Cyella

Cyella

Title

Cylva
Shadowkeeper

Gender

Female ♀

Age

~10,000

Race

Elf (Wildwood)

Profession

Wandering Stairs Waitress

Zone

The Crystarium (10.7,15.3)

Organization

Warriors of Darkness

Services

Quest NPC

Patch

5.0

“

Welcome to your home away from home, the Wandering Stairs, where we serve the finest ale you'll find this side of the Crystarium. Courtesy of the Facet of Nourishing, of course.

— In-game description

Cyella Valthane is an Elf found in The Crystarium.

Quests Started

Quest	Type	Level	Quest Giver
The Hero's Journey		80	Cyella
Safekeeping		80	Cyella

Quests Involved In

Quest	Type	Level	Quest Giver
Warrior of Darkness		71	Crystal Exarch
Shadow Walk with Me		80	Glynard
A Bounty of Hunters		80	Unukalhai

Additional Information

See also: Shadowkeeper and Shadow Wolf

Personal History

During Shadow Walk with Me, Cyella reveals that she is, in fact "Cylva Shadowkeeper", the sixth member of the Warriors of Darkness who worked against them in secret. She goes on to reveal that she is of The Thirteenth, another shard that long ago fell to Darkness, and in so doing set The First on the path to a mirrored fate, from which its countless souls could only be saved, she believed, through the most drastic of measures. She labored in secret to groom young adventurers that they might become Warriors of Light, thus shifting the balance of the world and priming it for a Rejoining. However, in failing at the last, she instead set the stage for the Flood of Light. She is the same Shadowkeeper as the boss of Eden's Promise: Litany.

Notable Conversations

Cyella: Eden? And what should I know about that? (reacts in shock) Mitron? You're quite certain? And a girl bearing Loghrif's soul... I thought I sensed something oddly umbral about the Crystarium of late. Ardbert meant to put an end to the whole business, but truth be told, I wouldn't mind retreading old memories a bit. It might be nice to share a pint with the girl─once she's of age, of course. As a matter of fact... Do you think this “Gaia” would make a good waitress? No? Damn...

(When asked about Unukalhai) Cyella: As I mentioned, we never met in our previous lives. Or should I say “while we were properly alive”? ...This never gets less confusing. In any case, we each fought to protect the Thirteenth, but alone as we were, I can hardly say that I know the details of his efforts...only the regrets that we shared after. It wasn't too long before we went our separate ways to play our separate parts, yet here we are again. One last chance to walk the noble path together? Who can say.

Cyella: What? Not only did you travel to the Thirteenth, you encountered a memoriate besides!? Wicked white, that's nothing short of a miracle...I used to be a memoriate myself, but I lost my powers when the Ascians plucked me out of the void. It's astounding to think that this Zero managed to survive with hers all this time. Though she claims to have no desire to save our world, as a compatriot, I should still be keen to meet her. There's only so many of us left, after all─those who haven't completely lost themselves. Also, I know full well that you and yours have your own objective in the Thirteenth. But should you discover aught that might lead to its restoration, I'd thank you to share it with me.

Lore

“

"What is that look for? I'm still a tavern wench, aren't I? We all have our parts to play."

An initially unassuming elf in the employ of the Wandering Stairs, Cyella has a knack for wrangling unruly patrons—Giott in particular. Ten millennia old in truth, her outward identity is naught but one of many masks she has worn over the years. Her true home is the Thirteenth, which she valiantly attempted to save from being overcome by Darkness. Although blessed with the powers of a fledgling champion, she found no companions to support her struggle, and at the end of a long and lonely battle suffered defeat.

Rescued from the brink of death by the Ascians, Cyella swore to their cause after receiving their gift of immortal life. It was at their behest that she made her way to the First under the guise of "Cylva," where she met the adventurer Ardbert and conspired to join his party. Whilst appearing to help them on their journey to awakening as the Warriors of Light, Cylva was secretly feeding off her new allies' energy, building her strength as the Shadowkeeper. She was ultimately bested by Ardbert, thus ushering in the Flood of Light.

Decades later, upon learning of the misuse of her former companions' bodies, Cyella assumed her role at the Stairs. After seeing to it that the Cardinal Virtues were vanquished, she confessed her dark past to the Warrior of Darkness, desirous of death to release her from shame and remorse. The Warrior instead urged her to continue living and find a different way to atone for her sins. Alongside Unukalhai, a fellow native of the Thirteenth, Cyella has chosen the difficult path of restoring her home world.

— Encyclopaedia Eorzea Volume III, p. 155