Final Fantasy XI: Rhapsodies of Vana'diel

Final Fantasy XI: Rhapsodies of Vana'diel is an episodic storyline update to Final Fantasy XI started in May 2015, with its second chapter released in August 2015 and the last in November 2015. Like add-ons previously released for the game, the story series update is introduced as part of a regular version updates, however, unlike those, it does not require an additional purchase to access.
The storyline ties all of the previous storylines together into one narrative. It brings characters from all of the previous expansions together while also providing explanations for many plot elements that were never explained. Similarly, the gameplay additions brought much of the older irrelevant content into relevance once again by adding upgrade paths to older ultimate weapons and armor. Rhapsodies of Vana'diel also added more quality of life features than any other expansion before it.
It was initially announced as the final main scenario of Final Fantasy XI, until the release of The Voracious Resurgence in 2020. Rhapsodies of Vana'diel was the game's last content released prior the end of service for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 versions in March 2016.
==Gameplay==
Rhapsodies of Vana'diel added a new set of missions, several new zones, and a new set of combat systems to Final Fantasy XI.
===Areas=== 
*Escha Zi'Tah
*Escha Ru'Aun
*Reisenjima
===Gameplay Systems===
Rhapsodies of Vana'diel Gameplay Systems
Content 	Image	Entrance Zones	Rewards
Domain Invasion 	 	Escha Zi'Tah
Escha Ru'Aun
Reisenjima	Domain Points
Geas Fete 	 	Escha Zi'Tah
Escha Ru'Aun
Reisenjima	Aeonic Weapons
Geas Fete Gear
Ambuscade 	 	Mhaura 	Ambuscade Gear
Currencies
Omen 	 	Reisenjima 	Upgrade Artifact Armor
Omen Gear
Dynamis - Divergence	 	San d'Oria
Bastok
Windurst	Upgrade Ultimate Weapons
Upgrade Relic Armor
Augment Ultimate Weapons
Master Trials 	 	Various Zones 	Lockstyle Weapons
=== Ultimate Weapons and Armor===
====Aeonic Weapons====
Rhapsodies of Vana'diel introduced the fourth ultimate weapon category, the Aeonic Weapons, which can be built through the Geas Fete Notorious Monster system. Rather than being acquired at item-level 75 or 99 like previous ultimate weapons, these weapons are item-level 119 once completed. 
====Ultimate Armor====
For Artifact and Relic Armor, new upgrade paths were released to get them to Reforged +3 quality. Artifact Armor could be upgraded through Omen and Relic Armor could be upgraded through Dynamis Divergence.
====Ultimate Weapon Augments====
Dynamis Divergence additionally rewards a system for augmenting the Ultimate Weapons of the game. This augmentation process is different from other augmentation processes and is referred to as the "R15 Agumentation" process.
===Mounts===
This expansion introduced summonable mounts without the need of renting or raising a chocobo. These mounts had the equivalent stats of an optimally raised racing chocobo. Once obtained, they can be summoned however often with no limitations other than a one-minute cooldown. 
===Key Items ===
Nine 'Rhapsody Key Items' were introduced. Once players acquire them, they confer many gameplay benefits such as more summonable trusts at a time, an experience point and limit point multiplier, reduced prices throughout the game world, and many more. These key items are gained while progressing the Rhapsodies of Vana'diel missions.
==Characters== 
*The Adventurer - The player character in Final Fantasy XI.
*Iroha - She has an unyielding determination coupled with loyalty to those that she cares about. Her determination and her loyalty cause her great consternation in her attempt to stop the Cloud of Darkness because, in order for her to fulfill her mission, she must keep her distance from the Adventurer, her mentor.
* Volto Oscuro - A strange masked man who is determined to destroy Iroha.
*Gilgamesh - The leader of the pirates of Norg. He serves to coordinate the investigations of the rifts that have been appearing.
*Aldo - The leader of the Tenshodo who aids in investigating the newly forming rifts.
*Zeid - The legendary Mythril Musketeer who is the first to discover the strange rift that appears in Qufim.
*Lion - The daughter of Gilgamesh. Her connection to the crystal serves as a guiding light for the adventurer.
*Prishe - She is a foul-mouthed strong-willed girl hailing from Tavnazia, where she has earned the nickname "Abhorrent One".
*Tenzen - A messenger from the Far East, has come to the Middle Lands in a bid to stop the Emptiness that has engulfed his homeland.
*Selh'teus - a mysterious boy who appears to be linked to the destructive force known as Emptiness.
*Aphmau - A young woman who holds the position as the palace puppet master. She has a deep longing for freedom, is often accompanied by her two puppets, Ovjang and Mnejing.
*Gessho - A mercenary employed at the Salaheem Sentinels. Gessho is a yagudo with a keen interest in the affairs of the empire.
*Lilisette - A young dancer whose bond with the adventurer proves to be an integral asset in confronting Volto Oscuro.
*Cait Sith - An avatar created by Altana to save Vana'diel from a never ending Crystal War.
*Arciela - A member of the former royal family, she is the sister of Ygnas and a descendant of King August.
*Balamor - One of the Xol Triumvirate from Tartarus who has an interest in stopping Selh'teus from saving Reisenjima.
*Altana - The primordial goddess of the Dawn.
*Promathia - The primordial god of the Twilight
*Cloud of Darkness - A force of nature that consumes any world whose light and darkness is not properly balanced.
==Story==
The story of Rhapsodies of Vana'diel ties all of the previous major storylines together into one arc and finale. However, Final Fantasy XI's story can be played in a non-linear order. As a result, Rhapsodies of Vana'diel has many different cutscene variations depending on what progress players have made through the other storylines. The collapsible text below will detail sections of other expansion stories that tie in, or optional cutscenes for players at different progress points in the other expansions.
===Creation and Rebirth===
At one of the mothercrystals, a woman dressed in red clothing materializes. She remarks on what year it is before heading to Reisenjima in hopes to get there before her master. Meanwhile, the adventurer arrives at one of the port cities and is immediately summoned by one the local town officials. The official tells the adventurer that a pirate entrepreneur they are acquainted with, named Gilgamesh, requested that they procure some medical ingredients for a woman that he had found stranded at sea. According to the town official, Gilgamesh brought her back to land, and the first thing she talked about upon waking up was the adventurer. 
The adventurer procures the requested medical ingredients. When the adventurer get’s back to the town official, Gilgamesh arrives and introduces himself. He further elaborates about the girl that he saves from the sea. He took her back to Norg, and is taking care of her. She insists on meeting the adventurer, so Gilgamesh invites the adventurer to Norg. There is a docked ship in the port for whenever the adventurer is ready to go. With that invitation, Gilgamesh leaves. The town official tells the adventurer that Gilgamesh’s presence must be kept a secret from the town’s folk. They aren’t fond of pirates, yet Gilgamesh plays a big role in supporting the economy.
