The story of Final Fantasy XIV begins during the Age of Adventure with the first appearences of the Primals. These powerful beings, summoned by the native beast tribes, seek to wreak havoc on the people of Eorzea. Eorzea is a region consisting of the continent of Aldenard and its surrounding islands, which lies in the world of Hydaelyn. Those who choose to inhabit this unforgiving region have grown accustomed to a seemingly endless circle of violence. Certain beast tribes will stop at nothing to drive these new settlers out of this territory but the adventurers refuse to lay down their arms. These adventurers possess an ability called "Echo", which allows them to be able to relive the past experiences of others. How this power is used exactly remains in question. However, it has been said that the settlers may not be the only ones capable of using it.
The beast tribes summon Primals, god-like entities capable of wreaking extreme chaos
The local beast tribes of Eorzea come all shapes and sizes. [ Similar to how "Beastmen" referred to Quadav, Yagudo, Orc, and so on in FFXI ] Some are friendly and others not so much. It is believed that each beast tribe of Eorzea has their own Primal protector who's primary purpose is the strike fear into the hearts of those who dare oppose it. The settlers were not left forsaken, however. Impressed by the resolve and spirit of the adventurers, the gods and goddesses of the land, better known as the Twelve, granted their own protection to these new inhabitants. One such goddess exists on the southern coast of the island of Vylbrand, in which lies the city-state of Limsa Lominsa. Her name is Llymlaen, the goddess of navigation. With the blessing of the Twelve, new life and prosperity thrived in Eorzea. Outposts and villages, teeming with life, rose from the densest of forests, the most harsh of deserts and even on the very waters of the Rhotano Sea. These villages would ultimately transform into the city-states known as Gridania, Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa.
Gridania, Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa
Legend holds that Limsa Lominsa was founded shortly after the remnants of a giant armada fled its homeland following a crushing defeat and Llymlaen took pity on these brave sailors. With nowhere to go, the sailors used the battered remains of their vessels to begin construction on what would later become one of the most beautiful cities in all of Eorzea. Aside from the petty feuds between nations and on-going struggle against the local beast tribes, Eorzea remained a relative prosperous and predictable region. But as the famous quote goes, "Nothing gold can stay", for the inhabitants Eorzea would soon be blindsided by an unimaginable and overwhelmingly powerful threat from the Northeast: The Garlean Empire.
The Garlean Empire was far ahead of its time technology-wise. Armed with flame spewing weapons and brilliant airships, these metal-clad warriors attacked with ferocious tenacity. The oily smoke from their fleet of gargantuous air vessels was said to have blocked out the sun for days. The city-state of Ala Mhigo, bordering the Empire, bore the grunt of this ruthless ambush, taking the initial hit and softening the blow for the rest of the nations. Once the most powerful of Eorzea's six city-states, Ala Mhigo was left crippled in the wake of the Garlean Empire, despite what was said to have been a valiant defensive effort. It was simply no contest.
The devastating invasion of the Garlean Empire
The Garlean Empire continued their reign of terror across the north, but only for a brief period of time. As quick as they had arrived they were gone again, leaving behind a shock and awe in the hearts of Eorzea's inhabitants that would trigger a completely radical change in this land. In the interest of protecting themselves from this new and much more powerful threat, Eorzea's people set aside their differences and formed a loose alliance to ensure such an attack would never repeat itself. This new alliance of nations brought about a significant change in Eorzea. In the face of a common enemy, Eorzea grew into a relatively peaceful region, despite the remnants of past differences still evident in the language and actions of each city-state's locals. Some things are just too hard to forget. Nevertheless, this newfound peace ushered in a new era known as The Age of Calm.
The city-states wasted no time in preparation for the next big invasion, the perimeters were fortified and city guard units were restructured into standing armies. Armies such as the Knights of the Barracuda, protectors of the Eorzean seas, ensured safe passage for those who do business with Limsa Lominsa. However, this new government controlled military left the majority of the realm's hireswords out of the job causing many to act out and turn back to violence in order to survive. Realizing the severity of this problem, a number of Eorzea's respected leaders came together and founded a network of guilds that would give these hireswords the opportunity to redeem themselves by aiding others. It was the beginning of what would become known as, "Adventuring", a concept that encapsulates the spirit of nomadic exploration, self-improvement in physical combat and mastery of the light and dark arts, and the forging of bonds to face a new threat of unimaginable proportion.