Gridania is Dead (and other talk)

[Matsume]

I choose Gridania.

I am an Ul'dahn man myself.

(It is a strange thing, but I see the events of this game tie in with events in real life, and I'm not talking about just seasonal events, I'm talking about the seventh umbral era. A cataclysmic event that will change the world forever. The secret goblin society, the Illuminati, The Sultanant, The Empire...maybe I'm just crazy)

Okay, I'm going to work with you on this one because I have had a lot of fun ranting about conspiracy theories represented via FFXIV in my linkshell.

First Rhetorical Question: Where do you think SE gets the material for all of the Final Fantasy series?

Moving on: The Seventh Umbral Era and the Arrival of 2.0 Is due to arrive late December 2012. It would not surprise me if SE decides to release it Dec.21 2012 on the winter Solstice which just so happens to be the proposed Mayan "End of the world" :

. Scenarios suggested for the end of the world include the arrival of the next solar maximum, or Earth's collision with a black hole, passing asteroid or a planet called "Nibiru".

Sound Familiar? "Meteor"? anyone?

Next, let's discuss the Era's themselves. A GM quote can be found here indicating that each Era has lasted roughly 1500 years..

Thank you for your questions.

What happened in the earlier Umbral Eras?
The further back in history the era is, the less clues we have that can tell us as to what exactly happened. Those who live in Eorzea now can only speculate and construct a picture of the past based on myths and lore.
But because the still rather recent 6th Umbral Era (although it was already about 1,500 years ago) was such a highly significant event in history, there are still many records on the topic that allow us to reconstruct what happened.

Theologists and Historians have studied many sources and from them concluded what struck in the first through sixth Umbral eras.
1. The Umbral Era of Wind. This was the end of the divine's era and simultaneously the beginning of men's era.
2. The Umbral Era of Lightning.
3. The Umbral Era of Fire.
4. The Umbral Era of Earth.
5. The Umbral Era of Ice.
6. The Umbral Era of Water. Severe flooding caused the submersion and damage of many parts of Eorzea.

Because all six Umbral eras are based on the six elements, the people have believed that there will be no more. But since the discovery of the 7th Verse of Mezaya's prophesy, they are instead beginning to believe in an impending 7th Umbral Era.

Considering we are at the end of the 6th Era, multipled by 2 (umbral and astral era of each element) we arrive at = 6 x 2 = 12 x 1500 = 18,000 years being the "beginning" of Eorzean Men as we know it. This just so happens to coincide with the Last Glacial Maximum when humanity first began to flourish with the retreat of the glaciares and the prime soil they left behind.

But, the Last Glacial Maximum was between 26,000 and 20,400 years ago not 18,000 as you have Indicated.

Correct! But the first era (18,000 years ago) was wind, so If we go back 2 more eras (2x astral+umbral = 4 x 1500 years = 6,000 years) to the beginning of the preceding Ice Era (assuming they repeat) we obtain 24,000 years ago, which corresponds perfectly with the Last Glacial Maximum.

Furthermore, the current Eorzian Umbral Era of Water corresponds perfectly with what we may call the beginning of the Great Flood of Noah's Ark (roughly 600 C.E)

All this talking of Elements moves me to my next point: the Wu Xing an ancient chinese mnemonic device related to the elements and their interactions as well as Yin an Yang corresponding to Astral and Umbral affinities. Let it be known the origin of Yin Yang had to do with which side of a hill recieved light from the sun or was shaded at sunrise yet these reversed at sunset...

And then, of course, there are The Twelve:

Nald'thal is the brother of Oschon.
Oschon is the brother of Nald'thal, Menphina's lover, and the teacher of Halone.
Menphina is the sister of Azeyma, Oschon's lover, and the daughter of Althyk.
Azeyma is the sister of Menphina, Thaliak's lover, the daughter of Althyk, and the mother of Llymlaen and Nophica.
Thaliak is the teacher of Byregot, Azeyma's lover, and the father of Llymlaen and Nophica.
Rhalgr is the apprentice of Nymeia and the father of Byregot and Halone.
Althyk is the brother of Nymeia, the father of Menphina and Azeyma, and the grandfather of Llymlaen and Nophica.
Nymeia is the sister of Althyk and Rhalgr's master.
Llymlaen is the sister of Nophica, is the daughter of Azeyma and Thaliak, and is the grandaughter of Althyk.
Nophica is the sister of Llymlaen, is the daughter of Azeyma and Thaliak, is the grandaughter of Athlyk, and is rivals with Halone.
Byregot is the brother of Halone, the son of Rhalgr, and the student of Thaliak.
Halone is the sister of Byregot, the daughter of Rhalgr, the student of Oschon, and the rival of Nophica.

