#I do not have a WoL character

[miqojak]

This is fascinating - literally just a few days ago I was wondering how to broach the topic without sounding like I was being rude (I'm just very direct lol) - I wanted to know what it is about FFXIV that makes people want to be the WoL ICly. I've RP'd longterm in 3 MMOs now, and I've never seen anyone in WoW go and RP as the hero of Azeroth, in GW2 I never saw anyone RP as the commander - it seemed pretty well accepted that there is only one Commander, and we can't all be them (and then it railroads and writes your character's story for you)... though since being on Tumblr I've found a few GW2 blogs that do rp as the Commander, but not many.

So it was a huge culture shock to me when I migrated to FFXIV back in 2019, that... it felt like everyone was the WoL. And for me, a character who fights gods in outer space, among other god-tier feats like time-travel, is far too powerful a character for my people who just live in the world to interact with. And then if so many people are The Warrior of Light, how does that work if you meet more than one ic? Would it restrict who a WoL player could rp with, since so many people are all playing 'Superman'? (Given what the WoL is capable of, in comparison to everyone else, to include killing many 'unkillable' things like immortals from a time before time... Superman seems like an apt comparison. The WoL is more powerful than most could imagine.) Do most people who write a WoL actually just write solo?

For me, I think it's that I want to write something that's wholly mine. MSQ railroads you into specific dialogue and choices and so on - and I like a more low/mid power level person, at that. I know what the WoL's life is like, but what's it like for the little guys just trying not to get hit by cars and eye-beams as Superman saves Metropolis yet again? What's it like to suffer the realities of war, and only hear tales of a hero who can smite gods? Why didn't that hero save you? Having all the god-tier powers of the WoL means that there are basically no more challenges left on the planet for you - you're quite literally the most powerful being in existence on any planet, actually, at this current point in story.

But maybe that hero fantasy is precisely why others love to be the WoL! We all have different tastes, and I was never really into all-powerful Superman type heroes before XIV, either - give me a Spiderman/Batman ( /cough Thancred) any day... the hero who is strong, but can still fail. They're not the strongest, and they have to work with what they've got and figure out how to surmount seemingly impossible odds.

Anywho, this is certainly not a judgement of anyone who writes a WoL - variety is the spice of life, and all that. It's moreso just curiosity - especially given that even GW2's commander is about as god-tier as the WoL (moreso, honestly, for reasons that would de-rail this post), and the story with your NPC party just as/maybe more poignant (sorry Alisaie, you're still #2 next to Taimi! And my literal dragon daughter Aurene...) - yet the RP communities seem to approach the idea of RPing as the main character quite differently!

An informal query

Started wondering about this recently, so figured I'd make a poll to release into the wild! There's a lot of ways to handle the game narrative as a RPer, and also a lot of ways people RP around the game, so I'm curious about people's preferences, and why they handle it the way they do, if anyone's willing to add some thoughts to their vote.

[drag00ni]

he lost his sprout

bonus

[fatedroses]

I offer Zenos pen sketches, except this was his goofy ass ARR phase: also known as his early military career stuck doing grunt work and traffic control in the capital.

[frankenhoez]

I've trailed the dawn, had a funny idea

[ahollowgrave]

I've never done OCxKiss but I had so much fun seeing people do it last year!! Doing these mistletoe kisses though is kind of depleting my posing bar but also it's not until February anyway but also maybe I'll do febhyurary if that is happening this year but also I could probably manage a few oc smooches but also who and how would I ask??

Is it like asking people to prom? Do I do a promposal?

(jokes i will just ask for bones if i plan to do it.... but also.... promposal to ask my friends for their ocs for smooching..... would be... very cute....)

