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{{infobox character
 
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|japanese=エクスデス
 
|japanese=エクスデス
 
|romaji=Ekusudesu
 
|romaji=Ekusudesu
|aka=X-Death, ExDeath, Exodus, Exodes
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|aka=X-Death, Exodes
 
|image=160px-Ff5 exdeath.jpg
 
|image=160px-Ff5 exdeath.jpg
 
|portrait=[[File:FFVAExdeathmenu.png|Portrait.]][[File:Exdeath-ffv-ios-portrait.png|50px|Portait (iOS).]]
 
|portrait=[[File:FFVAExdeathmenu.png|Portrait.]][[File:Exdeath-ffv-ios-portrait.png|50px|Portait (iOS).]]
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|type=boss
 
|type=boss
 
|designer=[[Yoshitaka Amano]]
 
|designer=[[Yoshitaka Amano]]
|japaneseva={{W|Tarō Ishida}}†<br/>[[Naomi Kusumi]]
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|japanese voice actor=[[wikipedia:Tarō Ishida|Tarō Ishida]]†<br/>[[Naomi Kusumi]]
|englishva=[[Gerald C. Rivers]]
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|english voice actor=[[Gerald C. Rivers]]
|boss page=Exdeath (boss)
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|boss 1 page=Exdeath (boss)
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|boss 1 description=Boss
|final boss page=Exdeath (tree form)
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|boss 2 page=Exdeath (tree form)
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|boss 2 description=Boss (Tree)
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|boss 3 page=Neo Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)
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|boss 3 description=Neo Exdeath
 
|other appearances=true
 
|other appearances=true
 
|dissidia=true
 
|dissidia=true
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|ffbe=true
 
|ffbe=true
 
}}
 
}}
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'''Exdeath''', also known as '''X-Death'''{{cite|FFV|version=playstation}} or '''Exodes'''{{cite|LotC}} is the main [[List of antagonists|antagonist]] of ''[[Final Fantasy V]]''. He is a warlock who seeks the power of the [[Crystal (term)|crystals]], and eventually, the power of the [[Void (Final Fantasy V)|Void]], first wielded by [[Enuo (Final Fantasy V)|Enuo]] centuries ago. Exdeath is a being of pure evil, wishing nothing more than to return the world to nothingness. Exdeath aligns with [[Gilgamesh (Final Fantasy V)|Gilgamesh]], the leader of his army, and eventually with the [[demons of the Rift]], making a deal with them after restoring the [[Interdimensional Rift (Final Fantasy V)|Interdimensional Rift]].
{{Q|Time for your viscera to see the light of day! Now die!|Exdeath}}
 
'''Exdeath''', also known as '''X-Death''', '''ExDeath''', '''Exodus''', or '''Exodes''' in ''[[Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals]]'', is the main [[List of antagonists|antagonist]] of ''[[Final Fantasy V]]''. According to [[Ghido]], despite his knightly appearance, Exdeath was once, and still is to an extent, a tree from the [[Great Forest of Moore]].
 
   
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Exdeath was born out of a tree from the [[Great Forest of Moore]] which had been used to seal evil spirits. The concentration of the spirits in the tree transformed it into Exdeath. Exdeath was kept at bay for hundreds of years before being sealed by the [[Warriors of Dawn#Final Fantasy V|Dawn Warriors]], all the while plotting to be free of his seal. Once free, he again sought the power of the Void, fighting the [[Warriors of Light#Final Fantasy V|Light Warriors]] to obtain the power and return the world to nothing.
== Profile ==
 
=== Appearance ===
 
[[File:Exdeath FMV.jpg|thumb|left|110px|Exdeath's render from ''Final Fantasy Anthology''.]]
 
Exdeath wears a sky blue suit of armor about seven feet tall with a horned helmet, spiked shoulders and a long blue cloak. His helmet is topped with a two-ended plume and has a thin opening that would normally be used for sight. His armor is decorated with jewels, gold linings and beads, and though he is a warlock, Exdeath carries a sword he can use in battle as proficiently as his [[Magic (term)|magic]]. The only part of his body not covered by the armor are his hands, which are ash gray with black pointy nails. His appearance under the suit of armor is revealed in ''[[Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy]]'' by purchasing the second alternate costume for Exdeath.
 
   
 
== History ==
In his [[Exdeath (tree form)|tree form]], Exdeath's torso and head are visible, but are a darker shade of blue. Below the torso he shows his true form as a tree, the bark forming a demonic face on the tree's side. [[Neo Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)|Neo Exdeath]] is a gray-skinned demon with red horns and muscular limbs and the various demons that composed his previous form manifesting from the waist down.
 
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=== Before ''Final Fantasy V'' ===
 
[[File:Deathofexdeath.jpg|thumb|left|Exdeath's living apparatus, a tree within the evil forest of Moore.]]
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After the warlock Enuo was defeated, the Void that he created could not be erased, and was instead sealed away in the Interdimensional Rift created by splitting [[Planet R]] and its crystals in two.{{cite|FFV|script=Ghido's Cave 2|name=Ghido's Cave 2|version=advance}}
   
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On one half of the world, [[Galuf's world]], many evil spirits were sealed in a tree in the sentient Great Forest of Moore. Five hundred years prior to the events of ''Final Fantasy V'', the concentration of the evil spirits in this tree transformed it into a dark creature with a life of its own: Exdeath. Sage Ghido was able to maintain the seal for 470 years.{{cite|FFV|script=Ghido's Cave|name=Ghido's Cave|version=advance}}{{note|Exdeath was created 500 years prior to ''Final Fantasy V'', and released 30 years before ''Final Fantasy V'',<ref name="Ghido's Cave"/> meaning Ghido sealed him for 470 years.}}
=== Personality ===
 
{{Q|Simple-minded fools such as yourselves could never hope to understand my motives.|Exdeath, mocking the [[Warriors of Light]]}}
 
Exdeath is a selfish, maniacal, loud-mouthed, and blasphemous being of pure evil. He treats [[Bartz Klauser]] and his party as mere pests in the way of his goal, and swats them away without killing them, seeing no reason to dispose of such a mild threat. He may seem cocky, but his power is practically unmatched.
 
   
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Eventually, Ghido could no longer maintain Exdeath's seal, and it was broken.<ref name="Ghido's Cave"/> Exdeath wreaked havoc on Galuf's world,{{note|name=exdeath war|There are few details about Exdeath's war upon his release. A scholar in Surgate simply describes a book chronicling the damage he dealt during the Dawn Warriors' time as a "horrible atrocities" and a "nightmare", without going into details.<ref name="Surgate Castle optional dialogue"/> Details such as when Castle Exdeath was created, or any alliance he may have had with Gilgamesh at the time, are unknown.}} but the Dawn Warriors—[[Galuf Halm Baldesion]], [[Dorgann Klauser]], [[Kelger Vlondett]], and [[Xezat Matias Surgate]]—rose and fought him. The Dawn Warriors chased Exdeath back to [[Bartz's world]], the other half of Planet R, and sealed him in a [[Exdeath's sealed cave|cave in the forest on the eastern continent]]. The warriors held him back but were unable to destroy him, forcing them to use the power of the crystals of Bartz's world to seal him there. When Dorgann promised to watch over the seal and remain in that world, the four warriors united their hearts and sealed him in the cave.{{cite|FFV|script=Quelb|name=Quelb|version=advance}}
[[File:Amano Exdeath real.jpg|180px|left|thumb|Artwork of a possible intra-armor Exdeath by [[Yoshitaka Amano]].]]
 
