#ishgard restoration. destroyed a part of me

[kukurubean]

I was leon as a crafting glamour during ishgard restoration but I never took real pics besides nonsense on twitter 😔 it would be so fun to do horror themed set tho hmmmnn

[autumnslance]

Tbh I'm a little disappointed with how tropey msq got at points. We get G'raha being a huge fanboy again and I feel like there were other points where characters got flanderized a little. It definitely had good points too, but sometimes it was a little off

It’s fair to feel off-put by elements of writing and not all styles are one’s cup of tea, however: tropes in themselves aren’t bad. Everything’s a trope, when it comes to literary devices. It’s how they’re used that matters, and that can be good or bad. Don’t take TV Tropes as a gospel of criticism; they’re only meant to be there to point out the existing ones, new ones, and how many and how pervasive they are, because we tell stories in certain ways. Which is why even true life events get altered for “dramatic effect” because often Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, nor does it tend to fit a good narrative flow (Hamilton is not a 1:1 representation of the American Founding Fathers’ history for example, even beyond the casting choices).

Anime and JRPG tropes have been part of MSQ the entire time. There’s a lot of tropes they play to, often for humorous effect--like G’raha’s tendencies to fanboy a little, at both Estinien and at seeing Ishgard in one piece. G’raha’s read about places and people he now gets to meet, like someone in real life meeting an admired celebrity.

I feel like they’re playing up the “Estinien likes sun-dried squid” angle to replace the “stinky Estinien” memes, especially with the insistence in Restoration dialogue that he has been to Snowsoak and discussed at length his favorite baths in the Far East, plus that “Stay at Home” art last year.

Because if anyone can flanderize a character? It’s fandom. We do it all the damn time with the memes and assumptions and fanon that people tend to think is canon. By taking one or two traits and reducing a character to that, for better or worse.

And with the heavier themes the game employs for MSQ, a few light goofy moments are fine by me. I can recognize them for what they are, giggle and eye roll a little, and move on. The ease the Scions have around one another, around the WoL, makes more sense than the stiff formality and constant seriousness with each other in earlier parts of the game, honestly; these people have been colleagues, friends, family, for years, on two different worlds now.

Give me humanizing moments of goofiness and funny flubs over everyone acting like a Serious Drama Piece all the time as we go from trauma to trauma. It’s a video game about fighting eldritch beings and giant monsters where we can dress up in mascot outfits to do so if we want.

There are tropes for more serious things too, of course, and plenty of harmful ones they also employ without thinking about it as they should, don’t get me wrong. But shiny-eyed G’raha isn’t going to destroy the entire game story, either, and there have been moments of the MSQ that employed more serious tropes very poorly (Stormblood patches with Yotsuyu’s story and how heroic characters were forced to react in less than heroic ways come to mind).

[djgamek1ng]

My thoughts about the Endwalker/6.0 announcement stream

I had originally posted this on Twitter in a TwitLonger tweet, but I’ll also put it here. This also contains the follow up “thread” about the pure healer/barrier healer balancing (which is at the end, so if you are only interested in that, skip to where it starts with “So... I was”). OKAY, SO I'M REALLY DAMNED HYPED ABOUT THIS EXPANSION. I'm going to go point by point for things they talked about, in as much of the order they talked about things. - The trailer is really freaking cool! Personally, it is arguably my favorite trailer now and we haven't gotten the full version, though depending on the full version the Shadowbringers trailer might still win it out. The music is great, bit less rocking than the Shadowbringers one, but still fantastic. The WoL as a PLD is everything I've ever wanted from this game. It is also a FF4 reference with Cecil going from a Dark Knight to a Paladin. Seeing the twins in CG finally is also amazing. Endwalker, great freaking name ruined by its unfortunate abbreviation: EW. - Okay, so the new jobs. One is a melee DPS. Honestly, didn't expect that. Was expecting a caster, but this does silence the whole "they are going to balance the choices to be 4 each and then we might no longer get any jooooobs!!!!11!" discussion that I've seen happen, so honestly I'm okay with this. The other is our new healer, Sage. Alphinaud also job changed to it, so that is nice. - Specifically, about Sage, they made it a barrier/shield healer and will be shifting over AST to be a "pure" (regen) healer. The actions they showed look cool enough, but it is hard to judge. It is also very very very interesting that they are looking to make the raid finder actually distinguish between barrier healers (so Sage and SCH) and pure healers (WHM and AST). I will get to this point in another post, since I think it is very interesting that they are doing this. - 6.0 being the end of the major Hydaelyn vs Zodiark arc. VERY interesting that it is specifically 6.0 that is going to be the end of that and not 6.3, makes me think that 6.0 is going to be a slightly bigger patch than normal expansion launch patches in terms of story. - Higher level cap! ...I'm only mentioning it because they did. Okay, to be fair, we do see some of the new AFs and DRK's looks great, WHM's looks good, SAM's is awesome and BLM's is nice. - Finally going to Thavnair and Garlemald. Bit of a shame we are only going to Garlemald when it has been entirely destroyed, but it was to be expected I guess lol. Oh, also, new beast tribe. Matanga, the big elephant people. They look pretty cool and I'm honestly intimidated by them as a Lalafell ^-^" - Anima confirmed! Is it going to be a Terminus beast similar to the enemies we saw in the Amaurot dungeon, just as a trial instead? If so, that is really really cool. Regardless, a long overdue enemy to see arrive here! - "Challenging" new dungeons. I'm... sorry to be skeptical, but I'm guessing these are not going to be that challenging. I really hope I'm wrong and that they will provide a decent challenge, but I just doubt it. The art does look pretty though! - New 8 man raids, the Pandaemonium raids. Ascian inspired with Lahabrea of all of them being the one we supposedly see in the art. Very very interesting and I'm glad that they are moving to more FFXIV original stuff, though Pandaemonium isn't a new thing in the FF series for sure. - New 24 man raid series. Not title said, just said that it will be FFXIV original. All I gotta say: thank GOD. Sorry to all Nier fans, but I just could not care about Yorha: Dark Apocalypse. It very much feels like it is the continuation of NieR: Automata in FFXIV with little to no relevance for the FFXIV side of things (such as world building as such). Hoping the 5.5 one can make me feel different though. - New small scale PvP mode. Apparently going to be approachable by casuals? Seems like a good direction for FFXIV's PvP at the moment, since you currently need too many people to have a PvP match. - Role quests are returning. Also, ranged is now split up into physical ranged and casters. I'm... divided on this. If it means again only 1 job quest at the level cap, that is going to be disappointing tbh. If it doesn't, then I will be very glad. Also gatherer and crafting quests... uh... *stares at him only having one of each unlocked and neither are even at level 50*. Also, WAR, MNK and RDM AF art. WAR looks pretty good, MNK looks nice and RDM looks pretty neat! - Estinien in the trust system. Yup, that makes perfect sense since Estinien is basically a honorary member of the Scions at this point. Also since we have no more melee DPS in that spot, since Ryne isn't with us anymore. I will miss Ryne in the MSQ. Hopefully they have more quests for us on the First that involve her :( - Island Sanctuary. Stardew Valley FFXIV edition? I mean, I'm down for it. Especially if we can customize the place. If I'm able to get a training dummy there and teleport to that place, it will basically just be my new house and I might actually consider getting my current house demolished. - As literally everyone expected, Ishgard housing. Makes perfect sense after the Ishgard Restoration. Not personally jumping on it, as I remember the bloodbath that was Shirogane housing *shudders* - Stat squish. I'm perfectly fine with this, since smaller numbers feel more impactful for me. I'm 100% a person that sees a 61389 damage Confiteor crit and just feels nothing towards the 3 numbers on the right. They mean nothing. Smaller numbers makes smaller increases more substantial - Removing belts. Nomura's worst nightmare... Honestly, I'm just glad about the extra inventory space for main weapons arms and rings. That is the good stuff! :) - Data center travel. UH. How in the heck is this going to work? Is it only in the regions or can I go from Chaos to Primal, for example? If the latter, that is amazing and removes the need to have alts for friends in other datacenters by quite a bit! - PS5 version. Yeah, that makes sense. - Digital Fan Fest 15th and 16th of May (14th and 15th for the NA folks). Looking forward to it and to seeing the new melee DPS job being revealed! Plus a live concert by the Primals is sick! So... I was gonna make a post about the whole barrier healer/pure healer thing and how that is weird compared to what they did with tanks in ShB and how it might impact tanks in End (I don't like EW as acronym), but an interview happened and they have already confirmed tanks are not getting balanced for main tank/off tank. So I'll just sum up what I had about healers: it is a very interesting direction that I honestly think is more healthy for the game. It diversifies and focuses the healers into their type of healing, a problem AST had since it came out, where the only pieces of identity it had were its cards and the fact it could be a WHM-lite or a SCH-lite, where the second part isn't really an identity. It also confirmed that the healers aren't getting split in 2 categories in the game (like the DPS are split between melee, physical ranged and magical ranged). Just for balancing, which is good since queues would otherwise be a pain for no real reason. Also, he confirmed that content will be easier with one pure healer and barrier healer, not required. 

