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

[MartinFreeman]

Part of me was hoping during the MSQ we'd get a similar thing like we did with Wuk, where we run into the birth parent/parents of Koana, or at least part of the nomadic clan he came from, maybe in Shaaloani for example, and get a small scene or two to kind of build that backstory part of his up a bit. It would've been one hell of a thing to find out where unlike Wuk's father, who gave her up to Gulool Ja Ja for her safety, Koana's parents left him legitimately because they didn't want him anymore and they could care less what became of him.

Unfortunately though, Koana is not named Wuk Lamat, so to me it kind of felt like the devs just picked a random prompt from the ol "Sad backstory hat" and just threw it in there for Koana as an easy character backstory to give him, and will most likely not be touched upon at all in the post-MSQ. But one can hope while inhaling the cope because Koana really is one of the best things about Dawntrail.

I think they literally ignored his backstory because we saw his "relatives" or family during the ceremony before they all left on the challenge. Then we finally visit his village...and nothing. Not even one speak of Koana. That's when I realized this story was written for and only for Wuk Lamat, the writer's self insert furry OC.

[Vhana]

That's when I realized this story was written for and only for Wuk Lamat

It does feel at times that the writter of the story already knows Wuk Lamat so well themselves that they forget that the player is not her nor knows her well. The player is often only presented with information that Wuk Lamat doesn’t have access to already. We don’t explore her relationships with her family members or what her life looked like in Tural before the succession because she already knows all that.

It’s unfortunate because we spend a lot of time together and even though I see the intended character arc… I don’t feel like I actually know her better at the end of 7.0 than I did in 6.55 and I hate that because I did start off really liking her.

[Midare]

Guys let's not forget there were literal attempts on her life, as a child no less. Besides, I don't think Koana meant to treat her like family her because he thought she was all alone, it seemed clear to me he did so because he didn't want her to grow alone like he did.

"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.

Part of me was hoping during the MSQ we'd get a similar thing like we did with Wuk, where we run into the birth parent/parents of Koana, or at least part of the nomadic clan he came from, maybe in Shaaloani for example, and get a small scene or two to kind of build that backstory part of his up a bit. It would've been one hell of a thing to find out where unlike Wuk's father, who gave her up to Gulool Ja Ja for her safety, Koana's parents left him legitimately because they didn't want him anymore and they could care less what became of him.

When I saw we were going into a Hhetsarro village, I was hoping to see something related to him, alas, nothing.

Getting some miqo'te lore was nice and all, but Black Hole Sue strikes again and she's the only one who got some backstory.

Meanwhile, I still want to know how Galool JaJa "spurned" Zoraal Ja since not once we have a hint of him being a neglectful father... I mean, we do know that he was a doting father to Poochie, of course.

[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.

[AngelicDeath]

I adore her and the story refreshing for once with this new character lol

[BigBoom550]

snip

Koana should have won, and Wuk\\'s story shpuld have ended with her accepting she\\'s a cheerful meathead and becoming Tural\\'s version of us, wandering around and just doing stuff. Koana leans on her for the emotional side, and he\\'s actually got the brainpower to run a nation.

Like, earlier stuff addressed political realities with actual thought. Hien and Doma\\'s realities of reconstruction, Ala Mhigo\\'s lack of real government, Ishgard removing faith as a cornerstone and ending up with a republic.

Even ARR had the political realities of government factions and conspiracies. Dawntrail... just didn\\'t. Koana was the only one addressing real, actual problems in a realistic way, speaking on issues of the nation as a whole and not just each separate chunk. He was the only one trying to build infrastructure, to look to the future, to actually... rule.

Zoraal Ja doesn\\'t understand logistics. Bakool\\'s an idiot. Wuk\\'s been covered endlessly.

It\\'s like someone else wrote Koana, but had to do it around Wuk.

[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?!