Is 'Hydaelyn' a misnomer based on a misconception?

[purgatori]

So it's always been somewhat confusing that the star we occupy in the game shares a name with the crystalline entity who bosses us about from time to time, but I always assumed that this was because, at the very least, it was Hydaelyn who created the star. But as we all now know, our star precedes both Hydaelyn and Zodiark. All Hydaelyn did was sunder the star when it got caught in the crossfire between her and Zodiark, so does it really make sense to call said star Hydaelyn at all?

[Enkidoh]

It does, because the original 'star' (the original name of which has not been revealed so far) no longer exists. The Terminus effectively destroyed it, and Zodiark's summoning stopped the Terminus at the last moment and restored the devestated world with new life, but it wasn't really the same world anymore by the Ascians' own admission (it's metaphysical framework had been after all specifically rewritten by Zodiark intentionally, and "countless new tiny lives had begun to spring up on the world"), and then it was sundered into the 'Source' and the Fourteen Shards when Hydaelyn was summoned as a counterweight to Zodiark's power in reply to the surviving members of the Convocation attempting to sacrifice the survivors of their race and the new life that had appeared on the planet to Zodiark to completely restore the world to how it once was - Hydaelyn throwing a spanner in that plan accordingly.

The Ascians have not once mentioned what the world's original name was pre-Terminus (it was simply referred to as 'the Star'), and with Zodiark banished to the moon (which he continues to be associated with as a 'darkness' god), it is still correct to call the planet Hydaelyn, simply for lack of a better alternative (it should also be worth mentioning that FFXIV's setting metawise is more often than not called Eorzea as a world rather than just a geographical region it actually is, but this does not really count).

[purgatori]

It does, because the original 'star' (the original name of which has not been revealed so far) no longer exists. The Terminus effectively destroyed it, and Zodiark's summoning stopped the Terminus at the last moment and restored the devestated world with new life, but it wasn't really the same world anymore by the Ascians' own admission (it's metaphysical framework had been after all specifically rewritten by Zodiark intentionally, and "countless new tiny lives had begun to spring up on the world"), and then it was sundered into the 'Source' and the Fourteen Shards when Hydaelyn was summoned as a counterweight to Zodiark's power in reply to the surviving members of the Convocation attempting to sacrifice the survivors of their race and the new life that had appeared on the planet to Zodiark to completely restore the world to how it once was - Hydaelyn throwing a spanner in that plan accordingly.

The Ascians have not once mentioned what the world's original name was pre-Terminus (it was simply referred to as 'the Star'), and with Zodiark banished to the moon (which he continues to be associated with as a 'darkness' god), it is still correct to call the planet Hydaelyn, simply for lack of a better alternative (it should also be worth mentioning that FFXIV's setting metawise is more often than not called Eorzea as a world rather than just a geographical region it actually is, but this does not really count).

Very well explained. Thanks for that.

On the subject of Zodiark's current dwelling place, it only just dawned on me yesterday that the reason that we keep seeing the Ascians hanging out on the moon is because it is this body with which Zodiark is associated.

[Elladie]

It does, because the original 'star' (the original name of which has not been revealed so far) no longer exists. The Terminus effectively destroyed it, and Zodiark's summoning stopped the Terminus at the last moment and restored the devestated world with new life, but it wasn't really the same world anymore by the Ascians' own admission (it's metaphysical framework had been after all specifically rewritten by Zodiark intentionally, and "countless new tiny lives had begun to spring up on the world"), and then it was sundered into the 'Source' and the Fourteen Shards when Hydaelyn was summoned as a counterweight to Zodiark's power in reply to the surviving members of the Convocation attempting to sacrifice the survivors of their race and the new life that had appeared on the planet to Zodiark to completely restore the world to how it once was - Hydaelyn throwing a spanner in that plan accordingly.

The Ascians have not once mentioned what the world's original name was pre-Terminus (it was simply referred to as 'the Star'), and with Zodiark banished to the moon (which he continues to be associated with as a 'darkness' god), it is still correct to call the planet Hydaelyn, simply for lack of a better alternative (it should also be worth mentioning that FFXIV's setting metawise is more often than not called Eorzea as a world rather than just a geographical region it actually is, but this does not really count).

Pretty sure this isn't altogether accurate. Yes there was devastation on a huge scale on the original star, but it certainly didn't cease to exist. We visit the actual ruins of an Amaurotine city on the First; if the Terminus event destroyed an entire star they wouldn't be there. Yes the star was split into fourteen as were the souls that lived upon it, and at some point on the Source we started to call the star Hydaelyn after its 'creator'. Or perhaps it was always called Hydaelyn and the summoners named their primal after the star (less likely since Zodiark is the one who is actually the manifestation of the will of the star so perhaps it was called Zodiark before)

[Eloah]

Pretty sure this isn't altogether accurate. Yes there was devastation on a huge scale on the original star, but it certainly didn't cease to exist. We visit the actual ruins of an Amaurotine city on the First; if the Terminus event destroyed an entire star they wouldn't be there. Yes the star was split into fourteen as were the souls that lived upon it, and at some point on the Source we started to call the star Hydaelyn after its 'creator'. Or perhaps it was always called Hydaelyn and the summoners named their primal after the star (less likely since Zodiark is the one who is actually the manifestation of the will of the star so perhaps it was called Zodiark before)

What Amaurotine city are you referencing, because we visit no such thing on the first. The only thing we visit is an illusion. As for the name Hydaelyn. I think it's a simple case of history is written by the Victor. Hydaelyn "won" so the star is called Hydaelyn.

