Byleth Eisner (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
didyoulosethis) wrote2021-04-10 03:22 pm
didyoulosethis) wrote2021-04-10 03:22 pm
↬ VICTORY ROAD APPLICATION
Player
Name: TJ/Ursa
E-mail: ursamajorillustration[at]gmail[dot]com
Preferred Contact: ursys#1571 on discord;![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
cloverborn
Timezone: EST/GMT-4
Current Characters in Victory Road: None
⚠️ Spoilers for Fire Emblem: Three Houses within!
Character
Name: Byleth Eisner
Series: Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Timeline: Part 1, Verdant Wind route, up to their disappearance into the void in Chapter 9
Canon Resource Links: Fire Emblem Wiki Gamewith Walkthrough
Silent Protagonist Background: Their world is Fódlan, from the Fire Emblem universe.
- Pre-game - Stillborn to Jeralt and Sitri Eisner, Byleth was granted life when Sothis's crest stone was taken from their mother and implanted in them instead, a procedure carried out without Jeralt's knowledge or understanding. Sitri would ultimately perish shortly after Byleth's birth and recovery, and Jeralt became Byleth's sole parent, knowing only that the Archbishop Rhea had, according to her account, saved Byleth at the cost of Sitri's life. But even after Rhea's efforts to save them, Byleth was in a way never fully alive - they had no heartbeat, and this state of their body severely limited their ability to express emotion physically; they never laughed or cried. Jeralt saw these traits in his child and distrusted what exactly Rhea had done, and ultimately chose to flee the church and abandon his position with the Knights of Seiros by faking his and Byleth's deaths, after which he took Byleth afield with him and pursued mercenary work to provide for Byleth and himself.
Despite their unexpressive state, Byleth, being raised in the company of mercenaries, grew up something of a wild child, learning to fight, hunt, gamble, and brawl from a young age. They may not have been very outwardly boisterous, and the self-sufficient and perhaps selfish attitude shared among many mercenaries was tempered by Jeralt's parenting as a former knight of the Church, but Byleth's world for most of their young life was one of brash camaraderie, driven by and centered around doing battle in one way or another. This lifestyle, coupled with a degree of natural affinity for it, shaped Byleth into a fearsome combatant and a brilliant tactician, to the point that they became renowned and even feared by many, referred to ingame by bandits as the 'Ashen One' and reputed for stone-faced execution of sometimes ruthless strategies. Their bond with Jeralt remained strong throughout their youth; though he rarely hid his general concern for his child from them, his deep care for them was reciprocated by Byleth in their own quiet way. They gained a particular penchant for fishing in their time as a mercenary, and grew up to be a young adult with a mercenary's appetite for food, drink, and competition. Given the nature of their life up to this point, however, Byleth had little inclination to object to most of the roads that life or those around them set them on, much to Jeralt's worry.
- Prologue - At the start of in-game events, Byleth begins to convene with an amnesic Sothis in their mind (headspace) and experience dreams spawned from the goddess's memories, adding further distraction to their already-detached behavior. Despite his worries, Jeralt continues to encourage Byleth to work alongside him, and they proceed to lead the mercenaries in defeating some bandits. At a crucial turning point in the battle, Byleth rushes in to block a lethal attack aimed at the yet-to-be-introduced Edelgard and, at the last possible moment before Byleth suffers the blow, Sothis manifests some of her power to stop time and reverse it, giving Byleth another chance to parry the attack and emerge unharmed. This ability, Divine Pulse, is subsequently imparted to Byleth, allowing them to reverse time a short duration to secure a greater battlefield advantage and avert deadly mistakes. This choice appears to be mostly in Sothis's own self-interest, as she refers to Byleth's life and her own as one and the same. Upon their victory over the bandits, Byleth properly meets the students they rescued from said bandits, the three house leaders from the Officer's Academy at Garreg Mach: Edelgard, Claude, and Dimitri. Impressed by Byleth's skills, all three promptly implore them to aid their respective nations, and when the knight Alois recognizes Jeralt, he insists that both Jeralt and Byleth return to the Monastery for a reunion of sorts. Byleth, notably, does not resist or otherwise object, being generally curious about all three house leaders and deeply perplexed by Sothis's presence inside of them and her persistent commentary on the things happening around them.
- Chapter 1 - When Byleth and Jeralt arrive at the monastery, Rhea is there to greet them, keenly interested in Byleth's apparent strength compared to the other vessels she had created in the past. Byleth is largely oblivious to the context behind Rhea's reaction to them, but is able to intuit on some level that Rhea's interest in them is beyond that of simply welcoming home the child she saved. This is further demonstrated when Rhea proposes that Byleth, young enough to be a student themself, take on the role of professor for the Officer's Academy, a suggestion that is protested by Seteth but ultimately cemented with Byleth's consent. Furthermore, Byleth is given their choice of which of the three houses to instruct, their choice in this case being the Golden Deer house - the one associated with the Leicester Alliance and led by Claude, largely driven by Byleth's curiosity and the comfort they found in Claude's playful behavior when they first met him, something that on a certain level reminded them of the mercenaries they had grown up with.
- Chapter 2 - In the ensuing moons, Byleth becomes accustomed to the role of professor, finding that their particular talents and prodigious skill in combat and tactics, combined with the assistance of the other two professors Manuela and Hanneman, are suited well enough to teaching young nobles and aspiring knights the skills necessary for various combat disciplines. They also come to get to know all of their students in the Golden Deer house and even entice some students from the other houses to transfer into their tutelage, learning about their various troubles and triumphs and offering moral support as a friend and confidant. Byleth themself, however, makes few disclosures, though most of their students come to learn more about them simply by spending time with them. Furthermore, as Byleth grows closer with their students, their expressiveness improves by small degrees; with their students they eventually begin to smile and even laugh, becoming a much warmer person than they had been as a mercenary.
In the early moons of their time in the Academy, learning the monastery's traditions and more about the Church's history and philosophies, Byleth finds themself in a particularly strong position for learning more about their past and their present. Hanneman, being a Crest researcher, is able to reveal in time that not only does Byleth have a Crest, they have the Crest of Flames, the last known bearer of that Crest being Nemesis, the King of Liberation, who died over a thousand years in the past. News of the discovery quickly spreads through the Academy, piquing Claude's interest in his professor's enigmatic history even further. All the while, Jeralt remains with the Knights of Seiros, deeply concerned about having Byleth back in the monastery.
