Vana'diel needs her heroes...now more than ever.
Tagline
Final Fantasy XI: Rhapsodies of Vana'diel is an episodic storyline update to Final Fantasy XI started in May 2015, with its second chapter released in August 2015 and the last in November 2015. Like add-ons previously released for the game, the story series update is introduced as part of a regular version updates, however, unlike those, it does not require an additional purchase to access.
The storyline ties all of the previous storylines together into one narrative. It brings characters from all of the previous expansions together while also providing explanations for many plot elements that were never explained. Similarly, the gameplay additions brought much of the older irrelevant content into relevance once again by adding upgrade paths to older ultimate weapons and armor. Rhapsodies of Vana'diel also added more quality of life features than any other expansion before it.
It was initially announced as the final main scenario of Final Fantasy XI, until the release of The Voracious Resurgence in 2020. Rhapsodies of Vana'diel was the game's last content released prior the end of service for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 versions in March 2016.
Gameplay[]
Rhapsodies of Vana'diel added a new set of missions, several new zones, and a new set of combat systems to Final Fantasy XI.
Areas[]
- Escha Zi'Tah
- Escha Ru'Aun
- Reisenjima
Gameplay Systems[]
Ultimate Weapons and Armor[]
Aeonic Weapons[]
Rhapsodies of Vana'diel introduced the fourth ultimate weapon category, the Aeonic Weapons, which can be built through the Geas Fete Notorious Monster system. Rather than being acquired at item-level 75 or 99 like previous ultimate weapons, these weapons are item-level 119 once completed.
Ultimate Armor[]
For Artifact and Relic Armor, new upgrade paths were released to get them to Reforged +3 quality. Artifact Armor could be upgraded through Omen and Relic Armor could be upgraded through Dynamis Divergence.
Ultimate Weapon Augments[]
Dynamis Divergence additionally rewards a system for augmenting the Ultimate Weapons of the game. This augmentation process is different from other augmentation processes and is referred to as the "R15 Agumentation" process.
Mounts[]
This expansion introduced summonable mounts without the need of renting or raising a chocobo. These mounts had the equivalent stats of an optimally raised racing chocobo. Once obtained, they can be summoned however often with no limitations other than a one-minute cooldown.
Key Items[]
Nine 'Rhapsody Key Items' were introduced. Once players acquire them, they confer many gameplay benefits such as more summonable trusts at a time, an experience point and limit point multiplier, reduced prices throughout the game world, and many more. These key items are gained while progressing the Rhapsodies of Vana'diel missions.
Characters[]
- The Adventurer - The player character in Final Fantasy XI.
- Iroha - She has an unyielding determination coupled with loyalty to those that she cares about. Her determination and her loyalty cause her great consternation in her attempt to stop the Cloud of Darkness because, in order for her to fulfill her mission, she must keep her distance from the Adventurer, her mentor.
- Volto Oscuro - A strange masked man who is determined to destroy Iroha.
- Gilgamesh - The leader of the pirates of Norg. He serves to coordinate the investigations of the rifts that have been appearing.
- Aldo - The leader of the Tenshodo who aids in investigating the newly forming rifts.
- Zeid - The legendary Mythril Musketeer who is the first to discover the strange rift that appears in Qufim.
- Lion - The daughter of Gilgamesh. Her connection to the crystal serves as a guiding light for the adventurer.
- Prishe - She is a foul-mouthed strong-willed girl hailing from Tavnazia, where she has earned the nickname "Abhorrent One".
- Tenzen - A messenger from the Far East, has come to the Middle Lands in a bid to stop the Emptiness that has engulfed his homeland.
- Selh'teus - a mysterious boy who appears to be linked to the destructive force known as Emptiness.
- Aphmau - A young woman who holds the position as the palace puppet master. She has a deep longing for freedom, is often accompanied by her two puppets, Ovjang and Mnejing.
- Gessho - A mercenary employed at the Salaheem Sentinels. Gessho is a yagudo with a keen interest in the affairs of the empire.
- Lilisette - A young dancer whose bond with the adventurer proves to be an integral asset in confronting Volto Oscuro.
- Cait Sith - An avatar created by Altana to save Vana'diel from a never ending Crystal War.
- Arciela - A member of the former royal family, she is the sister of Ygnas and a descendant of King August.
- Balamor - One of the Xol Triumvirate from Tartarus who has an interest in stopping Selh'teus from saving Reisenjima.
- Altana - The primordial goddess of the Dawn.
- Promathia - The primordial god of the Twilight
- Cloud of Darkness - A force of nature that consumes any world whose light and darkness is not properly balanced.
Story[]
Iroha arriving in the present.
The story of Rhapsodies of Vana'diel ties all of the previous major storylines together into one arc and finale. However, Final Fantasy XI's story can be played in a non-linear order. As a result, Rhapsodies of Vana'diel has many different cutscene variations depending on what progress players have made through the other storylines. The collapsible text below will detail sections of other expansion stories that tie in, or optional cutscenes for players at different progress points in the other expansions.
Creation and Rebirth[]
A maiden appears in the dreams of the chosen, descending from the crystal, whispering, "I must find my master..." We remained blissfully ignorant of how her countenance portended a violent struggle over the fate of Vana'diel itself.
Description of the first chapter.
At one of the mothercrystals, a woman dressed in red clothing materializes. She remarks on what year it is before heading to Reisenjima in hopes to get there before her master. Meanwhile, the adventurer arrives at one of the port cities and is immediately summoned by one the local town officials. The official tells the adventurer that a pirate entrepreneur they are acquainted with, named Gilgamesh, requested that they procure some medical ingredients for a woman that he had found stranded at sea. According to the town official, Gilgamesh brought her back to land, and the first thing she talked about upon waking up was the adventurer.
The adventurer procures the requested medical ingredients. When the adventurer get’s back to the town official, Gilgamesh arrives and introduces himself. He further elaborates about the girl that he saves from the sea. He took her back to Norg, and is taking care of her. She insists on meeting the adventurer, so Gilgamesh invites the adventurer to Norg. There is a docked ship in the port for whenever the adventurer is ready to go. With that invitation, Gilgamesh leaves. The town official tells the adventurer that Gilgamesh’s presence must be kept a secret from the town’s folk. They aren’t fond of pirates, yet Gilgamesh plays a big role in supporting the economy.
The adventurer takes the boat to Norg and heads for Gilgamesh’s chamber. Once they enter, they see Gilgamesh and Aldo talking with the woman dressed in the attire of the Phoenix who wished to meet them. She introduces herself as Iroha and explains that she has followed every single one of the adventurer’s commands for the last couple years and that her determination has not faltered. The adventurer, however, does not know Iroha. Confused, the adventurer asks for clarification. Iroha realizes that she has traveled back in time, to a year before her birth, so her ‘master’ doesn’t know her yet. Aldo and Gilgamesh ask for clarification, and she explains that several years from now, she will be born in the far east, and will grow to be a guardian of Reisenjima Sanctorium, a holy place of her country. Gilgamesh remarks on Altana’s connection to even the religion of the west and asks if she was sent through time by Altana. She says that she was set adrift, but only to stop the darkness. Aldo, again, asks for clarification.
Iroha tells Aldo and Gilgamesh about the future.
Iroha explains that in the future, the lands are consumed by a force they call the “Emptiness”. They engulfed all of the Quon, Mindartia, Adoulin, and beyond. The adventurer was the only one who had ever successfully stopped the darkness, and they serve as the only hope her future has of defeating the darkness. It had consumed her entire world, except for a small island, Reisenjima. After her father and the master sacrificed themselves to protect Reisenjima, she was able to establish a barrier that bought her more time. She explains that a blinding light approached her, and Altana told her through that light that she must find the only hope that the world has. She was then set adrift backwards in time. She then gives the adventurer a small golden stone and tells them to follow the stone’s guidance. She tries to continue speaking, but her body dematerializes. Shocked by the whole scene, Aldo says that he will investigate the matter, and they part ways.
The three main nations of Vana'diel, San d'Oria, Bastok and Windurst continue their struggle against the Beastmen who, although less organized, have regrouped and still terrorize the land. Rather than dispatching their own forces to deal with this threat, the nations of Vana'diel begin to employ adventurers to handle them as well as other minor tasks. As a result, the adventurer goes to aid their own nation with the conflict against the beastmen.
Reports of the beastmen rising again lead the adventurer to journey on behalf of their nation to the other 2 nations to investigate the matter. While abroad, the adventurer meets Lion, a young woman who informs the adventurer about the recent behavior of the beastmen. In a beastmen stronghold, the adventurer encounters the Spotter, a servant of the Shadow Lord, and it attacks by summoning a Dread Dragon to aid it. After being defeated by the adventurer, it announces that the Shadow Lord will soon rise again. The adventurer also encounters Lion again after fighting the dragon.
On a later mission, the adventurer is made to report at the nation's embassy in the Grand Duchy of Jeuno and ends up rescuing the ambassador who had been kidnapped and held hostage in Delkfutt's Tower. The ambassador, impressed by the adventurer's bravery, later recommends them as a diplomatic attaché to the Archduke of Jeuno for a special mission.
After aiding their nation, the adventurer heads back to Norg to discuss the situation with Iroha. Gilgamesh tells the adventurer that Iroha isn’t the only anomaly that has taken place. Strange foreign monsters have been popping up all over the lands and people are turning in reports of familiar regions, however, displaced and somehow ‘wrong’. His explanation of these anomalies causes the golden stone to resonate. When the adventurer pulls it out, a voice speaks in the adventurer’s head to go to seek out the mothercrystals of Holla, Dem, and Mea. Gilgamesh dismisses the adventurer as they make their way to one of the mothercrystal crags.
Once the adventurer gets to one of the mothercrystals, Lion, who they were introduced to during missions for their nation, meets them there. She tells the adventurer that she has had a strange vision of people fleeing from all around the world in order to escape a cloud of darkness. She explains that the world is ever sustained by the mothercrystals, however, perhaps it is their turn to protect the mothercrystals. She elaborates, in her dream she saw that an inferno engulfed the mothercrystals. The adventurer explains that they have seen the same vision,and Lion notes that the beastmen’s activities against the nations cannot be the cause of such a threat. She asks the adventurer to search for Iroha at the site they see in this vision, Qufim Island.
While searching for Iroha at Qufim, the adventurer finds her. But she is wounded, next to an ominously glowing darkness. She warns the adventurer not to get close to the darkness, it is the same force that consumed her world. A massive beast materializes from the darkness, and Iroha asks for the adventurer’s aid in defeating it. They both manage to defeat the beast. She compliments the adventurer’s talent before taking the adventurer through the darkness to see what is on the other side. After going through the portal of darkness, a masked man emerges from the defeated beast. Satisfied with having found Iroha, the masked man repossesses the beast.
