Tales from the Storm Discussion

Well, I enjoyed the story. I'm just a little confused as to why Hien is in the header - and arguably equal in terms of plot importance as Lyse - but wasn't given a story to flesh him out further? Oh well. Hopefully he won't be neglected in the patches to come.

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Originally Posted by FJerome

I think she may actually have the Echo.

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That's also my hunch. But, without further proof, it's hard to say for sure.

For me, the greatest insight from the entire Azim Steppes is the fundamental nature of myth. Humans have always been story-telling creatures; likewise the mortals of Eorzea/Hydaelyn.

It is from stories that we derive meaning and purpose, the way Magnai is driven to search for his "moon", because he believes it's his destiny, as described in myth and tradition.

But stories change, be it on purpose or by accident.

The xaela may be one people, but witness how each tribe has split away from a single creation myth, to develop wildly varying myths — and widely different worldviews — of their own.

And sometimes, a myth becomes reality, a primal, an eikon, or a mortal hero. And they in turn inspire myths of their own, and something new is born with each cycle.

I really loved how the Azim Steppes made me go full-blown philosophical. It's always wonderful when a story inspires me to think beyond. :)

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Originally Posted by LineageRazor

I also liked the framing of the story as a campfire tale, though I wish it'd been clearer about who was telling the tale. The only hint comes in the first image, which appears to be of the Mol village. I missed that, at first, and thought these were Oronir telling the tale. This made their snickers and mockery of Magnai a bit shocking for me on the first read-through. I'll admit that I was a bit disappointed to realize that it was probably the Mol telling the story; it would have been interesting if Magnai's own people thought him as much a twit as we do!

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I actually thought it might have been the Buduga. As the Oronir's allies they'd know all the details of what happened but being an entirely male tribe with apparently zero interest in women probably also find the Oronir fixation on epic destined heterosexual romance to be hilariously entertaining.

I highly enjoyed the story. And didn't even notice the tense changing issue. But I suck at grammar. I do wonder how marriages among the tribes work. One of the Mol sidequests is about getting a bride some items to make a good impression on her new hubby from another clan, so I was assuming it's not frowned upon. And one hunter met his bride on the hunt, in that story, so they don't have to marry outside the clan.

On the one hand, I really liked the framing of a campfire tale. It's a basic and simplistic variety of it, but I assume there are issues with keeping to house style and length. The effort itself is commendable, and the execution passable. Good enough.

On the other hand, I really don't like Magnai and Sadu, albeit in the proper "I don't like them" way instead of the deadlier "I don't like how they're written". Magnai is a jerk, and I don't like Ore-sama characters like Sadu. So this story didn't grab my attention as much as the one about the Scions' Day Out did.

Magnai comes across in this story as one of those... I'm not sure what the proper term is. Obsessive? He hears about the story of Azim and Nhaama, and immediately assumes that real life must be as epic as the story, or it doesn't "count". So the stories his brothers have about meeting their own loved ones are too pale and thin for the saga unfolding in his head. He has a firm idea of what he wants his Nhaama to be, and how he's supposed to meet her. And he is not going to accept anything less.

I suppose we as readers/players are supposed to be yelling in our heads at Magnai for how dense he's being.

As for the Magnai/Sadu pairing, I don't actually think it will work out. It might, if both Magnai and Sadu put their egos aside and talk to each other like grown-ups, but if they did so, they wouldn't be Magnai and Sadu. So any attempt to pair the two together is doomed from the start.

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Originally Posted by YianKutku

On the one hand, I really liked the framing of a campfire tale. It's a basic and simplistic variety of it, but I assume there are issues with keeping to house style and length. The effort itself is commendable, and the execution passable. Good enough.

On the other hand, I really don't like Magnai and Sadu, albeit in the proper "I don't like them" way instead of the deadlier "I don't like how they're written". Magnai is a jerk, and I don't like Ore-sama characters like Sadu. So this story didn't grab my attention as much as the one about the Scions' Day Out did.

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Also, the Dotharl don't seem to be all that willing to marry out. They're a tribe that massacres others on a whim, supposedly. And the only way to be a Dotharl is to be born one.

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Originally Posted by YianKutku

I suppose we as readers/players are supposed to be yelling in our heads at Magnai for how dense he's being.

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I'd think so, giving the audience in the story-framing is also rolling their eyes. I'm not super-enthusiastic about the "they hate each other so they'll obviously hook up" trope but I'll give it more of a pass if the Xaela also think this is incredibly stupid.

