6.0 Predictions: Will it be Garlemald, Sharlayan, or Meracydia?

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Originally Posted by Kesey

Maxima believes in the cult of tradition as he refuses to believe facts unless they come from the Emperor himself. He is a traitor in his own right, but still condemns Cid as traitor.

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What?

https://i.imgur.com/44MKdO6.png
https://i.imgur.com/bglVlqG.png

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Originally Posted by Kesey

Not to get nitpicky here over Umberto Eco's 14 features of fascism, but Gaius doesn't fit most of the categories as he is willing to change based on evidence (Ascians manipulate me and cause destruction, therefore they are the "real" enemy), is willing to work with foreigners (he comes straight to the alliance, Cid and the WOL for help with Werlyt), he isn't manipulating the middle class or in this context his followers (everyone who follows him or calls him father does so out of respect), he also isn't subverting and demonizing sexual norms, he isn't using populism to control policy, and he isn't forcing news media to be on point. Plus his acts as Shadowhunter have also made him treasonous in the eyes of the Empire.

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It is heavily implied that he and Livia were involved and he had adopted her and raised her from childhood. That sets off some flags.

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Originally Posted by Kesey

Your boy Maxima on the other hand has violated many more of the fascist tenants then Gaius. Maxima believes in the cult of tradition as he refuses to believe facts unless they come from the Emperor himself. He is a traitor in his own right, but still condemns Cid as traitor. His populares movement seeks to overwrite the majority voice of Empire citizens to his minority movement. He wants to control the messaging in the Empire to gain traction for his movement.

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Populares literally means "for the people". This whole plot thread is taken from real life Roman history, like a lot of influences on Garlemald. Senators who considered themselves "populares" supported the will of the commoners and pushed for reforms. Not sure how that equates to a minority to you. Part of the reason why Julius Caesar was celebrated was because he was a populares, which made him popular. His assassins were Optimates, who are also in FFXIV as the rival faction and are also more traditional and conservative.

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Originally Posted by Kesey

Now we can debate each of their fascist tendencies all day, but what boils down here is Gaius has experience leading and has offered to change and has begun to make amends. Maxima is hiding with the Alliance because he doesn't want to be killed. Which one would you follow? The leader who wants to do right or the coward?

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Gaius straight up deserted, which holds the death penalty in most places. On top of that is suspected of assassinating the emperor. He's got an uphill battle if he actually wants the throne.

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Originally Posted by Veloran

What?

https://i.imgur.com/44MKdO6.png
https://i.imgur.com/bglVlqG.png

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Fair. I must have missed this point.

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Originally Posted by MikkoAkure

It is heavily implied that he and Livia were involved and he had adopted her and raised her from childhood. That sets off some flags.



Populares literally means "for the people". This whole plot thread is taken from real life Roman history, like a lot of influences on Garlemald. Senators who considered themselves "populares" supported the will of the commoners and pushed for reforms. Not sure how that equates to a minority to you. Part of the reason why Julius Caesar was celebrated was because he was a populares, which made him popular. His assassins were Optimates, who are also in FFXIV as the rival faction and are also more traditional and conservative.



Gaius straight up deserted, which holds the death penalty in most places. On top of that is suspected of assassinating the emperor. He's got an uphill battle if he actually wants the throne.

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Maxima straight up deserted too. Still doesn't change the fact that Gaius is a leader and Maxima is a coward.

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Originally Posted by Vyrerus

He's pretty off brand actually. In the first meeting with the WoL in The Burn, he refers to his past self as having, "blinkered conviction." In the scene where he and Alphinaud find Black Rose victims, he refers to it as an atrocity and butchery. He also refers to his past effort at Eorzea's conquest, as conquest in the name of peace. Which is on point with the actual contents of the elevator speech. Granted, it's peace through force, but his desire for conquest cares a great deal for the lands' inhabitants.

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Yes let me rule you because I know whats best for you and will use you in the best possible manner for my empire is totally a guy whos out for peace. Some Germans in the 1940s thought the same. Again him being against black rose is on brand. You can't rule land and it's people if they are all dead and the land is made lifeless.

The only thing he regrets about the Eorezean campaign is Ultima he just didn't know it was that destructive.

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Originally Posted by MikkoAkure

It is heavily implied that he and Livia were involved and he had adopted her and raised her from childhood. That sets off some flags.

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If you mean the scene where he wanted to see her alone in his room (which was the only hint I remember seeing of things), he could just have easily been yelling at her for killing a bunch of people they could have easily taken as hostages to force the City-States into a position where they have to make a deal for the Scions release. Killing most of them basically took that option off the table.

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Originally Posted by Kesey

...he also isn't subverting and demonizing sexual norms, he isn't using populism to control policy, and he isn't forcing news media to be on point. Plus his acts as Shadowhunter have also made him treasonous in the eyes of the Empire...


Now we can debate each of their fascist tendencies all day, but what boils down here is Gaius has experience leading and has offered to change and has begun to make amends. Maxima is hiding with the Alliance because he doesn't want to be killed. Which one would you follow? The leader who wants to do right or the coward?