Exdeath shows no empathy for the slaughter of his minions, even thinning out his own lines as punishment for their failings. He is incapable of understanding positive human emotions, such as love, evidenced when Exdeath fights [[Galuf Halm Baldesion|Galuf]]. Exdeath is sure Galuf can't beat him because "all the hatred in the world could never defeat [Exdeath]". However, Galuf surprises Exdeath at nearly overcoming him, explaining he isn't fighting out of anger or hate, but out of love for his granddaughter.
 
   
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In the years following, the atrocities Exdeath committed in Galuf's world were chronicled by scholars in [[Surgate Castle]],{{cite|FFV|script=Surgate Castle optional dialogue|name=Surgate Castle optional dialogue|version=advance}} while those of Bartz's world remained unaware of him.
Exdeath's appearance in ''Dissidia Final Fantasy'' gives a new angle to his motives and personality. His confidence and bravado are shown to come not only from his immense power, but his assurance that, whether or not he succeeds, everything will come to an end and return to [[The Void (term)|The Void]]. Thus he is not proactive but simply wandering and agreeing to assist other Warriors of [[Chaos (Final Fantasy)/Dissidia|Chaos]] with their schemes. Upon his final defeat in [[Shade Impulse]], Exdeath is more accepting of his defeat than most of the other Warriors of Chaos. Because he strives not only for the elimination of existence, but also for his own eventual demise, he finds pleasure in the feeling of dying. After assuring the Warriors of [[Cosmos (Dissidia)|Cosmos]] that all will eventually return to the Void, he spends his final moments standing tall and laughing.
 
   
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=== ''Final Fantasy V'' ===
Exdeath has a unique laughing style "FAFAFA...!" {{J|ファファファ|fmt=(j)}} that was lost in translation. In the English version of ''Final Fantasy V'', his laughs were translated to the generic evil laugh "Mwa-hahaha..."
 
 
[[File:Galuf fights Exdeath.jpg|thumb|Galuf fighting Exdeath inside the Guardian Tree.]]
{{-}}
 
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Exdeath sought the power of the Void, his goal to merge the worlds so that the Interdimensional Rift would reappear and he could claim the Void sealed within.<ref name="Ghido's Cave 2"/> He would need to destroy the crystals of each world, first destroying the crystals of Bartz's world to break himself free, and then destroy the crystals of Galuf's world to merge the two worlds.
   
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From his seal, Exdeath [[Enthrall|took control of]] some of the denizens of Bartz's world to shatter the crystals, which were already weakened by the use of [[Cid Previa]]'s crystal amplification devices, which he had developed to bring the crystals closer to the power they had 1,000 years ago.{{cite|FFV|script=Karnak Castle|name=Karnak Castle|version=advance}}{{note|The crystal amplification devices expedited the damage to the crystals, but it is unclear how much they accelerated Exdeath's return. Cid mentioned increasing the crystals' power output with his machines caused them to shatter,<ref name="Karnak Castle"/> but Queen Karnak, possessed by Exdeath, said that the machines were not the only thing destroying the crystals and that Exdeath's attempts to resurrect himself were doing the same.{{cite|FFV|script=Fire-Powered Ship|name=Fire-Powered Ship|version=advance}} Ghido later said that he did not blame the denizens of Bartz's world for Exdeath's return, believing that Exdeath's seal breaking was an inevitability.<ref name="Ghido's Cave"/>}} After the [[Wind Crystal (term)#Final Fantasy V|wind crystal]] was shattered,{{note|name=wind shrine|As the party finds the wind crystal already shattered in the [[Wind Shrine (Final Fantasy V)|Wind Shrine]], it is unknown if Exdeath possessed anyone to shatter it. Similarly, it is unclear if the shattering at the Wind Shrine was connected to Exdeath's return thereafter.}} Exdeath then controlled [[Garula (Final Fantasy V)|Garula]] to shatter the [[Water Crystal (term)#Final Fantasy V|water crystal]] in [[Walse Tower]],{{cite|FFV|script=Walse Tower|version=advance}} [[Queen Karnak]] to shatter the [[Fire Crystal (term)#Final Fantasy V|fire crystal]] of [[Karnak]],<ref name="Fire-Powered Ship"/> and eventually, King [[Alexander Highwind Tycoon]] to shatter the [[Earth Crystal (term)#Final Fantasy V|earth crystal]] in the [[Ronka Ruins]]. However, the shattering of the wind crystal also allowed the crystals to choose four champions—[[Bartz Klauser]], Galuf, [[Lenna Charlotte Tycoon]], and [[Faris Scherwiz]]—as their Light Warriors, who encountered Exdeath at the ruins. [[Krile Mayer Baldesion (Final Fantasy V)|Krile Mayer Baldesion]], Galuf's granddaughter, freed King Tycoon from Exdeath's spell, but not before the crystal shattered and Exdeath awoke. King Tycoon sacrificed himself so the Light Warriors and Krile could escape, and Exdeath then returned to Galuf's world.{{cite|FFV|script=Ronka Ruins|name=Ronka Ruins|version=advance}}
=== Abilities ===
 
{{spoiler}}
 
[[File:FFVAmano4.PNG|thumb|Concept art by Yoshitaka Amano.]]
 
Exdeath is an extraordinarily powerful warlock, being able to destroy large areas of land with artificial disasters. For example, he caused the earthquake that sank Ghido's island, and he burned down the Great Forest of Moore. All Galuf and the other Warriors of Dawn could do was seal him because "he kept going down, but wouldn't stay down". If his strength is ever depleted, he needs only a brief time to regenerate. Even when he was sealed away, Exdeath could possess monsters and people into doing his bidding to shatter the crystals that acted as his seal. He can shapeshift, as he once transforms into a splinter.
 
   
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Back in Galuf's world, Exdeath returned to [[Castle Exdeath]] and resumed his reign of terror with Gilgamesh as his lieutenant. Galuf and Krile followed and led a siege across the [[Big Bridge (Final Fantasy V)|Big Bridge]], unaware that Exdeath had already finished a barrier around Castle Exdeath.{{cite|FFV|script=Regole|version=advance}} When the other three Light Warriors crossed worlds, Exdeath abducted them and projected their image in the sky as a warning for Galuf to halt the advance.{{cite|FFV|script=Castle Exdeath|version=advance}} Galuf went on alone and rescued the hostages from the castle, with Gilgamesh trying to slow their advance. Exdeath reactivated the barrier, sealing himself inside the castle, and flinging the Light Warriors halfway across the world to [[Gloceana]].
Once Exdeath claims control over the Void, his already great power soars. He can erase any part of existence with a thought, channeling the Void to engulf it and sending it into a random dimension. The only way the Light Warriors can defeat him is when his own power turns against him. When Exdeath is engulfed by the Void and is spat out as Neo Exdeath, he gains more power than ever before since he merges with the destructive power of the Void itself, but at the cost of his sanity, threatening to destroy the universe and himself.
 
   
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Exdeath sunk [[Ghido's Cave|Ghido's cave]] with an earthquake to make an example of his enemies.{{cite|FFV|script=Castle of Bal (after Drakenvale)|name=Castle of Bal (after Drakenvale)|version=advance}} Later, Exdeath traveled to the [[Guardian Tree (Final Fantasy V)|Guardian Tree]] in the Great Forest of Moore, where the four crystals of Galuf's world were located. The Light Warriors ventured into the forest and were fooled by Exdeath into destroying the seals around the four crystals, allowing Exdeath to take their power and use it against the four warriors, trapping them. Krile arrived to try and save them, but Exdeath trapped her in his ring of fire. This enraged Galuf, who broke free of the crystal holding him back and fought Exdeath alone; Exdeath taunted Galuf by telling him that no amount of hatred could defeat him, to which Galuf replied that he was not fighting with anger nor hatred. Baffled by Galuf's ability to withstand a huge amount of punishment, Exdeath fled with the remaining crystals. Galuf passed away shortly, with Krile inheriting his powers as a successor Light Warrior.{{cite|FFV|script=Great Forest of Moore|name=Great Forest of Moore|version=advance}}
In combat, Exdeath, being the incarnation of countless evil beings sealed inside the tree he once was, is highly skilled in the area of spellcasting. Though he rarely ever uses it, he is decent in close combat with his sword. In ''Dissidia'', he can telepathically control his sword, allowing him to engage in "melee" combat even from a distance.
 