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Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

That's also my hunch. But, without further proof, it's hard to say for sure.

For me, the greatest insight from the entire Azim Steppes is the fundamental nature of myth. Humans have always been story-telling creatures; likewise the mortals of Eorzea/Hydaelyn

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While we're still (sorta) on this topic there's a couple of other interesting little parallels I may or may not be reading too much into.

1) The repeated significance of "tears". The Xaela are meant to be the tears of Nhaama and meanwhile over in Eorzea Lake Silvertear is a critically important location to Hydaelyn.

2) The way that this sun/moon split is echoed with the Miqo'te and their Keepers and Seekers, giving the impression that whatever is going on is a very ancient and primal story.

I really enjoyed the story and the way it was written between Sadu/Magnai. Personally I want to see him succeed in finding his lady, Magnai is far and above my favorite character that they added in the xpac and the Oronir tribe are badass. Seeing that story nearly made me want to swap to an Oronir Xaela character which (if you know how much I love Elezen and think they're the greatest race in the game, period) says a lot.

Something about the Oronir's smug egotistical patronizing superiority complex really rubs me the right way for some reason and no I'm not kidding.

Anyone can told me more about Khaa/Khaat stuff
I don't realize what it could be
Maybe I missed the meaning of these word
But if someone could help me I'd be thankful

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Originally Posted by CrispyCrab

Anyone can told me more about Khaa/Khaat stuff
I don't realize what it could be
Maybe I missed the meaning of these word
But if someone could help me I'd be thankful

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If we go by the fishing log, it seems like Khaa is an oasis or small lake, Khaal is a river river and Khaat is a large lake.

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Originally Posted by CrispyCrab

Anyone can told me more about Khaa/Khaat stuff
I don't realize what it could be
Maybe I missed the meaning of these word
But if someone could help me I'd be thankful

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Looks like a typo and they meant "khaal" instead of "khaa", khaal being the word used for river on the Azim Steppe. Khaat probably means "lake", given Azim Khaat is one.

It was nice to see the start of the feud between Magnai and Sadu. Still, I can't help but wish there had been a little more substance - just a little - to the whole series. Now I'm asking "4.1 when?" since I've run out of things to do but level alt classes and grind tomestone gear. "Raid" group disbanded because we couldn't beat Susano'o, and I only joined as a favor to my brother.

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Originally Posted by LineageRazor

... I do think that they need to do more to develop Sadu's side of the equation, if they're really looking to set these two up. Right now, the "drama" is Magnai overcoming his built-up notions and recognizing that Sadu is his Moon - but what if he does? So far, nothing about Sadu's portrayal indicates that she wants anything to do with Magnai romantically, and sees him only as a foe (albeit, possibly a worthy foe). This isn't Tsundere posturing, as far as I can tell - she seriously can't stand the guy (and it's not hard to see why).

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The biggest problem I have with the Magnai / Sadu ship is that she has shown zero interest in romance. While there is some back and forth between them, only Magnai has shown a desire to find love - Sadu doesn't seem to care, and they both need to get over their pride.

If one is going to cast Sadu as a tsundere, I'd say she's going to go the classic tsundere route - starts out fiery and defiant, but eventually cools into her role as Magnai's love interest instead of flip-flopping between "fiery" and "lovestruck" like more contemporary tsunderes. That said they'll need to do it quick, since they "only" have 4.1 - 4.x (4.55) to do it.

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Originally Posted by Cilia

If one is going to cast Sadu as a tsundere, I'd say she's going to go the classic tsundere route - starts out fiery and defiant, but eventually cools into her role as Magnai's love interest instead of flip-flopping between "fiery" and "lovestruck" like more contemporary tsunderes. That said they'll need to do it quick, since they "only" have 4.1 - 4.x (4.55) to do it.

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It's going to feel rushed if they did that, especially if there are other plot points to handle rather than spending all our time in the Azim Steppes stalking Magnai and Sadu. (Which, sadly, will probably not be as entertaining as the Ysayle And Estinien Show.)

At the most, they'll grudgingly admit that the other is remotely possibly not the worst thing ever.

Now I'm curious as to whether or not someone's going to humble Magnai and make him realize he's been misinterpreting the whole "Finding his Nhaama" thing his entire life, or if the guy's just going to luck out and find someone regardless.

I honestly didn't think the Magnai/Sadu ship was supposed to be canon. If it was meant to be a romance, it's a poorly-written one. Especially if you compare it to Estinien/Ysayle, which featured two very clearly driven characters who had an actual reason to hate each other, but managed to put it aside and work together in the end, like adults. And even respect each other.

