Character Death in the MSQ

[StormChase]

Okay, I will admit: I did make it sound way too much like TV Tropes and also should've included more examples. My intention wasn't to make it seem like every death counts as these because there's definitely some that don't. And I should've clarified the Disney comparison's something that happens to main characters specifically. You're right about superhero comics and soap operas being a better comparison in general.

I'll add some more examples so it's more clear why I think there's patterns. Also not all of these examples are necessarily bad writing, but I do think they show a reluctance to kill characters the players and writers are more attached to, for better or worse.

The Guy Nobody Cared About

• Papalymo debatably counts? AFAIK he was one of the less popular Scions, and for whatever reason it seems like the writers decided he and Yda were the weakest link. Unless I'm misremembering, Lyse only mentioned him, like, maybe twice in 4.0? Her family was a lot more relevant.
• Speaking of Stormblood, Conrad was a character who pretty much only existed to promote Lyse. At least that's how it felt when I played it. Half of 4.0 being in Othard didn't help.
• Until 7.3 Geode was just... there. The moment he said he was coming back I knew something was up, and him randomly saying his backstory further solidfied my suspicions. His death wasn't particularly relevant to the rest of the patch other than when we drank with Oblivion. But who knows? We still have his aether, so maybe they'll readdress it.

The Woman

• When Moenbryda comes up it almost always has to do with Urianger. I get why that is but he wasn't the only Scion she was close to. Weren't she and Yda like sisters?
• Ysayle had the misfortune of dying right after Haurchefant, and because of that she's often forgotten by comparison. Occasionally she's mentioned when Alphinaud or Estinien remember her, plus that one bit of fanservice in the Aitiascope. Ryne mentioned her but it was in passing. She didn't even get a portrait like the Heavensward guys.
• Yotsuyu's a villain but she also counts because of her connection to Gosetsu. I'm not gonna argue whether or not she should've died but they should've done more with the trafficking storyline afterwards. I don't understand why Endwalker's ranged quests just went back to "Yotsuyu scary" and didn't do something about the other women and girls being abused. As things are right now, her story and Doma's are unresolved without that.
• Minfilia was already heavily disliked (undeserved IMO) by the time the writers sealed her fate, which probably had something to do with the decision. I like Thancred and Ryne's arcs but I don't like how she was basically reduced to a plot device to make them happen. If she had more of a presence in Shadowbringers I might feel differently.

[StormChase]

I'll add some more examples so it's more clear why I think there's patterns. Also not all of these examples are necessarily bad writing, but I do think they show a reluctance to kill characters the players and writers are more attached to, for better or worse.

The Fake Out

• 2.55 shocked me because they really made it look like Nanamo died. Heavensward revealed she just went to sleep, which kinda took away some of the impact. Maybe they were worried that would be too bleak.
• Y'shtola's had close calls multiple times. I don't think they should kill her off but I wish she had higher stakes as a character. She might have the most plot armor out of any Scion besides the WOL.
• The Crystal Exarch died at the end of 5.3 and his soul was transferred to the present G'raha Tia. IMO that was a more satisfying conclusion than him just dying.
• Most of the major Scions sacrificed themselves at Ultima Thule, and were then recreated with the last of Hydaelyn's magic. But their deaths were mostly symbolic, so I don't have much of an issue.

Some Exceptions

• Haurchefant was more of a joke character in A Realm Reborn, but he was genuinely loved by a lot of players, and the writers made sure his death stuck with them.
• Tesleen's death (well, the thing that might as well have been her death) left a big impact by being at the very beginning of Shadowbringers. And it played a big part in Alisaie's story by leading to her curing tempering.
• The only issue I have with Hydaelyn dying was her soul dissipating. Other than that it was emotionally resonant, made a lot of narrative sense, and helped close the main story arc.