Difference between revisions of "The Void"

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The Void

Type: World
Within: Final Fantasy XIV

“

No description available.

— In-game description

The Void is a world in Final Fantasy XIV. Also known as The Thirteenth, it is what remains of the thirteenth Reflection of The Source, allegedly due to mistakes made by the Ascians following the Sundering. Similar to The First, the elemental balance of The Thirteenth's aether was tipped towards a specific element -- in this case, Darkness -- which caused the world to be overwhelmed by Darkness-aspected aether. This cataclysm of Darkness completely destroyed the world, rendering it devoid of life, and twisting the survivors into aether-starved creatures now known as Voidsent.

Lore

Spoiler Warning : This section contains spoilers for main and side stories, as recent as Patch 6.2

Though the Thirteenth was not sent careening into the Source, the barriers between it and the Source, the barriers between the two were severely weakened, even breaking from time to time, allowing passage from both sides. The Allagan Empire were able to take advantage of this by creating a way to open their own Tears in the walls between in order to bring through the Voidsent and make a pact with a high ranking ruler of the Void named the Cloud of Darkness to turn the tides of their war in exchange for aether. Millenia later, the Mhach used their Magic to open gates to the Void, however they were able to control the Voidsent and were able to use them more effectively for their war. There are other instances of people on Eorzea using magic to access or enter the Void, however it almost always ends up with a Voidsent taking advantage of an overconfident mage and wreaking havoc.

Void Magic

Entering into the Void is incredibly dangerous for any living being, Voidsent aside. The realm is so barren of aether that the Darkness' itself will attack any living organism and slowly erode it until the being is completely consumed by Darkness. This phenomenon was observed by Nero tol Scaeva when he accidentally entered the Void while trying to save the clones of Doga and Unei. The longer he was in the Void, the more and more his health and strength deteriorated. He only narrowly managed to escape by breaking the grip the Darkness held on him and exiting through a gate.

Culture

Within the Void, there seem to be several hierarchies based on the strength of the Voidsent, with the strongest beings at the top and acting as ruler over the lesser, weaker beings. It is believed that any being strong enough can rise through the ranks, although the chances of the Voidsent surviving and reaching a place of power are incredibly slim. Interestingly, the weaker of the Voidsent are the ones who are able to pass through the barrier to the Source much easier than the beings who are larger or stronger.

Laws of Rebirth

Within the Void, Death does not occur in the same way it occurs on The Source or it's other shards, due to the heavy imbalance of Darkness-aspected aether. Instead, when an entity would die, the aether composing the entity's flesh and soul are scattered into the ambient aether, allowing other nearby entities to "devour" it, thus absorbing the entity it once belonged to, body and soul.^[1]^[2]

Devouring the aether of other beings allows Voidsent to sate their constant hunger^[3], heal physical wounds, and implicitly gain greater power. However, it may also affect the devourer's sense of self, which may make it difficult for the entity to maintain it's form, or reform itself after death.^[4] The more souls a Voidsent devours, the stronger they become, but the harder it also gets for them to maintain their sense of self. Entities that become too large risk breaking apart into separate voidsent upon death; this is prescribed as the reason the Cloud of Darkness has not regenerated since being defeated by The Warrior of Light during the Crystal Tower Raid series. ^[5] The behavior of the devourer may also change, if they find themselves influenced by the residual consciousness, and thus emotions, of their absorbed prey.^[6]

History

^[7]

Eidolons

^[8]

See also: Primals

^[9]

Memoria and Memoriates

^[10]

The Contramemoria

As of Patch 6.2, all that we yet know about the destruction of the Thirteenth is that it was preceded by a terrible war, known as The Contramemoria. ^[11]

The Flood of Darkness

^[12]

