Jan 3, 2024
Cass: “So does Susano temper people?”
Me: “Hmm, actually that’s an interesting point. I think it’s just the primals summoned under Ascian auspices that do that.”
Cass: “Huh, yeah. Shiva didn’t temper people either.”
Spoilers for Endwalker.
It’s a valid question, actually, and the writers have done a pretty incredible job of getting this consistent across ten years and five expansions.
Here’s a complete breakdown, as of this writing, of every primal in the game, based on (a) whether the Ascians have in some way influenced their summoning, and (b) whether they’re known to temper people. Notably, none of the primals that are depicted tempering people or reputed to have done so are free from Ascian influence.
| Primal | Ascian Meddling | Tempers People |
|---|---|---|
| Ifrit, the Lord of the Inferno | Yes | The illustrative example |
| Titan, the Lord of Crags | Yes | I feel bad for Ga Bu |
| Garuda, the Lady of the Vortex | Yes | Yes |
| Bahamut, the Dreadwyrm | Twice-meddled | RIP Midas nan Garlond |
| Good King Moggle Mog XII, the King of Moogles | Yes | Yes |
| Leviathan, the Lord of the Whorl | Yes | Yes |
| Ramuh, the Lord of Levin | Yes | Yes |
| Shiva, the Lady of Frost | No | No |
| Odin, the Dark Divinity | Inconclusive but likely | No (murders people) |
| Phoenix, the Firebird | No | No |
| Enkidu | Greg may be a dumbass, but he’s not an Ascian | Greg was already like that |
| Ravana, the Lord of the Hive | Yes | Yes |
| Bismarck, the Lord of the Mists | No | No |
| King Thordan and the Knights of the Round | Technically, yes, but actually, no | No |
| Alexander, the Creator | No | No |
| Sephirot, the Fiend | Meracydian-age meddling is still meddling | Unknown |
| Sophia, the Goddess | Yes | Unknown |
| Zurvan, the Demon | Yes | Unknown |
| Susano, the Lord of the Revel | No | No |
| Lakshmi, the Lady of Bliss | Yes | Our Lady of Bliss |
| Shinryu, the Worm | No | No |
| Tsukuyomi, the Lady of the Moon | Yes | No opportunity, but you know damn well she would |
| Ultima, The High Seraph | Complicated, but let’s say yes | Unknown |
| Eureka | Unknown | Unknown |
| Warrior of Light, Elidibus | Is literally an Ascian | Yes, and he uses it to vicious effect |
| Queen Gunnhildr, the Lady of Blades | Garlean Meddling is Emet-Selch’s Fault | Yes |
| The Magus Sisters, the Harbingers Elect | Yes | The whole point of summoning them |
| Anima, Eikon of Eikons | Yes | Much to Garlemald’s collective loss, yes |
| Daivadipa | Yes | Yes |
| Zodiark, the Eternal Darkness | Is literally an Amaurotine | Tempering was invented during his summoning |
| Hydaelyn, the Divine Light | Technically, no, but actually, yes | Now, that is an interesting question |