Hello there! You can call me SBL. (she/her, cisfem aroace old spinster) I'm probably the biggest fan of Sir Barton you'll ever meet. I lurk in fandoms according to my current interests, but I will forever love the majestic beauty of the horse. Don't be surprised to see random ramblings about horses. However, I do talk about Fire Emblem and Rune Factory a lot. Don't be shy! You can talk to me if you want! (Just make sure you're signed in, cuz I don't take anonymous comments anymore.)
“You're going to follow my orders, or you're not joining us at all. I will not work with someone who doesn't know how these fights work, and won't follow orders. My way or the highway, buster. You will do as you're fucking told, or you get left behind. Am I clear on that?”
Thancred whistles low and raises his eyebrows; “Got her to use that language. I'm kind of impressed.”
Summary: With the greatest of vidraals, Valigarmanda, unleashed upon the world, the three Promises gather to take him down before he can replenish his lost aether in Worqor Lar Dor. The Warrior of Light has a few choice words for everyone.
Go HERE if you wanna read on AO3
Or read below if you don't mind my blog formatting.
Setting: During the cutscene that begins the Worqor Lar Dor trial. Basically this is happening while that cutscene of Valigarmanda powering up is playing out.
A few notes: I basically used my own WoL for this (female hyur), but renamed her the canon name, which is Meteor Survivor. As for why she's a Warrior, not a Viper, which is the canon job in Dawntrail… well, that's my main job, and it is technically the Warrior of Light's first canon job, from A Realm Reborn. I had to make some decisions here, and that's what I settled on.
The Skyruin
The air around them is hot and charged, as fire and electric particles swirl through the aether, bound for their destination, near a cluster of hoodoos. There is the occasional sense of cold as ice aether slips by, but it is easily overwhelmed by the sheer force of fire and electricity. On either side of the group, the rocks slope sharply upward or downward in a canyon of riotous color, striped red, yellow, orange, pink and even faint grayish greens.
As they round one bend in the canyon, they see it. There, over the edge of the canyon wall where it stoops downward, they can see their target, perched upon a cluster of brightly colored hoodoos. One of the largest vidraal in recorded history, and most destructive.
Valigarmanda. The wings of ruin himself.
He is charging himself on the crystals all around him in the colorful strata of Worqor Lar Dor. His great head sways in a faint rhythm as the aether swells around him, creating an umbra of power that looks like it will be difficult and painful to pierce.
“All right,” Meteor Survivor says, stopping and holding out one arm. “Now that we've located him, it's time for strategy. Let me tell you how things are gonna go.”
The Scions of the Seventh Dawn who surround her nod instantly, and a moment later Wuk Lamat mirrors the nod. She trusts her formidable Eorzean champion without a second thought. This woman is an even more powerful fighter than she herself is, and the stories she's heard suggest she has only scratched the surface of this so-called Warrior of Light.
Meteor has been planning in her head since they started on the path to this location, and now it is time for her to reveal her combat tactics to her allies.
“That includes you, Zoraal Ja.” The woman's eyes narrow. “You're following my orders.”
“You would speak thus to the First Promise? The Resilient Son?” Sareel Ja looks incredulous in his outrage. Noticeably, Zoraal Ja doesn't look surprised at being ordered around. “How dare you.”
“I would, and you wanna know why?” Meteor retorts, her face contorting. “Because I've done this shit before. Many times. How many gods have you slain, Zoraal Ja? How many times have you traveled to the edges of existence to combat the literal End of Time?”
Zoraal Ja's lips tighten in what can only be construed as a challenging grin.
“You're going to follow my orders, or you're not joining us at all. I will not work with someone who doesn't know how these fights work, and won't follow orders. My way or the highway, buster. You will do as you're fucking told, or you get left behind. Am I clear on that?”
Thancred whistles low and raises his eyebrows; “Got her to use that language. I'm kind of impressed.”
Sareel Ja looks at Koana; “You are okay with this bully telling you what to do, Second Promise?”
The Second Promise nods subtly; “I trust my sister's bodyguard. She has proven to be formidable, and we know she is reliable. And not for nothing, but my retainers trust her unfailingly. If I were to step out of line, I am not entirely sure they would follow me in this matter.”
“Go, Sareel Ja,” Zoraal Ja says finally. “You are not taking part in this. You may seek shelter. I will do as this woman says. She knows what she is doing, and I would take her measure as well as this beast's. If I must follow her orders to see her at her finest, then I shall do so this time.”
The old advisor heaves a sigh, throws up his hands, and shakes his head; “Very well. I take my leave. Good luck, to all of you.” The irony drips from his voice as he walks away.
“All right, Meteor, your instructions?” Alisaie turns eagerly to the hyur woman.
The Warrior of Light looks briefly around. Then she gestures. “See that plateau over there? A perfect fighting platform. We'll challenge him there. Fights like these require two separate mini-parties. I will be the main target, on the right-hand side, and Thancred will be second target, leading the party on the left-hand side. Once we have our formation, Thancred, I want you grab his attention with a Lightning Shot and then shirk him onto me immediately. Got it? It's easier than me trying to Tomahawk him from that distance. After that, you follow my lead, and draw his attention if I give you the signal.”
The Gunbreaker nods firmly and grins at her. “I've got your back.”
“Do you need aetherbullets infused for you?”
“No, Urianger took care of that on the way here.”
“Perfect. Make sure you have enough of them for a prolonged fight, but I trust you can handle yourself if you run out of aetherbullets. All right, as for the rest of you:
“Alisaie, I'm sure you don't want to hear this, but you're my healer here. I need a healer and you impressed me on Worqor Zormor. You're on healing duty on my side, got it?”
The young Red Mage clasps her fists together eagerly; “I'll show you how good I can be! Just because I'm a Red Mage doesn't mean I can't be as good of a healer as my brother and Urianger!”
“Of course. Wuk Lamat, you stay close to me, but mobile as needed. If you see me getting targeted, step away so you don't get hit too. Otherwise, give him hell and just watch your feet. These fights usually have a lot of shit going on. Krile, you're on my side too. Stay as far back as you can but also watch your feet. You're ranged, so stay that way if you can. Otherwise, you know what to do.”
The two addressed women nod eagerly. Krile in particular seems oddly eager to take part in this fight, as it will be the first such larger-scale fight she has been a part of. As for Wuk Lamat, she has seen what Meteor can do, and she knows better than to try and second-guess her.
“Obviously, Urianger, you're Thancred's healer. Stay on his side as much as you can, but watch your feet. Don't let Alisaie show you up.”
The tall Astrologian smiles indulgently and nods, before his eyes return to watching the vidraal in the distance. His current silence seems to be attributed to the fact that Valigarmanda has almost mesmerized him, but Meteor knows that when the fight begins, Urianger will be all business.
“Of course, this means that Zoraal Ja and Koana are also on Thancred's side. Zoraal Ja, you're melee so stay close to Thancred but if you see him getting targeted, back away; he can mitigate it better than you can. Don't make things harder for Urianger than need be. And Koana, since you're ranged, you stay roughly around the middle of the platform as much as you can, but as I keep saying, watch your feet. These fights have a lot of shit going on, so prioritize staying safe over dishing out pain. Alisaie and Urianger will have enough to do as it is.Otherwise, both of you, give this fucker all the hell you can muster.”
Koana nods firmly and looks to his two retainers. “You've fought with her before, haven't you?”
“Plenty of times. You're in for a treat,” Thancred smiles. “Just don't make the mistake of watching her too much or she'll hide you for not pulling your weight in the fight.”
Meteor moves forward and puts her fist out in front of her. The other Scions, recognizing her gesture, follow suit, followed by two of the three Promises. Zoraal Ja, with a cold gaze, just stands there and watches them. Seven clenched fists bump knuckle-to-knuckle with each other in a communal rallying gesture.
“Valigarmanda ain't ever seen an Eikonslayer before, so he's in for some pain. I dealt with the Endsinger; this thing doesn't scare me. Follow my lead, team, and we will bag us a big old snakebird, as Wuk Lamat calls it.” Her grin grows almost ruthless. “And, if possible, I want to save a couple of his crest feathers, to decorate my axe. All right, are we ready? Break!”
FFXIV Dawntrail - Echoes of Vana'diel : Wrapping it all up nice and neat
Me and the FC finished the raid!
I couldn't take any screenshots because of how discord overlays my game, and the fact that it was a wild fight wherein lots of trolling was happening LOL. You'll have to be content with my screenshot of us at the very end after the final boss. (You can see me between two of the healers, the catboy SCH and the bunboy AST (I think?) near the middle.)
The first boss is "Shantotto the Demon" and is a boss-sized version of the character from ... uh... FF12? This wiped us at least once.
The second boss is Alexander Revived, and is a mini version of the big boss Alexander. I don't think we wiped to this but it was tough.
The third boss is Promathia, the Twilight God.
The final boss is a two-parter -- Shinryu Paradox, and then when you defeat it, or partway through, Sareel Ja comes down with the Gulool Ja Ja shade and merges them together, wherein they become The Hollow King.
Right as Shinryu Paradox starts, Prishe busts through and comes into the fight with us, and protects Alxaal when he starts to falter. Despite us telling her to stop, she helps anyway. Alxaal apparently regains all his memories but says nothing material to help us.
Prishe: You can worry about how I caught up to you later. We've got a dragon to slay!
Prishe: C'mon, we'll be fine. Aren't we always?
Alxaal: Yes…yes, I finally remember. Who I was. Who I am.
Alxaal: Let us be done with Sareel Ja and his schemes. Our journey's end awaits─and with luck, a new beginning…
Anyway, the second half of the fight is showy but not very challenging, honestly.
Once you defeat The Hollow King, a cutscene ensues when you're done rolling for loot and exit the instance.
Alxaal: You weren't supposed to be here.
Prishe: What, and miss out on all the fun? My gut told me something was wrong, so I leapt through the portal. Next thing I knew, I found you on the ground and a giant dragon looming over our heads.
Prishe: I know I'm pushing my luck, but I'm glad I was able to help.
Alxaal: Indeed you did. In fact, I daresay your presence is what turned the tide in our favor.
Sareel Ja: My king, no… How could this happen? You had the perfect vessel─the power of a god at your command!
Shade of Resolve: If it was perfect, then why do their corpses not lay at my feet!? I need a new vessel. A stronger vessel!
Sareel Ja: Shinryu only came to be when Promathia, the Twilight God, sought ever greater power. It slew their world's greatest champion and brought ruin to the world… To find a stronger vessel will be no easy feat.
Prishe: What in the hell are you talking about? Promathia didn't slay anyone. Quite the opposite, in fact. I was there!
Alxaal: Your victory over Promathia alongside your adventurer companion was but one of countless possibilities.
Alxaal: Like Shinryu, and the death of Vana'diel's twin…
Prishe: How can you be so certain?
Alxaal: The battle against Shinryu. Seeing you there, it all came back to me.
Alxaal: Both memories of a world where heroes prevailed over Promathia…and another where you alone survived an encounter with Shinryu.
Question! How do you remember a world where only Prishe survived?
Alxaal: Preposterous, I know. Yet now it all makes sense… I finally remember who I am. What I am.
Alxaal: The memories that echo within that rift between worlds—from past and future alike, from adventurers of our world and those not our own—somehow intertwined and coalesced into the man who stands before you.
Prishe: Meaning you share the memories of my friend, too? Well that explains how you remember so much about me.
So uhh... he's... the default protag from FF11?? I have no idea what he's saying.
Shade of Resolve: We are not to be ignored!
Shade of Resolve: Sareel Ja, quickly! I need healing! Before it's…too late… I need…more…!
[Sareel Ja is too stunned to move; the shade of Gulool Ja Ja fades and disappears into electrope blocks]
Alxaal: This place is… It's vanishing!
Welp.
Prishe: Looks like we're back in Jeuno.
Sareel Ja: No…
Sareel Ja: It can't end like this! I won't let it!!!
Sareel Ja: I need only return to the Walk of Echoes to find another world. Another champion worthy of my cause!
Prishe: Where do you think you're going!?
Alxaal: You're finished, Sareel Ja!
[Sareel Ja reaches the portal and exits]
Anticlimactic. As we're staring dumbfounded at the portal he went through, Shantotto walks up behind us, and glowers.
That's a green check mark. There's denouement to work on.
Prishe: We have to go after Sareel Ja!
Alxaal: Sareel Ja may have gotten away, but he has clearly grown desperate.
Alxaal: Best we hurry back to Bakool Ja Ja, and consider how best to track the fiend down, before he has time to recover.
And this is the finale.
Alxaal: Let us return to Mamook for now. Perhaps someone in the Landsguard spied Sareel Ja as he fled.
And that is that. Time to head back to Mamook.
Prishe: Where in the hell did Sareel Ja disappear to?
Alxaal: I have already apprised the Landsguard of what we discovered.
Prishe has got a mouth on her, doesn't she? LOL
Landsguard Messenger: Glad to see you returned in one piece, Pansy.
You expected otherwise? I am insulted!
Landsguard Messenger: We heard from Alxaal. So Sareel Ja's schemes beyond the rift have been thwarted, then?
Landsguard Messenger: That is well. We've routed the last of the echoes on this side of things, thanks in large part to Bakool Ja Ja.
Landsguard Messenger: However, we recently lost contact with one of our scouts shortly after they reported sighting Sareel Ja somewhere near Gok Draak Descent…
Landsguard Messenger: Bakool Ja Ja is heading there now, but it would put our minds at ease if you were to accompany him.
Prishe: Of course!
Alxaal: It sounds as if he's not far from the portal to Jeuno. We should hurry!
oh my god i JUST CAME FROM THERE, are you really doing this to me?
WAIT A SECOND. Isn't that...?
Prishe: What is he scheming now?
Alxaal: Does he truly intend to conjure more echoes?
Landsguard Soldier: Sareel Ja… He took us unawares… We tried to stand our ground, but he forced his way into the Skydeep Cenote.
Landsguard Soldier: Bakool Ja Ja arrived but moments ago, and immediately set off in pursuit after taking our report. I hope he can handle that slippery snake…
Prishe: If anyone would be fine, it's him!
Alxaal: That said, Sareel Ja is not wont to give up without a fight. We haven't a moment to lose.
Motherfucker, I knew it.
Inside, we see Sareel Ja making for the gate that leads to Living Memory, and my first thought is "Bitch you don't have the key, I do."
But the gate is somehow WIDE THE FUCK OPEN???
WHY IS IT WIDE OPEN?
Sareel Ja: Perhaps I should make for the Mist Continent. No… It would be all too easy for them to track me there.
Sareel Ja: I've no choice but to return to the rift.
He creates some sort of portal but then there's a commotion behind him and Bakool Ja Ja storms through
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: It's over, Sareel Ja! By the authority of the Landsguard, I'm taking you into custody!
Sareel Ja: Already they're upon me! I must set aside my pride, if only for a moment…
He kneels down and that causes Bakool Ja Ja to slide to a stop, confused.
Sareel Ja: I beg you wait…my king.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: Your king…?
Sareel Ja: If Tuliyollal is to return to its former glory, the Mamool Ja require a worthy leader to unite them. And there remain none more worthy than you─the elevated chosen.
Sareel Ja: Indeed, I have no doubt your father, too, longs to see you take your rightful place upon the throne. So come, Bakool Ja Ja. Come with me to─
Wow, really, dude?
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: So you would tempt the lapdog with not a bone, but a crown! I didn't expect your bravado to give way so easily, Sareel Ja.
Sareel Ja: (Grrr… You won't be gloating for long…)
Then the three backup show up, Alxaal, Prishe and our own Pansy.
Sareel Ja: Ah! Wh-What fortuitous timing, you three! Please, will you not convince our dear Bakool Ja Ja here to stay his blade?
Prishe: After everything you've done to sully the memories of our home for your twisted ends, you expect us to help you?
This ought to be good. This is the end of the whole storyline so there shouldn't be any more actual fighting, just cutscenes.
Sareel Ja: I, er… I wish to make amends! Yes─amends for my transgressions!
Real convincing, dude.
Sareel Ja: You were cursed as a child to never age, is that not so? Being made from memories as you are, it would be a simple matter to restore the flow of time to you.
Prishe: I'm fine just the way I am, thank you very much. And since you admit you've done wrong, we should discuss punishment. Maybe a knuckle sandwich or two?
Call his bluff harder, Prishe!
Sareel Ja: I-I-I can return you home─to Vana'diel! To perish in a world to which one bears no ties is ill befitting adventurers of your caliber, would you not agree? Let me send you back where you belong!
Prishe: There's no denying I long to see our home… But I also long to see our friend here bring you to justice.
Sareel Ja: Without me you'll be stranded… You would really forsake your only means of returning home for this brute you've but recently met?
Alxaal: It matters not when we met, nor whether he means to repay any kindness shown him.
Prishe: He's our friend. We don't need any more reason than that.
Wow what the fuck is even going on, besides backhand compliments to Bakool Ja Ja, the guy who has had the most character growth in this entire fucking expansion??
Sareel Ja gets mad and clenches his fist before yelling at us.
Sareel Ja: Fools! All of you!
Sareel Ja: Such childish naivety is why you could never be king!
Sareel Ja: And why you will inevitably play into the hands of Alexandria's queen!
D-dude do you even know anything about the real Sphene? I think you do not. Then again, I don't care what he knows and what he doesn't, but man.
Sareel Ja: Trust is how you find yourself a tool, used and cast aside like so much rubbish. But I will be a tool no longer!
Sareel Ja: If you would throw in your lot with the other refuse, then it would be my pleasure to mark this your grave!
Sareel Ja: You will die here, mourning the world you will never set eyes upon again!
He tries to throw a fireball at Prishe but Alxaal steps in and deflects it with his shield. Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic then uses his staff to cast a powerful spell to freeze Sareel Ja in place while Prishe gives him a two-foot kick to the face and knocks him back, off his feet.
He looks up at Pansy
Sareel Ja: You… You have strength enough to stand on your own. So why…?
My response is number three because that's how I feel she would respond.
Alxaal: I can think of few pleasures in life greater than shared victory after a grueling trial against powerful foes. A joy shared is a joy doubled, as they say.
Sareel Ja: I will never understand such folly…
Prishe: Live long enough, and maybe you'll find someone to thaw that icy heart of yours. After you've atoned for your crimes, of course.
Landsguard come in to arrest him.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: Thank you, but…what will you do now?
Prishe: What, you mean about us getting home? It's fine─really. This place has kind of grown on me.
???: Oh, my dear Prishe. Is remaining in this world truly your wish?
Alxaal: Shantotto!? But how?
Shantotto: Might we save the pleasantries for a more…tranquil space? I've grown tired of the unsightly décor in this place.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: I take it you're an ally then…? Very well, let us return to Mamook.
Why is her nose darker than other lalas? She looks so weird.
Anyway, the game just takes us back to Mamook, thankfully, I don't have to hoof it.
Alxaal: If the doll we fought before wasn't an echo, then… No, it couldn't be.
Prishe: Sareel Ja may have outdone himself with this echo. I haven't seen the real Shantotto since we met in Windurst.
Huh.
Shantotto: These Mamool Ja have shown me no hostility. How novel─beastmen versed in civility.
You take that back. The Mamool Ja are amazing and I will not stand for this slander against them.
Shantotto: But where is the one who escorted us here? Is it rare for their two-headed ilk to appear?
Alxaal: As head of their guard, he has simply gone to apprise them of what took place in the Skydeep Cenote. More importantly, Shantotto, might I ask─
Shantotto: Silence! I hear the deafening screech of the wheels in your mind turning. But fret not, you shall have the explanation for which you are clearly yearning.
Shantotto: To begin, as I'm sure you already know, I hail from Vana'diel. The one and only Shantotto.
Shantotto: And it was you two who bested this magicked doll. A rather amusing and unexpected sight, to see myself fall.
Alxaal: I thought it peculiar that an echo would pit a decoy against us…
Shantotto: Echo… An interesting name for the creatures we felled─much like you, born from memories of our home as well.
Shantotto: A truth anyone with eyes could plainly see. Well made, like my dolls—but no true article like me.
Oh boy. My brain is too tired for this.
Prishe: So it really is you, Docs!
Prishe: Or rather, a doll created by the real you, who now speaks…through you? This is all a little confusing.
Shantotto: Docs…!?
Shantotto: Ahem! Even here, I'm glad to see you're the same as ever, my dear.
Shantotto: My cross-rift research was proceeding apace, when I sensed a disturbance in that interplanar space.
Shantotto: I was being watched. The nerve. The gall! To end his li─er…curiosity, I sent this magicked doll.
Shantotto: To find both Jeuno and Windurst here was quite the surprise. Not one, but two faithful replicas─I couldn't believe my eyes.
Shantotto: There was also a half-made Bastok, shoddy work at best. The echo of a certain engineer could have built it with zest. His absence meant there was no guilt in laying the city to rest.
Alxaal: And soon after we found you beset upon by more of those strange creatures. Not that they would prove more than a mere trifle for you, of course.
Shantotto: In that first instant we met, I knew right away you posed me no threat. And yet…
Shantotto: The thrill of a good fight fills me with such delight, I could hardly resist trying to set you both alight! Ohohoho!
Alxaal: As you might have guessed, Shantotto is wont to get a little…carried away when the mood strikes her.
