The Kraken's Arm and House Durendaire

[Rocl]

So let's talk about one of the heads of Limsa Lominsa's pirate gangs and one of the High Houses of Ishgard. Now I've harbored suspicions about Carvallain's past for some time with a loose trail of breadcrumbs left about. Carrilaut, a knight stationed at the Observatorium and in service to House Durendaire (as they guard said Observatorium) mentions that the heir House Durendaire was lost at sea, attacked by corsairs.

Carvallain himself mentions "if my family hadn't been murdered at sea, I'd have no doubt followed my fortune-telling father into a life of divination." Woah woah woah now, if you've done the Astrologian quests you know you pay a visit to Carvallain. He mentions his fortune-telling father and we know that's Sharlayan Astrology in a very boiled down form.

So right now, you're probably going "okay Rocl but what does this MEAN? I'm sure people die on the high seas of Hydaelyn all the time! Seems pretty circumstanial" Well, I always entertained that Carvallain might be the lost heir of Durendaire. His complaints of a "fortune-telling father" complicate that a bit as we know Ishgardians aren't very accepting of Sharlayan Astrology but it could be Ishgardian Astrology too though since the idea of an Ishgardian practicing Sharlayan Astrology undoubtedly would've come up with Jannequinard so far. (Speaking of which, Jannequinard is unusually dark for an Ishgardian elezen and Carvallain's hue is very similar as are their hair and eye colours)

Why didn't Jannequinard recognize him? Jannequinard isn't the most observant person (see Rufin-Levava) additionally Jannequinard was in Sharlayan when the Durendaire heir was lost at see (both events match up to roughly 20 years ago). So there's definitely probably some sort of timing there that can lead to a plausible handwave.

Now, the most damning evidence requires a little bit in the wayback machine:

When choosing a weapon, there are those who would turn their noses up at the axe, believing it too brutish for their delicate sensibilities. Pah! I say to them, I've never known a cloven head to complain.

-Carvallain de Gorgagne, Captain of the Misery, and leader of the Kraken's Arms

The above text is referenced in ye olde 1.0 promotional materials from before launch. I'm sure something there should strike a chord within anyone who got to about Lv52 in the Heavensward Main Scenario. Gorgagne. Gorgagne Mills' Vista Record goes on to say "Ser Gorgagne was a proud knight and bannerman of House Durendaire, until the fateful day when the heir of that house vanished from his sight while under his care, never to be seen again."

We now have a more concrete tie between Carvallain and Ishgard. If he's not the Heir of Durendaire, he's certainly at the very least the son of a man sworn to them. Perhaps he picked up the name from his steward (as Ser Gorgane is said to hang up his blade so he might've not exactly been an astrologian, but that could be metaphorical) Strengthening this tie is that during the Culinarian quests we learn that Carvallain has a softspot for Ishgardian cuisine and considers the Chef of House Durendaire the foremost authority on it. Another breadcrumb for the trail, which admittedly doesn't lead to a direct conclusion but definitely brings us close.

The point is I haven't finished Culinarian or Astrologian quests yet, but all of this information I needed to put down somewhere and see if everyone thought I was as crazy as I feel.

[Anonymoose]

In the 2.0 patch cycle, remember thinking your theory was so tacitly linked to the known that it was impossible to gauge, and then harboring doubts because Carvallain's last name had already been given way, way back. I figured it was one of those "there's not much info, and this is my headcanon based on some hopes and lack of contradiction" theories. And then I saw Gorgagne Mills and read its connections to House Durendaire and I was like, "Oh, gods damn it..." lol.

I'll keep an eye out for further connections and see if I can tie it all together, but good job spying this one from so far out.

I probably wouldn't have noticed until the game made it much more obvious.

[Toranja]

Good job, Rocl.

/clap

[myahele]

That's interesting, I always thought that Carvalain might have been Ishagrdian nobility due to the fisher quest:

He asks for Cloud Cutters and here's a bit of dialogue:

Wawalago:
Ishgardians consider the cloud cutter a crest of class and character, and confer them to commemorate and congratulate countrymen who commit conduct "a cut above the clouds," if you will.
Sisipu:
I won't. And what use is it to Carvallain?
Wawalago:
I'll let you in on a little lore, that alleges a legendary Elezen in Limsa Lominsa is actually an Ishgardian lord...I wonder what we'd do if it were Carvallain...

[Anonymoose]

...excuse me while I compose an elaborate assumption that, one day long after this game ends, Rostnsthal will use the knowledge he gained in Ishgard to fulfill his long-forsaken career goal as Commodore and finally take down Carvallain once and for all by tricking him into consuming dragon's blood.

[Dalvy]

I'd like to point out that Jannequinard's uncle, the current master of the Observatorium, has a slip of the tongue that solidifies my belief that Carvallian is the heir.

Also, Jannequinard never actually followed you to see Carvallain. He chose to party hard with slatternly maids instead. I was pretty disappointed.

[Rocl]

That's interesting, I always thought that Carvalain might have been Ishagrdian nobility due to the fisher quest:

He asks for Cloud Cutters and here's a bit of dialogue:

I'm a little ashamed I didn't remember this bit from the Fishing quests. Another breadcrumb for the trail!

...excuse me while I compose an elaborate assumption that, one day long after this game ends, Rostnsthal will use the knowledge he gained in Ishgard to fulfill his long-forsaken career goal as Commodore and finally take down Carvallain once and for all by tricking him into consuming dragon's blood.

And Rowena will finally be outed as supplying allagan tomestones to the Garlean Empire.

I'd like to point out that Jannequinard's uncle, the current master of the Observatorium, has a slip of the tongue that solidifies my belief that Carvallian is the heir.

Also, Jannequinard never actually followed you to see Carvallain. He chose to party hard with slatternly maids instead. I was pretty disappointed.

Ah, I did forget how frequently Jannequinard shirked our lessons lol, though I'm not as convinced with the Folremont text. I certainly didn't get the feeling that Forlemont knows per se, but anything is possible.