Revelations from Patch 3.56

[Chewy2nd]

From Garlemald's side, they already think Eorzea has attacked them (even if it was the Griffin's men), I doubt they're in the mood to listen to any diplomacy after such a strike against them, Eorzea has no option but to go to war, if they don't, Garlemald will rain hellfire upon the shroud. Yes, there are some decent Garlean people, but as a whole, the Empire is quite aggressive, year after year they've launched attacks in Eorzean territory, built fortifications on Eorzean soil, even tried to force the Alliance to surrender.

For a long time the Empire has been bearing down on Eorzea, yes, Regula might have been a decent person, but that doesn't change the reality of the situation. There is still thousands of Ala Mhigans trapped under Garlean rule, they destroyed Doma, they tried to drop a lesser moon on Eorzea. Is the Alliance supposed to just keep turning the other cheek, every time the Garleans slap them? Just because Regula and Gaius had a good side to them? I have no doubt we will meet more good Garleans in 4.0 and 5.0, but the Garlean Empire as it is, is a huge threat to the whole of Hydaelyn.

The war began when Ilberd launched his attack, this is just the formal declaration.

[DamianFatale]

For a long time the Empire has been bearing down on Eorzea, yes, Regula might have been a decent person, but that doesn't change the reality of the situation. There is still thousands of Ala Mhigans trapped under Garlean rule, they destroyed Doma, they tried to drop a lesser moon on Eorzea. Is the Alliance supposed to just keep turning the other cheek, every time the Garleans slap them? Just because Regula and Gaius had a good side to them? I have no doubt we will meet more good Garleans in 4.0 and 5.0, but the Garlean Empire as it is, is a huge threat to the whole of Hydaelyn.

The war began when Ilberd launched his attack, this is just the formal declaration.

Your explanation made the whole thing much more desirable.

[Kallera]

Your explanation made the whole thing much more desirable.

The fact that SE doesn't have the capacity to render Eorzea under the hardships of a war gone wrong kinda blunts the trepidation of waging war, doesn't it? How convienient we don't have to worry about the prospect of failure, and are instead handed toy soldiers and fights we cannot lose by SE.

Not exactly the effort worthy of a continent spanning empire, but it seems war, a winnable war with utter confidence while the enemy quakes in their boots, is the goal here.

At any rate, i can see why people are feeling underwhelmed by this part of the story. Its basically a poor man's rehash of bahamut's awakening, sans the surprise and the mystery.

And in the end, Ilberd, though dead, comes out the winner. And Laurentius gets play of the game! What wonderful people to start our glorious march to the hell of war, By all means, provide more people to keep our hands clean along the way. /eyeroll

Even if Ilberd is dead, even if shinryu is silenced, he has his war; a war the alliance will assuredly win, and result in us casually walking through the gates of a Garlemeld conviniently ripe for chaos leading into democracy, huzzah.

One more thing I do not get.

Nidhogg is dead, and his soul gone
The soldiers were praying for Rhalgr.
The eyes do not have nidhoggs soul, and are just reserves of aether.
Why did Ilberd get shinryu?

How is this Shinryu any resemblance of Rhalgr?

[Rufalus]

The soldiers were praying for Rhalgr.
How is this Shinryu any resemblance of Rhalgr?

Are we sure it wasn't just meant to be Shinryu from the beginning? Maybe Elidibus gave Ilberd the knowledge of Shinryu and convinced him it would be the perfect weapon to exact revenge on the Garleans, and it was charged up by Doman mythology rather than having anything to do with Ala Mhigan's worship of Rhalgr.
The legend of Shinryu passed down throughout Othard over centuries perhaps + Nidhogg aether + Ilberd's rage = Primal Shinryu.

[Theodric]

-snip-

Nail on the head.

The Warrior of Light, Scions and their key allies are not without blood upon their hands. How many have perished for not subscribing to their particular brand of 'progressive politics', particularly in Ishgard? We literally saw them waltz into a nation with a rich culture and history and enforce reform. Was that reform needed? Yes - the Archbishop couldn't be allowed to enact his plan no matter how noble his misguided intentions may have been. He wanted an end to the status quo, his methods simply differed to that of the Warrior of Light and his allies.

That does not, however, change the fact that there should be more fallout. Having the Warrior of Light gain a reputation for being powerful and problematic would be a nice way to ease the ridiculous amount of plot armour surrounding him. I've said this in the past, but a story involving a bitter family member of someone butchered by the Warrior of Light would be very touching. Especially with the ease at which he draws his blade and starts killing because his allies advised him to. Having things always work out for the best, one way or another, is a cheap cop out. Even when they screw up they end up coming out on top and whilst that isn't so bad in itself...it's the lack of lasting consequences that bother me.

So, again, it all comes back to the need for nuances. We're going to the Azim Steppes at some point. Imagine how boring it will be if the 'progressive politics' result in the warring tribes making peace with another and abandoning any elements of grit and depth in their culture? This is precisely what happened to Ishgard and I have little faith that it isn't going to happen to other places, including Ala Mhigo at the rate the story is going.

[Hinoto-no-Ryuji]

The Warrior of Light, Scions and their key allies are not without blood upon their hands. How many have perished for not subscribing to their particular brand of 'progressive politics', particularly in Ishgard? We literally saw them waltz into a nation with a rich culture and history and enforce reform.

We didn't enforce anything. Reform came about as a natural progression - Thordan was overthrown, and his replacement, who gained power entirely through his own merit, opted for a republic.

I really think you "dark and gritty" people are freaking out over nothing. I can't emphasize how much the conflict hasn't even started yet, but because every step of the way isn't an episode of Game of Thrones you're up in arms. But that said, this is not a low fantasy game. The grit is, and always was, pretty limited. Again, I have to question how much you want this game to be something that it really just isn't.

[Theodric]

-snip-

You misunderstand, not everything has to be 'dark and gritty'. That would be excessive and boring - nor does a game have to be 'low fantasy' to be dark and gritty. If political intrigue is going to be a major plot point moving forward - as it always has been - then not having everything wrap up perfectly in Eorzea's favour would be pretty neat.The Archbishop and his loyal knights were clearly intended to have a point from their perspective. Unfortunately we didn't get much opportunity to actually see that - and the likes of Ser Zephirin came across as psychopaths despite later being revealed in the lore book to be honourable and loyal to their people and country. Nobody is 'freaking out', either and I doubt that they're losing any sleep over this - they're simply voicing an opinion that happens to differ from your own and expressing some concerns with the direction and quality of the storytelling. Understandable, given the nature of this thread and where it's posted.

Again, the patch wasn't without redeeming qualities. The Yda reveal was genuinely surprising to me and the fight scene between Omega and Shinryu was very satisfying and did a great job at laying the groundwork for seeing the consequences of their battle during Stormblood.

[CyrilLucifer]

snip.

Pretty much this.

The same goes with Igeyorhm. The lore book had some neat background on her, on how she is ashamed and seeks redemption by working even harder for her cause - yet in-game she lacks any such presentation. Depth to both sides is something I appreciate in storytelling, not necessarily "grit" and "edginess."
I think it's fair to want both sides to be equally represented, with our side not always being the squeaky clean victor (which 3.4 and the WoD did a lovely job of and I hope to see more of in the future).