New ToA Missions Speculation and Discussion (Spoilers)

[ShomeGhuye]

Well, I finished up the missions last night. While it wasn't the greatest of "expansions", it was still good in that it provided a lot of content in the cut scenes as well as new information to wrap our heads around.

Observations

• Contrary to first impressions in the early missions, the empress has a kind heart and means well for bother her country, and apparently even for Luzaf.
• Luzaf is dead - his only purpose in existence was to destroy the Aht Urahn Empire (bad sp sorry). That now is not his goal, and from the advice of the empress, now wishes to do everything he can to rebuild his old nation.
• Gessho is a spy from the far east and is seeking funds for his companions back home. His presence in Talacca Cove was due to the deception that Flit had constructed.
• In text when the dark rider speaks, his name appears as "Odin Prime". I can't help but feeling I've heard that sort of name before
• The incarnation of Odin that appeared appeared mindless, simply repeating himself except for when he leaves.
• The Empire has constructed an iron replica of the ruins of Alzaadal. This came as quite a surprise to me since you'd think something like that could be seen from the furthest ends of the woodlands.
• Despite having constructed this replica, the clowns in the palace still need the blueprints to figure out how to run / activate it. Interesting.

Speculations & Predictions
For the purpose of of making it more readable, I'm going to make this section in normal text rather than a list.

Predictions
It seems that luzaf has gained hope only to have it taken away by the grand vizier. This could lead to him directing his "ball of rage" back to the empire, instead of pursuing what he intended to do w/ the survivors of his nation. This of course, will depend on the actions of the empress. Stripped of her powers, I don't see why she wouldn't assist Luzaf in an effort to escape, and possibly destroy this new iron recreation of the ruins for Alexander to occupy.

I'm near certain that Luzaf will incarnate into the next Odin. However, I don't believe the conflict will occur, or if it does, There will be no winner due to the fact that was mentioned that the survivors of the conflict would need to live under the laws of the winner. More likely, Luzaf-Odin will be our final boss in this expansion.

Despite being a beastman and hostile (lateley), I belive Gessho will once again come to our aid in the next set of missions.


Speculations
We were promised over a year ago that new avatars would be added in this expansion, but have not yet received one. Yet, now in that cut scene, we see the god of darkness have the "suffix" of prime after his name. With the exception of of diabolos, ever avatar has had "prime" after it's name in a battle, including carbuncle in the quest "Waking the beast". Either SE is playing with us, or Odin could be that promised avatar, despite being designated as a God.

As stated, Gessho is from the far east. This is yet another encounter with someone from that area, and now we are closer to it than we were in the missions of CoP. While SE is releasing Wings of the Godess soon, perhaps this is a hint that the expansion that may come after it will be an expansion into the far east. I can't imagine why they would keep throwing more and more people from the far east into plot lines without motive.

If Alexander does manifest, it will be in the replica, since the ruins are in...ruin. In addition, People explore the insides of these ruins for the assault "Nyzule Isle Investigation". Surely if there were a battle between Alexander and Odin, the place would be left even more ruined than it is in already.

The glory crown is either an item with stats balanced for every single job, making it kindof a PoS unless the stats are boosted highly, or it will be cusomizable in that we can choose a certain version of the glory crown, much like the CoP rewards were geared towards certain job sets, they could do the same with the crown. I just hope they get a little creative.

Final Words
I've created this post for the purpose of discussion and seeing what other people think now that some more information has been revealed, and few questions created. Any and all responses would be appreciated, and I look forward to discussing this further.

 

[Zaxxon]

*nevermind*

 

[Negorissimo]

HmmMMmm. So SMNs will only get Odin after they unlock the Odin Prime BC, which will be ToAU's final battle. Interesting... ^^

 

[Uzor]

They didn't create an iron replica of Alzadaal. Alzadaal Ruins is the original ruins. The replica they made, that is even stronger then the real one, is of the Astral Candescenses (sp?). The Gordius is the remote controll of Alzadaal, and the only one able to control it is Aphmau, hence why they need her.

They also said they feel watched whenever they're in there, and the "head" part of Alzadaal is floating high up in the sky, like a star. Most likely we'll have to do something there later on. A BCNM perhaps, entered from the three (four?) "hidden" islands.

 

[Vilurum]

I was kinda under the impression that they made a smaller but more powerful version of Alexander/Alzadaal (as well as replica candycanes).

