CG Midlander

[Ferth]

I've been reading this thread all day. Enjoying it immensely. I just have a few things to add, sort of, bare with me since some of these may pertain to older posts.

First, in terms of the old C.E. artwork I can't even remember where I read it (it was atleast a year ago.) but there was a pretty healthy debate about the woman on the cover. I think concluding that it is Garuda purely on the feet is not the firmest of reasoning. Granted the feet are a good reference point, but given the overwhelming belief in Siren being our benefactor/puppeteer it would still make far more sense contextually if it were Siren, and the piece is indicative of an adventurer being touched and Awoken by Siren.

Moving on to the Labyrinth of Bahamut. Just throwing out the idea that the labryinth may actually turn out to be remnants of Dalamud after Bahamut has broken free of it. in the End of an Era video we see the key that Yoshi mentions falling out of Dalamud (and actually it looks more like it is one of the deific "swords" more than a key, leaving the potential for more than just one.) but we also see Dalamud break into fragments, a large portion of which being the underside, it could easily have fallen to the ground and become a sort of maze of wreckage.

The third thing I wanted to bring up, on the link between the 12 and Primals; By the very nature of the word Primal suggests to me something that is not very far along in it's advancement, the primals may be budding god-figures that haven't had time to become fully fledged deities. And given the snippets of information we have had it's possible that all of these beings are playing some sort of Battle Royale power struggle with each other utilizing mortals as they see fit. (this could also fit into the changing of ages as being the downfall/rise of another being.) It's possible that the 12 while seeming like a pantheon of gods may actually be just an alliance of these beings. The Archons then might be agents for the 12 or might even be avatars for the 12 themselves.

[Ferth]

Ooh, sorry for the double post but I remember the mentioning of Garlemald potentially being under the influence of another Primal, which, if he is vying to be "the one god" explains the fanatical call for eradication of beastmen and their primals. And I wanted to tie that in with the debate about Gaius turning into the Ultima looking monster we've seen concept art for.

The one problem I have with the potential for Gaius being ultima or turning into Ultima is that it would mean the Garlemald is practically overrun with primals and significant people that can commune with them in a special way. Nael van Darnus, the Emperor and Gaius van Baelsar. Unless Gaius is actually Ultima, AND controlling the Emperor in secret (given his distaste for Darnus there are arguments from either perspective on this.)

The similarity in Gaius' armor and "Ultima" more suggest to me that Ultima fits the roll of influencing the Emperor and the armor styles throughout the empire are just a reflection of that influence.

[Warlock]

Nip.

Nip.

You might be onto something here. I checked the Collectors Edition cover and it certainly seems to be Garuda ...but that was probably Tanaka's Garuda her body seems more showing skin, Yoshida's Garuda is more armored with multiple wings and high heels for feet. I suppose Tanaka put her on the cover bcuz he created her ...there was no Garuda before FF11 so is a staple for online FF.

Now for Gaius been Ultima i have seen this idea go around but i doubt that is the case ...he can't just turn into that ,instead maybe Ultima will be Garlemald's ultimate weapon that can be controlled like Alexander was in FF11 and in reverence only very special members of the Empire can wear armor that simulates Ultima's looks. That's my opinion
there are quite several secrets in Eorzea...

[NoloeTazier]

Ooh, sorry for the double post but I remember the mentioning of Garlemald potentially being under the influence of another Primal, which, if he is vying to be "the one god" explains the fanatical call for eradication of beastmen and their primals. And I wanted to tie that in with the debate about Gaius turning into the Ultima looking monster we've seen concept art for.

The one problem I have with the potential for Gaius being ultima or turning into Ultima is that it would mean the Garlemald is practically overrun with primals and significant people that can commune with them in a special way. Nael van Darnus, the Emperor and Gaius van Baelsar. Unless Gaius is actually Ultima, AND controlling the Emperor in secret (given his distaste for Darnus there are arguments from either perspective on this.)

The similarity in Gaius' armor and "Ultima" more suggest to me that Ultima fits the roll of influencing the Emperor and the armor styles throughout the empire are just a reflection of that influence.

