Unraveling the Mystery of Ryne‘s Age in Final Fantasy XIV

As an avid FF14 gamer, few characters have captivated me like the mysterious Ryne. Her unique backstory and hidden origins have sparked endless theorizing within the fandom. But one question has constantly nagged players: just how old is Ryne in FF14? Read on as I piece together the clues to get to the bottom of this cryptic conundrum.

Square Enix has kept her exact age purposefully vague. But based on official sources and analyzing context clues, we can determine Ryne likely falls between 14-17 years old.

Tracking Ryne‘s Growth Through the Years

Ryne spent nearly a full year on the First, so accounting for that time differential with the Source would technically make her 17 years old chronologically. However, her physical form that returned to the Source is more akin to the 16 year old twins Alphinaud and Alisaie.

"Actually, the twins are (technically) 17 now since they spent a year (almost) on the First… though their bodies on the Source are still 16." [Source]

When we first meet Ryne in the Crystarium, she has an innocent, almost child-like appearance and demeanor. However, over time she begins to mature and gain more confidence in herself. By the final scenes of Shadowbringers, Ryne carries herself with the poise of a young woman coming into her own.

Contrast Ryne‘s growth to Alisaie‘s consistent maturity and wisdom beyond her years. Alisaie‘s appearance and eloquent way of speaking gives no doubt she is 16 years old chronologically and emotionally. Ryne still has some catching up to do in certain areas, pointing to her likely being slightly younger than the twins.

So why might Square Enix leave her age open-ended? Having an undersized protagonist emphasizes Ryne‘s underdog story. It heightens the drama of her struggles to gain control of her own life. A character whose age raises questions also creates mystery and staying power.

Comparing Ryne‘s Age to Other Key Characters

Looking at other major players in the FFXIV universe also helps provide context:

The Elezen race ages at a slower rate than others due to their long lifespan. In this regard, Ryne‘s appearance lines up closely with the 16 year old Elezen twins.

Given the preponderance of evidence, my personal theory is that Ryne is currently 15-16 years old when she returns to the Source. As an orphaned ward of Thancred, she likely grew up faster emotionally which closed the maturity gap with the twins over time.

What the Future Holds for Ryne‘s Character

Moving forward, it will be fascinating to see if Ryne ages noticeably throughout the Endwalker expansion and beyond. As one of the most uniquely gifted characters in FF14‘s lore, her future remains wide open.

Will she grow taller? Will she begin to wield even greater magical powers or ascend to the status of Oracle like her namesake Minfilia? As her surrogate father, will Thancred have to chase away potential suitors in the coming years?

Only time will tell…

So there you have it friends – the current state of knowledge on pinning down the chronological age of our dear Ryne. The clues point to 15-16 years old being a sensible estimate for now. Here‘s hoping future FFXIV story updates will provide more concrete confirmation!

What are your own theories on Ryne‘s background? Let‘s keep the discussion going!