Alxaal: In any case, you'll be happy to know that Sareel Ja, the fiend responsible for preying on the memories of Vana'diel, has been apprehended. You needn't worry about any more prying eyes in the midst of your work.
Shantotto: If the trouble has passed, then my work here is through. This doll would return home, but what of you two?
Shantotto: Both your levin cores appear compromised, so it's hard to say how much longer you'll survive.
Prishe: Both our cores?
Alxaal: 'Twould seem our battle with Shinryu took a heavy toll.
Shantotto: If you wish to come along, you need only ask. Ensuring your safe passage is a simple enough task.
Prishe: The offer's appreciated, but I think I'd rather stay. There's still a lot of adventuring I've left to do with Pansy.
Alxaal: I would stay as well. I'll not deny it is a choice made with some reluctance, but if my time is short, I would spend it here, on an adventure with my friends.
Alxaal: You mean to find a way to Vana'diel?
Prishe: That's a wonderful thought, but how in the world do you plan to make it over there?
Prishe: I suppose I shouldn't put it past you to find a way.
Alxaal: Then it's settled─we'll save our adventuring for Vana'diel!
Alxaal: With any luck, we'll have found a solution to our electrope predicament by the time you arrive.
Prishe: But before we go, could we see maybe just a little more of Tuliyollal?
Prishe: It's only right we say our good-byes, and I've still plenty left to pester you about, besides.
Nooooooot sure what they're implying here, but... okay?
So it turns out that Shantotto speaks in rhymes and possibly iambic pentameter? I only noticed it with this next line.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: Did I hear that right? You're looking to take a trip around Tuliyollal? In that case, there's at least one place I'd like to take you along the way.
Shantotto: Noting the contrasts with Vana'diel has been a real treat, so I'm coming along too, and that's that, my sweet.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: Just as well. Something tells me I would regret leaving you to your own devices…
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: I suppose the dirigible landing is as good a place as any to start. When you're ready, we'll meet you there.
And so, back to Tuliyollal we go.
Prishe: It'd sure be nice to have one last taco before we go.
Alxaal: Your suggestion of visiting Vana'diel was surprising, and yet very like you. Seeking a means to travel between worlds sounds like an adventure all its own.
Shantotto: You have tribes resembling Moblins and Trolls as well. What other kindred races live here, pray tell?
Well then.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: I hope you haven't been waiting too long.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: Before I tend to my own business, I'm sure there are a few places in particular you'd like to visit before returning home.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: While you see to Alxaal and Prishe, I will show Shantotto about the city.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: Once everyone has finished, we can reconvene at Xbalyav Ty'e.
Alxaal: If I didn't know better, I'd say Bakool Ja Ja has grown a touch more hospitable since first we met. Shall we start by paying a visit to the Landsguard?
Prishe: They have been a pretty big help, haven't they? All right, let's head to Brightploom Post. Being our last time and all, I'd like to take in the sights a little along the way, if it's all the same to you.
Which means they're accompanying me, ergo I cannot use the aethernet shards, I have to hoof it. Ooohboy okay.
There are locations around the city for little chitchats though
Alxaal: During our time in Kozama'uka, the Moblins told me of the potsworn, and their practices to foster an environment for crafting the greatest gold- and metalwork in Tural.
Alxaal: Such disparate peoples working together in such a fashion is something you would never see in our world. It's perhaps what I'll miss the most when we return home.
Prishe: The Pelupelu over in Urqopacha sure have an interesting way of talking about money, don't they? Makes me want to go and visit just to hear them haggle.
Prishe: They all seem to be such shrewd salesfolk, too. Always finding just what I was looking for before I even asked. Bleeding mind readers, I tell you.
AND THEN IT STARTS FUCKING RAINING AGAIN. I SWEAR IT'S LIKE MINECRAFT. Without "toggledownfall" abilities.
Another circle to stop and chat at.
Alxaal: I feel I owe a great deal to the merchants of this market, and the supplies they furnished me with for our adventures.
Alxaal: One can never be too prepared─though Prishe would perhaps disagree, a look equal parts impressed and concerned on her face as she regards my bag full to bursting with potions.
Alxaal: Old habits die hard, I suppose.
Prishe: Seeing the fresh produce at the stall over there puts me in mind of all the amazing food we've had here in Tural.
Prishe: Alpaca steaks, xibruq pibil. <gasp> The mate tea cookies! Ugh, what I wouldn't give for more cookies! And the Alexandrians were no slouches with their cooking either, though I wasn't expecting cultivated meats.
Prishe: <sigh> So many tasty foods I haven't had time to eat. So many desserts…
Aren't... aren't they going to hang around here until we can open a way into Vana'diel? I feel like I am missing something.
*goes back and rereads*
Okay so they're going with Shantotto and will "await" me there...? I guess??
God this is a long hike lol
One more circle.
Alxaal: Ah, before I forget─I meant to ask you about those talking catfish. Are they also considered one of the tribes of people here?
Alxaal: Whenever I see them, I instinctively wish to protect them and their adorable little faces.
Alxaal: Were they not so violent, I would be sorely tempted to take one back home with us.
Wait, what? The namazu aren't here in Tural, they're in Yanxia???
Prishe: The other day I was talking to someone in the outskirts who was torn about going home to Tuliyollal, there being that thirty-year time gap and everything.
Prishe: I know what it's like to lose time… Which is why I told them they should make that trip while they still can.
Prishe: Even if there's people they lost in that thirty years, there could still be people here waiting for them. I wonder if they're already here.
Nothing to add here, let's just keep moving.
Landsguard Messenger: Ah, welcome back! On behalf of the Landsguard, you have our sincerest thanks.
Landsguard Messenger: As I'm sure you already know, Sareel Ja is being held in one of our cells, and awaits sentencing by the Wing of Reflection.
Landsguard Messenger: There was a time when his crimes against Tural and the throne would have undoubtedly resulted in his death. That said, I believe redemption is not impossible─Bakool Ja Ja has proven that. Though there is also the matter of lives lost at Sareel Ja's hands…
I don't want to remind you who released Valigarmanda, but I think that there's a very substantial temperament difference between Sareel Ja and Bakool Ja Ja. And the fact that Bakool Ja Ja is presumably still pretty young, whereas I doubt Sareel Ja is all that young.
Landsguard Messenger: But these are matters you needn't concern yourselves with any longer. I take it you'll soon be setting off somewhere?
Prishe: We are, as it happens. Home… We thought it only right to come and say good-bye. Could you also pass along our thanks to Kikwezana?
Landsguard Messenger: Yes, of course. I've no doubt he'll be sad to see you go, as will the rest of the Landsguard. May you both have a safe journey.
Alxaal: If we have no other stops to make, then let us make for Xbalyav Ty'e.
We still aren't fucking done.
Alxaal: Well, here we are, though I see no sign of Bakool Ja Ja. Perhaps the tavernkeep has seen them.
Br'uk Evu: Come with colorful company today, I see. Will it be just the three of you?
Prishe: We're expecting two more, actually.
[footsteps]
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: Sorry to keep you waiting. Addressing all her questions proved more time-consuming than I anticipated…
Shantotto: And address them he did, without a moment's hesitation. The Mamool Ja of this world have exceeded my─admittedly low─expectations.
[Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty gets a very put-out look on his face but does not rise to the bait.]
(to Shantotto, by the way)
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: Before you all leave, I wanted to treat you to one last round of tacos. Let's find a place to sit.
Prishe: Aren't you going to eat? I swear the tacos here in Tuliyollal will change your life!
Shantotto: While the offer is appreciated, this doll needs only magicks to be duly satiated.
Prishe: Wow! These tacos are as amazing as Aunt Tii's!
Stop it, game. I had tacos on Thursday for dinner. Don't make me hungry for them again!
Br'uk Evu: If I might have your attention, everyone. Today we would offer you all a special treat─a treat for the ears.
Br'uk Evu: A special performance by Scoria, the up-and-coming songstress hailing from Alexandria!
[Scoria takes a deep breath and begins to sing]
[Her dad Jasper comes over to us]
Jasper: My, my, what are the chances we would meet again here of all places?
Jasper: She's been practicing every day since you left, determined to realize her dream of becoming a songstress.
Jasper: Imagine our surprise when Br'uk Evu approached us, asking if she could hold performances at his establishment.
As Scoria finishes her song, patrons of the establishment come up to listen and applaud enthusiastically.
Scoria: Prishe! So, what did you think? I'm finally doing it─bridging the gap between Tuliyollal and Alexandria through music!
Prishe: Absolutely incredible. I'm glad I got to hear you sing before I had to leave.
Scoria: Leave…? Does this mean you're finally going back home?
[Prishe nods; Scoria looks sad]
Scoria: In that case, I'll just have to go and sing there someday! I'll be the best singer they've ever seen!
Prishe: No doubt about that. Looking forward to it!
Okay, Scoria, you didn't know she was still here to begin with, did you? Why are you so sad? Jeez. Also: I wanna point out, Vana'diel isn't one of the Source's Reflections, it's a whole-ass different world. IDK how Scoria thinks she's gonna get there, or how Prishe thinks she will either, but whatever.
Oh my god we're still not done.
Shantotto: Something about him gives me deja vu. I've sensed a similar power, but from who?
Shantotto: That adventurer who's always traipsing about? I'm sure I'll have time later to figure it out.
Him who? Alxaal or Bakool Ja Ja?
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: A beautiful voice like that is certainly to be popular here in Tuliyollal. Hopefully she visits Mamook as well. My mother would love to hear her sing.
Alxaal: Strangers newly met forging bonds to last a lifetime. Is that not what it is to be an adventurer?
Bakool Ja Ja, you could bring your mom here, now that there's peace between Tuliyollal, Mamook and other city states.
Prishe: Mouthwatering tacos and an unforgettable serenading from Scoria. What more could I possibly want?
Prishe: Time, I guess. But there's no point in trying to delay the inevitable.
Prishe: All right! We're ready to go!
Shantotto: Then let us make for Jeuno without delay. The connection home is strongest there, and will help us on our way.
Shantotto: Will you be seeing us off, or are you planning to stay?
The game lets you beg off if you want, but saying yes brings you to Jeuno.
Alxaal: Despite our many trials and tribulations, I would not trade my memories of this place for anything in all the world.
Alxaal: For everything you've done for us, I thank you.
Prishe: I told the other echoes here that they can return to Vana'diel, but all chose to stay.
Prishe: They said if they're fated to fade away anyway, they'd rather seek out new adventures here.
Prishe: Adventurers really are a crazy sort, aren't they?
Took me a moment to figure out what she's talking about. There's shadowy and less-shadowy figures around Jeuno itself. They're more Echoes.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: My brother still finds it hard to believe this Shantotto will be able to take them home, but I know she can. The power that doll exudes is palpable. Whoever's controlling it is a mage of the highest order.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: Do you suppose most people in their world are so absurdly powerful?
Hilariously, Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty doesn't say anything to this. It's funny because they COULD get into an argument, we've seen flashbacks of Gulool Ja Ja and his two heads razzing each other.
Shantotto: If we have no further cause for delay, I shall plot a course for home and show you the way.
Shantotto: Concentrate on home, hold its picture in your mind. Reach out with all your heart and the path 'twixt worlds will answer in kind.
Shantotto: Ohohoho! Well done, I'm impressed. Pupils worthy of merits, and that is no jest.
Shantotto: I confess, you have potential─you're not just all bluster. Certainly better than a certain total loser could muster.
Shantotto: All right, then. Until we meet again.
[She strides through the portal. Alxaal and Prishe start to fade a little as their cores appear to be faltering]
Prishe: I guess we may have overdone it a little with Shinryu.
Prishe: We had a lot of fun times here, didn't we? And met so many interesting people.
Prishe: I'll treasure these memories of Tural for all my days, however many that may be.
Prishe: And I expect to see you in Vana'diel someday, you hear? That big world of ours will always be waiting.
Prishe: Waiting for you.
Alxaal: It is strange to think I will soon live alongside those selfsame adventurers whose memories created me.
Alxaal: Stranger still that you too may someday cross paths with them.
Alxaal: Should that day ever come, I hope you will afford them the same kindness you gave me.
Alxaal: And invite them on an adventure, to create new memories all their own.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: I hate to interrupt, but I don't think it's wise to waste any more of the little time they have left.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: But…you should come back for tacos some time. We're comrades now, after all.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: And we've always been short on those, eh, Brother?
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: Take care, you two. And safe travels.
Prishe: Until next time, Bakool Ja Ja. Pansy.
And with that, they're gone and it's just me and the big boys.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: It suddenly seems so quiet now…
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: Dry your tears, Brother. You still have me.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: What tears!? Out of the two of us, I'm the strong one! …<sniff>
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: We should be heading back to Mamook. I'm sure Mother is curious to know what's become of Alxaal and Prishe.
There it is! There's the brotherly razzing!
And at last a green check mark! Fittingly, our last stop is Bakool Ja Ja's mother, the venerable Miilal Ja.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: Just something in my eye…
Miilal Ja: Ah, you're returned, Pansy. But where are Alxaal and Prishe? Have they…?
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: Yes, Mother. They've returned home.
Miilal Ja: A bittersweet parting, I'm sure. Those you consider friend are few and far between.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: I didn't say they were “friends”!
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: They…they're comrades. Prishe, Alxaal, and Pansy. Nothing anyone says will change that.
[Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic's face morphs into a big grin, and Miilal Ja grins too]
I love the Mamool Ja so damned much, they're so damned expressive!
Then Bakool Ja Ja's dad comes in. The Autarch, remember him?
Zereel Ja: It would be remiss of me not to offer thanks as well before you go. I shudder to think what would have happened not only to Mamook, but all of Tuliyollal had you not come to our aid.
Zereel Ja: Threatened by our own ritual magicks, no less. Never could we have imagined them being combined with electrope to serve such nefarious ends. Which is why the techniques for conjuring shades will henceforth be forbidden, never to be passed down to future generations.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: We might have walked a similar path if not for you and Wuk Lamat.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: We made many mistakes during the rite of succession. Hurt many people… Despite all we've done, we were given a second chance, and so long as there are those who believe in us, we will keep trying to live up to their expectations.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: We've found the right path now, and won't stray from it again. We refuse to be a burden to our comrades…
Zereel Ja: Bakool Ja Ja…
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: It's not too late to find yours as well, Father. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that people need only the opportunity to change.
Zereel Ja: Perhaps you're right, son. Perhaps you're right…
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: If you're ever in need of help again, don't hesitate to call on me. Your enemies will rue the day they met Bakool Ja Ja!
For some reason, Pansy takes a step back as if in shock. Not sure why? Bakool Ja Ja is known for his tremendous strength, physical and magical. For crying out loud, he was a major barrier in our path during the Rite of Succession.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic [grinning]: Perhaps violence shouldn't be our first solution? You could learn a thing or two from the Vow of Reason, Brother.
[Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty gets a horrified look on his face for a moment]
Miilal Ja: Do you suppose Prishe and Alxaal made it home safely? I hope they can come back and see us someday.
After reassuring her that they will be safe, the quest ends, finally.
We are treated to a sceen of Alxaal, Prishe and Shantotto crossing the rift.
Prishe: Something wrong?
Alxaal: It's nothing. Just…thinking on all we've been through.
Prishe: It was some adventure.
Alxaal: Let's be off. Adventure calls.
That's kind of a sweet way to wrap it up!
And i think that's all I've got to say on the matter, since I never played FF11, so I have no connection to it. But that's really sweet and a nice tribute, and I'm glad I got to document it.
I will be back in 8.1 to do the same with the new Alliance Raid for Evercold, by the way. I like doing this.
FFXIV Dawntrail - Echoes of Vana'diel : Opening The Third Walk
All right, we got one more raid coming on Saturday with the Free Company! I've been assigned to Alliance B as Summoner (there were only two Tank spots available, since the FC owner is tanking for this as well and she makes the rules, and they got taken by high-end raiders with better skills for it, which I expected, so I also signed up as Summoner on the backup.) I'm in party with my besties, which is cool as hell.
So we're going to do this as Summoner.
Therefore, let's unlock it! Mind you, we won't be RUNNING the raid until Saturday evening. But let's go ahead and open it.
Wanna see my current caster glam? I worked on it one night for a while.
Red Mage coat, Red Mage boots, gunbreaker gloves and shorts, and a flower headpiece. All in Pansy's signature color.
So, last time? Uhhh. You know what? I'm not going to summarize this, I'm actually super tired after all the stuff I've done this week between life, work, and the new patch drop.
Part one (pre-Raid) story post and then Post-Raid story stuff (part one) and (part two because me and my screencapping)
Okay, so yada yada we've been through two of the three "walks" from FFXI with Prishe and Alxaal, and Bakool Ja Ja. Sareel Ja is being a douche controling a shade of Gulool Ja Ja who wants him to make him an avatar or something to inhabit. All I can say is that Sareel Ja, like every other fucking nerdlinger enemy in this game, thinks they can throw "gods" at me and win.
Let's just go.
As always, we start in Brightploom within Tuliyollal.
Landsguard Messenger: Welcome back, Pansy. You'll be happy to know the guard remains on high alert in the event any echoes appear in Yak T'el.
Landsguard Messenger: As of now, there have been no reported sightings. We did, however, recently receive a missive from Kikwezana.
Landsguard Messenger: He's finished conducting his tests with Prishe and requests an audience. Bakool Ja Ja has already left to meet with him.
Landsguard Messenger: I can only assume you wish to be present to hear the results, so I would suggest you make for the outskirts at once.
So, over to the Outskirts we head, and
Right, okay.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: I thought you might come. You're just in time to hear what Kikwezana's learned of Alxaal and Prishe.
Prishe: There's still a lot I'd like to see, both in and outside of the dome, but first I've got to know what Kikwezana's found out.
Alxaal: Kikwezana was a most hospitable host during our time in Solution Nine. The dining establishments he took us to were most unusual, but the meals were surprisingly delicious.
There's always a foodie who can't talk about anything but that. Whatever. Poor Prishe is taking this whole thing a lot harder than Alxaal is, I think.
ANYWAY. Let's get started.
I forgot that our friend here is a Thancred expy but with green hair instead of white. LOL. Also he looks slightly younger than Thancred, but otherwise, he's got Thancred's hairdo and roughly the same features.
Kikwezana: Thank you all for coming.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: So, what have you learned?
Kikwezana: After a thorough examination of Prishe and Alxaal, we discovered that… Erm…
Prishe: Spit it out, already! You've made your point that we're not really living. How bad could it be?
Kikwezana: Yes, as you say. You are indeed artificial life-forms, each possessed of an electrope core.
... how are they able to eat food?
Kikwezana: Were said cores to be damaged, it would become increasingly difficult to maintain your form, until eventually you dissipate. This much you already know.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: And…? What is the present state of said cores?
Kikwezana: While Alxaal's core shows signs of wear, there is no significant damage. I don't expect it will break apart any time soon.
Kikwezana: Prishe's core, on the other hand, is… Well… To be blunt, it's a wonder you hadn't already blinked out of existence.
Kikwezana: We used all the electrope tricks we had to mend the worst of the cracks…
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: But it has been mended, yes?
Kikwezana: Her core should hold itself together…so long as she remains out of harm's way. Another strong shock to the body is all it would take for it to fall to pieces.
Prishe: It'll be fine, I won't overdo it. Wouldn't want to miss all the adventuring we still have left to do, right?
Alxaal: And I couldn't imagine going on without you. We are comrades born of memories from the same home, after all. Even if those I can recall are few and far between.
Prishe: Ah, that's right. You're always so quick to share what you do recall, it's easy to overlook how much you've forgotten.
Red flags all over the place. Oh well.
Kikky-boy's earpiece goes off (it's like a linkpearl but has a very scratchy, error-like sound, go figure) so he answers it like an in-ear phone, as you do.
Kikwezana: Yes, Bakool Ja Ja is right here.
[his face morphs into an expression of horror or worry]
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: What is it?
Kikwezana: There's been an attack in Mamook─strange creatures the Landsguard are unable to identify.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: An attack!?
Alxaal: Echoes, in all likelihood.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: The sentries there will need reinforcements. Let's hurry!
AND PRISHE RUNS OFF TOO, because she didn't just promise to take it easy or anything!
Show of hands, who actually thought she'd just stand around and not dive headfirst into the first signs of danger that comes up?
...
Yeah that's what I thought. We're all genre-savvy enough around here.
Off to Mamook we go. We find a Landsguard sentry who is standing with a couple other landsguard (all Mamool Ja) who look wounded and some dead enemies that look suspiciously like Ananta (snake-women from Gyr Abania) on the ground.
Landsguard Sentry: Bakool Ja Ja! Ah, and you've brought the others with you.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: You've all done well to hold the line.
(didn't get the screencap of it, but you're given the option to ask why there are Ananta here, or ask if these are still echoes; I chose the former, because that's my first thought when i saw the enemies. "Ananta? Really?")
Landsguard Sentry: So you've seen this manner of creature before? Not here in Tural, surely. But how─or why─would they find their way here?
at this point, the bodies conveniently dissipate into tiny electrope particles and vanish.
Landsguard Sentry: Echoes… So that other world is home to these “Ananta” as well.
Alxaal gets a headache and starts to think about what he can almost remember.
Alxaal: I…I remember these fiends… In Vana'diel we call them “Lamiae.” Their cunning is matched only by their ferocity.
