Kugane Castle

[Kyran-Varlsen]

The final boss is also some sort of automaton, though clearly more advanced and at least partially self directing. It would appear that Hingashi are quite far along in this particular field.

Wait, are you talking about Yojimbo? Did you not play FFX? He is very likely a Primal of some sort considering he was a summonable in past games. I mean sure the name Yojimbo has been used on minor enemies and bosses, but he looks exactly as he did in FFX when he was a summonable.

I'm not too sure he's supposed to be an automaton. As to what he IS in XIV, I'm not sure but I highly doubt he's inorganic.

Again, he is likely a divine manifestation of the worship of money and the desire to have it. Considering in the Hildebrand Storyline (not entirely canon) that one man was able to put a chicken on top of some boxes and summon a primal by remembering a friend then it is entirely possible that Yojimbo was summoned by some similar means by criminal elements within Hingashi. It may be that money alone sustains him, or that he just uses it to buy more crystals to sustain himself. If so, he is a very different, subtle and intelligent Primal from those we have met before.

Currently Yojimbo is not listed as a Primal because the story has not revealed him as such. So he could still be something else entirely, like a Voidsent which, as Hildebrand's story also showed (maybe not canon), can indeed live in the world without much trouble and even take an interest in mortal commerce.

[Hinoto-no-Ryuji]

snip

As interesting as this elaborate theory is, as far as we know, Yojimbo is just a very skilled mercenary; I see no reason to assume that he's a Primal just because he was a summon in FFX. Diabolos looks almost identical to his FFVIII incarnation, after all, and he's not a Primal. Until there's even a hint of Yojimbo being supernatural, I think it's safe to assume that he isn't.

[Kyran-Varlsen]

As interesting as this elaborate theory is, as far as we know, Yojimbo is just a very skilled mercenary; I see no reason to assume that he's a Primal just because he was a summon in FFX. Diabolos looks almost identical to his FFVIII incarnation, after all, and he's not a Primal. Until there's even a hint of Yojimbo being supernatural, I think it's safe to assume that he isn't.

Diabolos is a voidsent, which is another possibility for Yojimbo I mentioned. Given the guy's stature, fighting skill and ability to easily evade authorities despite his distinct look I find it difficult to believe he is not more than just a very skilled mercenary. There are a few beings that could match him in height: Xenos, Ivon Coeurlfist (ghost), and Hakuro the Whitefang. But its seems a stretch to assume Yojimbo is merely a tall kith. As a voidsent he would be supernatural without the destructive nature of a primal to burden his career.

[Eyvhokan]

I imagine the threat of employing such mechanical menaces on the field of battle is a partial reason for why the Garlean Empire had not bothered trying to invade Hingashi. The ones we fight were employed by a wealthy merchant, the ones the Bakufu Government retain are probably extremely dangerous on the attack.

I thought the Garlean Empire never bothered to invade Hingashi was because they were afraid of their Samurai with Katanas of mass destruction?

Katanas are thrice as sharp as Eorzean swords and thrice as hard for that matter too. Anything a longsword can cut through, a katana can cut through better. I'm pretty sure a katana could easily bisect a paladin wearing full plate with a simple vertical slash.

[Kyran-Varlsen]

I thought the Garlean Empire never bothered to invade Hingashi was because they were afraid of their Samurai with Katanas of mass destruction?

Katanas are thrice as sharp as Eorzean swords and thrice as hard for that matter too. Anything a longsword can cut through, a katana can cut through better. I'm pretty sure a katana could easily bisect a paladin wearing full plate with a simple vertical slash.

Of course, because we all know the Domans didn't have Katanas to stop the Empire. Moving on...

There does actually appear to be a new Beastman Race in Kugane Castle. There are these flying enemies towards the end of the dungeon before Yojimbo. At first, I assumed they were men in flying costume - but they look too organic, too fleshed out. I jotted down their name earlier but lost it and I am sure a rough translation would shed light on their nature.

[LystAP]

There aren't just hyurs. The blades and jonins are Auri (mostly Xaela.) Which is interesting, but you find Xaela in Kugane with Hingashian names.

[Kyran-Varlsen]

There aren't just hyurs. The blades and jonins are Auri (mostly Xaela.) Which is interesting, but you find Xaela in Kugane with Hingashian names.

True, which does point to a Xaela presence in Hingashi that predates the closing of the land to outsiders. However, this is not indicative of an unknown race of peoples that could produce towering ninjas among their numbers.

The secondary boss who is the tall ninja type, Dojun-Maru, utilizes an attack called Clockwork Raiton. As clockwork robots are a staple to fantasy series then it stands to reason that Dojun-Maru and others like him are just that. The nonboss versions are called "Karakuri Onmitsu"

Karakuri puppets are traditional Japanese mechanized puppets or automata, originally made from the 17th century to 19th century.

Onmitsu is another word for spy, often used to describe ninjas in modern interpretations.

In other words their name literally translates to "Puppet Ninjas."

[KalinOrthos]

Could Yojimbo be something similar to Gilgamesh? Something clearly not of this world but definitely not a primal or similar manifestation?

[Kyran-Varlsen]

Could Yojimbo be something similar to Gilgamesh? Something clearly not of this world but definitely not a primal or similar manifestation?

Gilgamesh is certainly no mere mortal given the nature of his boss fight. FFXIV has had Inter-dimensional travelers before from other parts of the franchise. These at first seemed little more than semi-canon cameos (such as Snow from FFXIII) but since the Warriors of Darkness and the Ascians found a way to travel between worlds then the concept is at-least within the setting.

While Yojimbo and Gilgamesh could just be voidsent summoned in Othard who have taken to wandering, they could also be inter-dimensional travelers who go where they may find what they seek, whether it is money or swords.

[Remedi]

pls do take in consideration the possibility that yojimbo's stature might be exxagerated for gameplay purpose