#stormblood goes back to that a little but by then it is like. fully the alka zolka show

[seaseren]

Actually I'm really interested in how people feel about their main job's questline. Do you overall like it? Do you like one part but don't care for others? Is there anything you would tweak? Or would you just want, in an ideal world, something completely different.

For me scholar is an absolute nothing of a questline- I like Surito but he's never really allowed to be your mentor? Alka Zolka isn't bad on principal but was never interesting to me, I hate Heavensward scholar quests completely, and Stormblood was the biggest "....ok." But most of all what frustrated me was that it never really let me feel like the scholar. There was a couple of moments in ARR scholar that did, but after that I just felt completely like Alka Zolka's sidekick. That's an issue for many job quests, I know, but it feels especially prominent in scholar

[whatsthisascianbullshit]

I saw the "in my cups over them," so consider this a general prompt to ramble about them! Tell me anything and everything. I have to know more. 👀

Hi @halfalgorithm-halfdeity I struggle to get a lot of my Muireann and Hien thoughts wrangled down because they're tied up in the "chewing through tables over rediscovering your culture after being colonised and the systematic erasure of your culture and heritage" that Stormblood sends me through (truly, an expansion for My Interests /gestures at Ireland's 800 years of oppression BUT I DIGRESS)

Hien and Muireann meet each other at the best possible time to work but also it's the worst time for them to realise it. (on reading back I do not actually explain this - basically if they met earlier Hien wouldn't have made his own plans for sacrifice/rebellion and Muireann wouldn't have been running from her feelings and grief, and if they met later Muireann would have had a chance to fully wall herself off emotionally. But because they meet when they do, Muireann is still wrangling with her emotional mess and cannot admit that she has feelings for Hien and that makes it a mess for both of them)

THIS GOT LONG AND IS STILL SOMEHOW THE CLIFF NOTES VERSION LMAO

Spoilers for ARR through to Shadowbringers intro under the cut, mostly Stormblood.

Muireann is fresh off of Y'shtola collapsing a tunnel on herself at the end of ARR, Haurchefant fucking dying in her arms, then Y'shtola coming back but now they're both different but maybe there are feelings but it's Complicated now, and then Y'shtola getting almost killed by Zenos and Muireann goes with the contingent to help in Doma in large part to avoid all the feelings that seeing the woman she fully changes the course of her life for get cut down right in front of her and she couldn't do Anything. Muireann is going to Doma to harden her heart back up. Because heartbreak causes mistakes in her calculations and mistakes cost lives, and against Zenos that could mean an absolutely devastating loss of life.

Hien has spent the last year-ish of his life recovering from almost dying after watching Zenos kill his father in front of him. The smart move would have been to then flee but he put his people above his own life (also likely a Terrible way to cope with seeing your dad sliced open in front of you but yanno). He knows that what little military might they had before that rebellion is gone. So he makes a plan. One that only works if several extremely unlikely things happen in succession because he has this plan before the Scions turn up.

So when they first meet and Hien's response to "we have spent days changing their minds so the people ask for your sword" was "I will simply win the Naadam even though I am only a little while recovered and have had maybe a few months to attempt to get back into fighting shape" it honestly kind of short-circuited her brain. Because it was the only logical path forward but it was an incredibly risky plan with so many opportunities to go horribly wrong and it was presented as though it was simple. Because it also was a very simple plan. For the best chance of success with the least amount of lives lost they needed more fighters. This is the most efficient way to gain social standing with the most amount of people in order to make this request. It's essentially then just a process of Muireann's own feelings wearing down her bullheaded stubbornness to get her to admit the fact she has feelings to herself after she had decided that she Was Not Going To Care About Anyone Else Like That.

Hien was faced with a pretty elf that was quiet and reserved but when she did speak up it was largely related to tactics and strategy. Someone who clearly knew what she was talking about but that did not align with how she would have been described (powerful mage, vicious witch, breaker of gods). Then he sees her in battle. And she summons a dragon. To save him? Probably her brother. But maybe also him? Maybe just him?

The two proceed to flirt with each other obtusely while internally talking themselves out of the sheer notion that the other person is interested in them. The post-Naadam Doma arc for these two drives me fully insane I am obsessed with them.

When they eventually do get their shit together at the end of Stormblood they continue the trend of internally making assumptions about the other person and what kind of future they want. And so they pointedly avoid any and all conversation about the future and their feelings beyond "enjoying each other's company". At this point they're both fully smitten, head over heels, cannot imagine a future without each other. Neither of them say this to each other.

Then the strange headaches start.

Then people start falling into magic, soul-snatched comas.

Muireann initially continues to assume that she'll be fine because she has the Echo. Then during the fight at the Ghimlyt Dark where Hien, Yugiri and Lyse hold off Zenos until Murieann and the rest of her party arrive Muireann and Hien both have to face the fact that they are in fact In Love with the other person. Do they say this to each other? No. Of course not. (though in their defense this time Murieann was whisked back to Ishgard with the rest of the gang to recover closer to the rest of the Scions).

In Ishgard Muireann finds out that her brother has fallen into a coma. She's completely distraught both at the potential loss of her brother and also at the realisation that the Echo won't protect her. And she has never told Hien how she feels. She hastily writes a letter because she needs to get it out of her before the fear strikes again, and also because they have a lead at the Crystal Tower that she needs to follow up on. That letter is dispatched and mere hours later Hien is notified that Muireann has also fallen into a magic coma.

Hien then bullies convinces the remaining Scions to let Muireann's body rest in Doma. The offered logic being that if all the Scions and Warriors of Light are resting in the same spot, it would be very easy for Garlemald to blow up one building and be rid of the most persistent thorn in their side. A larger reason is because Muireann's confession letter opens with "I wish I could tell you this in person" and he stops reading. Gets her body safe in Doma. And waits.

Because there is something she wanted to tell him (and something he wants to tell her).

Anyway that's the cliff notes version of Them leading into Shadowbringers. They give me fucking Hives (I am obsessed).

Just two people piecing together what their heritage means to them in the present after attempts at destroying it.

A disaster-sexual wizard and a prince who loves women who can kerb stomp him.

[dainesanddaffodils]

Y’all uh. holy fucking shit I’ve finished Endwalker! So here we have the last (pre-Dawntrial) breakdown of Cimorene’s feelings on her friends and comrades!

Thoughts post-ARR | Thoughts post-Heavensward | Thoughts post-Stormblood | Thoughts post-Shadowbringers

And now, without further ado, Cimorene Greystone’s post-Endwalker relationship vibes!!

Estinien - after some awkward dancing around it - that everyone picked up on - they’re finally officially lovers (after he came to her room. you know the moment.) Cimorene truly loves everything about this ridiculous man, trusts and understands and respects him and knows he feels the same - but also neither is really used to a Conventional Courtship so currently things are a little touch-and-go as they figure out where they want to go moving forward

Alphinaud - her dearest and most beloved baby brother now and always. There is nothing more to say; he means everything to her.

Alisaie - her dearest and darlingest baby sister now and always. Deserves the fucking world and also A Break.

Thancred - the work friend to real friend pipeline kicked into high gear this expansion, though admittedly for a minute it was much more on his side than hers (and took her off guard when she realized how close he considered them). Now he’s a bestie and she cares deeply for him.

Urianger - you did it buddy! you got Cimorene to care about you! Maybe if, as you yourself point out, you’d talked to her before now it would have been sooner! Nonetheless better late than never and she looks upon you - and your relationship with Thancred - with fondness.

Y'shtola - bestie now and always. Cimorene loved getting to spend more time with her while dealing with the Thirteenth. She thinks her world-hopping ambitions are a bit Insane, but like, affectionately - and also if anyone could pull it off, it's her. She can't wait to see where she goes, figuratively and literally.

