You’re standing in Clive’s chambers at the Hideaway. It’s quiet. Outside, the world of Valisthea is literally falling apart, choked by the Blight and the madness of primordial gods. But here, in this small stone room, there’s a shelf. It starts empty. By the end of Final Fantasy XVI, if you’ve actually bothered to engage with the world beyond just mashing the square button, that shelf—the Wall of Memories FF16 players often overlook—becomes the most emotional square footage in the entire game.
It’s not just a trophy room. Honestly, calling it a "collectibles system" feels a bit reductive. It’s a physical manifestation of Clive’s growth from a man fueled by nothing but suicidal revenge into a leader who actually carries the hopes of a dying continent. Every item you place there represents a person, a town, or a moment where the world got just a little bit less dark.
Most people finish the game with a half-empty shelf. They missed the Curios. They missed the point.
What the Wall of Memories FF16 Actually Tracks
So, what is it? Basically, the Wall of Memories is a collection of 22 specific items called "Curios." You can find them in Clive's room at the Tabard. Some are handed to you during the main plot because the developers wanted to make sure you didn't miss the big stuff. Others? You have to sweat for those. You have to talk to people. You have to finish questlines that seem like busywork but turn out to be the emotional backbone of the narrative.
Take the Oathsworn Banner, for example. It’s a simple piece of fabric. But obtaining it requires finishing the "For Great Justice" questline in Sanbreque. You’re not just fetching items; you’re helping Quentin find a reason to keep the flame of rebellion alive. When you see that banner on the wall, it’s a reminder that the people of Lostwing aren't just NPCs—they’re Clive’s responsibility.
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The variety of items is pretty wild. You’ve got the Cid’s Goblet, which hits like a freight train if you’re still mourning the old man. Then there’s the Model Airship, a nod to the classic FF trope, but grounded in Mid’s frantic, brilliant energy. Each item has a description that adds layers to the lore. You aren't just reading a codex; you’re looking at an object Clive kept because he couldn't bear to forget the person who gave it to him.
The Missable Curios That Most People Forget
If you're going for the "For the Hoard" trophy, you need all 22. But let's be real—some of these are tucked away behind layers of dialogue and late-game "Plus" quests.
The Winter Mead is a great example. You don’t get this by slaying a dragon. You get it by being a friend to Gav. By the time the quest "Silver Linings" rolls around, the stakes are so high that a simple drink seems trivial. Yet, that's exactly why it matters. It represents the humanity that remains even when the sky turns purple and the end is nigh.
- The Guard’s Signboard: You need to finish "For Great Justice II." It’s easy to skip if you’re rushing to the final boss, but it completes the story of the Blackthorne-adjacent politics in the region.
- The Stolas Quill: This one is tied to Harpocrates. You need to reach Knowledge Level 5. If you haven't been talking to the old man and feeding him your "Thousand Tomes" updates, you're going to find yourself grinding out lore entries at the very end of the game just to get a feather.
- The Medicine Chest: This comes from Tarja’s final quest, "Tears of Mercy." Tarja is one of the most underrated characters in the Hideaway, and seeing her medical kit on your wall feels like a genuine badge of honor.
Some items are even tied to the DLCs now. If you have Echoes of the Fallen or The Rising Tide, the wall expands. The Bits and Bobs from the Sages or the Maid of the Mist items add even more flavor. It makes the wall feel like a living thing that grows as long as you keep playing.
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Why the Wall Matters for the Ending
There’s a lot of debate about the ending of Final Fantasy XVI. No spoilers here, but the Wall of Memories FF16 plays a subtle role in how we interpret Clive’s legacy. When you look at the fully assembled collection, you see the "Circle of Malius," the "Tattered Standard," and the "Scholar’s Bonnet."
You see a world that has been saved piece by piece.
The game is fundamentally about the cost of freedom. The wall shows you what that freedom bought. It bought a place where Mid can build airships. It bought a place where Martha can run her inn without fear of the Black Shields. It’s the evidence that Clive wasn't just a weapon used by Ultima; he was a man who touched lives.
If you ignore the wall, the ending feels more hollow. It feels like a story about a guy who fought a god and disappeared. But if you’ve filled that wall, the ending feels like the completion of a grand tapestry. You know exactly what is being left behind and who is there to remember it.
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How to Efficiently Fill the Wall
Don't wait until the point of no return to start caring about these. It's a pain to backtrack through twenty side quests when you're emotionally ready to hit the final dungeon.
First, check the "Reading Room" frequently. Use the Alliant Reports. It’s the game’s way of shouting, "Hey! There’s someone who needs you!" at the top of its lungs. Most Curios are rewards for the final quest in a specific character's arc. If you see a quest marker with a plus sign (+) or a green icon that mentions a recurring character like Lubor, Isabelle, or Martha, do it.
Second, pay attention to the "Curiosity" tab in your inventory. Sometimes you’ll pick up something like the Amber Flask and not realize it’s destined for the wall. Go back to Clive’s room. Interact with the table. Seeing the "New Item Available" prompt is one of the most satisfying "ding" moments in the game.
The Actionable Checklist for Completionists
If you want that shelf looking full before you head to Origin, here is exactly what you need to do.
- Max out your Renown: Some items, like the Charred Whisker or the Medal of Valor, aren't just quest rewards. They come from the Patron’s Whisper. If you aren't hunting Marks and doing side content, your Renown won't be high enough to claim the final tier of rewards.
- Finish the "Final" Quests: Almost every major hub has a "Part II" or "Part III" quest that unlocks in the final act of the game (usually after the quest "Back to Their Origin" appears). These are the ones that give you the physical Curio.
- Talk to Harpocrates and Vivian regularly: They aren't just there for the map and the lore. They represent Clive's intellectual growth. Reaching maximum level with Harpocrates is a requirement for the Stolas Quill.
- Don't forget the DLC: If you're playing the complete version of the game, the items from the Sages' spire and the village of Mysidia count toward the "full" feel of the room, even if they aren't strictly required for the base game trophy.
The Wall of Memories is the heart of the Hideaway. It’s the reason the fight matters. Stop treating it like a checklist and start treating it like the story of Clive’s life. You’ll find the game hits a lot harder when you do.
Next Steps for Players
Check your current Renown level at the Patron’s Whisper in the Hideaway. If you aren't at least level 4, you’ve likely missed several "Hunted" marks that provide the resources needed for certain Curios. From there, prioritize finishing any quest involving a named NPC with a unique portrait; these are the characters most likely to gift you a permanent memento for your collection.