Marsak Apella is a Hrothgar in Yanxia.
Quests Started
Quests Involved In
Lore
"Though the odds are stacked against us, we have come too far to abandon our home."
At two and forty summers, this proud member of the Resistance serves as Bajsaljen's right-hand man. Like many others, Marsak was a conscript in the imperial army. His duties often took him far from home, and he was thus spared the fate of his parents and siblings when destruction visited Bozja Citadel. Following the tragedy, he escaped the military to join the Resistance.
In addition to assisting Bajsaljen in his duties, Marsak is responsible for procuring funds and supplies, as well as the training of recruits. Where the warm-natured Hrothgar truly shines, however, is in his capacity as a liaison with outside allies such as Lord Hien and the East Aldenard Trading Company. His reputation as amiable and trustworthy also belies martial talent—Marsak is an avid student of Rostik's gunbreaker techniques, and considered a stalwart shield for the Bozjan Resistance.
— Encyclopaedia Eorzea Volume III, p. 171
In his youth, Marsak was conscripted into the Imperial Army as a frontlines fighter. Due to this, he was not present in Bozja for the Bozja Incident. Upon returning home, he learned that much of the city had been wiped out, including his parents and siblings. Swearing his blade to vengeance against the Empire, he defected and joined the Bozjan Resistance shortly after. After showing his prowess as both a fighter and a leader, he eventually became the right hand of Bajsaljen, the Resistance's leader.
While he does take part in missions and Skirmishes on the field, he is also responsible for training new soldiers and maintaining supplies on the Southern Front. He also acts as a liaison between the Resistance and outside forces, such as the Doman Army. He is renowned for being a kind-hearted and warm leader, who is loyal to his troops.
Following the beginning of the civil war in Garlemald, the Bozjan Resistance was able to rise against its oppressors and start driving them out of Bozja. However, the war had essentially ground to a stalemate, with resources drying up quickly. With the success of the Doman Liberation, Marsak reached out to Hien Rijin, who in turn brought in the Warrior of Light for aid. Marsak informed them of the Resistance's plan to reforge the old weapons used by the ancient queensguard, the Blades of Gunnhildr, both to improve morale and also hopefully recreate the weapons and the power they held. Once the Warrior of Light and Mikoto delve into Cid nan Garlond's memories and obtain the inscriptions engraved on the weapon replicas in the old Bozja Citadel, Gerolt is brought in to aid in the forging process. With the weapons in hand, the Resistanc' was finally able to fight back and continue driving the Empire out of their home.
Marsak ran several operations and attacks on the Bozjan Southern Front, helping his men push ever closer towards Castrum Lacus Litore. Following the battle against Lyon and his pet Dawon, the traitor Misija appeared with the ancient blade Save the Queen, and forced the Warrior of Light to enter the blade's memories so she could twist them, ultimately taking control of the power of the weapon. Marsak attempted to lead an attack on Misija, however, with the powers of the blade acting as a Primal, she was able to enthrall or outright kill a majority of the new Blades of Gunnhildr. Marsak and Bajsaljen were able to escape thanks to the Warrior of Light, and pulled back to their base on the Southern Front to regroup.
When the battle is pushed to Zadnor, Marsak aids in planting the beacons to extend the barrier protecting the Resistance from raining fire from the Empire's Airships. He also devises the plan to permanently down the Dalriada and charge the vessel, defeating the Empire once and for all. In the meantime, he helps push forward across Zadnor and eliminating the various squadrons of the IVth Imperial Legion, leading up to the final charge against the Dalriada warship. Marsak was also present when The Diablo Armament escaped the ship and prepared to blast Zadnor, and when Misija, using the power of Queen Gunnhildr, sacrificed herself to stop the ancient Allagan weapon, he mourned her death. He joined the Warrior of Light and Mikoto in front of the recovered Save the Queen, which had been drained of all the queen's essence. He questioned who was truly at fault for what happened to Misija and the path she walked. He promised to work hard alongside Bajsaljen to rebuild Bozja, even if he did not initially approve of incorporating some of the Empire's methodology as part of their new constitution.
Dialogue
I will not keep you. Unless, of course, there is something you wish to ask me?
What will you say?
Tell me about the IVth Imperial Legion.
The initial invasion of Bozja was led by Basch van Gabranth. There would be a change of commander not long after, however.
Thirty years ago, during the invasion of Dalmasca, his health took an unexpected turn for the worse, and his son, Noah van Gabranth, oversaw the conquest to its completion. He was a mere twenty years old when he assumed full command.
The IVth Imperial Legion itself is rather unique compared to most, for the bulk of their forces are not native Garleans, their present leader included.
Both Noah and his father were quite quick to bend the knee to Emperor Solus, from what I have been told. Perhaps it was that ardent loyalty that helped them rise to such prominence.
