2.3 Main Story Discussion [ Spoilers!]

Ya if you didn't notice the Spoilers on title then shame on you.






Now back to the topic:

So what was your reaction to the 2.3 storyline?

The moment I saw the ending of 2.3 story the first thing that appeared in my head was.....

that some serious stuff is about to go down in Ishgard in 2.4 now that we know the Ascians are controlling Ishgard from behind the scenes.

It's quite obvious to me that they may try to make a move on Revenant's Toll or Gridania, starting a full blown war. And I think we all know that Lady those heretics were worshipping is Shiva, it's blatantly obvious at this point.

Well I had a feeling from 2.0's ending that The Ascians had to be some where with a nice dungeon/cellar. Then in 2.2-2.3 story we saw more of it and made me think they were hiding in Ishgard. Since it was such a well upkept dungeon with grey bricks. I also kind of always thought Ishgard had an ominous visage and feel to it, especially with the rude gate guards. But i do want to know what is to come! That was a better ending imo then the revolution one! Btw gives more credance to the prerelease interview with Yoshi-p saying that Ishgard will be a huge event (battlefield) where more than 40 characters need to be loaded. So I expect we will be storming Ishgard in some large scale (hopefully open world) besieged like content attempting to reclaim Ishgard.

Patch 2.4 + Coil 3, presume to be the last major patch before going into expansion 3.0:

- Ascians behind everything
- Main scenario ending you will fight Shiva, Ishgard Archbishop (Barthandelus, anyone? LOL) and the Ascian boss
- Coil 3 will probably feature Louisoix and Bahamut at the last 2 turns.

I think I remember reading the ascian story gets wrapped up in 3.0, along with a bit of the empire. But ya will be a lot of fun.
Edit: I think 2.0 will wrap with either Omega or Zodiark doing something to the world and we failing to prevent an event, a first for our 2.0 story, i thought that after Y'shtola was all "you always succeed at everything you do" paraphrased. So with that statement I have a feeling we will fail and the Ascians win at this point leading into 3.0 leaving us licking our wounds and figuring out what to do. I think it will have something to do with this plan by the scions failing utterly to stop the ascians and the world becomes a ffvi "world of ruin" for 3.0

I've got the strongest feeling that we're gonna get betrayed, wrapped up with the Refugee revolt, and our only choice is to lay low ala go to another continent. Granted I can't wait for 2.4 now with Shiva and Ishgard, but iono. I don't trust the Crystal Braves...

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Originally Posted by Rhaja

I've got the strongest feeling that we're gonna get betrayed, wrapped up with the Refugee revolt, and our only choice is to lay low ala go to another continent. Granted I can't wait for 2.4 now with Shiva and Ishgard, but iono. I don't trust the Crystal Braves...

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Well I trust some of the members of the Crystal Braves. However, 2.3 story already show signs of doubt from the other City-state leaders due to the Scion's current rise to power through 2.X storyline so it already foreshadowing these kind of events.

However, I fear the betrayal will be one of the city-states or all three of them.

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Originally Posted by EdwinLi

However, I fear the betrayal will be one of the city-states or all three of them.

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If so, I put my money on it being Uldah. Probably because the Sultaness being stuck in a position where she either turns her back on us, or she ends up dealing with a massive rebellion on her hands. A lose-lose situation.

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Originally Posted by EdwinLi

Well I trust some of the members of the Crystal Braves. However, 2.3 story already show signs of doubt from the other City-state leaders due to the Scion's current rise to power through 2.X storyline so it already foreshadowing these kind of events.

However, I fear the betrayal will be one of the city-states or all three of them.

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After that cutscene, waiting for Sultana Nanamo Ul Namo to betray the Crystal Braves.

Why?

Because all Lalafell are evil.

If you also notice, after the Crystal Company formed, they are stationed in all the City-states.

Also with the Ascians taking control of Ishgard's pope ( Teaser at the end of 2.3) It seems like (even in instanced form) may go into Ishgard to stop the pope/Ascians from doing, whatever it is they are trying to do.

Also, the story seems to be about to hit it's climax before the end of ARR story ( which will most likely open the gates to Ishgard). So 2.4 Shiva/ third coil etc.

