________________ _______ __ / _______/ / \ / / \ / / / /____ / / /\ \ / / /__\ \ / / Title artwork by / _____/ / / / \ / ____ \ / /____ Chris35389 /__/ /__/__/ \__/__/ \__\ /______/ __________ __ ___________________ __________ ___ / ______/ \ / \ / /____ ____/ \ / /______/\ \ / / / /___ / /_\ \ / / \ \ / / / / / /_\ \ /____ \ \ _/ / / /____/ / _____ \ / / \ \/ / / / / ___ \ _ / \ / /__/ /_/ \_\ /_/ \___/ /_/ /_/ \_\ __/ /__/ ________________ /__ __ __ __/ / / / / / / / / / / / / Origins and Explanations of Esper Names __/ /_/ /_/ /__ /______________/ What's the purpose of this file? Many of the names of Espers in Final Fantasy III have a mythological grounding. Unfortunately, the origin of these names can often be very obscure, and the player doesn't get the full meaning of the names. This file will help you, the reader, to get the most out of Final Fantasy III. Maybe you'll learn something about mythology, too. Enjoy! Please e-mail vestal@computek.net with any updates or corrections you may have. Thanks! -==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==- Esper: Alexandr Origin: Historical Form: Robot Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, conquered Asia Minor, Syria, Babylonia, Egypt, and Persia, in short, the entire known world, during his reign (336 BC - 323 BC). Esper: Bahamut Origin: Mythology Form: Dragon Bahamut is the mythical king of the dragons. Esper: Bismark Origin: Historical Form: Whale The Bismark was a World War II German battleship that was sunk on May 27, 1941. It was one of the most powerful battleships ever built, and had eight 15-inch guns. Esper: Carbunkl Origin: Etymological Form: ??? A carbuncle is a deep-red, almost blood-colored, unfaceted stone. Esper: Crusader Origin: Etymological Form: Knight The original name of this Esper was "Jihad". A jihad is a holy war or crusade fought for religious ideals and beliefs. Esper: Fenrir Origin: Norse Mythology Form: Wolf Fenrir is a gigantic wolf, offspring of Loki and Angerboda, who is the enemy of all the gods. He was banished and bound in Hel, but will break free at Ragnarok and slay Odin. Esper: Golem Origin: Jewish Legends Form: Golem The original Golem was a stone creature that was brought to life by the sacred word of a holy man. The Golem was a sort of primitive robot. Esper: Ifrit Origin: Middle Eastern Legends Form: Fire Sprite Orignally spelled "Efreet". Efreeti are fire djinns from the elemental plane of fire who lived in the City of Brass. Esper: Kirin Origin: Chinese Mythology Form: Kirin A Kirin is an imaginary creature that is part horse and part dragon. The male is called "Ki", and the female is called "Rin". It is capable of flying, and sparks of lightning shoot out from its hooves. Kirin are considered good luck. Esper: Maduin Origin: Irish Myth Form: Humanoid Originally spelled "Mael Duin." Mael Duin is a major hero of Irish Mythology. Son of Ailill, he was raised by nuns after his father was killed by raiders. When told his father's story, Mael Duin sets out with sixteen warriors to avenge his death, and his subsquesent voyages have been called the "Irish Odyssey." Esper: Odin Origin: Norse Mythology Form: Warrior Odin is one of the three original Aesir gods who created the world and mankind. He is the God of war, storms, wisdom, and honor. He had only one eye, but had inner sight, and nine of his children became gods as well. Esper: Palidor Origin: Medieval Legends Form: Bird A paladin is a virtuous knight who represents the pinnacle of chivalry and knightly ideals. Esper: Phantom Origin: Mythology Form: Spirit A ghost or apparition. This illusion is sometimes believed to be the soul of a recently departed individual. Esper: Phoenix Origin: Arabian Mythology Form: Bird This bird would consume itself in flames every 500 years and then be reborn from the ashes. Thus it is fitting that the Esper Phoenix teaches you the Life spells. Esper: Raiden Origin: Chinese Legends Form: Warrior Originally spelled "Raijin". Raijin is the god of thunder, and is often portrayed as a red demon beating a drum. In Japanese, the word "raiden" means "thunder". Esper: Ragnarok Origin: Norse Mythology Form: Sword Ragnarok is the Judgement of the Gods. (From Norse RAGNA, the general plural of REGIN (God)+ROK (judgement or reason) RAGNAROEKER, on the other hand, means the day of reckoning, when every god meets his final destiny. The two terms are often used interchangebly. Esper: Ramuh Origin: Hindu Legends Form: Magician Rama is the hero of an epic Indian poem, the Ramayana. He is handsome, brave, and a model individual. After many trials and tribulations, he becomes king, and it is revealed that Rama is actually the god Vishnu in human form. Esper: Shiva Origin: Hindu Legends Form: Magician Shiva is one of the three principal Hindu deities. Shiva is a god of complementary actions. He is portrayed as both destroyer and restorer of worlds; as a both a giver and a taker. He is part of the triad that also includes Brahma and Vishnu. Esper: Shoat Origin: Etymological Form: Boar A young pig just after weaning. Form: Siren Origin: Greek Mythology Esper: Singer From Greek mythology, the Sirens were beautiful maiden-birds that lived on the rocky shores of the Mediterranean Sea. They lured sailors to their death on the cliffs with their beautiful songs. Esper: Sraphim Origin: The Bible Form: Angel A seraph is a holy angel with three pairs of wings. Seraphim are often paired with cherubim. Esper: Starlet Origin: Etymological Form: Female A diminuitive star, or a young aspiring movie actress. Esper: Stray Origin: Etymological Form: Cat A stray cat is a non-domesticated cat without a home. Esper: Terrato Origin: Norse Mythology Form: Serpent The original name of this Esper was "Midgard's Serpent". Midgard's Serpent is a gigantic serpent, offspring of Loki and Angerboda, that lay at the bottom of the ocean. The Serpent was destined to consume the earth at Ragnarok. Esper: Tritoch Origin: Etymological Form: Eagle The prefix "tri-" means "three". Thus it is fitting that the three-headed Tritoch teaches you three spells, Fire3, Bolt3, and Ice3. Esper: Unicorn Origin: Medieval Legends Form: Unicorn A mythical horse with a single spiral horn protruding from its forehead, the unicorn is often symbolic of purity and virginity. Esper: ZoneSeek Origin: Etymological Form: Insect The name might mean that he helps you find another dimension or a higher plane of existence. -==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==-==- Last Update: 4.27.97 Send Comments to: andrewv@nkn.net