Ascian

Ascian, in the context of Final Fantasy XIV, refers to a faction of immortal, shadowy beings who operate behind the scenes to influence events across the world of Hydaelyn. They are tied to the ancient theology surrounding Zodiark, the Dark God, and Hydaelyn, the protector of light. The Ascians seek to restore Zodiark by triggering calamities that shard the world and, ultimately, by enabling the Rejoining of worlds into a single, unified whole.

They survive by inhabiting host bodies and by drawing on aether, enabling them to move unseen through the mortal realm. They typically appear as humanoid figures wearing masks or hooded robes, speaking in a formal, archaic register. They operate as a clandestine network, using priests, rulers, and other influential figures to advance their schemes.

The Ascian storyline forms a central thread of FF14's main scenario, gradually revealing their goals and the broader cosmology of Hydaelyn and Zodiark. They are presented as morally ambiguous antagonists whose long-term plan challenges players to confront the origins of the world's conflicts and the balance between light and darkness. The Ascians have become one of the game's most recognizable motifs due to their distinctive imagery and persistent influence on the plot.