Character disconnect and disappointing Player Agency in Dawntrail's MSQ [Spoilers]

[dezzmont]

Please don't bring up HW and other expansions into this, that would be a totally different discussion

I mean, I am glad you agree that Wuk can be annoying but don't shift the goalpost and topic...can you elaborate on how are we a mentor figure to Wuk? I just don't see it? Just the trading questline? She could've asked anyone else and get the same result

Its not shifting the topic. I am pointing out a disconnect by making a comparison. It isn't moving the goalposts to point to another expansion that had a fairly similar structure (road trip with a learning moment for a young NPC, this time Alphinauld, learning how to be a leader and hero) that was also linear and forced you to cheerlead the character. If you liked HW but didn't like DT, it probably means you are ok with being a cheerleader and some aspect of being a cheerleader for Alphinauld felt better than Wuk Lamat, even though you have more scenes where Wuk Lamat asks you or the party what to do than in HW.

I think you perhaps pointed out what is important for you, which is feeling like your doing the heavy lifting. It is very fair to point out that DT's first half is VERY low stakes. So even though your always being pointed at a problem or basically directed by the gaggle of NPCs, in HW its stuff like 'Alphinauld figures out you need to do this awesome thing' while in DT its 'Erinvelle figures out you need 5 bear asses.' Then in the back half once she grows determined and the stakes are high she is also a lot more assertive (And also like low key some of the plot construction of THAT half isn't great).

As for moments you actually mentored Wuk Lamat or guided her, most of the trading questline, and the immediate aftermath of the attack where you talk to her about the burden of being someone who can help but sometimes fails. She also basically never comes up with the idea on how to progress any of the challenges save for the last one and the one with the festival. Usually its Erinvelle who actually leads the way with his cultural knowledge that guides Wuk Lamat towards the right answer, its his main purpose in the first half of the story as her more traveled childhood friend. She is actually a *really* passive and uncertain charactrer, especially outside of voiced cutscenes.