Lore:The Twelve
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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.
Contents
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
- 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.
| This article or section contains speculation, opinions, or observations that may or may not be supported by official Square-Enix lore. It does not represent official lore or any sort of community consensus. | ||||||||
- 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 Keeper of the Moon offer their piety to her.
- Name: Menphina {mehn-fee'-nuh}
- Sex: Female
- Aspect: Keeper of the twin moons
- Goddess of: Love
- Guardian deity of: n/a
- Element: Ice
- Month: 1st Umbral Moon
- Depiction: A maid carrying a round skillet
- Symbol: The full moon
- Description: Menphina is keeper of the twin moons and the goddess of love. She commands the element of ice and is associated with the second moon of the Eorzean calendar. Menphina is the sister of Azeyma, and the divine lover of Oschon. She is most often depicted as a maid carrying a round skillet. Her symbol is the full moon.
Thaliak, the Scholar
Thaliak the Scholar is one of the Twelve. As the god of knowledge, Thaliak stands as the patron deity of Sharlayan.
- Name: Thaliak {thal'-ee-ak}
- Sex: Male
- Aspect: Ruler of rivers and wisdom
- God of: Knowledge
- Guardian deity of: Sharlayan
- Element: Water
- Month: 2nd Astral Moon
- Depiction: A reserved scholar holding an ashen staff
- Symbol: The scroll
- Description: Thaliak, ruler of rivers and wisdom and god of knowledge, is the guardian deity of Sharlayan. He commands the element of water and is associated with the third moon of the Eorzean calendar. Thaliak is the father of Llymlaen, and the teacher of Byregot. He is most often depicted as a reserved scholar holding an ashen staff. His symbol is the scroll.
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.
- Name: Nymeia {nim-may'-uh}
- Sex: Female
- Aspect: Watcher of celestial bodies
- Goddess of: Fate
- Guardian deity of: n/a
- Element: Water
- Month: 2nd Umbral Moon
- Depiction: A weaver donning a white, silken veil
- Symbol: The spinning wheel
- Description: Nymeia is the watcher of celestial bodies and goddess of fate. She commands the element of water and is associated with the fourth moon of the Eorzean calendar. Nymeia is the younger sister of Althyk and master of Rhalgr. She is most often depicted as a weaver donning a white, silken veil. Her symbol is the spinning wheel.
| This article or section contains speculation, opinions, or observations that may or may not be supported by official Square-Enix lore. It does not represent official lore or any sort of community consensus. | ||||||||
- Deriviation: Nymeia appears to be closely associated with the one of the Three Fates, Clotho, and her equivalent in Roman mythology, Nona. Nymeia is depicted as the "younger sister," a weaver of fate, donning a veil of white. Clotho, which literally means "spinner," was the youngest of the three sisters of Fate, and spun the thread of life from her distaff onto her spindle. Her thread represented human life and her decisions represented the fate of all men in society. In some mythological tales, Clotho is believed to be the daughter of Uranus and Gaea, making her the sister of Saturn. Since Althyk, elder brother of Nymeia, appears closely associated with Saturn himself, this sibling connection is also preserved. During early stages of the beta test, Nymeia was originally associated with the Ninth Month of the Eorzean calendar. This is significant because Nona, the Roman version of Clotho, was also referred to as "the Ninth" and called upon during a woman's ninth month of pregnancy.
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.
- Name: Llymlaen {lim-layn'}
- Sex: Female
- Aspect: Watcher of the seas
- Goddess of: Navigation
- Guardian deity of: Limsa Lominsa
- Element: Wind
- Month: 3rd Astral Moon
- Depiction: A strong fisherwoman wielding a long-bladed harpoon
- Symbol: The wave
- Description: Llymlaen, watcher of the seas and goddess of navigation, is the guardian deity of Limsa Lominsa. She commands the element of wind and is associated with the fifth moon of the Eorzean calendar. Llymlaen is the daughter of Thaliak and the elder sister of Nophica. She is most often depicted as a strong fisherwoman wielding a long bladed harpoon. Her symbol is the wave.
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- Deriviation: In the Welsh language, 'ymlaen' means on, onward(s), along, or ahead.
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.
- Name: Oschon {oh'-shun}
- Sex: Male
- Aspect: Ruler of the mountains
- God of: Wanderers and vagrants
- Guardian deity of: n/a
- Element: Wind
- Month: 3rd Umbral Moon
- Depiction: A carefree ranger wielding a bow of yew
- Symbol: The walking stick
- Parents: n/a
- Siblings: Brother Nald'thal
- Children: n/a
- Other: Close companion of Halone. Menphina is his lover.
