The Twelve

The Twelve are the pantheon of Eorzea in Final Fantasy XIV, consisting of twelve benevolent deities who are said to have ruled the continent and its surrounding islands until the arrival of the wandering tribes. During character creation, players must select one of the Twelve as their patron deity. This used to slightly affect elemental resistances, but no longer serves a gameplay effect.
The Twelve played a major part in patch 1.23 of the original Final Fantasy XIV. They are the main focus of the alliance raid series added with the expansion Endwalker.
==Profile==
The Twelve took up residence in the land which became known as Eorzea with the moogles as their servants. The Twelve ruled over the land until the arrival of the wandering tribes: the Elezen, Miqo'te, Lalafell, Roegadyn, and Hyur. Impressed by the tribes' resourcefulness and resilience, the Twelve ceded the land with some becoming patron deities of Eorzea's cities.
Each pair of the Twelve commands one of the six elements and each is associated with a month of the Eorzean calendar. Each elemental pair is, conversely, tied to one of the six constellations of the Source's night sky. Each deity has a symbol that reflects one of its traits: for example, Althyk's symbol is an hourglass, Oschon's is a walking staff, and Halone's symbol is three spears side-by-side.
Each of the Twelve was reincarnated from an Ancient from the unsundered world, friends or colleagues of Venat, who became Hydaelyn and sundered Etheirys. Using the remains of their souls as cores, Hydaelyn created the Twelve to serve as the world's caretakers.
==History==
===Final Fantasy XIV (version 1.0)===
Nael van Darnus, the Legatus of the VIIth Imperial Legion, called upon Dalamud using forbidden Allagan magic. Her defeat at Castrum Novum under the combined forces of the Grand Companies did not halt Dalamud's descent. The symbols of the Twelve appeared across Eorzea, etched into stone and pulsing with a faint, comforting glow. Claiming that the gods would be stirred from slumber by the united prayers of their vassals, the Elezen scholar Louisoix Leveilleur encouraged the people of Eorzea to seek out these symbols and offer supplication to the Twelve. Later on, he confessed to his chosen adventurers that the symbols were carved by none other than himself. On his search for an item he would describe as Daybreak, he had created the spiritual anchors as part of a ritual to save their realm—the summoning of the Twelve.
Louisoix led the three-nation army at Carteneau Plains in Mor Dhona, where the forces of the Garlean Empire and the Eorzean Alliance met in a conclusive battle. The battle slowed to a halt as Dalamud broke up to unleash the elder primal Bahamut whose fury instigated the Seventh Umbral Era. Louisoix summoned the power of the Twelve, and columns of light erupted from the marked stones taking shapes reminiscent Dalamud's spires and piercing Bahamut twelve times over, binding him in place as a radiant sphere engulfed him. Aetherial glyphs manifested in the skies, surrounding the elder primal's prison with the symbols of his captors, and the ritual failed. Though Louisoix came close to resealing Bahamut, he held back knowing that the simultaneous summoning of twelve deities would wound Hydaelyn, the planet's patron "goddess". Nourished by the aether of a dying realm, Bahamut converged on a growing sphere. Louisoix consigned himself to his fate, using what energy remained to conjure the power of Althyk and deliver the adventurers beyond the reach of time and space.
===Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn===
Gaius van Baelsar has compared the Twelve to the beast tribes' primals, regarding them as "eikons" and insinuating they could be summoned with sufficient crystals. This is supported by Little Ala Mhigo involving an abandoned scheme by young refugees, who hoped to steal the Amalj'aa's crystal supply to summon Rhalgr to enact vengeance on the Garlean Empire. Later, Nabriales claimed that Louisoix had evoked the Twelve without a large sum of crystals through use of the Tupsimati.
===Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward===
Primals are not the original being, but imitations, or what somebody's vision of that being would be given form. Therefore, the Twelve themselves cannot be summoned this way, but a primal in their image can be. As such, Gaius's theory about summoning the Twelve, and the scheme to summon Rhalgr, were somewhat incorrect.
===Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers===
Based on the similar names and imagery used in their backgrounds, Urianger Augurelt speculated that Azem, one of ancient Amaurot's Convocation of Fourteen, could be related to the Twelve's Azeyma and the Xaela deity Azim in some way—though he admitted at this time it was little more than a theory which may never be proven.
===Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker===
While momentarily brought back from death by the Warrior of Light before breaking the spell, Emet-Selch gave the Warrior reason to move forward by pointing out the places they had yet seen and incentive to know more of who the Twelve were.
