Noa von Greer (wip)

Noa was born as the eldest child to a monk from Garreg Mach Monastery and the head of both house Greer and foreign affairs for the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. Together the three traveled around all of Fódlan for several years, visiting the different prestigious families in each territory. Five years after the birth of Noa, their younger brother was born. He was immediately taken in by their father's brother and his wife, for he had a weak immune system and travelling would not bode well for him. They demanded that they raise him to be the next head of the house. Agreeing to this, their mother stayed behind most of the time, leaving it as just Noa and their father travelling around. During this time, they befriended the crown prince of Faerghus, Dimitri, and Sylvain of house Gautier. In the other lands, they met a few other classmates-to-be, such as Linhardt, Hilda, and Hubert (and briefly Edelgard). They would frequently stay at Garreg Mach in between trips across the other two territories, Noa becoming familiar with the setting and those living there.

In the year 1174, Noa's mother fell ill and died. She was buried at Garreg Mach Monastery, her husband joining her in the grave a year later when he died from mysterious circumstances. Now 15, Noa stayed in Fhirdiad for several months, attempting to figure out what to do and where to go. They silently grieved their parents' deaths, never properly coping with it at the time. They often received aid from the young prince, expressing some bouts of sadness and loss to him. Eventually, Noa came to the conclusion that they would leave to work with the church their mother once worked at, entrusting their brother to their uncle and aunt for the foreseeable future. During this time, they saw themselves in a very negative light, assuming that it would be better for them to not have to "deal with" Noa and their place in the family.

In 1176, Noa cuts off their lettered contacts, putting their past life behind them and focusing on their place at Garreg Mach, specifically the officer's academy. They have a general distaste for religion and focus more on the facts written in text, feeling a bit out of place living in a Monastery because of this. Over the years, they trained in reason and sword with their parents, already becoming rather skilled in each field at this young age. Instead of enlisting into the academy, they were more focused on becoming an aid or assistant to the knights and professors of the academy, they wanted to work while studying on their own in the vast library of the monastery. They continue on this path of life for several years, coming across the many faces that walk through the halls of the academy (ex. Yuri).

1180 and the new year of the academy begins. Rhea, using the fact that so many of Noa's old acquaintances, and just nobles in general, are attending this year, convinces Noa to finally enlist. They decided to go with whichever house Byleth chooses since they end up being the one professor they're unfamiliar with.

BLUE LIONS ROUTE

Throughout their time as a classmate in the Blue Lions house, Noa comes across old and new friends. They don't care for titles and refers to everyone by their first name, Dimitri included. Noa could often be seen in the library or the cemetery, trying to be alone with their thoughts. Occasionally, Byleth can find them by the water or in the greenhouse. Through certain support conversations, you can learn more about Noa's desire to keep up airs of a lighthearted attitude and hiding something darker beneath the naturally flirtatious comments. You can also learn about Noa's past with their parents and younger brother, how he still remains with their uncle and aunt. If you have Linhardt (and with other classes Sylvain as well) you can unlock a paralogue battle that takes place in the town house Greer resides. There, you battle against two monsters that have infested the land of the house, and you come to find out that those who slither in the dark are involved as well. Noa's brother has actually joined their ranks and had them turn their uncle and aunt into the monsters you slay, then you fight him in the end, but he does not die. Instead he flees with them, cursing Noa's existence on his way out.

Other than this one battle, Noa plays a rather quiet role in the events going on, voicing their opinions here and there when you seek them out. When Flayn is rescued, she joins the house and uses Noa as another reason to convince Seteth to let her join, since they have known each other for some time now. Noa also voices their suspicions of Monica and her return, having attempted to look into her disappearance from the year before. In general though, they tend to not trust others and are able to pick up on lies very easily, an ability they learned while traveling with their father.

ASHEN WOLVES CONTENT

The long awaited question for some: why does Noa dislike House Nuvelle? To preface, Noa's mother, before becoming a monk for the monastery, was one of the daughters of House Nuvelle, sister to Constance's mother. She hated the idea of this secret crest and keeping up airs of pomp and glory within the house, so she ran away and sought shelter within the church. The family essentially disowned her and covered up her existence, claiming she either died or didn't exist at all. Being fluent in reason magic already, her mother became a monk and worked for the church, keeping her true crest a tight lipped secret all the while. Then during her time there, she met Noa's father.

Now this leads us back to the present and down in Abyss. (during the dlc Linhardt's dialogue about trying to remember the other saints' names includes "I'm pretty sure one of them is the name of a fruit... and even one of our classmates if I'm not mistaken") During the main play through, the members of the Ashen Wolves have been recruited by Byleth and this leads to them joining the class. Here we will see some confusion about how both Constance and Noa have the same long lost crest, to which Noa will explain the backstory of their mother. To this, Constance will laugh and bitterly say something along the lines of "So your mother, my aunt was harlot who chose to run off with a man instead of defending House Nuvelle's from collapse? How disgraceful." And Noa replies rather fast, an angered expression on their face, "Constance, I will not hesitate to crush your skull beneath my heels upon the stone we walk. So if you intend to remain amongst the living I would advise that you keep your mouth shut. Otherwise I will gladly accept the role as sole holder of the Crest of Noa. Do I make myself clear." Here we see how much family means to Noa and also a more violently blunt side hidden under Noa's persona. Everyone is obviously taken aback at this, being towards the beginning chapters of the game.