4.x patch series to provide closure to key FFXIV plot point

I saw this post on reddit and it got me instantly interested. It's from an interview that Yoshida gave to Famitsu.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Valfreze

NB: paraphrased translations.

Famitsu: It was clear where Heavensward was heading by Patch 3.1, but it seems that there are many paths that Stormblood can take. Is the scenario going to be a combination of adventures, like how the 4.0 MSQ was split between Ala Migo and Doma?

Yoshida: If there's one thing that I can say, it's that we've made the story as easily understandable as possible. In the 4.x series, we will be giving closure to a key historical event inherited from FFXIV's 1.0 days. Players may find it impactful, to experience this closure.

F: Does that mean old characters from 1.0 will be featured?

Y: It's not so much the characters, unlike in the Alchemist quest line, where characters from 1.0 returned. It's a larger plot, and people may find it surprising. Some may also feel like "wow, it's been four years...". The scenario this time will silently arouse, and silently progress, but I believe the finale we've made is well done. The voice actors have done a splendid job too.

F: Is there any foreshadowing of this event currently in Stormblood?

Y: There has been some in-game foreshadowing, but the hints we've provided are scarce, and I don't think anyone will be able to guess the climax. In 4.1, there are two scenes where a very important key phrase will come up. Please look forward to it.

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Well colour me intrigued! I've actually speculated, some time back, about whether Stormblood will bring some kind of closure to the current arc of FFXIV's overall story. It now seems like this could be a thing after all! I wonder what it will be. :D

Hm...we need someone with a bit more 1.0 experience. What sorts of key phrases or important concepts were considered in 1.0 but dropped afterwards? I'd love to see some brainstorming!

I've got a feeling based on watching the 4.1 trailer that the 'plot point' in question is what exactly Raubahn promised Nanamo after winning his freedom in the Colosseum in Ul'dah (and enough money to not only buy the Colosseum outright but also a place on the Syndicate) - the scene of Raubahn's high-stakes gladiatorial fight in the Bloodsands shown in the trailer is actually from 1.0, so it fits. But we'll find out soon enough either way.

My guess? It may have something to do with the mysteries surrounding Midgardsormr and Silvertear Lake.

Several suggestions have already been thrown up in the reddit thread. I believe the more plausible ones are:

1) We finally find out what Midgardsormr was protecting in the Battle of Silvertear Lake. How did he end up there, and why did he make a pact with Hydaelyn?

2) A conclusion to the role played by Minfilia's father, Warbuton, in the Ul'dah/Ala Mhigo storyline.


Point (1) seems plausible given Middy's role in the Omega storyline. By the conclusion of the Omega raid series, we may learn more about how and why the elder dragon came to play a key role in Hydaelyn's history.

Point (2) ties in with obscure references to Warbuton in parts of the 2.x storyline, and would be in line with Yoshida's hint about how players would feel "wow, it's been four years already". And, there's the fact, of course, that Warbuton was from the 1.0 storyline, and his accidental death had a major impact on Minfilia, F'lhaminn and Thancred, not to mention the subsequent ret-conned impact on the Dalamud-impact storyline.

There were also some suggestions on the reddit thread about a closure to the Path Companions storyline.... which ended up in limbo after Yoshida took over as producer and director. While I'd love this to be the case, I don't think it's as likely, given that there's been close to zero references to the Path of the Twelve since the start of 2.0.

There actually have been couple of references to the Path of the Twelve since 2.0. Although unfortunately it more or less excludes the idea of them appearing again. With the chaos of the calamity and the fall of Louisioix, the Path of the Twelve merged with the Circle of Knowing to become the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Most of the random adventurers found in the organization were presumably part of the Path of the Twelve before its dissolution. There are some awesome points here though. I agree most with the Raughban one, or possibly the Midgardsomr one.

Very important key phrase?

"Because you are a puppet"

Just joking. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Balipu

Very important key phrase?

"Because you are a puppet"

Just joking. :D

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"Beacause."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cilia

"Beacause."

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First time we see the legend returning.

Lyse: This guy are sick.

*bangs fists on the table* BOZJA CITADEEEEEEL

What the conclusion? Raubahn's story?

I'm assuming it's the relationship between Raughban and Nanamo, specifically the Sultan's growth into a stronger leader and Raughban being freed from his duty as her protector. The fact that they re-created a cutscene from 1.0 for this is more proof that it's probably what they were talking about. I was pretty pleased with the whole storyline, and I look forward to what they'll do next. Maybe it's time to give another city state a time to shine?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by radhaz

What the conclusion? Raubahn's story?

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We don't know yet, since the conclusion happens in the 4.x series.

4.1 only provided a few very subtle hints to what that conclusion might be.

Perhaps the hints are less subtle than Yoshi P believes.

I have a feeling Eorzea is going to be united into one country, as in the governance will be under one banner as a united ...ugh...state. Yoshi P seems to be replacing the different governments into similar democracies. It was hinted at in different times in the story, Kan E Senna's credits speech in 2.0, the fact that term limits are coming up for Merlwyb, Nanamo's want for a republic. The references to Eorzea as a country already, the crystal braves attempt, the presence of adventurers being already a "well regulated militia"...it seems that democracy, specifically one where everyone gets along, is regularly hammered as the only answer for Eorzea.

^I don't really think this is where the game is going. Garlemald was a Republic before it became an Empire. Actually, the lore book says the Garlean Senate is still around, it's just that their power is so curtailed by the Emperor that they functionally have no say in government.

As for the other nations... Doma isn't going to be a democracy, full stop. Hien is supposed to be the leader there due to his birth status, which is one of the main reasons everyone is backing him in the first place. He also happens to be a legitametly a good leader, so things are more then likely going to turn out fine for Doma. Other then Ul'dah, and Ishgard, the other nations in Eorzean don't want/need to be democracies either. Gridania will never be a good candidate for a democracy The reason why the Padjal are "in charge" of the city's government is because they're the only ones who can mediate between the normal Gridnians and the Elementals who are the ones who are really in charge of the Twelveswood. Wanting a different form of government isn't going to change that. If Limsa Lominsa tried to be a democracy... pirates... let's think about that for a minute. The reason why Merlwyb can get away with the changes in goverment is because she's super aware of what Limsa Lominsa can and can't put up with. The second she deprives everyone else of the literal race she won, pirate fleets aren't going to have a reason to back her current government. Also, the time-bubble. Merlwyb's term isn't going to be up until after the game is done technically.

Plenty of peace agreements work well enough in real life with out everyone being part of one country anyway. Look at medieval/Renascence Europe.

I think a lot of people are confusing the formation of a federation (a union of partially self-governing states) with becoming a democracy (a government where citizens directly elect representatives that form a governing body).

Ul'dah, Limsa Lominsa, Gridania, Ishgard, Ala Mhigo and some of the "lesser" states such as Revenant's Toll, Idyllshire and Hraesvelgr's Brood to form a unified Eorzean Federation to oppose Garlemald with each state keeping it's own style of state government makes some sense.

Well, if we want to be very technical, the Eorzean Alliance would be more of a confederacy rather than a federation of states. A confederation is typically a loose union of sovereign states with very weak central control, with the European Union being the best real-world example.

And, on the point of Ul'dah specifically, my understanding is that Nanamo is no longer pursuing her naive goal of setting up a republic. She has learnt that there are far too many vested interests working against that goal. More importantly, she's beginning to learn to use mercantile objectives to her own benefit. So, yes, don't expect an Ul'dahn Republic any time soon.