Ascians

[Viridiana]

I might as well take the opportunity to point out that you've guessed wrong above. The Ascian involved in the summoner storyline is nameless. Or rather, he's known only as the Ascian of the Twelfth Chalice, and he's one of Lahabrea's servants, along with the Ascians of the Twelfth Staff, the Twelfth Sword and the Twelfth Pentacle.

We first met the Twelfth Sword and Twelfth Staff way back in story-mode Haukke Manor, when they openly told the WoL that they were merely there "to take the measure" of his/her strength for Lahabrea.

All four servants would turn up in the Heavensward summoner storyline.

Hmm…Even with the Sword and Staff being Lahabrea's underlings, can we be certain that the Chalice and Pentacle are his as well? I haven't done post-50 SMN story, so I wouldn't know if there's text you haven't quoted that supplies the answer (and xivdb no longer has quest text to check). Basically, I'm assuming that the "Numbered Item" refers to a hierarchy, but does the number determine the leading named Ascian, or does the item? Are the Twelfth X's all Lahabrea's, or are all the Swords and Staves? Or, indeed, only one of the two between Sword and Staff, with the other being a different Ascian lending his underling for a mission?

[CyrilLucifer]

Basically, I'm assuming that the "Numbered Item" refers to a hierarchy, but does the number determine the leading named Ascian, or does the item? Are the Twelfth X's all Lahabrea's, or are all the Swords and Staves? Or, indeed, only one of the two between Sword and Staff, with the other being a different Ascian lending his underling for a mission?

12th seems to refer to the number in the Zodiac that they serve. Lahabrea, who represents Pisces, would be master of the 12th.

Belated edit: It also is why Chalice goes on and on about how the "waters are infinite." In Astrology, Pisces is a member of the watery triad/trigon along with Cancer (Pashtarot) and Scorpio (Nabriales).

What was most interesting to me about the SMN quest was the comment that Lahabrea seemed to have "uplifted" the lower Ascians. I believe that's the exact term they used. There's obviously nowhere near enough information to base any accurate assumptions on it, but it does make me incredibly curious.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Hmm…Even with the Sword and Staff being Lahabrea's underlings, can we be certain that the Chalice and Pentacle are his as well?

Yes, we can be very sure that the quartet of "Twelfth" Ascians are Lahabrea's minions.

During their confrontation with the WoL in the summoner storyline, the Twelfth Pentacle says: "You have earned the ire of Lahabrea's most loyal servants."

I don't know, however, if that implies there are other underlings beyond the Twelfth Chalice, Sword, Staff and Pentacle. (Thanks to Cilia, for pointing out that these are the four suits of the Minor Arcana. I didn't notice that.)

I don't recall that Y'mhitra said anything about Lahabrea "uplifting" his minions, though. But, then again, I didn't record verbatim everything that was said during the quest line, so I may have just missed it.

[CyrilLucifer]

Yes, we can be very sure that the quartet of "Twelfth" Ascians are Lahabrea's minions.
I don't recall that Y'mhitra said anything about Lahabrea "uplifting" his minions, though. But, then again, I didn't record verbatim everything that was said during the quest line, so I may have just missed it.

No, it was actually the Ascians themselves that say that. Which is why it interests me.