The region consisting of the three continents of Valendia, Ordalia, and Kerwon, blessed throughout with verdant natural landscapes and climatic conditions supporting a great variety of life. Regional climate trends are thought to be determined largely by the density of Mist present in the air, though this correlation is as yet not well understood. Many humanoids call Ivalice home, each belonging to a distinct cultural sphere. By far, most prevalent of these are the humes, and it is around the civilization that affairs throughout the rest of the world revolve.
Ivalice, Sage Knowledge
Ivalice refers to the region centered on the Galtean Peninsula in Final Fantasy XII, which consists of three continents: Valendia to the north, Ordalia to the west, and Kerwon to the south. The region is populated by a handful of unique races, each with its own culture and traditions. The Ivalice in Final Fantasy XII shares subtle similarities to the same Ivalice of other games.
The region is enveloped in Mist, and differences in quality and density produce environmental differences as well as diverse climates. The Mist affects living creatures, many of which have evolved to adapt.
In Ivalice, civilized society is made up of various races, such as the bangaa, seeq, moogle, and the hume.
Sage Knowledge[]
Ordalia[]
Continent on the western edge of Ivalice. The vast plains in the interior are home to the great Rozarrian Empire. To the east of Rozarria the land is arid and largely desert. The Galtean Peninsula on the eastern portion of the continent is a crossroads connecting to Valendia and Kerwon both, and a strategic prize sought by empire and kingdom alike. Though Dalmasca controlled the peninsula for the last several hundred years, it was lost to the Archadian Empire in an invasion two years past.
Ordalia, Sage Knowledge
Valendia[]
Continent lying to the northeast of Ordalia. The climate is overall quite clement, and levels of Mist are far more stable than on the other two large continents. Many towns and villages dot the hilly region stretching from the continent's interior to the shores of the Inner Naldoan Sea, most under the direct control of Archadia. The Kingdom of Nabradia, lying on the Phon Straits in western Valendia, prospered here until its destruction in the Archadian invasion of two years past, its capital of Nabudis becoming a deserted wasteland.
Valendia, Sage Knowledge
Kerwon[]
Largely forested continent lying to the southeast of Ordalia. Climate varies greatly by region, and many less hospitable areas are uninhabited. In the west of Kerwon dwell the garif, in the wooded north dwell the viera, both living in peace, apparently unaffected by the expansionist hunger which has so dominated hume history. Though the hume presence is strong on the other continents, in Kerwon they can only be found in the eastern highlands, on the slopes of the holy mountain of Kiltia, Bur-Omisace.
Kerwon, Sage Knowledge
Purvama[]
A great landmass, floating in the skies above the Naldoan Sea. Such landmasses are not uncommon, found throughout Ivalice in every sort and size, though the manner of their formation remains a mystery. The region in which they float has some bearing on their climate, however most are warm to subtropical, boasting primordial jungles in which flora and fauna both rare and wondrous can be seen. The crust of these floating islands boasts a high magicite concentration, and after airships became a common mode of transport, mining colonies sprung up on the richest outcrops. Bhujerba, in Dorstonis, is the largest of the skycities, and oversees the administration of many of the rest.
Purvama, The Floating Lands, Sage Knowledge
Profile[]
Geography[]
In-game world map.
Ivalice is made up of three continents, though only small regions of each are explored. This explored area, centered on the Galtean Peninsula, is particularly mountainous in the western and southern sides, while the northern part is mostly rolling plains. The three continents—Ordalia, Valendia, and Kerwon—all have distinct characteristics. The Galtean region of the Ordalia continent is a desert area with rocky mountains spread out at the western reaches, making airship travel more feasible, though not entirely possible with the presence of Jagds. Vast plains are found in Ordalia's interior, away from the coast.
Ordalia is divided into two parts by climatic and geographical features: the central and western parts are warm and rich fertile plains, while the eastern part is arid, with stretches of sand and rock. The Galtean Peninsula, located at the eastern end of Ordalia, is also a barren desertland, but since it is a major transportation hub connecting Valendia and Kerwon, foreign powers have fought for control of this land.
The Valendia continent is lush and verdant. This continent is located to the north of Ivalice. It has a mild climate with moderate Mist, and many settlements and towns have been built on the southern hills overlooking the Naldoan Sea, forming one of the most prosperous grain-growing regions of Ivalice. Although Archadia is the forefront of magick and technology, the unstable air currents in the southeastern part of the continent mean that many prefer to travel by land rather than by air.