On the other side of the portal, the adventurer and Iroha find the Sanctuary of Zi’Tah, but colorless and drained of its life. Further in, they find Lion and Zeid investigating the location. Lion greets the adventurer and both she and Zeid introduce themselves to Iroha. After discussing his observations of this location, he asks Iroha if this is the future of Vana’diel. Iroha denies this claim. She explains that for some reason, the Emptiness has tarnished the land much earlier than it had in her time. Their discussion is interrupted by the sound of a bell that places Lion and Zeid in a trance. After recomposing themselves and finding no immediate threat, Iroha continues that this area is part of the World of Escha. The appearance of this plague marks the beginning of the end for Vana’diel. Zeid asks for a way to remedy the Emptiness, but Iroha does not know of one. Lion says she’s inclined to go to the mothercrystal before anything else. Iroha observes that this is due to her special bond with the future, and agrees to accompany her. The adventurer meets with Lion, Zeid, and Iroha at one of the mothercrystals. Upon arriving, the special stone the adventurer is carrying shows Lion a vision of the future where Vana’diel is destroyed. Lion explains the vision she saw, referring to the stone as an ‘orb’. Iroha explains that the grim vision can be explained by the orb not yet fully illuminated. Iroha and Lion discuss the implications of the orbs' power before Zeid asks what can be done about the darkness. Iroha explains that the adventurer was meant to have already traveled across Vana’diel, honing their power by the time the darkness begins plaguing the land. Lion commits to helping the adventurer do whatever is necessary to prepare for the darkness, which prompts the orb to draw a special energy from Lion. Iroha explains that Lion’s resolve has manifested in the strengthening of the orb. Lion and Zeid decide to further their investigation of the darkness while Iroha looks into the bell that had entranced Lion and Zeid in Escha Zi’Tah. The adventurer joins Zeid in returning to Norg.
But, before they are able to make it back to Norg, the nations’ conflict with the beastmen escalates. Kam'lanaut, the Archduke of Jeuno, tasks the adventurer with retrieving magicite from deep within the beastmen strongholds of Davoi, Beadeaux and Castle Oztroja to prevent the beastmen from harnessing its power to resurrect the Shadow Lord. At this point, the adventurer meets Aldo of the Tenshodo, his sister Verena and the peace-loving Goblin Fickblix for the first time. Aldo helps out with the mission, whereas Fickblix dies while trying to reason with the Yagudo beastmen. When the adventurer retrieves all three pieces of magicite, the Archduke rewards them by issuing them an airship pass.
Upon returning to their home nation, the adventurer discovers that the nation's talisman had been stolen. The talisman, used to seal Castle Zvahl after the war 20 years ago, had been broken into three parts for safekeeping by the three nations. The adventurer is sent to the ruins of Fei'Yin, situated in the Beaucedine Glacier, to examine the seal placed there and to replace it with a new one if it is not intact.
Over at Fei'Yin, the adventurer meets with Lion and Zeid, one of the two legendary warriors who defeated the Shadow Lord during the Crystal War. Zeid shares details of the Northlands Expedition that took place 30 years ago, suggesting that they might have awakened the ancient curse buried in that land. Lion agrees, saying that the image of the Shadow Lord claimed that their kind had brought him back. Zeid recites the "Warriors of the Crystal", a song foretelling the Warriors of the Crystal delivering Vana'diel from a time of darkness when an ancient seal is broken. The adventurer encounters and defeats the Archlich Taber'quoan in the Qu'Bia Arena before returning to their home nation with the burnt remains of the old seal that had been placed there. The adventurer reports to their home nation with the findings, and the nation ultimately decides to send them to Castle Zvahl to deal with the threat of a returning Shadow Lord (the reason for this varies depending on which nation the adventurer is aligned with).
In the Throne Room of Castle Zvahl, Zeid and the adventurer encounter the Shadow Lord and find out that he is actually Raogrimm, a Galkan member of the Northlands Expedition. Raogrimm had been wounded, betrayed and left behind by a fellow Expedition member Ulrich, who had also accidentally killed Raogrimm's Hume girlfriend, Cornelia, in the scuffle. It is revealed that in his final moments, Raogrimm's rage attracted the attention of the Dark Divinity, who granted him a new form and gave him control over nether beasts. Reincarnated as the Shadow Lord, he swore to purge the world with his newfound power, starting with hunting down and brutally killing Ulrich for his crimes, along with all the other members of the Expedition, Francmage M Mistalle, Iru-Kuiru, and Yow Rabntah, who had just left Raogrimm and Cornelia to die in the Northlands.
The Shadow Lord forces Zeid to stand and watch as he attacks the adventurer, but is subdued thanks to the adventurer's selfless courage and sacrifice. As he is defeated, Raogrimm manages to regain control of himself and explains that much of the rage that he was consumed in came from being the Talekeeper of the Galka. He also explains that he will forever be lost to the darkness. Lion appears to help Zeid and the adventurer escape from Castle Zvahl. She beckons the adventurer to visit her in Norg when possible. The adventurer returns to their nation and is celebrated as a hero.
Upon returning to their home nation after defeating the Shadow Lord, Iroha appears to the adventurer in a vision. She points out the stronger glow of the orb and tells the adventurer that they have passed through one of the many gates they must pass through if they are to confront the darkness. Iroha explains that the orb was a fragment of the mothercrystal, and it served as an artifact in Reisenjima for many years before its true nature was known. Iroha encourages the adventurer to return to Norg where Gilgamesh and Zeid await.
The adventurer arrives at Norg and is greeted by Lion. She is surprised that they do not remember the events that transpired in the Throne Room and attributes this to shock. This triggers a flashback of what had happened. After the defeat of the Shadow Lord who reveals himself as Raogrimm, the Archduke of Jeuno Kam'lanaut and his brother Eald'narche had appeared and revealed themselves as Zilart, an ancient race that was supposedly destroyed thousands of years ago. They had planned on reviving the crystal line and opening the Gate of the Gods in order to bring about Paradise, the land of the Gods. However, they were not able to set their plan in motion twenty years prior, at the end of the Crystal War, because the "noise" caused by the Shadow Lord blocked the flow of power from deep within Vana'diel, not until now that the "noise" has ceased.
They called forth the Warriors of the Crystal to dispose of everyone in the Throne Room. Raogrimm took a hit for Zeid after his attacks proved to be futile, and the Adventurer was struck down by a Thunder spell. At that point, Lion appeared in the Throne Room and helped the others to escape while Raogrimm used the last of his energy to transform into the Shadow Lord and slow the advance of the Warriors of the Crystal before he was ultimately defeated. As the Adventurer recovers from the flashback, Lion gets them to meet her father.
When the adventurer goes to meet Gilgamesh, Zeid, and Iroha, Iroha tells them that something Lion had mentioned has stuck with her. Iroha believes that the only way to defeat the darkness is for the adventurer to be ‘filled with radiance’ which means that all the foes that the adventurer has yet to vanquish are a necessary part of the adventurer’s development. She then asks the adventurer about what visions they saw after defeating the Shadow Lord. The adventurer recalls speaking with a great crystal. The great crystal tells the adventurer that they must transform from a Warrior of the Crystal to the Warrior of Light. Iroha explains that the stories her father told her of the adventurer were beyond grandeur. Gilgamesh asks who her father was, but before she can answer, Tenshodo pirates barge into the cabin with reports of an attack on the port from the Sea Serpent Grotto. Zeid and the adventurer recognize the details of the attack to be the same as the trance-inducing bell from Escha Zi’Tah. They, along with Iroha, leave Gilgamesh to confront the danger.
When they arrive at the scene they are greeted with an avatar of wind, though Zeid remarks that it is not Garuda. They are confused by the avatar’s identity which angers her till Iroha recalls that the avatar is Siren. Siren tells them that Iroha is not the only one to have traveled from the future. She explains that ‘Father Time’ no longer needs to wait, for its emissary has traveled to the past and is with them. Iroha turns around to find a levitating masked man. Before she can attack, the masked man uses a spell to attack her. Zeid tries to retaliate, but the masked man vanishes and reappears to attack the adventurer. Iroha manages to recompose herself and shoot an arrow hitting the masked man before his attack. Iroha dematerializes again, and the masked man dismisses his summoned avatar and flies away from the adventurer and Zeid who give chase.
Siren discusses the Ambassador with the adventurer and Zeid.
They catch up to the masked man in Yuhtunga Jungle, but before they can confront him, he resummons Siren. She explains that the masked man is unwinding the fabric of time, ripping opening holes into the darkness. The bell is resummoned, causing Zeid to be enwrapped in vines. While Siren attacks the adventurer. The adventurer manages to defeat Siren, freeing Zeid and forcing the masked man to break his pact with the avatar and flee once again. After regaining her senses, she explains that the masked man had control over her. The tells them that the masked man calls himself the ambassador of the void, or Volto Oscuro, and that her power, even as an avatar, pales in comparison to his. She tells the adventurer that their fate is woven in with Volto Oscuro as well as Irohas. Zeid explains that Iroha has dissipated, but Siren explains that she has a blessing that allows her to return, even after her demise. Siren grants the adventurer a blessing, and leaves. Zeid has the adventurer secure the surrounding area while he returns to Gilgamesh.
Upon the adventurer’s return to Gilgamesh and Zeid, they find that Aldo has joined them. After discussing what had just occurred, Aldo voices his concern that Iroha is not the only traveler from the future, and becomes frustrated that he cannot interrogate Iroha himself. Aldo goes on to tell the adventurer of a man, named Tenzen, from the far east who has come to Jeuno seeking the Duke’s aid in the Emptiness plaguing his country. Aldo explains that the man also has a connection with Reisenjima Sanctorium, but after an audience with Jeuno’s Duke, he returned to his country. The adventurer goes to Jeuno to gather information on the man.
On Qufim Island, Jeuno scientists in Delkfutt's Tower are baffled when the flow of energy in the northern crystal line reverses. An explosion occurs, presumably killing all the scientists. The Ducal Guard led by Wolfgang rush there to find an enigmatic youth who survived the explosion and take him to the infirmary in Upper Jeuno. Monberaux, the physician in Jeuno, finds the youth uninjured. When the Adventurer arrives to Jeuno in search of the man from the far east, they happen upon the infirmary with the mysterious boy. The mysterious boy awakens and gives them an amulet. The Ducal Guard, together with a Jeunoan diplomat Nag'molada, attempt to bring the boy in for questioning but he runs away and vanishes.
In the sea to the north of the tower, the ruler of the skies Bahamut emerges from the water. He issues a warning to the children of Vana'diel, stating that the arrival of the Keeper of the Apocalypse is near and calls for his minions to spill the blood of the gods.
