CG Midlander

[Anonymoose]

Who exactly is Blackburn? <...> What does Blackburn tell you at the Waking Sands at the start of Fade to White? <...> Does anything in history change in that final sequence?

Better yet, we'll go through it all at once and I'll give you everything said by / about him.

Gods' Grip
After Reyner triggers the Echo in which you see Sthalmann vow to arrest Y'shtola, you head to the Gods' Grip, as well. However, there you find only Blackburn, who apparently fishes here in his spare time, as do Sisipu and Rostnsthalmann

Now, what would an adventurer be doing all the way out here? Oh? You say you're looking for Sthalmann? Haven't heard that name used in years. Might ye know the lad? Comes here often to drop a line, he does. Though he mostly just broods until it grows too dark for him to see his scowling reflection in the water. Mayhap one day he'll find again that which he lost. I, meself, come here for much the same reason. Understand yet? Well, you will. You will...

Immediately after he says this, WHOOSH, Y'shtola is standing behind The Player and says, "Be warned, adventurer. Blood will be spilled this day." Sthalmann arrives, angry that she has broken their deal to meet alone (because The Player is there), but she claims that she has no control over the whims of an errant soul, and the scene plays out as if The Player wasn't standing there until the middle of Sthalmann v. Y'shtola's fight (during which she displays some insane superpowers - vaporizing a bullet in midair, blocking an axe swing with her palm).

The Key (horn) glows, and another Echo is triggered (despite already being inside of one seemingly generated by Blackburn). Immediately, Y'shtola expresses her confusion ("What is this place? Where is Sthalmann?"), which leads me to believe that every time The Player has seen her prior to this, she was in her own real-time. In this Echo, you watch from afar as Sthalmann, Emerick, and Merodaulyn lay out the initial plan for their scheme. Afterwards, both you and Y'shtola are thrown backwards by nothingness, and Y'shtola is shocked (The Echo... You have been touched by- You can walk the warrens of the past!), which implies that you did this, somehow, not she. The way she cuts herself off there also implies she knows what we're touched by to some degree. (FINISH YOUR SENTENCES, CAT. TOUCHED BY WHAT? WAS IT SIREN!? I SWEAR TO TWELVE IF IT WAS SIREN...)

This may fit your "Did you change anything about the past?" to some degree; it's possible that, if you truly were the one that triggered the Sthalmann Schemes Echo, then Y'shtola would not have seen it without you there, thus she would not know Sthalmann was the enemy, and thus wouldn't report him to the Knights of the Barracuda. It's possible that this is what caused him to fall from power. Holy hachimaki; talk about a time-loop paradox! This is the first time I've interpreted it this way, so I may be missing something - or I may be onto something. Either way, it may fit the bill for what you're asking for.

After the Sthalmann Schemes Echo, a starshower hits and Travanchet appears. During this starshower, the camera follows one sparkle in particular; to me this implies that Travanchet rode the starshower in - but that's not gospel. He might have just appeared from shadow and the starshower was an ill-omen, as the journal implies. Who knows? Either way, he takes the key and jets.

As I said, it's possible that, if you weren't there, Travanchet would have stolen the key and Sthalmann would have undermined Y'shtola and taken the Admiralty, somehow... so that's open for debate. After Travanchet disappears, you pass out entirely, and Blackburn says...

Ye alright? Hm... Looks like I was right... This one hears the Echo as well. I'd better take him somewhere safe.

The Player wakes up back at the Mizzenmast Inn under the care of Baderon, a mutual friend of The Player and Blackburn. All he has to say about the matter is:

An old friend o' mine was kind enough t' carry ye back t' th' Wench after yer tumble down at the Grip. When the fog's cleared out yer 'ead, best ye go an' give yer proper gramercies t' ol' Blackburn. Said 'e'd be makin' 'is way back t' Ul'dah - some 'ole called the Wakin' Sands found buried deep within th' shadows of th' Merchants Ward. Told me t' let ye know 'e'd be waitin'...but only once ye've put a lit'le meat on yer bones. If ye ask me, Ul'dah ain't more'n a sand-crusted pile o' puk dung bakin' in th' desert sun...and th' last place I'd send a friend. But, ye'd be a fool t' turn yer back on the call o' fate.

Arrival at the Walking Sands

When I found ye in a heap near the Gods' Grip, I reckoned ye might've fallen victim of one of them visions. If that be the case, the Antecedent, Lady Minfilia, would like to have a few words with ye. Ye need not worry, lad. The Lady won't pass no judgment on ye, only offer a bit of guidance...as will we all, if ye let us. I've told the Antecedent what I know of yer case, and now I must return to Vylbrand to continue me search for others like ye. Here's to our paths crossing again, whether it be in the future...or the past.

He leaves, you talk to Minfilia, who gives you a generic rundown with his namedrop (I assume the phrase is exactly the same with other namedrops in other cities).

Your bemused expression tells me you have not heard of us...which is to be expected. Ours is an underground organization dedicated to the documentation and research of divine intervention...or "miracles" if you wish. We have walkers in each of Eorzea's city-states who investigate and report such phenomena. The man who directed you here, Blackburn, is one of many who serve as our eyes and ears.

UNLESS...

Mayhap one day he'll find again that which he lost.
I, meself, come here for much the same reason.

. . .
. . .
. . .



BOOOOOM!

Emerick, as in emery - a mineral that is dark gray and used as an abrasive.
Dark gray as in BLACK, abrasive as in BURN.


THAT'S why he knows the fishing spot,

THAT'S why he's able to trigger the Sthalmann echo,

AND THAT EXPLAINS THE ABRASION. ON. YOUR. PAAAAALM.




It doesn't answer any of my questions, but still.

[Mieck]

(Potentially) Legendary stuff

A while back, when we (as Lore-mad thread occupants) were running with the as-was-then unconfirmed Ascilia/Minfilia and Khrimm/Hermit connection, I asked what the Limsa equivalent was, and I didn't like the Sthalmann suggestion as candidate. It wasn't neat enough, and quite often, SE do "neat" (once all is visible). And yes, I admit there are a lot of assumptions going on here. It was probably down to Sthalmann's hidden identity not being very hidden, and also playing a part in the MRD quests, whereas the others were entirely (as far as I can see) restricted to the main story line.

Great work, Moose