Southern Valendia is mostly hilly grasslands, as seen with the landscape of the Cerobi Steppe. The Kerwon continent is more arid than most areas in Ivalice, even in its lowlands, though the highlands mostly experience snow. This continent is forested and filled with Jagds and there has been no successful attempts to explore this continent.
The Naldoan Sea is the largest water body in Ivalice. It is located east of the region, in the Jagd Naldoa. Further east, the Naldoan Sea rushes down the slopes known as the Ridorana Cataract. It is believed that in ancient times this area was once land, but the ground collapsing left behind a majestic waterfall. Because this area is Jagd, it is inaccessible; ships will be pulled down the waterfalls, and airships cannot fly in Jagds.
Jagds are a prevalent geographical element in Ivalice. They are heavily filled with Mist and are shaped by it. Each Jagd has different characteristics, for example, Jagd Difohr is snowy while Jagd Yensa is mostly desert.
The Kerwon Continent is located to the south of Ivalice, and is forestede. The Mist density varies greatly and the environment is variable, causing no small number of uninhabited and untouched regions. The western side is home to the garif, while the forested area in the center of the north is dotted with villages of the viera. The hume, who are relatively numerous on other continents, only occupy the highlands where they maintain the temples of Kiltia.
Climate[]
Giza Plains during The Dry.
Climate in Ivalice can be naturally occurring or heavily influenced by Mist. For instance, the Giza Plains experience two seasons; The Dry where sand sweeps into the plains, and The Rains where water floods the lowlands, making several areas inaccessible. Mediterranean climate is experienced in areas like Balfonheim Port, Rabanastre and Bhujerba. Rainclouds can be seen forming in the Cerobi Steppe before falling in the Giza Plains.
Other areas are heavily influenced by Mist. The Jagds are one such area, where snowstorms and sandstorms are prevalent, attracting creatures known as the Elementals and Entites.
Calendar[]
The calendar used in Ivalice is the Old Valendia Calendar. It was started by the Galtean Alliance founded by Dynast King Raithwall of House Galtea. Its first year begins with the creation of the Galtean Alliance.
It is unknown if the Project Memorandum found in the Urutan-Yensa bestiary follows this calendar, but if it did, then this calendar would have 29 days in one month, but one year may mean more than 30 months.
Demography[]
Many races populate the region of Ivalice. Revealed throughout the game are humes, viera, bangaa, moogles, seeq, garif, Urutan-Yensa, nu mou, baknamy, Occuria, rev, and helgas. It is possible that there are other races, such as the four-armed humanoid leading Princess Ashe and Lord Rasler's wedding parade. The aegyl are a hidden race, prominent in Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings.
Politics[]
The main political forces in Ivalice are those in Archadia and Rozarria, constantly warring after Archadia's takeover of Dalmasca and Nabradia. Archadia's Imperial Senate contains the Emperor and some of his trusted people. The Senate, more particularly House Solidor, also controls the Ministry of Law, with the Judges at its head. The Archadian Senate controls most of Ivalice. However, the only House known to exist in Rozarria is House Margrace, when Al-Cid meets the party at Mt Bur-Omisace. The Rozarrian army is rumored to be the equal of the Archadian army.
Religion and beliefs[]
Anastasis, the leader of the Light of Kiltia.
The people in Ivalice generally are worshipers in the Light of Kiltia religion. The religion was founded by the prophet Kiltia who saw a vision of the gods and saw it his mission to spread the message given to him. This polytheist faith system established itself in Mt Bur-Omisace, where, to this day, faithfuls cross the dangerous Jagds in their self-imposed pilgrimage. The Kiltias, many of which are humes and nu mou, tend to the pilgrims, who make a camp on the base of the area.
In recent years, the war between the empires, Archadia and Rozarria, caused many to be left homeless, and refugees flocked to the Paramina Rift in Jagd Ramooda, increasing the burden of the Kiltias to tend to their needs. In a shocking move, the Archadian Empire defiled the temples of Mt Bur-Omisace and murdered their leader, the helgas Gran Kiltias Anastasis in search of Larsa Solidor. Even so, the Kiltias had not lost hope and continued to preach their faith.
Story[]
Occuria, the rulers of Ivalice.
The events of ancient times recorded in myths and folklore are distorted according to the will of the people in power, and thus have little value as historical documents. However, the existence of "gods" and "undying ones" are commonly mentioned.