In "Myths of the Realm", the Warrior, along with G'raha Tia and a traveler named Deryk, encountered Byregot, Rhalgr, Azeyma, and Nald'thal while investigating the mysterious "Omphalos" of the phantom realm. Claiming to be of true divinity and not mere primals, they warned the explorers were intruding upon the realm of the gods, and revealed their intention to replace the now-deceased Hydaelyn as Will of the Star. They challenged the Warrior to gather as as many allies that they could to stop their "ascension" before leaving. 
After the Warrior traveled through the Heavens of Lightning and Fire and bested them in combat, the gods revealed their claims of taking over the world were a lie to spur the Warrior into action, and referred to the Warrior and their comrades as their 'children'. They reaffirmed they were not primals, but true divinities. When questioned about the appearance of the Twelve when Louisoix attempted to re-seal Bahamut, Nald'thal confirmed this was not the Twelve themselves, but a primal in their collective image, born from the wishes and hopes of the Eorzean people—a feat which Azeyma admired, as mankind's hope was so strong it led to their survival in the Calamity. 
The Twelve refused to divulge their exact nature as they were unable to do so at the time, but stated they had "hopes" similar to mortals. They told the Warrior to continue challenging the other gods to face further trials and uncover what they actually were before leaving. The Warrior of Light, Deryk, and G'raha Tia visited various locations dedicated to the deities they had encountered in Aglaia. While at Rhalgr's Reach, G'raha Tia and Deryk pondered on if the Twelve they had met still could be primals despite their claims, and wondered if their appearance matching all known imagery of them was due to this. In response, Byregot and Rhalgr appeared before them as a spriggan and a hawk, respectively, to further explain things to make up for their earlier deception. The two deities reaffirmed they were not primals, and that by their own laws they could not appear in the mortal realm as their true selves. The two deities explained there were times when the boundaries between their own realms and that of men weakened, allowing mankind to catch glimpses of the realms of the gods and their true appearances, this being the reason that mortal life knew the appearance of the deities.
They returned with additional help from Snoegeim, mythologist, and an aetheric analyzer borrowed from Sharlayan, to better read the Omphalos monument in the realm. As it was untranslatable, Snoegeim suggested asking Nophica of the Twelve for help. Nophica responded to the Students of Baldesion promising help if they did battle with her and the others. The Warrior and allies made their way through the Heavens of Earth and Ice, battling not only Nophica, but Althyk, Nymeia, Halone, and Menphina. G'raha used the analyzer to uncover more about the "Heavens" they had been traveling to. After this battle, as Snoegeim took out the analyzer's cartridge, the gods thanked them for helping them get closer to their "dream". To honor Nophica's promise, Althyk and Nymeia created for them the tools necessary to translate the monument, which were the marks of the Twelve that people worshiped. As the Students prepared to head off to find the marks, the gods joined them in their disguised forms.
As the Warrior and Deryk traveled to find the marks, they learned that the gods' current forms were shaped by man's prayers, such as Halone's visage becoming more fierce of late, and the manifestation of Dalamud, Menphina's Hound. At Menphina's mark, they encountered a former Lamb of Dalamud, who revealed they were a peaceful sect until the moon turned red and zealotry overtook the cult. He begged for salvation only to be stopped by Deryk, who told the man to keep his faith, for it was not the duty of the Warrior of Light to offer absolution. Menphina explained the Twelve were not all-powerful, nor could they grant people their wishes, but always heard their followers' prayers, and that the faith of Mankind could only belong to Man alone. 
The marks gathered, the group used them to restore Omphalos to a readable state. Krile explained the monument's epigraph described each of the Twelve's duties and intentions, along with the description of a Thirteenth, unknown and unnamed member. G'raha Tia theorized that the Twelve were Hydaelyn's creations, perhaps in the image of those who conspired with Her to Sunder Zodiark, and that the identity of the Unnamed God was the Watcher left to guard His prison. 
The group headed to the moon to ask the Watcher themselves, and confirmed G'raha's theories of the them and the Twelve being created by Hydaelyn to watch over Zodiark and the sundered star's equilibrium, all reincarnated from people whom Hydaelyn once knew as Venat, and molded into their current form thanks to Man's faith and prayers. Returning to Omphalos, the group was greeted by Thaliak and Llymlaen, but when questioned as to why they were fighting if it would disperse their aether and make them unable to perform their duties, Deryk revealed himself to be Oschon, whose true purpose was to bring warriors capable of granting their "wish" to Omphalos. Oschon stated that they awaited the heroes within where they would reveal the truth. The Warrior and allies traveled through the Heavens of Water and Wind, learning their fight returned the Twelve's aether to the star. 
