The Burn

[Anonymoose]

If we rule out Othardian primals as a mistaken assumption, we're left with... perhaps the "mysterious primal" that interrupted the post-Ala Mhigo advance, if that wasn't itself referring to Leviathan, Titan, and Garuda in '62.

That... still leaves Mysterious Primal X, summoned during the conquest of Ala Mhigo, unaccounted for though... I think. Ala Mhigo was conquered before Silvertear, that much is certain, and a primal was reportedly summoned in the region as a consequence.

That's correct, and although I don't have the book to hand to confirm, I think it was at least a couple of years before Gyr Abania was secure and Gaius set sights on Silvertear Lake.

As far as I know, the lore book glosses right over this. The sole remaining citation that I recall is the Realm Reborn fansite, which says that the advance was halted by a primal "shortly after" Ala Mhigo was taken. Most modern recaps have the XIVth legion take Ala Mhigo, spend a while securing Ala Mhigo, then off they go to the fated Battle of Silvertear Skies and make a swift retreat from Midgardsormr and suddenly there are primals.

I would have written it off as poor phrasing years ago if Oda-san and Koji hadn't hinted that there was always something planned to be hiding in that gray area that we just hadn't been told about, and as of 2014 might still show up. However, in 2018 it's possible this was just abandoned and the Truth is what the lore book says.

[LineageRazor]

As far as I know, the lore book glosses right over this. The sole remaining citation that I recall is the Realm Reborn fansite, which says that the advance was halted by a primal "shortly after" Ala Mhigo was taken. Most modern recaps have the XIVth legion take Ala Mhigo, spend a while securing Ala Mhigo, then off they go to the fated Battle of Silvertear Skies and make a swift retreat from Midgardsormr and suddenly there are primals.

I would have written it off as poor phrasing years ago if Oda-san and Koji hadn't hinted that there was always something planned to be hiding in that gray area that we just hadn't been told about, and as of 2014 might still show up. However, in 2018 it's possible this was just abandoned and the Truth is what the lore book says.

Isn't it likely that this "mysterious Primal that halted the Garlean advance" was Ramuh? It's been a long time, but I thought the whole reason the Sylphlands are overrun by Tempered Sylphs is because they summoned Ramuh a few years back in reaction to Garlean incursions. That would correspond pretty closely with the Ala Mhigan conquest, I think. It also seems appropriate, given that Ramuh is sometimes conflated with Rhalgr - the center of Rhalgr worship is overrun, and Ramuh steps up to bat to put an end to the nonsense!

[Anonymoose]

Isn't it likely that this "mysterious Primal that halted the Garlean advance" was Ramuh?

It would have been likely...if not for 1.0 Sylphic background lore. The Sylphs were part of the crystal trade throughout Eorzea, and were shocked to see what had happened to the tribes that had succeeded in summoning their primals. The Sylphs' entire position in 1.0 was to try to restore the crystal trade and to never summon their primal (though everyone wondered if they would, if push came to shove, and in the aftermath of the Calamity some did).

Metal ones are the lesser evil. It is the primals who darken hearts. Primals who poison minds! See the feathered ones. See the scaled ones. All are changed!

The scaled ones have always been proud, but have always been fair. Respect there was for these ones. Respect there was from these ones. Now, scaled ones respect none but crystals... The feathered ones have always been loud. Squaaawk! Squawawawk! Squeeeaaawk! Always loud. Always made this one laugh. Now, feathered ones only scream “crystaaal.” This one misses squawks...

These ones are fortunate the scaled ones did not perform a summoning. From the primal comes only flame. Comes only anger. These ones are fortunate the feathered ones did not perform a summoning. From the primal comes only storms. Comes only fury.

These ones will not summon the primal. The primal reaps more pain than good. That One is best left undisturbed.