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Hetzel
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| “ | Why would the goddess choose Lekain and me? We are the ones with the most to atone for... | ” | — Hetzel |
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Hetzel (Japanese: ヘッツェル Hetzel) is a Begnion duke from the territory of Asmin, and a senior member of the Begnion Imperial Senate. He was a follower of Vice-Minister Lekain and an unwilling accomplice in many of his crimes, and came to oppose Apostle Sanaki when Lekain and the other senators worked to usurp her.
Biography
The Serenes Massacre
Late in the reign of Apostle Misaha, Hetzel attended a laguz slave auction, where Rafiel was being auctioned off. Despite fierce bidding among the senators of Begnion, Hetzel won the auction and spent most of his fortune to buy Rafiel. Rafiel soon fell ill, however, so Hetzel took him to a temple and helped to nurse him back to health. He promised Rafiel that once he had recovered he could return to Serenes, and he entirely intended to keep this promise. Sensing Hetzel's honesty in this, Rafiel trusted him.[1]
Within days of this promise, however, Misaha was assassinated and the Serenes Massacre occurred, events orchestrated by Hetzel's fellow senators. Hetzel was not personally involved in planning or executing any of these events,[2] although he would later admit that he could have done something to prevent these events, but instead just stood by and let both Misaha and the herons die.[3] He never spoke of the Massacre to Rafiel, but the heron knew anyway and fled from Hetzel, eventually ending up in Hatari. In the years after the Serenes Massacre, Hetzel became mostly quiet in his public dealings, likely out of guilt over his role in the disaster.[4]
The Mad King's War
In the middle of the Mad King's War, Hetzel was present along with the rest of the senate at the first meeting between Sanaki and Elincia. He joined his fellow senators, including Lekain and Oliver, in a sycophantic chorus of laughter and praise for their empress after she tested Ike and Elincia's resolve with a fake interrogation about Elincia's legitimacy.[5]
Judgement
After the awakening of Ashera and Yune, Hetzel was petrified by Ashera's judgement, but was quickly unfrozen and recruited into serving Ashera. He became part of her Disciples of Order, along with Lekain and the other senators, and although he followed Lekain's lead in order to save himself, he privately questioned why he and Lekain - who, as senators, had committed so many crimes - would be taken as Ashera's chosen ones.[6]
Hetzel was present at Tanas Manor when Oliver engaged Ike and his army on their way to the Tower of Guidance, reminding Oliver to not fail the rest of the senate after all the effort they put into saving his life during the Mad King's War.[7] After the battle he returned to the manor to survey the damage and found Rafiel in Ike's company, and although Rafiel refused to talk to him because of the Serenes Massacre, Hetzel warned him to stay away from the Tower of Guidance and to not anger Ashera.
When the three armies reached Sienne and began their attack on the Tower of Guidance, Hetzel awaited them on the ground floor along with Lekain and an army of Disciples of Order. Although he tried to half-heartedly apologize and disavow Lekain, Hetzel died in the ensuing battle with Ike and Micaiah's forces.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Role
Hetzel's only appearance in Path of Radiance is a minor speaking role in the opening cutscene of Chapter 14.
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Role
Hetzel is one of two bosses in the first stage of the Part IV, Endgame. He is positioned in the top-right corner of the map, on the opposite side of the map to Lekain. The chapter's objective is to defeat all enemy units, including Hetzel.
Hetzel also briefly appears as an enemy in Part IV, Chapter 4, but he leaves the map completely after the first turn and cannot be fought under ordinary circumstances.
