Recent Developments in Final Fantasy 14’s Dawntrail Narrative Clarified

WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for the main story of Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail.

Naoki Yoshida, the director and producer of Final Fantasy 14, revealed that the returning Ascians will have distinct motives compared to previous encounters. The conclusion of Patch 7.3’s main storyline reintroduced the Ascians, who have been absent for a significant time.

The Ascians are the last remnants of the Ancients, the original civilization of Final Fantasy 14’s setting, known as Etheirys. Their allegiances lie with the Elder Primal Zodiark, and they have previously caused considerable trouble alongside their adversary, Hydaelyn. During the Endwalker expansion, both Zodiark and Hydaelyn were defeated, putting an end to the Ascians’ efforts to restore Etheirys to its original form, and many of their ranks have already fallen to the Warrior of Light.

Upcoming Plans for the Ascians

Despite the Ascians’ return, Yoshida assured players that the upcoming narratives won’t recycle old themes. The remaining Ascians will pursue the storyline in innovative ways. With further updates set to explore the Ninth Reflection, their role may become crucial in navigating Etheirys’ final aspects. Furthermore, players were advised to investigate the term ‘winterer,’ a reference made by a character during Patch 7.3’s storyline.

In addition to discussing the Ascians, Yoshida confirmed a lasting collaboration with Monster Hunter Wilds will kick off soon, featuring a new boss battle in Final Fantasy 14. This partnership mirrors a previous crossover with Monster Hunter World and is expected to begin in early October.

Fans can look forward to additional announcements about Final Fantasy 14’s future at a scheduled FanFest event on August 27.