Patch 6.55 - Growing Light Part II - Story Discussion

I mean if we are going down that road, I think the narrator spot could've given to several people who have passed.

Moenbryda, Papalymo and Minfilia could do Sharlayan and Labyrinthos.
Ardbert and Elidibus could do Mare Lamentorum.
Emet, Hythlo and Venat could do Ultima Thule.

Thavnair, Radz-at-han and Garlemald are trickier, but I feel like Haurchefant and Ysayle are up for the task. Thavnair has a dragon, Estinien and I feel like Haurchefant would really like Radz-at-han. Meanwhile Garlemald has... war and snow. So yeah, they could team up for those maps. Though now I can't remember if Garlemald even had a narration.

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Originally Posted by Cleretic

Oop, Sanna's reminded me that by the time I'd made my post, I'd slept and evidently forgotten the actual worst part of the patch for me. Which is kind of a good sign, really--if the worst part of a patch is so forgettable that you literally do forget it within the day, it literally just isn't that bad. But it still annoys me.

C'mon, did we have to have that scene of Emet's little sequel hook speech? What is that even doing for anyone aside from going 'hey, remember The Guy?' We didn't need the explicit reminder, an earlier scene in the patch already gave us the dialog option to bring it up, and in my experience people prefer that level of subtlety in their callbacks. Is this just for a possibly-fictional group of players that's so critically Ancient-brained that they'd switch off unless the story wasn't directly linked to one?

I'm not even sure it does much for the Emet-likers; they're mostly there for the complicated emotional and character dynamic, and this is as flatly positive as it gets for him.

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I even as an Emet enjoyer went really we needed to be reminded of the laundry list? It is a bit strange that we had the under the sea treasures reminder again. Unless we're all wrong in thinking that Alzadaal's Legacy was said under sea treasures.

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Originally Posted by Tehmon

I mean if we are going down that road, I think the narrator spot could've given to several people who have passed.

Moenbryda, Papalymo and Minfilia could do Sharlayan and Labyrinthos.
Ardbert and Elidibus could do Mare Lamentorum.
Emet, Hythlo and Venat could do Ultima Thule.

Thavnair, Radz-at-han and Garlemald are trickier, but I feel like Haurchefant and Ysayle are up for the task. Thavnair has a dragon, Estinien and I feel like Haurchefant would really like Radz-at-han. Meanwhile Garlemald has... war and snow. So yeah, they could team up for those maps. Though now I can't remember if Garlemald even had a narration.

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It did it was Emet going oh man Solus and even I as Solus went holy fork balls this places is extremely cold. Then went on about how Emet as Solus went about shaping Garlemald and her people into the kind that we meet today. Ones ripe for the picking for Fandaniel to turn easily into tempered thralls of Anima.

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Originally Posted by SannaR

It did it was Emet going oh man Solus and even I as Solus went holy fork balls this places is extremely cold. Then went on about how Emet as Solus went about shaping Garlemald and her people into the kind that we meet today. Ones ripe for the picking for Fandaniel to turn easily into tempered thralls of Anima.

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I don't remember this at all LMAO. But it's no wonder, the Garlemald section was my least favorite part of the expansion. Okay, maybe Labyrinthos Part 2 was equally frustrating.

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Originally Posted by SannaR

I even as an Emet enjoyer went really we needed to be reminded of the laundry list? It is a bit strange that we had the under the sea treasures reminder again. Unless we're all wrong in thinking that Alzadaal's Legacy was said under sea treasures.

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I honestly won't be surprised if the under the Sea part ends up as a Expansion involving a underwater Nation that some how created a underwater dome large enough to be a country.

A side content is a obvious guess but if the Bucket List ends up being what each Expansion is going to focus on individually then it will be a bit of a interesting concept how the development team handles this

MSQ thoughts:

Honestly I have Erenville pegged as the fourth claimant. Hiding under a different name/identity, has known Wuk Lamat since they were children, is obviously being evasive and trying to distance himself and...

