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Post by Arkhon Arkhozh on Feb 4, 2006 19:55:19 GMT -5
I.Background on the general plot on FFTactics
The Plot of Final Fantasy Tactics takes place in the kingdom of Ivalice, on another world which is currently in an era that is the equavalent of our middle ages. In FFT you play as the hero Ramza who needs to overcome much ugliness and fighs with and kills many greedy and evil men, including his own brother Dycedarg. Ramza's heroic deeds are never known in the eyes of the public, as his enemies saw to it that he been seen as a traitor,heretic and criminal. Amongst trying to overthrow various dukes who only exploit lives, he also fights the Galabados church. The Galabados church acts very much like the Roman Catholoic church of the middle ages. Both are founded on a supposed son of god. The name Galabados is the last name of St.Ajora making the Galabados church the equalvalent of being named the Christ church. Infact the games setting takes place 1200 years after St.Ajoras death making the time frame the equal of our 1200A.D. our middle ages. The Galabados church has a hierachy like the catholic church in that they have priests,bishops,cardinals and a High priest that acts the same as pope. They also have pagan and hersery examiners much like the church of the middle ages. As for Ramzas reason for fighting the church, its all part of the High Priests Funeral's plot. High Priest Funeral is trying to exploit the nobles to fight eachother over ownership of the throne. He hopes for no victor and for the people to eventually become tired and sick of the war looking for a mediator for the war and a new alternative. The plan is to place the power of the church and high priest above that of the royal family. To change the kingdom of Ivalice to become a Theoacracy ruled by the High priest, rather then a king or royal family. Ramza sees through this exploitation and goes on a quest with his allies against the church and its men. Though unknown to even High Priest Funeral, even he is being used. For secretly the legendary devil group Lucavi thrives off of the constant loss of innocent lives and uses the confusion of the war and the 13 holy zodiac stones to select suitable human hosts for them to walk in human form further manipulating the violence of the war worse then it already was as the demons tend to pic men of power and influence to possess. In the ultimate goal to revive their master, Bloody angel.
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Post by Arkhon Arkhozh on Feb 4, 2006 19:55:52 GMT -5
II.Who are what is St.Ajora or Altima?
In FFTactics you fight against the church who is corrupt and trying to gain power, by simply normal men in the form of bishops and priests, but little do they know demons are using their greed and maniuplating them and their actions leading to many deaths, the head of these demons is Altima or Ajora. This comes as a great surprise as Ajora is refered to as the son of god of the Glabados church. Infact Glabados is the last name of Ajora much like Christ. The church being corrupt is one thing, but the game implies at the end that the person that was worshiped and revered as their savior St.Ajora, was actually a false prophet, a demon in disguise that actually started a false religion leading to many deaths. Leader of a band of demons that long used the poltical systems of humans to cause death and to fuel their own dark rituals to give them physical life. St.Ajora in truth the demon Altima posing as a chirst like figure. Or at least thats the impression I get from the game. See if you can see the same paralles.
Ajora the Saint: Born around 12 centuries ago, in Bervenia of Lesalia. Raised in Milodos. When he was a child he went to the town well and said that the well meant death; as it turned out, the well was tainted. Spoke of the arrival of a kingdom of a higher source, as feelings of antipathy grew from Father Fara. His popularity grew until the Holy Empire of Yudora began to be fearful of him; they executed him as a traitor at Golgorand Execution Site. Days after his death, the capital of the church of Fara was destroyed and became submerged under sea by a giant tital wave.This was taken to be a supernatural occurrence, Disciples of Ajora believed this was his miracle, and these stories then spread, and the Glabados Church was born. Legend also states that Ajora took 12 Zodiac Stones and defeated an evil demon summoned by a king of Limberry.
Ajora the Man: Ajora was merely a spy, selling information about countries to the highest bidder. The Yudora Empire distrusted him and wanted to find out the true intentions of his actions and sent a spy, Germonik, to find out his activities. Germonik posed as disciple of Ajora and became famous for his betrayal of Ajora. Germonik learned more about Ajora then he expected. Whether Ajora summoned the Lucavi or if he was possessed by them is unkown but he was chosen to be the host for the Lucavi leader, Altima. Germonik found several Holy Stones including Ajoras personal stone Virgo and informed the Empire of Ajora's plans; the Empire, justifiably fearful of the havoc Ajora would cause, executed him. However, his spirit rested in Murond Death City, in the Airship Graveyard. 1200 years later, he was ressurrected by Hashmalum, the Lucavi demon, but defeated by the hero Ramza.