Returning to Omphalos after defeating all of the Twelve, they found the area changed and were attacked by more servants. Realizing they were being called, the Warriors traveled through the now-altered Omphalos into the Seventh Heaven, new arena, where they were greeted by the Twelve, with Oschon congratulating the heroes on their triumph over the Final Days, and entrusted the future of the star in their hands. The Twelve merged into a single entity known as Eulogia, who revealed they wished to return to the aether now that their role was over. Emerging triumphant against the Twelve's final trial, they separated and departed into the aether, bidding their farewells. Oschon stayed behind, having grown attached to the people of the star, especially his pet opo-opo. Oschon left a portion of his essence behind as Deryk, wanting to live out the remainder of his life as a mortal man. Returning to Omphalos, Deryk moved the Twelve's hopes out of the crystal that was placed in the center of the area and into a shrine closer to mankind. There, he revealed whom the Twelve were based on, and again thanked the Warrior for helping them achieve their final wish.
==Members==
===Halone===
Halone, the Fury, mover of glaciers and goddess of war, commands the element of ice and is tied to the First Astral Moon (first month). She is depicted as a relentless warrior holding a bronze greatshield, and her symbol is three spears. Halone is the patron of the Holy See of Ishgard, and is bitter rivals with Nophica.
Halone was created from an ancient who hunted creations deemed detrimental to the star. Her prowess made her a leading candidate for the seat of Pashtarot.
Halone from Final Fantasy XIV render.png|Halone.
FFXIVARR Halone Stone.jpg|Stone with Halone's mark.
===Menphina===
Menphina, the Lover, keeper of the once-twin and now-lone moons and the goddess of love, commands the element of ice and is associated with the First Umbral Moon (second month). She is depicted as a maid carrying a round skillet. Her symbol is the full greater moon. Menphina is the younger sister of Azeyma, and the divine lover of Oschon.
Menphina was created from the ancient who created the magick used to isolate and seal Zodiark. She was a young prodigy who was a student of the Words of Lahabrea at the Akadaemia Anyder.
Menphina from Final Fantasy XIV render.png|Menphina.
FFXIVARR Menphina Stone.jpg|Stone with Menphina's mark.
===Thaliak===
Thaliak, the Scholar, ruler of rivers and wisdom and god of knowledge, commands the element of water and is tied to the Second Astral Moon (third month). He is depicted as a reserved scholar holding an ashen staff, and his symbol is the scroll. Thaliak is the patron of Sharlayan, Byregot's teacher, and father of Llymlaen.
Thaliak was created from the ancient who was headmaster of the Akadaemia Anyder. He presided over the institution's faculties and was well-known for his scholarly knowledge and leadership.
Thaliak from Final Fantasy XIV render.png|Thaliak.
FFXIVARR Thaliak Stone.jpg|Stone with Thaliak's mark.
===Nymeia===
Nymeia, the Spinner, the watcher of celestial bodies and goddess of fate, commands the element of water and is associated with the Second Umbral Moon (fourth month). She is depicted as a weaver donning a white, silken veil. Her symbol is the spinning wheel. She is the younger sister of Althyk, and the master of Rhalgr.
Nymeia was created from the ancient Maira, an observer in Elpis who began the custom of offering flowers to the departed. Maira's brother Alkaios became the basis for Althyk.
Nymeia from Final Fantasy XIV render.png|Nymeia.
FFXIVARR Nymeia Stone.jpg|Stone with Nymeia's mark.
===Llymlaen===
Llymlaen, the Navigator, watcher of the seas and goddess of navigation, commands the element of wind and is tied to the Third Astral Moon (fifth month). She is depicted as a strong fisherwoman holding a long-bladed harpoon, and her symbol is the wave. Llymlaen is the daughter of Thaliak and the elder sister of Nophica. Llymlaen is also the patron of Limsa Lominsa.
Llymlaen was created from an ancient who researched sea life at Metabaseos Thalassai in Elpis. Her passion for her work once led to her throwing a knife at someone who came too close to her observation subject.
Llymlaen from Final Fantasy XIV render.png|Llymlaen.
FFXIVARR Llymlaen Stone.jpg|Stone with Llymlaen's mark.
