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The '''Kingdom of Ivalice''' was an ancient civilization featured in the [[Return to Ivalice]] [[Alliance raid]] series, and the setting of a legend called "the Zodiac Brave Story." It allegedly existed on [[Hydaelyn]] in the lands of modern-day [[Dalmasca]], and contained a number of cities such as '''Lesalia'''. For several millennia, records of the kingdom of Ivalice were predominantly lost to the ages, only surviving in myths and tales passed down eventually to families in the modern-day [[Garlean Empire]]. | |||
==Lore== | |||
===Holy Ydoran Empire=== | |||
A cruel and tyrannical empire that ruled over several kingdoms, including Ivalice, from its capital city of Mullonde. Its primary religious organization was a polytheistic faith called The Church of Glabados. | |||
===Ultima, the High Seraph=== | |||
{{see also|Ultima, The High Seraph}} | |||
A "divine" entity that legends portray as an important servant of the Ydoran gods. | |||
[[Category: Lore]] | ===The Zodiac Braves=== | ||
The "Zodiac Brave Story" is the name commonly used to refer to the original, popular legend about a band heroes who saved Ivalice. The '''Zodiac Braves''' (as an organization) are considered synonymous with legends of Ivalice, and versions of this legend were passed down over generations, which allowed it to survive and become popular among present-day [[Garlean]]s. The ''Braves' '' legend centers on this idea that, whenever Ivalice was threatened, twelve blessed heroes known as ''Zodiac Braves'' would emerge to restore Light to the kingdom.<ref name="drama1">{{#spoiler:show=Wandering Dramaturge: ...|hide=Wandering Dramaturge:| [...] "Whenever the kingdom was threatened, be it by tyranny, evil forces, or realm-wide disaster, twelve blessed heroes would emerge to bring light back to [[Ivalice]]. Those twelve were known as the [[The Zodiac Braves|Zodiac Braves]]. Each era had its own Zodiac Braves -- Müllenkamp the star seer, [[Saint Ajora]], the assassin Ashley. I can list at least five others, but by far the most popular has always been King Delita."}}</ref> There are a great many retellings of this legend with their own dramatic deviations, and the lack of historic evidence for the events of the story means that most of them are likely untrustworthy.<ref name="drama2">{{#spoiler:show=Wandering Dramaturge: ...|hide=Wandering Dramaturge:| [...] "There has been much debate as to whether or not the legend is based on actual historical events or merely fiction, but most scholars agree that there is simply too little evidence to substantiate claims of Ivalice's existence. There are no ruins, there are no relics. And the stories we are left with... well, they are just that -- stories. What's worse, there are so many of them, each with its own peculiarities, that only the most basic [[elements]] actually line up. Even some of the more recent renderings of the legend feature dramatic deviations, the most notable being that Delita was assassinated before even taking the throne, instead of becoming king after his marriage to Princess Ovelia Atkascha. But that has always been the trouble with bards and minstrels. You can't trust a single one of them not to change the story here or there for the sake of a rhyme. And so here we are, left in the dark without a light to ponder a mystery only the gods know."}}</ref> | |||
The first band of Zodiac Braves opposed the reign of the Ydoran Empire, led by ''Ajora Glabados'', who would come to be regarded as ''Saint Ajora'', the First Zodiac Brave. This cohort of ''Braves'' was the first to summon ''[[Ultima, The High Seraph]]'', and used her to destroy the Ydoran capitol city of Mullonde. In fear of Ultima's power, the Braves eventually sealed the ruins of Mullonde with ''Ultima'' still inside.<ref name="EE2p303">Encyclopedia Eorzea vol 2, page 303, "Auracite", {{#spoiler:show=Click to reveal contents|"The Zodiac Brave Story tells us that Delita, acting at the behest of the Church of Glabados, set out with a company of knights to recover twelve(*) lost Zodiac Stones - holy relics created by the gods of Ivalice. Jenomis Lexentale puts forth the hypothesis that these relics were, in fact, a substance called auracite, and goes as far as claiming he has come into possession of such a stone. While fanciful the notion that it might be of divine origin, Lexentale suggests that [[auracite]] is much more than merely elementally aspected [[aether]]. As if by some higher design, the crystalline shards appear to possess the power to make manifest one's deepest desires, be they fair or foul. This is borne out by the fact that the stones are credited in the Zodiac Brave Story both with destroying Mullonde, city of the gods, and granting Delita the power to bring order to chaos in his kingdom. (*Scribe's note: some iterations of the legend have the number of auracite stones at as few as six, while others claim it to be upwards of a thousand.)"}}</ref> | |||
