Ibex Taxonomy: Beastkin (Antelope) Description: Speedy, herbivorous creatures, antelopes are common beastkin in Eorzea and beyond, communicating with sways of their tail. These ibex must have been orphaned from their natural habitats by the frigid cold of the Calamity, leading to them taking shelter in the glacier. Etymology Notes: Ibex are a real species of goat native to Africa, southern Europe and certain parts of Asia. Snowcloak Goobbue Taxonomy: Beastkin (Goobbue) Description: Huge, physically powerful creatures, Goobbue such as these play host to moss and lichen which they cultivate with water in dry times in exchange for it providing camouflage to the beast. Goobbue are utterly ferocious, … [Read more...]
Snowcloak – The Heretic Fane
Excerpt from ‘The history of Coerthas, from refuge to Holy See’ by Archon Niniri Niri. Since ancient times the once-verdant lands of Coerthas were divided into segments by a colossal ravine, separating the central and western highlands. This landmark was fjorded only by the Gargoyle Crossing, a large man-made bridge. When the Calamity struck Eorzea however it struck Coerthas especially hard, turning the forested realm into a tormented landscape of ice and storms. An avalanche of nigh-impossible size struck the ravine, burying it and its bridge in an immense wall of ice, which would later form a glacier known as Snowcloak. The cold struck Coerthas so hard that a group of inhabitants from the Ishgardian town of Falcon’s Nest, plagued by … [Read more...]
The Bestiary of the Stone Vigil (Hard)
Storm Biast Taxonomy: Scalekin (Biast) Description: Drakes are ferocious predatory creatures with powerful tracking abilities and the ability to exhale gouts of fire. They are perhaps most famous as domesticated beasts of the Amalj’aa. A biast, however, is a subspecies that exhales lightning instead of fire. They were here in the Vigil as followers of the Horde, as scalekin are easily dominated by dragons. Shield Dragon Taxonomy: Scalekin (Puk) Description: Although puk such as these eat primarily small vilekin, they are fiercely territorial and will not hesitate to assault a much larger trespasser. Shield Dragons seem to belong to a wingless subspecies of Puk, as most of their kind do bear small … [Read more...]
The Stone Vigil (Hard) – The Redemption of Durendaire
Excerpt from ‘The history of Coerthas, from refuge to Holy See’ by Archon Niniri Niri. The previous cleanse of the Stone Vigil at the hands of the Warrior of Light and their allies proved sufficient to reclaim their airship, but the reconquest did not succeed in reclaiming the Vigil itself. The Dravanians simply moved back in. House Durendaire, the noted house of astrologians and warriors in Ishgard, resolved to reclaim the Vigil themselves. The venerable family was cowed by the presence of heretics and spies in their ranks, uncovered previously by outsiders to Ishgard, adding insult to injury. Lord Drillemont, one of Durendaire's foremost knights and one of the men responsible for helping to bring the infiltrators to justice, led an … [Read more...]
The Armory of the Aurum Vale
From the archeological notebook of Archon Niniri Niri. Weaponry: The Templar's Falchion: Falchions are blades of Hyuran origin, crafted with a curved edge that allows them to slash through flesh and less living materials alike. This blade was assuredly carried by a holy knight of Ishgard who took to the Vale, perhaps to end its threat, and failed. The Canopus Weaponry: A variety of weapons drawn from the Vale, these items are named for the stars above although little of their origin can be divined besides that they seem to have originated from Coerthas or Dravania, judging by the dragon that adorns the axe of the group and shields that bear the same name of Ishgardian make, found in the Stone Vigil. The weapons consist of an … [Read more...]
The Bestiary of the Aurum Vale
Nether Nix Taxonomy: Wavekin (Gigantoad) Description: Colossal toads coated in slippery mucous and with a gaze capable of shaking even the most steadfast of warriors, gigantoads are fearsome beasts. These ones were likely corrupted and emboldened by the goldbile of the Vale, making them otherworldy, or of the nether. Capabilities: These amphibians were apparently capable of using their considerable bulk to bludgeon their foes in a ‘labored leap’ as well as emitting large amounts of toxin. This substance specifically has a 'vasoconstrictor' effect, involving reducing blood flow. Etymology Notes: Nix, also known as neck or nixies are german water spirits that drown humans. This likely speaks to the dangers of … [Read more...]
The Aurum Vale – Tomb of Avarice
Excerpt from ‘The history of Coerthas, from refuge to Holy See’ by Archon Niniri Niri. Aurum Vale has long attracted miners and prospectors from across Aldenard due to rumors that it contained massive mithril veins. Unfortunately for the miners the rumors were incorrect, and the caves instead contained goldbile, an utterly deadly substance that gradually cooks the lungs of those who breathe its fumes, as well as corroding flesh on contact. This liquid is a fusion of mithril, sulphur and groundwater. To add even more danger to the situation the goldbile had mutated a number of the beasts within, strengthening them and making them more ferocious. This was causing a severe issue for Ishgard as the beasts were emerging from the cave to … [Read more...]
The Bestiary of the Dzemael Darkhold
Recluse Hippogryph Taxonomy: Beastkin (Hippogryph) Description: Hippogryphs are fierce beastkin of the mountains and hills. Their vestigial wings are incapable of flight, but can propel them along the ground as they sprint. They must have retreated from the hills of Coerthas, slinking into the Darkhold. This may have been the source for their 'reclusive' name. Etymology Notes: A hippogryph, or hippogriff, is a half-eagle, half-horse creature from European folklore, ridden by figures of legend. Diamond-tooth Hedgemole Taxonomy: Beastkin (Mole) Description: Moles are tunneling creatures which dwell beneath the earth and hunt out the insects they feed upon. Their tunnels commonly damage forests by … [Read more...]
The Dzemael Darkhold – Count Tarresson’s Grief
Excerpt from ‘The history of Coerthas, from refuge to Holy See’ by Archon Niniri Niri. Formed by the legendary Sylvetrel de Dzemael, finest of King Thordan's spearmen, Dzemael counts itself amongst the four Ishgardian High Houses. Originally a house devoted solely to military matters, the Dzemaels intermarried with the Faurechorts four centuries ago, a minor house famed for their architectural knowledge. Since then, House Dzemael has been the premier architect of Ishgard, and has increased in influence considerably, their maxim 'by the hundredth blow' echoing across Ishgard's fortifications. Count Tarresson Dzemael, the now-retired leader of the house, had a true passion for architecture, though his attempt to create what would be his … [Read more...]
The Armory of the Stone Vigil
From the archeological notebook of Archon Niniri Niri. Weaponry: The Ancient Sword: Perhaps the most fascinating weapon found within the Stone Vigil, this blade is not of Ishgardian or even Old Ishgardian make, but instead fits with all prior archeological and scholarly findings on blades crafted in the Third Astral Era, likely by the early Allagan Empire. These blades boast intricate carvings across their form, used to channel aether across the blade and improve its cutting power. How exactly it came to be in the Vigil is difficult to say, but it may have been uncovered by, and then handed down as a relic of a family, perhaps even within House Haillenarte. Etymology Notes: The ancient sword is a recurrent blade in the Final … [Read more...]
