

Character data

Eliwood's tale Hector's tale

Characters
New units
Nino
Portrait nino fe07.png
Mage
HP
19
Inventory
Elfire
Elixir
Level
5
NPC, talk to with main Lord or Lyn
Jaffar
Portrait jaffar fe07.png
Assassin
HP
34
Inventory
Killing Edge
Elixir
Level
13
At the end of the chapter, if Nino talked to him, both she and he survived the chapter, and the side quest is not accepted
Required characters
Eliwood ​
Available characters
Marcus ​Lowen ​Rebecca ​Dorcas ​Bartre ​Hector ​Oswin ​Matthew ​Serra ​Guy ​Merlinus ​Erk ​Priscilla ​Lyn ​Florina ​Wil ​Kent ​Sain ​Raven ​Lucius ​Canas ​Dart ​Fiora ​Legault ​Ninian ​Isadora ​Rath ​Heath ​Hawkeye ​Wallace ​Geitz ​Pent ​Louise ​Karel ​Harken ​

Item data

Items
Name Obtainment Method
Is gba door key.png Door Key Dropped by (Normal Mode) or steal from (Hard Mode) enemy Knight (Eliwood's tale only)
Is gba door key.png Door Key Steal from (Eliwood's tale) or dropped by (Hector's tale) enemy Fighter
Is gba steel lance.png Steel Lance Dropped by enemy Knight if he used his Door Key (Eliwood Normal Mode only)
Is gba lockpick.png Lockpick Dropped by enemy Hero (Normal Mode only)
Is gba elysian whip.png Elysian Whip Dropped by enemy Bishop (Normal Mode only)
Is gba door key.png Door Key Dropped by enemy Mage (Hector Normal Mode only)
Is gba lockpick.png Lockpick Steal from enemy Thief (Eliwood's tale only)
Is gba lockpick.png Lockpick Steal from enemy Thief (Eliwood Hard Mode only)
Is gba earth seal.png Earth Seal Steal from enemy Druid (Hard Mode only)
Is gba lockpick.png Lockpick Steal from enemy Thief (reinforcement; up to four)
Is gba boots.png Boots Open left chest in western room
Is gba brave lance.png Brave Lance Open right chest in western room
Is gba rescue.png Rescue Open left chest in eastern room
Is gba delphi shield.png Delphi Shield Open right chest in eastern room
Is gba heaven seal.png Heaven Seal Automatic at end of chapter

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.

Eliwood Normal Eliwood Hard Hector Normal Hector Hard

Enemy Units
Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma gba valkyrie enemy.gif Ursula Valkyrie 15 1 36 18 19 22 12 12 28 7 8 Bolting Elfire
Does not move
Ma gba paladin enemy.gif Maxime Paladin 6 1 40 14 12 13 5 9 15 11 8 Silver Lance
--
Ma gba knight enemy.gif Black Fang Knight 13 2 25~28 9~11 5~7 1~3 0 11~13 2~3 13 4 Steel Lance
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba mercenary enemy.gif Black Fang Mercenary 13 6 26~29 8~10 12~14 11~13 0 5~7 2~3 9 5 Steel Sword
• The southern one and the mid-right one of the northwest five move towards Zephiel.
• The other four move to attack units in range.
Ma gba archer enemy.gif Black Fang Archer 13 2 25~28 7~9 7~9 6~8 0 4~6 1~3 7 5 Steel Bow
• The southern one moves to attack units in range.
• The northern one moves towards Zephiel.
Ma gba mage enemy.gif Black Fang Mage 13 6 21~24 6~9 6~8 6~8 0 3~4 6~8 6 5 Thunder
• The western two and eastern one move to attack units in range.
• The middle-northern two move towards Zephiel.
Ma gba hero enemy.gif Black Fang Hero 13 1 34~41 11~15 14~18 13~16 0 11~14 5~8 10 6 Silver Sword
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba knight enemy.gif Black Fang Knight 13 2 25~28 9~11 5~7 1~3 0 11~13 2~3 13 4 Steel Lance Door KeyThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
• The western one moves to attack units in range, or to unlock the door to the western treasure room if no enemies are in range. If he unlocks the door, his Steel Lance becomes droppable.
• The eastern one moves towards Zephiel.
Ma gba fighter enemy.gif Black Fang Fighter 13 2 28~32 10~13 5~7 7~9 0 3~5 1~3 11 5 Steel Axe
• The western one moves towards Zephiel.
• The eastern one moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba hero enemy.gif Black Fang Hero 13 1 34~41 11~15 14~18 13~16 0 11~14 5~8 10 6 Silver Sword LockpickThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba fighter enemy.gif Black Fang Fighter 13 1 28~32 10~13 5~7 7~9 0 3~5 1~3 11 5 Swordslayer Door Key
Moves to attack units in range; moves to open a door until all doors are opened or the Door Key is no longer in his inventory.
Ma gba monk enemy.gif Black Fang Monk 13 1 23~25 4~6 4~6 5~7 0 1~3 9~11 6 5 Shine
Moves towards Zephiel.
Ma gba bishop enemy.gif Black Fang Bishop 6 1 25~29 7~10 6~9 5~9 0 3~5 12~16 7 6 Shine Physic Elysian WhipThis item is dropped upon this unit's defeat.
Moves to attack units in range.
Ma gba thief enemy.gif Black Fang Thief 13 1 21~23 3~4 5~8 13~15 0 2~3 2~3 6 6 Iron Sword Lockpick
Ignores combat; moves to open chests and doors, then moves to escape to the stairs once all chests and doors are opened or after his inventory is filled.
Reinforcements
Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma gba mage enemy.gif Black Fang Mage 13 6 21~24 6~9 6~8 6~8 0 3~4 6~8 6 5 Thunder
• The one from the southeast moves to attack units in range.
• The ones from the southwest move towards Zephiel.
Ma gba shaman enemy.gif Black Fang Shaman 13 7 21~23 7~9 4~6 5~7 0 3~4 7~9 7 5 Flux
• The one from the southeast moves to attack units in range.
• The ones from the stairs and the southwest move towards Zephiel.
Ma gba thief enemy.gif Black Fang Thief 13 1 21~23 3~4 5~8 13~15 0 2~3 2~3 6 6 Iron Sword Lockpick
Ignores combat; moves to open chests and doors, then moves to escape to the stairs once all chests and doors are opened or after his inventory is filled.
Ma gba fighter enemy.gif Black Fang Fighter 13 1 28~32 10~13 5~7 7~9 0 3~5 1~3 11 5 Steel Axe
Moves towards Zephiel.
Ma gba monk enemy.gif Black Fang Monk 13 1 23~25 4~6 4~6 5~7 0 1~3 9~11 6 5 Shine
Moves towards Zephiel.
Ma gba hero enemy.gif Black Fang Hero 6 1 30~35 9~12 12~15 11~15 0 9~13 3~7 10 6 Steel Sword
Moves towards Zephiel.
Ma gba mercenary enemy.gif Black Fang Mercenary 13 1 26~29 8~10 12~14 11~13 0 5~7 2~3 9 5 Steel Sword
Moves towards Zephiel.
Ma gba knight enemy.gif Black Fang Knight 13 1 25~28 9~11 5~7 1~3 0 11~13 2~3 13 4 Steel Lance
Moves towards Zephiel.
Ma gba general enemy.gif Black Fang General 5 1 28~33 11~14 5~8 3~6 0 14~18 4~8 15 5 Steel Lance
Moves towards Zephiel.