TL;DR: I think this is a change for the better. AST will (hopefully) get a real identity outside of “it can be either like WHM or like SCH!” and their cards.

[shardweavers]

Chapter Fourteen - The Way Forwards

Shoto’s hands paused as she came to the end stages of folding her clothes for travel, her eyes drawn down towards the end of the bed where her big brown pack sat, already half-full…

It seemed impossible that it had only been this morning that the place was half-destroyed, scarred by combat like the war zones of Ala Mhigo. And yet it was spotless, now; everything restored to its proper place, not a sign of damage. She’d expected to have to go to the Crystalline Mean and recruit a whole team of people for repairs, but it seemed their local Ascian had had other ideas; he’d actually come to find her as she was heading there, and indicated that she should instead return to her quarters.

And so she had, and found them in this spotless condition! Shoto had wanted to thank Emet-Selch, but he’d sauntered off before she could speak a word, leaving her flummoxed--she’d taken up packing to occupy her scattered thoughts. He’d soon be back from wherever he’d been headed to, she reasoned; it was  he  who’d been insistent on joining the party, in the name of “keeping them out of trouble.” Ha! As though he wasn’t the cause of it!

She felt a brief flare of amusement, but it was rapidly chased away by recriminations that made her sigh, ceasing to fold the clothes and putting her chin against her fist. Everything that emotionally surrounded the Ascian was so Twelve-damned complicated.

It didn’t help that the idea of traveling with him brought up memories of the first time he’d accompanied them around Norvrandt--the odd intimacy she’d felt with him, even then, the closeness. The fury at his betrayal, a betrayal that hurt her so much more than it seemed to affect any of her friends and compatriots. And then, that moment, in the ashes of Amaurot at the bottom of the sea--

“Remember us. Remember that we once lived.”

Just thinking about it made tears come to her eyes, and she only half-understood why, even now. 

Because I’m like her, like Azem…

...Every time she thought that, it felt like she was so close to a memory and yet so far, like she had a puzzle in her mind very nearly solved, but the last piece was missing and no amount of scrounging could find it. It was maddening. 

Bah. Now’s not the time, the others will be waiting for me.   She finished cramming everything into the pack and fastened it up, buckling the straps that held it shut tight, then hoisted it onto her back and headed out of the room. Just outside, Sumire was leaning against a railing; when the Dragoon saw her, his ears flicked to alertness, and heterochromatic eyes met hers.

Shoto had to admit, she was a little surprised. “Hey! Is it just you, or is Yuki about…?”

“She’s not,” Sumire sighed, and the intense regret in his voice, the lilt of sadness, only served to increase Shoto’s level of flummoxed-ness. If she had previously been at “the moogles of Ishgard want a diplomatic liaison to the Twelveswood,” she was now at “the moogles of Ishgard want a diplomatic liaison with Feo Uhl, and it has to be a kobold for some reason.”

The confusion showed on her face readily enough that Sumire practically leapt to attention, waving off her concern with both hands. “Er, that is to say, she’s not ready yet! She’s still getting ready! She went for a walk to clear her head, and refocus, after that business this morning, with the Ascian, and the fight, and such!”

