Solheim

Solheim was a legendary nation that existed two thousand years before the events of Final Fantasy XV.

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According to the ancient chronicles, Solheim ruled over the lands of Eos during an era of peace and prosperity when all six astral gods looked over Eos together. It excelled in in machine technology like airships and Magitek Armor.

When Solheim was at its peak the astral Ifrit betrayed the other astrals, and began the Great War of Old, which resulted in the collapse of Solheim. The appearance and spreading of a mysterious parasite fueled the war, and caused the death of millions. Labeled the Starscourge, it blanketed the world, with its resulting effects creating daemons, and the razing of Solheim's cities. The resulting Astral War tore the land asunder near the Disc of Cauthess, and led to two mortal bloodlines being granted special powers by the gods: a king granted power to summon weapons, and an Oracle granted power to heal and to commune with the gods, serving as liaison between the astrals and mankind.

The Niflheim Empire's Aldercapt dynasty, including Iedolas, intends to recreate the Solheim Empire under their control.

Etymology and symbolism
The theme of light and darkness is prominent in Final Fantasy XV, with Bahamut, the Crystal and the souls of mankind—and thus the kings of Lucis and the Oracles—representing the powers of light, and Ifrit, Starscourge, daemons and thus Ardyn Izunia representing darkness. The world itself is called Eos.

Solheim, the "home of the sun", was the civilization Eos had before the darkness was brought forth. Though it collapsed by the powers of the dark, Bahamut gave mankind the means to return light to the world, which became known as the prophecy of the King of Light.