Mothercrystal

From FFXIclopedia, the free Final Fantasy XI encyclopedia

There are five mothercrystals, also known as the five "tears", "true crystals", or "shards", that serve to maintain stability in Vana'diel. The five crystals are named Holla, Dem, Mea, Vahzl, and Al'Taieu. The fifth crystal of Al'Taieu sank to the bottom of the Shu'Meyo seafloor during the battle between the wyrms and the Zilart, but the capital of Al'Taieu's defense system spatially transferred the city to the dimension of Lumoria. The stone is still part of Vana'diel but still in the capital, forming a paradox.

When one dies, their soul is sent to the nearest mothercrystal. The terrestrial avatar Phoenix has the power to manipulate this. However, when Emptiness forms around a crystal, the Empty and Promyvion form from the souls inside of the crystal and their memories.

The Rise of the Zilart Missions concern themselves with the first four mothercrystals and the arks (or crags) built around them. The Crags of Holla, Dem, and Mea, as well as the destroyed Crag of Vahzl were built by the Zilart to harness the power of those mothercrystals. Delkfutt's Tower was the control center for the harnessing of this power, which was channeled to Tu'Lia with the goal of opening a gate to Paradise. The Crystal Line was the conduit used to carry the power from the arks, known also as crags.

The Chains of Promathia Missions introduce the fifth mothercrystal (Al'Taieu), which has lost its light, and the realm beyond it, Lumoria. Technically, Lumoria is in the Al'Taieu mothercrystal, and the crystal is in Lumoria, but it is also in Vana'diel. There is also the region of Limbus, composed of the areas of Temenos and Apollyon. Apollyon was originally called "Lower Promyvion" and is likely a "Promyvion - Al'Taieu" and the "central" Promyvion, whereas Temenos is the Ou'Hpat Obelisk, probably changed after the spatial transfer. Enemies found in Temenos are likely creatures that somehow got inside of the Crystal Line, and it probably connects to the other mothercrystals via the Crystal Line. Enemies found in Apollyon are most likely creatures that have been absorbed by the Emptiness, and it probably connects to the other crystals through the Emptiness found in the Crystal Line.