If the poster composition is anything to go by, it would be so neat and clever for the four claimants to be arranged like this: hidden in plain sight.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...5370/image.png

Like most people here I think Thancred and Urianger were petitioned by Koana, who would seem the perfect type to be seeking the help of Archons given his background. I feel like the succession war will be over fairly early on, especially if Valigarmanda is the first trial.

I love how they went 180 about the whole "Manderville are from alien descent, that's why they are so resilient". I don't know what was the general concensus, but within the circles I follow, this was judged a very bad idea, because Hildi was supposed to be that nonsensical thing on the side, and giving it a justification went against that.

We got 12 Quests, 1 new Boss, 1 Emote, 1 Tripple Triad Card and 1 Cosmetic Item + 4 Housing Items ... for that we waited 6 Months? How many Millions does SE earns in those 6 Months? This Patch is pure dissapointment.

1. How does Wuk Lamat know about us and why?
2. This craziness with Gulool Ja Ja adopts the World and their Grandmothers. Really? It sounds already like a 0815 Story.
3. Every time the WoL could give an answer or opinion it was always the same A.) New Adventure or B.) The City of Gold …. HELLO SE, we are not 5 year olds who need to be manipulated.
4. Jullus with his Friends … why? We are not even close or friends. He had to talk about his sad background … who cares at this Point?
5. The Twins in Sharlayan … OH Lord, why me? What have I done that you can't spare me?
6. Those two poor Children who are working for Slave Master Tataru. Thinking about their Home, sending even Money Home. If I want to have some real Bullshit in a Game, then let me at least choose if I want to see that.
7. Finally, a reminder from Emet …

My Hype for Dawntrail at this point is 0,1%.

Krile's Letter

From the fact it was written in Eorzean, had the actual name not wholly legible, and was described by Wuk Lamat as "maybe dictated," I'm like 99% sure it wasn't from Gulool Ja Ja.

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Originally Posted by Cilia

Krile's Letter

From the fact it was written in Eorzean, had the actual name not wholly legible, and was described by Wuk Lamat as "maybe dictated," I'm like 99% sure it wasn't from Gulool Ja Ja.

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that letter

the signature looks genuine to Wuk, which could be a forgery or they got him to sign a blank. But it smells of palace intrigue, and I'd be looking closely at advisors, ministers, and the traveling companions of 80 years ago. Ketenramm is all but guaranteed to be involved in the 80 year flashback plot (probably not flashbacks involved beyond some Echo stills). Erenville doesn't read to be as a royal sibling would-be claimant as much as a son of a high ranking official - he's running away from royal vizier, not crown. The letter is old enough, presumably, that it's not a plant from Koana the miq'ote brother, but I would look closely at who suggested to send or helped arrange his Sharlayan overseas studies.

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Originally Posted by Denishia

that letter

the signature looks genuine to Wuk, which could be a forgery or they got him to sign a blank. But it smells of palace intrigue, and I'd be looking closely at advisors, ministers, and the traveling companions of 80 years ago. Ketenramm is all but guaranteed to be involved in the 80 year flashback plot (probably not flashbacks involved beyond some Echo stills). Erenville doesn't read to be as a royal sibling would-be claimant as much as a son of a high ranking official - he's running away from royal vizier, not crown. The letter is old enough, presumably, that it's not a plant from Koana the miq'ote brother, but I would look closely at who suggested to send or helped arrange his Sharlayan overseas studies.

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The fact it "may have been dictated" suggests that even if it is Gulool Ja Ja's genuine signature, he may not know what was actually written on it. There's something fishy about it, but I can't place my finger on what exactly.

Ten characters, kiddos!

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Originally Posted by Denishia

that letter

the signature looks genuine to Wuk, which could be a forgery or they got him to sign a blank. But it smells of palace intrigue, and I'd be looking closely at advisors, ministers, and the traveling companions of 80 years ago. Ketenramm is all but guaranteed to be involved in the 80 year flashback plot (probably not flashbacks involved beyond some Echo stills). Erenville doesn't read to be as a royal sibling would-be claimant as much as a son of a high ranking official - he's running away from royal vizier, not crown. The letter is old enough, presumably, that it's not a plant from Koana the miq'ote brother, but I would look closely at who suggested to send or helped arrange his Sharlayan overseas studies.