Stats
Enemy - Part IV, Chapter 4
- See also:
Revelations
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Enemy - Part IV, Endgame (1)
- See also:
Rebirth (1)
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Personality
Hetzel's life is seemingly ruled by fear of those more powerful than he is, and he is willing to do or say just about anything to ingratiate himself with his superiors, to win their favor and continue to survive. He is deeply ashamed and regretful of the role he had played in enabling and participating in so many of the senate's crimes, but he is also too much of a coward to do anything to rectify his actions. Even when he endlessly apologizes for his actions, disavows himself from Lekain's crimes and insists that everything is Lekain's fault, he will not commit to these words and betray Lekain out of a fear of falling out of his favor.[8] This is reflected in his beliefs about serving Ashera, as he believes there to be no alternative but to grovel and accept the mercy of gods by serving them.[9] When he encounters a plan or act from Lekain and the other senators, he simply does not act at all even if he knows it is wrong, and neither tries to undo the act nor convince Lekain to stop;[3] and while he privately considers Lekain to be an immoral man, in Lekain's presence he continues to be an ingratiating yes-man simply to preserve his status.[6] He is seemingly unable to understand why others would not act as he does and choose to actively defy powers greater than themselves, both mortal and divine.[10]
Nonetheless, Sanaki remarked that she thought that Hetzel would have refused to assist in Lekain's schemes, indicating that Hetzel was known for his decency to some extent.[3] Before the Serenes Massacre, he was entirely honest and sincere in his dealings with Rafiel, who could sense that he legitimately wished to see Rafiel returned to his home despite spending so much money on him.[1] Even so, Hetzel could not help but try to turn his moments of decency into bargaining chips to save himself, as he tried to use his treatment of Rafiel to convince Nailah not to kill him.[11]
Quotes
Battle quotes
| “ | There can be no forgiveness for my hand in these evil deeds. Salvation is denied me and my stained soul. My torment will be eternal. | ” | — Hetzel, as the boss of the Part IV, Endgame (1) in Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: Wait, please... I never wanted to fight... I'm here only because I was ordered. Ike: Then surrender your weapon. Hetzel: I-I cannot do that. I would fall into disgrace with Vice-Minister Lekain. Ike: ... |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Ike in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: It is not too late, child, to surrender and accept Ashera's grace. You can win favor in her eyes by abandoning her enemies. Micaiah: Surrender? I wouldn't dare "accept the grace" of a goddess that turns her worshippers to stone! Hetzel: Some things simply can't be helped. You and I are alive, and we should be thankful for that. Micaiah: I have a feeling that we're not going to be able to come to terms on this. |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Micaiah in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: I don't understand any of you. How can you oppose the goddess? It's only natural that people live to please the gods... the weak follow the strong. Jill: Strong, weak... It doesn't matter. I fight on the side of my conscience, and have yet to regret my battles. |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Jill in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: Rafiel... Rafiel, I'm sorry. Rafiel: ... Hetzel: I did a horrible thing. I have lived in the shadow of my regret for many years now. Please tell me that you can find it in yourself to forgive me! Please... Rafiel: I... Hetzel: Rafiel... I was kind to you, was I not? I didn't treat you like a slave! I always watched over you so kindly. Be kind in return and forgive me, Rafiel. Rafiel: ...I'm sorry, I... I don't have anything to say to you. Hetzel: No! Rafiel... |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Rafiel in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Nailah: So you're Hetzel, huh? Rafiel told me about you. Hetzel: That's right... Yes... I'm... I'm the one who saved his life. He's still alive because of me! Nailah: Ancient history doesn't change the fact that you're fighting against him now. And if you fight him, you fight me. |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Nailah in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: Oh! Oh my! A fair heron maiden. I thought they were all gone... Leanne: ... Hetzel: W-wait! Don't run away. Don't just run away! |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Leanne in Part IV, Endgame (2) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: Wait... I remember you... You were one of the dracoknights that fled to Daein, defying the senators... You opposed the almighty Begnion and the word of the goddess... Why? Why