"Intimidating mountains tower over the harsh plains and tall vegetation, adding to the ominous atmosphere of this land found in the southern region of Gran Pulse. A short walk through the treacherous valley leads to the Paddra Ruins - the remains of what used to be one of the largest and most prosperous cities on Pulse. As with the Bresha Ruins, the area is filled with scientists and soldiers sent to investigate the location."
—Final Fantasy XIII-2 online description.
Yaschas Massif(ヤシャス山,Yashasu-san?, lit. "Mt. Yaschas") is a location on Gran Pulse in Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII-2. It is the site of the ruins of the city-nation of Paddra where the Farseers lived before it fell into utter ruin. Ten years after the fall of Cocoon, soldiers and scientists from the Academy now reside in the Paddra Ruins, the origin site of the numerous spacetime anomalies.
This mountain group stretches across a southern region of Gran Pulse. The area's geography is diverse, consisting of scenic highplains, sheer escarpments, and deep fault valleys, with mammoth fallen trees a common sight across its landscape.
At the massif's southernmost tip lies the ruin of the fallen city-state Paddra. Once the flourishing center of an advanced culture, it is now nothing more than a Cie'th-infested archaeopolis.
Travel Guide: Yaschas Massif Area Information The Yaschas Massif, in Pulse's southern reaches, is home to the ancient ruins of Paddra. Paddra was the only advanced civilization of ancient Gran Pulse, but after the War of Transgression between Pulse and Cocoon, it began a long decline that ended in its complete disappearance.
From the Editor's Desk: The tough, mountainous terrain is a popular draw for mountaineers and other outdoor types. We recommend visiting Paddra, awe-inspiring even in ruins. Also worth a hike is the viewing platform next to the dormant fal'Cie.
Originally home to a tribe called the Farseers, Paddra was a nation ruled by Paddra Nsu-Yeul as both its seeress and priestess with Etro as Paddra's patron deity, compared to the rest of Gran-Pulse worshiping Pulse. However, when Yeul foretold the destruction of Paddra, it caused people to either try to change their destiny or fall into disarray. But the opposing sides soon erupt into civil war with Paddra's destruction made a reality.
Initial cutscenes display a basic overview of the state of the lowerworld: an almost prehistoric geography sprinkled with long-forgotten metropolitan ruins populated entirely by feral creatures and hordes of Cie'th. It is after these opening moments that the party is tasked with rescuing Hope Estheim, who is later forced to face his Eidolon, Alexander. From here, the characters renew their conviction to scour what they can of the Pulsian landscape in search of a means to escape their Focus and branding as l'Cie.
In certain areas, cutscenes can be triggered to reveal interactions between particular party members. Hope and Vanille share a moment in which Hope fools Vanille into thinking he has a crush on her; Vanille and Fang recall some of their past and the mystery behind their brands; the l'Cie also catch sight of the fal'CieDahaka - provided that they have not already fought it - and decide to follow it towards Oerba.
The most notable feature of the Yaschas Massif area is likely the Paddraean Archaeopolis; a small, explorable segment of a ruined cityscape. Should the player undertake the Cie'th Stonemissionssidequest, various entries under the Datalog/Analects section of the main menu attribute their text to Yeul.
In 10 AF, the Yaschas Massif is darkened by a mysterious eclipse caused by the fal'Cie Fenrir, appearing centuries before its time due to a paradox, and the Paddra Ruins are occupied by members of the Academy, including its leader, Hope and his assistant, Alyssa Zaidelle, as they research paradoxes. Hope encounters Serah, Mog, and Noel after saving them from the Aloeidai they were battling.
Hope tells them about the ruins' history and of Yeul, the mentioning of her touching Noel, though the lack of evidence of her existence made Hope believe that it was more of a title than an actual name. He then reveals an ancient recording device called the Oracle Drive, containing past visions of the events leading to the Day of Ragnarok, and Lightning fighting during that time. Hope then shows them blurred images of Lightning in Valhalla, showing she is still alive.
Noel, Hope, and Serah plan to prevent Cocoon's fall.
