The world of Final Fantasy XVI: Realms, Eikons and Dominants detailed
We learned more about the world of Final Fantasy XVI, including the six realms inhabiting Valisthea, the Eikons and their Dominants.
Square Enix published the official website for Final Fantasy XVI, taking us deeper into the world of Valisthea. While we were introduced to FFXVI last month during the PlayStation Showcase, the trailer offered more mystery than actual details. Now we know more about the land of Valisthea as well as the Eikons that inhabit it. And in learning more, we may have a better idea as to what the plot of Final Fantasy XVI will entail.
For starters, Final Fantasy XVI takes place in Valisthea, a land blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals. These crystals bless the surrounding areas with aether, allowing those who live nearby to conjure magicks.
Valisthea is inhabited by six realms, each built around a different Mothercrystal with a unique power. While each Mothercrystal has allowed these individual realms to thrive, a spreading Blight threatens to disturb the uneasy peace that exists between them.
Within Valisthea are powerful and deadly creatures known as Eikons. Each of these resides within a Dominant who can call upon their dread power. Each realm is home to a different Dominant with a unique power but how these Dominants are treated within each realm differs. Some treat Dominants as royalty, while others fear them and force them to serve as weapons of war.
The Grand Duchy of Rosaria is one of the six realms and home to our main protagonists: Clive, Joshua and Jill. As we previously learned, Joshua is the Dominant of the Phoenix, Eikon of Fire. Clive has sworn himself to protect Joshua and is blessed with partial fire powers. The description for Clive, as well as the initial teaser trailer, hints at some sort of tragedy at the hands of a mysterious dark Eikon, Ifrit, that befalls Clive and sends him on a dangerous road to revenge.
The other five realms inhabiting Valisthea are The Holy Empire of Sanbreque, The Kingdom of Waloed, The Dhalmekian Republic, The Iron Kingdom and The Crystalline Dominion. Each of these realms has different beliefs and ways of life as well as views on Dominants.
It’s revealed that The Iron Kingdom controls Drake’s Breath, the Mothercrystal that sits at the heart of one of their islands and has been a source of contention with Rosaria. They also believe Dominants to be unholy abominations and execute any that are born on the islands. Naturally, you can see the issues that may arise with Joshua, the second son of the Archduke of Rosaria and Dominant of the Phoenix, residing nearby.
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The Kingdom of Waloed uses the power of Drake’s Spine and has built up a mighty army with the intention of testing nearby neighbors. The Holy Empire of Sanbreque is also home to a Dominant, which has yet to be revealed, which serves as the empire’s champion. The people in this realm live in bliss and worship the Holy Emperor, viewed as the living incarnation of the one true deity.
The Dhalmekian Republic is comprised of five states from which its members are pulled to make up a ruling parliament. Its Mothercrystal, Drake’s Fang, is half-hidden in the heart of a mountain range and looked over by the republic, which helps secure obedience from southern Valisthea inhabitants. The Dominant of Titan, Eikon of Earth, is a special advisor to the parliament and has significant say in the parliament’s decisions.
The sixth and final realm is The Crystalline Dominion, a set of islands around Drake’s Tale, which has no Dominant. Each of the surrounding nations of this autonomous dominion enjoys equal claim to the Mothercrystal’s blessing.
Related Story. Final Fantasy XVI characters: Meet Clive, Joshua and Jill. light
There’s sort of a Game of Thrones-esque feel to all these different realms and factions inhabiting Valisthea. With all of these different beliefs and views on Dominants, surely there’s going to be some hostility between them. There’s clearly a lot of political drama brewing and it will be interesting to see how it plays out in Final Fantasy XVI as each realm reacts to the spreading Blight.