[deathflare]

i've been trying to draw what my headcanon for robin's weaponless tattoo-only overpowered summoner fighting style is like for years now.

i started rewatching atla and i realized. its just. its literally just bending

[nidstiniens]

i am irrationally annoyed by the results of that poll about which scion could get closest to defeating the wol because we've canonically kicked estinien's ass multiple times, once while he was possessed by one of the most powerful dragons in existence, but the masses voted for him over g'raha tia, who not only has the power to transcend time and space, but who could also go toe-to-toe with emet-selch in terms of both power and wits

[nekhcore]

rewatching the heavensward cutscenes for a different comic and got to the scene where you meet vidofnir and estinien threatens her.

misha is already angry that he has to work with estinien and be so close to the Eye. i think he would have reacted faster than ysayle. just a warning shot, but it makes it clear to both of them that he will not hesitate.

[hazelkjt]

Heya, ask game attendee here! (This is Johnny, btw!)

For Hazel and Emmanelain, I'd like to ask: What are their relationships with each others' families like?

For Hazel and Zero: When did they first say "I love you"? What was the situation?

Hi Johnny!!!

Answers will be below the read more, since they got kinda long…like REALLY long

Ship Questions (Still Open!!) ----------

Hazel had a...rocky beginning with the other members of the Fortemps family, Honoroit being the exception in Emmanellain's life as he was the first one to notice and push the two of them to admit their feelings for one another. Hazel especially had a rough start with Edmont de Fortemps, specifically. Similar to Emm, she grew up with a strict father with exacting expectations for her. First impressions of the man, drawn from stories Emmanellain would tell her (usually venting and complaining about something or other) did not paint the best picture. So when meeting the Count for the first time, Hazel was on guard and ready to jump to Emm's defense at any point.

It wasn't Edmont having high expectations for his sons that bothered Hazel, it was his attitude when Emmanellain failed that she took issue with. Baato, her own father, for sure became frustrated with her when she didn't meet his standards for her, but afterwards he made sure to guide her back to the path she needed to walk. It was tough love yes, but at its core it was fair. In contrast, Emmanellain was simply told to "be better" with little to no further guidance on how to properly be better. "Be more like your brothers" was what he was told many times. as if it was as simple as flipping a switch. Not to mention the story of Edmont striking Emmanellain as punishment made her blood boil, even if his mistake in that moment was severe. She was no stranger to receiving bruises or the uncommon cut from her father in training, but never as a form of punishment.

It was clear after meeting him though that Edmont was a changed man from the stories Emmanellain told, the ones from before the end of the Dragonsong War. Over the course of getting to know him more and more Hazel has since come around to the Fortemps family Count, even if she still harbors a small grudge against him for his previous treatments of Emmanellain. In a similar vein, Edmont didn't particularly seem to care much about Hazel before meeting her. As the second born and not the heir to the family as long as his partner did not harm the reputation of the Fortemps then it didn't matter to Edmont all that much who Emmanellain chose to love. Over time though he became grateful for her presence and the affect she had on Emm's growth as a person and a knight. Now he can say he is proud of who Emmanellain has chosen, and he truly means it.

Her relationship with Artoirel, on the other hand, was a much more smooth start. There was an initial hiccup when Artoirel began criticizing Emmanellain for "naively calling the first maiden who did not seem disgusted to hold a conversation with you your romantic partner" but Hazel quickly and loudly shut that misconception down. On the surface Artoirel didn't seem to mind much after that, until he pulled Hazel aside for a private conversation. There he practically threatened the woman that if she toyed with his brother's heart or hurt him in any way, that he would hunt her down no matter how long it took and exact just punishment. The threat didn't seem to have the desired effect as Hazel from then on had a strange sense of respect for Artoirel, knowing how deeply he does care for his family even if it doesn't always make it to the surface of his character. Likewise Artoirel has mutual respect for Hazel due to her impact on Emmanellain, happy to finally see his brother spread his wings and grow.

----------

Up until their trip to the Azim Steppe, all Hazel’s parents knew of Emmanellain were from the letters Hazel would write to them. So upon meeting him for the first time they were…underwhelmed. Still, Janis came around to the young man rather quickly. Emmanellain likewise only knew the two from stories Hazel would tell of her time back home, and thankfully Janis felt almost exactly as how Hazel described her.