When you come face to face with Ajora the human his job class is known as Phoney Saint. Here is the special text he is desrcibed with. Ajora: Agitator who misleads people with lies and masks. Don't underestimate him, although he cannot match the power of a genuine saint.(seen in help text only with gameshark)
However There is something creepier and scarier then merely percieving Altima as a demon who all along posed as a Christ like figure and deluding the beliefs of thousands of people for hundreds of years. Its actually only discovered when one uses the game shark and reads the discriptions of Altima the final boss and what his job class does. It can only be seen with a gameshark. This is the following.
This is the battle with the first form. Ajora transforms into Altima a giant angel dressed in red holding two swords. This is when you first realize Ajora is not really good and rather an enemy. His title says Altima the Holy Angel when you fight him. Which you are led to believe that the title Holy angel is just his further distortion of the truth, but when you use the gameshark you can select its help text file and this is what his class has to reveal.
(Altima Holy Angel) Set free by truth, which controls the universe. His deads rise above good and evil.(seen in help text only with gameshark)
Now if that isn't odd enouh check this out. When Ajora is defeated he then transforms into an ugly giant skeletal golem like angel. Known as Arch Angel, Observe what this hidden text has to say.
(Altima the Arch Angel) Ultimate being, status achieved by a holy angel. Brings chaos or order and beginnings or ends to worlds.(seen in help text only with gameshark)
Now thats just scary. Set free by truth, which controls the universe. His deads rise above good and evil. And then Ultimate being, status achieved by a holy angel. Brings chaos or order and beginnings or ends to worlds. This implies that Altima is not just an evil demon from Hell imatating Christ. No this is much much worse and scarier actually. It implies that Altima really is a divine angel from Heaven, with the mission to destory Earth. What this may teach us is a lesson in true morality or true goodess beyond that of God or Heaven. (And most certainly of what other humans say on it) Ramza represents true inner strength and morality in even the hardest of situations. Ramza isn't affected by humans terms of right or wrong, or religion for he has long seen the illegetimacy of the church and its clergy in his adventures.In this hidden text really has meaning to the plot, then Ramza is opposing the will of God, and the will of Heaven. And Rightly so. Just because it is divine doesn't make its deeds not evil. In this case Ramzas justice would be higher and more pure and more good then that of God or heaven as Ramza is the true morality doing what is right for goodnesses own sake and is above this so called divinity. Of course Ramza is fighting for his own survival too but he is also fighting for the humans right to continue living peacefully. It should remind us to look at everything carefully think carefully and seek the best good no matter how hard it is to accept. Thats why Ramza is one of the best heros ever.
These are the many titles of Ajora/Altima
1.Altima Bloody Angel: The leader of Lucavi the Zodiac devil group. His servants from within Lucavi frequently refer to him as "Bloody Angel" This is my personal favorite of his titles.
2.Altima Holy Angel: Set free by truth, which controls the universe. His deads rise above good and evil.
3.Altima Arch Angel Ultimate being, status achieved by a holy angel. Brings chaos or order and beginnings or ends to worlds.
4.Ajora Agitator who misleads people with lies and masks. Don't underestimate him, although he cannot match the power of a genuine saint.
5.St. Ajora Glabados The son of God worshiped within the Glabados Church and the people of Ivalice.
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Post by Arkhon Arkhozh on Feb 4, 2006 19:56:43 GMT -5
III.My Personal thoery on Ajora
My personal theory on Ajora is that he is not really an angel from heaven and doesnt reflect gods will. I believe he really is an evil demon or god and has posed as a christ figure in order to fool the people of Ivalice. I do believe however that he may be an entity that existed before God(Fara) My reasonings for this comes from the demon servants that normally accompany the Zodiac demons and Altima when you fight them. They are either called Archaic demons or Ultima demons and this is their discription.
Archaic Demon: Ancient devil that lived before god's time. Destroys everything with its Darkness Magic.
Ultima Demon: Monster who's crowned with Altima's name. Destroys all with the ultimate Night Magic.