Krile - That's! Cimorene's! mom! She loves her very much and she is thrilled beyond words that she's going to be on their next adventure, properly. It's what she fucking deserves! (but also nothing is allowed to hurt her or Cimorene will riot)

G'raha - is a lot more chill with him now that he, himself, is a little more chill around her. I'd still say she considers him like a close work friend, but like, she's open to that growing down the line

Tataru - absolute fucking queen who 100% deserves her own trade empire. Cimorene has her back for anything she needs going forward

Vrtra - Cimorene loves him so so so much. Her strong attachment to Midgardsormr means that she met Vrtra and felt immediately protective of him (and he, in turn, of her). Conversely, however, she never feels… at ease around Varshahn because he constantly gives her Uncanny Valley Heebie-Jeebies, even though she knows it’s Vrtra. In spite of this she still cares deeply and would do anything for him.

Matsya - BEST BOYYYYYYYY full stop lmao

Nidhana - Cimorene is like, ever so slightly intimidated by her and her scientific enthusiasm but like, also not in a bad way. Cimorene's just not science-minded at all so half of the things she says go very much over her head. But she's so sweet that it doesn't really matter in the end

Hythlodaeus - i the player love him. Cimorene loves him. Cimorene’s Azem loved him. Most beloved of characters of all time methinks

Hades - Cimorene’s Azem’s relationship with him is that one post that’s like “ships that appear unhealthy but when you consider the two people involved this is actually the healthiest thing for them” and that colors a lot of how Cimorene interacts with him. Like this constant “fuck you” said with unbearable levels of affection.

Venat - Cimorene never, uh, fully trusted Hydaelyn and she feels really bad about that now lmao Venat is so good and Cimorene now holds her in such high esteem like. This woman is Everything.

Hermes - She feels bad for him... like, she does, really. But also. Your hubris, man. Your hubris. She watches him unintentionally orchestrate his and his world's downfall with such precision and is helpless to stop him and so it's never hate. it's not even pity. It's just a sad, tired resignation.

Meteion - baby girl you never asked for this. you just wanted flowers and candy apples and were instead given this man's depression and existential dread and an insane amount of unstable untested power. this wasn't your fault. like... it was, but Cimorene never blames her.

Themis - *DISTRESSED SOBBING*

Zenos - no amount of philosophical posturing is going to convince Cimorene that you have anything whatsoever in common - or even make you interesting to her. she does not think about you at all. leave her alone.

Zero - took all of 5 seconds for Cimorene to say 'this is my sibling now.' She's very protective of her but also is always worried she'll say the wrong thing while teaching her the World - and is glad others have also hopped in to help in that regard. Is so proud of her growth and her heart. Wants only good things for her now and always

… and that’s all she wrote!! This is kinda insane to think about really

See you all in Dawntrail!!

[sjofn-lofnsdottr]

I'm always a little conflicted about Stormblood. I joined the game when Stormblood was current, but I finished 4.0 just a few days before 5.0's head start began, so I waited those few days, bought some new level 70 gear off the MB, and moved through the SB patches (which I fully loved) without having to pause, or actually do any of the end game stuff. So I didn't have to sit with it like I have with ShB and EW, but the way the classes worked in SB was how I learned, I still obviously had the MSQ experience, etc.

Doing a cut because this got real long.

Looking back, for me, Stormblood was ... fine. Like ARR, I feel it was good and necessary for setting things up for payoffs later. Unlike ARR, I think it did it in a much more engaging way for the most part. And unlike ARR, it got to give some payoffs that were more than 'the good guys win!' The problem was, and still is for me, the pacing is kinda weird, and when Stormblood gets slow and a little filler-y feeling, it gets really fucking slow.

I also was not connected to the places we were going the same way I felt 'connected' to Ishgard, but that's not the actual story's fault. My main WoL going into Heavensward was an elezen dragoon, and I had arbitrarily decided during ARR his family was originally from Ishgard. So of course my headcanon was feasting on everything Heavensward gave me! But going into Stormblood, I was that same elezen (although I'd switched to dark knight), and ... well. I was never that interested in the Empire (they felt very Generic Evil Empire and zzzz), never that interested in Ala Mhigo, and I'd almost forgotten Doma even existed (sorry Yugiri!). So while I found the goings on interesting from a 'this sure is the expansion's story' standpoint, I wasn't connecting with it the same way I would with the others. I don't hold that against Stormblood, exactly, but I'd be full of shit if I claimed it didn't color my view of it overall.

And Zenos is frustrating. I like losing sometimes as the protagonist! I especially like losing when my protagonist character is generally pretty overpowered compared to everyone else. But it has to feel like my character legitimately lost, not like the dude I'm fighting was just waiting patiently to be allowed to push the 'I win' button. Which is exactly how the early fights with Zenos go, and so I refused to get invested in him at all. I refused to take him seriously as my 'rival.' Which is as shame, because what they wanted to do with him is actually really my kind of shit, but that first impression wrecked how I engage with him for a long, long time.

(That said, I have come to appreciate him, in part because of how he goes out in 4.0 ... that really put his character into very sharp focus and I did begrudgingly respect the character in retrospect.) (AND THEN HE CAME BACK AND RUINED IT ARGHGHGH) (until LATER when again, I retroactively accepted his existence and what they were trying to do) (fuckin' Zenos)

While Zenos made me mentally check out almost every time he was on screen, however, the other bad guys absolutely had my attention. I hated Fordola and Yotsuyu (in a good way), right up until I understood why they were the way they were. And while I still thought they both sucked for everything they'd done, I could still understand why they'd done it, and I liked how that was generally handled.

That's right, I liked - no, loved - how they handled Yotsuyu's story in the patches. I got to understand her without being pressured to actually forgive her, I got to mourn that she never got a chance to be the better version of herself, I got to be glad that at least she got what she wanted in the end, her family dead by her hand, and that she seemed to be at peace at last, if a little sad Gosetsu would be upset. The trial was rad, too.

I guess that's how I think of Stormblood ultimately: The good parts are so fucking good, and the less good parts ... are generally really boring. There's parts of the other expansions that are slow or less good than their peaks, but I don't think any of them feel as boring as Stormblood's do, and I think ultimately that's why it gets such a mixed reception. Stormblood's boring bits are so boring, people don't slowly forget about those bits as easily the way they do Heavensward's, Shadowbringers' and Endwalker's. They might forget the specifics of what was boring them, but the feeling of having been bored lingers.

Also (most) Lyse haters can go fuck themselves. I don't mind if people have an issue with a character, obviously, but it drives me crazy when people dislike a character in ways that show they completely fucking missed the point OR are just making shit up. The criticism I've seen of Lyse that pisses me off most isn't the whiny fucking 'she STEALS credit for stuff WE did' (which a) she fucking does NOT and b) shut the fuck up), but the 'weeeh she forgets about Papalymo IMMEDIATELY.' Assholes, ALL OF STORMBLOOD is her narrating TO PAPALYMO. She's literally the only Scion who DOESN'T seem to forget he existed! Hate if you must, but hate for shit she actually does, fuckers!

Explanation and reiteration, my dear Nashu! The other blue bird of despair site has been humbugging upon Dawntrail. Comparing it to Stormblood under, from what I gather to be, negative implications. Which lead me to hijack this whiplash response to the yet to be released new expansion. And see how everyone feels about each chunk of the story. Firstly, there was A Realm Reborn. Which...the general consensus is, its enjoyable and important its basically the foundation laid upon the ground to build Heavensward, Stormblood, and much more upon. Without it, we would be nothing but with it we are everything.

Then I asked about Heavensward which seems, overwhelming positive but not without a few addendums hither and tither.

