Arenvald - Garlean half-breed?

[Rosenoire]

But for all we know his mother could of raped his father to try and up her station in life. The main reason to give him development is to show us his life, but also Garlemald society from a different perspective.

Wow.

You really went there. That's some next-level victim blaming.

[Eloah]

Wow.

You really went there. That's some next-level victim blaming.

Wow.

I just reclicked on this thread and noticed your reply. Not sugar coating it, this post made you a Jackass. Way to take my words and twist them.

Also, thank you to the posters after the initial and prior to this post. While not exclusive, you appear to be defending individual posters and I appreciate that.

[ObsidianFire]

Arenvald definetly grew up in Ala Mhigo. He eventually joined a faction of the Resistance that was trying to get over/under Balsaur's Wall and into Eorzea. They succeeded (around 1.0 I think, it's heavily implied it was during the same incident where Yda was killed). He started getting Echo visions which eventually led him to the Scions which he says was the best thing that ever happened to him. He specifically says that he isn't staying in Ala Mhigo because of all the shit he went though there, and most of it he attributes to native Ala Mhigans...

[Eloah]

snip

Ah, okay. I wasn't too sure, but that makes sense; and it falls in line with him getting the Echo when he was young(er), similar to Ysayle.

[Theodric]

Eh, back when Regula first showed up many Garlean fans speculated that he would turn out to be a pretty decent guy and not the 'Kefka insert' that quite a few people were convinced that he would be. The theory that he would prove to be honourable ended up being the correct one, yet it was still downplayed at the time and some posters cannot help but paint Garlemald in the worst possible light at every possible turn.

I don't think anybody has ever suggested that everything Garlemald does is perfect, either. At the same time, though, they do have their justifications for their actions but discussing those reasons is pretty much impossible on this board at times simply due to the emotionally charged responses many have whenever nuances are involved. I prefer to discuss the lore through the eyes of cold, hard logic rather than through the eyes of modern day morality and biases. I like to understand why characters are doing what they are doing.

Which, of course, people are free to agree to disagree upon. I mean, at some point people need to admit that that really is the best route for us all to take. I'm exceptionally stubborn, on account of being British and ex-military.

I won't name any names, but certain posters have attempted to harass me in-game and even fake being me over on the FF14 sub-reddit in an effort to get me to stop posting here. So, if people find me to be overly defensive and 'snippy' then please at least bear that in mind. If people want to make a genuine effort to reach out to me and talk things over? They're free to do, preferably in-game or over Discord as such places are much better suited to doing so than this sub-forum.

I also role-play a Pureblood Garlean in-game. Someone who wants Garlemald to dial back the aggression in favour of focusing on prosperity instead. He's not the sort of guy to take pleasure in senseless violence and neither am I. Yet it is perfectly possible to criticise a faction's actions and understand where they're coming from at the same time. Numerous years of oppression and abuse forged Garlemald into what it is today. The lore book outright states that Pureblood Garleans were hardened by consequence of being forced to carve out for a living for themselves in a wasteland.

That doesn't excuse everything that they have done since, yet it's still not as black and white as many here like to portray.

TLDR: A lot of these back and forth disagreements simply appear to be down to misunderstandings. I'm happy to address that in-game. It seems like we're in agreement in regards to what we want out of Garlemald, anyway.

I don't care for Zenos. I want more characters along the lines of Regula.

[NoblePigeon]

Eh, back when Regula first showed up many Garlean fans speculated that he would turn out to be a pretty decent guy and not the 'Kefka insert' that quite a few people were convinced that he would be. The theory that he would prove to be honourable ended up being the correct one, yet it was still downplayed at the time and some posters cannot help but paint Garlemald in the worst possible light at every possible turn.

Honestly, I think it's a damn shame that they offed Regula as early as they did. He and Gaius rank among some of my favorite villains. Likeable, understandable individuals, and ones that I felt rather sorry for buying the farm, but villains nonetheless.

