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

[Skyborne]

Indeed, the ascians didn't really make a very good impression by trying to kill us from the get-go. Not to mention the moment we meet Lahabrea, he immediately flings a mutated tick at us. Very rude, bread-man... although I still laugh at the dramatic "EVVVViiIIIIiiLLLllll!" from Hydaelyn in that cutscene.

Of course, I'm one of those weirdos who enjoyed the ascians since 2.0, as they kind of had that OrgXIII thing going on where it seemed like there was more to them and their 'dark god', each one was a (loveable) jerk in their own way, and that each member seemed to have their own agenda and clashed with each other ala Nabriales, and the scene where Elidibus has to tug the leash on Lahabrea, and Fandaniel. And the rest of 4-5 left who we haven't seen yet. The cool robes and masks and the extradimensional crystal clubhouse with the chairs also helps. By contrast, the Scions are all long time friends who are all on the same page and all agree with each other 100% aside from Urianger's odd cloak and dagger stuff.

Who knows... perhaps the next set of (sympathetic) villains will have that dynamic.