6.0 Predictions: Will it be Garlemald, Sharlayan, or Meracydia?

[BokoToloko]

We have no strong reason whatsoever to go to Meracydia or Sharlayan as there has been no indication that really, not to mention Sharlayan is too small for anything beyond a Hub.

Meanwhile, we've been thrown constant references to Garlemard, it's civil war and the forces at play there. We even get 3 instances in its outer reaches: Terncliff, Gangos and Bozjan Southern Front.

Events at 5.4 and the 5.5 might lead to bring the set up the expansion to have an additional twist to go to Garlemard, other than going there to clean up the remains of an Empire that is already falling.

My current theory would be that Fandaniel plan only has effect in Ilsabard (it could always have the risk of spreading over to the rest of the world), destroying Garlemard and other countries. The result would be a hellscape continent riddled with the same creatures we meet in Emet-Selch recreation of the Final Days along with survivors fighting for both survival and dominion over the remnants of the Garlean empire.

I think the Moon could make for a good Raid or final area (a la Azys Lla) but not as an entire's expansions continent. Cecil and Golbez have potential to get a cameo as Garlean officers if the Moon were to be a raid.

[Jirah]

sadly 5.4 gave us zero hints to the point where only like 1 quest was relevant to the plot going forward.

[FrightfulNight]

sadly 5.4 gave us zero hints to the point where only like 1 quest was relevant to the plot going forward.

I found it quite the opposite, there were numerous hints that it will be Islabard. The towers being Garlean make and tempering people to their cause, the plot threads of Fandaniel using Nerva as a puppet, and finally the last line that Zenos waits at the heart of the chaos, which can only mean Islabard in the Garlean succession crisis that might still be going on, it is also where we saw him, well waiting. I also saw some hints at Sharlayan as a potential hub but probably just that due to its size, most notably the mention of the twins father who if I recall got a description in a recent book, as well as their time there. the .4 quests always give hints to where we are going, even the 4.4 quest gave some hints at the First with the Scions being called off. The hints are there and this all but confirms Islabard with probably Sharlayn as the main hub.

[RyuDragnier]

Too bad that means it won't be done proper justice. Probably will be about as riveting as the Ala Mhigan side of SB...that's me giving a worst case scenario btw, I'm REALLY hoping I'm wrong on that.

[Kesey]

Too bad that means it won't be done proper justice. Probably will be about as riveting as the Ala Mhigan side of SB...that's me giving a worst case scenario btw, I'm REALLY hoping I'm wrong on that.

I agree. Even hellscape Islabard is going to be a rehash of Stormblood. Although I can't help but have this feeling that if we invade the Empire, it won't provide the necessary steps needed to finish the Hydaelyn/Zodiark arc.

For example: Where is Venat (5.2 and 5.3 make it very clear they exist as a primal somewhere)? We need to speak with Hydaelyn again--the mere fact we can comment that killing Emet and Elidibus might not have been the correct thing to do, given our origin is suspect. What was Azem doing when Hydaelyn and Zodiark were summoned (the third solution to the sound theory)? The short stories attached to the Rising make Phoenix an Ancient creation by Lahabrea, yet the 12 were summoned by Louisoix to make him Phoenix, while Lahabrea looked on--our understanding of the events here are potentially about to be retconned (also they threw in the Phoenix card to triple triad this latest patch; could be a red herring, but could also be a don't forget about this). Lastly, the WOL's flashback to the Rak'tika cave painting that shows Hydaelyn and Zodiark side by side, implying there is more to their story, let alone that they may have coexisted for a period of time before fighting and sundering the world.

Granted Fandaniel and Zenos (who can speculate is tied to answering the above questions and theories because he keeps dreaming of the final days) will be key, but does going to the Empire really promise to answer these questions? Where does an Empire expansion lead us back to Hydaelyn? How will the Empire connect back to Ancients (especially if Fandaniel doesn't care about that time period)?

[Crushnight]

I agree. Even hellscape Islabard is going to be a rehash of Stormblood. Although I can't help but have this feeling that if we invade the Empire, it won't provide the necessary steps needed to finish the Hydaelyn/Zodiark arc.