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Seems you missed the part of his rule where he allowed slave camps and allowed rape to happen.


NPC Glaumunt's account of what life was like for him and his family during Gaius's reign in Ala Mhigo:

"No, no, I don't mind, really. Truth be told, a part o' me was itchin' to tell you my tale. Mind you, 'tis hardly novel─I ain't the first to suffer at imperial hands.
Like most folk, I used to have a mother. She was a sweet, carin' woman with a smile never far from her face. There was a sister too. Pretty little thing, she was─gentle as a lamb, but tough as nails. We were poor folk livin' simple lives, but we knew happiness just the same.

An' then the imperials came an' took it all away. When Ala Mhigo fell, they put my family in a camp. Bein' a lad, I was made to do hard labor, while my mother an' sister were forced to do far worse... They hid their sufferin' from me as best they could, but I knew, an' the thought of it drove me mad. We had to escape. An' so I hatched a plan to get us out o' the city.

We were pickin' our way around a gorge not far outside the walls when they caught up with us... An' rather than allow 'emselves to be taken again, my mother an' sister leaped over the edge before my very eyes. Heartbroken as I was, I didn't put up a fight when the imperials clapped me in chains an' dragged me back.

'Twas some years after that I escaped again, an' that time, I got away. I swore then that I'd get revenge on the Empire, an' became an adventurer so as to hone my skills an' earn the coin I needed. But nigh on two decades've since gone by, an' what've I achieved? Bugger all, that's what.

Not like you lot. You ain't been here ten minutes, an' you've already done more'n I managed in ten bloody years."


Not a person worthy of being followed. Just meat before the butcher...

While I agree it's wise to keep him at arm's length, it's important to remember that Gaius is no longer "van Baelsar," the Empire's Black Wolf. He is now just "Gaius Baelsar," and while he hasn't left the use of violence as his first choice for solving problems behind, he is not the same man we fought in the Praetorium, much less the man he was as Viceroy of Ala Mhigo. I don't think he's "seen the light" so to speak, but he is focusing his attention on the root of corruption within Garlemald so... step in the right direction.

I've not forgotten his sins, but people change.

That said... I would argue he is (arguably) the best choice for a reformed Garlemald. Not to take the throne, but someone with the will and the drive to reform it into a still military but less pugnacious nation. Ideally I would have Maxima serve as his top advisor (or veep) to rein in his excesses. Unfortunately Maxima doesn't really have the charisma necessary to lead a nation. The Empire is not going to go from its warmongering, belligerent ways overnight, but if someone like Gaius is able to show them the truth they may be willing to change - slowly.

(That's purely in terms of character. Considering the bridges he burned, I don't think the Garlean people would be very accepting of him.)

Of course that's assuming there's even going to be a throne waiting for anyone at the end. With Zenos and Fandaniel "reducing huge swathes of the Imperial capital to rubble," whatever's going down Garlemald as an empire is not like to survive much longer. Were I a betting man (and I assure you, I am not) I'd wager the Empire is going to be broken up into fiefs ruled by warlord ex-Legatuses, as is happening with Bozja / Dalmasca.

It would be wiser to just use him for all he's worth and then throw him to the Ala Mhigans. Lyse could certainly use the boost in morale if she were able to get her hands on "The Black Wolf" to stand trial for the people. People can change maybe(? Doubt it but you do you.), but when put into a position of leadership, you will 100% of the time see their true selves.

So... That is Gaius Baelsar, a failed despot who lived up large with not a shred of thought given to the people who didn't deserve to be enslaved and taken advantage of, but it's ok though. He was busy banging his adoptive daughter and only had a change of heart when he got beat, so we can forgive him for it all. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice? Like I gave you a second chance...

Pass. Pass so very hard.

If anyone deserves to be the new leader, it's Cid. Even then Garlemald will have to be completely demilitarized. Cid wouldn't want it to be fair, but he is the most trustworthy of the bunch and the people still love him. "Freedom through Technology" and all that. I can almost see it now. Cid rebuilding his homeland as the prodigal son, using the ideology he learned from his trials in Eorzea. A true technocracy. Would be a worthy send off for him after all is said and done as we begin chapter two of FFXIV.

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Originally Posted by Riastrad

Seems you missed the part of his rule where he allowed slave camps and allowed rape to happen.


NPC Glaumunt's account of what life was like for him and his family during Gaius's reign in Ala Mhigo:

"No, no, I don't mind, really. Truth be told, a part o' me was itchin' to tell you my tale. Mind you, 'tis hardly novel─I ain't the first to suffer at imperial hands.
Like most folk, I used to have a mother. She was a sweet, carin' woman with a smile never far from her face. There was a sister too. Pretty little thing, she was─gentle as a lamb, but tough as nails. We were poor folk livin' simple lives, but we knew happiness just the same.

