Warrior of Light

This article is about the player character. For the Achievement, see Warrior of Light (Achievement). For the boss, see Warrior of Light (Boss).

This article contains spoilers.

A collage of Warriors of Light, showing different races and jobs.

Official Artwork for Patch 6.1, showing the different Meteor Survivors throughout the expansions.

The Player Character is referred to as Warrior of Light and is the main protagonist of Final Fantasy XIV. The appearance is completely controlled by the player, and can be all variants of Playable Races. For promotion, trailers or stand-in images, a male hyur midlander is used, referred to as the Meteor Survivor.

Origin

The title Warrior of Light originated for the forgotten adventurers who fought in the Battle of Carteneau. Due to Louisoix's spell, people couldn't remember their faces or names anymore. To honour them, they referred to those adventurers as Warriors of Light.

In the moons before the Calamity struck and ushered in the Seventh Umbral Era, Eorzea saw the rise of unlikely heroes who took up their blades to stave off impending doom. However, despite their countless deeds, the names and faces of these brave men and women have been mysteriously erased from the minds of Eorzeans—all that remains being searing white brilliance that blinds us from memories that should exist. These shades have since been dubbed the Warriors of Light, and while their identities may never be fully known by most, their deeds will live on in legend for all eternity.

— Encyclopaedia Eorzea Volume I, page 14-15

So, who were these Warriors of Light who led Eorzea back from the precipice of destruction? Study of ancient documents—from musty tomes to wall carvings—shows us they are not unique to the Sixth Astral Era, and that similar heroes have appeared before every Calamity to ensure mankind endures.

For example, before the great flood which marked the end of the Fifth Astral Era, legend tells us of twelve Archons who descended on Eorzea to warn its denizens of the rising waters. There are also tales from the Near East which follow the exploits of great warriors known as the Zodiac Braves—warriors whose appearance also happens to coincide with a past Calamity. What, then, ties these legendary figures with the Warriors of Light who emerged but five summers past? One answer might be the Mothercrystal and the power She is hypothesized as providing to those of Her choosing, Eorzean myth is full of tales of heroes who have been granted seemingly otherworldly powers. While much of this can be attributed to embellishments by bards looking to add spice to their honeyed tales of sword and sorcery, might it be that these tales also speak some truth, as the powers which they describe are often similar to ones documented by the Scions of the Seventh Dawn as being experienced by those few who have had contact with Hydaelyn? This power—known as the Echo—comes in many forms...

— Encyclopaedia Eorzea Volume I, page 14-15

Gameplay

Usually the gameplay is unified for all players. However, to reward those players that kept their subscription during 1.0 and played the story until the end, there is a change of dialogue during A Realm Reborn in certain quests. Furthermore, players were rewarded a special Tattoo.

Changes if players were subscribed during 1.0:

• The introductory scene for your character is changed: You appear with a beam of light and a special cutscene plays as you enter the main city of your choice.
• During the introduction with the city-state Scion (Lurkers in the Grotto for Limsa Lominsa, Chasing Shadows for Gridania and Underneath the Sultantree for Ul'dah), they seem to have met you before, but cannot recall it.
• When you first meet Minfilia in The Scions of the Seventh Dawn (Quest), she recognizes you and is happy you finally returned.
• During A Wild Rose by Any Other Name, Minfilia apologies for treating you as a stranger, and that she does not know why nobody remembers you. Though she is certain there is a way for all of them to remember.
• When Alphinaud reveals to Marques he is Cid Garlond in Eyes on Me, Cid says that you seem familiar to him.
• After the Vision of the Echo in Lady of the Vortex Cid says that he remembers you.
• During the escape from The Praetorium in the quest The Ultimate Weapon, the shroud is lifted from people's mind, and everyone remembers you.

After A Realm Reborn, there is no difference between 1.0 or 2.0 characters. After the quest The Ultimate Weapon, the player is referred to as Warrior of Light.

Abilities

The Echo

See: Echo

One of the key features of the Warrior of Light is the possession of the Echo. For the player it manifests as visions of the past, giving context to the story or for characters. It also prevents Tempering from Primals.

If recollections of self - procifimed heroes are to be believed, Hydaclyn will often attempt to who possess the Echo - sometimes in the form of a voice, other times in the form of a vasice, form of enhanced senses or protective barriers to shield against powerful magicks. These boons have been called " blessings of Light," yet despite their frequency, little is known about them. However, it is assumed that many of the " miracles " which appear in myth and legend are actually instances of Hydaelyn bestowing Her blessing upon an individual.

— Encyclopaedia Eorzea Volume I, page 14-15

Azem's Crystal

See: Azem

At the end of Shadowbringers it is revealed that the Warrior of Light is a shard or a reincarnation of Azem. The player receives the Crystal of Azem during Patch 5.3 from Hythlodaeus. With it, the Warrior of Light is able to summon companions to various duties, mostly trials. It is first used against the Warrior of Light (Boss) in the Seat of Sacrifice.

After the fight with Hydaelyn in The Mothercrystal, she adds her power to the crystal to give "form to the formless". This power is used in Ultima Thule to summon back the Scions in the quest You're Not Alone. The power seemingly vanishes afterwards, though if it is truly gone is not confirmed.