Our passive characters and why the 2.55 story fails (BIG SPOILERS) (rant warning)

[Sushikins]

I feel like if the reason for our character's uselessness in the situation was due to being unarmed, they should've made a bigger deal over us not having it (like showing us handing it over before entering Nanamo's chambers) and made a note of us getting it back. As it is, we are mysteriously missing it once we enter Nanamo's chambers (likely because we had to hand it over for a private meeting) but it's absent from our character until AFTER we get off the carriage later on. Either it was poorly done or Alphinaud nicked it off whoever had it while he was escaping and gives it back to you off screen.

That said, I'll accept the unarmed excuse for my character (SMN) and others, but for a character who is a career MNK, that explanation would have to REALLY sting.

[Erudain]

That also brings the questions.....

[Addicted]

I found the whole part where you're presented before everyone else as the murderer really poorly done. There was no evidence against you that'd hold under scrutiny. There was that poison glass vial which you picked up that wasn't even on your person when you're thrown, a Brave had it. Trying to put the WoL under trial would be laughable, our political influence is far too big. Who would everyone believe, the money grubbing merchants with countless hidden agendas or the guy that saved the realm countless times before. A toddler could argue its way out of that situation. The faith everyone has in us is even shown. After the story is done, just speak with any NPC and they'll say no one believes you actually did anything. Speak with the guards that are supposed to be arresting you and none even try either out of fear (a feeling that was very suspiciously missing) or out of respect and admiration.

I understand why our character is as passive as an avocado but, when you decide to throw him or her in such a spotlight, that passivity can't be taken to such an extreme. It just looks bad on the story and the writing. This kind of crass dissonance could be more excused in other games but for a franchise and a game that prides itself so much on its story, it's simply shameful.

Another thing that I found very odd was our pick of exile to Ishgard. Why Ishgard? Gridania and Limsa want nothing to do with what happened in Ul'dah and it's not like the Braves or the Brass Blades have any agency in those 2 cities. Sure, Coerthas is a much more isolated place and it'd be harder to get information on you but I found it odd as a first choice, especially since you were already headed towards the Black Shroud. I'd have found it easier to accept if we got rescued directly by Cid via airship while still in Ul'dah. It'd have made for a much more interesting scene and it'd have reaffirmed Cid's importance in the main story quest which was sorely lacking since he all but disappeared outside of the Crystal Tower story.

[myahele]

I still would've liked a instance where we fight off so much of them, but still lose. An un-winnable scenario like in many rpgs. Although that might have caused more people to be angry due to wasting potions/food and trying so hard to win.

Though I guess it would've been better if the were knocked out (hit in the head)

[Velia]

I found the whole part where you're presented before everyone else as the murderer really poorly done. There was no evidence against you that'd hold under scrutiny. There was that poison glass vial which you picked up that wasn't even on your person when you're thrown, a Brave had it. Trying to put the WoL under trial would be laughable, our political influence is far too big. Who would everyone believe, the money grubbing merchants with countless hidden agendas or the guy that saved the realm countless times before. A toddler could argue its way out of that situation. The faith everyone has in us is even shown. After the story is done, just speak with any NPC and they'll say no one believes you actually did anything. Speak with the guards that are supposed to be arresting you and none even try either out of fear (a feeling that was very suspiciously missing) or out of respect and admiration.

I understand why our character is as passive as an avocado but, when you decide to throw him or her in such a spotlight, that passivity can't be taken to such an extreme. It just looks bad on the story and the writing. This kind of crass dissonance could be more excused in other games but for a franchise and a game that prides itself so much on its story, it's simply shameful.

Another thing that I found very odd was our pick of exile to Ishgard. Why Ishgard? Gridania and Limsa want nothing to do with what happened in Ul'dah and it's not like the Braves or the Brass Blades have any agency in those 2 cities. Sure, Coerthas is a much more isolated place and it'd be harder to get information on you but I found it odd as a first choice, especially since you were already headed towards the Black Shroud. I'd have found it easier to accept if we got rescued directly by Cid via airship while still in Ul'dah. It'd have made for a much more interesting scene and it'd have reaffirmed Cid's importance in the main story quest which was sorely lacking since he all but disappeared outside of the Crystal Tower story.

Well said. Better than I in parts :P
It's a shame when Chrono Trigger did the whole sham accusation thing so much better.

[Risvertasashi]

Another thing that I found very odd was our pick of exile to Ishgard. Why Ishgard? Gridania and Limsa want nothing to do with what happened in Ul'dah and it's not like the Braves or the Brass Blades have any agency in those 2 cities.

I agree with you on every point but this one. The problem is...

