FFXIV story/lore thread

[Lokus]

Spoiler: show

Elibdus never struck me as being on the same level of "evil" as Lahabrea or Nariales. From what I remember of his first appearance, his approach was more diplomatic than the others so seeing Urianger didn't necessarily give me the feeling Uiranger became a turncoat. Also, Nanamo's death is most likely staged.

Lucia's "secret" remains as well so guess it's going to be a plot point in 3.0.

[Spira]

I was quite annoyed by how there are so many simultaneous story arcs going on in XIV because it gets so messy and you get scenario clashes. For clarity, it does appear that certain events were planned to occur chronologically before others even though they ran independently (Final Coil before 2.55, i think) which was what they did in XI as well. But 2.55 almost seems to want to prove the point about how messy the story can get.

Spoiler: show

Build up to Ishgard:
This is the only steadily advancing plot point i see. Ishgard invasion is imminent and they'll eventually open their doors. That much is certain. They could have elaborated on Iceheart, but who knows what that woman is thinking.

Ul'dah:
A bit of espionage and backstabbery is fine but they really overdid this one. Too convoluted to be interesting anymore - you don't even begin to bother thinking anyone can be trusted because betrayal happens all the time. I like the theory put forth about Roaille and Ilberd and whoevers been bought out in Ul'dah. However, i also have the feeling that Lolorito isn't actually bad, but consorted with Teledji in order to ascertain his plans of killing Nanamo, in turn making sure that she didn't die by staging her death by poison with the help of her lady in waiting. However he probably didn't expect Raubahn to kill Teledji, which in turn forced his hand somehow. the Raubahn scene was unexpected, and i think Merlwyb's SEVEN HELLS sums up anyones reaction to it pretty well. Pretty glad he didn't die, and wasn't expecting them to kill him off since he's a better character.

Alphinaud and the CBs:
kinda glad the CBs went the way they did. thought introducing a new entity was stupid in the first place and maybe they happened to write themselves into that situation at first but realized that the Crystal Braves weren't going to work in the story moving forward. As for Alphinaud, also happy he got put in his place - never liked him as a leader figure and thought his role was significantly overemphasized even though he never actually did any shit.

Scions:
I get that they wanted to remove the Scions from the story so u could focus on other matters, but they did so in a rather messy way. I doubt any of them are dead - and there's nothing to suggest that any of them actually are. But also quite sad to see they were removed from the story in such a way. Considering how they handled themselves against Gaius in Futures Perfect (1.0), to see them 'fall' to a bunch of soldiers is just pathetic. Minfailia's exit was the worst - oops Hydaelyn made me do it. I expect to see them return at some point later in the story with significantly reduced roles. Random: are Shtola and Mhitra related? they're obviously from the same tribe, that much i know.
Am actually fond of the fact that the Scions HQ shifts with each major story arc.

Urianger and Ascians:
Some progress here. Nabriales is confirmed dead, so that means we can eventually get rid of all of them. I'm still not sure when Zodiark will come into the picture. That Urianger spoke to Elidibus seems to suggest that either hes working with them or is knowledgeable/important enough that they would entertain talking to him. He doesn't possess the Echo so technically he wouldn't be able to understand them unless they specifically spoke in a way for people to understand.

Tataru and F'lhaminn:
is cute. I hope she's good. She was definitely hiding something in the Costa Del Sol scene tho. wonder what happened to F'lhaminn tho.

[Arthars]

Spoiler: show

yea i also think the scions will be in a lesser role in heavensward, maybe just like us, become an adventurer in the new lands since the focus has to be in ishgard personnels.

