Future leader of Apa Mhigo

Who do you think it would be out of all the people we know? Assuming that a new character doesn't arrive to take the mantle.

*Also note, I can't edit the title on my phone. I know It says Apa Mhigo, sorry but I can't change it*

I suppose it all depends on who survives that incoming clusterf[kupo]k. That nation lost a bit of its own identity under King Theodoric (The King of Ruin), toppling him from power themselves before the Empire swooped in amidst the chaos. So you've got the Theodoric royalists (EDIT: Including the royal nephew, Theodred), the popular revolution, the Imperial converts, and the Resistance (EDIT: Including Little Ala Mhigo's leader Gundobald) to start when it comes to Ala Mhigan loyalties.

The converts saw a chunk of a generation die as conscripts of the VIIth, and another generation has only ever known being children of Garlemald. For that entire time the Resistance has become nothing if not more zealous in their suffering in Thanalan and being hunted down. How can we just storm in and throw the Empire out and expect anything but disorder? There's a good chance we're going to tear that place apart if we get involved, but it's all or nothing with the Garleans. Go big or go home.

Who rules the rubble? Raubahn? He probably can't just drop the Flames and a Syndicate seat (though who could really begrudge him if he did?). Ilberd? He was down with murdering his own countrymen, turning on his friends, and assassinating the heads of state of allied nations to get the job done. I don't see a redemptive arc working out for him.

Pipin would be interesting, since his name all but screams prince. But we've no idea how well he can rule. Other than that, what do we hope for? ...Viceroy van Baelsar?

I've always thought it could be Raubahn who takes the lead of Ala Mhigo, it would be an interesting turn of events if our old friend Ilberd managed to seize control.

I'd say Gundobald seems like a good choice for ruling. Or, well, maybe not good, but at least the most suitable choice we have for now. He's been an extremely minor character so far, but from what little we've seen, he seems to be all right at leading, and as we've seen with Estinien, it's not without precedent that a minor character eventually becomes a major one during the course of the story.

I actually think it would be more interesting if we don't liberate Ala Mhigo and install new leadership, but instead come to an agreement with Garlemald that allows us access to the city under Garlean rule... It would be nice to have a city-state that's actually kind of on the side of Garlemald, rather than getting access to another anti-Empire city-state...

Would make for an interesting plot, too... We'd be fighting for Ala Mhigo, but we'd have to do that on Garlemalds terms, we'd even have a fairly obvious antagonist with Ilberd if he is the mysterious mask wearing (owning?) man from the end of 3.2... It's fairly easy to label Garlemald as the bad guys in Ala Mhigo, but I'd prefer it if things aren't black and white... Having the Resistance be just as flawed as Garlemald would be much more interesting...

I think it will depend on if any of the Ala Mihgo royal family is left and whether or not the Resistance is willing to put them in charge. Hell for all we know the actual leader of the Resistance is one of the last members of the royal family.

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Originally Posted by Khalithar

I think it will depend on if any of the Ala Mihgo royal family is left

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I'm no moose but in 1.0 while doing the monk storyline a npc mentioned a member of the royal family, Theodred survived by being hidden in a temple of the Fist of Rhalgr. I'm not going to hold any hope of seeing him, I suspect he fell threw the cracks of retcon by the time we go to Ala Mihgo but if there is a royalist movement he's the figurehead of it.

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Originally Posted by Celvantis

I suspect he fell threw the cracks of retcon by the time we go to Ala Mihgo

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Not entirely through the cracks. He does get one mention in ARR (MNK Job Reviews at Erik). I'd forgotten all about it, to be honest, lol.

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Originally Posted by Celvantis

I'm no moose but in 1.0 while doing the monk storyline a npc mentioned a member of the royal family, Theodred survived by being hidden in a temple of the Fist of Rhalgr. I'm not going to hold any hope of seeing him, I suspect he fell threw the cracks of retcon by the time we go to Ala Mihgo but if there is a royalist movement he's the figurehead of it.

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Watch this be what Yda and Papalymo are up to, 3.2 they mentioned something about making sure someone was who they claimed to be, or something to that effect? Wonder if that mask might be some significant artifact of the royal family that Ilberd has gotten his hands on to lead a rebellion...

