(08-16-2015, 11:38 PM)Yssen Wrote: It is also important to draw a line of distinction between elementals in the Shroud and elementals else where.
It's a more than fair distinction to make, but the behavioral differences between elementals found within the Twelveswood and those without in the rest of Hydaelyn does not equate to a taxonomy difference. Given that the NPC descriptions offered by Conjurers of Gridania and Oboro are nearly identical, I see no reason to believe that the Othardian Elemental is any different than the Twelveswood Elemental or from the Eorzean Elemental, taxonomy-wise, which is what your post seemed to imply. I believe that all places in Hydaelyn have some number of "Great Ones" (whether they are called that or not) or equivalent, regardless of whether they exhibit wrathful tendencies towards Mankind.
But I can wholly get behind that there is a distinct difference between the behavior of Twelveswood Elementals and other Elementals. But I believe much of this behavioral difference stems from the Twelveswood Elementals specifically having to conjure a flood to drown the world to save it from its denizens, the Magi. Considering it was, in part, the Amdaporians' misuse of the Elementals' gifted magic that drained the world of its aether, I don't see it being hard to imagine why this specific group of Elementals would be more cautious around mankind. As mankind continues to make a mess of things, the Elementals continue to be angry at them.
Raya-O-Senna Wrote:Oha-Sok is the collective fury of the elementals given form. Their suffering summoned her forth, and in her turn she stokes the fire of their rage with her keening. As I related to you earlier, it was the rage of the elementals that brought an end to the civilization of the Fifth Astral Era. And now the selfsame harbinger of that destruction is come once more. The histories vividly describe the fearsome nature of the elemental of nihility─or “the Wrath,†as she is sometimes called. It is writ that each time she keens, she sets off a hundred of her kind to doing the same. Ever more elementals shall join the keening, and so shall it continue until their chorus rends the land asunder. And then the heavens shall spill forth a deluge of tears, and the trees weep till they are hoarse of voice. Oha-Sok's awakening spells cataclysm for Eorzea...or at least, it already should have.
I do believe we have been given a reprieve. I have a strong suspicion that Oha-Sok stays her hand─she refrains from ushering in the end. Rather than setting about raising the chorus of her kindred's rage, she chose to follow you that she might bear witness to your every action. Owing to this, the elementals' rage was given a chance to subside. It could be for no other reason than to observe the deeds of men that she conceived of such a notion. Oha-Sok hasn't yet given up on mankind.
As for why only in the Twelveswood? There was 1.0 lore somewhere that the Forest was the Elemental's to have because it was Nophica's Gift to Eorzea, and they sought to protect it. Hence the name: Twelveswood. Whether that's true or not is neither here nor there. The Elementals are there and they plan to stay.
(08-16-2015, 11:38 PM)Yssen Wrote: The Shroud elementals are restrictive, oppressive, and probably not so much a the grand benevolent force that some NPCs think they are...
This could also be argued of most gods or deities in many real world religions/mythologies. Benevolence isn't always a necessity. Sometimes people worship out of fear. Othardians may worship their elementals or "nature spirits" out of respect or reverence or promised benevolence. We may never know. They may believe these elementals are the souls of their lost loved ones. My point is, whatever the Othardians believe them to be does not change what Oboro essentially described was an elemental above. Maybe nicer elementals who have not flooded the world, but elementals all the same.
(08-16-2015, 11:38 PM)Yssen Wrote: Fun side note: Elementals absolutely can die with in the boundaries of the Hedge. There are 3 murdered "Great Ones" seen when we are introduced to Kan-E-Senna in 1.0.
Yip, quest was called Disorganized Crime. I don't think I said that Elementals couldn't be killed within the Hedge, but if it came across that way, was not the intent. Elementals can be killed by conventional weapons anywhere. However, the Hedge is there to protect them and the Wood from outside evil. They are protected in the Wood, not invincible. Versus a random elemental appearing alone in the middle of Thanalan and the Ul'dahn mercenaries descend upon it and gank it.
Think we've veered a bit off course with this discussion though from the original topic. In any case, I hope Yssen's and my discussion helped you decide how close or far away from elemental involvement you wanted to make your Shrine Maiden! ^^;