An' then the imperials came an' took it all away. When Ala Mhigo fell, they put my family in a camp. Bein' a lad, I was made to do hard labor, while my mother an' sister were forced to do far worse... They hid their sufferin' from me as best they could, but I knew, an' the thought of it drove me mad. We had to escape. An' so I hatched a plan to get us out o' the city.

We were pickin' our way around a gorge not far outside the walls when they caught up with us... An' rather than allow 'emselves to be taken again, my mother an' sister leaped over the edge before my very eyes. Heartbroken as I was, I didn't put up a fight when the imperials clapped me in chains an' dragged me back.

'Twas some years after that I escaped again, an' that time, I got away. I swore then that I'd get revenge on the Empire, an' became an adventurer so as to hone my skills an' earn the coin I needed. But nigh on two decades've since gone by, an' what've I achieved? Bugger all, that's what.

Not like you lot. You ain't been here ten minutes, an' you've already done more'n I managed in ten bloody years."


Not a person worthy of being followed. Just meat before the butcher...

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Can't help but feel SE is trying to retcon this out by way of simply getting rid of the character & futher interactions with him others with similar stories i mean Hien even let free the man who owned Yotsuyu while she "Worked" in a brothel. (I'll add that one sometime later)
Makes it easy for Galrean apologists to tout the Empire's finer points while sweeping under the rug truths easily ignored.

https://i.imgur.com/Iup6Qhf.jpg

I like Hien, though he was never really held accountable for anything. Destroying Doma Castle served to crush many Garlean aligned soldiers under debris and send them to a watery grave. Since the place wasn't forewarned, it stands to reason that there would be non-combatants who were also caught up in the attack. It's never actually addressed though - yet if it were an Eorzean or Doman installation that had been flooded, you'd never hear the end from the protagonists about how horrific and cruel such an act happened to be.

That he doesn't do anything to punish the man who owned Yotsuyu is strange, certainly, though at the same time he was completely happy to not address anything regarding Doma's mistakes when it came to Yotsuyu. If she hadn't survived beyond her initial 'death' then it would never have come to light at all. To his credit, he did attempt to push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Garlemald but Asahi and Elidibus unfortunately put an end to that.

Ultimately, though, I don't believe that characters have to always be punished for every last mistake or shady thing they are involved with. It's not realistic - since there absolutely are people who do terrible things but get away with them through pragmatism, lack of accountability or just because there's bigger issues to deal with.

Minor 5.4 MSQ spoilers (it's something very early in the questline, nothing major):

Alisaie talking about Sharlayan felt very "we're telling you this so you're prepared to go there soon", to me.

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Originally Posted by JeanneOrnitier

Minor 5.4 MSQ spoilers (it's something very early in the questline, nothing major):

Alisaie talking about Sharlayan felt very "we're telling you this so you're prepared to go there soon", to me.

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They know we're speculating, because there are flags all over the place.

LUNAR Bahamut meaning the moon is possible, tempered saying "For the glory of Garlemald", Sharlayan references, though sadly nothing Meracydian, so that COULD be off the table.

I daresay we could end up anywhere at this point, lol.

So what keeps sticking to my mind, is the moment the WOL flashes back to the wall painting of Zodiark and Hydaelyn standing side by side.

Why show this if that isn't the most important panel? Remember the subsequent pictures are Zodiark and Hydaelyn fighting, then Hydaelyn triumphing over Zodiark--why remember the former over these latter?

My speculation is this is the real hint and is probably a beginning of Azem memories starting to backfill. It also implies that Hydaelyn and Zodiark probably didn't butt heads immediately following Hydaelyn's summoning, which I think is what we all believe given the evidence at this juncture.

And is it also foreshadowing that the final confrontation of 6.0 is the WOL verses Hydaelyn and Zodiark?

I just had a sudden thought on where we could go for 6.0, and it sounds crazy, but it would fit the whole towers popping up thing. We're going everywhere. Assuming Sharlayan becomes our first stop, it will be the main city for the expansion, and somewhere there we may find teleportation magic that can take us elsewhere in the world. This opens up the possibility of a single area in Sharlayan (other than the city), Meracydia, Thauvnaria, Garlemald, The Moon, and possibly the core of the planet itself. Doing this also leaves entrances via these zones for us opening up other areas more should they decide to go further into any of those regions in later expansions.

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

I just had a sudden thought on where we could go for 6.0, and it sounds crazy, but it would fit the whole towers popping up thing. We're going everywhere. Assuming Sharlayan becomes our first stop, it will be the main city for the expansion, and somewhere there we may find teleportation magic that can take us elsewhere in the world. This opens up the possibility of a single area in Sharlayan (other than the city), Meracydia, Thauvnaria, Garlemald, The Moon, and possibly the core of the planet itself. Doing this also leaves entrances via these zones for us opening up other areas more should they decide to go further into any of those regions in later expansions.