I don't think anybody has ever suggested that everything Garlemald does is perfect, either. At the same time, though, they do have their justifications for their actions but discussing those reasons is pretty much impossible on this board at times simply due to the emotionally charged responses many have whenever nuances are involved. I prefer to discuss the lore through the eyes of cold, hard logic rather than through the eyes of modern day morality and biases. I like to understand why characters are doing what they are doing.

Which, of course, people are free to agree to disagree upon. I mean, at some point people need to admit that that really is the best route for us all to take. I'm exceptionally stubborn, on account of being British and ex-military.

I also think that it's important to explore the more morally grey areas of the setting, but ultimately it is a final fantasy game, where forces of absolute good and evil unquestionably exist, and modern day sensibilities, while seeming a bit anachronistic in a seemingly fantasy setting, do exist in the setting. The Garlean Empire's military machine has been our enemy, but not quite the Garlean people themselves per se. And I'm hoping in the next expansion they make that distinction very prominent.

I won't name any names, but certain posters have attempted to harass me in-game and even fake being me over on the FF14 sub-reddit in an effort to get me to stop posting here. So, if people find me to be overly defensive and 'snippy' then please at least bear that in mind. If people want to make a genuine effort to reach out to me and talk things over? They're free to do, preferably in-game or over Discord as such places are much better suited to doing so than this sub-forum.

That's...creepy, on their part. And I'm sorry you have to deal with that overly excessive nonsense people will go to just because they have too much time on their hands.

I also role-play a Pureblood Garlean in-game. Someone who wants Garlemald to dial back the aggression in favour of focusing on prosperity instead. He's not the sort of guy to take pleasure in senseless violence and neither am I. Yet it is perfectly possible to criticise a faction's actions and understand where they're coming from at the same time. Numerous years of oppression and abuse forged Garlemald into what it is today. The lore book outright states that Pureblood Garleans were hardened by consequence of being forced to carve out for a living for themselves in a wasteland.

I also play as one, someone who fought on the losing side of the war of succession. Someone who isn't a defector and loves their country, but harbors an intense hatred of the "usurper" Varis. Loyalty to one's country versus loyalty to one's leaders are themes I like playing with that character.

TLDR: A lot of these back and forth disagreements simply appear to be down to misunderstandings. I'm happy to address that in-game. It seems like we're in agreement in regards to what we want out of Garlemald, anyway.

I am 100% ready for the Illsabard expansion and dive into the myriad politics, society and landscape of the nation that we as the WoL have been at odds with for so many years. If only so we can get our inevitable magitek knight tank job.

[dynus]

Back to the topic of Arenvald. I personally doubt that they'll kill him off. He's likely to become Lyse's replacement in the Scions. And if there's a time skip ala A Realm Reborn (doubtful as it is) he'll be the one hanging out in Gridania.

[Theodric]

I doubt that they'll kill him off. He's something of a fan favourite now and lately that has translated into complete plot immunity.

[Claymore65]

I doubt that they'll kill him off. He's something of a fan favourite now and lately that has translated into complete plot immunity.

I'm honestly not so sure about that. Moenbryda was pretty well liked when she was introduced, and we all know she didn't up lasting for very long. Arenvald is kind of in a perfect "expendable" position. He's not important enough to count as a major Scion (and thus doesn't have as unique of a character model or outfit), but important enough that people might care if he actually dies. I could see him dying to save Fordola or something along those lines. Plus, his primary plot arc is more or less resolved so...yeah, I don't have high hopes for his survival. If he gets a more unique model or outfit, then it's more or less assured he'll survive.

[Dualblade]

I doubt that they'll kill him off. He's something of a fan favourite now and lately that has translated into complete plot immunity.

-Looks at Haurchefant.- Yeah no, the only character with the popularity super armor is Y'shtola currently, and thats because it got her the cross-over rep spot for XIV.

Which isn't to say he is slated to die, just his popularity won't do so. Plus he doesn't actually seem all that popular? Yeah people notice him now since he has more prominance but that doesn't translate to being popular.