Ardra is the primary setting of War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. A continent in the world of Lapis, it is located south of Grandshelt, to the east of Zoldaad and to the north of the Realm of the Dragon King, as well as the continent Tessera, which is only mentioned in War of the Visions. It is known as the Phantom Continent in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius and is surrounded by clouds. Ardra is said to be the homeland of Spellblades.

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Ardra is a vast landmass, which during War of the Visions lacks any form of central government as it is divided among multiple nations and exists in a constant warring state, much contrary to the rest of the continents of present Lapis. The continent of Ardra itself is divided between East and West, with a gigantic waterfall, aptly named "the Falls", dividing the lowlands of East Ardra from the highlands of West Ardra. Unlike the multitude of nations that compose East Ardra, West Ardra appears to be united under an empire.

Several versions of Ardra are known to exist as a result of Gilgamesh and Amnelis' actions to defeat the Realmscourge, using a crystal to loop time whenever their attempts failed, which created several "doomed" timelines. With the aid of Sadali Crysthea and Exia, the group would seek to create an unified front that could oppose the Realmscourge. In the main timeline of War of the Visions, this goal was successful with the forces of East Ardra rallying behind the joint leadership of Mont Leonis, Jayden Rundall, and Oberon Heindler, and defeating the Realmscourge in a climatic battle.

Following the end of this battle, the nations of East Ardra have achieved a period of relative peace and cooperation with one another, but remain largely wary of the mysterious empire from beyond the Falls that still remains a present threat and whose motivations are unclear.

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius

In the timeline of Brave Exvius, Ardra is surrounded by a mass of clouds and is considered a myth by the modern day populace. In truth, the continent sank over the course of hundreds of years as a result of the actions of the Ashen King where the continent was crystalized during the "Ashes of Apocalypse" side story. The survivors of the cataclysm gathered under the leadership of Jayden Rundall, Glaciela Wezette, and Alaya Rundall, and migrated overseas, the details of which are detailed in "The Wanderer" side story.

Ardra is the focus point of the "Journey of Inheritance" epilogue story as Rain and his party attempt to travel the Phantom Continent but come to clash against a rampaging Gilgamesh who attacks them and spreads ruin with his Dark Vision Abyss powers. Aided by a vision of the Ashen King summoned by Jayden's will, the party would face Dark Visions of their previous enemies and learn about Gilgamesh's life in the main timeline.

Gilgamesh realized that the Realmscourge of Brave Exvius' timeline has awoken from within the sunken continent as a result of the merger of Amnelis with the monster from his reality having rippled across time and space and awoken the monster from the alternate timeline. Seeking to defend that timeline, Gilgamesh used forbidden magic to create a Dark Crystal that allowed him to travel to alternate realities. The Dark Crystal amplified the feelings of regret and sorrow of being unable to save Amnelis and overtook him, causing him to rampage.

Rain's party, with the help of the Ashen King, broke the Dark Crystal and released Gilgamesh from its grasp. With his mission fulfilled, the vision of the Ashen King disappeared, while Raegen hid Gilgamesh, whose rampage had made him a target from many nations. Upon recovering, Gilgamesh awoke in Grandshelt and reunited with the rest of the Sworn Eight of Paladia, who joined him in his quest to defeat the Realmscourge of that reality.

List of nations

Leonis

Leonis is a small kingdom led by King Oelde Leonis. It is the birthplace of royal princes Mont Leonis and Sterne Leonis. The kingdom is located to the southeast of Ardra and neighbors to the west with Wezette, to the east with Hourne and to the north with Fennes. Though a humble nation with a modest military, it can defend itself due to a ring gifted by Gilgamesh]with the power to summon visions. The ring has been passed on for generations, entrusted with the role of the Guardian.

Because of the ring's power, Leonis has been able to fend attacks from hostile nations with King Oelde being acknowledged for his strength. Leonis is antagonized by the nation of Fennes, and is allied with the kingdom of Wezette. Leonis's symbol is a lion.

Hourne

The Kingdom of Hourne is territorially the largest of Ardra's nations and is led by King Robb Hourne and royal princess Machérie Hourne. The elder royal prince, Dario Hourne, has withdrawn from an active political role. Hourne is located roughly to the south and southwest of Ardra and neighbors Leonis to the east, Fennes to the northeast, the Crystal Sanctum to the north and Rundall to the northwest. It is a powerful nation with a renowned military, and possesses an ancient relic with the ability to summon espers, which is used my Machérie.

