Before the events of Final Fantasy XI, a Crystal War ravaged Vana'diel. The Beastmen Horde, united under the Shadow Lord raged total war on Vana'diel. For the first months of the war each nation separately combated the Shadow Forces, to little avail. Facing imminent defeat the Kingdom of San d'Oria, the Federation of Windurst, the Republic of Bastok, and the Tavnazian Marquisate joined together under the regulation of the Grand Duchy of Jeuno, which had been politically neutral since its foundation. For the first time in Vana'diels' history, each nation stood united as one.