#lots of MSQ spoilers

[xpiester333x]

Losing Haurchefant was really so sad for your WoL.

Like, you come off the boat (or cart) a fresh-faced adventurer and by the time you've finished Copperbell Mines you've met 2 parties of adventurers just like you who die in those dungeons.

And then when Ifrit tempers an entire group of your allies you have to fine out they are all put to death because they were tempered and somehow you just magically walked out of that unscathed. I even did a sahagain quest today that made you "rescue" some Maelstrom soldiers, who have actually all been tempered so you're tasked with killing them by your own hand.

And all of the rough shit culminates into getting framed for regicide and having all of the people you've given so much for turn against you. And you lose so many friends in the process (you get Y'shtola and Thancred back eventually, but you have no way of knowing that), you're separated from all of your allies and the only surviving ally you have left (that you're aware of) is sinking into a deep depression because he carries the fault for what happened.

And then there's Haurchefant, pressing a mug of hot chocolate into your hands and assuring you everything is going to be alright. Encouraging you to smile even through all the hardship. You're still a hero in his mind. None of your perceived failures or shortcomings have done anything to discourage him from seeing you in the best light. He vouches for you personally, welcomes you into his home, introduces you to his family and gets you back on your feet for more adventuring.

And then he dies. Protecting you. He's always been your shield, from harsh realities and blades alike. But this time it was too much, and he's going to die. But even still, he tells you to smile, because that's what he's always wanted for you, because that's what he's always strived to achieve for you.

That's fucking devastating tbh.

[amememightywarrior]

Food in Dawntrail

Gonna go ahead and share my thoughts on it as posted on twitter, excuse the format!

I found the prevalence of food in DT's MSQ very interesting. In a lot of cultures, food and food-sharing are acts of love both familial and neighborly. It also symbolized a desire to reach out and understand one another, from xibruq pibil to tacos to ice cream to weird grapes.

Our first encounter with food in DT is when Wuk Lamat wants to give us some tacos, but then BJJ smashes them carelessly, a sign that he is rejecting sharing and love

During the lay of repast, which is ALL about food, we learn a lot about the symbolism of meals and food and culture. It's great. 

Zoraal Ja and Bakool Ja Ja are teamed up and shown to not understand or care about food and sharing despite the BLATANT emphasis on it in the trial.

More subtle stuff that isn't called out is the way food is raised - like the Crystarium, where wandering around can reveal the importance, if you wander around DT you can find an example of what's called the three sisters method of farming.

For those unfamiliar with this system, it's actually a very culturally important method of farming in the americas where 3 staple crops, maize, squash, and beans, are grown together in a harmonious fashion. and i mean TOGETHER.

The maize, which grows tall and strong, provides support for the beanstalks which curl around it and provide stabilization both physically and nutritionally. At their feet grows the ground-covering squash which shades the soil, keeping it moist and preventing weeds.

The next major time we learn of food and agriculture is in heritage found, where we see people preserving real food as an act of culture more than anything else, showing the resilience of culture and the spirit of sharing in even the most lightning riddled situations.

After that it gets interesting. The concept of food in S9 is abstracted into the absurd (the grapes??? help), but they still share the food. More than that, it's a SPECTATOR sport, seeing WoL and Wuk Lamat eat. If you've ever been to a dinner with a family of a different culture, you will know the experience of tasting a new cuisine for the first time, and people asking you what you think of it. They share their culture with you and hope you approve. It's the sharing of joy, and it's the same as when you eat in S9.

Then we're REALLY challenged. We enter living memory and find the inhabitants feasting on the mere idea of food. They share with us as well, giving us popcorn. Did you lie and say it was great? Did you speak the truth of your tastebuds and reject the popcorn?

The food in living memory is tasteless to us, the only real ones in the place. But the act of sharing, that was the real important part. And so perhaps if WoL lied, it was not to spare feelings, but to show that yes, they were sharing in joy and culture.

