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

[Galvuu]

If Dawntrail was a fresh start we would be starting at Level 1.

You don't need a "mechanical fresh start" (level 1) to have a "narrative fresh start". The latter just means that, since all previous plot threads are "resolved" (used loosely here... how resolved and how satisfactorily is not what I'm discussing here, although I know some people feel there's a lot left to be desired on that end), you go to a new place and meet new characters and explore new things and make new connections.
It's disingenuous to make this "start at level 1" point when it's evident what people are discussing in terms of the DT narrative.
Some people just wanted an actual new adventure, with new faces and in a new place. I agree that the moment you drag the scions along, they immediately become the centerpiece and a lot of potentially novelty that the DT story and areas could have is immediately sacrificed to the alter of marketable familiarity. Frankly, I've been playing for over a decade, I could do with a break from this same old (ARR and HW scions were quite different, but they've been the same since SB...).

[MikkoAkure]

You don't need a "mechanical fresh start" (level 1) to have a "narrative fresh start". The latter just means that, since all previous plot threads are "resolved" (used loosely here... how resolved and how satisfactorily is not what I'm discussing here, although I know some people feel there's a lot left to be desired on that end), you go to a new place and meet new characters and explore new things and make new connections.

I'm hoping for a Treasures of Aht Urghan experience since that was my favorite FFXI expansion and that seems to be how we're ending up so far.

- Travel to a far away continent we've barely heard of after finishing the main original story and defeating god.
- Adventure around a new place filled with Mamool Ja and trolls with the country's princess in a plot involving royal siblings (theoretically) ending in a coronation.
- an edgy and a goofy class are released.

ToAU's story was completely separate from vanilla, RotZ, and CoP except for the revelation that Odin, who was behind the Shadow Lord the whole time, had a starring role. Aphmau was one of the best NPCs in the game, the plot was really well done and more straightforward. Also it had my favorite FFXI/XIV sidequest of all time: Three Men and a Closet.

[MagiusNecros]

You don't need a "mechanical fresh start" (level 1) to have a "narrative fresh start". The latter just means that, since all previous plot threads are "resolved" (used loosely here... how resolved and how satisfactorily is not what I'm discussing here, although I know some people feel there's a lot left to be desired on that end), you go to a new place and meet new characters and explore new things and make new connections.
It's disingenuous to make this "start at level 1" point when it's evident what people are discussing in terms of the DT narrative.
Some people just wanted an actual new adventure, with new faces and in a new place. I agree that the moment you drag the scions along, they immediately become the centerpiece and a lot of potentially novelty that the DT story and areas could have is immediately sacrificed to the alter of marketable familiarity. Frankly, I've been playing for over a decade, I could do with a break from this same old (ARR and HW scions were quite different, but they've been the same since SB...).

Sadly I think for the entire life of XIV we will be stuck with the Scions. They are never going away.