Lore
From FFXIV Players Wiki
The Age of Adventure
- Men are wont to suffer
- And forget wherein they've sinned
- Ne'er bearkening back on tragedies past
- Lest the Twelve might bumble them
- -Unknown
Countless moons have waxed and waned since wandering tribes from across Hydaelyn first arrived in Eorzea and settled its untamed lands. The benevolent deities who ruled the empty continent and its surrounding islands were impressed with the resilience of these primitive men and women, and in an act of mercy each saw fit to ensure their welfare.
These gods and goddesses soon came to be known as the Twelve, and the villages thrived in their light until the land was bespeckled with several independent city-states. Though, where man walks, strife follows, and for generations, these tiny nations carved out a history of blood and betrayal built upon broken oaths and the sun-bleached bones of the fallen.
A resistance was amassed, but to little avail, and it was not long before Ala Mhigo, once considered the most powerful of the remaining six Eorzean city-states, had fallen to the mighty Garlean Empire.
As the empire's dreadnaughts continued their march of terror across the blood-soaked fields of the north, the remaining nations put aside their differences and clandestinely joined hands to form a loose alliance to ensure they not meet the same fate, should the invaders turn their eyes southward.
Fortunately, the invasion never came, and just as quickly as it had arrived, the empire was gone again.
However, echoes of their grim message rang clear in the hearts of Eorzea's people -- its effect on them, profound and irreversible. The realm would never be the same.
And it was thus that Eorzea slipped into the "Age of Calm," during which an uneasy peace prevailed.
To prepare for the coming storm, the first task of the newly-formed alliance was to fortify their defenses. In the previous era, few city-states maintained organized militaries, opting instead to hire the services of mercenaries and hedge knights to champion their causes. However, after the fall of Ala Mhigo, city guard unites were restructured into legitimate standing armies which could be quickly called upon and mobilized if the need arose.
Unfortunately, this left a majority of the realm's hireswords with nowhere to pledge their fealty, and with their livelihood ripped out from under them, many of these men and women resorted to acts of villainy to survive. For fear of the situation worsening and the land falling into chaos, several respected leaders from around Eorzea gathered together and formed a network of guilds to provide these lost souls with the opportunity to redeem themselves by aiding others.
Through the foresight and resolve of these leaders a new industry known as "adventuring" emerged, its advent helping usher in the current era -- an era of hope in a time when shadows of uncertainty loom ever closer.
The Twelve
Nald'thal is the overseer of transactions and the underworld and god of commerce.
He commands the element of fire and is associated with the seventh moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Nald'thal is the single manifestation of the deific twins Nald and Thal.
He is most often depicted as a discerning merchant holding a balance. His symbol is the cowry, an ancient shell currency.
Nophica, tender of soils and harvests and goddess of abundance, is the guardian deity of Gridania.
She commands the element of earth and is associated with the second moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Nophica is the daughter of Azeyma, and the younger sister of Llymlaen.
She is often depicted as a jubilant farmer holding a scythe of steel. Her symbol is the spring leaf.
Azeyma is keeper of the sun and goddess of inquiry.
She commands the element of fire and is associated with the first moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Azeyma is the daughter of Althyk, and the elder sister of Menphina.
She is most often depicted as a noble lady holding a golden fan. Her symbol is the radiant sun.
Thaliak, ruler of rivers and wisdom and god of knowledge, is the guardian deity of Sharlayan.
He commands the element of water and is associated with the third moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Thaliak is the father of Llymlaen, and the teacher of Byregot.
He is most often depicted as a reserved scholar holding an ashen staff. His symbol is the scroll.
Llymlaen, watcher of the seas and goddess of navigation, is the guardian deity of Limsa Lominsa.
She commands the element of wind and is associated with the fourth moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Llymlaen is the daughter of Thaliak, and the elder sister of Nophica.
She is most often depicted as a strong fisherwoman wielding a long-bladed harpoon. Her symbol is the wave.
Halone, mover of glaciers and goddess of war, is the guardian deity of Ishgard.
She commands the element of ice and is associated with the fifth moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Halone is the daughter of Rhalgr, and a bitter rival of Nophica.
She is most often depicted as a relentless warrioress armed with a bronze greatshield. Her symbol is the three spears.
Byregot is the purveyor of architecture and industry and god of the arts.
He commands the element of lightning and is associated with the sixth moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Byregot is the elder brother of Halone, and pupil of Thaliak.
He is most often depicted as ardent smith with a two-headed hammer. His symbol is the hand.
Althyk is the surveyor of change and space and god of time.
He commands the element of earth and is associated with the eighth moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Athyk is the father of Azeyma and Menphina, and elder brother to Nymeia.
He is most often depicted as an austere emperor wielding a mythril greataxe. His symbol is the hourglass.
Nymeia is the watcher of celestial bodies and goddess of fate.
She commands the element of water and is associated with the ninth moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Nymeia is the elder sister of Althyk, and master of Rhalgr.
She is most often depicted as a weaver donning a white, silken veil. Her symbol is the spinning wheel.
Oschon is the ruler of the mountains and god of vagrants.
He commands the element of wind and is associated with the tenth moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Oschon is the brother of Nald'thal, and the close companion of Halone.
He is most often depicted as a carefree ranger wielding a bow of yew. His symbol is the walking stick.
Menphina is the keeper of the twin moons and the goddess of love.
She commands the element of ice and is associated with the eleventh moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Menphina is the sister of Azeyma, and the divine lover of Oschon.
She is most often depicted as a maid carrying a round skillet. Her symbol is the full moon.
Rhalgr, breaker of worlds, is the god of destruction and guardian deity of the now fallon nation of Ala Mhigo.
He commands the element of lightning and is associated with the twelfth moon of the Eorzean Calendar. Rhalgr is the rather of both Byregot and Halone, and serves as attendant to Nymeia.
He is most often depicted as a magi carrying a bronzen staff. His symbol is the streaking meteor.
