Is Pipin benefiting from nepotism?

[PirateRyanG]

I have only just finished Stormblood.

However, I can't help but feel that Pipin has risen through the ranks due to nepotism. He doesn't really seem to be that talented, and yet he is being given a LOT of leeway in the planning of battles.

However, he is then promptly promoted to guard the Sultana (I assume he and the Sultana are in a relationship, based on the last scene I saw of them)

Perhaps nepotism is explored a little bit later on.

[sidurgu-12]

I have only just finished Stormblood.

However, I can't help but feel that Pipin has risen through the ranks due to nepotism. He doesn't really seem to be that talented, and yet he is being given a LOT of leeway in the planning of battles.

However, he is then promptly promoted to guard the Sultana (I assume he and the Sultana are in a relationship, based on the last scene I saw of them)

Perhaps nepotism is explored a little bit later on.

Eh...Not really? Iirc despite being raubahns adopted son he earned his rank like his father did. And since he was a trusted 2nd in command it makes sense he would be promoted. Plus he (again iirc) never had a moment that proves he doesn't deserve the promotion.

[Cleretic]

Pipin's fairly capable in his own right. He suffers from being a less defined character in a story where he's usually standing with much stronger ones, so he doesn't always get to show it, but he's clearly good at his job. But on the other hand: yes, he absolutely has that job because of who his adoptive dad is. He does not have a romantic relationship with the sultana, at least as far as we know.

This probably puts him as better than most of Ul'Dah's ruling class, though; outside of Raubahn, nobody in that Syndicate room is exactly there through merit. Even Godbert apparently comes from some kind of old money, even if he's evidently good at investing and interpersonal relations.

[kaynide]

There isn’t a person alive that hasn’t benefited (or been troubled by) the place and people they were born into.

Real world most people get where they are just as much on blind luck as they do by sheer determination and hard work.

So, Pipin is absolutely lucky to have been found and adopted by Raubahn. And he is absolutely put in the hard work to be where he is, but he’s not any more capable than, say, Hoary Boulder.

Where Pipin is and who he is connected to absolutely put him in the job he has, but that doesn’t mean he is in any way undeserving of it.

[Jaquan]

Partially. It's hard to deny that Pippin replacing Raubahn as Nanamo's personal guard is because he's his (adoptive) son. Though in this case it's less about his gain but for Raubahn sake. After all the Old Bull would have picked his duty over his personal desire due to the promise he made. So what's better way for Nanamo to 'free' him than to ensure his promise is never broken since his Son takes his place (thus Raubahn's blade still serving the Sultana)?

[Videra]

I have only just finished Stormblood.

However, I can't help but feel that Pipin has risen through the ranks due to nepotism. He doesn't really seem to be that talented, and yet he is being given a LOT of leeway in the planning of battles.

However, he is then promptly promoted to guard the Sultana (I assume he and the Sultana are in a relationship, based on the last scene I saw of them)

Perhaps nepotism is explored a little bit later on.

Pipin is Raubahn's son you maniac.

But, yes, there's a little nepotism, as a treat.

[Carin-Eri]

Not sure where the idea that he has a romantic relationship with the Sultana came from to be honest. I certainly didn't get that impression, and I'd have to say the game is pretty poor at actually indulging that sort of story thread anyway. They seem to always follow the (frankly tiresome) trope of character A having an implied romantic interest in char B, but having them maintain 'silent admiration' rather than actually have anything develop.

[RukoBoshi]

Not sure where the idea that he has a romantic relationship with the Sultana came from to be honest. I certainly didn't get that impression, and I'd have to say the game is pretty poor at actually indulging that sort of story thread anyway. They seem to always follow the (frankly tiresome) trope of character A having an implied romantic interest in char B, but having them maintain 'silent admiration' rather than actually have anything develop.

He barely interact in the story anyway, he don't really have the time to interact with people. Even got his voiced stolen in Endwalker.

The devs don't seem to want characters having relationship, probably because they want people to have their own headcanon about relationship if they want.
That would explain Thancred not being a womanizer anymore too.

On the topic, i would say that if a character is benefiting from nepotism in Stormblood, it is Lyse.
Her dead father got her a job despite her not even setting foots in Ala Mhigo since her childhood.

[Shadotterdan]

Does it say Pipin was adopted? I kinda noticed him in Stormblood and I was just like "Since when did he have a kid? Is he Nanamo's kid?"

[kaynide]

Does it say Pipin was adopted? I kinda noticed him in Stormblood and I was just like "Since when did he have a kid? Is he Nanamo's kid?"

It was all spelled out “off camera” in other sources (the encyclopedia and the “tales from” short stories)
From the wiki: https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Pipin_Tarupin

When Pipin was twelve years old his father sold him into the Bloodsands gladiator pits to pay off his gambling debts. While serving under these conditions he met the young Raubahn Aldynn, a refugee imprisoned on suspicion of espionage. The Bull of Ala Mhigo inspired the young Pipin to focus on his gladiatorial career to emancipate himself.[1]

Raubahn used his earning to buy out Pipin's freedom by clearing his father's debt. Fearing his father may end up selling him again to settle future debts, Pipin returned to the Bloodsands. Raubahn used his prize money to secure legal guardianship of Pipin, formally adopting him as his son.[2]

In game we meet him after the banquet scene between 2.0 and 3.0. I don’t remember at what point he introduces himself, but I wanna say he just does a “I’m pippin, Raubahn’s son. I’m here to rescue you!”