[SPOILERS] Revelations from Patch 3.3

[CyrilLucifer]

Short answer, Theo: Impossible to know.

But keep in mind the Ascians don't promise "evil" things - they render what is perceived as aid by the receiver, which is oftentime the ability to protect. Lahabrea's servants were in LilAM in the level 20ish MSQ and they were offering power to the youths there so that they could restore Ala Mhigo. It's not like the Ascians pull a Xenogears-like Grahf saying "doth thou desire the power?" to the most power-hungry dudes all the time. That's why the Beast Tribes are wrapped around their finger.

Basically, he doesn't necessarily need Ilberd if his goal is chaos.

[Theodric]

Regarding Mhach:

The entire raid is like a love letter to fans of FFIX and FFXII given the similar atmosphere. It's a shame that it isn't the main raid for the expansion. Alexander isn't terrible but...I find Alexander disappointing simply because such an iconic summon ended up being associated with goblins of all things when we could have had a cool holier-than-thou cult to play on the whole 'holy construct' aspect of Alexander throughout the earlier FF games. At any rate it seems that Ferdiad will be a boss in the final part of the raid alongside Diabolos and this 'Shadow Queen'. Ozma was very cool - I think the implication during the fight is that Ozma swallowed part of Nym during the war?

Hullbreaker Isle:

I liked the FF6 boss reference. It's nice that we got to see some familiar faces during the dungeon and the idea of turning Hullbreaker Isle into a training ground is a pretty good one. It's interesting that both dungeons this time around are based around testing our strength.

Regarding Estinien:

Honestly, for a while I genuinely thought he was in love with Aymeric. I thought the flowers were intended for him...or Alphinaud. Though it turns out they're for Ysayle, apparently. I liked the 'retracing our steps' quests. It gave some neat insight into what we've done and how things are playing out in the aftermath. I do hope we get more of it in the future.

[Pomelo]

Question, do the retracing quests give a time frame of how long HW has lasted?

[Dualblade]

Apparently it was all over a few days/a week at most. Which is in line with it still being 5 years after Bahamut went and raged across the land.

Personally I just discard that and go with a few months atleast, but thats me >>

<Rambling ahead>

Are the Ascians even aware of Ilberd? I mean, they probably are but they've never mentioned him directly and as far as we know Teledji and Ilberd weren't acting due to Ascian manipulation - they did so due to greed, selfishness and misguided pride. If 4.0 is going to be light on Ascian activity then either we deal them a major blow before that point or the premise of 4.0 is based around them succeeding and we clean up after them. I'm hoping for the latter scenario, personally, since it'll feel rather cheap if Elidbus dies without succeeding after such a long build up.

It'll probably be us beating up Edgelander and co pretty badly, leading to Elidibus and the other Ascians stepping back to take stock of the situation and prepare for a way to deal with us decisively. Also doubt Elidibus would die this soon, he'd probably be either the last or second-to-last Ascian to die overall.

[Cilia]

<Rambling ahead>

Are the Ascians even aware of Ilberd? I mean, they probably are but they've never mentioned him directly and as far as we know Teledji and Ilberd weren't acting due to Ascian manipulation - they did so due to greed, selfishness and misguided pride. If 4.0 is going to be light on Ascian activity then either we deal them a major blow before that point or the premise of 4.0 is based around them succeeding and we clean up after them. I'm hoping for the latter scenario, personally, since it'll feel rather cheap if Elidbus dies without succeeding after such a long build up.

That's not rambling. What I do is ramble to try and cover all the bases.

There's no conclusive evidence either way. Despite strong suspicion Ascians were involved with the Ul'dahn Revolution arc after 2.55, nothing has come of that. Lolorito turned out to just be using the Handmaiden as a pawn, slipping Nanamo a different poison (one that asphyxiated then made her comatose... however that works).

It's just in peoples' nature to suspect the Ascians will be involved with Omega, given Lahabrea was so closely involved with the Ultima Weapon and the two are functionally similar. Ilberd is also a rogue element who would benefit greatly from having that kind of power at his command, so naturally people are going to try and connect the two.

That said, Omega is still a scrap heap buried in Cartenau. Given this, the fact it would take numerous master machinists to refurbish it quickly, it still needs a fuel source, and that the Ascians are going to take a more backseat approach for 4.0, the chances of them helping Ilberd (etc.) excavate, refurbish, and fuel it before then seem slim at best.

[Rosenoire]

Regarding Estinien:

Honestly, for a while I genuinely thought he was in love with Aymeric. I thought the flowers were intended for him...or Alphinaud. Though it turns out they're for Ysayle, apparently. I liked the 'retracing our steps' quests. It gave some neat insight into what we've done and how things are playing out in the aftermath. I do hope we get more of it in the future.

All of the above.

Nothing to say that both aren't true. He clearly had developed respect for Ysayle during the course of 3.0, so him wanting to honor her memory makes sense. That doesn't preclude a thing with him and Aymeric, and personally, unless and until the devs say otherwise, that's my headcanon and I'm sticking to it.

