Thread: 3.5/4.0 Speculation & Discussion (Spoilers)

Just to play with this more, I bet how people feel about the Empire really comes down to which Legion conquered them.

If I remember correctly, one of the Legatii that went to Othard was...Nael. And she was one hell of a cruel steward (even before Bahamut Tempered her). Those she probably put into power in her place most likely also rule with force and cruelty, and the people under them are/were likely living in some terrible conditions.

On the other hand, Gaius is more "fair" as far as being a steward goes, taking people on merit and likely treats those conquered who follow better than slaves (unlike other Legatii are implied to). If we went to Ala Mihgo when he was still ruling it, I wouldn't be completely surprised if it wasn't *terrible*, and the people weren't completely unhappy (since they are Ala Mihgans, they'd still be unhappy at their forced servitude and all...but much better off than anyone under Nael). Unfortunately, he's not in charge anymore, and his successor is said to be far more cruel and just evil... (heck, that smile in the trailer was just plain evil)



Personally, I'm not looking at Rhitahtyn's words that much because of what Gaius said after he died; accusing his men of abandoning the Roe (instead of following his orders to let him fight the WoL 1v1) because he was a conquered person, not someone who was born into the Empire. This tells me Rhitahtyn's situation is *rare* and extremely unlikely to happen. Doesn't mean people can't find ways to do well with the Empire mind you (though, they're all likely military-oriented and benefit in that way), but doing as well as Rhitahtyn did...he may be one of a very few conquered who became so trusted by a Legatus.

I'm still confused by the claim that Zenos is 'evil' given that he's in charge of the XIIth Legion. So far each Legion that we've encountered has been heavily inspired by events, themes and characters in their corresponding games. XII had very few straight up villains. Vayne did some pretty terrible things, certainly, but his 'end game' was to save the world from shadowy manipulators. Gabranth was presented as an outright villain at the start of the game but in reality he was more of an anti-hero and played a major part in saving Larsa who, in turn, prevented the Archadian Empire from falling into ruin.

So, I wonder, is Zenos going to be inspired by Gabranth or Vayne given that he's the main antagonist of 4.0? If it's neither, then there's going to be some other reason for fighting against the XIIth Legion. I don't believe it'd be named that unless the whole 'complex morality' of XII was going to be actively embraced. Perhaps Regula survives the events of 3.5 and ends up playing the role of 'Gabranth' throughout 4.0? If the Emperor survives the events of 3.5...will he turn against his own son for the sake of maintaining stability? He seems like the sort of person who wouldn't want his authority to be undermined, even if it's by his own flesh and blood. Nor does he seem the sort to willingly turn a blind eye to acts that threaten the stability of the Garlean Empire.

I guess all that depends on how far the FF6 references go in 3.5 and whether we're getting a Kefka and/or Gestahl moment.

While it's beyond doubt that the (False) Griffin's opinion of Zenos is heavily biased, his word is all we have about Zenos so far... and as you know, it's not flattering at all. I'm not the type to judge a person as good or bad before getting to know them, though, and whatever plans Zenos has yet remain completely in the dark. We've only gotten the barest glimpse of him in-game, in the 3.5 trailer!

... that said, just because he's the Legatus of the XIIth Legion doesn't mean he'll be an analogue to a major character or antagonist from XII. We don't know if Regula is going to be an analogue to a VI character, though that's widely speculated to be the case. While Nael had some conspicuous similarities to Sephiroth, aside from being on a floating continent with the Warring Triad we don't really have any major similarities between Regula and any VI character that I know of. Yet. That could change in 3.5 but until we know it is... going to... err...

It could be that Zenos is actually a good person pretending to be a tyrant so once he's made Emperor he can reform the Empire and liberate all the conquered territories. Perhaps he knows about the Ascians and is working on some complex scheme to free history from their reins what requires him to be a douche until he pulls it off. Or perhaps he really is just an iron-heeled tyrant and the XIIth Legion is just representative of the moral ambiguity surrounding the Resistance factions and revolution in general. Time will tell.

