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

[aveyond-dreams]

Hildibrand's ancestor was a Hyur midlander afflicted with a terminal illness that came in contact with an Alien Symbiote. The Symbiote fixed and strengthened his body to a great degree, and this apparently passed on through the Manderville generations and is supposedly responsible for Godbert and Hildibrand's ineffable vigor. The storyline said that the Symbiote's race were called the Mandervillians and they had to flee their cosmic empire that was brought low by phenomena hinted strongly to be Meteion's Final Days

Just when I thought the writing couldn’t possibly get any worse.

On a more serious note while also potentially being controversial and unpopular, can they kill off another Scion already? I know the catgirl has permanent plot armor and we need to finish getting her back to the first to see her BF but I could never take anything involving them seriously knowing they'll always 'come through' in the end (definitely made the MSQ feel cringe sitting through that entire event of 'death').

It's incredibly frustrating. Especially when they pulled no punches when it came to FFXVI in killing off major characters and letting them exit gracefully as opposed to keeping them around for the memes like XIV has done with G’raha Tia.

Even though Clive has some overpowered WoL qualities, him and others in that game pay a fair consequence for their actions. Not so in XIV where the yas kween magical sailor catgirl of light is about to “harness the light of the First” and kill Zeromus without so much as a scratch in order to be present to berate us more in Dawntrails.

[Snorky]

Personally I don't want to see them kill off any of the scions, but I wouldn't mind if a couple retired and moved on to other pursuits. Maybe go back to them for sage advice in the coming plots. But it seems disingenuous to kill them off at this point. But retirement would be an option.

[BRVV]

They most likely used the alien just to explain away the Hildi physics. I don't think it will be included in the MSQ. FFXIV has jumped many sharks. It would be nice if a scion could have a meaningfull death again. Maybe catgirl for the first? Tank-red and french boy don't seem to get any character development anymore so idk why they are still around. I also don't know why we need to flavours of Alisae. I'm kinda dissapointed Dawntrail will use the scions again. They could have just left in Eorzea and Garlemald while we go exploring with a new crew.

[Carin-Eri]

They most likely used the alien just to explain away the Hildi physics. I don't think it will be included in the MSQ. FFXIV has jumped many sharks.

Jumped the Shark? Did they even see the shark as they jumped clear over it, or was it not visible from orbit?

Not to mention the fact that none of it explains why Julyan Manderville has cartoonishly OP 'powers'.

[Boblawblah]

On a more serious note while also potentially being controversial and unpopular, can they kill off another Scion already? I know the catgirl has permanent plot armor and we need to finish getting her back to the first to see her BF but I could never take anything involving them seriously knowing they'll always 'come through' in the end (definitely made the MSQ feel cringe sitting through that entire event of 'death').

And then what? They'll be replaced by someone equally annoying to you and then you'll be calling for THEIR death. Do you suppose the writing for characters will suddenly change if someone dies?

[BRVV]

Jumped the Shark? Did they even see the shark as they jumped clear over it, or was it not visible from orbit?

Not to mention the fact that none of it explains why Julyan Manderville has cartoonishly OP 'powers'.

Don't worry. They know this. They "owned" us by mentioning that logical error in the quest itself. Maybe the next Manderville quest will explain that. My guess is on mutliverse time travel + mandervillians + Bowser female crown.

[Theodric]

As far as deaths amongst the Scions are concerned I think Y'shtola would be an excellent candidate. Or perhaps Alisae. Both of them are rather reckless and I think it'd make for a touching story to show how arrogance, hubris and complacency can lead to tragedy.

It'd also pave the way for some new characters to stand front and centre who are designed to appeal to a broader variety of tastes instead of being yet another scholar originating from Sharlayan with the exact same beliefs and opinions on practically every matter of note.

[Carin-Eri]

As far as deaths amongst the Scions are concerned I think Y'shtola would be an excellent candidate. Or perhaps Alisae. Both of them are rather reckless and I think it'd make for a touching story to show how arrogance, hubris and complacency can lead to tragedy.

It'd also pave the way for some new characters to stand front and centre who are designed to appeal to a broader variety of tastes instead of being yet another scholar originating from Sharlayan with the exact same beliefs and opinions on practically every matter of note.

It certainly would be a touching story in Alisae's case, as they'd pretty much have to explore Alphinaud's grief too.

[BRVV]

It'd also pave the way for some new characters to stand front and centre who are designed to appeal to a broader variety of tastes instead of being yet another scholar originating from Sharlayan with the exact same beliefs and opinions on practically every matter of note.

FFXIV is about scholars from Sharlayan opposing their viewpoint on Eorzea and continuing on into other regions. Joining Eorzea on a war. Then because players may feel sad it just so happens that a big catastrophe ended the war and left Garlemald defeated (CIA operation?). Yet we still go on and preach our ways. The sharlayan ways. Even when somewhat put as antagonists the Sharlayans are just trying to get the arc done! They then support our space program. Maybe they realized we conquer the world for them.

[Vyrerus]

Realized today the Symbiotes could be more of a Stargate reference to the Goa'Uld. Especially if they incorporate them in future villains.