#scion writes things

[cheracarmichael]

I need to work on the next chapter of His Loyal Shadow…sigh. Do I want to? No.

There’s so much end of year stuff to do. Admin things that still need figuring and of course, I still have do my RL things for work tomorrow. *insert scream here*

But yes. A chapter….

[scioneeris]

TBDH Chapter 121 is off to Brissy!!

[scioneeris]

Absolutely and completely normal!! You are not a writerly failure in any way at all.

Some writers can write everyday or with consistent word counts. I am not one of them, lol. 😅

I do, however, write quite a bit on a sort of regular basis. I usually manage this by reminding myself that writing is fun and I’m doing it because I like it. And that whatever I write is ok whether it’s a lot or a little.

Sometimes I surprise myself and sometimes I open the word doc and glare at it and watch cafe videos on YT until my brain is less grumpy. It’s kind of a ‘every writer is different’ thing and that’s really neat, because it means you don’t have to be a writer like everyone else. You just have to be a writer like you.

Someone reassure me and tell me that writing usually about 1k words a day and having no-writing days at times is still adequately productive and I am not a writerly failure

[thylacines-toybox]

Pencil

A small Mr. Fox plush by Scion Living. Bought at the local garden centre in March 2024. Extra pointy.

[coldshrugs]

hi Azia! since I'll probably never play FFXIV but want to gobble up everything you've ever written or will write for Io and Estinien, I was wondering if you could kind of summarize or describe the context for their relationship in the canon universe. what do I need to understand about their history in order to better appreciate the way they fit? how do they meet and what brings them together? are there some universal truths for each WoL that heavily contribute to who Io is (kind of like how Hawke in DA2 loses half their family, or every Shepard in Mass Effect is deadish for two years)?

no pressure to answer if you don't have the time/energy or just plain don't want to! ok thanks love you bye 💙

🧍

Hi Ells. I am so sorry....

Understanding Estinio

General World Lore: The story of XIV begins five years after a Calamity (an event of large-scale devastation that leaves the land and people struggling to recover). This is the seventh Calamity over a period of 13,000 years. Other notable world happenings are:

the Dragonsong War: a war between man and dragon that has raged in and around Ishgard for one thousand years

the more recent advancement of the Garlean Empire: Garlemald is a technologically advanced nation seeking to "unite" the world under its rule

Warrior of Light Things: The player character is almost a completely blank slate. Their appearance and combat proclivities are entirely up to the player! Their backstory is not really mentioned, and the only thing we know about them from the start is that they're an Adventurer, which in this setting is someone who wanders here and there, helping with whatever odd jobs they can in hopes of earning a living and maybe some local fame too. A little network of unionized Hometown Heroes. But some things hold true for most WoLs (headcanons notwithstanding):

They have a gift called The Echo. A few other characters have the gift, but it can manifest differently from person to person. The WoL's Echo allows them to visit scenes from the past, sometimes through the eyes of another and sometimes as a kind of bodiless spectator, usually triggered by high emotion from a person or place. It also has a few other functions.

They join the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, an organization that's a bit of an open secret, determined to stop Primal summoning (Primals are replications of gods, the will of a people made manifest, and they are powerful and destructive. If most people venture too close, they become enthralled). Recruited for their prowess in combat (or healing, maybe, if you're not Io) and apparent inability to be tempered by Primals, they, of course, become the team's most powerful asset.

Io Laithe is my WoL, a viera born in the Garlean-occupied region of Dalmasca. When she was 19/20, her home village suffered a violent raid, and her family was lost. She managed to escape and flee far to the west. At the beginning, she's around 29 and an accomplished archer, among other things. Io endures more loss over her story, friends and lovers, and she blames herself over and over. She struggles to lay down her grief and represses her anger for so long that she almost loses herself to it at one point, but she claws her way back with the help of her friends. She's soft-spoken, and reserved, but is also deeply kind and surprisingly funny. (This paragraph is short but I feel like I talk about her so much lmao. Trying not to gush too hard)

Estinien Varlineau was born to a family of sheepherders, in a small farming community outside Ishgard. When he was 12, his village was razed to the ground in a dragon attack. He found the charred remains of his parents outside his home (his dad had tried to shield his mom from the dragon fire). His younger brother was inside, trapped under a collapsed beam but already gone. He was the only survivor, and was taken in by a man named Alberic who held the title of Azure Dragoon (the most powerful lance-wielder in the land, but I'll spare you the specifics. There's dragon-y magic and a literal dragon eye that gives them powers. This was supposed to be quick omfg). Estinien swore to avenge the deaths of his family and trained with Alberic, eventually becoming the next Azure Dragoon. Eventually, he gets his vengeance, but the cost is so much more than he expects. At the end of it, he is begging for his own death, but his friends (the WoL included) refuse to let him go out like that and save him. He's since been on a journey of self-discovery; who is he without the drive to avenge those he lost, without his duty or his post? In personality, Estinien is blunt and abrasive, he cannot read a room (but he would like to leave it). He has a sharp sense of humor and often teases his few friends, he's extremely sentimental, he's very protective of the people he cares for, and can't stop himself from helping a kid in need.

