There’s a very peculiar item in the world of Final Fantasy XIV that is well known amongst players due to its unique effect and incredibly rare nature. That being the Fantasia.
Now we all know what function the Fantasia serves in the game as an item. It allows you to change your Warrior of Light’s appearance once per use to anything you want, acting as a secondary character creator option.
But what is the lore behind the Fantasia? Why does it even exist?
Well, the item description for it reads: “Legend states that any who drink this mysterious liquid before lying down for the evening will awaken a new man (or woman). *Grants you a single opportunity to edit your appearance in the character creation screen upon your next login.”
So, ignoring the second line that is supposed to be a sort of meta description directly addressing the players, is there, like, a legitimate Fantasia economy in the world of Eorzea?
The Fantasia in Final Fantasy XIV
Maybe a potion of great rarity only acquired from a select few potion brewers, or even something like a back alley Fantasia market who prey on gullible travellers
Well, the answer is a bit more complicated. Think of the real-life consequences: with a potion like Fantasia, it becomes incredibly easy to get away with anything,
Let’s say there is a serial killer in Limsa Lominsa and they get their hands on this incredibly rare potion. There is no reasonable way to catch this criminal anymore, and think of the chaos that the Yellowjackets and the guilds will find themselves in.
So maybe that’s one reason we don’t hear much about the Fantasia in the game’s world.
But interestingly, in the 2014 Fanfest in London, there was a particular statement regarding the item:
“Fantasia works in a unique way. It can’t simply turn you into whoever you want, or people could get away with anything. Crime would be out of control. Even on Earth, people have the opportunity to change who they are – cut their hair, get a facelift, find a new career or a different spouse – but we often aren’t willing to make those drastic life changes. Fantasia gives you the courage to make the changes you’ve always wanted to make. Maybe you are a Lalafell trapped in a Roegadyn’s body; it’s time to break out! And all you needed was that courage in a phial!”
So there you have it! Fantasia essentially works like a bottle of courage in lore that allows you to become the one true self that you always were meant to be!
