The Initiative

Monique Lagarde

Kaede Hotgo

Kaia Eldazi

Aubren Farron (formerly)

*"We are slaves to the dark, so that the rest may be free in the light"*

- Elfriede

**The Initiative**, a clandestine organization forged in the crucible of necessity, stands as a bulwark against the ever-present enigma known as The Tribe. The Tribe, or the Dravanian Lorekeepers, possess ancient knowledge and wield powerful artifacts known as Keystones, making them both a curiosity and a potential threat. As the Tribe's activities garnered attention, The Initiative emerged to confront their secretive practices and their potent association with the Keystones.

## Origins and Catalysts

The Initiative came into existence when the presence and activities of The Tribe began to create ripples of concern throughout Eorzea. Whispers of their influence, their mastery over the mysterious Keystones, and the implications of their intent led to the unification of like-minded individuals. These individuals, driven by a sense of duty and the desire to protect their realm, formed The Initiative, an organization dedicated to investigating and mitigating the perceived threat posed by The Tribe.

### Mission and Focus:

The central mission of The Initiative revolves around understanding, monitoring, and countering the Tribe's activities. Their primary focus is to ensure the security and stability of Eorzea by investigating the Tribe's practices, potential threats, and the enigmatic Keystones. The Tribe's ability to imprint their memories and consciousness onto these Keystones makes them both fascinating and dangerous to those seeking to comprehend their true nature.

### Creation of The Resilience:

At the core of The Initiative's response to the Tribe's influence lies The Resilience—an ingenious invention intended to counter the effects of the Keystones. The Resilience, a specialized mask, was devised by brilliant minds within The Initiative who sought to negate the insidious impact of the Keystones on individuals tethered to them. By wearing The Resilience, individuals could suppress the harrowing effects of Lore Rot, preserving their sanity and retaining control over their identity.

### Operational Strategies:

The Initiative employs a multifaceted approach to tackle the challenges posed by The Tribe. Covert operatives infiltrate and gather intelligence on the Tribe's activities, while diplomacy and negotiation are utilized to discern potential allies and sympathizers. The Initiative recognizes the need for a balanced approach, mindful of the Tribe's cultural heritage while ensuring the realm's safety remains a priority.

### \*Challenges and Ethical Dilemmas:

As The Initiative advances in its mission, ethical dilemmas arise. Balancing the necessity of neutralizing potential threats with respecting the Tribe's ancient practices and the sanctity of their culture is an ongoing challenge. The Initiative grapples with the complexity of their role, striving to protect Eorzea while mitigating any potential harm caused to the Tribe.

### The Resilience's Deployment:

The Resilience represents a significant advancement in The Initiative's efforts to safeguard those affected by the Keystones. Those who wear The Resilience gain protection from the mental and emotional erosion caused by the Keystones, enabling them to endure the tethering while retaining their sense of self. The Initiative carefully guards the knowledge and distribution of The Resilience, allowing them to judiciously provide this safeguard to those at risk.

The Initiative's journey is one marked by vigilance, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to securing the realm from the potential dangers associated with the Keystones and the enigmatic Tribe. Their tireless efforts in understanding, mitigating, and countering these threats underscore their dedication to ensuring the safety and prosperity of Eorzea and its denizens.

## Potential Conspiracies Involving The Initiative

While The Initiative operates under a shroud of secrecy, focused on safeguarding Eorzea from the perceived threat of The Tribe and the mysterious Keystones, whispers and suspicions have emerged concerning potential hidden agendas and covert actions. While these allegations remain unproven and speculative, they serve as intriguing plot threads for those delving into the enigmatic world of Eorzean espionage and political intrigue.

### Keystone Manipulation:

One pervasive conspiracy suggests that The Initiative might secretly be harnessing the power of the Keystones for their own undisclosed purposes. Whispers circulate that high-ranking members within The Initiative might possess their own Keystones, enabling them to tap into ancient knowledge and potentially influence events to serve their hidden objectives.

### Suppressing Lorekeepers:

Critics have voiced concerns that The Initiative, in its quest to neutralize the threat of The Tribe, may be suppressing the cultural heritage and practices of the Lorekeepers. Some fear that The Resilience, while ostensibly a protective measure, might be used to subtly control or manipulate the Lorekeepers' actions and knowledge, potentially altering their cultural identity in the process.

### Manufacturing Threats:

Skeptics question whether The Initiative is creating or exaggerating the threat posed by The Tribe and the Keystones to justify their operations and further their own interests. This theory suggests that The Initiative might be manufacturing or exacerbating the danger in order to maintain their influence, secure funding, or pursue political agendas.

### Control Over City-States:

A more elaborate conspiracy postulates that The Initiative, with its extensive network and influence, has infiltrated key positions within the Eorzean city-states, exerting covert control over their policies and decisions. This could range from manipulating trade agreements to shaping foreign relations, all under the guise of countering the supposed threat of The Tribe.

### Experiments on Lorekeepers:

Rumors circulate that The Initiative might be conducting clandestine experiments on captured or willing Lorekeepers to unlock the full potential of the Keystones. This theory speculates that these experiments aim to push the boundaries of what can be achieved with the Keystones, potentially at great cost to the Lorekeepers involved.

### Alliance with Ascians:

A particularly sinister theory suggests that The Initiative may secretly be in league with the enigmatic Ascians, or perhaps even manipulated by them. This theory posits that the Ascians might be using The Initiative to achieve their own hidden objectives, further complicating the true nature of The Initiative's activities.

### Political Manipulation:

Critics speculate that The Initiative, while ostensibly focused on the threat of The Tribe, may be using their influence to subtly manipulate Eorzean politics to serve their undisclosed interests. This could range from shaping election outcomes to ensuring key individuals are in positions of power that align with The Initiative's agenda.

These alleged conspiracies only deepen the mystery surrounding The Initiative, highlighting the complexity and intrigue that underpins their operations. Whether these theories hold any truth or are merely the product of speculation and paranoia remains an enigma, leaving adventurers and scholars to delve deeper into the shadows to uncover the secrets that may lie at the heart of Eorzea's clandestine protectors.