| “ | The time has come to shuffle off your mortal coil... Tremble now at the sight of my power. That of Nohr's greatest tactician. The dread mage Iago! | „ |
| ~ Iago |
| “ | 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 of Nintendo's 2015 tactical video game Fire Emblem Fates.
He is one of the two secondary antagonists (alongside Prince Xander) of Birthright, a major antagonist of Conquest, and a minor antagonist of Revelation.
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 Corrin to fall into. However, all of his tricks end in failure, much to his frustration. He is also Corrin's personal arch-nemesis, as well as their Nohrian siblings, mostly to Prince Xander and Prince Leo.
In Japanese version, he is voiced by Akinori Egoshi. In English version, he was voiced by Walden James in Fire Emblem Fates, and by Kirk Thornton in Fire Emblem Warriors (who also voiced Surtr in the same game), and Fire Emblem Heroes (he was credicted as Ron Allen in the latter).
Biography[]
Fire Emblem Fates: 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. He appears to taunt the party, knowing with Corrin on the Hoshido side, he can easily plot against them, before disappearing.
Later on, during Chapter 16, Iago appears and attacks Corrin's group as they enter one of King Garon's villas to find medicine to cure Takumi's illness, but they defeat him and he states that "there is a traitor among their ranks", before teleporting away.
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, foiling Iago's plan once more.
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 still being alive and carelessly leaving the supposed traitor in the army's midst, but Corrin is sick of Iago's games and tells him to just get it over with. As it turns out, the "traitor" that Iago was referring to is Takumi, whom he had under a spell during the entire game as he used him to know their whereabouts throughout their journey. Using the brainwashed Takumi, he captures Azura and forces Corrin to kill Takumi or have Takumi kill Azura. 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. Enraged that his plans failed yet again, Iago engages the army in battle, only to fail once more.
After being defeated for the last time, Iago cowers and pathetically begs Corrin to spare him, claiming to have been possessed, just like Takumi. However, they don't fall for his tricks and Leo arrives moments afterwards, expressing disgust in Iago's unwilling to accept defeat by begging for his life and tells him he's here to put him out of his misery, Iago again begs to be spared, but Leo shuts him up and he executes the treacherous sorcerer.
Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest[]
Iago's role is much bigger in Conquest than Birthright. Iago is first met during Chapter 7, where he, along with King Garon, express surprise at seeing Corrin return to Nohr after learning the truth about their 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 themselves in order to regain Garon's trust. Iago attempts to change Garon's mind, but to no avail.
As Corrin makes their journey through the Woods of the Forlorn, Iago summons numerous Faceless in order to kill Corrin and stop them from completing the mission. However, with the help of Felicia/Jakob, Silas, Princess Elise and her retainers, the Faceless horde is pushed back. Iago is angered his plans failed, but assures himself he has other plans for Corrin when they leave the forest, however he doesn't actually do anything else to hinder them for a while.
When Corrin returns to Castle Krakenburg after suppressing the rebellion, Iago tells Garon that Corrin didn't complete their mission alone and suggests that they cut Corrin down defying Anankos' decree. Xander and Elise both step in to defend Corrin, leading to Garon sparing their life and welcoming Corrin back into the Nohrian royal family, much to Iago's dismay.
Corrin defeats Hinoka and the Hoshidans and getting power from the Rainbow Sage, Iago appears as an illusion and orders Corrin to kill the Rainbow Sage as Garon does not want anyone else gaining his power. Though Corrin refuses, the Rainbow Sage decides to take his own life instead, sparing them the pain. Although angered that they did not kill the Sage and their continuously "loopholes", Iago tells Corrin they technically fulfilled King Garon’s order, despite not killing the Sage himself and warps away to inform Garon, which pleases him.
Iago is later ordered by Garon to make Corrin suffer, but not to kill them. Iago gladly 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 Ryoma and the Hoshidan army to ambush the group at the same location. However, this plan is also foiled thanks to Xander sending his retainers, Laslow and Peri, to protect Corrin, who's group manages to hold off Ryoma's group.
