Overview
The Kojin are a beast tribe of amphibious, turtle-like humanoids introduced in Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood. Inhabiting the waters of the Far East, particularly around the Ruby Sea, their society is built upon a unique spiritual practice centered on the collection and veneration of sacred treasures. Unlike other beast tribes whose desperation often leads them to primal summoning, the Kojin's relationship with their deity is deeply intertwined with their cultural identity and their philosophy regarding objects of beauty and history. The tribe is notably divided into two primary factions: the peaceful Blue Kojin and the militant Red Kojin, whose conflict forms the core of their involvement in the Stormblood narrative.
History & Lore
Physiology & Habitat
The Kojin possess a distinctive physiology that blends humanoid and chelonian traits. They stand upright on two legs, with sturdy shells covering their backs, and have features reminiscent of sea turtles, including beak-like mouths and often patterned skin. Their amphibious nature allows them to thrive both underwater and on land, though they show a strong preference for coastal regions and submerged settlements. Their primary domain is the Ruby Sea, where they have built intricate underwater villages and shrines, often hidden from surface dwellers. This environment has shaped their culture, economy, and spiritual practices, making them masters of maritime navigation and underwater construction.
Culture & Society
Kojin culture is fundamentally oriented around the concept of treasure veneration. This is not a simple pursuit of material wealth; rather, it is a profound spiritual practice. The Kojin believe that certain objects—be they jewels, artifacts, weapons, or even seemingly mundane items with a rich history—can house or attract divine essence, which they refer to as "treasure spirits." A beautifully crafted sword, a perfectly cut gem, or a poet's well-worn inkstone can all be considered sacred vessels worthy of collection and worship.
This belief system structures their entire society. Kojin spend their lives as treasure hunters, seeking out objects of power and beauty. Upon finding a treasure, they do not hoard it selfishly but bring it to communal shrines where it can be properly honored. These shrines, often elaborate underwater structures, serve as both religious centers and museums. The Kojin practice elaborate rituals to "appease" the spirit within a treasure, believing this brings balance and good fortune. Their code of honor, the "Treasure-Trove Precepts," governs how treasures are acquired, traded, and treated, forbidding theft and emphasizing respectful acquisition.
The Factional Divide: Blue vs. Red Kojin
The Kojin are not a monolithic tribe. A deep ideological schism has split them into two main factions:
- The Blue Kojin: This faction, led by elders who value tradition, diplomacy, and peaceful coexistence, represents the mainstream of Kojin spiritual practice. They believe treasures should be collected through honest means—trade, gift-giving, or discovery—and venerated to cultivate harmony. The Blue Kojin are generally open to relations with other races, including the people of Hingashi, and seek to protect their sacred sites from external threats. They view the summoning of primals as a dangerous perversion of their treasure veneration.
- The Red Kojin: A radical offshoot, the Red Kojin have embraced a militant and expansionist ideology. They believe that treasures, and the power they hold, must be taken by force to prove the worth of the collector. This philosophy has led them to acts of piracy and aggression against both the Blue Kojin and surface civilizations. Their ambition made them susceptible to manipulation by the Garlean Empire, which offered them advanced technology and military support in exchange for their allegiance and assistance in destabilizing the region.
This conflict came to a head when the Red Kojin, seeking a treasure of ultimate power to dominate their rivals, turned to primal summoning. Using sacred treasures as a catalyst, they called forth Susano, the Lord of the Revel.
Susano and the Perversion of Faith
Susano's summoning represents a corruption of the Kojin's core beliefs. In traditional Far Eastern mythology, Susano is a storm god of chaos and revelry. The Red Kojin's interpretation frames him as the ultimate "treasure spirit"—a divine force of unbridled power and joy in combat. Susano himself embraces this role with boisterous enthusiasm, treating battle as the highest form of entertainment and the Warrior of Light as a worthy "guest" at his revel.
The Blue Kojin, however, see Susano not as a true object of veneration but as a dangerous manifestation of the Red Kojin's greed and violent ideology. His summoning threatens to drown the Ruby Sea in eternal storm and conflict, endangering the delicate spiritual balance the Blue Kojin strive to maintain.
Role in Stormblood
The Warrior of Light first encounters the Kojin while navigating the Ruby Sea to reach the isolated nation of Hingashi. The Red Kojin's piracy, backed by Garlean magitek, poses a significant obstacle. Alliances are forged with the Blue Kojin, who provide aid and knowledge in exchange for help against their aggressive kin.
The climax of this involvement is the confrontation with Susano at the Pool of Tribute. The Warrior of Light, with the blessing and support of the Blue Kojin, defeats the primal, temporarily halting the Red Kojin's campaign. Following this, the Blue Kojin work to reclaim their stolen treasures and restore their shrines, while the Red Kojin faction is left scattered and weakened.
Gameplay
Beast Tribe Quests
The Kojin are an Allied Beast Tribe in Stormblood. Their questline becomes available after completing the main scenario quest "The Lord of the Revel" and reaching the Ruby Sea.
- Storyline: The quests focus on aiding the Blue Kojin in the aftermath of Susano's defeat. The player helps them recover lost treasures, repair damaged shrines, and mediate conflicts with remaining Red Kojin holdouts. The narrative deepens the lore of treasure veneration, showing how the Blue Kojin work to reintegrate wayward Red Kojin who renounce violence, emphasizing reconciliation and cultural restoration over continued conflict.
- Reputation & Rewards: By completing daily quests, players increase their reputation with the Blue Kojin, eventually achieving Bloodsworn status. Rewards include unique minions (such as the Wind-up Kojin), Kojin-themed furnishings for player housing, emotes, and a special mount -- the Striped Ray.
- Quest Hubs: Daily quests are primarily taken from Kojin elders in their underwater settlements within the Ruby Sea.
Associated Duties
- Trial - "The Pool of Tribute": The 8-player trial where players face Susano, the primal summoned by the Red Kojin. The duty is integral to the Stormblood main scenario.
Trivia
- The Kojin are heavily inspired by the kappa and minogame of Japanese folklore. Kappa are often depicted as water-dwelling, turtle-like creatures, while the minogame is a legendary turtle that lives for millennia and accumulates a tail of seaweed and debris, loosely echoing the Kojin's treasure-collecting nature.
- Their practice of treasure veneration is a unique take on the beast tribe primal-summoning trope, framing it within a philosophy of "spiritual materialism" rather than pure desperation or worship.
- The design of their underwater settlements showcases some of the most detailed and lush underwater environments in the game up to that point.
- The Kojin beast tribe questline is notable for its focus on post-conflict cultural healing and diplomacy, rather than ongoing warfare.