Relationship Summary

They overlook each other at first. Io finds Estinien too harsh and rude. He thinks (since she is seeing Haurchefant at the time, who is... affiliated with a noble house of Ishgard) that Io is another pretty girl grabbing at coattails--surely not the "great warrior" he's heard about. And it takes a journey into dragon country for them to warm up to each other, when he learns she can easily hold her own, and she sees how protective and kind he can be to their traveling companions. They become friends and it's easier than either of them expected. They don't talk about their loss with each other though, not for a long time. Both hear the other's story from someone else, and it endears them to each other, an unspoken, invisible bond in addition to what they've already faced together. Just as Io saved him at the end of the Dragonsong War, Estinien saves her when she faces off against the might of Garlemald and almost dies. It's a long time before she gets to thank him for that, but when she does, it's around the time he agrees to join the Scions too. They spend more time together, and they become almost inseparable. And as the world hangs on the brink of what seems to be another Calamity, they quietly fall in love and almost lose each other again. Neither confesses to the other until things have settled down. But once the confessions are out of the way, they easily fall into warm domesticity. They spend the better part of a year mostly in one place, living together, working together, making the smaller trips they need to but always returning to a home base. Now, there's the itch to travel again. They just pulled a stint of traveling separately but ended up in the same place. He very much wants to continue roaming, and Io does too, but part of her is starting to think about a family. I haven't decided when or if they talk about this lmao. They love each other so much, but both have a strong streak of wanderlust, and both are legendary heroes who belong to the world as much as they belong to each other.

Why they compel me:

I don't know if you guys know this about me but I love to think about grief :> It's the shared trauma, the love transformed into anger, and how new bonds can heal someone. I did not plan for Io's backstory to be so similar to Estinien's, and even before I shipped them, their friendship was a highlight for me. I love that they do most of their recovery on their own. I love that they always come back to each other. Big fan of people who might not appear outwardly soft all the time, but are just SO mushy for their partner.

They are both symbols of hope for their people, for better or worse. They understand that about each other, what it's like to have some of your personhood stripped away so you can embody an ideal.

Estinien is impulsive and straightforward, Io is cautious and thoughtful. He pushes her, and she grounds him. They both relish the peace the company of the other brings, and they are more certain of the other's ability and resolve than they are of themselves. They are best friends, they are family, and they admire each other.

Some key reads, chronologically:

close quarters | oh no, she's hot…

oblivious | a mutual friend notices io and estinien seem… different.

what i see in you, i hope you find in me | io realizes she is not in love with zenos

pang | estinien has his own realization

see you in the morning | the night before they depart towards unknown danger, estinien tries to soothe a worried io

in this state | io is unconscious, estinien keeps watch

mustering | estinien tells io about his brother, the first time he's talked about him in decades

take another step off the edge | FIRST KISS!!!!

And then their tag is filled with gposes I've made, art I've commissioned, writing prompt fills, fics from the two AUs I've written for them, and tons of quotes or poems that fit their vibe. I'd share a playlist but I don't have a playlist... there are five now T^T BYE!! 💗

[avirael]

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

Returning to the Rising Stones gave A‘viloh a strange feeling. In a way everything had returned to normal. The sultana was not truly dead and would recover fully. The Scions were acquitted of all accusations and A‘viloh and Rael were allowed to travel Ul’dah and the rest of Eorzea again without fearing capture.

But to be honest nothing felt like it had returned to normal. Not here and not at all. The Rising Stones felt foreign and empty. The place had clearly been ransacked and only a handful of people had returned. There were a few familiar faces still but everyone who had made this place a safe haven for A‘viloh was gone.

Sure, Riol and the others promised to search for the Scions, and beside the Shinobi now the Immortal Flames too had begun looking for them. But so far Yugiri hadn’t found any clues and A‘viloh worried that there weren’t any to find at all. Or worse, that what they’d find would only prove all of his worst fears true.

“If they are alive, Yugiri and the others will find them…”, Rael said and placed a hand on A’viloh’s shoulder as he stared at the empty chairs and tables around the room. But the dark expression didn’t want to leave his face. “And what if they aren’t?”

