(5.2 spoilers) The Defector

[QT_Melon]

About the teen game part: I mean the sundering did not kill people. The ancients were still there just split up, in that way families probably did stick together and we dont know for sure if they truly lost their memories or if that came later. Emet demonstrates this by simply showing two Rynes. There was no mention of death for that. (And the only ones left were the Amaurotines) Lets not forget that we just killed the "sahagin" queen in this very patch, including her unborn children. We took a side and decided to end it because of the slaughter of innocent people they could bring. We were not neutral at all. This game is far away from not tearing families apart. Its the sad truth of war that each side will have family that they want to protect.

"Sundering is not killing" Is the same kind of thinking that "rape isn't as bad as murder" or how the law has been enacted in the US regarding immigration.

Or we can think environmentally: If science came up with definitive evidence that the reason our earth is in danger is because we're living past our "expected time" at a certain age. You honestly think it's noble to decide on behalf of the world to "cut people off at that time" ...it's okay because we'll be reincarnated? If I told you and others we need to stop using our PCs because it's part of the carbon footprint destroying our environment so we should stop playing FFXIV and debating on the forums - that you'll just do it? Of course not, and we'd condemn anyone in society that enforces that - even if it's for the greater good.

The WoL would look for better ways for people to continue their existence not remove them from it.

Like I said, I get it it seems rather noble since eventually life can go on in the game - but this decision was bigger than Amaurot. It affected EVERYONE living at that time, Ancients and new beings.

As far as memories go. There's evidence that did point to our memories being wiped during the act. I do think she had reason to - to keep certain groups from easily just returning to Zodiark. Evidence being Elidibus' speech about about our memories being wiped. If you want to discount him as being a liar. We do have Hydaelyn herself reshaping history. Hydaelyn could have been straight forward with us but she wasn't.

(and yes btw I know we have the cave paintings but it was from someone's recollection presumably with echo?)

Neutral in this case doesn't mean "not killing at all" nor did I make that argument. I merely talked about "us vs them" New vs Old, and simply killing for that cause. In each scenario where 2 sides were about - the characteristics of the WoL was to find another way. Yet we still do not hesitate to eliminate threats to people's lives. The WHOLE reason we are on the First now is because of that character trait. Urianger was inspired by our trait of finding another solution and used that to ask Minfilia Hydaelyn to help stop the flood on the First. Hydaelyn did not take that initiative, Urianger made a case and she accepted.

Obviously the WoL doesn't always succeed. Seeing how Urianger mentioned the very trait we've seen repeated in various themes and Xpacs I think that trait always sticks with us.

Venat herself wanted to keep the darkness in check. However, if she completely eliminated Zodiark or is eliminated herself it does nothing for the problem. That's why it falls to the MC to find a third way.