But now, we reach Stormblood. An expansion that chose to split its focus between the freeing of both Ala Mhigo AND Doma from the Garlean Empire. Introducing the home lands of the Au Ra who had been around since Heavensward at that point in the form of the underwater city of Sui-no-Sato for the Raen and the Azim Steppe for the Xaela Tribes. As well as pulling the rug up from under us with the change of Yda suddenly to Lyse.

Stormblood! The expansion which spent its Post-MSQ bouncing between both and then seeking out brand new areas on each country. Some beneath the Ala Mhigan Castle in the form of Skalla. Others far, far, far out into the Burn west of Yanxia. Still further, we explored Ivalice, Dalmasca, and other provinces similarly seeking freedom from Garlean rule at the time. Both suddenly taking a sharp left with "The Call" as friends drop comatose before our eyes and we set the stage for Shadowbringers.

It introduced Zenos, under water diving, and a variety of elements and stylings to the MSQ. But what did you think of it? Either at the time before any aether current changes, QoL shifts, or the dungeons being able to be run with trusts or as it is today?

[berrydoodleoo]

Thancred/Reader (Untitled 2)

Still suck at titles! Help me out friends!

Anyway, I thought the next ficlet (typed fucklet, lol) was going to be Estinien, but I’ve been re-running Stormblood with New Game + and I just got back to Eorzea and saw Thancred again. I wasn’t a huge fan of his HW/SB look but it’s growing on me, and I like how confident and reassuring he was when Krile was missing. So then this happened.

Uh, rated E. Unnamed gender-neutral WoL. Have fun?

***

The impromptu gathering in the Forgotten Knight breaks up as the midnight bell chimes. Alphinaud drags himself to the Manor with a wave, and then Y’shtola and Krile disappear to go stargazing with the astrologians. Tataru is the last to leave, pulled into a merry crowd of lalafell that is apparently pub crawling, and that’s when you realize how quiet the room has gotten.

It’s just the two of you at the table, both reluctant to leave. Under Thancred’s steady gaze, you can finally admit the truth: you don’t want to go back to the Manor. It’s too empty and quiet, without Harchefaunt there, but most of all you dread every encounter with the Count, no matter how brief. You’re certain that one day you’ll look him in the eye and see grief and hate there.

Thancred listens, head tilted thoughtfully. When you slump to the tabletop in silence, he snags the bottle of wine and pushes out his chair, jerking his chin towards the stairs and his rented room.

You hesitate, but only for a moment, and then follow him without a word. His room turns out to be a cramped space with nowhere to sit but the narrow sleeping pallet, but it’s clean and warm, and the two of you can sit side-by-side on the mattress as you share the wine between you, comfortable in companionable quiet.

~

Your conversation from earlier picks back up eventually, but without the others’ restraining influences, it quickly takes an interesting turn -- mostly Thancred teasing you about Ser Aymeric and his not-too-subtle intentions, and you firing back about Hilda and her ‘old man’ comments. It goes downhill from there, until somehow you’re talking about first times and past conquests (mostly Thancred’s).

His smirks have always been sharp, but the one he flashes you now has a razor edge. “Let’s just say, my time in Sharlayan was educational for everyone involved. The appeal of the reformed rogue is wide indeed, and I’ve done my share to spread the legend along.”

“Ugh, bards,” you say, feigning disgust. It’s not your most convincing performance. You take a drink of your own and pass the bottle back over, hoping to hide your flushed face, or at least suppress the bad idea blossoming in the back of your mind. Thancred slants a mischievous glance your way, tangling his fingers with yours around the bottle.

You lose the battle to maintain eye contact and look away. “Is everything well, my dear?” He drinks, still smirking. “You can talk to me. Come, let Archon Thancred help. I am an expert, after all.”

You scowl at him, or try to -- the flirtatious little glances he keeps shooting you tickle you in a helpless way, and you find yourself smiling bashfully and squirming in place. He offers you the wine, then waggles the bottle demandingly when all you do is mock-glare.

“Fine!” You snatch the wine bottle from his hands and set it aside. “Maybe I am curious. What do you say to that?”

His lazy smirk broadens. He opens his arms in a shrug, as if to say what can I do? I’m irresistible.

You give him a shove towards the headboard. “Lean back,” you order.

He feins confusion, but before it turns into a production you start yanking and shoving him into the desired location. He laughs and almost succeeds in wrapping you up in his arms and hauling you close, but you manage to duck away and use your stocking feet to nudge him along. He ends up with his back to the headboard, waiting quite at his ease with one knee drawn up, fingers tapping idly.

In little fits and starts, you crawl closer and kneel before him, a generous space still between you. Your heart is thumping and stuttering with uncertainty, and despite his relaxed air, something about Thancred is unreadable to you. You wish you knew what he was thinking. Your own thoughts, you’re certain, are written all over your face.

Thancred sighs, breaking the silence -- you flinch a little -- and then pushes his blindfold away. It leaves his hair ruffled and static-y, you notice fondly.

“Come now, Warrior,” he says lowly. His voice has gone husky and quiet; is it a touch of uncertainty or a seductive ploy? You lean in a bit closer to hear either way. “Surely I’m not so frightening as all that. Certainly not to one who has faced primals, and dragons, and renegade Garleans. Among many other things.” He beckons you closer. “Come here.”

You eye the revealed half of his face, currently still in deep shadow. It’s as much the desire to see it fully as anything else that finally draws you forward.

The distant noises of the Forgotten Knight seem to grow loud as you rise up on your knees and crawl forward. Thancred’s waiting hand catches yours, drawing you closer like a gentleman leading a lady to dance. His legs shift so you can straddle his lap and then -- your heart pounding, your head feeling light -- he guides you to settle in against him with the tenderest of care. When you lean back a bit, his crooked knee presses comfortably at your back; somehow it leaves you feeling cradled and treasured rather than trapped.

You drag your uncertain gaze over his face, from his eyes to his smirking lips and back again, searching for some indication of what’s happening beneath his mask. Thancred seems to search you in turn, and then -- you startle a little -- he touches your cheek and pushes back your hair.  Your eyes drift briefly closed, your scalp tingling, and when you open them your breath has fallen into a rhythm with his. Or maybe it’s the other way around.

The room is mostly dark, but you can still see his torchlit and moonlit face well enough. There are no visible scars near his usually-covered eye, which makes you wonder why he bothers with the bandana at all. When you touch his cheek questioningly, searching for an injury, his whole body jolts and his hand comes up to claim yours. His eyes search yours for a long beat -- you notice that one is lighter than the other -- and then he presses your hand to his chest.

“There, now,” he murmurs, and your every hair stands on end. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

~

The silence is both sprawling and close; in the loose circle of Thancred’s arms, you feel both sheltered and horribly exposed. Thancred leans back against the headboard, watching you trace the edges of his collar through his lashes. He half-smiles in response to your questioning glance, and you let your fingers trail over his chest, feeling heat and muscle beneath his vest. At the same time, his hands begin a slow slide up and down your legs, from the crease behind your knee to the curve of your ass, and then higher.

You wrap your fingers around one of the many straps decorating his clothing, wondering which ones, if loosened, would reveal even more of him to you. His hands slide from your hips to your waist, elbows then shoulders, and then he cups your face again.

You shiver and realize you’re leaning dangerously close, chasing after his touch and breathing hard, staring at his lips. You force yourself to relax. You’re determined to make this seem casual, to not let him know how desperate you are. In some distant, still-sober part of your mind, you can barely believe your luck.

“Now what?” you murmur, like you don’t know.

“Hmm,” Thancred hums. His hand wraps loosely around your throat, not squeezing, just feeling expression briefly fascinated. You shudder, painfully aware of every spot in which the two of you are pressed together, and how it’s his turn to gaze at your lips meditatively.

“That is up to you, my dear,” he says softly. His hand on your throat draws you forward, almost close enough to kiss, and then stops. His eyes glint. “What would you like? A demonstration? A lecture like one of Urianger’s?”