Alphinaud going down is pretty good as well, its a fresh start in heavensward afterall

also the scion moved base because rowena is charging too high a rental i heard. my god the place shes building in toll, i wouldnt be surprised if rowena have her own army one day. she prolly have enough tomestone to gear all her underlings in IL130

[ebil]

About Y'Shtola

Spoiler: show

I get that they wanted to remove the Scions from the story so u could focus on other matters, but they did so in a rather messy way. I doubt any of them are dead - and there's nothing to suggest that any of them actually are. But also quite sad to see they were removed from the story in such a way. Considering how they handled themselves against Gaius in Futures Perfect (1.0), to see them 'fall' to a bunch of soldiers is just pathetic. Minfailia's exit was the worst - oops Hydaelyn made me do it. I expect to see them return at some point later in the story with significantly reduced roles. Random: are Shtola and Mhitra related? they're obviously from the same tribe, that much i know.
Am actually fond of the fact that the Scions HQ shifts with each major story arc.

Spoiler: show

It always was pretty obvious Shtola and Mhitra were sisters. Mhitra actually states at some point during the SMN questline that she came to Eorzea because of her sister, they're physically extremely similar to the point they could probably be twins (same hair eye and skin color, same markings), both conjurers and dress the same way, are the only known members of the Y tribe etc. Story just confirmed it which was kind of neat.

Edit: Just checked in hopes that she had new lines but she doesn't.

[Stef]

Spoiler: show

i dont think anyone believed that any of the scion died. Urianger is still alive to maybe hold a "talk" to get them out.

Also, 2nd expansion confirmed after heavensward. Its called the Game of Thrones

A Dragonsong of Umbral Ice and Astral Fire - A Manderville with Dragons

[Kaslo]

Spoiler: show

Could they have made Merlwyb and Kal-E-Senna look any worse? Nanamo gets poisoned, they knew she was going to abdicate, their bro Raubahn is accused of failing in his duties as leader of the Flames and they just pack it in and leave? Not even a proper defense of this guys character even after the events of the Calamity? I expected Merlwyb to push aside her pencil pushing bodyguard and act Maelstrom. Weak.

I thought the faction leaders were closer than that, even if politics mean they look after their nations first.

I lol'd at Lolorito's response to Raubahn killing Teledeji though. Hey guys! Syndicate members aren't supposed to kill eachother!

Spoiler: show

You have to also remember their roles as leaders of foreign nations. They have to look out for their nations first, which means not pulling them into a conflict with another nation, nor allowing themselves to be captured and cause disarray in their own nations.

[Rocl]

A lot of things to go over, I was going to quote specific people but that'd be too much hassle. As for how I feel about the actual storyline, it did the job of getting me chomping at the bit for Heavensward, though I wish more than ever it wasn't delayed now.

Spoiler: show

The minute Raubahn was like "yeah okay Alphinaud, we'll send more Flames and give the Blades more authority" I knew shit was fucked. Anyone who knows anything about Ul'dah should've known that the Blades can't be trusted except for a few (like Fufulpa of Horizon and those at Lost Hope [Leofric's words of encouragement are actually p baller]); so basically Alphinaud pushing the Alliance Leader buttons worked well into the advantage of the Monetarists.

I'm also not wholly convinced Lolorito knew everything Teljedi was doing (i.e. planning to kill the Sultana, Omega weapon). I'm also not sure the other Monetarists, i.e. Godbert, Dewlala and Fhrgyeim (sp) were in on this. Godbert and the Roegadyn weren't even present at the banquet (though Godbert not being there was probably a good move keeping ridiculous comic relief away from serious business--though I wonder how/if anything changes if you start Hildibrand after 2.5 like how Hildibrand changes if you start it after 2.2 hmmm)

Did Lolorito know the Sultana wished to abdicate and form a Republic? Probably. The only Royalist to sit on the Syndicate I know of is Raubahn, so while they were all probably okay with her abdicating, the Republic is probably what would've ruffled their feathers. I'm more of the opinion he jumped on the Raubahn is a fuck bandwagon in order to preserve the status quo; which is what the Monetarists have always tried to do. Remember they wouldn't budge against the Garlean Empire until it was made readily apparent that yes it would fuck things up if Nael crashed Dalamud into Eorzea. Only then did they fuck w/ their trade with Garlemald. The Empire had already sacked Ala Mhigo and attempted to take Mor Dhona and the Monetarists were literally like "So?" The only good in the world is what benefits them and the only bad is what doesn't. (Blah blah, Godbert is probably more concerned about his revenues for his philanthropy work but he's still probably swayed by coin.)

