The metropolis is ruled by the Order, an organization devout to their god, Bhunivelze. The residents spend their days absorbing the teachings of this sacred deity. Metal is a common material found in the various structures of this gothically tinged city. Traveling bags and other ornaments are scattered around, depicting a charming yet surreal atmosphere. As the day draws to an end, the city's serenity is no more. Monsters and other creatures of the night prowl the area, leaving Lightning to fend for her life.
Official description[1]
Luxerion, the Divine City of Light is one of the main locations in Nova Chrysalia in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and it acts as the capital city. A religious organization known as the Order of Salvation is in charge of keeping the peace. The Order worships the deity Bhunivelze, and spreads his teachings to the populace praying for the doomed world's salvation. Snow's chapter in Final Fantasy XIII: Reminiscence -tracer of memories- reveals Luxerion was the first city built on Nova Chrysalia by the fal'Cie Pandaemonium, which later came to reside in Yusnaan.
Datalog[]
- Luxerion
- The holy city is home to the Order's great cathedral, the seat of its power. Most of the residents are devoted to Bhunivelze, the god of light, and each day many of the faithful stream into the city from other areas to pay homage to their god.
- The city center used to span the area between North Station and Old Town, but the encroachment of the Chaos has split the city. Now the central functions of the city have migrated to the southern part of the city, between South Station and the commercial district.
- The fortress to the north of Old Town has been abandoned by the authorities and is now known as the Warren. It is the preserve of outlaws and the heretics who defy the Order.
- The Cathedral of Luxerion
- Towering over the Luxerion skyline is the grand headquarters of the Order of Salvation.
- During the day, a grand hall called the Hall of Devotion is open to the public, and believers come to hear the sermonizing of the priestess who leads the Order. Pilgrims stream to the cathedral, many of them hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious saint who lives deep within the cathedral—but few are rewarded.
- Beneath the cathedral is God's Sanctum. This special chamber stands ready for the ceremony that the Order will perform on the last day of the world—only a select few are allowed to enter it.
Story[]
After the formation of Nova Chrysalia, Hope Estheim, Snow Villiers, and Noel Kreiss made a pact to find a way to save the decaying world and established Luxerion before Snow became the patron of Yusnaan. When Hope disappeared 331 years after Nova Chrysalia's formation, it left a power vacuum the Order of Salvation exploited. Noel, burdened by guilt, took residence in the rundown area of Luxerion, the Warren, and came to be known as the vigilante "Shadow Hunter".
One-hundred fifty-six years later, Oerba Dia Vanille and Oerba Yun Fang awoke from crystal stasis and were taken in by the Order. Due to Vanille's newfound ability to hear the dead she was venerated as a saint, and the Order keep her under constant supervision. Fang learned the Order intends to use Vanille as a sacrifice on the world's final day, and left for the Dead Dunes and formed the Monoculus bandit group to thwart the Order by obtaining the holy clavis needed for Vanille's ritual.
Thirteen years later, after confronting Snow and Lumina in Yusnaan, Lightning arrives in Luxerion via the monorail and learns of a string of murders in the city. While investigating, she learns the culprits are the members of the Children of Etro who have been targeting pink-haired women. Following the cultists incognito, Lightning witnesses them slipping to the Forsaken Graveyard were they commit their ritual murders. To enter, she requires a code, and decides to search for it the following morning.
Lightning comes across an alley where people are gathered and finds a digit of the code. Noel sneaks up to her but vanishes when Lightning turns around. The final digit is by an Oracle Drive that depicts a vision of the savior being killed by Noel, the Shadow Hunter. Lumina says there are people who believe they must make the prophecy come true. Noel confronts Lightning, confirming what Lumina has said, but claims it's not the time and place for him to kill her and leaves.
After midnight Lightning uses the code to enter the Forsaken Graveyard and finds the Children of Etro about to murder a captured woman. Stopping the ritual, Lightning is joined by Noel in defeating the cultists as he denounces them for killing innocents. As soldiers of the Order arrive to the scene to arrest the cultists, Noel departs asking Lightning to follow him. In the Den of Shadows Lightning learns the Oracle Drive depicts Noel killing her on the final day and being reunited with Yeul in a new world. She provokes Noel into a fight, but he destroys the Oracle Drive, knowing killing Lightning is not what Yeul would want. Yeul's spirit appears from the broken Oracle Drive and promises Noel they will soon be together. Lightning saves Noel's soul, and he departs saying he will stop living in the shadows.
