Lore:The Twelve

"The Twelve" are twelve benevolent deities of Eorzea who ruled the continent and its surrounding islands until the arrival of wandering tribes. Impressed by the resilience of the primitive settlers, each of the Twelve mercifully saw fit to ensure their welfare.

Men are wont to suffer

And forget wherein they've sinned
Ne'er hearkening back on tragedies past
Lest the Twelve might humble them

Thralls are they to sadness
As were their bygone kin
With bonds of woe athwart their breasts
And that which dwells within

Yet loved they are withal
No thoughts to wrath portend
For men are treasured by the Twelve
Whose mercy knows no end

- Unknown

Halone, the Fury

Name: Halone {ha-low'-nay}
Sex: Female
Aspect: Mover of glaciers
Goddess of: War
Guardian deity of: Ishgard
Element: Ice
Month: 1st Astral Moon
Depiction: A relentless warrior armed with a bronze greatshield
Symbol: The three spears

Parents: Rhalgr
Siblings: Elder brother Byregot
Other: Nophica is her bitter rival.

Description: Halone, mover of glaciers and goddess of war, is the guardian deity of Ishgard. She commands the element of ice and is associated with the first moon of the Eorzean calendar. Halone is the daughter of Rhalgr, and a bitter rival of Nophica. She is most often depicted as a relentless warrioress armed with a bronze greatshield. Her symbol is the three spears.

Derivation: Halone is likely based on the Hindu goddess Parvati, the female aspect of the god Shiva. In Hindu literature, Parvati is generally not viewed as a warrior goddess, rather often portrayed as having a calming effect on Shiva's rage. However, when Parvati is driven to wrath, she will create a new goddess version of herself to do her warfare for her. In one such tale, she created the goddess Durga, a relentless warrior who carried a legendary weapon in each of her multiple hands. In Northern India, Parvati is made manifest as a holy ice formation (along with Shiva and his son) called a lingam, which may explain Halone's connection with ice. While Halone is associated with the Fifth Moon of the Eorzean calendar, Parvati's holy Gauri Festival is observed during India's fifth lunar month. Parvati is often depicted holding a three-pronged spear called a trishula which may correspond to Halone's three spears. Halone's holy symbol of three spears may additionally refer to the Three Great Spears of Japan (said to be the greatest spears under heaven) which go by the names Tonbogiri, Otegine, and Nihongo.

Menphina, the Lover

Menphina the Lover is the goddess of the moon and one of the The Twelve. The Keepers of the Moon Miqo'te clan offer their piety to her.

Thaliak, the Scholar

Thaliak the Scholar is one of The Twelve. As the god of knowledge, Thaliak stands as the patron deity of Sharlayan.

Nymeia, the Spinner

Nymeia the Spinner is a goddess among The Twelve who spins the fates of all Eorzeans. She is the patron goddess of weavers and is said to have a fickle personality. Just as the Spinner, Nymeia, spins the fates of all Eorzeans, the warp and weft of a weaver's work, too, have been known to alter the course of destinies both large and small. Perhaps this is why so many of the realm's tailors pay homage to the fickle goddess.

Llymlaen, the Navigator

Llymlaen the Navigator is the goddess of navigation, and one of The Twelve gods of Eorzea. Legend holds that Limsa Lominsa was founded shortly after the remnants of a giant armada fled its homeland following a crushing defeat. Llymlaen is said to have taken pity on the plight of these brave sailors, and guided them to the shallows of a rocky bay where their ships were grounded upon the sharp rocks. With no home to return to, the sailors chose to settle in this newly-found land.

Oschon, the Wanderer

Oschon the Wanderer, one of The Twelve, is the patron deity of the Miners' Guild. He is associated with their theory of continental drift.

Byregot, the Builder

Byregot the Builder is one of The Twelve. He is the god of arts and architecture.

Rhalgr, the Destroyer

Rhalgr the Destroyer is one of The Twelve. He is the god of destruction and servant to Nymeia, the Spinner.

Azeyma, the Warden

Azeyma the Warden, part of The Twelve pantheon of Eorzea, is the goddess of the sun. The Seekers of the Sun Miqo'te's devotion to her pervades their culture.

Nald'thal, the Trader

Nald'thal, the Traders is one of The Twelve. He is the patron deity of Ul'dah where two great halls devoted to his two aspects can be found in the eastern and western sections of the city. Nald rules over the world of the living, and Thal keeps the realm of the dead.

Nophica, the Matron

Nophica the Matron is one of The Twelve. She is the favored goddess of the citizens of Gridania and is considered the goddess of harvests and fertility.

Althyk, the Keeper

Althyk, the Keeper is one of The Twelve. He stands as the god of time and space

Relations

Nald'thal is the brother of Oschon.

Oschon is the brother of Nald'thal, Menphina's lover, and the teacher of Halone.

Menphina is the sister of Azeyma, Oschon's lover, and the daughter of Althyk.

Azeyma is the sister of Menphina, Thaliak's lover, the daughter of Althyk, and the mother of Llymlaen and Nophica.

Thaliak is the teacher of Byregot, Azeyma's lover, and the father of Llymlaen and Nophica.

Rhalgr is the apprentice of Nymeia and the father of Byregot and Halone.

Althyk is the brother of Nymeia, the father of Menphina and Azeyma, and the grandfather of Llymlaen and Nophica.