The Ultima demons look exactly the same as the Archaic demons, and are merely archaic demons crowned with Altimas name as it says in the discription. They are descibed as having lived before Gods time. This certainly isn't refering to Altima who is their master and considered only a son of god. This must mean Fara the old god the father version within FFTactics. Its from here I conclude that Altima is really a very ancient evil spirit that may of at one time been displaced by Fara in some ancient supernatural war beyond our understanding. Altima became so hateful that in one of his attempts to return to power, decided to create the ultimate blasphmey against Fara, and have himself worshiped as Faras son, and corrupt the people with a false religion and lead them down a path of violence and death.
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Post by Arkhon Arkhozh on Feb 4, 2006 19:57:45 GMT -5
IV.The list of connections and similarities between Ajora and Jesus and the Glabados and Catholic Church
The 12 disciples of Jesus and the 12 servants of Altima: Ajora as Altima is one of the Zodiac demons. Altima is represented by Virgo, with the inclusion of Serpentarius as the 13th zodiac demon, Altima has 12 demonic disciples of his own. This collerates to Jesus who was known to have 12 disciples.
Golgarond execution site: This is the place where the Yudora empire had St.Ajora executed. Its not discribed how he died. The name sounds like Golgatha which is where Jesus Christ dided.
Germonik: Germonik was refered to in the game as a disciple of Ajora who betrayed him. This makes Germonik simalar to the figure of Peter or Judas who betrayed Jesus. He even wrote a book that became known as the Germonik scriptures which further elborate the connections.
Fara: Fara seems to be the name of God in the Final Fantasy Tatics world. Though is rarely mentioned. His name appears once as Father Fara and again as the church of Fara. A church that existed before Ajora was alive. It is assumed Fara is the monotheistic deity of a monotheistic faith. Infact Ajora preached people were turning away from Fara. After Ajora died, the Glabados church was formed, a religion devoted to God(Fara) and Ajora, whom they claimed to be the son of God. Making Fara the equalvalent of God the father or Yeweh.
Glabados Church: The church itself functions as the church of the middle ages, they have priests,bishops,cardinals and temples looking identical to our churchs of those times. The word Glabados itself is the last name of Ajora, making it the equal of the Christ Church.
The Middle Ages: The game takes place 1200 years after Ajora's death. This would be equal to about 1200B.C. The middle/dark ages period of our Earth. The kingdom of Ivalice in FFtactics is going through the same time period, with a powerful church in the same level of power and function as the catholic church.
Hersery and Pagan examiners: There are priests that work for the church known as the pagan examiners who job is to question anyone who is suspected of spreading teachings not in line with the church or against the church, their job is also to execute anyone who doesnt comply. They are parallel to the Inquisitors of the spanish Inquistion. At one point Ramza is forced to defend himself and righteously kill Zalmo the "Holy Priest" an arrogant Pagan examiner.
High Priest Marge Funeral: The High Priest of the Murond Glabados Church functions as a pope. (The following is text straight from the game)Although, not in full power, he still has vast executive powers. It could be said that the High Priest of the Church has power equal to that of the King. He is protected by the Temple Knights. While manipulating both Prince Larg and Prince Goltana, he is attempting to collect the Holy Stones. He also strives to capture the hearts of the people of Ivalice. As the High Priest of the Murond Glabados Church, he masterminded the Lion War. His ambition is to raise the power of the Church even higher than that of the King. However, he is actually being manipulated by Lucavi, who is seeking control over the world. Vormav and the Temple Knights, under the influence of Lucavi, kill the High Priest for deceiving them.
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Post by Arkhon Arkhozh on Feb 4, 2006 19:58:35 GMT -5
V.Lucavi: The Zodiac Demons.
The Lucavi Devil group are a band of demons from another dimension that plan on taking over the Earth. They are linked to the world through the thirteen Zodiac Stones. Any person who holds a Zodiac Stone in his possession may make a contract with the Lucavi demon associated with that Zodiac Stone, and in doing so, become one with that Lucavi. The resulting creature can transform between man and demon at will by using the Zodiac Stone.This is a list of the known members of Lucavi. Six of the demons are not seen. The special text below their name is directly from the game but only visible when using the gameshark and controling their unit, it reveals their functions from within the group.
1.Altima the Bloody Angel:(Uses the Virgo stone, is one with the human Ajora) Leader of Lucavi the legendary devil group(I made this discription, check out his more indepth discription)
2.Hashmalum the Regulator: (Uses the Leo stone, is one with the human Vormav) Controls the laws of this world. Controls who can and cannot live on the earth with his powers. (second in command of Lucavi under Altima)
3.Eilidibs the Serpentarius:(Uses the Serpentarius stone, is one with the human Eilidibs[same name]) (Cant find the gameshark text on his job discription)
4.Adramelk the Ghost of Fury: (Uses the Capricorn stone, is one with the human Dycedarg) Emperor of another world who rules with fury. Proud of his magic power that controls absolute spells.