===Oschon===
Oschon, the Wanderer, ruler of the mountains and god of vagrants, commands the element of wind and is associated with the Third Umbral Moon (sixth month). He is depicted as a carefree ranger wielding a bow of yew. His symbol is the walking stick. Oschon is the brother of Nald'thal, a close companion of Halone, and the divine lover of Menphina. He is the patron of the ancient city of Nym and the Miners' Guild.
Oschon was created from an ancient who met Venat in the wilderness. As fellow travelers, they shared a campfire and discussed what it meant to be free.
Oschon from Final Fantasy XIV render.png|Oschon.
FFXIVARR Oschon Stone.jpg|Stone with Oschon's mark.
===Byregot===
Byregot, the Builder, is a god of the arts who commands the element of lightning and is tied to the Fourth Astral Moon (seventh month). A purveyor of architecture and industry, he is depicted as an ardent smith holding a two-headed hammer, and his symbol is the hand. Byregot is the son of Rhalgr and the elder brother of Halone. Byregot is also Thaliak's pupil.
Byregot was created from an ancient who served a supervisory role at the Bureau of the Architect. He was gifted in the ability to create inanimate objects such as buildings and furnishings.
Byregot render from FFXIV.png|Byregot.
FFXIVARR Byregot Stone.jpg|Stone with Byregot's mark.
===Rhalgr===
Rhalgr, the Destroyer, breaker of worlds and god of destruction, commands the element of lightning and is tied to the Fourth Umbral Moon (eighth month). He is depicted as a magus carrying a bronze staff, and his symbol is the streaking meteor. Father of both Byregot and Halone, he is the attendant to Nymeia, and guardian deity of Ala Mhigo.
Rhalgr was created from an ancient who encountered and befriended Venat on her travels, and joined forces with her to destroy a meteor hurtling towards the star.
Rhalgr render from FFXIV.png|Rhalgr.
FFXIVARR Rhalgr Stone.jpg|Stone with Rhalgr's mark.
===Azeyma===
Azeyma, the Warden, keeper of the sun and goddess of inquiry, commands the element of fire and is tied to the Fifth Astral Moon (ninth month). She is depicted as a noble lady holding a golden fan, and her symbol is the radiant sun. She is the mother of Nophica, the elder sister of Menphina, and the daughter of Althyk. 
Azeyma was created from an ancient who was a judicial officer in the Bureau of the Administrator. She was a proponent of the seat of Azem and aspired to train under Venat and her successor, likely inspiring her name.
Azeyma render from FFXIV.png|Azeyma.
FFXIVARR Azeyma Stone.jpg|Stone with Azeyma's mark.
===Nald'thal===
Nald'thal, the Traders, is actually the single manifestation of twin deities: Nald, keeper of the living, and Thal, keeper of the dead. Gods of commerce, they are together an overseer of transactions and the underworld with power over the element of fire and ties to the Fifth Umbral Moon (tenth month). Nald'thal is depicted as a discerning merchant holding a balance while symbolized by the the cowry, an ancient shell currency. Nald'thal is Oschon's brother, and patron of Ul'dah.
Nald'thal was created from an ancient who was a merchant by trade. His outwardly gregarious yet reserved personality influenced his dual aspects.
Nald render from FFXIV.png|Nald.
Thal render from FFXIV.png|Thal.
FFXIVARR Nald thal Stone.jpg|Stone with Nald'thal's mark.
===Nophica===
Nophica, the Matron, tender of soils and harvests and goddess of abundance, commands the element of earth and is tied to the Sixth Astral Moon (eleventh month). She is depicted as a jubilant farmer holding a steel scythe, and her symbol is the spring leaf. Daughter of Azeyma, Nophica is the younger sister of Llymlaen, and the bitter rival of Halone. Nophica is also the patron of Gridania.
Nophica was created from an ancient who was a renowned landscape architect. She nurtured plants without relying on magic, and those who visited her garden were said to have their souls salved.
Nophica from Final Fantasy XIV render.png|Nophica.
The twin adder poster notext.jpg|Goddess Nophica in the Twin Adders poster.
FFXIVARR Nophica Stone.jpg|Stone with Nophica's mark.
===Althyk===
Althyk, the Keeper, the surveyor of change and god of space and time, commands the element of earth and is associated with the Sixth Umbral Moon (twelfth month). He is depicted as an austere emperor wielding a mythril greataxe. His symbol is the hourglass. He is the father of Azeyma and Menphina, and elder brother to Nymeia.
