Iago (Fire Emblem)

"“I must congratulate you for making it as far as you have. However, it is now your time to die. With you out of the way, the world will be King Garon's for the taking. Enjoy reflecting on all your mistakes...in the afterlife!” ~Iago during his final battle in the Revelation route"Iago is a major antagonist from the video-game Fire Emblem - Fates, as well as the secondary antagonist of the Birthright and Conquest routes.

Role
Iago serves as the Nohrian army's prime tactician, as well as a personal retainer of King Garon. Throughout the majority of Fates' story, Iago attempts to set numerous tricks and traps for Prince/Princess Corrin to fall into. However, all of his tricks end in failure, much to his frustration.

Birthright
Iago is first encountered during Chapter 8, where he utilizes his magic to trick the Hoshidan army into attacking a group of innocent members of the Wind Tribe, believing them to be Faceless. It's not long afterwards that he appears to taunt the party before disappearing.

Later on, during Chapter 18, Iago appears and attacks Corrin's group as they enter one of King Garon's villas to find medicine to cure Prince Takumi's illness - during which, he states that "there is a traitor among their ranks".

Iago later appears again during Chapter 20, stating that he has been given enhanced magic abilities from King Garon and utilizes that power to bring Fort Dragonfall back to life with the Hoshidan army still inside. Iago once again disappears, but not before releasing a small army of Faceless to speed up the army's defeat. Utilizing Azura's song, the Hoshidan army manages to escape before the fortress collapses in on itself.

Iago's final appearance is during Chapter 25. The Hoshidan army encounter him at the staircase leading to the throne room of Castle Krakenburg. Iago immediately taunts Corrin for carelessly leaving the supposed traitor in the army's midst. As it turns out, the "traitor" that Iago was referring to is Prince Takumi, whom he had under a spell during the entire game. Using the brainwashed Takumi, he captures Azura and threatens to have Takumi kill her. However, Corrin successfully manages to reach out to Takumi, granting him temporary control and Azura the ability to sing her song to free Takumi from Iago's mind control. In retaliation, Iago engages the army in battle.

After being defeated for the second time, out of desperation, Iago begs Corrin to spare him, claiming to have been possessed, just like Takumi. However, Prince Leo arrives moments afterwards, expressing disgust in the mage's attempt to escape his fate, before finally putting an end to him.

Conquest
Iago is first met during Chapter 7, where he, along with King Garon, express surprise at seeing him return to Nohr after learning the truth about his family. Iago believes that Corrin is a Hoshidan spy and prompts for an immediate execution, but Prince Xander states that Corrin returned by choice. Garon decides to consult an effigy of the Divine Dragon, Anankos, in order to settle on what to do. Eventually, it's decided that Corrin is to suppress the Ice Tribe rebellion all by himself in order to regain Garon's trust. Iago attempts to change Garon's mind, but to no avail.

As Corrin makes his journey through the Woods of the Forlorn, Iago summons numerous Faceless in order to kill Corrin and stop him from completing his mission. However, with the help of Felicia/Jakob, Silas, Princess Elise and her retainers, the Faceless horde is pushed back.

When Corrin returns to Castle Krakenburg after suppressing the rebellion, Iago tells Garon that Corrin didn't complete his mission alone and suggestions that he should be put to death for defying Anankos' decree. Xander and Elise both step in to defend Corrin, leading to Garon sparing his life and welcoming him back into the Nohrian royal family, much to Iago's dismay.

Iago is later ordered by Garon to make Corrin suffer, but not to kill him. Confused, Iago accepts.

Later on, Iago sends a message to Corrin's group stating that King Garon has requested that they go to Palace Macarath for rest and relaxation. It's shortly revealed to be a trap, as Iago had also alerted the Hoshidan army and Prince Ryoma to ambush the group at the same location. However, this plan is also foiled.

He again attempts to kill Corrin by unleashing a horde of Faceless on his group during Chapter 21, which once again fails, but results in the death of Lilith, which Iago is content with.

Iago is fought exclusively during Chapter 26. During the attack on Castle Shirasagi, Iago discovers that Corrin spared numerous Hoshidan soldiers, along with his remaining Hoshidan siblings, and attempts to kill him for treachery with the aid of Hans. However, Iago's attempt fails and he is put to death by Leo, similarly to the Birthright route.

Revelation
Iago's role is significantly smaller during the Revelation route's story. During Chapter 9, much like in the Birthright route, Iago is first seen tricking Corrin's group into attacking members of the Wind Tribe. However, he doesn't reveal himself to Corrin's group this time.

In Chapter 14, Iago grows suspicious of Xander, believing that Corrin is a "bad influence" on him and that he may turn coat. This suspicion is supported by the fact that Princess Camilla and her retainers joined forces with Corrin's group.

Iago's final appearance is during Chapter 17, where he gathers an overwhelmingly large army of Nohrian soldiers to stop Corrin and his group from reaching the Bottomless Canyon. However, with the help of Xander and Leo, Iago is defeated once and for all.

Personality
Iago is a dishonorable, manipulative, scheming man who takes sick pleasure out of seeing the misfortune of others who fall victim to his plans - especially Corrin. He is also rather arrogant and egotistical; believing himself to be a mage of unrivaled power and intellect. A belief that is often contradicted by his countless failures.

Despite his high opinion of himself, Iago is a complete coward and a rather inept magic wielder, especially when compared to the likes of Leo, who surpasses him both in combat and intelligence. When backed into a corner by his enemies, Iago will beg and plea for his life to be spared with not even a shred of shame. Iago's mixture of underhanded and cowardly tactics have earned him the scorn and distrust of nearly all of the Nohrian army's soldiers, even King Garon to an extent.

Trivia

 * Iago's English name is derived from the Shakespeare villain of the same name, while his Japanese name, Macbeth, is derived from the Shakespeare character of the same name.


 * Iago has a unique variation of the Sorcerer class which has access to staves.
 * The only time he is given staves to use, however, is during Chapter 26 of the Conquest route.