ishgard

[Alberel]

To expand a little on what Cilia said above, Ishgard used to be an ally to the three Eorzean city states (even going so far as to fight to defend Gridania in the past) but withdrew and became very isolationist shortly before Garlemald began their invasion. We still don't know the actual cause of this change of policy but their neutrality is presumably what spared them an invasion of their own.

Ishgard is opening its gates now partly out of desperation, but also because Aymeric (and to a lesser extent Haurchefant) has proven to have a great deal of influence in the city. He has negotiated on our behalf to allow the WoL and their allies shelter out of recognition for all that we've done to help him and Ishgard to date. Depending on how the Ascian influence of the Archbishop plays out I won't be surprised if Aymeric ends up taking full control of Ishgard by the end of 3.0.

[Gamer3427]

Depending on how the Ascian influence of the Archbishop plays out I won't be surprised if Aymeric ends up taking full control of Ishgard by the end of 3.0.

Honestly, I'll be more surprised if Aymeric doesn't turn out to be an enemy by the end of 3.xx. We already had a relatively obvious traitor in our midst when it came to Ilberd, so it would make sense as well that there would be one who's less obvious also working behind our backs. Not to mention that Aymeric has been frankly a little too helpful when compared to other members of Ishgard, particularly for a high ranking member of their religion based government. Despite his assurances of why he's being so helpful exactly, and why he isn't as uptight as we've been shown other Ishgardians are, it still seems suspicious that he would show up when his assistance would be the most useful. Him asking for a favor from us and going out of his way to reinforce good will with us seems like far more measures than one in his position would take without more reason than he's letting on. Then there's the matter of him being called away immediately prior to 2.55's ending of the banquet. That he would be called away just in time to avoid any danger from the major plot points seems a bit suspicious. Especially given that from a story telling standpoint there was no particular reason he had to be called away at that moment for the Dravanian war, when he could have simply left the area at the same time as the Admiral and Elder Seed-Seer for the same reasons they did....

Of course, this could just be my paranoia acting up....

[Samcaesar]

Snip

Oooh gosh.. Totally your paranoia.

No seriously, I agree with you. Aymeric just seems too helpful. Iilberd talked way too much about loyality, he's betray seems almost too clear in retrospect. Aymeric though? He's much too clear with his goals and he's willing to help us in return foster a relationship that'll open Ishgard up to people (Us specifically), while one could think that he's just an honest good person, I don't buy it. I wouldn't be surprised if he's actually being controlled by the Ascians or he's a trial boss that we've got to kill once he sees us with Iceheart or Midgardsormr. He's too perfect in too many ways. For someone who isn't Ishgard nobility and has the position he has, he's managed to get a lot of luck in his life...

[Dalvy]

Of course, this could just be my paranoia acting up....

Huh, actually I think what negates that is the fact that Teledji was in a mighty hurry to remove any potential interferences. That glare he gets is pretty telling. Our pal would've called Teledji's BS in an instant.

Also, it's not only Aymeric that's being abnormally friendly, but the entire Fortemps leadership is as well. Haurchefant tells us that they catch flak for it often. Count Edmont shares the same sentiments about wanting goodly adventurers to help Ishgard... So that would make the entire Household against us with your theory >.>