Also it was heavily implied/hinted/outright stated Y'mhitra was Y'shtola's sister. The reason she's at Apkallu Falls is because it's where Louisoix was and Y'shtola always spoke highly of him.

Alphinaud being knocked the fuck down felt so good. I wonder if unlocking Final Coil after 2.55 changes his dialogue? He can't rightly tell the Ul'dahns to stay away from the Dalamud fragments now... though that can be handwaved away w/ the Vice-Marshal and the fact the other Alliance Leaders still trust him.

As for being sad about Merlwyb / Kan-E-Senna being bitches, I mean they were ALWAYS bitches but I can understand it. They are Raubahn's friend. They are Nanamo's friend. We just had cutscenes with Merlwyb stressing her raison d'etre was to serve Limsa Lominsa (a sight for me sore eyes); not what she thinks is just/righteous but what best serves the interest of her city-state. Though she doesn't think we killed the Sultana (her friend), she can't rightly put herself in danger by getting involved in the fracas (a point cutscenes in 1.0 make, where the Storm Sergeants yell at her to retreat from the the Magitek Vanguard since she's too important to Limsa to be wounded/killed). Not to mention what could she do at that point? Raubahn just killed a dude. Straight up murder. Like, what is she gonna do say the murder was justified weeks after the fact when an investigation completes? That's not a stance either leader should condone. I have good reason to believe this dude stole my Mun-Tuy beans so I gutted him; but it's okay Raubahn told me guilty until proven innocent. Neither Kan-E nor Merlwyb could help Raubahn the minute he slew Teljedi and they couldn't rightly endanger themselves by remaining in Ul'dah.

Which brings me to the point did Teljedi want to get killed? We saw no aetherial soul rise from his corpse so it's unlikely he possessed the Echo (which btw his fear/outing of Minfilia having the Echo was brilliant btw) so it's likely he's dead for real. I mean, the Sultana is questionable though I think it's 80% likely dead if Papashan thinks she's dead. Teljedi has to be dead; and I don't think he expected to be killed-- that's just bad planning. He probably just wanted to gloat not necessarily goad Raubahn into killing him. Though Raubahn's loss of temper worked to his advantage, so getting him mad as hell was probably intentional.

Laurentius being a turncoat was so obvious I'm kind of saddened by it, as am I by Alianne's betrayal. Though the idea that Wilred was true to the end was nice; not ever asshole we recruited to the Braves for a second chance was a dick. Poor Riol tho, nigga was in the Company of Heroes and now he's part of a traitorous organization.

Thancred's goodbye to Minfilia would've been more meaningful if he used her real name since he's the Scion closest to her. I don't remember now but does F'hlaminn call her Ascilia? She should gdi. Also feel like F'hlaminn isn't dead, though she has a lot of pull in Ul'dah if the Songtress were to return so the Monetarists were to let her run free.

The Temple Knight who betrayed Ishgard and let Iceheart to the Steps of Faith had a close up on his light blue eyes. Ifrit's Tempered had red/orange eyes in the Amaljaa Beast Tribe quest iirc so maybe Iceheart has learned how to Temper people as Shiva? That'd be an interesting turn.

Are the Scions actually dead? That'd be.. interesting.. not wholly unexpected but I'm also not buying the idea they bit the bullet either. I did think Yda / Y'shtola might've been showing off Lv60 abilities haha (Fists of Lightning, some kind of Holy-move lol) Yda and Papalymo dying seems less likely than Thancred / Y'shtola just because collapsing a tunnel on yourself seems inherently more perilous than fighting some dudes. I expect Minfilia didn't die either, or let herself get captured. If Hydaelyn really did speak to her (and judging by the fwoosh light, she did) I expect Minfilia simply gave herself up. She'd probably be worth more alive than dead, if for nothing else than the power of the Echo which the Monetarists are now acutely aware of.

