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Holy Blood

From Fire Emblem Wiki, your source on Fire Emblem information. By fans, for fans.
(Redirected from Brand)
Seliph's Holy Blood chart, marking his major Baldr and minor Naga blood.
On your hand...that is the Brand, yes? The mark is proof that you descend from dragons, our gods of yore. I, too, carry the Brand. The blood in my veins entitled me to wield the divine blade that led me to victory. But it also cursed me to a lifetime of tragedy... Namely, my father's death and a terrible war with my half-brother. So much blood spilt over blood...
— Seliph asking Robin about their mark in Awakening

The Holy Blood system is a gameplay mechanic of Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War and a story element in Genealogy of the Holy War, Thracia 776, Awakening, and Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. It deals with the genealogy of the descendants of the Twelve Crusaders and the ability to inherit their "holy blood", the connection with the dragon gods bestowed upon the Crusaders at the Miracle of Dahna. Possession of holy blood increases the combat abilities of an individual and allows them to wield the holy weapon of their ancestors.

In Fire Emblem Fates, the ability to use Dragon Veins is based on a similar principle. Three Houses also features a similar concept, known as Crests.

Overview

In Jugdral, there are thirteen lines of holy blood: the twelve lines of the Crusaders themselves, and that of their enemy Loptous, passed on through the emperors of the Loptrian Empire and linked into the modern day by Saint Maera. The lineages of the Crusaders were preserved through their assembly of various kingdoms and noble houses across Jugdral, while the descendants of Maera secluded themselves into Verdane's Spirit Forest to prevent the Loptous bloodline from influencing the world. Most of the lines are simply named for their Crusader originator, for example "Baldr blood" for the lineage of Baldr; the exceptions are Heim and Ced's lineages, which are instead named for the dragons with whom they made a blood pact, Naga and Forseti. Outside of Jugdral, there exists two further holy blood lineages not associated with Loptous or the Twelve Crusaders: that of the royal family of Ylisse, whose ancestor also made a blood pact with Naga, and that of the Fell Dragon Grima's vessels.

Major and minor blood

Holy blood manifests in two distinct forms: minor blood and major blood. While both carry power, minor blood carries signficantly less. Possession of major blood grants an individual the ability to wield the holy weapon wielded by their Crusader ancestor, whereas minor blood does not. Generally, even in direct lineage, major blood is significantly rarer and, in groups of children of a given bearer of major blood, will often only manifest in just one of the children, with no criteria as to on which child it will manifest.[1] Major holy blood in children will manifest either if one parent possessed major blood themselves, or if both parents possessed the same type of minor blood; Manfroy of the Loptr Church used the latter to his advantage in the sect's scheme to revive the Loptous lineage, by having two bearers of minor Loptous blood reproduce to produce a child bearing major Loptous blood, able to wield the tome and become a vessel for the dark god.

Holy weapons

In the Miracle of Dahna, each Crusader received a holy weapon alongside their blood pact from their respective dragon, each incredibly powerful and boosting the natural abilities of their wielder even further. These twelve weapons all contain a dragonstone from their creator dragon, and are sealed in such a way that only possessors of major holy blood in the matching bloodline are capable of wielding them.[2] Additionally, the connection to the holy bloodlines can enable the weapons to restore lost memories of their wielder; for example, wielding Yewfelle helped restore the memories of Brigid after being raised by the pirates of Orgahil.

By the era of Awakening, however, the sealing of the weapons to the holy bloodlines appears to have faded, as five of the weapons were wielded by the Deadlords and can be subsequently used by any member of Chrom's army of suitable skill.

Brands

"Brand" redirects here. For the Tellius race of mixed beorc and laguz heritage, see Branded.
Alm and Celica inspect their brands.

