After the events of the Calamity, a large crystaline tower appeared in Mor Dhona. We know of the Crystal Tower from its appearance as the final dungeon in Final Fantasy III, but what mysteries surround its Eorzean equivalent?

Join us as we dive into everything we know about the Crystal Tower before you set foot in the Labyrinth of the Ancients in A Realm Awoken!

All aboard the Lore Train!

Erik, a first-rate scholar of Eorzean military history, aether, and pompous demeanor, was the first to theorize that something was amiss beneath the earth of Mor Dhona. He suspected that the chaotic nature of the aether there was a direct result of an aerial battle fought between the Garlean Empire and the Dravanian Horde in the year 1562 of the Sixth Astral Era, known today as the Battle of Silvertear Skies. His measurements, however, revealed a puzzling anomaly: beyond the aetherial waves emitted by the Keeper of the Lake, even stronger waves originated from beneath the ground to the east. Reconstructing an image of their source revealed the visage of a great tower, which Erik theorized to be the mythical tomb of Xandes, first emperor of the Allagan Empire, laid to rest beneath Mor Dhona in hopes that Silvertear’s mystical power would wake him from eternal slumber. Alas, there was no way to confirm this theory… until the events of the Calamity in 1572.

The shifting and grinding of the earth caused by the Calamity woke the tower from its slumber of some five thousand years and from beneath the rock it rose to the heavens nigh overnight, opening the minds and purse strings of scholars and historians the realm over. Particularly determined were those of the Sons of Saint Coinach, an organization named for the man who proved the existence of the Allagan Empire and dedicated to unraveling their lost secrets. However, the efforts of the Sons have been repeatedly hindered by attacks upon their research sites by a bewildering enemy.

Following the Calamity, the Gigas tribe of Abalathia’s Spine began to migrate in droves to Mor Dhona, frequently attacking the dig sites of the Sons of Saint Coinach. At first, it was assumed that the gigants’ former location was destabilized to the point that they sought out a new home near Silvertear Lake. However, it has since been revealed via Sharlayan documents that the Gigas have long venerated the legend of the Crystal Tower—information supported by the fact that many of their fallen have been found to be carrying crude statues of its likeness. Why do the Gigas believe the tower to be a holy place? Why have they come from so far to claim it as their own? Ought we be more concerned? After all, those who lead can create armies, and those who worship can start crusades…

The time has come for the adventurers of Eorzea to steal into the Tower and unravel its mysteries, but what will they find inside? Before we can enter the tower itself, we must survive the Labyrinth of the Ancients that leads to its doors… What enemies will be faced within, and which are yet to come? We see some of the usual suspects—demons, bombs, skeletons, dahak—but we also see the familiar cavernous maw, as well. Has Atomos returned? Will we learn more about his Eorzean incarnation?

The Patch 2.1 website highlights four key enemies: King Behemoth, Bone Dragon, Thanatos, and Acheron. In the preview video, King Behemoth is fought along the yellow path, and Bone Dragon along the blue. Towards the end, we see more than eight players rushing Acheron, who appears to be the final boss of this encounter, so it may very well be the case that Thanatos is the boss for the red path.

However, if we look back at the artwork promoting the Crystal Tower content line, we see many more familiar Final Fantasy III enemies. Will any more await within the Labyrinth of the Ancients as a surprise, or will we have to wait for Patch 2.3 and beyond to challenge Scylla, The Guardian, Amon, Cerberus, The Ahriman, Xandes, and the Cloud of Darkness, who still wait within the tower’s heights? If the concept artwork is any hint to the boss order…