Chronology of Eras

Does anyone know how time is measured across each era?

For example, on the official site is says the following:

"In the Year 1557 of the Sixth Astral Era, a mere thirty-six years from the Empire's founding..."

Have they ever specified if years begin their count anew in each era, or if it is a comprehensive total? Will the 7th Umbra Era begin with year 1 or will it continue with the last year of the previous cycle?

Thanks for the clarification, it was just something that came to mind recently.

Oh, I see what you're asking. I believe it resets for each Era. Cause Thancred mentions the last apocalypse (the flooding in the Sixth Umbral Era) was "more than a thousand years past." in the "Career Opportunities" quest.

Similar to how Elder Scrolls resets their year count for each Era (currently in the 4th Era).

Was there any information regarding what happened in the previous eras? Were they all marked by catastrophes?

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Originally Posted by Rau

Was there any information regarding what happened in the previous eras? Were they all marked by catastrophes?

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All Umbral eras were, we only know that the 1st Umbral era marked the end of the time of gods, the 4th Umbral era wiped out the Alagan Empire, and the 6th Umbral era was a huge flood. Nothing else about the rest of them, they are lost in history, no one on Eorzea knows what happened exactly.

Yup, every apocalypse was themed after one of the 6 elements. The 7th apocalypse makes it special since there's no specific element tied to it.

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Originally Posted by Jacien

Yup, every apocalypse was themed after one of the 6 elements. The 7th apocalypse makes it special since there's no specific element tied to it.

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The 7th Umbral era is a none elemental one, it had to be because all 6 elements have been represented, that's why everyone believed the 6th Umbral era was the last.

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Originally Posted by Jacien

Yup, every apocalypse was themed after one of the 6 elements. The 7th apocalypse makes it special since there's no specific element tied to it.

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To be more specific, Nael tells us that it is his master's (Bahamut's) wish that the cycle of astral and umbral eras be ended.
It is not yet clear if Bahamut was properly successful in that objective.

Yeah we spent the entire game so far in the 1557'th year of the 6'th astral, we will now start anew in the 5'th year of the 7'th umbral.

ok so lets guess here for a sec...

1st Umbral era caused by Odin or Fenrir or perhaps both? Second Umbral era Ifrit Third Umbral era Ramuh 4th Umbral Era Garuda 5th Umbral era Titan 6th Umbral era Leviathan 7th Umbral era Bahamut

i based this off the elemental wheel but idk just a guess lol

EDIT: I didnt put shiva because there hasnt been any real type of circumstance for her to appeear woulda seem sort of weird i think.

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Originally Posted by Jacien

Yup, every apocalypse was themed after one of the 6 elements. The 7th apocalypse makes it special since there's no specific element tied to it.

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Bahamut is supposed to be Non-Elemental..
I get it

Thank you for the responses all. Another question for you:

If the 7th Umbral era was not supposed to occur, as the 6th should have been the last, will there be an 8th Astral Era? Or will we continue the 7th Umbral Era until the end of time? Maybe call it something else in the future, similar to how we have adopted a different way of marking the passage of time compared to those civilizations in the past.

Thoughts?

It's not that it wasn't supposed to occur. It's that it was believed to not to occur. Until the seventh verse from the Divine Chronicles was recently discovered.

Same thing could happen in the future.

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Originally Posted by Delsus

All Umbral eras were, we only know that the 1st Umbral era marked the end of the time of gods, the 4th Umbral era wiped out the Alagan Empire, and the 6th Umbral era was a huge flood. Nothing else about the rest of them, they are lost in history, no one on Eorzea knows what happened exactly.

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Untill! Now!! sorry couldn't help my self.

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Originally Posted by lolodin

ok so lets guess here for a sec...

1st Umbral era caused by Odin or Fenrir or perhaps both? Second Umbral era Ifrit Third Umbral era Ramuh 4th Umbral Era Garuda 5th Umbral era Titan 6th Umbral era Leviathan 7th Umbral era Bahamut

i based this off the elemental wheel but idk just a guess lol

EDIT: I didnt put shiva because there hasnt been any real type of circumstance for her to appeear woulda seem sort of weird i think.

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Can't remember where I saw this again (I have a cold right now @.@ my head's a fuzz) but the first Umbral was Wind elemental and the 4th was Earth (Leading me to believe that the Allagan empire was burried beneath the ground in great earthquakes or something to that effect). They listed all of the elements associated with the numbered era's somewhere.

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Originally Posted by Siegtaru

Can't remember where I saw this again (I have a cold right now @.@ my head's a fuzz) but the first Umbral was Wind elemental and the 4th was Earth (Leading me to believe that the Allagan empire was burried beneath the ground in great earthquakes or something to that effect). They listed all of the elements associated with the numbered era's somewhere.

