Gaea (The Vision of Escaflowne)

Gaea is a planet that features in The Vision of Escaflowne.

History

Gaea was a magical world that lived opposite the Mystic Moon known as Earth where it was invisible to mankind. The origins of this world were traced to the ancient highly advanced Atlantis that lived on Earth. Its inhabitants grew to such power that they sought to surpass that of the gods. To achieve that end, they managed to construct a machine that could turn their thoughts into reality. With such a force, they transformed their own physical forms and gave themselves white wings that allowed them to fly. However, the power they wielded was dangerous and it created a great catastrophe that brought about the end of the civilization. The few remaining people of Atlantis wanted to atone for their actions and used their power to create a new world opposite Earth. This world was to be a place of peace where the mistakes of Atlantis could be avoided with it being populated by multitude of races. The surviving people of Atlantis also moved to Gaea where they became known as the Draconians that were few in number and dying out.

In the harsh lands of Zaibach, a man by the name of Isaac used his knowledge of science to aid the people of this land. Through his guidance, he founded the powerful Zaibach Empire where he took the name of Dornkirk and became its Emperor. With his Destiny Prognostication Engine, he charted his ideal future from war and sought to create the Atlantis Machine. His vision of the future was, however, obscured by a dragon that was linked to the land of Fanelia.

This led to Dornkirk dispatching Strategos Folken Fanel to capture the dragon. The coronation of Van Fanel came to be interrupted when the kingdom of Fanelia was attacked by cloaked Guymelefs led by Dilandau Albatou. In an effort to save Fanelia, Van made a blood pact with a powerful Guymelef called Escaflowne which he used to fight the enemy Guymelefs. Despite his efforts, he was too late and ultimately the kingdom was destroyed, with its people being forced to scatter. Van and Hitomi then escape in a strange pillar of light. Van and Hitomi end up near the land of Asturia, but have been separated. Hitomi was then attacked but a knight appeared who saved her with this person being Allen Schezar, the commander of the fortress on the outskirts of Asturia.

The group head to the capital of Asturia and as they arrive they meet Princess Millerna. In a meeting with the King of Asturia, Allen learns that King Aston is under Zaibach's control. Van is shocked to find Folken in Asturia and when confronting him, his brother tells of how he came to serve Dornkirk, the Emperor of Zaibach. Dilandau attempts to kill Van in revenge for their previous confrontation, but Hitomi saves him just in time. King Aston decides to test Van by having him fight three opponents, though Allen recognizes they are all mercenaries. Van defeats his opponents. Allen tries to pretend not to notice Millerna's infatuation with him. Hitomi is heartbroken when she sees Millerna kiss Allen. Van rescues Hitomi when she is kidnapped, but they are attacked by Dilandau soon after. Van, Hitomi, and Merle escape from Asturia and pass by a dragon graveyard where Zaibach is harvesting drag energists. Van decides to try and destroy the store house but surrenders when Hitomi is taken hostage. When Merle causes an accidental distraction, Van frees himself and saves Hitomi and proceeds to destroy the store house. The resulting explosion rips the ground apart and Hitomi falls into a crater. Van jumps in to save her and sprouts wings, revealing himself to be the 'angel' in Hitomi's visions. Meanwhile, Allen is taken prisoner, but escapes with the help of Millerna and he sets out to find Van.

Overview

In appearance, Gaea was a habitable world located in alternate dimension from Earth. It was a replica with oceans, continents, and even the ruins of ancient civilizations. Its size, mass, atmospheric composition, temperature belts, and even seasons are essentially similar to those of Earth. Although people on Earth cannot see Gaea, people on Gaea see both the Moon and Earth in their nightly expanse. Gaea was actually created by the combined wishes of those from the doomed Atlantis once they had realized that their ways were the end of their own civilization.

Locations included:

• Floresta Mountains :
• Mystic Valley : the legendary homeland of the Draconians.

A number of native plants and animals existed on Gaea such as:

• Dragons : Upon approaching death, these great beasts congregated into areas to die with these being known as the dragons graveyard.

Numerous races also inhabited the world which included:

• Draconians : they were viewed with fear and suspicions by the other races who called them winged demons.
• Ispano : a mysterious short race of humanoids masked by their robes that lived as a clan and built the Ispano Guymelefs and were the only ones capable of repairing1049 those machines for a price.
• Dopplegangers : a humanoid race that had the ability to take the appearance of others allowing them to operate as spies by stealing the memories of their targets. They lived a life of war with clans chained in conflict where they fought battles disguised as the enemy. This sometimes saw Dopplegangers kill one another and unaware of the others identity. Elders were in charge of their clans and directed their missions.

