"Fonons. Essential components of all matter on planet Auldrant.

Ages ago, a new type of fonon was discovered — the Seventh Fonon. Its discovery threw humanity into chaos, for if one could use the Seventh Fonon, one could learn the future. Wars over the Seventh Fonon raged across the lands, ending only when the miasma — a poison from within the planet — covered the entire world. This is when Yulia appeared.

A fonist skilled in prophecy, Yulia saw thousands of years into the future and foresaw a way to seal away the miasma. With the guidance of her prophecies, humanity sealed the miasma deep within the planet.

Over two thousand years passed.

The world is ruled by Yulia's prophecy, known as the Score. People believe in the coming 'unprecedented prosperity' promised in the Score, never straying from the path set forth in the Score which will lead them to that prosperity. They look to the Score as revealed by the Order of Lorelei, the religion Yulia founded, and hold that the greatest virtue is to follow the Score faithfully.

Yulia's Score tells of a young man who is necessary in order to bring 'unprecedented prosperity.' His name is Luke fon Fabre. An heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, he was kidnapped as a child by the kingdom's enemy, the Malkuth Empire. Since his return he has been confined to his family's manor for his own safety. He has no idea of the evil that now draws close."

Anyway. Tales of the Abyss follows the journey of Luke, who turns out to be a replica of the real Luke fon Fabre. The story deals with many questions: is the Score absolute? And what is the "meaning of birth?" Ultimately, the stuggle boils down to stopping Luke's creator and former instructor, Van Grants, who is bent on wiping out humanity and creating a world of replicas to escape the Score. It also involves floating armchairs, giant stuffed dolls, rabbit-pigs, and a whole lot of gay innuendo. I advise you pick up a copy if you haven't already ;D.