Overview
The First is one of the thirteen reflections of the Source, the primary world of Final Fantasy XIV. It serves as the central setting for the Shadowbringers expansion. To its inhabitants, it is known simply as "the world." While its geography mirrors that of the Source in broad strokes, the First is defined by a profound existential crisis: an overabundance of light-aspected aether that has triggered a catastrophic, world-consuming event known as the Flood of Light.
This calamity has left the world in a state of perpetual, blinding daylight, with no night, no stars, and no true darkness. The only region spared complete annihilation is Norvrandt, a landmass roughly analogous to Eorzea on the Source. Here, the last vestiges of civilization cling to survival under the constant threat of Sin Eaters—beings of pure light that corrupt all life they touch. The Warrior of Darkness's journey to the First is a mission to restore balance by conquering the light and preventing the world's final dissolution.
History & Lore
Origins and Reflection
The First came into being during the original Sundering of the star, an event orchestrated by the ancient being Hydaelyn to imprison her adversary, Zodiark. The Source world was split into thirteen reflections (or shards), with the First being one of them. For millennia, it developed independently, with its own histories, cultures, and peoples that often paralleled those of the Source in uncanny ways, a phenomenon attributed to the fundamental similarities in their creation.
The Warriors of Light and the Flood
Approximately one hundred years before the Shadowbringers narrative, the First faced its own apocalyptic threat: a rampant surge of darkness manifesting as powerful beasts. To counter this, heroes arose—the Warriors of Light of the First. Unbeknownst to them, they were secretly guided and manipulated by the Ascian Elidibus, who presented himself as an advisor. Under his direction, these heroes eradicated the forces of darkness with such overwhelming efficiency that they shattered the world's delicate elemental balance.
With darkness utterly vanquished, light-aspected aether began to swell without opposition, initiating the Flood of Light. This wave of pure, transformative energy consumed land, sea, and sky, dissolving everything in its path into formless light. Within a short time, nearly ninety percent of the world was erased.
The Oracle's Sacrifice and Norvrandt's Salvation
The Flood's advance was only halted by the intervention of Minfilia, the Oracle of Light from the Source. Her soul, having transcended its original form, answered the prayers of the First's doomed inhabitants. She channeled her power to stem the tide of Light, sacrificing her autonomy to become a permanent ward against the Flood. Her action saved the sole remaining continent, Norvrandt, which has existed under her protection—and a sky of eternal day—ever since. The legacy of the Oracle is passed down through generations of young girls who inherit her power and name.
Life Under Eternal Light
Society in Norvrandt has adapted—or fractured—in response to the endless brink of annihilation. Two city-states represent the dominant responses to the crisis:
- The Crystarium: Founded by the mysterious Crystal Exarch around the Crystal Tower (which he pulled through the rift from the Source), this city is a beacon of hope and resilience. It is a haven for scholars, artisans, and guards who strive to protect the people and research a way to finally end the Flood.
- Eulmore: In stark contrast, the coastal city of Eulmore embraced hedonistic fatalism. Under the rule of the gluttonous and despotic Vauthry, it operates on a rigid caste system. The wealthy elite indulge in every conceivable pleasure, believing the world's end is inevitable, while the poor are forced into servitude. Vauthry maintains control by claiming a unique symbiosis with Sin Eaters, which he uses to offer "paradise" to his followers.
The Sin Eater Threat
The most immediate danger in Norvrandt are the Sin Eaters. Born from the rampant light aether and the residual effects of the Flood, these creatures are drawn to the vestigial darkness within living beings. Their touch does not merely kill; it transforms their victims into new Sin Eaters, a process called "turning." This creates a terrifying cycle of propagation. The most powerful among them are the Lightwardens, colossal Sin Eaters whose existence anchors the overwhelming light over each region of Norvrandt.
The Warrior of Darkness's Journey
The Crystal Exarch, through years of meticulous planning, successfully summons the Warrior of Light from the Source to the First. However, upon arrival, the hero's role is inverted. To save the First, they must absorb the overwhelming light—a task that would turn any other being into a Sin Eater instantly. By defeating the Lightwardens and containing their concentrated light within themselves, the Warrior becomes the Warrior of Darkness, working to restore the balance of dark and light. This journey culminates in the revelations of the ancient past within the depths of the Tempest and a final confrontation with the Ascian Emet-Selch, who sees the Flood as a necessary step in his plan to rejoin the First with the Source.
Legacy and Ongoing Relevance
Following the defeat of the final Lightwarden and Emet-Selch, true night returns to the First for the first time in a century, marking the beginning of the world's slow recovery. The First remains a location of key importance in post-Shadowbringers storylines. It serves as the base for efforts to understand and potentially save the Void (the Thirteenth reflection), and characters like Ryne, the new Oracle of Light, continue to safeguard its future. The world stands as a testament to the fragility of balance and the resilience of life in the face of despair.