The ARR leadup to HW msq's can certainly due with some editing. Many of the quests don't even have to be removed simply relegated to sidequests or +unlock quests. Editing down those 100 msq's to get into HW is certainly a good idea IMO. With that said, I don't like the idea of people outright SKIPPING the story. The story is the whole point of FFXIV. It's the very meat and potatoes of the game. Skipping the story is like paying to not play the bulk of the game. Now if there's some sort of "abridged" version of the required msq's available as an alternative for those returning or just far behind, I wouldn't be opposed so long as the abridged version at least gives them the gist of the story so they have an idea of whats happening and aren't going in blind.