Possession of holy blood manifests physically by the appearance of Brands on the bodies of their possessors, appearing at a varying point in their life and acting as proof of their holy lineage;[3] however, in rare cases the Brand will not appear on a descendant, but will still show up on the descendant's own children.[4] The placement varies based on the individual. It is unclear whether only major holy blood causes Brands to appear or whether they are present on minor holy blood possessors too. The following are all known brand wearers, along with their locations:

Brand Person Location
Od Galzus Back
Od Mareeta Back
Naga Deirdre Forehead
Naga Emmeryn Forehead
Naga Chrom Right upper arm
Naga Lucina Left eye
Naga Owain Upper arm
Naga Ophelia Arm
Naga Inigo Right eye[5]
Grima Robin Back of the right hand
Duma Alm Back of the left hand
Mila Celica Palm of the right hand
Loptous Julius Forehead (Oosawa manga only)
Forseti Lewyn Chest (Suzuki novelization only)
Ullr Brigid Back of the right hand (Suzuki novelization only)

As obvious distinguishing traits of holy blood lineage, the people of some countries, like Agustria, have historically taken advantage of this in witch hunts to find and burn bearers of Loptous blood, though generally unsuccessfully and never capturing actual possessors of Loptous blood.[6] Arvis, a possessor of minor Loptous blood, was paranoid about his Loptous heritage being revealed despite also possessing major Fjalar blood, and so made an effort to keep his Brands hidden.

Mechanics in Genealogy of the Holy War

Inheritance

For the second generation, a child unit will—unlike the lore might suggest—inherit up to two of the holy blood types held by their parents. A child will always inherit at least minor holy blood of these types; two circumstances will allow them to inherit major holy blood:

  • If a parent of the same sex as the child has major holy blood, the child will also have it. There are two exceptions:
    • Brigid passes her major Ullr blood to her son Febail, and her husband will pass his major holy blood (if he has any) to their daughter Patty.
    • Quan passes his major Njörun blood to his daughter Altena.
  • If both parents possess the same type of minor holy blood, both their children will have major holy blood.

Children cannot inherit more than two types of holy blood. Seliph, the only child for whom this is relevant, inherits major Baldr blood from Sigurd and minor Naga blood from Deirdre; he does not inherit minor Loptous blood from Deirdre.

While all holy blood types except Dáinn are available in playable units, there are five types (Thrud, Fjalar, Nál, Dáinn, and Loptous) that no playable unit can attain major blood for, as there is neither a unit with major blood of these types nor two parents of different genders with minor holy blood of these types.

Substitute units do not inherit anything, as they are static characters who are not the product of playable parent units being paired up. Linda and Amid are the only substitute units to possess any holy blood at all (both have minor Thrud), for story reasons to adequately fulfill their role as substitutes for Tine and Arthur.

Growth rates

Each type of holy blood provides a set of growth rate bonuses, totaling up to 50%. Major holy blood provides double the bonuses of minor blood, and a unit with multiple types of holy blood receives all the bonuses from each type of blood. For example:

Ayra's daughter Larcei normally inherits minor Od holy blood from her mother, receiving +20% HP and +30% skill
If Chulainn (minor Od) is Lercei's father, she will inherit major Od holy blood, receiving +40% HP and +60% skill.
If Lex is Larcei's father, she will inherit minor Nál and minor Od blood, receiving +40% HP, +30% skill, and +30% defense.

Weapon levels

Holy blood provides a bonus to a unit's weapon level corresponding to the blood's holy weapon; the bonus is only provided if the unit is capable of using that weapon type in their class. If a unit obtains new weapon levels upon promoting, the bonus provided by holy blood updates accordingly. Minor blood increases a unit's weapon level by one stage (C to B or B to A), but cannot increase it beyond A; major holy blood grants ★ level in the weapon type, which allows the unit to use all weapons of level C–A and the corresponding holy weapon. For example:

Mage's weapon levels are normally C fire, C wind, and C thunder; Mage Knight's normally are B swords, B fire, B wind, and B thunder.
Arthur (a Mage who promotes into Mage Knight) possesses minor Thrud blood. If he inherits no holy blood from his father, his weapon levels in Mage will be C fire, C wind, and B thunder; and in Mage Knight will be B swords, B fire, B wind, and A thunder.
If Chulainn is Arthur's father, he inherits minor Thrud and minor Od blood. His weapon levels in Mage will be C fire, C wind, and B thunder; and in Mage Knight will be A swords, B fire, B wind, and A thunder.
If Lewyn is Arthur's father, he inherits minor Thrud and major Forseti blood. His weapon levels in Mage will be C fire, ★ wind, and B thunder; and in Mage Knight will be B swords, B fire, ★ wind, and A thunder.