   
 
[[File:Exdeath Warriors of Dawn & Light.jpg|thumb|left|Exdeath being rendered vulnerable by King Tycoon and the deceased Warriors of Dawn.]]
== Story ==
 
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The Light Warriors infiltrated Castle Exdeath. They encountered Gilgamesh, who had come in search of the strongest of swords in a treasure chest, but after Gilgamesh failed to defeat the warriors, Exdeath [[Banish (Final Fantasy V)|banished]] him for incompetence. Next, the warriors confronted Exdeath himself, who had taken the crystals. Exdeath mocked them for fighting him despite not understanding his plans, and though they seemingly defeated him, the crystals shattered, and they blacked out as the worlds merged.{{cite|FFV|script=Castle Exdeath (after Moore)|name=Castle Exdeath (after Moore)|version=advance}}
[[File:Deathofexdeath.jpg|thumb|left|Exdeath's living apparatus, a tree within the evil forest of Moore.]]
 
After the malicious warlock-king [[Enuo (Final Fantasy V)|Enuo]] was defeated and the [[Void (Final Fantasy V)|Void]] was sealed away, humans turned to an alternative solution to purge their land of corruption and terror. The Great Forest of Moore provided a solitary prison for these malevolent souls, and they were sealed within a tree. Many other [[Monster (term)|monsters]] were drawn to the forest, making it the most dangerous place on the [[Galuf's World|second world]]. The various souls residing within the tree made it self-aware and it assumed a humanoid form, a being as evil as the many souls that had spawned him, and Exdeath was born.
 
   
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Exdeath followed the Light Warriors to Ghido's cave, disguised as a splinter in Krile.{{note|Krile first notices the splinter in the [[Antlion (Final Fantasy V)|Antlion's]] cave,{{cite|FFV|script=Cave|version=advance}} but is unclear how long Exdeath was disguised as a splinter.}} After Ghido explained to the others the history of the planet being split, Exdeath revealed himself to explain that, with the Interdimensional Rift reappearing as a result of the worlds merging, he could claim the power of the Void within and return the world to a state of nothingness. Exdeath used the power of the Void he had to engulf [[Castle Tycoon]], and then attempted to destroy the Light Warriors, but Ghido held him off, and he left.<ref name="Ghido's Cave 2"/> Shortly after, Exdeath appeared to the others at the Guardian Tree, taunting them as [[Melusine (Final Fantasy V)|Melusine]] controlled Lenna against them and he engulfed the [[Library of the Ancients]], soon following with erasing [[Walse]], [[Istory]], [[Moogle Village (Final Fantasy V)|Moogle Village]], and [[Lix]].
Exdeath had a [[Castle Exdeath|castle]] built upon one of the continents and laid siege upon the kingdoms of the world. The [[Warriors of Dawn]]—Galuf, [[Xezat Matias Surgate|Xezat]], [[Kelger Vlondett|Kelger]] and [[Dorgann Klauser|Dorgann]]—followed Exdeath to an [[Bartz's World|alternate dimension]] where Exdeath was defeated and sealed using the power of the [[Crystal (term)#Final Fantasy V|crystals]]. Dorgann feared the seal wouldn't last and stayed behind while the other three warriors returned to their world.
 
   
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Exdeath took command of the the demons who had been sealed within the Interdimensional Rift, and ordered them to halt the Light Warriors from obtaining the [[tablets]] used to unlock the [[Sealed Weapons|twelve legendary weapons]] that had once been used to defeat Enuo.{{cite|FFV|script=Sealed Castle|version=advance}} The Light Warriors eventually confronted Exdeath within the Rift, but he had achieved the full power of the Void and returned to his true form: a monstrous tree. Exdeath used the Void to engulf the Light Warriors, but the spirits of King Tycoon and the Dawn Warriors restrained its power and they battled Exdeath. The Void engulfed Exdeath and transformed him into [[Neo Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)|Neo Exdeath]], who declared a desire to erase all existence, including himself, for eternity.{{cite|FFV|script=Interdimensional Rift|name=Interdimensional Rift|version=advance}} The Light Warriors defeated Neo Exdeath and the world was restored with new crystals being born in place of the tablets.{{cite|FFV|script=Final scene|version=advance}}
Dorgann fell in love with a woman named [[Stella Klauser|Stella]], and the two married and had a son named Bartz. Five years later Stella died, and not long after Dorgann passed away as well. Dorgann's dying wish was for his son to lead a normal life, and so he asked Bartz to travel the world. Keeping his promise, Bartz became a wanderer, along with his best friend [[Boco|Boko]], his pet [[chocobo]].
 
 
{{clear}}
   
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== Characteristics ==
[[File:Galuf fights Exdeath.jpg|thumb|Galuf fighting Exdeath inside the Guardian Tree.]]
 
 
=== Appearance ===
Exdeath shatters the world's crystals one by one as he begins to [[Enthrall|take control of]] the denizens of the world to break them, including the [[Queen Karnak|Queen]] of [[Karnak]] and [[Alexander Highwind Tycoon|King Tycoon]]. Exdeath appears to Bartz and his friends in the [[Ronka Ruins]] when he is released from his seal when the [[Earth Crystal (term)#Final Fantasy V|Earth Crystal]] shatters.
 
 
[[File:Exdeath FMV.jpg|thumb|left|110px|Exdeath's render from ''Final Fantasy Anthology''.]]
 
Exdeath wears a sky blue suit of armor with a horned helmet, spiked shoulders and a long blue cloak. His helmet is topped with a two-ended plume and has a thin visor that would normally be used for sight. His armor is decorated with jewels, gold linings and beads, and though he is a warlock, Exdeath carries a sword he can use in battle as proficiently as his [[Magic (term)|magic]]. The only part of his body not covered by the armor are his hands, which are ash gray with black pointy nails. His appearance under the suit of armor is revealed in ''[[Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy]]'' by purchasing the second alternate costume for Exdeath {{Show image|ExdeathThirdAlt.png}}.
   
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His physical attributes are difficult to ascertain in ''Final Fantasy V''; while his battle sprite towers over the Light Warriors {{Show image|Vacuum wave ffv.PNG}}, this is typical of boss battle presentation and may not accurately depict his height. In ''Dissidia'', Exdeath is one of the tallest villains.
Exdeath returns to his castle in Galuf's homeworld to resume his reign of terror. Galuf and his granddaughter [[Krile Mayer Baldesion|Krile]] rally a counter-attack and the remaining [[Warriors of Light#Final Fantasy V|Warriors of Light]] follow the two, but are soon captured by Exdeath's minions and used as hostages to keep Galuf from attacking his castle. Galuf saves his friends and the party fights their way back across the [[Big Bridge (Final Fantasy V)|Big Bridge]], defeating Exdeath's lieutenant, [[Gilgamesh (Final Fantasy V)|Gilgamesh]]. Exdeath erects a barrier around his castle, sealing himself inside.
 