Shoto was absolutely certain that there was more to this; she was so certain she would’ve bet an exorbitant amount of gil, but her Scholar’s intuition said to leave well enough alone, at least for now. “Well, that’s alright, then. Um, do you want to wait for her? I can meet you both at the Exarch’s Gate when she is ready, there’s no rush.” Sumire flushed. “I-I promise, we’ll be right behind you, just…” Shoto smiled and shook her head. “Like I said,  no rush.”

* * *

Where Hades had gotten to was a tall tree near the gate of the Crystarium, where he sat beneath a curtain of lavender-colored leaves, his back nestled against the trunk quite comfortably, to the point the Ascian might be tempted to doze off.

He was certain the Warriors would find him soon enough; their suspicious natures wouldn’t let him go unsupervised for long, of course. Let them hurry to bundle up their things; it gave him time for contemplation, time alone with his thoughts, that he sorely needed.

First, and paramount, he had to process how far and how fast this...eighth Rejoining was coming along, for them. Every single one of them was taking to their shards with a speed and natural attachment that shouldn’t have been possible. It should’ve required a monumental effort, the fuel that a Calamity brought; everything the Ascians had learned said as much.

...How were they this far along, simply by linking themselves to the ghosts of this land’s heroes? 

By Zodiark, they were using creation magic! He’d managed to keep himself calm and collected while dealing with them because he didn’t want to show his shock. His fellow Paragons of the Red, all members of the Convocation, had taken years to regain that power…!

Second, of course, there was--once again--the issue of her.

...Of Shoto, he mentally corrected himself. 

...It felt strange, didn’t it? To call her by her name? 

For so long, he’d thought of her as just Warrior of Light , as that Warrior of Light, their leader, the prime amongst them with the soul that shone the brightest and with a troublingly familiar golden color. The Hero. 

She’d told him her name, then, of course, but…It hadn’t seemed important, at the time. 

Indeed, the familiar color of her soul made her company, frankly, difficult, because when he looked, and he couldn’t stop from looking, he remembered what he’d lost. He ceased to be here, on the First, and he was in Amaurot again. It was the Final Days, again, and he was desperately promising Persephone-- I’ll protect you. Always.

His last oath. His greatest failure.

Being around her cut his soul to the metaphysical bone, back then. Just short conversations had made him feel a combination of longing and hatred so intense he thought he’d go mad. The moment he had an opportunity to betray her, to taunt her, to assume the role of the villain, had almost been a relief.

...So…

Why was it so different now? Her presence now was...almost friendly. Comforting. The glow of her soul was like a familiar lamp, a lantern that imitated the sun, but not to mock; rather to pay homage. He’d been telling himself it was gratitude for her selfless acts on his behalf, but…

He’d lived a thousand years and more, witnessed eras rise and fall. This wasn’t something so simple. He was Emet-Selch, the Angel of Truth, with all that that implied; he could not be deceived, even by himself. There was something deeper, some root to their connection. It would be so simple if I believed she was…

But that’s ridiculous. I’d know, he reasoned with himself. His beloved, his Azem, would have known better than to trust in the world-shattering Mother, ever--not that he judged Shoto for it, necessarily. And wasn’t that proof she was a different person? Moreover, if he’d antagonized Persephone the way he’d antagonized Shoto, he could never forgive himself. Obviously.

...It was still so strange, though. 

How soul-wrenching it had been to walk beside her before, and how nice it seemed now. It was almost freeing to even think her name-- Shoto. Shoto. Shoto.

A response came back to him, confused and rather harried. “Emet-Selch…?”

The Ascian leapt up and almost hit his head on a low-hanging tree branch. 

Zodiark’s actual wings of shadow damn it, how had he forgotten--if he could hear her thoughts, she could hear his! 

“Is something wrong?”  he felt her think, and he hastily shook his head, pushing his bangs out of his face and straightening his garments.

“No! Nothing’s amiss, good hero! I am completely fine! I was...extremely...bored.” He tried to radiate the appropriate level of detachedness. “Had you and yours taken any longer, I might’ve fallen asleep against this tree.”

Exasperation radiated from her, but there was an odd warmth to it, like he could feel her roll her eyes. It was…kind of cute.

...He managed to shield this thought from her and also to drop it down a metaphorical abyss forever. 

“Well, we’re here now. Look to your right.”

And there, indeed, she was, radiating that warm yellow-orange color off her, her soul dancing like tamed fire; he couldn’t help but smile as she approached, though he let it slip to his usual smirk as her companions followed close behind--the Dragoon and the Summoner. The Viera folded her arms and her lips curled into a small frown as she saw him. “I’m surprised,” Yuki grumbled. “I would’ve thought you’d dismiss yourself and teleport away to Eulmore to do whatever it is you want there, by now.”

“My dear,” Hades replied breezily, “I have no need to deceive any of you, as I thought you understood. I said my intention was to travel with you, and keep your leader here from any...reckless acts, and so I’m going to do that.”

The Viera gave an angry “hmph!” and looked away; the Ascian merely hefted his bag with a shrug. Shoto blinked as she realized he wasn’t wearing his normal, regal attire of a Garlean Emperor, but rather a long, black robe appropriate for a mage of rank, with metallic trim that put one in the mind of dark steel rather than silver; it had two pauldrons that were practically an afterthought, white-gold utility belts that held a variety of small items, and a massive cowl that looked like a gigantic religious collar when it was down, trimmed with fur. 

...It was simplistic, but it fit him; in fact, he looked quite good in it, a thought the Ascian caught and allowed himself a slightly saucy smirk to. “I do hope my new attire is appropriate? I felt that traipsing about looking the part of Imperator might be a little gauche, given our destination and the Leveilleur boy’s delicate sensibilities.” Shoto couldn’t help but blush. “It’s, it’s nice. It’s quite appropriate, yes, and probably better than explaining the glory of Garlemald to everyone you meet.” “Dear hero, that would get boring for me, too! I’d mix it up,” he teased. “I’d talk about the glory of Allag, too, and there’s a lot more material there.”

...This conversation had deepened Yuki’s frown to a “seething” level, which Sumire took notice of and loudly cleared his throat, interrupting. “While we’re on the road,” he put in, “I...I know it’s early days, but I’m still curious about the basic concepts of this...Creation Magic.”