Of course they were called Lamiae (presumably, Lamia in the singular)
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: But thankfully not cunning or ferocious enough to overcome our Landsguard.
Landsguard Sentry: The situation is a little more complicated than that, I'm afraid… Allow me to explain.
Landsguard Sentry: We were standing guard when an army of these snake creatures appeared as if out of nowhere, surrounding us in an instant.
Landsguard Sentry: Their numbers were beyond count. Had they pressed their attack any further, they could have easily overpowered us and besieged Mamook.
And yet they didn't?
okay quick word of clarification and slight confession: I know exactly who this is, because I saw her damned face on the Patch Notes under the Alliance Raid section. This is gonna be.... I think her name is Shanttoto? Something like that. She was also present briefly in the Black Mage job quest lines, as the quintessential black mage.
Though, to be honest, with all the FF9 shit flying around lately, if they hadn't specified "her", I might've been fooled to think it was gonna be another Vivi expy.
Landsguard Sentry: Just as all hope seemed lost, a strange mage arrived─barely a child, judging by her size─and felled the army with a single spell.
Landsguard Sentry: Then she vanished before we could so much as ask her name or offer thanks.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: If I didn't know better, I'd say they were describing Krile, but are her magicks that destructive?
One: Yes, yes they are.
Two: However, Krile would not vanish without a trace and without a word; she would make sure everyone was safe, or would at least say something to that effect before running off to make sure the enemy was gone. Krile is big on communication as a general rule.
Landsguard Sentry: We also retrieved this letter from the enemy's remains.
Oh this shit again, Sareel Ja did this last time. Fuckin asshole.
Sareel Ja: Dearest Champion,
It is with great pleasure that I inform you a vessel for the king has at last been chosen.
Sareel Ja: To that end, I have sent forth this celebratory military procession. I hope that it proves to your liking.
Sareel Ja: You are hereby invited to return to Jeuno for the coming coronation ceremony.
Yeah, about what I thought.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: Invited. Hmph. As if he wasn't planning to release more echoes should we refuse.
Landsguard Sentry: There are continued skirmishes to the south even as we speak, but I fear it's simply a battle of attrition…
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: While I'd love to be the one that gives Sareel Ja a sound thrashing, my place is with the Landsguard.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic: [to the landsguard sentry] You seem to have a knack for passing on information. Your job will be to outline the current situation to the soldiers when they return.
Right, right. I know we're not done with Bakool Ja Ja because Sareel Ja probably wants to use him to make a new vessel for this new Gulool Ja Ja shade. He did mention that he thinks Bakool Ja Ja will be useful after all.
Prishe: Right, then! Let's go and kick Sareel Ja's scaly arse!
One: called it.
Two: YOU ARE DOING NO SUCH THING, LITTLE MISSY.
Like she's gonna listen to me.
Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty: Don't forget what Kikwezana said. If it looks like things are taking a turn for the worse, get out of there.
OR, HEAR ME OUT: SHE STAYS BEHIND AND LETS ME HANDLE THINGS.
Bah, who am I kidding?
Off to Lower Jeuno, an area that's not exactly instanced? Other players are running around here, so it's instanced but also communal or whatever.
Wait, what is that thing, another portal?
Alxaal: Strange… I don't recall this being here before.
Okay good I'm not forgetting something, that actually is new.
Prishe: Look─another one of those portals. Maybe he decided to cut to the chase and get straight to the fighting.
Alxaal: Perhaps. But Sareel Ja struck me as the sort who enjoyed hearing himself talk.
You're not wrong!
Then, in the middle of town, Sareel Ja and the shade of Gulool Ja Ja warp in.
Sareel Ja: So, someone did force their way in. I assumed you lot had simply grown impatient.
Sareel Ja: Thieves, then? No. Such a feat is beyond the petty bandits wandering Yak T'el.
Sareel Ja: I suppose it doesn't matter in the end. Whoever they are, their fate was sealed the moment they set foot within my domain.
Oh ho. So this wasn't Sareel Ja's doing, it was our mysterious tiny benefactor? So she's not on his side at least. She might be on our side, or she might be a neutral third party.
Prishe: Enough with all the prattling! You're clearly no match for Pansy, so why not just turn yourself in to the Landsguard?
... really, Prishe? I don't think the Landsguard can handle this idiot.
Sareel Ja: Did you not read my letter? I have found a vessel worthy of our one true king.
Sareel Ja: He who first incited conflict in the lands of Vana'diel. This adventurer has no chance against such a primordial being.
Shade of Resolve: Gehehehe! Very good, Sareel Ja. Finally… Finally, we will have the power we need to rule.
Shade of Reason: Rule Vana'diel, yes. But have we need of subjects in this world? Or should we simply slaughter them all?
Well, I'm glad Wuk Lamat isn't here to listen to this fuckin bullshit coming out of the mouth(s?) of the only father(s?) she remembers ever having.
Alxaal: So long as we draw breath, you will not bring harm to this world or any other!
Sareel Ja: Hahaha! I thought you might say as much. I'd expect nothing less from a man who's─
Sareel Ja: Ah, perhaps that's better left unsaid.
I mean, would you rather it had been ME that said that, Sareel Ja? Because I guarantee you, Pansy feels pretty much the same.
Also, this barb is precision-aimed to rattle Alxaal, and on cue, it does exactly that.
Alxaal: What are you hiding? What have you learned of who I am?
Sigh. Right into his trap, you dumbass. Whatever.
Sareel Ja: As for you, Pansy, never fear. When my echoes have finished with these appetizers, I've no doubt they will take their time on their main dish.
Sareel Ja: So let us not waste any more time. To commemorate this auspicious occasion, and the coming of our king, a veritable feast of powerful foes awaits.
Sareel Ja: I should hope you'll survive long enough to grovel at the feet of our new ruler.
He and the shade of Gulool Ja Ja disappear, as usual.
Prishe: That bastard… Didn't even acknowledge I was here. Next time I see him, I'll make sure he never forgets this face─or my fists!
Alxaal: You'll be doing no such thing, or have you already forgotten Kikwezana's warning? Leave this fight to us. Please…
Prishe: Fine… But don't you go and do anything reckless, you hear me?
She's trying so hard to be like Alisaie, LOL. I wonder if she's the prototype of Alisaie, in a way?
Anyway:
It is open!
I will not be updating until Saturday when I run it with my FC and I don't know if I'll get much, or any, screencapping done during the run, but I'll try.
FFXIV Dawntrail - Trail to the Heavens : Let's just finish this patch, shall we?
NGL this patch has been a bit of a disappointment. The dungeon was meh, the trial was meh, and the neat buttoning-up of things just so they can dramatically bring Halmarut in to infobomb everyone into silence... not a fan. Not a fan.
Let's just finish this so I can rest my poor overburdened booty, which has been sitting in this chair since 7am with only a few breaks.
Also, where the hell is Estinien? He's been absent all patch and he was on the goddamned banner!
Alphinaud: The implications of the Solstice and the Winterers' schemes, as well as our approach moving forward, will take time to consider. To that end, I believe we should gather and speak in person.
Alphinaud: And by “we,” I mean all our fellow Scions.
Alisaie: For a change of pace, why don't we convene at the Rising Stones? I'm sure Tataru and the others would be happy to meet us there.
Alphinaud: A fine idea. In many ways, our return is long overdue.
Alphinaud: No doubt we could all use some respite after Garlemald, but I trust there are no objections?
Alphinaud: 'Tis settled, then. To the Rising Stones.
Holy shit, the Rising Stones? Haven't been there in a hot minute.
Not since the end of Endwalker, when we tried to say that the Scions of the Seventh Dawn were disbanding (but not really, only in an official sense, or something???)
Yo, we're missing a couple people, Alphinaud.
Please let Tataru be the one who is chasing down Estinien, that will be the funniest thing this patch.
Krile: There was much and more to take care of in Garlemald, even after tending to the wounded. I shall be sure to share a full report with Ojika.
Y'shtola: 'Tis a pity my stay in Tural came to such an abrupt end. I should like to make arrangements to remain in touch with Shale.
G'raha Tia: It feels like a lifetime ago I first set foot within these walls. Though given we've all experienced a lifetime's worth of triumphs and tribulations in the interim, perhaps that is only natural.
Thancred: Since leaving for Tural, we've been almost constantly on the move. It feels good to put my feet up in familiar stamping grounds.
Urianger: In spite of time's vicissitudes, some things endure. This sanctuary is surely among them.
Alisaie: At times like this, the company of friends is all the more precious!
Okay.
Alphinaud: Nary a thing has changed since we last gathered here… No doubt Tataru is chiefly responsible for the prevailing state of tidiness.
Alphinaud: Speaking of whom, she and a great many of our comrades are en route. Let us wait for them a while longer.
And into a cutscene where everyone is just chatting, and then Thancred and Urianger disperse to start the actual dialogue.
Urianger: Long it hath been since last we gathered here…
Urianger: Though our order's dissolution was indeed in name only, thereafter we did largely operate independent of one another.
Urianger: All of which is to say, full glad am I to stand in such esteemed company once more.
Urianger, you sweet moron, you're literally talking to the same fucking people you were in Tural with, and then in Garlemald and the goddamned moon. This company is no different than you've been keeping since you got here to this patch. All that's changed is the fucking surroundings, because everyone else is slower than we are at coming to Mor Dhona.
Hoary Boulder: Apologies for our delay!
Look who's NOT there. God dammit Estinien.
Hoary Boulder: We're reporting for duty as bid!
Tataru: This is everyone that we could round up on short notice. The others are still en route.
Tataru: Estinien alone, we weren't able to make contact with…but we're working on it!
Wow even Tataru can't reach him yet? Daaaaaamn boy finally got away from her!
Thancred: No doubt his linkpearl is buried at the bottom of his bag.
Alphinaud: Knowing him, he'll turn up when we least expect it.
And no one is surprised. Nor upset.
God dammit Estinien.
Hoary Boulder: Now, as much as I would like to savor our reunion, Tataru tells us there have been developments.
Hoary Boulder: Will you apprise us of the details?
(If you don't remember Hoary Boulder, he's a Roegadyn gladiator who serves the Scions alongside his brother conjurer Ocher Boulder, and their mutual fuckbuddy Aenor who is an archer, and Aenor's sister Clemence, as well as Hoary's buddy Coultenet, a thaumaturge. Completing this whole set in the Rising Stones are Ephemie, who i think tends the bar, and F'lhaminn, who was the foster mother of the Scions' former leader, Minfilia.)
Hoary Boulder: The Winterers and the Solstice…
Y'shtola: The veracity of Halmarut's claims remains unclear.
Y'shtola: Yet it cannot be denied that, in his bid to convert the living into Endless, Calyx was privy to knowledge of the reflections and more.
Hoary Boulder: And the Winterers are formed of others like him…
Alphinaud: In light of the recent voidsent incursions, I believe it would be wise to treat the Solstice as a genuine threat.
Alphinaud: The problem is how to deal with it…
Alisaie: Both the Source and the reflections are home to irreplaceable life. I would protect them all if I could.
Alisaie: But if doing so means ushering in complete annihilation…
Alisaie: Then what can we possibly do?
Nothing, with that attitude, sweetheart! We'll find a way because we're a plucky bunch!
Why the fuck is the event being called the Solstice anyway? What the fuck? Are we trying to talk about the eventually Red Giant moment of our son, where it swallows up half the solar system when it swells in size? Another thing we could never prevent even if we tried, for the record. Fortunately for use, that's 5 billion years away, I don't expect humans to still exist then.
Krile: I wonder, was Hydaelyn aware of the Solstice?
G'raha Tia: Hmmm…
G'raha Tia: Given that we had no knowledge of it when you journeyed to Elpis, you couldn't have warned Venat.
G'raha Tia: So it is entirely possible She was unaware. But in the course of sustaining the sundered star, She may have glimpsed this eventuality.
i suspect Hydaelyn knew what all was at stake, given that she was trying to hold the world together while Zodiark held off the effects of the Endsinger.
I feel like it's doing her a disservice to suggest she was ignorant. This is the Mothercrystal we're talking about.
Not like we can talk to her now. She is gone.
Game, do NOT bring her back to confirm anything, please, let us handle this shit on our own. You made a point of killing off all the gods in Endwalker, let's just work without gods now.
G'raha Tia: So She believed that we could overcome this trial as well? Or rather, that the choice was ours to make…
Y'shtola: Whichever it may be, it is we who must find the answer.
Y'shtola: We who live in the here and now.
Tataru: Perhaps we could take a recess? I daresay everyone could use a rest.
I know who, or rather what, could use a rest. MY BUTT.
Alphinaud: …Indeed. We have ample food for thought, and it would be good to catch each other up.
Y'shtola: Ere I forget… Hereon, I believe you should keep the key─Ethos─in your possession.
Y'shtola: After all, it seems that is one mystery I am not destined to unravel.
At this point, since it reunited with the azem crystal, I think it's more of "you can't pry this thing out of my hands"
I like how we just assume that Ethos is the key's name. I guess it is.
Oh. OH OKAY. Just... whatever.
Let's get started. We'll talk to the people in the clusters around the targets.
Tataru is out on her own, not in a cluster
Tataru: It seems our colleagues have much to catch each other up on. I shall have to brew some tea!
So let's start on the left side.
Ephemie: I helped repel the voidsent incursion in Lapis Manalis. Fighting off fiend-controlled Galateae is something I won't rush to relive, but it was nonetheless good training.
Coultenet: This latest development is indeed a shock, but I am heartened to see not a single face clouded with despair!
Hoary Boulder: Coultenet and I had remained in Corvos to monitor the situation among the Garleans and the Corvosi.
Hoary Boulder: Though seldom smooth sailing, in time the region settled, and we were able to return.
Coultenet: I understand the Garlean community has made great strides in improving relations with other peoples.
Coultenet: Hearing that, I feel renewed zeal for resolving the issues in Corvos.
Ephemie: Then perhaps you'd like to hear more about the Garleans' accomplishments from me and the twins. It might stoke that fire even hotter!
One down.
Alisaie: Don't worry about me. I'm sure you've plenty to discuss with all these old faces.
Alphinaud: 'Twas by no means an easy decision, but as the Solstice is now our paramount concern, Alisaie and I have opted to formally withdraw from our efforts in Garlemald.
Alphinaud: After all, anything we can do to protect our world will also serve to keep the Garleans safe.
Alisaie: Jullus and his comrades are already working towards a brighter future of their own accord. Honestly, I'm more worried about us.
Alisaie: It's so difficult to see the path ahead. But hopefully we can get through this and return to Garlemald with our heads held high one day…
Alphinaud: Indeed… In the meantime, let us prepare a letter for Jullus and the community. We mustn't let despair stay our hand.
Wow this has all been kind of a wasted effort. They didn't get to do much other than relay a little bit of "inspirational" shit and fight some monsters.
Urianger: Tataru is ever the considerate facilitator. Grateful am I to refrain from weighty discussions and simply converse with old friends.
Thancred: After Urianger and I went off on our own, we decided to spend some time exploring Xak Tural. We never had the chance to visit during the rite of succession, you see.
Thancred: We journeyed east through Loazeniheta before heading up the coast to the frigid northern reaches, where they revere a storied beast of the sea. The excursion only served to reinforce just how diverse Tural really is.
Urianger: We also met with the Whalaqee. Though we had not the time to study their arts at length, we were privy to several intriguing demonstrations.
Urianger: Would that we could have indulged our curiosity further and traveled to yet more distant lands. For better or for worse, pragmatism tempered our wanderlust.
Thancred: Suffice it to say, we still have plenty to see of the continent. I should very much like to return, given the chance.
Urianger for blue mage!! I kid I kid.
Aenor: The brothers are reunited, yet a distance between them persists! How cruel fate is to force me to choose…
Clemence: Oh, Aenor… I hoped you'd come to your senses, but I see you're still in the throes of withdrawal.
Never change, Aenor. LMAO. She's so fucking horny for the Boulder brothers.
Y'shtola: Judging by your guise, Clemence, your studies must have been productive.
Clemence: Indeed! I have more or less mastered the fundamental principles of Sharlayan astrology.
Clemence: At one point I considered exploring other healing arts, but decided to persevere with more focused training to better leverage my skills on the battlefield.
Aenor: I don't think I'd be much use on a battlefield these days. I can scarcely hold my bow steady, let alone hit a target… So sorely bereft of brotherly ministrations as I am…
Clemence: I knew you still required constant supervision!
Y'shtola: You two haven't changed in the slightest. It makes me wonder how our colleagues that couldn't join us today are faring.
Clemence is now an Astrologian! Neat! I don't remember shit about her other than she's Aenor's sister and the smart one, because Aenor has dick on her mind at all times.
Krile: Hearing our comrades' tales reminds me of my efforts to master pictomancy. We've all come so far─striven so hard.
G'raha Tia: Even after discussing the revelations concerning Calyx, there is a great deal to share. 'Tis difficult to know where to begin!
I... expected something else out of them. Not sure what i expected, but not this bland shit.
Save my sanity, Ocher Boulder!
Ocher Boulder: Aenor and I were training in Gridania when voidsent attacked the Twelveswood. Thankfully, we were able to fend them off with the help of the Twin Adders.
Ocher Boulder: When I heard the invasion had already spread across the star, I realized the gravity of the situation and ordered a confidential report sent to the other Scions.
Krile: That's why Tataru was so quickly apprised! Thanks to you, we were able to make haste for Garlemald.
G'raha Tia: While circumstance and duty may keep us apart, we remain bound by common purpose.
Ocher Boulder: Indeed. May that purpose continue to guide us now that we stand together once again!
And that's a wrap.
.... that's IT? Besides the patch hook? WOW. What a lame ending to an underwhelming patch.
Tataru: It seems everyone has much and more to discuss with one another!
Tataru: Anyway, you're overdue for a proper break! The peace and quiet will help you think.
Tataru: Feel free to make yourself comfortable in Dawn's Respite!
Patch hook time!
Staring at moon, Pansy remembers Halmarut's warnings.
Halmarut: Of course, should it serve to satisfy your ambition, you are welcome to deal with the reflections as you deem fit.
Halmarut: Like the pariah and wanderer who satisfied his own, when he brought the star to the brink of ruin to face you.
And a voice that made me for a moment wonder if they were trying to bring Zenos back, because of the mention of him.
???: I detest evenings such as this. Too bright, too stimulating. The mind distracted by the inconsequential.
But no, it's just Calyx.
Calyx: You needn't be so wary. I merely come to offer information before my departure.
Calyx: Halmarut and I will soon cross the rift to observe the enactment of another Winterer's plan.
Calyx: Our destination is the Fourth…
Calyx: A world locked in ice, whose lands are blanketed in thick clouds. In order to survive, man has fled to the skies, using great magicks to establish new civilizations.
Calyx: I have my own designs I would see realized, nothing more.
Calyx: Believe me or don't, as you like. For all I know, you lack the means to follow us anyway.
Calyx: What Halmarut said to you earlier…
Calyx: She suggested that “dealing with” the reflections might satisfy your ambition. But is that truly so?
Calyx: You have seen battles beyond counting. Have defeated even the fear of death. Is there some conclusion that you seek no matter the cost?
I feel like a sociopath like him just can't conceive of the idea of helping others, and so he is so convinced we're playing 6d chess somehow. As a general rule, the Warrior of Light is pretty straight forward and simple.
Calyx: I will share with you a truth.
Calyx: We Winterers each have an ambition that we wish to fulfill. To that end, we may share information with one another, but we do not necessarily share the same beliefs.
Calyx: Just as you and yours decried my actions, I find those of my fellows objectionable.
Translation: "You think I'm a sick bastard? You ain't seen shit."
Bitch, you thought a PRIMAL could defeat me. I think YOU are the one who has a narrow field of view and can't fathom shit.
Calyx: Be that as it may…
Calyx: It is the culmination of our lives' works that we would bring to the world─fruits born of undying devotion, daring aspiration, and unwavering ideals.
Calyx: No matter how we are reviled, no matter what we must steal, our actions will be vindicated by those who abide in the future we create.
Bitch, get to the point, because you're just flattering yourself now.
Calyx: In your benevolence, you may seek to save everything and everyone. But once all is consequently consigned to oblivion…
Calyx: Your noble deeds will amount to nothing more than folly. For no living soul shall remain to judge them.
In other words, your Endless bullshit was useless because I'm going to erase everything, is that what you're saying?
Then why are you still extant? Surely you can see the end coming and so you're ready to just be non-existent now?
Seriously, Calyx, go away. I hate that we're going to see this asshole in the next expansion.
Bah. What a downer. Not even Fimbulvetr, just... oblivion I guess?
Man, they really better ramp up their writing skills for Evercold cause this is a real letdown.
And the fact that Estinien, who was on the fuckin banner, never showed his face?
GODDAMNED TEASE, YOSHIP.
OH ONE MORE THING!
Beastmaster has been soft-implemented. We can't open it yet, though. I think I heard it's not until 7.56 that it'll be fully implemented and unlockable/useable, and we are likely to get one last story patch around then, the finale to this somber story leading to Evercold's launch in January 2027.
But for now, I need to get off my butt and walk around again because oof.
