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

[Lauront]

The wording for it is also clearer in French in that it is referring to spreading Zodiark's energy - as we know from 5.4, primal tempering is alignment to the primal's aether, which is consistent with this (and in the case of the beast tribe summonings at least, a rendering of the soul in a more umbral state): “That’s how the Ascians became the energy transmission belts of Zordiark, my young friend! Our existence has only one purpose: to amplify and extend the part of Darkness in the whole universe.”

As curious a phrase as it is, I've never taken that quote to imply he couldn't change course - he did after all in 5.3, when he comes to the WoL's assistance in SoS (really, as far back as 5.0, although this was more debatable back then but became clearer with post-5.0 interviews.) Fandaniel too was able to go as far as assuming control of the primal - and lest anyone say he's sundered and thus the Aetherial Sea would wash this away (ditto with Emet in 5.3 after his 'death'), Emet-Selch had another quote to the effect of the Ascians preferring the souls of the original summoners because faith in Zodiark is seared onto them, so that it's far from clear that this would remove tempering. Moreover, Yoshi P makes zero reference to tempering in discussing his motives, e.g. here, or in any other interview of which I am aware. Ishikawa attributes his downfall to his kindness. It's a red herring to me. They have had plenty of opportunities now to refer to tempering as the reason and did not, much as they have had ample opportunity to pitch the third sacrifice as significant to Venat's motives, and yet they have not, instead citing dynamis manipulation and the Plenty.

While I will note that the other language versions of the Loporrit dialogue are clearer that Zodiark could temper, it's attributed to his sheer power. At the end of the day, he's not summoned with the flawed Primal rituals the Ascians created, so I think that Emet's line doesn't really mean much in the grand scheme of things. The primal was there to deliver their salvation and not lord over them, so in my estimation, they may have retconned it, or it may have never meant that much in the first place - it's hard to say. By 5.4 at least they'd already put in place the notion that tempering and a sense of memory and identity can work against each other and the sort of tempering he effected just doesn't seem to involve subverting their own motives through an act of will.

My assumption on why they brought in tempering at all is to explain cases like Nabriales and Lahabrea, the latter of whom is more zealous (and also suffered significant erosion of his identity due to body-hopping), as opposed to Emet-Selch, who is clearly fighting on behalf of his people, and Elidibus, who is doing the same but in the context of tolerating memory loss in order that he can complete his duty as a Convocation member without sentiment interfering. I am sure they wish they could've re-written Lahabrea with the original plot in mind. I just don't think they worded it well enough when he brought it up, but I am glad they never invoked it to explain Emet's motives, because they were strong enough as they were without the need for such a thing.

Of course this is all based on present lore understanding, and they could always introduce more "surprises" in the future, for better or for worse. Their writing could benefit from being clearer as there were still a lot of ambiguities for what was meant to be the final chapter of the original arc, and yeah, some of it does come across as handwave-y retcons.

[CrownySuccubus]

As curious a phrase as it is, I've never taken that quote to imply he couldn't change course - he did after all in 5.3 (really, as far back as 5.0, although this became clearer with post-5.0 interviews.)

He didn't "change" course so much as he "detoured" it. I interpret Emet-Selch's actions to work the same as the concept of "inception" from the film of the same name. Basically, it's something that gets planted inside you, and no matter what you do or how you try to reason, the incepted idea always has influence over you. Emet-Selch could TRY to change...but only so far and so much.

Besides that, Emet was dead as of 5.3.

Moreover, Yoshi P makes zero reference to tempering in discussing his motives, e.g. here, or in any other interview of which I am aware. Ishikawa attributes his downfall to his kindness. It's a red herring to me.

Possibly, but I don't put much stock into that, because the writers have 1) admitted before that they tend to just make stuff up as they go and then sometimes change their minds later and 2) have outright forgotten or contradicted things they've said before. I'm partial to believe that they fully intended for Zodiark and Hydaelyn's chosen (the Ascian and the WOL) to be Tempered. I think they also probably intended for that tempering to be as different from normal primals as gravity is next to a black hole versus next to the Earth. Over time, the idea probably just evolved into something else and got dropped completely.

That's my take, anyway.

[YukikoKurosawa]

What is this "Tales of the Dawn" you guy are talking about? I can't find anything about this anywhere.

[Lauront]

What is this "Tales of the Dawn" you guy are talking about? I can't find anything about this anywhere.

The short stories due for release with the anniversary event in August. It's an assumed name as we don't know what it will be yet.

