Over the weekend I ground out the remaining 32 Phaenna Token Booklets needed to buy the Cosmoboard from the second phase of Final Fantasy XIV's Cosmic Exploration content. The mount feels so good to ride around Phaenna. But once I took the Cosmoboard to a normal zone and flew around something just felt off. That's right, I returned to riding Argos, the mount received for completing the Endwalker expansion.
Now, I have to admit I like the idea of a catgirl riding around the game on a golden retriever. But I think the lore has something to do with the choice. Argos was an NPC before becoming a mount.
Argos is Venat's faithful canine companion—a familiar who once accompanied the ancient throughout the world unsundered. When Venat was reborn as Hydaelyn, She summoned Argos to the moon that he might ferry travelers across the cavernous craters on the satellite's surface. It should be noted, however, that Argos only bears individuals he deems worthy of his trust.
Curiously, there have been sightings of a similar canine on Etheirys in recent days, carrying an adventurer on its back.
Venat is the NPC we befriend in Endwalker who winds up becoming Hydaelyn, one of the two gods/primals giving their names to the Hydaelyn/Zodiark saga.
"No more shall man have wings to bear him to paradise. Henceforth, be shall walk."
Originally a scholar of Anyder, Venat held a particular interest in the lives and histories of Etheirys's people. While some academics would be satisfied with the wisdom of tomes alone, Venat's fascination spurred her to venture into the wider world with her beloved familiar, Argos—to hear the star's voice, feel its very breath, and to think of what endless secrets remained undiscovered. Venat's accomplishments were recognized by the Convocation of Fourteen, and she was subsequently granted the seat of Azem. In this capacity, she wandered the star that she might provide succor to those in need.
Even after she found a suitable successor to take up the Traveler's mantle, Venat chose to continue her unending journey, and in the course of it encountered an adventurer from the far future who warned of the Final Days to come. Alas, she was the only ancient who would retain the knowledge of her people's inevitable demise. That one day life might prevail, she sacrificed herself to become the very embodiment of the star's will.
After millennia watching over the sundered Source, Venat—now Hydaelyn—took up arms one final time to take the measure of those who would answer Her question. Her defeat gave Her hope that life would go on, and She died with a smile on Her face and love in Her heart.
That's right, the Warrior of Light kills both Zodiark and Hydaelyn. I know that killing gods is a anime thing to do, but damn did it hurt. So does our link to Venat, a former Azem. Because guess who also is Azem? That's right, the Warrior of Light.
Azem was the title held by the Fourteenth member of the Convocation of Fourteen, a governing body of the Amaurotine society on Etheirys. The title was associated with the sun, rather than a constellation like the other seats, and denoted the role of the Traveler: one who roamed the world helping people directly and serving as a liaison between the Convocation and everyday citizens...
The holder of the Azem title was expected to remain active in the world, addressing problems firsthand and building relationships with those who lived outside the seat of power in Amaurot. Azem was known for their independence, eccentricity, and tendency to act without seeking approval, which often led to censure from the rest of the Convocation. Despite this, Azem's actions were generally driven by a deep compassion for others and a desire to do what was right, regardless of convention.
Venat was not the final Azem in the story. The wiki described the final Azem this way:
The Azem that would later reincarnate as the Warrior of Light (or player character) was known for being fiercely independent and deeply tied to both Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus. This Azem was widely traveled, often worked without bureaucratic oversight, and is said to have created a powerful summoning spell capable of calling allies across dimensions: an in-game explanation of the Duty Finder system.
They were responsible, or alleged to be responsible, for numerous feats, including:
- Creating various mounts to ease travel.
- Saving a village threatened by a volcano by turning fire aether into Ifrita, and then fighting it.
This Azem was opposed to summoning Zodiark and defected; as the seat was vacant and the Convocation deemed Azem unworthy of commemoration, no crystal to preserve their memories was officially created. However, Emet-Selch created such a crystal in secret and preserved Azem's summoning spell within it.
And while Emet-Selch comes off as the ultimate villian, I do want to follow his advice to explore the rest of the world.
Tell me, have you been to the ruins beneath the waters of the Bounty? Or the treasure islands beyond the frozen waters of Blindfrost, in Othard's north? The fabled golden cities of the New World? The sacred sites of the forgotten peoples of South Sea Isles? What about Meracydia, the southern continent? Do you know aught of its present state of affairs? I thought not. Even of your little Eorzea, you know precious little. The true identities of the Twelve, for instance. All of which is to say: expand your horizons. Go forth and seek discovery. Some of the civilizations in the reflections will surprise you. As the bearer of Azem's crystal, you may consider it duty to see at least that much. I certainly did.
At the end of Endwalker, my only real tie back to the game's first epic story arc is Venat's familiar Argos. The mount is a reminder back to a time of an epic tale I played through, taking hundreds if not thousands of hours. A time I loved that might be the best gaming experience I've ever had.
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