Was this a clue??

[Lambdafish]

Ok, tin foil hat time, but I noticed a weird coincidence that stretched back as far as the beginning of 2.0 regarding the liberation against Garlemald. We are introduced to two NPCs in a cutscene involving Nero, these NPCs are never mentioned again, and all we learn about them is where they are from, that being:





The two very far apart locations that just so happen to be the two locations that we are going to in the expansion, was this a clue that they were planning this as early as 2.0 launch?

[Jiao]

Heh, nice catch. While we may never know for certain if that's what the intent was, it does seem rather plausible.

Would also make sense, unless I'm mistaken most MMORPGs tend to work on content far in advance before we ever hear about it, or even hear rumors of hearing about it.

[Enur]

If we follow the MSQ it becomes clear that SB was planned instead of HW, but something made them change their mind and forced HW in before.

The events at the end of ARR lines up to the SB setup- Ilberd is relevant, We see Ydas face, Doman refugees.

Heck the HW bonus items and race is relevant to SB. The Au Ra and Griffin mount. The race is from Othard and the mount from Ala Mhigo.

[Reynhart]

Yes, it's funny. But, since the purpose of this cutscene is showing that the empire does not ostracize people from conquered lands, it makes sense to use those two locations.

On a sidenote, in french, the first one is not from "Othard", he's from "Dalmasca"

If we follow the MSQ it becomes clear that SB was planned instead of HW

No, both were planned. We had a lot to do with dragons and heretics near the end of ARR. And I'm pretty sure that Yoshi-P said that, when ARR was released, they already had written the story up to 4.0

[Blueyes]

I actually always believed that Othard was going to be our next destination after Ala Mhigo. What I didn't expect was being sent to both locations within the same expansion. It's even entirely possible that we'll be visiting Othard before we reach Ala Mhigo.

[Lambdafish]

On a sidenote, in french, the first one is not from "Othard", he's from "Dalmasca"

*adjusts tin foil hat*

[Vexander]

Nice catch, I'd forgotten about those two.

The Empire does conscript soldiers in conquered lands and send them to other subjugated territories to maintain the peace, or send them to the front lines of their newest target for conquer. I'm hoping that Ala Mhigo and Doma being our targets is a nod to this fact, that the bulk of conscripted Domans are in Ala Mhigo, and the bulk of conscripted Ala Mhigans are in Doma. It would provide a good explanation as for why we attack both. Gain the support of the conscripted soldiers and there is a strong chance to destabilize both regions and wrest control of them from the Empire.

[Jiao]

I actually always believed that Othard was going to be our next destination after Ala Mhigo. What I didn't expect was being sent to both locations within the same expansion. It's even entirely possible that we'll be visiting Othard before we reach Ala Mhigo.

That's entirely possible. I believe I saw somewhere that Rhalgr's Reach (I probably butchered that spelling) going to be the new Idyllshire as it were. I have no source to quote so take it with a grain of salt. However, if that *is* the case it would make sense in a way for us to go Othard and eventually wind up in Ala Mhigo

[Lambdafish]

That's entirely possible. I believe I saw somewhere that Rhalgr's Reach (I probably butchered that spelling) going to be the new Idyllshire as it were. I have no source to quote so take it with a grain of salt. However, if that *is* the case it would make sense in a way for us to go Othard and eventually wind up in Ala Mhigo

This actually makes perfect sense. The way the story is heading involves Ala Mhigo being very much of current interest, but the Ala Mhigans themselves seem to actively be an obstacle in our path to Ala Mhigo. We can't just waltz in, regardless of what happens at Baelsars Wall. Othard however, is very accessible, with Kugane allowing foreigners into the city, and Yugiri being from Othard itself, and a prime candidate to begin an uprising within Othard. What I then see happening is us bringing our new allies over as an army separate from the Eorzean Alliance that will be able to reason with the Ala Mhigans, and have them join this growing resistance, and make a feasable push towards Garlemald.

Also, I can back up the lack of source on it being the new Idyllshire, I believe it was said during NA fan fest, and I do remember that fact

[Riardon]

Well don't forget that the Lore and the world of this game is made way before 2.0 so the whole world map and lore is well known to the team. If you want to build a good RPG you have to set up the world and lore before anything else.
Meracydia is also mentioned in game. We will go there as well later. There are even more continents than the 3 on trailer (which is in fact one big continent but is divided into 3 only because of huge cultural differences much like Eurasia in reality).
Those 2 locations are also under Garlean rule and that cutscene made it clear to us. No I don't think that was a specific reference to SB like OP is meaning but more like a lore statement.