Fire Emblem is a popular series of tactical role-playing games that features a rich lore and a diverse cast of characters. One of the most intriguing aspects of the series is the connection between different generations and timelines, as some characters are revealed to be descendants or reincarnations of others. One such case is Walhart, the emperor of Valm and the main antagonist of the second arc of Fire Emblem Awakening. Is he related to Alm, the hero of Fire Emblem Gaiden and its remake, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia? Let’s find out.
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The Evidence for Walhart’s Ancestry
There are several clues that suggest that Walhart is a descendant of Alm, who united the continent of Valentia (later renamed Valm) with his wife Celica after defeating the evil god Duma. Here are some of them:
- Walhart bears a striking resemblance to Alm, both in appearance and personality. They have similar facial features, hair color, and eye color. They also share a strong sense of justice, a charismatic leadership, and a desire to end the influence of gods and dragons on humanity. However, Walhart is more ruthless and ambitious than Alm, as he seeks to conquer the entire world by force and eliminate anyone who opposes him.
- Walhart’s class is Conqueror, which is exclusive to him and Alm. This class is an advanced version of the Great Lord class, which Alm promotes to in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. Both classes have high stats and can wield swords and lances. The Conqueror class also grants Walhart the ability to use Wolf Berg, a powerful axe that is his personal weapon.
- Walhart’s armor has some elements that resemble Alm’s. For example, both have a cape that covers their left shoulder and arm, and both have a horned helmet that covers their right eye. Walhart’s helmet also has a crest that resembles the Brand of Duma, a mark that Alm inherited from his father Rudolf, the emperor of Rigel. The Brand of Duma is a sign of the blood pact that Rudolf made with Duma to protect Valentia from invaders.
- Walhart’s ending states that he is the last of his bloodline, implying that he has no living relatives. This could mean that he is the last surviving descendant of Alm, whose dynasty lasted for a thousand years according to his ending in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. However, it is possible that there are other branches of Alm’s family tree that Walhart is unaware of or does not acknowledge.
The Confirmation from the Developers
While the evidence for Walhart’s ancestry is compelling, it is not conclusive. There is no direct confirmation or denial from the game itself or from any official sources. However, there is one interview that sheds some light on this matter. In 2017, Nintendo Dream magazine interviewed some of the developers of Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, including director Kenta Nakanishi and producer Hitoshi Yamagami. In this interview, they were asked about Walhart’s relation to Alm. Here is their answer:
Nintendo Dream: Is there any connection between Walhart from Awakening and Alm?
Nakanishi: Well… (laughs). There isn’t anything official about it, but personally I think they are related.
Yamagami: I agree. I think they are distant relatives.
Nakanishi: Maybe they are cousins or something (laughs).
Yamagami: Yeah, something like that (laughs).
So there you have it. According to the developers themselves, Walhart is indeed related to Alm, although they did not specify how exactly. They also said that this is their personal opinion and not an official statement, so it is up to the fans to interpret it as they wish.
The Implications for the Story
What does this mean for the story of Fire Emblem Awakening and Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia? Well, not much actually. Walhart’s ancestry does not affect his role or motivation as a villain, nor does it change his interactions with other characters. He does not seem to be aware or care about his heritage, as he never mentions Alm or Valentia in his dialogue. He also does not recognize Chrom as a descendant of Marth, another legendary hero who shares a common ancestor with Alm.
However, Walhart’s ancestry does add some depth and irony to his character and his conflict with Chrom. Both are descendants of great heroes who fought against oppressive gods and dragons, but they have different visions for the future of humanity. Chrom believes in peace and cooperation among nations, while Walhart believes in war and domination by force. Chrom respects the legacy of his ancestor Marth, while Walhart disregards the legacy of his ancestor Alm. Chrom follows the guidance of Naga, the divine dragon who protects Ylisse, while Walhart opposes the influence of any god or dragon on humanity.
Walhart’s ancestry also creates a parallel between him and Alm. Both are born into royal families, but are raised in different environments. Alm grows up in a small village under the care of his grandfather Mycen, a former general of Rigel. Walhart grows up in a harsh and war-torn land under the rule of his father, the king of Valm. Both are destined to inherit the throne of their respective kingdoms, but face opposition from their relatives. Alm has to fight against his cousin Berkut, who is jealous of his birthright and corrupted by Duma. Walhart has to fight against his uncle Excellus, who is a scheming and treacherous advisor who plots against him.
Both also have to deal with the consequences of their actions and choices. Alm has to face the wrath of Duma, who unleashes his power and madness upon Valentia. Walhart has to face the invasion of Grima, the fell dragon who seeks to destroy the world. Both have to make sacrifices and accept losses along the way. Alm has to kill his father Rudolf, who reveals his true identity and purpose before dying. Walhart has to kill his loyal subordinate Cervantes, who sacrifices himself to protect him from Chrom’s army.
Both also have the opportunity to redeem themselves and change their fate. Alm has to choose between killing or sparing Celica, who is possessed by Duma and tries to kill him. Walhart has to choose between dying or joining Chrom’s army, who defeats him and offers him a chance to fight against Grima. Both also have the potential to become legends and leave a lasting impact on history. Alm becomes the first emperor of Valentia and unites the continent under one banner. Walhart becomes the second emperor of Valm and restores the continent to its former glory.
The Conclusion
Is Walhart related to Alm? The answer is yes, according to the developers’ personal opinion. However, this is not an official confirmation or a major plot point, so it is up to the fans to decide how much they want to believe it or care about it. Walhart’s ancestry does not change his role or motivation as a villain, but it does add some depth and irony to his character and his conflict with Chrom. It also creates a parallel between him and Alm, who share some similarities and differences as descendants of legendary heroes.
What do you think about Walhart’s relation to Alm? Do you find it interesting or irrelevant? Do you have any other theories or questions about Fire Emblem lore? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out our other articles on Fire Emblem topics, such as [the best characters in Fire Emblem Three Houses] or [the best pairings in Fire Emblem Awakening]. Thanks for reading!
