Maxima quo Priscus, also known as Maxima the Neoteric, is a non-player character from Final Fantasy XIV. He is the second-in-command to Asahi sas Brutus's diplomatic contingent representing the Garlean Empire, tasked with making peace with Doma following its liberation. He later defected to the Alliance after learning the truth behind the Empire.
History[]
Early life[]
Born as a pure-blooded Garlean to progressive parents, Maxima joined the Garlean army, but was horrified by the treatment of imperial subjects. Maxima aligned its interests with the Populares, a collective that seeks to reform the rights of the common population. Shortly thereafter, his parents died under suspicious circumstances and Maxima resigned from his own family so as not to put his loved ones in danger.[1]
Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood[]
Maxima arrives in Yanxia as a member of Asahi's ambassador group.
His honorable side was showcased when he fulfilled the original prisoner-exchange and peace treaty with Doma after Asahi's evil machinations became known. Maxima was more open-minded than most Garleans, as after hearing that crown prince Zenos yae Galvus was killed by the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, he did not gainsay their eye-witness accounts, only confirming to them that Zenos (in reality, the Ascian Elidibus in possession of Zenos's body) met with the negotiation party before they departed. He also welcomed Alphinaud when he offered to go to Garlemald as a Doman emissary.
Upon defecting the Empire after nearly getting assassinated by the Emperor's personal guard and witnessing brutal acts of oppression in the provinces, Maxima realized the true nature of his homeland. He was grateful towards the Eorzean Alliance, Ala Mhigo specifically, for granting him and his party asylum.
When the Warrior of Light told Maxima that the Garlean Empire was founded by the Ascians for the purpose of spreading chaos, he almost refused to believe it. After hearing that Emperor Varis zos Galvus himself confirmed this to the Alliance, he accepted it as fact while strengthening his resolve to aid the Eorzean Alliance in defeating the Ascians that manipulated his homeland and people.
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers[]
Following Estinien's report to the Scions of Varis's death at the newly resurrected Zenos's hands, Maxima arrived at the Rising Stones to escort the Warrior of Light and Krile to a meeting between Gaius Baelsar and Raubahn Aldynn in Ala Mhigo.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker[]
Along with Lucia, Maxima served as one of the leaders of the Ilsabard contingent sent by nations across the world to fight the Telophoroi in Garlemald. After Fandaniel was defeated, Maxima stayed behind to help the Garleans rebuild their ruined city.
Characteristics[]
Appearance[]
Maxima is tall but thin of frame, lacking the "warrior's" build common to some other Garleans. He wears rounded partially-rimmed glasses over his light-pink eyes, as well as sporting a well-trimmed goatee. His long dark-brown hair is pulled back into a knot at the back of his head, with a number of locks of hair protruding from it.
As an officer of the Garlean Empire, Maxima wears their typical blackened plate armor, though he and his companions forego the typical Garlean helmets. He carries a typical Garlean gunblade at his hip.
After leaving his position in the Garlean Empire, he wears light armor consisting of leather pads worn over normal cloth clothing, with numerous pouches affixed to belt, as well as a couple affixed to a bandoleer that also serves to hold a layered plate of armor over his right shoulder. He wears a leather neckwrap with a silver insignia on it. Having discarded his gunblade, he now carries only a small curved dagger sheathed on his left thigh.
Personality[]
Maxima is a respectable, honorable, and dutiful Garlean of the Populares faction who desires to change the Empire's policy of expansion and exploiting other nations. He is content to be branded a traitor by his homeland in exchange for preventing the war and violence between Garlemald and other countries from escalating further, and ideally to put an end to it entirely. His actions are driven by a love for his homeland and a wish to see Garlemald become a nation of peace.
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
Maxima is the plural form of "maximum".