The adventurer takes the boat to Norg and heads for Gilgamesh’s chamber. Once they enter, they see Gilgamesh and Aldo talking with the woman dressed in the attire of the Phoenix who wished to meet them. She introduces herself as Iroha and explains that she has followed every single one of the adventurer’s commands for the last couple years and that her determination has not faltered. The adventurer, however, does not know Iroha. Confused, the adventurer asks for clarification. Iroha realizes that she has traveled back in time, to a year before her birth, so her ‘master’ doesn’t know her yet. Aldo and Gilgamesh ask for clarification, and she explains that several years from now, she will be born in the far east, and will grow to be a guardian of Reisenjima Sanctorium, a holy place of her country. Gilgamesh remarks on Altana’s connection to even the religion of the west and asks if she was sent through time by Altana. She says that she was set adrift, but only to stop the darkness. Aldo, again, asks for clarification. 
Iroha explains that in the future, the lands are consumed by a force they call the “Emptiness”. They engulfed all of the Quon, Mindartia, Adoulin, and beyond. The adventurer was the only one who had ever successfully stopped the darkness, and they serve as the only hope her future has of defeating the darkness. It had consumed her entire world, except for a small island, Reisenjima. After her father and the master sacrificed themselves to protect Reisenjima, she was able to establish a barrier that bought her more time. She explains that a blinding light approached her, and Altana told her through that light that she must find the only hope that the world has. She was then set adrift backwards in time. She then gives the adventurer a small golden stone and tells them to follow the stone’s guidance. She tries to continue speaking, but her body dematerializes. Shocked by the whole scene, Aldo says that he will investigate the matter, and they part ways.
After aiding their nation, the adventurer heads back to Norg to discuss the situation with Iroha. Gilgamesh tells the adventurer that Iroha isn’t the only anomaly that has taken place. Strange foreign monsters have been popping up all over the lands and people are turning in reports of familiar regions, however, displaced and somehow ‘wrong’. His explanation of these anomalies causes the golden stone to resonate. When the adventurer pulls it out, a voice speaks in the adventurer’s head to go to seek out the mothercrystals of Holla, Dem, and Mea. Gilgamesh dismisses the adventurer as they make their way to one of the mothercrystal crags.
Once the adventurer gets to one of the mothercrystals, Lion, who they were introduced to during missions for their nation, meets them there. She tells the adventurer that she has had a strange vision of people fleeing from all around the world in order to escape a cloud of darkness. She explains that the world is ever sustained by the mothercrystals, however, perhaps it is their turn to protect the mothercrystals. She elaborates, in her dream she saw that an inferno engulfed the mothercrystals. The adventurer explains that they have seen the same vision,and Lion notes that the beastmen’s activities against the nations cannot be the cause of such a threat. She asks the adventurer to search for Iroha at the site they see in this vision, Qufim Island.
While searching for Iroha at Qufim, the adventurer finds her. But she is wounded, next to an ominously glowing darkness. She warns the adventurer not to get close to the darkness, it is the same force that consumed her world. A massive beast materializes from the darkness, and Iroha asks for the adventurer’s aid in defeating it. They both manage to defeat the beast. She compliments the adventurer’s talent before taking the adventurer through the darkness to see what is on the other side. After going through the portal of darkness, a masked man emerges from the defeated beast. Satisfied with having found Iroha, the masked man repossesses the beast.
On the other side of the portal, the adventurer and Iroha find the Sanctuary of Zi’Tah, but colorless and drained of its life. Further in, they find Lion and Zeid investigating the location. Lion greets the adventurer and both she and Zeid introduce themselves to Iroha. After discussing his observations of this location, he asks Iroha if this is the future of Vana’diel. Iroha denies this claim. She explains that for some reason, the Emptiness has tarnished the land much earlier than it had in her time. Their discussion is interrupted by the sound of a bell that places Lion and Zeid in a trance. After recomposing themselves and finding no immediate threat, Iroha continues that this area is part of the World of Escha. The appearance of this plague marks the beginning of the end for Vana’diel. Zeid asks for a way to remedy the Emptiness, but Iroha does not know of one. Lion says she’s inclined to go to the mothercrystal before anything else. Iroha observes that this is due to her special bond with the future, and agrees to accompany her. The adventurer meets with Lion, Zeid, and Iroha at one of the mothercrystals. Upon arriving, the special stone the adventurer is carrying shows Lion a vision of the future where Vana’diel is destroyed. Lion explains the vision she saw, referring to the stone as an ‘orb’. Iroha explains that the grim vision can be explained by the orb not yet fully illuminated. Iroha and Lion discuss the implications of the orbs' power before Zeid asks what can be done about the darkness. Iroha explains that the adventurer was meant to have already traveled across Vana’diel, honing their power by the time the darkness begins plaguing the land. Lion commits to helping the adventurer do whatever is necessary to prepare for the darkness, which prompts the orb to draw a special energy from Lion. Iroha explains that Lion’s resolve has manifested in the strengthening of the orb. Lion and Zeid decide to further their investigation of the darkness while Iroha looks into the bell that had entranced Lion and Zeid in Escha Zi’Tah. The adventurer joins Zeid in returning to Norg. 
When the adventurer goes to meet Gilgamesh, Zeid, and Iroha, Iroha tells them that something Lion had mentioned has stuck with her. Iroha believes that the only way to defeat the darkness is for the adventurer to be ‘filled with radiance’ which means that all the foes that the adventurer has yet to vanquish are a necessary part of the adventurer’s development. She then asks the adventurer about what visions they saw after defeating the Shadow Lord. The adventurer recalls speaking with a great crystal. The great crystal tells the adventurer that they must transform from a Warrior of the Crystal to the Warrior of Light. Iroha explains that the stories her father told her of the adventurer were beyond grandeur. Gilgamesh asks who her father was, but before she can answer, Tenshodo pirates barge into the cabin with reports of an attack on the port from the Sea Serpent Grotto. Zeid and the adventurer recognize the details of the attack to be the same as the trance-inducing bell from Escha Zi’Tah. They, along with Iroha, leave Gilgamesh to confront the danger.
When they arrive at the scene they are greeted with an avatar of wind, though Zeid remarks that it is not Garuda. They are confused by the avatar’s identity which angers her till Iroha recalls that the avatar is Siren. Siren tells them that Iroha is not the only one to have traveled from the future. She explains that ‘Father Time’ no longer needs to wait, for its emissary has traveled to the past and is with them. Iroha turns around to find a levitating masked man. Before she can attack, the masked man uses a spell to attack her. Zeid tries to retaliate, but the masked man vanishes and reappears to attack the adventurer. Iroha manages to recompose herself and shoot an arrow hitting the masked man before his attack. Iroha dematerializes again, and the masked man dismisses his summoned avatar and flies away from the adventurer and Zeid who give chase.