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i see... well if ya ever find it id like to see it i just figured odin/fenrir for the first because it was the fall of the gods but idk was just guessing anyway

ahh i found it from ffwiki

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The First Umbral Era of Wind. Marked the end of the divine era and the beginning of men's age.
The Second Umbral Era of Lightning.
The Third Umbral Era of Fire.
The Fourth Umbral Era of Earth - Destroyed the Allagan civilization.
The Fifth Umbral Era of Ice.
The Sixth Umbral Era of Water - Severe flooding caused the submersion and damage of many parts of Eorzea.

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Originally Posted by lolodin

ahh i found it from ffwiki

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Nice find !

Dust off those Dusty Tomes before the game goes offline~

If memory serves, that list of era elements originally came from a post on these forums by Fernehawles, one of the English version Localizers, so that gives it credability.

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Originally Posted by lolodin

ok so lets guess here for a sec...

1st Umbral era caused by Odin or Fenrir or perhaps both? Second Umbral era Ifrit Third Umbral era Ramuh 4th Umbral Era Garuda 5th Umbral era Titan 6th Umbral era Leviathan 7th Umbral era Bahamut

i based this off the elemental wheel but idk just a guess lol

EDIT: I didnt put shiva because there hasnt been any real type of circumstance for her to appeear woulda seem sort of weird i think.

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I don't know of any evidence supporting the idea that all of the Umbral Era catastrophes were caused by beastmen primals. The events could have entirely unrelated causes.

We also know for a fact that Midgarsormr had kept the primals sealed during its reign, and the primals were only set free when it died fighting Garlemald. This happened only a few years before the game took place.

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Originally Posted by Inaaca

I don't know of any evidence supporting the idea that all of the Umbral Era catastrophes were caused by beastmen primals. The events could have entirely unrelated causes.

We also know for a fact that Midgarsormr had kept the primals sealed during its reign, and the primals were only set free when it died fighting Garlemald. This happened only a few years before the game took place.

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But why were the primals sealed? Who did it? Did Midgardsomr just randomly decide to seal all primals, including it's own tribe god (Bahamut)?

You know, the theory that each era was caused by a Primal may not be so far fetched. They are considered gods by their beast tribes and at no point any primal is mentioned as being "stronger" than other. Maybe each time one of the primals went apeshit crazy. Oh well, who knows.

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Originally Posted by radhaz

Dust off those Dusty Tomes before the game goes offline~

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Maybe someone can write "EORZEAN HISTORY FOR DUMMIES" and put it into ARR along with a whole library of lore filled tomes. How about it Mr Developer?

The Theory that each era was caused by Primal might not be correct, as It was mentioned (in the WHM quest I think) that One of the Umbral Era was brought by Corrupted White Mages who used their Power for Self-interest which marked the loss of Its' Teachings. I think Black Mages were mentioned somewhere as well, I dunno.

Bahamut was sealed in Dalamud by Ancient Allag Technology of the 4th Era.

Midgardsormr, one of the Dragon Kings, is also the "Guardian" of Silvertear Falls", which was also the "center of Aether" in Eorzea, sealing/guarding it, which subsequently sealed the Primals' power within. (Primal summoning is a Physical form of the Primal's Aetheric manifestation (dunno how to word this one)) When Midgardsormr died/went on a cold sleep during the War on Mor Dhona 15 years prior to the present time, the Seal was undone and consequently, the Primals' Aether was released as well.

or at least It's what I think it is.

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Originally Posted by Delsus

All Umbral eras were, we only know that the 1st Umbral era marked the end of the time of gods, the 4th Umbral era wiped out the Alagan Empire, and the 6th Umbral era was a huge flood. Nothing else about the rest of them, they are lost in history, no one on Eorzea knows what happened exactly.

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Somewhere it's written the 5th umbral era was an ice age. During this time the Miqo'te came to Eorzea.

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Originally Posted by Inaaca

I don't know of any evidence supporting the idea that all of the Umbral Era catastrophes were caused by beastmen primals. The events could have entirely unrelated causes.

We also know for a fact that Midgarsormr had kept the primals sealed during its reign, and the primals were only set free when it died fighting Garlemald. This happened only a few years before the game took place.

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I think Midgarsormr only sealed the beastmen primals, the elder primals (Odin and Bahamut) who it seems roam don't seem to have been sealed, because Bahamut was sealed in Dalamud by the Allagan Empire, therefore he would have been somewhere (possibly roaming) and Bahamut did something, that caused them to decide to seal him away. This has to have been before the 4th Umbral Era (when Allag was destroyed) it coulld have been that Bahamut all but destroyed the empire, so the survivors could have sealed him.

I don't think there are records going back beyond the 6th astral era in Eorzea, so we may never know..... Lore Master Fern, I summon thee for clarification!!!

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Originally Posted by Delsus

I don't think there are records going back beyond the 6th astral era in Eorzea, so we may never know..... Lore Master Fern, I summon thee for clarification!!!

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Ferne makes me happy with Lore posts. Early christmas present please!