For a moment Rael stayed silent and made a face as if they wanted to tell him that everything would be fine. But Rael couldn’t know that for sure and they weren’t one to tell lies.

“…then we find out anyway. At least we will know what happened then and get some closure.”

Closure? Rael should know that A‘viloh was not good at this. He had never been, had never known how to let go and move on. His mind had never let him and if it wasn’t actively reminding him of his losses and failures, they still would frequently return to haunt him in his sleep. His demons knew no closure.

Rael scowled as the Miqo’te grimaced. “You do know, that they are MY friends too, right A‘vi? I‘m worried about them too but while they are gone - and I want to believe they will all return safely - but while they are gone we must continue doing what they want us to. We cannot do much to help the search but we can maybe prevent Ishgard‘s destruction.”

Absentmindedly A‘viloh nodded. “You‘re right. I am sorry…”

But he could not tear his eyes away from the place were their friends had so often sat down to eat or talk or just spent time together. He could still invision it so clearly. Even without the echo the memory was still so vivid in his mind, it was as if he could imagine their ghosts sitting right here this very moment.

For a short second he was presumptuous enough to wonder if this was how Hraesvelgr and Nidhogg felt…

[scioneeris]

It’s not that long you guys, it just takes time. 😅

It's a slow process 😕

[tallbluelady]

"let's go smash some stuff until you're ready to talk"

Before Rowan could even reach for the doorknob she heard a knock.

"Ro?" Khaliun's voice was soft but clear through the door. "Are you awake? Will you talk to me?"

"I'm awake." Rowan grimaced at Ardbert. "Though I'm regretting it at the moment."

"I can't blame you for feeling that way but... Cerigg and Taynor said they're ready to face Phronesis once and for all."

"What good is that going to do? I've seen the sky." 

"It'll be something for you to do while everyone insists that you rest," Khaliun said. "And we both know that resting really isn't your style."

"Senseless destruction isn't either."

"It's not senseless - it'll help lay a poor sinner to rest," Khaliun said.

Rowan sighed and looked to Ardbert, who was doing his best to hide his emotions.

"Mayhap purposeful destruction will do me some good..."

[ahollowgrave]

thinking about prudence and odette and fleabag and Endwalker.

Season 2 of fleabag with the Priest. You know the one. Esp the confessional scene. Odette is the hot priest, btw. Prudence would be fleabag. It's not a 1:1 obviously but I am thinking very much more in their push and pull with one another. I think, much like in the show, Prudence (Fleabag) would have eagerly slept with Odette (Priest) from the jump. Prudence eagerly sleeps with a lot of people, sometimes not-so-eagerly but it beats sleeping alone and processing feelings. Prudence doesn't *do* emotional vulnerability. Odette doesn't do casual. I think the scene in Endwalker, Returning Home, where a Scion comes to the WoL's room will be their confessional scene. It is Prudence who comes to Odette's room, and it is Prudence who expresses concern and love to Odette, who tries to impress upon the important of Odette's role in not only her life but the whole star's, who shares her fears but her ultimate hope!! And ofc, ofc Odette pulls Prudence into her room. This does also mean they get to have a moment... the moment. "I love you." "It'll pass." ... "I love you, too."

screams into my hands you underSTAND!?

[tsunael]

WoL Think Thonkers

#3. How do they feel about being Hydaelyn's chosen? (Feel free to break it down from ARR's "Champion of Eorzea" all the way to "The Savior of Etheirys" as much as you like. Have those feelings changed, or just grown more complex?)

The short answer is 'bad'.

She's a foreigner, and most importantly a layman. Word of Louisoix's deeds had spread to every corner of the star, but Tsuna was so far removed from Eorzea and Her struggles that it had little bearing on her. After all, the Far East had their own problems with Garlemald, and during the time of her Echo awakening the rebellion in Doma was coming to a head.

She joined the Scions not out of passion for their cause, but because she had nowhere else to go. It was either stay with them, or go back to dancing on the street for coin-- or worse: be ostracized for her Echo. Arenvald and Minfilia were the few souls that had been touched by Hydaelyn like she had been, and so she felt as if she found a home there even if she was pressed to earn her keep.

She's also not the adventuring type-- she's not in it for glory or even for potential riches. Any deeds Y'shtola espied her doing in Vylbrand was borne from reckless altruism. She learned in due time, of course, (how to fight and how to live) but it was a steep curve.