At least '''eight''' times, further bands of Zodiac Braves would descend upon the land when times were at their bleakest to save Ivalice from destruction, each time led by a single charismatic man or woman that would see balance restored to the world. The names of four of these leaders are revealed within the Raid and published works: Müllenkamp the star seer, Saint Ajora (a.k.a. Ajora Glabados), the assassin Ashley, and King Delita.<ref name="EE2p302">Encyclopedia Eorzea vol 2, page 302, "King Delita & The Zodiac Braves" <br>{{#spoiler:show=Click to reveal contents|If one were to cite a single legend known the entire breadth of [[Ilsabard]], it would most likely be the tale of the Zodiac Braves – twelve heroes who delivered the mythic realm of Ivalice from the clutches of evil. It is said that when times were at their bleakest, these bastions of light would rise up to defend the people and restore balance to the world. At least eight times did the heroes descend upon the land, each time led by charismatic leader who saw his noble men and women to victory. Müllenkamp the star seer, Saint Ajora, the assassin Ashley, all shine in their tales, but by far the most popular has always been King Delita. Subsequent to the death of its king, Ivalice's long-standing Atkascha dynasty found itself without an heir. In an attempt to claim the throne, the Order of the Northern Sky under the banner of the White Lion and the Order of the Southern Sky under the Black Lion waged war, resulting in the death of thousands and a veritable stalemate. When all of Ivalice was at war with itself, Delita and eleven of his most trusted companions set out to bring order to the realm. Though not of noble birth, the young man would ultimately unite the land as regent, and the twelve became known as that era's Zodiac Braves."}}</ref><ref name="drama1" /> | |||
The most popular story follows the tale of [[Delita Heiral]], the eventual King of [[Ivalice]], and one of the Zodiac Braves of his era. ''The plot of this story is generally as follows:'' | |||
===The Zodiac Brave Story=== | |||
Following the death of its king, Ivalice's long-standing ''Atkascha'' dynasty finds itself without an heir. A destructive war of succession begins that would later be known as '''"the War of the Lions"''' due to its two combatant factions: the ''Order of the Northern Sky'' under the banner of the ''White Lion'', and the ''Order of the Southern Sky'' under the ''Black Lion''. The War causes the deaths of thousands and eventually reaches a stalemate, before a common-born man named Delita Heiral sets out with eleven of his most trusted companions to bring order to the realm; together, this group of twelve heroes become the Zodiac Braves of their era. Delita, in spite of his common heritage, eventually unites the land and becomes its regent. He later becomes king by marrying Princess Ovelia Atkascha, who belonged to the same line as the previous Ivalician king.<ref name="dramaLegend">{{#spoiler:show=Wandering Dramaturge: ...|hide=Wandering Dramaturge:|Following the death of its king, Ivalice's long-standing ''Atkascha'' dynasty finds itself without an heir. In an attempt to claim the throne, the Order of the Northern Sky under the banner of the White Lion and the Order of the Southern Sky under the Black Lion wage war, resulting in the death of thousands and a veritable stalemate. When all of Ivalice was at war with itself, he and eleven of his most trusted companions set out to bring order to the realm. Though not of noble birth, Delita would ultimately unite the land as regent, and the twelve become known as that era's Zodiac Braves.}}</ref> | |||
The rendition of this legend by the Majestic Theater Company is supposedly very different. One major difference being that the timeline of the War is also supposedly when Ultima attempted to free herself, using the power of '''Auracite''' to corrupt the leaders of the warring factions in pursuit of her own goals.<ref name="EE2p303" /> Within the Raid dialogue alone, it is unclear if Ultima's role in manipulating the conflict makes an appearance in other versions of the popular legends. | |||
===The Durai Papers=== | |||