It bears repeating that Teljedi's accusations of Minfilia's withcraft/vile gift etc being afraid of and demonizing the Echo is the exact reason the Path of the Twelve was founded. That it was eventually outed and treated thusly is a nice full circle from 1.0; speaking of previously weird plotholes, the fact that a Garlean footsoldier accused Thancred of conspiring with the Empire and being a dark sorcerer is totally plausible and I'm kind of surprised it only caught up to him now (after all the Scions did their best to keep it secret).

The fact a bunch of NPCs have their dialogue changed (almost every Brass Blade) and various other NPCs have appeared to spout rumours (including one gossipmonger who says a famous adventurer is the one who went on a rampage in the Fragrant Chamber and killed the sultana) Also that the Crystal Brave NPCs are now absent from Limsa and Gridania reminds me a lot of the lead up to WotG and ToAU in XI and the smaller Umbral Era storyling in 1.0; still wish there were more world events but Yoshida can still surprise me, can't he? ; = ; Though Bartholomew acknowledging you're a Scion is a bit weird (he's the gate guard for the Fragrant Chamber) as is Alberic still speaking of Estinien having abandoned his post...

More dissent amongst Ascians is always interesting, and like I said before it feels like Elidibus simply imagines Urianger to be the new head of the Scions? Unsure, if nothing else Urianger is the most knowledgeable of aetherial things which means he's probably the best suited to parley with aetherial beings. I full suspect the Ascians are the ones turning the wheel in Ul'dah, albeit probably not as overtly as they do in Ishgard; the NPCs make it a point that this Ul'dah malarkey had to have been planned for years but the knowledge of Omega is but perhaps 5 years old? Speaking of Omega, it makes sense we get no resolution on the matter since we know Omega was made more or less to combat Bahamut and Bahamut's story is to be fleshed out more in Heavensward (his exact summoning etc)

Did I mention the scholar in South Shroud was about to have a big revelation when he found Wilred's body? That the world's aether is misaligned more than it rightly should be by primal summoning alone? I had always assumed when Lahabrea spoke of sowing the seeds of divinity he specifically meant Shiva but it's clear now the Paragons went far and above of Coerthas. I suspect the "fork" there with Tataru and the scholar will likely be more important than we realize.

I had more to talk about but I think I forgot.

[gaira]

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[Rocl]

@gaira

Spoiler: show

the difference is i don't think the sultana shows in CS for GSM, and the smallfolk believe her to still be alive albeit ill; in the CUL quests she's physically present and part of the CS and so is Lolorito

[Aumaan_Kujata]

Spoiler: show

That aetherial inspector sidequest thing caught my eye too. I wonder if it's a subtle/not-so-subtle lead-in to some major nature-of-the-world development we'll be surprised by, or just a "oh, Alexander's slurping stuff up, better go see what's up guys" hook.

[Sho]

Spoiler: show

Could they have made Merlwyb and Kal-E-Senna look any worse? Nanamo gets poisoned, they knew she was going to abdicate, their bro Raubahn is accused of failing in his duties as leader of the Flames and they just pack it in and leave? Not even a proper defense of this guys character even after the events of the Calamity? I expected Merlwyb to push aside her pencil pushing bodyguard and act Maelstrom. Weak.

I thought the faction leaders were closer than that, even if politics mean they look after their nations first.

I lol'd at Lolorito's response to Raubahn killing Teledeji though. Hey guys! Syndicate members aren't supposed to kill eachother!

Spoiler: show

While I do agree with both of you in thinking it makes Granny Admiral and Kan-E-Senna look like cowards for leaving, that situation is far closer to reality than anything else going on in those scenes.