- Description: Oschon is the ruler of the mountains and god of vagrants. He commands the element of wind and is associated with the sixth moon of the Eorzean calendar. Oschon is the brother of Nald'thal and the close companion of Halone. He is most often depicted as a carefree ranger wielding a bow of yew. His symbol is the walking stick.
| This article or section contains speculation, opinions, or observations that may or may not be supported by official Square-Enix lore. It does not represent official lore or any sort of community consensus. | ||||||||
- Derivation: Oschon appears to be based off of the norse god Odin. Who was sometimes called Odin(Wodin) the Wanderer. He was depicted as being an older man who walked about with a curled walking stick but was proficient with many weapons.
Byregot, the Builder
Byregot the Builder is one of the Twelve. He is the god of arts and architecture.
- Name: Byregot {bee'-ehr-go}
- Sex: Male
- Aspect: Purveyor of architecture and industry
- God of: The arts
- Guardian deity of: n/a
- Element: Lightning
- Month: 4th Astral Moon
- Depiction: An ardent smith with a two-handed hammer
- Symbol: The hand
- Parents: Father Rhalgr
- Siblings: Younger sister Halone
- Children:
- Other: Pupil of Thaliak
- Description: Byregot is the purveyor of architecture and industry and god of the arts. He commands the element of lightning and is associated with the seventh moon of the Eorzean calendar. Byregot is the elder brother of Halone, and pupil of Thaliak. He is most often depicted as ardent smith with a two-headed hammer. His symbol is the hand.
Rhalgr, the Destroyer
Rhalgr the Destroyer is one of the Twelve. He is the god of destruction and servant to Nymeia, the Spinner.
- Name: Rhalgr {rahl'-gar}
- Sex: Male
- Aspect: Breaker of worlds
- God of: Destruction
- Guardian deity of: Ala Mhigo
- Element: Lightning
- Month: 4th Umbral Moon
- Depiction: A magi carrying a staff of bronze
- Symbol: The streaking meteor
- Description: Rhalgr, breaker of worlds, is the god of destruction and guardian deity of the now fallen nation of Ala Mhigo. He commands the element of lightning and is associated with the eighth moon of the Eorzean calendar. Rhalgr is the father of both Byregot and Halone and serves as an attendant to Nymeia. He is most often depicted as a magi carrying a staff of bronze. His symbol is the streaking meteor.
| This article or section contains speculation, opinions, or observations that may or may not be supported by official Square-Enix lore. It does not represent official lore or any sort of community consensus. | ||||||||
- Deriviation: Rhalgr appears to be inspired by the Hindu god Vishnu in a similar manner as the classic recurring Final Fantasy character, Ramuh. Ramuh himself appears to be based on the epic Hindu poem, Ramayana. The main character, Raama, was said to be an incarnation of the god Vishnu, and it's possible Ramuh is a merging of those two names. Ramuh has also gone by the name Indra in early Final Fantasy games. Indra was the Hindu god of rain, lightning, and storms, thus the reason Ramuh is always associated with lightning. Like Rhalgr, Ramuh is often depicted as a magi with a staff. The phrase "breaker of worlds" used to describe Rhalgr is similar to the famous quotation that Robert Oppenheimer, director of the Manhattan Project, used of the god Vishnu to describe seeing an atomic explosion for the first time: "Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and to impress him takes on his multi-armed form and says, 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.'" Rhalgr's flaming meteor symbol is likely a reference to the ultimate spell of destruction in Final Fantasy VII, Meteor, said to be powerful enough to destroy a planet.
Azeyma, the Warden
Azeyma the Warden, part of the Twelve pantheon of Eorzea, is the goddess of the sun. The miqo'te Seekers of the Sun's devotion to her pervades their culture.
- Name: Azeyma {ah'-zeh-muh}
- Sex: Female
- Aspect: Keeper of the sun
- Goddess of: Inquiry
- Guardian deity of: n/a
- Element: Fire
- Month: 5th Astral Moon
- Depiction: A noble lady holding a golden fan
- Symbol: The radiant sun
- Description: Azeyma is keeper of the sun and goddess of inquiry. She commands the element of fire and is associated with the ninth moon of the Eorzean calendar. Azeyma is the daughter of Althyk, and the elder sister of Menphina. She is most often depicted as a noble lady holding a golden fan. Her symbol is the radiant sun, and may have a connection to truth as a whole, as she is said to console all who would confess to their crimes.