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I hadn't thought of that possibility, it might be a good way of wrapping up multiple storylines and making it feel like a finale, my only concern is that the zones wont feel as connected. I still hold to it that the moon will be the final mystery zone but i imagine there will probably be some special way to get there (the Source's real Bismark, Rocket ship, relic of the Ancient's) I still feel they will hold off on Meracydia for a while since it still is not important to the current story, also it is an entire continent not even on the map. There is mystery around it that I imagine will be saved for season 2. As for the center of the planet again I do not think we will go there this expansion, the most exotic zone I still feel will be the moon, also for the center of the planet I kind of feel they set up the sound to be a threat after the Hydalyn/Zodiark storyline is wrapped up and will be saved for a final mystery zone in whatever season 2 expansion that wraps that up will be.

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Originally Posted by Jandroid

The end of 5.3 story implies future character development for Alphinaud and Alisaie so what better location than Sharlayan. But just like Gyr Abania in Stormblood, Sharlayan might be a bit too small for an entire expansion to take place. So my prediction is that the developers will prepare something grand and send us to the moon. Seeing as Sharlayan is a nation of magical scholars, I wouldn't be surprised if they prepare an airship in the form of a giant whale to send us to the moon. We might even end up going to the Lunar Subterrane as a throwback to Final Fantasy IV the same way the Crystal Tower was a throwback to Final Fantasy III.

This would save Ilsabard or a section of Ilsabard (since it's a very big place) for when we reach level 100.

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I haven't played through Patch 5.4 MSQ yet (and I probably won't play through it until Patch 5.56 to enjoy the pre-expansion story as a whole) but from the small hints and spoilers I've seen, I'm willing to say that it's safe to keep my stance on this.

So far, expansions have always featured six main questing zones with some expansions featuring zones of different regions. In Heavensward, we had one zone in Coerthas, two zones in Alabathia's Spine, and three zones in Dravania. In Stormblood, we had three zones in Gyr Abania and three zones in Orthard. In Shadowbringers, we had all six zones in Norvrandt.

For Forspoken or whatever the name of the 6.0 Expansion is, I'm thinking that we will get two zones in Sharlayan since it's a small area, and one zone in the Moon since I can't imagine something as monotonous and barren with a strong established identity having multiple fleshed out zones. The next three zones are probably zones occupied by the Garlean Empire like Dalmasca and the outer layers of Ilsabard similar to Bozja and Werlyt. This would lead to the 7.0 Expansion to be completely focused in mainland Ilsabard, the heart of the Garlean Empire. Sure this feels disconnected, but so was Stormblood.

I also still think that the next Normal Raid or Alliance Raid will be Final Fantasy IV themed instance that could take place in the moon.

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Originally Posted by Jandroid

I haven't played through Patch 5.4 MSQ yet (and I probably won't play through it until Patch 5.56 to enjoy the pre-expansion story as a whole) but from the small hints and spoilers I've seen, I'm willing to say that it's safe to keep my stance on this.

So far, expansions have always featured six main questing zones with some expansions featuring zones of different regions. In Heavensward, we had one zone in Coerthas, two zones in Alabathia's Spine, and three zones in Dravania. In Stormblood, we had three zones in Gyr Abania and three zones in Orthard. In Shadowbringers, we had all six zones in Norvrandt.

For Forspoken or whatever the name of the 6.0 Expansion is, I'm thinking that we will get two zones in Sharlayan since it's a small area, and one zone in the Moon since I can't imagine something as monotonous and barren with a strong established identity having multiple fleshed out zones. The next three zones are probably zones occupied by the Garlean Empire like Dalmasca and the outer layers of Ilsabard similar to Bozja and Werlyt. This would lead to the 7.0 Expansion to be completely focused in mainland Ilsabard, the heart of the Garlean Empire. Sure this feels disconnected, but so was Stormblood.

I also still think that the next Normal Raid or Alliance Raid will be Final Fantasy IV themed instance that could take place in the moon.

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Although I feel chances are high that 6.0 ends on the moon, does it even need to be an entire area? Honestly, it can be the setting for a raid series and a trial and still give us 6 other explorable zones.

I say this, because, honestly, you can only put so much stuff on the moon. Even FFIV only had two dungeons and colony of Namingways. The Namingways were just a cave and the dungeons just contained the hardest bosses and the best loot. Only two significant plot moments take place on the moon and one of them requires you to get to the end of the last dungeon.

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Originally Posted by Kesey

Although I feel chances are high that 6.0 ends on the moon, does it even need to be an entire area? Honestly, it can be the setting for a raid series and a trial and still give us 6 other explorable zones.

I say this, because, honestly, you can only put so much stuff on the moon. Even FFIV only had two dungeons and colony of Namingways. The Namingways were just a cave and the dungeons just contained the hardest bosses and the best loot. Only two significant plot moments take place on the moon and one of them requires you to get to the end of the last dungeon.

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I don't know, two questing hubs (one Hummingway abode, one Lunarian Palace), three dungeons (Lunar Subterrane, Bahamut's Lair/Lunar Ruins*, Impact Crater*), one Trial (the Lunar Core), and a whole lot of bizarre alien geography in between is more or less on par with the Tempest and Azys Lla.

*From FFIV Advance and FFIV: The After Years respectively. Really, I just want to hear Soken's take on the Mysterious Girl's battle theme.

