What's the point with that quite lackluster story in Endwalker?

Yeah, variety is the spice of life and it'd be neat to see more masculine men front and centre. Who are classically handsome or ruggedly handsome rather than androgynous or feminine. Who aren't afraid to knock back a few flagons of ale at a tavern in between missions, swear like a sailor or tell the occasional joke.

Yet unfortunately FFXIV is becoming a very different beast to the game I fell in love with. It's as if it's striving to be as inoffensive as possible on many fronts. The game's 'humour' now consists of G'raha Tia's ears wriggling as stars appear in his eyes and he gushes in excitement over meeting Estinien. Or Hildibrand falling over again in the same wacky position he's found himself in at least a dozen times already.

It's a far cry from the style of the beloved JRPG's I played growing up. Ah, well. At least FFVIIR didn't completely gut itself on such fronts in the name of appeasing 'modern audiences'.

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Originally Posted by aveyond-dreams

Alisae is a child. Not an adult. I am not interested in a child having a crush on my character. There are no adult women in this game who behave the way Alisae or G'raha do. Zenos was insufferable from start to finish. Never make another villain like that.

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Alisaie is a fictional character, in a fictional universe. I can't recall a single NPC in the game refer to Alisaie and Aphinaud as children except in the context of when being referred to as the offspring of their parents, or it is very sporadic. Them being children also has not excluded them on being at the forefront of the chaos and destruction they oppose either. Even if technically children in the world of FFXIV, these events would rob them of their childhood and force them into adult situations and decisions; hence making them grow up at a much faster rate from a maturity standpoint. IOW, don't be surprised if either of them could develop romantic feelings for the WoL, or anyone else for that matter. I would suggest keeping the pedo adversity at bay in order to keep things in the context of FFXIV.

As for older female NPCs fawning over the WoL. No there really isn't outside of headcanon, but I see it as it is just how the chips have fell rather than deliberately avoiding it. That doesn't mean that it's not in the cards, but I also don't see much difference in shoehorning an NPC to adore or hate the WoL, male or female, if you feel they are being forced on you. Also, Zenos is subjective. Not everyone despises him as you do.

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Originally Posted by Gemina

Alisaie is a fictional character, in a fictional universe. I can't recall a single NPC in the game refer to Alisaie and Aphinaud as children except in the context of when being referred to as the offspring of their parents, or it is very sporadic. Them being children also has not excluded them on being at the forefront of the chaos and destruction they oppose either. Even if technically children in the world of FFXIV, these events would rob them of their childhood and force them into adult situations and decisions; hence making them grow up at a much faster rate from a maturity standpoint. IOW, don't be surprised if either of them could develop romantic feelings for the WoL, or anyone else for that matter. I would suggest keeping the pedo adversity at bay in order to keep things in the context of FFXIV.

As for older female NPCs fawning over the WoL. No there really isn't outside of headcanon, but I see it as it is just how the chips have fell rather than deliberately avoiding it. That doesn't mean that it's not in the cards, but I also don't see much difference in shoehorning an NPC to adore or hate the WoL, male or female, if you feel they are being forced on you. Also, Zenos is subjective. Not everyone despises him as you do.

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They are, for all intents and purposes, children. Theyre what, 16? 17? Not even 18. Personally i feel uncomfortable to have anyone fawning over me who i dislike and not having the option to tell them to keep their distance, but its especially worse when its an underage child. It does weird me out though that the devs refer to both of them as husbando/waifu, and then theres the whole problem with Shiva Ryne but thats a whole other can of worms entirely.

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Originally Posted by Theodric

As much as I dislike Zenos, his obsession can at least be seen as entirely one sided. Most games have the good grace to allow players to consent to whether a particular character fawns over their chosen hero. As another poster pointed out, Alisae is underage and although G'raha is an adult he acts like a child at times. It's incredibly off-putting for a lot of reasons - especially when player characters have the ability to perform an eternal bonding with another player character.

It's effectively marriage, so if a character is eternally bonded...why are some of the Scions treating my character as if that isn't the case? Why are they actively trying to be homewreckers? Why is there no option to tell Alisae that my character is into men and let her down gently rather than unintentionally stringing her along?

Furthermore, Yoshi-P has already referred to Alisae and Alphinaud as the 'waifu' and 'husbandu' of some players which...is pretty questionable in itself for obvious reasons.

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An obsession is always one-sided. It kind of goes with the territory in that regard. Zenos and his obsession doesn't change that he is forced onto the WoL whether they want it or not. There isn't anything written in stone that you have to accept characters who are smitten like G'raha and Haurchefant. Their feelings can very much be one-sided as well.

I already addressed Alisaie's age in my last post, but in addition I also know and understand that a lot of the Japanese culture is questionable to westerners. Especially in terms of what is considered acceptable when it comes to age gaps, and adult/teen relationships. That doesn't mean I condone it, but I don't believe they are conditioned the way we are. Especially someone like Yoshi who very likely is one or two generations older than most of the people playing this game.

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Originally Posted by KizuyaKatogami

They are, for all intents and purposes, children. Theyre what, 16? 17? Not even 18. Personally i feel uncomfortable to have anyone fawning over me who i dislike and not having the option to tell them to keep their distance, but its especially worse when its an underage child. It does weird me out though that the devs refer to both of them as husbando/waifu, and then theres the whole problem with Shiva Ryne but thats a whole other can of worms entirely.

