Revelations from Patch 3.56

[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.

[tymora]

"Shinryu" was given as a temporary name to the "nameless draconic primal", not that they know it is Shinryu.

[Dualblade]

On the one hand not having a Steps of Faith type trial is a let down. On the other hand not having the whole Banquet thing repeat itself makes me like this patch better overall compared to 2.55. I do find it interesting that the Garleans actually went and retreated of their own accord: I don't remember any of the XIVth or VIth legions ever abadoning their commander of their own volition. Except Nero, though he wasn't also throwing his own soldiers at us. Both the battle and the little bit of Zenos we saw paint a rather vivid picture: Fear and Might are what keep XIIth going...and Fear of a WoL in a red tank (three times as fast!) is more then whatever Fear they have of Gynewaht. Though I assume he isn't as high as Nero was on the XIIth totem pole?

I'll admit defeat on not calling Shinryu. I also liked the fight between it and Omega. That they both landed over the wall gives the Scions more then enough reason to cross into Ala Mhigan territory. Having the Eorzean Alliance around could also help a bit. Personally I'm thinking we'll end up going to Doma because Shinryu decides to go there after it wakes up again.

Yda not being Yda wasn't the biggest of surprises due to pre-stormblood info. That she somehow kept all that hair under wraps was for some reason. Oh and I like having the little text options still! Yes it ultimately doesn't change anything but it does mean our character atleast has a say in things instead of only blindly following. Also reminds just how much Cid seems to think of us as an actual friend even back when we might have though most characters thought of us as a useful tool.

Gosetsu reminds me of Gilgamesh, and if I remember right the devs said Greg will be returning in Doma. I'm hoping they are both involved in whatever Greg is a part of.

Lastly...I didn't think Papalymo would be dead-dead. In part cause it really felt like he (and Yda/Lyse up until now) were rather under-used even before 2.55 separated everyone. Also do agree that he doesn't seem to be getting as much of a send-off as Moenbyrda, though atleast he'll most likely continue to affect characters into the future more then her.

[DarthSanguine]

Am I the only one who didn't like the name Lyce? That sounds like her hair is ravaged by tiny egg laying insects.

It doesn't if you pronounce it correctly.

[DarthSanguine]

Yeah, i'm kinda not ok with them casually mentioning that 1.o Yda, our friend (legacy players), died off screen somewhere and was replaced and everyone knew but decided not to tell us.

Actually we 1.0 players never met the real Yda, we only saw her in the Gridania questline Echo visions. The entire game is in a time bubble, so no time has passed since the beginning of ARR (which is complete and utter bs imo).

[Lambdafish]

But to answer the question: Draconic aether, and a direct invocation of a draconic primal by the summoner when dictating form. I thought the game was pretty clear on the matter. Honestly, I thought it was a neat new angle of Primal summoning lore, a look at what happens when desperate, erratic dying prayers are harnessed, rather than specific focused ones. I guess it's something you either buy or you don't.

I don't buy it because it goes against what we know about primals thus far. If "draconic aether" is the reason that it is a dragon, then why wasn't Thordan even remotely dragon-like? Why didn't we become dragon-esque when we used Hraesvelgrs eye? The reason is that there is no such thing as "draconic aether" in a real sense, and that aether is aether and draconic aether is just a massively concentrated amount of generic unaspected aether stored within an eye.

As for the summoner dictating form, that doesn't work either, the form comes about in an image dictated by the worshippers, and is not dictated by one person. If everyone was praying for Rhalgar (which is highly likely as their big god deity) and then Ilberd went "I want a dragon", the primal should still come out as Rhalgar, either that or a tiny pitiful dribble of aether dragon fueled by only Ilberds fury, we wouldn't have Shinryu vs Omega, we would have Omega snuffing out a Shinryu-egi.

I am with Kallera on this, I don't get it. The only explanation I have is that Shinryu = Rhalgar. which also doesn't make sense because we see a statue of him in Rhalgars Reach, though Shinryu does seem to have lightning attacks.

[DarthSanguine]

- WHY wasn't Red Mage even slightly brought into the story? The most anticipated job in the game and not even a mention?

You might want to go back and play 3.4 again...

[Hinoto-no-Ryuji]

I don't buy it because it goes against what we know about primals thus far. If "draconic aether" is the reason that it is a dragon, then why wasn't Thordan even remotely dragon-like? Why didn't we become dragon-esque when we used Hraesvelgrs eye? The reason is that there is no such thing as "draconic aether" in a real sense, and that aether is aether and draconic aether is just a massively concentrated amount of generic unaspected aether stored within an eye.

As for the summoner dictating form, that doesn't work either, the form comes about in an image dictated by the worshippers, and is not dictated by one person. If everyone was praying for Rhalgar (which is highly likely as their big god deity) and then Ilberd went "I want a dragon", the primal should still come out as Rhalgar, either that or a tiny pitiful dribble of aether dragon fueled by only Ilberds fury, we wouldn't have Shinryu vs Omega, we would have Omega snuffing out a Shinryu-egi.

I am with Kallera on this, I don't get it. The only explanation I have is that Shinryu = Rhalgar. which also doesn't make sense because we see a statue of him in Rhalgars Reach, though Shinryu does seem to have lightning attacks.

Regarding the aether, I believe it is specifically invoked as a reason behind the form; thus, we're meant to understand that the use of the eyes influenced the form in some way or another. Why wasn't Thordan like a dragon? Well, the eyes are about the only thing these two summonings have in common - off the top of my head, it's possible that a millenia of prayer to a canonized God-king and a dogmatic understanding of the same, as well as much more unified summoning process, contributed to the singular image of Thordan VII emerging. Shinryu didn't have that unity of image; thus, the form drew from what it could.

Rhalgr, meanwhile, was invoked by some (one?) of those being sacrificed, yes, but distinctly NOT by Ilberd, who was the actual summoner and whose thought-forms likely had the lion's share of influence (given that the dying didn't even know that a Primal was being summoned). We can, perhaps, surmise that certain aspects associated with Rhalgr (particularly those associated with his Destroyer moniker, given the circumstances) reside in this creature the Domans have dubbed Shinryu, but that its form is wholly unique, and influenced by a number of conflicting and contrasting factors.

It's something new, like Shiva was when she was summoned. It's not meant to be understood in the same way as the others. That's my take, anyways.

[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.

[Veritas-Ancora]

You might want to go back and play 3.4 again...

That was probably the most incomplete RDM boast ever. It was a single limit break that took waaaay too long to charge, and even then it didn't use a single skill. Granted, based on what we're hearing at the Fan Festivals that Red Mage was entirely incomplete and rushed into Stormblood. Still, they could have at least given Alisae a proper Red Mage attire in 3.56 just like we received a shirt and tie for whatever interview we're applying for in Stormblood. Silly Warrior of Light costume aside, she didn't even need to use a single move to prove she was a RDM. Just give her something that doesn't make her look like a SCH. They still look WAY too similar as it is.