Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XXVII Lore Discussion

[WhiteArchmage]

OMFG, I leave the forums for a long weekend and Ferne makes a huge lorepost? Excuse me while I go have a loregasm over there...

Anyway, this brings a lot more questions than answers and by the twelve I can't wait to drag a party while I read lore tidbits/admire the scenery explore the Antitower, among other things. Also lots of fun speculation about the connection between Azim and Azeyma that I'll save for another post, so, if you'll excuse me...

LORE BOOK!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!

ahem.

[Hinoto-no-Ryuji]

I'm always happy to learn more about the Au Ra, and the Raen in particular, so it's awesome to get even a couple questions answered!

the Raen are mostly stationary and live near Doma or in the Far Eastern islands across the sea from Doma.

I was under the impression the Raen were primarily forest/mountain-dwellers, so it's interesting to learn about the islands. I wonder if there are any significant differences between the island Raen and the mainland ones, ala the various mainland East Asian countries and Japan? The islands certainly come off as analogous to Japan, but then again, all the culture analogous to Japan seems to be from mainland Doma (unless, of course, the Doman Hyur and Raen immigrated there from the islands). And so much for my association of Raen society with that of Tokugawa Japan, because...

...due to the invasion of Othard by the Garlean Empire, a lot of Raen have been displaced and now flock to areas where they can find safety—like Eorzea

...they're clearly under more overt oppression from the Garleans than I initially suspected. I'm not sure why I assumed they were less so than anyone else; maybe the line about them being secluded? Although I guess they don't need to be mutually exclusive, and there could be some Raen that have fled into the seclusion of the Othard mountains to escape the Garlean invasion.

Finally, this mysterious third tribe! Are they island dwellers, perhaps something like the Ainu or Ryukyu? Do they take inspiration from another, even older East Asian civilization? Hopefully we learn more before long!

[WyrahFhurrst]

Finally, this mysterious third tribe! Are they island dwellers, perhaps something like the Ainu or Ryukyu? Do they take inspiration from another, even older East Asian civilization? Hopefully we learn more before long!

Maybe that continent that has those iron giants is theirs? Perhaps they rule a Mu-like continent, hidden and incredibly powerful!

[ChocoFeru]

Lore book!11!!11!one!1

I never expected one, and now I want it sooooo bad D:::

Probably going to the Fanfest again, so I'll be ready

[Eisen-Zorn]

The part of the art that I want to learn more about is that Minfilia actually looks as if she is bound by Hydaelen.

If you look closely, you can see there are crystal like formations around her arms and legs as if Hydaelen is actually holding her captive. I'm wondering if this is a part the story that shows that, perhaps, the Mother Crystal is as nefarious an entity as the Ascians warned us about at the end of ARR. I'm not saying the Ascians are good, but there has to be a reason why Urianger has been working with Elidibus in secret.

That Lore Book sounds amazing, and I'll definitely be buying one once it's available.

[Frederick22]

On another thread, based with the evidence of a link, Its supected that she may be Hydaelyn's emissary, like Edibudus is Zodiark's one.

[Sindarion]

Lorebook AND Hildy! oooh my!

[Theodric]

Words can't express my loathing for Hildibrand. What I wouldn't give for some gritty, serious side quests instead...

Here's hoping he's contained to his own specific quest chain and doesn't leak elsewhere.

[Hinoto-no-Ryuji]

He likely will be - Hildy's never leaked through before, so I doubt it will now. And better for it! As much as I like him (he's a big part of what made that 2.1-2.3 story slog bearable for me), he's best left in his own little corner of the world.

But if you're looking for "gritty", this is probably the wrong game. I sincerely doubt we'll ever get anything that falls under that banner here; FFXIV cares too much about balancing its more serious moments with a bit of levity to get TOO gritty about its proceedings, which is one thing I really like about it.

But then again, I also think the story behind Alexander is perfectly fine, so what do I know, eh?

[CyrilLucifer]

Words can't express my loathing for Hildibrand. What I wouldn't give for some gritty, serious side quests instead...

Here's hoping he's contained to his own specific quest chain and doesn't leak elsewhere.

They did that with the first set of Scholasticate quests, and do you know how people described them?

Boring.

(I actually liked them, but I'm also interested in how they were setting up the current social system in Ishgard more than anything)