Known Characters from The Thirteenth

References

↑ In-game, "The Never-Ending Journey", Cutscene dialogue during Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest "Where Everything Begins"
SCARMIGLIONE: "Fools. Death doesn't exist in this world. And I-I am free to return whensoever I please."
Y'SHTOLA: "Death doesn't exist...? Of course! In the first, the power of Light--of passivity--prevents life from emerging in the empty. But in the Thirteenth, the power of Darkness--of--activity--prevents life from finding rest, even should soul be separated from flesh."
↑ During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run"
ZERO: "Were this a world where the wheel of life and death still turned, the soul wouldn't linger so stubbornly. In time, it would return to the great flow. But there's no such end here."
↑ During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run",
ZERO: "But all must answer to the hunger, and seek out prey when they need aether."
↑ During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run",
ZERO: "While physical wounds can be healed by replenishing one's aether, you can't preserve your form if you lose sight of yourself. Such is the risk inherent in consuming another's soul. It dilutes your sense of self. Alters you inside and out."
↑ During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Groping in the Dark", ZERO:"There are circumstances in which we're unable to return." ... "The more you devour, the more powerful you grow. But in the process, your essence is blended with those of your prey." "If you were to lose your flesh, the souls you had come to harbor may break free and coalesce into distinct voidsent once more." "And before you yourself return, your own soul might be devoured by your enemies or your erstwhile prey. A fate more likely for stronger beings, who require more time to regenerate." "However, even assuming you survive the process, it's highly uncommon to return as you were."
↑ During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run",
ZERO: "When you're eaten, your essence is blended with that of your devourer. And though you have no control, your consciousness in part endures."
↑ In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
"ZERO: While I remember some few tales of the past, I cannot speak to their authenticity."
↑ In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
"ZERO: Long ago, light filled the world, and all was at peace. But then the servants of Darkness came, and they bequeathed a black art unto men. Channeling the power of hope and prayer, one could call forth fearsome beings known as eidolons."
↑ In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
ZERO: "Then you have faced the same, and understand that when an eidolon is birthed, strife follows, and in such strife, the weak are the first to suffer."
↑ In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
ZERO: "When it seemed the world would be plunged into chaos, heroes appeared--they who were blessed with a singular power. The power to bind the aether of eidolons within crystals known as memoria."
ZERO: "My mother was one such memoriate. But in fighting to save many, she herself was touched by Darkness--as was I."
↑ In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
VARSHAHN: "How exactly did that calamity come to pass? Did the memoriates not triumph?"
ZERO: "They did. They expunged the seeds of chaos and restored the peace...only to find themseleves seduced by the Darkness they had sealed. They spread the taint, transforming men into monsters--what you call voidsent--and raised armies to wage new wars."
ZERO: "Some defied corruption and held fast to the Light, my mother and I among them. For years and years we fought, but it was not enough. And when our strength was spent, our bulwarks broken, so too was the world."
Y'SHTOLA: "The Flood of Darkness."
(ZERO nods her head)
↑ In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
ZERO: "Some defied corruption and held fast to the Light, my mother and I among them. For years and years we fought, but it was not enough. And when our strength was spent, our bulwarks broken, so too was the world."
Y'SHTOLA: "The Flood of Darkness."
ZERO: "The stars faded from the heavens as a pall black as pitch enveloped creation. Darkness raged unchecked, rending the very walls of reality. I was cast into the rift, and there trapped for what felt like an eternity. Until I came upon a crack. Tiny, infinitesimal--but enough for me to squeeze through...And find my world changed beyond recognition. Into the lightless waste you saw."

[1] In-game, "The Never-Ending Journey", Cutscene dialogue during Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest "Where Everything Begins"
SCARMIGLIONE: "Fools. Death doesn't exist in this world. And I-I am free to return whensoever I please."
Y'SHTOLA: "Death doesn't exist...? Of course! In the first, the power of Light--of passivity--prevents life from emerging in the empty. But in the Thirteenth, the power of Darkness--of--activity--prevents life from finding rest, even should soul be separated from flesh."

[2] During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run"
ZERO: "Were this a world where the wheel of life and death still turned, the soul wouldn't linger so stubbornly. In time, it would return to the great flow. But there's no such end here."

[3] During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run",
ZERO: "But all must answer to the hunger, and seek out prey when they need aether."

[4] During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run",
ZERO: "While physical wounds can be healed by replenishing one's aether, you can't preserve your form if you lose sight of yourself. Such is the risk inherent in consuming another's soul. It dilutes your sense of self. Alters you inside and out."

[5] During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Groping in the Dark", ZERO:"There are circumstances in which we're unable to return." ... "The more you devour, the more powerful you grow. But in the process, your essence is blended with those of your prey." "If you were to lose your flesh, the souls you had come to harbor may break free and coalesce into distinct voidsent once more." "And before you yourself return, your own soul might be devoured by your enemies or your erstwhile prey. A fate more likely for stronger beings, who require more time to regenerate." "However, even assuming you survive the process, it's highly uncommon to return as you were."