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Originally Posted by Nalien

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This pretty much sums up my thoughts as well. I remember reading somewhere that the developers are heavily inspired by FFXII so hopefully they'll avoid making Garlemald as a whole into an antagonist and have us work alongside many Garleans that are still loyal to their people and homeland above all else.

It's hard to consider Cid or Lucia 'Garlean' when they've turned their backs upon their people and homeland only to offer information and tech that no doubt likely gets many innocent Garleans killed as a result. How I wish that particular aspect would be highlighted and explored...

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Originally Posted by Theodric

It's hard to consider Cid or Lucia 'Garlean' when they've turned their backs upon their people and homeland only to offer information and tech that no doubt likely gets many innocent Garleans killed as a result. How I wish that particular aspect would be highlighted and explored...

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Garlemald desperately needs a Larsa, but it's probably not going to be Cid or Lucia. Nero, maybe?

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Originally Posted by Fenral

Garlemald desperately needs a Larsa, but it's probably not going to be Cid or Lucia. Nero, maybe?

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A Larsa, a Gabranth and a Drace would be rather neat. Perhaps a Beatrix thrown in for good measure. Or a Rufus. Or a Reeve.

It's possible that they're building up Regula for such a role, I suppose. Though it's also possible he'll be getting the 'Kefka' treatment given his involved with a certain Triad.

Assuming 4.0 is going to Ala Mhigo, I'd quite like;

3.3 - Fight with the Demon, introduction of some new Garleans. Have Nero show up under Regula, along with two new Garlean Rangers, just like with Gaius.
3.4 - Fight with the Goddess, Regulas mask begins to slip and the obvious Kefka references become obvious.
3.5 - Varis returns to Azys Lla (assuming he even left), Regula attempts to copy Kefka and kick him off Azys Lla. Fails, Varis escapes back to Garlemald. Regula eats the Warring Triad and needs to be stopped. In the process, we run into Nero and his two new friends who are also trying to stop Regula. We strike an unease alliance, stop Regula. The end.

4.0 - Garlemald invites us to Ala Mhigo in an attempt to settle internal conflicts there and dampen hostilities with the Eorzean Alliance, who lets face it, so far have been fighting pretty rogue elements from Garlemald... Nael got Tempered and Gaius went in on his own... Warring Triad storyline also gets mentioned if done. Nero returns as our guide to the city, 4.0 deals with us trying to subvert Garlean rule, while also trying to stop dangerous resistance elements, like Ilberd. 4.# ends Return of the King style, ready for 5.0 to push into Garlemald proper.

Its going to have to take a pretty major change in foreign policy for us to be working with Garlemald. Up till know they have had their minds set on conquest or destruction. The other issue is remove Garlemald and you remove one of the most substantial enemies from the board. There aren't many enemies strong enough that would seriously pose a major threat with Garlemald at our back.

That said, I do see factions within Garlemald and political turmoil being a point. We might not exactly ally with Garlemald as much as one of the factions within Garlemald. God knows they need some more moderates. Part of the problem was the Meteor program was endorsed by the Garlemald leadership.

Bear in mind a lot of what we've heard from Garlemald has been from biased sources. Refugees are prone to exaggerating the situation they were in if they feel it'll get them sympathy and/or wealth, food and a roof over their heads. Furthermore Ala Mhigo has been occupied for quite some time and is no doubt full of Garleans and Ala Mhigans - both of which may very well not want to be liberated. If they pull it off well then we'll be fighting the extremist elements of the Ala Mhigan Resistance simply because we shouldn't want to settle for kicking out Garleans simply for the fact that they're...well, Garlean.

Ala Mhigo hasn't been 'Ala Mhigo' for a while now. Therefore Ilberd's view is completely flawed. Then again we should be killing him for scheming against Nanamo and getting multiple Scions killed (including Wilred who was Ala Mhigan himself, incidentally).

I'm pretty confident that Garlemald is going to be much like Ishgard. Painted in a bad light when viewed by real world morality and biased accounts but...actually not all that bad for those who get to know and embrace it.

