Karla (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
swordprincess) wrote2013-08-15 06:56 pm
swordprincess) wrote2013-08-15 06:56 pm
Entry tags:
Character notes and speculations
A nice little analysis on Karla.
Who is Karla?
That's a good question. Perhaps Karla herself doesn't even know the answer. First and foremost, she is well-known throughout Elibe as the Sword Princess. But that's just how other people see her. Even if they hadn't met her, her reputation is well-known.
Interesting that Karel hadn't heard of this mysterious Sword Princess, considering he's always on the lookout for tough opponents. Nor did he seem to recognize the Sword Princess as his own sister. (Though the latter sort of makes sense.) An opponent like that would have been right up Karel's alley. Perhaps Karel hadn't been aware of Karla's skill until she joined Eliwood and Hector's party.
I can only assume that "at the time" means before he started traveling to seek out opponents. He must have been training for quite some time before he left, though. Karla must have watched him, purely enamored, perhaps picking up some of his techniques. It is quite possible that she trained with him, or by herself during that time, though her skill must have still been at an amateurish level when he left.
Outside of swordfighting, Karla is pretty damn oblivious.
How did she get to be so oblivious?
Perhaps it was in part due to her obsession with her brother. It could also be due to the culture where she grew up.
This...possibly contradicts what I said above about Karla training with Karel before he left. Then again, she still could have watched him, and perhaps she mimicked his strokes empty-handed? She must have been fed and otherwise taken care of by the men in said house in exchange for "doing what they say." I suppose that would entail basic housework and other chores.
She doesn't seem to be aware that Karel had killed their parents until he reveals it in their C support. So they must not have lived with their parents for long (assuming that the parents lived in Sacae?).
How did Karla get by when she was traveling alone?
I've wondered that myself, and I still don't really know the answer. If she claimed to not need money, she must not have bought any food. And even though victors at the arenas are paid for their victories, Karla must have left before receiving the prize money. After all, she was always in a hurry. "Welp, he's not here; time to move on." Perhaps she used her sword to hunt, or perhaps she had some other hunting skills that were never mentioned in-game. Perhaps people invited her into their homes to eat and sleep. After all, she's just a pretty, innocent girl at first glance.
How strong is Karla?
That...is the ultimate mystery for the ages. There is plenty of dialogue that describes her strength. Most of it from rumors and reputation. One thing that makes her strong is her speed. According to rumors, she dodges attacks very easily.
Not only is she fast, but her attacks are very powerful as well.
And then...
And this is coming from someone who has seen her strength firsthand, experienced it, even. Not only this, but it's made quite clear that she holds back when she fights.
Another one of Karla's strengths is her ability to control her strength. She exerts just the right amount of force in her attacks. Enough strength to knock them out in one stroke, but not so much as to kill them. Such as the case with Bartre...
Karla makes it clear that Bartre would not survive if she fought him at full strength. And Bartre is a big guy. A big, muscular guy. If no one can touch her, and she's this capable of knocking out opponents with a single blow, and she's still holding back? If she were to give it her all? If she were to fight "untamed"? She would be a damn terrifying opponent.
How can she be this strong without super powers or abilities?
I have a theory for that as well, taking references from some of Karel's supports.
And from FE6...
And even Karla admits it to Karel herself...
Karel is speculated to be "insane" due to his hunger and lust for battle. It can also be said that Karla is affected by this same battle lust. Perhaps to a lesser extent, or perhaps she is just more aware of it, and has more control over it, and she hates it. When they fight, their very humanity is temporarily forgotten. They are shining examples of the "beast within humanity," that some human-hating characters may describe (Karel more so than Karla). But I believe this is the source of their so-called "inhuman" strength.
Back to the first question: Who is Karla? Normally, she carries herself as a serene, passive girl, living in her own little world where no one exists except her brother. But in battle, she becomes something else entirely.
When I RP as Karla...
It's interesting, forcing her to think outside her little world. Particularly in Luceti, where she's trapped within a barrier, where she cannot even continue her search for Karel. She needs to keep herself busy in various ways, while also keeping up her sword training. She needs to keep her skills sharp, but not so much that she becomes as insane as Karel. So it's interesting to keep that delicate balance in RP Land.
As for what she can do outside of obsessing with her brother? Her supports with Farina suggest that she can be easy to influence and/or manipulate. She doesn't even try to protest the uneven splitting of their payment. But then again, Karla was previously like, "LOL, what is money?"
You also see a little bit of her submissiveness in Vaida's supports. See how quickly she changes her mind about fighting Vaida.
If I RP fight scenes with Karla...