We have to remember that this is a matter of state at the highest level (presumably dead monarch, General being usurped in front of everyone's eyes), and them intervening would have far more implications than solve problems because they are both heads of their respective nations on foreign soil. Imagine if this was a situation of President Obama & Vladmir Putin in say, China having discussions with President Xi Jinping. Shit goes down at the banquet or whatever, involving Jinping getting shot. You best believe Obama & Putin's aides and guards are going to get them far the hell away from China as soon as possible, rather than attack the assailant.

I mean, this is an MMO and they have magic and gun skills, but the scenario that happened is legitimate.

[Appie]

Spoiler: show

I must be the only one who doesn't desire everyone around me to be killed off. Though I think i know where you're coming from, and it being "Why bother killing them off if you're only going to revive them next update" thing. I don't think any Scions died, but I think Nanamo and Teledji are down for good. Though I really wouldn't be toooo surprised if Nanamo wasn't dead.

But to me, and this is an opinion, deaths are like Jump scares, a cheap/easy shot at an emotion reaction. I don't want nor need my entire group of companions to be killed for me to care about the storyline, and everyone here seems to really like the fact they just went full GoT on us... personally I hope they survived. I like Thancrad and Y'Sh more than I like any other character in XIV. I mean, the Crystal Braves can stand in ruins for now, Alph can be knocked down a peg, so on... but to kill off every Scion save Urianger/Tataru... I liked the cutscenes, i really enjoyed them, but not everyone needed to be sacrificed off.

But I am not a fan of those types of shows (Walking Dead, Game of Thrones) that just kill off everyone left and right.

Spoiler: show

Glad to see I wasn't the only one who had that feeling while watching these cutscenes. All the goodbyes (and Milf holding us up because she has to stare at somebody for 5 more seconds) felt kinda forced to me and made me not really care. Especially because it screamed: "These people are not going to die!" imo. The whole thing felt as an attempt to dump alot of "drama" in the finale, but too much of something is never a good thing, especially when it is so obvious that (at the least imo) the Scions aren't dead.

For me the whole story that was added this patch felt more of an attempt to reset your whole character for the expansion. Sort of like they did in the first hour of God of War 2, stripping you of pretty much all old shit and having to fight your way back up the ladder.

That said, I did like the stuff that happened apart from the Scions "farewells". I did not see it coming that Raubahn would go berserk. Also did not see it coming that he would lose his arm (imo the only real thing of value that was lost in this MSQ patch). Also some nice setups for Heavensward.

[Sho]

@Niiro & Karbuncle

Spoiler: show

Also go to back to Alphinaud, I don't at all mind if people get killed off or not, but more so that this douchey, uncaring kid got put in his place in the best way possible. He wants to be a leader, but doesn't want to go through the rigors of what it truly took -- he would instead impose the rights to command people to his right-hand man (and before that, you, the Warrior of Light as well as Boobfillia and the Grand Company Leaders) instead of actually be in the fray. This is why the realization of him just being a kid toying with people's lives and breaking down was so satisfying. No, the world is much larger than you. No, you aren't the center of your own universe. No, you aren't as special as you think. Yes, your shitty, unthinking actions have grand, irreparable consequences and can adversely affect people's lives.

Concerning death:

Spoiler: show

I don't mind at all if main NPCs die, because death isn't nearly as bad as other fates that people have met in the storyline so far, the most recent being Raubahn.

I mean, Raubahn just recently met a far greater pain than that of death -- he's lost his sultana, which now can be heavily implied as his lover, his best friend betrayed him, he has fallen from grace in the eyes of Granny Admiral, Kan-E-Senna, and his subjects, and he literally got his arm chopped off (by his best friend no less), ending his career as a Gladiator in most aspects (though he could have that GoT Jaime Lannister one armed warrior type come back) before being tossed in prison. The look on his face belies that he would rather been killed, than face the fate he's facing. You then have fates like that of Edda (and her original party members) or G'raha Tia which really doesn't need to be explained at this point.

Death is inevitable for everyone, but there are far more worse fates. Yoshi-P killing off characters is just a facet of reality, people die (and he uses this to great effect to get rid of irrelevant 1.0 characters), both bad and good. I think it's because of this people think that the team is channeling Game of Thrones.

