[Spoilers] The Patch 4.5 Lore Discussion Thread!

So, let's use this thread to discuss everything related to 4.5! Here's a link to the English version of the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ4zjFWLnAA

I'll post my thoughts on the trailer itself in a different post and use this to edit in any further revelations from the Live Letter.

Additional Notes:

- The finale of Return to Ivalice is described as being on the long side with a lot of story to it.
- Content, including the MSQ's, will be spread across various mini-patches. That makes sense, since 5.0 is a way off still.
- The new Gold Saucer content is a variant of Mahjong and a new GATE called Air Force One.

You shall be the capstone of this world, and I, anchoring the shard, and together, we shall give the lie to this star's fraudulent existence.

So says the voice in the stringer of the trailer.

I feel mostly unsure of what to make of this, though the specific mention of a shard has me convinced that the first has a role to play in this whole mess. It's what they're referring to when they say "this world" and "this star" that has me confused.

On an unrelated note, it looks like real Zenos is cutting down imperial forces for whatever reason, but if I had to guess, it's because they're distracting us from a proper fight with him. I'm wondering whether it's him or Elidibus that's going to be the final boss...assuming it's either since the Emperor's personal bodyguards look to also be present and they mean business.

There's also so many death flags raised now that I really don't know who's going to go, if anyone. I totally didn't think about the fact that Hien and Yugiri would likely be getting themselves involved in the battle, which has me more concerned about the latter then anyone else now, as she's comparatively minor in the grand scheme of things compared to the other candidates, but has had enough of a presence that her loss would still really be felt. Though to be honest, having her homecoming also be her funeral is tragic enough that I could see them going for it, especially since she's expressed a desire to return to Sui-no-sato multiple times already (In the MSQ as well as some missable dialogue).

Another dungeon with prominent NPCs fighting alongisde us!? Nice. I'm glad to see them there.
Sharlayan Ozma lookalike in the Castle of Val?
Varis meeting with Raubahn, Alisaie, and Nanamo while simultaneously peddling ASCIAN LIES?
Using Procedamus in Pace again is .... a kick in the feels and fantastic.
RETURN OF ELEZENOS
Seiryu definitely a snek boy. Weird that his "original" form feels so underwhelming (actually this might've been PLL only displayed)
Gaius is keeping Alphinaud away from Alisaie?
Those Garlean twins fighting so early? Were they not "just vetted" after all!?

Solus' ending speech (at least I think it's him) referenced above is just way weird.... and we're on another symbol/sea in the Aetherial Sea that is hella different than the previous seals we've stood on with our Crystals of Light....

and... I really hope Solus' "You of all people should understand...." is talking to his old friend, GAIUS VAN SHADOWHUNTER (but it's probably not going to be)

Ahhhhh I hate that some of the trailer is from 4.55! That's too long! Why tease me!

Also Hojo-rip-off Alus seems to be back from the dead also (but given Garlemald is now full of walking corpses it shouldn't really come as any surprise). :p

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Originally Posted by Enkidoh

Also Hojo-rip-off Alus seems to be back from the dead also (but given Garlemald is now full of walking corpses it shouldn't really come as any surprise). :p

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Hm? Was he somewhere in the trailer? I saw a distinctly Elezen Garlean scientist in the same generic clothing, but other than that... (approx 0:43)

I'm kinda hoping that, by the time we face Zenos, he is already the real Zenos. I think Elezenos is joining the party anyway.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rocl

Hm? Was he somewhere in the trailer? I saw a distinctly Elezen Garlean scientist in the same generic clothing, but other than that... (approx 0:43)

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Isn't it him? He sure looked like it (same monocle headset and everything). Unless I'm misremembering what he looked like...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Enkidoh

Isn't it him? He sure looked like it (same monocle headset and everything). Unless I'm misremembering what he looked like...

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It's the same outfit, but a different person for sure. Aulus was a Garlean, in that he had a Hyur face. The new guy has several things Aulus lacked: pointy ears, facial hair and dark hair.

I have the smallest inkling in the back of my head that we might've seen the Elezen scientist before... since I seem to want to remember a second Garlean scientist during 4.0's MSQ but I honestly can't recall...either way, trailer guy seems decidedly not Aulus. (Unless Aulus, like Zenos, jumped into an Elezen body!)

EDIT: and when I say "seen the Elezen scientist before" I don't mean Grillairmais from the Black Rose arc either :P

I do like that we see something to do with those two Imperials Guards (the blue and red). I remarked on it in another thread, and I'm still really hopeful we get some kind of Zorn and Thorne setup with them.


Other thoughts pending.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KageTokage

There's also so many death flags raised now that I really don't know who's going to go, if anyone. I totally didn't think about the fact that Hien and Yugiri would likely be getting themselves involved in the battle, which has me more concerned about the latter then anyone else now, as she's comparatively minor in the grand scheme of things compared to the other candidates, but has had enough of a presence that her loss would still really be felt. Though to be honest, having her homecoming also be her funeral is tragic enough that I could see them going for it, especially since she's expressed a desire to return to Sui-no-sato multiple times already (In the MSQ as well as some missable dialogue).

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The problem is Yugiri seemed to have been kinda pushed aside for most of Stormblood due to Hein's introduction, even though Hein is an awesome character I feel he overshadowed Yugiri's importance to the story, given she had practically been leading the Domans since their failed insurrection and their Exodus to Eorzea. Then as soon as she returns to Doma suddennly Hein appears and from then on she takes a back seat to him. I would have liked far more screen time with her in SB but I guess it was always fated that her day in the sun wouldn't last, given Hein is Doma's heir and all, where as Yugiri was an exile from under the Ruby Sea.