CE Box Art? What?

[Xmbei]

Also some are forgeting that prior to release it was stated there is going to be good and evil opposites for each element, so there will be 2 fire, one obviously ifrit another yet to be revealed to be his opposite. Also you guys are still stuck on the 2 big parts look to the background and around them. The airship with the dragon around it is in the background.

[Tibian]

Also some are forgeting that prior to release it was stated there is going to be good and evil opposites for each element, so there will be 2 fire, one obviously ifrit another yet to be revealed to be his opposite. Also you guys are still stuck on the 2 big parts look to the background and around them. The airship with the dragon around it is in the background.

Reference this please, I'd like to read whatever interview/press release this was in.

Also, I noticed the background but I couldn't make out what it was. At first I thought it was just some Ul'Dah concept art but its definitely the ship with the dragon/bahamut wrapped around it. Good catch.

[Xmbei]

lol thats the problem I am having trouble trying to find all the interviews again...

edit: not the interview but it is the info page on them and at the bottom you can see there is 2 dieties per element. Also can read how some are fivals of each other.
http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Categoryeities

[Tsukichu]

I feel that whom ever is addressing us in the intro movie of the three cities is the being that gave us the power of the echo.
In the first company quest when you confront the so called Prophet and you meet either Thancred or one of his allies he tells you that you should seek out the being that gave you that power. In the Ifrit Main Scenario quest it also tells you to find the one that blessed you. In my opinion the story seems to be leaning towards the player finding out the truth about this mysterious gift, at least for the moment.

I can't wait until the next patch goes live, I'm itching to know what happens next!

[Keith_Dragoon]

It is Garuda. Anatomically, the female figure matches the design of Garuda from FFXI. The male character is probably the representation of the adventurer - the player, to be accurate.

So, overall, the illustration is intended to represent the relationship between the Primals and the adventurers, and the connection to Eorzea they have.

Summoner? yes... please?

[Catapult]

What if Garuda = Nophica? And likewise Shiva = Halone, Ifrit = Azyma etc.

"Mired by a plague of doubtful and cheap lore."

[Sephr]

It is Garuda. Anatomically, the female figure matches the design of Garuda from FFXI. The male character is probably the representation of the adventurer - the player, to be accurate.

So, overall, the illustration is intended to represent the relationship between the Primals and the adventurers, and the connection to Eorzea they have.

...Why do you talk as if your interpretation is fact?

You're right, anatomically it looks somewhat like Garuda did barring the gigantic wings. However, i'd say it's more likely to be something far bigger in terms of the story than one of the primals, like one of the deities or, as said, whatever granted the Echo.

Way back before release Tanaka said the gods would play a very large role and might not be all that they appear in an interview. We know they're the ones that caused the previous umbral era so MY interpretation based on the way she's surrounding him and perhaps looks like she's protecting him whilst also being upside down to him (and the fact there's what looks like a giant cloud city or something behind...) would suggest to me she's a representation of the deities.

Also some are forgeting that prior to release it was stated there is going to be good and evil opposites for each element, so there will be 2 fire, one obviously ifrit another yet to be revealed to be his opposite. Also you guys are still stuck on the 2 big parts look to the background and around them. The airship with the dragon around it is in the background.

I don't remember that, would be interesting if it's true. As for the thing behind, not sure what it is (again, I don't think people should speak as if their interpretation is fact..), considering the 'floor' appears to be clouds or something, and it's all white.

[Xmbei]

not cloud city its the airship with the dragon wrapped around it. the spiky parts that circle up the structure is the dragon we can't make out the airship and the top to see the dragon head because the figures are in the way, but you can tell by the shape its that structure. I am starting to hypothesis's that the cloud like textures around it is all the aether released around it, you can also see it coming from the foot of the "adventurer" where he touches the "ground" probably symbolizing the echo and seeing the past and figuring out what lead up to the event in the Opening Cutscene.

[Meow_Zedong]

Nophica isn't a primal, she's one of the Twelve. Also, the reason they say that in Gridania is because Nophica is the most worshiped there; it has no basis in fact, they're just saying you have a gift and in general they attribute gifts to Nophica.

I know she's one of the Twelve, I'm not an idiot. But to me it's rather obvious that the Twelve are our versions of the Primals, and that's what I meant. We have to awaken them so they can protect us against the Garlean Empire, they serve the same purpose.

And while obviously my statement is speculation (this entire thread is) I still stand by my theory that it's Nophica. But it could be any of the Twelve.

[Sephr]

not cloud city its the airship with the dragon wrapped around it. the spiky parts that circle up the structure is the dragon we can't make out the airship and the top to see the dragon head because the figures are in the way, but you can tell by the shape its that structure. I am starting to hypothesis's that the cloud like textures around it is all the aether released around it, you can also see it coming from the foot of the "adventurer" where he touches the "ground" probably symbolizing the echo and seeing the past and figuring out what lead up to the event in the Opening Cutscene.

Looking at it more, you can see it looks like 'cloud' is radiating from his foot or something, so perhaps you're right and it's a representation of the echo producing whatever it is in the background (could be the dragon, though it's pretty impossible to tell from that picture)