Galuf Baldesion [ˈɡæl.əf bælˈdɛs.i.ən] is a non-playable character from Final Fantasy XIV. He is the founder of Students of Baldesion and adoptive grandfather of Krile Maya Baldesion.
History[]
Early life[]
Young Galuf and his companions.
Patriarch of the prestigious House Baldesion, in his youth Galuf yearned to see the wider world, and to that end left the northern seas and traveled distant lands with his three brave companions. The four had many grand adventures, during which they learned of myriad threats to the world, including the primals. These experiences spurred Galuf to use his considerable resources to purchase the deserted Isle of Val off the coast of Sharlayan, where he and his comrades set about building various research facilities, as well as developing an expansive Aethernet. With the recognition and support of the Forum, he went on to found the Students of Baldesion.[2]
Twenty years ago Gulool Ja Ja, the leader of Tuliyollal in Tural, addressed a letter to Students of Baldesion to investigate Tural's legendary golden city. When Galuf, Gulool Ja Ja, and Ketenramm investigated the gate of the golden city, the gate was activated from the other side and two Lalafells stepped out from it, one carrying a baby. The mother Lalafell entrusted both her baby and a strange key to Galuf before the two Lalafells retreated back into the gate. Galuf would go on to raise the baby as his adopted granddaughter, Krile. Furthermore, as he continued to study the gate Galuf would eventually discover that it led to another world. He created a seal with Sharlayan technology over the gate, and the keystones to open it were entrusted to Ketenramm. Before leaving Tural, Galuf briefly met Gulool Ja Ja's friend Cahciua. He told her about Sharlayan and gleaners, which years later would prompt her to suggest to her son Elene'shpya that he go there and become one.
Galuf also financed several orphanages and the education of promising young people and among the orphans. After Galuf discovered that Krile had the echo, Galuf directed the Students of Baldesion to study Krile's powers and help her to come into harmony with her powers.[3]
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn[]
Although Galuf is not directly mentioned, the Students of Baldesion helped the Scions of the Seventh Dawn to research the Ascians and the phenomenon referred to as Rejoining. Afterwards contact with the Students of Baldesion is lost and Urianger Augurelt discovers that the Isle of Val itself and all those present in it have disappeared from the map and apparently the only survivor is Krile.
Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood[]
The Isle of Val is rediscovered in the ocean near Kugane, inexplicably far from its prior location near Sharlayan. An expedition dubs the moved island the Forbidden Land, Eureka and begins to investigate it. As Krile, the Warrior of Light, and Ejika Tsunjika explore the ruins of the isle, they discover that many years ago Galuf and his companions had sealed the Primal Eureka away on the Isle of Val, recognising the threat it posed if it were to fall into the wrong hands. Galuf and his companions began seeking out the weapons created by Eureka, sealing them away in a vault on the island called the Baldesion Arsenal. Eventually Galuf would go on to found the Students of Baldesion, and the scholars who would come to join him would dedicate their efforts to experimenting and documenting the capabilities of Eureka, as well as researching Hydaelyn and the Echo, all in an effort to one day destroy the primal.
During the events of A Realm Reborn, Eureka was discovered by the Ascian Emmerololth. In order to stop Emmerololth from freeing the captive Primal, Galuf cast a spell that submerged the entire island in the aetherial sea. Though this stopped Emmerololth it also killed everyone on the island, Galuf included.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker[]
Krile finds a letter in the Students of Baldesion's archives from Gulool Ja Ja. She notes that the letter is quite old, and wonders if Galuf traveled there once long ago. Gulool Ja Ja's daughter Wuk Lamat would later tell Krile that the letter was not actually written by her father, though his signature on it appeared genuine.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail[]
When meeting with Gulool Ja Ja, he confirmed to Krile that twenty years ago he had indeed called for Galuf to help him investigate the golden city. However, Gulool Ja Ja refused to elaborate any further, so as not to give Wuk Lamat, who Krile was helping, an unfair advantage in the test to become new ruler of Tuliyollal.
Wuk Lamat's party eventually found the entrance to the golden city in Yak T'el, and Krile would go on to learn from Gulool Ja Ja and Ketenramm that twenty years ago they and Galuf had found it as well and revealed Krile's origin from the other side of the gate.
Characteristics[]
Appearance[]
Galuf's modern day appearance has never been completely revealed. His younger self is seen during an Echo vision. He is an older Midlander Hyur with grey hair.
Personality[]
Galuf's boundless generosity is well know, for he has used his family's wealth to fund orphanages and the educations of promising youths. However, it is also said that he can be strangely, if not conveniently forgetful at times.
Behind the scenes[]
Galuf is based on and named after Galuf Halm Baldesion from Final Fantasy V. His companions seen in flashbacks in the Eureka storyline are designed after the other Warriors of Dawn, also from Final Fantasy V: Dorgann Klauser, Kelger Vlondett, and Xezat Matias Surgate.
Galuf is voiced by James Goode in the English version, who had previously voiced Grynewaht Arvina in Stormblood.