Betrayal and Wuk Lamat

[Supersnow845]

Why not stretch it out into some sort of grand conspiracy theory?

SE made it clear that Raubahn could be trusted as far as the Scions are concerned. Ilberd was a a long time friend of Raubahn ...

Anyway, the key issue for me is:

Why can't Wuk find enough support at home, and therefore has to come to foreigners like us?
What do her own people know about her that we don't?

Also, note the character of the Scions on Wuk's side versus the Scions that aren't. The ones with a lot of experience with subterfuge and plots (Thancred, Urianger) are no joining Wuk's cause. I think that says something.

On a differnet note: In an earlier post somone mentioned the mystery woman at the top of the heap-of-characters in the Dawntrail poster. In the Endwalker poster, Hydaelyn occupis that spot; in Shadowbringers poster it's Ryne. Conclude whatever you like from that.

Furthermore, Erenville is left-top, which is aprociamtely where Zenos and Emmet-Selch are in the earlier posters. Conclude what you like from that too.

Poster Links: ShB | EW | DT

The miqote scholar brother is also where graha is in ShB and EW and graha took the role of benevolent scholar and mage for the group, somehow I doubt the miqote scholar is an antagonist in any way

[Ryvick]

I see it like this: All 4 of the "rulers to be" are going to be "seeking outside help" simply because it is an acceptable thing to do in their culture.

I'm predicting the following setup:

Team 1: Eldest Brother (Described in general by Wuk Lamat as Competent and Strong) I see Estinien being recruited by this brother as he is first to arrive in the New World and most likely impresses due to his combat prowess.

Team 2: 2nd Eldest Brother (Described as Miqote who studied at the Studium in Sharlaya) Already requested assistance and Urianger and Thancred have accepted. (They could have told the WoL and the others but I think they may want to see how this plays out/ look forward to a Friendly competition)

Team 3: Wuk Lamat (No clear idea if she is 3rd eldest or youngest) Unclear to me if she was specifically seeking us out or if it was Erenvald who suggested us to her after she arrives in the "Old World", either way she asks us to be on her team and Alphinau, Alisae and Krile decide to come with the WoL to the New World to check it out if nothing else (Graha decides to stay behind)

Team 4: Brother who wants to invade Eorzea (No mention as to 3rd eldest or youngest child) I am predicting this team will be some form of some or all of the following:

A. Makes a deal with a Garlean General or Legatus and possibly an entire Legion (Probably one of the Legions that never responded after the fall of Garlemald) promising Garlemald or some of Eorzea for their support.

B. Working with agents of Solution 9 govt. for any number of reasons (Solution 9 being a "Known Unknown" at the moment)

C. I hesitate to suggest this as it has a very small likelihood but Yshtola could wind up working for this Brother (Intentionally or not) either in return for knowledge of visiting other worlds, access to a vast library, or perhaps in tracking down a lead she discovers (She is seen studying the tablet in the trailer). (I wouldn't put it past the devs to formulate a 4 way battle royale amongst the Scions)

[Vallerie]

Team 4: Brother who wants to invade Eorzea (No mention as to 3rd eldest or youngest child) I am predicting this team will be some form of some or all of the following:

A. Makes a deal with a Garlean General or Legatus and possibly an entire Legion (Probably one of the Legions that never responded after the fall of Garlemald) promising Garlemald or some of Eorzea for their support.

B. Working with agents of Solution 9 govt. for any number of reasons (Solution 9 being a "Known Unknown" at the moment)

C. I hesitate to suggest this as it has a very small likelihood but Yshtola could wind up working for this Brother (Intentionally or not) either in return for knowledge of visiting other worlds, access to a vast library, or perhaps in tracking down a lead she discovers (She is seen studying the tablet in the trailer). (I wouldn't put it past the devs to formulate a 4 way battle royale amongst the Scions)

Personally my guess would be the "bad" brother (assuming he really is the villain here) is going to be all Tural natives, possibly even mamool ja loyalists only and looking down on the rest for seeking assistance from outside the borders.

[TaleraRistain]

Why can't Wuk find enough support at home, and therefore has to come to foreigners like us?
What do her own people know about her that we don't?

She mentions something that seeking outside help is a sign of being able to make alliances. For all we know, all competitors have to seek outside help to show this ability.

[MikkoAkure]

Anyway, the key issue for me is:

Why can't Wuk find enough support at home, and therefore has to come to foreigners like us?
What do her own people know about her that we don't?