The Adventurer investigates shattered telepoint crystals at the crags of Holla, Mea and Dem, and is drawn into the dark realm of Promyvion. After climbing to the spire within Promyvion and defeating monstrosities known as the Empty, the Adventurer arrives at a giant crystal known as the mothercrystal. Nag'molada arrives and tries to kill the Adventurer to prevent harm to the crystal, but is stopped by the mysterious boy who appears and blocks the pursuers with shrouds of darkness. At the third crag the Adventurer arrives at, they are ambushed by Nag'molada and the Ducal Guard. When the Adventurer reaches the mothercrystal at that crag, Nag'molada claims the enigmatic boy has released Emptiness, a dark destructive force, on the crystal.
After the Adventurer defeats the Empty at the mothercrystal, Nag'molada and the Adventurer are teleported to a distant land, which they later learn to be the Tavnazian Archipelago. While the Adventurer is unconscious, a trio of Tarutarus known as the Chebukki Siblings steal the amulet from their possession, thinking it belongs to Prishe, the leader of their settlement. Nag'molada and the Adventurer arrive at the Tavnazian Safehold and are allowed to rest there until Prishe returns.
An elder, Despachiaire, explains that he and other survivors from the Tavnazian Marquisate were led to safety by the Cardinal Mildaurion during the war. The survivors have since lived in isolation because the landbridge connecting it to Quon was destroyed. Nag'molada volunteers their aid to slay a minotaur lurking in the nearby Phomiuna Aqueducts in an attempt to gain their trust.
Prishe returns with her good friend Ulmia after patrolling the vicinity and informs the town that fierce monsters and a dragon have gathered at Cape Riverne. She lets the two castaways stay on account of their good deeds and returns the Adventurer their amulet, which is identical to the one she had received from the cardinal. Despachiaire postulates that the dragon that appeared could be Bahamut, as depicted in a painting of the city of Al'Taieu given to them by Grezzo of the Tenshodo.
At Misareaux Coast, Ulmia is singing the first verse of the Lay of the Immortals. When Nag'molada hears this, he is impressed and shares the second verse of the song, also known as the Memoria de la Ŝtono, with her. He reveals that the song continues with a third verse that is sung only by the gods.
Prishe intends to confront Bahamut in Cape Riverne for answers and finds out that Nag'molada and the Chebukki triplets have already headed there. Prishe, Ulmia and the Adventurer arrive at Cape Riverne to find that it has been spacially distorted. At the Monarch Linn there, Nag'molada sings the Memoria de la Ŝtono to Bahamut, proving to him that he is a Kuluu. Because of this, Bahamut decides to honor the pact he made with their race ages ago.
An airship of Jeunoan scientists led by a mysterious woman appear and they subdue Bahamut with a magical web. Prishe and the Adventurer are attacked by a few mammets that resemble the scientists and defeat them, freeing Bahamut from his binds. In his fury, Bahamut teleports Prishe, Ulmia, the Chebukki triplets and the Adventurer away.
In Delkfutt's Tower, Nag'molada meets with the woman, Esha'ntarl, who is revealed to be a Zilart and a fellow member of the Armathrwn Society. She chastises him for approaching Bahamut alone, and blames him for letting Bahamut and the mysterious boy escape.
Prishe and the Adventurer regain consciousness in Gustaberg. Blaming the airship for what happened, Prishe confronts Cid in Bastok and then heads to Jeuno to find her old friend Grezzo at the Tenshodo, with hopes that he can ready a boat back to Tavnazia for her. Grezzo, who is Aldo's father, is long gone. However, Aldo agrees to help Prishe return to Tavnazia as he recently received a request to travel to Tavnazia and can allow her to ride along with the other passenger's consent.
The Adventurer is wanted for treason in Jeuno and turns themself in to prove their innocence. Esha'ntarl, the duke vicarious receives an audience from the Adventurer and Tenzen, an agent from the Far East, who states that the Emptiness is rapidly swallowing the land in the Far East, signalling the return of the Keeper of the Apocalypse. Esha'ntarl suspects the enigmatic youth may be the keeper and tasks the Adventurer with his capture to prove their innocence.
For the events that follow the adventurer's trip to Jeuno, please see the Chains of Promathia story section here.
Revitalization[]
A new vortex to Escha has opened, inching the world ever closer to oblivion. Could this be related to increased sightings of the ambassador of the void? Will Iroha and her companion be able to stem the coming tide, or will all be engulfed? The struggle to determine the fate of Vana'diel begins to unfold.
Description of the second chapter.
Upon finally arriving back to Norg, the adventurer finds that Tenzen is meeting with Aldo, Zeid, and Gilgamesh. They are discussing a new rift which opened in Misareaux Coast, despite the force of the Empiness being halted. Even with the events that took place in Al’Taieu, Volto Oscuro continues to harness the power of darkness to summon the world of Escha. Tenzen greets the adventurer, and voiced his intention of meeting Iroha, had she not disappeared. He says that, despite her claims of being affiliated with the Reisenjima Sanctorium, no one on the holy isle knows of her. Tenzen points out that this would make sense if she truly is from the future. After observing the orb, Tenzen confirms that it bears the mark of Reisenjima. Kagero appears to point out that the orb connects people to the mothercrystal, so long as their hearts are open to it. As they discuss the orb, the adventurer has a vision of Prishe in Delkfutt’s tower. After Tenzen confirms the integrity of Iroha, Zeid explains the power of Volto Oscuro to him. Concerned by this individual, Tenzen asks where he can find Iroha, in order to question her. The adventurer suggests Delkfutt’s Tower due to the vision of the orb. Tenzen and the adventurer travel to the Qufim region together in search of Iroha.
The adventurer goes to Delkfutt’s tower as Tenzen is in Jeuno. The adventurer finds Iroha in lower Delkfutt’s, still injured. She explains that she just needed some time to rest. She explains that the mothercrystal showed her that the adventurer still has yet to finish passing through the trial that has been the chains of Promathia. There is still one more thing that needs to be done. The adventurer admits to seeing visions of Prishe through the orb, and Iroha suggests meeting with her. The adventurer insists that Iroha meets with Tenzen. Kagero shows up to clarify Tenzen’s location, and Iroha instantly recognizes her. Confused by Iroha’s familiarity with her, Kagero leaves. The adventurer and Iroha make for Jeuno to meet with Tenzen.
They arrive in Ru’Lude Gardens where Tenzen explains why the Emptiness has made a reappearance after the events of Al’Taieu. Tenzen and Iroha are finally introduced, and they immediately begin discussing the nature of the Emptiness in her time. After she explains the mysteries behind the Emptiness that consumed her world, Tenzen becomes impassioned, resolving that they will not let the world be consumed. At these words, the orb resonates, and absorbs energy from Tenzen. Iroha explains that Tenzen’s resolve to save the world further illuminated the orb. Iroha suggests seeking out Prishe as their next step. Kagero appears and volunteers to summon Prishe to Port Jeuno, where they all can meet. After parting ways, Iroha explains to the adventurer that she was not meant to be in that time. Her appearance is taking its toll on both the timeline, and her body.
Prishe finally arrives at port Jeuno to meet with Tenzen and the adventurer. She vows to help them in any way necessary, and the orb absorbs energy out of her as it had, Lion and Tenzen. After Tenzen explains what Iroha told him about the orb, Prishe asks where Iroha is. The adventurer and Tenzen lost track of her. After Tenzen and Prishe argue over whether Iroha has fallen for danger or temptation, they go to search for her.
Volto Oscuro in Jeuno.
While looking for Iroha, Tenzen and the adventurer find Volto Oscuro in upper Jeuno. Before the adventurer can do anything, Volto Oscuro casts a spell, incapacitating them. Volto Oscuro goes to the adventurer’s body and begins absorbing a dark energy from the adventurer. Tenzen threatens Volto Oscuro, but the masked man points towards the chocobo stables. Tenzen sees Iroha on the verge of dematerializing. Volto Oscuro warps away while Tenzen and the adventurer go to aid Iroha.
She explains that Volto Oscuro had just stolen the Phoenix's blessing from her before dematerializing. Enraged, Tenzen vows to find a way to take the Phoenix’s blessing back from Volto Oscuro and rescue Iroha. Prishe and Ulmia notice Tenzen and join him. Prishe says she also ran into Volto Oscuro in Lower Jeuno and the masked man recognized her immediately. As Prishe questions how he could know her, she recalls him talking about an Astral Candescence. He explains that this is a special instrument in the empire of Aht Urhgan. He reminds the adventurer of a man in the Tenshodo who can grant them passage into the Empire.
The adventurer goes to the Tenshodo headquarters to talk with Faursel, an elvaan who is able to get people into Aht Urhgan. The adventurer uses a secret message to indicate they want to be smuggled into the empire. Amused by the adventurer’s knowledge of the secret message, Faursel explains that Aht Urhgan allows the Tenshodo to bring ‘mercenaries’ to the empire, indicating that if the adventurer goes, they will be doing mercenary work. The adventurer agrees. But before Faursel gives the adventurer a boarding permit to gain access to the empire, he makes a request of the adventurer. After fulfilling that request, the adventurer is transported to Aht Urhgan. The adventurer pledges as a mercenary to Naja Salaheem's company, Salaheem's Sentinels, and proceeds to undertake missions as a mercenary through the Commissions Agency.
Some time later, the adventurer is introduced to Raillefal, a former Elvaan knight from San d'Oria who has recently joined Salaheem's Sentinels. Raillefal is suspicious of the Empire and decides to find out more about it, befriending the Yagudo monk Gessho in the process. Gessho shares information about a national treasure sealed in the Hall of Binding known as the Astral Candescence. It is said to have the power to stir astral wind and emanate a sweet inaudible melody that draws people to it. However, the Astral Candescence is housed in a part of Al Zahbi that can easily be attacked by the three beastmen factions residing in the Near East.
The adventurer sees through Raillefal's disguise. Raillefal, who is actually Prince Trion, sends the adventurer to deliver a letter of his findings to Halver back in San d'Oria. At Chateau d'Oraguille, Halver, Prince Pieuje, and the commanders of the two knight orders learn about the situation in Aht Urhgan from Trion's letter, the adventurer's own account and that of Travialce, a bodyguard who had secretly been sent to protect Prince Trion from the shadows. On discovering that Aht Urhgan might be on the verge of a conflict on the scale of the Crystal War, Prince Pieuje calls for an emergency summit with the three other nations of Vana'diel.
The adventurer and representatives of the four nations convene in Ru'Lude Gardens. Their discussion reveals that the Astral Candescence sealed in the Hall of Binding is guarded mainly by mercenaries and Aht Urhgan's most elite soldiers, the Serpent Generals, and yet kept in a poorly defended quarter of Al Zahbi. Shantotto deduces that the Astral Candescence is bait to lure beastmen to attack the city but cannot find the reasoning for this. The allied nations task the adventurer to return to Aht Urhgan and find out more through their work as a mercenary.
