Lorican Alliance

The Lorican Alliance is a nation in Final Fantasy Type-0. Its capital is Berith. Lorica controls the Black Tortoise Crystal, which contains the power of the shield. Lorica is located precariously around the ridge of an enormous sinkhole, but legend states that, due to their founder's daring and risktaking lifestyles, found the Black Tortoise Crystal amongst its depths, and historically rose to prominence on the strength of its trade and its aggressive policy of economic diplomacy.

Lorica is located in a harsh mountain region, and its Black Peristylium, located in a large hole in the ground, manages the Black Tortoise Crystal. The people of Lorica directly take in the power of the Crystal to strengthen their bodies, making them bigger than the people of other countries. Nearly all citizens serve as knights for the military.

This nation was referred to as Kogai in earlier footage.

Rubicus
''In other Crystal-States, the people harness their respective Crystal's energy through magic and magiteknology. The citizens of the Lorican Alliance, however, absorb the power of the Black Tortoise Crystal directly into their flesh. As a result, their bodies are large and powerful, easily able to withstand a slew of spells or an onslaught of ammunition. They have even forged armaments using energy from their Crystal, buried beneath the land and housed within the Black Peristylium, the sole purview of the Lorican King himself. The Lorican people's Black Tortoise Armor allows them to stand tall in the face of even the mightiest Eidolons and magitek armors.''
 * Gilgamesh - Lorican Alliance


 * Rise of the Black Tortoise
 * The Third Lorican-Militesi War

Story
The foundations of the nation were already in place when the Black Tortoise Crystal was discovered by an industrious young Lorican named Urshanabi. The Crystal was discovered buried within the sinkhole upon whose precipice Loricans had settled, some twenty-eight years after the advent of the Vermilion Bird Crystal. The boy became the Crystal's protector as its l'Cie, and the Black Peristylium—dedicated to the cultivation of Agito like that of the Vermilion Peristylium—arose shortly thereafter.

It is said that the warriors of Lorica, renowned for their might and temper, receive the blessings of the Crystal through the anointment of of Urshanabi. The Black Peristylium is also where the Council of Lorica resides.

The nation of Lorica comes under attack by the Milites Empire. In an all-out war between the Lorican soldiers and Militesi troops, the nation is annihilated by an Ultima Bomb dropped by the empire, leaving a huge crater in the area of Lorica. The devastation not even leaves behind any ruins to speak of, and the city is removed from sight.

Khalia Chival VI, Chancellor of the Dominion of Rubrum, and the world of Orience, receive the news of the nation's fate. After the disaster the empire excavates the Black Tortoise Crystal from the wreckage and the area falls under imperial control. Rumors spread that Lorica vanishing from Orience marks the beginning of Tempus Finis, and that the other Crystal-States' fall would soon follow.

Milites Empire captures many Lorican survivors from the remains of their homeland and brainwashes them, transforming them into living weapons of war, reducing them to shells into which the imperial army has poured an insatiable bloodlust. Having lost all autonomy, the brainwashed Loricans follow orders without question, and are infrequently deployed into battle to fight for the empire.

The king of Lorica is Gilgamesh and Enkidu serves as his royal advisor. Having forgotten who he is or any sight of his previous Focus, Gilgamesh wanders the land aimlessly, stumbling upon the Clash on Big Bridge between the empire and the dominion.

Locations

 * Old Lorica Region
 * Deserted House
 * Black Tortoise Crevasse
 * Ultima Ground Zero
 * Jubanla Region
 * Mount Jubanla
 * Northern Corridor
 * Berith Desert
 * Northern Valley
 * Valley of Monsters

Etymology and Symbolism
The nations of Orience are based on the idea of Four Symbols.

The country's attributes and qualities, as well as symbolism to one of the animals of the Four Symbols is evident in its themes. Representing the north, Lorica is situated in Orience's northernmost regions. Representing the season of winter, Lorica is situated in a mountainous region, with little to no vegetation. Aligned with the Wu Xing element of water, the Black Tortoise Crystal's powers bestow great physical ability via being in the presence of its magic. Water being essential to all life, ameliorating and vitalizing with its consumption, the Black Tortoise Crystal also manifests its powers in such a manner.

Its animal, the tortoise and snake, both symbolically represent longevity. Both are considered together in the same Symbol, and their name traditionally is known as the "Black Military". Their symbolism also likely represents indomitable fortitude (tortoise), and a fearsome might to not provoke (snake).

Trivia

 * The destruction of the Lorican Alliance by the Milites Empire draws its conclusion similar to the Battle of Aizu. Despite the Satsuma Rebellion at Japan's farthest reaches ultimately cementing the fall of the samurai, the northern region of Aizu of Tohoku was historically hailed as one of Japan's greatest centers of martial arts, power, and cultural tradition. Upon the Ishin Shishi's penultimate victory through the siege of Edo, Aizu refused to recognize the new rule of the Meiji Government, and headed their own rebellion with other remnants still in allegiance with the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ultimately ended with the capitol castle city of Aizuwakamatsu disastrously razed and many of its citizens perished in the battles that came. Further parallels come from both leaders having survived the fall of their domains; Matsudaira Katamori with Aizu, and Gilgamesh with Lorica, and from how both have ties to the Genji Clan.
 * Lorica shares some similarities with Ala Mhigo from Final Fantasy XIV. Both are regions felled by the Empire's hand and are the homeland of enormous sized men with dark skin tone.

Lorica