Chronology of Eras

[AdvancedWind]

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.

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.

[Thebard]

Dust off those Dusty Tomes before the game goes offline~

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?

[Anima]

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.

[Felis]

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.

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

[Delsus]

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.

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!!!

[LlenCoram]

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!!!

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

[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...

[NoloeTazier]

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.

Er no, Midgarsormr didn't seal anything.

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).

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).

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...

You're correct.

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.

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.

[Catapult]

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.

[Aryden]

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.