Spoilers: Theory for Pandaemonium Story

[Steelbreaker25]

I had a thought about what Pandaemonium might be focused on. They said it would be an original story, but based on the art (featuring Lahabrea) and the name, they've already built a massive reference to FF2's final dungeon and main antagonist into it.

But what else does "Pandaemonium/Pandemonium" mean? According to Merriam-Webster, pandemonium can mean "a wild uproar (as because of anger or excitement in a crowd of people)" or "a chaotic situation" [Link]. It is also a synonym for hell.

So could the Pandaemonium raid series be about the "sound" that caused the Final Days? It was something that caused a great deal of pandemonium, and was said to dwell in the earth (hell). It would tie into the existing story (being the impetus that would eventually see Zodiark and Hydaelyn summoned), but is secondary to the conflict itself.

[EdwinLi]

We have known very little of life before the Sundering.

We have learned in Shadowbringer that it is still possible to die in the original world and that the extent of life for the Ancient races will still bound to the concept of death.

They may live long if they don't suffer any serious injuries or diseases that may kill them but one still has to wonder where does the souls of those who die from the original world goes to if the cycle of rebirth was not established yet.

We may have obtained our answer with Pandaemonium.


In my opinion, Pandaemonium Raid's storyline may focus on life before the Sundering. Thus showing us visions of the original world from civilizations beyond just Amaurot, how life was handled, and etc.

[Cilia]

Having Lahabrea show up in Pandaemonium is itself a very roundabout reference to II (Lahabrea is named after Lahabrea, Abyssal Celebrant, the Scion of Light counterpart to Mateus, the Corrupt in Ivalician lore; Mateus, the Corrupt is named after Emperor Mateus Palamecia, the main antagonist of II who famously dies like a chump only to take over Hell and drag up its palace, Pandaemonium, with him upon his return. His "good" half also took over Heaven and made its palace, Arubboth, his own base of operations.)

Now, with Pandaemonium in XIV... I don't know. We have no context. The one thing I can say with relative certainty is that the Sound is likely to have something to do with it; further the New Years' hint suggested something to do with the heavens (space - the Moon), but also something subterranean, and the latter's not been touched on in preview material yet. (Space is more exciting than the deep earth. Space is always exciting.)

[DrWho2010]

it'll probably have something to do with heaven/hell. or maybe the 13th. that's my thought.

[Enkidoh]

I'm still thinking we're all overthinking it a bit too much and that it's just going to be the hell tower that Fandaniel has raised in the middle of the ruins of the Garlean capital (the one he and Zenos are shown in in the trailer, as that would be exactly the same scenario/setting as Pandemonium in FFII - even the decor closely resembles it). I have no idea how Lahabrea figures into it though.

But that's just my own theory so I'm not discounting anyone elses', so take my own with a grain of salt also.

[Veloran]

Wild theory here - The basic story of Pandaemonium is hinted at through it's logo.



For those who don't know, that red symbol in the center is very similar to the profile of Zodiark's shackled form from FFXII.



So, here's the idea: Pandaemonium will deal with defeating Lahabrea (In whatever form this is him) and many of his Ancient creations, culminating in defeating a corrupt, resummoned form of Zodiark. Why will this be in a raid? Because ultimately we'll never fight Zodiark in the MSQ, so we'll be doing it here instead.

[JeanneOrnitier]

That's definitely Zodiark as the 'M' but I'll be extremely disappointed if it means we never fight him in the MSQ.

[Hank_Hotspur]

Actually, that "M" is just the symbol of the Mateus esper from FF12 upside down, like all Ascians that correspond with one, their "sigil" is an inversion of their associated esper.

Take a look at the top part of the symbol, flip it upside down and it's the "M" in Panaemonium and Lahabrea's sigil.

[Vyrerus]

Space is always exciting.)

[Veloran]

Actually, that "M" is just the symbol of the Mateus esper from FF12 upside down, like all Ascians that correspond with one, their "sigil" is an inversion of their associated esper.

Take a look at the top part of the symbol, flip it upside down and it's the "M" in Panaemonium and Lahabrea's sigil.

It is similar to the lower part of the Lahabrea/Mateus symbol if it's flipped yes, but at the same time both are similar in profile to Zodiark from XII.