Learning of the events in Jeuno, Raillefal returns to San d'Oria. The Empress of Aht Urhgan, in her discussions with the Grand Vizier, gets word of the summit held in Jeuno as well as the adventurer's attendance, claiming that they have taken the bait.
Salaheem's Sentinels receive a commission from the Aht Urhgan Archeological Research Institution (A.A.R.I.), which conducts investigations of the ancient Ruins of Alzadaal. Naja sends the adventurer for the job of patrolling the ruins but does not reveal to them that the commission had specifically requested for their presence.
During the adventurer's patrol, they meet with Ghatsad, his assistant, as well as two Immortal bodyguards, Rishfee and Amnaf. Ghatsad explains that the ruins date back 900 years to the reign of Emperor Alzadaal, but appear to be fully functional. The A.A.R.I.'s true purpose in the ruins is to locate missing Astral Candescences, as the one in Al Zahbi is not the only one in existence. He requests the adventurer's aid in the search for the missing candescences and provides an astral compass in the hope it would pick up astral waves emanating from other candescences during the adventurer's travels in Aradjiah. He also requests for his identity as chief of the A.A.R.I. to remain a secret.
The Grand Vizier Razfahd informs Empress Nashmeira that the "bell" has been set on the mercenary adventurer and that their efforts are going according to plan. When Razfahd orders Raubahn to deal with otherworldly fiends who threaten their progress, Nashmeira demands to know more about them. The Immortals report that there have been rumors of a ghost ship menacing the waters of the Cyan Deep. This ship, bearing the name of the famous shipwreck Ashu Talif, is said to actually be the Black Coffin, a pirate ship of the lost Kingdom of Ephramad. The rumors continue to claim that Prince Luzaf, the ship's captain who perished 200 years ago, has also returned.
The Empress wishes to find out more, but the Immortals dismiss the rumors as being set by the rebel group Seagull Phatrie and Razfahd is reluctant to mobilize troops based on a rumor. Nashmeira instead tasks the court puppetmaster Aphmau and her automaton Ovjang to find out more with the help of mercenaries.
At Salaheem's Sentinels, Naja receives orders from the Empress to uncover the rumors of the ghost ship and assigns the adventurer to assist Aphmau.
For the events that follow the adventurer's arrival in the Aht Urhgan Empire, please see the Treasures of Aht Urhgan story section here.
When the adventurer reports back to their home nation after the conflict between Razfhad and Luzaf, Iroha appears to the adventurer in a vision. Iroha points out the ever brighter orb and states that the adventurer has passed through the ‘third gate’, suggesting that the escapades in Aht Urhgan were an essential conflict to strengthen the adventurer for the threat that the darkness poses. She apologizes for her inability to better serve her master, and insists that the adventurer goes to the palace to stop Volto Oscuro from getting to the Astral Candescence.
After arriving in Aht Urhgan, Tenzen meets the adventurer and tells him of an ally he met named Gessho who gathered information on Volto Oscuro. Tenzen was amazed at Gessho’s commitment to his cause, as he wore an odd black outfit. Kagero joins to inform Tenzen that Gessho is not wearing an outfit, and that Tenzen lost track of the conversation. After refocusing, Tenzen informed Tenzen that the ambassador is after “Ghatsad’s Astral Candescence” which is located in the palace. After this discussion, they all agree that, to stop Volto Oscuro from getting to the Astral Candescence, they must find a way to infiltrate the Royal Palace of Aht Urhgan.
The adventurer arrives in Aht Urhgan and requests entry into the palace. After being denied access, Aphmau meets the adventurer as she is returning to the palace. The guard reports to Aphmau that a masked man had been spotted, and over the following days, several more people wearing the same mask had also been spotted. Aphmau asks the adventurer to enter the palace and provide her with more information. Once inside, the adventurer explains the conflict to Aphmau. She is initially overwhelmed by the information, but reaffirms that she will help the adventurer in any way she can. The orb resonates with these words and absorbs energy from Aphmau. After she regains her footing, she suggests going to the Hall of Binding and watching for Volto Oscuro.
Tenzen attacks Volto Oscuro.
When the adventurer and Amphau arrive, the Hall of Binding has already been broken into with several Immortals incapacitated. They rush inside to the Astral Candescence to find Mithra with the same mask as Volto Oscuro absorbing energy from the Astral Candescence. The adventurer immediately rushes to attack the masked woman, but Kagero appears and strikes first with a binding spell. Tenzen shouts from behind Aphmau to duck as he launches a flaming slash, striking the bound intruder. Tenzen approaches the incapacitated woman and finds that she also bears the blessing of the Phoenix. As he ponders how she could bear that blessing, he takes it back into his blade and the masked woman retreats by dematerializing. Kagero chases after the masked woman while the party tends to the wounded immortals.
Later, Tenzen and the adventurer meet at the Shararat Teahouse. Tenzen informs the adventurer of information that points to the Alzadaal Undersea Ruins. Tenzen observes that the Alzadaal ruins have a connection with a prime avatar, and that this avatar is the third whose power Volto Oscuro attempts to harness, after Siren and the Phoenix. Tenzen hypothesizes that the masked individual is attempting to harness enough power from the avatars to engulf the world in darkness in the present, rather than waiting for Iroha’s time to arrive. He mentions reports of another portal opening in the middle lands as evidence. The adventurer and Tenzen depart for the Alzadaal Undersea Ruins.
Upon arriving, they find Aphmau already there and waiting for them. She waited in front of the newly constructed body of Alexander. After explaining what the contraption was to Tenzen, Alexander pulled the party into a higher realm to speak with Phoenix through Tenzen’s Phoenix blade. Phoenix pleads that Alexander bring Iroha back to Vana’diel and Alexander grants that wish. Tenzen sympathizes with Iroha’s plight, explaining that each time she disappears and returns, she bears the excruciating pain of death and rebirth. Alexander explains that Vana’diel is denying her because she was meant to be born in the future. Her existence is under attack, and Phoenix’s power is what is keeping her alive. Iroha tells the party not to worry about her health, but they insist. Alexander says that the masked individual is seeking other sources of darkness, even as they speak. Furthermore, if Iroha is to be helped, Cait Sith will be the most likely to be able to. Iroha passes out, and Aphmau takes her back to the palace to be treated.
After Iroha arrives at the palace safely, the adventurer investigates the other sources of darkness that Volto Oscuro can draw upon. First, the adventurer returns to find that the masked mithra is drawing darkness from the Iron Colossus. The masked mithra asks for Odin’s darkness so that she can be free. As the adventurer approaches her, she warps away. The adventurer then goes to the Shrouded Maw where Diabolos resides to find that Volto Oscuro is drawing power from Dynamis. Before the adventurer approaches, Diabolos attempts to chase Volto Oscuro away. The Ambassador is able to avoid Diabolos’s approach and steal darkness from the terrestrial avatar before warping away. Finally, the adventurer travels to the Empyreal Paradox to find Volto Oscuro drawing darkness from the Promathian remnant. Volto Oscuro begs for darkness so he can finally free himself. But as the adventurer approaches, Volto Oscuro vanishes.
While the adventurer pursued Volto Oscuro around Vana’diel, the adventurer passed by one of the Cavernous Maws, these petrified structures littered around Vana’diel. However, this Cavernous Maw appears to be alive and well. When the adventurer approaches the Cavernous Maw, it pulls the adventurer through a portal. This sets off a sequence of events that forces the adventurer to fight against a second alternative timeline of darkness.
Once absorbed by the cavernous maw, the adventurer awakens in a strange location. They see an orifice of an enormous creature in the sky. A voice rings out, asking the adventurer for help and appearing in a blast of energy, revealing a regal feline who sends the adventurer flying over a cliff. The adventurer falls out of this realm, and lands back near the city of Jeuno.
Two knights on their chocobos witness a cavernous maw much like the one that appeared before the adventurer but this one is alive and floating. They find the adventurer lying on the ground and bid them to make for safety as the open fields are rife with beastmen. The adventurer discovers they have been sent twenty years into the past directly into the Crystal War when the beastmen and the Allied Forces clashed and the Shadow Lord reigned. Once the adventurer arrives at Crawler's Nest, a fortified location for the Allied Forces, they tell the guard that they are an adventurer. The guard gives the adventurer a letter to be taken to any of the three outer nations.
The adventurer becomes a member of their military effort and completes assignments for the nation they took the letter to. After several assignments, the adventurer ends up back at a cavernous maw which absorbs them once again and spits them back out into that strange darkened area from before. The adventurer hears the same voice belonging to the feline who reveals themselves. She tells the adventurer of a prophecy relating to a Harbinger and a champion. She alludes to the adventurer sharing a hidden power to bend time itself but lacks the ability to control it. She tells the adventurer that her mission is to stop the war that rages across the land and asks the adventurer for aid. Once the adventurer agrees, she introduces herself Cait Sith and sends the adventurer to find a way to stop this war.
After returning to the nation they are fighting for and completing more assignments, the adventurer ends up in San d'Oria where they see a crowd running to a performance of a dance troupe, the Troupe Mayakov. The adventurer heads towards the performance and spots the leader of the troupe, Mayakov himself. He discovers that the adventurer does not have a ticket and has them removed from the show. The adventurer notices a man named Turlough fighting with his wife about attending the show.
With nothing else the adventurer can do, they travel back to the present time to try and gather clues in Jeuno. By chance, the adventurer runs into Turlough, now an old man watching dancing performers in the street. He reminisces about the Moonshade Butterfly, and about that day in San d'Oria where he remembers the event. The adventurer saw the same event unfold where his wife found him and forced him back home, making him miss the show. He tells the adventurer that people even today remember the performance that day of a dancer known as the Moonshade Butterfly. He still has the ticket all these years later and offers it to the adventurer seeing no harm in giving the old relic to a kind stranger.
Ticket in hand, the adventurer returns to the past and enters the show but Mayakov insists the ticket must be a forgery and demands that the adventurer be thrown out of town for deception. A knight, Ragelise, comes to the adventurer's aid, feigning to be their friend to help them get into the show having sensed the adventurer's hardened warrior presence, believing all soldiers deserve some time away from the horror of war.
The show begins with three dancers stepping out onto the stage. The middle dancer is the Moonshade Butterfly, a dancer named Lilisette, who begins her fabled solo performance. Ragelise explains that her background is a mystery. She appeared from seemingly nowhere and joined the troupe, passing their strict standards with flying colors. All that is known about her is that her father is Elvaan and that her mother is a Hume. Her mysterious background lends to her high station in the zeitgeist. As the adventurer leaves the show, Cait Sith walks by, startling them. Before the adventurer can ask Cait Sith what she is doing here, she leaves the area.