For example: Where is Venat (5.2 and 5.3 make it very clear they exist as a primal somewhere)? We need to speak with Hydaelyn again--the mere fact we can comment that killing Emet and Elidibus might not have been the correct thing to do, given our origin is suspect. What was Azem doing when Hydaelyn and Zodiark were summoned (the third solution to the sound theory)? The short stories attached to the Rising make Phoenix an Ancient creation by Lahabrea, yet the 12 were summoned by Louisoix to make him Phoenix, while Lahabrea looked on--our understanding of the events here are potentially about to be retconned (also they threw in the Phoenix card to triple triad this latest patch; could be a red herring, but could also be a don't forget about this). Lastly, the WOL's flashback to the Rak'tika cave painting that shows Hydaelyn and Zodiark side by side, implying there is more to their story, let alone that they may have coexisted for a period of time before fighting and sundering the world.

Granted Fandaniel and Zenos (who can speculate is tied to answering the above questions and theories because he keeps dreaming of the final days) will be key, but does going to the Empire really promise to answer these questions? Where does an Empire expansion lead us back to Hydaelyn? How will the Empire connect back to Ancients (especially if Fandaniel doesn't care about that time period)?

Empire side of a expansion would likely have closer ties to Zodiark what with its founding father being Emet-Selch, Varis used by Elidibus, and now Flandaniel and Zenos.

Sharlayan on the other hand has much closer ties with Hydelyn what with building the Antitower (which I highly doubt was the only one they thought to build), the hoarding of knowledge most likely has a few taboo scriptures of Hydelyn the entity, the clear research of those with echo(Students of Baldesian), and the similarity between Sharlayan and the Amourotines.

Honestly a split expansion can work if what they split up is done right, splitting Hydelyn and Zodiark threads between two sets of areas(not necessarily a 3/3 split).

I think with the current information we have Sharlayan is our best bet if we need to talk to Hydelyn and Venat, new information can of course change that but right now to resolve the Hydelyn side Sharlayan looks like the place to go. With Zodiark it is how do we or Zenos get to the moon which can be done anywhere at any point because next to nothing on how to do that, though best bet would be the most advanced place we can get to in a reasonable short timeframe(stupid 1 year time bubble) which just so happens to be the empire and Allagan stuff.

[Kesey]

Empire side of a expansion would likely have closer ties to Zodiark what with its founding father being Emet-Selch, Varis used by Elidibus, and now Flandaniel and Zenos.

Sharlayan on the other hand has much closer ties with Hydelyn what with building the Antitower (which I highly doubt was the only one they thought to build), the hoarding of knowledge most likely has a few taboo scriptures of Hydelyn the entity, the clear research of those with echo(Students of Baldesian), and the similarity between Sharlayan and the Amourotines.

Honestly a split expansion can work if what they split up is done right, splitting Hydelyn and Zodiark threads between two sets of areas(not necessarily a 3/3 split).

I think with the current information we have Sharlayan is our best bet if we need to talk to Hydelyn and Venat, new information can of course change that but right now to resolve the Hydelyn side Sharlayan looks like the place to go. With Zodiark it is how do we or Zenos get to the moon which can be done anywhere at any point because next to nothing on how to do that, though best bet would be the most advanced place we can get to in a reasonable short timeframe(stupid 1 year time bubble) which just so happens to be the empire and Allagan stuff.

I agree with the Sharlayan side of things, but again what more do you want to know about Ascians? I think the questions that surround the Ancients are: What is the sound? What was Azem doing while all of this Hydaelyn/Zodiark hullabaloo went on? Was there an immediate fight between Hydaelyn and Zodiark or did the conflict come to ahead after Azem was involved? Finally, what happened after Hydaelyn won by sundering the world?

And the best source of this information will be Hydaelyn. Fail that, Venat. And since the final confrontation will be with Zodiark, with high potential to be on the moon, why go to the Empire at all? Wouldn't it be more prudent to visit the ruins of an Allagan site that has a rocket, or space whale, to get us to the moon? Wouldn't an island of mage scholars, who are withholding the knowledge and the power to help save the world, know of a legend or place like this?

