Fire Brand

As for one off mechanics that should return, definitely high ground from RD.

Yuzo Koshiro.

For a FE country in a state of decline there's the obvious Grannvale

Tailtiu/Lex - These two have lots in common, and honestly I've always preferred this pairing to Azel/Tailtiu. Their chapter 5 lover convo in particular is excellent Saias/Mareeta - Saved her from a cursed sword. Considering the amount of dialogue they have together, was expecting them to have a paired ending Micaiah/Zelgius - My personal favorite FE pairing. They have so much in common - branded, generals of Daein, relationship to Sephiran and Sanaki. Their dialogue was also quite ship-teasing, as was the Zelgius/Sothe 1-E talk. Kinda wished they got some sort of ending.

Eh, I'd argue Johalvier's promoted class of Warrior is the game's berserker equivalent. Definitely far closer to it than swordmaster, that's for sure.

Um, what? Swordmasters and Berserkers are not the same class in Fe4 at all

Genealogy of the Holy War

Echoes, since the grinding is very much out of your way and unneeded. Not the endless slog of 3H.

No, but he's important for Isaach. Grannvale had no conflict with him at that point.

There's a lack of Project Naga script dump unfortunately, but from what I remember: "Your future with Deirdre, that is! You're terrified, aren't you? That her memories may return..." Something along those lines. Ehhhh... He could have used Shannan as a bargaining chip to end the war immediately, thus saving hundreds and bringing the war to an abrupt end. Micaiah, unlike Corrin, is frequently called out for her actions, and isn't really worshipped outside of Sothe and maybe Zelgius.

It's implied that Manfroy had been suggesting to him that it was a possibility, and why else would he be so worried about Deirdre regaining her memories? Though I will agree with you that is it is vague. I guess that's one thing I like about Arvis' character: so much is up to interpretation.

Sigurd "knowing too much" I interpreted as an excuse more than anything. And as for him being a rival, how would he be? Arvis is married to the king's granddaughter, while he is just another noble. And I never got the impression Sigurd wanted to rule a kingdom anyway; he seems more of a knight/warrior.

Sigurd would not have been betrayed and killed because Arvis would then have no reason to kill him as he would not be married to Deirdre, and instead him and his army could help to fight off the Loptyr cult.

I realised your point about Arvis as soon as I posted it, it's moreso how the fanbase views it rather than the actual in-game dialogue. Sigurd could have left Deirdre in the spirit forest.

The more I think about the Sigurd-Corrin comparison, the more I see it. As someone who's a big fan of FE4, it's characters, and Kaga, I will admit I do see the double standard. I was never a fan of Sigurd to begin with, though. I suppose the difference is that Sigurd feels the consequences for his actions, unlike Corrin, but really, he doesn't. Other than that, he's quite battle-hungry and has a need to take everything into his own hands and solve others problems for them. More Duma than Alm, that's for sure. Also, both Arvis and Takumi are hated by many for not liking the "Corrin", and being the only one to really do so. I suppose Eldigan does criticise Sigurd, but he forgives him very quickly, and as they are established childhood friends that is kinda understandable. Sigurd is also handed both Arvis and Deirdre's backstories on a silver plate and does nothing with the information whatsoever; he is well aware they are half siblings and both possess Loptyr blood.