2.5 Omega weapon gets Rez, Omega defeat bahamut (or even consume bahamut like Ultima did with Garuda/Titan/Ifrit.), and then we will have to fight Omega ( which I hope they make it difficult. If that is the final final battle, I want it to be epic, harder the EX, just as hard as coilish.

2.4- September/October
2.5- December ( they always try to give us a patch before christmas) could be January too.

March 2015= Expansion.

That is my prediction.

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Originally Posted by Starlord

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ya so far it seems 2.5 will be the last 2.X storyline.

They're concluding Coil storyline in 2.4 and 2.5 will be the conclusion for CT storyline and both Coil and CT are also stories that set the stage for 3.0 story events.

I'm not entirely sure if we're seeing Shiva in 2.4. They did say that Shiva's story arc is going to be a long one, so unless 2.4 will have a TON of story quests to get all this sorted it would seem unlikely to see Shiva in 2.4 given what they said. (I believe they mentioned it in the English E3 live letter)

However, with everything that's been going on I am curious either way about what we'll see in 2.4.

Yeah I suspect how it'll go down to finish out 2.0's story.

2.4 - Defeat Shiva, take out Coils 3, fight with Lahabrea again
2.5 - Ishgard is blown open, fight Lahabrea and Elidbus
3.0 - Begin with Omega Weapon threat

We wont be betrayed, we'll do the betraying. After all we also are Asciens and not just a "Warrior of Light", see how every one hint at how a betrayal from us would be awful. Why suggest things such as possible betrayal from someone who as been risking his/her life countless times to protect Eorzea and its people if it is not relevant at some point in the story. So yeah I bet on something like us being Asciens or something like that, this would also explain the vision we had of Zordiak coming just after the "Mother Crystal" left Eorzea and the "something else" that Ramuh felt when he was looking at us and saw we where a "servant of the Light".

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Originally Posted by Wilhem

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That actually reminds me that I have one hypothesis about Zordiark in FF14 and why Zordiark looks like the Mother Crystal Hydaelyn....

the hypothesis is that Zordiark is Hydaelyn but is a alternate personality.

Hydaelyn and Zordiark could switch between each other everytime one of them run out of energy to maintain control which is why the Ascians want to weaken Hydaelyn. Once Hydaelyn has become too weak Zordiark takes over the body and once Zordiark weakens enough over time Hydaelyn will take over again.

The part of the Scions turning evil is not out of the possibilities because if this hypothesis of mine is true then once Hydaelyn turns into Zordiark anyone with the Echo may turn into a Ascian. of course due to "Plot shield" our character and a small amount of other Echo users will not turn into a Ascian. However, this may mean Minfilia may turn into a antagonist due to Zordiark's influence. There is already a part of the story with Elidibus is pulling a "Join the Dark Side" story over Minfilia already.

Also 2.3 revealed the part about us become stronger is part of their plan since the final key to awaken Zordiark is a Echo user.

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Originally Posted by Xmbei

Well I had a feeling from 2.0's ending that The Ascians had to be some where with a nice dungeon/cellar. Then in 2.2-2.3 story we saw more of it and made me think they were hiding in Ishgard. Since it was such a well upkept dungeon with grey bricks. I also kind of always thought Ishgard had an ominous visage and feel to it, especially with the rude gate guards. But i do want to know what is to come! That was a better ending imo then the revolution one! Btw gives more credance to the prerelease interview with Yoshi-p saying that Ishgard will be a huge event (battlefield) where more than 40 characters need to be loaded. So I expect we will be storming Ishgard in some large scale (hopefully open world) besieged like content attempting to reclaim Ishgard.

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Where you read that? about Ishgard battlefield and large scale battle things etc

Link would be appreciated

Too much going on to formulate a sure theory on how things will transition to the expansion.

- Ascians are running the show in Ishgard. Coerthas is a pretty complex situation. Ascians are running the Papacy via the Archbishop, there's heretics that serve both Dragonkind and Shiva, then there's the feudal lords that don't seem to have a clue what's going on. The Ascians may have had a hand in keeping Ishgard neutral when the Eorzean Alliance formed to fight back the XIVth Legion in 1.0. Who knows how long they've really been pulling the strings there?