4.Zarela the angel of Death(Uses the Gemini ston,e is one with the human Marquis Elmdor) Immortal messenger who rises above the earth. Deludes the enemys with Fear leading to eternal sleep.
6.Velius the Warlock: (Uses the Aries stone, is one with the human Wiegraf) Strange monster created by the holy stone. Sends enemies to hell by wounding their bodies and spirit.
7.Queklain the Impure king: (Uses the Scorpio stone, is one with the human Cardinal Draclau) One who wants all hideous impurities. When controlled by his wickedness, becomes difficult for a human to even maintain sanity.
(These are the names of the 6 demons that do not appear physically in the game.)
8.Duma of the Taurus stone
9.Zebeb of the Cancer stone
10.Zel of the Libra stone
11.Rophochele of the Sagittarius stone
12.Cheraud of the Aquarius stone
13.Leviathan of the Pisces stone
The Lucavi want to resurrect their master Altima, whose presence in the living world would allow them to exist in our world without mortal host bodies. The demon Hashmalum, in the form of the human man Vormav the leader of the temple knights of the church attempts to resurrect Altima, The ritual needed to bring Altima back to life is to have thousands of humans to die and spill their blood prior to the actual russeruction ritual. To accomplish this, Vormav and Luavi secretly help the Murond Glabados Church (Ajoras own church ) to create the Lion War, in hopes that the casualties it creates will resseruct Bloody angel Altima. In addition, Altima needs a new host body, which is Alma the sister of the hero Ramza. The Lucavi's other goal is the possession of all thirteen Zodiac Stones, especially Virgo since it is the personal stone of their master Altima. (It should be noted the death and bloodshed ritual was in process ever since Ajora died, infact at the time Hashmalum was conducting the ritual to summon Altima back to life, enough life still hadn't been lost, and Hashmalum killed himself and offered his own life to Altima which finally brought the Bloody angel back to life.)
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Post by Arkhon Arkhozh on Feb 4, 2006 20:51:33 GMT -5
I found the hidden text on Elidibs as the Serpentarius Zodiac demon.
Serpentarius: Legendary demon who governs the serpent planet drifting in the sky. Tries to drain the world by spitting a flame of evil.
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Post by fenris on Feb 7, 2006 0:31:07 GMT -5
I knew that ther were a lot of similarities but I never knew they ran so deep. I have a renewed and deeper respec for the story to this game.
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Post by Arkhon Arkhozh on Feb 7, 2006 13:13:13 GMT -5
Yeah the story to this game was really impressive, especially for the time. And Keep in mind, everything I talked about is just one aspect. Theres lot of other stuff in games plot like the musfungus, the politcal issues and then Ramza himself.
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Post by fenris on Feb 7, 2006 13:17:22 GMT -5
So with all of that I don't think Ff Tactics was meant as a tool to bash religion but instead to show how those would use religion to gain power and how evil people can be.
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Post by Arkhon Arkhozh on Feb 7, 2006 14:15:21 GMT -5
I think the story is dominatley a political story. And your right its not to bash but instead to show those who use it. Infact FFTactics has a lot of really rotten people, who have nothing to do with demons. Look at Gaf Garion, Dycedarg and Zalmo and that step father to Malak and Rafa. I think above all else FFTactics moral is a lesson in morality, strive for the best good no matter how hard it is, and question authoity and dont just accept things just because youve been told their good.
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Post by fenris on Feb 7, 2006 15:39:33 GMT -5
True Ramza was questioning what was going on and didn't dit back and let all of this go on. Ramza could have just gone rotten and tried working with his borthers or evn hiding behind them to protect him from the wrath of the church.
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Post by Arkhon Arkhozh on Feb 8, 2006 1:47:08 GMT -5
Ramzas one of those real good heros, whos too good to be associated with a title like Holy Knight. At least thats how I accept him just being a Squire in Chapter 4.
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Post by fenris on Feb 8, 2006 2:00:02 GMT -5
Well, everyone does have to star somewhere. I also like how the story devolpes. It's at first them trying to protect the princess, rescue Deleta's sister and Ramza's sister.
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