[Empatheias] - Application

[tacticalmagician]

⌈ PLAYER SECTION ⌉
Player: MJ
Contact: HeartInCustody
Age: 20+
Current Characters: N/A.


⌈ CHARACTER SECTION ⌉
Character: Robin
Age: 19-20
Canon: Fire Emblem Awakening
Canon Point: Post-chapter 23

Background: wiki page

Personality: Although the Avatar of Fire Emblem Awakening, Robin retains some personality traits and skills that remain consistent. Regardless of the gender chosen by the player, Robin is very logic-driven, unparalleled in war tactics, and a key figure in guiding Chrom and the Shepherds to victory. Robin has been known to conjure plans on the spot in difficult situations - some more reckless than others (chapter 14 of Awakening). Despite this, Robin normally thinks ahead before embarking on the next mission, and only tight situations call for risky tactics. Although, Robin's plans are not always successful, and they cannot always predict underhanded tricks by the opposing team as shown in Chapter 9. Something both Robins share is their view on fate: that it can be changed, and that the bonds they make are stronger.

"We're not pawns of some scripted fate. I believe we're more. Much more... There's something between us all. Something that keeps us together... Like...invisible ties, connecting us.."

While Robin has amnesia, he's not without a set personality. One difference between the male and female Robin is how they interact with their comrades in support conversations. Unlike female!Robin, male!Robin is less aggressive, adopting a modest attitude when talking with others. He is also empathetic, capable of finding the source of other's problems rather quickly (the span of a support conversation). His support with Virion takes place during a friendly game (presumably a form of chess) which reveals Robin does not like to put his comrades in the line of danger, hence why he kept losing: he lost, but none of his pieces had been sacrificed for victory. Another support (with Severa) has him state that any battle with casualties is a loss - even if they emerge victorious. Thus when Robin creates strategies for battle, he thinks of the least harmful outcome for his allies before putting the idea in motion.

Robin's closest friend, Chrom, brings out a more empathetic side to him. In Awakening, Robin's support conversation with Chrom focuses on Robin's concern for Chrom rushing off into danger. He questions why Chrom took him in when he could have been a potential enemy. In Support-B, Robin scolds him for fighting off a "local thug", telling Chrom that as their commander, he should not be wandering alone. When Chrom is crushed over the death of his sister, Emmeryn, and falls into self-doubt (as Ylisse's new Exalt), Robin tells him that he will be there to "pick [him] up if [he falls]". They promise they will be two halves of a greater whole, something that is shown in the game during certain cutscenes. In fact, Robin's loyalty to Chrom could be considered what caused him to succumb to Grima in the original timeline. A scene in The Future Past reveals Robin loved Chrom (familial or more, is up to interpretation), further implying this love and loyalty is what launched him into despair.

"you know, the man who used to control this body loved your father"

Although friendly, Robin has been shown to have little patience with some of the Shepherds' antics. Three examples include his support conversation with Lissa, Vaike, and Owain. With Lissa, Robin grows annoyed with her constant pranks, becoming slightly paranoid whenever she comes near. In his support with Vaike, Robin is appalled to learn Vaike was trying to spy on their female allies while they were bathing, and begins following Vaike to keep an eye on him. Multiple occurrences exist with Owain, but all result in the same: Robin doesn't know how to respond to Owain's theatrics, opting to leave the conversation by supplying a weak excuse. Despite this, Robin truly cares for them and views them as valuable friends (shown in rank A of their respective supports). Even enemies-turned-allies such as Gangrel and Walhart, Robin develops a mutual respect when he learns about their motives, realizing their loyalty to their country (and not themselves, as exemplified with Walhart) is what lead to their decisions.

One significant part of Robin's personality is his own self-doubt. When it is revealed Robin was born simply to be the vessel of Grima, he becomes discouraged, and begins to wonder if he can be trusted. Paralogue 22 has Robin asking himself if he truly has a place at Chrom's side after all that's happened. The events following Chapter 21 have him suggest the Shepherds leave him behind, since Validar revealed he could control Robin. He can even refuse to fight back when Lucina discovers he is the friend who betrayed Chrom in the future, believing death is the only way for redemption. In the case Lucina is his lover, he will accept his fate and have Lucina promise that she find someone else to care for her. [Edited 1/6/18:] The choice most fitting for his personality would be accepting Lucina's judgement, i.e: not fighting back. Reason being is how Robin feels following the previous chapter. As someone who feels he cannot be trusted, it is only logical for Robin to think he would be better off dead than killing his best friend or anyone else, for that matter. [Added 1/7/18] Following this event, Robin is more self-conscious in his place among the army. This doesn't stop just at the Shepherds, but rather anyone he grows close to. Robin has developed a type of fear whenever he forms a relationship with someone new. Though he is far from the clutches of Validar, there is still a lingering doubt that he could lose control thanks to Grima's influence. As such, Robin may appear cautious, even hesitant when interacting with people - especially those he has formed a bond with.[End edit 1/7/18]

