Is Cindered Shadows a separate route, or is it a something else? I'm a little bit confused about what it is, other than 'a DLC'.
Cindered Shadows is a gaiden mode. It's a little seven chapter side story that you can play at any time. It has its own separate save slots, completely apart from the main game saves. As you play through CS you unlock the characters introduced in it to be recruited during the main game routes pre-timeskip.
Ooh, nice! I might get it at some point then (...when I am better at Fire Emblem. Because if it's kicking people's butts on normal when they normally play hard, I do not have a chance :P)
It was a bit challenging on normal, but doable, and if I'd spent money on buying better gear it'd probably have been easier. I just hoarded and didn't use anything good, ever, just in case. Yes, I often avoid using elixirs in last boss fights, why do you ask?