Garuda (Final Fantasy XI)

Category:Avatars in Final Fantasy XI
Garuda appears in Final Fantasy XI as one of the eight celestial Avatars, also known as sleeping gods, representing Wind, acting as its first appearance as a summoned monster in the Final Fantasy series. Garuda takes the form of a green woman with bird-like features. As a summon, she can be acquired from the Cloister of Gales at Cape Terrigan. She can cast a number of wind-based spells and abilities in addition to using her claws to physically damage enemies. As an enemy, Garuda Prime must be defeated in the quest "Trial by Wind" for a Summoner to learn to call her forth as a summon, though that is not the only possible reward for defeating her.
== History ==
Garuda was a small bird raised by a young prince. When the prince was attacked by a viper, Garuda looked for means to cure him. Another bird informed her that she should seek the aid of the King of Birds, who could awaken the healing wind, Vuychap. Garuda flew ever further upwards, looking for the King of Birds, but could not find him. Having reached the limits of her strength, she fell from the sky, but her resolve was so powerful that she transformed during her fall, gaining a humanoid shape and regaining her vitality.
She realized that she now had the power to heal the prince, and did so, leaving him afterwards, as she no longer looked like the little bird he had raised. It is said that once the prince grew up, he found her and married her. Upon Garuda's death, Altana transformed her into the Celestial Avatar of Wind because of her loyalty and devotion. Vuychap is the name of the brightest, green-colored star of the Garuda constellation.
== Gameplay ==
Perhaps one of her more commonly used abilities is Aerial Armor, which gives every member of the party the effect of Blink, or Hastega, which grants haste to every member of the party and is exclusively available to Garuda. She also has limited abilities that allow her to heal party members. Garuda is highly respected for her Predator Claws attack, a devastatingly powerful strike that is often the Summoner's staple attack for notorious monster fights.
=== Blood Pact: Rage ===
Level	Name 	MP 	Effect
1 	Aerial Blast 	All	Massive wind damage to enemies within area of effect. Only available during Astral Flow.
1 	Claw 	7 	Physical slashing damage.
10 	Aero II 	24 	Deals minor wind magic damage.
60 	Aero IV 	118	Deals moderate wind magic damage.
70 	Predator Claws	164	Three-hit physical attack dealing massive slashing damage
75
Merit	Wind Blade 	182	Deals massive wind magic damage to one target.
=== Blood Pact: Ward ===
Level	Name 	MP 	Effect
25 	Aerial Armor 	92 	Gives all party members within range the effect of Blink.
36 	Whispering Wind	92 	Restores some HP to all party members in range.
48 	Hastega 	112	Gives all party members in range the Haste status.
55 	Garuda's Favor 	0 	Enhances Evasion of all party members near Garuda.
86 	Fleet Wind 	114	Grants party members within area of effect the Quickening status.
99 	Hastega II 	248	Grants a Magic Haste bonus of ~30%
== Gallery ==
Garuda Prime.jpg|Garuda during boss fight.
Garudaffxi.jpg|Garuda.
GarudaPrimeFFXI.png|Garuda Prime.
Garuda (FFXI).png|Garuda in Final Fantasy XI.
Garuda Concept.jpg|Garuda Concept Art.
Garuda FFXI TCG.png|Garuda Card.
==Etymology==