would you defy such power? Haar: You could live another lifetime, and you'd still never understand. |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Haar in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: Mortals cannot measure up to the gods. Any child knows as much. Why do you not kneel before her? Astrid: That would be throwing away my own beliefs to live a life of blind obedience. I stopped doing that three years ago, and I've never looked back. |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Astrid in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: You look so much like Rafiel... Is there anything in the world so beautiful as a Serenes heron? Reyson: I was born this way, and mere birth is not praiseworthy. Praise me instead for my strength. What I look like is irrelevant, so long as I have the power to protect my friends. |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Reyson in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Sigrun: Senator Hetzel! Do I understand correctly that you oppose Apostle Sanaki alongside Vice-Minister Lekain? Hetzel: Th-that's absurd! Vice-Minister Lekain opposes the apostle! I'm just... I'm just following orders! |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Sigrun in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Tanith: Senator Hetzel, Duke of Asmin! You are guilty of treason against our empress! Hetzel: No! That's a lie! I never did anything wrong... |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Tanith in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Sanaki: Hetzel... I had thought that you alone might be above Lekain's foul conspiracy! It saddens me to see you at his side. Hetzel: N-no, Apostle Sanaki! I– Sanaki: I didn't ask for excuses! You fight alongside Lekain. That's more proof than I'll ever need. Hetzel: ...You are right, I fight with him. I had no choice. But...please, understand that I've always done my best to honor and respect Your Majesty. Sanaki: Then how do you explain my confinement in Mainal Cathedral? Hetzel: I-I didn't do anything! It was all Lekain! I didn't know anything about it, and only heard later... Sanaki: And when you did hear of it, why didn't you stop it? Hetzel: I...couldn't. Actually, I could have, but I...didn't say anything. It was the same with Misaha, and the Serenes Massacre... I... Sanaki: ...didn't say anything. In other words, you stood by as my grandmother and the Serenes people were killed! Hetzel: P-please forgive me... |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Sanaki in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: L...Lord Lekain! Help! Help me! Tibarn: As payment for taking care of Rafiel when I couldn't, I'll make this quick. |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Tibarn in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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| “ | Hetzel: D-Duke Tanas! You've betrayed us? But why? Oliver: You could never understand the depth of my commitment to beauty! Sometimes it simply overwhelms me. I can't stop the love welling up inside! I'd do anything to keep the hideous likes of you from my precious birds! |
” | — Hetzel, when fighting Oliver in Part IV, Endgame (1) of Radiant Dawn. |
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Death quotes
| “ | Save me! My goddess... Help... | ” | — Hetzel, as the boss of the Part IV, Endgame in Radiant Dawn. |
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Flavor text
| Game | Text (English) |
Text (Japanese) |
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| Radiant Dawn | A senator of Begnion. He's the
duke of Asmin and also on the senate's ruling body, the Council of Seven. Since the Serenes Massacre, he has seemed rather subdued in public. |
ベグニオン帝国の元老院議員の１人
アニムス公爵。 ベグニオン元老院を司る 有力七議員の１人。 |
Choose Your Legends placement history
| Round | Placement | Character | Votes |
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| CYL 1 (2017) |
772 |  Hetzel Radiant Dawn |
33 |
| CYL 2 (2018) |
760 (−12) |
Hetzel Radiant Dawn |
36 (+3) |
| CYL 3 (2019) |
687 (+29) |
Hetzel Radiant Dawn |
20 (−16) |
| CYL 4 (2020) |
769 (+8) |
Hetzel Radiant Dawn |
12 (−8) |
| CYL 5 (2021) |
805 (+36) |
Hetzel Radiant Dawn |
12 (No change) |
| CYL 6 (2022) |
796 (−11) |
Hetzel Radiant Dawn |
16 (+4) |
| CYL 7 (2023) |
809 (+13) |
Hetzel Radiant Dawn |
9 (−7) |
| CYL 8 (2024) |
880 (+71) |
Hetzel Radiant Dawn |
6 (−3) |
| Total results | This character has 8 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls. | 144 |
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Trivia
- Hetzel has unused base stats and growth rates in Path of Radiance.
- Unused battle dialogue data in Radiant Dawn suggests that Hetzel could be spared. This is not possible in the final game due to the chapter where Hetzel is fought a rout objective, providing no scenario in which he could be spared.[12]
- Hetzel is the only boss in a Fire Emblem game that wields only staves, making him only capable of self-defense.