They catch up to the masked man in Yuhtunga Jungle, but before they can confront him, he resummons Siren. She explains that the masked man is unwinding the fabric of time, ripping opening holes into the darkness. The bell is resummoned, causing Zeid to be enwrapped in vines. While Siren attacks the adventurer. The adventurer manages to defeat Siren, freeing Zeid and forcing the masked man to break his pact with the avatar and flee once again. After regaining her senses, she explains that the masked man had control over her. The tells them that the masked man calls himself the ambassador of the void, or Volto Oscuro, and that her power, even as an avatar, pales in comparison to his. She tells the adventurer that their fate is woven in with Volto Oscuro as well as Irohas. Zeid explains that Iroha has dissipated, but Siren explains that she has a blessing that allows her to return, even after her demise. Siren grants the adventurer a blessing, and leaves. Zeid has the adventurer secure the surrounding area while he returns to Gilgamesh.
Upon the adventurer’s return to Gilgamesh and Zeid, they find that Aldo has joined them. After discussing what had just occurred, Aldo voices his concern that Iroha is not the only traveler from the future, and becomes frustrated that he cannot interrogate Iroha himself. Aldo goes on to tell the adventurer of a man, named Tenzen, from the far east who has come to Jeuno seeking the Duke’s aid in the Emptiness plaguing his country. Aldo explains that the man also has a connection with Reisenjima Sanctorium, but after an audience with Jeuno’s Duke, he returned to his country. The adventurer goes to Jeuno to gather information on the man.
===Revitalization===
Upon finally arriving back to Norg, the adventurer finds that Tenzen is meeting with Aldo, Zeid, and Gilgamesh. They are discussing a new rift which opened in Misareaux Coast, despite the force of the Empiness being halted. Even with the events that took place in Al’Taieu, Volto Oscuro continues to harness the power of darkness to summon the world of Escha. Tenzen greets the adventurer, and voiced his intention of meeting Iroha, had she not disappeared. He says that, despite her claims of being affiliated with the Reisenjima Sanctorium, no one on the holy isle knows of her. Tenzen points out that this would make sense if she truly is from the future. After observing the orb, Tenzen confirms that it bears the mark of Reisenjima. Kagero appears to point out that the orb connects people to the mothercrystal, so long as their hearts are open to it. As they discuss the orb, the adventurer has a vision of Prishe in Delkfutt’s tower. After Tenzen confirms the integrity of Iroha, Zeid explains the power of Volto Oscuro to him. Concerned by this individual, Tenzen asks where he can find Iroha, in order to question her. The adventurer suggests Delkfutt’s Tower due to the vision of the orb. Tenzen and the adventurer travel to the Qufim region together in search of Iroha.
The adventurer goes to Delkfutt’s tower as Tenzen is in Jeuno. The adventurer finds Iroha in lower Delkfutt’s, still injured. She explains that she just needed some time to rest. She explains that the mothercrystal showed her that the adventurer still has yet to finish passing through the trial that has been the chains of Promathia. There is still one more thing that needs to be done. The adventurer admits to seeing visions of Prishe through the orb, and Iroha suggests meeting with her. The adventurer insists that Iroha meets with Tenzen. Kagero shows up to clarify Tenzen’s location, and Iroha instantly recognizes her. Confused by Iroha’s familiarity with her, Kagero leaves. The adventurer and Iroha make for Jeuno to meet with Tenzen.
They arrive in Ru’Lude Gardens where Tenzen explains why the Emptiness has made a reappearance after the events of Al’Taieu. Tenzen and Iroha are finally introduced, and they immediately begin discussing the nature of the Emptiness in her time. After she explains the mysteries behind the Emptiness that consumed her world, Tenzen becomes impassioned, resolving that they will not let the world be consumed. At these words, the orb resonates, and absorbs energy from Tenzen. Iroha explains that Tenzen’s resolve to save the world further illuminated the orb. Iroha suggests seeking out Prishe as their next step. Kagero appears and volunteers to summon Prishe to Port Jeuno, where they all can meet. After parting ways, Iroha explains to the adventurer that she was not meant to be in that time. Her appearance is taking its toll on both the timeline, and her body.
Prishe finally arrives at port Jeuno to meet with Tenzen and the adventurer. She vows to help them in any way necessary, and the orb absorbs energy out of her as it had, Lion and Tenzen. After Tenzen explains what Iroha told him about the orb, Prishe asks where Iroha is. The adventurer and Tenzen lost track of her. After Tenzen and Prishe argue over whether Iroha has fallen for danger or temptation, they go to search for her.
While looking for Iroha, Tenzen and the adventurer find Volto Oscuro in upper Jeuno. Before the adventurer can do anything, Volto Oscuro casts a spell, incapacitating them. Volto Oscuro goes to the adventurer’s body and begins absorbing a dark energy from the adventurer. Tenzen threatens Volto Oscuro, but the masked man points towards the chocobo stables. Tenzen sees Iroha on the verge of dematerializing. Volto Oscuro warps away while Tenzen and the adventurer go to aid Iroha. 
She explains that Volto Oscuro had just stolen the Phoenix's blessing from her before dematerializing. Enraged, Tenzen vows to find a way to take the Phoenix’s blessing back from Volto Oscuro and rescue Iroha. Prishe and Ulmia notice Tenzen and join him. Prishe says she also ran into Volto Oscuro in Lower Jeuno and the masked man recognized her immediately. As Prishe questions how he could know her, she recalls him talking about an Astral Candescence. He explains that this is a special instrument in the empire of Aht Urhgan. He reminds the adventurer of a man in the Tenshodo who can grant them passage into the Empire.
After arriving in Aht Urhgan, Tenzen meets the adventurer and tells him of an ally he met named Gessho who gathered information on Volto Oscuro. Tenzen was amazed at Gessho’s commitment to his cause, as he wore an odd black outfit. Kagero joins to inform Tenzen that Gessho is not wearing an outfit, and that Tenzen lost track of the conversation. After refocusing, Tenzen informed Tenzen that the ambassador is after “Ghatsad’s Astral Candescence” which is located in the palace. After this discussion, they all agree that, to stop Volto Oscuro from getting to the Astral Candescence, they must find a way to infiltrate the Royal Palace of Aht Urhgan.
The adventurer arrives in Aht Urhgan and requests entry into the palace. After being denied access, Aphmau meets the adventurer as she is returning to the palace. The guard reports to Aphmau that a masked man had been spotted, and over the following days, several more people wearing the same mask had also been spotted. Aphmau asks the adventurer to enter the palace and provide her with more information. Once inside, the adventurer explains the conflict to Aphmau. She is initially overwhelmed by the information, but reaffirms that she will help the adventurer in any way she can. The orb resonates with these words and absorbs energy from Aphmau. After she regains her footing, she suggests going to the Hall of Binding and watching for Volto Oscuro. 