Even without special powers and abilities, Karla is an immensely strong opponent. But two main things I would consider is the fact that many characters have super powers to enhance their strength. So they would be tougher than Karla's countless opponents in canon. Though I think she can safely say she's fought her fair share of magic users in the arenas, too. So she would have experience in dealing with projectiles.
The other thing I would consider is her habit of holding back. To be fair to other players, I can let them land hits on her, for both of these reasons.
Who is Karla?
That's a good question. Perhaps Karla herself doesn't even know the answer. First and foremost, she is well-known throughout Elibe as the Sword Princess. But that's just how other people see her. Even if they hadn't met her, her reputation is well-known.
Dart: Have you ever heard of the Princess of Swords?
Karel: No.
Dart: Really? Well, she's supposed to be gorgeous. She appears at tournaments and slices through her foes with ease. Then she just disappears. From what I've heard, she's looking for a man from her past.
Karel: Hmm...
Interesting that Karel hadn't heard of this mysterious Sword Princess, considering he's always on the lookout for tough opponents. Nor did he seem to recognize the Sword Princess as his own sister. (Though the latter sort of makes sense.) An opponent like that would have been right up Karel's alley. Perhaps Karel hadn't been aware of Karla's skill until she joined Eliwood and Hector's party.
Karel: You were not worth fighting at the time. But time changes...everything. Beautiful, Karla.
Karla: Brother?
Karel: Your swordsmanship. It truly is a thing to behold. So much that I can barely resist the urge to strike you down.
I can only assume that "at the time" means before he started traveling to seek out opponents. He must have been training for quite some time before he left, though. Karla must have watched him, purely enamored, perhaps picking up some of his techniques. It is quite possible that she trained with him, or by herself during that time, though her skill must have still been at an amateurish level when he left.
Karla: I heard there was a fighter whose swordwork was a terror to behold. I traveled a long way to see him myself, but it wasn't my brother. My brother's strokes are far more lovely.
Outside of swordfighting, Karla is pretty damn oblivious.
Farina: So...I'll get right to the point. How much are they paying you? Just so you know, I'm getting 20,000 gold!
Karla: ..... I have not received any money.
Farina: No way!!
Karla: Why do you look so surprised? There's nothing I could use the money for, anyway.
Farina: Wha--?!
Karla: Hm?
Farina: So, Karla...let me see if I've got this right. You don't need the money? But, darling, don't you know? A woman needs an income! Maybe...you just don't know much about how the world works, right?
Karla: Hmm... Perhaps it is as you say... I am not...connected to this world very strongly. So...most people fight for money, do they? ...Perhaps I will ask Lord Hector about it someday.
How did she get to be so oblivious?
Perhaps it was in part due to her obsession with her brother. It could also be due to the culture where she grew up.
Karla: ...I grew up in a place that had no contact with Sacae. Where I grew up, I was not even allowed to touch a sword like this.
Farina: Why not?
Karla: Because I am a woman. Women were not allowed to bear swords. Women in my house were told to do what men say.
This...possibly contradicts what I said above about Karla training with Karel before he left. Then again, she still could have watched him, and perhaps she mimicked his strokes empty-handed? She must have been fed and otherwise taken care of by the men in said house in exchange for "doing what they say." I suppose that would entail basic housework and other chores.
She doesn't seem to be aware that Karel had killed their parents until he reveals it in their C support. So they must not have lived with their parents for long (assuming that the parents lived in Sacae?).
How did Karla get by when she was traveling alone?
I've wondered that myself, and I still don't really know the answer. If she claimed to not need money, she must not have bought any food. And even though victors at the arenas are paid for their victories, Karla must have left before receiving the prize money. After all, she was always in a hurry. "Welp, he's not here; time to move on." Perhaps she used her sword to hunt, or perhaps she had some other hunting skills that were never mentioned in-game. Perhaps people invited her into their homes to eat and sleep. After all, she's just a pretty, innocent girl at first glance.
How strong is Karla?
That...is the ultimate mystery for the ages. There is plenty of dialogue that describes her strength. Most of it from rumors and reputation. One thing that makes her strong is her speed. According to rumors, she dodges attacks very easily.
Vaida: So you are the famed Sword Princess, are you not?
Karla: .....
Vaida: I've heard rumors about you... That you go to fighting coliseums and claim countless victories. They say that no one can even touch you. So you must be terribly strong.
Not only is she fast, but her attacks are very powerful as well.
Bartre: I first met her when I was traveling around the world, training myself. And then... I met her at that arena. Her sword...it was almost invisible. ...I suffered defeat for the first time in my life.
And then...
