Garuda (Server)

From FFXIclopedia, the free Final Fantasy XI encyclopedia

This is one of the many worlds of FFXI. It was activated for the release of the Windows version of FFXI in Japan.

ID Number: 21

Activation Date: November 6, 2002

History in the FF Series

Garuda is a Wind-element Summon who debuted as a potential ally in Final Fantasy XI. She was a green-toned feathered bird-like humanoid. For more specifics on her appearance, see Garuda. It should be noted one of her moves, "Whispering Wind", borrows its name and part of its effect from the Summon Sylph.

In Final Fantasy III, Garuda was a story boss who appeared as a monstrous green-hued bird that used Thunder, a powerful Thunder-element spell that targetted the whole party for high-damage. It was intended that the party would switch to Dragoon jobs (which had conveniently just been unsealed, and equipment for which was also conveniently plentiful in the area) and use Jump attacks to evade the lightning and counterattack.

Interestingly, Garuda Server was created in November 2002, yet the summon was made accessible only in April 2003. This does seem strange, but Square already knew what all the summons would be by November 2002 since a preview showing many of them was released that month.

• In FFXI, Garuda is a Celestial Avatar, obtained from the Cloister of Gales located on Cape Teriggan of the Quon Continent. For her background, see the story listed on Garuda.

Moves:

"Aerial Blast"- deals Wind-element damage to all enemies (FF11)

"Aerial Armor"- endows all allies with Blink status (FF11)

"Whispering Wind"- restores HP for all allies (FF11)

Hastega- endows all allies with Haste status (FF11)

"Claw"- deals physical damage to 1 enemy (FF11)

"Predator Claw"- deals damage to 1 enemy in 3 hits (FF11)

Aero II (FF11)

Aero IV (FF11)

Attributes:

N/A

Historical Background

In Hindu belief, the Garuda is the mount of Vishnu (part of the Hindu Trimurti; is known as the Preserver/Maintainer). Garuda is depicted as having a golden-colored body, a white face, red wings, and had a man's body, but an eagle's beak and wings. He wore a crown on his head. He (Garuda was male) was so large, he could block out the Sun if he flew in front of it. He was considered very ancient. The story of how he became the mount of Vishnu is one day, Garuda took the Moon and concealed it with his wings, causing all the Devas (Hindu gods) to become worried. This led Indra and the other gods to attack Garuda. Garuda managed to defeat all the gods except for Vishnu. When Garuda surrendered to Vishnu, he granted the bird immortality and the honor of being Vishnu's mount. Garuda had the title, "king of the birds". He is also associated with the rays of the Sun and the Emerald, which is viewed as an antidote for poison (this derives from Vishnu being an enemy of the Nagas, as well as any other type of serpent).

In Buddhist legend, the Garuda are a race of divine bird-like creatures that are enemies of the Nagas (a race of powerful serpents). The Garudas prey on Nagas.

The Garuda also appears throughout Southeast Asia (most notably Thailand and Indonesia, which have it as one of their national symbols).