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16, 17, 18 means nothing. You're talking like our prohibitions and laws apply in this world. They don't unless specified that they do. Otherwise they are arbitrary at best. It's fine if it makes you uncomfortable, and it is understandable if it does. But they are fictional characters dude, and makes zero sense to me how people are ok with children risking their lives in battles where the odds are against them, but all of sudden cringe at the knees because a young NPC has an innocent crush on your character. Do you not see how backwards this is?

Ryne isn't much different. She's a teenager, and could easily develop a crush on the WoL, Gaia, or one of the other Scions or adult males/females on the first. The line gets crossed when it is an adult that has desires or pursues a younger NPC. However, teenagers developing crushes on adults is totally friggin normal bud, and happens all the time. I know we live in clown world now, but that is the actual reality.

The manner in which you decided to continue engaging in this discussion is uncomfortable, to say the least, and no further good is likely to come of pursuing the topic further. I do not consider your defense of the situation in your previous posts appropriate in the slightest.

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Originally Posted by Gemina

16, 17, 18 means nothing. You're talking like our prohibitions and laws apply in this world. They don't unless specified that they do. Otherwise they are arbitrary at best. It's fine if it makes you uncomfortable, and it is understandable if it does. But they are fictional characters dude, and makes zero sense to me how people are ok with children risking their lives in battles where the odds are against them, but all of sudden cringe at the knees because a young NPC has an innocent crush on your character. Do you not see how backwards this is?

Ryne isn't much different. She's a teenager, and could easily develop a crush on the WoL, Gaia, or one of the other Scions or adult males/females on the first. The line gets crossed when it is an adult that has desires or pursues a younger NPC. However, teenagers developing crushes on adults is totally friggin normal bud, and happens all the time. I know we live in clown world now, but that is the actual reality.

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My point about Ryne was the fact she’s a 15 year old girl and they have her stripping as a mechanic….

In regards to the twins,to each their own, but it being fictional doesn’t make it any better imo. The amount of people i have seen on these forums lust over the twins is…an alarming amount. Also my problem is moreso the fact i don’t have an option to tell whoever it is crushing on me to knock it off. Unwanted advances aren’t cute, they aren’t funny, and i’d really rather have the choice to say no in these instances. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Alisaie or Graha, it’s gross either way to me.

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Originally Posted by aveyond-dreams

The manner in which you decided to continue engaging in this discussion is uncomfortable, to say the least, and no further good is likely to come of pursuing the topic further. I do not consider your defense of the situation in your previous posts appropriate in the slightest.

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That's a you problem. And what defense are you referring to? A defense would imply that my views have been challenged. They have not, and I instead find myself having to provide tutelage on what is common sense, and simple fact due to poor conditioning leading to over sensitivity and reaction where it isn't even necessitated. I will agree that not much more good is to come of the discussion, but very likely not for the same reasons that you do. I can leave this conversation with my morality in check, I assure you. It is really easy for me to discern fantasy from reality, but I am not so sure the same holds true for yourself.

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Originally Posted by KizuyaKatogami

My point about Ryne was the fact she’s a 15 year old girl and they have her stripping as a mechanic….

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Understandable, and I get it. What I am telling you is Ryne does not exist. She is not a real girl. That's not to say that just because it is a fantasy realm, all bets are off. But I hope you get the point here.

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In regards to the twins,to each their own, but it being fictional doesn’t make it any better imo. The amount of people i have seen on these forums lust over the twins is…an alarming amount. Also my problem is moreso the fact i don’t have an option to tell whoever it is crushing on me to knock it off. Unwanted advances aren’t cute, they aren’t funny, and i’d really rather have the choice to say no in these instances. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Alisaie or Graha, it’s gross either way to me.

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I've been here awhile, and have not seen anyone lust over the Twins. Not saying it doesn't happen, but this isn't the angle your previous statements were coming from. I was under the impression that the issue is Alisaie could have a thing for the WoL. I am also not sure why you are so adverse. Alisaie in particular has done nothing to advance towards the WoL. The very mention of her admiration around you turns her more red than a crimson sunset, and there is nothing for you to turn away.

With G'raha I am honestly over here thinking, "How could you not adore him?" I'm sure he is not everyone's cup of tea, but he's a Samaritan who puts everyone's needs before his own. To a fault even, and has to be told, "I just need groceries. Your life not is required G'raha!" This is where I have a BIG problem, see? Anyone and everyone who does not want to hug and squeeze the life out of G'raha clearly does not have their head on straight.

... I kid, but yeah. G'raha is cool.

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Originally Posted by Caurcas

What's wrong with having a bit of colonial era fantasy? Given the age of exploration seems to be when 14 is set.

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Fantasy landscapes such as mountain ranges that look like "swords" that are actually giant thorns and brambles, erected by witches or shamans as defensive barriers. Briarpatch moats surrounding log cabin forts. Beastmasters raising small armies of beasts on ranches to be used as expendable cannon fodder in battle. Bandits/smugglers/rebels hiding out in marshes or the woods. Snowy deserts and canyons. Mythical creatures like the Hodag. Beastmen such as grizzly bearmen or gatormen or eaglemen.

https://i.imgur.com/GGqz7WX.jpg

States that skirmish with each other for control over great lakes and rivers. Riverboats, paddleboats, steamboats, and maybe ironclads. Flintlock weapons that use magical powders. Commodities trading in beer, lumber, textiles, and tobacco. Plantations that grow a magical crop that is used by alchemists to create medicine or magical powders. Smuggling. Multiple currencies being used because the region is poor in metal, including receipts for stockpiles of tobacco stored in warehouses (aka proto-dollars).

Hammered dulcimers and fiddles and flutes could be used for the soundtrack.

So much potential. Could be great!