Fabula Nova Crystallis - Do I need to fully know the mythology behind it?

[DarkShadow]

I completed FFXIII without any knowledge about this mythology,even though it apparantly existed in the game despite not even referring to any kind of gods or goddesses. I just read this on Wiki (hardly understanding any of it):

In the beginning, the god Buniberzei defeated his mother, the goddess Muin, to take control of the world for himself as Muin disappeared into the invisible world. But fearful of his eventual death due to the curse Muin left on whatever lives within the Visible World, Buniberzei created the first three fal'Cie: Pulse, Etro, and Lindzei. Giving no power to Etro due to her unintended resemblance to Muin, Buniberzei gave Pulse the task of terraforming the world so the doorway to the Invisible World could be found with Lindzei serving as the god's protector as he enters a deep rest until the time comes for him to awaken once Pulse succeeds. However, fueled by their Focuses, Pulse created the fal'Cie of Gran-Pulse while Lindzei fashioned the fal'Cie that would rule Cocoon. As for Etro, motivated by her powerlessness, faded into the Invisible World after unknowingly creating humanity from her self-mutilation. By then, Etro finds Muin as she is consumed by the chaos caused by unstable worlds. Though unaware of the meaning behind the goddess's final words to ensure the stability of the worlds, out of love for the humans destined to follow her in death, Etro gave humanity pieces of chaos called "hearts". Soon after, as their Maker Buniberzei remains in deep sleep because of the balance restored by Etro's act of compassion, Pulse and Lindzei were worshiped by humans while Etro herself became known as the goddess of death.

I've no idea whatsoever, how it ties in with XIII and how it probably will tie in with XIII-2 (as it gonna being more mythological). Because FFXIII lacked any story-telling I'm guessing the same will happen with XIII-2.......Like FFXIII,FFXIII-2 I'm guessing might start off in the middle of nothing and have us referring to an in-game wiki (datalog) to get to grips with the its plot. So I just wanna fully understand the mythology beforehand, so I'm not confused in the middle of the game.

Is the "maker" the fal'cie Barthendelus referred to, Bunizeberzei?
Isnt pulse "the world below" so why does it say above that its a god?
Where does cocoon come into all of this?
What's the invisible world and what's the visible world?
What are these pieces of chaos called "hearts" the Goddes Etro gave to humans and what does it mean?
Why are Pulse,Etro and Lindzei gods when Bunizeberzaei created them as fal'cie?
So they nearly achieved recalling the maker (Bunizeberzei) and opening the doorway to the invisible world by almost destroying the humanity of cocoon in FFXIII (Am I right)?

 

[Linnaete]

I've no idea whatsoever, how it ties in with XIII and how it probably will tie in with XIII-2 (as it gonna being more mythological).

Two of Buniberzei's "Fal'Cie" are referenced in FFXIII if I recall correctly. Pulse terraformed the land and created its Fal'Cie, and the world dubbed "Gran Pulse" was therefore born whereas Lindzei is said to be the creator of the Sanctum Fal'Cie and Cocoon itself. Only Etro was not mentioned at all, and apparently she will appear in some shape or form in FFXIII-2 (where Lightning is rumoured to be in this "invisible world").

Is the "maker" the fal'cie Barthendelus referred to, Bunizeberzei?

I'm not too sure about this actually. We should know by now that the "Maker" might not necessarily be referring to one specific God. Barthandelus wanted the world to be born anew, and therefore could have wanted both Pulse and Lindzei to return and recreate the world (Gran Pulse and Cocoon respectively?) into the ideal edens that they should be.

Isnt pulse "the world below" so why does it say above that its a god?

'Hallowed' Pulse terraformed and expanded the world and the world it created was therefore named after its creator. 'Hallowed Pulse' in itself is rarely ever mentioned in FFXIII (I think only the term "Maker" was ever used), whereas the name had been mostly used only to refer to the world below Cocoon.

Where does cocoon come into all of this?

This is where it gets slightly wtf-like for me. Lindzei was created to protect Buniberzei and ended up creating Cocoon (I suppose you can think of a cocoon as being protection), but why exactly she creates Cocoon when there doesn't seem to be anything inside to protect is unclear.

What's the invisible world and what's the visible world?

I think the invisible world could just be the world of the dead, where Etro and Muin are supposed to be, and where Lightning *could* presently be in by the events of FFXIII-2.

What are these pieces of chaos called "hearts" the Goddes Etro gave to humans and what does it mean?

No idea. Never came across this before. FFXIII never really explored it as far as I know of, unless someone can correct me on this.

Why are Pulse,Etro and Lindzei gods when Bunizeberzaei created them as fal'cie?

Pulse and Lindzei created Gran Pulse and Cocoon respectively so the residents of both worlds would view the pair of them as being "Makers" - hence, Gods. They're probably not real Gods, only considered them. As they are able to create Fal'Cie of their own, I see them as being Demi-Gods. As for Etro, I'm totally foggy on her at the moment.

So they nearly achieved recalling the maker (Bunizeberzei) and opening the doorway to the invisible world by almost destroying the humanity of cocoon in FFXIII (Am I right)?

Well yeah, more or less, except that who exactly the Maker refers to is unclear. It could refer to Pulse and Lindzei, or Buni himself, or all of them.

EDIT: Oh, and as for the title, hopefully you shouldn't have to. I think I followed FFXIII's story well enough without reading the mythology beforehand. Having some knowledge of the mythology may make you understand the finer little references in the games more ably.

 

[Baseballbat Boy]

Yes. It's the only good thing about it.
In fact it's better of being just a book at this point.

 

[ANGRYWOLF]

I don't think it was necessary to know the mythology

for the first game at all.However.I feel the mythology/conflict between the Gods will be the centerpoint of FFXIII-2.

With humans, falcies and monsters at their pawns.

 

[TheRealTrxd]

I think the stories are meant to be enjoyed independently as their own thing, regardless of whether you know the mytho's behind certain things (like the creator and stuff) the story can still stand on its own legs. But the mythology just adds that much more meaning to the world, I read it, but it kinda hurt my brain.

 

[VARetribution]

Brain hurts...
I think the mythical side of things is gonna be explored more in xiii-2 too. squeenix will hopefully add more backstory into it.
Then maybe everything will be clear xD.

Tbh... i didn't really get it in xiii. game was awesome... confusing but awesome.