Being in her presence was calming, almost to the point of being unnerved by the stillness and quiet. A silent sense of judgement followed every glance towards Emmanellain. Nevertheless Emm gave his utmost to present and carry himself as any self respecting member of a noble house should, not once making any comment about the disparity between living conditions of his family’s Ishgard estate and the Steppe yurt he found himself in for over a week.

By about halfway into the trip, Janis admits to Hazel that while she had some doubts at first she sees how happy Emmanellain makes her. He brings out the same smile from her daughter that Janis would often see during their late night novel readings from when Hazel was growing up. She remarks a comment Hazel made as a child about finding her own princess like in her favorite book, joking around if Hazel would settle for a prince instead.

Emmanellain knew Hazel's parents would be intense, but nothing truly prepared him for just how intense her father would be. He thought he was prepared: A respected and strong hunter of a nomadic warrior people and Emm was the one taking his only child, his only daughter's hand. You could've cut the tension upon his first meeting with Baato with a knife. As quickly as the first handshake Emmanellain knew exactly how this was gonna go, once he felt the bones in his hand crack from the Auri man's death grip.

Much of Emmanellain’s time spent in the Steppe on this trip was spent either sparring or hunting with Baato. Emm never came close to beating Hazel’s father in a fight the entire trip, which Emm himself would be the first to admit he saw coming. He also never caught anything on his hunting excursions with Baato, also to be expected according to the Elezen. During the entire trip Emmanellain could not for the life of him get a read on what Hazel’s father was thinking, let alone what he thought of him…until he told him on the last day of their trip to the Azim Steppe.

Baato told Emmanellain that he was very unhappy with the warrior his daughter chose. He said Emmanellain was sloppy in technique and skill, physically weak and lacking in fortitude. Nothing Emmanellain had never heard before, but to hear it so bluntly was somewhat of a new experience for him. But, Baato continued, in terms of the person Hazel had chosen he could accept. Emmanellain was determined to prove himself, never backed down from any of Baato’s challenges, and most of all he saw how Hazel’s eyes shone like the sun itself when she lays eyes on Emmanellain. And her happiness trumps his disapproval of Emm’s capabilities as a fighter.

----------

The first one to admit their feelings was Zero, as detailed here. But the first one to say the actual words "I love you" was in fact Hazel herself. It wasn’t long after the previously linked scenario, in fact. The two finished their meals in relative silence, stealing glances back and forth of one another.

Eventually it came that they could no longer hide behind their empty bowls, leaving the restaurant and moving back into the streets of Radz-at-Han. The two of them wandered almost aimlessly around the city, the quiet between them broken up intermittently by the odd question here and there.

They threw inquiries back and forth to one another, such as “how long have you known?” and “why wait until now to say anything?” and more. Hazel’s heart was racing a malm a minute, and color had steadily found its place on the pale Voidsent’s face by this point. Eventually the two come to a stop at Zero’s favorite place in the city: the airship landing dock.

The best view to see the stars at night, and tonight there was nary a cloud in sight to block the majesty of the shining dots above. It hurt Hazel to ask, but she had to go forward with one more question to Zero. “Are you…sure that what you’re feeling is love?” It was a dagger to her own heart to ask that question, but Hazel felt she had to ask it. For her own sake, to not truly get her hopes up just yet.

Zero takes a moment to respond. “It’s something I know I do not feel for any other individual in my life currently. It’s not dissimilar to that of friendship…but there’s something more to it.” The Voidsent takes a step forward. “A hunger, but not of aether. A hunger, a desire… simply to be close to you.” She moves her hand to her brow.

The Voidsent was once more attempting to use her hat as a shield, not remembering she was not wearing it that evening. She quickly adjusts and moves to brush her hair behind her ear. “If this is not love, then I know not what it could be.” She raises her eyes to meet Hazel’s, a small smile forming on her face.

