Ask Questions to Main Scenario Writer Banri Oda

[Viscount]

Is it true that you're making it up as you go along? I'm sureeee Nier automata was in the lore from the start -.-

[Lauront]

Do you intend to release a compendium of job ability lore descriptions for each job, as you have done for Blue Mage? Whilst I appreciated what the lorebook covered of this, it was still only a small sample.

[Suishouhime]

A question about Stormblood: When crafting the main scenario, was there much research done into imperialism and its effects in our real world, either historical or contemporary? If so, what elements of imperialism did you feel it most important to highlight during that research? What was the main reason for choosing the slogan "Liberty or Death"?

Stormblood portrays such a nuanced, respectful, and people-focused understanding of imperialism that I rarely see in fantasy, in Ala Mhigo especially, and I'm curious as to how much preparation was done to ensure characters such as Fordola, Lyse, Raubahn, the Namai and Ala Gannha villagers, etc. represented well some of the real world ethical dilemmas that can occur in occupied countries, as well as the complex issue of how a country might rebuild itself after being freed. It really is of fantastic quality.

[Theodric]

The Eorzean Alliance is swift to hold other organisations and individuals accountable for their misdeeds. Will we ever see it hold itself accountable to the same degree that it insists on dictating elsewhere?

[Lauront]

What do you think is the right balance between homeage to earlier Final Fantasies (and even some other SE content) and original content to this Final Fantasy, and what is your current view on what the mix should be going forwards?

[Fenral]

4.5 confirmed the return of Gaius van Baelsar, and the promo artwork for Shadowbringers shows a mysterious, hooded figure who bears uncanny resemblance to another character who departed multiple real-world years ago. How far in advance are returns like that planned by the writing team? Are they decided from the moment of departure, or simply left open as something to come back to later?

[Theodric]

The Warrior of Light has consistently been shown to fight largely for Eorzea's benefit. As a result, this has allowed Eorzea to grow more influential than it otherwise would on the world stage. Are there any plans to have other nations question why such a powerful tool is largely being exploited to the benefit of Eorzea's political and trade based influence?

[Tabbs]

So we know from the 4.0 Astrologian questline that Astrologians and Geomancers aren't so different. Specifically, they are both said to read from the stars... one from the stars above and one from the star below.

My question is, how similar are they exactly? Do their magics result in the same effects? Would a Geomancer job be a healer as a result of this similarity?

[Bonbori]

Since linkpearl technology seems to be widespread and accessible enough that anyone who needs it has one (although some people maybe shouldn't *staaaaaaaaares at Minfilia*), I've been wondering how they actually work and what limitations they have?

Since, I assume, there is no satellite network in orbit and I haven't seen any relay towers around Eorzea, what determines the range and reception of linkpearls? Does the signal travel through aetheric currents? Does it have limited range or places it can't reach?
Could Minfillia call someone who's in Kugane to pray return to the Waking Sands (probably just so she could tell them in person to then go to fetch something from Doma)? Could Arbert make a call from Xepathol to Elidibus on the Moon? What's possible? What isn't possible?

[iLyrica-sama]

Is there any chance that we get to see what happened Ilberd's group, like Yuyuhase and Laurentius?