Overall, I enjoyed the pacing and cast better than 5.4’s. I haven’t touched Nier or Werlyt yet so I’ll probably come back to those later… first thoughts on the MSQ:
Tempering…
So the plot greatly thickens yet again around this phenomenon. Tiamat is tempered, albeit more mildly than the beast tribes, so she retains her will, and as her memories pour back in, so too does the tempering wane before being purged. The risk to her is if Bahamut were to return, she might be compelled to do his bidding. This is limited form of tempering in turn is speculated to be due to the nature of the summon, in this case being her consort. I found it intriguing how Estinien channelled that part of him that is Nidhogg to goad her rage.
I think this goes some way to addressing why the Ascians seem to enjoy a significant degree of autonomy, and why they are driven mostly by the strength of their duty as members of the Convocation, and perhaps why Emet placed such value on retaining his memory. The sheer power of their souls, and the intention with which they summoned Zodiark, as an instrument of salvation. Emet-Selch is fully conscious he is not a god in the true sense, even if he does revere him for what he achieved for them – a point he makes in Rak’tika. At the same time, where such a plot point could be relevant to them is, if Zodiark were to be returned, albeit corrupted by Zenos and Fandaniel, it could affect them, and so perhaps there will be some scope to un-temper some of the sundered Overlords, depending on whether they’re tempered – I think there’s indications that they are but it’s admittedly not 100% clear.
At the same time, Fandaniel’s towers are capable of tempering in Garlemald’s name (extending even to the so-called “Telodragons” - Meracydian dragons), which perplexes Urianger, as tempering is thought to be a Primal phenomenon. This in turn can lead enthralled summoners to summon Primals which themselves don’t temper and are obedient. In addition, Lyse mentions early on that those untampered also revealed hearing an ear-splitting roar - an allusion to (a mimicry of) the sound of ancient times?
All this makes me wonder how they are going to handle Hydaelyn. This specific “trick” on how to enthral a Primal still requires tempered summoners to be achieved – hers by all accounts did not seem to be enthralled in that way. Tiamat, even summoning her consort (in concept) and thus equal, was tempered; all this affected was the strength of it. There’s also indications from 3.2 and 3.4 and other references that she does temper. Therefore, for now, I don’t see any clear indications that this new plot element implies she is a primal similarly enthralled as Lunar Bahamut… but we don’t have the full picture, and it’s not out of the question that what we identify as the Primal is not too dissimilar to Lunar Bahamut while someone else pulls the strings. However, the mere presence of a "Heart", which could leave her at any point, also allows for that.
On the cast…
So far, I enjoyed Estinien’s presence. I had forgotten his voice somewhat, and the ruggedness of it plus his blunter tone all endeared me to him. Along with Arenvald, he also has been cast as one of two of Alphinaud’s masculine “older brother” types. I also enjoyed Fordola and her icier, more defensive posture. I sort of hope they don’t do what they did with Estinien, and have her soften in the face of the Scions’ sense of idealism, so as to maintain some distinctiveness between their approaches, but it seems all but inevitable… along with Estinien and Arenvald, her voice acting was also top notch.
Finally, we are seeing the Scions begin to reflect upon what we learnt in SHB, and wonder about the Blessing of Light, and specifically Krile and Y’shtola. Though this is still in a very open-ended way, by surmising that Hydaelyn might be prevented in communicating with the WoL by something (Yshtola’s dialogue after is even more open-ended and asks you to keep an open mind.) If you suggest to Y’shtola that the last time she spoke was in 5.2, she will correct the MC on that. Thancred interjects that they don’t even know her will through Minfilia, as she was still her own person.
It was obvious that the story would begin delving into the nature of Hydaelyn, but the stage wasn’t yet set up until now. My suspicion is that the Blessing has some capacity to bring about a form of tempering, through aligning one’s aether to the Primal, and that this link, being what it is, can therefore be broken. I am wondering if the reason behind her silence relates to something Elidibus had said in the 2.0 Convocation meeting in the JP version apparently, about how they are playing her game by invoking these Calamities, which she intends for man to survive through, noting how man becomes more "bestial" (less human - probably less closer to an Ancient) through this process. This has always seemed at odds with 5.0 lore but then there might be something going on on the Aetherial Sea we're not aware of, affecting the whole process of how the bodies of the mortal races form etc, since it is all aetherically driven. My take on her is less that she’s malicious and more that the primal, as we know her, and whoever is in the controller seat, are two separate things.