[6] During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run",
ZERO: "When you're eaten, your essence is blended with that of your devourer. And though you have no control, your consciousness in part endures."

[7] In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
"ZERO: While I remember some few tales of the past, I cannot speak to their authenticity."

[8] In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
"ZERO: Long ago, light filled the world, and all was at peace. But then the servants of Darkness came, and they bequeathed a black art unto men. Channeling the power of hope and prayer, one could call forth fearsome beings known as eidolons."

[9] In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
ZERO: "Then you have faced the same, and understand that when an eidolon is birthed, strife follows, and in such strife, the weak are the first to suffer."

[10] In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
ZERO: "When it seemed the world would be plunged into chaos, heroes appeared--they who were blessed with a singular power. The power to bind the aether of eidolons within crystals known as memoria."
ZERO: "My mother was one such memoriate. But in fighting to save many, she herself was touched by Darkness--as was I."

[11] In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
VARSHAHN: "How exactly did that calamity come to pass? Did the memoriates not triumph?"
ZERO: "They did. They expunged the seeds of chaos and restored the peace...only to find themseleves seduced by the Darkness they had sealed. They spread the taint, transforming men into monsters--what you call voidsent--and raised armies to wage new wars."
ZERO: "Some defied corruption and held fast to the Light, my mother and I among them. For years and years we fought, but it was not enough. And when our strength was spent, our bulwarks broken, so too was the world."
Y'SHTOLA: "The Flood of Darkness."
(ZERO nods her head)

[12] In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Buried Memory",
ZERO: "Some defied corruption and held fast to the Light, my mother and I among them. For years and years we fought, but it was not enough. And when our strength was spent, our bulwarks broken, so too was the world."
Y'SHTOLA: "The Flood of Darkness."
ZERO: "The stars faded from the heavens as a pall black as pitch enveloped creation. Darkness raged unchecked, rending the very walls of reality. I was cast into the rift, and there trapped for what felt like an eternity. Until I came upon a crack. Tiny, infinitesimal--but enough for me to squeeze through...And find my world changed beyond recognition. Into the lightless waste you saw."

