Shatotto and Shantotto

[Magis]

So after doing the Shantotto event, what does everyone think about this?

It was interesting that one of the npcs called her a "she-devil" like Shatotto was called. It did seem that Shantotto was unfamilliar with Eorzea from her dialog, though if they were the same... much may have changed from the 5th to the 7th astral eras.

Regardless, it did put a smile on my face hearing her dialog!

PS: What about blue mages? Racist!

[cotti]

She might not even be aware (or interested enough) that it was Eorzea back then, hence she seems unfamiliar.

[TychoCelchu]

It was interesting that one of the npcs called her a "she-devil" like Shatotto was called. It did seem that Shantotto was unfamilliar with Eorzea from her dialog, though if they were the same... much may have changed from the 5th to the 7th astral eras.

Regardless, it did put a smile on my face hearing her dialog!

PS: What about blue mages? Racist!

What if it is Shantotto's first time to Eorzea and she comes back later, but her trip through the Void the second time takes her to an earlier era in Eorzean history?

[Enkidoh]

I still don't buy the Shantotto-Shatotto idea, Shantotto's comments during A Burgeoning Dread definitely hints she's still rather unfamiliar with Eorzea and it's ways, although she has made some observations of Eorzean society (she mentions 'beast tribes running amok' and 'Imperial meddling', the later especially showing she is at least aware of the Garleans, but I guess that can be just handwaved away as part of her 'reconnaissance' she said she was undertaking). None of the Gridanians recognize her or the name of the place where she comes from (not surprising, given it's a whole other world), and Shantotto herself seems to have trouble remembering the name of the realm she's found herself in, suggesting she's only recently arrived.

No, I'm liable to regard 'Shatotto' as a completely different character native to Hydaelyn/Eorzea who just happened to be a reference to the FFXI Shantotto (kind of like in FFXI how Gilgamesh is not the dimension-hopping four armed sword collector, but just a regular hume pirate/samurai who runs a pirate town out of a cave).

If anything, the Shantotto quest more references her own FFXI mini-expansion A Shantotto Ascension (the expansion's title is actually clearly dropped into the dialogue), and she even has the glowing eyes the Shantotto clones had in the expansion (plus the end theme music for it plays during her FATE).

[Catapult]

Given how much the Black Mage background quests talk about the Voidgate, I wouldn't discount the Shatotto = Shantotto theory.

I look at the attitude with which she speaks. (not quoting here - just the vibe)
You don't know who I am? Inconceivable! What fools you all are!

She seems somewhat familiar with the realm, and is able to identify it as "rotting to the core".

So she may have been here before, for a while, when she was particularly bored in an era passed.

Of course, it could still be a completely different person. Just trying not to see a plausible possibility discounted here.

[Darske]

I'm a fan of the theory that they're the same, because it would be utterly horrifying to think that there were two similar black mages with personalities prone to dropping meteors out of boredom. I mean, I guess I'm totally guilty of that every time I do Ifrit hard mode, but... you know in retrospect entrusting twitchy explosion loving people with ancient destructive magic might not be the smartest idea.

For the sake of us all, we can only pray that one Shantotto is all there ever was.

[Pentacus]

I'm a fan of the theory that they're the same, because it would be utterly horrifying to think that there were two similar black mages with personalities prone to dropping meteors out of boredom. I mean, I guess I'm totally guilty of that every time I do Ifrit hard mode, but... you know in retrospect entrusting twitchy explosion loving people with ancient destructive magic might not be the smartest idea.

For the sake of us all, we can only pray that one Shantotto is all there ever was.

consider for a moment how many white mages just spam holy in revenants toll out of boredom, knowing full well that doing so can, and has in the past, cause an umbral era.

now just think if you could cast meteor out of combat.

I'm pretty sure "black mage that casts meteor when bored" would apply to EVERYONE if it wasn't forbidden due to game mechanics.

[Alberel]

If I recall one of the NPCs in the final cutscene of the event directly called her Shatotto before correcting himself. Honestly I think they are meant to be the same character though I doubt it'll ever be outright confirmed either way.

[Enkidoh]

Looking at my screenshots I took of the dialogue for that quest, she was never called anything other than her actual name, as transcribed here (spoilers for those who haven't done this quest yet):