When the adventurer and Amphau arrive, the Hall of Binding has already been broken into with several Immortals incapacitated. They rush inside to the Astral Candescence to find Mithra with the same mask as Volto Oscuro absorbing energy from the Astral Candescence. The adventurer immediately rushes to attack the masked woman, but Kagero appears and strikes first with a binding spell. Tenzen shouts from behind Aphmau to duck as he launches a flaming slash, striking the bound intruder. Tenzen approaches the incapacitated woman and finds that she also bears the blessing of the Phoenix. As he ponders how she could bear that blessing, he takes it back into his blade and the masked woman retreats by dematerializing. Kagero chases after the masked woman while the party tends to the wounded immortals. 
Later, Tenzen and the adventurer meet at the Shararat Teahouse. Tenzen informs the adventurer of information that points to the Alzadaal Undersea Ruins. Tenzen observes that the Alzadaal ruins have a connection with a prime avatar, and that this avatar is the third whose power Volto Oscuro attempts to harness, after Siren and the Phoenix. Tenzen hypothesizes that the masked individual is attempting to harness enough power from the avatars to engulf the world in darkness in the present, rather than waiting for Iroha’s time to arrive. He mentions reports of another portal opening in the middle lands as evidence. The adventurer and Tenzen depart for the Alzadaal Undersea Ruins.
Upon arriving, they find Aphmau already there and waiting for them. She waited in front of the newly constructed body of Alexander. After explaining what the contraption was to Tenzen, Alexander pulled the party into a higher realm to speak with Phoenix through Tenzen’s Phoenix blade. Phoenix pleads that Alexander bring Iroha back to Vana’diel and Alexander grants that wish. Tenzen sympathizes with Iroha’s plight, explaining that each time she disappears and returns, she bears the excruciating pain of death and rebirth. Alexander explains that Vana’diel is denying her because she was meant to be born in the future. Her existence is under attack, and Phoenix’s power is what is keeping her alive. Iroha tells the party not to worry about her health, but they insist. Alexander says that the masked individual is seeking other sources of darkness, even as they speak. Furthermore, if Iroha is to be helped, Cait Sith will be the most likely to be able to. Iroha passes out, and Aphmau takes her back to the palace to be treated. 
Once the adventurer returns to the palace, Aphmau explains all of the aid they were able to provide her before notifying the adventurer of Tenzen’s return to Norg. Tenzen was reporting to Tenshodo regarding information on Cait Sith and her connection to the Cavernous Maws. The adventurer, being familiar with Cait Sith, departs for the Cavernous Maw. Shortly afterward, Iroha begins walking out of the palace. Aphmau stops her and asks about her condition. Iroha thanks her for the treatment but tells her that the adventurer requires Iroha for the coming conflict, so she needs to strengthen herself before leaving.
The adventurer returns to the Walk of Echoes and meets with Cait Sith. She explains that, similar to the Shadowreign timeline, Atomos judges Iroha’s future as a valid timeline. So, Atomos will not aid in their fight against Volto Oscuro. The adventurer reiterates that the reason they are there is to find a way to help Iroha. Cait Sith suggests that they will need to appeal directly to Altana if Iroha is to be helped. Cait Sith decides to bring Lilisette back into the Walk of Echoes to help find a solution and they part ways.
After some time, the adventurer returns to the Walk of Echoes once Cait Sith brings Lilisette there. Lilisette and the adventurer have a heartfelt reunion before discussing a means of helping Iroha. Lilisette reports having a dream of seeing the adventurer with a divine visage. They discuss how they might meet with Altana when the orb resonates and absorbs energy from Lilisette. As this happens, the orb gives Lilisette insight into the future, but before she can elaborate, Cait Sith urgently calls for their help elsewhere in the Walk of Echoes.
As they get to Cait Sith, the avatar leads them to an Elvaan with the mask of Volto Oscuro. He is absorbing all the nascent Cavernous Maws into himself. As they approach him, he summons Excalibur, a weapon forged Diabolos’s world of Dynamis, and attacks Cait Sith. Lilisette tells the ambassador that he has no right to change the world, and they will fight to protect it. The ambassador affirms that he will change the world, but that he needs the darkness to do so. As he speaks, Cait Sith commands Atomos to devour. A Cavernous Maw summons behind the ambassador, surprising him. But before he can be devoured, he jumps away and releases a monster to attack the adventurer. The monster and the adventurer are knocked back into Vana’diel while Lilisette and Cait Sith engage the Ambassador.
After the adventurer defeats the monster, they return to the Walk of Echoes. Lilisette and Cait Sith explain that the ambassador was able to escape them after absorbing Atomos’s power. Lilisette explains that, despite his power, he was restraining himself. This angers Cait Sith who sparks an argument about the ambassador, but Lilisette reiterates that if the ambassador was able to wrestle Atomos for its power, then he should have been able to easily overwhelm them. Lilisette explains that the best course of action is to meet with Altana, and with the insight she gained from the orb, she recommends asking Iroha, the person they are trying to help, for a means of meeting with the goddess. Lilisette returns to the Shadowreign timeline and the adventurer seeks out Iroha.
The adventurer goes to Gilgamesh to find where Iroha has gone. Gilgamesh mentions reports of Iroha heading to the new rift in Misareaux Coast and asks why she hadn’t met with the adventurer before going. After the adventurer denies knowing her motives, Gilgamesh guesses that Tenzen is already headed to meet her as well. Gilgamesh mourns Iroha’s state, having to experience death over and over. He wishes the adventurer well in finding a solution for her.
In Misareaux Coast, the adventurer finds Iroha fighting monsters near the rift. After their greetings, Iroha informs the adventurer of a meeting she had with Siren. The forgotten avatar told Iroha that they both share a similar problem. Neither of them are meant to be in the Vana’diel of this time. The adventurer shows Iroha the orb, and Iroha mentions sensing Lilisette’s power within. They discuss the recent encounter with the ambassador, and Iroha notes her confusion regarding the ambassador’s possession of Excalibur, as there is no means of acquiring the Relic Weapon in her time. After hearing of the ambassador’s strength, Iroha insists that the adventurer train her. The adventurer fetches some supplies to aid in the training session, and the two engage in combat. The training session tires Iroha, who insists on eating. The two share a heartfelt moment in their meal together before the falls of Misareaux Coast.
Iroha questions the adventurer as to why the ambassador would want to “change the future”. The adventurer assures that he means to usher in the darkness faster. Hearing this, Iroha insists that the adventurer engage Volto Oscuro before he has a chance to do so. Iroha explains that the Phoenix’s power becomes weaker every time she is brought back, so if she is to help with their fight against Volto Oscuro, it must be done sooner than later. The adventurer explains that they will need the help of Altana in the fight, referencing what Lilisette had discussed. Iroha tells the adventurer of the stories they will eventually tell her as a young girl. She elaborates on the adventurer’s time engaging with the ancients, the Zilart brothers ruling over Jeuno and the Kuluu of the modern day. The adventurer decides to confront the ancients. They return to Norg where they find Tenzen waiting. The adventurer asks Gilgamesh on how they might confront the ancients.