   
 
In his [[Exdeath (tree form)|tree form]], Exdeath's torso and head are visible, but are a darker shade of blue. Below the torso he shows his true form as a tree, the bark forming a demonic face on the tree's side. [[Neo Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)|Neo Exdeath]] is a gray-skinned demon with red horns and muscular limbs and the various demons that composed his previous form manifesting from the waist down.
Exdeath makes an example of his enemies when he sinks Ghido's island. The sage later reveals Exdeath is seeking something in the Great Forest of Moore where he was created. The warriors venture to the forest and break the seals that bind what Exdeath seeks, but the seals turn out to be the second world's crystals, and Exdeath was using the Light Warriors all along. Exdeath uses the crystals' power to torture the Warriors of Light, but Galuf resists and takes on Exdeath alone. Galuf dies after fending Exdeath off, and one of the crystals shatters. Afterward, Krile becomes a Light Warrior in his stead.
 
   
 
=== Personality ===
[[File:Exdeath Warriors of Dawn & Light.jpg|thumb|left|Exdeath being rendered vulnerable by King Tycoon and the deceased Warriors of Dawn.]]
 
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{{Quote|Soon...very soon! The power of the Void will completely be mine, and the entire earth will kneel before me! Mwa-hahahahahaha!!!|Exdeath|[[Final Fantasy V Advance script#Guardian Tree (after Pyramid of Moore)|''Final Fantasy V Advance'' &sect; Guardian Tree (after Pyramid of Moore)]]|align=right}}
The Light Warriors confront Exdeath at his castle where he had taken the remaining crystals. The crystals shatter, [[Merged World|merging the two worlds]], and Exdeath resurfaces disguised as a splinter in Krile's hand. At [[Ghido's Cave]] that is again above sea level, Exdeath reveals himself and his true goal: to control the Void and return the world to a state of nothingness. The Void had been sealed away in the [[Interdimensional Rift]] when the worlds were split, but now when the worlds are recombined the Rift reemerges over Castle [[Castle Tycoon|Tycoon]]. Exdeath seizes control of the Void, sending parts of the world into its depths as demonstration of its power. He takes command of the [[Demons of the Rift]], promising to build for them a world of desolation.
 
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The personification of many evil spirits sealed within a sentient tree,<ref name="Ghido's Cave"/> Exdeath is a being of pure evil. He is selfish, maniacal, callous, cocky, and hateful. He causes immense destruction with no remorse,{{note|name=exdeath war}} and casts aside even his loyal lieutenant Gilgamesh for failure.<ref name="Castle Exdeath (after Moore)"/> Exdeath views the Light Warriors as beneath him, describing them as "peons" for their weakness compared to his might,<ref name="Ghido's Cave 2"/> and "simple-minded fools" who he believes can never comprehend his motives.<ref name="Castle Exdeath (after Moore)"/> His weakness is his inability to understand positive emotion: in his battle with Galuf at the Forest of Moore, he confidently mocks Galuf, boasting that no amount of hatred could defeat him, unable to comprehend that Galuf is fighting out of love for his friends and granddaughter, not to destroy Exdeath, but to try and keep them alive.<ref name="Great Forest of Moore"/>
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[[File:Amano Exdeath real.jpg|180px|left|thumb|Artwork of a possible intra-armor Exdeath by [[Yoshitaka Amano]].]]
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Exdeath's motives are not entirely clear. After Queen Karnak was freed from Exdeath's possession, she suggested his spirit desired to "envelop everything in darkness".<ref name="Fire-Powered Ship"/> When proclaiming that his reason for merging the worlds was to obtain the power of the Void, he simply declares a desire for its matchless power.<ref name="Ghido's Cave 2"/> Later on, he simply proclaims "the entire earth will kneel before me" upon obtaining its complete power.{{cite|FFV|script=Guardian Tree (after Pyramid of Moore)|name=Guardian Tree (after Pyramid of Moore)|version=advance}} This would suggest Exdeath seeks power for its own sake, as he never elaborates on what he wishes to do with this power aside from destroying those who oppose him. Given that he is the personification of evil spirits, it is possible he simply wishes for power and to inflict cruelty with no clear end goal. When he becomes Neo Exdeath after being engulfed by the Void, he expresses a desire to return "all that is"—memories, dimensions, existence—including himself, to nothing;<ref name="Interdimensional Rift"/> however, it is unclear that Exdeath originally shared this goal.
  +
 
Exdeath's appearance in ''Dissidia Final Fantasy'' gives a new angle to his motives and personality. His confidence and bravado are shown to come not only from his immense power, but his assurance that, whether or not he succeeds, everything will come to an end and return to [[The Void (term)|the Void]]. He is not proactive but simply wandering and agreeing to assist other Warriors of [[Chaos (Dissidia)|Chaos]] with their schemes. Upon his final defeat in [[Shade Impulse]], Exdeath is more accepting of his defeat than most of the other Warriors of Chaos. Because he strives not only for the elimination of existence, but also for his own eventual demise, he finds pleasure in the feeling of dying. After assuring the Warriors of [[Cosmos (Dissidia)|Cosmos]] that all will eventually return to the Void, he spends his final moments standing tall and laughing.
  +
 
=== Abilities ===
 
[[File:FFVAmano4.PNG|thumb|Concept art by Yoshitaka Amano.]]
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Exdeath is an extraordinarily powerful warlock. Even before possessing the power of the Void, Exdeath can destroy large areas of land with artificial disasters, such as when he sinks Ghido's cave with an earthquake<ref name="Castle of Bal (after Drakenvale)"/> and then burns the entire Great Forest of Moore.<ref name="Great Forest of Moore"/> The Dawn Warriors found themselves unable to destroy him, and were forced to seal him as he would not stay down.<ref name="Quelb"/> Within this seal, Exdeath still possessed the power to control others, including King Tycoon, to destroy at least three of the crystals in Bartz's world.{{note|name=wind shrine}}
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  +
Exdeath's power further soars upon seizing control of the Void, reaching the heights of Enuo. Flexing this power, Exdeath effortlessly engulfed six major settlements around the world within the Void. Exdeath could ultimately be fought using the same twelve legendary weapons once used to defeat Enuo.{{cite|FFV|script=Library of the Ancients 2|version=advance}} However, much like Enuo, Exdeath became engulfed by the very power he wielded, as the Void transformed him into Neo Exdeath, granting him more power but at the cost of his sanity.<ref name="Interdimensional Rift"/>
   
 
In combat, Exdeath, being the incarnation of countless evil beings sealed inside the tree he once was, is a skilled spellcaster. Though he rarely ever uses it, he is decent in close combat with his sword. In ''Dissidia'', he can telepathically control his sword, allowing him to engage in "melee" combat even from a distance.
Under Ghido's guidance, the party acquires the newly reformed [[Sealed Tome]] and uses it to retrieve the [[Sealed Weapons]] of [[Sealed Castle|Castle Kuza]]. The Light Warriors venture into the Rift to confront Exdeath, but by the time they reach him he has mastered the Void and returned to his true form: a monstrous tree. Exdeath sends the Light Warriors into the Void, but is thwarted by the spirits of the Dawn Warriors who restrain the Void and save the Light Warriors. After a heated battle, Exdeath is engulfed by the Void transforming into [[Neo Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)|Neo Exdeath]]—a being of hatred and nihilism desiring to erase all existence, including his own, for eternity. Neo Exdeath is defeated, and disappears, releasing his control of the Void, and the world is restored with new crystals being born.
 
{{-}}
 
{{endspoiler}}
 
   
 
== Gameplay ==
 
== Gameplay ==
 
[[File:Exdeathbattle.PNG|right|Exdeath's battle sprite.]]
 
