Duty Commenced 08 - Lore Lowdown (Lolorito)

On today's Duty Commenced, the team did a mini Lore Lowdown towards the end, which seems like it might be a new tradition. Today's segment featured a little bit about Lolorito - those of you digging through the game for a long time will no doubt know a lot of this, but it includes some new tidbits, clarification, and perspective as well.

I typed up the info from the slides so I could move them into the wiki easier (we also shot out a quick Lore Train).

In case you missed it:

Lolorito Nanarito (Screen said Nanatori due to a typo)
Chairman of the East Aldenard Trading Company
Member of the Syndicate

Age: 60s
Interests: Sampling fine cuisine; he is a renowned connoisseur known as the Chefsbane
Residence: An extravagant manse in Ul'dah
Dream: To lead Ul'dah into an age of unprecedented prosperity - and to profit from it more than anyone else.

Rise to Power as a Merchant
Lolorito is a self-made man who amassed his fortune by developing trade routes with the eastern regions of Aldenard and becoming a major exporter of Ul'dahn wares.

Over time, he has also forged personal connections with powerful merchants in Othard and beyond.

His influence extends into the political sphere, as well, as he leveraged his ties with Garlean officials to broker peace negotiations (although they ultimately ended in failure).

A Consumate Businessman
The East Aldenard Trading Company profits greatly from trade in fine jewelry and accessories, the sales of which often suffer in times of war, which is why Lolorito has gone to great lengths to prevent an increase in hostilities with the Empire.

In recent years, however, he has come to the conclusion that an open war with the Empire is unavoidable and has established contacts with foreign arms distributors such as the Gigas Forge, Straight Edge Traders, and Woolvale Arms, in order to import weapons and armor. Some of the equipment used by the Immortal Flames was supplied by these foreign companies.

What is the "East Aldenard Trading Company?"
As the largest trading company in Ul'dah, it is understood that should you run afoul of their interests, then you will find it exceedingly difficult to do business in Ul'dah.

Naturally, the company derives its name from the region on which Lolorito initially focused his efforts when building his trade empire.

Vesper Bay
Lolorito funded the development of Vesper Bay and its port so that it could serve larger ships and serve as a gateway to Ul'dah.

The Infamous Bronze Statue
Rather than as an ostentatious display of power, it is speculated by some that the statue of Lolorito which stands in the center of Vesper Bay was built to make Lolorio seem snobbish so that his foes might underestimate him.

Interests owned by the East Aldenard Trading Company
Eshtaime's Lapidaries
Sunsilk Tapestries
The Jolly Raptor

Romululu's Bric-a-Brac: The storefront has since been repurposed for use by Sunsulk Tapestries following the Calamity.

A World Class Gourmand
Culinarian Quests:

"The Chefsbane Cometh" (LV30):
You must satisfy Lolorito, who is notorious for using his influence to ruin any restaurant that fails to satisfy his rarified needs.

"Revenge of the Chefsbane" (LV50):
The sultana has requested that your culinary creations be served at her welcoming supper. Alas, while Her Grace specified the chef, she did not specify what she desires to eat - and Lord Lolorito is unwilling to tell.

A World Class Gourmand II
Fish Guide
For a time, Lord Lolorito offered a hefty bounty for those who could bring him the elusive matron carp. However, the man soon grew weary of fish, and promptly withdrew his offer.

Interesting that it was Lolorito who was responsible for everyone's favourite junk buyer in 1.0 going out of business. :p Also it was intriguing about the depths of his connection to Vesper Bay's development, given the fact that before the Calamity it was little more than a glorified camp with a dock.

Thank you for posting this Moose! (And thank you Community Team for these entertaining videos.) :D

Interesting how much we're learning about Lolorito recently, he's starting to seem less of a villain as time goes on.

Actually out of all of that the thing that caught my eye the most was the foreign Weapon Manufacturers. Who are Gigas Forge? Actual Gigas blacksmiths?

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Originally Posted by Chewy2nd

Interesting how much we're learning about Lolorito recently, he's starting to seem less of a villain as time goes on.

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People can have noble goals and still be villains from how they go about pursuing them. Many villains become villains from the lengths they will go to for the 'Greater Good'. The Garleans are a perfect example.

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Originally Posted by Belhi

Who are Gigas Forge?

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All three of the manufacturers mentioned were from the quest Arms Race from Patch 1.18, when the Grand Companies were first reformed and the player was able to engage with all three before officially committing to one. At the time, the VIIth Legion was more or less still operating pretty quietly and unchallenged, but a company of Garlean mercenaries known as the Hellhounds were hired to sever Lolorito's trade routes with the East and took up residence at the Golden Bazaar. Even though the Flames (with the help of adventurers) were able to send them running, the Empire launched a full-blown invasion of the eastern trade route under the pretext of apprehending the "rebel" Hellhounds.

With the economic and military security of Ul'dah under direct challenge, Lolorito dropped any hope of re-establishing the status quo and threw in with the Flames (especially after the Magitek started showing up later). While most foreign merchants pulled out of Eorzean dealings as the Empire started tightening the net, a few arms manufacturing companies sailed in to Limsa Lominsa bearing contracts, knowing that "there's no business like war, and no business partner like Lord Lolorito."

None of the groups have been mentioned since, until now. Perhaps we'll be dealing with them in 5.0-ish and on as we (probably) head out of Eorzea.

I dunno if Gigas Forge actually has any Gigas around, but they sent a miqo'te with the contract, lol.

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Originally Posted by Anonymoose

Chairman of the East Aldenard Trading Company

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Hm. Deja vu? East India Trading Company

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Originally Posted by KarstenS

Hm. Deja vu? East India Trading Company

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Haha I know this is very old, but I wanted to point out that both fictional companies are based on the real East India Company. They weren't nice people, to put it mildly...