The final part of ARR story doesn't make enough sense.

[RobinRethiel]

fighting back would only serve t o prove we killed sultana. also there seems to be bigger players behind the monetarists, if you watch the cs after the credits ( very important cutscenes btw !!) you could see lolorito was not very happy when the maiden reported to him ... as in he had no choice but to be part of the whole mess.

No, fleeing proves this.

[HeavensSword]

Minor nitpick: we didn't destroy the Allagan Empire...

Okay, resume thread.

[Enkidoh]

As others have said, Midgardsormr merely stripped the player of 'Hydaelyn's Blessing' (that is, the Crystals of Light) and not the Echo - we still have the Echo and are still completely immune to Primal influence. We just don't have the power that the Crystals of Light granted us any more (i.e. the impenetrable shield Hydaelyn threw up to protect us from Ultima during Operation Archon, and the materialization of the Blade of Light to dispatch Lahabrea). Our strength has basically been cut back to how we were near the start after gaining the Echo but before we started collecting the Crystals. We're still powerful, but the blessing of the Light had empowered us so much more.

Actually escaping in order to clear our name instead of slaughtering everyone against us was the better option, as if we had fought back it indeed would only have ended up making us look guilty, as anyone with a modicum of common sense could tell the whole thing was clearly a set-up - the Syndicate's motives were so utterly transparent they were basically made of glass, no wonder Raubahn didn't buy it for a second, and that neither do other npcs.

Hence, as much as ARR ends on a cliffhanger, I have no doubt that things will soon work out - our name will be cleared as will the Scions, Lorolitio and his Monetarist cronies will be exposed to everyone as the regicidal traitors they are, and Raubahn will be freed and end up getting his revenge. Hells, I'd be more surprised if Nanamo actually is proven to have lost her life and doesn't come back alive and well (her 'assassination' instead being staged), as this is a common situation that has happened throughout the series and eventually the result is this trope.

In fact, SE has essentially hinted this will be the case a while ago when they mentioned that they're planning on players eventually being able to solo dungeons by 'leading a team of Grand Company soldiers into battle' - if we've been rendered persona nullis as a result of the Syndicate's conspiracy, then there would be no narrative way we would be given a position of authority in a GC, unless by that stage we've been vindicated.

Derek raises a very interesting point though - the civil strife in Ul'dah is awfully similar to what happened in Ala Mhigo - we know Lorolitio has Imperial contacts and is not shy of dealing with them. It would not surprise me at all if he is secretly in the employ of the Empire and was specifically instructed to overthrow Ul'dah's monarchy as a prelude for Imperial invasion (as a similar situation occurred in Ala Mhigo). But I guess we'll find out in 3.0.

[Velhart]

No, fleeing proves this.

Killing people would make you look more guilty. You might look guilty fleeing, but doing so at least gives you opportunity to prove your innocence. You accomplish nothing taking down the syndicate on the spot. Look at Raubahn for example. Well respected and trusted leader, all that completely destroyed fighting back and now sits in a cell with only one arm.

[Velox]

No, fleeing proves this.

Most of the Brass Blades are innocent. They are a militant organization following orders from the top. In fact, a good majority of Blades and Braves know you weren't involved, but still have their duty to fulfill. Fighting your way out of that room would have cost the lives of innocent people. Fleeing is much better alternative.

Remember there are other ways to solve a problem rather than resorting to violence every time. You and the Scions know you have powerful friends supporting you. You also know the situation in Ishgard is dire and needs resolved. It's the perfect opportunity to bide your time and formulate a plan while still being able to assist others who need it

[Dalvy]

Helping Raubahn would further help TelAdel/Lolorito's case against the WoL and the Scions in witchcraft (likely they mean the Echo) and Nanamo's death. There was just no way to win in this situation.

[RobinRethiel]

Killing people would make you look more guilty. You might look guilty fleeing, but doing so at least gives you opportunity to prove your innocence. You accomplish nothing taking down the syndicate on the spot. Look at Raubahn for example. Well respected and trusted leader, all that completely destroyed fighting back and now sits in a cell with only one arm.

Never said we should slaughter the Brass, for what? Why do people always think of slaughtering the Brass? I dont't get it.
We should have slaughtered Ilberd and Lolo. Who should accuse after after they are gone? Raubahn?

But even without: Just staying for a trial. Really would like to see, how Lolo tries to convince the people, that we have killed the Sultana so he can take over Uldah.

Helping Raubahn would further help TelAdel/Lolorito's case against the WoL and the Scions in witchcraft (likely they mean the Echo) and Nanamo's death. There was just no way to win in this situation.

They would be dead. How would this help them?

[Chewy2nd]

Never said we should slaughter the Brass, for what? Why do people always think of slaughtering the Brass? I dont't get it.
We should have slaughtered Ilberd and Lolo. Who should accuse after after they are gone? Raubahn?

But even without: Just staying for a trial. Really would like to see, how Lolo tries to convince the people, that we have killed the Sultana so he can take over Uldah.


They would be dead. How would this help them?

Pretty sure if you killed Ilberd and Lolorito, the brass blades would go after you, even the ones not involved in the conspiracy, you've just killed the Commander of a Grand Company and a member of Ul'dah's government, you'd be killed, or thrown into the Marasaja Pit.

Yes, we did take on the Cloud of Darkness, Ifrit, Garuda, Titan and so on, but we never did any of this alone.

[RobinRethiel]

Pretty sure if you killed Ilberd and Lolorito, the brass blades would go after you, even the ones not involved in the conspiracy, you've just killed the Commander of a Grand Company and a member of Ul'dah's government, you'd be killed, or thrown into the Marasaja Pit.

Yes, we did take on the Cloud of Darkness, Ifrit, Garuda, Titan and so on, but we never did any of this alone.

Why should they? The Brass Blades are mainly paid sell swords. If the guy who pays them is dead, why should they serve him any longer? Same with the Crystal Brave traitors. They would just wait for the next guy who pays them. And for most of them it would be pretty clear: Lolo killed the Sultana to become sole ruler of Uldah. What should they say about this?

Commander of a Great Company? Ilberd? Alphinaud is the commander. Killing Ilberd because he attacked the General of Uldah - it would be the same as the imperial spy inside the Flames. Happens. We would have saved the day again. Maybe some would frown. Who cares. People don't need to like us, we still would have saved them from tyranny. Could sleep with that. Can't sleep with running away and leaving the poor people of Uldah to the bloody claws of this Nazi Lala.

[Kaiser-Ace]

Well we saw what happened to The Flame General when he lost his shit in front of The Gods and every one. He literally murdered Telidji Adaledji in front of dozens of eye witnesses and then made an attempt on Lolorito.

So they can charge him with Murder and Attempted Murder quite easily. Though no one would contest that Adaledge provoked him before hand i'm sure. Not even Lolorito would likely contest that.