[Ramesses]

Regarding Mhach:

The entire raid is like a love letter to fans of FFIX and FFXII given the similar atmosphere. It's a shame that it isn't the main raid for the expansion. Alexander isn't terrible but...I find Alexander disappointing simply because such an iconic summon ended up being associated with goblins of all things when we could have had a cool holier-than-thou cult to play on the whole 'holy construct' aspect of Alexander throughout the earlier FF games. At any rate it seems that Ferdiad will be a boss in the final part of the raid alongside Diabolos and this 'Shadow Queen'. Ozma was very cool - I think the implication during the fight is that Ozma swallowed part of Nym during the war?

Hullbreaker Isle:

I liked the FF6 boss reference. It's nice that we got to see some familiar faces during the dungeon and the idea of turning Hullbreaker Isle into a training ground is a pretty good one. It's interesting that both dungeons this time around are based around testing our strength.

Regarding Estinien:

Honestly, for a while I genuinely thought he was in love with Aymeric. I thought the flowers were intended for him...or Alphinaud. Though it turns out they're for Ysayle, apparently. I liked the 'retracing our steps' quests. It gave some neat insight into what we've done and how things are playing out in the aftermath. I do hope we get more of it in the future.

First off, I wanted to respond in this thread mainly because I had promised Moose that I would read and contribute more towards his lore speculations as time permits (BTW Moose, great SCH healing back in Final Coil a while back. Fun times.)

Theodric, great comments and here's what I think. On Mhach:

For the comments regarding Mhach, I agree that the raid was somewhat of a fan service to FFXII... but in many respects, the Alexander in FFXIV was more like the Alexander of FFXI (example, whereby Nyzul Isle in the Alazadaal Undersea Ruins was the "body" section of Alexander).

I do wish Feridad was like an optional HNM hard or EX battle with some excellent loot. And considering the very last cutscene within the raid, this just might still be the case... remember the little bat that remained sulking in the corner?

On Estinen:

His relationship with Aymeric is just a very platonic bromance and considering the bond between them, this is very understandable... heck, some readers on my blog have actually emailed me in the past to say that there are some very interesting fanfics about them online. Nonetheless, they both remain on my list of favourite NPCs (Aymeric still tops my list---and I correctly predicted on the forums back in February that he would become the permanent "Princeps" of Ishgard).

That said, I thoroughly agree that the "aftermath retracing" of the MSQ was a great addition and fitting ending to the Heavensward tale. And I'll shamelessly confess that I began a heartfelt applause at my screen when Hauchy appeared while I was trying to yank off the eye from Estinen. Brilliant story-writing right there and I love the fact that he paid his respects to Ysayle.

[Fenral]

Finally taking time to look over the thread.

MSQ:

You may need to read this post a couple more times after I say this, but I actually didn't find any significant issues with the writing this time. If anything, I wanted them to be more heavy-handed about the power of hope. Oh well. For the first time in more than two years I feel like we've actually accomplished something. We'll see how long that lasts.

Talking to Matoya afterwards seems to indicate Alphinaud is looking for a way to separate Minfilia and Hydaelyn. She hasn't told him anything, but seems to indicate that there actually is something there for him to find.

City of Mhuch Wiping:

But seriously, delving into an ancient pyramid, with Cait Sith in tow, in pursuit of the Black Materia Nullstone. Was I the only one expecting an FFVII reference at the end there? Nope, little guy survived to raid another day. Speaking of, the raid itself would be perfect if not for the other 23 people.

Syrcus Tower was awesome on its own, too, though, so lets see if they can stick the landing this time.

Agent of Inquiry:

Gigi is precious. Cyr is doubly precious. Lord Edmont is somehow still involved in all this nonsense. Why was this only two quests?

Also, Julyan Manderville gets my vote for DRK 60-70 trainer.

[Cilia]

<snip>

MSQ, and stuff.

The writing was decent. Ysayle and Haurchefant's spirits helping you out was a bit of a deus ex machina in my opinion, but it's certainly better than "suddenly use the Echo to filter Nidhogg's soul out of Estinien." All of the major plot threads that have been in the forefront since 2.3 (when Ysayle and Ishgard first started to step onto the stage) have been resolved, and after all of 2.55 and 3.x being a sad ride we finally managed to accomplish something lasting and good.

... the good mood will likely last until 3.55, I'd wager, when the impetus that leads us into Ala Mhigo gets dropped. Either that or early-mid 4.0 if they decide to show how horrible war really is.

Weeping City (I just finished it too):

Nope, wasn't expecting that. The Nullstone's exact appearance wasn't known until we beat the shit outta Calofisteri, and the pyramid wasn't visible until we got a ways into the city.

The raid is fine, people just need to get used to being unable to faceroll it. For a while, at least. I'm more disappointed the minion isn't a Wind-up Ozma (Ozmasphere?).

[Morningstar1337]

Weeping City (I just finished it too):7

In fairness....

Ozma seems more like Mount Material IMO