You're all hyping me up for going to the Moon and I'm gonna be so disappointed if when we don't..

We have no strong reason whatsoever to go to Meracydia or Sharlayan as there has been no indication that really, not to mention Sharlayan is too small for anything beyond a Hub.

Meanwhile, we've been thrown constant references to Garlemard, it's civil war and the forces at play there. We even get 3 instances in its outer reaches: Terncliff, Gangos and Bozjan Southern Front.

Events at 5.4 and the 5.5 might lead to bring the set up the expansion to have an additional twist to go to Garlemard, other than going there to clean up the remains of an Empire that is already falling.

My current theory would be that Fandaniel plan only has effect in Ilsabard (it could always have the risk of spreading over to the rest of the world), destroying Garlemard and other countries. The result would be a hellscape continent riddled with the same creatures we meet in Emet-Selch recreation of the Final Days along with survivors fighting for both survival and dominion over the remnants of the Garlean empire.

I think the Moon could make for a good Raid or final area (a la Azys Lla) but not as an entire's expansions continent. Cecil and Golbez have potential to get a cameo as Garlean officers if the Moon were to be a raid.

sadly 5.4 gave us zero hints to the point where only like 1 quest was relevant to the plot going forward.

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Originally Posted by Jirah

sadly 5.4 gave us zero hints to the point where only like 1 quest was relevant to the plot going forward.

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I found it quite the opposite, there were numerous hints that it will be Islabard. The towers being Garlean make and tempering people to their cause, the plot threads of Fandaniel using Nerva as a puppet, and finally the last line that Zenos waits at the heart of the chaos, which can only mean Islabard in the Garlean succession crisis that might still be going on, it is also where we saw him, well waiting. I also saw some hints at Sharlayan as a potential hub but probably just that due to its size, most notably the mention of the twins father who if I recall got a description in a recent book, as well as their time there. the .4 quests always give hints to where we are going, even the 4.4 quest gave some hints at the First with the Scions being called off. The hints are there and this all but confirms Islabard with probably Sharlayn as the main hub.

Too bad that means it won't be done proper justice. Probably will be about as riveting as the Ala Mhigan side of SB...that's me giving a worst case scenario btw, I'm REALLY hoping I'm wrong on that.

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

Too bad that means it won't be done proper justice. Probably will be about as riveting as the Ala Mhigan side of SB...that's me giving a worst case scenario btw, I'm REALLY hoping I'm wrong on that.

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I agree. Even hellscape Islabard is going to be a rehash of Stormblood. Although I can't help but have this feeling that if we invade the Empire, it won't provide the necessary steps needed to finish the Hydaelyn/Zodiark arc.

For example: Where is Venat (5.2 and 5.3 make it very clear they exist as a primal somewhere)? We need to speak with Hydaelyn again--the mere fact we can comment that killing Emet and Elidibus might not have been the correct thing to do, given our origin is suspect. What was Azem doing when Hydaelyn and Zodiark were summoned (the third solution to the sound theory)? The short stories attached to the Rising make Phoenix an Ancient creation by Lahabrea, yet the 12 were summoned by Louisoix to make him Phoenix, while Lahabrea looked on--our understanding of the events here are potentially about to be retconned (also they threw in the Phoenix card to triple triad this latest patch; could be a red herring, but could also be a don't forget about this). Lastly, the WOL's flashback to the Rak'tika cave painting that shows Hydaelyn and Zodiark side by side, implying there is more to their story, let alone that they may have coexisted for a period of time before fighting and sundering the world.

Granted Fandaniel and Zenos (who can speculate is tied to answering the above questions and theories because he keeps dreaming of the final days) will be key, but does going to the Empire really promise to answer these questions? Where does an Empire expansion lead us back to Hydaelyn? How will the Empire connect back to Ancients (especially if Fandaniel doesn't care about that time period)?

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Originally Posted by Kesey

I agree. Even hellscape Islabard is going to be a rehash of Stormblood. Although I can't help but have this feeling that if we invade the Empire, it won't provide the necessary steps needed to finish the Hydaelyn/Zodiark arc.

For example: Where is Venat (5.2 and 5.3 make it very clear they exist as a primal somewhere)? We need to speak with Hydaelyn again--the mere fact we can comment that killing Emet and Elidibus might not have been the correct thing to do, given our origin is suspect. What was Azem doing when Hydaelyn and Zodiark were summoned (the third solution to the sound theory)? The short stories attached to the Rising make Phoenix an Ancient creation by Lahabrea, yet the 12 were summoned by Louisoix to make him Phoenix, while Lahabrea looked on--our understanding of the events here are potentially about to be retconned (also they threw in the Phoenix card to triple triad this latest patch; could be a red herring, but could also be a don't forget about this). Lastly, the WOL's flashback to the Rak'tika cave painting that shows Hydaelyn and Zodiark side by side, implying there is more to their story, let alone that they may have coexisted for a period of time before fighting and sundering the world.

