Interpretation of an Endwalker Plot Point (Spoilers for the Entire MSQ)

[SentioftheHoukai]

On the subject of Fordola I think it was interesting how Stormblood portrayed the different reactions the Ala Mhigans had to Imperial rule. Fordola doesn't serve the Empire out of a sense of loyalty (she's constantly treated like crap by her Garlean peers for being Ala Mhigan and she watched Imperial soldiers stand by and do nothing as she and her father were attacked by an angry mob), but rather because she believed it was the most realistic path to gain respect from the Garleans. She couldn't fathom the idea of Ala Mhigo driving the Empire out because she had lived under it her entire life. She's proven wrong after the Ala Mhigan Resistance successfully liberates the nation, and while she initially resigns herself to execution after having done all the things she did, she's given a new purpose by Lyse and Raubahn (albeit as a conscript) and begins to use her skills for good. I really enjoyed where they took her character during the healer role quests.

Yeah, Fordola is one of the few characters left untainted imho. Her character development is one of the very few I actually enjoy to this day. She was mistreated by her own kinsmen rather then their oppressors, which is a rarity to see being shown realistically and properly and is rather more common than some unsavory characters on the other side of the divide would like to admit. Her feelings on the matter were by and large rather valid, even if her subsequent actions leave a lot to be desired and frankly harmed her case. Then, come Endwalker unlike some others her goals and motivations remain largely unchanged. She regrets all the things she feels she shouldn't have done, yes. However, unlike some others she does not sacrifice previous aspects of her character in exchange for new, more palatable ones. She evolves, rather than is hamfistedly changed on a dime. A butterfly metamorphosis, rather than a statue rendered a lump of clay and completely reformed.

[Slatersev]

Yeah, Fordola is one of the few characters left untainted imho. Her character development is one of the very few I actually enjoy to this day. She was mistreated by her own kinsmen rather then their oppressors, which is a rarity to see being shown realistically and properly and is rather more common than some unsavory characters on the other side of the divide would like to admit. Her feelings on the matter were by and large rather valid, even if her subsequent actions leave a lot to be desired and frankly harmed her case. Then, come Endwalker unlike some others her goals and motivations remain largely unchanged. She regrets all the things she feels she shouldn't have done, yes. However, unlike some others she does not sacrifice previous aspects of her character in exchange for new, more palatable ones. She evolves, rather than is hamfistedly changed on a dime. A butterfly metamorphosis, rather than a statue rendered a lump of clay and completely reformed.

She was mistreated by her oppressor's as well. They literally stood there and let he loyal to Garlemald father get stoned to death. They mocked her as a savage her entire life. They imply in Stormblood she is only in Zeno's good graces through sexual favors, etc.

Fordola legit gets treated better overall as a prisoner then she did as an innocent child or as a solider.

[SentioftheHoukai]

She was mistreated by her oppressor's as well. They literally stood there and let he loyal to Garlemald father get stoned to death. They mocked her as a savage her entire life. They imply in Stormblood she is only in Zeno's good graces through sexual favors, etc.

Fordola legit gets treated better overall as a prisoner then she did as an innocent child or as a solider.

So, are we supposed to just forget that while the Garleans watched them do it that the Ala Mhigans who actually did the deed of stoning her father to death exist? Does it somehow make the crime-committers innocent of wrongdoing because local law enforcement was faulty? Sorry, I'm just not in the habit of excusing criminals and murderers because somebody else also happened to be involved as well.

Your post reeks of whataboutism intended to shift the blame. Let us not forget the Autumn War, the Ala Mhigans may deserve freedom but they're not innocent babes all.

[NoblePigeon]

So, are we supposed to just forget that while the Garleans watched them do it that the Ala Mhigans who actually did the deed of stoning her father to death exist? Does it somehow make the crime-committers innocent of wrongdoing because local law enforcement was faulty? Sorry, I'm just not in the habit of excusing criminals and murderers because somebody else also happened to be involved as well.

Your post reeks of whataboutism intended to shift the blame. Let us not forget the Autumn War, the Ala Mhigans may deserve freedom but they're not innocent babes all.

It’s...not about whataboutism, or excusing murderers. You initially said “she was mistreated by her own kin rather than the oppressors”. Someone pointed out that the Garleans were absolutely mistreating both her and Ala Mhigans in general. Though “mistreating” is putting it very mildly.

No one’s denied how deep the animosity and generational divide runs for collaborators of the former occupiers, and that’s a specific plot point brought up in that specific role questline.

[Slatersev]

So, are we supposed to just forget that while the Garleans watched them do it that the Ala Mhigans who actually did the deed of stoning her father to death exist? Does it somehow make the crime-committers innocent of wrongdoing because local law enforcement was faulty? Sorry, I'm just not in the habit of excusing criminals and murderers because somebody else also happened to be involved as well.

Your post reeks of whataboutism intended to shift the blame. Let us not forget the Autumn War, the Ala Mhigans may deserve freedom but they're not innocent babes all.

What? Pointing out that you claimed she was mistreated by her own rather then her oppressor's when she was in fact badly mistreated by both is not whataboutisim.

You claimed that it was only her own and not Garlemald.

....what?

The first time Zenos takes any notice of her is her proposal of a plan to crush the Resistance. He's interested in her hatred and violence, but aside from some trash-talking from other officers (and then it's heavily implied that it's just their racism making them unable to believe a mere savage could gain favor any other way), there's no indication he even noticed her at all otherwise.

I am fully aware. That's the point though, Fordola and Zenos' relationship is as far from sexual as can be, but she still had other Garleans spread rumors about it while she was in the room, and its obvious they wouldn't only speak like that about her when she's around.

Point is, Garlemald didn't treat her well at all, in any capacity

[TheMightyMollusk]

They imply in Stormblood she is only in Zeno's good graces through sexual favors, etc.

....what?

The first time Zenos takes any notice of her is her proposal of a plan to crush the Resistance. He's interested in her hatred and violence, but aside from some trash-talking from other officers (and then it's heavily implied that it's just their racism making them unable to believe a mere savage could gain favor any other way), there's no indication he even noticed her at all otherwise.