When Ragelise returns to the Chateau d'Oraguille, he is informed that a strategic position in the region is being overrun. He commands his soldiers to deploy there immediately, however, the remainders of his forces are too small to reinforce the position adequately; he informs his soldiers that he has an ace of his sleeve. The dancers of Troupe Mayakov have agreed to supplement their forces. In truth, the dancers are not simply showmen but are also capable fighters.
The adventurer chases after Cait Sith who begins talking about the state of things. Once they get to Ronfaure, Lilisette is in the trees above, staring down at their meeting curiously. More dancers appear leaping out at Cait Sith who is captured. Cait Sith lashes out, escaping from their grasp before disappearing in a flash of energy. Lilisette believes Cait Sith to be a beastman from the future in disguise and her obsession with catching her is because she wants to find her intentions. Lilisette insists that the adventurer come with her and grills them on their relationship to the cat.
The adventurer sees Ragelise and his troops, as well as Portia, the dancer that agreed to accompany them, about to head out. Lilisette runs over to them and alludes to having some knowledge of things not being meant to play out this way. Portia admits that her predictions are often correct. This makes the adventurer think that Lilisette might be a time traveler like themself. With her warning against going onward, the group writes Lilisette off who asks the adventurer if they have come from the future. She mentions that by now the adventurer must have figured out that something feels wrong, offering a breakdown of the events as the adventurer knows them. The region that the knights are headed to will be crushed and conquered by the orcs who will rename it to Davoi, a stronghold for the beastmen in the present time. She tells the adventurer that this event is not supposed to be happening this early in the war and that something must be wrong in the timeline for things to be shifting around like this.
The adventurer arrives in La Vaule with Lilisette. Certain people within the group attempt to tell the others that the adventurer and Lilisette have come to this time from the future. They laugh this off but Ragelise appears, saying that they need all the help they can get, and asks the adventurer to accompany him into the village to aid with extracting locals and setting up fortifications. Fires engulf some of the buildings in the village and Ahrimans and demons appear, killing soldiers and some of the civilians. In the confusion, Lilisette sees Cait Sith atop one of the burning houses but she disappears before the adventurer can make heads or tails of her appearance.
A knight arrives and whisks the adventurer off to safety while Ragelise and his knights are fighting for their lives. With heavy losses, the knights triumph over the dark kindred. A commander appears, asking the adventurer where they and the dancers are. Ragelise explains that one of his soldiers came to guide them to safety. The commander says that no knight under that name exists. Ragelise, realizing that there must be some sort of deception, rushes to find them. When he catches up to the adventurer, a trap is sprung: Haudrale, the false knight, has led the group into an ambush with three demons arriving to attack the adventurer.
Ragelise arrives shouting for Portia and dispatching two of the demons while the adventurer handles the third. Ragelise attacks the traitorous knight who deflects his blow with dark energy. The adventurer sees a figure in purple clothing charging a ball of energy and firing it at Ragelise, hitting him directly. The strange figure then appears next to the traitorous knight who reveals himself to be a similar being clad in purple. He calls himself a spitewarden of Lady Lilith. The spitewarden summons a dragon to attack the group. The adventurer defends the group and defeats the dragon. After killing its minion, the spitewardens flee for the battlefield emitting a blinding flash of light.
Lilisette enters a trance, seeing the darkened Walk of Echoes. A mirror-like portal shows her images of the world devastated by war. Lilisette comes back to the battlefield, but it is empty. The spitewardens disappear and she faints. When she regains consciousness, the group is in a safe spot and Ragelise has collapsed due to the pain from the dark aura surrounding his wound. Lilisette stands and calls out to him calling him her father. To everyone's shock, she insists that no one moves him. She insists that the group return to the village to seek medical aid for him. There she finally comes clean, telling the adventurer that she is also a time-traveling adventurer, and that Ragelise is her father. In several years time, the curse from the wound he just received will cause him to fall ill and eventually die. Lilisette heard about the cavernous maws and traveled back with the intention of stopping him from getting the wound. However, the events she learned about in the history books and her father's journals are not unfolding in the way that they should be.
For the events that follow the adventurer's consumption in the Cavernous Maw, please see the Wings of the Goddess story section here.
After sealing off the second alternative timeline of darkness, the adventurer returns to the empire to ask Aphmau of Iroha’s condition.
Iroha speaks to Aphmau.
Once the adventurer returns to the palace, Aphmau explains all of the aid they were able to provide her before notifying the adventurer of Tenzen’s return to Norg. Tenzen was reporting to Tenshodo regarding information on Cait Sith and her connection to the Cavernous Maws. The adventurer, being familiar with Cait Sith, departs for the Cavernous Maw. Shortly afterward, Iroha begins walking out of the palace. Aphmau stops her and asks about her condition. Iroha thanks her for the treatment but tells her that the adventurer requires Iroha for the coming conflict, so she needs to strengthen herself before leaving.
The adventurer returns to the Walk of Echoes and meets with Cait Sith. She explains that, similar to the Shadowreign timeline, Atomos judges Iroha’s future as a valid timeline. So, Atomos will not aid in their fight against Volto Oscuro. The adventurer reiterates that the reason they are there is to find a way to help Iroha. Cait Sith suggests that they will need to appeal directly to Altana if Iroha is to be helped. Cait Sith decides to bring Lilisette back into the Walk of Echoes to help find a solution and they part ways.
After some time, the adventurer returns to the Walk of Echoes once Cait Sith brings Lilisette there. Lilisette and the adventurer have a heartfelt reunion before discussing a means of helping Iroha. Lilisette reports having a dream of seeing the adventurer with a divine visage. They discuss how they might meet with Altana when the orb resonates and absorbs energy from Lilisette. As this happens, the orb gives Lilisette insight into the future, but before she can elaborate, Cait Sith urgently calls for their help elsewhere in the Walk of Echoes.
As they get to Cait Sith, the avatar leads them to an Elvaan with the mask of Volto Oscuro. He is absorbing all the nascent Cavernous Maws into himself. As they approach him, he summons Excalibur, a weapon forged Diabolos’s world of Dynamis, and attacks Cait Sith. Lilisette tells the ambassador that he has no right to change the world, and they will fight to protect it. The ambassador affirms that he will change the world, but that he needs the darkness to do so. As he speaks, Cait Sith commands Atomos to devour. A Cavernous Maw summons behind the ambassador, surprising him. But before he can be devoured, he jumps away and releases a monster to attack the adventurer. The monster and the adventurer are knocked back into Vana’diel while Lilisette and Cait Sith engage the Ambassador.
After the adventurer defeats the monster, they return to the Walk of Echoes. Lilisette and Cait Sith explain that the ambassador was able to escape them after absorbing Atomos’s power. Lilisette explains that, despite his power, he was restraining himself. This angers Cait Sith who sparks an argument about the ambassador, but Lilisette reiterates that if the ambassador was able to wrestle Atomos for its power, then he should have been able to easily overwhelm them. Lilisette explains that the best course of action is to meet with Altana, and with the insight she gained from the orb, she recommends asking Iroha, the person they are trying to help, for a means of meeting with the goddess. Lilisette returns to the Shadowreign timeline and the adventurer seeks out Iroha.
Lilisette and the adventurer confront Volto Oscuro.
The adventurer goes to Gilgamesh to find where Iroha has gone. Gilgamesh mentions reports of Iroha heading to the new rift in Misareaux Coast and asks why she hadn’t met with the adventurer before going. After the adventurer denies knowing her motives, Gilgamesh guesses that Tenzen is already headed to meet her as well. Gilgamesh mourns Iroha’s state, having to experience death over and over. He wishes the adventurer well in finding a solution for her.
In Misareaux Coast, the adventurer finds Iroha fighting monsters near the rift. After their greetings, Iroha informs the adventurer of a meeting she had with Siren. The forgotten avatar told Iroha that they both share a similar problem. Neither of them are meant to be in the Vana’diel of this time. The adventurer shows Iroha the orb, and Iroha mentions sensing Lilisette’s power within. They discuss the recent encounter with the ambassador, and Iroha notes her confusion regarding the ambassador’s possession of Excalibur, as there is no means of acquiring the Relic Weapon in her time. After hearing of the ambassador’s strength, Iroha insists that the adventurer train her. The adventurer fetches some supplies to aid in the training session, and the two engage in combat. The training session tires Iroha, who insists on eating. The two share a heartfelt moment in their meal together before the falls of Misareaux Coast.
Iroha questions the adventurer as to why the ambassador would want to “change the future”. The adventurer assures that he means to usher in the darkness faster. Hearing this, Iroha insists that the adventurer engage Volto Oscuro before he has a chance to do so. Iroha explains that the Phoenix’s power becomes weaker every time she is brought back, so if she is to help with their fight against Volto Oscuro, it must be done sooner than later. The adventurer explains that they will need the help of Altana in the fight, referencing what Lilisette had discussed. Iroha tells the adventurer of the stories they will eventually tell her as a young girl. She elaborates on the adventurer’s time engaging with the ancients, the Zilart brothers ruling over Jeuno and the Kuluu of the modern day. The adventurer decides to confront the ancients. They return to Norg where they find Tenzen waiting. The adventurer asks Gilgamesh on how they might confront the ancients.
This forces the adventurer into a conflict with the power of the ancients. Gilgamesh tells the adventurer of the investigation Lion has performed on Jeuno’s leadership. The true nature of the Zilart brothers shocks Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Lion explain a legend regarding the crystal warriors and the Zilart that, if true, could end in catastrophe for Vana’diel. Gilgamesh tells the adventurer of an ancient adventurer he met in the Temple of Uggalepih. He recommends that the adventurer find the ancient and speak with her about what needs to be done. To enter the temple, Gilgamesh tells the adventurer to go the the Chieftainess of Kazham, a mithra named Jakoh Wahcondalo and ask her for a key. Before the adventurer leaves, Aldo enters the room and informs them that his sister, Verena, has gone missing. Gilgamesh explains that it has something to do with the Zilart's plans. Aldo agrees, and leaves for Jeuno to gather more information on his sister's disappearance.
Upon arriving in Kazham, and meeting Jakoh, she enthusiastically gives the adventurer the key. She is amused by Gilgamesh’s willingness to send adventurers into a temple as dangerous as Uggalepih. After receiving a key, the Adventurer arrives in the Sacrificial Chamber, deep within the Den of Rancor. There, they are attacked by a group of Tonberries before one of them reveals herself to be Grav'iton, the old woman Gilgamesh had met and a scholar of the lost civilization known as the Kuluu.