- I need to re-read the text in the "Ascian War Council" room, but it seems like the destruction of the Primals is aiding their plan of further draining Hydaelyn of her Aether. Only one non-Elder Primal remains. Will defeating Shiva bring about Zodiark's resurrection?

- The Scions have theorized how to seal the Ascians. They now need to figure out the medium in which to seal them in.

- Not sure how I feel about the Crystal Braves. I think Alphinaud has good intentions but I just don't think this ragtag group of ex-criminals and nondescript adventurers is going to amount to much. The three nations have their own internal issues they have to deal with. If they can't form that one megapower on their own like pre-Carteneau, I don't see how the Crystal Braves is going to make that come about. Although I'm sure if that's what SE truly intends to happen they'll make it so.

- Omega Weapon reveal seems a bit early to me, since it's historically been one of two side bosses that were extremely difficult to defeat. I think we're going to see more of what the Ul'dahn Syndicate member is trying to accomplish, but I still get the feeling he's being controlled by an Ascian, which begs the question: what do the Ascians want with Omega Weapon?

- Side story related: Cloud of Darkness seems like a much more intimidating foe than the currently slumbering Zodiark. Something that wants to absorb everything into the Void seems like an much more immediate threat, and I get the feeling this isn't something the Ascians want to happen, but really, who knows with them.

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Originally Posted by Orophin

Too much going on to formulate a sure theory on how things will transition to the expansion.

- Ascians are running the show in Ishgard. Coerthas is a pretty complex situation. Ascians are running the Papacy via the Archbishop, there's heretics that serve both Dragonkind and Shiva, then there's the feudal lords that don't seem to have a clue what's going on. The Ascians may have had a hand in keeping Ishgard neutral when the Eorzean Alliance formed to fight back the XIVth Legion in 1.0. Who knows how long they've really been pulling the strings there?


- I need to re-read the text in the "Ascian War Council" room, but it seems like the destruction of the Primals is aiding their plan of further draining Hydaelyn of her Aether. Only one non-Elder Primal remains. Will defeating Shiva bring about Zodiark's resurrection?

- The Scions have theorized how to seal the Ascians. They now need to figure out the medium in which to seal them in.

- Not sure how I feel about the Crystal Braves. I think Alphinaud has good intentions but I just don't think this ragtag group of ex-criminals and nondescript adventurers is going to amount to much. The three nations have their own internal issues they have to deal with. If they can't form that one megapower on their own like pre-Carteneau, I don't see how the Crystal Braves is going to make that come about. Although I'm sure if that's what SE truly intends to happen they'll make it so.

- Omega Weapon reveal seems a bit early to me, since it's historically been one of two side bosses that were extremely difficult to defeat. I think we're going to see more of what the Ul'dahn Syndicate member is trying to accomplish, but I still get the feeling he's being controlled by an Ascian, which begs the question: what do the Ascians want with Omega Weapon?

- Side story related: Cloud of Darkness seems like a much more intimidating foe than the currently slumbering Zodiark. Something that wants to absorb everything into the Void seems like an much more immediate threat, and I get the feeling this isn't something the Ascians want to happen, but really, who knows with them.

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Time for Wild Mass Guessing on my part. I believe that the Omega reveal is out now because replacing the Binding Coil of Bahamut in the future will be an optional superdungeon dealing with the path to Omega Weapon. As for them not seeming to care about the Cloud of Darkness, is it possible that it could be a part of Zodiark, or an Elder Primal, and thus a part of their plans?

Speaking of Ishgard, didn't anyone else notice how strange Haurchefant was acting? Not only did his gestures put me off but the tone of voice the Japanese voice actor made him sound slightly crazed to me. Not sure if he always acted like that or if the woman who we all know is probably Shiva has done something to him.

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Originally Posted by Altimis

Where you read that? about Ishgard battlefield and large scale battle things etc

Link would be appreciated

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Its a long prelaunch interview and there was one question about Ishgard and how 1.0 engine couldn't handle the content planned for ishgard.
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...w-with-Yoshi-P

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Originally Posted by KylePearlsand

Speaking of Ishgard, didn't anyone else notice how strange Haurchefant was acting? Not only did his gestures put me off but the tone of voice the Japanese voice actor made him sound slightly crazed to me. Not sure if he always acted like that or if the woman who we all know is probably Shiva has done something to him.

