Introduction: Summons, Espers & Eidolons

And now we get onto the summons of Final Fantasy! But first let's have a look over the various terms used for the summoned creatures.

The ability to call forth supernatural entities of great power to aid the part has been around since the third game. Over the course of the games what these creatures have been called has varied from simply 'summons' to 'aeons' or 'eidolons'.

The summon Bahamut- FFXI

Summons: FFIII, FFIV, FFV, FFVII, FFIX, FFXIV

The belief of being able to summon supernatural entities to aid the user appears throughout world beliefs. In Western traditions both demons or angels could be summoned using a vast array of rites and items including wands, staves and daggers- all traditional equipment for the Summoners of Final Fantasy. The history of summoning beliefs is a vast field beyond the scope of this post.

The Esper Belias- FFXII

Espers: FFVI & FFXII

Also called 'Phantom Beasts' in the Japanese version of the game.  According to in game lore the Espers were once humans but were changed into these beings upon contact with the Waring Triad- the three creator gods. This origin as humans granted supernatural powers fits with the term Esper. More often written as ESPer, and esper is a person with psychic powers. The ESP part of the name stands for 'Extra-Sensory Perception'. The term was coined by a J.B.Rhine, the lead researcher for ESP in the 1930s at Duke University, California. He, and his assistants, conducted experiments to find and quantify ESP in his subjects. His research has since been unable to be verified due mostly to poor experimental set up. ESPers are a reasonably common occurrence in anime and pop culture where abilities range from telekinesis, clairvoyance to full on magical blasts.

The Eidolon Fenrir- FFIX

Eidolons: FFIX & FFXIII (&FFIV re-release)

This term comes from Greek mythology. It is an image, phantom, apparition or ghost. It is something illusionary and insubstantial. The poet Homer uses Eidolons to convey messages from the dead to the living via dreams. For instance the goddess Athena creates an eidolon of Peneolope's dead sister to encourage her as she was despairing for her son.  In Final Fantasy IX Eidolons are created by the planet's crystal from the souls of the deceased. In Final Fantasy XIII the link to the Eidolons of mythology lies in their role of encouraging the living in their darkest hour. In FFXIII and Eidolon will appear before a L'Cie who has despaired of completing their Focus. Though these Eidolons are a little more violent than that of Peneolope's sister.

The Aeon Valefor- FX

Aeons: FFX

Most likely a styalisation of the ancient Greek word αἰών (pronounced similar to 'aion'). This is where we get the term 'eon' in English. In Greek the word generally meant a life, lifetime or a long span of time. There is a third meaning had the sense of 'one's destiny' or 'lot in life'. All of these meanings make sense in the context of Final Fantasy X's Aeons. The Aeons are thousand year old beings preserved as statues, thus they have been around of a long period. More poignantly it is the lot in life of the summoner's who call forth the Aeons to perish if they succeed their pilgrimages.  Interestingly a definition I found in the Lydell-Scott-Jones Greek lexicon, the best ancient Greek dictionary, αἰών could also mean 'spinal marrow', perhaps because the spine was a 'seat of life'? 

Aeons also appear in Gnosticism where they are emanations of 'god'. They can somewhat be likened to Christian angels though they are more abstract. They are linked to the formation of our physical world representing things from Silence to Thought to Man.

The GF Quezacotl- FFVIII

Guardian Forces: FFVIII

Not much to say for this one. These guys are simply powerful entities that, when 'junctioned' to a human, act as a guarding force. Phew. that was a bit longer than I thought it might be.

Starting next week I'll be going over the summons that appear in Final Fantasy III. Once they have been covered I'll break with regular monsters/equipment for a week or two then move onto the next batch of summons.