Reinforcements

All reinforcements are halted when Ursula is defeated.

Eliwood's tale
  • Turn 2 (Normal Mode only)
    • 1 Mage and 1 Shaman from the southeast edge of the map
  • Turns 2 (Hard Mode) and 3
  • Turns 5, 8 (Hard Mode), 9, and 11 (Hard Mode)/12 (Normal Mode) – 14
    • 1 Mage from the southwest corner of the map
    • 1 Shaman from the stairs
  • Turns 4 (Hard Mode) and 5
    • 1 Shaman, and 1 Monk from the southwest edge of the map
  • Turns 5 (Hard Mode) and 6
  • Turns 7 (Hard Mode) and 8
Hector's tale
  • Turns 2 – 4 (Normal Mode)/5 (Hard Mode)
  • Turns 4 and 7
  • Turns 5, 7, 8 (Hard Mode), 9, and 11 (Hard Mode)/12 (Normal Mode) – 14
    • 1 Mage from the southwest corner of the map
    • 1 Shaman from the stairs
  • Turns 4 (Hard Mode) and 5
    • 1 Shaman, and 1 Monk from the southwest edge of the map
  • Turns 5 (Hard Mode) and 6
  • Turns 7 (Hard Mode) and 8

NPC data

NPC Units
Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills
Ma gba prince other.gif Zephiel Prince 11 1 20 7 7 8 5 8 13 7 5 Silver Sword Elixir
Does not act, except to heal.
Ma gba mage female other.gif Nino Mage 5 1 19 7 8 11 10 4 7 3 5 Elfire Elixir
Does not act, except to heal.
Ma gba assassin other.gif Jaffar Assassin 13 1 34 19 25 24 10 15 11 8 6 Killing Edge Elixir
Moves to attack units in range.

Boss 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.
Main article: Ursula

Normal/Eliwood Hard Hector Hard

Portrait ursula fe07.png
Ma gba valkyrie enemy.gif Valkyrie
Level 15
Affinity --
Stats
Max HP 36 Luck 12
Magic 18 Defense 12
Skill 19 Resistance 28
Speed 22 Constitution 7
Movement 8 Aid 13
Inventory
Bolting
Elfire
Weapon Levels
Swords -- Lances -- Axes -- Bows --
Anima magic A Light magic -- Dark magic -- Staves B
Main article: Maxime

Normal/Eliwood Hard Hector Hard

Portrait maxime fe07.png
Ma gba paladin enemy.gif Paladin
Level 6
Affinity --
Stats
Max HP 40 Luck 5
Strength 14 Defense 9
Skill 12 Resistance 15
Speed 13 Constitution 11
Movement 8 Aid 14
Inventory
Silver Lance
Weapon Levels
Swords D Lances A Axes E Bows --
Anima magic -- Light magic -- Dark magic -- Staves --

Strategy


This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


Trivia

  • In both routes, this chapter is the last to feature Fog of War.

