That screenshot you took has a goatee and wispy moustache, the Ascian has no goatee or moustache in sight.
Printable View
Their neutrality is to state that they do not favor any of the 3 City-States.
The Scions are still allied with Ul'dah, Limsa Lominsa, and Gridania through political means which is why they still obtain aid (information for their operations and resources to support Revenant Toll's development) from the three city-states.
Well the incident with the Uproars did not escolate until 2.3.
The alliance with Ul'dah, Limsa Lominsa, and Gridania was formed through 2.1 to 2.3 because the Scions was more focused on establishing a proper alliance with the three city-states. Of couse through 2.1 to 2.3, the issue in Ul'dah was not well known how sever it was yet since the Scions were still focusing on rebuilding and moving at the sametime.
2.5 is just the point when it finally boils over.
At least it would feel like the rest of the Scions are finally doing something this time even if it demanded a crisis to provoke it. I know we were having to be an errand boy/girl when Revenant's Toll was taking shape, but even now in 2.4 it still feels like we're just running around doing everything ourselves while the Scions sit around and talk philosophy.
The question is, who made Tataru cry??!?
It seems only lalafells are capable of shedding tears in this game.