A number of nations had formed on the planet which included:

• Asturia : King Aston established this relatively recent kingdom from a cluster of formerly ununited towns and villages and transformed it into a thriving merchant power. Much of the economy of Gaea flows through Asturia, especially through the splendid bays and canals of its capital Palas. Locations in Asturia include the capital, Palas; the port town of Rampant; Fort Castelo, which was an outpost on the border with Fanelia; and the Floresta Mountains.
• Fanelia :
• Zaibach :
• Freid : ancient country with deep spiritual root is currently ruled by the Duke Mahad dal Freid. For ages, the monks residing in the Fortona temple on the outskirts of Freid have safeguarded the sword which unlocked the history and power of Atlantis.
• Basram :
• Daedalus : a neighboring country of Asturia.
• Egzardia : a neighboring country of Asturia.
• Cesario :

An element that was native to this world were levistones that were rocks of varying size that defied gravity and could float in the air. Areas that contained numerous such stones were called the wandering earth. The nature of levistones made it possible for the people of Gaea to create flying ships by harnessing these stones onto ships and using sails or engines to direct the craft. The application of heat on the stones seemed to counter their anti-gravity ability allowing for users to control ascent and descent. Smaller airships utilised this manner of travel whilst Zaibach had used the stones to create their Floating Fortresses.

Another resource from Gaea were crystalline substances called energists. These came in a variety of forms with different colours noting various forms of power. Some were known as drag-energists that were the crystalline hearts of dragons. Energists were a vital resource as they were used to power machinery including Guymelefs. Similarly, they were vital in powering the ships that moved through the use of levistones. It was said that the side with the most energists had an advantage in a war.

At some point, they began creating powerful suits of mechanised armor known as Guymelefs (ガイメレフ, gaimerufu) which were used by warriors of Gaea.

Inhabitants

• Dornkirk : a male scientist who was the Emperor of the Zaibach Empire and had founded the nation. He was actually not native to Gaea but had arrived there from the Mystic Moon namely Earth.
• Goau Fanel : human King of Fanelia and husband of Varie Fanel and father of Folken Fanel and Van Fanel.
• Varie Fanel : a female Draconian that Goau married her despite protests from his Fanelian advisors. Heartbroken at her husband's loss and Folken's disappearance, Varie disappears into the woods where the dragons make their nest, presumably to search for Folken but never returns.
• Grava Aston : King of Asturia, widower of Queen Therese Aston, and father of the Princesses Marlene, Eries and Millerna. King Aston was the ruler of a the rich merchant Kingdom of Asturia. However, the country was not militarily powerful.
• Therese Aston :
• Marlene Aston :
• Eries Aston :
• Millerna Aston :
• Mahad dal Freid :
• Balgus Ganesha : a male knight who was listed as one of the three master swordsmen of Gaea and a general of Fanelia's army. He served under Van's father, Goau Fanel in his younger days and later left to travel around Gaea, searching to improve his skills. He met Allen Schezar and trained him for a time, but when Van's father died he returned to Fanelia to look after Van and his mother. When Zaibach destroyed Fanelia, he died while saving Van and Hitomi.
• Meiden Fassa : father of Dryden Fassa and advisor to Grava Aston. As one of the most prestigious magnates in the merchantile country of Asturia, Meiden takes full advantage of his influence and close ties to King Aston. He sits on Asturia's High Council, and managed to arrange his son's bethrothal to Princess Millerna.
• Folken Fanel :
• Allen Schezar :
• Dryden Fassa : eldest son of the Fassa family, one of the oldest and richest merchant families of Asturia. His father, Meiden, is a trusted advisor of King Grava Aston, and Dryden is betrothed to his youngest daughter, Millerna Aston.
• Van Fanel :
• Chid Freid :
• Ruhm : leader of a tribe of wolf people living in the village of Arzas at the outskirts of Fanelia. Ruhm has been a lifelong close friend of the Fanel family.
• Merle :
• Gaddes : Allen's second-in-command. He handles the seemingly impossible task of coordinating the crew of the Crusade airship. Stalwart and easygoing, he can be relied upon whenever Allen and company get into trouble.
• Reedeen : serves aboard the Crusade Leviship captained by Allen Schezar.
• Ort : serves aboard the Crusade leviship captained by Allen Schezar. He was a prominent member of the crew, often seen with daggers in hand and several scars.
• Jajuka :
• Zongi : a Doppleganger who killed his own brother whilst the two were disguised as human in opposing sides with Zongi unaware of the others true identity. He became horrified at his actions and how his people were chained to the fate of war. Zongi was approached by Strategos Folken who offered him a way to change this fate with the Doppleganger agreeing to serve him as a spy and assassin. He was dispatched as a spy to kill the captured Dragon Slayer Miguel at Fray by taking the identity of Plaktu but was later killed by Dilandau.

Notes

• Gaea was created by Shōji Kawamori where it featured in the setting of The Vision of Escaflowne universe.
• The name was the English transliteration for Gaia, the goddess of Mother Earth in ancient Greek legends.

In other media

Television

• In The Vision of Escaflowne, Gaea featured in the setting of the anime television series adaptation.

Films

• In Escaflowne, Gaea appeared in the setting of the anime film adaptation of the storyline. Instead of Zaibach, a new faction was introduced called the Black Dragon Clan that were led by Folken. It was formed after Folken burnt his home country to the ground, killing his parents and leaving his younger brother Van behind. Commanding the Black Dragon Clan, Folken began destroying countries and conquering villages, aiming for Gaea's eventual destruction. To accomplish this goal, he hoped to sway the Wing Goddess to his side so that she will wish for Gaea's destruction rather than its salvation.

Appearances

• The Vision of Escaflowne:

External Links

• Escaflowne Wiki Entry

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