Iago heads to Cyrkensia and watches a performance along with Garon and his children. During the performance, a mysterious songstress uses her song to curse Garon, causing him extreme discomfort. Iago then orders his men to capture the songstress. Before the songstress could be captured, Kumagera and a band of Hoshidan soldiers arrive to assassinate Garon. After the Hoshidans are defeated and Garon recovers, he orders Corrin to kill all the singers in Nestra. When Corrin protests, Garon has Iago and Hans kill them instead, and they comply.
He again attempts to kill Corrin by unleashing a horde of Faceless on their group during Chapter 21, which once again fails, but results in the death of Lilith, which Iago is content with.
Iago reemerges following the conclusion of the fierce defense put up by Yukimura, where he and Hans kills all of the Hoshidan prisoners of war who surrendered, but not including Sakura, Subaki and Hana. Although Xander and the others try to stop them from killing any more prisoners, they are halted by Garon, who threatens to execute them for treason if they continue in their protests.
When the Nohrian army reaches the Great Wall of Suzanoh, Iago leads his forces to attack the Hoshidan's defenses along the wall, tasking Corrin and their group to defeat their core legion, led by Takumi. When they break through and enter the Hoshidan capital, Iago and Hans kills several Hoshidan civilians who insult Corrin for being a traitor, claiming that they will protect them from the "street rats".
Continuing with their progress, they eventually surround Castle Shirasagi, Iago tasks Corrin to break through their defenses, this time led by Hinoka. Corrin, not wanting to spill any more innocent blood, spares Hinoka behind Iago and Garon's back and asks to give her naginata as proof of her demise and forces her to hide until the war is over.
Inside the castle, Iago asks Corrin if they had killed Hinoka, and they show him her naginata. Iago is not completely convinced and asks if he let Hinoka live, only to be stopped by Garon. The Nohrians confront Ryoma and Iago throws Hinoka's naginata towards him, and tells him Corrin killed Hinoka. Ryoma challenges Corrin to a duel, but is defeated by them. Garon then goads Corrin to kill Ryoma, they are unable to and Ryoma commits suicide instead. Iago attempts to have Corrin executed for not complying with Garon's orders, but Garon does not care anymore and allows it to pass as they have conquered Hoshido, much to his anger.
Iago makes one last appearance during Chapter 26. After taking over Castle Shirasagi, Garon forces Corrin, the siblings and his loyalist to wait outside to the Throne Room. Iago discovers that Corrin spared Hinoka and attempts to kill Corrin for "treason" with the aid of Hans and Garon's loyalist. However, Iago's attempt fails, as Xander and the Nohrian siblings turn against him, as they have become distrustful of Iago for his dishonorable schemes and his obsession over trying to kill Corrin and, knowing they can kill him without Garon to protect him, swear to kill him and Hans for their crimes and being traitors of Nohr, much to his horror. Corrin, having had enough of Iago's threats and schemes, stands up to Iago and Hans, stating that they may be from Nohr, but they will punish them all the same. With no other choice and since Garon cannot protect him any more, Iago is forced to fight against the Nohrian siblings along Garon's loyalist, hoping to finally kill Corrin for good.
Despite their efforts, Iago is defeated while Hans and Garon's loyalist are killed in battle, ending their deceitful crimes. Scared for his life, Iago disgracefully attempts to save his skin by accusing Garon of placing him to fight and that he's "innocent" and he doesn't deserve to die. His pleas falls on dead ears, and Leo, having enough of his mouth and cruelness, calls him out for being a spineless coward, bringing shame to Nohr and attempting to kill Corrin many times and states he will kill him. Iago is horrified by this and Leo proceeds to execute Iago once and for all, ending his threats and tyranny, much to the delight of the Nohrian siblings, as his cowardly schemes against Corrin are put to an end for good.
Despite killing almost all the Hoshidians and nearly causing Corrin's suffering, Iago's death proved to be in vain as he failed to kill Corrin, his plans to kill all the Hoshidan royals, take over Hoshido with Garon and to make Corrin suffer would all fail, as Corrin foils his schemes every time, the Hoshidians royals still live, Garon and a possessed Takumi are defeated and Nohr makes peace with Hoshido, something Iago would never agree to do, and his death avenges all the Hoshidan people Iago and Hans killed.
Fire Emblem Fates: 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 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 their group from reaching the Bottomless Canyon. However, with the help of Xander and Leo, Iago is slain once and for all.