Thus introduced, we are hit with that ice cream. We know it tastes of nothing, but we give it to Krile and her parents to share. Krile knows it doesn't taste like anything, and she struggles. But G'raha zips in with his own, to make her laugh and help her understand the joy.

The way each character reacts to food within DT is symbolic and shows a bit of their own perspectives. Someone who's very out on the edges, Estinien, is also someone who has embraced food very heavily after being freed from Nidhogg. He runs around eating everything in sight now.

And of course we also have the cornservant, who wants to feed everyone. I haven't actually done that quest line yet but I can already tell you what's at the heart of it XD

A lot of this we all know, I'm just calling it out specifically because it was beautifully done in DT.

Oh, before I forget: Otis and Gulool Ja

Otis, despite being, er...mechanical, has been feeding Gulool Ja. It is a familial act, feeding and helping this child grow despite zero relation.

is it just another fetch quest? Another shared meal of many shared meals in the field? Or is it asking us to look at this meal in the context of all that came before it?

What does it mean to love and care for one another? Otis shows it by being there and feeding Gulool Ja.

It contrasts with two other parties: Cahciuna's group, and Zoraal Ja.

Zoraal Ja does nothing. He does not feed his child. Abandoned him outright. ZJ rejects family, love, and sharing.

Cahciuna's group is trying really hard to take care of him, and he does allow it because they keep finding and taking him home. But why does he run away to eat with Otis? Cahciuna's response to realizing he WANTS to leave is to allow it instead of insisting.

I find that rather mysterious but I think it shows Gulool Ja prefers organic sharing, not S9 where everything is simply handed to him. Hopefully we see more of him in the future so we can learn wtf is up with this little blue-scaled cutie.

Food takes a background role in a lot of stories but DT took it, explained it, and then challenged our understanding by taking away the most talked about component, stripping away flavor to ask us what the point of food-sharing really is and how it reflects ourselves & our culture.

We've seen a lot of these themes before - ARR used to have a whole thing about feeding the soldiers before the assault on the garlean strongholds, SHB had the infamous rhon ron food stand scene, etc

we just got it called out repeatedly and the concept gently deconstructed for us in DT. 

So. what does the act of food-sharing mean to you? What does it mean to your WoL? How did you see the Lay of Repast? What did you think of the popcorn?

[elliewiltarwyn]

"Hey, do you...need anything?"

"...I'll...get there. But later. Time is short, we should move." "Anything you need, buddy." ...I'm proud of you.

Ellie didn't expect to grow so close with Erenville over her time in Tural, but she feels the pain of the child of a willful mother all too acutely as well.

there is an actual wip in my scrivener project that i'm on the verge of Actually Posting, after some edits - i just really need ellie to hug the bunny.

a couple extra bonus shots that i liked:

[ababblesaurus]

Drawing Themis after 6.2 and 6.4 respectively.

[improvised-finish]

It's the sun in your eyes...

Lehon'a & Y'shtola finally have a moment to relax and just take in the sun after *gestures at the second half of Dawntrail*, and little do they know that their partner has a breakfast taco surprise for them! (He ate one already and immediately bought two more cause he wanted the two of them to be able to try one)

WE'RE BACK BABEY!!! I finally have my desktop again after 4 long weeks, and I can once again get back to posing!

Shoutout to @ferrocyan and @ai-no-kokuhaku for separately sending me the mod for Y'shtola's coat (which was the impetus for this shot), you can find it here!

Also double shoutout to the amazing spreadsheet of the non-weapon held items, which is such a cool resource! Check it out here!

Anyway. I love these kitty cats. That's all. Hope you have a nice day, person reading this!