They meet with Tenzen and Iroha to press further into the Temple of Uggalepih and meet with Grav’iton, the ancient that Gilgamesh had informed them of. They arrive at a chamber where Grav’iton resides and they ask her for a way to meet with Altana, and she explains that only the dead can cross into the realm of the spirits. She then remembers that the terrestrial avatars have a means of doing as, and that Selh’teus had managed to recreate said method. She does not know of a way for them to meet with Selh’teus though as he resides in Al’Taieu. She asks if they have faith in Altana, after they affirm their faith in the Goddess, she tells them to go to the mothercrystals for a means to meet with Selh’teus.
Upon arriving on one of the mothercrystals, the adventurer and Iroha are pulled into a dream with Selh’teus. Confused by his appearance in this dream, he explains the threads of time are becoming more tangled every day. Diabolos appears in the dream and explains that time isn’t the only thing being corrupted, but all of nature, magic, and spirit. Selh’teus asks if the dream is a work of Diabolos, but the avatar says that it is the dream of the adventurer, but one from the future. Odin appears and tells them that the source of the chaos is a force known as the void, which devoured the entirety of the future world. Atomos, appearing beside Odin explains that the powers of the gods are starting to wane. Balamor arrives and confirms Atomos’s idea that the powers of light are gathering in one direction while the powers of darkness gather in another, the ambassador.  They discuss Siren’s attempt to destroy the ambassador and whether she is capable of this. The discussion is interrupted when Volto Oscuro enters the dream. At his presence, certain avatars flee the dream and the adventurer is ejected back into wakefulness.
When the adventurer wakes up, Tenzen tells them of his inconsequential dream. The adventurer tells him of the dream that they and Iroha shared. With no apparent means of making direct contact with Selh’teus, and with the news that Siren is preparing to confront the ambassador directly, they decide to aid her. Tenzen points out that there are at least three people with the power of the ambassador, so their plan to aid Siren makes him uneasy. They depart for Norg to formalize the plan, yet Iroha waits behind to think of a way that she can destroy the ambassador.
The adventurer returns to Norg to find that neither Iroha or Tenzen have arrived yet. Zeid attempts to strengthen the adventurer’s resolve, but Gilgamesh mentions that there are even more developments taking place with the void. Atori Tutori walks into the chamber and reports on the rift in the Misareaux Coast. He informs them that the Escha Ru’Aun beyond that rift is devoid of time. He also mentions seeing Iroha and Tenzen there with the two Sirens. Zeid asks for clarification on the two Sirens, and Atori Tutori replies that he may be mistaken, but he did see two avatars of wind. Zeid decides to accompany the adventurer, and they depart for Escha Ru’Aun. When they arrive at the rift, Tenzen and Kagero explain that Iroha has gone into Escha Ru’Aun to aid early, without their aid.
Siren greets the adventurer and Tenzen after they enter the rift. She informs them that she sensed Volto Oscuro’s desire to strike Ru’Aun when they had a pact. Siren elaborates that, despite all that has transpired, Altana has done nothing to save the world. For Altana is powerless to fight against the void without Promathia to aid her. Hearing this, Tenzen still shows resolve to meet with Altana. Siren agrees to show them a way to meet with Altana on the condition that they aid Selh’teus in banishing the darkness around Reisenjima. Siren grants them the ability to travel to Selh’teus before a rumbling interrupts them. Siren tells them that they must now leave. Iroha intends to end her life along with the ambassadors without seeing the adventurer or Tenzen. Siren leaves them. Concerned for Iroha, Tenzen and the adventurer ignore Siren’s command and venture further into Escha Ru’Aun.
Meanwhile Siren, Siren Prime, and Iroha have trapped the ambassador. The three begin a ritual that will destroy all those who do not belong in the present. Siren summons the bell and as the ritual comes to an end. Iroha calls out to Volto Oscuro and says, “Master, our time is at an end!” Siren casts the killing spell. The spell is interrupted by Tenzen who shoots down the bell with his bow. Enraged by this, Iroha asks why they will not let her fulfill her duty. Kagero replies that she would be breaking the vow of their country by leaving her master unprotected. Iroha holds back an explanation, but tells them that the future she is trying to stop is worth a life that doesn’t belong in the present. Siren contorts that Altana has intervened to keep Iroha in the present. The two Sirens run out of power and they warn that the ambassador will not be bound for much longer. As they disappear, Balamor appears and warps the Ambassador away. Tenzen and Kagero stay behind to tend to Iroha, and the adventurer goes to meet Selh’teus.
Upon utilizing Siren’s plume, the adventurer is transported to Al’Taieu where Selh’teus meets them. Selh’teus explains that he does not understand The Reckoning, the events that Iroha has described in her future. After the adventurer tells Selh’teus about their plan to meet with Altana, Selh’teus explains that not even he in Al’Taieu, or Odin, traverser of worlds, can meet with Altana. However, Selh’teus explains his plan to make a mothercrystal in Reisenjima by taking crystal light from many different worlds and releasing the light in the far east. He notes that, perhaps this new mothercrystal will offer a means of meeting Altana. Selh’teus informs the adventurer that Balamor has been siphoning the crystal light from him into Tartarus though. If his plan is to take place, Balamor must be stopped. He tasks the adventurer to go to the one whose understanding of magic is absolute, and ask for how they may fight Balamor.
The adventurer arrives in Norg with Tenzen and Iroha to meet with Prishe, Aldo, and Gilgamesh. The adventurer explains that Selh’teus is planning to create a new mothercrystal in Reisenjima. Gilgamesh, Aldo, and Prishe are pleased to hear about this plan, Aldo even stating that this mothercrystal would be good for trade. Iroha states that the Reisenjima crystal is not supposed to exist for several more years, making her reluctant to carry out the plan in the present. After Tenzen voices his agreement, Gilgamesh notes the disagreement in the party. They agree that the next step would be to seek out the one Selh’teus called for, who they believe to be Shantotto, to inquire about the one stealing the crystal’s energy.
Once the adventurer and Tenzen arrive at Shantotto's laboratory, they inform her of all that is going on. Shantotto expresses her surprise at the involvement of Tartarus, and after some pondering, she recommends using a device invented by Koru-Moru to point them in the direction of the one stealing light from Selh’teus. After using the contraction, it points them towards the Misareaux Coast. They assume that the location of the culprit is in Escha Ru’Aun.
Cid, Naji, and Ayame meet the adventurer in Escha Ru’Aun. They explain that the world of Escha is draining all of the crystal energy. Once inside, people can no longer perceive the passing of time, and the only reason magic can be used in the Escha world is because of the energy seeping in from Misareaux Coast. Cid then points out vortexes where the energy is congregating in Escha Ru’Aun. These vortexes are being used to steal the crystal energy by the culprit. He suggests that those vortexes would transport someone who entered them, before the adventurer volunteers to do so in search of the energy thief.
