4.1 Hype and Speculation

[VargasVermillion]

I actually like to think it might be a Thavanirian legend that got brought to Garlemald after they conquered it. It was something that happened a lot with Roman Culture, like with how they brought in edited Egyptian legends into their own mythology (most notably with the goddess Isis). And seeing how Garlemald seems to prefer plastering some Garlean paint over the native cultures rather than completely subsuming them (with notable exceptions like native religions) it would make sense if they took a Thavanirian legend and put a Garlean 'twist' on it. This is especially importnat given the fact that the original Final Fantasy tactics featured the legend having been misconstrued....

Thavanair hasn't been conquered by garlemald, and it's an island so it won't be unless they extend their interest outside continents.

[CaesarCV]

Thavanair hasn't been conquered by garlemald, and it's an island so it won't be unless they extend their interest outside continents.

Thanks for the correction and remind me not to post late at night. Somehow I got mixed up in my mind and thought that it was Dalmasca was in Thavanir. Where was it stated that it came from Thavanir again? Either way, it probably is a legend that they collected from somewhere in their Empire and got attached to.

[Rocl]

The Zodiac Weapon Saga, aka 2.0 relic questline with Jalzahn is our first mention of 'the Zodiac Braves' and I believe he refers to it as a Thavnairian legend.

However the plot of FFT is known as 'the Zodiac Brave story' and it contains a legend about 'Zodiac Braves' as well, so it's entirely possible one legend informs the other, imo.

Not to mention this malarkey:

The Zodiac Braves can be a reference to two different groups in Final Fantasy Tactics. It can refer to a group of 12 warriors in the Church of Glabados legend who defeat the Lucavi using 12 Holy Stones. It can also refer to the Lucavi and those they possess.

Let's see, now that I'm free, let's dig into "Zodiac Braves" as we know them in XIV.

I knew I could count on you, my friend. Listen, then, to the theory I have recently formed.
Legend tells that, when the world lies upon the brink of destruction, brave souls who bear the Light shall arise to banish the Darkness.
These heroes are known by myriad names, but in my native Radz–at–Han they are called the “Zodiac Braves.”
My ultimate objective, dear adventurer, is no less than the recreation of these legendary arms.
Thavnairian tradition holds that the Zodiac Braves gathered light to their weapons by vanquishing formidable foes. 'Tis my theory that the heroes were in fact absorbing souls.

Ho-hum, ho-hum, that actually sounds like both a generic Warrior of Light legend and Unukalhai's tale of auracite abuse!

Of course, not every soul is created equal, and so it follows that not all creatures will serve our purpose. Indeed, the Zodiac Braves themselves were very particular as to which foes they chose to vanquish.

THINKING EMOJI INTENSIFIES

This is more or less all I could find, references to the 2.0 weapon upgrade line in which it sounds like Warriors of Light from a past-Era put down particularly potent problematic pests and wreathed their arms in the light & souls of their enemies.

[uvuvwevwevweonyetenyevweugwemu]

Since we're getting a Garlean airship theatrical thing, I'm hoping they work more on the airship landing in kugane. Without spoiling too much:

1. It seems only receive airships but doesn't send us anywhere.
2. Will we see more involvement from bakufu?

[WhiteArchmage]

I'm torn between the airship landing being used to enter Rabanastre/Ivalice in the DF or being used as an eventual airship point further in 4.x's patch cycle (much like Ishgard got one somewhere in 3.x). Honestly? Could be both lol

[PArcher]

So, random thoughts on who/what this Legend is.

I've heard:
Relates to Ivalice (could be)
Raubahn (interesting, but IDK)
Gaius (darksteelfoil hats on!)
Something completely unrelated

What if it has to do with Midgardsomr? Legendary Father of all Dragons, pure myth until he appeared suddenly and wiped out Gaius's fleet 15 (16?) years ago. Yeah, he's tied up with Omega, but he can be in multiple places (and take multiple forms), so...

[YianKutku]

And who is Fordola looking at in that shot? I can't really think of anyone she would be that happy to see right now.

So, random thoughts on who/what this Legend is.

(snip)

Gaius (darksteelfoil hats on!)

I want to believe

[CaesarCV]

Regarding what "Return of the Legend" means, I wouldn't be surprised if it had a double meaning of sorts. We've had patch names that relate to both the Raid and MSQ before ('Gears of Change' being one particularly good example), and it would make sense to do it here. Maybe it refers both to the raid (a literal 'return of a legend') and to another figure? Given what little we know of the main plot, I'd imagine that it's talking about Raughban. After all, the plot synopsis does seem to refer to him....

And to where will Raubahn return, now that the dream for his homeland has at last become a reality?

[Keever]

There are two/three very clear meanings to me:

1. Raubahn's return to a liberated Ala Mhigo
2. From a 'meta' perspective, reference to the legend of Final Fantasy Tactics appearing again
3. From a 'meta' perspective, The return of the legend Yasumi Matsuno. Those familiar with FFXII may know that the strongest superboss in that game, Yiazmat (Yazumatto in Japanese) is a tribute to Yasumi Matsuno, implemented by members of the dev staff after Matsuno left Square Enix partway through development. The title of the hunt quest was "Farewell to a Legend".

[Eyvhokan]

Return of the Legend just makes me think of the Giant Dad...