Chapter Text
Requirements to unlocking the route
To get access to the Obsidian Eclipse you have to have beaten the game at least once as the route is only accessible in a new game plus file. Furthermore, you must have beaten the game either on Verdant Wind or Silver Snow before you can access the route. This is due to the route being largely about the lore surrounding the Agarthans and their history/conflict with the Nabateans, something SS and VW allude to more than the other routes, so the players are ensured to have a better understanding of OEs route. If you have beaten the game solely on either Crimson Flower or Azure Moon, the route cannot be accessed. Once you start the NG+ on a file that either has Verdant Wind and/or Silver Snow cleared beforehand, your house choice in the NG+ file doesn't affect whether you can access the route or not, as the route will be unlocked by reaching certain conditions in your playthrough. However, your house choice does affect the route itself: more specifically what house you choose in the beginning will change one of the route’s chapters to reflect which house/lord you chose. There will also be a number of smaller changes sprinkled throughout the route to reflect your initial decision.
When you start NG+ on a file that has cleared either Verdant Wind or Silver Snow, the game informs you about the renown and other NG+ perks it normally does but also about a new shop being added, called the Traveler's Hut. The Traveler's Hut would be similar to the Black Market shop available in the post timeskip (right to being in the same location), selling rare power-ups and stat-boosting items. In addition to that, the Hut would sell rare weapons, most of which cannot be normally accessed in shops or are exclusive to the Hut. Unlike the Black Market shop, Traveler's Hut would be available from as early on as chapter two onwards. Not only that but instead of a generic NPC hosting the shop, Traveler's Hut would be hosted by a brand new and character, laidback and easygoing young(ish) looking travelling merchant named Joshua. Joshua would be able to be encountered exclusively in a NG+ and can't be encountered in a regular savefile. Interacting with Joshua is a pivotal part of getting access to Obsidian Eclipse.
Apart from being able to being able to buy (and sell) items from his Hut, Joshua behaves more like a regular resident of Garreg Mach than a typical NPC shop keeper. Not only does he have a unique design, name, and history, but his dialogue would also change every month, reflecting on the current events going on in the narrative. Joshua seems to have a cheerful and laidback, yet wise attitude, like that slightly older dorky yet loveable friend you can trust. However, under his cheeriness, Joshua seems to be quite observant and alert. In particular, he seems to be quite aware of the mysterious happenings surrounding the monastery, often giving his scarily accurate insights and intuitions to it. In chapter 4 Joshua ponders whether or not the Archbishop’s assassination plot is just a coverup for something else. In chapter 5 not only does he mention how his intuition was right, but he also congratulates Byleth for getting the Sword of the Creator claiming it will help them achieve "great things" in the future. During Flayn's disappearance in chapter 6, Joshua comments about how suspicious Flayn's disappearance is and wonders if there is more to it. In chapter seven instead of talking about the Battle of Eagle and Lion like everyone else, Joshua talks about Flayn's kidnapping. Furthermore, Joshua also notes how the Death Knight turned out to be the fencing teacher Jeritza. Joshua playfully warns Byleth that more traitors could be among the midst and that they should be aware as of their surroundings as much as possible.
There are three major conditions in order to unlock access to Obsidian Eclipse. The first two can do in either order, however, the third condition must be done last.
The first condition is to reach C support with Joshua. As established before, Joshua behaves like a playable character in the game: he can be given gifts as well as lost items and depending on dialogue choices, can have his support points raised up. Despite this, Joshua isn't a playable character. The closest we can compare Joshua to in this regard is Rhea, as they both can be given gifts to and even supported with, but aren't playable units and as such reaching support points with them can be difficult. What makes Joshua even harder is that in most months he is only available to encounter during the first weekend of the month. The exceptions for this are chapter 6 (the one where Flayn is kidnapped) as well as chapter 8, where he is available for the whole month. Therefore if one wants to reach C support with Joshua one must be committed to it: talk with him on the first weekend of every month, give him gifts(favorite items include coffee beans, board games, travelling coins and exotic spices) and find his lost items (strange necklace, luxurious gem, book on Fodlan's history). There are two ways to increase Joshua's support level faster. First, buying and selling items from him will raise his affection/support level every time you do it. Secondly, completing the second condition adds a ton of support points, enough to be able to reach his C support.