Grav'iton explains that ten thousand years ago, the Zilart devised a plan to bring the power of the five giant crystals beneath Vana'diel together to open the way to Paradise. They would use Delkfutt's Tower, the crags and the crystal line to harness and control the power of the crystals. This would then be used to power the floating island of Tu'Lia, which would serve as the Gate of the Gods.
However, the Kuluu and followers of the Goddess, the Dawnmaidens opposed this plan and attacked the northernmost ark, sabotaging the Zilart's plans and causing a massive explosion of blinding light. This destroyed the Zilart, sank their capital into the sea and laid waste to the Northlands. The Kuluu on the other hand degenerated into the Tonberry.
Grav'iton urges the Adventurer to gather 8 fragments of light, found embedded in cermet headstones scattered across Vana'diel, and bring them to an ancient temple on the island of Zepwell. There, the Dawnmaidens would be able to guide their path. She hands over the first of the 8 fragments and disappears.
For the events that transpire as the adventurer confronts the Zilart brothers, please see the Rise of the Zilart story section here.
After the adventurer’s conflict with the Zilart, they are no closer to meeting with Altana. So, the adventurer returns to the temple of Uggalepih for more information.
Grav'iton meeting with the adventurer, Tenzen, and Iroha.
They meet with Tenzen and Iroha to press further into the Temple of Uggalepih and meet with Grav’iton, the ancient that Gilgamesh had informed them of. They arrive at a chamber where Grav’iton resides and they ask her for a way to meet with Altana, and she explains that only the dead can cross into the realm of the spirits. She then remembers that the terrestrial avatars have a means of doing as, and that Selh’teus had managed to recreate said method. She does not know of a way for them to meet with Selh’teus though as he resides in Al’Taieu. She asks if they have faith in Altana, after they affirm their faith in the Goddess, she tells them to go to the mothercrystals for a means to meet with Selh’teus.
Upon arriving on one of the mothercrystals, the adventurer and Iroha are pulled into a dream with Selh’teus. Confused by his appearance in this dream, he explains the threads of time are becoming more tangled every day. Diabolos appears in the dream and explains that time isn’t the only thing being corrupted, but all of nature, magic, and spirit. Selh’teus asks if the dream is a work of Diabolos, but the avatar says that it is the dream of the adventurer, but one from the future. Odin appears and tells them that the source of the chaos is a force known as the void, which devoured the entirety of the future world. Atomos, appearing beside Odin explains that the powers of the gods are starting to wane. Balamor arrives and confirms Atomos’s idea that the powers of light are gathering in one direction while the powers of darkness gather in another, the ambassador. They discuss Siren’s attempt to destroy the ambassador and whether she is capable of this. The discussion is interrupted when Volto Oscuro enters the dream. At his presence, certain avatars flee the dream and the adventurer is ejected back into wakefulness.
When the adventurer wakes up, Tenzen tells them of his inconsequential dream. The adventurer tells him of the dream that they and Iroha shared. With no apparent means of making direct contact with Selh’teus, and with the news that Siren is preparing to confront the ambassador directly, they decide to aid her. Tenzen points out that there are at least three people with the power of the ambassador, so their plan to aid Siren makes him uneasy. They depart for Norg to formalize the plan, yet Iroha waits behind to think of a way that she can destroy the ambassador.
Selh'teus talking with the avatars in Volto Oscuro's dream.
The adventurer returns to Norg to find that neither Iroha or Tenzen have arrived yet. Zeid attempts to strengthen the adventurer’s resolve, but Gilgamesh mentions that there are even more developments taking place with the void. Atori Tutori walks into the chamber and reports on the rift in the Misareaux Coast. He informs them that the Escha Ru’Aun beyond that rift is devoid of time. He also mentions seeing Iroha and Tenzen there with the two Sirens. Zeid asks for clarification on the two Sirens, and Atori Tutori replies that he may be mistaken, but he did see two avatars of wind. Zeid decides to accompany the adventurer, and they depart for Escha Ru’Aun. When they arrive at the rift, Tenzen and Kagero explain that Iroha has gone into Escha Ru’Aun to aid early, without their aid.
Siren greets the adventurer and Tenzen after they enter the rift. She informs them that she sensed Volto Oscuro’s desire to strike Ru’Aun when they had a pact. Siren elaborates that, despite all that has transpired, Altana has done nothing to save the world. For Altana is powerless to fight against the void without Promathia to aid her. Hearing this, Tenzen still shows resolve to meet with Altana. Siren agrees to show them a way to meet with Altana on the condition that they aid Selh’teus in banishing the darkness around Reisenjima. Siren grants them the ability to travel to Selh’teus before a rumbling interrupts them. Siren tells them that they must now leave. Iroha intends to end her life along with the ambassadors without seeing the adventurer or Tenzen. Siren leaves them. Concerned for Iroha, Tenzen and the adventurer ignore Siren’s command and venture further into Escha Ru’Aun.
Meanwhile Siren, Siren Prime, and Iroha have trapped the ambassador. The three begin a ritual that will destroy all those who do not belong in the present. Siren summons the bell and as the ritual comes to an end. Iroha calls out to Volto Oscuro and says, “Master, our time is at an end!” Siren casts the killing spell. The spell is interrupted by Tenzen who shoots down the bell with his bow. Enraged by this, Iroha asks why they will not let her fulfill her duty. Kagero replies that she would be breaking the vow of their country by leaving her master unprotected. Iroha holds back an explanation, but tells them that the future she is trying to stop is worth a life that doesn’t belong in the present. Siren contorts that Altana has intervened to keep Iroha in the present. The two Sirens run out of power and they warn that the ambassador will not be bound for much longer. As they disappear, Balamor appears and warps the Ambassador away. Tenzen and Kagero stay behind to tend to Iroha, and the adventurer goes to meet Selh’teus.
Selh'teus meets with the adventurer.
Upon utilizing Siren’s plume, the adventurer is transported to Al’Taieu where Selh’teus meets them. Selh’teus explains that he does not understand The Reckoning, the events that Iroha has described in her future. After the adventurer tells Selh’teus about their plan to meet with Altana, Selh’teus explains that not even he in Al’Taieu, or Odin, traverser of worlds, can meet with Altana. However, Selh’teus explains his plan to make a mothercrystal in Reisenjima by taking crystal light from many different worlds and releasing the light in the far east. He notes that, perhaps this new mothercrystal will offer a means of meeting Altana. Selh’teus informs the adventurer that Balamor has been siphoning the crystal light from him into Tartarus though. If his plan is to take place, Balamor must be stopped. He tasks the adventurer to go to the one whose understanding of magic is absolute, and ask for how they may fight Balamor.
The adventurer arrives in Norg with Tenzen and Iroha to meet with Prishe, Aldo, and Gilgamesh. The adventurer explains that Selh’teus is planning to create a new mothercrystal in Reisenjima. Gilgamesh, Aldo, and Prishe are pleased to hear about this plan, Aldo even stating that this mothercrystal would be good for trade. Iroha states that the Reisenjima crystal is not supposed to exist for several more years, making her reluctant to carry out the plan in the present. After Tenzen voices his agreement, Gilgamesh notes the disagreement in the party. They agree that the next step would be to seek out the one Selh’teus called for, who they believe to be Shantotto, to inquire about the one stealing the crystal’s energy.
Once the adventurer and Tenzen arrive at Shantotto's laboratory, they inform her of all that is going on. Shantotto expresses her surprise at the involvement of Tartarus, and after some pondering, she recommends using a device invented by Koru-Moru to point them in the direction of the one stealing light from Selh’teus. After using the contraction, it points them towards the Misareaux Coast. They assume that the location of the culprit is in Escha Ru’Aun.
Cid, Naji, and Ayame meet the adventurer in Escha Ru’Aun. They explain that the world of Escha is draining all of the crystal energy. Once inside, people can no longer perceive the passing of time, and the only reason magic can be used in the Escha world is because of the energy seeping in from Misareaux Coast. Cid then points out vortexes where the energy is congregating in Escha Ru’Aun. These vortexes are being used to steal the crystal energy by the culprit. He suggests that those vortexes would transport someone who entered them, before the adventurer volunteers to do so in search of the energy thief.
The adventurer travels deep into Escha Ru’Aun to find Balamor standing guard of a vortex. Selh’teus then joins them and interrogates Balamor. Balamor explains that he trapped the ambassador in the vortex behind him. He notes his surprise to find that the Ambassador helped him with his plan, after some persuasion. Balamor reveals his intentions of creating a new world where he rules as it’s god. Balamor blames Altana and Promathia for leaving their creation in chaos before blaming Selh’teus for first stealing from the energy of Tartarus. Selh’teus asks the adventurer to keep Balamor busy as he seals off the conduits.
Selh'teus vs. Balamor.
After a hard fought battle, the adventurer defeats Balamor. Balamor calls them fools for stopping his new world from being created since Vana’diel is about to be destroyed. This angers Selh’teus, prompting him to punch Balamor into the vortex before it closes. All of the vortexes close with it, stopping Balamor from stealing any more of the crystal’s light. Selh’teus asks the adventurer to bring Iroha to Al’Taieu, stating that it’s time for the new mothercrystal. The adventurer returns to Norg to explain what happened before bringing Iroha to Al’Taieu.
Iroha and the adventurer get to the Empyreal Paradox where Selh’teus meets them. He tells them that it is time for the new mothercrystal. Selh’teus explains that he will become the mothercrystal of Reisenjima. He elaborates on the nature of the crystals to them before asking Iroha about the mothercrystal she knew from her time. After discussing the mothercrystal, Selh’teus flies off to transform. Iroha expresses her gratitude to the adventurer for arriving at this point in time as she did, but as she turns to face the adventurer she finds Volto Oscuro behind them.
Iroha prepares to fight, but Volto Oscuro restrains himself. He begins contorting and transforming into many different individuals before finally transforming into the adventurer. Volto Oscuro reveals his true identity as the adventurer from the future. He explains that the adventurer created a stronger version of themselves so the two versions together could defeat the darkness. Iroha begs Volto Oscuro to help them rather than fighting them. At this, Volto Oscuro desperately tries to remove the mask, but the mask begins glowing and he stops. He then draws the Excalibur to engage them in battle.
Iroha tries to save the adventurer.
After a grueling battle, the adventurer and Volto Oscuro prepare for a final desperate attack. The two clash, with all their might, killing the adventurer. Iroha uses all of her power to keep the adventurer from moving into the realm of the spirits, bringing the adventurer back to life. Before the adventurer returns, they catch a glimpse of themselves in the realm of the spirits. They have a divine visage, and this version of the adventurer aids in bringing them back from their death. After some time passes, the adventurer wakes up outside one of the mothercrystal craigs as a voice rings in their heads, “Meet with Altana…”
They return to Norg to find Gilgamesh with Aphmau, Lion, and Prishe. They all recall Iroha reporting her failure in saving the adventurer. Gilgamesh explains that he had arranged for the adventurer’s allies to come together in search of the adventurer. After expressing their relief at the adventurer’s return, they begin their search for Iroha.