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Personally, I suspect the letter is a fake but the signature is real or that it is real but due to the whole secrets of the Golden City, they could not go public with what happened during their investigation with the Golden City.

If the letter is fake, I am guessing someone close to the king made this letter. The children of the King would be too young at the time to even do something like this so I am guessing it is someone else we have not met yet but we will meet once we get to Tural and meet the more influencial people in Tural.

If it is real then Gulool Ja Ja and Krile's grandfather may have found something they consider must never be known to the public at that time.

Blue mage observation

There was an interesting passage where the writer was taught the magic in exchange for teaching them the eorezan spoken language. In addition was permitted to live with them.

It is possible its Martyn or Whastrach wrote this. I personally doubt Whastrach as they did not view the magic as worthwhile, and the writing contained in "Principles of Blue Magic and Spell Acquisition" is more of praise and in honoring the tribe by calling it a "noble magic".

I doubt it would be an unknown third person as that would only mean they came to the same conclusions and also choosing to name the magic "blue magic" that as the text states "no name existed for it in the common tongue".

I could entirely be wrong but this is the first time any mention of a "shaman" has been mentioned in regards to the whalaqee. Potentially the actual name of the job? Also this would mean that to some extent that Martyn was serving as basically a substitute-shaman, for better and for worse.

The text gives a bit more insight into the Whalaqee and their traditions, which gives it a druid-like feel. with phrases like:

• "the tribe holds nature in the highest, and in seeking to cultivate a spiritual connection with it, they have learned to harness the power of the wildlife around them"
• "make the animals' power my own"

Though I will admit there isn't much spiritualism in the actual blue mage quests. As aside from the learning-aspect such as with the totems or of battling monsters, it gives the practice of the magic a divorced feeling from its more spiritual roots. Which is probably by the intention as its been commercialized and used for entertainment.

Crossed out a bit of text, as a little physical book provided information that made even that not have any spiritualism to it. This tidbit from the following:

Though Martyn did reference Whalaqee carvings in the creation of these totems, they are his own handiwork—their name lending perhaps undeserved air of authenticity. Infused with the aether of creatures from the New World, said totems enable trained blue mage practitioners to learn new spells without journeying across the Indigo Deep.

-Encyclopedia Eoreza, Volume III pg. 239

Whilst we're on the subject of Erenville...

The reveal that Erenville is a Turali native genuinely took me by surprise, especially considering he has the standard Viera accent. I have to wonder if there's a separate Viera culture in Tural like the Xbr'aal for Hrothgar, although the trailer clearly shows a good amount of Hrothgar in Tuliyollal and zero Viera. A decently sized population in Tural could explain why there are so many Viera in Sharlayan and nowhere else outside Golmore due to the geographical proximity (yes, all the races are pretty equally represented in Sharlayan but I want to dream about Viera being plot-relevant). Or, maybe he's just a complete outlier and ended up there as a child for completely arbitrary reasons.

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Originally Posted by EdwinLi

Personally, I suspect the letter is a fake but the signature is real or that it is real but due to the whole secrets of the Golden City, they could not go public with what happened during their investigation with the Golden City.

If the letter is fake, I am guessing someone close to the king made this letter. The children of the King would be too young at the time to even do something like this so I am guessing it is someone else we have not met yet but we will meet once we get to Tural and meet the more influencial people in Tural.

If it is real then Gulool Ja Ja and Krile's grandfather may have found something they consider must never be known to the public at that time.

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Yeah, the letter is very suspicious, and I'm looking forward to learning the circumstances behind it. (I am aware I might be over-hyping myself, but it's fun to speculate anyway.)

