Radiant Dawn

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Three years after the Mad King's War, Daein lacks a proper successor and is ruled by the oppressive Begnion Occupational Army, while Crimea attempts to rebuild under Queen Elincia. A rebel group called the Dawn Brigade, led by Micaiah and Sothe, fights against these occupiers, eventually allying with Pelleas, the Black Knight, and various Laguz leaders like Nailah and Kurthnaga. The conflict escalates when the Begnion senate forces Daein into a war via a blood pact that kills citizens, leading to a world war threatening to awaken Yune, the god of chaos. This triggers Ashera, the goddess of order, who petrifies Tellius in punishment for the chaos, deciding humanity is unworthy of survival and recruiting corrupt senators to eradicate it.

In Their Own Story

The narrative begins with Micaiah and the Dawn Brigade liberating Daein soldiers from prison camps, earning her the title "Silver-Haired Maiden." Meanwhile, Queen Elincia faces a rebellion led by Ludveck in Crimea, which is quelled with the help of Ike and the Greil Mercenaries. As tensions rise, the Laguz Alliance declares war on Begnion after learning the senate assassinated their apostle. The conflict spirals out of control; Pelleas signs a blood pact that transfers to Micaiah when he dies, and Kilvas betrays the alliance under duress. In the climax, Ike, Micaiah, and King Tibarn assault the Tower of Guidance. They discover the Black Knight is actually Zelgius, learn that human-laguz half-breeds were falsely persecuted, and confront Sephiran, who reveals himself as Lehran and admits to engineering both wars to destroy humanity. Yune empowers Ike to defeat Ashera and restore peace.

Reader's Guide

The game features turn-based battles on a square grid with permanent death for most characters. Players control different factions across four parts, facing previously playable enemy units in later stages. Key mechanics include elevation advantages, which grant power and accuracy to higher-altitude units, and the new "SS" weapon level requiring extensive use of specific types. The support system allows any unit to pair, with a default "bond" for those who reached A-rank in Path of Radiance (via memory card transfer). New features include double promotion for Beorcs granting special skills, Laguz units fighting untransformed up to level 40, and the introduction of wolf laguz. Archers can now attack adjacent units using crossbows, and Dark magic returns to form a second trinity: Dark beats Anima, Anima beats Light, and Light beats Dark.

Did You Know?

• Data from a completed Path of Radiance save file can be transferred via Nintendo GameCube memory card to grant statistical gains and view support conversations.
• The game introduced the highest weaponry level, "SS," which requires a unit to have used a particular weapon type many times.
• Dark magic was reintroduced to form a second magical trinity alongside the existing one, creating a rock-paper-scissors system with Anima and Light magic.
• Support conversations from Path of Radiance can be accessed in Radiant Dawn if a completed save file is transferred.
• Laguz units have a maximum level increased to 40 and gained the ability to fight untransformed.