After hearing about Lightning's exploits in the city, Vanille requests to see her. Lightning speaks with Vanille's servant, Aremiah, who tells her a precious crystal shard has been lost. When Vanille awoke from crystal stasis, she was grasping a piece of crystal and it has been her precious possession ever since, as it lets her glimpse the estranged Fang. Lightning finds the crystal from a delivery company employee who claims someone high up in the Order gave it to them with no receiver's address, and Lightning thinks someone from the Order wanted to steal it from Vanille. Lightning returns the crystal to Aremiah and is granted passage into the cathedral at night time.
Lightning finds Vanille with Lumina. Vanille leads Lightning underground to God's Sanctum and shows her a concentration of Chaos around the altar, which Lumina refers to as the "wind of sorrow", lost souls in suffering. Vanille explains the souls of those who died after Valhalla's Chaos burst through Etro's gate were drawn to the cathedral and that she can hear every cry of their pain. The Order seeks the save the dead from their anguish and needs Vanille to call them to her. Lightning asks if she will be able to handle millions of souls at once, but Vanille answers she doesn't have a choice. Lumina says the souls have been building up for years, and if Vanille does not call them to her and they ever escaped, it would destroy the world as well as the future.
On the final day of the world Chaos advances into Luxerion, engulfing the city with Anubyses emerging from its depths, the cathedral remaining as the last safe haven as Vanille prepares to sacrifice herself in the Soulsong, a ritual the Order claims will save the souls of the dead. Lightning has learned the Order seeks to use Vanille to destroy the dead and ensure their own salvation in Bhunivelze's new world. With help from Noel, Lightning is joined by Fang as they reach God's Sanctum where the ritual is being performed, and convince Vanille to stop the ritual and instead guide the dead to the Ark where they can be reborn. When the final bell tolls, Bhunivelze appears, using Hope as a medium, and captures the souls of Lightning's friends and invites her to witness the birth of his new world. After Mog arrives to help, Lightning goes through the Savior's Trials and forges the Ultima Weapon, and enters the last trial to confront Bhunivelze in the realm of Cosmogenesis.
Locations[]
North Station Area[]
The monorail to Yusnaan is located here. The station has a General Shop called Gald's Good Potions and a path to the Warren that opens at midnight. North Station becomes a warp point for the Teleport EP ability after being visited the first time. Chocolina maintains the Canvas of Prayers outside the station. The rare shop Forge (Rare) sometimes appears near the water's edge on the plaza, and there is an outfitters on the plaza called Divine Protection Outfitters.
At the North Station Plaza, there is a look-out post and a treasure sphere on the northeast corner for Fighter's Emblem. When Lightning arrives here on the first day there is a murder victim on the middle of the plaza next to an angelic statue holding a clock, and an investigator from the Order asks Lightning's help in finding the culprits in the quest "1-1 An Evil Savior". After "1-2 In the Shadow of the Heretics" quest starts Lightning can spot the cultists on the North Plaza and either shadow them to the Forsaken Graveyard or take the group head on in a battle.
A girl on the plaza starts "The Things She's Lost" quest, where Lightning must find the girl's doll. In front of the angelic statue there is a woman who starts the "Like Clockwork" quest where Lightning must locate every clock in Luxerion, thirteen in total. There are four in this area: Above the North Station entrance, above the General Store in the North Station, above the Station Attendant in the North Station, and above the statue in North Station Plaza in front of North Station.
In North Station Plaza, the phone in the phone booth rings and if Lightning answers she starts "The Girl Who Cried Wolf" quest. As part of the "Voices from the Grave" quest, Lightning must find the ghost of Carla near the central statue after midnight.
After completing the Main Quest 1-5, Noel can be spotted walking from North Station toward the city by crossing the ticket barrier between 9 PM and 12 AM.
Commercial District[]
Many shops are found in this area. The restaurant district, or Centrum, is west from the North Station Plaza where Lightning can replenish her HP at Breezy Diner and Beverage Shop. On the steps next to the Beverage Shop is a clock that needs to be inspected for the "Like Clockwork" quest. The way up the steps leads to the Forsaken Graveyard, and the way south to the Arcade and Warehouse District.
During the "1-3 Find the Code" quest, Lightning can find a digit on the Commercial District. One of the shops on the Avenue is Chocobo Emporium and next to the Emporium is a clock that needs to be inspected for the "Like Clockwork" quest. On the Gallery Steps Lightning can talk to Blythe to start the "Dying Wish" quest. After gathering the items Blythe requests, Lightning can get the Spectral Elixir from the Chocobo Emporium between 11 AM and 5 PM. Across the street from the Emporium a masked woman, Mitka, spawns between 5 AM and 1 AM for the "Avid Reader" quest.