- According to Tellius Recollection, Hetzel was designed with an apparent age of 64 in Radiant Dawn.[13]
Etymology and other languages
| Names, etymology, and in other regions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Definition, etymology, and notes |
| English |
Hetzel |
-- |
| Japanese |
ヘッツェル |
Officially romanized as Hetzel. |
| Spanish |
Hetzel |
-- |
| French |
Hetzel |
-- |
| German |
Hetzel |
-- |
| Italian |
Hetzel |
-- |
| Portuguese |
Hetzel |
Used in the Choose Your Legends polls for Fire Emblem Heroes. |
| Traditional Chinese |
赫杰爾 |
Hetzel; used in the Choose Your Legends polls for Heroes. |
Gallery
Official artwork
Artwork of Hetzel from Radiant Dawn.
Portraits
Portrait of Hetzel in Path of Radiance.
Portrait of Hetzel in Radiant Dawn.
Screenshots
Hetzel as a Saint in Radiant Dawn.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "I was alone outside of the forest. There, I was found and captured by beorc slave traders. The slavers sold me at auction, and the winner was Lord Hetzel. I didn't know until later, but the bidding for me among the senators was extremely competitive. Lord Hetzel actually spent much of his fortune on my purchase. After he took me home, I fell deathly ill, mostly just from desperation. Lord Hetzel was deeply moved by my plight... He brought me to a temple and spent many days nursing me back to health. I have no doubt that he saved my life, but my wings never fully recovered. I haven't been able to fly since. Lord Hetzel felt terrible... Do you know what he told me? said, "Once you fully recover, you can return to the forest." Members of the heron clan, we can look inside people's hearts. I knew the truth of what Lord Hetzel said... He was being absolutely honest. I knew I could trust him from that moment on." — Rafiel, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
- ↑ "Rafiel: Then the Serenes Massacre. I didn't need to be told. I would have felt the suffering of that many of my brethren from anywhere in the world. Lord Hetzel never said anything, but I knew that the senators had murdered the apostle and blamed my clan. Because of the monstrous ambition of a handful of evil men, my entire race was burned to ash.
Ike: Rafiel...
Rafiel: Late that night, I returned to the temple. Something happened to me there... Some sort of force took hold of me... The next thing I knew... I was lying in the sand. If Queen Nailah hadn't come, I would have died right there. I didn't even realize how far I was from my dear home.
Ike: So Duke Hetzel is both your savior and your enemy.
Rafiel: Hetzel was not directly involved, nor did he give orders to those who were. Something about him still troubles me, though... Whenever I think of him, I feel chaos boiling up from his heart. I sense it in myself, as well. I have the same feelings welling up in me. I suppose that's why I can accept it in him." — Rafiel, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Sanaki: Hetzel... I had thought that you alone might be above Lekain's foul conspiracy! It saddens me to see you at his side.
Hetzel: N-no, Apostle Sanaki! I–
Sanaki: I didn't ask for excuses! You fight alongside Lekain. That's more proof than I'll ever need.
Hetzel: ...You are right, I fight with him. I had no choice. But...please, understand that I've always done my best to honor and respect Your Majesty.
Sanaki: Then how do you explain my confinement in Mainal Cathedral?
Hetzel: I-I didn't do anything! It was all Lekain! I didn't know anything about it, and only heard later...
Sanaki: And when you did hear of it, why didn't you stop it?
Hetzel: I...couldn't. Actually, I could have, but I...didn't say anything. It was the same with Misaha, and the Serenes Massacre... I...
Sanaki: ...didn't say anything. In other words, you stood by as my grandmother and the Serenes people were killed!
Hetzel: P-please forgive me..." — Sanaki and Hetzel, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - ↑ "A senator of Begnion. He's the duke of Asmin and also on the senate's ruling body, the Council of Seven. Since the Serenes Massacre, he has seemed rather subdued in public." — Hetzel's glossary entry, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
- ↑ "Sigrun: We have received detailed reports on Princess Elincia and the mercenary company serving as her escort.
