Delving into Eorzea’s History: How Long Did the Seventh Umbral Era Last?

The Seventh Umbral Era in Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) stands as a pivotal moment in Eorzean history. Lasting only five years, it’s the second shortest known Era, bookended by the defeat of the Ultima Weapon and the subsequent rise of the Seventh Astral Era. This tumultuous period was defined by destruction, chaos, and ultimately, rebirth.

The Seventh Umbral Era: A Period of Cataclysm

The Seventh Umbral Era is a dark chapter, a period of immense suffering and transformation for the world of Eorzea. To truly understand its brief but impactful duration, one must delve into the events that triggered and ultimately concluded this calamitous time. The article will also answer some frequently asked questions about the world of Eorzea.

The Spark of Calamity: The Garlean Empire’s Ambition

The catalyst for the Seventh Umbral Calamity was the Garlean Empire’s audacious and ultimately devastating plan to conquer Eorzea. Driven by a desire for dominance, the Empire sought to wield the artificial moon Dalamud as a weapon of unparalleled destruction. Their scheme involved manipulating Dalamud’s trajectory to crash it upon Eorzea, effectively obliterating any resistance and paving the way for their conquest.

Dalamud’s Descent and Bahamut’s Awakening

The Garlean Empire succeeded in their initial goal, pulling Dalamud from the heavens. However, they were tragically unaware of the true nature of their weapon. Dalamud was not merely a moon, but a prison, a massive satellite that housed the primal Bahamut, a dragon of unimaginable power. The impact of Dalamud shattered the prison, unleashing Bahamut upon Eorzea in a fiery cataclysm known as the Seventh Umbral Calamity. This event reshaped the landscape, decimated civilizations, and plunged the world into chaos.

The Warrior of Light and the Dawn of a New Era

Amidst the devastation, hope emerged in the form of the Warrior of Light and their companions. Through their courage and skill, they confronted Bahamut and ultimately vanquished the primal, averting complete annihilation. This victory marked the end of the Seventh Umbral Era and ushered in the Seventh Astral Era, a period of rebuilding and recovery for Eorzea. The five years of the Seventh Umbral Era were a time of immense loss and hardship, but also a testament to the resilience of the Eorzean people and their ability to rise from the ashes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Eorzea and FFXIV Lore

Here are some frequently asked questions to further deepen your understanding of the world of Eorzea and the events surrounding the Seventh Umbral Era, and beyond:

1. What is the difference between Astral and Umbral Eras?

   • Astral Eras are generally periods of prosperity, growth, and advancement for the world and its nations. They often signify an upswing in civilization. In contrast, Umbral Eras are marked by calamity, war, the fall of civilizations, and other dire events. They represent periods of decline and upheaval.

2. What aspect was the Seventh Umbral Calamity?

   • The Seventh Umbral Calamity was unaspected, but Astral in alignment. Lore in the Shadowbringers expansion reveals that Astral is associated with Darkness. The “aspect” of growth/activity/chaos played a significant role in the events of the calamity.

3. What caused the Sixth Umbral Calamity?

   • The provided text makes reference to the Battle of Amdapor ending in a stalemate, but it does not mention that the Battle of Amdapor caused the Sixth Umbral Calamity.

4. What was the Fourth Umbral Calamity?

   • The Fourth Umbral Calamity, also known as the Calamity of Earth, led to the fall of the ancient Allagan Empire, which had dominated the Three Great Continents during the Third Astral Era. The Ascian Emet-Selch played a significant role in the events of the Fourth Umbral Calamity.

5. Was the Seventh Umbral Calamity a Rejoining?

   • Yes, the Seventh Umbral Calamity was a Rejoining. It was responsible for merging the Seventh Shard back into the Source.

6. What was the First Astral Calamity?

   • The First Calamity was the Calamity of Wind, which marked the beginning of recorded history on Hydaelyn. The tale of Good King Moggle Mog provides the most detailed account of this event, describing a war among gods that endangered the moogles.

7. How long do Viera live?

   • Viera are known for their exceptionally long lifespans, often living for hundreds of years, easily exceeding three lifetimes of an Elezen. They retain their youthful appearance for centuries, making it difficult to determine their age.

8. What is the last quest in A Realm Reborn (ARR)?

   • When A Realm Reborn launched, the last quest was “The Ultimate Weapon.” However, the final quest in the ARR patch quests is “Before the Dawn.” You’ll know you’ve reached the end when the credits roll. This happens for every “last quest” in the base game, patches, and expansions.

9. Is Bahamut a primal?

   • Yes, Bahamut, also known as the Dreadwyrm, is an elder primal in Final Fantasy XIV. Primals are powerful entities summoned through the use of aether and belief.

10. What is the age of Archbishop Thordan VII?

    • Archbishop Thordan VII was seventy-four years old. He came from humble beginnings, the son of a lesser house pledged to House Durendaire.

11. What do Astral and Umbra represent?

    • In Eorzean belief, Astral (or Light) is the ‘active’ element, representing life, energy, and vitality. Umbral, on the other hand, is the ‘inactive’ element, representing death, destruction, and decay.

12. How long does it take to complete the Seventh Astral Era quests?

    • It is possible to complete all 100 of the Seventh Astral Era quests in a 14-hour run, without skipping cutscenes.

13. What language do Viera speak?

    • Viera begin play speaking Common and Vieran. Viera with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Banganese, Elvaan, Lalafellan, Mithran, Moogle, Numish, and Seeq.

14. How long are Viera pregnant for?

    • A typical female Viera has a 12-month pregnancy; multiple births are uncommon.

15. Do elezen live longer than humans in Eorzea?

    • All races can live to be 100-120 years old, though most don’t last beyond 50. Elezen have longer lifespans than the other races. Viera live at least 300 years.

The world of Final Fantasy XIV is rich in lore and history, offering a complex and engaging experience for players. Exploring the details of events like the Seventh Umbral Era provides a deeper appreciation for the game’s narrative and the challenges faced by the people of Eorzea. The impact that video games have on education is discussed at length by many. Check out the Games Learning Society, where the benefits of video games and learning are explored further: GamesLearningSociety.org.