Noel and Serah then traveled through the Historia Crux to solve the paradox affecting Yaschas Massif and the Oracle Drive. Successful, they return to an alternate 10 AF called 1X AF, where Fenrir is gone, and with it, the eclipse. Before Serah and Noel enter the ruins of Paddra, its former seeress, Yeul, appears in front of them. She points at Serah, saying they are the same in how they can both "show people the way" and leaves. In resolving the paradox however, Hope and Alyssa's memories were modified, and Noel and Serah have to repeat their initial meeting with them.
Then Hope shows them now-clear images of Lightning in Valhalla with the Oracle Drive. Then he tells Noel and Serah that like them, he also wants to change history, and not just bring back Lightning but also Vanille, Fang, and his mother Nora. Then the Oracle Drive shows a prophecy that depicts Caius Ballad causing Cocoon to fall, causing Hope, Noel, and Serah to resolve doing whatever they can to stop Cocoon from falling in the coming centuries.
By 100 and 110 AF, mysterious objects called Rubies of Grief have appeared throughout Yaschas Massif. The orbs contain the memories of people throughout time who fell victim to various circumstances such as getting caught within paradoxes. By accepting to fulfill their requests, Serah and Noel make the Rubies of Grief disappear. In 110 AF, they find an orb holding the memories of Paddra Nsu-Yeul, who was forced to seal away a vicious Ugallu that was attacking Paddra. By defeating the monster, the last of the Rubies of Grief vanishes.
In Final Fantasy XIII, the Yaschas Massif connects with the Vallis Media. Southern part stretches from east to west across a deep ravine and to navigate through that part, jumping is required. At the south-eastern side there are two plateaus: one on high ledge and other on the lower which requires walking down a narrow pass infested with Triffids. At the west, there is a way in the valley which splits into two, eventually connecting once again and leading into the ruins of Paddra, ancient capital of Gran Pulse. On the square at the end of the ruins there is a mysterious structure which seems to house UndyingVercingetorix.
In Final Fantasy XIII-2, the Yaschas Massif is greatly reduced in size of exploration, possibly due to paradox effect, allowing only the Pass of Paddra and ruins of Paddra to be visited. The Pass of Paddra had undergone some serious changes and now features more side paths which eventually leads to the ruins. At the ruins, there is a dormant, unnamed fal'Cie which reacts to the Oracle Drive. The mysterious structure housing Vercingetorix is gone, possibly removed by researchers, and access to the upper levels of the ruins is granted.
The eponymous theme, "Yaschas Massif" is played here. It has the style of bossa nova. Notably, when played in-game, the tune comes to a distinct end before starting up again, as opposed to the normal practice of continuous looping.
"Eclipse" and "Eclipse ~Aggressive Mix~" are associated with the Yaschas Massif in 10 AF, and are composed by Mitsuto Suzuki with vocals performed by Michiyo Honda. The "~Aggressive Mix~" version plays whenever monsters appear. "Parallel Worlds" and its aggressive mix play in 1X AF.
Some of the Paddraean architecture look like the remains of modern skyscrapers.
The scenes of Lightning fighting from the Oracle Drive of 10 AF are from the beginning of the Siege of Eden when she, Vanille, Odin, and Hecatoncheir are battling PSICOM on the race track.
When the player presses / during Live Trigger in 1X AF while talking with Hope, Serah will reveal that Paddra was constructed 670 years before the events of Final Fantasy XIII. Strangely, no one asks how Serah knows that, but it is possible that the Eyes of Etro she possesses let her have memories that once belonged to Yeul.
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Concept Artwork.
Paddraean Archaeopolis (1).
Paddraean Archaeopolis (2).
Paddraean Archaeopolis (3).
Hope in the Yaschas Massif.
-010 AF-.
Paddra Ruins -10 AF-.
Paddraean Archaeopolis -010 AF-.
The Pass of Paddra-010 AF-.
The Pass of Paddra -01X AF-.
Paddraean Archaeopolis -01X AF-.
Concept art of the Academy camp at Yaschas Massif.
A map of the Archylte Steppe (the top) and the Yaschas Massif (the bottom) for Final Fantasy XIII.