It's suspicious because it's deliberately suspicious. Wuk Lamat, and probably anyone from Tural (or at least Tuliyollal), would be able to identify it as "fake" from the language used and the wax seal. But the signature is genuine, which means it's not just an obvious prank. So Gulool Ja Ja would have known about this letter, and implicitly consented to its sending, but presented it in a way that makes it look fake. And seeking the answer to why he would do such a thing is probably at least part of why Krile is following us to Tural.

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Originally Posted by Palladiamors

That's...it? That's all until mid to late summer? We see the new cat girl in action and Krile uses a spell we've already seen?

A disappointing end to a disappointing expansion. At least it's over and the next time I log in I won't have to hear that insipid song any more.

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No it isn't. Granted it's not part of the MSQ, but nonetheless:
https://www.destructoid.com/wp-conte...-with-FF16.png

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Originally Posted by Carin-Eri

No it isn't. Granted it's not part of the MSQ, but nonetheless:
https://www.destructoid.com/wp-conte...-with-FF16.png

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With Heavensturn returning, I think they might also bring back the XV crossover before DawnTrail release. Still, I'm very looking forward to FFXVI crossover as all the items look very appealing to me.

Would be nice though, if for some reason DawnTrail gets delayed, they'd at least release the two new jobs to tide people over. Though it's highly unlikely they would do that.

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Originally Posted by Vallavia

Whilst we're on the subject of Erenville...

The reveal that Erenville is a Turali native genuinely took me by surprise, especially considering he has the standard Viera accent.

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I mean, remember that Lyna was in the same boat, despite being raised by G'raha. Or Runar's accent despite his (presumed) upbringing among the Night's Blessed. Accents are apparently genetic lol. The English dub just doesn't seem to give these things deeper consideration -- or at least not since Stormblood.

I think that someone hiding where he's coming from, and evidently doing so very well, probably has trained away from his native accent.

EDIT: I should clarify, I don't have an explanation for any of the others (although I could probably devise one), but for Erenville specifically? Yeah, him not having a Turalian accent makes sense.

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Originally Posted by Turnintino

The English dub just doesn't seem to give these things deeper consideration -- or at least not since Stormblood.

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I would say since before then – I'm not sure about accents (I still to this day have not played much of ARR/HW with voices turned on) but the persistence of naming conventions being entirely race-based and not cultural always seemed odd. Some races might be a bit more insular and sticking to particular traditions, but it didn't seem right to have things like Midlanders all having the same types of names from Ul'dah to Ishgard and yet Mid- and Highlander names stay distinct from each other.

Later expansions have been better about this and having culture-based rather than strictly racial names.

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Originally Posted by Iscah

I would say since before then – I'm not sure about accents (I still to this day have not played much of ARR/HW with voices turned on) but the persistence of naming conventions being entirely race-based and not cultural always seemed odd. Some races might be a bit more insular and sticking to particular traditions, but it didn't seem right to have things like Midlanders all having the same types of names from Ul'dah to Ishgard and yet Mid- and Highlander names stay distinct from each other.

Later expansions have been better about this and having culture-based rather than strictly racial names.

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Considering the fact that they’re all grouped under “Midlander” and all share the same historical origins, I would argue that Midlander Hyur are all 1 culture and it makes sense for them to share the same names. They all speak the same language, live in just a handful of cities, and make up half of the population of the whole continent.

Meanwhile the separate races of Eorzea are proudly defensive of their heritage and do not mix with each other so it makes sense that they’d all maintain their naming conventions even after Midlander Hyur (re)incursions into the region from Ilsabard in the early Sixth Era. Highlander Hyur came from Amdapor and Mhach so it still makes sense for those two populations to have different naming conventions from the Midlanders who originated from Ilsabard as well.

The reason everyone in the Far-East has the same naming conventions is because the local Roegadyn and Au Ra fell completely under the sway of the Hyur culture there.

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Originally Posted by Iscah

I would say since before then – I'm not sure about accents (I still to this day have not played much of ARR/HW with voices turned on) but the persistence of naming conventions being entirely race-based and not cultural always seemed odd. Some races might be a bit more insular and sticking to particular traditions, but it didn't seem right to have things like Midlanders all having the same types of names from Ul'dah to Ishgard and yet Mid- and Highlander names stay distinct from each other.