The adventurer travels deep into Escha Ru’Aun to find Balamor standing guard of a vortex. Selh’teus then joins them and interrogates Balamor. Balamor explains that he trapped the ambassador in the vortex behind him. He notes his surprise to find that the Ambassador helped him with his plan, after some persuasion. Balamor reveals his intentions of creating a new world where he rules as it’s god. Balamor blames Altana and Promathia for leaving their creation in chaos before blaming Selh’teus for first stealing from the energy of Tartarus. Selh’teus asks the adventurer to keep Balamor busy as he seals off the conduits.
After a hard fought battle, the adventurer defeats Balamor. Balamor calls them fools for stopping his new world from being created since Vana’diel is about to be destroyed. This angers Selh’teus, prompting him to punch Balamor into the vortex before it closes. All of the vortexes close with it, stopping Balamor from stealing any more of the crystal’s light. Selh’teus asks the adventurer to bring Iroha to Al’Taieu, stating that it’s time for the new mothercrystal. The adventurer returns to Norg to explain what happened before bringing Iroha to Al’Taieu.
Iroha and the adventurer get to the Empyreal Paradox where Selh’teus meets them. He tells them that it is time for the new mothercrystal. Selh’teus explains that he will become the mothercrystal of Reisenjima. He elaborates on the nature of the crystals to them before asking Iroha about the mothercrystal she knew from her time. After discussing the mothercrystal, Selh’teus flies off to transform. Iroha expresses her gratitude to the adventurer for arriving at this point in time as she did, but as she turns to face the adventurer she finds Volto Oscuro behind them. 
Iroha prepares to fight, but Volto Oscuro restrains himself. He begins contorting and transforming into many different individuals before finally transforming into the adventurer. Volto Oscuro reveals his true identity as the adventurer from the future. He explains that the adventurer created a stronger version of themselves so the two versions together could defeat the darkness. Iroha begs Volto Oscuro to help them rather than fighting them. At this, Volto Oscuro desperately tries to remove the mask, but the mask begins glowing and he stops. He then draws the Excalibur to engage them in battle.
After a grueling battle, the adventurer and Volto Oscuro prepare for a final desperate attack. The two clash, with all their might, killing the adventurer. Iroha uses all of her power to keep the adventurer from moving into the realm of the spirits, bringing the adventurer back to life. Before the adventurer returns, they catch a glimpse of themselves in the realm of the spirits. They have a divine visage, and this version of the adventurer aids in bringing them back from their death. After some time passes, the adventurer wakes up outside one of the mothercrystal craigs as a voice rings in their heads, “Meet with Altana…”
They return to Norg to find Gilgamesh with Aphmau, Lion, and Prishe. They all recall Iroha reporting her failure in saving the adventurer. Gilgamesh explains that he had arranged for the adventurer’s allies to come together in search of the adventurer. After expressing their relief at the adventurer’s return, they begin their search for Iroha.
===The Reckoning===
The adventurer returns to the spot they had awakened. When they enter the rift found there, they have a vision. The Shadow Lord articulates his motivations in taking revenge against the enlightened races. The Zilart brothers join him in explaining the corruption of the mothercrystals. Nag’molada then expresses the importance of chasing the ideal. Lilith states that all she has done was in service to those she loves and her homeland. Hades finally explains that he’s seen the truth of the world and it’s endless suffering. After all these threats vocalize their motivations, Volto Oscuro arrives to tell the adventurer that these motivations serve as a counterbalance to the power of the crystal. Volto Oscuro starts infusing the darkness into the adventurer. Before this process is finished, a divine light stops the process and tells the adventurer to keep fighting for the light. The adventurer awakens in Reisenjima where they see Iroha just before she dematerializes.
The adventurer follows Iroha’s essence to the innermost region of the isle, the Sanctoirum. Iroha is inside the Sanctorium but unable to find a way to get the adventurer inside as well. She asks the adventurer to deal with certain creatures disrupting the balance of Reisenjima, which facilitates the adventurer’s entrance. 
Once inside, Iroha and the adventurer go to Selh’teus’s mothercrystal. She tells the adventurer that in the future, even the mothercrystals with their light succumb to the darkness. The mothercrystal in Reisenjima alone was protected, thanks to the barrier they established. The last night before the conflict, the future adventurer decided to sacrifice themselves in order to stop the darkness, but ultimately failed. After telling Iroha of the darkness that adventurer received from Volto Oscuro, Iroha urges the adventurer to go to the Adoulin, an important location she remembers from the stories the future adventurer had told her. The adventurer goes on ahead, as Iroha asks for some time to rest in the Sanctorium, but once alone, she collapses and dies.
As the adventurer prepares to go to Adoulin, Iroha appears to them in a dream. She congratulations the adventurer on passing through four gates, as she notes the ever brighter orb. She reminds them of their need to go the Adoulin though, pointing the adventurer to Ceizak Battlegrounds.
The adventurer ventures into Ceizak Battlegrounds to find Iroha collapsed on the ground and Balamor hovering over her. The adventurer goes to attack Balamor, but Iroha admits it was Volto Oscuro who had attacked her. She explains to the adventurer that, when the world was consumed by darkness, a light approached her. The light told her to reverse the reckoning to save the world. She recalls that Volto Oscuro points out that the reckoning was what created him. Iroha implores the adventurer to fill the orbs' light before dematerializing once more. Balamor fakes sadness at Iroha’s death before stealing the orb from the adventurer. He then absorbs the orb's light and warps away, forcing the adventurer to find a way to recover the light Balamor had stolen. The adventurer returns to Adoulin to seek help.
The adventurer goes to Ploh Trishbahk and asks for information on Balamor. She passes on reports of ‘black butterflies’ in the Rala Waterways, and assumes that it’s related to Balamor. The adventurer and Arciela confront Balamor in the waterways who explains that he too wants to help. He explains that, after traveling across many different worlds, he saw how each fell to the Emptiness. So, he took the light of the orb to better understand the forces in conflict and discovered something unexpected. However, before elaborating or helping, he wants the adventurer to retrieve one of the founder king’s relics for him and warps away. Arciela resolves to help the adventurer, and in these words, the orb retrieves energy from Arciela, who notes a vision she witnessed while this took place. They leave, trying to determine where such a relic could be found.
After having found the relic elsewhere in the Rala Waterways, the adventurer returns to Balamor. Balamor consumes the founder king’s relic which gives him insight regarding the darkness threatening the world. Balamor explains that the darkness at hand is not the Emptiness. It is an entirely different force called the Void. The residents of Tartarus refer to this as the “Cloud of Darkness”. The Cloud of Darkness eventually consumes all worlds, according to Balamor. He encourages the adventurer to find a way to stop the Cloud of Darkness by giving the adventurer’s orb some of his own energy before warping away.
The adventurer meets Arciela at the Celennia Memorial Library. She informs the adventurer of a connection between what Balamor was saying and the Li’Telor region. She recommends looking for an area with the ruins of ancient statues. Realizing that Ariela is referencing the hall of the gods, the adventurer arrives at the ancient ruins to find Esha’ntarl.