You huff a laugh and search his face, getting only bland teasing in return. Somehow it manages to provoke you -- you shift to lean over him, hands against the headboard, and his slow, voracious gaze roams over you like another pair of hands. You shiver again, and he presses up against you, a slow grind that makes your eyes flutter shut. You can hear his breath, too, and it isn’t exactly steady.

He relaxes back into the mattress and headboard. You open your eyes.

“Yes,” you finally whisper. Your throat has gone dry. “A demonstration. I want a demonstration.”

Smirk broadening, Thancred leans forward into an impossibly light, impossibly teasing kiss. “Very well,” he purrs. “Your wish is my command.”

~

Is time slowing down or speeding up? The room seems to get smaller and warmer as his hands get closer to your skin, but it’s when his own clothes start sliding away that the heat becomes unbearable.

You feel like you’re drifting in a dream, hazy with boundless soft pleasure. You shift for a breath of cool air, and his hand on your nape presses you a bit more firmly to the blankets. You swallow hard.

His other hand skims up and down between your legs, sometimes stroking you where you’re most sensitive, other times dipping inside you in preparation for something even closer yet. You twitch your knees a bit further apart, grinding into his hand, and he leans forward to kiss and nip the small of your back. When you shiver, he slips three -- no, four -- fingers inside you, not deep, just enough for you to feel the stretch. He moves slowly, stroking and rubbing in just the right way, and then his tongue flickers out over the rim of your asshole. It’s almost a tickle, at least at first; it ends in a slow, biting kiss than has you pressing back for more.

You moan and feel him smile, his fingers slipping around the front for more light, teasing strokes there. He leans aside to shake back his hair, nips the curve of your ass, and then covers you with his body again.

“Bastard,” you mumble. He kisses your neck sweetly and then sinks his teeth in hard, leaving you to grind against his hand between your legs and his cock against your ass.

He breaks away, giving you a few seconds to catch your breath, bringing you back down so that he might bring you back up again, later. You listen to the way he pants, feel his desire and longing as intensely as your own. “Thancred--”

He kisses your cheek. “Hm?” he says innocently

“I--” You reach back for him, trying to pull him closer, but he evades your grasp. His body moves away from you, exposing you to a rush of cool air, and his left hand -- still on your nape -- presses you more firmly into the thin mattress. “Thancred, Thancred, please--”

He leaves a trail of bites over your shoulders, the curve of your spine, and breathes harshly against your skin. “Not just yet,” he rasps. You whine and wriggle, and he rubs his cock against the back of your thigh, leaving a smear of wet behind. “Just a little bit more, my dear. A little bit more….”

~

Thancred is a dirty liar.

A little bit more, what’s a little bit more, he’s been teasing you for hours. He has you on your back now, holding your legs open as he licks and kisses your thighs, your hips, everywhere but where you want him most. A gust of cold Ishgardian wind rattles the shutters, a cold breeze licking at your sweat-soaked front, and he moves up immediately to cover you, murmuring soothing nonsense into your ear, against your flushed cheek, into your waiting mouth.

You take advantage of his closeness, wrapping your legs around his hips for a slow grind and trapping him in place. He laughs softly and obliges you, pressing his palms to yours and holding your hands above your head. When you brace your feet on the bed and push up, his breath stutters and he breaks the kiss to look down, watching the two of you slide against each other for several long, long moments, until you almost can’t stand it anymore.

“Thancred,” you whisper, and he shudders, brow furrowing with a pang of longing. His next kiss is hard and urgent, his next bite on your neck hard enough to make you gasp. “Thancred, please--”

He presses his face to your chest, breathing hard, still holding your hands above your head. You keep begging, your throat dry and your voice nearly broken, exulting in the rigid tension of his body and the wet heat of his labored breaths.

You’re expecting more teasing, and are honestly astonished (and delighted) when he lifts his head and says, “As you wish.” He kisses you harshly in punctuation, and you squirm like an eager puppy, following him as he sits back and then twisting for more kisses as he attempts to move you into place. “Get on your knees,” he orders, half-laughing, still breathing hard, his grip rough and eager on your legs. “On your knees for me, just like that--”

Panting, shaking with excitement and exhaustion, you roll over as fast as you can, your legs tangling briefly. You both laugh, exhilarated, and then he pulls your hips into the air and presses into you.

You yelp. Gods.

It’s not a stretch -- he’s been prepping you for hours -- but the shape and press of his cock after so much wanting makes your breath catch. It’s so much, so good, you find yourself shaking from your stomach outwards, writhing to press closer and wriggle away at the same time. So much, too much, so good, so good, you can’t stop moaning. You’ve never heard yourself like this before.

And Thancred just fucks into you, slow and relentless. He’s been fairly quiet all this time, speaking in hushed murmurs and whispers, but once he’s inside you something in him seems to snap. He moans your name as he bottoms out, startlingly loud, and you give a muffled cry in return. You can feel everything building, feel yourself clenching, feel his cock rubbing you on the inside, and then he moans again, even louder this time--

You’re losing your mind, his hands are squeezing your wrists and his sweat is dripping onto your back, and he’s moving so slowly and steadily and you need more--

“Fuck, fuck, oh fuck,” he chants, “gods, fuck, I--” He pushes into you, suddenly hard and fast, and your brain whites out as you find yourself coming on his cock -- you hadn’t realized you were so close -- your thighs spasm and your stomach clenches, you gasp and moan -- and the whole time he’s still cursing and fucking you slowly (so slowly) and gods, it’s so good. Nothing’s ever been so good. It doesn’t seem like it’s ever going to stop.

“Thancred,” you gasp when you can, dangerously close to sobbing with pleasure, “Thancred, Thancred, please--”

He bites your shoulders, your neck, and you can feel him shaking as he forces himself to still, pressing closer until there is absolutely no space between you. And then he rolls his hips, a slow grind that is somehow too much and nowhere near enough at the same time.

You start laughing, insides still quivering with aftershocks, and then gasp as he reaches around and brings you off again with his right hand, his cock still nestled inside of you. When you clench down on him, rubbing yourself against his fingers, he presses his face to your sweat-slick back and his curses rise in pitch and volume. He’s shaking and half-sobbing as much as you are.

“Thancred,” you breathe, still laughing weakly. “Twelve, that’s so -- I don’t -- come for me, please, I need you t--”

He claps his left hand over your mouth, gritting out a low groan. No longer holding himself up, he presses you hard into the mattress with his weight, and even that’s somehow delicious. “Oh no, my dear,” and his voice sounds as raw as your throat feels, “not yet, I’m not nearly done with you yet. Keep your legs open for me, good, good. Just like that.”

You moan into his palm, and he shifts to kiss your temple, a light, sweet thing. Both of you are shaking.

“I want you on your back,” he orders, directly into your ear. “This time, I want to see you come. On your back, come on--”

He pulls out in one smooth motion and you find yourself clenching, achingly empty. When you’re slow to turn over, he spreads your cheeks to suck and bite, tongue-fucking you until you whine, and then gives your ass tiny slap. “Over,” he demands breathlessly. “Over, over, right now, over--”

You can’t even think to disobey. Hadn’t you been the one who started this? Weren’t you in charge at one point? You can’t remember how or why you thought that was the case, or how long the two of you have been at this, or much longer it can possibly go on. You slide one thigh over the other, get your arm beneath you and push, and then fall back to lay limp against the mattress, wanting and waiting for him to come back to you.

Thancred looms over you, holding his cock with a grip that looks hard enough to hurt. But he doesn’t seem to notice, too busy staring like you’re a four-course meal and he’s just returned from the wilderness again. His mismatched eyes lift to meet yours and he leans forward for what was clearly supposed to be a brief kiss, but just keeps going and going, for all that he’s rigid with tension and desire. When he pulls back, your eyes are damp with some emotion you can’t name. For a quiet, endless little moment, he strokes your cheek and his lips quirk in a barely-there smile, and you find yourself blinking slowly in return, like a cat.