Twelve not unlike the calendar used in ancient Chinese Astrology. Now, If you know just a little about the Four Pillars of Destiny, you would realize that every year, month, day and hour are related to and have an affinity with an astrological animal and yin yang element. Not unlike what is revealed to us by the first three chapters of the Dusty Tomes in the Gridanian Conjurer's Guild:

Chapter 1 - The Suns:

By the unit of a sole Sun we mean that period which lasts for the duration of four cycles of the six elemental hours─those of Ice, Water, Wind, Lightning, Fire, and Earth. And so is the Sun twenty hours and four, and so shall it ever be.
The life of a single Moon spans four cycles of eight Suns, and is thus the sum of thirty and two. The eight deriveth from the elements six, Ice, Water, Wind, Lightning, Fire, and Earth, and the polarities two, Astral and Umbral.

Chapter II - The Moons:

The life of a single Moon spans four cycles of eight Suns, and is thus the sum of thirty and two. The eight deriveth from the elements six, Ice, Water, Wind, Lightning, Fire, and Earth, and the polarities two, Astral and Umbral.

Chapter III - The Years:

The Year is made when the Moons go round the two Astral and Umbral poles, fluctuating between the six elements, and that in turn. In this, the Year can be said to be the length of twelve Moons.

The first and second Moons of the Year are the first Astral and first Umbral, and together they share an affinity with Ice. On their watch, all is frozen, and breath of life sloweth to near silence beneath.

The second Astral and second Umbral Moons come third and fourth in turn, and they are the Water of the melting Ice, and with their flowing slaketh the thirst of life again.

Fifth and sixth are the third Astral and third Umbral Moons, and the Wind bloweth over the Water, carrying its heavenly boons near and far.

The fourth pairing of Astral and Umbral Moons come seven and eight, when the heavens rageth with the furies of Lightning, and sendeth them below with godly terror to test the faith of men.

The ninth and tenth Moons are the fifth Astral and Umbral, as the Lightning turns to Fire, and it charreth growing life with the colors of its flames, bleeding blade and leaf with brilliant hues of crimson and scarlet.

Year's end cometh in the eleventh and twelfth Moons, the sixth Astral and sixth Umbral, in which Earth consumes all, for out of the ground we are taken for the dust we are, and to the dust we shall return.

Hmmm... Very interesting.

Last but not least I think I'll discuss the Names of Final Fantasy Characters, specifically the Primals:

Carbuncle: This creature was alleged to be seen in Latin America. Legends say the Carbuncle has some sort of jewel on its head.

Quetzalcoatl: a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and has the meaning of "feathered serpent". Again, related to the Maya.

Ifrit: are supernatural creatures in Arabic and Islamic cultures. They are in a class of infernal Jinn, spirits below the level of angels, noted for their strength and cunning. An ifrit is an enormous winged creature of fire, either male or female, who lives underground and frequents ruins.

Leviathan: is a sea monster referred to in the Bible. In Demonology, the Leviathan is one of the seven princes of Hell and its gatekeeper (see Hellmouth).

Odin: is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard (!sounds like Ishgard!)

Ramuh (rama): is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian Puranas.

Shivah: is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power, he lives a life of a sage at Mount Kailash.

Garudah: is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.

Pheonix: is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese and (according to Sanchuniathon) Phoenicians.

Titan: In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities, descendants of Gaia and Uranus, that ruled during the legendary Golden Age.

Fenrir: n Norse mythology, Fenrir is a monstrous wolf.

Bahamut: is a vast fish that supports the earth in Arabian mythology. In some sources, Bahamut is described as having a head resembling a hippopotamus or elephant

Kujata: A bull generally thought to be resting on the head of Bahamut in Arabian mythology.

Lakshmi: is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm.

and the list goes on and on and on...

And you are surprised that SE made reference to the goblin Illuminati or the Knights Templar?

In short, Final Fantasy is an Allegory constructed of symbols drawn from Humanities rich past including but not limited to the ancient civilizations and religions of the Mesoamerican, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Roman, Arabian, Islamic, and Norse peoples.

This could serve as a great educational experience to some...For more information on FFXIV Lore I will kindly refer you to Azury Ariella's Lore Compendium.

Happy hunting!