Esha’ntarl asks for Iroha, and after learning she is not with the adventurer, she remarks that Iroha may be fighting against the void in the realm beyond. They travel deeper into the chamber where they meet with the Dawn Maiden, Yve’noile. The Dawn Maiden explains that the Cloud of Darkness is prophesied to engulf Vana’diel after the death of the mothercrystals. Neither mortals nor Altana can stop this process. Esha’ntarl asks what could be done, and Yve’noile suggests the only way to stop the Cloud of Darkness is for the adventurer to rid themselves of their Emtiness and become a god of light. She commits to helping the adventurer though, and the orb resonates at these words, taking some of Esha’ntarle’s energy.
Before they can discuss the ritual of becoming a god of light, Volto Oscuro dissipates Yve’noile’s presence and warps Esha’ntarl away. Volto Oscuro tells the adventurer that there cannot be a god of light without a balancing darkness. He pleads for the adventurer to think about what they are to do, as the Cloud of Darkness will swallow all soon. He incapacitates the adventurer and then flees. After Esha’ntarl returns to the adventurer, she wakes them up. The adventurer tells her who Volto Oscuro is and Esha’ntarl notes that, if the ambassador is trying to keep the adventurer from ascending to be the god of light, then this must mean that it is possible for the ritual to take place successfully. She warns that becoming a god of light would require enormous sacrifice. Esha’ntarl tells the adventurer to ask Selh’tues about the ritual.
The adventurer returns to the Reisenjima Sanctorium. Selh’teus, sensing their presence there, transports the adventurer’s mind into the crystal. Selh’teus expresses his gratitude in seeing the adventurer, and reunites them with Iroha to discuss what recently transpired. Iroha resides in Selh’teus’s mothercrystal along with the terrestrial avatar, Phoenix, who remains too weak to bring her back to Vana’diel again. The adventurer says that the Yve’noile suggests becoming a god of light to stop the Cloud of Darkness, as this is their only hope. Selh’teus says that, for the adventurer to become a god of light, he will need to utilize all the light of the new mothercrystal. After the adventurer reluctantly agrees, Selh’teus points out that the adventurer still has a shroud of Emptiness inside them, the same Emptiness that Volto Oscuro forced into them. Selh’teus recommends going through the cavernous maws to a parallel world which houses a powerful god of darkness. This deity will draw the Emptiness out of the adventurer for himself, allowing the adventurer to harness the mothercrystal’s light. Iroha asks about the adventurer’s certainly, and the adventurer reassures her of their resolve before leaving to search for the world of darkness.
The adventurer goes to the Walk of Echoes to ask Cait Sith to accompany them to this world of darkness. Cait Sith warns them that this world is full of dangers. Not letting this hinder their resolve, they press onward to this dark world and make their way to this world’s Garden of Ru'Hmet. Before entering the Empyreal Paradox, Cait Sith warns the adventurer one last time.
Upon entering the Empyreal Paradox, they find an enormous dragon, waiting in the distance. Cait Sith explains that the dragon is a mature Promathia, and he is the only thing left in this world called Desuetia. The adventurer confronts this dragon, Sempurne, and asks about the Cloud of Darkness. Sempurne reiterates that he is god of the darkness related to the sins of the enlightened races. Yet, the Cloud of Darkness is a different entity altogether. Cait Sith asks for elaboration, and Sempurne simply tells them that the Cloud of Darkness is meant to consume all. Sempurne asks the adventurer what they want from him, and the adventurer replies with their desire to meet Altana. Sempurne refuses to grant an audience, and begins absorbing all of the adventurer’s darkness instead. After Sempurne absorbs all the darkness to himself, Volto Escuro arrives, and prompts the dragon to rage. Sempurne attacks the adventurer.
After a fierce battle, Sempurne is surprised by the power of the adventurer. Disgusted by the adventurer’s success, Volto Oscuro goes to the dragon to take the darkness from him. The dragon now speaking as Promathia tells Volto Oscuro that he will be a proper vessel for him. Promathia then transfer’s his godhood to Volto Oscuro, resulting in a massive explosion that knocks the adventurer and Cait Sith out of the Empyreal Paradox.
Cait Sith and the adventurer find their footing. They attempt to re-enter, but Cait Sith notes that Volto Oscuro is blocking the avatar’s entrance, and the adventurer would need to go alone. The adventurer enters and immediately notices that Volto Oscuro has been able to remove his mask, revealing just the future, disjointed adventurer. But, the disjointed one is now glowing with the power of Promathia and they say they're finally able to lead the adventurer to the proper future. The disjointed one shows the adventurer a memory of the end, when they made their final stand against the Cloud of Darkness.
As the Cloud of Darkness descended on Reisenjima, the last place left in Vana’diel, the future adventurer, Tenzen, and Iroha stood to defend it. The future adventurer used the orb to bring about the Reckoning: A disjointing of the adventurer’s two halves into the warrior of light and the warrior of darkness.Discarding the warrior of darkness, the adventurer attempted to use their newfound power as the warrior of light to banish the void. The warrior of light called forth the trusts of all who were stored in the orb, and all the adventurer’s comrades throughout his journey left the mothercrystal and came to his aid. They battled against the Cloud of Darkness just long enough for Iroha to erect a barrier, protecting Reisenjima. The warrior of light quickly lost their mortality, and ascended into the realm of the spirits, leaving only the warrior of darkness, Tenzen, and Iroha. Before the warrior of darkness could vanish, the Cloud of Darkness corrupted his soul, placing a mask on him that would control his actions. This resulted in Volto Oscuro, who then summoned the Cloud of Darkness inside Iroha’s barrier. Tenzen transferred the Phoenix to Iroha before fighting with Volto Oscuro to the death. This is what forced Iroha to retreat into the Sanctorium, which is what led both her and Volto Oscuro to travel back in time to begin with. Upon the warrior of light’s arrival with Altana, she mournfully informs them that all life will be extinguished. 
After showing the memory, the disjointed one tells the adventurer that they will wait with Altana for their arrival. The disjointed one summons Atomos, and leaves through its Cavernous Maw. The adventurer returns to Cait Sith and explains everything they saw. Cait Sith admits not knowing of a way to reach Altana, but she urges the adventurer to go to Selh’teus’s mothercrystal for a path.
The adventurer returns to tell Selh’teus and Iroha of what they had learned. Iroha explains that it may have been the future adventurer who became the warrior of light that sent her back to the past, not just Altana. Selh’teus asks whether or not the warrior of light was able to commune with Altana, but Iroha does not know. Selh’teus explains that he can grant the path to Altana if his crystal’s lifestream was not hindered from accompanying them to the Empyreal Paradox, but certain dark creatures in Reisenjima are barring him from doing so.