Ivalice was once governed by the Occuria, powerful, immortal entities with supernatural powers that relied heavily on Mist. Able to communicate with all living beings, their rule was absolute. At one point, the Occuria created the Espers who would become their servants. However, the Espers, thinking themselves more powerful than their creators, revolted against the Occuria in what would be the Thousand Year War, led by the High Seraph Ultima.
The Occuria defeated the Espers and bound them in glyphs, then sealed them in unknown locations. Feolthanos, a member of the winged aegyl race, married a viera, starting a sub-race called the Feol Viera. Seeing this an abomination to order, the Occuria attempted to punish Feolthanos, but he fled into the sky continent of Lemurés where he sealed himself and his people. After the tragedy, the Occuria withdrew into Giruvegan, where they watched over Ivalice as their "all-seeing gods".
King Raithwall.
Ivalice was thrown into chaos and warfare but order returned when Raithwall, a nobleman from House Galtea of Valendia, set out on an expedition to unite Ivalice, armed with the Sword of Kings and a three shards of deifacted nethicite said to have been bestowed to him by the gods. With their power Raithwall subjugated a vast region stretching from the continent of Ordalia, the entire Galtean Peninsula, and the continent of Valendia, creating the Galtean Alliance, and called himself the Dynast King in mere dozen years. Because of his extraordinary exploits, there are many legends about King Raithwall, such as the story of a king who brought hideous 'demons' who had defied the gods to be used as servants.
Two of the shards of nethicite were passed on to the ruling families of the kingdoms of Dalmasca and Nabradia, while the third the King kept for himself. The city-states of Archadia and Rozarria also developed, protected by the peace brought by the Alliance. As these city-states grew and became more independent, the Galtean Alliance gradually declined. Following the collapse of the main Galtean family in 392th year of the Old Valendian calendar, the dissolution of the Alliance was announced two years later. Archadia and Rozarria become opposing empires, having absorbed other small cities and regions into their territories.
The two empires continued their expansion on the guise of "protecting their interests". A single Occuria known by the name of Venat deserted Giruvegan and allied itself with Dr. Cid of Archadia, teaching them how to manufacture nethicite, attempting to severe the Occuria's hold on mankind. Cid began lusting after true deifacted nethicite for his studies, and Archadia, also wary of Rozarria's attempt to invade its borders, subjugated the kingdoms in the Galtean Peninsula; assimilating Republic of Landis, destroying Nabradia obtaining Midlight Shard, and finally invaded Dalmasca, obtaining the Dusk Shard. Marquis Ondore of Bhujerba, a so-called neutral country, rallied the Resistance, a band of rebellious forces from all of Ivalice, to fight against the military might of Archadia.
Sky Fortress Bahamut.
The battle took place in Dalmasca's capital Rabanastre, with Archadia's mightiest airship, the Sky Fortress Bahamut, leading the charge against the insurgence. The Sky Fortress was fueled by Mist from the Sun-Cryst, a giant piece of nethicite brimming with Mist. The Sun-Cryst was destroyed, ending the Occuria's hold on mankind, and the Mist that spilled forth from its depths was absorbed by the Bahamut, activating it. However, the battle ended when Archadia's war leader, Vayne Solidor, was defeated in battle by Ashe, the princess of Dalmasca, said to have died in the initial Archadian invasion.
After peace was forged and order restored to Dalmasca, sky pirates discovered Lemurés, which was revealed when the Mist from the Sun-Cryst destroyed its barrier. Ivalice was again under threat from the Judge of Wings, an enigmatic figure out to drain the Auraliths of anima to gain immense power to destroy Ivalice. A sky pirate band attempted to stop this threat, and forged an alliance with Llyud, member of the aegyl.
Their efforts led them to Feolthanos, who had become a god-like figure to the aegyl and who attempted to conquer all of Ivalice to exact his revenge upon the populace. His attempts were put to an end by Vaan and his band of sky pirates, and Ivalice again was at peace. After Feolthanos's defeat, the sky continent of Lemurés shattered, and the aegyl left Ivalice to look for a new home.
Locations[]
- Dalmasca Region
- Bancour Region
- Jahara, Land of the Garif
- Henne Mines
- Ozmone Plain
- Archadia Region
- Nabradia Region
- Purvama
- Jagd Yensa
- Jagd Difohr
- Jagd Naldoa
- Jagd Ramooda
- Bervenia (Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings)
- Other locations
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