He really is astonishingly handsome. Somewhere distantly, you hear church bells ringing and realize morning isn’t far off. You don’t want this to be over.

“Gods, the feel of you,” he breathes, seemingly to himself. He runs his hands over your thighs and then pushes them open, sliding home with such ease that you cry out, your voice bouncing off the headboard. “Just like that,” he praises, voice hitching, right against your ear, “just like that,” and then he’s fucking you so hard that you can’t find it in you to think of anything else at all.

[dholwrites]

For the ask meme! What do you think of Lamitt, Lyse, and possibly Kai-Shirr if you have time/whatever wasn't repeated?

  Lamitt, Lyse and Kai-Shirr coming right up!

Lamitt

First impression

Smol!!!!!! WHM friend!!!!! Oh wait, we’re gonna have to fight her ( ´•̥ו̥` )

At first sight, I found her so adorable. I only knew her intially from the trailers and she acts and behave a lot like a beginer healer. I want to be her senpai.

Impression now

SHE CARED FOR HIM SO MUCH. LAMITT HE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE. I felt so bad finally ending her life in the healer job quest. All she wanted to do is to help her people but she trusted the adventurers that have helped her with her goal. Now she’s’ FORCED TO LEAVE THE HOME SHE TRIED TO SAVE AND I’M JUS‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )‧º·˚

Favorite moment

Level 80 healer job quest ending, the brief image of her talking so lightly and so cheerfuly got me a little emotional. I think it’s mainly because she’s talking 

Idea for a story

I want more stories of her travels, from the moment she meet up with Arbert to when they have to travel to the Source, and then her last moments before the Flood. I wonder to know if she got along with anyone else, heck how the group even splits up the inn room. 

Unpopular opinion

Don’t think I have any. I don’t even know the general opinion on Lamitt. She’s just so cute! ｡ﾟ(TヮT)ﾟ｡

Favorite relationship

It’s pretty obvious, Lamitt and Arbert are so cute together. Even just as a regular healer and tank relationship.

Favorite headcanon

Lamitt’s crush on Arbert is obvious to everyone in the party but Arbert himself. The baby doesn’t know what to do about herself. She follows the dating/courting etiquitte of her tribe but Arbert doesn’t know a thing about it and figured she’s just being nice.

Lyse

First impression

Yda? Is that you? You have a face? ━Σ(ﾟДﾟ|||)━  She’s Yda…. but not? What do you mean you’re part of the Resistance? You never implied anything like this before???? Are you doing this because you’re sad about Papalymo?

Impression now

There’s a high chance that I might get a mob for this. Personally I don’t really… care for Lyse? Some of the details of StB doesn’t make sense to me surrounding her. For some reason she doesn’t have a lot of presence when we’re going through the Steppe, at one point I forgot that she was even there. From there things only seem to go downhill. 

Favorite moment

The closing cinematic of Stormblood. It was a pretty heart felt moment as we get to see everyone together again. A little said to hear that she had to leave the Scions, but I understand why she made the decision. 

Idea for a story

A  story about her and the shoes she needs to fill with the Resistance. What was she thinking in the moment, any hesistation or doubt, or did she find the weight normal to bear.

Unpopular opinion

I prefer her in ARR? I really enjoy her lightheartedness and interacting with Papalymo. I feel like if we kept her around, she would have been able to 

Favorite relationship

Lyse and M’naago as they lead the resistance. It’s fascinating since they’re so young to be leading something like this. 

Favorite headcanon

Lyse is very quick to delvelop crush on people when she meets them, but it’s so minor that she never acts upon it. This crush usually goes away once she gets carried back into work or spends more time with her crush. 

Kai-Shirr

First impression

Holy shit, that is a thick accent on him. He’s so… stupid. Not in a mean way, more of, he is so innocent to the world around him. His friends may be in Eulmore but they still left him behind. Fuck, Kai needs protection（ ＴДＴ）

Impression now

!!!!!! He’s growing!!! I’m a crafter, so I got to talk to Kai through custom deliveries. Kai has grown so much in such a short amount of time, he’s able to learn useful skills that really helped him get a job at the Beehive. I’m so happy every time I see and talk to him. If he as so much as /joy as me, I will melt

Favorite moment

There are so many moments.

That moment when he stood up to Chai Nuzz to back off from recruiting us. His face and quick declaration got me grinning like mad, because he’s so possessive! It’s pretty much a ‘This is mine!’ move that no one expected from him. 

Then when we meet him after we came across all the people acting strange in front of Eulmore, his slang when he’s talking about Vautry returning back. What he said is so funny, but the moment of lightness is pretty much shot right out of the water the second we realize what is happened and it hurts all the more. The look on his expression

His dedication to helping out Eulmore despite everything and sticking to his friends and helping the Beehive. Just *clutch chest* precious. 

Idea for a story

I just want more Kai, like anything! I want story of how he found work in the Crystarium, him running into Alisaie while on his rounds, or even Kai feels working with the WoD in the Beehive. 

Unpopular opinion

What is an opinion other than a head canon?

Kai is a cheeky bastard even if he is really polite and well mannered to everyone. The second the lid comes off, you’re gonna get some of the strangest slang, you’ve ever come to existance. 

Favorite relationship

Kai and WoD hands down, I feel like he only get more giddy every time we agree to help him out and I’m starting to think that he might have a crush on us. 

Other than that, it would have to be Kai and Alphi. Despite his young age, Alphi shows a maturity that Kai notice and looks up to. He clearly went up to Alisaie fully believing that he is seeing his savior again, only to be a little disappointed that it actually wasn’t him. 

Favorite headcanon

(have a sad one) Kai-Shirr repress a lot of his trauma by keeping active. Nearly get eaten by a Sin Eater? Time to run all the way to Crystarium to find work. Find out that the Meol is DEFINITELY SOMETHING YOU SHOULDN’T BE EATING? Well time to help the WoD and their friends. Even now he made himself help the Beehive to keep his mind on anything but the past. 

[meandering-mind]

A Word About Events * Please read the disclaimer at the bottom.

Recently I have heard much talk about the Balmung Lock, what effects it might be having on the roleplay and so on. One of my own concerns has been about the event culture, if it was being hurt or not - I love the event culture on Balmung. My estimation was that it had probably suffered - But what one thinks and what is going on can be very different things. Therefore I decided to sit down with the Balmung Calendar, and so an attempt at an analysis of the events that have occurred since January 2017 and until (and including) November 2017.

As you study the charts, you should keep in mind two dates: The Balmung lock on the 17th of May The Stormblood Launch on the 20th of June.

In the past year (not counting December), we have had a staggering 1516 events scheduled up on the Balmung Calendar. When these are spread out, what I note is that for what it comes to creating events, there isn’t a notable effect until the launch of Stormblood, at which point it looks.. Rather dramatic. We are however fully bounced back from the Expansion Effect - Something I would consider not to be so notable had the Balmung Lock been a larger culprit. Does this mean that in the long run, the Balmung Lock wont cause a problem? No, but right now, things are fine. And we can help each other keep things like this. Here’s Top 3 of things I’d love for people to keep in mind for the future:  1. More event diversity.  There isn’t a month where bar & restaurant events aren’t thoroughly drowning out every other of the types that I managed to categorize. Whilst I personally adore going out to a bar with my character and it’s friends, I can’t help but wonder if having this many is truly needed. Bar events are typically recurring, either once a week or once every 2 weeks - and whilst some have been around literally all year, a lot have come and quickly gone again. This can also end up spreading the event-visiting population too thin- and that possibly has a bad effect on other types of events. 