Zenos… eh, whatever. He seems to be led by the nose by Fandaniel, who in turn seems to be deliberately concealing aspects of his plan so that Zenos only knows the “big picture” but not the importance of specific parts of the puzzle. Much how Fandaniel isn’t too phased about losing the Meracydian dragons, whereas Zenos is quite vexed about it for once. I imagine the “big reveal” will be that his weapon ties to the new DPS they’re adding – apparently an archaic weapon according to the French version. Fandaniel's casual reference to the "You-know-what" was a little odd, but I guess it helps keep his plans a little ambiguous.
One thing I noticed is when Estinien addresses the MC privately about their dealings with the Ascians, the subtler undertones creep back in. Though he does not disagree with this more reconciliatory approach, he warns you of the risks of extending a friendly hand and how it can render one easier to exploit. Understandably given that both Zenos (he says this to himself, but his mentality is known to the WoL) and Fandaniel have made it clear they won’t be reasoned out of their goals. Fandaniel is no Emet-Selch or Elidibus, either, in terms of his stated goals, although I am sure he will come with a compelling backstory if nothing else.
Similarly, the Scions speak of the Telophoroi rather than the Ascians, and mention of the latter is only in front of Tiamat, presumably to channel her rage. A blossoming parallel between Estinien and the MC which I see is that, much as Estinien has some of Nidhogg in him and therefore doesn’t want to see Tiamat abused as a tool for “evil”, so too does the WoL bear the remembrance and duty of Emet-Selch and Elidibus, and (as Y’shtola already alluded to), will likely not want to see Zodiark abused in a similar vein. It is worth noting from the level 80 DRG quest that Nidhogg had a remarkably similar view of the mortal races to the unsundered Ascians, judging mortal man as unworthy of acting as custodians of the star.
Can’t say I cared for sparkly-eyed G’raha, although the Estinien scene with Alisaie got a slight chuckle out of me.
On the politics…
Interesting that both lord Nerva and the 3rd have gone out of sight. Given the current state of Garlemald, I would not imagine they’d have much interest in serving Zenos, and I also assume they managed to get out before the tempering hit. Raubahn’s revelation that the alliance had planned to flank the empire from both east and west to force it into a peace treaty (rather than inflict a surrender upon it) leads me to think that the Garlean refugees will be dealt with pragmatically. The same is evinced in Alisaie’s desire to untemper the Garleans so as to reason with them.
Fandaniel’s plan is evidently not outright death and destruction in the usual, direct manner, so I agree with speculation that his plan is subtler and he’s doing something else with the aether from the Primals he’s summoning; their defeat probably plays to his advantage. An idea that comes to mind is he could intend to use the right sort of enslaved thralls to summon Zodiark, to ensure the Primal’s will is not restored and he is obedient, with the other Primals serving as disposable methods to this greater end. I am keen to see if this is frustrated somehow, and he has to go for Hydaelyn, or whether his entire gameplan is something more elaborate from the outset.
I enjoyed the dungeon better than the two previous ones and particularly the final fight, with this so-called “Telotherium”. The Twisted Scream (coupled with the dark red beams), as well as the peculiar, spiral appearance of Kan Rhai. Sick music, too. That, as well as the organic, squelching structure inside the towers, and the strange pattern of the aether on the ground, make me wonder just where Fandaniel learnt all this, as it is rather different to anything we’ve seen of the Ascians or indeed, even Mhach, but it's hard to deny the resemblance to parts of the Void Ark. The beast tribe stuff felt a bit hand-wavey but given that they want to wrap up some existing plot points so as not to distract from the impending “final days”, I guess it’s to be expected.
Lastly, with Krile now decided on heading to Sharlayan, and her station as a Student of Baldesion serving as no guarantee that she will have their ear, it does look likely that this will be a main destination in 6.0.
Misc
Very pleased to see the effect they used for the crafted Hades weapons!
Good set up for the final MSQ patch, 5.55, and I am keen to see how that in turn will set up 6.0.
Originally Posted by Vyrerus
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