The fate of the scions.... (SPOILER 6.0/6.1)

[Illmaeran]

I'm sick of them and wouldn't be happier to see them all turn into static NPCs with a couple lines of chat when you encounter them in their final locations. I don't want them to die, I just want them out of my life and was bummed to have to get them to the MSQ dungeon. That being said, it was pretty clear at the end when the group was going their own ways that although the Scions wouldn't congregate as a complete group any longer, we'd still be doing things in small groups for at least a while longer. I just hope they're using these current activities to get their individual stories told before going our separate ways for good.

Needing them for MSQ dungeons at this point works well for Trusts too.

I'm crossing my eyes, fingers, and toes that this phenomenon doesn't last long though.

[lollamoon]

I just overall don't like the Scions anymore. It has been the same crew for years and years. They're very samey: overly polite scholarly academics who like to lecture my head off about fantasy metaphysics that the writers make up and retcon as they go along, with the same heritage in the same country, and most of them are elves. And individually, most of them aren't interesting. Alphinaud was okay during ARR and Heavensward, but then he started becoming grating, and now he has to compete with the catboy for the role as the WoL's nerdy best friend deuteragonist. The competent Exarch devolved into a nerdby catboy who forced his way into my life way too late and does not act his age. Lyse and Alisaie competed for the same role as the brash tomboy. Urianger was dull as a doorknob until ShB reinvented him as a cool uncle. Y'shtola was possibly the most dull of them all, standing around and picking on people and being Ms. exposition. Thancred is okay.

I wish half of them had been killed off during ShB and Endwalker and the other half legit retired and went their separate ways, and that 6.1 began introducing a completely brand new cast of original characters.

I understand your point. But I don't think you be satisfied with the replacement either. We already have all the stereotypes: the edgy, the charming, the nerd, the scholar, the tomboy, the peacemaker and so it goes. What is the point to add another edgy character, with a different haircolor, features and new names?

It's also bothers me that G'raha in the Source is a fanboy teenager cause Exarch personality was way more interesting. But I wouldn't be concerned about him cause if there's a character going anywhere is G'raha, his fanbase is HUGE.

[lollamoon]

While I can understand the perspective of a new player who may have started recently being quite attached to Scions, you must understand that these characters have been here for a *decade.* As someone who has started in ARR, I am begging for a new cast because the development of the Scions happens at too slow of a pace nor does anything of interest happen to them.

I've been playing since 2016, I don't think I'm a new player. But now you bring this point, yes, I think it would be even worst for new players.

[CrownySuccubus]

It's also bothers me that G'raha in the Source is a fanboy teenager cause Exarch personality was way more interesting. But I wouldn't be concerned about him cause if there's a character going anywhere is G'raha, his fanbase is HUGE.

I'm fine with it, mostly because people are only the masks they wear in specific roles and company. Most people with any sort of social tact is not the same person hanging out with their best friends that they are on the job or with their significant other.

The Exarch was who G'raha needed to be while leading the people of The First against the Sin Eaters. He was also physically older and more worn down. G'raha is a much younger man with no need to be a leader and standing side-by-side with his boyish idol.

[Seera1024]

I understand your point. But I don't think you be satisfied with the replacement either. We already have all the stereotypes: the edgy, the charming, the nerd, the scholar, the tomboy, the peacemaker and so it goes. What is the point to add another edgy character, with a different haircolor, features and new names?

It's also bothers me that G'raha in the Source is a fanboy teenager cause Exarch personality was way more interesting. But I wouldn't be concerned about him cause if there's a character going anywhere is G'raha, his fanbase is HUGE.

Yea, I wish they had gone a different route with G'raha. I think when the memories converged, it should have failed or been incomplete. Then his character would have a new arch: coming to terms with his alt timeline self and living up to the "name". I say incomplete so that he could retain his fighting knowledge for trust purposes since he's currently set as an all-rounder.

As to the topic, I do hope they retire the cast who have had their arcs completed and work in replacements for their combat role.

Y'shtola should hang around for as long as our purposes line up with her goal of finding a way to travel between reflections. But once that has been done, she should retire from the main cast.

Of course they can make cameos as appropriate, but they need to bring in a cast who has some personal story arcs to go through as subplots since most of the scions have completed their arcs.

[lollamoon]

What I'm trying to say is....they CAN make this characters way more interesting and still relevant if they write a good plot.