- Chapter 2 - Byleth continues to get settled into their new position as professor to the Golden Deer house; Rhea, Seteth, and the Knights respectively send Byleth and their students out onto the battlefield to dispatch bandits and eventually to quell a rebellion staged by Lord Lonato, Ashe's father. Byleth, their students, and the dispatched Knights of Seiros (among whom was Catherine, a Knight wielding a Hero's Relic named Thunderbrand - a fearsome weapon that can only be fully used by someone with a Crest) are ambushed by Lonato's forces. When Byleth successfully leads the Church forces to victory, Lonato refuses to surrender, accusing Rhea of deception before ultimately being slain. After his defeat, a suspicious missive describing a plot to assassinate the Archbishop is found at the scene, and they hurry back to the monastery to report.
- Chapter 3 - In the aftermath of Lonato's rebellion attempt, Byleth finds themself in a difficult position with Ashe, who they had been getting to know after seeing him manage some marketplace mischief. They put a fair amount of effort into trying to support him after his father's death, but ultimately resolve to give him some space and hope what measures they took to help him communicate their concern and remorse well enough. In the interim, they grow closer with Claude and the other Golden Deer students as they work together to try and unravel the assassination plot described in the note they found. This ultimately leads to their discovery that the assassination note is a feint, and that the true targets are the Crest Stones held in the Holy Masoleum, which is opened during the Goddess's Rite of Rebirth. Byleth and their students face off against the intruders inside the Masoleum, encountering the mysterious Death Knight, who seems to command unfamiliar, dark magic. Though Byleth and their students ultimately fail to best the Death Knight, they manage to force an unusually-timed retreat and keep the Crest Stones safe when Byleth retrieves the Sword of the Creator - the Hero's Relic previously wielded by Nemesis - which responds to their Crest of Flames. Byleth, Sothis, and the students emerge with only more questions.
- Chapter 4 - Byleth gets to spend some more time with Jeralt, who tells them more about Sitri and gives them her ring as an heirloom and treasured keepsake, meant to be passed on to someone special when Byleth finds the right moment. Discussions also continue with Rhea, leaving Byleth's suspicion of her only deepening. Their bond deepens with Claude and many of their students as well as they begin to confide in and rely more on their support and teamwork. Similarly, their relationship with Ashe begins to recover somewhat before they are thrust into a sickeningly familiar, yet also unfamiliar situation. A Hero's Relic is stolen by Miklan, brother to Sylvain. When Miklan finds himself cornered, he attempts to use the weapon despite lacking a Crest, and the weapon backfires horrifically, transforming him into a monstrous beast that must be slain. Byleth remains honest with Sylvain in the aftermath, doing their part to console him as an instructor should. They also begin to do more research on the political affairs of Fódlan and its neighbors, and to think more critically overall.
- Chapter 5 - Seteth's daughter, Flayn, goes missing at the beginning of the next moon, and Byleth and their students are once again thrust into the task of investigating to find the truth. At the same time, rumors begin to circulate about a 'reaper' skulking around the monastery at night. Through their investigations, Byleth begins to grow closer with Lysithea, a Golden Deer student with a fear of the dark. Investigations on Flayn's disappearance eventually lead them to the quarters of Jeritze, one of the more enigmatic Knights stationed at the monastery. Inside, they find Manuela, unconscious, but with a crucial clue that points them to a hidden passage beneath the room, in which they find the Death Knight waiting, and both Flayn and Monica, a Black Eagles student who had gone missing moons ago. Again, Byleth and their students fail to defeat the Death Knight, but both girls are safely recovered and though some of Byleth's students are injured, they suffer no losses.
- Chapter 6 - Despite the growing anxiety and suspicion of something grim approaching on the horizon, Byleth and their students get a reprieve in the next moon - the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, an Officers' Academy tradition, is coming up at the end of the moon, and all of the students and professors are given the bulk of the month to prepare for a day of friendly competition. Byleth finds themself unable to fully relax, and they do some further snooping with Claude around the monastery, along with generally spending more quality time with students both in and out of their House (though at this point, Byleth's hard work getting acquainted with the students in the Academy has caused quite a few to transfer to Golden Deer). Between their experience with such serious recent affairs and their advantage with numbers, the Golden Deer house is able to win quite handily.
- Chapter 7 - At the end of the next moon, after comparatively peaceful weeks of teaching, training, and bonding, another strange task comes Byleth's way. A mysterious outbreak of aberrant behavior in the village of Remire prompts investigation and ultimately escalates into a rescue effort; they find the monastery librarian Tomas at its heart, who reveals himself to be a mage by the name of Solon who has been masquerading within Garreg Mach. Solon has been experimenting on the residents of the village to some unclear end, and stands protected by the Death Knight. Byleth, Jeralt, the students, and the Knights rescue who they can from the afflicted villagers, but ultimately don't succeed in defeating Solon or the Death Knight. The battle is instead interrupted by a third strange figure, the Flame Emperor, who abruptly implores Byleth to join him and his forces. Byleth, now of much stronger convictions, refuses, and so the Flame Emperor and his fellows retreat, leaving Remire in ruins. In the aftermath, Jeralt remarks to Byleth on how much they have changed since arriving at the Academy, an observation Byleth themself struggles to fully understand.
- Chapter 8 - Byleth, Claude, and the others among their students redouble their investigative efforts in the next moon, determined to find the truth behind Rhea, Garreg Mach, and the Flame Emperor. At the same time, however, the Academy is abuzz with excitement for the upcoming ball, with quite a few students - Flayn chief among Byleth's class - eager to improve their skills in song and dance in preparation. The ball itself goes over well, concluding with Byleth meeting with Claude at the top of the Goddess Tower for a breather from the festivities, their trust in him at this point as deep as it's ever been. They share a candid moment together and a prayer for their ambitions to come to fruition.