 

[Uzor]

I was kinda under the impression that they made a smaller but more powerful version of Alexander/Alzadaal (as well as replica candycanes).

No, that one was only a model of Alexander to show where his pieces are in order to plan their strategy

 

[ShomeGhuye]

I was kinda under the impression that they made a smaller but more powerful version of Alexander/Alzadaal (as well as replica candycanes).

This is what I thought was well. They kept referring to it as being made of iron if I'm not mistaken - is there a bard we can speak to to rewatch the cutscenes to clear up this ambiguity?

Good point on Odin - to be honest I was just throwing ideas out there, though if you ask me there are two types of Odins, since the one we saw was mindless. Perhaps that was a manifestation Odin sent up of himself, rather than meeting Luzaf in person (this also sounds strange of course).

 

[Vilurum]

No, that one was only a model of Alexander to show where his pieces are in order to plan their strategy

Nah, not referring to the model. Something they've been talking about but that we haven't actually seen yet.

 

[Uzor]

Nah, not referring to the model. Something they've been talking about but that we haven't actually seen yet.

Well, refer me to the CS its in xD I've only seen them talk about the Astral Candescense copy. They've talked about reconstructing Alzadaal (due to being broken), and looking for the remote controll, which Aphmau possesses.

there has actually been talk about Odin in earlier expansions. The Shadow Lord had imps under his command as messengers and spies. Additionally, if I remember right, he got his powers through a stone given to him by someone else (Odin, most likely).

Louverance : His actions led by the powerful stone in the possession of the Shadow Lord, the Divinity of Darkness created an army of demons to enter the service of his visitor.

Also, they dtill didn't show Odin as evil. In Norse Mythology, he represented war. Fairness and honor were of great importance, and he was against useless/sensless bloodshed. The Empire invented Alexander in order to get rid of the Euphramed Empire(sp?), the Corsair home, and also to take over a majority of the world.They also invented the Lamiae to get rid of the Corsairs aswell. Odin came in order to defeat Alexander, possibly because Odin considered him unfair, and had a lot of useless and sensless bloodshed. Odin seem to manifest himself and make a pact with people who died unjust, and have a strong feeling of revenge, hence why Luzaf were chosen. Making a deal with him, that him and his crew would be resurrected if he ocne again helped Odin defeat Alexander.

Possibly defeating Alexander requires Odin to sacrifice himself, thus needing someone else to take his place. Hence why Odin didn't kill Luzaf for his treacherous act.

Hence, in future storylines, its possible that we have to fight Alexander ourselves (possibly a BCNM inside Alzadaal Ruin's "head" that's hovering high in the sky, "like a staaaar" according to the qiqirns), possibly entered from the three "secret" islands. Thus, saving Luzaf from his destiny and also preventing the Empire from conquering the world.

Personally, I believe Alexander is the Astral Wind. Alzadaal Ruins is just something the Empire built, not Alexander himself. the Astral Candescenses work kind of like Alexander, in that they drain power from the Astral Plane and amplifies it, hence why they are needed to power up Alexander. They work like batteries.

It is possible, however, that there is no Alexander, and its only a machine. The Astral Plane might very well just be where all of the Avatars are, and it just draws power from there. Thus Alexander doesn't exist, the machine just draws powers from all avatars.

 

[Vilurum]

Well, refer me to the CS its in xD I've only seen them talk about the Astral Candescense copy. They've talked about reconstructing Alzadaal (due to being broken), and looking for the remote controll, which Aphmau possesses.

It was either the CS with Razfahd talking about Alexander in the palace at the end of the previous update, or the CS with him *also* talking about Alexander in the palace at the end of this update. Leaning more towards this update's CS.

(And I only watched it once so it's possible I could have misinterpreted Candescence talk as Alexander talk, but I still got the impression they were talking about building a more powerful replacement for the *ruins*.)

 

[Uzor]

It was either the CS with Razfahd talking about Alexander in the palace at the end of the previous update, or the CS with him *also* talking about Alexander in the palace at the end of this update. Leaning more towards this update's CS.

(And I only watched it once so it's possible I could have misinterpreted Candescence talk as Alexander talk, but I still got the impression they were talking about building a more powerful replacement for the *ruins*.)