Granted Fandaniel and Zenos (who can speculate is tied to answering the above questions and theories because he keeps dreaming of the final days) will be key, but does going to the Empire really promise to answer these questions? Where does an Empire expansion lead us back to Hydaelyn? How will the Empire connect back to Ancients (especially if Fandaniel doesn't care about that time period)?

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Empire side of a expansion would likely have closer ties to Zodiark what with its founding father being Emet-Selch, Varis used by Elidibus, and now Flandaniel and Zenos.

Sharlayan on the other hand has much closer ties with Hydelyn what with building the Antitower (which I highly doubt was the only one they thought to build), the hoarding of knowledge most likely has a few taboo scriptures of Hydelyn the entity, the clear research of those with echo(Students of Baldesian), and the similarity between Sharlayan and the Amourotines.

Honestly a split expansion can work if what they split up is done right, splitting Hydelyn and Zodiark threads between two sets of areas(not necessarily a 3/3 split).

I think with the current information we have Sharlayan is our best bet if we need to talk to Hydelyn and Venat, new information can of course change that but right now to resolve the Hydelyn side Sharlayan looks like the place to go. With Zodiark it is how do we or Zenos get to the moon which can be done anywhere at any point because next to nothing on how to do that, though best bet would be the most advanced place we can get to in a reasonable short timeframe(stupid 1 year time bubble) which just so happens to be the empire and Allagan stuff.

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Originally Posted by Crushnight

Empire side of a expansion would likely have closer ties to Zodiark what with its founding father being Emet-Selch, Varis used by Elidibus, and now Flandaniel and Zenos.

Sharlayan on the other hand has much closer ties with Hydelyn what with building the Antitower (which I highly doubt was the only one they thought to build), the hoarding of knowledge most likely has a few taboo scriptures of Hydelyn the entity, the clear research of those with echo(Students of Baldesian), and the similarity between Sharlayan and the Amourotines.

Honestly a split expansion can work if what they split up is done right, splitting Hydelyn and Zodiark threads between two sets of areas(not necessarily a 3/3 split).

I think with the current information we have Sharlayan is our best bet if we need to talk to Hydelyn and Venat, new information can of course change that but right now to resolve the Hydelyn side Sharlayan looks like the place to go. With Zodiark it is how do we or Zenos get to the moon which can be done anywhere at any point because next to nothing on how to do that, though best bet would be the most advanced place we can get to in a reasonable short timeframe(stupid 1 year time bubble) which just so happens to be the empire and Allagan stuff.

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I agree with the Sharlayan side of things, but again what more do you want to know about Ascians? I think the questions that surround the Ancients are: What is the sound? What was Azem doing while all of this Hydaelyn/Zodiark hullabaloo went on? Was there an immediate fight between Hydaelyn and Zodiark or did the conflict come to ahead after Azem was involved? Finally, what happened after Hydaelyn won by sundering the world?

And the best source of this information will be Hydaelyn. Fail that, Venat. And since the final confrontation will be with Zodiark, with high potential to be on the moon, why go to the Empire at all? Wouldn't it be more prudent to visit the ruins of an Allagan site that has a rocket, or space whale, to get us to the moon? Wouldn't an island of mage scholars, who are withholding the knowledge and the power to help save the world, know of a legend or place like this?

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Originally Posted by Kesey

I agree with the Sharlayan side of things, but again what more do you want to know about Ascians? I think the questions that surround the Ancients are: What is the sound? What was Azem doing while all of this Hydaelyn/Zodiark hullabaloo went on? Was there an immediate fight between Hydaelyn and Zodiark or did the conflict come to ahead after Azem was involved? Finally, what happened after Hydaelyn won by sundering the world?

And the best source of this information will be Hydaelyn. Fail that, Venat. And since the final confrontation will be with Zodiark, with high potential to be on the moon, why go to the Empire at all? Wouldn't it be more prudent to visit the ruins of an Allagan site that has a rocket, or space whale, to get us to the moon? Wouldn't an island of mage scholars, who are withholding the knowledge and the power to help save the world, know of a legend or place like this?

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The empire has hoards of Allagan stuff, they actively go out and try to take remnants of the Allagan Empire so I think with current knowledge, the empire is the best place to go to try and reach Zodiark we are either getting there via magictek or via teleportation and I doubt an Ascian is going to be inclined to give us a portal to Zodiark's lair, though I will conceive knowledge of Zodiark's whereabouts could be in Sharlayan and then the Scions might conceive of a way to get there but that seems a bit of a stretch on their part.

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Originally Posted by Crushnight

The empire has hoards of Allagan stuff, they actively go out and try to take remnants of the Allagan Empire so I think with current knowledge, the empire is the best place to go to try and reach Zodiark we are either getting there via magictek or via teleportation and I doubt an Ascian is going to be inclined to give us a portal to Zodiark's lair, though I will conceive knowledge of Zodiark's whereabouts could be in Sharlayan and then the Scions might conceive of a way to get there but that seems a bit of a stretch on their part.