I don't foresee 4.0 being anything other than a trek/escapade through Garlemald. If it is set in Othard, the live letter indicated one would have to get there through Ilsabard, which could mean a rush through. Also, I suspect Ala Mhigo will be an aspect of a future expansion but not the sole one, as it is a fairly small zone in and of itself. So perhaps we could see Ala Mhigo and Othard packed into one expansion, i.e. 4.0. After all, they have plenty of zones to get through. I foresee Garlemald proper being left until 5.0 or maybe 6.0, depending on whether they want to develop them as they have Ishgard and introduce new antagonists.

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Ala Mhigo hasn't been 'Ala Mhigo' for a while now. Therefore Ilberd's view is completely flawed. Then again we should be killing him for scheming against Nanamo and getting multiple Scions killed (including Wilred who was Ala Mhigan himself, incidentally).

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That, plus the fact that before being crushed by Garlemald, it had expansive plans of its own for Gridania. Hardly a sorry victim of circumstance.

Ala Mhigo and Gyr Abania would be no smaller than Ishgard and Dravania imo, and I believe they've stated it's unlikely we'll ever get such a large expansion again? I'm no fan of Garlemald, but the rank-and-file does have potential for being pretty good characters. Think back on Ishgard: the archbishop and Heaven's Ward are pretty uniformly 'bad.' A little bad for the right reasons and a lot bad for the wrong reasons--I view Varis and most Legatus the same way. I have little love for the Halonic Orthodoxy and High Houses but things like Scholasticate quests and other sidequests help paint Ishgard in a much more complex and nuanced light. Garlemald deserves, at the very least, the same treatment.

Even the 'good guys' in XIV are presented as pretty flawed, though this has been lessened in our transition to "A Realm Reborn." Except Ul'dah. For some reason Ul'dah is allowed to stay flawed and corrupt while Limsa Lominsa's oathbreaking and Gridania's xenophobia is relegated to footnotes! And while on the subject of VIth Legion tribuni-- well, why not give us a Celes or a Leo? It fits the very strong nod toward Regula-Kefka and provides us with the beginnings of a sympathetic Garlemald.

Er.. right.. as for the leader of Ala Mhigo I oft assumed it would be Raubahn, especially after 2.55 when they introduced us to Pipin. Pipin Tarupin ran the Immortal Flames in Raubahn's absence, and I wholly expect should Raubahn ever leave his post as head of the Flames, Pipin would be the choice replacement.

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Originally Posted by Belhi

That said, I do see factions within Garlemald and political turmoil being a point. We might not exactly ally with Garlemald as much as one of the factions within Garlemald. God knows they need some more moderates.

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At this point, it would take a hell of a lot to convince me that a character from Garlemald presenting themself as a moderate is being genuine about it. Garleans never seem like the type to do anything halfway -- Cid, Lucia, and even Nero all seem to have cut their ties completely, so it's difficult to imagine a character that could still be loyal to Garlemald, while disagreeing with part of its culture. Because on the other side of the coin, any and all Garleans we've seen, as well as most of the characters who've defected to the side of the Garleans (the final boss of the Ninja quest line is the first example that comes to mind) all seem to be fanatically subscribed to the ideals that the empire preaches.

Basically, asking for us to work with any moderates in Garlemald assumes a few things: That these Garleans are still loyal to their country but somehow still willing to work with us, and that in spite of their difference in opinion, they managed to rise to a position of power or influence, enough that their actions in working with us could affect things in Garlemald. And I don't think that's very likely, from what I've seen so far of the empire.

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Originally Posted by Lauront

That, plus the fact that before being crushed by Garlemald, it had expansive plans of its own for Gridania. Hardly a sorry victim of circumstance.

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I haven't seen anything to indicate this is true and a lot to indicate Ala Mhigo had too much internal politics to even think about expansionism. The only time we have of Ala Mhigo attempting to take over Gridania was the Autumn war which was 100 years prior to the current time. Its hardly fair to hold people who weren't alive at the time for the actions of their forebears. We have nothing indicating that Ala Mhigo had any intention of attempting to annex Gridania since then.