2. One-time events are great, more please.  Through the year there has been 93 recurring events, of where around 31 are no longer active/ongoing. To compare, we have had “just” 86 one-time events. This is usually in the shape of festivals, balls and date auctions. Instead of more bars, it might be a better idea to focus on crafting one time, typically more memorable events. One-Time events also go up anytime there’s an in-game seasonal event, such as All Saints Wake.  3. Support your event creators  Not every roleplayer out there has the desire to make events, and I find that the amount of people creating content is vastly outnumbered by those who aren’t. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, but I would simply remind people to say thanks or give some constructive feedback on the events you attend. A little bit goes a long way, and an event creator may be kept from the ominous burnout simply because they feel appreciated. With Balmung being locked, the people we have are the people we’ve got. Perhaps consider giving creating an event a go, if not server-wide, then for your local linkshell or guild. Consider what it might take for you to make the leap - More support? A discord full of advice? Ideas?

I hope that this can contribute to the debate about the lockout, and otherwise give the community something to think about. I’ll be reading along in the reblogs.  If you would like to see the spreadsheet behind the charts, you can create your own (Google Drive) Copy with this link. I cannot assist you with anything, but there are many more things that could be done with this data, and I want to make sure you have the opportunity to use it.  Disclaimer:  The Balmung Calendar management has not been involved in this project, I have approached the calendar with that in mind that it is public information. That is also why I am freely sharing the spreadsheet. The data and it’s calculations may have some happy accidents on board - There’s no way to guarantee that a listed event had any attendance or even ran for that night, but I consider the BalCal to be the most reliable and approachable source. Please do not see this as a total of everything that has happened on Balmung - There are events who do not advertise via the calendar. I am not a mathematician in real life, and I am not especially trained to do statistics.  Huge thank you to @athilthorne for proof reading and nerd assistance. As well as all of those who were subjected by the somewhat deranged rabbles of this spreadsheet-loving human. Love y’all. 

[dekuinthelake]

Quitting FF14

Final Fantasy is a game that’s 1/3 good.

At least in my opinion. Listen, I’ve been playing the game since it was rereleased, and even if Stormblood was miles better than the proceeding expansion at least where leveling and story is concerned, it does some things very, very wrong.

There will be some spoilers in this rant so keep that in mind.

Bad Story and the use of tropes:

I like Xenos, I really do. And that Tattoo girl was neat as well, especially her continued arc at end game. But what I literally _cannot_ stand is how right now amnesia is being played as a legitimate way to facilitate character growth for the weakest female character I’ve ever seen.

Yotsuyu is your typical overly edgy woman scorned, killing people for “fun” and giving a big dramatic speech about how she was hurt before she dies. I’m sorry but I really hate when stories lazily DUMP character exposition rather than letting you experience the character first hand on a more involved way. With Yotsuyu, everything she does is like reading a character description on a wiki, and her tortured past is incredibly ham fisted and shows a hideous lack of understanding of abuse victims from SE— who by he way are characteristically horrible at writing women because they always end up playing back seat to the MENS and rarely have any independence. This memory loss thing with her grossly exaggerates this point.

Bad character with a bad story that relies on other characters being morons— which will happen because FF14 has never written a legitimately intelligent character.

They spend so much time in ARR TELLING you how smart Alphinaud is, but he literally has only been tricked by people and threw a plot mugguffin OFF WN ACTUAL CLIFF BECAUSE THAT WON’T CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS. *causes the inciting event for SB*

And Alphinaud’s stupidity isn’t ever punished. Everyone just goes on like he’s fine— even his supposedly ‘independent’ sister who just lets him walk all over her when it’s convenient to the plot.

And that’s just the biggest issue with FF14’s non functional story. Everything, every character, every special ability the WoL has is written only to serve a plot with points that honestly aren’t that interesting until SB. And even still, the lack of threat from the Garlean empire is so laughable, any intensity is gone. No one is established well enough I could write any of the characters since all their choices are simply made to lead to the next big bad guy— at least in the MSQ.

I hate all of the main cast. None of them are fleshed out save for parts of common anime tropes. It’s a shame too, because the world is genuinely interesting...

The solo experience:

Questing can be fun, but to be honest, once I finished all the quests (yes ALL of them) there wasn’t much to do. The only interesting thing about them is the scraps of nice world building hidden inside nuggets of text. I do appreciate the way dialog is presented, by the way, but some times I feel that the old speak is a little pretentious and meaningless considering how stupid everyone actually is.

In SB there are point and click mini games to break up the pace, or even a quest when you watch someone else fight trash which is a nice change of pace.

But you aren’t missing out on any thrilling game play honestly. It’s just back and forth over and over and over again and it USED to dismount you for talking which was so slowing. It isn’t fun to quest at all low level at all.

To be honest, if you can skip all of ARR, do it. It’s horrible, mostly, and the story is utter trash. Dailies are much the same, just boring, the same, and needlessly spread out— presumably to waste more or your time.

PVE:

Honestly, dungeons, primals and raids are the highlight of FF14. The encounter design is strong to the point some bosses (like my personal favorite, Sepherot) are timed to really excellent tracks. Really, Primals are some of the most fun I’ve had with an MMO and if not for one huge thorn in my side about the games PVE, I’d say it’s worth just playing for fun group content.

But... The way SE expects you to grind for gear every week with arbitrary tokens and has for He last four years has exhausted me. I -hate- the weekly hate on tomes. It makes me feel pressured to do the dungeons -every- day STILL. Dungeon grinding has a lot of content locked behind it, like the old legendaries of which I did the past two expansion ones. Let me tell you, putting a disposable weapon that kind of looks cool behind running 1000 instances is HORRIBLE, and it makes you really start to see the flaws with dungeons, especially the older ones. I got all three tank mounts before I had my Dragoon glowing stick. That’s 300 instances for ONE part of this quest.

I get it exists to keep sub rention, but there has to be a better way rather than slowly making me hate old content.

Conclusion:

FF14 is a game that helped me through a rough time, but for reasons mentioned, it’s worn out it’s welcome for me. Things have slowly been becoming better, but this last patch and it’s progressively worse story and stagnent system of progression has sort of exhausted my faith in it becoming anything special.

I’ve met the devs in person, listened to their pannels eagerly and thoroughly empathized with the hard labor they put in despite a tight budget and time deadlines. I think most quality of life issues are indeed SE not having or wanting to invest money in proper hardware for this MMO. And honestly, I don’t blame them since you never know when it could tank again.

OG FF14 was an abject failure and some of those same folks who did such a poor job before are still around. It’s reasonable to believe that maybe SB is as good as the writing and questing will ever be, since the game seems to be getting worse with some of those aspects.

It’s a shame, honestly. I wanted so badly to fully be in love with new content. But honestly, I’m just exhausted from waiting.

[swingbeard]

Matt’s Top 7 Games of 2017

2017 was a weird year.

At times, it was hard to focus on games.

On a global scale, we found ourselves often transfixed on news both positive and negative; in my opinion, it was often more of the latter. Games became an afterthought in a lot of ways. 

But at times, it was easy to focus on games.

They provided a sanctuary, a place to take a breather and relax, to joke and laugh and have fun with friends or on my own. Even at times when the subject matter of some games took on relevance to real world issues, it was still fascinating and an escape in a way but a thoughtful one.

With this all in mind, I still wanted to take some time to celebrate some games I very much enjoyed (and others I’m just starting to get into and very much enjoy) in 2017.

Originally… this was going to be a much longer and more involved thing. 

Instead, I’m going with something a bit shorter and more succinct so here’s seven games I really enjoyed this year, one of which has taken up a spot as my favorite game of the year. Thanks for reading and following along this year! 

ABSOLVER (Sloclap)

As someone who doesn’t exactly enjoy playing fighting games, Absolver would seem a bit of an anomaly, right? You’re correct! 