Emet-Selch gave the Dragoon a mildly nonplussed look, shrugging. 

“It is, as I tried to emphasize before, chiefly a matter of focus and will. You have to hold the image and the structure in your mind’s eye, consistently, and channel the aether towards the end of willing it into being--not requesting it to be, willing it to be.” He lifted one hand, clasping it into a fist, and paused for a moment, a shadowy aura swirling around him as he concentrated visibly; when he unfurled his fingers, a small white blossom was in his palm, which blew away into petals in a breeze.

Sumire cocked his head to the side, nodding and biting his lip, unsure quite how to respond; Yuki, for her part, half-audibly scoffed.

So it’s just that simple, huh?

Fine. She could do that much, the Summoner reasoned; closing her eyes, she called her own aether around her, the world seeming to flex and seethe with its glowing aura. She cupped her hands and stood there. 

...And stood there.

...Her brow furrowed tighter and her grimace deepened. 

What am I thinking…?

This is just...just childish nonsense! It’s the Ascian’s version of a prank! It’s foolishness!

Her concentration finally broke and she dismissed her aether when she heard the Paragon chuckle, her expression furious. “Th-this is ridiculous! I didn’t feel even the slightest ripple of actual magic, you--!”

Hades couldn’t help his smirk, though he did try to cover it, to his credit. “Well, I did say it was chiefly about those virtues, my good Viera--it also has to do with the center of one’s focus, with what feels most natural to you. A sort of creative paradigm or talent, unique to you and connected to your soul; in Amaurot it was something everyone came to by intuition. Alas, less so in these shattered worlds.”

Sumire’s ears flicked; he remained silent, but he looked even more thoughtful than before; this much was actually a familiar concept to him, a legitimate one. He’d had to learn how to use the aether to “see” with his right eye, after the Dravanian attack on his home--it wasn’t something you could force, you had to naturally let the aether flow into the eye and follow what it sensed. At first, the sensation had been totally alien, but once he learned to relax and incorporate it, it was second nature.

...So everyone had a separate focus, then? I wonder what mine would even be …

Concentrating on the idea for more than a moment, though, nearly made him nod off where he was standing, a huge wave of sudden tiredness washing over his body. He shook his head violently, even as another breeze blew over the group.

Better consider that later.

Shoto, finally, who’d been absorbing the conversation herself, had also closed her eyes, but the Scholar was recalling the moment of an errant flower’s arrival in the vase. How it had looked, how it had smelled, the shape of its blossom and its stem. She imagined its rootwork...the bright red of the petals, so vibrant, like flame. The softness of its round leaves…

She felt the sudden urge to flick her wrist outward, and didn’t stop herself, caught up in the moment and remembering in the back of her mind what Hades had just said about the focus coming naturally…

Her aether swirled, spiked, crackled. She heard her fairies shout tinny alarums as her eyes opened…

A flower’s thin stem had burst from the earth in front of her, with familiar flame-red petals, still emitting a golden wisp of aether. As her concentration broke, it dissipated, but it left all four of them staring in awe, before Emet-Selch’s face became a genuine smile, applauding.

“You see? Not a completed creation, not solidly anchored, but a fine attempt! Well done, my dear.” Shoto’s cheeks burned in a blush, but she couldn’t help her own small smile of pride, and Sumire looked impressed, applauding a little himself; Yuki crossed her arms and bit her lip, turning away slightly, though she too looked almost amazed.

“Th-thanks,” Shoto said. “I feel a little...light-headed, though…”

“Keep in mind that it  does  draw on your aether, though,” Emet-Selch reminded her, not unkindly. “And as yours is already depleted, further practice should, potentially, wait...but for a first conscious attempt, it was quite impressive. Why, we’ll be progressing to advanced lessons in no time.”

Shoto’s cheeks got even redder, and yet...her smile didn’t leave, and something in her felt warm at the praise. “B-be that as it may, we’ll have to explain those lessons to Alphinaud before long. Let’s get going, it’s nearly midday!”

* * *

Nearly a bell passed in silence as the group made their way towards Sullen. 

Emet-Selch had ended up in the lead of the party, entirely by accident; perhaps it was some quirk of Ascian bodies, as the Angel of Truth seemed not to tire at all with each yalm, and his strides were quite long. Behind him followed Sumire, whose training under the watchful eye of the Holy See had served him well athletically...and then was Shoto, who was valiantly trying to keep up, despite being visibly drained. Yuki brought up the rear, mostly to keep watch over her struggling friend...and also due to her own foul mood, expressed in haphazard kicks to the ground as she went, errant stones tumbling into the Lakeland weeds.

The Viera kept her eyes on the two men in front of them...well, the man and the Ascian. She was glad that Sumire hadn’t inquired further into her...admitted overreaction from earlier, and that he seemed to be his usual self. That was good. They could put all that silliness behind them, where it belonged, and where it would definitely never bother her again, no sir.

...Never. Bother. Her. Again.

Her eyes on Emet-Selch, of course, were for totally separate reasons involving her completely justified suspicion. He was nothing but trouble, and that little...light show with the flowers had only solidified that notion. She knew he was up to something. She couldn’t figure it out with the evidence she had now, but she knew it in her bones.

So she’d watch, and wait, and when he slipped up she’d call down the wrath of every elemental force she knew a name for on his head.

Her general seething was interrupted as Shoto nearly tripped over a larger-than-usual rock and swayed under the weight of her pack, grimacing and trying to re-hoist it with obvious difficulty, but it looked like without help she’d fall over. She was valiantly attempting to stay balanced when Sumire almost leapt back to her, gently taking the pack in his hands.

“Shoto? If you'd like, I could help carry your pack for now?”

A sad, half-smile appeared on her face, she was not about to argue, as she knew her strength was waning. She really had taken too much of a risk with her aether; she felt so drained, so weary. 

Emet-Selch had stopped as Shoto almost tripped, too--he looked like he’d been going to render aid, but Sumire had got to her side first, and so the Ascian simply observed with crossed arms and a carefully neutral expression, trying to focus on her aetheric levels and making sure they were still safe. For the moment, they seemed so.

