With the Dawntrail expansion, a new saga has begun in Final Fantasy XIV. The story surrounding Hydaelyn and Zodiark ended with Endwalker. However, according to producer Naoki Yoshida, there is still a story to be told in the MMORPG.
What story could that be? Yoshida revealed that players might think that the story surrounding the Ascians could end with Endwalker. However, no one has said that the story with the mystical opponent group is finished.
The Ascians’ goal was to use Zodiark to resurrect the Ancients. However, they have not achieved this goal. Therefore, it could be that the Ascians will play a role again in future patches. But Yoshida could not confirm that with certainty; he merely hinted at it.
In Dawntrail, the Ascians have not yet appeared. Instead, a true adventure paradise awaits:
Yoshida believes that the development team will not return directly to the Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga. The story has been completed with Endwalker. However, the Ascians have left behind some things that still need to be explored:
And perhaps the clues to the future of FFXIV lie in the things that remain untouched and that are yet to be discovered. I will not reveal more, but I tell you not to imagine that there is a plot behind it. I do not believe that this is the direction we are going.
Naoki Yoshida, Interview with Finaland
If the Ascians were to return, it would not be a simple twist for a stronger Ascian than Emet-Selch to appear. Instead, a story should be created that builds on what has already happened.
The Ascians wanted the end of the world
Who are the Ascians? The Ascians are the descendants of an ancient people. They lived on the planet Ætheris, but it was divided into the Source and 13 shard worlds due to a battle between Hydaelyn and Zodiark.
There are three Ascians who survived this incident and were members of the Convocation of Fourteen:
- Emet-Selch
- Lahabrea
- Elidibus
The Convocation of Fourteen was an organization responsible for maintaining law and order in Ætheris. The goal of the three survivors was to resurrect Zodiark to reunite all worlds and restore the lost civilization.
Additionally, there have been other Ascians that have appeared repeatedly. There may still be some that have not played a role yet and whose stories the MMORPG could continue to tell.
Apart from the Primals and other monsters, the Ascians are the strongest opponents that the Warrior of Light has faced so far. MeinMMO has created a ranking of the fiercest adversaries in Final Fantasy XIV: The 5 most powerful NPCs in the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV in the power ranking