Yesterday, we did some stuff! We got a dungeon and a trial, and both were just... meh. Okay. ANYWAY, now we've been yeeted to the moon of the 13th Reflection (which is commonly called The Void because it got overtaken by Darkness aether but didn't get completely obliterated; however, its lifeforms are stuck in limbo now.)
Golbez: That key of yours intrigues me. Had my former self known of its existence, I might have sought different means to reach the Source…
Golbez was taken over by... Zeromus I think? Just Zeromus? I don't remember now, but he used to be the bad guy in the post-Endwalker patches and then killing Zeromus freed him so he and Zero work together to try and put things to right on the 13th. And as we've found out, it's not going very well.
Zero: Until our battle earlier, I hadn't called upon Darkness in some time. In truth, I find Light a better fit these days.
Zero: Ever since you left, we've been roaming the void in search of individuals who would join our cause.
Zero: Although we returned to the red moon after sensing Enuo's presence, rarely do we linger in a single location.
Zero: However, if the interloper you spoke of does intend to seek me out, it might be wise to return to my domain.
Zero: Why don't you join us? With Enuo defeated, the Source should be in no imminent danger.
Zero: Good. We'll wait for you by the crater.
I hope she's actually wrong because I don't want Enuo to be the end of the troubles, because what a fuckin contrived bit of bullshit. I want Enuo to have been put up to it by someone. Halmarut if necessary. There's more Ascians, there has to be, since there's ZERO evidence that Halmarut and what remains of Calyx are the only Winterers, and I find it hard to believe Halmarut is the only Ascian left anyway.
The crater she's talking about is a crater on the red moon that mirrors Mare Lamentorum's big gaping crater where Zodiark was imprisoned, by the way. You can't ride mounts here so they're not going to make you run forever to find a way down to the 13th's planet.
Zero: I presume you remember traveling by nisroch? Once we reach the surface, the creature will convey us to my domain.
Not by that name, I don't, no. But, don't worry, Zero, I am adept at riding mounts in this game.
Golbez: There is a teleporter situated between here and the center of the moon.
Golbez: I used it to travel to the surface in days long past, though I seldom had need once my generals were in place.
Golbez: Igeyorhm herself crafted the device that I might lay low the servant of Light.
Golbez: Ironic that we now use it seeking to restore Light to the void…
Golbez: Ah, forgive my idle reminiscences. 'Tis time we made our descent.
Ugh. Igeyorhm. That's the dumbass female Ascian that was clinging to Lahabrea in Heavensward, IIRC. His "cousin" or some such bullshit. (And then Pandaemonium gave Lahabrea a whole-ass dysfunctional family -- a batshit crazy wife and a resentful son.)
Anyway, to Zero's domain!
A nisroch, by the way. It's just there for visual, you don't actually ride that, it's just to show the viewer how they would've been conveyed.
Golbez: There are many in this domain who still fear me. I shall remain here to avoid needless provocation.
As well they should, genius. I haven't forgotten the shit you got up to, and they ain't either.
(The "generals" he was talking about, by the way, are the four Archfiends from FF4. Two dungeon bosses and two trials, each more obnoxious than the last, as befitting references to the Archfiends from 4)
There are voidsent around to talk to, so let's do that, before we continue the quest with Zero.
Hungry Voidsent: That must be Golbez. I would gladly consume his aether…if I stood the slightest chance of not being gobbled up first.
Waiting Voidsent: I waited an eternity for Zeromus to save this world, but my faith was misplaced.
Waiting Voidsent: In the end, it was Zero who brought us hope. She's the reason I keep coming back here, day after day.
Empty-eyed Voidsent: Leave me be…
Deserter Voidsent: Zero is amazing! Truly Golbez's equal in every sense!
Amiable Voidsent: Ever since she brought you to this domain, our numbers have swelled. We grow tired of conflict…
Riveting stuff. Oh well. (this does remind me why she's called Zero, though the game doesn't spell it out of course. She's a foil to Zeromus. They omited Zemus in favor of Zero, I guess, to make it a little more unique? In-universe, her name is Zero because it's what she named herself when asked what her name was, since Voidsent usually don't have names.)
If you're forgetting who Zero was, she used to be the Avatar (the voidsent that Reapers form pacts with) for Zenos viator Galvus. Her soul returned to the void when he died and their pact was sundered, I think?
Zero: Though it was not always so, many who live here now have chosen to do so because they support the cause.
Zero: Indeed, if our numbers continue to grow, we may require more territory.
Zero: Thankfully, we were able to harness the residual aether from Barbariccia's domain. Those reserves will enable me to expand mine as the need arises.
That's... oddly convenient and sorta needlessly specific?
Zero: Right, we had best prepare for our potential guest. Join me in my abode when you're ready.
Guest? Oh, right, Malphas, the boss from the dungeon. I forgot about them already.
Ugh this place is so confusing. I get why they don't just escort you directly to the location, to give you freedom to pursue goals, etc, and whatever, but I am fucking lost already. The map has no z axis so I'm just trying to figure out how to get to Zero's hideout with what stairs are available to me.
Gimme a moment.
...
I am an idiot. It's right fucking there. I didn't need to go up and around and down. It's right there.
Anyway, I find Zero in her house, staring at some... stuff.
Zero: I imagine you remember these. The transmitters we used to receive Light from the First…
Zero: If memory serves, they work by channeling excess aether left in the wake of the Flood into the Crystal Tower.
Zero: Using the tower's cross-rift travel capabilities, Light is then conveyed unto the Thirteenth and into these devices.
Zero: I have a mind to use them now, but they'll need to be set in an elevated location. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
I remember that we did that, I don't remember what they looked like LOL.
ALSO
All that hiking up and down stairs I did? Turns out I'm literally retracing those steps to place these devices. You'd think I had a half-memory of where to go, but no, I was just running around like a fuckin idiot.
Anyway, these transmitters were used to bring some Light aether to the void from the First (where Shadowbringers took place) using excess light from the Flood. Apparently these things still harbor light or can tap into that light aether current from here.
I forget why we channeled light here, if it didn't work, but it probably had to do with weakening Zeromus.
Zero: Upon activation, these transmitters will shine with Light from beyond─sent courtesy of our ever-watchful friends.
Zero: They will serve as beacons in the Dark for those that would seek me out.
FTR I'm so busy typing that I missed some of the wordless parts of the cutscene, showing the beacons generating a beam of light.
Which attracts none other than Malphas!
Malphas: Light, in the void…!
Malphas: And a mortal, no less. I did not expect to see you here.
[Pansy smirks at him; he was talking to her, not Zero; Zero is half-mortal, after all]
Zero: I am Zero, and this is my domain. 'Tis a safe haven for those who abhor conflict.
Zero: Among those gathered here, many aspire to restore this world to how it once was.
Malphas: Such a thing is possible?
Zero: Indeed. Though how long the endeavor will take, I cannot say.
Zero: But for those of us abandoned by death itself, what do we have but time to try, and try again?
Malphas: Very well.
Malphas: This Light is ample proof your comrade spoke true. However long it takes to restore our world, you shall have my aid.
Zero: And you shall have mine.
Great! Now tell us who put you up to this bullshit, was it only Enuo, or what?
...
No?
Really? That's just... it was Enuo being Classic Evil Being and Malphas just exploited a gate when they saw it? I guess all voidsent are kinda programmed to try and do that, since they're perpetually starving for aether but cannot die from lack of it.
That appears to be all that is involved here. What a pity. And what a waste. This better be a portent though that Zero will be involved in Evercold, since they brought her back for MSQ like this.
Zero: It would seem Jullus's intervention has helped forge a new bond. Thank you for bringing word to me.
Zero: I gather you'll head home sooner rather than later?
[you are given the option to decline and stay on Zero's domain, because otherwise you are sent back; I choose to go ahead and leave]
Zero: Then let us return to the red moon. I'm sure you won't begrudge me a proper farewell.
back to the red moon with no fanfare
Zero: Would you deliver a message to Jullus for me? Tell him that we're making progress towards rebuilding our home…and I hope that he is too.
Golbez: Enuo's memoria will be safe here.
Golbez: The crystal containing Zeromus has been passed on to our allies in the First…
Golbez: If Enuo's memoria might serve them in restoring their world, we shall likewise consider its transfer.
reminder: Zeromus embodied Darkness, and so they sent the memoriate crystal containing Zeromus to the First so that they could use its darkness to help restore the balance between light and darkness. Golbez is therefore offering to send Enuo over as well if the First needs more Darkness to counter the still-existing imbalance of Light
(yes I forgot this myself. it's been a fuckin while, man.)
Zero: How much simpler it would be to aid one another in our respective fights, were it not for these boundaries between us…
Zero: Safe travels, my friend. We take comfort in the knowledge that you're out there fighting too, wherever you may be.
So.. that's how they're going to justify rejoining the shards? Making it easier for people to interact?
Because I'm 99% certain shards rejoining the Source causes the entire shard to be absorbed -- aka completely disappear -- and also triggers a massive calamitous event on the Source, with catastrophic results.
Anyway, whatever, Pansy waves goodbye and walks through the Azem portal, which flares to allow her to pass and then shrinks back down again.
Back on Mare Lamentorum, the Scions are all flummoxed, because they cannot figure out where the Warrior of Light could've gone!
Thancred: No luck, I'm afraid. It appears she's not in Mare Lamentorum.
Urianger, Y'shtola and Krile just look perplexed, Alphinaud and G'raha Tia look mildly concerned, while Alisaie looks like she's on the verge of panicking and squashing it down.
Then G'raha turns to look at the Zodiark crater, sensing something is off (remember: he's still technically attuned to the Crystal Tower and therefore can sense things interdimensionally that the others can't. At least, I think?)
He squints and sees a form just striding across the moondust a fair distance away.
Guess who!
Pansy just waves with a smile, and everyone comes PELTING toward her at top speed, relieved to see her.
Alisaie: Gods, you had us worried! You suddenly disappeared─we didn't know what to think.
I'm surprised she didn't leap on me to pound me flat, though I guess they couldn't really animate that. But she could've actually yelled like "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN WE HAVE BEEN SO WORRIED OH MY GODS STOP GIVING ME HEART FAILURE"
Maybe she has grown up a bit.
Anyway, Pansy explains things.
Alphinaud: Shortly after you vanished, the voidsent incursion abruptly ended.
Alphinaud: We surmised you had a hand in that, but never did it cross our minds that you were fighting alongside Zero and Golbez.
So all of that drama was just Enuo being Classic Evil Being. Fuck. I hate that.
Krile: This golden path you said you traversed wasn't visible to us either.
Krile: Nor did we hear a voice. “Ethos”… Might this be the key's true name?
Y'shtola: While many mysteries remain, for now I am glad to learn the state of affairs in the Thirteenth.
Y'shtola: Golbez's suspicion that the barrier 'twixt worlds has begun to weaken…
Y'shtola: 'Twould certainly explain the surge in fissures manifesting in the Source.
Urianger: Yet what could be behind such a phenomenon?
Then footsteps, and a green dress... and Halmarut walks up.
Thankfully, the Scions are not easily trusting of random strangers showing up where they shouldn't be. Thancred pulls his gunblade and points it at her.
Obligatory
Thancred: And who might you be? Not a voidsent, I'd wager.
???: Greetings.
Halmarut: I am Halmarut of the Ascians.
Halmarut: We are your sworn foes, I know. But on this occasion, will you not put away your arms?
She just freakin causes his gun to grow... whatever the fuck that is.
Halmarut: I wish only to talk.
Then the stuff on his gun shatters into butterflies and flutters away.
Alisaie looks at Pansy, who hesitantly nods, and Thancred puts his gun away.
Halmarut: Thank you for affording me a chance.
Y'shtola: Bereft of the unsundered, we were under the impression you and yours no longer had cause to continue your activities.
Y'shtola: That you should reveal yourself at this juncture…
Y'shtola: I assume you are the one who bestowed Calyx with the knowledge of summoning and the reflections.
Halmarut: Yes… That is correct.
Then she just opens a little tiny fissure, and squirrel plushy Calyx belly-flops out onto the moondust.
Just desserts, IMHO.
G'raha Tia: Calyx! So he succeeded in transferring his memories after all…
Calyx: Be at ease. Even were I to occupy a combat-oriented vessel, I would not have the ability to defeat you.
Calyx: You destroyed my plan─my life's work. I have naught to replace it, nor will I ever regain what I once had.
Cry harder, bitch.
Alphinaud: If you wish to speak, Halmarut, will you not tell us what it is that you hope to accomplish?
Halmarut: As you know, our star, Etheirys, was sundered into four and ten shards in the time of the ancients.
Time for an infodump reminder of the Sundering thousands of years ago. Also: the "star" (planet) was sundered into 13 shards in addition to the Source. There is no 14th reflection; the Source serves that role, in a sense.
Halmarut: As the will of the star, Hydaelyn perpetuated this unnatural division for millennia.
Halmarut: And in the wake of Her passing, nature has begun to reassert itself. As a wound knits itself together, the star seeks to become whole once more.
Halmarut: Yes, it seeks to rejoin with all of its shards.
Making sense so far. We know that Zodiark kept the Endsinger at bay, and Hydaelyn kept Zodiark at bay by Sundering Him, and the Sundering was perpetuated by Hydaelyn Herself. When we killed Zodiark, it started the End of Days back up, and so we had to defeat Hydaelyn to prove to Her that we had the strength to fight the Endsinger (and I think, also, to give Her relief, since there was no longer a reason for Her to hold the Sundering up.)
The Ascians were devotees of Zodiark, or so we're given to understand; they wanted to forcibly rejoin the shards with the Source in order to weaken Hydaelyn's Sundering so that Zodiark would regain His power and therefore, they believed, He would fix everything and restore their lost world.
Halmarut: Unlike the one we Ascians attempted to orchestrate, however, the star's rejoining will afford mankind no special treatment.
Casually glossing over the fact that the Ascians are the reason the 13th turned into a Darkness hellscape void because they fucked up and overbalanced it, and the Darkness devoured the shard before it could rejoin.
Also, they've caused seven other Rejoinings already, so there's only... 6? shards still out there.
Halmarut: All life and matter will be condensed into a single whole and remade for a new beginning. A complete rebirth.
Halmarut: Etheirys will return to the way it once was, hundreds of millions of years past. To a quiet and peaceful time, long before the light of mankind was kindled.
Uhh... I mean, is that wrong, in the end? You can't just destroy a planet like Sci-Fi wants you to think you can. You can make it unliveable for most life forms, you could cause the mother of all extinction events, but...
Resetting the earth to ground zero and starting again, well, isn't that what plate tectonics kinda does over billions of years with the whole moving of continents around?
Time is cyclic, yada yada.
Look, we can try to stop this, but also, the world is going to do what it is going to do.
I'm kinda boggling at the fact that we're somehow taking on something that's actually bigger than the Endsinger???
Alisaie: Supposing for a moment we believe you, how can you possibly know all this?
Halmarut: It is an inevitability that I have foreseen since time immemorial.
Halmarut: A future that awaits should creation be freed from the influence of Hydaelyn and Zodiark.
Fair enough, I guess? The Endsinger really triggered a fuckin lot of bullshit, and Zodiark and Hydaelyn each took drastic measures to stem the flood.
Halmarut: The star is tolerant to life. It holds no grudges, and neither rages nor weeps for being sundered.
Halmarut: Yet by the same token, it is indifferent to life's survival. No amount of devastation and death can compel it to stop the wheels of creation from turning.
Halmarut: The earth shakes, and mountains spew fire. Floods wash away the fruits of labor, and icy winds freeze and starve. Countless perish as nature runs its course.
Again: makes sense.
Also: Mass Extinctions happen. Life endured the Great Dying back at the end of the Permian, and there's evidence of a snowball earth even further back in time, which would've killed life down nearly to the microbial. Life came back and flourished again.
What I'm saying is, this isn't something we can control, any more than we can steer the Earth through the solar system, or the Solar System through the galaxy.
And it's not like life will not find a way again.
Especially since this is just one fuckin star.
Halmarut: So many seeds of life have already been lost. Yet in spite of this, people continue to believe that the morrow will come.
Okay but that's literally what is humanity's greatest gift? The myth of Pandora's box even emphasizes this.
Halmarut: But it will not. For nothing lies beyond the Solstice, when all creation is reunited. When that day comes, every last trace of mankind shall be erased.
So... riddle me this, what happens to the other stars in the universe? The game never explained what all got sundered, besides Etheirys. We traveled to Ultima Thule -- the ends of the fuckin universe -- to battle the Endsinger and end her song of death.
Is Etheirys powerful enough to undo the big bang all at once?
Halmarut: I cherish man's journey.
Halmarut: Despite losing his innocence and being made to live with suffering, he has forged ever onward. Strong even as he is weak, his is a proud tale in the history of the star.
Halmarut: 'Twould be a shame for that tale to end. For all to wither and die when some might yet survive. Would you not agree?
Okay? But like... where the fuck do you expect people to go?
"All Creation" she says -- but then talks only of the surface of Etheirys.
Urianger: If a natural rejoining doth lead unto the Solstice, then thine intent is to preemptively rejoin the worlds.
Calyx: Correct. It was for this very purpose that Halmarut recruited suitable collaborators from the reflections.
Calyx: Individuals like me, who would willingly doom another world in order to fulfill their aspirations.
Calyx: The Winterers, we are called. And if you and yours seek to protect all life, then sooner or later, you shall have to contend with us.
Krile: Even if everything you claim is true…
Krile: What you've done, Calyx… It's unforgivable!
I... do not think he gives even the tiniest fraction of a percent of a fuck, sweetheart.
Halmarut: I do not ask that you be pragmatic, nor do I seek your approval.
Halmarut: Given your familiarity with other reflections, 'tis only natural that you are averse to our methods.
Halmarut: But there is one irrefutable fact that you must understand.
Halmarut: Should we take no action at all, the Solstice will come. And no one will be left alive. No one.
Like people who worry about the heat-death of the universe, like... it's probably inevitable, so why fight it? Why worry about it? Live your best and try to continue, and if you fail, well, you fail. Whatever.
IDK, this just doesn't carry the impact to me that I think they're going for. They're literally pitting us against something so impossibly huge, you kinda need to think in terms of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann to really get your head around it.
Halmarut: Of course, should it serve to satisfy your ambition, you are welcome to deal with the reflections as you deem fit.
Halmarut: Like the pariah and wanderer who satisfied his own, when he brought the star to the brink of ruin to face you.
Blaming Zenos now? That's Zenos' scythe. And this might explain why the WOL's canon job in Evercold is Reaper.
Halmarut wordlessly picks up the plushy that is Calyx, and then disappears. The scythe then disappears too.
Green check!
G'raha Tia: To think that individuals of Calyx's ilk or worse exist on other shards…
Krile: You'll have to forgive me. I'm still coming to terms with it all…
Alisaie: Halmarut can't be speaking the truth… Can she?
Alphinaud: …
Urianger: The Ascians once labored to resurrect Zodiark and bring back those who rendered up their lives to summon Him. For the sake of those who now live, we fought tirelessly to oppose them.
Urianger: If Halmarut doth truly seek a rejoining to avert this Solstice─to ensure some survive when otherwise all would perish…then our interests are not so disparate.
Thancred: Trust the Ascians to be plotting something utterly reprehensible…
Y'shtola: Though I am tempted to dismiss a “preemptive rejoining” as an utterly absurd solution, her words are not to be taken lightly…
Is Urianger the only one who is thinking widely enough and taking this seriously enough? Thancred has dismissed Halmarut as just another reprehensible Ascian (not that he doesn't have a right to be angry at them), Y'shtola is ready to write them off, Krile and Alphinaud just seem overwhelmed, G'raha is focusing on the absolute wrong angle of all this, and Alisaie is probably trying to not freak the fuck out.
Livingway: There you are! One moment you were standing before me, and the next you'd vanished into thin air!
Livingway: Thanks to you all, the voidsent have been eradicated and the gate lies sealed once more. There's been nary a peep from the crater!
Livingway: …Though I can't help but notice none of you seem to share my enthusiasm. Is something wrong?
Poor girl is about to have her mind blown.
Livingway: The star seeks to become whole?
Livingway: B-But that's preposterous! As far as I'm aware, Hydaelyn made no mention of a natural rejoining. I ought to consult the records to be certain…
Livingway: But not before thanking you for dispatching the voidsent so handily! You well and truly saved the day.
And that's the end of the quest!
Whew!
Also, one last image, courtesy of my bestie digging it up for me.
The Source and its Reflections (including their aether aspect alignments; the aetherial aspect of the calamity triggered, or averted, by the Rejoining. Each Calamity represents when that shard Rejoined with the Source)
In the mean time, I need dinner and some exercise because my butt is so tired.
FFXIV Dawntrail - Trail to the Heavens : One more for the night
All right, I got one more in me, I think. Please don't be the trial...
Jullus: As you might have gathered, the Dawnservant's wisdom struck a chord… I only hope my words resonate as strongly with the voidsent we met.
Talking to Thancred starts the quest, and then we get....
Thancred: The Ilsabard contingent have contained the threat on their front. Things appear to be under control for the time being.
Thancred: Though it remains unclear why the fissures opened up in the first place. According to Tataru, similar ruptures are occurring across the star.
G'raha Tia: One thing is clear, however: the phenomenon is not without pattern.
There's a pattern???