As Sumire hoisted the pack, a small piece of dark fabric fell from it; caught by the wind, it nearly fluttered off to become lost in Lakeland, but Yuki saw it and snatched it out of the air before this could occur. Neither of the Miqo’te seemed to notice.

Yuki looked curiously over the fabric. It had originally been quite richly woven, made of some rarefied fabric, but it had become a little threadbare; Shoto must’ve kept it with her throughout her travels. A keepsake of some kind? 

She tilted her head as she examined the image on it; the sigil of a crimson unicorn’s head, lined with gold, surmounting some sort of laurel wreath, it looked like, in the same colors. It looked like the heraldry of some noble family...a High House of Ishgard, perhaps? She vaguely remembered a familiar description from one of Sumire’s tales. She shoved it into her pocket; this had to be returned to Shoto at the earliest possible opportunity.

* * *

They had nearly made it to the Source’s edge, and the docks of the Weed were within sight, when Yuki got her opportunity; Shoto, even without her burden, had paused in the middle of the road, bent over, her hands on her knees and her breathing labored. 

Sumire looked back at their friend with concern, and Hades practically went over to hover at her side. 

“Perhaps... we should... take a short break...?” the Dragoon ventured. 

“I’m sorry.” Shoto huffed before she found a spot to sit; atop a nearby rock. Yuki sat down beside her, biting her lip.

“Are you sure you're alright? We could've waited in the Crystarium for at least another day.” The Scholar simply shook her head, “No, I'll not hold us back.”

“Shoto…” Yuki sighed and shook her head, but she supposed there was no point now. “Alright. Oh, though, before I forget any longer, this is yours--it fell from your pack when Sumire was picking it up.” Her eyes met Shoto’s as she pulled the fabric out and laid it in the Scholar’s hand. “It looked as though it might be important…?”

Shoto gasped audibly when she saw what it was, and quickly took the fabric, holding it to her chest as she closed her eyes tightly; Emet-Selch blinked as he felt the swirl of emotions the keepsake raised in her, the sudden wave of feeling enough to even bowl over the Ascian, emotionally speaking. Longing...nostalgia...grief...It was almost an echo of when he thought too hard about Persephone.

“...Thank you,” Shoto managed after a moment. “If I lost this, I’d never have forgiven myself...I’ll be more careful from now on.”

Though he wanted to comfort her, the keepsake piqued the Ascian’s curiosity to a point that he almost craned his neck to see the item, like the shoebill he’d disguised himself as. “What is it, exactly? If you don’t mind my asking, of course.”

Shoto’s smile in reply was sad enough he almost regretted the question. “Ah. It was a memento from a dear friend of mine...One I’ve not forgotten.” She unfurled the fabric almost shyly, letting them see. Though Yuki looked no wiser, Emet-Selch’s eyes went a little wide in recognition, and Sumire actually gasped himself.

“That’s a High House’s symbol,” the Dragoon said. “If I remember...House Fortemps’, isn’t it?”

Shoto nodded, silently.

Yuki blinked and looked to the Dragoon with a light smile. “Well, that’s wonderful, isn’t it? Maybe we can go visit them, soon, and you and Sumire can make introductions.” 

“W-well, hold on, I’d need introducing too! I never knew you were a friend of--,” Sumire began, but then his voice died, along with Yuki’s smile, as they saw the tears in the corners of Shoto’s eyes.

“Heh. ...I...I think he would’ve liked that, but…”

Yuki bit her lip as the realization overtook her. It wasn’t that Shoto hadn’t seen this friend in some time; rather, if they visited, all they’d be visiting was a gravestone.

“...I’m sorry,” she said, laying a gentle hand on Shoto’s shoulder.

“You couldn’t have known,��� the Scholar said, shaking her head, but Emet-Selch interrupted with a soft question.

“...What was his name?”

Shoto blinked, surprised at the identity of the questioner. “...Haurchefant. Haurchefant Greystone, of House Fortemps.”

Sumire gave a slightly sad smile of his own. “Ah. Lord Haurchefant of the Silver Fuller...I met him, once, I think. He was...larger than life, I recall.”

Shoto couldn’t help but giggle. “Y-yes, yes. He was...very extravagant, I’d call it, but in a wonderful way.” A memory of the Elezen’s excited cry upon meeting her at Camp Dragonhead crossed her mind, and she couldn’t help but smile broadly. How she missed him; his excitable nature, his infectious smile, the way he called things “splendid!” that was quintessential to him... 

...How he’d gazed at her and her alone, the lilt in his voice when he’d told her how tempting her well-trained body was, resurfaced as well, to the point she had to shake her head violently to clear it.

...Was it her imagination, or had that last thought made Emet-Selch look jealous??

“I think,” the Ascian said with gravity and import, his face smoothly melting back to his more neutral, world-weary affect, but his voice surprisingly kind, “that it’s only natural you treasure his memory. Never regret that, hero.” He cleared his throat. “However, if you truly mean to reach Kholusia before nightfall, perhaps we should make it to the ferry sooner, rather than later.”

Shoto, beet red, nodded and all but sprang up. “Y-yes! Let’s keep going. I’m rested, now, and besides, the boat isn’t far.”

...Something about how fast she sprang up almost made the Ascian feel a bit guilty.

...Surely he hadn’t projected any odd feelings about her...feelings…

Whatever. He could make up for it later!

* * *

It was, indeed, not even half a bell more before they found themselves on the creaking planks of the Weed’s plentiful docks, seeking after the ferry to Kholusia; as they made their way over the first bridge, Shoto noticed a grizzled old Hume who looked to be taking inventory rather than hauling in fish, and waved for his attention. “Ah, excuse me!”

The grizzled old fellow blinked and looked up from his writing, brow wrinkling in confusion at the party of travelers before him; his confused expression only served to pronounce a scar across his nose and left cheek, his dark brown eyes searching them.

“Eh? What business do I have with ye, lass?”

Emet-Selch unconsciously bristled beneath his large cowl, though the hood shrouded his face and hid his scowling expression from the Hume; Shoto, for her part, gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry to bother you, but...we’re seeking a ferry to Kholusia, and we’re hoping you could point us in the right direction.”

