The Mysteries of Vana 'Diel

[Sparthos]

There is truth in this, but someone also brought up the Tribune articles regarding the Avatars: the layman doesn't know about the Celestials/Terrestrials. The only ones that do (researches at the Rhinostery and the Champions of Abyssea) were likely wiped out. So we can assume that these Avatars ARE the Celestials, but they find themselves with differing names based upon survivors' accounts.

I mean, look at notorious monsters in general. They didn't name themselves. Adventurers, travellers, and lesser monsters named them that because of what they do, their accomplishments, or what they are. Otherwise, they'd just be the same monsters, but with tougher stats.

Except you aren't a layman and you would know the names of the creatures parading themselves around as avatars. It just doesn't make sense for you to witness Jala in Scars of Abyssea as Leviathan then travel to Uleguerand and meet the same Leviathan now called Ogopogo.

Further, the celestials running around as average mooks to be mowed down by the adventurer completes goes against the lore surrounding them. While you are powered up by the transfer to Abyssea, it'd make no sense for celestials to be so easily dispatched.

Wouldn't Aht Urghan have been destroyed because of that whole deal with Odin and Alexander? I dunno, it's been a long time since I went through that story, so I can't quite place it.

ToAU takes place after the events of CoP so we're left to assume that the conflict in Aht never happens.

[Karbuncle]

I'm willing to bet those Avatars you see are not the true avatars, Simply their Essence/presence leaking/broken out of the Crystals. As what Sparthos said, Those Avatars are suppose to be so powerful that if awoken, Vana'diel would return to its primeval state.

Since theres multiple instances of those avatars, I definitely place my bet on them being just leaked consciousness. Its not hard to guess the Protocrystals of Avatars might have been damaged in Abyssea.

[Tatts]

I may have not done enough Abyssea Quests, but what does the marking on Zeid's forehead mean? Is it the mark he bore when he became a Dark Knight?

Also, Drogaroga's Spine: Was it really a giant beast or is it just another power conduit that wasn't built properly underground? It shows to go under the castle where you can grab the Magicite?

Now, I read the entire thread so I may started mashing together posts, but someone regarded the Temple of Uglypies as a Zilart civilization, it's actually a Kuluuian settlement, with the Tonberries being the said Kuluu.

Someone also asked why Mithra women were the ones out here being bros and it wasn't because the males were weak or easily pushed over, it's mainly because there's just a lack of quantity of Male Mithras which made them become the Housewife for population control. It's as if Sparta was run by Women instead of Men.

Edited for Kuluu spelling :|

[Eurell]

I may have not done enough Abyssea Quests, but what does the marking on Zeid's forehead mean? Is it the mark he bore when he became a Dark Knight?

Also, Drogaroga's Spine: Was it really a giant beast or is it just another power conduit that wasn't built properly underground? It shows to go under the castle where you can grab the Magicite?

Now, I read the entire thread so I may started mashing together posts, but someone regarded the Temple of Uglypies as a Zilart civilization, it's actually a Kulluian settlement, with the Tonberries being the said Kullu.

Someone also asked why Mithra women were the ones out here being bros and it wasn't because the males were weak or easily pushed over, it's mainly because there's just a lack of quantity of Male Mithras which made them become the Housewife for population control. It's as if Sparta was run by Women instead of Men.

Zeid's mark is explained in the Bastok WoTG Questline. I forget exactly what its from, but they do talk about it a bit.

Drogaroga's spine is just another conduit. Theres a CS (I think ZM4) that actually shows it powered up and stuff.

[Urthdigger]

Rule of thumb: Id it's made out of cermet (that white stuff the crags are made out of) it's probably part of the crystal line.

Also, Zeid's mark is a self-inflicted wound, the mark of the squad he was a part of. They were all slaughtered by the beastmen during the crystal war, while the nearby hume squad simply sat, watched, and did nothing.

[Eurell]

Rule of thumb: Id it's made out of cermet (that white stuff the crags are made out of) it's probably part of the crystal line.

Also, Zeid's mark is a self-inflicted wound, the mark of the squad he was a part of. They were all slaughtered by the beastmen during the crystal war, while the nearby hume squad simply sat, watched, and did nothing.

Was it the Crystal War? Or even earlier? Considering everyone knew him as Zeid the mythril Musketeer during the crystal war.

[Salvation]

Where does the Olduum civilization fit into the story line? The remnants of their technology we find scattered about the Aht Urhgan areas seem to indicate they were highly advanced. What happened to them?

[SpankWustler]

It's pretty safe to assume that Odin and Alexander did what Odin and Alexander do over and over, and the Olduum civilization got wrecked by it.

Then again, Vana'Diel faces two extinction-level events every month so I guess it could be anything.

[Tatts]

Well the reason Olduum was advanced because there was a sage called Ramuh who came to town and spread his knowledge. There was a particular machine that was able to predict earthquakes but the Olduumians didn't believe it. When the earthquake happened, lot of ppl died and they blamed Ramuh for not warning them. He gtfo'd and they rejected his technology since then, which explains the ruins/beaten up tech.
Those who survived most likely are today's Aht Urgan citizens after they rebuilt w/out Ramuh's tech.

[SpankWustler]

Well the reason Olduum was advanced because there was a sage called Ramuh who came to town and spread his knowledge. There was a particular machine that was able to predict earthquakes but the Olduumians didn't believe it. When the earthquake happened, lot of ppl died and they blamed Ramuh for not warning them. He gtfo'd and they rejected his technology since then, which explains the ruins/beaten up tech.
Those who survived most likely are today's Aht Urgan citizens after they rebuilt w/out Ramuh's tech.

I always thought that was more mythology than fact, given the tone of the NPCs who talked about Olduum and the mention of a sage who shares a name with an avatar. Since the ruins are currently buried or partially buried, though, a massive earthquake makes a lot of sense. I guess I should have more faith in the eccentric, elderly NPCs of FFXI.