The February 2022 Nintendo Direct reveal trailer does offer a general impression of what fans can expect, with Edelgard von Hresvelg, Dimitri Blaiddyd, and Claude von Riegan all serving as playable characters alongside some of their fellow Officers Academy students. Its narrative appears to center some greater threat which disrupts the three-way conflict characterizing Three Houses, leading to an alternate future. If this threat is strong enough to push the main cast out of Garreg Mach Monastery or the continent of Fodlan as a whole, Three Hopes could lean on the backstory of Golden Deer leader Claude and give fans a look at Almyra - one of the original game’s unexplored locales.

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Fire Emblem: Three Houses - Fodlan’s Various Conflicts

As with every Fire Emblem game, Three Houses uses political intrigue and war to underscore its tactical RPG mechanics. The main text of Three Houses deals with fighting that erupts across Fodlan between the Adrestian Empire, Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, Leicester Alliance, and Church of Seiros; with players and their avatar Byleth needing to choose a side. However, these nations also have histories of conflict with surrounding regions, leading to many principal cast members being displaced representatives of their homelands.

One of the clearest examples is Petra Macneary, a member of the Black Eagles who is the heir of Brigid - an independent archepelago-turned-vassel state of the Adrestian Empire after a failed invasion. Brigid’s ally Dagda, which also took part in said conflict, is represented by Church of Seiros’ hired mercenary Shamir Nevrand, who owes a debt to Archbishop Rhea. Dedue Molinaro, the retainer of Blue Lions leader Dimitri, is similarly displaced from Duscur, which was razed by the Kingdom as a scapegoat after the assassination of Dimitri’s father King Lambert.

Almyra is another nation with ties to Fodlan, having invaded from the East some hundreds of years prior to Fire Emblem: Three Houses. This conflict was one that bound the three peoples of Fodlan together, leading to its unsteady alliance which crumbles after Edelgard seizes power. A few cast members hail from Almyra, with Rhea’s servant Cyril being the chief example - his devotion a result of the Archbishop taking him in after the death of his parents. Players also learn that Claude’s true name is Khalid, the son of a noble from the Leicester Alliance’s preeminent house and the King of Almyra. His goal is to foster peace between the two nations, having spent his life struggling with dual identities between cultures that distrust one another

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How Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Could Make Use of Almyra

Though players could pick up on Cyril and Claude’s similar complexions as a sign of the House Leader’s origins, he tries to keep it secret by using the Crest inherited from his mother as a smokescreen. It isn’t until late into any story path that Claude’s heritage is revealed, and in routes except Verdant Wind he typically leaves control of the Alliance to Byleth and leaves to deal with concerns in Almyra. If the enemy forces of Three Hopes leave no other choice, Claude could reveal himself earlier and bring his allies to Almyra as a place to regroup.

While there are plenty of good options to explore further, such as Abyss where Three Houses’ Ashen Wolves live in the “Cindered Shadows” DLC, Almyra was never physically seen during the main game. Players receive glimpses into its culture thanks to things like Claude’s exclusive Barbarossa class, a wyvern-riding archer, but the upcoming hack-and-slash game could go further with unique Almyran locales. Recent screenshots released for Three Hopes show Dimitri and Mercedes eating somewhere other than Garreg Mach, so it’s possible the player’s army has traveled somewhere far away to briefly escape the conflict.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes releases for Switch on June 24, 2022.

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