[mages-ballad]

since the embargo is pretty much up: i just wanna say that i find it interesting on how the yok huy's view on death ("as long as we remember them, theyre never truly gone") is a very familiar sentiment and how so many people and cultures handle grief. living memory takes that idea and twists it into a *literal* interpretation to the point where its almost a mockery of the deceased. its all just false imitation, and as the living dont remember the deceased anymore, theres no grief.

the difference between the yok huy's views on death and how sphene is programmed to handle the death of her people is that theres no love to it. something something grief is an expression of love. and with sphene, its entirely possible that her programmed "love" for her people can never comprehend nor imitate how complex the actual feeling of love is in the living.

[bi-disastersoup]

Into the Void - Part 1

Welcome to a new VN series. These ones are much shorter, so I won't be doubling up the images.

Greatly recommended you read Shifters first if you haven't, or some of the stuff covered in this series might not make a ton of sense.

very mild CW for emetophobia and also spoilers for patch 6.2 MSQ (takes place right after the second fight with Scarmiglione)

Let's go.

Strap in, ya'll.

(Part 2)

[impossible-rat-babies]

the things I think about doing to make gposing an idea easier

[mnemosyne-xiv]

The moment you returned with the Scions, I knew you were avoiding everyone. Her parents weren't oblivious. My father could hardly keep track of where you were going. And before I could find you, you had already left for Thavnair.

But when you returned yet again, you had no choice but to come to me if you wanted access to my true line of work. The Atiascope was beyond even my father's grasp. Only with my endorsement would Master Fourchenault begin to consider listening to your party's request. Something you knew yet kept to yourself, deciding it better to speak with me alone as far away from your comrades as you could get.

"You'll find more than the Mother Crystal down in the aetherial depths of this star," I warned. "I've seen the Antecedant myself. Do you believe Thancred capable of continuing down this path without letting his guilt and grief consume him?"

"Our friend has come far since last you saw him," came your confident reply.

"And what of you? After everything you've endured, if you saw her, could you continue down this path until the very end?"

"..."

I took a step closer. "What lies at the edge of existence will test your heart far more than venturing into the aetherial sea. If you can't face Moenbryda and promise me you'll work to find inner peace, then I can't give you my support knowing you'll end up dead when all is said and done."

Your silence hung heavy in the air. Painfully so. The weary pull on the corners of your once bright eyes spoke volumes on your behalf. This fight has been long and taken its toll. From the moment you left this little hamlet we call home, you've been tested time and time again, and once more must you choose the choice of sacrifice in the hopes it shall grant us all the salvation you wish to gift.

Before I realized it, my hand found its way to your cheek. A warm, gentle touch that you leaned into as though it were the first source of comfort you had felt in years—and perhaps it was.

"Promise me you'll return," I whispered into the small space left between us. "Promise me, Urianger."

"I promise thee that I shall return no matter the costs."

"Then I'll speak with the Forum on your behalf."

[toestalucia]

anyway i like these titles too,,,,

[pangolinheart]

I almost never read the journal entries in final fantasy xiv but I happened to be looking for something and in my search found that the journal entries for the Stormblood Dark Knight quests are actually "written" by Esteem AND I- Here are some choice selections from the sb drk quests, from the mildly amusing to the ones that ripped my heart out:

Four more times must he do this. Four more times must he employ his powers to make broken men and women whole, so burdened by his deeds he is. Again you consent to the plan for...reasons. 

But, for now, Sid could do with a drink. Or a nap. Or one, and then the other.

...you realize it is none other than the woman who led the protest against the peace conference at Falcon's Nest, and poisoned your drink, which was not very sporting at all. 

...she admits she once looked on you with hatred, but no longer. Fight, if it be your will, and if the gods show you favor, then so be it. And when we are called to account, so be it.

Her heart knows naught but guilt. Seeks naught but forgiveness. Ware the penitent, for theirs is a compulsion all consuming. 

Myste is nevertheless troubled, as is his wont, though at least he is grateful. And you are still a good person, apparently. That's nice. 

And so, in a fit of what can only be described as temporary insanity, Sidurgu has proposed that you return to Moghome. Apparently he hopes that the fresh air and the quiet might cheer the boy. Alternatively, he may long to punch a moogle in its furry little face. 