But not all were such fervent followers of the Empire. Quite the contrary, I would hazard the greater part of their soldiers were like us, seeing little recourse but to serve lest they be put to the sword.
Though I suppose the unwavering loyalty of the IVth Imperial Legion is what serves to set it apart from the rest. Or to be more precise, its loyalty to Noah van Gabranth.
What's more, you will come to find they are not wont to rely on magitek armaments like most imperial soldiers.
Indeed, they seem to prefer fighting the old-fashioned way, employing arcane magicks, techniques akin to summoning, and all manner of feral beasts rather than depending on heavy artillery.
Though if recent reports are to be believed, these will be the least of our concerns. The battalions en route to Bozja are said to be led by Lyon sas Helsos.
He is a strategist whose cunning is matched only by his renown as a tamer of beasts, and it is rumored that he alone is worth more than a thousand rank-and-file troops. One might say he has history with the Resistance.
Tell me about Legatus Noah van Gabranth.
Ah yes, the leader of the IVth Imperial Legion, one of the youngest to ever take such a position. His father, Basch van Gabranth, served as legatus before him, claiming many a victory in the name of the Empire.
Basch was a knight of the Republic of Landis, which, like so many other nations, was fast to fall at the hands of the Empire. Rather than die with dignity, he was quite quick to bend the knee to their conquerors, ingratiating himself with the Emperor and earning his place as a legatus.
This was quite a feat, given that he was not of Garlean blood. One can but imagine the lengths to which he went to earn their trust, but it is clear he labored hard to keep it.
His health took an unexpected turn for the worse during the invasion of Dalmasca, which afforded Noah the opportunity he needed to rise to prominence. And it was under Noah's leadership that Rabanastre would fall.
Then, when his father passed two years later, he was named the next legatus of the IVth Imperial Legion.
Many believe it was the conquest of Dalmasca that earned him the position, but some argue he was appointed on the recommendation of the Emperor, perhaps in recognition of his father's service to the Empire.
Regardless of the reason, Noah would continue in his father's footsteps. The IVth Imperial Legion would continue to be comprised primarily of foreign soldiers, and their loyalty to the newly appointed legatus was unfaltering.
One might expect such a legion to remain within the Emperor's good graces, but it would not be so when Varis took the throne. For several years he appointed them to the quelling of uprisings in remote provinces, as if to keep them at arm's length.
Perhaps he suspected an ulterior motive to the Gabranths seeking to gain such fervent adoration from the IVth Imperial Legion. I have no proof, of course, but one cannot help but wonder...
Tell me about Castrum Lacus Litore.
It was once known as Alermuc Fortress, erected in the hopes of deterring the Garleans. After the Bozja incident, it would be rebuilt and given a new name—Castrum Lacus Litore.
Its position to the north of Bozja will make it a critical strategic point in the battles to come. If we are to have any hope of reclaiming Bozja, we must first gain control of the castrum.
The location was originally chosen for its natural defenses. Being surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs made Alermuc Fortress all but impregnable. Assuming, of course, one had the wherewithal to defend it.
When the Garleans came, their magitek weaponry was unlike anything we had ever seen. A great many lives were lost in our struggle to hold the fortress, and in the end we were simply outmatched.
At present, the castrum is held by Legatus Gabranth's second-in-command, Menenius rem Lanatus. An interesting choice, to say the least.
Lanatus is a well-known family with a long and august lineage. That is, until they incurred the ire of the Emperor, tarnishing their name and robbing them of their position in Garlean society.
And yet Basch van Gabranth would choose members of their family to serve under him. Mayhap he sensed their desperation to redeem their honor. If that is the case, the road to redemption is long indeed, for two generations of Lanatus have served under the Gabranths.
Imagine the recognition they would receive for thwarting our attempts to take the fortress. You can be sure he will do all in his power to stop us.
Tell me about yourself.
I serve primarily as liaison 'twixt the Bozjan Resistance and our allies. I'll not deny there is still much for me to learn, but I will do everything within my power to see Bozja free of the Empire. If that should mean my life, then so be it.
You...wish to know of my past? It is no different than most, I would imagine—conscription by the Empire, which is the only reason I was not present in the citadel to die alongside my kin in the Bozja incident.
Some would call it a massacre planned by the Empire, but I am not ready to believe they would willingly kill so many of their own soldiers and engineers.
Having been raised under the Garlean doctrine, I realize that not all of them are the bloodthirsty monsters many of us would paint them to be. Though the Empire would seek to oppress us, I do not share the same animosity towards its citizens as my Resistance comrades.
But these are musings better left between the two of us, yes? I would not have the others think me a coward or a traitor to our cause.