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Originally Posted by Mysterysword

At this point, it would take a hell of a lot to convince me that a character from Garlemald presenting themself as a moderate is being genuine about it. Garleans never seem like the type to do anything halfway -- Cid, Lucia, and even Nero all seem to have cut their ties completely, so it's difficult to imagine a character that could still be loyal to Garlemald, while disagreeing with part of its culture. Because on the other side of the coin, any and all Garleans we've seen, as well as most of the characters who've defected to the side of the Garleans (the final boss of the Ninja quest line is the first example that comes to mind) all seem to be fanatically subscribed to the ideals that the empire preaches.

Basically, asking for us to work with any moderates in Garlemald assumes a few things: That these Garleans are still loyal to their country but somehow still willing to work with us, and that in spite of their difference in opinion, they managed to rise to a position of power or influence, enough that their actions in working with us could affect things in Garlemald. And I don't think that's very likely, from what I've seen so far of the empire.

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If you had met the wrong type of Ishgardian you could easily have the same view of Ishgard. However Ishgard isn't a single mind. It has more moderate elements that are still very loyal to their country. Infact the fact their country has these more hardline elements is often even more a reason for them to fight for their home and try and change things.

Garlemald isn't a hive mind. Its going to have a lot of people with differing ideas and there are many paths to power.

I think Pipin will step up to lead the Immortal Flames in Raubahn's place as he goes on to liberate Ala Mhigo.

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Originally Posted by Belhi

Garlemald isn't a hive mind. Its going to have a lot of people with differing ideas and there are many paths to power.

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Gee if only an Ala Mhigan who dosn't match what we assume all Aha Mhighans are like approached us as an act of showing that. An emissary draped in white perhaps? :P

Before People Bring up Raubahn and Erik, Raubahn... I think I feel similar feelings about him and Ala Mhigo then Theodric does for Cid, Lucia and Garlemald. Not to the extent of claiming he's a traitor, but I'd argue that Raubahn might be more loyal to Nanamo then he is to Ala Mhigo. Erik might be a possibility though, but it seems like he let Ala Mhigo go as well, and thus a little closer to committing "betrayal" then Raubahn.

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Originally Posted by Belhi

Garlemald isn't a hive mind. Its going to have a lot of people with differing ideas and there are many paths to power.

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While likely true, it is worth noting that pre-Heavensward Ishgard and Garlemald-thus-far haven't been presented the same way. Even before the game started building towards the expansion, there were more moderate Ishgardians in the Central Highlands, whereas the Garlean forces have been very much as Mysterysword said.

Granted, the circumstances surrounding our encounters with them aren't comparable either, so maybe once (if) we get onto more neutral territory, that will change. But I find it kind of doubtful that we'll find much moderate ground in the invasion forces.

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Originally Posted by Belhi

I haven't seen anything to indicate this is true and a lot to indicate Ala Mhigo had too much internal politics to even think about expansionism. The only time we have of Ala Mhigo attempting to take over Gridania was the Autumn war which was 100 years prior to the current time. Its hardly fair to hold people who weren't alive at the time for the actions of their forebears. We have nothing indicating that Ala Mhigo had any intention of attempting to annex Gridania since then.

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Tell that to the Dravanians, I still don't buy that garbage.

I'll take Ilberd, but only after I get to kick his ass

The only way I could see the Garlemeld approach working, is if the leader of the new Garlemeld had a change of heart, and pledged allegiance to Eorzea, therefore handing back the thrown. It would still be utter chaos though.

throne* ughh no edit feature. ;-;

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Originally Posted by Belhi

Garlemald isn't a hive mind. Its going to have a lot of people with differing ideas and there are many paths to power.

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So far, we have seen nothing to indicate that anyone who doesn't truly believe in absolute, crushing strength and power in the empire manages to climb their way to a position of power and influence. Are there such characters in Garlemald that don't believe in strength as the ideal? Sure, the Indolent Imperial comes to mind, but he's just a grunt.

Gaius perhaps could've been the moderate faction we needed, but he's dead, and even at the end, he still believed wholly in the empire's ideals. And between 2.0 and 3.2, we still haven't seen any signs that there is anyone like Gaius left in Garlemald. Even less likely since Varis has come to the throne, and while this is just an assumption, I don't think it's too far-fetched to say that Varis is the type to crush anyone who doesn't 100% agree with him, or at least strip them of their positions.

