What even was that capstone questline?

[Jau]

I'd also like to add to the sentiment here. The conclusion to the quest just came off as weirdly cruel to Apyaahi - and more importantly outright dismissive of her perspective, which feels like it goes counter to the main themes of the whole expansion. Dawntrail is meant to be a story about how its important to try and understand others without judgement, isn't it?

She's not incorrect about class disparity (especially in places like Ul'dah or Hingashi), or that just because something is law doesn't mean that its right. But we're given no option to acknowedge that part of her perspective, instead flatly condeming her in entirety. It feels especially weird considering how most of the main role quests had their associated NPC taking a lesson from the dark reflections of themselves they saw in their respective members of the Unbound - but no, nothing like that here.

I feel like there were a lot of stronger ways to portray her as misguided, too. Instead of exploring the consequences of her goal of "tearing down nations" upon the people she claims to help, or pointing out the hypocrisy of her idolising and empowering people who frequently hamper the freedoms of others, the writer chose "oh she's just lazy and hardheaded" and played it for laughs. Particularly mean-spirited laughs, at that - you're gonna make light of state violence against the homeless? Really?

It feels like a poorly-written strawman argument that refuses to actually address the questions it presents. I think Dawntrail gets disproportionate flak for its problems, but this role quest capstone is some of the most ham-fisted writing in the entire game. Profoundly disappointed.

[Mawlzy]

It feels like a poorly-written strawman argument that refuses to actually address the questions it presents. I think Dawntrail gets disproportionate flak for its problems, but this role quest capstone is some of the most ham-fisted writing in the entire game. Profoundly disappointed.

Excellent summary.

[mallleable]

I'd also like to add to the sentiment here. The conclusion to the quest just came off as weirdly cruel to Apyaahi - and more importantly outright dismissive of her perspective, which feels like it goes counter to the main themes of the whole expansion. Dawntrail is meant to be a story about how its important to try and understand others without judgement, isn't it?

The people behind Mamook's Blessed eugenics program get a pass, 'we understand your plight, and what pushed you to do this.' But be a misguided rule breaker with class structure grievances, "Villains like you deserve no freedom."

Yuck.

[Wasselin]

I'd also like to add to the sentiment here. The conclusion to the quest just came off as weirdly cruel to Apyaahi - and more importantly outright dismissive of her perspective, which feels like it goes counter to the main themes of the whole expansion. Dawntrail is meant to be a story about how its important to try and understand others without judgement, isn't it?

To me it felt like it goes against the main themes of the entire game. How did we go from being a hero of the people to an enforcer who relishes locking people up. The Warrior of Light has always led with empathy and understanding-- one of our special powers is to understand others no matter what language they speak -- and suddenly we want to throw someone in jail. Especially considering we've allowed others to redeem themselves who have actually harmed others. Apyaahi, herself hasn't been shown to actually harm anyone.

I actually really enjoyed most of the role quests despite the tonal whiplash when they decide to bring out the clown music but this was just too much for me with the way it portrayed the Warrior of Light.

Given that our Allied Society quest this time around is

helping someone set up a tourist agency and help make the local culture profitable

and the MSQ has us

helping industrialists usher local wildlife out of the way

, I feel like a weird vibeshift must have overtaken the Square Enix writing room.

[Mawlzy]

To me it felt like it goes against the main themes of the entire game. How did we go from being a hero of the people to an enforcer who relishes locking people up. The Warrior of Light has always led with empathy and understanding-- one of our special powers is to understand others no matter what language they speak -- and suddenly we want to throw someone in jail. Especially considering we've allowed others to redeem themselves who have actually harmed others. Apyaahi, herself hasn't been shown to actually harm anyone.

I actually really enjoyed most of the role quests despite the tonal whiplash when they decide to bring out the clown music but this was just too much for me with the way it portrayed the Warrior of Light.

Given that our Allied Society quest this time around is

helping someone set up a tourist agency and help make the local culture profitable

and the MSQ has us

helping industrialists usher local wildlife out of the way

, I feel like a weird vibeshift must have overtaken the Square Enix writing room.

I agree, and what's particularly troubling is that this shift is manifesting itself in a significant change in the principles and character of the WoL.

We are being rewritten from an amiable and empathetic adventurer who will happily find someone's lost goat, to a supercharged mercenary enforcing the diktats of an absolute monarchy.

[Valence]

Particularly mean-spirited laughs, at that - you're gonna make light of state violence against the homeless? Really?

I do hope this doesn't have anything to do with how Japan treats its homeless (look into it if you're curious, it's enlightening).