As the end of the moon approaches, the Knights, Byleth, and their students receive yet another task, another investigation into further strange happenings, this time at an abandoned chapel. There, they encounter several giant demonic beasts which, they discover, are transformed humans. The battle is hard won but ultimately a success; however, when they prepare to return to the monastery, Monica turns traitor and assassinates Jeralt. Byleth uses their Divine Pulse in a desperate bid to save him, but Solon appears as well, barring them from rescuing their father. He dies, leaving Byleth, the students, and the Knights shocked and horrified. Monica escapes unharmed.
- Chapter 9 - The next month - Byleth's last before their canon point - is a blur of grief and anger for Byleth. Claude works harder than ever to find the truth, and with what help Byleth is able to offer they both learn more about Byleth's history, most notably that they were stillborn and resurrected at the cost of their mother's life. Byleth's distrust for Rhea deepens even further with this discovery, and eventually anger prevails. They make their own mission to avenge their father's death, much to the concern of their students and peers, and by the end of the moon the opportunity to carry it out presents itself. Despite warnings of an obvious trap, Byleth leads the charge into the Sealed Forest and confronts Kronya, the assassin in league with the Flame Emperor who had been masquerading as Monica. Just as Byleth appears to be claiming another victory, Solon intervenes once more, brutally eviscerates Kronya, and uses her heart to drag Byleth into a nigh-inescapable void. This is Byleth's canon point - they fall into the void and wake in Johto.
Supports: Below are summaries of Byleth's bonding with and understanding of the residents of the monastery, including students, faculty, knights, and representatives of the Church. Only the most impactful supports are listed here; supports not included are either acquaintances, more casual friends, or effectively strangers.
- Sothis: N/A
Though Sothis has no formal support option for Byleth in the Academy phase, sharing mind and body with her leads them to feel quite close, especially after so much time in such a state together. They hold little to no secrets between each other, at least from Byleth's perspective, and though they are intrigued and confused by her, they ultimately find little reason to distrust her. Their relationship begins in the first moon in-game and deepens quickly, as they both find themselves poised to unravel the mysteries of Sothis's identity and missing memories together. Their perspective on the Church's beliefs and the Goddess are ambivalent at best, so they never quite have any sort of faithful reverence affect their relationship with Sothis, but they are intrigued and amazed by her powers nonetheless.
- Claude: B+
In their time at the Academy, Claude becomes Byleth's confidant, second only to Sothis. They spend a fair amount of time theorizing, snooping, and teasing together, and share investigative personalities, though Byleth is much less inclined to hide and perform than Claude is on account of their background. Byleth knows that Claude is intrigued by them and somewhat regards them as a potential rival when it comes to his ambitions, but by the end of their history they are quite accustomed to tackling the mysteries of the Church together. Even so, Claude still hides quite a bit from Byleth at this point, with most of his more candid scenes only occurring after Byleth's current canon point. Being one of the first people in the Academy that Byleth met, their relationship with Claude was kindled early on. Furthermore, they count on his tactics and archery in combat and are generally glad to have him as house leader.
- Felix: B
Felix, being so competitive and combat-oriented, is someone Byleth often enjoys spending time with at the training grounds, or otherwise discussing combat concerns. While they shared plenty of good times competing with him at the training grounds, their relationship with him ultimately remained heavily biased toward more surface-level connections, in part because Felix largely declined much more personal ones and Byleth opted to respect his wishes and trust they would come when he was ready.
- Sylvain: B
While their first impression of him was far from optimistic, Byleth got to properly know Sylvain not very long after getting into regular sparring with Felix. When they came to better understand the reasoning behind his behavior in conversations following his brother's death, they weren't sure how to help - though they certainly hope they'll get the chance someday.
- Ashe: B
In contrast to their lack of connection with Sylvain, Byleth's relationship with Ashe has been a bit more complicated. Before his brother's death, they were sparking a somewhat hesitant friendship, though after Lonato's death Byleth had much more difficulty approaching Ashe at first. He was one of the first students outside of the Golden Deer house that they got to know beyond first impressions, and they waffled somewhat between direct condolences and giving him space when it came to grieving Lonato. In time, though, they managed to at least start getting back on friendlier terms, though Byleth still feels somewhat uncertain about their part in his loss.
- Lysithea: B
Byleth initially recognized Lysithea simply as a talented young student, but during the search for Flayn they learned more about her secrets and insecurities, and ended up becoming quite protective of her, albeit determined to look out for her in ways that wouldn't diminish the strength and independence she had worked so hard to cultivate and enforce. They have great respect for her and are determined to ensure that her studies remain in what she wants, rather than what she's advantaged by her Crests or otherwise expected to do. She's another student they often bring with them on missions.
- Leonie: B
Leonie's initial lashing out toward Byleth after Jeralt's death turned their positive first impression of her sour, but they were able to ultimately foster more camaraderie between each other in what little time they had before Byleth's departure through shared grief and both of them being able to share details about Jeralt that the other didn't entirely know. Leonie has the potential to become a very trusted student and friend, but this isn't realized before Byleth comes to Johto.
- Alois: C
Byleth ends up looking up to Alois, particularly in the wake of Jeralt's death; they appreciate his jokes and stories and his overall earnest nature. He's somewhat of an anchor for them at the monastery.
- Rhea: B
At first, Byleth had a hesitant trust in Rhea. As their conversations with her leading up to the Rite of Rebirth became stranger, however, that trust deteriorated; by the night of the ball Rhea was, to Byleth, someone they almost feared, and to an extent still do. They hold a suspicion that she's manipulating them in some way, and is wary of the potential reasons behind it. This only grows worse when they discover how she saved them, as mentioned in Jeralt's journal.
Class List: These are the characters that either were originally in Golden Deer house or transferred into it.