[[File:Exdeathbattle.PNG|right|Exdeath's battle sprite.]]
{{See Also|Exdeath (boss)|Exdeath (tree form)|Neo Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)}}
+
{{See|Exdeath (boss)|Exdeath (tree form)|Neo Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)}}
Exdeath is fought three times, twice in his knight form, and once in his true form as a tree. Afterwards, Neo Exdeath is fought. Exdeath is the first final boss in the series that requires the player to fight another boss immediately before the final battle. Since Exdeath, all subsequent villains in the series have followed this trend.
+
Exdeath is fought three times: twice in his knight form, and once in his true form as a tree. Afterwards, Neo Exdeath is fought. Exdeath is the first final boss in the [[Final Fantasy series|''Final Fantasy'' series]] that requires the player to fight another boss immediately before the final battle. Since Exdeath, all subsequent villains in the series have followed this trend.
   
 
The Sealed Castle houses a [[Random encounter|random enemy]] called [[Exdeath's Soul]], which is similar to the battle with Exdeath at his castle.
 
The Sealed Castle houses a [[Random encounter|random enemy]] called [[Exdeath's Soul]], which is similar to the battle with Exdeath at his castle.
{{-}}
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{{clear}}
 
==Voice==
 
Exdeath is voiced by Gerald C. Rivers in the English versions of the ''Dissidia Final Fantasy'' series, who is best known for voicing M. Bison in the ''Street Fighter'' series. In Japanese, Exdeath was voiced by Tarō Ishida for the ''Dissidia'' titles on PSP. Following Ishida's passing in 2013, Naomi Kusumi took over the role, starting with ''Dissidia Final Fantasy NT''.
 
   
 
== Musical themes ==
 
== Musical themes ==
{{audio|filename=FFV - Evil Lord Exdeath.ogg|title="The Evil Lord Exdeath"}}
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{{Main|The Evil Lord X-Death}}
{{Main|The Evil Lord Exdeath}}
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{{audio|filename=FFV - Evil Lord Exdeath.ogg|title="The Evil Lord X-Death"}}
Exdeath's theme is "The Evil Lord Exdeath", which begins with a theme similar to the one from the famous murder scene of Alfred Hitchcock's ''Psycho'' and further in, an evil laugh is heard. The theme is played during cutscenes where Exdeath appears. Throughout the theme, measures can be heard from the ''Final Fantasy IV'' theme, "Ring of Bomb" compounded by dramatic strings that culminates the suspense.
+
Exdeath's theme is "The Evil Lord X-Death", which begins with a theme similar to the one from the famous murder scene of Alfred Hitchcock's ''Psycho'' and further in, an evil laugh is heard. The theme plays during cutscenes where Exdeath appears. Throughout the theme, measures can be heard from the ''Final Fantasy IV'' theme, "Ring of Bomb" compounded by dramatic strings that culminates the suspense.
   
The theme "The Decisive Battle" is also connected to Exdeath, playing in all of the battles against him. It shares similar tunes with "The Evil Lord Exdeath". This theme also appears in the ''Dissidia Final Fantasy'', ''Theatrhythm Final Fantasy'' games and ''Final Fantasy XIV''.
+
The theme "The Decisive Battle" is also connected to Exdeath, playing in the battles against him. It shares similar tunes with "The Evil Lord Exdeath". This theme also appears in the ''Dissidia Final Fantasy'', ''Theatrhythm Final Fantasy'' games and ''Final Fantasy XIV''.
{{-}}
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{{clear}}
   
 
==Other appearances==
 
==Other appearances==
Line 103: Line 109:
 
{{Main|/Other appearances|t1=Exdeath other appearances}}
 
{{Main|/Other appearances|t1=Exdeath other appearances}}
 
Exdeath has appeared in the following games throughout the [[Final Fantasy series|''Final Fantasy'' series]]:
 
Exdeath has appeared in the following games throughout the [[Final Fantasy series|''Final Fantasy'' series]]:
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy XIV|Final Fantasy XIV]]'' as a boss.
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*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy XIV|Final Fantasy XIV]]'' as a boss and as a [[Minion (Final Fantasy XIV)|minion]]; there is a special animation when the Exdeath minion encounters a Ghido minion.<ref>{{ref |youtube-id=LZ1T9kme6nk |title=FFXIV: Wind-Up Exdeath and Ghido encountering each other}}</ref>
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Dimensions II|Final Fantasy Dimensions II]]'' as a summon.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Dimensions II|Final Fantasy Dimensions II]]'' as a summon.
*''[[/Dissidia (PSP)|Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'' (2008) as a playable character.
+
*''[[Exdeath (Dissidia PSP)|Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'' (2008) as a playable character.
*''[[/Dissidia (PSP)|Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy]]'' as a playable character.
+
*''[[Exdeath (Dissidia PSP)|Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy]]'' as a playable character.
*''[[/Dissidia NT|Dissidia Final Fantasy NT]]'' as a playable character.
+
*''[[Exdeath (Dissidia NT)|Dissidia Final Fantasy NT]]'' as a playable character.
*''[[/Opera Omnia|Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia]]'' as a playable character and enemy boss.
+
*''[[Exdeath (Opera Omnia)|Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia]]'' as a playable character and enemy boss.
*''[[/Theatrhythm|Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call]]'' as an enemy boss.
+
*''[[Exdeath (Theatrhythm)|Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call]]'' as an enemy boss.
*''[[/Theatrhythm|Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival]]'' as a playable character.
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*''[[Exdeath (Theatrhythm)|Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival]]'' as a playable character.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Pictlogica Final Fantasy|Pictlogica Final Fantasy]]'' as a playable character and an enemy boss.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Pictlogica Final Fantasy|Pictlogica Final Fantasy]]'' as a playable character and an enemy boss.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade|Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade]]'' as a Legend.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade|Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade]]'' as a Legend.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Artniks|Final Fantasy Artniks]]'' as a card.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Artniks|Final Fantasy Artniks]]'' as a card.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy All the Bravest|Final Fantasy All the Bravest]]'' as an enemy boss.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy All the Bravest|Final Fantasy All the Bravest]]'' as an enemy boss.
*''[[/Record Keeper|Final Fantasy Record Keeper]]'' as a playable character and an enemy boss.
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*''[[Exdeath (Record Keeper)|Final Fantasy Record Keeper]]'' as a playable character and an enemy boss.
*''[[/Brave Exvius|Final Fantasy Brave Exvius]]'' as a summonable vision.
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*''[[Exdeath (Brave Exvius)|Final Fantasy Brave Exvius]]'' as a summonable vision.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Trading Card Game|Final Fantasy Trading Card Game]]'' as a series of cards.
 
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Trading Card Game|Final Fantasy Trading Card Game]]'' as a series of cards.
  +
  +
===Non-''Final Fantasy'' guest appearances===
  +
Exdeath has made key guest appearances in the following non-''Final Fantasy'' games:
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble|Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble]]'' as a playable character.
   
 
===Other media===
 
===Other media===
 
Although Exdeath himself does not appear, he is mentioned in the Japanese version of ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' as one of the incorrect answers in Dr. Topper's quiz questions, specifically "What's the first monster you see in the Pipe Vault?" (In the localized versions, this was changed to "Chompweed").
 
