Stormblood trailer talk!

[Kerrigen]

So the similarity is specifically intentional. That is curious.

I was so happy to see it finally alluded at as it had been a theory of mine for the longest time. It explains why a Ramuh-like figure and something greatly ressembling his staff adorn the Spire card in the Astrologian's deck. Turns out it's Rhalgr.

[Mxhunter]

Lady in red - was confirmed to be a monk by the panel at fan fest ( I think it is either Yda, after what happened in the cut scenes with the Griffon, or her sister)

Male monk - Confirmed as Derplander by Panel at Fanfest, (they said he was warrior then dragoon and now a monk).

New class - Yoshi P asked if we wanted info on a new job and then he pointed to his shirt which was a Marvel shirt of the Scarlet Witch (take what you will of that, but Batman was for Dark Knight in heavensward).

[Zohar_Lahar]

I noticed Rhalgr's Reach had a very Hindu inspired architecture when I rewatched the teaser.

[dinnertime]

I noticed Rhalgr's Reach had a very Hindu inspired architecture when I rewatched the teaser.

Exactly. Gyr Abania (Or Ala Mhigo and its territories specifically) seems to have a lot of Hindu/South Asian aesthetic going on about it. The Monk outfits have been a giveaway as well.

A bit odd they didn't do that for Othard instead, since it's Hydaelyn's Asia at this point with all the Korean, Japanese and Chinese stuff coming from over there.

[TinyRedLeaf]

A bit odd they didn't do that for Othard instead, since it's Hydaelyn's Asia at this point with all the Korean, Japanese and Chinese stuff coming from over there.

I don't see why it's odd. East Asia and South Asia are vastly different regions in the real world, even if they are part of the same continent.

Lumping India with China or Japan (all three are influenced by Buddhism) makes no more sense than lumping Malaysia with, say, Kazakhstan (both are Muslim-majority countries). All are countries in Asia, but each has very different geopolitical realities.

Gyr Abania's location in Hydaelyn is analogous with that of the Middle East or South Asia in the real world. So, in that regard, I think it's interesting that S-E is going with a South Asian-inspired aesthetic for Stormblood. India is especially appropriate, as the concept of "chakra" originated from Indian religion and philosophy. I think we can readily agree, then, that it's apt for Ala Mhigo, the home city of Hydaelyn's monks, to have India/Hindu-inspired designs.

[dinnertime]

I don't see why it's odd. East Asia and South Asia are vastly different regions in the real world, even if they are part of the same continent.

Oh I meant it geographically, since Japanese, Korean, Chinese (and some hint of Mongolian from the Xaela naming conventions) culture has been seen in the Othard region, I've expected they'd put Southeast, South Asian culture etc. over there to give it some diversity from all the East Asian cultures like how Eorzea has the Black Shroud, Thanalan, La Noscea, Coerthas, Dravania etc. all have differences yet their inspirations are from the west (except some of Thanalan's I guess?).

I don't really mind it though, but Ala Mhigo/Gyr Abania which is inspired by South Asian culture, is pretty different compared to the rest of Eorzea which has a lot of Western culture on it.