He didn't "change" course so much as he "detoured" it. I interpret Emet-Selch's actions to work the same as the concept of "inception" from the film of the same name. Basically, it's something that gets planted inside you, and no matter what you do or how you try to reason, the incepted idea always has influence over you. Emet-Selch could TRY to change...but only so far and so much.

Besides that, Emet was dead as of 5.3.



Possibly, but I don't put much stock into that, because the writers have 1) admitted before that they tend to just make stuff up as they go and then sometimes change their minds later and 2) have outright forgotten or contradicted things they've said before. I'm partial to believe that they fully intended for Zodiark and Hydaelyn's chosen (the Ascian and the WOL) to be Tempered. I think they also probably intended for that tempering to be as different from normal primals as gravity is next to a black hole versus next to the Earth. Over time, the idea probably just evolved into something else and got dropped completely.

That's my take, anyway.

Given what they've revealed through interviews about post-SHB writing, there is probably truth in that, but I am premising my arguments based on the position it has all been left in, whether what delivered that is outright retconning, changes of course or something else. I am sure one day into the distant future, when less is at stake, Yoshi will grace us with the truth of what happened with EW behind the scenes. Whether I even care to know at that point is another story.

[YukikoKurosawa]

The short stories due for release with the anniversary event in August. It's an assumed name as we don't know what it will be yet.

An assumed name? But where is the name coming from? I can't find anything about any of this anywhere, where did you guys hear this from? Nothing on lodestone, nothing on twitter, nothing on reddit, nothing on google, did somebody just make this up? I haven't been keeping up these past several pages, but there's absolutely nothing about any such event anywhere I can find nor anything by that name associated with FFXIV.

I need a link or something.

[Theodric]

I do wonder how 'deep' and 'heavy' this year's short stories will actually be. For all we know they could just be focusing on the various City State leaders - again - and giving a recap of the aftermath of the role quests. I hope at least one of them revolves around Jullus and another Sicard.

[Rulakir]

There'd better be at least one story with Emet and Hyth (that does not involve Venat in any way). One for Elidibus/Themis would be nice too.

[Lauront]

An assumed name? But where is the name coming from? I can't find anything about any of this anywhere, where did you guys hear this from? Nothing on lodestone, nothing on twitter, nothing on reddit, nothing on google, did somebody just make this up? I haven't been keeping up these past several pages, but there's absolutely nothing about any such event anywhere I can find nor anything by that name associated with FFXIV.

I need a link or something.

You won't find it yet. It's what people are assuming it'll be called following previous naming patterns. Yoshi has made mention of them coming previously, but they're set to release in August in line with prior expansions, e.g. here for SHB:

https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes...m_the_shadows/

https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes..._the_twilight/

[KizuyaKatogami]

I do wonder how 'deep' and 'heavy' this year's short stories will actually be. For all we know they could just be focusing on the various City State leaders - again - and giving a recap of the aftermath of the role quests. I hope at least one of them revolves around Jullus and another Sicard.

Hopefully we get some stories for characters that didnt get much time in the spotlight. But if it ends up just being stories about Venat,Hermes,Emet or Hyth its going to suck.... I have a feeling theyll double up on the fanservice sadly though and we're going to just get stories about the 3 eplis unsundered's wild and haha funny antics.My ideal candidate would be Elidibus seeing as the heart of Zodiark was noticeable absent throughout the entire xpansion

[MikkoAkure]

An assumed name? But where is the name coming from? I can't find anything about any of this anywhere, where did you guys hear this from? Nothing on lodestone, nothing on twitter, nothing on reddit, nothing on google, did somebody just make this up? I haven't been keeping up these past several pages, but there's absolutely nothing about any such event anywhere I can find nor anything by that name associated with FFXIV.

I need a link or something.

I'm not sure why it's so important to you but the other expansions had short stories that were named after the expansion or the theme of it:
Tales from the Calamity
Tales from the Dragonsong War
Tales from the Storm
Tales from the Shadows

5.5 had Tales from the Twilight

Considering Endwalker's theme is "dawn" I just used that. I've seen other people use it too.

I do wonder how 'deep' and 'heavy' this year's short stories will actually be. For all we know they could just be focusing on the various City State leaders - again - and giving a recap of the aftermath of the role quests. I hope at least one of them revolves around Jullus and another Sicard.

That would be a super lazy cop out but I wouldn't put it past them.

I can at least see Jullus and Venat getting one. And then probably a Thavnairan and a Sharlayan on the council or that Viera guy. Less certain but somewhat likely in my opinion is maybe Growingway or another Lopporit or even the Watcher.