What's wrong with Rowena?

I'm finally getting around to rebuilding the Doman Enclave, and when Rowena's House of Splendors was mentioned as the ones who wanted to buy paper, I was confused to see the dialogue options my character had to say. Saying he'd prefer they sell their souls to a void sent, or saying that surely nothing bad would come. Surely.

As far as I'm aware, Rowena's just a widely known merchant who has repeatedly helped us achieve powerful weapons in the past. So, I'm confused why my characters said things like this. Is there a reason I'm unaware of?

This is one of those times that the truth comes in layers - there's a bit of fact, a bit of rumor, a bit of humor, and a bit of perspective, but you have to combine it all to feel like you actually have a grasp on it.

Rowena is widely known as a shrewd and ruthless businesswoman. She has a mind for appraising value and cost-benefit analyses, for balancing books and where to put her investments - when to buy, when to sell, what to trade, what styles are coming into and going out of vogue.

She tends to be very talented at preventing herself from suffering any meaningful losses, but also talented at noticing who does not share in this talent. Her contracts are binding, rigid, and unforgiving; she's not going to cheat you, but she's not going to stop you from cheating yourself, and she'll make sure she gets everything she's owed.

Naturally, then, she's also widely known as a thrice-damned harpy. It's not wise to bet against the House, and to go into business with her is a huge risk if there's any chance you might not have a good grip on your affairs.

That said, if you watch her closely, this reputation is her armor - and she deliberately polishes it, encouraging her actions to be framed in the most cold, calculating, and shrewd way possible. If ever she's seen as weak or charitable, it might be the end of her business empire.

Example:

The girls who work for Rowena all have terrible pasts and terrible debts. She buys off this debt, gives them a new name which ends in "na", and forbids them to reclaim their true name until their debts are paid. She encourages people to see this as indentured servitude - that she's capitalizing on collecting people who have no choice but to be loyal. Or is she just collecting the vulnerable and teaching them to seize power like her own? Skills in numbers, wisdom in deals, aptitude for appraising people and judicious thinking? Using aliases to prevent people from finding them in the meantime?

Even when it comes to girls like Khloe and Zhloe, they work hard for scraps and Rowena seems to let it happen, but do you really think it's fate that the realm's most sentimental sucker, the Warrior of Light, keeps stumbling over them in her safe havens and helping them build their dreams? Or are her girls following orders to ensure these most auspicious of meetings?

I'm pretty sure she's even torturing poor Gerolt with his debt cycle just to keep him close and predictable until he reclaims his sense of self-worth and responsibility, lol.

But, yes, the Warrior of Light often ends up on the more taxing and laborious side of any dealing with Rowena, and has no qualms about buying into and helping spread the thrice-damned harpy point of view.

For those familiar with Studio Ghibli movies, you could say that Rowena is to FFXIV what Lady Eboshi was to outsiders of Irontown in "Princess Mononoke".

Rowena is a self-made woman, grizzled by years of experience in the school of hard knocks. She understands full well that money is power, and she's utterly unsentimental about what she needs to do to get rich and ensure her independence in a harsh world.

So, to her trading partners, she's an absolute b*tch to strike deals with. And to her employees, she's an unforgiving taskmaster. But, at the same time, there's the sense that she practises tough love on her "indentured" servants. She's giving them the same means she used to not just survive, but also emerge as top dog. Her employees likely know this implicitly: They may complain about their work circumstances, but I'm yet to come across any of them spouting words of contempt or rebellion against Rowena.

This is probably a bit of a followup to one of the options the WoL can pick way back when the Domans first come to Mor Dhona. It's the MSQ quest "Why We Adventure". One of the kids asks the WoL what is the best way to become more powerful and the WoL can respond with "Buy weapons and armor from Rowena.".

The thing with Rowena is that for all she does have a lot of influence economically, we've yet to see her not provide what she commits too. If one holds up their end of the deal, she always holds up her end. She must drive Ul'dah's dishonest merchants crazy!

Example of Rowena doing business with other organizations: In the Lvl 68 SMN quest, it's revealed that Rowena is the one financing the Sons of Saint Coinach archeological digs. In return the Sons of Saint Coinach turn over a portion of what they find to her. That same quest also reveals that Rowena and the Ironworks have a symbiotic relationship as well. The Ironworks get access to all the Tomestones Rowena collects and in return they give her written transcripts of what is on the tomes. She even lets Y'mhitra borrow said transcripts with the payment being summaries of the transcripts. Apparently, the people who buy the Tomestones off Rowena like knowing what they're paying for!

It doesn't help that as the one managing the tomestone and scrip exchanges she can be seen as a physical personification of The Grind. Every bit of adventuring ends up coming to benefit her, no matter who you're supposedly doing it for. Is it any wonder that adventurers would hold her in low regard?

Rowena is a lot like Lolorito. At a glance, they're both little more than ruthless and selfish merchants who care about nothing beyond making a profit. The more you learn about each, however, the more you see that they have a lot more depth to them. Neither of them have completely shed their morality to the point where they'd do anything for a profit.