Old Town[]
From the North Plaza there is an alley leading to Old Town. Turning right after the first gate, Lightning will enter Gate Of Revelation and continuing forward, enters Temporary Route. At the end of the Temporary Route turning left and then right reaches the Marketplace. There is a Sorcery Shop here for synthesizing abilities, a forge for buying weapons and shields at Mighty Grandville Forge, and an inn for recuperating and fast-forwarding through the day. During the Stuck in a Gem" quest Lightning can find a boy here surrounded by cats and must give him an item without any of the cats touching Lightning first.
On a pile of junk there is a green doll needed for "The Things She's Lost" quest. South of the hotel there is a clock that needs inspecting for the "Like Clockwork" quest. A merchant in the Marketplace called Seger sells the Shaolong Gui Shell item needed for the "Dying Wish" quest for 600 gil. Lightning can also find the Sparkstrike Lv. 2 ability here.
Heading south from Old Town, Lightning can go through the Pilgrim's Causeway to the Holy District. The way north leads to the The Wall of Joy area of The Warren but the gate is only open after midnight. Forge (Rare) can appear in Old Town.
Warren[]
The rundown part of the city where crime is frequent and the Shadow Hunter makes his home. The gates into the Warren opens between 12 AM and 6 AM. There is a gate leading here straight from the North Station, and another from from Old Town.
During the "1-3 Find the Code" quest, Lightning can find a digit here behind the Rusted Gate northwest from Old Town that opens at midnight. When the clock hits 00:00 Lightning should go through the gate to reach the Wall of Wealth to find Lumina with an Oracle Drive and the number.
Den of Shadows is a part of Warren where the Children of Etro reside. When Lightning comes here to track down Noel during the "1-5 Hunter in Light and Shadow" quest, all random encounters are against Fanatics. The correct way is to stay elevated on the precarious footpaths, but if Lightning drops to the bottom level she can find Thorn of Protection and Battleaxe of the Believer. At the end Lightning will find Noel's abode and another Oracle Drive, where she must battle Noel as a boss to complete the main quest. Afterward, Den of Shadows remains empty and there is never a reason for returning.
In the Wall of Joy area in the Warren, reached from the alley from the North Station, has a man at the base of a ramp who needs to be talked to as part of the "Avid Reader" and "To Save the Sinless" quests. Talking to a boy here called Aldrick starts "A Rose by Any Other Name" quest.
The clues of "The Girl Who Cried Wolf" eventually lead to the Wall of the Wealth area of the Warren (north of Old Town), where Lightning can catch up with the quest giver and complete it. In this area Lightning can talk to Rubrio to obtain the Starlit Spice item for the "Stuck in a Gem" quest, and to Lackley to start the "Get the Girl" quest.
Forge (Rare) can appear in the Warren. The only other shop here is Luma's General Store.
Forsaken Graveyard[]
The graveyard is located on the northwest part of Luxerion and is linked to a Major Route leading to the Wildlands, but to open the route Lightning must do a Canvas of Prayers quest on the 9th day. The most powerful enemies in Luxerion roam about the graveyard, including Gaunts, Dreadnoughts and Zomoks, and Chaos infusions are frequent. The Children of Etro commit nocturnal rituals on the site. Stray dogs wander around the area during daytime and the area contains Stormbane Choker and Zirconia Brooch in treasure spheres, and the Crest of Etro key item as part of the story. The graveyard has two exits, but the western one north of the Residences area opens after doing the main quest related to the area.
To gain access to the graveyard Lightning must find the four digits around Luxerion s part of the "1-3 Find the Code" quest, and answer the phone in the phone booth on the Forsaken Graveyard Gate that starts ringing at midnight, or force an entrance by insulting their goddess and facing a "Dreadnought". After gaining access to the graveyard, the "1-4 Rites for a Goddess" quest begins, where Lightning must interrupt the cultists' ritual on the monument. Afterward, the west entrance to the graveyard opens.
Outside the graveyard near the phone booth there is a clock needed for the "Like Clockwork" quest. As part of "The Girl Who Cried Wolf" quest, Lightning must answer a ringing phone in the Forsaken Graveyard Gate phone booth. As part of the "Get the Girl" quest, Lightning can come to the Sinner's Corner near the Forsaken Graveyard Gate and talk to Lackley and Seila. As part of the "Voices from the Grave" quest Lightning must locate Myka's ghost at the Monument after midnight.