Also, note the character of the Scions on Wuk's side versus the Scions that aren't. The ones with a lot of experience with subterfuge and plots (Thancred, Urianger) are no joining Wuk's cause. I think that says something.

The brother also went to foreigners to learn from and hire help so he's not that different except that Wuk Lamat is clumsier at it. The Scions who are joining him are joining him because they were specifically hired to join him. I think that says more about his own information gathering skills than it does theirs.

At this point with almost nothing to go on, we can say about anything about Dawntrail but we shouldn't ignore what little we already know about it and we already know that Wuk Lamat is just doing what her brother already started before her. Considering her brother is a student at the studium, is technologically minded, and chose the 2 Scions best at espionage, he probably has a much more developed and specific plan than "go east and find the most powerful warrior".


Though knowing how the game is written, what could probably happen is the contest getting overwritten by a crisis involving Solution Nine (pictures showed parts of its architecture bombed out) and the contest is put on hold for them to unite against a stronger foe and in the end the one least qualified to be leader but is the best "neutral" third option or alternatively brought the person (WoL) who resolved the crisis is crowned (Wuk Lamat). Or partway through she admits she doesn't have what it takes and throws her support with the non-warmonger brother that the other Scions are with.

[Ancalagon_Blacktalon]

when was it ever stated that it was her brother who was going to be the one to invade eorzea? I was under the impression it was her, her brother, and some shadowy antagonist we haven't met yet?

[MikkoAkure]

when was it ever stated that it was her brother who was going to be the one to invade eorzea? I was under the impression it was her, her brother, and some shadowy antagonist we haven't met yet?

I was under the impression that all 4 claimants are adopted siblings.


Sibling 1:

G'raha Tia: This brother of yours... He has been to Sharlayan?

Wuk Lamat:
He has. Koana's my second older brother, and until recently, he was a student in the city.
He went on and on about “technological amusements.” It made me want to come here too one day.
And so I did. I think I understood something of how he felt when I set foot in his beloved Studium.

G'raha Tia:
He went to the Studium? Your brother must be quite a scholar.
But I wonder... Like you, he'd be royalty, yes? Such a personage coming to Sharlayan to receive an education would surely have caused a stir, yet I recall nothing of the sort...

Wuk Lamat:
He consulted with the head of the Studium beforehand, that his identity might remain secret.
Being Miqo'te, he had no trouble blending in. He's adopted like me, you see.

Sibling 2:

Wuk Lamat:
Including myself, there are four claimants to the throne. But while we all have the right to participate, one among us cannot be allowed to rule.

Erenville:
A man who is too ambitious by half.
Word of the Garlean Empire's collapse has reached Tural.
While most are simply relieved, he sees weakness to exploit, and would lead our armies across the seas on a campaign of conquest.

Wuk Lamat:
After everything my father has done to give us peace, he would drag us back into war.
I can't allow it!
No matter what, I must win this contest!

Based on how she talks about him, I doubt this Koana is the warmonger, but he too is trying to gain the throne using the resources he can gather and he too chose to go find foreign assistance.

G'raha Tia:
I understand your reasons, but this being an event that will dictate the course of your nation's future, is it appropriate for outsiders like us to be involved?

Wuk Lamat:
Oh, it's more than appropriate. The Dawnservant himself expressly encourages it.
The ruler of Tural must navigate the intricacies of myriad cultures, and there's no better way to prove oneself qualified to do so than to work with foreign allies.
That's why I sought you out. Through our hunt, I've confirmed that you're a warrior of considerable skill. But more importantly, one of good character as well.
And so I ask you: will you lend me your strength, and help me win the throne of Tuliyollal?
You don't need to decide right this moment.
But I will need you if I'm to triumph over the competition. I'll stay here as long as I can while waiting for your answer.[

Erenville:
Whether Wuk Lamat has the makings of a ruler, I couldn't say. But I do know that she deeply cares for her nation and her people.
Whether you choose to help her, though, is for you and you alone to decide. Think on it well.

[Ancalagon_Blacktalon]

ty, I totally spaced on the mention of other siblings and I was like "wait, the sharlayan student wants to go blow up eorzea?" xD

[Lukha]

I'd be absolutely thrilled if the claimant the WoL supports turned out to actually be the antagonist in the end! Preferably far enough into the story for the WoL's support of her to have caused serious problems that'll be tough to make up for.
I don't really expect it, but I'd be happy if it happened.