Thread: 3.1 MSQ Reaction [SPOILERS]

I think we need something to happen first that enables us to take our skills and gear beyond Eorzea's borders, since I'm pretty sure the setting is still as such that we wouldn't be as powerful in a less aether-dense region. As for what, I have only the wildest fringe theories that aren't really supported by anything concrete. Yet.

If we are building up to Ala Mihgo (which seems very likely), I expect the 3.x story to end on a 'optimistic' note. I mean this in contrast to how the end of 2.x ended on a 'darkest hour' note, leading into Heavensward, which had a more grim tone to the story overall. In contrast to the morale-shattering Before the Fall, though, I suspect 3.x will end on the opposite note, as there will have to be high morale among both the Scions and the Alliance in order to start moving against the Empire in a significant capacity. Especially for something as huge as taking back Ala Mihgo.

For this reason, despite the shift into darker fantasy, I'm fairly optimistic about the ending of the 3.x story. (Watch me eat these words by the end of next year.)

I would also expect the story to shift to a more 'epic' tone. While HW's story is great, it had a reduced scope from the ARR story since we're dealing with problems specific to Ishgard, rather then Eorzea as a whole. An Ala Mihgo expansion will likely accompany an re-focus on the Garlean Empire, and with that a re-expanded scope.

Originally Posted by Theodric

I'm not sure how 'liberating' Ala Mhigo would be a 'high note'. The Ala Mhigans aren't the good guys, nor are the Garleans necessarily the bad guys. Quite a lot of people sympathised with Gaius' motives and wanted to ally with him rather than the Scions. If Ala Mhigo is liberated it will be through blood. Calling it now. How many atrocities have been orchestrated in the name of 'Ala Mhigo'? How many economic migrants from the region demand the world because they've been displaced willingly? It's far fromblackand white.

It clearly is, but to play Devil's Advocate...

... while Gaius had sympathetic motives on the surface, deep down he was little more than an ambitious, power-hungry conquerer like the rest of the Garleans. He had standards, and a point that Eorzeans likely turn to gods because they're not strong enough to accept hardship, but ultimately the reason he wanted to conquer Eorzea was to prove that he could do so. (It's also why he opposed Project Meteor, as using a cataclysmic weapon of mass destruction to lay waste to the land would leave nothing worth conquering.)

The Ala Mhigans are belligerent and ill-tempered, but that's likely a product of their warrior culture, and having their homeland occupied likely just makes it worse. Driving out the Garleans and repatriating the Ala Mhigans won't solve all their problems, but it would be a step in the right direction.

Originally Posted by Theodric

I'm not sure how 'liberating' Ala Mhigo would be a 'high note'. The Ala Mhigans aren't the good guys, nor are the Garleans necessarily the bad guys. Quite a lot of people sympathised with Gaius' motives and wanted to ally with him rather than the Scions. If Ala Mhigo is liberated it will be through blood. Calling it now. How many atrocities have been orchestrated in the name of 'Ala Mhigo'? How many economic migrants from the region demand the world because they've been displaced willingly? It's far fromblackand white.

I never said the liberation of Ala Mihgo itself would be a 'high note.' Actually, that was poor wording on my part and hence I've edited my post accordingly. I meant that in comparison to the lead-in to Heavenswards, I expect the lead-in to a potential Ala Mihgo expansion, and in extension the end of 3.x, to be more optimistic.

No matter which way you look at it, reaching a point where Ala Mihgo can safely serve as the main city for an expansion like Ishgard was for HW implies a *huge* victory over Garlemald by the Alliance. Which also carries plenty of other hopeful implications.