Joshua's C support starts as a rather amusing one. It also gives us a glimpse at his personality, mindset, and background, even more so than his previous dialogue. Initially, Joshua tries to sell a rare item to Byleth. After lengthy salesman-like speeches, offerings and the like, the conversation gets to what the item is and where Joshua obtained it. Joshua says he can’t exactly reveal where he obtained the item as its a "trader secret" however he starts talking about the way he often gets items. Joshua has travelled all across Fodlan, both to sell and find new rare goods but also find new interesting events to witness and people he can be in touch with. He notes how he finds not just the items interesting, but the people as well. He notes being particularly interested in the political circumstances of Fodlan, saying he finds it interesting to watch from afar and to try to understand the ever-changing nature of the world.
"Humans are rather fascinating creatures. I must admit their conflicts are quite amusing for me", Joshua remarks. "Going to war over something as little as different views on what is just and fair. How amusing is that."
Byleth asks Joshua if he has considered of being involved in the politics of the continent. Joshua refuses, claiming that he finds it more fun to follow than be part of it. He does say that he would enjoy to be indirectly involved, to be the big leader’s right-hand man, assisting them from the shadows.
The conversation ends by Joshua noting how much time has passed, thanking Byleth for the time and leaving.
The second condition in accessing Obsidian Eclipse is to clear a quest. Between chapter five and chapter eight Joshua will give a sidequest called Mysterious Intruders.
[Mysterious Intruders]
“Hey hey, you remember how some guys associated with the western church attacked the mausoleum last month to steal the Goddesses remains or something? Well, remember how the western church had some strange mages with them? Apparently, those mages were spotted in a nearby forest area recently. I would like if you'd investigate this and take care of those rascals,k. Who knows, they could be looking for trouble.” ~ Joshua
The Quest would be more or less a typical "rout all enemies" mission with nothing too flashy going on with it. The enemy units are around level 10-13 mage units with unknown affiliation. The map for the quest would be a standard forest map (most likely the same where Marianne's, as well as Petra and Bernadetta's paralogues, were or the one which had the first auxiliary battle, not sure which).
Once the quest is completed, the quest clear text reads:
“Thank you. I knew I could count on you there. With your strength, your tactical skills and the Sword of the Creator, it's almost like you have the power to shape the future. I hope you use this power wisely. Perhaps one day we could use it together to... nevermind, I'm getting off track again. Anyways here's the reward I promised.” ~ Joshua
The reward is two Goddess Icons and a new item called Dark Sigil (permanently adds +10 dexterity and +5 luck at the cost of -5 defense ). In addition, if you haven't reached Joshua's C support by this point, you will get enough points to reach it.
Once you have gotten Joshua's C support, done his quest and reached chapter 8 you will be able to do the third and last unlock requirement. During chapter 8 while walking in the Monastery, if the previous conditions have been met, Joshua will ask you to come with him on one of his errands. Similar to Edelgard asking you to come with her to her coronation from chapter 11, the game will warn you that if you accept the errand, the game’s narrative will change. Much like that scene with Edelgard, the route won't change just yet. If you want to get access to Obsidian Eclipse, you have to accept this favor otherwise you will be locked from accessing it in this particular run. It should also be noted that if you accept this errand, the game will skip to the end of the month.
The Merchants Favor
At an unknown town located at the border between the Empire and the Alliance, Joshua and Byleth have reached their destination.
"Well look at that, we have arrived", Joshua sighs with relief. He has a tired grin on his place. "It took a while to reach this town but we did it. Not going to lie, walking here took too much time and effort. If my matter wasn't so important, I wouldn't have come to this little nowhere town."
"What's important exactly?"
"I heard from some trusty sources that a famed Empire noble was going to visit this place. One I desperately want to meet myself.", Joshua turns around to Byleth, looking them in the eyes. "May I ask you, does the name of Lord Arundel ring a bell?"
"Yes, it does", Byleth nods.
"That isn't surprising really, considering that he is quite a notable figure. Having connections and what not. He actually used to help the Church back in the day by donations. The donations did stop for a while though. Very strange indeed."
"Why do you want to meet him?"
"Well, I'm not exactly meeting with him. I would want to, but apparently, he is so busy he's rather hard to reach. He often has his servants come to places as a proxy where he can't come. And I heard there may be one such "errand boy" here tonight. As for what this meeting is for. Do you know of Lord Arundel's sister Patricia?"
"Only heard the name."