Data

Jugdral

Bloodline Weapon Default bearers Growth rate bonuses
SNESHolyBloodBaldr.png
Baldr
FESK Tyrfing.png
Tyrfing
Byron, Sigurd, Ethlyn, Oifey, Seliph, Altena, Leif
MHP +20% Spd --%
Str +10% Lck +10%
Mag --% Def --%
Skl +10% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodOd.png
Od
FESK Balmung.png
Balmung
Mananan, Mariccle, Ayra, Chulainn, Shannan, Galzus, Larcei, Scáthach, Mareeta
MHP +20% Spd --%
Str --% Lck --%
Mag --% Def --%
Skl +30% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodDáinn.png
Dáinn
FESK Gungnir.png
Gungnir
Travant, Arion
MHP +20% Spd +30%
Str --% Lck --%
Mag --% Def --%
Skl --% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodUllr.png
Ullr
FESK Yewfelle.png
Yewfelle
Ring, Brigid, Edain, Andrey, Febail, Patty, Lester, Lana
MHP +20% Spd --%
Str --% Lck +30%
Mag --% Def --%
Skl --% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodBragi.png
Bragi
FESK Valkyrie Staff.png
Valkyrie
Claud, Silvia, Lene, Coirpre
MHP +10% Spd --%
Str --% Lck +10%
Mag +10% Def --%
Skl --% Res +20%
SNESHolyBloodThrud.png
Thrud
FESK Mjölnir.png
Mjölnir
Reptor, Bloom, Tailtiu, Ethnia, Arthur, Tine, Amid, Linda, Ishtore, Ishtar, Kempf, a vessel of Anguilla
MHP +20% Spd --%
Str --% Lck --%
Mag --% Def --%
Skl +30% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodFjalar.png
Fjalar
FESK Valflame.png
Valflame
Victor, Arvis, Azelle, Hilda, Julius, Julia, Saias, a vessel of Equus
MHP +20% Spd --%
Str --% Lck --%
Mag +30% Def --%
Skl --% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodHoðr.png
Hoðr
FESK Mystletainn.png
Mystletainn
Eldigan, Lachesis, Ares, Nanna, Diarmuid
MHP +20% Spd --%
Str +30% Lck --%
Mag --% Def --%
Skl --% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodNjörun.png
Njörun
FESK Gáe Bolg.png
Gáe Bolg
Calf, Quan, Altena, Leif
MHP +20% Spd +10%
Str +10% Lck --%
Mag --% Def +10%
Skl --% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodNál.png
Nál
FESK Helswath.png
Helswath
Lombard, Danann, Lex, Brian, Iuchar, Iucharba
MHP +20% Spd --%
Str --% Lck --%
Mag --% Def +30%
Skl --% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodNaga.png
Naga
FESK Naga.png
Naga
Azmur, Kurth, Deirdre, Seliph, Julia, Linoan
MHP +10% Spd --%
Str --% Lck --%
Mag +20% Def --%
Skl --% Res +20%
SNESHolyBloodForseti.png
Forseti
FESK Forseti.png
Forseti
Lewyn, Ced*, Fee*, Musar, Mabel, Meng, Bleg, a vessel of Ovis
MHP +20% Spd +30%
Str --% Lck --%
Mag --% Def --%
Skl --% Res --%
SNESHolyBloodLoptous.png
Loptous
FESK Loptous.png
Loptous
Maera, Cigyun, Deirdre, Arvis, Julius, Saias
MHP +10% Spd --%
Str --% Lck --%
Mag +20% Def --%
Skl --% Res +20%
Note: A bold name means that character possesses major blood, while an italics name marks a nonplayable character, or a character unseen in the gameplay of Genealogy of the Holy War who has been confirmed to possess that holy blood by other material like Thracia 776 or official artbooks explaining backstory.

Ylisse

Bloodline Weapon Default bearers
Brand of Naga.svg
Naga
FEA Falchion.png
Falchion
Emmeryn, Chrom, Lissa, Lucina, Owain, Ophelia
Brand of Grima.svg
Grima
N/A Validar, Robin, Morgan
Note: No clarification has currently been made in any source material as to whether these characters possess major or minor blood; it is implied that most of these characters possess major blood, however nothing has been confirmed.

Valentia

Bloodline Weapon Default bearers
Brand of Duma.svg
Duma
FESoV Falchion concept.png
Falchion*[7]
Rigel, Rudolf, Alm
Brand of Mila.svg
Mila
Zofia, Celica
Note: No clarification has currently been made in any source material as to whether these characters possess major or minor blood; it is implied that most of these characters possess major blood, however nothing has been confirmed.