As for the star's original name, let's either call it Genesis or Termina. Either we call it the beginning or the end, lol.

[Lersayil]

What Amaurotine city are you referencing, because we visit no such thing on the first. The only thing we visit is an illusion. As for the name Hydaelyn. I think it's a simple case of history is written by the Victor. Hydaelyn "won" so the star is called Hydaelyn.

As for the star's original name, let's either call it Genesis or Termina. Either we call it the beginning or the end, lol.

Parts of the city may have been illusion, but the ruins in the surrounding area are of Amaurotian origins, as are the ruins the Ondo live in.

It is likely Emet used the ruins of an actual Amaurotian city as the base of his illusion. Not sure if it was ever outright stated if it IS the ruined city of Amaurot itself though, but its probable.

[Eloah]

Parts of the city may have been illusion, but the ruins in the surrounding area are of Amaurotian origins, as are the ruins the Ondo live in.

It is likely Emet used the ruins of an actual Amaurotian city as the base of his illusion. Not sure if it was ever outright stated if it IS the ruined city of Amaurot itself though, but its probable.

Ah those ruins, you are half right.

The ruins you encounter in the end game are not Amaurotine in origin, at least not how you think. In truth, they were created by someone who had fleeting memories of the original star. The same thing exists in the Ronkan Ruins and was elaborated upon by the developers. We dont actually encounter anything from the original star, just the facsimile created by Emet-Selch. The ruins are of First Origins.

Indeed, the city even "recognises the WoL" when you first get there. If the city was a complete illusion born of the mind of Emet Selch then there would be no reason why he would imagine his creations to recognise the player having Ascian heritage because he was unaware of it until his end.

That's not exactly what happens. Emet-Selch invited us, so why wouldn't it recognize our unique signature. Plus you might be confusing what the Ascian heritage means. In your context you're talking about us being a member of the council, but truthfully, all of the races have "Ascian heritage" as we were all unified beings at one point. This much Emet-Selch did know. The only difference is any being from the source is more "complete"

[Elladie]

What Amaurotine city are you referencing, because we visit no such thing on the first. The only thing we visit is an illusion. As for the name Hydaelyn. I think it's a simple case of history is written by the Victor. Hydaelyn "won" so the star is called Hydaelyn.

As for the star's original name, let's either call it Genesis or Termina. Either we call it the beginning or the end, lol.

I am referencing the ruins in the Tempest which are clearly the ruins of Amaurot as the WoL discusses with Y'shtola ...

[Eloah]

I am referencing the ruins in the Tempest which are clearly the ruins of Amaurot as the WoL discusses with Y'shtola ...

Yes, I see that now.

[Lersayil]

It does, because the original 'star' (the original name of which has not been revealed so far) no longer exists. The Terminus effectively destroyed it, and Zodiark's summoning stopped the Terminus at the last moment and restored the devestated world with new life, but it wasn't really the same world anymore by the Ascians' own admission (it's metaphysical framework had been after all specifically rewritten by Zodiark intentionally, and "countless new tiny lives had begun to spring up on the world"), and then it was sundered into the 'Source' and the Fourteen Shards when Hydaelyn was summoned as a counterweight to Zodiark's power in reply to the surviving members of the Convocation attempting to sacrifice the survivors of their race and the new life that had appeared on the planet to Zodiark to completely restore the world to how it once was - Hydaelyn throwing a spanner in that plan accordingly.

The Ascians have not once mentioned what the world's original name was pre-Terminus (it was simply referred to as 'the Star'), and with Zodiark banished to the moon (which he continues to be associated with as a 'darkness' god), it is still correct to call the planet Hydaelyn, simply for lack of a better alternative (it should also be worth mentioning that FFXIV's setting metawise is more often than not called Eorzea as a world rather than just a geographical region it actually is, but this does not really count).

I also somewhat disagree with this assertion. The Terminus event that scorched the planet, and the rebuilding of it can be argued as a rebirth of sorts or reformation, but astronomically speaking its still the same planet.

The sundering was... well the specifics are foggy, but it seems more like a dimensional splitting than an actual splitting of the planet, thus we'd have multiple versions of the same planet in parallel dimensions.

If anything, I'm more puzzled why its Hydaelyn and not Zodiark... seeing as Zodiark was actually designed as the will of the planet, while Hydaelyn is just an opposing force.

Possibly an example of the "victor writes the history" type of things.