G'raha Tia: The tendency for fissures to emerge is pronounced in regions deeply connected to the void─places where the barrier between the two worlds is at its thinnest.
Uhhh... not exactly? It's been happening all over the star, just more numerously in places "with a deep connection to the void" -- but it's still happening elsewhere.
Also... uhhh...
Oh shit, and Urianger apparently gets the thought at the same time as I do.
Urianger: <gasps>
Urianger: …I fear there may be a place in far greater peril than Garlemald.
Urianger: Though it hath since been sealed, you will recall there is a great voidgate that we ourselves had cause to open.
Urianger: A gate which was instrumental in our bid to reunite Vrtra with his sister and put an end to Golbez's dark plot.
Yeah, there's that one voidgate under... what's it called? The one that Varshahn saw us going into and tried to stop us until he found out we could help him? Alzadaal's Legacy, that was the location.
Alphinaud: Oh gods, the moon!
Urianger: With our attention fixed upon planar fissures, I failed to consider this vulnerability. All other paths unto the void are but pinpricks in the veil compared to that great lunar rift…
WAIT WHAT?
OH FUCK, I FORGOT ABOUT THAT ONE.
Fuck, yeah, we had to use that one in order to get Vrtra through to the 13th cuz his dragon ass was too big to go through the little tiny atomos voidgate under Alzadaal's Legacy.
It's starting to come back to me now.
Thancred: And that rift might be yawning open as we speak. We'd better hurry.
Urianger: Let us make for Bestways Burrow. I daresay the Loporrits are well aware of current events.
LOL the loporrits. You know what, I'd rather deal with them than a lot of other Beasttribe... excuse me, Allied Societies.
G'raha Tia: We ought to have Krile join us once she finishes tending to the wounded.
G'raha Tia: I shall likewise contact Y'shtola. Her knowledge of the moon's voidgate is second to none.
Well, this is distressing. We're gathering the posse. Let's see: Two healers (alphinaud and urianger), two tanks (g'raha and thancred), and three DPS (Alisaie, Krile, Y'shtola) with G'raha able to flex into healer or DPS. That's enough people for a trial.
Though... Estinien was on the banner for the patch, so he's still going to show his dumb face soon too.
Jullus: A number of my fellow Garleans now call Mare Lamentorum home… Alphinaud, Alisaie, please see they come to no harm.
Alisaie: We'll be back before you know it!
They all run off but Jullus stops me before I can leave
Jullus: I'm not sure whether you'll run into Zero during the course of all this, but if you do…would you give this to her?
Jullus: Emergency rations, in case of a protracted battle. Can't imagine she's eating all that well in the void.
Jullus: …She likes dumplings.
aww it's cute, the crush. I don't expect it to go anywhere, the game doesn't pair people off who aren't already canonically paired.
Anyway, to the moon! To find the loporrits running around in a mad-ass panic.
Mappingway runs smack into Urianger's... leg (i'd say ass but Mappingway isn't tall enough to reach Urianger's asscheeks) and knocks himself silly.
Mappingway: We're doomed! Doomed, I say!
Urianger: Given thy panicked state, I presume the Loporrits too are beset with voidsent…
Mappingway: Oh, what sweet relief it is to see you all!
Mappingway: Yes, voidsent─and lots of them! They suddenly came pouring forth from the crater!
What the fuck happened to the shield you guys put up? Or the Watcher, or whoever? SOMEONE closed that thing up and shielded it so we wouldn't get flooded.
Urianger: I had dearly hoped to find my worries unfounded…
Mappingway: For some unknown reason, the voidgate seems to have partially opened.
Mappingway: Livingway dashed off to activate the brands and halt the fiends' invasion…
Mappingway: But she hasn't come back, and we've since lost contact!
Urianger: I suggest we make for the brands without delay.
Why were the brands deactivated, again? Nevermind, we have little rabbitpeople to save!
Run around the moon, engage enemies in dark circles and then save Livingway from the trouble.
Livingway: Ugh…
Livingway: I'm saved! I dread to think what would have befallen me if you hadn't intervened!
Livingway: Oh, I was never in any real danger, of course! I knew you would realize our plight and rush to our rescue!
You little shit.
Livingway: Etheirys is likewise plagued with voidsent?
Livingway: If only we'd prioritized further development of the voidsent slaughter-bots. We could have stemmed the tide ourselves!
Livingway: Oh, what a tremendous demonstration that would have been. Irrefutable proof that I was mankind's staunchest ally, and the greatest Loporrit to ever live! I can practically taste the praise!
You little shit!
Livingway: Ahem!
Livingway: Fortunately, I was able to activate the brands. Should any more voidsent emerge from the gate, they ought to be confined to the crater.
Livingway: Unless, of course, the voidgate begins to expand of its own accord, or some gargantuan monstrosity tries to barge through, I don't foresee any major problems…
Right on cue: Gunnunigagap (my nickname for that crater, okay? It's a yawning void) then roars. Something BIG is trying to get through.
Livingway: Oh. Nope. We're doomed.
Excuse me, readers and such, I have a Loporrit to pulverize.
G'raha Tia: There you are!
[he runs up with everyone's favorite catgirl in tow]
Y'shtola: I left the data in Shale's capable hands and teleported here as soon as I heard.
Y'shtola: And ere you ask, I made sure to bring the key with me.
Okay so my first thought was "you probably should've left that" but then my second thought was "no, wait, separate it from the thing that can amplify it so it's not capable of stealing aether from entire shards" and i think Y'shtola made the right move after all.
G'raha Tia: Then the real threat yet awaits us.
Y'shtola: 'Tis Golbez's domain beyond the voidgate…
Y'shtola: I wonder how he and Zero are faring.
Pansy recalls Zero and Golbez, and then suddenly
What the actual fuck. So the Azem crystal and the Key start glowing and resonating and a voice tells me that this is the gift of "Ethos" and that I should "unite the pieces" or something (it's not kept track of in the event dialogue) and then a brilliant gate opens up before me and Pansy walks through to the 13th's moon, where Zero and Golbez are indeed fighting a bunch of rogue voidsent. She's still a Paladin, Golbez is still a magical Dark Knight (i think?) and... IDK it's just weird.
Zero cuts up a bunch of shit before getting thrown into a dramatic Akira slide and then she looks up to see who is beside her.
Zero: What are you doing here!?
Zero: Trust you to state the obvious.
Zero: May as well make yourself useful.
Zero I love you <3
Zero: The gate's sheer size appears to have made it a tempting target.
[camera pans up to show what i think is our Trial boss but I don't grab the screencap in time]
Golbez: Enuo… A dread voidsent risen from the benighted depths of the ocean.
Golbez: They kept to the confines of their domain while Zeromus endured. No longer, it would seem.
Golbez: And once they had discovered a path to the red moon, they wasted no time in making the journey.
Oh boy.
Zero: Leave the voidsent nearby to us. You take care of Enuo!
Zero: Facing this many foes calls for a more…familiar approach.
My girl then just plants her sword and...
Back to Reaper she goes! She's got job stones, yo!
Zero: Voidsent can change their form at will─both Light and Darkness are mine to wield.
Zero: Besides, what better to purge Darkness from the void than Darkness itself!
Yes, Sweetie, I'm aware of that shit, and that you're a memoriate too. Now go. MURDER THEM ALL.
Time to face a fuckhead.
Enuo: Who dares face me? A mere mortal?
Enuo: Hast thou come in search of power? Renown?
Enuo: I fight to end this world without end! All who stand before me shall fall!
FUCK ME SILLY.
I fucking walked right into this at the start of this post.
I literally said that. And JINXED MYSELF.
Well, we are DOING THIS. The music is interesting at least.
I queue up and it pops INSTANTLY
It was VERY hard to screencap that, I am very sorry. It's a very active fight, and even the cutscenes in between left me just sorta staring in stupid awe. Fuck me. Basically, Zero and Golbez join halfway through the fight, having dealt with the enemies. Zero is a paladin again, and when you finish killing Enuo, Zero leaps up, says "They must be sealed away!" and slashes Enuo... and turns the boss into a memoriate crystal.
Jesus.
The voidgate then just dissipates as Zero picks up the crystal and stows it away.
That just feels so... lame? Like they're patching shit up so fast but shit they implemented at the start of the literal patch, so like, no need to be so freaking hasty??
Zero: I'm glad you came. We would have struggled to face Enuo alone.
Zero: I presume you journeyed here to prevent more voidsent from passing through the gate?
Golbez: With Enuo defeated, there are none left in this realm who pose a serious threat. I daresay the problem is resolved.
Zero: Cause for alarm, indeed. Tell us more.
Zero: So the breach wasn't limited to the voidgate…
Zero: For better or worse, precious little has changed in the Thirteenth since Zeromus fell.
Zero: [to Golbez] Have you noticed anything unusual?
Golbez: I know not the reason events have unfolded this way, but there is, perhaps, an explanation as to why the voidgate and the fissures opened.
Golbez: Here in my domain, even the slightest change is keenly felt…
Golbez: When the gate opened, I sensed not the workings of some external force.
Golbez: Rather, it felt as if the barrier between our worlds was weakening naturally, moment by moment, until the two came to meet.
Zero: And you think this…weakening could be happening elsewhere?
Golbez: 'Tis a possibility.
Golbez is the actual ruler of the Void, or at least the 13th, as far as I know, but Zero is like the organizer of all the various friendly voidsent.
Anyway, this is probably what Halmarut was talking about with the so-called Great Withering to Come.
Zero: What of Radz-at-Han and Garlemald?
Zero: Jullus took mercy upon the interloper?
Zero: Whether voidsent or Garlean, we all share the same longing for home.
Zero: Should we meet, I will gladly offer them aid. Please tell Jullus as much.
Zero: Wait─how exactly did you get here? No mortal could traverse the voidgate in its current state.
A fine time for her to realize this. I think she was thinking of traveling between worlds if it's been found but....
Zero: And this path of yours is still there…? I cannot see it.
Golbez: Nor does it reveal itself to me. Perhaps the path serves only the key-bearer.
Zero: So it is not a means to travel freely back and forth. A pity. I would have liked to see my friends again…
BINGO.
Shipteasing game LOL
Zero: Hmm? Something for me?
Zero: That smell… Food, is it?
Zero: Ah, I recall Jullus speaking of the dumplings his mother used to make.
Zero: Thank you for the parcel…and the fond memories.
Zero: There's more than enough to share with Golbez. Now that he forgoes the aether of others, I'm sure he'll appreciate the sustenance.
Zero: I sometimes wonder what the void would be like if culinary traditions flourished here once more─whether it would suffice to break the cycle of mutual consumption. A heartening thought, if nothing else…
GREEN. MOTHER. FUCKING. CHECKMARK. With no fanfare.
And I am fucking tired, plus I work tomorrow. So I am going to end it here.
And kick myself for jinxing myself into the trial.
FFXIV Dawntrail - Trail to the Heavens : diving straight on in
So, last time, shit went south up north in Garlemald.
Now we are running to the rescue, and expect to meet up with the honeymooning husbandos Thancred and Urianger as well.
This might be our dungeon, folks!
Krile: Clearly we made the right decision to come to Sharlayan. Though I dearly wish the circumstances of our return were not so grave…
Tataru: Sorry to send you packing so soon after your homecoming, but Garlemald desperately needs your aid!
Well well, we're just going to dive right into the Fourth now? Fair enough.
Why does that look like Alexander, in the image there?
G'raha Tia: And just like that, we find ourselves faced with another emergency. Fortunately, there is yet time for us to make a difference. Let us make haste for Tertium!
.... how the fuck did you two nerds get here ahead of me???
Can Urianger transport Thancred via Aetheryte or something? Then again, how does Thancred get around, not being able to properly channel aether?
....
SBL, YOU'RE DOING IT AGAIN. STOP IT.
Alisaie: Thank you for coming at such short notice. I'm glad you're here…
Urianger: Well met, my friend. Now, let us hearken unto Alphinaud's words.
Thancred: It's been far too long, Pansy.
.... assholes
Okay that's unkind of me, we are in an emergency situation, but seriously, that's all they have to say? Argh. You assholes owe me some deets later!!
Alphinaud: Ah, Pansy! You've made it in time!
Voiced cutscene!
[Krile and G'raha run up, late, apparently]
Thancred: You picked a frosty spot for a reunion.
Thancred, I will smack you.
Alphinaud: Tataru sent word that you were coming. Full glad am I to see you all.
Alphinaud: Though I'm afraid this is no time for pleasantries…
No. Fucking. Shit. We've been apprised, now let's fucking MOVE.
I wanna point out... Thancred and Urianger are in their winter gear, not combat gear. The twins, G'raha and Krile are all in combat gear, not winter traveling gear.
Alphinaud: Planar fissures have opened up across Garlemald, inundating the region with voidsent. As far as we can ascertain, there are two focal points of their assault.
Alphinaud: The Ilsabard contingent are combating the threat in Lapis Manalis. Although they have suffered casualties, they appear to have the upper hand.
Urianger: As well they should. The many talented Ul'dahn thaumaturges among them should be more than capable of closing any fissures they encounter.
Alisaie: Which leaves the second focal point: the Clyteum. Jullus and the Garlean community are attempting to mount a counterattack, but are struggling to cope with the sheer number of voidsent.
Alisaie: They've fallen back to the north of the imperial palace. Can you lend your aid in securing the area?
Krile: With your blessing, I would tend to the wounded returning from battle.
Alphinaud: Of course, Krile. Thank you.
Alphinaud: The quickest route from here to the front is via the train tracks. Once we arrive, we can support the Garlean forces as we make for the fissure in the munitions factory.
So we're just reverting to Endwalker? Jesus, it's like Dawntrail was a glorious romp for fun and now back to doom and gloom. Krile is even reverting to her non-combatant healer persona, it seems? Then again, we already have plenty of healers with G'raha, Alphinaud and Urianger... and Alisaie if push comes to shove.
Oh.
OH FUCK.
Okay.
Here we go.
I am doing Duty Support because of course I am! That's how I've done everything I can.
You don't get a choice, Alisaie IS coming along! (well I guess you could cheese it with DPS WoL and the husbandos and g'raha?) LOL. If you're not DPS as well, then you only get to choose your healer or your tank, depending on your role. Two tank options and three healer. What the actual fuck, game LOL.
And yeah, it's like we've gone back to Endwalker. No Krile this time. Sheesh. She's had her glory and now it's time for her to get back on the bench, eh?
Well, fair enough. Let's go.
Well. That was a dungeon, all right. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't all that fun. I did my best to screencap (including the fuckin Ferdiad expies oh my god, stop reminding me of Dun Scaith!) what was a kinda meh dungeon. Hardest boss was probably the first one because of that reddish effect thing, where you have to stop moving ENTIRELY. And if you auto attack? You get fuckin LAUNCHED. So I had to move away from the boss during the cast and just chuck Tomahawks at him until the red bar appeared on me.
ANYWAY. Rando voidsent puppetmaster is down.
Cutscene. The puppetmaster starts to dissolve and go back into the fissure when Jullus arrives.
Jullus: I think that's all of them.
Urianger: We need but seal the fissure to prevent further ingress.
They're popping up everywhere, Urianger, I am pretty sure sealing this won't prevent any further ingress anywhere.
Jullus: It's over…
DON'T SAY THAT!
Jullus: I can only imagine the extent of the damage were it not for your aid. On behalf of the Garlean community, I thank you for all you've done for my people─for my home.
BTW Malphas, that fucky puppet boss thing, HAS NOT DISSOLVED YET. We didn't actually kill it.
Malphas: Home?
Malphas: Nnnghhh!
Urianger: I shall close the fissure posthaste.
Malphas: Wait…
Malphas: If you do that, I will be trapped here…
How is that MY problem, bitchass?
Jullus: You risked your life in vanquishing the creature─would you at least let me bear the burden of deciding its fate?
What the fuck are you DOING?
He just walks up to Malphas and starts fucking talking to it.
Jullus: You want to go back? To the void?
Malphas: I…
Jullus: Your kind have entered this realm before. Some seeking death that they might rejoin the Lifestream.
Jullus: But you would choose that dark, deathless place?
Malphas: The wind here is fresh and pure, untouched by Darkness. Perhaps it would be a blessing to meet my end in such a place.
Malphas: But I cannot yet bear to part with the void. If only the winds would blow there as they do here…
Malphas: I long to return… To see my home unsullied, as it once was.
Jullus: We know that pain all too well.
dude... really, why are we doing this? This thing didn't wander here out of nowhere, it was ordered here or it came here deliberately. It's either lying to you, or there's something it's not telling you because it's a voidsent and has no reason to expect you to have mercy on it.
Jullus: If that is your wish, you must forsake this aggression, go back to the void, and devote yourself to its restoration.
FOR THE LOVE OF.... Jullus, that thing didn't just wander here of its own accord. At least i hope it didn't.
Jullus: I have a friend…Zero, who hails from your home. She and her companions strive to bring Light into the void from another world blighted with imbalance.
Jullus: I hear their efforts have already met with some success. One day, they'll drive the Darkness from the void─I'm sure of it.
Okay so he's from the 13th, not the 4th, okay. Also, LOL, Zero mention. I hope we do see her again. She'd be a fun addition to our team, and she became a fake Paladin right before she bowed out of the story, so maybe she'll be the new tank job we're going to get?
Malphas: This form…is imbued with the will of all those I have consumed.
Malphas: We shall return to our world and seek out this “Zero.” Then we shall see if there is truth in your words.
Jullus: She won't disappoint you. That much I guarantee.
And then he just.. goes home, and seals the fissure?
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK??
What was all that about? You're telling me Malphas just came here to fuck about and needed his head caved in and some sense talked into it in order to just... go back meekly?
That CANNOT possibly be the end of this.
Alisaie: Bravo! I think Zero will approve!
Jullus: Oh, I, err…
Alphinaud: Indeed. That was truly heartening to see!
Jullus can be the biggest mood sometimes. He just siiiiiiighs so hard. I think it's pretty clear he has a thing for Zero, but it's also clear (to me, the aroace) that Zero doesn't reciprocate, and Jullus knows that.
Jullus: “Understanding begets fellowship”…right?
Jullus: I thought I might lead by example.
The twins just chuckle.
Thancred: Well then, shall we head back?
You didn't do shit, Thancred. Fuck off.
(Don't get me wrong, I love Thancred, I just like to give him shit too.)
oof my butt is tired. Gonna take a break and see if I can do the next quest, but I might be taking it easy here soon too, IDK.
Thancred: That boy's come a long way. All credit to Zero for nudging him in the right direction.
Urianger: With the Clyteum's fissure sealed, I daresay the voidsent incursion is at an end.
G'raha Tia: Voidsent not only absorb the aether of those they consume, but their thoughts as well… With such a legion of minds at their disposal, one hopes they prove a capable ally for Zero.
Alphinaud: You have my heartfelt appreciation. Without your intervention, I have no doubt the casualties would have been far greater.
Alisaie: Jullus was quick to put our words─or rather, those of the Dawnservant─into practice!
Bah, this leaves a bad taste in my mouth because it's just so anti-climactic.
Jullus: Reports have begun trickling in. By all accounts, the Ilsabard contingent was successful in containing the threat on their front.
Jullus: For voidsent to attack in such numbers just as we were finding our feet… I daren't imagine the consequences had you not provided such timely aid.
Jullus: On behalf of my comrades, thank you. Thank you all!
Whew, and that's a wrap of that. Dungeon in the second quest. Mediocre dungeon, but... it is what it is.
Of course, that's not the end of the patch, but still... what a lackluster end to this whole mini-storyline.
Hopefully that's not actually what happens here, but IDK. The fact that Malphas just turned and flew away and closed the voidgate himself/themself... Eh.
FFXIV Dawntrail - Trail to the Heavens : *insert Alice In Wonderland rabbit meme*
I'M LATE, I'M LATE, FOR A VERY IMPORTANT DATE PATCH.
Bloody hell, I literally forgot that it dropped today! NO TIME TO WASTE, LET'S GET GOING!! Fortunately, I have food on hand so even if G'raha tempts me with Tacos, I got dinner ready, just needs reheating.
Summary of the last patch is here.
Let's fucking GO!
Uhh. Hi G'raha and Krile. Are you guys all that's left? Sorry, I'm a little rummy from allergies and working.
G'raha Tia: Warm fare-thee-wells can ease the sting of partings, as we come to terms with an absence not soon forgotten.
G'raha Tia: To tell those we hold dear what they've meant to us, and to wish them the best… We should seize that chance whensoever we can.
????
I feel like I missed something?
Whatever.
Time for the whole "here's what you forgot, nerd" loredump
Krile: I trust you were able to get plenty of rest? Good. I thought we might take a moment to ponder our next steps─and perhaps reflect on our recent journey.
Krile: I must admit my thoughts often drift to the Mist Continent and our stay in Treno…
Krile: It was heartening to see the Milalla prosper despite the odds, and my own flesh and blood strive in that levin-wracked landscape.
G'raha Tia: Sphene was eager to restore diplomatic relations, and I have no doubt that Alexandria will provide much-needed support for their neighbor.
Krile: I too shall do everything I can to aid my home away from home─my wonderful, welcoming family included.
Krile: For the time being, though, I'd say we've accomplished all within our power.
G'raha Tia: I suppose that just leaves the matter of Preservation's research…
G'raha Tia: It is yet unclear how Calyx learned the techniques he used to summon his dark primal.