Other Media[]
Fire Emblem Heroes[]
Iago is a playable character in the gacha mobile game, Fire Emblem Heroes. He was added on April 12, 2020, as a grand hero battle.
Fire Emblem Warriors[]
In the spin-off hack n’ slash Fire Emblem Warriors, Iago is the main antagonist of the Fire Emblem: Fates chapters. In this alternate continuity after Revelation, Iago is revealed to be alive, and among the villains recruited by the Gristonne king Oskar. His first step is to restart the conflict between Hoshido and Nohr again, by kidnapping and brainwashing Corrin (in default female version) when she goes investigate this sudden situation alone. Iago also brainwashes Ryōma and Xander when they clash again. He then has Ryoma, Xander, and Corrin attack the remaining the Hoshidan and Nohrian siblings and their allies (currently consisting of the Alytolisan and Ylissian forces) before confronting them himself. However, midway through the battle, Ryoma, Xander, and Corrin manage to break free of his control and join the heroes. Due to this, Iago is once again defeated and when Velzerak is defeated, he is sent back to Nohr.
Personality[]
Iago is a dishonorable, uncomplimentary, manipulative, and 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 and he thinks only of himself.
Iago's mixture of underhanded and cowardly tactics have earned him the scorn and distrust of nearly all of the Nohrian army's soldiers, especially the Nohrian royals, (mainly Xander and Leo) and even King Garon to an extent, who describes him as a "pathetic pawn". 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. He is also smart and reckless at times, as he figured out that Corrin spared Hinoka willingly and is ready to kill them, but his recklessness caused Xander and the siblings to turn on him since Garon cannot protect him while he is occupied and without realizing his own actions would backfire on him and tries unsuccessfully to tell them not to kill him.
His own arrogance and delusional ego would eventually lead to his downfall in all three paths. When his plans fail and backed into a corner by his enemies, Iago abandons his pride and attempts to beg, whine and plea for his life to be spared with not even a shred of shame, regret or dignity. Despite this, his pleas falls deaf on their ears and gets killed for his cruel actions. These negative traits of Iago's were what led to his deserved/justified death at the hands of Leo.
Quotes[]
| “ | Iago: And here we are, at last. I've been waiting for you. Corrin: I'm done talking. It's time to finish this. Iago: Oh, I agree. HAH! |
„ |
| ~ Corrin vs. Iago round 1 in Birthright. |
| “ | Iago: You're like a rather pesky cockroach, you know that? Just when I think I've got you under my foot, you scamper away. Corrin: Sure. Just keep talking. It's what you do best. I'm through talking. Iago: Well, then! I'll save the rest of my clever analogies for another time... And kill you right now. HAAH! |
„ |
| ~ Corrin vs. Iago round 2 in Birthright. |
| “ | Takumi: Yes! I was hoping I'd get a chance to kill you myself. This is for everything you've put me through! Iago: You know I chose you because you were the weakest, right? You should never have come out of that spell—now you're going to suffer! Takumi: Wrong! Now that my head is clear, my aim is truer than ever. I'm going to turn your face into my own personal bull's-eye. |
„ |
| ~ Takumi vs. Iago in Birthright. |
| “ | Iago: Are you ready to pay for your betrayal, Lord/Lady Corrin? Corrin: No, Iago, I am ready to kill you. Iago: Oh my, how very frightening. I'm trembling! I am the highest-ranking general in the Nohrian army, you fool. Do you really think I'll be so easy to kill? But before you die, I have something to tell you. A parting gift, if you will. It was I who sent the Faceless who killed that flying rat, Lilith. Corrin: What!? Iago: Oh, and that's not all. It was I who suggested to King Garon that you be forced to kill Prince Ryoma. And I who told the enemy about your journey to Macarath. Did you enjoy my little gifts of sorrow? I put ever so much thought into them! Corrin: I will never forgive you for all that, Iago. Prepare to die! Iago: Ha! So the imprisoned little prince/princess fancies himself/herself all grown up. The king ordered me to make you suffer without killing you... But I can no longer comply. In order to see my plans to fruition, you must die! Say your prayers, Lord/Lady Corrin! |
„ |
| ~ Iago revealing to Corrin about his evil actions in Conquest. |
Gallery[]
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.
External links[]
- Iago on the Pure Evil Wiki.
- Iago on the Fire Emblem Wiki.
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