Quote Originally Posted by treuhavik View Post
The impression I get is that they far predate the Allag. They seem to recall the time of "balance" when Zodiark, if not Hydaelyn as well, was present. I'm assuming they originally existed along side the gods in Eorzea (before the 1st Umbral) and developed their power of the echo, individually or collectively, as such to allow them to transcend death when the time came.

However, they could have been Allagan forebears.
I wouldn't be surprised if the cause of every Umbral era could be traced to an Ascian.