A set of documents written in the "High Ivalician" language, authored by a man named '''Orram Durai.''' The contents of these writings both support the claim that Ivalice was real, and dispute the accuracy of the legend, describing the events and actions of key characters very differently from their legendary portrayals. Most importantly, the papers claim that ''multiple heroes'' were responsible for the deeds that are credited in the legend to Delita Heiral alone, including '''[[Ramza Beoulve]]''', who the ''Papers'' claim to be the ''true'' leader of the Zodiac Braves during that time. | |||
{{Main|The Durai Papers}} | |||
===Goug and Ridorana=== | |||
The '''Clockwork City of Goug''' was a metallic metropolis wherein airships, automata, and other technological marvels of the age were first conceived. <ref> {{#spoiler:show=Mikoto: ...|hide=Mikoto:| "According to the ''[[Zodiac Brave Story]]'', the Clockwork City of Goug was a metallic metropolis wherein [[airship]]s, automata, and other technological marvels of the age were first conceived. Little is said about its location, however, save that it was far away."}}</ref> The legendary city was built on a very limited amount of land, forcing its inhabitant to build up, rather than out.<ref name="jenomis1">{{#spoiler:show=Jenomis cen Lexentale: ...|While the [[The Durai Papers|Durai Papers]] do not say a great deal more, they ''do'' mention that the land upon which the legendary city was built was severely limited -- an inconvenience that forced its inhabitants to build up, rather than out. [...] While the particulars were missing, it appears the city was abandoned after an explosion left half of it in ruin. I believe that this explosion may have undermined a portion of the seabed. [...] As time passed, however, the waters would have continued to wear away at the rock, slowly widening the gap [..] until we have what lies beneath us today. This would explain why there is no mention of [the Ridorana Cataract] prior to the present era.}}</ref> An explosion left half the city in ruin, leading to its abandonment. The explosion was powerful enough to undermine a portion of the seabed, creating a gap that would slowly become wider over the passing of ages, becoming what the present day knows as the '''Ridorana Cataract.'''<ref name="jenomis1 /> The '''Ridorana Lighthouse''' was later built over the city's ruins.<ref name="ramzaLex1">{{#spoiler:show=Ramza bas Lexentale:...|hide=Ramza bas Lexentale:| "[...] While [Player] was searching for the lizard, I inspected an area of exposed foundation at the base of the [[The Ridorana Lighthouse|lighthouse]]. [...] The lighthouse is built squarely atop the ruins of what can only be... the Clockwork City of Goug!"}}</ref> Modern theorists suggest that the [[Garleans]] are descended in part from the displaced citizens of Goug, their reasoning being that Goug's technological prowess would explain how the Empire was forging armies of Iron even before the discovery and application of [[Allagan]] technology. It would also explain why the legend of Ivalice became so popular in Garlemald for centuries, in spite of the kingdom being so distantly located.<ref name="ramzaLex2"> {{#spoiler:show=Ramza bas Lexentale: ...|hide=Ramza bas Lexentale:|"...Come, Father -- will you not tell them the rest? Of the possibility that we [[Garleans]] are descended in part from the displaced citizens of Goug? It would explain how the Empire was able to forge its armies of iron even before the discovery and application of [[Allagan]] technology. And it may ''also'' explain why the legend of [[Ivalice]] has resonated with our people for centuries, despite the fact that the lost kingdom was, as far as we can tell, in quite a different corner of the world."}}</ref> | |||
==References and notes== | |||
<references> | |||
</references> | |||
[[Category:Lore/History]] | |||
[[Category:Culture]] | |||
Latest revision as of 15:58, 1 January 2024
The Kingdom of Ivalice was an ancient civilization featured in the Return to Ivalice Alliance raid series, and the setting of a legend called "the Zodiac Brave Story." It allegedly existed on Hydaelyn in the lands of modern-day Dalmasca, and contained a number of cities such as Lesalia. For several millennia, records of the kingdom of Ivalice were predominantly lost to the ages, only surviving in myths and tales passed down eventually to families in the modern-day Garlean Empire.
Lore
Holy Ydoran Empire
A cruel and tyrannical empire that ruled over several kingdoms, including Ivalice, from its capital city of Mullonde. Its primary religious organization was a polytheistic faith called The Church of Glabados.