Residences[]
The Residences is a quiet area where Lightning can do some quests. It is near the Warehouse District and the north leads to the Forsaken Graveyard, but the gate remains closed until the main quest of that area is complete. Near the Sentry in the middle of the Residences there is a clock that needs inspecting for the "Like Clockwork" quest.
Virgil is a robed man on the Plaza of Prayers in the Residences who asks Lightning top check up on red spheres in the "Suspicious Spheres" quest. There are three spheres: one next to Virgil, one in Back Alleys, and one is found near the phone booth on 1st Ave. In the Saint's Hill area, talking to Lamont starts a "Faster Than Lightning" quest, where Lightning must beat the boy in a race.
A man with large glasses found in the area called Armand is part of two quests: talking to him the first time starts the "Buried Passion" quest where Lightning must return to talk to Armand on multiple days and finally find Armand's pen. Afterward he can be interacted with for the "To Save the Sinless" quest.
Arcade[]
The arcade is a small grassy area with columns between the business area and the warehouse district, leading to the southern part of Luxerion. Enemies spawn here and this area can become a Chaos infusion. Baird makes his home here, standing by a pillar, and will enlist Lightning as a seedhunter to collect soul seeds from within the Chaos for the "Soul Seeds" quest. Afterward, he will purchase any additional soul seeds for 400 gil a piece. If Lightning brings him or any of the other soul seed traders more soul seeds, she will gain additional prizes, and selling 50 seeds earns an achievement.
After starting his quest for soul fragments in the Wildlands, Sazh Katzroy can be randomly found wandering the area between the gate to the graveyard and where Baird is found in the Arcade. He stops wandering the world after all soul fragments have been collected. If he appears in Luxerion, he stays put for one in-game hour.
Forge (Rare) can appear at the Arcade.
Warehouse District[]
The warehouse district is usually empty. During the "1-3 Find the Code" quest Lightning can find a digit in the district. In the North-South Corridor that extends south from the warehouse district, a Zomok lurks within a Chaos infusion and thirteen bounty hunters were killed trying to fell it. Lightning can partake in a mission "Born from Chaos" to take on the beast. On the north side nearest to the Residences area, by the Informative Man, is a clock that needs inspecting for the "Like Clockwork" quest. Between the buildings, Lightning can find a Thunderclap Cap needed for the "Dying Wish" quest.
In the northeast corner of the Warehouse District Lightning can find a man and a set of boxes as part of the "The Saint's Stone" quest. The Crystal Shard quest item is found along with some Bronzed and Silvered Medals.
South Station Area[]
The monorail that goes to the Wildlands and the Dead Dunes is located on the southern edge of Luxerion. Chocolina maintains the Canvas of Prayers outside. There is a clock outside the South Station entrance that needs inspecting for the "Like Clockwork" quest. During the "1-3 Find the Code" quest Lightning can find a digit on the west wall from the Canvas of Prayers.
On the Idol Avenue right outside the station Lightning will find Luka, a girl who used to be an actress who sells tears to alleviate people's pain, and Lightning can partake in a quest to save her soul called "The Angel's Tears". Talbot, a boy on the plaza, has lost a ball and Lightning can help him reclaim it in "Treasured Ball" quest. Afterward, she can learn from Solandra, the giver of "Born from Chaos" quest, that Talbot's elder brother was one of the bounty hunters killed by Zomok. As part of "The Girl Who Cried Wolf" quest, Lightning must answer a ringing phone in the 1st Ave. and Old Theater phone booths near the station.
2nd Avenue north from the South Station has shops, restaurants and an inn. Close to the Inn and the General Store is a Grocer who will sell the Mandragora Root for 400 gil needed for the "Dying Wish" quest, and the store opens at 10 AM and closes at 7 PM. The general shop here is called South Corner General Store, and the local outfitters is Bespoke Outfitters.
After completing the Main Quest 1-5, Noel can be spotted walking from South Station toward the Warehouse District by crossing the South Station ticket barrier. This situation is available between 4 PM and 7 PM.
Clock Tower[]
The clock tower towers over the town, and is needed for the "Like Clockwork" quest where Lightning must inspect every clock in Luxerion. The Clock Tower clock can be examined by touching the pedestal inside the building. The sentry outside the tower initiates the "Voices from the Grave" quest, where Lightning must find the ghosts of those murdered by the Children of Etro. If Lightning went on without solving the city's murder mystery for another day, a woman is murdered at the Clock Tower and later Lightning must locate the victim's ghost here as part of the "Voices from the Grave" quest.
