Quote Originally Posted by Yrusama View Post
Forgive me if anyone brought this up, but wasn't Urianger accused of being part of a circle of mages responsible for the 6th Umbral Era? If these Ascians are as old as they seem to be, maybe Urianger was mistaken for one of them?

Mhm! He was in fact. He's also referred to by Nael van Darnus as a false prophet.

The possibility of him being mistaken for one of the dark sorcerers from the Sixth Umbral era, Ascian or not, is definitely there I think. Especially since stories can become twisted over time as they're passed down and no normal person from the last umbral era would still be alive.

Again I point to a line a text Y'sthola provided.

Y'shtola: Yes, there are those who claim it was the mages and their unholy pact with the demon lords of the seven hells that triggered the cataclysm, but there are others who believe it was the mages who led the realm out of that dark age.
Perhaps the stories of Archons and Ascians* got mixed up and twisted over time, hence why some people believe mages led them out of the umbral era, those mages actually being the Archons and not the dark mages they fought.

When we confront Urianger about the rumors in the quest An Officer and a Wise Man, he has this to say.

Urianger: The Twelve have willed that our paths cross once more, and for this I give thanks.
Urianger: For that which came to pass when last we met, I do beg thy pardon. Though I called upon my familiar, I swear I meant thee no lasting hurt.

Urianger: Upon these once taintless shores lurk Garlean devils, dizened in darkness─their object, to bestrew venomous falsehoods anent my person and purpose.

Urianger: They claim me one of a cabal of malign mages whom erst summoned forth a terrible doom unto Eorzea. They covet my knowledge of the Seventh Moon, deeming it a threat to peace, and have ventured so far as to call for my death, luring would-be abettors with the luster of false riches.

Urianger: I have pled mine innocence to them that would hear it, but what is one voice of truth amidst a chorus of calumnies? So, that my message might be delivered, I was compelled to brave a less trodden path. I had need of them that could discern good from evil, though each be clad in the cloth of the other.

Urianger: And it was with this in mind that I did test thee, knowing that when thou hadst overcome adversity, thou wouldst awaken anew to the light of truth.

Urianger: From thy feats that day, I know I have found one of them I seek. Thou art blessed with the fortitude to endure the blight that will descend upon Eorzea anon. Aye, thou shalt prove a boon in the battle to come, and any of the Grand Companies of Eorzea would be fortunate to count thee in their number.

Urianger: Yet...though thou hast hitherto endured much, thou must needs apprehend all this as but the beginning. The fate of the realm rests upon thy shoulders and the shoulders of thy compeers. Shirk not this burden, for if thou dost, Eorzea will perish ere the first flame falleth from the heavens.