On Urianger:

Spoiler: show

I'm actually surprised that people haven't reasoned the fact that his lover just recently died trying to save everyone. If you guys can recall, he didn't mourn with his fellow Scions over Moen's death, he did so in secret. It's implied that he mourned by way of studying more of his tomes to help out his pals, but this actually might be a cover for him looking into a way to revive his now dead lover. We now see him in concert with an agent of his greatest enemy; that which comes from the Void and cannot be killed without going through a lot of aetheric bullshit. He may have gone there to see if there was a way to bring back Moen in his moment of loss and grief.

[Niiro]

Spoiler: show

It's not how the GC leaders behaved in the scene itself that bothers me (it does, but it's not the main thing) as much as the fact that there's no word from them afterwards.

I suppose it's part of a much larger gripe that the GCs and the GC leaders in 2.0 were relegated to storyline characters only, in 1.0 they were your primary quest givers after you joined a GC.

In 2.0 this was pretty much entirely abandoned in favor of Tits and The Gang which removed the need to make dialogue and cutscenes for the separate nations, and I really disliked it, we got to choose our GCs and I very much appreciated the fact that I got to choose who I got my orders from. We have no choice when it comes to the scions and they completely replace the GC leaders, we have virtually no interaction with them at all after like level 20 or whatever.

Which sort of brings me back to the scene in question, when Snidely starts making accusations of assassination left and right why is the fact that I'm an enlisted solider of the Maelstrom not mentioned given the head of the Maelstrom is in the goddamn room? Why does Merlwyb not say anything at the time or at the very least call me into HQ afterwards to discuss......all of the fucking crazy shit that just went down?

"One of our soldiers was accused of assassinating a head of state while I was having dinner down the hall, maybe I should call them into my office for a chat? Na, I'm sure it'll work itself out."

And like I said in my earlier post, it makes absolutely no fucking sense whatsoever for people in the Flames, "technically you're a wanted fugitive and the leader of our organization was maimed and imprisoned as a traitor but for some reason the entire GC hasn't been dissolved and you're still a normal member and it's still business as usual".

edit: also

Spoiler: show

I like that they brought what's-his-name back to help us make our getaway at the end (kind of brings things full circle I guess) but then Cid shows up too and jets immediately after.

"So, the alliance is broken, the scions are all missing/dead, and the braves are all traitors, welp, here we are, peace nigga!"

*flies off*

[Appie]

Spoiler: show

I wouldn't mind people getting killed either, hell I'd love for most of the Scions to be chopped, but it was so obvious to me that they weren't. I don't care for much of any of them. Especially Alphinaud, but his current situation will do very nicely for me. Raubahn's fate is probably worse than death yeah.

edit to post above:

Spoiler: show

I didn't think of how dumb that scene would look if your GC wasn't Flames. Here it made sense that Raubahn would stick up for me, since I am in that GC, but for the other GC leaders to not even say anything if that's your GC (even after the banquet somewhere private), that's just dumb, as dumb as Flames GC business going on as usual I suppose.

[Odin'sLaw]

Spoiler: show

THIS. IS. UL'DAH!

i actually shouted that at the screen at 11pm last night

[Niiro]

Also I never knew that this (from the 1.0 Ul'dah intro):



was a younger Minfilia and F'lhaminn, I guess it was part of the Ul'dah storyline.

[Eeeks]

On Urianger:

Spoiler: show

I'm actually surprised that people haven't reasoned the fact that his lover just recently died trying to save everyone. If you guys can recall, he didn't mourn with his fellow Scions over Moen's death, he did so in secret. It's implied that he mourned by way of studying more of his tomes to help out his pals, but this actually might be a cover for him looking into a way to revive his now dead lover. We now see him in concert with an agent of his greatest enemy; that which comes from the Void and cannot be killed without going through a lot of aetheric bullshit. He may have gone there to see if there was a way to bring back Moen in his moment of loss and grief.

