Wow, Wuk Lamat is really single-handedly ruining the DT story...

[LisseyCrowe]

"I had been already in the palace some time when Lamaty'i came to join us."
"Like me, she had been cast aside by her parents. I knew the pain of solitude, and wanted to spare her that suffering."

Those are the exact words he said. Yeah, he didn't want her to grow up alone, but he did get attached based on the false idea that she had been abandoned.

Either the writer forgot his own setting, or Koana got cheated.

Hmm, nevermind then. I could try to salvage it by saying she was still cast aside for benevolent reasons but I won't ... If anything that's maybe yet another angle the story failed to grasp then. I guess it could still happen (but let's be real, I'd be surprised if it did) but him learning that her father is still alive and well and loves her could've possibly sparked some drama between the two, especially with the "reveal" that Koana is actually more emotional than he seems. That plus a heartfelt reconciliation would've made them sharing the throne a lot more earned.

[Midare]

Hmm, nevermind then. I could try to salvage it by saying she was still cast aside for benevolent reasons but I won't ... If anything that's maybe yet another angle the story failed to grasp then. I guess it could still happen (but let's be real, I'd be surprised if it did) but him learning that her father is still alive and well and loves her could've possibly sparked some drama between the two, especially with the "reveal" that Koana is actually more emotional than he seems. That plus a heartfelt reconciliation would've made them sharing the throne a lot more earned.

Even in that situation I don't think it would salvage the character for me. I would feel better for Koana for finally getting a crumb of story, but aside from that I'd go "ok, time for Poochie to get back to her corner where I can't see her."

On a side note, I'm now thinking of the feat of reeds and I'm mildly annoyed again.

"Third Promise, please, we're hungry."
"Have you tried dancing, lmao?"

[LisseyCrowe]

Even in that situation I don't think it would salvage the character for me. I would feel better for Koana for finally getting a crumb of story, but aside from that I'd go "ok, time for Poochie to get back to her corner where I can't see her."

On a side note, I'm now thinking of the feat of reeds and I'm mildly annoyed again.

"Third Promise, please, we're hungry."
"Have you tried dancing, lmao?"

That whole thing reminds me of the gif about what seemed to be a gameshow where they have contestant smell things and one guy in disgust says "It smells like ass!" only for the right answer cue to play. "Haha funny Wuk, now let the adults figure it---- What do you mean we're going along with it?"

If at least they'd made the birds in on it and that figuring that out was the trial but ... no, they're all clueless too? How? And why's the guy next door who knows about this just watching them starve? Lion instincts took over and he just saw an easy opportunity to feast on chicken for a couple weeks once they all die?

[ZXN]

On a side note, I'm now thinking of the feat of reeds and I'm mildly annoyed again.

"Third Promise, please, we're hungry."
"Have you tried dancing, lmao?"

The feat rubbed me the wrong way, along with most of the contest as a whole. Sure Wuk's option of doing Ihih'hana worked, but Koana's way using an alchemic concoction also worked. The story through the entire contest as you go through it however ever so subtly tries to constantly push onto you, using some NPC dialogues and certain body language /facial expressions when directed specifically at what Koana says or does, the mindset of "Yeah Koana's ways are "correct", but it's not THE correct way we're looking for, unlike Wuk's way, which IS the correct way."

Koana mentions in a cutscene with Team Dads how the storm cut off the Alpaca routes and threw lives into disarray, which further strengthens his resolve of winning the contest and trying to use innovation so things like this wouldn't be so crippling to their nation. Basic concerns like that, that leaders SHOULD be thinking about, are just never brought up again or even thought of by the others. Even as Koana learns through the entire contest the important of his nation's culture and history and why he shouldn't dismiss it's importance, not once does the story really even attempt to entertain the reverse thought: that Koana's innovations that he learned overseas would indeed be helpful to grow Tural and make certain things easier that wouldn't clash with their cultures. Even though he brought Dirigibles and a Train to help certain parts of the nation, it's like the story tries to subtly shame him sometimes for using outside methods to try and help his nation.

And Koana's reward for his journey and growth during the contest? To essentially give up at the finish line and proudly declare that Wuk is the only good option as leader of their nation. Sure, Koana becomes Dawnservant alongside Wuk in the end, but the story tried it's absolute best to subtly "convince" the player and everyone else that Koana was never going to be as worthy as Wuk Lamat for the title.

[chizLemons]

And Koana's reward for his journey and growth during the contest? To essentially give up at the finish line and proudly declare that Wuk is the only good option as leader of their nation. Sure, Koana becomes Dawnservant alongside Wuk in the end, but the story tried it's absolute best to subtly "convince" the player and everyone else that Koana was never going to be as worthy as Wuk Lamat for the title.

It's also very weird that he decides to give up right after yet another part of the contest that his method was proven to be the right one, and actually the ONLY one they tried. The only thing Wuk Lamat did was getting the people together to ask what was wrong - and actually that wasn't even her own merit, it was Bakool Ja Ja's mom and his sudden personality change that allowed her to be able to talk to the people. And THAT'S the part that makes him decide to give up the contest?!