Trivia

  • There are several weapons that are mentioned to be derived from the power of a dragon and are personal weapons of characters who possess said dragon's blood, but are not formally stated to be holy weapons:

Etymology and other languages

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

Holy Blood

--

Gallery

References

  1. Designers' notes from a Genealogy of the Holy War playing guide, translated by Serenes Forest, Retrieved: April 1, 2012
  2. Designers' notes from a Genealogy of the Holy War playing guide, translated by Serenes Forest, Retrieved: March 21, 2013
  3. "A mark known as a Brand surfaces on their bodies, which is the proof of forming a blood pact with the dragon tribe. Although, the time of appearance of the holy markings differs wildly for each person, sometimes appearing during their youth or even when they're in their old age."Designers' notes from a Genealogy of the Holy War playing guide, translated by Serenes Forest, Retrieved: April 1, 2012
  4. "Owain: Oh, right! Sorry. Guess I should have shown you before. It's my Brand. The one carried by House Ylisse. So no more need to worry, eh?
    Lissa: Th-then you know? That I don't...
    Owain: That your Brand never surfaced? Yes, you told me as such. You said it always weighed on you... You should have seen how happy you were the day mine appeared! You were sobbing and laughing for an hour without pause!
    Lissa: I was kind of hoping to grow out of the crying thing...
    Owain: Yes, well. No more worrying. It was by chance alone your Brand never surfaced. We're all family, linked by blood. You really are Chrom's sister. My Brand proves our lineage.
    " — Owain and Lissa, Fire Emblem Awakening
  5. "If you need further proof, I bear a Brand in the opposite eye as Lucina." — Inigo to Chrom, Fire Emblem Awakening
  6. "I wonder if there still are any blood relatives of the Dark Lord Loptous around... Each year big towns like Agusti and Mackily hold witch hunts and arrest a ton of people. Then they burn 'em at the stake for doin' what? Absolutely nothin'! Is that nuts or what!?" — A villager, Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
  7. "Those who carry the divine dragon's blood and bear her mark can draw out the Kingsfang's true strength and manifest their royal power. [...] Duma and Mila bequeathed their divine blood to two champions, and brought prosperity to their respective nations." — Book of Valentian Revelations, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
  8. "Dark magic. Channels Grima's power." — Grima's Truth description, Fire Emblem Awakening
  9. "The tome she's carrying is illustrated with a symbol of Mila, the goddess she worships. That symbol's not just a decoration, by the way—the tome really is imbued with Mila's power!" — Sharena, Meet some of the Heroes
Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
Playable characters First gen. AlecArdenAyraAzelleBeowolfBrigidChulainnClaudDeirdreDewEdainErinysEthlynFinnJamkeLachesisLewynLexMidirNaoiseQuanSigurdSilviaTailtiu
Second gen. AltenaAresArthur/AmidCed/HawkCoirpre/CharlotDiarmuid/TristanFebail/AsaelloFee/HerminaFinnHannibalIucharIucharbaJuliaLana/MuirneLarcei/CreidneLeifLene/LayleaLester/DeimneNanna/JeanneOifeyPatty/DaisyScáthach/DalvinSeliphShannanTine/Linda
Non-playable characters First gen. AidaAlvaAnnandArvisAzmurBatuByronCalfCigyunEldiganEthniaEvaEveGrahnyeImcaKurthManananMariccleOifeyLahnaRingShannanTravantVictor
Second gen. AnnaFelipeJakeLewynPalmarch
Bosses First gen. AndreyBeowolfBordeauxChagallCimbaethClementCuvuliDaccarDiMaggioDíthorbaDonovanDuvallElliotEldiganErinysGerrardJacobiJamkeLamiaLombardMacbethMagornMyosMunnirPamelaPapilioPhilipPizareReptorSandimaSlayderVajaWaltzZane
