In Final Fantasy XIV there is an almost unlimited number of NPCs. Some are extremely important and powerful, while others are insignificant. And some are completely underestimated by players at first. Here are 5 of them.
It’s about these NPCs: As is usually the case with theme-park MMORPGs, the world of FFXIV is populated by countless NPCs. They send players on quests, advance the story, buy and sell stuff, and do what NPCs in MMORPGs do.
However, some of them are not what they initially seem. They may appear harmless or unimportant, but it turns out there’s more to them than meets the eye. We present to you 5 such NPCs.
The Merchant
Who is this? The merchants are among the first NPCs that the player character encounters in FFXIV. Each starting city has its own merchant who tells players a bit about them and serves as a kind of exposition.
When players begin their journey in FFXIV, they are greeted by an opening cutscene in which they are awakened by a merchant from their dreams. This merchant then engages them in a conversation where some tidbits and lore information about the world is revealed.
Why is he underestimated? The merchants from the opening cutscene initially seem to be completely generic NPCs who don’t even have a name. They appear as typical “throwaway NPCs” who only get one scene and are never seen again.
Most players who say goodbye to the merchants in the opening consider this NPC to be unimportant and underestimate his role in the game. Most of them also simply forget about him.
However, after the bloody banquet in Ul’dah and the escape from the city, they will see their merchant again. He comes to their aid and supports Alphinaud and the pursued player character during their escape. Many players were astonished during this scene.
Eynzahr Slafyrsyn
Who is Eynzahr? The Roegadyn is the Marshal of the Grand Company of Limsa Lominsa, Maelstrom. He is the right-hand man of Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn and enjoys her boundless trust.
Aside from that, not much is initially known about Eynzahr. The taciturn warrior predominantly keeps to the background and shares his opinions and advice with Merlwyb.
Why is he underestimated? Like many underestimated NPCs, Eynzahr initially appears very inconspicuous. He can be seen here and there during the cutscenes that take place in Limsa Lominsa. Mostly, he stands in the background while Admiral Merlwyb issues commands and makes decisions.
It’s only much later that the player character discovers who Eynzahr really was before his service with Merlwyb. His second identity is that of the legendary pirate king Mistbeard. Under this name, he plundered countless ships and seized legendary treasures.
In the dungeon Shipwrecked Island (Hard), players can personally experience the strength of the legendary pirate. He appears there as the final boss in battle against them and shows that he still has some tricks up his sleeve.
Karasu Kanshi
Who is Karasu? Before the nation of Doma was invaded and conquered by the Garleans, Karasu studied the art of Ninjutsu in a hidden village with his friends Oboro and Tsubame. He was considered one of the best students.
However, he betrayed his homeland to the invaders and worked for the Empire as a spy and ninja. Oboro and Tsubame have made it their mission to find Karasu and hold him accountable for his crimes.
Why is he underestimated? Karasu does everything he can to be underestimated. His somewhat… eccentric mannerisms, his goofy poses, and the tendency to refer to himself as the hero of the story make it really hard to take him seriously as an opponent.
Each of his appearances is theatrically staged and accompanied by comments that portray him as great and his enemies as foolish. Despite his crazy behavior, Karasu repeatedly manages to deceive the players and other NPCs.
He ensures that Oboro defeats the true traitor of Doma and fakes his own death multiple times. He even manages to steal the forbidden Mudra scroll at the end of the Ninja storyline, that rascal.
Ilberd Feare
Who is Ilberd? When his homeland, Ala Mhigo, was conquered by the Imperial forces of Garlemald, he was forced to flee to Ul’dah. There, he initially worked as a mercenary until he joined the Crystal Warriors and rose in rank.
He is also a close friend of General Raubahn, who also hails from Ala Mhigo and worked his way up to become one of the richest men in Ul’dah.
Why was he underestimated? Ilberd is also an NPC who has been repeatedly underestimated by players, but regarding his deceitfulness and cruelty. He first encounters the player character as a brave and loyal fighter who joins the Crystal Warriors.
However, during the bloody banquet in Ul’dah, he betrays the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and even chops off Raubahn’s arm. But even after the bloody end of ARR and Raubahn’s rescue from prison in Heavensward, Ilberd seems to be nothing more than a puppet of Lolorito, who pulls all the strings in the background.
Hardly anyone suspects that he will be responsible for countless deaths and will unleash a war. With the help of the Ascians, he comes into possession of the Eyes of Nidhogg, which still carry great magical power, and takes his own life to summon the Primae Shinryu.
The Mandervilles
Who are the Mandervilles? The side quests revolving around the self-proclaimed criminologist Hildibrand Manderville have existed in FFXIV since the failed 1.0 version. Together with his assistant Nashu, Hildi solves tricky criminal cases. Or at least he tries to.
Because his adventures are always filled with plenty of chaos and often end with him being catapulted somewhere. Throughout the quests, more members of the Manderville family have also been introduced. And they are something else.
Why were they underestimated? It quickly becomes clear to players at the beginning of the Hildibrand questline that the parents of the legendary detective Hildibrand Manderville likely have a screw loose. After all, very few NPCs in these quests are blessed with common sense.
But hardly anyone suspects that Godbert, the father, possesses powers that would make any Primae tremble. What can you expect from a guy who constantly walks around in his underwear and plays Santa during the Starlight celebration?
But even more powerful than Godbert is his wife Julyan, the mother of Hildibrand. Although she is initially portrayed as a loving and caring mother, woe to anyone who incurs her wrath. They will feel the full force of her frying pan, which even her husband Godbert fears.
Fortunately, she is kind to the player characters. After all, they took care of her precious son and are his good friends.
Which NPCs do you think are still underestimated in FFXIV? Let us know your opinion in the comments and tell us why it is precisely these NPCs.