The Reckoning[]
A lone adventurer came to an impossible decision that rang throughout history - the Reckoning. All that came after was undeniably altered, with only bright points of truth hidden amongst a cloud of lies. Whether peace or oblivion awaits Vana'diel is for you to decide.
Description of the third chapter.
Volto Oscuro transfering darkness into the adventurer.
The adventurer returns to the spot they had awakened. When they enter the rift found there, they have a vision. The Shadow Lord articulates his motivations in taking revenge against the enlightened races. The Zilart brothers join him in explaining the corruption of the mothercrystals. Nag’molada then expresses the importance of chasing the ideal. Lilith states that all she has done was in service to those she loves and her homeland. Hades finally explains that he’s seen the truth of the world and it’s endless suffering. After all these threats vocalize their motivations, Volto Oscuro arrives to tell the adventurer that these motivations serve as a counterbalance to the power of the crystal. Volto Oscuro starts infusing the darkness into the adventurer. Before this process is finished, a divine light stops the process and tells the adventurer to keep fighting for the light. The adventurer awakens in Reisenjima where they see Iroha just before she dematerializes.
The adventurer follows Iroha’s essence to the innermost region of the isle, the Sanctoirum. Iroha is inside the Sanctorium but unable to find a way to get the adventurer inside as well. She asks the adventurer to deal with certain creatures disrupting the balance of Reisenjima, which facilitates the adventurer’s entrance.
Once inside, Iroha and the adventurer go to Selh’teus’s mothercrystal. She tells the adventurer that in the future, even the mothercrystals with their light succumb to the darkness. The mothercrystal in Reisenjima alone was protected, thanks to the barrier they established. The last night before the conflict, the future adventurer decided to sacrifice themselves in order to stop the darkness, but ultimately failed. After telling Iroha of the darkness that adventurer received from Volto Oscuro, Iroha urges the adventurer to go to the Adoulin, an important location she remembers from the stories the future adventurer had told her. The adventurer goes on ahead, as Iroha asks for some time to rest in the Sanctorium, but once alone, she collapses and dies.
As the adventurer prepares to go to Adoulin, Iroha appears to them in a dream. She congratulations the adventurer on passing through four gates, as she notes the ever brighter orb. She reminds them of their need to go the Adoulin though, pointing the adventurer to Ceizak Battlegrounds.
The nation of Adoulin in the Far West opens it doors to adventurers to take part in the effort to pioneer the Ulbukan hinterland. The Adventurer heads to the Jeuno Chamber of Commerce and Industry to seek safe passage to Adoulin by waypoint.
As the warping technology is incomplete, the Adventurer ends up being stranded in the Ceizak Battlegrounds, where they meet a young woman named Arciela. She points the Adventurer in the direction of Adoulin, and they subsequently register as an official pioneer with the eponymous Pioneers' Coalition.
The Adventurer's exploits in the wilderness catch the eye of Adoulin's ruling class, and they are invited to a grand feast which is held after an important assembly discussing the future of the city. At the banquet, the adventurer is introduced the Melvien de Malecroix, The minister of finance in Adoulin, who is among the few kind enough to talk to pioneers. Several of the heads of the orders mention that the current Grand Chancellor of Adoulin, Ygnas, has fallen ill as of late, and has been absent from the public eye. The adventurer meets again with Arciela, who is revealed to be the sister of the Grand Chancellor of Adoulin and a descendant of the former royal line
The adventurer ventures into Ceizak Battlegrounds to find Iroha collapsed on the ground and Balamor hovering over her. The adventurer goes to attack Balamor, but Iroha admits it was Volto Oscuro who had attacked her. She explains to the adventurer that, when the world was consumed by darkness, a light approached her. The light told her to reverse the reckoning to save the world. She recalls that Volto Oscuro points out that the reckoning was what created him. Iroha implores the adventurer to fill the orbs' light before dematerializing once more. Balamor fakes sadness at Iroha’s death before stealing the orb from the adventurer. He then absorbs the orb's light and warps away, forcing the adventurer to find a way to recover the light Balamor had stolen. The adventurer returns to Adoulin to seek help.
The Adventurer is tasked by Levil from the Pioneers' Coalition to uncover the secrets of the leafkin, and meets with Teodor, a mysterious man clad in black who claims that a black short sword carried by Arciela is the key to meeting the leader of the leafkin. The blade, known as the Otharsyne, had been passed down the royal line and represents the will of the Founder King. Teodor explains that after the founder king August subjugated Ulbuka many centuries ago, he made a pact to never tread upon its soil that was bound and honored by all his subjects, including the beings known as the Naakuals today. As such, the Otharsyne held with it the authority of the king to defy the very pact he had made. In an attempt to borrow the blade and request help with Balamor, the adventurer finds Arciela in Cirdas Caverns, and she decides to accompany them.
Balamor steals the orb.
The adventurer goes to Ploh Trishbahk and asks for information on Balamor. She passes on reports of ‘black butterflies’ in the Rala Waterways, and assumes that it’s related to Balamor. The adventurer and Arciela confront Balamor in the waterways who explains that he too wants to help. He explains that, after traveling across many different worlds, he saw how each fell to the Emptiness. So, he took the light of the orb to better understand the forces in conflict and discovered something unexpected. However, before elaborating or helping, he wants the adventurer to retrieve one of the founder king’s relics for him and warps away. Arciela resolves to help the adventurer, and in these words, the orb retrieves energy from Arciela, who notes a vision she witnessed while this took place. They leave, trying to determine where such a relic could be found.
Not knowing where to find such a relic, they go on to search for the leafkin in the Yorcia Weald where they had been sighted in the past few months. There, they meet Rosulatia, the leafkin queen, who explains that a danger is about to beset Ulbuka. She explains that the world tree Yggdrasil had existed in ancient times on the continent of Rhazowa and that a second tree had been planted by King August in Ulbuka using a branch of the original tree. However, when the Orcish Empire razed the world tree in Rhazowa to the north, its connection with its twin tree in Ulbuka still existed, and this resulted in a dark disease that corrupted the World Tree. This disease could lead to the destruction of all of Vana'diel if it results in the death of the World Tree. When Arciela asks how they can help, Rosulatia replies that they should ask the king, and gifts a pome to the Adventurer.
In Adoulin, tensions rise as the rift widens between the supporters of the colonization movement and those who opposed it. A sanctioned battle held in the colosseum to resolve the feud is interrupted by Arciela when she fears that the combatants would lose their lives for naught. However, this does not quell the enmity between both factions.
Meanwhile, a band of anti-colonization rebels are plotting to assassinate Chancellor Ygnas from their hideout in the Rala Waterways. Upon uncovering this scheme, the Adventurer informs Arciela and they infiltrate the hideout to reason with the conspirators' leader, but are instead set upon by them. After the Adventurer and Arciela defeat the insurgents, Gratzigg arrives to apprehend the traitors. While inside this hideout, they happen upon the very relic that Balamor requested.
For the events that follow the newfound threat to the World Tree, please see the Seekers of Adoulin story section here.
After having found the relic elsewhere in the Rala Waterways, the adventurer returns to Balamor. Balamor consumes the founder king’s relic which gives him insight regarding the darkness threatening the world. Balamor explains that the darkness at hand is not the Emptiness. It is an entirely different force called the Void. The residents of Tartarus refer to this as the “Cloud of Darkness”. The Cloud of Darkness eventually consumes all worlds, according to Balamor. He encourages the adventurer to find a way to stop the Cloud of Darkness by giving the adventurer’s orb some of his own energy before warping away. The adventurer meets Arciela at the Celennia Memorial Library. She informs the adventurer of a connection between what Balamor was saying and the Li’Telor region. She recommends looking for an area with the ruins of ancient statues. Realizing that Ariela is referencing the hall of the gods, the adventurer arrives at the ancient ruins to find Esha’ntarl.
Balamor explains the Void.
Esha’ntarl asks for Iroha, and after learning she is not with the adventurer, she remarks that Iroha may be fighting against the void in the realm beyond. They travel deeper into the chamber where they meet with the Dawn Maiden, Yve’noile. The Dawn Maiden explains that the Cloud of Darkness is prophesied to engulf Vana’diel after the death of the mothercrystals. Neither mortals nor Altana can stop this process. Esha’ntarl asks what could be done, and Yve’noile suggests the only way to stop the Cloud of Darkness is for the adventurer to rid themselves of their Emtiness and become a god of light. She commits to helping the adventurer though, and the orb resonates at these words, taking some of Esha’ntarle’s energy.
Before they can discuss the ritual of becoming a god of light, Volto Oscuro dissipates Yve’noile’s presence and warps Esha’ntarl away. Volto Oscuro tells the adventurer that there cannot be a god of light without a balancing darkness. He pleads for the adventurer to think about what they are to do, as the Cloud of Darkness will swallow all soon. He incapacitates the adventurer and then flees. After Esha’ntarl returns to the adventurer, she wakes them up. The adventurer tells her who Volto Oscuro is and Esha’ntarl notes that, if the ambassador is trying to keep the adventurer from ascending to be the god of light, then this must mean that it is possible for the ritual to take place successfully. She warns that becoming a god of light would require enormous sacrifice. Esha’ntarl tells the adventurer to ask Selh’tues about the ritual.
The adventurer returns to the Reisenjima Sanctorium. Selh’teus, sensing their presence there, transports the adventurer’s mind into the crystal. Selh’teus expresses his gratitude in seeing the adventurer, and reunites them with Iroha to discuss what recently transpired. Iroha resides in Selh’teus’s mothercrystal along with the terrestrial avatar, Phoenix, who remains too weak to bring her back to Vana’diel again. The adventurer says that the Yve’noile suggests becoming a god of light to stop the Cloud of Darkness, as this is their only hope. Selh’teus says that, for the adventurer to become a god of light, he will need to utilize all the light of the new mothercrystal. After the adventurer reluctantly agrees, Selh’teus points out that the adventurer still has a shroud of Emptiness inside them, the same Emptiness that Volto Oscuro forced into them. Selh’teus recommends going through the cavernous maws to a parallel world which houses a powerful god of darkness. This deity will draw the Emptiness out of the adventurer for himself, allowing the adventurer to harness the mothercrystal’s light. Iroha asks about the adventurer’s certainly, and the adventurer reassures her of their resolve before leaving to search for the world of darkness.
The adventurer goes to the Walk of Echoes to ask Cait Sith to accompany them to this world of darkness. Cait Sith warns them that this world is full of dangers. Not letting this hinder their resolve, they press onward to this dark world and make their way to this world’s Garden of Ru'Hmet. Before entering the Empyreal Paradox, Cait Sith warns the adventurer one last time.
