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Hello everyone and welcome back. Today's update is the last one in the arc, and it's mostly about politics. If you aren't interested in this sort of stuff, then boy is this the wrong LP for you!
There was going to be a video of this scene. But then, like a dingus, I shift-deleted all the footage after I was done capturing screenshots. It's a 10 minute cutscene. I don't care enough to go re-capture it.
Hells take the Black Wolf and his new toy...
Rally all available forces. I want them ready to move upon my word. And relay to Slafyrsyn the order to sail. That is all.
The Maelstrom stands ready. What of the Flames?
Ready as we're like to be. I need only give the word to Roaille.
Roaille is Raubahn's second in command. We'll meet her in the postgame quests. Slafyrsyn is Merlwyb's. We've seen him hanging out in the background of her office. We'll also meet him in the postgame.
Raubahn is a giant, but this really lets you see just how tiny Kan-E-Senna is. I told you many updates back that padjali stop growing once they hit puberty and I wasn't kidding. She'll be the size of a teenager until the day she dies. Whenever that is.
Has there been no word from Ishgard?
None. The dragons have got their tongues.
Silent to the last. I was unwise to hope for better.
What would stir the archbishop to open his holy mouth, if not this!? And he claims the Fury for his god... 'Tis bad comedy!
Archbishop Thordan has much bigger problems to worry about than the Black Wolf. The ancient enemy of his people is stirring and the attacks on his city are getting worse by the day.
The Holy See has made its choice. We will proceed without its cooperation.
I believe we are all acquainted with the terms of the Black Wolf's ultimatum. We must agree upon a course of action. Naught less than the fate of Eorzea hangs upon the decision of this council.
Van Baelsar claims to wield the power to smite primals.
Should we yield to him, he pledges to rid the realm of its false gods. Yet offer resistance, and he swears that we shall share the primals' fate.
Pardon me my bluntness, but I like not these choices.
This is too great a decision for any one of our nations to make alone. Choose we surrender or resistance, we must answer as one, for if but one surrenders, the rest shall surely fall. Let us pray for the wisdom to do right by all our peoples.
We're given control here. The very first thing I do is get Ginger out of her imperial uniform and back into semi-respectable clothing.
Deep in the desert of my heart, a lonely flower blooms~
Yearning for the heavens above to quench my thirst for you~
Trololololo~ lololo~
Oh, Ginger! I hope my singing doesn't bother you. I'm rather fond of this ditty-it reminds me of home.
Once the people of Eorzea learn that the Scions of the Seventh Dawn have returned, they will surely rally to our cause. We need only sound the clarion call.
Sorry we had to resort to such dramatic methods to escape. Things escalated so quickly that Alphinaud and I saw no other alternative.
That wasn't at all how I expected things to play out, but at least we escaped with our lives.
(What do you think, Ginger? Was she impressed? Do you think she might consider... you know...)
No idea where Y'shtola, Yda, Papalymo, and Urianger went.
Thancred's plight troubles us all, yet we cannot allow anything to come between us and our goal. So long as the Ultima Weapon exists, Eorzea will never know peace. Let us go to the Alliance leaders, Ginger, and help them to make the right decision.
Grim tidings, Ginger. It seems that word of the Ultima Weapon's existence has already reached the Alliance leaders...in the form of an ultimatum. They have gathered in the Fragrant Chamber, and are deliberating their answer even as we speak.
Beleaguered as they are, I fear they may well elect to lay down their arms in the belief that surrender will spare their people untold suffering. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. That which the Black Wolf offers will doom Eorzea, not deliver it, and the leaders must be made aware of this. Let us hurry to them, Ginger, and ensure that they do not act in ignorance of the consequences.
Last time we talked to Bart here, Ginger's adventure hadn't even started.
The council of the Alliance leaders is presently in progress in the Fragrant Chamber. I must ask that you step away from the doors, madam.
I come on Scion business!
...I'm sorry? You're here on behalf of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn!? A thousand pardons, my lady! Of course you may enter!
Bah! We keep treading the same ground.
Van Baelsar's demands are clear...
Alas, our minds are not.
I've never been one to shy from a fight. But if this weapon of theirs can do all they claim...
It has been five years since the Calamity, and our people have scarce begun to rebuild their lives. Can we now, in good conscience, call upon them to risk what little they have left? I would spare them the pain of further conflict.
Conflict, I say, though that would imply forces set in opposition. If the combined might of three primals could not stay Garlemald's new terror... What meaningful resistance can we offer? We who struggle to quell the foes who rise up within our own borders...
Breaking up these walls of text with shots.
Long have we fought the primals, but to what end? We strike them down at no small cost, only for them to rise again and again. Are we to play this profitless game for the rest of days? I for one grow tired of it.