Claude, Lorenz, Raphael, Ignatz, Lysithea, Marianne, Hilda, Leonie, Flayn, Caspar, Bernadetta, Felix, Ashe, Sylvain
Personality: Byleth is an odd sort - they're a mostly-silent protagonist, but with some rather unusual reasons behind their silence that limit their emotional responses in general. On the surface they're stoic and focused, with fairly cryptic motivations and weird quirks. Most who get to know them in most capacities quickly catch on, however, to their sentimental nature and competitive streak (the latter likely learned from a rough life on the road with a constantly-changing pack of mercenaries); when presented with even friendly contest, they tend to give it their all, though often only to then dedicate their winnings to the aid of others. They collect stray objects wherever they find them, and can afterward dedicate a frankly ridiculous amount of time and effort to figuring out who these things belong to, or otherwise who might best appreciate them as a gift. They're fiercely protective, especially to their students, family, and peers, and are generally quick to trust unless first impressions hint at potential dangers, but even in hostile cases they rarely write others out, barring completely transparent evils as in the case of Solon. And while not usually prone to grudges, Byleth can become dangerously focused on revenge, a trait that in canon was not revealed fully until Kronya assassinated their father. The incident proved not only to incite Byleth into careless, murderous anger when later encountering Kronya again, but cemented anger and hatred for the Flame Emperor and his followers, even when said Flame Emperor was revealed to be Edelgard.
Beneath their stoic exterior, Byleth is a bit of a goofball who cares deeply for and nurtures those around them. They often push their own troubles aside for the sake of others, even when what they're pushing aside is the questionable state of their humanity and their future relationship with the Church and all of Fódlan. They go out of their way to spend the bulk of their time with their students and peers, trying in earnest to understand and help with whatever personal misfortunes are troubling them. When they aren't spending time privately consoling and encouraging people, Byleth is usually working just as hard to prepare for whatever dangers might lie ahead. They throw themself into their job as Academy professor from early on - as they often do when presented with most tasks - and continue to do what they can to provide a personalized approach to teaching, training, and planning. It's easy to say they go above and beyond in this regard, likely to the detriment of their own wellbeing; even in mourning Jeralt's death, they push themself to continue teaching and assisting to the best of their ability in the moon following the assassination. This is often much to the concern of their students and especially the house leaders. Byleth's reasons for doing this seem to be rooted simply in their compassion and dedication to whatever path they're set on. They're also generally not inclined to distrust others without reason, though they used to be much more guarded before coming to the Academy.
At the deepest level, Byleth is often afraid - afraid of losing people or losing control of a situation, afraid of who and what they are and where that would lead them and those close to them. This and their general exhaustion from all their hard work is usually extremely rarely shared, except with those they trust the most; in Byleth's case, this is chiefly Claude and Sothis, and even then they don't often articulate it as much as they simply hide it less. Sothis regularly chides and scolds them for their desperate behavior and in the Void consoles them in their fear, while Claude persistently cautions them and covers the bases they miss, willfully or otherwise. Their lonely life leads them to fear loss and to fear hurting those they care about, and as evidenced by Byleth's emotional state when they escape the Void with Sothis's power and no longer have her company in their mind, isolation is similarly disquieting for them. These anxieties are largely what drive them to sacrifice so much (and presumably to be so willing to surrender literally everything they have) for the sake of others, and are what they are forced to confront over and over in the course of their canon as they face tragedy, betrayal, and the eventual existential isolation of their divine inheritance. Through all their struggles, Byleth constantly seeks family and friendship wherever they might find it and perhaps leans heaviest on companionship, compared to all the people they work so hard to support. This is fed first by their history in an inconsistent group whose ranks shifted frequently with constant travel and later by the responsibility placed on them for their students (and beyond that, the church and the whole of Fódlan). This all comes together to create a person who, for all the numbness wrought by their physical condition, has an ever-growing hole in their social world that they strive to fill through unhealthy dedication, ignorance to risky commitments, extreme reactions to loss and betrayal, and a habit of doing almost everything they do for someone else, even if it's something as minor as gardening or picking up stray trinkets.
Pokémon Information
Affiliation: Trainer
Starter: Absol
Password: Atomic fireball
Samples
RP Sample: TDM thread with femblemtroikas
Victory Road Sample:
[ Byleth's arrival to Johto is as much a blur as their entry into the Void was, a rush through a home that at once looks too nice to be a commoner's and too small to be a noble's, with barely a moment to catch the breath that flows shockingly freely through their lungs, before they're shoved outside into bright sunlight. They do their best to shield their eyes in the moment, trying to ignore the uncomfortable grip of the odd device shackled to their wrist and the hammering in their chest and the music that seems to come at them from no discernible angle. ]
[ They aren't alone, though...some creature about waist-high has been scrambling after them, and in response to their rising anxiety, it rubs its sleek, coarse fur against their hip. Normally, Byleth would instinctively recoil from an unexpected touch in such a state, but it's abundantly clear this is no person, but rather a concerned...hmm. What is this thing? One of those...poe...they can't quite recall the word, but it's probably one of those creatures that 'Mom' described. ]
[ After a moment's awkward pause, they reach down to hesitantly stroke the animal's shoulder. They're not much of an animal person themself, so they aren't entirely sure why it's doing this, but animals generally like to be petted, right? ]
[ The creature - the Absol - responds with surprising eagerness, though for a moment his surprise at Byleth's touch mirrors their own. His anxiety is quickly enough dashed, though, and he leans in earnest into his new trainer. If they're petting him, he must be doing a good job; thank goodness! ]
[ A delicate smile tugs at their lips in response. They can at least intuit that petting him is the right move here, or at least one of the right moves. They remember, briefly, how they had seen Marianne talk to the horses and pegasi. Maybe they should try, too? ]
Are you... [ Their words trail off a moment. What to say to this strange short-faced dog...cat thing? Well, it probably can't understand anyway. No matter how much those round red eyes certainly look like the creature behind them is listening...they try their best to convince themself of that as they gently move away from the footpath and kneel down beside him. ] Are you lost, boy?
[ People say that to dogs they don't know, so... ]
[ The absol adamantly shakes his head and comes in for a nuzzle, nearly knocking his trainer over. He's right where he's supposed to be, not that Byleth understands that yet. ]
N-No? [ That was...definitely a no, wasn't it? Suddenly petting him feels a little weird, but if he likes it, they'll keep at it. ] Then...where are you supposed to be?