| This article or section contains speculation, opinions, or observations that may or may not be supported by official Square-Enix lore. It does not represent official lore or any sort of community consensus. | ||||||||
- Derivation: Azeyma is probably inspired by the Egyptian sun goddesses, Wadjet-Bast of Lower Egypt and her counterpart Sekhmet from Upper Egypt. These goddesses were considered protectors, both of the respective regions where they were worshiped and also as attendants to the sun god, Amun-Ra. Both were also considered goddesses of cats, usually depicted with the head of a cat or lioness, making them an ideal figurehead for the Seekers of the Sun Miqo'te clan. Azeyma's association with the first month of the Eorzean calendar relates to the month of January, which is named after the god Janus who was worshiped as the sun in ancient Roman times. In ancient Egypt, fans were fashioned from metal, having a long handle, and ending with a semi-circular clamp into which a large ostrich feather would be inserted. The title of "fan-bearer" (particularly the "right hand" fan-bearer) was an important one whether attending a king or a deity, having the same hieroglyphic meaning as the word "protect." Azeyma's fan's golden color is pervasively symbolic of the color of the sun. 'Azima' is an Arabic female name, coming from the word asim meaning 'protector.' Since Azeyma goes by the title "The Warden," it is likely that her name was inspired by this.
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.
- Name: Nald'thal {Nahld'-thahl}
- Sex: Male
- Aspect: Overseer of transactions and the underworld
- God of: Commerce
- Guardian deity of: Ul'dah
- Element: Fire
- Month: 5th Umbral Moon
- Depiction: A merchant holding a balance
- Symbol: The cowry, an ancient shell currency
- Parents: n/a
- Siblings: Brother Oschon
- Children: n/a
- Other: Nald'thal is the single manifestation of the deific twins Nald and Thal
- Description: Nald'thal is the overseer of transactions and the underworld, and god of commerce.
He commands the element of fire and is associated with the tenth moon of the Eorzean calendar. Nald'thal is the single manifestation of the deific twins Nald and Thal. He is most often depicted as a discerning merchant holding a balance. His symbol is the cowry, an ancient shell currency.
| This article or section contains speculation, opinions, or observations that may or may not be supported by official Square-Enix lore. It does not represent official lore or any sort of community consensus. | ||||||||
- Deriviation: Nald'thal is likely based off the astrological figure, Gemini, the Twins. In Greek mythology, Gemini was comprised of the twin brothers known as Castor and Pollux. Though twins, they had different fathers. Pollux was the son of Zeus, and thus immortal, while Castor had mortal blood. After being scammed on a business deal, Castor and Pollux performed a cattle raid on those who had cheated them, tying in to Nald'Thal's overseeing of transactions. They got caught, and Castor, being mortal, was fatally wounded. Pollux, devastated by the loss of his twin, petitioned Zeus to share his immortality with his brother. His wish granted, Gemini was fated to travel between Mount Olympus and the Underworld on alternating days. This, in turn, could point to Nald'Thal's oversight of the underworld.
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.
- Name: Nophica {no'-fee-kah}
- Sex: Female
- Aspect: tender of soils and harvests
- Goddess of: Abundance
- Guardian deity of: Gridania
- Element: Earth
- Moon: 6th Astral Moon
- Depiction: A jubilant farmer holding a scythe of steel
- Symbol: The spring leaf
- Description: Nophica, tender of soils and harvests and goddess of abundance, is the guardian deity of Gridania. She commands the element of earth and is associated with the eleventh moon of the Eorzean calendar. Nophica is the daughter of Azeyma, and the younger sister of Llymlaen. She is most often depicted as a jubilant farmer holding a scythe of steel. Her symbol is the spring leaf.
Hymns
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The Hymn of Nophica Sun's sweet smile and wind's cool breath, Both of these I send thee, To ripe thy fruit and spread thy seed, And nourish those that tend thee.
Althyk, the Keeper
Althyk, the Keeper is one of the Twelve. He stands as the god of time and space
- Name: Althyk {ahl'-thik}
- Sex: Male
- Aspect: Surveyor of change and space
- God of: Time
- Guardian deity of: n/a
- Element: Earth
- Month: 6th Umbral Moon;
- Depiction: An austere emperor wielding a mythril greataxe
- Symbol: The hourglass
- Description: Althyk is the surveyor of change and space and god of time. He commands the element of earth and is associated with the twelfth moon of the Eorzean calendar. Althyk is the father of Azeyma and Menphina, and elder brother to Nymeia. He is most often depicted as an austere emperor wielding a mythril greataxe. His symbol is the hourglass. Both historians (keepers of the past) and diviners (seekers of the future) are known to praise this deity.
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.