Mistake me not, I do not propose to trade one tyranny for another. I love liberty. But conciliation need not mean oppression.
By the Twelve... Though neither of you cried "surrender," your every word betokened it. Not that I deny there is truth in what you say. Nor can I rightly claim that Ul'dah is ready to fight.
Refugees flood our gates, and beastmen swarm our land, while the great and the good do nothing. My Flames struggle to bear the burden. I put on a grand show at the remembrance service, made all manner of lofty promises... I've made good on not a bloody one.
Do not blame yourself, Raubahn. You said only that which the people needed to hear. All present have done the same. Our citizens had become lost to hope. If our words served to kindle it in them anew, better we speak than remain silent.
Nanamo's "row-bann" drawl.
Our enemy condemns us for failing our people, yet what does he care for their well-being? While we labored to rebuild their lives, the Black Wolf built instruments of murder with which to end them.
Her Majesty speaks true. For all our failings, the people's well-being has ever been our foremost priority. While none among us ever doubted that the Empire would one day resume its war, we scarcely had means enough to solve the problems of the present.
Aye, which is why we looked to others to safeguard our future- The Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Alas, they are gone, and the Black Wolf is at our door.
Admiral, I fear you are mistaken!
Alphinaud? Minfilia? And-seven hells-MASTER GARLOND!
Suddenly really glad that I changed Ginger out of her shitty imperial uniform.
And you, dear friend...
By Rhalgr... You're alive! All of you!
As we approached, I would swear I heard talk of surrender, but I know that cannot be! It is not the Eorzean way!
Hear me, my friends! Accepting the Garleans' offer to vanquish the primals would be folly. Folly, I say, for might is not the answer to the primal threat. Indeed, the more the Empire exerts its strength, the worse matters will become.
Primals enter this world when mortals call upon them, and mortals are wont to appeal to a higher power when they are desperate. Nothing is more certain to breed desperation in the beast tribes than the Garleans' proposed solution.
The true answer lies in a lasting peace, but the Garleans only know war and conquest. Should Eorzea fall into their hands, there will be such suffering as none can imagine.
We are not blind to the many challenges that each of your nations face. Yet you must not give in.
Aye! Remember five years ago, when you wagered all for the sake of the realm! Remember what you fought for, what you were willing to die for! Let the memories rekindle the fire in your heart, for Eorzea has need of it again!
Come what may, we Scions will never give up the fight. And so I bid you stand with us, and together we shall safeguard the future of the realm!
A great man once said that a shrewd merchant grasps not for the quick profit, but invests in the future. Wise words...eh, Raubahn?
Cid... I...
Was... was Cid at the remembrance ceremony?
Your words stir...and shame me in equal measure. How could I contemplate surrender...? I know full well that all we have, we owe to the sacrifices of those who went before us. Yet the seeming hopelessness of our plight robbed me of my insight.
Defender of the Realm (ACN 30 spoilers in the video. I guess. Good track, though!)
We Gridanians have no love for war... Yet we have still less for those who would threaten our homeland. Ever have we fought to protect those things we hold dear, and this shall never change.
Gridania will go to war. We will fight the Empire, for the sake of the realm and all who abide here!
Hahaha! Hear, hear!
Nanamo's laughter is terrible and terrifying. It's extremely high pitched and very out of place in this goofy-ass scene.
Hahahaha...
Hah hah hah hah!
At long last, I hear words worthy of a founder of the Alliance! Raubahn! Are we to be outdone!?
I lost one homeland. The thought of losing another had blunted my resolve. But no man knows better than I that if you want aught, you'd best be ready to die for it.
With great danger comes the chance for great glory, and great profit-we Ul'dahns, who have turned sand into gold, know this well. How many times have we fallen into the pit of despair, only to have you pluck us out? I've fair lost count.
Reckless, the lot of you-like bloody pirates! Well, I won't waste my breath trying to talk you 'round...
...On account of being a pirate myself. And the pirate who shrinks from a challenge is no pirate at all!
Those who would pick a quarrel with us must choose: back down, or go down with all hands. Let the Garleans come. The united strength of Limsa Lominsa will be waiting for them!
If our realm is to be free of this pall of darkness, let it be by our own hands!
For Eorzea!
Everyone is burning their ultimatums.
We must needs consider how the weapon may be brought to bear against us.
The Maelstrom will secure strategic points along the coastline.
In the meantime, the Flames will deploy at...
Be at ease, my friends. You have banished our doubts. Pray leave the military matters to us, and retire to the Waking Sands. We will send word anon.
Back to the Waking Sands we go!
Looks like Arenvald survived. Other than that, there's a new crop of folks hanging out.
I should have done something, done anything. But I didn't, and now A'aba and Aulie are...
Since writing this update, the 5.55 patch has come out. Arenvald is still talking about trying to do right by both A'aba and Aulie in it. I bet most people that played the patch had no idea who they even were.
