Is Pipin benefiting from nepotism?

I have only just finished Stormblood.

However, I can't help but feel that Pipin has risen through the ranks due to nepotism. He doesn't really seem to be that talented, and yet he is being given a LOT of leeway in the planning of battles.

However, he is then promptly promoted to guard the Sultana (I assume he and the Sultana are in a relationship, based on the last scene I saw of them)

Perhaps nepotism is explored a little bit later on.

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Originally Posted by PirateRyanG

I have only just finished Stormblood.

However, I can't help but feel that Pipin has risen through the ranks due to nepotism. He doesn't really seem to be that talented, and yet he is being given a LOT of leeway in the planning of battles.

However, he is then promptly promoted to guard the Sultana (I assume he and the Sultana are in a relationship, based on the last scene I saw of them)

Perhaps nepotism is explored a little bit later on.

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Eh...Not really? Iirc despite being raubahns adopted son he earned his rank like his father did. And since he was a trusted 2nd in command it makes sense he would be promoted. Plus he (again iirc) never had a moment that proves he doesn't deserve the promotion.

Pipin's fairly capable in his own right. He suffers from being a less defined character in a story where he's usually standing with much stronger ones, so he doesn't always get to show it, but he's clearly good at his job. But on the other hand: yes, he absolutely has that job because of who his adoptive dad is. He does not have a romantic relationship with the sultana, at least as far as we know.

This probably puts him as better than most of Ul'Dah's ruling class, though; outside of Raubahn, nobody in that Syndicate room is exactly there through merit. Even Godbert apparently comes from some kind of old money, even if he's evidently good at investing and interpersonal relations.

There isn’t a person alive that hasn’t benefited (or been troubled by) the place and people they were born into.

Real world most people get where they are just as much on blind luck as they do by sheer determination and hard work.

So, Pipin is absolutely lucky to have been found and adopted by Raubahn. And he is absolutely put in the hard work to be where he is, but he’s not any more capable than, say, Hoary Boulder.

Where Pipin is and who he is connected to absolutely put him in the job he has, but that doesn’t mean he is in any way undeserving of it.

Partially. It's hard to deny that Pippin replacing Raubahn as Nanamo's personal guard is because he's his (adoptive) son. Though in this case it's less about his gain but for Raubahn sake. After all the Old Bull would have picked his duty over his personal desire due to the promise he made. So what's better way for Nanamo to 'free' him than to ensure his promise is never broken since his Son takes his place (thus Raubahn's blade still serving the Sultana)?

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Originally Posted by PirateRyanG

I have only just finished Stormblood.

However, I can't help but feel that Pipin has risen through the ranks due to nepotism. He doesn't really seem to be that talented, and yet he is being given a LOT of leeway in the planning of battles.

However, he is then promptly promoted to guard the Sultana (I assume he and the Sultana are in a relationship, based on the last scene I saw of them)

Perhaps nepotism is explored a little bit later on.

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Pipin is Raubahn's son you maniac.

But, yes, there's a little nepotism, as a treat.

Not sure where the idea that he has a romantic relationship with the Sultana came from to be honest. I certainly didn't get that impression, and I'd have to say the game is pretty poor at actually indulging that sort of story thread anyway. They seem to always follow the (frankly tiresome) trope of character A having an implied romantic interest in char B, but having them maintain 'silent admiration' rather than actually have anything develop.

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Originally Posted by Carin-Eri

Not sure where the idea that he has a romantic relationship with the Sultana came from to be honest. I certainly didn't get that impression, and I'd have to say the game is pretty poor at actually indulging that sort of story thread anyway. They seem to always follow the (frankly tiresome) trope of character A having an implied romantic interest in char B, but having them maintain 'silent admiration' rather than actually have anything develop.

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He barely interact in the story anyway, he don't really have the time to interact with people. Even got his voiced stolen in Endwalker.

The devs don't seem to want characters having relationship, probably because they want people to have their own headcanon about relationship if they want.
That would explain Thancred not being a womanizer anymore too.

On the topic, i would say that if a character is benefiting from nepotism in Stormblood, it is Lyse.
Her dead father got her a job despite her not even setting foots in Ala Mhigo since her childhood.

Does it say Pipin was adopted? I kinda noticed him in Stormblood and I was just like "Since when did he have a kid? Is he Nanamo's kid?"

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Originally Posted by Shadotterdan

Does it say Pipin was adopted? I kinda noticed him in Stormblood and I was just like "Since when did he have a kid? Is he Nanamo's kid?"

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It was all spelled out “off camera” in other sources (the encyclopedia and the “tales from” short stories)
From the wiki: https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Pipin_Tarupin

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When Pipin was twelve years old his father sold him into the Bloodsands gladiator pits to pay off his gambling debts. While serving under these conditions he met the young Raubahn Aldynn, a refugee imprisoned on suspicion of espionage. The Bull of Ala Mhigo inspired the young Pipin to focus on his gladiatorial career to emancipate himself.[1]

Raubahn used his earning to buy out Pipin's freedom by clearing his father's debt. Fearing his father may end up selling him again to settle future debts, Pipin returned to the Bloodsands. Raubahn used his prize money to secure legal guardianship of Pipin, formally adopting him as his son.[2]

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In game we meet him after the banquet scene between 2.0 and 3.0. I don’t remember at what point he introduces himself, but I wanna say he just does a “I’m pippin, Raubahn’s son. I’m here to rescue you!”

