[spoilers]3.2 MSQ Discussion/Reaction thread

[Rocl]

So, both 3.1 and 3.2 end with a Sharlayan ally observing the Warrior of Darkness (Alisaie, and then Thancred). Perhaps the defection of Scions to the Zodiark side isn't so far-fetched.

It's conceivable with the supposed death/loss of Ascilia and his prior possession has begun to really take a toll on Thancred and would be swayed by "the walkers of a different path." We know Alisaie is out there looking for her own reason to fight--perhaps Elidibus and Urianger's tacit support of him will sway her.

WoL + Alphie + Y'shtola vs WoD + Alisaie + Thancred; MATCH CHECKS OUT.

Maybe Krile instead of Y'shtola, she seems much more like to sport Team Hydaelyn colours (or lack thereof, I guess)

[myahele]

I wonder if Alisae will take Minfilia's place as the Antecedent? Many have noted that the absence of Minfialia have made the Scions less cohesive. Maybe Alisae will be the one to set them forth in actively fighting the Asciens.

Just like Alphinaud has the idealistic side of Louisoix that wish to bring all together, maybe Alisae will have her grandfathers arcane knowledge that'll help out?

[Alisa180]

*snip*

I really, really doubt Alisaie is going to be on the WoD's side. She was eavesdropping in the Gubal Library and clearly wasn't 'supposed' to be there. Yes, she was looking for a purpose last we saw her, but you also have to remember she's as stubborn as all hell. If she's working against Elidibius and the WoD, she would be the last person who would defect.

*snip*

I doubt she'll become Antecedant. She explictly *hates* playing politics. To quote:

Alphinaud
And as you never fail to remind me of my fondness for diplomacy, I feel it only right that I remind you of your aversion to it.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if she's the one to help rally the group together. I'm half-expecting it, in fact. Among several other theories.

[Nalien]

It's a shame Alphinaud and Alisaie only really worked together that one time... Would be nice if we seek her out for help with saving Estinien...

Actually... I can see him failing to save Estinien, acting much like he did after the Crystal Braves fell apart, only for Alisaie to storm in, slap him something fierce, and together summon Phoenix-Egi to save Estinien...

[Synrin]

To Quote a character im very fond of,

"A Drink..." "tis long overdue!"
/sigh
/faint

OMG! I know right! I had the worst fangirl moment then.. It felt so.... Good.. Eeekkk!!

Also, I haven't gotten that far yet, but I have to admit that Thancred seems changed after he found out about what happened to Minfilia.
I don't know why, but now he feels even more... Hostile. And I was not fond of certain remarks he made about me helping Ishgard.
What does he care anyway? Scions had their fair share of using me too. If I want to help someone, I will. Ugh... I also don't like how my character needs to wait for a NOD from a scion before proceeding to explain. What am I really? Just a convenient warrior to have by your side? To carry uniforms to your mercenaries? Ugh, I'm so irritated. But just one look at Aymeric makes me feel a lot better. Heh.

[CyrilLucifer]

Honestly, it would be nice to know if they expect a 3.5 or not. I remember them saying they wanted more compaction between expansions, which could mean they intend to finish up 3.X with 3.4.

If we knew this we could at least make some partially educated judgements on how/when events are going to play about. If they keep the filler down, they can finish it up pretty quickly, it's more a question of if they want to.

[Nalien]

I would assume a 3.5, though I guess they could finish up the Shadow of Mhach saga in 3.3... Even if it is a three parter, they could also just stick it in 4.x... Patch naming only has to follow the story, update 4.0 could include "[3.0] New Shadow of Mhach quests have been added", for example... Wish they'd do that, actually... I like Heavensward in general, but all the new content is very much Heavensward focused... I don't want Ifrit (Savage), but something similar as 2.0 content in a 3.x patch would be nice...

The number of dungeons also points towards a 3.5, now that I think about it... 3.1 Pharos Sirius (Hard), 3.2 Lost City of Amdapor (Hard), 3.3 Hullbreaker Isle (Hard), 3.4 Snowcloak (Hard) (please let us save Ysalye somehow!), 3.5 Keeper of the Lake (Hard). That perhaps correlates nicely with some of the story elements they've hinted at, aside from ending the Dragonsong War, we're also meant to be stopping the Ascians and finding out the truth about Silvertear Falls, and with WotM mentioning a Source, I can't help but wonder if there is something to the old myths surrounding it...

[CyrilLucifer]

I think it's going to be 3.5 as well, but I do think the potential to finish it by 3.4 once existed. But then 3.1 was so, er, shall we say, sluggish in plot movement that we lost the opportunity.

I would expect Alisaie to play out Moenbryda role this time, so I don't expect her to appear at least until 3.4, unless 3.3 shifts gears entirely away from the war entirely for whatever reason. To me 3.3 will have a pure Dragonsong focus, and then, like 2.X, we may start building on the next expansion's events with 3.4.

(PS: This "Role Waiting #" in the queue is nice. It let's me know how long I have to BS and type things up on the forums with the window minimized while not missing my queue.)

[Kallera]

So, both 3.1 and 3.2 end with a Sharlayan ally observing the Warrior of Darkness (Alisaie, and then Thancred). Perhaps the defection of Scions to the Zodiark side isn't so far-fetched.

It's conceivable with the supposed death/loss of Ascilia and his prior possession has begun to really take a toll on Thancred and would be swayed by "the walkers of a different path." We know Alisaie is out there looking for her own reason to fight--perhaps Elidibus and Urianger's tacit support of him will sway her.

WoL + Alphie + Y'shtola vs WoD + Alisaie + Thancred; MATCH CHECKS OUT.

Maybe Krile instead of Y'shtola, she seems much more like to sport Team Hydaelyn colours (or lack thereof, I guess)

Hehehe, I'd actually see Y'shtola And Alisaie's spots switched, but Derplander might give his frowny face at that.

One of the concerns in "Dragonsong"(and ironically, One of the things impeding Aymeric's goals for peace) is the desire to erase the past altogether, among other things in the last verse, rather than learning how not to repeat the tragedies born of blind faith and vengeance. If the Scions's disaggreements did come to this, the opposing side might see the WoL's views or behavior as more trouble than it is worth to Hydelyn.

By not supporting Hydelyn as blindly they do, they would see us as too dangerous to live as Warrior of Light(and thus a existing siphon on her strength, like a primal). By that same token, we might see them as the death of Minfillia's legacy, and knowing they would no doubt ask us to do the heavy lifting in their new outlook. One we can't reconcile with the hope Minfillia sought to have for those around her.

[Nalien]

To me 3.3 will have a pure Dragonsong focus, and then, like 2.X, we may start building on the next expansion's events with 3.4.

Agreed, although Yoshida has made some comments that make it seem like 4.0 will not be following on from 3.x, so I expect 3.4 onwards to just be concluding the current plot with the Ascians/Zodiark/Hydaelyn rather than pushing us towards some new area like 2.55 did.

Then 4.0 can either be a grand old Treasure of Aht Urhgan style adventure to some new land (Thavnairia would seem to be our Aht Urhgan, complete with a few hints towards Blue Mages...), or it can be a push into Ala Mhigo and conflicts with Garlemald independent from our interactions at Azys Lla (since the Gration is stuck there thanks to the Sightseeing Log), though that might not make much sense (3.0 has Illberd complaining about the fate of Ala Mhigo, would seem even more stupid if he is doing that while we're liberating if 4.0 is independent from 3.0...), unless we don't actually side with Ala Mhigo in such a scenario. Personally I'm still hoping for a Beast Tribe/Grand Company expansion to flesh out Eorzea with all the other regions that are sitting so close like Paglth'an...