"That Patricia. The former wife to both the Empire’s ruler as well as the late king of Faerghus. That woman certainly got to places, If I say so myself. I wish I was that influential honestly", Joshua chuckles. "Regardless, Patricia supposedly died five years ago in the Tragedy of Duscur. However, I have heard rumors that she faked her death and might be still out there."
"Do you think Arundel knows the answers?"
"Most likely. After all, I never heard any big scuffle between the two. It doesn't hurt to try. And it's possible that his proxy knows what he knows as well."
Joshua starts to ask every townsperson and merchant he was able to meet. They gave vague responses but nothing too concrete.
"Doesn't anyone know where he is", Joshua sighs. "This is getting hopeless."
"You're looking for the proxy Lord Arundel sent in his place?" A nearby merchant overhearing Joshua’s whimpers
"Indeed ", Joshua responds swiftly. "Do you know where he is? Heard rumors he was supposed to be "
"He is at the entrance to the town" the merchant responds. "Tall man with black braid. Wears similar clothes. Shouldn't be hard to miss."
"Thank you", Joshua responds.
Joshua and Byleth walk to the town outskirts. The two soon spot a man fitting the merchant’s description.
"There he is," Joshua remarks excitedly. "Let’s go and meet him shall we?"
"What do you want?" the man asks.
"Wow, aren't we rude. Heard you’re the delivery boy Lord Arundel sent."
"Indeed", the man responds. "Lord Arundel is busy. He sent me here. To do some errands."
"Well, he should've picked a you to do a less social errand." Joshua pesters. "After all, if you have to be here. You should tell your name at least."
"The name is Antonio Bergudal", the man, Antonio, responds. "Did you have something to tell to my master? I do not have the patience for mockery or unnecessary idle banter."
"Fine fine", Joshua backs down a bit. "I will go to my point. Where's Patricia?"
"Dead", Antonio responds. "She died in the Tragedy of Duscur five years ago."
"Sure that's what is told to the commonfolk", Joshua remarks. "But is that the whole story? Apparently, her body wasn't found. Vanished to thin air."
"Just because they didn't find her body, doesn't mean she is alive. There are numerous bodies that were not found."
"True," Joshua comments. "But even then, it is odd. Some have said they didn't see her in the carriage of that fateful day."
"Why are you being so nosy about this? Who even are you?" Antonio asks. "Do you personally know Lord Arundel?"
"One could say that”, Joshua smiles ominously, as he holds his necklace up to the proxy. “Does this look familiar to you?"
Antonio’s eyes narrow.
"You... " he mutters.
"I thought it would," Joshua smiles. "Tell your master I said hi."
"How dare you show your face here," Antonio grumbles. "I will never tell what happened to Lady Patricia to someone like you. Get out of my sight or I will make sure to get rid of you myself."
"Let's get out of here before he gets even more mad," Joshua suggests.
Joshua and Byleth start running away from the man.
“Well, gotta be more careful with my words”, Joshua sighs. “That guy certainly wasn’t the most chipper of the fellows. But at least I got what I wanted.”
Byleth looks at him with a slightly worried expression.
“Don’t worry my errands aren’t always this dangerous”, Joshua tries to laugh it off. “They are usually much smoother than this. Regardless, thank you for coming with me. I mean it. You truly are a valuable…..friend. Yeah, that’s what you are. A friend.Now we must get back home.I hope we can manage”
Byleth sighs and shooks their head.
If all the requirements are done by the end of chapter 8 (Remire Village), you have unlocked the access to Obsidian Eclipse. From here on out, there will be small changes to the story, which indicates that are on the right path onto this route. However, this doesn't mean that you are in the route just yet. You are still in the route you started with and can return to it if you want to. It's first during chapter 11 mission, where you have to make a choice which will either return you into the route you "started" with or lock you to Obsidian Eclipse. This is similar to how in the same chapter’s mission of the Black Eagles route, you have to make the choice that determines whether you get into Crimson Flower or Silver Snow.
The new first event occurs after Chapter 8s mission. After the usual brief encounter with the Flame Emperor as well as the lord reuniting with Byleth, a new scene happens. After Byleth and their companions have left, a mysterious pale man with shoulder-length white hair appears in the scene. The man is dressed in all black, wearing a short-sleeved jacket that flows into a coat, shorts, and long boots. The most colorful thing in his attire is his bright red scarf, matching with his eyes.
