The Eorzean Alliance leader? [Spoilers post Heavensward]

[Chewy2nd]

So, during the ending we saw Aymeric signing the Eorzean Reunification papers, followed by a speech from Nanamo. It's gotten me wondering, is Nanamo actually the head of the Alliance? It always seems that she leads all the discussions, and meetings, more often than not are in Ul'dah, with her sat at the top of table.

Also, her being in Ishgard is quite noteworthy, as she rarely leaves Ul'dah.

[Alberel]

I don't think there is really a single leader, but rather they each have an area of expertise and the others tend to defer to whoever can best deal with a given situation:

-Nanamo is a politician first and foremost and knows how to play 'the game'.
-Kan-E-Senna is a negotiator and pacifist making her the best qualified to lead in diplomatic scenarios.
-Merlwyb and Raubahn are military leaders and tend to take the lead when either the navy or ground troops respectively are needed.

After the Calamity the alliance was actually on the verge of falling apart and it was primarily Kan-E that convinced the others that it was important to maintain a united front despite their own internal problems.

Honestly I'm curious to see what role Aymeric will take within the alliance. Is there something he can bring to the table that the other leaders don't already cover?

[Waffilicious]

Airforce, he was fighting flying enemies since the day he was born. :P fused together they make a modern nation political/militar system

[Alberel]

Airforce, he was fighting flying enemies since the day he was born. :P fused together they make a modern nation political/militar system

Good point, yes I can see this happening. With the Skysteel Manufactory in Ishgard Aymeric may also be able to offer more sophisticated technological solutions to problems as well.

[Chewy2nd]

Airforce, he was fighting flying enemies since the day he was born. :P fused together they make a modern nation political/militar system

Also, Ishgard have the Protecteur, something that will come in handy once they work out how to get it going.

[Anonymoose]

It's gotten me wondering, is Nanamo actually the head of the Alliance?

I don't think so. Nanamo didn't even go to the Seventh Astral Era ceremony in Mor Dhona, if I remember correctly, and, often, either Raubahn handles her affairs or the Syndicate just blocks them; not really hallmarks of someone with control over an Alliance. Ul'dah is bankrolling a good chunk of the Alliance affairs, however, and, geographically speaking, it's between Limsa and Gridania. We debated the Ul'dah location once upon a time and I remember one of the strongest points being that, until 3.0, we never saw Nanamo leave Ul'dah at all. The Ishgard speech might actually be a hint that, as the post-ARR changes to the status quo, she has much more freedom. Lolorito wants control, but he doesn't want to bear the burdens of rule. He's a bad figurehead and he knows it.

The Alliance itself seems to be led as a council, with each leader handling their own nation's contributions. I'm not sure it, as a singular entity, has a singular leader.

[Chewy2nd]

I don't think so. Nanamo didn't even go to the Seventh Astral Era ceremony in Mor Dhona, if I remember correctly, and, often, either Raubahn handles her affairs or the Syndicate just blocks them; not really hallmarks of someone with control over an Alliance. Ul'dah is bankrolling a good chunk of the Alliance affairs, however, and, geographically speaking, it's between Limsa and Gridania. We debated the Ul'dah location once upon a time and I remember one of the strongest points being that, until 3.0, we never saw Nanamo leave Ul'dah at all. The Ishgard speech might actually be a hint that, as the post-ARR changes to the status quo, she has much more freedom. Lolorito wants control, but he doesn't want to bear the burdens of rule. He's a bad figurehead and he knows it.

The Alliance itself seems to be led as a council, with each leader handling their own nation's contributions. I'm not sure it, as a singular entity, has a singular leader.

Looking at it that way, you're quite right. It does seem like Ul'dah's troubles are coming to a close, Lolorito is less of a threat than Teledji ever was, he even knows about Omega Weapon, yet would rather keep the status quo. Lolorito will likely be satisfied now that he no longer has monetary competition in Ul'dah.

As for the earlier question about what Aymeric and and Ishgard bring to the Alliance, they are a city who held off against an enemy for 1000 years, they likely have much more military knowledge and expertise, along with their progress in Airship construction.

[Dalvy]

What can Aymeric bring? Besides the obvious airship technology, ishgard has foremost knowledge of the alabathian spine amongs the leaders, and since they are closest to Garlean territory (Ala Mihgo) this can be extremely helpful. We can also infer that Aymeric himself has political negotiation experience (ran circles around Alphinaud), and is a military leader in his own right. Personally I predict a cooperation with dragons in the future.. After they break the news of the collective lineage.

[AdamuKun322]

I can see Ishgard leading all of Eorzea to greatness. Aymeric is technially Ishgard's Leader now that we umm.. y'know kind of killed the Archbishop.

[Chewy2nd]

I can see Ishgard leading all of Eorzea to greatness. Aymeric is technially Ishgard's Leader now that we umm.. y'know kind of killed the Archbishop.

I hope we see him crowned as the official leader of Ishgard before the end of 3.5, of course, that's if they don't go all Game of Thrones on him.