#xiv positivity

[candycryptids]

Highlight a FFXIV blog that people might not know about, but that you would like to recommend to others.

Oh I actually have two people in mind for this~

The first is @avirael , who has a lovely duo Miqo’te and Viera OC’s (A’viloh and Rael) and takes some absolutely gorgeous scenery shots! A sweetheart but on the opposite timezone from me so I often miss posts TTuTT

The *other* is @sjofn-lofnsdottr , with her handsome elezen man Dusk and his pet, Duck (the Duck) and Old Viera man Bjalla (who I adore very much 🥰) her writing is *chefs kiss* and a treat to read when she gets into lore dumping about her little guys ✨☺️✨

✨[FFXIV positivity Ask Game!]✨

[bunnalien]

carby says trans rights or else ❤️🔪

these prideful little guys are the latest addition to my carbuncle sticker collection, and you can grab your own over on my Etsy store! 🌸

[autumnslance]

In reference to this post I reblogged earlier, but don't want to muck up UC's activity:

#i think it's more important to see that redemption is in the eye of the beholder #not everybody (characters or real people) will accept the same type or amount of repentance for the same sins #some people might not care at all if the person who wronged them feels sorry; only if they materially repaid their crimes #others can feel the opposite #and either way that's their prerogative #you can disagree with the characters or the fans or the writers about who “deserves” OR has “achieved” redemption and that's okay #because it's ultimately a complex philosophical issue #like i agree with OP!!! but there's media literacy in accepting that not everyone will

I'm going to disagree with many of these tags, especially it being "in the eye of the beholder" and would argue it's more media literate to recognize when a character has a workable redemption arc even if one disagrees they "should" get one. It took me a long time to learn this cuz of how we're usually taught redemption = forgiveness in Western (especially very Christianized, and especially if explicitly raised Christian) culture:

It doesn't rely on anyone but the person seeking redemption.

Yeah, it's the wronged party's prerogative to never forgive, to think the perpetrator's atonement (and/or punishment) is not enough and never will be. Anyone (characters and actual people) who sympathize, and who are on their side, can agree it's not ever enough and that character/person's sins are unforgivable.

And that still doesn't matter to their redemption.

We have an example of a workable redemption arc that not all accept in Final Fantasy XIV with Fordola's situation, through the Endwalker healer role quests. She was raised a collaborator of Ala Mhigo's imperial occupiers, and thought the best way to help her people was to soldier for the empire, becoming their Butcher.

In the Stormblood patches, Raganfrid says he will never forgive her; he thanks her for the aid she gave in the throne room that day, but that's all. And even in the EW healer role quests, their interactions are complicated. He still can't forgive the collaborators, even as he works to reintegrate them into Ala Mhigan society. He recognizes many thought they had no choice. He can't, won't, forget the pain of losing his own loved ones to them. This is stated multiple times.

And others, like M'rahz, Sarisha, and M'naago also struggle, also say they won't forgive...but reluctantly agree they can understand how for the sake of their families, the collaborators felt pushed against a wall, and what lengths have they themselves gone to for their own families? M'naago even scolds Fordola: she doesn't get to give up, she has to keep working--or she dies as exactly what everyone said she was.

Fordola starts out as the one punished for her sins. Through the story, she makes her choices to change and fight and work for her people as a free woman. There are still those who despise the Butcher, and always will. Redemption comes from Fordola's actions, Fordola's choices. Who forgives her and who doesn't can't change that she has changed, and continues to do so.

And in the interest of fairness, for the opposite of Fordola, we have Laurentius. In A Realm Reborn, he collaborated with the empire, selling out his nation. He came out of his punishment wanting a new chance, so joined the Crystal Braves...and immediately fell under Ilberd's sway. While others remained loyal and stuck to their morals (and paid for it with imprisonment or even death), Laurentius went along with all of Ilberd's plans. And in the end, the player gets an opinion in the punishment he and his comrade face, but it's clear from talking to Raubahn there isn't much hope. Laurentius had his chances, but he didn't make any effort to actually change--so faced the consequences.