Urianger will hang out here until the end of time until we do his quests. Then he'll eventually fuck off. He also is mentioning slight spoilers for the ending of 2.0 here. 
Got a lot of folks to talk to. So let's start from the left and work our way right!
We may have surmounted this latest trial, but the worst is yet to come. We must remain focused-I will not see our efforts wasted in futile regret. And as for Thancred... He and I have much to discuss.
Hmph! Instead of gratitude for coming to his rescue, Papalymo called me a scatterbrain! The next time he gets caught by the Empire, I'm leaving him to rot!
Had I not intervened, that Garlean soldier may well have done for Yda. Lowering her guard in the heat of battle as though she were on an evening stroll-how much more of a scatterbrain can she be? <sigh> Well, at least we cannot fault her for being inconsistent!
The counteroffensive to come will require the total commitment of every allied nation, as well as the flawless coordination of all forces. I pray the council understands this.
Oh I'm sure they'll get it drilled into their heads by you, Alphinaud.
(She hasn't said a word to me since the rescue. Was it all for nothing!?)
What's next on the agenda? We're ready to get to work!
For many years, I dedicated my life to the research and development of magitek, unable or unwilling to see the repercussions of my work. And though I have since left Garlemald behind, its scientists continue to build upon my work. I fear that this new weapon may be another example of that-an ancient relic enhanced with technologies I created. Yet even should that be the case, it would still require a brilliant mind to-
No... No, he didn't...
Sounds like Cid has an idea of who Nero is...
I understand you gave our fallen brothers and sisters a proper burial. I'm sure they appreciated it. When the Empire is beaten and all of this is over, let us visit them at the church.
I like the friendship between Tataru and Ginger. It feels natural and earned.
I cannot well express my relief. To think that the Alliance came so close to surrender...
But the fire in their hearts has been rekindled, and they will fight to the last.
This warmth inside... Did you feel it too, Grandfather?
I would know something-was that your power at work earlier?
Nothing of the sort. The leaders of Eorzea had lost their way-I merely helped them to find it again.
*ring ring*
Oh, hello! ...Yes, our party returned just a moment ago. How close are you?
It's all right, Cid.
Cid is trying to protect her. 
We must needs plan our next move. Pray continue liaising with your respective nations. Cid, would you be our man in Ul'dah?
I'll be whatever and wherever you need me to be!
We haven't a moment to waste.
All right! Let's do this!
Thancred's fate weighs heavy on my mind. I cannot bear to think of him in thrall to an Ascian. Mayhap you know this already, but the Ascians are immortal beings without physical form. Since time immemorial, they have fanned the flames of chaos from the shadows.
That they might work unseen, the Ascians entrap and possess mortal men by means of malign artifacts known as Crystals of Darkness. One such Crystal may yet be the key to saving Thancred.
That looks like the crystal Ginger saw way back at the start of her journey, when she killed her first (and so far only) Ascian.
This is a Crystal of Darkness?
A mere replica, created using data obtained from anomalous crystals found across Eorzea.
It comes to us courtesy of the Students of Baldesion, our distant allies. Even for an Archon, Thancred's talents are exceptional. We all had complete confidence in him. It was for this reason that none among us foresaw the danger in sending him to investigate the Ascians alone.
Thancred had been striving to fill the void left by Louisoix. Yet it was plain that he was overtaxing himself.
Yeah... He would volunteer for everything and work till he was dizzy.
And the toll taken by his exertions made him vulnerable to Ascian influence...
The Crystal that binds Thancred must be somewhere on his person. If we could but destroy it, his Ascian possessor would be compelled to relinquish control over him.
You have proven the stoutest of allies, standing with us through thick and thin. Yet the most perilous struggle is still to come. For the sake of the realm-and Thancred-I ask that you lend us your strength once more.
I'm not backing out now. Count me in until we win!
Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. As I am sure you are aware, the realm was saved from certain doom five years ago by heroes known as the Warriors of Light. What you may not be aware of is that your many feats in service to the Scions have prompted folk to make certain...comparisons.
I must confess, you do remind me of them. Yet remember this: however glorious the past, it is the hero's lot to be judged on the deeds of the present. A new darkness threatens the realm, and the people cry out for a savior.
Come, my friends! Let us fight to safeguard the future of our beloved Eorzea!
So Ginger is now being compared to a legendary hero that was last seen in the second update, before she even entered the picture. If you play as a character from 1.0, throughout the MSQ every time someone mentions the Warrior of Light, they immediately realize that your character is them.
Ginger has to earn her stripes, though. And it's going to be made official as soon as we finish the 2.0 storyline.
...Which is coming in the next arc.
NEXT TIME: The story rushes toward its conclusion with the beginning of the final arc.