Although Exdeath himself does not appear, he is mentioned in the Japanese version of ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' as one of the incorrect answers in Dr. Topper's quiz questions, specifically "What's the first monster you see in the Pipe Vault?" (In the localized versions, this was changed to "Chompweed").
  +
  +
==Behind the scenes==
  +
In the earlier drafts of the game's story, Exdeath Ghido's apprentice, a tree spirit originally. Instead of seeking to open the Rift to obtain the power of the Void, Exdeath's goal in destroying the crystals was to open the path to another dimension to resurrect Enuo, whom was sealed there by legendary warriors a thousand years ago. During the finale Enuo would be revived and Exdeath would transform into a branch to enter his body, becoming Neo Exdeath.<ref name="ultimania25thP253">{{refbook|title=[[Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimania|Final Fantasy Ultimania Archive Volume 1]]|page=253}}</ref>
  +
 
===Voice===
 
Exdeath is voiced by Gerald C. Rivers in the English versions of the ''Dissidia Final Fantasy'' series, who is best known for voicing M. Bison in the ''Street Fighter'' series. In Japanese, Exdeath was voiced by Tarō Ishida for the ''Dissidia'' titles on PSP. Following Ishida's passing in 2013, Naomi Kusumi took over the role, starting with ''Dissidia Final Fantasy NT''.
   
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==
Line 130: Line 146:
 
Exdeath's_Awakening.jpg|Exdeath appears in front of the Warriors of Light.
 
Exdeath's_Awakening.jpg|Exdeath appears in front of the Warriors of Light.
 
Dissidia Exdeath ex.png|Render of Exdeath's tree form from ''Dissidia Final Fantasy''.
 
Dissidia Exdeath ex.png|Render of Exdeath's tree form from ''Dissidia Final Fantasy''.
Exdeath - Dissidia 2015 render.jpg|Exdeath in ''Dissidia Final Fantasy NT''.
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DFF2015 Exdeath.png|Exdeath in ''Dissidia Final Fantasy NT''.
  +
Exdeath by Creatures Kai.jpg|[[Final Fantasy Creatures|Creatures -Kai-]]
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
 
== Etymology ==
 
== Etymology ==
 
<!--Talk page has discussion on the Exodus/Exdeath thing-->
 
<!--Talk page has discussion on the Exodus/Exdeath thing-->
Exdeath is a portmanteau of "death" and the Latin prefix ''ex'' to mean "one who exceeds death" {{J|死を超える者|Shi wo koeru mono}}<ref>''[[Final Fantasy V Perfect Conquest]]'', Characters' Additional Data</ref>. This may symbolize Exdeath's birth from evil spirits.
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Exdeath is a portmanteau of "death" and the Latin prefix ''ex'' to mean "one from death" {{J|死を超える者|Shi wo koeru mono}}.<ref>''[[Final Fantasy V Perfect Conquest]]'', Characters' Additional Data</ref> This may symbolize Exdeath's birth from evil spirits.
   
 
Exdeath's Japanese name {{J|エクスデス|Ekusudesu}} sounds similar to "exodus" {{J|エクソダス|ekusodasu}}, which could be a reference to the refuge of the evil spirits that corrupted Exdeath's original body. Exdeath's name is localized as "Exodes" in ''Legend of the Crystals''.
 
Exdeath's Japanese name {{J|エクスデス|Ekusudesu}} sounds similar to "exodus" {{J|エクソダス|ekusodasu}}, which could be a reference to the refuge of the evil spirits that corrupted Exdeath's original body. Exdeath's name is localized as "Exodes" in ''Legend of the Crystals''.
Line 141: Line 158:
 
In ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]]'', Exdeath was translated to "[[Exodus (Final Fantasy XII boss)|Exodus]]". The [[Esper (Final Fantasy XII)|Esper]] Exodus resembles Exdeath's knightly form with tree-like qualities, while the [[Totema]] pays homage to his tree form.
 
In ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]]'', Exdeath was translated to "[[Exodus (Final Fantasy XII boss)|Exodus]]". The [[Esper (Final Fantasy XII)|Esper]] Exodus resembles Exdeath's knightly form with tree-like qualities, while the [[Totema]] pays homage to his tree form.
   
== Trivia ==
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==Notes==
  +
===Annotations===
*A common misconception is that Exdeath is the reincarnation of Enuo, due to some older guides to the game stating Enuo was sealed in the Tree of Moore that became Exdeath. This is false, however, as it is stated in-game by NPCs in the [[Phantom Village]] that Enuo was consumed by the Void. This is also disproved by the ''[[Finest Fantasy for Advance]]'' and subsequent releases of ''Final Fantasy V'' where Enuo appears alive in the depths of the Void deep inside the [[Sealed Temple (Final Fantasy V)|Sealed Temple]].
 
  +
{{annotations}}
*Exdeath bares some resemblance to the main antagonist of ''[[Final Fantasy III]]'', the [[Cloud of Darkness]]. Both are beings associated with [[The Void (term)|The Void]] and have the same iconic way of laughing, "Fafafa" {{J|ファファファ|fmt=(j)}} (only in the Japanese version).
 
   
==References==
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===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
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{{citations}}
   
 
{{navbox characters FFV}}
 
{{navbox characters FFV}}
 
   
 
[[de:Exdeath]]
 
[[de:Exdeath]]
 
[[es:Exdeath]]
 
[[es:Exdeath]]
 
[[it:Exdeath]]
 
[[it:Exdeath]]
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[[ru:Эксодес]]
  +
  +
==References==
  +
{{Reflist}}
 
[[Category:Characters in Final Fantasy V]]
 
[[Category:Characters in Final Fantasy V]]
 
[[Category:Antagonists]]
 
[[Category:Antagonists]]

Latest revision as of 10:09, 20 February 2024

Exdeath, also known as X-Death[1] or Exodes[2] is the main antagonist of Final Fantasy V. He is a warlock who seeks the power of the crystals, and eventually, the power of the Void, first wielded by Enuo centuries ago. Exdeath is a being of pure evil, wishing nothing more than to return the world to nothingness. Exdeath aligns with Gilgamesh, the leader of his army, and eventually with the demons of the Rift, making a deal with them after restoring the Interdimensional Rift.

Exdeath was born out of a tree from the Great Forest of Moore which had been used to seal evil spirits. The concentration of the spirits in the tree transformed it into Exdeath. Exdeath was kept at bay for hundreds of years before being sealed by the Dawn Warriors, all the while plotting to be free of his seal. Once free, he again sought the power of the Void, fighting the Light Warriors to obtain the power and return the world to nothing.

History[]

Before Final Fantasy V[]

Deathofexdeath

Exdeath's living apparatus, a tree within the evil forest of Moore.

After the warlock Enuo was defeated, the Void that he created could not be erased, and was instead sealed away in the Interdimensional Rift created by splitting Planet R and its crystals in two.[3]

On one half of the world, Galuf's world, many evil spirits were sealed in a tree in the sentient Great Forest of Moore. Five hundred years prior to the events of Final Fantasy V, the concentration of the evil spirits in this tree transformed it into a dark creature with a life of its own: Exdeath. Sage Ghido was able to maintain the seal for 470 years.[4][note 1]

Eventually, Ghido could no longer maintain Exdeath's seal, and it was broken.[4] Exdeath wreaked havoc on Galuf's world,[note 2] but the Dawn Warriors—Galuf Halm Baldesion, Dorgann Klauser, Kelger Vlondett, and Xezat Matias Surgate—rose and fought him. The Dawn Warriors chased Exdeath back to Bartz's world, the other half of Planet R, and sealed him in a cave in the forest on the eastern continent. The warriors held him back but were unable to destroy him, forcing them to use the power of the crystals of Bartz's world to seal him there. When Dorgann promised to watch over the seal and remain in that world, the four warriors united their hearts and sealed him in the cave.[6]

In the years following, the atrocities Exdeath committed in Galuf's world were chronicled by scholars in Surgate Castle,[5] while those of Bartz's world remained unaware of him.

Final Fantasy V[]

Galuf fights Exdeath

Galuf fighting Exdeath inside the Guardian Tree.