The adventurer confronting Sempurne Promathia.
Upon entering the Empyreal Paradox, they find an enormous dragon, waiting in the distance. Cait Sith explains that the dragon is a mature Promathia, and he is the only thing left in this world called Desuetia. The adventurer confronts this dragon, Sempurne, and asks about the Cloud of Darkness. Sempurne reiterates that he is god of the darkness related to the sins of the enlightened races. Yet, the Cloud of Darkness is a different entity altogether. Cait Sith asks for elaboration, and Sempurne simply tells them that the Cloud of Darkness is meant to consume all. Sempurne asks the adventurer what they want from him, and the adventurer replies with their desire to meet Altana. Sempurne refuses to grant an audience, and begins absorbing all of the adventurer’s darkness instead. After Sempurne absorbs all the darkness to himself, Volto Escuro arrives, and prompts the dragon to rage. Sempurne attacks the adventurer.
After a fierce battle, Sempurne is surprised by the power of the adventurer. Disgusted by the adventurer’s success, Volto Oscuro goes to the dragon to take the darkness from him. The dragon now speaking as Promathia tells Volto Oscuro that he will be a proper vessel for him. Promathia then transfer’s his godhood to Volto Oscuro, resulting in a massive explosion that knocks the adventurer and Cait Sith out of the Empyreal Paradox.
Cait Sith and the adventurer find their footing. They attempt to re-enter, but Cait Sith notes that Volto Oscuro is blocking the avatar’s entrance, and the adventurer would need to go alone. The adventurer enters and immediately notices that Volto Oscuro has been able to remove his mask, revealing just the future, disjointed adventurer. But, the disjointed one is now glowing with the power of Promathia and they say they're finally able to lead the adventurer to the proper future. The disjointed one shows the adventurer a memory of the end, when they made their final stand against the Cloud of Darkness.
Vana'diel's heroes stand together with the warrior of light.
As the Cloud of Darkness descended on Reisenjima, the last place left in Vana’diel, the future adventurer, Tenzen, and Iroha stood to defend it. The future adventurer used the orb to bring about the Reckoning: A disjointing of the adventurer’s two halves into the warrior of light and the warrior of darkness.Discarding the warrior of darkness, the adventurer attempted to use their newfound power as the warrior of light to banish the void. The warrior of light called forth the trusts of all who were stored in the orb, and all the adventurer’s comrades throughout his journey left the mothercrystal and came to his aid. They battled against the Cloud of Darkness just long enough for Iroha to erect a barrier, protecting Reisenjima. The warrior of light quickly lost their mortality, and ascended into the realm of the spirits, leaving only the warrior of darkness, Tenzen, and Iroha. Before the warrior of darkness could vanish, the Cloud of Darkness corrupted his soul, placing a mask on him that would control his actions. This resulted in Volto Oscuro, who then summoned the Cloud of Darkness inside Iroha’s barrier. Tenzen transferred the Phoenix to Iroha before fighting with Volto Oscuro to the death. This is what forced Iroha to retreat into the Sanctorium, which is what led both her and Volto Oscuro to travel back in time to begin with. Upon the warrior of light’s arrival with Altana, she mournfully informs them that all life will be extinguished.
After showing the memory, the disjointed one tells the adventurer that they will wait with Altana for their arrival. The disjointed one summons Atomos, and leaves through its Cavernous Maw. The adventurer returns to Cait Sith and explains everything they saw. Cait Sith admits not knowing of a way to reach Altana, but she urges the adventurer to go to Selh’teus’s mothercrystal for a path.
The adventurer returns to tell Selh’teus and Iroha of what they had learned. Iroha explains that it may have been the future adventurer who became the warrior of light that sent her back to the past, not just Altana. Selh’teus asks whether or not the warrior of light was able to commune with Altana, but Iroha does not know. Selh’teus explains that he can grant the path to Altana if his crystal’s lifestream was not hindered from accompanying them to the Empyreal Paradox, but certain dark creatures in Reisenjima are barring him from doing so.
Once outside the Sanctorium, the adventurer finds that Tenzen, Aldo, and Gilgamesh have arrived there too. The adventurer tells them of what they had learned and they inquire about Iroha’s state. The adventurer explains that she has passed on, but a part of her remains. They volunteer to help the adventurer rid the area of the beasts hindering Selh’teus’s lifestream. After dealing with these creatures, they meet inside the Sanctorium.
Selh’teus informs the adventurer that he is now able to grant an audience with Altana. The adventurer is transported to the Empyreal Paradox where the disjointed one waits. The disjointed one explains that their attempt at the Reckoning was futile due to their lack of knowledge regarding the Cloud of Darkness. Vowing to put a stop to the Void, the disjointed one takes the last semblance of the adventurer’s darkness, their humanity, transforming the adventurer into the god of light. The new god of light and darkness transcends to meet with Altana.
Promathia and Altana.
Altana welcomes them. She commends their accomplishments in Vana’diel. She explains that the void is repelled when the forces of light and darkness collide. By their collision, the winds of time are stirred, warding away the Cloud of Darkness. She and Promathia had served to protect the world for eons, but without Promathia, the winds of time had slowed. Through the adventurer and their comrades' efforts, the battle between light and darkness continued, albeit weakening to the force of a breeze. This breeze could not repel the Cloud of Darkness forever though. For Vana’diel to be saved, the winds of time must be stirred once more. The adventurer’s two halves must engage in all-out conflict as the warriors of light and darkness in order for the Cloud of Darkness to turn away from Vana’diel. Altana grants her blessing to the warrior of light as Promathia had to the warrior of darkness. They return to the Empyreal Paradox and battle with all their might.
After their divine battle, the disjointed one notes that the skies over the world are no longer darkened by the void. Altana, seeing that the world is saved, reunites new gods of light and darkness that the adventurer can be mortal again. She delivers the adventurer back to Vana’diel. As she bids the adventurer farewell, she notices something that gives her pause.
Upon the adventurer’s return to the Reisenjima Sanctorium, Tenzen, Aldo, and Gilgamesh regale them with the spectacle of their clash in the sky. Tenzen asks what Altana was able to do for Iroha, and shortly afterward, Iroha returns to Vana'diel healthy. They all rejoice to see that the conflict is behind them and Tenzen decides to host a celebration. The party exits the Sanctorium, and Iroha speaks to the adventurer privately. She gives the adventurer a heartfelt thanks for saving the world as she recalls all the things the adventurer taught her in her youth. The orb resonates with these words, taking some of Iroha’s light. The adventurer expresses how proud they are of her as they walk away. Iroha’s body dematerializes as she begins returning to her time.
The adventurer returns to their nation after some time. Iroha appears to the adventurer in a dream explaining that something is wrong; the future has not changed. It is still consumed by the Cloud of Darkness. The adventurer quickly returns to Selh’teus mothercrystal to find Tenzen investigating a dark aura emanating from it. The adventurer and Tenzen’s consciousness is pulled into the mothercrystal to find that Iroha hasn’t traveled fully back to her time, instead, she still remains in the mothercrystal. The remnant left of the Cloud of Darkness has gathered in the crystal. Phoenix calls out to them both through Tenzen’s blade. The terrestrial avatar explains that the adventurer needs to fill the orb once more to traverse through the mothercrystal to clash with the remnant of the Cloud of Darkness. Phoenix directs the two of them to the stone circle of La Theine Plateau.
Carbuncle greets them as they arrive, stating that several others have heard Altana’s summoning to the circle.. The avatar asks if Tenzen and Kagero are proud of their daughter and her fight against the void. This confuses the two while Carbuncle tells them to wait for the others' arrival.
All of the avatars, both celestial and terrestrial, gather to give their power in filling the orb that the adventurer can go to save Iroha and defeat the remnant of the Cloud of Darkness. They voice their solidarity in blessing the adventurer. With the orb refilled, the party returns to the Sanctorium.
The Cloud of Darkness around Selh'teus's mothercrystal.
They find the Cloud of Darkness’s remnant has been taken from around Selh’teus’s crystal. Tenzen goes to attack it but he is quickly overwhelmed. Before the Cloud of Darkness eliminates him, the orb summons the trusts of all of the adventurer’s most trusted comrades. Lion, Prishe, Aphmau, Lilisette, and Arciela all come to their aid. They begin repelling the Cloud of Darkness as Tenzen prepares his Phoenix blade. Tenzen strikes once, weakening the Cloud of Darkness. It counterattacks and the trusts defend Tenzen as he charges a second attack. They manage to hold out, and Tenzen delivers the final blow to the Cloud of Darkness’s corporeal form. With this opening, the adventurer advances through the crystal.
Inside Selh’teus’s crystal, the adventurer finds Iroha bound by the Cloud of Darkness, and Selh’teus badly injured. The adventurer calls out to Iroha as they release the power of the avatars from the orb to the Phoenix. Selh’teus also shares his power with Phoenix, allowing the avatar to be revived after its ten thousand year slumber. The Phoenix uses its power over the lifestream to free Iroha and force the Cloud of Darkness to take on form, allowing the adventurer and Iroha to engage it in conflict. Throughout the conflict, the Cloud of Darkness easily eliminates them time and time again, but with the power of the Phoenix, they are sustained. They try desperately to destroy the Cloud of Darkness while it tries to destroy the crystal. Without Selh’teus’s full strength to sustain the crystal, the only thing protecting it are the adventurer and Iroha.
The mask of the Void breaking.
After a fierce battle, the adventurer gives their life to defeat the Cloud of Darkness. As it collapses, they are ejected from the crystal, and the mask of the Void falls apart. Selh’teus, now free of the plague of the void, grants the adventurer and Iroha some time for goodbyes, along with Lion, Prishe, Aphmau, Lilisette, and Arciela. The adventurer and Iroha meet with the other comrades who thank the adventurer for all they have done.
After speaking with their comrades, the adventurer speaks with Iroha who heartily thanks the adventurer as well. She pulls out a knife and cuts her hair, granting the blessing of the Phoenix to the adventurer. Iroha tells the adventurer that she anticipates her birth and the opportunity to meet the adventurer for the first time again. She returns to her time as the adventurer returns to a newly saved Vana’diel through Selh’teus’s mothercrystal.
Music[]
Final Fantasy XI: Rhapsodies of Vana'diel Original Soundtrack
For the development of Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, Naoshi Muzuda was brought back to produce fourteen new tracks. Several tracks were simply arrangements of some of the most famous pieces in the history of Final Fantasy XI, being Distant Worlds, and Forever Today. Both of these tracks got instrumental versions. A new ending theme, Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, was written and performed with a choir of Final Fantasy XI players singing in the background.
Gallery[]
