CG Midlander

[Anonymoose]

The Theocracy bit makes a lot of sense, though we're leaving out an important factor. Gridanians respect the seedseers for understanding the will of the forest, which is the will of the elementals. The ability to commune with he elementals ("the forest") was taught to them by the moogles, which is their part in the story. But why? According to Gridanian legend, the Twevleswood (Black Shroud) itself was created specifically for the elementals by Nophica.

The Gods' Quiver protects the forest, and the Wood Wailers protect Gridania - they, with the seedseers and conjurers, represent the pillars of Gridanian faith. Those would all need places in the structure.

At the end of the day, it's still all about The Twelve.

[Catapult]

A Baloon fish. treantvine . Velodyna cosmos
Sea. Land. Sky.
Limsa. Gridania. Uldah

Those that are bloodborn (sea) . Bloodless ( land) or transcendant (sky).

Mind you I don't recall what nation each was from. But maybe their naming is significant. Treants are guardians of the wood. The cosmos and the games like of astral umbral. Not sure about baloon fish.

That... might actually be a red herring.

Limsa is a seafaring nation. Their patron deity is Llymlaen, the Navigator. Consequently, exotic foods are of particular interest. The balloon fish comes from much deeper depths of the ocean and has to be drawn up by something, such as a sea serpent. It's inherent rarity gives it value, as does your ability to obtain it - you have demonstrated an art of personal freedom in its acquisition.

Meanwhile, in Ul'dah, society is rules by the three pillars of wealth. Money, Power and Love. By possessing one, the other two can be acquired, and so that which assists in their acquisition has value. This is how the Velodyna Cosmos has value - she offers a rare brand of beauty that is expensive to attain and can become a mark of influence and wealth.

In Gridania, natural resources are highly valued as the inhabitants of Gridania are concious of their impact on the circle of life. A treant vine is difficult to obtain and may only be taken rarely. This gives it value.

Nophica's Altar also plays host to the skyserpent egg. Conjury also contains aspects of earth, wind and water - the elements of nature. So dividing up the city states on this basis is impractical.

Gridania is Nature. Ul'dah is Capitalism. Limsa is Freedom.

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The Theocracy bit makes a lot of sense, though we're leaving out an important factor. Gridanians respect the seedseers for understanding the will of the forest, which is the will of the elementals. The ability to commune with he elementals ("the forest") was taught to them by the moogles, which is their part in the story. But why? According to Gridanian legend, the Twevleswood (Black Shroud) itself was created specifically for the elementals by Nophica.

The Gods' Quiver protects the forest, and the Wood Wailers protect Gridania - they, with the seedseers and conjurers, represent the pillars of Gridanian faith. Those would all need places in the structure.

At the end of the day, it's still all about The Twelve.

Very fair comments. I'm not going to argue them (after all, they are quite valid) and am happy for it to be an imperfect comparison.

Although, I will point out that the Gridanians speak far more of the elementals than the Twelve. Mind you, by honouring the elementals, one inherently honours Nophica.
To connect the moogles, we may need to re-examine their own lore surrounding Good King Moggle Mog XII. According to their legend, they came from the astral realms, which could arguably be the same realm of the Twelve, and this turn could coincide with the first Umbral Era when the age of the gods ended.
So if moogles came from the same place as the Twelve, they would be familiar with their ways in a way the five races are not. As immigrants seeking peace, who not cooperate irrespective of what Nophica created their new home for?

[Anonymoose]

Although, I will point out that the Gridanians speak far more of the elementals than the Twelve.

When you put it that way, I guess I should count my blessings that we got Nophica on their company recruitment poster instead of a busty elemental.

if moogles came from the same place as the Twelve, they would be familiar with their ways in a way the five races are not. As immigrants seeking peace, who not cooperate irrespective of what Nophica created their new home for?

I think this is one of the ones that won't have a tangible answer unless SE someday decides to elaborate on the nature of the gods themselves.

"Legend holds that, in a time long forgotten, mooglekind abided in the heavens as loyal servants of the gods."

"A war of deific proportions would erupt, triggered by a feud over a single goblet of wine. Growing weary of the conflict, the reigning moogle monarch, Good King Moggle Mog XII, resolved to lead his people to the realm of mortals in secret, that they might again know a life of peace."

This does seem to imply that they're of the same origin as Moggle. Though, if Moogles served the Twelve, one would assume that the Gridanian religion would assume that they were created by them, which makes them kinda like fluffy little cherubs, Judeo-Christianally speaking.

I think there's something to be said about the true nature of the connections in the way in which they can comprehend things. For instance Moogles can understand the language of the elementals and the language of man, but only certain figures of man can understand moogles, and moogles taught them to hear the elementals. Mythologically speaking, that would make sense considering the hierarchy we're told.

That's one thing that always got me: Moogles usually end up being a sort of servant species to people in Final Fantasy, as well, but in FFXIV (so far, soon to change), they don't interact with humans very much at all and seem to act with more interest towards the elementals. If they were to continue their duty to serve the Twelve, but escaped to the realm of mortals... that would be a good place to start.

But I digress.

It is interesting, though, that you started this discussion with a Jewish societal structure and the Moogles think of Moggle as the figure that led them out of a dangerous servitude to what their legend specifically refers to as the Promised Land...

[Catapult]

But I digress.

Indeed, it might be a good idea to leave that one there as there are way too many holes to stumble over and little to be gained from it.

Ferne, can I haz quests? kthxbai