G'raha Tia: And there is likewise much that remains unknown about the key. Let us hope that Shale's efforts bear more fruit.
Okay first off, I'm not senile. I might be 45 but I'm not freakin senile, I remember. Assholes.
Second off, guess what happens? Convenient linkpearl going off!
Y'shtola: Can you hear me?
Y'shtola: Shale and I have been reviewing the decrypted files, and have uncovered some intriguing details. Would you care to join us?
Right on cue!
Convenient timing!
Dude, they could've made that a little less conveniently timed by having them say "Hey, there you are! We just heard from Shale! What's that look for? Did you forget? Okay <lore dump>, now let's go talk to Shale!"
or something.
Baah, who am I kidding?
Krile: We'll be with you right away.
Y'shtola: Excellent. Shale seems rather eager to speak with you all. Come and find us in the deuterolab when you're ready.
Okay time to hoof it.
Krile: Uncanny timing indeed! Let us make for the containment complex.
Well at least they fucking acknowledged it? LMAO
So we hoof it to the deuterolab, which, you may not remember but I sure do, is that place about two patches ago where we spent several quests doing Persona 5 style puzzling, to uncover Preservation's... whatever.
Anyway, we talk to Shale to get a voiced cutscene.
Shale: Ah, you're just in time for a progress report.
Shale: The decryption is finally complete. As we suspected, the data represents a partial record of Preservation's research documents.
Shale: A quick scan of the files, however, failed to turn up the information Y'shtola was after.
I mean, duh? It's not going to be THAT easy.
Y'shtola: Indeed. No mention of the Ascians─or primal summoning techniques, for that matter.
Y'shtola: While Calyx doubtless received instruction from someone possessed of such knowledge, there was naught to identify this benevolent mentor.
Did... did you expect them to document the fuckin Ascians?
Y'shtola: I am however pleased to say that we found several reports concerning the key.
Shale: We know the key is used to open paths between worlds, and was a treasured relic of the Milalla.
Shale: And just as the Milalla were unable to return after reaching the Mist Continent, so too was Preservation unable to gain a mastery of the prize which had passed into their possession.
I mean, we knew that they didn't know how to use the key properly. That's partly how Alayla and Robor (I think their names were) were able to seize it and give it to Galuf (along with their infant daughter Maya) without negative repercussions on any other reflection.
Shale: The data suggests that a particular formula or procedure is required…
Shale: A process which Calyx appears to have understood to some degree.
Dude's brain is a literal computer. Of course he understood some of it.
Shale: Yet the key proved fickle.
Shale: Perfectly replicating conditions was no guarantee of success. And even when they did manage to generate a modest portal, the destination was never the one they expected.
Shale: The reports practically screamed their frustration, describing the experience as being dragged around by a traveler picking roads without rhyme or reason. Serves them right, I say.
This makes me think of freakin Rincewind and Twoflower from the first Discworld book. I'm not sure why, but... it brings them to mind.
Y'shtola: After much trial and error, Preservation began to experiment with external actuation devices for the key.
Y'shtola: Striving to maintain a stable pathway to a chosen location, they conceived of the technology that forms the gate to the golden city.
Uh... are we still going to call it a fuckin golden city, jesus christ. Also, Y'shtola... translation please? I am eating and my brain is not quite up to speed.
G'raha Tia: So their tribulations ultimately afforded them control of the key─albeit in a limited capacity…
G'raha Tia: Which, of course, explains why they were able to instruct Zoraal Ja in its use.
G'raha Tia: Thus enabling the unprecedented feat of transferring Everkeep and its environs to the Source.
G'raha Tia: After the Endless Sphene took the key unto herself, she opened pathways to other reflections in her hunt for aether, did she not?
Thank you, G'raha. Also: I genuinely don't remember her actually succeeding in that, but... okay?
Krile: The Milalla merely used it to facilitate their exodus. To think what the key has now wrought in different hands…
G'raha Tia: For all we know, the actuation device augmented the key's power beyond its intended scope.
G'raha Tia: Were your goal to plunder whole worlds of their aether, a tool designed to simply transfer people would likely be insufficient.
Uhhh... isn't that like turning a firecracker into a goddamned atom bomb or something? No matter how much you amplify the firecracker, it's not going to just split the atom and, well, atomize entire cities. There's more that needs to be done and installed and like, built?
I am thinking too much on this, I know.
Krile: Shale, I don't suppose you would be able to remove the actuation device?
Shale: The machine made for that very purpose is still functional, thankfully. It shouldn't be a problem.
Wait, what? We can just turn this thing off? Surely it's not that simple.
Krile [to Pansy]: What do you think? We don't even know how the key works─if the device is somehow interfering or amplifying its capabilities, I believe we ought to remove it.
Uh, yeah??? Except knowing what little I know about the next Expansion, we're gonna get like Isakei'd to the Fourth Reflection so this isn't going to be a permanent disabling.
Anyway, Pansy hands it to Shale. Shale puts it into the machine, and the machine unscrews the lid on the chalice, and the core comes floating out.
Y'shtola stares at it until it triggers something in her.
Y'shtola: My word!
Krile: Y'shtola?
Y'shtola: This is the first time I've beheld the key in all its unobscured glory.
Y'shtola: The sheer density is extraordinary… 'Tis akin to the structures we saw beneath the Tempest.
Uhh... you mean fake Amaurot? Oh boy.
This gets to G'raha, who reacts by taking a step forward and squinting his eyes.
G'raha Tia: Now that you mention it, the ornamentation is reminiscent of Amaurot.
Krile: Have you noticed anything since the key has been in your possession?
Pansy thinks hard about the key, and memories flash by.
Well, I didn't think about Azem before, but now that you mention it, game... I can't not pick that option.
G'raha and Krile recoil
Y'shtola: You're suggesting the key has some connection with Azem?
Y'shtola: A plausible theory. Although one we are yet unequipped to prove.
So this begs the question... did Azem become an Ascian? IIRC Hydaelyn had already abandoned the post so there was a new Azem at the time of the Sundering. And I think it's strongly implied that that Azem was the Warrior of Light long ago, many reincarnations ago.
God, this feels like that whole D. Gray-man theory about "Allen Walker is the 14th Noah!" (I don't really know whatever became of it, because I stopped reading after the eleventy-billionth hiatus)
Krile's linkpearl goes off.
Krile: Ah, my apologies! [Everyone reassures her]
Krile: [to her linkpearl] Hello? Yes, this is Krile speaking.
[long silence]
Krile: That was Ojika with a message for us.
Wait, that's the guy back in Sharlayan, the guy who runs the not actually an inn place, that's hilariously called the Andron.
G'raha Tia: An urgent matter?
Krile: I'm not altogether sure…
Krile: Tataru requires our counsel, and hoped to call upon us in person at the Baldesion Annex.
Krile: Though disappointed we were not present, she appeared content to wait until our travels brought us back to Sharlayan, insisting that it did not merit our immediate summons.
Krile: Her tone suggested otherwise, however, and Ojika felt compelled to contact us directly.
Uh... uh oh? Tataru is not to be FAFFED with but... she's also a non-combatant (and I hope she stays that way).
G'raha Tia: Mayhap the time has come for another journey across the salt.
And G'raha points out that, uh, it's a long fuckin journey, even though we do canonically have aetherytes and everyone but Thancred can easily use them once attuned, so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Shale: You'd best go. Though I'll not deny that I'll be sad to see you leave…
Krile: Oh, Shale. I can't even begin to thank you for all you've done.
Krile: We will be forever indebted to you and your Oblivion colleagues.
Shale: The debt is ours. We'll never forget the sacrifices you've made for us─for Alexandria.
Shale: In the meantime, I shall keep sifting through the data. You'll hear as soon as I find anything of note.
So, the decryption is done but they haven't actually discovered much of anything there's too much to decrypt? What is this, the Epstein Files?
Y'shtola: Actually, I should like to stay here a little longer, if you don't mind?
Really, Shtola? You know what? Fine, stay here.
....
what can I say? they're all lesbians, harold. deal with it.
Y'shtola: And might I borrow the key for a while? I wish to study it further─with the utmost care, I assure you.
Krile: Well then, shall we be off? Ojika will be expecting us!
On the one hand, leaving the key shouldn't be a problem because it's been separated from the device that can amplify it. On the other hand, we're leaving it where it can be re-inserted into the container that jacks its power.
On the one hand, it's not our problem now, we're leaving Tural to go back to Eorzea and let Y'shtola handle this. On the other hand, we the viewers know Calyx and an Ascian are out there.
This is going to go all kinds of sideways, you fucking know it.
And then the game is RUDE to hide this information in optional dialogue
Shale: My colleagues will be just as saddened by your departure. Until we meet again, safe journeys!
Y'shtola: Given that Preservation could not unlock the secrets of the key, it should come as no surprise that we too struggle to understand its nature… In any event, do give Tataru my regards when you see her.
Y'shtola: Ah, I ought to mention that we also uncovered information unrelated to the key.
Y'shtola: According to Shale, certain confidential reports are now accessible via devices in the researchers' commons and the director's office. You might wish to peruse the files before you depart for Sharlayan.
I'm not going to bother with that right now, it's just going to be more lore, I'm sure, but...
Ah, fuck it, I'll peek at it.
It's the data terminal. We saw it back in this quest. All that's new is the confidential info about the primary objective of the complex is now available, and it's all the shit we already learned in MSQ.
Research Objectives: The primary research objective of Containment Complex 10-29 is the indefinite preservation of the Endless.
Research Objectives: Continued improvements to soul cell and regulator functionality are intended to facilitate the Endless Sphene's management of Living Memory. It is via this process of iteration that we endeavor to identify and resolve any and all issues inherent in Endless creation.
Research Objectives: Chief among known issues is our present inability to control the key. For if we fail to secure the reflections as additional sources of aether, our ultimate goal will remain forever out of reach.
That's it. That's all the new information.
MOVING THE FUCK ON.
LITERALLY JUST GONNA USE AETHERYTES. No crossing-the-salt cutscenes this time.
Why did Alisaie and Alphinaud and Erenville have to use a goddamned boat then?
You know what? Forget it. Let's just say that they decided to not waste our time with an eventless cutscene. Doylist reasons. Makes it easier to swallow.
G'raha Tia: Oh dear… It occurs to me that I neglected to bring gifts from Tural. Considering the extra work they've had to handle in my absence, I daresay I owe them a veritable mountain of snacks, at the very least…
Krile: I thought it best to hear what Ojika has to say ere we meet with Tataru. I do hope she is well…
G'raha, dear, you.... *sigh* No, no, it's fine. At least Krile is business as usual.
Ojika is another Lala of course and he uses a freakin step stool to stand at the counter, it's a goddamned riot. No making the counter low enough for him to man without trouble, naah, just give him a kiddy-stool to stand on.
Ojika Tsunjika: Welcome back! And what a pleasure it is to see you too, Pansy.
Krile: Thank you for contacting us, Ojika. We came as soon as we could.
Ojika Tsunjika: Of course. I felt it prudent given how troubled Tataru was…
Krile: Your concern is much appreciated. As it so happens, we'd reached a convenient juncture in our investigation. Shale and Y'shtola have matters well in hand, leaving us free to make this trip.
Ojika Tsunjika: That's a relief to hear. Now, let me fetch Tataru for you.
Ojika Tsunjika: Why don't you take a moment to relax in the main hall? I'm sure you're all still fatigued from your journey!
Yes... my long journey of clicking on aetherytes.
Krile: Only now is it beginning to feel like we've actually returned. Such fond memories within these four walls!
G'raha Tia: Given how frequently Tataru is away on business these days, 'tis a small miracle we're in the same place at the same time.
Anyway, let's get a move on. We get a voiced cutscene wherein... G'raha, please.
G'raha Tia: Planning your next journey?
Krile: Oh, no. Just reminiscing…
Krile: Thinking back to when you bought this map─and how you all encouraged me to make the voyage to Tural…
G'raha Tia: Are you glad you did?
Krile: As if you need ask!
Tataru: [coming through the door] Welcome back!
Tataru has... news for us.
Tataru: I'm so glad you're here!
G'raha Tia: Ojika contacted us. He intimated that you were rather concerned.
G'raha Tia: Come to think of it, Alphinaud said he and Alisaie would pay you a visit upon their return. Have you not seen them?
Tataru: Oh, no, they were here! I was regaled with many a tale of your Turali adventures.
Tataru: It was only once they'd departed for Garlemald that the rumors came to my attention.
Tataru: Rather alarmingly, voidsent sightings seem to be on the rise across the star.
Tataru: I was reluctant to bother you with mere hearsay, especially when you had more pressing matters to contend with…
Tataru: But earlier I received a confidential report from the Grand Company of Eorzea.
Tataru: It's as if a mighty dam has been breached, flooding the land with foul creatures!
Tataru: For a blessing, most nations have managed to keep the invaders in check, and casualties appear to be minimal thus far. Though the same cannot be said for those regions with a deeper connection to the void…
And my very first thought is of Garlemald, which is both weakened because it got flattened and is being rebuilt, and is also deeply tied to the void, because of the use of Reapers and their pacts with voidsent from the 13th.
Tataru: There, fissures continue to manifest without end, putting countless innocents in danger!
Krile: A deeper connection to the void…
Krile: Garlemald is the home of the reapers, is it not?
Tataru: It is! Alphinaud and Alisaie were there when the trouble began and have since sent word that the situation has taken a dreadful turn…
And then we get thrown to an "earlier in Tertium" (a location in Garlemald)
Alphinaud and Alisaie are regaling some of the Garleans with their stories of Tural.
Alphinaud: …Thus concludes the abridged account of our time in Tural. Now, I shall leave you with the words of the late Dawnservant, Gulool Ja Ja.
Alphinaud: “Ignorance begets strife. Understanding begets fellowship.”
Alphinaud: A notion that rings true for Eorzeans no less than it does for the diverse peoples of Tuliyollal.
Alisaie: And for Garleans as well. Even sharing something as simple as a local dish can pave avenues of understanding.
Alisaie: It's up to all of us to forge new bonds─together.
I am not sure why this is such a deep, novel insight to the people of Garlemald, but it results in cheering and smiles, and the twins walk away with the de facto leader (at least I think that's what he is?), Jullus.
Jullus: Thank you for sharing your tale.
Jullus: Better they hear it firsthand than endure my clumsy retelling.
Jullus: Your words give me hope that we might achieve something similar here in Garlemald.
Alisaie: We all have the capacity to effect change! Our time in Tural taught us that much.
Alisaie: And now that we've returned, it's time we rolled up our sleeves and got back to work!
Alphinaud: I've already sent missives to the other nations informing them of our Alexandrian friends.
Alphinaud: I also intend to notify the Garlean community officially. If both sides are amenable to the proposition, we shall gladly assist in establishing diplomatic relations with Alexandria and Tuliyollal.
Jullus: Thank you.
Jullus: But are you sure you've recovered from your journey? It sounded like you've hardly had time to catch your breath…
Dude, they're like 16 or 17, they have energy for days.
AAAAAAND shit goes SIDEWAYS! Like a sidewinder over a scorpion!
Panicked Imperial Soldier: Sir!
Panicked Imperial Soldier: Lapis Manalis is overrun with voidsent! We've sustained heavy civilian casualties!
"Casualties kept to a minimum," Tataru said... though she did say that was in the more first-world regions, so...
[Jullus' linkpearl goes off]
Imperial Soldier: Clyteum squadron reporting in. We're under attack!
Imperial Soldier: Voidsent appeared out of nowhere and ambushed us during a routine inspection!
Imperial Soldier: Dammit, is that another fissure? …No-no-no─aaargh!
Jullus: My comrades are under attack. We have to do something.
Alisaie: There's no time to lose. Come on!
They run off together with the other soldiers and we're brought back to Tataru.
Tataru: The Garlean community is ill-equipped to defend themselves against such a threat. Even with the aid of the twins and the Ilsabard contingent, they face daunting odds…
G'raha Tia: We shall leave for Garlemald immediately.
Tataru: Thank you…
Tataru: I was able to contact Thancred and Urianger too─they're already on their way. With any luck, you'll be able to rendezvous with them on arrival!
WELL ISN'T THAT CONVENIENT?
Now, what about Estinien?
Anyway, that's a green check! I'm gonna quickly remove some dishes around here and stretch my back a little and then come back for the next quest.
Tataru: I've been told Alphinaud and Alisaie have withdrawn to Tertium to request aid on the front lines.
Tataru: They seemed intent on rejoining the battle once reinforcements were ready, but I shall tell them to wait until you arrive!
Shit is going SOOOOOOUTH. Or, rather, North, because Garlemald is in the north.
So, a Thing happened on Friday while I was working. Squeenix dropped the first few official bits of info about the next expansion. It's called "Evercold" and it will launch in January 2027.
That's literally all I know for concrete details because the whole firestorm of hype that it triggered has scared me off into a corner of the internet where I can keep to myself and hopefully not get drawn into the hype maelstrom (i have a history of getting hyped and then disappointed by stuff; I find taking new stuff at my own pace and on my own terms is the best way to experience any of it.)
I also found out what the next Ultimate is gonna be and hoooo boy, YoshiP coming for me with claws out! When I heard a new one had been announced, I told myself "It doesn't matter, there isn't a fight they could implement as an Ultimate that I would care that much about."
Oh. HOW. WRONG. I. Was.
are you fuckin SHITTING me, YoshiP? my favorite FF antagonist/endgame final boss?
KEFKA. FREAKING KEFKA.
And he's the new Ultimate coming out sometime between now and the end of DT/launch of EC
Oh man. And I am far from ready for this sorta thing.
The time is nigh! in about ten days or so, the next patch will drop, which theoretically should be the conclusion of the post-Dawntrail storylines (any further patches will likely be in preparation for the next big expansion, due early next year, or so I hear)
Trail to the Heavens is the name of the new patch storyline, and I see two faces that... can I ask why Alphinaud is there? He freaking left to go home to Eorzea.
(from left, the faces are: Estinien, Meteor Survivor (default WOL) and Alphinaud)
So let's go over the last patch, shall we?
The patch started off pretty much as if the story was already solved, but we know that's not true. Erenville, Alisaie and Alphinaud said their goodbyes and left Tural to head back to Eorzea -- the twins to begin their diplomatic stuff with the heads of state in Eorzea and then to begin their Garlemald work that was their original reason for coming here in the first place. Also thanks to G'raha Tia, I got a craving for tacos and made some at home. That's just a thing with this expansion.
The next quest starts us on our new story path, which is to discover whatever happened to other towns on the Ninth. Shale and Sphene decide that the place to start is Living Memory, and so we go there, and find out that yeah, it really is in the skies over the Ninth, and we can descend to the ground level of the so-called Mist Continent. Our objective is a town called Treno (the FF9 references are still pouring in at us, hot and fucking heavy)
We get an amazing dungeon right away, which has the combat music from FF9 as its soundtrack, and has some amazing bosses. I've run this dungeon so many times since that post, it's arguably my favorite dungeon in Dawntrail, and one of my favorites in the entire game. The dungeon takes us to the front gates of Treno itself, which is a barrier-protected city full of... Milalla (the 9th's name for Lalafell). These are Krile's people! Running around Treno to help the people clean up from an incursion of beasts (which we interrupted during the latter part of the Mistwake dungeon), we meet Lumull, grandson of the mayor of Treno, who is an alchemist who concocts potions to help people perk up after a battle.
The next quest has us helping Lumull distribute his potions (which is just how we end up getting the loredump for the area), and then help his sorry ass return a broken piece of machinery to his sister Eyaney, an engineer specializing in electrope usage. We learn that electrope is basically a finite and dwindling resource in Treno because the nearby mine was infested with monsters.... the mine we passed through and cleared out on our way into Treno. Lumull (escorted by G'raha Tia because at least G'raha has a shred of self-preservation.... which is weird to say, I'll be honest) goes to check it out and affirm that the mine is available for collecting again. Meanwhile, we help Eyaney by chasing off some thunder sprites.
But then the game just has to throw some bullshit at us. And by bullshit, i don't mean game mechanics, for once. No, we have to deal with Krile having a very sudden case of identity crisis. Look, I get that she's been through a lot, and i know that depression and anxiety can be really fucky with how they rear up... but this feels so fucking hamfisted and forced, and it just... this isn't the Krile I've known since she debuted in post Heavensward. This is someone wearing Krile's skin so they can be all emo and hurt-puppy so you can have your moment comforting her. And honestly... it makes me dislike Krile a little more, rather than doing what I'd hoped, and making me like Krile.
Fortunately, Eyaney gently steers Krile's mind away from the plight of the milalla by pointing out that she loves Treno and doesn't want to leave, even if she could. And before Krile can turn it into a sulkfest again, SHIT. FUCKING. HAPPENS.
First, Lumull returns to say that he's found electrope in the mine and that it's being delivered to the big dome barrier workstations as we speak, and then...
Eyaney runs to the workstation that controls the barrier to begin repairs in an attempt to close it off before the Doomtrain arrives. Lumull freaks out because this fucking thing kills people for fun, and is the reason their parents died. While his sister is off being a Big Damn (Support) Hero, he decides to put his faith in the Eikon-slayer who says she can stop the Doomtrain herself.
