CG Midlander

[Anonymoose]

I highly support this theory. I'll see what I can work together based on that. I believe that Midgardsormr was created by the same as Leviathan - they say that "When water came into the world, so did Midgardsormr. Also they look similar.

I'll be able to get down to that bidness in a little bit. Busy week!

[Jacien]

Mr. OP, you should add this image to show all of the CG adventurers (sans Lady Elezen :sadface

[Catapult]

So I've been stewing over this a bit and I think I can tie each elemental primal to a deity, specifcially the six that are not tied to a city-state. Although, it requires a little gender-bending, although we could put that down to lore convolution over time. "Mired by a plague of doubtful and cheap lore."

Fire:
Nald'thal is guardian of Ul'dah.
Azeyma the Warden represents the sun. It is more of a searing and powerful heat, which is very much Ifrit's essence. Ifrit even emerges from a miniture sun when summoned. Ifrit is also rather protective of his Amalja tribe and devotees, very much like a warden.
It is not the more subtle fires associated with the kindling fire of life or the torturing fire of death.

Wind:
Llymlaen is guardian of Limsa.
Garuda is characterised by being wild and free. She will not be bound. Everything about her involves the freedom to move and the Ixal worship her for what she offers them in their pursuit of flight. This resembles Oschon, the Wanderer, who roams the land.

Earth:
Nophica is the guardian of Gridania.
Althyk, the keeper, is master of time, which is a mark of endurance. While we have little to go on here, we know that Titan and the Kobolds are based in the depths of O'ghomoro where they are steeped in tradition. Their patriachs may become outcast if they leave the mountain. This focus on timelessness ties well to Althyk.

Lightning:
Rhalgr is guardian of Ala Mhigo.
By comparison, Byregot the builder is reflected in the nature of the Sylphs, who seek the building of peaceful relationships. Their affiliation to lightning can be seen in the emblem at their altars, so I believe wise old Ramuh would be their primal. I'm joining limited dots here. The Sylphs, in their wisdom, are fearful of calling on the power of their primal.

Water:
Thaliak is guardian of Sharlayan.
Nymia the spinner of fate has connections to shrouds of mystery. Everything we have learnt of Leviathan is very mysterious and so are these fabled Sahagin. People fear them and their unpredictability.

Ice:
Halone is guardian of Ishgard.
In her many incarnations, Shiva has always been some form of seductive woman, which aligns with Menphina, the lover. I'm unsure what beast tribe would summon her.

Yes, I've left out Odin and Bahamut, mostly because their associations usually go beyond base magic and into something greater.

[Anonymoose]

sans Lady Elezen :sadface:

Where in the world did she end up? lol

I'm unsure what beast tribe would summon her.

The gigas race from the north that we saw in the concept art, I do believe.

Yes, I've left out Odin and Bahamut, mostly because their associations usually go beyond base magic and into something greater.

Astral and Umbral, maybe?

[Alaltus]

Where in the world did she end up? lol

Isnt it obvious? Nael Van Darnus got out his banjo and woo'd her over to the darkside!

[Anonymoose]

Isnt it obvious? Nael Van Darnus got out his banjo and woo'd her over to the darkside!

Meteor's close today...
Was close yesterday...
Even closer today...

[Catapult]

Astral and Umbral? Sounds reasonable.

I'll also drop this here, from Living on a Prayer:

Thancred: These eyes will not be fooled─something weighs heavily on your mind.
Thancred: If I were to hazard a guess, the prospect of entreating the succor of the selfsame beings you once slew seems less than attractive? Heh. I'll not deny it's ironic.
Thancred: As you well know, aether is the source of all life. Bereft of its blessing, Eorzea would be naught but a dried-up husk of a realm.
Thancred: By whatever name they are called, gods drink of the land's aether for their sustenance. The Twelve are no different.

There is this insinuation that they are the same sorts of beings as the primals. Maybe this is evidence they are not the same beings as the Twelve, but it would be such an awesome plot twist if they were.

EDIT:
One more thing I want to drop.

If my suspicions are correct, this is the "true form" of Gaius van Baelsar. As the Ultima Weapon, his existance in Eorzea gives us a whole extra layer of further implications for what is going on. To quote Theatrythym:
"Ruler of the skies, protector of the stars, the Ultima Weapon will appear and destroy any threat it perceives. It has shot down countless airships, man's means to reach the heavens. The stars align against us..."

