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The Twelve attempt to seal Bahamut in the ending of Final Fantasy XIV.
The Twelve are the pantheon of Eorzea in Final Fantasy XIV, consisting of twelve benevolent deities who ruled the continent and its surrounding islands until the arrival of the wandering tribes. During character creation, players must align to one of the twelve deities, which slightly affects elemental resistances.
The Twelve play a crucial part in patch 1.23 of the original Final Fantasy XIV.
Story
The Twelve remain shrouded in myth. Their exact early history and true nature is unknown, as is their possible relationship to the mothercrystal Hydaelyn and her opposite, the deity Zodiark.
It is said The Twelve took up residence in the land which became known as Eorzea, with the moogles as their servants. The Twelve ruled over the land until the arrival of the wandering tribes: the Elezen, Miqo'te, Lalafell, Roegadyn and Hyur. Impressed by the tribes' resourcefulness and resilience, the Twelve ceded the land with some becoming patron deities of Eorzea's cities.
Each pair of the Twelve commands one of the six elements and each is associated with a month of the Eorzean calendar. Each elemental pair is, conversely, tied to one of the six constellations of Hydaelyn's night sky:
- The Bole is the Trunk of the World Tree, planted by Nophica, the Matron, and nurtured by Althyk, the Keeper, and is the source from which all life is said to have sprung.
- The Balance is made prosperous by the traders Nald and Thal, but is kept in equilibrium by the warden Azeyma.
- The Spire is a great iron tower of spinning gears and taut springs, constructed by Byregot, the Builder, and is constantly under attack by Rhalgr, the Destroyer, but his levin bolts only serve to power the tower.
- The Arrow was created atop a lofty peak by Oschon, the Wanderer, who was guided by Llymlaen, the Navigator.
- The Ewer is the vessel of Thaliak, the Scholar, from which pours forth a mighty river that contains all knowledge held in the past, present, and future, and contains the aether spun from the loom of Nymeia, the Spinner.
- The Spear symbolizes Halone, the Fury, whose domain was carved from the frozen moonbeams of Menphina, the Lover.
Final Fantasy XIV
In the Version 1.0, Nael Van Darnus was killed in battle by a group of adventurers, the Elezen scholar Louisoix Leveilleur stated that Nael's "Meteor" spell is still in effect as the Allagan satellite Dalamud continued its descent. Loiusoix devised a means to save Eorzea from Dalamud by summoning the Twelve as the adventurer and the Circle of Knowing prayed on stones bearing each deity's symbol. Louisoix went to the Cartenau Plains in Mor Dhona, where the forces of the Garlean Empire and the Eorzean Alliance met in battle before Dalamud broke up to unleash the elder primal Bahamut whose fury instigated the Seventh Umbral Era. Though Louisoix came close to resealing Bahamut, the primal proved too strong and the Elezen instead absorbed the aether provided by the Twelve to defeat Bahamut in a sacrificial attack.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
The Twelve have been compared to the Beast Tribes' primals by Gaius van Baelsar, who regards them as "eikons" and insinuates they could be summoned with sufficient crystals. This is supported by Little Ala Mhigo involving an abandoned scheme by young refugees, who hoped to steal the Amalj'aa's crystal supply to summon Rhalgr to enact vengeance on the Garlean Empire. Later, Nabriales claims that Louisoix Leveilleur was able to evoke the Twelve without a large sum of crystals through use of the Tupsimati.
Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward
It is revealed that primals are not the original being, but imitations, or what somebody's vision of that being would be given form. Therefore, the Twelve themselves cannot be summoned this way, but a primal in their image can be. As such, Gaius's theory about summoning the Twelve, and the scheme to summon Rhalgr, are somewhat incorrect.
The Twelve
| Name | Image | Information | Allusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halone, the Fury | Halone, mover of glaciers and goddess of war, commands the element of ice and is tied to the First Astral Moon (first month). She is depicted as a relentless warrior holding a bronze greatshield, and her symbol is three spears. Halone is also the patron of the Holy See of Ishgard, and is bitter rivals with Nophica. |
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| Menphina, the Lover | Menphina, keeper of the once-twin and now-lone moons and the goddess of love, commands the element of ice and is associated with the First Umbral Moon (second month). She is depicted as a maid carrying a round skillet. Her symbol is the full greater moon. Sister of Azeyma, and the divine lover of Oschon. |
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| Thaliak, the Scholar | Thaliak, ruler of rivers and wisdom and god of knowledge, commands the element of water and is tied to the Second Astral Moon (third month). He is depicted as a reserved scholar holding an ashen staff, and his symbol is the scroll. Thaliak is also Byregot's teacher, and the patron of Sharlayan. |
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| Nymeia, the Spinner | Nymeia, the watcher of celestial bodies and goddess of fate, commands the element of water and is associated with the Second Umbral Moon (fourth month). She is depicted as a weaver donning a white, silken veil. Her symbol is the spinning wheel. Elder sister of Althyk, and master of Rhalgr. |
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| Llymlaen, the Navigator | Llymlaen, watcher of the seas and goddess of navigation, commands the element of wind and is tied to the Third Astral Moon (fifth month). She is depicted as a strong fisherwoman holding a long-bladed harpoon, and her symbol is the wave. Llymlaen is also the patron of Limsa Lominsa. |
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| Oschon, the Wanderer | Oschon, ruler of the mountains and god of vagrants, commands the element of wind and is associated with the Third Umbral Moon (sixth month). He is depicted as a carefree ranger wielding a bow of yew. His symbol is the walking stick. Brother of Nald'thal, and close companion of Halone. He was the patron of the ancient city of Nym. |
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| Byregot, the Builder | Byregot, purveyor of architecture and industry and god of the arts, commands the element of lightning and is tied to the Fourth Astral Moon (seventh month). Byregot is depicted as an ardent smith holding a two-headed hammer, and his symbol is the hand. Byregot is also Thaliak's pupil. |
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| Rhalgr, the Destroyer | Rhalgr, breaker of worlds and god of destruction, commands the element of lightning and is tied to the Fourth Umbral Moon (eighth month). He is depicted as a magi carrying a bronzen staff, and his symbol is the streaking meteor. Father of both Byregot and Halone, attendant to Nymeia, and guardian deity of the now fallen nation of Ala Mhigo. |
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| Azeyma, the Warden | Azeyma, keeper of the sun and goddess of inquiry, commands the element of fire and is tied to the Fifth Astral Moon (ninth month). She is depicted as a noble lady holding a golden fan, and her symbol is the radiant sun. |
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| Nald'thal, the Traders | Nald'thal, overseer of transactions and the underworld and god of commerce, commands the element of fire and is tied to the Fifth Umbral Moon (tenth month). Nald'thal is depicted as a discerning merchant holding a balance, and his symbol is the cowry. Nald'thal is actually the single manifestation of the twins Nald and Thal. |
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| Nophica, the Matron | Nophica, tender of soils and harvests and goddess of abundance, commands the element of earth and is tied to the Sixth Astral Moon (eleventh month). She is depicted as a jubilant farmer holding a steel scythe, and her symbol is the spring leaf. Nophica is also the patron of Gridania. |
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| Althyk, the Keeper | Althyk, the surveyor of change and god of space and time, commands the element of earth and is associated with the Sixth Umbral Moon (twelfth month). He is depicted as an austere emperor wielding a mythril greataxe. His symbol is the hourglass. Father of Azeyma and Menphina, and elder brother to Nymeia. |
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Gallery
Trivia
- Each of the deities' symbols reflects one of their traits: for example, Althyk's symbol is an hourglass, Oschon's is a walking staff and Halone's symbol is three spears side-by-side.
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