Robin's self-sacrificing personality is prominent not only in chapter 21, but the concluding chapters as well. Going off of the previous point, it is safe to say what drives Robin's reasoning for self-sacrifice is based around logic. When Robin is revealed to be the vessel of Grima, the divine dragon Naga reveals that the only way for Grima to truly be defeated, is if he were "struck down by his own hand". To Robin, this is another battle with an easily accessible route to victory. He does not care for his own life if it means his death will lead to peace. It's this analytical sense of thinking that sometimes crashes with other's more emotionally guided actions. This may seem a bit selfish, in that Robin's thinking is limited to making the right (Robin's terms: logical) choice that will be least harmful to the Shepherds. Unfortunately, he doesn't see how his death would impact everyone emotionally. In other words, while his decisions lie on the foundation of keeping everyone safe, they blind him to the consequences of his drastic, almost self-destructive decisions. This isn't to say Robin is not empathetic to others, but rather he tries to think about the people, not just himself. In fact, when he sacrifices himself in the last chapter, Flavia points out that Robin "thought about [them] to the end". [Edit 1/6/18 end]

"what is one life, when weighed against millions?"

The drama CDs show Robin can be quite flustered by the idea of marriage and romance. So much so that it distracts him in battle, rendering his commands jumbled and confused to the Shepherds. This reveals to be a problem when the Risen begin to get the upper hand because Robin was incapable of thinking straight. After they're saved by Chrom, Frederick, and Gaius, Robin tells Chrom he still needs time before he can consider taking someone as a romantic partner, and that he views the Shepherds as his family. In fact, a scene between him and Chrom in the CD reveals Robin was upset with having the whole "romance/marriage" situation pushed on him. He is conflicted at the idea of marriage, admitting he truly has no idea what it means to 'love someone'. If anything, this proves romance is not a field he's familiar (or even comfortable) with, and he would rather stick to a more platonic, trusting friendship than jumping straight into a relationship.

"That's not a decision I can make on such short notice..."

Overall, as the Shepherds' and Chrom's adviser/tactician, Robin is often level-headed and calm in battle, placing others before himself (sacrifice ending, especially). He is a close ally and friend to the army, and normally easy to approach. However, he is not immune to self-doubts and has shown signs of weakness thanks to inner emotions. It's difficult for him to talk about his feelings, needing a strong foundation of trust before he can open up to someone. Regardless, Robin is extremely loyal and understanding to those who have formed a bond with him. Although he is responsible for maintaining the flow of battle, he would never sit on the sidelines while everyone else fought, believing the strongest way to form bonds is by fighting alongside the team.

Abilities: Aside from his head for tactics, Robin is a powerful mage semi-proficient in swordplay. His instincts in battle usually fall back more on thinking before acting, as he is the one who formulates the strategy that helps lead the Shepherds to victory. While he has a connection to Grima, he is unable to use any of the Fell Dragon's powers without fully submitting to it.

In Empatheias, Robin would still have the ability to use magic, but he's not equipped with any tomes. Meaning 'using magic' is nothing more than bragging rights in this world.

Alignment: Piphron, because Robin's trust in his allies is a vital part to his character. The trust he places in his bonds with the Shepherds is what allows him to return post-sacrifice ending. On the distrust side, Robin himself is the first to propose the idea of abandoning him when it's revealed Validar can control him. Simply because he feels the Shepherds cannot trust him, and if they have an ally they can't trust, they put themselves at greater risk. In other words, Robin views trust as an important building block to the relationships he's made. This is evident when he refuses to align himself with the Grimleal, stating his life began when he met Chrom and the others: the trust he has in the Shepherds is stronger than the trust he has in Validar, his biological father.

Other: N/A.

⌈ SAMPLE SECTION ⌉

General Sample: Top Comment

Emotion Sample:
Edited 1/6/18:

[If he could not stand by Chrom and the others, how could he fit in here?

Upon his arrival, Robin noticed the Brand throbbed painfully whenever he burrowed himself in his thoughts. He could not decipher why, nor did he have access to an arsenal of spells to test the effects of emotions. Beneath the clouded feelings of doubt, he notes himself to double his research when time permitted.

Though he originally yearned for fresh air, he suddenly wished he was back in his room. Platforms of light breached through the clouds. The weather called for semi-warm climate, but he feels oddly cold. Even the dark fabric and weight of the robes do not absorb as much heat as they should.]

'Is my place truly with Grima? If I can't be trusted, then...'

[...It definitely feels colder than it had a handful of minutes ago. His teeth are clenching reflexively, and shudders tremor along his spine. It's way too cold to be outside secluded on a bench.

He doesn't notice immediately, but the tufts of grass and stems have all but withered at his feet. Their color was not a shade of dying yellow but charred black. It was as if his very surroundings had been kissed by Death itself.]

'I can't do this right now...
I need more time to think.'

It's cold, and the harmless turf lays dead at his feet.]



Questions: None.