Ala Mhigo's in a pretty bad state right now. I suspect that even if we do liberate it there's probably no one competent enough to hold everyone in line. Wouldn't be unrealistic if a certain vulture in Ul'dah took advantage of this opportunity to make Ala Mhigo into his personal vassal state, with Omega enforcing his rule.

Queue patch 4.1

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Originally Posted by Yuki_Tokita

Ala Mhigo's in a pretty bad state right now. I suspect that even if we do liberate it there's probably no one competent enough to hold everyone in line. Wouldn't be unrealistic if a certain vulture in Ul'dah took advantage of this opportunity to make Ala Mhigo into his personal vassal state, with Omega enforcing his rule.

Queue patch 4.1

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If it means actual closure for the Ul'Dah plot thread then I'm all for it.

We could get a new chaeacter or not. Both sides are fine to me and are possible.
We had introduced Aymeric at 2.4 so its not out of the question.

Not that someone on the royal family survived and escaped from Ala Mhigo?
If he is alive and we cross paths with him, he could be end being the new leader. Right now Ala mhigo is a mess and we may find lots of factions. Maybe, just maybe someone of the royal line could bring them all toghether.

Well maybe. On the other hand the last king was really, really bad so people might not really like the ideas of royalty much better than Garleans.

We just dont know if Ala Mhidgans would prefer the come back of the royal than keeping garlean rule.

But you right, could be neither of them.

I can actually see us reconciling with Ilbred and he takes the head of Ala Mhigo.

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Originally Posted by AdamuKun322

I can actually see us reconciling with Ilbred and he takes the head of Ala Mhigo.

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Dont count with that.
Most ppl on this game prefer to have Gaius than Ilberd as a future ally.

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Originally Posted by Frederick22

Dont count with that.
Most ppl on this game prefer to have Gaius than Ilberd as a future ally.

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Helps that most of Gaius' Regicide targets weren't meant to be sympathetic (Then again that's because they weren't shown at all)

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Originally Posted by Frederick22

Dont count with that.
Most ppl on this game prefer to have Gaius than Ilberd as a future ally.

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It's the general understanding that Gaius perished in the Praetorium. We won't know much more till 3.55 Main Scenario Part 2 what's going on with Ul'Dah and the aftermath of everything really.

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Originally Posted by Frederick22

Dont count with that.
Most ppl on this game prefer to have Gaius than Ilberd as a future ally.

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Or at least someone like Gaius. Someone who pushes for an end of hostilities between Garlemald and Eorzea in favour of unity so that Ala Mhigo can harbour both Ala Mhigans and Garleans. I feel like that would make for a much more compelling tale overall - because it's been almost three decades since Ala Mhigo was occupied and there's no doubt going to be a lot of people there who don't want the status quo to suddenly change.

So, in short, something that plays out in a manner similar to how Archades was handled in FFXII would be lovely. That game was very big on intrigue and FFXIV is supposedly inspired by it if I've heard correctly. It certainly appears that way to me at least.

There's also very little historical evidence of a territory "liberated" by an outside power rebuilding itself into a beacon of progress and democracy. It's pure fantasy. Power vacuums are prime opportunities for nationalist despots.

But for all we know, our time in Ala Mihgo will be used to present that worldview, so I guess we can expect to go in as liberators in 4.0 for the sake of deconstruction in the 4.X patches.

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Originally Posted by Theodric

Or at least someone like Gaius. Someone who pushes for an end of hostilities between Garlemald and Eorzea in favour of unity so that Ala Mhigo can harbour both Ala Mhigans and Garleans. I feel like that would make for a much more compelling tale overall - because it's been almost three decades since Ala Mhigo was occupied and there's no doubt going to be a lot of people there who don't want the status quo to suddenly change.

So, in short, something that plays out in a manner similar to how Archades was handled in FFXII would be lovely. That game was very big on intrigue and FFXIV is supposedly inspired by it if I've heard correctly. It certainly appears that way to me at least.

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Now that you mentioned it... there's Lucia.