Ylisse (イーリス, Iris in the Japanese version) is the name of the continent on which the game Fire Emblem Awakening takes place. Serving as the future version of Archanea, 2000 years later, it shares its name with the Halidom of Ylisse.
History
1000 years prior to Awakening, the Fell Dragon Grima attempted to destroy the world. However, his actions were stopped by the Divine Dragon Naga, who granted the First Exalt of the Halidom of Ylisse her power through the Awakening ritual. Grima was defeated and put into a deep slumber. Because of the immense strength of the Fire Emblem, the five gemstones resting in it were removed and distributed to various countries during a time known as the Schism. Ylisse then separated itself into three separate nations, the Halidom of Ylisse, Regna Ferox, and the Theocracy of Plegia. However, 1000 years later, Grima reawakens, and seeks vengeance against Naga for imprisoning him.
Countries
Ylisse
The Halidom of Ylisse is located in the southeastern part of the continent. It is ruled by a line of monarchy that descended from the Hero-King Marth. In the past, due to its worship of the Divine Dragon Naga, it held hostile relations with its western neighbor, Plegia. Its most recent Exalt, Emmeryn, has since adopted a stance of pacifism and peace, ushering a prosperous and peaceful era for the nation.
Ferox
Regna Ferox comprises of the entire northern half of Ylisse and separated from its southern neighboring countries by a long wall stretching from one coast to another. Ferox has two rulers at all times; a West-ruling Khan and an East-ruling Khan. A nation built upon strength and skill, one Khan is designated as the overarching ruling Khan of Ferox by the results of a combat tournament. Its most recent ruling Khans are Basilio, the West Khan, and Flavia, the East Khan, with the former serving as the current main Khan at the start of Awakening. It has held neutral positions between the conflict between Ylisse and Plegia.
Plegia
The Theocracy of Plegia is a desert country located in the southwestern part of the continent. It has been ruled by a long series of Kings, though it has been known to be ruled by tyrants without much consistency on how governance is succeeded. It is mostly known for its cult devoted to the Fell Dragon Grima, the Grimleal, who is the driving influence on Plegia's conflict with its neighboring countries, namely Ylisse. Its current king is the Mad King Gangrel, who has been attempting to raise tensions between Plegia and Ylisse by attacking its boarders.
Locations
Etymology
Ylisse's name in the Japanese version of the game, Iris, is likely derived from the genus of plants or the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Regarding the country of Ylisse in particular, halidom is a word of Middle English origins meaning to hold something as sacred or holy, derived from hāligdōm, which translates to "holy kingdom."