Althyk was created from the ancient Alkaios, who was a researcher with mastery over time magicks and an observer of creations in Elpis. Alkaios's sister Maira became the basis for Nymeia.
Althyk from Final Fantasy XIV render.png|Althyk.
FFXIVARR Althyk Stone.jpg|Stone with Althyk's mark.
===The Unnamed God===
This thirteenth, unnamed deity is only described in the last line of the Omphalos Monument. He is the Watcher in Mare Lamentorum, charged with watching over Zodiark and His prison.
The Watcher was created from the ancient who was the chief archivist at Anamnesis Anyder. His friendship and devotion to Venat made him the most suitable for this solitary duty.
==Constellations==
Each elemental pairing of the Twelve is tied to one of the six constellations of Hydaelyn's night sky. The cards of the Astrologian's divining deck, except for the Lord and Lady of Crowns, represent the six constellations. The symbols of The Twelve can also be seen on the cards.
Constellation	Element 	Deities 	Description 	Image
 	Earth 	Nophica & Althyk 	The Trunk of the World Tree, planted by Nophica and nurtured by Althyk. The source from which all life is said to have sprung. 	
 	Fire 	Azeyma & Nald'thal 	A representation of prosperity brought about by Nald'thal, carrying scales that are kept in equilibrium by Azeyma. 	
 	Lightning	Byregot & Rhalgr 	A great iron tower of spinning gears and taut springs constructed by Byregot. Constantly under attack by Rhalgr, but his levin bolts only serve to power the tower. 	
 	Wind 	Llymlaen and Oschon	An archer drawing back an arrow created atop a lofty peak by Oschon, who was guided by Llymlaen. 	
 	Water 	Thaliak and Nymeia 	The vessel of Thaliak, from which pours forth a mighty river that contains all knowledge held in the past, present, and future, and contains the aether spun from the loom of Nymeia.	
 	Ice 	Halone and Menphina	The spear-wielding Halone, whose domain was carved from the frozen moonbeams of Menphina. 	
;Astrologian cards
FFXIV AST The Bole Card.png|The Bole, representing the Heaven of Earth.
FFXIV AST The Balance Card.png|The Balance, representing the Heaven of Fire.
FFXIV AST The Spire Card.png|The Spire, representing the Heaven of Lightning.
FFXIV AST The Arrow Card.png|The Arrow, representing the Heaven of Wind.
FFXIV AST The Ewer Card.png|The Ewer, representing the Heaven of Water.
FFXIV AST The Spear Card.png|The Spear, representing the Heaven of Ice.
==Gameplay==
===Bosses===
The Twelve are encountered as bosses in the alliance raid series: 
*: Byregot, Rhalgr, Azeyma, Nald'thal
*: Nophica, Althyk and Nymeia, Halone, Menphina
*: Thaliak, Llymlaen, Oschon, Eulogia
Each raid takes place in two sanctums and generally follows the order of the elements, starting with Lightning and ending with Wind. The Twelve combine into Eulogia for the final fight in Thaleia.
===Player Guardian===
After creating a character and choosing a birth date, players must align to one of the twelve deities. Originally, this slightly raised the character's elemental resistances based on the element of the chosen deity. As of Patch 4.2, elemental resistance stats were removed. The only in-game effect of this decision presently is changes to some dialogue.
Guardian 	Fire	Ice	Wind	Earth	Lightning	Water
Halone 	+0 	+4 	+3 	+2 	+2 	+2
Menphina 	+0 	+4 	+3 	+2 	+2 	+2
Thaliak 	+2 	+2 	+2 	+3 	+0 	+4
Nymeia 	+2 	+2 	+2 	+3 	+0 	+4
Llymlaen 	+3 	+0 	+4 	+2 	+2 	+2
Oschon 	+3 	+0 	+4 	+2 	+2 	+2
Byregot 	+2 	+2 	+2 	+0 	+4 	+3
Rhalgr 	+2 	+2 	+2 	+0 	+4 	+3
Azeyma 	+4 	+3 	+0 	+2 	+2 	+2
Nald'thal	+4 	+3 	+0 	+2 	+2 	+2
Nophica 	+2 	+2 	+2 	+4 	+3 	+0
Althyk 	+2 	+2 	+2 	+4 	+3 	+0
==Gallery==
;Representations
FFXIV Eternal Bond Spinners Hand Toast.png|Symbols in the Ivory Chapel.
FFXIV Louisoix vs Bahamut.png|Symbols in Louisoix' final attack.
de:Die Zwölf
pt-br:Os Doze
Category:Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Deities