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Originally Posted by kaynide

It was all spelled out “off camera” in other sources (the encyclopedia and the “tales from” short stories)
From the wiki: https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Pipin_Tarupin


In game we meet him after the banquet scene between 2.0 and 3.0. I don’t remember at what point he introduces himself, but I wanna say he just does a “I’m pippin, Raubahn’s son. I’m here to rescue you!”

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Yeah, he specifically mentions he is adopted.

https://i.ibb.co/s5f25RP/Screenshot-...-27-211852.jpg

IMO, after Stormblood, Pipin's the best choice. Let's look at some alternatives

Eline Roaille - *Former* Immortal Flames Marshal, and prolific bribe taker. When finally caught in the act, she blamed society.
Swift - Immortal Flames Commander, showed zero iniciative during the Crystal Braves' debacle. Didn't back Raubhan and the Scions, shouldn't expect to be promoted either.
Mimio Mio - Immortal Flames Lieutenant, another ranking officer who at best showed neutrality.
Baldewyn - *Former* Immortal Flames Captain, another bribe taker, when caught, tried to frame Lololito to get away with punishment.
Fufulupa - Current Immortal Flames Captain, brave and honest. Also the one that came up with the brilliant idea to set up a bunch of traps on the road to Horizon.
Derplander - Current Immortal Flames Captain, the adventurer who actually set up the traps in the middle of a trade route.

What about outsourcing?
Jenlyns - Current Sultansworn Captain, and king of poor judgement. IMO, should be thankful he still has his job after the events of both Ul'dah main quest (1-15) and paladin quests (30-50).
Solkzagyl - *Former* Sultansworn Captain, good guy and a decent choice, but far too old and with his reputation destroyed by the Syndicate. Aside from the unreliable Jenlyns, lacks allies in Ul'dah.
Papashan - *Former* Sultansworn Knight, again too old, and I'd much rather have HIM by the Sultana's side than the likes of Jenlyns. Still, an excellent choice, were it not for Pipin.
Aldis - *Former* Gladiator, strong but unreliable, by Stormblood still persona non grata in Ul'dah.
Mylla - Current Gladiator Headmaster, strong and brave, with a tendency to throw fits. A decent choice, but not great.
Lyse - Former Scion and Archon impersonator, busy trying to prevent the resistance pockets in Ala Mhigo from lashing out against former imperial sympathisers.

Which leaves us with Pipin, who:
1) Arranged safe passage for the surviving Scions after the bloody banquet, by his own iniciative and with very little to gain;
2) Helped the WoL rescue Raubhan (along with Merlwyb and the Domans), something the rest of the flames didn't do;
3) Distinguished himself both personally and as a leader during the Stormblood campaign to retake Ala Mhigo;

He's also very strong, probably as strong as his arm-less father. During the assault on the imperial capital, he teamed up with monk-trained Lyse and took on similar challenges to a team consisting of Magnai, Sadu and Cirina, showing the 2 of them were as strong as the fearsome trio from the Steppes.

In short, Pipin's awesome :)

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Originally Posted by Gridanian

Which leaves us with Pipin, who:
1) Arranged safe passage for the surviving Scions after the bloody banquet, by his own iniciative and with very little to gain;
2) Helped the WoL rescue Raubhan (along with Merlwyb and the Domans), something the rest of the flames didn't do;
3) Distinguished himself both personally and as a leader during the Stormblood campaign to retake Ala Mhigo;

He's also very strong, probably as strong as his arm-less father. During the assault on the imperial capital, he teamed up with monk-trained Lyse and took on similar challenges to a team consisting of Magnai, Sadu and Cirina, showing the 2 of them were as strong as the fearsome trio from the Steppes.

In short, Pipin's awesome :)

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I'd also like to add, he's the one who appears to have come up with the idea to have the Thaumaturge contingent alternate fire and blizzard spells to apply thermal shock to the gates of the Royal Palace of Ala Mhigo in order to make them brittle and able to be more readily broken down.

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Originally Posted by kaynide

I don’t remember at what point he introduces himself, but I wanna say he just does a “I’m pippin, Raubahn’s son. I’m here to rescue you!”

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The merchant who comes to your rescue during the penultimate MSQ in ARR, upon hearing Pipin's name says something like "I've heard that name. Aren't you General Aldyn's son?" after which Pipin says something like "Yes, adopted of course".

He's already Vice Marshal of the Immortal Flames in 2.55, not because "nepotism" but because he rose through the ranks. Nanamo promoted him to General of the Immortal Flames in order to provide Rauhbahn a reason to stay in Ala Mhigo to see to its future.

I'd trust Pipin with my life.

I would like to see a lot more Pipin in the future. So many scions and their wider circle seem to have had complicated childhoods and that has interesting potential as future content and character development I think.

Pipin wise though my big sister Medley is rather taken with him and would like to quest with him a lot more please.

Medley is convinced he earnt his place rightfully as a brave and noble solider of rare skill - and she won't hear otherwise!

We probably will. It seems to me that they're setting up Pippin, A-Ruhn-Senna, and Sicard to be the next generation of leaders for the Eorzean Allaince.