And so, with his help and a cargo train operator, we get to a station, line up a train to impede the Doomtrain with, and get to freakin work. In what is easily the most chaotic Trial since I don't even know, basically the Phantom Train On Crack, but with some of the best music in the game, we fight the Doomtrain in what has to be one of my all-time favorite Trial boss fights. Right up there with Valigarmanda with how satisfied I am with this fight! And we succeed in permanently derailing the Doomtrain before it can devastate Treno.
However, the party don't stop there. The barrier is still weakened and with Eyaney working on it, and the Doomtrain having stirred up trouble, Treno is dealing with another beast incursion, so we get a Combat Instance (solo battle) to deal with all that. First as Krile, against rando enemies, and then as our own WoL and the other scions, against a fuckin behemoth.
Eyaney fixes the barrier after we finish these fights and now Treno is safe! No more beast incursions, theoretically! As everyone is gathering to celebrate and be relieved of all this nonsense, the mayor of Treno, Miayli (Eyaney and Lumull's grandmother, remember) suddenly has a moment of memory and asks Krile if she knows someone named Alayla.
The finale of the patch has us helping Krile get over the physical results of that battle that nearly flattened her, and then we go find Miayli who tell us... that Alayla, who is Krile's mother... was her older sister. That grail-shaped interdimensional key that has been the motivation for this whole post-expansion patch cycle, the thing that allowed Alexandra to detach from the Ninth and fuse with a part of the Source, used to be in Alayla's care as the Speaker of the Milalla. Now that the key is in our possession, we are warned to keep it secret and safe, like the One Ring of Power, etc. You know, like we haven't had a demented cybercriminal fucking nerdboy chasing us down trying to steal it from us.
And then out of nowhere, in a city full of nothing but Milalla (other than us visitors from the Source), Pansy spies... a female Au Ra, who freaks out when she's been spied and runs away. Not sus at all.
Back to Alexandria on the Source, we have a long denouement wrapping things up, solving Krile's existential crisis with aplomb so now she never needs to be sad again!!1 it's all very stupid...
And then the patch hook at the very, very end, which vaguely foreshadows the next patch...
we see that female Au Ra, with her weird squirrel plushy she's clutching.
Turns out that Au Ra is a fucking Ascian named Halmarut. And the plushy is the physical body of what remains of... Calyx. The fuckboy who has been chasing our goddamned interdimensional key. Because it turns out we didn't obliterate him, he'd backed up too much of himself. But he no longer has a living body, so... that's a thing.
Halmarut basically pulls a Cassandra on us and says that the whole world is now doomed to die, and that she and the Winterers are bracing to try and outlast the "great withering" to come.
Sounds like we're about to deal with Fimbulvetr and possibly Ragnarok?
WHEW.
I don't think I left anything important out?
Anyway, so that's what we did last time, and now in about nine or ten days, the next patch will drop and we will get the next part of the story, the next (presumably final) Trial of the post-expansion (WHICH HAD BETTER BE KUJA, JUST SAYING) and then... who knows?
So, the word on the street is that 7.5, the next patch, will drop around April 28. This will likely be the last major story patch of the game, because the other word I'm hearing is that 8.0 is due early next year. So in like less than a full year from now.
I fully intend to do for 8.0 as I have been doing for Dawntrail and its patches: a full blog of my journey through the game, complete with screenshots and reactions. I love going back and rereading the stuff I wrote before. It helps me to relive the joy I felt when playing Dawntrail for the first time.
So if you're reading this, look forward to it, if you like. I am doing this more for my own enjoyment than anyone else's but if someone else enjoys it, that's all the better.
So 7.5 should resolve the whole Calyx situation once and for all, I expect (or, maybe not? maybe he'll continue on into the next expansion but that'd be weird) and Halmarut might very well be our major baddie in the next expansion, since I've heard whispers that 8.0 will take place in a largely icy location (maybe Scandinavia/Siberia-inspired??), and we know Halmarut calls herself a Winterer.
Either way, we have one more dungeon and one more story trial, plus I know there will be a trial for the finale of Mandervilles, there always is. And I hope, hope, hope and pray that one of them has/is a massive Kuja expy or reference (in the same way Zelenia was a massive Beatrix reference). You absolutely CANNOT go this long and this deep into FF9 easter eggs and completely ignore the game's most fabulously ridiculous moron major enemy FFS.
I kinda suspect given what has been going on with Mandervilles, that Cid IX or his wife might end up being the boss of the Manderville storyline but who knows? The oglops thing has me so intrigued.
Today I'm gonna be reacting with cat memes wherever I can. Because cat memes are fun. In fact, I may use other memes besides cat memes.
Oh boy. This is... You know what? Let's just go.
Hildibrand Manderville: Right, we shall find our way to this Cocktail dirigible landing. See you there!
Nashu Mhakaracca: I'm pretty sure it was “Yak's Tail,” Inspector…
I need to pace myself, I'm gonna run out of space for memes if I keep this up.
Seriously, he understands "dirigible" but not "custom" and somehow mixes up Yak T'el for Cocktail?
I got nothing.
Well, no, I do have one thing.
WINGS.
Hildibrand Manderville: That was my first time aboard a dirigible. 'Tis not so different from an airship…if said airship had jettisoned its own means of propulsion.
Nashu Mhakaracca: Sailing through the air is a lovely way to travel!
Detective Hardiboiled: Ah, you made it. Even this jaded old gumshoe had to appreciate that view coming in over the treetops…
TELL ME ABOUT IT. I LOVE Yak T'el. The only place I think I may love more is Urqopacha and it's a very, very tight race there. FUCKING love this expansion's zones.
Detective Hardiboiled: Anyway, I talked to the locals while waiting for you lot to arrive, and one fella had seen Mister Cactuar flying down to the lower forests.
Detective Hardiboiled: I'm told the biggest place out that way is a settlement called “Mamook,” so that'll be our next destination. Let's head over there, walk the streets, ask some questions…you know, the usual.
Hildibrand Manderville: Very good, Detective, but what's become of your wondrous wheeler?
Detective Hardiboiled: Night Stallion would draw more attention than I'd like. I'll use the autopilot function to call him if I need him, but otherwise I'll make do with my own two feet.
Mamook has an aetheryte, dude, we can just warp there. Well, I can, at least.
The idiot trio are at the entrance to Mamook, ogling like tourists.
Nashu Mhakaracca: Cor, it's awfully dark here beneath the canopy…
Hildibrand Manderville: Such a dense proliferation of forest giants! I am reminded of the Twelveswood.
Detective Hardiboiled: That must be Mamook. They build things different down here, huh?
Detective Hardiboiled: But we ain't got time to admire the architecture. Spread out, and find someone who's clapped eyes on that cactuar.
I should add that I looooove Mamook. I have fallen in love with the entire Mamool Ja race honestly, and love them so much, I adored the Allied Society Quests that featured them, and I love being here in Mamook. So this is making me unreasonably happy right now.
Time to hoof it around the town and talk to Mamool Ja! First up is a female Booniwa inside a house.
Liinel Ja: Why, yes, I did see an unusual creature riding a strange vehicle through the forest at breakneck speeds.
Liinel Ja: The vehicle's terrible noise is what first drew my attention, followed by the incomprehensible yelling of its pilot. Yet the sight of this posturing man-plant was so absurd I found myself more bemused than frightened.
On my way to target number two, I see...
Oh my god.
Nashu Mhakaracca: That banana peel is almost as sparkly as the inspector was.
Hildibrand Manderville: I slipped on that banana peel and almost went tail over teakettle. Could this have been a devious trap laid by our quarry…?
Yeah, I'm just gonna... go over here and talk to Meerel Ja, a female Hoobigo Mamool Ja who looks familiar (might've been part of the Society Quests? Their similar names make it easy to start to blend them together sometimes)
Meerel Ja: Yes, I've encountered the fiend you describe. The forest has its share of fantastical creatures, but this one was undeniably out of place.
Meerel Ja: I observed it smashing one of the giant meteorites with a club, then racing away with the broken pieces. Make of that what you will…
Well. Okay. Then I hope onto a steed and fly over to the Mamool Ja society quest area to talk to... oh wow. A Doppro named Bakool Ja (not to be confused with the blessed siblings Bakool Ja Ja)
Bakool Ja: Ah, the subject of recent gossip. I crossed paths with the creature myself, and it was indeed odd, but the machine it rode upon was the true wonder.
Bakool Ja: He pulled up alongside me and my wivre, challenged us to a race, then zoomed off with astounding swiftness. If you're planning to catch that fiend, you'll need an equally miraculous mount.
Bitch, please.
I hoof it over to Hardiboiled (as it starts to rain, oh my god, this really is like Minecraft)
Detective Hardiboiled: So, what's the rap?
[Pansy gestures as she explains]
Hildibrand Manderville: The testimonies I gathered were very much the same. There is a cactuar racing around out there, that much can be certain.
Detective Hardiboiled: But if he's making stops to bag meteorite fragments, then this ain't no simple joyride.
Detective Hardiboiled: Talk to me, Pansy. Somethin' about those rocks I oughta know?
[more gesturing]
Detective Hardiboiled: Some kinda special aetheric radiation, eh? We haven't pieced together Keshkayi's big plan yet, but he seems real interested in those space stones.
Detective Hardiboiled: Which means we've got a good chance of finding his spiky goon by staking out the spots where the meteorites are. If we nab the cactuar, we can make him lead us to the researcher. And to Carnelian.
Detective Hardiboiled: When I say “us,” I mean me and Night Stallion, of course. Once we find him, the rest of you won't be giving chase without an air-wheeler.
Hildibrand Manderville: I need no such contrivance. These legs have been conditioned by an intensive chocobo-bearing exercise regimen!
He's not kidding, by the way. Hildibrand and his whole-ass family are just Built Like That for no good discernible reason.
He and Nashu run off.
Detective Hardiboiled: …Well, good luck to 'em. Still think he's a weak-willed punk, but I can't deny that uncanny body of his is made of sterner stuff.
Detective Hardiboiled: Let's get on with it, then. I hear there's a few good-sized meteorites alongside the road that leads out of town. We'll start at the near end and hope the mook puts in an appearance.
That's actually pretty unkind of Hardiboiled, not gonna lie. There are a lot of insulting ways to describe Hildi and Nashu, but "weak-willed" and "punk" don't fit that.
Anyway, over to a meteorite to see...
Hildibrand Manderville: F-Fancy meeting you here! I, too, deduced that this may very well be the scene of our criminal's next crime…
Nashu Mhakaracca: Who knew meteorites were so big? Or bumpy?
Detective Hardiboiled: Hmph. Is that clumsy oaf trying to hide…?
Surveying the location gets us
Detective Hardiboiled: No wheeler-riding cactuar around here. Let's move on.
Detective Hardiboiled: Ugh, that idiot inspector. Took off like he had the case all sewn up, but running fast didn't find him any leads, did it? And here I thought he was onto something.
[he storms off]
Hildibrand Manderville: Th-That way, Nashu! I think I may be onto something!
[they run off too]
... why is Hildi afraid all of sudden?
Nashu Mhakaracca: Is it almost time to eat?
Hildibrand Manderville: If you could endure but a little while longer, Nashu.
Detective Hardiboiled: Is that dolt trying to keep outta sight or not…?
Detective Hardiboiled: No sign of him here, either. On to the next meteorite.
[he walks off]
Hildibrand Manderville: I detect a hint of criminality…in that direction! Onwards, Nashu! We mustn't let the detective beat us to the punch!
Oh it gets so so much stupider I love it.
Hildibrand Manderville: I say… <munch> These bananas… <munch> Are really quite good…
Nashu Mhakaracca: Mmm… <munch> Travel tacos… <munch>
Detective Hardiboiled: Hrm. I could murder an egg right about now…
STOP. TALKING. ABOUT. FOOD. oh my god now i want tacos, bananas and fried eggs, in any order (not together, oh god what an unholy combo for my tongue; stomach don't give a fuck but tongue DOES)
Third time's the charm.
Yeah, they went there. This is fuckin wild.
Spike: This one looks ripe for the smashing…
Detective Hardiboiled: Hold it right there. I'm gonna need you to hop off that air-wheeler…
Spike: Huh? Ah…you must be the blowhards I was warned about!
Spike: Think you can give orders to the succulent speedster? My ride is maxed out with black market mods, and there ain't no one faster!
Spike: Keep up if you can, slowpokes!
[he throws down his club and guns his engine before riding off.]
Detective Hardiboiled: If that's the way it's gotta be… Challenge accepted.
Dumbass.
It comes over, and he jumps on before zooming off after Spike. Seconds later, Hildibrand burns up the ground running along as well, throwing up dirt as he goes.
Hildibrand: I'm right behind you!
Nashu Mhakaracca: And I'm right behind you, Inspector!
Pansy gets this "here we fucking go again" expression and takes off after Nashu
Detective Hardiboiled: Dammit, the Stallion's at full gallop and I'm still trailing!
[there's a zoom and a thump and then]
Hildibrand Manderville: 'Twould seem you require my assistance after all.
Detective Hardiboiled: What th─ You caught up to me on foot!?
Detective Hardiboiled: Fine. Change of plans…
[he whips out what he thinks is his gun... but it's not]
Detective Hardiboiled: Where's my damn Python!?
Hildibrand Manderville: I'll just tweak the weapon's elemental settings like so…
Hildibrand Manderville: With you steering and me providing the thrust, that fiend will soon learn a harsh lesson!
Hildibrand Manderville: Nothing outruns a fired-up Manderville Man!
Detective Hardiboiled: Gaaaaaahhhhhh!
What follows is a looney-tunes style chase with comedic music as they catch up to and then pass Spike
Spike: Are they actually gainin' on me!?
Spike: Come on, then! I feel the needle for speed!
Spike pulls out all his best moves but the Night Stallion with Manderville firepower is too much... for itself too. It literally starts to spark and come apart as they launch over a precipice into the water and
It blows the fuck up.
Hildibrand Manderville: We did it! Victory is ours!
Spike is completely dumbfounded and dismounts his bike.
Spike: …I can't believe it. My undefeated record. My legendary win streak. It's over.
Spike: And yet…I feel strangely content.
Pansy and Nashu arrive, ready to round-two this fucker, but he slaps his ass in the dirt and gives up.
Spike: Enough, you win. Just hand me over to the coppers and be done with it.
[scene change to show him being watched over by two Landsguard]
Detective Hardiboiled: So the researcher forced you to work for him, like he did with the other fiends.
Spike: That's right. Told me to smash and grab the meteorites from the forest, but not what he wanted 'em for.
Detective Hardiboiled: All this way to nab some delinquent goon and no leads on Keshkayi or Carnelian to show for it…
Detective Hardiboiled: Not to mention my beautiful ride getting trashed! That one's on you, Hildibrand!
Hildibrand Manderville: Perhaps we can try running together next time!
Spike: Oh, if you're lookin' for Keshkayi, I know exactly where he'll be: waitin' for my meteorite delivery over by the cliffs southwest of here.
Detective Hardiboiled: Why didn't you say that sooner!? I bet Carnelian is there with him!
Detective Hardiboiled: He won't escape me this time…
He runs off to deal with this, while Hildi looks at the landsguard.
Hildibrand Manderville: I leave this criminal cactuar in your custody. Fiendish appearance aside, 'tis a man's soul within, so please treat him accordingly.
[The Landsguard nod and take Spike away]
Hildibrand Manderville: Now, let us follow the detective to these cliffs, shall we?
Hildibrand Manderville: I must ensure these villains are served a gentleman's justice!
Noticeably, the Oglop is still following us around. I haven't see the Stalker for a while but the Oglop is constantly showing up at the end of cutscenes, but so briefly it's impossible for me to get screencaps.
Anyway. Time to fly on over to the cliffs.
Hildibrand Manderville: Do you smell it? The scent of criminality is in the air!
Nashu Mhakaracca: Zzz… Full belly… Zzz… Happy heart…
The Braincell has abandoned them again.
Detective Hardiboiled: Shhh…I can hear them just up ahead. Let me get the drop on them before we all go barging in.
Keshkayi: He's late. We must assume something went wrong.
Keshkayi: These meteorites will provide the perfect energy source, and I would prefer to harvest a surplus…but it is too great a risk to linger here.
Detective Hardiboiled: Freeze, mage. You so much as twitch your lips and I'll light you up.
Keshkayi: No! I've worked too hard to give up now!
He runs to a nearby hovering car and gets in, flying away. The oglop shows up briefly.
Carnelian: He's getting away…
Detective Hardiboiled: He'll keep. I've got the one I want.
Detective Hardiboiled: But don't think I'm taking you in just so you can escape. Never again…
Hildibrand Manderville: Murder is not the answer, Detective!
Hildi leaps into action, and tries to get between the gun and Carnelian, but the mage just melts into a puddle of go and absorbs Hildi
Then he gets spit out right into Hardiboiled and Carnelian re-forms himself.
Carnelian: You almost had me…if not for this bumbling fool you tolerate. Soft as ever.
He then just teleports away. Hardiboiled dramatically tries to reach him before he disappears and then quietly picks up his fallen gun and strides dramatically toward the party.
Detective Hardiboiled: You and me are done, Hildibrand. Stay out of my way.
He walks off as the weather storms and rains (it wasn't raining when I landed here, by the way, it had swapped weather patterns, so this is supposed to be rainy and stormy). The oglop follows him through the grass.
And for a moment, Hildibrand Manderville has regained The Braincell.
Hildibrand Manderville: My recent inadequacies as an inspector appear to have earned the detective's ire…
Hildibrand Manderville: 'Twas you he turned to for assistance with this case, Pansy. It is only fitting that you remain at his side for the duration.
Hildibrand Manderville: Meanwhile, Nashu and I shall persist with our independent inquiries!
He and Nashu disappear into the forest, and we are taken back to Solution Nine for the green checkmark.
Detective Hardiboiled: Sorry for the sudden exit back there, but that yolk-for-brains had me steaming…
Detective Hardiboiled: That's the problem. His “help” ain't nothing but a hindrance.
Camera pans over to show that we're being spied on, and that they're being spied on too.
And then i have to say Hildibrand goes off the rails a bit. He doesn't apologize at all, which he absolutely should.
Detective Hardiboiled: For the love of─ I see you skulking over there, soft-boiled.
[Nashu and Hildi walk over]
Hildibrand Manderville: Isn't this a delightful spot of serendipity! We were simply following the villain's trail and look how we've all run into each other! Completely by chance.
Hildibrand Manderville: W-Well, uh, we were only passing through after all. We shall apprehend that masked mastermind with our own tried-and-true methodology, you shall see!
he and Nashu run off quickly.
Detective Hardiboiled: Pansy, I want you on the case with me from here on out. When it comes to a proper guide beyond the dome─as well as being tougher than yours truly─no one else fits the bill.
Detective Hardiboiled: You might need to cool your heels for a bit while I work on salvaging more data, but Hardiboiled always gets his files in the end. See you around.
And that's the checkmark. Now for the outro. Wonder what insanity we got in store!
MEANWHILE, ELSEWHERE
Keshkayi: Hm hm hm hm…
Keshkayi: Ahahahahaha! At long last, my scheme is come to fruition!
Keshkayi: No longer must I endure the company of incompetent colleagues. All is in readiness. The replication of my brilliant mind is at hand!
Keshkayi: Never again will I be known as “The Kanilokka Corpus's Second Best”! My name shall ring across the lands, carried far and wide by an army of unrivaled geniuses!
Carnelian: Pfft…
Keshkayi: Something amusing?
Carnelian: Oh, just the fact that you repaired a device capable of miracles, yet your plans for it are so very…banal.
Keshkayi: You dare mock me!?
Carnelian takes out his staff and casts fucking FLARE or something, and Keshkayi collapses.
Carnelian: What a bore he was. Now to realize a dream worthy of this marvelous technology…
ohh... ohh dear
that thing can replicate things, can't it? a flying clone machine (with glitches)?
Oh boy.
The outro itself is dramatic.
And then Nashu lances the drama.
And that's it! That's a wrap!
We are done for this patch!
No trial, and the story is very clearly far from done.
I need to get to bed anyway, so I'll close this out with a cat meme just for funsies.
FFXIV Dawntrail: What if the Mandervilles got even weirder?
The time is now! 7.45 loaded overnight, has been downloaded and is ready for me to play!
I literally don't know if they're going to get even weirder than they have been, I just really love this meme and am using it every chance I get. Shut UP.
ANYWAY!
A quick recap of the last few Manderville quests: Nashu chased the flying specter of Hildibrand all the way across the salt to Tural, met up with us, and together we borrowed the help of a detective named Hardiboiled (who looks like Hildibrand but doesn't act like him) and then we found him in the Yuweyawata Field Station.
Hijinx ensued, as they always do. Now we're chasing down a wanted criminal that Hardiboiled has a bone to pick with, who apparently can change bodies or change shape or something, I don't even know, it's all really fucking weird and wonderful.
We finally caught up with that dude last patch but he works for some even nastier piece of work, so now we gotta deal with that. Though there's implication that Carnelian and the Schemeing Researcher are both using each other toward their own ends, so who the fuck knows?
So that's where we are starting off.
A word about gear: I am still very much a WAR main, but for these quests, I'm gonna use my Healer (likely SCH for now) just for some variety.
