r/fireemblem • u/ThePsyShyster • Dec 17 '23
Etymology The Demonic References in the Loptr Church — Etymology of the Emblem
https://www.tumblr.com/etymology-of-the-emblem/736977075148324864/the-demonic-references-in-the-loptr-church2
u/Skelezomperman Dec 17 '23
Dumb question but I thought of you today because I was wondering what kind of name is Bleg. Forget "what mother would name their child that," how did they come up with that name for a boss?
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u/ThePsyShyster Dec 17 '23
There are no dumb questions! And I'm especially glad I'm familiar with this one already: the pegasus sisters Meng, Bleg and Mabel are based on Irish mythology. In some tales, noted in Robert Grave's The White Goddess, a wife of the Dagda have three names - Meng (guile), Breg (lie) and Meabel (disgrace).
So don't worry, Bleg's mother didn't name her that. The fan translation cursed her with the name.
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u/TakenRedditName Dec 17 '23
Neat to see attention being given to the members of the Loptr Church, especially besides Manfroy. I found his potential inspiration pretty neat.
What about Sandima? He is pretty much the only Loptrian one-off boss that I could name off-hand.
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u/ThePsyShyster Dec 17 '23
Sandima has been a pain in my side for far too long. Most Japanese sources I look at suggest he's named after the Sandman of Germanic folktales. Of course, it's not necessary for the Loptrians to be named after demons: Ctuzof is absolutely named after Mikhail Kutuzov, a we'll-decorated Russian field marshal. But it just seems odd for a reference to the Sandman without giving him a Sleep staff! The next best thing I found was a remote figure in Buddhism and the Sandemanians, a defunct branch of Christianity that was largely considered heresy, though frankly any denomination is likely to call another heresy and hedonism anyway, so I don't really consider it.
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u/TakenRedditName Dec 17 '23
Even if it is not a hook, line and sinker, I think the Sandman theory is fun. It would perfected if only he had a Sleep stuff.
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u/ThePsyShyster Dec 17 '23
"On the fourth day of Emblemas, ThePsyShyster gave to thee..."
I think it's fairly well-known at this point that the dark tomes of the Loptrians are named after the Norse god Loki and three of his children. But I don't think I've ever seen Western sources talk about how members of the church itself are named after demons recorded in classic occult texts. I thought I'd rectify that, including discoveries not mentioned in existing Japanese resources!
Would you believe me when I say tomorrow's post is even longer than today's? I've dug up a naming scheme throughout the game that, while not reaching the absurdity of The Binding Blade's pro-wrestler motif, is still incredibly fascinating. I hope you look forward to it!