Elidibus theories and speculation *SPOILERS*

[VargasVermillion]

He almost certainly was one. Not only based on his words but due to the headpiece he wears and the existence of other Garlean NPC's using an altered Midlander model complete with a third eye. There's a few aboard the Prima Vista...and then, of course, there's Cid.

I did notice a lot on the prima vista, one in particular I noticed would've interested you upon speaking to him after completing the raid. Says something that aligns much with your beliefs regarding garlemald and says a lot about the garlean propaganda machine.

[Theodric]

I did notice a lot on the prima vista, one in particular I noticed would've interested you upon speaking to him after completing the raid. Says something that aligns much with your beliefs regarding garlemald and says a lot about the garlean propaganda machine.

Heh, that certainly made me happy! I was very pleased to see it brought up in-game.

[CaesarCV]

Heh, that certainly made me happy! I was very pleased to see it brought up in-game.

Which part specifically? I haven't been able to get to the raid yet. I'm always excited to see more lore though!

[Theodric]

-snip-

Once the raid has been completed it's possible to return to the Prima Vista at will. There's about ten different NPC's hanging around who can be spoken to for all sorts of flavour text regarding the raid itself...but also the current situation where Garlemald is concerned.

One of the NPC's expresses his gratitude to the Warrior of Light for the aid given but also points out that he is uncomfortable due to the Warrior of Light being responsible for toppling two provincial governments and sending a significant amount of his countrymen back to the lifestream. He points out that many were simply following orders that they were not in a position to disobey. He then goes on to state that he understands the plight of the Ala Mhigan and Doman people but that he cannot help but feel that there must have been another way to resolve things, one less steeped in blood and suffering.

Afterwards he then goes on to reveal that the Garlemald he was raised to love was never about tearing down and conquering, but about embracing and accepting. He then muses about what could be achieved if everyone were brothers and sisters - as 'family' rather than enemies. The final statement is that he believes that whilst the ends may not always justify the means he thinks that the Empire's goal is a noble one.

It makes me very happy for two reasons - the first being that it aligns with a lot of what I've been saying on this board over the years that I've posted here where nuances are concerned and secondly because as a role-player it aligns with how I've portrayed my Garlean soldier's personal views and beliefs regarding Garlemald.

[VargasVermillion]

Snip

It also brings to light the propaganda situation. Those raised under the ivory standard, particularly purebloods seem to be raised being told that garlemald is about acceptance and unity with the world, obviously this is a lot more extreme and forceful in reality but it shows that the idea behind it isn't inherently bad, just heavily corrupt and exploited by those in power. So far the empire very loosely follows this idea, it just doesn't give anyone a choice and puts everyone under a very bleak bureaucratic process. It means that there will be those who want to strive for that ideal garlemald and will likely become our allies in future.

[CaesarCV]

That actually does follow one of my ideas for a Larsa style character. Namely them being some sort of noble or royal that's been indoctrinated by the propaganda, and thinks that the Empire actually follows the ideals they supposedly strive for. Of course, after they move outside of the confines of the capitol and see what life is like for the people on the Ground in Garlemald, it will become quickly clear that the 'Garlean ideal' is a fantasy for most. While men like Varis (and Solus to a lesser extent) have policies that will impede the loftier Garlean ideals, our heroic figure can then work to build a better Garlemald. It would also fit with the themes of previous villainous nations in FFXIV, where it's more the specific leadership being evil rather than the ideals/nations themselves.

To bring this to the technical discussion of the thread....maybe that mysterious figure angry about Zenos's death(?) could be a good contender...

[Cilia]

I think having the "Larsa" figure walk (incognito) among conquered and formerly conquered peoples, see how horribly they're treated, how much they hate the Empire, etc. would be much more powerful. Imperial propaganda says Garlemald is doing the world favors - tell someone like Griseldis that. (And I'm sure the Domans and Ala Mhigans thought there must be another way to resolve their differences with the Empire, but hey, they got conquered for no reason beyond Imperial ambition! After a decade of indirect terrorism on the Ala Mhigan front as well!)

There is another Garlean on the Prima Vista who echoes my own sentiment of the Garlean people being oppressed as well, despite what the Empire would have you believe, and that the Theater Company believes its duty is to brighten the days of Garleans until they too are granted true freedom. (Company Tragedienne)

I do believe the Mysterious Figure could be the heroic Garlean we need to turn the Empire around, but this is just my personal wishful thinking.

[VargasVermillion]

There is another Garlean on the Prima Vista who echoes my own sentiment of the Garlean people being oppressed as well, despite what the Empire would have you believe, and that the Theater Company believes its duty is to brighten the days of Garleans until they too are granted true freedom. (Company Tragedienne)

On that note I feel that the theater company is aware of these sentiments simply by seeing the system laid bare as they travel and perform, as well as their content being censored by varis. My impression so far is that the inner regions are decent places to live but are fed propaganda that feeds into this false ideal of a unifying realm of acceptance and bringing the light of technology and science to lesser cultures and that 'Aan' are simply undeserving of the dream because they are effectively enemies of the standard and what it represents by not 'participating'. It's simple to them, earn your place within our society and you will prosper, I'd argue many are simply unaware how stilted the system is especially if the people in question are simply regarded as savages even if they are citizens officially. Ala mhigo was on the border, I wonder if many of the average citizenry in the capitol and nearby provinces are even aware that ala mhigan citizens were simply cut of the same cloth as the local aan?

Sorry to derail the topic here overall we won't really know these specific answers till later anyway.

[Grayve]

Who is this Larsa people are talking about?

[Cilia]

Who is this Larsa people are talking about?

A purely hypothetical Garlean figure who would turn the Empire around from the inside, analogous to Larsa from XII. Purely hypothetical.