the void ark (raid)

an ancient ship built in times of calamity, powered by a voidsent queen and her thousand-strong army; once a beacon of hope turned to a ghastly reminder that hubris would ever be society's downfall.

(more in thread)

#ffxivsnaps // #EorzeaPhotos // #FF14風景

the void ark is an odd thing. it's architecture and motifs remind me of manta rays - huge, riblike structures make up much of the top open deck areas, and also happens to be the first boss.

the lightning really makes the atmosphere (and is impossible to get a good shot of LOL)

the decks beyond the first arena are a masterwork in art direction. the passage of time has turned what was magnificent technology into a dangerous net of sparks and vines. it's haunting.

the chamber where we find Sawtooth and Irminsul is huge and imposing; I find myself wondering what this original, soil-filled chamber was used for.

(fun fact: an irminsul is a sacred germanic pillar used in pagan worship. the more you know!)

The area after this boss really screams "processing" area to me (I wish I could remember the name) - the endless conveyor of coffins and chains, ominous glowing doors and storage platforms. With the slaughter of the denizens of the ship, the Mhachi use of coffins is SO ominous.

In discovering black magic, the Mhachi had turned their eyes to the Allagans - their early use of covenants for power was an idea they expounded upon, and you can really see the influence in a lot of their spellbinding, wards and motifs. (quinn that's 3 of the same photo) (shhh)

We finally come across the central chamber - a cavernous room containing a huge, bound coffin believed to have initially contained Scathach. When she and the other voidsent broke free, this is the last monument to the voidmages' final moments.

There are so many small details in the halls. So many coffins litter the decks - one can say it's kind of ironic that the Mhachi used coffins to focus arcane energy, especially since not one of their dead was ever interred post-slaughter. Sad!

I did take a little bit of time to hunt down the Void Ark in the wild. This is as close as you can get to it in both the Sea of Clouds and the Churning Mists, where it sails ominously through endless clouds.

And finally, here it is in motion! The Void Ark is shaped like a friend, but it's actually horrifying. Thanks for joining me!