Disclaimer: The 'Tactics Ogre' Franchise is the property of Enix.
Ogre Battle Episode V: March of the Black Queen
Prologue
So it is the tale of the Zenobian Revolution you seek, is it? A tale of warfare and judgement, of strife and valor? The tale of the hero who united the lands of the south against the evil Empire?
You have come to the wrong old man for such a story.
I jest, of course. Don't get antsy. Plunk your little urchin ass down and I'll tell you what you wish to know of the rebellion. Of course it is impossible to even start without first mentioning its star, the man whom all you young knights these days tell stories of to inspire yourselves through training or long marches. Destin of house Faroda, alias Destin of house Neb, alias Destin the Valiant, alias Destin the Destroyer. There are other names your idol went by as well, but they are not yet relevant and did not exist back in the beginning of those golden months when everything seemed perfect.
I've said too much already.
Forgive an old knight whose only comfort is the peals of the harpist upstairs. I do not seek pity, only state the plain fact that enough battle corrodes the souls and shatters the minds of those unprepared for it. The more of it one faces, the greater the chance of simply snapping or losing all desire to forge onwards. Gods know I've seen enough of my comrades in that state to know what I speak of. Ah, the Gods. The Twenty-Two. Was what we did their will after all, or merely a sideshow designed to make them laugh?
Starting again. Destin Faroda. The great hero of the rebellion, and the warrior who liberated a nation from a tyrannous foe. It sounds perfect on paper or in stories parents read to their children at night, and indeed the poor fool might well deserve praise for what we accomplished back then.
Yes, you all heard me right. I said 'Fool'. None of you ever knew that young firebrand in the years which made him a legend. I did. Yet... Well, perhaps I overreach myself. Simply bear in mind that history is always written by the victors and even then agreements among them are rare. Receive every word of my tale with a grain of salt, for the other survivors of the rebellion might deliver a completely different rendition. Few mortals can be absolutely sure if Destin- and the rebellion he led- were everything they were said to be, and when we are all buried in the earth, so will all reliable memory of it. So it is that I am willing to pass on these tales to you to the best of my diminished ability to recall.
Once upon a time, in the land called Zenobia, these things happened.
The Sage Rashidi, perhaps driven by madness, assassinated his former friend King Gran Zenobia, and joined with Empress Endora, the leader of the northern Highlands, to wage war on four kingdoms. The overpowering military of the Highland legions took but one year to subdue the whole continent and thus Zeteginean Empire was born.
The rule of the Empire was a regime of pure terror, and merciless persecution was directed against the loyal survivors of the old kingdoms and those who would escape tyranny. The hearts of the people were troubled by secrets and betrayals and much blood was spilt upon the land.
Here, on the frontiers of Sharom, the last survivors of the knights of Zenobia were planning the final challenge...
Cast of Characters
Destin Neb, Faroda, Rebel Leader
Captain Lans Hamilton
Warren, Sage of Moon
Governess Deneb Rhodes
Canopus Walf, Wind Rider
Yulia Walf
Governor Gilbert Oblion
Lyon, Beast Lord mercenary
Ashe, Former Zenobian Captain
Deva-General Kaus Debonair
Monk Aisha Forris
Priestess Norn Dias
Princess Rauny Vinzalf
Student Saradin Carm
Crown Prince Fichs Tristoram Zenobia
Angel Yushis
Emily Cashel, Cleric
Bors Figaro, Second-in-Command to Lans Hamilton
Selec Fubuki, Samurai mercenary leader
Liat Nisa, Second-in-Command to Selec Fubuki
Blaine Diwrnach, Doll Magi mercenary leader
Thomas Neralai, Knight
Bernard Rothchild, Knight
Governor Usar ap Ferghus
Student Kapella Radigan
Governor Sirius
Imperial Prince Gares Endora, Black Knight
Mer-Queen Porkyus
Deva-General Rowdain Figaro
Ares, Professional Assassin
Student Albeleo Kaisse
Baron Arwan Apros
Archangel Mizal
Necromancer Omicron
Galf, Archfiend
Gemini Twin Castor
Gemini Twin Polydeuces
High Shogun Prochon
Deva-General Cale Previa
Cardinal Genze Randals
Deva-General Tanaburs Luvalon
Overlord Hikash ap Vinzalf
Empress Valcemia Endora I, The Black Queen
Zenobian Hero Rashidi, Sage of Light
M: Well here we go with a novelization of one of my favorite games and what should be my best story ever- not to brag. Hope to see reviews at some point, just as I hope the cast of characters list isn't too overwhelming at first look. Additionally, I'm divided on whether to Rate this M or T given some of the situations that I have planned later on. I'll start with a T rating, but it may change depending on how things go.