The odd cutscene with Y'shtola and Runar in 5.3

[GoldStarz]

Why in the worlds would anyone think Y'shtola would even consider retiring after discovering a means of interdimensional (intershard?) travel? If she could figure out how to readily get to one, I can't imagine she'd simply stop there. There's still more shards to visit, more knowledge to research.

I agree, if they ever wanted to retire Y'shtola as a character without killing her off, I don't think it would be by having her retire in-universe but rather just having whatever the current curiosity she's researching be in a place far away from where the current action is happening. She doesn't seem like the type of person who would ever settle down.

[lycropath]

I mean, we have seen Y'sthola let men who are courting her down quite straight forwardly, that she avoids rejecting Runar entirely and tells him she will find a way to return seems to speak volumes.

[YianKutku]

I mean, we have seen Y'sthola let men who are courting her down quite straight forwardly, that she avoids rejecting Runar entirely and tells him she will find a way to return seems to speak volumes.

Yeah, I get the feeling Y'shtola starts from "I'm not interested", then adds or removes tact depending on how her suitor has acted. Magnai was being very Magnai, hence The Burn (Savage).

But she doesn't actually reject Runar, however politely. So I'm also of the belief that she does welcome the idea of a continuing relationship with Runar if the whole shard travel thing works out, but I do also think it's premature to suggest that potential relationship will be romantic. Maybe she just wants to remain close friends with Runar and the rest of the Night's Blessed. Maybe she's interested in something more with Runar specifically. We don't know at this point, but I strongly suspect we'll only get any sort of closure in fanfic and headcanons, since I don't think the game will revisit the issue one way or another.

[Theodric]

My personal hope for her retirement has her as the de facto ruler of Sharlayan. Just because.

Serving as a leader figure comes with a great number of responsibilities. Would that really be much of a retirement with that in mind?

[Fenral]

Serving as a leader figure comes with a great number of responsibilities. Would that really be much of a retirement with that in mind?

I did say "de facto" ruler. I imagine her essentially running the place, while also not being bound to any official office. If she must needs retire (from the front lines, or her MSQ role), why dream small?

[Gerel]

I did say "de facto" ruler. I imagine her essentially running the place, while also not being bound to any official office. If she must needs retire (from the front lines, or her MSQ role), why dream small?

I think the greater issue would be that Sharlayan has no singular ruler, with it being governed by a democratically-elected Forum. There's the Speaker of the Forum who acts as the head of state-- but their power is incredibly restricted by law and they largely seem to be a figurehead. Can't imagine Y'shtola being happy with either situation given her inclination towards field work and having copious amounts of autonomy. I feel like she'd pull a Matoya proper and branch off to do "her own thing" in the world.

[Fenral]

I mean, if our time in Sharlayan plays out anything like our time in Ishgard, there are gonna be a few openings at the top by the time we're done.

[DPZ2]

I mean, if our time in Sharlayan plays out anything like our time in Ishgard, there are gonna be a few openings at the top by the time we're done.

Where are people getting this "if our time in Sharlayan plays out"? The official Endwalker web site specifically notes Thavnair, Garlemald's capital, and the moon. It says nothing about going to Sharlayan. The only city shown in the Endwalker livestream was in Thavnair.

[Gerel]

Where are people getting this "if our time in Sharlayan plays out"? The official Endwalker web site specifically notes Thavnair, Garlemald's capital, and the moon. It says nothing about going to Sharlayan. The only city shown in the Endwalker livestream was in Thavnair.

People are taking Krile's return to Sharlayan, as well as a few other clues (like Alphinaud becoming a Sage like his father before him), that Sharlayan is going to be our "big city" for Endwalker.

[DPZ2]

People are taking Krile's return to Sharlayan, as well as a few other clues (like Alphinaud becoming a Sage like his father before him), that Sharlayan is going to be our "big city" for Endwalker.

Thanks. I rather thought that Radz-at-Han was going to be in that position, although I see now that the fan sites are considering that to be the next Eulmore. Then again, we will be exploring the continent of Islabard, complete with the capital city for Garlemald. I don't remember Sharlayan as being part of the Garlean empire.

So, nothing but 'intuition' at the moment. Hopefully not the same intuition that decided male Viera were definitely going to be in-game at 5.0 launch.