Hourne is a major enemy of the nations of Rundall and Wezette, and is allied with Fennes as mediated by the Crystal Sanctum. Hourne's symbol is a crowned bull.

Fennes

Fennes is a nation of barbarians led by King Muraga Fennes. It is located slightly northeast to the middle, and neighbors Wezette to the east, Ovis to the northwest, Hourne to the west and Leonis to the south. King Muraga is dubbed "The King of Savages" for his brutal streak in combat. Although territorially one of the smallest nations in Ardra, it is widely recognized for its might.

Fennes served the Crystal Sanctum as Muraga pledged allegiance to its leader, Sadali Crysthea, who negotiated an alliance between Fennes and Hourne. Fennes are longtime foes with Leonis and have repeatedly tried to conquer it. Fennes's symbol are a black and white snake wrapping around a blade.

Wezette

The kingdom of Wezette is one of largest nations in Ardra and is ruled by King Khury Wezette. It is the easternmost nation and neighbors Leonis to the southwest and Fennes to the northwest. Wezette is a land of permafrost under the tyrannical rule of Khury. They are amid a civil war between the king and his daughter, Glaciela Wezette, who seeks to overthrow him. Khury is himself feared as a calculating and cold-blooded strategist.

Wezette is enemies with the kingdom of Hourne, and enjoys an alliance with Leonis. Wezette's symbol is a white wolf with a sword.

Crystal Sanctum

The Crystal Sanctum is a theocracy founded by Sadali Crysthea. It preaches about using the power of crystals for good. The smallest of Ardra's territories, it is located slightly northwest to the middle and neighbors Ovis to the northeast, Hourne to the south, and Rundall to the west. Contrary to its seemingly benevolent foundations, the Crystal Sanctum is every bit a political power as the rest of the nations with its own military in the Sanctum Monks and spies planted in every stratum of the other countries' societies.

Sadali is highly ambitious and has manipulated events to plunge other nations into war in a bid to increase his own power as he fears the threat of Rundall. The Sanctum's symbol resembles a glowing winged crystal on top of a pedestal.

Rundall

A militarily powerful and seemingly also an industrial nation ruled by King Jayden Rundall, Rundall is located to the west of Ardra and neighbors Hourne to the southeast, the Crystal Sanctum to the east, Ovis to the northeast, and Heindler to the north. A terrifyingly powerful state, it is frequently dubbed as the "Threat to the West" for its growing might and expansion, which frightens all the nations of Ardra. Similar to Leonis, the royal family of Rundall has been entrusted by Gilgamesh with a ring that can summon visions.

After conquering the nation of Lykeros and many other, smaller territories, King Jayden now has his eyes set on Ovis. Furthermore, King Oberon Heindler has pledged his allegiance to Rundall. Rundall's symbol is a crowned stag with two crossed flintlocks.

Heindler

A nation to the northwest of Ardra, Heindler neighbors Ariale to the north, Rundall to the south and Ovis to the east. The royal family's bloodline is venerated throughout Heindler and is said to be special, although to what extent is unclear. The young Oberon Heindler has ascended to the throne following his liberation from Lykeros's imprisonment.

Oberon, being a childhood friend of King Jayden and owing him his freedom, has pledged his nation's allegiance to Rundall, thought to the reluctance of the proud nation's dragoons. In addition, his sister Alaya is betrothed to Jayden. The country is fabled for its dragoons and its symbol is a three-tailed wyvern.

Ovis

The nation of Ovis, ruled by King Roghza Ovis and royal princess Lucielle Ovis, is to the north of Ardra, neighboring Heindler to the west, Rundall and Crystal Sanctum to the southwest, Hourne to the south, and Fennes to the southeast. A great lake behind sluicegates surrounds its central castle. Princess Lucielle wields a ring given by Gilgamesh that allows her to summon visions, but also made her a primary target to king Jayden Rundall.

Predicting Rundall's attack, Ovis attempted to form an alliance with Heindler by ways of a marriage between princess Lucielle and king Oberon. As the young king ended up siding with Rundall instead, Ovis has dispatched troops to request help from Hourne. Ovis's symbol is a ram under a Fleur de lis.

