Kugane Castle

[Kyran-Varlsen]

Yes, I was quite perturbed by those giant ninja mooks. But based on the ability names that the boss version utilizes, we can surmise they are clockwork automatons of Hingashi Construction. Both the Hingans and the Domans employ heavily armored golems hefting blades so these clockwork automatons are simply more advanced versions (maybe imbued with a spirit) which is capable of more advanced attacks.

I imagine the threat of employing such mechanical menaces on the field of battle is a partial reason for why the Garlean Empire had not bothered trying to invade Hingashi. The ones we fight were employed by a wealthy merchant, the ones the Bakufu Government retain are probably extremely dangerous on the attack.

[Alsbet]

Which makes me wonder. Would it be better to employ shinobi or just make a ton of these cloackwork ninjas instead? Considering they don't need to eat, sleep or drink, they could stakeout out a place for an indefinite amount of time. Then again a person would be more subtle than a nine foot giant with a huge shuriken on its back. Guess it would depend on the mission.

[Kyran-Varlsen]

Which makes me wonder. Would it be better to employ shinobi or just make a ton of these cloackwork ninjas instead? Considering they don't need to eat, sleep or drink, they could stakeout out a place for an indefinite amount of time. Then again a person would be more subtle than a nine foot giant with a huge shuriken on its back. Guess it would depend on the mission.

If these giant clockwork ninjas are expensive to maintain and field while lacking the things that make a Shinobi truly useful to their lord (subterfuge) then their use would be as situational as with any other golem. And in Doma, we saw the Empire somehow capture and re-purpose the metal golems originally created by the Domans and use them as sentries to patrol a destroyed town with simple kill orders. Which I for one consider a major drawback.

[Theodric]

I imagine the threat of employing such mechanical menaces on the field of battle is a partial reason for why the Garlean Empire had not bothered trying to invade Hingashi. The ones we fight were employed by a wealthy merchant, the ones the Bakufu Government retain are probably extremely dangerous on the attack.

Hingashi made a pact with Garlemald if I recall correctly. Garlemald also doesn't raze or oppress every nation it comes across - it's been confirmed in-game that some places remain completely unchanged by Garlemald's presence and that life can go on as normal.

[Kyran-Varlsen]

Well of course. No Empire can conquer non-stop and even should the provinces of Doma and Ala Mhigo have been pacified the more likely target for Garlean expansion would have been the Eorzean City States. But assuming the Garleans conquered all of Eorzea and pacified Doma, then an invasion of Hingashi would be inevitable - if not an attempt at least. The Garleans see little need for trade, largely because they are self-sufficient but also to prevent the possible leak of magitek technology to the other nations. We wouldn't even have proper airships in Eorzea were it not for Cid and Garlond Ironworks - which sells to everyone from Ul'dahn Merchants to Sky Pirates (the latter most likely through front buyers). So it's not like they value Hingashi as a trade partner. Rather, an embassy is maintained for mundane diplomatic matters as well as espionage or subterfuge activities.

What I mean to say is, the Garlean Empire would rather attack the divided Eorzean City-States who only boast cannons and regular infantry as opposed to the United Country of Hingashi with Cannons, Golems, and an organized fighting force with a disciplined samurai core.

[VargasVermillion]

I'm believe both the doman and hingan "machina" for lack of a better term are similar to mammets from a technological standpoint based on one of the sidequests in yanxia

[Kedan]

Yes, I was quite perturbed by those giant ninja mooks. But based on the ability names that the boss version utilizes, we can surmise they are clockwork automatons of Hingashi Construction. Both the Hingans and the Domans employ heavily armored golems hefting blades so these clockwork automatons are simply more advanced versions (maybe imbued with a spirit) which is capable of more advanced attacks.

I imagine the threat of employing such mechanical menaces on the field of battle is a partial reason for why the Garlean Empire had not bothered trying to invade Hingashi. The ones we fight were employed by a wealthy merchant, the ones the Bakufu Government retain are probably extremely dangerous on the attack.

The final boss is also some sort of automaton, though clearly more advanced and at least partially self directing. It would appear that Hingashi are quite far along in this particular field.

[MercuryD]

The final boss is also some sort of automaton, though clearly more advanced and at least partially self directing. It would appear that Hingashi are quite far along in this particular field.

I'm not too sure he's supposed to be an automaton. As to what he IS in XIV, I'm not sure but I highly doubt he's inorganic.

[Kyran-Varlsen]

The final boss is also some sort of automaton, though clearly more advanced and at least partially self directing. It would appear that Hingashi are quite far along in this particular field.

Wait, are you talking about Yojimbo? Did you not play FFX? He is very likely a Primal of some sort considering he was a summonable in past games. I mean sure the name Yojimbo has been used on minor enemies and bosses, but he looks exactly as he did in FFX when he was a summonable.

I'm not too sure he's supposed to be an automaton. As to what he IS in XIV, I'm not sure but I highly doubt he's inorganic.

Again, he is likely a divine manifestation of the worship of money and the desire to have it. Considering in the Hildebrand Storyline (not entirely canon) that one man was able to put a chicken on top of some boxes and summon a primal by remembering a friend then it is entirely possible that Yojimbo was summoned by some similar means by criminal elements within Hingashi. It may be that money alone sustains him, or that he just uses it to buy more crystals to sustain himself. If so, he is a very different, subtle and intelligent Primal from those we have met before.

Currently Yojimbo is not listed as a Primal because the story has not revealed him as such. So he could still be something else entirely, like a Voidsent which, as Hildebrand's story also showed (maybe not canon), can indeed live in the world without much trouble and even take an interest in mortal commerce.

[Hinoto-no-Ryuji]

snip

As interesting as this elaborate theory is, as far as we know, Yojimbo is just a very skilled mercenary; I see no reason to assume that he's a Primal just because he was a summon in FFX. Diabolos looks almost identical to his FFVIII incarnation, after all, and he's not a Primal. Until there's even a hint of Yojimbo being supernatural, I think it's safe to assume that he isn't.