The city of Ishgard is one of the most beloved locations in Final Fantasy 14. Although it was not initially open to players during A Realm Reborn, it became a major hub area during Heavensward and many of the most important story elements during the expansion took place in Ishgard.
The city-state and its surrounding regions have a rich history, both ancient and recent. From the millennia-long dragonsong war to recent attempts to adapt to changes brought on by the calamity, Ishgard is an intriguing place to explore and much of the story and lore involves how the people of Ishgard interact with their neighbors in the sky. Minor spoilers for Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn and Heavensward may lie ahead.
10 Ishgard Was Not Always Covered In Snow
Players new to Final Fantasy 14 will notice that Ishgard and the surrounding region of Coerthas are unique for their harsh, snowy environments. It wasn’t always like this though. Prior to the calamity that caused mass changes and destruction across Eorzea, Ishgard and its surrounding lands were lush with green vegetation.
Although we can’t say for certain exactly how the calamity caused this drastic rapid-onset climate change, it may have been that the force required to stop the threat of Bahumut had drastic consequences on the aether, especially in the lands of Coerthas and Ishgard.
9 The City Is Still Being Rebuilt Following Heavensward
Following the Dragonsong War and the events in Heavensward involving riots and arson, the city of Ishgard experienced significant structural damage, especially in many of the residential districts. Fortunately, as of the events of Shadowbringers, much of the damaged residential districts of Ishgard are being restored (and players can help by participating in the Ishgard Restoration!).
The Ishgard housing restoration will open up new options for player housing in the Endwalker expansion. If the housing environment is as epic as the scale of the rest of the city, it’s definitely something to be excited about.
8 Ishgard Is Mostly Populated By Elezen
The Elezen are among the oldest inhabitants of Eorzea and many of the founders of Ishgard, including four of the knights twelve were Elezen. Although Hyur and other races now populate the Holy See, the Elezen remain the major ethnic group.
The original Elezen that founded Ishgard likely migrated to the region long ago during their early venture across Eorzea. Notably, all of the descendants of the high houses (Durendaire, Fortemps, Haillenarte, and Dzemael) of Ishgard are Elezen, as is the Azure Dragoon, Estinien Wyrmblood.
7 Ishgard Has A Huge Socioeconomic Divide
Ishgard is made up of two main areas: Foundation and The Pillars. The well-to-do and the highborne usually live higher up in The Pillars while the lower class citizens must make their homes in Foundation or the lowest region of the city: The Brume.
There are obvious benefits to living in The Pillars. This part of the city is higher up so the air is cleaner and less soiled from the industry. It’s also more fortified against potential attacks from dragons or other threats.
The socioeconomic divide was a huge driver of the unrest that occurred during the events of Heavensward, leading to arson and unrest in the city.
6 Ishgard Is A Theocracy
The Holy See of Ishgard is a theocracy ruled by the Ishgardian Orthodox Church. The word “See” is a term used here to describe a region governed by a religious authority. The Ishgardian Orthodox Church was founded by the original King Thordan and at the beginning of A Realm Reborn and Heavensward, it was overseen by his descendant, Archbishop Thordan VII.
At first, the Ishgardian Orthodox Church comes across as a pure and devout force of good that serves its patron deity, Halone. However, it later becomes obvious during the events of Heavensward that something sinister is hidden at the core of the church.
5 Halone Is The Patron Deity Of Ishgard
Halone, the goddess of war and mover of glaciers is the patron deity of Ishgard. Halone is linked to the first moon of the Eorzean lunar calendar. She is a capable warrior and is depicted wielding a large bronze shield and her symbol is three spears.
Her father, Rhalgar, is another of the twelve and his portfolio is adjacent to that of Halone in that he is a patron deity of war and destruction. There is a plant that grows in Eorzea known as Halone Gerbara that was named after the goddess.
4 Chocobos Are Abundant Around Ishgard
Ishgard exports chocobos to many other regions and cities within Eorzea. In fact, the surrounding regions of Coerthas and Dravania may be home to the densest population of chocobos on the continent. There is a large forest teeming with wild chocobos located in the Dravanian Forelands distantly neighboring the city.
Directly prior to the calamity, Ishgard was not exporting chocobos to other city-states for a short time due to a severe chocobo blight that sharply limited the availability of the birds. Thankfully, chocobos are numerous again!
Chocobos come in many colors and you can change the color of your chocobo in-game by feeding it specific types of snacks.
3 Ishgard Has A Bustling Industry
Although it may not rival that of Garlemald, Ishgard is industrious in its own right. An entire district of the city, called “The Skysteel Manufactory” is dedicated to the steel and steam of producing airship, guns, and other technological wonders.
Cid used the resources of The Skysteel Manufactory to build the manacutter vessels and upgrade his own airship, the Enterprise Excelsior. It’s also worth mentioning that the machinist job was introduced in The Skysteel Manufactory of Ishgard.
2 The Motto Of Ishgard Is “Of The Sky, From The Sky, For The Sky”
This motto fits Ishgard incredibly well. Much of the ambitions and challenges of the city-state of Ishgard have involved powers and beings above. Perhaps that is why they build their own capital city high above the ground. Ongoing struggles with dragonkind always keep Ishgardians looking up.
The Ishgardians are also adept at crafting airships – something used to their advantage in exploring the floating islands above Abalathia’s spine along with the floating Allagan continent, Azys Lla. In fact, by exploring the lands above the clouds, the Ishgardians were able to learn more about their own history that took place below.
1 The Archbishop Is Protected By The Knights Heavens’ Ward
Archbishop Thordan VII has his own sect of twelve holy knights known as the Knights Heavens’ Ward, who are always ready to protect him from potential threats. the Heavens’ Ward are no force to be trifled with. They are all adept warriors and have the ability to call upon a corrupted version of holy aether. This allows them to temporarily transcend into powerful archons.
This ability for the Knights Heavens’ Ward to transform into these powerful warriors is akin to them temporarily becoming primals. The final battle in the original Heavensward expansion culminates with a battle against Archbishop Thordan III and he calls upon the powers of his Knights Heavens’ Ward throughout the battle in his attempt to defeat the warrior of light.
NEXT: Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting Final Fantasy: 14