More from living on a prayer:

Gaius Van Baelsar: I receive word that the Sharlayans have resumed their meddling...
Gaius Van Baelsar: And who should I find here but you
─my old friend from the Twin Adder. Were I one to believe in such folly, I would say that our fates are intertwined.
Gaius Van Baelsar: Ah, but allow me to congratulate you on bringing down the White Raven. When word reached me, I struggled to stifle a cheer.
Gaius Van Baelsar: But what now, pray tell?
Gaius Van Baelsar: Nael van Darnus was as a god to his minions. In their blind faith, the fools have convinced themselves that the man yet lives.
Gaius Van Baelsar: Bent on finding their beloved legatus, soldiers of the VIIth have entrenched themselves at the heart of Eorzea.
Gaius Van Baelsar: They have gone so far as to send false intelligence to Garlemald, declaring Meteor a success and van Darnus a hero.
Gaius Van Baelsar: Suffice it to say, your leaders shall not long suffer the legion's presence. A clash between the Eorzean Alliance and the VIIth is inevitable.
Gaius Van Baelsar: Yet know that even as they struggle, the red moon of Allag shall come and lay this land to waste.
Gaius Van Baelsar: And the White Raven shall realize his twisted ambition from beyond the grave.
Gaius Van Baelsar: It falls to you
 to prevent that from happening, old friend─so be sure to fight with all your strength.
Gaius Van Baelsar: And leave me something worth conquering!
Gaius Van Baelsar: I shall enjoy watching the drama unfold from my vantage point on high. And when all is said and done, Garlemald's mighty standard shall rise in every corner of the realm.

Gaius Van Baelsar: Live, adventurer, and we may well meet again. I take my leave of you.

---------------------------------------------
Next scene in Limsa
---------------------------------------------
Y'shtola: Greetings, Thal. Are you relishing the part of pilgrim?
Y'shtola: Hm? The stench of ceruleum hangs upon your garments.
Y'shtola: Unless I'm mistaken, you have recently crossed paths with the Empire.
Y'shtola: ...Gaius van Baelsar of the XIVth Imperial Legion? I had thought the man long withdrawn to Ala Mhigo.
Y'shtola: The Black Wolf has cooperated with us in the past, so determined was he to thwart the White Raven─but for him to divulge the VIIth's position is...unexpected.
Y'shtola: The heart of Eorzea... This could only refer to Mor Dhona, the place of convergence for aether.
Y'shtola: By our reckoning, Dalamud will fall in the region's southeast.
Y'shtola: Hence, it is there that we must channel the power of the Twelve─Louisoix himself said as much.
Y'shtola: Anticipating our plan, van Darnus would have positioned his forces at the selfsame location. The pieces certainly fit.
Y'shtola: And then there are van Baelsar's parting words...
Y'shtola: It is plain that he still hopes to deliver Eorzea into the hands of the Emperor. He is, and has ever been, a sworn enemy of the realm.
Y'shtola: Ordinarily, I would no more trust the Black Wolf than I would his namesake.
Y'shtola: Yet he is the lesser of two evils, and given what the red moon would make of the Emperor's prize─namely ash
─we have no reason to dismiss his testimony.
Y'shtola: Very well. I shall relate the details of your exchange to the alliance leadership.
Y'shtola: As for you─stay the course, and do what must be done.
Y'shtola: Waken the Twelve. Let all of Eorzea bask in their radiance.

[Anonymoose]

If my suspicions are correct, this is the "true form" of Gaius van Baelsar

I'm going to have to give you props for that one - I've been silently watching people claim that the art you've linked is Van Darnus... and thinking to myself... "You... you're serious?" The two vans wear the same chest piece, but the horns are a dead giveaway who it really is (or really is based on, if it's not technically him).

[Catapult]

I'm going to have to give you props for that one - I've been silently watching people claim that the art you've linked is Van Darnus... and thinking to myself... "You... you're serious?" The two vans wear the same chest piece, but the horns are a dead giveaway who it really is (or really is based on, if it's not technically him).

And they also call him the black wolf. The colour scheme is an even bigger give away on it not being Nael.

But I also thought the same about those horns - they are what really scream out the character resemblance.

[Alaltus]

I agree that Gaius is the more natural fit for Ultima Weapon though if there were a Omega Weapon then Nael would by default be on the top of the list for now. They also show the Black Wolf defeated in the dream sequence so i wonder if that Dalamud or whatever is inside is the perpertrator of Gaius' transformation. Or some Imperial super soldiering going on behind the scenes with each of their Legatus which would leave room for even more weapons in the future.