Spoiler: show

While initially shocking, I do see Urianger's meeting with Elidibus as a red herring. We know that only those gifted with the Echo, Minfilia and the Player, can perceive and communicate with the Ascians in Eorzea. Elidibus is Zodiark's diplomat (and likely right hand), so it's really not all that surprising that he'd reach out to the only Archon survivor (confirmed survivor, as of now). I suspect that summoning Urianger (physically or via some magic only Urianger understands) to the Aetherial Rift was the only means of communication available to them.

Elidibus stresses repeatedly that they're adversaries due to circumstance, not deliberate choice. The Scions managed to kill an immortal Ascian. The Scions have interceded in the Dragonsong War (a war led by a Holy See under Ascian influence). The Scions suffered a severe blow in Ul'dah at the conclusion of the 2.x MSQs.

There's a lot for them to discuss.

EDIT: Something that made me tremendously happy:

Spoiler: show

[Sho]

Spoiler: show

It's not how the GC leaders behaved in the scene itself that bothers me (it does, but it's not the main thing) as much as the fact that there's no word from them afterwards.

I suppose it's part of a much larger gripe that the GCs and the GC leaders in 2.0 were relegated to storyline characters only, in 1.0 they were your primary quest givers after you joined a GC.

In 2.0 this was pretty much entirely abandoned in favor of Tits and The Gang which removed the need to make dialogue and cutscenes for the separate nations, and I really disliked it, we got to choose our GCs and I very much appreciated the fact that I got to choose who I got my orders from. We have no choice when it comes to the scions and they completely replace the GC leaders, we have virtually no interaction with them at all after like level 20 or whatever.

Which sort of brings me back to the scene in question, when Snidely starts making accusations of assassination left and right why is the fact that I'm an enlisted solider of the Maelstrom not mentioned given the head of the Maelstrom is in the goddamn room? Why does Merlwyb not say anything at the time or at the very least call me into HQ afterwards to discuss......all of the fucking crazy shit that just went down?

"One of our soldiers was accused of assassinating a head of state while I was having dinner down the hall, maybe I should call them into my office for a chat? Na, I'm sure it'll work itself out."

And like I said in my earlier post, it makes absolutely no fucking sense whatsoever for people in the Flames, "technically you're a wanted fugitive and the leader of our organization was maimed and imprisoned as a traitor but for some reason the entire GC hasn't been dissolved and you're still a normal member and it's still business as usual".

Spoiler: show

I also hated the fact that it was more so about you being a Scion rather than fighting for a nation, but the 2.0 story (and ARR) in general moved the emphasis from you being consigned to a nation to you being the free traveling adventurer who's loyalty isn't to any one nation, but the world at-large.

You see this emphasis in a lot as well (Scions moving from the Waking Sands to Mor Dhona, the entire PLD storyline, entire NIN storyline, and now the most recent 2.55 story when it comes to dealing with the defense of Ishgard). Being that free spirited and free traveling adventurer, you're allowed that freedom to meddle in everyone's affairs without impunity, and just about every high level officer in every nation, including Ishgard, knows this. The only real contradiction to this is the fact that you join a Grand Company at all, but it's explained away in the story that it's done at Boobfillia's behest so that the nations can move the matter off of getting you to sign up for a Grand Company onto more important matters, such as the then Ramuh problem.

The Flames grand company explanation is kind of weak, but there really isn't a way out of that one. There's no real way to explain away the problem of you being a traitor to Ul'Dah, Raubahn falling from grace, but it's business as usual for the Immortal Flames to preserve peace, so they went with exactly that explanation as their best choice. If nothing else, Pipin Tarupin's [re] introduction into the story was well timed to explain the Flames continued existence.

edit: also

Spoiler: show

I like that they brought what's-his-name back to help us make our getaway at the end (kind of brings things full circle I guess) but then Cid shows up too and jets immediately after.

"So, the alliance is broken, the scions are all missing/dead, and the braves are all traitors, welp, here we are, peace nigga!"

