Revelations from Patch 6.3: Gods Revel, Lands Tremble

[Lyth]

Great patch.

MSQ

Some interesting developments.

I don't think that Golbez has a connection to Zodiark. As per the Lore Q+A last March, all fragments of Zodiark have been permanently destroyed. It's not really surprising that the moon on the Thirteenth looks identical to that on the Source, given that they are parallel versions of each other.

Perhaps given that Zodiark was at the epicenter of the Sundering, the moon may be the point at which the veil between shards is its weakest.

As usual, there were what looks like a few job-specific references to Reaper. All three all seem to be within cutscenes, however, so you should be able to review them at your leisure.

The 'Forum Messorum' (Lat. Messor = Reaper) in Lapis Manalis had a few interesting lore drops.

Dollmaster's Memorandum
Maintenance of the Galateae must be handled with the utmost of care. The delicate art of their making has long since been lost, making repairs difficult, and reproduction all but impossible. The knowledge was kept secret, passed down to those who would inherit the position of master dollmaker. That is, until one man chose to break with tradition. He claimed to be leaving on a journey in pursuit of an 'unparalleled beauty,' but we never learned the truth of it. The only thing that is certain, is the art of our forebears left with him.

(More Garlean puppetmaster references? Galatea is a Pygmalion reference, so likely a 'doll given life'.

Faded Records
Emperor Solus is convinced this magitek will spark a revolution in warfare as we know it. And as he devotes further resources to its advancement, our arts continue to fall out of favour. I fear the age of the reaper has come to an end. After all, our forebears have sacrificed for the good of the Empire. The blood spilled, the lives lost. They would dare deem us relics of a bygone era. Indeed, they believe the future lies with their 'reaper' battle armor.

(Maggie is best Reaper.)

Trainee Warning Notice
Aspirants are reminded not to approach the figures of the Pale Harvest without express permission. They should be treated with no less reverence than Galatea herself, and are hardly less dangerous. Only those who have successfully forged a pact with an avatar may spar with the Galatea Parva. They will serve to refine one's use of invocations and tactical coordination. The Galatea Magna, however, is reserved for those who are able to serve as host to their avatar. This perilous manikin is designed to push a reaper to their limits, if not beyond them. Learn to walk in death's shadow, and you shall know no fear.

(The Galataea Magna is the second boss that you fight in Lapis Manalis.)

Rubicante was great, and they did justice to his character. I can't wait to see what the Hexeyes questline adds to his backstory. I can't help but wonder if his soundtrack was a reference to the fan-made 'FF4, Appearance of Golbez's Four Lords of the Elements' (I think the corresponding orchestrion is likely the new 'Forged in Crimson'.)

Myths

The main revelation seems to be that the Twelve are related to Venat's collaborators, and the unnamed thirteenth member is the Watcher. His 'charge' who he watches over is probably the player character. Unfortunately, he doesn't have any new text yet after completing Euphrosyne. Prayers to the Twelve get redirected into the heart of the planet.

I was happy that Menphina got the final fight as well as the rabbit avatar. I particularly liked the scene with the member of the Lambs of Dalamud. I was pleasantly surprised by the council fight against Althyk and Nymeia, although in retrospect I should have predicted it from the screenshots. Nymeia seems to have an 'I win' card that probably serves as a 7 minute enrage timer, and I'd really like to see what happens if you draw out the fight that long. Doubling up on a single fight now also likely means that the final encounter of the next raid will be a surprise, since we have twelve fights in total across the three tiers.

I liked the reaction to receiving an Allagan tomestone.

As for the animals, it looks like so far we have:

Byregot: Spriggan
Rhalgr: Hawk
Azeyma: Meercat
Nald'Thal: Mummy
Menphina: Rabbit
Halone: Fenrir
Nophica: Plant? (I don't recognize this minion).
Althyk: Golem
Nymeia: Fry

I have a feeling that Deryk has some connection to the true form of the Watcher and the seventh heaven.