Lolorito is now more or less the ruler of Ul'Dah. No matter how ridiculous their claims might be, harboring a fugitive accused of murder... well, not the best place to be politically. Pretty much why Kan-E-Senna and Merlwyb left at the scene of the deed.

At least, ostensibly that's the reason. I think, as the warrior of light, our characters would have enough public support that a nation could champion our cause and turn matters to their favor.

...that might be exactly what Ishgard is planning on doing? And hey, Ishgardians didn't abandon us while we were tied up on the floor. Right now, honestly, there isn't a GC that I want to be enlisted in...

[Velia]

Yeah but again I would maybe, MAYBE buy that Ul'dah could have people extradited if they had actually shown the Alliance cooperating in that manner.
Instead they show the exact opposite. Merlwyb states clearly. "Limsa first, then the Alliance." So they're trying to imply that if the Warrior of Light and Alphinaud asked for sanctuary in Lominsan territory, she'd deny them? She'd abandon the WoL and all their influence and achievements, kowtow to Lolorito and allow Limsa to be subordinate to Ul'dan interests?

You know the worst part? Alphinaud says right at the end that you can likely go back to Ul'dah because nobody believes you're guilty and nobody will support any action against you.
So this exile is entirely unnecessary because it's canon that Ul'dah is too lazy and lacks any backing to go after you.

[KerenRhys]

He was suspicious, yes. But I do not recall Alphinaud being privy to the information given to you at the Rising Stones. Again, correct me if I'm wrong.

In the case Alphinaud doesn't know (as I'm not sure he was informed), then it's Riol that's totally stupid. The guy discover a potential massive bribery case in the company, in favor of one of the foremost identified enemy at that time, and with clues that they have begun to act (Wilred's death), and he doesn't even warn to his boss that there is a potential for treason? There is no need for clues to warn of a maybe that could be disastrous (even if it results only in a close watch of suspects). Yeah, right...

I don't know if anyone else had any other weapon since it was stated that it was forbidden to draw your weapons in that room.

They had them for the fight outside of the room, and there is no way they were left somewhere outside when there wasn't anybody left there. So they had it in the room and could have fight (or it's another inconsistency, there are so much it would not be surprising).

Not necessarily. Again, reinforcements were pretty close after you ran out of the banquet hall. Ilberd could have stalled for more time and you would eventually be outnumbered.

Ilberd stalling against the WoL, Raubhan, Y'shtola, Papalymo and Yda, each of which is an accomplished warrior or mage? Yeah, sure, maybe 30 seconds.

And what of the Sultansworn? Nowhere near the reception room, nowhere in sight during Teledji storming in the Sultana's room, no reaction towards the intrusion of a known enemy of the crown with an armed force of Brass Blades (known for their corruption) and a group of Crystal Brave he should not have any authority on? If they ware all killed during the coup, maybe, but they are all there after... and it's only one more inconsistency. I have seen fan fiction better written than that.

[TruebladeNuke]

So people are still complaining about this? Figures as much. It goes to show that most people are unable to accept reality. The developers are not mind readers. And most of the time, they aren't 100% miracle workers either. And most of all, they can't please everyone. Period.

That's life. Life is unfair. Life has always been unfair. There is no "win-win" situation the developers can aim for here because just about everyone else insists on complaining about every little thing the developers try to do and make the game appeal to us. Why people can't seem to accept the fact that they can't have everything they want in this world still boggles my mind.

I'm not even going to bother with retorts to the OP since I don't see it going anywhere, but I will say this: If I had it my way, I would have said "Screw the rules! I'm just going to flat out kill all these scumbags! ... or at least the major important ones before I hightail it out of here before I get swarmed by the insane number of guards around here." because quite frankly, I HATE politics, for the very reasons that DID show up in the cutscenes. In this regard, I understand why the developers had the PC try to be passive about it, due to said politics. This point is further proven when you go back and talk to various NPC's in Mor Dhona and Ul'dah, as many of them thoroughly believe you didn't do it, so perhaps it was a good thing your PC was passive about the scenario.

Maybe they COULD have handled it better, but again, that'd be you asking for the developers to be miracle workers that can somehow make everyone happy instantly... which will never happen. I've got enough life experience to know that no matter what anyone does, someone will complain.

Long story short: If you expect the developers to please you every step of the way, you're only setting yourself up for disappointment. Might want to lower your expectations.

[Sushikins]

Yeah, after the way the story ended, walking around anywhere, especially Ul'dah, just feels weird. Obviously they can't just lock us in Coerthas till Heavensward and I'll give them credit for adding dialog to NPCs explaining why we're more or less able to walk around like normal, but it feels strange and a little lazy.