Myste stares out at the endless expanse and speaks of loss, which we know all too well. So, so many friends and loved ones. Close your eyes and you can see them pass, one by one, in solemn procession. A lesser woman would be tempted to forget, but we know better. 

As feared, Sidurgu will require some time to recover from his wounds. So poor is his condition that he is not even fit to make the journey back to Ishgard. Alas, this means that he must enjoy the company of the moogles at Moghome for the foreseeable future. But all is not lost─he did give you leave to punch a moogle for him. 

He laments his fate, wishing he could go back and convince his former self not to place his trust in the Griffin...but if such things were possible, you wouldn't have a broken shield, now would you? 

She is not the first, nor will she be the last to betray you. She will implore you to see reason, to seek solace in the fiction. And when you refuse, she will have no recourse but one. As I did not. Be ready.

And now, the betrayal. Myste believes that the only way we can atone for our sins is to “undo” them with his simulacra. Every life we took, every death that weighs upon our soul, he would make amends for it all with his beautiful lies. I can end this charade, godsdammit, I can end it! Now is the time! You need me! YOU NEED ME!

The little girl who wanted to make this cruel, twisted world a better place, futile as that is. She's going to get us killed one of these days...but what can I say? I love her. I forgive her. And you... 

(the very last sentence really got me afhajkfla)

... he knows that your destiny leads you elsewhere, for you are still a hero. You are still a good person.

[saffyink]

drew this after that last shb patch... (may '21)

as an orphan amal was DEEPLY offended by fourchenault's actions in that last shadowbringers patch and he was ready to punch the guy's lights out and possibly declare war on the entire institution

thankfully, alisaie and alphinaud were able to dissuade him from making a big mistake during endwalker. amal still gives him the stink eye when they aren't looking though.

[the-unending-journey]

Who is the more romantic one?

I'm not sure what ship you want, so I guess I'll do all of them lol

With Leofard, it's probably more Kiyo that's on the romantic side. Leo tends to be more sauve and flirty, though I guess that can be romantic too

With Oboro it's both of them. The two were kinda awkward about it at first, but they eventually got used to things

With Sidurgu it's Kiyo 100%. It's not that Sid can't be, it's just these sorts of things aren't something he's used to and he struggles with it and just kinda expresses his love in his own ways

With Haurchefant it kinda becomes a contest between the two, which Haurchefant usually ends up winning most of the time lol

With Aymeric it's both like with Oboro, but it tends to be more Aymeric, because Kiyo gets pretty flustered with the man's romantic gestures

With Ardbert it's mostly Kiyo again. Ardbert is another sort that's kinda awkward with this type of thing because it's not something he thought he'd be involved with. He has his moments though and he can be really sweet

With Erich (and Claudien as well) it's once again another where Kiyo is the more romantic one, but she gets what she dishes out in return... though very awkwardly at first

With Hyth it's both him and Panacea being romantic towards each other equally. Sometimes they even make a game out of it to outdo one another

[nekhcore]

beat the coils of bahamut this morning! we managed do duo all of them except T7-9 (though we'll probably be going back to redo T9 by ourselves)

[singing-swan]

I'm not too bothered by G'raha being mostly absent from the post-EW MSQ because he's had a lot of spotlight since ShB and I was fully expecting him to be benched sooner or later. But to have an entire storyline on how to travel to another shard and excluding the one and only character who has canonically succeeded sure is... a writing choice that they made.

[morocosmos]

This was during the Producer Live Letter #73 which took place in early October 2022 :D link to Nova Crystallis's thread summary of the live letter here. (endwalker and post-endwalker spoilers, specifically patch 6.2 in the thread)

Btw in my quest for information i found out one of the new lead writers's name is daichi hiroi.

He wrote the bard quests and the magical ranged dps quests for shb and pandemonium i think the game's in good hand