Exdeath sought the power of the Void, his goal to merge the worlds so that the Interdimensional Rift would reappear and he could claim the Void sealed within.[3] He would need to destroy the crystals of each world, first destroying the crystals of Bartz's world to break himself free, and then destroy the crystals of Galuf's world to merge the two worlds.

From his seal, Exdeath took control of some of the denizens of Bartz's world to shatter the crystals, which were already weakened by the use of Cid Previa's crystal amplification devices, which he had developed to bring the crystals closer to the power they had 1,000 years ago.[7][note 3] After the wind crystal was shattered,[note 4] Exdeath then controlled Garula to shatter the water crystal in Walse Tower,[9] Queen Karnak to shatter the fire crystal of Karnak,[8] and eventually, King Alexander Highwind Tycoon to shatter the earth crystal in the Ronka Ruins. However, the shattering of the wind crystal also allowed the crystals to choose four champions—Bartz Klauser, Galuf, Lenna Charlotte Tycoon, and Faris Scherwiz—as their Light Warriors, who encountered Exdeath at the ruins. Krile Mayer Baldesion, Galuf's granddaughter, freed King Tycoon from Exdeath's spell, but not before the crystal shattered and Exdeath awoke. King Tycoon sacrificed himself so the Light Warriors and Krile could escape, and Exdeath then returned to Galuf's world.[10]

Back in Galuf's world, Exdeath returned to Castle Exdeath and resumed his reign of terror with Gilgamesh as his lieutenant. Galuf and Krile followed and led a siege across the Big Bridge, unaware that Exdeath had already finished a barrier around Castle Exdeath.[11] When the other three Light Warriors crossed worlds, Exdeath abducted them and projected their image in the sky as a warning for Galuf to halt the advance.[12] Galuf went on alone and rescued the hostages from the castle, with Gilgamesh trying to slow their advance. Exdeath reactivated the barrier, sealing himself inside the castle, and flinging the Light Warriors halfway across the world to Gloceana.

Exdeath sunk Ghido's cave with an earthquake to make an example of his enemies.[13] Later, Exdeath traveled to the Guardian Tree in the Great Forest of Moore, where the four crystals of Galuf's world were located. The Light Warriors ventured into the forest and were fooled by Exdeath into destroying the seals around the four crystals, allowing Exdeath to take their power and use it against the four warriors, trapping them. Krile arrived to try and save them, but Exdeath trapped her in his ring of fire. This enraged Galuf, who broke free of the crystal holding him back and fought Exdeath alone; Exdeath taunted Galuf by telling him that no amount of hatred could defeat him, to which Galuf replied that he was not fighting with anger nor hatred. Baffled by Galuf's ability to withstand a huge amount of punishment, Exdeath fled with the remaining crystals. Galuf passed away shortly, with Krile inheriting his powers as a successor Light Warrior.[14]

Exdeath Warriors of Dawn & Light

Exdeath being rendered vulnerable by King Tycoon and the deceased Warriors of Dawn.

The Light Warriors infiltrated Castle Exdeath. They encountered Gilgamesh, who had come in search of the strongest of swords in a treasure chest, but after Gilgamesh failed to defeat the warriors, Exdeath banished him for incompetence. Next, the warriors confronted Exdeath himself, who had taken the crystals. Exdeath mocked them for fighting him despite not understanding his plans, and though they seemingly defeated him, the crystals shattered, and they blacked out as the worlds merged.[15]

Exdeath followed the Light Warriors to Ghido's cave, disguised as a splinter in Krile.[note 5] After Ghido explained to the others the history of the planet being split, Exdeath revealed himself to explain that, with the Interdimensional Rift reappearing as a result of the worlds merging, he could claim the power of the Void within and return the world to a state of nothingness. Exdeath used the power of the Void he had to engulf Castle Tycoon, and then attempted to destroy the Light Warriors, but Ghido held him off, and he left.[3] Shortly after, Exdeath appeared to the others at the Guardian Tree, taunting them as Melusine controlled Lenna against them and he engulfed the Library of the Ancients, soon following with erasing Walse, Istory, Moogle Village, and Lix.

Exdeath took command of the the demons who had been sealed within the Interdimensional Rift, and ordered them to halt the Light Warriors from obtaining the tablets used to unlock the twelve legendary weapons that had once been used to defeat Enuo.[17] The Light Warriors eventually confronted Exdeath within the Rift, but he had achieved the full power of the Void and returned to his true form: a monstrous tree. Exdeath used the Void to engulf the Light Warriors, but the spirits of King Tycoon and the Dawn Warriors restrained its power and they battled Exdeath. The Void engulfed Exdeath and transformed him into Neo Exdeath, who declared a desire to erase all existence, including himself, for eternity.[18] The Light Warriors defeated Neo Exdeath and the world was restored with new crystals being born in place of the tablets.[19]

Characteristics[]

Appearance[]

Exdeath FMV

Exdeath's render from Final Fantasy Anthology.

Exdeath wears a sky blue suit of armor with a horned helmet, spiked shoulders and a long blue cloak. His helmet is topped with a two-ended plume and has a thin visor that would normally be used for sight. His armor is decorated with jewels, gold linings and beads, and though he is a warlock, Exdeath carries a sword he can use in battle as proficiently as his magic. The only part of his body not covered by the armor are his hands, which are ash gray with black pointy nails. His appearance under the suit of armor is revealed in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy by purchasing the second alternate costume for Exdeath ExdeathThirdAlt.

His physical attributes are difficult to ascertain in Final Fantasy V; while his battle sprite towers over the Light Warriors Vacuum wave ffv, this is typical of boss battle presentation and may not accurately depict his height. In Dissidia, Exdeath is one of the tallest villains.

In his tree form, Exdeath's torso and head are visible, but are a darker shade of blue. Below the torso he shows his true form as a tree, the bark forming a demonic face on the tree's side. Neo Exdeath is a gray-skinned demon with red horns and muscular limbs and the various demons that composed his previous form manifesting from the waist down.

Personality[]

Soon...very soon! The power of the Void will completely be mine, and the entire earth will kneel before me! Mwa-hahahahahaha!!!

The personification of many evil spirits sealed within a sentient tree,[4] Exdeath is a being of pure evil. He is selfish, maniacal, callous, cocky, and hateful. He causes immense destruction with no remorse,[note 2] and casts aside even his loyal lieutenant Gilgamesh for failure.[15] Exdeath views the Light Warriors as beneath him, describing them as "peons" for their weakness compared to his might,[3] and "simple-minded fools" who he believes can never comprehend his motives.[15] His weakness is his inability to understand positive emotion: in his battle with Galuf at the Forest of Moore, he confidently mocks Galuf, boasting that no amount of hatred could defeat him, unable to comprehend that Galuf is fighting out of love for his friends and granddaughter, not to destroy Exdeath, but to try and keep them alive.[14]

Amano Exdeath real

Artwork of a possible intra-armor Exdeath by Yoshitaka Amano.

Exdeath's motives are not entirely clear. After Queen Karnak was freed from Exdeath's possession, she suggested his spirit desired to "envelop everything in darkness".[8] When proclaiming that his reason for merging the worlds was to obtain the power of the Void, he simply declares a desire for its matchless power.[3] Later on, he simply proclaims "the entire earth will kneel before me" upon obtaining its complete power.[20] This would suggest Exdeath seeks power for its own sake, as he never elaborates on what he wishes to do with this power aside from destroying those who oppose him. Given that he is the personification of evil spirits, it is possible he simply wishes for power and to inflict cruelty with no clear end goal. When he becomes Neo Exdeath after being engulfed by the Void, he expresses a desire to return "all that is"—memories, dimensions, existence—including himself, to nothing;[18] however, it is unclear that Exdeath originally shared this goal.