Originally Posted by Theodric

I'm still confused by the claim that Zenos is 'evil' given that he's in charge of the XIIth Legion. So far each Legion that we've encountered has been heavily inspired by events, themes and characters in their corresponding games. XII had very few straight up villains. Vayne did some pretty terrible things, certainly, but his 'end game' was to save the world from shadowy manipulators. Gabranth was presented as an outright villain at the start of the game but in reality he was more of an anti-hero and played a major part in saving Larsa who, in turn, prevented the Archadian Empire from falling into ruin.

So, I wonder, is Zenos going to be inspired by Gabranth or Vayne given that he's the main antagonist of 4.0? If it's neither, then there's going to be some other reason for fighting against the XIIth Legion. I don't believe it'd be named that unless the whole 'complex morality' of XII was going to be actively embraced. Perhaps Regula survives the events of 3.5 and ends up playing the role of 'Gabranth' throughout 4.0? If the Emperor survives the events of 3.5...will he turn against his own son for the sake of maintaining stability? He seems like the sort of person who wouldn't want his authority to be undermined, even if it's by his own flesh and blood. Nor does he seem the sort to willingly turn a blind eye to acts that threaten the stability of the Garlean Empire.

I guess all that depends on how far the FF6 references go in 3.5 and whether we're getting a Kefka and/or Gestahl moment.

I think the assumption that Zenos is bad comes from the fact his is stated to be the main antagonist of the next expansion and that Yoshi P stated in an interview at LA fanfest that unlike previous antagonists, he doesn't expect anyone to sympathise with Zenos. That suggests that Zenos is going to be someone that no one is supposed to like and traditionally that type of character tends to be rotten to the core.

I should point out that I don't believe life under Garlean rule is neccesarily a complete nightmare. Garlemald would be a very unsuccessful empire if it didn't manage to keep the populous relatively pacified. However I think there are winners and losers under Garlean rules and winners really win while the losers really lose. There focus on control would mean that generally they wouldn't tolerate strife or crime and they would likely do at least a bare minimum to be sure that their lands were somewhat productive. However Garlemald's focus on power and expansionism means they have a habit of using the populous like a commodity to be used to pursue their empirical agenda. Of course this would vary a great deal depending on the local governor running the area but the current military and political administration doesn't come across as being overly concerned about occupied people.

He definitely dies now. His story will end with 3.5

As for Nael and her occupation of Othard.. Ivalice might be a place within Othard. So inless we go to the real Ivalice we might actually see for ourselves how Othard looks. Granted Nael is long dead, but a few echo visions would be nice.

I know many people have been looking for comparisons to Kefka and/or hoping the triad ends with a tower of the gods type of battle. Although there are some nods, I feel regula has shown himself to be both sane and extremely loyal to the empire.

The only way I can see the story coming around to a Kefka ending would be if they incorporate the proto-ultima trial we are supposed to be getting into the warring triad arc. I heard many of those who tried the fight claim it was very easy. It would be more difficult if it utilized moves from the triad similar to expert ultima.

I could see Regula taking control of the machine for the empire. Perhaps he finds a way to absorb lingering aether of the triad unto the machine. Maybe the reason the proto ultima was not the final weapon was due to the inability of the machine to protect the operator from exposure to primal aether. It could be a convenient way to tie up the loose ends, give us a tower fight, and call back to vi.

Originally Posted by Regavalt

The only way I can see the story coming around to a Kefka ending would be if they incorporate the proto-ultima trial we are supposed to be getting into the warring triad arc. I heard many of those who tried the fight claim it was very easy. It would be more difficult if it utilized moves from the triad similar to expert ultima.

I could see Regula taking control of the machine for the empire. Perhaps he finds a way to absorb lingering aether of the triad unto the machine. Maybe the reason the proto ultima was not the final weapon was due to the inability of the machine to protect the operator from exposure to primal aether. It could be a convenient way to tie up the loose ends, give us a tower fight, and call back to vi.

That might actually happen. Last fan fest gave us the Odin trial and it ended up in the last ARR patch. Personally I only need one more thing for Regula to have in common with Kefka. Being dead.

I'm just tired of him after he pulled the same "gonna fight you and run away" trick three times. I just can't take him seriously as as threat. Let him get a noble death and pave the way for more compelling villains. Preferrably ones that are actually villainous, have a more nuanced personality than Nidhogg, and have their own musical themes beside the standard Garlean theme and a remix of Rise of the White Raven. Oh and make sure they have a more direct role in current events (looking at you, Elidibus).