From Dynasts End

[edit] A Brief History, or, FFXII in 5 Minutes or Less

Pre-FFXII
There were five major countries: Archadia, Rozarria, Dalmasca, Landis, and Nabradia. Sixty-two years before the events of Dynast's End, Archadia successfully invaded and assimilated Landis. After Landis, it set its sights on Nabradia, and when Nabradia refused to surrender a Judge of Archadia reduced the capitol city, Nabudis, to rubble with the power of the Midlight Stone, a highly powerful piece of nethicite. Shortly after the fall of Nabudis, Dalmasca's king was slain, forcing Dalmascan surrender as well.

FFXII
A force opposing the Empire, known only as the Resistance and led by the then thought dead Princess Ashe of Dalmasca, fought to free Dalmasca from the Empire and hold off the approaching war between Archadia and her rival in military power, Rozarria. The Resistance was aided by a number of influential figures, including two former Judges, the brother of a Judge, and the younger brother of Vayne Solidor, the then-ruler of Archadia. Vayne was eventually defeated and his younger brother, Larsa, took his place as the Emperor of Archadia.

FFXII: Revenant Wings The floating continent of Lemurés was discovered, along with its hume-like race, the Aegyls. Their leader, who was using the Aegyls for his own purposes, was defeated, and the Aegyls regained the ability to feel emotion.

Dynast's End
The idealistic young Larsa made treaty with Rozarria shortly after he was made Emperor, with each ruler promising that they would put an end to attempts at future expansion and give autonomy back to the lands they'd conquered. Larsa additionally promised that the Senate would be reinstated in Archadia, and that both the Senate and the freeing of the Empire's conquered lands would be complete by the end of his reign.

Now, fifty years later, the Senate is still a thing of memory, and only Dalmasca has been able to struggle back to her feet. Nabradia is more or less a wasteland. Landis is slowly waking, but the weight of the Empire bears down on their attempts. Rozarria is hungry for Archadia's collapse, which all of Ivalice believes is sure to follow Larsa's death.