Ike: So...you knew we were coming. You knew who we were all along.
Sanaki: Yes. I apologize for testing you. You see, life here in the palace is dreadfully dull. I am always so very bored. Thanks to the princess and her brazen little escort, this interrogation proved to be an amusing diversion.
Oliver: Oh ho ho! So that's what this was! How very like you, Apostle. A cunning game of wits and words. Simply smashing! Even your most loyal servant, Duke Oliver of Tanas, was on the verge of being completely fooled. I am humbled! Oh ho ho! Come, Duke Lekain!
Lekain: Ah-ahem. It was all a ruse, was it?...Oh, Apostle, you do tease us so mercilessly! Still, it was not such a bad way to amuse ourselves, was it, Duke Hetzel?
Hetzel: Hoo! Too true, my good duke! Princess Crimea, it appears that you have put quite a smile on the face of our beloved apostle. What an honor that must be! Hoo hoo hoo!" — Sigrun, Ike, Sanaki, Oliver, Lekain, and Hetzel, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance - ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Lekain: The dark god's tainted minions have defeated our forces at every turn. Now they have set foot on the holy ground of the empire itself! We have no choice but to lead the army ourselves and destroy them once and for all! We are the chosen ones! Our will is the will of the goddess! With us at its head, our army is invincible!
Hetzel: Y-yes. Quite. As you say, Vice-Minister.
Lekain: When I've beaten that brat, Sanaki, I'll make her kneel before me and plead for her life! Heh heh heh!
Hetzel: The vice-minister says he hears the will of the goddess, yet I've heard nothing of the kind in my ears. Why would the goddess choose Lekain and me? We are the ones with the most to atone for..." — Lekain and Hetzel, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - ↑ "Hetzel: Oliver, Duke of Tanas, have a care The last time you faced these enemies, you were defeated, humiliated, and your heron slave trade was exposed. By the good graces of your fellow senators, you were saved from death and hidden away here. Behind the backs of the apostle and the prime minister, we have kept you safe. Do not fail us.
Oliver: I understand, Senator Hetzel. Rest assured, the savages who dare set foot in my home a second time will be eradicated for the glory of our goddess! Ugly creatures deserve nothing but an ugly death. You will not regret the lovely mercy you've shown me!" — Hetzel and Oliver, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - ↑ "Hetzel: Wait, please... I never wanted to fight... I'm here only because I was ordered.
Ike: Then surrender your weapon.
Hetzel: I-I cannot do that. I would fall into disgrace with Vice-Minister Lekain.
Ike: ..." — Hetzel and Ike, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - ↑ "Hetzel: Mortals cannot measure up to gods. Any child knows as much. Why do you not kneel before her?
Astrid: That would be throwing away my own beliefs to live a life of blind obedience. I stopped doing that three years ago, and I've never looked back." — Hetzel and Astrid, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - ↑ "Hetzel: Wait... I remember you... You were one of the dracoknights that fled to Daein, defying the senators... You opposed the almighty Begnion and the word of the goddess... Why? Why would you defy such power?
Haar: You could live another lifetime, and you'd still never understand." — Hetzel and Haar, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - ↑ "Nailah: So you're Hetzel, huh? Rafiel told me about you.
Hetzel: That's right... Yes... I'm... I'm the one who saved his life. He's still alive because of me!
Nailah: Ancient history doesn't change the fact that you're fighting against him now. And if fight him, you fight me." — Nailah and Hetzel, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - ↑ "There is also leftover dialogue for the first part of the final chapter between Sanaki and Hetzel, suggesting Hetzel could be spared. [...] It's likely this went unused due to the mission having the Rout objective (i.e., cleared by defeating every enemy on the map), providing no scenario in which Hetzel could be spared." — Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (dialogue), tcrf.net, Retrieved: December 21, 2021
- ↑ FE RD: Hetzel & Oliver Character Profiles (P. 85) Translations | kantopia, www.kantopia.wordpress.com, Retrieved: 2 March 2022
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This article is part of Project Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in the Fire Emblem series. |
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