Magnai/Sadu, in comparison. One feels like a little kid who's yet to realise that the world isn't perfect, and the other has other things she needs to focus on. The only time they truly worked together and found common ground was when they were fighting for us, which was at the last possible moment of their involvement in the story.

I'd be surprised if we didn't have to go back to the steppe at some point for future MSQ events (Since we're almost certainly going have a portion that takes place in Othard), so I think it's a bit premature to say they won't be involved any further.

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Originally Posted by KageTokage

I'd be surprised if we didn't have to go back to the steppe at some point for future MSQ events (Since we're almost certainly going have a portion that takes place in Othard), so I think it's a bit premature to say they won't be involved any further.

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In the 4.0 story. I wasn't saying they won't be around in future patches, just that in the 4.0 story, them fighting for us was the last time we saw them.

Personally I think Magnai would be better with the girl from the mol tribe whose name eludes me right this second. I feel as though she would be better able to moderate his temperament.

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Originally Posted by Khalithar

Personally I think Magnai would be better with the girl from the mol tribe whose name eludes me right this second. I feel as though she would be better able to moderate his temperament.

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Cirina. She fits what Magnai's looking for, but she's a poor fit for the mythological Nhaama. She was also disinterested/confused when he grabbed her hands and asked "ARE YOU MY NHAAMA!?"

SE left several possibilities open, so it's just up to them on what path they want to commit to.

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Originally Posted by Khalithar

Personally I think Magnai would be better with the girl from the mol tribe whose name eludes me right this second. I feel as though she would be better able to moderate his temperament.

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Cirina.

Who already has a fairly obvious crush on Hien, which fandom has already run far and wide with.

Also, Cirina is alarmed and cautious of Magnai. I don't know if it's better for Magnai's love life to replace Sadu's contempt with Cirina's terror.

Just the fact that Sadu is the only woman Magnai has had any prolonged interaction with makes it seem likely to me that something's going to happen between them that might at least soften their view of one another enough to make them getting together in the future seem like a more realistic prospect.

I'd find it more amusing for him to end up with someone who's stern and tough like his sisters then meek and humble like Cirina.

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Originally Posted by AphraelAmarantha

It's interesting that you have brought this up. I've always kind of head canon my Wol as being the daughter of Hydaelyn AND Zodiark, but nobody, not even my character or the Ascians know this. But it would explain the strange vision of the dark crystal at the end of 2.0 and would be a huge plot twist lol. The WoL having to fix mommy's and daddy's problems would be funny :P

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Thats totally my headcanon too. Kinda like we were created at the beginning and since then slept within our mother and she only released us because we are her only hope left. Really hoping that if the WoL is no normal human, that it will be something like that. Magnai probably felt it and was afraid of the wrath from Zodiark. :'D

I agree with Theodric about Hien. Sad that he is missing even though he is a really important character. They could have written his thought about losing his mentor or about Doma itself. Maybe they could have made four stories for each region.

In a strange way I do kinda find MagnaixSadu interesting but at the same time they would need lots of work to feel like a good relationship because even in the last scene together they disliked each other and this story did not change that in any ways. Just going and saying that they suddenly like each other would just feel like a poorly written fanfiction. I kinda would leave this open-ended without any true pairings but with some scenes that kinda hint at them.

The thing about Magnai and Sadu's "relationship" is that it's actually quite fitting for the legend. Azim and Nhaama started out fighting but eventually came to love one another. The first part's already there; we just need to get the second, though it will require character development on the part of both Magnai and Sadu.

They already have a tendency to bicker like an old married couple, and there are many conventions and clichés pointing to them potentially developing a relationship. Though again, they need to get over their pride, Magnai needs to let go of his notions of a fairytale romance, and Sadu needs to show an interest in romance period before anything can come of it.

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Originally Posted by KageTokage

I'd find it more amusing for [Magnai] to end up with someone who's stern and tough like his sisters then meek and humble like Cirina.

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Honestly, that's probably more likely to work out in the long run. Magnai is so fixated on finding his "ethereal maiden" who is a "gentle dancer in the morning mist" he's not thinking about what's best for him. He'd likely get bored in a relationship with a submissive wife pretty quickly, and if he's going to rule the Xaela as khan needs a strong woman who will challenge him. As much as he might not want to admit it, someone like Cirina is a poor fit for Magnai... unless she shows more backbone from time to time.

As mentioned though, Cirina has a crush on Hien anyway, and was more scared of Magnai than anything else (as most women are).