Second gen. AltenaAnguillaArionArvisBanbaBaranBlegBloomBovisBoyceBramselBrianCanisCoulterDagonDanannDistlerDracoEquusEriuFisherFotlaGallusHannibalHaroldHildaIshtarIshtoreIucharIucharbaJavarroJudahJuliaJuliusJuphielKanatzKutuzovLizaMabelManfroyMaykovMengMorriganMuhammadMusMusarOvisOvoPorcusRiddellRobertoRodanSchmidtScipioSimiaTine/LindaTigrisTravantZagam
Background characters BaldrBragiCedDáinnFjalarGairHeimHoðrForsetiLoptousMaeraNagaNálNjörunOdSalamanderThrudUllr
Holy Weapons BalmungForsetiGáe BolgGungnirHelswathLoptousMjölnirMystletainnNagaTyrfingValflameValkyrieYewfelle
Chapters First gen. P: Birth of a Holy Knight • 1: Lady of the Forest • 2: Crisis in Agustria • 3: Eldigan, the Lionheart • 4: Dance in the Skies • 5: Doorway to Destiny
Second gen. 6: Heir of Light • 7: Beyond the Desert • 8: The Wyvern Knights of Thracia • 9: For Whose Sake • 10: Light and DarkE: End of the Holy War
Locations JugdralAed Desert (Dahna) • Agustria (Bragi TowerNordionOrgahil) • Grannvale (BelhallaChalphyDozelEddaFriegeVelthomerYngvi) • Isaach (Tirnanog) • Munster District (ConnachtLeonsterMunsterUlster) • MiletosSilesseThraciaVerdane
Groups, objects and events 12 crusadersAed MassacreBattle of BelhallaChild huntsCross KnightsFall of LeonsterFinal Holy WarHoly BloodHoly WarKnight brigades of GrannvaleLanceritterLoptr Church (DeadlordsLoptrian Empire) • Miracle of DahnaQuintessence
Lists ChaptersCharactersClasses (Class change) • Hidden map eventsItemsScriptsSkillsWeapons
Related topics TreasureGenealogy of the Holy War ExceedŌsawa manga adaptationFujimori manga adaptationSuzuki novelizationHeir of LightName chart • Other games (Mystery of the EmblemThracia 776Awakening) • Timeline
Game mechanics
Out-of-battle management Base (BarracksBase CampBase conversationEveryone's ConditionsExpeditionGarreg Mach Monastery (Abyss) • My CastleSomniel) • Bonus experienceDungeonsGameplay modes (DifficultyCreature CampaignNew Game +) • GoldLessonsMila ShrinesPeddlerPreparationsRenownShopping (ArmoryBargainsForgeItem shopMerchantOnline shopSecret shop) • Supply convoyWorld map
Battles and chapters ArenaBattle saveBossCastleChapter (Alternate routeParalogueSide quest) • ChestCombat forecastEvent tilesHidden treasureObjectivesReinforcementSkirmishTerrain (Hazards) • Turn (Turn rewind) • Weather (Fog of war) • Village
Stats Units ActionAffinityAuthorityBiorhythmCharmClass (Class masteryClass relative powerUnit type) • Constitution (Aid) • DefenseExperienceFollow-up critical multiplierGrowth rateHit pointHoly BloodInventoryLevelLuckMagicMovementProficiencyResistanceSkillSpeedStrengthWeapon levelWeight
Weapons Brave weaponCritical rateDurabilityHitKill bonusMightPersonal weaponsRangeWeapon experienceWeapon levelWeightWorth
Unit mechanics and commands AdjutantAttack (Counterattack) • Auto-BattleBattalion (Gambit) • CantoChain attackChain GuardClass change (Reclass) • Combat artCrestsDance (GaldrarPlaySing) • Death (Decoy) • DismountDragon VeinEmblem RingsFatigueInventoryLaguz transformationLove (JealousyInheritance) • Pair UpRallyRecruitmentRescue (Capture) • Skills (Offensive skill) • SmashStaggering BlowStatus effectsSupportTalkTradeUnit (AvatarBond unitsBonus unitEinherjarLoan unitPrisonerReplacement unitSubstitute character) • Visit
Calculations AttackAttack speedAvoidBonus damageCritical hit (Combination bonusDodgeTriangle Attack) • Hit rate (True hit) • Random number generatorWeapon triangle (Trinity of magic)
Connectivity amiiboData transferDouble DuelDownloadable contentLink ArenaMultiplayer battleOnline shopSpotPassStreetPass
Other BarrierBirthdayClass rollGlitchesMultiple endingsRankingsSound RoomTactician bonus