[ He paws at their extended arm, trying to get the message across. He sits there with his tail wagging furiously before realizing there's probably an easier way to take care of this...he starts pawing at their Pokegear instead. Use that! ]
[ Byleth stares at him, transfixed a while, before they finally decide to try using whatever this thing is that's stuck to their arm. As their starter squirms close to get in frame, they feel at least a little better - there's a lot to take in, but whatever this is, it seems they've got help. ]
Name: TJ/Ursa
E-mail: ursamajorillustration[at]gmail[dot]com
Preferred Contact: ursys#1571 on discord;
Timezone: EST/GMT-4
Current Characters in Victory Road: None
⚠️ Spoilers for Fire Emblem: Three Houses within!
Character
Name: Byleth Eisner
Series: Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Timeline: Part 1, Verdant Wind route, up to their disappearance into the void in Chapter 9
Canon Resource Links: Fire Emblem Wiki Gamewith Walkthrough
Silent Protagonist Background: Their world is Fódlan, from the Fire Emblem universe.
- Pre-game - Stillborn to Jeralt and Sitri Eisner, Byleth was granted life when Sothis's crest stone was taken from their mother and implanted in them instead, a procedure carried out without Jeralt's knowledge or understanding. Sitri would ultimately perish shortly after Byleth's birth and recovery, and Jeralt became Byleth's sole parent, knowing only that the Archbishop Rhea had, according to her account, saved Byleth at the cost of Sitri's life. But even after Rhea's efforts to save them, Byleth was in a way never fully alive - they had no heartbeat, and this state of their body severely limited their ability to express emotion physically; they never laughed or cried. Jeralt saw these traits in his child and distrusted what exactly Rhea had done, and ultimately chose to flee the church and abandon his position with the Knights of Seiros by faking his and Byleth's deaths, after which he took Byleth afield with him and pursued mercenary work to provide for Byleth and himself.
Despite their unexpressive state, Byleth, being raised in the company of mercenaries, grew up something of a wild child, learning to fight, hunt, gamble, and brawl from a young age. They may not have been very outwardly boisterous, and the self-sufficient and perhaps selfish attitude shared among many mercenaries was tempered by Jeralt's parenting as a former knight of the Church, but Byleth's world for most of their young life was one of brash camaraderie, driven by and centered around doing battle in one way or another. This lifestyle, coupled with a degree of natural affinity for it, shaped Byleth into a fearsome combatant and a brilliant tactician, to the point that they became renowned and even feared by many, referred to ingame by bandits as the 'Ashen One' and reputed for stone-faced execution of sometimes ruthless strategies. Their bond with Jeralt remained strong throughout their youth; though he rarely hid his general concern for his child from them, his deep care for them was reciprocated by Byleth in their own quiet way. They gained a particular penchant for fishing in their time as a mercenary, and grew up to be a young adult with a mercenary's appetite for food, drink, and competition. Given the nature of their life up to this point, however, Byleth had little inclination to object to most of the roads that life or those around them set them on, much to Jeralt's worry.
- Prologue - At the start of in-game events, Byleth begins to convene with an amnesic Sothis in their mind (headspace) and experience dreams spawned from the goddess's memories, adding further distraction to their already-detached behavior. Despite his worries, Jeralt continues to encourage Byleth to work alongside him, and they proceed to lead the mercenaries in defeating some bandits. At a crucial turning point in the battle, Byleth rushes in to block a lethal attack aimed at the yet-to-be-introduced Edelgard and, at the last possible moment before Byleth suffers the blow, Sothis manifests some of her power to stop time and reverse it, giving Byleth another chance to parry the attack and emerge unharmed. This ability, Divine Pulse, is subsequently imparted to Byleth, allowing them to reverse time a short duration to secure a greater battlefield advantage and avert deadly mistakes. This choice appears to be mostly in Sothis's own self-interest, as she refers to Byleth's life and her own as one and the same. Upon their victory over the bandits, Byleth properly meets the students they rescued from said bandits, the three house leaders from the Officer's Academy at Garreg Mach: Edelgard, Claude, and Dimitri. Impressed by Byleth's skills, all three promptly implore them to aid their respective nations, and when the knight Alois recognizes Jeralt, he insists that both Jeralt and Byleth return to the Monastery for a reunion of sorts. Byleth, notably, does not resist or otherwise object, being generally curious about all three house leaders and deeply perplexed by Sothis's presence inside of them and her persistent commentary on the things happening around them.
- Chapter 1 - When Byleth and Jeralt arrive at the monastery, Rhea is there to greet them, keenly interested in Byleth's apparent strength compared to the other vessels she had created in the past. Byleth is largely oblivious to the context behind Rhea's reaction to them, but is able to intuit on some level that Rhea's interest in them is beyond that of simply welcoming home the child she saved. This is further demonstrated when Rhea proposes that Byleth, young enough to be a student themself, take on the role of professor for the Officer's Academy, a suggestion that is protested by Seteth but ultimately cemented with Byleth's consent. Furthermore, Byleth is given their choice of which of the three houses to instruct, their choice in this case being the Golden Deer house - the one associated with the Leicester Alliance and led by Claude, largely driven by Byleth's curiosity and the comfort they found in Claude's playful behavior when they first met him, something that on a certain level reminded them of the mercenaries they had grown up with.
- Chapter 2 - In the ensuing moons, Byleth becomes accustomed to the role of professor, finding that their particular talents and prodigious skill in combat and tactics, combined with the assistance of the other two professors Manuela and Hanneman, are suited well enough to teaching young nobles and aspiring knights the skills necessary for various combat disciplines. They also come to get to know all of their students in the Golden Deer house and even entice some students from the other houses to transfer into their tutelage, learning about their various troubles and triumphs and offering moral support as a friend and confidant. Byleth themself, however, makes few disclosures, though most of their students come to learn more about them simply by spending time with them. Furthermore, as Byleth grows closer with their students, their expressiveness improves by small degrees; with their students they eventually begin to smile and even laugh, becoming a much warmer person than they had been as a mercenary.
In the early moons of their time in the Academy, learning the monastery's traditions and more about the Church's history and philosophies, Byleth finds themself in a particularly strong position for learning more about their past and their present. Hanneman, being a Crest researcher, is able to reveal in time that not only does Byleth have a Crest, they have the Crest of Flames, the last known bearer of that Crest being Nemesis, the King of Liberation, who died over a thousand years in the past. News of the discovery quickly spreads through the Academy, piquing Claude's interest in his professor's enigmatic history even further. All the while, Jeralt remains with the Knights of Seiros, deeply concerned about having Byleth back in the monastery.