[Crushnight]

I agree with the Sharlayan side of things, but again what more do you want to know about Ascians? I think the questions that surround the Ancients are: What is the sound? What was Azem doing while all of this Hydaelyn/Zodiark hullabaloo went on? Was there an immediate fight between Hydaelyn and Zodiark or did the conflict come to ahead after Azem was involved? Finally, what happened after Hydaelyn won by sundering the world?

And the best source of this information will be Hydaelyn. Fail that, Venat. And since the final confrontation will be with Zodiark, with high potential to be on the moon, why go to the Empire at all? Wouldn't it be more prudent to visit the ruins of an Allagan site that has a rocket, or space whale, to get us to the moon? Wouldn't an island of mage scholars, who are withholding the knowledge and the power to help save the world, know of a legend or place like this?

The empire has hoards of Allagan stuff, they actively go out and try to take remnants of the Allagan Empire so I think with current knowledge, the empire is the best place to go to try and reach Zodiark we are either getting there via magictek or via teleportation and I doubt an Ascian is going to be inclined to give us a portal to Zodiark's lair, though I will conceive knowledge of Zodiark's whereabouts could be in Sharlayan and then the Scions might conceive of a way to get there but that seems a bit of a stretch on their part.

[RyuDragnier]

The empire has hoards of Allagan stuff, they actively go out and try to take remnants of the Allagan Empire so I think with current knowledge, the empire is the best place to go to try and reach Zodiark we are either getting there via magictek or via teleportation and I doubt an Ascian is going to be inclined to give us a portal to Zodiark's lair, though I will conceive knowledge of Zodiark's whereabouts could be in Sharlayan and then the Scions might conceive of a way to get there but that seems a bit of a stretch on their part.

I wouldn't say it's a stretch considering how secretive the Sharlayans are. Remember, these guys had a very convenient method of reaching and speaking to Hydaelyn (the Antitower), so them knowing all this stuff wouldn't be out of the ordinary. If anything, it would be a good way to not only put a foot in the door for other regions, but also add some massive conflict to the plot for the Scions themselves. Imagine if they knew everything that was going on, if they already knew what the Ascians wanted, where they went, etc? How much conflict that would cause with the Scions alone, and also allow for one hell of a "The Reason You Suck Speech" while also highlighting everything that was wrong with Amaurot as a city (them knowing how to fix things, but refusing to). It'd also lead directly into why the 14th was constantly traveling, why they basically left the Convocation, and where they went.

[Kesey]

I wouldn't say it's a stretch considering how secretive the Sharlayans are. Remember, these guys had a very convenient method of reaching and speaking to Hydaelyn (the Antitower), so them knowing all this stuff wouldn't be out of the ordinary. If anything, it would be a good way to not only put a foot in the door for other regions, but also add some massive conflict to the plot for the Scions themselves. Imagine if they knew everything that was going on, if they already knew what the Ascians wanted, where they went, etc? How much conflict that would cause with the Scions alone, and also allow for one hell of a "The Reason You Suck Speech" while also highlighting everything that was wrong with Amaurot as a city (them knowing how to fix things, but refusing to). It'd also lead directly into why the 14th was constantly traveling, why they basically left the Convocation, and where they went.

This is a spitball, but given what happens in 5.4 Its feeling more realistic.

Zenos renews the war and towers are pumping aether out of the planet to awaken Zodiark. Seeing that we are in the final hour, the Scions, most likely Alphinaud's idea, is to appeal to Sharlayan for help, because the problem is literally at their door step too. Drama happens in the Leveilleur family and Venat is discovered. This takes up one to two new areas and the hub. This leads to a conversation with Hydaelyn because we discovered Venat and the results of this is Sharlayan joins the war against the Empire and also shares the lengend of Allagan ruins the Empire doesn't have access too. This will move the story to an exploration of a new place with little information of its current situation, like Mercaydia or the New World (Continent). We get there to find out we are racing Fandaniel, or Zenos, or both of them to this missing location. This journey takes up at least 3 to 4 areas. We find the location first and get to the moon. Zenos and Fandaniel find another way there. Final area may be the moon, or just the location of the trial. We defeat the Fandaniel/Zenos/Zodiark mess and save the world.

Now I know this isn't the "go to the Empire" expansion people have hopped for and maybe I'm wrong. But the scenario does set up the answer to all the questions, gives us the epic fight and saves the world well within one expansion.