Overview
Aymeric de Borel is the Lord Commander of the Temple Knights of Ishgard and the central political figure of the Heavensward expansion. A charismatic, principled, and reform-minded Elezen knight, he becomes one of the Warrior of Light's most steadfast allies. His life's work is dedicated to ending the thousand-year Dragonsong War and transforming Ishgard from an insular, theocratic monarchy into a just and open member of the Eorzean Alliance. His leadership, borne of a profound understanding of his nation's hidden sins, guides Ishgard through its most profound crisis and rebirth.
History & Lore
Early Life and Hidden Lineage
Aymeric was raised as a ward of House Borel, a noble Ishgardian family, unaware of his true parentage for much of his life. He eventually rose through the ranks of the Temple Knights on his own merit, earning a reputation for exceptional skill, strategic acumen, and a genuine concern for the common folk—traits that set him apart from many of his more arrogant peers.
His world was fundamentally altered when he learned the secret of his birth: he is the illegitimate son of Archbishop Thordan VII, the supreme leader of the Ishgardian Orthodox Church. This revelation granted him an intimate, painful perspective on the hypocrisy at the heart of Ishgard's power structure. It also positioned him uniquely between the entrenched nobility and the church, making him a figure both respected and subtly distrusted by the old guard.
The Heavensward Crisis
When the Warrior of Light arrived in Ishgard as a fugitive, Aymeric, alongside his close friend Lord Haurchefant Greystone, was instrumental in offering sanctuary. Recognizing the Warrior's potential to alter the course of the endless war, he became a key supporter of their efforts. Aymeric's role evolved from military commander to political reformer as he and the Warrior uncovered the foundational lie of the Dragonsong War: that it began not with draconic aggression, but with King Thordan I's betrayal and murder of the great dragon Ratatoskr.
As the Archbishop's true, genocidal ambitions for dragonkind became clear, Aymeric was forced into open opposition against his own father and the corrupt church. He helped orchestrate the assault on the Vault to confront Archbishop Thordan VII, an act of direct defiance. Following the Archbishop's transformation and defeat at the Warrior's hands, Aymeric was left to pick up the pieces of a shattered nation.
Reforging a Nation
In the war's aftermath, Aymeric spearheaded Ishgard's unprecedented political transformation. With the theocracy dissolved, he established a new bicameral government consisting of a House of Lords (representing the nobility) and a House of Commons (representing the citizenry), with himself elected as the first Speaker of the House of Lords. His most daring act was to unilaterally extend a peace offering to the great dragon Hraesvelgr, setting in motion the true end of the Dragonsong War.
His reforms faced fierce opposition from conservative elements, culminating in an assassination attempt by reactionary knights. This event only solidified public support for his vision. Aymeric's leadership successfully guided Ishgard into the Eorzean Alliance, opening the once-isolated nation to diplomacy and trade.
Later Endeavors
Aymeric's work continued into the subsequent conflicts engulfing Eorzea. During the liberation of Ala Mhigo in Stormblood, Ishgard under his leadership provided material and military support to the Alliance. In Shadowbringers, he managed Ishgard's domestic affairs while the Warrior was abroad, and in Endwalker, he committed Ishgardian forces to the defense of the world against the Final Days, personally leading knights on the front lines in Garlemald.
Throughout these trials, he has maintained a warm, personal friendship with the Warrior of Light, often inviting them to share a meal or a quiet drink, moments of respite that highlight the deep mutual respect and affection between them.
Personality & Relationships
Aymeric is defined by his profound sense of duty, integrity, and quiet charisma. He is a consummate diplomat, able to navigate treacherous political waters with grace, but his compassion is never an act. He genuinely believes in justice and the potential for people—and nations—to change for the better.
His relationship with his late father, Thordan VII, was complex, mixing a son's longing for recognition with a reformer's horror at the Archbishop's crimes. His closest friendship was with the cheerful and steadfast Lord Haurchefant, whose death affected him deeply. He shares a bond of mutual trust and camaraderie with the Warrior of Light, one of the most consistently positive and supportive alliances in the Scions' network. His dynamic with the stern Inquisitor Estinien Wyrmblood is that of a lifelong friend and brother-in-arms, their contrasting personalities (Aymeric's diplomacy versus Estinien's bluntness) creating a balanced and effective partnership.
Trivia
- He is known for his fondness for hot chocolate, which he frequently offers to share with the Warrior of Light.
- Despite his high station, he is often seen performing mundane tasks himself, such as pouring tea, reflecting his humble nature.