Hazel quickly reaches out, grabbing Zero by the shoulder and just under her chin. The Voidsent’s eyes shoot open over the sudden movement and takes hold of Hazel’s arm. Their gazes meet, Zero just now seeing the Auri woman’s eyes begin to water over. Hazel’s lip begins to tremble as she breaks out into a deep smile. “I love you, Zero…I love you.” She admits, the pain in her chest subsiding as she lets go of the breath she was holding in.

“…I love you as well, Hazel.” Zero quietly responds, unconsciously pulling away from Hazel’s hands. Unfortunately it’s not quick enough as Hazel tries to pull the Voidsent in for a kiss. Zero feels her pulse quicken, fight or flight kicking in as she pushes Hazel away from her, the Au Ra stumbling into some boxes. The Voidsent takes a moment to steady her breath. “I…I’m sorry. I just…I simply-”

“No, it’s fine…I was moving too fast. I’m the one that should be apologizing.” Hazel cuts her off, sadness evident in her tone but a sheepish smile on her face. “Let’s just head back for the night, alright?” Hazel asks, but begins walking back towards the city without waiting for an answer. Zero looks on as guilt begins to form in her chest, but the Warrior of Light refused to meet her gaze.

[sexybritishllama]

regardless of your feelings about dawntrail i think it's dumb to say 'lol people who didn't like dawntrail are just babies who can't handle their wol not being the Main Character for once!!' because like. gaming as a power fantasy is the most basic common thing ever. it is not a crime to play video games because you enjoy being the cool powerful hero who actually affects the narrative

[northssketchbook]

Sketches Part 3 - The ever graceful Lunarae Starseeker Some of these are such a mood ^^"

[icehearts]

Which is Your Morality Alignment?

ESCA: True Neutral

You view the world in an unbiased manner, acting mostly on either your own self interest or on the best objective course. This can mean you enjoy creating balance between all forces, meaning you may do actions that involve Good as well as Evil, respecting authority like Lawful with the skepticism of Chaotic; or, you may simply draw your line in the sand, and go your separate way. This develops you into the archetypal "on-the-fence" person.

SEYUN: Chaotic Good

You have a sound moral compass, helping those in need, though tend to see rules as suggestions (or, in some cases, limitations). Hence, you mostly confront oppression in all its forms, be it some dark overlord or the school bully, while you simultaneously may run into trouble with authority. Not that you particularly mind, for you believe that freedom is the ultimate good, mirroring the archetypal "rebel hero".

Thank you for the tag @osric-giroux-ffxiv! ⊹˚.◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜ Tagging: @tsunael // @sasslett // @ubejamjar // @ahollowgrave // and anyone else who'd like to do this! i feel shy about tagging people after being so inactive for so long ouagh Link to the quiz is here!

[candycryptids]

hewwooo tuesday here's a silly little question for you since your "check it out, frogs!!" blog title always delights me: how do each of your characters feel about frogs? 👀

I *love* Frogs, but how do the blorbeans feel about em...? Well... I had to really think about it TTuTT BUT! Chuu favors mechanical creatures over flesh 'n blood ones, and while her getting to the First is ambiguous and mysterious (being a non-wol, I just try not to think about it too much) She DOES... love the Dwarven Mecha frogs. And. The biggest frog of them all... Formi.... <3 …. So she doesn’t care for frogs much. She has sent Tuesday out frog catching for alchemical ingredients though….

Colette... Doesn't have any feelings this way or that about frogs, really. They're small, they're kinda slimey? but mostly they're just, very small. Except Gigantoads, I suppose, but those are a toad, and decidedly less slimey, by virture of being a toad. The ambivalence remains though! They're not that tricky to fight so long as you know how to wriggle out of their tongue grasp. (I did... take some frog-related Colette pictures tho >:3 I'm just gonna, post em a bit later, since the theme got away from me) Gigantoads make for a decent enough meal so long as you prep the meat right :T the legs are the most edible part yk.

