Order of the Southern Sky

Order of the Southern Sky
(南天騎士団, Nanten Kishidan?)
Background information
Type	Order of knights
Affiliation(s)	Druksmald Goltanna
Rivals	Order of the Northern Sky
Members
Leader(s)	Cidolfus Orlandeau (originally) Delita Heiral (briefly)
Notable members	Orran Durai Delita Heiral

The Order of the Southern Sky, also known as the Nanten,, is an organization in Final Fantasy Tactics. It is an order of knights that serve Ivalice, led by Cidolfus Orlandeau. During the War of the Lions, it was affiliated with Duke Goltanna, the Black Lion.

The Order of the Southern Sky was led by Cidolfus Orlandeau, the Thunder God, and at a later point led by Delita Heiral. Orran Durai was one of its mages. The order fought for Ivalice alongside the Order of the Northern Sky against Ordallia in the Fifty Years' War. It later fought against the Northern Sky, who were affiliated with Duke Larg, a rival for the regency.

History

Fifty Years' War

The Order of the Southern Sky was one of many orders of knights that fought Ordallia during the Fifty Years' War, alongside the Order of the Northern Sky and the Order of the Eastern Sky. Cidolfus Orlandeau, the Thunder God, was close to the Northern Sky's lord commander, Barbaneth Beoulve, as well as Zalbaag Beoulve.

The father of Orran Durai served alongside Count Orlandeau, but was killed in the wars' waning days. Count Orlandeau adopted Orran Durai, who became a mage in the service of the order.

Despite strong efforts by both the Northern and Southern Sky orders, Ivalice failed to repel Ordallia.

War of the Lions

After the events of Ziekden Fortress, Delita Heiral, formerly of the Northern Sky, joined the Order of the Southern Sky.

During chapter 2, "The Manipulative and the Subservient" (also depicted in the prologue), some Northern Sky knights disguised as Southern Sky knights on the orders of Queen Louveria and Chancellor Glevanne (a treacherous aide to Duke Goltanna), in a plot to sully Duke Goltanna's name and deny him the regency. Delita foiled the plot and outed Chancellor Glevanne to Duke Goltanna, who then crowned Princess Ovelia queen and led the Order of the Southern Sky to the royal city of Lesalia. This sparked the War of the Lions, as Duke Larg insisted that Prince Orinus was the rightful heir and led the Order of the Northern Sky in his name.

The war's first major clash came at the Battle of Groffovia, shortly after the beginning of chapter 3, "The Valiant". The fighting involved a series of brutal skirmishes that caused nearly 400,000 casualties. In the aftermath, the Southern Sky retreated to Fort Besselat after the Northern Sky seized control of Lesalia.

As the stalemate dragged on, in chapter 4, "In the Name of Love", the Northern Sky recalled its full strength to march on Fort Besselat in a decisive offensive. As it occurred, Count Orlandeau was accused of attempting to assassinate Duke Goltanna and held in a cell, with Delita placed in charge of the Southern Sky. Ramza Beoulve freed Count Orlandeau during the battle. Amid the confusion, Duke Goltanna was killed by Delita, while Duke Larg was killed by Dycedarg Beoulve.

With both dukes dead, in the aftermath, Delita—celebrated for rescuing Princess Ovelia—married her and ascended the throne, restoring peace to Ivalice.

Etymology

In the original localization the organization was known as the "Nanten", which means "Southern Sky (or Heaven)".