Ultima, the High Seraph
- See also: Ultima, The High Seraph
A "divine" entity that legends portray as an important servant of the Ydoran gods.
The Zodiac Braves
The "Zodiac Brave Story" is the name commonly used to refer to the original, popular legend about a band heroes who saved Ivalice. The Zodiac Braves (as an organization) are considered synonymous with legends of Ivalice, and versions of this legend were passed down over generations, which allowed it to survive and become popular among present-day Garleans. The Braves' legend centers on this idea that, whenever Ivalice was threatened, twelve blessed heroes known as Zodiac Braves would emerge to restore Light to the kingdom.[1] There are a great many retellings of this legend with their own dramatic deviations, and the lack of historic evidence for the events of the story means that most of them are likely untrustworthy.[2]
The first band of Zodiac Braves opposed the reign of the Ydoran Empire, led by Ajora Glabados, who would come to be regarded as Saint Ajora, the First Zodiac Brave. This cohort of Braves was the first to summon Ultima, The High Seraph, and used her to destroy the Ydoran capitol city of Mullonde. In fear of Ultima's power, the Braves eventually sealed the ruins of Mullonde with Ultima still inside.[3]
At least eight times, further bands of Zodiac Braves would descend upon the land when times were at their bleakest to save Ivalice from destruction, each time led by a single charismatic man or woman that would see balance restored to the world. The names of four of these leaders are revealed within the Raid and published works: Müllenkamp the star seer, Saint Ajora (a.k.a. Ajora Glabados), the assassin Ashley, and King Delita.[4][1]
The most popular story follows the tale of Delita Heiral, the eventual King of Ivalice, and one of the Zodiac Braves of his era. The plot of this story is generally as follows:
The Zodiac Brave Story
Following the death of its king, Ivalice's long-standing Atkascha dynasty finds itself without an heir. A destructive war of succession begins that would later be known as "the War of the Lions" due to its two combatant factions: the Order of the Northern Sky under the banner of the White Lion, and the Order of the Southern Sky under the Black Lion. The War causes the deaths of thousands and eventually reaches a stalemate, before a common-born man named Delita Heiral sets out with eleven of his most trusted companions to bring order to the realm; together, this group of twelve heroes become the Zodiac Braves of their era. Delita, in spite of his common heritage, eventually unites the land and becomes its regent. He later becomes king by marrying Princess Ovelia Atkascha, who belonged to the same line as the previous Ivalician king.[5]
The rendition of this legend by the Majestic Theater Company is supposedly very different. One major difference being that the timeline of the War is also supposedly when Ultima attempted to free herself, using the power of Auracite to corrupt the leaders of the warring factions in pursuit of her own goals.[3] Within the Raid dialogue alone, it is unclear if Ultima's role in manipulating the conflict makes an appearance in other versions of the popular legends.
The Durai Papers
A set of documents written in the "High Ivalician" language, authored by a man named Orram Durai. The contents of these writings both support the claim that Ivalice was real, and dispute the accuracy of the legend, describing the events and actions of key characters very differently from their legendary portrayals. Most importantly, the papers claim that multiple heroes were responsible for the deeds that are credited in the legend to Delita Heiral alone, including Ramza Beoulve, who the Papers claim to be the true leader of the Zodiac Braves during that time.
- Main article: The Durai Papers
Goug and Ridorana
The Clockwork City of Goug was a metallic metropolis wherein airships, automata, and other technological marvels of the age were first conceived. [6] The legendary city was built on a very limited amount of land, forcing its inhabitant to build up, rather than out.[7] An explosion left half the city in ruin, leading to its abandonment. The explosion was powerful enough to undermine a portion of the seabed, creating a gap that would slowly become wider over the passing of ages, becoming what the present day knows as the Ridorana Cataract.[7] The Ridorana Lighthouse was later built over the city's ruins.[8] Modern theorists suggest that the Garleans are descended in part from the displaced citizens of Goug, their reasoning being that Goug's technological prowess would explain how the Empire was forging armies of Iron even before the discovery and application of Allagan technology. It would also explain why the legend of Ivalice became so popular in Garlemald for centuries, in spite of the kingdom being so distantly located.[9]