"So, my intuition was right. That bastard truly was behind all this. And now he decided to bring his minions to do the dirty work for him, didn't he?", The man has a surprisingly deep baritone voice, contrasting greatly with his rather youthful appearance. "Including that old sorcerer. I never really liked that guy myself" The man sighs.
"However what is more interesting than that is the performance of the Fell Star. Such majestic skills, such stunning tactics. Indeed, they continue to prove that they are exactly what I wanted and more. With them by my side, my plans will reach fruition." After chuckling to himself, the man disappears, ending the scene.
The second new event happens during the discussion between the slitherers and the Flame Emperor in chapter 10. After the usual scene has been played out and the villains have teleported, the same mysterious man from chapter 8s ending appears again.
"Finally you show yourself, Thales...", the man mumbles. "At long last you have shown yourself here. At last we will meet again, old friend. And when we do, I will be the last thing you will remember. I will be your doom. One snake will devour the other, as it was prophesied long ago." He disappears shortly after that ominous remark, ending the cutscene.
Finally there are two major new events occurring in chapter 10. The first happens around the second week of it, whereas the second happens at the end of chapter 10.
Those you can trust
The scene begins with Byleth in the captain's room. They are reading Jeralt’s diary again, trying to figure out answers.
It seems finding clues becomes more and more difficult with each page turned.
Repetition of information, same sentences. Nothing new seems to be found.
"How long are you going to look at this diary?" Sothis chimes from their head. "We have looked at it for days and it feels we are slowly reaching a dead end."
Byleth has no time to respond as a figure knocks the door.
"Lost in thought?" a chipper voice asks.
Joshua enters the room. He does seem a bit more serious than usual. Even with his smile and chipper voice, he doesn't seem his usual cheerful self. Something seems off. Not like how he was when they visited the town but still, off.
"You know," Joshua begins. "I wanted to go check on you while I was on my usual visit to the Monastery, but I wasn't able to find you anywhere. So I asked around and was told that you were most likely to be found here. I also found out about what happened to your old man," Joshua pauses for a while, as if trying to find words to describe. "I'm sorry about what happened. My deepest condolences."
Byleth looks at him somberly.
"Seeing you like this, it saddens my heart. I haven't seen you like this before. Although to be fair, you rarely have shown emotion, if at all. Which made you so fascinating to me. I wondered if you could even feel the same way most people do." Joshua pauses again. "Regardless, seeing you on the verge of tears feels so wrong. So, so wrong. You were supposed to be strong and fearless, not sad and miserable. Yet here you are now, crying for your dead old man."
Joshua looks at Byleth. His expression has a hint of anger and resentment. For a while the two just look at each other. No words, just sadness.
"I must admit I can sympathise with your feelings somewhat," Joshua begins, breaking the silence. "I have been where you are now, sort of. I never really knew my parents, so I wasn't able to experience the loss of them. But even then I have... lost someone dear to me. Someone I once upon a time called a friend. Sure, it wasn't the same as what you are going through now. But even then the pain..." Joshua touches his necklace, looking as if he could burst into tears at any moment. "The pain was as real as the one you felt."
Joshua wanders around the room restlessly.
"These last few months have been rough haven't they? Betrayals left and right, enemies hiding in plain sight. Who knows if there are more of them we still don't know about? Who knows, someone of your students could be part of them and you wouldn't even know," Joshua tries to shrug it off. "I shouldn't think of these thoughts, I really shouldn't. But I can't help but wonder. With all these foes lurking beneath, no wonder someone would be at their limit."
"Know that no matter what happens, you will have allies, those who you can trust in. I... I will certainly try my best to be trustworthy. Don't worry, I would never betray you." Joshua takes a deep breath. "If anything, I want to be your ally. I may not be someone who fights that often but I'm willing to fight by your side. In fact, I hope that we will one day. No matter what I will be by your side. That is a promise."
Joshua walks off from the room. As he enters the hallway, he seems to be his usual smirky self. He sighs and smiles.
"Man I have gotten myself into a pinch by spontaneously making a promise like that," Joshua mumbles to himself. "Honestly, I don't really like making promises. However, this is one I intend to keep."
Joshua takes his necklace and looks at it. He smiles somberly.
"I intend to keep this promise, my friend. Even if I'm an enemy hiding in plain sight. A snake, ready to strike its prey at any given moment. Even then I will try my hardest to keep my promise."