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@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 | release =
 }}
-It is what remains of the '''Thirteenth Shard''' after the mistakes of the [[Ascian]]s following the [[Sundering]]. After mistakenly tipping the Elemental balance of the Thirteenth and overwhelmed the '''Shard''' with '''Astral-aspected''' [[Aether]], the '''Shard''' was completely destroyed by [[Darkness]], rendering it completely devoid of life, and twisting the denizens into horrid '''aether'''-starved creatures who would come to be known as the [[Voidsent]].
+Also known as '''The Thirteenth''', it is what remains of the thirteenth [[Reflection]] of The Source, allegedly due to mistakes made by the [[Ascian]]s following the [[Sundering]]. Similar to [[The First]], the elemental balance of The Thirteenth's aether was tipped towards a specific element -- in this case, Darkness -- which caused the world to be overwhelmed by Darkness-aspected aether. This cataclysm of [[Darkness]] completely destroyed the world, rendering it devoid of life, and twisting the survivors into aether-starved creatures now known as [[Voidsent]].
+__TOC__
-Though the Thirteenth was not sent careening into the [[Source]], the barriers between it and the '''Source''', the barriers between the two were severely weakened, even breaking from time to time, allowing passage from both sides. The [[Allagan Empire]] were able to take advantage of this by creating a way to open their own '''Tears''' in the walls between in order to bring through the '''Voidsent''' and make a pact with a high ranking ruler of the '''Void''' named the [[Cloud of Darkness]] to turn the tides of their war in exchange for '''aether'''. Millenia later, the [[Mhach]] used their [[Black Magic|Magic]] to open gates to the '''Void''', however they were able to control the '''Voidsent''' and were able to use them more effectively for their war. There are other instances of people on [[Eorzea]] using magic to access or enter the '''Void''', however it almost always ends up with a '''Voidsent''' taking advantage of an overconfident mage and wreaking havoc.
-Entering into the '''Void''' is incredibly dangerous for any living being, '''Voidsent''' aside. The realm is so barren of '''aether''' that the '''Darkness''' itself will attack any living organism and slowly erode it until the being is completely consumed by '''Darkness'''. This phenomenon was observed by [[Nero tol Scaeva]] when he accidentally entered the '''Void''' while trying to save the clones of [[Doga]] and [[Unei]]. The longer he was in the '''Void''', the more and more his health and strength deteriorated. He only narrowly managed to escape by breaking the grip the '''Darkness''' held on him and exiting through a gate.
+==Lore==
+<onlyinclude>{| style="border:1px solid red;background:#ffe4e1;padding:5px;margin-bottom:15px;text-align:center;"
+| [[File:Meteor_icon1.png|25px|link=]]
+| '''Spoiler Warning :''' This section contains spoilers for main and side stories, as recent as [[Patch 6.2]] {{{next|}}}
+|}</onlyinclude>
+Though the Thirteenth was not sent careening into the [[Source]], the barriers between it and the Source, the barriers between the two were severely weakened, even breaking from time to time, allowing passage from both sides. The [[Allagan Empire]] were able to take advantage of this by creating a way to open their own '''Tears''' in the walls between in order to bring through the '''Voidsent''' and make a pact with a high ranking ruler of the '''Void''' named the [[Cloud of Darkness]] to turn the tides of their war in exchange for '''aether'''. Millenia later, the [[Mhach]] used their [[Black Magic|Magic]] to open gates to the '''Void''', however they were able to control the '''Voidsent''' and were able to use them more effectively for their war. There are other instances of people on [[Eorzea]] using magic to access or enter the '''Void''', however it almost always ends up with a '''Voidsent''' taking advantage of an overconfident mage and wreaking havoc.
+===Void Magic===
+Entering into the '''Void''' is incredibly dangerous for any living being, '''Voidsent''' aside. The realm is so barren of aether that the Darkness' itself will attack any living organism and slowly erode it until the being is completely consumed by Darkness. This phenomenon was observed by [[Nero tol Scaeva]] when he accidentally entered the Void while trying to save the clones of [[Doga]] and [[Unei]]. The longer he was in the Void, the more and more his health and strength deteriorated. He only narrowly managed to escape by breaking the grip the Darkness held on him and exiting through a gate.
+===Culture===
 Within the '''Void''', there seem to be several hierarchies based on the strength of the '''Voidsent''', with the strongest beings at the top and acting as ruler over the lesser, weaker beings. It is believed that any being strong enough can rise through the ranks, although the chances of the '''Voidsent''' surviving and reaching a place of power are incredibly slim. Interestingly, the weaker of the '''Voidsent''' are the ones who are able to pass through the barrier to the [[Source]] much easier than the beings who are larger or stronger.
+===Laws of Rebirth===
+Within the Void, '''Death''' does not occur in the same way it occurs on [[The Source]] or it's other shards, due to the heavy imbalance of Darkness-aspected aether. Instead, when an entity ''would'' die, the aether composing the entity's flesh and soul are scattered into the ambient aether, allowing other nearby entities to "devour" it, thus absorbing the entity it once belonged to, body and soul.<ref>In-game, "The Never-Ending Journey", Cutscene dialogue during Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest '''"Where Everything Begins"''' <br>SCARMIGLIONE:'' "Fools. Death doesn't exist in this world. And I-I am free to return whensoever I please."'' <br>Y'SHTOLA: ''"Death doesn't exist...? Of course! In the first, the power of Light--of passivity--prevents life from emerging in the empty. But in the Thirteenth, the power of Darkness--of--activity--prevents life from finding rest, even should soul be separated from flesh."''</ref><ref>During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, '''"Nowhere to Run"''' <br>ZERO: ''"Were this a world where the wheel of life and death still turned, the soul wouldn't linger so stubbornly. In time, it would return to the great flow. But there's no such end here."''</ref>