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What kind of funny is the expression my character made when his passion for how beneficial our help is towards his home and religion shows was the same reaction I had towards his personality outbursts :p

On that note: When you watch enough animes or tv series involving fictional religion and nobility type systems you'll learn that Haurchefant is just the passion type character you rarely see. His personality is like that because of how he was raised to view his religion as glorious and magnificent and all that honor you bring to our family stuff.

You'll get use to his type of character but as of now it seems they have plans for him to play a important role once Ishgard becomes a major focus in the story.

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

Time for Wild Mass Guessing on my part. I believe that the Omega reveal is out now because replacing the Binding Coil of Bahamut in the future will be an optional superdungeon dealing with the path to Omega Weapon. As for them not seeming to care about the Cloud of Darkness, is it possible that it could be a part of Zodiark, or an Elder Primal, and thus a part of their plans?

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Ya a lot of mystery arond Cloud of Darkness's lore for FF14 now. However, they've done well so far to link CT story to the main storyling being that they cover the lore of the Allagan civilization and why the allagans fell to ruin along with the importants of Crystal tower towards Bahamut's lore.

So I think we can safely assume now that Rev Toll will be the hub of a new city state and the Crystal Braves the new army of a new GGC(Grand Grand Company)?

I mean, the population of Rev Toll probably already exceeds the one of Ul'dah Grid and Limsy, so I would welcome that development.

I was looking for Rev's Toll today while buying Myth items and I had this lore-nerdy hunch that the place would probably be badly damaged or destroyed in the future.

Think about it: It's the new hidey-hole of the Scions and where most of the adventurers of Eorzea gather. Smart move for an enemy would them to take it out in one fell swoop. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Archbishop sent his troops there on the account of us plotting against Ishgard. (I mean, we did kinda stir up the hornets nest a bit in the storyline).

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Originally Posted by Ooshima

Patch 2.4 + Coil 3, presume to be the last major patch before going into expansion 3.0

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I don't think 2.4 will be the last patch. CT2 doesn't finish the Crystal Tower story. So 2.5 will come too.

I'm kinda getting the feeling with the way the story's been going that Hydaelyn will "die" soon. Thus allowing the Ascians plans to come to fruition bringing forth their "one true god". YoshiP did say he wanted the end of 2.x series to be as big a shocker as the fall of Dalamud and Bahamut.

Also, personally I'm kinda hoping Shiva is one of the "good guys". Think it'd be a rather awesome twist on primals similar to Ramuh. Albeit Ramuh was a slight disappointment in that we still kill him n he disappears like all the others.

All in all, I think 2.3 patch has been the best extension of the main story, by far. The amazing job they did extending the lore behind Crystal Tower, the fact that a very large portion of it was voice-acted, and the general plot twists with Ul'Dah all made it a very enjoyable experience for me. I also really like how they justified Frontlines with lore, and the Omega lore bomb was totally unexpected.

There was a theory that Omega may be a new "raid" like Coil, or a side dungeon. I'm not sure I agree with this. The lore of Omega was directly tied into the main story in 2.3, and was referenced as lying dormant "but could be awoken, and rivaled the power of Bahamut." I could be wrong, or just forgetting something here, but I don't remember Bahamut being referenced much in the normal story line. Sure, he was talked about, but he was never made out to be a source of impending doom, like the primals and Ultima Weapon were. The main story revolved around the primals, and I think if Omega weapon is to reveal in 2.X story, then it will "re-charge" itself similar to how Ultima originally absorbed the first set of 3 primals. Meaning I think Omega may absorb Levi, Ramuh and Shiva. All speculation of course....

In fact Edwin, I think you had an idea a while back about a Praetorium HM....


If Omega is revealed in 2.X, could be this is how we encounter it?


Please feel free to shoot holes through all of my theories, just trying to provoke some debate :D

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Originally Posted by EdwinLi

2.5 will be the conclusion for CT storyline

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just where are you getting this? it has been stated numerous times that CT would run well past 3.0.



nevermind it seems Yoshi-P changed his mind and now wants to conclude it before 3.0. would be nicer if he was a bit more forthcoming about stuff like this to players outside of Japan. finding out through a translation on another page really stinks

I had to stop reading half-way thru. TOO many spoilers!

But...

At the same time I kinda want to know >;)_