Wait, I'm confused. I thought the eras worked like this:

First Umbral Era -> First Astral Era
Second Umbral Era -> Second Astral Era
Third Umbral Era -> Third Astral Era
Fourth Umbral Era -> Fourth Astral Era
Fifth Umbral Era -> Fifth Astral Era
Sixth Umbral Era -> Sixth Astral Era

Umbral Eras were times of strife, war, pestilence, etc...
Astral Eras were times of peace, rebuilding, knowledge, etc...

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Originally Posted by Inaaca

I don't know of any evidence supporting the idea that all of the Umbral Era catastrophes were caused by beastmen primals. The events could have entirely unrelated causes.

We also know for a fact that Midgarsormr had kept the primals sealed during its reign, and the primals were only set free when it died fighting Garlemald. This happened only a few years before the game took place.

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Er no, Midgarsormr didn't seal anything.

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Though the great dragon is able to destroy the Garlean flagship, he perishes in the process, and the seal which he protected (guarding the concentration of aether beneath Silvertear Lake) is broken, allowing the beast tribes access to this energy, which they use to freely summon their primals (as taught to them by the mysterious paragons).

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The seal itself is what is/was under the Silvertear Lake. Midgarsormr only guards Silvertear Lake which in turn protects the concentration of aether that lies beneath (part of the Crystal Tower and the tomb of the Allagan Emperor).

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Originally Posted by Bowen

Wait, I'm confused. I thought the eras worked like this:

First Umbral Era -> First Astral Era
Second Umbral Era -> Second Astral Era
Third Umbral Era -> Third Astral Era
Fourth Umbral Era -> Fourth Astral Era
Fifth Umbral Era -> Fifth Astral Era
Sixth Umbral Era -> Sixth Astral Era

Umbral Eras were times of strife, war, pestilence, etc...
Astral Eras were times of peace, rebuilding, knowledge, etc...

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You're correct.

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Originally Posted by Aryden

Does anyone know how time is measured across each era?

For example, on the official site is says the following:

"In the Year 1557 of the Sixth Astral Era, a mere thirty-six years from the Empire's founding..."

Have they ever specified if years begin their count anew in each era, or if it is a comprehensive total? Will the 7th Umbra Era begin with year 1 or will it continue with the last year of the previous cycle?

Thanks for the clarification, it was just something that came to mind recently.

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The Present year is 1572 Sixth Astral. Each era starts over at the year 0. Sixth Umbral (which Urianger may have had a hand in) was said to have happened 1500 years ago. When ARR starts we will be in either 0 or 1 7th Umbral.

Or we could be in as far as Year 5, 7th Astral era, depending on how long 7th Umbral lasted.

Or we could be in Year 5, New era. This assumes the umbral/astral cycle has been ended as Bahamut desired.

I think the actual year also depends on when exactly people decide that it has become the new era. When we leave the fight on the "last day", who knows when the common people will start saying it is the first year of the 7th Era.

Additionally, does the Empire use the same chronology? They could have a different method of counting time that is imposed on us.

I imagine it would be very easy to determine when an Umbral era begins (usually with a large catastrophe), but how can anyone determine the beginning of an Astral Era?

Wouldn't any gap in war/destruction/etc be treated as potentially the beginning of an Astral era? Or is it just declared in retrospect after years of peaceful living?

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Originally Posted by Zantetsuken

I imagine it would be very easy to determine when an Umbral era begins (usually with a large catastrophe), but how can anyone determine the beginning of an Astral Era?

Wouldn't any gap in war/destruction/etc be treated as potentially the beginning of an Astral era? Or is it just declared in retrospect after years of peaceful living?

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If we go by the 6th umbral era which was a huge flood right across Eorzea, the 6th umbral era would have ended when the water receded completely.

The 7th umbral era (in lore terms) will probably be when Bahamut is either killed or imprisoned again, but in game terms may never end.

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Originally Posted by AdvancedWind

But why were the primals sealed? Who did it? Did Midgardsomr just randomly decide to seal all primals, including it's own tribe god (Bahamut)?

You know, the theory that each era was caused by a Primal may not be so far fetched. They are considered gods by their beast tribes and at no point any primal is mentioned as being "stronger" than other. Maybe each time one of the primals went apeshit crazy. Oh well, who knows.

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We don't really know the reasons behind the sealing of the primals, but Bahamut wasn't sealed by Midgarsomr, he was sealed in Dalamud. We also don't really know where Odin fits in all of this.

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Originally Posted by NoloeTazier

Er no, Midgarsormr didn't seal anything.

The seal itself is what is/was under the Silvertear Lake. Midgarsormr only guards Silvertear Lake which in turn protects the concentration of aether that lies beneath (part of the Crystal Tower and the tomb of the Allagan Emperor).

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The point is that the primals were sealed during Midgarsomr's reign and unable to wreak havok upon anything.