Raubhan Aldynn is the true leader of Ul'Dah?

[Enkidoh]

Well, as Moose already mentioned, Ul'dah's government is kind of complicated - officially and legally it's a Sultanate with an autocratic head of state (as in, Nanamo), but, the Sultana's actual power had been eroded years ago due to the merchants and businessmen and women who keep the gil flowing into the city (thus can easily cut said trade off and paralyze the city) becoming the real power behind the throne, thus the nation is more accurately and effectively an oligarchy/plutocracy. The Sultana still has some sway, but she seems to be little more than a compliant rubber stamp on legislation and thus cannot resolve deadlocks (This was shown in 2.2 when the Syndicate voted not to help the Domans and Nanamo could not interfere).

This coupled with the fact the only remaining Royalist on the Syndicate is Raubahn (although Lolorito despite being a Monetarist still does secretly support the Sultana, at least trying to keep the status quo in place - I mean, he could have seized control of the city following the whole banquet affair but instead he conspired to create a complicated Batman gambit to eliminate Teledji and protect the Sultana and her position, and Dewlala is more neutral), it's not hard to see how the Syndicate managed to rival or even exceed the power of the traditional Sultanate.

Even after that though, Raubahn is also effectively the military commander of Ul'dah, as his position of leader of the Immortal Flames, Ul'dah's Grand Company. Unlike the other city states, until the Grand Companies were reformed, Ul'dah actually did not have a permanent standing professional army - there was the elite unite of knights (that is, paladins) the Sultansworn who served as the personal royal guard of the Sultana, but apart from that there was no actual 'Ul'dah Army' or anything, instead the Sultanate made use of non-professional mercenaries and sellswords grouped under several individual units (the Brass Blades and the Stone Torches are examples of this). Because such mercenaries were directly paid by members of the Syndicate for their service instead of the Sultanate, it's not hard to see how their loyalties towards the throne might turn out to be rather questionable.

Accordingly, when the Immortal Flames were established just prior to the Calamity, this led to further tension in the Syndicate as the Royalists now had an effective army of their own and could theoretically rival the individual private armies of the Syndicate if things ever took a turn for the worse (which very nearly happened after the 'assassination', but thankfully it didn't come to that).

Either way, in regards to Raubahn and Nanamo's relationship and who is the actual leader of Ul'dah, think of it like this - Nanamo is the legal ruler, the Sultana, and Raubahn is her military leader, the one responsible for defending the city and representing the city as head of their Grand Company in the Alliance, and that together the two share power of ruling the citystate. Please feel free to clarify or criticize any mistakes I've inevitably made though!

Precisely what Nanamo's end of the bargain is, though, I don't fully understand. You'd expect he would have asked for specific aid to the refugees or committal of military resources to the re-taking of Ala Mhigo, but, instead, Raubahn has become the very public face of Ul'dah's might and the Sultana's wishes.

Maybe that is indeed the case - remember back to when the Warrior of Light is fleeing Ul'dah after the banquet and first encounters Pipin - he states that he's been "at the Ala Mhigian Front" for an extended period, strongly suggesting that the Immortal Flames at least are undertaking some kind of long-term military action at Ala Mhigo against the Garlean occupation - given Raubahn's Ala Mhigan origins this would just would make perfect sense for something that Nanamo herself would support (as the Immortal Flames are rather stretched personnel and resources wise, the fact he was able to dedicate manpower to such an operation seems to make that even more likely). But nothing is known for certain other than this statement by Pipin so take from that what you will.

[Morningstar1337]

ISn't Lolorito a sultanist ?

No, he is to the Monetarists what Eldibus is to the Ascians (well Lolorito and Dewlala). Acting only in the interest of preserving order. It was his plan to have Raubahn kill Teledji AND induce Nanamo's torpor, as to preserve the Status Quo

[Phyllo]

How retaking Gyr Abania might unfold more about the politics in Ul'Dah? imo I believe the answers are within the Ul'Dah~Ala'Mhigo axis, now that you exposed that Nanamo's parents, the previous rulers died in an unknown way might be related with the Syndicate, I suppose...
Another big mistery are the whereabouts of the Royalists, what happened with them? I think Raubhan is the only royalist within the syndicate now, what happened before him? What could had happened before him? Maybe one of the reasons Nanamo rushed for Raubhan was to save her own skin too! There is a silent revolution happening in Ul'Dah...