Ishi is much more fond of Poro Roggo's, Matoya's froggy familiars. They're wearing LITTLE HATS ! They wave little canes! They're quite frankly adorable and they have little croaking voices. What's not to enjoy? (And also, there's something really nice about being out in the marshes of Mor Dhona and finding a little frog instead of a Morbol ready to stink bomb you, HAH)

Tuesday shivers when he thinks about frogs (knows the difference between a frog and a toad, still pictures a Gigantoad first, and does not much love being yanked mid-cast from his Ley lines into body slamming range.) Finds just a regular little frog endearing and will get down in the mud and muck to look at it though. Is especially fascinated by frogs that stick to things like leaves and trees and their camouflages uwu He’s the one who likely knows the most about frogs, and would gladly tell you more about them. Probably compares information with Erenville, if they ever meet up in non-life-threatening-situations.

Tangy finds them fun ! If she’s on a walk or a run or an errand and it’s drizzly and she sees a little frog hop across the pathway there’s literally 0 inhibitions in her body that stop her from also hopping or skipping for at least a minute (still on her way, but a frogs leap is so charming. They’re like tiny dragoons! She points this similarity out to Estinien once. Krile laughs, Estinien looks constipated- you know the face.) She also has a weird compulsion to put them into her mouth, though, so if she catches one….. make sure it’s not poisonous. She doesn’t even plan to eat it! They just look like they would fit perfectly in her kitty jaws (she is sometimes correct).

Mochiie had to get used to frog song when he moved to Gridania. The rivers and lakes and greenery abounding let the little critters thrive in a way they don’t particularly on the Steppe. …. He comes around to finding it relaxing and feels uneasy when he doesn’t hear them anymore lmfao. In non-WoL au’s, probably sometimes tasks adventurer’s with catching frogs for alchemical ingredients OR to bring back to the pond he’s been carefully maintaining to encourage the little beepers to live in it. (Btw, his favorite frog singers are the Pobblebonk or Banjo Frog [YT Link], and the Pacific Chorus Frog [YT Link] 🥰)

Levraut…. I’m still not sure. 🤔 I think he’d like them, but he wouldn’t feel strongly about them. He WOULD eat them though. As would Colette and Mochi… I mentioned Tangy liked to stick them in her mouth but actually eating them seems like a waste, since she’s so big and they’re so small. Like eating a blueberry. I can say his favorite frogs would be the Blue Jeans Poison Frog, for their striking jackets of warning colors, and the desert rain frog, whose perfect spherical nature and grumpy face is endearing.

[anthropwashere]

Man, I'm replaying Stormblood on a casual alt and the Lyse-Wuk Lamat comparisons absolutely SHIT on Lyse???

Like Stormblood was absolutely Lyse's Story but even at it's most egregious it didn't come anywhere near as In Your Face as Wuk's Story in Dawntrail?? Which is frickin' wild???

Like for real my biggest Stormblood Main Character Complaint is Lyse's first outfit design. Legit all I think about when she's on-screen is how unsupportive her white-ass bra is, and how likely she's dealing with wedgies with her white-ass booty shorts. Fucking for realsies, the rest of her OG outfit is great! But her "I'm 12 and unsure how to deal with puberty" undies-vibes drive me fuckin' nuts.

At least the recent graphic update saved Hien and Gosetsu's outfits? To the point that I'm probably gonna buy Hien's samurai outfit for my Xaela dude who hasn't even unlocked samurai??

Anyway outfit aside, Stormblood MSQ Lyse isn't HALF as frustrating as Dawntrail MSQ Wuk Lamat is, good christ can we stop shitting on Lyse for 5 dang minutes

[binart]

Hey, my pc is shit so do you think you could go enjoy FFXIV for me? Like i know for a fact my computer would cook and lag until the cows come home.

I WILL DO SO, FRIEND. 🫡 mine can mostly tolerate the new graphics update but uh. it's definitely showing its age lmao..

thankfully i'm a very casual player so all I need is for GPose to work & for MSQ fights to not lag a ton and I'm good dkjhfghdjfk

may you one day have a pc that can support ur gamer soul...... 🙏

[thanatosaria]

day 8: aymeric day - my sweet heart 💖🍬