For Reference for the Healer Role Quests: Garland Tools Healer quest text starting with "Far From Free", and my own saved text in Gdocs (raw, not very organized compared to my later saved/updated docs).

(Nero's the war criminal who...didn't even get a slap on the wrist, he just waltzed into a leadership meeting 15 mins late with Starbucks and has been helping us save the world since. Gaius is the war criminal that went through traumas, saw his privileged preconceptions torn apart, and is starting down that road in the wake of Werlyt to clean up his mistakes and not let his children's sacrifices be in vain. None of these characters "need" punishment to decide to change; some of it simply happens as part of their stories, but they make their own choices and actions toward atonement.)

(Also redemption is usually an ongoing process, which is why "Death Equals Redemption", like how Yotusyu's situation is framed, is so dicey and often unsatisfying; are they actually changed, or they just getting out of putting in that effort to? Nothing indicated Yotsuyu actually cared to change, as sympathetic as she was in the end! But she has her redemptive moment for her fans, and the people who hate/won't forgive her also "win"--the trope is a "have your cake and eat it too" writing cop-out IMO at this point.)

[kosmickaijuu]

Because I feel like we need a little comfort and support today. Get loved, appreciated, and doted on nerds ❤️🫂

[alackofghosts]

ʕ ˵·ᴥ·ʔ♡ʕ·ᴥ·˵ ʔ

[heretic-altias]

Honey B Lovely is so not my vibe (I really dislike cutesy type aesthetics) that it makes for the funniest internet experience rn bc watching everyone lose it over this woman I just find mildly annoying is so funny.

[mrslittletall]

Me, going on the FF14 reddit, clicking on a thread about Alphinaud's growth. The people in the thread: Shitting on Wuk Lamat. Me, leaving the FF14 reddit.

[kamille-is-real]

It's asexual visibility week, so allow me to show off my wonderful character in Final Fantasy XIV!

Her name's Jay Decker! She's a biromantic asexual.

[xxdemonboixx]

You are my symphony—my inspiration.

I heard a simple song, it turned to a full blown orchestra later on. Now the heaven sings.

When G’raha first came to my life I was quite confused by what was happening, why was this disembodied voice talking to me and where was the stuff I needed to deliver. Then I met him and I found him adorable, a smart radiant boy who wanted an adventure and action. I slowly started to care for him and fall for him.

But then he chose to stay behind and I felt a tug in my heart, I didn’t know when I was going to see him again, if ever. That made me sad but I had to go on, move forward.

Then I met him again, with the Crystal Tower. He hid himself from me, even when I did recognise him. Talking to me about his dreams and wishes, talking about me, trying to keep his identity secret.. I still knew it was him.

I’m happy to have him back and I’m waiting for a chance to take him on an adventure, a proper one. I promised him that and I will keep that promise even if it’s the last thing I do.

Stay radiant, my sunshine.

[ishgard]

Obviously they're not dead ringers for one another, but the similarities make my brain go ajweoigjaweigjaeoigjaeg

best ancient buddies (not-quite-canonically) reunited tho. (❁´◡`❁) Was thinking about their titles "Traveler, Exile, Wanderer" in a FF10-2 "YRP" abbreviation sort of way so it was "TEW". But then I was like what if we flip it- ...ah. WET.

[thanatosaria]

every word on our hearts engraved.

[candycryptids]

-Duty Failed-

[michichibis]

Treat Yourself 🧋

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[mimble-sparklepudding]

If anyone wants me to send them asks from the FFXIV Blog Positivity Ask Game but do not necessarily want to reblog it due to the dancing Loporrit Header ruining their aesthetic then send me a message and I will just send an ask :)

[fooltofancy]

i feel like i kill people SO OFTEN on ihuykatumu. windwhistle my nemesis.

[ponyartistbrainiac]

man i still can't draw humanoids but damn am i trying