*flies off*

Spoiler: show

This was definitely used for an ironic effect to signify ARR's true end. It does indeed come full circle in a horrible way as the guy that ferries you to your city is the guy that ferries you out of Ul'Dah from harm and capture. Even the placement of everyone sitting down in the chocobo carriage is the same (You off to the lower right hand side, Alphinaud to the left of you, and your respective colored peddler adjacent you). Granted, he [they] are just simple peddlers who are unknown supporters of the Scions, they wouldn't have been of much use otherwise.

I'm actually far more annoyed at Cid being completely useless in he Warrior of Light's time of need.

[Sho]

Spoiler: show

While initially shocking, I do see Urianger's meeting with Elidibus as a red herring. We know that only those gifted with the Echo, Minfilia and the Player, can perceive and communicate with the Ascians in Eorzea. Elidibus is Zodiark's diplomat (and likely right hand), so it's really not all that surprising that he'd reach out to the only Archon survivor (confirmed survivor, as of now). I suspect that summoning Urianger (physically or via some magic only Urianger understands) to the Aetherial Rift was the only means of communication available to them.

Elidibus stresses repeatedly that they're adversaries due to circumstance, not deliberate choice. The Scions managed to kill an immortal Ascian. The Scions have interceded in the Dragonsong War (a war led by a Holy See under Ascian influence). The Scions suffered a severe blow in Ul'dah at the conclusion of the 2.x MSQs.

There's a lot for them to discuss.

Spoiler: show

It could be a red herring too yes. We know Eldibus to not only be a near immortal being who has possibly lived for a millennia, but also an emissary on a diplomatic agenda. The fact that Urianger asks him to speak plainly means that not only does Eldibus know how to communicate in the common tongue that everyone uses in Eorzea, but also that Urianger may know how to communicate with Ascians in their otherwise unintelligible speech (possibilities being him having an Echo, learning it from research, being a former Ascian himself, etc). There's also the fact that this might tie far back into 1.0, with Urianger being accused of being one of the mages who brought upon the Sixth Umbral Era:

Urianger: The Twelve have willed that our paths cross once more, and for this I give thanks.
Urianger: For that which came to pass when last we met, I do beg thy pardon. Though I called upon my familiar, I swear I meant thee no lasting hurt.

Urianger: Upon these once taintless shores lurk Garlean devils, dizened in darkness─their object, to bestrew venomous falsehoods anent my person and purpose.

Urianger: They claim me one of a cabal of malign mages whom erst summoned forth a terrible doom unto Eorzea. They covet my knowledge of the Seventh Moon, deeming it a threat to peace, and have ventured so far as to call for my death, luring would-be abettors with the luster of false riches.

Urianger: I have pled mine innocence to them that would hear it, but what is one voice of truth amidst a chorus of calumnies? So, that my message might be delivered, I was compelled to brave a less trodden path. I had need of them that could discern good from evil, though each be clad in the cloth of the other.

Urianger: And it was with this in mind that I did test thee, knowing that when thou hadst overcome adversity, thou wouldst awaken anew to the light of truth.

Urianger: From thy feats that day, I know I have found one of them I seek. Thou art blessed with the fortitude to endure the blight that will descend upon Eorzea anon. Aye, thou shalt prove a boon in the battle to come, and any of the Grand Companies of Eorzea would be fortunate to count thee in their number.

Urianger: Yet...though thou hast hitherto endured much, thou must needs apprehend all this as but the beginning. The fate of the realm rests upon thy shoulders and the shoulders of thy compeers. Shirk not this burden, for if thou dost, Eorzea will perish ere the first flame falleth from the heavens.

He's obviously lived for a long time, at least as far back as the early Sixth Astral Era. Him being an Archon is a counterpoint to Ascians -- Archons inevitably are destined to bring about Astral Eras, while Ascians are destined to bring about Umbral Eras. I'm willing to believe they also might discuss this waxing and waning, as it's a direct reference to Hydaelyn eternally opposing Zodiark.

Something like that.