So all this was Magnai buying into his own myth? The guy is a bit of an enigma. Equal parts warlord and primadonna.

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Originally Posted by Kyran-Varlsen

So all this was Magnai buying into his own myth? The guy is a bit of an enigma. Equal parts warlord and primadonna.

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I think so, yes.

I've always been a bit confused (in an irritable way) by his actions during the MSQ. First he corners us after Bardam's Mettle with fierce-looking warriors to effectively kidnap us, then he gives us tasks with the clear implication that we are not allowed to refuse, then when we complete the tasks, he says "oh, you were never prisoners, you were always free to go whenever you wanted".

Which made me wonder if he really has no idea that threatening people is not how you're supposed to ask people to do things.

Magnai's problem is his massive ego stemming from his god complex, which is itself a product of Oronir culture. As he is strongest among the Oronir, culture says he is Azim, and he's let that go to his head. The Oronir respect his strength, but almost everybody else (myself included) can't stand Magnai because of his arrogance. No matter what he does it's right, because he's the mortal incarnation of Azim.

That same arrogance is what's holding up his love life; because Magnai is so fixated on his perfect vision of what his Nhaama should be, he's unwilling to open his eyes and see that someone like Sadu, not Cirina, is what he really needs. Someone who will keep his ego in check, not bend to his whims like everyone else. If Magnai could put his ego aside, he wouldn't have this problem - but he won't, so he remains set on his "ethereal maiden who dances in the morning mist."

... but if he put his ego aside he wouldn't be the Magnai everyone loves and loves to hate, would he? (Personally I'm fine with that, positive character development is always something I look forward to.)

I'd prefer Magnai to remain as he is. Far too many characters in various settings have had their charm ruined by pairing them with another character that leads to them suddenly becoming meek and humble or just accepting of being pushed around by an overly aggressive partner. All in the name of 'love'.

Regardless, Magnai isn't human. He belongs to a race that doesn't conform to modern day ideals or even the ideals of the more civilised races/factions within Hydaelyn. Nor should he, if we want the non-human races to be distinct.

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Originally Posted by Cilia

If one is going to cast Sadu as a tsundere, I'd say she's going to go the classic tsundere route - starts out fiery and defiant, but eventually cools into her role as Magnai's love interest instead of flip-flopping between "fiery" and "lovestruck" like more contemporary tsunderes. That said they'll need to do it quick, since they "only" have 4.1 - 4.x (4.55) to do it.

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Mayadere (https://vndb.org/g631, https://vndb.org/i219), clearly.

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Originally Posted by Theodric

I'd prefer Magnai to remain as he is. Far too many characters in various settings have had their charm ruined by pairing them with another character that leads to them suddenly becoming meek and humble or just accepting of being pushed around by an overly aggressive partner. All in the name of 'love'.

Regardless, Magnai isn't human. He belongs to a race that doesn't conform to modern day ideals or even the ideals of the more civilised races/factions within Hydaelyn. Nor should he, if we want the non-human races to be distinct.

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The problem is, that even if they dont conform to modern day ideals they still need to feel love towards each other for it to happen and the story seems to show that love is a part of choosing your partner even for the Oronir. So if they dont at least change a bit then realistically this relationship would not last. (And someone like Sadu is not even interested in a relationship right now so a lot needs to change to make that even happen)

Also there is a middle ground between someone staying a static character, thus never changing (which is mostly boring in fiction imo) and someone being suddenly completely meek and pushed around. I mean he could even stay mostly his current self but maybe threat his "love" a bit better. Having two headstrong characters could end in disaster but if both of them start to respect each other and at least threat each other better, then this could still be a good one. In a way if Magnai does not change he would just become the aggressive partner that you wrote in your post. He would be the one that would push the other one around. Depending on who the other character is, then this would mean that this one would loose their character in the name of love. So the best outcome imo (if they even go that far in the game) would be, that both partners change a bit to respect each other and create a healthy relationship where nobody is bossed around because they would be on the same level. This does not mean that Magnai as a whole has to change big ways.

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Originally Posted by Theodric

I'd prefer Magnai to remain as he is. Far too many characters in various settings have had their charm ruined by pairing them with another character that leads to them suddenly becoming meek and humble or just accepting of being pushed around by an overly aggressive partner. All in the name of 'love'.

Regardless, Magnai isn't human. He belongs to a race that doesn't conform to modern day ideals or even the ideals of the more civilised races/factions within Hydaelyn. Nor should he, if we want the non-human races to be distinct.