After completing the Main Quest 1-5, walking by the stairs in Pilgrim's Passage will result in Noel appearing close to the Clock Tower. This situation is available between 3 AM and 6 AM.
Holy District[]
The Holy District on the southeast of Luxerion is the area around the cathedral. The long passageway is called Pilgrim's Causeway and connects the Holy District to the Old Town. Monsters spawn in this area, and in a secluded area that breaks off the passage Lightning can find a cat and start the "Stuck in a Gem" quest. In the south end of Pilgrim's Causeway Lightning can find rarely find Forge (Rare).
South of the sentry at the entrance to the Holy District, there is a clock that requires inspecting for the "Like Clockwork" quest. On the Cathedral Plaza Lightning can talk to Aremiah to start "The Saint's Stone" quest.
At the Pilgrim's Passage outside the cathedral, Lightning can find Ranulph who starts the quest "Avid Reader". There is an outfitters here called Outfitters Rouge.
Luxerion Cathedral[]
The Order of Salvation's seat of power. A temple built to honor Bhunivelze, where the faithful go to pray on a regular basis, and where Vanille lives under the Order's protection. Underneath it lies the Temple of Light, accessed on the world's final day.
Map[]
Quests[]
Treasures[]
Item | Location |
---|---|
1st: Fighter's Emblem
2nd: Fighter's Emblem+ |
North Station, Plaza |
1st: Twist Headband
2nd: Twist Headband+ |
Commercial District |
1st: Magician's Token
2nd: Magician's Token+ |
Commercial District |
Sparkstrike Lv. 2 Quill Pen |
Marketplace |
Runic Ring | Rusted Gate |
Guard Glove | Pilgrim's Passage |
Guard Lv. 2 | 2nd Ave. |
Proof of Legendary Title | Wandering Cleric |
Stormbane Choker Zirconia Brooch Crest of Etro Phantom Rose |
Forsaken Graveyard |
Thundara Lv. 2 | Warren, Mangled Hill |
Thorn of Protection Battleaxe of the Believer Shadow Hunter |
Den of Shadows |
Violet Amulet | Clock Tower area |
Proof of Courage | Holy District |
Enemies[]
- Anubys (Final Day)
- Cathedral Sentry (neutral unless provoked)
- Dreadnought (in graveyard during daytime)
- Fanatic (in Den of Shadows during main quest)
- Gaunt (in graveyard)
- Gertrude (in the Warren)
- Gorgonopsid (on Pilgrim's Path)
- Gremlin
- Meonekton (only between hours of 4:00 - 6:00)
- Niblet
- Zomok (quest monster within Chaos infusion, and in graveyard during night)
- Noel Kreiss (Boss)
- Noel Kreiss+ (Boss, Day 7+)
Shops[]
Forge (Rare)[]
Musical themes[]
Depending on the time of day, various tracks from disc one of the original soundtrack play while exploring Luxerion, although some areas have their own themes that play regardless of the current time.
"The Evil Savior" plays when Lightning first arrives in Luxerion. "Luxerion" plays in the morning (in some parts of the city "Nova Chrysalia" plays instead), "Reverent Souls" plays in the afternoon, "Sunset Prism" plays in the evening and "The Sleeping City" plays during night time. A street musician plays "New Bodhum" theme from Final Fantasy XIII-2 outside the clock tower at night time. "The Warren" plays in the Warren, and "The Cathedral" plays in the cathedral.
"Crimson Blitz", an arrangement of "Blinded By Light", is the primary battle theme in Luxerion and plays between 6 AM and 6 PM. "Lightning Returns" is the battle theme between 6 PM and 6 AM.
"Noel & Yeul ~The Promise~" plays after Lightning's battle with Noel in Luxerion. "Sunset Prism" and "Sunset Path" reprise the track's melody.
Behind the scenes[]
Art director Isamu Kamikokuryo has revealed the gothic feel and the monochromatic color scheme of Luxerion were chosen to represent a surreal twilight.[2] The city's style merges gothic, medieval, modern, and fantasy designs. The city's colors are mainly composed of white and black, symbolizing light and darkness, as well as featuring the ethereal green seen in Valhalla from Final Fantasy XIII-2. Director Motomu Toriyama said the city's grim tone symbolizes "the strong awareness of death in a world that has lost its concept of mortality."[3] It has been said that Luxerion has a western look, similar to that of Paris. The city's style has been called "Mech-Goth", alternatively called "Mechanical Gothic".[4]
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
Lux is the SI unit of illuminance and luminous emittance, measuring luminous flux per unit area. It is also the Latin word for "light".