“The pious Ishgardian clergy guide the flock, and the devout knights protect the weak. Yet even the holiest of men succumb to the darkest of temptations. None dare to administer justice to those sacrosanct elite residing outside the reach of the law. Who, then, defends the feeble from the transgressions of those meant to guide and protect them?“ These are the words that you hear from Fray, the man who gives you the quest and class for the Dark Knight.
But what is a Dark Knight? Well, to understand that, we kind of have to go back in history a bit. In the year 960 of the Sixth Astral Era, a commoner by the name of Tryphaniel was taken in as one of the holy knights of Ishgard. Gifted with a strong sense of justice, he once witnessed a horrifying scene involving a clergyman and a little kid, and as he had a deep sense of justice, he took no time to draw his sword to put an end to the clergyman.
However, instead of being praised for his heroism, Tyrphaniel was condemned for slaying a member of the holy church.
In the face of prosecution and accusations, the brave knight exclaimed that it does not matter what title he holds, for he will continue to fight for the common people even if others think what he does is taboo.
This incident was the start of a long legacy of Dark Knights. Knights whose code of honour was not dictated by the church, or any organisation, but by their own morality.
The Dark Knight’s combat style in Final Fantasy XIV
Although traditionally the combat style of the Dark Knights did originate from mundane swordplay, it quickly gained an identity of its own. They have their signature greatsword, and they use a unique style of magic that feeds off of the “darkness” within them to make them stronger and allow them to use a particular form of dark magic.
Now, it would be fair to assume that the reason why Final Fantasy XIV’s Dark Knights don’t use a shield is because of the logistical nightmare it is to carry both a greatsword and a shield together. But there’s another distinct reason for the lack of a shield in their kit.
It is also a way for them to show that they have no allegiance to any faction, as they do not care for any sort of pride or prestige.
Moreover, the signature dark art style of swordplay was developed a couple of thousand years after this incident. Fueled by darkness, the Dark Knight aims to strike down anyone who wrongs others and seeks vengeance in the face of a world too cruel for most to survive in.
