Revelations from Patch 2.55 [SPOILERS]

[Vydos]

I also wonder what happened to Hoary Boulder. We didn't see or hear about him after the Wilfred incident.

And I don't believe that Nanamo is death. It's like how a few people mentioned in this topic. Teledji was after all quick to point out that Nanamo was dead and poisoned. And I also have the feeling that the handmaiden is a double agent working for Nanamo. Or a traitor that decided to side with Nanamo after all. I'm just getting that vibe between them.
(Mind you, I don't care if she lives or dies. So I'm not in denial in any way or form)

Same for the scions. Not dead at all. Each of them dissapearing in a white flash. And something else that makes me believe they aren't dead. The ascians and their worry about the scions having found a way to kill what is immortal. Why worry over something if they're dead? And the ascians seem to always be very good to be informed off our actions and whereabouts.

I'd also would love to see S-E explain how a bunch of Au Ra's adventurers find their way onto Eorzea when Heavensward is released. I was expecting that to be clarified with this patch. But we only got a Yugiri reveal without any added info.

[Aeliott]

@Vydos

The thing with the Hand Maid crossed my mind too...when Raubahn is asking Nanamo's opinion at the Alliance meeting the Maid is whispering to her while she seems very distracted as though they're conspiring. It's possible she replaced the poison with a less fatal one that feigns death. We know such a drug exists from the Hildibrand quests. And when Thancred mentioned a secret passage in her chambers that sent off alarm bells. The maid has a lot of ominous camera focus even after the deed, such as with Lolorito. I'm still not sure though...why would she tell us her plans to dissolve the monarchy and then do that? Plus if she did feign her own death it's _extremely_ inconsiderate of her to assume Raubahn wouldn't lose his shit (or arm...or life)...plus it just doesn't seem like her. We've seen nothing so far to imply she has this level of cunning or trickery, it just doesn't feel right thinking of her as faking her death.

I agree about the Scions though, I'll be very surprised if any of them have kicked the bucket.

[treuhavik]

So!
About the Ascians in this patch...

Lahabrea states that the "Ardor" was not his (Nabriales) to make.
Now, IIRC, Lahabrea also referred to Bahamut's rampage as an "Ardor"...
And the closest our characters get to that word was "Rejoining" (mentioned by Nabriales, which Minfilia assumes that what happened to the Isle of Val was his doing).
I wonder...what if these "calamities" are ways for them to disrupt/unbalance the flow of Aether around the zones where they happen, so they can take advantage of them?
They DID say that after each "Ardor", their god (Zodiark) grows stronger.
The mention of some of them being of this world (from 2.50) and "star(s)" was also kind of ominous...as if they weren't from this world (or maybe from *any* world at all), and yet, they need everything they can get their hands on in order to revive their master.
I dunno, this is raising even more questions than answers...

It could very well be that...

it is the overabundance of life and actions of those living on Hydaelyn that disrupt the natural balance of aether. Maybe, just maybe, these calamities actually restore some aetheric balance to the world, dimming the light of life to strengthen the darkness (Zodiark). Elidibus has made it very clear that, in order for things to be set right again, ALL must perish. There is a reason for that.

[saber_alter]

I'm sure most of the scions are still alive and kicking, albiet injured probably. likely have a few new scars, and an excuse for new outfits.

I'm also pretty sure the Sultana is dead, gone. if she hadn't, she would have likely told Raubahn her plan because they are so close. if that were the case, he wouldn't have lost his shit like that.

It seems that most, if not all of the crystal braves in Ul'dah have been shown to be traitorous. i wonder what happened to the ones not in Ul'dah, maybe they escaped to ishgard as well. i hope not all of them fell victim to Teledji's and Lolorito's scheming. How unfortunate Ilberd fell to the hope that Ala Mhigo may one day be restored, i wanted to like him.

[lololink]

It seems that most, if not all of the crystal braves in Ul'dah have been shown to be traitorous. i wonder what happened to the ones not in Ul'dah, maybe they escaped to ishgard as well. i hope not all of them fell victim to Teledji's and Lolorito's scheming. How unfortunate Ilberd fell to the hope that Ala Mhigo may one day be restored, i wanted to like him.

There are some crystal brave and brass blades that you can speak with after you have finished the quest, some knows that you were framed and are on your side while others thinks you are a traitor and that you are lucky that they can't arrest you here.

[Sayora]

There are some crystal brave and brass blades that you can speak with after you have finished the quest, some knows that you were framed and are on your side while others thinks you are a traitor and that you are lucky that they can't arrest you here.

RT is interesting. The Brass Blade in the tavern knows you're innocent and the Crystal Brave just kind of has a panic attack when he sees you.

[LystAP]

RT is interesting. The Brass Blade in the tavern knows you're innocent and the Crystal Brave just kind of has a panic attack when he sees you.

Well, there's also the fact that Revenant's Toll is populated by a demographic group that is pretty well-known by the locals as master assassins, anyone that touches you will pretty much disappear. I think the reason why they sent so many people after you and the Scions the first night is that they knew that the moment word gets out, you'll be essentially untouchable after the initial confusion dies down.

One of the major determinants of the success of a coup is the initial momentum; during the first night, no one knew what was happening, other than the people actively involved. The Rising Stones is the headquarters of the Crystal Braves, no one would question groups of Braves moving into and out of the facility. Once the rest of RT knew what happened, it's the Crystal Braves and the Brass Blades that are the 'prisoners' in RT.

[LaurelinKementari]

Something interesting I just found out. I talked to Papashan in Central Thanalan and he says that he is certain that Nanamo is still alive, and that the fact that the incident is not made public yet is proof of that. He does say that's what he tells himself to keep himself going, but perhaps there might be some truth to it yet?

[myahele]

I predicted that Nanamo's chalice will have poison in it but that it doesn't kill her out right.

Either those loyal to Nanamo got her unconscious body out asap and are doing their best to find a cure for whatever poison she got. Or the Lolorito is keeping Nanamo unconscious and acting as regent until he finds a way to legitimately become the new sultan.

Either way, I don't think she's dead. They're probably using the unconsciousness-due-to-poisoning trope.

Afterall, if she does die then that'll mean another member of the royal family will take her place and who knows what that member will do? Its better to keep her unconscious until all loose ends are dealt with

[Anonymoose]

They're probably using the unconsciousness-due-to-poisoning trope.

Gods help Square Enix if they reveal that this punch in the emotional crotch was a Disney Death all along. I know, I said the same thing about Louisoix when it looked like they would undo his sacrifice and the emotional memories of the End of an Era CG (and I think SE toed that line masterfully, in the end, really). Still, IMHO, it's super poor form to ruin the impact of an ending after it's been established.

The Scions can easily be alive without ruining the impact of 2.55 - their "deaths" were clearly maybe, maybe not, stay tuned. Similarly, having a death come out of nowhere and be undone middle to climax or climax to resolution is a forgivable use of tropes (especially if well-crafted), but SE took full advantage of saturating the whole ending with her death and its impact - going back on it by combining Disney Death, Death is Cheap, and Only Mostly Dead to undo the Version 2 resolution long after reaping the benefits of our FEELZ would be ham-handed, IMHO. I had very different hopes for Nanamo, myself, and I'm quite sad to see that it doesn't look like they're going to manifest... but isn't that what makes it so tragic? Isn't that what makes it so memorable?

I'm not saying that it definitely is not the case that Nanamo is just suffering from Juliet Syndrome, but...

After all the people out there right now praising the dev. team's boldness, I can only imagine the backlash, lol.