SO Shiva..

[WellFooled]

Wait. Really? Where?

Take a long hard look at his post and the truth will set you free

[myahele]

Well it might not mean much, but Yugiri does say that there are Sacred Snowcapped mountains similar to Coerthas where blood mustn't be spilled, and that there was too much bloodshed in Coerthas.

But most importantly, the presence of heretic harriers in Mor Dhona makes sense now

[lololink]

About Shiva and her dragonosexuality, in the french version of the game it's clearly stated that she had sex with a dragon, to symbolize the union between men and dragons and the possibility of a peace in this neverending war ( Which the Ishgard writters apprently tried to hide ), Shiva's last word when you kill her could also be translated as "I wish I could fly with you my beloved" clearly stating that she was in love with that dragon.

[melflomil]

Freaking English translation. Koji fox or Michael J fox, not sure what name you go by, please explain this.

[Alice_89th]

I don't think we should take the legend of Saint Shiva so literally. The account of her lying with a dragon could well just be a metaphor for collaborating with them.

Or even just straight propaganda or mythologizing.

Those were my thoughts as well.
In medieval times it was often said that witches 'lay with the devil'. I assumed this to be a similar thing. She allied herself with the dragons, and in time tales about her probably got worse and evolved into this.

Shiva's last word when you kill her could also be translated as "I wish I could fly with you my beloved" clearly stating that she was in love with that dragon.

She says something similar in English. I think she says "I'm sorry my beloved" (?).
So maybe there really was more to it, but for now I am sticking with the theory that she merely sides herself with the dragons, and not literally slept with one.

[LineageRazor]

Those were my thoughts as well.
In medieval times it was often said that witches 'lay with the devil'. I assumed this to be a similar thing. She allied herself with the dragons, and in time tales about her probably got worse and evolved into this.

This isn't a great counterexample. When this quote was used in midieval times, the accusation was being made that the witch actually did have physical sex with infernal beings. It wasn't just a phrase implying an alliance with Satan - it was believed that witches gained their magical powers by having sexual intercourse with demons. Belief in such creatures was very strong back then, so accusations of that sort were taken very seriously.

It COULD be being used euphemistically here, but I find it much more likely that the Ishgardians believe there was actual sex involved, and are not using the phrase euphemistically. And regardless - why the hangups about it? Dragons are intelligent beings, so a lot of the negative connotations of beastiality don't come into play (essentially, using a living creature as a sex toy).

If it's the idea of tiny human / giant lizard that's squicky, we already know from the main scenario quests in Coerthas that dragons can take on human form; there's no reason to believe that actual kinky lizard sex was involved. She and a dragon became romantically involved, and when sex came into play the dragon most likely transformed into a more compatable form for both their sakes.

[MercuryD]

Shiva's last word when you kill her could also be translated as "I wish I could fly with you my beloved" clearly stating that she was in love with that dragon.

She says something similar to this in Japanese too EXCEPT she specifically mentions that her beloved is a dragon. "あぁ、愛しき竜よ・・・　永遠に・・・" (Aagh, my beloved dragon... forever...)

[myahele]

In english she says "forgive them my beloved...." when we defeat her

It seems like no matter the translation she thinks of her lover. Which leads me to a question: is her dragon lover dead? She never says something like "I can finally be with you."

Its certainly possible the dragon is still alive and was probably of high rank. Afterall, motions peace are usually set by those in higher rank/ lead by example.

Think: FFX Seymours parents and other Tropes of interracial peace talks

[Cherub]

I just searched a german video of the fight, even checked hard and extreme mode cuz..... At the end she says "Meine Drachen....Euch muss der letzte....Sieg gehören" which translates into "My dragons...the last victory...must be yours" ish. I guess the "My dragons" part would be translated into "My brothers" but I just translated quite literally.
WELPS I really hope this is mistranslated. I liked the idea of her thinking of her lover bebeh whenever she is defeated. Makes me glad I use the english client of the game.

[Mirron]

Well, one thing to consider is that whether or not Shiva did anything with a dragon, her followers think she did. So whether she did or not, since that was what she was summoned with in mind, I imagine that's how she'd act. I'm sure we'll find out more in time though.