I think the most damning part of Rowena's modus operandi is more related to her payment options. To wit, she does not pay out a single gil, instead giving scrip to her workers (though I might be misremembering). Scrip good for exchange only at Rowena's businesses, for Rowena's goods, while they are already indebted to her for their training, room and food.

That's basically a company town system, if I remember well, and it's pretty characteristic exploitation. It perhaps isn't the unkindest, but those under Rowena's employ do not really have much in other options beyond continuing with Rowena, or striking out to form their own business and sell to her (which, harpy that she claims to be, she still takes in trade well and offers partners to Zhloe, and Sanana (sic) with Kurenai does have her own solid business now, even if it probably links to the EATC or House of Splendors too). Also, the debts do stack up fast, and for people and countries that had company towns, it meant very little of the wealth stayed with the local people and they had very precarious conditions (since the employer, who paid them and housed them, was the one who chose basically what goods to bring in for their good and use as well).

That said, beyond Rowena being unforgiving with and having a high interest for debts she is owed, she does not seem to have her Splendors employees in such drastically bad conditions as some of the infamous company towns. Overworked, yes, and they grouse about that. So Lady Eboshi is probably a good close comparison.

I'm assuming that for the Domans, who are getting back on their feet, it is probably close to a deal with a very exacting devil that will have sharp interest rates, and is very capable of screwing them over. And for us adventurers, well, we are both Rowena's providers of some of the bizarre goods and her clientele. We're freer from her grasp because we buy so many of their goods, and because later she can absolutely use that as marketing (the Warrior of Light trusts her wares!) on top of being able to provide goods and services she needs back.

I mean we -are- cleaning up an island of nasties so she and the EATC can have a less heavily taxed port of call in the East, and anything there is provided out of their pockets. We're a good investment.

Rowena paying the -na in scrips is true.

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Originally Posted by Zhloe Aliapoh

Did I say that for every collectable you bring to me, I'll pay you in scrips redeemable at Rowena's House of Splendors? I did? Good! Because that's exactly what I'll be doing! Provided Rowena approves, of course. Which she will. I promise!

That's how Rowena pays her hardworking employees, after all. No gil, just scrips. Why, I can still remember her counting them out─one scrip, two scrips, red scrips, blue scrips! She'll be positively thrilled that Zhloe's following in her footsteps. I just know it!

I see the sparkle of curiosity in your eye! “But, Zhloe,” you ask. “Without any gil to your name, however did you purchase food, drink, and other basic essentials of daily life?” You weren't wondering that? Well, Zhloe will tell you anyway!

At Rowena's House of Splendors, you can purchase an enormous flagon of pineapple juice for the low, low price of only one hundred and thirty scrips! And who needs food when you have pineapple juice? Not Zhloe, that's for sure! Mmm, pineapples...

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I think that in Rowena's mind, paying them in gil might complicate the debt management cycle. She bought out their debts with gil, she's recouping that investment in gil, and seeing as the girls have horrible pasts to match those debts, some being actively sought by people with ill intent, it might be seen as "safer" and easier to control if they were integrated into and dependent on the "company town" until such time as their debts were squared and they were able to go off on their own. (I would be amazed if they didn't get some kind of transition program / starter package, as well, though surely one that was "equitable", lol.)

Rowena believes that most power is derived from money (who would argue that), and takes that reasoning to its logical extremes. She often seems to impose onto people her own brand of justice, fairness, and what is for their own good. (Again, look at poor Gerolt, lol.) One would never mistake her for a proponent of individual freedoms, but the degree to which she is a villain is something I could see being the subject of many a debate at Sharlayan Studium history classes a hundred years from now.

EDIT: The logic might be similar with adventurers, now that I think on it. Collectables are worthless save for to the collector, with the true exchange between the collector and the House of Splendors. Adventurers are subcontractors. The House receives gil from the collector, the House spends gil on wares bartered to adventurers.

We might ask: Is this is a capitalist assuming direct control over all aspects of the transaction and being the sole gil-handler so as to preserve the precarious position of "middle-man"? Or is this a matter of enforcing a safe and mutually-profitable exchange of quality goods and services for the preservation of the House's reputation and protection of its subcontractors?

Rowena would say: "Why not both?"

Which brings us back around to:
If you're lax of business ethic or lax of grip on your affairs, you're arguably better off selling your soul to a voidsent than Rowena.

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Originally Posted by Anonymoose

an enormous flagon of pineapple juice[/COLOR]

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Somewhat off-topic... Where did you get this particular quote, I'm curious? In all of my interactions with Zhloe, she's crazy about pineapple PUDDING, not juice. Honestly, juice makes a lot more sense, which is why the pudding sticks in my mind...

Is there a difference in the dialog for the PC and PS4 versions, perhaps?

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Originally Posted by LineageRazor

Where did you get this particular quote, I'm curious?

