Moon

The Moon in Final Fantasy VIII.

The Moon (月, Tsuki?) is a recurring plot element of importance in the Final Fantasy series. Some worlds in the series have more than one moon. A red moon is a recurring symbol of usually a malevolent power; in some games the normal moon turns red, but the red moon has also existed as its own celestial body.

Appearances

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)

Final Fantasy IV

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The two moons over Baron Castle, the smaller one being the Red Moon.

Main article: Red Moon

There are two moons, one of which is the Red Moon, actually an artificial structure. It is home to the Lunarians, the race to which Kluya, father of Cecil and Golbez, belongs. Cecil, after losing all the Crystals to Golbez, goes to the moon via the Lunar Whale—a flying ship made by Kluya—that allows one to travel through space. The Red Moon is also home to the God of Eidolons, Bahamut, and the Hummingway tribe.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

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Main article: True Moon

Template:See Also A new moon appears in the sky home to the Creator, an entity that travels the cosmos observing planets as their inhabitants evolve. The Creator judges whether the lifeforms are deserving of living and destroys their planets with his moon in case they are not.

Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals

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Main article: Black Moon

The moon of Final Fantasy V is revealed to be home to Ra Devil, an entity that observed the planet and is planning to destroy it.

Final Fantasy VIII

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The moon displaying the beginnings of the Lunar Cry.

Main article: Moon (Final Fantasy VIII)

The Moon is the true origin of the monsters and the reason they infest the planet. The event where monsters are brought into the planet is called the Lunar Cry, during which the Moon turns red.

Final Fantasy IX

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Main article: Twin Moons (Final Fantasy IX)

The planet of Gaia has two moons, one red, which actually originates from Terra, and its original blue moon. The moons do not play a part in the storyline, but there is a Tetra Master card dedicated to them.

Final Fantasy X

Template:Sideicon Spira has at least one moon partially visible in outer space when Sin prepares to unleash Giga-Graviton.

Final Fantasy XI

Template:Sideicon As Vana'diel's moon orbits the planet it passes through distinct lunar phases, moving from the New Moon to the Full Moon and back through cycles of waxing and waning. One full lunar cycle lasts for 84 in-game days, which translates to 3 days, 8 hours, 38 minutes, and 24 seconds of Earth time. The moon's color varies based on the current day of the Vana'diel week. For example, the moon will appear red on Firesday, but the next night on Earthsday it will take on a yellow hue.

The moon's phase is known to affect certain aspects of the game. For instance, some Notorious Monsters, such as Haty and White Coney, will only spawn during a Full Moon, but others, such as Bendigeit Vran and Black Coney, only appear during a New Moon. An Ark Pentasphere, required for the "Divine Might" quest, can only be obtained during a Full Moon, whereas the quest "Searching for the Right Words" cannot be completed during a New Moon. Various pieces of equipment also provide the player with additional, beneficial effects depending on the moon phase.

Many players believe the moon phase influences several other aspects of the game. The Full Moon is thought to increase the drop rate of loot found on monsters, cause plants grown through gardening to yield better results, and improve the overall success rate of synthesizing items through crafting. Conversely, drop rates seem to be slightly worse as it approaches the New Moon, and crafting is more likely to fail, but instead provides a greater chance of skill-ups and high-quality synthesis results. Fishing results seem to be best on the Full Moon and the New Moon, with results deteriorating slightly as it approaches the Quarter Moon.

In Abyssea, an alternate dimension that exists parallel to Vana'diel, the moon seen in the night sky appears significantly larger. It is revealed that the Abyssean version of Al'Taieu no longer hangs in a paradox state above the planet, but instead of returning to Qufim Island it has ascended to the moon for unknown reasons. After defending the nine Abyssean zones from the fiends that threaten them and defeating the six Caturae, the adventurer can access Abyssea - Empyreal Paradox where they can challenge Shinryu.

Final Fantasy XIV

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Dalamud over Mor Dhona after patch 1.23b.

Main article: Dalamud

Eorzea was initially orbited by two moons, a large white moon and a lesser red moon named Dalamud. The larger moon is said to be represented by the goddess Menphina, and Dalamud was known as "Menphina's loyal hound" due to its orbital characteristics. The events of the Seventh Umbral Calamity brought Dalamud down unto Eorzea, where it was revealed to be of artificial origin.

In A Realm Reborn, only the larger moon remains in orbit. It progresses through lunar phases as Eorzean days pass.

Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward

Lunar horizon

In the stinger at the end of Heavensward, Elidibus is seen speaking with the "Warrior of Darkness" on the white moon.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates

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Main article: Crimson Moon

The Crimson moon is a manifestation of evil created long ago when the God of Light created the planet. When he created the world, he extracted its chaotic evil in the form of a moon. Humans who are influenced by its power become Lunites.

Spoilers end here.

Gallery

Moon in Final Fantasy IV.

Red Moon battle background in Final Fantasy IV (SNES).

Red Moon battle background in Final Fantasy IV (GBA).

Red Moon battle background in Final Fantasy IV (PSP).

True Moon battle background in Final Fantasy IV: The After Years.

Final Fantasy X.

Etymology

A natural satellite, or moon, is a celestial body that orbits another body, e.g. a planet, which is called its primary.

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