Being 'Hydaelyn's Chosen' does also make her a target. She is blamed for not being more omniscient. If she is 'chosen' then why could she not prevent the Banquet? What was a few dozen soldiers to the power of a primal? Why could she not save Minfilia that day? Why did Hydaelyn have to take her? Ever since she joined the Scions nothing but misfortune came upon them. **

Everything up until Stormblood was her being swept up in events, and surviving because she was 'favored', was the only one who can, or because she had to. It took the events in Stormblood for her to finally confront her past and realize that it was a choice she made to continue on her path.

By the end of Endwalker her candle had been burned at both ends. The deaths of so many weigh on her, and Hydaelyn is now gone. She's dealing with so much trauma by then that much of her journey is tainted for it. She also refuses to wear the 'Saviour of Etheirys' mantle because it wasn't just her that stopped the Final Days.

So, in all it hasn't grown better, just so much more complicated.

[tovaicas]

I literally can't believe you do not get a one-on-one section or conversation with estinien until the VERY END OF THE GODDAMN EXPAC

[cheracarmichael]

www.books2read.com/dragelssong18

Ep 18 is now LIVE! Snag your copy and continue the adventure as Neil and Ben rush to get to safety while a mysterious creature continues to wreak havoc...

*~*~*~*

Neil’s luck holds when the Carlsons offer a safe haven during the increasingly disturbing situation at Noir Academy.

When an emergency evacuation is ordered, he must find a way to get out safely—along with his friends—and keep away from the mysterious pink blob setting his instincts in overdrive. There’s danger lurking ahead and one wrong step could cost him dearly.

Can he trust Ben’s intentions? Will Kendall and Elyenka make it out alongside him? Can he actually help or is running the only solution?

[scioneeris]

Did you know fluff week was underway? 🥰

(Well, more like seven guaranteed new fluffy shorts as my week is in pieces. 😅). But!! Fluff!! And characters that I have not shared elsewhere, like Nyx and Shorian.

Join on the $1 tier for fluffy reading!

[cryptcombat]

"um character *rIGHtfUlLy* expressing their contempt for z*nos who wronged them is valid uwuuu" they already did this shit over and over in the last patch. Apparently regurgitating the same info we already know of counts as good writing 🤨🤨🤨

[wingscreation]

I hope that xiv writers get weirder with their ideas like we need ideas that I can personally think about for years

[wind-up-thancred]

ok. alright. i will try to summarize whatever the hell is going on with katsu's silly little hydaelyn issues as succinctly as i can without going into too much excessive detail like i am tempted to. still gonna be a little long though

major spoilers for endwalker, as well as 6.X patches and DRK quests under the cut

katsu's got problems with hydaelyn stemming from not feeling properly guided or aided by her during his stint as the wol, while also feeling like he's destined to die in her name whether he wants to or not. this has roots in his poor relationship with his own mother. the way hydaelyn dies in endwalker doesn't really give him closure but he tries not to think about it; she's dead, it's over.

but his paranoia resurfaces a bit in 6.1 when y'shtola gives him the lightcrystal that hydaelyn gifted to the scions after her death. he sees it as her haunting him even after she's gone. but again, he tries to put it aside and focus on his physical healing— ultima thule left him with a brain injury that required a lot of rest and recovery.

post 6.4 is when katsu has his first encounter with fray/esteem, who is, unbeknownst to katsu, actually a trauma tulpa of everything he's been repressing. fray attempts to teach katsu defensive dark magicks to protect himself and his loved ones, but any dark magic that katsu casts is warped by light aether. frustrated, fray sees this as hydaelyn continuing to interfere in katsu's personal life.

this all comes to a head during the lvl 80 DRK quest, when fray urges katsu to destroy hydaelyn's lightcrystal that has been discovered to be the source of the light-warped dark magic. katsu gives in, but it backfires and the immense radiance from inside the crystal flows directly into fray once it's broken, since he's a being of pure dark aether.

fray is nearly overcome by the light, but just before it consumes him, he manages to offer a deal to katsu. if he promises to only use hydaelyn's leftover essence to protect himself and his loved ones, never using it for anyone who doesn't truly want the best for him, fray will endure the light's onslaught and act as a conduit to allow katsu greater control over it.

katsu agrees, and uses this enhanced mastery over the light aether to defeat zeromus alongside zero in 6.5. as promised, he very rarely uses it unless the circumstances are extremely dire. he doesn't fight with it again afterwards until the last dungeon and trial of dawntrail.

the whole matriphagy thing is really just symbolism and katsu never actually ate hydaelyn, but he did take the remnants of her existance for his own personal use. i just liked the parallels of fully, selfishly taking what's left of a maternal figure past her death.