Later expansions have been better about this and having culture-based rather than strictly racial names.

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It makes enough sense if you consider that in places not governed by one of the three Eorzean Alliance city-states people tend to stick to insular communities of their race; the U miqo'te tribe in Southern Thanalan, f'ex. We just don't see most of them in-game on account of the limited world; Duskwight Elezen, Plainsfolk Lalafell, Roegadyn of both tribes, and Keepers of the Moon Miqo'te have their ancestral homes so far removed from the game world we just don't get to interact with their settlements.

As far as voices go, with only a few notable exceptions everyone speaks with a British accent of some sort from 2.0 onwards. 2.0-2.X had an NA cast, but after 2.X wrapped they shifted the voice studio to London... to be fair it's very good in general (especially compared to the piss poor quality of 2.0; 2.X is much better), but hearing everyone from every corner of the globe and beyond speak with a British accent is just a tiny bit strange. (They do pronounce foreign words correctly, so that's nice.) I chalk it up to Ascian influence from a Watsonian perspective.

The only exceptions are Viera characters (who speak with an Icelandic accent in homage to Fran) and Wuk Lamat. I'm assuming other Turali characters will also not speak with a British accent once we get there; s'ppose they finally listened to my criticism on this point? (Who am I kidding, of course they didn't.)

Runar and Magnus (honestly can't remember if there've been other voiced Hrothgar) both spoke with Norwegian accents as well, which seems more than coincidence, especially considering the Ronso naming conventions on the First, in contrast to the more Slavic inspiration for the Hrothgar of the Source. But it's clear that rule wasn't extended to Wuk Lamat the same way it was extended to Viera like Lyna and Erenville -- and with good reason. But point being that reason hasn't always been enough lol.

I didn't forget about Runar (Magnus though I did), I was just a bit on the fence as to whether their accents were British or not. It's a bit hard to tell or remember, given how little dialogue the two have. I'll concede the point, but the fact the lion's share of people from Norvrandt (a separate plane of existence with 12,000 years of differing history) speak with the same accent is just a teensy bit jarring. (I'll forgive the language aspect on account of the Echo.)

Also the voiced Hannish characters do have Near Eastern (Indian)-ish accents. Forgot about them, totes truthsies.

Oh, for sure. In the same way Ala Mhigans had northern Yorkshire accents, albeit more consistently. The racial accents, in contrast, wouldn't strike me as so peculiar except under the circumstances I already pointed out. But at the end of the day, I know that just comes down to a lack of foresight on the part of the English casting and direction.

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Originally Posted by Teah_Kaye

Dredging this back up because it seemed like the most relevant place to put it without starting a new thread altogether, but I think they might do a political assassination that makes everything go belly-up toward the end of the first half of the story concerning Turali succession. Either of Gulool Ja Ja himself or one of the other "good" candidates.

I have absolutely no evidence for this, it's just crackpot.

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It's a common political trope for the bad guy to do a bad thing that ends up turning everyone on him.

Recently I found out some interesting things. You can go and talk to the three researchers that you helped during Margrat's quests. It um might be some time before we get properly functioning microwaves as on occasion some of those who are working on them have ended up melting them. Then if you go to the last dregs you can interact with the radio. There's three different blurbs you can get. Two are advertisements. The third one has me going "No, how about that creepy jerk stay dead?" as it's a story of a Loporrit who almost got nabbed by a masked Miqo'te while on their way to drop off supplies for the Garlean reconstruction. Which I'm glad that the devs aren't forgetting that is a thing that is supposed to be happening. Yet at the same time I'm a little bummed that it's starting to feel as though we will never get to see it in game or if we do only after a small part has been completed and that it will only have happened off screen. I feel that the cosmos building thing we are going to be getting is going to get a lot of hate. As I'm sure some already hate it and more will end up hating it from the start all due to it not being Garlean restoration. Even if it's not bad content or doesn't end up having a bad story.