Encounter with the Trickster
After chapter 10s fight against Solon and the scene after that with the students, Byleth finds themselves alone in the Sealed Forest. The mysterious man from before appears in front of Byleth. He appears to be shorter than them, reaching about shoulder length of female Byleth and even less with the male one.
"You did a fantastic job there, Fell Star. I planned to get rid of those pests myself, however, you already did it before I had a chance to get a finger on them. What else can I say except CONGRATULATIONS~," the man cheerfully declares. He lets out a deep chuckle after that.
"Who are you?"
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, how rude of me," the man smiles. "In a weird sense, I feel there is no need for introductions as I have been familiar with you quite some time. However, if you insist. The name is Phistomel. The bringer of light. The true savior of Agartha. Remember that, now would you kindly~?"
"The true savior?"
"I am the one who is going to bring my kind to light. To raise them from the pit the Fell Star and False God cursed us in the days of old. Many may claim the same, but they are false prophets. False prophets, I say. I am the real savior. The true bringer of light. Remember that." Phistomel pouts angrily, as if showing disappointment in Byleth's question "Pardon my tangent. My mission is very important, you see. Regardless, I must say you are quite impressive. I have been watching over you for a while now. Indeed, ever since you came to the monastery I have been looking at every move you made. Hidden in plain sight, as one may put it."
Byleth gives a shocked expression. The expression then switches to anger.
"Getting used to imposters and traitors lately, haven't we?" Phistomel pesters, letting out his trademark chuckle as his hand does a small rocking motion. "Don't worry though, it's not exactly that sort of thing. Sure, I did pretend to be a mere innocent bystander while I was spying on you but at least, unlike those pests, I didn't steal a poor soul's identity in order to do it, gweh-heh. I just built my own doll to blend in with your kind. No sacrifices needed whatsoever. Proof that I have some kind of respect for you surfacedwellers."
Anyway, my identity doesn't matter now. What matters is why I am here. And that's because of you. Like I said before, I have been watching you for some time and impressed by you. Your skills intrigue me to no end. They impress and entertain me. And now you have awakened the power of False God and truly have become the Fell Star. You are so strong, so powerful. More than I could've ever imagined. So let me tell you why I'm here. I want to make a deal with you, see~."
"A deal?" Byleth looks confused. What does this stranger even want from them? Especially when he's possibly part of the enemy.
"Of course I should give the fine details now shouldn't I? You want answers, right? The truth about what's going on here in the Monastery. The truth about those mysterious incidents going on here. How they all are connected. The identity of the vile villains that have been plaguing your nightmares. The secrets of the church and the archbishop. The things your father hid from you. And most importantly the truth about you. I know all of that and more. Everything you'd want to know, I have it in my grasp. I can tell you anything you want to know."
Byleth is still wary.
"How do you know the truth?"
"I have my connections," Phistomel remarks "I'm quite good at finding out about these things. It is my favorite pastime as one could say. So what do you say? Deal?"
"How do I know I can trust you?" Byleth asks, with a surprisingly angry expression and tone. "How do I know you aren't part of those who killed my father? And why would I team up for just information?"
"Sharp one aren't we," Phistomel chuckles. "I knew I liked you. But true, you shouldn't trust strangers so easily to make this kind of deal. So allow me to you are mistaken with. Like I said before, I have nothing to do with those false prophets. If anything, I oppose and hate them just as much as you do. They may be the same kind as I but even then we aren't one. And information isn't the only way I can team up with you. You wanted revenge for your old man right?"
Shocked at the man’s last words, Byleth puts their hand ready to strike. Before they can do anything, Phistomel continues.
"Shocked I know that. Like said, I know more things than it may seem. Anyhow, I can give you that revenge you so desire. Sure, you did strike those tools out, but their leader, Thales, is still out there. The one who was the reason why you couldn't just turn back time and save your father. The one who is the object of your revenge. And it just so happens I want that bastard dead just as much as you do."
Phistomel chuckles for a bit, after which he reaches his hand out to Byleth.
"So, what do you say? We take on Thales together, you not only get revenge for him killing your old man but also the truth and I...no my kind gets the freedom they deserve. Doesn't that sound like a fantastic deal?"
Byleth looks down, as if in thought.
"I will think about it," they respond.
"Wonderful, wonderful. Exactly the answer I wanted to hear. I will give you one month’s time to think about my offer. And with that out of the way, I am off. Ciao ~!" And with that, Phistomel vanishes into smog, leaving Byleth all alone.