That Nutkin

[PercibelTheren]

that nutkin is the true villain of 7.0

And, arguably, 3.0.

[TheMightyMollusk]

And, arguably, 3.0.

I know it's not where you're going with that, but it gave me the mental image of Nidhogg reincarnated as a squirrel, and I've been giggling like an idiot for five minutes.

[Eisi]

Sure, it may just be any old nutkin, the camera zoom and Y'sh's reaction being merely for comedy. But think about this:

If there exists a tradition of employing shapeshifting magic in Tural, it would naturally coincide with Erenville's ability to identify us despite our changed frog appearance during our investigation into Labyrinthos at the beginning of Endwalker - remember, Erenville is from Tural originally. Yes, he's keen on discerning our behavior as distinct from regular frogs, but don't just brush it aside as his merely being sharp - the attention he pays to critters we wouldn't neccessarily even give second thought to might betray his familiarity with what might reasonably hide behind the facade of animals in the land he grew up in.

Of course such shapeshifting magic would not be mastered in a day's worth. Krile in the trailer clearly displays natural nutkin behavior - the peanut is a dead giveaway - yet at the same time she seems ruffled and frantic, perhaps excited, as though she had just been attuned to the shapeshifting form of a nutkin for the first time and was familiarizing with it - perhaps in an effort to balance not becoming overwhelmed by the animal spirit and fully transform into a nutkin forever and at the same time maintaining the nutkin form and not immediately shifting back into lalafell mode. I assume that Krile is on a trial here to find something in the city while in nutkin form, a quest given by her master, who is introducing her to the shapeshifting arts.

[LilimoLimomo]

It's the internet so it's impossible to tell how much of this thread is meant as a joke vs serious, but regardless I'll add my genuine theory here instead of creating a new thread.

In my interpretation, the camera gives way too much time and cinematographic love to the Nutkin in this trailer for it to just be there for funsies. Because of that, I think it's (plausibly deniable) planting that sets up for a payoff that will be revealed in the final trailer.

Here are several hypotheses as to what that reveal might be:
- Among Green Mage's arsenal is the ability to turn into animals, and the Nutkin is Krile.
- Green Mage has animal helpers, and the Nutkin is Krile's helper.
- The new limited job is Beastermaster, which has animal helpers, and the Nutkin is one of them in the trailer.
- The new limited job is Puppetmaster, which has minion helpers, and the Nutkin is one of them in the trailer.

It's always possible that the Nutkin is just there for fluff, but I don't think it's likely. Regardless, we'll see soon enough!

[Eisi]

It's the internet so it's impossible to tell how much of this thread is meant as a joke vs serious, but regardless I'll add my genuine theory here instead of creating a new thread.

It's a serious joke, much like if it turns out to be true.

In my interpretation, the camera gives way too much time and cinematographic love to the Nutkin in this trailer for it to just be there for funsies. Because of that, I think it's (plausibly deniable) planting that sets up for a payoff that will be revealed in the final trailer.

Here are several hypotheses as to what that reveal might be:
- Among Green Mage's arsenal is the ability to turn into animals, and the Nutkin is Krile.
- Green Mage has animal helpers, and the Nutkin is Krile's helper.
- The new limited job is Beastermaster, which has animal helpers, and the Nutkin is one of them in the trailer.
- The new limited job is Puppetmaster, which has minion helpers, and the Nutkin is one of them in the trailer.

It's always possible that the Nutkin is just there for fluff, but I don't think it's likely. Regardless, we'll see soon enough!

That's what I'm saying! I think the transformer theory is the most likely one.

Beastmaster is gonna be limited job tho for sure! Collecting Pokémon around the world is too good an opportunity to pass up on. Also Pepega and Lyon.

[Calysto]

The new limited job could be that shapeshifter.
FFXI had a system called Monstrosity that was basically that.

Edit:
But Could it really be related to the limited job that arrives late in the expansion ? teasing in in the release trailer seems strange then

[mallleable]

On a more serious note, I'm actually kinda digging these theories that it's a hint for the new caster because the new caster is gonna be a shapeshifter. Perhaps "green magic" is a competing school of spellcraft along with blue magic in Tural like how there is black, and white magic in Eorzea. The beast soul that Kokytos eats in p9 is green so maybe it's related.

[Khryseis_Astra]

It's the internet so it's impossible to tell how much of this thread is meant as a joke vs serious, but regardless I'll add my genuine theory here instead of creating a new thread.

In my interpretation, the camera gives way too much time and cinematographic love to the Nutkin in this trailer for it to just be there for funsies. Because of that, I think it's (plausibly deniable) planting that sets up for a payoff that will be revealed in the final trailer.

Here are several hypotheses as to what that reveal might be:
- Among Green Mage's arsenal is the ability to turn into animals, and the Nutkin is Krile.
- Green Mage has animal helpers, and the Nutkin is Krile's helper.
- The new limited job is Beastermaster, which has animal helpers, and the Nutkin is one of them in the trailer.
- The new limited job is Puppetmaster, which has minion helpers, and the Nutkin is one of them in the trailer.

It's always possible that the Nutkin is just there for fluff, but I don't think it's likely. Regardless, we'll see soon enough!

I could see any of these happening. Really hoping if the new caster class is Green Mage, that it’ll get some fun druid-like abilities, such as shapeshifting.

And I was thinking Beastmaster for the limited job, but as you point out, the emphasis on Nutkin and him being a minion sounds more like Puppetmaster. Either one could be fun!

[Fyrebrand]

Wow, I love this theory! I also felt like there was something weird with the inclusion of the nutkin in the trailer, sort of like "Okay, yeah it's cute/funny, but why did they make a point of showing us this?" There could definitely be more than meets the eye to this little critter. Y'shtola gasping "Heavens!" upon seeing a regular nutkin scurrying by does not seem like a normal reaction. You may be right about her perceiving something odd about its aether.

The way the nutkin keeps looking around also seems to indicate it is consciously searching for something. In fact, at the last moment it sees something and runs off with purpose, and even drops the peanut to go after it.

If this ties in to a new job, there are a number of ways it could go. I definitely see potential for beastmaster or puppetmaster (nutkin is literally a minion in this game after all). It could be a druid-like shapeshifter. It could be a caster who can summon animal companions for their attacks.

I would like to point out that in FFV, the Ranger job has an ability called "Animals" which can summon random animals to aid you in combat. The very first on you get at level 1 is squirrels (basically nutkin). Now, I don't think the new job is "Ranger," but rather we may see the theme of summoning animals borrowed from there. They may integrate it into Green Mage, which has already been hinted at heavily by the clover earring we've seen. There's no way we're getting a traditional "Green Mage" mechanically speaking, but I think they might repurpose "green" to refer to the environment and the natural world.

I could see any of these happening. Really hoping if the new caster class is Green Mage, that it’ll get some fun druid-like abilities, such as shapeshifting.

I am going to be over the moon if this ends up being the case. My FFXIV character is literally a recreation of my old favourite D&D druid, who had a chipmunk companion.

[weebtext]

Clearly it's a reference to the new limited job, Beastmaster.