Bartre: Each time I lost, I would challenge her to a rematch. And then, the third time we fought, I was able to evade her first strike. I was immediately knocked out by her second strike, though... When I woke up...there she was. It was the first time I saw her smile. After that, we traveled together, training ourselves alongside each other. Although...I never was able to defeat her.
And this is coming from someone who has seen her strength firsthand, experienced it, even. Not only this, but it's made quite clear that she holds back when she fights.
Bartre: And you! Where is your will to fight?
Karla: What?
Bartre: You're holding back! And that is the greatest shame on the battlefield! I want to fight you untamed! Show me what you've got!
Karla: I would be happy to... But, dear Bartre, you will die.
Bartre: I'm ready to die! All to hone my skill! The warrior's path is not an easy one!
Karla: Hmm... I like you... You're...interesting. Very well. Then I shall bring all of my sword arts to bear...
Another one of Karla's strengths is her ability to control her strength. She exerts just the right amount of force in her attacks. Enough strength to knock them out in one stroke, but not so much as to kill them. Such as the case with Bartre...
Karla: Oh, I remember you. You're the guy who came out of nowhere and challenged me. The one I knocked out with my first sword stroke.
Karla makes it clear that Bartre would not survive if she fought him at full strength. And Bartre is a big guy. A big, muscular guy. If no one can touch her, and she's this capable of knocking out opponents with a single blow, and she's still holding back? If she were to give it her all? If she were to fight "untamed"? She would be a damn terrifying opponent.
How can she be this strong without super powers or abilities?
I have a theory for that as well, taking references from some of Karel's supports.
Karel: Perhaps...I am... tired. When I fight, my entire body is filled with a hunger I cannot suppress. ...I have never had the luxury even to imagine fatigue...
And from FE6...
Karel: ...I understand. In our family, the sword is everything. We are brought up by the sword, and it is all we know. The sword was so central to our lives...even to the point that it blinded us from our own human nature.
And even Karla admits it to Karel herself...
Karla: We are less than human now. We are no different from our swords themselves. Our hearts are cold, and we count the days we live solely by the flesh we cleave. What meaning can there be in such an existence?
Karel is speculated to be "insane" due to his hunger and lust for battle. It can also be said that Karla is affected by this same battle lust. Perhaps to a lesser extent, or perhaps she is just more aware of it, and has more control over it, and she hates it. When they fight, their very humanity is temporarily forgotten. They are shining examples of the "beast within humanity," that some human-hating characters may describe (Karel more so than Karla). But I believe this is the source of their so-called "inhuman" strength.
Back to the first question: Who is Karla? Normally, she carries herself as a serene, passive girl, living in her own little world where no one exists except her brother. But in battle, she becomes something else entirely.
Bartre: ...From the first time I met you on the battlefield, I saw a beautiful girl... But...after I fought you and realized your strength, I only saw the greatest warrior I had ever met.
When I RP as Karla...
It's interesting, forcing her to think outside her little world. Particularly in Luceti, where she's trapped within a barrier, where she cannot even continue her search for Karel. She needs to keep herself busy in various ways, while also keeping up her sword training. She needs to keep her skills sharp, but not so much that she becomes as insane as Karel. So it's interesting to keep that delicate balance in RP Land.
As for what she can do outside of obsessing with her brother? Her supports with Farina suggest that she can be easy to influence and/or manipulate. She doesn't even try to protest the uneven splitting of their payment. But then again, Karla was previously like, "LOL, what is money?"
Farina: Oh, yeah! Hey, Karla, do you want to be a mercenary with me? We'd be strong and beautiful! Who could resist hiring us? And we could split the payment...mmm...60/40?
Karla: ...Hmm. That might be a good idea. Thanks, Farina. If you really want to, I'd be happy to try that.
Farina: So we have a deal?
You also see a little bit of her submissiveness in Vaida's supports. See how quickly she changes her mind about fighting Vaida.
Karla: ...Well, how about I be the weaker? Would that help? I don't care much for fighting anyway.
Vaida: Arrrggggh! You don't even want to fight me?! Ohhh, my lance aches to rest in your heart!
Karla: Alright then. Just give me some time. Once all of this is over with, we can fight.
If I RP fight scenes with Karla...
Even without special powers and abilities, Karla is an immensely strong opponent. But two main things I would consider is the fact that many characters have super powers to enhance their strength. So they would be tougher than Karla's countless opponents in canon. Though I think she can safely say she's fought her fair share of magic users in the arenas, too. So she would have experience in dealing with projectiles.
The other thing I would consider is her habit of holding back. To be fair to other players, I can let them land hits on her, for both of these reasons.