Elementals and the Shroud

[JeanneOrnitier]

My understanding (perhaps incorrect, as I haven't played CNJ since I don't enjoy healers) is the Elementals are supposed to be a universal force found all over the world. So was it ever explained why they were so much more concentrated and active in the Black Shroud compared to anywhere else?

[Vyrerus]

As far as I am aware, they are only located within the Black Shroud. The Elementals differ from normal elementals in that they are like guardian spirits specifically watching over and policing the Black Shroud. Prior to 2.0 angering them invoked the Green Wrath, which varied from having Treants rip you apart to having an Elemental physically manifest and melt you in a green hazy cloud. This is supposedly the reason that Gridanians wear masks, so that if they do invoke the Green Wrath, The Elementals won't be able to recognize who done it.

After the Calamity with Bahamut, the Shroud was damaged, and this in turn weakened The Elementals, such that all they can really do now is communicate with the Padjali to try and exercise their will. One interesting thing about the aspect of having The Elementals around is that typical Gridanians use them as a way to shun outsiders and pick and choose from refugees, such as when the folks at Quarrymill shunned the male Ala Mhigan refugees, but accepted the females, "Because The Elementals willed it."

[Enkidoh]

The elementals being found throughout the entirety of creation (and thus throughout Eorzea) was old 1.0 lore that may still be current or not - it was meant to explain why elementals could actually be found and fought as enemies gameplay wise in every zone of the game. ARR though kind of altered that in elementals as enemies were replaced by the non-sentinent 'sprites' encountered everywhere (it's interesting to note these particular later enemies were actually called 'elementals' earlier in FFXI) and it was kind of retconned that the Calamity seemed to depower them in a sense so they now remain generally out of sight (two showed up during the level 30 CNJ class quest fight in ARR, or did, I did the CNJ class quests back in 2013 so I have no idea if SE has kept this intact or not).

There was never as far I know any explanation given as to why the elementals are more focused and potent within the Black Shroud, but given the Shroud's close proximity to Mor Dhona (and thus, Lake Silvertear), which is the nexus point of the rivers of aether within Hydaelyn, it's possible this may have resulted in them being more concentrated there by default.

[Iscah]

One interesting thing about the aspect of having The Elementals around is that typical Gridanians use them as a way to shun outsiders and pick and choose from refugees, such as when the folks at Quarrymill shunned the male Ala Mhigan refugees, but accepted the females, "Because The Elementals willed it."

That's multiple unfounded assumptions together there.

What we know is that some refugees were accepted, some rejected, "according to the will of the elementals". The one accepted refugee we talk to is female. Meffrid's rejected group are all male as far as we see.

That does not mean there was a selection based on gender, and certainly doesn't mean the Gridanians are lying when they say that it's the will of the elementals.

[Iscah]

(two showed up during the level 30 CNJ class quest fight in ARR, or did, I did the CNJ class quests back in 2013 so I have no idea if SE has kept this intact or not).

Yes, they still appear. I noticed them recently.

They can also be encountered in Eureka.

[Vyrerus]

That's multiple unfounded assumptions together there.

What we know is that some refugees were accepted, some rejected, "according to the will of the elementals". The one accepted refugee we talk to is female. Meffrid's rejected group are all male as far as we see.

That does not mean there was a selection based on gender, and certainly doesn't mean the Gridanians are lying when they say that it's the will of the elementals.

It's not an assumption. A sidequest in Quarrymill has a Wood Wailer or God's Quiver pretty much admit to it. Nothing's unfounded about it at all. Gridania's only real flaw is its citzenry's fear/hate of outsiders.

[Annana]

It's not an assumption. A sidequest in Quarrymill has a Wood Wailer or God's Quiver pretty much admit to it. Nothing's unfounded about it at all. Gridania's only real flaw is its citzenry's fear/hate of outsiders.

You're going to have to source that one. I've been looking through the South Shroud MSQ and sidequest dialogue and can find nothing of the sort. The only thing I see is a Hearer saying that the Elementals have not given them permission to heal the Resistance soldiers.

[Vyrerus]

You're going to have to source that one. I've been looking through the South Shroud MSQ and sidequest dialogue and can find nothing of the sort. The only thing I see is a Hearer saying that the Elementals have not given them permission to heal the Resistance soldiers.

I don't have access to the game right now, as far as the Quarrymill sidequests go. As far as Gridania's flaw. Idk, just start in Gridania and don't skip the dialogue/CSes. They give you death threats and warnings for not being from Gridania from the very start, and it doesn't stop until you're a local hero for defending the Guardian Tree.

[Vyrerus]

Also, so I'm not just stinking up this thread with my stuff, I got curious and started googling. Found this pretty interesting read up on the Elementals and Nophica as well as other of The Twelve.

https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showth...5665#pid275665

Nophica's like half way down, if the link doesn't automatically take you to it. Thought it was very cool, and makes me wish 2.0 kept the strict plot beat about The Elementals around. Like with the WHM AF being an Elemental manifesting itself as clothing.

[MrThinker]

Also, so I'm not just stinking up this thread with my stuff, I got curious and started googling. Found this pretty interesting read up on the Elementals and Nophica as well as other of The Twelve.

https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showth...5665#pid275665

Nophica's like half way down, if the link doesn't automatically take you to it. Thought it was very cool, and makes me wish 2.0 kept the strict plot beat about The Elementals around. Like with the WHM AF being an Elemental manifesting itself as clothing.

I feel like there is some miscommunication going on.
At the risk of sounding like an idiot because you were indeed addressing this; In the case of the Quarrymill refugees, we wanted to know where it is specifically said that only the female refugees were granted permission by the elementals to reside in the Shroud?
The link only says the elementals decide who is allowed to stay.
And Gridania having a fear of outsiders. Which are things that are known by a few of us here already.