Dunno if we'll know anything about Ultima Weapon for a while. Solus zos Galvus called for Primals to be destroyed, I'm not sure if he's under the influence of one but it would explain how he became so powerful so fast and lead the Garleans into such prosperity. If he was under the influence of a Primal I would assume the Primal has knowledge of the Allagan Empire and helps Galvus establish the magitek weapons and ceruleum based weaponry. But according to the official FFXIV website he's beginning to grow old and sickly, maybe a Primal is slowly draining him? Or maybe he's just becoming old. This will leave an opening for upstarts. Gaius van Baelsar seems to be for Solus zos Galvus as he is said to have killed 9 people who aspired to be Emperor.

[Obsy]

Baaaarely on topic, but has anyone else noticed the Midlander looks a little like Rob Lowe?

[Anonymoose]

has anyone else noticed the Midlander looks a little like Rob Lowe?

[Warlock]

Come on Moosy give us an update on this matter

[Mieck]

Been reading this thread all day when I should have been doing work... nevermind.

Anywho, glancing up at my collectors ed box sat on my shelf, I just wanted to throw in my agreement (read: not confirmation or proof or any of that jazz) that it would be more likely to be Siren than Garuda.
My reasoning runs thus;

For a start, Garuda already has a beast tribe, the Ixali. She's not averse to chucking folks from the 5 races about in a whirlwind either (see: In for Garuda Awkening Cutscenes), whilst cackling about power, so I don't think we're high on her Christmas Card list.
Second, the artwork shows the figure entwined around a Hyur, not an Ixali. Once attached to a beast tribe, primals don't wander about and get friendly with others (do they? Please correct me if you've got text that confirms otherwise).

Lastly... and I sort of hesitate to mention this, but I feel it needs to be pointed out:
The CE artwork is Amano art... the artwork we have of Siren looks like it was drawn up more recently (ie, post DEC 2010). I would also suggest that the Garuda artwork is from the same time. Amano also has, shall we say, and interesting way of drawing extremities. I know that's a point about style (maybe even a personal criticism based on taste), but he has a habit of making hands and feet look a little odd.

I would think that the Garuda already being linked up with the Ixali is a reason enough to think she's not the one on the box, but as I said, it's all just speculation until we hear something official - and I don't think confirmation that the 5 races (possibly will be more later on) have a primal and that it is X will be forthcoming any time soon.

/two penneth

[Warlock]

Been reading this thread all day when I should have been doing work... nevermind.

Anywho, glancing up at my collectors ed box sat on my shelf, I just wanted to throw in my agreement (read: not confirmation or proof or any of that jazz) that it would be more likely to be Siren than Garuda.
My reasoning runs thus;

For a start, Garuda already has a beast tribe, the Ixali. She's not averse to chucking folks from the 5 races about in a whirlwind either (see: In for Garuda Awkening Cutscenes), whilst cackling about power, so I don't think we're high on her Christmas Card list.
Second, the artwork shows the figure entwined around a Hyur, not an Ixali. Once attached to a beast tribe, primals don't wander about and get friendly with others (do they? Please correct me if you've got text that confirms otherwise).

Lastly... and I sort of hesitate to mention this, but I feel it needs to be pointed out:
The CE artwork is Amano art... the artwork we have of Siren looks like it was drawn up more recently (ie, post DEC 2010). I would also suggest that the Garuda artwork is from the same time. Amano also has, shall we say, and interesting way of drawing extremities. I know that's a point about style (maybe even a personal criticism based on taste), but he has a habit of making hands and feet look a little odd.

I would think that the Garuda already being linked up with the Ixali is a reason enough to think she's not the one on the box, but as I said, it's all just speculation until we hear something official - and I don't think confirmation that the 5 races (possibly will be more later on) have a primal and that it is X will be forthcoming any time soon.

/two penneth

As i mentioned before i believe CE cover is indeed Garuda but Tanaka's Garuda the design is quite similar of FFXI's which he created she is practically naked quite opposite to Yoshida's Garuda who seems to wear sharp feathery armor and high heels.
As you can see here ..it seems like Yoshi will kill off Tanaka's Leviathan's design as well:


new:

[Zenaku]

As i mentioned before i believe CE cover is indeed Garuda but Tanaka's Garuda the design is quite similar of FFXI's which he created she is practically naked quite opposite to Yoshida's Garuda who seems to wear sharp feathery armor and high heels.
As you can see here ..it seems like Yoshi will kill off Tanaka's Leviathan's design as well:


new:

Or the old design is just a random mob in the sea and not the real Leviathan and the bones is what is left of him. I said that a few page back i think so ya it's not that it was killed by yoshi-p it just it was not the real Leviathan.