Time line for 4.5 stories in part A

[SannaR]

Ok I know that the 24 man at least happens before the msq as I had done the msq before starting the 24 man and both Yugiri and Tataru still do the whole sorry we can't help you speaches. Which makes sense if this happens before the msq because the wall wouldn't be up and during the quest line it's mentioned that the Dalmascan groups were scattered and kind of in fighting. While if you go and do the msq first there's a Dalmascan rep there in the room when you go see Hien.

The 24 man also at least happenes before or after the four lords as I highly doubt Tataru would leave her watching of Koryu and the other three lords to go meet us at Hancok's. I feel like this is one of the rare times things aren't running parallel to the point it doesn't matter when you finish which.

[Iscah]

Ok I know that the 24 man at least happens before the msq as I had done the msq before starting the 24 man and both Yugiri and Tataru still do the whole sorry we can't help you speaches. Which makes sense if this happens before the msq because the wall wouldn't be up and during the quest line it's mentioned that the Dalmascan groups were scattered and kind of in fighting. While if you go and do the msq first there's a Dalmascan rep there in the room when you go see Hien.

I don't think that's proof that we visited Orbonne first.

It's not clear how wide the forcefield in the Burn actually is, but (if I remember correctly) it was calculated to block the Garleans' direct route to Doma - it doesn't need to be continent-spanning, just wide enough that the diversion around it results in a longer trip than the Garleans can make without stopping to refuel.

In any case, the location pointed out on the revealed map should be on our side of the wall.

As for the Dalmascan representative at Hien's meeting...

DALMASCAN FUSILIER
When the Empire put down Dalmasca's bid for freedom, our remaining forces were splintered. Bringing the scattered pockets of resistance back under a single banner will be our first order of business.

Essentially he's representing one part of the Dalmascan resistance, not the whole of it. He might not even be working with Fran's group at that point.

[SannaR]

We get told the reason why they can't send anyone to help the alliance is because of the wall not being up yet and then we go put it up. It makes sense if the wall and all of the msq even the parts we don't have yet happen after the 24 man as otherwise Yugiri is basically saying sorry we can't even spare you some shinobi if it comes after or is running along side the msq. I take it that some talks have happened off screen and they sent a representative in a hey we need to send someone to at least make it look like all of our groups agree to the deal Hien sent out tpye of thing.

Yes, I do get that Doma is very thin in it's military numbers but you're going to say that I guess depending on how part two plays out they'd still be all nope we can't send you a small handfull of people? Since one could do the 24 man after the 2nd part of the msq has dropped if we were to say it happens after. I also just can't see how it would work to run parallel with the msq as again I can't see Yugiri making this kind of pit stop on the way to Ezorea after she and Hien make prep to leave.

[Iscah]

We get told the reason why they can't send anyone to help the alliance is because of the wall not being up yet and then we go put it up. It makes sense if the wall and all of the msq even the parts we don't have yet happen after the 24 man as otherwise Yugiri is basically saying sorry we can't even spare you some shinobi if it comes after or is running along side the msq. I take it that some talks have happened off screen and they sent a representative in a hey we need to send someone to at least make it look like all of our groups agree to the deal Hien sent out tpye of thing.

I had to read through what you wrote a few times, but I think what you're meaning is not that they mentioned the wall directly in the Orbonne quest, but that Yugiri's presence suggests that it is prior to the wall being raised, because immediately after that she would be travelling to Eorzea for the battle. Which does seem more likely. Longer-term it's also quite possible that people will play through all the Ivalice raids soon after clearing Stormblood, and before reaching 4.5.

In any case, I was looking at the script for the Orbonne quest again, and it seems that there is some variable dialogue in that scene.

Script of Yugiri and Bwagi's conversation, with my best guess at which parts are the 'alternate' ones:

YUGIRI
Lord Hien sends his greetings to you and yours. Having recently found strength through a newly formed alliance with our neighboring nations, Doma is open to further welcoming like-minded organizations. This includes our Dalmascan brothers and sisters still suffering under the imperial yoke.
Lord Hien sends his greetings to you and yours, and under normal circumstances would welcome allies still suffering under the imperial yoke.
However, word has it that the latest attempt at reclaiming your kingdom ended in failure, resulting in the loss of countless lives, including many of the resistance's leaders.

BWAGI
You are not mistaken. Our army is not what it once was. Those remaining have been forced to take refuge deep beneath the streets of Rabanastre.

YUGIRI
The IVth Legion has already defeated you once. Lacking unity and leadership, the current resistance will not survive another tilt against the Empire's disciplined ranks.
If Doma is to join hands with Dalmasca as an ally, you must first prove to us that you will stand as one.

BWAGI
Doma as a full-fledged ally would serve far better to strengthening our cause than a few temporary soldiers.
Doma as a full-fledged ally would serve far better to strengthening our cause than a few temporary soldiers.

YUGIRI
Yet even if we were able to wrest Dalmasca from the Empire's grasp, without unity amongst your people, the resulting chaos could prove even more perilous to the kingdom.

BWAGI
You understand much of our situation.
And based on that understanding, you would refuse your aid to Lente's Tears, am I correct?

YUGIRI
Do not mistake me. Lord Hien's refusal is but a message─a message to help you plan your next step.

BWAGI
You have a wise master. He understands that without proper planning, driving one enemy from your midst simply creates room for the next.

[SannaR]

You are correct in thinking that. That Yuigri at that meeting would suggest it would take place before the msq as otherwise the 24 man parts come off as out of character for her. The same as with Tataru as she wouldn't leave her spot and must not have any of the reward from post four lords to give even as a small amount from the Scions as she is representing both Scions and the Ezorzean Alliance.

[DarthSanguine]

It could easily take place between part 1 and part 2 of the 4.5 MSQ. In this case, the reason no-one is able to assist the Dalmascans would be because the Alliance is using most of their forces to defend the Ghimlyt Dark from the inevitable Garlean counter-attack, and most of Doma's forces are en-route to Ghimlyt by sea.

[SannaR]

And yet we know that normal travel for non teleporting able npcs it takes a day or two if you're not on a fast ship to go from Eorzea to Kugane. We don't know at the moment how long this break between the fighting is supposed to be taking and we won't til March. So, going with the info we have now along with having no special lines to indicate the first half of fighting has happened it doesn't make sense to have this happen during the break in the fighting.

It flows better if it happens before the msq. The only thing I have a hard time placing is the four lords part which I guess could happen during the break in the fighting.