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I wouldn't say it's a stretch considering how secretive the Sharlayans are. Remember, these guys had a very convenient method of reaching and speaking to Hydaelyn (the Antitower), so them knowing all this stuff wouldn't be out of the ordinary. If anything, it would be a good way to not only put a foot in the door for other regions, but also add some massive conflict to the plot for the Scions themselves. Imagine if they knew everything that was going on, if they already knew what the Ascians wanted, where they went, etc? How much conflict that would cause with the Scions alone, and also allow for one hell of a "The Reason You Suck Speech" while also highlighting everything that was wrong with Amaurot as a city (them knowing how to fix things, but refusing to). It'd also lead directly into why the 14th was constantly traveling, why they basically left the Convocation, and where they went.

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

I wouldn't say it's a stretch considering how secretive the Sharlayans are. Remember, these guys had a very convenient method of reaching and speaking to Hydaelyn (the Antitower), so them knowing all this stuff wouldn't be out of the ordinary. If anything, it would be a good way to not only put a foot in the door for other regions, but also add some massive conflict to the plot for the Scions themselves. Imagine if they knew everything that was going on, if they already knew what the Ascians wanted, where they went, etc? How much conflict that would cause with the Scions alone, and also allow for one hell of a "The Reason You Suck Speech" while also highlighting everything that was wrong with Amaurot as a city (them knowing how to fix things, but refusing to). It'd also lead directly into why the 14th was constantly traveling, why they basically left the Convocation, and where they went.

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This is a spitball, but given what happens in 5.4 Its feeling more realistic.

Zenos renews the war and towers are pumping aether out of the planet to awaken Zodiark. Seeing that we are in the final hour, the Scions, most likely Alphinaud's idea, is to appeal to Sharlayan for help, because the problem is literally at their door step too. Drama happens in the Leveilleur family and Venat is discovered. This takes up one to two new areas and the hub. This leads to a conversation with Hydaelyn because we discovered Venat and the results of this is Sharlayan joins the war against the Empire and also shares the lengend of Allagan ruins the Empire doesn't have access too. This will move the story to an exploration of a new place with little information of its current situation, like Mercaydia or the New World (Continent). We get there to find out we are racing Fandaniel, or Zenos, or both of them to this missing location. This journey takes up at least 3 to 4 areas. We find the location first and get to the moon. Zenos and Fandaniel find another way there. Final area may be the moon, or just the location of the trial. We defeat the Fandaniel/Zenos/Zodiark mess and save the world.

Now I know this isn't the "go to the Empire" expansion people have hopped for and maybe I'm wrong. But the scenario does set up the answer to all the questions, gives us the epic fight and saves the world well within one expansion.

I'd be horribly surprised if we didn't go to Ilsabard/Garlemald at this point now that Fadaniel has invited/threatened us to go after Zenos in "the heart of the chaos".

I'm expecting those towers of his to continue being a problem even into 6.x and possibly the reason for our zone-hopping.

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Originally Posted by KageTokage

I'd be horribly surprised if we didn't go to Ilsabard/Garlemald at this point now that Fadaniel has invited/threatened us to go after Zenos in "the heart of the chaos".

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Problem with "the heart of the chaos" is that its purposefully vague. We still don't have a single clue where we're going, and there are too many hints leading to multiple directions here.

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

Problem with "the heart of the chaos" is that its purposefully vague. We still don't have a single clue where we're going, and there are too many hints leading to multiple directions here.

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Except it seems to be highly implying it is Islabard, which is in the midst of a massive civil war as well as the fact that he was seen after in the Imperial Palace. There is also the fact that the map has clouds that in some areas resemble a storm cover Islabard, with the Garlean palace placed in something similar to an eye of a hurricane, what some would consider a heart of chaos. There are no hints and no reason whatsoever to go to Meracydia at the moment, it is a wasteland in the present, and there are issues that are currently engulfing the three continents. I do se Sharlayan playing a role, possibly as the hub city, but all evidence points toward the exploration zones being in Islabard. And while some think there may be a curveball keep in mind they already did a curveball away from Islabrd in ShB, which worked to help set up the finale and the stakes and make sure we don't have the same foe two expansions in a row (cough cough SWTOR KotFE followed by KotET), but now with all the scenes there throughout SB and ShB, i highly doubt they will do another misdirect because they already Did It with ShB, doing the same curveball with the same location over again will get old and repetitive.

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Originally Posted by FrightfulNight

Except it seems to be highly implying it is Islabard, which is in the midst of a massive civil war as well as the fact that he was seen after in the Imperial Palace. There is also the fact that the map has clouds that in some areas resemble a storm cover Islabard, with the Garlean palace placed in something similar to an eye of a hurricane, what some would consider a heart of chaos. There are no hints and no reason whatsoever to go to Meracydia at the moment, it is a wasteland in the present, and there are issues that are currently engulfing the three continents. I do se Sharlayan playing a role, possibly as the hub city, but all evidence points toward the exploration zones being in Islabard. And while some think there may be a curveball keep in mind they already did a curveball away from Islabrd in ShB, which worked to help set up the finale and the stakes and make sure we don't have the same foe two expansions in a row (cough cough SWTOR KotFE followed by KotET), but now with all the scenes there throughout SB and ShB, i highly doubt they will do another misdirect because they already Did It with ShB, doing the same curveball with the same location over again will get old and repetitive.