If there is any fighting (like a Trial or Dungeon) I will revert to WAR because I'm not skilled enough in healing to do level 100 trials as a healer. But I don't think we'll see a Trial this patch -- the Manderville trials are usually at the very end of the storyline, and I know for a fact there's at least one more patch coming (because we still haven't finished the MSQ storyline and also we haven't gotten Beastmaster yet).
Also I'm gonna change up a little how I relay names, btw. Observe:
This is just to make reading it easier, since you don't have the visuals of the camera zooming in on the particular character to see who is actually talking. We'll see how this goes
ANYWAY! Let's get moving!
... what?
What if Mandervilles got even weirder?
All right, sure, why not.
Detective Hardiboiled: Pansy. I was hoping you'd drop by…
Detective Hardiboiled: It took a bit of doing, but I was able to widen the crack I made in that storage device and yank out a couple new scraps of data.
Detective Hardiboiled: The first file just so happened to be a record of Carnelian's procedure. Seems the bastard's soul was poured into one of those “clot” type monsters.
Detective Hardiboiled: They've got an annoying talent for mimicking shapes and faces, which is exactly what Carnelian took advantage of when he tricked us with his fake Kemakka.
[Hildibrand and Nashu run up]
Hildibrand Manderville: Never fear, Inspector Hildibrand is here!
Detective Hardiboiled: The other file I pulled had details on yet another monster-fied criminal.
[Nashu waves her arm as if trying to get attention]
Detective Hardiboiled: This mook was nabbed for repeated vehicular violations─riding his air-wheeler too fast, making reckless maneuvers endangering others, that sort of thing. According to the data, he's running around in the body of a cactuar now.
Detective Hardiboiled: Judging by what we've seen of that researcher's schemes, he'll have dispatched the prickly speed demon somewhere outside the dome. But where…?
Well that explains the fucking preview I saw on the patch notes of a jacked cactuar (uhhh a barreltender??) riding on one of those weird motorbike things.
Hildibrand Manderville: Rejoice, my good detective. For I, Hildibrand, agent of enquiry, come bearing the very direction you seek!
Hildibrand Manderville: I have it straight from the mouth of the real Kemakka that an ambulatory cactus piloting a flying contraption was supposedly observed streaking through the sky on a southerly bearing.
WELL. ISN'T THAT CONVENIENT???
Hildibrand Manderville: Alas, despite hastening to confirm this sighting, our intrepid sheriff arrived too late to see the needle-covered individual in question. The report was summarily dismissed as fanciful imaginings of inebriated townsfolk.
Hildibrand Manderville: The insistent chirp of veteran instinct nonetheless impelled me to investigate! Thus did my faithful assistant and I venture further south to question the colorful crowds of Toolly-yodel.
For the love of god. I see Nashu has the braincell this time.
Nashu Mhakaracca: Tuliyollal!
Hildibrand Manderville: Ahem, y-yes, there to find sober witnesses eager to tell of an airborne succulent!
Nashu Mhakaracca: They said it was moving at an incredible pace, sat astride a vehicle like the ones the “mechanical invaders” had ridden. It was last seen zipping past a dirigible before vanishing into the clouds to the south…
Detective Hardiboiled: Alexandria's soldiers ride on air-wheelers, so unless there's another flying cactuar out there somewhere, I think we have our man. Good work!
Hildi and Nashu pose in excitement but Hardiboiled isn't completely convinced.
Detective Hardiboiled: Almost too good, in fact…
[he looks appraisingly at the grinning Hildibrand, clearly suspecting one of them might be an imposter]
Detective Hardiboiled: Over there! Is that a new case I spy!?
[on cue, Hildi and Nashu turn around and look eagerly because apparently NEITHER of them is holding The Braincell]
Detective Hardiboiled: Hardly had to bait the hook. They're the real deal, alright… Although come to think of it, I don't know why anyone would bother impersonating either of 'em to begin with.
Detective Hardiboiled: At least the lead seems solid enough. But if we're serious about catching this guy, we'll need an air-wheeler of our own. Come on─there's a shop nearby that does custom jobs.
Look, buddy, I may have 16m gil but I'm not giving you a single goddamned one for a custom airwheeler, those things are expensive and I got other shit to save up for. Plus I have plenty of mounts. This is on YOUR dime, Detective (or you can sweettalk that nepobaby with the super rich dad, if you want to debase yourself.)
I hike over to where the three morons are standing
Hildibrand Manderville: Did he say they do “custard” jobs…?
Nashu Mhakaracca: Oh, I could go for a nice bowl of custard!
the realization that i have no good facepalm reactions in my massive reactions folder. I WILL HAVE TO REMEDY THAT.
Seriously. Custard instead of custom? How the fuck did you get that? That's not even a Turali word! Hildi fucking up Turali names is a riot, but this feels almost forced... except this is 1000% in character for these two walking-orange-cats.
Anyone seen DragonBall Z Abridged? I'm thinking about Frieza/Freezer's reaction to Goku's nonsense "H-how do you function?!" right now and oh my god it explains so much. I almost want Hardiboiled voiced by KaiserNeko now. EDIT: I meant LittleKuriboh. orz my b.
OKAY MOVING ON.
Detective Hardiboiled: This is the place. I used to be a regular here, but I ain't been back in a while… Let's see if they still remember me.
[we walk in to see a Lala running the shop]
Monom: Well, well, look who the wind blew in.
Detective Hardiboiled: Monom. I've come for my steed.
Monom: That battered old scrap heap? It's been rustin' on my garage floor so long, I doubt it could manage a slow trot, let alone a gallop.
Monom: Happy to give it a tune-up if ye've credits to burn, but I'll need ye to supply some parts. A new high-voltage battery and superconductor coil at a minimum.
Detective Hardiboiled: The chronometer's ticking. I'll see if I can't get my hands on a battery, but can I ask you to track down the coil?
Detective Hardiboiled: These soft-boiled dopes wouldn't know a suspension spring from an anti-gravity gimbal, but you I can trust to find the right part without cracking under the pressure.
Detective Hardiboiled: Just tellin' it like it is. I know a tough egg when I see one…
Monom: Hardiboiled seems desperate to get his air-wheeler up and running, so I'll give ye a tip. Ye want a coil quick-like, then salvaging the rides of defective sentries is yer best bet.
Monom: I'll even lend ye this handy gadget to help ye out. Set off the distress signal on the west side of old Alexandria, and ye'll soon have some murderous mechanical company to dismantle for parts.
Detective Hardiboiled: I'll take these two along with me on the battery hunt. Good luck out there.
He pokes Hildi and then we all exit the building.
Hmm, might be some overworld combat? I can handle that. Even as a Scholar I can handle that. I warp over to Electrope Strike (the aetheryte nearest the target location outside Solution Nine), then gear up my favorite wings and head on over... in the fuckin rain again. It never ends.
The fight is so easy I don't even bother to screencap it. And I'm playing one of the lowest base damage jobs in the game (Scholar can wreck face with proper weaving and skill useage, and is one of the best healers in the game if you know what you're doing, but I was using literally my weakest attacks just because insta-cast, and was in ZERO danger) and it still died quick. No challenge whatsoever.
Back to Solution Nine to turn in the coil.
Monom: Well? Get yer hands on a coil?
Monom: Aye, that should do the trick. Now where did yer mates run off to…? Can't be that hard to find a store what sells batteries.
Monom: Ye should probably head over to the Nexus Arcade and see what's keepin' them.
Five says it's Hildibrand. Ten says it's Nashu.
Hiking to Nexus Arcade, I spot Hardiboiled all by himself, checking out the newest models of airwheelers.
Detective Hardiboiled: Pansy. Any trouble picking up that coil? Nothing you couldn't handle, I'll wager.
Detective Hardiboiled: As for the battery, I bought one easily enough… The problem was convincing the inspector and his gal to stick around after he “caught a whiff of tantalizing familiarity.”
Detective Hardiboiled: Long story short, they wandered off and haven't come back. S'pose we ought to go look for them, eh?
Oh my god what the fuck now.
Spoiler: I didn't see this coming oh my god. (also, if you look close in one screenshot, you can see The Stalker and somehow Nashu is looking in his direction and not seeing him.)
I DID NOT HAVE THIS GUY ON MY MANDERVILLE BINGO HOW DID HE EVEN GET HERE?
This joke will take forever to explain but long story short, this guy is a zombie that Hildibrand hung around with at the beginning of the entire Manderville storyline back in ARR, and he's shown up periodically throughout the questlines. He is just called the Gentle Dead Man and he always refers to Hildi as "Master Zombibrand"
Detective Hardiboiled: I-Is that a corpse? A smiling corpse?
Hildibrand Manderville: Hah hah hah, you needn't fret, Detective. This dapper zombie is an old acquaintance of mine.
Like I said, what if Mandervilles got even weirder?
Gentle Dead Man: Allow me to introduce myself, good sir. I am a proud member of the Gentle Dead Men and disciple of Master Zombibrand.
Gentle Dead Man: I have been on the road, seeking out new recruits for our merry moldering band. Said search is what brought me here, and into the midst of this unexpected─yet most welcome─reunion.
Hardiboiled takes this a lot better than he ought to.
Detective Hardiboiled: I don't usually hold with necromancy, but he seems harmless enough… So, uh, if you're done catching up, we've got a case to work on.
Hildibrand Manderville: In actual fact, our conversation was almost entirely case-adjacent! Employing his nose for festering fellows, this gentlezombie traced the stench of necromantic decay to the very facility in which I once slumbered…
I don't have the spoons to even begin to process what the Gentle Dead Man says after this, oh my god, why does this always get so weird? I didn't have this on my Manderville bingo, and honestly, that's on me, because you should always put the most "out of fucking nowhere" concepts down for that.
I also didn't have a Manderville bingo because honestly I'm not that invested in trying to predict this shit, this is all humor and chaos. But still. I didn't expect this.
We get some flashback images while the Gentle Dead Man talks.
Gentle Dead Man: Yes, I became fast friends with one of the reanimated researchers there. During the process of getting to know each other, he spoke briefly of the only person left alive after the “incident.”
Gentle Dead Man: According to my new charnel chum, all the lab workers perished when an accident resulted in the leakage of a highly toxic substance. All, that is, save for a single man who habitually wore a protective gas mask.
Gentle Dead Man: Keshkayi is his name. He was second-in-charge after the overseer himself, yet disdained by his peers as a “condescending know-it-all.”
Gentle Dead Man: They did, however, grudgingly recognize his passion for his work. Even after devoting a full day to official experiments, he would pour his remaining time and energy into some mysterious side project.
And that's our weirdass researcher who is apparently working with Carnelian. Second only to Kanilokka, huh? So just as batshit, I assume.
Detective Hardiboiled: And he was the sole surviving researcher, you say? Sounds like we finally have a name for our mastermind.
Detective Hardiboiled: Courtesy of the shambling undead, no less. No matter how many years I do this job… Well, thanks for that.
Gentle Dead Man: Glad to be of service. Now, if you'll excuse me, my new recruit and I have a café tour planned!
He bows gentleman-like and strides off.
Detective Hardiboiled: So, that fella was an honest-to-gods walking corpse, huh? I've met weird folks in my line of work, but do you always keep company with such oddballs…?
[Pansy shrugs with a long-suffering expression that says a lot more than you'd expect]
Yeah, buddy, been with these fuckin yahoos for several expansions now, and it just gets weirder and weirder each time. Want me to tell you about the time Hildi adopted a mammet? Or the time he got abducted by an alien, probed, a glitchy duplicate was created of him, I had to play sports with a frying pan and...
Trust me, buddy. It gets so much weirder if you look backwards. The Gentle Dead Man is one of the saner parts of the whole fucking mess.
Detective Hardiboiled: Ah, that was out of line. It's just…I reckon there are forces in this world you're better off not messing with.
Detective Hardiboiled: Anyway, let me take these parts back to Monom and get my wheeler repaired.
Detective Hardiboiled: Shouldn't take too long. I'll ride him back here to make sure he's running smoothly, and you can see the magnificent beast in all his glory.
...him? Don't people usually use "she" and "her" to refer to vehicles if they use a gendered pronoun at all? (Because of the gendering of ships, or something)
Also if this guy actually names his motorbike like some people name their fuckin cars, I quit.
Nashu Mhakaracca: Our gentlezombie friend was as reanimated as ever!
Hildibrand Manderville: Detective Hardiboiled seemed somewhat nervous. Excited to reclaim his pride and joy, perhaps?
Then Hardiboiled comes roaring in on his fuckin bike.
Nashu Mhakaracca: Cor, would you look at that!
[Hildibrand doesn't look impressed at all, looks rather put out]
I didn't catch it but as the camera pans in on the group, an Oglop is shown wandering our way.
Detective Hardiboiled: What do you think, Pansy? I call him Night Stallion. He's a custom job built for yours truly, and has far too much horsepower for the average mook to handle.
NO. DO NOT CALL HIM NIGHT STALLION ARE YOU KIDDING ME, OH MY GOD, WHY ARE THEY ALL SO FUCKING WEIRD?
I need Inspector Briardien here holy shit I miss him, he was literally the sanest person who ever dealt with Hildibrand Manderville.
Detective Hardiboiled: Anti-gravity capabilities are standard, but when it comes to ground speed, he's been tweaked to achieve the highest possible performance. The trick is to install quick-heating motor coils.
Detective Hardiboiled: But won't the increased heat compromise the magnetic field's integrity, you ask? While that's a valid concern, a hotter drivetrain responds completely differently when you open up the throttle and─
oh my god
Detective Hardiboiled: You. Get those filthy hands off my ride.
Hildibrand Manderville: I merely thought to enhance your beloved steed with a touch of Salamanderville…
UM. HILDI. BACK THE FUCK OFF THE STUFF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT? And don't fuckin "enhance" people's machinery without asking first?
WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?
Nashu Mhakaracca: So you've had this amazing machine this whole time? Why haven't you been riding it until now?
... because it was run down and rusting, and needed a battery and coils to tune it up? Were you not paying attent... you know what, Nashu doesn't usually pay attention anyway. She makes goldfish memories look like Long Term Memory.
The oglop is just watching.
Detective Hardiboiled: Ah, so fresh-faced and innocent… The spitting image of my assistant.
Detective Hardiboiled: I'll never forget the day I hung up my spurs. It was right after I'd caught Carnelian…
Then music like Origenics plays and we see a long cutscene flashback of Hardiboiled chasing Carnelian through the streets of Solution Nine in what feels like a combination of wild west shootem up and 1980s BMX racing movie, with a touch of Akira thrown in for good measure (sorry, my screencapping game is weak, as you know)
He chases Carnelian all over the place and finally shoots him off his bike as they're jumping a railing, which stuns Carnelian and gives Hardiboiled a chance to shoot his regulator off, and then corner him.
Hardiboiled: The Big House is too good for the likes of the Crime King. See you in hell, Your Majesty…
Then before he can shoot, several mechanical soldiers fly up and cause him to put his gun away (presumably so he won't get arrested for murder in the streets?)
Carnelian: Should've pulled the trigger when you had the chance. You've gone soft, Hardiboiled.
A mechanical soldier walks up behind Hardiboiled, and is beefier than usual. Hardiboiled turns around and.... it pans up to show...
The mechanical soldier has HILDIBRAND MANDERVILLE'S FACE
what the actual fuckin shit?
Hildibrand Manderville: This flashback exceeds the legal length!
Nashu Mhakaracca: Laced with illicit embellishments, no doubt!
I am SO sorry my screencapping game is so bad, because oh my god this is just fucking off the wall. Basically, the whole thing comes apart like a giant background falling over. Literally, the black and white fuzzy filter disappers as a backdrop falls away. Detective Hardiboiled coughs, straightens his tie, and continues.
Detective Hardiboiled: …To cut to the chase, my assistant was avenged. Slingin' the Crime King into the slammer took me off the boil, and riding cold just ain't my style.
Detective Hardiboiled: But now that Carnelian's on the streets again, it's time for me to get back in the saddle.
Detective Hardiboiled: They were saying that cactuar punk flew over Tooly-whatever, then blew past a dirigible on his way south, right? What kinda territory are we lookin' at?
[Pansy gestures, telling him about Yak T'el]
Detective Hardiboiled: Lots of big trees, are there? Then let's make this Yak T'el's dirigible landing our starting point. I'll take Night Stallion and meet you there.
As he's about to leave, he sees....
And then my screencapping weaksauce game gets in the way of me grabbing a shot of Pansy and Nashu watching Hardiboiled beat Hildibrand black and blue for touching his bike. Then he speeds off in a huff, leaving Hildi in his wrecked-outfit state, as usual.
Quest complete by the way!
Perfect time for a break and to put my dogs to bed!
By this point the WoL can just go “I know a guy” in about 98% of all situations, but like the guy in question is
Just some guy, kind of the weirdest thing is that they know the WoL
Just Some Guy, but like. There is something distinctly off about them, like maybe they have been living in the wilderness alone for 15 years, who knows, but like. They do the job!
An expert in the field. Makes sense, you probably run into those saving the world and whatnot.
A world-renown expert in the field. Still makes sense, but wow you were not expecting that for your silly problem.
A world-renown person. Like, everyone’s heard of Cid Garlond by this point, what do you mean you have him on speed dial.
A world leader. You thought the Elder Seedseer never left Gridania except in times of crisis, but ok!
A dragon, quite possibly of the first brood or otherwise quite old. This feels like overkill.
Something you weren’t even expecting to be sentient, like the plushy chocobo and its robotic friend. Extremely weird.
A literal cryptid or person you thought was entirely mythical. Sure, this might as well happen.
You never meet ‘the guy’, because apparently ‘the guy’ lives in a different world/dimension. Somehow still gives excellent and applicable advice.
The WoL, but this time in a different outfit (silly hat included)
So, I haven't been doing much lately, I got mega burnt out on the game for a fair bit of time but I am gradually coming back into it.
And I have a couple of personal achievements to report!
First and foremost, I have finally achieved the mount I have been longing for since I finished Dawntrail way back when.
I finally got the Wings of Ruin mount from Valigarmanda EX!
They are AMAZING AND I ADORE THEM. They play "Skyruin" as you move around (muted when you're stationary, louder when you're actually moving) which is still my favorite song from Dawntrail though that's now being challenged by a few other songs. BUT.
Notice anything else in that screenshot?
Here, lemme zoom in (gotta stop moving to do that tho because i am NOT coordinated)
I has the BK crown! AKA I have finished both types of Mentor qualifications and am now just a straight up MENTOR in the game!
Which is either among the best of the best, or the worst of the worst, with little in between. I hope to pioneer that "best of the most middle of the fuckin road" zone, because I am NOT a great player, but I'm a good enough player.
i have a number of fights I need to complete and get the requisite registration on my list before I can start Mentor Roulettes (which, when done 2000 times, will give one of t he game's rarest and best mounts, which i DEFINITELY want -- it's an alicorn pegasus two-seater called Astrope)
I NEED THIS, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Now, 2000 mentor roulettes is a loooooot to do. But I WILL get there, eventually.
My list of fights I need to complete before I can unlock the roulette is not very long but it is a bit complex. I have to finish all the Guildhests, and then I have to do the Endwalker EX trials, which I haven't even attempted yet because I've focused so much on literally anything else.
As far as I can tell, those five ??? are Guildests, so I'll start working on those, and then I'll see if I can con the FC to help me get the others done via maybe a mount farm setup.
In the mean time, I've been working on my crafting relics for Dawntrail. I'm way behind everyone else because I've put it off for so long but with my current decent-enough gear and some macros in hand, it's been going okay.
Also, the reason you see me in crafter gear for the picture above, is because I'm working on the last of the Allied Society Quests (formerly known as Beast Tribes) for Dawntrail. I've fully finished the Pelupelu (combat) and Mamool Ja (gatherer) quests and am on the last stage of the Yok Huy (crafter) society quests
The story for the Mamool Ja one was amazing and I love it so much. The Mamool Ja have become my favorite allied society/beast tribe by a wide margin. No, they weren't anywhere near as funny as Stormblood's Namazu or Shadowbringers' Pixies (Endwalker's Loporrits tried to be funny but... kinda fell short) but it was immensely satisfying to help this race of people come out of the shadows of their long lives in isolation, create their own extremely productive farms and begin to interact with their neighbors via trade.
And having the leaders of Iq'braax and Mamook interact (the fathers of Wuk Lamat and Bakool Ja Ja, respectively, in case you forgot -- Hunmu Rruk and Zereel Ja aka the Autocrat) was really sweet. Hunmu Rruk straight up blames Zereel Ja for his daughter's disappearance and says he probably won't forgive him, but that that doesn't mean that their people can't learn to be friends.
I really liked it. I wish there was more of it, but we won't see any more for a few more patches i suspect. The final allied quest is usually right before the final patch before a new expansion.
So, that's my progress in FF14 so far. A couple of achievements I've been gunning for, for a while. And some progress on my crafting and gathering relics. I have not yet gotten up the energy to do the combat relics because of the absolute trash drop rate on the items needed for that.
stay tuned for more updates in the not-too-distant-i-hope-future (we're due for a new patch by probably april, so...)
Excuse me, Tumblr, why did you default me to "Stuff for you"??? I am not here for random shit your algorithm thinks I might like, I am here for the shit I actually follow unless I voluntarily choose to click a tag or go looking for other shit.
Fuckin hell.
no, dylas, the runeys aren't edible @sirbartonslady - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