The old Hume’s look became more affable, and he nodded. “It’ll be Dadfort ye’re wanting, aye; he sails th’ route ‘twixt here and Stilltide, from time to time.” “Wonderful!” said Shoto brightly. “Can you tell us where to find him?”

“He frequents a li’l tavern on Brick, th’ Drunken Eel. This time o’ day he’ll be out front, probably nursin’ his first pint and still lookin’ for custom. Look fer the big Galdjent with th’ white hair.”

The Scholar bowed in thanks, and the group hurried over the next bridge, departing Weed for Brick and finding, after peering at the signs of several taverns, the Drunken Eel; indeed, under the signpost of the establishment, leaning against a wall, was a massive Galdjent fellow with slate-grey skin and white hair.

Silently, Hades wondered what Shoto planned to do about the gap between Stilltide and Eulmore, a gap that would take them nearly as long as the walk here, and that was if things went well. The Crystarium’s soldiers had done a fine job of keeping most beasts and errant, remaining sin eaters from encroaching on the road, but he knew Kholusia to be much wilder, given its prior ruler’s...proclivities.

“Hello,” Shoto greeted the Galdjent. “We’re looking for Dadfort, are you--”

“Aye, I’m he,” the oversized fellow said, grunting a little as he pushed himself up from the wall. “I suppose your party here is lookin’ for passage?”

“Yes,” said Shoto. “We’re bound for Kholusia. I know you usually only go as far as Stilltide, but we’re hoping to hire you for a trip to Eulmore.”

Ah, so that was what she planned to do about it. Unfortunately, the very name of the city made the Galdjent’s expression darken and his arms crossed. “Nothing doing, then. You want a different vessel, and like as not a different port. I only sail to Stilltide.”

Shoto’s face fell. “But…”

“We might be at peace,” Dadfort said, “and aye, there’s rumors enough that Vauthry’s dead and gone, and the aristos have repented of their ways. And here’s what I say--it’s all sin eater’s dung.” He spat on the docks to his side. “If ye want passage to Stilltide, then I go there and not a yalm further.”

“Is there really no way we might change your mind?” It was Hades who said this, his voice almost a purr. Dadfort’s eyes narrowed, but the Ascian went on smoothly.

“You see, the dear young scholar here is quite frail of body and we know that the Eulmorans haven’t quite cleared up the roads. If you could stop at Eulmore’s docks, for just a moment, it would do us a service we’ll well remember. And you’ll be quite fairly compensated,” he added. A coin pouch was suddenly in Dadfort’s hand, and judging by the big man’s expression, it was quite weighty. 

“...I’m not stayin’ a second more than I have to, nor lettin’ ‘em write my ship’s name on no cursed rich man’s roster, y’hear? And I won’t be takin’ ye back. Find other passage to return.”

“Not a problem at all, my good man,” Emet-Selch replied, bowing amiably. Dadfort chewed his lip, but then pocketed the coin pouch and cracked his knuckles, and extended a hand to the Angel of Truth, who shook it firmly.

“Deal’s made, then. Meet me at th’ docks in fifteen. My ship’s th’ Ondo Princess, ye can’t miss her.”

And off he went, leaving the group almost shocked. Shoto looked at him both gratefully and at a loss for words.

“So you’re a businessman, as well as an emperor?” she offered. 

Emet-Selch merely laughed, pushing his hair back, and allowed himself a triumphant grin.

“Oh, there’s much you don’t know about me yet, my dear hero.”

_________________________________________________________ Writers’ Note: Hope you enjoy the new chapter and Thank you for your support! We will have a new chapter of  “In the Tower’s Reflection” as well!

[progeny-of-the-fury]

Drachen Trials: Instructor Guiscareaux | Part I

Log date:  2/13/18

OOC Note: The text in these logs are strictly for the reader’s enjoyment. Anyone using the knowledge displayed within this text without the participant’s knowledge risks the potential of blacklisting from future communication and roleplay. Please do not meta-game!

Tags: None

We had just returned from a rather... unenjoyable theatre performance. If one could call even an onze of that performance worth anyone's time. Regardless, I was... anxious. Anxious to get away from all this mess surrounding me. And most importantly, anxious to begin my ambition...

Lucius Guiscareaux walked into the room, and carefully placed the hat under the crux of his arm. Noting the lack of a chair, he would nod. "I'll stand, then."

Adelise De'bayle: "I figured the lack of chair would not bother anyone, standing did not kill anyone, nor do I expect it would kill someone such as yourself. Though if you wish to sit, we can move," she scoots her chair back.

Lucius Guiscareaux: "I have no problem standing, just making a joke is all." He took the seat regardless. "What did you wish to discuss?"

Adelise De'bayle: "Apologies, I have never been one for jokes. Especially after this evening," she brings a tired hand up to the bridge of her nose, pinching there. "My upcoming trials. When did you wish to begin, I would like to be swift in starting. And where shall we start?"

Lucius Guiscareaux nodded, his face flat, expressionless. "Jokes are the only thing that got me through that concert. No matter. Your trials may begin as you request. But understand the order is not as glorious as we were in the times of the Dragonsong."

Adelise De'bayle: "I am well aware," she gestures out a hand, "I may not have slain a dragon, least, not yet. Though, I have slain one of Shinryu's 'brood'. A Hakkinryu. Earned me the title of Adelise, the Hakkinslayer during the Ala Mhigan liberation."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "I've heard, aye. But titles are titles, are you aware of the risks inherent to your trials and the possible dangers?"

Adelise De'bayle: "I have heard some Dragoons do not even make out of them alive. Believe me, I am well aware."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "Aye. This is a serious request and more then one noble has attempted this for the sake of their own personal glory rather then service to the Holy See."

Adelise De'bayle: "Do not mistake my desire. Every onze of what I do, is for my people and for the power to be strong enough to lead them. It is as much for myself, as it is for them, and Her Fury. I choose to walk in Her image."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "Many others have spoken in the same way; you wish to lead your fellow Ishgardians?"

Adelise De'bayle: "I would have it no other way. My goals come from my desire to walk in Halone's image."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "I've heard talk of this from people twice your age; why do you presume yourself worthy of leading the Holy See?"