When it was presented at E3 a few years ago, I actually saw it as a Dark Souls-esque RPG with martial arts combat and lore instituted in place of sword-and-board action. I was so into the world, into what they were trying to build, into the ideas of gameplay (stances and switching between them, the moves themselves).

To a degree, this game is that… but the true endgame? What really drives the game once you’ve defeated the campaign? It’s the PvP, the actual “fighting game” part, and it’s something I’ve very much enjoyed - I never thought those words would leave my mouth.

Ever.

For someone like me, Absolver has proven to be a perfect introduction into that world; into fighting the same people online over and over to learn their movesets, to practice timing and get that down, to get frustrated but also understand why I’m getting beat and getting better.

The year is 2017 and I now enjoy playing an honest-to-god fighting game. What has happened to me?

FINAL FANTASY XIV: STORMBLOOD (Square Enix)

2017 was the year I truly got into Final Fantasy XIV.

I had struggled in the past, but the quality-of-life improvements plus finding two jobs/classes (Samurai and Monk) that I really liked propelled me into the main story of the core game, the Heavensward expansion, and the recently released Stormblood which brings you - the Warrior of Light - to far-off places like Gyr Abania, Othard, and the Ruby Sea.

I’m someone who’s never really been into the series in general, but the story and characters of FFXIV has grabbed me in an unexpected way and brought me along for a pretty wild ride at times. What World of Warcraft lacks in terms of consistency in its lore and sometimes not going far enough with its visuals? That’s what this game makes up for me.

I’m glad I finally got into this game and am looking forward to whatever patches and stories Yoshi-P and team have next for us. 

* A shoutout goes to the people in my free company too, some of whom I like to think are pretty dang good friends now.

DOOM (id Software) 

A game from 2016 on 2017’s list?

You’re correct, but this game is just that good and there’s a good reason for why it shows up on this list.

I actually purchased this game last year, but was never able to play it due to technical limitations. When I purchased a new PC in early September, this was one of the first games I installed.

And holy shit, all of the hype? All of the coverage I read? DOOM delivers on that, and more. It understands what it is, reverential in a way to the first games in this series… but also fresh, fun, and thrilling with modern twists and turns. While short, the campaign is worth the price of admission and I hope we get to see more of this story in a proper sequel after a good cliffhanger ending.

All in all, this game is a hell of a thing.

Literally.

WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS (MachineGames) 

I’m only a couple of hours into this game, and there’s already been a few moments where I’ve had to just sit back and let out a loud “What the fuck?” at what I’m seeing on the screen. It’s enough to put it on this list. Really. 

As someone who never played The New Order but is generally aware of what happened, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus appears to be something that stays true to the themes and roots of what that game set… and then expands that beyond those boundaries and confines to a degree that at times feels unsettling and uncomfortable in a way which reflects the fears of many in modern times.

It’s a game that is both an escape and a reality check in a way.

Even in a game with such great characters and shows reverence for them (but also will pull the trigger at any time), the compelling performance and depth Brian Bloom gives as B.J. Blazkowicz is absolutely incredible. The little things he says as you traverse levels, the flashbacks to a brutal past; the catharsis you seem him go through in often spectacularly bloody and violent fashion? It’s incredible to watch, mesmerizing almost.

Sure, the gameplay isn’t exactly what a lot of folks love… but at the same time, it almost doesn’t matter.

The New Colossus succeeds because the themes and message are heard loud and clear.

DESTINY 2 (Bungie) 

I’ve seen a lot of negativity aimed toward Bungie lately.

And I think it’s understandable.

They’ve messed up a lot on a variety of fronts, including the most important - communication and transparency - and at times? It seems like Destiny 2 may be an unsalvageable situation, a repeat of the mistakes the company with the first game.

But a lot of the time? I have a great time with this game still and have spent hours exploring, raiding, or just chaining Strikes over and over with an occasional foray into the Crucible. I still appreciate the lore of Destiny to a ridiculous degree, to how the idea of “post-apocalyptic space fantasy opera” is explored. As frustrating as it can be sometimes, when Bungie does their lore right? It’s some of the best worldbuilding and storytelling I’ve ever seen.

I hope that Bungie can iron out the issues, because this game has the makings of a great foundation with which to build upon. Only time can tell if they can pull that off.

SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY (Nintendo) 

Remember the crazy trailer for this game at E3?

I don’t think we actually thought this would deliver, right? Maybe?

Who knows?

What matters is that Nintendo delivered on that crazy gameplay reveal and gave us Super Mario Odyssey, which at its heart is the Mario everyone wanted all along with a few twists and turns that make it a fresh experience. Incorporating the “Capture” mechanic to the way this game does is tremendous and getting to utilize Cappy himself as a tool for exploration allows for you to fully explore the beautiful and vibrant worlds of this game.

Plus there’s the 2D sidescrolling element, and the photo mode, and the post-game stuff which-

You get my point. There’s so much here. 

The thing I want to give Odyssey the most credit for? It’s just a happy game. It’s about making exploration fun, it’s about having a damn good time, and it delivers on those in every single way possible. In any other year, it might be my favorite game of the year but…

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD (Nintendo) 

If you know me, this is no surprise.

I’ve been thinking on how to best write this since early March.

For Nintendo to basically blow up the standards of what a Zelda game is? To bring back the roots of what made games like the original the thing that caught fans’ attention and kept them hanging on for thirty-plus years? It’s a hell of a thing to do, but I feel as though they stuck the landing and with aplomb.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an incredible thing; an open-world action-adventure game which takes so many elements plucked from so many other genres and then blends them all together in something that never fails to awe or amaze. It’s something I wanted for them to do for so long, to shake up the franchise and do something different.

Does it have some flaws here and there? Absolutely. It’s not a perfect game daresay, but damn it’s… an experience, it’s something I’ve told almost all of my friends who likes games to go play. Those dungeons you loved to explore or those items you so loved from past titles? They’re not here, but for good reason.

Why?

Because Breath of the Wild’s true challenge is exploration in this vibrant and amazing world of Hyrule. It’s conquering that highest mountain top or finding that shrine in a den full of dangerous enemies; maybe it’s hunting Lynels all day or trying to find all 900 Korok seeds.

In a year where I feel like I needed an escape at times? This game provided just that. 

Hell, I’ve put 400+ hours into this thing and I can see myself putting in more.

What surprises me most about this game is the emotional impact I felt. In previous games, the same plot is often followed; many of the tropes and story beats in Zelda games are often circular. While this story is sparse in some places, the delivery of it is interesting enough that it makes me more interested in the canon of this universe than I have been since Wind Waker. I want to know what’s next for this incarnation of Link and Zelda in this world Nintendo has so elaborately constructed.

All in all, I wouldn’t call Breath of the Wild just my favorite game of 2017.

It’s without a doubt one of my favorite games ever, a classic that propels this franchise into the future and for the better by drawing upon its “you can do anything anywhere at anytime” beginnings. 

[greenmagic-oilspill]

Spoiler Heavy Stormblood Review

Now that I’m done, I’m gonna try to splurge out all my thoughts on the expansion. Very spoiler heavy and LONG, so putting this under a read more...

Okay, first! Most important to me in any medium is the characters and the development they go through. And by god Stormblood did not fail to deliver! I had such a tough time picking who my favorite was in this expansion, but I’m probably going to have to go with Lyse. She developed SO much and I loved all of the focus on her. I knew she’d be a focal point this time around, but I didn’t expect quite so much and I loved it. Stormblood was HER story, and she owned it. It’s so hard to imagine her as the same old Yda from 2.0. I love her so much that I’m afraid they’ll be done with her once the 4.x series is over, especially since she left the Scions. I do not want to see her drop out of the story.