- Chapter 2 - Byleth continues to get settled into their new position as professor to the Golden Deer house; Rhea, Seteth, and the Knights respectively send Byleth and their students out onto the battlefield to dispatch bandits and eventually to quell a rebellion staged by Lord Lonato, Ashe's father. Byleth, their students, and the dispatched Knights of Seiros (among whom was Catherine, a Knight wielding a Hero's Relic named Thunderbrand - a fearsome weapon that can only be fully used by someone with a Crest) are ambushed by Lonato's forces. When Byleth successfully leads the Church forces to victory, Lonato refuses to surrender, accusing Rhea of deception before ultimately being slain. After his defeat, a suspicious missive describing a plot to assassinate the Archbishop is found at the scene, and they hurry back to the monastery to report.
- Chapter 3 - In the aftermath of Lonato's rebellion attempt, Byleth finds themself in a difficult position with Ashe, who they had been getting to know after seeing him manage some marketplace mischief. They put a fair amount of effort into trying to support him after his father's death, but ultimately resolve to give him some space and hope what measures they took to help him communicate their concern and remorse well enough. In the interim, they grow closer with Claude and the other Golden Deer students as they work together to try and unravel the assassination plot described in the note they found. This ultimately leads to their discovery that the assassination note is a feint, and that the true targets are the Crest Stones held in the Holy Masoleum, which is opened during the Goddess's Rite of Rebirth. Byleth and their students face off against the intruders inside the Masoleum, encountering the mysterious Death Knight, who seems to command unfamiliar, dark magic. Though Byleth and their students ultimately fail to best the Death Knight, they manage to force an unusually-timed retreat and keep the Crest Stones safe when Byleth retrieves the Sword of the Creator - the Hero's Relic previously wielded by Nemesis - which responds to their Crest of Flames. Byleth, Sothis, and the students emerge with only more questions.
- Chapter 4 - Byleth gets to spend some more time with Jeralt, who tells them more about Sitri and gives them her ring as an heirloom and treasured keepsake, meant to be passed on to someone special when Byleth finds the right moment. Discussions also continue with Rhea, leaving Byleth's suspicion of her only deepening. Their bond deepens with Claude and many of their students as well as they begin to confide in and rely more on their support and teamwork. Similarly, their relationship with Ashe begins to recover somewhat before they are thrust into a sickeningly familiar, yet also unfamiliar situation. A Hero's Relic is stolen by Miklan, brother to Sylvain. When Miklan finds himself cornered, he attempts to use the weapon despite lacking a Crest, and the weapon backfires horrifically, transforming him into a monstrous beast that must be slain. Byleth remains honest with Sylvain in the aftermath, doing their part to console him as an instructor should. They also begin to do more research on the political affairs of Fódlan and its neighbors, and to think more critically overall.
- Chapter 5 - Seteth's daughter, Flayn, goes missing at the beginning of the next moon, and Byleth and their students are once again thrust into the task of investigating to find the truth. At the same time, rumors begin to circulate about a 'reaper' skulking around the monastery at night. Through their investigations, Byleth begins to grow closer with Lysithea, a Golden Deer student with a fear of the dark. Investigations on Flayn's disappearance eventually lead them to the quarters of Jeritze, one of the more enigmatic Knights stationed at the monastery. Inside, they find Manuela, unconscious, but with a crucial clue that points them to a hidden passage beneath the room, in which they find the Death Knight waiting, and both Flayn and Monica, a Black Eagles student who had gone missing moons ago. Again, Byleth and their students fail to defeat the Death Knight, but both girls are safely recovered and though some of Byleth's students are injured, they suffer no losses.
- Chapter 6 - Despite the growing anxiety and suspicion of something grim approaching on the horizon, Byleth and their students get a reprieve in the next moon - the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, an Officers' Academy tradition, is coming up at the end of the moon, and all of the students and professors are given the bulk of the month to prepare for a day of friendly competition. Byleth finds themself unable to fully relax, and they do some further snooping with Claude around the monastery, along with generally spending more quality time with students both in and out of their House (though at this point, Byleth's hard work getting acquainted with the students in the Academy has caused quite a few to transfer to Golden Deer). Between their experience with such serious recent affairs and their advantage with numbers, the Golden Deer house is able to win quite handily.
- Chapter 7 - At the end of the next moon, after comparatively peaceful weeks of teaching, training, and bonding, another strange task comes Byleth's way. A mysterious outbreak of aberrant behavior in the village of Remire prompts investigation and ultimately escalates into a rescue effort; they find the monastery librarian Tomas at its heart, who reveals himself to be a mage by the name of Solon who has been masquerading within Garreg Mach. Solon has been experimenting on the residents of the village to some unclear end, and stands protected by the Death Knight. Byleth, Jeralt, the students, and the Knights rescue who they can from the afflicted villagers, but ultimately don't succeed in defeating Solon or the Death Knight. The battle is instead interrupted by a third strange figure, the Flame Emperor, who abruptly implores Byleth to join him and his forces. Byleth, now of much stronger convictions, refuses, and so the Flame Emperor and his fellows retreat, leaving Remire in ruins. In the aftermath, Jeralt remarks to Byleth on how much they have changed since arriving at the Academy, an observation Byleth themself struggles to fully understand.
- Chapter 8 - Byleth, Claude, and the others among their students redouble their investigative efforts in the next moon, determined to find the truth behind Rhea, Garreg Mach, and the Flame Emperor. At the same time, however, the Academy is abuzz with excitement for the upcoming ball, with quite a few students - Flayn chief among Byleth's class - eager to improve their skills in song and dance in preparation. The ball itself goes over well, concluding with Byleth meeting with Claude at the top of the Goddess Tower for a breather from the festivities, their trust in him at this point as deep as it's ever been. They share a candid moment together and a prayer for their ambitions to come to fruition.