Adelise De'bayle: "Have you seen where the city currently stands? It is not say I wish to take our Lord Commanders position, but rather I wish to be a figure that can help ignite change. That can help guide our people back onto a path of righteousness. Away from the lies that were sewn into our very being. I wish to see our people once more truly be followers of Halone. Not simply speak of Her. I do not expect to change the world, Ser Guiscareaux. No. No great leader changes the world. They strike change into the hearts of people. That is where true change lies. I see weakness in people's hearts, and I try to help them see past it. To guide them from that. I want them to change their own world, by standing on their own two feet. People rely on strong leaders for that though. That is why I need to be a stronger figure head."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "The life of a member of the Knights Dragoon is not fit for those wishing to be a Role Model, Adelise De'bayle. We are solitary hunters, now protectors of the pilgrims and traders into the hinterlands. Do you wish to be a role model, or a Knights Dragoon?"

Adelise De'bayle: 'Times are changing, Ser Guiscareaux, it is about time you change with them. The Knight's Dragoon are considered to be an elite task force. Even more so, those with the title are granted a status almost higher than that of a nobleman, that much you should know well. That sort of social power does entail being a role-model. To dismiss that, is to use your power in vain. I presume you would not do such?"

Lucius Guiscareaux: "I did not become a member of the Knights Dragoon for the title, or to be an inspiration. I joined the order to serve the Holy See and the country that I love.  I spent my nights on the Dravanian Hinterlands, with naught a companion. My deeds will not be recorded or written in books of history, and that is something I have understood all my life. You speak true, that in the storm we find ourselves in, such titles may lend you greater influence, but that should not be why you find yourself a member of our order."

Adelise De'bayle: "You presume heavily that my desire to lead and bring glory back to the See means I expect to be placed on a pedestal. I do not care if I am ever written in any tomes. Or ever once preached about in classes. I want this just as much for the reason you did. Because I love my country and I wish to see it strive. While our reasonings differ, I see there are more avenue's to this particular job than just slaying things. And with the War over, Ser, we most certainly will need to find other avenue's to make our polearms of use. I doubt you wish to live out the rest of your life as an escort. As I see it, there is plenty we are still capable of. More for us to offer, and the order will be what brings Ishgard back onto its feet. That will help it become the shining beacon we wanted to believe it was."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "I did not presume you to be seeking fame, I believed you to be using the possible title of a member of our order to garner influence. We are not merely slayers of wyrms, tis truth you speak, my polearm has done more then kill. It is a weapon of protection, it has saved more lives then it has slain. While the truths revealed during the conferences have tarnished our legacy, Ishgard has been my home and will always be the beacon of light in this world. The Eorzean peoples have grown slack in their peace, and find themselves barely able to assist their allies in overthrowing the shackles of the Garleans...yet began a two front conflict that may indeed bring those very legions to the borders of our own cities. But nevermind this. You wish to use the Knights Dragoon to foster change in Parliament, to assist in the restoration of Ishgardian glory?"

Adelise De'bayle: "Who knows how much change a half-breed will be able to manage," she notes blandly, "but I intend to use the influence of my title to reach the hearts of those who can. To use my spear to protect people, to protect my people. Our city. My home and world from those who would seek its destruction. I seek true justice for this place, Ser Guiscareaux. Zealous, is it not? Only the zealous make it by. I will not stop until my ambition to see Ishgard truly a beacon of peace is achieved, not a shining false image built on lies and the lives of people who got tangled in them. I have seen what it has done to our city. What even that mindset has done here in this very household. I cannot stand it. You and I might stand for different things, but if you are any man of Ishgard, you will know I want for nothing more than the best for our city-state."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "Know that this path is not an easy one, and you may be required to choose your profession over your loved ones." The man paused, hesitating to speak for a moment. "Family."

Adelise De'bayle: "I am well aware. I have spoken to Killian already. If I need travel, he wishes to accompany as a healer. I have no intentions on having any children, this body was not fit for such. This is all I have to offer this world. I need make the most of it," she remarks in some unwavering determination.

Lucius Guiscareaux dug into his jacket, pulling a small locked box. Drawing the key from his sleeve, the man unlocked the container, and lifting the contents to make it plainly visible. "This is a wyrm eye. I am sure you are familiar."

Adelise De'bayle twists her lips in disdain, "unfortunately so."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "Unfortunately. the lengths I went to obtain this eye destroyed my family. This was my grandfather's, and the body count attached to this artifact is bordering on disgusting."

Adelise De'bayle: "A tragedy, I am sure. I have my fairshare of tragedy at the hands of a dragon eyes," she scoffs, bringing a hand into her hat to pull out a decently sized round stone. "Let me ask you this, Ser Guiscareaux. Despite my zealotry, which I am well aware of, will you accept me under your wing?"

Lucius Guiscareaux: "I intend to, aye. But know that your training and devotion to this order should supercede your family and personal relationships. If a choice forces you twixt the order and the blind man, you choose the order."

Adelise De'bayle makes no remarks toward this, simply raising the stone up. "My father syphoned a dragon eye to his own, then conceived me," she remarked out plainly. "With that, came illness. Trouble. I nearly died. I spent nearly eighteen turns now, fighting for this existence." Opening her mouth she exposed sharpened thick fangs. "I know the cost of a dragon-eye, perhaps as well as you do. Though on a completely different spectrum."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "There are costs that must be paid, sometimes in blood, for such power, Adelise."

Adelise De'bayle: "Good thing I did not have the choice, yes?" She remarks bitterly, "but I understand the sentiment. I understand how important this job is, or it would not have the status it does."

Lucius Guiscareaux ran a hand through his own hair, rolling the wyrm eye in his free hand, grimacing. "But it is settled, despite what your father has done, you are a prime candidate for recruitment into the order. Had I my way, I would not have heard of his attempts to garner more power. They are childlike in their futility. Title and power mean nothing to me if they cannot be trusted with such. Your father is a good man, I am sure, but not one I would trust with your training."

Adelise De'bayle: 'He is not all too different from my uncle. Both in which delved into... powers they should not have. I will find a way to be powerful on my own. Not that I have much of a choice anyhow. But... these people. I want them to see the order as powerful for us, not for our trophies. I have plenty of things I wish to set into motion myself, but all things in time. When shall we begin?"