+<br>'''Devouring''' the aether of other beings allows Voidsent to sate their constant hunger<ref>During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run", <br>'''ZERO''': "But all must answer to the hunger, and seek out prey when they need aether."</ref>, heal physical wounds, and implicitly gain greater power. However, it may also affect the devourer's sense of self, which may make it difficult for the entity to maintain it's form, or reform itself after death.<ref>During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run", <br> ZERO: "While physical wounds can be healed by replenishing one's aether, you can't preserve your form if you lose sight of yourself. Such is the risk inherent in consuming another's soul. It dilutes your sense of self. Alters you inside and out."</ref> The more souls a Voidsent devours, the stronger they become, but the harder it also gets for them to maintain their sense of self. Entities that become too large risk breaking apart into separate voidsent upon death; this is prescribed as the reason the [[Cloud of Darkness]] has not regenerated since being defeated by The [[Warrior of Light]] during the [[Crystal Tower]] Raid series. <ref> During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Groping in the Dark", '''ZERO''':''"There are circumstances in which we're unable to return." ... "The more you devour, the more powerful you grow. But in the process, your essence is blended with those of your prey." "If you were to lose your flesh, the souls you had come to harbor may break free and coalesce into distinct voidsent once more." "And before you yourself return, your own soul might be devoured by your enemies or your erstwhile prey. A fate more likely for stronger beings, who require more time to regenerate." "However, even assuming you survive the process, it's highly uncommon to return as you were."''</ref> The behavior of the devourer may also change, if they find themselves influenced by the residual consciousness, and thus emotions, of their absorbed prey.<ref>During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, "Nowhere to Run", <br>'''ZERO''': "When you're eaten, your essence is blended with that of your devourer. And though you have no control, your consciousness in part endures."</ref>
+===History===
+<ref>In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, '''"Buried Memory"''', <br>"ZERO: While I remember some few tales of the past, I cannot speak to their authenticity."</ref>
+====Eidolons====
+<ref>In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, '''"Buried Memory"''',<br>"ZERO: Long ago, light filled the world, and all was at peace. But then the servants of Darkness came, and they bequeathed a black art unto men. Channeling the power of hope and prayer, one could call forth fearsome beings known as eidolons."</ref>
+{{see also|Primals}}
+<ref>In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, '''"Buried Memory"''', <br>ZERO: "Then you have faced the same, and understand that when an eidolon is birthed, strife follows, and in such strife, the weak are the first to suffer."</ref>
+====Memoria and Memoriates====
+<ref>In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, '''"Buried Memory"''',<br>ZERO: "When it seemed the world would be plunged into chaos, heroes appeared--they who were blessed with a singular power. The power to bind the aether of eidolons within crystals known as memoria." <br>ZERO: "My mother was one such memoriate. But in fighting to save many, she herself was touched by Darkness--as was I."</ref>
+====The Contramemoria====
+As of [[Patch 6.2]], all that we yet know about the destruction of the Thirteenth is that it was preceded by a terrible war, known as '''The Contramemoria.'''
+<ref>In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, '''"Buried Memory"''', <br> VARSHAHN: "How exactly did that calamity come to pass? Did the memoriates not triumph?" <br> ZERO: "They did. They expunged the seeds of chaos and restored the peace...only to find themseleves seduced by the Darkness they had sealed.
+They spread the taint, transforming men into monsters--what you call voidsent--and raised armies to wage new wars." <br> ZERO: "Some defied corruption and held fast to the Light, my mother and I among them. For years and years we fought, but it was not enough. And when our strength was spent, our bulwarks broken, so too was the world." <br> Y'SHTOLA: "The Flood of Darkness." <br> (ZERO nods her head)</ref>
+====The Flood of Darkness====
+<ref>In-game Cutscene Dialogue, During Main Scenario (Endwalker) Quest, '''"Buried Memory"''', <br>ZERO: "Some defied corruption and held fast to the Light, my mother and I among them. For years and years we fought, but it was not enough. And when our strength was spent, our bulwarks broken, so too was the world." <br>Y'SHTOLA: "The Flood of Darkness." <br>ZERO: "The stars faded from the heavens as a pall black as pitch enveloped creation. Darkness raged unchecked, rending the very walls of reality. I was cast into the rift, and there trapped for what felt like an eternity. Until I came upon a crack. Tiny, infinitesimal--but enough for me to squeeze through...And find my world changed beyond recognition. Into the lightless waste you saw."</ref>
+==Known Characters from The Thirteenth==
+* [[Unukalhai]]
+* [[Cyella]]
+* [[Zero]]
+==References==
+<references>
+</references>
 [[Category:Worlds]] [[Category: Lore]]