Etymology and other languages

Names, etymology, and in other regions
Language Name Definition, etymology, and notes
English

Battle before Dawn

--

Japanese

夜明け前の攻防

Battle before Dawn

French

Attaque furtive

Sneak Attack

German

Kampf i. d. Dämmerung

Battle at Dawn

Gallery


This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.


References

← Pale Flower of Darkness (Kenneth) •
← Pale Flower of Darkness (Jerme) •
Battle before Dawn • Cog of Destiny →
• Night of Farewells →
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
Playable characters AthosBartreCanasDartDorcasEliwoodErkFarinaFioraFlorinaGeitzGuyHarkenHawkeyeHeathHectorIsadoraJaffarKarelKarlaKentLegaultLouiseLowenLuciusLynMarcusMatthewMerlinusNilsNinianNinoOswinPentPriscillaRathRavenRebeccaRenaultSainSerraVaidaWallaceWil
Non-playable characters BramimondDesmondElbertEleanoraEphidelFaeFargusGuinivereHannahHausenHelleneHelmanIgorJahnJakeJanKishunaLeilaLilinaMarkMurdockNatalieReissmannRoySophiaUtherZephiel
Bosses AionBattaBaukerBernardBeyardBoiesBoolBrendanBugCameronCarjigaDamianDarinDenningDragonEaglerErikEubansFargusGeorgGlassGroznyiHeintzJasmineJermeKaimKennethKishunaLimstellaLinusLloydLundgrenMaximeMigalNergalOlegPascalPaulPuzonSealenSoniaTeodorUhaiUrsulaVaidaWireYogiZaganZoldamZugu
Background characters AenirAeshaAthosBariganBramimondDurbanElimineHanonHartmutHassarKellesMadelynRoland
Regalia and personal weapons ArmadsAureolaBasilikosDurandalEreshkigalExcaliburForblazeGespenstLuceMani KattiRapierRegal BladeRex HastaRienflecheSol KattiWolf Beil
Chapters Lyn's Tale P: A Girl from the Plains • 1: Footsteps of Fate • 2: Sword of Spirits • 3: Band of Mercenaries • 4: In Occupation's Shadow • 5: Beyond the Borders • 6: Blood of Pride • 7: Siblings Abroad • 7x: The Black Shadow • 8: Vortex of Strategy • 9: A Grim Reunion • 10: The Distant Plains
Eliwood's Tale 11: Taking Leave • 12: Birds of a Feather • 13: In Search of Truth • 13x: The Peddler Merlinus • 14: False Friends • 15: Noble Lady of Caelin • 16: Whereabouts Unknown • 16x: The Port of Badon • 17: Pirate Ship • 18: The Dread Isle • 18x: Imprisoner of Magic • 19: Dragon's Gate • 20: New Resolve • 21: Kinship's Bond • 22: Living Legend • 22x: Genesis • 23: Four-Fanged Offense (Lloyd, Linus) • 24: Unfulfilled Heart • 25: Pale Flower of Darkness (Kenneth, Jerme) • 26: Battle before Dawn • 26x: Night of Farewells • 27: Cog of Destiny • 28: Valorous Roland • 29: Sands of Time • 29x: Battle Preparations • 30: Victory or DeathF: Light (part 1part 2)
Hector's Tale 11: Another Journey • 12: Birds of a Feather • 13: In Search of Truth • 13x: The Peddler Merlinus • 14: False Friends • 15: Talons Alight • 16: Noble Lady of Caelin • 17: Whereabouts Unknown • 17x: The Port of Badon • 18: Pirate Ship • 19: The Dread Isle • 19x: Imprisoner of Magic • 19x pt 2: A Glimpse in Time • 20: Dragon's Gate • 21: New Resolve • 22: Kinship's Bond • 23: Living Legend • 23x: Genesis • 24: Four-Fanged Offense (Lloyd, Linus) • 25: Crazed Beast • 26: Unfulfilled Heart • 27: Pale Flower of Darkness (Kenneth, Jerme) • 28: Battle before Dawn • 28x: Night of Farewells • 29: Cog of Destiny • 30: The Berserker • 31: Sands of Time • 31x: Battle Preparations • 32: Victory or Death • 32x: The Value of LifeF: Light (part 1part 2)
Locations ElibeBern (Shrine of Seals) • EtruriaIliaLycia (AraphenCaelinCornwellKhatheletLausOstiaPheraeSantaruz) • Nabata Desert (Arcadia) • Sacae (Bulgar) • Valor (Dragon's Gate) • Western Isles
Groups, objects and concepts Black Fang (Four Fangs) • Fire EmblemGenerals of EtruriaMorphsQuintessenceThe Scouring
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden treasureItemsScriptsSupportsWeapons
Related topics List of version differencesMario Kart: Double Dash!! bonus discName chart • Other games (The Binding Blade) • Pre-release information (Pre-release build 0206Pre-release build 0219Unused content) • Sound RoomTimeline