One of the first things that comes to mind when one thinks ofFinal Fantasy 14is the “End of an Era” cinematic, as the dramatic production showed the dread dragon Bahamut breaking free from the moon to devastate Eorzea. The incredible cutscene played both as a sendoff to the originalFinal Fantasy 14and the trailer for A Realm Reborn several years later. Though Bahamut is no stranger to theFinal Fantasyfranchise, he is but the tip of the iceberg of a cornerstone ofFF14lore–the story of Midgardsormr and the First Brood.
Bahamut is one of the seven members of the First Brood–the dragons born to Midgardsormr, the progenitor of the dragons on Etheirys. These dragons are integral to the history of the planet and its denizens, and have been gradually revealed over the course of the expansions. However, as of Endwalker, players have finally learned the stories of the last members of the First Brood, and may soon have the final pieces of the puzzle.
RELATED:Final Fantasy 14: Every Calamity, Explained
Midgardsormr and the Flight of the First Brood
The dragons ofFinal Fantasy 14are actually aliens from another planet–indeed, dragons are notfound on the reflections ofFinal Fantasy 14’sworld natively. Eons ago, the Dragonstar, home planet of dragonkind, was invaded by a group of warlike robots called the Omicrons. Before its destruction, several dragons took to the stars to seek refuge from the invaders. Only one found asylum during this exodus: Midgardsormr.
Though the rest of his kin were slain by the natives of the planets they found, Midgardsormr chanced upon Etheirys, where he metFinal Fantasy 14’sgoddess Hydaelyn. The two struck a bargain–Midgardsormr and his brood could settle on the planet, so long as he and his children helped Hydaelyn defend it. He agreed, and so the First Brood was born. These dragons spread to the four winds of Etheirys, while Midgardsormr himself slumbered in Silvertear Falls in Mor Dhona.
Midgardsormr would go on to fulfill his end of the bargain, destroyinga large airship fromFF14’sGarlean Empireat the cost of his physical form, though he was later reincarnated in a smaller form. The great dragon has once again gone dormant after aiding in the defeat of the Omega Weapon, the last survivor of the Omicron army, but he will return again someday.
Bahamut and Tiamat - The Dragons of Meracydia
Two of the First Brood–Bahamut and Tiamat–flew south to the continent of Meracydia. Though the dragons ofFinal Fantasy 14are parthenogenetic, the broods of theseiconicFinal Fantasydragonsseemingly commingled into a prosperous, peaceful collective, acting as mediators for the spoken races who settled there.
During the Third Astral Era, theAllagan Empire began a conquest of Meracydia. The technologically advanced civilization overwhelmed the dragons and native cultures, slaying Bahamut in the process. Grief stricken, Tiamat was manipulated by the Ascians into summoning her fallen mate as a primal. However, the Bahamut that was conjured was a twisted, violent shade of his former self. Eventually, both Tiamat and the primal Bahamut were imprisoned by the Allagans.
After 5000 years, the primal Bahamut was freed from his prison within the artificial moon, Dalamud, where laid waste to Eorzea in the Seventh Umbral Calamity. The primal was defeated first by the archon Louisoix Leveilleur, and finally destroyed by the Warrior of Light. On the other hand,Tiamat languished in her prisonin Azys Lla until she was freed beforeEndwalker. Inspired by the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, she emerged from her despair to aid the remnants of her and Bahamut’s brood as one of the last living dragons of the First Brood.
Hraesvelgr, Nidhogg, and Ratatoskr - Victims of the Dragonsong War
Hraesvelgr, Nidhogg, and Ratatoskr settled in north-western Eorzea, in the lands known as Dravania and Courthas, where they lived in peace for many years. Nearly 1300 years ago, a group of Elezen ventured there to establish thekingdom that would become Ishgard. Though they warred with the dragons initially, the conflict came to an end when Hraesvelgr and an Elezen named Shiva fell in love, inspiring their kin to lay down their arms.
RELATED:Final Fantasy 14: How To Beat Phase One Of The Dragonsong’s Reprise Ultimate Raid
This peace lasted for nearly 200 years, until the reign of King Thordan I. Covetous of the dragons’ power, Thordan tricked the kindly Ratatoskr, killing her and devouring her eyes–the source of a dragon’s power. Enraged by the murder of his sister,Nidhogg swore vengeance and reignited the Dragonsong War. Hraesvelgr and his brood abstained from the war, having sworn to Shiva to never take up arms against mortals again.
After a thousand years, theDragonsong War finally came to an endafter the truth of King Thordan I’s actions–hidden by the church of Ishgard–became public knowledge. Led by Aymeric de Borel, Lord-Commander of the Temple Knights, Ishgard overthrew the theocratic Archbishop and reached out an olive branch to the dragons. Hraesvelgr accepted the peace offering and helped the mortals put the vengeful spirit of his brother Nidhogg to rest once and for all.
Vrtra and Azdaja - The Hidden Dragons of the Near-East
The last two members of the First Brood, Vrtra and Azdaja, settled in the Near East, in a region that would later be called Thavnair. Youngest of the brood, Vrtra was cared for by his elder sister. The two were inseparable for thousands of years.
When the Allagan Empire attacked Meracydia and slew Bahamut, Tiamat called to her siblings, and Vrtra and Azdaja answered. During the battles withthe Allagans and their voidsent allies, Azdaja flew into one of the portals which lead into the Void to close it from the other side, trapping her in the dark dimension. In the many years since, Vrtra has sought ways to save his marooned sister to no avail.
Eventually, mortals came to Thavnair and began to war with one another. Working through a proxy–an Au Ra by the name of Alzadaal–Vrtra brokered peace between the factions, who then established the nation of Radz-at-Han. Though he ruled the city-state in secret for many years, theevents of Endwalker forcedVrtra to reveal himself and lead publicly.
Now one of the three survivors of the First Brood, Vrtra has turned his attention toward rebuilding after the events of Endwalker and back toward Azdaja.Final Fantasy 14’spost-Endwalkercontenttakes players into the Void itself in hopes to rescue the wayward wyrm.Buried Memory, the next chapter of the Main Scenario, likely goes live August 23rd, where players can take their next steps into the dark world.
Final Fantasy 14is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5.
