Revelations from PAX West 2017

[Belhi]

You know, we have generally assumed that Ramuh was a adoption of the imagery of Rhalgr used by humans that the Sylphs copied. Wouldn't it be interesting if it turned out it was actually the other way round.

[Theodric]

As a huge fan of Ivalice to say that I'm excited about Return to Ivalice being set to flesh out Garlean lore further would be an understatement. Now, those who pay attention to my posts will know I have long stated my desire to see Garlemald's story approached from a similar angle as Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy XII. One could argue elements of both have been present already where Garlemald's story is concerned but now, finally, it is indisputable. I have a strong suspicion that not only will it be suitably nuanced it'll also show a more sympathetic angle for Garlemald - potentially where it's origins are concerned.

I also had an in-depth conversation with a friend early on in 4.0 about the ruins beneath the salt water in Gyr Abania - correctly identifying that it would likely be a dungeon at some point. So I'm pleased that I was on the right track where that is concerned too.

Another point of interest, though? If Rabanastre is set to be part of a raid then perhaps we won't see the other parts of Othard in 5.0 and they will, instead, get the Xelphatol treatment.

[Valenth]

Another point of interest, though? If Rabanastre is set to be part of a raid then perhaps we won't see the other parts of Othard in 5.0 and they will, instead, get the Xelphatol treatment.

Indeed. I'm really hoping it will be a bit different this patch-cycle and that we get actual small expansions of the world with it. Would be lovely rather than having it all instanced like it was during 2.x and 3.x series.

[Mysterysword]

Yay, we finally managed to straighten out Unukalhai's age! (I can't believe my spellcheck actually recognises his name, too)

I've always been curious about how Middy has been so inactive, relatively speaking. Allagans killing one of his children and imprisoning the Warring Triad? Who cares. One of his kids who went to Meracydia probably being killed? Who cares. (Though now I have a headcanon that the Meracydian First Brood dragons weren't killed, but worshipped, and still have a cult of their followers to this very day.) Garleans tripping over Mor Dhona? WAKE UP AND CRUSH THEM. It almost makes me wonder if the Allags had some sort of pact with Middy, since he ended up sleeping right where their capital might have been.

[Theodric]

Indeed. I'm really hoping it will be a bit different this patch-cycle and that we get actual small expansions of the world with it. Would be lovely rather than having it all instanced like it was during 2.x and 3.x series.

That'd be pretty neat. One of the few things I miss about WoW is how the occasional new zone would be added to the game world in patch content. A good workaround for FFXIV, perhaps, would simply be to allow players to enter empty versions of instanced dungeons, raids and trials in a group. That would be immensely beneficial for role-players. Given that there seemingly needs to be a time limit, though, perhaps they'd add one that's a bit longer than usual.

[YianKutku]

EDIT (translation by iluna minori on Reddit FFXIV Discord): So, according to Matsuno, Ivalice is based on a legend from the Garlean Empire, of a peasant who rose through the ranks in a time of chaos to become a hero, and changed the world. Dalmasca is located in a region of sand north of Othard, and Rabanstre is inside Dalmasca.

W00t!

I know nothing about FFT (never played, don't like SRPGs), but it's popular enough on the Internet that I've heard bits and pieces about it.

It just occurred to me that this might explain the naming of the flagship Agrius.

EDIT: Completely unrelated, but I was re-listening to the Lorecast:

You know, in-game, or some kind of publication, if that’s ever gonna happen again after the first lore book. (Oda-san’s like, “Yeah, about that…”)

Should we be worried?

[Theodric]

Well, with any luck they'll be well aware that the demand for another lore book would be rather high and prepare accordingly. Of course, that is more easily said than done given that apparently quite a lot of those who desired one wanted it shipped to the middle of nowhere...

[Belhi]

I wonder if the Lore behind the PvP is effectively field testing machines built in Idylshire's Manufactory. The head of the Manufactory is a former Illuminati engineer so it wouldn't be suprising for him to be familiar and potentially replicate the Illuminati designs.

Good god.... can you imagine if we ever get to have a instanced event were we pilot a version 2 of Brute Justice? It would so HAVE to have the original battle music. :P

[LystAP]

I wonder if the Lore behind the PvP is effectively field testing machines built in Idylshire's Manufactory. The head of the Manufactory is a former Illuminati engineer so it wouldn't be suprising for him to be familiar and potentially replicate the Illuminati designs.

Good god.... can you imagine if we ever get to have a instanced event were we pilot a version 2 of Brute Justice? It would so HAVE to have the original battle music. :P

Maybe players can pilot the respective members of the Brute Justice team. And when all the groups get all five up, they can combine into Brute Justice.

[WhiteArchmage]

Quite a few of Koji's answers in the Lorecast had me shake my fist at the heavens and screaming "Kooojiiiiiiiiii!!!" but I'm very excited for Ivalice (won't lie and say I wasn't expecting a more XII Ivalice than Tactics but with Rabanastre being our first tier/point of entry...who knows).