As the end of the moon approaches, the Knights, Byleth, and their students receive yet another task, another investigation into further strange happenings, this time at an abandoned chapel. There, they encounter several giant demonic beasts which, they discover, are transformed humans. The battle is hard won but ultimately a success; however, when they prepare to return to the monastery, Monica turns traitor and assassinates Jeralt. Byleth uses their Divine Pulse in a desperate bid to save him, but Solon appears as well, barring them from rescuing their father. He dies, leaving Byleth, the students, and the Knights shocked and horrified. Monica escapes unharmed.
- Chapter 9 - The next month - Byleth's last before their canon point - is a blur of grief and anger for Byleth. Claude works harder than ever to find the truth, and with what help Byleth is able to offer they both learn more about Byleth's history, most notably that they were stillborn and resurrected at the cost of their mother's life. Byleth's distrust for Rhea deepens even further with this discovery, and eventually anger prevails. They make their own mission to avenge their father's death, much to the concern of their students and peers, and by the end of the moon the opportunity to carry it out presents itself. Despite warnings of an obvious trap, Byleth leads the charge into the Sealed Forest and confronts Kronya, the assassin in league with the Flame Emperor who had been masquerading as Monica. Just as Byleth appears to be claiming another victory, Solon intervenes once more, brutally eviscerates Kronya, and uses her heart to drag Byleth into a nigh-inescapable void. This is Byleth's canon point - they fall into the void and wake in Johto.
Supports: Below are summaries of Byleth's bonding with and understanding of the residents of the monastery, including students, faculty, knights, and representatives of the Church. Only the most impactful supports are listed here; supports not included are either acquaintances, more casual friends, or effectively strangers.
- Sothis: N/A
Though Sothis has no formal support option for Byleth in the Academy phase, sharing mind and body with her leads them to feel quite close, especially after so much time in such a state together. They hold little to no secrets between each other, at least from Byleth's perspective, and though they are intrigued and confused by her, they ultimately find little reason to distrust her. Their relationship begins in the first moon in-game and deepens quickly, as they both find themselves poised to unravel the mysteries of Sothis's identity and missing memories together. Their perspective on the Church's beliefs and the Goddess are ambivalent at best, so they never quite have any sort of faithful reverence affect their relationship with Sothis, but they are intrigued and amazed by her powers nonetheless.
- Claude: B+
In their time at the Academy, Claude becomes Byleth's confidant, second only to Sothis. They spend a fair amount of time theorizing, snooping, and teasing together, and share investigative personalities, though Byleth is much less inclined to hide and perform than Claude is on account of their background. Byleth knows that Claude is intrigued by them and somewhat regards them as a potential rival when it comes to his ambitions, but by the end of their history they are quite accustomed to tackling the mysteries of the Church together. Even so, Claude still hides quite a bit from Byleth at this point, with most of his more candid scenes only occurring after Byleth's current canon point. Being one of the first people in the Academy that Byleth met, their relationship with Claude was kindled early on. Furthermore, they count on his tactics and archery in combat and are generally glad to have him as house leader.
- Felix: B
Felix, being so competitive and combat-oriented, is someone Byleth often enjoys spending time with at the training grounds, or otherwise discussing combat concerns. While they shared plenty of good times competing with him at the training grounds, their relationship with him ultimately remained heavily biased toward more surface-level connections, in part because Felix largely declined much more personal ones and Byleth opted to respect his wishes and trust they would come when he was ready.
- Sylvain: B
While their first impression of him was far from optimistic, Byleth got to properly know Sylvain not very long after getting into regular sparring with Felix. When they came to better understand the reasoning behind his behavior in conversations following his brother's death, they weren't sure how to help - though they certainly hope they'll get the chance someday.
- Ashe: B
In contrast to their lack of connection with Sylvain, Byleth's relationship with Ashe has been a bit more complicated. Before his brother's death, they were sparking a somewhat hesitant friendship, though after Lonato's death Byleth had much more difficulty approaching Ashe at first. He was one of the first students outside of the Golden Deer house that they got to know beyond first impressions, and they waffled somewhat between direct condolences and giving him space when it came to grieving Lonato. In time, though, they managed to at least start getting back on friendlier terms, though Byleth still feels somewhat uncertain about their part in his loss.
- Lysithea: B
Byleth initially recognized Lysithea simply as a talented young student, but during the search for Flayn they learned more about her secrets and insecurities, and ended up becoming quite protective of her, albeit determined to look out for her in ways that wouldn't diminish the strength and independence she had worked so hard to cultivate and enforce. They have great respect for her and are determined to ensure that her studies remain in what she wants, rather than what she's advantaged by her Crests or otherwise expected to do. She's another student they often bring with them on missions.
- Leonie: B
Leonie's initial lashing out toward Byleth after Jeralt's death turned their positive first impression of her sour, but they were able to ultimately foster more camaraderie between each other in what little time they had before Byleth's departure through shared grief and both of them being able to share details about Jeralt that the other didn't entirely know. Leonie has the potential to become a very trusted student and friend, but this isn't realized before Byleth comes to Johto.
- Alois: C
Byleth ends up looking up to Alois, particularly in the wake of Jeralt's death; they appreciate his jokes and stories and his overall earnest nature. He's somewhat of an anchor for them at the monastery.
- Rhea: B
At first, Byleth had a hesitant trust in Rhea. As their conversations with her leading up to the Rite of Rebirth became stranger, however, that trust deteriorated; by the night of the ball Rhea was, to Byleth, someone they almost feared, and to an extent still do. They hold a suspicion that she's manipulating them in some way, and is wary of the potential reasons behind it. This only grows worse when they discover how she saved them, as mentioned in Jeralt's journal.
Class List: These are the characters that either were originally in Golden Deer house or transferred into it.
