Overview
Mare Lamentorum is the name given to the surface of Etheirys's (Hydaelyn's) moon, a breathtaking and desolate zone first accessed during the climax of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. It presents a stark duality: a silent, crater-pocked surface of regolith and ancient ruins, contrasted with the bustling, cheerful underground warren of Bestways Burrow, home to the Loporrits. This zone serves as a critical narrative pivot, introducing concepts of escape, sacrifice, and the legacy of Hydaelyn's final plans for her children.
History & Lore
Ancient History and the Watcher
Long before the arrival of the Loporrits, Mare Lamentorum was not entirely barren. Scattered across its surface are the ruins of an ancient, advanced civilization, now known to be remnants of the moon's original purpose. In the distant past, following the sundering of the star, Hydaelyn charged one of Her most trusted servants—a familiar known as the Watcher—with a solemn duty. The Watcher was to stand eternal vigil upon the moon, guarding the prison of the corrupted elder primal Zodiark, who was sealed within the lunar core.
For eons, the Watcher remained alone at the Watcher's Palace, a silent sentinel. His vigil maintained the seal and ensured Zodiark's slumber, making the moon a celestial prison long before it was ever considered an ark.
The Loporrits' Mission
Millennia ago, as part of Her contingency plans, Hydaelyn created the Loporrits—a race of small, rabbit-like beings with immense technical aptitude and boundless, earnest optimism. Their divine mandate was singular: to transform the moon into a vessel, an ark capable of evacuating life from Etheirys should the Final Days prove unstoppable. Hydaelyn provided them with initial guidance and a wealth of historical records, then left them to their work.
Interpreting their mission with literal zeal but limited context, the Loporrits burrowed beneath the lunar surface, creating the extensive, cozy network of tunnels and chambers known as Bestways Burrow. They dedicated themselves to studying ancient concepts of "livingway" (how mortals live) based on fragmented records, leading to often charmingly misguided interpretations of mortal needs, from cuisine to recreation. Their headquarters, the Carrotorium, became the heart of their evacuation planning.
Endwalker and the Final Days
The moon's role as a prison became tragically relevant when Fandaniel, possessing the body of Zenos yae Galvus, orchestrated Zodiark's summoning and subsequent destruction on Mare Lamentorum's surface. This act shattered the celestial seal and triggered the resurgence of the Final Days.
Shortly thereafter, with the apocalyptic song of despair spreading across the star, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn learned of Hydaelyn's backup plan. Traveling to the moon via the Tower of Babil, they discovered the Loporrits and the partially completed ark. The zone became a crucial base of operations, where the Warrior of Light and their allies worked with the Loporrits. Their tasks involved both preparing the ark as a potential escape route and, more importantly, helping the well-meaning creatures understand the true nature of the conflict and the importance of fighting for one's home rather than fleeing it. This collaboration refined the ark's purpose from one of mere evacuation to a potential tool for a final stand.
Geography & Locations
- Lunar Surface: A vast, silent expanse marked by deep craters, fields of grey regolith, and low gravity. The haunting visage of Etheirys—the Red Moon—dominates the sky, a constant reminder of the world below. Ancient, geometric ruins dot the landscape, and the colossal chains that once bound Zodiark can still be seen.
- Bestways Burrow: The subterranean settlement of the Loporrits. Contrary to the sterile surface, the Burrow is warm, brightly lit, and architecturally whimsical, with rounded tunnels, piston-driven doors, and an aesthetic that blends advanced technology with cozy, almost childish design. It serves as the zone's main aetheryte hub.
- The Carrotorium: The central planning chamber within Bestways Burrow. Here, the Loporrit leadership, including the sage Livingway and the diligent Dodger, coordinate their efforts from a large, carrot-shaped console.
- Watcher's Palace: A solemn, elegant structure on the surface where the Watcher kept his vigil. It stands as a monument to Hydaelyn's earliest safeguards.
- The Red Moon: Not a location within the zone, but its most prominent feature. The sight of the Source, stained crimson by the spreading Final Days, hangs over all of Mare Lamentorum, providing a constant, urgent backdrop to the events that unfold.
Gameplay
- Unlocking: Mare Lamentorum is unlocked during the Level 86 Main Scenario Quest "The Loporrits' Calling."
- Aether Currents: Players must attune to aether currents scattered across the lunar surface and within Bestways Burrow to gain flying capability in the zone.
- Loporrit Beast Tribe: Upon completing the Endwalker main scenario, players can undertake daily crafting quests for the Loporrits. These quests involve helping them perfect the amenities and systems of their ark, ultimately earning unique rewards and deepening the lore of their preparations.
- FATEs: The zone features standard Full Active Time Events, often involving defending Loporrit excavations or dealing with strange phenomena emanating from the lunar crust.
- Dungeon: The level 90 dungeon Smileton is located in Mare Lamentorum, set within the Loporrits' facilities. (Note: The Dead Ends is a separate dungeon accessed later in the story.)
Trivia
- The name "Mare Lamentorum" is Latin, translating roughly to "Sea of Lamentations." This poetically reflects its history as the site of Zodiark's imprisonment and later, the planning for a galactic exodus.
- The Loporrits' naming convention, ending in "-way" (Livingway, Dodger, Consultingway, etc.), reflects their purpose-driven existence, with each name denoting their role in the "way" of the ark project.
- The zone's music shifts dramatically between the melancholic, ambient tones of the surface and the upbeat, jazzy swing that plays within Bestways Burrow, perfectly encapsulating the zone's thematic dichotomy.
- Mare Lamentorum is one of the few zones in the game where players can directly witness a major, permanent change to the skybox: the Red Moon fades back to the familiar blue planet after the conclusion of the Endwalker main scenario.