Lucius Guiscareaux: "Only weaklings and imbeciles take the quick path to power, and all of us suffer for their incompotence. We shall begin this coming week, First day, at dusk. Dravania. "Your trials begin once I understand you."

Adelise De'bayle: "Understood. This could not be better timing. I could use getting away from this place," she huffs out.

Lucius Guiscareaux: "Truth be told, I am not fond of the canines Mr. Waltz purchased. The barking penetrates my study. The less time I have to read, the more time I have to be myself, with a lance in hand, hunting."

Adelise De'bayle: "They do not live here, so I am unsure of what barking you might be hearing. Perhaps the neighbors? Also," her eyes narrow, "they are my dogs, and they are trained to the utmost obedience."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "Then I am mistaken. Perhaps it wasn't your canines. I am not fond of animals."

Adelise De'bayle: "To each their own. My dogs have been quite useful, in plenty of ways. I have intention on making them hunting animals as well. Animals are not for everyone, though my mother was quite fond of them. You could even call them a master of them, of the sorts, so I grew up with them," she gestures up a dismissive hand. "They listen on command, so they should not bother you, if ever they are present."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "I've never been much of an animal person, I had no time to find myself in their company, unless I was hunting something, of course."

Adelise De'bayle: "The order has been given quite a bit more time to their leisure, so I was not too worried over my adopting of them. Even then, I have prepared them for a life of travel."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "As you should have. Not much sense to keep them solitary with how often you disappear around Eorzea."

Adelise De'bayle: "Indeed. I have done everything up until this point, with my future career in mind."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "Smarter then most people your age, then. Now, your trials are set. I presume you wish to spend your night with Killian, then?"

Adelise De'bayle: "Most people believe me to be ignorant and full of myself because of my age. Very few understand what I went through to get here. If only I could have had the time to be a child," she shrugs, her voice neutral. "No need for that though. Yes, I will see to spending time with him and telling him about the beginning of them. I think it will do us some good, to get away."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "I had no such time in my life either, my father saw to that; every hour of my life has prepared me for my career and the act of violence."

Adelise De'bayle: "There came a time where I needed to make a choice. I lived with a guardian. I could be a child, go to school. Or be the lancer I dreamed to be. And so I chose the latter, watching from afar at the life I could have had. Do I regret such? There is not room for regret when chasing ambition."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "I have no regrets."

Adelise De'bayle: "Regrets are the seed of hesitation."

Lucius Guiscareaux: "Your father, made a stupid, stupid mistake, and I am sorry you carry the burden of his failures. I do not pity you, of course. That would be disrespectful."

Adelise De'bayle: "I worked too hard for pity, to live this life. I just... feel like I owe the people who helped me live, my best. I owe myself my best. I lived too long in my own hatred of what I was, and the abomination I felt I was, to do that to myself any longer. And I want others, to never have to feel that same sort of loneliness and pain. I want to be someone who protects and changes hearts. I want to be that, and I will be."

Adelise De'bayle: "I will help people see there is more to life than what they are told they deserve."

Lucius Guiscareaux: “You speak of protection and honor, and wish to defend those who cannot protect themselves?. You remind me of myself when I was your age. I ...personally, seek redemption for the actions that lead to my trials at the hands of the inquisition. I’ve committed actions nearly, if not more Reprehensible than your fathers.”

Adelise De’bayle: "Many tell me I will grow jaded in time, but the truth of it all is that I am already jaded. Bitter, scorned by my own existence. I seek redemption as well, for what my father did. I do not hate him. I have forgiven him, as that is what She would want. Mercy. He has expressed his remorse, and that is all I can ask for. However, it does not change what it did to my life and what I must now live with. I believe in that vision, Ser Lucius. I believe there is still a way to be a bulwark and stand for what is good. Even if it means spilling blood."

Lucius Guiscareaux: “Spilling blood is the currency of Justice. Violence is the natural state of reality; but what makes it malignant or beneficial is the context provided by the actions of the perpetrator, Miss Debayle.”

Adelise De’bayle: "Quite so. I am no stranger to violence now... especially since my return. Violence and chaos is the natural state of this reality, but it need not always be that way. I strive to see a change where that does not have to be our reality."

Lucius Guiscareaux: “It is a lofty goal to change reality itself, have you the means to change nature? It is built upon violence, or do you speak of man?”

Adelise De’bayle: "Nature is never soley violence. Nature is a balance between discord and tranquility. If nature were purely violence, this world would be in a constant state of calamity. Life as we know it, would have no means to exist, as it cannot exist on violence alone. Even if you may try and argue otherwise," she waves a finger. "I speak of putting an understanding of that balance into the hearts of people who only know discord. That there is tranquility yet to be have."

Lucius Guiscareaux: “Ah, I understand your point then. Tell me, why did your father attempt to absorb the aether of the wyrm eye, surely he was aware of how dangerous that was?”

Adelise De’bayle: "My family is full of idiots," she notes lamely. "He practically begged for my forgiveness upon my return to the mainland for what he did to me, but even still, I cannot help but wonder if he would have even considered his actions had he not given birth to a sickly child because of it," she shrugs.

Lucius Guiscareaux: “He would not have regretted it. The draw of the power of wyrms drive most men mad. I’m surprised your father managed to maintain his sanity, to be honest, I barely survived.” He noted, folding his arms and leaning back into his chair. “An idiot, but a survivor.”

Adelise De’bayle: "I do not think he did. He ventured out into the wilderness of Coerthas for nearly a turn on his lonesome. Even if the eye belonged to a nobody, it still affected his way of thinking. From what I have heard, he has had its presence mostly siphoned out of him."

Lucius Guiscareaux: “It never truly leaves you. Tis the price of untold power:. He was lucky he had not fallen like Wyrmblood..”

Adelise De’bayle: "I did not even make the choice, and it will never leave me," she notes naturally   After a moment of pregnant silence, she peers up to Lucius. "I am to bring Killian with me, on this journey. As my healer."

Lucius Guiscareaux: “Provided he does not Interfere to insure your safety or question my teachings, I will allow it.”

We conversed on for some time longer before turning in for the evening. While that performance may not have been the highlight of my evening, I was certainly fortunate something came of my time.