Claude, Lorenz, Raphael, Ignatz, Lysithea, Marianne, Hilda, Leonie, Flayn, Caspar, Bernadetta, Felix, Ashe, Sylvain
Personality: Byleth is an odd sort - they're a mostly-silent protagonist, but with some rather unusual reasons behind their silence that limit their emotional responses in general. On the surface they're stoic and focused, with fairly cryptic motivations and weird quirks. Most who get to know them in most capacities quickly catch on, however, to their sentimental nature and competitive streak (the latter likely learned from a rough life on the road with a constantly-changing pack of mercenaries); when presented with even friendly contest, they tend to give it their all, though often only to then dedicate their winnings to the aid of others. They collect stray objects wherever they find them, and can afterward dedicate a frankly ridiculous amount of time and effort to figuring out who these things belong to, or otherwise who might best appreciate them as a gift. They're fiercely protective, especially to their students, family, and peers, and are generally quick to trust unless first impressions hint at potential dangers, but even in hostile cases they rarely write others out, barring completely transparent evils as in the case of Solon. And while not usually prone to grudges, Byleth can become dangerously focused on revenge, a trait that in canon was not revealed fully until Kronya assassinated their father. The incident proved not only to incite Byleth into careless, murderous anger when later encountering Kronya again, but cemented anger and hatred for the Flame Emperor and his followers, even when said Flame Emperor was revealed to be Edelgard.
Beneath their stoic exterior, Byleth is a bit of a goofball who cares deeply for and nurtures those around them. They often push their own troubles aside for the sake of others, even when what they're pushing aside is the questionable state of their humanity and their future relationship with the Church and all of Fódlan. They go out of their way to spend the bulk of their time with their students and peers, trying in earnest to understand and help with whatever personal misfortunes are troubling them. When they aren't spending time privately consoling and encouraging people, Byleth is usually working just as hard to prepare for whatever dangers might lie ahead. They throw themself into their job as Academy professor from early on - as they often do when presented with most tasks - and continue to do what they can to provide a personalized approach to teaching, training, and planning. It's easy to say they go above and beyond in this regard, likely to the detriment of their own wellbeing; even in mourning Jeralt's death, they push themself to continue teaching and assisting to the best of their ability in the moon following the assassination. This is often much to the concern of their students and especially the house leaders. Byleth's reasons for doing this seem to be rooted simply in their compassion and dedication to whatever path they're set on. They're also generally not inclined to distrust others without reason, though they used to be much more guarded before coming to the Academy.
At the deepest level, Byleth is often afraid - afraid of losing people or losing control of a situation, afraid of who and what they are and where that would lead them and those close to them. This and their general exhaustion from all their hard work is usually extremely rarely shared, except with those they trust the most; in Byleth's case, this is chiefly Claude and Sothis, and even then they don't often articulate it as much as they simply hide it less. Sothis regularly chides and scolds them for their desperate behavior and in the Void consoles them in their fear, while Claude persistently cautions them and covers the bases they miss, willfully or otherwise. Their lonely life leads them to fear loss and to fear hurting those they care about, and as evidenced by Byleth's emotional state when they escape the Void with Sothis's power and no longer have her company in their mind, isolation is similarly disquieting for them. These anxieties are largely what drive them to sacrifice so much (and presumably to be so willing to surrender literally everything they have) for the sake of others, and are what they are forced to confront over and over in the course of their canon as they face tragedy, betrayal, and the eventual existential isolation of their divine inheritance. Through all their struggles, Byleth constantly seeks family and friendship wherever they might find it and perhaps leans heaviest on companionship, compared to all the people they work so hard to support. This is fed first by their history in an inconsistent group whose ranks shifted frequently with constant travel and later by the responsibility placed on them for their students (and beyond that, the church and the whole of Fódlan). This all comes together to create a person who, for all the numbness wrought by their physical condition, has an ever-growing hole in their social world that they strive to fill through unhealthy dedication, ignorance to risky commitments, extreme reactions to loss and betrayal, and a habit of doing almost everything they do for someone else, even if it's something as minor as gardening or picking up stray trinkets.
Pokémon Information
Affiliation: Trainer
Starter: Absol
Password: Atomic fireball
Samples
RP Sample: TDM thread with femblemtroikas
Victory Road Sample:
[ Byleth's arrival to Johto is as much a blur as their entry into the Void was, a rush through a home that at once looks too nice to be a commoner's and too small to be a noble's, with barely a moment to catch the breath that flows shockingly freely through their lungs, before they're shoved outside into bright sunlight. They do their best to shield their eyes in the moment, trying to ignore the uncomfortable grip of the odd device shackled to their wrist and the hammering in their chest and the music that seems to come at them from no discernible angle. ]
[ They aren't alone, though...some creature about waist-high has been scrambling after them, and in response to their rising anxiety, it rubs its sleek, coarse fur against their hip. Normally, Byleth would instinctively recoil from an unexpected touch in such a state, but it's abundantly clear this is no person, but rather a concerned...hmm. What is this thing? One of those...poe...they can't quite recall the word, but it's probably one of those creatures that 'Mom' described. ]
[ After a moment's awkward pause, they reach down to hesitantly stroke the animal's shoulder. They're not much of an animal person themself, so they aren't entirely sure why it's doing this, but animals generally like to be petted, right? ]
[ The creature - the Absol - responds with surprising eagerness, though for a moment his surprise at Byleth's touch mirrors their own. His anxiety is quickly enough dashed, though, and he leans in earnest into his new trainer. If they're petting him, he must be doing a good job; thank goodness! ]
[ A delicate smile tugs at their lips in response. They can at least intuit that petting him is the right move here, or at least one of the right moves. They remember, briefly, how they had seen Marianne talk to the horses and pegasi. Maybe they should try, too? ]
Are you... [ Their words trail off a moment. What to say to this strange short-faced dog...cat thing? Well, it probably can't understand anyway. No matter how much those round red eyes certainly look like the creature behind them is listening...they try their best to convince themself of that as they gently move away from the footpath and kneel down beside him. ] Are you lost, boy?
[ People say that to dogs they don't know, so... ]
[ The absol adamantly shakes his head and comes in for a nuzzle, nearly knocking his trainer over. He's right where he's supposed to be, not that Byleth understands that yet. ]
N-No? [ That was...definitely a no, wasn't it? Suddenly petting him feels a little weird, but if he likes it, they'll keep at it. ] Then...where are you supposed to be?
[ He paws at their extended arm, trying to get the message across. He sits there with his tail wagging furiously before realizing there's probably an easier way to take care of this...he starts pawing at their Pokegear instead. Use that! ]
[ Byleth stares at him, transfixed a while, before they finally decide to try using whatever this thing is that's stuck to their arm. As their starter squirms close to get in frame, they feel at least a little better - there's a lot to take in, but whatever this is, it seems they've got help. ]