Estinien going for a hunt treasure was great! But later they come back to the same "I need to help the dragons I use to hate" plot. Same with Y'shtola, she is my less favorite cause I think she's bland but it was really interesting when she finally showed us vulnerability and wanted to do something reckless just to go back to Runar. But again she go back to the same "I'm doing this cause I have thirsty for knowledge and I want to unravel the mysteries of the universe". Damn, let her be in love!

What if they keep the scions, but develop their characters by taking them out of their comfort zones? They already did with Thancred and it worked very well. We just think they have nothing to add cause everytime Estinien open his mouth he starts to "I used to have so much hate in my heart.....". The problem is not the character, the problem is lazy writing.

[aveyond-dreams]

What if they keep the scions, but develop their characters by taking them out of their comfort zones? They already did with Thancred and it worked very well. We just think they have nothing to add cause everytime Estinien open his mouth he starts to "I used to have so much hate in my heart.....". The problem is not the character, the problem is lazy writing.

Given how preoccupied it seems the writers are with maintaining the invincible plushie-status of these characters for their twitter fanbase, this will prove to be a nearly impossible task. I agree with you that the writing is lazy and that given the proper time even characters who are as unbelievably boring as Thancred right now might be redeemed if something drastic were to occur. Given the fact they are unwilling to do this however, it is better to move on.

10 years of the same characters is already pushing it-we cannot have them around for 10 more or no story of meaningful substance will be told.

[Carin-Eri]

Well , we’re in a new story arc now now that the tale of Hydaelyn and Zodiark is over and finished with. We’re back to being an adventurer in 6.1+ as we always were and will be setting out into the unknown like what Emet-Selch was mentioning about.

Interesting point, actually. Whilst I very probably missed it, I don't recall our character actually being referred to as 'The Warrior of Light' in the new MSQ content. I seem to recall we were addressed as 'Aventurer' (and or "our saviour" at least once).... but not 'Warrior of Light'.

Is the WoL title obsolete without Venat/Hydaelyn?

[PawPaw]

I was so pissed when I had to drag Yshtola around Sharlayan on those follow quests.

Reading this made me laugh remembering how I would just drag her straight through all of those glowing circles they wanted me to stop in. Nope, no desire to talk to you, pick up your damn paws and keep up.

[Nilroreo]

I think they missed a good opportunity to reintroduce the NPC's involved in the Void Ark raids. They have experience dealing with Voidsent and pretty much all of them are Sky Pirates eager for adventure so...they'd have been an excellent fit for the supposed 'themes' of the patch.

Damn, what a good ass idea that would've been, I actually really like those guys. Wonder if Square even remembers they exist.

Move on. Make new characters. Or for goodness sake do something with the ones you insist on keeping around.

To add to my previous comment about Y'shtola (sorry, really have a bone to pick with this character lol), There's one instance during EW where her blindness is sort of relevant. Shortly before Zenos in our body blows his load early and exposes himself, Y'shtola ask if that's really us as she can't quite discern whose aether that is. Wouldn't it have bee a smidge more interesting if she had been the one to expose his identity? what if she had developed a bit of PTSD(Gasp, a character flaw? In my scions? Blasphemy!) from being nearly split in twain by Zenos back in SB, and upon feeling his vile aether nearby, she tenses up and instinctively lobs a fireball at him? They had a perfect opportunity to have her unique ability be instrumental in exposing him, but apparently the best she can do is express skepticism.

What I'm trying to say is....they CAN make this characters way more interesting and still relevant if they write a good plot.

You're right, they could be more interesting and relevant, though imo this won't happen for as long as they continue to behave like stoic unflinching automatons. The Ultima Thule segment has everyone flying out to the edge of the universe, literal uncharted territory, come THIS close to suffocating until Thancred wills atmosphere into existence within that space, not exhibit much of a reaction upon learning of his fate, then they proceed to one by one just unmake themselves with a straight face and a smile. And then there's Alisaie.

Moments after being told by Alphinaud that they're going to be Thanos snapped out of existence, she cries, not out of existential fear of losing her life, or fear of failing everyone back home, but because the warrior of light is going to be lonely saving everyone's ass once again. She just learned that her life is going to be over in a few moments, and her first reaction is to pity us. How is this a normal human reaction to anything?

If they're going to insist on keeping the scions around, then the scions are in desperate need of a reality check as their toxic stoicism just isn't going to cut it anymore. They need to be kicked down several notches for them to feel human again. They need to be able to feel fear, anxiety, anger, REAL depression! When Urianger implies his transgressions and deceit are eating away at his mental health in the middle of an apocalypse that's designed specifically to target people just like him, I expect to see black flames manifesting from his body, but I suppose scions just aren't allowed to feel vulnerable anymore.