Gyr Abania = area / Ala Mhigo = city, retaking Gyr Abania is the same thing as retaking Ala Mhigo

[Valkyrie-Amber]

I think Raubhan is more a spokes person for both the syndicate and sultania. msqwise this is more likely reason nanomo doesnt lead the flames is cause she cant fight like Raubhan, so in place of Nanomo Raubhan manages the flames and is uldahs spokesperson but not leader.

[Kallera]

I don't even think he would have a desire to take the throne if Nanamo died and people decided to buck tradition and ask him. He certainly doesn't have any hint of ambition compared to other folk that do, he'd probably only take charge to stave off any damage the interregnum would cause, until a proper leader was named.

[Chie_Rushii]

Precisely what Nanamo's end of the bargain is, though, I don't fully understand.

I think we all know what her benefits are. *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*

In all seriousness though, it's hard to hold power without the backing of the military. What better way than to take the bull by the horns. <3 *slowly nods knowingly*

[Caffekon]

I hope they're not in love. It's a pretty creepy size and age difference...and interracial relationships are supposedly frowned upon by many in this setting but we seem to see more people completely fine with it than we do who are against it.

I suppose Nanamo is already an adult despite her appearance, to me Raubhan looks more like an old but healthy man, full of scars, old and wilt face, but healthy, we don't need to go to further details, don't you think? I doubt that such thing will happen in the game as well.
Regarding general relationships between different races, I don't see any problem, we don't need to get to details, it just needs to be cute!

[nukemind]

I suppose Nanamo is already an adult despite her appearance, to me Raubhan looks more like an old but healthy man, full of scars, old and wilt face, but healthy, we don't need to go to further details, don't you think? I doubt that such thing will happen in the game as well.
Regarding general relationships between different races, I don't see any problem, we don't need to get to details, it just needs to be cute!

There are still a few problems. This mainly has to do with a physical relationship as opposed to emotional, for one reason- as the Sultana, unless she converts to a democracy, she MUST have an heir or risk Uldah falling to the Syndicate or anarchy. In monarchies Heirs are necessary.
A.- It's possible Lalafell-Hyur relationships would be unable to reproduce.
B.- It's possible the child of such a union would be sterile.
C.- Assuming neither A nor B are true, the difference in size between the Hyur and Lalafell race could pose both pregnancy and birth problems.
D.- Assuming NONE of these are true, such a child may not be respected, having a weak claim to the throne and diluting a "pure" blood line.

Monarchies are all about the monarchs. I know all that is more technical stuff, but it's important. As you can imagine, I am SO much fun at parties.

[Frederick22]

snip

Lets not try to to talk such details xD

Remeber that we are on a word of magick/ sci-fi. So the biological and cultural "rules" that are on our world may not be the same than on ffxiv world.
This is not like making a progrency born of a donkey and horse. Fings very differently here.
Also the privacy life of a mornarch is not own consern. Is not something known to the public. But it wouldnt be the first time we heart iof ot, so is very possible given their "mutual" friendship. If it happens to be, I wouldnt be surprised.

[nukemind]

Lets try to to talk such details xD
Rember that we are on a word of magick/ sci-fi. So the biological "rules" that are on our world may not be the same than on ffxiv world.
This not like making a progrency born of a donkey and hourse. Thinks are very differently here.

I understand what you are saying, and I hesitated to make that post.

But at the end of the day we can't waive everything away with magic. Yes, indeed, a donkey and a horse are different than a Lala and a Hyur. BUT, there could still be a different number of Chromosomes, or whatever makes up the various races of Eorzea. Even with magic I just can't see such a union working, biologically or politically.