‘Final Fantasy XIV’ Community Holds Vigil Over A Dying Player, Entire Event Documented On Imgur

The Final Fantasy community is a robust bunch, ever willing to assist each other, and determined to keep the fantasy alive. The camaraderie is evident within the many Facebook groups, where fans gather and share tips to advance within the games and offer constructive support for those that are stuck. Online gaming has allowed members to gather within the realm of Final Fantasy XIV, where friendships have developed and a familial atmosphere has begun to develop. This is not more true than it is on the Gilgamesh server, where a dying player was the honorary recipient of a beautiful vigil.

The dying player named Codex Vahlda, a level 50 bard, according to Kotaku, was rushed to the hospital after he collapsed unexpectedly. According to Pattmyn, a player who began to document the situation, Codex Vahlda was experiencing renal failure, and things were not looking good. Sadly, a donor was already in line prior to his collapse.

“The odds were one in a million something like this could have happened; Everything was otherwise under control and a donor was lined up already (his brother).”

A member of Codex Vahlda’s company on the Gilgamesh server shared the tragedy with fellow players. Players on the server banded together, and decided to hold a vigil in Codex Vahlda’s honor. Players began to show up at the Free Company house, each peacefully showing their respect for the dying friend.

Codex Vahlda, only 29-years-old, was not able to view the event as it was streamed and documented on Imgur, but his family was able to see the amazing outpouring of support that players from all over the world shared. It showed that he was loved and cared for by many people, even those he did not know in real life. Codex Vahlda, whose real name is not known to nearly all of the gamers in attendance, did not live through the night, but his memory will live on in the world of Eorzea, especially within the Gilgamesh server.

A similar event reportedly happened in the game World of Warcraft back in 2006. A young girl died and her friends decided to hold a funeral for her in-game. The event was publicized across many forums, and seemed to go rather well. That is, until a group of disrespectful gamers decided to wreak havoc.

The Final Fantasy XIV vigil could have ended in a similar manner. However, their passion for the game and respect for the fallen proved a more mature and sympathetic service.

[Photo Courtesy: Square Enix via Kotaku]