Revelations from Keynote II

[KageTokage]

The YoRHA androids are of the "needlessly human" sort who can feel emotions and pain, so they're indeed a far cry from anything known of in Eorzea.

They could take the lazy route with inter-dimensional shenanigans or resort to "Allagans did it" again, but I still feel very mixed about them giving material that's not even FF this much focus in XIV.

[Iscah]

Urianger as AST is interesting. It makes a lot of sense for him, and it's a Sharlayan discipline so it's likely he's already studied it.

Not what I'd expect him to be wearing, though. That necklace looks very awkward.

Something I was wondering: does Thancred only know her as "Minfilia", or should he be calling her "Ascilia"?

It's not simply young Minfilia from the past (at least unless there are massive time-loop shenanigans afoot) - she still has her glowing eyes from her Word of the Mother form.

(I'm still foggy though - which is her birth name, and which was an alias?)

They could take the lazy route with inter-dimensional shenanigans or resort to "Allagans did it" again, but I still feel very mixed about them giving material that's not even FF this much focus in XIV.

Clones rather than androids? Or "computer simulations" like in the 60-70 summoner quests.

But I'm not impressed that we're getting yet another crossover instead of them building original lore.

[Anonymoose]

Something I was wondering: does Thancred only know her as "Minfilia", or should he be calling her "Ascilia"?

Thancred met her as Ascilia and knows her birth name, but they (F'lhaminn) changed it shortly after just in case the Empire came looking for Warburton's daughter, so he's known her as that ever since. She's more Minfilia than not now; I'd imagine "Ascilia" is only rolled out for those special contexts where it's important to remember how well they know each other and where she came from.

[YianKutku]

It's not simply young Minfilia from the past (at least unless there are massive time-loop shenanigans afoot) - she still has her glowing eyes from her Word of the Mother form.

(I'm still foggy though - which is her birth name, and which was an alias?)

"Ascilia" is the birth name, and she went by "Minfilia" for some reason I'm not entirely clear on myself. Answered by Moose, since I forgot about it: she changed names to hide from the Garleans.

Good point on the Word Of The Mother thing. (I forgot about that, and was mostly wondering if Mini-filia had gotten a bit too close to Shai-hulud.)

That might imply that Minfilia now identifies as being "Minfilia" more than "Ascilia" now. What that means, I do not know.

[Rannie]

Ascillia is her birth name Minfillia is her alias. She went by Minfilia most likely due to her father Warburton being an ala Mhigan spy 10 years prior to 1.0 starting. And due to her being the leader of the Path of the 12 that merged with the circle of knowing

[Grayve]

I am so happy Minfillia is back, even as the Word. She's my favorite NPC, and i was afraid they'd just leave her written out of the story since she seemed unpopular.

[Rannie]

Kinda makes me believe they're in the world that !
Arbert came from, the first, since that was where Hydaelyn sent her.

[Rocl]

Gods forfend, YorHA? What the devil... how can that even begin to work with the displayed art...

Poor Urianger getting demoted to Astrologian so the Trust system would have a healer!

I think, perhaps, instead of Matoya seizing Y'shtola's soulless body (seems uncharacteristic, but perhaps it's done in a ... matronly way), Y'shtola has simply adopted Matoya as a moniker in whatever realm the Scions are now in. Why she'd feel the need to hide her name, who knows. Give me some Louisoix as Urianger and Matoya as Y'shtola proxy debates though.

[Zetsumei_Tsunarashi]

I'm curious what you guys think about the gunbreaker trailer. Is that thanalan ? That bridge looks like the one in central thanalan but if that's thanalan why is there a giant armadillo thing there. Also theres a giant crystal in the background.

[Enkidoh]

I think, perhaps, instead of Matoya seizing Y'shtola's soulless body (seems uncharacteristic, but perhaps it's done in a ... matronly way), Y'shtola has simply adopted Matoya as a moniker in whatever realm the Scions are now in. Why she'd feel the need to hide her name, who knows. Give me some Louisoix as Urianger and Matoya as Y'shtola proxy debates though.

Right, that's my theory too (because, it wouldn't make sense for Matoya to have to possess Y'shtola, if Urianger is apparently fine). Makes me wonder then... if Matoya... finally returned to the Planet....

Hang on... scratch that....

I'm more strongly leaning towards us having to journey to the First alone with Y'shtola/Matoya (I'm feeling a bit concerned for the fate of both with the latter seemingly having taken control of the former's body) mentioning "Until our friend returns" and the fortune teller also suggesting we'd be in another world on our own.

THAT would make sense then.... especially as after watching the trailer gears started turning in my head about how this is all going to end up....

because of the impending Eighth Calamity and Zodiark's imminent rebirth, the Scions decide to take one last desperate gamble... by bringing back Goddess!Minfilia from the First. However, in order to do that, someone is still needed on the First to finish the job of balancing out the Light and Darkness there, and we're 'volunteered' for the task, against our wishes and better judgement (explaining Derplander's depressed-vibes in the trailer). Hence why we become the Warrior of Darkness, it's simply for pragmatic reasons. Because the best way we know to deal with any kind of aetheric abomination is a good weapon and a strong arm to wield it! Especially one enfused with the opposing element that it's aspected to!

Accomplishing that we return back to the Source.. and lo and behold.... the Eighth Calamity occurs, Zodiark is reborn... and it all goes to hell in a handbasket... but does it? Oh what's this? Because the First wasn't able to be fully Rejoined (due to our meddling as a WoD), and with our new mastery over both the Light and the Darkness, we become the Warrior of the CRYSTAL, truly Hydaelyn's champion in every way. We smack Zodiark, Eldibius and all the other Ascians around and destroy them for good, the Eight Calamity ends and the Eighth, Eternal Astral Era begins. Minfilia returns to the Planet as Hydaelyn's avatar.. and we all celebrate!

Okay, I doubt it will end up exactly like that, but if I was a betting cat I would say there is a good chance of at least some of those things happening. We'll find out soon enough either way.