A Realm Reborn

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Seventh Umbral Calamity was caused when Bahamut escaped his prison, the ancient space station Dalamud, unleashing an apocalypse across Eorzea. The original version of Final Fantasy XIV ended with this catastrophe. Through temporal magic, the player character from that original version escaped and reappeared at the start of A Realm Reborn. The game is set in Eorzea five years after this calamity, as the region works to recover. The Garlean Empire, having reignited its invasion, poses a major threat. The player must help fend off this invasion while Eorzea cements its recovery. The Scions of the Seventh Dawn are key figures in this struggle, working to unite the fractured city-states and protect the realm from both external and internal threats.

In Their Own Story

The wind howls through the hollowed ruins of Ishgard's outer walls, carrying the scent of ash and rain. A lone figure stands atop a ridge, looking down at the bustling, makeshift camp below where survivors share meager rations and warm stories by crackling fires. The sky above is no longer choked with smoke but pierced by the first rays of dawn, promising that even after the darkest night, the sun will rise again for those brave enough to face it.

Reader's Guide

The narrative arc begins with the player character's reappearance in Eorzea five years after the Seventh Umbral Calamity. The primary motivation is to help Eorzea recover and fend off the reignited invasion from the Garlean Empire. Key plot points involve working with the Scions of the Seventh Dawn to uncover the truth behind the Calamity and the machinations of the Garleans. The story progresses through the main scenario questline, which advances the overarching plot. This arc connects to the broader universe by establishing the ongoing conflict with the Garlean Empire and setting the stage for future expansions, including Heavensward (2015), Stormblood (2017), Shadowbringers (2019), Endwalker (2021), Dawntrail (2024), and Evercold (2027).

Did You Know?

• The original Final Fantasy XIV was a commercial and critical failure, leading Square Enix President Yoichi Wada to announce a new team led by Naoki Yoshida to address the game's flaws.
• The relaunched game, codenamed 'Version 2.0', used a new engine, improved server infrastructure, and revamped gameplay, interface, and story.
• By October 2021, Final Fantasy XIV had gained over 24 million registered players and became the most profitable Final Fantasy game to date.
• An adaptation for mobile devices was announced in 2024 but was cancelled in July 2026.
• The game has received six major expansion packs: Heavensward (2015), Stormblood (2017), Shadowbringers (2019), Endwalker (2021), Dawntrail (2024), and Evercold (2027).