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My problem with this path is it won't answer enough questions. How can does a warpath to Fandaniel and Zenos really get us closer to Hydaelyn and question what we've learned about the WOL's life previous life as Azem, why she insists the Ascians need to go when we had dialogue options to question if it was the right thing to do putting down Emet and Elidibus? Doesn't this question alone warrant a mission to physically cross the aetherial sea to talk to Hydaelyn?

And chances are high we go to the moon; what about a conveyance to get there? I'm sure this how the Allagans tie into this story because if anyone has a space ship or rocket it was them. Granted the Empire has Allagan ruins themselves, but really another area like Ayzs Lla could be anywhere.

Those hints about the Empire are scraps at best. They only promise a confrontation with Zenos and Fandaniel and we had that promise at the end of 5.3. There isn't enough information about this coming expansion to make a proper educated guess.

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

Problem with "the heart of the chaos" is that its purposefully vague. We still don't have a single clue where we're going, and there are too many hints leading to multiple directions here.

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The best my mind can suppose out of, "at the heart of the chaos" is the idea that Fandaniel and his towers that are

tempering people to Garlemald

is that they might raise a illusory primal version of the city and call it, "Pandemonium" in order to make a direct reference to the first Final Fantasy with an empire, Final Fantasy II.

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Originally Posted by Kesey

My problem with this path is it won't answer enough questions. How can does a warpath to Fandaniel and Zenos really get us closer to Hydaelyn and question what we've learned about the WOL's life previous life as Azem, why she insists the Ascians need to go when we had dialogue options to question if it was the right thing to do putting down Emet and Elidibus? Doesn't this question alone warrant a mission to physically cross the aetherial sea to talk to Hydaelyn?

And chances are high we go to the moon; what about a conveyance to get there? I'm sure this how the Allagans tie into this story because if anyone has a space ship or rocket it was them. Granted the Empire has Allagan ruins themselves, but really another area like Ayzs Lla could be anywhere.

Those hints about the Empire are scraps at best. They only promise a confrontation with Zenos and Fandaniel and we had that promise at the end of 5.3. There isn't enough information about this coming expansion to make a proper educated guess.

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I still see Sharlyan playing a role in the story, perhaps as the hub and it will be from there that we will get this information, and I have said for years now that the final mystery zone will be the moon. However I do not see them pulling a red herring with Islabard again, they already di it once, t do it twice in a row will get repetitive and boring as well as turn it into a bit of a meme. for the past two expansions now they have been hinting at Islabard which to me makes me think it will be very important in the finale, it is the last of the three continents which I can see as the season 1 location. Also you have talked before about the Aetherial see being a zone, but in my mind it does not have enough justification to be one of the six exploration zones, it would be a waste of a zone, we see it in the character creation and select screen, a dungeon or instanced are like Werlyt maybe but not a full on zone.

6.0 just needs to end as many plots as possible rather than create more. I'm just worried about it feeling like filler arc story wise as Stormblood 2.0 is just not something I want to slog through again. Did not care how Ala Mhigo was just abandoned plot wise.

The remnants of Garlemald need to be dealt with and Zenos/Fandaniel need to die. Garlemald should be rebuilt as a demilitarized Technocracy. Sharlayan would be ideal with a new storyline to bring us into 7.0. Possibly about trying to get them to help rebuild the world after a doomsday level event? All that hoarded knowledge and magic and not a finger lifted to help against a world ending threat? Yeah, no. I would be willing to bet the rest of the world wouldn't look too kindly to those who stayed out of that.

So Chaos is usually associated with the void, right? The opposite of Light and Stillness. What if the 'heart of chaos' is the heart of Zodiark? Who we know is in the moon. We go to the moon!

I'm frankly kind of tired of the way the story is progressing at this point. It's hard to feel emotion at each new world ending event when our character is a literal god. I don't know what the future holds, but I would like to see something like this: We clear up the Garleans, Ascians, and Zodiark problem. In defeating Zodiark we sacrifice our own warrior of light powers and spend the remaining expansions exploring new lands as a regular (albeit powerful) adventurer solving more grounded problems.

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Originally Posted by GrumbleBeard

I'm frankly kind of tired of the way the story is progressing at this point. It's hard to feel emotion at each new world ending event when our character is a literal god. I don't know what the future holds, but I would like to see something like this: We clear up the Garleans, Ascians, and Zodiark problem. In defeating Zodiark we sacrifice our own warrior of light powers and spend the remaining expansions exploring new lands as a regular (albeit powerful) adventurer solving more grounded problems.

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Our character isn't a god though. We are just a normal person who's just very good at the whole fighting thing. And we don't really have WoL powers. Closest thing would be the blessing of light which doesn't really give us any real powers.