The Griffin

I'm surprised nobody here looks to be surprised about Eline Roaille being mentioned in the storyline. (really briefly mention by Thancred via linkshell to Alphinaud)
I don't remember exactly why she has mentioned, as it's just in 1/2 sentences. I think she has been dealing with crystals.
Yep, those same crystals used by the Griffin to trade with Amalj'aas.

Back in 2.X, Eline was revealed to be a Garlemald ally.
And now, it seems she is helping the Griffin, right ?
The guy who wants to take Ala Mhigo back from Garlemald ?

Why would she do that ?
If I remember well, Illberd was the one capturing her in 2.X.
Was he also the one to release her, asking her to be loyal to him ? =)
I can't see any other reason for her to fight against Garlemald.

Or maybe I didn't understand a single thing.

Did anyone snag some photos, or video of the two Griffins conversing? I'd like to see them again.

Most little Ala Mhigo NPCs have new dialouge, some interesting tidbits there.

I'm betting all of my gil that it's Illberd. He up and runs after we encounter him in 3.0. He's ambitious and vengeful as all hell. He was charismatic enough to sway a ton of the Crystal Braves to his side during the mutiny. And he wants Ala Mhigo back.

I just can't see Gaius coming back for this, especially since the Griffin's plan involved allowing the Amal'jja to summon Ifrit - something that Gaius would absolutely never do unless for some reason he stopped thinking of the primals as abhorrent.

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Originally Posted by Cilia

I treat this kind of thing as detective work as it should be treated. I don't rule out possibilities, but try and gauge whether something is plausible or probable. The list of suspects are: [snip]

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The scarring quote seems to be a potential red herring, really; take the way it was handled in V for Vendetta - the original graphic novel, that is. Alan Moore lets out the suggestion that the experiments originally performed on V might also have ended up disfiguring him, but it's never acknowledged in full.

That particular door in the narrative never actually gets thrown open in the novel, and it does certainly add up to the whole "masked man" mystique. "Keep 'em guessing" does work best, usually... and it's often a letdown when the mask goes off (Vader in the original trilogy, anyone?).

The "boundless rage and bottomless despair", "heart which thirsts for vengeance", the mix of charisma and passion and the theme of masks are most likely a throwback to numerous other well-intentioned extremists -- part of the recipe for one, anyway. He should be dressed in black for that, however, since Elidibus got the white chessmaster look covered already. :D

In the end, I'd wager that most signs point in Ilberd's direction, and that means a whole new lot of trouble is brewing (besides the Eyes. The EYES). We'll see...

The Ivy was briefly brought up; it was noted the remnants of her spy network was operating in Ishgard and was responsible for supplying the beast tribes (and the Masks) with the crystals for the summonings of 3.4. We have no news on the Ivy herself; she is rotting in Ul'dahn prison somewhere until we get word otherwise. I don't consider her a suspect because of the whole "rotting in Ul'dahn prison" bit, though it is a possibility. She could also be personally involved, but again, rotting in Ul'dahn prison.

Gaius is only a suspect because of anecdotal evidence. I don't consider him likely to be the Griffin's true identity because he was stuck in the exploding Praetorium; we may not have a body tied to the bumper of our manacutters, but it's reasonably safe to say he is dead. He's only mentioned by the False Griffin in reference to the new legate / viceroy of Ala Mhigo and how he's much worse than Gaius was. (Gaius, despite his shortcomings, was still probably the closest thing to a progressive Garlean possible outside of expatriates.) Gaius is a possibility, but I don't even consider him a plausible culprit (or it's barely plausible, requiring "fill in the blank" answers like "How did he survive the Praetorium?", "Why is he trying to stir up the Ala Mhigans to retake their home?" etc).

With Ilberd there are no such unanswered questions, and the Griffin's MO fits his circumstances when you analyze it a bit. Elidibus' description of the Griffin's character when handing over the Eyes also fits quite well.

Even so, we cannot rule out the possibility that it's another Ala Mhigan refugee, possibly one we already know as was the case with the False Griffin or possibly one we do not. There is also the possibility that the Griffin is merely paying lip service to the cause, though given the way he conducts himself and is willing to do anything to liberate Ala Mhigo, even use Nidhogg's damned Eyes to some unknown end, I don't think that's very likely. (Strictly speaking the Griffin isn't even necessarily Ala Mhigan, though his skin tone does suggest that he is.)

Why Gaius would trust on another ascian again after last time?

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Originally Posted by Frederick22

Why Gaius would trust on another ascian again after last time?

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That's perhaps the best objection we can come up alongside "...But he should be dead, very dead", I agree. After the whole thing with Ultima and being stringed all along by Lahabrea, he would be legitimately suspicious of the offer - given how things turned out with the Heart of Sabik. And even more so now that Omega's part of the whole picture.

On the contrary, had the Black Wolf somehow managed to survive... I assume he would be very, very motivated at getting back at Garlemald, both because of his personal woes (losing his command, losing Livia, losing... well, everything, possibly up to being disfigured) and the change in leadership with Varis now at the helm and Regula effectively serving as Gaius' replacement.

Cilia said it best: the Griffin doesn't have to be Ala Mhigan. For that, there are precedents in other narratives, i.e. the Scarlet Pimpernel being an English nobleman but operating in France, or Lelouch / Zero in Code Geass (a Britannian princeling getting back at his own homeland while operating a Japanese-borne group of freedom fighters).

But his motivations seem to be quite... heartfelt, to say the least, hence Ilberd seems to be the most likely candidate, IMHO at least.

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Originally Posted by Frederick22

Why Gaius would trust on another ascian again after last time?

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This is the biggest reason I do not believe he is Gaius. Yes, I do believe he is alive, but I feel he will come to be an ally as we get into Ala Mhigo, maybe fighting back against a Garlemald he does not believe in.

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Originally Posted by Garnix

I'm surprised nobody here looks to be surprised about Eline Roaille being mentioned in the storyline. (really briefly mention by Thancred via linkshell to Alphinaud)
I don't remember exactly why she has mentioned, as it's just in 1/2 sentences. I think she has been dealing with crystals.
Yep, those same crystals used by the Griffin to trade with Amalj'aas.

Back in 2.X, Eline was revealed to be a Garlemald ally.
And now, it seems she is helping the Griffin, right ?

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Eliane is probably still safely locked up. Her being free seems like the kind of thing Raubhan or Nanamo would mention, and Lolorito had no reason to let her go free. It's just the remnants of her spy ring that are smuggling crystals, probably just to make money.