Chalcopyrite Coblyn Taxonomy: Soulkin (Coblyn) Description: What exactly a coblyn is differs depending on who you ask. In Gridania the theory is that coblyn are beastkin who graft mineral to their flesh in order to gain a measure of armament. In Ul’dah, the prevailing thought is that they are instead true soulkin, ore that has taken on sentience and the ability to walk in order to propagate… somehow. The Ul’dahn theory is increasingly the one accepted as fact within the halls of Sharlayan. These ones are evidently spawned from the ore that can be found throughout the Mines. Etymology Notes: Chalcopyrite is a copper-iron ore that is the primary ore used in copper mining, fittingly found in the copper mines at … [Read more...]
The Copperbell Mines (Hard) – A Vengeance Thwarted
Excerpt from ‘The history of Thanalan, from Belah’dia to Ul’dah by Archon Niniri Niri. After intervention by adventurers in the employ of Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern and the destruction of the Hecatoncheires, the Concern sent miners back into the tunnels in hopes of exploiting the mineral wealth of the region once again. A crew of surveyors leading the party discovered the incompletion of the Mines' cleansing however when they were confronted by a tide of the gigants, as vengeful and deadly as ever. The Concern did later sue for damages with the Adventurer's Guild for the incomplete nature of the first purge, although the Order of Nald'thal decided to apportion the burden of the crisis across both parties equally. Shaft … [Read more...]
The Bestiary of Pharos Sirius
Sirius Leech Taxonomy: Wavekin (Leech) Description: Leeches are amphibian creatures that dwell in water but often hunt on land. They use the leaf-life decorations on their bodies to lure in herbivores before latching on and drinking their fill of blood. Horrifyingly, despite the leech’s lack of eyes they are possessed of countless eyespots all across their bodies. Sirius Elbst Taxonomy: Wavekin (Elbst) Description: Likely a specialized evolution of the land-based peiste, the elbst is a vicious creature with razor sharp teeth and a hunger for flesh. Capabilities: The elbsts of the Pharos were able to emit large gushes of water from their maw in 'flash floods' capable of bruising flesh and … [Read more...]
The Pharos Sirius – A Memorial to the Calamity
Excerpt from ‘The history of Vylbrand, from Nym to Limsa Lominsa’ by Archon Niniri Niri. The Pharos was originally erected as a lighthouse to guide the ships sailing near Aleport safely, constructed by Naldiq and Vymelli's, the blacksmith/armorers guilds of Limsa Lominsa. The lighthouse was a true masterpiece, built in order to channel immense amounts of aether from the land into the tower and to its zenith, where it would be focused into a beam of light. Unfortunately, the sheer amount of aether channeled through the tower proved to be a mistake when the Seventh Umbral Calamity hit. A number of fireballs struck the Pharos, rupturing the aether-lines and overloading the crystals that lit the tower, unleashing a massive tide of aether … [Read more...]
The Binding Coil of Bahamut
Excerpt from ‘Records on the Traverse of Dalamud's Ruins - A Handbook for Scholars of Allag’ by Archon Niniri Niri. It was at the zenith of ancient Allag, during the second reign of Xande, the revived Emperor, that the elder primal Bahamut was captured and ensorcelled within a colossal metal sphere containing vast apparatus aimed at imprisoning the primal and draining its power. This sphere would later go on to gain the name Dalamud, likely a derivation of Bahamut's own name by later peoples, and was intended to generate power enough not only to sustain the Empire, but to bring destruction upon it by the madness-invoked apocalyptic designs of the Emperor. The Warrior of Light, in conjunction with the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and other … [Read more...]
The Bestiary of Amdapor Keep
The Lambs of Dalamud Taxonomy: Spoken (Various) Description: The Lambs of Dalamud are a vile cult in service to their own divine perception of the lesser moon, Dalamud. The origin of the cult is shrouded in mystery, and although most believe them generated by the mass hysteria produced by the oncoming Seventh Umbral Calamity or planted by Garlean subversives, some scholars hypothesize an older origin, perhaps even dating back to the Fourth Astral Era, known as the Fall of Civilization, spurred on by a mingling of the relatively recently fallen Allagan Empire's history with the religious renaissance of the era. The Lambs hold that Dalamud is a divinity in and of itself, the ferocious hound of the moon goddess Menphina, … [Read more...]
Amdapor Keep – Amdapor’s Golgotha
Excerpt from ‘The history of the Black Shroud, from Amdapor to Gridania’ by Archon Niniri Niri. Amdapor was founded in the aftermath of the Fifth Umbral Calamity, the Calamity of Ice, as the survivors migrated across the realm to found their own villages, each dedicated to one of the Twelve. Some of these villages grew into towns, then city-states. Amdapor was one of these, and survived the initial centuries of war and instability to emerge as one of the six larger surviving states. Amdapor was formed in Central Aldenard, in the region modernly named the South Shroud, by a group of hyur migrants who chose to build their home on a wide plain of white stone outside of the Twelveswood and 300 years after the age begun Amdapor had already … [Read more...]
The Bestiary of the Wanderer’s Palace
The Tonberries Taxonomy: Spoken (Tonberry) Description: Tonberries are the tragic Nymians afflicted by the plague of Bitoso, sent to smite Nym down by the Mhachi. Some of these figures apparently date back to the Fifth Astral Era, while others are more recent births. They have been driven quite mad by their fate, tragically, and are very aggressive. A particularly huge variant of the tonberry was apparently found in the Palace, nicknamed the stalker, which pursued foes at a slow pace. This creature was likely swollen due to a wild imbalance of aether, resulting in its size. Treasure Hunter Taxonomy: Spoken (Various) Description: Unfortunately, not all who approach the Palace do so with innocent curiosity … [Read more...]
The Wanderer’s Palace – Oschon Profaned
Excerpt from ‘The history of Vylbrand, from Nym to Limsa Lominsa’ by Archon Niniri Niri. The Wanderer's Palace is one of the finest relics left behind from the Fifth Astral Era. The structure was a temple or similarly sacred structure dedicated to Oschon the Wanderer. In modern Eorzea Oschon is regarded as a deity of the mountains, wanderers and vagrants, and is one of the deities associated with the element of wind alongside Llymlaen the Navigator, patron deity of Limsa Lominsa. He is represented by a walking cane and as a youthful ranger bearing a bow, and is regarded as friend to Halone the Fury, patron of Ishgard and brother of Nald'thal the Traders, twin patrons of Ul'dah. His lover is Menphina the Lover. Back in the Fifth Astral … [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...]
