[3.4 SPOILERS] Doomed unless Neutral?

[Shadotterdan]

In FFXI the revelation of the imbalance didn't come about until long after the darkness (Promathia) had been defeated. Here in FFXIV we've been given that revelation well in advance of any sort of victory for the Light so I'm hoping there will be some major differences in how the stories play out now. The only satisfying ending based on what we know at present would, in my opinion, be for Hydaelyn and Zodiark to be restored to their original form somehow and thus end the polarity entirely.

It's been a while but I'm pretty sure that's not exactly how it goes down. Promathia is defeated at the end of the CoP storyline, but he is not destroyed, if anything it's more that there's the revelation that his essence is in every living creature and is kinda vital to how we are. In fact, Altana chaining him up was because he sought to destroy himself and she couldn't bear to let that happen, so she shattered the world so that he would remain alive in some way.

[Rocl]

It's been a while but I'm pretty sure that's not exactly how it goes down. Promathia is defeated at the end of the CoP storyline, but he is not destroyed, if anything it's more that there's the revelation that his essence is in every living creature and is kinda vital to how we are. In fact, Altana chaining him up was because he sought to destroy himself and she couldn't bear to let that happen, so she shattered the world so that he would remain alive in some way.

I think most of what people are referring to happened in Rhapsodies of Vana'diel and not the Chains of Promathia storyline.

[Shadotterdan]

Ah, didn't finish Rhapsodies yet

[MilesSaintboroguh]

I found this reading the little boy's journal in regards to Sophia.

The Goddess has fallen, and only one pillar of the Warring Triad remains. According to the records we discovered upon Sophia's destruction, the eikon had once schemed to bring the Allagan Empire to ruin from within. The histories also spoke of her followers, and how they perceived the ever-expanding imperials as anathema to the world's balance. Equilibrium is Sophia's domain. Her worshipers saw the righting of the scales as their sacred duty, and thus did they resist the Allagans' invasion with holy fervor. Never mind that the summoning of an eikon did upset their precious balance all the more. The concept of balance is, however, of great interest to my master. A world must have both Light and Darkness, and a sudden surge of either will endanger its very existence. Upon our first meeting, my master spoke thus: I am not the Light's servant, but for the present I must serve. One cannot arbitrate equilibrium if one is not fluid of stance. The tenets of our justice are found not in Light nor Darkness nor the grey shades in between. We but seek to enforce that which prevents the visitation of oblivion. To moderate the endless waves of war such that neither side claims victory...that is our charge.

The balance plot gets thicker!

[Alberel]

I found this reading the little boy's journal in regards to Sophia.




The balance plot gets thicker!

I find it curious that in many respects Elidibus and Urianger are like two sides of the same coin personality-wise. Both are 'fluid in stance' in order to serve the greater good. I wonder if that parallel is deliberate and happens to be leading somewhere...

[Cilia]

Both are fluid in stance, but the difference is that Urianger does what he does to promote peace, while the Ascians' goal is to perpetuate war; war brings chaos, and with it a means to tear down the barriers surrounding the Source.

This is what their true goal is. Darkness is nice, but it will not resurrect Zodiark.

[Alberel]

Both are fluid in stance, but the difference is that Urianger does what he does to promote peace, while the Ascians' goal is to perpetuate war; war brings chaos, and with it a means to tear down the barriers surrounding the Source.

This is what their true goal is. Darkness is nice, but it will not resurrect Zodiark.

Whilst this is true don't forget that Urianger was promoting conflict alongside the Ascians in order to force the WoL and WoDs to confront each other. My point was that, despite having opposing ideologies, both Elidibus and Urianger are willing to use exactly the same means, seemingly in opposition to their allies, for their version of the 'greater good'.

It just seemed to me like the 3.4 MSQ was drawing some very deliberate parallels between the pair. To what end I don't know.