Vorsaile Heuloix: "An otherwordly force of destruction? <sigh> I can tell you only what I have told the others. Without proof that this is more than just an imperial diversion, I will not risk the lives of my men chasing after shadows."
Vorsaile Heuloix: "What have we here? 'Twould appear to be some kind of doll. You retrieved this after felling a towering she-devil at the eye of that sorcerous storm?"
Vorsaile Heuloix: "I have not seen its like before, and yet I am quite confident in saying that this is not of Garlean make. Perhaps I was too hasty to dismiss that reporter's presumptions?"
(Loud thumping sounds appear and the whole of Gridania starts to shake like an earthquake)
Serpent Personnel Officer: "Seven hells?!"
Khloe Bajhiri: "G-Gods preserve us!"
Serpent Personnel Officer: "We have an intruder Commander!"
????: "O~hohohohohoho!"
????: "Caught unawares by my stunning arrival? Such heedlessness is ill-conducive to your continued survival!"
????: "Certainly a guest of my repute deserves a more befitting salute?"
????: "I expect to see more than mouths agape, if my wrath you wish to escape. As a matter of foremost urgency, you might begin by grovelling for mercy."
Vorsaile Heuloix: "Vorsaile Heuloix of the Order of the Twin Adder does not grovel. And now that I have given you a proper introduction, I daresay you owe us the same courtesy."
????: "Owe? What a funny man. Do you not see that your fate rests in the palm of my hand?"
????: "But I shall overlook your insolence, if just this once. After all, you can't help being a dunce."
Vorsaile Heuloix: "Stay your hand. I am not enamored of our visitor's arrogance, yet I would hear her out."
Shantotto: "Your judgement is quite wise-you may yet stave off an untimely demise. Now heed me well, lest you come to woe- you stand before the illustrious Shantotto!"
Shantotto: "The Federation of Windurst in Vana'diel is my demesne, where I preside as supreme mistress of all matters arcane."
Vorsaile Heuloix: "Lofty words. And yet both your name and your homeland are unfamiliar to me. Pray tell, what brings you to Gridania?"
Shantotto: "A full answer would cause your meager minds to unravel. Let us just say that my powers allow for interdimensional travel."
Shantotto: "Sadly I had to seal away this most marvelous spell, for reasons upon which I'd rather not dwell."
Shantotto: "Anyhow, I recently revisited the incantation, for the purpose of making some ameliorations. You know how the saying goes: the mind of a genius is never at repose."
Vorsaile Heuloix: "Inter.. dimensional travel, did you say?"
OIC Administrator: "C..Commander... I cannot begin to comprehend what our visitor is trying to convey."
Vorsaile Heuloix: "In all honesty, I am not faring much better. 'Twould appear the gist is that her powers are not to be trifled with."
Shantotto: "Why, that's the most astute observation you've made all day. I suggest you quit while things are going your way. Anyhow, testing the spell, I found myself by chance in your land-and quickly observed that things have gotten out of hand."
Shantotto: "Beast tribes run amok, Imperial plotting- the very core of your... Eorzea?... is rotting. Fortunately I was at once inspired, with a plan to deliver you from the fate in which you are mired."
Shantotto: "Raze your realm to the ground, leaving nary a shred, then erect an empire of my own in its stead. Yes, the only way to save this dimension... is to bring about a true Shantotto ascension! My golem was assessing the feasibility of this plan, until it came to a grinding halt at this adventurer's hand."
Shantotto: "Fortunately for you, I can forgive and forget. Besides, you've afforded me data that may prove useful yet. In return for your-albeit unwitting-aid, I'd offer you this creation of mine in trade. But be warned..."
Shantotto (with glowing eyes): "Should you fail to treat her right, I shall set your pants alight!"
OIC Administrator: "C-Commander! I dare say this vile witch poses a greater threat to our realm than the beast tribes and the Garleans combined..."
Shantotto: "...But I've dallied long enough in this dimension. Matters of actual import demand my attention."
Shantotto: "Fear not-should your realm remain in disarray, the esteemed Shantotto shall return to rescue the day."
Shantotto: "Meanwhile, worry not about my wayward creation. In it's current state, it could at best overthrow a single nation!"
(she disappears)
Disembodied voice: "O~hohoho! Ooo~hohohohohohohoho!"
OIC Administrator: "Commander! Should we not pursue her?"
Vorsaile Heuloix: "And how do you propose we do that? No, it is clear that this... Shantotto... is a singular force of destruction the likes of which we cannot hope to contain."
Vorsaile Heuloix: "Better that she depart on her own volition, lest that appalling plot of hers come to fru-er.. pass."
Khloe Bajhiri: "Who-the-what-the-where-the-why-now? Someone tell me I haven't been sitting on my arse deaf and dumbfounded as the scoop of a lifetime came and went before my eyes?!"
Vorsaile Heuloix: "In any event, you've done a great deed to us in getting to the bottom of this mess <insert player character name here>. It would seem we've not seen the last of Shantotto's crazed creation, but I trust that you will see that it brings no further harm to the realm."

Unless you mistook where Vorsaile Heuloix catches himself rhyming in the same way she does (a common trait of tarutaru like her), but basically, Shantotto is referred to by all by her actual name and it's not misspoken.

[Tule]

She mentioned that the truth behind her being able to be in Eorzea would unravel our meager minds or something to that effect. Which can simply be written off by her boasting about how efficient she is with complicated magic and the interdimensional traveling she had already mentioned. But I like to think that it meant she had been there before, or that it might even be in the same timeline or a more direct split timeline.

I mean in XI we had Abby, Real Past, Our Reality. Why not Eorzea as well?