I'll have to watch it again, but I'm somewhat sure it was a more powerfull version of the candescense, due to being unable to find all of the original candescenses

 

[Dayner]

i think odin is more a Celestial Avatar then a god .. same thing can be apply to Alexander

as Windurstian Vana'diel Stellar Map show they belong to that group

 

[Phraust]

I honestly think that Alexander will somehow be the avatar that is given to summoners. When looking at the models in a model viewer, you cand see a certain kind of pattern when it comes to the avatars, they are rendered to be "minimal load" and highly portable fomr zone to zone. If you look at the Alexander model, it's frigging huge in comparison (I am not far enough in the storyline to understand it's relevance) however, there is also a scaled down version, aparently used on the map; it wouldn't be hard to make a 'mid size' model. Bigboy was speculating it would possibly be a 'single attack' avatar, somethign like a summoner's AM, not sentient, just cast it, nuke the shit out of a target and desummon.

Odin as a summon seems unlikely. I'd assume it'd be on par with Bahamut.

or...

A micro Alexander for Puppet relic upgrade?

 

[mdkuser]

I can feel that those (three or four) islands will be introduced in the next version update, or possibly more story with the ephramadians. There is still that unused area behind the door at The Ashu Talif zone, and some tidal gates in arrapago.

 

[Uzor]

I can feel that those (three or four) islands will be introduced in the next version update, or possibly more story with the ephramadians. There is still that unused area behind the door at The Ashu Talif zone, and some tidal gates in arrapago.

Door? If you mean the Rock Slab, there's a COR quest there (if I remember right <.< ) and the mission

 

[mdkuser]

there is a door that u cannot target, but u can see the map of the other side if you turn your back to the door, so its a true zone and not fake.

 

[Uzor]

there is a door that u cannot target, but u can see the map of the other side if you turn your back to the door, so its a true zone and not fake.

Oh, sorry, thought you ment in Talacca Cove >.O

 

[Mistra]

Honestly it kinda perturbs me that they don't do more story related missions at once, because it really drags the whole process of the pace through. I understand why, mainly because it gives them more time to make it meaningful and just all around good (on top of keeping you playing ;D), but they did the same thing with CoP too, missions were brought about almost one by one for the extent of about.. 6 months or longer. ToAU missoins are just being dragged on and on. Although, so far, are very good I may add. Very good.

 

[Rufus_Shinra]

In text when the dark rider speaks, his name appears as "Odin Prime". I can't help but feeling I've heard that sort of name before

Oh day yam

/prays for Zantezuken

 

[ShomeGhuye]

I'll have to watch it again, but I'm somewhat sure it was a more powerfull version of the candescense, due to being unable to find all of the original candescenses

You are correct in that they have manufactured artificial astral candescenses, and these new ones are more powerful, if I remember correctly their power was more than enough to power the alzadaal alexander. However, in that same conversation (Last CS available in the palace), they mention the 'replica' being complete. A question was raised expressing concern: (how can they be sure that Alexander will choose the replica over his original manifestation) and it is said that 'Alexander chooses the strongest among us'. This just adds to the evidence that there is a replica.

i think odin is more a Celestial Avatar then a god .. same thing can be apply to Alexander

as Windurstian Vana'diel Stellar Map show they belong to that group

I called him that only following what the vizier had said when speaking about keeping Luzaf contained. This was in reference to when he becomes the manifestation of Odin, should it happen while he's in captivity. I agree that whichever we get, if either, will be celestial.

I honestly think that Alexander will somehow be the avatar that is given to summoners. When looking at the models in a model viewer, you cand see a certain kind of pattern when it comes to the avatars, they are rendered to be "minimal load" and highly portable fomr zone to zone. If you look at the Alexander model, it's frigging huge in comparison (I am not far enough in the storyline to understand it's relevance) however, there is also a scaled down version, aparently used on the map; it wouldn't be hard to make a 'mid size' model. Bigboy was speculating it would possibly be a 'single attack' avatar, somethign like a summoner's AM, not sentient, just cast it, nuke the shit out of a target and desummon.

Odin as a summon seems unlikely. I'd assume it'd be on par with Bahamut.

or...

A micro Alexander for Puppet relic upgrade?

The models that you are viewing are used in cut scenes in the storyline. Also, following your logic, Alexander is truly too large to summon, unless we get a smaller version to mess around with. Odin on the other hand, is much more portable, if not a bit large (around the size of diabolos I'd bet). Putting him on par with bahumut is a little overkill IMO, but who knows. But one of the the biggest reasons to believe that he could become an avatar is that in one of the cut scenes in this latest expansion, a summoning animation is shown (the kind that appears on the ground). God help us if it becomes anything for puppetmaster - .-