Exdeath's appearance in Dissidia Final Fantasy gives a new angle to his motives and personality. His confidence and bravado are shown to come not only from his immense power, but his assurance that, whether or not he succeeds, everything will come to an end and return to the Void. He is not proactive but simply wandering and agreeing to assist other Warriors of Chaos with their schemes. Upon his final defeat in Shade Impulse, Exdeath is more accepting of his defeat than most of the other Warriors of Chaos. Because he strives not only for the elimination of existence, but also for his own eventual demise, he finds pleasure in the feeling of dying. After assuring the Warriors of Cosmos that all will eventually return to the Void, he spends his final moments standing tall and laughing.

Abilities[]

FFVAmano4

Concept art by Yoshitaka Amano.

Exdeath is an extraordinarily powerful warlock. Even before possessing the power of the Void, Exdeath can destroy large areas of land with artificial disasters, such as when he sinks Ghido's cave with an earthquake[13] and then burns the entire Great Forest of Moore.[14] The Dawn Warriors found themselves unable to destroy him, and were forced to seal him as he would not stay down.[6] Within this seal, Exdeath still possessed the power to control others, including King Tycoon, to destroy at least three of the crystals in Bartz's world.[note 4]

Exdeath's power further soars upon seizing control of the Void, reaching the heights of Enuo. Flexing this power, Exdeath effortlessly engulfed six major settlements around the world within the Void. Exdeath could ultimately be fought using the same twelve legendary weapons once used to defeat Enuo.[21] However, much like Enuo, Exdeath became engulfed by the very power he wielded, as the Void transformed him into Neo Exdeath, granting him more power but at the cost of his sanity.[18]

In combat, Exdeath, being the incarnation of countless evil beings sealed inside the tree he once was, is a skilled spellcaster. Though he rarely ever uses it, he is decent in close combat with his sword. In Dissidia, he can telepathically control his sword, allowing him to engage in "melee" combat even from a distance.

Gameplay[]

Exdeath's battle sprite.

Exdeath is fought three times: twice in his knight form, and once in his true form as a tree. Afterwards, Neo Exdeath is fought. Exdeath is the first final boss in the Final Fantasy series that requires the player to fight another boss immediately before the final battle. Since Exdeath, all subsequent villains in the series have followed this trend.

The Sealed Castle houses a random enemy called Exdeath's Soul, which is similar to the battle with Exdeath at his castle.

Musical themes[]

Exdeath's theme is "The Evil Lord X-Death", which begins with a theme similar to the one from the famous murder scene of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and further in, an evil laugh is heard. The theme plays during cutscenes where Exdeath appears. Throughout the theme, measures can be heard from the Final Fantasy IV theme, "Ring of Bomb" compounded by dramatic strings that culminates the suspense.

The theme "The Decisive Battle" is also connected to Exdeath, playing in the battles against him. It shares similar tunes with "The Evil Lord Exdeath". This theme also appears in the Dissidia Final Fantasy, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy games and Final Fantasy XIV.

Other appearances[]

FFXIV Exdeath 01

Appearance in Final Fantasy XIV.

Exdeath has appeared in the following games throughout the Final Fantasy series:

Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]

Exdeath has made key guest appearances in the following non-Final Fantasy games:

Other media[]

Although Exdeath himself does not appear, he is mentioned in the Japanese version of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars as one of the incorrect answers in Dr. Topper's quiz questions, specifically "What's the first monster you see in the Pipe Vault?" (In the localized versions, this was changed to "Chompweed").

Behind the scenes[]

In the earlier drafts of the game's story, Exdeath Ghido's apprentice, a tree spirit originally. Instead of seeking to open the Rift to obtain the power of the Void, Exdeath's goal in destroying the crystals was to open the path to another dimension to resurrect Enuo, whom was sealed there by legendary warriors a thousand years ago. During the finale Enuo would be revived and Exdeath would transform into a branch to enter his body, becoming Neo Exdeath.[23]

Voice[]

Exdeath is voiced by Gerald C. Rivers in the English versions of the Dissidia Final Fantasy series, who is best known for voicing M. Bison in the Street Fighter series. In Japanese, Exdeath was voiced by Tarō Ishida for the Dissidia titles on PSP. Following Ishida's passing in 2013, Naomi Kusumi took over the role, starting with Dissidia Final Fantasy NT.

Gallery[]

Etymology[]

Exdeath is a portmanteau of "death" and the Latin prefix ex to mean "one from death" (死を超える者, Shi wo koeru mono?).[24] This may symbolize Exdeath's birth from evil spirits.

Exdeath's Japanese name (エクスデス, Ekusudesu?) sounds similar to "exodus" (エクソダス, ekusodasu?), which could be a reference to the refuge of the evil spirits that corrupted Exdeath's original body. Exdeath's name is localized as "Exodes" in Legend of the Crystals.

In Final Fantasy XII and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Exdeath was translated to "Exodus". The Esper Exodus resembles Exdeath's knightly form with tree-like qualities, while the Totema pays homage to his tree form.

Notes[]

Annotations[]

  1. Exdeath was created 500 years prior to Final Fantasy V, and released 30 years before Final Fantasy V,[4] meaning Ghido sealed him for 470 years.
  2. 2.0 2.1 There are few details about Exdeath's war upon his release. A scholar in Surgate simply describes a book chronicling the damage he dealt during the Dawn Warriors' time as a "horrible atrocities" and a "nightmare", without going into details.[5] Details such as when Castle Exdeath was created, or any alliance he may have had with Gilgamesh at the time, are unknown.
  3. The crystal amplification devices expedited the damage to the crystals, but it is unclear how much they accelerated Exdeath's return. Cid mentioned increasing the crystals' power output with his machines caused them to shatter,[7] but Queen Karnak, possessed by Exdeath, said that the machines were not the only thing destroying the crystals and that Exdeath's attempts to resurrect himself were doing the same.[8] Ghido later said that he did not blame the denizens of Bartz's world for Exdeath's return, believing that Exdeath's seal breaking was an inevitability.[4]
  4. 4.0 4.1 As the party finds the wind crystal already shattered in the Wind Shrine, it is unknown if Exdeath possessed anyone to shatter it. Similarly, it is unclear if the shattering at the Wind Shrine was connected to Exdeath's return thereafter.
  5. Krile first notices the splinter in the Antlion's cave,[16] but is unclear how long Exdeath was disguised as a splinter.

Citations[]

  1. Final Fantasy V (PlayStation)
  2. Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Ghido's Cave 2"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Ghido's Cave"
  5. 5.0 5.1 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Surgate Castle optional dialogue"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Quelb"
  7. 7.0 7.1 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Karnak Castle"
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Fire-Powered Ship"
  9. Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Walse Tower"
  10. Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Ronka Ruins"
  11. Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Regole"
  12. Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Castle Exdeath"
  13. 13.0 13.1 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Castle of Bal (after Drakenvale)"
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Great Forest of Moore"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Castle Exdeath (after Moore)"
  16. Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Cave"
  17. Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Sealed Castle"
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Interdimensional Rift"
  19. Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Final scene"
  20. Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Guardian Tree (after Pyramid of Moore)"
  21. Final Fantasy V Advance script § "Library of the Ancients 2"
  22. (n.d.) . FFXIV: Wind-Up Exdeath and Ghido encountering each other [Video]. YouTube.
  23. Final Fantasy Ultimania Archive Volume 1, p.253
  24. Final Fantasy V Perfect Conquest, Characters' Additional Data

References[]