Ariale

A small territory to the northwest of Ardra, Ariale is located on the cliffs separating East and West Ardra, and neighbors with Heindler to the south. It is referred to as a sacred land and is where Gilgamesh resides. Not much else is known about Ariale whose symbol appears to be a winged Kirin.

Lykeros

A nation that once laid to the southeast of Rundall, bordering Hourne to the east. A once mighty nation, it was feared by its neighbors, and had at one point even managed to conquer both Rundall and Heindler, taking the respective heirs to the thrones, Jayden and Oberon, as hostages. Following a successful revolt carried out by the forces of Rundall and Jayden's execution of king Zahd Lykeros, this country is now effectively defunct, with its territories annexed by Rundall and its officers now wandering Ardra in search of new masters to serve. Lykeros's symbol is a rhinoceros.

Empire

A nation whose territories make up the highlands of western Ardra. Few people in East Ardra are aware of their existence, as there is no formal exchange between the empire and the nations making up eastern Ardra, likely due to east and west being separated by an insurmountable waterfall. Nevertheless, the empire has started sending covert agents to East Ardra in recent years. The empire's symbol is a vulture, called the Divine Raptor.

Minor kingdoms and clans

East Ardra is also home to various minor kingdoms and clans, some of which rule over their independent territories, while others coexist within the borders of larger kingdoms or lead a nomadic lifestyle. Since they are not outlined on the map, their exact location are largely unknown.

The East

An island off Ardra's south-eastern coast. In order to prevent territorial battles, the samurai living on these lands decided not to found any countries, simply calling the island "the East". Many people from Ardra cross the seas to learn the way of the samurai, although it is no easy feat.

Golbe & Twilight Tribe

Golbe was a minor kingdom inhabited by the Twilight Tribe. Located in west Ardra, it was conquered by Rundall soon after Jayden's rise to power. Gouga was also involved in its downfall, nearly extinguishing the Twilight Tribe. Drace was part of the tribe's leadership.

Pharm

A small kingdom that was founded around 20 years ago by a warrior clan that arrived from outside Ardra. It was located at a strategically important place between the kingdoms of Fennes and Hourne, which was easy to defend, allowing them to remain independent. Four years ago, however, the kingdom was erased by Lykeros, leaving but a single survivor, who then left Ardra in search of a new home, eventually founding the kingdom of Pharm on another continent.

Principality of Vered

A small land bordering Leonis and Wezette, ruled by the Vered family. The lord's only daughter, Helena, married into the Leonis royal family.

Saiga

A hidden village of shinobi. Saiga children are raised into shinobi from a young age, and some are even sold to other kingdoms. Despite this, they retain loyalty towards their village. Otherwise, the village supports itself with mercenary work. The village was destroyed by their rival village of Gouga not long ago, but the current self-declared chieftain, Ahlim, aims to rebuild it. Saiga's symbol is a wasp with a shuriken on its abdomen.

Gouga

A hidden village of shinobi. Gouga's territory is rather barren, leading to jealousy towards their rival, Saiga, and tempering a more vicious and warmongering mentality among its shinobi. Under their current leader Mariale, Gouga has managed to erase various smaller clans, including Saiga. Gouga's symbol is a spider with a four-pointed star.

Sanctuary

A village of astrologers located in southern Rundall. In was annihilated by the Rundall army several years ago, leaving only a handful of survivors.

People of the forest

A tribe proficient in marksmanship that lives in Rubis Forest, located within the borders of Hourne, and not far from Fennes territory. Under the leadership of chieftain Eurel, they maintain an amicable relationship with the kingdom.

Urcas

A tribe of savages living in isolation in the mountains north of Fennes. After king Gadra Fennes died without leaving an heir and the country was on the verge of destruction, Fennes invited the Urcas into their lands, with Muraga taking the throne.

V Clan

A nomadic tribe that once wandered across Ardra, although they appear to have had their own territory next to Golbe. Infighting and Gouga's conspiracies led to the clan's ruin. Liv'La was the last clanslady.

Yezagh

A persecuted people without land to call their own that suffers from oppression and discrimination. Under Sadali's orders, Fennes had gathered the Yezagh from all across eastern Ardra as slaves. Garvall, who managed to escape, has since taken over the Arms Dealers' Guild and its lands, and now aims to secure a proper territory for his people.

The people of Yezagh appear to be descendants of the people of the Empire.