Duty Commenced 08 - Lore Lowdown (Lolorito)

[Chewy2nd]

Interesting how much we're learning about Lolorito recently, he's starting to seem less of a villain as time goes on.

[Belhi]

Actually out of all of that the thing that caught my eye the most was the foreign Weapon Manufacturers. Who are Gigas Forge? Actual Gigas blacksmiths?

Interesting how much we're learning about Lolorito recently, he's starting to seem less of a villain as time goes on.

People can have noble goals and still be villains from how they go about pursuing them. Many villains become villains from the lengths they will go to for the 'Greater Good'. The Garleans are a perfect example.

[Anonymoose]

Who are Gigas Forge?

All three of the manufacturers mentioned were from the quest Arms Race from Patch 1.18, when the Grand Companies were first reformed and the player was able to engage with all three before officially committing to one. At the time, the VIIth Legion was more or less still operating pretty quietly and unchallenged, but a company of Garlean mercenaries known as the Hellhounds were hired to sever Lolorito's trade routes with the East and took up residence at the Golden Bazaar. Even though the Flames (with the help of adventurers) were able to send them running, the Empire launched a full-blown invasion of the eastern trade route under the pretext of apprehending the "rebel" Hellhounds.

With the economic and military security of Ul'dah under direct challenge, Lolorito dropped any hope of re-establishing the status quo and threw in with the Flames (especially after the Magitek started showing up later). While most foreign merchants pulled out of Eorzean dealings as the Empire started tightening the net, a few arms manufacturing companies sailed in to Limsa Lominsa bearing contracts, knowing that "there's no business like war, and no business partner like Lord Lolorito."

None of the groups have been mentioned since, until now. Perhaps we'll be dealing with them in 5.0-ish and on as we (probably) head out of Eorzea.

I dunno if Gigas Forge actually has any Gigas around, but they sent a miqo'te with the contract, lol.