Technology of the Crystal Tower

[Mysteltain]

As I was running through the Labyrinth of the Ancients this week, an interesting thought struck me and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind: just what purpose does the Labyrinth serve? Now, before you answer "It's protecting the Crystal Tower from intruders", that's not quite what I'm asking. I've been looking around the Labyrinth when I can, and I find it pretty strange that the Allagans would build something like the Crystal Tower for the purpose of capturing solar energy (which even Cid admits is a massive undertaking for them), then build a massive structure around it filled with all manner of traps. If they wanted a giant wall, they could've just built a giant wall. Instead they built it so each each Path has a theme associated with it: Fire, Water, and Poison. There must be an underlying purpose for why the Labyrinth is separated into three discreet Paths with such elaborate architecture, yes?

So with that out of the way, here's my theory: the Labyrinth of the Ancients acts as an energy refinery. The Crystal Tower can collect all the sunlight it wants, but unless it can convert that solar energy into something it can actually use then it's just a toothpick, albeit an exceptionally large and fancy one. So the Crystal Tower gathers the energy, sends it over to the Labyrinth to be processed, and that energy is then used to keep the Tower's systems running. Each of the Paths within thus serves a purpose in this process.

Both the Path of Redemption and the Crossroads have lava constantly flowing through them, so perhaps the solar energy is being converted into thermal energy? The lava is constantly flowing in both of these areas, and beneath the Crossroads is a pit filled with lava that extends for what appears to be hundreds of yalms. Perhaps the Allagans had systems in place that would then convert the thermal energy into fire-aspected aether that they could use.

The Path of Vice could most likely be a heat sink. Should the systems fail, there's an ample supply of water to stop the flow of lava. Also, the water here could be used to make sure that the Labyrinth's systems don't overheat and fail that way. The Path of Decay, meanwhile, could be where any waste from the refinery process is gathered.

Admittedly, I'm no expert in energies nor in how various fuels are refined, but like I said, this is a thought that crossed my mind and I'm curious to see what others think of it. The explanation for all of this stuff could simply be "Because it looks cool." or "No, the Crystal Tower does all that through magic.", but there's nothing wrong with the occasional outlandish theory =P

EDIT: And now that I've read through all of what I wrote and taken a second, perhaps the Crystal Tower does refine the energy it gathers, and the Labyrinth is then entirely a waste disposal facility. Bah, now I'm not sure if I wasn't thinking enough about this and came in half-cocked, or if I'm overthinking it, haha!

[Nialle]

Figuring out the mystery of what the Tower is will be part of the ongoing questline, I imagine. Right now, though, knowledge of the full abilities of the Allagans is very limited so it could have processes and purposes that we haven't even conceived of yet.

[Dotsusama]

You know, as much as I enjoy CT and how often I've been there, I've never taken a good look at the place. I think I'll keep your theories in mind next time I've finished, ported back to the entrance, and gone on a bit of a sightseeing tour!

[Enkidoh]

Having not actually done the Labyrinth of the Ancients yet, I'm not sure about things shown inside, but from what I was led to believe, the Crystal Tower is supposedly the tomb of the last Allagan Emperor, Xande (himself a FFIII reference). In 1.0 it was located underground, but even then npcs stated that there was evidence of a 'massive crystal structure buried deep underground', and that it seemed to be exuding enormous amounts of aether, so your ideas just might ring true.

[Tears-of-Death]

I imagine the tower serves as the height of allagan power which was also used to power their research in the binding coil given the story scene after defeating twin.

[Marishi-Ten]

As I was running through the Labyrinth of the Ancients this week, an interesting thought struck me and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind: just what purpose does the Labyrinth serve? Now, before you answer "It's protecting the Crystal Tower from intruders", that's not quite what I'm asking. I've been looking around the Labyrinth when I can, and I find it pretty strange that the Allagans would build something like the Crystal Tower for the purpose of capturing solar energy (which even Cid admits is a massive undertaking for them), then build a massive structure around it filled with all manner of traps. If they wanted a giant wall, they could've just built a giant wall. Instead they built it so each each Path has a theme associated with it: Fire, Water, and Poison. There must be an underlying purpose for why the Labyrinth is separated into three discreet Paths with such elaborate architecture, yes?

So with that out of the way, here's my theory: the Labyrinth of the Ancients acts as an energy refinery. The Crystal Tower can collect all the sunlight it wants, but unless it can convert that solar energy into something it can actually use then it's just a toothpick, albeit an exceptionally large and fancy one. So the Crystal Tower gathers the energy, sends it over to the Labyrinth to be processed, and that energy is then used to keep the Tower's systems running. Each of the Paths within thus serves a purpose in this process.

This, in the solar industry, is called an "Inverter". Converting Direct Current from the Sun into Alternating Current to be used by homes/utilities. Every solar array has one, so it's not outside the realm of possibilities.

Both the Path of Redemption and the Crossroads have lava constantly flowing through them, so perhaps the solar energy is being converted into thermal energy? The lava is constantly flowing in both of these areas, and beneath the Crossroads is a pit filled with lava that extends for what appears to be hundreds of yalms. Perhaps the Allagans had systems in place that would then convert the thermal energy into fire-aspected aether that they could use.

The Path of Vice could most likely be a heat sink. Should the systems fail, there's an ample supply of water to stop the flow of lava. Also, the water here could be used to make sure that the Labyrinth's systems don't overheat and fail that way. The Path of Decay, meanwhile, could be where any waste from the refinery process is gathered.

Let's say you have a PV module that puts out 300W but the inverter can only take in 250W. Where does the rest of the DCW go? It's bled off as heat from the Inverter itself. It's possible that the Labyrinth bleeds off energy that's not needed as heat which in turn could cause geological anomaly's that normally wouldn't be seen (global warming).

I was under the impression that the Crystal Tower was the resting place for the First Emperor of The Allag, Xandu, and had booby traps and puzzles akin to the Egyptians to "dissuade" would be grave robbers and plunderers as they believed he would one day awaken and lead his people to greater glory.

[Darske]

I've got the not-so crazy idea that perhaps we're looking at this the wrong way. Maybe it's not so much about keeping things out (although that's certainly a function) as it is about keeping things in.

My money's on the Crystal Tower functioning as a sort of prison for... something. No idea what, but considering that solar energy is highly sustainable, it could easily be a long-term containment facility for something. The Binding Coil implies that if something's very dangerous to the Allag, they just seal it away. And all the super powerful defenses within don't just keep people from reaching what it is, but they also serve to keep whatever it is from escaping in a worst-case scenario.

Either that, or it could be my crazier completely unsubstantiated theory that the entire tower itself is XIV's Alexander. Which would be pretty awesome, but I've got nothing to back that up except wishful thinking.

[axemtitanium]

Maybe it's because the Allagans all had humongous reproductive organs and they wanted to show them off as much as possible by building needlessly large monuments like the Crystal Tower and Labyrinth of the Ancients. Food for thought.

[Marishi-Ten]

Maybe it's because the Allagans all had humongous reproductive organs and they wanted to show them off as much as possible by building needlessly large monuments like the Crystal Tower and Labyrinth of the Ancients. Food for thought.

It's possible! Though I would imagine the building of extremely large structures would be over compensation for the lacking of specific "traits" right?