Phlegethon (Final Fantasy XIV)

Phlegethon (known as Acheron before version 2.3), is a historical character in Final Fantasy XIV. Phlegethon was a hero of the rebellion that sought to oppose the rule of Allagan Empire in the Third Astral Era. After his capture by the technologist Amon, his body altered and mind broken, fated to become an eternal guardian of the Crystal Tower.
==History==
Phlegethon was leader of one of many rebellions that erupted in the waning years of the Allagan Empire. Phlegethon was treated as a hero by the rebels, and as such the general was considered a murderous villain by the Allagans. On the battlefield, Phlegethon fought several battles against General Artorius of the Allagan army, developing a bond of mutual respect. Artorius didn't agree with the direction the empire was taking, and when rumors of his relationship with Phlegethon reached the ears of the high command, the latter sent an assassin to end Artorius' life. Artorius' heart was pierced by the trigger weapon Excalibur. The power of the eikon twisted Artorius' body into a grotesque shape and destroyed his mind, reducing him to a puppet. Artorius was then controlled and used to crush the rebellion and capture Phlegethon. After being captured, Amon forcibly modified Phlegethon's body through sorcery and science, Phlegethon's mind was broken and conditioned to obey. Phlegethon became one of the guardians of the Crystal Tower.
After the event of the Seventh Umbral Era, Garlond Ironworks funded the Adventurers' journey into the Labyrinth of the Ancients where they face Phlegethon at the Hall of the Inexorable leading to the base of the Tower itself.
==Characteristics==
Phlegethon appears as a giant, golden humanoid wielding a large curved blade and black patterns or tattoos across his body. His blueish cape seems to be attached to his red collar. He has yellow hair.
==Gameplay==
Phlegethon is fought in the and is fought in the upper area of the Labyrinth after the first three bosses, Bone Dragon, Thanatos and King Behemoth, are defeated. Phlegethon is battled in a large circular arena with a gutter circling it. In the gutter sits three buttons that for most of the fight are submerged in Lava.
In the , players can obtain tanking gear named after Phlegethon that makes them resemble him.
==Other appearances==
===Final Fantasy Trading Card Game===
Phlegethon appears in Final Fantasy Trading Card Game with an earth-elemental card.
==Behind the scenes==
Phlegethon is based on the version of Titan from Final Fantasy III in coloring and ability set, who served as the boss of the "Ancients' Maze". Because both "Titan" and "Hecatoncheir" are used as terms and names in Final Fantasy XIV already, "Acheron" was the only available name from that enemy set. During the creation of the second part of Crystal Tower, the Japanese development team forgot that the name was already used in the English version and put in a version of the very same gray-skinned Acheron enemies from the earlier game, complete with the name. Rather than have Acheron refer to two different enemies depending on the game version, or have two enemies named Titan, the character was renamed Phlegethon (see etymology below).http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/178311-The-Sad-Tale-of-Phlegethon-and-Acheron
==Gallery==
Unknown Crystal Tower Boss FFXIV Art.jpg|Concept art.
Crystal Tower Bosses FFXIV Art.jpg|Phlegethon and the other bosses of the Crystal Tower.
FFXIV Phlegethon (boss).png|Phlegethon in-game.
==Etymology==
==Citations==
Category:Characters in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Antagonists