What do we know of Dalmasca in the lore of FFXIV? What state is it in currently? What are the nations customs and practices?
First things first, we need to address inconsistencies in FFXIV’s lorebook, the Encyclopedia Eorzea. Of its four mentions of Dalmasca, two of them (two of the more visible mentions, in fact) are inconsistent with literally everything else the game has told us of Dalmasca from as early as 2.0 to 4.3′s Ridorana Lighthouse.
Encyclopedia Eorzea - A Chronology of the Sixth Astral Era:1517 - “The Republic [of Garlemald] first employs airships in its military conquests, easily conquering the small nation of Dalmasca in a display of terrifying power. Over the coming years, the Garleans seize control over the majority of the northern territories.”
Encyclopedia Eorzea - Unifying the North: “As triumph followed triumph, the Garleans’ respect for Galvus grew, eventually transforming into worship. In 1517, he was granted control of Garlemald as dictator by overwhelming popular support. The same year, the republic attacked Dalmasca, a small country nestled in the central mountains, and rained down fire upon it with their new airships. Thus, the Garlean army turned to conquer the south of Ilsabard. In 1522, this campaign ended in victory. Having unified the continent through force for the first time in history, Galvus proclaimed himself Emperor, and thus created the Garlean Empire.”
While I have little doubt Garlemald unleashed the full might of their new airships upon a small country nestled in Ilsabard’s central mountains sixty years ago, that country was not Dalmasca. The Dalmasca in all game texts refers to the Kingdom of Dalmasca, which is neither a small nation nor located on the northern continent of Ilsabard.
Lore on the Kingdom of Dalmasca, the Royal City of Rabanastre, and the Ridorana Lighthouse is located below the Read More. Obviously, there are some spoilers.
Considering we’re learning more and more about Dalmasca as the Return to Ivalice storyline progresses, I’ll update this with any new lore that comes in the eventual Patch 4.5 continuation of the 24-man raid storyline. Check back then!