I loooooved everything about the Leveilleur twins. Alisaie really came into her own as a character, just like Alphinaud did in Heavensward, and I really hope these two, at the very least, remain constants with the Warrior of Light all throughout the future of FFXIV. I just loved them so much - from their bickering, to them trying to one up each other, being KIDS, showing so much open fear and concern for the others’ wellbeing... It was just perfect.

All around I just loved all the new characters this expansion in every area. Hien was fantastic. Loved the focus on Yugiri, too, and as much as I expected Gosetsu to sacrifice himself I am glad he pulled through and is still alive by the end. Special mention is gonna go out to Soroban and Cirina. Too much for me to comment on all around. I just loved the writing and how new characters brought so much to every place we visited. Also can we talk about Estinien randomly appearing and helping out and not telling anyone about it? I already care for him much more than I ever did in Heavensward and I’m looking forward to seeing him more. Love the Kain parallels.

So what did Krile go through in captivity? Did she get experimented on? Is she gonna reveal something insane that happened to her? I felt like that was glossed over pretty quick.

The villains: For the first time in this game, I found someone to be genuinely threatening - Zenos. Every time he was around, I lived in the constant fear that someone was gonna die (I was on the fuckin edge of my seat when Yugiri tried to assassinate him oh lawd). The only thing that put me off about him was that he would fight you and kick everyone’s ass and then just... leave? Multiple times? Like, I get it, he just likes a good fight, but by the second or third time that happened it bordered on stupidity. I loved Yotsuyu as well - she was twisted as hell, and now that she’s still alive I’m excited to see what they do with her. Fordola also has a lot going for her, and I’m fully expecting a redemption arc by the end of the 4.x series, which I’m all for. I was also hoping to see more of Aulus(?), the mad scientist guy. I was intrigued by those Resonant experiments and I wonder if there’s going to be any consequences for that in the future. I just wish we didn’t kill Aulus so quickly and, frankly, randomly.

Side note before I forget: Shipping! This game is sorely lacking in the romance department for some reason and I do actually want to see more. I thought it would be refreshing not to have any romantic subplots, but I do like at least a little bit. I just can’t decide if I ship Hien with Yugiri, Cirina, Lyse, or the WoL. I’m also not about Magnai/Sadu... would definitely prefer Magnai/Cirina if it doesn’t work out with Hien for her lmao. Loved the ship tease with Lyse and the WoL as well.

I loved all the drawn out war scenes. They really pulled out all the stops with the cinematics this expansion, and it showed. They really captured the scale of it pretty well, I think. Oddly, though, it seemed like NPCs were safe walking into towns and villages and stuff because every time there seemed to be no imperials around? Occupation, what occupation? They just visited on occasion and terrified people and left? I think a lot of the reason for this is that we didn’t see ANY Garleans really just patrolling around as regular enemies in the field or even like a token guard as a townsperson. Like, there’s a castrum a stone’s throw outside of Wineport and no one seems to bat an eye, but in Stormblood areas they seem way more afraid of “nearby Garleans” that we don’t even really see. Yeah, we have the word of NPCs to go off of and certain story cutscenes, but other than that I didn’t feel like I was in an occupied area... though a lot of that has to do with how we conveniently arrive just as the Alliance chased them off, or something. No such excuse in the East.

Other side note: NPCs seem to travel between Gyr Abania and the Far East really quick?? Especially Hien with his big damn heroes moment on the wall in Ala Mhigo? Didn’t it take us weeks to sail there the first time??

I loved, loved, loved the role of beastmen in this expansion. It was interesting to see the Garleans recruit them for their own forces (and a bit bizarre, I thought they were against all Beast Tribes...) and just see what roles the Kojin and Ananta played. Loved both Primals and their fights. Really, really intrigued by the Lupin and even the Namazu! I hope the rest of the 4.x series introduces their beast tribe quests and Primals.

I LOVED the way the MSQ ended. Zenos fusing with Shinryu was a little unexpected and I’m still processing how I feel about it, but I do like to think of it as a little callback to Vayne fusing with Bahamut in XII. Just... how did he manage to seal Shinryu when Papalymo’s spell barely did? That battle was awesome, though. And the final cutscene where Lyse walked by everyone and Arenvald raised the flag and everyone was singing made me super emotional and I still get chills just thinking about it. That was an all around beautiful scene.

Thank god Nidhogg’s eyes are finally done with. I liked that Estinien was the one to break them, but... why did everyone just leave the eyes there after they carried off Zenos’ body?

Surprising lack of Ascians until the stinger this time around. But since the Garleans took a back seat in Stormblood a bit, I’m okay with it. Kinda surprised to see Varis willingly working with Elidibus. Definitely intrigued to see where that goes. And I’m wracking my brain trying to think of what Elidibus looks like that it got Varis so shook.

But anyway! All around AMAZING expansion. I didn’t really feel like it dragged anywhere. The areas are beautiful, the music was solid, gameplay and battle mechanics are all fresh and unique... So, so happy with it.

Thanks for reading all this!

[livvyplaysfinalfantasy]

If I were to pick one cutscene from all of Heavensward that stood out to me as my favorite, it would be this one.

Alphinaud does not spend much time maintaining the charade of a down-and-out refugee: he immediately challenges the Griffin’s body double about the crystals, and Yda backs him up to insist that she knows he isn’t the real Griffin.

The crystals were not, however, intended for the Resistance. The Masks’ plan all along was to deliver the shipment to the Amalj’aa in exchange for the beast tribe’s promise to fight alongside Ala Mhigans against the Garlean Empire. Yda denounces this plan, saying that contributing to a primal summoning of all things was wrong and would only turn people away from the Resistance and its goals. Both the Griffin and his body double think otherwise. He believes that the time is long past for morals, and he chastises Yda openly for her unwillingness to do whatever needs to be done to see Ala Mhigo freed: he uses phrases like “play at being honorable heroes” and “sully your saintly hands” to emphasize that her sort of supposed naïveté has led directly to twenty years of occupation. Yda says nothing; she appears to take this very much to heart.

The false Griffin challenges the Scions to go to Zahar’ak if they doubt that the Amalj’aa now have the crystals, or to examine the Masks’ camp for any further trace of them. Before he or you can depart, however, he speaks to you directly. He informs you that you, the Warrior of Light, played no small part in prompting individual men and women to join the Resistance. You, he says, have shown people the difference a single person can make. This is not by any means the first time that the Warrior of Light’s legacy has inspired people in the game - but there is a grave difference between prompting youths into adventuring and contributing to a volatile movement in which many who have striven to take up arms will likely die.

So too does the Griffin’s body double reveal that you saved his life once upon a time. Before you first went to Little Ala Mhigo, you brought medicine to an Ala Mhigan man in Quarrymill who had resolved to die alone, rather than allow his comrades to waste their energy mourning him. The man’s name was Gallien, and due solely to your aid, he has lived long enough to further his ambitions of seeing Ala Mhigo freed.

At risk of getting a bit ahead of myself in terms of coverage, one of the overarching ideas of patch 3.4′s story is of consequences, and the notion that doing legitimately good things can have completely unforeseeable results. It’s not quite “no good deed goes unpunished” - the story never once takes the stance that it’s futile or meaningless to do good for yourself and others - but it is a caution that good deeds are stronger than even you realize, and that they can all too easily lead to reactions far beyond your control.

Papalymo himself emphasizes this point to Yda when he senses that she may be giving too much consideration to Gallien’s words. For something as important as Ala Mhigo’s freedom, he says, one must strive to act only when fully prepared.

If the writing in Stormblood is half as good as the writing that went into this scene, I’ll be more than satisfied. As much as I enjoy this game and its story, it’s not often that I feel a real, deep connection with what’s at stake, and what’s at stake here in a number of ways is the capacity to care about the consequences of one’s actions. And to quote the words of Louisoix referred to so often throughout this patch: “To ignore the plight of those we might conceivably save is not wisdom - it is indolence.”