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It's part of the unlock quest for Zhloe, Arms Wide Open. One of Rowena's girls (Geimlona) flags you down and tells you "all the -nas are worried" because Zhloe. Having been in Rowena's employ for some years, she's paid off her family's debt, reclaimed her name, and is now striking off on her own to set up her enterprise. However, she's completely scatterbrained despite being a determined, hard worker. (I'm still convinced, "Get the Warrior of Light to stumble over her." was a deliberate plan directly approved, if not conceived of, by Rowena herself.)

That is the only time she mentions juice instead of pudding, but several times she also mentions pineapples just on their own. Perhaps she enjoys all manner of pineapples and flatbreads, but pineapple pudding is her go-to.

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Originally Posted by Anonymoose

It's part of the unlock quest for Zhloe,

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Ah, I see. It's been years, so not too surprising I didn't remember. But that's why we have Anonymoose!

If i recall Gerolt mentioned that he was once married to rowena somewhere in the relic questlines and said he would remarry her as a threat. It was again mentioned lightly by the npc for the zodiac lights

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Originally Posted by godwin

If i recall Gerolt mentioned that he was once married to rowena somewhere

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There was even a PowerPoint about it one LIVE Letter recap, lol.

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The History of Gerolt and Rowena

In days past, Gerolt and Remon studied metallurgy under Heidolf, a well-renowned blacksmith. The two were quite gifted, and as word of their takent soon spread, Heidolf’s smithy flourished.

More and more people came seeking their custom. Rowena was one such patron, a confident, quick-witted woman, who had eyes only for her wares… and then young smith, Gerolt, who crafted them. Remon escaped her notice—though she did not escape his.

As Heidolf saw his smithy’s celebrity grow, he realized that so long as a product carried the mark of Gerolt or Remon, it would be sure to sell. And so a plan was hatched: inferior goods made by younger smiths would bear the marks of the masters.

Quality fell by the day, sparking rumors and raising suspicions. Rowena, who knew well Gerolt’s craftsmanship, soon uncovered proof of Heidolf’s plot, and subsequently threatened to cut ties with his smithy if he would not cease his deception.

This would not bode well for Heidolf. Rowena represented an arms dealer with an extensive network of connections in Ul’dah. To lose such a client would be a devastating blow for both him, and the less reputable associates who now profited from his business. Should they be displeased, it could very well cost him his life. Therefore, he decided that Rowena must have an accident—one which would bury her and the truth along with it.

When Gerolt learned of this scheme, he begged and pleaded for Heidolf to reconsider—to return to the way things were. But to Heidolf, Gerolt’s pleas were as insults. How dare he lecture him, his apprentice, with his skill and his fame and his youth, upon whom he had been forced to rely? Who would surely steal his smithy from him, and cast him aside like a hammer no longer fit for the forge… Heidolf knew he had to strike first.

However, his attempt to kill Gerolt was not only unsuccessful, there was also a witness.

Remon had suspected something was amiss with Heidolf, and now he knew for certain. But Gerolt had surpassed him at every turn, and had stolen the heart of his beloved Rowena. And so Remon spoke not a word of what he saw.

Gerolt was cast out. With nowhere else to go, he took to the road.

It was only a matter of time before Rowena learned the truth, after which she resigned her position and left Ul’dah in search of Gerolt. Remon, whose jealousy had driven him to silence, could not bring himself to stop her. With a heavy heart, he abandoned his hammer.

With the loss of Gerolt and Remon, Heidolf’s business soon fell into ruin. Utterly undone, he plunged a dagger into his own heart—the first dagger forged by his finest apprentice long ago.

After no small amount of searching, Rowena was at last reunited with Gerolt. Together they traveled to faraway lands, where at last they exchanged their vows.

And then, one fateful day, a letter came. Remon, who had established himself as a black market dealer through Heidolf’s former connections, had learned that Rowena, upon resigning her position, had stolen a great deal of money from both her clients and her former employer—and that they would hold her to account.

Gerolt devised a plan. Her persuaded Rowena to lend him an exorbitant amount of money under the guise of starting his own smithy. However, he would instead return this money to those she had wronged by way of Remon, and conceal the truth by playing the villain. His former colleague agreed to help him—under one condition, to which Gerolt agreed.

The next day, Rowena was alone, her love nowhere to be found.

Weeks turned to months, turned to years. Rowena, driven by her anger towards the man who had betrayed her, returned to Ul’dah and began trading in antiquities. With focus and determination, she began to build her business. And then, one day, another letter from Remon came. Gerolt had been found.

Alas, the man Rowena found in Hyrstmill was not the man she had married. Gerolt was a shadow of his former self, a man broken from a life spent running. A drunkard mindlessly hammering away at mere kettles.

She thought back to the man with a spirit as fiery as a forge, whose weapons were as works of art—to that day when they had first met. As she squeezed the wedding ring he had crafted for her, Rowena made him an offer. Honest work for honest pay.

…Or so Drake would have us believe,
based on the mumblings of a drunkard abed and his patrons.

Is there truth to this tale?
Only the Twelve know.

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That was it, the gist of it all from Drake! I was looking for that, Moose... thank you! Finally! Definitely added a +1 as well!

And now to watch Trillionaire Madame Rowena continue with her mystery plan...