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I never said Magnai should become meek and submissive; that would make him a bad fit for Sadu. What he needs to do is put his ego aside and get over his vision of what his perfect Nhaama should be. The gentle, submissive types (like Cirina) are more scared of Magnai than anything, and understandably so. He wouldn't treat them like an equal, making any such relationship doomed from the start.

Despite wanting a gentle and docile Nhaama, Magnai would likely find a relationship with such a woman unfulfilling. Someone like Sadu - someone who isn't afraid to stand up to Magnai's ego, who isn't afraid to tell him when he's being stupid, who isn't going to take his BS - is what he needs, because that is the sort of person he won't have a choice but to treat as an equal in the relationship.

The tragic thing is that what Magnai really needs is right in front of him, but he's too egotistical to see it.

As for "conforming to modern day ideals," Magnai clearly shows a very human longing for romantic love. If he cannot find a lover who will treat him as an equal and he can (will have to) treat as an equal, the relationship will ultimately be self-destructive on one end and doomed from the beginning, modern day ideals or no.

Hello, first time to join the thread, actually first time to join the the forum.

I've read the side-stories and after reading the last one of Tales from the Storm, I wished that there were more. :)

The second story were Alisaie, Kyse and Y'shtola were listing the things that the WoL do, I think that was funny. More things can be added that list definitely.

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Originally Posted by Rasler_Heios

Hello, first time to join the thread, actually first time to join the the forum.

I've read the side-stories and after reading the last one of Tales from the Storm, I wished that there were more. :)

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Welcome to the forums. :D

I agree, I wish that we have more stories since one region only got one and we still have interesting characters like Hien that got none.

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Originally Posted by Alleo

Welcome to the forums. :D

I agree, I wish that we have more stories since one region only got one and we still have interesting characters like Hien that got none.

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I would expect there to be more stories next year.

Thanks Alleo.

Yes, more please, even if its next year. The latest installment has been dubbed as "final installment", so hopefully they still change their minds. :D

It's the final installment for now. If they maintain the same practice as they did during Heavensward, we'll get another four stories released in the month leading up to next year's Rising event.

Yes, HW has 8 stories. I think they'll do the same for SB. A story for Hien would be good.

As long as its not about Romance too. x)

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Originally Posted by Alleo

As long as its not about Romance too. x)

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I'm not one for sappy love stories or trashy grocery store romance novels but the problem of producing a Doman heir wouldn't be totally unrealistic to focus on for Hien's story tbh

(I wasn't a huge fan of any of this year's stories honestly; but I was more than enthralled with the actual MSQ so I'll take what I can get!)

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Originally Posted by Rocl

The problem of producing a Doman heir wouldn't be totally unrealistic to focus on for Hien's story tbh

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I'm kind of hoping that subject comes up in the stories or MSQ, just for the sake of revealing whether or not Hien harbors any kind of feelings for Yugiri and/or Cirina.

They mentioned that the former had a "chemistry" with Hien prior to SB's release, but at this point, she really doesn't seem to look at him as anything more then her lord to serve.

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Originally Posted by KageTokage

I'm kind of hoping that subject comes up in the stories or MSQ, just for the sake of revealing whether or not Hien harbors any kind of feelings for Yugiri and/or Cirina.

They mentioned that the former had a "chemistry" with Hien prior to SB's release, but at this point, she really doesn't seem to look at him as anything more then her lord to serve.

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On the other hand, Japan LOVES to blend romantic love tropes with fealty tropes. All the time, it crops up that Retainer X harbors romantic feelings for Lord/Lady Y, but masks those feeling as devoted loyalty because he or she believes it is not his or her place to express them openly. Lord/Lady Y is above his or her station, so while Retainer X may never have the romance he or she dreams of, he or she can at least remain close to his or her beloved as a servant, and all signs of attraction are limited to private and wistful pining.

Is this the case with Yugiri? It's hard to tell. She's very professional, most of the time. There were some bits of dialog, though, that had me wondering...

Cerina, though - it's pretty clear she's crushing on Hien bigtime.

And Hien, just like a typical romcom protagonist, seems blissfully unaware of any of this, and if he has any romantic leanings there have been no hints as far as I can tell. Of course, the guy has, understandably, had a lot of other things occupying his attention lately.

Honestly, though, whatever their feelings on the matter, both girls are likely out of luck. If interracial romances are frowned upon, the likelihood that a head of state could get away with it is slimmer than usual... Hien will likely be required to take a proper Hyur wife to provide him with heirs.