MSQ - what's next? [spoilers]

[Zohar_Lahar]

I'm just curious what kind of primals/trials we are going to see over the expansion.
In 4.1 we will get Shinryu EX so i don't expect any trial in this patch, but then we still have 4 more patches to go (if everything stays the same) Maybe we will fight the Shijins (Black Turtle, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird und Azure Dragon) which are already seen on the map around kugane.

There was also that one snippet about a primal encountered in Ala Mhigo by the Garleans shortly after taking the city, but it has never been followed up.

[Daralii]

There was also that one snippet about a primal encountered in Ala Mhigo by the Garleans shortly after taking the city, but it has never been followed up.

Wasn't it in Othard that they encountered the unnamed primal? Or did they meet another after taking Ala Mhigo?

[Rocl]

Wasn't it in Othard that they encountered the unnamed primal? Or did they meet another after taking Ala Mhigo?

Both statements are accurate, I think. The Empire first discovered primals in Othard. These primals were never named. Another unknown primal is credited with halting the Empire's advance after they took Ala Mhigo.

Both stories get referenced less and less as time goes by, though.

[Razard]

Both statements are accurate, I think. The Empire first discovered primals in Othard. These primals were never named. Another unknown primal is credited with halting the Empire's advance after they took Ala Mhigo.

That was our friend, Midgardsormr, as seen in the 1.0 intro movie.

[Rocl]

That was our friend, Midgardsormr, as seen in the 1.0 intro movie.

Not quite.

In subjugating Ala Mhigo, van Baelsar employed subterfuge to stoke the fires of civil unrest, a masterstroke which led to the nation’s capture without the need for a protracted siege. However, the unanticipated appearance of a primal shortly thereafter prompted the Empire to halt the legion’s advance.

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/a_real...ent?threats_02

This is 1557. In 1562 is when Midgardsormr appears during Gaius' attempt at conquering Mor Dhona. The timeline, basically, should be: Fall of Ala Mhigo -> primal! -> Let's wait a second -> okay we got the Agrius -> Midgardsormr! -> LOTS OF PRIMALS!? -> Let's wait a second -> Meteor Project.

At the very least, for all of 1.0, the Battle of Silvertear and the primal appearance (stopping the advance on Eorzea) are treated as wholly separate occurrences. Likewise we know the Empire knew of primals before Silvertear Skies; after all, they had encountered them in Othard. Having known what a Primal was (roughly) they would've known Midgardsormr wasn't a Primal simply because his corpse didn't dissipate into aether. Furthermore, Minfilia's father, Warburton dies attempting to smuggle Imperial knowledge on Primals to Eorzea.

As I noted previously, this primal appearance immediately post-Ala Mhigo has quietly fallen into obscurity after 2.0's pre-release material so it's possible it's been removed from canon. If it is supposed to be Midgardsormr it's either a retcon or we have to accept that Garlemald is smart enough to realize Silvertear Lake is the center of aetherial confluence on Hydaelyn but dumb enough not to know that an aetherial deiform dissipates when killed.

Furthermore, the probable final time this Primal is mentioned is Gamer Escape's interview with Koji Fox (Fernehalwes):

MCKF: [laughs] Yeah, so the primal that made them halt their advance, I still can’t answer that.

F: Wow.

A: And it’s been so long, almost as long as Ishgard! I’m excited to hear about it.

MCKF: It’s a ways off, but you’ll find out someday. It’s not something we’ll keep quiet about. They have their long-term plan. Before A Realm Reborn was released, they already had plans beyond 2.4.

https://gamerescape.com/2014/10/22/f...pher-koji-fox/

[Anonymoose]

<research and citations>

This is all correct; SE did mention a primal somewhere between 1557 and 1562 whose circumstances and identity were held back in 2012, and still held back in 2014, and for all we know have been removed from the canon entirely by now ... but it might be a bit easier to just go with:

Midgardsormr ain't a primal.

No ifs, ands, or buts.

[Balipu]

Ya Yotsuyu is basically the key focus of what Doma may become depending on what punishment she may get.

Sorry for being late to the party, but considering we last saw Yotsuyu with Gosetsu, kami knows where, we aren't really at the point where the new Doman government can do anything with her. Since Zenos is gone and Fordola has been captured, Yotsuyu is the only antagonist we have, if the game does not want to push Varis into the main villain role. Since Varis needs to be there for an Ilsabard expansion, my money is on Yotsuyu being the new big bad, and perhaps ending up as the XIV version of Ultimecia. I could totally see her doing that. Either the Ascians or the creepy scientist give her the Echo and she uses it to compress time. Hell, time compresson would let us experience the war between Allag and Meracydia.

[LineageRazor]

Sorry for being late to the party, but considering we last saw Yotsuyu with Gosetsu, kami knows where, we aren't really at the point where the new Doman government can do anything with her. Since Zenos is gone and Fordola has been captured, Yotsuyu is the only antagonist we have, if the game does not want to push Varis into the main villain role. Since Varis needs to be there for an Ilsabard expansion, my money is on Yotsuyu being the new big bad, and perhaps ending up as the XIV version of Ultimecia. I could totally see her doing that. Either the Ascians or the creepy scientist give her the Echo and she uses it to compress time. Hell, time compresson would let us experience the war between Allag and Meracydia.

The problem with Yotsuyu being a major antagonist is that her powerbase has been almost completely dismantled (so she can't send minions after us), and she herself does not possess any sort of notable combat strength (so she can't fight us herself). Not to mention the fact that she's under the direct watch of Gotetsu, who is very unlikely to allow her to get up to any kind of significant mischief.

Even if she were to free herself from Gotetsu, the odds that she'll be able to find her way back into power are slim. She has nothing left to offer the Garleans, and they regarded her with contempt even when they kept her as an ally, so they are very unlikely to supply her with new forces to command or territories to control. Short of accidentally finding and unleashing some ancient power (some ancient Allagan weapon, for instance), or being uplifted by other beings with power (like the Ascians), Yotsuyu now poses very little threat to anyone - heck, even random Doman villagers are like as not to overpower her one-on-one.

I don't know what role the writers have planned for Yotsuyu going forward, but the role of major antagonist is one they'd really have to jump through some hoops to arrange!

[Balipu]

Short of accidentally finding and unleashing some ancient power (some ancient Allagan weapon, for instance), or being uplifted by other beings with power (like the Ascians), Yotsuyu now poses very little threat to anyone - heck, even random Doman villagers are like as not to overpower her one-on-one.

I don't know what role the writers have planned for Yotsuyu going forward, but the role of major antagonist is one they'd really have to jump through some hoops to arrange!

Yes, like I said, Ascians. I'm pretty sure she survived for a reason. Sure she doesn't look like a new big bad, but the story does not need to be predictable.

[Theodric]

Yes, like I said, Ascians. I'm pretty sure she survived for a reason. Sure she doesn't look like a new big bad, but the story does not need to be predictable.

Mm. I do think there's going to be twists and turns. We're also still only just approaching 4.1 so there's plenty of time left for stuff to play out. One thing is for certain - both Yotsuyu and Fordola were left alive for a reason which means the plot is not done with them for the time being. We also know that Elidibus has deliberately sort out the likes of Ilberd in the past and both Yotsuyu and Fordola fit the sort of broken individual that Elidibus could manipulate. A redemption plot for one or both, though, is also a possibility.