Once outside the Sanctorium, the adventurer finds that Tenzen, Aldo, and Gilgamesh have arrived there too. The adventurer tells them of what they had learned and they inquire about Iroha’s state. The adventurer explains that she has passed on, but a part of her remains. They volunteer to help the adventurer rid the area of the beasts hindering Selh’teus’s lifestream. After dealing with these creatures, they meet inside the Sanctorium.
Selh’teus informs the adventurer that he is now able to grant an audience with Altana. The adventurer is transported to the Empyreal Paradox where the disjointed one waits. The disjointed one explains that their attempt at the Reckoning was futile due to their lack of knowledge regarding the Cloud of Darkness. Vowing to put a stop to the Void, the disjointed one takes the last semblance of the adventurer’s darkness, their humanity, transforming the adventurer into the god of light. The new god of light and darkness transcends to meet with Altana. 
Altana welcomes them. She commends their accomplishments in Vana’diel. She explains that the void is repelled when the forces of light and darkness collide. By their collision, the winds of time are stirred, warding away the Cloud of Darkness. She and Promathia had served to protect the world for eons, but without Promathia, the winds of time had slowed. Through the adventurer and their comrades' efforts, the battle between light and darkness continued, albeit weakening to the force of a breeze. This breeze could not repel the Cloud of Darkness forever though. For Vana’diel to be saved, the winds of time must be stirred once more. The adventurer’s two halves must engage in all-out conflict as the warriors of light and darkness in order for the Cloud of Darkness to turn away from Vana’diel. Altana grants her blessing to the warrior of light as Promathia had to the warrior of darkness. They return to the Empyreal Paradox and battle with all their might.
After their divine battle, the disjointed one notes that the skies over the world are no longer darkened by the void. Altana, seeing that the world is saved, reunites new gods of light and darkness that the adventurer can be mortal again. She delivers the adventurer back to Vana’diel. As she bids the adventurer farewell, she notices something that gives her pause.
Upon the adventurer’s return to the Reisenjima Sanctorium, Tenzen, Aldo, and Gilgamesh regale them with the spectacle of their clash in the sky. Tenzen asks what Altana was able to do for Iroha, and shortly afterward, Iroha returns to Vana'diel healthy. They all rejoice to see that the conflict is behind them and Tenzen decides to host a celebration. The party exits the Sanctorium, and Iroha speaks to the adventurer privately. She gives the adventurer a heartfelt thanks for saving the world as she recalls all the things the adventurer taught her in her youth. The orb resonates with these words, taking some of Iroha’s light. The adventurer expresses how proud they are of her as they walk away. Iroha’s body dematerializes as she begins returning to her time.
The adventurer returns to their nation after some time. Iroha appears to the adventurer in a dream explaining that something is wrong; the future has not changed. It is still consumed by the Cloud of Darkness. The adventurer quickly returns to Selh’teus mothercrystal to find Tenzen investigating a dark aura emanating from it. The adventurer and Tenzen’s consciousness is pulled into the mothercrystal to find that Iroha hasn’t traveled fully back to her time, instead, she still remains in the mothercrystal. The remnant left of the Cloud of Darkness has gathered in the crystal. Phoenix calls out to them both through Tenzen’s blade. The terrestrial avatar explains that the adventurer needs to fill the orb once more to traverse through the mothercrystal to clash with the remnant of the Cloud of Darkness. Phoenix directs the two of them to the stone circle of La Theine Plateau.
Carbuncle greets them as they arrive, stating that several others have heard Altana’s summoning to the circle.. The avatar asks if Tenzen and Kagero are proud of their daughter and her fight against the void. This confuses the two while Carbuncle tells them to wait for the others' arrival.
All of the avatars, both celestial and terrestrial, gather to give their power in filling the orb that the adventurer can go to save Iroha and defeat the remnant of the Cloud of Darkness. They voice their solidarity in blessing the adventurer. With the orb refilled, the party returns to the Sanctorium.
They find the Cloud of Darkness’s remnant has been taken from around Selh’teus’s crystal. Tenzen goes to attack it but he is quickly overwhelmed. Before the Cloud of Darkness eliminates him, the orb summons the trusts of all of the adventurer’s most trusted comrades. Lion, Prishe, Aphmau, Lilisette, and Arciela all come to their aid. They begin repelling the Cloud of Darkness as Tenzen prepares his Phoenix blade. Tenzen strikes once, weakening the Cloud of Darkness. It counterattacks and the trusts defend Tenzen as he charges a second attack. They manage to hold out, and Tenzen delivers the final blow to the Cloud of Darkness’s corporeal form. With this opening, the adventurer advances through the crystal.
Inside Selh’teus’s crystal, the adventurer finds Iroha bound by the Cloud of Darkness, and Selh’teus badly injured. The adventurer calls out to Iroha as they release the power of the avatars from the orb to the Phoenix. Selh’teus also shares his power with Phoenix, allowing the avatar to be revived after its ten thousand year slumber. The Phoenix uses its power over the lifestream to free Iroha and force the Cloud of Darkness to take on form, allowing the adventurer and Iroha to engage it in conflict. Throughout the conflict, the Cloud of Darkness easily eliminates them time and time again, but with the power of the Phoenix, they are sustained. They try desperately to destroy the Cloud of Darkness while it tries to destroy the crystal. Without Selh’teus’s full strength to sustain the crystal, the only thing protecting it are the adventurer and Iroha.
After a fierce battle, the adventurer gives their life to defeat the Cloud of Darkness. As it collapses, they are ejected from the crystal, and the mask of the Void falls apart. Selh’teus, now free of the plague of the void, grants the adventurer and Iroha some time for goodbyes, along with Lion, Prishe, Aphmau, Lilisette, and Arciela. The adventurer and Iroha meet with the other comrades who thank the adventurer for all they have done.
After speaking with their comrades, the adventurer speaks with Iroha who heartily thanks the adventurer as well. She pulls out a knife and cuts her hair, granting the blessing of the Phoenix to the adventurer. Iroha tells the adventurer that she anticipates her birth and the opportunity to meet the adventurer for the first time again. She returns to her time as the adventurer returns to a newly saved Vana’diel through Selh’teus’s mothercrystal.
==Music==
For the development of Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, Naoshi Muzuda was brought back to produce fourteen new tracks. Several tracks were simply arrangements of some of the most famous pieces in the history of Final Fantasy XI, being Distant Worlds, and Forever Today. Both of these tracks got instrumental versions. A new ending theme, Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, was written and performed with a choir of Final Fantasy XI players singing in the background. 
== Gallery==
File:FFXI Rhapsodies of Vana'diel Artwork.jpg|Rhapsodies of Vana'diel artwork.
File:Rhapsodies of Vana'diel Logo.png
==External links==
*Official website
==Notes==
Category:Expansion packs for Final Fantasy XI
es:Final Fantasy XI: Rhapsodies of Vana'diel
ru:Final Fantasy XI: Rhapsodies of Vana'diel